Telescope With Offset Optical Axes And Hinged Bridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional binocular telescopes are cumbersome due to their large diameter during use, limiting design flexibility and ergonomics.

Innovation Solution

The binocular telescope design features a hinge bridge that allows adjustment of interpupillary distance, with optical axes in a common plane, and ergonomic recesses for finger and thumb grips, along with a compact prism system and focusing mechanism for improved comfort and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the telescope is designed with conventional optical axis arrangement, then the optical system is stable, but the overall height becomes large making it cumbersome to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the optical axes in a common plane with the hinge axis, rather than the typical configuration. This inversion allows the prism system to be positioned more compactly, reducing the overall height of the telescope while maintaining optical functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent redistributes components along different spatial dimensions, specifically arranging the optical axes and hinge axis in a common plane. This dimensional reorganization creates more efficient space utilization, allowing the prism system to be positioned closer to the objective lens, thereby reducing the overall height without compromising optical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the telescope diameter is reduced for better ergonomics, then ease of handling improves, but the optical performance and field of view may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidoptical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial parameters of the optical system by arranging optical axes in a common plane with the hinge axis. This parameter change allows for a more compact telescope diameter while maintaining the necessary optical path length and field of view, thus improving handling ease without sacrificing optical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3832372B1Telescope with pivotable articulated bridge
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SWAROVSKI-OPTIK AG & CO KG
  • EP3832372B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3832372B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3832372B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a binocular telescope (1) with two tubes (2) which are connected to each other by a hinged bridge (5) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (4) for adjusting the interpupillary distance (3), wherein in each of the two tubes (2) a beam path is formed with a first optical axis (17) of an objective lens (18), with a second optical axis (17) of an eyepiece (19) and with a prism reversing system (20), characterized in that the first optical axis (17) of the objective lens (18) and the second optical axis (17) of the eyepiece (19) are offset parallel to each other by a distance (21).