Optoelectronic Sensor Reception Optics for Wide-Angle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic sensor devices for motor vehicles face challenges in detecting objects across a wide area surrounding the vehicle without movable components, requiring a transmission beam with a large opening angle to achieve a correspondingly large detection area.
Innovation Solution
The sensor device employs a receiving unit with at least two receiving elements, such as photodiodes, and receiving optics with different main detection directions in the vertical plane, allowing the same transmission beam to be focused onto these elements from various angles, enabling detection of objects at different vertical positions and distances without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a transmission beam with a large opening angle is used to achieve a large detection area, then the detection area is improved, but the transmission beam cannot be precisely focused onto receiving elements from different vertical directions
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving optics are divided into multiple optical elements (e.g., multiple microlenses or lens segments), each with a different main detection direction in the vertical plane. This segmentation allows each element to focus beams from specific vertical angles onto corresponding receiving elements, resolving the contradiction between wide detection area and precise focusing by distributing the focusing function across multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical angular diversity as an additional dimension for beam reception. By arranging optical elements with different vertical detection directions (e.g., upward, horizontal, downward angles), the system extends the detection capability from a single plane to multiple vertical zones, achieving both large detection area and precise focusing in different spatial dimensions simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If movable components (mirrors and the like) are used for pivoting the transmission beam, then the transmission beam can cover different directions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the transmission beam source to change detection directions, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the transmission beam fixed and using multiple stationary receiving optical elements with different detection directions. This inversion eliminates the need for movable components while achieving the same versatility in covering different areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pivoting system with an optical solution. Rather than using motors and movable mirrors to redirect the beam, the system uses arrays of photodiodes combined with multiple optical elements having different focal orientations, substituting mechanical movement with optical focusing from multiple fixed directions.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple receiving elements are arranged distributed along a distribution direction, then the detection area is improved, but the receiving optics become more complex to focus beams onto each element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical focusing functions into a single integrated receiving optics assembly. Instead of providing separate complex optical systems for each receiving element, multiple optical elements are combined in one assembly, each optimized for a specific vertical detection direction, thereby achieving wide detection area coverage while managing optical complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving optics assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it focuses beams from different vertical directions onto different receiving elements, and it maintains a compact integrated structure. Each optical element within the assembly is multi-functional, handling both focusing and directional discrimination, thereby reducing overall system complexity while expanding detection capabilities.
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 configuration allows for a wide detection range both horizontally and vertically, enabling the detection of objects in multiple vertical zones with a single transmission beam, improving the sensor's ability to detect obstacles and pedestrians at various distances and positions relative to the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The receiving unit has at least two receiving elements arranged distributed along a distribution direction, namely in particular photodiodes, preferably avalanche photodiodes
Implementation Method 2
The receiving unit also has receiving optics—for example a receiving lens—which are arranged in a receiving beam path in the direction of propagation of the receiving beam in front of the receiving elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (102) has a transmitting unit for transmitting an optical transmitting beam. A receiving unit (101) receives a receiving beam (107). The receiving unit includes two receiving elements (104) i.e. Avalanche photo diodes, which are distributedly arranged along a distributing direction (103). A receiving optics (110) i.e. Fresnel lens, includes optic elements (114) i.e. microlenses, for the receiving elements. The optic elements align the receiving beam on the associated receiving elements, where the receiving beam incidents from two different angles relative to a horizontal plane. The receiving optics is made of plastic. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating an optoelectronic sensor device.