A day-night combined sighting system

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of aiming device technology and provides a combined aiming system usable day and night, including an infrared imaging component, an optical waveguide imaging component, and a visible light imaging component. The infrared imaging component is used to collect infrared light signals from targets within the field of view and convert the infrared light signals into infrared light images. The optical waveguide component includes an optical waveguide lens, and the visible light imaging component includes an optical aiming system. The optical waveguide lens is positioned on the object side of the optical aiming system. During the day or when there is sufficient visible light, the visible light imaging component generates a visible light image of appropriate brightness for the target within its field of view. The shooter can quickly find the target using this sufficiently bright visible light image and thus complete the aiming. At night or when visible light is weak, the infrared light image is displayed on the optical waveguide lens, and the shooter aims at the infrared light image displayed on the optical waveguide lens using the aiming point provided by the optical aiming system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of aiming device technology, and in particular relates to a combined aiming system that can be used day and night. Background Technology

[0002] A scope is an optical device used to help a shooter aim at a target. Its use is greatly affected by the environment, such as visible light. Although a scope can aim under sufficient visible light, the shooter cannot see or find the target in the field of view at night or in low light conditions, and therefore cannot aim.

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, those skilled in the art have developed a day-and-night aiming system designed to help shooters locate and aim at targets even in low-light conditions. For example, Chinese invention application No. 202280087415.X, entitled "Combined Aiming System and its Aiming Scope Imaging System," acquires infrared light signals within the field of view through an infrared light component and converts them into an infrared light image. The infrared light image and the aiming mark light signal are coupled into an optical waveguide lens along the same optical path. The human eye can aim by observing the image in the optically coupled area. While this application enables day-and-night aiming, the brightness of the infrared light image and aiming mark light signal output from the optically coupled area is relatively weak. This makes it difficult for shooters to quickly locate targets and effectively seize firing opportunities in outdoor visible light. Adjusting the brightness of the infrared light image signal and aiming mark light signal to adapt to the surrounding visible light environment would result in high power consumption of the aiming scope. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a combined aiming system that can be used day and night, which helps shooters to quickly find the target when there is sufficient visible light.

[0005] The infrared light imaging component includes a micro display screen. The infrared light imaging component is used to acquire infrared light signals of targets within the field of view and convert the infrared light signals into infrared light images, which are then output on the micro display screen.

[0006] The optical waveguide assembly includes an optical waveguide lens. An optical coupling area is provided on the side of the optical waveguide lens corresponding to the micro display screen. The optical coupling area is used to receive the infrared light image output by the infrared light imaging assembly. The infrared light image is output in the optical coupling out area of ​​the optical waveguide lens.

[0007] The visible light imaging component includes an optical aiming system, with an optical waveguide lens disposed on the object side of the optical aiming system. The optical aiming system has an aiming point for aiming at a visible light image of a target and an infrared light image displayed on the optical waveguide lens.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, the geometric center of the optical coupling region is aligned with the optical axis of the optical aiming system.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, the optical coupling region is located on the side of the optical waveguide lens closer to the target, and the infrared light image is output towards the target.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the infrared imaging assembly further includes an infrared objective lens and an infrared detector, wherein the infrared objective lens and the infrared detector are arranged sequentially from the object side to the target side, and the infrared detector is electrically connected to the microdisplay.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, the optical axis of the infrared imaging component is parallel to the optical axis of the optical aiming system.

[0012] In one optional embodiment, the infrared objective lens includes an objective lens group that can transmit near-infrared light with a wavelength of 400-950nm and an objective lens group that can transmit far-infrared light with a wavelength of 8-12µm, and the infrared photodetector includes a CMOS near-infrared photodetector for receiving near-infrared light with a wavelength of 400-950nm and a far-infrared thermal imaging detector for receiving far-infrared light with a wavelength of 8-12µm.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the optical waveguide assembly further includes an optical waveguide eyepiece disposed between the image output surface of the microdisplay and the optical waveguide lens optical coupling area, for magnifying the infrared light image output from the image output surface.

[0014] In one alternative embodiment, the optical aiming system is either a reflective aiming system or a laser holographic aiming system.

[0015] In one alternative embodiment, the reflex aiming system is a doubling dot aiming system.

[0016] In one alternative embodiment, the optical aiming system includes a light source and a lens element, wherein the light source emits a beam of light of a preset wavelength toward the lens element to form the aiming point.

[0017] This utility model has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0018] Existing technology uses infrared light components to collect infrared light signals during the day or night to generate infrared light images, which are then fused with the light signals of the aiming mark and coupled into the optical waveguide lens via a common optical path. The images are then displayed in the coupling area of ​​the optical waveguide lens, thereby enabling aiming during both day and night. In contrast, this application integrates an infrared light imaging component with a visible light imaging component and places the optical waveguide lens on the object side of the optical aiming system, thereby enabling all-weather aiming. Compared to existing technologies, in daylight or when there is sufficient visible light, the shooter can turn off the operating infrared imaging component. The visible light imaging component collects the visible light emitted by the target within its field of view and forms a sufficiently bright visible light image, allowing the shooter to quickly locate the target within the field of view and aim at the image based on the aiming point provided by the optical aiming system. At night or when visible light is weak, both the infrared and visible light imaging components are turned on simultaneously. The aiming point provided by the optical aiming system is aligned with the infrared image displayed on the optical waveguide lens, thus completing nighttime aiming. Furthermore, since the light emitted from the aiming point does not need to pass through the optical coupling area to be displayed on the optical waveguide lens, the light energy loss at the aiming point is small. Therefore, the aiming point remains bright even under strong visible light. At the same time, since the shooter turns off the operating infrared imaging component, it helps to extend the nighttime usability of the optical aiming system. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this invention or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an infrared light imaging component fused with a reflective aiming system in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an infrared light imaging component fused with a laser holographic aiming system in one embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an infrared light imaging component fused with a folding-back point aiming system in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 1. Micro-display screen; 2. Optical waveguide lens; 3. Optical input area; 4. Optical output area; 5. Optical aiming system; 51. Light source; 52. Lens element; 6. Infrared objective lens; 7. Infrared photodetector; 8. Image output surface; 9. Optical waveguide eyepiece. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0026] See Figures 1 to 3 A combined aiming system usable day and night includes an infrared imaging component, an optical waveguide component, and a visible light imaging component. The infrared imaging component includes an infrared objective lens 6, an infrared photodetector 7, and a microdisplay 1. The optical waveguide component includes an optical waveguide lens 2 and an optical waveguide eyepiece 9. The visible light imaging component includes an optical aiming system 5.

[0027] The optical aiming system 5 can be at least one of the following: a reflective aiming system, a laser holographic aiming system, or a folding point aiming system. The optical aiming system 5 includes a light source 51 and a lens element 52. The light source 51 emits a beam of light of a preset wavelength towards the lens element 52 to form an aiming point. The lens element 52 can be a single lens or a lens group composed of multiple lenses; its function is to reflect, refract, or diffract the beam of light of the preset wavelength emitted by the light source 51 towards the lens element 52, thereby forming the aiming point.

[0028] The optical waveguide lens 2 is disposed on the object side of the optical aiming system 5. In order to enable the aiming point provided by the visible light imaging component to be aligned with the infrared light image output by the light coupling region 4 of the optical waveguide lens 2, in some embodiments, the geometric center of the optical waveguide lens 2 is aligned with the optical axis of the optical aiming system 5.

[0029] The optical waveguide lens 2 has an optical input region 3 that corresponds to the image output surface 8 of the microdisplay 1. The optical waveguide eyepiece 9 is located between the image output surface 8 and the optical input region 3 of the optical waveguide lens 2. The infrared light image is magnified by the optical waveguide eyepiece 9 and then coupled into the optical waveguide lens 2 through the optical input region 3. After total internal reflection by the optical waveguide lens 2, the infrared light image is output from the optical output region 4 of the optical waveguide lens 2. The optical output region 4 is located on the side close to the lens element 52, so the shooter can see the infrared light image displayed on the optical waveguide lens 2.

[0030] Among them, the optical coupling input area 3 is the interface through which the infrared light image output by the micro display screen 1 enters the optical waveguide lens 2, and is responsible for efficiently coupling the infrared light image signal into the propagation mode of the waveguide. The optical coupling output area 4 is the exit interface through which the infrared light image signal transmitted in the optical waveguide lens 2 is extracted and guided to the shooter's eye.

[0031] Continue to refer to Figure 1-3The infrared objective lens 6 and the infrared detector 7 are arranged sequentially from the object side to the eye side. The infrared objective lens 6 is used to collect infrared light signals of a specific wavelength within the field of view. The infrared detector 7 is electrically connected to the micro display screen 1. The infrared detector 7 converts the infrared light signals collected by the infrared objective lens into electrical signals and transmits them to the micro display screen 1. Finally, the infrared light image is output on the micro display screen 1.

[0032] In this application, the infrared objective lens 6 includes an objective lens group that can transmit near-infrared light with a wavelength of 400~950nm and an objective lens group that can transmit far-infrared light with a wavelength of 8~12um.

[0033] The infrared photodetector 7 includes a CMOS near-infrared detector for receiving near-infrared light with wavelengths of 400~950nm and a thermal imaging detector for receiving far-infrared light with wavelengths of 8~12um. It modulates and converts the infrared light signal collected by the infrared objective into an electrical signal.

[0034] The micro-display 1 is used to receive electrical signals modulated and converted by the infrared photodetector 7, and output the corresponding infrared light image on its image output surface 8.

[0035] During the day or when there is sufficient visible light, light rays within the field of view of the visible light imaging component are incident on the lens element 52. The aiming point provided in the visible light imaging component and the incident light rays are superimposed on the optical axis and incident on the human eye, forming an image in the human eye, thereby completing aiming.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments, the optical aiming system 5 is a reflective aiming system, the lens element 52 is a single lens, the light source 51 may be, but is not limited to, an LED, and the light source 512 is located at the focal point of the lens element 52. Simultaneously, the lens element 52 is coated with a high-reflectivity film. This allows the optical aiming system 5 to not only allow some light to pass through, enabling the human eye to observe a clear real image of the target within the field of view through the lens, but also to reflect the preset wavelength light beam emitted by the light source 51 and direct it to the human eye, ensuring that the aiming point is always aligned with the target when the human eye observes from different angles. In daylight or environments with sufficient visible light, the shooter can adjust the brightness of the light source 51 to adapt to the surrounding shooting environment. This allows the combined aiming system provided by this application, usable day and night, to maintain a bright and clear aiming point even in strong light conditions. A clear target image and a bright aiming point help the shooter quickly locate the target and seize the opportunity to fire.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 2In some embodiments, the optical aiming system 5 is a laser holographic aiming system, the lens element 52 consists of multiple lenses, and the light source 51 may be, but is not limited to, a laser diode. The light source 51 illuminates the lens element 52, and a holographic virtual image of the aiming point is reconstructed through diffraction. The holographic virtual image and the light emitted from the target enter the human eye through different paths. Even if the eye deviates from the optical axis, the relative position of the aiming point and the target remains synchronized, making the parallax infinitely close to zero. At the same time, the holographic virtual image can remain clear even in strong light environments, which makes the combined aiming system available day and night provided by this application more environmentally adaptable.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 3 In some embodiments, the optical aiming system 5 is a reflex point aiming system, the lens element 52 consists of multiple lenses, and the light source 51 can be, but is not limited to, an LED. In conventional reflex aiming systems, the aiming point formed by the light from the light source 51 illuminating the lens element 52 can be easily observed from the object side, easily leading to the shooter's position being exposed. The reflex point aiming system is an improvement on the shortcomings of the aforementioned reflex aiming system. By changing the propagation path of the light emitted by the light source 51, the aiming point formed by the light illuminating the lens element 52 is not easily seen from the object side, thereby reducing the risk of exposing the shooter's position. In daylight or when there is sufficient visible light, the shooter can adjust the brightness of the light source 51 to ensure the brightness of the aiming point to adapt to the surrounding shooting environment.

[0039] Because the infrared image displayed on the waveguide lens and the aiming point provided by the optical aiming system are set independently and not coupled into the waveguide lens 2 before entering the human eye through a common optical path, the shooter can turn off the infrared light component and use the visible light imaging component for aiming when there is sufficient visible light during the day. Since the waveguide lens 2 is a high-transmittance lens, the real environment seen by the shooter through the visible light imaging component is almost unobstructed. The shooter can view the visible light image of the target within the field of view through the lens element 52 and the waveguide lens 2, and aim at the target within the field of view indiscriminately using the aiming point. Therefore, compared with the prior art, even in a shooting environment with strong visible light, the human eye can receive a visible light image of a target with sufficient brightness within the field of view and an aiming point. The combined aiming system provided in this application can quickly find a shooting target with suitable brightness, which is beneficial for the shooter to seize the shooting opportunity. Furthermore, since the infrared light component is not operating, this application can further save power and extend the nighttime operation of the aiming system. Furthermore, since the light at the aiming point is emitted separately by the visible light imaging component and is not coupled into the waveguide lens 2 along the same path as the infrared light image, the light energy loss at the aiming point in the aiming system of this application is minimal compared to the prior art. Therefore, the brightness of the aiming point remains bright. When there is sufficient visible light, the bright aiming point creates a difference between the visible light and the visible light of the shooting environment, which helps the shooter to quickly complete the aiming.

[0040] At night or in low visible light conditions, the user can simultaneously activate both the infrared imaging component and the visible light imaging component. In this case, the infrared imaging component outputs infrared light signals of a specific wavelength within the target's field of view as an infrared image, which is then coupled into the optical waveguide lens 2. After total internal reflection, the infrared image is output in the optical coupling area 4. At this time, the shooter can observe the infrared image coupled into the micro display screen 1 through the visible light imaging component. Since the optical waveguide lens 2 and the visible light imaging component are set with the same optical axis, and the infrared imaging optical axis is parallel to the visible light imaging optical axis, the aiming point can be aligned with the coupled infrared image without difference, thereby helping the user to quickly complete the aiming.

[0041] In summary, the combined aiming system available day and night provided by this application not only enables all-weather aiming with the scope, avoiding missed shooting opportunities, but also eliminates the need to rely on the image coupled out by the optical waveguide lens 12 for aiming during the day or when there is sufficient visible light. Instead, it utilizes the visible light imaging component 1 to quickly find a target visible light image with sufficient brightness within the field of view for aiming, thereby effectively seizing the shooting opportunity and further enhancing the user's shooting experience.

[0042] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and only specifically describe the technical principles of the present invention. These descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention in any way. Based on this explanation, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention, as well as other specific embodiments of the present invention that can be conceived by those skilled in the art without creative effort, should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A day and night usable combined sighting system, characterized in that, This includes infrared imaging components, optical waveguide components, and visible light imaging components; The infrared light imaging component includes a micro display screen (1). The infrared light imaging component is used to collect infrared light signals of targets within the field of view and convert the infrared light signals into infrared light images. The infrared light images are output on the micro display screen (1). The optical waveguide assembly includes an optical waveguide lens (2). The optical waveguide lens (2) has an optical coupling area (3) on the side corresponding to the micro display screen (1). The optical coupling area (3) is used to receive the infrared light image output by the infrared light imaging assembly. The infrared light image is output in the optical coupling area (4) of the optical waveguide lens (2). The visible light imaging component includes an optical aiming system (5), and the optical waveguide lens (2) is disposed on the object side of the optical aiming system (5). The optical aiming system (5) has an aiming point for aiming at the visible light image of the target and the infrared light image displayed on the optical waveguide lens (2).

2. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 1 wherein, The geometric center of the optical coupling region (4) is aligned with the optical axis of the optical aiming system (5).

3. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 2 wherein, The optical coupling region (4) is located on the side of the optical waveguide lens (2) close to the target, and the infrared light image is output towards the target.

4. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 3 wherein, The infrared imaging component also includes an infrared objective lens (6) and an infrared detector (7). The infrared objective lens (6) and the infrared detector (7) are arranged sequentially from the object side to the target side. The infrared detector (7) is electrically connected to the micro display screen (1).

5. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 4 wherein, The optical axis of the infrared imaging component is parallel to the optical axis of the optical aiming system (5).

6. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 5 wherein, The infrared objective (6) includes an objective lens group that can transmit near-infrared light with a wavelength of 400~950nm and an objective lens group that can transmit far-infrared light with a wavelength of 8~12um. The infrared photodetector (7) includes a CMOS near-infrared photodetector for receiving near-infrared light with a wavelength of 400~950nm and a far-infrared thermal imaging detector for receiving far-infrared light with a wavelength of 8~12um.

7. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 6 wherein, The optical waveguide assembly also includes an optical waveguide eyepiece (9) disposed between the image output surface (8) of the microdisplay (1) and the light coupling region (3) of the optical waveguide lens (2), for amplifying the infrared light image output by the image output surface (8).

8. The combined aiming system usable day and night as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The optical aiming system (5) can be either a reflective aiming system or a laser holographic aiming system.

9. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 8 wherein, The reflex aiming system is a doubling point aiming system.

10. The day / night combined sighting system of claim 9 wherein, The optical aiming system (5) includes a light source (51) and a lens element (52). The light source (51) emits a light beam of a preset wavelength toward the lens element (52) to form the aiming point.

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