Distance Measuring Unit With Tiltable Mirror Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement units based on transition time measurement of electromagnetic pulses lack sufficient resolution and signal/noise ratio, particularly in segmented detection fields, which limits their accuracy and effectiveness in diverse applications such as automotive systems.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring unit with a tiltable mirror that segments the detection field into different solid angle segments, utilizing multiple emitters to improve signal/noise ratio by sequentially emitting pulses in varying angular positions, allowing for enhanced resolution and interference distance through signal averaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single emitter is used for distance measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the signal/noise ratio is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection field is segmented into multiple solid angle segments using a tiltable mirror, with each segment being measurable by multiple emitters. This segmentation allows the system to distribute measurement tasks across multiple emitters, improving the signal/noise ratio through redundant measurements while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple emitters are combined to measure the same solid angle segment, merging their measurement results to improve the signal/noise ratio. The evaluation unit combines distance measurements from multiple emitters for each solid angle segment, leveraging the redundancy to enhance measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the detection field is segmented into multiple solid angle segments, then the resolution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection field is divided into multiple solid angle segments using a tiltable mirror that can be positioned at different angular positions. Each solid angle segment represents a discrete measurement region, improving the resolution of distance measurement across the detection field. The mirror's angular positioning creates distinct spatial segments that can be independently measured.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple emitters are assigned to measure multiple solid angle segments, with each emitter capable of measuring multiple segments. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high resolution through segmentation while reducing device complexity, as the same emitters can serve multiple segments rather than requiring dedicated emitters for each segment.
3Reliability
If multiple emitters are used to measure the same solid angle segment, then the signal/noise ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple emitters are combined to measure the same solid angle segment, merging their measurement results to improve the signal/noise ratio. The evaluation unit combines distance measurements from multiple emitters for each solid angle segment, leveraging the redundancy to enhance measurement reliability while managing the added device complexity through systematic data integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of emitter quantity for the same solid angle segment, using multiple emitters to measure the same segment. This parameter change improves the signal/noise ratio by providing redundant measurements that can be averaged or combined, while the controlled increase in emitter number is managed through the structured assignment of emitters to segments.
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
The solution provides improved resolution and signal/noise ratio, enabling more accurate distance measurement and increased detection field coverage, particularly suitable for automotive applications by segmenting the detection field and using multiple emitters to enhance signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a tiltable mirror, by means of which pulses emitted by the emitter unit are reflected in different mirror angular positions in different solid angle segments
Implementation Method 2
The distance measurement in question is based on a transition time measurement of emitted electromagnetic pulses
Implementation Method 3
If the pulse is sent out at a time t0 and the echo pulse is detected at a later time t1, the distance d to the reflective surface of the object can be determined from the transition time ΔtA=t1−t0
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations disclosed herein include a distance measuring unit for signal transition time-based measurement of a distance to an object located in a detection field, with an emitter unit with multiple emitters, each designed to emit pulses in the form of electromagnetic radiation, a receiver unit for receiving the electromagnetic radiation after a distance-dependent transition time, and a tiltable mirror, wherein the distance measuring unit is configured such that a first of the emitters emits multiple pulses sequentially via the mirror, including at a first time in a first solid angle segment in a first angular position of the mirror, and at a second time in a second solid angle segment in a second angular position of the mirror; and a second of the emitters also emits a pulse in at least one of the solid angle segments via the mirror.