Reflex Sight Photo Sensor Placement for Light Detection Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reflex sights face inaccuracies in detecting ambient light conditions due to suboptimal placement of photoelectric sensors, leading to inappropriate reticle brightness, especially in situations where light conditions differ between the weapon and the target.

Innovation Solution

A front-facing photo sensor is positioned to directly detect ambient light at the target scene, avoiding obstructions from the optics housing and firearm components, ensuring accurate light measurement and appropriate reticle brightness adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If photoelectric sensors are placed inside the optics housing to detect ambient light, then the device structure is compact and simple, but the light detection accuracy deteriorates due to obstructions from housing and firearm components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor placement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photoelectric sensor is extracted from the interior of the optics housing and repositioned on the exterior surface. This extraction removes the sensor from the obstructed environment inside the housing, allowing it to directly detect ambient light at the target scene without interference from housing components or firearm parts, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact structure and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The exterior surface of the optics housing serves as an intermediary platform for mounting the photoelectric sensor. This intermediary position allows the sensor to access ambient light directly while remaining integrated with the optics system, solving the contradiction by providing a compromise location that maintains structural simplicity while enabling accurate light detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the reticle brightness is increased to ensure visibility in all lighting conditions, then the visibility is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereticle brightnessVSAvoidpower source consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reticle brightness is made dynamic rather than static. The illumination intensity automatically adjusts based on real-time ambient light conditions detected by the photoelectric sensor. This dynamic adjustment ensures the reticle remains visible across varying lighting conditions while minimizing energy consumption by reducing brightness when ambient light is sufficient, resolving the contradiction between visibility and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the photoelectric sensor continuously monitors ambient light levels and provides information to control the reticle illumination. This closed-loop feedback system automatically optimizes reticle brightness based on actual lighting conditions, ensuring visibility while preventing excessive energy consumption in well-lit environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This configuration provides precise control of reticle brightness, enhancing aiming accuracy by accurately reflecting target light conditions, even in scenarios with differing light levels between the shooter's environment and the target.

Implementation Method 1

A front-facing photo sensor is positioned to directly detect ambient light at the target scene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4220068B1Reflex sight
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 TRIJICON INC
  • EP4220068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4220068B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4220068B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

An optical sight includes a housing, an optical element supported by the housing, a light source configured to provide a reticle on the optical element, and a light source adjuster configured to change a position of the reticle relative to the optical element. The light source is mounted on an adjustment plate. The light source adjuster includes an adjustment screw, an adjuster block configured to threadably receive the adjustment screw, and a biasing mechanism configured to apply a force to retain the adjuster block in an adjustment position. The adjuster block is directly engaged with the adjustment plate. Rotation of the adjustment screw moves the adjuster block, and movement of the adjuster block moves the adjustment plate.