Red Dot Sight Alignment Using Ball and Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current red dot and reticle alignment mechanisms are temperature-sensitive and prone to wear, leading to accuracy issues when used on weapons or equipment exposed to extreme temperature variations and vibration, causing the aim point to float and result in missed targets.
Innovation Solution
A sight alignment system utilizing a ball and lever approach with a ball containment structure and optical fiber, allowing for precise windage and elevation adjustments without slides or stages, using materials with similar thermal expansion properties to maintain accuracy and reduce wear, and incorporating a digital display for co-alignment of reticles and red dots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional translation mechanisms with slides, stages, and set screws are used for red dot and reticle alignment, then adjustment capability is provided, but the aim point floats when the weapon is shot and accuracy is lost due to wear at contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical fiber from the alignment mechanism entirely, allowing the red dot position to be adjusted by repositioning the fiber endpoint rather than using mechanical translation mechanisms. This eliminates slides, stages, and set screws that cause wear and aim point floating during weapon operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical translation system with a direct physical adjustment of the optical fiber endpoint. Instead of using mechanical components that translate motion, the system uses the flexibility of the optical fiber itself to achieve position changes, eliminating wear at contact points and improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If set screw designs are used for adjustment, then windage and elevation adjustment is enabled, but wear points are created at contact points that wear out over time during weapon fire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes set screws and other mechanical adjustment components that create wear points. The adjustment is achieved by directly repositioning the optical fiber endpoint without any intermediate mechanical elements, eliminating the wear problem entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical set screw adjustment with a direct fiber positioning method. The optical fiber's physical properties allow for adjustment without contact points, replacing the mechanical system with an optical solution that has no wear.
3Measurement precision
If conventional alignment mechanisms are used, then red dot and reticle alignment is achieved, but the aim point floats when exposed to extreme temperature variations due to unequal thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical fiber from temperature-sensitive mechanical structures. By allowing the fiber to be independently positioned and secured at its endpoint, the system eliminates the thermal expansion mismatches that occur in conventional multi-component mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the system. The optical fiber is chosen for its thermal stability and flexibility, while the mounting structure is designed to minimize thermal expansion effects. This local optimization of material selection improves temperature stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate, temperature-independent, and vibration-immune alignment, reducing wear and maintaining accuracy over time, with the ability to project any reticle pattern and adjust in 0.5 MOA steps over a range of +/-20 MOA, eliminating the need for differential screws and minimizing contact points.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the second end being optically coupled with a light source and the first end extending at least partially into the cavity and being configured to project an image on a target
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment subsystem that incorporates a ball and lever approach to adjust windage and elevation. The system provides a low cost, vibration immune red dot and/or reticle device for a weapon system. The materials used to construct the system also provide for temperature indifference and increased wear characteristics.