Selective Optical System for Lidar Detection Angle Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laser scanners have limited detection angle ranges and angular resolutions, making them inadequate for covering large areas with high precision, and combining multiple scanners leads to increased costs and overlapping issues.

Innovation Solution

An optical emitting device with a laser unit and deflection unit, featuring optics with a first and second region, where the second region has a lens shape for refracting laser pulses, allowing for selective expansion of the detection angle range and maintaining or slightly reducing angular resolution in specific areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the detection angle range is increased to cover larger areas, then the field of view is improved, but the angular resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection angle rangeVSAvoidangular resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is divided into multiple regions with different optical properties. The first region has a first optical power and the second region has a second optical power that differs from the first. This creates local variations in refraction characteristics, allowing certain areas to maintain high angular resolution while other areas contribute to expanding the overall detection angle range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is segmented into distinct regions (first region and second region) with different optical powers. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different parts of the field of view, enabling the system to achieve both wide coverage and high resolution in critical areas simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If multiple laser scanners are combined to increase detection angle range, then the field of view is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection angle rangeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional regions are merged into a single optical system rather than using separate laser scanners. The optical system combines a first region and a second region with different optical powers in one integrated component, achieving the equivalent effect of multiple scanners while reducing system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single optical system performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices. By incorporating regions with different optical powers, one optical system can provide both wide-angle coverage and high-resolution detection, making it a universal solution replacing multiple specialized scanners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the optical system uses uniform refraction across all areas, then manufacturing is simplified, but the angular resolution varies uniformly across the entire field

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical system manufacturingVSAvoidangular resolution distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniform refraction, the optical system implements local quality variations by creating a first region and a second region with different optical powers. This allows different parts of the field of view to have optimized resolution characteristics according to their specific requirements, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all refraction approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 a single laser scanner to achieve a detection angle range of over 100°, such as 140°, without compromising angular resolution in critical areas, eliminating the need for multiple scanners and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

an optical emission device for modulating laser pulses, comprising: a laser source, a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element and a fourth optical element, wherein the first optical element is a pulse picker, the second optical element is a pulse stretcher, the third optical element is a pulse compressor and the fourth optical element is a pulse picker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

the first optical element is a pulse picker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemporal filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 3

the second optical element is a pulse stretcher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical path length variation: Lens

Implementation Method 4

the third optical element is a pulse compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical path length variation: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3596506B1Optical emission device for laser pulses with selective optical system
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 VALEO SCHALTER & SENSOREN GMBH
  • EP3596506B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical emission device (1) for laser pulses (28), in particular for use in a lidar for use in a vehicle, comprising a laser unit (10) designed to emit laser pulses (28), and a deflection unit (11), which is arranged in the beam path of the laser pulses (28) emitted by the laser unit (10) and deflects the laser pulses (28) emitted by the laser unit (10) in a deflection region (12), wherein the optical emission device (1) comprises an optical system (14) arranged in the beam path of the laser pulses (28) emitted by the laser unit (10) downstream of the deflection unit (11) in the deflection region (12) thereof, the optical system (14) comprises at least one first region (16) and at least one second region (18), and the at least one second region (18) has a lens shape for refracting the laser pulses (28). A laser scanner comprising an optical emission device (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a sensor unit for receiving a reflection of the emitted laser beam (28). The invention furthermore relates to a laser scanner comprising such an optical emission device (1) and a sensor unit for receiving a reflection of emitted laser pulses (28).