DE102007030880A1 - Object scene detecting device for use in guided missile, has separation lens comprising prism coupled with optical fibers that are optically connected with emitter unit and detector unit, respectively - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for detecting an object scene with an imaging optical system, which has an entrance optic (2) with a center recess (3), a separation optic (4) arranged in the center recess (3) of the entrance optic (2) Number of detector units (6, 7) and at least one emitter unit (5) for emitting radiation comprises. It is provided that the separation optics (4) with one fiber feed (19a, 19b) is optically connected to the emitter unit (5) and with one on the target radiation of the emitter unit (5) responsive detector unit (6). Furthermore, a guided missile (32) is provided, comprising a structural housing (33), a roll frame (34) arranged coaxially inside the structural housing (33) and rotatably mounted about a roll axis (x ') and a device (1) of said type.

Description

The Invention relates to a device for detecting an object scene, and a guided missile with such a device.

A device for detecting an object scene is, for example, from EP 1 241 486 B1 known. The device described therein comprises an imaging optical system with a Cassegrain optics entrance optics, which has a central recess, wherein in the center recess a separation optics is arranged. The central recess forms an aperture separation for an incident radiation from the outside, which is supplied via a beam path of a detector unit, and for the light of a laser emitter, which is passed via a fiber feed to the separation optics and emitted from there predominantly to the outside from. About the separation optics, a small proportion of the light emitted by the laser emitter light is diverted and returned as a reference signal to the detector unit.

Furthermore, from the DE 3317 232 A1 a device for detecting an object scene known, which in contrast to the device described above from the EP 1 241 486 B1 a laser transceiver system having separate receiving units, but laterally spaced from the central receiving beam path are arranged.

A The first object of the invention is to be as compact as possible Specify device for detecting an object scene, which both has an active as well as a passive optical sensor system.

A Another object of the invention is a guided missile specify which with a compact search head which is both an active and a passive optical Having sensor system.

The first object is achieved according to the invention that specified a device for detecting an object scene with an imaging optical system comprising entrance optics with a central recess, one in the center recess of the entrance optics arranged separation optics, a number of detector units, and at least one emitter unit for emitting radiation thereby is characterized in that the separation optics with one each Fiber feed to the emitter unit and with an on the target radiation of the emitter unit responsive detector unit is optically connected.

The Invention is based on the consideration that a passive Sensor technology with active sensors in the area of the entrance optics is integrally representable by using the separation optics the beams emitted by the emitter unit and reflected back from the incoming via the common receive beam path Total radiation filtered spectrally and via a fiber feed be fed to a separate detector unit. The rest spectrum the input radiation becomes one or more detector unit (s) forwarded to the passive sensors. At the same time is the separation optics adapted to the over another fiber feed redirected radiation of the emitter unit so that they along the central optical axis of the device becomes. The separation optics thus assumes a dual function.

Preferably is the entrance optics as a Cassegrain optics with a concave-parabolic main mirror and a convex hyperbolic catch mirror formed. An incidental Radiation passes over the primary mirror to the secondary mirror and from there into the receiving beam path, in a central recess through the main mirror leads. Through this double deflection is the length of a Cassegrain optic relatively low. When using a Cassegrain optic as entrance optics already has the main mirror on a Mittenausnehmung, before the the separation optics with negligible image loss can be arranged. The output beam path is by means of Separation optics through a further center recess of the catching mirror directed towards the target area along the central optical axis.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device is a Focusing optics for bundling one of the emitter unit emitted beam provided. The emitted beam becomes coaxial emitted to the central optical axis of the device, so that a Such focusing optics in the direction of radiation concentric in Area of the central recess is arranged and the beam deflecting Separation optics optically downstream in the emission direction is.

The Separation optics advantageously has a double-sided reflective Layer on, over a first side of the layer on a the fiber feed from the emitter unit Beam is steerable to the transmitting optics, and over the second Side of the layer entering via the entrance optics Beam for coupling into the optically connected to the detector unit Fiber feed is steerable.

For this purpose, in an expedient embodiment, the layer reflecting on both sides is arranged at an angle of 45 ° to the central optical axis of the device, so that the emission beam orthogonal to the central optical axis on the first side of the reflective layer and is directed in a radiation direction coaxial with the central optical axis.

Becomes in such an arrangement of the double-sided reflective layer the sub-spectrum of the input radiation, which is essentially the Spectral range of the emission signal corresponds, along the central optical axis on the opposite second side directed the reflective layer, so the fiber feed, which leads to the detector unit of the active sensor, opposite for fiber feed from the emitter unit and orthogonal be arranged to the central optical axis.

By This arrangement becomes a particularly simple and thus compact Realization of the separation optics enabled.

In a suitable development of separation optics is the two sides reflective layer as a partial surface of a prism or as an inner surface of a beam splitter cube educated.

preferably, the separation optics comprises a partially reflecting layer, via which is incident on the entrance optics radiation with a predetermined frequency for separation optics is steerable. A such partially reflective layer is for example by a Given dichroic filter, the desired frequency reflected and the remaining frequencies substantially lets happen.

A Such partially reflecting layer is preferably in the range the central recess in a direction orthogonal to the central optical axis lying level, and expediently such that the incident input radiation at a frequency in the range of the emission frequency in the direction of the central optical Axis is reflected back to the separation optics back. The other frequencies pass through the partially reflecting layer and migrate along the input beam path to the detector units, which are associated with the passive sensors.

Conveniently, is the reflective layer on both sides and / or the partially reflecting layer specially designed for reflection in a narrow frequency band, in particular to a reflection of monochromatic light with a predetermined Frequency. Here, the frequency is in particular by the emitter unit specified.

When Emitter unit is preferably a substantially monochromatic Light source, in particular a laser source, provided. monochromatic Light is particularly advantageous for the active sensors, because the backscattered emission signals are particularly simple identifiable and filterable. By filtering out only a narrow frequency band becomes the complementary one Spectrum only slightly limited and thus is the passive sensor, the signals from this complementary Spectrum detected, at most slightly impaired.

Conveniently, is the one with the separation optics via a fiber feed optically connected detector unit for the detection of the emitter unit provided radiated radiation, in particular for transit time measurement an emitted radiation signal. Therefore, the detector unit preferably for the evaluation in particular of the signal frequencies formed in a narrow frequency band around the predetermined frequency of the emitter unit. Determining the transit time of an emission signal is the distance to a signal reflecting the obstacle can be determined.

suitably The emitter unit and the or each detector unit are on one Rolling frame arranged with a roll axis, opposite the the entrance optics to one to the roll axis substantially orthogonal lying pivot axis is rotatably mounted. In particular, you can thus the optical fibers without further optical connecting elements like mirrors, prisms or the like from the separation optics to are routed to the emitter unit / detector unit.

In an alternative embodiment of the device is also a structure-fixed Installation of the emitter unit and the or each detector unit realizable.

advantageously, is an evaluation unit for signal evaluation at the or each Detector unit received radiation signals provided. Especially is such an evaluation unit for determining the duration of a formed by the emitter unit emitted light signal. Farther is the evaluation unit suitable for the evaluation of the other, the passive sensors associated detector units received signals formed.

Prefers a control unit is provided which is used to activate the emitter unit is formed as a function of evaluation data of the evaluation unit.

For determining the distance of an obstacle, the evaluation data of the passive sensors are initially provided. In particular, the infrared radiation emitted by an object is used for object detection. The identification and In particular, however, the determination of the distance is not sufficiently precise for each application. From a predefinable distance threshold, which is determined from the detector data of the passive sensor, the control unit then activates the emitter unit, so that a relatively accurate distance information can be obtained by the reflected back emission signals. This is then evaluated and is available to the control unit for continued process decisions.

The second object is achieved according to the invention that a guided missile is specified, comprising a structural housing, a coaxially disposed within the structural housing and Rolling frame rotatably mounted about a roll axis and a device of the type mentioned.

By This embodiment is in particular a compact laser proximity sensor in connection with a passive sensor, in particular a passive one Infrared sensors, feasible.

By the compact design of the device is ideal for this for use in a missile seeker head. By integrating the separation optics into the center recess and connection of these with fiber feeds can be made in a guided missile for a seeker head available standing space can be optimally utilized. Emitter unit and on Target radiation of the emitter unit responsive detector unit can be placed in places that are not necessarily in the forefront of a seeker head because the signal forwarding is emitted or to be detected radiation via the fiber feeds he follows.

in the Below is an embodiment of the invention based a drawing discussed. Show

1 a device in longitudinal section along the central optical axis in a schematic representation,

2 a partial section of the device according to 1 in the field of entrance optics with optical fiber feeds and with a schematic representation of the input beam path, and

3 a guided missile with a structural housing, a coaxially disposed within the structural housing and rotatably mounted about a roll axis rolling frame and a device according to 1 ,

each other corresponding parts are in the figures with the same reference numerals Mistake.

In 1 is a device 1 in a longitudinal section along the central optical axis x shown schematically.

The device 1 includes an entrance optics 2 with a central recess 3 , one in the middle of the recess 3 arranged separation optics 4 , a laser emitter unit 5 and at least two detector units 6 . 7 , The laser emitter unit 5 and the detector unit 6 form part of an active sensor system 8th out. The detector unit 7 is a passive sensor 9 assigned. The entrance optics 2 is designed as a Cassegrain optic, with a concave-parabolic main mirror 10 and with a convex hyperbolic catch mirror 11 , The main mirror 10 and the secondary mirror 11 each have circular recesses 12 respectively. 13 on top, the center recess 3 depending on the position with respect to the central optical axis x limit. A radiation incident along the central optical axis 14 is first at the main mirror 10 reflected and to the secondary mirror 11 passed and is there in the central area of the central recess 3 Reflected back for further processing.

The separation optics 4 includes a dichroic plate 15 , a collimation lens 16 and a prism 17 with a triangular cross section, which has a coating reflecting on both sides 18 on the hypotenuse side. With the prism 17 optically connected to the end are two optical fibers 19a and 19b , wherein the optical fiber 19a to the laser emitter unit 5 leads, and the optical fiber 19b to the detector unit 6 leads. The separation optics 4 is a focusing lens 20 upstream, which is used for the targeting of an emission beam 21 is trained. In the middle recess 3 in the area between the dichroic plate 15 and the detector unit 7 are other optical means 22 arranged, which are optionally formed for optical selection / branching. Outward is the device 1 through a curved glass dome 23 completed and is protected by this from external influences.

The incident along the central optical axis (inverse x direction) radiation 14 , For example, an infrared radiation that is above the main mirror 10 and the catch mirror 11 the Cassegrain optics is directed into the middle recess, the dichroic plate passes 15 and propagates as input radiation 14a in the area in which further schematically drawn optical means 22 are arranged, and is by these optical means 22 on the detector unit 7 that of the passive sensors 9 is assigned, focused. In the detector unit 7 becomes the input radiation 14a recorded and the optical data obtained from it 24 are sent to an evaluation unit 25 transmitted. There will be a location image in which in particular the distance to obstacles and / or targets is encoded. The situational picture has blurring that results from the limit of interpretability accuracy of the (infrared) radiation emitted by the obstacles and / or targets. If the distance to an obstacle or a destination obtained from the situation image falls below a stored threshold value at which more precise distance information must be made available, data will be transmitted via a data link 26 a control unit 27 informed, which by a control pulse 28 the laser emitter unit 5 activated. The laser emitter unit 5 emits pulses of monochromatic light at a known frequency. About the optical fiber 19a this light becomes the separation optics 4 passed, and meets after exiting the optical fiber 19a on the first side of the catheter of the prism 17 , which in the illustration is substantially parallel to the central optical axis x. While passing through the prism 17 the emitted light is inside of the two-sided reflective coating 18 on the hypotenuse side of the prism 17 reflects and acts as an emission beam 21 on the second side of the catheter of the prism 17 out. Through the focusing lens 20 becomes the emission beam 21 bundled, and emerges in the representation in the direction of the central optical axis x forward from the device 1 out.

Once the laser emitter unit 5 are activated in the entrance optics 2 incident radiation 14 Shares of the emission beam backscattered and / or reflected back to obstacles and / or targets 21 contain. These shares penetrate the main mirror 10 and the catch mirror 11 the Cassegrain optics up to the dichroic plate 15 in front. The dichroic plate 15 is adapted to the frequencies of the total spectrum, which are in a narrow band around the emission frequency of the laser emitter unit 5 lie, as partial radiation 14b reflect back. Thus, the backscattered and / or reflected back portions of the emission beam 21 at the dichroic plate 15 from the remaining incident radiation 14 filtered off and are used as partial radiation 14b from the outside to the coating reflecting on both sides 18 on the hypotenuse side of the prism 17 steered, there deflected by substantially 90 °, then in the optical fiber 19b coupled in and over the optical fiber 19b to the detector unit 6 transmitted. The detector unit 6 is especially for the detection of light components of the emission beam 21 trained, and transmits the optical data obtained therefrom 30 to the evaluation unit 25 , Based on a pulse modulation of the emission beam 21 can in the evaluation unit 25 the light transit time of the emission beam 21 determined and from the distance of the device to the reflecting obstacle are calculated. That from the passive sensors 9 known situation image is thus spatially specified locally.

2 shows a perspective view of a partial section of the device according to 1 in the field of entry optics 2 with the optical fibers 19a and 19b , Visible are the entrance optics 2 and the center recess 3 , The main mirror 10 and the secondary mirror 11 are over a linkage 31 connected and held together. In the area of the middle recess 3 between the main mirror 10 and the secondary mirror 11 is the separation optics 4 arranged the the dichroic plate 15 , the collimation lens 16 and the prism 17 comprising the triangular-shaped cross section, wherein the prism 17 on the hypotenuse side with a coating or coating reflecting on both sides 18 is coated. Also visible in a schematic representation of the beam path of the emission beam 21 , The emission beam 21 is first made from the optical fiber 19a decoupled and through the prism 17 passed, taking it to the layer 18 inside with respect to the prism 17 is reflected by about 90 °. After exiting the prism 17 propagates the emission beam 21 through the middle recess 13 the capture mirror 11 , is through the focusing lens 20 bundled and enters the front of the device 1 out.

The parts of the emission beam reflected back from an obstacle 21 occur with the incident radiation 14 in the entrance optics 2 one, as partial radiation 14b at the dichroic plate 15 reflected, on the coating 18 on the outside with respect to the prism 17 reflected by about 90 °, so that the partial radiation 14b in the optical fiber 19b is coupled. The remaining parts of the spectrum of incident radiation 14 happen as input radiation 14a the dichroic plate 15 unhindered and are through the middle recess 12 the main mirror 10 forwarded to the continued information processing (cf. 1 ).

Furthermore, the orientation of the central optical axis x is displayed. Visible in this illustration is the slight tilt of the orientation of the emission beam 21 relative to the central optical axis x, which results from the entrance optics 2 about a lying in the plane perpendicular to the central optical axis x orthogonal pitch axis y is pivotable. This is in 3 explained in more detail.

3 shows a guided missile 32 with a structural housing 33 one within the structure housing 33 coaxially arranged and about a roll axis x 'rotatably mounted rolling frame 34 and schematically a device 1 to 1 , The roll axis is arranged coaxially to the central optical axis x. Furthermore, a bogie 35 formed, which is opposite the rolling frame 34 pivoted about the pivot axis y 'by 180 ° is.

Because of the rolling frame 34 opposite the structure housing 33 about the roll axis x 'is rotatable by 360 °, the pivot axis y' coaxial with any, orthogonal to the central optical axis x lying pitch axis y - which in the selected representation perpendicular out of the image plane align - align. The device 1 spreads both on the bogie 35 , in which in particular the entrance optics 2 is arranged, as well as on the rolling frame, in which in particular the laser emitter unit 5 , the detector units 6 and 7 , as well as the evaluation unit 25 and the control unit 27 is arranged. As information connecting elements between the entrance optics 2 on the bogie 35 and the laser emitter unit 5 or the detector unit 6 act the optical fibers 19a respectively. 19b , Due to the flexibility of the optical fibers 19a and 19b becomes the pivotability of the bogie 35 opposite the rolling frame 34 not impaired. In an alternative structurally fixed arrangement of the laser emitter unit 5 or the detector unit 6 would have to be provided further optical transmission elements, since a direct connection via optical fibers would then no longer be possible.

1

contraption

2

admission optics

3

central recess

4

separation optics

5

Laser emitter unit

6

detector unit

7

detector unit

8th

active sensors

9

passive sensors

10

main mirror

11

Fangspiegel

12

central recess the main mirror

13

central recess the capture mirror

14

incident radiation

14a

input radiation

14b

partial radiation

15

dichroic plate

16

collimating lens

17

triangular prism

18

both sides reflective layer

19a

optical fiber

19b

optical fiber

20

focusing lens

21

emission beam

22

Further optical means

23

glass dome

24

optical dates

25

evaluation

26

Data Connection

27

control unit

28

control pulse

30

optical dates

31

linkage

32

Missile

33

structure housing

34

roll frame

35

bogie

x

central optical axis

x '

roll axis

y

pitch axis

y '

swivel axis

e

to central optical axis orthogonal plane

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 1241486 B1 [0002, 0003]
• - DE 3317232 A1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Contraption ( 1 ) for detecting an object scene with an imaging optical system, comprising - an entrance optics ( 2 ) with a central recess ( 3 ), - one in the middle recess ( 3 ) of the entrance optics ( 2 ) arranged separation optics ( 4 ), - a number of detector units ( 6 . 7 ), and - at least one emitter unit ( 5 ) for radiation emission, characterized in that the separation optics ( 4 ) each with a fiber feed ( 19a . 19b ) with the emitter unit ( 5 ) and with a target radiation of the emitter unit ( 5 ) responsive detector unit ( 6 ) is optically connected. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the entry optics ( 2 ) is designed as a Cassegrain optic, comprising a concave-parabolic main mirror ( 10 ) and a convex-hyperbolic secondary mirror ( 11 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a focusing optics ( 20 ) for bundling a beam emitted by the emitter unit ( 21 ) is provided. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that - the separation optics ( 4 ) a double-sided reflective layer ( 18 ), via a first side of the layer ( 18 ) via the fiber feed ( 19a ) from the emitter unit ( 5 ) to the separation optics ( 4 ) is steerable, and - on the second side of the layer ( 18 ) via the entrance optics ( 2 ) incoming beam for coupling into the with the detector unit ( 6 ) optically connected fiber feed ( 19b ) is steerable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the double-sided reflective layer ( 18 ) as a partial surface of a prism ( 17 ) or formed as an inner surface of a beam splitter cube. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separation optics ( 4 ) a partially reflecting layer ( 15 ) via which one via the entrance optics ( 2 ) incident radiation ( 14b ) with predetermined frequency to the separation optics ( 4 ) is steerable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the double-sided reflective layer ( 18 ) and / or the partially reflecting layer ( 15 ) is formed to a narrow band reflection, in particular to a reflection of monochromatic light with a predetermined frequency. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that as an emitter unit ( 5 ) a substantially monochromatic light source, in particular a laser light source, is provided. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the separation optics ( 4 ) via a fiber feed ( 19b ) optically connected detector unit ( 6 ) for the detection of the emitter unit ( 5 ) emitted radiation is provided, in particular for transit time measurement of an emitted radiation signal ( 21 ). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the emitter unit ( 5 ) and the or each detector unit ( 6 . 7 ) on a rolling frame ( 34 ) are arranged with a roll axis (x '), opposite which the entrance optics ( 2 ) is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (y ') substantially orthogonal to the roll axis (x'). Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an evaluation unit ( 25 ) for signal evaluation at the or each detector unit ( 6 . 7 ) received radiation signal data ( 24 . 30 ) is provided. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a control unit ( 27 ) for activating the emitter unit ( 5 ) depending on evaluation data ( 26 ) of the evaluation unit ( 25 ) is provided. Guided missile ( 32 ), comprising a structural housing ( 33 ), one within the structural housing ( 33 ) coaxially arranged and about a roll axis (x ') rotatably mounted rolling frame ( 34 ) and a device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12.