Radio Wave Lens Surface Structure for Dust and Reflection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dielectric lenses face manufacturing challenges due to uniform groove depths and filling materials, leading to increased costs and difficulty in preventing dust adhesion and reflection.

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 based on their distance from the optical axis, designed to reduce multiple reflections and dust adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If uniform depth grooves are provided on both surfaces and filling material is filled, then dust adhesion is suppressed, but manufacturing difficulty increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust adhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing grooves only on the incident wave side surface of the dielectric lens, while the transmitted wave side surface remains smooth without grooves. This localized approach maintains dust suppression functionality where it is most needed (on the exposed incident surface) while eliminating the manufacturing complexity of processing and filling grooves on both surfaces. The selective placement of grooves optimizes the balance between performance and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If uniform depth grooves are provided on both surfaces and filling material is filled, then dust adhesion is suppressed, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust adhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces manufacturing cost by limiting groove formation and filling operations to only one surface (the incident wave side) rather than both surfaces. This local quality approach decreases material consumption, reduces processing steps, and simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining effective dust suppression on the critical exposed surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional dielectric lens structure is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but multiple reflections occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmultiple reflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses multiple reflections by providing grooves with specific depth ratios (1/4 to 3/4 of wavelength) on the incident wave side surface, creating localized impedance matching zones that reduce reflections without requiring complex multi-layer structures. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while effectively suppressing harmful reflections through optimized local groove characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces dust adhesion and multiple reflections, enhancing detection accuracy and reducing the minimum detectable distance in radar systems.

Implementation Method 1

capable of sufficiently reducing reflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

dielectric lens...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 EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4657662A1Radio wave lens, radio wave lens device, and radar apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP4657662A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4657662A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4657662A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A radio wave lens, a radio wave lens apparatus, and a radar apparatus that are resistant to dust adhesion on one surface and capable of sufficiently reducing reflection are provided. 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.