MODULAR ARTICULABLE IMPACT-PROOF VISION SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular viewing device for observation through a wall of a protected space is provided. The device includes a distal module with an objective lens, a proximal module having a movable light guide, a connection unit having with a first coupling device, and a rotatable bearing. The first coupling device releasably couples, optically and mechanically, the proximal module to the connection unit so that an image captured by the objective lens is directed to and transmitted by the image guide. The rotatable bearing rotatably mounts the distal module on a side of the connection unit opposite to the proximal module so that the distal module is rotatable relative to the proximal module and the connection unit is mountable on the wall. The rotatable bearing has an articulation device configured to allow articulation of the rotatable bearing by an observer looking at the exit end.

Claims

1. A modular viewing device for observation through a wall of a protected space, the modular viewing device comprising: a distal module with an objective lens; a proximal module having a movable light guide, the movable light guide comprising a flexible fiber optic image guide having an entry end and an exit end; a connection unit having with a first coupling device, the first coupling device being configured to releasably couple, optically and mechanically, the proximal module to the connection unit so that an image captured by the objective lens is directed to the entry end and is transmitted by the image guide to the exit end; and a rotatable bearing that rotatably mounts the distal module on a side of the connection unit opposite to the proximal module so that the distal module is rotatable relative to the proximal module and the connection unit is mountable on the wall, wherein the rotatable bearing comprises an articulation device configured to allow articulation of the rotatable bearing by an observer looking at the exit end.

2. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the proximal module comprises a feature selected from a group consisting of: a second coupling device configured to detachably couple the proximal module and the connection unit, a second coupling device configured to detachably couple the proximal module and the objective lens, an exchangeable eyepiece at the exit end, the movable light guide being configured as a multi-part light guide having individual sections arranged in a row on an optical axis and being optically coupled to one another, an assignment unit configured to arrange the proximal module on an object portable by the user, and an assignment unit configured to arrange the proximal module on an acquisition unit.

3. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the distal module comprises a feature selected from a group consisting of: a light deflecting element for optically coupling the image into the connection unit, a mirror element for optically coupling the image into the proximal module, a pivoting and/or tilting device configured to pivot and/or tilt the objective lens, a pivoting and/or tilting device configured to pivot and/or tilt a light deflecting element that optically couples the image into the connection unit, a pivoting and/or tilting device configured to pivot and/or tilt a mirror element that optically couples the image into the proximal module, a rotation device configured so that the distal module is arranged rotatable by an angle of at least 90°.

4. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the connection unit comprises a feature selected from a group consisting of: an opening to optically couple the proximal module with the distal module, and an optical element to optically couple the proximal module with the distal module.

5. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the connection unit comprises an operating unit configured to remotely operate the rotatable bearing, and wherein the operating unit comprises an assembly device for connecting the operating unit to the movable light guide.

6. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the articulation device comprises an operating unit arranged on the proximal module, the operating unit configured to operate the rotatable bearing.

7. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the articulation device comprises at least one Bowden cable for the transmission and/or translation of mechanical movements.

8. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling device is selected from a group consisting of a bayonet system, a screw system, a flange system, and a plug-in system.

9. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling device is configured so that the movable light guide is rotatable independently of the first coupling device.

10. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling device is configured so that the movable light guide is rotatable torsion-free.

11. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the distal module is connected to the connecting unit and the distal module is rotatably mounted with respect to a wall element of the connecting unit.

12. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the distal module and the connection unit are formed as an attachment on the wall.

13. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the modular viewing device is sized and configured as an optical conversion device for replacing a periscope or corner mirror insert of a vehicle.

14. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the distal module is articulable with a range of motion selected from a group consisting of: a swivel range of up to 90°, a swivel range of up to 105°, a swivel range of up to 180°, an inclination range of up to ±30°, tiltable up to 25° upwards, tiltable up to 30° upwards, tiltable up to 10° downwards, tiltable up to 15° downwards.

15. The modular viewing device of claim 1, wherein the modular viewing device is sized and configured for observation through the wall of the protected space selected from a group consisting of an industrial space, energy industry space, an aviation space, a shipping space, a manufacturing, space, chemical generating space, an energy generating space, an armored vehicle space, an armored rooms or facility space.

16. A proximal module for a modular viewing device that allows for observation through a wall of a protected space, the proximal module comprising: a movable light guide comprising a flexible fiber optic image guide having an entry end and an exit end; an eyepiece at the exit end; and a coupling being configured to releasably couple, optically and mechanically, the proximal module to the modular viewing device.

17. A connection unit for a modular viewing device that allows for observation through a wall of a protected space, the connection unit comprising: a wall element; a first coupling device being configured to releasably couple, optically and mechanically, the connection unit to the modular viewing device; and a rotatable bearing on a side of the connection unit, the rotatable bearing rotatably mounts the connection unit, wherein the rotatable bearing comprises an articulation device configured to allow articulation of the rotatable bearing by an observer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0102] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the enclosed figures. In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or corresponding elements.

[0103] FIG. 1: Schematic cross-sectional view of the modular viewing device;

[0104] FIGS. 2a and 2b: Schematic depiction of the field of view in two different versions of the housing;

[0105] FIGS. 3a and 3b: Schematic depiction of the field of view from two different positions in the protected room;

[0106] FIG. 4: Schematic depiction of the distal module and the connection unit;

[0107] FIG. 5: Schematic depiction of the proximal module with a lens;

[0108] FIG. 6: Schematic depiction of the distal module and the connection unit;

[0109] FIG. 7: Schematic representation of the operating unit;

[0110] FIG. 8: Schematic depiction of the wall element;

[0111] FIG. 9: Schematic depiction of the rotatable bearing;

[0112] FIG. 10: Schematic depiction of the second coupling device;

[0113] FIG. 11: Schematic depiction of the first and second coupling device;

[0114] FIG. 12: Schematic depiction of the first and second coupling device;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0115] FIG. 1 shows the modular viewing device 1 in a schematic cross-sectional view.

[0116] The modular viewing device 1 comprises a housing 3 with a disk-shaped element 4, a distal module 10, a connection unit 20 and a proximal module 40, wherein these components are preferably arranged in the image guidance direction from the one disk-shaped element 4 to an eyepiece 43, in particular in the aforementioned order.

[0117] The housing 3 is arranged on a wall element 24 or a wall 2, which separates a protected room from an unprotected space, and is designed such that it completely surrounds the distal module 10. Thereby, the disk-shaped element 4, which may also be designed as a safety glass, is arranged on the housing 3 such that an objective lens 11 can be arranged behind the disk-shaped element 4 and in an interior space formed by the housing 3. In other words, the distal module 10 is enclosed by a metal housing according to the desired protection classification (for example according to MIL-STD) and/or has a field of view opening designed according to the swivel range, which is closed by a disk-shaped element 4, for example a cover disk, preferably with variation range including protective effect, protective coating and/or filter effect.

[0118] The objective lens 11 may be assigned to the distal module 10. Thereby, a light deflecting element 13 or a mirror element, which is also assigned to the distal module 10, is arranged downstream of the objective lens 11, wherein the light deflecting element 13 or a mirror element in particular transmits the image captured by the lens 11 to an entry end 41a of a light guide 41 of the proximal module 40. Preferably, the light deflecting element is designed as a prism or a mirror arrangement or comprises at least one prism or a mirror arrangement. The focal length of the objective lens 11 is preferably selected such that the image is sharply imaged on the entry end 41a of the light guide. Because the light guide is preferably designed as a fiber optic image guide, the image is transmitted to the exit end 41b, wherein, in particular, the eyepiece 43 may be arranged at the exit end 41b.

[0119] The distal module comprises the objective lens 11, an objective lens holder 12, the light deflecting element 13 and/or a further optical element, for example a lens, which is not shown in FIG. 1. The distal module 10 is preferably arranged within the housing 3 and in particular on a rotatable bearing 21 that may be assigned to the connection unit 20.

[0120] The connection unit comprises the rotatable bearing 21, a first coupling device 22, a device for mechanical articulation 23, a wall element 24, which is not shown in FIG. 1, an operating unit 26, an assembly device 27 and/or means for transmitting mechanical movements, in particular in the form of a Bowden cable 29.

[0121] The first coupling device 22 is designed such that a second coupling device 42, which is designed complementary to the first coupling device 22 of the proximal module 40 can be released repeatedly and in particular manually many times, preferably without auxiliary tools and only by hand of an observer. In order to be able to completely detach the proximal module 40 from the connection unit, the operating unit 26 is also designed such that it can be repeatedly and in particular be detached manually many times from the light guide 41, preferably without auxiliary tools and only by hand of an observer.

[0122] The proximal module 40 comprises at least one movable light guide 41 with an entry end 41a and an exit end 41b, a second coupling device 42 for coupling to an objective lens 11 or the first coupling device 22, an eyepiece 43, which is preferably arranged at the exit end 41b and/or an assignment unit 44, which can be connected, for example, to a helmet or glasses.

[0123] By means of the design of an articulable structure at angular dimension depending on the position and housing for a freely selectable lens setting, the flexible fiber-optic image guide can be connected to the rotatable bearing 21 with a deflecting mirror or light deflecting element 13 and a fixed lens holder 12, wherein the freely selectable lens setting comprises a lens table or rotatable bearing 21 with the lens holder 12 and the deflecting mirror, or the light deflecting element 13. By means of tensile forces and at least one Bowden cable 29 with a stop, turning ranges up to 180° can be mechanically covered from a distance and monitored by means of an objective lens 11. Because of the modular design, different objective lenses 11, for example wide-angle-, zoom-, and other lenses may also be used and simply exchanged according to the situation, and thus the necessary fields of view can be covered. In addition to optical eyepieces, cameras may also be connected at the eyepiece side.

[0124] In FIGS. 2a and 2b two schematic fields of view are shown, wherein different versions of the housing 3 may be implemented. In both cases, the wall element 24 on which the housing 3 is arranged has the same basic shape. A lens holder 12 of the distal module 10 built into the housing area is freely movable in the horizontal plane by the rotatable bearing 21, and can in particular be rotated in a swivel range of 90° and/or covers a field of view of up to 180°. A special construction, for example for corner positions, may also cover a field of view of up to 270°. Thereby, objective lenses 11 with a field of view between 60° and 90° are provided. A special construction up to 105° is possible. In particular, a preferably permanently attached orientation sensor is also provided.

[0125] On the left side of the drawing a housing 3 with a rectangular basic shape is shown. The disk-shaped element 4 may be shaped planar or curved and/or is arranged in front of the objective lens so that a field of view in the range from 60° to 90° can be achieved. On the right side of the drawing also a housing 3 with a rectangular basic shape is shown, which, however, comprises a trapezoidal section 5. This trapezoidal section 5 may be formed by the disk-shaped element 4. This way, an enlarged field of view of up to 180° is possible when the objective lens 11 is rotated. It is therefore also possible that the housing 3 and/or the disk-shaped element 4 have other basic shapes than those shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. A triangular, oval, round or also polygonal basic shape may also be conceivable, for example, or a basic shape with sections of different shapes so that the field of view can be adapted.

[0126] FIGS. 3a and 3b shows, by way of example and without restriction to the shown illustration, a vehicle 6 in which two observers X, Z are seated. A rear door 7 of the vehicle 6 is shown between the observers X, Z. Each of the observers X, Z uses a modular viewing device 1. The modular viewing devices 1 are designed such that they each covers one of the fields of vision shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. In this example, the observer X surveys, by means of a modular viewing device 1, a field of view which covers 90° and whose main viewing direction runs diagonally to the rear door 7. By means of a further modular viewing device 1, observer Z surveys a field of view which covers up to 160° and whose main viewing direction runs perpendicular to the rear door 7.

[0127] FIG. 4 shows the distal module 10 and the connection unit 20 in a schematic view. In this view, the increase in safety is shown, in particular, the safety with respect to strongly accelerated objects, which can impinge on the viewing device in the directions marked as black arrows. Such strongly accelerated objects may be, for example, splinters, fragments or particles. The length of the wall element 24 of the connection unit 20 represents the width of a conventional periscope shaft in vehicles. Since such conventional periscopes usually require a lot of space due to the mirror arrangement and other parameters, conventional periscope housings are usually very wide, so that there is an increased risk that strongly accelerated objects, for example from directions A and B, penetrate the periscope housing and enter protected rooms arranged adjacent to the periscope housing.

[0128] In comparison to this, in the connection unit 20 according to the invention, a wall element 24 is provided, which is designed to be penetration-proof. Thus, the possible penetration space is limited to the image channel 30. The circumference of the image channel 30 is advantageously much smaller than an existing or conventional periscope shaft, so that in the example shown in FIG. 4 only the two objects A and B can penetrate or enter the protected interior of the room. In comparison, significantly more strongly accelerated objects coming from a total of six of the directions shown in FIG. 4, could penetrate into the protected room through a conventional periscope shaft. The risk of an observer being hit by one of these objects within the protected room is therefore minimized. Because of this, it may be provided, that the modular viewing device 1, in particular the connection unit 20, can be installed, preferably with the wall element 24 on or in an existing periscope shaft, to convert the vehicle this way. In this case, a rigid lower housing of a conventional periscope that protrudes into the protected room is advantageously no longer required.

[0129] FIG. 5 shows the proximal module 40 in particular with a second coupling device 42, which is arranged at the entry end 41a. The coupling device 42 is designed such that the entry end 41a of the light guide 41 can be optically coupled to the lens 11, and preferably such that the coupling device 42 can be mechanically coupled to the lens 11, for example by means of a bayonet or screw connection. This way, the proximal module 40 is portable and can be taken outside by the observer, and in particular is usable in dismounted operation. It is therefore provided, that the proximal module 40 can be decoupled optically and mechanically, in particular completely, from the connection unit.

[0130] According to FIG. 6, the proximal module 40 can on the other hand also be coupled optically and mechanically to the connection unit 20 instead of a being coupled to an objective lens 11. For this purpose, the first coupling device 22 of the connection unit 20 is capable of being mechanically coupled to the second coupling device 42 of the proximal module, for example by means of a bayonet or screw connection. Without being limited to the example shown, a device for mechanical articulation 23 comprises means for transmitting mechanical movements, for example in the form of a Bowden cable 29. The Bowden cable or flexible motion translator 28 of the Bowden cable 29, which for example, can be guided via idlers 31, can be connected to the rotatable bearing 21. The idlers 31 are preferably arranged on the wall element 24 of the connecting unit 20 or on the wall 2 of the protected room. The idlers 31 can, however, also be arranged on the rotatable bearing 21 or on a rotary element 36 of the rotatable bearing 21, which is assigned to the proximal module 20. This way, the device for mechanical articulation 23 remains connected to the connection unit 20, while the proximal module 40 is decoupled.

[0131] Likewise, the operating unit 26, for example as shown in FIG. 7, can be mechanically connected to the light guide 41. An assembly device 27 is provided for this purpose. The assembly device 27 is preferably designed as a plug-in or clamping device, in particular so that the plug-in or clamping device can be clamped on the light guide 41 such that the assembly device 27 at least partially encompasses or surrounds the light guide 41. This way, the operating unit 26 may only be decoupled from the light guide 41 by hand movement, in particular without further tools or auxiliary means, so that a simple assembly is ensured. The operating unit 26 may preferably also be plugged or screwed onto the exit end 41b of the light guide 41.

[0132] FIG. 8 shows the wall 2 or the wall element 24 of the connection unit 20. The wall 2 or the wall element 24 of the connection unit 20, respectively, comprises the opening of the connection unit 25 as well as at least one, preferably two or more rotation limiters 32. The wall element 24 of the connection unit 20 may be designed as an inner metal partition plate with a cutout and in particular strongly inhibits acceleration of objects with high, strong impulses, so that an object coming from the vertical direction cannot penetrate the modular viewing device 1 and enter the vehicle interior, or be held from entering or leaving an impact protected or penetration protected room, respectively.

[0133] The rotation limiters 32 are preferably arranged around the opening 25 and in particular are designed at least partially circular. The rotation limiters 32 can be designed as recesses in the wall 2 or in the wall element 24. The recesses or rotation limiters 32 are preferably arranged between the opening 25 and a ball groove 33. The ends of the rotation limiters 32 preferably serve as a stop for connectors 35, which may be guided in the rotation limiters 32. The ball groove 33 is designed such that preferably at least two or more, for example three, four or five balls 34 of the rotatable bearing 21 can be guided in the ball groove 33. Preferably, the ball groove 33 is arranged concentrically to or around the opening 25, so that the opening 25 cannot be covered by other elements in the event of a rotation and so that the image can be transmitted through the opening 25 without interference in case of a rotation.

[0134] In FIG. 9, the connection unit 20 with the rotatable bearing 21 is shown in detail. Accordingly, the rotatable bearing 21 is designed as a ball bearing and comprises at least two or more, for example, three, four or more balls 34 that are arranged in the ball groove 33 and, in particular, that can be guided. A rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 is preferably arranged on the side of the wall 2 or the wall element 24 facing the observer and/or is mechanically connected to a rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 by means of at least two or more connectors 35, wherein the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 is preferably arranged on the side of the wall 2 or of the wall element 24 facing away from the observer. Basically, the wall 2, or the wall element 24, the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 and the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 are arranged such that the opening 25 as well as an opening 25a of the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 and an opening 25b of the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 are arranged in particular concentrically on the optical axis.

[0135] At least one rotary element 36, 37 may be fixedly connected to the connector 35 or the connectors 35. Preferably, both rotary elements are mechanically fixed to the connectors 35, for example by means of gluing, screwing and/or welding. The balls 34 may essentially be arranged between the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 and the wall 2 or the wall element 24 such that the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 is guided by the balls 34 during rotation. It is also conceivable that the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 is guided by balls during rotation. In this case, the wall 2 or the wall element 24 may comprise a ball groove 33 on the side facing the observer, wherein the balls 34 being arranged between the wall 2 or the wall element 24 and the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40.

[0136] Likewise, it is also possible that the rotary element 36, 37 assigned to the distal module 10 and/or the proximal module 40 also comprise a ball groove 33.

[0137] It is provided, that the connectors 35 are pin-shaped and/or are arranged so as to being passed through the wall 2 or the wall element 24 and preferably passed through the rotation limiters 32. In this case, at least one connector 35, preferably one connector 35 each, can be passed through, preferably one rotation limiter 32 each, or at least two connectors 35 may be passed through one rotation limiter 32. The connectors 35 may advantageously comprise a head, wherein this head preferably being provided to exert a pressure on at least one rotary element 36, 37, in particular a directed pressure in the direction of the opposite rotary element 36, 37, preferably so that the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10 and the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 can be pulled towards one another by the connector 35. In other words, the head of the connector 35 is larger in width or diameter than an opening of the rotary element through which the connector 35 is passed.

[0138] In order to be able to pass further flexible movement translators through the connection unit 20, for example a further Bowden cable 29, it is provided that the further flexible movement translators 28 are passed through at least the rotary element 37 assigned to the distal module 10, the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 and/or, through the connector 35, in particular lengthwise. It is also provided, that the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40 comprises at least two in particular opposite fixpoints, with a flexible movement translator being arranged on each of which. Thereby, the first coupling device 22 may also be arranged, in particular fastened, on the rotary element 36 assigned to the proximal module 40.

[0139] In FIGS. 10 to 12, various embodiments of the mechanical coupling of the first coupling device 22 of the connection unit 20 to the second coupling device 42 of the proximal module 40 are shown by way of example and without being restricted to the examples shown. FIG. 10 accordingly shows, by way of example, a second coupling 42 device with a screw thread, in particular an external thread, preferably for screwing into an internal thread of the first coupling device 22. In this case, the first coupling device 22 is arranged on the rotatable bearing 21, which comprises the opening 25. However, it is also conceivable that the first coupling device comprises an external thread, which can be screwed into an internal thread of the second coupling device 42.

[0140] FIG. 11 shows that the first and preferably the second coupling device 22, 42 comprise a screw thread, in particular an external thread. In this example, the first and second coupling device 22, 42 may be screwed into an outer sleeve 38, preferably an outer sleeve with an internal thread. It may also be provided that the first and in particular, also the second coupling device 22, 42 comprise an internal thread, wherein the first and second coupling device 22, 42 can be screwed onto a common helical element, preferably with an external thread.

[0141] FIG. 12 shows the first and second coupling device 22, 42, which are designed as a bayonet system. The first or second coupling device 22, 42 may comprise a locking insert with a notch. The complementary second or first coupling device 22, 42 accordingly comprises a protrusion or pin, or a spring holder, which is designed to snap into the locking insert. According to the invention, the coupling devices 22, 42 may also comprise standardized quick coupling adapters.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0142]

TABLE-US-00001  1 modular viewing device  2 wall  3 housing  4 disk-shaped element  5 trapezoidal section  6 vehicle  7 rear door 10 distal module 11 objective lens 12 lens holder 13 light deflecting element 20 connection unit 21 rotatable bearing 22 first coupling device 23 device for a mechanical articulation 24 wall element 25 opening of the connection unit 26 operating unit 27 assembly device 28 flexible motion translator 29 Bowden cable 30 image channel 31 idlers 32 rotation limiter 33 ball groove 34 balls 35 connector 36 rotary element assigned to the proximal module 37 rotary element assigned to the distal module 38 outer sleeve 40 proximal module 41 movable light guide  41a entry end of the light guide  41b exit end of the light guide 42 second coupling device 43 eyepiece 44 assignment unit A direction A B direction B X observer X Z observer Z