Vehicle Laser Scanner Power Reduction via Periodic Receiver Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high power consumption and resulting heat generation in laser scanner detection devices for motor vehicles limit their application, especially at high ambient temperatures, due to the continuous operation of amplifiers and photodetectors, which is not efficiently managed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The detection device incorporates a mechanism to disconnect the receiver components, including the amplifier, from the supply voltage during transmission pauses, allowing for reduced power consumption and heat generation by only operating them during measurement cycles and noise measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amplifier and photodetector operate continuously to detect weakly reflecting targets at long distances, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is operated periodically rather than continuously. It is activated during measurement cycles to detect reflected laser pulses and switched off during transmission pauses. This periodic operation maintains detection capability when needed while significantly reducing overall power consumption of the amplifier component.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating state of the amplifier is dynamically changed based on the measurement cycle phase. The amplifier transitions between active and inactive states according to whether a transmission is occurring, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual detection needs rather than maintaining constant high power operation.
2Measurement precision
If the amplifier operates continuously with high amplification factor, then detection capability is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is activated only during measurement cycles when detection is needed and switched off during transmission pauses. This periodic operation reduces the cumulative heat generation from the amplifier while maintaining sufficient detection capability during active measurement periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple photodetectors are used to achieve desired opening angle, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single photodetector is made multi-functional through temporal multiplexing. The same photodetector detects reflected beams from multiple different scanning angles at different times during the measurement cycle, eliminating the need for multiple photodetectors arranged spatially to cover the same angular range.
4Reliability
If the receiver operates continuously, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver operates periodically with activation during measurement cycles and deactivation during transmission pauses. This maintains detection reliability when measurements are being taken while reducing overall power consumption through the off periods between measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for detection by activating the receiver just in time during measurement cycles rather than keeping it continuously active. The receiver is switched on preliminarily for the specific duration needed to detect reflected pulses, avoiding unnecessary continuous operation.
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 approach significantly reduces power consumption and heat generation, enabling reliable operation at high temperatures without additional cooling measures, while maintaining the ability to detect weakly reflecting targets at long distances.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation into an area surrounding the motor vehicle, in particular a laser for emitting laser pulses
Implementation Method 2
at least one photodetector for receiving beams reflected in the surrounding area and for providing a received electrical signal depending on the received beams
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a scanning optoelectronic detection device (1) for a motor vehicle (14), having an optical transmitter (2, 3) for transmitting electromagnetic beams (4) to a surrounding region (11) of the motor vehicle (14), having an optical receiver (13) which has at least one photodetector (18, 19) for receiving beams (12) reflected in the surrounding region (11) and for providing an electrical receiving signal (21) depending on the received rays (12) and an amplifier (20) for amplifying the electrical receiving signal (21), having an electronic evaluation device (23) for detecting a target object (15) in the surrounding region (11) depending on the amplified receiving signal (22), and having a voltage supply device (26) for providing an electrical supply voltage (UV) for the receiver (13), wherein the transmitter (2, 3) is designed to emit one transmission beam (4) for each of a plurality of scanning angles within a scanning angle range (8), within one measurement cycle (T3) of the detection device (1), and wherein a transmission pause (T4) of a specified time duration follows after every measurement cycle (T3). The detection device (1) according to the invention has separating means (28, 29) which are designed to electrically separate at least one component (18, 19, 20) of the receiver (13) from the supply voltage (UV) for at least one deactivation time interval (T7) during a transmission pause (T4) during operation of the detection device (1).