Pivotable Prism Camera for Variable Focal Length in Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space vehicle cameras face challenges in efficiently adjusting focal lengths under stringent space conditions, with zoom lenses being complex and prone to malfunction, and multiple fixed focal length cameras being costly and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A camera design featuring a base lens with afocal supplementary lenses and a pivotable prism, allowing for rapid and efficient changes in focal length by swiveling the prism to couple the supplementary lenses with the base lens, enabling a wide range of focal lengths from a single optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If zoom lenses are used to adjust variable focal lengths, then the focal length range is improved, but the device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to complicated adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into a base lens and multiple afocal supplementary lenses, each with fixed focal lengths. Instead of using a continuous zoom mechanism, the system divides the focal length adjustment into discrete segments achieved by selectively coupling different supplementary lenses to the base lens via the pivotable prism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable prism introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the otherwise static optical system. By rotating the prism, different supplementary lenses are dynamically coupled to the base lens, enabling focal length adjustment without mechanical displacement of lens elements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras with individual fixed focal lengths are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost deteriorate due to separate electronics systems and optical sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical systems (base lens + supplementary lenses) are merged into a single integrated camera module. The pivotable prism acts as a optical switch that routes light from different lens combinations to a single exposure surface, eliminating the need for separate cameras while maintaining multiple focal length capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A single camera system performs multiple functions by selectively coupling different supplementary lenses to the base lens. The same exposure surface and electronics system handle all focal length requirements, making the system universal rather than requiring dedicated cameras for each focal length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras with individual fixed focal lengths are used, then the focal length range is improved, but the volume and weight deteriorate due to separate optical sensors and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary lenses are arranged in a compact configuration around the base lens, with the pivotable prism serving as a central routing element. This nested arrangement allows multiple optical paths to share the same physical space, significantly reducing the overall volume compared to separate camera modules.
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 automatic and reliable focal length adjustment, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining high accuracy and versatility for space vehicle applications, allowing observation from wide to close ranges with minimal maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a pivotable prism, allowing for rapid and efficient changes in focal length by swiveling the prism to couple the supplementary lenses with the base lens
Data Source
AI summary
A camera (1), in particular in a space vehicle, having a housing (2) which contains at least one optically sensitive exposure surface (7), and a base lens (9), having a first fixed focal length, connected thereto in each case, and which projects on the at least one exposure surface (7) and which is situated on a first optical axis (10) for the exposure surface (7). To provide the camera with various fields of view, in particular for the approach of two satellites toward one another over large distances, at least two afocal supplementary lenses (11, 12) which are each parallel with respect to their optical axes (15, 16) and spaced at a distance from the first optical axis (10) are situated in the housing (2), whose optical paths are alternately coupleable with the aid of a pivotable prism (17), to form further fixed focal lengths in an optical path of the base lens (9).