JP2010043872A - Radar device and optical axis adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radar device capable of precisely performing optical axis adjustment and an optical axis adjusting device adjusting the optical axis of the radar device. <P>SOLUTION: The radar device 1 includes: a flat printed board 11; an antenna 111 formed on the printed board 11, for transmitting and receiving a first electromagnetic wave of a first preset frequency; and a mirror 113 formed on the printed board 11 and capable of reflecting a second electromagnetic wave radiated from the outside in the optical axis adjustment of the radar device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a radar apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an object existing around the vehicle, and an optical axis adjustment apparatus that adjusts the optical axis of the radar apparatus.

Conventionally, a radar apparatus that measures a relative distance, a relative speed, and the like of a preceding vehicle such as a preceding vehicle needs to perform optical axis adjustment that adjusts a transmission beam in a preset direction. In order to easily and accurately adjust the optical axis, various apparatuses, methods, and the like have been proposed. For example, irradiate laser light toward the reflective surface mounted on the front surface of the antenna, check the deviation angle between the irradiated light and reflected light, and adjust the axis adjustment bolt of the antenna axis adjustment bracket based on this angle An antenna axis adjusting device is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-326495

  However, in the antenna axis adjustment device described in Patent Document 1, the reflection surface (= mirror) used for optical axis adjustment is attached to, for example, the radome surface of the radar device (see FIG. 14 of Patent Document 1). When the positional relationship of the mirror with respect to the antenna surface is changed from the preset positional relationship, there is a possibility that the optical axis cannot be adjusted accurately. Further, if the mirror is peeled off from the radome surface, there is a possibility that the optical axis cannot be adjusted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radar apparatus capable of accurately performing optical axis adjustment, and an optical axis for adjusting the optical axis of the radar apparatus. It is to provide an adjusting device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features. A first aspect of the invention is a radar device that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an object existing around the vehicle, in order to transmit and receive a first electromagnetic wave having a preset first frequency with a flat printed board. And an antenna formed on the printed circuit board, and a mirror surface part formed on the printed circuit board and configured to reflect a second electromagnetic wave irradiated from the outside in adjusting the optical axis of the radar apparatus.

  A second invention includes a radome disposed on the front surface side of the printed circuit board and protecting the antenna and the mirror surface portion in the first invention, and at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is provided. The second electromagnetic wave can be transmitted.

  In a third aspect based on the second aspect, at least a portion of the radome facing the antenna is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic wave.

  In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is made of a transparent resin.

  In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is made of a transparent polycarbonate resin.

  In a sixth aspect based on the first aspect, the antenna is an array antenna.

  In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the antenna is a microstrip antenna.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the mirror surface portion is formed on the printed circuit board as a pattern made of the same material as the material of the antenna pattern constituting the antenna.

  In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the mirror surface portion is a pattern made of copper.

  In a tenth aspect based on the first aspect, the mirror surface portion is formed by vapor-depositing a metal material on the printed board.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the first aspect, the first electromagnetic wave is a millimeter wave.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is an optical axis adjustment device that adjusts the optical axis of the radar device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the invention, in which the second electromagnetic wave is directed toward the mirror surface portion. Transmitting means for transmitting, and receiving means for receiving a reflected wave from the mirror surface portion.

  In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the second electromagnetic wave is a laser beam having a preset second frequency.

  In a fourteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the receiving means receives a reflected wave from the mirror surface portion via a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor.

  According to the first aspect, the mirror surface portion configured to reflect the second electromagnetic wave irradiated from the outside in the optical axis adjustment of the radar device is formed on the printed board on which the antenna is formed. Since there is little possibility that the positional relationship of the mirror surface portion with respect to the antenna is changed, the optical axis can be adjusted accurately.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, since the radome protecting the antenna and the mirror surface portion is disposed on the front surface side of the printed circuit board, the positional relationship of the mirror surface portion with respect to the antenna is less likely to change. Adjustment can be made more accurately. Further, since at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is configured to transmit the second electromagnetic wave irradiated from the outside in the optical axis adjustment, it is possible to suppress the attenuation of the second electromagnetic wave by the radome. Therefore, the optical axis adjustment can be performed more accurately.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the radome facing the antenna is configured to be able to transmit the first electromagnetic wave transmitted and received by the antenna, thereby suppressing the attenuation of the first electromagnetic wave by the radome. Therefore, the detection performance of the radar apparatus can be ensured.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is made of a transparent resin, it is possible to reliably suppress the attenuation of the second electromagnetic wave by the radome and to apply an external impact. It is possible to reduce the possibility of damage to the radome.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is made of a transparent polycarbonate resin, it is possible to reliably suppress the attenuation of the second electromagnetic wave by the radome, and from the outside. The risk of damage to the radome due to impact can be further reduced.

  According to the sixth aspect, since the antenna is an array antenna, the antenna can be easily formed on the printed circuit board.

  According to the seventh aspect, since the antenna is a microstrip antenna, the antenna can be more easily formed on the printed board.

  According to the eighth aspect, since the mirror surface portion is formed on the printed board as a pattern made of the same material as the material of the antenna pattern constituting the antenna, the mirror surface portion is easily formed on the printed board. be able to.

  According to the ninth aspect, since the mirror surface portion is a pattern made of copper, the mirror surface portion can be more easily formed on the printed circuit board. That is, the mirror surface portion can be formed on the printed circuit board more easily by etching or the like.

  According to the tenth aspect, since the mirror surface portion is formed by vapor-depositing a metal material on the printed board, the mirror surface portion having a high reflectance can be formed. For example, a mirror surface part with high reflectance can be formed by evaporating silver (Ag).

  According to the eleventh aspect, since the first electromagnetic wave is a millimeter wave, an inexpensive and high-performance radar device can be realized.

  According to the twelfth aspect, since the second electromagnetic wave is transmitted toward the mirror surface portion formed on the printed circuit board and the reflected wave from the mirror surface portion is received, the positional relationship of the mirror surface portion with respect to the antenna changes. Therefore, the optical axis can be adjusted accurately.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, since the second electromagnetic wave is laser light having a preset second frequency, the optical axis can be accurately adjusted with an inexpensive configuration.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, since the reflected wave from the mirror surface is received via a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, the optical axis can be adjusted accurately with a more inexpensive configuration.

  That is, for example, since it is possible to detect the reception position of the reflected wave via a two-dimensionally arranged CCD sensor, it is possible to accurately detect the deviation of the optical axis. The optical axis can be adjusted accurately.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a radar apparatus and an optical axis adjusting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A radar apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and detects a distance from an object existing around the vehicle. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which a radar device according to the present invention is installed in a vehicle. FIG. 1A is a side view, and FIG. 1B is a plan view. As shown in FIG. 1, the radar apparatus 1 according to the present invention is disposed at a substantially central portion in the width direction near the tip of the vehicle VC, and is a distance from an object existing in front of the vehicle VC in the detection region DR. Is detected.

  Here, the detection region DR is parallel to the ground as shown in FIG. 1 (a), and as shown in FIG. Is a quadrangular pyramid-shaped region that is widened toward the front side of the vehicle VC. In other words, the optical axis adjusting device according to the present invention adjusts the optical axis of the radar device 1 (= the central axis of the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the antenna 111 shown in FIG. 2) to coincide with the central axis CL shown in FIG. Device.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the conventional radar device 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the radar apparatus 3 includes a bracket 31, an antenna 32, and a mirror 33. The bracket 31 is fixed to a chassis or the like of the vehicle VC, and houses various circuits (not shown) such as a high-frequency generation circuit, and supports and fixes the antenna 32 and the mirror 33. The antenna 32 is disposed substantially at the center of the bracket 31 and transmits / receives a first electromagnetic wave (for example, millimeter wave) to detect an object. The mirror 33 is disposed on the left side of the antenna 32 in the bracket 31 and is configured to be able to reflect the second electromagnetic wave for adjusting the optical axis irradiated from the outside (for example, from a light projecting unit 21 described later with reference to FIG. 3). It has been done.

  As described above, since the mirror 33 disposed in the conventional radar device 3 is fixed by being attached to the bracket 31 or the like, the positional relationship of the mirror 33 with respect to the antenna 32 may change from the preset positional relationship. There is. Further, when the mirror 33 is peeled off from the bracket 31, there is a possibility that the optical axis cannot be adjusted.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the radar apparatus 1 according to the present invention. 2A is a front view of the radar apparatus 1 (a view of the radar apparatus 1 viewed from the left side of FIG. 1A), and FIG. 2B is a side view of the radar apparatus 1 (FIG. 1). It is the figure which looked at the radar apparatus 1 from the paper surface front side of (a). As shown in FIG. 2B, the radar apparatus 1 includes a printed circuit board 11, a radome 12, and a housing 13. FIG. 2A shows the case where the radome 12 is removed for convenience.

  The printed board 11 is a rectangular flat printed board, and an antenna 111, a through hole 112, and a mirror 113 are formed on the surface by etching or the like. The antenna 111 is formed on the printed circuit board 11 so as to transmit and receive a first electromagnetic wave having a preset first frequency. Here, the radar device 1 receives the reflected electromagnetic wave reflected by the object, the first electromagnetic wave transmitted from the antenna 111 is reflected by the object 111, and transmits the transmitted first electromagnetic wave ( = Determining the delay time with respect to the transmission wave) and detecting the distance to the object.

  Specifically, the antenna 111 is a microstrip antenna made of a copper (Cu) pattern formed on the printed circuit board 11.

  Thus, since the antenna 111 is a microstrip antenna, the antenna 111 can be easily formed on the printed circuit board 11. In the present embodiment, the case where the antenna 111 is a microstrip antenna will be described. However, the antenna 111 may be an array antenna.

  The electromagnetic wave (= first electromagnetic wave) transmitted / received by the antenna 111 is a millimeter wave. That is, the first electromagnetic wave is an electromagnetic wave of 30 GHz to 300 GHz (wavelength in vacuum is about 1 mm to 10 mm). In this way, since the electromagnetic wave transmitted and received by the antenna 111 is a millimeter wave, an inexpensive and high-performance radar device 1 can be realized. In the present embodiment, the case where the first electromagnetic wave is a millimeter wave will be described. However, the first electromagnetic wave may be an electromagnetic wave having another frequency (for example, laser light).

  The through holes 112 are formed on the front surface of the printed circuit board 11 (on the left side of FIG. 2B) and the end of the pattern constituting the antenna 111 and on the back surface side of the printed circuit board 11 (on the right side of FIG. Various circuits (not shown) such as a high-frequency generating circuit disposed in the body 13) are communicably connected.

  The mirror 113 (corresponding to the mirror surface portion) is formed on the front surface of the printed board 11 (left side of FIG. 2B) on the lower right side of the antenna 111, and from the outside (here, the figure) in the optical axis adjustment of the radar apparatus 1. 3 is configured to be able to reflect the second electromagnetic wave irradiated (from a light projecting unit 21 described later using 3).

  In this way, the mirror 113 configured to reflect the second electromagnetic wave irradiated from the outside in the optical axis adjustment of the radar apparatus 1 is formed on the printed circuit board 11 on which the antenna 111 is formed. Since the positional relationship between the antenna 113 and the antenna 111 is less likely to change, the optical axis can be adjusted accurately.

  Further, here, the mirror 113 is formed on the printed circuit board 11 by etching or the like as a pattern made of the same material (here, copper (Cu)) as the material of the antenna pattern constituting the antenna 111. Thus, since the mirror 113 is formed on the printed circuit board 11 as a pattern made of the same material as the material of the antenna pattern constituting the antenna 111, the mirror 113 can be easily formed on the printed circuit board 11. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the case where the mirror 113 has a pattern made of copper (Cu) will be described. It may be formed. In this case, the mirror 113 with high reflectivity can be formed. Alternatively, the mirror 113 may be formed by depositing a metal material (for example, silver (Ag)) on a pattern made of copper (Cu). In this case, the mirror 113 with higher reflectance can be formed.

  The radome 12 is a cover that is disposed on the front side of the printed board 11 (left side in FIG. 2B) and protects the antenna 111 and the mirror 113. The radome 12 is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic wave (= millimeter wave) and the second electromagnetic wave (= laser light LB1, LB2: see FIG. 3). That is, the radome 12 is made of a transparent polycarbonate resin.

  Since the radome 12 is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic wave (= millimeter wave) in this way, the attenuation of the first electromagnetic wave by the radome 12 can be suppressed, so that the detection performance of the radar apparatus 1 can be improved. Can be secured. Further, since the radome 12 is configured to transmit the second electromagnetic wave (= laser light LB1, LB2: see FIG. 3), the attenuation of the second electromagnetic wave by the radome 12 can be suppressed, so that the optical axis is adjusted. Can be performed more accurately.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the radome 12 is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic wave and the second electromagnetic wave will be described. However, at least a part 121 of the radome 12 that faces the antenna 111 transmits the first electromagnetic wave. Any configuration may be used as long as the portion 122 of the radome 12 facing the mirror 113 is configured to transmit the second electromagnetic wave.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the radome 12 is made of a transparent polycarbonate resin will be described. However, the radome 12 may be made of another kind of transparent resin (polyphenylene sulfide resin, syndiotactic polystyrene resin, or the like). Further, the radome 12 may be formed of other transparent materials (for example, glass).

  The housing 13 is fixed to the chassis of the vehicle VC and houses various circuits (not shown) such as a high-frequency generating circuit, and supports and fixes the printed circuit board 11 and the radome 12. is there.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical axis adjusting apparatus 2 according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a side view, and FIG. 3B is a plan view. The optical axis adjusting device 2 includes a light projecting unit 21, a light receiving unit 22, and a support member 23. The support member 23 is erected perpendicularly to the floor surface where the optical axis adjustment is performed, and supports the light projecting unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22.

  The light projecting unit 21 (corresponding to a transmission unit) transmits the second electromagnetic wave toward the mirror 113 of the radar apparatus 1. Here, the light projecting unit 21 includes a laser oscillator or the like, and irradiates the mirror 113 with a laser beam LB1 having a preset second frequency.

  The light receiving unit 22 (corresponding to a receiving unit) receives a reflected wave (here, reflected light) irradiated from the light projecting unit 21 and reflected by the mirror 113 of the radar apparatus 1. Here, the light receiving unit 22 includes a two-dimensionally arranged CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and receives the reflected light (= laser light LB2) from the mirror 113 via the CCD sensor.

  The optical axis adjusting device 2 adjusts the optical axis of the radar device 1 so that the position of the reflected light (= laser light LB2) received by the light receiving unit 22 is a predetermined position set in advance. That is, the optical axis adjusting device 2 is a device that adjusts the optical axis of the radar device 1 (= the central axis of the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the antenna 111 shown in FIG. 1) to coincide with the central axis CL shown in FIG. .

  In this way, the second electromagnetic wave (here, the laser beam LB1) is transmitted toward the mirror 113 (see FIG. 2) formed on the printed circuit board 11, and the reflected wave (here, the laser beam) from the mirror 113 is transmitted. Since the light LB2) is received, the positional relationship of the mirror 113 with respect to the antenna 111 is less likely to change, so that the optical axis can be adjusted accurately.

  Further, since the second electromagnetic wave projected from the light projecting unit 21 is a laser beam having a preset second frequency, the optical axis can be accurately adjusted with an inexpensive configuration.

  Furthermore, since the reflected wave (in this case, the laser beam LB2) from the mirror 113 is received via the CCD sensor, the optical axis can be accurately adjusted with a further inexpensive configuration.

  That is, since it is possible to detect the reception position of the reflected wave (here, the laser beam LB2) via the two-dimensionally arranged CCD sensor, it is possible to accurately detect the deviation of the optical axis. In addition, the optical axis can be accurately adjusted with a more inexpensive configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the second electromagnetic wave emitted from the light projecting unit 21 is laser light will be described. However, the second electromagnetic wave emitted from the light projecting unit 21 is an electromagnetic wave in another frequency range ( For example, it may be in the form of millimeter waves. In the present embodiment, the case where the light receiving unit 22 receives the reflected light from the mirror 113 via the CCD sensor will be described. However, the light receiving unit 22 passes through another sensor (for example, a photo sensor). Alternatively, the reflected light from the mirror 113 may be received.

The radar apparatus and the optical axis adjusting apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be the following forms.
(A) In this embodiment, the case where the radar apparatus 1 detects an object in front of the vehicle VC has been described. However, the radar apparatus 1 may be configured to detect an object existing around the vehicle VC. . For example, the radar apparatus 1 may be configured to detect an object behind the vehicle VC, or the radar apparatus 1 may be configured to detect an object on the side of the vehicle VC.

  (B) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the case where the mirror 113 is formed on the printed board 11 on the lower right side of the antenna 111 has been described. However, the mirror 113 is formed with the antenna 111. Any form formed on the printed circuit board 11 may be used. That is, the positional relationship between the mirror 113 and the antenna 111 is not limited to the form shown in FIG.

  For example, the mirror 113 may be disposed at a substantially central portion of the printed circuit board 11 and the transmission antennas 111 may be formed on both sides (or top and bottom) thereof. In this case, since the mirror 113 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the printed circuit board 11, even when the printed circuit board 11 is deformed (for example, when warping occurs), the optical axis is accurately adjusted. It can be performed.

  (C) In the present embodiment, in the optical axis adjustment device 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the case where the light receiving unit 22 is disposed at a position separated from the light projecting unit 21 has been described. The positional relationship between the unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. That is, for example, the light receiving unit 22 may be disposed at a position close to the light projecting unit 21, or the light receiving unit 22 may be disposed around the light projecting unit 21.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, a radar apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an object existing around the vehicle, and an optical axis adjustment apparatus that adjusts the optical axis of the radar apparatus.

Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the arrangement | positioning state to the vehicle of the radar apparatus which concerns on this invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the radar apparatus which concerns on this invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the optical axis adjustment apparatus which concerns on this invention Front view showing an example of the configuration of a conventional radar device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radar apparatus 11 Printed circuit board 111 Antenna 112 Through hole 113 Mirror (mirror part)
12 Radome 13 Case 2 Optical axis adjustment device 21 Light projection part (transmission means)
22 Light receiving part (receiving means)
23 Support Member 3 Radar Device 31 Bracket 32 Antenna 33 Mirror

Claims (14)

A radar device that is mounted on a vehicle and detects an object existing around the vehicle,
A flat printed circuit board;
An antenna formed on the printed circuit board for transmitting and receiving a first electromagnetic wave having a first frequency set in advance;
A radar device comprising: a mirror surface portion formed on the printed circuit board and configured to be able to reflect a second electromagnetic wave irradiated from the outside in adjusting the optical axis of the radar device. A radome disposed on the front side of the printed circuit board for protecting the antenna and the mirror surface,
The radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface is configured to transmit the second electromagnetic wave.   The radar apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the radome facing the antenna is configured to transmit the first electromagnetic wave.   The radar apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is made of a transparent resin.   The radar apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the radome facing the mirror surface portion is made of a transparent polycarbonate resin.   The radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is an array antenna.   The radar apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the antenna is a microstrip antenna.   The radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mirror surface portion is formed on the printed circuit board as a pattern made of the same material as that of an antenna pattern constituting the antenna.   The radar apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mirror surface portion is a pattern made of copper.   The radar device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror surface portion is formed by vapor-depositing a metal material on the printed board.   The radar apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic wave is a millimeter wave. An optical axis adjusting device for adjusting an optical axis of the radar device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Transmitting means for transmitting the second electromagnetic wave toward the mirror surface portion;
Receiving means for receiving a reflected wave from the mirror surface portion.   The optical axis adjusting device according to claim 12, wherein the second electromagnetic wave is a laser beam having a preset second frequency.   The optical axis adjusting device according to claim 12, wherein the receiving unit receives a reflected wave from the mirror surface portion via a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor.

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