Protective device intended to be mounted on an optronic device
The protection system for optronic devices with laser transmitters addresses the limitations of existing solutions by using a shell and light trap combination that effectively prevents light emission and ensures operator safety, particularly in mobile and congested environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022002710
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-03-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing protection systems for optronic devices with laser transmitters are inadequate for mobile devices and congested environments, as they require complex and costly installations, and existing solutions like individual protective equipment and fixed light traps have limitations in effectiveness and usability.
A protection system comprising a shell to cover the optronic device partially and a light trap to trap the laser emissions, which can be mounted on the device and follows its movement, preventing light emission when not desired and protecting operators during testing.
The solution effectively prevents light emission from optronic devices, ensuring operator safety without the need for complex installations, and can be adapted to various forms of optronic devices, while also avoiding reflections that could degrade device components.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Protective device intended to be mounted on an optronic device Disclosure domain
[0001] The invention relates to a protection device intended to be mounted on an optronic device. State of the art
[0002] It is known to equip drones with optronic devices comprising one or more laser emitters, used for example to designate targets.
[0003] In order to verify the proper functioning of such optronic devices, they are tested using equipment that meets strict standards in order to protect operators from light emissions during these tests.
[0004] It is known to carry out such tests in rooms dedicated to laser firing, such rooms having specific equipment such as locking systems, baffling, dry loop and / or absorption of light flux by means of shutters or specific walls. It is therefore understandable that it is difficult to implement such rooms in operational settings, that is to say in crowded places or spaces and with restrictive environments.
[0005] Among the widely used protective measures, the use of personal protective equipment, such as appropriate eyewear, worn by operators is known. Such a solution requires training operators on the risks of laser emissions and the use of such equipment. This equipment also presents limitations, such as reduced visibility in the visible wavelength range.
[0006] It is also known to use fixed light traps, generally made of graphite, which have small surface areas but a considerable size. Such light traps are difficult to align with the laser emitter and do not effectively confine the light beam. This leaves a risk of exposing operators' eyes to the light beam. Furthermore, such traps are not suitable for testing mobile devices since they require the use of a fixed line of sight to the laser emitter. Statement of Disclosure
[0007] To remedy the aforementioned problems in a simple, reliable, and inexpensive manner, this document proposes a protective device intended to be mounted on an optronic device comprising at least one laser emitter, characterized in that said device comprises at least one shell intended to at least partially cover said optronic device and comprising means for attaching said optronic device. tronic, and a light trap capable of trapping the light emitted by the laser emitter.
[0008] Thus, the protective device is attached to the optronic device and follows its movement if the latter is mobile. The light trap prevents the emission of a luminous flux when such emission is not desired, thereby protecting operators during testing phases of the optronic device.
[0009] Furthermore, the implementation of such a device does not require compliance with any particular constraints. In particular, the optronic device equipped with such a protective device can then be reclassified as a non-hazardous laser system.
[0010] Finally, such a device can be adapted to all forms of optronic devices.
[0011] The light trap also prevents reflections that could damage the components of the optronic device. Generally speaking, a light trap is a device that reduces the power emitted by the laser emitter.
[0012] The light trap can be formed as a single piece with the shell.
[0013] The shell and the light trap can be produced together by additive manufacturing, for example by sintering or selective melting of a powder made of synthetic or metallic materials. Alternatively, the shell and the light trap can be made of polyamide. Such materials exhibit, in particular, good light absorption properties. The light trap can be formed by a set of recessed and / or protruding areas designed to extend in relation to the laser emitter.
[0014] The light trap can be formed by a set of striations or ribs intended to extend in relation to the laser emitter.
[0015] The striations or ribs may be parallel to each other.
[0016] The striations or ribs may have sections of a generally triangular shape.
[0017] Each striation or rib may have a cross-section in the shape of an isosceles triangle, in particular equilateral.
[0018] Each ridge or rib can have a height between 1 and 3 mm, for example on the order of 2 mm.
[0019] The light trap can extend in the shape of a circular arc around an axis. The light trap can thus follow the movement of the laser emitter, so as to always have the same angle of incidence.
[0020] Said device may comprise at least a first shell and a second shell, each intended to cover at least partially said optronic device and each comprising means for fixing said optronic device.
[0021] Such a fixing can be achieved by screwing.
[0022] The two shells can be mounted adjacently such that an edge of the first shell is in contact with an edge of the second shell, one of said edges having at least one projecting part cooperating with a recessed part of the other edge so as to form at least one step.
[0023] Such a step or recess thus forms a baffle which may trap a luminous flux, thereby preventing any light emission outwards through the interface between the two shells. Such a baffle may take the form of a labyrinth seal.
[0024] The two shells can be fixed to each other so as to maintain contact at the aforementioned edges. Such a fixing can be achieved by means of at least one easily operated locking mechanism, such as a toggle latch, for example.
[0025] The protruding part can be formed by an annular edge or in section of a ring, the recessed part can be formed by an annular groove or in section of a ring.
[0026] The two shells can be arranged symmetrically with respect to a median plane.
[0027] The shell may have an annular or arc-shaped form and may be formed of several angular sectors assembled together, with at least two sectors of the shell each comprising a part or sector of the light trap.
[0028] The shell may cover all or most of the optronic device. Depending on the dimensions and geometry of said device, the shell may be formed from a single piece.
[0029] The hull sectors can be mounted adjacently so that one end of a first sector is fitted with one end of a second adjacent sector, said ends being fitted together so as to form at least one step or a step.
[0030] Such a step or such a step thus forms a chicane which may trap a luminous flux, so as to avoid any emission of light to the outside, through the interface between the two adjacent sectors.
[0031] The sectors can be fixed together, for example by gluing, welding or brazing.
[0032] A layer forming a light barrier can cover or be integrated into the shell, along the light trap.
[0033] Said light barrier layer may be a metal sheet, for example made of aluminum. Said light barrier layer may conform to the shape of the hull.
[0034] Such a barrier also ensures redundancy of safety in case of breakage of the hull.
[0035] Said barrier can also serve as a heat sink.
[0036] Said layer can be glued, welded or brazed to the hull.
[0037] Said layer can be engaged by complementary shape in the shell, by For example, in each of the hull sectors when the hull is made up of several sectors. In such a case, this layer can facilitate the positioning and fixing of the sectors to each other.
[0038] Said layer may extend over all or part of the area forming the light trap.
[0039] This document also proposes an assembly comprising an optronic device including at least one laser emitter, and a protection device of the aforementioned type fixed on the optronic device and covering at least part of said optronic device, the light trap being located opposite the laser emitter.
[0040] The optronic device may include a fixed base and a first body, rotatable relative to the base, about a first axis, called the bearing axis. The optronic device may include a second body, rotatable relative to the first body, about a second axis, called the elevation axis. The laser emitter may be fixed to the second body. The second axis may be perpendicular to the first axis. The optronic device may include two laser emitters arranged on either side of a median plane passing through the first axis.
[0041] The shell can be attached to the first body of the optronic device.
[0042] The light trap can be annular or arc-shaped and can extend around an axis corresponding approximately to the second axis. The light trap can extend over an angular range corresponding at least to the angular range of movement of the second body relative to the first body, along the second axis. Brief description of the figures
[0043] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0044] [Fig-1] is an exploded, front view of an assembly according to this document,
[0045] [Fig.2] is an exploded, perspective view of said assembly,
[0046] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of said assembly, the protection device being mounted on the optronic device,
[0047] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the protection device,
[0048] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the interface area between the two protective device casings,
[0049] [Fig.6] is an exploded perspective view illustrating the assembly of two sectors of a protective device shell,
[0050] [Fig.7] is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the two sectors,
[0051] [Fig.8] is a schematic view illustrating an example of the shape of the cross-section of the striations or ribs of the light trap. Detailed description of the disclosure
[0052] Figures 1 to 8 illustrate an assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present document.
[0053] This assembly 1 comprises an optronic device 2 having a fixed base 3, a first body 4, movable in rotation relative to the base 3 around a first axis X, called the bearing axis, and a second body 5, movable in rotation relative to the first body 4 around a second axis Y, called the site axis, perpendicular to the first axis X. The second body 5 may have a general shape of a sphere.
[0054] At least one laser emitter 6, here two laser emitters 6, are fixed to the second body 5. The two laser emitters 6 are for example arranged on either side of a median plane passing through the first axis X.
[0055] The angular displacement of the second body 5 relative to the first body 4 can be between -125° and +125°. The angular displacement of the first body 4 relative to the base 3 can be between 0 and 360°.
[0056] The assembly 1 further comprises a protective device 7 comprising two shells 8, arranged symmetrically with respect to the aforementioned median plane.
[0057] Each shell 8 comprises two end parts 9 connected by a circular arc part 10, extending for example over approximately 180° around the Y axis.
[0058] Each shell further comprises an interface edge 11, called the inner edge, and an opposite edge 12, called the outer edge.
[0059] For each shell 8, two holes 13 located at the ends 9 and at the interface edge 12 allow the passage of screws ensuring the fixing of each shell 8 to the first body 4 of the optronic device 2.
[0060] Each shell 8 further includes a light trap 14, extending along the arc-shaped part 10 of the shell 8, in particular at the level of the internal surface 15 of the shell 8, that is to say the surface turned towards the side of the optronic device 2.
[0061] The light trap 14 is formed by parallel striations or ribs 16. Of course, the number of ribs 16 can vary according to requirements.
[0062] As can be seen in [Fig. 8], each rib 16 has a generally triangular cross-section, for example in the shape of an equilateral triangle. The height h of each rib 16 is, for example, between 1 and 3 mm, for example on the order of 2 mm.
[0063] Each light trap 14 is located opposite one of the laser emitters 6 so as to be able to trap the luminous flux possibly emitted by the corresponding laser emitter 6, regardless of the angular position of the second body 5 relative to the first body 4. It should be noted that, since the shells 8 are fixed to the first body 4, the displacement of the first body 4 relative to the base 3 does not affect the operation of the protection device 7.
[0064] As can be seen more clearly in [Fig. 5], the two shells 8 are mounted adjacently so that the interface edge 11 of the first shell 8 is in contact with the interface edge 11 of the second shell 8. In particular, the interface edge 11 of one of the shells 8 forms a projecting part 17 engaged in a recessed area 18, for example a groove, of the interface edge 11 of the other shell 8, so as to form at least one step or a step.
[0065] As previously indicated, such a step or step thus forms a chicane which may trap a luminous flux, so as to avoid any emission of light to the outside, through the interface between the two shells 8.
[0066] The two shells 8 are also fixed to each other so as to maintain contact at the interface edges 11. Such a fixing is ensured by means of toggle-type locks 19.
[0067] Moreover, each shell 8 can be in the form of several parts or angular sectors 20 assembled together.
[0068] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the sectors 20 of each shell 8 are mounted adjacently or contiguously, such that one end 21 of a first sector 20 is fitted with one end 22 of a second adjacent sector 20, said ends 21, 22 being fitted together to form at least one step or recess. In other words, one of the sectors has a projecting portion 23 at the level of the corresponding end 21, engaged in a recessed portion 24 of the end 22 of the adjacent sector 20.
[0069] Such a step or such a step also forms a chicane which may trap a luminous flux, so as to avoid any emission of light to the outside, through the interface between the two adjacent sectors 20.
[0070] The sectors 20 can be fixed together, for example by gluing, welding or brazing.
[0071] A metal sheet 25 (figures 1 to 4), for example made of aluminium, can cover and be shaped to the external surface of each shell 8 at the level of the light trap, i.e. the surface opposite the optronic device 2. The sheet 25 then extends over the entire area of the shell 8 forming the light trap 14.
[0072] Said sheet metal 25 forms a light barrier, ensuring redundancy of safety in case of breakage of the shell 8. This sheet metal can also serve as a heat sink.
[0073] The sheet metal 25 can be glued, welded or brazed to the hull 8.
[0074] In a variant shown in [Fig.5], the sheet metal 25 can be engaged by complementary shape in recesses 26 of the sectors 10 of the hull 8, when the latter is formed of several sectors 20.
[0075] The sheet metal 25 can facilitate the positioning and fixing of the sectors 20 between them.
Claims
Claims
1. Protective device (7) intended to be mounted on an optronic device (2) comprising at least one laser emitter (6), characterized in that said device (7) comprises at least one shell (8) intended to at least partially cover said optronic device (2) and comprising means for fixing to said optronic device (2), and a light trap (14) capable of trapping the light emitted by the laser emitter (6), said device (7) comprising at least a first shell (8) and a second shell (8), each intended to at least partially cover said optronic device (2) and each comprising means for fixing (13) to said optronic device (2).
2. Device (7) according to the preceding claim, in which the light trap (14) is formed by a set of hollow and / or protruding zones (16) intended to extend opposite the laser emitter (6).
3. Device (7) according to the preceding claim, in which the light trap (14) is formed by a set of grooves or ribs (16) intended to extend opposite the laser emitter (6), for example grooves or ribs (16) have sections of general triangular shape.
4. Device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the light trap (14) extends in the shape of an arc of a circle around an axis (Y).
5. Device (7) according to the preceding claim, in which the two shells (8) are mounted adjacently so that one edge (11) of the first shell (8) is in contact with one edge (11) of the second shell (8), one of said edges (11) comprising at least one projecting part (17) cooperating with a hollow part (18) of the other edge (11) so as to form at least one step or a step.
6. Device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shell (8) has an annular or arcuate shape and is formed of several angular sectors (20) assembled to each other, at least two sectors (20) of the shell (8) each comprising a part or a sector of the light trap (14).
7. Device (7) according to the preceding claim, in which the sectors (20) of the shell (8) are mounted adjacently so that one end (21) of a first sector (20) is fitted with one end (22) of a second adjacent sector (20), said ends (21, 22) being fitted together so as to form at least one step or a step.
8. Device (7) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a layer (26) forming a light barrier covers or is integrated into the shell (8), along the light trap (14).
9. Assembly comprising an optronic device (2) comprising at least one laser emitter (6), and a protection device (7) according to one of the preceding claims fixed to the optronic device (2) and at least partially covering said optronic device (2), the light trap (14) being located opposite the laser emitter (6).