Linear Laser Beam Projection Using Diode Arrays and MEMS Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR devices projecting linear laser beams face inefficiencies due to low intensity and high costs associated with high-power single laser sources, which are often prohibitively expensive.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a diode laser array with fast axis collimators, a cylinder lens array, and a prism array pair to collimate and redirect laser beams as a linear beam, enhancing intensity and reducing costs by utilizing multiple diode laser sources and a MEMS mirror for beam redirection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a high-power single laser source is used to generate line laser beams with sufficient intensity, then the beam intensity is improved, but the cost becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single high-power laser source into multiple lower-power laser diodes arranged in an array. Each laser diode emits a beam that is collimated and then combined with others to form a line laser beam. This segmentation allows achieving sufficient total intensity while using affordable individual components, resolving the contradiction between beam intensity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple collimated laser beams from individual laser diodes into a single line laser beam using optical components. By merging the beams spatially and temporally, the system achieves the intensity of a high-power source while using multiple low-cost laser diodes, thus resolving the cost-intensity contradiction.
2Productivity
If spot laser beams are used in LiDAR devices, then the scanner can cover the environment, but the scanning efficiency decreases due to requiring two-axis scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-by-point scanning in one dimension to line scanning by adding spatial dimension through a line laser beam. The line laser beam illuminates an entire line of the environment simultaneously, allowing the scanner to cover the same area with fewer scanning steps, thus improving productivity while reducing scanner complexity requirements.
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 solution achieves efficient projection of linear laser beams with improved intensity and cost-effectiveness by utilizing multiple diode laser sources and optical components to redirect beams, suitable for use in LiDAR devices.
Implementation Method 1
a number of fast axis collimators (FACs) to collimate the laser beams from the laser source array along the fast axis
Implementation Method 2
a cylinder lens array for converting the collimated laser beams to parallel laser beams
Implementation Method 3
a prism array pair for reducing the pitch of the parallel laser beams
Implementation Method 4
a prism array pair for reducing the pitch of the parallel laser beams
Implementation Method 5
a first cylinder lens for focusing the laser beams from the prism array pair onto a MEMS mirror
Implementation Method 6
which redirects the laser beams as a linear laser beam towards a predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, described herein is an apparatus for projecting linear illumination fanned out along the slow axis of a laser source array. In addition to the laser source array, the apparatus can include a number of fast axis collimators (FACs) to collimate the laser beams from the laser source array along the fast axis, a cylinder lens array for converting the collimated laser beams to parallel laser beams, and a prism array pair for reducing the pitch of the parallel laser beams. The system further includes a first cylinder lens for focusing the laser beams from the prism array pair onto a MEMS mirror, which redirects the laser beams as a linear laser beam towards a predetermined direction.