Radar device

Abstract

To provide a radar device capable of suppressing deformation of a radome part without deteriorating antenna performance.SOLUTION: A housing 16 and a radome part 22 in a radar device 10 constitute an enclosure 20 that stores an antenna part 14 and a substrate 12. The radome part 22 is provided to be overlapped with the substrate 12 on one side in a substrate thickness direction Dt with a space therefrom. A reinforcement part 24 is also fixed to the radome part 22 to protrude from the radome part 22 on the other side in the substrate thickness direction Dt and extend along the radome part 22. The reinforcement part 24 is also disposed outside a radio wave irradiation range Rr. This allows the radome part 22 to be reinforced by the reinforcement part 24 while the reinforcement part 24 avoids interference to the substrate 12 on which the antenna part 14 is provided as well as the radio wave irradiation range Rr. Therefore, deformation of the radome part 22 can be suppressed by strength of the reinforcement part 24 so as not to deteriorate the antenna performance of the radar device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radar device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electronic device, the housing of which is reinforced by ribs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-64040 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The radar device has a REDOM portion that constitutes a part of the housing of the radar device and through which radio waves pass. For example, if the REDOM portion is deformed beyond a certain limit due to the action of an external force, the effect of a temperature change, or the like, it is expected that the REDOM portion will interfere with the circuit board inside the housing of the radar device. Such interference of the REDOM portion with the circuit board inside the housing may lead to a deterioration in the antenna performance of the radar device.

[0005] In response to this, the inventors considered reinforcing the RADOM part of the radar device by referring to the structure for reinforcing the housing of an electronic device described in Patent Document 1. However, there are various restrictions specific to radar devices for the structure for reinforcing the RADOM part. As a result of detailed investigation by the inventors, the above findings were found.

[0006] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a radar device capable of suppressing deformation of a radom portion so as not to degrade antenna performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a radar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: A substrate (12); an antenna section (14, 28, 30) provided on the substrate and configured to radiate radio waves in one direction (Dt) so that the radio waves spread within a predetermined radio wave irradiation range (Rr) formed on one side of the substrate in the one direction (Dt); a housing (16) that is included in a case (20) that houses the antenna unit and the substrate and that holds the substrate; a radome portion (22) included in the housing, provided to overlap one side of the substrate in the one direction with a gap therebetween, extending in a planar manner toward the one direction, and capable of transmitting radio waves; The reinforcing portion (24) protrudes from the radome portion toward the other side in the one direction, extends along the radome portion, is fixed to the radome portion, and is disposed outside the radio wave irradiation range and away from the substrate.

[0008] In this way, the reinforcing portion can reinforce the RADOM portion while preventing the reinforcing portion from interfering with the substrate on which the antenna portion is provided or the radio wave irradiation range, thereby making it possible to suppress deformation of the RADOM portion so as not to degrade the antenna performance of the radar device.

[0009] In addition, in each section of the application documents, each element may be given a reference number in parentheses. In this case, the reference number merely indicates an example of the correspondence between the element and the specific configuration described in the embodiment described later. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited in any way by the description of the reference number. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a radar device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing components including a radom section and a reinforcing section of the radar device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section taken along line VV of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 2, and is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section corresponding to the cross section II-II in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section corresponding to the VV cross section of FIG. 3 in the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a single component including a radome portion and a reinforcing portion of a radar device in a second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 2. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section corresponding to the cross section II-II in FIG. 1 in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section corresponding to the VV cross section of FIG. 3 in the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a single component including a radom section and a reinforcing section of a radar device in a third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to parts that are the same or equivalent to each other.

[0012] (First embodiment) 1 and 2, a radar device 10 according to the present embodiment is an on-board device mounted on, for example, a vehicle, which is a moving body. The radar device 10 transmits a transmission wave, which is an electric wave, to the surroundings of the vehicle and receives a reflected wave generated when the transmission wave is reflected.

[0013] The radar device 10 includes a substrate 12, an antenna section 14, a housing 16, an inner case 18, a radome section 22, and a reinforcing section 24.

[0014] The substrate 12 is a printed circuit board on which a wiring pattern is formed using copper foil or the like. The substrate 12 is formed in a flat plate shape having a thickness in one direction, that is, a substrate thickness direction Dt, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the substrate thickness direction Dt. The substrate 12 has one surface 121 provided on one side of the substrate thickness direction Dt and another surface 122 provided on the other side of the substrate thickness direction Dt.

[0015] The antenna unit 14 has a configuration as an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves, and is provided on the substrate 12. For example, the antenna unit 14 may be an electric component that is mounted and soldered on the substrate 12, but in this embodiment, the antenna unit 14 is formed by a copper foil wiring pattern provided on one surface 121 of the substrate 12.

[0016] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the antenna unit 14 irradiates a transmission wave, which is a radio wave, to one side in the substrate thickness direction Dt so that the transmission wave spreads within a predetermined radio wave irradiation range Rr. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the outer edge of the radio wave irradiation range Rr is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The radio wave irradiation range Rr is formed on one side of the substrate thickness direction Dt with respect to the substrate 12, and is determined in advance as a specification of the radar device 10. For example, the radio wave irradiation range Rr is formed so as to spread in a direction perpendicular to the substrate thickness direction Dt as it moves away from the antenna unit 14 to one side in the substrate thickness direction Dt.

[0017] The antenna unit 14 also receives a reflected wave generated by reflection of the transmitted wave. Note that Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1, and the III-III cross section in Fig. 1 corresponds to the IIIa-IIIa cross section in Fig. 2.

[0018] The housing 16 constitutes a part of a case 20 that forms the outer shell of the radar device 10. The board 12, the antenna unit 14, and the inner case 18 are housed inside this case 20. The housing 16 alone has a bottomed shape with one side in the board thickness direction Dt open and the other side in the board thickness direction Dt closed.

[0019] The substrate 12 is disposed within a housing 16, and is fixed to the housing 16 by a plurality of screws 12a at the corners of the substrate 12. In this way, the housing 16 holds the substrate 12. For example, the housing 16 is made of resin.

[0020] The inner case 18 is disposed on the other side of the substrate 12 in the substrate thickness direction Dt within the housing 16. The inner case 18 is made of metal, and when used alone, has a bottomed shape with one side in the substrate thickness direction Dt open and the other side in the substrate thickness direction Dt closed. For example, the inner case 18 is formed to fit along the inner wall surface of the housing 16.

[0021] Moreover, the inner case 18 is fastened together with the substrate 12 to the housing 16. As a result, the inner case 18 is also fixed to the housing 16.

[0022] The radome portion 22 and the reinforcing portion 24 are integrally configured to form a single resin part. Therefore, the reinforcing portion 24 is fixed to the radome portion 22. The radome portion 22 and the reinforcing portion 24 are made of a resin that easily transmits radio waves.

[0023] The REDOM portion 22 plays a role in separating the external and internal spaces of the housing 20 by transmitting radio waves. The REDOM portion 22 is provided so as to close an opening on one side of the housing 16 in the substrate thickness direction Dt, and constitutes a part of the housing 20. In other words, the REDOM portion 22 constitutes the housing 20 together with the housing 16. For example, the REDOM portion 22 is welded to the housing 16 at a peripheral portion thereof, and is thereby fixed to the housing 16.

[0024] The REDOM portion 22 is a flat plate disposed next to the substrate 12, and thus extends in a planar manner in the substrate thickness direction Dt. The REDOM portion 22 is provided so as to overlap one side of the substrate 12 in the substrate thickness direction Dt with a gap therebetween.

[0025] 2 to 4, the reinforcing portion 24 is provided to suppress bending deformation caused by curving the REDOM portion 22, and reinforces the REDOM portion 22. The reinforcing portion 24 has, for example, a rib shape protruding from the REDOM portion 22 to the inside of the housing 20. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 24 protrudes from the REDOM portion 22 to the other side in the substrate thickness direction Dt and extends along the REDOM portion 22.

[0026] More specifically, in a cross section of the reinforcing portion 24, which is a cross section perpendicular to the substrate thickness direction Dt, for example, in the cross section of Fig. 5, the reinforcing portion 24 is formed to surround the radio wave irradiation range Rr. The reinforcing portion 24 is disposed outside the radio wave irradiation range Rr without entering the radio wave irradiation range Rr. For example, in the cross section of Fig. 5, the reinforcing portion 24 is formed to extend continuously in a ring shape around the radio wave irradiation range Rr.

[0027] 2 and 3, the reinforcing portion 24 is disposed away from the substrate 12 and objects provided on one surface 121 of the substrate 12. An example of the object is the head of the screw 12a shown in FIG. 2. For example, even if the radome portion 22 deforms to bulge toward the other side in the substrate thickness direction Dt within its elastic range, the reinforcing portion 24 is provided at a distance from the substrate 12 in the substrate thickness direction Dt so as not to interfere with the substrate 12 and objects provided on the substrate 12. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the reinforcing portion 24 and the substrate 12 caused by deformation of the radome portion 22 during the installation of the radar device 10 to the vehicle.

[0028] As described above, according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, in the radar device 10, the housing 16 and the REDOM portion 22 form the case 20 that accommodates the antenna portion 14 and the substrate 12. The REDOM portion 22 is provided so as to overlap one side of the substrate 12 in the substrate thickness direction Dt with a gap therebetween. The reinforcing portion 24 is fixed to the REDOM portion 22, protrudes from the REDOM portion 22 to the other side in the substrate thickness direction Dt, and extends along the REDOM portion 22. The reinforcing portion 24 is disposed outside the radio wave irradiation range Rr and away from the substrate 12.

[0029] This makes it possible to reinforce the REDOM section 22 with the reinforcing section 24 while preventing the reinforcing section 24 from interfering with the substrate 12 on which the antenna section 14 is provided and the radio wave irradiation range Rr. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deformation of the REDOM section 22 by the strength of the reinforcing section 24 so as not to degrade the antenna performance of the radar device 10.

[0030] (1) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 24 is formed so as to surround the radio wave irradiation range Rr in the reinforcing portion cross section shown in Fig. 5, for example. Therefore, the reinforcing portion 24 can reinforce the REDOM portion 22 over a wide area including the portion of the REDOM portion 22 that intersects with the radio wave irradiation range Rr while avoiding the reinforcing portion 24 from interfering with the radio wave irradiation range Rr.

[0031] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Also, parts that are the same as or equivalent to the above-mentioned embodiment will be omitted or simplified. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 8, the radar device 10 of this embodiment includes a plurality of antenna sections 28, 30. Specifically, the plurality of antenna sections 28, 30 are a first antenna section 28 and a second antenna section 30. The first and second antenna sections 28, 30 replace the antenna section 14 of the first embodiment, and are provided on one surface 121 of the substrate 12 with the same configuration as the antenna section 14. The configurations of the first and second antenna sections 28, 30 that are not mentioned in the description of this embodiment are the same as those of the antenna section 14 of the first embodiment.

[0033] On one surface 121 of the substrate 12, the first antenna portion 28 and the second antenna portion 30 are arranged side by side at an interval in a first direction D1, which is a direction perpendicular to the substrate thickness direction Dt. In the description of this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the substrate thickness direction Dt is referred to as a second direction D2. The substrate 12 extends along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0034] In this embodiment, since the first and second antenna units 28 and 30 are provided, the radio wave irradiation range Rr is formed to include a predetermined first range R1r to which the radio waves from the first antenna unit 28 are irradiated, and a predetermined second range R2r to which the radio waves from the second antenna unit 30 are irradiated. In the description of this embodiment, the first antenna unit 28 side in the first direction D1 is referred to as one side of the first direction D1, and the second antenna unit 30 side in the first direction D1 is referred to as the other side of the first direction D1.

[0035] The first range R1r and the second range R2r are formed on one side of the substrate thickness direction Dt with respect to the substrate 12. For example, the first range R1r is formed so as to expand in the first and second directions D1 and D2 as it moves away from the first antenna portion 28 to one side of the substrate thickness direction Dt. Similarly, the second range R2r is formed so as to expand in the first and second directions D1 and D2 as it moves away from the second antenna portion 30 to one side of the substrate thickness direction Dt.

[0036] Further, the first area R1r and the second area R2r partially overlap each other on one side of the radome portion 22 in the substrate thickness direction Dt, but are formed apart from each other in the first direction D1 within the housing 20. Therefore, in a cross section of the reinforcing portion 24, for example, in the cross section of FIG. 7, the first area R1r and the second area R2r are formed with a gap between them.

[0037] 6 to 8, the shape of the reinforcing portion 24 of this embodiment is different from that of the reinforcing portion 24 of the first embodiment. That is, the reinforcing portion 24 of this embodiment is not formed so as to surround the radio wave irradiation range Rr. The reinforcing portion 24 of this embodiment protrudes from the REDOM portion 22 to the other side in the substrate thickness direction Dt and extends in the second direction D2 along the REDOM portion 22. The reinforcing portion 24 is separated from the first range R1r and the second range R2r and is disposed between the first range R1r and the second range R2r in the reinforcing portion cross section.

[0038] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, the radio wave irradiation range Rr includes the first range R1r and the second range R2r. In the cross section of the reinforcement portion shown in FIG. 7, for example, the first range R1r and the second range R2r are formed with a distance between them, and the reinforcement portion 24 is disposed between the first range R1r and the second range R2r. Therefore, the reinforcement portion 24 can be disposed by utilizing the gap between the first range R1r and the second range R2r, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the radar device 10 due to the installation of the reinforcement portion 24.

[0039] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0040] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

[0041] 9 to 11, in this embodiment, the shape of the reinforcing portion 24 is different from that in the second embodiment. Specifically, the reinforcing portion 24 in this embodiment has a first component portion 241 and a second component portion 242. The first component portion 241 has the same configuration as the reinforcing portion 24 in the first embodiment, and the second component portion 242 has the same configuration as the reinforcing portion 24 in the second embodiment.

[0042] Therefore, the reinforcing portion 24 of this embodiment is disposed between the first region R1r and the second region R2r in the reinforcing portion cross section shown in Fig. 10, for example, and is formed so as to surround both the first region R1r and the second region R2r. Also, as shown in Fig. 10, the second component portion 242 is disposed inside the first component portion 241 formed in an annular shape, and both ends of the second component portion 242 in the second direction D2 are connected to the first component portion 241.

[0043] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, the reinforcing portion 24 is disposed between the first region R1r and the second region R2r in the cross section of the reinforcing portion shown in Fig. 10, for example, and is formed so as to surround both the first region R1r and the second region R2r. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy both the action and effect obtained by the reinforcing portion 24 of the first embodiment and the action and effect obtained by the reinforcing portion 24 of the second embodiment.

[0044] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the second embodiment.

[0045] (Other embodiments) (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the radar device 10 includes the inner case 18 as shown in FIG. 2, for example. However, the inner case 18 may be omitted.

[0046] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the antenna unit 14 transmits radio waves and receives reflected waves. However, the antenna unit 14 may be dedicated to transmission without receiving reflected waves.

[0047] (3) Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms. Furthermore, it goes without saying that in each of the above-described embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless expressly stated as essential or considered to be obviously essential in principle.

[0048] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when the numbers, values, amounts, ranges, and other numerical values ​​of the components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers, except when it is particularly clearly stated that they are essential or when they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle, etc. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, when the materials, shapes, positional relationships, and the like of the components are mentioned, they are not limited to the materials, shapes, positional relationships, and the like, except when it is particularly clearly stated or when they are clearly limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, and the like in principle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10 Radar Equipment 12 Substrate 14 Antenna section 16 Housing 20. Cabinet 22 Ledom Club 24 Reinforcement 28 First antenna part (antenna part) 30 Second antenna part (antenna part) Rr Radio wave irradiation range

Claims

1. A radar device, comprising: A substrate (12); an antenna section (14, 28, 30) provided on the substrate and configured to irradiate radio waves to one side in one direction (Dt) so that the radio waves spread within a predetermined radio wave irradiation range (Rr) formed on one side of the substrate in the one direction; a housing (16) that is included in a case (20) that houses the antenna unit and the substrate and that holds the substrate; a radome section (22) included in the housing, provided to overlap the one side of the one direction with a gap with respect to the board, extending in a planar manner toward the one direction, and capable of transmitting the radio waves; a reinforcing portion (24) that protrudes from the radome portion toward the other side in the one direction and extends along the radome portion, is fixed to the radome portion, and is positioned outside the radio wave irradiation range and away from the substrate.

2. The radar device according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing portion is formed so as to surround the radio wave irradiation range in a cross section obtained by cutting the reinforcing portion and perpendicular to the one direction.

3. A plurality of the antenna units are provided, The plurality of antenna portions include a first antenna portion (28) and a second antenna portion (30); the radio wave irradiation range includes a first range (R1r) to which the radio wave from the first antenna unit is irradiated and a second range (R2r) to which the radio wave from the second antenna unit is irradiated, 2. The radar device according to claim 1, wherein in a cross section taken through the reinforcing portion and perpendicular to the one direction, the first area and the second area are formed with a gap between them, and the reinforcing portion is disposed between the first area and the second area.

4. A plurality of the antenna units are provided, The plurality of antenna portions include a first antenna portion (28) and a second antenna portion (30); the radio wave irradiation range includes a first range (R1r) to which the radio wave from the first antenna unit is irradiated and a second range (R2r) to which the radio wave from the second antenna unit is irradiated, In a cross section perpendicular to the one direction obtained by cutting the reinforcing portion, the first area and the second area are formed to be spaced apart from each other, The radar device according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing portion is disposed between the first area and the second area in the cross section and is formed so as to surround both the first area and the second area.

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