Abstract:
A modular night vision assembly comprising a first night vision monocular, a power assembly and a connection assembly. The monocular includes a first monocular housing enclosing a first optic assembly and a first associated electrical assembly. A first contact interface is defined along the exterior of the first monocular housing and is in electrical communication with the first electrical assembly. The first contact interface and the first monocular housing are sealed such that the first monocular assembly is independently sealed. The power assembly includes a power housing enclosing an electrical power source and a second contact interface in communication with the electrical power source. The connection assembly is configured to removably connect the power assembly to the first monocular assembly with the first and second contact interfaces electrically interconnected and sealingly enclosed between the power housing and the first monocular housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to night vision devices that enable a viewer to observe objects at night or during other low-light conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multifunctional monocular night vision device that can be used in various night vision assemblies.  
         [0002]     Night vision devices are widely used in the military to provide soldiers, aviators and sailors with the ability to view objects at night or during other low light conditions. However, night vision devices traditionally have been designed to accommodate only one specific application within the military. For example, soldiers in the army are issued night vision goggles that mount to their helmets to enable the soldiers to see at night. One such night vision goggle system is a binocular viewing system that mounts to a soldier&#39;s head or helmet. Although, such night vision goggle systems are good for allowing a soldier to see in the dark, that same night vision goggle system prevents the soldier from looking through the sight of his/her gun. As a result, the same soldiers that were issued night vision goggles may also require a second night vision system for their weapon. As such, during combat the soldier must remove the night vision goggles and view a target through the night vision sight attached to the soldier&#39;s gun.  
         [0003]     With such night vision devices, soldiers operating at night may be required to carry and operate multiple night vision systems. This adds weight and bulk to the soldiers and requires the soldier to be trained in how to properly operate and use more than one night vision system.  
         [0004]     While there has been an attempt to produce modular systems in which a monocular may be utilized in various applications, such systems have had drawbacks. For example, some modular systems simply incorporated mounting brackets or the like to a handheld monocular device to allow the device to be connected to weapons, helmets or like. The monocular devices typically included all of the standard power and adjustment components. This made such devices cumbersome. Furthermore, the adjustment components on the monocular device reduced the ability to adjust the monocular in conjunction with the device to which it was connected. Additionally, the combined assembly of the monocular device and the secondary device often result in a combined assembly lacking sufficient robustness and field usability.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides a modular night vision assembly comprising a first night vision monocular, a power assembly and a connection assembly. The monocular includes a first monocular housing enclosing a first optic assembly and a first associated electrical assembly. A first contact interface is defined along the exterior of the first monocular housing and is in electrical communication with the first electrical assembly. The first contact interface and the first monocular housing are sealed such that the first monocular assembly is independently sealed. The power assembly includes a power housing enclosing an electrical power source and a second contact interface in communication with the electrical power source. The connection assembly is configured to removably connect the power assembly to the first monocular assembly with the first and second contact interfaces electrically interconnected and sealingly enclosed between the power housing and the first monocular housing.  
         [0006]     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the modular night vision device further comprises a second night vision monocular assembly similar to the first night vision monocular and including a third contact interface. The power assembly includes a fourth contact interface in communication with the electrical power source. The connection assembly is further configured to removably connect the power assembly to the second monocular assembly with the third and fourth contact interfaces electrically interconnected and sealingly enclosed between the power housing and the second monocular housing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The invention is best understood from the following DETAILED DESCRIPTION when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing may not be to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features maybe arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a monocular in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the monocular of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an end plan view of the monocular of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a monocular assembly incorporating the monocular of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the power assembly utilized in the monocular assembly of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along the line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a binocular assembly incorporating a pair of the monocular of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view along the line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a portion of a power assembly of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a night vision monocular  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The night vision monocular  10  generally comprises a housing  12  with an image intensifier  30  and user output optics  40  positioned therein. The housing  12  is preferably sized to easily fit within one hand. The housing  12  generally comprises a tube body  14  with an objective lens knob  16  at a forward end  11  and an eyepiece diopter focus knob  18  at a rear end  13 . While the housing  12  components are illustrated as being cylindrical, the tube body  14 , objective lens knob  16 , and focus knob  18  may have other configurations. The tube body  14 , objective lens knob  16 , and focus knob  18  are preferably manufactured from molded plastic, metal or composite materials, but may be manufactured utilizing other processes and other materials.  
         [0022]     The objective lens knob  16  sealingly houses an objective lens assembly  32  of the image intensifier  30 . The objective lens knob  16  is positioned about a front portion  17  of the tube body  14 . The objective lens assembly  32  includes a frame  36  that supports the optics in a desired configuration. The optics contained within the objective lens assembly  32  are known in the art, being the same or similar to those found in the objective of the military AN/AVS-6 night vision system. The frame  36  is sealingly secured to the objective lens knob  16  as indicated at  37 . The frame  36  is positioned in and supported by the front portion  17  of the tube body  14 . One or more sealing gaskets  33  or the like are positioned between the frame  36  and the inner surface of the front portion  17  of the tube body  14 , thereby providing a generally water impervious seal at the front end  13  of the housing  12 . Additional seals may also or alternatively be provided between the objective lens knob  16  and the outside surface of the front portion  17  of the tube body  14 . The objective lens knob  16  is axially adjustable relative to the tube body  14  such that the position of the objective lens assembly  32  is adjusted with respect to the input of the image intensifier  30 . A sealable purge port  45  is provided within the objective lens knob  16 . The purge port  45  facilitates purging of the assembled monocular  10 .  
         [0023]     The focus knob  18  sealingly houses the user output optics  40 . The optics  40  are known in the art and are the same or similar to the eyepiece optics of the AN/AVS-6 night vision system. The focus knob  18  has internal threads  19  configured to engage external threads  15  on the tube body  14 . Rotation of the focus knob  18  causes axial movement of the user output optics  40  relative to the tube body  14 , thereby providing diopter focus. One or more sealing gaskets  43  or the like are compressed between the focus knob  18  and the tube body  14 , thereby providing a generally water impervious seal at the rear end  11  of the housing  12 .  
         [0024]     The monocular  10  includes the objective lens assembly  32  which is configured to focus visible and near infrared light from a sensed image onto an image intensifier tube  34 . The image intensifier tube  34  may be a known I 2  tube which generally includes a photo-cathode that converts the light photons to electrons, a multi-channel plate that accelerates the electrons and a phosphor screen that receives the accelerated electrons and creates a luminance in response to the accelerated electrons. The image created by image intensifier tube  34  is directed along an image intensified input path to the user output optics  40 . Image intensifier tube  34  is preferably a late model version such as referred to in the art as Generation III or a later model when such becomes available. If desired, an earlier model, such as a Generation II, may be used.  
         [0025]     A contact interface  60  is provided along the outside surface of the tube body  14 . The contact interface  60  includes a plurality of pins  62  configured for engagement with corresponding pins on a power assembly as will be described hereinafter. The pins  62  are electrically coupled with the image intensifier tube  34 , as indicated at  70 , to provide power thereto upon connection of the monocular to a power assembly as described below. Since the image intensifier tube  34  is electrically disconnected from the power source, the monocular  10  will not drain the power source when not assembled.  
         [0026]     A sealing material, as indicated at  64 , is provided about the pins  62  such that the tube body  14  remains generally water impervious at the contact interface  60 . Since the monocular tube body  14  is sealed with respect to both the objective lens knob  16  and the focus knob  18  and the contact interface  60  is sealed, the monocular housing  12  manufactured as a sealed, independent unit. The sealed housing  12  can be purged during the manufacturing process. Prior art modular assemblies generally required the device to be purged after the monocular is attached to another component. The sealed housing  12  also allows the monocular  10  to be transported with a significantly reduced risk of environmental contamination. For example, if a soldier carries two monoculars such that a binocular assembly, similar to that shown in  FIG. 9 , can be assembled, the unused monocular is generally environmentally safe while the other monocular is used as a standalone monocular, similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 . In contrast, monoculars utilized in prior art modular systems generally do not provide such environmental sealing and require the soldier to take extra steps, for example, protective packing, to protect the unused monocular.  
         [0027]     In the present embodiment, the contact interface  60  is provided within a connection platform  52  which forms a portion of the connection assembly  50 , as will be described hereinafter. However, the contact interface  60  does not have to be associated with the connection assembly  50 , but instead may be positioned independent thereof.  
         [0028]     As noted above, the monocular  10  of the present embodiment includes connection platform  52  which forms a portion of the connection assembly  50 . The connection platform  52  extends outwardly from the outer surface of the tube body  14  and includes one or more undercut regions  54  configured to provide a snap-fit connection with various power assemblies. The other portion of the connection assembly  50  is provided in the respective power assemblies. Two illustrative power assemblies will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6-11 .  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate a monocular assembly  100  utilizing one monocular  10  and a standalone monocular power assembly  110 . The monocular assembly  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  utilizes two monoculars  10  and a binocular power assembly  210 . These examples illustrate only two of the applications in which the monocular  10 . may be used. The monocular  10  may also be used in other applications, for example, but not limited to, aviation binoculars, a pocket scope, a survival vest scope, and a weapon site.  
         [0029]     For ease of understanding, the illustrated power assemblies  110 ,  210  will be described separately. Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the power assembly  110  is utilized with a monocular  10  to form the monocular assembly  100  which functions as a standalone monocular. The power assembly  110  includes a housing  112  configured for connection to the monocular  10 . The housing  112  includes an internal structure configured to provide a snap-fit engagement with the connection platform  52  of the monocular  10 . In the present embodiment, spring clips  126  extend inwardly within the housing  112 . The spring clips  126  are configured such that the spring clips  126  contact the corners of the platform  52 . To connect the power assembly  110  to the monocular  10 , a downward force is applied to the power assembly  110  such that the spring clips  126  snap past the corners of the platform  52  and are retained in the undercut regions  54  of the platform  52 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Upon connection, a gasket seal  113  along the lower perimeter of the housing  112  is pressed into sealing engagement with the monocular housing  12 . The power assembly housing  112  and monocular housing  12  thereby sealingly enclose the electrical interconnection between the power assembly  110  and the monocular  10 .  
         [0030]     To remove the power assembly  110  from the monocular  10 , an opposite force is applied to unsnap the spring clips  126  from the undercut regions  54 . As such, the monocular  10  can be easily connected to and removed from the power assembly  110  in the field without the need for special tools. While spring clips  126  are utilized in the present embodiment, other engagement mechanisms, as shown and described below with respect to  FIGS. 9-11 , may also be utilized. Furthermore, while the connection assembly  50  of the present embodiment provides a snap-fit between an undercut platform and an engagement mechanism, the invention is not limited to such. For example, the connection assembly  50  may include, but is not limited to, various sliding engagements, threaded engagements, clips, straps, brackets and the like.  
         [0031]     The housing  112  includes a portion  114  configured to receive and house a power source, for example, a battery (not shown). In the present embodiment, the housing portion  114  is configured to receive a battery having a size of one-half “AA”. The housing  112  can be configured to receive other battery types and sizes and may be configured to receive more than one battery or other power source. Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the power source is electrically coupled to internal circuitry  115  that is in turn electrically coupled to a control circuit board  120 .  
         [0032]     The housing  112  also supports an on/off power switch  116 . Similar to the power source, the switch  116  is electrically coupled to internal circuitry  117  that is in turn electrically coupled to the control circuit board  120 . The circuit board  120  is electrically coupled to a series of electrical contacts  122  that are configured to align with the pins  62  of the monocular contact interface  60 . When the power assembly  110  is snap-fit onto the monocular  10 , the pins  122  engage the monocular pins  62 . The engagement of the spring clips  126  with the undercut portions  54  maintains the pins  122  in electrical contact with the monocular pins  62 . The switch  116  is utilized to control the flow of electricity from the power source to the contacts  122 , thereby allowing the monocular assembly  100  to be turned off when not in use.  
         [0033]     While the power assembly  110  is shown in its simplest form, it may be provided with additional features. For example, the power assembly  110  may be provided with a light sensor (not shown). As is well known with night vision devices, a light sensor is used to detect levels of ambient light that may damage the night vision device, wherein a circuit is provided to disable the night vision device should such a level of ambient light be detected. The light sensor can be associated with and controlled by the circuitry of the power assembly  110 . The power assembly  110  may also be provided with an infrared illumination source (not shown). The use of an illumination source is also a well known feature of many night vision devices. The infrared illumination source emits infrared light that is detectable by the night vision monocular  10  and is used in instances of near total darkness. The infrared illumination source can be connected to and controlled by the circuitry of the power assembly  110 . Optionally, additional features can be included within the circuitry of the power assembly  110 . Those optional features may include a low battery detection circuit, a run time meter, variable gain, a security code enablement feature and the like. All such optical features may be selected from a menu, wherein the features are enabled by the various combinations of switch actuations.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the power assembly  210  is utilized with two monoculars  10  to form the monocular assembly  200  which functions as a binocular. The power assembly  210  includes a housing  112  including a central bridge portion  213  extending between two connection portions  211   a  and  211   b.  Each connection portion  211   a,    211   b  is configured for connection to a respective monocular  10 . Each connection portion  211   a,    211   b  includes an internal structure configured to provide a engage the connection platform  52  of the respective monocular  10 . In the present embodiment, the connection assembly is similar to the previous embodiment and includes spring clips  225  within each connection portion  211   a,    211   b  configured for snap-fit engagement with a respective monocular connection platform  52 . Upon connection, a gasket seal  213  along the lower perimeter of each connection portion  211   a,    221   b  is pressed into sealing engagement with the respective monocular housing  12 . The power assembly housing  212  and monocular housings  12  thereby sealingly enclose the electrical interconnections between the power assembly  210  and the monoculars  10 .  
         [0035]     The housing  212  includes a portion  214  configured to receive and house a power source, for example, a battery (not shown). In the present embodiment, the housing portion  214  is configured to receive one battery having a size of “AA”. The housing portion  214  can be configured to receive other battery types and sizes and may be configured to receive more than one battery or other power source. The housing portion  214  includes a removable cap  217 . The cap  217  includes a button  219  for attachment of a tether. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the power source is electrically coupled to internal circuitry  215  that is in turn electrically coupled to a control circuit board  220 .  
         [0036]     The housing  212  also supports a rotary switch  216 . The switch  116  is electrically coupled to internal circuitry of the control circuit board  220 . The circuit board  220  is electrically coupled to a series of electrical contacts  222  within the connection portion  211   a.  The circuit board  220  is also electrically coupled to a series of electrical contacts  223  within the connection portion  211   b.  The contacts  222  and  223  are configured to align with the pins  62  of a respective monocular  10 . When the power assembly  210  is connected to monoculars  10 , the respective pins  222 ,  223  engage pins  62  of the respective monocular  10 . The engagement of the spring clips  225  with the undercut portions  54  maintains the pins  222 ,  223  in electrical contact with the monocular pins  62 . The switch  216  is utilized to control the flow of electricity from the power source to the contacts  222  and  223 , thereby allowing the monocular assembly  200  to be turned off when not in use. The switch  216  may further be configurable to control the variable gain of the monoculars  10 . The switch  216  may control the variable gain of both monoculars  10  at one time through the internal circuitry communicating with the monoculars  10  through the contacts  222 ,  223 .  
         [0037]     The power assembly  210  also includes an infrared illumination source  232 . The infrared illumination source emits infrared light that is detectable by the night vision monoculars  10  and is used in instances of near total darkness. A switch  230  associated with internal circuitry  231  may be utilized to turn the infrared illumination source  232  on and off.  
         [0038]     Optionally, additional features can be included within the circuitry of the power assembly  210 . Those optional features may include a light sensor, a low battery detection circuit, a run time meter, variable gain, a security code enablement feature and the like. All such optical features may be selected from a menu, wherein the features are enabled by the various combinations of switch actuations.  
         [0039]     The housing  212  further includes a mounting platform  240 . The mounting platform  240  is configured to facilitate connection of the monocular assembly  200  to a helmet or the like. Other mounting assemblies may also be provided in place of or in addition thereto. The housing  212  may have additional features as well. For example, the bridge portion  213  may have a central hinge to facilitate interpupillary adjustments between the monoculars  10 . Alternatively, the power assembly  210  may have lateral adjustment means as will be described hereinafter with respect to  FIG. 12 . Additional features may also be incorporated.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a power assembly  210 ′ that is an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown. The power assembly  210 ′ is similar to power assembly  210 , but includes lateral adjustment means and a screwed connection assembly. Power assembly  210 ′ includes a power assembly housing  212 ′ including a central bridge portion  213 ′ and a pair of connection portions  250  (only one is shown) connected thereto. The connection portions  250  are separate components that are slideable along tracks  240  formed in the central bridge portion  213 ′. The tracks  214  may include a series of notches  241  configured to receive a releasable latch mechanism  242 . To adjust the interpupillary distance between the monoculars  10 , the latch mechanism  242  is disengaged from the notches  241  and the respective connection portion  250  is moved laterally along the tracks  240 .  
         [0041]     To connect the power assembly  210 ′ to a monocular  10 , each connection portion  250  is provided with a pair of fixed wedges  251  opposed by a moveable member  252 . The moveable member  252  and the fixed wedges  251  surround the contacts  222 . A groove  237  is provided about the contacts  222  and is configured to receive a sealing gasket (not shown) or the like such that upon engagement with the connection platform, the contacts are sealingly enclosed. Moveable member  252  includes a pair of wedges  254  opposed to the fixed wedges  251 . Each of the wedges  251 ,  254  is configured to engage a respective undercut regions  54  of the monocular connection platform  52 . Adjustment screws  256  are provided to move the moveable member  252  toward and away from the fixed wedges  251 . To attach a monocular  10 , the moveable member  252  is moved away from the fixed wedges  251 . The connection platform  52  of the respective monocular  10  is positioned within the space between the moveable member  252  and the fixed wedges  251 . The screws  256  are tightened such that the wedges  251  and  254  engage the undercut regions  54  of the platform  52 . Positioning of the wedges  252  within the undercut regions  54  retains the power assembly  210 ′ to the respective monocular  10 . To remove a monocular  10  from the power assembly  210 ′, the respective screws  256  are unscrewed to release the wedges  251  and  254  from the undercut regions  54 .  
         [0042]     It will be understood that the night vision monocular assemblies described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications to the described embodiments utilizing functionally equivalent components to those described. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.