Radar device, illumination device, and monitoring device

Abstract

A radar device (1) is mounted on a monitoring device. The radar device (1) comprises: a radio wave source (2) that emits a radio wave (2A) for detecting information regarding the surrounding environment of the monitoring device; and a support body (4) that has a first region (A1) and a second region (A2), and supports a conductor (5). The first region (A1) is positioned on a propagation path of the radio wave (2A), and the second region (A2) supports a member provided with a function different from detection of information. The conductor (5) has a horizontal portion (51) extending in a first direction (D1) that is non-parallel to the direction of an electric field (2B) of the radio wave (2A) in the first region (A1).

Description

Radar device, lighting device, and monitoring device

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radar device and a lighting device mounted on a monitoring device. This disclosure also relates to a monitoring device on which the radar device or the lighting device is mounted.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a radar device that detects information on the surrounding environment of a vehicle as an example of a monitoring device. The radar device is housed in a lamp chamber together with a lighting device that emits illumination light. The radar device is covered with a light guide plate so as not to be visible from the outside of the vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-236803

[0004] It is required to improve the utilization efficiency of the space where the radar device is installed while suppressing a decrease in the reliability of the information detected by the radar device.

[0005] A radar device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a radar device mounted on a monitoring device, and includes a radio wave source that emits radio waves for detecting information on the surrounding environment of the monitoring device, and a support that has a first region and a second region and supports a conductor. The first region is disposed on the propagation path of the radio waves, the second region supports a member provided with a function different from the detection of the information, and the conductor has a first portion extending in a first direction non-parallel to the direction of the electric field of the radio waves in the first region.

[0006] According to the above configuration, for example, since the support disposed on the propagation path of the radio waves emitted from the radio wave source so as not to be visible from the outside of the monitoring device supports a member provided with a function different from the detection of the information, the utilization efficiency of the space where the radar device is installed can be improved. On the other hand, even if the conductor supported by the support is disposed in the region located on the propagation path of the radio waves, the conductor extends in a direction non-parallel to the direction of the electric field of the radio waves in the region, so that absorption of the radio waves is suppressed without functioning as an antenna. Therefore, a decrease in the reliability of the information detected by the radar device can be suppressed.

[0007] A radar device according to one embodiment is schematically illustrated. A vehicle equipped with the radar device of Figure 1 is illustrated. The radar and support of Figure 1 are schematically illustrated. Another example of the radar and support of Figure 1 is schematically shown. A lighting device according to one embodiment is schematically illustrated.

[0008] An example of an embodiment will be described in detail below, with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale has been appropriately changed to make each component recognizable.

[0009] In the attached drawing, arrow F indicates the front direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow B indicates the rear direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow U indicates the upward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow D indicates the downward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow L indicates the left direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow R indicates the right direction of the illustrated structure. These directional expressions are used for explanatory purposes only and do not limit the actual orientation or direction of the illustrated structure in use.

[0010] In the explanations referring to the vehicle 100 exemplified in Figure 2, "left" and "right" indicate the left and right directions as seen from the driver's seat.

[0011] As used herein, the term "forward-backward direction" refers to the direction along the forward and backward directions described above. As used herein, the term "upward-downward direction" refers to the direction along the upward and downward directions described above. As used herein, the term "left-right direction" refers to the direction along the left and right directions described above.

[0012] As used herein, the expression "extending vertically" includes extending at an angle to the vertical direction, and means extending at an angle that is closer to the vertical direction than to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0013] As used herein, the expression "extending in the left-right direction" includes extending at an angle to the left-right direction, and means extending at an angle that is closer to the left-right direction than to the front-back and up-down directions.

[0014] <Radar Device> Figure 1 schematically illustrates a radar device 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 illustrates a vehicle 100 on which the radar device 1 is mounted. The vehicle 100 is an example of a mobile device and also an example of a surveillance device. The shape of the vehicle body of the vehicle 100 is for illustrative purposes only.

[0015] As illustrated in Figure 1, the radar system 1 includes a radar 2. The radar 2 is, for example, a millimeter-wave radar or a microwave radar. The radar 2 is an example of a radio wave source. A vehicle control unit (onboard computer), not shown, is configured to detect information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle 100 (objects existing outside the vehicle 100) based on information output from the radar 2.

[0016] Radar 2 comprises an antenna section (not shown) and a communication circuit section (not shown). The antenna section comprises a transmitting antenna configured to emit radio waves and a receiving antenna configured to receive radio waves reflected by an object located outside the vehicle 100. Radio waves emitted from the transmitting antenna are reflected by an object located outside the vehicle 100, and the reflected radio waves from the object are received by the receiving antenna.

[0017] The communication circuit section comprises a transmitting RF (radio frequency) circuit, a receiving RF circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The communication circuit section is configured as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC). The transmitting RF circuit is electrically connected to a transmitting antenna. The receiving RF circuit is electrically connected to a receiving antenna. The signal processing circuit is configured to generate information indicating the surrounding environment of the vehicle 100 by processing the digital signal output from the receiving RF circuit.

[0018] As illustrated in Figure 2, a left-side vehicle lighting device 10L is located at the left front corner of the vehicle 100. A right-side vehicle lighting device 10R is located at the right front corner of the vehicle 100. A radar device 1 may be located around (for example, below) each of the left-side vehicle lighting device 10L and the right-side vehicle lighting device 10R. Hereinafter, the left-side vehicle lighting device 10L and the right-side vehicle lighting device 10R will be collectively referred to as the lighting device 10.

[0019] As illustrated in Figure 1, the radar device 1 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 partitions the space in which the radar 2 is housed. The radar device 1 also includes a support 4. The support 4 is positioned in a region that includes the path of the radio waves 2A emitted from the radar 2, and is configured to allow the radio waves 2A emitted from the radar 2 to pass through.

[0020] As illustrated in Figure 3, the radar 2 is configured to emit radio waves 2A in the forward direction of the vehicle 100 to detect information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle 100. The radio waves 2A include an electric field 2B that oscillates in a direction D0 perpendicular to the direction of travel of the radio waves 2A. In this example, direction D0 corresponds to the vertical direction of the vehicle 100.

[0021] The support 4 supports the conductor 5. The support 4 has an inner surface 4A facing the radar 2 and an outer surface 4B facing outward from the vehicle 100. The conductor 5 includes a horizontal portion 51. The horizontal portion 51 extends in a first direction D1. In this example, the first direction D1 corresponds to the left-right direction of the vehicle 100. That is, the first portion 5A extends in a direction perpendicular to the electric field D0 of the radio wave 2A. The first direction D1 is an example of a direction nonparallel to the electric field. The horizontal portion 51 is an example of the first portion 5A of the conductor 5.

[0022] The support 4 has a first region A1. The first region A1 is positioned in the path of the radio waves 2A emitted from the radar 2 and supports the horizontal portion 51 of the conductor 5. The support 4 can be opaque in the visible wavelength range, as long as the radio waves 2A can pass through it. Therefore, the radar 2, positioned behind the support 4, can be made invisible from the front.

[0023] The support 4 has a second region A2. The second region A2 supports the heater drive circuit 6. The heater drive circuit 6 is electrically connected to the conductor 5. In this embodiment, the conductor 5 is part of a heating wire. The heater drive circuit 6 supplies power to the conductor 5, causing the conductor 5 to generate heat and thus the support 4 to heat up. The heater drive circuit 6 is an example of a component with a function different from information detection.

[0024] According to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, the support body 4, which is positioned in the path of the radio waves 2A emitted from the radar 2 in order to prevent the radar device 1 from being visible from outside the vehicle 100, supports a conductor 5 that has a function different from information detection, thereby increasing the efficiency of space utilization in which the radar device 1 is installed. On the other hand, even if the first portion 5A of the conductor 5 supported by the support body 4 is positioned in the first region A1 located in the path of the radio waves 2A, the first portion 5A extends in a direction non-parallel to the direction D0 of the electric field 2B of the radio waves 2A, so it does not function as an antenna and absorption of radio waves 2A is suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in the reliability of the information detected by the radar 2 can be suppressed.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, since the conductor 5 forms part of the heating element, water droplets and frost adhering to the support 4 can be removed. This suppresses the occurrence of situations where radio waves 2A passing through the first region A1 are absorbed by moisture. Therefore, the deterioration of the reliability of the information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle 100 acquired by the radar 2 can be further suppressed.

[0026] In this embodiment, the support 4 forms a part of the outer surface of the vehicle 100. Therefore, raindrops and snowflakes may adhere to the outer surface 4B of the support 4. However, the support 4 is heated by the conductor 5, which functions as a heating element, so the attached raindrops and snowflakes can be removed. This suppresses the occurrence of situations where radio waves 2A passing through the first region A1 are absorbed by raindrops and snowflakes. Therefore, the decrease in the reliability of the information about the surrounding environment of the vehicle 100 acquired by the radar 2 can be further suppressed.

[0027] The horizontal portion 51 of the conductor 5 may include a plurality of horizontal portions 51 arranged in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. In this example, the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction of the vehicle 100. The plurality of horizontal portions 51 is an example of a plurality of second portions in the conductor 5. For example, the spacing between the plurality of horizontal portions 51 in the second direction D2 is 6 mm or more and 9 mm or less. For example, the width of each horizontal portion 51 in the second direction D2 is 1 mm or less.

[0028] In this embodiment, the conductor 5 is formed from a material containing a liquid conductor, such as silver paste. With this configuration, even if the support 4 is a curved or bent plate-shaped member, the conductor 5 can be easily fixed to the surface of the support 4 using a dispenser or the like. Therefore, the degree of freedom regarding the shape and arrangement of the support 4 can be increased.

[0029] As illustrated in Figure 4, the second region A2 of the support 4 can support the light source 7 and the light source drive circuit 8. The light source 7 may be, for example, a semiconductor light-emitting element. Examples of semiconductor light-emitting elements include light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, and EL elements. The light source drive circuit 8 is configured to supply power to the light source 7 and emit light outwards from the vehicle 100. The conductor 5 forms part of the light source drive circuit 8. The light source 7 and the light source drive circuit 8 are examples of components with functions other than information detection.

[0030] The light emitted from the light source 7 may be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the radar device 1 or to inform passersby that the radar 2 is in operation. If the support 4 is made of a material that is transparent in the visible wavelength range, the light emitted from the light source 7 may be used to make the radar 2 less visible from the outside.

[0031] <Lighting Device> Figure 5 schematically illustrates a lighting device 10 according to one embodiment. Elements that are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0032] The lighting device 10 includes a light 11. The light 11 emits visible light capable of illuminating the area outside the vehicle 100. The housing 3, together with the radar 2, partitions a lantern that houses the light 11. The support 4 may partition a part of the lantern or may be located inside the lantern.

[0033] The mobile body on which the radar device 1 or lighting device 10 described above is mounted is not limited to a vehicle 100. Examples of other mobile bodies include trains, flying objects, aircraft, ships, and drones. The mobile body on which the radar device 1 is mounted does not necessarily require a driver.

[0034] The radar device 1 does not need to be mounted on a moving object. The radar device 1 can also be mounted on traffic infrastructure equipment such as streetlights and traffic signals. In this case, the traffic infrastructure equipment can be an example of a monitoring device.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of these embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of its equivalents.

[0036] The configurations listed below also constitute part of this disclosure. Item 1: A radar device mounted on a monitoring device, comprising: a radio wave source that emits radio waves for detecting information about the surrounding environment of the monitoring device; and a support having a first region and a second region and supporting a conductor, wherein the first region is positioned on the path of the radio waves, the second region supports a member that has a function different from the detection of the information, and the conductor has a first portion that extends in a first direction nonparallel to the direction of the electric field of the radio waves in the first region. Item 2: The radar device according to Item 1, wherein the first portion is part of a heating wire that heats the support as the different function. Item 3: The radar device according to Item 2, wherein the support forms part of the outer surface of the monitoring device. Item 4: The radar device according to Item 1, wherein the support supports a circuit for emitting light to a semiconductor light-emitting element as the different function, and the first portion is part of the circuit. Item 5: The radar device according to items 1 to 4, wherein the first part includes a plurality of second parts arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the spacing between the plurality of second parts is 6 mm or more and 9 mm or less. Item 6: The radar device according to items 1 to 5, wherein the width of the first part in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction is 1 mm or less. Item 7: The radar device according to items 1 to 6, wherein the conductor is formed of a material including silver paste. Item 8: An illumination device mounted on a monitoring device, comprising a light source that emits visible light and the radar device according to any of items 1 to 7. Item 9: The illumination device according to item 8, wherein the support partitions the space in which the light source and the radio wave source are housed. Item 10: A monitoring device on which the radar device according to any of items 1 to 7 is mounted. Item 11: A monitoring device on which the illumination device according to item 8 or 9 is mounted. Item 12: The monitoring device according to item 10, which is a mobile device. Item 13: A mobile monitoring device as described in Item 11.

[0037] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-189083 filed on October 28, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A radar device mounted on a monitoring device, comprising: a radio wave source that emits radio waves for detecting information about the surrounding environment of the monitoring device; and a support having a first region and a second region and supporting a conductor, wherein the first region is positioned on the path of the radio waves, the second region supports a member that has been given a function different from the detection of the information, and the conductor has a first portion that extends in a first direction nonparallel to the direction of the electric field of the radio waves in the first region.

2. The radar device according to claim 1, wherein the first part is part of a heating element that heats the support as the different function.

3. The radar device according to claim 2, wherein the support body forms a part of the outer surface of the monitoring device.

4. The radar device according to claim 1, wherein the support supports a circuit for emitting light to a semiconductor light-emitting element as the different function, and the first part is part of the circuit.

5. The radar device according to claim 1, wherein the first part includes a plurality of second parts arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the spacing between the plurality of second parts is 6 mm or more and 9 mm or less.

6. The radar device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is 1 mm or less.

7. The radar device according to claim 1, wherein the conductor is formed of a material containing silver paste.

8. A lighting device mounted on a monitoring device, comprising: a light source that emits visible light; and a radar device as described in claim 1.

9. The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the support body partitions the space in which the light source and the radio wave source are housed.

10. A monitoring device equipped with the radar device described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. A monitoring device equipped with the lighting device described in claim 8 or 9.

12. The monitoring device according to claim 10, which is a mobile device.

13. The monitoring device according to claim 11, which is a mobile device.

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