Dark LiDAR-Reflective Marking Material for Low-Visibility Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LiDAR systems struggle to detect dark-colored surfaces effectively due to absorption of near-IR and LiDAR electromagnetic radiation by common dark pigments, necessitating a balance between dark color and LiDAR reflectivity.

Innovation Solution

Development of dark-colored LiDAR-reflective materials with a reflectivity of ≤10% in the visible spectrum and ≥10% in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum, utilizing CuO crystallites with a specific (−111)/(111) ratio and controlled particle size to achieve this balance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If dark-colored materials are used for marking surfaces, then the visible spectrum reflectivity is reduced (≤10%), but the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum reflectivity is also reduced, making detection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisible spectrum reflectivityVSAvoidLiDAR detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The marking material exhibits different optical properties at different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is designed to have high absorption in the visible spectrum (appearing dark) while simultaneously having high reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR wavelength ranges, achieving spectrum-dependent local quality optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the marking material by using specific pigments and materials with tailored spectral characteristics. The material parameters are optimized to achieve ≤10% reflectivity in the visible spectrum while maintaining ≥10% reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum, resolving the contradiction between dark appearance and LiDAR detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If light-colored LiDAR-reflective materials are used, then LiDAR detection is enhanced, but the marking becomes visible to the human eye, compromising aesthetic or covert requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLiDAR detection reliabilityVSAvoidvisible spectrum reflectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The marking material is engineered with spectrum-selective optical properties, appearing dark to the human eye while being highly reflective to LiDAR systems. This local quality differentiation across the electromagnetic spectrum allows the marking to remain covert visually while maintaining high LiDAR detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes materials with specific spectral reflectance characteristics that create a visual appearance of darkness in the visible spectrum while maintaining high reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR ranges. This color/optical property engineering resolves the contradiction between covert visual appearance and LiDAR detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Illumination intensity

If conventional dark pigments are used, then dark color is achieved, but near-IR and LiDAR electromagnetic radiation is absorbed, reducing detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedark color appearanceVSAvoidLiDAR detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameters from conventional dark pigments to specialized materials with tailored spectral properties. The new material parameters achieve dark color appearance while simultaneously maintaining high near-IR and LiDAR reflectivity, thereby improving LiDAR detection accuracy without sacrificing visual darkness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The marking material is formulated as a composite with specific pigment combinations and material structures that provide both dark visual appearance and high LiDAR reflectivity. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of visible spectrum absorption and near-IR/LiDAR spectrum reflection, resolving the contradiction between dark color and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances LiDAR detection of dark surfaces by ensuring high reflectivity in near-IR and LiDAR wavelengths while maintaining dark color, improving detection accuracy and visibility only through LiDAR systems.

Implementation Method 1

the LiDAR-reflective material comprises a reflectivity in the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≤10%; and a reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≥10%

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective electromagnetic radiation absorption and reflection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250354013A1Lidar reflective material and marking system

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Disclosed here are a method of marking a dark-colored surface with a dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material and a marking composition comprising the dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material and a marking carrier. Particularly, the dark-colored LiDAR-reflective material comprises has a reflectivity in the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≤10% and a reflectivity in the near-IR and LiDAR spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is ≥10%.