US 11,029,393 B2 · Dual-axis resonate light beam steering mirror system and method for use in LIDAR

Abstract

A Light Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system with multiple LIDAR units share a dual axis resonate motor (or tip-tilt) beam steering mirror (BSM). The dual axis resonate motor (or tip-tilt) beam steering mirror has two degrees of rotational freedom, first rotor rotate reference to second rotor through connected first torsion spring axis, the second rotor is also the stator of the first rotor, second rotor rotate reference to stator through connected second torsion spring axis. Alternating electric current energizes electric coils to create electromagnetic force which resonates the rotors coaxially along the torsion spring axis. Each of the polarity of the LIDAR units shares the BSM and covers a fractional field of view of the system. The dual axis resonate motor (or tip-tilt) beam steering system is capable of scanning each individual LIDAR unit point measurement data into a 3D (distance, vertical angle, horizontal angle) data cloud.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A Light Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:

at least one rangefinder unit;
a beam steering mirror (BSM) assembly having a beam steering mirror mounted on a first rotor with approximately plus or minus 20 degrees of mechanical rotational freedom, a first pair of torsion springs forming a first axis upon which the first rotor rotates together with the beam steering mirror, a second pair of torsion springs forming a second axis with approximately plus or minus 20 degrees of mechanical rotational freedom, upon which the first rotor, second rotor and the beam steering mirror rotate with a stator providing a stationary platform for the first and second rotors, and a first electric coil and a second electric coil providing a force to cause the BSM to rotate;
wherein the BSM assembly is capable of transmitting light from the at least one rangefinder unit on the beam steering mirror having dimensions in a first axis of greater than approximately 10 millimeters (mm) and a second axis of greater than approximately 10;
and
wherein the beam stirring mirror is configured to resonate from an electromagnetic force on the first axis and the second axis to achieve it a range of approximately negative 20 degrees to plus 20 degrees on both the first axis and the second axis.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual-axis resonate light beam steering mirror system and method for use in LIDAR

Life of this patent

Dual-axis resonate light beam steering mirror system and method for use in LIDAR

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22