Radar antenna arrangement for a vehicle, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a radar antenna arrangement (1) for a vehicle, having a vehicle component (2), which has a component inner side (3) and a component outer side (4), and having at least one radar device (5) which has at least one antenna unit (6) for transmitting and / or receiving radar beams (8, 9). Also arranged in the vehicle component (2) is at least one passage channel (7) which extends through the vehicle component (2) between the component inner side (3) and the component outer side (4), and the at least one antenna unit (6) is coupled to the passage channel (7) in such a manner that the radar beams (8, 9) run, at least in sections, through the passage channel (7) until the beams, in the case of transmission, have emerged from the passage channel (7) on the component outer side (4) and / or after the beams, in the case of reception, have entered the passage channel (7) on the component outer side (4). The invention also relates to a vehicle having such a radar antenna arrangement.

Description

[0001] Radar antenna arrangement for a vehicle and vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a radar antenna arrangement for a vehicle having a vehicle component that has an inner component side and an outer component side, and which comprises at least one radar device that has at least one antenna unit for transmitting and / or receiving radar beams. The invention also relates to a vehicle having such a radar antenna arrangement.

[0003] DE 10 2019 114 883 B3 discloses a radar antenna arrangement with a vehicle component, wherein the vehicle component is a vehicle windshield. The antenna is arranged inside the vehicle component and generates or detects the radar beams.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a radar antenna arrangement for a vehicle which can be operated with low losses.

[0005] The problem is solved by a radar antenna arrangement having the features of the independent patent claim.

[0006] A radar antenna array for a vehicle is proposed. Using the radar antenna array, distances to an object in traffic can be determined, which can then trigger, for example, a braking maneuver or an evasive maneuver. Additionally or alternatively, the radar antenna array can also be used to detect the presence of an object around the vehicle.

[0007] The radar antenna assembly comprises a vehicle component having an inner component side and an outer component side. When the radar antenna assembly is used with the vehicle component as intended, the inner component side faces the vehicle, and the outer component side faces the surroundings of the vehicle or faces away from the vehicle.

[0008] The radar antenna arrangement further comprises at least one radar device, which has at least one antenna unit for transmitting and / or receiving radar beams. The radar beams are transmitted to be reflected by an object, whereupon they return to the radar device and are received by the at least one antenna unit. By measuring the time of flight of the radar beams, a distance to the object can then be determined. The presence of the object can also be determined based on the reflected radar beams.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one through-channel is arranged in the vehicle component, which extends through the vehicle component between the inside and outside of the component. In addition, the at least one antenna unit is coupled to the through-channel and / or arranged relative to it in such a way that the radar beams run at least partially through the through-channel until they have exited the through-channel on the outside of the component in the case of transmission and / or after they have entered the through-channel on the outside of the component in the case of reception. Due to the course of the radar beams within the through-channel, they can be guided past the vehicle component so that they are not attenuated, refracted or scattered by the vehicle component, or only to a very small extent.The through-channel guides the radar beams as far as possible through the vehicle component to the antenna unit, where they are received. Naturally, the transmission process requires the radar beams to pass through the vehicle component to the exterior of the component. The radar beams can thus be transmitted and / or received with minimal loss. This allows the radar antenna array to operate with lower electrical power, resulting in greater sensitivity. Furthermore, directional resolution can be improved, as the radar beams are deflected only slightly by the vehicle component when steered.

[0010] It is advantageous if the vehicle component is a vehicle window, a bumper, a panel on the outer skin of a vehicle, a pillar cover panel of the vehicle, a panel on window edges, a spoiler and / or a wind deflector. The vehicle window can be, for example, a windshield, a rear window or side windows of the vehicle. The vehicle window can also be designed as a composite window. The inner and outer sides of the component are thus arranged on the corresponding vehicle component. With the help of the vehicle components mentioned here, the at least one radar device can be arranged in a location on the vehicle that is advantageous for the specific purpose. If, for example, the distance to vehicles ahead is to be monitored, it is advisable to arrange the at least one radar device in the vehicle window and / or in a bumper.In order to detect the area in front of or behind the vehicle, at least one radar device should be arranged in the front or rear of the vehicle. If the area to the side of the vehicle is to be monitored, a side spoiler and / or a side pillar of the vehicle body, for example the B-pillar, is suitable for arranging the at least one radar device. Wind deflectors and / or window edge trim are also conceivable for this purpose. However, it is advantageous if the outer side of the vehicle component in question faces the vehicle's surroundings, in particular directly. Therefore, if possible, no other component should be arranged between the outer side of the component and the surroundings so that the radar beams are not impaired. The vehicle component can therefore be an exterior component of the vehicle. In the case of a vehicle window, the through-channel therefore extends through the glass orthrough the material of the vehicle window. If the vehicle component has a wall, for example, the through-channel can extend through the wall, with the outer side of the component facing the environment and the inner side of the component facing an interior of the vehicle component. For example, the spoiler, the bumper or the other vehicle components mentioned can be hollow, so that the inner side of the component faces the cavity or the interior. In the case of a spoiler or other vehicle components constructed in this way, the through-channel can extend through a plastic wall or a GRP or CFRP wall. If the vehicle component is made of metal, the through-channel thus extends through a sheet metal or similar.

[0011] One aspect relates to a radar antenna arrangement for a vehicle with a vehicle window having an inner side of the window and an outer side of the window, and with at least one radar device having at least one antenna unit for transmitting and / or receiving radar beams, wherein at least one through-channel is arranged in the vehicle window, which through-channel extends between the inner side of the window and the outer side of the window through the vehicle window, and wherein the at least one antenna unit is coupled to the through-channel such that the radar beams run at least partially through the through-channel until, in the case of transmission, they have exited the through-channel on the outer side of the window and / or after, in the case of reception, they have entered the through-channel on the outer side of the window.

[0012] It is advantageous if the through-channel has an inner opening on the inside of the component and / or an outer opening on the outside of the component. The radar beams can enter and exit the through-channel through both the inner and outer openings. It is advantageous if the through-channel has an inner opening on the inside of the vehicle window and / or an outer opening on the outside of the vehicle window. The radar beams can enter and exit the through-channel through both the inner and outer openings.

[0013] It is advantageous if the at least one antenna unit is coupled to and / or arranged relative to the through-channel in such a way that the radar beams are transmitted and / or received in the through-channel. This can prevent disruptive effects that occur when entering or exiting the through-channel on the inside of the component or when passing through the inner opening.

[0014] It is advantageous if the at least one antenna unit is coupled to and / or arranged relative to the through-channel in such a way that the radar beams pass through the interior opening. This allows the transmission and / or reception of the radar beams to take place outside the vehicle component, and in particular on the interior side of the component, since more space is available there.

[0015] It is advantageous if the antenna unit comprises at least one transmitting / receiving unit, by means of which the radar beams can be emitted for transmission and / or received for reception. The transmitting / receiving unit can also be referred to as a transition unit, since during transmission an electrical signal from an electrically conductive material, such as a conductor, is converted into radar beams. Here, a transition takes place from electromagnetic waves or the electrical signal in the conductive material, for example in the conductor, into electromagnetic waves in the air (or another medium that surrounds the transmitting / receiving unit or the transition unit). During reception, the radar beams transition from the air (or the corresponding surrounding medium) into the electrically conductive material, for example in the conductor. The electrical signal occurs in the electrically conductive material. At the transmitting / receiving unit orAt the transition unit, free-space waves are thus emitted for transmission and / or absorbed for reception. The free-space waves move through air or a corresponding medium and are no longer bound to an electrically conductive material.

[0016] It is advantageous if the antenna unit, particularly the transmitter / receiver unit, is located on the inside of the component. This allows the radar beams to be transmitted and / or received on the inside of the component. The antenna unit thus remains protected, particularly from weather influences on the outside of the component, and more space is available on the inside of the component.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, is arranged at least partially within the through-channel and / or at least partially on the inside of the component. This shortens the path for the radar beams through the through-channel. Furthermore, losses that occur when the radar beams enter or exit the through-channel on the inside of the component are prevented.

[0018] It is advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, is arranged on or at the inside of the vehicle window. This means that the radar beams are transmitted and / or received on the inside of the vehicle window. The antenna unit thus remains protected, in particular from the weather influences on the outside of the vehicle window, and more space is available on the inside of the vehicle window. It is additionally or alternatively advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, is arranged at least partially in the through-channel and / or at least partially on the inside of the vehicle window. This shortens the path for the radar beams through the through-channel. In addition, losses that occur when the radar beams enter or exit the through-channel on the inside of the vehicle window are prevented.

[0019] It is advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, extends from the inside of the component into the through-channel. The antenna unit or the transceiver unit thus extends toward the outside of the component or toward the vehicle's surroundings.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, has a shorter shortest distance to the inside of the component than to the outside. The antenna unit or the transceiver unit is thus closer to the inside of the component.

[0021] It is advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, extends from the inside of the vehicle window into the through-channel. The antenna unit or the transceiver unit thus extends toward the outside of the vehicle window or toward the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the antenna unit, in particular the transceiver unit, has a shorter distance to the inside of the vehicle window than to the outside of the vehicle window. The antenna unit or the transceiver unit is thus closer to the inside of the vehicle window.

[0023] It is advantageous if the radar device comprises a circuit board that is connected to the at least one antenna unit and is preferably arranged, in particular glued, on the inside of the component. The circuit board can thus also serve as a support element for the antenna unit and as a fixation on the inside of the component.

[0024] It is advantageous if the radar device comprises a circuit board that is connected to the at least one antenna unit and is preferably arranged, in particular glued, on the inside of the vehicle window. The circuit board can thus also serve as a support element for the antenna unit and as a fixation on the inside of the vehicle window.

[0025] It is advantageous if the radar device has at least one amplifier unit and / or one processing unit, which are preferably arranged on the circuit board and / or coupled to it. This allows the electrical signal to be processed and / or amplified for transmission as radar beams. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical signal of the received radar beams can be amplified and / or processed. Alternatively, the circuit board can also have connections for supplying and / or discharging the electrical signal.

[0026] It is advantageous if the antenna unit is designed as a horn antenna and / or a Yagi-Uda antenna. In this case, the at least one antenna unit can also be designed such that it can be operated as a horn antenna and / or as a Yagi-Uda antenna. In particular, the at least one antenna unit can be designed such that it operates according to the principle of a horn antenna and / or according to the principle of a Yagi-Uda antenna. For example, the Yagi-Uda antenna or the corresponding principle has good directional sensitivity when receiving and / or good directional radiation when transmitting. The same applies to the principle of the horn antenna.

[0027] It is advantageous if the antenna unit comprises a guidance unit for guiding the radar beams. In this case, the guidance unit and the transceiver unit can be coordinated with one another, in particular spatially and / or with regard to their electromagnetic properties. The dimensions of the guidance unit can, for example, be adapted or coordinated with the transceiver unit for a specific frequency or a specific frequency range. If, for example, the transceiver unit transmits in a specific frequency range, the dimensions of the guidance unit can be coordinated accordingly so that the radar beams are emitted with low loss. The same applies to receiving. When spatially coordinating the guidance unit with the transceiver unit, care can be taken to ensure that the transition between the guidance unit and the transceiver unit has low loss for the radar beams.

[0028] It is advantageous if the guidance unit is shaped like a cylinder and / or a funnel. The funnel can be used, for example, in the horn antenna principle. A cylindrical guidance unit can be used, for example, when the radar beams are guided by the guidance unit. The guidance unit can thus serve as a waveguide.

[0029] It is advantageous if the guide unit is arranged at least partially within the through-channel, in particular on an inner side of the through-channel. The guide unit thus lines the through-channel. It is advantageous if the guide unit is formed by a coating made of an electrically conductive material, which is arranged on the inner side of the through-channel. The coating can be very thin, so that the guide unit can be designed in a space-saving manner.

[0030] It is advantageous if the guide unit is designed using a conductor, especially a closed one. This can be attached at specific points.

[0031] It is advantageous if the antenna unit comprises a transducer unit arranged on the outside of the component, by means of which, in the case of receiving the radar beams, the radar beams can be picked up and radiated into the through-channel, and, in the case of transmitting, the radar beams can be picked up from the through-channel and radiated away from the vehicle component. The transducer unit can also be the transmitting / receiving unit or the transition unit described above. The transducer unit can also cover the through-channel. In this case, the through-channel can be used as a waveguide channel. The transmitting / receiving unit in the area of ​​the inside of the component feeds the radar beams into the through-channel. The transducer unit or the transmitting / receiving unit or the transition unit on the outside of the component transmits the radar beams in the through-channel to the environment.During reception, the radar beams from the surroundings are transmitted into the through-channel and picked up by the transmitting / receiving unit in the area of ​​the component's interior. The through-channel allows the radar beams to be guided with low loss. The guide unit is advantageously arranged in the through-channel, or an electrically conductive conductor, for example in the form of a coating, a guide unit, or an insert, is arranged on the inside of the through-channel. It is advantageous if the antenna unit comprises a transducer unit arranged on the outside of the vehicle window. When the radar beams are being received, the radar beams can be picked up and emitted into the through-channel, and when they are being transmitted, the radar beams can be picked up from the through-channel and emitted away from the vehicle window.The converter unit can also be the transmitting / receiving unit or the transition unit described above. The converter unit can also cover the through-channel. In this case, the through-channel can be used as a waveguide channel. The transmitting / receiving unit on the inside of the vehicle window feeds the radar beams into the through-channel. The converter unit, the transmitting / receiving unit, or the transition unit on the outside of the vehicle window transmits the radar beams in the through-channel to the surroundings. During reception, the radar beams from the surroundings are transmitted into the through-channel and picked up by the transmitting / receiving unit on the inside of the vehicle window. The through-channel allows the radar beams to be guided with low loss.The guide unit is advantageously arranged in the through-channel or an electrically conductive conductor, for example as a coating, as a guide unit or as an insert, is arranged on the inside of the through-channel.

[0032] It is advantageous if the through-channel is at least partially filled with a filling and / or covered on the outside and / or inside of the component with a cover, wherein the filling and / or the cover preferably have a lower permittivity than a component material of the vehicle component. This can prevent the penetration of water and dirt. The material with the lower permittivity than the component material only slightly attenuates the radar beams. It is advantageous if the through-channel is at least partially filled with a filling and / or covered on the outside and / or inside of the vehicle window with a cover, wherein the filling and / or the cover preferably have a lower permittivity than a window material of the vehicle window.This prevents water and dirt from penetrating. The material, with its lower permittivity compared to the vehicle windshield material, attenuates radar beams only slightly.

[0033] It is advantageous if the filling is a foam, for example made of plastic, and / or a resin. Additionally or alternatively, the cover can be made of a resin and / or a plastic.

[0034] It is advantageous if an insert for stabilizing and preferably for guiding the radar beams is arranged in the through-channel, particularly as a guide unit. The insert is preferably made of steel, stainless steel, plastic, and / or fiber-reinforced plastic. If the insert serves as a stabilizing unit and as a guide unit for guiding the radar beams, additional components can be omitted.

[0035] It is advantageous if the through-channel has a round, square, or elliptical cross-section. However, the cross-section, such as its shape and / or dimensions, can be tailored to the frequency or frequency range of the radar beams.

[0036] It is advantageous if the channel cross-section of the through-channel increases, particularly continuously, from the inside of the component toward the outside. This allows the funnel shape to be formed. Furthermore, this provides a larger entry area for the incoming radar beams. The radar beams can be amplified by the channel cross-section decreasing toward the inside of the component. It is advantageous if the channel cross-section of the through-channel remains constant, at least in sections, from the inside of the component toward the outside of the component. This makes the through-channel cylindrical in sections.

[0037] It is advantageous if the channel cross-section of the through-channel increases, particularly continuously, from the inside of the vehicle window toward the outside. This allows the funnel shape to be formed. Furthermore, this provides a larger entry area for the incoming radar beams. The radar beams can be amplified by the channel cross-section decreasing toward the inside of the vehicle window.

[0038] It is advantageous if the channel cross-section of the through-channel is at least partially consistent from the inside of the vehicle window pane to the outside of the vehicle window pane. This makes the through-channel cylindrical in some sections.

[0039] It is advantageous if the through-channel is formed by drilling, etching, lasering, or cutting. This allows the through-channel to be formed easily and very precisely.

[0040] The invention also relates to a vehicle with a radar antenna arrangement as described above.

[0041] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a radar antenna arrangement with an antenna unit as a horn antenna, Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a radar antenna arrangement,

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a radar antenna arrangement with an antenna unit in the Yagi-Uda principle and

[0044] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a radar antenna arrangement with an antenna unit as a horn antenna.

[0045] In the following figures, the invention is described using a vehicle window as a vehicle component. Accordingly, in the following, a component inner side is a window inner side and a component outer side is a window outer side. As already described above, the vehicle component can additionally or alternatively also be a bumper, a panel of a vehicle's outer skin, a pillar cover panel of the vehicle, a panel of window edges, a spoiler and / or a wind deflector. The component inner side or the component outer side is thus arranged on the corresponding vehicle component. For example, the component inner side or the component outer side for the spoiler are a spoiler inner side or a spoiler outer side. The same applies to the other vehicle components.

[0046] Figure 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of a radar antenna arrangement 1 for a vehicle with a section of a plan view of the vehicle window 2. The vehicle window 2 is only partially shown and the section of the plan view is shown in the bottom right of the rectangular frame. The vehicle is not shown here. The radar antenna arrangement 1 comprises a vehicle window 2, which is only partially shown here. The vehicle window 2 can, for example, be designed as a composite pane, i.e. the vehicle window 2 can be constructed from several individual panes that are connected to one another by means of a film in between. The vehicle window 2 further comprises an inner pane 3 and an outer pane 4. When the vehicle window 2 is arranged in the vehicle, the inner pane 3 faces a vehicle interior and the outer pane 4 faces the vehicle's surroundings.The vehicle window 2 can be, for example, a windshield, a rear window and / or side windows of the vehicle.

[0047] The radar antenna arrangement 1 further comprises a radar device 5, which has at least one antenna unit 6 for transmitting and / or receiving radar beams 8, 9. The radar beams 8 shown here are transmitted, and the radar beams 9 shown are received. Using the radar beams 8, 9, for example, distances between an object and the vehicle can be measured. This serves in particular to improve driving safety in traffic, whereby, for example, a braking maneuver or an evasive maneuver can be carried out by measuring the distances.

[0048] Here, reference numeral 8 denotes radar beams emitted by radar device 5 or antenna unit 6. Reference numeral 9 denotes incoming radar beams that have been reflected by an object and travel back to radar device 5 or antenna unit 6. The incoming radar beams 9 are then received by radar device 5 or antenna unit 6. Based on the travel time of radar beams 8, 9, a distance between the object and the vehicle can be determined.

[0049] In addition, at least one through-channel 7 is arranged in the vehicle window 2, which extends between the inner side 3 and the outer side 4 of the window through the vehicle window 2. The through-channel 7 extends completely through the vehicle window 2 here.

[0050] The at least one antenna unit 6 is further coupled to the through-channel 7 in such a way that the radar beams 8, 9 run at least partially through the through-channel 7 until they exit the through-channel 7 on the outer side 4 of the window in the case of transmission and / or after they enter the through-channel 7 on the outer side 4 of the window in the case of reception. Here, emitted radar beams 8 in the through-channel 7 are also shown schematically. Of course, the incoming radar beams 9 can also be arranged in the through-channel 7, although these are not shown for the sake of clarity. In particular, the at least one antenna unit 6 transmits the radar beams 8 such that they run at least partially through the through-channel 7. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one antenna unit 6 receives the radar beams 9 such that they run at least partially through the through-channel 7.As a result, the location at which the radar beams 8, 9 are transmitted and / or received can be shifted towards the inside of the window 3. Furthermore, the at least one antenna unit 6 can be positioned on the inside of the window.

[0051] 3. Through the passage channel 7, the radar beams 8, 9 are not or only slightly influenced by the vehicle window 2. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one antenna unit 6 can transmit or receive the radar beams 8, 9 from the direction of the window inner side 3. Through the passage channel 7, which extends to the window outer side

[0052] 4, radar beams 8, 9 are not influenced, or only very slightly influenced, by the vehicle window 2. Thus, the radar beams 8, 9 are not refracted or scattered, or only slightly refracted, at a transition between air or another medium and the vehicle window 2, which can distort the distance measurement. Furthermore, the radar beams 8, 9 are not attenuated, or attenuated as little as possible, by the vehicle window 2, so that the radar device 5 requires only a very small amount of electrical power.

[0053] If the radar beams 8, 9 pass at least partially through the through-channel 7, the radar beams 8, 9 are transmitted and received closer to the inside of the window 3. This eliminates the need for cables through the vehicle window 2, which carry the electrical signal through the vehicle window 2. Such cables are particularly unsuitable for high-frequency applications, especially in the range above 10 GHz, as this is subject to significant losses. In contrast, lower losses are achieved if the radar beams 8, 9 are passed at least partially through the through-channel 7.

[0054] The through-channel 7 continues to extend completely through the vehicle window 2. The through-channel 7 has an inner opening 10 on the inside 3 of the window and an outer opening 11 on the outside 4 of the window. As a result, the radar beams 8, 9 can enter or exit the through-channel 7 through the inner opening 10 and / or the outer opening 11.

[0055] According to the present embodiment, an insert 12 is arranged in the through-channel 7 in order to increase the stability of the through-channel 7 or of the vehicle window 2 around the through-channel 7. According to the top view also shown at the bottom right, the insert 12 is round.

[0056] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the through-channel 7 is covered by a cover 23 in the area of ​​the outer side 4 of the window. This prevents water or dirt from penetrating the through-channel 7. The cover 23 is not shown in the plan view. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the antenna unit 6 is designed as a horn antenna. This antenna unit 6 shown here comprises a guide unit 14, by means of which the radar beams 8, 9 can be guided. With the help of the guide unit 14, the radar beams 8, 9 can be guided through the through-channel 7 during transmission and / or reception. In particular, the radar beams 8, 9 can be guided past the vehicle window 2 so that they are not refracted, scattered, or attenuated by it. The guide unit 14, in particular a first guide end 17 of the guide unit 14, is advantageously flush with the outer side 4 of the window.Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide unit 14 is made of an electrically conductive material so that it can guide the radar beams 8, 9. Furthermore, the guide unit 14 is conical. The guide unit 14 widens from the inner side 3 of the pane toward the outer side 4 of the pane. The guide unit 14 is thus funnel-shaped. This allows the radar beams to enter and exit through a large opening at the first end. The guide unit 14 also functions as a waveguide.

[0057] In an embodiment not shown here, the guide unit 14 can also be formed by means of the insert 12. The insert 12 can then, for example, have a cylindrical outer surface in order to be inserted into the cylindrical through-channel 7. An inner surface of the insert 12 can then be conical or taper towards the inner side 3 of the disk.

[0058] The antenna unit 6 can further comprise, as shown here, a transmitting / receiving unit 15, by means of which the radar beams 8, 9 can be emitted and / or received. The radar beams 8, 9 are emitted and / or received at the location of the transmitting / receiving unit 15. Thus, in the case of transmission, the radar beams 8 can extend away from the transmitting / receiving unit 15. In the case of reception, the radar beams 9 extend to the transmitting / receiving unit 15. In both cases, at least sections of the through-channel 7 are transmitted.

[0059] The transmitting / receiving unit 15 comprises, in particular, an electrically conductive material, for example, a conductor, through which the bound electrical signals are transmitted in radar beams 8, 9 for transmission. During reception, the transmitting / receiving unit 15 converts the radar beams 8, 9 into the electrical signal in the electrically conductive material, for example, the conductor. The transmitting / receiving unit 15 can thus also be referred to as a transmission unit.

[0060] The antenna unit 6, in particular the transmitting / receiving unit 15, is arranged on the inner side 3 of the window, so that the radar beams 8, 9 pass at least partially through the through channel 7.

[0061] The guidance unit 14 has a second guidance end 18, which is arranged on the end of the guidance unit 14 opposite the first guidance end 17. In the region of the second guidance end 18, the transmission / reception unit 15 is arranged, by means of which the radar beams 8, 9 are emitted for transmission and / or received for reception. With the help of the transmission / reception unit 15, the transmitted radar beams 8 are generated from an electrical signal. Additionally or alternatively, the incoming radar beams 9 are converted into an electrical signal during reception. The transmission / reception unit 15 comprises an electrically conductive unit, by means of which the transition from the electrical signal into electromagnetic waves in the air or from the electromagnetic waves in the air into the electrical signal can take place. Furthermore, the radar device 5 or the antenna unit 6 comprises a circuit board 16 with which the electrical signal can be guided.The radar device 5 preferably comprises an amplification unit 24 and / or a processing unit 25, which can also be arranged on the circuit board 16, for example in the form of a chip. Alternatively, the circuit board 16 can also establish the connection to the amplification unit 24 and / or the processing unit 25.

[0062] As further shown in this exemplary embodiment, the transceiver unit 15 is arranged outside the vehicle window 2 and on the side of the vehicle window 2 facing the inside 3 of the window. The radar beams 8 emitted by the transceiver unit 15 enter the through-channel 7, in particular on the inside 3 of the window, and exit the through-channel 7 on the outside 4 of the window. When the incoming radar beams 9 are received, they first enter the through-channel 7 on the outside 4 of the window and exit the through-channel 7, in particular on the inside 3 of the window, until they reach the transceiver unit 15. If the transceiver unit 15 is arranged in the through-channel 7, the radar beams 8, 9 naturally do not exit the through-channel 7 on the inside 3 of the window.

[0063] The vehicle window 2 therefore does not obstruct the radar beams 8, 9 when passing through the vehicle window 2.

[0064] As can also be seen here, the guide unit 14 is conical, with an opening of the guide unit 14 in the region of the first guide end 17 being larger than an opening of the guide unit 14 in the region of the second guide end 18. Thus, the guide unit 14 has the shape of a funnel. As can also be seen in the plan view, the guide unit 14 has a rectangular cross-section. Additionally or alternatively, the guide unit 14 can also be round, oval, elliptical, or n-sided.

[0065] Features that have already been described in at least one previous figure cannot be explained again for the sake of simplicity. Furthermore, features can also be described in this or in at least one of the subsequent figures. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, the same reference symbols are used for the same features. Moreover, for the sake of clarity, not all features can be shown and / or provided with a reference symbol in the following figures. However, features shown in one or more of the previous figures can also be present in this or in one or more of the subsequent figures. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, features can also be shown and / or provided with a reference symbol in this or in one or more of the subsequent figures.Nevertheless, features which are only shown in one or more of the subsequent figures may already be present in this or a previous figure.

[0066] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the radar antenna arrangement 1. The through-channel 7 extends from the inside 3 of the pane to the outside 4 of the pane.

[0067] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the antenna unit 6 comprises the transmitting / receiving unit 15, by means of which the radar beams 8, 9 are emitted and / or received. The transmitting / receiving unit 15 is arranged here on or at the inner side 3 of the window and can emit the radar beams 8, 9 into the through-channel 7 and / or receive them there. Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving unit 15 can also be arranged at least partially in the through-channel 7. However, the transmitting / receiving unit 15 extends from the inner side 3 of the window into the through-channel 7. The transmitting / receiving unit 15 is coupled to a circuit board 16, as shown here.

[0068] The guide unit 14 is arranged in the through-channel 7 and is arranged on an inner side 20 of the through-channel 7. The guide unit 14 thus lines the through-channel 7. The guide unit 14 is designed as an electrically conductive element in order to form a waveguide through the guide unit 14 and the through-channel 7. For this purpose, the guide unit 14 is advantageously cylindrical or closed. Furthermore, the guide unit 14 can be designed as a tube or as an insert 12, as shown in Figure 1, which is inserted. Alternatively, it can be vapor-deposited on the inner side 20 or formed from a liquid metal by deposition. Since the through-channel 7 and the guide unit 14 function as a waveguide, the radar beams 8, 9 are guided through the through-channel 7 with very low losses, particularly in frequency ranges above 10 GHz. In this exemplary embodiment, the through-channel 7 is a waveguide channel.

[0069] A converter unit 19 is arranged on the side of the through-channel 7 opposite the transmitting / receiving unit 15, or in the area of ​​the outer side 4 of the window. During transmission, this converter unit receives the radar beams 8 emitted by the transmitting / receiving unit 15 and then transmitted, and radiates the received radar beams 9 into the surrounding area. During reception, the converter unit 19 receives the incoming radar beams 9 and transmits them into the through-channel 7, so that the incoming radar beams 9 reach the transmitting / receiving unit 15.

[0070] Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a further radar antenna arrangement, wherein the antenna unit 6 is designed as a Yagi-Uda antenna or at least is based on the Yagi-Uda principle.

[0071] Here, the antenna unit 6 extends into the through channel 7. As already described, the antenna unit 6 is constructed according to the Yagi-Uda principle, which can very well transmit radar beams 8, 9 in a specific direction and / or receive them from a specific direction.

[0072] The antenna unit 6 described here comprises the transceiver unit 15 for radiating the emitted radar beams 8 and / or for receiving the incoming radar beams 9. From the transceiver unit 15 in the direction of the inner side 3 of the window, the antenna unit 6 has a reflector 21, by means of which the radar beams 8, 9 can be reflected, which run in the direction of the inner side 3 of the window. Furthermore, the antenna unit 6 comprises directors 22, two directors 22 being shown here. With the help of the directors 22, the radar beams 8, 9 can be radiated in a specific direction and / or detected from a specific direction. The directors 22 are arranged from the transceiver unit 15 in the direction of the outer side 4 of the window. The directors 22, the transmitting / receiving unit 15 and the reflector 21 are arranged on a carrier 26.The direction in which the radar beams 8, 9 are predominantly emitted and / or received is thus determined by the straight line defined by the directors 22, the transceiver unit 15, and the reflector 21. This direction is also the direction of greatest sensitivity, whereby this direction is also determined by the direction of the carrier 26. With the aid of the carrier 26, the electrical signal can also be guided to the transceiver unit 15 and / or away from it. For this purpose, the carrier 26 can, for example, have an electrical conductor (not shown here).

[0073] With the help of the antenna unit 6 according to the Yagi-Uda principle or with the help of the strong focusing of the antenna unit 6, the radar antenna arrangement 1 can be operated with low losses.

[0074] The antenna unit 6 is further arranged here in the through-channel 7. In addition, the antenna unit 6 can also protrude at least partially from the through-channel 7, particularly on the side facing away from the directors 22. The antenna unit 6 thus partially protrudes from the through-channel 7 on the inner side 3 of the pane.

[0075] Furthermore, the through-channel 7 is filled with a filling 13 to increase the stability of the antenna unit 6 shown here. The top view shows the outer opening 11, the through-channel 7, the inner opening 10, and the antenna unit 6. The openings 10, 11 can be round, oval, or square.

[0076] Figure 4 shows a further sectional view of a radar antenna arrangement 1, wherein a plan view of the vehicle window 2, the through-channel 7 and the antenna unit 6 is shown in the box at the bottom right.

[0077] The antenna unit 6 shown here is designed as a horn antenna in this exemplary embodiment, or is constructed according to the functional principle of a horn antenna. The guide unit 14 again forms the funnel here, with the guide unit 14 guiding the radar beams 8, 9 to the transmitting / receiving unit 15 for reception and / or guiding them to the environment after they have been emitted by the transmitting / receiving unit 15. Here, the emitted radar beams 8 are again shown schematically, still arranged in the through-channel 7. With the aid of the antenna unit 6 shown here, the radar beams 8, 9 can be emitted well in one direction or received well from one direction, so that the radar antenna arrangement 1 can be operated with low losses.

[0078] The guide unit 14 can again be formed as a correspondingly shaped tube or by means of a coating process. During the coating process, the inner side 20 of the through-channel 7 is coated with an electrically conductive material. The guide unit 14 can also be formed by means of the insert 12, which is correspondingly shaped.

[0079] The through-channel 7 is further covered with a cover 23, which in particular covers the outer opening 11, thus easily preventing water or dirt from reaching the antenna unit 6. The plan view shows the outer opening 11, the through-channel 7, the inner opening 10, and the antenna unit 6. The openings 10, 11 are angular, with the guide unit 14 or the funnel being angular or box-shaped. Consequently, the outer opening 11 and / or the inner opening 10 are rectangular or generally angular.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, the transceiver unit 15 is arranged above the inner opening 10. The transceiver unit 15 is also arranged on the inner side 3 of the pane.

[0081] Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving unit 15 or the antenna unit 6 is coupled to the circuit board 16, which may have amplifier and / or processing units of the radar device 5 or may establish a connection to them.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the patent claims are possible, as are combinations of features, even if they are illustrated and described in different embodiments.

[0083] Reference symbol

[0084] 1 radar antenna array

[0085] 2 vehicle window

[0086] 3 Inside of the pane

[0087] 4 Outside of the pane

[0088] 5 Radar device

[0089] 6 Antenna unit

[0090] 7 Through channel

[0091] 8 emitted radar beams

[0092] 9 incoming radar beams

[0093] 10 Internal opening

[0094] 11 External opening

[0095] 12 deployment

[0096] 13 Filling

[0097] 14 Management unit

[0098] 15 Transceiver unit

[0099] 16 circuit board

[0100] 17 first leading end

[0101] 18 second leading end

[0102] 19 Converter unit

[0103] 20 Inside

[0104] 21 Reflector

[0105] 22 directors

[0106] 23 Cover

[0107] 24 amplifier unit

[0108] 25 processing unit

[0109] 26 carriers

Claims

Patent claims for radar antenna arrangement (1) for a vehicle with a vehicle component (2) having an inner surface (3) and an outer surface (4), and with at least one radar device (5) which has at least one antenna unit for transmitting and / or receiving radar beams (8, 9). (6) has, characterized in that at least one through-channel (7) is arranged in the vehicle component (2), which extends through the vehicle component (2) between the inner surface (3) and the outer surface (4), and that the at least one antenna unit (6) is coupled to the through-channel (7) such that the radar beams (8, 9) pass at least sectionally through the through-channel (7) until, in the case of transmission, they have exited the through-channel (7) at the outer surface (4) of the component and / or, in the case of reception, after they have entered the through-channel (7) at the outer surface (4) of the component. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vehicle component is a vehicle window, a bumper, a panel of a vehicle outer skin, a pillar cover plate of the vehicle, a panel of window edges, a spoiler and / or a wind deflector.Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through channel. (7) has an internal opening (10) on the inside of the component (3) and / or an external opening (11) on the outside of the component (4). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one antenna unit (6) is coupled to the through-channel (7) such that the radar beams (8, 9) are emitted and / or received in the through-channel (7). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one antenna unit (6) is coupled to the through-channel (7) such that the radar beams (8, 9) pass through the inner opening (10). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna unit (6) comprises at least one transmit-receive unit (15) by means of which the radar beams (8, 9) can be emitted for transmission and / or received for reception.Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna unit (6), in particular the transmit-receive unit (15), is arranged on or at the inside of the component (3) and / or that the antenna unit (6), in particular the transmit-receive unit (15), is arranged at least partially in the through-channel (7). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna unit (6), in particular the transmit-receive unit (15), extends from the inside of the component (3) into the through-channel (7) and / or that the antenna unit (6), in particular the transmit-receive unit (15), has a shorter distance to the inside of the component (3) than to the outside of the component (4). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radar device (5) comprises a printed circuit board (16) which is connected to the at least one antenna unit (6) and which is preferably arranged on the inside of the component (3), in particular glued on. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radar device (5) comprising at least one amplifier unit (24) and / or one processing unit (25), which are preferably arranged on the circuit board (16) and / or coupled to it. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna unit (6) is configured as a horn antenna and / or as a Yagi-Uda antenna. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna unit (6) comprises a guide unit (14) for guiding the radar beams (8, 9), wherein the guide unit (14) and the transmit-receive unit (15) are preferably matched to each other, in particular spatially and / or with respect to their electromagnetic properties, and wherein the guide unit (14) is preferably arranged at least partially in the transmission channel (7), in particular on an inner side (20) of the transmission channel (7). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide unit (14) has the shape of a cylinder and / or a funnel and / or that the guide unit (14) is formed by means of a coating made of an electrically conductive material and / or that the guidance unit (14) is formed by means of a conductor, in particular a closed conductor. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna unit (6) comprises a converter unit (19) arranged on the outer surface (4) of the component, by means of which, in the case of receiving the radar beams (8, 9), the radar beams (9) can be received and emitted into the transmission channel (7), and, in the case of transmitting, the radar beams (8, 9) can be received from the transmission channel (7) and emitted away from the vehicle component (2). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission channel (7) is at least partially filled with a filling (13) and / or is covered on the outer surface (4) and / or on the inner surface (3) of the component with a cover (23), wherein the filling (13) and / or the cover (23) preferably have a lower permittivity compared to a component material of the vehicle component (2). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling (13) is a plastic, a plastic foam and / or a resin and / or that the cover (23) is a resin and / or plastic. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insert (12) for stabilizing and preferably for guiding the radar beams (8, 9) is arranged in the passage channel (7), in particular as a guide unit (14), wherein the insert (12) is preferably made of steel, stainless steel, plastic and / or fiber-reinforced plastic.Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-channel (7) has a round, rectangular, or elliptical channel cross-section. Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel cross-section of the through-channel (7) increases from the inside of the component (3) towards the outside of the component (4), in particular continuously, and / or that the channel cross-section of the through-channel (7) is at least partially constant from the inside of the component (3) towards the outside of the component (4). Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-channel (7) is formed by drilling, etching, laser cutting, or cutting.Radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface of the component is an inner surface (3) of a vehicle component designed as a vehicle window (2) and the outer surface of the component is an outer surface (4) of the vehicle window (2). Vehicle with a radar antenna arrangement (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

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