Optical sighting system with variable magnification

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical sighting system (10) comprising: - a first optical path (22) for conveying a first optical flow in a first wavelength band, the first optical path (22) comprising a first mobile optical group capable of being moved in translation to modify the magnification of the first optical path (22), - a second optical path (24) for capturing a second optical flow in a second wavelength band, the second optical path (24) comprising a second mobile optical group capable of being moved in translation to modify the magnification of the second optical path (24), - a user interface (26) for receiving a magnification command, and - a unit for modifying the magnification of the first optical path (22) and the second optical path (24) following the reception of the magnification command.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Variable Magnification Optical Sighting System

[0003] The present invention relates to an optical aiming system. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a firing system and such an optical aiming system.

[0004] This invention falls within the field of firearm sighting instruments for rifles, for both civilian and military applications. This invention particularly addresses the application of optical fusion sighting systems combining a day channel and an infrared channel.

[0005] Modern reflex sights combining infrared and optical image fusion feature a 1x magnification daytime lens, also known as a "reflex" lens, which allows for easy target acquisition at short and medium ranges. This lens typically consists of a parallel-sided plate or a prism without optical power. To ensure proper superposition of the infrared and direct vision images, the infrared lens also has a 1x magnification.

[0006] However, experience shows that this x1 magnification is too low to aim at and hit targets located at distances greater than 300 m.

[0007] Another option could have been a magnification greater than 1x for direct vision and infrared (3x, 4x, 6x, etc.). However, this type of magnification is not suitable for targets at close range because they appear very large and truncated, without any possibility of seeing the surrounding area.

[0008] There is therefore a need for an optical aiming system with optical path fusion in distinct spectral bands, including infrared and direct visible path, enabling the detection and targeting of targets at both short and long ranges.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to an optical aiming system comprising: a first optical channel for transmitting a first optical flux in a first band of wavelengths, the first optical channel comprising a first movable optical group adapted to be translated to modify the magnification of the first optical channel, a second optical channel for capturing a second optical flux in a second band of wavelengths, the second optical channel (24) comprising a second movable optical group adapted to be translated to modify the magnification of the second optical channel, a user interface for receiving a magnification command, a unit for modifying the magnification of each of the first and second optical channels following receipt of the magnification command, the modification unit comprising:

[0010] • a first translation mechanism for the first mobile optical group to modify the magnification of the first optical path,

[0011] • a second translation mechanism for the second mobile optical group to modify the magnification of the second optical channel,

[0012] • a control and synchronization mechanism for the first and second mechanisms so that the magnifications of the first optical channel and the second optical channel are modified identically and simultaneously following receipt of the magnification command, an image capture and processing unit capable of generating an image, called the captured image, from the second optical stream captured by the second optical channel, and an image generation unit, called the merged image, the merged image being viewable by a user of the optical viewing system and resulting from the merging of a rendering of the captured image and an image from the first optical stream conveyed by the first optical channel.

[0013] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the optical sighting system comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0014] - the first mechanism is formed of a first rotating element in which the first mobile optical group is housed so that the rotation of the first rotating element causes the translation of the first mobile optical group, the second mechanism being formed of a second rotating element in which the second mobile optical group is housed so that the rotation of the second rotating element causes the translation of the second mobile optical group;

[0015] - the user interface is confused with one of the first rotating element and the second rotating element, called the actuable rotating element, so that the rotation of the actuable rotating element causes the rotation of the other rotating element via the control and synchronization mechanism;

[0016] - the first rotating element is a first ring, and the second rotating element is a second ring, the control and synchronization mechanism comprising external gears mounted on the first ring and the second ring; - the external gears are suitable for directly driving one of the first and second rings when the other of the first and second rings rotates, the diameters of the first and second rings being chosen so that the magnification is the same between the first optical channel and the second optical channel following the rotation of the first and second rings;

[0017] - the control and synchronization mechanism further includes a transmission shaft and intermediate gears designed to be driven by one of the first and second rings via an external gear and to drive the other of the first and second rings via another external gear;

[0018] - the user interface is an external ring suitable for driving one of the first rotating element or the second rotating element, the first rotating element being a first pulley, the second rotating element being a second pulley, the control and synchronization mechanism comprising a belt suitable for being driven by that of the first pulley or the second pulley driven by the external ring to in turn drive the other of the first pulley or the second pulley;

[0019] - the user interface is an actuation device that can be operated by the user, each of the first mechanism and the second mechanism comprising a carriage, a rail on which the carriage is mounted, a motor for moving the carriage on the rail, and an encoder for determining the position of the carriage on the rail, the carriage of the first mechanism carrying the first moving optical group, the carriage of the second mechanism carrying the second moving optical group, the control and synchronization mechanism comprising an electronic device for piloting and controlling the motors of each of the first and second mechanisms according to the magnification command;

[0020] - the first band of wavelengths is between 380 nanometers and 780 nanometers, the second band of wavelengths being between 380 nanometers and 5 millimeters, preferably between 780 nanometers and 5 millimeters, advantageously between 3 micrometers and 5 millimeters.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising: a firing system, and an optical system as described above.

[0022] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of an optical sighting system, the optical sighting system comprising a first optical channel, a second optical channel, a user interface, a magnification adjustment unit, an image capture and processing unit, and a unit for generating a fused image,

[0024] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example of the optical sighting system of Figure 1 with the user interface and the magnification adjustment unit according to a first embodiment,

[0025] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an example of the optical sighting system of Figure 1 with the user interface and the magnification adjustment unit according to a second embodiment,

[0026] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a schematic view of an example of the optical sighting system of Figure 1 with the user interface and the magnification adjustment unit according to a third embodiment, and

[0027] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a schematic view of an example of the optical sighting system of Figure 1 with the user interface and the magnification adjustment unit according to a fourth embodiment.

[0028] An example of an optical sighting system 10 is illustrated by Figure 1.

[0029] Such an optical sighting system (or sight) is designed to be mounted or integrated into a firing system. The firing system is designed to fire projectiles, such as bullets. The firing system is, for example, a weapon such as a handgun or a rifle. The firing system has a firing axis, also called the barrel axis.

[0030] The optical sighting system 10 is designed to assist a user of the firing system in aiming. For example, the optical sighting system 10 can display, via a reticle, indications of the anticipated point of impact of a projectile fired by the firing system, or additional information about the scene observed by the user in direct vision (e.g., displaying thermal images superimposed on the direct view of the scene). The scene is the portion of space within the field of vision of a user of the optical sighting system 10.

[0031] As illustrated by Figure 1, the optical sighting system 10 comprises a first optical channel 22, a second optical channel 24, a user interface 26, a magnification modification unit 28, an image capture and processing unit 29 and an image generation unit 30.

[0032] The first optical path 22 is designed to carry a first optical flux F1. If the first optical flux F1 is carried to form an image on a sensor, the carrying process is similar to image capture. If the image is displayed via an eyepiece, the carrying process is similar to image display.

[0033] The first optical flux F1 is in a first band of wavelengths. The first optical channel 22 includes a first movable optical group 40 that can be translated to modify the magnification of the first optical channel 22. The first movable optical group 40 is formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses. This first movable optical group 40 is particularly visible in the examples in Figures 2 to 5.

[0034] In these examples, the first optical path 22 also includes an objective optical group 42 receiving the first optical flux F1. The objective optical group 42 is formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses.

[0035] In one embodiment, as illustrated by figures 2 to 5, the optical axis of the first optical channel 22 forms the sighting axis of the optical sighting system 10. Other configurations are nevertheless possible with a sighting axis different from the optical axis of the first optical channel 22 and the second optical channel 24.

[0036] In an example of an embodiment, as illustrated by figures 2 to 5, a reticle R (mechanical reticle) is positioned on the optical path of the first optical channel 22, preferably in a focal plane, allowing the line of sight to be materialized.

[0037] The second optical channel 24 is designed to capture a second optical flux F2.

[0038] The second optical flux F2 is in a second band of wavelengths.

[0039] The first and second wavelength bands are distinct. However, it is not impossible that the first and second wavelength bands may have wavelengths in common, or even overlap.

[0040] In one example, the first band of wavelengths is between 380 nanometers and 780 nanometers (visible range), and the second band of wavelengths is between 380 nanometers and 5 millimeters (visible and infrared range).

[0041] Preferably, the second wavelength band is between 780 nm and 5 millimeters (infrared range). Advantageously, the second wavelength band is in the mid-infrared (3 pm to 50 pm) and / or in the far-infrared (50 pm to 5 mm), which allows for the formation of a thermal image of the scene.

[0042] The second optical path 24 includes a second movable optical group 46 that can be translated to change the magnification of the second optical path 24. The second movable optical group 46 is formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses. This second movable optical group 46 is particularly visible in the examples in Figures 2 to 5.

[0043] In these examples, the second optical path 24 also includes an objective optical group 48 receiving the second optical flow F2. The objective optical group 48 is formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses. The user interface 26 allows the reception of a magnification command (increasing or decreasing the zoom). In particular, the user interface 26 allows the user to select a magnification from a set of possible magnifications.

[0044] The user interface 26 is, for example, a mechanical actuator (ring for example) or an electronic one (push button for example).

[0045] The magnification modification unit 28 is designed to simultaneously modify the magnification of each of the first optical channel 22 and the second optical channel 24 following the selection of the magnification via the user interface.

[0046] The magnification modification unit 28 comprises a first mechanism 50, a second mechanism 52 and a control and synchronization mechanism 54.

[0047] The first mechanism 50 is designed to translate the first mobile optical group 40 to modify the magnification of the first optical path 22.

[0048] The second mechanism 52 is designed to translate the second mobile optical group 46 to modify the magnification of the second optical channel 24.

[0049] The control and synchronization mechanism 54 is designed to control and synchronize the first mechanism 50 and the second mechanism 52 so that the magnifications of the first optical channel 22 and the second optical channel 24 are changed identically and simultaneously upon receiving the magnification command. In other words, the first optical channel 22 and the second optical channel 24 exhibit the same magnification at all times.

[0050] In exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the first mechanism 50 is formed of a first rotating element 60 in which the first movable optical group 40 is housed, such that the rotation of the first rotating element 60 causes the translation of the first movable optical group 40. The second mechanism 52 is formed of a second rotating element 62 in which the second movable optical group 46 is housed, such that the rotation of the second rotating element 62 causes the translation of the second movable optical group 46.

[0051] In particular, in the examples in Figures 2 and 3, the user interface 26 is confused with one of the first rotating element 60 and the second rotating element 62, called the actuable rotating element, so that the rotation of the actuable rotating element causes the rotation of the other rotating element via the control and synchronization mechanism 54.

[0052] Preferably, as illustrated in the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the first rotating element 60 is a first ring 70, and the second rotating element 62 is a second ring 72. The control and synchronization mechanism 54 comprises external gears 74 mounted on the first ring 70 and the second ring 72. In particular, each external gear 74 surrounds one of the rings 70, 72.

[0053] In the specific example of Figure 2, the external gears 74 are designed to directly drive one of the first and second rings 72 when the other of the first and second rings 72 rotate. The external gears 74 are therefore in direct contact. In this case, in the example of Figure 2, the external gears 74 directly drive the second ring 72 when the first ring 70 rotates.

[0054] Furthermore, the diameters of the first ring 70 and the second ring 72 are chosen so that the magnification is the same between the first optical channel 22 and the second optical channel 24 following the rotation of the first ring 70 and the second ring 72. Indeed, the first moving optical group 40 may be different from the second moving optical group 46, which means that the angular displacements of the rings / translations of the moving optical groups may differ.

[0055] In the specific example of Figure 3, the control and synchronization mechanism 54 further comprises a transmission shaft 76 and intermediate gears 78 adapted to be driven by one of the first and second rings 72 via an external gear 74 and to drive the other of the first and second rings 72 via another external gear 74. In this case, in the example of Figure 3, the transmission shaft 76 and the intermediate gears 78 are driven by the first ring 70 via an external gear 74 and drive the second ring 72 via another external gear 74.

[0056] In the example in Figure 4, the user interface 26 is an outer ring 80 designed to drive either the first rotating element 60 or the second rotating element 62. In this example, the first rotating element 60 is a first pulley 82 and the second rotating element 62 is a second pulley 84. The control and synchronization mechanism 54 includes a belt 86 designed to be driven by the belt of the first pulley 82 or the second pulley 84, which is driven by the outer ring 80, and in turn drives the other belt of the first pulley 82 or the second pulley 84. In the case of the example in Figure 4, the belt 86 is driven by the first pulley 82, which is itself driven by the outer ring 80, with the belt 86 in turn driving the second pulley 84.

[0057] In an optional example, the control and synchronization mechanism 54 also includes one or more tension rollers.

[0058] In other embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 5, the user interface 26 is an actuation element that can be operated by the user, for example, a dial or a push button for selecting a magnification level. Each of the first mechanism 50 and the second mechanism 52 comprises a carriage 90, a rail 92 on which the carriage 90 is mounted, a motor 94 for moving the carriage 90 along the rail 92, and an encoder 96 for determining the position of the carriage 90 on the rail 92. The rail 92 of each of the first mechanism 50 and the second mechanism 52 is, for example, equipped with a worm gear.

[0059] In this example, the carriage 90 of the first mechanism 50 carries the first moving optical group 40. The carriage 90 of the second mechanism 52 carries the second moving optical group 46.

[0060] In this example, the control and synchronization mechanism 54 includes an electronic device 98 for controlling and regulating the motors of each of the first mechanism 50 and the second mechanism 52 according to the magnification command. The electronic control device 98 is, for example, a printed circuit board or an integrated circuit.

[0061] The image capture and processing unit 29 is designed to generate an image, called the captured image, from the second optical flow F2 captured by the second optical channel 24.

[0062] As illustrated in the examples in Figures 2 to 5, the image capture and processing unit 29 comprises an optical assembly designed to focus the second beam onto a sensor 102 associated with processing electronics 104. The optical assembly consists of one or more optical elements, such as lenses. In the examples shown in Figures 2 to 5, such an optical assembly is the second movable optical group 46.

[0063] The image generation unit 30 is designed to generate an image, known as a fused image. The fused image can be viewed by a user of the optical viewing system 10 and results from the fusion of a reproduction of the captured image and an image from the first optical stream F1 carried by the first optical channel 22.

[0064] In one embodiment, illustrated by Figures 2 to 5, the unit 30 for generating the merged image comprises: a display 110 for displaying the image captured by the second optical channel 24; a combining optic 112 for combining the optical flux from the captured image displayed on the display 110 with the first optical flux F1 conveyed (here restored) by the first optical channel 22 to obtain a combined optical flux. The combining optic 112 is, for example, a beam splitter cube (as in the examples in Figures 2 to 5) or a beam splitter; and an eyepiece 114 for forming the merged image from the combined optical flux.

[0065] In this example, the user observes the restored image of the second optical flow F2 (captured image) superimposed on the direct view of the scene.

[0066] In one embodiment, the generation unit 30 comprises: - an additional image capture and processing unit capable of generating an image, called the additional image, based on the first optical flux F1 conveyed (here captured) by the first optical channel 22. The additional unit comprises, for example, an optical assembly capable of focusing the first optical flux F1 onto a sensor associated with processing electronics. The optical assembly consists of one or more optical elements, such as lenses.

[0067] - a display capable of forming the fused image based on the image captured from the second optical channel 24 and the additional image.

[0068] In this example, the user observes the merged image displayed by the screen (a fully digital image).

[0069] As an optional addition, the additional unit includes an image intensifier tube designed to amplify the first optical flux F1, so that the additional image is an amplified image of the first optical flux F1.

[0070] In one embodiment, the different blocks are modular. For example, the second optical channel 24 and the image capture and processing unit 29 can be detached from the other blocks, allowing the optical aiming system 10 to be used only with a flux in the first wavelength band.

[0071] An example of the operation of the optical sighting system 10 will now be described.

[0072] A first optical flow F1 is routed (captured or returned) by the first optical channel 22.

[0073] A second optical flux F2 is captured by the second optical channel 24.

[0074] The image capture and processing unit 29 generates an image, called the captured image, from the second optical stream F2 captured by the second optical channel 24.

[0075] The image generation unit 30 generates a fused image viewable by a user of the optical viewing system 10. This image results from the fusion of a rendered image captured from the second optical channel 24 and an image from the first optical stream F1, which is routed through the first optical channel 22. In a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the fused image results from the superimposition of a rendered image from the second optical channel 24 in the direct view of the scene. In a second embodiment, the fused image results from the digital superimposition of an image from the first optical channel 22 and an image from the second optical channel 24.

[0076] When the user wishes to change the magnification of the optical channels, for example, to aim at a target at long or short range, he selects a magnification via the user interface 26 (for example by turning a ring or activating an actuator such as a push button).

[0077] In the example in Figure 2, the first ring 70 (which is also the user interface 26) drives the second ring 72 directly via external gears 74. The rotation of the rings causes the translation of the movable optical groups carried by the rings.

[0078] In the example in Figure 3, the drive shaft 76 and the intermediate gears 78 are driven by the first ring 70 (which is also the user interface 26) via an external gear 74 and drive the second ring 72 via another external gear 74.

[0079] In the example in Figure 4, the first pulley 82 is driven by the outer ring 80 serving as a user interface 26. The belt 86 is then driven by the first pulley 82 and in turn drives the second pulley 84.

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 5, the electronic control and servo device 98 for the motors commands the motors 94 according to the magnification command. The motors 94 then move the carriages 90 along their respective rails 92, thus translating the moving optical groups. The associated encoders 96 determine the position of the carriages 90 on the rails 92.

[0081] Thus, the optical aiming system 10 allows continuous and simultaneous optical magnification of images in different spectral bands, for example visible and infrared, with a single magnification control. This makes it possible to adapt the magnification according to the target distance, and thus to accurately aim at both short- and long-range targets.

[0082] Compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 (direct drive via external gears), the embodiment in Figure 3 (drive via external gears, transmission shaft, and intermediate gears) allows for a more compact system and greater mechanical flexibility. The embodiment in Figure 4 (drive via pulleys and belt) eliminates the need to manage friction between the gears. The embodiment in Figure 5 (electronic drive) offers an alternative to mechanical drives.

[0083] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and variants previously described can be combined to form new embodiments provided they are technically compatible.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Optical aiming system (10) comprising: a first optical channel (22) for transmitting a first optical beam (F1) in a first wavelength band, the first optical channel (22) comprising a first movable optical group (40) adapted to be translated to modify the magnification of the first optical channel (22), a second optical channel (24) for capturing a second optical beam (F2) in a second wavelength band, the second optical channel (24) comprising a second movable optical group (46) adapted to be translated to modify the magnification of the second optical channel (24), a user interface (26) for receiving a magnification command, a magnification modification unit (28) for each of the first optical channel (22) and the second optical channel (24) following receipt of the magnification command, the modification unit comprising: • a first mechanism (50) for translating the first movable optical group (40) to modify the magnification of the first optical path (22), • a second mechanism (52) for translating the second movable optical group (46) to modify the magnification of the second optical channel (24), • a control and synchronization mechanism (54) of the first mechanism (50) and the second mechanism (52) so that the magnifications of the first optical channel (22) and the second optical channel (24) are modified identically and simultaneously following the receipt of the magnification command, an image capture and processing unit (29) capable of generating an image, called the captured image, from the second optical stream (F2) captured by the second optical channel (24), and an image generation unit, called the fused image, the fused image being viewable by a user of the optical viewing system (10) and resulting from the fusion of a rendering of the captured image and an image from the first optical stream (F1) conveyed by the first optical channel (22).

2. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 1, in which the first mechanism (50) is formed of a first rotating element (60) in which the first movable optical group (40) is housed such that the rotation of the first rotating element (60) causes the translation of the first movable optical group (40), the second mechanism (52) being formed of a second rotating element (62) in which the second movable optical group (46) is housed such that the rotation of the second rotating element (62) causes the translation of the second movable optical group (46).

3. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the user interface (26) is indistinguishable from one of the first rotating element (60) and the second rotating element (62), referred to as the actuable rotating element, such that the rotation of the actuable rotating element causes the rotation of the other rotating element via the control and synchronization mechanism (54).

4. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first rotating element (60) is a first ring (70), and the second rotating element (62) is a second ring (72), the control and synchronization mechanism (54) comprising external gears (74) mounted on the first ring (70) and the second ring (72).

5. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the external pinions (74) are adapted to directly drive one of the first and second rings (72) when the other of the first and second rings (72) rotate, the diameters of the first ring (70) and the second ring (72) being chosen so that the magnification is the same between the first optical path (22) and the second optical path (24) following the rotation of the first ring (70) and the second ring (72).

6. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the control and synchronization mechanism (54) further comprises a transmission shaft (76) and intermediate gears (78) adapted to be driven by one of the first and second rings (72) via an external gear (74) and to drive the other of the first and second rings (72) via another external gear (74).

7. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the user interface (26) is an outer ring (80) adapted to drive one of the first rotating element (60) or the second rotating element (62), the first rotating element (60) being a first pulley (82), the second rotating element (62) being a second pulley (84), the control and synchronization mechanism (54) comprising a belt (86) adapted to be driven by that of the first pulley (82) or the second pulley (84) driven by the outer ring (80) to in turn drive the other of the first pulley (82) or the second pulley (84).

8. Optical sighting system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (26) is a user-operable actuation element, each of the first mechanism (50) and the second mechanism (52) comprising a carriage (90), a rail (92) on which the carriage (90) is mounted, a motor (94) for moving the carriage (90) on the rail (92), and an encoder (96) for determining the position of the carriage (90) on the rail (92), the carriage (90) of the first mechanism (50) carrying the first movable optical group (40), the carriage (90) of the second mechanism (52) carrying the second movable optical group (46), the control and synchronization mechanism (54) comprising an electronic device (98) for controlling and servo-controlling the motors of each of the first mechanism (50) and the second mechanism (52) according to the magnification command.

9. Optical sighting system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first wavelength band is between 380 nanometers and 780 nanometers, the second wavelength band being between 380 nanometers and 5 millimeters, preferably between 780 nanometers and 5 millimeters, advantageously between 3 micrometers and 5 millimeters.

10. Assembly comprising: a firing system, and an optical aiming system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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