Compact 3D Lidar Sensor Using Segmented Optical Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Lidar sensors face challenges in minimizing size and increasing the angle of view while maintaining cost-effectiveness, due to the need for multiple mirrors and expensive components, which limits their application as commercial products.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves dividing the Lidar sensor into transmitter and receiver modules, using a first and second reflection area with a light blocking wall to separate the light paths, and employing a first angle adjusting unit that synchronizes the normal lines of these areas to minimize size and reduce scattered light, allowing for three-dimensional scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specific tube or long distance method is employed to form an efficient beam path, then the beam path efficiency is improved, but the size of the Lidar sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the transmitter and receiver inside a compact housing structure with optimized internal geometry. The light path is folded back on itself using strategically positioned mirrors, creating a nested arrangement where the optical path length is extended within a minimized external footprint, effectively nesting the beam path within the sensor housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple mirrors arranged in a three-dimensional configuration to fold the light path. By utilizing vertical and lateral spatial dimensions rather than a simple linear extension, the optical path is extended in multiple directions, achieving long effective distance within a compact form factor through dimensional optimization.
2Reliability
If a plurality of mirrors having high reflectance are used to form an efficient beam path, then the beam path efficiency is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard commercial mirrors with adequate reflectance rather than specialized high-cost mirrors. The design accepts that these mirrors may have slightly lower reflectance than premium components but achieves sufficient performance through optimized optical geometry and minimal light path losses, reducing overall system cost while maintaining functional requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If the transmitter and receiver are disposed close to each other to minimize size, then the size is reduced, but scattered light from the transmitter may interfere with the receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the internal space into distinct transmitter and receiver regions using light-blocking walls and reflective barriers. This segmentation creates separate optical zones that prevent direct line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver, isolating the receiver from scattered light while maintaining compact overall dimensions through efficient spatial partitioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light-blocking walls and reflective barriers as intermediary structures between the transmitter and receiver. These intermediaries actively manage light paths by blocking scattered light from reaching the receiver while allowing the compact arrangement to be maintained, serving as protective elements that enable close positioning without interference.
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 approach enables a compact Lidar sensor capable of three-dimensional scanning with improved cost-effectiveness and increased angle of view, reducing the size and complexity of the device while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
a light blocking wall which separates a movement path of the transmitted light and a movement path of the received light
Implementation Method 2
a first angle adjusting unit including a first reflection area and a second reflection area, an optical transmitting unit which transmits light to the first reflection area of the first angle adjusting unit, an optical receiving unit which receives light from the second reflection area of the first angle adjusting unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to minimize a size of a Lidar sensor which is capable of three-dimensionally scanning, by dividing a transmitter module and a receiver module, reflecting light emitted from a light source or light reflected from a transmission mirror, from a first reflecting area of a sweeping mirror to be moved to a target, disposing a transmitter, a mirror, and a receiver in a specific space to reflect light reflected from the target from a second reflection area of the sweeping mirror to be moved to a transmission mirror or a photo diode, and installing a blocking wall which separates a movement path of the light to remove scattered light.