DE102016007386A1 - Radar system for environment detection for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a radar system for environment detection for a vehicle, comprising an antenna device (16) comprising a plurality of antenna elements (18) for receiving and / or transmitting radio waves, the antenna elements (18) being formed by respective individual structural elements (14) of a radiator grille (10) are formed for the vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a radar system for detecting surroundings for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a radar system for environment detection for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, for example, is already the DE 10 2014 200 690 A1 to be known as known. The radar system has an antenna device comprising a plurality of antenna elements for receiving and / or transmitting radio waves. The radio waves are also referred to as radar waves and are electromagnetic waves which can be received and / or transmitted via the antenna device and in particular via the antenna elements. For example, at least a part of the transmitted radio waves is reflected by at least one object arranged in the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein the reflected radio waves can be received by means of the antenna elements. A runtime calculation can then be used to determine, for example, a distance between the vehicle and the object arranged in the surroundings of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the DE 10 2014 201 728 A1 a radar system for detecting surroundings for a vehicle, comprising a circuit board, with a substrate layer comprising a top side and a bottom side, with a conductor track which is applied on the top side and surrounds a screen area along which a shielding housing covering the screen area is electrically conductively connected to this conductor track, and with at least one arranged in the substrate layer waveguide having a laterally delimiting waveguide wall and an upper and a lower conductor surface. In this case, the upper conductor surface is a section of the conductor track.

Finally, the reveals DE 10 2007 026 759 A1 a radio wave transmitting / receiving apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a radio wave transmitting / receiving unit and a radio wave reflection unit installed at a predetermined position near the radio wave transmitting / receiving unit and controlling the direction in the radio wave changes radio waves emitted by the radio wave transmitting / receiving unit so that the radio waves from the vehicle can advance as directed waves in the forward direction.

Object of the present invention is to develop a radar system of the type mentioned in such a way that by means of the radar system radio waves particularly advantageous and in particular particularly space-favorable received and / or can be sent.

This object is achieved by a radar system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

In order to further develop a radar system specified in the preamble of claim 1 such that radio waves can be sent and / or received in a particularly advantageous and particularly space-saving manner by means of the radar system, it is provided according to the invention that the antenna elements are connected by respective individual structural elements of a radiator grille for the Vehicle are formed. In other words, it is inventively provided to use a radiator grille of the vehicle as a radar antenna, wherein individual structural elements of the radiator grille each form an antenna or an antenna element of the antenna device. It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the respective structural element is designed as a waveguide or as a waveguide connection. Such a waveguide is a waveguide for electromagnetic waves, wherein the radio waves are also referred to as radar waves and are designed as electromagnetic waves.

The invention is based in particular on the following knowledge: The spatial resolution of radar systems depends on the so-called aperture, which designates the size of the active antenna surfaces. The larger the aperture, the finer and more imaging is the radar information obtained. From the general state of the art, it is known that the angle determination takes place with the aid of radar sensors in the azimuth direction. Additional sensory radar adaptations such as altitude measurement and polarimetric information require additional antenna surfaces. The widespread illumination of the environment today takes place via the use of several independent individual sensors. Thanks to a large open space area like a radiator grille, new sensor and antenna concepts are particularly easy to implement or are even made possible in the first place. Thus, it is possible by the integration of the antenna elements and thus the antenna device in the cooling grill, a particularly large aperture, that is to create a particularly large active antenna area total, so that by means of the radar system according to the invention radio waves can be sent and / or received particularly advantageous. By using the radiator grille as a radar or radar network, it is possible to use particularly advantageous properties of the radar system in a space-saving manner, since the grille is already in use is coming component. According to the invention, the radiator grille has at least one double function, since the radiator grille is used on the one hand to at least partially cover and thus to cover at least one component, such as a radiator of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the grille, in particular its structural elements, used to form the antenna elements of the antenna device, so that a particularly large active antenna surface can be created.

According to the invention it is thus provided to use suitable grille structures as a radar antenna. The respective antenna element is for example a separate antenna per se or else a component or a component of an antenna, wherein it is preferably provided that the respective antenna element can be controlled individually, in particular by an electronic computing device.

As a result of the large aperture or aperture area which can be realized in comparison with conventional sensor housings by means of the radar system according to the invention, much higher-resolution sensors can be developed in comparison with the prior art, which in particular have a better angular resolution. The additionally available antenna surface can be used for further advantageous antenna arrangements, for example for antennas / transmit-receive channels for measurement in elevation or for measurements with signals whose polarization is rotated.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the radar system comprises at least one transmitting element for generating and providing the radio waves to be transmitted via the antenna elements. Furthermore, the radar system comprises at least one receiving element, by means of which the radio waves are to be received via the antenna elements. It is preferably provided that the transmitting element and the receiving element are coherently or non-coherently coupled. For example, it is conceivable that the transmitting element is also designed to receive radio waves, it being alternatively or additionally conceivable that the receiving element is also designed for transmitting radio waves. It is provided, for example, that the transmit-receive elements are coupled coherently or non-coherently.

The transmitting and receiving elements are also referred to as transmitting and receiving modules, which need not necessarily be placed in the same place. Furthermore, it is alternatively or additionally conceivable that modules for signal generation and signal recording / evaluation need not necessarily be placed directly on the respective antenna element. When choosing the installation space, for example, a compromise between line length / losses and possible placement of antenna and electronic component can be found.

The respective length of the respective waveguide connection (waveguide) of different antenna elements can, if required by the sensor concept, be adapted by means of so-called detour lines, so that, for example, a defined phase relationship between the channels can be set. Such detour lines can be realized for example via meander lines, which, like the rest of the waveguide arrangement formed from a plastic, that can be provided in plastic form. In other words, it is preferably provided that the respective waveguide is formed from a plastic.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the respective waveguide or a waveguide arrangement comprising the waveguide can be improved by introducing matching elements such as, for example, waveguide resonators and / or quarter-wave transformers, stubs with a short circuit into the plastic structure as a termination. These approaches serve to optimize transmission loss and reflection as well as standing wave ratio.

An electronic control and / or an RF control can be done via waveguide elements that can be inexpensively manufactured in 3D printing manner and can be embedded in existing or newly to be constructed plastic structures. In other words, it is preferably provided that the waveguides are produced by a 3D printing process.

In this case, the respective waveguide, for example, at least a hollow base body formed from a plastic, the inner peripheral side surface is provided with a, in particular metallic, coating for reflecting the radio waves. The basic body is also referred to as a hollow body. In other words, the waveguide has an inner side which, when the waveguide is formed from a plastic, forms a plastic surface. After the production of this plastic surface, it is coated conductive to reflect the radio waves particularly well. One possibility for this is galvanic surface refinement. Another option is steaming. Furthermore, the plastic itself may already contain conductive ingredients, so that the process step of the coating can be omitted. Here, care must be taken to minimize the losses due to surface currents. In a particularly advantageous manner, the dimensions of the waveguide can be chosen so that the wall-current H10 mode is excited when it comes to Rectangular waveguide acts. Likewise, however, circular waveguides for the transmission of radar signals (radio waves) are conceivable.

For example, in a central control unit, the elements are brought together and processed in a known manner. In this way different aspects can be realized. Structure-integrated implementation of radar sensor technology and other structural elements are conceivable in a comparable manner and can be arranged, for example, 360 degrees around the vehicle.

By means of the invention, installation space can be optimally utilized, wherein at the same time particularly advantageous sensor properties can be represented. Furthermore, a high resolution can be made possible. In addition, an improved field-of-view design and radar illumination of the area in front of the vehicle can be realized. Furthermore, space for radar sensors can be tapped, which are not achievable with classic hidden integration. In addition, antenna surfaces can be developed on the vehicle, which are not accessible with classic hidden integration.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

The drawing shows in:

1 a schematic and perspective front view of a grille for a vehicle designed as a passenger vehicle, wherein in the grille, an antenna device of a radar system for environment detection is integrated;

2 a schematic perspective view of a branching network of waveguides;

3 schematic perspective views of waveguides, which are produced by a 3D printing process; and

4 a schematic representation of a radar block with waveguide connection.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic and perspective front view of a grille 10 a trained as a passenger vehicle vehicle, at the front of the grille 10 is arranged. By means of the radiator grille 10 is at least one in 1 unrecognizable component of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction towards the front at least partially covered and thus covered. By way of example, this component is a cooler for cooling at least one further component of the vehicle designed, for example, as a motor vehicle. The grille 10 includes a grille structure 12 containing a plurality of structural elements 14 having. The structural elements 14 For example, here are nodes over which further, designed for example as lamellae structural elements of the radiator grill 10 connected to each other. It is conceivable that the nodes are formed integrally with the slats. For example, the respective structural elements are formed from a plastic.

As will be explained in more detail below, the grille is 10 Part of a radar system for environment detection. By means of the radar system, at least a partial area of the surroundings of the vehicle can be detected, wherein the partial area lies, for example, in front of the vehicle at least in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The radar system comprises an antenna device 16 which comprises a plurality of antenna elements 18 for receiving and / or transmitting radio waves.

For example, the radar system comprises at least one transmitting element for generating and providing the radio waves, which are also referred to as radar waves and are designed as electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, the radar system comprises, for example, at least one receiving element, by means of which the radio waves can be detected or received. It is conceivable that the transmitting element is also designed to receive the radio waves. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the receiving element is also designed for transmitting the radio waves. The radio waves provided by the transmitting element are transmitted through the antennas 18 sent to the environment of the vehicle. At least part of the transmitted radio waves are reflected, for example, by at least one object arranged in the surroundings of the vehicle. At least part of the reflected radio waves can be transmitted through the antennas 18 received by the receiving element. For example, via a transit time calculation, it is thus possible to determine or calculate a distance between the vehicle and the object arranged in the surroundings of the vehicle.

In order to be able to receive and / or transmit the radio waves in a particularly advantageous and particularly space-saving manner, the antenna elements are 14 through the respective, individual structural elements 18 educated. In other words, the respective structural element forms 14 considered by itself an antenna element 14 so that the antenna device 16 in the grille 10 is integrated. As a result, a particularly large, active antenna surface can be realized overall, so that particularly advantageous properties of the radar system can be represented. In other words, each of the structural elements 14 as an antenna or as an antenna element 18 be used over which, for example, radio waves can be sent and / or received. It is preferably provided that the respective structural element 14 as a waveguide, that is designed as a waveguide connection, so that the radio waves can be received and / or sent particularly advantageous.

2 shows an example of a branching network in a schematic perspective view 20 from several waveguides 22 , The respective waveguide or the respective structural element 14 is formed for example of a plastic. It is conceivable that the respective structural element 14 and thus the respective waveguide has a hollow body formed from the plastic, which is a hollow base body of the respective waveguide. The respective hollow body has an inner circumferential side surface, through which a channel through which the radio waves can pass is limited. The inner peripheral side surface is preferably provided with a coating which reflects the radio waves. In this case, the coating is formed for example of a conductive material, in particular of a metallic material. In particular, it is conceivable that the respective structural element 14 and thus the respective waveguide is produced by means of a 3D printing process.

3 shows in a respective schematic perspective view with a 24 designated waveguide, which is produced by a 3D printing process. For this purpose, for example, a laser printer is used, by means of which a respective waveguide structure of the respective waveguide 24 can be generated by 3D printing.

Finally shows 4 a schematic representation of a radar block 26 with waveguide connection, in the present case at least two waveguides 28 are provided. A block 29 is used, for example, signal generation and frequency search. A block 30 for example, serves as a mixer and / or splitter. A block 32 is used, for example, to process an IF signal. A block 34 serves, for example, as an analog / digital converter and / or as a digital signal processor (DSP).

By integrating the antenna device 16 in the grille 10 and the resulting possibility of realizing a particularly large active antenna area, it is possible to detect a particularly large part of the surroundings in front of the vehicle, for example, in the vehicle longitudinal direction by means of the radar system, so that, for example, particularly advantageous functions, in particular driver assistance systems, can be realized ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

radiator grill

12

grille structure

14

structural element

16

antenna means

18

antenna element

20

Branching network

22

waveguide

24

waveguide

26

radar block

28

waveguide

29

block

30

block

32

block

34

block

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014200690 A1 [0002]
• DE 102014201728 A1 [0003]
• DE 102007026759 A1 [0004]

Claims (6)

Radar system for environment detection for a vehicle, having a plurality of antenna elements ( 18 ) comprehensive antenna device ( 16 ) for receiving and / or transmitting radio waves, characterized in that the antenna elements ( 18 ) by respective, individual structural elements ( 14 ) of a radiator grille ( 10 ) are formed for the vehicle. Radar system according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective structural element ( 14 ) is designed as a waveguide. Radar system according to claim 2, characterized in that the waveguides are produced by a 3D printing process. Radar system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the respective waveguide has at least one hollow, formed of a plastic base body whose inner peripheral side surface is provided with a, in particular metallic, coating for reflecting the radio waves. Radar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one transmitting element for generating and providing the via the antenna elements ( 18 ) radio waves and at least one receiving element is provided, by means of which the radio waves via the antenna elements ( 18 ) are to be received. Radar system according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmitting element and the receiving element are coherently or non-coherently coupled.

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