Single-Piece Optical Cover for LiDAR Stray Light Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of separate optical covers in optical devices like LiDAR leads to increased costs, complexity, and reduced mechanical resistance, while also limiting applications and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A single piece of optical cover with virtually separate optical apertures, utilizing diffusing, absorbing, multilayer, and/or wavelength-changing elements to prevent stray light from one aperture to another.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If separate optical covers are used to prevent wave guiding effects, then stray light interference is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional cutting and edge finishing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical covers into a single integrated optical cover that contains multiple apertures positioned at different locations. This single cover structure eliminates the need for separate optical covers while maintaining the optical isolation between different optical paths, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost associated with multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical cover is segmented into multiple functional regions with distinct apertures positioned to serve different optical paths. The cover includes first and second apertures at different locations, with optical isolation structures positioned between them to prevent wave guiding effects while maintaining a unified structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate optical covers are used to block unexpected light, then optical isolation is improved, but device complexity increases due to housing design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optical isolation function directly into the single optical cover structure by positioning apertures and optical isolation structures in specific spatial relationships. This eliminates the need for complex housing designs to hold and position multiple separate optical covers, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining optical isolation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate optical covers are used to prevent light interference, then optical performance is improved, but mechanical resistance decreases due to reduced packaging strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified single optical cover structure that maintains continuous material integrity across the entire cover surface. This integrated structure provides superior mechanical strength and sealing performance compared to assemblies of multiple separate covers, while still achieving optical isolation through strategically positioned apertures and optical isolation structures.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If separate optical covers are used to isolate optical paths, then stray light is blocked, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to multiple pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves a clean, unified aesthetic appearance by using a single optical cover with precisely positioned apertures and optical isolation structures. This eliminates the visual discontinuities and alignment issues that arise from assembling multiple separate optical covers, providing a sleek integrated appearance while maintaining effective stray light blocking.
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 reduces the cost and complexity of the optical cover, enhances mechanical resistance, and improves aesthetics, while maintaining optimal performance by minimizing stray light interference.
Implementation Method 1
The optical cover is transparent at the operating wavelength of the said optical device
Implementation Method 2
the optical cover may become unfortunately a waveguide for electromagnetic waves generating stray light in the assembly
Implementation Method 3
The part of the emitted light can be guided though the optical cover directly to the detection unit, without interacting with the target
Implementation Method 4
utilizing diffusing, absorbing, multilayer, and/or wavelength-changing elements to prevent stray light from one aperture to another
Implementation Method 5
utilizing diffusing, absorbing, multilayer, and/or wavelength-changing elements to prevent stray light from one aperture to another
Implementation Method 6
utilizing diffusing, absorbing, multilayer, and/or wavelength-changing elements to prevent stray light from one aperture to another
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device with an optical device comprising at least one light source and at least one light sensitive element optically decoupled inside the detection device. A protective housing encloses the optical device. An optical cover comprising an internal surface facing the optical device and an external surface opposite to the internal surface, wherein the optical cover is transparent at the operating wavelength of the optical device, and comprises at least two separate apertures. A first aperture faces the light source and a second aperture faces the light sensitive element. The optical cover is one piece comprised of diffusing, absorbing, multilayer elements, and/or wavelength-changing elements placed between the first and second apertures in an optical decoupling zone outside the field of view of the light source and the sensitive element to avoid the stray light travelling from the light source to the sensitive element within the optical cover.