Laser radar and transmitting module thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a laser radar and a transmitting module thereof, the transmitting module comprises a transmitting plate, a transmitting plate support and a laser, the laser is fixedly connected with the transmitting plate, the transmitting plate support is fixedly connected with the transmitting plate, so that the strength of the transmitting plate is improved, and the transmitting plate support is attached to the laser. The laser emits heat in the working process, and the laser is attached to the emission plate support. The heat of the laser can be transmitted to the emission plate support, the contact area of the emission plate support and air is large, the heat of the laser can be dissipated through the emission plate support, the heat dissipation speed of the laser is increased, and the temperature of the laser is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of laser radar manufacturing, and specifically, to a laser radar and its transmitting module. Background Art

[0002] LiDAR (LiDAR) measures distance by emitting and receiving light reflected from objects. With the development of technology, LiDAR is widely used in fields such as autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing.

[0003] Lasers are one of the core components of LiDAR, used to transmit laser signals. Lasers generate a lot of heat, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures can affect the LiDAR's measurement accuracy and even shorten its service life.

[0004] Therefore, how to dissipate heat from the laser is a technical problem that those skilled in the art urgently need to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes a laser radar and a transmitting module thereof, which are bonded to the laser through a transmitting plate bracket to dissipate heat from the laser.

[0006] To achieve the purpose of this application, a transmitting module is provided for a laser radar, including a transmitting plate, a transmitting plate bracket and a laser, wherein:

[0007] The launch plate is provided with an emission hole, the laser is fixedly connected to the launch plate, the launch plate bracket is fixedly connected to the launch plate to improve the strength of the launch plate, and the launch plate bracket is fitted with the laser for heat dissipation of the laser.

[0008] In some embodiments, a heat-conducting layer is further included. The heat-conducting layer is located between the laser and the launch plate bracket and is used to transfer the heat of the laser to the launch plate bracket.

[0009] In some embodiments, an emission aperture and an aperture holder are further included, wherein,

[0010] The transmitting plate has a light-transmitting hole, the transmitting aperture is connected to the side of the transmitting plate away from the laser through the aperture bracket, and the transmitting aperture is provided with an adjustment hole corresponding to the position of the light-transmitting hole for shaping the light path;

[0011] The emission aperture is bonded and fixed to the aperture bracket.

[0012] In some embodiments, the aperture bracket and the emission aperture are fixed by glue through four glue holes, and the glue holes are distributed in a rectangular shape around the adjustment hole.

[0013] In some embodiments, a clamping groove is provided on a side of the launch plate bracket facing away from the launch plate, and the clamping groove is used to cooperate with a clamping device to clamp the launch module.

[0014] In some embodiments, the aperture bracket, the transmitting plate and the transmitting plate bracket are fixedly connected by a fixing member.

[0015] In some embodiments, the launch plate bracket is provided with four connection holes, and the four connection holes are distributed in a rectangular shape;

[0016] The emitting plate and the aperture bracket are both provided with through holes corresponding to the positions of the four connecting holes, and the fixing members pass through the through holes and are fixedly connected to the connecting holes.

[0017] In some embodiments, the launch board bracket has a mounting cavity for accommodating the laser, and the side wall of the mounting cavity is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the launch board, and the distance between the supporting portion and the top end of the side wall of the mounting cavity is greater than or equal to the thickness of the launch board.

[0018] In some embodiments, the emission aperture is installed at a preset position on the aperture holder by adjustment.

[0019] The present application also provides a laser radar, comprising a receiving module, a rotating mirror module and any one of the above-mentioned transmitting modules;

[0020] The emission module is used to emit a detection light beam;

[0021] The rotating mirror module is configured to rotate about an axis to guide the detection light beam to scan the target object within the field of view;

[0022] The receiving module is used to receive and detect the receiving light beam returned from the target object.

[0023] This application has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] The transmitting module provided in the present application is used for a laser radar and includes a transmitting plate, a transmitting plate bracket and a laser, wherein the laser is fixedly connected to the transmitting plate, the transmitting plate bracket is fixedly connected to the transmitting plate to improve the strength of the transmitting plate, and the transmitting plate bracket is fitted with the laser.

[0025] The laser generates heat during operation. The laser is attached to the launch plate bracket. The heat from the laser is transferred to the launch plate bracket. The launch plate bracket has a large contact area with the air, so the heat from the laser can be dissipated through the launch plate bracket, thereby increasing the heat dissipation speed of the laser and reducing the temperature of the laser.

[0026] The present application also provides a laser radar including the above-mentioned transmitting module, and having the above-mentioned advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a transmitting module provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of cooperation between the emission aperture and the laser;

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the launch module;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Top view of the middle launch module;

[0031] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the launch module;

[0033] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a laser radar provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Exploded view of the LiDAR;

[0035] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Schematic diagram of light propagation within the lidar;

[0036] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the transceiver module, the transmitting module and the receiving module;

[0037] Figure 11 for Figure 10 sectional view of .

[0038] in, Figures 1 to 11 The accompanying drawings are:

[0039] 100. Transmitter module; 110. Transmitter plate bracket; 111. Mounting cavity; 112. Clamping groove; 113. Support part; 114. Threaded hole; 120. Laser; 130. Transmitter plate; 131. Light-transmitting hole; 132. Through hole; 140. Aperture bracket; 150. Transmitter aperture; 151. Adjustment hole; 152. Glue hole; 160. Fixing screw; 200. Receiving module; 300. Transceiver housing; 310. Transmitter lens; 320. Receiving lens; 400. Beam splitter; 500. Rotating mirror module; 600. Main board; 710. Lower shell; 720. Upper shell; 730. Window; 740. Connector; 1. Nozzle adjustment platform; 2. Base adjustment platform; 3. Nozzle; 4. High-precision camera. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the laser radar and its transmitting module provided by the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The transmitting module 100 provided in this application is used for laser radar. The transmitting module 100 includes a transmitting plate 130, a transmitting plate bracket 110 and a laser 120. Figure 1 As shown, the laser 120 is fixedly connected to the launch plate 130 , and the launch plate bracket 110 is fixedly connected to the launch plate 130 to improve the strength of the launch plate 130 . The launch plate bracket 110 fits the laser 120 to dissipate heat for the laser 120 .

[0042] Optionally, the launch plate 130 has a light-transmitting hole 131 extending through the thickness of the launch plate 130. The laser 120 is mounted on the launch plate 130 in a position corresponding to the light-transmitting hole 131, and the laser signal is emitted through the light-transmitting hole 131. The launch plate bracket 110 and the laser 120 are located on the same side of the launch plate 130. The launch plate bracket 110 has a mounting slot into which the laser 120 can be placed. The launch plate bracket 110 is fixedly connected to the launch plate 130 and is bonded to the laser 120. The laser 120 is a high-heat-generating device that generates a large amount of heat during operation. The launch plate bracket 110 is bonded to the laser 120, and the heat from the laser 120 can be transferred to the launch plate bracket 110 and dissipated through the launch plate bracket 110, thereby reducing the temperature of the laser 120.

[0043] In this embodiment, the contact area between the launch plate bracket 110 and the air is large, and thus the heat exchange rate is high. The launch plate bracket 110 helps the laser 120 to dissipate heat, which can increase the heat exchange rate of the laser 120 and reduce the temperature of the laser 120. In addition, the launch plate 130 is usually a printed circuit board, which has weak strength and is prone to deformation during heating or stress, causing the position of the laser 120 to change, affecting the stability of the optical system. In this embodiment, the launch plate bracket 110 is fixedly connected to the launch plate 130, which can improve the structural strength of the launch plate 130, reduce the deformation of the launch plate 130 during stress or heating, and thus improve the stability of the optical system.

[0044] In some embodiments, the emission module 100 further includes a heat-conducting layer, which is located between the laser 120 and the emission board bracket 110 and is used to transfer heat from the laser 120 to the emission board bracket 110 .

[0045] Optionally, the thermal conductive layer can be made of materials such as thermal conductive glue or thermal conductive silicone grease. The thermal conductive layer can enable the laser 120 and the launch plate bracket 110 to be in more complete contact, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency. In addition, the material selected for the thermal conductive layer is generally a good conductor of heat with a high thermal conductivity coefficient, which can further improve the heat exchange efficiency. Preferably, the thermal conductive layer can be made of thermal conductive glue. The thermal conductive glue can not only fully contact the laser 120 and the launch plate bracket 110, but also connect the two, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the two, thereby ensuring the stability of heat conduction.

[0046] In some embodiments, the emission module 100 further includes an emission aperture 150 and an aperture bracket 140. The emission aperture 150 is connected to the side of the emission plate 130 away from the laser 120 via the aperture bracket 140. The emission aperture 150 is provided with an adjustment hole 151 corresponding to the position of the light-transmitting hole 131 for shaping the light path.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the laser signal emitted by the laser 120 is divergent in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser 120 , and the emission aperture 150 is configured to intercept an unnecessary portion of light to constrain the laser signal. Figure 3 As shown, the aperture holder 140 can be annular, with its inner hole surrounding the outer periphery of the light-transmitting hole 131 of the emitting plate 130. The emission aperture 150 is mounted on the side of the aperture holder 140 away from the emitting plate 130. The adjustment hole 151 of the emission aperture 150 corresponds to the position of the light-transmitting hole 131. The desired portion of light can pass through the adjustment hole 151, while the unwanted portion of light is blocked by the emission aperture 150. Optionally, the emission aperture 150 is bonded to the aperture holder 140. Adhesive bonding can reduce displacement of the emission aperture 150 during the fixing process, avoid the impact of component dimensional errors, and improve the precision of the fit between the various components.

[0048] In some embodiments, the emission aperture 150 is mounted at a preset position on the aperture holder 140 by adjustment. The relative position of the emission aperture 150 and the laser 120 requires high precision, and the emission aperture 150 needs to be placed at the preset position by adjustment and then fixed by glue.

[0049] Optionally, the aperture bracket 140 and the emission aperture 150 are fixed by glue through four glue holes 152, and the glue holes 152 are distributed in a rectangular shape around the adjustment hole 151. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the adjustment holes 151 can be arranged along a predetermined direction. Two strip-shaped adhesive holes 152 are provided on either side of the adjustment holes 151. The length of the adhesive holes 152 can be perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Specifically, the adhesive holes 152 can be provided on the emission aperture 150. The adhesive is provided in the adhesive holes 152 and penetrates between the emission aperture 150 and the aperture support 140, thereby bonding and securing the emission aperture 150 to the aperture support 140. Of course, the user can also set the number of adhesive holes 152 as needed, for example, 3, 5, 6, etc., without limitation here.

[0050] In some embodiments, the aperture holder 140, the launch plate 130, and the launch plate holder 110 are fixedly connected by fixings. During assembly of the launch module, the aperture holder 140, the launch plate 130, and the launch plate holder 110 can first be fixed by the fixings, and then the three components can be moved and assembled as a whole. This fixed connection saves space, facilitates movement, and improves the overall structural strength of the launch module 100.

[0051] Optional, such as Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the launch plate bracket 110 is provided with four connection holes. The four connection holes are arranged in a rectangular pattern, and both the launch plate 130 and the aperture bracket 140 are provided with through holes 132 corresponding to the positions of the four connection holes. The four through holes 132 of the aperture bracket 140 are arranged around the through hole. The fixing member can be a fixing screw 160, and the connection hole can be a threaded hole 114. The four fixing screws 160 pass through the through holes 132 of the aperture bracket 140 and the launch plate 130 in sequence and are fixedly connected to the threaded holes 114 of the launch plate bracket 110, thereby connecting the aperture bracket 140, the launch plate 130, and the launch plate bracket 110. Of course, the user can set the number of threaded holes 114 as needed, and the aperture bracket 140, the launch plate 130, and the launch plate bracket 110 can also be connected by other methods, such as clamping, riveting, etc., which are not limited here.

[0052] When assembling the laser radar, it is necessary to clamp and move the transmitting module 100. Since the transmitting board 130 is usually a printed circuit board, its structural strength is relatively low, directly clamping the transmitting board 130 is likely to cause circuit damage, affecting product quality. Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, a clamping groove 112 is provided on the side of the launch plate bracket 110 facing away from the launch plate 130. The clamping device clamps the launch module 100 through the clamping groove 112 and drives the launch module 100 to move. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping groove 112 extends through the surface of the launch plate support 110 facing away from the launch plate 130 and three side surfaces of the launch plate support 110, thereby forming a step-like structure on the side of the launch plate support 110 facing away from the launch plate 130. The bottom surface of the clamping groove 112 can be parallel to the launch plate 130. The clamping groove 112 has one sidewall and is open in other directions, thereby providing the launch module 100 with multiple selectable clamping directions. The clamping device can be specifically an adjustable clamping claw that can clamp the launch module 100 in the appropriate direction. The force of the adjustable clamping claw acts primarily on the launch plate support 110, thereby reducing the force on the launch plate 130 and lowering the risk of damage to the launch plate 130.

[0053] Optionally, the launch board bracket 110 has a mounting cavity 111 for accommodating the laser 120. The side wall of the mounting cavity 111 is provided with a support portion 113, and the number of the support portions 113 can be multiple and distributed at the same height in the mounting cavity 111. The launch board 130 can be accommodated in the mounting cavity 111 and fit with the support portion 113. The distance between the support portion 113 and the top of the side wall of the mounting cavity 111 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the launch board 130, so that the launch board 130 can be completely accommodated in the mounting cavity 111. When the clamping device clamps the launch module 100, no matter from which direction the launch module 100 is clamped, the contact area between the clamping device and the launch board 130 is relatively small, and the clamping force has a relatively small impact on the launch board 130, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the launch board 130 or the devices or circuits provided on the launch board 130.

[0054] This application also provides a laser radar, such as Figure 7 As shown, the laser radar includes a receiving module 200, a rotating mirror module 500 and a transmitting module 100 in any of the above embodiments; the transmitting module 100 is used to transmit a detection beam; the rotating mirror module 500 is configured to rotate around an axis to guide the detection beam to scan the target object in the field of view; the receiving module 200 is used to receive and detect the receiving beam returned from the target object.

[0055] like Figure 8As shown, the transmitting module 100 emits detection light, which is then reflected by the reflector of the rotating mirror module 500 out of the LiDAR, completing the emission of the detection light. The rotating mirror module 500 can also rotate to adjust the emission angle of the detection light, guiding the detection beam to scan the target object within the field of view. After reflecting off the object, the detection light enters the LiDAR as receiving light. The reflector of the rotating mirror module 500 then reflects the received light to the receiving module 200. The chip on the receiving module 200 receives and processes the received light.

[0056] Optionally, the laser radar further includes a transceiver separation mechanism. The transceiver separation mechanism uses a mirror to reflect the detection light to guide the detection light to the rotating mirror module 500, and uses a hole to transmit the receiving light to guide the receiving light to the receiving module 200. That is, the detection light emitted from the transmitting module 100 can be directly transmitted through the transceiver separation mechanism via the hole, and the reflected receiving light can be reflected by the mirror in the transceiver separation mechanism. That is, the reverse receiving path can be separated from the forward transmitting path at the transceiver separation mechanism. Thus, with the aid of the transceiver separation mechanism, the laser radar can achieve coaxial transmission and reception. Advantageously, coaxial transmission and reception can avoid the problem of imaging position deviation of the return light spots of short-range and long-range detection caused by the separation of the optical axes of the two, thereby avoiding the additional calibration caused by this problem, which is conducive to mass production of products.

[0057] Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitting and receiving separation mechanism is a beam splitter 400, which is positioned at the intersection of the transmitting and receiving light paths. The reflective mirror surface of the beam splitter 400 is used to reflect the detection light beam emitted by the transmitting module 100 to the rotating mirror module 500. The receiving light beam returning from the target object reaches the beam splitter 400 after passing through the rotating mirror module 500, and then passes around the beam splitter 400 to enter the receiving module 200, thereby achieving the transmission and reception separation. Of course, users can also adopt other structures as the transmitting and receiving separation mechanism, such as a driven reflector, which is not limited here.

[0058] Optionally, the laser radar also includes a mainboard 600 and a connector 740. The transmitting module 100 and the receiving module 200 are both electrically connected to the mainboard 600, and data is transmitted through the mainboard 600. The connector 740 is also connected to the mainboard 600 and can be used to connect to other devices outside the laser radar, facilitating data transmission between the laser radar and other devices. The structure of the connector 740 can refer to a USB interface, a Type-C interface, etc.

[0059] Optional, such as Figure 9As shown, the LiDAR also includes an upper housing 720, a lower housing 710, and a window 730. The upper housing 720 and window 730 can be connected using glue. The lower housing 710 and upper housing 720 can be screwed together to ensure the overall sealing and waterproof performance of the device. The mainboard 600, transceiver module, and rotating mirror module 500 can be fastened to the lower housing 710 using screws to ensure the stability of the connection between the components. Of course, users can also choose the connection method between the components according to their needs, and this is not limited here.

[0060] Optionally, the laser radar further includes a transceiver housing 300, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, a transmitting lens 310 and a receiving lens 320 are provided in the transceiver housing 300 , and the transmitting lens 310 and the receiving lens 320 are used to perform processing such as shaping the light path. Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, there are three transmitting lenses 310 and three receiving lenses 320. The number of transmitting lenses 310 and three receiving lenses 320 can be set by the user as needed, and this number is not limited here. The receiving module 200, the transmitting module 100, and the transceiver housing 300 together constitute a transceiver module, which is used to transmit and receive laser signals and to shape the laser signals.

[0061] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and substance of the present application, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A transmitting module for laser radar, characterized in that: It includes a launch plate, a launch plate bracket and a laser, wherein: The laser is fixedly connected to the emitting plate, and the emitting plate bracket is fixedly connected to the emitting plate to improve the strength of the emitting plate. The emitting plate bracket is fitted with the laser to dissipate heat of the laser.

2. The transmitting module according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a heat-conducting layer, which is located between the laser and the launch plate bracket and is used to transfer the heat of the laser to the launch plate bracket.

3. The transmitting module according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is an emission aperture and an aperture holder, wherein: The emitting plate has a light-transmitting hole, and the emitting diaphragm is connected to the side of the emitting plate away from the laser through the diaphragm bracket. The emitting diaphragm is provided with an adjustment hole corresponding to the position of the light-transmitting hole for shaping the light path.

4. The transmitting module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The aperture bracket and the emission aperture are fixed by glue through four glue holes, and the glue holes are distributed in a rectangular shape around the adjustment hole.

5. The transmitting module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clamping groove is provided on a side of the launch plate bracket facing away from the launch plate, and the clamping groove is used to cooperate with a clamping device to clamp the launch module.

6. The transmitting module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The aperture bracket, the emitting plate and the emitting plate bracket are fixedly connected via a fixing piece.

7. The transmitting module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The launch plate bracket is provided with 4 connection holes, and the 4 connection holes are distributed in a rectangular shape; The emitting plate and the aperture bracket are both provided with through holes corresponding to the positions of the four connecting holes, and the fixing members pass through the through holes and are fixedly connected to the connecting holes.

8. The transmitting module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The launch board bracket has an installation cavity for accommodating the laser, and the side wall of the installation cavity is provided with a support portion for supporting the launch board, and the distance between the support portion and the top end of the side wall of the installation cavity is greater than or equal to the thickness of the launch board.

9. The transmitting module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The emission aperture is installed at a preset position on the aperture bracket through adjustment.

10. A laser radar, characterized in that: It comprises a receiving module, a rotating mirror module and the transmitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The emission module is used to emit a detection light beam; The rotating mirror module is configured to rotate about an axis to guide the detection light beam to scan the target object within the field of view; The receiving module is used to receive and detect the receiving light beam returned from the target object.

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