Antenna, vehicle with the antenna and method for controlling the antenna

Abstract

Antenna (122), comprising: an opening (124) through which a radio wave is emitted in an orientation direction, and a conductor (123) inserted into the opening (124) and dividing an inner region of the opening (124), wherein a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input through the opening (124) and a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other, and that a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input through the opening (124) is lower than a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an antenna and a vehicle having the antenna. BACKGROUND

[0002] A radar device is a device that transmits a radar signal through an antenna, receives a signal reflected by an object in a corresponding area, and thereby detects the presence or absence of the object, a distance between the radar device and the object, a direction, an altitude, and / or other variables.

[0003] Such a radar device is used in a wide variety of fields where object detection is required. Particularly in the automotive sector, the radar device can be mounted on a vehicle and operated in conjunction with a variety of vehicle control systems that utilize the object detection results. For this reason, studies are being conducted to miniaturize the radar device installed in a vehicle. Radar devices are known, for example, from KR 10 2006 0 096 880 A and US 2015 / 0 309 165 A1. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides an antenna according to claim 1, a vehicle according to claim 5 having the antenna, and a method according to claim 10 for manufacturing the antenna.

[0005] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an antenna includes an opening through which a radio wave is radiated in an orientation direction, and a conductor inserted into the opening and dividing an inner region of the opening.

[0007] The conductor can be designed in the form of a polygon and divide an aperture through which the radio wave is emitted in the opening.

[0008] Furthermore, the conductor may be formed in such a manner that a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening and a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other.

[0009] In addition, the conductor is formed in such a manner that a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening is lower than a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated.

[0010] In addition, the conductor is designed in the form of a straight line or a cross when viewed inside the antenna with respect to the opening.

[0011] The type of conductor can also be determined based on a wavelength of the emitted radio wave.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes a radar device that detects the presence of an object around the vehicle using an antenna in which a partition wall structure is formed by means of a polygonal conductor inserted into the antenna, and a control device that provides a detection result using the radar device by controlling a device inside the vehicle.

[0013] Here, the antenna in which the polygonal conductor is inserted into the antenna to divide an aperture through which a radio wave is radiated in the opening may be provided.

[0014] Furthermore, the conductor is formed in such a manner that a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening and a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other, and the formed conductor can be inserted into the antenna.

[0015] In addition, the conductor is formed in such a manner that a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening is lower than a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated, and the formed conductor can be inserted into the antenna.

[0016] Also, the antenna may be formed in the shape of a straight line or a cross when viewed inside the antenna with respect to the opening.

[0017] Also, the type of conductor can be determined based on a wavelength of the radio wave radiated by the antenna, and the specific conductor can be inserted into the antenna.

[0018] The control device can also display the detection result of the radar device by means of at least one display or a cluster, or output the detection result of the radar device by means of a loudspeaker.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an antenna comprises calculating a gain of the antenna predicted according to a length and a height of the antenna, determining a shape and a size of a conductor by comparing the calculated gain of the antenna and a gain of the antenna predicted when a conductor is used to divide an aperture of an opening of the antenna, and manufacturing the antenna by inserting a conductor created based on the determined shape and size of the conductor into the antenna.

[0020] Here, the determining comprises determining the size of the conductor in such a manner that a height of a plane in a direction in which a radio wave is input into the opening and a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other.

[0021] Furthermore, the determining comprises determining the size of the conductor in such a manner that a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening is less than a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated.

[0022] Furthermore, determining may comprise determining the shape of the conductor in the form of a straight line or a cross when viewed inside the antenna with respect to the opening.

[0023] Also, the manufacturing may include inserting the conductor such that it is parallel to at least one E-plane parallel to a direction of an electric field vector or an H-plane parallel to a direction of a magnetic field vector.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a vehicle comprises detecting an object present around the vehicle by means of a radar device having an antenna in which a partition wall structure is formed by a polygonal conductor inserted into the antenna, and providing a detection result by the radar device by controlling a device inside the vehicle.

[0025] Here, the providing may comprise displaying the detection result by the radar device by means of at least one display or a cluster, or outputting the detection result by the radar device by means of a loudspeaker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] These and / or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more easily understood from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view showing an external configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 shows an internal configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a control block diagram showing a radar device provided in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show a shape of an antenna viewed from a variety of angles and sections according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are views showing a principle in which a gain of an antenna is improved by inserting a conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6A to 6C show a phase front in an aperture according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7A to 7C(b) are views showing a gain of an antenna depending on a length of the antenna and whether a conductor is inserted into the antenna, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 8A to 9 are views explaining a method of manufacturing an antenna according to various embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B are views showing a horn antenna into which a conductor is inserted in a horizontal direction with an E-plane, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 11A to 11C are views showing a horn antenna in which a conductor is inserted in a horizontal direction with an H-plane and a method of manufacturing the horn antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 12 shows a pyramidal horn antenna in which a conductor is inserted in a horizontal direction having an E-plane and an H-plane, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 13a-13c show a circular horn antenna into which a conductor is inserted, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing operations of a vehicle that monitors its surroundings through an antenna having a partition structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a view showing an external configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 shows an internal configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a control block diagram of a radar device provided in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show a shape of an antenna viewed from a variety of angles and sections, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are views showing a principle in which the gain of an antenna is improved by inserting a conductor, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6A to 6C show a phase front in an aperture according to an embodiment of the present invention and the Fig. 7A to 7C(b) are views illustrating a gain of an antenna depending on a length of the antenna and whether a conductor is inserted into the antenna, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, like reference numerals are used for like elements.

[0029] Referring to Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 may include a vehicle body 80 that forms an appearance of the vehicle 1 and vehicle wheels 93 and 94 that move the vehicle 1. The vehicle body 80 includes a hood 81, a front fender 82, a door 84, a trunk lid 85, a quarter panel 86, and the like.

[0030] In addition, a front window 87 is provided at a front side of the vehicle body 80 and provides a field of view in front of the vehicle 1, a side window 88 provides a field of view toward a side of the vehicle 1, side mirrors 91 and 92 provided at the door 84 provide a field of view behind the vehicle 1 and a field of view toward the side of the vehicle 1, and a rear window 90 is provided at a rear side of the vehicle body 80 and provides a field of view behind the vehicle 1 and may be provided on or outside the vehicle body 80. The following describes the internal configuration of the vehicle 1 in detail.

[0031] An air conditioner may be provided in the vehicle 1. The air conditioner, described below, refers to a device that automatically controls an air-conditioned environment, including the interior / exterior environmental conditions of the vehicle 1, air intake / exhaust, circulation, heating / cooling conditions, and the like, or may control the air-conditioned environment in response to a user's control command. For example, the air conditioner may be provided in the vehicle 1 to perform both a heating function and a cooling function, and to control a temperature inside the vehicle 1 by discharging heated or cooled air through a fan 153.

[0032] Meanwhile, an audio-video navigation (AVN) terminal 100 may be provided inside the vehicle 1. The AVN terminal 100 refers to a terminal capable of simultaneously providing audio and video functions, as well as a navigation function that provides a driver with a route to a destination. Here, the AVN terminal 100 may be referred to as a navigation terminal or by other commonly known terminologies used by those skilled in the art.

[0033] The AVN terminal 100 can selectively display one or more screens of an audio screen, a video screen, or a navigation screen through a display 101, and can also display a plurality of control screens related to control of the vehicle 1 or a screen related to additional functions that can be executed in the AVN terminal 100.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the AVN terminal 100 can display a variety of control screens related to air conditioning control using the display 101 in conjunction with the air conditioning system described above. Furthermore, the AVN terminal 100 can adjust the air-conditioned environment inside the vehicle by controlling an operating state of the air conditioning system. Furthermore, the AVN terminal 100 can display a map with a route to a destination thereon using the display 101.

[0035] Meanwhile, the display 101 may be arranged on an instrument panel 11, which is a central portion of an instrument panel 10. According to one embodiment, the display 101 may be configured as, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or the like.

[0036] A speaker 143 capable of outputting sounds may be provided within the vehicle 1. Accordingly, the vehicle 1 may output sounds necessary for the audio function, the video function, the navigation function, and other auxiliary functions via the speaker 143. For example, the vehicle 1 may provide the route to the destination to the driver using the speaker 143.

[0037] A navigation input unit 102 may be arranged in the instrument panel 11, which may be a central portion of the dashboard 10. The driver can input a variety of control commands by manipulating the navigation input unit 102, and input a destination, etc.

[0038] Furthermore, the navigation input unit 102 may be provided with a keyboard provided near the display 101, or if the display 101 is designed as a touch screen, the display 101 may also perform the function of the navigation input unit 102.

[0039] Furthermore, a center input unit 43 in the form of a joystick or a keyboard may be provided in a center console 40. The center console 40 is positioned between a driver's seat 21 and a passenger seat 22 and includes a gearshift lever 41 and a storage compartment 42 formed in the center console. The center input unit 43 may perform all or some of the functions of the navigation input unit 102.

[0040] Meanwhile, a voice input unit 190 may be provided within the vehicle 1. The voice input unit 190 may receive a voice command from a user. For example, the voice input unit 190 may be configured as a microphone. The voice input unit 190 may receive a voice command from the driver via a microphone and convert the received voice command into an electrical signal.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the speech input unit 190 may be mounted in a head liner 13, as shown in Fig. 2, however, the location of the voice input unit 190 is not limited thereto. For example, the voice input unit 190 may be attached to the dashboard 10 or to the steering wheel 12. Furthermore, any location is possible for the voice input unit 190 as long as it can suitably receive a driver's voice.

[0042] Furthermore, a cluster 144 may be provided within the vehicle. The cluster 144 may also be referred to as a dashboard, but will be referred to as cluster 144 for convenience. A traveling speed of the vehicle, an engine rotational speed per minute (RPM), a fuel quantity, and the like can be displayed on the cluster 144. In addition, with the connection of the AVN terminal 100, a route can be displayed. Further, environmental information such as speed limit information and the like can also be displayed on the cluster 144. In addition, detection results obtained by detecting the surroundings of the vehicle can be displayed on the cluster 144; this will be described in detail later.

[0043] In addition, with reference to Fig. 3 the vehicle 1 may further comprise an input unit 110, a radar device 120 and a controller 130 in addition to the components described above.

[0044] The input unit 110 can be implemented by the above-described navigation input unit 102, the voice input unit 190, and / or the center input unit. If the display 101 is configured as a touchscreen, the display 101 can perform the function of the input unit 110.

[0045] The input unit 110 can receive a variety of control commands from the driver or passengers (hereinafter, all passengers are referred to as users). For example, the input unit 110 can receive additional execution commands from various modules integrated into the AVN terminal 100, in addition to a variety of execution commands from devices provided inside the vehicle 1, such as a detection command for the surroundings of the vehicle 1 using the radar device 120.

[0046] Furthermore, the radar device 120 may include a radar control device 121 and an antenna 122. The radar control device 120 may be provided in a front surface of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 1, but the location of the radar device 120 is not limited thereto.

[0047] The radar controller 121 can control the overall operation of the radar device 120. In response to a control signal from the controller 130, the radar controller 121 can control the transmission / reception of a radar signal via the antenna 122. Hereinafter, for simplicity, the radar signal is referred to as a radio wave.

[0048] The radar control device 121 may include a processing device or the like capable of performing a variety of operations and control processes involving processors incorporated in the radar device 120, and may include a variety of known processing devices.

[0049] Furthermore, the radar control device 121 may integrate a transceiver for transmitting / receiving a radio wave, a signal processor that performs a signal process of the radio wave, and the like. For example, the transceiver may include a variety of elements necessary for transmitting / receiving a radio wave, such as an oscillator, an amplifier, a filter, an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter, etc. That is, the radar control device 121 may be configured by a variety of devices that support the transmission / reception of a radio wave and the conversion between a radio wave and a digital signal, in addition to the processors described above.

[0050] The radar controller 121 can transmit radio waves of various frequencies using the antenna 122. Generally, the radar controller 121 used in vehicles uses the tens of GHz range. For example, the radar controller 121 can transmit radio waves of 24 GHz, 76 to 79 GHz, or 94 GHz, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0051] Furthermore, the antenna 122 is capable of transmitting a radio wave and receiving a radio wave reflected by an object. Here, the object includes all different types of objects capable of reflecting a radio wave. According to one embodiment, the object includes all different objects that may be present on the road or on a roadside, such as traffic signs, notices, and the like, that may be present around the vehicle 1, as well as people, animals, and plants.

[0052] The antenna 122 can be formed in various shapes. Here, the antenna 122 includes various types of antennas, such as a horn antenna formed in a trumpet shape, a horn antenna whose side surface is formed in a conical shape such as a pyramid, a circular horn antenna, and the like. Hereinafter, a horn antenna will be described as an example of the types of the antenna 122, but the antenna 122 according to an embodiment is not limited to only the horn antenna.

[0053] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4A, a trumpet-shaped opening may be provided in the antenna 122 and radiate a radio wave received by a waveguide into an external space. In this case, a plane through which the radio wave is radiated is referred to as an aperture 124.

[0054] A conductor 123 can be inserted into an opening so that the aperture 124 of the antenna 122 is divided into two regions, as shown in the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shown.

[0055] Accordingly, a partition structure may refer to a structure in which a specific area is divided by a partition. That is, the interior of the antenna 122 has the partition structure through the conductor 123 described above. In other words, the conductor 123 corresponds to a partition that divides the interior of the antenna 122. Accordingly, the radio wave can be radiated through the partitioned aperture 124.

[0056] Referring to the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the conductor 123 can be attached to a side surface of the opening. The conductor 123 can be attached using a variety of known materials, and can also be designed and manufactured in the first design in such a way that it is attached to a surface of the opening.

[0057] Furthermore, the conductor 123 may be made of the same or similar material as that of the antenna 122. The material forming the antenna 122 and the conductor 123 may be made of a variety of previously known materials.

[0058] Furthermore, the conductor 123 may be formed in a triangular shape when viewed from a side, as shown in Fig. 4B, alternatively, it may be formed from a variety of polygonal shapes. A description of specific embodiments of this type will be provided later.

[0059] An inclined plane of the conductor 123 and an inclined plane of the antenna 122 may be formed at the same angle, but may also be formed at different angles, as shown in Fig. 4B shown.

[0060] The antenna 122 according to the disclosed embodiment can reduce a phase difference between radiated radio waves by using the conductor 123 inserted into the aperture. Accordingly, the antenna 122 can increase a gain in an orientation direction. In other words, the antenna 122 according to the embodiment has a partition wall structure formed by the conductor 123, and this can make it possible to increase the gain of the radio wave radiated to the aperture.

[0061] The gain of the antenna 122 refers to the range of a radio wave radiated in the orientation direction, that is, the target direction. Accordingly, if the gain of the antenna 122 is increased even though the same power is used, a detectable range in a specific direction can be increased.

[0062] In this case, the gain of the antenna 122 can be determined depending on a phase difference between radio waves in the aperture 124 and an area of ​​the aperture 124. For example, the gain of the antenna can be increased along with an increase in the area of ​​the aperture 124, that is, by increasing the area of ​​the plane through which the radio waves are radiated. In addition, the gain of the antenna 122 can be increased with a decrease in the phase difference between the radio waves in the aperture 124. Generally, as a length of the antenna 122 is increased, a path difference between a radio wave propagating from a phase center to a center of the aperture 124 and a radio wave propagating from the phase center to an edge of the aperture 124 is reduced, and therefore the phase difference between the radio waves in the aperture 124 is also reduced.

[0063] That is, the gain of the antenna 122 can be increased along with an increase in the length of the antenna 122. However, this increases the size of the antenna 122 along with an increase in the area of ​​the aperture 124 and an increase in the length of the antenna 122, so that it may not be suitable for incorporation into a device. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost increases. Thus, as in the antenna 122 according to the disclosed embodiment, the conductor 123 can be provided in a region where a radio wave is radiated, that is, in the aperture, so that it is possible to increase the gain of the antenna 122 by reducing the phase difference between the radio waves in the aperture 124, even though the length of the antenna is not increased. The following describes in detail a reason why the gain of the antenna 122 is increased by the conductor 123.

[0064] Fig. Figure 5A shows a cross-section of an antenna in which no conductor is inserted. Referring to Fig. 5A, x denotes a path of a radio wave radiated toward a central region of the aperture with respect to a phase center O, and y denotes a path of a radio wave radiated toward an edge of the aperture. That is, x corresponds to the shortest path among the radiation paths of the radio waves, and y corresponds to the longest path among the radiation paths of the radio waves. Thus, the maximum phase difference between the radio waves is yx.

[0065] Furthermore, Fig. 5B shows a cross-section of a partition structure of an antenna. Here, the path of the radio wave radiated to the edge, with respect to the phase center y, is the same as in Fig. 5A. However, the conductor is inserted into the aperture, so the shortest radiation path of the radio wave is x'. Accordingly, the maximum phase error of the antenna according to the disclosed embodiment becomes smaller. Thus, the antenna according to the disclosed embodiment can provide higher gain by reducing the phase difference between the radio waves in the aperture, even with the same antenna length.

[0066] Fig. Figure 6A shows a phase front of a radio wave emitted from an antenna with a short length, Fig. Figure 6B shows a phase front of a radio wave emitted from an antenna with a long length, and Fig. Figure 6C shows a phase front of a radio wave transmitted from an antenna with a partition structure.

[0067] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 6A, when a length of an antenna 125 is short, the phase difference between the radio waves in the aperture 124 increases because an area in which a radio wave can be radiated increases rapidly. Conversely, as shown in Fig. 6B, when the length of an antenna 126 is long, it can be confirmed that the phase difference between the radio waves in the aperture 124 becomes smaller than in the antenna 125 of Fig. 6A, since the range in which the radio wave can be radiated is gradually increasing. However, due to the increase in the size of the antenna, it is difficult to Fig. 6B into a device, which leads to an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0068] The length of the Fig. The antenna 122 shown in Figure 6C is the same as that of the Fig. 6A. In this case, with reference to the phase front, in the Fig. 6C, the phase difference is smaller than that shown in Fig. 6A, since the conductor 123 is inserted into the antenna.

[0069] More precisely, the length of the Fig. 7A and Fig. 7A (b) is longer than that of the antenna 126 shown in Fig. 7B and Fig. 7B (b) shown antenna 125. The gain of the Fig. 7A and Fig. 7A (b) is 11.8 dBi, and the gain of the antenna 126 shown in the Fig. 7B and Fig. 7B (b) is 9.9 dBi, so it can be confirmed that the gain of the antenna can be increased along with an increase in the length of the antenna.

[0070] The antenna 122 according to the Fig. 7C and Fig. 7C (b) can form a partition wall structure by the inserted conductor 123, and is designed to have the same length as that shown in the Fig. 7B and Fig. 7B (b). In this case, the gain of the antenna 125 shown in the Fig. 7C and Fig. 7C (b) is 12.2 dBi, so that the antenna 122 has a gain greater than that of the antenna 125 having the same length.

[0071] Furthermore, cases where a plurality of antennas are arranged and radio waves are radiated are compared. Based on a comparison between radiation patterns shown in the Fig. 7C and Fig. 7C (b) and radiation patterns shown in Fig. 7B and Fig. 7B (b), it can be confirmed that in the antenna 122 in which the conductor 123 of the Fig. 7C and Fig. 7C(b) has a stronger intensity of the radio wave radiated to a main lobe than that shown in the Fig. 7B and Fig. 7B(b), and has a weaker intensity of the radio wave radiated to a side lobe than that shown in the Fig. 7B and Fig. Antenna 125 shown in Figure 7B (b).

[0072] The antenna 122 according to the disclosed embodiment can be miniaturized, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, when a plurality of antennas 122 of the disclosed embodiment are arranged, antennas of the same shape can be arranged. Accordingly, a plurality of antennas 122 can be arranged, so that the disadvantage of having to individually design the respective antennas can be avoided.

[0073] However, as described above, the gain of the antenna 122 can be determined depending on the aperture size in addition to the phase difference. When the conductor 123 is inserted into the antenna, the aperture size of the antenna is reduced. In addition, by increasing the height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated, the aperture size of the antenna 122 can be further reduced, thus reducing the gain.

[0074] For example, with reference to Fig. 5B, q corresponds to the aperture height, and r denotes the height of a plane in which no radio wave is emitted due to the conductor used. Accordingly, the height of the plane in which the radio wave is emitted can be reduced to qr.

[0075] Thus, in the antenna 122 according to the disclosed embodiment, a conductor configured to have an appropriate size and shape can be inserted into the antenna, thereby increasing the gain of the antenna 122 while reducing the length of the antenna 122. This will be described in more detail below.

[0076] Furthermore, the controller 130 may be provided in the vehicle 1. The controller 130 may be configured by a processing device or the like that performs a variety of operations and control processes, such as a processor built into the AVN terminal 100, or by a variety of known processing devices.

[0077] The controller 130 can control the overall operation of the vehicle 1. Specifically, the controller 130 can control the operation of all components provided in the vehicle 1, such as the display 101, the speaker 143, the cluster 144, and the like, in addition to a variety of modules, such as a voice recognition module, built into the AVN terminal 100. The controller 130 can control the operations of the components described above by generating control signals for controlling the components of the vehicle 1.

[0078] For example, the controller 130 can control the operation of the air conditioner through the control signal, and can display a variety of information by controlling the operation of the display 101. In addition, the control unit 130 can control a variety of display devices (displays) such as the display 101 through the control signal, or can provide a variety of information to a user by controlling the speaker 143.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the controller 130 may control the operation of the radar device 120 by detecting a control signal in response to a detection command input by the user 110 via the input unit 100. Accordingly, the control unit 130 may provide the detection result that an object is present around the vehicle 1 via the radar device 120.

[0080] For example, the controller 130 may control the display device capable of displaying a variety of information, such as the display or the cluster, to thereby display the detection result. Additionally, the controller 130 may derive a distance between the object and the vehicle 1 from the detection result and output the derived result via the speakers. A method for manufacturing an antenna including a conductor whose shape and size have been designed and / or described will be described below.

[0081] Fig. 8A to 9 are views explaining a method of manufacturing an antenna according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0082] In general, a height and length of an antenna 127 having an optimal gain can be determined based on the following equation 1. b1≅2⋅λ⋅ρ1

[0083] Referring to Fig. 8A, b1 denotes a height of an aperture, and ρ1 denotes the length of the antenna. In addition, λ denotes a wavelength of a radio wave. Thus, when a frequency used in the radar device and the height of the aperture are determined, the length of the antenna 127 can be determined to match the determined frequency and height. Furthermore, a relationship between the wavelength and the frequency can be expressed by Equation 2. Here, c denotes the speed of light, and f denotes the frequency. That is, the wavelength of the radio wave is inversely proportional to the frequency. λ=c / f

[0084] As a more specific example, Fig. 8B shows a graph showing a relationship between a height of an E-plane horn antenna and the length of the antenna. Here, D denotes EThe degree of focusing of a radio wave, a beam, or the like, radiated in a specific direction is referred to as the directivity of the E-plane horn antenna. Additionally, as described above, b1 denotes the aperture height, ρ1 denotes the antenna length, and b0 denotes the waveguide height. In this case, the antenna gain can be determined by the directivity and the efficiency. Thus, the antenna gain can be proportional to the effective direction.

[0085] Furthermore, Fig. 8B shows graphs for all antenna lengths. In this case, the relationship expressed in Equation 1 described above is derived from the peak values ​​of all graphs. Referring to Fig. 8B, when the length of the antenna is reduced while maintaining b1, which is an x-axis value of the peak value of each graph, (λ / a) D E, that is, a y-axis value, is reduced. Accordingly, the directivity is reduced, so the gain of the antenna is reduced. In this case, since the antenna according to the embodiment has the partition structure by inserting the conductor, it is possible to achieve an increase in gain even though the length of the antenna is reduced.

[0086] For example, with reference to Fig. 8C, a rectangular conductor is inserted into the antenna 122. In this case, the phase difference between radio waves can be reduced along with an increase in a tilt degree of the conductor 123. That is, the range in which the radio waves can be radiated is reduced, and a difference between a first height Wa and a second height Wb of the conductor 123 is increased. Here, the first height Wa corresponds to a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated, that is, the height of the aperture. Furthermore, the second height Wb corresponds to a height of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the aperture. In this case, the first height Wa and the second height Wb of the conductor can be determined by calculating a gain predicted by a simulation.

[0087] For example, based on the result of a simulation, the first height Wa and the second height Wb of the rectangular conductor may be configured to (i) 0 ≤ Wb ≤ (b0) / 2, (ii) 0 ≤ Wa ≤ b1 / 2 and (iii) Wb ≤ Waerfüll. Here, b0 denotes a height of a section where the radio wave is input through the waveguide.

[0088] That is, the shape of the guide 123 can be determined based on the height b0 of the portion into which the radio wave is input through the waveguide, the height b1 of the aperture, and a ratio between the height b1 of the aperture and the length ρ1 of the antenna 122. Accordingly, the vehicle according to the disclosed embodiment can detect the presence of the object existing at a much farther distance by means of the antenna 122 in which the guide 123 configured as described above is inserted.

[0089] Furthermore, the shape of the conductor is not limited to the above description and can be formed in a variety of shapes. Referring to Fig. 8B, the length and height of the antenna can be determined according to Equation 1 described above. Accordingly, the gain of the antenna being predicted can be calculated. Furthermore, the calculated gain of the antenna being predicted can be set as a target value.

[0090] Thus, the antenna gain predicted by reducing the antenna length while maintaining the antenna height can be calculated through simulation. Here, the calculated gain can be set as the initial value.

[0091] A triangular conductor can be inserted into the antenna. In this case, a second height Wb of the triangle becomes 0, so a first optimal value is calculated according to a change in a first height Wa thereof. In this example, if the first optimal value is smaller than the target value described above, the rectangular conductor can be inserted into the antenna instead of the triangular conductor. Accordingly, a second optimal value can be calculated according to the changes in the first height Wa and the second height Wb.

[0092] If the second optimal value is smaller than the target value described above, a pentagonal conductor can be inserted into the antenna instead of the rectangular conductor. That is, to maintain the gain while reducing the antenna length, different types of conductors can be inserted into the antenna, and the antenna gain can be calculated while varying the conductor size through simulation.

[0093] According to one embodiment, when the gain is high according to the simulation result and one of the first height Wa and the second height Wb is 0, the pentagonal conductor can be inserted into the antenna. Meanwhile, if an optimal value predicted using the pentagonal conductor is calculated and the calculated optimal value is smaller than the target value, an optimal value for a hexagonal conductor inserted into the antenna can be calculated.

[0094] According to one embodiment based on simulation results, if the conductor has a hexagonal cross-section, as in Fig. 9, and the conditions as (i) 0 ≤ Wb ≤ (b0) / 2, (ii) 0 ≤ Wm ≤ (b2) / 2, (iii) Wb ≤ Wm, and (iv) If 0 ≤ Wa ≤ Wm is satisfied, a high gain can be expected to be achieved. That is, the shape and size of the conductor inserted into the antenna can be determined through experiments. The above-described conductor can be inserted into the antenna according to the disclosed embodiment so that the antenna has the partition wall structure, thereby maintaining the gain of the antenna while reducing the length of the antenna.

[0095] However, when a hexagonal or pentagonal conductor is used in the antenna, the initial height Wa can be reduced compared to when a triangular or rectangular conductor is used. Accordingly, the area over which the radio wave is radiated can be increased, thus increasing the antenna gain.

[0096] However, when the hexagonal or pentagonal conductor is employed, the gain of the antenna is not necessarily increased compared to when the triangular or rectangular conductor is employed, and may vary according to a variety of variables, such as the frequency used, the height of the antenna, the length of the antenna, and the like. According to one embodiment, when the height b1 of the antenna is less than 2λ, the effect of improving the gain of the antenna is large even though the triangular or rectangular conductor is used. However, when the height b1 of the antenna is 2λ or more, the effect of improving the gain of the antenna is large due to the use of the pentagonal or hexagonal conductor, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0097] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B are views showing a horn antenna in which a conductor is inserted in a horizontal direction with an E-plane, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11A to 11C are views explaining a horn antenna in which a conductor is inserted in a horizontal direction with an H-plane and a method of manufacturing the horn antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 shows a pyramidal horn antenna in which a conductor is inserted in a horizontal direction having an E-plane and H-plane, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 13a to 13c show a circular horn antenna in which a conductor is inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] The antenna can be designed in a variety of shapes depending on the aperture angle, ie, the inclination of the aperture. For example, one as shown in Fig. 10 A, the antenna 122a is a horn antenna in which an aperture is raised in a vertical direction. Fig. 10A is referred to as an E-plane horn antenna. As another example, an antenna 122b as shown in Fig. 11A may be designed as a horn antenna in which an aperture is raised in the horizontal direction. Fig. The antenna 122b shown in Figure 11a is referred to as an H-plane horn antenna. The E-plane refers to a plane containing an electric field vector and a propagation direction of the radio wave, and the H-plane refers to a plane containing a magnetic field vector and the propagation direction of the radio wave.

[0099] Referring to the Fig. 10A and Fig. 11A, an electric field vector of the antennas 122a and 122b shown is formed in the same direction as the E-plane. The antenna can be formed differently depending on whether a cross section in which an aperture angle is increased is a horizontal cross section or a vertical cross section. The conductor can be inserted into the antenna 122 according to the embodiment in the horizontal direction with the E-plane or in the horizontal direction with the H-plane.

[0100] Referring to the Fig. 10B and Fig. 11B, the conductor 123 inserted into the respective antennas 122a and 122b shown can be formed such that a tilt can be formed in a direction in which the aperture is increased, that is, a direction in which the opening angle of each of the antennas 122a and 122b is increased. Here, b0 in the Fig. 10B is the height of the waveguide, as described above, and b1 is the height of the aperture. In addition, a0 in the Fig. 11B denotes the area of ​​the waveguide and a1 denotes the area of ​​the aperture.

[0101] However, when the H-plane horn antenna 122b is manufactured, the height and length of the antenna can be determined based on the following equation 3. a1≅3⋅λ⋅ρ2

[0102] Here, a1 denotes the area of ​​the aperture as described above, ρ2 denotes the length of the antenna and λ denotes the wavelength of the radio wave.

[0103] Fig. Figure 11C shows a graph illustrating the gain of an H-plane horn antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, D denotes HThe degree of focusing of a radio wave, beam, or the like radiated in a specific direction is referred to as the directivity of the H-plane horn antenna. Additionally, a0 denotes the area of ​​the waveguide, and a1 denotes the area of ​​the aperture. In this case, the gain of the antenna can be determined by the directivity and efficiency as described above. Accordingly, the gain of the antenna can be proportional to the direction of action.

[0104] Furthermore, Fig. 11C shows graphs for several antenna lengths. In this case, the relationship of Equation 3 described above is derived by peak values ​​of the respective graphs. Referring to Fig. 11C, when the length of the antenna is reduced while maintaining a1, that is an x-axis value of the peak value of each graph, (λ / b) D Hthat is a y-axis value is reduced. Therefore, the gain of the antenna is reduced. In this case, since the antenna according to the embodiment has the partition wall structure formed by inserting the conductor, although the length of the antenna is reduced, it may be possible to achieve an increase in gain. Furthermore, a method for determining the height and length of the antenna and for determining the height and length of the conductor inserted into the antenna, in addition to Equation 3, is the same as the method described above, and a specific description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] The antenna can be formed in a variety of shapes, and the conductor inserted into the antenna is not limited to the shapes described above. For example, the antenna can be formed in the shape of a pyramid horn antenna 122c, as shown in Fig. 12. Here, the pyramid horn antenna 122c refers to an antenna whose side surface is formed in the shape of a pyramid.

[0106] The conductor 123 may be inserted into the pyramid horn antenna 122c. In this case, the conductor 123 may be formed in the shape of a cross when the interior of the pyramid horn antenna 122c is viewed from an aperture, as shown in Fig. 12. That is, when viewed from an outside of the aperture toward an inside thereof, the conductor 123 is formed in the shape of a straight line or a cross.

[0107] In addition, the antenna may be in the form of a circular horn antenna 122d, as shown in Fig. 13. In this case, the conductor can be inserted into a circular horn antenna 122d in the horizontal direction with the E-plane corresponding to the electric field direction, as shown in Fig. 13a. Alternatively, the conductor may be inserted into the circular horn antenna 122d in the horizontal direction with the H-plane, as shown in Fig. 13b, or inserted into the circular horn antenna 122d in the horizontal direction with the E-plane and the H-plane, as shown in Fig. 13c. However, this invention is not limited thereto.

[0108] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of a vehicle that detects its surroundings using an antenna having a partition structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] In operation 1400, a vehicle may detect the presence of an object in the vicinity of the vehicle using a radar device. In this case, the vehicle may detect all objects present within a predetermined distance radius from the vehicle, and by setting a specific direction, an object in the corresponding direction may be detected.

[0110] The vehicle according to one embodiment can output a radar signal using the antenna in which a partition structure is formed by inserting a polygonal conductor into the antenna, and receive the radar signal reflected from an object, thereby detecting the surroundings of the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle can transmit radio waves over a wide area, although the length of a path in which the radio waves are transmitted, which is the length of the antenna, is reduced because the conductor is inserted into the antenna.

[0111] In recent years, a variety of devices have been installed in vehicles. As the number of installed devices increases, miniaturization of the devices is required, and miniaturization is also required from the viewpoint of cost reduction and vehicle operation. By inserting the conductor into the antenna installed in the vehicle according to the embodiment, the gain of the antenna can be maintained even if the length of the antenna is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to miniaturize the antenna, thereby reducing both the weight and volume of the antenna and also achieving cost reduction.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the gain of the antenna can be adjusted depending on the number of antennas arranged. In particular, with the antenna according to the embodiment, it is possible to design one antenna, and then manufacture and arrange a plurality of antennas according to the same design based on the designed antenna, instead of separately designing a plurality of antennas, thereby reducing design costs.

[0113] In operation 1410, the vehicle may provide the detection result by the radar device by controlling the device inside the vehicle. For example, the vehicle may display the detection result through a display device, such as a display, a cluster, or the like. As another example, the vehicle may display the detection result using a head-up display or any of a variety of devices capable of displaying the detection result.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the vehicle may display the detection result in the form of a map, or may display a distance between an object and the vehicle through a pop-up message by calculating the distance between the object and the vehicle from the detection result.

[0115] As another example, the vehicle may be connected to a user terminal via a communication network and display the detection result through a display of the user terminal. Here, the communication network includes both a wired communication network and a wireless communication network. The wireless communication network refers to a communication network capable of transmitting and receiving signals including data in a wireless manner. For example, the wireless communication network includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication network, as well as a 3G communication network and a 4G communication network. Furthermore, the wired communication network refers to a communication network capable of transmitting and receiving signals including data in a wired manner.For example, the wired communication network includes, but is not limited to, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI-Express, Universe Serial Bus (USB), etc.

[0116] A communication module can be incorporated into the user terminal so that the user terminal is capable of sending and receiving data to and from an external terminal via a communication network. The user terminal includes any terminal capable of processing the transmission and reception of signals by a processor. According to one embodiment, the user terminal includes, but is not limited to, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), a watch detachably attached to a user's body, and a glasses-like wearable terminal, as well as a laptop, a desktop, and a tablet PC.

[0117] In addition, the vehicle can calculate the distance between the object and the vehicle from the detection result, and when a collision with the object is predicted on the path the vehicle is currently moving, the vehicle can calculate the predicted collision and output the calculated collision using the speaker, so that it is possible to notify the user of the predicted danger.

[0118] The method according to the embodiment may be implemented as an application or implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed on various computer components and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may contain program instructions, data, data structures, and the like, individually or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be specifically designed and constructed for the present invention and may be made publicly available and usable by those of ordinary skill in the art of computer software.Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magnetic tape, an optical recording medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital video disc (DVD), a magneto-optical medium such as an optical floppy disk, and a hardware device such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory specifically designed to store the program and execute program instructions.

[0119] Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler or the like, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above can be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform operations of embodiments of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0120] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Antenna (122), comprising: an opening (124) through which a radio wave is emitted in an orientation direction, and a conductor (123) inserted into the opening (124) and dividing an inner region of the opening (124), wherein a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input through the opening (124) and a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other, and that a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input through the opening (124) is lower than a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated. [2] The antenna (122) according to claim 1, wherein the conductor (123) is formed in the shape of a polygon and divides an aperture through which the radio wave is radiated in the opening (124). [3] The antenna (122) according to claim 1, wherein the conductor (123) is formed in the shape of a straight line or a cross when an interior of the antenna (122) is viewed with respect to the opening (124). [4] The antenna (122) according to claim 1, wherein the type of the conductor (123) is determined based on a wavelength of the radiated radio wave. [5] A vehicle (1) comprising: a radar device (120) that detects a presence of an object around the vehicle (1) by means of an antenna (122) in which a partition wall structure is formed by inserting a polygonal conductor (123) into the antenna (120), and a control device (130) that provides a detection result using the radar device (120) by controlling a device inside the vehicle (1), wherein the conductor (123) is formed in such a manner that a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening (124) and a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other, and the formed conductor (123) is integrated into the antenna (122), and that the conductor (123) is formed in such a manner that a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening is lower than a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated, and the formed conductor (123) is inserted into the antenna (122). [6] The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the antenna (122) in which the polygonal conductor (123) is integrated to divide an aperture through which a radio wave is radiated is provided. [7] The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the antenna (122) is formed in the shape of a straight line or a cross when an interior of the antenna (122) is viewed with respect to the opening (124). [8] The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the type of the conductor (123) is determined based on a wavelength of the radio wave radiated by the antenna (122), and the determined conductor (123) is inserted into the antenna (122). [9] The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the controller (130) displays the detection result detected by the radar device (120) by means of at least one display (101) or a cluster (144), or outputs the detection result detected by the radar device (120) by means of a loudspeaker (143). [10] A method of manufacturing an antenna (122), comprising: Calculating a gain of the antenna (122) predicted according to a length and a height of the antenna (122), Determining a shape and a size of a conductor (123) by comparing the calculated gain of the antenna (122) and a gain of the antenna (122) predicted when a conductor (123) is used to divide an aperture of an opening (124) of the antenna (122), and Manufacturing the antenna (122) by inserting a conductor (123) created based on the determined shape and size of the conductor (123) into the antenna (122), wherein the determining step comprises determining the size of the conductor (123) in such a manner that a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which a radio wave is input into the opening and a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated are different from each other, and that the determining step comprises determining the size of the conductor (123) in such a manner that a height (Wb) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is input into the opening is less than a height (Wa) of a plane in a direction in which the radio wave is radiated. [11] A method of manufacturing the antenna (122) according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining comprises determining the shape of the conductor (123) in the form of a straight line or a cross when an interior of the antenna (122) is viewed with respect to the opening (124). [12] A method of manufacturing the antenna (122) according to claim 10, wherein said manufacturing comprises inserting the conductor (123) such that it is parallel to at least one of an E-plane parallel to a direction of an electric field vector and an H-plane parallel to a direction of a magnetic field vector.

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