Variable Length Light Shield for Electro-Optical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed length sunshades for electro-optical sensors are ineffective in masking bright objects due to space constraints and compromise information input with a permanently narrow field of view, limiting their usefulness in missile and vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
A variable length light shield with a telescopic design, comprising a base, a telescopic shade with a movable portion, a ring, a guide tube, an extension spring, and a cable, allowing the shade to extend or retract to optimize light masking and field of view based on the presence of bright objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed length sunshade is used, then the sensor is protected from bright objects, but the field of view is permanently narrowed and space constraints are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The sunshade employs a telescopic mechanism with movable sections that can extend and retract along the optical axis. This dynamic structure allows the shade length to be adjusted based on operational requirements, providing both extended protection against bright objects and retracted configuration for maximum field of view when protection is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sunshade is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation enables flexible adjustment of the overall shade length, allowing the system to optimize between light masking capability and field of view by extending or retracting specific sections as needed.
2Device complexity
If a fixed length sunshade is used, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism introduces controlled complexity through movable sections and actuation systems, but this complexity is justified by the significant gain in operational adaptability. The system can now respond to different operational conditions by adjusting shade length, providing both protection capability and field of view optimization that a fixed structure cannot achieve.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sunshade is extended to mask bright objects, then light protection is improved, but the packaging space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic sections are designed to nest within each other when retracted, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the sunshade to occupy minimal space during packaging or storage while maintaining the capability to extend to full length when light masking is required, effectively resolving the conflict between protection capability and space requirements.
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
The variable length light shield effectively masks bright objects while allowing maximum field of view when necessary, facilitating optimal performance of electro-optical sensors and easy packaging within limited spaces.
Implementation Method 1
an extension spring having a first end supported by the guide tube and a second end supported by the second portion of the telescopic shade, wherein the extension spring is configured to exert a force on the second portion to extend the second portion away from the first portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade.