JP2007072278A - Inclined circular plate type equatorial telescope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact equatorial telescope which does not require a balance weight as in Germany type one, does not require the side change due to 180° inversion in the sky of east and west structurally and does not cause such a problem that it becomes difficult to look into an eye piece part when being directed to the sky of north as in fork-type equatorial telescope. <P>SOLUTION: The inclined circular plate type equatorial telescope is provided with: a means that supports a plate having a circumferential surface of circular type inclined in accordance with a latitude to be used on an inclined stand by sliding bearings or ball bearings; a mechanism that makes the plate freely rotatable around the vertical direction; a mechanism that rotatively drives the plate; and a substantially horizontal mounting stand that is connected with the plate. The inclined circular plate type equatorial telescope is constructed so as to pursuit the diurnal motion accompanying rotation of the earth with the rotatively driving mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an equatorial mount that is a gantry mechanism for an astronomical telescope that can automatically follow the movement of a celestial body accompanying the rotation of the earth during astronomical observation.

  There are various types of equator, including German, British, folk, and yoke. In addition, as an equator table using an arc guide, the Gee type is generally known, and a modified type such as the Johnsonian type is licensed in the United States. The German equator shown schematically in Fig. 6 is the most popular, but it has the advantage that it can be mounted from long to short loading tubes, but it has a counterweight for balancing. There is a problem that it is necessary and the weight of the device increases. Further, as a structural problem, the eyepiece collides with the leg when the direction of the lens barrel is changed from east to west from the polar axis. If this situation is encountered while tracking the diurnal motion, there is a troublesome problem that the tracking must be stopped once and rotated around the polar axis by 180 ° to change the position of the lens barrel with respect to the leg.

Fork-type equatorial mounts, the positional relationship with the lens barrel does not become a problem as in the German style, and the movement of the lens barrel is simple and easy to use, but the eyepiece looks into the north sky. There are a problem that it becomes difficult and a disadvantage that a long lens barrel cannot be mounted. In addition, the British equator has the problem that the overall structure is large and that a balance weight is required and the weight is increased. The Poncet-type equatorial table using the arc guide (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3) requires a size to stably support the entire mounted object, and has a problem of becoming large. .
htt: //www.johnsonian.com/ http://www.jlc.net/~force5/Astro/ATM/Poncet/Intro.html htt: //home.earthlink.net/~sat-chaser/poncet_platform.htm

  The object of the present invention is to provide an equator that overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional device, that is, does not require a balance weight as in the German style, and structurally requires a side change by 180-degree reversal in the east-west sky. The object is to provide a compact equatorial mount that does not have the problem that the eyepiece is difficult to look into when facing the north sky like a fork-type equatorial mount.

The inclined arc plate-type equatorial mount of the present invention includes a means for supporting a plate having an arc-shaped circumferential surface inclined according to the latitude to be used on a tilt base by a slide bearing or a ball bearing, and the plate in a direction perpendicular to the plate. A mechanism that can rotate freely, a mechanism that rotates the mechanism, and a substantially horizontal mounting base that is coupled to the plate, and is configured to track the diurnal motion associated with the rotation of the earth by the rotation mechanism. did.
In the inclined arc plate type equator of the present invention, the inclined plate is formed with an arc peripheral surface at the end, and an arc-shaped slit concentric with the arc peripheral surface is formed in the center portion, and the arc peripheral surface is It supports by rolling on two or more support rollers installed on the tilting table side, and a holding screw is provided so as to penetrate the arc-shaped slit between the tilting table and prevent rotational driving. The arc stage is held on the tilt table without any problem.
In the inclined arc plate type equator of the present invention, an arc-shaped slit is formed in the central portion of the inclined plate, and at least two holding screws are provided between the inclined base and the arc-shaped slit. A supporting roller is rotatably attached to the holding screw, and the arc-shaped slit surface is supported by rolling on the supporting roller, and the holding screw does not hinder rotational driving. The arc stage was held on a tilt table.

The mechanism for rotationally driving the tilted arc plate type equator of the present invention includes a drive screw supported by a rotary bearing, a moving piece screwed into the drive screw in a nut shape, an inclined plate and the moving piece. And a motor that rotates the drive screw.
In the present invention, as a mechanism for adjusting the perpendicular of the inclined plate in the inclined arc plate type equator so that it is parallel to the rotation axis of the earth, an arc surface is provided on the base plate, and is fixed integrally with the inclined base surface on the arc surface. The tilt adjustment metal fitting is placed so that the tilt adjustment arc surface is on it, and the tilt adjustment screw arranged so as to sandwich the base plate from both sides is advanced and retracted, and the tilt adjustment arc surface is slid to adjust. It was adopted.
Further, the inclined arc plate type equator of the present invention employs means for automatically detecting the limit angle of rotation drive around the polar axis of the inclined plate, and a function for stopping the electric motor when the automatic detecting means detects the limit angle. did.

The inclined arc plate-type equatorial mount of the present invention includes a means for supporting a plate having an arc-shaped circumferential surface inclined according to the latitude to be used on a tilt base by a slide bearing or a ball bearing, and the plate in a direction perpendicular to the plate. A mechanism that can rotate freely, a mechanism that rotates the mechanism, and a substantially horizontal mounting base that is coupled to the plate, and is configured to track the diurnal motion associated with the rotation of the earth by the rotation mechanism. As a result, there is no interference between the equator and the telescope, and it can be directed freely in the direction of the hemisphere of the celestial sphere. Moreover, not only can the diurnal motion be tracked, but also the balance weight is not necessary or can be small if necessary because the rotation axis parallel to the polar axis can be brought near the center of gravity of the telescope. In addition to this, by consolidating the support mechanism portion into one arc plate, the entire structure can be made compact, and a lighter and smaller equatorial mount can be constructed with better operability.
In addition, since the present invention functions as a three-axis mount including the graduation stand, it can be effectively used while avoiding the singular point of the satellite or space debris observation device.

The mechanism for rotationally driving the tilted arc plate type equator of the present invention includes a drive screw supported by a rotary bearing, a moving piece screwed into the drive screw in a nut shape, an inclined plate and the moving piece. And a motor for rotating the drive screw, the automatic tracking of the diurnal motion can be realized reliably and stably with a simple configuration.
In the present invention, as a mechanism for adjusting the perpendicular of the inclined plate in the inclined arc plate type equator so that it is parallel to the rotation axis of the earth, an arc surface is provided on the base plate, and the inclined plate surface is integrally formed on the arc surface. Place the tilt adjustment arc surface of the fixed tilt adjustment bracket so that it is on the board, move the tilt adjustment screw located so as to sandwich the base plate from both sides, and slide the tilt adjustment arc surface to adjust. It can be widely used as a base for astronomical telescopes used in mid-latitude zones.
Further, the inclined arc plate type equator of the present invention employs means for automatically detecting the limit angle of rotation drive around the polar axis of the inclined plate, and a function for stopping the electric motor when the automatic detecting means detects the limit angle. As a result, even if a person is not always in the vicinity, excessive rotation drive is not continued, and the drive mechanism is not damaged.

  FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the present invention, where the left is a front view and the right is a side view. An inclined base (20) is provided which is inclined so that the perpendicular of the inclined plane is parallel to the rotation axis of the earth in accordance with the latitude of the place where the apparatus is used. The tilt of the tilt table (20) can be adjusted by two push screws (44) of the tilt adjusting mechanism (40) described later. The inclined base (20) includes a base plate (25), a rib (24) and an inclined base surface (21). Then, the arc stage (10) is composed of a sliding lubrication member such as an oil-impregnated metal or a Teflon (registered trademark) material disposed on the inclined base surface (21) of the inclined base (20) and a thrust ball bearing. It can be supported by the support bearing (22). The arc stage (10) is composed of an inclined plate (11), a mounting base (12) for fixing the telescope, and a rib (13) for connecting the two, and the inclined plate (11) has an arc circle at the end. A peripheral surface (11a) is formed, and an arc-shaped slit (11b) is formed in the central portion. Since this arc stage (10) needs to be supported so as not to slide down the inclined base surface (21) while allowing rotational movement of the axis parallel to the polar axis direction, the circular arc circumferential surface (11a) is It is supported by a structure that slides on two (or more) support rollers (23) installed on the (20) side, and a holding screw (26) is provided between the inclined base (20). It is provided so as to penetrate the arc-shaped slit (11b), and the arc stage (10) is held on the tilting table (20) without hindering rotational driving. As a result, the arc stage (10) is brought into close contact with the support bearing (22) of the inclined base surface (21) by the pressing force of the five points (or more) support and the holding screw (26). It can rotate around the virtual central axis of 11a). The arc stage (10) is composed of a part such as an aluminum alloy, and the angle formed between the inclined plate (11) and the mounting base (12) is (90 ° -α ) In general.

Next, an example of a mechanism for driving the arc stage (10) is shown as a drive mechanism (30) in FIG. The drive mechanism (30) includes a drive screw (31) supported by a rotary bearing, a moving piece (32), and an arcuate circumferential surface (11a) of the inclined plate (11) and the moving piece (32). And a connecting bar (33) attached to the head. By rotating the drive screw (31), the moving piece (32) screwed into a nut shape is driven in the horizontal direction. By connecting the moving piece (32) and the connecting bar (33) having a slit with a screw in a state of being movable in the slit, the connecting bar (33) is moved according to the operation of the moving piece (32). Through which the inclined plate (11) rotates. The central axis of rotation coincides with a virtual central axis (shown as a polar axis in FIG. 1) of the arc circumferential surface (11a). If the rotation drive by the electric motor is transmitted to the drive mechanism (30), the electric rotation drive of the arc stage (10) can be realized. If the rotational drive by this motor is synchronized with the rotation of the earth, it will be a mechanism that automatically tracks the diurnal motion. Automatic tracking of diurnal motion for several hours is possible in the form of the circular arc circumferential surface (11a) shown in the figure.
In addition, the equatorial mount of the present invention does not rotate 360 °, but corresponds to several hours of diurnal motion, that is, several tens of degrees of rotation. It is desirable to have a function of automatically stopping the electric motor so as not to rotate. The present invention has a function of automatically detecting the limit of the allowable rotation angle by disposing a limit switch at the end of the arc-shaped circumferential surface (11a) and stopping the rotational drive around the polar axis by the electric motor. suggest.

  Next, an example of a tilt adjusting mechanism (40) that adjusts the tilt of the tilt base (20) according to the latitude of the point where the apparatus of the present invention is used will be described with reference to FIG. This mechanism is not necessary when the place where the apparatus of the present invention is used is fixed and does not move. An inclination adjusting bracket (41) is attached integrally with the inclined base surface (21) .The lower end of the inclination adjusting bracket (41) is an inclination adjusting arc end surface (41b), and the inclination adjusting arc end surface (41b) An inclination adjusting arc slit (41a) is formed in the upper center portion. Further, extension portions are formed on both sides of the inclination adjustment arc end face (41b) at the lower end of the inclination adjustment fitting (41), and screw holes for screwing the inclination adjustment screws (44) are formed. (42) is an inclination adjusting base fixed on the base plate (25), and a base side arc end surface (42a) is formed in a stepped portion, and the stepped portion indicated by the wavy line in the figure is A hole into which a later-described tightening bolt (43) is screwed is formed in the upper center portion. Place the base plate (25) on both sides so that the tilt adjustment arc end surface (41b) of the tilt adjustment fitting (41) fixed integrally with the tilt base (21) rests on the base side arc end surface (42a). The tilt adjustment screw (44) arranged so as to be sandwiched from Adjust so that they are parallel. If adjustment is possible, tighten the bolt (43) to fix the position.

  An example of use in which the tilted circular arc plate type equator according to the present invention is mounted on the pillar (60) and the astronomical telescope (70) mounted on the fork type graticule (50) of the biaxial rotating mechanism is mounted thereon. 3 shows. There is no need for a counterweight like the German type, and there is no structural interference between the lens barrel and the mount. It is a compact and highly flexible equator.

A second embodiment of the inclined arc plate type equator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The configuration different from the previous one shown in FIG. 1 is not a configuration in which the circular arc circumferential surface (11a) slides on the two support rollers (23) installed on the inclined base (20) side, but a holding screw ( 26) is composed of two, and a support roller (23) is incorporated therein and brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the arc slit (11b) to form a rotating mechanism. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the end of the inclined plate (11) on the circular arc circumferential surface (11a), and it is sufficient that the connecting lever (33) connected to the moving piece (32) of the drive mechanism is coupled. .

  A third embodiment of the inclined arc plate type equator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This equator has two holding screws (26) as in the second embodiment, and incorporates a supporting roller (23) into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the arc slit (11b) to form a rotating mechanism. It is. The difference is the configuration of the drive mechanism, in which a tooth shape is formed on the circular arc circumferential surface (11a) at the end of the inclined plate (11) to form a gear (34), and the gear (35) meshing with the gear (34). ) Is disposed in the drive mechanism (30) and driven by the electric motor (36).

It is a figure explaining one form of the inclined circular arc plate type equatorial mount of this invention. It is a figure explaining the inclination adjustment mechanism employ | adopted as the inclination circular arc plate type equatorial mount of this invention. It is a figure which shows the usage example which mounts the inclination arc plate type equatorial mount of this invention on a pillar (60), and mounts the astronomical telescope mounted on the fork type graticule on it. It is a figure explaining the other form of the inclination circular arc plate type equatorial mount of this invention. It is a figure explaining the further different form of the inclination circular arc plate type equator of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates typically the composition of the conventional German style equator.

Explanation of symbols

10 Arc stage 11 Inclined plate
11a Arc circumferential surface 11b Arc slit 12 Mounting base 13 Rib 20 Inclined base 21 Inclined base surface 22 Support bearing 23 Support roller 24 Rib 25 Base plate 26 Holding screw 30 Drive mechanism 31 Drive screw 32 Moving piece 33 Connecting bar 34 Arc peripheral gear 35 Drive gear 36 Electric motor 40 Tilt adjusting mechanism 41 Tilt adjusting bracket
41a Inclination adjustment arc slit 41b Inclination adjustment arc end face 42 Inclination adjustment base 42a Base side arc end face 43 Tightening bolt 44 Inclination adjustment screw 50 Graft stand 60 Pillar 70 Astronomical telescope

Claims (6)

  Means for supporting a plate having an arc-shaped circumferential surface inclined according to the latitude to be used on a tilting table by a slide bearing or a ball bearing, a mechanism for allowing the plate to rotate about a normal direction, and A tilted circular arc plate type equator comprising a mechanism for rotationally driving and a substantially horizontal mounting base coupled to the plate, and configured to track a diurnal motion associated with the rotation of the earth by the rotational driving mechanism.   The inclined plate has an arcuate circumferential surface at the end, and an arc-shaped slit concentric with the arcuate circumferential surface is formed at the center, and the arcuate circumferential surface is installed on the inclined platform side. While supporting by rolling on a support roller, a holding screw is provided so as to penetrate the arc-shaped slit between the tilt table and hold the arc stage on the tilt table without hindering rotational drive. The inclined arc plate type equatorial mount according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.   The inclined plate is formed with an arc-shaped slit at the center, and at least two holding screws are provided between the inclined plate and the inclined table, and a supporting roller rotates around the holding screw. The arc-shaped slit surface is movably mounted and supported by rolling on the support roller, and the arc stage is held on the tilt base without obstructing the rotational drive by the holding screw. The inclined arc plate type equatorial mount according to claim 1.   The rotational drive mechanism is composed of a drive screw supported by a rotary bearing, a moving piece screwed into the drive screw in a nut shape, an inclined plate, and a connecting bar attached to the moving piece. The inclined arc plate type equator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a motor for rotating the screw.   An arc surface is provided on the base plate, and the base plate is arranged so that the base plate is sandwiched from both sides by placing the tilt adjustment arc surface of the tilt adjusting bracket fixed integrally with the tilt base on the arc surface. The inclined arc according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an adjusting mechanism that moves the inclination adjusting screw forward and backward and slides the inclination adjusting arc surface so that the perpendicular of the inclined plate is parallel to the rotation axis of the earth. Plate type equator.   The inclined arc plate type according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising means for automatically detecting a limit angle of rotational drive about the polar axis of the inclined plate and means for stopping the electric motor when the automatic detecting means detects the limit angle. Equatorial mount.

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