Waveguide Radar Sensor Assembly for Stable Radome Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensors with waveguide antennas face challenges in maintaining consistent performance due to external influences like vibrations, which can alter the distance between the waveguide antenna and the radome, affecting the sensor's accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The radome and waveguide antenna are connected in a form-fitting manner, creating a rigid assembly that maintains a consistent distance between the emitting surface of the waveguide antenna and the radome, even under vibrations. This assembly is then mounted on the radar sensor's housing using laser welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the waveguide antenna is fastened directly onto the printed circuit board, then the assembly process is simple, but the distance between the waveguide antenna and radome changes under vibration affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modules: the waveguide antenna is integrated with the radome as one assembly, while the printed circuit board remains separate. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and reduces the transmission of vibrations between components, maintaining stable distance relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves as an intermediary structure that receives both the radome-waveguide antenna assembly and the printed circuit board separately. This mediator decouples the two components, preventing direct mechanical coupling and reducing vibration-induced distance changes between the antenna and radome.
2Strength
If multiple fastening elements are used to secure the waveguide antenna to the printed circuit board, then the connection is more secure, but the space required on the printed circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome and waveguide antenna are merged into a single integrated assembly where the radome structurally supports the waveguide antenna. This combination eliminates the need for separate fastening elements on the printed circuit board, as the assembly is secured as one unit through the housing, reducing the space required on the PCB.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the waveguide antenna is rigidly connected to the housing, then the position is stable, but the forces acting on the antenna are absorbed by the printed circuit board increasing the load
Solution Approach 1:
The housing acts as an intermediary that directly supports the radome-waveguide antenna assembly, bearing the mechanical forces and vibrations. This intermediary structure prevents these forces from being transmitted to the printed circuit board connection, maintaining position stability while protecting the electronic connections from excessive mechanical load.
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
This solution ensures consistent performance of the radar sensor by maintaining a fixed distance between critical components, reducing the load on the connection between the printed circuit board and the housing, and allowing for a more compact design with fewer fastening elements.
Implementation Method 1
the radome is preferably fastened to the housing by means of a laser welding method
Implementation Method 2
In heat staking, plastics domes are melted by heat and then deformed under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A radar sensor. The radar sensor has a waveguide antenna, a radome, a housing to which the radome is fastened, and a printed circuit board in which the waveguide antenna is positioned. The waveguide antenna and the radome are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner.