Modular Radar Antenna Assembly for Customization and Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar antennas for autonomous vehicles lack flexibility in customization and maintenance, as they are typically manufactured as a single unit, making it difficult to adapt to varying performance specifications and requiring full replacement upon defects.
Innovation Solution
A radar antenna composed of detachable modules with coupling protrusions and grooves, allowing modular assembly and replacement of defective components, enabling customization and efficient maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radar antenna is manufactured as a single integrated unit, then structural strength and reliability are improved, but adaptability to different performance specifications deteriorates and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar antenna is divided into multiple detachable modules, each comprising a housing, antenna element, and coupling structures. These modules can be independently manufactured and assembled in different configurations to meet various performance specifications, while maintaining structural integrity through the coupling protrusion-groove mechanism.
2Reliability
If a radar antenna is manufactured as a single integrated unit, then structural strength is improved, but maintenance cost and time increase due to full replacement requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into independent modules that can be separately replaced. When a module malfunctions, only that specific module needs to be detached and replaced, while the remaining modules continue to function, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost compared to replacing the entire antenna system.
Solution Approach 2:
Defective modules can be discarded and replaced with new or refurbished modules. The functional modules are recovered and retained in the system, allowing for cost-effective maintenance by replacing only the necessary components rather than the entire system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable modules are used in a radar antenna, then adaptability and ease of maintenance are improved, but device complexity increases due to coupling structures
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is segmented into standardized protrusions on one module and corresponding grooves on adjacent modules. This segmentation creates a simple, repeatable coupling mechanism that reduces overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple modules, as each coupling interface follows the same straightforward design pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a radar antenna to which detachable modules including one or more antennas are coupled. The proposed radar antenna comprises: a first detachable module in which one or more antennas are formed; and a second detachable module in which one or more antennas are formed, wherein a first side surface of the second detachable module is bonded to a first side surface of the first detachable module.