Multi-Beam Distance Measurement With Reference-Path Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-beam measurement devices face challenges such as crosstalk interference, limited spatial resolution, high manufacturing complexity, and calibration issues due to temperature drift, which affect the accuracy and efficiency of 3D point cloud generation.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a laser array and receiver array with a coaxial design, incorporating a reference beam path for calibration, and uses optical guiding elements and beam splitting components to minimize crosstalk and ensure seamless beam distribution, allowing for high-resolution 3D point cloud generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete arrangement of individual electronic boards or transmitter modules is used to achieve high number of measuring points, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete transmitter modules into a single integrated transmitter unit with a laser array, and multiple discrete receiver modules into a single receiver unit with a receiver array. This consolidation maintains the high number of measuring points while significantly reducing device complexity and manufacturing difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam transmission function into multiple laser emitters within a single array, and the beam reception function into multiple receiver elements within a single array. This segmentation allows high spatial resolution without requiring discrete modular assembly of each beam pair.
2Measurement precision
If multiple discrete boards are arranged to achieve high point resolution, then measurement accuracy is improved, but alignment precision becomes difficult to generate with high accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all transmitter elements and receiver elements into single units with fixed relative positions, the patent eliminates the alignment problems between discrete boards. The internal geometry of each unit is manufacturing precision, while the units themselves are easily aligned as complete assemblies.
3Measurement precision
If beam masking or complicated optical arrangements are used to reduce crosstalks, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates crosstalk interference by using a specific receiver array configuration that only detects beams from corresponding transmitter elements. The receiver array is designed with elements that are spectrally or spatially selective, so each receiver element only receives light from its paired transmitter element, completely removing the crosstalk problem without additional masking components.
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 approach enhances the accuracy and efficiency of 3D point cloud generation by minimizing crosstalk, improving spatial resolution, and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining a seamless scan pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission unit (76) having at least one laser array (70) embodied as a laser bar or semiconductor laser array or array of single lasers on a common electronic board or submount, the laser array (70) comprising multiple measurement laser emitters (70e) arranged along a emitter array axis
Implementation Method 2
The receiver unit (77) is designed for beam detection by a respective measurement receiver (71r) of at least one transmission beam (T) of the plurality of transmission beams returning via the beam entry area and for measuring of an absolute distance based on a respective detected transmission beam (T) and the principle of time-of-flight
Implementation Method 3
optical guiding elements and beam splitting components to minimize crosstalk and ensure seamless beam distribution
Implementation Method 4
an optical beam splitting component arranged in the optical path associated to at least part of the multiple laser arrays and configured to split an incoming beam generated by a respective laser emitter into a defined number of outgoing beams having well-defined angular separations with respect to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An absolute distance measuring method and device including a transmission unit having a laser array comprising multiple measurement laser emitters arranged along a laser array axis and a receiver unit having at least one receiver array comprising multiple measurement receivers arranged along a receiver array axis for measuring of an absolute distance based on a respective detected transmission beam and the principle of time-of-flight. The laser array comprises at least a first reference laser emitter and the receiver array comprises at least a first reference receiver. The reference laser emitter and reference receiver define an internal absolute distance reference beam path for calibration of the device with respect to said measuring of absolute distance.