Lidar System Coaxial Optical Path Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Lidar systems face challenges in ensuring the emitted light beam is coaxial or parallel to the receiving optical axis, leading to incomplete target detection due to mirror deflection, temperature variations, vibration, wavelength changes, and limited one-dimensional scanning, which restricts high-frame-frequency imaging and large-scale production feasibility.
Innovation Solution
A Lidar system comprising a laser, a two-dimensional scanning galvanometer, and an open-hole reflector, where the emitting module, collimating module, light splitting module, and scanning module are on the same optical path, maintaining coaxiality between the emitting and receiving light paths, enabling high-precision two-dimensional scanning and target detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a one-dimensional rotation of the galvanometer is used to achieve spatial scanning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the scanning capability is limited and cannot scan an area field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional galvanometer rotation to two-dimensional scanning by introducing a polygonal reflector with multiple reflective surfaces arranged in a plane. This allows the laser beam to scan across a two-dimensional area field of view while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, resolving the contradiction between complexity and scanning capability.
2Device complexity
If non-coaxial Lidar systems are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the emitted light beam cannot be ensured to be coaxial or parallel to the optical axis of the receiving telescope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polygonal reflector into multiple discrete reflective surfaces (first, second, third, and fourth reflective surfaces) arranged at specific angles. This segmentation allows the optical path to be divided into distinct segments that can be independently optimized to maintain coaxiality between the emitted and receiving beams while keeping the overall device configuration simple.
3Measurement precision
If the emitted laser beams are required to be parallel to the optical axis of the receiving telescope, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise alignment and correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-aligning optical configuration where the polygonal reflector's geometry and the arrangement of reflective surfaces are designed to automatically maintain coaxiality between the emitted and receiving beams. The optical path is configured such that the beam naturally returns along the same path without requiring additional active alignment mechanisms or correction systems, achieving high measurement precision with reduced device complexity.
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 ensures high-precision two-dimensional scanning, improves the Lidar system's stability and compactness, and enhances its ability to detect targets effectively, addressing the limitations of existing systems by maintaining coaxiality and enabling high-frame-frequency imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a laser configured to emit a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
an open-hole reflector configured to receive the emitted laser beam and allow the emitted laser beam to transmit through the open-hole reflector via a through hole
Implementation Method 3
a two-dimensional scanning galvanometer configured to reflect the detection light to scan across an environment
Implementation Method 4
a detector configured to measure the receiving light to detect the target
Data Source
AI summary
A Lidar system may comprise: a laser configured to emit a laser beam; a reflector configured to receive the emitted laser beam and allow at least a portion of the emitted laser beam to transmit through the reflector, the at least the portion of the emitted laser beam being detection light; a two-dimensional scanning galvanometer; and a detector. The two-dimensional scanning galvanometer is configured to reflect the detection light to scan across an environment, receive at least a portion of the detection light reflected by a target in the environment, the at least the portion of the detection light reflected by the target being receiving light, and reflect the receiving light towards the reflector. The reflector is further configured to reflect the receiving light towards the detector. The detector is configured to measure the receiving light to detect the target.