Angled Lidar Beam Path for 3D Scanning Without Rotating Lasers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lidar scanning systems require complex control of scanning mirrors and rotation of electronic components, limiting their ability to scan beyond flat planes or conic sections and preventing the creation of full 3D point cloud maps, which is crucial for applications like self-driving vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A lidar apparatus with a stationary laser source and detector, where the emission beam path is angled relative to the scanning axis, allowing the scanning mirror to rotate and sweep a path that varies in angle, enabling 3D scanning without rotating the laser source or detector, and simplifying the construction by eliminating the need for rotating couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the emission beam path is coincident with the scanning axis, then the apparatus structure is simplified, but the scanning is limited to flat planes or conic sections and cannot create full 3D point cloud maps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately offsetting the emission beam path from the scanning axis at a specific angle. This asymmetric configuration allows the scanning mirror to sweep the beam through a three-dimensional volume rather than being constrained to a plane or conic section, enabling full 3D point cloud mapping while maintaining a relatively simple apparatus structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional scanning (flat planes or conic sections) to three-dimensional scanning by angling the emission beam path relative to the scanning axis. This dimensional change allows the laser beam to sweep through a volumetric space, creating comprehensive 3D point cloud maps of the surrounding environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are rotated to achieve 3D scanning, then scanning versatility is improved, but mechanical stress and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational movement requirement from electronic components (laser source and detector) and concentrates it solely on the scanning mirror. By removing the need to rotate electronic components, the system eliminates complex rotating couplings and reduces mechanical stress on sensitive electronic parts, while still achieving 3D scanning capability through the angled beam path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation of electronic components with a fixed geometric configuration (angled emission beam path) combined with mirror rotation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical coupling systems and reduces wear and stress on rotating joints, while maintaining full 3D scanning capability.
3Ease of operation
If the scanning mirror rotates about an axis coincident with the emission beam path, then the scanning is simplified to a detecting plane, but 3D volume scanning cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry by positioning the emission beam path at an angle to the scanning axis rather than making them coincident. This asymmetric arrangement causes the rotating mirror to sweep the beam through a three-dimensional conic volume rather than a flat plane, expanding scanning coverage while requiring only simple mirror rotation control.
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
Enables efficient 3D scanning of volumes without complex mirror control, reducing mechanical stress and simplifying the apparatus, allowing for accurate 3D point cloud creation with only the scanning mirror rotating, thus improving scanning capabilities for applications like self-driving vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning mirror angled to the optical axis of the receiving lens and controlled to rotate about a scanning axis... the mirror is rotated about an axis of rotation that is coincident with the emission beam path
Implementation Method 2
Light is reflected back from objects located in the detecting plane onto the mirror where it is reflected back through a receiving lens, the optical axis of which is coincident with the emission beam path, such that it is focused on a detector
Implementation Method 3
a pulsed laser emits light pulses along an emission beam path... the time that it takes a pulse of light to be reflected from an object and returned to a receiver
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved lidar apparatus (11) that can scan a surrounding volume without requiring the rotation or other movement of any component other than a scanning mirror (17). The apparatus (11) comprises: a receiving lens (16) having an optical axis; the scanning mirror (17) that is angled to the optical axis of the receiving lens (16) and controlled to rotate about the optical axis of the receiving lens; at least one stationary laser source (12) that is positioned to emit light along an associated emission beam path (14) to be reflected by the scanning mirror (17) along an associated scanning beam path (18); and at least one detector (19), associated with a laser source (12) and positioned to receive light from said laser source (12) that is reflected by external objects and returned through the receiving lens (16) via the scanning mirror (17). The apparatus (11) is characterised in that the emission beam path (14) is located at an angle to the optical axis of the receiving lens (16). Embodiment of the invention comprise a plurality of laser sources (12) such that the apparatus can scan a 3D volume surrounding the apparatus (11) whilst holding each source stationary. The present invention also provides an improved method of lidar scanning that utilises any apparatus (11) according to the present invention.