Zoom laser range finder and ranging method

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of detection equipment, and particularly relates to a zoom laser range finder and a ranging method, which comprise a laser emission module, a laser receiving module and a control module, the laser emission module comprises a laser and a laser zoom emission assembly arranged on the optical axis of the laser, the laser receiving module comprises a detector and a laser zoom receiving assembly arranged on the receiving optical axis of the detector, and the laser zoom emission assembly and the laser zoom receiving assembly are cooperatively adjusted to realize dynamic adjustment of the laser divergence angle of 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad, so that the defects of the traditional laser range finder, i.e. the fixed divergence angle and the inability to simultaneously consider long-distance high-precision measurement and short-distance wide-range search, are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of detection equipment technology, specifically relating to a zoom laser rangefinder and a ranging method. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of technology, laser ranging technology has been widely used in many fields, such as industry, surveying, and construction. Traditional laser rangefinders are mainly based on the principle of pulsed laser ranging, calculating the target distance by measuring the flight time of the laser pulse. This method can achieve a long range when there is a cooperative target, and can also be used for short-range measurements (within a few kilometers) even without a cooperative target, where high accuracy is not required. However, existing laser rangefinders have a significant limitation: their laser divergence angle is fixed and cannot be adjusted according to different ranging needs.

[0003] In practical applications, different ranging scenarios place different demands on the performance of laser rangefinders. For example, in long-distance ranging, a smaller laser divergence angle is needed to improve measurement accuracy and range; while in short-distance ranging, a larger laser divergence angle can expand the measurement range and improve measurement efficiency. However, existing laser rangefinders, due to their fixed divergence angle, cannot simultaneously meet the needs of both long-distance and short-distance ranging, which to some extent limits the application scope and flexibility of laser ranging technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art, this invention provides a zoom laser rangefinder and a ranging method.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a zoom laser rangefinder, comprising: A laser emission module is mounted on a base plate inside the rangefinder housing. The laser emission module includes a laser and a laser zoom emission assembly disposed on the optical axis of the laser. The laser is used to generate laser light and transmits the generated laser light to the target to be ranged through the laser zoom emission assembly. A laser receiving module is mounted parallel to a substrate on one side of a laser emitting module. The laser receiving module includes a detector and a laser zoom receiving component disposed on the receiving optical axis of the detector. The detector is used to receive the laser signal reflected by the target to be ranged after zooming through the laser zoom receiving component. The control module is connected to the input end of the laser and the output end of the detector. It is also electrically connected to the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component. The control module is used to control the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component to zoom according to the received ranging requirements, control the laser to generate laser light, and calculate the target distance according to the signal fed back by the detector.

[0006] Further improvements to this technical solution include a laser zoom emitting assembly comprising a first zoom lens group, an emitting objective lens, a first stepper motor, a first slide rail, a first slider, a first transmission assembly, and a first focal length sensor. The first zoom lens group includes at least one concave mirror, which is fixed on the first slider. The first slider is slidably connected to the first slide rail, which is fixed on the substrate along the optical axis of the laser. The first slider is connected to the output end of the first stepper motor via the first transmission assembly, and the input end of the first stepper motor is connected to the output end of the control module. The emitting objective lens is a convex mirror, fixed on the substrate of the first zoom lens group away from the laser. The first focal length sensor is integrated between the first zoom lens group and the emitting objective lens, used to detect the position information of the first zoom lens group and feed it back to the control module.

[0007] Further improvements to this technical solution include a laser zoom receiving assembly comprising a second zoom lens group, a receiving objective lens, a second stepper motor, a second slide rail, a second slider, a second transmission assembly, and a second focal length sensor. The second zoom lens group includes at least one concave mirror, which is fixed on the second slider. The second slider is slidably connected to the second slide rail, which is parallel to a substrate on one side of the first slide rail. The second slider is connected to the output of the second stepper motor via the second transmission assembly, and the input of the second stepper motor is connected to the output of the control module. The receiving objective lens is a convex mirror, fixed on a substrate of the second zoom lens group away from the detector. The second focal length sensor is integrated between the second zoom lens group and the receiving objective lens, used to detect the position information of the second zoom lens group and feed it back to the control module.

[0008] Further improvements to this technical solution include: the laser is a pulsed laser, whose output end is aligned with the concave mirror of the laser zoom emitting component to provide pulsed laser light to the laser zoom emitting component; the detector is a detector whose wavelength is matched with the laser, and whose photosensitive surface is aligned with the rear end of the second zoom lens group of the laser zoom receiving component to receive reflected light signals.

[0009] Further improvements to this technical solution include that the laser divergence angle range of the laser zoom transmitting component is 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad; and the laser zoom receiving component can match a divergence angle of 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad.

[0010] Further improvements to this technical solution include the provision of light-transmitting protective lenses at the through-holes on the rangefinder housing that match the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component. These light-transmitting protective lenses are anti-reflective coating lenses.

[0011] Secondly, the present invention provides a ranging method based on the zoom laser rangefinder described in any one of the above claims, comprising: S1. Receive ranging requests and determine the target distance range based on the received ranging requests; S2. Select the laser divergence angle θ according to the target distance range; S3. Control the first stepper motor of the laser zoom emission assembly to adjust the focal length f so that the laser divergence angle reaches θ. S4. Synchronously control the second stepper motor of the laser zoom receiver component to make the receiving angle of the laser zoom receiver component φ=θ; S5. Trigger the laser to emit pulsed laser light; S6. Receive the reflected light signal through the detector; S7. Calculate the target distance D based on the signal fed back by the detector and output the result.

[0012] Further improvements to this technical solution include the following rule for selecting the divergence angle in step S2: If the target distance ,set up ; If the target distance ,set up ; like ,set up . Further improvements to this technical solution include step S3, which specifically includes: S3a, through formula Calculate the required focal length; where k is the laser characteristic constant. ; S3b, via formula Calculate the displacement of the stepper motor; where, This is the mechanical transmission ratio. ; As the reference focal length, ; S3c drives the stepper motor to move. ; Synchronization, in step S4, the receiving angle of the laser zoom receiver component Adjusted to: .

[0013] A further improvement to this technical solution is that the distance calculation formula in step S7 is: ; Where D is the target distance in meters; c is the speed of light, i.e., c equals 3 × 10⁻⁶. 8 m / s; The time difference between laser emission and reception, in seconds; Divergence angle θ and maximum range The relationship is: ; in, This is the calibration constant for the maximum ranging capability. .

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention achieves dynamic adjustment of the laser divergence angle from 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad through the coordinated adjustment of the laser zoom transmitting and receiving components. This solves the problem of traditional laser rangefinders, which cannot simultaneously achieve high-precision long-distance measurement and wide-range short-distance search due to their fixed divergence angle. When the target is far away, a small divergence angle of 0.1 mrad can be selected to reduce laser energy loss and extend the measurement range; when the target is close, a large divergence angle of 2 mrad can be selected to expand the measurement coverage and improve efficiency, flexibly adapting to diverse ranging needs in industries such as industrial surveying and construction.

[0015] The laser zoom receiver component ensures real-time matching with the divergence angle of the transmitting component by synchronously adjusting the receiving angle (φ=θ). Combined with a wavelength-matched detector and an anti-reflection protective lens, it minimizes the attenuation of reflected light signals and stray light interference, significantly improving the efficiency of reflected light capture. Even in complex environments (such as light interference or low reflectivity of the target surface), it can still stably receive signals and reduce ranging errors.

[0016] The control module automatically selects the divergence angle, adjusts the focal length, and drives the stepper motor according to the ranging requirements, without manual intervention. By introducing parameters such as laser characteristic constants and mechanical transmission ratios to optimize focal length calculation and stepper motor displacement, divergence angle accuracy control at the 0.1 mrad level is achieved. Distance calculation combined with high-precision time difference detection reduces distance measurement errors.

[0017] The laser zoom transmitting and receiving components achieve precise mechanical adjustment via slide rails, sliders, and transmission components. Anti-reflective coatings are installed at the through-holes in the rangefinder housing to protect the optical components from dust and moisture corrosion, while also reducing laser reflection loss. The overall structure is compact and modular, facilitating maintenance and upgrades and extending the equipment's lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a laser rangefinder at a large angle.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a small-angle schematic diagram of a laser rangefinder.

[0021] Figure 3This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specific embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a zoom laser rangefinder, comprising: Rangefinder housing; A laser emitting module is mounted on a base plate inside the rangefinder housing, and the rangefinder housing has through holes that match the laser emitting module. The laser emitting module includes a laser and a laser zoom emitting assembly disposed on the optical axis of the laser. The laser is used to generate laser light and transmits the generated laser light to the target to be ranged through the laser zoom emitting assembly. A laser receiving module is mounted parallel to a substrate on one side of a laser emitting module, and the rangefinder housing has a through hole that matches the laser emitting module; the laser receiving module includes a detector and a laser zoom receiving component disposed on the receiving optical axis of the detector; the detector is used to receive the laser signal reflected by the target to be ranged after zooming through the laser zoom receiving component; The control module is connected to the input end of the laser and the output end of the detector. It is also electrically connected to the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component. The control module is used to control the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component to zoom according to the received ranging requirements, control the laser to generate laser light, and calculate the target distance according to the signal fed back by the detector.

[0025] Specifically, the laser zoom emitting assembly includes a first zoom lens group, an emitting objective lens, a first stepper motor, a first slide rail, a first slider, a first transmission assembly, and a first focal length sensor. The first zoom lens group includes at least one concave mirror, which is fixed on the first slider. The first slider is slidably connected to the first slide rail, which is fixed on the substrate along the optical axis of the laser. The first slider is connected to the output end of the first stepper motor through the first transmission assembly, and the input end of the first stepper motor is connected to the output end of the control module. The emitting objective lens is a convex mirror and is fixed on the substrate of the first zoom lens group away from the laser. The first focal length sensor is integrated between the first zoom lens group and the emitting objective lens and is used to detect the position information of the first zoom lens group and feed it back to the control module.

[0026] Specifically, the laser zoom receiving assembly includes a second zoom lens group, a receiving objective lens, a second stepper motor, a second slide rail, a second slider, a second transmission assembly, and a second focal length sensor. The second zoom lens group includes at least one concave mirror, which is fixed on the second slider. The second slider is slidably connected to the second slide rail, which is parallel to a substrate on one side of the first slide rail. The second slider is connected to the output end of the second stepper motor via the second transmission assembly, and the input end of the second stepper motor is connected to the output end of the control module. The receiving objective lens is a convex mirror, fixed on the substrate of the second zoom lens group away from the detector. The second focal length sensor is integrated between the second zoom lens group and the receiving objective lens, and is used to detect the position information of the second zoom lens group and feed it back to the control module.

[0027] In addition, the laser is a pulsed laser, and its output end is aligned with the concave mirror of the laser zoom emitting component to provide pulsed laser to the laser zoom emitting component; the detector is a detector whose wavelength is matched with the laser, and its photosensitive surface is aligned with the rear end of the second zoom lens group of the laser zoom receiving component to receive reflected light signals.

[0028] The laser zoom emitting component has a laser divergence angle range of 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad; the laser zoom receiving component can match a divergence angle of 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad.

[0029] In addition, light-transmitting protective lenses are provided at the through holes on the rangefinder housing that match the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component. The light-transmitting protective lenses are anti-reflective lenses.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, Figure 3 The executing entity can be a ranging method using a zoom laser rangefinder. Depending on different requirements, the order of the steps in this flowchart can be changed, and some can be omitted.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown, the method includes: S1. Receive ranging requests and determine the target distance range based on the received ranging requests; S2. Select the laser divergence angle θ according to the target distance range; S3. Control the first stepper motor of the laser zoom emission assembly to adjust the focal length f so that the laser divergence angle reaches θ. S4. Synchronously control the second stepper motor of the laser zoom receiver component to make the receiving angle of the laser zoom receiver component φ=θ; S5. Trigger the laser to emit pulsed laser light; S6. Receive the reflected light signal through the detector; S7. Calculate the target distance D based on the signal fed back by the detector and output the result.

[0032] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the ranging method provided by the present invention will be further described below based on the principle of the ranging method of the present invention and in conjunction with the process of measuring the distance to the target to be detected using the zoom laser rangefinder described in any of the above embodiments.

[0033] First, step S1 includes: 1. Method for receiving ranging requirements: The control module receives ranging requests through at least one of the following methods: Manual input: The rangefinder housing has physical buttons (such as "short distance", "medium distance", "long distance" settings) or a touch screen. Users can select or input a specific distance range (such as "1-2km", "3-5km") via the buttons. The input signal is transmitted to the microprocessor through the input interface of the control module.

[0034] Automatic recognition: The control module integrates an ambient light sensor and a target contour recognition unit. It acquires images of the target area through a camera and analyzes the approximate distance range of the target by combining the ambient light intensity (such as recognizing distant targets in strong light and prioritizing the detection of close targets in weak light), and automatically generates distance measurement requirements.

[0035] External command reception: The control module receives ranging commands sent by external devices (such as drones, industrial control systems) through communication interfaces (such as RS485, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). The command format includes target distance range parameters (such as "D>5km").

[0036] 2. Logic for determining the target distance range: After receiving a ranging request, the control module parses and maps it into a specific distance range using a preset algorithm. The specific rules are as follows: If a gear position instruction is received (e.g., the user presses the "long distance" key), it is directly mapped to a preset range: "long distance" corresponds to "D > 5 km", "medium distance" corresponds to "2 km < D ≤ 5 km", and "short distance" corresponds to "D ≤ 2 km".

[0037] If a specific numerical input is received (e.g., the user enters "3000 m" through the touch screen), the range is determined according to the interval in which the numerical value falls: 3000 m belongs to "2 km < D ≤ 5 km", triggering the medium distance mode.

[0038] If an external device instruction is received (e.g., "estimated target distance is 6 km"), the numerical value (6 km) in the instruction is extracted and determined as "D > 5 km", triggering the long distance mode.

[0039] If it is an automatic recognition result (e.g., the target contour is blurred and the ambient light intensity ≥ 5000 lux), it is determined as "D > 5 km"; if the target contour is clear and the ambient light intensity < 5000 lux, it is determined as "D ≤ 2 km".

[0040] The control module stores the determined target distance range in the memory as the basis for subsequent selection of the laser divergence angle, and feeds back the current mode to the user through an indicator light or a display screen (e.g., a red light on indicates short distance, a green light on indicates medium distance, and a blue light on indicates long distance).

[0041] Secondly, the divergence angle selection rule in step S2 is as follows: If the target distance , set ; If the target distance , set ; If , set . Next, step S3 specifically includes: S3a. Calculate the required focal length through the formula ; where k is the laser characteristic constant, ; S3b. Calculate the stepping motor displacement through the formula ; where is the mechanical transmission ratio, ; is the reference focal length, ; S3c. Drive the stepping motor to move ; Synchronously, the receiving angle of the laser zoom receiving component in step S4 is adjusted to: .

[0042] Finally, the distance calculation formula in step S7 is: ; Where D is the target distance in meters; c is the speed of light, i.e., c equals 3 × 10⁻⁶. 8 m / s; The time difference between laser emission and reception, in seconds; Divergence angle θ and maximum range The relationship is: ; in, This is the calibration constant for the maximum ranging capability. .

[0043] The present invention also provides a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium may store a program, which, when executed, may include some or all of the steps provided in the embodiments of the present invention. The storage medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, read-only memory (ROM), or random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the techniques in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium such as a USB flash drive, mobile hard drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk, or other media capable of storing program code. It includes several instructions to cause a computer terminal (which may be a personal computer, server, or a second terminal, network terminal, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various equivalent modifications or substitutions can be made to the embodiments of the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention, and such modifications or substitutions should all be within the scope of the present invention. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should also be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A zoom laser rangefinder, characterized in that, include: A laser emission module is mounted on a base plate inside the rangefinder housing. The laser emission module includes a laser and a laser zoom emission assembly disposed on the optical axis of the laser. The laser is used to generate laser light and transmits the generated laser light to the target to be ranged through the laser zoom emission assembly. A laser receiving module is mounted parallel to a substrate on one side of a laser emitting module. The laser receiving module includes a detector and a laser zoom receiving component disposed on the receiving optical axis of the detector. The detector is used to receive the laser signal reflected by the target to be ranged after zooming through the laser zoom receiving component. The control module is connected to the input end of the laser and the output end of the detector. It is also electrically connected to the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component. The control module is used to control the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component to zoom according to the received ranging requirements, control the laser to generate laser light, and calculate the target distance according to the signal fed back by the detector.

2. The zoom laser rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser zoom emitting assembly includes a first zoom lens group, an emitting objective lens, a first stepper motor, a first slide rail, a first slider, a first transmission assembly, and a first focal length sensor; the first zoom lens group includes at least one concave mirror, the concave mirror is fixed on the first slider, the first slider is slidably connected to the first slide rail, the first slide rail is fixed on the substrate along the optical axis of the laser, the first slider is connected to the output end of the first stepper motor through the first transmission assembly, and the input end of the first stepper motor is connected to the output end of the control module; The emitting objective lens is a convex mirror, fixed on a substrate of the first zoom lens group away from the laser; the first focal length sensor is integrated between the first zoom lens group and the emitting objective lens, used to detect the position information of the first zoom lens group and feed it back to the control module.

3. The zoom laser rangefinder according to claim 2, characterized in that, The laser zoom receiver assembly includes a second zoom lens group, a receiving objective lens, a second stepper motor, a second slide rail, a second slider, a second transmission assembly, and a second focal length sensor. The second zoom lens group includes at least one concave mirror, which is fixed on the second slider. The second slider is slidably connected to the second slide rail, which is parallel to a substrate on one side of the first slide rail. The second slider is connected to the output of the second stepper motor via the second transmission assembly, and the input of the second stepper motor is connected to the output of the control module. The receiving objective lens is a convex mirror and is fixed on the substrate of the second zoom lens group away from the detector. The second focal length sensor is integrated between the second zoom lens group and the receiving objective lens to detect the position information of the second zoom lens group and feed it back to the control module.

4. The zoom laser rangefinder according to claim 3, characterized in that, The laser is a pulsed laser, and its output end is aligned with the concave mirror of the laser zoom emitting component to provide pulsed laser light to the laser zoom emitting component; the detector is a detector whose wavelength is matched with the laser, and its photosensitive surface is aligned with the rear end of the second zoom lens group of the laser zoom receiving component to receive reflected light signals.

5. The zoom laser rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser zoom transmitting component has a laser divergence angle range of 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad; the laser zoom receiving component can match a divergence angle of 0.1 mrad to 2 mrad.

6. The zoom laser rangefinder according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rangefinder housing has light-transmitting protective lenses at the through holes that match the laser zoom emitting component and the laser zoom receiving component. These protective lenses are anti-reflective coating lenses.

7. A ranging method based on the zoom laser rangefinder according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: S1. Receive ranging requests and determine the target distance range based on the received ranging requests; S2. Select the laser divergence angle θ according to the target distance range; S3. Control the first stepper motor of the laser zoom emission assembly to adjust the focal length f so that the laser divergence angle reaches θ. S4. Synchronously control the second stepper motor of the laser zoom receiver component to make the receiving angle of the laser zoom receiver component φ=θ; S5, triggers the laser to emit pulsed laser light; S6. Receive the reflected light signal through the detector; S7. Calculate the target distance D based on the signal fed back by the detector and output the result.

8. The ranging method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The divergence angle selection rule in step S2 is as follows: If the target distance ,set up ; If the target distance ,set up ; like ,set up .

9. The ranging method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Step S3 specifically includes: S3a, through formula Calculate the required focal length; where k is the laser characteristic constant. ; S3b, via formula Calculate the displacement of the stepper motor; where, This is the mechanical transmission ratio. ; As the reference focal length, ; S3c drives the stepper motor to move. ; Synchronization, in step S4, the receiving angle of the laser zoom receiver component Adjusted to: .

10. The ranging method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The distance calculation formula in step S7 is: ； Where D is the target distance in meters; c is the speed of light, i.e., c equals 3 × 10⁻⁶. 8 m / s; The time difference between laser emission and reception, in seconds; Divergence angle θ and maximum range The relationship is: ； in, This is the calibration constant for the maximum ranging capability. .

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