Auxiliary mounting and supporting device for astronomical telescope

Abstract

The invention provides an astronomical telescope auxiliary mounting and supporting device, and relates to the field of astronomical telescope mounting brackets, the astronomical telescope auxiliary mounting and supporting device comprises a supporting seat, a mounting holder is arranged at the top of the supporting seat, a plurality of supporting legs are rotatably connected to the bottom of the supporting seat, and self-locking adjusting assemblies are arranged on the supporting legs. The telescopic leg and the trigger plate jointly form a telescopic supporting structure, angle adjustment of the device is achieved by rotating the angle of the supporting leg, height adjustment of the device is achieved by moving the trigger plate and the telescopic leg, the effect of locking when touching the ground is achieved through the self-locking adjusting assembly, and then the device has the effect of being convenient to move; and meanwhile, rapid deployment and automatic locking are realized under complex terrains.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of astronomical telescope mounting bracket technology, and more specifically to an auxiliary mounting support device for astronomical telescopes. Background Technology

[0002] As a core scientific instrument for humankind to explore the universe and observe deep-space celestial bodies, the astronomical telescope functions to efficiently collect and focus weak electromagnetic radiation (mainly in the visible light band) from distant celestial bodies, thereby enabling the observation of faint, distant, and high-resolution celestial targets. Modern astronomical telescope systems typically consist of an optical main body (the telescope itself) and a supporting and adjusting mechanism (the telescope mount).

[0003] However, traditional telescope mounts mostly use fixed bases, making it difficult to quickly move the equipment to different observation locations, especially in complex terrains (such as mountainous humus soils and sandy loams), limiting timely responses to transient astronomical phenomena (such as meteor showers, occultations, and supernova explosions). Furthermore, attitude adjustment generally relies on manual operation, leading to repositioning issues and a lack of effective mechanical locking mechanisms. During observation, the telescope itself is susceptible to environmental disturbances (such as wind loads, ground vibrations, or manual contact), causing shifts in azimuth and elevation angles, affecting the quality of long-exposure imaging and the reliability of scientific data.

[0004] Based on the above problems, there is an urgent need to provide an auxiliary installation support device for astronomical telescopes, which has a movable base structure for easy and rapid deployment in complex terrain; at the same time, it integrates a mechanical self-locking mechanism, which can automatically lock the motion degree of freedom of the mounting frame after the azimuth and elevation angles are adjusted, so as to keep the telescope stable in attitude and constant in optical axis during long-exposure observation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the problems raised in the background art, the present invention provides an auxiliary installation support device for astronomical telescopes, which will be further described below.

[0006] An auxiliary installation support device for an astronomical telescope includes a support base with a mounting platform on top, and multiple support legs connected to the bottom of the support base, each of which is equipped with a self-locking adjustment component.

[0007] Preferably, the self-locking adjustment assembly includes a telescopic leg embedded and slidably connected to the support leg, a trigger plate embedded and slidably connected to the bottom of the telescopic leg, two symmetrically distributed locking racks fixed to the inner side of the support leg, the locking racks having evenly distributed teeth, two connecting rods hinged to the top of the trigger plate, each connecting rod having a sliding rod hinged to its top, the sliding rods slidingly engaging with adjacent telescopic legs, each sliding rod having a locking block slidably connected to its top, and a return spring provided between the locking block and the corresponding sliding rod.

[0008] Preferably, each of the support legs is fixedly connected to a mounting bracket, and each mounting bracket is connected to a vertically arranged screw rod through it. A turntable is keyed to the screw rod, and an L-shaped rod is connected to the bottom of the screw rod. The end of the L-shaped rod is fixedly connected to the side wall of the telescopic leg.

[0009] Preferably, a support plate is connected to the bottom of the trigger plate, a guide post is fixed to the top surface of the support plate, an arc-shaped foot pedal is slidably connected to the guide post, a pressure spring is provided between the foot pedal and the corresponding support plate and wound around the guide post, a plurality of evenly distributed ground nails are fixed to the bottom of the foot pedal, and pin holes corresponding to the ground nails are opened on the support plate.

[0010] Preferably, the support base is equipped with a level on top, and a plastic rod is fixed to the center area of ​​the bottom of the support base. A transparent box is installed at the bottom of the plastic rod, and a plastic ball is placed inside the transparent box.

[0011] Preferably, a locking frame is slidably connected to the support base, and the locking frame is provided with two retaining rings, which are symmetrically distributed at the top and bottom of the support base. A U-shaped frame is fixedly connected to the inner side of each support leg, and a short column is fixedly connected to each U-shaped frame. A positioning frame is slidably connected to the inner side of each support leg, and a tension spring is provided between the positioning frame and the support leg. A pin is provided on the bottom side wall of the positioning frame, and the pin passes through the support leg and the telescopic leg. An unlocking frame is slidably connected to the support base, and the bottom of the unlocking frame passes through the support base and extends downward. A torsion spring is provided between the support leg and the support base.

[0012] Preferably, the side wall of the support base is fixedly connected with an angle limiting frame that corresponds one-to-one with the support leg.

[0013] Beneficial effects: Compared with existing technologies, this device's support legs, telescopic legs, and trigger plate together constitute a telescopic support structure. By rotating the angle of the support legs, the angle of the device can be adjusted; by moving the trigger plate and telescopic legs, the height of the device can be adjusted; the self-locking adjustment component achieves a locking effect upon contact with the ground; the height compensation structure compensates for slight subsidence on soft ground (such as mountain humus soil, sandy loam, etc.), which would reduce the observation height; the anchoring component ensures a tight fit between the ground nail and the soil, preventing the device from settling, slipping, or twisting during observation; and the visual indicator component shows the direction and distance of the level and plastic ball relative to the transparent box, allowing the operator to intuitively determine the device's tilt direction and adjust the height compensation structure on the corresponding support leg accordingly, moving the ball back to the center area and achieving leveling of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 : A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2: A partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the tension spring, sliding rod, locking block and other related components of this invention;

[0017] Figure 4 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the locking block, locking teeth, return spring and other related components of this invention;

[0018] Figure 5 : A schematic diagram of the structure at point A of this invention;

[0019] Figure 6 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the L-shaped rod, return spring, transparent box and other related components of this invention;

[0020] In the diagram: 1-Support base, 11-Angle limiting frame, 12-Support leg, 13-Telescopic leg, 14-Locking frame, 15-Level, 16-Short column, 17-Mounting frame, 18-Turntable, 19-U-shaped frame, 2-Unlocking frame, 21-Torsion spring, 22-Positioning frame, 221-Tension spring, 23-Sliding rod, 24-Positioning block, 241-Positioning rack, 25-Trigger plate, 26-Connecting rod, 3-Plastic rod, 31-Ball, 32-Screw, 33-L-shaped rod, 34-Reset spring, 35-Transparent box, 4-Support plate, 41-Step pedal, 42-Compression spring, 43-Ground nail, 44-Guide column, 45-Pin hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Next, combine Figures 1-6 A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0022] refer to Figure 1 An auxiliary installation support device for an astronomical telescope includes a support base 1. The support base 1 is made of lightweight material and is easy to move. A mounting platform is provided on its top, which is used to detachably support the astronomical telescope body, enabling rapid clamping and positioning of the optical system, and facilitating equipment maintenance and replacement. Multiple support legs 12 are connected to the bottom of the support base 1. Preferably, three support legs 12 are circumferentially symmetrically distributed. The support legs 12 are adjustable to allow for rapid deployment, storage, and transportation of the device under different terrain conditions. Each support leg 12 is equipped with a self-locking adjustment component.

[0023] In actual use, the astronomical telescope is mounted on the gimbal at the top of the support base 1. The operator adjusts the unfolding angle of each support leg 12 according to the flatness of the ground and the observation requirements to keep the gimbal level and reach the target height. Subsequently, the angle of each support leg is reliably locked by the self-locking assembly, forming a rigid support system that effectively suppresses external interference such as wind vibration and impact, ensuring the attitude stability and pointing accuracy of the telescope during long-exposure observations.

[0024] refer to Figure 3 The self-locking adjustment component includes a telescopic leg 13 embedded in and sliding on the support leg 12. The telescopic leg 13 slides up and down along the length of the support leg 12, forming an extension of the support leg 12. A trigger plate 25 is embedded in and sliding at the bottom of the telescopic leg 13. Its bottom surface is a flat bearing surface, which is used to directly contact the ground and transmit load. The support leg 12, the telescopic leg 13 and the trigger plate 25 together form a telescopic support structure. The angle of the device can be adjusted by rotating the angle of the support leg 12, and the height of the device can be adjusted by moving the trigger plate 25 and the telescopic leg 13.

[0025] refer to Figure 3 To achieve automatic locking of the trigger plate 25 and telescopic leg 13 after height adjustment, two symmetrically distributed locking racks 241 are fixed to the inner side of the support leg 12. The locking racks 241 have evenly distributed teeth to provide multiple locking positions. The top of the trigger plate 25 is hinged with two connecting rods 26. The two adjacent connecting rods 26 are distributed in a V-shape. The top of each connecting rod 26 is hinged with a sliding rod 23. The two adjacent sliding rods 23 are arranged in opposite directions and slide with the adjacent telescopic leg 13. The top of each sliding rod 23 is slidably connected with a locking block 24. The two adjacent locking blocks 24 are arranged in opposite directions. A return spring 34 is provided between the locking block 24 and the corresponding sliding rod 23. Locking is achieved by the movement of the locking block 24 and its engagement with the teeth on the locking rack 241.

[0026] In the initial state, the telescopic leg 13 is housed at the bottom of the support leg 12, the trigger plate 25 is in the lowest position, the return spring 34 is in a free state, and the locking block 24 is disengaged from the locking rack 241. Before installing the telescope, place the device on the observation ground and manually apply vertical downward pressure. At this time, the bottom surface of the trigger plate 25 first contacts the ground and is blocked, while the support base 1 and the support leg 12 continue to press down, forcing the trigger plate 25 to slide upward relative to the telescopic leg 13. At the same time, it drives the telescopic leg 13 to move upward along the support leg 12. The upward movement of the trigger plate 25, through the linkage of the connecting rod 26, pushes the two sliding rods 23 to move away from each other, thereby driving the locking block 24 to move laterally outward.

[0027] During this process, the inclined surface of the locking block 24 is pressed against the teeth of the locking rack 241, overcoming the elastic force of the return spring 34, achieving a brief disengagement and sliding. When the device is pressed down to the target height, the external force stops being applied, the return spring 34 releases its stored energy, and pushes the locking block 24 to fully embed into the tooth grooves of the locking rack 241, forming a rigid engagement, thereby achieving axial locking between the telescopic leg 13 and the trigger plate 25. The self-locking adjustment component of this device is automatically activated under the action of the device's own weight, requiring no additional operation, achieving a height fixation of "locking upon contact with the ground". At the same time, the adapter structure of the support leg 12 allows it to open and close in the horizontal plane to adapt to uneven ground and improve the overall stability of the machine.

[0028] After the self-locking adjustment assembly completes the height locking and attitude positioning, the astronomical telescope body is mounted on the mounting platform at the top of the support base 1 for astronomical observation and target detection. However, in typical field observation environments such as mountains, forests, or soft soil surfaces, the ground bearing capacity is low and the soil structure is loose. When the entire telescope is installed, the device is prone to foundation settlement under the combined effect of its own weight and equipment load, causing the support legs 12 to sink as a whole, resulting in a shortening of the device height. This, in turn, disrupts the initial horizontal state and pointing accuracy of the telescope, affecting the imaging quality of long-exposure imaging and the accuracy of scientific observation.

[0029] Therefore, this device is equipped with a height compensation structure on the basis of the self-locking adjustment component to dynamically compensate for the sinking caused by the load, so as to realize the secondary fine adjustment and stable maintenance of the observation height.

[0030] refer to Figure 6 Specifically, each of the support legs 12 is fixedly connected to a mounting bracket 17, and a vertically arranged screw 32 is connected through the mounting bracket 17. A turntable 18 is keyed to the screw 32. Manually rotating the turntable 18 rotates the screw 32. An L-shaped rod 33 is connected to the bottom of the screw 32. This connection method ensures that the rotational movement of the screw 32 is not directly transmitted to the L-shaped rod 33, that is, only axial thrust is transmitted between the two, and no torque is transmitted. The end of the L-shaped rod 33 is fixed to the side wall of the telescopic leg 13, and the L-shaped rod 33 moves with the telescopic leg 13.

[0031] Once the self-locking adjustment assembly completes the initial height setting and locks, the telescope is mounted on the top gimbal, and the entire weight of the telescope is applied to the support system. On soft ground (such as mountain humus soil or sandy loam), the device may sink slightly, resulting in a decrease in observation altitude.

[0032] At this time, the operator manually rotates the turntable 18, driving the screw 32 to rotate and move downwards. The linked L-shaped rod 33 moves downwards, transmitting the force to the telescopic leg 13, pushing it downwards. As the telescopic leg 13 extends downwards, its bottom trigger plate 25 moves downwards in tandem. Under the action of the connecting rod 26, the two sliding rods 23 move towards each other, causing the locking block 24 at the top of the sliding rod 23 to retract laterally inwards. During this process, the locking block 24 gradually disengages from the teeth on the locking rack 241, canceling the squeezing contact and temporarily releasing the locked state. At this time, the return spring 34 is compressed and stores energy. When the telescopic leg 13 continues to move downwards under the drive of the screw 32 to the target compensation height, the locking block 24 moves to its limit position along with the sliding rod 23. At this point, the rotating turntable 18 stops rotating, the reset spring 34 releases its stored energy, and pushes the locking block 24 to reset outward, so that the locking block 24 re-engages with the teeth of the locking rack 241 to form a rigid engagement. This height compensation structure, in conjunction with the self-locking adjustment component, significantly improves the adaptability and observation reliability of the astronomical telescope auxiliary support device in complex terrain.

[0033] After the height compensation structure and self-locking adjustment components are adjusted, in order to achieve stable surveying and avoid the telescope body being easily affected by environmental disturbances (such as wind load, ground micro-vibration or operation touch), this device is equipped with an anchoring component at the bottom of the trigger plate 25 to improve the connection rigidity between this device and the ground and enhance the overall anti-overturning and anti-slip capabilities.

[0034] refer to Figure 5 Specifically, the bottom of the trigger plate 25 is connected to a support plate 4. The support plate 4 is a circular plate structure that can adapt to the ground tilt angle to ensure full contact with the ground surface and provide a uniform bearing surface. The top surface of the support plate 4 is fixed with a guide post 44, and an arc-shaped foot pedal 41 is slidably connected to the guide post 44. This arc design is convenient to adapt to the tilt angle of the telescopic leg 13 and provides a certain protection.

[0035] A pressure spring 42 is provided between the pedal 41 and the corresponding support plate 4, which is wound around the guide post 44. Without external force, the pressure spring 42 keeps the pedal 41 at a high position on the guide post 44. Multiple evenly distributed ground nails 43 are fixed to the bottom of the pedal 41. The bottom of the nails has a conical tip structure for penetrating the soil and enhancing grip. The support plate 4 has pin holes 45 that correspond one-to-one with the ground nails 43.

[0036] After the height compensation structure and self-locking adjustment components are adjusted and the telescope is installed, stepping on the pedal 41 overcomes the elastic force of the pressure spring 42, causing the pedal 41 to slide downwards along the guide post 44. This drives the ground stake 43 to move downwards simultaneously, passing through the pin holes 45 and penetrating the ground soil layer until the predetermined anchoring depth is reached.

[0037] During this process, the pressure spring 42 is compressed and stores energy, continuously applying downward preload to ensure that the ground nail 43 forms a tight engagement with the soil, preventing the device from settling, slipping or twisting during the observation process.

[0038] This device is primarily intended for use in complex terrains such as mountainous areas. These regions typically have uneven surfaces with varying slopes, and the foundation materials are often non-rigid structures like humus and sandy loam. This can easily cause the device to tilt during setup, affecting the levelness of the telescope's gimbal and consequently compromising observational pointing accuracy and image quality. To enable quick and intuitive assessment of the device's balance, a visual indicator component is provided at the bottom of the support base 1.

[0039] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 1 The support base 1 is equipped with a level 15 on its top and a plastic rod 3 is fixed to the center area of ​​the bottom of the support base 1. A transparent box 35 is installed at the bottom of the plastic rod 3. The box is made of high light transmittance engineering plastic or glass and has a closed cavity inside. The surface is marked with reference scale lines (such as cross center lines) for visual observation. A plastic ball 31 is placed inside the transparent box 35. The plastic ball 31 has a smooth surface and can roll due to gravity at a small tilt angle.

[0040] When this device is installed on uneven ground, if the extension length or unfolding angle of the support leg 12 is uneven, the support base 1 will tilt, and the plastic rod 3 will deviate accordingly. At this time, the transparent box 35 will also tilt, and the plastic ball 31 will roll inside the transparent box 35, eventually tilting to one side.

[0041] By observing the level 15 and the offset direction and distance of the plastic ball 31 relative to the center scale of the transparent box 35, the operator can intuitively judge the tilt direction and relative degree of the device, and then adjust the height compensation structure on the corresponding support leg 12 in a targeted manner to gradually move the ball 31 back to the center area and achieve leveling.

[0042] refer to Figure 2To improve the structural compactness and safety of this device during handling and storage, the following design is made: A locking frame 14 is slidably connected to the support base 1. The locking frame 14 is a ring frame structure that can move up and down in the vertical direction. The locking frame 14 is provided with two retaining rings, which are symmetrically distributed at the top and bottom of the support base 1. A U-shaped frame 19 is fixedly connected to the inner side of each support leg 12. A short column 16 is fixedly connected to each U-shaped frame 19. A locking frame 22 is slidably connected to the inner side of each support leg 12. A tension spring 221 is provided between the locking frame 22 and the support leg 12 for resetting the locking frame 22. A pin is provided on the bottom side wall of the locking frame 22. The pin passes through the support leg 12 and the telescopic leg 13 to achieve the locking effect of the telescopic leg 13 during the storage stage. An unlocking frame 2 is slidably connected to the support base 1. The bottom of the unlocking frame 2 passes through the support base 1 and extends downward. During the initial storage stage, the bottom of the unlocking frame 2 does not contact the top of the locking frame 22.

[0043] When the device is in the storage or transport state, each support leg 12 retracts inward, and the short column 16 is restricted to the inside of the retaining ring at the bottom of the locking frame 14, forming a mechanical block that restricts the rotational freedom of the support leg 12 around its hinge axis, thereby locking it within the preset retraction angle range to prevent accidental unfolding. At the same time, the telescopic leg 13 is completely retracted into the support leg 12, and the pin on the locking frame 22 passes through the support leg 12 and the telescopic leg 13 to achieve axial locking, preventing the telescopic leg 13 from slipping due to vibration or tilting during transport.

[0044] When the telescope needs to be set up, the operator applies external force to pull the retaining ring at the top of the locking frame 14 upwards, causing it to slide along the support base 1 to the highest position. During this process, the retaining ring at the bottom of the locking frame 14 disengages from the short column 16, releasing the constraint on the short column 16. At this time, the support leg 12 gains rotational freedom and can extend radially outwards to the required working angle. Simultaneously, external force presses down on the unlocking frame 2, causing the bottom of the unlocking frame 2 to press against the top of the locking frame 22. Consequently, the locking frame 22 is pressed and moves away from the support leg 12, which in turn moves the pin on the bottom side wall of the locking frame 22. The axial lock between the telescopic leg 13 and the support leg 12 is released, and the telescopic leg 13 can slide freely up and down under its own weight or external force, entering an adjustable state. This achieves all-around locking of the device in the stored state and efficient and safe unlocking before use. This not only significantly improves the portability and transportation reliability of the equipment but also provides stable preconditions for subsequent height adjustment, self-locking, and anchoring operations.

[0045] A torsion spring 21 is provided between the support leg 12 and the support base 1. When the short column 16 is restricted to the inside of the retaining ring at the bottom of the locking frame 14, the torsion spring 21 deforms and the support leg 12 is in a retracted state. When an external force pulls the locking frame 14 upward, the locking frame 14 releases the restriction on the short column 16, and the support leg 12 automatically unfolds outward under the action of the torsion spring 21.

[0046] An angle limiting frame 11 corresponding to each support leg 12 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support base 1. The angle limiting frame 11 is located on the outer side wall of the corresponding support leg 12 and serves as a rigid stop structure for the extension stroke of the support leg 12.

[0047] When the support leg 12 is extended to the preset maximum safe angle (determined based on structural strength and stability optimization), the outer edge of the support leg 12 contacts the angle limiting frame 11, forming a mechanical limit and preventing further rotation. This design effectively avoids the risk of the support leg 12 being extended beyond its limit due to excessive human operation or excessive ground slope, and improves the operational reliability and structural durability of this device in complex working environments.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An auxiliary mounting support device for an astronomical telescope, comprising a support base (1) with a mounting platform on its top, and multiple support legs (12) connected to the bottom of the support base (1), characterized in that: Each of the support legs (12) is equipped with a self-locking adjustment component.

2. The astronomical telescope auxiliary installation support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The self-locking adjustment assembly includes a telescopic leg (13) embedded in and sliding on the support leg (12). A trigger plate (25) is embedded in and sliding on the bottom of the telescopic leg (13). Two symmetrically distributed locking racks (241) are fixed to the inner side of the support leg (12). The locking racks (241) are provided with evenly distributed teeth. Two connecting rods (26) are hinged to the top of the trigger plate (25). A sliding rod (23) is hinged to the top of each of the two connecting rods (26). The sliding rod (23) slides with the adjacent telescopic leg (13). A locking block (24) slides to the top of each sliding rod (23). A return spring (34) is provided between the locking block (24) and the corresponding sliding rod (23).

3. The astronomical telescope auxiliary installation support device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the support legs (12) is fixedly connected to a mounting bracket (17), and a vertically arranged screw (32) is connected through the mounting bracket (17). A turntable (18) is keyed to the screw (32), and an L-shaped rod (33) is connected to the bottom of the screw (32). The end of the L-shaped rod (33) is fixed to the side wall of the telescopic leg (13).

4. The astronomical telescope auxiliary installation support device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trigger plate (25) is connected to a support plate (4) at the bottom. A guide post (44) is fixed to the top surface of the support plate (4). An arc-shaped foot pedal (41) is slidably connected to the guide post (44). A pressure spring (42) wrapped around the guide post (44) is provided between the foot pedal (41) and the corresponding support plate (4). A plurality of evenly distributed ground nails (43) are fixed to the bottom of the foot pedal (41). The support plate (4) has pin holes (45) that correspond one-to-one with the ground nails (43).

5. The astronomical telescope auxiliary installation support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support base (1) is equipped with a level (15) at the top and a plastic rod (3) is fixed to the center area of ​​the bottom of the support base (1). A transparent box (35) is installed at the bottom of the plastic rod (3) and a plastic ball (31) is placed inside the transparent box (35).

6. The astronomical telescope auxiliary installation support device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A locking frame (14) is slidably connected to the support base (1). The locking frame (14) is provided with two retaining rings, which are symmetrically distributed at the top and bottom of the support base (1). A U-shaped frame (19) is fixedly connected to the inner side of each support leg (12). A short column (16) is fixedly connected to each U-shaped frame (19). A positioning frame (22) is slidably connected to the inner side of each support leg (12). A tension spring (221) is provided between the positioning frame (22) and the support leg (12). A pin is provided on the bottom side wall of the positioning frame (22). The pin passes through the support leg (12) and the telescopic leg (13). An unlocking frame (2) is slidably connected to the support base (1). The bottom of the unlocking frame (2) passes through the support base (1) and extends downward. A torsion spring (21) is provided between the support leg (12) and the support base (1).

7. The astronomical telescope auxiliary installation support device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The side wall of the support base (1) is fixed with an angle limiting frame (11) that corresponds one-to-one with the support leg (12).

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