Devices for improving radar wave transmission behavior, external cladding components for vehicles, and vehicles including such external cladding components.

Abstract

This disclosure describes an apparatus (10) for improving the transmission behavior of radar waves (λ), the apparatus (10) comprising: a mounting portion (14) to which a radar sensor (12) can be fastened; and a wall portion (18) having a first surface (20) and a second surface (22), wherein a radar wave (λ) emitted by the radar sensor (12) when fastened to the mounting portion (14) impacts the first surface (20) at an incident angle (α, β, γ, δ), enters the wall portion (18), and exits the wall portion (18) via the second surface (22), the radar wave (λ) traveling a certain distance (d) between the first surface (20) and the second surface (22), the first surface (20) and the second surface (22) being shaped such that the travel distance (d) of the radar wave (λ) remains constant for each incident angle (α, β, γ, δ).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to devices for improving radar wave transmission behavior and to external cladding components for vehicles. Furthermore, this disclosure relates to vehicles including such external cladding components. Background Technology

[0002] To enhance operational safety, modern vehicles are equipped with multiple driver assistance systems. Many of these systems are based on monitoring the vehicle's surroundings and interacting with corresponding sensors. Based on the situations identified in the environment, the assistance system can take action. Such actions could include generating signals, for example, in optical or acoustic forms, to draw the driver's attention to a particular situation. This situation could be the identification of an object in the surrounding environment that would result in a collision with the vehicle if no action is taken. Another action could be the assistance system initiating braking and / or steering intervention for evasive maneuvers. Monitoring the vehicle's surroundings is a critical issue in autonomous driving.

[0003] To monitor the surrounding environment, sensors can include sources of electromagnetic waves emitted into the environment. When an object is present in the environment, the electromagnetic waves are reflected and detected by a corresponding receiver. Thus, the conditions in the vehicle's surroundings can be characterized. The degree to which an object reflects electromagnetic waves depends on the material that makes up the object, as well as other factors. These factors include the size of the object and its effective reflective surface. Therefore, vehicles are equipped with sensors that use electromagnetic waves of different wavelengths and frequency ranges. One important class of electromagnetic waves is radar waves. Corresponding radar sensors include a radar source for generating and emitting radar waves and a receiver for receiving the reflected radar waves.

[0004] Due to design considerations, the sensor is located behind the external cladding, making it invisible or nearly invisible from the outside. Therefore, electromagnetic waves emitted from the corresponding source must penetrate the vehicle's external cladding to reach the outside. In many cases, the external cladding is made of plastic, particularly thermoplastics, which attenuate electromagnetic waves to a certain extent. The greater the wave attenuation, the worse the radar sensor's performance, especially in terms of detection range and resolution accuracy. The degree of electromagnetic wave attenuation depends on several factors, some of which are the wall thickness of the external cladding and the corresponding distance the electromagnetic waves travel through it. Other factors are the materials used to make the external cladding and the characteristics of the paint or coating applied to it, and especially the final surface.

[0005] Methods for reducing electromagnetic wave attenuation are disclosed in DE 100 53 517 A1, DE 198 19 709 A1, DE 10 2018 211 786 A1, DE 102 59246 A1, WO 2006 / 042725 A1 and WO 2007 / 045452 A2.

[0006] As mentioned, an important class of electromagnetic waves is radar waves generated by radar sensors. Radar sensors emit radar waves within a region having a shape approximately equal to a cone. It is possible to distinguish between radar sensors configured as long-range radar sensors and those configured as short-range radar sensors. Long-range radar sensors are used to detect objects relatively far from the vehicle, such as other vehicles traveling in front of the vehicle in question, including the radar sensor. On highways and rural roads where vehicles travel at high speeds, such other vehicles can be up to 200 meters ahead.

[0007] Short-range radar sensors are used to monitor the surrounding environment near a vehicle to detect objects such as walls or parked vehicles. In addition, short-range radar sensors can be used for so-called blind spot detection to identify other vehicles that the driver cannot see or barely see. This can occur when a driver wants to change lanes on a highway or turn into a road with poor visibility.

[0008] While long-range radar sensors have relatively small opening angles, short-range radar sensors have relatively large opening angles. As mentioned, radar waves must first penetrate the outer cladding assembly to enter the surrounding environment around the vehicle. The larger the opening angle of the radar sensor, the greater the variation in the angle of incidence of the radar wave striking the outer cladding component. Therefore, the travel distance of a given radar wave with a relatively large angle of incidence through the outer cladding component can differ significantly from the travel distance of a radar wave with a smaller angle of incidence. Due to the different travel distances, the attenuation of the radar wave varies accordingly. This variation is particularly pronounced in short-range radar sensors due to the large opening angle. Furthermore, due to the large opening angle, the area covered by the radar wave is larger. The larger the covered area, the greater the variation in the cladding component, for example, with respect to wall thickness and curvature, which further increases the variation in attenuation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One objective of one embodiment of this disclosure is to provide a device for improving radar wave transmission behavior, by which the aforementioned disadvantages can be eliminated or at least reduced and the performance of radar sensors can be improved.

[0010] According to an embodiment, a device for improving radar wave transmission behavior includes:

[0011] - Mounting section, to which the radar sensor can be fastened, and

[0012] - A wall portion having a first surface and a second surface, wherein...

[0013] - Radar waves emitted by the radar sensor when it is secured to the mounting bracket:

[0014] o strikes the first surface at the incident angle

[0015] o enters the wall and,

[0016] o leaves the wall via the second surface,

[0017] -Radar waves travel a certain distance between the first and second surfaces.

[0018] - The first and second surfaces are shaped such that the travel distance of the radar wave remains constant for each angle of incidence.

[0019] The shortest distance between a first and second surface, which extend parallel or nearly parallel to each other, in a given wall section is typically defined by a line extending perpendicular to both surfaces. This shortest distance is equal to the wall thickness of the wall section. Therefore, radar waves striking the first surface perpendicularly will penetrate the wall section with the shortest possible travel distance. In this case, the angle of incidence is 90°. However, as initially noted, the radar source emits radar waves within a conical region. While radar waves at the center of the conical region can strike the first surface with an angle of incidence of 90° or approximately 90°, the further the radar waves extend beyond the center, the smaller the angle of incidence they strike the first surface. As a result, the travel distance becomes longer compared to radar waves extending at or near the center of the conical region, leading to varying degrees of attenuation. Assuming the attenuation of radar waves at the center is minimized, radar waves extending further beyond the center experience even greater attenuation.

[0020] The wall of the device according to this disclosure is formed such that the travel distance of radar waves penetrating the wall is the same regardless of the incident angle. The wall thickness has a maximum value at the center of the conical region and decreases with increasing distance from the center. At the center of the conical region, the radar wave impacts the first surface at an incident angle of 90° or approximately 90°. The reduction in wall thickness is selected such that the travel distance of radar waves penetrating the wall thickness remains constant. Therefore, the attenuation of the radar wave is uniform within the conical region, thereby improving the performance of the radar sensor mounted on the mounting portion.

[0021] As clearly seen from the preceding explanation, the conical region is defined by the radar sensor. To ensure uniform radar wave attenuation within the conical region, it is crucial to clearly define the position of the radar sensor relative to the wall. Therefore, the device also includes a mounting section to which the radar sensor can be securely fastened. The mounting section defines the desired position of the radar sensor relative to the wall.

[0022] Another feature of this embodiment is that the mounting portion and the wall portion are made as a single piece. The device according to this embodiment can be injection molded, allowing for the rapid and cost-effective manufacture of a large number of devices. It is not necessary to connect the mounting portion and the wall portion to each other, thus saving manufacturing steps and ensuring precise positioning of the mounting portion and the wall portion relative to each other.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the mounting portion may include an absorbing layer or an absorbing material, such that radar waves emitted by the radar sensor and impacting the mounting portion when fastened to it are absorbed. It is possible that, unavoidably, a portion of the radar waves impacting the first surface is reflected, causing them to strike the mounting portion. Subsequently, the surface of the mounting portion may reflect radar waves that can reach the radar detector but are not reflected by objects in the vehicle's surrounding environment. Therefore, these can cause interfering signals that may lead to misinterpretation (so-called ghosting). In this embodiment, the radar waves impacting the mounting portion are absorbed, thereby avoiding interfering signals. This improves the quality of object detection in the vehicle's surrounding environment.

[0024] Other embodiments relate to an external cladding component for a vehicle, including

[0025] -Matrix, and

[0026] -The device according to one of the foregoing embodiments, the device

[0027] o Secure to the substrate or

[0028] o is an integral part of the matrix.

[0029] The technical effects and advantages discussed for this device also apply to the external coating component. In short, the attenuation of radar waves impacting the substrate and penetrating the external coating component is uniform within the conical region, resulting in improved performance of the radar sensor mounted on the mounting section.

[0030] The device can be fastened to the substrate of the coated component, for example, by welding or adhesive. Alternatively, the device can be integrated into the coated component, eliminating the need for a fastening step.

[0031] Another embodiment is characterized by

[0032] - The mounting section and the wall section are made of the first type of plastic, and

[0033] - The matrix is ​​made of a second type of plastic.

[0034] As mentioned, the device can be manufactured by injection molding. The same applies to the substrate of the coated component. However, the substrate does not necessarily have to be made of the same plastic as the mounting portion and the wall portion. The substrate may need to meet different requirements than those required by the mounting portion and the wall portion. The first and second plastics can be selected such that each requirement can be met.

[0035] In another embodiment, the second surface may be part of the outer surface of the cladding member. In this embodiment, the device may be implemented as a frame, grille, etc., such that the second surface of the device is visible from the outside. In particular, when the cladding member is implemented as a bumper, the bumper typically includes multiple frames or grilles. In this embodiment, the device also performs the function of frames, grilles, etc., thereby keeping the number of components to a minimum. Alternatively, the outer surface itself may be formed by the bumper.

[0036] In other embodiments, the radar sensor can be securely fastened to the mounting portion. In this embodiment, the detection of objects in the vehicle's surrounding environment by the coating component is fully effective.

[0037] Another embodiment depicts a vehicle including an external cladding member according to one of the prior embodiments or a device according to one of the prior embodiments. The technical effects and advantages discussed with respect to this external cladding member also apply to the vehicle. In short, the attenuation of radar waves impacting the substrate and penetrating the external cladding member is the same within the conical region, thereby improving the performance of the radar sensor mounted on the mounting portion. Attached Figure Description

[0038] This disclosure is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a device for improving radar wave transmission behavior according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a device for improving radar wave transmission behavior according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a device for improving radar wave transmission behavior according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 4 It shows including according to Figures 1 to 3 The external coating component of the device shown in one embodiment, and

[0043] Figure 5 A schematic top view of a vehicle including multiple external cladding components of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a device 101 for mounting a radar sensor 12 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The device 101 includes a mounting portion 14 to which the radar sensor 12 is mounted. The radar sensor 12 generates a radar wave λ emitted within a conical region 16 at a given opening angle θ.

[0045] The device 101 also includes a wall portion 18, which, in a first embodiment, is integrally formed with the mounting portion 14. Therefore, the wall portion 18 and the mounting portion 14 are made as a single unit. The wall portion 18 has a first surface 20 and a second surface 22, the first surface 20 facing the radar sensor 12 and the second surface 22 facing outwards. The opening angle θ is selected such that all radar waves λ emitted by the radar sensor 12 strike the first surface 20, enter the wall portion 18, and exit the wall portion 18 via the second surface 22. The distance a given radar wave must travel between the first surface 20 and the second surface 22 is called the travel distance d.

[0046] exist Figure 1 The diagram indicates the beam paths of randomly selected radar waves λα, λβ, λγ, and λδ, and their corresponding travel distances dα to dδ through the wall 18. Radar wave λα, striking the first surface 20 at an incident angle α = 90°, travels through the wall 18 to a distance dα; radar wave λβ, striking the first surface 20 at an incident angle β < α, travels through the wall 18 to a distance dβ; radar wave λγ, striking the first surface 20 at an incident angle γ < β, travels through the wall 18 to a distance dγ; and radar wave λδ, striking the first surface 20 at an incident angle δ < γ, travels through the wall 18 to a distance dδ.

[0047] Regardless of the incident angles α to δ, the first surface 20 and the second surface 22 are shaped such that the travel distance dα to dδ of the radar wave λ through the wall 18 remains constant. As a result, dα = dβ = dγ = dδ. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the first surface 20 and the second surface 22 are convex, approximately spherical.

[0048] Because the attenuation of the radar wave λ penetrating the wall 18 depends primarily on the travel distance d through the wall 18, the radar wave λ attenuates to the same or nearly the same degree. This attenuation affects the performance of the radar sensor 12. Improved transmission behavior leads to better performance for the radar sensor.

[0049] from Figure 1As can be seen, at least a portion of the radar wave λ that impacts the first surface 20 is reflected. The reflected radar wave is named λx. The reflected radar wave λx impacts the mounting portion 14, returns from the mounting portion to the first surface 20, and reaches the radar sensor 12 from the first surface 20. The reflected radar wave λx can cause interference signals in the radar sensor 12. To avoid such interference signals, the mounting portion 14 includes an absorption layer 24 on which the radar wave λx impacts. The radar wave λx impacting the absorption layer 24 is absorbed. The radar wave λx, illustrated by the dashed line, is canceled out, thus preventing the generation of interference signals.

[0050] It is worth mentioning that, Figure 1 In the diagram, only the radar wave λx is shown to illustrate the generation of the interference signal. During the operation of device 101, multiple reflected radar waves λx are expected.

[0051] Figure 2 A main cross-sectional view of a device 102 for mounting a radar sensor 12 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Since the basic construction of the device 102 according to the second embodiment is largely similar to that of the device 101 according to the first embodiment, only the important differences are described. In the second embodiment of the device 102, the second surface 22 is planar and only the first surface 20 is convex. To keep the travel distance d constant for all incident angles α to δ, the first surface 20 is more curved than the first surface 20 of the device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the mounting portion 14 includes an absorbing material 26, so that radar waves λx impacting the mounting portion 14 are not reflected to avoid interference signals. In the second embodiment, the absorbing layer 24 is not used.

[0053] Figure 3 A third embodiment of a device 103 for mounting a radar sensor 12, which is largely similar to the second embodiment of device 102, is shown. However, device 103 is fastened to the base 28 of the outer cover member 30, for example, by welding or adhesive, or directly molded to the base 28. The mounting portion 14 and the wall portion 18 may be made of a first plastic 29, different from the second plastic 31 used to make the outer cover member 30. The effects of the first plastic 29 and the second plastic 31 on the attenuation of the radar wave λ may be different. The curvature of the first surface 20 and / or the second surface 22 may be selected to compensate for the different effects on attenuation.

[0054] An embodiment where the mounting portion 14 and the wall portion 18 are made of different plastics is not shown.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments, devices 101 and 102 may be integral parts of the substrate 28 of the coating member 30, such that the second surface 22 may form part of the outer surface 32 of the coating member 30.

[0056] Figure 4 The exterior cladding component 30 of vehicle 33 is shown, in this case, the front bumper 34. The front bumper 34 includes two borders 36 indicated by shaded areas. Each border 36 is constructed according to either the first embodiment or the second embodiment (…). Figure 4 A device 101, 102 (not shown) is formed. In this case, the second surface of the device 101, 102 forms part of the outer surface 32 of the coating member 30.

[0057] A brand logo 38 of a given vehicle manufacturer is located at the upper center of the front bumper 34. The brand logo 38 can also be formed by devices 101, 102 according to the first or second embodiment. It can be applied to a grille 44 integrated into the front bumper 34.

[0058] According to the third embodiment, the multiple devices 103 can be fastened to any desired location on the front bumper 34.

[0059] It should be noted that the front bumper 34 does not necessarily include the frame 36. The device 103 can also be mounted on a coated bumper panel.

[0060] Figure 5 A top view of a vehicle 33 equipped with a plurality of external covering components 30 is shown, to which one or more of the devices 10 according to one embodiment can be fastened, as described above. Figure 4 As shown, the first external cladding component 301 is implemented as the front bumper 34. Furthermore, two second external cladding components 302 are implemented as B-pillar cladding 40. The third external cladding component 303 is implemented as the rear bumper 42. When an object 46 in the surrounding environment of the vehicle 33 is located within the cone-shaped area 16, the radar sensor of the device 10 can detect the object 46.

[0061] Reference List

[0062] 10 Equipment

[0063] Equipment 101 to 103

[0064] 12 Radar Sensors

[0065] 14 Installation Department

[0066] 16. Conical section

[0067] 18. Wall section

[0068] 20 First Surface

[0069] 22 Second Surface

[0070] 24 Absorption Layer

[0071] 26 Absorbent Materials

[0072] 28 matrix

[0073] 29 First Plastics

[0074] 30 External coating components

[0075] 301 to 303 External coating components

[0076] 31 Second Plastic

[0077] 32 Outer surface

[0078] 33 vehicles

[0079] 34 Front bumper

[0080] 36. Bezel

[0081] 38 Brand Logos

[0082] 40 B-pillar

[0083] 42 Rear Bumper

[0084] 44. Grille

[0085] 46 objects

[0086] d Distance traveled

[0087] Distance traveled from dα to dδ

[0088] Angle of incidence from α to δ

[0089] θ Opening angle

[0090] λ radar wave

[0091] Radar waves from λα to λδ and λx

Claims

1. A device (10) for improving the transmission behavior of radar waves (λ), comprising: - Mounting part (14), radar sensor (12) can be fastened to the mounting part (14), and - Wall portion (18), said wall portion (18) having a first surface (20) and a second surface (22), wherein, - Radar wave (λ) emitted by the radar sensor (12) when it is fastened to the mounting part (14) o strikes the first surface (20) at an incident angle (α, β, γ, δ). o enters the wall portion (18), and o exits the wall portion (18) via the second surface (22). - The radar wave (λ) travels a certain distance (d) between the first surface (20) and the second surface (22). - The first surface (20) and the second surface (22) are shaped such that the travel distance (d) of the radar wave (λ) remains constant for each incident angle (α, β, γ, δ). -In this case, the mounting portion (14) and the wall portion (18) are made as a single piece, and -The second surface (22) is planar and the first surface (20) is convex.

2. The device (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The mounting portion (14) includes an absorption layer (24) or an absorption material, such that the radar wave (λ) emitted by the radar sensor (12) and impacting the mounting portion (14) when it is fastened to the mounting portion (14) is absorbed.

3. An exterior cladding component (30) of a vehicle (33), comprising: -Matrix (28), and -The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the device (10) o is fastened to the substrate (28), or o is an integral part of the substrate (28).

4. The external coating component (30) according to claim 3. Its features are, - The mounting portion (14) and the wall portion (18) are made of a first plastic (29), and - The substrate (28) is made of a second plastic (31).

5. The external coating component (30) according to any one of claims 3 or 4. Its features are, The second surface (22) is part of the outer surface (32) of the coating component (30).

6. The external coating component (30) according to any one of claims 3 to 5. Its features are, The radar sensor (12) is fastened to the mounting part (14).

7. A vehicle (33) comprising an external cladding component (30) according to any one of claims 3 to 6 or a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

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