Rotary Scanner Pivot Joint for Variable Elevation Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary scanners used in LIDAR systems are limited in their ability to project or receive optical beams at variable elevation angles, which is necessary for comprehensive scene analysis, and lack simplicity, strength, and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A rotary scanner design featuring a housing with a motor-driven rotatable structure, a pivotally mounted reflector assembly biased to a rest angle, and a control interface to adjust rotation speed, allowing the reflector assembly to pivot between angles and modify the elevation of the optical beam, enabling projection or reception at multiple angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fixed reflector is used at a given elevation angle, then the structure is simple and cost effective, but the elevation angle cannot be varied for comprehensive scene analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector assembly is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot joint mechanism that allows it to rotate between a rest angle and at least one other angle. The pivot joint includes a biasing mechanism that enables controlled movement between different elevation positions, transforming the static reflector into a dynamic one capable of adapting to different scanning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation angle parameter of the reflector is made changeable through the pivot joint mechanism. By varying the rotation angle of the reflector assembly around the pivot axis, the system can adjust the elevation angle at which the optical beam is projected, enabling comprehensive scene analysis at multiple angles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reflector assembly is made pivotable to change elevation angles, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint incorporates a biasing mechanism that automatically returns the reflector assembly to its rest angle position after use. This self-service feature reduces the need for additional actuators and control mechanisms, maintaining relative simplicity while enabling elevation angle variation. The biasing mechanism provides automatic positioning without requiring complex active control systems.
3Ease of operation
If centrifugal force is used to pivot the reflector assembly, then the mechanism remains simple, but the rotation speed must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface monitors the rotation speed of the motor and adjusts it to maintain the centrifugal force within the specified range. This feedback control ensures that the reflector assembly remains reliably positioned at the desired angle while allowing operation at variable speeds. The system can detect when the centrifugal force is insufficient or excessive and adjust the rotation speed accordingly.
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 solution allows for flexible and efficient projection or reception of optical beams at various elevation angles, enhancing the capability of LIDAR systems to analyze scenes with improved construction, strength, and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a control interface allowing to control the rotation speed of the motor between a first rotation speed at which the centrifugal force operating against the reflector assembly is insufficient to overcome the bias, and at least one other rotation speed at which the centrifugal force operating against the reflector assembly overcomes the bias and pivots the reflector assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary scanner is described. The rotary scanner includes a housing; a motor fixedly mounted relative to the housing; a structure mounted to the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis by the motor; and a reflector assembly mounted to the structure via a pivot joint so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis between a rest angle and at least one other angle. The reflector assembly is biased to the rest angle and has a reflector plane parallel to the pivot axis. The rotary scanner also includes an optical source fixedly mounted relative to the housing and operable to emit an optical beam along the rotation axis and towards the reflector assembly during use; and a control interface allowing to control the rotation speed of the motor between a first rotation speed and at least one other rotation speed.