The present application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211496066.5, filed on Nov. 25, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This application pertains to the field of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and in particular, to an optical system and a LiDAR.
A LiDAR is a radar system using lasers to detect characteristics of a target object, such as position and speed. A working principle of the LiDAR is that a laser emission module first emits an outgoing laser for detection to the target, and a laser receiving module then receives an echo laser reflected from the target object, and processes the received echo laser, to obtain relevant information of the target object, for example, parameters such as distance, azimuth, height, speed, attitude, and even shape. Optical systems usually need to be configured for the laser emission module and the laser receiving module, to obtain point cloud data with a large angle of view and high resolution.
Currently, an optical element in an optical system of a laser ranging apparatus usually needs to be assembled in a lens barrel first, and then assembled on a bracket through the lens barrel. Therefore, not only complexity of production and assembly is increased, but also more parts are required by the optical system, thereby increasing production costs.
Embodiments of this application provide an optical system and a LiDAR, which can simplify production and assembly processes of the optical system and can reduce the number of parts of the optical system, thereby reducing production costs.
According to a first aspect, embodiments of this application provides an optical system, including: a bracket, including a first end surface and a second end surface that are arranged back to back, where the bracket is also provided with a first accommodation cavity, and the first accommodation cavity extends along a first axial direction and communicates with the first end surface and the second end surface; and a first optical assembly, where each first optical assembly includes at least one optical element, and the optical element included in the first optical assembly is arranged in the first accommodation cavity along the first axial direction, and abuts against an inner wall of the first accommodation cavity.
According to a second aspect, embodiments of this application provides LiDAR, including the foregoing optical system, where the LiDAR further includes a housing, a light-emitting module and a detection module, the housing is connected to the second end surface, and after the housing is connected to the second end surface, an accommodation cavity is formed; and the light-emitting module and the detection module are both disposed in the accommodation cavity.
In the optical system provided in embodiments of this application, mounting space is provided for the first optical assembly through the first accommodation cavity of the bracket, and the optical element in the first optical assembly is positioned through the first restrictive assembly, so that the first optical assembly can be directly mounted on the bracket. That is, the bracket reuses a function of a lens barrel. This application can simplify the production and assembly processes of the optical system and reduce the number of parts in the optical system, thereby reducing the production costs.
To explain the technical solution in the embodiments in this application, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required to describe the embodiments or the related art. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments in this application.
To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more comprehensible, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to accompanying drawings and embodiments.
When being “fastened to,” “disposed on,” or “provided on” another element, an element can be directly or indirectly located on the another element. When being “connected to” another element, an element can be directly or indirectly connected to the another element.
Azimuth or position relationships indicated by terms such as “axial,” “radial,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “left” and “right” are based on the azimuth or position relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are merely relative concepts for each other or are described with reference to a normal use status of the product, and are intended to describe this application and simplify the descriptions, but are not intended to indicate or imply that the specified device or element shall have specific azimuth or be formed and operated in specific azimuth.
In addition, the terms of “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” “fifth,” “sixth,” “seventh” and “eighth” are merely intended for a purpose of description, a feature with a determiner such as “first” or “second” can expressly or implicitly include one or more features.
In the description of this application, “multiple” means “two or more than two”, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. “A and/or B” includes three cases: (1) only A is met; (2) only B is met; and (3) both A and B are met. “A or B” includes two cases: (1) only A is met; and (2) only B is met. “A and B” only includes one case: both A and B are met.
This application provides an optical system and a LiDAR, to simplify production and assembly processes of the optical system and reduce the number of parts of the optical system, thereby reducing production costs.
Embodiment 1 is as follows.
According to a first aspect, as shown in
In some embodiments, the bracket 10 is configured to provide mounting space for the optical element included in the first optical assembly 20. The bracket 10 can also be connected to the entire device (for example, the LiDAR) to mount the first optical system 1 into the entire device. In a specific embodiment, the bracket 10 can be connected to a housing 8 of the entire device (as shown in
In some embodiments, the first optical assembly 20 is a collection of optical elements. The first optical assembly 20 may include one or more optical elements. An optical element is made of a light-transmitting material for allowing transmission of the light ray, and adjusting the light ray, for example, changing a propagation direction of the light ray, changing a light spot form and a light spot size of the light beam consisting of a number of light rays. The light-transmitting material is a material that allows light to pass through, for example, light-transmitting glass, plastic or resin. In an embodiment, the optical elements in the first optical assembly 20 include lenses, and when the optical elements in the first optical assembly 20 include lenses, the lenses may include a convex lens, a concave lens, a spherical mirror, and an aspheric mirror. In the optical system 1 provided in the embodiment, the first accommodation cavity 13 is provided in the bracket 10, to provide mounting space for the first optical assembly 20, and the optical element in the first optical assembly 20 is positioned through the first restrictive assembly 40, so that the first optical assembly 20 can be directly mounted on the bracket 10. That is, the bracket 10 reuses a function of a lens barrel. This solution can simplify the production and assembly processes of the optical system and reduce the number of parts in the optical system, thereby reducing the production costs.
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, when the first optical assembly 20 includes one lens, the first optical surface 2 and the second optical surface 2b are two optical surfaces disposed opposite each other in the same lens. When the first optical assembly 20 includes multiple lenses, the two optical surfaces disposed opposite each other in each lens along the first axial direction AX1 are respectively denoted as the first optical surface and the second optical surface of the lens. The first optical surface 2 is a first optical surface of a lens at the first position when the multiple lenses are arranged along the first axial direction AX1, and the second optical surface 2b is a second optical surface of a lens at the last position when the multiple lenses are arranged along the first axial direction AX1.
As shown in
Further, the first restrictive member 411 is disposed around the first inner wall portion 131, and a light-transmitting through hole is also provided in the middle of the first restrictive member 411. The light-transmitting through hole of the first restrictive member 411 is configured to allow light to pass through. The second restrictive member 412 is disposed around the second inner wall portion 132, and a light-transmitting through hole is also provided in the middle of the second restrictive member 412. The light-transmitting through hole of the second restrictive member 412 is configured to allow light to pass through.
Further, when the first optical assembly 20 includes multiple lenses, the first restrictive assembly 40 further includes a spacer. One spacer is disposed between each two adjacent lenses in the multiple lenses included in the first optical assembly 20. Two ends of the spacer disposed between the two adjacent lenses along the first axial direction AX1 respectively abut against the two corresponding lenses, and are configured to space the two adjacent lenses apart. An outer side wall of the spacer disposed between the two adjacent lenses abuts against the first middle inner wall portion 133 along the first radial direction, so that the spacer can be prevented from moving along the first radial direction. For example, the first optical assembly 20 includes M lenses disposed along the first axial direction AX1, where M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The first restrictive assembly 40 further includes M−1 spacers, an (m−1)th spacer is disposed between an (m−1)th lens and an mth lens, where m is a positive integer, and 2≤m≤M. Two ends of the (m−1)th spacer along the first axial direction AX1 respectively abut against a second optical surface of the (m−1)th lens and a first optical surface of the mth lens, and are configured to space the (m−1)th lens and the mth lens apart. An outer side wall of the (m−1)th spacer abuts against the first middle inner wall portion 133 of the first accommodation cavity 13 along the first radial direction, to prevent the (m−1)th spacer from moving along the first radial direction. The (m−1)th spacer is also provided with a light-transmitting through hole to allow light between the (m−1)th lens and the mth lens to pass through.
In an embodiment, a principle of restricting the lenses included in the first optical assembly 20 by the first restrictive assembly 40 is as follows. The lenses included in the first optical assembly 20 and the spacers included in the first restrictive assembly 40 abut against the first middle inner wall portion 133 of the first accommodation cavity 13 along the first radial direction. Therefore, the lenses included in the first optical assembly 20 and the spacers included in the first restrictive assembly 40 cannot move in the first accommodation cavity 13 in the first radial direction, but can move only along the first axial direction AX1. The first restrictive member 411 and the second restrictive member 412 restrict the first optical surface 21a and the second optical surface 22b of the first optical assembly 20 to confine the lenses included in the first optical assembly 20 to the first accommodation cavity 13. The spacer disposed between each two adjacent lenses can provide support for the two adjacent lenses, so that each lens is disposed at preset intervals, thereby fixing the lenses included in the first optical assembly 20 into the first accommodation cavity 13.
As shown in
Still referring to
Further, a light-transmitting through hole of the first restrictive member 411 is configured to allow light corresponding to the first lens 21 to pass through. A light-transmitting through hole of the first spacer 421 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the first lens 21 and the first middle lens 231. A light-transmitting through hole of the second spacer 422 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the first middle lens 231 and the second middle lens 232. A light-transmitting through hole of the third spacer 423 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the second middle lens 232 and the third middle lens 233. A light-transmitting through hole of the fourth spacer 424 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the third middle lens 233 and the second lens 22, and a light-transmitting through hole of the second restrictive member 412 is configured to allow light corresponding to the second lens 22 to pass through.
Still referring to
In an embodiment, external threads are disposed on an outer side wall of the first restrictive member 411 (not shown), and internal threads are disposed on the first inner wall portion 131 (not shown). The first restrictive member 411 and the first inner wall portion 131 are connected through threads. The second restrictive member 412 is an annular bulge formed by recessing the second inner wall portion 132 into the first accommodation cavity 13.
In some embodiments, the first restrictive member 411 is welded to the first inner wall portion 131. In some embodiments, the first restrictive member 411 can be connected to the first inner wall portion 131 through ultrasonic welding or laser welding.
In some embodiments, the second restrictive member 412 may also be a part processed independently of the bracket 10. In some embodiments, external threads are disposed on an outer side wall of the second restrictive member 412, and internal threads are disposed on the second inner wall portion 132. The second restrictive member 412 and the second inner wall portion 132 are connected through threads. In some embodiments, the second restrictive member 412 may be welded to the second inner wall portion 132. In some embodiments, the second restrictive member 412 can be connected to the second inner wall portion 132 through ultrasonic welding or laser welding. At this time, when the lens included in the first optical assembly 20 needs to be mounted into the first accommodation cavity 13, the second restrictive member 412 can be first put into the first accommodation cavity 13 and connected to the second inner wall portion 132, then the accommodation space defined by the first inner wall portion 131 is used as an entrance, to put the lens included in the first optical assembly 20 and the spacer included in the first restrictive assembly 40 into the first accommodation cavity 13 sequentially. After the lens included in the first optical assembly 20 and the spacer included in the first restrictive assembly 40 are sequentially put into the first accommodation cavity 13 through the accommodation space defined by the first inner wall portion 131, the first restrictive member 411 is put into the first accommodation cavity 13 and is connected to the first inner wall portion 131 through, for example, threaded or welded connection.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the light-transmitting sheet 60 is made of a light-transmitting material. The light-transmitting material refers to a material that allows light to pass through, including light-transmitting glass, light-transmitting plastic, light-transmitting resin or the like. The light-transmitting sheet 60 can be circular or square or in other shapes. This application does not limit the shape or thickness of the light-transmitting sheet 60 and they can be selected based on actual needs.
Referring to
In the optical system 1 disclosed in some embodiments, a sealed first compartment 61 is formed between the light-transmitting sheet 60 and the first optical element, which can reduce an amount of water vapor in contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60, so that a condensation (water droplets formed by pre-cooling and condensation of water vapor) phenomenon caused because water vapor condenses on the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be effectively alleviated. In addition, when the optical system 1 is applied to the LiDAR, the bracket 10 is mounted on the housing 8 of the LiDAR. An accommodation cavity 81 is formed between the second end surface 12 of the bracket 10 and the housing 8. A circuit system of the LiDAR is disposed in the accommodation cavity 81, and during working of the circuit system, a large amount of heat is generated, thereby causing higher water vapor temperature in the accommodation cavity 81 when the LiDAR is working. If no independent first compartment 61 is formed between the light-transmitting sheet 60 and the first optical element, the hot water vapor can come into contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60 through the first accommodation cavity 13, and the light-transmitting sheet 60 is close to external air and is at lower temperature, and when the hot water vapor comes into contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60, the condensation phenomenon is more likely to appear. In the related art, there is no independent sealed first compartment 61 formed between the light-transmitting sheet 60 and the first optical element, resulting in a large amount of water vapor on the side near the first optical element coming in contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60. Water vapor is prone to form condensation on the first transparent surface 6a of the transparent sheet 60. When light passes through the condensation, it will refract and deviate from the original optical path, which further affects the detection effect when using light (such as laser) for detection.
Referring to
Referring to
Further, the first sealing bulge 711 is made of an opaque material. In an embodiment, the bracket 10 is made of an opaque material, and correspondingly, the first sealing bulge 711 integrally formed with the bracket 10 is also made of an opaque material. The first sealing bulge 711 is made of the opaque material, which can improve light blocking performance of the first compartment 61 and reduce a probability of entering the first optical assembly 20 by stray light. The stray light includes light outside a preset optical path range of the first optical assembly 20. In some embodiments, the stray light may include light formed by light outside the preset optical path range of the first optical assembly 20 that enters the first optical assembly 20 located in the first accommodation cavity 13 after being reflected by the light-transmitting sheet 60. The preset optical path range of the first optical assembly 20 refers to a range that is preset by a technician when designing the optical path of the first optical assembly 20 and that can be covered by incident light and outgoing light of the first optical assembly 20.
In some embodiments, the first sealing groove 712 is disposed on the first end surface 11 along the first sealing path 111. The first sealing bulge 711 is disposed on the first light-transmitting surface 6a and corresponds to the first sealing groove 712. The first sealing rubber ring 713 is filled inside the first sealing groove 712. The first sealing bulge 711 is embedded in the first sealing groove 712, and is seal-connected to the first sealing groove 712 through the first sealing rubber ring 713, thereby implementing sealed connection between the first sealing path 111 of the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60. Further, the first sealing bulge 711 may be integrally formed with the light-transmitting sheet 60.
In some embodiments, the first sealed connection structure includes a first welded connection structure, and the first welded connection structure is a welded structure formed after the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a are welded along the first sealing path 111.
In an embodiment, the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 are made of PC (polycarbonate) plastic, and the first welded connection structure can be a welded structure formed by welding the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a along the first sealing path 111 through ultrasonic welding, thereby forming the sealed connection between the first sealing path 111 and the first lens surface 61. The bracket 10 can also be made of other types of opaque plastic materials, and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can also be made of other types of plastic materials that can transmit light, provided that the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be connected through ultrasonic welding. This application does not limit the material of the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60.
In an embodiment, the light-transmitting sheet 60 is made of the light-transmitting material, and the bracket 10 is made of the opaque material. The first welded connection structure can be a welded structure formed by welding the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a along the first sealing path 111 through laser welding, thereby forming the sealed connection between the first sealing path 111 and the first lens surface 61. At this time, it is only required that the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be connected through laser welding. This application does not limit the material of the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60.
As shown in
In an embodiment, the second sealed connection structure 72 includes a second sealing rubber ring 721 disposed into a complete circle, and the second sealing rubber ring is filled between the first connection inner wall 133a and the second optical surface of the first optical element, to bind the first connection inner wall 133a with the first optical element (the first lens 21 in
Referring to
Referring to
Further, at least part of a wall surface of the first light blocking inner wall 134 is provided with multiple first light blocking grooves 134 arranged in sequence. Large-angle stray light that is at an angle outside the preset receiving optical path range of the first optical assembly 20 and that is emitted toward the first light blocking inner wall 134 can be reflected by the first light blocking groove 134, which can effectively dissipate energy of the large-angle stray light, thereby further reducing impact of the large-angle stray light on the optical system 1.
In some embodiments, the first light blocking inner wall 134 is disposed between the first through hole 11a and the first inner wall portion 131, and the multiple first light blocking grooves 134 arranged in sequence are step-shaped.
Referring to
As shown in
The bracket 10 is also configured to provide mounting space for the optical element included in the second optical assembly 30, and the bracket 10 made of the opaque material also prevents light from passing through the bracket 10 and being emitted to the optical element in the second optical assembly 30.
In some embodiments, the second optical assembly 30 is a collection of optical elements. The second optical assembly 30 may include one or more optical elements. In some embodiments, the optical elements in the second optical assembly 30 include lenses, and when the optical elements in the second optical assembly 30 include lenses, the lenses may include a convex lens, a concave lens, a spherical mirror and, an aspheric mirror.
In the optical system 1 provided in an embodiment, the second accommodation cavity 14 of the bracket 10 is used to provide mounting space for the second optical assembly 30, and the optical element in the second optical assembly 30 is positioned through the second restrictive assembly 50, so that the second optical assembly 30 can also be directly mounted on the bracket 10. That is, the bracket 10 reuses a function of two lens barrels. In the related art, the optical system requires the independent production of two independent lens barrels to install the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30, and then the lens barrels installed with the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 are installed on the bracket 10. Embodiments of this application can further simplify the production and assembly processes of the optical system and reduce the number of parts in the optical system, thereby reducing the production costs.
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, when the second optical assembly 30 includes one lens, the third optical surface 3a and the fourth optical surface 3b are two optical surfaces disposed opposite each other in the same lens. When the second optical assembly 30 includes multiple lenses, the two optical surfaces disposed opposite each other in each lens along the second axial direction AX2 are respectively denoted as the first optical surface and the second optical surface of the lens. The third optical surface 3a is a first optical surface of a lens at the first position when the multiple lenses are arranged along the second axial direction AX2, and the fourth optical surface 3b is a second optical surface of a lens at the last position when the multiple lenses are arranged along the second axial direction AX2.
As shown in
The third restrictive member 511 is configured to restrict the second optical assembly 30, to prevent the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 from detaching from the second accommodation cavity 14 through the accommodation space defined by the third inner wall portion 141. The fourth restrictive member 512 is configured to restrict the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30, to prevent the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 from detaching from the second accommodation cavity 14 through the accommodation space defined by the fourth inner wall portion 142.
Further, the third restrictive member 511 is disposed around the third inner wall portion 141, and a light-transmitting through hole is also provided in the middle of the third restrictive member 511. The light-transmitting through hole of the third restrictive member 511 is configured to allow light to pass through. The fourth restrictive member 512 is disposed around the fourth inner wall portion 142, and a light-transmitting through hole is also provided in the middle of the fourth restrictive member 512. The light-transmitting through hole of the fourth restrictive member 512 is configured to allow light to pass through.
Further, when the second optical assembly 30 includes multiple lenses, the second restrictive assembly 50 further includes a space. One spacer is disposed between each two adjacent lenses in the multiple lenses included in the second optical assembly 30. Two ends of the spacer disposed between the two adjacent lenses along the second axial direction AX2 respectively abut against the two corresponding adjacent lenses, and are configured to space the two adjacent lenses apart. An outer side wall of the spacer disposed between the two adjacent lenses abuts against the second middle inner wall portion 143 along the second radial direction, to prevent the spacer from moving along the second radial direction. For example, the second optical assembly 30 includes N lenses disposed along the second axial direction AX2, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The second restrictive assembly 50 further includes N−1 spacers. An (n−1)th spacer is disposed between an (n−1)th lens and an nth lens, where n is a positive integer, and 2≤n≤N. Two ends of the (n−1)th spacer along the second axial direction AX2 respectively abut against a second optical surface of the (n−1)th lens and a first optical surface of the nth lens, and are configured to space the (n−1)th lens and the nth lens apart. An outer side wall of the (n−1)th spacer abuts against the second middle inner wall portion 143 of the second accommodation cavity 14 along the second radial direction, to prevent the (n−1)th spacer from moving along the second radial direction. The (n−1)th spacer is also provided with a light-transmitting through hole to allow light between the (n−1)th lens and the nth lens to pass through.
In an embodiment, a principle of restricting the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 by the second restrictive assembly 50 is as follows: the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 and the spacers included in the second restrictive assembly 50 abut against the second middle inner wall portion 143 of the second accommodation cavity 14 along the second radial direction, and therefore, the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 and the second spacers included in the second restrictive assembly 50 cannot move in the second accommodation cavity 14 in the second radial direction, but can move only along the second axial direction AX2. The third restrictive member 511 and the fourth restrictive member 512 restrict the third optical surface 31a and the fourth optical surface 32b of the second optical assembly 30 to confine the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 to the second accommodation cavity 14. The spacer disposed between each two adjacent lenses can provide support for the two adjacent lenses, so that each lens is disposed at preset intervals, thereby fixing the lenses included in the second optical assembly 30 into the second accommodation cavity 14. As shown in
Referring to
Further, a light-transmitting through hole of the third restrictive member 511 is configured to allow light corresponding to the third lens 31 to pass through. A light-transmitting through hole of the fifth spacer 521 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the third lens 31 and the fourth middle lens 331. A light-transmitting through hole of the sixth spacer 522 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the fourth middle lens 331 and the fourth lens 332. A light-transmitting through hole of the sixth spacer 522 is configured to allow light to be transmitted between the fourth middle lens 331 and the fourth lens 332, and a light-transmitting through hole of the fourth restrictive member 512 is configured to allow light corresponding to the second lens 22 to pass through.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the third restrictive member 511 is an annular bulge formed by recessing the third inner wall portion 141 into the second accommodation cavity 14. External threads are disposed on an outer side wall of the fourth restrictive member 512, and internal threads are disposed on the fourth inner wall portion 142. The fourth restrictive member 512 and the fourth inner wall portion 142 are connected through threads. In some embodiments, the fourth restrictive member 512 is welded to the fourth inner wall portion 142. In some embodiments, the fourth restrictive member 512 can be connected to the fourth inner wall portion 142 through ultrasonic welding or laser welding.
In some embodiments, the third restrictive member 511 and the bracket 10 may also be two parts that are processed independently. External threads are disposed on an outer side wall of the third restrictive member 511, and internal threads are disposed on the third inner wall portion 141. The third restrictive member 511 and the third inner wall portion 141 are connected through threads. In some embodiments, the third restrictive member 511 may be welded to the third inner wall portion 141. In some embodiments, the third restrictive member 511 can be connected to the third inner wall portion 141 through ultrasonic welding or laser welding. At this time, when the lens included in the second optical assembly 30 needs to be mounted into the second accommodation cavity 14, the third restrictive assembly 511 is first put into the second accommodation cavity 14 and connected to the third inner wall portion 141, and then the accommodation space defined by the fourth inner wall portion 141 is used as an entrance, to put the lens included in the second optical assembly 30 and the second spacer included in the second restrictive assembly 50 into the second accommodation cavity 14 sequentially. After the lens included in the second optical assembly 30 and the second spacer included in the second restrictive assembly 50 are sequentially put into the second accommodation cavity 14 through the accommodation space defined by the fourth inner wall portion 142, the fourth restrictive assembly 512 is put into the second accommodation cavity 14 and is connected to the second inner wall portion 142 through, for example, threaded or welded connection.
Referring to
Referring to
In the related art, when no independent second compartment 62 is formed between the light-transmitting sheet 60 and the second optical element, and as a result, a large amount of water vapor on the side of the light-transmitting sheet 60 that is closer to the second optical element can come into contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60. Water vapor easily forms condensation (water droplets formed after pre-cooling and condensation of water vapor) on the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60, and the light is refracted and deviates from an original optical path when passing through the condensation, thereby affecting a detection effect when the light (for example, a laser beam) is used for detection. In the optical system 1 provided in the embodiments of this application, a sealed second compartment 62 is formed between the light-transmitting sheet 60 and the second optical element, which can reduce an amount of water vapor in contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60, so that a condensation phenomenon caused because water vapor condenses on the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be effectively alleviated. In addition, when the optical system 1 is applied to the LiDAR, the bracket 10 is mounted on the housing 8 of the LiDAR. An accommodation cavity 81 is formed between the second end surface 12 of the bracket 10 and the housing 8. A circuit system of the LiDAR is disposed in the accommodation cavity 81, and during working of the circuit system, a large amount of heat is generated, thereby causing higher water vapor temperature in the accommodation cavity 81 when the LiDAR is working. If no independent second compartment 62 is formed between the light-transmitting sheet 60 and the second optical element, the hot water vapor can come into contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60 through the second accommodation cavity 14, and the light-transmitting sheet 60 is close to external air and is at lower temperature, and when the hot water vapor comes into contact with the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60, the condensation phenomenon is more likely to appear.
Referring to
Referring to
Further, the third sealing bulge 731 is made of an opaque material. In an embodiment, the bracket 10 is made of an opaque material, and correspondingly, the third sealing bulge 731 integrally formed with the bracket 10 is also made of an opaque material. The third sealing bulge 731 is made of the opaque material, which can improve light blocking performance of the second compartment 62 and reduce a probability of entering the second optical assembly 30 by stray light. The stray light includes light outside a preset optical path range of the second optical assembly 30. In some embodiments, the stray light may include light formed by light outside the preset optical path range of the second optical assembly 30 that enters the second optical assembly 30 located in the second accommodation cavity 14 after being reflected by the light-transmitting sheet 60. The preset optical path range of the second optical assembly 30 refers to a range that is preset by a technician when designing the optical path of the second optical assembly 30 and that can be covered by incident light and outgoing light of the second optical assembly 30.
In some embodiments, the third sealing groove 732 is disposed on the first end surface 11 along the second sealing path 112, and the third sealing bulge 731 is disposed on the first light-transmitting surface 6a and corresponds to the third sealing groove 732. The third sealing rubber ring 733 is filled inside the third sealing groove 732. The third sealing bulge 731 is embedded in the third sealing groove 732 and seal-connected to the third sealing groove 732 through the third sealing rubber ring 733, thereby implementing sealed connection between the second sealing path 112 of the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60. Further, the third sealing bulge 731 may be integrally formed with the light-transmitting sheet 60.
In some embodiments, the third sealed connection structure 73 includes a second welded connection structure, and the second welded connection structure is a welded structure formed after the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a are welded along the second sealing path 112.
In an embodiment, the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 are made of PC (polycarbonate) plastic, and the second welded connection structure can be a welded structure formed by welding the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a along the second sealing path 112 through ultrasonic welding, thereby forming the sealed connection between the second sealing path 112 and the first lens surface 61. In some embodiments, the bracket 10 can also be made of other types of opaque plastic materials, and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can also be made of other types of plastic materials that can transmit light, provided that the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be connected through ultrasonic welding.
In an embodiment, the light-transmitting sheet 60 is made of the light-transmitting material, and the bracket 10 is made of the opaque material. The second welded connection structure can be formed by welding the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a along the second sealing path 112 through laser welding, thereby forming the sealed connection between the second sealing path 112 and the first lens surface 61. At this time, the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be connected through laser welding. This application does not limit the material of the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60.
Referring to
Further, referring to
Referring to
Further, at least part of a wall surface of the second light blocking inner wall 144 is provided with multiple second light blocking grooves 144 arranged in sequence. Large-angle stray light that is at an angle outside the preset receiving optical path range of the second optical assembly 30 and that is emitted toward the second light blocking inner wall 144 can be reflected by the second light blocking groove 144, which can effectively dissipate energy of the large-angle stray light, thereby further reducing impact of the large-angle stray light on the optical system 1.
In some embodiments, the second light blocking inner wall 144 is disposed between the second through hole 11b and the third inner wall portion 141, and the multiple second light blocking grooves 144 arranged in sequence are step-shaped.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Further, the fifth sealing bulge 751 is made of an opaque material. In an embodiment, the bracket 10 is made of an opaque material, and correspondingly, the fifth sealing bulge 751 integrally formed with the bracket 10 is also made of an opaque material. The fifth sealing bulge 751 is made of the opaque material, which can improve light blocking performance of the second compartment 62 and reduce a probability of entering the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 by stray light. The stray light includes light outside a preset optical path range of the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30. In some embodiments, the stray light may include light formed by light outside the preset optical path range of the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 that enters the first accommodation cavity 13 and the second accommodation cavity 14 after being reflected by the light-transmitting sheet 60. The preset optical path range of the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 refers to a range that is preset by a technician when designing the optical path of the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 and that can be covered by incident light and outgoing light of the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30.
In some embodiments, the fifth sealing groove 752 is disposed on the first end surface 11 along the third sealing path 113, and the fifth sealing bulge 751 is disposed on the first light-transmitting surface 6a and corresponds to the fifth sealing groove 752. The fifth sealing rubber ring 753 is filled inside the fifth sealing groove 752. The fifth sealing bulge 751 is embedded in the fifth sealing groove 752, and is seal-connected to the fifth sealing groove 752 through the fifth sealing rubber ring 753, thereby implementing sealed connection between the third sealing path 113 of the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a of the light-transmitting sheet 60. Further, the fifth sealing bulge 751 may be integrally formed with the light-transmitting sheet 60.
In some embodiments, the fifth sealed connection structure 75 includes a third welded connection structure, and the third welded connection structure is a welded structure formed after the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a are welded along the third sealing path 113.
In an embodiment, the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 are made of PC (polycarbonate) plastic, and the third welded connection structure can be a welded structure formed by welding the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a along the third sealing path 113 through ultrasonic welding, thereby forming the sealed connection between the third sealing path 113 and the first lens surface 61. In an example, the bracket 10 can also be made of other types of opaque plastic materials, and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can also be made of other types of plastic materials that can transmit light, provided that the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be connected through ultrasonic welding.
In an embodiment, the light-transmitting sheet 60 is made of the light-transmitting material, and the bracket 10 is made of the opaque material. The third welded connection structure can be formed by welding the first end surface 11 and the first light-transmitting surface 6a along the third sealing path 113 through laser welding, thereby forming the sealed connection between the third sealing path 113 and the first lens surface 61. At this time, it is required that the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60 can be connected through laser welding. This application does not limit the material of the bracket 10 and the light-transmitting sheet 60.
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
The light-emitting module 3 is disposed in the accommodation cavity 81. The second optical assembly 30 is located on a light-emitting side of the light-emitting module 3 and is configured to receive the laser beam emitted by the light-emitting module 3 and emit an outgoing laser beam to the detection region. Further, the detection module 2 is disposed in the accommodation cavity 81. The first optical assembly 20 is located on a light incident side of the detection module 2 and is configured to receive an echo laser beam returned after the outgoing laser beam is reflected by an obstacle in the detection region and focus the echo laser beam on the detection module 2. The LiDAR provided in this embodiment emits a laser beam through the light-emitting module 3, and then the first optical assembly 20 receives the laser beam emitted by the light-emitting module 3, to emit the outgoing laser beam to the detection region. Then the echo laser beam is received through the detection module 2. The echo laser beam is converted into an electrical signal, and then a signal processing part of the LiDAR processes the electrical signal appropriately, to form a point cloud map. By processing the point cloud map, a distance, an azimuth, a height, a speed, an attitude and a shape and other parameters of the target object can be obtained, thereby implementing a laser detection function, which can be applied to navigation avoidance, obstacle recognition, ranging, speed measurement, autonomous driving and other scenarios of an automobile, a robot, a logistics vehicle, a patrol vehicle and other products.
Referring to
Referring to
A combination of emission angles of view covered by the laser beams emitted by the two second optical assemblies 30 matches a receiving angle of view covered by the laser beam received by the first optical assembly 20, so that the first optical assembly 20 can receive echo laser beams R formed after the laser beams L emitted by the two second optical assemblies 30 to the detection region are reflected by an obstacle in the detection region. The LiDAR provided in this application splices the emission angles of view by using two light-emitting modules 3 and two second optical assemblies 30, which not only facilitates enlargement of the detection angle of view of the LiDAR, but also facilitates the reduction in a size of each light-emitting module 3, thereby facilitating reduction in costs of the used light-emitting module 3.
In some embodiments, as shown in
As shown in
In an embodiment, the first light blocking wall surface 1341 and the second light blocking wall surface 1342 form angles with the first axial direction AX1, and an included angle between the first light blocking wall surface 1341 and the first axial direction AX1 is equal to −(βx/2) to 0. An included angle between the second light blocking inner wall 1342 and the first axial direction AX1 is equal to 0 to +(βx/2). The third light blocking wall surface 1343 and the fourth light blocking wall surface 1344 are arranged parallel to the first axial direction AX1.
In some embodiments, the first light blocking wall surface 1341 and the second light blocking wall surface 1342 may further be arranged parallel to the first axial direction AX1. The third light blocking wall surface 1343 and the fourth light blocking wall surface 1344 form angles with the first axial direction AX1. An included angle between the third light blocking wall surface 1341 and the first axial direction AX1 is equal to −(βy/2) to 0, and an included angle between the fourth light blocking wall surface 1344 and the first axial direction AX1 is equal to 0 to +(βy/2).
As shown in
Further, the third circular arc section 103 has one end connected to the first circular arc section 101 through a first horizontal line section 1031, and has the other end connected to a second circular arc section 102 through a second horizontal line section 1032. The first horizontal line section 1031 and the second horizontal line section 1032 are on a first straight line L1. The fourth circular arc section 104 has one end connected to the first circular arc section 101 through the third horizontal line section 1041, and has the other end connected to the second circular arc section 1042 through the fourth horizontal line section 1042. The third horizontal line section 1041 and the fourth horizontal line section 1042 are on a second straight line L2. In the optical system 1 provided in an embodiment, based on receiving angles of view of the first optical assembly 20 along the horizontal direction X-X and the vertical direction Y-Y, an angle of the first light blocking inner wall 134 and dimensions of the first through hole 11a on the first end surface 11 along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are designed, so that the dimensions of the first through hole 11a can be reduced while ensuring the receiving effect of the first optical assembly 20, thereby further reducing the probability that stray light enters the first optical assembly 20 through the first through hole 11a.
As shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
In some embodiments, multiple second light blocking grooves 144 are sequentially arranged along a wall surface extension direction of the fifth light blocking wall surface 1441, the seventh light blocking wall surface 1443, and the eighth light blocking wall surface 1444.
As shown in
Embodiment 2 is as follows.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the number of first optical assemblies 20 is one, and the number of second optical assemblies 30 is one or more than one.
In the optical system 1 provided in this embodiment, the first optical assembly 20 is directly mounted in the first accommodation cavity 13 in the bracket 10, and the second optical assembly 30 is assembled with the second lens barrel 300 as a whole, and then mounted on the bracket 10 through the second lens barrel 300. When the optical system 1 is light-adjusted before assembly, a bracket 10 mounted with a first optical assembly 20 may be first mounted on a light adjustment device, and then a position of a second lens barrel 300 mounted with the second optical assembly 300 is adjusted through the light adjustment device, so that the second optical assembly 30 reaches a preset mounting position and then a second lens barrel 300 corresponding to the second optical assembly 30 reaching the preset mounting position through adjustment can be fixed on the bracket 10, thereby implementing light adjustment of the optical system 1. In a related art, because the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 are assembled through the lens barrel, when the optical system is light-adjusted, a position of the lens barrel mounted with the first optical assembly 20 and a position of the lens barrel mounted with the second optical assembly 300 need to be adjusted respectively, so that the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 are fixed on the bracket 10 after the first optical assembly 20 and the second optical assembly 30 reach their respective preset mounting positions respectively, resulting in a complex light adjustment process. The optical system provided in this embodiment can simplify the light adjustment process.
This embodiment also provides a LiDAR. A difference between the LiDAR and that in Embodiment 1 is as follows. An optical system 1 in the LiDAR also includes two second lens barrels 300 for assembling two second optical assemblies 30, and the two second lens barrels 300 are mounted in the two second accommodation cavities 14 respectively. A second light-transmitting channel 310 is provided in the second lens barrel 300, and the second light-transmitting channel 310 extends along the second axial direction AX2. Optical elements included in the two second optical assemblies 30 are arranged in second light-transmitting channels 310 of their respective second lens barrels 300 along the second axial direction AX2.
Embodiment 3 is as follows.
A difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 or 2 is as follows. A first optical assembly 20 is located on a light-emitting side of a light-emitting module 2 and is configured to: receive a laser beam emitted by the light-emitting module 2 and emit an outgoing laser beam to a detection region. A second optical assembly 30 is located on a light incident side of a detection module 3 and is configured to: receive an echo laser beam returned after the outgoing laser beam is reflected by an obstacle in the detection region, and focus the echo laser beam on the detection module 3.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202211496066.5 | Nov 2022 | CN | national |