WO2013088386A1

WO2013088386A1 - A night vision sighting device

Info

Publication number: WO2013088386A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/057270
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ihsan Ozsoy; Serdal CALI; Ugur Selim GENCOGLU; Devrim Anil; Peren KORKUT; Bilgehan TEKIN; Ahmet SOZAK; Hasan YILMAZ
Original assignee: Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2011-12-14
Filing date: 2012-12-13
Publication date: 2013-06-20

Abstract

The present invention relates to a night vision sighting device which provides vision in low light levels by amplifying the light present in the environment, enables to take sight with a network (reticle) and is used being mounted on the weapon. The objective of the invention is to provide a night vision sighting device wherein controls such as focusing, horizontal/vertical target setting, and brightness adjustment can be done easily and in an uncomplicated way. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a night vision sighting device which enables the mounting and maintenance/repair do be done easily with the body structure system.

Description

A NIGHT VISION SIGHTING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a night vision sighting device which provides vision in low light levels by amplifying the light present in the environment, enables to take sight with a network and is used being mounted on the weapon. Background of the Invention

Human eye has the ability to see in a certain range of 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 in which 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 United States patent document no. US2008246434 discloses a night vision sighting device and a battery adapter it has. The Ukrainian patent document no. UA19227 discloses a night vision device having an infrared illuminator. The device has LED indicators of device operation and charge of accumulator battery.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide a night vision sighting device wherein controls such as focusing, horizontal/vertical target setting, and brightness adjustment can be done easily and in an uncomplicated way. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a night vision sighting device which enables the mounting and maintenance/repair to be done easily with the body structure system.

Detailed Description of the Invention

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

Figure 1 is the exploded perspective view of the night vision sighting device.

The components in the figures are assigned reference numerals as follows:

1. Night vision sighting device

2. Image intensifier tube

3. Electronic card

4. Horizontal body

41. Focus adjustment assembly

5. Objective assembly

6. Objective holder

61. Holder seal 7. Reticle (target indicator in the shape of a plus) projection assembly

8. Vertical body

81. Battery housing

82. Vindage adjustment assembly

83. Cover

84. Elevation adjustment assembly

85. Battery contact assembly

86. Glint protection cover

87. Switch

88. Potentiometer (Adjustable Resistance)

9. Ocular assembly

91. Dioptre adjustment ring

The inventive night vision sighting device (1) essentially comprises:

- at least one image intensifier tube (2) which takes the light in the environment and makes it brighter and more visible,

- at least one electronic card (3) which enables the user to control the sighting device,

- at least one horizontal body (4) which protects the electronic card (3) and the intensifier tube (2) from external factors by surrounding them,

- at least one objective assembly (5) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light in the environment;

at least one objective holder (6) one end of which is connected to the objective assembly (5) and the other end to the horizontal body (4),

- at last one reticle projection assembly (7) which projects reticle to the field of view in order to enable the user to do targeting,

- at least one vertical body (8) which is coupled to the horizontal body (4),

- at least one ocular assembly (9) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (2) to the user's eye. The objective assembly (5) has a plurality of lenses and it focuses the light in the environment into the image intensifier tube (2). The light in the environment (photons) are converted to electrons in the image intensifier tube (2). Each electron entering the multi-channel plate in the image intensifier tube (2) causes generation of thousands of electrons. Electrons leaving this plate are projected onto the phosphor screen and cause the photons to jump. Thus, thousands of photons are formed for each photon entering the intensifier tube (2) and the image becomes much brighter (more visible). With the image intensifier tube (3), the user can have sufficient vision even under the light that arises from stars.

The electronic card (3) is placed in the horizontal body (4) under the intensifier tube (2). There is a glint protection circuit on the electronic card (3). This circuit prevents the intensifier tube (2) from being damaged when the sighting device is exposed to bright lights such as sunlight.

The image intensifier tube (2) and the electronic card (3) are in the horizontal body (4). The horizontal body (4) prevents the tube (2) and the card (3) from getting damaged because of external factors. The horizontal body (4) is in the form of a pipe larger than the intensifier tube (2) and surrounds the tube (2). One end of the horizontal body (4) is connected to the objective holder (6). The other end is coupled to the vertical body. There is at least one focus adjustment assembly (41) on the horizontal body (4). Focus adjustment assembly (41) enables the user to do adjustment to remove the blur in the image and increase the clearness.

The objective assembly (5) has a plurality of lenses and it receives the light in the environment by focusing it into the night vision sighting device (1). The objective assembly (5) transmits the image reaching itself without magnifying it. Thus, the user sees the objects as they are in their real sizes. The objective holder (6) is between the objective assembly (5) and the horizontal body (4). One end of the objective holder (6) is connected to the objective assembly (5) while the other end is connected to the horizontal body (4). The connection of the objective holder (6) to the horizontal body (4) is performed by screwing it to the recesses on the body (4).

There is at least one holder seal (61) between the objective holder (6) and the horizontal body (4) and it enables impermeability between these pieces and tightens the connection.

The reticle projection assembly (7) is in the vertical body (8). The reticle projection assembly (7) projects reticle onto the lens of the objective assembly (6) such that the image comes to the image focal point. The vertical body (8) which is coupled with the horizontal body (4) has at least one battery housing (81) integrated therewith. A battery housing (81) integrated with the vertical body (8) is provided, wherein the necessary electricity for the sighting device (1) is provided by placing battery therein, and hence the horizontal body (4)

The cover (83) is fixed on the upper part of the vertical body (8) and protects the reticle projection assembly (7) from external effects with the vertical body (8). On the cover (83), there is at least one elevation adjustment assembly (84) which enables to do the adjustment of the image focus on the vertical plane.

The battery contact assembly (85) covers the battery housing (81) and closes the circuit necessary for the battery to function as power source.

On the side of the vertical body (8), there is at least one vindage (82) which enables to do the adjustment of the image focus on the horizontal plane. There is at least one glint protection cover (86) on the end of the vertical body (8) where there is no vindage adjustment assembly. When the device is desired to operate in environments with high light, the light sensor on the device is covered with this cover. There is at least one key (87) on the vertical body (8) and enables the user to open and close the sighting device (1).

There is at least one potentiometer (88) on the vertical body (8) and enables the user to adjust the brightness of the intensified light provided from the tube (2).

One end of the ocular assembly (9) is connected to the vertical body (8) and the other one faces the user. The ocular assembly (9) has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (2) to the user's eye; and it has at least one dioptre ring (91) which enables to change positions of these lenses relative to each other. Upon the dioptre ring (91) is moved the focal point of the light reaching the user's eye changes and thus possible vision problems arising from eye disorders of the user are prevented. The ocular assembly (9) is cylindrical and the dioptre adjustment ring (91) is in the form of a ring surrounding the ocular assembly (9).

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

Claims

1. A night vision sighting device (1) essentially comprising:

- at least one vision intensifier tube (2) which takes the light in the environment and makes it brighter and more visible,

- at least one objective holder (6) one end of which is connected to the objective assembly (5) and the other end to the horizontal body (4),

- at least one ocular assembly (9) which has a plurality of lenses that focus the light provided from the intensifier tube (2) to the user's eye; and characterized by

- at least one horizontal body (4) which comprises at least one focus adjustment assembly (41) that enables the user to do adjustment to remove the blur in the view and increase the clearness, is in cylindrical form, and protects the intensifier tube (2) and electronic card (3) from external effects by surrounding them,

- at least one vertical body (8) which has at least one battery housing (81) integrated therewith, at least one vindage adjustment assembly (82) that enables to do the adjustment of the image focus on the horizontal axis, glint protection cover (86), at least one switch (87) for switching on/off the device, at least one potentiometer (88) that enables to do brightness adjustment; on which the cover (83) that protects the reticle projection assembly (7) from external effects is coupled; and is coupled to the horizontal body (4).

2. A night vision sighting device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one elevation adjustment assembly (84) that is on the cover (83) and enables to do the adjustment of the image focal point on the vertical axis.

3. A night vision sighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one battery contact assembly (85) that covers the battery housing (81 ) and closes the circuit necessary for the battery to function as power source.

4. A night vision sighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by dioptre adjustment ring (91) that is on the ocular assembly (9) and is used for preventing the vision problems arising from eye disorders.

5. A night vision sighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal body (4) and the vertical body (8) constitute a single body by being coupled to each other.