Optimization and Experiment of a Novel Compliant Focusing Mechanism for Space Remote Sensor

The change of an external environment leads to the defocusing phenomenon of the space optical remote sensor. The performance of the focusing mechanism is related to the image quality of the remote sensor. It was optimized for a novel focusing mechanism comprised of a flexural hinge lever-type amplifier and several piezoelectric ceramics to improve the performance on high loads and large stroke in this research. It has advantages of a lightweight, simple structure and high reliability compared with the traditional focusing mechanism. The input displacement from the piezoelectric actuators was amplified by a two-stage flexure hinge lever-type mechanism. Dimensional parameters of the flexural hinges were considered as design variables. Based on the optimization ideology, reasonable compliance and dimension parameters of the flexural hinges were analyzed for the focusing mechanism. Simulation and experiments of deformation were conducted to validate the correctness of design optimization. The results show that the focusing mechanism designed by the proposed method has the capabilities of an amplification ratio of 100 times and a loading carrying capacity of 2 kg. This work provides a novel strategy to design an excellent focusing mechanism with lightweight, high loads and large stroke. Moreover, it is believed that this approach can be extended to other complex sensors.