Compact LiDAR Polygon Mirror Scanning for Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR devices are bulky and have limited field-of-view (FOV), making it difficult to fit them into compact spaces within vehicles and achieve wide scanning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A compact LiDAR device with a polygon mirror that scans in both horizontal and vertical directions, utilizing multiple reflective facets with non-90 degree tilt angles to achieve an ultra-wide FOV, allowing for dynamic adjustment of scanning resolution in regions-of-interest and non-regions-of-interest areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional LiDAR systems are used, then scanning capability is provided, but device size becomes bulky and cannot fit into compact vehicle spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The LiDAR device is segmented into functionally independent modules: a light source unit, a polygon mirror scanning unit, and a detector unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled into a compact configuration that fits within vehicle spaces while maintaining full scanning functionality across multiple fields of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical scanning dimension using a second polygon mirror that rotates about a vertical axis, in addition to the horizontal scanning provided by the first polygon mirror. This dimensional expansion enables the compact device to achieve an ultra-wide field-of-view of 120 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically, effectively solving the contradiction between compact size and coverage capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed scanning resolution is used, then device complexity is reduced, but inability to dynamically adjust scanning resolution in regions-of-interest limits scanning adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system employs dynamic control where the polygon mirrors can adjust their rotation speeds and scanning patterns in real-time based on detected regions-of-interest. The control unit dynamically modifies scanning parameters to provide high resolution in critical areas while maintaining lower resolution in non-critical areas, enabling adaptive scanning without requiring a completely complex fixed-resolution system.
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
Enables the LiDAR device to be disposed in small vehicle spaces while providing a horizontal FOV of 120 degrees or more and a vertical FOV of 90 degrees or more, reducing blind spots and enhancing scanning capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The polygon mirror comprises multiple reflective facets and at least some of the facets have non-90 degree tilt angles
Implementation Method 2
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems use light pulses to create an image or point cloud of the external environment
Implementation Method 3
Using the difference between the time that the return light pulse is detected and the time that a corresponding light pulse in the light beam is transmitted, the LiDAR system can determine the distance to the object using the speed of light
Data Source
AI summary
A compact LiDAR device is provided. The compact LiDAR device includes a first mirror disposed to receive one or more light beams and a polygon mirror optically coupled to the first mirror. The polygon mirror comprises a plurality of reflective facets. For at least two of the plurality of reflective facets, each reflective facet is arranged such that: a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge of the reflective facet correspond to a first line, a second line, and a third line; the first line and the second line intersect to form a first internal angle of a plane comprising the reflective facet; and the first line and the third line intersect to form a second internal angle of the plane comprising the reflective facet. The first internal angle is an acute angle; and the second internal angle is an obtuse angle.