Compact Lidar Device Using Rotating Micro Mirror Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR apparatuses require high laser output and large size due to wide beam widths, leading to increased costs and power consumption, especially when rotating systems for panoramic scanning, which is aesthetically and operationally inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A compact LIDAR apparatus using a micro mirror to rapidly scan and direct a narrow laser beam in all directions within a field of view, with only the micro mirror rotating, allowing for separate detection of reflected light in each direction, thereby reducing the required laser output and integrating light transmitting and receiving optical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide beam width laser is used to obtain reflected light simultaneously in all directions within the field of view, then the distance measurement coverage is improved, but the laser output power and device size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wide beam width laser measurement into multiple narrow beam measurements by mechanically scanning the laser in different directions. Instead of using one wide beam to cover all directions simultaneously, the system segments the measurement process into multiple sequential narrow beam measurements, each covering a specific direction, thereby reducing the required laser power while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mechanical scanning components (mirrors or rotating assemblies) that dynamically redirect the narrow laser beam across different angles and positions within the field of view. This dynamic scanning capability allows a single low-power laser to effectively cover the entire field of view by sequentially measuring different directions, replacing the need for a high-power wide beam laser.
2Measurement precision
If a high output laser module is used to emit laser in wide beam width, then the distance measurement capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement task into multiple narrow beam measurements taken sequentially in different directions. This allows the use of cheaper, lower-power laser modules that emit narrow beams, combined with mechanical scanning, to achieve the same comprehensive distance measurement capability that would otherwise require expensive high-power wide beam lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex high-power laser hardware with a simpler mechanical scanning system. By using affordable laser modules combined with mechanical mirrors or rotating assemblies to redirect the beam, the system achieves wide-area coverage without requiring expensive high-output laser components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Area of stationary object
If the entire apparatus is rotated for panoramic scanning, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scanning function from the entire apparatus and isolates it to a small, lightweight component such as a rotating mirror or galvanometer. Instead of rotating the whole heavy device, only a small scanning element rotates to redirect the laser beam, providing panoramic coverage while keeping the main apparatus compact and stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic scanning element (rotating mirror or galvanometer) that can rapidly change the direction of the laser beam through small angular movements. This dynamic component enables panoramic scanning coverage without requiring the entire apparatus to rotate, thereby maintaining a compact device size while achieving wide-area measurement capability.
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 approach significantly decreases manufacturing and operation costs, reduces the size of the LIDAR apparatus, enhances distance resolution, and improves aesthetic appeal by eliminating the need for a large rotating mechanism, while maintaining precise distance and shape measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation mirror, which reflects the source light in the forward direction, as scan light while temporarily changing a direction
Implementation Method 2
The calculating unit calculates a distance up to the external reflector on the basis of a time of flight from a point in time in which the source light is generated to a point in time in which the received light is detected
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a lidar device for emitting a laser beam in a scanning type with regard to each direction within the angle of view and separately acquiring reflected light with regard to each direction, thereby calculating the distance to a reflector. A lidar device according to the present invention comprises a light source, a rotating mirror, a receiving mirror, a photodetection unit, and a calculation unit. The light source generates source light. The rotating mirror is installed on an optical path of the source light to be able to rotate in two axial directions such that the direction of the reflecting surface thereof varies temporarily, and the rotating mirror reflects the source light in the forward direction, as scan light, while temporarily changing the direction. The receiving mirror is installed in front of the rotating mirror so as to reflect received light, which corresponds to the scan light reflected by an external reflector and returned, and the receiving mirror has a light-transmitting portion formed and positioned to face the rotating mirror such that that optical path of the source light, which is incident on the rotating mirror, and the optical path of the scan light, which is emitted from the rotating mirror, are not interrupted. The photodetection unit detects the received light, which has been reflected by the receiving mirror. The calculation unit calculates the distance to the external reflector on the basis of the time of flight taken to detect the received light after the source light has been generated. The lidar is advantageous in that the same can conduct scanning quickly and efficiently, the same is compact, and the required laser output thereof is substantially reduced compared with that of a conventional device that emits a laser in every direction within the angle of view, and the same has reduced manufacturing costs and low operating costs.