Radome for radar device of vehicle or for vehicle, radar device comprising such radome, cladding part having such radar device, and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radome for a radar device of a vehicle or for a vehicle, comprising: a cover member made of a radar transparent resin, a structural member made of a radar transparent resin, the cover member surrounding the structural member, the cover member and the structural member being fastened to each other in a fixing section; the fixed section is formed by a cover member or a structural member, the fixed section is protected by a protective layer, the protective layer is applied to the structural member and extends into or overlaps with the fixed section, or the fixed section is formed by the cover member or the housing, the fixed section is covered by the housing or the housing extends into or overlaps with the fixed section; the housing forms an opening for radar waves. The invention further relates to a radar device comprising such a radome, to a cladding part comprising such a radar device or such a radome, and to a vehicle equipped with such a radar device and / or such a cladding part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radome for or of a radar device. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a radar device including such a radome, a covering component including such a radar device or such a radome, and a vehicle equipped with such a radar device and / or such a covering component. Background Art

[0002] Radar devices for environmental monitoring are widely used in modern motor vehicles, especially in the process of increasing (partial) autonomous driving capabilities. Remote radar transceivers typically operate in the frequency range between 72 GHz and 96 GHz, while short-range radar transceivers operate in the frequency range around 24 GHz. Usually, radar transceivers can also operate at frequencies above 100 GHz, especially in the frequency range between 130 GHz and 150 GHz, in which better resolution of objects around the vehicle can be obtained compared to lower frequency ranges.

[0003] Such radar devices typically include radar transmitter and receiver elements arranged close to each other, which are usually integrated in the same unit. Such a unit can be a radar transceiver that is capable of emitting radar waves and receiving radar waves reflected by objects in a given vehicle environment. To protect the radar transceiver from the environment and weather, these radar transmitter and receiver elements are covered by appropriate radomes, which are designed as lid-shaped or dome-shaped covers. The radome can be integrated into a covering component of a given vehicle, for example, integrated into a larger external body panel, such as a front panel or a fender of the vehicle. Usually, the radome is visible from the outside because it protrudes from the corresponding covering component. However, the radome can also be integrated into a panel from which it does not protrude. In this case, the radome can be a seamless part of the panel and visually indistinguishable. To avoid damage to radar monitoring, the radome must be designed such that it has as little adverse interaction with the transmitted radar waves in the above frequency range as possible. Such interaction can lead to attenuation of the radiation intensity, which depends on the material and wall thickness of the radome and can be particularly pronounced in the case of a metal coating (such as a decorative element made of chromium). Furthermore, the attenuation increases as the number of surfaces at which the radar waves are incident when penetrating the radome increases. The relevant surfaces can be provided by any unit through which the radar waves must penetrate. In many cases, these surfaces are provided by layers or foils that are usually used to give the radome a specific appearance or specific properties. When referring to layers or foils hereinafter, they can also be regarded as units.

[0004] An antenna cover generally includes at least two layers, namely a cover member and at least one structural member, and the cover member is mounted on the structural member. The cover member is exposed to the environment, while the structural member is used as an optical waveguide, especially in an illuminated antenna cover, for guiding the light provided by a light source inside the antenna cover. In this case, the structural member is also referred to as an optical lens. In a complex design, the antenna cover is illuminated such that a brand logo stands out particularly at night. For example, the brand logo can be formed by a translucent area of the antenna cover, or the brand logo stands out as an opaque pattern against an illuminated background. However, the structural member can also be used as a structural element for strengthening the antenna cover. It can also be used to equalize the thickness of the cover layer to improve radar performance.

[0005] Furthermore, there is a housing through which the antenna cover can be fastened to a corresponding part of the vehicle, mainly to the chassis or a cladding part of a given vehicle, especially an external cladding part. The antenna cover can be arranged in almost any area of the vehicle, such as on the A-pillar or the bumper. However, in almost all cases, at least one antenna cover is arranged at the front end of the vehicle and mounted to the grille or the fascia.

[0006] Therefore, in a known antenna cover, radar waves must penetrate at least three units, namely the housing, the structural member, and the cover member. Each of these units imposes attenuation on the radar waves, thereby reducing the radar performance of the radar device. In particular, the resolution of objects around a given vehicle and the detection range of the radar device are reduced. As mentioned above, a radar device with sufficient radar performance is a key component for autonomous driving capabilities. Such an antenna cover is disclosed in DE 10 2018 009 270 A1 A2, WO2021 / 047772 A1, and EP 3 563 449 B1. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, a task of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an antenna cover with further improved radar performance. In addition, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a radar device including such an antenna cover and to provide a cladding part for a vehicle having such a radar device. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle equipped with such a radar device and / or such a cladding part.

[0008] This task is solved by the features specified in claims 1, 14, 15, and 16. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] According to an embodiment, an antenna cover for a vehicle or a radar device for a vehicle includes:

[0010] - a cover member made of a radar-transparent resin,

[0011] - a structural member made of a radar-transparent resin,

[0012] - The cover member surrounds the structural member,

[0013] - The cover member and the structural member are fastened to each other in a fixed section,

[0014] - The fixed section is formed by the cover member or the structural member,

[0015] o The fixed section is protected by a protective layer that is applied to the structural member and extends into or overlaps with the fixed section, or

[0016] - The fixed section is formed by the cover member or a housing,

[0017] o The fixed section is covered by the housing or the housing extends into or overlaps with the fixed section, and the housing forms an opening for radar waves.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the term "surround" should be understood to mean that it is not necessary for the structural member to be completely surrounded by the cover member. Partial surrounding of the structural member by the cover member may be sufficient. Other parts may also participate in surrounding the structural member. For this purpose, the cover member may define a cavity in which the structural member is at least partially arranged or protrudes into.

[0019] The core objective of the present invention is to reduce the number of units, especially the number of layers of the radome, through which the radar waves generated by the radar source have to travel. This objective is achieved by the fact that the radome has no housing or the housing forms an opening for radar waves. However, in both cases, the components of the radome are exposed to external influences, which may cause damage and thus lead to a reduction in radar performance. According to the present invention, the fixed section where the cover member and the structural member are fastened to each other is either protected by a protective layer or by a housing including an opening. For this purpose, the protective layer is applied to the structural member and extends into or overlaps with the fixed section. In the case where the protective layer overlaps with the fixed section, the protective layer indirectly protects the fixed section. An example may be that the structural member and the cover member are fastened to each other on the first surface of the structural member such that the fixed section is also located on the first surface, while the protective layer is arranged on the second surface of the structural member. In order to provide effective protection, the protective layer overlaps with the fixed section. In this case, the structural member assumes the function of the housing and can be used to fasten the radome to the covering part or other areas of a given vehicle.

[0020] The fixing mechanism that can fasten the cover member and the structural member to each other can provide a bonding connection using glue, paint, etc., a mechanical connection using screws, clips, latches, a frictional connection caused by an oversized dimension and resulting deformation of the cover member and / or the structural member, or an electromagnetic connection using magnets, electric charges, etc.

[0021] In the case of using a housing, the same fixing mechanism can also be applied. In this case, the structural member and the cover member may not be directly connected to each other, but are connected to each other by means of the housing.

[0022] Since there are fewer layers that the radar waves have to penetrate compared to known radomes, the performance of the radar device is improved. It should be noted that when radar waves penetrate a layer, two interactions occur because two medium changes take place. Each interaction can lead to attenuation of the radar waves.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the cover member is made of a light-transparent resin, the structural member is an optical lens made of a light-transparent resin, and the radome includes a light source for illuminating the radome. Illumination of the radome enables the vehicle manufacturer's logo or brand mark to be prominently displayed, especially at night, at dusk, or under low-light conditions. The recognition of the vehicle manufacturer is increased and the driver's individuality is emphasized. The illuminated radome also improves driving safety. The optical lens serves as a light guide for the light inside the radome. The optical lens is designed such that most of the light is directed towards the cover member, thus providing effective illumination.

[0024] In another embodiment, the protective layer is radar-transparent or radar-transparent and light-reflective. In yet another embodiment, the protective layer is applied to the structural member and is radar-transparent or radar-transparent and light-reflective. For these embodiments, a 2K (two-component) molding process can be applied. The fact that the protective layer is radar-transparent keeps the attenuation of the radar waves at a low level. Further, if the protective layer is light-reflective, the light leakage is also kept at a low level. The protective layer can be a white coating and / or metallization. Alternatively, the protective layer can be provided by a metallic-looking layer or foil, which achieves high specular / diffuse reflection.

[0025] A further embodiment is characterized in that the protective layer is light-opaque. The fact that the protective layer is reflective does not necessarily mean that it is opaque. While a specific part of the incident light may be reflected, another part may be able to penetrate the protective layer. However, in this embodiment, the protective layer is light-opaque, which means that almost all of the light incident on the protective layer can be reflected, provided that the protective layer is reflective. Therefore, there is no light loss, and the radome can be illuminated very efficiently.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the protective layer is a reflective foil. In this embodiment, it is convenient to apply the protective layer in the form of a foil to the structural member, so that the manufacture of the radome is also simple. In addition, the reflective foil homogenizes the light incident thereon, which results in more uniform illumination of the radome. The reflective foil can be translucent. The reflective function of the reflective protective layer and especially of the reflective foil can be provided by white paint, white PC / PMMA (polycarbonate / polymethyl methacrylate), white lacquer, white wicking or padding printing, white screen printing and / or metallization and / or the use of red pigments. The red pigment is particularly useful when a brand logo is to be arranged at the rear of the vehicle.

[0027] The reflective foil can be mirror-like, diffusive or a combination thereof. The reflective surface can extend over the entire area or only over some parts of a surface of any shape. However, it should be noted that the reflective foil is not necessarily diffusive in all cases. A foil with a combined reflectivity and diffusivity can be provided using a foil and white PC (polycarbonate).

[0028] Alternatively, the protective layer can be partially translucent on the first surface of the structural member. The first surface is the surface facing the cover member.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the optical lens can include a diffusive material for further optimizing the light performance. If optical optimization is required, the diffusive material can be included in other sections of the structural element.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the light source is fastened to

[0031] - the cover member, or

[0032] - the structural member, or

[0033] - the housing.

[0034] Regarding the arrangement of the light source, the radome offers a high degree of flexibility, providing a great degree of design freedom.

[0035] In another embodiment, the cover member includes an outer surface and an inner surface, and a decorative layer is applied to the inner surface and / or the outer surface. Through the decorative layer, any desired shape, especially the brand logo of the vehicle manufacturer, can be produced on the cover layer, which can be illuminated by the light source. The shape can be changed quite easily. Depending on the desired design, the decorative layer can be multi-layered, for example layers of metallization (such as indium), colored paint / lacquer, white paint, printing, etc. The decorative layer can also be applied to the outer surface. The decorative layer and the protective layer applied to the cover lens can be separate, with one placed on the outer surface and the other on the inner surface.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the decorative layer and the protective layer have the same composition. Since the same materials and / or shapes can be used for the decorative layer and the protective layer, the manufacturing process of the radome is facilitated. However, usually the decorative layer is metallized or white and is optimized for light reflection, while this is not usually the case for the protective layer.

[0037] In another embodiment, a radar transparent paint is applied to the outer surface. Depending on the desired appearance of the final radome, the cover lens can additionally be metallized, coated or treated with other materials, which provide the desired pigments. The outer surface of such a radome is usually treated with a hard coat paint or a polyurethane coating (PUR), by means of which the radome can be protected from external influences such as stone impacts. The use of a polyurethane coating is particularly suitable when using injection molding.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, a gap is formed between the cover member and the structural member. This gap is usually filled with air, but can also be filled with resin. If the gap is filled with air, a change in the medium occurs, which is important for the optical function, since it maintains the conditions for total internal reflection in the structural member when implemented as an optical lens. If the gap is filled with resin, its refractive index should be lower than that of the optical lens.

[0039] In another embodiment, the radome includes a heating unit for heating the radome. The radar performance can deteriorate due to icing, especially on the outer surface of the cover member. The heating unit can be used to remove the ice. The heating unit can be arranged on the outer surface of the cover member, where it very effectively removes ice or condensed water. However, the heating unit can also be fastened to the housing so that the entire radome can be heated evenly. However, it should be noted that the heating unit can also be arranged on any surface of the radome, especially between the cover member and the housing. In addition, the heating unit can also be molded into the structural member.

[0040] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a radar device for a vehicle or for use in a vehicle, which includes a radome according to one of the foregoing embodiments and a radar source for providing radar waves.

[0041] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a cladding component, which includes a radome according to one of the foregoing embodiments and / or a radar device according to the foregoing embodiments.

[0042] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle, which includes a radome according to one of the foregoing embodiments and / or a radar device according to the foregoing embodiments and / or a cladding component as described above.

[0043] The technical effects and advantages discussed with respect to this radome also apply to a large extent to radar devices, covering components, and vehicles. In short, the radar performance is improved because the number of units that the radar waves have to penetrate, in particular the number of layers, is reduced. Consequently, the detection range and resolution provided by the radar device are improved, in particular. Description of the Drawings

[0044] The present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where

[0045] Figure 1 a first embodiment of a radar device according to the present invention is shown,

[0046] Figure 2 a second embodiment of a radar device according to the present invention is shown,

[0047] Figure 3 a third embodiment of a radar device according to the present invention is shown, and

[0048] Figure 4 a vehicle equipped with a radar device according to one of the illustrated embodiments is shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0049] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a radar device 101 according to the present invention is shown, which can be used in a vehicle 12 (see Figure 4 ). The radar device 101 includes a radome 14 and a radar source 16 for generating radar waves λr. The radome 14 is arranged at or near the front end of the vehicle 12, while the radar source 16 is placed towards the center of the vehicle 12 (see Figure 4 ). The radar device 101 defines a longitudinal axis AL.

[0050] The radome 14 has a cover member 18 and a structural member 20, which is implemented as an optical lens 25. For this purpose, the optical lens 25 is made of a light-transparent resin. The same applies to the cover member 18. The cover member 18 has an outer surface 19 and an inner surface 21. The cover member 18 and the optical lens 25 are preferably made of a radar-transparent resin. In other words, light rays λl and radar waves λr can penetrate the cover member 18 and the optical lens 25.

[0051] The optical lens 25 forms a first surface 22 and a second surface 24. The first surface 22 faces the cover member 18, while the second surface 24 faces the radar source 16. The cover member 18 and the optical lens 25 are fastened to each other in the fixing section 26 by a fixing mechanism 28. The fixing section 26 is provided on the first surface 22 of the optical lens 25. In the first embodiment, an adhesive 30 is used as the fixing mechanism 28, thereby creating a material bond. However, other fixing mechanisms 28 such as screws, clips, latches, magnets, welding, etc. (not shown) can be used. In this case, additional parts such as sealing elements and gaskets can be provided, particularly in the fixing section 26. The fixing section 26 is formed by the optical lens 25, which includes a radially outer edge 32 into which the cover member 18 can be inserted. The edge 32 positions the cover member 18 relative to the optical lens 25. In the connected state, the cover member 18 almost entirely surrounds the optical lens 25.

[0052] A protective layer 34 is applied to the second surface 24 of the optical lens 25 and thus also faces the radar source 16. The protective layer 34 is radar-transparent and light-reflective and opaque. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective layer 34 can be a white coating.

[0053] The protective layer 34 can cover the entire second surface 24 and thus extend to the edge 32 of the optical lens 25. However, it can also be partially covered. In the radial direction, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AL, the protective layer 34 overlaps the fixing section 26. The radome 14 and particularly the optical lens 25 are protected by the cover member 18 against impacts from the front and the sides, while the protective layer 34 protects the optical lens 25 against impacts from the back.

[0054] A gap 36 is formed between the optical lens 25 and the cover member 18. In addition, a decorative layer 38 is applied to the inner surface 21 of the cover member 18. Alternatively or additionally, the decorative layer 38 can also be applied to the outer surface 19. The decorative layer 38 is provided with a cutout 40 in a specific shape, i.e., the brand logo of the manufacturer of the vehicle 12. In addition, a light source 42 is fastened to the optical lens 25, whereby light λl can be generated.

[0055] In Figure 1In it, the traveling paths of the radar wave λr and the light ray λl are indicated. The radar wave λr generated by the radar source 16 leaves the radar source within a conical volume and penetrates the optical lens 25 and the cover member 18. Therefore, the radar wave λr only needs to penetrate these two units. The light ray λl leaving the light source 42 first enters the optical lens 25 and is reflected by the protective layer 34. As previously described, a gap 36 is formed between the optical lens 25 and the cover member 18. Therefore, the first surface 22 of the optical lens 25 bounds the gap 36. Thus, the light ray λl reaching the first surface 22 from inside the optical lens 25 is largely totally reflected, thus remaining inside the optical lens 25, which thus serves as an optical waveguide. The light ray λl travels through the cutout 40 and penetrates the cover member 18, such that the radome 14 is illuminated according to the shape of the decorative layer 38. The optical lens 25 may be provided with coupling-out sections 58 (see Figure 3 ), through which the light ray λl can be coupled out of the optical lens 25. The coupling-out sections 58 may be located near or aligned with the cutout 40 to increase the portion of the light ray λl coupled out in the region of the cutout 40.

[0056] As shown, the protective layer 34 has a planar shape with a constant thickness over the entire back surface of the structural member 20, or its thickness may be increased in the coupling-out sections 58 to improve the light efficiency and uniformity (see Figure 3 ).

[0057] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the radar device 102 according to the present invention is shown. The basic layout of the radar device 102 according to the second embodiment is largely similar to the layout of the radar device 101 according to the first embodiment, and thus only the main differences will be described below. The cover member 18 and the optical lens 25 are fastened to each other in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the radar device 101. One of the main differences is that the radome 14 includes a housing 44 fastened to the optical lens 25. The fixing mechanism 28 for fastening the cover member 18 to the optical lens 25 can also be used to fasten the housing 44 to the optical lens 25. The housing 44 forms an opening 46 through which the radar wave λr can travel. The protective layer 34 is interrupted by the housing 44. As described for the first embodiment of the radar device 101, the protective layer 34 extends to the edge 32 of the optical lens 25. In the radial direction, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AL, the protective layer 34 overlaps the fixing section 26. The light source 42 is arranged on the inner surface 21 of the cover member 18.

[0058] In a second embodiment of the radar device 102, the first surface 22 of the optical lens 25 is partially covered by a protective layer 34. The protective layer 34 is provided as a diffusing foil 48 that is light-transmissive and homogenizes the incident light rays λl thereon. Accordingly, the protective layer 34 is disposed at the center of the radome 14. The cutout 40 of the decorative layer 38 of the cover member 18 is also disposed at the center of the radome 14. The light rays λl exiting the optical lens 25 through the diffusing foil 48 can pass almost directly through the cutout 40, thereby providing efficient and uniform illumination of the radome 14 according to the shape of the cutout 40.

[0059] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the radar device 103 according to the present invention is shown. Again, only the main differences with respect to the first embodiment of the radar device 101 will be described below. In the third embodiment, the cover member 18 and the optical lens 25 are not directly connected to each other. Instead, they are indirectly connected to each other through a housing 44. Accordingly, a fixing section 26 is formed by the housing 44, in which the housing 44 is connected to the cover member 18 by the fixing mechanism 28 as described above. Radially inside the fixing section 26, the housing 44 is fastened to the optical lens 25. In this case, the same fixing mechanism 28 can also be used to fasten the optical lens 25 to the housing 44.

[0060] Since the fixing section 26 is formed by the housing 44, the protective layer 34 does not need to extend radially outward. Instead, only the free second surface 24 is covered by the protective layer 34. In this case, not only the protective layer 34 but also the housing 44 protects the optical lens 25 and the cover member 18 from impacts from the back side.

[0061] In this case, the housing 44 also forms an opening 46 such that the radar wave λr only needs to penetrate the optical lens 25 and the cover member 18.

[0062] The housing 44 of the third embodiment of the radar device 103 is provided with connection sections 47 through which the housing 44 and thus the entire radome 14 can be fastened to the vehicle 12 or a covering member 54 of the vehicle 12.

[0063] In the third embodiment of the radar device 103, the first surface 22 of the optical lens 25 is partially covered by a protective layer 34. In this case, the reason for applying the protective layer 34 to the first layer is not a protective function but opacity. As described above, the decorative layer 38 applied to the inner surface 21 of the cover member 18 has some cutouts 40 that define a specific shape. As Figure 3 shown, the cutout 40 is located at the center of the radome 14, while the protective layer 34 is applied at a radially outer region of the optical lens 25. Accordingly, the light rays λl can mainly exit the optical lens 25 in the center of the radome 14 where the cutout 40 is disposed. Thereby, light leakage and light loss can be minimized.

[0064] In this embodiment, the structural member 20 is provided with an extraction section 58. Further, when viewed along the longitudinal axis AL, the thickness of the protective layer 34 increases in the region of the extraction section in order to improve the light efficiency and uniformity. In addition, the extraction section 58 includes a diffusive material 60 which further optimizes the light properties. If required for optical optimization, such an element can also be included in other sections of the structural member 20. However, it should be noted that

[0065] a) the optical lens 25 can also be without a diffusive material,

[0066] b) the reflective foil 48 is diffusive, or

[0067] c) the structural member 20 and in particular the optical lens 25 is completely diffusive, or

[0068] d) the optical lens 25 is transparent and only in the extraction section 58 does the optical lens 25 include the diffusive material 60 and is thus partially diffusive as shown Figure 3 as shown.

[0069] The light source 42 of the third embodiment of the radar device 103 is arranged on the optical lens 25. Further, a heating unit 50 is provided on the outer surface 19 of the cover member 18. The heating unit 50 is used to remove ice that may form at low temperatures. In addition, the condensed water that may form inside the radome 14 can be evaporated by the heating unit 50 and thus removed.

[0070] Furthermore, a radar-transparent paint 52 is applied to the outer surface 19 of the cover member 18 or to the heating unit 50. The radar-transparent paint 52 is also transparent to light such that the light rays λl can leave the radome 14. The paint 52 can be a hard coating which protects the cover member 18 against impacts from around the radome 14.

[0071] Figure 4 is a schematic principle view of the front part of a vehicle 12 equipped with a radar device 101, 102, 103 according to one of the foregoing embodiments. The radome 14 is fastened to the cladding part 54 of the vehicle 12, in this case to its front grille 56. Thus, the radome 14 is arranged at or near the front end of the vehicle 12, while the radome 14 is placed towards the center of the vehicle 12. List of reference signs

[0072] 101, 102, 103 Radar devices

[0073] 12 Vehicle

[0074] 14 Radome

[0075] 16 Radar source

[0076] 18 Cover member

[0077] 19 Outer surface

[0078] 20 Structural member

[0079] 21 Inner surface

[0080] 22 First surface

[0081] 24 Second surface

[0082] 25 Optical lens

[0083] 26 Fixed section

[0084] 28 Fixing mechanism

[0085] 30 Adhesive

[0086] 32 Edge

[0087] 34 Protective layer

[0088] 36 Gap

[0089] 38 Decorative layer

[0090] 40 Notch

[0091] 42 Light source

[0092] 44 Housing

[0093] 46 Opening

[0094] 47 Connecting section

[0095] 48 Reflective foil

[0096] 50 Heating unit

[0097] 52 Paint

[0098] 54 Cladding component

[0099] 56 Front grille

[0100] 58 Coupling-out section

[0101] 60 Diffusion material

[0102] λl Light ray

[0103] λr Radar wave

[0104] AL Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A radome (14) for a radar device (101, 102, 103) of a vehicle (12) or for a vehicle (12), comprising: - a cover member (18) made of a radar transparent resin, - a structural member (20) made of a radar transparent resin, - the cover member (18) surrounds the structural member (20), - the cover component (18) and the structural component (20) are fastened to each other in the fixing section (26), - the fixing section (26) is formed by the cover member (18) or the structural member (20), o the fixing section (26) is protected by a protective layer (34) which is applied to the structural component (20) and extends into or overlaps the fixing section (26), or - the fixing section (26) is formed by the cover member (18) or the housing (44), o The fastening section (26) is covered by the housing (44) or the housing (44) extends into the fastening section (26) or overlaps the fastening section (26), the housing (44) forming an opening (46) for the radar waves (λr).

2. The radome (14) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that - the cover member (18) is made of a light-transparent resin, - the structural member (20) is an optical lens (25) made of a light-transparent resin, and The radome (14) comprises a light source (42) for illuminating the radome (14).

3. The radome (14) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that Protective layer (34) - is radar transparent, or - is radar transparent and light reflective, or Characterized in that the protective layer (34) - applied to the structural member (20), and o is radar transparent, or o is radar transparent and light reflective.

4. The radome (14) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The protective layer (34) is opaque to light.

5. The radome (14) according to claim 3 or 4, It is characterized in that The protective layer (34) is reflective and comprises white PC / PMMA, white lacquer, white cotton strip or pad print, white screen print and / or metallization and / or red pigment.

6. The radome (14) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, It is characterized in that The protective layer (34) is a reflective foil (48).

7. The radome (14) according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The optical lens (25) includes a diffusing material (60) that optimizes light performance.

8. The radome (14) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, It is characterized in that Light Source (42) - fastened to the cover member (18), or - fastened to a structural member (20), or - Fastened to the housing (44).

9. The radome (14) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - the cover member (18) comprises an outer surface (19) and an inner surface (21), and A decorative layer (38) is applied to the inner surface (21) and / or the outer surface (19).

10. The radome (14) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The decorative layer (38) and the protective layer (34) have the same composition.

11. The radome (14) according to claim 9 or 10, It is characterized in that A radar clear lacquer (52) is applied to the outer surface (19).

12. The radome (14) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A gap (36) is formed between the cover member (18) and the structural member (20).

13. The radome (14) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The radome (14) comprises a heating unit (50) for heating the radome (14).

14. A radar device (101, 102, 103) of or for a vehicle (12), comprising: - a radome (14) according to one of the preceding claims, and - A radar source (16) for providing a radar wave (λr).

15. A covering component (54) of or for a vehicle (12), comprising: - a radome (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and / or - The radar device (101, 102, 103) according to claim 14.

16. Vehicles (12), including: - a radome (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and / or - a radar device (101, 102, 103) according to claim 14, and / or - A covering element (54) according to claim 15.

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