LIDAR Beam Replication Unit for High Resolution Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR devices require multiple lasers to achieve high resolution, leading to increased costs, complexity, and space requirements, as well as a higher number of adjustment steps.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR device with a transmitter unit that replicates a single laser beam into multiple beams using a beam replication unit, such as a diffractive or refractive optical element, allowing for increased resolution in one or more planes without increasing the number of lasers, and enabling cost-effective production and reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple lasers are used to achieve high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single laser beam into multiple replicated beams using optical elements (diffractive optical element or refractive optical element). This segmentation of the beam allows one laser to function as multiple lasers, achieving high resolution without increasing the number of laser sources, thus reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of the laser beam through a beam replication unit that generates multiple replicated beams from a single laser beam. These replicated beams are optical copies that can be directed at different angles to achieve high resolution scanning, eliminating the need for multiple physical lasers and reducing electronic components
2Measurement precision
If multiple lasers are used to achieve high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple lasers into a single laser system with a beam replication unit. The beam replication unit (diffractive or refractive optical element) combines multiple beam paths into one compact structure, allowing high resolution capability in a reduced space footprint compared to multiple separate laser assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
A single laser with a beam replication unit performs the work of multiple lasers by generating multiple replicated beams that can be directed at different angles. This multi-functional approach allows one laser assembly to replace multiple laser assemblies, significantly reducing space requirements while maintaining high resolution measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If multiple lasers are used to achieve high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex multiple laser assemblies with a single laser and relatively simple optical elements (diffractive or refractive). The optical elements can be manufactured using standard techniques and are more cost-effective than multiple precision laser sources, reducing overall manufacturing cost while achieving the same resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of a single laser beam (direction, angle, position) through the beam replication unit to create multiple replicated beams. This parameter manipulation approach is more cost-effective than purchasing and assembling multiple lasers, as it uses standard optical elements rather than multiple precision laser sources
4Measurement precision
If multiple lasers are used to achieve high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but number of adjustment steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam replication unit (diffractive or refractive optical element) automatically generates and directs multiple replicated beams at the correct angles without requiring manual adjustment of each beam. The optical element itself performs the beam steering function, eliminating the need for multiple adjustment mechanisms and reducing the number of adjustment steps required during operation
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
The solution allows for higher resolution in LIDAR devices with fewer lasers, reducing electronic components and adjustment steps, while maintaining or exceeding the resolution of conventional systems, thereby enhancing detection capabilities in automated vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the beam replication unit to be designed as a diffractive optical element. The at least two replicated beams are produced by interference on the diffractive optical element
Implementation Method 2
the beam replication unit to be designed as a refractive optical element. The at least two replicated beams are produced by refraction on the refractive optical element
Implementation Method 3
a receiver unit for receiving laser light that was reflected by the object
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR device for detecting an object comprising a transmitter unit having at least one laser for emitting at least one laser beam; and a receiver unit for receiving laser light that was reflected by the object. The transmitter unit further has at least one beam replication unit for replicating the at least one laser beam to form at least two replicated beams.