Day-Night Vision Device Common Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing day-night vision devices require multiple optical components for day and night vision modes, and additional information overlay, leading to increased complexity and redundancy.
Innovation Solution
A day-night vision device design that uses common optical components for both day and night vision modes, with a deflection means like a prism to direct radiation from both channels into a single reception channel, allowing for the overlay of additional information such as thermal images or maps onto the observed image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate optical components are used for day vision and night vision channels, then each channel can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of day vision and night vision channels by using a single objective lens and combining their focal planes. The day vision channel and night vision channel share common optical components including the objective lens, while maintaining separate detection paths with appropriate filters. This reduces the total number of optical components while preserving the functional optimization of each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens is designed to serve dual purposes: it functions as the primary objective for day vision and as the objective for night vision when the field stop is repositioned. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate objective lenses for day and night channels, reducing device complexity while maintaining channel-specific optimization through selective use of optical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate display systems are provided for day and night vision functions, then each function can have optimized display characteristics, but the device becomes more complex and redundant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display paths by superimposing the day vision image and night vision image onto a single display medium. The day vision image is formed on the display and the night vision image is superimposed on the same display area, allowing both functions to share a common display system while maintaining optimized characteristics for each mode through selective activation and image processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional information overlays are provided separately for day and night modes, then each mode can have mode-specific information, but the optical path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information overlay paths by providing a single information source that can be superimposed on both day and night vision images through the combined optical path. The information is introduced once into the optical system and is simultaneously available for both day and night modes, eliminating the need for separate information overlay systems while maintaining mode-specific information capabilities through selective display control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the device by reducing the number of optical components and enables the use of the same optical and electronic components for both day and night functions, allowing for seamless overlay of additional information during observations.
Implementation Method 1
a deflection means (3) which can be used as a deflection means for direct observation via/through the day vision channel (T) and as a deflection means for direct observation via/through the night vision channel (N)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
In a day/night-vision device according to the invention, provision is made to view observations made via a day- or night-vision channel (T, N) in a shared receiving channel (E) or via an eyepiece unit (4) as day image or night image by designing and arranging a deflecting means such that the same deflection means is used to transfer radiation from the day- or night-vision channel (T, N) into the shared receiving channel (E). In particular, it is also provided that further images, such as thermal images, can be transferred to the observer and can be overlaid by the day image or night image, in particular fused.