Lidar Visible Light Warning Module for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems face limitations in detection performance due to safety standards that restrict maximum laser radiation, which can expose users to potential eye damage, especially when emitting more powerful laser pulses for better ranging performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a visible light emitting module controlled by a circuit that emits visible light under specific conditions, such as continuous operation, higher laser energy thresholds, lower ambient light intensity, or when a target is within a predetermined distance, to reduce pupil aperture and trigger an escape reflex, ensuring eye safety while enhancing detection performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If more powerful laser radiation is emitted by the lidar, then ranging performance is improved, but eye safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A visible light emitting module is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser emitting unit and the external environment. This visible light module emits visible light when the laser emitting unit emits high-energy laser beams, serving as a warning signal to alert people of the potential laser hazard without directly reducing the laser power for maintaining ranging performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-energy laser radiation into a beneficial warning signal by using the visible light emitting module. The visible light serves as a warning to alert people of the potential laser hazard, transforming the dangerous laser emission into a safety awareness mechanism that allows high-power laser operation while protecting public safety
2Productivity
If laser pulses are emitted at higher energy levels, then detection performance is enhanced, but compliance with Class I laser safety standard is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The visible light emitting module acts as an intermediary safety mechanism that allows the system to operate at high laser energy levels while maintaining compliance with safety standards through active warning signaling to alert nearby personnel of the hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The visible light emitting module performs preliminary warning action by emitting visible light before and during high-energy laser pulses to alert people of the potential eye damage risk, allowing the system to operate at safe energy levels through preventive warning rather than restrictive limitation
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 visible light emitting module improves lidar detection performance by reducing laser energy exposure to the eyes, ensuring safety and enhancing ranging capabilities within safe eye limits.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor unit, configured to receive an echo of the detection laser beam reflected by the target object and convert the echo into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
a visible light emitting module, configured to emit a visible light to the outside of the lidar
Data Source
AI summary
A lidar includes a ranging module, a visible light emitting module, and a control circuit. The ranging module includes: a laser emitting unit, configured to emit a detection laser beam for detecting a target object; a light sensor unit is configured to receive an echo of the detection laser beam reflected by the target object and convert the echo into an electrical signal. A processor is connected to the light sensor unit to receive the electrical signal, and calculate a distance and/or reflectivity of the target object according to the electrical signal. The visible light emitting module is configured to emit a visible light to the outside of the lidar. The control circuit is coupled to the visible light emitting module and is configured to control the visible light emitting module to emit the visible light under a specific condition.