LiDAR Image Size Compensation via Z-Axis Lens Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR systems face image size mismatch issues due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to distorted 2D optical images, which existing technologies attempt to address through individual adjustments increasing complexity and cost, and beam splitting/combining methods reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual aperture LiDAR system with a transmission optical system and a collection optical system, where the focal length of the collection optical system is adjusted using a servo, screw drive, or translation stage to match the image size between the two pathways, allowing for positional adjustments to compensate for manufacturing differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual adjustments are added to each laser diode and photodetector after optical assembly to remedy image size mismatch, then image quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment functionality into a single common platform that holds multiple laser diodes and photodetectors. By providing a common adjustment mechanism for the entire array rather than individual adjustments, the system achieves image quality correction while avoiding the manufacturing complexity and cost of individual element adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The common platform serves multiple functions: it holds the laser diode array and photodetector array, provides adjustable positioning to compensate for image size mismatch, and enables future fine-tuning. This universal platform eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for each component.
2Measurement precision
If beam splitting/combining optics are used to share a lens for both transmission and collection pathways, then image size matching is achieved, but transmission and receiving efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the common platform's position to achieve image size matching between transmission and collection pathways. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances without requiring beam splitting optics, thereby maintaining high transmission and receiving efficiency while achieving precise image alignment.
3Measurement precision
If beam splitting/combining optics are used to share a lens for both transmission and collection pathways, then image size matching is achieved, but ghost light is reflected from the shared lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission and collection pathways through a common platform that can be dynamically positioned, eliminating the need for beam splitting/combining optics. This approach achieves image size matching while avoiding the ghost light problem that arises from light reflecting off shared optical surfaces.
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 solution provides a flexible optical system that compensates for manufacturing mismatches and gradual component position changes, maintaining image quality and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while avoiding efficiency losses from beam splitting.
Implementation Method 1
a rod lens associated with each array of laser light sources and configured to partially collimate light from the light sources in the X direction
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of spherical lenses configured to further collimate light from the light sources in the X direction, collimate light from the light sources in the Y direction, and provide a field of view in the Y direction
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of spherical lenses configured to focus the light from the light sources reflected from the environment external to the LiDAR system onto the at least one array of photodetectors
Implementation Method 4
an apparatus configured to translate one or more of the spherical lenses in the Z direction to change the focal length of the collection optical system and match the image size between the transmission optical system and the collection optical system
Data Source
AI summary
Described are LiDAR systems including an apparatus configured to translate one or more spherical lenses, an array of light sources, an array of photodetectors, or any combination thereof of a collection optical system in the Z direction (optical axis) to move the image plane of the collection optical system and match the image size between a transmission optical system and the collection optical system.