SENSOR SYSTEM

• US 20180231404A1
• Filed: 02/13/2017
• Published: 08/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Kitain, Joshua D., Macannuco, David J., Miller, Aaron P.
• Granted Patent: US 11,287,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/30 Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/78 connecting to other flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6598 Shield material
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629

Abstract

A sensor system is provided. A body includes a first side extension configured to mount to a helmet, a second side extension configured to mount to the helmet, and a processing module support member coupled to the first side extension and the second side extension configured to accommodate a processing module. A first sensor sub-assembly is positioned at least partially in the first side extension. The first sensor sub-assembly includes a first cable that includes a first plug configured to be plugged into the processing module, and a first sensor communicatively coupled to the first plug via the first cable.

Claims

1. A sensor system comprising:

a body, comprising;

a first side extension configured to mount to a helmet;

a second side extension configured to mount to the helmet; and

a processing module support member coupled to the first side extension and the second side extension configured to accommodate a processing module; and

a first sensor sub-assembly positioned at least partially in the first side extension, the first sensor sub-assembly comprising;

a first cable comprising a first plug configured to be plugged into the processing module; and

a first sensor communicatively coupled to the first plug via the first cable.

2. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first cable comprises a flexible circuit cable.

3. The sensor system of claim 2 further comprising a first overmold material that surrounds at least a portion of a length of the cable, the first overmold material being devoid of conductive particles.

4. The sensor system of claim 3 further comprising a second overmold material that surrounds at least a portion of the first overmold material, the second overmold material comprising a conductive electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material.

5. The sensor system of claim 4 wherein the conductive EMI shielding material comprises one of steel, copper or silver.

6. The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising a second sensor sub-assembly positioned at least partially in the second side extension comprising:

a second cable comprising a second plug configured to be plugged into the processing module; and

a second sensor communicatively coupled to the second cable.

7. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first side extension comprises a first end portion configured to, when coupled to the helmet, face an environment in front of the helmet, and wherein the first sensor is positioned at the first end portion to sense a characteristic of the environment in front of the helmet.

8. The sensor system of claim 7 wherein the first sensor sub-assembly further comprises a second sensor communicatively coupled to the first plug via the first cable, and wherein the second sensor is positioned at the first end portion to sense a characteristic of the environment in front of the helmet.

9. The sensor system of claim 7 further comprising a second sensor sub-assembly positioned at least partially in the second side extension, the second sensor sub-assembly comprising:

a second cable comprising a second plug configured to be plugged into the processing module; and

a second sensor communicatively coupled to the second cable;

wherein the second side extension comprises a second end portion configured to, when coupled to the helmet, face the environment in front of the helmet, and wherein the second sensor is positioned at the second end portion to sense a characteristic of the environment in front of the helmet.

10. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first sensor sub-assembly further comprises an external interface configured to detachably couple to a display device, the external interface being in electrical communication with the first plug.

11. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first side extension comprises a first rail mount configured to mount to a first helmet rail on a first side of the helmet and the second side extension comprises a second rail mount configured to mount to a second helmet rail on a second side of the helmet.

12. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first side extension and the second side extension comprise an overmold material that includes a conductive electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

13. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first sensor sub-assembly further comprises a nitrogen-purged sensor capsule, and wherein the first sensor is positioned in the nitrogen-purged sensor capsule.

14. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first cable comprises a flexible cable having a first portion and a second portion, and the first sensor sub-assembly further comprises:

a printed circuit board and the first sensor is coupled to the printed circuit board;

wherein;

the first portion of the flexible cable extends from the first plug to the printed circuit board;

the second portion extends from the printed circuit board to an external interface that is configured to detachably couple to a display device; and

wherein the printed circuit board is configured to electrically couple the first portion to the second portion so that electrical signals can be communicated between the external interface and the first plug.

15. A method for manufacturing a sensor system comprising:

forming a plastic body substrate comprising;

a first side extension forming a first channel;

a second side extension forming a second channel; and

a processing module support member coupled to the first side extension and the second side extension, the processing module support member forming a chamber;

inserting in the first channel a first cable that is coupled to a sensor, the first cable having a first plug, the first plug being exposed to the chamber; and

inserting in the second channel a second cable, the second cable having a second plug, the second plug being exposed to the chamber.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

prior to inserting the first cable in the first channel, overmolding the first cable with a first overmold material that is devoid of conductive particles to form an overmolded first cable, and wherein inserting in the first channel the first cable further comprises inserting the overmolded first cable in the first channel.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

overmolding the first side extension with a second overmold material that comprises a conductive electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

attaching a first pluggable electrical interface of a processing module having the first pluggable electrical interface and a second pluggable electrical interface to the first plug; and

attaching the second pluggable electrical interface to the second plug.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising coupling the first cable to an external interface that is configured to detachably couple to a display device.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein forming the plastic body substrate further comprises forming the plastic body substrate with conductive EMI shielding material.