Multi-source LiDAR Rotating Mirror with Varying Width Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LiDAR systems with uniform rotational mirrors struggle to achieve high resolution in the center portion of the field of view, limiting their ability to effectively scan and map environments with complex geometries or regions of interest.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rotating mirror with reflective surfaces of different widths, where the mirror's sides have varying widths and are arranged to rotate about a vertical axis, allowing for denser point distribution in the central area of the field of view by combining reflections from both narrow and wide segments, enhancing resolution and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a uniform rotational mirror is used in conventional LiDAR systems, then the system structure is simple, but the resolution in the center portion of the field of view is low
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror is divided into multiple segments with different widths, where the central segment has a larger width to provide higher resolution in the center portion of the field of view, while peripheral segments have smaller widths. This local differentiation of mirror segment widths directly addresses the technical contradiction by improving measurement precision in the critical central region without requiring the entire mirror structure to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror is segmented into multiple reflective surfaces of varying widths, allowing each segment to contribute to different portions of the field of view. The segmentation enables the system to achieve high resolution in the center while maintaining simpler peripheral structures, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the mirror segments have different widths to improve central resolution, then the point distribution density increases in the central area, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different mirror segments are assigned different widths based on the local requirements of the field of view. The central area receives light from wider segments for higher point distribution density, while peripheral areas use narrower segments. This localized optimization improves measurement precision where needed without uniformly increasing device complexity across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror segments are configured to rotate about a vertical axis, dynamically directing light from different segments to different portions of the field of view. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve high point distribution density in the central area during specific rotation phases without requiring a permanently complex static structure.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple illumination sources are used to enhance field of view coverage, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple illumination sources are configured to illuminate different portions of the mirror segments, allowing a single mirror structure to perform multiple functions: directing light from different sources to different field of view regions. This multi-functionality enables improved field of view coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the mirror serves both as the reflective element and the beam directing component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple illumination sources with the mirror structure by positioning sources at different locations that correspond to different mirror segments. The combining of multiple light sources and their corresponding mirror segments creates a unified scanning system that achieves extended field of view coverage while managing complexity through integrated design.
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 enables a higher resolution in the central region of interest while maintaining efficient scanning across the entire field of view, improving the accuracy and detail of 3D mapping and object detection.
Implementation Method 1
The mirror is arranged to reflect light emitted from the first illumination source into an environment. The mirror is arranged to reflect light emitted from the second illumination source into the environment.
Implementation Method 2
A detector for the first illumination source is arranged to receive light emitted by the first illumination source, after light from the first illumination source is reflected by the mirror into the environment.
Implementation Method 3
A LiDAR sensor can measure the time it takes for each laser pulse to travel from the LiDAR sensor to an object within the sensor's field of view, then reflect off the object and return to the LiDAR sensor. The LiDAR sensor can calculate a distance how far away the object is from the LiDAR sensor based on the time of flight of the laser pulse.
Implementation Method 4
A LiDAR sensor can include one or more laser sources for emitting laser pulses
Data Source
AI summary
In a multi-source LiDAR, light from a first illumination source is reflected by rotating mirror into a first field of view, and light from a second illumination source is reflected by the rotating mirror into a second field of view. The second field of view can be arranged to partially overlap the first field of view to provide higher resolution in a region of interest.