Telescope Prism Inversion System with Projection Optics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopes with reticles in the beam path suffer from image quality impairment due to dust particles causing scattered light and the reticle's constant visibility, which affects measurement accuracy and visibility under unfavorable lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A terrestrial telescope design featuring a prism reversal system with projection optics and a beam splitter, where a mask with a reticle pattern is rear-illuminated, allowing for self-illuminating line images and a compact structure, along with a focusing device for parallax and diopter compensation, and a zoom lens system for adjustable magnification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a reticle is arranged directly in the beam path, then measurement functionality is enabled, but dust particles on the reticle surface cause scattered light and image quality impairment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement functionalityVSAvoidscattered light from dust particles
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A beam splitter is introduced as an intermediary element to separate the observation beam path from the projection beam path. The reticle is projected through the beam splitter rather than being placed directly in the observation beam path, eliminating dust-related scattered light while maintaining measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is segmented into separate observation and projection beam paths. The reticle projection function is separated from the main observation path, allowing independent optimization of each path to avoid the harmful effects of dust accumulation on the reticle surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a reticle plate is arranged in the intermediate image plane, then distance measurement is enabled, but the reticle is always visible and reduces contrast under unfavorable lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement capabilityVSAvoidcontrast under unfavorable lighting
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The reticle visibility is made dynamic through switchable lighting devices that can illuminate the reticle on demand. The reticle is not constantly visible but can be activated when needed for measurement, improving contrast and reducing visual interference during pure observation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback control through switchable illumination that activates the reticle based on operational needs. The lighting devices can be controlled to illuminate the reticle when measurement is required and turn off when pure observation is needed, adapting to the current operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If projection optics with beam splitter are used to project reticle image, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoptical system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter serves multiple functions: it separates the observation and projection beam paths, allows the reticle image to be projected into the observation field, and maintains the integrity of both beam paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection optics and observation optics are merged into a single integrated system using the beam splitter. The reticle projection path and the observation path share common optical elements and the final optical train, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If conventional telescope design is used, then structure is simple, but telescope length is excessive and not compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidtelescope length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical path is folded using prisms to change the spatial arrangement from a linear configuration to a compact folded configuration. The beam splitter and prisms redirect the light path in additional dimensions, allowing the telescope to achieve a compact form factor while maintaining the necessary optical path length.

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

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 design enhances image quality, reduces the telescope's length, and allows for adaptable use between measurement and observation tasks, improving accuracy and usability under varying lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a beam path of the projection optics (21) coupled into the observation beam path through a beam splitter (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeam splitting: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the light source (23) being arranged for rear illumination of the mask (22)... a line image can be created in which the lines or lines and line networks are self-illuminating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

prism reversal system (4)... a first and a second deflection prism (5, 6)... the observation beam path being deflected by the first deflection prism (5) from a first main beam section (16) into a second main beam section (17)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 4

an objective (2)... an image plane (10) of distant objects generated by the lens (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction and focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 5

an eyepiece (3)... through the eyepiece (3) the lines of the reticle and, superimposed on them, the image of the distant objects generated by the lens can be observed sharply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction and magnification: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP2894507B1Telescope with prism inversion system
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 SWAROVSKI OPTIK KG
  • EP2894507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2894507B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2894507B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a telescope (1) with an objective (2), an eyepiece (3) and a prism reversing system (4) and with a projection optics (21) having a beam path for imaging an image of a reticle into a focal plane of the eyepiece (3), wherein the beam path of the projection optics (21) is connected to the observation beam path by a beam splitter, and wherein the projection optics (21) comprises a mask (22) and a light source (23) which is arranged for rear illumination of the mask (22).