Oscillating Mirror Array Control for Phase-Aligned LIDAR Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems face challenges in efficiently scanning and mapping environments due to variations in moments of inertia and resonant frequencies among oscillating mirrors, which affect their ability to oscillate in phase at high frequencies, leading to mechanical deformation and reduced scanning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A beam-steering device for LIDAR systems that uses an array of oscillating mirrors aligned in parallel, driven by electromagnets and feedback systems to adjust driving parameters, ensuring the mirrors oscillate in phase at an operating frequency, despite variations in resonant frequencies and moments of inertia, by using a controller to determine and apply appropriate driving signals based on detected orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an array of oscillating mirrors is used to scan the environment at high frequency, then scanning speed and productivity are improved, but variations in moments of inertia and resonant frequencies among the mirrors cause them to oscillate out of phase, leading to mechanical deformation and reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs orientation feedback systems that sense the actual orientations of each mirror during oscillation and feed this information back to a controller. The controller adjusts driving parameters for each mirror based on the feedback to maintain synchronous oscillation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that despite variations in moments of inertia and resonant frequencies, all mirrors oscillate in phase at the desired operating frequency, thereby maintaining scanning accuracy while achieving high scanning speed.
2Productivity
If the mirrors are driven at higher oscillation frequencies to improve scanning efficiency, then productivity increases, but mechanical deformation of the mirrors occurs due to inability to maintain phase alignment, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of driving parameters for each mirror based on real-time orientation feedback. Rather than using fixed driving parameters, the system continuously adapts the driving frequency and amplitude for each mirror to compensate for variations in their mechanical properties. This dynamic control enables the mirrors to maintain phase alignment even at high oscillation frequencies, preventing mechanical deformation and ensuring reliable operation.
3Measurement precision
If individual driving parameters are adjusted for each mirror to maintain phase oscillation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple electromagnets and feedback systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mirror array into individually controllable units, each with its own electromagnet and feedback sensor. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of driving parameters for each mirror based on its specific mechanical characteristics. While this increases the number of components, it enables precise control of each mirror's oscillation phase, ensuring accurate synchronous operation across the entire array. The modular segmented approach makes the complexity manageable and allows for targeted optimization of each mirror unit.
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 solution allows for high-frequency oscillation of the mirrors without significant mechanical deformation, enabling accurate scanning and mapping of environments with improved reliability and precision, as the mirrors can span larger areas while maintaining precise alignment and scanning accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The mirrors are driven by a set of electromagnets arranged to apply torque on the mirrors
Implementation Method 2
The emitted light pulses are scanned through the scanning zone by reflecting the light from an array of oscillating mirrors
Implementation Method 3
determining the distance to the reflective object according to the time delay between the emitted pulse and the reception of the reflected pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device scans through a scanning zone while emitting light pulses and receives reflected signals corresponding to the light pulses. The LIDAR device scans the emitted light pulses through the scanning zone by reflecting the light pulses from an array of oscillating mirrors. The mirrors are operated by a set of electromagnets arranged to apply torque on the mirrors, and an orientation feedback system senses the orientations of the mirrors. Driving parameters for each mirror are determined based on information from the orientation feedback system. The driving parameters can be used to drive the mirrors in phase at an operating frequency despite variations in moments of inertia and resonant frequencies among the mirrors.