Conical Reflector Optical Radar for 360-Degree Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical radar sensing devices require a rotating tripod head for 360-degree scanning, which can lead to unstable motor performance, increased power consumption, and reduced scanning precision due to the need for motor-driven rotation, and this setup is cumbersome when integrated with robots.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional optical radar sensing device with a conical reflector that uses a diffusing element to diffuse a light source, which is then reflected onto a reflective element and directed through an optical lens to a sensing module, enabling omnidirectional real-time scanning without the need for a rotating tripod head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotating tripod head is used for 360-degree scanning, then horizontal panoramic data can be obtained, but the motor-driven rotation causes unstable scanning speed and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating tripod head with a stationary optical system using a conical reflector and scanning mirrors. The mechanical rotation is substituted by directing laser beams through the conical reflector to achieve 360-degree coverage without physical movement, eliminating motor instability and improving scanning reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal 360-degree scanning in one dimension to omnidirectional scanning in three dimensions by using a conical reflector geometry. This allows laser beams to sweep through all spatial directions (up, down, left, right, forward, backward) simultaneously, achieving complete environmental coverage without mechanical rotation
2Ease of operation
If a rotating tripod head is used for environmental scanning, then 360-degree panoramic data can be collected, but the scanning frequency is low (5-6 Hz) resulting in low map scan precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical rotation bottleneck by using a stationary system with high-speed scanning mirrors and conical reflector. This allows the system to achieve scanning frequencies up to 150 Hz or higher, limited only by the sensor and mirror response times rather than mechanical inertia, dramatically improving map scan precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rapid periodic scanning of laser beams through the conical reflector system, where multiple beams are swept through different angular positions in quick succession. This periodic action at high frequency enables the system to collect complete 360-degree data much faster than mechanical rotation, achieving scanning rates of 150 Hz or higher
3Ease of operation
If a rotating tripod head is mounted on a robot, then 360-degree scanning can be performed, but the motional components and volume of the robot are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bulky mechanical rotation components (tripod head, motors, gears) from the system. By keeping the sensor module stationary and using optical elements (conical reflector, scanning mirrors) to achieve 360-degree coverage, the system eliminates unnecessary motional components, reducing robot volume and simplifying integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical system self-sufficient by using the conical reflector to automatically direct laser beams in all directions without requiring external mechanical actuation. The stationary sensor module serves itself by utilizing the geometric properties of the conical reflector to achieve omnidirectional scanning, eliminating the need for additional motional components on the robot
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 allows for accurate and stable one-time detection of 360-degree environmental characteristic points, reduces robot volume, and achieves high scanning rates up to 150 frames per second with real-time scanning in all directions, eliminating noise from rotary scanning.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusing element, the diffusing element being disposed in the first direction adjacent to the light source module, the diffusing element receiving the light source, and diffusing the light source toward the first direction to form a diffused light
Implementation Method 2
a reflective element, the reflective element being surroundingly disposed with a reflection surface, the reflection surface receiving the diffused light and reflecting the diffused light onto a reflector, when the reflector receiving the diffused light, the reflector reflecting the diffused light to form a reflected light, and reflecting the reflected light onto the reflection surface
Implementation Method 3
an optical lens, the optical lens being disposed between the light source module and the reflective element, the optical lens receiving the reflected light and directing the reflected light onto the sensing module
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a sensing device with a conical reflector for making a two-dimensional optical radar that mainly diffuses a light source using a diffusing element to form a diffused light, and directs the light source onto a reflection surface of a reflective element, after the diffused light is reflected to a reflector through the reflection surface, the reflector then reflects the diffused light to form a reflected light, and reflects the reflected light onto the reflection surface in order that the reflected light is reflected onto an optical lens through the reflection surface, and finally, the reflected light is directed onto a sensing module through the optical lens, and the reflected light is received through the sensing module; thereby achieving the effects of omnidirectional real-time scanning, one-time detection of 360-degree environmental characteristic points, and accurately and stably providing relative positions between each characteristic point and a robot.