Lidar Mirror Module for Wider Autonomous Driving Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving apparatuses face limitations in detecting obstacles due to mechanical structures that restrict the lidar device's detection region, requiring multiple lidar devices to cover horizontal and downward/upward directions, increasing costs and reducing design freedom.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mirror module within the lidar device groove to reflect laser beams, allowing a single lidar device to detect both horizontal and downward/upward directions by adjusting the mirror panel's gradient and using a compensation filter to minimize noise, thus expanding the detection region without increasing the number of lidar devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single lidar device is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the detection region is restricted by mechanical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mirror module that redirects laser beams in a new spatial dimension. By placing mirrors at specific angles within the groove structure, the system expands the detection region from a single horizontal plane to multiple directions including upward and downward angles, effectively adding dimensional coverage without adding more lidar devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror module acts as an intermediary element between the lidar device and the environment. It receives laser beams from the lidar and redirects them toward regions that would otherwise be inaccessible, enabling indirect detection of obstacles in upward and downward directions while maintaining a single lidar device.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple lidar devices are installed to cover all directions, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple lidar devices into a single device by introducing mirror modules. The mirrors combine multiple detection paths (horizontal, upward, downward) into one integrated system, allowing a single lidar to perform what would traditionally require multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lidar device becomes multi-functional through the mirror module system. It simultaneously performs horizontal scanning and upward/downward detection by redirecting beams through mirrors, making one device capable of multiple detection functions that would otherwise require separate specialized devices.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple lidar devices are used, then detection coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror module creates optical copies of the detection paths. Instead of installing multiple physical lidar devices, the system uses mirrors to create virtual detection paths that replicate the functionality of additional lidars, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If a mirror module is added to expand detection region, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror module is nested within the existing groove structure of the lidar housing. The mirrors are positioned inside the groove, utilizing the existing mechanical structure as a framework, which minimizes the increase in overall device complexity while still achieving expanded detection 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
This solution minimizes the detection region restrictions, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances design freedom by allowing simultaneous detection of multiple directions with a single lidar device, improving detection performance and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror module coupled inside a lidar device groove in an irradiation direction of a lidar device... reflects some laser beams emitted from the lidar device
Implementation Method 2
using a compensation filter to minimize noise
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous driving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a drive unit configured to provide a driving function, a body unit coupled at an upper side of the drive unit, a lidar device coupled to the drive unit, a lidar device groove having an opening portion formed in the irradiation direction of the lidar device, and a mirror module coupled inside the lidar device groove in the irradiation direction of the lidar device.