A counterweight support structure for mirror figure adjustment

Abstract

The application discloses a counterweight support structure for mirror surface shape adjustment, which comprises an inlay connected in a mirror body and provided with a ball socket structure, a support connected with a bottom plate through a screw, a differential structure comprising a ball head slider, and a counterweight structure capable of forming a lever fulcrum to provide radial support force for the mirror body. The counterweight support structure for mirror surface shape adjustment can adjust the radial support force of the mirror body through the counterweight structure, completely balance the gravity of the mirror body, adjust the axial displacement through the differential screw structure, and compensate for the surface shape defects of the mirror surface with an adjustment accuracy of less than 1 micrometer. Compared with the existing counterweight structure or surface active adjustment structure, the counterweight support structure for mirror surface shape adjustment has the functions of bidirectional adjustment and simple structure, stable support state, high adjustment accuracy and simple operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace remote sensing technology, and in particular to a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflector. Background Technology

[0002] Ground-based large-aperture reflectors require supporting structures to overcome gravitational deformation and to actively adjust their surface shape through fine-tuning mechanisms after surface creep and precision degradation. Currently, large reflectors primarily use counterweight structures to provide radial support for balancing gravity, while actuators provide axial support to compensate for surface shape defects. Actuator support structures require high-precision piezoelectric components, resulting in complex structures, high costs, and extremely difficult-to-implement multi-point adjustment closed-loop control algorithms. Therefore, they are generally only used in very expensive ultra-large telescopes and space reflectors. Counterweight structures are relatively simple and easy to operate, but their main drawback is the inability to achieve axial fine-tuning to compensate for surface shape defects.

[0003] The closest existing technology to this invention is utility model patent publication number "CN 203422517 U", which describes a lever-and-weight mechanism that provides both axial and lateral support. This device is as follows... Figure 1 As shown, it consists of a lever, a fulcrum, a counterweight, and a front ball head. The characteristic levers are two: a bottom support lever and a side support lever. The bottom support counterweight is located at one end of the bottom support lever, and the side support counterweight is located at one end of the side support lever. A floating bracket is also provided, mounted on a base via a pair of equal-length arms. The base is mounted on the mirror chamber. The fulcrum of the bottom support lever is located on the base, and its point of action is located on the floating bracket. The floating bracket then transmits the force to the front ball head via the side support lever. The fulcrum of the side support lever is located on the floating bracket, and its point of action is located on a bracket in an opening on the back of the mirror.

[0004] The shortcomings and deficiencies of the above-mentioned device are: a) Complex support structure: The assembly of multiple sets of weight structures is difficult and the processing cost is high; b) Cannot achieve active adjustment: The device can only balance gravity, and the support force will not change after the weights are installed, so active adjustment cannot be achieved later; c) Insufficient adjustment accuracy: It cannot achieve high-precision axial adjustment and cannot compensate for the defects of the mirror surface.

[0005] Based on the above-mentioned technical problems, those skilled in the art urgently need to develop a counterweight support structure that is simple in structure, has high control precision, is easy to adjust, has low cost, and is suitable for adjusting the surface shape of large-diameter reflectors. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a counterweight support structure that is simple in structure, has high control precision, is easy to adjust, has low cost, and is suitable for adjusting the surface shape of large-diameter reflective mirrors.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] The present invention provides a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflective mirror, the support structure comprising:

[0009] An inlay is connected to the mirror body, and the inlay has a ball-and-socket structure.

[0010] The support is connected to the base plate by screws;

[0011] The support structure also includes:

[0012] A differential structure includes a ball-head slider, wherein the ball head of the ball-head slider is adapted to the ball-and-socket structure;

[0013] The counterweight structure forms a lever fulcrum to provide radial support force to the reflector body.

[0014] Furthermore, the ball head slider is provided with a ball head end cap on its outer side, and the ball head can be controlled to rotate freely 360° by adjusting the tightening torque of the ball head end cap.

[0015] Furthermore, the differential structure also includes a cage, and the ball-head slider is capable of moving back and forth in the square groove of the cage;

[0016] The differential screw has its front end connected to the ball head slider via a reverse thread, and its middle end connected to the cage via a forward thread.

[0017] The differential screw has an adjusting handwheel at its rear end, which is fixed by a handwheel screw.

[0018] Furthermore, the counterweight structure includes a self-aligning bearing, which can rotate freely 360°. The outer ring of the self-aligning bearing mates with the support, and the inner ring mates with the cage.

[0019] Furthermore, the inner and outer rings of the self-aligning bearing are respectively provided with bearing retaining rings for fixation;

[0020] It also includes a counterweight, which is adjustable back and forth with the cage via threads, and a counterweight stop ring is provided at the end of the counterweight away from the support.

[0021] Furthermore, the end of the differential screw is formed with an arrow.

[0022] Furthermore, the counterweight stop ring is provided with four cylindrical holes, which, when used with a threaded wrench, allow the counterweight to be locked.

[0023] Furthermore, the adjustment handwheel is made of transparent material, with angle lines engraved on its outer surface, forming small and large scales, wherein each small scale is 5° and each large scale is 15°.

[0024] Preferably, the differential structure is provided with a locking screw, which is used to lock and fix the structure after adjustment.

[0025] In the above technical solution, the present invention provides a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflector, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The present invention provides a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflective mirror. On the one hand, the counterweight structure can adjust the radial support force on the mirror body to completely balance the influence of the mirror's gravity. On the other hand, the differential thread structure can finely adjust the axial displacement with an adjustment accuracy better than 1μm, which can compensate for surface shape defects at high and low points of the mirror.

[0027] Compared with existing counterweight structures or surface shape active adjustment structures, this invention achieves bidirectional adjustment composite function while being simpler in structure, more stable in support state, higher in adjustment accuracy, and easier to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the prior art mentioned in the background section of this invention.

[0030] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflector provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a partial side view of a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflector, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 1. Insert; 2. Ball head slider; 3. Ball head end cap; 4. Bearing retaining ring; 5. Self-aligning bearing; 6. Cage; 7. Differential screw; 8. Locking screw; 9. Counterweight; 10. Counterweight retaining ring; 11. Adjusting handwheel; 12. Handwheel screw; 13. Support; 14. Base plate; 15. Reflector body;

[0034] 7-1, Arrow;

[0035] 10-1. Cylindrical hole;

[0036] 11-1, small graduations; 11-2, large graduations. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] See Figures 2-3 As shown;

[0039] The present invention provides a counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflective mirror, the support structure comprising:

[0040] The inlay 1 is connected to the mirror body 15 by a cylindrical adhesive bond, and the inlay 1 has a ball-and-socket structure.

[0041] Support 13, the entire support structure is connected to base plate 14 by screws. Base plate 14 serves as the mounting base for the reflector assembly and has high strength.

[0042] The support structure also includes:

[0043] A differential structure includes a ball-head slider 2, wherein the ball head of the ball-head slider 2 is adapted to the ball-and-socket structure;

[0044] The counterweight structure forms a lever fulcrum to provide radial support force for the reflector body 15.

[0045] As a further description of this embodiment, the ball head slider 2 is provided with a ball head end cap 3 on its outer side, and by adjusting the tightening torque of the ball head end cap 3, the ball head can be controlled to rotate freely 360° without significant shaking.

[0046] As a further description of this embodiment, the differential structure also includes a retainer 6, and the ball-head slider 2 can move back and forth in the square groove of the retainer 6;

[0047] The differential screw 7 has its front end connected to the ball head slider 2 via a reverse thread, and its middle part is connected to the cage 6 via a forward thread.

[0048] The differential screw 7 has an adjusting handwheel 11 at its rear end, which is fixed by a handwheel screw 12. Each rotation of the adjusting handwheel 11 (taking clockwise rotation as an example) causes the differential screw 7 to rotate clockwise one revolution relative to the cage 6 and counterclockwise one revolution relative to the ball head slider 2. The distance that the ball head slider 2 advances relative to the cage 6 is the difference in pitch between the two counterclockwise threads.

[0049] As a further description of this embodiment, the counterweight structure includes a self-aligning bearing 5 as a fulcrum, which can rotate freely in 360°. The outer ring of the self-aligning bearing 5 is engaged with the support 13, and the inner ring is engaged with the cage 6.

[0050] Furthermore, the inner and outer rings of the self-aligning bearing 5 are respectively provided with bearing retaining rings 4 for fixation;

[0051] It also includes a counterweight 9, which can be adjusted back and forth with the retainer 6 by means of threads. It provides radial support force to the mirror body 15 through the lever fulcrum, and the end of the counterweight 9 away from the support 13 is provided with a counterweight stop ring 10.

[0052] The radial support adjustment principle is a lever structure. The weight of the reflector body 15 is evenly applied to the ball head structure of the insert 1, serving as one end of the balance lever; the weight of the counterweight 9 is applied to the cage 6, serving as the other end of the balance lever; the self-aligning bearing 5 serves as the fulcrum of the balance lever; during the design, calculations are performed to ensure that the product of the weight of the reflector body 15 and the distance to the fulcrum is equal to the product of the weight of the counterweight 9 and the distance to the fulcrum, thereby achieving lever balance.

[0053] As a further description of this embodiment, the end of the differential screw 7 is formed with an arrow 7-1.

[0054] As a further description of this embodiment, the counterweight stop ring 10 is provided with four cylindrical holes 10-1, which are used in conjunction with a threaded wrench to lock the counterweight 9.

[0055] As a further description of this embodiment, the adjustment handwheel 11 is made of transparent material, and angle lines are engraved on its outer surface, forming small scales 11-1 and large scales 11-2, wherein each of the small scales 11-1 is 5° and each of the large scales 11-2 is 15°.

[0056] The axial support adjustment principle is a differential structure. Assuming the forward screw pitch is designed to be 1.25mm and the reverse screw pitch is designed to be 1.20mm, then for every one revolution of the differential screw 7, the ball head slider 2 moves 0.05mm, reducing the feed rate by a factor of 25. By aligning the scale line on the adjusting handwheel 11 with the arrow 7-1 marked on the cage 6, a small axial adjustment (5°) moves the ball head slider 2 by 0.7μm, meaning the axial adjustment accuracy is better than 1μm. In actual adjustment, the differential structure's axial fine adjustment can compensate for the high and low points of the mirror surface at the support point.

[0057] As a preferred technical solution in this embodiment, the differential structure is provided with a locking screw 8. After adjustment, the locking screw 8 is used to lock and fix the structure, thereby maintaining the stability of the entire support structure.

[0058] The counterweight 9 is designed with a counterweight stop ring 10. By adjusting the threaded engagement position of the counterweight 9 on the retainer 6, the distance from the counterweight 9 to the lever fulcrum can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the radial support force. After adjustment, the counterweight stop ring 10 is tightened using the double-nut locking principle to lock it in place. The counterweight stop ring 10 has four cylindrical holes 10-1 designed on it, which facilitates its use with a dedicated threaded wrench, resulting in a larger tightening torque and more convenient operation.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, the assembly and adjustment scheme of the present invention is implemented in the following steps:

[0060] The inlay 1 is bonded to the mirror body 15;

[0061] The ball head slider 2 is installed into the ball socket of the insert 1 and fixed by tightening the screws between the ball head end cap 3 and the insert 2;

[0062] Install the self-aligning bearing 5 onto the cage 6, and then install the whole assembly onto the support 13. The self-aligning bearing 5 is locked by the inner and outer bearing retaining rings 4.

[0063] Adjust the relative positions of the mirror body 15 and the base plate 14 so that the square hole at the front end of the retainer 6 is aligned with the square block at the rear end of the ball head slider 2. Adjust the insertion depth and fix the support 13 and the base plate 14 with screws.

[0064] Align the threaded position of the retainer 6 and screw in the differential screw 7. After adjusting it into place, tighten the locking screw 8.

[0065] Install the counterweight 9 onto the retainer 6, and after adjusting it into place, fix the counterweight stop ring 10.

[0066] Install the adjustment handwheel 11.

[0067] Radial support force adjustment method: First, use a special threaded wrench to loosen the counterweight stop ring 10, then adjust the front and rear position of the counterweight by adjusting the thread, and then re-fix the counterweight stop ring 10 after it is in place;

[0068] Axial support displacement adjustment method: Record the current alignment position of arrow 7-1 on the cage 6 with the dial. First, use an Allen wrench to loosen the locking screw 8. Then, calculate the adjustment amount based on the surface shape detection result. Rotate the adjustment handwheel 11 according to the smallest scale. After it is in place, re-tighten the locking screw 8.

[0069] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A counterweight support structure for mirror figure adjustment, characterized by, The support structure includes: An inlay (1) is connected to the mirror body (15), and a ball-and-socket structure is formed in the inlay (1); The support (13) is connected to the base plate (14) by screws; The support structure also includes: A differential structure, comprising a ball-head slider (2), wherein the ball head of the ball-head slider (2) is adapted to the ball-and-socket structure; The counterweight structure forms a lever fulcrum to provide radial support force for the reflector body (15); The differential structure also includes a retainer (6), and the ball-head slider (2) is capable of moving back and forth in the square groove of the retainer (6); The differential screw (7) is connected to the ball head slider (2) at its front end by a reverse thread, and the differential screw (7) is connected to the cage (6) in the middle by a forward thread; The differential screw (7) is provided with an adjusting handwheel (11) at its rear end, which is fixed by a handwheel screw (12); The counterweight structure includes a self-aligning bearing (5) which can rotate freely in 360°. The outer ring of the self-aligning bearing (5) is engaged with the support (13), and the inner ring is engaged with the cage (6). Furthermore, the inner and outer rings of the self-aligning bearing (5) are respectively provided with bearing retaining rings (4) for fixation; It also includes a counterweight (9), which is adjustable back and forth with the retainer (6) by means of a thread, and a counterweight stop ring (10) is provided at the end of the counterweight (9) away from the support (13).

2. A counterweight support structure for mirror figure adjustment according to claim 1, characterized in that The ball head slider (2) is provided with a ball head end cap (3) on the outside, and the ball head can be controlled to rotate freely 360° by adjusting the tightening torque of the ball head end cap (3).

3. A counterweight support structure for mirror figure adjustment according to claim 1, wherein The differential screw (7) has an arrowhead (7-1) at its end.

4. A counterweight support structure for mirror figure adjustment according to claim 1, wherein The counterweight stop ring (10) has four cylindrical holes (10-1) to lock the counterweight (9) in conjunction with a threaded wrench.

5. A counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment handwheel (11) is made of transparent material, with angle lines engraved on its outer surface, and small scales (11-1) and large scales (11-2) are formed, wherein each of the small scales (11-1) is 5° and each of the large scales (11-2) is 15°.

6. A counterweight support structure for adjusting the surface shape of a reflective mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The differential structure is provided with a locking screw (8), which is used to lock and fix the structure after adjustment.

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