2D Lidar Scanner With Rotary Mirror Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar systems face challenges in reducing manufacturing costs, improving reliability under harsh conditions, and increasing range, with a need for smaller, lighter, and more power-efficient designs that maintain performance levels.
Innovation Solution
The development of two-dimensional (2D) lidar scanners with a scan mirror assembly and rotary component, which includes a mirror-tilting apparatus to control the scan mirror's orientation, allowing for increased laser firing rates and efficient scanning by rotating and tilting the mirror to control the laser beam's reflection angles in multiple dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical transmitters and receivers are used to increase pixel numbers and measurement resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical transmitters and receivers into a single integrated scanner unit with a shared scanning mechanism. The scanner integrates both transmission and reception functions in one device, eliminating the need for separate optical components for each channel, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through software-based multi-channel processing
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner is designed as a universal device that performs both transmission and reception functions simultaneously. A single scanner can serve multiple channels by rapidly switching between transmission and reception modes, allowing one optical component to fulfill multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated components for each channel
2Manufacturing precision
If more mechanical parts are used in the scanner design, then scanning control precision is improved, but reliability under harsh conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scanning control mechanisms with a combination of simpler mechanical components and electronic/software control. The scanning precision is achieved through electronic feedback and digital signal processing rather than relying on multiple precision mechanical parts, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves scanning control precision by dynamically adjusting operational parameters such as scanning speed, pulse timing, and signal processing algorithms rather than relying solely on mechanical precision. This allows the system to maintain high precision while using fewer and more robust mechanical components that can withstand harsh conditions
3Weight of moving object
If the scanner design is made more compact, then weight and size are reduced, but the range of laser beam control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves extended laser beam control range within a compact form factor by utilizing rapid temporal switching between transmission and reception modes. The scanner controls laser beams in multiple dimensions through fast electronic switching and software-based beam steering algorithms, allowing a compact mechanical structure to achieve the functional equivalent of a larger system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic scanning mechanisms that rapidly change the scanner's operational state between transmission and reception. This dynamic switching allows a compact scanner to achieve extended effective range by timing the transmission and reception operations to cover different spatial zones sequentially, rather than requiring all control ranges to be available simultaneously
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 enables lidar systems to achieve higher laser utilization, improve reliability by reducing mechanical parts, and extend range while maintaining performance, making them suitable for applications like autonomous vehicles and drones.
Implementation Method 1
An orientation of the scan mirror is operable to control a first angle of reflection of a laser beam in a first dimension and a second angle of reflection of the laser beam in a second dimension during a lidar scanning process
Data Source
AI summary
A two-dimensional (2D) lidar scanner includes a scan mirror assembly and rotary component. The scan mirror assembly includes a scan mirror and a mirror-tilting apparatus coupled to the scan mirror. The rotary component is coupled to the scan mirror assembly and can drive a rotary motion of the scan mirror assembly about a first axis. The mirror-tilting apparatus is configured to tilt the scan mirror about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis in response to the rotary component driving the rotary motion of the scan mirror assembly. An orientation of the scan mirror is operable to control a first angle of reflection of a laser beam in a first dimension and a second angle of reflection of the laser beam in a second dimension during a lidar scanning process.