Lidar Light Scanner With Cylindrical Lens Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Lidar systems face limitations in controlled scanning and return signal detection, particularly in achieving precise steering and convergence of scanning laser beams for effective obstacle detection and mapping in diverse environments.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus comprises a light source generating a scanning light beam that diverges in one dimension and scans perpendicular to it, utilizing a combination of cylindrical lenses and an electronic control system to converge return light waves, with optical waveguides and temperature modulation elements to adjust the scanning light beam's direction and phase, enabling precise steering and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser scanning methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but the scanning precision and beam convergence control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (beam divergence control, scanning, and return signal convergence) into a single optical device structure. The first cylindrical lens controls beam divergence in the scanning direction, while the second cylindrical lens converges return light in the non-scanning direction, achieving precise beam control and signal collection through integrated optical design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dimensional separation in optical control by using cylindrical lenses that operate in different dimensions. The first cylindrical lens operates in the scanning dimension (controlling beam spread), while the second cylindrical lens operates in the perpendicular dimension (converging return signals), enabling independent optimization of scanning precision and signal detection
2Measurement precision
If the light beam is focused to a point, then the detection precision is high, but the field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical focusing function into two independent cylindrical lenses with different orientations. The first cylindrical lens maintains beam collimation in the scanning dimension to preserve field of view, while the second cylindrical lens provides point-focused convergence in the perpendicular dimension for precise detection, achieving both wide coverage and high precision through functional segmentation
3Area of stationary object
If the scanning beam diverges in one dimension, then the line illumination is achieved, but the return signal intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the second cylindrical lens as an intermediary optical element that collects diverged return signals from the illuminated line and converges them onto the detector. This intermediary component recovers signal intensity that would otherwise be lost due to beam divergence, enabling both wide line illumination and strong return signal detection
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 configuration enhances the Lidar system's ability to accurately detect and process return signals, improving obstacle detection and mapping capabilities, especially in complex environments by allowing for controlled scanning and efficient signal convergence.
Implementation Method 1
the first cylindrical lens is configured to converge the return light waves in the second dimension
Implementation Method 2
the second cylindrical lens is configured to converge the return light waves after passing through the first cylindrical lens in the first dimension
Implementation Method 3
a light source configured to generate a scanning light beam that diverges along a first dimension to illuminate a line along the first dimension in a target scene
Implementation Method 4
a detector comprising a light receiving component, the light receiving component configured to receive the converged return light waves and the detector configured to detect the converged return light waves
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus suitable for light scanning. The apparatus may comprise a light source, an optical device and a detector. The light source may be configured to generate a scanning light beam that diverges along a first dimension to illuminate a line along the first dimension in a target scene, and may be configured to scan the scanning light beam in a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. The optical device may be configured to converge return light waves reflected off of the target scene to generate converged return light waves. The detector may comprise a light receiving component. The light receiving component may be configured to receive the converged return light waves. The detector may be configure to detect the converged return light waves incident on the light receiving component.