Radar Radome Blower Clears Deposits Without Signal Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems face interference and damage from deposits such as water droplets, snow, and ice on the radome, which can falsify object movement detection, and existing solutions like wipers can disrupt electromagnetic radiation and cause mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
A blower device generates a fluid flow along the radome to remove adhering precipitation without interfering with electromagnetic radiation, and a heating device maintains the radome above freezing temperatures, while an image recording device and evaluation unit assess and automatically clear deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper is used to remove deposits on the radome, then water droplets or snow accumulations can be removed, but the wiper obstructs the transmission and reception of electromagnetic radiation and may cause mechanical damage to the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a pneumatic/blower system that uses fluid flow (air) to remove deposits. The blower device generates a fluid flow directed at the radome surface to blow away water droplets, snow, and other accumulations, eliminating the need for mechanical contact that obstructs electromagnetic radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a blower device to generate a controlled fluid flow (air stream) that acts on the radome surface. This pneumatic system directs airflow to remove deposits without physical contact, solving the contradiction between effective cleaning and electromagnetic radiation transmission.
2Reliability
If a wiper is used to clear the radome, then deposits can be removed, but mechanical contact may damage the cover or radome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a pneumatic/blower system that uses fluid flow (air) to remove deposits. The blower device generates a fluid flow directed at the radome surface to blow away water droplets, snow, and other accumulations, eliminating the need for mechanical contact that could damage the cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid flow (air) as an intermediary between the cleaning function and the radome surface. This intermediary medium transfers the cleaning action without requiring direct mechanical contact, thus protecting the radome from mechanical damage while still achieving effective deposit removal.
3Reliability
If the radar unit is protected from the environment, then the transmitter and receiver units are protected, but deposits can still form on the cover and interfere with detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous or periodically activated blower system that maintains the radome surface free of deposits. The evaluation unit continuously monitors for deposit formation using electromagnetic radiation, and the blower device is activated as needed to maintain clear surfaces, ensuring continuous protective function without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the evaluation unit uses electromagnetic radiation to detect deposit formation on the radome surface. Based on this detection, the system automatically activates the blower device to remove deposits, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains radome clarity while components remain protected.
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 ensures reliable detection of object movements by preventing interference from deposits and maintaining the radome's integrity, allowing continuous operation in adverse weather conditions without disrupting electromagnetic radiation or causing mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
the room unit is designed as a blower device configured to generate a fluid flow along the outer surface of the cover device in order to remove adhering or attached water droplets or snow accumulations
Implementation Method 2
a heating device maintains the radome above freezing temperatures
Implementation Method 3
the radar unit, and in particular its transmitter, emits electromagnetic radiation, the received, especially reflected, radiation can be used directly to obtain information regarding moving or static objects or deposits on the radar unit's cover
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a radar system for sensing object movements in a predefined target region (12), in particular for sensing individual objects, collections of objects, earth movements, snow movements, and the like, comprising: at least one radar unit (14), which comprises at least one transmitting unit (80), in particular transmitting antenna, designed to emit electromagnetic radiation (16) and which comprises at least one receiving unit (82), in particular receiving antenna, designed to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation (16); at least one evaluating unit (84), which is designed, on the basis of the emitted and received radiation (16) and on the basis of associated time measurements, to sense object movements in the predefined target region (12) and, for a sensed object movement, to decide whether said object movement is a sought object movement; at least one covering device (44), the transmitting unit (80) and the receiving unit (82) being arranged behind the covering device (44) or each being arranged behind an associated covering device with respect to a main radiation direction of the transmitting unit (80) directed toward the target region (12), in order to protect the transmitting unit (80) and the receiving unit (82), and at least one clearing device (60; 160; 260; 70) being provided on the radar unit (14), said clearing device being designed to remove deposits, in particular water, snow, or the like, that adhere to or lie on an outer surface (47) of the at least one covering device (44). According to the invention, the evaluating unit (84) is designed, on the basis of received electromagnetic radiation (16), to determine whether deposits are present on the outer surface (47) or not and to decide whether the clearing device (60; 160; 260, 70) becomes activated or not.