EP2802931A1

EP2802931A1 - Image-stabilized long-range device

Info

Publication number: EP2802931A1
Application number: EP13700038.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dirk Dobermann; Rainer Robotta; Georg Guenther; Jens Hofmann; Kurt Becker; Eckhard Roth; Tobias Thiele
Original assignee: Carl Zeiss AG; Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH
Current assignee: Carl Zeiss AG; Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH
Priority date: 2012-01-13
Filing date: 2013-01-08
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Also published as: US20140320963A1; DE102012000858A1; WO2013104594A1; US9625734B2

Abstract

A long-range device (10) comprises at least one optical channel (12), which has a housing (20) and an arrangement of optical elements (14, 16, 18), at least one (16) of the optical elements (14, 16, 18) being mobile in relation to the housing (20) for the purpose of image stabilization when the housing (20) is subject to disturbing movements. It further comprises a stabilization system (24) for the at least one mobile optical element (16), said stabilization system having an eddy current damper (32) for damping movements of the at least one mobile element (16), which eddy current damper generates a restoring force that is proportional to the displacement speed of the at least one mobile optical element (16) when the at least one mobile optical element (16) is displaced. The eddy current damper (32) comprises a magnet system (34) and an eddy current support (38) interacting therewith. The restoring force generated by the eddy current damper (32) depends on the amplitude of displacement of the at least one mobile optical element (16).

Description

Remote optical device with image stabilization

The invention relates to a far-optical device having at least one optical channel having a housing and an array of optical elements, wherein at least one of the optical elements for image stabilization in case of disturbing movements of the housing is movable relative to the housing, and with a stabilizing system for the at least one movable optical element having an eddy current damper for damping movements of the at least one movable element, which generates a restoring force proportional to the deflection speed of the at least one movable optical element at a deflection of the at least one movable optical element, the eddy current damper a magnetic system and a having cooperating eddy current carrier. Such a far-optical device is known from DE 38 43 776 AI.

A far-optical device of the type mentioned can be in the context of the present invention, a monocular or a binocular telescope, in particular a pair of binoculars.

When using a remote-optical device, such as, for example, a binoculars, jamming movements of the housing of the far-optical device have a negative effect on the image quality of the image seen by the user. The disturbing movements acting on the housing lead to a blurring of the image, which interferes with the observation of an object or a scene.

There are therefore far-optical devices have been proposed in which in the at least one optical channel, at least one movable relative to the housing optical element and a stabilization system for the at least one movable optical element for image stabilization in case of disturbing movements. Due to the relative mobility of the at least one optical element in the beam path of the optical channel, this optical element and thus the image from the housing is motion-decoupled. The user thus perceives a blur-free or low-blur image despite interference movements.

In the known from the aforementioned document DE 38 43 776 AI long-range optical device that is at least one movable optical element, the image reversal prism, which is gimbaled via a Torsionsfedergelenk in the housing. The stabilization system of this known long-range optical device has an eddy current damper for damping movements of the reversing prism. The eddy current damper generates a restoring force proportional to the deflection speed of the image inversion prism at a deflection of the image inversion prism. The eddy current damper avoids that the image inversion prism is excited to forced vibrations in the housing. The eddy current damper of this known long-range optical device has a magnetic system moving with the image reversal prism, which is formed from permanent magnets, and a plane-parallel plate made of an electrically conductive material, for example. Copper on. The formed as a plate eddy current carrier has no constant cross-section and has constrictions in the edge region, whereby an axis-wise adjustment of the damping constant, in particular taking into account different spring constants of the torsion spring and the inertial mass of the movable components is possible. The trained as a plate eddy current carrier is firmly connected to the housing.

An eddy current damper as a damping device of the stabilization system has the advantage that the initial friction is minimal, as for example. In a damping device is not the case, which is based on the principle of damping by fluid friction. Remote-optical devices with image stabilization units, which are based on damping by fluid friction, are known from DE 2 152 085 A and DE 2 353 101 A.

In US 2,688,456 and US 2,829,557 damping devices are described in remote optical devices consisting of two magnetic systems. A bar magnet attached to the stabilization system is arranged in a housing-mounted, magnetic cylinder. Here, the mutual repulsion forces cause an attenuation of the movement of the at least one movable optical element.

The invention has for its object to further improve a far-optical device of the type mentioned in terms of image stabilization in jamming movements of the housing on.

According to the invention this object is achieved in terms of the aforementioned optical device in that the restoring force of the Amplitude of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element is dependent.

The inventive far-optical device adheres to the concept of equipping the stabilization system with an eddy current damper for damping vibrations of the at least one movable element, which is the initial friction, unlike on fluid friction-based damping devices. With each initial friction, the stabilization system is frictionally coupled to the housing with small signals, whereby the stabilization system can not compensate for the interference signals. When using a Wirbelstromdämpfers this is avoided. As a result of the dependence of the restoring force on the amplitude of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element, larger deflections of the at least one movable optical element can be more strongly damped, depending on the design of the eddy current damper, for example. However, the eddy current damper can also be designed so that improved entrainment of the at least one movable optical element is achieved in the case of intentional pivoting of the long-range optical device if the user wishes to let his gaze wander over a landscape through the long-range optical device.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one movable optical element is fixed to a carrier movable relative to the housing, and the magnet system is fixed to the housing and the eddy current carrier carrier.

This represents a reversal of the arrangement of the magnet system and the Wirbelstromträgers compared to the aforementioned known optical device. The arrangement of the magnet system and the Wirbelstromträgers according to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment has the advantage that in conjunction with a mass-reduced movable optical element, For example, an image reversal prism, at the other end of the carrier a much lighter stabilization system is created. Furthermore, you can wegten magnet system, the modifications to be described below are made easier without having to rebalance the entire stabilization system.

In a further preferred embodiment, the restoring force increases or decreases with increasing amplitude of the deflection.

If the restoring force or damping increases with increasing amplitude of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element, stronger deflections are more attenuated, whereby a very good image stabilization is achieved even with disturbing motions with high excitation amplitude.

In a further preferred embodiment, the restoring force is dependent on the direction of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element.

It is advantageous that the attenuation of a movement of the at least one movable optical element, for example, about a horizontal axis transverse to the optical axis may be larger or smaller than in a movement of the at least one movable optical element about the vertical axis. As a result, the image stabilization can be adapted to different applications of the long-range optical device.

Thus, it may be preferred that the restoring force in two mutually perpendicular directional components of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element is equal, or the restoring force is different in two mutually perpendicular direction components of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element. In the former case, the damping of the eddy current damper behaves "isotropically" while in the second case it is "anisotropic".

In a further preferred embodiment, the restoring force is adjustable.

This has the advantage that the user of the far-optical device depending on the application can set the desired damping characteristic itself.

In a further preferred embodiment, the eddy current carrier has at least one plate which extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical channel.

With this measure, the eddy current carrier is structurally very simple and thus advantageously particularly inexpensive to manufacture.

It is preferred if the thickness of the plate increases towards the edge or decreases.

With this measure, the Momentanauslenkungsabhängigkeit the restoring force and the damping is achieved in a simple manner to be realized by a thickness variation of the plate of the eddy current carrier.

In this case, the thickness increases towards the edge preferably continuously or stepwise to or from.

It is also possible that the restoring force does not increase or decrease evenly, but, depending on the desired damping characteristic, the thickness of the plate to the edge disproportionately or disproportionately increases or decreases. If the damping characteristic should have no directional dependence, the thickness of the plate in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions towards the edge preferably equal to or from.

If, however, a directional dependence of the damping characteristic is desired, the thickness of the plate in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions towards the edge preferably increases or decreases differently.

In a further development of the two embodiments mentioned above, a thickness profile of the plate preferably assumes a rectangular, square, circular or elliptical shape towards or towards the edge.

A square and circular thickness profile lead to a non-directional deflection-dependent damping characteristic, and a non-square rectangular or elliptical thickness profile lead to a direction-dependent deflection-dependent damping characteristic. The ellipsoidal thickness profile additionally has the advantage that, in the event of a disturbing movement which simultaneously excites the at least one movable optical element in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions, a more uniform transition of the damping between the pure deflection in the first spatial direction and the pure deflection in the perpendicular thereto second spatial direction generated as, for example, the rectangular thickness profile.

In order to realize the aforementioned measures in a structurally simple manner, it is provided in a further preferred embodiment that the plate has at least one surface which is curved, wherein the radius of curvature over the at least one surface is constant or changing.

With a constant radius of curvature of the at least one surface of the plate of the eddy current carrier, the restoring force increases or decreases in proportion to the deflection of the at least one movable element, and when changing The radius of curvature, the damping characteristic can be designed so that the restoring force as a function of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element disproportionately or disproportionately increases or decreases.

In a further preferred embodiment, a radial center axis between the surfaces of the plate is straight.

In this embodiment, the plate can be particularly easy to produce, since it can be made from a plane parallel plate, are incorporated into the corresponding surface contours.

However, it is also preferred if a radial center axis between the surfaces of the plate is curved.

In this case, the geometry of the plate of the eddy current carrier is better adapted to the movement of the at least one movable optical element when this movement corresponds to a rotational movement about a pivot point, as in a storage of the at least one movable optical element via a torsion spring joint Case is. In this embodiment, in other words, the geometry of the plate of the eddy current carrier according to one of the above embodiments, for example. With variable thickness, superimposed with a curvature of the plate as a whole, the latter curvature may be, for example. Spherical, which the rotation or Pivoting movement of the at least one movable optical element around a pivot point best corresponds.

In connection with the two last-mentioned embodiments, it is provided in a further preferred embodiment that the magnet system has at least one magnet which extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical channel, and that the at least one magnet at least one Surface which is straight or curved such that the distance of the plate to the at least one magnet varies across the plate.

According to this embodiment, a momentary deflection dependency of the restoring force or damping of the eddy current damper is not achieved or not solely by a corresponding geometry of the eddy current carrier, but alone or additionally by a corresponding geometry of the at least one magnet of the magnet system, wherein the geometry of the plate the eddy current carrier and the geometry of the at least one magnet are matched to one another such that the distance of the plate to the at least one magnet changes over the plate, which in turn results in different damping depending on the deflection.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plate has a first plate and a second plate, which are each provided with radial recesses, wherein the first plate and the second plate in the longitudinal direction of the optical channel are arranged adjacent to each other and positionally adjustable relative to each other, to reduce or enlarge the radial recesses alternately in their area.

This embodiment is a preferred embodiment for a realization of the eddy current damper with an adjustable damping characteristic. Preferably, the first plate and the second plate are each electrically conductive and in that they are connected to one another in the longitudinal direction of the optical channel, electrically conductively connected to each other. By relatively positional adjustment, for example, twisting the first plate and the second plate to each other, the radial recesses are reduced in area or increased, whereby the conductive segments of the overall arrangement of the first plate and the second plate are increased or reduced accordingly, and correspondingly higher or lower eddy currents can form therein, which changes the damping characteristic accordingly. In a particularly simple to implement preferred embodiment, the plate itself is electrically conductive.

It is advantageous that the plate of the eddy current carrier in a particularly simple manner in total in one piece from an electrically conductive material, eg. Copper, can be made.

In order to obtain a deflection-dependent damping characteristic in this particularly simple embodiment, preferably the electrical conductivity and / or the magnetic permeability of the plate varies over the plate.

In this case, it is advantageous that the plate itself can be realized geometrically very simply, for example as a plane-parallel plate, while the deflection-dependent damping characteristic of the eddy current damper is provided by the material properties, conductivity and / or magnetic permeability. Thus, for example, the conductivity of the plate can be changed radially by mechanical stresses in the crystal structure. Another example is to change the magnetic flux radially, continuously or stepwise, by different magnetization of individual zones of the plate.

However, the abovementioned embodiment can also be combined with a geometrically-related deflection-dependence of the damping characteristic (for example by thickness variation of the plate) as described above.

As an alternative to an electrically conductive plate, it is preferred if the plate is not electrically conductive and carries at least one coil in which the eddy currents are generated.

In this case, the at least one coil preferably formed as wound or wound through the plate conductor wire, or, preferably also be formed as a conductor track on the plate. The use of at least one coil on an otherwise non-electrically conductive plate has the advantage that the plate can be manufactured plane-parallel even with simple geometry, for example, while the coils are then the deflection-dependent by a corresponding arrangement, distribution and configuration Create damping characteristic.

Thus, it is provided in a further preferred embodiment that the number of turns, Windungsquerschnitt and / or conductor wire or interconnect cross section varies / vary over the plate.

This results in a simple manner numerous ways to achieve a Auslenkungsabhängigkeit the damping characteristic, be it direction independent or directionally dependent with respect to the deflection of the at least one movable optical element.

For a directional dependence of the damping characteristic, it is provided in a further preferred embodiment that the plate carries at least two coils in which eddy currents are generated, and that the at least two coils are oriented in mutually different spatial directions.

The at least two coils can be completely separated from each other electrically, or, as provided in a further preferred embodiment, be electrically coupled to each other, preferably via a resistor.

In the latter case, the damping characteristics generated by the at least two coils can be coupled together in the two preferred directions.

When the coils are coupled via a resistor, the resistance is preferably adjustable. In this way, the advantage is achieved that the damping characteristic is adjustable, in particular manually can be varied, either in the production of the far-optical device or during use of the far-optical device by a user.

A further possibility of obtaining a deflection-dependent damping characteristic of the eddy current damper is, as is provided in a further preferred embodiment, that the magnet system generates an inhomogeneous magnetic field across the eddy current carrier.

Thus, for example, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system to the edge of the eddy current carrier have a higher field line density than in the middle of the eddy current carrier. In this embodiment, the eddy current carrier, which is formed, for example, in the simple case as an electrically conductive plate, should be smaller than the extent of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system. If, due to a deflection of the at least one movable optical element relative to the housing, the plate of the eddy current carrier moves into the regions of the magnetic field which lie further toward the edge, the magnetic flux density, thus the induced eddy current, changes and a deflection-dependent restoring force or damping occurs the eddy current damper generated. Of course, the above-mentioned measure can also be combined with, for example, one of the abovementioned embodiments, according to which the plate of the eddy current carrier has a variable thickness towards the edge.

To generate an inhomogeneous magnetic field, as described above, the magnet system has at least one magnet whose geometry is selected so that the at least one magnet generates an inhomogeneous magnetic field, and / or the at least one magnet has a location-dependent remanence.

In the two aforementioned embodiments, the generation of an inhomogeneous magnetic field by the geometry and / or the Materialwahl- and distribution of at least one magnet of the magnet system achieved.

However, the desired magnetic field line geometry for generating an inhomogeneous magnetic field can also be realized by virtue of the fact that the magnet system has at least one current-excitable coil in order to generate an inhomogeneous magnetic field.

In order to achieve a directional dependence of the restoring force of the eddy current damper here, the magnet system can have at least two coils which can be excited with different current intensities.

Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

It is understood that the above-mentioned and below to be explained features not only in the particular combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail with reference to this. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a far-optical device with

Image stabilization;

FIGS. 2a) to c)

Eddy current dampers in various embodiments for use in the far optical device in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a) to e) Thickness profiles of various eddy current eddy current carriers for use in the far optical device in Fig. 1;

FIGS. 4 a) to c)

the eddy current dampers in Fig. 2a) to c)

FIGS. 4d) to f)

Modifications of the eddy current damper in Fig. 4a) to c);

Fig. 5a) the eddy current damper in Fig. 4d) and

Fig. 5b) a modification of the eddy current damper in Fig. 5a);

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8a) to c)

another embodiment of an eddy current carrier for an eddy current damper for use in the remote optical device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9a) the eddy current damper in Fig. 2a) and

FIGS. 9b) and c)

alternative embodiments to the eddy current damper in Fig. 9a);

Fig. 10a) the eddy current damper in Fig. 2b) and

FIGS. 10b) and c)

alternative embodiments to the eddy current damper in Fig. 10a);

Fig. IIa) the eddy current carrier of the eddy current damper in Fig. 2a) and Fig. IIb) a modification of the arrangement in Fig. IIa);

Fig. 12a) the eddy current damper in Fig. 2b) and

Fig. 12b) a modification of the eddy current damper in Fig. 12a); and

Fig. 13 shows a modification of the eddy current damper in Fig. 12b).

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a provided with the general reference numeral 10 remote optical device, which is equipped with an image stabilization.

The far-optical device 10 may be formed as a binocular or monocular telescope, in particular as a pair of binoculars. The long-range optical device has an optical channel 12 in the case of a monocular telescope. In the case of the design of the long-range optical device 10 as a binocular telescope, the long-range optical device 10 correspondingly has a second optical channel, which is not shown in Fig. 1.

In the optical channel 12, an array of optical elements 14, 16 and 18 is arranged. The optical elements 14, 16 and 18 are shown here in simplified form, wherein the optical element 14 forms the objective, the optical element 16 the image inversion system and the optical element 18 the eyepiece of the long-range optical device 10. The optical channel 12 has a housing 20 in which the arrangement of the optical elements 14, 16 and 18 is accommodated.

For image stabilization in case of disturbing movements of the housing 20, the optical element 16, ie the image reversing system is movable relative to the housing 20. In FIG. 1, a coordinate system x, y, z is plotted in the optical channel 12, where z is the light propagation direction within the optical channel 12, x is the horizontal axis transverse to the light propagation direction, and y is the vertical axis or Vertical axis of the optical device 10 denotes. The vertical axis y is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1. The optical element 16 is mounted for image stabilization about the x-axis and the y-axis pivotally mounted in the housing 20. The optical element 14 and the optical element 18 are fixed relative to the housing 20.

The movable optical element 16 is fixedly connected to a carrier 22, wherein the carrier 22 is gimbalably pivotable about the aforementioned x-axis and the aforementioned y-axis. The pivot point of this pivotal movement is in Fig. 1, the origin of the marked x, y, z coordinate system and is in particular on the optical axis 23. The carrier 22 together with the parts attached thereto is balanced with respect to the fulcrum.

For image stabilization in case of disturbing movements of the housing 20, i. E. when the housing 20 is shaken, the far-optical device 10 has a stabilizing system 24 for the movable optical element 16, which is designed as a passive mass inertia-based stabilization system.

The stabilization system 24 has a first member 24a and a second member 24b. Upon deflection of the optical element 16 relative to the housing 20, the first member 24a generates a first restoring force proportional to this deflection. The first member 24a is formed as a spring joint 26 having a rotational degree of freedom about the x-axis and a rotational degree of freedom about the y-axis. The spring joint 26 has, on the one hand, an interface 28 to the housing 20 and an interface 30 to the carrier 22 and thus to the optical element 16.

The second member 24b is formed as an eddy current damper 32, which generates a restoring force proportional to the deflection speed at a deflection of the optical element 16 and the carrier 22 relative to the housing 20. The eddy current damper 32 has a magnet system 34, which has, for example, magnets 36, and an eddy current carrier 38. The eddy current carrier 38 is fixed with connected to the carrier 22, and the magnet system 34 is fixedly connected to the housing 20. The magnet system 34 and the eddy current carrier 38 extend substantially or exactly perpendicular to the optical axis 23.

The eddy current damper 32 damps movements of the movable optical element 16 and the carrier 22 by the eddy current damper 32 generates the above-mentioned restoring force in proportion to the deflection speed of the optical element 16. In a deflection of the movable optical element 16 and the carrier 22 eddy currents are generated in the eddy current carrier 38 in cooperation with the magnet system 34, which counteract the deflection of the carrier. In other words, the restoring forces generated by the eddy current damper 32 counteract accelerations of the carrier 22 and thus of the optical element 16.

The eddy current damper 32 is designed so that the restoring force in proportion to the deflection speed of the movable optical element 16 is dependent on the amplitude of the deflection of the movable optical element 16.

Various embodiments will be described below with reference to the other figures, according to which the eddy current damper 32 may be configured to generate a restoring force dependent on the amplitude of the deflection of the movable optical element 16 and thus damping characteristic.

Figures 2 to 8 show different embodiments, in which the restoring force or in which the damping characteristic by different geometries of the eddy current carrier and / or the magnetic system of the amplitude of the deflection of the movable optical element 16 is dependent. In the following figures, the respective magnet system and the eddy current carrier are shown rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG. That is, the eddy current carriers and magnet systems to be described below extend radially with respect to the longitudinal axis and optical axis 23 of the optical channel 12 when installed in the far-optical device 10 as in the eddy current damper 32 in FIG. 1.

Fig. 2a) shows an eddy current damper 40 with a magnet system 42, which is here represented by two permanent magnets 44 and 46, and an eddy current carrier 48. Arrows 50 give here and in the following figures, the relative mobility of the eddy current carrier 48 relative to the magnet system 42nd at. With S and N here and in the other figures, the magnetic poles (South Pole and North Pole) are designated.

In the eddy current damper 40, the eddy current carrier 48 is formed as a plane-parallel electrically conductive plate. In a deflection of the eddy current carrier 48 relative to the magnet system 42 corresponding to the arrows 50, no dependence of the damping characteristic on the amplitude of the deflection of the eddy current carrier 48 and thus of the movable optical element 16 arises.

Fig. 2b) now shows an eddy current damper 40 'in an embodiment in which the eddy current carrier 48' is again formed as a plate whose thickness D from a center 52 to edges 54 and 56, however, increases. In this way, the cross section of the plate of the eddy current carrier 48 'in areas of the edges 54 and 56 is increased. If the eddy current damper 40 'used as the eddy current damper 32 in the remote optical device 10 in Fig. 1, causes a greater deflection of the carrier 22 and thus the eddy current carrier 48' relative to the magnet system 42, an increase of the induced eddy currents and thus an increase in the restoring force or Damping. The increase in thickness D from the middle 52 toward the edges 54, 56 determines the increase factor of the damping as a function of the deflection of the eddy current carrier 48 '.

In the embodiment in Fig. 2b), the thickness D increases continuously from the center 52 towards the edges 54, 56.

Surfaces 58 and 60 of the eddy current carrier 48 ', which face the magnet system 42, have a continuous curvature in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2b). The radius of curvature of the curvatures of the surfaces 58 and 60 may be constant across the plate of the eddy current carrier 48 '. For example, the surfaces 58, 60 may be spherically curved or, depending on the desired attenuation characteristic, with increasing distance from the center 52 increasing or decreasing radii of curvature should be considered.

Fig. 2c) shows a modification of the eddy current carrier 48 'in Fig. 2b) in the form of a Wirbelstromträgers 48 "in which the thickness D from the center 52" to the edges 54 "and 56" not continuously, but gradually increases. The surfaces 58 "and 60" of the eddy current carrier 48 "are designed correspondingly stepped.

The above description of Figures 2a) to c) referred to a one-dimensional view of the dependence of the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 40 on the amplitude of the deflection of the movable optical element 16 and thus of the respective Wirbelstromträgers 48, 48 'or 48 ".

In FIGS. 3 a) to e), the eddy current carriers and thus the damping characteristics of the eddy current dampers 40 become dependent not only on the amplitude of the deflection but also on the direction of the deflection of the respective eddy current carrier 48, 48 'and 48, respectively ", so two-dimensional, considered. Figures 3a) to e) show thickness profiles in the xy plane of the eddy current carrier in the form of isodick lines. FIG. 3 a) shows the case of the embodiment of the eddy current carrier 48 in FIG. 2 a) as a plane-parallel plate. Accordingly, the eddy current carrier 48 has a constant thickness over its entire surface.

Fig. 3b) shows the eddy current carrier 48 'with a thickness increase from the center 52 to the edges 54, 56 and 54a, 54b, which is symmetrical in the x-direction and the y-direction. Lines 62 are lines of the same thickness. The thickness profile or the thickness topography of the eddy current carrier 48 'in FIG. 3c) is square.

Fig. 3c) shows a thickness profile of the Wirbelstromträgers 48 ', which is also symmetrical in the x and y directions, wherein the thickness profile is circular here.

In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3 b) and c), the damping characteristic or restoring force of the eddy current damper is dependent on the amplitude of the deflection of the eddy current carrier 48 ', but not dependent on the direction, ie. a deflection of the eddy current carrier 48 'is attenuated in the x-direction and the y-direction in the same way.

In order to obtain a directional dependence of the damping, the damping behavior of the eddy current damper in the direction of the x-axis and in the direction of the y-axis must be different, as shown in Figures 3d) and e). In the embodiment of Fig. 3d), the thickness profile of the plate of the eddy current carrier 48 'is rectangular, i. the lines 62 of equal thickness are rectangular. The damping increases in the embodiment in Fig. 3d) in the direction of the x-axis more than in the direction of the y-axis.

Fig. 3e) shows an elliptical thickness profile, in which case the damping in the direction of the x-axis increases more than in the direction of the y-axis. The elliptical thickness profile according to FIG. 3e) has the advantage over the rectangular profile according to FIG. 3d) that with simultaneous deflection of the eddy current carrier 48 'in the y- and x-direction a more uniform transition of the damping between the pure x-deflection and the pure y-direction Deflection is generated.

The foregoing considerations assume that the eddy current carrier 48, 48 'or 48 "performs an accurate linear motion relative to the magnet system 42. This consideration is true only for small deflections of the carrier 22 of the far optical device 10 in FIG For larger deflections of the carrier 22, it should be noted that the carrier 22 pivots about a pivot point due to its support via the spring joint 26. Because the eddy current damper 32 of the long-range optical device 10 is at one end of the carrier 22 far from the fulcrum of the spring joint 26, the eddy current carrier 38 describes a trajectory on a concentric to the pivot point of the carrier 22 spherical surface.

With reference to FIGS. 4a) to f), the following describes how an adaptation of the eddy current damper in one of the embodiments according to FIGS. 2a) to c) to the spherically curved trajectory of the carrier 22 can take place.

FIGS. 4a), b) and c) show the eddy current dampers 40, 40 'and 40 "according to FIGS. 2a), b) and c).

The eddy current carriers 48 in Fig. 4a), 48 'in Fig. 4b) and 48 "in Fig. 4c) have in common that their radial center axis 64, 64' and 64" between the surfaces 58, 60; 58 ', 60'; 58 ", 60" is straight. An adaptation to the actual movement of the eddy current carrier 48, 48 'or 48 "along a sphere is effected in that the respective radial central axis 64, 64' or 64" is curved concentrically to the pivot point of the movement of the carrier 22, as in Figures 4d ), e) and f) is shown. In other words, the geometries of the eddy current carriers 48, 48 'and 48 "according to FIG. 4a), b) and c) are superimposed concentrically with the spherical point of the carrier 22 with a spherical curvature, as a result of which in FIGS. 4d), e ) and f) shown geometries of the eddy current carrier 48, 48 ', 48 "arise.

In this case, not only the eddy current carriers 48, 48 'and 48 "themselves are curved concentrically to the pivot point of the carrier 22, but also the magnets 44, 46 of the magnet system 42nd

The curvature of the magnet 44 and / or the magnet 46 can also be used to obtain a dependence of the restoring force or the damping on the deflection of the movable optical element 16, even if the eddy current carrier itself is designed as a plate without thickness variation. This is illustrated in FIGS. 5a) and b).

FIG. 5a) shows the eddy current damper 40 according to FIG. 4d), in which the magnets 44 and 46 of the magnet system 42 are concentrically curved with respect to the pivot point 66, which represents the pivot point of the carrier 22 in FIG. As well as the eddy current carrier 48. More specifically, the surfaces 58 and 60 of the eddy current carrier 48 have radii of curvature rl and r2 which together with radii of curvature r3 of a surface 68 of the magnet 46 and r4 of a surface 70 of the magnet 44 are all concentric with the fulcrum 66. In this way, no deflection dependence of the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 40 arises.

However, a deflection dependence of the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 40 can be realized in that the symmetry of the curvatures of the Wirbelstromträgers 48 and the magnet system 42 is broken such that the distance of the Wirbelstromträgers 48 to the magnet 44 and / or varies with the magnet 46 across the eddy current carrier 48. While the radii of curvature rl and r2 are concentric with the other Fulcrum 66 extend, the radii of curvature r3 and r4 are not concentric with the fulcrum 66, wherein the radius of curvature r3 <x>. In this way, a deflection dependence of the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 40 can be achieved even with an eddy current carrier 48 in the form of a plate which has a constant thickness over its surface.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the following describes how the restoring force or damping characteristic of the eddy current damper can be made adjustable. The adjustability of the restoring force or damping characteristic is achieved in the embodiment described below by a modification of the eddy current carrier.

Figures 6 and 7 show an eddy current carrier 72 having a first plate 74 which is provided with a plurality of radial recesses, wherein in the embodiment shown a total of six such radial recesses 76 are present. The plate 74 has corresponding to the radial recesses 76 a plurality of radial segments 78 which are interconnected only in the region of the center 80 of the plate 74 and form a substantially closed surface there. The plate 74 is designed to be electrically conductive overall.

The eddy current carrier 72 has, as shown in FIG. 7, a second plate 82 which is formed in the same way as the first plate 74, i. E. correspondingly has a plurality of radial recesses 76 and correspondingly a plurality of segments 78. In Fig. 7, the two plates 74 and 82 are shown only in the region of their center 80 and 84, respectively.

The two plates 74 and 82 are installed in the optical channel 12 of the long-range optical device 10 so that they are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction or in the direction of the optical axis 23 of the optical channel 12 and thereby contact each other. The second plate 84 is also electrical conductive, so that the two plates 82 and 74 of FIG. 7 are electrically connected to each other.

The two plates 74 and 82 are fixed to each other via a spring-loaded mounting arrangement 86, wherein the two plates 74 and 82, however, are rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation 88.

Fig. 8a) now shows a relative position of the two plates 74 and 82 (the plate 82 is behind the plane), in which the segments 78 of the plate 74 with the corresponding segments of the plate 82 and the radial recesses 76 of the plate 74 are congruent with the corresponding radial recesses of the plate 82. In this relative position arise in the individual segments 78 of the plate 74 and the corresponding segments 78 of the plate 82 only small eddy currents, since the radial recesses 76 of the two plates 74 and 82 hinder the formation of eddy currents.

Fig. 8b) now shows a relative position of the two plates 74 and 82 to each other, in which by rotating the plate 82 relative to the plate 74, the total area of the radial recesses 76 is reduced. In this relative position, larger eddy currents can now propagate in the eddy current carrier 72 in comparison to FIG. 8 a). Compared to Fig. 8a), the restoring force or damping is now greater.

Fig. 8c) shows a relative position of the two plates 74 and 82, in which the segments 78 of the plate 82 completely cover the radial recesses 76 of the plate 74, and vice versa. In this relative position of the two plates 74 and 82, eddy current currents can now form in the eddy current carrier 72, and the damping is now maximal.

[Olli] It is understood that the configuration of the eddy current carrier 72 can be combined with the exemplary embodiments described above, ie at least at least one of the two plates 74 and 82 may be formed with a thickness variation across its surface.

In the previous embodiments, the plates of the eddy current carrier 48, 48 ', 48 "and 72 are preferably designed to be electrically conductive as a whole, and may be made, for example, of copper.

Instead of achieving a deflection dependence of the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 40 on the geometry (thickness variations and the like) of the eddy current carriers 48, 48 ', 48 ", 72 or the magnet system 42, it can alternatively or additionally also via an appropriate choice of material of the eddy current carrier 48th , 48 ', 48 ", 72, in which, for example, the electrical conductivity in the eddy current carriers 48, 48', 48" or 72 and / or the permeability of the eddy current carriers 48, 48 ', 48 ", 72 is made location-dependent.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, further embodiments of eddy current dampers are described in which the plate of the eddy current carrier is not itself electrically conductive, but in which the plate of the eddy current carrier can be made of a non-electrically conductive material and at least one coil carries, in which the eddy currents are generated.

FIG. 9a) again shows the eddy current damper 40 according to FIG. 2a).

Fig. 9b) shows an eddy current damper 90 with the magnet system 42 of the eddy current damper 40, but with an eddy current carrier 92 having a plate 94 of non-electrically conductive material, and carrying one or more coils 96.

The one or more coils 96 may be formed as a wound wire or as a coiled wire passing through the plate 94, as shown in Fig. 9c). In a relative movement of the Wirbelstromträgers 92 relative to the magnet system 42 corresponding eddy currents are generated in the conductor wires of the coils 96.

The one or more coils 96 may also be applied as conductor tracks on the otherwise non-electrically conductive plate 94.

While in the embodiment in Figures 9b) and 9c), the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 90 has no dependence on the deflection of the eddy current carrier 92 relative to the magnet system 42, an eddy current damper 90 'with a deflection-dependent damping characteristic is shown in Fig. 10.

10a), the eddy current damper 40 'from FIG. 2b) is shown once again, in which the deflection dependence of the restoring force or damping is produced by a thickness variation of the electrically conductive plate of the eddy current carrier 48'.

Fig. 10b) shows an eddy current damper 90 'having an attenuation characteristic corresponding to the attenuation characteristic of the eddy current damper 40' in Fig. 10a), which is not generated by a thickness variation of the eddy current carrier 92 ', but by a location-dependent distribution of coils 96 'on a non-electrically conductive plate 94', which, according to FIG. 10c) in turn, as the 94 'passing through wound wires can be performed.

The deflection dependence of the damping characteristic or the restoring force of the eddy current damper 90 'is achieved by a positional dependence of the number of turns, the winding cross section and / or the cross section of the conductor wire of the coils, whereby a damping effect analogous to the thickness variation of the eddy current carrier 48' can be achieved. The plate 94 'may be formed as a plane-parallel plate or as a spherically curved support plate, similar to in Fig. 4e) is shown.

A directional dependence of the restoring force or damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 90 'in the x-direction and the y-direction can be achieved in that the plate 94' at least two coils 96 'carries, in which eddy currents are generated, and in mutually different spatial directions (x and y) are oriented, as is also apparent from Fig. 10c). In this case, the coils for the x- and y-direction can be performed separately, whereby a direction-dependent damping can be realized. By connecting these separate coils with or without additional resistance, the two directions x and y can be coupled together. In the event that additional resistance is used to couple the coils for the x and y directions, such electrical resistance is preferably adjustable, whereby the attenuation of the eddy current damper 90 'can be manually varied, either in the assembly of the far-optical Device 10 or during use by the user.

The previous embodiments relate essentially to different configurations of the respective eddy current carrier in order to achieve a desired damping characteristic of the eddy current damper.

By contrast, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, modifications of the magnet system are described, which also make it possible to achieve a deflection-dependent (and additionally also direction-dependent) damping characteristic of the eddy current damper.

Fig. IIa) shows the eddy current damper 40 according to Fig. 2a) in sections in the region of the eddy current carrier 48, wherein additionally the eddy current carrier 48 passing through the field lines 100 of the magnetic system 42 (see Fig. 2a)) generated magnetic field are shown. As shown in FIG. IIa), the magnetic field generated by the magnet system 42 is homogeneous across the eddy current carrier 48.

A deflection-dependent restoring force or damping by differently strong eddy currents generated in the eddy current carrier 48 is here realized that the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system whose field lines in Fig. IIb) is illustrated by arrows 100 ', inhomogeneous across the eddy current carrier 48 away is. In order to achieve a deflection-dependent damping with the eddy current carrier 48 designed as a plane-parallel plate, in other words, the magnetic field line density must change over the extent of the magnet system. In addition, in this case, the eddy current carrier 48 should be smaller than the lateral (radial) extent of the magnetic field, as shown in Fig. IIb).

If the eddy current carrier 48 comes with increasing deflection in the further outlying areas of the magnetic field, the magnetic flux density changes, which also changes the induced eddy current and the damping is deflection-dependent, as in the case of the eddy current carrier 48 'in Fig. 2b) or 48 in Fig. 2c).

This effect can be enhanced by a location-dependent thickness profile of the eddy current carrier 48, as in the case of the eddy current carrier 48 'in Fig. 2b) or 48 "in Fig. 2c).

FIG. 12 a) shows the eddy current damper 40 'from FIG. 2 b), wherein in addition the field lines 100 of the magnetic field generated by the magnet system 42 are drawn. As described above, in the eddy current damper 40 ', a deflection-dependent damping or restoring force results from a thickness variation of the plate of the eddy current carrier 48'. An analogue attenuation characteristic such as that of the eddy current damper 40 'can be achieved with a eddy current damper 110 which has the eddy current carrier 48 according to FIG. 2 a) or FIG. 11 b) instead of the eddy current carrier 48', wherein now in contrast to FIG - kungabhängigkeit is achieved by an inhomogeneity of the magnetic field generated by a magnetic system 112, the field lines are provided with the reference numeral 114. According to the principle according to FIG. IIb), the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system 112 is inhomogeneous across the eddy current carrier 48, and the magnetic system 112 or the magnetic field generated by it has a greater lateral (radial) extent than the eddy current carrier 48, as shown in FIG 12b).

The inhomogeneity of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system 112 is generated in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12b) by a corresponding geometry of magnets 116, 118. Mutually facing surfaces 120 and 122 of the magnets 116 and 118 are concavely curved, so that the clear distance between the magnets 116 and 118 to the edge is smaller than in the middle of the magnets 116 and 118th

13 shows a modification of the eddy current damper 110 in the form of an eddy current damper 110 'in which the locally varying magnetic field line density of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system 112' is not achieved by a geometry of the magnets 116 'and 118' that deviates from plane-parallel magnets, but by a location-dependent varying magnetic remanence, which can be achieved by an appropriate choice of material or material distribution in the magnet 116 and / or 118 '.

Analogous to the above descriptions of the additional directional dependence of the damping characteristic of the eddy current damper 110 or 110 ', such a directional dependence of the damping characteristic in the eddy current damper 110 by a correspondingly adapted in the x and y direction geometry of the magnets 116, 118 and a material distribution of the magnets 116 'or 118' which is adapted correspondingly in the x and y directions is achieved.

Analogous to the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 9 and 10, the magnet systems 42, 112 or 112 'can also be used instead of by permanent magnets be realized by coils, ie electromagnets. For this purpose, the modifications described to achieve a Auslenkungsabhängigkeit the damping characteristic, and possibly the additional directional dependence of the damping characteristic apply analogously. Also, with coils instead of permanent magnets can be, as described above, generate inhomogeneous magnetic fields, and an additional directional dependence of the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field can be generated by at least two excitable with different currents coils whose coil axes are oriented in mutually perpendicular directions.

It is understood that all the above-mentioned embodiments can also be combined with each other. Thus, for example, an outwardly thicker plate of an eddy current carrier can additionally be provided with a coil and a recess for the passage of the beam.

The embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, which use eddy current carriers with coils, can be modified in such a way that the coils are actively supplied with current, so that the image stabilization is achieved via magnetic-magnetic interactions between the permanent magnets and the electromagnets can be actively controlled.

While the embodiments described above assume that the damping increases with increasing deflection of the carrier 22 and thus of the movable optical element 16, it can also be provided that the damping or restoring force of the respective eddy current damper decreases with increasing deflection. This can be realized, for example, in the case of the eddy current damper 40 'in FIG. 2d) in that the thickness of the plate of the eddy current carrier 48' does not increase towards the edge, but decreases.

Claims

claims

A remote optical device comprising at least one optical channel (12) having a housing (20) and an array of optical elements (14, 16, 18), at least one (16) of the optical elements (14, 16, 18) for image stabilization during jamming movements of the housing (20) relative to the housing (20), and with a stabilization system (24) for the at least one movable optical element (16) comprising an eddy current damper (32; 40; 40 '; 40 "; 90, 90 ', 110, 110') for damping movements of the at least one movable element (16), which at a deflection of the at least one movable optical element (16) has a restoring force proportional to the deflection speed of the at least one movable optical element (16 The eddy current damper (32; 40; 40 '; 40 "; 90; 90'; 110; 110 ') comprises a magnet system (34; 42; 112; 112') and a cooperating eddy current carrier (38; 48; 48) '; 48 "; 72; 92; 92'), characterized eichnet that the restoring force of the amplitude of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element (16) is dependent.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one movable optical element (16) is fixed to a relative to the housing (20) movable support (22), and that the magnet system (34; 42; 112; 112 ') fixed to the housing and the eddy current carrier (38; 48; 48 '; 48 "; 72; 92; 92') is carrier-resistant.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the restoring force increases or decreases with increasing amplitude of the deflection.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the restoring force of the direction of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element (16) is dependent.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the restoring force is equal in two mutually perpendicular direction components of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element (16).

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the restoring force in two mutually perpendicular direction components of the deflection of the at least one movable optical element (16) is different.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the restoring force is adjustable.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the eddy current carrier (38; 48; 48 '; 48 "; 72; 92; 92') has at least one plate which extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical Channel (12) extends.

Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the thickness of the plate (48 ', 48 ") increases or decreases towards the edge (54, 56, 54a, 54b).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the thickness of the plate (48 ', 48 ") to the edge (54, 56, 54a, 54b) towards continuously or gradually increases or decreases.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the thickness of the plate (48 ', 48 ") increases in two mutually perpendicular directions in space to the edge (54, 56, 54a, 54b) towards equal or decreases.

12. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the thickness of the plate (48 ', 48 ") increases or decreases differently in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions towards the edge (54, 56, 54a, 54b).

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a thickness profile of the plate (48 '; 48 ") increases or decreases in a rectangular, square, circular or elliptical manner towards the edge (54, 56, 54a, 54b).

14. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the plate (48 ') has at least one surface (58', 60 ') which is curved, wherein the radius of curvature over the at least one surface (58', 60 ') is constant or changing.

Device according to any one of Claims 8 to 14, characterized in that a radial central axis (64, 64 ', 64 ") is provided between the surfaces (58, 60; 58", 60 ") of the plate (48, 48', 48 ') ") is straight.

16. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that a radial central axis (64, 64 ', 64 ") between the surfaces (58, 60; 58", 60 ") of the plate (48, 48', 48 ") is curved.

17. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the magnet system (42; 112) has at least one magnet (44, 46; 116) which extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical channel (12), and in that the at least one magnet (44, 46; 116) has at least one surface (120) which is straight or curved such that the distance of the plate (48) to the at least one magnet (44, 46; 116) is above the plate (48) varies.

18. Device according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the plate has a first plate (74) and a second plate (82) which are each provided with radial recesses (76), and that the first plate ( 74) and the second plate (82) in the longitudinal direction of the optical channel (12) arranged adjacent to each other and relative to each other positionally adjustable are to reduce the radial recesses (76) mutually in their area or increase.

19. Device according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the plate (48; 48 '; 48 "; 74, 82) itself is electrically conductive.

20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the electrical conductivity and / or the magnetic permeability of the plate (48, 48 ', 48 ", 74, 82) varies across the plate.

21. Device according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the plate (94, 94 ') is not electrically conductive and at least one coil (96, 96') carries, in which the eddy currents are generated.

22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the at least one coil (96; 96 ') is formed as a wound conductor wire wound through the plate (94; 94').

23. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the at least one coil (96, 96 ') as a conductor track on the plate (94, 94') is formed.

24. Device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the number of turns, winding cross section and / or conductor wire or conductor cross section of the at least one coil (96, 96 ') varies / vary over the plate (94;

25. Device according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the plate (94, 94 ') carries at least two coils (96; 96'), in which eddy currents are generated, and that the at least two coils (96; 96 ') are oriented in mutually different spatial directions.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that the at least two coils (96, 96 ') are electrically coupled to each other preferably via a resistor.

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that the resistance is adjustable.

28. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the magnetic system (112; 112 ') generates an inhomogeneous magnetic field across the eddy current carrier (48).

29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the magnet system (112) has at least one magnet (116, 118) whose geometry is selected such that the at least one magnet (116, 118) generates the inhomogeneous magnetic field.

30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that the at least one magnet (116 ', 118') has a location-dependent remanence.

31. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the magnet system comprises at least one current-energizable coil to produce an inhomogeneous magnetic field.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the magnet system has at least two coils which can be excited with different current intensities.