Protruding Lidar Lens Layout for Ultra-Wide Vehicle Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR measurement systems in vehicles are limited by their field of view, often recessed for aesthetic reasons, which restricts their effectiveness in capturing a wide range of environmental data.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system with a transmitter and receiver module positioned within a housing, featuring transmitter and receiver lens systems that protrude outside the housing to provide a wide horizontal and vertical field of view, allowing for a 180-degree or greater field of view, and utilizing time-of-flight measurement to determine distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If LIDAR measurement systems are recessed in vehicle body panels for aesthetic reasons, then the appearance of the vehicle is improved, but the field of view is limited and environmental sensing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional recessed LIDAR design to a protruding lens system that extends outward from the vehicle body panel. This dimensional change allows the LIDAR system to achieve a wide field of view (180 degrees or greater) while maintaining aesthetic appearance through integrated housing design that blends with the vehicle body.
2Ease of manufacture
If LIDAR measurement systems are recessed in vehicle body panels, then installation simplicity is improved, but data capture capability and object detection effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system is divided into separate functional modules: a housing integrated with the vehicle body panel, protruding lens systems for light transmission and reception, and internal electronic components. This segmentation allows the optical components to protrude for enhanced data capture while the housing maintains installation simplicity through integration with existing vehicle structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lens systems protrude outside the housing, then field of view is expanded to 180 degrees or greater, but device complexity and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is merged with the vehicle body panel structure, creating an integrated assembly that reduces overall structural complexity. The lens systems are optically coupled to transmitter and receiver modules within the housing, combining mechanical support and optical functionality in a unified design that achieves wide field of view without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the LIDAR components, integrates with the vehicle body panel for aesthetic and structural purposes, and houses the transmitter and receiver modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural elements, thereby managing complexity while achieving enhanced field of view.
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 a LIDAR system with enhanced data capture capabilities, providing a wide field of view for improved environmental sensing and object detection, suitable for automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter module positioned within the housing, the transmitter module including a plurality of emitter elements to emit laser light pulses into a field of view
Implementation Method 2
a receiver module positioned within the housing, the receiver module including a plurality of sensor elements to detect reflected laser light pulses from the field of view
Implementation Method 3
utilizing time-of-flight measurement to determine distances
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a LIDAR measurement system that includes a transmitter module, a transmitter lens system, a receiver module, and a receiver lens system. The transmitter module and receiver module are positioned within a housing, and the transmitter lens system and receiver lens system protrude through a bezel outside the housing. Other embodiments are disclosed.