Vehicle Radome Structure With Integrated Reflective Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radomes for vehicles, especially those with radar devices behind the front grill, face challenges in maintaining high transmission performance due to the presence of air gaps and their aesthetic enhancement features, which degrade signal transmission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A radome design that eliminates the need for an air gap at the rear surface of the light guide by integrating a reflective subunit with a low refractive index layer between the front and reflective light guide units, allowing for a thin and controlled air gap, thereby improving signal transmission while maintaining an aesthetically appealing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If multiple air gaps are present in the radome structure to separate functional units, then the aesthetic appearance and light guidance are improved, but the signal transmission performance deteriorates due to increased attenuation and angular errors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic air gaps from the radome structure. Specifically, the patent removes air gaps between functional units (front unit, light guide unit, reflective unit) by integrating them into a unified structure, thereby eliminating the source of signal attenuation and angular errors while preserving the aesthetic appearance through alternative design means.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple separate functional units into a more integrated structure. The front unit, light guide unit, and reflective unit are combined with minimal or no air gaps between them, creating a unified radome structure that maintains both aesthetic appearance and signal transmission performance.
2Shape
If the radome includes aesthetic enhancement features like backlighting and multiple functional units, then the visual appeal is improved, but the transmission capabilities deteriorate due to increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the radome into distinct functional units (front unit with colored decoration layer, light guide unit, reflective unit) that can be manufactured and assembled separately, yet when combined form an integrated structure with minimal air gaps, thus achieving both aesthetic enhancement and maintained transmission capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a refractive index matching layer as an intermediary between functional units. This layer has a refractive index that matches the adjacent units, eliminating refraction and reflection at interfaces, thereby allowing aesthetic features to be maintained while preserving signal transmission capabilities.
3Reliability
If air gaps are reduced in number and thickness, then the signal transmission performance is improved, but the light guidance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a refractive index matching layer as an intermediary between functional units. This layer has a refractive index that matches the adjacent units, eliminating refraction and reflection at interfaces. This allows light guidance to be maintained through total internal reflection while minimizing air gaps to improve signal transmission performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the refractive index parameter of the intermediate layers to match the adjacent functional units. By adjusting the refractive index to be equal or very close to that of the light guide and other units, the invention eliminates optical losses at interfaces while maintaining light guidance capability.
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 solution enhances signal transmission performance by reducing attenuation and angular errors, while maintaining the radome's aesthetic appeal and functionality, particularly in low ambient light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
containing an air layer with a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the light guide between them
Implementation Method 2
the reflective subunit comprises a reflective layer
Data Source
AI summary
Radome for vehicles comprising a light source (28); a front unit (9) comprising a transparent layer (11) and a colored decoration layer (5); and a reflective light guide unit (10) comprising a light guide (13) and a reflective subunit (14), the front unit (9) and the reflective light guide unit (10) containing a layer (16) with a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the light guide (13) between them, wherein the reflective subunit (14) comprises a reflective layer (22), the reflective subunit (14) forms an integral single part with the light guide (13), positioned on its face opposite to the front unit (9).The usage of a reflective unit at the rear of the light guide avoids the need of an air gap at the rear surface of the light guide, and the removal of the rear air gap improves the transmission performance of the radome.