Combat Vehicle Sight Axis Alignment Using Collimated Beam Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for aligning the visual axes of combat vehicle equipment, including weapon systems and sighting devices, are complex and time-consuming, requiring precise alignment of multiple rotating components and additional viewing means, often without simultaneous rotation, which can lead to inaccuracies and deviations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a device with a collimator, sensor, and telescope for optical alignment, combined with a robot capable of moving in all degrees of freedom, which aligns the visual axes by detecting and adjusting the angle of incidence of electromagnetic rays, allowing for precise alignment of weapon barrels and sighting devices with reference mirrors and lasers, and includes a measuring unit to determine the current orientation in space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple rotating components and additional viewing means are used for alignment, then the alignment capability is improved, but the system complexity and alignment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment measurement function from complex mechanical rotating systems and concentrates it in a single collimator device. The collimator emits reference beams that can be detected by sensors on the combat vehicle, eliminating the need for multiple rotating alignment components and reducing system complexity while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator acts as an intermediary device that provides a common reference frame for all alignment operations. By emitting electromagnetic beams that serve as a universal reference, the collimator enables simultaneous alignment of multiple components without requiring them to rotate independently, thus simplifying the overall system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple rotating components are used for alignment, then the alignment capability is improved, but the alignment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is pre-positioned in a known location and emits continuous reference beams before the actual alignment process begins. This preliminary setup establishes a fixed reference frame that all subsequent alignment operations can reference simultaneously, eliminating the time-consuming sequential rotation and alignment of multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator emits continuous electromagnetic beams throughout the alignment process, providing an uninterrupted reference signal. Sensors on the combat vehicle can continuously detect these beams and determine alignment status in real-time, allowing for simultaneous rather than sequential alignment of multiple components, thus reducing total alignment time.
3Measurement precision
If precise initial positioning is required for alignment, then the alignment accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the relative positions of the collimator and combat vehicle through electromagnetic beam detection and calculation. The sensors on the vehicle detect the collimator's beams and the system computes alignment parameters without requiring manual precise positioning, thus maintaining accuracy while greatly simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with electromagnetic field-based measurement. The collimator emits electromagnetic beams that are detected by sensors, and the relative position is determined through signal processing and calculation rather than mechanical measurement, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning while maintaining alignment accuracy.
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
This system simplifies the alignment process by allowing the combat vehicle to be aligned with a reference mirror without precise initial positioning, enabling accurate adjustment of visual axes and reducing the complexity of aligning multiple rotating systems, thereby improving the precision and efficiency of targeting.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator (17) which emits parallel electromagnetic beams (30) towards a reference mirror (21) of the combat vehicle (11), wherein the electromagnetic beams (30) are reflected by the reference mirror (21) and return to the collimator (17)
Implementation Method 2
a sensor (17) arranged in the same line of sight as the collimator (17), by means of which incoming electromagnetic radiation can be detected, whether from an external radiation source or the reflected beams from the collimator (17)
Implementation Method 3
The telescope can focus the incoming rays onto a target. The target can also reflect the incoming rays, allowing the telescope to re-emit (return) the electromagnetic rays reflected from the target parallel to the incoming rays
Implementation Method 4
a heat source is provided in the device, by means of which the telescope can also emit electromagnetic waves. Due to the arrangement of the telescope relative to the collimator, these waves propagate parallel to the collimator's beams
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system and method for determining and/or fine-adjusting the sight axes of devices of a combat vehicle, as well as a device for optically aiming at reflective objects for carrying out the method. The device uses a collimator that emits electromagnetic rays, which, reflected as incident rays, can be detected again by the device. The device is moved by a robot and aimed at reflective surfaces on the combat vehicle. The robot can precisely establish the position of the sight axes on the combat vehicle by using a measuring system.