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EP0657111A1 - Visor with variable transmission for headgear - Google Patents

Visor with variable transmission for headgear Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0657111A1
EP0657111A1 EP94402802A EP94402802A EP0657111A1 EP 0657111 A1 EP0657111 A1 EP 0657111A1 EP 94402802 A EP94402802 A EP 94402802A EP 94402802 A EP94402802 A EP 94402802A EP 0657111 A1 EP0657111 A1 EP 0657111A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
visor
zone
visor according
pilot
aircraft
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94402802A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0657111B1 (en
Inventor
Yves Lefort
Gérard Le Paih
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Thales Avionics SAS
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Thales Avionics SAS
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Publication date
Application filed by Thales Avionics SAS filed Critical Thales Avionics SAS
Publication of EP0657111A1 publication Critical patent/EP0657111A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0657111B1 publication Critical patent/EP0657111B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42HEADWEAR
    • A42BHATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/18Face protection devices
    • A42B3/22Visors
    • A42B3/226Visors with sunscreens, e.g. tinted or dual visor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a head gear visor with variable light transmission. It applies in particular to the fitting of helmets for aircraft pilots. More generally, it applies to protection systems that it is necessary to release the constraints of slow variation in transmission, in particular due to the absorbent element consisting of photochromic agents.
  • a visor fitted to an aircraft pilot's helmet generally has two essential protective functions.
  • a first protection is a facial protection against external mechanical aggressions. This protection is usually provided by an often cylindrical or spherical blade made of transparent thermoplastic material, for example polycarbonate.
  • a second protection is an eye protection against solar radiation
  • the visor can tint or lighten therefore absorb more or less light energy reversibly depending on the ambient light thanks to the presence of chemicals integrated in the thickness or surface of the visor.
  • These substances varying the coloration of the material which they integrate as a function of the luminosity are said to be photochromic.
  • these photochromic substances consist of molecules whose structure changes in a reversible manner under the effect of photons which they receive, this modification causing a change of color.
  • Known and used photochromic substances are for example the families of spiropyrans or spiroxazines.
  • variable transmission visors composed of a transparent thermoplastic strip, the photochromic substance being incorporated during the injection of the part or deposited on the surface with a gun or by molding for example. These visors absorb part of the incident light energy identically at any point of the visor.
  • a plastic based on photochromic substances can have a light transmission in the range of 75% to 85% in the clear state. In the presence of strong light, the plastic reaches a dark state and the transmission can drop to values between 20% and 30% for example.
  • Light and dark transmissions depend on the nature of the photochromic substances used or the composition of the mixture thereof. These transmissions also depend on the respective concentrations of photochromic substances in the thickness or on the surface of the visor.
  • the reaction times of photochromic substances are generally long. These reaction times are of the order of one minute on darkening and several minutes on lightening.
  • a pilot needs a clear visor when the light is low and a dark visor when he meets these intense lighting conditions, when passing over the cloud layer for example.
  • a conventional photochromic visor as defined above does not meet the pilot's need well. It is usually either too light or too dark. due to the aforementioned too long reaction times inherent in the very nature of photochromic substances, it is in particular the transition from the dark state to the light state which occurs too late. This has the effect of hampering the pilot's vision and therefore of reducing his safety.
  • the object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular by proposing a visor architecture adapted to the work accomplished by the visor wearer, an airplane pilot for example, this architecture making it possible to free the wearer from the aforementioned reaction times.
  • the subject of the invention is a visor of head equipment with variable light transmission, characterized in that the visor comprises at least two different zones of absorption of light, each zone being dedicated to a zone of the outside space swept by the gaze.
  • the main advantages of the invention are that it improves the safety and the comfort of vision of the wearer of the visor, which it allows in the case of a helmet visual with projection of symbols on the visor, an increase in the contrast of the image projected inside the visor, thus improving the readability of information, which it is economical and easy to implement.
  • FIG. 1 shows by way of example a pilot 1 wearing a helmet 2 equipped with a visor 3.
  • the pilot is for example in the cockpit 4 of an airplane 5 of which only the front part is shown.
  • the pilot must be able to look at the exterior of the aircraft and the on-board instruments 6 with the greatest possible comfort. In particular, it should not be bothered by intense light rays.
  • the structure of the visor according to the invention uses the fact that all the parts of the visor are not functionally identical.
  • the visor according to the invention then comprises at least two zones of different absorption of light, that of higher absorption corresponding to the part of the visual field of the wearer which requires a less good perception than the part of absorption the lowest .
  • the first part corresponds for example to the view of the exterior of the airplane and the second part to the view of the on-board instruments.
  • the transition speeds are different from one zone to another, that is to say that the reaction speeds of photochromic substances or LCD materials are different from one zone to the other.
  • the variation of the transmission is then more or less rapid from one zone to another.
  • Variable transmission can be ensured by a combination of photochromic and LCD technologies to obtain different transition speeds from one zone to another.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the principle of producing a visor according to the invention fitted to the pilot shown in FIG. 1.
  • the visor 3 is broken down into two zones 31, 32 corresponding to vertical viewing angles ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 swept by the gaze of the pilot 1 and originating from the eye 7 of the pilot 1 by example.
  • the direction chosen as the origin for the pilot's gaze is for example the direction 8 seen by the eye 7 when the latter is at rest.
  • the upper zone 31 of the visor corresponds to an angle ⁇ 1 between a first angle ⁇ H and a second angle ⁇ HB taken relative to the original direction 8 and the lower zone 32 corresponds to an angle ⁇ 2 between the second ⁇ HB and a third angle ⁇ B taken with respect to the origin direction 8.
  • ⁇ H can be equal to + 70 °, ⁇ HB at -25 ° and ⁇ B at -35 °.
  • the upper zone 31 of the visor 3 corresponds to a viewing angle of between + 70 ° above and -25 ° below the original direction 8 and that the low zone 32 of the visor 3 corresponds to a viewing angle between -25 ° and -35 ° below the original direction 8.
  • the upper zone 31 is used, for example, essentially to look outside the aircraft. This part in particular provides good protection against solar radiation.
  • the low zone 32 must for example remain lighter than the high zone 34 even in the event of intense light radiation. Indeed, in all circumstances but especially when the pilot passes from a sunny space to a dark space where visibility is reduced, he needs to consult his on-board instruments. It is then the lower zone 32 of the visor which is stressed. The pilot also needs a good perception of colors to read the symbols appearing on the screens and other on-board indicators 6. It is therefore harmful for the pilot that reaction times too long for the passage to lightening of the visor disturbs his reading of the on-board instruments.
  • photochromic substances and their concentration are then made for example so as to promote a high absorption in the upper zone 31 of the visor.
  • the transmission range of this zone can for example vary between 75% and 20%, from the light state to the dark state.
  • the invention has an additional advantage because it allows an increase in the contrast of the image projected inside the visor 3 on its upper zone 31. The readability of the information is thus greatly increased.
  • the choice of photochromic substances is such that, for example, this zone absorbs less light than the upper zone 31 and that its range of light transmission is reduced relative to this zone high.
  • the transmission range of the low zone 32 can for example vary between 85% and 40% from the light state to the dark state.
  • the photochromic substances of the low region 32 are, for example, also chosen so as to increase the reaction rates and to obtain as neutral as possible attenuation of the colors over the entire visible spectrum to promote a good perception of the on-board indicators and cathode-ray screens. visualization for example.
  • the absorption means used in the visor according to the invention can for example be photochromic substances as described above, or any other type of absorbent.
  • the visor can be broken down into more than two areas.
  • a zone dedicated to the reading of specific indicators such as for example a head-up display console requiring in particular a good appreciation of the color of certain symbols.
  • the arrangement of the zones may not be distributed from top to bottom, but also for example from right to left, in the case in particular where the constraints of reaction time are superimposed on problems of appreciation of colors or shapes according to zones. well-defined spaces surrounding the pilot.
  • the application of the visor according to the invention has been presented for an airplane pilot, however it can be used for other applications, in particular for pilots of all types of aircraft.

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  • Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)
  • Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable-transmission visor for headgear. The visor (3) comprises at least two zones (31, 32, alpha 1, alpha 2) with different light-absorption capacities. In cases in which the visor is fixed to the helmet (2) of an aircraft pilot (1), a top zone (31, alpha 1), through which the pilot looks outside the aircraft (5), absorbs more light than a bottom zone (32, alpha 2), through which the pilot views the instrument panel (controls) (6). Application: helmet equipment for missions involving rapid passage from a brightly lit environment to a darkened one. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne une visière d'équipement de tête à transmission variable de lumière. Elle s'applique notamment à l'équipement de casques de pilotes d'aéronefs. Plus généralement elle s'applique à des systèmes de protection qu'il est nécessaire de libérer des contraintes de variation lentes de transmission notamment dues à l'élément absorbant constitué d'agents photochromes.The present invention relates to a head gear visor with variable light transmission. It applies in particular to the fitting of helmets for aircraft pilots. More generally, it applies to protection systems that it is necessary to release the constraints of slow variation in transmission, in particular due to the absorbent element consisting of photochromic agents.

Une visière équipant un casque de pilote d'aéronef présente généralement deux fonctions essentielles de protection. Une première protection est une protection faciale vis à vis des agressions mécaniques extérieures. Cette protection est habituellement assurée par une lame souvent cylindrique ou sphérique en matériau thermoplastique transparent, en polycarbonate par exemple.A visor fitted to an aircraft pilot's helmet generally has two essential protective functions. A first protection is a facial protection against external mechanical aggressions. This protection is usually provided by an often cylindrical or spherical blade made of transparent thermoplastic material, for example polycarbonate.

Une deuxième protection est une protection oculaire vis à vis du rayonnement solaire, la visière pouvant se teinter ou s'éclaircir donc absorber plus ou moins d'énergie lumineuse de manière réversible en fonction de la luminosité ambiante grâce à la présence de substances chimiques intégrées dans l'épaisseur ou en surface de la visière. Ces substances faisant varier la coloration du matériau qu'elles intègrent en fonction de la luminosité sont dites photochromiques.A second protection is an eye protection against solar radiation, the visor can tint or lighten therefore absorb more or less light energy reversibly depending on the ambient light thanks to the presence of chemicals integrated in the thickness or surface of the visor. These substances varying the coloration of the material which they integrate as a function of the luminosity are said to be photochromic.

Plus particulièrement, ces substances photochromiques sont constituées de molécules dont la structure se modifie de façon réversible sous l'effet de photons qu'elles reçoivent, cette modification entraînant un changement de couleur. Des substances photochromiques connues et utilisées sont par exemple les familles de spiropyrannes ou de spiroxazines.More particularly, these photochromic substances consist of molecules whose structure changes in a reversible manner under the effect of photons which they receive, this modification causing a change of color. Known and used photochromic substances are for example the families of spiropyrans or spiroxazines.

Il existe des visières à transmission variable composées d'une lame de thermoplastique transparent, la substance photochromique étant incorporée lors de l'injection de la pièce ou déposée en surface au pistolet ou par moulage par exemple. Ces visières absorbent une partie de l'énergie lumineuse incidente de manière identique en tout point de la visière.There are variable transmission visors composed of a transparent thermoplastic strip, the photochromic substance being incorporated during the injection of the part or deposited on the surface with a gun or by molding for example. These visors absorb part of the incident light energy identically at any point of the visor.

Un plastique à base de substances photochromiques peut présenter à l'état clair une transmission de la lumière de l'ordre de 75% à 85%. En présence de forte luminosité, le plastique atteint un état foncé et la transmission peut baisser jusqu'à des valeurs comprises entre 20% et 30% par exemple. Les transmissions à l'état clair et à l'état foncé dépendent de la nature des substances photochromiques utilisées ou de la composition du mélange de celles-ci. Ces transmissions dépendent aussi des concentrations respectives de substances photochromiques dans l'épaisseur ou en surface de la visière. A la température ambiante, les temps de réaction des substances photochromiques sont généralement longs. Ces temps de réaction sont de l'ordre de la minute à l'assombrissement et de plusieurs minutes à l'éclaircissement.A plastic based on photochromic substances can have a light transmission in the range of 75% to 85% in the clear state. In the presence of strong light, the plastic reaches a dark state and the transmission can drop to values between 20% and 30% for example. Light and dark transmissions depend on the nature of the photochromic substances used or the composition of the mixture thereof. These transmissions also depend on the respective concentrations of photochromic substances in the thickness or on the surface of the visor. At room temperature, the reaction times of photochromic substances are generally long. These reaction times are of the order of one minute on darkening and several minutes on lightening.

Pour certaines fonctions demandées, ces temps de réaction sont trop lents. En particulier pour assurer la protection oculaire de pilotes contre le rayonnement solaire, ces performances sont tout à fait insuffisantes pour certains types d'avions.For certain requested functions, these reaction times are too slow. In particular to ensure the ocular protection of pilots against solar radiation, these performances are completely insufficient for certain types of aircraft.

Un pilote a besoin d'une visière claire lorsque la luminosité est faible et d'une visière foncée lorsqu'il rencontre ces conditions d'éclairement intenses, lors d'un passage au dessus de la couche nuageuse par exemple. Une visière photochromique classique telle que définie précédemment satisfait mal au besoin du pilote. Elle est en général ou trop claire ou trop foncée. en raison des temps de réactions trop longs précités inhérents à la nature même des substances photochromiques, c'est notamment le passage de l'état foncé à l'état clair qui se fait trop tardivement. Cela a pour conséquence de gêner la vision du pilote et donc de diminuer sa sécurité.A pilot needs a clear visor when the light is low and a dark visor when he meets these intense lighting conditions, when passing over the cloud layer for example. A conventional photochromic visor as defined above does not meet the pilot's need well. It is usually either too light or too dark. due to the aforementioned too long reaction times inherent in the very nature of photochromic substances, it is in particular the transition from the dark state to the light state which occurs too late. This has the effect of hampering the pilot's vision and therefore of reducing his safety.

Il est certes connu d'utiliser des solutions du type LCD, LCD signifiant selon la terminologie anglo-saxonne" Liquid Cristal Display", dont les temps de réaction sont courts. Cependant ces solutions s'intègrent bien dans le verre mais très difficilement dans des matériaux en plastique tels que ceux utilisés dans des visières.It is certainly known to use solutions of the LCD type, LCD meaning according to the English terminology "Liquid Crystal Display", whose reaction times are short. However, these solutions integrate well in glass but very difficult in plastic materials such as those used in visors.

Le but de l'invention est de pallier les inconvénients précités notamment en proposant une architecture de visière adaptée au travail accompli par le porteur de visière, un pilote d'avion par exemple, cette architecture permettant de libérer le porteur des temps de réaction précités.The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular by proposing a visor architecture adapted to the work accomplished by the visor wearer, an airplane pilot for example, this architecture making it possible to free the wearer from the aforementioned reaction times.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une visière d'équipement de tête à transmission variable de lumière, caractérisée en ce que la visière comprend au moins deux zones d'absorptions différentes de la lumière, chaque zone étant dédiée à une zone de l'espace extérieur balayée par le regard.To this end, the subject of the invention is a visor of head equipment with variable light transmission, characterized in that the visor comprises at least two different zones of absorption of light, each zone being dedicated to a zone of the outside space swept by the gaze.

L'invention a pour principaux avantages qu'elle améliore la sécurité et le confort de vision du porteur de la visière, qu'elle permet dans le cas de visuel de casque avec projection de symboles sur la visière, une augmentation du contraste de l'image projetée à l'intérieur de la visière, améliorant ainsi la lisibilité des informations, qu'elle est économique et aisée à mettre en oeuvre.The main advantages of the invention are that it improves the safety and the comfort of vision of the wearer of the visor, which it allows in the case of a helmet visual with projection of symbols on the visor, an increase in the contrast of the image projected inside the visor, thus improving the readability of information, which it is economical and easy to implement.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à l'aide de la description qui suit faite en regard de dessins annexés qui représentent:

  • la figure 1, un pilote portant un casque équipé d'une visière;
  • la figure 2, un principe de réalisation d'une visière selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent:
  • Figure 1, a pilot wearing a helmet equipped with a visor;
  • Figure 2, a principle of embodiment of a visor according to the invention.

La figure 1 montre à titre d'exemple un pilote 1 portant un casque 2 équipé d'une visière 3. Le pilote est par exemple dans le cockpit 4 d'un avion 5 dont seulement la partie avant est représentée. Pour remplir correctement sa mission, le pilote doit pouvoir regarder l'extérieur de l'avion et les instruments de bord 6 avec le plus de confort possible. Il ne doit notamment pas être gêné par des rayons lumineux intenses.FIG. 1 shows by way of example a pilot 1 wearing a helmet 2 equipped with a visor 3. The pilot is for example in the cockpit 4 of an airplane 5 of which only the front part is shown. To correctly fulfill his mission, the pilot must be able to look at the exterior of the aircraft and the on-board instruments 6 with the greatest possible comfort. In particular, it should not be bothered by intense light rays.

Les temps de réaction pour le passage à l'assombrissement ou à l'éclairement étant donnés, la structure de la visière selon l'invention utilise le fait que toutes les parties de la visière ne sont pas fonctionnellement identiques. La visière selon l'invention comprend alors au moins deux zones d'absorptions différentes de la lumière, celle d'absorption plus élevée correspondant à la partie du champ visuel du porteur qui nécessite une moins bonne perception que la partie d'absorption la moins élevée. Dans le cas où le porteur est un pilote d'avion, la première partie correspond par exemple à la vue de l'extérieur de l'avion et la deuxième partie à la vue des instruments de bord. Pour améliorer l'efficacité de la visière, les vitesses de transition sont différentes d'une zone à l'autre, c'est-à-dire que les vitesses de réaction des substances photochromiques ou des matériaux LCD sont différentes d'une zone à l'autre. La variation de la transmission est alors plus ou moins rapide d'une zone à l'autre. Dans le cas d'application à un pilote d'avion, il est ainsi avantageux que la vitesse de transition de la zone affectée aux instruments de bord soit la plus rapide possible. La transmission variable peut être assurée par une association des technologies photochrome et LCD permettant d'obtenir des vitesses de transition différentes d'une zone à l'autre.The reaction times for switching to darkening or lighting being given, the structure of the visor according to the invention uses the fact that all the parts of the visor are not functionally identical. The visor according to the invention then comprises at least two zones of different absorption of light, that of higher absorption corresponding to the part of the visual field of the wearer which requires a less good perception than the part of absorption the lowest . In the case where the carrier is an airplane pilot, the first part corresponds for example to the view of the exterior of the airplane and the second part to the view of the on-board instruments. To improve the efficiency of the visor, the transition speeds are different from one zone to another, that is to say that the reaction speeds of photochromic substances or LCD materials are different from one zone to the other. The variation of the transmission is then more or less rapid from one zone to another. In the case of application to an airplane pilot, it is thus advantageous for the transition speed of the zone assigned to the on-board instruments to be as rapid as possible. Variable transmission can be ensured by a combination of photochromic and LCD technologies to obtain different transition speeds from one zone to another.

La figure 2 illustre le principe de réalisation d'une visière selon l'invention équipant le pilote représenté en figure 1.FIG. 2 illustrates the principle of producing a visor according to the invention fitted to the pilot shown in FIG. 1.

A titre d'exemple, la visière 3 selon l'invention est décomposée en deux zones 31, 32 correspondant à des angles de vision verticaux α₁ et α₂ balayés par le regard du pilote 1 et ayant pour origine l'oeil 7 du pilote 1 par exemple. La direction choisie comme origine pour le regard du pilote est par exemple la direction 8 vue par l'oeil 7 lorsque ce dernier est au repos. La zone haute 31 de la visière correspond à un angle α₁ compris entre un premier angle ϑH et un deuxième angle ϑHB pris par rapport à la direction origine 8 et la zone basse 32 correspond à un angle α₂ compris entre le deuxième ϑHB et un troisième angle ϑB pris par rapport à la direction origine 8. La direction origine 8 correspondant à un angle nul, la valeur algébrique du premier angle ϑH est supérieure à la valeur algébrique du deuxième angle ϑHB lequel a sa valeur algébrique supérieure au troisième angle ϑB. A titre d'exemple, ϑH peut être égal à +70°, ϑHB à -25° et ϑB à -35°. C'est à dire que dans ce cas, la zone haute 31 de la visière 3 correspond à un angle de vision compris entre +70° au dessus et -25° en dessous de la direction origine 8 et que la zone basse 32 de la visière 3 correspond à un angle de vision compris entre -25° et -35° en dessous de la direction origine 8.By way of example, the visor 3 according to the invention is broken down into two zones 31, 32 corresponding to vertical viewing angles α₁ and α₂ swept by the gaze of the pilot 1 and originating from the eye 7 of the pilot 1 by example. The direction chosen as the origin for the pilot's gaze is for example the direction 8 seen by the eye 7 when the latter is at rest. The upper zone 31 of the visor corresponds to an angle α₁ between a first angle ϑ H and a second angle ϑ HB taken relative to the original direction 8 and the lower zone 32 corresponds to an angle α₂ between the second ϑ HB and a third angle ϑ B taken with respect to the origin direction 8. The origin direction 8 corresponding to a zero angle, the algebraic value of the first angle ϑ H is greater than the algebraic value of the second angle ϑ HB which has its algebraic value greater than third angle ϑ B. For example, ϑ H can be equal to + 70 °, ϑ HB at -25 ° and ϑ B at -35 °. This means that in this case, the upper zone 31 of the visor 3 corresponds to a viewing angle of between + 70 ° above and -25 ° below the original direction 8 and that the low zone 32 of the visor 3 corresponds to a viewing angle between -25 ° and -35 ° below the original direction 8.

La zone haute 31 sert par exemple essentiellement à regarder à l'extérieur de l'avion. Cette partie assure notamment une bonne protection contre le rayonnement solaire. Pour des raisons de sécurité, la zone basse 32 doit par exemple rester plus claire que la zone haute 34 même en cas de rayonnement lumineux intense. En effet, en toutes circonstances mais surtout lorsque le pilote passe d'un espace ensoleillé à un espace sombre où la visibilité se réduit, il a besoin de consulter ses instruments de bord. C'est alors la zone basse 32 de la visière qui est sollicitée. Le pilote a aussi besoin d'une bonne perception des couleurs pour lire les symboles figurant sur les écrans et autres indicateurs de bord 6. Il est donc dommageable pour le pilote que des temps de réaction trop long pour le passage à l'éclaircissement de la visière perturbe sa lecture des instruments de bord.The upper zone 31 is used, for example, essentially to look outside the aircraft. This part in particular provides good protection against solar radiation. For security reasons, the low zone 32 must for example remain lighter than the high zone 34 even in the event of intense light radiation. Indeed, in all circumstances but especially when the pilot passes from a sunny space to a dark space where visibility is reduced, he needs to consult his on-board instruments. It is then the lower zone 32 of the visor which is stressed. The pilot also needs a good perception of colors to read the symbols appearing on the screens and other on-board indicators 6. It is therefore harmful for the pilot that reaction times too long for the passage to lightening of the visor disturbs his reading of the on-board instruments.

Le choix des substances photochromiques et leur concentration se fait alors par exemple de manière à favoriser une forte absorption dans la zone haute 31 de la visière. La plage de transmission de cette zone peut par exemple varier entre 75% et 20%, de l'état clair à l'état foncé.The choice of photochromic substances and their concentration is then made for example so as to promote a high absorption in the upper zone 31 of the visor. The transmission range of this zone can for example vary between 75% and 20%, from the light state to the dark state.

Il est à noter que dans le cas de visuel de casque avec projection de symboles sur la visière 3, l'invention présente un avantage supplémentaire car elle permet une augmentation du contraste de l'image projetée à l'intérieur de la visière 3 sur sa zone haute 31. La lisibilité des informations est ainsi fortement augmentée.It should be noted that in the case of a helmet visual with projection of symbols on the visor 3, the invention has an additional advantage because it allows an increase in the contrast of the image projected inside the visor 3 on its upper zone 31. The readability of the information is thus greatly increased.

En ce qui concerne la zone basse 32 de la visière 3, le choix des substances photochromiques est tel par exemple que cette zone absorbe moins la lumière que la zone haute 31 et que sa plage de transmission de la lumière est réduite par rapport à cette zone haute. La plage de transmission de la zone basse 32 peut par exemple varier entre 85% et 40% de l'état clair à l'état sombre. Les substances photochromiques de la zone basse 32 sont par exemple aussi choisies de façon à augmenter les vitesses de réaction et à obtenir une atténuation aussi neutre que possible des couleurs sur tout le spectre visible pour favoriser une bonne perception des indicateurs de bord et écrans cathodiques de visualisation par exemple.As regards the lower zone 32 of the visor 3, the choice of photochromic substances is such that, for example, this zone absorbs less light than the upper zone 31 and that its range of light transmission is reduced relative to this zone high. The transmission range of the low zone 32 can for example vary between 85% and 40% from the light state to the dark state. The photochromic substances of the low region 32 are, for example, also chosen so as to increase the reaction rates and to obtain as neutral as possible attenuation of the colors over the entire visible spectrum to promote a good perception of the on-board indicators and cathode-ray screens. visualization for example.

Les moyens d'absorption utilisés dans la visière selon l'invention peuvent être par exemple des substances photochromiques comme décrit précédemment, ou encore tout autre type d'absorbant.The absorption means used in the visor according to the invention can for example be photochromic substances as described above, or any other type of absorbent.

La visière peut être décomposée en plus de deux zones. Ainsi, par exemple, aux deux zones décrites précédemment pourrait s'ajouter une zone dédiée à la lecture d'indicateurs spécifiques comme par exemple une console de visualisation tête haute nécessitant notamment une bonne appréciation de la couleur de certains symboles.The visor can be broken down into more than two areas. Thus, for example, to the two zones described above could be added a zone dedicated to the reading of specific indicators such as for example a head-up display console requiring in particular a good appreciation of the color of certain symbols.

La disposition des zones peut ne pas être répartie de haut en bas, mais aussi par exemple de droite à gauche, dans le cas notamment où à des contraintes de temps de réaction se superposent des problèmes d'appréciation de couleurs ou de formes selon des zones d'espaces bien définies entourant le pilote.The arrangement of the zones may not be distributed from top to bottom, but also for example from right to left, in the case in particular where the constraints of reaction time are superimposed on problems of appreciation of colors or shapes according to zones. well-defined spaces surrounding the pilot.

L'application de la visière selon l'invention a été présentée pour un pilote d'avion, cependant elle peut être utilisée pour d'autres applications, notamment pour les pilotes de tous types d'aéronefs.The application of the visor according to the invention has been presented for an airplane pilot, however it can be used for other applications, in particular for pilots of all types of aircraft.

Claims (12)

Visière d'équipement de tête à transmission variable de lumière, caractérisée en ce que la visière comprend au moins deux zones (31, 32) d'absorptions différentes de la lumière, chaque zone étant dédiée à une zone de l'espace extérieur (α₁, α₂) balayée par le regard, les transmissions variant d'une zone à l'autre avec des vitesses différentes.Headgear visor with variable light transmission, characterized in that the visor comprises at least two zones (31, 32) of different light absorptions, each zone being dedicated to a zone of the external space (α₁ , α₂) scanned by the gaze, the transmissions varying from one zone to another with different speeds. Visière selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend une zone haute (31) et une zone basse (32), la zone haute absorbant plus la lumière que la zone basse (32).Visor according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a high zone (31) and a low zone (32), the high zone absorbing more light than the low zone (32). Visière selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la vitesse transition de la zone basse (32) est plus grande que la vitesse transition de la zone haute (31).Visor according to claim 2, characterized in that the transition speed of the low region (32) is greater than the transition speed of the high region (31). Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisée en ce que la zone basse (32) a une plage de transmission permettant d'obtenir des transmissions plus élevées qu'en partie haute.Visor according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the lower zone (32) has a transmission range making it possible to obtain higher transmissions than at the upper part. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, caractérisée en ce que la visière (3), équipant un pilote (1) d'aéronef (5), la zone haute sert à regarder l'extérieur (α₁) de l'aéronef (5).Visor according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the visor (3), fitted to an aircraft pilot (1) (5), the upper zone is used to look at the exterior (α₁) of the aircraft (5). Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5, caractérisée en ce que la visière (3), équipant un pilote (1) d'aéronef, la zone basse (32) sert à regarder les instruments de bord (6) de l'aéronef.Visor according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the visor (3), fitted to an aircraft pilot (1), the lower zone (32) is used to view the on-board instruments (6) of the 'aircraft. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la zone (31) d'absorption la plus forte a une plage de transmission comprise entre 75% et 20%.Visor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strongest absorption zone (31) has a transmission range of between 75% and 20%. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la zone (32) d'absorption la plus basse a une plage de transmission comprise entre 85% et 40%.Visor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lowest absorption zone (32) has a transmission range between 85% and 40%. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la visière (3) comprenant des substances photochromiques, les zones (31, 32) de la visière comprennent des concentrations différentes de substances photochromiques.Visor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visor (3) comprising photochromic substances, the zones (31, 32) of the visor comprise different concentrations of photochromic substances. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la visière (3) comprenant des substances photochromiques, les zones (31, 32) de la visière comprennent des substances photochromiques différentes.Visor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visor (3) comprising photochromic substances, the zones (31, 32) of the visor comprise different photochromic substances. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce que la fonction transmission variable est assurée par un matériau LCD.Visor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the variable transmission function is provided by an LCD material. Visière selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisée en ce que la transmission variable est assurée par une association des technologies photochrome et LCD permettant d'obtenir des vitesses de transition différentes d'une zone à l'autre.Visor according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the variable transmission is ensured by a combination of photochromic and LCD technologies making it possible to obtain different transition speeds from one zone to another.
EP94402802A 1993-12-10 1994-12-06 Visor with variable transmission for headgear Expired - Lifetime EP0657111B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9314870 1993-12-10
FR9314870A FR2713449B1 (en) 1993-12-10 1993-12-10 Head gear visor with variable transmission.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0657111A1 true EP0657111A1 (en) 1995-06-14
EP0657111B1 EP0657111B1 (en) 1999-05-12

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EP94402802A Expired - Lifetime EP0657111B1 (en) 1993-12-10 1994-12-06 Visor with variable transmission for headgear

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US (1) US5640711A (en)
EP (1) EP0657111B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07267194A (en)
CA (1) CA2137619A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69418434T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2132360T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2713449B1 (en)
IL (1) IL111726A (en)

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US6195206B1 (en) 1998-01-13 2001-02-27 Elbit Systems Ltd. Optical system for day and night use
WO2007031892A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-22 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Optical filter

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FR2742636A1 (en) * 1995-12-26 1997-06-27 Sextant Avionique HELMET WITH NIGHT VISION DEVICE WITH OPTIMIZED SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS
EP0783843A1 (en) * 1995-12-26 1997-07-16 Sextant Avionique Helmet with night-vision device and optimized safety and ergonomics
US5822126A (en) * 1995-12-26 1998-10-13 Sextant Avionique Helmet with night-vision device providing optimized safety and ergonomy
US6195206B1 (en) 1998-01-13 2001-02-27 Elbit Systems Ltd. Optical system for day and night use
WO2007031892A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-22 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Optical filter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL111726A0 (en) 1995-01-24
IL111726A (en) 1997-06-10
US5640711A (en) 1997-06-24
DE69418434D1 (en) 1999-06-17
JPH07267194A (en) 1995-10-17
EP0657111B1 (en) 1999-05-12
FR2713449A1 (en) 1995-06-16
DE69418434T2 (en) 1999-10-07
ES2132360T3 (en) 1999-08-16
FR2713449B1 (en) 1996-01-05
CA2137619A1 (en) 1995-06-11

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