Equatorial Mount Counterweight Axis Spacing for Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing equatorial mounts for telescopes suffer from unbalanced weight distribution, leading to decreased structural stability and inconvenient operation.

Innovation Solution

The design of an equatorial mount with a declination base and counterweight assembly, where the counterweight axis is parallel and spaced apart from the declination axis, lowering the center of gravity and achieving balanced weight distribution by adjusting the position of the counterweight assembly and using a gear assembly for rotational coupling between the declination base and the base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional German equatorial mount configuration is used, then the mount provides single-axis tracking capability, but the weight distribution becomes unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidweight distribution balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a counterweight assembly that extends from the declination base along a counterweight axis. This counterweight is positioned to balance the optical assembly and device support, creating a balanced weight distribution around the right ascension axis while maintaining the single-axis tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions the counterweight axis parallel to but spaced apart from the declination axis, creating a three-dimensional configuration. This spatial arrangement allows the counterweight to balance the system without interfering with the declination motion, resolving the contradiction between tracking capability and weight balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the counterweight assembly is positioned to balance the optical assembly, then weight distribution improves, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight distribution balanceVSAvoidmount structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight assembly is integrated with the declination base as a unified structure. The counterweight extends from the declination base along its own axis, combining the balancing function with the existing mount structure rather than adding a separate, complex counterbalance mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The declination base serves multiple functions: it supports the device support for mounting optical equipment, provides the counterweight assembly for balancing, and maintains the rotational connection to the right ascension shaft. This multi-functionality reduces overall structural complexity while achieving weight balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11573413B2Equatorial mount for telescope with balanced weight distribution

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 NANTONG SCHMIDT OPTO ELECTRICAL TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An equatorial mount for providing a telescope with a balanced weight distribution is described. The equatorial mount includes a base, a declination base, and a device support. The declination base is rotatable about a right ascension axis relative to the base. The device support is rotatable about a declination axis relative to the declination base. The declination axis intersects orthogonally with the right ascension axis and the declination axis intersects a midsection of the declination base. The declination base includes a counterweight assembly extending along a counterweight axis, the counterweight axis being spaced away from the declination axis along the right ascension axis.