Phase-Controlled Laser Scanner Eliminates Moving Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lidar sensors in vehicles rely on movable components like rotating mirrors or prisms, which limit scanning rate, increase the risk of defects, and reduce flexibility in scanning the vehicle environment, thereby compromising road safety and the accuracy of driver assistance systems.
Innovation Solution
A phase-controlled laser scanner that uses beam forming to direct and control the laser beam without movable components, allowing for more precise, flexible, and efficient scanning of the vehicle environment, enabling better driver assistance and integration with other sensors like cameras and radar systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical apparatuses like rotating mirrors or prisms are used to control the laser beam, then the laser beam can be directed to different regions, but the scanning rate is limited and the risk of defects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering apparatuses (rotating mirrors or prisms) with a phase-controlled laser system that uses electronic phase modulation to direct the laser beam. This substitution eliminates moving parts, thereby increasing scanning rate and reliability by removing mechanical failure points while maintaining the ability to direct beams to different regions through phase control
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical apparatuses like rotating mirrors or prisms are used to control the laser beam, then the laser beam can be directed to different regions, but the scanning flexibility and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering with a phase-controlled laser system that achieves superior scanning flexibility and accuracy through electronic phase modulation. The phase control mechanism allows for precise, rapid, and programmable beam direction changes without the inertia and mechanical limitations of rotating components, thereby simultaneously improving adaptability and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase control as a key parameter to dynamically adjust laser beam direction. By modulating the phase of the laser elements, the system can rapidly and accurately redirect the beam to different regions without mechanical movement, achieving both high scanning flexibility and precision through electronic parameter control
3Area of stationary object
If several lasers are used directed to different fixed regions, then coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single phase-controlled laser system that can dynamically direct its beam to multiple different regions by adjusting phase control parameters. This multi-functional capability allows one laser to perform the work of multiple fixed lasers, covering the entire environment by sequentially or simultaneously scanning different areas without requiring multiple separate laser units, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage
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 phase-controlled laser scanner enhances scanning rate and accuracy, reduces the risk of defects, and improves driver assistance by providing more precise environmental data, enabling adaptive functions such as adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, and autonomous driving.
Implementation Method 1
The phase-controlled laser is designed to produce a controllable and directed laser beam by means of beam forming
Implementation Method 2
controlling or steering of the laser beam is effected by controlling the phases of the individual laser elements of the phase-controlled laser
Implementation Method 3
The sensor unit is designed to detect a retroreflection caused by the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A driver assistance system (106) of a vehicle (100) includes a laser scanner (101) with a phase-controlled laser (102), a sensor unit (104) and an evaluation unit (103). The phase-controlled laser is configured to produce a controllable laser beam by beam forming and to direct the laser beam into an environment outside of the vehicle. The sensor unit (104) is configured to detect a retroreflection caused by the laser beam. The evaluation unit (103) produces driver assistance data by evaluating the detected retroreflection.