Millimeter Wave Radar Headlamp Integration
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing millimeter wave radar-equipped headlamps face challenges in maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design while ensuring effective object detection, as the integration of millimeter wave radar systems often complicates the headlamp structure and makes it difficult to avoid visibility through translucent covers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a projector type lighting device unit with a shared projection lens for both visible light and millimeter waves, and an ingenious antenna module structure that includes a millimeter wave waveguide and reflection mirror, allowing for the convergence and emission of millimeter waves as plane waves without blocking visible light or requiring additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the millimeter wave radar is placed inside the lighting chamber, then the radar can be integrated into the headlamp, but the appearance is degraded because the radar can be seen directly through the translucent cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the millimeter wave radar antenna module in the lower portion of the lighting chamber, utilizing the vertical dimension to place the radar component in a location that is not visible through the translucent cover. This spatial repositioning in another dimension resolves the appearance degradation issue while maintaining radar integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the millimeter wave radar is placed inside the lighting chamber, then the radar can be integrated into the headlamp, but the headlamp becomes difficult to make compact because placement space for the radar must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the projection lens serve dual functions: as an optical lens for visible light and as an electromagnetic lens for millimeter waves. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate electromagnetic lens, reducing the space required for the radar system and enabling a more compact headlamp design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical lens and electromagnetic lens functions into a single projection lens. By merging these two functions into one component, the overall space requirement is reduced, allowing the headlamp to remain compact while integrating the millimeter wave radar.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna module of the millimeter wave radar is incorporated into the lighting device unit, then the radar can be integrated into the headlamp, but the structure becomes complicated because an electromagnetic lens for millimeter waves has to be placed together with the optical lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the projection lens serve dual functions: as an optical lens for visible light and as an electromagnetic lens for millimeter waves. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate electromagnetic lens, reducing the space required for the radar system and enabling a more compact headlamp design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical lens and electromagnetic lens functions into a single projection lens. By merging these two functions into one component, the overall space requirement is reduced, allowing the headlamp to remain compact while integrating the millimeter wave radar.
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 solution enables a compact, simple, and functional millimeter wave radar-equipped headlamp that maintains appearance integrity and enhances detectable range without degrading the headlamp's appearance or increasing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a projection lens which serves also as an electromagnetic lens for millimeter waves
Implementation Method 2
its projection lens is used as a electromagnetic lens for millimeter waves in a shared manner
Implementation Method 3
a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens
Implementation Method 4
a millimeter wave reflection mirror located between an opening of the millimeter wave waveguide and the shade
Implementation Method 5
a reflection surface of the millimeter wave reflection mirror is formed by a spheroidal surface by which a point located in the vicinity of the opening of the millimeter wave waveguide is defined as a first focal point, and a certain point located forward of the rear focal point is defined as a second focal point
Data Source
AI summary
A millimeter wave radar-equipped headlamp includes a millimeter wave radar that detects an object ahead of a vehicle, and a lighting device unit that irradiates an area ahead of the vehicle. The lighting device unit incorporates an antenna module of the millimeter wave radar. The lighting device unit includes a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, and a shade. The antenna module includes a millimeter wave waveguide, and a millimeter wave reflection mirror. A reflection surface of the millimeter wave reflection mirror is formed by a spheroidal surface having a first focal point located in the vicinity of the opening of the millimeter wave waveguide, and a second focal point located forward of the rear focal point.