High-utility large-diameter optical mirror unfolding device

Abstract

The application provides a high-utilization large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device, which comprises an inner mirror, an outer mirror, a hinge mechanism and a supporting rod, the inner mirror and the outer mirror are connected through the supporting rod; the outer mirror comprises a plurality of sub-lenses, any two adjacent sub-lenses are connected through the hinge mechanism; the outer mirror comprises a folding state and an unfolding state, the hinge mechanism is further used for switching the outer mirror between the folding state and the unfolding state; when the outer mirror is in the folding state, the outer mirror is located below the inner mirror; when the outer mirror is in the unfolding state, the plurality of sub-lenses are uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction along the outer side of the inner mirror. The inner mirror and the outer mirror are used in cooperation, the hinge mechanism is used for switching the outer mirror between the folding state and the unfolding state, the supporting rod is used for rigidly connecting the inner mirror and the outer mirror, which is helpful to improve the reliability of the whole device, through reasonable space layout, the synchronous, controllable and orderly unfolding of the inner and outer mirrors in orbit is realized, which is helpful to improve the space utilization and the storage ratio.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of spacecraft structure technology, and more specifically, to a high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror deployment device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of optical satellite technology, imaging requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, and the mirror size of large-aperture optical satellites is getting larger and larger, with some mirror diameters reaching the 10-meter range. This requires the satellite mirror launch section to be retracted inside the fairing and then deployed after it is in orbit. How to ensure high utilization within limited space and achieve a large-aperture lens after deployment has become a key focus of recent research and design.

[0003] Chinese Patent CN107479161B discloses a primary mirror mechanism. In this invention, N modular mirror bodies are evenly arranged around a linkage device. The unfolding and locking device includes N first hinges, N second hinges, N third hinges, and N fourth hinges. The tops of adjacent modular mirror bodies are connected by a first hinge, and the bottoms of adjacent modular mirror bodies are connected by a second hinge. Each modular mirror body includes two sub-mirrors arranged side-by-side. The tops of the two sub-mirrors are connected by a third hinge, and the bottoms of the two sub-mirrors are connected by a fourth hinge. The N modular mirror bodies are unfolded and retracted by the unfolding and locking device.

[0004] A Chinese patent with publication number CN105044878B discloses a large-aperture optical mirror with a high collapsibility ratio. The mirror body comprises a mirror body formed by interconnecting multiple sub-lenses. Adjacent sub-lenses are connected by a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes hinge structure a and hinge structure b. Hinge structure a includes one active fixed hinge and two floating hinges, while hinge structure b includes three floating hinges. This patent fails to effectively utilize the central space of the outer mirror, resulting in significant space waste. The mirror itself is merely an outer ring, failing to achieve a truly large-aperture optical mirror.

[0005] The inventors believe that most existing retractable and expandable mirror mechanisms are passive, offering high reliability but also suffering from uncontrollable expansion processes. Furthermore, some active expansion mechanisms have low space utilization and storage ratios, leaving significant unused space after expansion, resulting in wasted space. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that offers high space utilization, high storage ratio, and high reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device.

[0007] A high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device according to the present invention includes: an endoscope, an outer mirror, a hinge mechanism, and a support rod. The endoscope and the outer mirror are connected by the support rod. The outer mirror includes multiple sub-lenses, and any two adjacent sub-lenses are connected by the hinge mechanism. The outer mirror has a retracted state and an unfolded state, and the hinge mechanism is also used to switch the outer mirror between the retracted and unfolded states. When the outer mirror is in the retracted state, it is located below the endoscope. When the outer mirror is in the unfolded state, the multiple sub-lenses are evenly distributed circumferentially along the outer side of the endoscope.

[0008] Preferably, the hinge mechanism includes a passive hinge and an active hinge; the two ends of the connection between any two adjacent sub-lenses are hinged together by the passive hinge.

[0009] Preferably, when the outer mirror is in the retracted state, the middle part of the connection between any of the sub-lenses on the outer side and the adjacent sub-lenses is hinged by the active hinge.

[0010] Preferably, when the outer mirror is in the retracted state, two adjacent sub-lenses of any one of the active hinges are in a fitted state.

[0011] Preferably, the active hinge includes a driving device, which is used to drive the external mirror to unfold or retract.

[0012] Preferably, the support rod comprises multiple support rods; the end of any support rod furthest from the endoscope is rotatably connected to the active hinge.

[0013] Preferably, the endoscope is circular in shape; an outer frame is provided on the outside of the endoscope, and the end of any of the support rods near the endoscope is rotatably connected to the outer frame, and the connection points between the support rods and the outer frame are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer frame.

[0014] Preferably, when the outer mirror is in the unfolded state, the direction of any of the support rods is consistent with the direction of the connection between its two corresponding sub-lenses.

[0015] Preferably, when the external mirror is in the unfolded state, the internal mirror and the external mirror are on the same plane.

[0016] Preferably, the diameter of the endoscope is 3.4m to 8.4m; when the exoscope is in the unfolded state, the outer diameter of the exoscope is 10m to 15m.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. This invention uses an endoscope and an outer mirror in combination. The hinge mechanism enables the outer mirror to switch between its retracted and extended states. The support rod provides a rigid connection between the endoscope and the outer mirror, which helps improve the reliability of the overall device. Through a reasonable spatial layout, the inner and outer mirrors can be synchronously, controllably, and orderly unfolded on track, which helps improve space utilization and storage ratio.

[0019] 2. In the retracted state, the external mirror is retracted below the internal mirror, which helps to make full use of the external space of the internal mirror. In the unfolded state, the internal mirror is located inside the external mirror, which helps to make full use of the internal space after the external mirror is unfolded. This helps to improve the effective utilization rate of the entire main mirror surface and helps to achieve a large diameter and lightweight mirror surface.

[0020] 3. This invention connects the lenses of the outer mirror through a passive hinge and drives the outer mirror to unfold and retract through an active hinge. It does not require high precision from the diaper, helps to avoid interference between the lenses, and helps to achieve controllable, orderly and reliable unfolding. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the invention when the external mirror is in the retracted state;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the overall structure of the invention when the external mirror is in the retracted state;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the invention when the external mirror is in the unfolded state.

[0025] As shown in the figure:

[0026] Endoscope 1, External endoscope 2, Passive hinge 3

[0027] Active hinge 4 Support rod 5 Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 1-3As shown, a high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device according to the present invention includes an endoscope 1, an outer mirror 2, a hinge mechanism, and a support rod 5. The endoscope 1 and the outer mirror 2 are connected by the support rod 5. The outer mirror 2 includes multiple sub-lenses, and any two adjacent sub-lenses are connected by the hinge mechanism. The outer mirror 2 has a retracted state and an unfolded state, and the hinge mechanism is also used to switch the outer mirror 2 between the retracted state and the unfolded state. When the outer mirror 2 is in the retracted state, the outer mirror 2 is located below the endoscope 1. When the outer mirror 2 is in the unfolded state, the multiple sub-lenses are evenly distributed circumferentially along the outer side of the endoscope 1.

[0030] During the mirror unfolding process, the hinge mechanism drives the sub-lens to unfold and rotates the support rod 5, causing the endoscope 1 to move into the interior of the outer mirror 2. During the mirror retraction process, the hinge mechanism drives the sub-lens to retract and rotates the support rod 5, causing the endoscope 1 to move above the outer mirror 2, thus achieving on-track synchronous, controllable, orderly, and reliable unfolding of the inner and outer mirrors.

[0031] The mirror size can be adjusted according to actual needs. When the outer mirror 2 is in the unfolded state, its outer diameter is 10-15 μm. The inner mirror 1 is limited by the size of the outer mirror 2 and should be smaller than its outer diameter minus 6.6 μm. Therefore, the diameter of the inner mirror 1 is 3.4 μm to 8.4 μm.

[0032] This application uses the following data as an example: the diameter of endoscope 1 is 4.5m; when the exoscope 2 is in the unfolded state, the diameter of the exoscope 2 is 13m. When the exoscope 2 is in the retracted state, the sub-lenses of the exoscope 2 are folded in an umbrella-like manner, and the endoscope 1 is connected to the exoscope 2 by six support rods 5 and is located above the exoscope 2. When the exoscope 2 is in the unfolded state, the endoscope 1 is located in the center of the exoscope 2, and the endoscope 1 and the exoscope 2 are on the same plane, with the support rods 5 providing restraint to ensure rigidity after unfolding.

[0033] The hinge mechanism includes passive hinges 3 and active hinges 4. The two ends of the connection point between any two adjacent sub-lenses are hinged together by passive hinges 3. The outer lens 2 includes 24 sub-lenses. Two adjacent sub-lenses are connected by two passive hinges 3, located at both ends of the connection point between the two sub-lenses. There are a total of 48 passive hinges 3.

[0034] The active hinge 4 includes a driving device, which is used to drive the outer mirror 2 to unfold or retract. When the outer mirror 2 is in the retracted state, the middle of the connection between any sub-lens on its outer side and its adjacent sub-lens is hinged by the active hinge 4, and the two adjacent sub-lenses of any active hinge 4 are in a closed state. When the outer mirror 2 is in the retracted state, there are 12 groups of sub-lenses, with two adjacent sub-lenses in a closed state forming a group. Each group of sub-lenses is connected by a motor-driven active hinge 4, which is located in the middle of the connection between each group of sub-lenses. There are a total of 12 active hinges 4.

[0035] During mirror deployment, the active hinge 4 drives the sub-lens to deploy, which in turn drives the passive hinge 3 to rotate and deploy, further driving the support rod 5 to rotate, causing the endoscope 1 to move into the interior of the outer mirror 2. During mirror retraction, the active hinge 4 drives the sub-lens to retract, which in turn drives the passive hinge 3 to rotate and close, further driving the support rod 5 to rotate, causing the endoscope 1 to move above the outer mirror 2. This application has a simple structure, lower requirements for deployment accuracy, less interference between the lenses, and higher deployment reliability, achieving on-track synchronous, controllable, orderly, and reliable deployment of the inner and outer mirrors.

[0036] The endoscope 1 has a circular shape. In this application, the endoscope 1 is placed in the center of the external mirror 2, which greatly improves the space utilization and storage ratio. The internal and external mirrors are used together to achieve high-resolution large-aperture optical lenses.

[0037] The external endoscope 2 includes 24 sub-lenses, with 4 sub-lenses between every two support rods 5, for a total of 6 support rods 5. The endoscope 1 is surrounded by an outer frame. The ends of the 6 support rods 5 closest to the endoscope 1 are rotatably connected to the outer frame, and the connections between the 6 support rods 5 and the outer frame are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer frame. The end of any support rod 5 furthest from the endoscope 1 is rotatably connected to an active hinge 4. When the external endoscope 2 is in the unfolded state, the direction of any support rod 5 is consistent with the direction of the connection between its two adjacent sub-lenses.

[0038] Endoscope 1 unfolds or retracts with the rotation of six support rods. Through a reasonable spatial layout, the inner and outer mirrors unfold synchronously, controllably, and orderly on track, ensuring no interference or jamming during the unfolding process. The six support rods connect endoscope 1 and outer mirror 2, effectively ensuring the system rigidity in both unfolded and retracted states.

[0039] This application fully utilizes the internal space of the outer mirror 2 after it is unfolded to install the retractable endoscope 1, thereby improving the overall utilization rate of the main mirror surface. To accommodate the unfolding and retraction of the central endoscope 1, the inner and outer mirrors are designed as an integrated unit, including the active hinge 4 and passive hinge 3 on the outer mirror 2, as well as rotatable support rods 5. Through a reasonable spatial layout, the inner and outer mirrors can be unfolded synchronously, controllably, orderly, and reliably on track, ensuring no interference or jamming during the unfolding process. Six support rods effectively guarantee the system rigidity in both the unfolded and retracted states. The entire lens system, composed of the endoscope 1 and the outer mirror 2, achieves characteristics such as large aperture, lightweight, high storage ratio, high reliability, and high utilization rate.

[0040] Working principle

[0041] During mirror deployment, the active hinge 4 drives the sub-lens to deploy, which in turn drives the passive hinge 3 to rotate and deploy, further driving the support rod 5 to rotate, causing the endoscope 1 to move into the interior of the outer mirror 2. During mirror retraction, the active hinge 4 drives the sub-lens to retract, which in turn drives the passive hinge 3 to rotate and close, further driving the support rod 5 to rotate, causing the endoscope 1 to move above the outer mirror 2. This application has a simple structure, lower requirements for deployment accuracy, less interference between the lenses, and higher deployment reliability, achieving on-track synchronous, controllable, orderly, and reliable deployment of the inner and outer mirrors.

[0042] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0043] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device, characterized in that, include: The endoscope (1), the external endoscope (2), the hinge mechanism and the support rod (5) are connected by the support rod (5); The external mirror (2) includes multiple sub-lenses, and any two adjacent sub-lenses are connected by the hinge mechanism; The external mirror (2) includes a retracted state and an extended state, and the hinge mechanism is also used to switch the external mirror (2) between the retracted state and the extended state. When the external mirror (2) is in the retracted state, the external mirror (2) is located below the internal mirror (1); When the external mirror (2) is in the unfolded state, the multiple sub-lenses are evenly distributed circumferentially along the outer side of the internal mirror (1); The hinge mechanism includes a passive hinge (3) and an active hinge (4). The two ends of the connection point of any two adjacent sub-lenses are hinged together by the passive hinge (3); When the outer mirror (2) is in the retracted state, the middle part of the connection between any of the sub-lenses on the outer side and the adjacent sub-lenses is hinged by the active hinge (4). The support rod (5) includes multiple support rods; The end of any of the support rods (5) away from the endoscope (1) is rotatably connected to the active hinge (4); The endoscope (1) has a circular shape; The endoscope (1) is provided with an outer frame. The end of any of the support rods (5) near the endoscope (1) is rotatably connected to the outer frame, and the connection points of the support rods (5) and the outer frame are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer frame.

2. The high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outer mirror (2) is in the retracted state, the two adjacent sub-lenses of any one of the active hinges (4) are in the attached state.

3. The high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The active hinge (4) includes a driving device, which is used to drive the external mirror (2) to unfold or retract.

4. The high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outer mirror (2) is in the unfolded state, the direction of any of the support rods (5) is consistent with the direction of the connection between the two corresponding sub-lenses.

5. The high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the external mirror (2) is in the unfolded state, the internal mirror (1) and the external mirror (2) are on the same plane.

6. The high-utilization, large-aperture optical mirror unfolding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the endoscope (1) ranges from 3.4m to 8.4m; When the external mirror (2) is in the unfolded state, the outer diameter of the external mirror (2) includes 10~15m.

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