Lidar Sensor Microstructured Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
LIDAR sensors face challenges in achieving high optical performance with minimal installation space and large viewing angles, requiring high-quality lenses that are easy to manufacture and integrate into vehicles with limited space, while also dealing with contradictory requirements of high light intensity and imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR sensor with a transmission unit and reception unit utilizing optical elements featuring a light-transmissive substrate with microstructures etched or applied on its surface, which manipulate the phase front of light to achieve high imaging quality and compactness, reducing installation space and weight, and eliminating the need for multi-lens systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional multi-lens systems are used to achieve high optical performance and large viewing angles, then imaging quality and light intensity are improved, but installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical element into multiple functional zones on a single substrate: a first region with a first microstructure for receiving measurement pulses, a second region with a second microstructure for projecting reflected pulses, and a third region without microstructure for light transmission. This segmentation allows different optical functions to be integrated in a single compact element rather than requiring multiple separate lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (receiving measurement pulses, receiving reflected pulses, and transmitting light) into a single optical element with multiple microstructured regions. This combining eliminates the need for separate lenses and reduces the overall optical system volume while maintaining the required optical performance for each function.
2Reliability
If high-aperture lens systems are used to increase measurement range, then detection capability is improved, but installation space and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical lens systems with microstructured optical surfaces that manipulate light through diffraction and phase modulation. The microstructures (gratings, pillars, trenches) create the necessary optical focusing and directing effects without requiring thick glass lenses, thereby reducing weight while maintaining detection capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses are used to achieve wide viewing angle and high image quality, then measurement performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different microstructure types in different regions of the optical element: a first microstructure (e.g., transmission grating) in the first region for receiving measurement pulses, a second microstructure (e.g., reflection grating) in the second region for reflected pulses, and a microstructure-free third region for light transmission. Each region is optimized for its specific function, achieving wide viewing angle and high image quality without complex multi-lens assemblies.
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 provides improved optical performance with reduced installation space and weight, minimizing parallax effects and thermal influences, while simplifying manufacturing and integration, and enhancing imaging quality across the image area.
Implementation Method 1
The microstructure serves to manipulate the phase front of the light passing through the optical element, particularly the measurement pulses
Implementation Method 2
Based on the time-of-flight principle, the distance to an object from which measurement pulses were reflected can thus be determined from the time-of-flight difference between the emitted and reflected measurement pulses
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a LIDAR sensor (10) for optical distance measurement, comprising a transmitter (11) for emitting measurement pulses and a receiver (12) for receiving reflected measurement pulses, and at least one optical element (13). The optical element (13) comprises a light-transmitting substrate (14) and at least one microstructure (16) formed on at least a part of a first side (14a) of the substrate (14), wherein the microstructure (16) has a height (22) between 0.1 µm and 100 µm.