Lidar Optical Window Heating via Segmented Transparent Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lidar devices with heater wiring around the optical window face inefficiencies in heating, as the heating effect weakens with distance, leading to incomplete heating of critical areas.
Innovation Solution
A lidar device configuration with a shield plate partitioning the optical window into separate areas for the phototransmitter and photoreceiver, utilizing transparent conductive films and electrodes to uniformly heat the optical window, reducing electrode distance and enabling efficient heating at lower voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heater wiring is arranged around the optical window, then the optical window can be heated, but the heating effect weakens with distance leading to incomplete heating of critical areas
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple independent heating sections, each with its own wiring pattern. This segmentation allows different regions of the optical window to be heated independently, ensuring that critical areas receive adequate heating even if other areas are farther from the wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating wiring is strategically positioned and patterned to provide concentrated heating to specific critical areas of the optical window that are most prone to condensation or require higher temperatures, rather than attempting uniform heating across the entire surface.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heater wiring is placed close to the optical window for efficient heating, then heating efficiency improves, but the wiring may interfere with optical paths or component placement
Solution Approach 1:
The heater wiring is arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the optical window, utilizing available space in multiple dimensions rather than being constrained to a single plane. This allows the wiring to be positioned close to the window for efficient heating while avoiding interference with optical paths by routing wires around rather than across the optical axis.
3Temperature
If high voltage is used to achieve uniform heating across the optical window, then heating effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple low-voltage heating sections rather than using a single high-voltage system. Each section operates independently at lower voltage, collectively achieving uniform heating across the entire optical window while reducing overall energy consumption and eliminating safety risks associated with high voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple low-voltage heating sections are combined to work together, achieving the cumulative heating effect that would otherwise require high voltage. The combined action of several low-power heaters distributed across the optical window surface produces uniform heating without the energy consumption and safety issues of high-voltage systems.
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 ensures uniform and efficient heating of the optical window, effectively addressing the inefficiencies in prior art by maintaining heat distribution across the entire transparent conductive film, enhancing lidar performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heater includes a first film, a second film, two phototransmitter electrodes, and two photoreceiver electrodes. The first film is a transparent conductive film arranged to cover the first part for the phototransmitter. The two phototransmitter electrodes are configured to energize the first film.
Data Source
AI summary
A heater is provided to heat an optical window. The inner face of the optical window is partitioned by the shield plate into a first part for the phototransmitter and a second part for the photoreceiver, the first part for the phototransmitter being arranged to face the first space, the second part for the photoreceiver being arranged to face the second space. The heater includes a first film, a second film, two phototransmitter electrodes, and two photoreceiver electrodes. The first film is a transparent conductive film arranged to cover the first part for the phototransmitter. The second film is a transparent conductive film arranged to cover the second part for the photoreceiver. The two phototransmitter electrodes are configured to energize the first film. The two photoreceiver electrodes are configured to energize the second film.