Multi-Mirror Scanning Depth Engine for LIDAR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanners for 3D mapping are bulky and complex due to the need for separate transmit and receive channels, which requires a beamsplitter and results in increased component count and stray light interference.
Innovation Solution
A compact scanning device with synchronized transmit and receive mirrors mounted on a single gimbal, eliminating the need for a beamsplitter and reducing stray light by using parallel but separate optical channels, with the mirrors oscillating at resonant frequencies for synchronized scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate transmit and receive channels are used with a beamsplitter, then the scanning device can perform 3D mapping, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmit and receive optical channels into a single integrated scanner structure. The transmit mirror and receive mirror are mounted on the same scanner substrate and driven by a single drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate scanners and beamsplitters. This merging reduces the component count while maintaining the ability to perform both transmit and receive functions for 3D mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The single scanner assembly performs multiple functions: it serves as both the transmit beam scanner and the receive beam scanner. The same physical structure (scanner substrate, drive mechanism) handles both optical channels, making the device universal and reducing overall complexity while maintaining full 3D mapping capability.
2Reliability
If separate transmit and receive channels are used with a beamsplitter, then the scanning device can perform 3D mapping, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmit and receive optical paths into a compact single-scanner architecture. By mounting both mirrors on the same scanner substrate and using a single drive mechanism, the overall device volume is reduced compared to separate scanner assemblies while maintaining full 3D mapping functionality.
3Reliability
If a beamsplitter is used to combine transmit and receive channels, then the scanning device can operate, but stray light interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the beamsplitter component from the optical path. By using separate but synchronized transmit and receive mirrors on the same scanner, the design removes the beamsplitter that causes stray light interference, while still enabling both transmit and receive operations to function properly.
4Volume of moving object
If synchronized mirrors on a single gimbal are used, then the device size is reduced, but the mirrors must oscillate at resonant frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes resonant oscillation of the mirrors mounted on the single scanner substrate. By designing the mirrors to oscillate at their resonant frequencies, the system achieves efficient scanning motion with reduced actuator power requirements, enabling compact device size while maintaining scanning functionality.
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 results in a compact, reduced-size scanning device with improved efficiency and reduced stray light interference, enabling effective 3D mapping and depth sensing without the need for a beamsplitter, suitable for applications like LIDAR and free-space optical communications.
Implementation Method 1
one or more coils including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire
Implementation Method 2
At least one rotor includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit
Implementation Method 3
A scanning mirror assembly includes a support structure, a base, which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror, which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning device includes a scanner, which includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis of rotation. A transmit mirror and at least one receive mirror are mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate in mutual synchronization about respective second axes, which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first axis. A transmitter emits a beam including pulses of light toward the transmit mirror, which reflects the beam so that the scanner scans the beam over a scene. A receiver receives, by reflection from the at least one receive mirror, the light reflected from the scene and generates an output indicative of the time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene.