Your shut down time

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Yes, just like a computer.
Do you have one?
It's not anywhere near a meltdown, or a nap. It's just a small break for your brain when at home.

I usually will have very dark curtains in my room, roll them down until pitch black, put on some noise cancelling headphones and there I go. I will last a good solid 15-20 minutes. Then I bounce right back. It's like an eclipse for my brain except it happens much more frequently, and out of the blue.

Yes, and this isn't exclusively an autistic thing, although I think it's probably more common whilst on the spectrum.

A lot of people do this, I think. Maybe not quite in the same way though. Some people just go to get space, other people (like yourself) entirely shut the world out.

Ok yeah,
I wonder if anyone can see there's coming? Like I prepare for it, if I wake up a little anxious, stressed, or just a bit down and do this I prevent myself from having major meltdowns or panic attacks etc.

I only take naps as a form of relaxation. When taking a nap, I put on an audiobook to listen to, and when I close my eyes I picture in my head the story of the audiobook. Then I fall asleep after a little while. I can't have naps in the dark though, otherwise I will wake up groggy. If I wake up in daylight (or electric light if it's dark early) I can function fully.

I do let my naps rule my life. If I'm out with friends or my boyfriend, I have to make it home in time for a nap, otherwise I feel all drowsy all evening.

What the OP has described is sometimes called a "power nap" - just maybe 20 minutes after which you wake up quite refreshed. If you can arrange your life to get these regularly, it is highly recommended.