Vehicle Radar Antenna Aperture Segmentation for Gain and Miniaturization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radar devices integrated into vehicles face challenges in miniaturization, leading to increased size and manufacturing costs, while maintaining effective object detection capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a polygonal conductor into the antenna to form a partition wall structure within the radar device, which reduces the phase difference between radiated radio waves and increases the antenna's gain without increasing its length, allowing for miniaturization while maintaining detection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna length is reduced for miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the gain and detection capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna volumeVSAvoiddetection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna aperture is divided into multiple regions by inserting a conductor, creating a partition wall structure that segments the radiating area. This segmentation allows the antenna to maintain directional gain and detection capability while reducing overall antenna volume by optimizing the spatial distribution of radiating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor is inserted at an inclined angle relative to the antenna axis, introducing a spatial dimensionality change. This inclined arrangement allows the partition wall to effectively divide the aperture while maintaining compact antenna length, thereby achieving miniaturization without sacrificing detection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Weight of moving object

If the antenna length is reduced for miniaturization, then the device weight is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna weightVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna structure is segmented by inserting a conductor that divides the aperture into multiple regions. This segmentation enables the use of standardized components and simplified assembly processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving weight reduction through miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor's inclination angle and position are optimized as key parameters to achieve the desired aperture division. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the antenna maintains effective radiating characteristics while minimizing material usage and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a conductor is inserted to divide the aperture, then the phase difference is reduced and gain is increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna gainVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture is divided into multiple radiating regions by a single conductor partition wall, creating a segmented structure that controls phase distribution. This segmentation approach achieves gain enhancement through constructive interference while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor acts as an intermediary element that mediates the phase relationship between different parts of the aperture. By strategically positioning this single partition wall, the antenna achieves improved gain and directional characteristics without requiring complex multi-element arrays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enables the miniaturization of radar devices, reducing weight, volume, and manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving detection range and accuracy, allowing for more efficient object detection around the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

The integration of a polygonal conductor into the antenna to form a partition wall structure within the radar device, which reduces the phase difference between radiated radio waves and increases the antenna's gain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase difference control:

Data Source

PatentUS10367257B2Antenna, vehicle having the antenna, and method for controlling the antenna
Publication Date: 2019.07.30 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • US10367257B2 patent drawing
  • US10367257B2 patent drawing
  • US10367257B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An antenna includes an opening through which a radio wave is radiated in an orientation direction, and a conductor inserted into the opening and dividing an internal region of the opening.