Rotating LiDAR Circuit Board Assembly With Optical Data Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems are complex and costly to manufacture, with high component costs and manufacturing complexity driven by intricate architectures. These systems often require expensive calibration and alignment procedures, making them unsuitable for wide deployment in mass-market vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact LIDAR unit with a spinning light ranging system that includes a light ranging device connected to a rotating upper circuit board assembly. This system employs cooperating wireless circuit elements on the rotating and stationary circuit boards, enabling efficient communication and reducing the need for external connections. The system also integrates optical communication channels and uses rotor and stator elements on the circuit boards to drive rotation, eliminating the need for bulky motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional LIDAR systems use separate laser emitter/detector pairs mounted on individual circuit boards with precise alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines laser emitters and detectors into integrated arrays on single circuit boards, eliminating the need for separate mounting and precise alignment of individual emitter/detector pairs. The emitter array and detector array are co-located on the same board, with each detector element optically coupled to its corresponding emitter through on-board optics, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, electrical connectivity for all emitters and detectors, optical pathways through integrated lenses, and positioning references for alignment. This multi-functional integration reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps required.
2Measurement precision
If LIDAR systems use multiple separate circuit boards for emitters and detectors, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complex assembly and alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates emitter arrays and detector arrays on single circuit boards, reducing the number of separate components that must be manually assembled and aligned. The on-board optical elements are pre-aligned during board fabrication, eliminating complex field alignment procedures and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If LIDAR systems use bulky motors for rotation, then reliability is improved through mechanical robustness, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical motors with electromagnetic actuators that use magnetic fields to drive rotation. The actuator includes stator windings on the circuit board and a rotor with permanent magnets, eliminating mechanical contact and reducing moving parts while maintaining reliable rotational actuation. This substitution reduces device volume and complexity while improving reliability through fewer mechanical failure points.
4Reliability
If LIDAR systems use external connections for rotating components, then reliability is improved through stable electrical contact, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical electrical contacts with wireless optical communication using light-emitting diodes and photodetectors. Data and power are transmitted optically between the rotating circuit board and stationary components, eliminating wear-prone mechanical contacts and reducing connection complexity while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
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 compact LIDAR system achieves cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining high performance, enabling its adoption in mass-market vehicles. The streamlined assembly process and integrated components reduce complexity and costs, while the wireless communication and rotation mechanisms enhance system reliability and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a stator driver circuit disposed on either the second or the first circuit board assemblies and configured to provide a drive signal to the plurality of stator elements, thereby imparting an electromagnetic force on the plurality of rotor elements to drive a rotation of the second circuit board assembly about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a light ranging device configured to transmit light pulses to objects in a surrounding environment, to detect reflected portions of the light pulses that are reflected from the objects in the surrounding environment, and to compute ranging data based on the reflected portion of the light pulses
Data Source
AI summary
A light ranging system including a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a light ranging device configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the light ranging device including a light source configured to transmit light pulses to objects in a surrounding environment, and detector circuitry configured to detect reflected portions of the light pulses that are reflected from the objects in the surrounding environment and to compute ranging data based on the reflected portion of the light pulses; a base subsystem that does not rotate about the shaft; and an optical communications subsystem configured to provide an optical communications channel between the base subsystem and the light ranging device, the optical communications subsystem including one or more turret optical communication components connected to the detector circuitry and one or more base optical communication components connected to the base subsystem.