Asymmetrical Optical Window Lidar Scanning Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lidar devices with symmetric optical windows are ineffective when the center of light-beam scanning is not aligned with the central axis, leading to reduced image formation capability of the light receiving lens, especially when a rotatable deflection mirror is used for scanning.
Innovation Solution
A lidar device with an asymmetrical optical window configuration, where the scanning center is offset from the window center, ensuring that the optical window's influence on light beams passing through different points is consistent, thereby maintaining image formation capability across various scanning directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a symmetric optical window is used with central axis alignment, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the image formation capability deteriorates when scanning center is offset from window center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the optical window with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that is asymmetrical about the window center. This asymmetric design compensates for the offset between the scanning center and window center, allowing the light receiving lens to maintain its image formation capability across different scanning directions without requiring perfect central alignment
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning center is offset from the window center, then the lidar can achieve non-central scanning configurations, but the optical window influence on light beams becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different regions within the optical window with different properties. The asymmetric cross-sectional shape creates varying thickness distributions and refractive characteristics at different locations, which locally compensates for the offset scanning configuration and ensures consistent light beam passage and reception across the scanning field
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 asymmetrical optical window design allows for consistent light beam passage and reception, enhancing the lidar device's image formation capability even when the scanning center is offset from the window center, making it applicable for lidar devices with non-central scanning configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The optical window is configured to enable a transmitted light beam to pass therethrough, and a received light beam to pass therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection module projects a light beam to scan the light beam in a scanning direction, and receives a light beam arriving from a scanning region of the light beam. The light detection module is arranged such that a scanning center indicative of a center of the scanning of the light beam is located to be different from a window center of an optical window in the scanning direction. The optical window has a target surface that is one of the outer side surface and the inner side surface. The target surface has a cross-section along a scanning surface of the transmitted light beam. The scanning surface is defined by the scanning direction of the transmitted light beam and the transmission direction of the light beam from the light detection module. The cross-section of the target surface is shaped to be asymmetrical about the window center.