Vehicle Radar Sensor Defrosting via Absorber Material

Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver assistant systems face performance limitations due to environmental factors like rain, snow, and ice, which distort sensor views, leading to increased costs and potential failures from additional heating systems required to maintain sensor clarity.

Innovation Solution

A detection system that incorporates a radar sensor component with a defrost beam to warm absorber material, positioned in the sensor's field of view, allowing for ice and snow removal without additional hardware, using a metamaterial that absorbs the defrost beam while allowing radar signals to pass through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional heating systems are added to melt ice and snow on sensors, then sensor performance in wintry environments is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar sensor component is designed to perform both detection function and defrosting function using the same hardware. The radar beam serves dual purposes: detecting objects and melting ice/snow on the radome, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The radar sensor system uses its own transmitted radar beam to defrost itself by directing the beam at the radome surface, creating a self-service mechanism where the system's own operational signal performs the maintenance function without external assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If additional heating systems are added to melt ice and snow on sensors, then sensor performance in wintry environments is improved, but product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor performanceVSAvoidproduct cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The radar sensor component is designed to perform both detection function and defrosting function using the same hardware. The radar beam serves dual purposes: detecting objects and melting ice/snow on the radome, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The radar sensor system uses its own transmitted radar beam to defrost itself by directing the beam at the radome surface, creating a self-service mechanism where the system's own operational signal performs the maintenance function without external assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If radar is mounted on the surface of the bumper for size reduction, then vehicle size is reduced, but the radome becomes exposed to ice and snow accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle sizeVSAvoidice and snow exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radar beam that would otherwise be wasted or dissipated is redirected onto the radome surface to melt ice and snow. The harmful effect of ice/snow accumulation is converted into a beneficial self-cleaning process using the radar's own transmitted energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The radar sensor system uses its own transmitted radar beam to defrost itself by directing the beam at the radome surface, creating a self-service mechanism where the system's own operational signal performs the maintenance function without external assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures continuous sensor availability by effectively melting ice and snow without adding extra components, reducing costs and potential failures associated with heating systems, while maintaining accurate sensor data.

Implementation Method 1

an absorber material located in the field of view of the defrost beam to absorb the energy of the defrost beam and to warm up the absorber material to provide a defrosting effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a radar sensor component located within the module-housing for emitting a radar beam and receiving reflected signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10591595B2Detection-system and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A detection-system for a vehicle to detect the presence of one or more object relative to the vehicle comprises a module-housing, a radar sensor component located within the module-housing for emitting a radar beam and receiving reflected signals in a detection mode. The radar sensor component comprises means for emitting a defrost beam in a defrost mode; the defrost beam overlapping the radar beam. The detection-system further comprises an absorber material located in the field of view of the defrost beam to absorb the energy of the defrost beam and to warm up in view to provide a defrosting effect.