Lidar Sensor Double-Peak Laser Beam Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR sensors face challenges in ensuring eye safety, particularly in the near-infrared wavelength range, as the emitted laser beam can be hazardous at various distances due to its absorption and reflection patterns, necessitating advanced design considerations for both close-range and long-range eye safety.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR sensor with a transmitting unit using a semiconductor laser or alternative technology to generate a double-peak laser beam distribution, where the light energy in the central section is significantly lower than in the peak sections, and a deflection unit using rotating mirrors or micromirrors to deflect the beam, ensuring that the energy is distributed over time and widening the beam pattern to enhance eye safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional single-peak laser beam is used, then the beam energy is concentrated for effective distance measurement, but the eye safety is compromised due to high energy density at specific distances
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam energy distribution is segmented into two separate peaks along the deflection direction, creating a double-peak distribution. This segmentation prevents concentrated energy delivery to the retina by distributing the energy across two spatially separated regions, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement effectiveness and eye safety
Solution Approach 2:
The beam distribution is modified to have different energy densities at different locations along the deflection direction. The central section between the two peaks has reduced energy density compared to the peak sections, creating a non-uniform local quality that avoids high energy concentration at any single point while maintaining overall beam effectiveness
2Length of stationary object
If the laser beam energy is concentrated in a single peak, then the detection range and precision are improved, but the risk of eye injury increases at arbitrary distances
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the beam energy into two peaks separated along the deflection direction, the patent extends safe detection capability across arbitrary distances. The segmented structure ensures that even at long ranges where beam divergence is minimal, the energy is not concentrated in a single hazardous point, thus extending safe operational range
3Use of energy by moving object
If the laser beam has high energy density for effective transmission, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the eye safety requirements become more difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The beam is designed with localized quality variations where the peak sections maintain high energy density for effective transmission, while the central section between peaks has reduced energy density for safety. This local differentiation allows the beam to be both efficient in transmission and compliant with eye safety requirements simultaneously
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 double-peak laser beam distribution effectively ensures eye safety at arbitrary distances by distributing the laser light over time, reducing the risk of eye injury, and can be optimized for both close-range and long-range applications by adjusting parameters like pulse duration and beam divergence.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitting unit is configured, for example, with the aid of a semiconductor laser (laser diode), or with the aid of a laser technology differing therefrom, to generate a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The deflection unit includes, for example, one or multiple rotating mirrors, the deflection direction being predefined in this case by a direction of rotation of the deflection unit
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR sensor, which includes a transmitting unit and a deflection unit. The transmitting unit is configured to generate a laser beam, whose local beam distribution includes a double peak distribution along a deflection direction of the deflection unit. The light energy of which in a central section between the two peaks is less by a predefined factor than the light energy in sections in each case laterally adjacent thereto, which include the peaks. The deflection unit is configured to deflect the laser beam generated by the transmitting unit along the deflection direction into surroundings of the LIDAR sensor.