Kinematic Mount for LiDAR Mirror Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in accurately aligning optical components due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, which affects the accuracy and performance, especially in compact systems with limited space, where traditional mechanical mounts are either bulky or lack the necessary degrees of freedom.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of kinematic mounts with multiple degrees of freedom, such as translations and rotations, for adjusting the positions of small optical components like mirrors and lenses, using elastic connectors and adjustable screws to fine-tune their orientation and location within the LiDAR system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional mechanical mounts are used for aligning optical components, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the alignment precision is insufficient due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a kinematic mount structure that transforms the static rigid connection into a dynamic adjustable system. The mirror assembly can be positioned and oriented at multiple degrees of freedom, allowing real-time adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and achieve precise alignment without requiring extremely tight manufacturing specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount structure is divided into multiple independent adjustment mechanisms, each responsible for specific degrees of freedom (translation and rotation). This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each parameter, simplifying the alignment process while achieving high precision through cumulative adjustments rather than requiring the entire structure to be precisely manufactured.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple degrees of freedom adjustment mechanisms are added to improve alignment, then the alignment accuracy improves, but the device size increases and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms are nested within a compact kinematic mount structure. The multiple degrees of freedom adjustments (translations and rotations) are integrated in a space-efficient manner, with each adjustment mechanism utilizing the space created by the previous one, allowing high precision alignment capability within a small overall volume suitable for compact LiDAR systems.
3Measurement precision
If adjustable screws and elastic connectors are used for fine-tuning mirror position, then the alignment precision improves, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses adjustable screws to change the physical parameters (position and orientation) of the mirror assembly continuously and precisely. By varying the screw extension length, the mirror can be positioned at any point within the adjustment range, providing high precision control. The elastic connectors provide compliant mounting that absorbs manufacturing variations, reducing the sensitivity to exact positioning of the adjustment parts themselves.
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 solution allows for precise alignment of optical components, improving the accuracy and performance of LiDAR systems by compensating for tolerances and fitting within the compact space constraints, enhancing the system's ability to maintain high fidelity in object detection and ranging.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of elastic connectors attached to both the bracket and the first mirror mount to couple the first mirror mount to the bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging receiver includes a chassis and a first mirror assembly. The first mirror assembly includes a bracket detachably mounted on the chassis, a first mirror mount configured to hold a first mirror for receiving and deflecting a light beam to a photodetector, a first set of elastic connectors attached to both the bracket and the first mirror mount to couple the first mirror mount to the bracket, and a first set of screws extending through the bracket and in contact with the first mirror mount, where the first set of screws are adjustable to change a distance and an orientation of the first mirror mount with respect to the bracket.