Laser Radar Device With Segmented Wide-Angle Optical System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser radar devices have a limited viewing angle due to mechanical scan angle dynamic range limitations in movable optical elements, such as MEMS, which restricts the desired viewing angle and scan area.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wide-angle optical system with a two-stage configuration, where the first optical system modifies the horizontal component of the laser light and the second optical system modifies the vertical component, allowing for a wider viewing angle by diffusing light in a symmetrical and asymmetrical manner to compensate for the limited scan area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional scanner (MEMS or galvano) is used for beam scan, then the device achieves compact size and robustness, but the viewing angle is limited due to narrow mechanical scan angle dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple independent optical units, each with its own scanner and optical path. The first optical unit includes a first scanner and first optical system, while the second optical unit includes a second scanner and second optical system. This segmentation allows each unit to cover a specific angular range, and their combined fields of view achieve the desired wide viewing angle without requiring a single complex scanner with excessive mechanical dynamic range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mechanical scan angle dynamic range is increased to widen the viewing angle, then the desired viewing angle is achieved, but the device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single heavy scanner with large mechanical dynamic range, the system divides the scanning function across multiple lighter scanners with smaller individual dynamic ranges. Each scanner handles a portion of the total angular coverage, reducing the mechanical burden and weight on each moving component while achieving the cumulative wide viewing angle effect.
3Area of stationary object
If a single optical path is used, then the device structure is simple, but the scan area is limited by the mechanical scan angle dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends the scanning capability from a single optical path to multiple optical paths that cover different angular dimensions. The first optical unit covers a first angular range while the second optical unit covers a second angular range, effectively adding another dimension to the field of view coverage. This multi-dimensional approach expands the total scan area without requiring any single optical path to have excessive mechanical dynamic range.
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 effectively widens the viewing angle of the laser sensor device, ensuring a desired viewing angle even with limited mechanical scan angle dynamic range, enhancing the laser radar device's capability to capture three-dimensional information.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical system to receive the laser light caused to scan by the scanner and incident on the first optical system, and emit the incident laser light in such a manner that a horizontal component of the incident laser light is different from a horizontal component of the laser light to be emitted
Implementation Method 2
a second optical system to receive the laser light caused to scan by the scanner and incident on the second optical system, and emit the incident laser light in such a manner that an incident area of the incident laser light in the horizontal direction is the same as an incident area of the first optical system in the horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A laser radar device includes: a light source for outputting laser light; a scanner for causing the laser light to scan; a first optical system for receiving the laser light caused to scan by the scanner and incident on the first optical system and emitting the incident laser light in such a manner that a horizontal component of the incident laser light is different from a horizontal component of the laser light to be emitted; and a second optical system for receiving the laser light caused to scan by the scanner and incident on the second optical system and emitting the incident laser light in such a manner that an incident area of the incident laser light in the horizontal direction is the same as an incident area of the first optical system in the horizontal direction, and an emission area of the incident laser light is different from an emission area of the first optical system.