Scope Adjustment Knob Catch Lock for Fine Zeroing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking adjustment mechanisms for optical and electrical devices, such as riflescopes, are complex and costly, and require significant squeezing pressure to unlock, making fine adjustments difficult and prone to inadvertent rotation.
Innovation Solution
A locking adjustment device with a knob that automatically locks in a home position, featuring a catch mechanism with a first member fixedly attached to the device and a second member supported by the knob for rotation, allowing manual unlocking and rotation, and an indicator unit for feedback, preventing inadvertent adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an automatically locking adjustment device with buttons is used, then the device prevents inadvertent rotation, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from a complex multi-button system and implements it through a simple catch mechanism with two members that engage to prevent rotation. This reduces device complexity while maintaining the reliability of preventing inadvertent rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch mechanism automatically locks the adjustment member in place without requiring user intervention. The first and second members align and engage automatically, providing self-locking functionality that simplifies the overall device structure while ensuring reliable prevention of inadvertent rotation.
2Reliability
If significant squeezing pressure is required to unlock the knob, then the locking mechanism is secure, but fine adjustments become difficult and inadvertent rotation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The catch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the locked and unlocked states. Instead of requiring direct squeezing pressure on the adjustment member, the user interacts with the catch release mechanism, which mediates the unlocking process. This allows secure locking while enabling easy fine adjustments without inadvertent rotation.
3Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism with multiple components is used, then the locking is secure, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two distinct members: a first member attached to the adjustment member and a second member attached to the housing. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that are easier to manufacture, while the interaction between the two members provides secure locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch mechanism serves multiple functions: it locks the adjustment member in place, prevents inadvertent rotation, and provides a release mechanism for user operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining secure locking.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking adjustment device for adjusting a setting of an aimed optical device, such as a riflescope, locks at a home or baseline position to provide expedient feedback regarding an adjustment position of the adjustable setting. The device includes a knob mountable for rotation about a rotational axis when the adjustment device is installed on the aimed optical device, where the knob is rotatable about the rotational axis. The device further includes a catch that automatically locks the knob in the home or baseline position and prevents further rotation of the knob until the catch is released. A lock-release mechanism carried by the knob is manually actuatable to disengage the catch and allow the knob to be manually rotated away from the locked position.