Rotatable Support Unit for Beam Path Selection in Binoculars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices with binoculars for photographic documentation lack the ability to freely select and change the observation beam path without structural modifications, leading to fixed beam paths that may not align with the user's visual impression, limiting usability and requiring significant installation space.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable support unit with three optical elements, where two outer elements have a beam-splitting effect, allowing for easy selection and change of the observation beam path by rotating the support unit, decoupling up to 80% of the observation radiation into a common documentation beam path, and optionally coupling data via a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed observation beam path is used for documentation, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to user needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the observation beam path selection dynamic rather than fixed. A rotatable support unit with beam-splitting optical elements allows the user to switch between different observation beam paths (first or second) for documentation during operation. This dynamic configuration enables adaptability to user needs while maintaining a relatively simple system structure through a compact switching mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable support unit with multiple optical elements is used, then the beam path selection flexibility is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical elements (beam-splitting elements and support structure) onto a single rotatable support unit. This consolidation allows the entire beam path switching mechanism to be compact and space-efficient. The support unit integrates the rotational mechanism, optical element mounting, and positioning features into one compact assembly, minimizing the installation space required while maintaining full beam path selection flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beam-splitting optical elements are positioned in both observation beam paths, then the documentation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam-splitting function from both observation beam paths and consolidates it into a single rotatable support unit. When the support unit rotates to position a beam-splitting element in the first observation beam path, the second path remains simple without additional optical elements. This extraction approach maintains full documentation capability while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating redundant optical elements and mounting structures.
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
Enables easy and quick selection of the observation beam path for decoupling, reducing installation space requirements and improving usability by allowing flexible beam path adjustment without structural changes, while maintaining ergonomic operation.
Implementation Method 1
two outer optical elements have a beam splitting effect and are arranged on the support unit in such a way that, in the event that they are located in one of the observation beam paths, the coupling of a part of the observation radiation into a common documentation beam path takes place
Data Source
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AI summary
With the present invention the beam path of an optical device with binoculars to be used for documentation or co-observation can be freely selected and changed at any time. For the decoupling a rotatable supporting unit of which the axis of rotation lies parallel to the axes of the observation beam paths is arranged in the housing with the binoculars. Three optical elements are arranged on this supporting unit such that one outer and the middle optical element and, after rotation of the supporting unit, the middle and the other outer optical element are each disposed in one of the observation beam paths. The two outer optical elements have a beam-splitting effect and are used to decouple part of the observation radiation in a common documentation beam path. The solution can be used in principle for all applications in which it is necessary or desirable to decouple part of the radiation of an observation beam path of binoculars that is freely selectable at any time.