JP7741833B2 - A tracer device that emits red and green glow-in-the-dark bullets - Google Patents

Description

This application claims the benefit of priority from Taiwan Patent Application No. 111105471, filed February 15, 2022.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is a tracer unit that lights up phosphorescent BB bullets for airsoft guns, and is compatible with both red and green phosphorescent bullets using only one light source.

In airsoft games, tracer units (hereafter simply called tracers) are often used in airsoft guns. These tracers use UV light to irradiate glow-in-the-dark rounds (e.g., tracer BBs, luminous BBs, glow-in-the-dark BBs, toy gun tracer rounds) as they pass through them, causing them to continue to glow for a certain period of time even after being removed from the tracer. UV light is primarily suitable for green glow-in-the-dark rounds. On the other hand, to make red glow-in-the-dark rounds glow, a white light source is required for the tracer. Using UV light with red glow-in-the-dark rounds reduces the glow effect. However, using both UV light and a white light source at the same time (e.g., ACETECH's Lighter R) consumes unnecessary energy.

Adding a switch to switch between green and red light sources (such as ACETECH's Lighter BT) would detract from the user experience. The user would have to switch between light sources, and they would not be able to use green and red glow-in-the-dark rounds in the same magazine.

This invention provides a tracer light source that differs from existing technology. This light source uses visible blue light to illuminate red or green phosphorescent bullets as they pass through the tracer, and has the effect of continuing to glow for a certain period of time even after the phosphorescent bullet leaves the tracer.

In some embodiments, a tracer device adapted for use with a BB toy gun to illuminate phosphorescent bullets includes a tube, an adapter for attaching the tube to the muzzle and coupling the tube and muzzle to each other to match the trajectory of the bullet, and a blue light source positioned adjacent to the tube and arranged to illuminate the interior of the tube, the blue light source being capable of emitting light in the 430 nm to 480 nm range of the visible spectrum.

In another embodiment, the tracer device relates to a tracer device that momentarily projects a strong light onto the bullet trajectory in front of an airsoft gun, causing the phosphorescent bullet to glow. The tracer device includes an internal passageway disposed within the tracer device and coaxial with the bullet trajectory; a detector coupled to a controller for transmitting a trigger signal to the controller when the bullet passes through the internal passageway; and at least one light source that receives a light emission command from the controller and emits light onto the bullet passing through the internal passageway, the bullet trajectory extending from the internal passageway to the exterior, and the light source capable of emitting blue light in the 430 nm to 480 nm range of the visible spectrum.

Only one type of light source needs to be installed inside the tracer unit (rather than requiring both UV and white light sources). This saves on light source component costs and prevents unnecessary power consumption. It also eliminates the need for the user to operate a special switch to switch between a light source for green and a light source for red luminous rounds, as is the case with ACETECH's Lighter BT. Furthermore, red and green luminous rounds can be used simultaneously within a magazine. Details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, as well as from the claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tracer unit and associated equipment according to one embodiment. 1 shows a tracer unit with a tracer light source coupled to multiple controllers. 1 shows a tracer unit with a detector, a controller, and a tracer light source.

1 shows an adapter for coupling the tube and muzzle together. 1 is a schematic diagram of a related device of the present invention;

As shown in Figure 1(A), the tracer unit 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as tracer 10) can be applied to an airsoft gun 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a toy gun). When a phosphorescent bullet 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as a bullet) passes through the tracer 10, it temporarily irradiates the bullet with a strong flash, and continues to glow for a certain period of time even after the bullet leaves the tracer 10, creating a visual effect similar to that of a laser gun in the movie "Star Wars."

The aforementioned toy gun tracer unit is a very small accessory that attaches to the front end of the toy gun's muzzle using an adapter, allowing it to essentially match the gun's ballistics. However, due to limited space, only a small-capacity capacitor can be installed. Different toy guns have different maximum time intervals between shots, resulting in performance variations. This generally ranges from 27ms to 100ms. Even the same gun may fire bullets at different intervals, depending on the user's preference. Firing bullets in rapid succession within a short time frame results in dozens (or even hundreds) of bullets being fired in succession over a few seconds, creating a visual effect similar to the laser gun mentioned above. How can a limited-capacity capacitor be used to support at least two different-colored phosphorescent bullets and ensure that the tracer functions properly even when firing hundreds of bullets in succession over a few seconds? This is a problem that inventors have been trying to solve for the past few years.

In one embodiment, a toy gun tracer can simultaneously support at least two different colored glow-in-the-dark bullets using limited electronic components. Existing technology requires different light sources for optimal illumination for different colored glow-in-the-dark bullets. For example, green glow-in-the-dark bullets typically use ultraviolet light-emitting components with a wavelength of 395-400 nm. Red glow-in-the-dark bullets typically use white light-emitting components with a color temperature of 11,000-13,000 K. However, after experimenting with hundreds of different settings, the inventors discovered that by using blue light with a wavelength of 430-480 nanometers (nm), they can simultaneously support both green and red glow-in-the-dark bullets and achieve excellent visual effects. In other words, for optimal illumination, a blue light-emitting component with a specific wavelength can be used to simultaneously support the two most common glow-in-the-dark bullet colors on the market, reducing the cost of the light-emitting components. Furthermore, users no longer need to switch between the green and red modes of the tracer unit.

Referring to Figures 1(B) and 1(C), the tracer 10 includes multiple tracer light sources 32 connected to the controller 14. These light sources 32 are arranged parallel to each other at intervals within the internal passage 12. When triggered by the detector 16, they emit light toward the bullet. For details, see Patent Publication No. 7069480B1 (same family as Chinese Patent No. 114111441B). Even after leaving the tracer 10, the bullet can continue to emit light for a certain period of time. The radiation direction of the tracer light sources 32 is different from that of the gunfire light source 18. The radiation direction may be perpendicular to the gunfire light source 18, but is not limited to this. It is sufficient for the radiation directions of the tracer light sources 32 and the gunfire light source 18 to be at an angle of 45 degrees or more. The emission wavelength of the tracer light source 32 may also be different from that of the gunfire light source 18.

Typically, the tracer light source 32 may be an ultraviolet (Deep UV, DUV) light-emitting diode (UV LED) to optimize illumination of green phosphorescent bullets. Alternatively, the tracer light source 32 may be a visible white light-emitting component with a color temperature of 11,000 K to 13,000 K, which typically optimizes illumination of red phosphorescent bullets. However, in the present invention, the tracer light source 32 is a blue light-emitting component, particularly a component that generates visible light in the 430-480 nanometer (nm) range, and is compatible with both green and red phosphorescent bullets simultaneously. In one embodiment, a tracer 10 adapted for use with a toy gun includes an internal passage 12, a detector 16, a controller 14, and at least one tracer light source 32. The internal passage 12 is disposed within the tracer 10 and is coaxial with the bullet's trajectory, which extends from the internal passage 12 to the exterior. Detector 16 is coupled to controller 14, and upon detecting a bullet passing through internal passage 12, it sends a trigger signal to controller 14, and tracer light source 32 emits light in the 430 nm to 480 nm range in the visible spectrum (specifically, blue light). When controller 14 receives the trigger signal from detector 16, tracer light source 32 receives an illumination command from controller 14 and emits a strong light for a moment onto the bullet trajectory ahead of the toy gun, temporarily illuminating the phosphorescent bullet passing through internal passage 12.

In another embodiment, tracer light source 32 is a blue light-emitting component that emits visible light in the 450-460 nanometer (nm) range. After experimenting with hundreds of different settings, the inventors have found that using this setting provides an excellent lighting effect (compatible with green and red glow-in-the-dark ammunition). In another embodiment, tracer light source 32 is a blue light-emitting component that emits visible light in the 440-470 nanometer (nm) range. The inventors have found that using this setting provides an excellent lighting effect for green and red glow-in-the-dark ammunition. Users will no longer need to switch tracer settings (green or red mode) when using different color glow-in-the-dark ammunition.

In another embodiment, the tracer 10 is configured to, when triggered, briefly illuminate the internal passageway 12 of the tracer 10. The tracer 10 includes a tube having the internal passageway 12, which passes through the tracer 10 and is positioned substantially in line with the trajectory of a bullet extending along the internal passageway 12. The tracer 10 also includes an adapter for coupling the tube to the muzzle, thereby positioning the tracer 10 to substantially coincide with the trajectory of the bullet. The detector 16 is further configured to transmit a trigger signal to the controller 14 in response to detecting a bullet passing through the internal passageway 12. Upon receiving the trigger signal from the detector 16, the controller 14 instructs the tracer light source 32 to illuminate the bullet with blue light of a specific wavelength for a specified period of time. The tracer light source 32 preferably uses a blue light-emitting component that produces visible light within the range of 450-460 nanometers (nm), 440-470 nanometers (nm), or 430-480 nm.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), a tracer device 10 for use with a BB toy gun to illuminate phosphorescent bullets is disclosed, and the proposed tracer device 10 further includes the following elements: a tube 13 with the aforementioned internal passage, an adapter 34 (see U.S. Patent No. 5,762,058A for details, same family as Chinese Patent No. 1,071,019C) that is attached to the muzzle of the BB toy gun and coupled to essentially match the trajectory of the bullet, and the tracer light source 32 that is positioned nearby to guide light to the tube 13. The peak wavelength of the light emission region of the tracer light source 32 is within the range of 430 nm to 480 nm.

In another embodiment, the peak wavelength of the light-emitting region of the tracer light source 32 may be in the range of 450 nm to 460 nm. After experimenting with hundreds of different settings, the inventors discovered that using this setting produces excellent lighting effects (corresponding to green and red phosphorescent bullets). In another embodiment, the peak wavelength of the light-emitting region of the tracer light source 32 may be in the range of 440 nm to 470 nm. The embodiments described and illustrated above are merely examples, and other implementations and practices are possible. Furthermore, the expressions and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Terms such as airsoft guns, BB toy guns, toy guns, electric guns, water guns, BB air guns, gas guns, and paintball guns are intended to include equivalents and additional items. The terms "airsoft gun," "BB toy gun," "toy gun," "electric gun," "water gun," "BB air gun," "gas gun," "paintball gun," and variations thereof are intended to encompass the following and equivalents and additional items. Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, coupling, and coupling. Furthermore, "connected" and "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical coupling or connections.

Claims (1)

A tracer device adapted for use with a BB toy gun to simultaneously match and illuminate red and green phosphorescent bullets, the tracer device comprising: a tube; an adapter attached to the muzzle for coupling the tube and the muzzle together; and a blue light source disposed adjacent to the tube and arranged to irradiate light into the tube, the blue light source being capable of irradiating light with a peak wavelength in the emission region of the visible spectrum in the range of 440 nm to 470 nm.