Refractive Polygon Scanners for Expanded LIDAR Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polygon reflectors in LIDAR systems limit the field of view and duty cycle due to the incident light beam being coplanar with the reflective facet, restricting the collection of useful return beam data and reducing operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polygon deflector that refracts the incident light beam from within, allowing for enhanced field of view and duty cycle by directing the beam from an interior facet, combined with phase-encoded and chirped detection techniques to improve range and Doppler shift measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional polygon reflector is used with coplanar incident beam and reflective facet, then the system structure is simple, but the field of view and duty cycle are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a coplanar configuration (incident beam and reflective facet in the same plane) to a three-dimensional arrangement where the incident beam enters the polygon deflector from the interior, allowing the beam to be refracted at angles that expand the field of view beyond the limitations of conventional reflectors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the reflective mechanism (polygon reflector) with a refractive mechanism (polygon deflector). This substitution allows the beam to be directed from the interior of the deflector, enabling greater angular coverage and improved duty cycle while maintaining a relatively compact structure
2Productivity
If a conventional polygon reflector is used, then the component design is simple, but the duty cycle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the incident beam into the interior of the polygon deflector and using refraction rather than reflection, the system achieves higher duty cycle through improved beam utilization and reduced mechanical constraints on scanning speed and coverage
3Loss of information
If coplanar incident beam and reflective facet are used, then the optical path is simple, but useful return beam data collection is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a three-dimensional optical path where the incident beam enters from the interior of the polygon deflector and is refracted to multiple angles, maximizing the collection of return beam data from different spatial directions and reducing information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive polygon deflector replaces the reflective polygon, enabling the optical path to traverse the interior of the deflector and emerge at multiple angles, thereby capturing more return beam information without requiring a more complex optical system
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 refractive scanning approach expands the field of view and duty cycle, enabling precise range and velocity measurements for applications like autonomous vehicle control, while minimizing component degradation and enhancing data accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The first polygon scanner is configured to refract the first beam to output a second beam to the second polygon scanner
Implementation Method 2
The second polygon scanner is configured to refract the second beam to output a third beam
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR system includes a first polygon scanner, a second polygon scanner, and an optic. The first polygon scanner includes a plurality of first facets around an axis of rotation. The second polygon scanner includes plurality of second facets that are outward from the plurality of first facets relative to the axis of rotation. The optic is inward from the first polygon scanner relative to the axis of rotation. The optic is configured to output a first beam to the first polygon scanner. The first polygon scanner is configured to refract the first beam to output a second beam to the second polygon scanner. The second polygon scanner is configured to refract the second beam to output a third beam.