DEVICE AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING AN OPTICAL INSTRUMENT

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of positioning equipment requiring precise positioning, for example optical instrument equipment.

[0002] The invention is of particular, but by no means limiting, interest in the field of space instrumentation. Prior art

[0003] In the field of space instrumentation, it is known to position equipment such as mirrors or optics using opto-mechanical mounts.

[0004] Document WO2012 / 041462A2 discloses such a positioning device, comprising six adjustable-length legs that form a hexapod capable of changing the equipment's position along its six degrees of freedom. Document US 2017 / 030514 A1 discloses a linear motion mechanism used in a connecting rod comprising at least one limited-displacement flexible joint. This document specifically describes a six-degree-of-freedom hexapod arrangement comprising a base plate and three support assemblies A, B, and C, each consisting of the bipod and the linear motion mechanism.

[0005] Positioning the equipment using such a device proves to be a lengthy and tedious process, as it requires adding and removing shims to adjust the length of each leg. This necessitates an iterative process of measuring, determining the shim thickness, disassembling, adjusting, and reassembling.

[0006] Furthermore, such a device poses problems of reproducibility of the setting given the addition and removal of shims and the corresponding assembly and disassembly steps. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of conventional positioning devices and, in particular, to simplify the positioning of space optical instrument equipment or any other instrument requiring precise positioning in three-dimensional space.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a positioning device for equipment such as a mirror for a space optical instrument as described in claim 1. This device comprises a platform for receiving the equipment or forming part of the equipment, as well as one or more actuating elements connected to the platform. According to the invention, each of said actuating elements comprises an elastically deformable body and a control mechanism configured to deform the body so as to modify the position of the platform.

[0009] Such an actuation mechanism allows the body length, and consequently the position of the platform and equipment, to be modified without the use of removable adjustment elements such as shims. The equipment can thus be moved or repositioned simply by deforming the body of the actuation mechanism.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible to simplify the positioning of the equipment while ensuring precise and reproducible positioning.

[0011] In one embodiment, the body comprises an effector element and two branches each connected to the effector element such that the branches are spaced apart from each other along a control direction, the control mechanism being configured to apply a mechanical force to the branches capable of changing the distance separating them along the control direction so as to move the effector element along an actuation direction perpendicular or oblique to the control direction.

[0012] In particular, the body can be configured so that a bringing together, respectively a moving apart, of these branches relative to each other according to the control direction results in a movement of the effector element in a first direction, respectively a second direction, according to the actuation direction.

[0013] The effector element is preferably formed by a part of the body which can form an end of the body along the direction of actuation.

[0014] The effector element can in this case be formed by a simple structural element of the body connecting the branches to each other.

[0015] The effector element can thus be connected to the platform in order to move it when the body is deformed under the action of the control mechanism.

[0016] In one embodiment, each arm of the body comprises a connecting piece linked to the control mechanism and a flexible element, such as a blade, connecting the connecting piece to the effector element of the body. According to the invention, the control mechanism comprises a micrometer screw.

[0017] A micrometer screw allows for precise adjustment in a simple way.

[0018] The micrometer screw may comprise a first external thread and a second external thread. The first external thread may cooperate with an internal thread formed by a first part of the body, for example, by the connecting piece of one of the body's arms, or by a first part of the control mechanism connected to this first part of the body. The second external thread may cooperate with an internal thread formed by a second part of the body, for example, by the connecting piece of the other body arm, or by a second part of the control mechanism connected to this second part of the body.

[0019] According to the invention, the micrometer screw forms a first adjusting screw, the control mechanism comprising a second adjusting screw provided with an orifice forming an internal thread which cooperates with an external thread of the first screw, the control mechanism being configured to be able to deform the body under the action of a rotational displacement of the first screw and / or the second screw.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second screw preferably includes an external thread which cooperates with a part of the control mechanism connected to said second part of the body.

[0021] In one embodiment, the actuation member includes means for guiding said branches of the body, in translation along the control direction.

[0022] The guiding means can be formed by the said first and second parts of the control mechanism, or by two parts each fixed to one of the respective branches of the body, these parts being preferably connected to each other by means of a sliding pivot or slide joint.

[0023] In one embodiment, the control mechanism includes a piezoelectric actuator.

[0024] This actuator may include a deformable piezoelectric material interposed between the branches of the body of the actuation element.

[0025] In another embodiment, the control mechanism includes a stepper motor.

[0026] In one embodiment, the body is connected to the platform by a connecting member, this connecting member being connected to the body by a connection defining at least one degree of freedom.

[0027] More specifically, this linking device can be connected to said effector element.

[0028] The connection between this linking element and the body can be a pivot joint or a ball joint.

[0029] According to one variant, the connecting organ is linked to the body by a rod.

[0030] This connecting rod can thus form a ball joint defining three degrees of freedom. According to a second variant, the connecting element is linked to the body by a blade.

[0031] This connecting blade can thus form a pivot joint defining a single degree of freedom.

[0032] Alternatively or complementarily, the actuation member may include a linking member similar to the one just described and intended to connect the body to the base.

[0033] According to the invention, the positioning device comprises six actuating members. The actuating members thus form a hexapod.

[0034] According to the invention, each of the actuation members comprises an elastically deformable body and a control mechanism configured to be able to deform the body so as to change the position of the platform.

[0035] In one embodiment, the device includes a measuring system configured to determine a position of the platform.

[0036] The measurement system can be optical.

[0037] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of positioning equipment, such as a mirror for a space optical instrument, using a device as defined above.

[0038] In one embodiment, the method includes a step of determining the position of the platform using the aforementioned measurement system, and a step of determining a target configuration of one or more of said actuation members, as a function of a target position of the platform.

[0039] The invention also relates to a computer tool configured to assist an operator in the implementation of a process as defined above.

[0040] Preferably, this tool incorporates a model of the aforementioned device.

[0041] The tool can be configured to provide adjustment instructions from an initial position of the platform of this device.

[0042] This initial position can be determined using the aforementioned measurement system.

[0043] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed, non-limiting description that follows. Brief description of the drawings

[0044] The detailed description that follows refers to the attached drawings on which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic perspective view of a positioning device for equipment such as a parabolic mirror, comprising actuation elements according to a first embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic perspective view of one of the actuation components of the figure 1 ; Fig. 3 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the actuation mechanism of the figure 2 ; Fig. 4 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an actuation element according to a second embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic perspective view of an actuation member according to a third embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0045] He is depicted on the figure 1 a device conforming to the invention.

[0046] In this example, which is by no means limiting, the device comprises a base 1, a platform 2 and six actuation members 3.

[0047] The base 1 forms a generally triangular tripod which has three ends connected to each other by crossbars 4.

[0048] Each end of the base 1 includes a fastening means 5 intended to permanently connect the device to a main support (not shown).

[0049] At each of its ends, the base 1 includes two openings 6, each with a counterbore defining a housing for a nut (not visible; see further below).

[0050] Platform 2 includes a body defining a circular planar upper surface 7.

[0051] The body of the platform 2 includes, on the one hand, orifices 8A which each open onto the upper surface 7. On the other hand, the body of the platform 2 is traversed by orifices 8B, as well as by openings 9 which are each provided with a counterbore defining a housing for a nut (see further below).

[0052] In the example of the figure 1 , each of the actuation members 3 comprises two ends, one of which is received in one of the respective openings 6 of the base 1 and the other in one of the respective openings 9 of the platform 2.

[0053] The actuation members 3 are configured to be able to change the position of the platform 2 relative to the base 1.

[0054] In this example, the device is intended to support a parabolic mirror of a space optical instrument (not shown). The mirror can be positioned on platform 2 using centering pins (not shown) mounted tightly in the holes 8A and locked to platform 2 by screws (not shown) passing through the holes 8B.

[0055] In such an application, the base 1 can be fixed to a part of a satellite (not shown) forming the aforementioned main support.

[0056] It will now be described with reference to figures 2 And 3 one of the actuating elements 3 of the figure 1 The following description applies by analogy to each of the actuating elements 3 of the figure 1 .

[0057] THE figures 2 And 3include a D1-D2-D3 reference frame defining respectively a first direction, a second direction and a third reference direction.

[0058] In general, the actuation member 3 of the figures 2 And 3 includes a body 10, two connecting members 12 and 13, a control mechanism 14 and a preload spring 15.

[0059] The body 10, also called "bar", extends along the direction D2, called "direction of actuation", and in this example comprises two elements 22 and 23 forming respectively a lower end and an upper end of the body 10, as well as two branches connecting the lower end 22 and upper end 23 to each other.

[0060] The first of these branches, located towards the left of the figures 2 And 3, includes a central element 20 which forms a connecting piece of the body 10 with the control mechanism 14, as well as two elements 25 and 26 connecting the connecting piece 20 to the lower end 22 and upper end 23, respectively.

[0061] The second of these branches, located towards the right of the figures 2 And 3 , also includes a central element 21 which forms a connecting piece of the body 10 with the control mechanism 14, as well as two elements 27 and 28 connecting the connecting piece 21 to the upper end 23 and lower end 22, respectively.

[0062] The connecting pieces 20 and 21 each have a generally parallelepiped shape enabling them to transmit forces to the other parts of the body 10 without deforming.

[0063] In this example, the two branches of body 10 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane D2-D3 and the lower end 22 and upper end 23 of body 10 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane D1-D3.

[0064] The connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10 are spaced relative to each other along the first direction D1, called the "control direction".

[0065] The lower end 22 and upper end 23 of the body 10 are spaced apart from each other along the direction of actuation D2.

[0066] Each of the elements 25 to 28 forms in this example a flexible blade, that is to say an element having a relatively small thickness compared to its main dimensions.

[0067] Thus, with reference to the figure 3, the blade 25 extends between the connecting piece 20 and the lower end 22 so as to define a length X1 relatively large compared to the average thickness X2 of this blade 25.

[0068] With reference to the figure 2 , the blade 25 also extends along the direction D3 so as to define a width X3 which is relatively large compared to the average thickness X2 of this element 25.

[0069] The same applies to blades 26, 27 and 28 which in this example have the same geometry as blade 25.

[0070] In this example, the body 10 of the actuation member 3 also includes two stop elements 30 and 31 which extend between the two branches of the body 10 in the direction D1 and at a distance from the blades 25-28 so as not to prevent their deformation.

[0071] The stop element 30 extends to the right of an internal surface of the lower end 22 and the stop element 31 extends to the right of an internal surface of the upper end 23.

[0072] Each of these stop elements 30 and 31 has, opposite the internal surface of the end 22, or respectively 23, a free end in the form of a double fork defining two internal stop surfaces 32A and 32B and two external stop surfaces 33A and 33B.

[0073] The abutment surfaces 32A, 32B, 33A and 33B of each of the stop elements 30 and 31 are spaced from each other in the direction D1.

[0074] With reference to the figure 3The connecting piece 20 of the body 10 includes two tabs 40 and 41 configured to extend, along the direction D1, between the stop surfaces 32A and 33A of the stop elements 30 and 31. Symmetrically, the connecting piece 21 of the body 10 also includes two tabs 40 and 41 configured to extend, along the direction D1, between the stop surfaces 32B and 33B of the stop elements 30 and 31.

[0075] The body 10 is configured so that when a force is applied to the connecting parts 20 and 21 to bring them closer together along the control direction D1, the blades 25 to 28 deform, causing the ends 22 and 23 to move further apart along the actuation direction D2, i.e., an increase in the length X4 of the body 10 of the actuating member 3 (see figure 2 ).

[0076] This results in a relative displacement of the upper end 23 of the body 10, also called the "effector element", along the actuation direction D2 in a direction towards the platform 2.

[0077] Conversely, when a force is applied to the connecting parts 20 and 21 so as to move them away from each other along the control direction D1, the blades 25 to 28 deform, causing the ends 22 and 23 to move closer together along the actuation direction D2, i.e. a decrease in the length X4 of the body 10 of the actuation member 3.

[0078] This results in a relative displacement of the effector element 23 of the body 10 along the actuation direction D2 in a direction towards the base 1.

[0079] Of course, the flexibility of the blades 25-28 as well as the elastic deformability of the body 10 can result from many geometries of the body 10 and in particular of the elements 25-28. For example, in embodiments not shown, each of the blades 25-28 of the figures 2 And 3 may include one or more grooves or openings, or be replaced by several blades with a width less than the X3 width of the blades of the figure 2 or even by elliptical blades.

[0080] In this example, the internal stop surfaces 32A and 32B limit the movement of the connecting parts 20 and 21 in the direction of a coming together of them along the direction D1, while the external stop surfaces 33A and 33B limit the movement of the connecting parts 20 and 21 in the direction of a moving away from them along the direction D1.

[0081] The stop elements 30 and 31 thus make it possible to limit the deformation of the body 10 so as not to exceed its elastic limit.

[0082] A stiffening or braking element, such as adhesive, can be interposed between the tabs 40 and 41 of each of the connecting parts 20 and 21 and the surfaces 32A and 32B, or 33A and 33B, to lock the adjustment. This increases the rigidity of the actuation members 3, for example, during the launch of a rocket carrying the device. It also allows for the support of more massive equipment under such conditions.

[0083] More specifically, regarding the connection of body 10 with base 1 and platform 2, the connecting members 12 and 13 of the figures 2 And 3 each include a collar 60 defining an external surface over which extends a threaded shaft 61 intended to cooperate with a nut 62.

[0084] The collar 60 of the connecting member 12, respectively 13, is connected to the lower end 22, respectively upper end 23, of the body 10 by a connecting rod 63 which is fixed to these parts so as to extend on one side to an external surface of the lower end 22, respectively upper end 23, of the body 10 and on the other side to an internal surface of the collar 60 of the member 12, respectively 13.

[0085] The connecting rod 63 of each of the connecting members 12 and 13 is configured to allow relative movement of these connecting members 12 and 13 with respect to the body 10, each defining a ball joint.

[0086] With reference to figures 1 to 3 and to the preceding description, the actuation member 3 can thus be connected to the base 1 via the connecting member 12 and to the platform 2 via the connecting member 13.

[0087] For this purpose, the threaded shaft 61 of the connecting member 13 is housed in one of the openings 9 of the platform 2 so that the external surface of the collar 60 rests on a surface of the platform 2 and so that the nut 62 engaged on the threaded shaft 61 locks this connection by exerting a clamping force on a bearing surface formed by the counterbore of this opening 9.

[0088] Similarly, the threaded shaft 61 of the connecting member 12 is housed in one of the openings 6 of the base 1 so that the external surface of the collar 60 rests on a surface of the base 1 and so that the nut 62 engaged on the threaded shaft 61 locks this connection by exerting a clamping force on a bearing surface formed by the counterbore of this opening 6.

[0089] Such connecting elements 12 and 13 make it possible to reduce tribological problems, in particular when the device is placed in a vacuum environment, and thus avoid having to resort, for example, to a treatment of the contact surfaces.

[0090] Regarding the control mechanism 14, in this example it includes two adjusting screws 11 and 52, each of which allows the body 10 to be deformed with a respective level of precision.

[0091] Screw 11 of the figures 2 And 3 is a micrometer screw, or differential screw, extending along the direction D1 and having an axis of rotation A1.

[0092] This screw 11 comprises a first part (on the right of the figure 3 ) which has a first external thread and a second part (on the left of the figure 3 ) which has a second external thread, the pitch of which is different from that of the first external thread.

[0093] The screw 52 forms a sleeve having on one side an internal thread which cooperates with said second thread of the screw 11 and, on the other side, an external thread.

[0094] With reference to the figure 3 , the control mechanism 14 also includes two rings 50 and 51 and two locknuts 53 and 54.

[0095] The ring 51 is mounted recessed, for example by screwing or gluing, in an orifice through the connecting piece 21 of the body 10 in the direction D1.

[0096] This ring 51 includes a shouldered internal opening which runs through it along the D1 direction and which defines, along the D1 direction and from right to left on the figure 3 , a first part forming an internal thread cooperating with said first external thread of the screw 11 and a second part forming a smooth orifice which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first part of the screw 11.

[0097] Regarding ring 50, it forms a shouldered tube defining, along direction D1 and from right to left on the figure 3 , a first part and a second part.

[0098] The first part of the ring 50 has an internal diameter greater than the diameter of the first and second parts of the screw 11 and an external diameter slightly less than the diameter of the orifice formed by the second part of the ring 51.

[0099] The first part of the ring 50 is received in the orifice formed by the second part of the ring 51 so as to form with it a sliding pivot joint, ensuring translational guidance when the rings 50 and 51 are moved relative to each other along the control direction D1.

[0100] The second part of the ring 50 is mounted embedded in an orifice through the connecting piece 20 of the body 10 in the direction D1 and includes an inner surface forming an internal thread and having an internal diameter greater than the internal diameter of the first part of the ring 50.

[0101] The external thread of screw 52 cooperates with the internal thread of the second part of ring 50.

[0102] In this example, the first external thread of screw 11 and the internal thread of the first part of ring 51 have a pitch of 0.2 mm, the second external thread of screw 11 and the internal thread of screw 52 have a pitch of 0.225 mm and the external thread of screw 52 and the internal thread of the second part of ring 50 have a pitch of 0.5 mm.

[0103] Such a control mechanism 14 allows two types of adjustment to be made depending on the precision or quantity of displacement required.

[0104] On the one hand, screw 11 allows for fine adjustment due to the relatively small difference between the pitch of the second external thread and that of the first external thread of this screw 11, this difference being in this example 0.025 mm.

[0105] To do this, the lock nut 54 is loosened or removed while the lock nut 53 is tightened against the ring 50 so as to block the rotation of the screw 52 relative to the ring 50.

[0106] The screw 11 is then driven in rotation causing, depending on its direction of rotation around the axis A1, a bringing together or a moving apart of the connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10 and, consequently, respectively an increase or a decrease in the dimension X4 of the body 10 according to the direction of actuation D2, causing a displacement of the platform 2 relative to the base 1.

[0107] On the other hand, screw 52 allows for a coarser adjustment due to the relative difference between the pitch of the external thread of screw 52 and the pitch of the second external thread of screw 11. In this example, this difference is 0.3 mm, therefore relatively large compared to that between the pitch of the first and second external threads of screw 11.

[0108] To make this second type of adjustment, the lock nut 53 is loosened or removed while the lock nut 54 is tightened against the screw 52 so as to lock the screw 52 and the second part of the screw 11 in rotation.

[0109] The screw 52 is then driven in rotation causing, depending on its direction of rotation around the axis A1, a bringing together or a moving apart of the connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10 and, consequently, respectively an increase or a decrease in the dimension X4 of the body 10 according to the direction of actuation D2, causing a displacement of the platform 2 relative to the base 1.

[0110] The control mechanism 14 thus ensures a transformation of a rotational movement of the screw 11 or of the screws 11 and 52 around the axis A1 into a translational movement of the effector element 23 along the actuation direction D2.

[0111] In this example, the spring 15 is a compression spring interposed between the connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10 so as to exert on them a force tending to move them apart from each other in the direction D1.

[0112] The preload exerted by the spring 15 makes it possible to reduce or eliminate play in the threads.

[0113] On the figures 2 And 3 , the actuation member 3 is represented in a nominal position, that is to say a position in which the body 10 is in a free state, without deformation constraint exerted by the control mechanism 14.

[0114] In the nominal position, the lugs 40 and 41 carried by the connecting piece 20 of the body 10 are positioned midway between the internal stop surfaces 32A and external stop surfaces 33A formed by the stop elements 30 and 31. Similarly, the lugs 40 and 41 carried by the connecting piece 21 of the body 10 are positioned midway between the internal stop surfaces 32B and external stop surfaces 33B formed by the stop elements 30 and 31 (see figure 3 ).

[0115] It is therefore possible, from this nominal position, to move the adjusting screw 11 and / or 52 in both directions of rotation and thus to increase or decrease the length X4 of the body 10 according to the direction of actuation D2.

[0116] For example, the body 10 of the actuation member 3, the connecting members 12 and 13 and the rods 63 can be made of a steel comprising nickel, cobalt and molybdenum, such as the steel known as "MARVAL18".

[0117] The body 10 can be machined by electro-erosion, while the connecting members 12 and 13 and the rods 63 can be machined by milling.

[0118] Alternatively, the assembly formed by the body 10, the connecting members 12 and 13 and the rods 63 can be produced by additive manufacturing.

[0119] Optionally, the aforementioned assembly can be produced by additive manufacturing with the base 1 and the platform 2 in order to form a single part.

[0120] Screw 11 and ring 50 may include 316L stainless steel, while screw 52 and ring 51 may include a cupro-beryllium type alloy, so as to alternate materials and thus reduce the coefficients of friction.

[0121] With reference to the figure 1 , the invention thus makes it possible to modify the length of the actuation members 3 according to their respective direction of actuation independently and without the use of adjustment shims.

[0122] It is therefore possible to position platform 2 and its equipment with great precision in three-dimensional space, according to the six degrees of freedom.

[0123] In this example, it is estimated that the translational positioning accuracy is on the order of a micron, with an adjustment range on the order of 0.5 mm, and that the rotational positioning accuracy is on the order of a few thousandths of a degree, with an adjustment range on the order of 0.7°.

[0124] The invention also makes it possible to reduce the mass and size of the device and to provide it with high resistance to mechanical stresses such as vibrations induced by a rocket.

[0125] The preceding description is not exhaustive and many variations can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0126] For example, it is represented on the figure 4 an actuation element 3 which differs mainly from that of the figures 2 And 3 in that it does not include a preload spring 15. The actuating member 3 of the figure 4is described here solely according to its main differences from the figures 2 And 3 the preceding description applies by analogy to this mode of realization.

[0127] With reference to the figure 4 , the legs 40 and 41 of each of the connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10 are in contact with the external stop surfaces 33A and 33B formed by the stop elements 30 and 31 when the body 10 is in nominal position.

[0128] Thus, from this nominal position, the body 10 can be deformed so as to move the effector element 23 only in one direction along the actuation direction D2.

[0129] In this example, the prestressing is achieved by the body 10 itself, which exerts on the connecting parts 20 and 21 a force tending to move them apart from each other in the direction D1.

[0130] There figure 5presents another embodiment in which the connecting members 12 and 13 are connected to the body 10 not by rods but by blades 64.

[0131] Such connecting blades 64 allow a relative displacement of these connecting members 12 and 13 with respect to the body 10 according to one degree of freedom, forming pivot joints.

[0132] In other embodiments not shown, the body 10 can be connected to the base 1 and / or the platform 2 without rotational freedom. For example, the threaded element 61 of the connecting member 12 described above with reference to figures 2 And 3 can extend directly to the right of the external surface of the lower end 22 of the body 10, i.e. without a connecting rod or blade.

[0133] According to an unrepresented variant, the body 10 of the actuating member 3 may not include the blades 25 and 28, nor the lower end 22, nor the connecting member 12 present in the various embodiments of the figures 1 to 5 In particular, the connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10 can be connected directly to the base 1, for example by means of a sliding connection so as to allow a relative movement of these connecting parts 20 and 21 along the control direction D1 when adjusting the position of the effector element 23.

[0134] The control mechanism 14 may include a single adjusting screw 11, in which case its second part may cooperate directly with the ring 50 according to a helical connection.

[0135] Furthermore, the external threads of the screw 11 and / or the screw 52 can cooperate directly with internal threads formed by the connecting parts 20 and 21 of the body 10, i.e. without the use of rings 50 / 51.

[0136] According to another variant not shown, the ring 50 described above may be deprived of its first part so as not to cooperate with the ring 51. More generally, the actuating member 3 may not include translational guiding means when the connecting parts 20 and 21 are moved relative to each other along the control direction D1, or may be provided with different guiding means.

[0137] According to yet another unrepresented variant, platform 2 of the figure 1 can itself form part of the equipment to be positioned. In other words, the actuation elements 3 can be directly connected to the equipment.

[0138] The embodiments and variants described above can also be combined. For example, the connecting members 12 and 13 of the actuating member 3 of the figure 4 can be connected to the body 10 by connecting blades 64 similar to those illustrated in the figure 5 .

Claims

1. Device for positioning an equipment such as a space optical instrument mirror, comprising a platform (2) intended to receive the equipment or forming a portion of the equipment and comprising six actuating members (3) connected to the platform (2), each of said actuating members (3) comprises a body (10) that is elastically deformable and a control mechanism (14) configured to be able to deform the body (10) so as to modify the position of the platform (2), characterized in that the control mechanism (14) comprises a first micrometer screw (11) and a second adjustment screw (52) provided with an orifice forming an internal thread which cooperates with an external thread of the first screw (11), the control mechanism (14) being configured to be able to deform the body (10) under the action of a rotational displacement of the first screw (11) and / or of the second screw (52).

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the body (10) comprises an effector component (23) and two arms (20, 26; 21, 27) each connected to the effector component (23) such that the arms (20, 26; 21, 27) are spaced apart with respect to one another according to a control direction (D1), the control mechanism (14) being configured to apply to the arms (20, 26; 21, 27) a mechanical force capable of modifying the distance separating them according to the control direction (D1) so as to displace the effector component (23) according to an actuation direction (D2) that is perpendicular or oblique with respect to the control direction (D1).

3. Device according to claim 2, in which each of the arms (20, 26; 21, 27) of the body (10) comprises a linking part (20; 21) connected to the control mechanism (14) and a flexible component such as a strip (26; 27) connecting the linking part (20; 21) to the effector component (23) of the body (10).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the body (10) is connected to the platform (2) by a linking member (13), this linking member (13) being connected to the body (10) by a link defining at least one degree of freedom.

5. Device according to claim 4, in which the linking member (13) is connected to the body (10) by a rod or a strip.

6. Method for positioning an equipment, such as a space optical instrument mirror, using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.