LiDAR Headlamp Module Window Segmentation for Optical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating LiDAR sensors into vehicles poses technical challenges, particularly in seamlessly incorporating them into the vehicle body, especially in headlamp modules, where they must coexist with illumination systems without interference and provide a wide angular field of view for obstacle detection and navigation.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp module design that incorporates LiDAR sensors within the housing, utilizing a window for transmitting and receiving laser beams, with emission and receiving lenses to collimate and focus laser pulses, and detectors to measure distances, along with an anti-reflective coating to minimize interference from illumination light, and potentially using multiple LiDAR sensors oriented differently to cover a wide combined field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LiDAR sensors are integrated into the headlamp module housing, then the integration seamlessness and space utilization are improved, but the risk of interference between illumination light and laser beams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headlamp module window is divided into multiple sections: a first section for transmitting illumination light and a second section for transmitting and receiving laser beams. This segmentation allows the illumination submodule and LiDAR sensor to share the same housing while using separate optical paths, thereby eliminating interference between the two systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the window are assigned different optical functions. The first section is optimized for illumination light transmission, while the second section is optimized for laser beam transmission and reception. This local differentiation of optical properties enables both systems to coexist without mutual interference.
2Reliability
If LiDAR sensors are disposed laterally displaced from the illumination submodule, then the optical path separation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headlamp module housing serves multiple functions: it houses both the illumination submodule and the LiDAR sensor, provides structural support, and incorporates the window with multiple functional sections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional housing structures and simplifies the overall device complexity despite the lateral displacement arrangement.
3Measurement precision
If emission and receiving lenses are molded in the window, then the optical efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emission lens and receiving lens are molded directly into the window structure, merging the lens fabrication process with the window manufacturing process. This integration eliminates the need for separate lens mounting and alignment operations, thereby reducing cumulative manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining high optical efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LiDAR sensors are used with different optical axes, then the angular field of view is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LiDAR sensors are arranged with different optical axis orientations, extending the detection capability from a single direction to multiple spatial dimensions. This dimensional expansion of the field of view allows comprehensive environmental scanning while utilizing the shared housing and window structure to minimize overall system 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
Enables seamless integration of LiDAR sensors into vehicle headlamps, providing effective obstacle detection and navigation while minimizing interference from illumination systems and achieving a wide angular field of view, enhancing the vehicle's ability to construct 3D images of its environment.
Implementation Method 1
one or more laser sources configured to emit laser beams to be transmitted through the window toward the scene
Implementation Method 2
an emission lens molded in a second section of the window adjacent the first section of the window. The emission lens is configured to collimate and direct the laser beams toward the scene
Implementation Method 3
a receiving lens molded in the second section of the window. The receiving lens is configured to receive and focus the return laser beams onto a detection plane
Implementation Method 4
one or more detectors positioned at the detection plane and configured to receive and detect the return laser beams
Implementation Method 5
along with an anti-reflective coating to minimize interference from illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
A headlamp module of a vehicle includes a housing including a window, an illumination submodule disposed inside the housing and configured to provide illumination light to be transmitted through the window toward a scene in front of the vehicle, and a first LiDAR sensor disposed inside the housing and laterally displaced from the illumination submodule. The first LiDAR sensor includes one or more laser sources configured to emit laser beams to be transmitted through the window toward the scene, the laser beams being reflected off of one or more objects in the scene, thereby generating return laser beams to be transmitted through the window toward the first LiDAR sensor and one or more detectors configured to receive and detect the return laser beams.