Thermal imaging sighting telescope and firearm

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of sighting telescope, and particularly relates to a thermal imaging sighting telescope and firearm, the thermal imaging sighting telescope comprises an objective lens assembly and a machine body assembly, the machine body assembly comprises a shell and a machine core arranged in the shell, the objective lens assembly comprises an objective lens barrel and an infrared lens arranged in the objective lens barrel, the objective lens barrel is arranged in the shell, and the infrared lens is arranged in the shell. One end of the objective lens barrel is rigidly connected with the movement, and the other end of the objective lens barrel is connected with the shell through an elastic damping device. One end of the objective lens barrel is rigidly connected with the movement to ensure that the objective lens barrel and the movement do not move relatively, so that the integrity of an optical system and the imaging stability are ensured, and image blurring caused by optical axis deviation is avoided; the other end of the objective lens barrel is connected with the shell through the elastic damping device, elastic deformation can occur and energy can be dissipated when impact loads generated by falling or recoil force and the like are borne, and therefore loads transmitted to a machine core and an infrared lens are greatly attenuated, and the impact resistance reliability of a product is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of aiming scope technology, specifically relating to a thermal imaging aiming scope and a firearm. Background Technology

[0002] As a precision infrared optical instrument, thermal imaging sights are subjected to enormous, instantaneous recoil impact loads during firearm firing. This impact load is gradually transmitted through the firearm to the sight's receiver, and then acts on the internal infrared lens assembly. Because the objective lenses are typically made of brittle infrared optical glass, especially chalcogenide materials which are often used to reduce costs, their dynamic response under load requires close monitoring. Repeated or severe impacts can easily cause cracks or even complete shattering of the objective lenses, leading to sight failure.

[0003] The existing methods of fixing the objective lens to the body of a scope usually adopt a rigid connection, that is, the objective lens barrel is directly screwed into the internal thread of the body through the external thread, or the bottom screw of the objective lens is fixed in the outer shell of the body. Although this ensures the assembly rigidity and imaging stability between the structures, the impact load generated by the body falling and the recoil after firing will be directly and without attenuation transmitted to the objective lens, which can easily lead to the problem of optical components breaking and failing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal imaging sight and firearm that, while ensuring the integrity of the optical system and the stability of imaging, can reduce the load transmitted to the movement and infrared lens, and greatly improve the impact resistance and reliability of the product.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is a thermal imaging sight, including an objective lens assembly and a body assembly. The body assembly includes a housing and a mechanism disposed within the housing. The objective lens assembly includes an objective lens barrel and an infrared lens disposed within the objective lens barrel. The objective lens barrel is disposed within the housing, and one end of the objective lens barrel is rigidly connected to the mechanism. The other end of the objective lens barrel is connected to the housing via an elastic damping device.

[0006] As one embodiment, there are multiple elastic damping devices, which are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the objective lens tube.

[0007] As one embodiment, a first connecting seat is provided on the outer wall of the objective lens barrel, and a second connecting seat is provided on the outer shell. The elastic damping device includes an elastic element that can linearly deform along the axial direction, and the two ends of the elastic element are respectively installed in the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat.

[0008] As one embodiment, the elastic damping device further includes an elastic damping element capable of nonlinear elastic deformation and viscoelastic deformation along the axial direction. The elastic damping element is disposed on the side of the elastic element close to the movement, and the two ends of the elastic damping element act on the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively.

[0009] As one embodiment, the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat are connected by an axial connecting member; the elastic damping member includes a first elastic damping member, which is sleeved on the axial connecting member.

[0010] As one embodiment, the first connecting seat is provided with a connecting hole, the second connecting seat is provided with a first through hole, one end of the axial connecting member passes through the first through hole and is connected to the connecting hole, and the first elastic damping member is disposed between the other end of the axial connecting member and the second connecting seat and is interference-fitted with both.

[0011] As one embodiment, the elastic damping element includes a second elastic damping element, which is disposed between the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat.

[0012] As one embodiment, the first connecting seat is provided with a blind hole, the second connecting seat is provided with a second through hole, one end of the elastic member is fixed in the blind hole, and the other end is inserted into the second through hole.

[0013] As one embodiment, the elastic element is a C-shaped spring pin, and the axial direction of the C-shaped spring pin is perpendicular to the axial direction of the objective lens barrel.

[0014] The present invention also provides a firearm, including a gun body, wherein the thermal imaging sight described in any of the above claims is mounted on the gun body.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0016] (1) By rigidly connecting one end of the objective lens tube to the mechanism, the present invention ensures that there is no relative movement between the two, thereby ensuring the integrity of the optical system and the stability of imaging, and avoiding image blurring caused by optical axis offset; by connecting the other end of the objective lens tube to the outer shell through an elastic damping device, it can undergo elastic deformation and dissipate energy when subjected to impact loads such as drops or recoil, thereby significantly attenuating the load transmitted to the mechanism and infrared lens, and improving the impact resistance reliability of the product.

[0017] (2) The elastic damping device provided by the present invention adopts a multi-coordinated energy dissipation mechanism, forming a multi-level coordinated energy dissipation path from linear to nonlinear and from elastic to viscoelastic. It has high energy absorption efficiency, significant buffering effect, and can realize automatic reset of the objective lens barrel after impact. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the thermal imaging sight provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a thermal imaging sight provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of a thermal imaging sight provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the outer casing provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the objective lens tube provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Objective lens barrel; 2. Infrared lens; 3. Housing; 4. Mechanism; 5. First connecting seat; 6. Second connecting seat; 7. Fastening screw; 8. Viscoelastic buffer ring; 9. Connecting hole; 10. First through hole; 11. C-type spring pin; 12. Blind hole; 13. Second through hole; 14. Viscoelastic buffer sheet; 15. Groove; 16. First connecting lug; 17. Second connecting lug; 18. Front lens barrel; 19. Pressure ring; 20. Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0027] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] like Figures 1-2 As shown, this embodiment provides a thermal imaging sight, including an objective lens assembly and a body assembly. The body assembly includes a housing 3 and a movement 4 disposed within the housing 3. The objective lens assembly includes an objective lens barrel 1 and an infrared lens 2 disposed within the objective lens barrel 1. The objective lens barrel 1 is disposed within the housing 3, and one end of the objective lens barrel 1 is rigidly connected to the movement 4. The other end of the objective lens barrel 1 is connected to the housing 3 via an elastic damping device. This embodiment ensures the integrity of the optical system and the stability of the imaging by rigidly connecting one end of the objective lens barrel 1 to the movement 4, preventing relative movement between the two and avoiding image blurring caused by optical axis misalignment. By floating the other end of the objective lens barrel 1 to the housing 3 via the elastic damping device, it can elastically deform and dissipate energy when subjected to impact loads such as drops or recoil, thereby significantly attenuating the load transmitted to the movement 4 and the infrared lens 2, improving the product's impact resistance reliability, and enabling the objective lens barrel 1 to automatically reset after an impact.

[0029] In some embodiments, multiple elastic damping devices are arranged at circumferential intervals along the objective lens barrel 1. By arranging multiple elastic damping devices at circumferential intervals, the impact load can be distributed among multiple elastic damping devices, avoiding excessive stress on a single elastic damping device and improving overall reliability. As one implementation method, such as... Figure 3 As shown, there are three elastic damping devices, and the three elastic damping devices are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the objective lens tube 1.

[0030] In some embodiments, a first connecting seat 5 is provided on the outer wall of the objective lens barrel 1, and a second connecting seat 6 is provided on the outer shell 3. The elastic damping device includes an elastic element that can deform linearly along the axial direction, and the two ends of the elastic element are respectively installed in the first connecting seat 5 and the second connecting seat 6. When the scope is subjected to an impact load, the load is first transmitted to the robust outer shell 3. The outer shell 3 transmits the force to the objective lens barrel 1 through the elastic element. The elastic element undergoes axial linear elastic deformation. During this process, the objective lens barrel 1 can undergo limited axial displacement relative to the outer shell 3 along the optical axis, thereby reducing the load transmitted to the movement 4 and the infrared lens 2. After the impact, the elastic element can automatically reset the objective lens barrel 1 to the center position.

[0031] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first connecting seat 5 is a protrusion on the outer wall of the objective lens barrel 1; the second connecting seat 6 is a protrusion on the inner wall of the outer casing 3 or is part of the outer casing 3, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, one of the second connecting seats 6 is part of the outer casing 3, and the other two second connecting seats 6 are protrusions on the inner wall of the outer casing 3.

[0032] Furthermore, the elastic damping device also includes an elastic damping element capable of nonlinear elastic deformation and viscoelastic deformation along the axial direction. The elastic damping element is disposed on the side of the elastic element close to the movement 4, and its two ends act on the first connecting seat 5 and the second connecting seat 6, respectively. When the sight is subjected to an impact load, the outer shell 3 transmits the force to the objective lens barrel 1 through the elastic element. The elastic element undergoes axial linear elastic deformation, absorbing and dissipating energy. If the energy is not completely dissipated after the linear elastic deformation ends, the elastic damping element undergoes nonlinear elastic deformation or viscoelastic deformation, thereby significantly reducing the load transmitted to the movement 4 and the infrared lens 2. When the impact force is small, the elastic damping element can absorb and dissipate energy through nonlinear elastic deformation; when the impact force is excessive, it can absorb and dissipate energy through viscoelastic deformation.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first connecting seat 5 and the second connecting seat 6 are connected by an axial connector; the elastic damping element includes a first elastic damping element, which is sleeved on the axial connector. The first elastic damping element can undergo nonlinear elastic deformation and viscoelastic deformation along the axial direction. When the sight is subjected to an impact load, before the energy of the linear elastic deformation of the elastic element has been completely dissipated, the first elastic damping element will undergo nonlinear elastic deformation. When the impact force is too large, it will enter viscoelastic deformation, absorb and dissipate energy, thereby significantly reducing the load transmitted to the movement 4 and the infrared lens 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the elastic damping device includes at least one first elastic damping element. When multiple elastic damping devices are provided, some elastic damping devices may have only one first elastic damping element, while some elastic damping devices may have two or more first elastic damping elements, such as... Figure 3 As shown, one of the elastic damping devices includes two first elastic damping elements, and the other two elastic damping devices each include one first elastic damping element.

[0035] Furthermore, the first connecting seat 5 is provided with a connecting hole 9, and the second connecting seat 6 is provided with a first through hole 10. One end of the axial connecting member passes through the first through hole 10 and connects to the connecting hole 9. The first elastic damping member is disposed between the other end of the axial connecting member and the second connecting seat 6 and is interference-fitted with both. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the axial connector is arranged parallel to the optical axis. By fitting a first elastic damping element on the axial connector, the impact load transmitted along the axial direction can act on the first elastic damping element. The first elastic damping element can absorb and dissipate energy through nonlinear elastic deformation or viscoelastic deformation, thereby reducing the load transmitted to the mechanism 4 and the infrared lens 2. Furthermore, the first elastic damping element is interference-fitted with the axial connector and the second connecting seat 6 in the axial direction, which not only eliminates the axial assembly gap and avoids rigid collision, ensuring that the impact load can act directly on the first elastic damping element, but also provides preload and initial damping.

[0036] Preferably, the first elastic damping element is a viscoelastic buffer ring 8 with an O-shaped or H-shaped cross-section. Specifically, the first elastic damping element is a hollow structure, which can be a viscoelastic buffer ring 8 with an O-shaped cross-section or an H-shaped axial cross-section. In this embodiment, the viscoelastic buffer ring 8 is preferably made of a viscoelastic polymer material, specifically silicone rubber, polyurethane, etc., which has a stable viscoelastic hysteresis effect to ensure the reliability of the damping performance.

[0037] Furthermore, the axial connecting member is a fastening screw 7, the shank of which passes through the first through hole 10 and is threadedly connected to the connecting hole 9. The viscoelastic buffer ring 8 is disposed between the nut of the fastening screw 7 and the second connecting seat 6. In this embodiment, the fastening screw 7 includes a nut and a shank, and the shank includes a threaded section, a smooth section, and an mounting section arranged sequentially. The threaded section extends into the connecting hole 9 and is threadedly connected to the connecting hole 9. The smooth section extends into the first through hole 10 and is clearance-fitted with the first through hole 10. The mounting section is used to install the viscoelastic buffer ring 8 and is located between the nut and the smooth section. The viscoelastic buffer ring 8 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the mounting section of the fastening screw 7, and its axial ends are respectively interference-fitted with the end face of the nut of the fastening screw 7 and the outer end face of the second connecting seat 6. Preferably, the diameter of the smooth section is larger than the diameter of the threaded section, and the diameter of the smooth section is larger than the diameter of the mounting section.

[0038] In some embodiments, the elastic damping element includes a second elastic damping element disposed between the first connecting seat 5 and the second connecting seat 6. The second elastic damping element can undergo nonlinear elastic deformation and viscoelastic deformation along the axial direction. When the sight is subjected to an impact load, before the energy of the linear elastic deformation of the elastic element has been completely dissipated, the second elastic damping element will undergo nonlinear elastic deformation. When the impact force is too large, it will enter viscoelastic deformation, absorbing and dissipating energy, thereby significantly reducing the load transmitted to the movement 4 and the infrared lens 2.

[0039] In this embodiment, the elastic damping device can simultaneously provide a first elastic damping element and a second elastic damping element, or it can only provide either the first elastic damping element or the second elastic damping element. When multiple elastic damping devices are provided, all elastic damping devices can be equipped with viscoelastic buffer sheets 14, or only some elastic damping devices can be equipped with viscoelastic buffer sheets 14. For example... Figure 3 As shown, one of the elastic damping devices is equipped with a second elastic damping element, while the other two elastic damping devices are not equipped with a second elastic damping element.

[0040] Preferably, the second elastic damping element is a viscoelastic buffer sheet 14. In this embodiment, the viscoelastic buffer sheet 14 is preferably made of a viscoelastic polymer material, specifically silicone rubber, polyurethane, etc., which has a stable viscoelastic hysteresis effect. Specifically, a groove 15 is provided on the side wall of the second connecting seat 6 facing the first connecting seat 5, and the viscoelastic buffer sheet 14 is fixed in the groove 15 and abuts against the first connecting seat 5.

[0041] Furthermore, the first connecting seat 5 is provided with a blind hole 12, and the second connecting seat 6 is provided with a second through hole 13. One end of the elastic element is fixed in the blind hole 12, and the other end is inserted into the second through hole 13. Figure 4 As shown, the connecting hole 9 on the first connecting seat 5 is axially through, and the blind hole 12 is arranged perpendicularly to the connecting hole 9; the second connecting seat 6 has a first connecting part for setting the first through hole 10 and a second connecting part for setting the second through hole 13, and the second connecting part is located at the front end of the first connecting part. The first through hole 10 is axially through, and the second through hole 13 penetrates the outer shell 3 and is arranged perpendicularly to the first through hole 10.

[0042] Preferably, the elastic element is a C-shaped spring pin 11, and the axial direction of the C-shaped spring pin 11 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the objective lens barrel 1. The C-shaped spring pin exhibits nonlinear force-displacement characteristics when subjected to compression along the axial direction of the objective lens barrel 1. Furthermore, the diameter of the blind hole 12 is smaller than the diameter of the C-shaped spring pin 11, and the C-shaped spring pin 11 and the blind hole 12 can be fixed with glue. The C-shaped spring pin 11 can realize automatic reset and limit protection of the objective lens barrel 1, and it has a deformation limit to prevent excessive displacement from causing structural damage. In this embodiment, the C-shaped spring pin 11 is an open elastic pin with a longitudinal cross-section of "C", made of spring steel or stainless steel. The C-shaped spring pin 11 exhibits nonlinear force-displacement characteristics when subjected to compression along its radial direction, providing flexible buffering in the initial stage of impact. As the impact load increases, the opening of the C-shaped spring pin 11 gradually closes, providing both progressive rigid support and dissipating a large amount of energy through its own linear elastic deformation. At the same time, its opening range also serves as a limit function.

[0043] In one embodiment, such as Figures 3-5 As shown, the outer wall of the objective lens barrel 1 is connected to the outer shell 3 through three elastic damping devices. One elastic damping device is located at the top of the objective lens barrel 1, and the other two are symmetrically located on both sides of the bottom of the objective lens barrel 1. The elastic damping device at the top includes two first elastic damping elements, one elastic element, and one second elastic damping element, with the second elastic damping element located between the two first elastic damping elements. The elastic damping devices on both sides include one first elastic damping element and one elastic element. The elastic damping device in this embodiment adopts a "multi-coordinated" energy dissipation system combining elastic elements and elastic damping elements, forming a multi-level, coordinated energy dissipation path from linear to nonlinear and from elastic to viscoelastic. The transmission path of the impact load is replanned by the elastic damping device, so that the impact force is first borne by the robust outer shell 3, and then must be filtered and attenuated by the "multi-coordinated" energy dissipation system before finally transmitting the weak remaining energy to the sensitive infrared lens 2, achieving the effect of "hard bearing, soft buffering, and clever energy dissipation".

[0044] In this embodiment, the elastic damping device works synergistically through the viscoelastic buffer ring 8, the C-shaped spring pin 11, and the viscoelastic buffer sheet 14. The C-shaped spring pin 11 undergoes deformation from elastic deformation to opening and closing, while the viscoelastic buffer ring 8 and the viscoelastic buffer sheet 14 undergo significant compression and shear deformation. The impact kinetic energy is converted into elastic potential energy through the deformation of these components and dissipated through viscous dissipation, ultimately achieving the attenuation of the impact energy. After sufficient dissipation by the elastic damping device, the significantly attenuated residual load is then transferred to the movement 4 and the infrared lens 2, which are rigidly connected to the objective lens barrel 1, thereby effectively protecting the precision optical components.

[0045] In some embodiments, a plurality of first connecting ears 16 are provided on the outer wall of the rear end of the objective lens barrel 1, and a plurality of second connecting ears 17 are provided on the outer wall of the front end of the mechanism 4. The first connecting ears 16 and the second connecting ears 17 correspond one-to-one and are arranged at intervals along the circumference. The corresponding first connecting ears 16 and the second connecting ears 17 are fixedly connected by a connector, thereby achieving a rigid connection between the objective lens barrel 1 and the mechanism 4. The connector can be bolts or the like. By rigidly connecting the rear end of the objective lens barrel 1 to the mechanism 4, it is ensured that the optical center of the objective lens will not shift relative to the mechanism 4 during impact, thus ensuring the accuracy of the optical path and the stability of the imaging quality under severe impact, and enabling the product to maintain optical stability during dynamic buffering.

[0046] In this embodiment, the objective lens assembly further includes a front lens barrel 18 and a retaining ring 19. The retaining ring 19 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the front end of the objective lens barrel 1, and the front lens barrel 18 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the retaining ring 19 with a gap between them. The front end of the outer shell 3 extends between the front lens barrel 18 and the objective lens barrel 1, and a sealing ring 20 is provided between the outer shell 3 and the objective lens barrel 1. The deformation limit of the front lens barrel 18 at the front end of the outer shell 3 and the C-shaped spring pin 11 work together to prevent excessive displacement from causing structural damage.

[0047] In this embodiment, the buffer elements of the elastic damping device are basically integrated inside the outer shell 3, which is compact in structure and does not change the external shape of the product. It is suitable for a variety of observation and aiming products such as gun sights, telescopes, and rangefinders. It has strong environmental adaptability and reliable operation.

[0048] This embodiment also provides a firearm, including a gun body, on which a thermal imaging sight as described in any of the above embodiments is mounted.

[0049] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal imaging sight, comprising an objective lens assembly and a body assembly, the body assembly comprising a housing and a movement disposed within the housing, the objective lens assembly comprising an objective lens barrel and an infrared lens disposed within the objective lens barrel, characterized in that: The objective lens tube is disposed inside the housing, and one end of the objective lens tube is rigidly connected to the mechanism, while the other end of the objective lens tube is connected to the housing via an elastic damping device.

2. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple elastic damping devices, which are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the objective lens tube.

3. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A first connecting seat is provided on the outer wall of the objective lens tube, and a second connecting seat is provided on the outer shell. The elastic damping device includes an elastic element that can be linearly elastically deformed along the axial direction, and the two ends of the elastic element are respectively installed in the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat.

4. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic damping device further includes an elastic damping element capable of nonlinear elastic deformation and viscoelastic deformation along the axial direction. The elastic damping element is disposed on the side of the elastic element close to the movement, and the two ends of the elastic damping element act on the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively.

5. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The first connecting seat and the second connecting seat are connected by an axial connecting member; the elastic damping member includes a first elastic damping member, which is sleeved on the axial connecting member.

6. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The first connecting seat is provided with a connecting hole, the second connecting seat is provided with a first through hole, one end of the axial connecting member passes through the first through hole and is connected to the connecting hole, and the first elastic damping member is disposed between the other end of the axial connecting member and the second connecting seat and is interference-fitted with both.

7. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic damping element includes a second elastic damping element, which is disposed between the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat.

8. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The first connecting seat is provided with a blind hole, and the second connecting seat is provided with a second through hole. One end of the elastic element is fixed in the blind hole, and the other end is inserted into the second through hole.

9. The thermal imaging sight as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The elastic element is a C-shaped spring pin, and the axial direction of the C-shaped spring pin is perpendicular to the axial direction of the objective lens barrel.

10. A firearm, comprising a gun body, characterized in that: The gun body is equipped with a thermal imaging sight as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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