Radio wave transmission member, automotive component, mark, and object detection structure

Abstract

A radio wave transmission member is provided with an outer member, an inner member, and a metal layer that is disposed between the outer member and the inner member and is capable of transmitting radio waves, and at least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radio wave transmitting member, an automobile component, a sign, and an object detection structure. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, safety devices have been significantly improved in automobiles. For example, automatic collision avoidance systems have become common.

[0003] The automatic collision avoidance system automatically applies brakes based on image data from an onboard camera and relative distance information to an object obtained by a transceiver using radio waves such as millimeter waves.

[0004] The radio wave transceiver constituting the automatic collision avoidance system is preferably arranged in the front center of the car. The car logo is generally arranged in the front center of the car. Therefore, a structure combining the car logo and the radio wave transceiver is proposed.

[0005] Automobile logos generally have a structure in which a metal layer for expressing metallic luster is formed on a substrate such as resin. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a structure having a metal layer formed by a silver mirror reaction on a substrate as a logo having metallic luster and capable of transmitting radio waves.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-019765

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-177311 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] Appearance is an important element of a car, and logos are also expected to play a role as a means of expressing the design of the car.

[0010] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a radio wave transmitting member, an automobile component, a sign, and an object detection structure that can transmit radio waves and have excellent design properties.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] The method for achieving the above-mentioned subject includes the following embodiments.

[0013] <1> A radio wave transmitting member comprises an outer member, an inner member and a metal layer, wherein the metal layer is arranged between the outer member and the inner member and can transmit radio waves, and at least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function.

[0014] <2> according to <1> The radio wave transmitting member, the outer member and the inner member respectively contain resin.

[0015] <3> according to <1> or <2> In the radio wave transmitting member, at least one of the outer member and the inner member contains light diffusion particles.

[0016] <4> according to <1> ~ <3> In any one of the radio wave transmitting members, the metal layer can transmit visible light.

[0017] <5> according to <1> ~ <4> >A radio wave transmitting member as described in any one of the above, which is used to transmit radio waves with a frequency of 20 GHz to 300 GHz.

[0018] <6> An automobile component comprising <1> ~ <5> The radio wave transmitting member as described above.

[0019] <7> A sign containing <1> ~ <5> The radio wave transmitting member as described above.

[0020] <8> An object detection structure comprises: an electric wave transmitting component having an outer component, a metal layer capable of transmitting electric waves, and an inner component; a device for irradiating electric waves to the electric wave transmitting component from the rear of the electric wave transmitting component; and a light source for irradiating light to the electric wave transmitting component from the side of the electric wave transmitting component.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a radio wave transmitting member, an automobile component, a sign, and an object detection structure that can transmit radio waves and have excellent design properties. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a radio wave transmitting member.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view schematically showing an example of the structure of a radio wave transmitting member.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an automobile component including a radio wave transmitting member.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an automobile component including a radio wave transmitting member.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an automobile component including a radio wave transmitting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the method for implementing the present disclosure is described in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In the following embodiments, except for the cases specifically indicated, the constituent elements (including element steps, etc.) are not necessary. Numerical values ​​and their ranges are also the same and do not limit the present disclosure.

[0029] In the present disclosure, in a numerical range expressed using "to", the numerical values ​​described before and after "to" are included as the minimum value and the maximum value, respectively.

[0030] In the numerical range recorded in stages in the present disclosure, the upper limit or lower limit recorded in a numerical range can also be replaced by the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range recorded in other stages. In addition, in the numerical range recorded in the present disclosure, the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range can also be replaced by the value shown in the embodiment.

[0031] In the present disclosure, each component may contain a plurality of substances corresponding to each component. When a plurality of substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, unless otherwise specified, the content or content of each component refers to the total content or content of the plurality of substances present in the composition.

[0032] In the present disclosure, particles corresponding to each component may include multiple types of particles.

[0033] In the present disclosure, the term "layer" or "film" includes not only the case where a region where the layer or film exists is observed but also the case where the layer or film is formed on only a part of the region.

[0034] In the present disclosure, when the embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the embodiments is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. In addition, the sizes of the components in each figure are conceptual, and the relative relationship between the sizes of the components is not limited to this.

[0035] <Radio wave transmitting member>

[0036] The radio wave transmitting member of the present disclosure includes an outer member, an inner member, and a metal layer that is arranged between the outer member and the inner member and that can transmit radio waves. At least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function.

[0037] The radio wave transmitting member of the present disclosure has a radio wave transmitting metal layer between the outer member and the inner member. By arranging the radio wave transmitting metal layer between the outer member and the inner member, the radio wave transmitting member can be given a metallic luster without hindering the transmission of radio waves.

[0038] Furthermore, since at least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function, the radio wave transmitting member can be made to emit light, thereby realizing various expressions using light.

[0039] Furthermore, since at least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function, the radio wave transmitting member can be made to emit light sufficiently even if light is irradiated from a direction different from the incident direction of the radio wave to the radio wave transmitting member. Therefore, the light source can be arranged at a position (for example, the side of the radio wave transmitting member) that does not conflict with the radio wave transceiver.

[0040] In the present disclosure, an “external member” is a member located on the opposite side to the device for irradiating radio waves to the radio wave transmitting member, and an “internal member” is a member located on the opposite side to the device for irradiating radio waves to the radio wave transmitting member.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the structure of a radio wave transmitting member.

[0042] Figure 1 The radio wave transmitting member 10 shown is arranged so that the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 face each other.

[0043] In the radio wave transmitting member 10 , the metal layer (not shown) disposed between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 is disposed, for example, on the surface of the outer member 1 facing the inner member 2 .

[0044] Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view showing an example of the structure of the radio wave transmitting member 10 when viewed from the external member 1 side. Figure 2 The radio wave transmitting member 10 shown has a pattern 3 of an arbitrary shape. In order to give the pattern 3 a metallic luster, a metal layer that can transmit radio waves may be provided in a region corresponding to the pattern 3 between the outer member 1 and the inner member 2 .

[0045] The pattern 3 may have a three-dimensional shape. For example, by providing the pattern 3 in a concave shape on the surface of the outer member 1 facing the inner member 2, the pattern 3 viewed from the outer member 1 can have a convex three-dimensional effect.

[0046] (External and internal components)

[0047] From the viewpoint of the balance between the strength and the radio wave transmittance of the radio wave transmitting member, it is preferred that the outer member and the inner member are layers each containing a resin.

[0048] Examples of the resin that may be contained in the outer member and the inner member include thermosetting resins, thermoplastic resins, and synthetic rubbers.

[0049] Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl polymers, polyesters, polyamides, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resins (ABS resins), (meth)acrylic resins, acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-diene-styrene copolymer resins (AES resins), and thermoplastic elastomers.

[0050] Examples of the thermosetting resin include silicone resins, polyurethane resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, and urea resins.

[0051] Examples of the synthetic rubber include ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), silicone rubber, and polyurethane rubber.

[0052] Among the above resins, PC, PP, ABS resin, (meth)acrylic resin and AES resin are preferred, and PC, (meth)acrylic resin and AES resin are more preferred.

[0053] PC has high impact resistance, excellent heat resistance, and high transparency. In addition, PC is easy to process, relatively light and strong among resins. (Meth) acrylic resin has high transparency and excellent weather resistance. AES resin has high rigidity and excellent weather resistance.

[0054] When the outer member and the inner member each contain a resin, the outer member and the inner member may contain only the resin, or may contain the resin and a component other than the resin.

[0055] As components other than the resin, inorganic particles, a colorant, an antistatic agent, light diffusion particles described later, and the like are mentioned.

[0056] When the outer member and the inner member each independently contain a resin and a component other than the resin, the content of the resin contained in the outer member and the inner member is preferably greater than or equal to 60% by mass, more preferably greater than or equal to 70% by mass, further preferably greater than or equal to 80% by mass, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 90% by mass. The upper limit of the content of the resin is not particularly limited as long as it is less than 100% by mass.

[0057] At least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function.

[0058] Examples of a method for imparting a light diffusion function to at least one of the outer member and the inner member include a method of incorporating light diffusion particles and a method of forming irregularities on the surface.

[0059] The outer member or the inner member having a light diffusion function may have the light diffusion function entirely or partially.

[0060] Among the above methods, the method containing light diffusion particles is preferred from the viewpoint of productivity.

[0061] Examples of the light diffusion particles include resin particles such as acrylic resin particles, silicone resin particles, methyl methacrylate particles, styrene-methyl methacrylate particles, and methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene particles; and inorganic particles such as titanium oxide particles, silicon dioxide particles, zirconium oxide particles, zinc oxide particles, and aluminum oxide particles.

[0062] The light diffusion particles may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0063] When the outer member or the inner member contains light diffusion particles, the content of the light diffusion particles is not particularly limited. For example, the content of the light diffusion particles may be 3% to 20% by mass of the entire outer member or the inner member.

[0064] (Metal layer)

[0065] The metal layer capable of transmitting radio waves is arranged between the outer member and the inner member. The metal layer may be arranged on the inner member side surface of the outer member or on the outer member side surface of the inner member.

[0066] From the viewpoint of obtaining good metallic gloss, the metal layer is preferably disposed on the surface of the outer member that faces the inner member.

[0067] The metal layer may be able to transmit visible light. If the metal layer is able to transmit visible light, the region of the electron-transmitting member where the metal layer is arranged can emit light by the transmission of visible light.

[0068] As the metal layer capable of transmitting radio waves, a film containing metal particles can be mentioned. When the metal particles are in a state of containing metal particles, radio waves can transmit through gaps between the metal particles.

[0069] The metal layer may be a metal layer containing silver particles. The metal layer containing silver particles may be formed by, for example, a silver mirror reaction.

[0070] As a method for forming a metal layer by a silver mirror reaction, there is a method of bringing an aqueous ammoniacal silver nitrate solution into contact with an aqueous reducing agent solution on a substrate, thereby causing a redox reaction to precipitate silver particles, thereby forming a metal layer containing silver particles on the substrate.

[0071] In the case where a metal layer is provided on an outer member or an inner member by the above-mentioned method, the outer member or the inner member can also be used as a base material.

[0072] From the viewpoint of radio wave transmittance, the thickness of the metal layer is preferably 1000 nm or less, more preferably 500 nm or less, and further preferably 100 nm or less.

[0073] From the viewpoint of imparting sufficient metallic luster to the radio wave transmitting member, the thickness of the metal layer is preferably 10 nm or more.

[0074] When a metal layer is provided on the outer member or the inner member, a primer layer may be provided between the outer member or the inner member and the metal layer in order to improve the adhesion between the outer member or the inner member and the metal layer.

[0075] Alternatively, in order to protect the surface of the metal layer, a protective layer may be provided on the metal layer.

[0076] Examples of the primer layer or the protective layer include layers containing resins, and examples of the resins include fluororesins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, melamine resins, silicone resins, acrylic silicone resins, acrylic urethane resins, and the like.

[0077] The thickness of the primer layer or the protective layer is preferably 1 μm to 50 μm, respectively. When the thickness of the primer layer or the protective layer is 1 μm to 50 μm, attenuation of radio wave transmission caused by the primer layer or the protective layer can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0078] The thickness of the radio wave transmitting member is not particularly limited, and can be set according to the shape of the radio wave transmitting member, the wavelength of the radio wave that transmits the radio wave transmitting member, and the like.

[0079] For example, the maximum thickness of the electron transmissive member in the thickness direction may be 2.1 mm to 36.0 mm, 3.3 mm to 28.0 mm, or 4.5 mm to 22.0 mm.

[0080] In the present disclosure, the thickness of the radio wave transmitting member can be measured by a known method, for example, by observing the cut surface of the radio wave transmitting member, or by using a microtome or the like.

[0081] The type of radio waves transmitted through the radio wave transmitting member is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, millimeter waves. In the present disclosure, "millimeter waves" refer to radio waves with a frequency of 20 GHz to 300 GHz. The radio wave transmitting member of the present disclosure is particularly useful for reducing the transmission attenuation of millimeter waves.

[0082] <Automotive Parts>

[0083] The automobile component of the present disclosure is an automobile component including the above-mentioned radio wave transmitting member.

[0084] The type of automobile parts is not particularly limited, and may be any interior or exterior parts of an automobile.

[0085] Examples of automotive parts include Figure 3 The front part of the vehicle shown in the example, Figure 4 The parts from the side to the rear of the car as shown in the example and Figure 5 The components of the interior of the automobile are shown as examples.

[0086] Specific examples of automobile parts include: Figure 3 The emblem 102 , lights 104 , trim 106 , bumper 108 , and grille 110 are shown; Figure 4 Lights 202 , rear doors 204 , trim 206 , exterior mirrors 208 , exterior door handles 210 , and bumper 212 are shown; Figure 5 The interior lights 302 , the ceiling molding 304 , the interior rearview mirror 306 , the instrument panel molding 308 , the door trim 310 and the like are shown.

[0087] Automobile parts may also have sensing functions such as obstacle sensors, human body sensors, and vital sign sensors.

[0088] <Logo>

[0089] The sign disclosed in the present invention includes the above-mentioned radio wave transmitting member.

[0090] The sign of the present disclosure has a function of transmitting radio waves. Therefore, for example, even if the sign is installed in front of a car equipped with a radio wave transceiver, the radio wave transmission and reception function can be well maintained.

[0091] The logo of the present disclosure is mounted on the vehicle body in such a manner that the outer member of the radio wave transmitting member faces the outer side.

[0092] <Object Detection Structure>

[0093] The object detection structure disclosed in the present invention comprises: a radio wave transmitting component having an outer component, a metal layer capable of transmitting radio waves, and an inner component; a device for irradiating radio waves to the radio wave transmitting component from the rear of the radio wave transmitting component; and a light source for irradiating light to the radio wave transmitting component from the side of the radio wave transmitting component.

[0094] The object detection structure disclosed in the present invention includes a light source for irradiating light to the radio wave transmitting member. Therefore, a desired portion of the radio wave transmitting member can be made to emit light, and various expressions using light can be realized.

[0095] Furthermore, in the object detection structure of the present disclosure, the light source is provided at the side of the radio wave transmitting member. Therefore, the light source can be arranged without conflicting with the radio wave irradiation device provided at the rear of the radio wave transmitting member.

[0096] In the present disclosure, “the rear of the radio wave transmitting member” refers to a position corresponding to the rear of the inner member when the radio wave transmitting member is viewed from the outer member side.

[0097] In the present disclosure, “the side portion of the radio wave transmitting member” refers to a position corresponding to the outer side of the outline of the radio wave transmitting member when the radio wave transmitting member is viewed from the outer member side.

[0098] The type of light source used in the object detection structure of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but a light emitting diode (LED) is preferred from the viewpoints of safety and economy.

[0099] The color, blinking pattern, etc. of the light emitted from the light source are not particularly limited and can be selected according to the desired performance effect.

[0100] The position where the light source is arranged is not particularly limited as long as it is on the side of the radio wave transmitting member, and may be one position or two or more positions.

[0101] In the radio wave transmitting component used in the object detection structure disclosed in the present invention, at least one of the outer component and the inner component may have a light diffusion function (that is, it may be the above-mentioned radio wave transmitting component) or may not have a light diffusion function. From the perspective of making the radio wave transmitting component emit light efficiently, it is preferred that at least one of the outer component and the inner component has a light diffusion function.

[0102] Preferred embodiments of the respective members constituting the radio wave transmitting member are the same as the preferred embodiments of the respective members constituting the above-mentioned radio wave transmitting member.

[0103] The object detection structure disclosed in the present disclosure can be suitably used in, for example, an automatic collision avoidance system of an automobile (preferably an automatic collision avoidance system using millimeter waves).

Claims

1. A radio wave transmitting member comprising an outer member, an inner member and a metal layer, The metal layer is disposed between the outer member and the inner member and is capable of transmitting radio waves. At least one of the outer member and the inner member has a light diffusion function. 2 . The radio wave transmitting member according to claim 1 , wherein the outer member and the inner member each contain resin. 3 . The radio wave transmitting member according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer member and the inner member contains light diffusion particles. The radio wave transmitting member according to claim 1 , wherein the metal layer is capable of transmitting visible light. 5 . The radio wave transmitting member according to claim 1 , which is used to transmit radio waves having a frequency of 20 GHz to 300 GHz. 6 . An automobile component comprising the radio wave transmitting member according to claim 1 .

7. A marker comprising the radio wave transmitting member according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. An object detection structure, comprising: an electric wave transmitting component having an outer component, a metal layer capable of transmitting electric waves, and an inner component; a device for irradiating electric waves to the electric wave transmitting component from the rear of the electric wave transmitting component; and a light source for irradiating light to the electric wave transmitting component from the side of the electric wave transmitting component.

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