Thermoelectric Cooler Assembly for LiDAR Thermal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR systems face optical misalignment due to temperature variations, which degrade signal quality by allowing background noise and affecting the alignment between the laser and optical lens, despite active thermal control stabilizing the laser wavelength.
Innovation Solution
An active temperature control assembly that includes a thermoelectric cooler and a thermally conductive mechanical structure to maintain both the laser and optical lens at the same temperature, minimizing thermal expansion differences and maintaining optical alignment across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wide-band optical filter is used at the receiver to allow more reflected laser pulse to pass through, then the signal reception is improved, but the background noise increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stabilizes the laser wavelength parameter by actively controlling the laser chip temperature using a TEC device. This allows the system to use a narrow-band optical filter at the receiver while maintaining high signal reception, thereby reducing background noise without sacrificing measurement precision
2Stability of the object's composition
If active thermal control is used to stabilize the laser wavelength, then the wavelength stability is improved, but the optical alignment between laser and lens deteriorates due to temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal control of the laser chip and the optical lens by using a single TEC device and a shared thermally conductive mechanical structure (heat spreader) to control both components at the same temperature. This eliminates the temperature difference between laser and lens, preventing differential thermal expansion while maintaining wavelength stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermally conductive mechanical structure (heat spreader) as an intermediary between the TEC and the optical lens. This heat spreader distributes the thermal control uniformly and ensures both the laser chip and optical lens are maintained at the same temperature, preventing misalignment while enabling wavelength stabilization
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 solution stabilizes the laser wavelength, reduces background noise, and maintains optical alignment, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and overall performance of the LiDAR system.
Implementation Method 1
an active thermal control element, i.e., a Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC), can be integrated with the laser module to stabilize the temperature of laser chip
Implementation Method 2
a thermally conductive mechanical structure fixed to the upper surface of the active thermal control element, the mechanical structure being in thermal contact with the light source, the light collimator lens and the active thermal control element
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the light source
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system including a light source configured to provide a light beam; light collimator lens configured to collimate the light beam; an active thermal control element having an upper surface; a thermally conductive mechanical structure fixed to the upper surface of the active thermal control element thermal element, the mechanical structure being in thermal contact with the light source, the light collimator lens and the active thermal control element; a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the light source; and a temperature controller configured to receive the detected temperature from the light source and in response control the temperature of the active thermal control element, which controls the temperatures of the light source and collimator lens to the same temperature via the thermally conductive mechanical structure.