Illuminated Radome Cover With Integrated Light-Guiding Reflection Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radome covers for vehicle openings lack ease of production and scalability, particularly in integrating decorative and lighting features while maintaining functionality for electromagnetic beams.
Innovation Solution
A radome cover with a decorative film featuring a light guiding layer and a reflection ring for total reflection of light, combined with light guiding elements and a reflective foil, allowing for easy production and scalability, and incorporating LEDs and a heating element for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a radome cover integrates decorative films, light guiding layers, and reflection rings to achieve illuminated aesthetic effects, then the visual appeal and functionality are enhanced, but the production complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the decorative film, light guiding layer, and reflection ring into a single integrated radome cover structure. The decorative film is applied to the inner surface, the light guiding layer is formed as an integral part of the radome cover, and the reflection ring is molded directly into the structure, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing production complexity while maintaining illuminated aesthetic effects
Solution Approach 2:
The radome cover utilizes composite material structures where the light guiding layer is formed from transparent or translucent plastic material integrated with the decorative film and reflection ring. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of light guidance, decorative appearance, and structural integrity in a single manufacturable component
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers including decorative film, light guiding layer, and cover layer are integrated into the radome cover, then the functionality and aesthetics are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative film is applied to the inner surface of the radome cover before the final molding process. This preliminary action allows the decorative pattern to be pre-positioned and then permanently integrated during the molding process, ensuring proper alignment and reducing post-manufacturing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the decorative film is positioned within the radome cover cavity, the light guiding layer is formed around it, and the cover layer is molded over the entire assembly. This nested approach allows multiple functional layers to be integrated in a single molding process, improving versatility while maintaining manufacturing ease
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 enables an easily producible and scalable illuminated radome cover that effectively guides light while maintaining transparency for electromagnetic waves, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
light propagates along the height of the light guiding elements by total reflection
Implementation Method 2
light is coupled by the inclined plane of the reflection ring into the light guiding layer
Implementation Method 3
reflection ring having at least one metallically reflective surface
Implementation Method 4
radar beam-transmissive radome cover
Data Source
AI summary
A radome cover in a vehicle, which has a decorative film, which is over-injected on an inner surface using a layer made of a first plastic to produce a light guiding layer and is back-injected on an outer surface using a cover layer. The radome cover further includes a reflection ring having at least one metallically reflective surface that is introduced on the inner surface on the decorative film. The reflection ring having a ring base having an inclined plane which reflects vertically incident light into the light guiding layer.