Vehicle LIDAR with Distributed Scanning Units for Omnidirectional Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LIDAR systems mounted on vehicles cannot obtain information from low positions omnidirectionally due to obstruction by the vehicle body, and systems integrated into headlight units lack omnidirectional coverage, particularly in the rear direction.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with multiple light transmission/reception units arranged at strategic positions on a vehicle, including front, rear, left, and right, each equipped with an emission unit, scanning unit, and light receiving unit, capable of scanning and receiving light omnidirectionally in a horizontal plane, even where the light is blocked by the vehicle body, allowing for omnidirectional detection of objects and surrounding environment information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If LIDAR is mounted on a high position of the vehicle, then the detection range is extended, but information at low positions cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The LIDAR system is divided into multiple independent light transmission/reception units positioned at different locations on the vehicle (front, rear, left, right). Each unit independently scans a specific sector, and the information processing unit synthesizes data from all units to achieve complete omnidirectional coverage including low positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single high-position LIDAR providing vertical coverage to multiple distributed units providing horizontal omnidirectional coverage. By adding the horizontal dimension of distribution across the vehicle, the system achieves complete spatial coverage that a single vertical position cannot provide.
2Ease of manufacture
If laser radar is installed in headlight units, then the structure is integrated, but omnidirectional coverage is lost particularly in the rear direction
Solution Approach 1:
The light transmission/reception units are designed to serve multiple functions: they can be integrated into existing vehicle lighting structures (headlights, taillights) while simultaneously performing LIDAR scanning functions. This multi-functionality allows the same component to provide both illumination and environmental sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The omnidirectional scanning capability is achieved by segmenting the detection task across multiple units positioned at different vehicle locations. Each unit handles a specific directional sector, and together they provide complete 360-degree coverage including the rear direction.
3Loss of information
If multiple light transmission/reception units are arranged at strategic positions, then omnidirectional detection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light transmission/reception units are merged into a single integrated information processing system. The information processing unit combines data from all units, performs coordinate transformations, and synthesizes a unified environmental model, effectively managing the complexity of multiple distributed sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light transmission/reception unit is designed as a universal module capable of omnidirectional scanning in its local sector. This modular universality allows the system to achieve complex omnidirectional coverage through repetition of standardized components rather than requiring custom complex designs.
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 the detection of objects in all horizontal directions, including low positions, by synthesizing data from multiple scanning units, providing comprehensive surrounding environment information while reducing noise through averaging processing.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit configured to receive the light reflected by an object
Data Source
AI summary
The information processing device includes a plurality of light transmission/reception units and an information processing unit. Each of the light transmission/reception unit includes an emission unit which emits a light, a scanning unit which scans the light emitted by the emission unit, and a light receiving unit which receives the light reflected by an object. The information processing unit obtains at least one of a distance to the object and an angle of the object based on light receiving results of the light receiving units. Each of the scanning units is arranged at a position where there is a direction in which the light scanned by the scanning unit is blocked by a vehicle itself, and scans the light omnidirectionally in a horizontal direction in a manner shared by the scanning units.