LIDAR Optical Window Heater Wire Spacing for Clear Beam Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR devices face inefficiencies in heating the optical window due to heater wires being positioned to avoid the emission window, leading to uneven heating and interference with projected light.
Innovation Solution
The heater wire is placed on the projection window area of the optical window with a minimum spacing equal to or greater than the width of the projected beam, ensuring minimal overlap and efficient heating while reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater wire is positioned to avoid the emission window, then the projected light is not interfered with, but the heating efficiency becomes insufficient and the optical window is not evenly heated
Solution Approach 1:
The heater wire is arranged in a serpentine pattern that extends into the third dimension across the optical window surface, allowing the heating path to cover the projection window area without blocking the light beam path. The wire segments are distributed across multiple spatial layers and angles, achieving uniform heating while maintaining light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater wire density and spacing are optimized for different regions of the optical window. The wire is concentrated in the projection window area where heating is most needed, while maintaining adequate spacing in areas where light transmission is critical. This localized optimization allows simultaneous achievement of heating efficiency and light transmission quality.
2Temperature
If the heater wire is placed on the projection window area, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the projected light may be blocked or bent
Solution Approach 1:
The heater wire is divided into multiple segments with specific spacing between them. The wire spacing is designed to be equal to or greater than the beam width, creating discrete heating zones that collectively cover the projection window without continuously blocking the light path. This segmentation allows the light to pass through gaps between wire segments while still receiving adequate heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater wire coverage is optimized to provide sufficient heating (partial action) only in the projection window area where needed, rather than covering the entire optical window. The wire spacing and distribution are calculated to achieve the minimum required heating effect while minimizing light blockage, applying heating exactly where necessary without excessive coverage that would interfere with light transmission.
3Temperature
If the heater wire spacing is reduced to improve heating coverage, then the heating efficiency increases, but the interference with projected light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire spacing parameter is precisely controlled to be equal to or greater than the beam width, creating an optimal balance between heating coverage and light interference. This parameter optimization ensures that the heater wire segments are close enough to provide adequate heating coverage while maintaining sufficient spacing to prevent significant light blockage or beam bending. The spacing parameter is the critical control variable that resolves the contradiction.
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 achieves efficient heating of the optical window, minimizing interference with projected light and improving ranging accuracy by preventing beam bending and reducing the blocked area to 10% or less.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat the optical window, wherein the heater includes a heater wire
Data Source
AI summary
In a LIDAR device, a projector projects scanning light along a preset scanning direction, and a receiver receives incident light from a scan area. An optical window is provided in an opening of a housing that houses the projector and the receiver, where the optical window transmits the light projected by the projector and the light received by the receiver. A heater wire for heating the optical window is provided on a least a projection window that is a projector side area of the optical window. A wire spacing that is a minimum distance between two points on adjacent segments of the heater wire, one on each, is equal to or greater than a width of a beam of the light projected by the projector in a direction connecting the two points.