Trapezoidal Deflection Mirror for Compact Vehicle Optical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measuring devices for vehicles, such as laser scanners, require significant installation space due to the precise adjustment needs of the receiving unit components, which limits their compactness and efficiency, especially when integrated into vehicles like those with radiator grilles.
Innovation Solution
An optical measuring device with a deflection mirror arrangement featuring a trapezoidal, flat deflection mirror adapted to the contour of edge rays, allowing for reduced installation space by minimizing the deflection mirror area and enabling precise adjustment of the receiving lens and deflection mirror relative to the carrier using engagement elements and adjustment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional rectangular or square deflection mirrors are used in the receiving unit, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the installation space is excessively large with wasted area
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection mirror is designed with a non-uniform trapezoidal shape where different regions of the mirror serve specific functions: the larger base area captures the divergent edge rays from the receiving lens, while the tapered portion minimizes unnecessary mirror area. This local optimization of mirror geometry matches the spatial distribution of incoming light rays, eliminating wasted space while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard mirror coating processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the symmetric rectangular or square deflection mirror with an asymmetric trapezoidal shape. The asymmetric geometry is specifically configured to match the divergent contour of edge rays from the receiving lens, with the larger base capturing the wider ray spread and the tapered top reducing unnecessary mirror area. This asymmetric design optimizes space utilization without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
2Measurement precision
If the receiving lens and deflection mirror are precisely adjusted to achieve optimal optical alignment, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and adjustment mechanism requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving lens is pre-adjusted during the manufacturing process to establish the correct optical alignment with the deflection mirror and sensor. This preliminary adjustment ensures that the optical path is properly configured before the device is installed in the vehicle, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and allowing precise optical alignment to be achieved through manufacturing precision rather than operational adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are designed to self-align through precise manufacturing tolerances and rigid mechanical mounting structures. The receiving lens, deflection mirror, and sensor are positioned and fixed during assembly to maintain optimal optical alignment without requiring active adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while minimizing device complexity by eliminating adjustable 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
This configuration minimizes installation space, eliminates the need for complex repositioning of the receiver, and allows for precise positioning of components, reducing production costs and enhancing the device's compactness and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
when the beams arrive in the optical measuring device and in particular in the receiving unit, they pass through a receiving lens and are refracted according to the shape of this receiving lens
Implementation Method 2
a deflection unit, which deflects laser radiation onto the scene to be measured with a first mirror and deflects the laser pulses scattered back from objects onto the at least one detector with a second mirror
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical measuring device (1) for a vehicle (6), comprising at least one optical emitter, at least one optical receiver (12) and a deflection mirror assembly having at least one deflection mirror (11), a deflection mirror (11) of a receiving unit of the measuring device (1) being adapted, in the peripheral contour thereof (27, 28), to the contour (41) formed by peripheral beams (40) of a receiving radiation beam (38). The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a device (1).