Multi-point Scanning Lidar Using MEMS Light Guide Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems face issues such as slow and unstable rotational speeds, limited detection range, and reduced resolution due to complex structures and power loss, particularly in mechanical and solid-state systems, and single-point scanning in MEMS systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-point scanning lidar system that uses a scanning device with a light guide surface and a light path transmission mechanism to transmit laser light to different parts of a target object without increasing the number of laser emitters, incorporating a light splitting device, laser shaping device, and light guide device to achieve higher resolution and reduce volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical radar systems are used to detect target objects, then the detection function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and the overall mass increases, causing slow and unstable rotational speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical radar system with a MEMS scanning lidar system. Instead of using a motor-driven mechanical radar that rotates the entire detection system, the invention uses a laser emitter combined with a MEMS mirror to scan the laser beam across the field of view. This substitution eliminates the heavy mechanical rotating structure, achieving faster and more stable scanning speeds while maintaining detection reliability.
2Reliability
If solid-state radar systems use surface beam detection, then the detection function is achieved, but power loss increases and detection range is limited to short-range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs point-by-point scanning detection instead of surface beam detection. The laser beam is focused to a small spot on the target object, and the MEMS mirror scans this concentrated beam across different angular positions. This local quality approach concentrates the laser power at each detection point, reducing overall power loss while extending detection range compared to distributed surface beam detection.
3Measurement precision
If MEMS scanning lidar is implemented as multi-point scanning, then the detection coverage is improved, but the number of laser emitters needs to be increased and the MEMS size increases, causing slow and unstable rotational speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single laser emitter serve multiple scanning points through the use of a MEMS mirror. The MEMS mirror rapidly changes its reflection angle to direct the laser beam to different angular positions, allowing one laser emitter to achieve what would traditionally require multiple emitters. This multi-functional approach maintains high resolution while avoiding the complexity of multiple laser sources.
4Measurement precision
If the size of MEMS increases to guide laser light from multiple laser emitters, then the multi-point scanning capability is achieved, but the rotational speed becomes slow and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning function from the laser emission function. Instead of having multiple large MEMS devices or increasing MEMS size to handle multiple laser emitters, the invention uses a single compact MEMS mirror that only needs to deflect the laser beam to different angles. This segmentation allows the MEMS device to remain small and lightweight, achieving fast and stable scanning speeds while maintaining comprehensive scanning coverage.
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 system achieves higher resolution and reduced volume by successively guiding single-point laser light to multiple parts of a target object, improving rotational speed and reliability while maintaining power efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the light path transmission mechanism can simultaneously transmit the emitted laser light to the target object and transmit the laser light reflected by the target object to the laser receiving end
Implementation Method 2
the scanning device forms at least one light guide surface for transmitting laser light to at least one target object
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-point scanning lidar is disclosed, including at least one laser emitting end for emitting laser light, a scanning device, at least one light path transmission mechanism and a laser receiving end. The scanning device forms at least one light guide surface for transmitting the laser light to at least one target object. The light path transmission mechanism is arranged between the laser emitting end and the scanning device. The scanning device is arranged on a laser light path in such a manner that the light guide surface successively transmits the laser light to different parts of the target object. The laser light path is a path on which the laser light is transmitted to the target object via the light path transmission mechanism, wherein the laser receiving end receives and analyzes the laser light reflected by the target object.