LiDAR Scanner Lens Array Steering Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR sensors face issues with reliability, cost, and resolution due to mechanical, MEMS, solid-state, and optical phased array technologies, which result in limited detection ranges and poor mechanical stability.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR sensor design featuring a scanner unit with a first and second lens array, where the relative position between the arrays is adjusted to change the steering angle, utilizing actuators and optical elements like refractive, reflective, and meta lens elements, and a bandpass filter to enhance detection range and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical beam steering using macroscopic mirrors or prisms is used, then the laser beam can be scanned along the scene, but the system has poor reliability, is bulky, has high costs and typically provides only low resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering systems (macroscopic mirrors or prisms) with a solid-state optical system using lens arrays. The scanner unit comprises a first lens array and a second lens array that can be moved relative to each other to change the steering angle, eliminating moving mechanical parts while maintaining beam scanning capability through optical means
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of beam steering from complex mechanical systems and implements it through a simplified lens array configuration. By removing the need for macroscopic mirrors, prisms, and rotating mechanisms, the design keeps only the critical optical elements (lens arrays) needed to achieve beam direction control
2Ease of operation
If mechanical beam steering using MEMS mirrors is used, then the laser beam can be scanned, but the system has only moderate detection ranges due to small MEMS aperture, poor reliability, and high costs due to complex MEMS architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces MEMS mirror-based beam steering with a lens array system that uses relative movement between two lens arrays to achieve beam direction control. This substitution eliminates the aperture limitations of MEMS mirrors while maintaining scanning functionality through optical refraction and geometric arrangement of the lens arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by moving the second lens array relative to the first lens array in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. This lateral displacement of the lens array creates angular deviation of the laser beam, providing beam steering capability without the aperture constraints of traditional MEMS mirrors
3Measurement precision
If solid state LiDAR systems use an array of laser emitters to scan the scene, then scanning can be realized, but high sensor resolution requires large laser and detector arrays which lead to high costs and poor manufacturing yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lens arrays serve multiple functions: they perform beam steering for transmission and also focus returning light onto the detector for reception. This multi-functionality allows a single lens array configuration to handle both outgoing and incoming light paths, reducing the need for separate component arrays and improving manufacturing yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transmission and reception optical paths by using the same lens arrays for both functions. The first and second lens arrays work together to steer the outgoing laser beam and simultaneously focus the reflected light back to the detector, combining what would traditionally require separate component sets into a unified optical system
4Ease of operation
If LiDAR systems based on optical phased arrays are used, then the scanning of the laser beam can be realized, but the system suffers from small steering angles, poor reliability, high costs, manufacturing yield issues, and a high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical phased array technology with a geometric optics-based lens array system. Instead of using phase modulation through multiple optical antennas, the design uses physical displacement of the second lens array relative to the first to achieve beam steering, simplifying the system architecture and improving reliability by eliminating the complex phased array control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter for beam steering from phase delay (in optical phased arrays) to lateral displacement of the lens array. By moving the second lens array perpendicular to the optical axis by a distance d, the system achieves angular deviation θ ≈ d/f, where f is the focal length, providing larger and more controllable steering angles with simpler mechanics
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 achieves superior detection range, improved mechanical stability, reduced costs, and increased reliability by expanding the receiving aperture and optimizing optical efficiency, allowing for dynamic adjustment of scanning patterns for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a scanner unit comprising a first lens array and a second lens array, wherein the first and the second lens array are configured to emit the laser radiation received from the transmitter unit and to receive reflected laser radiation from the one or more objects at a steering angle
Implementation Method 2
a receiver unit comprising an imaging unit and a detector, wherein the imaging unit is configured to direct the reflected laser radiation received from the scanner unit onto the detector
Data Source
AI summary
A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor for sensing one or more objects including a transmitter configured to emit laser radiation along an axis of the LiDAR sensor and a scanner comprising a first lens array and a second lens array. The first and the second lens array are configured to emit the laser radiation received from the transmitter and to receive reflected laser radiation from the one or more objects at a steering angle relative to the axis of the LiDAR sensor. The LiDAR sensor further includes a receiver including an imager and a detector, wherein the imager is configured to direct the reflected laser radiation received from the scanner onto the detector. The scanner configured to adjust a relative position between the first and second lens array for adjusting the steering angle.