A method for aligning an imaging optical axis with a range finder optical axis

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of methods of imaging optical axis and ranging machine optical axis to shaft, first, ranging machine, lens and camera combination is installed in design position, open computer, can clearly image on computer, ranging machine can normally feedback value when working;Then unmanned aerial vehicle hovers at M / 2 position, ensure that imaging light path closed loop tracks unmanned aerial vehicle, adjust ranging machine optical axis angle at the time in field center, until feedback value is M / 2, make unmanned aerial vehicle slightly sway up and down and left and right, the area that the region with ranging numerical value feedback back covers in field center should be a circle with field center as center, indicate that the optical axis of both is perfect coincidence at M / 2;Finally, unmanned aerial vehicle flies from the nearest working distance to the farthest working distance, if there is value feedback back all the way, indicate that ranging machine and visual axis are well aligned;The application can realize the real-time ranging value needed when imaging in near and far distance, and the conventional alignment method is only for the nearest alignment or the farthest alignment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical alignment technology, specifically a method for aligning the imaging optical axis with the optical axis of a rangefinder. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of modern optical technology, people's demand for optical performance has also increased significantly. In addition to clear optical imaging, it is also required to measure the target distance in the imaging field of view. Especially in some special fields, the extraction of target distance is particularly important, so a rangefinder is necessary to measure the value. However, the rangefinder is a separate component and its installation position is not in the same position as the imaging field of view, so there is an inherent axis difference. How to properly install and adjust the optical axis of the rangefinder is the key to achieving real-time distance measurement within the working range.

[0003] Currently, there are two main approaches to rangefinders and imaging fields of view: one is to combine them into one system, but this is very expensive and difficult to modify later; the other is to keep them separate components, requiring separate adjustment of the rangefinder's optical axis.

[0004] Currently, most of the methods used are the second type mentioned above. In this invention, based on geometric symmetry, the imaging field of view is made to completely coincide with the optical axis of the rangefinder at half the working distance. Therefore, when the imaging object is at its closest and furthest point, it is basically symmetrical with respect to the point where the optical axes of the two coincide, and an accurate distance value can be measured throughout the working range. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for aligning the imaging optical axis with the optical axis of a rangefinder, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A method for aligning the imaging optical axis with the optical axis of a rangefinder, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0008] The first step is to install the rangefinder, lens, and camera in the designed location, turn on the computer, and the image should be clearly displayed on the computer screen. The rangefinder should be able to provide normal feedback when it is working.

[0009] The second step is to hover the drone at position M / 2 to ensure that the imaging optical path is closed-loop tracking the drone in the center of the field of view. At this time, adjust the optical axis angle of the rangefinder until the feedback value is M / 2. Then, make the drone sway slightly up, down, left, and right. The area covered by the rangefinder value feedback in the field of view should be a circle with the center of the field of view as the center, indicating that the optical axes of the two are perfectly aligned at M / 2.

[0010] The third step is to fly the drone from the closest working distance to the farthest working distance. If values ​​are fed back throughout the entire process, it indicates that the rangefinder and the line of sight are well aligned.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0012] 1. This invention can achieve real-time ranging values ​​required for imaging at both near and far distances. Conventional alignment methods are only for the closest or farthest alignment. Compared with conventional methods, this invention has greater versatility.

[0013] 2. The present invention utilizes a symmetrical optical axis method. If the divergence angle of the rangefinder is normal and within the working range, if a value can be measured at close range, there will definitely be a feedback value at a distance, which provides greater flexibility in the installation and adjustment of the axis system. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ranging range when the imaging line of sight is aligned with the optical axis of the rangefinder at close range.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ranging range when the imaging line of sight and the midpoint of the rangefinder are aligned with the optical axis.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ranging range when the imaging line of sight and the far point of the rangefinder are aligned with the optical axis. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] Please see Figures 1-3 In this embodiment of the invention, a method for aligning the imaging optical axis with the optical axis of a rangefinder is described, and the specific steps of the alignment method are as follows:

[0019] The first step is to install the rangefinder, lens, and camera in the designed location, turn on the computer, and the image should be clearly displayed on the computer screen. The rangefinder should be able to provide normal feedback when it is working.

[0020] The second step is to hover the drone at position M / 2 to ensure that the imaging optical path is closed-loop tracking the drone in the center of the field of view. At this time, adjust the optical axis angle of the rangefinder until the feedback value is M / 2. Then, make the drone sway slightly up, down, left, and right. The area covered by the rangefinder value feedback in the field of view should be a circle with the center of the field of view as the center, indicating that the optical axes of the two are perfectly aligned at M / 2.

[0021] The third step is to fly the drone from the closest working distance to the farthest working distance. If values ​​are fed back throughout the entire process, it indicates that the rangefinder and the line of sight are well aligned.

[0022] This method can keep the position of the optical axis of the imaging line of sight unchanged when the imaging line of sight is determined. By changing the optical axis angle of the rangefinder, that is, the distance of an object imaged at the center of the line of sight can always be detected by the rangefinder and the corresponding value is fed back. Under normal circumstances, the spot size emitted by the rangefinder is 20mm and the divergence angle is 1mrad. Therefore, the spot coverage area is small at close range and slightly larger at far range. Due to its own limitations, the rangefinder cannot emit light at close range (within 200m), otherwise the returned light will burn out the rangefinder. The imaging camera lens and the rangefinder are mounted in different positions. Because they are not in the same location, axial discrepancies will occur during operation. If the optical axis angles of the two are not aligned, within the working distance range, either only the farthest distance measurement value or only the nearest distance measurement value will be fed back. Therefore, in this invention, we adopt the midpoint alignment method. For example, if the working limit distance of the imaging optical path is M, we need to strictly coincide the intersection point of the two optical axes at a distance of M / 2. That is, the optical axes of the two intersect at M / 2. The advantage of this method is that after the optical axes coincide at a distance of M / 2, the nearest and farthest ends are symmetrical relative to the midpoint, effectively solving the problem of not being able to measure values ​​at distant or near distances. The research results can be applied to related fields of tracking and ranging, and have significant engineering application value.

[0023] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0024] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method of aligning the optical axis of an imaging device with the optical axis of a range finder, comprising: Its method adopts the device including: computer, a set of complete camera, lens combination, range finder, unmanned aerial vehicle; The specific axis method steps are as follows: First, range finder, lens and camera combination are installed in the designed position, computer is opened, can clearly image on computer, range finder can normally feedback value when working; Second, unmanned aerial vehicle is hovered at M / 2 position, ensures that imaging light path closed loop tracks unmanned aerial vehicle in field center, range finder optical axis angle is adjusted at this time until feedback value is M / 2, makes unmanned aerial vehicle slightly shakes up and down and left and right, the area covered in field by the area of range finding numerical value feedback back should be a circle with field center as center, indicates that two optical axes are close to perfect coincidence at M / 2; Wherein, M indicates the working limit distance of the imaging light path; Third, unmanned aerial vehicle is flown from the nearest working distance to the farthest working distance, if there is value back all the way, indicates that range finder and visual axis are well aligned.

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