Radio-Wave-Penetrable Metallic Luster Coating for Radar Grills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metallic components in radiator grills interfere with the radio-wave penetrability and reception of SCC radar systems, leading to design inconsistencies and increased costs due to the use of expensive materials like indium or tin, which also have low durability.
Innovation Solution
A coating layer with a metallic luster is developed, comprising a transparent resin layer, a metallic texture layer with alternating layers of metal oxides and a germanium layer, and a reflection layer, which maintains radio-wave penetrability while providing a metallic appearance and high thermal stability using low-cost materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If metal is used in radiator grill, then metallic luster and design consistency are improved, but radio-wave penetrability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator grill is divided into multiple sections: metal portions for aesthetic purposes and a radar cover portion with radio-wave penetrable characteristics. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions - the metal portions provide metallic luster while the radar cover portion ensures radio-wave transmission for SCC radar operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the radiator grill are assigned different material properties. The radar cover portion is specifically designed with radio-wave penetrable characteristics (using materials like PC or acrylic resin), while other portions can maintain metal construction for aesthetic purposes. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing metallic luster in non-critical areas while ensuring radio-wave penetrability where needed.
2Shape
If indium or tin is used to achieve metallic texture, then metallic luster is improved, but cost and thermal stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive indium or tin materials to achieve metallic texture, the invention uses a transparent resin layer combined with a metallic texture layer that reflects light to create a visual copy of metallic appearance. The metallic texture layer (using materials like aluminum or stainless steel) mimics the reflective properties of expensive metals without their cost and thermal stability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach to achieving metallic texture by transitioning from using expensive metal materials (indium, tin) to using a combination of transparent resin and metallic texture layer with controlled thickness and reflectivity parameters. This parameter change allows achieving similar visual effects with more cost-effective and thermally stable materials.
3Shape
If indium or tin is used for metallic texture, then metallic luster is improved, but durability at high temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a visual copy of metallic texture using a metallic texture layer with light-reflecting properties rather than relying on expensive metals like indium or tin. This layered structure (transparent resin + metallic texture layer) replicates the aesthetic appearance while using materials with superior thermal stability suitable for high-temperature environments near the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar cover uses a composite structure combining transparent resin (PC or acrylic) with a metallic texture layer. This composite material approach provides both the desired metallic aesthetic and superior thermal durability, as the resin and metallic layer together offer better heat resistance compared to using low-melting-point metals like indium or tin alone.
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 coating layer ensures smooth radio-wave transmission and reception, maintains the appearance consistency with radiator grills, and prevents thermal deformation at high temperatures, while reducing material costs and improving durability.
Implementation Method 1
an optical film layer comprising metal oxides having different refractive indexes
Implementation Method 2
a germanium (Ge) layer configured to reflect light
Implementation Method 3
a germanium (Ge) layer configured to reflect light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a coating layer penetrable by radio wave and having a metallic luster. The coating layer includes a resin layer as an outmost layer to an exterior or front, a metallic texture layer formed on a rear side of the resin layer and comprising a optical film layer including metal oxides having different refractive indexes, and a germanium (Ge) layer to reflect light and a reflection layer formed on the rear side of the metallic texture layer.