Rotating Optical Triangulation Scanner for Wide-Angle Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanners based on the triangulation principle are limited to a very small angular range, making them unsuitable for applications requiring wide-angle monitoring, such as autonomous vehicles or robotic grippers, and time-of-flight sensors are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanner design where a light source and deflection device rotate synchronously around a common axis, allowing for a large angular range scanning using the triangulation principle, with a stationary receiver to determine object distance and angular position simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical scanners use the triangulation principle with a stationary receiving device, then cost is reduced compared to time-of-flight sensors, but the angular range is limited to a very small range
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving device is made rotatable about a vertical axis, transforming it from a stationary component to a dynamic one. This rotational capability enables the scanner to cover a large angular range (nearly 360 degrees) while maintaining the cost advantages of the triangulation principle, directly resolving the contradiction between cost and angular range adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light source, deflection device, and rotatable receiving device into an integrated scanning system. The light source and deflection device rotate synchronously with the receiving device, creating a unified system that achieves broad angular coverage without requiring expensive time-of-flight measurement technology
2Measurement precision
If time-of-flight measurements are used to determine distance, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs affordable photodetectors and simple optical components instead of expensive time-of-flight measurement equipment. By using the triangulation principle with a rotatable receiving device, the system achieves effective distance measurement capabilities without requiring sophisticated picosecond-to-nanosecond timing equipment, thereby reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic timing system of time-of-flight sensors with a mechanical-optical triangulation system. The rotational position of the receiving device mechanically encodes angular information, while optical triangulation provides distance measurement, substituting complex electronic timing mechanisms with simpler mechanical and optical components
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective scanning over nearly 360° with simultaneous determination of object distance and angular position, overcoming the limitations of traditional triangulation scanners and reducing the complexity and cost of time-of-flight sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is designed to emit an optical transmission signal
Implementation Method 2
light generated by the transmission signal reflected or remitted by an object
Implementation Method 3
The deflection device deflects at least a portion of the light reflected or remitted by the object for imaging onto a receiving element of the receiving device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An optical scanner for determining the distance of an object relative to the optical scanner comprises at least one light source, a receiving device, and a deflection device. The light source is provided for emitting an optical transmission signal. The receiving device is stationary and designed to receive light generated by the transmission signal reflected or remitted by an object. The deflection device deflects light reflected or remitted by the object for imaging onto a receiving element of the receiving device. Furthermore, the light source is designed to execute a rotational movement about a common axis together with the deflection device.