Radio Wave Lens Surface Structure for Reflection-Suppressed Radar

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dielectric lenses with uniform groove depth and filling material face manufacturing challenges and increased costs, making them susceptible to dust accumulation and reflection, which affects detection accuracy in radar systems.

Innovation Solution

A radio wave lens with concentrically or symmetrically arranged concave and convex portions on its surfaces, where the depth and height of these features vary with distance from the optical axis, reducing multiple reflections and enhancing detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If uniform depth grooves are provided on both surfaces of the lens with filling material, then dust accumulation is suppressed, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust accumulationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing grooves only on the outer peripheral portion of one surface of the lens, rather than uniform grooves on both surfaces. The groove depth is also varied locally - deeper at the outer peripheral portion and shallower toward the center. This localized and variable groove structure suppresses dust accumulation where it occurs most while simplifying manufacturing compared to uniform dual-surface grooving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If uniform depth grooves are provided on both surfaces of the lens with filling material, then dust accumulation is suppressed, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust accumulationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing grooves only on the outer peripheral portion of one surface of the lens, rather than uniform grooves on both surfaces. The groove depth is also varied locally - deeper at the outer peripheral portion and shallower toward the center. This localized and variable groove structure suppresses dust accumulation where it occurs most while simplifying manufacturing compared to uniform dual-surface grooving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional dielectric lens structure is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but reflection is increased affecting detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing grooves only on the outer peripheral portion of one surface of the lens, rather than uniform grooves on both surfaces. The groove depth is also varied locally - deeper at the outer peripheral portion and shallower toward the center. This localized and variable groove structure suppresses dust accumulation where it occurs most while simplifying manufacturing compared to uniform dual-surface grooving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the groove depth as a continuous parameter from the outer peripheral portion toward the center of the lens. The groove depth is deepest at the outer periphery and gradually becomes shallower toward the center, creating a gradient structure that optimizes both reflection suppression and manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 lens effectively suppresses multiple reflections, reducing the minimum detectable distance and increasing detection performance by minimizing dust adhesion and reflection, thereby improving radar detection accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The first surface has concave portions or convex portions provided concentrically or symmetrically with respect to the optical axis in plan view, and a depth of each of the concave portions or a height of each of the convex portions is set according to a distance from the optical axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250309550A1Radio wave lens, radio wave lens apparatus, and radar apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

A radio wave lens includes a first surface, a second surface, and an optical axis passing through the first surface and the second surface. The first surface has concave portions or convex portions provided concentrically or symmetrically with respect to the optical axis in plan view, and a depth of each of the concave portions or a height of each of the convex portions is set according to a distance from the optical axis.