EP2561394A1

EP2561394A1 - A night vision device

Info

Publication number: EP2561394A1
Application number: EP11731502A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ihsan Ozsoy; Devrim Anil; Selim Gencoglu
Original assignee: Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2010-04-20
Filing date: 2011-04-20
Publication date: 2013-02-27
Also published as: WO2011132163A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a night vision device (1) which enables the user to see under conditions where there is low light by intensifying the light in the environment, is portable and easy to use. The inventive device (1) can be mounted to head, helmet or weapon; it is also hand-held. The inventive night vision device (1) comprises an objective assembly (2) which focus the light in the environment; an intensifier tube (3) which enables the user to see the environment by intensifying the light that is focused by the objective assembly (2); a lower body (4) which prevents the intensifier tube (3) from external factors by surrounding it; an upper body (5) which is fixed to the lower body (4); an ocular assembly (6) which focuses the light that is provided from the intensifier tube (3) to the user's eye; an eyecup (8) which enables the light that is provided from the ocular assembly (6) by surrounding the user's eye to reach the user; and an electronic card (13).

Description

A NIGHT VISION DEVICE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a night vision device which enables the user to see under conditions where there is low light by intensifying the light in the environment, is portable and easy to use.

Background of the Invention

Human eye has ability to see in a certain quantity of light. Sight is lost when quantity of light in the environment falls below this range. At night, quantity of light decreases to levels that human eye cannot see. Sufficient visibility cannot be provided in military operations at night; when external light sources are used the said light sources become open target.

Today, there are night vision systems having various characteristics that provide night vision ability to people. These systems enable more light to reach the user's eye by intensifying the light in the environment. Night vision systems are generally used by military units and they can be mounted to weapons, helmets via various apparatus.

Night vision systems comprise optical units and focus adjustments of these units should be made before using the night vision systems. Night vision systems which are used today include complicated controls and process of making adjustment in these systems causes time to be spent.

The European patent document no. EP0545721 discloses a night vision goggle which is mountable to head, helmet or can be used in hand. This goggle comprises an objective, an eyepiece and an image intensification apparatus. The United States Patent document no. US5867313 discloses a multifunctional night vision apparatus. This apparatus can be mounted to helmet, head or weapon; it also allows use in hand.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the invention is to realize a night vision device which enables the user to see under conditions where there is low light by intensifying the light in the environment.

Another objective of the invention is to realize a night vision device which is handheld.

A further objective of the invention is to realize a night vision device which can be mounted to helmet, head or weapon.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A night vision device realized to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is the perspective view of the inventive night vision device.

Figure 2 is the exploded perspective view of the night vision device.

Figure 3 is the exploded perspective view of the headband assembly.

Figure 4 is the perspective view of the low-temperature adapter.

Figure 5 is the perspective view of the warning LED transfer ring.

The components given in the figures are numbered and the numbers refer to the following: 1. Night vision device

2. Objective assembly

21. Focus adjusting ring

3. Intensifier tube

4. Lower body

5. Upper body

51. On/Off switch

52. Battery housing

53. Support bracket

54. Infrared LED

6. Ocular assembly

61. Diopter adjusting ring

7. Warning LED transfer ring

71. Bracket

8. Light-protected eyecup

9. Elastic eyecup

10. Seal

1 1. Headband assembly

111. Headband

112. Forehead part

113. Adjustment mechanism

12. Low-temperature adapter

121. Battery housing

122. Power transfer housing

13. Electronic card

131. Warning LED

The inventive night vision device (1) essentially comprises:

- at least one objective assembly (2) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light in the environment; - at least one intensifier tube (3) which enables the user to see the environment by intensifying the light that is focused by the objective assembly (2);

- at least one lower body (4) which is cylindrical, one end of which is connected to the objective assembly (2), and keeps the intensifier tube (3) from external factors by surrounding it;

- at least one upper body (5) which is fixed to the lower body (4);

- at least one ocular assembly (6) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (3) to the user's eye;

- at least one light-protected eyecup (8) which enables the light that is provided from the ocular assembly (6) to reach the user by surrounding the user's eye;

- at least one seal (10) which is disposed between the lower and the upper body (4) and provides water resistance; and

- at least one electronic card (13) which enables the user to control the device (1).

The objective assembly (2) has a plurality of lenses and it receives the light in the environment by focusing it into the night vision device (1). The objective assembly (2) transmits the light reaching itself without magnifying it. Thus, the user's eye can see objects in their real dimensions while using the night vision device (1). The objective assembly (2) comprises at least one focus adjusting ring (21) which enables to change positions of the lenses, with respect to each other, inside thereof. The objective assembly (2) is preferably cylindrical and the focus adjusting ring (21) is in the form of a ring surrounding the objective assembly (2). Outer surface of the focus adjusting ring (21) contacted by the user preferably has a plurality of recesses and protrusions. Thus, it gets easy for the user to move the focus adjusting ring (21). The intensifier tube (3) comprises a tube having a cylindrical shape. The light in the environment (photons) is converted into electrons in the intensifier tube (3) and the electrons are intensified in the tube (3). These electrons, which have been intensified, are converted into photons in the phosphor layer at the tube (3) outlet. Thus, thousands of photons are formed for each photon entering the tube (3) and the image becomes much brighter. With the intensifier tube (3), the user can has sufficient vision even under the light that arises from stars.

The intensifier tube (3) is disposed into the lower body (4). The lower body (4) prevents the intensifier tube (3) from getting damaged because of external factors. The lower body (4) is in the form of a tube larger than the intensifier tube (3) and on one surface thereof, there is an opening which enables it to combine with the upper body (5). One of the circular ends of the lower body (4) is connected to the objective assembly (2) and the other is connected to the ocular assembly (6).

The upper body (5) has at least one on/off switch (51) which enables the user to turn on/off the night vision device (1); at least one battery housing (52) into which the battery is inserted; at least one support bracket (53) which enables the night vision device (1) to be mounted to a device or apparatus desired; and at least one infrared LED (54) which enhances vision performance of the night vision device (1) by emitting infrared light. The on/off switch (51) is a button having preferably three positions and it enables the night vision device (1) to be turned on/off and to emit infrared light. A battery, which provides electric power required for the intensifier tube (3) to operate, is inserted into the battery housing (52). In order that the invention operates in low temperatures, a low-temperature adaptor (12) which will enable the battery to be positioned close to the user's body such that it will preferably use his/her body temperature in a warmer environment outside the device (1) is used. In this embodiment, necessary electricity is provided by inserting a battery into the battery housing (121) and the power taken is transferred to the power transfer housing (122) by means of a cable. The power transfer housing (122) is fit into the battery housing (52) by being turned and the power is transferred to the device. In this embodiment, the battery housing (121) is enabled to remain in a temperature close to body temperature by keeping the low-temperature adaptor (12) in a position close to the body and thus the device (1) is enabled to operate at low temperatures.

The seal (10) is manufactured from an elastic material and it provides water resistance between the lower and the upper body (4). Thus, the night vision device (1) can be used in all weather conditions.

One end of the ocular assembly (6) is connected to the lower body (4) and the other one faces the user. The ocular assembly (6) has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (3) to the user's eye; and it comprises at least one diopter adjusting ring (61) which enables to change positions of these lenses relative to each other. Upon the diopter adjusting ring (61) is moved the focal point of the light reaching the user's eye changes and thus blurred vision problem arising from eye disorders of the user is prevented. The ocular assembly (6) is preferably cylindrical and the diopter adjusting ring (61) is in the form of a ring surrounding the ocular assembly (6). Outer surface of the diopter adjusting ring (61) contacted by the user preferably has a plurality of recesses and protrusions. Thus, it gets easy for the user to move the diopter adjusting ring (61).

The electronic card (3) is disposed into the lower body (4), onto the intensifier tube (3). There is at least one warning LED (131) on the electronic card (13). The electronic card (13) warns the user by flashing the LED (131) when the charge level decreases. In another embodiment of the invention, the electronic card (13) warns the user by flashing the warning LED (131) when the infrared LED (54) is operating.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a warning LED transfer ring (7) is disposed between the ocular assembly (6) and the intensifier tube (3). The warning LED transfer ring (7) is manufactured from a transparent plastic material and it has a bracket (71) for each warning to be transmitted. The brackets (71) are separated from each other and there are 45 degree cuts at the end of them. The light provided by the warning LEDs (131) is transported along the device (1) by reflecting from the end of the brackets (71) which is cut, and it is reflected towards the user's eye.

Preferably the light-protected eyecup (8) is mounted at the end of the ocular assembly (6) facing the user. The light-protected eyecup (8) prevents the light coming from the ocular assembly (6) from being seen from the outside and thus the night vision device (1) from being determined from the outside easily. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an elastic eyecup (9) is used instead of the light-protected eyecup (8).

The inventive night vision device (1) can be mounted to any device desired over the support bracket (53). A headband assembly (11) is used when it is desired to mount the inventive night vision device (1) to the user's head. The headband assembly (11) comprises at least one headband (111) which surrounds the user's head, at least one forehead part (112) which contacts the user's forehead and at least one adjustment mechanism (113) which provides connection between the support bracket (53) and the headband (111).

Within the scope of these basic concepts, it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive night vision device (1). The invention can not be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially according to the claims.

Claims

A night vision device (1) which enables the user to see under conditions where there is low light comprising

at least one objective assembly (2) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light in the environment;

at least one intensifier tube (3) which enables the user to see the environment by intensifying the light that is focused by the objective assembly (2);

at least one ocular assembly (6) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (3) to the user's eye;

at least one light-protected eyecup (8) which enables the light that is provided from the ocular assembly (6) to reach the use by surrounding the user's eye; and

at least one electronic card (13) which enables to control the intensifier tube (3) characterized by

at least one lower body (4) which is cylindrical, one end of which is connected to the objective assembly (2), into which the intensifier tube (3) is disposed, and which keeps the intensifier tube (3) from external factors by surrounding it; and

at least one upper body (5) which is fixed to the lower body (4) and has at least one on/off switch (51) that enables the user to turn on/off the tube (3); at least one battery housing (52); at least one support bracket (53) that enables the night vision device (1) to be mounted to various devices or apparatus; and at least one infrared LED (54) that enhances vision performance by emitting infrared light.

A night vision device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a power supply which is inserted into the battery housing (52) and in the form of battery.

A night vision device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a low- temperature adaptor (12) which has a battery housing (121), transfers the power received from this battery housing (121) to the power transfer housing (122) by means of a cable, enables the battery to last longer by keeping the battery housing (121) in a temperature close to body temperature when it is kept in a position close to the body at low- temperatures.

A night vision device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an objective assembly (2) which has a plurality of lenses and at least one focus adjusting ring (21) that enables to change positions of the lenses with respect to each other and on the outer surface of which there are a plurality of recesses and protrusions.

A night vision device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an ocular assembly (6) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (3) to the user's eye, at least one diopter adjusting ring (61) that enables to change positions of the lenses with respect to each other and on the outer surface of which there are a plurality of recesses and protrusions, prevents blurred vision problem arising from possible eye disorders of the user by changing the focal point of the light reaching the user's eye.

A night vision device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a headband assembly (11) which comprises at least one headband (111) that surrounds the user's head, at least one forehead part (112) that contacts the user's forehead and at least one adjustment mechanism (113) that provides connection between the support bracket (53) and the headband (111); and which provides mounting to the user's head.

7. A night vision device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an electronic card (13) which has at least one warning

LED (131) indicating that the charge level of the battery is low when it is active, on thereof.

8. A night vision device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an electronic card (13) which has at least one warning

LED (131) indicating that the infrared LED (54) is on or off when it is active, on thereof.

9. A night vision device (1) according to Claim 7 and 8, characterized by a warning LED transfer ring (7) which reflects the light that is provided from the warning LED (131) towards the user.

10. A night vision device (1) according to Claim 9, characterized by a warning LED transfer ring (7) which is manufactured from a transparent plastic material.

11. A night vision device (1) according to Claim 9 and 10, characterized by a warning LED transfer ring (7) which is in the form of a ring, has at least one bracket (71) that extends from the inner surface towards the central axis thereof.