Angled Optical Fiber End for Coaxial Lidar Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vision systems for vehicles, such as lidar systems, face challenges in cost-effectiveness, beam quality, and maintenance complexity due to the need for multiple light sources and mechanical parts, which increase costs and complexity, and often result in beam losses and limited field of view.
Innovation Solution
A vision system utilizing optical fibers with angled-cut emitting ends that act as both apertures and mirrors, allowing for a single, cost-effective implementation of the optical source, mirror, and aperture in one part, reducing the need for beam splitters and minimizing adjustments, while providing low divergence and high receiving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple light sources are installed to extend the field of view, then the field of view is extended, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the field of view into multiple segments by using a single light source that emits light in different directions through an array of light-receiving units positioned at different orientations. Each unit captures light from a specific angular sector, collectively covering the entire field of view without requiring multiple separate light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
A single light source performs the function that would traditionally require multiple light sources by emitting light that can be detected by multiple receiving units oriented in different directions. The light source serves multiple functional purposes: illuminating different parts of the scene and enabling measurements from multiple angular perspectives simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If a combined laser/detector unit is rotated to extend the field of view, then the field of view is extended, but mechanical wear and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical rotation mechanism with a static array of light-receiving units positioned at different orientations. Instead of rotating a combined laser/detector unit to scan the environment, multiple fixed receiving units capture light from different angles simultaneously, eliminating mechanical moving parts and associated maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The field of view is segmented into multiple angular sectors, each captured by a dedicated receiving unit oriented in a specific direction. This segmentation allows the system to cover a wide field of view without mechanical rotation, as each segment is captured simultaneously by its corresponding unit.
3Ease of operation
If beam splitters and multiple optical components are used to separate emitted and received light beams, then the light paths are separated, but beam losses occur and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the beam splitter component from the optical path. By using an array of light-receiving units positioned at different orientations, the system achieves light path separation without requiring beam splitters, thereby avoiding the associated beam losses and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The array of light-receiving units acts as an intermediary that directly captures light from different directions without requiring beam splitters or other intermediate optical components. This direct capture approach eliminates the energy losses that would occur through beam splitters while achieving the necessary light path separation.
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
This solution significantly reduces costs and complexity by integrating the optical source, mirror, and aperture into a single part, enhancing beam quality and efficiency, and allowing for a wider field of view without the need for additional mechanical components, making it particularly effective for coaxial Lidar systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical fiber which is adapted to guide said light beam
Implementation Method 2
the cut and polished end of the optical transceiver acts as an aperture and mirror for the receiving light
Implementation Method 3
the cut and polished end of the optical transceiver acts as an aperture and mirror for the receiving light
Implementation Method 4
at least one light source arranged on an emitting side adapted to generate at least one light beam
Implementation Method 5
a light sensing device to sense light redirected from the light deflection device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Vision system (1) for a motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one light source (2) arranged on an emitting side (23) adapted to generate at least one light beam (3,29) and at least one receiving unit (25) arranged on a receiving side (24) with a light deflection device (6), which is adapted to redirect light which is incident on said light deflection device (6) from a scanned surface (4) in an environment (5) of the vehicle (100), and a light sensing device (8) to sense light redirected from the light deflection device (6) and a data processing device (19). The emitting side (23) comprises at least one optical fiber (51), which is adapted to guide said light beam (3,29) and an emitting end (28) of the optical fiber (51) is cut in a specific angle to separate the exiting light beam (3,29) from a reflected light beam portion (16) of the light beam (3,29) and to redirect the reflected light beam portion (16) into the receiving unit (25), therefore acting as a deflection device (6).