Pulsed Light Irradiation Device with Shared Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical radar devices face challenges in efficiently measuring wide ranges of distance due to decreased light irradiation intensity on distant targets, especially under intense background light conditions, and suffer from blind spots and increased manufacturing costs due to complex optical systems.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed light irradiation/detection device with a shared imaging optical element, polarizing beam splitter, and aligned pulsed light emitting and receiving elements, which radiates linearly polarized pulsed light and receives reflected light on the same optical path, minimizing divergence and optical components while maintaining high intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate optical systems are used for laser irradiation and light receiving, then blind spots occur and measurement precision deteriorates, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser irradiation optical system and light receiving optical system into a single integrated optical system. The light receiving lens and laser beam irradiating lens share the same optical path, eliminating blind spots caused by separate optical axes while reducing overall device complexity through component consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The light receiving lens serves dual functions: it receives reflected light from the target object and simultaneously acts as the laser beam irradiating lens. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate irradiation and reception optical systems, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If laser beam divergence is increased to suppress blind spots, then measurement range extends, but light irradiation intensity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from beam divergence angle to optical path alignment. By making the optical axes of the light receiving lens and laser beam irradiating lens coincide, the system achieves blind spot suppression without increasing divergence, thereby maintaining high light irradiation intensity while extending measurement range.
3Measurement precision
If multiple substrates with laser elements are arranged to increase resolution, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple laser elements and light receiving elements onto a single substrate, eliminating the need for precise alignment between multiple substrates. This integration maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing manufacturing precision requirements for optical axis alignment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If special optical elements are added to guide reflected light to light receiving element, then measurement capability at short distances improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiving lens performs the dual function of focusing reflected light from both distant and short-range targets onto the light receiving element. This eliminates the need for additional special optical elements while maintaining measurement capability across all distances, reducing device complexity.
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 suppresses blind spots, increases light intensity on targets, and reduces manufacturing costs, allowing for longer measurement distances without the need for additional optical elements.
Implementation Method 1
the pulsed light emitting element emits pulsed light that is linearly polarized in a first polarization direction
Implementation Method 2
the pulsed light passes through the polarizing beam splitter and the imaging optical element in this order
Implementation Method 3
the reflected light passes through the imaging optical element and the polarizing beam splitter in this order, is linearly polarized in a second polarization direction
Implementation Method 4
reflected light from the target object being received
Data Source
AI summary
A pulsed light emitting element emits pulsed light that is linearly polarized in a first polarization direction, the pulsed light passes through a polarizing beam splitter and a lens in this order and is radiated onto a target object, reflected light passes through the lens and the polarizing beam splitter in this order, is linearly polarized in a second polarization direction that is different from the first polarization direction, and is concentrated on a light receiving element, the pulsed light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided on a focal plane of the lens, and the optical axis of the pulsed light and the optical axis of the reflected light overlap.