Radar-Transparent Signalling Module for Curved Vehicle Bumpers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of radar sensors behind vehicle bumpers, with metallized paint and curved shapes, reduces their performance capabilities, leading to poor estimation of angular object positions due to interference and curvature effects.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly featuring a radar sensor and a luminous module with a sub-wavelength structured dielectric element, where the luminous module has a specific thickness and pattern configuration to minimize interference by ensuring destructive interference of reflected radar waves, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and radar sensor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the radar sensor is mounted behind the bumper with metallized paint and curved shape, then the integration is simplified and aesthetic requirements are met, but the radar sensor performance deteriorates due to interference and curvature effects
Solution Approach 1:
A luminous module serving as an intermediary element is positioned between the radar sensor and the external environment. This module contains a sub-wavelength structured dielectric element that acts as a mediator to manipulate radar wave reflections, converting the harmful curved surface with metallized paint into a beneficial anti-reflective structure that eliminates first-order reflected waves while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing the luminous module with specific dimensional parameters: the sub-wavelength structured dielectric element has a thickness equal to m times the wavelength divided by twice the equivalent refractive index times the cosine of the refracted angle, and the repetition period is less than a quarter of the wavelength. These parameter adjustments transform the reflective curved surface into an anti-reflective structure.
2Illumination intensity
If the bumper has metallized paint and curved shape for aesthetic purposes, then the vehicle appearance is improved, but radar wave reflection and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of the curved bumper surface with metallized paint into a beneficial anti-reflective structure. The luminous module's sub-wavelength structured dielectric element, with its specific thickness and pattern repetition period, transforms the problematic radar wave reflections into destructive interference, eliminating first-order reflected waves while preserving the aesthetic curved appearance with metallized paint.
3Measurement precision
If the luminous module uses a sub-wavelength structured dielectric element with specific thickness, then the first-order reflected waves are eliminated, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges to balance performance and manufacturability. The thickness is calculated as m times the wavelength divided by twice the equivalent refractive index times the cosine of the refracted angle, and the repetition period is constrained to be less than a quarter of the wavelength. These parameter specifications enable manufacturers to achieve the desired anti-reflective effect while maintaining feasible manufacturing tolerances.
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 configuration improves the accuracy of radar sensor performance by eliminating first-order reflected waves, thereby enhancing the estimation of angular object positions and reducing signal noise, thus improving automatic emergency braking, speed regulation, and blind spot detection functions.
Implementation Method 1
A luminous module (13) is proposed that is disposed facing a radar sensor (10) configured to emit radar waves (R1) over a range of wavelengths... with said layer of patterns forming a sub-wavelength structured dielectric element... characterized in that the total thickness of said luminous module is equal to m times a wavelength of said range, with the whole being divided by twice the equivalent refractive index... times the cosine of a refracted angle... eliminating first-order reflected waves
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle assembly including a radar sensor configured to emit radar waves over a range of wavelengths, a luminous module. The luminous module including a sub-layer and a layer of patterns forming a sub-wavelength structured dielectric element with a repetition period of the patterns that is less than a quarter of a wavelength of the range, with the total thickness of the luminous module is equal to m times a wavelength of the range, the whole being divided by twice the equivalent refractive index of the sub-layer and of the layer of patterns, times the cosine of a refracted angle corresponding to an angle of incidence of the radar waves, where m is an integer.