Aircraft Laser Reflection Device for Safe Function Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft-installed Doppler LIDAR systems face challenges in safely and accurately checking the emission direction of laser light during function tests, as the fixed emission unit can emit laser light towards unsafe directions, such as the ground or buildings, and the reflection of invisible infrared rays makes it difficult to position a reflection mirror correctly and determine the laser reflection direction.

Innovation Solution

A laser light reflection method and device that involves adjusting a reflection mirror's elevation, bearing, and levelness to simulate the actual laser emission direction using a laser pointer, allowing for accurate measurement of the laser reflection direction relative to the horizontal plane and ensuring safe reflection of laser light by inverting the laser pointer's orientation and using a guide scope to align the optical axes, thereby confirming the safety of the reflection direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a reflection mirror is fixed to a camera platform on a tripod to modify the emission direction of laser light, then the laser light can be reflected, but the reflection mirror cannot be disposed correctly in the center of the laser emission direction because invisible infrared rays are used as the laser light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of positioning reflection mirrorVSAvoidprecision of reflection mirror positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A visible laser pointer is introduced as an intermediary tool to mark the laser emission direction on the laser emission window. This visible marker serves as a mediator between the invisible infrared laser beam and the operator, enabling accurate positioning of the reflection mirror without direct visualization of the infrared beam itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invisible infrared laser emission direction is copied onto the laser emission window using a visible laser pointer. This creates a visible representation (copy) of the invisible beam path, allowing the operator to position the reflection mirror accurately by following the visible marker rather than attempting to directly observe the invisible infrared beam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If a reflection mirror is used to reflect laser light during function tests, then the emission direction can be modified, but the direction in which the laser light is reflected is not known and therefore safety cannot be confirmed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in emission directionVSAvoidsafety confirmation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide scope is attached to the reflection mirror to provide visual feedback on the reflected laser light direction. The guide scope allows operators to directly observe where the reflected beam is pointing, enabling real-time verification of safety before actual laser emission occurs. This feedback mechanism ensures that the reflected beam does not指向 unsafe areas such as ground surfaces or buildings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If the laser emission unit is fixed in an aircraft, then the apparatus can be installed, but the laser light may be emitted in a direction in which safety cannot be confirmed, such as in the direction of a ground surface or building

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidsafety hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reflection mirror, guide scope, and laser pointer are set up before actual laser emission to pre-determine and verify the reflected beam direction. This preliminary action allows safety confirmation to occur before the high-power infrared laser is activated, preventing potential harm to ground surfaces, buildings, or personnel by ensuring the beam path is safe in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If a laser pointer is disposed on an out-of-plane vertical axis of a reflection mirror to simulate the actual laser emission direction, then the projection point of the laser pointer can scan the actual laser light transmission portion, but the elevation of the reflection direction relative to the horizontal direction must be measured accurately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of emission direction simulationVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflection mirror assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it reflects the actual laser beam, holds the guide scope for safety verification, and mounts the laser pointer for direction simulation. This multi-functional design consolidates several tools into one integrated system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Complex mechanical measurement instruments are replaced with a simpler optical approach using the laser pointer and guide scope. The laser pointer provides visual indication of the emission direction, and the guide scope provides visual feedback on the reflected direction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical theodolites or other precision measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and safe reflection of laser light in a desired direction, allowing for precise measurement of the laser reflection direction and ensuring safety during function checks, thereby preventing potential hazards and facilitating adjustments to the laser apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

actual laser light emitted from the aircraft to a body exterior... the actual laser light is reflected by the reflection mirror

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A laser pointer is disposed on an out-of-plane vertical axis of a reflection mirror... emitting laser light from a parked aircraft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

using a guide scope to align the optical axes, thereby confirming the safety of the reflection direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical alignment: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP2579060B1Laser light reflection method and device for aircraft-installed laser apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY
  • EP2579060B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2579060B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2579060B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a laser light reflection device for an aircraft-installed laser apparatus with which, when a function check is performed on the aircraft-installed laser apparatus by emitting laser light from a parked aircraft to a body exterior, the emitted laser light can be reflected in a desired direction safely and efficiently. A reflection mirror is capable of autorotation about at least an in-plane horizontal axis thereof, and a support ring is attached to the reflection mirror so as to be capable of rotating about an in-plane vertical axis and the in-plane horizontal axis of the reflection mirror. Further, a laser pointer unit formed by inserting a laser pointer into a sleeve pipe is attached to the support ring so as to be oriented toward an in-plane of the reflection mirror. Furthermore, a guide scope is attached to the support ring such that an optical axis thereof matches an optical axis of the laser pointer unit.