Riflescope Orientation Sensor Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern riflescopes with electrical components face excessive power consumption issues due to small and lightweight power sources, leading to rapid battery depletion when components are left active during non-use, necessitating larger batteries or frequent replacements, which are undesirable for their size and weight constraints.
Innovation Solution
A riflescope with an orientation sensor and power switch that automatically activates and deactivates electrical components based on the scope's position, using a delay circuit to ensure components are only active when the scope is in use, allowing users to set inclination angles and activation periods via user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical components are continuously activated to enhance scope functionality, then the scope's ability to indicate point of impact and provide enhanced viewing is improved, but power consumption increases causing rapid battery depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by automatically activating electrical components only when the scope is in the upright viewing position and deactivating them when tilted beyond a predetermined angle. This on-demand activation pattern maintains scope functionality during actual use while conserving battery power during storage or non-use periods, directly resolving the contradiction between continuous functionality and power consumption.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a larger battery is used to extend operational duration, then battery life is improved, but the scope's size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing automatic on/off control based on scope orientation, the system extends effective battery life without requiring a larger battery. The electrical components operate only during actual viewing periods, significantly reducing total power consumption and allowing the same battery to last much longer, thereby extending duration of action without increasing weight.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrical components are automatically deactivated to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the scope requires additional control mechanisms increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the scope's own orientation (detected by a simple tilt sensor) to automatically control the power state of electrical components. The scope monitors its own position and autonomously activates or deactivates components without user intervention, reducing power consumption while adding minimal complexity through a straightforward sensor-switch circuit.
4Ease of operation
If the scope is designed to be small and lightweight for firearm use, then ease of handling is improved, but the power source must be small causing rapid battery depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic orientation-based control system enables small, lightweight batteries to provide extended operational duration by ensuring electrical components are activated only during actual viewing periods. This periodic operation pattern allows the scope to maintain ease of handling with compact dimensions while achieving acceptable battery life through intelligent power management rather than larger power sources.
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 solution effectively conserves power by deactivating electrical components when the scope is not in use, extending battery life without increasing the scope's size or weight and eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements, ensuring the scope remains functional during hunting.
Implementation Method 1
an orientation sensor for detecting when the scope is in an inactive position
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scope with a position-based on/off switch preserves power by automatically deactivating one or more electrical components when the scope is not in use. The scope includes an orientation sensor that determines when the scope is in an inactive position by sensing when the scope is rolled left or right to a predetermined angle of inclination from an upright position. A power switch receives an indicia of orientation from the orientation sensor and deactivates the one or more electrical components when the scope is in the inactive position, thus preserving power and extending the life of a battery.