Reflex Sight Pivoting Element Environmental Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflex sights suffer from impaired image quality and complex, costly repairs due to the need for a sealed second lens, which adds weight and complexity, and prevents easy access for maintenance or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A reflex sight design with an environmental seal on a pivoting element that eliminates the need for a second sealed lens, using an elastomeric seal and a compressive element to create a dynamic water seal, allowing the inner frame and optical elements to pivot while maintaining a robust and adjustable optical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a second sealed lens is used to provide environmental protection for the collimated subassembly, then environmental sealing is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the second sealed lens from the conventional reflex sight design, extracting the environmental protection function from the optical path. Instead of sealing the collimated subassembly with a second lens, the invention uses a different sealing approach that eliminates this component entirely, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than sealing the optical elements from the environment (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by allowing the collimated subassembly to be accessible from the front while providing environmental protection through alternative means. This inversion eliminates the need for a second sealed lens and enables direct access for maintenance.
2Reliability
If a second sealed lens is used to protect the collimated subassembly, then environmental protection is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the second sealed lens that trapped the collimated subassembly, the patent enables direct access to the optical components. The collimated subassembly can now be easily removed and replaced through the front of the device without requiring lens removal or complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables field users to perform their own maintenance and repairs on the collimated subassembly without requiring specialized tools or services. The simplified access mechanism allows users to clean, adjust, or replace optical components themselves, eliminating the need for manufacturer service centers.
3Reliability
If a second sealed lens is used in the housing, then environmental sealing is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the second sealed lens component entirely, removing its weight from the overall device. By extracting this unnecessary optical element and replacing it with a lighter sealing mechanism, the device achieves environmental protection with reduced weight.
4Reliability
If a second sealed lens is used to provide environmental protection, then sealing is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the second sealed lens and its associated mounting, sealing, and alignment requirements, the patent significantly simplifies the manufacturing process. The reduced component count and assembly steps directly translate to lower manufacturing costs while maintaining environmental protection through alternative sealing methods.
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 design improves image quality, simplifies repair processes, and reduces manufacturing complexity by enabling easy assembly and adjustment without compromising the environmental seal, allowing for better optical layouts and extended adjustment ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a seal element encompassing the forward end of the inner frame and closely received in the forward opening of the outer housing to sealably contact the seat surface and provide an environmental seal
Data Source
AI summary
A reflex sight with environmental seal on pivoting element has an outer housing defining a chamber and having a forward end defining a forward opening having a seat surface and an opposed rear end, an inner frame received within the chamber and having a forward end registered with the housing forward end and an opposed rear end, the forward end of the inner frame defining a forward aperture sealably receiving a transmissive optical element, a seal element encompassing the forward end of the inner frame and closely received in the forward opening of the outer housing to sealably contact the seat surface and provide an environmental seal, and an aiming mechanism operably interconnected to the outer housing and the inner frame to adjustably position the rear end of the inner frame with respect to the housing. The seat surface may be a concave curved surface or a spherical surface portion.