Spherical Sensor Mounting Platform for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor device mounting systems for aircraft, such as drones and guided missiles, require efficient multi-axis pivoting to achieve large spatial coverage with high image resolution, but they are often mechanically complex and bulky, limiting their speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A compact, mechanically simple targeting platform with a spherical housing featuring grooves on two perpendicular great circles, utilizing guide pins and guide devices that allow for parallel kinematics, enabling fast and accurate rotation about two axes without rolling, thus achieving high rotation rates and compensating for play and thermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional gimbal mounts are used for multi-axis swivel movements, then the sensor device can achieve spatial coverage, but the mechanical structure becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a spherical outer surface, and grooves are formed on great circles of the sphere. This spherical geometry enables the sensor device to achieve multi-axis rotation and large spatial coverage through a compact, integrated structure rather than complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical housing is segmented with grooves on different great circles, allowing guide pins to engage at multiple locations. This segmentation enables independent rotation about multiple axes while maintaining a unified spherical structure, reducing overall mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If fast scanning motion is implemented for large spatial angular ranges, then coverage is improved, but mechanical precision and stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical housing with grooves on great circles provides smooth rotational paths that reduce mechanical friction and wear during fast scanning. The curved geometry allows for high-speed rotation while maintaining angular precision through consistent contact between guide pins and groove surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide pins act as intermediaries between the drive mechanism and the spherical housing. These pins engage in the grooves and transmit rotational motion with minimal slippage, enabling fast scanning while preserving angular accuracy through precise mechanical coupling.
3Speed
If high rotation rates are achieved in very short time, then response speed is improved, but mechanical stress and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical outer surface with grooves distributes mechanical stresses uniformly during high-speed rotation. The curved geometry reduces stress concentration points compared to traditional angular mechanical joints, thereby improving durability during rapid rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple rotational functions are merged into a single spherical housing structure. The guide pins engage in grooves on different great circles, combining multi-axis rotation capabilities into one integrated component that reduces the number of moving parts subject to wear.
4Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented for the mounting platform, then space efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical housing provides a naturally compact form factor. Grooves formed on great circles of the sphere can be manufactured using standardized spherical coordinate systems, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces precision requirements compared to complex angular geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical housing with grooves on multiple great circles serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines rotational axes, and guides pin movement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, allowing for a compact design without excessive precision requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A aligning platform (1) for a sensor device (101) comprises a housing (2) with a spherical outer surface (2a) in which a first groove section (21A) and a second groove section (21B) are formed on a first great circle defining a first axis of rotation (D1) and a third groove section (22A) and a fourth groove section (22B) are formed on a second great circle perpendicular to the first great circle, a base (3) with a first support (31) and a second support (32) arranged opposite the first support, a first guide pin (4A) arranged on the first support which engages in the first groove section, a second guide pin (4B) arranged coaxially to the first guide pin on the second support which engages in the second groove section, wherein the first and the second guide pins define a second axis of rotation (D2),a first guide device (5) rotatably mounted on the first support about the second axis of rotation, with a projection (54) and a first engagement element (51) arranged on the projection which engages in the third groove section, a second guide device (6) rotatably mounted on the second support about the second axis of rotation, with a projection (64) and a second engagement element (61) arranged on the projection which engages in the fourth groove section, a first drive device (7) kinematically coupled to the first guide device, and a second drive device (8) kinematically coupled to the second guide device.