Split Lidar Window and Baffling for Stray Light Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lidar systems are adversely affected by stray light and optical cross-talk, which can render them ineffective and provide inaccurate object detection.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical windows and baffles in lidar systems to minimize stray light and optical cross-talk, including a rotatable mirror assembly with transmit and receive paths, and optical baffles to block undesirable stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional lidar systems operate without optical baffles, then the system structure remains simple, but stray light and optical cross-talk degrade measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical baffles as intermediary elements positioned between the transmitter and receiver components. These baffles act as mediators that block stray light paths and prevent optical cross-talk while allowing legitimate signal transmission, thereby resolving the contradiction by adding a protective intermediate layer rather than fundamentally redesigning the optical architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The optical baffle structure is segmented into multiple components including a first baffle and second baffle positioned at different locations within the optical path. This segmentation allows the system to address multiple stray light sources simultaneously while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
2Reliability
If optical baffles are added to block stray light, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical baffles are strategically positioned at specific locations within the optical path where stray light contamination is most problematic. Rather than uniformly complicating the entire optical system, the baffles provide localized protection at critical points, improving signal accuracy where needed while minimizing overall structural complexity
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a rotatable mirror assembly with separate transmit and receive paths is used, then optical isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotatable mirror assembly that dynamically switches between transmit and receive modes by rotating the mirror to different angular positions. This dynamic configuration allows a single mirror to serve multiple functions at different times, achieving optical isolation without requiring separate static transmit and receive optical paths, thus managing complexity through temporal separation
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
Enhances the accuracy and effectiveness of lidar systems by reducing noise and improving object detection capabilities, particularly in autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space
Implementation Method 2
The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion
Data Source
AI summary
An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.