Radome element for a vehicle's distance warning radar

Abstract

Radome element (1) for a distance warning radar of a vehicle, wherein the radome element (1) is formed as a two-component component with an inner plastic film (4), wherein the radome element (1) - a visible component (2) made of a transparent plastic, - the three-dimensionally formed and at least one-sided printed plastic film (4) with radar-transparent chrome optics between the visible component (2) and a rear component (3) and - the rear component (3) made of black or transparent plastic with at least one lateral transparent light coupling surface (L1) formed in the edge area and / or a further transparent light coupling surface (L2) formed in the edge area includes characterized in that the rear component (3) is provided with a surface coating (B) designed for light extraction in the direction of the visible component (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radome element for a distance warning radar of a vehicle.

[0002] From DE 198 19 709 A1, a method for manufacturing a radome for radar frequencies of a distance warning radar is known. Emblems or characteristic structures are integrated into the design while maintaining full radar transparency. The emblem or structure is embedded in its negative form in a radar- and visually transparent cover plate, and this form is coated with a metallic or metallic-glossy layer. The thickness of this layer is such that electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range is completely reflected, while longer-wavelength radar waves pass through almost unattenuated. The reverse side of the cover plate is provided with a dark layer or mask that covers any residual areas resulting from the metallic coating process.

[0003] DE 10 2005 015 323 A1 describes a radome for a distance warning radar and a method for manufacturing one. The back of a coated cover plate is coated, at least in the area of ​​the layer with a back wall, by applying a flowable potting compound, the temperature of which is less than 120°C, to the cover plate in such a way that the pressure exerted by the potting compound on the cover plate is less than 2 bar. The potting compound is then hardened.

[0004] DE 10 2011 115 952 A1 discloses a radar device for a vehicle. The radar device comprises at least one transmitter for emitting a radar beam as a transmission signal and at least one receiver for receiving a signal reflected by a target object located within the range of the emitted radar beam. The radar device is arranged behind a reflector cover of the vehicle.

[0005] Furthermore, a plastic body component for a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2009 029 763 A1. The plastic body component has a supporting body with a base body made of plastic, onto which a paint with at least two effect paint layers is applied. Furthermore, the plastic body component exhibits attenuation for radiation in a radar frequency range between 75 GHz and 85 GHz, at least in one radar transparency section, the absolute value of which is less than 3 dB in a single pass.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2010 005 899 A1 discloses a radome for a distance warning radar, wherein the radome comprises a first form for representing an emblem, which is provided with a metallic-shining layer containing metal. Behind the first form, a second form is arranged, wherein the forms are connected to each other via at least one connecting wall and laterally enclosed by at least one common lateral covering.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2006 046 436 B3 discloses a cover element for an opening of a vehicle, which has an at least partially metallized film that is overmolded on a front side with a layer of a first plastic and is back-molded with a cover layer of a second plastic.

[0008] Japanese patent application JP 2014-70899A discloses millimeter-wave radar equipment for vehicles. The aim is to aesthetically improve the provision of millimeter-wave radar for vehicle use without impairing electrical wave transmissivity and to detect the surrounding environment over a wider area.According to the invention, the millimeter wave radar device for vehicle use consists of a millimeter wave radar unit mounted on a rear base plate, an LED unit arranged on the rear base plate, an optical guide element mounted around the LED unit and diverting the light from the LED unit, and an electrical wave transmissive cover mounted on a front of the millimeter wave radar unit, which covers a front of the millimeter wave radar unit and is aesthetically designed, receives light from the optical guide element around the electrical wave transmissive cover, and illuminates the entire electrical wave transmissive cover.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of providing a radome element for a vehicle's distance warning radar that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention with regard to the radome element by the features specified in the single claim.

[0011] A radome element for a vehicle's distance warning radar is formed as a two-component component with an inner plastic film, wherein the radome element comprises a viewing component made of a transparent plastic, the three-dimensionally formed and at least one-sided printed plastic film with radar-transparent chrome optics between the viewing component and a rear component, and the rear component according to the invention made of black or transparent plastic with at least one lateral transparent light coupling surface formed in the edge region and / or a further transparent light coupling surface formed in the edge region.

[0012] By means of such a designed radome element, a tightness to external media is largely ensured and the risk of refraction of radar waves transmitted by the distance warning radar at component-internal interfaces can be significantly reduced.

[0013] Light can be coupled into the radome element via the light coupling surface, which, according to a design of the sighting component, can be coupled out at least section by section, so that the radome element can be illuminated at least section by section.

[0014] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0015] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically a sectional view of a radome element for a vehicle's distance warning radar, Fig. 2 schematically a perspective view of a double-sided printed and formed plastic film for the radome element.

[0016] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a radome element 1 for a distance warning radar of a vehicle not shown in detail. The radome element 1 and the distance warning radar are components of a distance warning device, which is in particular part of a driver assistance system, for example for automatic distance control and / or automatic braking of the vehicle.

[0018] To determine the distance to, for example, a vehicle ahead, the distance warning radar is located in the area of ​​the vehicle's front, specifically integrated into a bumper unit and / or a radiator grille cover. The distance warning radar emits and receives electromagnetic waves at radar frequencies, allowing the distance to be determined using the received reflected electromagnetic radiation.

[0019] The radome element 1 serves to protect the distance warning radar and forms a protective shell, thus shielding it from dirt, rain, and mechanical impacts. For this purpose, the radome element 1 is designed as a cover, by means of which the distance warning radar is at least partially covered.

[0020] The radome element 1 is designed as a shell-shaped, domed cover, with one front side facing away from the vehicle. Alternatively, the radome element 1 can also have any other shape. For example, it can also have the shape of a trademark of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0021] The distance warning radar is arranged on the rear side of the radome element 1, whereby the electromagnetic radiation emitted and received by it is passed through the radome element 1.

[0022] In order to ensure the path of the electromagnetic waves for distance determination as far as possible, i.e. to significantly minimize the refraction of electromagnetic radiation at component-internal, i.e., radome element-internal, interfaces, e.g. air gaps, the radome element is designed as described below.

[0023] The radome element 1 is designed as a two-component component and comprises a visible component 2 and a rear component 3 between which a plastic film 4 is arranged.

[0024] The visible component 2 is, for example, made of transparent polycarbonate and / or transparent polymethyl methacrylate as thermoplastic materials and / or transparent polyurethane as a plastic.

[0025] A viewing surface, i.e., a viewing area, of the viewing component 2 is formed by a smooth and flat outer contour with depth effect, wherein the viewing surface of the viewing component 2 is largely scratch-resistant and UV-resistant.

[0026] The back side component 3 is made of black or transparent plastic, for example polycarbonate and / or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polymethyl methacrylate as thermoplastic plastics and / or polyurethane as a plastic.

[0027] To diffract the electromagnetic radiation, the backside component 3 has a constant wall thickness. Furthermore, the backside component 3 serves for light coupling in and out, and has a receptacle for at least one illumination element (not shown), e.g., a light guide and / or an LED. Homogenization of the coupled light is achieved by means of the backside component 3.

[0028] Between the visible component 2 and the rear component 3 is the plastic film 4, which has a radar-transparent chrome look and is printed on one or both sides, for example with a brand symbol of the vehicle manufacturer.

[0029] The plastic film 4 is particularly suitable for thermoforming and thus exhibits three-dimensional structures. Furthermore, the plastic film 4 is at least partially translucent for illuminating the radome element 1, with the corresponding sections being translucently printed or partially thinned. The partial thinning is achieved in the manufacturing process for the radome element 1 described below.

[0030] For the illumination of the radome element 1, white or colored light can be fed into light coupling surfaces L1, L2 formed on the rear component 3. According to the present embodiment, in Fig. 1 a light coupling surface L1 laterally and another light coupling surface L2 on a rear side in the edge region of the rear side component 3, wherein the rear side component 3 is transparent in the light coupling surfaces L1, L2.

[0031] The light is coupled into the radome element 1 by means of at least one light guide and / or at least one LED, which are or are directly or indirectly connected to the rear component 3.

[0032] Light is extracted towards the viewing component 2 by means of a corresponding design of a surface of the back component 3 facing the plastic film 4, wherein this is provided, for example, with prisms and / or has a white and / or reflective surface coating B.

[0033] Regarding the manufacture of the radome element 1, it is intended that the plastic film 4 be printed, for example by screen printing, digital printing and / or by another suitable printing process, e.g. with the trademark of the vehicle manufacturer, with an emblem and / or another shape. The plastic film 4 can also be individualized by means of printing, for example also by means of color.

[0034] Subsequently, the plastic film 4 is formed in a deep drawing process and / or another suitable process so that the plastic film 4 has its three-dimensional structure.

[0035] Subsequently, the visible component 2 is applied to the plastic film 4. For example, the visible component 2 is applied to the plastic film 4 by injection molding, compression molding, polyurethane flooding and / or similar processes in a form-fitting and material-bonded manner.

[0036] The rear component 3 of the radome element 1 as well as light coupling and coupling elements are also applied to the plastic film 4 using the above-mentioned methods.

[0037] It is also conceivable that the back side component 3 is applied to the formed plastic film 4 before the plastic film 4 is provided with the visible component 2.

[0038] By using a radome element 1 manufactured in this way, comparatively complex assembly and testing steps can be eliminated during production, resulting in time and cost savings. Furthermore, the radome element 1 can be manufactured using a tooling system.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a plastic film 4 that can be arranged and formed between the visible component 2 and the back side component 3 in a form-fitting and material-locking manner.

Claims

[1] Radome element (1) for a distance warning radar of a vehicle, wherein the radome element (1) is formed as a two-component component with an inner plastic film (4), wherein the radome element (1) - a visible component (2) made of a transparent plastic, - the three-dimensionally formed and at least one-sided printed plastic film (4) with radar-transparent chrome optics between the visible component (2) and a rear component (3) and - the rear component (3) made of black or transparent plastic with at least one lateral transparent light coupling surface (L1) formed in the edge area and / or a further transparent light coupling surface (L2) formed in the edge area includes characterized by , that the rear component (3) is provided with a surface coating (B) designed to extract light in the direction of the visible component (2).

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