Switchable Light Blocking Mechanism for Eyepiece Display Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital weapon sights face challenges due to the need for eyecups to protect against solar damage, which restricts eye relief and peripheral vision, and are prone to inadvertent damage, hindering their adoption in military applications.
Innovation Solution
An electronic eyepiece with an electrically switchable light blocking mechanism, such as a liquid crystal mirror, that actively protects the microdisplay from focused light damage by selectively blocking or transmitting light based on detected brightness and user presence, defaulting to a light-blocking state when power is lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an eyecup is used to protect the digital display from solar damage, then the display is protected from solar damage, but the user's eye relief and peripheral vision are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-blocking function from the physical eyecup structure and implements it through an electrically switchable mirror positioned within the optical path. This mirror can be activated to block sunlight from reaching the microdisplay while maintaining an open eyepiece design that allows full eye relief and peripheral vision when the mirror is not activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical eyecup structure with an electrically controlled optical system. Instead of using a physical barrier (eyecup) to block light, the system uses an electrically switchable mirror that can be activated via electrical signals to redirect sunlight away from the display, eliminating the need for restrictive mechanical structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an eyecup is used to protect the digital display, then solar damage is prevented, but the shooter cannot make larger adjustments to eye relief and cheek weld
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic light-blocking solution where the mirror's state (blocking or transmitting light) can be changed in real-time based on operational conditions. This allows the system to adapt between protection mode (mirror activated) and adjustment mode (mirror deactivated), providing versatility in eye relief and cheek weld positioning while maintaining display protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the eyepiece by switching the mirror between reflective and transparent states. This parameter change allows the physical structure of the eyepiece to remain open and adjustable, while the optical properties dynamically adapt to provide solar protection when required, maintaining both adaptability and protection.
3Ease of operation
If the eyepiece is designed without an eyecup for better adjustability, then eye relief and peripheral vision are improved, but the microdisplay becomes more prone to inadvertent solar damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically switchable mirror as an intermediary element between the incoming sunlight and the microdisplay. This intermediary can be activated to intercept and redirect harmful sunlight away from the display, allowing the eyepiece to maintain an open design for better adjustability while providing reliable protection when the mirror is activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect sunlight intensity and eyepiece orientation, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the electrically switchable mirror is automatically activated or deactivated to provide appropriate protection, ensuring the microdisplay is protected from solar damage while maintaining an open eyepiece design for optimal user adjustability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a light blocking mechanism is added to protect the microdisplay, then solar damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically switchable mirror serves multiple functions: it blocks sunlight to protect the microdisplay, can be integrated into existing eyepiece structures, and works with various control systems including manual and automatic modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive protection while maintaining compatibility with different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in the optical path (switching the mirror between reflective and transparent states) to provide protection, rather than adding complex mechanical structures. This approach minimizes device complexity by utilizing electrical control of optical properties rather than mechanical complexity.
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 allows for protection against solar damage without restricting eye movement or vision, increasing the survival of digital rifle sight microdisplays and enhancing their usability in combat scenarios without the need for an eyecup.
Implementation Method 1
the electrically switchable mirror is a liquid crystal mirror configured to transform to a transmissive state in which the liquid crystal mirror transmits the light responsive to application of a control signal
Implementation Method 2
an electrically switchable light blocking mechanism configured to selectively transmit or block light transmitted along an optical path toward the digital microdisplay
Implementation Method 3
a light detector having a field of view matching a field of view of the eyepiece and configured to provide a first signal indicative of a brightness of light entering the eyepiece
Implementation Method 4
The eyepiece may include an eyepiece optic positioned in the optical path and configured to focus an image displayed by the digital microdisplay. The eyepiece optic may include a pair of lenses
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic eyepiece includes a digital microdisplay and an electrically switchable light blocking mechanism configured to selectively transmit or block light transmitted along an optical path toward the digital microdisplay to protect the microdisplay from the risk of light focus damage. Further, a method of protecting a digital microdisplay of an electronic eyepiece from light focus damage includes determining a risk of light focus damage, and selectively opening or closing an optical path to the digital microdisplay responsive to the risk of light focus damage exceeding a predetermined risk threshold.