Patent ID: 6163371
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A distance measuring apparatus, adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, for measuring a distance to an obstacle, the apparatus comprising:a light transmission optical system that transmits a light beam having an intensity distribution with at least two peaks; anda reception system that measures the distance to the obstacle based on reflected light from the obstacle;wherein positions of the two peaks of the intensity distribution correspond to both sides of an area of the vehicle in which a degree of danger to life is high if a collision between the vehicle and the obstacle were to occur; andwherein the light transmission optical system comprises a light source that emits a light beam having a Gaussian intensity distribution along an optical axis, a collimator that collimates the light beam emitted by the light source, a beam splitter that splits the collimated light beam into a plurality of light beams, and a deflector that deflects the split light beams in directions symmetrical with respect to the optical axis such that a composition of the plurality of split light beams forms the light beam having the intensity distribution with at least two peaks.