WO2013080058A1

WO2013080058A1 - Lightproof eyecup

Info

Publication number: WO2013080058A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/051507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alper Unsoy; Mehmet Aydin; Tolga TUTEK; Mehmet Ali PISKIN
Original assignee: Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi; T-Kalip Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
Priority date: 2011-11-29
Filing date: 2012-03-29
Publication date: 2013-06-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to an eyecup, which is fastened to imaging devices used for night vision, and which prevents light leak during night vision; comprising a display section; an eye section; a middle section; at least four flaps, which are provided at the middle section, and which, by opening and closing, prevent the light coming from the imaging device from passing from the display section into the eye section; flap line which is formed between each flap and each adjacent flap when the flaps are in closed position; at least one cover, which is mounted to at least one of the flaps, moves together with the flap that it is mounted to, and prevents the light leaking from the flap lines that are formed when the flaps are closed from passing from the display section into the eye section.

Description

LIGHTPROOF EYECUP

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to solution of the light leak problem of the eyecups attached to the imaging devices which are used for night vision.

Background of the Invention An eye abutment apparatus made of soft rubber, silicon or similar materials is used in imaging devices mounted on weapons in order to prevent the user from being affected by the shock of the weapon.

Light caused by the image coming from the imaging device is undesirable since it causes the location of the user to be spotted especially at nights. To block this light, mechanisms that will block dispersion of this light are required when the user does not abut her/his eyes to the eyecup.

There are electromechanical structures provided as a solution to this problem. In these structures, basically the pressure exerted on the eyecup or the displacement of the eyecup is measured and it is determined that the user has abutted her/his eyes to the eyecup and the device is enabled to give the image. When the pressure or displacement is removed, the device ceases to give images and dispersion of light is prevented.

As another method, mechanical solutions are provided. In the said structures, there are provided flaps which are subsequently incorporated to the eyecup and which close the image channel located in the eyecup. These flaps are opened with the displacement that occurs when the user abuts her/his eye to the eyecup. When the user removes her/his eye from the eyecup, the flaps are closed on top of one another and cut the light coming from the device. The main problem of this kind of systems is that the flaps that are subsequently incorporated harden the mechanism and make it difficult to use.

Another solution is forming the flaps by means of the eyecup without adding a piece from outside. In this method, when the eyecup is being produced, the image channel is designed to be closed. Then the part that closes the image channel is cut in the form of a star and triangular flaps arranged in a circular pattern are formed. These flaps open the image channel as a result of the displacement that occurs when the user abuts her/his eye to the eyecup. When the user removes her/his eye from the eyecup, they are closed again. Disadvantage of this system is that there remain small gaps between the flaps during the cutting operation performed when forming the flaps. Even though the flaps are in closed position, light leaks through these small gaps. Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to form a structure to enable an eyecup to be lightproof. Another objective of the present invention is to prevent light passing through the connection lines of the flaps when the flaps are closed.

A further objective of the present invention is to block the light, which might leak when the flaps are closed, by means of a cover.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A lightproof eyecup developed to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, wherein;

Figure 1 is the perspective view of the inventive eyecup in open position. Figure 2 is the perspective view of the inventive eyecup in closed position.

Figure 3 is the sectional view of the eyecup in closed position when looked from the eye section thereof.

Figure 4 is the sectional view of the eyecup in open position when looked from the eye section thereof.

Figure 5 is the sectional view of the eyecup in open position when looked from the display section thereof.

Figure 6 is the sectional view of the eyecup in closed position when looked from the display section thereof.

The components shown in the figures are each given reference numerals as follows:

1. Eyecup

2. Display section

2.1. First part

2.2. Second part

3. Eye section

3.1. First part

3.2. Second part

3.3. Protrusion

4. Middle section

5. Flap

6. Flap line

7. Cover

8. Intersection plane

9. Opening

An eyecup (1), which is fastened to imaging devices used for night vision, and which prevents light leak during night vision, comprises at least one display section (2) which provides the connection with the imaging device,

at least one elastic eye section (3) through which is looked with an eye to see the imaging device,

at least one middle section (4) located between the display section (2) and the eye section (3),

at least four flaps (5), which are provided at the middle section (4), and which, by opening and closing, prevent the light coming from the imaging device from passing from the display section (2) into the eye section (3),

flap line (6) which is formed between each flap (5) and each adjacent flap (5) when the flaps (5) are in closed position,

at least one cover (7), which is mounted to at least one of the flaps (5), moves together with the flap (5) that it is mounted to, and prevents the light leaking from the flap lines (6) that are formed when the flaps (5) are closed from passing from the display section (2) into the eye section (3) (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3). (The imaging device is not shown in the figures). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the eyecup (1) is comprised of three main parts, namely display section (2), eye section (3) and middle section (4). The display section (2) comprises a first part (2.1) that contacts the imaging device and a second part (2.2) that is located between the middle section (4) and the first part (2.1). (Figure 1)

The eye section (3) comprises an elastic first part (3.1) to which the user abuts her/his eye and which adapts to the shape of the periocular space, and an elastic second part (3.2) located between the first part (3.1) and the middle section (4). Side walls of the second part (3.2) form a protrusion (3.3) towards inside of the eyecup (1) (Figure 1). The middle section (4) separates the eye section (3) and the display section (2) from each other. One side of each flap (5) is compliantly fixed to the side wall of the middle section (4) and may move, by making a 90 degree angle, from the intersection plane (8) to a position perpendicular to the intersection plane (8) and from the middle section (4) towards the display section (2). When the flaps (5) are brought to closed position, all of the flaps (5) unite at the intersection plane (8) at the middle section (4). When the flaps (5) are brought to open position, all of the flaps (5) are positioned to be perpendicular to the intersection plane (8) and to be towards the display section (2). (Figure 1, Figure 2)

When the flaps (5) are in open position, an opening (9), through which light passes, is formed at the middle section (4). The light coming from the display section (2) passes into the eye section (2) through this opening (9) (Figure 4). The flaps (5) close the opening (9) and prevent passing of light when they are in closed position. A flap line (6) is formed between each flap (5) and each adjacent flap (5) when the flaps (5) are in closed position. However, even if the flaps (5) are in closed position, some light can pass into the eye section (3) though the flap lines (6) (Figure 3).

When the user abuts her/his eye to the first part (3.1) of the eye section, a force is applied from the eye section (3) towards the display section (2). With the said force applied on the first part (3.1) of the eye section, the protrusions (3.3) provided on the second part (3.2) of the eye section move towards the display section (2); and by pushing the flaps (5) that are in closed position at the middle section (4) towards the display section (2), the protrusions (3.3) enable the flaps (5) to move towards the display section (2) and to open so as to be perpendicular to the intersection plane (8). If such a force is not applied on the first part (3.1) of the eye section, the flaps (5) are positioned at the intersection plane (8) parallel to the intersection plane (8), thus the flaps (5) are enabled to be in closed position and passing of light is prevented. A cover (7) is mounted to the surface of any one of the flaps (5) which faces the display section (2) when the flaps (5) are in closed position. This cover (7) moves with the flap (5) on which it is mounted. When the flaps (5) are in open position, the cover (7), together with the flap (5) on which it is mounted, is towards the display section (2) and is perpendicular to the intersection plane (8). When the flaps (5) are closed, the cover (7) moves with the flap (5) on which it is mounted, and comes to a position that is parallel to the intersection plane (8) and the flaps (5). When the flaps (5) are in closed position, the cover (7) is at a position that is nearer to the display section (2) than the flaps (5). When the flaps (5) are closed, the cover (7) comes to a position that is parallel to the intersection plane (8) such that it will cover the surfaces of all of the flaps (5) facing the display section (2). The cover (7) does not impede the opening closing movements of the flaps (5) (Figure 1, Figure 3).

Leaking of the light coming from the display section (2) into the eye section (3) through the flap lines (6) when the flaps (5) are closed, is prevented by means of the cover (7). In the case that the flaps (5) are used alone, the flaps (5) should be of a certain thickness in order not to pass the light through. Regardless of the thickness of the flaps (5), the cover (7), together with the flaps (2), blocks passage of the light from the display section (2) to the eye section (3) (Figure 5, Figure 6).

Within the framework of these basic concepts, it is possible to develop a wide variety of embodiments of the inventive lightproof eyecup (1). The invention can not be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An eyecup (1), which is fastened to imaging devices used for night vision, and which prevents light leak during night vision, comprising

- at least one display section (2) which provides the connection with the imaging device,

- at least one elastic eye section (3) through which is looked with an eye to see the imaging device,

- at least one middle section (4) located between the display section (2) and the eye section (3),

- at least four flaps (5), which are provided at the middle section (4), and which, by opening and closing, prevent the light coming from the imaging device from passing from the display section (2) into the eye section (3),

- flap line (6) which is formed between each flap (5) and each adjacent flap (5) when the flaps (5) are in closed position,

and characterized by

- at least one cover (7), which is mounted to at least one of the flaps (5), moves together with the flap (5) that it is mounted to, and prevents the light leaking from the flap lines (6) that are formed when the flaps (5) are closed from passing from the display section (2) into the eye section (3).

2. An eyecup (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by the display section (2) which comprises a first part (2.1) that contacts the imaging device and a second part (2.2) that is located between the middle section (4) and the first part (2.1). 3. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the eye section (3) comprising an elastic first part (3.1) to which the user abuts her/his eye and which adapts to the shape of the periocular space, and an elastic second part (3.2) which is located between the first part (3.1) and the middle section (4) and the side walls of which form a protrusion (3.

3) towards inside of the eyecup (1).

4. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a flap (5) which has a side that is compliantly fixed to the side wall of the middle section (4) and which moves, by making a 90 degree angle (right angle), from the intersection plane (8) to a position perpendicular to the intersection plane (8) and from the middle section (4) towards the display section (2).

5. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the flap (5) which is brought to the closed position such that it will be at the intersection plane (8) located at the middle section (4).

6. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the flap (5) which is brought to open position such that it will be perpendicular to the intersection plane (8) and will be from the middle section (4) towards the display section (2).

7. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the middle section (4) which comprises an opening (9) through which the light coming from the display section (2) passes to reach the eye section (2) when the flaps (5) are in open position.

8. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by at least four flaps (5), which close the opening (9) and block passage of the light when in closed position.

9. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a flap line (6), which is formed between each flap (5) and each adjacent flap (5) when the flaps (5) are in closed position and passes light from the display section (2) to the eye section (3).

10. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the cover (7), which is mounted to the surface of any one of the flaps (5) which faces the display section (2) when the flaps (5) are in closed position, and which moves with the flap (5) that it is mounted to.

11. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the cover (7), which, when the flaps (5) are in open position, comes to a position perpendicular to the intersection plane (8) from the middle section (4) towards the display section (2), together with the flap (5) that it is mounted to.

12. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the cover (7), which, when the flaps (5) are closed, moves with the flap (5) that it is mounted to and comes to a position parallel to the intersection plane (8) and the flaps (5) that are in closed position.

13. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the cover (7), which, when the flaps (5) are in closed position, is positioned nearer to the display section (2) than the flaps (5).

14. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the cover (7) which, when the flaps (5) are in closed position, comes to a position that is parallel to the intersection plane (8) such that it will cover the surfaces of all of the flaps (5) facing the display section (2), and prevents the light coming from the display section (2) from leaking into the eye section (3) though the flap lines (6).

15. An eyecup (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the cover (7), which, together with the flaps (5), blocks passage of the light from the display section (2) to the eye section (3), regardless of the thickness of the flaps (5).