Lidar Non-Through Shaft Structure for Compact Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lidars face challenges with complex mechanical structures due to through shaft designs, increased costs and space requirements, limited scanning range, and high energy consumption, particularly in multi-line configurations.

Innovation Solution

A lidar design featuring a non-through main shaft structure with a DC motor-driven radar rotor, symmetric emitting and receiving supports, and integrated wireless power supply, along with parallel lens assemblies to reduce space and complexity, and minimize electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a through shaft design is adopted for the main shaft system, then the structural support is provided, but the space inside the lidar is occupied and the difficulty in designing the ranging assembly or radar rotor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the main shaft system into two separate components: a non-through main shaft that provides structural support and a separately arranged ranging assembly. This segmentation eliminates the need for the main shaft to extend through the entire lidar, freeing up internal space while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent repositions the ranging assembly from a configuration where it must be arranged around the through shaft to a separate spatial arrangement. By changing the dimensional layout, the ranging assembly can be positioned independently without being constrained by the main shaft's path, thereby optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of channels is increased to expand the scanning range, then the detection capability is improved, but the cost and volume of the lidar increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning rangeVSAvoidlidar volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a shared optical path design where a single ranging assembly serves multiple scanning lines. By making the ranging assembly universal and capable of supporting multiple channels, the system expands its scanning range without proportionally increasing the number of separate ranging assemblies, thus controlling volume growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple receiving channels into a single integrated ranging assembly. Instead of having separate ranging assemblies for each scanning line, the system combines their functions into one shared unit, reducing overall volume while maintaining multi-line detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If manual adjustment in alignment is performed for each emitting light source and photoelectric sensor element, then the light path accuracy is improved, but the difficulty in using the lidar increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight path alignmentVSAvoidusage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-alignment of the emitting light sources and photoelectric sensor elements during the manufacturing process. By performing the alignment action in advance rather than requiring manual adjustment during operation, the system achieves accurate light path alignment while significantly improving ease of operation and usage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-line lidar configuration is adopted to expand the target scanning range, then the detection coverage is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget scanning rangeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables simultaneous operation of multiple emitting light sources and photoelectric sensor elements within the multi-line configuration. By maintaining continuous useful action across all channels rather than sequential operation, the system achieves comprehensive target scanning coverage while optimizing energy utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 design reduces space occupation, simplifies structure, lowers costs, improves rotation stability, and enhances measurement accuracy while minimizing electromagnetic interference and power supply pressure.

Implementation Method 1

the main control board loading low frequency control signal of system is to wireless transmitting coil, wireless receiving coil received control signal through the mutual inductance effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the wireless data transmission module includes emitting diode and photodiode, the hollow shaft that the light signal that sends the loading ranging data through emitting diode passed brushless motor shines the transmission that photodiode realized the ranging data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and detection: Light

Implementation Method 3

An emitter of the lidar emits a laser beam, and the laser beam returns to a laser receiver through diffuse reflection after encountering an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

A radar module may calculate a distance between the emitter and the object merely by multiplying a time interval between emission and receipt of the laser beam and the speed of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP3919937B1Lidar and probe apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 HESAI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3919937B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3919937B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3A
  • EP3919937B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

A lidar includes: a main shaft (2), a radar rotor (17), an upper cartridge plate (7), a top cover (15), and a base (1). The upper cartridge plate (7) is fixedly disposed relative to the radar rotor (17). The upper cartridge plate (7) is closer to the base (1) than to the top cover (15) in an axial direction of the lidar. The main shaft (2) is disposed perpendicular to the base (1) and is located between the upper cartridge plate (7) and the base (1). The lidar can shorten wiring of every module, is convenient to install and maintain, and has an improved mechanical reliability.