Backlit Radome with Air Cavity for De-icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems on motor vehicles, particularly those used in Adaptive Cruise Control, face operational disruptions due to frost, snow, or ice at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, leading to inaccurate measurements and potential false alarms, as existing de-icing systems can obstruct electromagnetic waves and require precise positioning to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
A radome design featuring a body transparent to radar waves and light, integrated with a light reflector and an electrically conductive heating track, including an air cavity for thermal insulation and a serpentine configuration to ensure passage of electromagnetic waves, along with a decorative coating or texture that maintains transparency and allows for efficient de-icing without disturbing radar operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heating track is positioned on the radome to prevent frost and ice deposition, then de-icing effectiveness is improved, but radar wave transmission may be obstructed if the heating track is not precisely positioned
Solution Approach 1:
An air cavity is introduced as an intermediary layer between the heating track and the radome body. This air cavity allows the heating track to be positioned close to the radome surface for effective de-icing while preventing direct contact that would obstruct radar waves. The air cavity acts as a mediator that enables both de-icing functionality and radar wave transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating track is divided into multiple serpentine segments that are strategically arranged within the air cavity. This segmentation allows the heating elements to be distributed across the radome surface for comprehensive de-icing coverage while maintaining adequate spacing and positioning that prevents radar wave obstruction. Each segment can be independently positioned to optimize both heating efficiency and radar transparency.
2Illumination intensity
If a light guide is used to backlight the transparent body, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but radar operation may be disturbed due to the light guide being positioned in the radar detection field
Solution Approach 1:
The air cavity serves as an intermediary space that separates the light guide from the radar detection field. The light guide can be positioned within or adjacent to the air cavity, allowing it to illuminate the transparent body for aesthetic purposes while the air cavity and careful positioning ensure the light guide does not intrude into the radar's emission cone or detection field, thus preventing interference with radar operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is positioned in a different spatial dimension or plane relative to the radar detection field. By utilizing the air cavity space and positioning the light guide laterally or in a plane that does not intersect with the radar's electromagnetic wave path, the system achieves backlighting functionality without compromising radar operation. This dimensional separation allows both functions to coexist without interference.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the heating track is positioned in a serpentine configuration to allow radar wave passage, then radar wave transmission is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air cavity provides a tolerant mounting environment for the serpentine heating track. Since the heating track is positioned within the air cavity rather than directly on the radome surface, there is greater flexibility in positioning and routing the serpentine pattern. The air cavity acts as a buffer zone that accommodates manufacturing variations while maintaining the required serpentine geometry for radar wave transparency, thereby reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a backlit, decorated radome that prevents shadow formation and ensures radar operation integrity at low temperatures, supporting Level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicle functionality by maintaining radar wave transmission and efficient de-icing, while maintaining a metallic appearance and avoiding interference with radar waves.
Implementation Method 1
a heating track made up of conductive wires capable of transforming electrical energy into thermal energy by the Joule effect
Implementation Method 2
a light reflector formed from a material transparent to radar waves, and an electrically conductive heating track positioned on the surface or inside of the body of transparent material, characterized in that an air cavity is arranged between the light reflector and the transparent body. the elements being arranged so that a light beam emitted by the light source is reflected by the light reflector towards the body of transparent material
Implementation Method 3
an air cavity for thermal insulation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The protective device 1 for a motor vehicle radar 2 comprises the following elements: - a body 200 made of a material transparent to radar waves 4 and light, - a light source 300, - a light reflector 400 made of a material transparent to radar waves 4, and - an electrically conductive heating element positioned on the surface or inside the transparent body 200. These elements are arranged so that a light beam 500 emitted by the light source 300 is reflected by the light reflector 400 towards the transparent body 200.