LiDAR Light Guide Branching for Wider Scan Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in expanding scanning range while maintaining a compact size due to limitations in mirror diameter and angle of deflection, leading to narrower scanning ranges and increased component count.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with a branching optical element that splits illumination light into non-parallel paths, using a deflection unit to scan objects and guide reflected light to separate light receiving units, allowing for a wide scanning range without increasing the apparatus size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the diameter of the drive mirror is increased to receive more reflected light, then the reflected light amount increases, but the changeable angle of the drive mirror becomes smaller and the scanning range becomes narrower
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination light is divided into multiple beams (first illumination light and second illumination light) that travel through different passage areas (first passage area and second passage area) with different optical path lengths. This segmentation allows the system to receive reflected light from multiple directions simultaneously, expanding the scanning range without increasing the drive mirror diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional difference by creating optical paths with different lengths (first optical path and second optical path) that illuminate the object from different angles. This multi-dimensional illumination approach enables wider scanning coverage while maintaining a compact mirror size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and light receiving units are used to expand scanning range, then the scanning range increases, but the number of components increases and the apparatus becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination functions into a single light source by using a beam splitter to divide the light from one source into multiple beams. Similarly, reflected light from multiple directions is combined and received by a single light receiving unit, significantly reducing the number of components while maintaining expanded scanning range.
Solution Approach 2:
A single light source serves multiple illumination functions by directing light through different passage areas at different angles. The single light receiving unit universally receives reflected light from all illumination directions, making the system multi-functional without requiring multiple dedicated components for each function.
3Illumination intensity
If the drive mirror diameter is increased to improve illumination, then the illumination intensity increases, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination light from a single source is segmented into multiple beams traveling through different passage areas. This allows the system to achieve comprehensive illumination coverage equivalent to multiple light sources while using only one compact light source, keeping the apparatus size small.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different optical path lengths and angles to illuminate the object from multiple dimensions using a single light source. This multi-dimensional approach provides wide-area illumination without requiring a large apparatus footprint.
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 solution enables a compact LiDAR system with an expanded scanning range, maintaining accurate distance measurement and illumination across a broader area without requiring multiple light sources or units, thus improving resolution and illuminance at distant objects.
Implementation Method 1
a first passage area and a second passage area through which the illumination light passes, and having different optical path lengths from the second surface to the third surface
Implementation Method 2
a deflection unit configured to deflect illumination light from a light source to scan an object, and to deflect reflected light from the object
Implementation Method 3
a light guide unit configured to guide the illumination light to the deflection unit, and to guide the reflected light from the object
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes a deflection unit configured to deflect illumination light from a light source and to deflect reflected light from the object, and a light guide unit configured to guide the illumination light to the deflection unit and to guide the reflected light from the deflection unit to a light receiving unit. The light guide unit includes first and second passage areas, and a reflective area. The illumination light is branched into first and second illumination lights by the light guide unit. The first illumination light is emitted from the first passage area and the second illumination light is emitted from the second passage area so that an emission direction of the first illumination light and that of the second illumination light are not parallel to each other, and then the first illumination light and the second illumination light enter the deflection unit.