Rotating Lens LiDAR Beam Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LiDAR systems face issues with asymmetrical receiving aperture behavior and distortion of vertical scans due to rotation, requiring larger mirrors and reduced vertical field of view, especially at large horizontal deflection angles and vertical incidence angles.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR system with a statically disposed first lens and a rotatably supported second lens along a common optical path, where at least one lens is configured to rotate for beam deflection, allowing for symmetrical aperture behavior and minimal rotational mass, enabling coaxial and biaxial scanning without energy or data connections on the rotor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mirror is used for beam deflection in conventional LiDAR systems, then horizontal scanning is achieved, but the receiving aperture becomes asymmetrical and smaller at larger rotation angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mirror-based beam deflection system with a lens-based system. Specifically, a first lens is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the optical path to achieve beam deflection, substituting the mechanical mirror reflection system with a refractive lens system that maintains symmetrical aperture characteristics throughout the scanning range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter from reflection (mirror) to refraction (lens). By using a rotatable lens instead of a mirror, the system maintains a constant, symmetrical receiving aperture area across all horizontal scanning angles, eliminating the aperture reduction problem that occurs with mirror-based systems at large deflection angles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the laser is tilted out of the horizontal plane to achieve vertical scanning, then vertical field of view is obtained, but distortion occurs at large horizontal deflection angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second rotational dimension by adding a second lens that can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the first lens's rotation axis. This biaxial rotation capability allows the system to achieve both horizontal and vertical scanning without tilting the laser, eliminating the distortion that occurs when combining large horizontal deflection angles with vertical tilting in conventional systems.
3Measurement precision
If the entire LiDAR system including laser source and detector is rotating, then horizontal spatial resolution is achieved, but power supply and data transmission become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the entire LiDAR system and isolates it to only the beam-deflection optics (the rotatable lens). The laser source and detector remain stationary, eliminating the need for complex rotating power supplies and data transmission systems while maintaining the horizontal spatial resolution through the rotatable lens's beam deflection capability.
4Device complexity
If only beam-deflection optics is rotating, then disadvantages of full system rotation are avoided, but the receiving aperture becomes asymmetrical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mirror-based beam-deflection optics with a lens-based system. The rotatable lens maintains a constant, symmetrical receiving aperture throughout the scanning range because the lens's optical properties remain consistent in all directions, unlike a mirror whose effective aperture changes with rotation angle.
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 allows for efficient beam deflection in spatial directions, maintaining beam form integrity, and achieving symmetrical receiving aperture behavior, with improved scanning capabilities and reduced optical losses, suitable for automotive and demanding applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first lenses or the second lenses is configured to be set into rotation in order to bring about a beam deflection from the optical path in at least one spatial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR system which includes an optical system that encompasses a first lens, which is preferably statically positioned, and a second lens, which is preferably rotatably supported in relation to the first lens. The first lens and the second lens are situated along a shared optical path, and at least either the first lens or the second lens is configured to be set into rotation in order to bring about a beam deflection from the optical path in at least one spatial direction.