Split Lidar Window and Baffling for Stray Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lidar systems are adversely affected by stray light and optical cross-talk, which can render them ineffective and provide inaccurate object information.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical windows and baffles in lidar systems to minimize stray light and optical cross-talk, including rotatable mirror assemblies, static and rotating baffles, and transverse baffles to create a tortuous path for stray light, thereby reducing noise and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional lidar systems are used without optical baffles, then the device complexity is low, but stray light and optical cross-talk adversely affect measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
Optical baffles are introduced as intermediary elements between the transmitter and receiver components. These baffles block stray light paths and prevent optical cross-talk while allowing legitimate signal paths to pass through, thereby improving measurement precision without fundamentally changing the core lidar operation
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones using baffles, separating the transmitter region from the receiver region and blocking intermediate stray light paths. This segmentation approach allows precise control over light paths while maintaining manageable system complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical baffles are added to block stray light, then stray light mitigation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffles convert the harmful effect of stray light into a beneficial blocking mechanism. By strategically positioning baffle elements, the system uses the same optical paths that could carry stray light to instead block those paths, transforming the problem into a solution
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple baffles are nested within the existing optical housing structure, with each baffle positioned to block specific stray light paths. This nested arrangement maximizes stray light mitigation while minimizing the overall increase in device complexity by utilizing existing spatial constraints
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
The solution effectively mitigates stray light and optical cross-talk, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of lidar systems, particularly in autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The housing includes at least one optical window. The transmit path includes the transmit mirror portion and at least a first portion of the at least one optical window. The receive path includes at least a second portion of the at least one optical window
Implementation Method 2
The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion
Implementation Method 3
at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.