Lidar Device Angular Light Source Detector Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lidar devices with rotating mirrors have a significant constructive height due to the vertical arrangement of the light source and detector, making them unsuitable for installation at all desirable positions, particularly in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The lidar device configures the light source and detector at a predetermined angle relative to each other, using a facet wheel with a specific number of facets, allowing for a reduced constructive height by employing different facets for emitting and detecting light beams, and optionally using additional mirrors for beam deflection, enabling a compact design suitable for vehicle integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the light source and detector are configured one above the other in conventional lidar devices, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the constructive height becomes too large for vehicle installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (one dimension) to an angular arrangement in a plane (another dimension). The light source and detector are positioned at a predetermined angle to each other rather than vertically stacked, reducing constructive height while maintaining functional simplicity through geometric reconfiguration
2Measurement precision
If the same facet of the facet wheel is used for both emitting and detecting light beams, then the device structure is simplified, but scattered light from the light source reaches the detector causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the facet wheel into multiple facets and assigns different facets for emission and detection functions. By using at least one first facet for emitting light beams and at least one second facet for detecting reflected light beams, the system separates functions spatially to eliminate scattered light interference while maintaining the overall facet wheel structure
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 allows for a compact lidar device design with reduced height, improved accuracy by suppressing scattered light, and enhanced measurement capabilities, enabling installation in vehicles such as motor vehicles, including under the roof, in the radiator grille, or behind the windshield.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror device is rotatable about an axis and has a facet wheel with a number of facets. A light beam emitted from the light source is reflected by a first facet of the facet wheel, while a light beam reflected back from an object is reflected by a second facet of the facet wheel.
Implementation Method 2
A lidar device has a light source, a detector, and a mirror device. The light source has a main radiation direction
Implementation Method 3
The detector has a main detection direction. Light reflected back from an object is then reflected again by the mirror device and impinges on the detector.
Implementation Method 4
By rotating the facet wheel about the axis, a deflection of the light beam emitted by the light source in a plane perpendicular to the axis can take place.
Data Source
AI summary
A lidar device having a light source, a detector, and a mirror device. The light source has a main radiation direction and the detector has a main detection direction. The mirror device is rotatable about an axis and has a facet wheel with a number of facets. The main radiation direction and the main detection direction stand at a predetermined angle to each other, the predetermined angle being a function of the number of facets. A light beam emitted from the light source is reflected by a first facet and a light beam reflected back from an object is reflected by a second facet. Here the first facet and the second facet are different.