Curved Substrates for LiDAR Optoelectronic Component Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving precise and cost-effective mounting configurations for optoelectronic components, particularly due to field curvature issues that affect the collimation and focusing of laser beams, leading to suboptimal performance in three-dimensional imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves mounting optoelectronic components, such as light sources and detectors, on substrates or platforms that are positioned at specific heights and orientations relative to the optical lenses to align with the surface of best focus and lens center, mitigating field curvature effects and ensuring optimal collimation and focusing of laser beams. This includes using surface-mount device (SMD) packages that can be directly soldered onto printed circuit boards, allowing for precise and automated placement in high-volume productions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optoelectronic components are mounted on a flat substrate, then manufacturing is simplified, but field curvature causes suboptimal collimation and focusing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the substrate or mounting platform with a curved surface that matches the field curvature of the optical lens. This allows optoelectronic components to be positioned at their respective surfaces of best focus while maintaining a compact, manufacturable structure. The curved mounting surface enables precise collimation and focusing without requiring complex individual component positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If optoelectronic components are positioned at different heights to account for field curvature, then optical performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting structure into multiple levels or zones on the curved substrate, each designed to hold specific types of optoelectronic components at their optimal positions. This segmentation allows different components to be positioned at different heights and orientations while maintaining a unified, manufacturable curved substrate design, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the mounting characteristics at different locations on the curved substrate. Each region of the substrate is optimized for specific component types, with local adjustments in height, orientation, and spacing to achieve optimal optical performance for each component while maintaining a relatively simple global structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom mounting configurations are designed for each optoelectronic component, then optical performance is maximized, but production cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal curved mounting platform that can accommodate multiple types of optoelectronic components (light sources, detectors, lenses) with different optical requirements. This multi-functional substrate design allows standardized manufacturing processes to be used across different component types, improving production efficiency while maintaining precise alignment through the curved geometry that inherently accounts for field curvature.
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 configuration enhances the angular resolution and field of view of LiDAR systems by ensuring that each optoelectronic component is optimally positioned to minimize distortion and vignetting, resulting in improved three-dimensional imaging capabilities while reducing production costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
an optical lens characterized by an optical axis, a lens center, and a surface of best focus
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR system includes a first optical lens, and one or more first optoelectronic packages spaced apart from the first optical lens along the optical axis of the first optical lens. Each respective first optoelectronic package includes a first plurality of optoelectronic components positioned on the respective first optoelectronic package such that a surface of each respective optoelectronic component lies substantially on the first surface of best focus. The LiDAR system further includes a second optical lens, and one or more second optoelectronic packages spaced apart from the second optical lens along the optical axis of the second optical lens. Each respective second optoelectronic package includes a second plurality of optoelectronic components positioned on the respective second optoelectronic package such that a surface of each respective optoelectronic component lies substantially on the second surface of best focus.