Tunable Lens Array for Multi-Beam LiDAR Focus Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems face issues with optical beam focus alignment due to manufacturing imperfections and lens misalignment, leading to irregular beam patterns and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Employing an array of liquid crystal (LC) cells as gradient index lenses to individually adjust the focus of multiple optical beams, using tunable lenses to align them on a common reference plane, compensating for focus variations caused by lens stacks and manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple optical sources are used to achieve high frame rates and increased scanning points, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to focus alignment variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using tunable lenses to dynamically adjust the focal length for each optical beam. This allows the system to compensate for manufacturing variations in lens focal lengths and optical path differences, ensuring all beams focus at the same position despite using multiple optical sources for high frame rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electrically controlled tunable lenses. Instead of physically adjusting lens positions or focal lengths mechanically, the system uses electrical signals to control the liquid crystal or elastomer-based tunable lenses, enabling precise and rapid focus alignment across multiple beams
2Quantity of substance
If multiple optical sources are placed in an array, then quantity of substance is improved, but device complexity increases due to focus variation compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individual tunable lenses for each optical beam in the array. Each lens can be independently adjusted to compensate for local variations in that specific beam's optical path, allowing the system to manage multiple beams without requiring a complex centralized compensation system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universal tunable lens components that can be applied to each optical source in the array. These multi-functional elements serve both as collimators and focus adjusters, simplifying the overall system design while enabling precise control over multiple beams simultaneously
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
Improves LIDAR performance by ensuring accurate focus alignment across multiple beams, enhancing data accuracy and quality in real-time measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The use of liquid crystal (LC) cells as gradient index lenses to electrically control the focus of each beam
Implementation Method 2
liquid crystal (LC) cells as gradient index lenses to electrically control the focus of each beam, allowing for fine-tuning and alignment on a common reference plane
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a beam collimator, a plurality of first lenses, a plurality of tunable lenses, and one or more optical sources to generate a plurality of optical beams. Each tunable lens may be disposed adjacent a respective one of the plurality of first lenses such that the respective one of the plurality of first lenses is between the tunable lens and the beam collimator. Each of the plurality of optical beams may pass through one of the tunable lenses and one of the first lenses towards the beam collimator. Each of the plurality of tunable lenses may be separately controllable by selectively applying voltage to the tunable lens to adjust a focal length of the tunable lens to compensate for a variation in focus positions of the plurality of first lenses.