Radar Sensor Funnel Element Absorbing Stray Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radar sensors in motor vehicles face performance issues due to mutual interference between high-frequency circuits and antennas, which is often mitigated by metal shielding that can reflect and distort radar radiation, affecting the antenna's directional characteristics and increasing development and production costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a funnel element made of radar radiation-absorbing material between the radar antenna and lens, which absorbs radar radiation, eliminating the need for metal shielding and allowing for improved antenna performance and simpler design adaptations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal plate or metal cage is used to shield the radar antenna from the high-frequency circuit, then electromagnetic radiation is shielded and mutual interference is prevented, but the performance or characteristics of the radar antenna are adversely affected due to reflection and distortion of radar radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidantenna directional characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful reflection property of metal surfaces into a beneficial absorption property by using radar radiation-absorbing material for the funnel element. This absorbing material prevents harmful reflections that would distort the antenna's directional characteristics while maintaining effective shielding between the antenna and high-frequency circuit.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel element made of radar radiation-absorbing material serves as an intermediary component between the radar antenna and the housing/high-frequency circuit. It mediates the electromagnetic field by absorbing stray radiation, preventing it from reaching the high-frequency circuit while avoiding the harmful reflections that would occur with traditional metal shielding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a metal plate or metal cage is used to shield the radar antenna, then electromagnetic radiation is shielded, but the geometry of the radar sensor and radar lens must be more complex to accommodate the shielding structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidgeometry of radar sensor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for complex metal shielding geometries by using radar radiation-absorbing material that can be integrated into a simpler funnel-shaped structure. The absorbing material inherently prevents electromagnetic interference without requiring the complex recesses and openings needed for metal cage designs.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from reflective metal to absorbing radar radiation material. This parameter change allows the shielding function to be achieved with a simpler geometric form (the funnel element) rather than requiring complex metal shielding structures with specific geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional metal shielding is used, then electromagnetic radiation is blocked, but development and production costs increase due to the complexity of adapting the radar lens geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoiddevelopment and production costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the costly metal shielding approach into a more economical solution using radar radiation-absorbing material. This material can be integrated into the funnel element without requiring expensive modifications to the radar lens geometry or additional complex manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the shielding function with the existing funnel element structure that directs radar radiation toward the lens. By combining the shielding function into this existing component rather than adding separate metal shielding structures, the design simplifies manufacturing and reduces development costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances radar sensor operation by reducing distortion and interference, simplifying geometry adjustments, and lowering costs while maintaining mechanical integrity, thus improving the control of emission characteristics and reducing space and weight requirements.

Implementation Method 1

The funnel element includes a material which absorbs the radar radiation emitted by the radar antenna

Methodology Applied

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

Data Source

PatentUS9768517B2Radar sensor

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

A radar sensor includes: a radar antenna, a radar lens and a funnel element between the radar antenna and the radar lens. The funnel element includes a material which absorbs the radar radiation emitted by the radar antenna.