Integrated Distance-Measuring Unit with Shared Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance-measuring units based on time-of-flight signals face challenges in compactness and efficiency due to separate emitter and receiver units, leading to increased part counts and adjustment complexities.
Innovation Solution
Integration of the emitter and receiver units using a shared optical unit, with a refractive optical system, such as a converging lens, and a reflector to guide laser and echo pulses onto a sensor surface, allowing for a compact LIDAR sensor system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate emitter and receiver units are used, then the distance measurement function is reliable, but the device complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the emitter unit and receiver unit into a single integrated distance-measuring unit that shares a common optical unit. The emitter unit emits laser pulses through the optical unit, and the receiver unit detects reflected pulses through the same optical unit, eliminating the need for separate optical paths and reducing the overall part count while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical unit serves multiple functions: it acts as the emission path for laser pulses from the emitter unit and simultaneously serves as the reception path for echo pulses to the receiver unit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of individual components needed while ensuring reliable distance measurement through consistent optical performance
2Reliability
If separate emitter and receiver units are used, then the distance measurement function is reliable, but the adjustment outlay increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the emitter and receiver units to share a common optical unit, the patent eliminates the need for separate alignment procedures for multiple optical components. The single optical unit requires only one adjustment process, significantly reducing the adjustment outlay while maintaining the reliability of distance measurement through unified optical performance
3Volume of moving object
If a compact structure is implemented, then the device size is reduced, but the integration of emitter and receiver units becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emitter unit and receiver unit into a compact integrated structure that shares a common optical unit. This integration allows both units to be positioned close together or even at the component level, achieving a reduced device volume while managing integration complexity through a unified optical path design that simplifies the overall assembly process
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 integration results in a more compact, economical, and efficient distance-measuring unit capable of precise distance measurement with reduced part count and adjustment requirements, enabling applications in various fields including autonomous vehicles and indoor positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The optical unit is preferably refractive; an exclusively refractive optical unit is particularly preferred, i.e. the guiding of light or radiation takes place only by refraction
Implementation Method 2
a reflector which is arranged between the emitter unit and the optical unit. During operation, the laser pulses of the emitter unit are reflected at the reflector, specifically at the reflection surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein includes a distance-measuring unit for measuring a distance to an object located in 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 coupling the emitter unit to the detection field, the optical unit configured to guide the laser pulses into the detection field during operation, and a receiver unit having a sensitive sensor surface for receiving laser pulses reflected at the object as echo pulses, wherein the receiver unit is coupled to the detection field by means of the optical unit such that the echo pulses received from the detection field are guided through the optical unit onto the sensor surface during operation.