Vehicular Lamp Corner Cube Reflector for Radar Detection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The detection accuracy of a vehicle's surrounding environment using radar is compromised by low radar radio wave reflectance from other vehicles, leading to potential inaccuracies in measuring position and relative velocity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular lamp with a metal member, such as a corner cube reflector, is designed to increase radar radio wave reflectance by optimizing the thickness of its housing and outer cover based on radar wavelength and permittivity, enhancing the radar cross-sectional area and reflectance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a radar is mounted on the vehicle to detect surrounding environment, then detection capability is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates when reflected radio wave intensity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the lamp housing serve as a radar reflector rather than requiring the entire vehicle body to have reflective properties. The housing is specifically designed with optimized thickness and material properties to enhance radar wave reflection, while other parts of the vehicle maintain their original characteristics. This localized approach improves detection accuracy without requiring modifications to the entire vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing the thickness of the lamp housing to a specific value (1/4 wavelength or odd multiples thereof) and selecting materials with appropriate dielectric constants. These parameter optimizations transform the housing into an effective radar reflector, converting it from a passive structural component to an active detection enhancement element that improves reflected signal intensity and detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the thickness of housing and outer cover is optimized to increase radar reflectance, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides specific parameter ranges for housing thickness (1/4 wavelength or odd multiples) and material dielectric constants, allowing manufacturers to work within defined tolerances. By establishing these concrete parameter specifications, the patent transforms abstract optimization goals into actionable manufacturing guidelines, balancing detection accuracy improvement with practical manufacturing capabilities.
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 effectively increases radar radio wave reflectance, improving detection accuracy and ensuring vehicles can be reliably detected by millimeter-wave radars, thus preventing misidentification and enhancing safety in automatic driving scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The radar mounted on the vehicle receives a reflected radio wave which is reflected by an object which exists outside the vehicle after being radiated from the radar
Implementation Method 2
The metal member may be configured as a corner cube reflector
Implementation Method 3
A thickness D of at least one of the outer cover and the housing may be defined by a following equation: D=1⁄4×λ/εr1/2×(2n+1)
Data Source
AI summary
A front left lamp includes a housing, an outer cover which covers an opening of the housing, a lighting unit disposed in a space formed by the housing and the outer cover, and a corner cube reflector, which is configured to increase radar radio wave reflectance and is disposed to face the housing.