Programmable Reflex Sight Illuminator Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional riflescopes with powered illuminators are prone to power depletion or interruption, which can disrupt their operation.
Innovation Solution
A programmable reflex sight with multiple illumination levels, controlled by a controller and actuator, using PWM or resistive networks to manage power consumption, and featuring a user-friendly interface for setting brightness levels and a 'training mode' to simulate failures, allowing for adaptable operation and training scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the illuminator operates continuously at high brightness, then the illumination quality is improved, but the battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The controller alternates between active illumination periods and sleep periods, adjusting the duty cycle dynamically. This periodic operation maintains adequate illumination quality during active periods while significantly extending battery life by reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts illuminator brightness and operational parameters based on real-time conditions. The controller modifies illumination intensity, pulse width modulation duty cycles, and active/sleep period ratios according to battery charge level, ambient light conditions, and user preferences, optimizing the balance between illumination quality and battery conservation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the illuminator operates at low brightness to conserve power, then the battery life is improved, but the illumination quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic illumination with variable duty cycles to maintain battery life while providing adequate illumination. During sleep periods, the illuminator is completely off to conserve power; during active periods, it provides full or near-full brightness to ensure illumination quality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically switches between different operational modes (continuous, periodic, sleep) and adjusts brightness levels based on battery status and environmental conditions, ensuring adequate illumination is provided when necessary while conserving battery life during periods of lower demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the illuminator cycles through multiple operating states, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single controller unit performs multiple functions: it manages illuminator power states, monitors battery charge levels, processes user inputs from buttons or switches, adjusts PWM duty cycles, and implements training modes. This multi-functional approach provides operating mode flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the controller, battery monitor, user interface processor, and illuminator driver into an integrated power management system. By merging these functions into a unified control architecture, the system achieves high adaptability across multiple operating states while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the illuminator uses PWM control for brightness adjustment, then the power consumption efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical or resistive brightness control methods with electronic PWM (pulse width modulation) control. This substitution provides more efficient power consumption by switching the illuminator on and off rapidly at different duty cycles rather than using variable resistance, while the complexity is managed through integrated controller implementation.
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 solution provides reliable and adaptable illumination with power management and training capabilities, ensuring continuous operation and user preparedness for potential failures, while optimizing battery life and simplifying user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination is regulated by the combination of a resistance in series with the LED and pulse width modulation (PWM).
Implementation Method 2
Multiple illumination levels are made available to the user, and the actual illumination provided by these levels are programmable
Data Source
AI summary
A reflex sight for a firearm has a body, a mounting facility, a controller, an actuator, and an illumination facility operably connected to the controller and having a plurality of different operating states. The controller is responsive to sequential actuation of the actuator to cycle among the operating states. The controller is operable to change operation of the illumination facility after a selected duration based on a power consumption characteristic of the operating state.