Radar arrangement for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a radar arrangement for a motor vehicle (2), the radar arrangement (1) comprising a radar sensor (8) for radar-based object detection, a receiving element (9) for receiving the radar sensor (8) and for mounting it on a motor vehicle component (13) of the motor vehicle (2), and an aperture (11) for at least partially covering the radar sensor (8) on the motor vehicle component (13). It is proposed that the receiving element (9) comprises at least one support element (12) which defines the position of the radar sensor (8) relative to the aperture (11) in at least one spatial direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a radar arrangement for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for providing a radar arrangement for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 10.

[0002] The radar systems in question are used in the sensor systems of motor vehicles. This can include sensors for the exterior of the vehicle, for example, for driver assistance systems in semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, which use radar devices for purposes such as speed control, lane keeping assist, and collision detection. Further applications include environmental monitoring during vehicle access, for example, gesture recognition to trigger access functions such as the motorized opening of vehicle doors, or obstacle detection during the motorized adjustment of vehicle doors. In addition, the radar systems in question can be used to monitor the vehicle interior, including the detection of objects and people, as well as pinch and collision protection during the motorized adjustment of interior components and vehicle doors.

[0003] The prior art (US 2022 / 0196831 A1), from which the invention is based, relates to a radar arrangement with a radar sensor which is mounted to a structural component of the motor vehicle via a mounting bracket. The radar sensor is positioned at the front of the motor vehicle, for example on the radiator grille or bumper, with a lens hood provided for the radar sensor. A spring-loaded mount for the radar sensor is intended to achieve a comparatively small distance between the radar sensor and the lens hood.

[0004] One challenge is that structural components and cladding parts such as bezels are inherently subject to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, meaning that in many cases a compromise must be made between the simplest possible installation of the radar sensor and the accuracy of its positioning. In particular, the radar sensor cannot simply be positioned arbitrarily close to the bezel, which tends to reduce its performance. Positioning the sensor further away from the bezel can lead to unwanted reflections within the radar array and make it more difficult to resolve environmental influences on the bezel, such as snow or rainwater. Furthermore, the radar sensor's detection range is not optimally utilized with such an arrangement.

[0005] The invention is based on the problem of designing and further developing a generic radar arrangement in such a way as to achieve optimization and simplification of the assembly.

[0006] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] The fundamental principle is to utilize the arrangement of the radar sensor in a mounting element, such as a retaining clip or similar, to ensure high positional accuracy relative to the aperture. This can be achieved simply by appropriately designing the mounting element, without requiring any additional assembly steps.

[0008] Specifically, it is proposed that the receiving element has at least one support element which determines the position of the radar sensor relative to the aperture in at least one spatial direction.

[0009] The support element can also serve to shield against environmental influences such as water or dirt, so that the installation space between the sensor and aperture is not contaminated, which can impair radar performance.

[0010] Preferably, a pre-assembly structure according to claim 2 is provided, whereby the radar sensor can be held on the structural component via the mounting element. Accordingly, the radar sensor can already be installed and, in particular, wired in a door module or the like before the aperture is arranged in final assembly. More preferably, the pre-assembly structure according to claim 3, with the arrangement of the aperture, allows for a change in the position of the mounting element, thus enabling assembly tolerances to be easily compensated for.

[0011] The proposed solution advantageously enables small distances between the radar sensor and the aperture, as specified in claim 4.

[0012] With a mechanical preload according to the embodiment of claim 5, a particularly precise positioning and, in particular, a process-reliable adjustment of the distance of the radar sensor to the aperture is achieved with simple assembly.

[0013] In addition to or as an alternative to ensuring the distance between the radar sensor and the aperture, the at least one support element according to claim 6 can at least partially determine the positioning along a surface of the aperture. Preferably, the support element can thus ensure the positioning of the radar sensor relative to the aperture in three spatial directions.

[0014] Further preferred embodiments of the receiving element are the subject of claims 7 and 8.

[0015] According to a further teaching as claimed in claim 10, which has independent significance, a method for providing a radar arrangement of a motor vehicle is claimed. It is essential that the position of the radar sensor relative to the aperture is determined in at least one spatial direction by means of at least one support element on the receiving element.

[0016] The proposed radar configuration is used in this procedure. Reference is generally made to all explanations concerning the proposed radar configuration.

[0017] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. In the drawing, Fig. 1 a) a side view of a motor vehicle with proposed radar arrangements, b) a sectional view of the motor vehicle door with a proposed radar arrangement and Fig. 2 a detailed representation of the radar arrangement Fig. 1b) as well as a), b) variants of the support element and the aperture.

[0018] The embodiment shown in the figures, which is the preferred embodiment in this respect, relates to a radar arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle 2. In principle, the radar arrangement 1 can be used for various applications in the motor vehicle 2, with further reference to the introductory explanations.

[0019] In Fig. 1a) Corresponding radar arrangements 1 are provided for the exterior of the motor vehicle 2 on a bumper 3, on motor vehicle doors 4, specifically on the door trim 5 and the door handle 6, and on a tailgate 7 of the motor vehicle 2. The following is merely an example based on Fig. 1b) the radar arrangement 1 with an arrangement in the area of ​​the door trim 5 of the motor vehicle door 4 is explained, the explanations applying accordingly to other arrangements, including in the motor vehicle interior.

[0020] The radar arrangement 1 includes a radar sensor 8 for radar-based object detection. The radar sensor 8 is configured here for determining the distance to objects and, in particular, for determining the relative velocity of objects. The radar sensor 8 includes at least one radar antenna (not shown in detail) which is formed by electrically conductive elements configured for transmitting and receiving radar beams.

[0021] The radar sensor 8 can include control electronics configured to operate the radar antenna for transmitting radar beams, for example, a signal generator or the like. The radar sensor 8 can also include evaluation electronics for evaluating radar signals. It is also conceivable that at least part of the control electronics and / or evaluation electronics is located outside the radar sensor 8 and, for example, is located on the vehicle side, in this case, in the vehicle door 4. The radar arrangement 1 can be configured for operation with UWB technology and, in particular, for localization and / or communication in the frequency range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. Furthermore, FMCW radar operation can be provided, for example, in the frequency band around 24 GHz and / or 77 GHz.

[0022] A receiving element 9 for receiving the radar sensor 8 and for mounting it on a structural component of the motor vehicle 2 is provided. A receiving element here refers to a mechanical securing of the radar sensor 8, which is effected by the receiving element 9. The receiving element 9 can be, as shown in the illustration, Fig. 2. The mounting element 9 is held in place by a clamp or similar device. As will be explained below, the mounting element 9 can be arranged directly or indirectly on the structural component. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting element 9 is held directly and mechanically on the structural component. The radar sensor 8 can be held indirectly on the structural component via the mounting element 9.

[0023] The term structural component generally refers to a structural component of the motor vehicle 2, in particular body components, parts of the vehicle's outer skin and / or inner skin, bumpers 3, or the like. In the context of Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, the structural component is a door panel 10 of the vehicle door 4. The structural component can also be designed as a component of a door module, for example as an aggregate carrier of the vehicle door 4.

[0024] Furthermore, an aperture 11 is provided for at least partially covering the radar sensor 8 on the structural component. The aperture 11 can in turn be arranged on the structural component and, for example, attached directly or indirectly to the structural component, as shown in Fig. 2 is indicated. Preferably, the aperture 11 forms part of an enclosure for the radar sensor 8. The aperture 11 is designed so that radar-based object detection is carried out through the aperture 11. Accordingly, the aperture 11 can be at least partially transparent to the radar beams, for example, in the form of a plastic component. The aperture 11 is preferably designed as an exterior trim part of the motor vehicle 2, for example, as a trim strip, bumper cover, or door handle housing, or as an interior trim part of the motor vehicle 2.

[0025] It is essential that the receiving element 9 has at least one support element 12 which determines the position of the radar sensor 8 relative to the aperture 11 in at least one spatial direction.

[0026] The support element 12 is a structure projecting from the receiving element 9 towards the aperture 11, which preferably comes into direct mechanical contact with the aperture 11. The position of the radar sensor 8 relative to the aperture 11 is determined by this mechanical contact in at least one spatial direction. Manufacturing and / or installation tolerances of the vehicle component 13 and the aperture 11 are at least partially compensated for by this position determination. Preferably, the aperture 11 has a surface structure designed for positioning in interaction with the support element 12.

[0027] Preferably several support elements 12 are provided, more preferably on both sides of the radar sensor 8.

[0028] The support element 12 projects here, and preferably beyond, a surface of the radar sensor 8 which corresponds to a detection direction of the radar sensor 8, in the direction of the aperture 11, as shown in the illustration. Fig. 2 corresponds to the direction of the distance d indicated there. The support element 12 can be formed as a single unit with the receiving element 9. Alternatively, the receiving element 9 can be formed in multiple parts, with a separate support element 12 attached to the receiving element 9.

[0029] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided here that the receiving element 9 has a pre-assembly structure 14 for mounting it on the vehicle component 13. The pre-assembly structure 14 is provided for at least a temporary mounting of the receiving element 9, and thus of the radar sensor 8, on the vehicle component 13 before the aperture 11 is installed. In particular, the pre-assembly structure 14 allows the vehicle component 13 to be handled, for example, during the final assembly of the vehicle 2, while the receiving element 9 with the radar sensor 8 remains on the vehicle component 13.

[0030] Preferably, the receiving element 9 is held securely in place when arranged on the motor vehicle component 13. "Securely in place" means that the motor vehicle component 13 with the pre-mounted receiving element 9 can be moved into any orientation without the receiving element 9 becoming detached. In the preferred embodiment in Fig. 2 has the pre-assembly structure 14 positive locking elements 15, designed here as hook elements which can secure the receiving element 9.

[0031] It is further preferred that the pre-assembly structure 14, when arranged on the motor vehicle component 13, allows a change in position of the receiving element 9 relative to the motor vehicle component 13 in at least one spatial direction.

[0032] This allows positioning via the support elements 12 and cover 11 to be carried out without restriction by the pre-assembly structure 14. Here, and preferably, the positive locking elements 15 allow a relative displacement between the receiving element 9 and the vehicle component 13 along an insertion direction of the positive locking elements 15. The insertion direction here again corresponds to the direction of the Fig. 2 noted distance d.

[0033] Likewise, the positive locking elements 15 can be guided in receptacles in the motor vehicle component 13 in such a way that a displacement in at least one spatial direction perpendicular to the insertion direction is enabled, for example by a corresponding dimensioning of the receptacles and / or a deformability of the pre-assembly structure 14.

[0034] It is particularly preferred that the at least one support element 12 determines the distance d between the radar sensor 8 and the aperture 11. The arrangement of the aperture 11 is as described in Fig. Figure 2 shows that at least one support element 12 is brought into contact with an inner surface of the aperture 11 facing the radar sensor 8, thereby determining the distance d. The spatial direction in which the position of the radar sensor 8 relative to the aperture 11 is thereby determined is, in particular, a detection direction of the radar sensor 8 such as a principal extension direction of a radar beam.

[0035] Determining the distance d can therefore be advantageously used to optimize the performance of the radar sensor 8. In particular, the proposed solution allows for particularly small distances d between the radar sensor 8 and the aperture 11. In preferred embodiments, the minimum distance between the radar sensor 8 and the aperture 11 is less than 3 mm, and more preferably 1 mm or less.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the receiving element 9 has a pre-tensioning element 16 which is designed to mechanically pre-tension the receiving element 9 against the motor vehicle component 13 in the direction of the aperture 11.

[0037] The mechanical preload ensures, in particular, the aforementioned attachment of the at least one support element 12 to the aperture 11. The preload element 16 is, for example, a spring element, which may otherwise be integrally formed with the receiving element 9 and / or be part of the pre-assembly structure 14.

[0038] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one support element 12 determines the position of the radar sensor 8 relative to the aperture 11 in at least one spatial direction along an extension surface of the aperture 11, preferably that the support element 12 can be positioned on the aperture 11 via at least one centering aid and / or insertion ramp 17.

[0039] The extension area is in particular the contact surface between support element 12 and aperture 11. Fig. Figure 2a) shows an embodiment with insertion ramps 17 on the aperture 11, which define the position of an insertion structure 18 of the support element 12 along the extension surface, preferably in two spatial directions. A reverse arrangement is also possible, wherein the support element 12 is equipped with an insertion ramp 17. Fig. Figure 2b) shows a further embodiment which, for example, allows the support element 12 to be displaceable to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, and wherein the aperture 11 has boundary surfaces 19 for the insertion structure 18. Here, too, the arrangement can be reversed.

[0040] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in section 2, the radar sensor 8 is further provided for in a form-fit connection within the receiving element 9. A material-fit connection can also be implemented additionally or alternatively.

[0041] In a further embodiment not shown, the support element 12, in particular the receiving element 9, is integrally formed with a housing of the radar sensor 8. The housing of the radar sensor 8 here forms an enclosure for the radar antenna of the radar sensor 8 and, in particular, for the control electronics and / or evaluation electronics. The housing preferably has a radome for the radar sensor 8. The at least one support element 12, in particular the receiving element 9, can, for example, be injection-molded onto the housing.

[0042] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided here that the receiving element 9, in particular the support element 12, provides shielding for radar signals from the radar sensor 8. Accordingly, at least parts of the receiving element 9, in particular the support element 12, can have metallic or radar-absorbing elements. The shielding can be configured to suppress radar reflections in the space between the aperture 11 and the vehicle component 13.

[0043] In one embodiment, the radar arrangement 1 includes the aforementioned vehicle component 13 for arranging the receiving element 9. Preferably, the vehicle component 13 includes a pre-assembly structure 14 for arranging the receiving element 9 on the vehicle component 13, as described above.

[0044] According to a further teaching, a method for providing a radar arrangement 1 of a motor vehicle 2 is proposed, wherein a radar sensor 8 is received in a receiving element 9, wherein the receiving element 9 is arranged on a motor vehicle component 13 of the motor vehicle 2, wherein an aperture 11 is arranged to at least partially cover the radar sensor 8 on the motor vehicle component 13.

[0045] Here, the position of the radar sensor 8 relative to the aperture 11 is fixed in at least one spatial direction by means of at least one support element 12 on the receiving element 9. The position is preferably fixed by the arrangement of the aperture 11. Reference may be made to all descriptions of the proposed radar arrangement 1.

[0046] Furthermore, and preferably, it is provided that the receiving element 9 is held on the vehicle component 13 by a pre-assembly structure 14 prior to the arrangement of the aperture 11; preferably, the receiving element 9 is held securely on the vehicle component 13. As explained for the radar assembly 1, this facilitates the assembly of the radar assembly 1. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2022 / 0196831 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Radar arrangement for a motor vehicle (2), the radar arrangement (1) comprising a radar sensor (8) for radar-based detection of objects, a receiving element (9) for receiving the radar sensor (8) and for arrangement on a motor vehicle component (13) of the motor vehicle (2), and a cover (11) for at least partially covering the radar sensor (8) on the motor vehicle component (13), characterized by that the receiving element (9) has at least one support element (12) which determines the position of the radar sensor (8) relative to the aperture (11) in at least one spatial direction. [2] Radar arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the receiving element (9) has a pre-assembly structure (14) for mounting on the motor vehicle component (13), preferably that the receiving element (9) is held captively when arranged on the motor vehicle component (13). [3] Radar arrangement according to claim 2, characterized bythat the pre-assembly structure (14) when arranged on the motor vehicle component (13) allows a change in position of the receiving element (9) relative to the motor vehicle component (13) in at least one spatial direction. [4] Radar arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one support element (12) determines the distance between the radar sensor (8) and the aperture (11), preferably that the minimum distance between the radar sensor (8) and the aperture (11) is less than 3 mm, more preferably 1 mm or less. [5] Radar arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving element (9) has a prestressing element (16) which is designed to mechanically prestress the receiving element (9) against the motor vehicle component (13) in the direction of the panel (11). [6] Radar arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one support element (12) determines the position of the radar sensor (8) relative to the aperture (11) in at least one spatial direction along an extension surface of the aperture (11), preferably that the support element (12) can be positioned on the aperture (11) via at least one centering aid and / or insertion bevel (17). [7] Radar arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the radar sensor (8) is received in the receiving element (9) in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner, or that the support element (12), in particular the receiving element (9), is designed in one piece with a housing of the radar sensor (8). [8] Radar arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving element (9), in particular the supporting element (12), provides a shield for radar signals of the radar sensor (8). [9] Radar arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, further comprising the motor vehicle component (13) for arranging the receiving element (9), preferably that the motor vehicle component (13) has a pre-assembly structure (14) for arranging the receiving element (9) on the motor vehicle component (13). [10] Method for providing a radar arrangement (1) of a motor vehicle (2), wherein a radar sensor (8) is received in a receiving element (9), wherein the receiving element (9) is arranged on a motor vehicle component (13) of the motor vehicle (2), wherein a cover (11) for at least partially covering the radar sensor (8) is arranged on the motor vehicle component (13), characterized by that the position of the radar sensor (8) relative to the aperture (11) is fixed in at least one spatial direction by means of at least one support element (12) on the receiving element (9). [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized bythat the receiving element (9) is held on the motor vehicle component (13) via a pre-assembly structure (14) before the arrangement of the cover (11), preferably that the receiving element (9) is held captively on the motor vehicle component (13).

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