Integrated Distance-Measuring Unit Substrate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance-measuring units based on time-of-flight measurements face challenges in compact integration and weight reduction, limiting their application in vehicles and other devices due to the separate arrangement of emitter, optical, and sensor units, which also complicates optical calibration and increases structural space requirements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of emitter, optical, and sensor units on a common substrate, such as a printed circuit board or semiconductor substrate, allows for a compact construction, reduced weight, and simplified alignment, enabling applications in vehicles and other devices by scanning the detection field through solid-angle-selective emission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the emitter unit, optical unit, and sensor unit are arranged separately, then each component can be optimized independently, but the structural space increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the emitter unit, optical unit, and sensor unit into a single integrated distance-measuring unit mounted on one substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall weight while maintaining the functional independence of each component through modular design within the integrated unit.
2Ease of manufacture
If the emitter unit, optical unit, and sensor unit are arranged separately, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but the structural space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all three units onto a single substrate, eliminating the need for separate mounting spaces and reducing the overall structural footprint. The modular architecture within the integrated unit preserves assembly flexibility while significantly reducing the space required for mounting and structural support.
3Volume of moving object
If components are arranged on a common substrate, then compact construction is achieved, but optical calibration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates mounting stops and alignment features directly into the substrate design before assembly. These pre-configured features guide the precise positioning of the emitter unit, optical unit, and sensor unit during assembly, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly optical calibration and ensuring accurate alignment is achieved automatically.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the distance-measuring unit is made more compact, then integration possibilities increase, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the substrate with pre-integrated mounting stops and alignment features that automatically ensure precise positioning of components during assembly. This preliminary configuration of alignment references eliminates the need for high-precision manual alignment procedures while achieving the compact integration required for various applications including vehicles and drones.
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 results in a more compact and lightweight distance-measuring unit with reduced optical calibration needs, enhancing integration possibilities and improving signal/noise ratio through increased output power and reduced inductances, while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The distance measurement at issue is based on a time-of-flight measurement of emitted electromagnetic pulses. If the latter impinges on an object, then the pulse is proportionally reflected at the surface of said object back to the distance-measuring unit and can be recorded as an echo pulse by a suitable sensor.
Implementation Method 2
If the latter impinges on an object, then the pulse is proportionally reflected at the surface of said object back to the distance-measuring unit
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein include distance-measuring unit for measuring a detection field based on a time-of-flight signal. The distance-measuring unit includes an emitter unit for emitting laser pulses, an optical unit for guiding the laser pulses into different solid angle segments, a sensor unit for receiving echo pulses from the solid angle segments, and a logic assembly configured to read the sensor unit, wherein at least the emitter unit, the optical unit, and the sensor unit are arranged on a common substrate.