Liquid Crystal Optical Deflector for High-Speed LiDAR Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LiDAR sensors using mechanical beam scanning techniques face limitations in operating speed, stability, and durability, which hinder their effectiveness in applications like autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal-based optical deflector that employs electro-optical characteristics to control beam scanning without mechanical driving, using a configuration of substrates, liquid crystal cells, and electrode arrays to deflect laser beams, allowing for rapid and efficient scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical beam scanning is used in conventional LiDAR sensors, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the operating speed is limited and durability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system (motors, moving mirrors) with an electro-optical system using liquid crystal cells. The liquid crystal cells modulate the laser beam phase electronically to achieve beam scanning without mechanical moving parts, thereby dramatically improving operating speed and durability while eliminating mechanical wear and inertia limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using voltage control to modulate the refractive index of liquid crystal materials. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystal cells, the phase of the laser beam is controlled, enabling electronic beam deflection and scanning without mechanical movement, thus achieving high-speed operation.
2Reliability
If liquid crystal cells are used for beam scanning, then operating speed and stability are improved, but light loss occurs due to electro-optical characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple liquid crystal cells with different electro-optical characteristics into a single optical deflector system. By merging the functionality of multiple cells and coordinating their operation through controlled voltage application, the system compensates for individual cell light losses and achieves uniform light output across the scanned beam, thereby reducing overall energy loss while maintaining stability.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple optical deflectors are used to compensate light loss, then uniform light output is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical deflector into multiple liquid crystal cell segments, each capable of independent voltage control. This segmentation allows precise control of light transmission in different regions, enabling compensation for non-uniform light loss and achievement of uniform light output across the entire scanned beam area.
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 provides a LiDAR system with improved operating speed, scalability, and stability, enabling high-speed and long-distance observation capabilities essential for autonomous vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
employing an electro-optical characteristic of a liquid crystal to control beam scanning without mechanical driving
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal based optical deflector includes a light source array configured to generate a laser beam, an optical deflector including a plurality of liquid crystal cells, which transmit the laser beam, the optical deflector configured to deflect a transmission path of the laser beam depending on a gradually increased voltage profile applied to the plurality of liquid crystal cells, an optics assembly configured to scan the laser beam deflected by the optical defector in a horizontal direction, and a controller configured to adjust the voltage profile applied to the plurality of liquid crystal cells.