Alt-Azimuth Mount Inter-Arm Pivot for Expanded Altitude Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Altitude-azimuthal mounts for optical instruments, such as telescopes, face limitations in the range of motion due to physical interactions between the instrument and the mount, restricting the ability to view objects at extreme altitudes and requiring complex transformations between celestial and alt-az coordinates, which can be burdensome for users.
Innovation Solution
The alt-az mount incorporates an inter-arm pivot joint allowing adjustment between inside and outside configurations, enabling a greater range of altitude adjustment and automatic detection of configuration to set appropriate limits, thereby preventing instrument damage and simplifying the transformation process between coordinate systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical instrument is coupled to the vertical arm using a fixed instrument coupling mechanism, then the mount structure remains simple and robust, but the range of altitude adjustment is limited due to physical interactions between the instrument and the mount
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument coupling mechanism is made dynamically adjustable through the inter-arm pivot joint, which allows the mount to switch between inside and outside configurations. This enables the altitude adjustment range to expand from approximately ±45 degrees in the inside configuration to nearly ±90 degrees in the outside configuration, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the horizontal arm, vertical arm, inter-arm pivot joint, and instrument coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the inter-arm pivot joint to independently provide configuration changes without complicating the overall robust structure, enabling extended altitude range while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mount operates in the inside configuration, then the structure remains compact, but the altitude adjustment range is restricted due to physical contact between the instrument and horizontal arm
Solution Approach 1:
The inter-arm pivot joint enables dynamic reconfiguration of the mount geometry. When switched to the outside configuration, the vertical arm is positioned such that the optical instrument's path of motion no longer intersects with the horizontal arm, eliminating physical contact and allowing full altitude range from nearly -90 to +90 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-arm pivot joint introduces an additional degree of freedom by allowing the vertical arm to pivot relative to the horizontal arm. This dimensional change repositions the instrument coupling mechanism in space, moving it out of the collision zone with the horizontal arm and enabling unrestricted altitude motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mount operates in the outside configuration, then the full range of altitude motion is achieved, but the complexity of detecting and determining the configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
A configuration detection mechanism provides feedback to the control system about whether the inter-arm pivot joint is in the inside or outside configuration. This feedback enables the control system to automatically adjust operational parameters, altitude limits, and coordinate transformations appropriate to each configuration, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing user burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount system performs self-detection of its configuration state through sensors that monitor the position of the inter-arm pivot joint. This self-service capability allows the system to automatically determine whether it is in the inside or outside configuration and adjust its operation accordingly, without requiring external intervention or complex manual determination.
Data Source
AI summary
An alt-az mount for supporting and orienting optical instruments comprises: a generally horizontally extending arm couple to a level surface by an azimuthal pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the horizontally extending arm with respect to the level surface about a vertical azimuthal axis; a generally vertically extending arm pivotally coupled to the horizontally extending arm by an inter-arm pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the vertically extending arm with respect to the horizontally extending arm about a vertical inter-arm axis; and an instrument coupling mechanism for coupling the mount to an optical instrument, the instrument coupling mechanism comprising an altitude pivot joint which permits pivotal movement of the optical instrument with respect to the vertically extending arm about a horizontal altitude axis.