Windshield Radar Module Layout for Unobstructed Vehicle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar sensor devices are typically located at the front grille of vehicles, which can be intrusive to underhood packaging and exterior styling, and are not suitable for viewing through glass like a windshield, leading to performance attenuation.
Innovation Solution
A radar sensor device is positioned behind the windshield at the upper edge in a recess, transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves without passing through the glass, using a cover panel that is transmissive to radar frequencies, and combined with a forward-facing image sensor for enhanced object detection and interrogation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radar sensor device is located at the front grille of the vehicle, then the radar system can detect objects forward of the vehicle, but it becomes intrusive to the underhood packaging and exterior styling of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the radar sensor device with the windshield structure by positioning it in a recess at the upper edge of the windshield. This merging approach allows the radar system to maintain its object detection capability while becoming an integrated part of the windshield assembly, thereby eliminating the need for separate front grille mounting and reducing intrusion to underhood packaging and exterior styling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the radar sensor device from a traditional front grille location (horizontal dimension) to the upper edge of the windshield (vertical dimension). This dimensional change allows the radar system to achieve unobstructed forward detection while being positioned in a space that does not interfere with underhood packaging or exterior styling conventions.
2Device complexity
If the radar sensor device is positioned behind the windshield to avoid intrusion, then underhood packaging and exterior styling are improved, but the glass windshield may substantially attenuate the radar performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized opening or recess in the windshield at its upper edge, allowing the radar sensor device to be positioned behind the windshield while maintaining a clear path for radar electromagnetic waves. This local modification to the windshield structure enables the radar system to achieve both aesthetic integration and optimal detection performance by eliminating the attenuating glass barrier in the specific radar beam path area.
3Reliability
If the radar sensor device is positioned at the upper edge of the windshield in a recess, then it provides unobstructed radar performance without intrusion, but requires a sealing or cover element to protect the device while allowing radar transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cover element to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the recess to protect the radar sensor device from environmental factors (water, dust), provides structural support for the device, and maintains aesthetic integration with the windshield. The cover element is made of a material that is transparent or translucent to radar frequencies, allowing it to function as both a protective barrier and a radar transmission window, thereby eliminating the need for separate protective and transmission components.
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 system provides unobstructed radar performance and enhanced object detection by coordinating radar and image sensors, reducing intrusion and maintaining vehicle aesthetics while improving sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The cover panel comprises a material that is substantially transmissive to radar frequency electromagnetic radiation waves. The radar sensor device transmits and receives radar frequency electromagnetic radiation waves that transmit through the cover panel.
Implementation Method 2
A radar sensor device disposed at a pocket or recess or opening established at an upper edge of the vehicle windshield and having a forward transmitting and receiving direction that is not through the windshield. The radar sensor device transmits and receives radar frequency electromagnetic radiation waves.
Data Source
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AI summary
A forward-facing sensing system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor device with a forward sensing direction, and a forward-facing image sensor having a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield, the radar sensor device and image sensor both being disposed within a removable windshield electronics module in the vehicle cabin. The radar sensor device and forward-facing image sensor collaborate to enhance the detection of objects present in the path of forward travel of the vehicle by enhanced interrogation of an area in front of the vehicle at which an object is detected. Enhanced interrogation of the area at which the object is detected comprises enhanced processing by an image processor of image data captured by said forward-facing image sensor at the area at which the object is detected.