公开(公告)号：US20220082660A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-17

申请号：US17121918

申请日：2020-12-15

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Pierre-Yves Droz ,  Ralph H. Shepard ,  Augusto Tazzoli ,  David Hutchison ,  David Schleuning ,  Nathaniel Golshan ,  Nathaniel Quillin ,  Andrew Abo ,  Caner Onal ,  Michael Tom ,  Robert Lockwood ,  Kelvin Kwong ,  Daiwei Li ,  Drew Ulrich ,  Simon Ellgas ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Erin Eppard ,  Samuel Lenius ,  Justin Andrade ,  James Dunphy

IPC: G01S7/484 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01F23/00 ,  G01S17/931 ,  G01S17/89

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to light detection and ranging (lidar) devices having a light-guide manifold. An example lidar device includes a transmit subsystem. The transmit subsystem includes a light emitter. The transmit subsystem also includes a light-guide manifold optically coupled to the light emitter. Further, the transmit subsystem includes a telecentric lens assembly optically coupled to the light-guide manifold. The lidar device also includes a receive subsystem. The receive subsystem includes the telecentric lens assembly. The receive subsystem also includes an aperture plate having an aperture defined therein. The aperture plate is positioned at a focal plane of the telecentric lens assembly. Further, the receive subsystem includes a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) positioned to receive light traveling through the aperture.

公开(公告)号：US20210096319A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-01

申请号：US16586144

申请日：2019-09-27

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Matthew Last ,  John Henrie ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Ralph Shepard ,  Drew Ulrich

IPC: G02B7/02

Abstract: The technology relates to lens assemblies for sensor units that provide a low but consistent preload force over the entire operational temperature range of the device. Consistent preloading helps to avoid cracking and plastic deformation. In particular, a compliant structure of a polymeric material is able to expand and contract across temperature extremes. In addition, the polymeric material is arranged in conjunction with a retainer ring to form a discontinuous seal with the lens. This provides in a leak path that is able to reduce condensation or contaminants. As a result, moisture within the sensor unit is permitted to escape, reducing or eliminating impairments on the lens or other parts of the sensor unit that could otherwise impair device operation.

公开(公告)号：US12210207B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-28

申请号：US17841010

申请日：2022-06-15

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Matthew Last ,  John Henrie ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Ralph Shepard ,  Drew Ulrich

IPC: G02B7/02

Abstract: The technology relates to lens assemblies for sensor units that provide a low but consistent preload force over the entire operational temperature range of the device. Consistent preloading helps to avoid cracking and plastic deformation. In particular, a compliant structure of a polymeric material is able to expand and contract across temperature extremes. In addition, the polymeric material is arranged in conjunction with a retainer ring to form a discontinuous seal with the lens. This provides in a leak path that is able to reduce condensation or contaminants. As a result, moisture within the sensor unit is permitted to escape, reducing or eliminating impairments on the lens or other parts of the sensor unit that could otherwise impair device operation.

公开(公告)号：US20220196891A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-23

申请号：US17125140

申请日：2020-12-17

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Michael Brickner ,  Hui Son ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Erin Eppard

IPC: G02B5/02 ,  G02B1/04 ,  G02B1/11 ,  G02B3/08 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/08 ,  G01S17/931

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface. A combination of the first surface and the second surface are configured to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.

公开(公告)号：US20220308305A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-29

申请号：US17841010

申请日：2022-06-15

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Matthew Last ,  John Henrie ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Ralph Shepard ,  Drew Ulrich

IPC: G02B7/02

Abstract: The technology relates to lens assemblies for sensor units that provide a low but consistent preload force over the entire operational temperature range of the device. Consistent preloading helps to avoid cracking and plastic deformation. In particular, a compliant structure of a polymeric material is able to expand and contract across temperature extremes. In addition, the polymeric material is arranged in conjunction with a retainer ring to form a discontinuous seal with the lens. This provides in a leak path that is able to reduce condensation or contaminants. As a result, moisture within the sensor unit is permitted to escape, reducing or eliminating impairments on the lens or other parts of the sensor unit that could otherwise impair device operation.

公开(公告)号：US12210171B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-28

申请号：US17125140

申请日：2020-12-17

Applicant: Waymo LLC

Inventor： Michael Brickner ,  Hui Son ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Erin Eppard

IPC: G02B5/02 ,  B60W60/00 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/08 ,  G01S17/931 ,  G02B1/04 ,  G02B1/11 ,  G02B3/08

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface. A combination of the first surface and the second surface are configured to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.

公开(公告)号：US12085732B1

公开(公告)日：2024-09-10

申请号：US17125223

申请日：2020-12-17

Applicant: Waymo LLC ,  Nissei Technology Corporation

Inventor： Michael Brickner ,  Hui Son ,  Chandra Kakani ,  Erin Eppard ,  Akio Yamakawa

IPC: G01S17/10 ,  B60Q1/00 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S17/931 ,  G02B1/04 ,  G02B1/11 ,  G02B3/00 ,  G02B3/08

CPC classification number: G02B3/0068 ,  B60Q1/0023 ,  G01S7/4814 ,  G01S7/4817 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G01S17/931 ,  G02B1/041 ,  G02B1/11 ,  G02B3/08 ,  G02B2003/0093

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface configured to focus the diffused light to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.