US 12,468,043 B2
LiDAR resonator with dynamic force equilibrium
Qijun Zhang, Canton, MI (US); Mark A. Stebbins, Bloomfield Township, MI (US); and Srinivasa Rao Molleti, Troy, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/806,304.
Prior Publication US 2023/0400587 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. G01S 17/93 (2020.01); G01S 7/484 (2006.01); G01S 7/4861 (2020.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); H02K 41/035 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 17/931 (2020.01) [G01S 7/484 (2013.01); G01S 7/4861 (2013.01); H02K 41/0354 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a spring fork mechanism having a first tine and a second tine wherein the spring fork mechanism is configured to resonate at a resonant frequency and wherein a stiffness of the first tine equals a stiffness of the second tine;
an optical module, mounted to the first tine, configured to transmit a light pulse and receiving a reflection of the light pulse;
a voice coil, mounted to the first tine, configured to generate an alternating magnetic force at the resonant frequency
a counterweight, mounted to the second tine, having a mass and center of gravity equal to a mass and center of gravity of the optical module and the voice coil, wherein the counterweight includes a magnet; and
a signal source configured to couple an alternating current signal at the resonant frequency to the voice coil such that the voice coil is operative to generate the alternating magnetic force at the resonant frequency between the voice coil and the counterweight.