Radome Light Guide Illumination for Night Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radomes for motor vehicle radar sensors face challenges in maintaining visibility and detectability of optical structures, especially in dark or poor visibility conditions, due to the need for transparency in the electromagnetic range and opacity in the visible range.
Innovation Solution
A radome design featuring a transmissive front plate with a non-transmitting rear layer, incorporating light guides and light-emitting elements to create defined illumination patterns through cutouts, enhanced by diffuser elements for scattered lighting, ensuring visibility even in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radome uses a transparent front plate with opaque coatings to achieve electromagnetic transparency and visual branding, then the radar wave transmission is improved and brand visibility is enhanced, but the detectability of optical structures in dark or poor visibility conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by integrating light-emitting elements and light guides into the radome structure in advance, so that the optical structures are pre-equipped with illumination capability. This ensures that when darkness or poor visibility conditions occur, the optical structures can be immediately detected without requiring external lighting sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by employing light-emitting elements that emit light in specific wavelengths or colors, causing the optical structures to glow or illuminate in dark conditions. This transforms the appearance of the radome from invisible in darkness to visibly detectable through the emitted light, while maintaining electromagnetic transparency through the use of transparent materials and strategic coating placement.
2Shape
If the radome uses opaque coatings and lacquers to create visible three-dimensional structures, then brand symbol visibility is improved, but the detectability of these structures in dark conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light guides as intermediary elements between the light-emitting elements and the opaque coatings. The light guides channel and distribute light to illuminate the three-dimensional structures from within, allowing the shaped features to be backlit and made visible in dark conditions while preserving their structural integrity and branding function.
3Shape
If the radome integrates branding elements and optical structures into the front plate, then aesthetic appeal and brand identity are improved, but the simplicity of manufacturing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components: the light guides are combined with the front plate structure, the light-emitting elements are integrated into the radome housing, and the opaque coatings are applied directly onto the front plate during manufacturing. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying production while achieving complex optical and branding effects.
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 design allows for easy detection of optical patterns on the radome's front side, particularly at night, while maintaining protection and aesthetic appeal, with efficient production methods for the light guide and diffuser elements.
Implementation Method 1
having at least one substantially extensive light guide which is arranged on the rear side at the layer that does not transmit light, and having at least one light-emitting element which is coupled to the light guide such that light enters the light guide and such that the light propagates through the at least one light guide
Implementation Method 2
at least one diffuser element is arranged at the at least one light guide, which diffuser element is arranged such that the light propagating through the at least one light guide enters the diffuser element, propagates through the diffuser element, and exits the diffuser element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a radome comprising: a substantially sheet-type front plate, the front face of which is transparent and the rear face of which is provided with an opaque layer, at least one cut-out being provided in the opaque layer to act as a light exit; at least one substantially sheet-type light guide situated on the rear face on the opaque layer; and at least one light-emitting element, which is coupled to the light guide so that light enters said light guide, propagates through the at least one light guide, and enters the transparent front plate at the at least one light exit, so that the light is emitted from the front face of the front plate.