Rotating Refractive-Reflective Optical Assembly for 360 LiDAR Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR systems are cumbersome, costly, and complex due to the need for multiple light sources to achieve 360° scanning, which limits their space efficiency and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a scanning LiDAR system using a combination of a first optical element, such as a prism, and a second optical element, like a reflective mirror, which rotates to refract and reflect light beams, allowing for 360° scanning with fewer or single light sources, reducing system complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to achieve 360° scanning, then scanning coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single light source performs multiple functions by combining it with a rotating optical assembly that includes both a refractive optical element and a reflective optical element. This assembly enables the single light source to achieve 360° scanning coverage that would traditionally require multiple light sources, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive scanning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical assembly is designed to rotate about a central axis, dynamically changing the direction of the light beam as it rotates. This dynamic rotation allows a single stationary light source to scan across the entire 360° environment, replacing the need for multiple fixed light sources positioned at different locations
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to achieve 360° scanning, then scanning coverage is improved, but space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refractive optical element and reflective optical element are merged into a single rotating optical assembly that works together with one light source. This consolidation reduces the overall system volume compared to having multiple separate light sources and their associated mounting structures distributed throughout the system
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating optical assembly serves as a universal scanning mechanism that enables a single light source to cover the entire 360° field of view, eliminating the need for multiple light sources and reducing the total volume required for the LiDAR system
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to achieve 360° scanning, then scanning coverage is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical assembly design where a single light source combined with a rotating refractive-reflective element system achieves 360° scanning coverage. This approach reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to procure, test, and integrate multiple expensive light sources, while maintaining comprehensive environmental scanning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating optical assembly creates multiple virtual light source positions through reflection and refraction as it rotates, effectively copying the scanning function of multiple physical light sources into a single mechanical system that is more cost-effective to manufacture
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 enables compact, cost-effective LiDAR systems capable of 360° stereoscopic scanning with fewer light sources, improving space efficiency and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical element rotatable about a first axis and configured to receive a light beam at a first surface of the first optical element and refract the light beam by a second surface of the first optical element
Implementation Method 2
a second optical element spaced from the first optical element, rotatable about a second axis, and positioned to reflect the light beam by a reflective surface of the second optical element to the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR system includes a light source to emit pulsed laser light beams, a scanning optical assembly to direct the pulsed laser light beams to scan an environment for detecting one or more objects therein, and a receiver to receive, via the scanning optical assembly, return light beams reflected by the one or more objects. The scanning optical assembly includes a first optical element rotatable about a first axis and to receive a light beam at a first surface thereof and refract the light beam by a second surface thereof at which the light beam exits the first optical element, and a second optical element spaced from the first optical element and rotatable about a second axis. The second optical element includes a reflective surface to reflect the light beam to the environment and a refractive surface to refract the light beam to the reflective surface.