Non-intersecting Axis Rotation Mechanism for Blind Zone Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional equatorial and altazimuth mounts for telescopes have a 'blind zone' near the celestial poles, making it difficult to continuously track fast-moving objects like satellites and missiles due to the need for rapid rotation, which results in missed observations.
Innovation Solution
An observation apparatus with a unique rotation unit configuration, where one axis rotates clockwise or counterclockwise and the other varies the vertical inclination, ensuring the axes do not intersect, allowing for omnidirectional observation without blind zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional equatorial or altazimuth mounts are used to track celestial objects, then the mount structure is mechanically simple and intuitive, but blind zones appear near the celestial poles making continuous tracking of fast-moving objects impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by positioning the two rotation axes at different heights (separated along the vertical dimension) rather than intersecting at the same plane. The first rotation axis rotates the observation unit horizontally, while the second rotation axis rotates the rotation unit vertically, creating a three-dimensional non-intersecting axis configuration that eliminates blind zones and enables continuous omnidirectional tracking
2Reliability
If the mount rotates rapidly to track objects passing through the blind zone, then continuous tracking might be achieved, but the rapid rotation up to 180 degrees causes missed observations
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the rotation axes into different vertical dimensions, the patent eliminates the need for rapid 180-degree rotations required by conventional mounts when tracking objects near the celestial poles. The non-intersecting axes allow smooth, continuous omnidirectional movement without blind zones, maintaining both tracking reliability and observation precision
3Device complexity
If conventional mounts with intersecting axes are used, then the structure is compact and simple, but blind zones are created near the rotation axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a vertical dimension separation between the two rotation axes, positioning them at different heights rather than intersecting in the same plane. This dimensional change expands the effective observation coverage to include previously blind zones near the celestial poles, while maintaining relatively simple rotational mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an observation device for measuring an observation object while tracking the observation object by rotating an observation unit (10), wherein the observation device comprises a rotary unit (40) which includes: one end coupled to a support unit (20) through a first shaft rotating part (30) having a rotary shaft perpendicular to the side surface of the support unit (20); and the other end coupled to the observation unit (10) through a second shaft rotating part (50) having a rotary shaft perpendicular to the rotary shaft of the first shaft rotating part (30). Therefore, the observation device neither has a blind zone difficult to be observed nor requires rapid rotation of the rotary shaft, and thus can continuously observe objects ranging from a low-speed observation object, such as a celestial body or a planet, to a high-speed observation object, such as a satellite or a rocket.