Patent Application
20220065998
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-148385, filed on Sep. 3, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-143369, filed on Sep. 2, 2021; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a distance measurement device.
There is a device for measuring a distance by using light. Output of the light emitted from a light source is desirable to be large for the distance measurement device.
According to one embodiment, a distance measurement device includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. The light projecting unit projects light to a target. The light receiving unit detects the light reflected by the target. The light projecting unit includes a light source emitting light, a first reflecting surface allowing the light to partially pass through the first reflecting surface, and a second reflecting surface facing the first reflecting surface and reflecting the light. The light is reflected a plurality of times by each of the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface.
Various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The drawings are schematic and conceptual; and the relationships between the thickness and width of portions, the proportions of sizes among portions, etc., are not necessarily the same as the actual values. The dimensions and proportions may be illustrated differently among drawings, even for identical portions.
In the specification and drawings, components similar to those described previously or illustrated in an antecedent drawing are marked with like reference numerals, and a detailed description is omitted as appropriate.
As shown in
The light projecting unit 100 includes a circuit part 101, a light source 102, and an optical system 110. The light source 102 emits the light L. For example, the light source 102 includes a laser beam oscillator. The light L is a near-infrared laser beam. The circuit part 101 supplies a current to the light source 102 to drive the light source 102. The light L emitted from the light source 102 passes through the optical system 110 and hits the target O.
The light receiving unit 200 includes an optical system 201, a light receiving element 202, a measurement circuit 203, and a recognition system 204. The optical system 201 converges the light L reflected by the target O on the light receiving element 202. The light receiving element 202 detects the light L. The light receiving element 202 includes, for example, a photodiode.
The measurement circuit 203 receives a detection signal from the light receiving element 202. The measurement circuit 203 receives a modulation signal transmitted to the light source 102 from the circuit part 101. A time difference from the time of receiving the modulation signal to the time of receiving the detection signal is proportional to the distance between the distance measurement device 1 and the target O. The measurement circuit 203 measures the distance of the target O by an optical flight time distance measurement method based on the time difference. The recognition system 204 recognizes the target O based on the result measured by the measurement circuit 203. The measurement circuit 203 and the recognition system 204 may be incorporated in the light receiving unit 200 as shown in
For example, the distance measurement device 1 can be applied to a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device.
For example, as shown in
The light source 102 emits the light L toward a first direction D1. The light L is incident on the collimator lens 115 and is aligned in parallel to the first direction D1. The parallel light L is incident on a concave surface of the cylindrical lens 116. The concave surface is parallel to a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and is curved in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The light L is diffused in the third direction D3 by the cylindrical lens 116.
The light L passing through the cylindrical lens 116 is incident on the first reflecting surface 111. The first reflecting surface 111 allows the light L to partially pass through the first reflecting surface 111. That is, a portion of the light L passes through the first reflecting surface 111. Another portion of the light L is reflected by the first reflecting surface 111.
The second reflecting surface 112 faces the first reflecting surface 111. The light L reflected by the first reflecting surface 111 is incident on the second reflecting surface 112. The second reflecting surface 112 reflects the light L. The light L reflected by the second reflecting surface 112 is incident again on the first reflecting surface 111. The light L is reflected multiple times by each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112. Each time the light L is incident on the first reflecting surface 111, the light L partially passes through the first reflecting surface 111.
The light L reflected between the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 finally travels toward the first direction D1 without being incident on the first reflecting surface 111. The first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 are parallel to the third direction D3 and are inclined with respect to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Due to the transmission of the first reflecting surface 111 and the reflection between the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112, the light L is divided and widened in the second direction D2 as shown in
The light L reflected by the target O passes through the optical system 201, which is a condensing lens, and is converged toward the light receiving element 202. The light receiving element 202 spreads along the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 and detects the light L at multiple points.
In the example shown in
For example, the rotating part 302 is a stage. The light source 102, the optical system 110, the optical system 201, and the light receiving element 202 are mounted on the stage and accommodated in the casing 303. The stage rotates around the third direction D3 in the casing 303.
In the light projecting unit 100, the specific configuration of the optical system between the light source 102 and the first reflecting surface 111 is not limited to the example shown in
The effect of the first embodiment will be described.
The distance measurement device 1 is required to have a high output of light L emitted from the light source 102. By increasing the output of the light L, the amount of light that hits the target O increases. As a result, the amount of light reflected by the target O is increased, and thus, a larger signal can be obtained in the light receiving unit 200. For example, by improving the SN ratio, the distance to a distant target O can be measured more accurately. On the other hand, the distance measurement device 1 is also required to be safe. When the light L is incident on the human eye, as the amount of light is large, there is a possibility that the large amount of light may harm the eyes. The amount of light incident on the eye depends on illuminance, which is an intensity of the light L per unit area. That is, the distance measurement device 1 is required to improve the total amount of light while suppressing the increase in illuminance.
In the distance measurement device 1, the light projecting unit 100 includes the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112. As shown in
According to the first embodiment, the illuminance of the light L can be effectively reduced, and the light projecting unit 100 can be miniaturized in comparison with a case where a beam expander or the like is used.
The second reflecting surface 112 may be parallel to the first reflecting surface 111 or may be inclined with respect to the first reflecting surface 111. It is favorable that the angle between the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 is less than 20 degrees.
When light transmittance of the first reflecting surface 111 is too small or too large, the variation in illuminance of the divided light L becomes large. In order to reduce the variation in illuminance of the divided light L, it is favorable that the light transmittance of the first reflecting surface 111 is not less than 10% and not more than 40%. The light transmittance of the second reflecting surface 112 is lower than the light transmittance of the first reflecting surface 111. In order to increase the amount of light that hits the target O, it is favorable that the light reflectance of the second reflecting surface 112 is 90% or more.
Inclination angles of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 with respect to the second direction D2 are appropriately set according to the width of the light L emitted from the light source 102, the number of times of reflection by the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112, and the like. However, when the angle is too small, the distance between the divided light beams L in the second direction D2 becomes small, and thus, the illuminance cannot be sufficiently reduced. When the angle is too large, it is necessary to increase the sizes of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 accordingly. From the viewpoint of reducing the illuminance and miniaturizing the optical system 110, it is favorable that the inclination angles of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 with respect to the second direction D2 are not less than 10 degrees and not more than 45 degrees.
In
(First Variation)
In a distance measurement device 1a according to the first variation, as shown in
The light L reflected by the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 is incident on a portion of one reflecting surface 311 and reflected. The light L reflected by the target O is incident on the lower portion of the one reflecting surface 311 and is reflected toward the light receiving element 202. Accordingly, the reflected light L can be separated from the light L irradiated on the target O without using a perforated mirror, a half mirror, or the like. The optical loss can be reduced, and the SN ratio of the distance measurement device 1a can be improved.
For example, the first mirror 310 rotates or swings around a first axis AX1 parallel to the third direction D3. The direction connecting the portion of the one reflecting surface 311 and the other portion of the one reflecting surface 311 is parallel to the first axis AX1. The driving part 301 rotates the first mirror 310 around the first axis AX1. The path of the light L emitted from the light projecting unit 100 is changed according to the rotation of the first mirror 310.
The first mirror 310 is used, so that even when the incident angle of the light L on the reflecting surface 311 is large, the light L can be projected and received, and the viewing angle in the second direction D2 can be improved.
When the polygon mirror of the multiple reflecting surfaces 311 is used as the first mirror 310, the inclinations of the respective reflecting surfaces 311 with respect to the first axis AX1 may be different from each other. Accordingly, the reflection direction of the light L is allowed to be different for each reflecting surface 311, and thus, the viewing angle in the third direction D3 can be improved.
The first mirror 310 may be a rotating mirror having only one reflecting surface 311 and rotating around the first axis AX1. The rotating mirror is used, so that the size of the reflecting surface 311 can be increased while suppressing the increase in size of the first mirror 310 in comparison with a case where the polygon mirror is used. Accordingly, the SN ratio of the distance measurement device 1a can be improved.
The first mirror 310 may be a swinging mirror having only one reflecting surface 311 and swinging around the first axis AX1. The swinging mirror is used, so that the size of the first mirror 310 can be decreased in comparison with a case where the polygon mirror is used.
(Second Variation)
In a distance measurement device 1b according to the second variation, the first reflecting surface 111 includes a first region 111a to a third region 111c. The light transmittances of the first region 111a to the third region 111c are different from each other.
In
For example, the light L emitted from the light source 102 is first incident on the first region 111a. Next, the light L reflected by the second reflecting surface 112 is incident on the second region 111b. The light L further reflected by the second reflecting surface 112 is incident on the third region 111c.
When the light transmittance of the first reflecting surface 111 is uniform, the illuminance of light L2 passing through the second region 111b is smaller than the illuminance of light L1 passing through the first region 111a. The illuminance of light L3 passing through the third region 111c is smaller than the illuminance of the light L2 passing through the second region 111b. As the number of times of reflection by the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 is increased, the illuminance of the light passing through the first reflecting surface 111 is decreased. There is a variation in illuminance among the light L1 to the light L3.
In the distance measurement device 1b, as the number of times of reflection by the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 is increased, the transmittance of the region on which the light L is incident in the first reflecting surface 111 is increased. Accordingly, the variation in illuminance among the light L1 to the light L3 can be reduced.
The number of regions in the first reflecting surface 111 in which the light transmittances are different from each other can be appropriately changed according to the number of times of reflection of the light L between the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112. When the light L is reflected multiple times by each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112, it is favorable that the first reflecting surface 111 includes at least three regions.
As shown in
As shown in
The fourth reflecting surface 114 faces the third reflecting surface 113. The light L reflected by the third reflecting surface 113 is incident on the fourth reflecting surface 114. The fourth reflecting surface 114 reflects the light L. The light L reflected by the fourth reflecting surface 114 is incident again on the third reflecting surface 113. The light L is reflected multiple times by each of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. Each time the light L is incident on the third reflecting surface 113, the light L partially passes through the third reflecting surface 113.
The light L reflected between the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 finally travels toward the first direction D1 without being incident on the third reflecting surface 113. The third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 are parallel to the second direction D2 and are inclined with respect to the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. For this reason, as shown in
According to the distance measurement device 2 according to the second embodiment, the light L is divided into the multiple light beams L in each of the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. For this reason, the illuminance of the light L emitted from the light source 102 can be further reduced in comparison with the first embodiment. For example, in comparison with the first embodiment, the output of the light L can be further increased while maintaining the illuminance.
As shown in
For example, the diameter of the light emitting surface of the light source 102 in the second direction D2 is larger than the diameter of the light emitting surface in the third direction D3. Accordingly, as shown in
In general, after transmitting the collimator lens 115, the light L is likely to spread in a direction having a larger diameter of the light emitting surface as the light L travels. As the light L spreads, the size of the reflecting surface also needs to be increased. In a case where the diameter of the light emitting surface in the second direction D2 is larger than the diameter in the third direction D3, the light L is more likely to spread in the second direction D2 than in the third direction D3 after transmitting the collimator lens 115. In a case where the light L is first incident on the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114, the light L is divided in the third direction D3 and spreads in the second direction D2. Accordingly, it is necessary to increase the size of each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 in the second direction D2, i.e. in the D1-D2 plane. As a result, the optical system 110 is increased in size.
The light L is first incident on the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 in a state where the diameter in the second direction D2 is small, so that the size of each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 in the second direction D2, i.e. in the D1-D2 plane, can be decreased. As a result, the optical system 110 can be miniaturized.
The fourth reflecting surface 114 may be parallel to the third reflecting surface 113 or may be inclined with respect to the third reflecting surface 113. It is favorable that the angle between the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 is less than 20 degrees. For example, the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 are parallel to each other, and the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 are parallel to each other. The normal directions of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 are orthogonal to the normal directions of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114.
When the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113 is too small or too large, the variation in illuminance of the divided light L is increased. In order to reduce the variation in illuminance of the divided light L, it is favorable that the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113 is not less than 10% and not more than 40%. The light transmittance of the fourth reflecting surface 114 is lower than the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113. In order to increase the amount of light that hits the target O, it is favorable that the light reflectance of the fourth reflecting surface 114 is 90% or more.
The inclination angles of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 with respect to the second direction D2 are appropriately set according to the width of the light L emitted from the light source 102, the number of times of reflection by the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114, and the like. However, when the angle is too small, the distance between the divided light beams L in the third direction D3 becomes short, so that the illuminance cannot be sufficiently reduced. When the angle is too large, it is necessary to increase the sizes of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. From the viewpoint of reducing the illuminance and miniaturizing the optical system 110, it is favorable that the inclination angles of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 with respect to the second direction D2 are not less than 10 degrees and not more than 45 degrees.
The light transmittance of the first reflecting surface 111 may be substantially the same as the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113 or may be different from the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113. “Substantially the same” includes a case where the light transmittances of the two reflecting surfaces are completely the same and a case where the difference in light transmittance is 20% or less.
The number of times of reflection of the light L by each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 may be the same as the number of times of reflection of the light L by each of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. The number of times of reflection of the light L by each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 may be different from the number of times of reflection of the light L by each of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114.
For example, the light transmittance of the first reflecting surface 111 is substantially the same as the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113. The number of times of reflection of the light L by each of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 is the same as the number of times of reflection of the light L by each of the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. In this case, the same optical member can be used for the first reflecting surface 111 and the third reflecting surface 113, and the same optical member can be used for the second reflecting surface 112 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. For example, the distance measurement device 2 can be easily manufactured, and the cost of the distance measurement device 2 can be reduced.
For example, as shown in
The first member 110a allows the light L to pass through the first member 110a between the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112. The second member 110b allows the light L to pass through the second member 110b between the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. For example, the first member 110a and the second member 110b are prisms. The first member 110a and the second member 110b are used, so that it is not necessary to adjust the positional relationship between the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 and to adjust the positional relationship between the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114. For example, the distance measurement device 2 can be easily manufactured. A variation in performance of the distance measurement device 2 can be reduced.
In the distance measurement device 2, similarly to the distance measurement device 1 shown in
(First Variation)
In a distance measurement device 2a according to the first variation, as shown in
The third reflecting surface 113 includes a fourth region 113d to a sixth region 113f. The light transmittances of the fourth region 113d to the sixth region 113f are different from each other.
In
When the light transmittance of the third reflecting surface 113 is uniform, the illuminance of light L5 passing through the fifth region 113e is smaller than the illuminance of light L4 passing through the fourth region 113d. The illuminance of light L6 passing through the sixth region 113f is smaller than the illuminance of the light L5 passing through the fifth region 113e. As the number of times of reflection by the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 is increased, the illuminance of the light passing through the third reflecting surface 113 is decreased.
In the third reflecting surface 113, as the number of times of reflection by the third reflecting surface 113 and the fourth reflecting surface 114 is increased, the transmittance of the region on which the light L is incident is increased. Accordingly, the variation in illuminance among the light L4 to the light L6 can be reduced.
According to the light projecting unit or the distance measurement device described above, even when the intensity of the light L emitted from the light source 102 is increased, the illuminance of the light L can be reduced. For example, the amount of light can be increased while maintaining the illuminance.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. The above embodiments can be practiced in combination with each other.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-148385 | Sep 2020 | JP | national |
| 2021-143369 | Sep 2021 | JP | national |
