Light path reflex system based on image rotation elimination

Abstract

The invention provides a light path reflex system based on image rotation elimination, and the system comprises a laser range finder, an emitted laser beam is reflected to an infrared spectroscope through a laser reflector, then is reflected to an azimuth reflector, is reflected from a pitching reflector after being reflected again, and finally is emitted to a target; the target light is reflected by the pitching reflector and the azimuth reflector, and then passes through the infrared spectroscope to enter the thermal infrared imager for imaging; and an image rotation eliminating assembly is arranged in the thermal infrared imager. Through the design of an optical path, the weight of a rotation part of the whole structure is greatly reduced, and the technical problem that in the prior art, a servo-controlled optical assembly is low in response speed is solved.

Description

Technical fields:

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical equipment technology, and in particular to a derotation optical path system based on image rotation elimination. Background technology:

[0002] In photoelectric search and tracking systems, when the system switches from search to tracking, the azimuth group needs to be able to quickly rotate and position itself. At the same time, when the system is tracking while moving, the servo systems of the azimuth and pitch groups also need to achieve accurate and stable tracking. This requires the rotating parts of the equipment to be as lightweight as possible in order to meet the requirements of rapid response of servo control.

[0003] There is an urgent need for a de-rotation-based folding optical path system, which would help solve the technical problem of low response speed of servo-controlled optical components in existing technologies. Summary of the Invention:

[0004] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a rotation-free folding optical path system. Through the design of the optical path, the weight of the rotating part of the overall structure is greatly reduced, which helps to solve the technical problem of low response speed of servo-controlled optical components in the prior art.

[0005] The optical path deflection system includes:

[0006] A laser rangefinder emits a laser beam that is reflected by a laser reflector to an infrared beam splitter, then reflected by an azimuth reflector, reflected again by an elevation reflector, and finally emitted towards the target.

[0007] The target light beam is reflected by the elevation mirror and the azimuth mirror, and then passes through the infrared beam splitter to enter the infrared thermal imager for imaging.

[0008] The infrared thermal imager is equipped with an image despinning component.

[0009] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder finally emits a signal to the target through a protective glass.

[0010] In one embodiment, the target light is initiated to enter from the protective glass.

[0011] In one embodiment, the infrared thermal imager and the laser rangefinder are located at the bottom.

[0012] In one embodiment, the azimuth reflector and the elevation reflector are capable of rotation.

[0013] In one embodiment, the size of the end glass aperture is controlled by optical path compression technology.

[0014] In one embodiment, the exit pupil diameter of the infrared sensor is 85 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the laser beam emits a spot size of Φ39.

[0016] In one embodiment, the anti-rotation-based folding optical path system includes a pitch component, an azimuth component, and a sensor component. The azimuth component enables the rotation of the pitch component mounted thereon, and also enables the rotation of the pitch direction of the pitch reflector and headgear assembly.

[0017] In one embodiment, the superimposed optical path projection falling on the elevation reflector is always a rectangle formed by the 640*512 infrared target surface; while the azimuth reflector and the infrared beam splitter are elliptical shapes formed by the envelope of the optical path during the search process. Attached image description:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of a derotation optical path system based on image rotation elimination in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a single-machine optical path in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path superposition at a certain moment in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of optical path superposition during device search in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path implementation in another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation method:

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0024] Various embodiments and features of this application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] These and other features of this application will become apparent from the following description of preferred forms of embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] It should also be understood that although this application has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art can certainly implement many other equivalent forms of this application, which have the features described in the claims and are therefore all within the scope of protection defined herein.

[0027] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and in view of the following detailed description.

[0028] Specific embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the claimed embodiments are merely examples of this application, which can be implemented in various ways. Well-known and / or repeated functions and structures are not described in detail to ascertain the true intent based on the user's historical operations, and to avoid unnecessary or redundant details that would obscure this application. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details claimed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely serve as the basis and representative basis for the claims to teach those skilled in the art to use this application in various ways with substantially any suitable detailed structure.

[0029] This specification may use the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in yet another embodiment,” or “in other embodiments,” all of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to this application.

[0030] To achieve this, the sensor used for detection or tracking can be placed in the non-rotating section, while the rotating section uses a folded optical path. In this way, the servo system only needs to handle the rotation of the folded optical path, enabling rapid servo response. Because the front-end light guide uses a folded optical path, the image reflected through it rotates as the azimuth and pitch groups rotate during operation. Therefore, an optical anti-rotation component needs to be added to the front of the infrared thermal imager. Thus, in search and tracking systems requiring rapid response, combining a coulombic optical path with an anti-rotation component enables rapid servo response in mobile environments.

[0031] Currently, the technology of image rotation correction using combined K-mirrors is becoming increasingly engineering-ready. However, there are few Couder optical paths used for dynamic imaging and multi-beam combining, and their difficulty lies in the complexity of the optical path and the high degree of difficulty in implementation. To achieve this goal, this invention successfully designs a folding optical path system using optical path tracking, effectively realizing a multi-beam combining folding optical path system under rotational conditions.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of a derotation optical path system based on image rotation elimination in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a single-machine optical path in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path superposition at a certain moment in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of optical path superposition during device search in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path implementation in another embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a derotation-based optical path system, the derotation optical path system comprising:

[0033] A laser rangefinder 302 emits a laser beam that is reflected by a laser reflector 304 to an infrared beam splitter 303, then to an azimuth reflector 101, and after being reflected again, is reflected by an elevation reflector 102 and finally emitted toward the target.

[0034] After the target light is reflected by the elevation mirror 102 and the azimuth mirror 101, it passes through the infrared beam splitter 303 and enters the infrared thermal imager 301.

[0035] The infrared thermal imager 301 is equipped with an image despinning component 3011.

[0036] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder 302 ultimately emits a signal to the target via a protective glass.

[0037] In one embodiment, the target light is initiated to enter from the protective glass.

[0038] In one embodiment, the infrared thermal imager 301 and the laser rangefinder 302 are disposed at the bottom.

[0039] In one embodiment, the azimuth reflector 101 and the elevation reflector 102 are capable of rotation.

[0040] In one embodiment, the size of the end glass aperture is controlled by optical path compression technology.

[0041] In one embodiment, the exit pupil diameter of the infrared sensor is 85 mm.

[0042] In one embodiment, the laser beam emits a spot size of Φ39.

[0043] In one embodiment, the anti-rotation folding optical path system includes a pitch component 1, an azimuth component 2, and a sensor component 3. The azimuth component 2 enables the pitch component 1 mounted thereon to rotate, and the azimuth component 2 enables the pitch direction rotation of the pitch reflector 102 and the headgear assembly 103.

[0044] In one embodiment, the superimposed optical path projection falling on the elevation reflector 102 is always a rectangle formed by the infrared target surface 640*512; while the azimuth reflector 101 and the infrared beam splitter 303 are elliptical shapes formed by the envelope of the optical path during the search process.

[0045] like Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of the system. Its feature is that the sensor remains stationary while the end reflector rotates, achieving a lightweight design and multi-optical integration.

[0046] In the diagram, 3051 is the laser optical path and 3052 is the infrared optical path. The laser beam emitted by the laser rangefinder 302 is reflected by the laser reflector 304, the infrared beam splitter 303, the azimuth reflector 101, and the elevation reflector 102 before being emitted from the protective glass toward the target. The target light beam passes through the protective glass, is reflected by the elevation reflector 102 and the azimuth reflector 101, and then passes through the infrared beam splitter 303 before entering the infrared thermal imager 301 for imaging.

[0047] To solve the image rotation problem caused by the rotation of the 101 azimuth reflector and the 102 elevation reflector with azimuth and elevation, a 3011 anti-rotation component needs to be designed in the 301 infrared thermal imager. Its function is to perform optical reverse compensation for image rotation.

[0048] Beneficial effects:

[0049] This invention employs optical path tracking technology, combined with optical path deflection and image rotation elimination techniques, to achieve the following advantages:

[0050] A. The imaging sensors (301 infrared thermal imager, 302 laser rangefinder) are placed at the bottom of the equipment and do not participate in the servo rotation. Only the 101 azimuth reflector and 102 elevation reflector at the top and end of the device rotate with azimuth and elevation servo control. This method reduces the weight of the rotating components. Simultaneously, by using optical path compression technology to control the size of the end glass aperture, the weight of the rotating components is further controlled. Through this design, flexible and precise tracking during operation is achieved.

[0051] B. The design employs a multi-optical coaxial design, ensuring that the deformation of the 303 infrared beam splitter and the 101 azimuth reflector does not affect the parallelism of the infrared and laser optical axes, thus guaranteeing the stability of the optical axis.

[0052] To meet the requirements of the technical solution, optical path tracing technology is mainly adopted in the specific implementation.

[0053] This optical system mainly involves infrared light paths and laser light paths. The size and shape of the optical glass in the optical system also mainly depend on the projection of the light path onto the reflective glass.

[0054] like Figure 2 According to the infrared protocol, the infrared divergence angle is 6.1°*4.88°. Due to search requirements, an additional angle of 1.8°*0.4° is needed on one side for backscanning. Therefore, the optical path design needs to be based on an angle of 7.9°*5.28°. The detector target size is 640*512, and the infrared exit pupil diameter is 85mm. The corresponding optical path shape of the infrared optical path at a certain moment is shown in Figure 3502B, and the resulting rotating envelope optical path is shown in Figure 3502A. The entire optical path has a horn-shaped divergence.

[0055] like Figure 2 According to the laser protocol, the divergence angle of the laser emission and reception is 1 mrad, the emission spot size is Φ39, and the reception spot size is Φ140. Therefore, the diameter of the laser optical path depends on the size of the reception spot. The specific optical path envelope diagram is shown in 3501, and the optical path is cylindrical.

[0056] Based on the composition of the optical path system, the superimposed optical path diagram of the system at a certain moment is as follows: Figure 3 The optical path overlay image formed by the system during the search process is as follows: Figure 4 .

[0057] like Figure 5 The specific optical composition diagram after implementation is as follows, where 1 is the pitch group, 2 is the azimuth group, and 3 is the sensor housing group. The azimuth group 2 enables the rotation of the pitch group 1 mounted on it, and the pitch group 2 enables the rotation of the pitch direction of the pitch reflector 102 and the head cover group 103.

[0058] It should be noted that, since the reverse angle compensation of the despin component cancels out the superposition of the azimuth and pitch angles, according to the principle of optical path reversibility, the superimposed optical path projection falling on the 102 pitch reflector is always a rectangle formed by the 640*512 infrared target surface; while the 101 azimuth reflector and the 303 infrared beam splitter are ellipses formed by the envelope of the optical path during the search process.

[0059] Since the 3502A infrared beam path is horn-shaped and the 3501 laser beam path is cylindrical, the sizes of the 303 infrared beam splitter and the 304 laser reflector depend on the size of the projection of the laser beam path onto the beam splitter. The size of the 101 azimuth reflector depends on the larger of the projections of the 3501 laser beam path and the 3502A infrared beam path onto the reflector. The sizes of the 102 elevation reflector and the protective glass depend on the larger of the projections of the 3501 laser beam path and the 3502B infrared beam path onto the reflector.

[0060] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention within its spirit and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A de-rotational optical path system, characterized in that, The optical path deflection system includes: A laser rangefinder (302) emits a laser beam that is reflected by a laser reflector (304) to an infrared beam splitter (303), then reflected to an azimuth reflector (101), reflected again by an elevation reflector (102), and finally emitted toward the target. After the target light is reflected by the elevation mirror (102) and the azimuth mirror (101), it passes through the infrared beam splitter (303) and enters the infrared thermal imager (301) for imaging. The infrared thermal imager (301) is equipped with an image despinning component (3011).

2. The de-rotation-based folding optical path system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser rangefinder (302) finally emits a signal to the target through the protective glass.

3. The de-rotation-based folding optical path system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The target light begins to enter through the protective glass.

4. The derotation-based optical path system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The infrared thermal imager (301) and the laser rangefinder (302) are located at the bottom.

5. The derotation-based optical path system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The azimuth reflector (101) and the elevation reflector (102) are capable of rotation.

6. The derotation-based optical path system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The size of the end glass aperture is controlled by compressing the optical path.

7. The derotation-based optical path system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The exit pupil diameter for infrared is 85mm.

8. The derotation-based optical path system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The laser beam emits a spot size of Φ39.

9. The de-rotation-based folding optical path system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The system includes a pitch component (1) and an azimuth component (2) based on the de-rotation optical path, and a sensor component (3). The azimuth component (2) enables the pitch component (1) mounted thereon to rotate, and the azimuth component (2) enables the pitch direction rotation of the pitch reflector (102) and the headgear assembly (103).

10. The derotation-based optical path system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The superimposed optical path projection falling on the elevation reflector (102) is always a rectangle formed by the infrared target surface 640*512; while the azimuth reflector (101) and the infrared beam splitter (303) are elliptical shapes formed by the envelope of the optical path during the search process.

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