Laser Scanner Protective Screen Functional Impairment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting functional impairments in motor vehicle laser scanners are complex and require additional optical elements and separate reception units, making them inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses the echo of a laser beam reflected at a semitransparent protective screen to detect functional impairments by comparing intensity values with a reference, eliminating the need for separate optical elements and allowing the protective screen to serve as both a cover and a component for particle protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate optical element and separate reception unit are used to detect functional impairment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidcomponent complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective screen's dual function by making it both a protective cover and a reference reflection surface. The reception unit receives both the backscatter signal from particles and the reference signal from the protective screen, combining multiple functions into a single component structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective screen serves multiple functions: it protects the laser scanner housing from particles while simultaneously acting as a reference destination for detecting functional impairment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate optical elements and reduces device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional optical elements and reception units are added, then reliability of detection is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective screen is integrated into the existing housing structure, combining protection and detection reference functions. This merging approach maintains detection reliability while simplifying manufacturing by eliminating separate optical elements and reducing assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If backscatter from protective screen is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent complexityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protective screen acts as an intermediary reference surface that provides a stable, known reflection characteristic. By comparing the backscatter signal intensity against this reference, the system maintains measurement precision while using a simpler integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the reference signal from the protective screen to establish a baseline for comparison. This feedback mechanism allows the reception unit to distinguish between actual particle backscatter and normal screen reflection, maintaining detection accuracy despite the simplified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 approach simplifies the detection of functional impairments by using backscatter from the protective screen, reducing component complexity and enabling detection of particle deposits or tarnished deflection mirrors, thus ensuring the laser scanner's operational status without additional optical elements.

Implementation Method 1

an echo of the transmitted laser beam at least partially reflected at the protective screen is received by a reception unit of the laser scanner with an intensity value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A laser beam of the laser scanner is transmitted through a protective screen of the laser scanner, which protective screen is at least semitransparent in particular in the frequency range of the laser beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11567181B2Method for detecting a functional impairment of a laser scanner, laser scanner, and motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for detecting a functional impairment of a laser scanner (2) of a motor vehicle (1), in which a laser beam (12) of the laser scanner (2) is transmitted through a protective screen (6) of the laser scanner (2) into a surrounding area (4) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein an echo (16) of the transmitted laser beam (12) at least partially reflected at the protective screen (6) is received by a reception unit (9) of the laser scanner (2) with an intensity value (19), and the functional impairment of the laser scanner (2) is detected if the intensity value (19) is different from a reference intensity value.