Sighting Device Microlens Alignment for Security Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security sensor systems face challenges in accurately aligning the optical axes of infrared light projectors and receivers due to difficulties in using conventional sighting devices, which often require operators to adjust the viewing axis manually, leading to potential misalignment and increased system complexity.

Innovation Solution

A sighting device with a microlens and target markers is introduced, where the microlens and first marker are used to align the viewing axis with the sighting axis, allowing operators to adjust their position to ensure accurate alignment, and the second marker indicates the geometric center for precise sighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional sighting device without a microlens and target markers is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the optical alignment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in aligning the viewing axis with the sighting axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical alignment precisionVSAvoidsighting device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A microlens is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the objective lens and the observer's eye. This microlens creates a magnified virtual image of the target marker, making it easier for the operator to see and align the viewing axis with the sighting axis, thereby improving optical alignment precision without significantly complicating the device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

A target marker is added to the objective lens, which appears as a magnified virtual image through the microlens. This visual marker provides a clear reference point for alignment, enabling the operator to accurately align the viewing axis with the sighting axis by centering the marker in the field of view

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If the operator looks through the viewing window at a wrong glancing angle, then the viewing axis becomes displaced from the sighting axis, but with conventional devices there is no easy way to correct this misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing axis alignmentVSAvoidoptical alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The target marker visible through the microlens provides immediate visual feedback to the operator about the alignment status. When the viewing axis is displaced from the sighting axis, the marker appears off-center in the field of view, guiding the operator to adjust their viewing angle until the marker is centered, at which point alignment is achieved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The microlens acts as an intermediary that magnifies the target marker, making it easily visible and trackable. This magnified view serves as a mediator between the operator's eye and the optical axis, providing a clear visual guide for achieving proper alignment without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables easy adjustment of the viewing axis to align with the sighting axis, ensuring accurate optical alignment of the security sensor system, reducing misalignment issues and improving system handling and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

an eyepiece lens provided with a microlens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a virtual image of the first marker magnified by the microlens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnification: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

a reflecting mirror disposed on an optical path extending between the eyepiece lens and the objective lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2592441B1Sighting device and security sensor system utilizing such sighting device
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 OPTEX CO LTD
  • EP2592441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2592441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2592441B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

To provide a sighting device for use in a security sensor system, in which device enables an operator, assigned to conduct a sighting work, to look into the sighting device from a proper direction. The sighting device includes an eyepiece lens provided with a microlens, an objective lens provided with a first marker encompassed within the field of view of the eyepiece lens, and a reflecting mirror disposed on an optical path between the eyepiece lens and the objective lens. The first marker is comprised of a circular contour line or a polygonal contour line and is so set that when a viewing axis offsets from a tolerance, the first marker is viewed with a part thereof dropped out having been offset from the field of view of the microlens.