Telescopic Sight Zero-Stop Turret for Precise Zero Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopic sight turret knobs lack a clear zero-stop mechanism, making it difficult for users to accurately reset the sight to zero, especially after long-range adjustments, leading to confusion due to repeated scale markings and limited rotational travel.

Innovation Solution

A zero-stop turret mechanism with a first stop member fixed to the base and a second stop member that can be securely attached to the adjustment mechanism, using a movement limit member with a lug to limit rotation in both directions, allowing users to set and maintain a desired zero-stop position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional turret knobs are used without a zero-stop mechanism, then the scale markings can be repeated around the turret, but users experience confusion and difficulty in accurately resetting the sight to zero after long-range adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of resetting sight to zeroVSAvoidconfusion due to repeated scale markings
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The turret rotation is segmented into a defined range by introducing zero-stop members that create distinct start and end points. This segmentation prevents continuous rotation and eliminates the confusion of repeated scale markings by establishing a unique zero position within a limited rotational range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The zero-stop mechanism pre-establishes a reference zero position before the user makes adjustments. The first zero-stop member固定在 the turret housing provides a predetermined starting point, allowing users to accurately reset to zero without confusion from repeated scale markings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the turret allows unlimited rotational travel, then users have flexibility in adjustment range, but it becomes difficult to accurately determine when the sight has been reset to zero

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment range flexibilityVSAvoidprecision of zero reset
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The turret rotation is made dynamic with variable constraints - the zero-stop members are positioned to allow rotation within a specific range but prevent rotation beyond defined limits. This dynamic constraint system provides both the flexibility of adjustable range and the precision of accurate zero resetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The zero-stop mechanism provides tactile and visual feedback to the user when the turret reaches its rotational limits. The physical contact with zero-stop members and the alignment of scale markings provide clear feedback that confirms the zero position, enabling precise resetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If a zero-stop mechanism is added to the turret, then users can accurately reset to zero, but the device complexity increases with additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of zero positionVSAvoidcomplexity of turret mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The zero-stop function is extracted as separate, discrete components (zero-stop members) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This extraction allows the zero-stop mechanism to be added without significantly complicating the overall turret structure, as the members are simple elements that can be integrated into existing designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The zero-stop members act as intermediary elements between the turret rotation mechanism and the user interface. These intermediaries provide the zero-position function without requiring major modifications to the core turret mechanism, thereby adding minimal complexity while achieving the desired precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3911914B1Zero-stop turret
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 HAWKE OPTICS LTD
  • EP3911914B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3911914B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3911914B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A turret (12) for a telescopic sight (1) has a zero-stop mechanism (100) for limiting the rotation of a rotatable adjustment mechanism (22), comprising first and second stop members (101, 102) and a movement limit member (80). The second stop member is releasably secured to the adjustment mechanism The movement limit member extends around a turret assembly (10) and has a substantially annular main body (81) from which a lug (82) extends. The lug has opposite first and second sides (91, 92). In a first direction of rotation of the adjustment mechanism (22), the second stop member (102) comes into contact with the lug first side (91) whereby the main body (81) is rotated in the first direction of rotation by the lug until the lug second side (92) comes into contact with the first stop member, thereby limiting the rotation of the adjustment mechanism (22) in the first direction of rotation. In a second direction of rotation of the adjustment mechanism (22), the second stop member (94) comes into contact with the lug second side (92) whereby the main body (81) is rotated in the second direction of rotation by the lug until the lug first side (91) comes into contact with the first stop member (101), thereby limiting the rotation of the adjustment mechanism (22) in the second direction of rotation. When the second stop member (102) is rotationally released from the adjustment mechanism (22), the adjustment mechanism is freed from rotational limits of the zero-stop mechanism (100).