LiDAR Cover Protrusions Block Total Reflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bi-axial type LiDAR sensors suffer from proximity noise due to incomplete optical shielding, which degrades performance and affects accuracy and precision in distance measurement.
Innovation Solution
An optical interference blocking structure is introduced, featuring a cover portion with a total reflection prevention portion that includes protrusions and grooves, preventing internal total reflection of incident light and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smooth flat or curved cover is used in bi-axial LiDAR, then the manufacturing is simple, but total reflection of incident light cannot be prevented causing proximity noise
Solution Approach 1:
The cover surface is divided into different regions: a smooth first surface for general light transmission and a second surface with protrusions and grooves in specific areas to prevent total reflection. This local differentiation allows the cover to maintain manufacturing simplicity while addressing total reflection issues only where necessary to prevent proximity noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is segmented into multiple surfaces and features: a first surface, a second surface with protrusions, and grooves. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the smooth first surface for manufacturing ease while the structured second surface prevents total reflection at critical locations.
2Device complexity
If optical shielding is incomplete in bi-axial LiDAR, then the device complexity is reduced, but proximity noise occurs degrading sensor performance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complete optical shielding throughout the entire device, the invention applies total reflection prevention features (protrusions and grooves) only in specific locations on the cover where total reflection is most likely to occur. This localized approach reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy and preventing proximity noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover with protrusions and grooves acts as an intermediary element that passively prevents total reflection of incident light without requiring active optical shielding mechanisms. This intermediary structure reduces proximity noise while keeping the overall device complexity low.
3Measurement precision
If total reflection prevention structure with protrusions and grooves is added to the cover, then proximity noise is reduced and SNR is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total reflection prevention features (protrusions and grooves) are implemented only in specific areas of the cover where they are most needed to prevent proximity noise, rather than across the entire cover surface. This localized implementation improves measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the cover have curved surfaces that help redirect light paths to prevent total reflection. The curved geometry of the protrusions provides effective total reflection prevention while using simple geometric forms that are relatively easy to manufacture.
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 effectively reduces noise that degrades sensor performance, enhances the accuracy and precision of sensor signals, and increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of LiDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
a total reflection prevention portion protruding from the cover portion toward the LiDAR system, wherein the total reflection prevention portion includes a protrusion and a groove having a uniform shape and formed to prevent internal total reflection of incident light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a system applied to a bi-axial type optical system including an optical transmitter and a receiver. An optical interference blocking structure according to the present invention may more effectively achieve development of a LiDAR sensor by applying a design to prevent total reflection to a cover of the LiDAR sensor, thereby reducing noise that may degrade sensor performance, enhancing accuracy and precision of a sensor signal, and ultimately increasing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).