Rotating-Mirror LiDAR Layout for Compact 360° Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary LiDAR devices are cumbersome, large in size, have high energy consumption, and poor stability due to the entire device rotating around an axis, making miniaturization difficult.
Innovation Solution
A LiDAR design featuring a transceiver component with multiple modules and a rotation reflector that rotates, where each transceiver module corresponds to a reflecting surface, allowing only the reflector to scan, reducing the need for rotating components and enabling a 360° horizontal field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the entire LiDAR device rotates around an axis to scan the detection region, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device size becomes large and the structure becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the LiDAR device into two functional parts: a fixed transceiver component and a rotating scanning component (polygonal reflector). This segmentation allows the bulk of the device to remain stationary while only a small scanning element rotates, reducing overall device size and structural complexity while maintaining full detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the entire LiDAR device and concentrates it into a small polygonal reflector that rotates around a vertical axis. This extraction allows the main transceiver components to remain fixed, eliminating the need for a large rotating housing and reducing the overall device footprint.
2Productivity
If the entire LiDAR device rotates around an axis, then the scanning function is achieved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into fixed and rotating parts, only the lightweight polygonal reflector needs to be driven by a small motor, significantly reducing the energy required for rotation compared to moving the entire heavy LiDAR assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation function is extracted and performed by a minimal scanning component, which requires minimal actuation energy. The fixed transceiver components do not consume energy for movement, reducing total system energy consumption while maintaining full scanning capability.
3Area of stationary object
If the entire LiDAR device rotates around an axis, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Separating the heavy transceiver components from the rotating scanning component means that only the lightweight reflector rotates, minimizing mechanical stress, vibration, and wear. The stable fixed base provides a solid platform for precise optical measurements, improving overall system stability and reliability.
4Area of stationary object
If the entire LiDAR device rotates around an axis, then the detection region is scanned, but the device complexity increases making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the mechanical structure by dividing functionality between fixed and rotating parts. The fixed transceiver module contains all optical components, while the rotating part is merely a simple polygonal reflector, dramatically reducing mechanical complexity and enabling miniaturization.
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 design achieves reduced size, lower power consumption, and improved stability by minimizing rotating parts, while expanding the detection field of view, enhancing control and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation reflector includes at least two reflecting surfaces. The n transceiver modules correspond to the at least two reflecting surfaces, and are configured to reflect the outgoing laser emitted by the emission module and further direct the reflected outgoing laser toward the detection region, and are also configured to reflect the echo laser and further direct the reflected echo laser toward the corresponding receiving module.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3b
Figure 3c~4
AI summary
A laser radar (100) and an automatic driving device (200), relating to the technical field of radars. The laser radar (100) comprises a transceiving assembly (1) and a scanning assembly (2). The transceiving assembly (1) comprises a number n of transceiving modules (10), wherein n is an integer and satisfies n > 1; each of the transceiving modules (10) comprises a transmitting module (11) and a receiving module (12) that are arranged to be opposite; the transmitting module (11) is used for transmitting an emergent laser; the receiving module (12) is used for receiving an echo laser which is the laser returned after the emergent laser is reflected by an object in a detection region. The scanning assembly (2) comprises a rotating mirror (21) rotating about a rotating shaft (3); the rotating mirror (21) comprises at least two reflective surfaces; the at least two reflective surfaces correspond to the n transceiving modules (10), and are used to reflect the emergent laser emitted by the transmitting module (11) and then emit same to the detection region and used to reflect the echo laser and then emit same to the corresponding receiving module (12). Miniaturization of the laser radar (100) is achieved and a horizontal angle of view is expanded.