Polygon Mirror with Non-90 Degree Tilt Angles for Compact LiDAR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR devices are bulky and have limited field-of-view (FOV) capabilities, making them difficult to fit into compact spaces within vehicles and limiting their scanning capabilities, especially in small vehicle spaces such as rear-view mirror assemblies or bumpers.
Innovation Solution
A compact LiDAR device utilizing a polygon mirror with multiple reflective facets, including those with non-90 degree tilt angles, enabling scanning in both horizontal and vertical directions to achieve an ultra-wide FOV of 120 degrees or more horizontally and 90 degrees or more vertically, allowing for dynamic adjustment of scanning resolution in regions-of-interest (ROI) areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional LiDAR designs are used, then scanning capability is provided, but device size becomes bulky and FOV is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The polygon mirror is divided into multiple facets with different tilt angles (e.g., 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees). Each facet segment handles a specific angular range, allowing the system to achieve ultra-wide FOV coverage through segmented reflection paths while keeping the overall device compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical dimension by tilting facets at non-90 degree angles relative to the rotation axis. This creates three-dimensional light steering capability, enabling the beam to scan both horizontally and vertically within a compact footprint, thus expanding FOV without increasing device volume proportionally.
2Volume of moving object
If device size is reduced for compact spaces, then ease of installation improves, but scanning resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different facets are assigned different tilt angles to optimize performance for specific regions. For example, facets with 45 degrees tilt may handle horizontal scanning while facets with 60 or 75 degrees tilt handle vertical scanning or regions of interest, providing locally optimized scanning resolution across the ultra-wide FOV despite compact overall size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ultra-wide FOV is achieved through multiple mirrors, then FOV capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reflective facets with different tilt angles are integrated into a single polygon mirror structure. This merges multiple scanning functions into one component, achieving ultra-wide FOV capability while reducing the number of separate optical elements and simplifying the overall system architecture compared to using multiple separate mirrors.
Solution Approach 2:
The polygon mirror serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a horizontal scanning element and a vertical steering element through its tilted facets. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mirrors for different scanning planes, reducing device complexity while maintaining ultra-wide FOV capability.
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
Enables the LiDAR device to be disposed in small vehicle spaces while providing an ultra-wide FOV and adjustable scanning resolution, reducing blind spots and enhancing scanning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The polygon mirror comprises multiple reflective facets and at least some of the facets have non-90 degree tilt angles... steer the one or more light beams both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view
Data Source
AI summary
A compact LiDAR device is provided. The compact LiDAR device includes a first mirror disposed to receive one or more light beams and a polygon mirror optically coupled to the first mirror. The polygon mirror comprises a plurality of reflective facets. For at least two of the plurality of reflective facets, each reflective facet is arranged such that: a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge of the reflective facet correspond to a first line, a second line, and a third line; the first line and the second line intersect to form a first internal angle of a plane comprising the reflective facet; and the first line and the third line intersect to form a second internal angle of the plane comprising the reflective facet. The first internal angle is an acute angle; and the second internal angle is an obtuse angle.