Vehicle Radome Light Guide Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radomes for motor vehicle radar sensors face challenges in maintaining visibility of optical structures, especially in dark or poor visibility conditions, due to the need for transparency in the longwave wavelength range and opacity in the optically visible range, which complicates the detection of visible three-dimensional structures.
Innovation Solution
A radome design featuring a transmissive front plate with a non-transmitting rear-side layer, incorporating light guides and diffuser elements to create a defined light passage and illumination effect, with reflective regions for enhanced visibility, particularly at night.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the front plate is coated with opaque coatings or lacquers to achieve optical opacity, then visible three-dimensional structures can be produced, but the structures are not easily detectable in dark or poor visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Light-emitting elements are integrated into the radome structure in advance, positioned to illuminate the opaque coated regions from within. This preliminary illumination action ensures that the visible three-dimensional structures become detectable in dark conditions without requiring additional external lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The radome employs optical coatings that interact with emitted light to produce visible three-dimensional structures. By using specific coating materials and light wavelengths, the structures achieve enhanced visibility through optical contrast and color differentiation between illuminated and non-illuminated regions.
2Shape
If opaque coatings are applied to the front plate to block visible light, then the radome achieves the required visual appearance, but the optical structures become difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The radome incorporates light sources and illumination paths in its design phase, ensuring that opaque coated regions are pre-illuminated to reveal optical structures. This preliminary action transforms the detection difficulty by making structures visible through controlled illumination before observation.
Solution Approach 2:
Light acts as an intermediary between the opaque coatings and the observer. The illumination system mediates the interaction by providing the necessary light that reflects off or transmits through the opaque coatings, enabling detection of optical structures that would otherwise be invisible in dark conditions.
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 geometric patterns and uniform illumination of cutouts, ensuring a defined optical effect and improved visibility even in low-light conditions, while maintaining the necessary electromagnetic transparency and visual appearance.
Implementation Method 1
light propagates through at least one light guide and enters the transmissive front plate at the at least one light passage
Implementation Method 2
reflected at the reflective region such that it exits the front plate on the front side
Implementation Method 3
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
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 and acting as a light passage; a reflective region of the sheet-type front plate, said reflective region being arranged adjacently to the cut-out; at least one substantially sheet-type light guide situated on the rear face of the opaque layer; and at least one light-emitting element which is coupled to the light guide such that light enters said light guide, propagates through the at least one light guide, is reflected on the reflective region, and enters the transparent front plate at said at least one light passage such that the light is emitted from the front face of the front plate.