Triangular Mirror Assembly for Wide-Angle LIDAR Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems have limited scanning angles, restricting their ability to provide comprehensive object mapping within a given environment, which hinders their effectiveness in three-dimensional volume coverage.
Innovation Solution
A LIDAR system with a rotating mirror assembly that includes three mirror surfaces arranged in an equilateral triangle configuration, allowing for a broad scanning angle greater than 230 degrees, and interlaced scanning patterns to ensure even distribution of laser light across a wide field of view, facilitated by a high rotational frequency of the mirror and laser light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a conventional LIDAR system uses a standard mirror assembly, then the system structure is simple, but the scanning angle is limited and cannot provide comprehensive object mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is segmented into multiple mirror surfaces (at least three) arranged in a triangular configuration around the rotation axis. Each mirror surface reflects laser light in a different angular direction, enabling the system to achieve a broad scanning angle greater than 230 degrees by dividing the reflection function across multiple segmented surfaces.
2Productivity
If the mirror rotates at high frequency to reduce time between scans, then the productivity and update rate improve, but the mechanical complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly rotates periodically at a frequency between 20 Hz and 1000 Hz, creating a repeating scan pattern that efficiently covers the environmental field of view. This periodic rotation enables the system to provide updated environmental information at regular intervals, achieving high productivity through rhythmic, cyclic operation rather than continuous scanning.
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 more comprehensive three-dimensional object mapping and improved safety by providing more up-to-date information about the environment with reduced time between subsequent scans, enhancing the system's ability to detect objects accurately.
Implementation Method 1
A LIDAR system may include a laser light source configured to illuminate a mirror element. The mirror element may include a plurality of reflective surfaces disposed about a rotational axis. While rotating about the rotational axis, the mirror element may reflect the laser light into an environment of the mirror element at a different angle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to optical systems, specifically light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems. An example optical system includes a laser light source operable to emit laser light along a first axis and a mirror element with a plurality of reflective surfaces. The mirror element is configured to rotate about a second axis. The plurality of reflective surfaces is disposed about the second axis. The mirror element and the laser light source are coupled to a base structure, which is configured to rotate about a third axis. While the rotational angle of the mirror element is within an angular range, the emitted laser light interacts with both a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces and is reflected into the environment by the first and second reflective surfaces.