Volumetric LED Sight Alignment Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Two-axis sighting aids for firearms are ineffective in indicating misalignment and guiding the aiming eye to multiple valid aiming axes, leading to incorrect alignment feedback for collinear axes not coincident with the sighting device axis.
Innovation Solution
A volumetric LED alignment aid using a disk optical element with distinct coatings and a light source, providing visual guidance for maintaining proper orientation within a defined aiming volume and indicating misalignment through passive adjustments in appearance when the aiming eye deviates, utilizing collimating and non-collimating contours to direct light rays along or divergent from the aiming axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two-axis sighting aids are used to guide the aiming eye to the sighting device longitudinal axis, then alignment guidance capability is improved, but the aid incorrectly indicates misalignment for all valid collinear aiming axes not coincident with the sighting device axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-axis alignment aids to a volumetric alignment aid that operates in three-dimensional space. The alignment indicator is positioned within a volumetric aiming zone defined by the sighting device's optical characteristics, allowing it to correctly indicate alignment for multiple collinear aiming axes rather than requiring a single specific axis. This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction by providing reliable alignment indication across all valid aiming positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment indicator effectively creates a virtual copy or representation of the valid aiming zone within the volumetric space. By positioning the indicator at multiple possible aiming positions rather than requiring a single fixed axis, the system provides accurate alignment feedback for all collinear positions that would result in proper shot placement, eliminating the misleading misalignment indications of two-axis aids.
2Measurement precision
If a single aiming axis is required for proper alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but the shooter cannot quickly reacquire alignment after moving the aiming eye
Solution Approach 1:
The volumetric alignment aid expands the single aiming axis concept into a three-dimensional aiming zone. The alignment indicator remains visible and accurate throughout this volumetric space, allowing the shooter's eye to move freely within the zone without losing alignment indication. This eliminates the time penalty associated with reacquiring a single fixed axis while maintaining precision through the volumetric definition of proper aiming positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static single-axis alignment requirement to a dynamic volumetric alignment zone that accommodates eye movement. The alignment indicator adapts to multiple positions within the volumetric space, providing continuous alignment feedback as the shooter's eye moves, thereby enabling rapid reacquisition without sacrificing precision.
3Loss of information
If two-axis geometric shapes are used to guide the aiming eye, then capability to inform alignment direction is improved, but complexity of the aid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The volumetric alignment aid uses a simplified alignment indicator that leverages the existing optical characteristics of the sighting device to define the aiming zone. Rather than adding complex geometric guidance structures, the system positions the indicator within the volumetric space where alignment feedback is naturally provided by the sighting device's optics, reducing structural complexity while maintaining directional information.
Solution Approach 2:
The volumetric alignment aid integrates with the existing sighting device optics, allowing the sighting device itself to provide alignment direction information through its optical design. The added alignment indicator serves multiple functions by working within the volumetric zone defined by the sighting device's natural optical characteristics, reducing the need for separate complex guidance structures.
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 effectively provides accurate visual feedback for maintaining alignment within a three-dimensional aiming volume, allowing rapid reacquisition of proper orientation and indicating misalignment direction and magnitude, enhancing the shooter's ability to align the aiming eye with the sighting device axis.
Implementation Method 1
a first incident light ray from a light source at a first wavelength is reflected by a first surface of the disk optical element to a first reflected light ray that travels collinearly with an aiming axis when the aiming eye of a user is within an aiming volume
Implementation Method 2
a second incident light ray from the light source at a second wavelength is reflected by a second surface of the disk optical element to a second reflected light ray that diverges from the aiming axis when the aiming eye of the user is outside of the aiming volume
Implementation Method 3
The first surface of the disk optical element has a first dielectric coating that reflects only the wavelength of the second incident light ray and a second dielectric coating that reflects only the wavelength of the first incident light ray
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of manufacturing a sighting device mountable to a gun to assist a shooter in aiming at a target. The apparatus comprises an optical element and a light source which provide feedback to the user regarding alignment with a target. The alignment aid optical element is a ring of transparent material with a user-facing, contoured surface with an inner and outer edge. The contoured surface is coated with a reflective material that reflects a narrow band of light wavelengths. The apparatus further comprises a light source coupled to a mount located at a focal point of the lens wherein the emission of light from the light source faces the lens. The wavelengths emitted from the light source correspond to those of the coatings on the lens.