Patent Publication Number: US-2023152569-A1

Title: Night vision system

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to systems used to permit users to see in evening, night, and low light conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to night vision systems that are adapted and/or configured to be worn on or secured to a user&#39;s head or helmet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Night vision systems have been in use since World War II, but have seen more interest and use from civilians with increased availability of recreational, sport, and entertainment activities that can be conducted at night. Night vision systems can come in many different varieties, styles, and mounts. Night vision systems that are worn on a user&#39;s head or helmet must be lightweight and appropriately configured to provide ease of use and prevent instability during use. This is particularly true in a military or law enforcement application where the user&#39;s safety and life are at risk. Rapid effective ergonomic use and low eight are critical in scenarios requiring low thought, high dexterity, ease of use, and long terra use with low fatigue. 
     SUMMARY 
     As shown and described herein, this disclosure describes and illustrates improvements to night vision systems. Some improvements disclosed herein include customizable pod actuation and features that increase stability of the night vision system when worn on a user&#39;s head or helmet. By way of example, the present disclosure describes a counterweight power or control pack that can be worn on or attached to a user&#39;s head, with said counterweight pack providing stability that minimizes inertial disturbances during movement. The improvements and inventions discussed herein provide a better user experience and increase enjoyment and use of the night vision systems. 
     Additional advantages and details are also described herein with reference to the provided drawings. Some embodiments of night vision systems may incorporate only one of the improvements discussed herein, while other embodiments may include a combination of such improvements. Embodiments of the night vision system are not restricted to the examples illustrated in the drawings, as, due to the number of possible embodiments, only some embodiments can be shown in the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure below is made with reference to the drawings, in which, 
         FIG.  1    is a top, right, and rear perspective view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position; 
         FIG.  2    is a top, right, and front perspective view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position; 
         FIG.  5    is a bottom view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position; 
         FIG.  6    is a bottom view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position; 
         FIG.  7    is a left side view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position; 
         FIG.  8    is a left side view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position; 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position; 
         FIG.  10    is a front view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position; 
         FIG.  11    is a bottom, left, and rear perspective view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “up” position; 
         FIG.  12    is a rear and top perspective view of a power assembly to be used with an embodiment of a night vision; 
         FIG.  13    is a semi-exploded perspective view of the power assembly shown in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of the power assembly shown in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  15    is a rear view of the power assembly shown in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of the power assembly shown in  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a rear view of an embodiment of a night vision apparatus in an articulated “down” position; and 
         FIG.  18    is close-up view of a portion of the night vision apparatus shown in  FIG.  17   ; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Night vision systems can include one or more different types of imaging technologies, including image enhancement/amplification anchor thermal imaging apparatus. The night vision systems discussed herein can amplify incoming visible light and/or use infrared sensors to detect differences in object temperatures. In some embodiments, the night vision systems may be configured with different modes that utilize different imaging technologies to provide users with multiple technology choices to be used by the same system. 
     One embodiment of a night vision system is exemplarity shown in the perspective views of  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , With reference to  FIG.  1   , the night vision system  10  can include a housing, generally designated with reference numeral  20 . As shown by the differentiation between  FIG.  1   , and  FIG.  2   , the housing  20  can be capable of articulation. In an embodiment, the housing  20  can be articulated between at least two positions, exemplarily shown as the first position, or “up” position, shown in  FIG.  1    and the second position, or “down” position, shown in  FIG.  2   . Herein, references to “up” and “down” positions are for illustrative purposes only and convenience of the reader. By way of convenience, it is generally understood that rotation into the “down” position is the functional equivalent to rotating into the active viewing position. 
     The housing  20  of the night vision system  10  can include one or more pods  30 , which may also be known as image tube housings  30 . Although it is generally desirable to rotate both pods into the same position (e.g. both in the “down” active viewing position) for use with both eye, each of the pods is configured to rotate or actuate independently of another pod  30 , such that a user may use only one eye if desirable. By way of one illustrate example, a user may utilize a night vision system  10  that includes two pods  30  that utilize different night vision technologies, and said user may wish to utilize only one technology available in one pod, which independent pod actuation will permit. The pods  30  may require power, as discussed below, and can be configured to receive power upon rotation into the active viewing position. By way of example, in an embodiment, the pod  30  can include a magnet  310  ( FIG.  17   ) that can cooperate with a reed switch located elsewhere on or in the housing  20 , such that, with actuation of the pod  30  into the active viewing position, the magnet is brought within close proximity of the reed switch such that the circuit is completed, and power is provided to the pod  30  and components thereof. By way of example, in one embodiment, the corresponding reed switch can be located within the bridge  40 , discussed below. Alternatively, a magnet may be located in the bridge  40  and a reed switch may be disposed in a pod  30  to achieve the same completed circuit effect when the pod  30  is actuated into the active viewing position. 
     As shown in the various figures, the night vision system  10  can include a bridge generally shown as reference numeral  40 . The bridge  40  is disposed between and connects two pods  30 , wherein each of the pods  30  may be identical or different, as exemplarily discussed above. The bridge  40  also provides a means of attachment to a user&#39;s helmet. Specifically, the night vision system  10  can be attached to a user&#39;s helmet by way of a mounting interface or helmet mount  50  located on the top of bridge  40 . The helmet mount  50  can be shaped, configured, or arranged to facilitate cooperation with user&#39;s intended helmet and the geometry and features of the helmet mount shown in the figures are not necessarily meant to be limiting. The helmet mount  50  may include a threaded bore, dovetail interface, ball mount, rail or other means by which to attach or engage with a corresponding connector on the user&#39;s helmet to securedly attach the night vision system  10  to the user&#39;s helmet (not shown). 
     Referring again to pods  30 , the night vision system  10  can include pod retention flanges  60  and  70  to secure and retain the pods  30  on the night vision system  10 . Each of the pods  30  can also include an objective lens  80 . The objective lens  80  is configured to capture light received from the surroundings, which is then transmitted to an image intensifier tube within the pod  30 , wherein the light is amplified as is understood in the art. The pods  30  can include an objective lens stop ring  90  to limit travel of the objective lens within the travel wherein the objective lens reaches focus. Each of the pods may also include an ocular lens assembly  100 , with which a user interacts in order view through the night vision system  20 , In some embodiments, the ocular lens assembly  100  may be capable of magnifying and/or focusing the image for the user to view. 
     Additional views of the night vision system  10  and housing  20  are shown in  FIG.  3    (top view, articulated up);  FIG.  4    (top view, articulated down);  FIG.  5    (bottom view, articulated up);  FIG.  6    (bottom view, articulated down);  FIG.  7    (left side view, articulated down);  FIG.  8    (left side, articulated up);  FIG.  9    (front view, articulated down); and  FIG.  10    (front view, articulated up). 
     Referring to  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , the bottom of the housing  20  can include a bottom surface designated generally by reference numeral  110 . The bottom surface can include a recess or receptacle  120 , which is configured to receive a power and/or control connector within the receptacle bore  130 . As shown in  FIG.  11   , a connector  140  may be removably disposed within the receptacle  120  located on the bottom of the housing  20 . The connector  140  may be further coupled to a cable  150 , where said cable may extend to a battery and/or control pack  200 , discussed below. 
     The connector  140  can have 1 to 20 pins. In an embodiment, the connector  140  includes 4 to 6 pins. The connector  140  can serve as an interface between the receptable  120  and cable  150 , wherein connector  140  facilitates power and/or control of various features of the night vision apparatus, including but not limited to variable gain control, screen brightness, sensor sensitivity, output level, illumination on/off, illumination brightness/intensity, main power supply on/off, auxiliary power supply on/off, screen output options, screen color, heads up display options, device settings, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the battery and/or control pack  200  may not be connected to the housing  20  in a tethered manner, such that cable  150  may be removable or may not exist on some embodiments. In such embodiments, connector  140  and receptacle  120  may also have different geometries to accommodate and incorporate a wireless or Bluetooth dongle or connector that can provide remote control to the night vision apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12   , the night vision system may include a battery and/or control pack  200  that can be utilized with the housing  20 . In an embodiment, the pack  200  is designed to be worn on the rear of a user&#39;s head, such that the rear side shown in  FIG.  12    is facing the user&#39;s rear. Accordingly, the curvature of the pack  200  can be configured to “hug” or mimic the rounded features of the back of the user&#39;s head, to permit comfortable and efficient mounting. In some embodiments, the pack  200  may also include one or more straps, adhesive, or other connecting means (not shown). 
     Referring now to the semi-exploded view of  FIG.  13   , the pack  200  can include an upper pack housing  210  and a lower pack housing  220 . The upper pack housing  210  and lower pack housing  220  can be securedly and releasably attached to one another by way of a fastening or connecting mechanism, such as a bolt, screw, or pin. In  FIG.  13   , the fastening mechanism includes a gear-shaped knob  230  disposed adjacent to the upper pack housing  210  and a shaft  240  disposed within the lower pack housing  220 , such that the knob  230  and shaft  240  mate and knob  230  rotates, thereby connecting the upper pack housing  210  to the lower pack housing  220 . 
     As exemplarily shown in  FIG.  13   , one or more batteries  250  can be disposed between the upper pack housing  210  and the lower pack housing  220 . The barriers  250  can be one or more of various types, including CR123A, AA, AAA, 18350, 16350 or rechargeable (e.g. lithium). In an embodiment of the night vision system  10 , the batteries  250  supply between 1 and 6 volts of power. This power can be utilized by the pack to power remote control functions or can be transmitted via the cable  150  (in embodiments having said cable  150 ) to the housing  20  to power components within and/or on the housing  20 . As also seen in  FIG.  13   , the housing can include indicia  260  (e.g. plus or positive signs) to assist the user with proper orientation of the batteries within the housing. 
     In an embodiment, the pack  200  can control the resistance value of an auxiliary input/output from the attached cable  150 . An analog potentiometer or digital controller can be integrated into the body of the pack  150  to adjust resistance. The pack  200  can include one or more switches  270 ,  280  to control main output power supply and/or secondary and/or tertiary auxiliary power outputs and controls. In some embodiments, the pack  200  may include no switches, one switch, two switches, or more than two switches. The switches  270 ,  280  can be configured to control variable gain control, screen brightness, sensor sensitivity, output level, illumination on/off, illumination brightness/intensity, main power supply on/off, auxiliary power supply on/off, screen output options, screen color, heads up display options, device settings, etc. The switches  270  and  280  can be provided in one of several form factors, including the knobs shown in  FIG.  12   , The switches  270  and  280  need not necessarily have the same form factor. 
       FIG.  14    (side view),  FIG.  15    (rear view), and  FIG.  16    (top view) show alternate views of the pack  200 , including the arcuate surface or curvature designed to cooperate comfortably with the rear of the user&#39;s head. As discussed above, not all embodiments include the cable  150  and these views similarly can incorporate a removable cable  150  or the cable  150  can be excepted from the embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  17    and  FIG.  18   , embodiments of the night vision system  20  can include features to quickly and efficiently accommodate various user&#39;s interpupillary distance, or the distance between the user&#39;s eyes (pupils) and the binocular optic components of some embodiments of the night vision system  10 . If the interpupillary distance is not properly set, the user will experience distorted images when utilizing the system  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  17   , embodiments of the night vision apparatus  10  include an interpupillary feature generally shown as reference numeral  300 . The interpupillary feature  300  can be located near the magnet  310  located in the pods  30  and/or located near the purge port and screw  320 . The interpupillary feature can include primarily three components to set the interpupillary distance: a stop feature  330 , a rotating interpupillary disk  340 , and a tensioning screw  350 . The stop feature  330  can include a raised surface, protrusion or nub. The rotating interpupillary disk  340  is configured to rotate with and when the respective pod  30  is rotated towards the up or down positions. The tensioning screw  350  is configured to retain the rotating interpupillary disk  340 . 
     In practice, rotation of the pod  30  to the down position causes the interpupillary disk  340  to rotate about its central axis. Upon full desired rotation, the interpupillary disk  340  contacts and is stopped by stop feature  330 , as shown in  FIG.  17    and  FIG.  18   , As a result, the pods  30  cannot be rotated further downward without significantly increased force, and the distance between such pods is therefore set to a reproducible distance. The tensioning screw  350  can be tightened or loosened to modify the amount of required force to be applied to rotate the interpupillary disk to the desired stop point. The tensioning screw  350  can also be tightened or loosened to change the amount of force needed to rotate in the opposite direction when the pods are actuated to the “up” position in order to reset them. 
     Although not necessarily fully illustrated in the specific embodiments shown in the figures attached hereto, embodiments of the night vision apparatus referenced in this disclosure can include monocular, binocular, biocular, triocular, tinocular, quadocular, or quadnocula systems. 
     Embodiments described herein may be combined in a novel and inventive way to provide advantages that were not previously observed in the art. This disclosure should not necessarily be interpreted to be limited to only the embodiments shown and described, as embodiments described may appear differently than as shown, and drawings shown may be understood differently than as described.