Actuated Spinning Sensor Vertical Field of View
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinning LIDAR sensors have limited vertical field of view and resolution due to fixed laser angles, resulting in incomplete and less detailed three-dimensional images, with existing solutions like robotic arms being cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system that inclines and precesses the sensor axis relative to the rotation axis, allowing for increased vertical field of view and resolution by transforming uncompensated sensor data through mount rotation and inclination angle adjustments, enabling composite sensing with enhanced resolution and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If lasers are fixed at specific angles in a spinning LIDAR sensor array, then the sensor can be manufactured simply and inexpensively, but the vertical field of view is substantially constrained and the resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tilt mechanism that dynamically adjusts the orientation of the laser array relative to the rotation axis. Instead of fixed angles, the laser array can be tilted at variable angles during operation, allowing the vertical field of view to be adapted to different application requirements while maintaining the spinning LIDAR's core functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the laser array orientation by introducing a tilt angle relative to the rotation axis. This parameter change allows the same sensor hardware to achieve different vertical fields of view by adjusting the tilt angle, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple fixed-angle sensors
2Device complexity
If lasers are spaced at fixed angles in the sensor array, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and resolution of the three-dimensional images deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the laser array orientation, allowing the system to optimize its measurement precision by adjusting the tilt angle to capture more vertical points. This dynamic capability improves three-dimensional image resolution without requiring a more complex fixed multi-array configuration
3Productivity
If the sensor array spins at high speeds to capture more points, then the productivity of data collection is improved, but the vertical field of view remains constrained by fixed laser angles
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a dynamic tilt mechanism, the patent allows the laser array to sweep through a larger vertical angular range while maintaining high spinning speeds. The tilt angle adjustment enables the system to expand vertical field of view coverage without reducing the spin rate, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving adaptability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The actuator system significantly improves sensor performance by increasing the effective vertical field of view and resolution, reducing blind spots and enhancing the ability to detect and map environments with higher fidelity, suitable for autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Implementation Method 1
a rotator configured to rotate the mount about the rotation axis to precess the sensor axis about the rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
Based on the time-of-flight of the photons, individual points are identified by measuring the time elapsed between the generation of a light pulse and detection of an apparent returns pulse
Implementation Method 3
A LIDAR uses one more of lasers and photodiode detectors to measure distances of points in a 3D environment. The lasers are set to rapidly emit pulses of light (photons), while the light detectors are set to detect photons
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a system and methods for generating three dimensional (3D) images with increased composite vertical field of view and composite resolution for a spinning three-dimensional sensor, based on actuating the sensor to generate a plurality of sensor axis orientations as a function of rotation of the actuator. The output data from the sensor, such as a spinning LIDAR, is transformable as a function of the actuator angle to generate three dimensional imagery.