Miniaturized LiDAR Module With Bent PCB and Flexible Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR technologies face challenges in miniaturization, leading to increased size, cost, and power consumption, which hinder their adoption in various scenarios, especially in intelligent driving and robotics.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized LIDAR module is designed with a compact circuit board structure that includes a bent rigid circuit board and flexible connectors, simplifying assembly and reducing size, while also incorporating a temperature controller with a semiconductor cooler to ensure stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional rigid circuit board with pins is used for electrical connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pins from the circuit board design, replacing them with a flexible electrical connector that directly interfaces with the mounting housing. This eliminates the need for complex pin alignment and insertion processes, simplifying assembly while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrical connector from rigid (traditional PCB pins) to flexible (elastic material). This parameter change allows the connector to deform during assembly and then maintain stable electrical contact, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring reliable connection.
2Volume of moving object
If the LIDAR module is miniaturized, then size is reduced for various scenarios, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the flexible connector to compensate for dimensional variations in miniaturized components. The elasticity allows the connector to adapt to slight misalignments, reducing the need for high-precision assembly while maintaining reliable electrical connection in the compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector is designed with inherent elasticity that acts as a cushion against assembly precision errors. This beforehand cushioning effect allows the connector to absorb dimensional variations and maintain stable contact without requiring extremely tight tolerances in the miniaturized components.
3Reliability
If pins are used for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but contact reliability deteriorates during long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material property of the electrical connector from rigid to elastic. This allows the connector to maintain constant contact pressure on the electrical contacts throughout its service life, compensating for wear and thermal expansion/contraction, thereby improving long-term contact reliability compared to rigid pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector provides continuous mechanical feedback through its elastic deformation. As contacts wear or dimensions change during long-term use, the elastic material automatically adjusts its deformation to maintain optimal contact pressure, creating a self-regulating system that preserves reliability over time.
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 miniaturized LIDAR module achieves a compact size, reduced production costs, and improved reliability, enabling it to operate effectively in various scenarios with enhanced compatibility and stability over long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature controller is disposed on a bottom of the laser transceiver assembly; and the temperature controller is arranged to be electrically connected to the circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of LIDAR technology, and in particular to a miniaturized LIDAR module. A miniaturized LIDAR module comprises a mounting housing, a circuit board arranged on the mounting housing, and a laser transceiver assembly arranged on the mounting housing and electrically connected to the circuit board. The mounting housing comprises a circuit board mounting portion arranged to carry the circuit board. The circuit board comprises at least one rigid circuit board and at least one flexible electrical connector electrically connected to the rigid circuit board. The circuit board is a bent structure with an opening at one end and stuck on the circuit board mounting portion. The miniaturized LIDAR module according to the present invention is compact in structure, excellent in structural stability, simple in the assembling process and small in size, and exhibits an excellent compatibility when applied to the whole system.