WO2020097496A1 - Lidar sensor assembly with optic for light diffusion and filtering - Google Patents

Lidar sensor assembly with optic for light diffusion and filtering Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020097496A1
WO2020097496A1 PCT/US2019/060524 US2019060524W WO2020097496A1 WO 2020097496 A1 WO2020097496 A1 WO 2020097496A1 US 2019060524 W US2019060524 W US 2019060524W WO 2020097496 A1 WO2020097496 A1 WO 2020097496A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensor assembly
filter element
lidar sensor
light
wavelength
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2019/060524
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sean H ROSS
Andrew Duerner
Jacob Alexander BERGAM
Bradley SHORT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aumovio Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Continental Automotive Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Continental Automotive Systems Inc filed Critical Continental Automotive Systems Inc
Publication of WO2020097496A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020097496A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/48—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S17/00
    • G01S7/481—Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
    • G01S7/4814—Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements of transmitters alone
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S17/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
    • G01S17/02—Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
    • G01S17/06—Systems determining position data of a target
    • G01S17/08—Systems determining position data of a target for measuring distance only
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/48—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S17/00
    • G01S7/483—Details of pulse systems
    • G01S7/484—Transmitters

Definitions

  • the technical field relates generally to lidar sensors and more particularly to flash lidar sensors.
  • Flash lidar systems often include a laser which generates multiple pulses of insense, focused light. These pulses are then diffused to spread these light pulses over a wider area.
  • a filter element may be utilized to block undesirable wavelengths of light. Unfortunately, use of multiple elements to diffuse and filter light increases cost, complexity, size, energy use.
  • a lidar sensor assembly includes a laser light source configured to generate light.
  • the lidar sensor assembly also includes a filter element configured to receive light from the laser light source.
  • the filter element absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough.
  • the lidar sensor assembly further includes a diffuser element formed integrally with the filter element and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source.
  • a method of forming a optic for a lidar sensor assembly includes providing a filter element configured to receive light from a laser light source.
  • the filter element absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough.
  • the method also includes forming a diffuser element integrally with the filter element and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lidar sensor assembly according to one exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 2 is cross-sectional side view of an optic of the lidar sensor assembly according to one exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the optic of the lidar sensor assembly according to another exemplary embodiment.
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of forming the optic according to one exemplary embodiment.
  • lidar sensor assembly 100 is shown and described herein.
  • the lidar sensor assembly 100 also referred to simply as the assembly 100, includes a laser light source 102 configured to generate light.
  • the laser light source 102 may generate light at one or more wavelengths, e.g., at a first wavelength li and a second wavelength l 2 .
  • the laser light source 102 is a Nd:YAG laser system which generates light at a first wavelength li of about 808 nanometers (“nm”) and at a second wavelength l 2 of about 1064 nm. Due to component protection and safety concerns, it is desirable to filter, i.e., block, light at the first wavelength li. It should be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments, the laser light source 102 may generate light at other wavelengths besides and/or in addition to the particular wavelengths described above.
  • the lidar sensor assembly 100 includes an optic 104 configured to filter and scatter light of certain wavelengths. Said another way, the optic 104 transmits and scatters light at one wavelength and blocks, i.e., absorbs, light at another wavelength.
  • the optic 104 includes a filter element 200.
  • the filter element 200 is configured to receive light from the laser light source 102.
  • the filter element 200 absorbs light at the first wavelength li. That is, the filter element 200 blocks light oscillating at the first wavelength li from passing through.
  • the filter element 200 allows light at a second wavelength l 2 , which is different from the first wavelength li, to pass through.
  • the filter element 200 may be made of glass, plastic, and/or any other suitable material, as appreciated by those skilled in the art.
  • the filter element 200 may be implemented using the model No. RG850 filter manufactured by SCHOTT AG, headquartered in Mainz, Germany. This filter generally blocks wavelengths of light under 830 nm. However, it should be appreciated that other filters may be implemented as the filter element 200.
  • the optic 104 also includes a diffuser element 202.
  • the diffuser element 202 is configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source 102. That is, the diffuser element 202 disperses the focused light into a wider field-of-view. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the light is dispersed into a generally rectangular field-of- view.
  • the diffuser element 202 is integrally formed with the filter element 200.
  • the diffuser element 202 is refractive. As such, the direction of light wave propagation is changed due to a change in the transmission medium.
  • This diffuser element 202 may be formed by stamping small-feature, three- dimensional patterns on the filter element 200 That is, in one exemplary embodiment, the filter element 200 is pressed against a stamping mold (not shown) to generate the patterns of the diffuser element 202.
  • the stamped patterns may have features sized between about 1 pm and 100 pm.
  • the refractive diffuser element is generated by the patterns being deposited on the filter element 202. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the refractive diffuser element is generated by the patterns being etched on the filter element 202.
  • the diffuser element 202 is reflective. As such, the direction of light wave propagation is changed due to the reflective nature of the patterns of the diffuser element 202. Numerous techniques may be employed to generate the reflective diffuser element 202, including, but not limited to disposition of mirror elements onto the filter element 200.
  • the diffuser element 202 is diffractive.
  • the diffuser element 202 includes obstacles and/or apertures which result in the bending and/or spreading of the light waves. Numerous techniques may be employed to generate the diffractive diffuser element 202, including, but not limited to disposition of a film and subsequent etching of the film to generate apertures.
  • the diffuser element 202 is formed on the side of the filter element 200 closer to the light source 102.
  • the diffuser element 204 is formed on the opposite side of the filter element 200 than the embodiment of Figure 2.
  • the optic 104 described above has numerous advantages over the prior art. For instance, by integrally forming the diffuser element 202 with the filter element 200, the optic 104 has less material -air interfaces than the prior art. This improves energy efficiency, which means that less energy is utilized and less heat is generated. Furthermore, the optic 104 requires less anti -reflective coatings than are typically commonplace in the prior art due to less Fresnel loss. As such, overall cost and complexity of the optic 104 is reduced.
  • the lidar sensor assembly 100 described above is ideally suited for use in a motor vehicle (not shown), such as an automobile. However, it should be appreciated that the lidar sensor assembly 100 and/or optic 104 shown and described herein may be utilized in many other non-vehicular applications.
  • the method 400 includes, at 402, providing a filter element configured to receive light from a laser light source wherein the filter element absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough.
  • the method 400 also includes, at 404, forming a diffuser element integrally with the filter element and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A lidar sensor assembly (100) includes a laser light source (102) configured to generate light. The lidar sensor assembly (100) also includes a filter element (200) configured to receive light from the laser light source (102). The filter element (200) absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough. The lidar sensor assembly (100) further includes a diffuser element (202) formed integrally with the filter element (200) and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source.

Description

LIDAR SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH OPTIC FOR LIGHT
DIFFUSION AND FILTERING
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field relates generally to lidar sensors and more particularly to flash lidar sensors.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Flash lidar systems often include a laser which generates multiple pulses of insense, focused light. These pulses are then diffused to spread these light pulses over a wider area. A filter element may be utilized to block undesirable wavelengths of light. Unfortunately, use of multiple elements to diffuse and filter light increases cost, complexity, size, energy use.
[0003] As such, it is desirable to present a lidar sensor assembly which does not require multiple filter and diffusion elements. In addition, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a lidar sensor assembly includes a laser light source configured to generate light. The lidar sensor assembly also includes a filter element configured to receive light from the laser light source. The filter element absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough. The lidar sensor assembly further includes a diffuser element formed integrally with the filter element and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source.
[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a optic for a lidar sensor assembly includes providing a filter element configured to receive light from a laser light source. The filter element absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough. The method also includes forming a diffuser element integrally with the filter element and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Other advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lidar sensor assembly according to one exemplary embodiment;
[0008] Figure 2 is cross-sectional side view of an optic of the lidar sensor assembly according to one exemplary embodiment;
[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the optic of the lidar sensor assembly according to another exemplary embodiment; and
[0010] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of forming the optic according to one exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a lidar sensor assembly 100 is shown and described herein.
[0012] Referring to Figure 1, the lidar sensor assembly 100, also referred to simply as the assembly 100, includes a laser light source 102 configured to generate light. The laser light source 102 may generate light at one or more wavelengths, e.g., at a first wavelength li and a second wavelength l2. In the exemplary embodiment, the laser light source 102 is a Nd:YAG laser system which generates light at a first wavelength li of about 808 nanometers (“nm”) and at a second wavelength l2 of about 1064 nm. Due to component protection and safety concerns, it is desirable to filter, i.e., block, light at the first wavelength li. It should be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments, the laser light source 102 may generate light at other wavelengths besides and/or in addition to the particular wavelengths described above.
[0013] The lidar sensor assembly 100 includes an optic 104 configured to filter and scatter light of certain wavelengths. Said another way, the optic 104 transmits and scatters light at one wavelength and blocks, i.e., absorbs, light at another wavelength. [0014] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the optic 104 includes a filter element 200. The filter element 200 is configured to receive light from the laser light source 102. The filter element 200 absorbs light at the first wavelength li. That is, the filter element 200 blocks light oscillating at the first wavelength li from passing through. However, the filter element 200 allows light at a second wavelength l2, which is different from the first wavelength li, to pass through. The filter element 200 may be made of glass, plastic, and/or any other suitable material, as appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0015] In the exemplary embodiment, the filter element 200 may be implemented using the model No. RG850 filter manufactured by SCHOTT AG, headquartered in Mainz, Germany. This filter generally blocks wavelengths of light under 830 nm. However, it should be appreciated that other filters may be implemented as the filter element 200.
[0016] The optic 104 also includes a diffuser element 202. The diffuser element 202 is configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source 102. That is, the diffuser element 202 disperses the focused light into a wider field-of-view. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the light is dispersed into a generally rectangular field-of- view.
[0017] Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, the diffuser element 202 is integrally formed with the filter element 200. In one exemplary embodiment, the diffuser element 202 is refractive. As such, the direction of light wave propagation is changed due to a change in the transmission medium.
[0018] This diffuser element 202 may be formed by stamping small-feature, three- dimensional patterns on the filter element 200 That is, in one exemplary embodiment, the filter element 200 is pressed against a stamping mold (not shown) to generate the patterns of the diffuser element 202. . For example, the stamped patterns may have features sized between about 1 pm and 100 pm.
[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, the refractive diffuser element is generated by the patterns being deposited on the filter element 202. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the refractive diffuser element is generated by the patterns being etched on the filter element 202.
[0020] In another exemplary embodiment, the diffuser element 202 is reflective. As such, the direction of light wave propagation is changed due to the reflective nature of the patterns of the diffuser element 202. Numerous techniques may be employed to generate the reflective diffuser element 202, including, but not limited to disposition of mirror elements onto the filter element 200.
[0021] In another exemplary embodiment, the diffuser element 202 is diffractive. As such, the diffuser element 202 includes obstacles and/or apertures which result in the bending and/or spreading of the light waves. Numerous techniques may be employed to generate the diffractive diffuser element 202, including, but not limited to disposition of a film and subsequent etching of the film to generate apertures.
[0022] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the diffuser element 202 is formed on the side of the filter element 200 closer to the light source 102. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the diffuser element 204 is formed on the opposite side of the filter element 200 than the embodiment of Figure 2.
[0023] The optic 104 described above has numerous advantages over the prior art. For instance, by integrally forming the diffuser element 202 with the filter element 200, the optic 104 has less material -air interfaces than the prior art. This improves energy efficiency, which means that less energy is utilized and less heat is generated. Furthermore, the optic 104 requires less anti -reflective coatings than are typically commonplace in the prior art due to less Fresnel loss. As such, overall cost and complexity of the optic 104 is reduced.
[0024] The lidar sensor assembly 100 described above is ideally suited for use in a motor vehicle (not shown), such as an automobile. However, it should be appreciated that the lidar sensor assembly 100 and/or optic 104 shown and described herein may be utilized in many other non-vehicular applications.
[0025] One exemplary embodiment of a method 400 of forming the optic 104 for the lidar sensor assembly 100 is shown in Figure 4. The method 400 includes, at 402, providing a filter element configured to receive light from a laser light source wherein the filter element absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough. The method 400 also includes, at 404, forming a diffuser element integrally with the filter element and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source.
[0026] The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A lidar sensor assembly (100) comprising:
a laser light source (102) configured to generate light;
a filter element (200) configured to receive light from said laser light source (102) wherein said filter element (200) absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough; and
a diffuser element (202) formed integrally with said filter element (200) and configured to scatter the light generated by said laser light source (102).
2. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said diffuser element (202) is refractive.
3. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said diffuser element (202) is formed of small-feature, three-dimensional patterns of a transparent material.
4. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said patterns are stamped on said filter element (200).
5. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said patterns are deposited on said filter element (200).
6. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said patterns are etched on said filter element (200).
7. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said diffuser element (202) is reflective.
8. The lidar sensor assembly (100) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said diffuser element (202) is diffractive.
9. A method of forming a optic for a lidar sensor assembly (100), comprising: providing a filter element (200) configured to receive light from a laser light source
(102) wherein the filter element (200) absorbs light at a first wavelength while allowing light at a second wavelength to pass therethrough; and
forming a diffuser element (202) integrally with the filter element (200) and configured to scatter the light generated by the laser light source (102).
10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein forming the diffuser element (202) comprises stamping small-feature, three-dimensional patterns of a transparent material on the filter element (200) such that the diffuser element (202) is refractive.
PCT/US2019/060524 2018-11-09 2019-11-08 Lidar sensor assembly with optic for light diffusion and filtering Ceased WO2020097496A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/185,495 2018-11-09
US16/185,495 US20200150239A1 (en) 2018-11-09 2018-11-09 Lidar sensor assembly with optic for light diffusion and filtering

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WO2020097496A1 true WO2020097496A1 (en) 2020-05-14

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI687709B (en) * 2019-01-02 2020-03-11 燕成祥 Sensing device for making two-dimensional optical radar with cone mirror

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070188735A1 (en) * 2004-04-02 2007-08-16 Leica Geosystems Ag Electronic distance meter featuring spectral and spatial selectivety
US20120069421A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2012-03-22 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Optical filter and light splitting method of the optical filter
US20170082733A1 (en) * 2015-09-18 2017-03-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh Lidar sensor including an optical filter

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070188735A1 (en) * 2004-04-02 2007-08-16 Leica Geosystems Ag Electronic distance meter featuring spectral and spatial selectivety
US20120069421A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2012-03-22 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Optical filter and light splitting method of the optical filter
US20170082733A1 (en) * 2015-09-18 2017-03-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh Lidar sensor including an optical filter

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