Scanning LiDAR with Flexure Platform and Optical Fiber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in efficiently scanning laser beams across a field of view without causing mechanical strain on electrical connections and maintaining alignment, particularly when moving the optoelectronic assembly.
Innovation Solution
A scanning LiDAR system design where the lens assembly is moved laterally in a plane perpendicular to its optical axis, with the optoelectronic assembly fixed, using a flexure assembly and driving mechanism to scan the platform with optical fibers, allowing for flexible scanning without requiring electrical connections between moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the optoelectronic assembly is moved to scan laser beams across the field of view, then scanning capability is improved, but mechanical strain on electrical connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement of the optoelectronic assembly with optical fiber scanning. The laser beam is scanned across the field of view by deflecting it through optical components (mirrors or prisms) while the optoelectronic assembly remains stationary. This substitution eliminates mechanical strain on electrical connections while maintaining scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the scanning function from the optoelectronic assembly. The laser source and detector remain fixed, while only the optical beam path is scanned using independent optical components. This segmentation allows the heavy optoelectronic assembly to stay stationary, avoiding strain on electrical connections.
2Area of stationary object
If the optoelectronic assembly is moved for scanning, then field of view coverage is improved, but alignment maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical movement of the optoelectronic assembly with optical beam deflection. Optical components such as scanning mirrors or prisms redirect the laser beam across the field of view while the optoelectronic assembly remains fixed. This approach simplifies alignment maintenance since the laser source and detector do not move, reducing the complexity of maintaining optical conjugate relationships.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexure assembly is used to move the platform, then scanning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flexure assembly and mechanical platform movement with a stationary optoelectronic assembly and optical beam scanning. The scanning flexibility is achieved through optical components that can be precisely controlled to direct the laser beam across the field of view, eliminating the need for complex mechanical flexure assemblies and their associated actuators.
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 design enhances the robustness and ease of alignment of the LiDAR system, reducing mechanical strain and maintaining optical conjugate relationships, while enabling efficient scanning across a wide field of view.
Implementation Method 1
receive and propagate a light beam emitted by the respective laser source from the second end to the first end
Implementation Method 2
receive and focusing, using the lens, a plurality of return laser pulses reflected off one or more objects onto the second end of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
a flexure assembly flexibly coupling the platform to the lens frame or the base frame, and a driving mechanism coupled to the flexure assembly and configured to cause the flexure assembly to be flexed
Implementation Method 4
emitting, using the first laser source, a plurality of laser pulses, and coupling each of the plurality of laser pulses into an optical fiber
Implementation Method 5
detecting, using the first photodetector optically coupled to the first end of the optical fiber, the plurality of return laser pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning LiDAR system includes a lens, one or more laser sources, one or more photodetectors, and one or more optical fibers. Each respective optical fiber has a first end attached to a platform and a second end optically coupled to a respective laser source and a respective photodetector, and is configured to receive and propagate a light beam emitted by the respective laser source from the second end to the first end, and receive and propagate a return light beam from the first end to second end, so as to be received by the respective photodetector. The scanning LiDAR system further includes a flexure assembly flexibly coupling the platform to a base frame, and a driving mechanism configured to cause the flexure assembly to be flexed so as to scan the platform laterally in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the scanning LiDAR system.