JP2022155658A - radar cover - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a radar cover capable of permeating electric wave which achieves brilliant independent on rare metal.SOLUTION: A radar cover 10 comprises a transparent member 11 and a base member 13 which is disposed on a back face side of the transparent member 11. The radar cover comprises a plurality of reflection protrusion 11b which are provided on at least a part of the back face of the transparent member 11 and reflect light injected from the font face of the transparent member 11 and an inner core 12 which includes shading properties and is disposed so as to abut against the tip end of at least either of the reflection protrusion 11b. There is provided a space K which is surrounded by the surface of the reflection protrusion 11b and the surface of the inner core 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to radar covers.

In recent years, vehicles are equipped with radar units that detect obstacles and the like around the vehicle using radio waves such as millimeter waves. Such a radar unit is arranged inside a radar cover provided on the front surface of a vehicle, and transmits and receives radio waves that pass through the radar cover and the like. Therefore, in a vehicle equipped with the radar unit as described above, the radar cover needs to be formed so that the radio waves can pass through while suppressing the attenuation of the radio waves.

On the other hand, since the radar cover is arranged in front of the vehicle, it is an extremely important part in terms of the design of the vehicle, and is often provided with glitter in order to improve luxury and texture. In order to impart luster, it is common to apply a plating treatment. However, the plated layer does not transmit radio waves. For this reason, in recent years, a technique of forming a glittering film through which radio waves can pass has been used in order to impart glitter and allow radio waves to pass through (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-46183 A

A glittering film is generally made of indium, which is a rare metal. Moreover, it is necessary to provide coat layers on both sides of the glitter film formed of such indium. Furthermore, the glitter film made of indium is formed by a sputtering device or the like, and the coat layer must be formed in a process separate from the process of forming the glitter film. Therefore, a radar cover using a rare metal has a complicated manufacturing process and an increased manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radar cover through which radio waves can pass, and to obtain brightness without using rare metals.

The present invention employs the following configurations as means for solving the above problems.

A first aspect of the present invention is a radar cover comprising: a transparent member; a plurality of reflecting projections for reflecting light incident from the front surface of a member; and a space surrounded by the surface of the contact portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the contact portion is an inner core that is separate from the support member and inserted between the transparent member and the support member. Adopt configuration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the contact portion is a part of the support member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, a concave portion is provided on the back surface of the transparent member, and the reflecting protrusion is provided on an inner wall surface of the concave portion. adopt.

In the present invention, since the contact portion is in contact with the tip of the reflecting protrusion, the shape of the reflecting protrusion and the shape of the space surrounded by the surface of the reflecting protrusion and the surface of the contact portion are maintained. can do. In the present invention as described above, the light entering the transparent member from the front surface thereof is reflected by being reflected at the interface between the reflecting protrusion and the space. In addition, the light that has escaped into the space without being reflected at the interface between the reflecting protrusion and the space is blocked by the light-blocking contact portion, thereby preventing the light from entering the contact portion and becoming stray light. For this reason, a person outside the radar cover can clearly see the portion of the radar cover where the reflecting projection is provided, shining brightly. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radar cover that allows radio waves to pass through and to obtain brightness without using rare metals.

1(a) is a front view of a radiator grill provided with a radar cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is an enlarged front view of the radar cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a typical sectional view of a radar cover in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a manufacturing method of a radar cover in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a radar cover in a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a radar cover according to a third embodiment of the invention;

An embodiment of a radar cover according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1(a) is a front view of a radiator grille 1 having a radar cover 10 of this embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is an enlarged front view of the radar cover 10 of this first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the radar cover 10 of this embodiment.

A radiator grille 1 is provided in the front of the vehicle so as to block an opening leading to the engine room of the vehicle, ensuring ventilation to the engine room and preventing foreign matter from entering the engine room. A radar cover 10 is provided in the center of the radiator grille 1 so as to face the radar unit R arranged in the engine room. The radiator grille 1 except for the radar cover 10 is plated with chromium (Cr), for example, because it is not necessary to have radio wave transparency.

The radar unit R (see FIG. 2) has, for example, a transmitter that transmits millimeter waves, a receiver that receives reflected waves, and a calculator that performs arithmetic processing. The radar unit R transmits and receives radio waves that pass through the radar cover 10, and detects the surrounding conditions of the vehicle based on the received radio waves. For example, the radar unit R calculates and outputs the distance to the obstacle, the relative speed of the obstacle, and the like.

The radar cover 10 is arranged to cover the radar unit R when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the radar cover 10 has a bright region 10A representing figures, letters, etc., indicating the emblem of the vehicle manufacturer, and improves the visibility of the bright region 10A when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. It is a part having a black area 10B that allows Such a radar cover 10 includes a transparent member 11, an inner core 12 (contact portion), and a base member 13 (support member), as shown in FIG.

The transparent member 11 is a portion formed of a substantially rectangular transparent material that is arranged on the outermost side of the vehicle. The transparent member 11 has a smooth front surface in order to enhance the visibility of the inner core 12 from the outside of the vehicle. In addition, a concave portion 11a in which the inner core 12 is arranged is formed on the rear surface (back side surface) of the transparent member 11. As shown in FIG. A region of the back surface of the transparent member 11 where the concave portion 11a is not provided serves as a fixing surface with the base member 13 .

The recessed portion 11a is a portion that accommodates the inner core 12, and allows the accommodated inner core 12 to be viewed three-dimensionally from the front side of the vehicle. This concave portion 11a is provided along the shape of figures such as an emblem of a vehicle maker, characters, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of reflecting protrusions 11b are provided on the inner wall surface of the concave portion 11a (that is, part of the back surface of the transparent member 11). These reflecting protrusions 11b are formed in a shape that narrows toward the tip, and are formed in a conical or prismatic shape, for example. Such a reflecting protrusion 11b has a plurality of surfaces facing different directions, and reflects light incident from the front surface of the transparent member 11 by reflecting the light. The light incident from the front surface of the transparent member 11 is caused by the difference in refractive index between the reflecting protrusion 11b and the gas (generally air) enclosed in the space K adjacent to the reflecting protrusion 11b. Then, the light is reflected at the interface between the reflecting protrusion 11b and the space K. As shown in FIG. By thus providing the reflecting protrusion 11b on the inner wall surface of the recess 11a, the bright region 10A described above is formed.

The transparent member 11 is formed, for example, by injection molding using a mold. Therefore, by providing unevenness for forming the reflecting protrusions 11b on the surface of the mold, it is possible to form the transparent member 11 having the recesses 11a provided with the reflecting protrusions 11b on the inner wall surface. Alternatively, for example, the transparent member 11 without the reflecting protrusions 11b on the inner wall surface of the recess 11a may be formed, and then the reflecting protrusions 11b may be provided on the inner wall surface of the recess 11a by post-processing.

Such a transparent member 11 is made of transparent synthetic resin such as transparent PC (polycarbonate) or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate resin), and has a thickness of about 1.5 mm to 10 mm. In addition, the front side surface of the transparent member 11 is subjected to a hard coat treatment for scratch prevention or a clear coat treatment of urethane-based paint, if necessary. If the transparent synthetic resin has scratch resistance, these anti-scratch treatments are unnecessary.

The inner core 12 is a member housed inside the transparent member 11 and arranged between the transparent member 11 and the base member 13 . In this embodiment, the inner core 12 is made of a colored resin that is light-shielding and radio wave-transmitting. It should be noted that the inner core 12 is not limited to being made of only resin.

The inner core 12 is molded by injection molding or the like, and is made of synthetic resin such as ABS, PC, or PET. The inner core 12 has a convex shape that embeds the concave portion 11 a of the transparent member 11 and is fitted into the concave portion 11 a of the transparent member 11 . The surface of the inner core 12 is a smooth surface having a surface roughness smaller than that of the inner wall surface of the recess 11a provided with the reflecting projection 11b. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the inner core 12 is in contact with the tip of the reflecting protrusion 11b.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the contact between the inner wall surface of the recess 11a having relatively large surface roughness and the surface of the inner core 12 having relatively small surface roughness causes the transparent member 11 and the A plurality of spaces K are provided between the inner core 12 and the inner core 12 . Such a large number of spaces K enclose gas such as air, for example. As described above, due to the difference in refractive index between the gas enclosed in the space K and the transparent member 11, the light incident from the front surface of the transparent member 11 is reflected by the reflecting protrusion 11b.

The light that has entered the space K without being reflected by the reflecting protrusion 11b cannot enter the inner core 12 that has a light shielding property. Therefore, no stray light is transmitted through the inner core 12 . Although the color of the inner core 12 is not particularly limited, it may be black, for example. For example, when the inner core 12 is black, the surface of the inner core 12 can absorb the light incident on the space K. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the light that has entered the space K from becoming stray light.

The base member 13 is arranged on the back side of the transparent member 11 and is made of a black resin material. The base member 13 has an engaging portion 13a projecting toward the engine room. The engaging portion 13a has a claw-shaped tip, and the tip is engaged with, for example, a radiator grill body. The base member 13 fixed to the back surface of the transparent member 11 in this manner is visible from the outside of the transparent member 11, and forms the above-described black region 10B. The base member 13 makes the area other than the bright area 10A appear black and relatively improves the visibility of the bright area 10A.

Such a base member 13 is composed of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), AES (acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), It is made of synthetic resin such as colored PC or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or a composite resin of these, and has a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

According to the radar cover 10 of this embodiment, the light entering the transparent member 11 from the front surface of the transparent member 11 is reflected by the reflecting protrusions 11b, and at least part of the reflected light is emitted from the front surface of the transparent member 11. be done. Due to the reflected light emitted from the front surface of the transparent member 11, a person outside the radar cover 10 can visually recognize the portion of the radar cover provided with the reflecting projection 11b.

Further, according to the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the inner core 12 is in contact with the tip of the reflecting protrusion 11b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change in the shape and shape of the space K surrounded by the surface of the inner core 12 and the shape and surface of the reflecting projection 11b due to thermal contraction of the transparent member 11 or the like. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably obtain the brilliance as designed.

Furthermore, according to the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, since the inner core 12 has a light-shielding property, the light that has escaped into the space K without being reflected at the interface between the reflecting projection 11b and the space K passes through the inner core 12. It is possible to prevent the light from entering the inside and becoming stray light. Therefore, according to the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to clearly define the boundary between the bright area (bright area 10A) and the surrounding area (black area 10B) without blurring.

Next, a method for manufacturing the radar cover 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the method of manufacturing the radar cover 10 of this embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a transparent member 11 is formed. For example, the transparent member 11 is formed by injection molding a resin material. Since the transparent member 11 having the recesses 11a can be formed by this injection molding, there is no need to form the recesses 11a in a post-process. Here, in the present embodiment, for example, unevenness for forming the reflecting protrusion 11b is formed in advance on a mold used for injection molding. As a result, the transparent member 11 having the reflecting projections 11b can be formed by one injection molding. If necessary, the front surface side (the surface facing the outside of the vehicle) or the entire surface of the transparent member 11 may be subjected to a hard coat treatment for improving durability and the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the inner core 12 is formed. For example, the inner core 12 is formed by injection molding. It is not necessary to form the inner core 12 after forming the transparent member 11 shown in FIG. 3(a). By forming the inner core 12 in parallel with the step of forming the transparent member 11 shown in FIG. 3A, the manufacturing time of the radar cover 10 can be shortened.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the inner core 12 is fitted into the concave portion 11a of the transparent member 11. Then, as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 3(d), the base member 13 is formed. Here, the transparent member 11 having the inner core 12 installed in the concave portion 11a is placed inside a mold for injection molding, and insert molding is performed by injecting a molten resin into the back side of the transparent member 11 to form a base. A member 13 is formed. Such a base member 13 is welded to the transparent member 11 by heat during insert molding, and arranged so as to cover the inner core 12 . The back surface of the inner core 12 is also welded to the base member 13 . The inner core 12 is thereby supported by the base member 13 .

Note that the reflecting projection 11b is covered with the inner core 12 when insert molding is performed. Therefore, the molten resin is prevented from directly contacting the reflecting protrusion 11b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reflecting protrusion 11b from being deformed by heat during insert molding.

The radar cover 10 of this embodiment as described above includes the transparent member 11 and the base member 13 arranged on the back side of the transparent member 11 . The radar cover 10 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of reflecting protrusions 11 b that are provided on at least a portion of the back surface of the transparent member 11 and that reflect light incident from the front surface of the transparent member 11 . Further, the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment has an inner core 12 that has a light shielding property and is arranged in contact with the tip of at least one of the reflecting protrusions 11b. Further, in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, a space K surrounded by the surface of the reflecting protrusion 11b and the surface of the inner core 12 is provided.

In the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, since the inner core 12 is in contact with the tip of the reflecting projection 11b, the shape of the reflecting projection 11b and the surface of the reflecting projection 11b and the surface of the inner core 12 surround the shape of the reflecting projection 11b. The shape of the space K can be maintained. In such a radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the light entering the transparent member 11 from the front surface thereof is reflected by the interface between the reflecting projection 11b and the space K. As shown in FIG. In addition, the light that escapes to the space K without being reflected at the interface between the reflecting protrusion 11b and the space K is blocked by the inner core 12 having a light shielding property, thereby preventing the light from entering the inner core 12 and becoming stray light. . Therefore, a person outside the radar cover 10 can clearly see the portion of the radar cover 10 where the reflecting projection 11b is provided. Therefore, according to the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the radar cover 10 can transmit radio waves, and it is possible to obtain brightness without using rare metals.

Further, in the radar cover 10 of this embodiment, an inner core 12 which is separate from the base member 13 is interposed between the transparent member 11 and the base member 13 . Therefore, when the base member 13 is formed by insert molding or the like, the reflecting protrusions 11b can be covered with the inner core 12 . Therefore, the molten resin is prevented from coming into direct contact with the reflecting protrusion 11b, and it is possible to prevent the reflecting protrusion 11b from being deformed by heat.

Further, in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the recess 11a is provided on the back surface of the transparent member 11, and the reflection projection 11b is provided on the inner wall surface of the recess 11a. Therefore, when viewed from the front side of the transparent member 11, the bright region 10A formed by the reflecting protrusions 11b is viewed three-dimensionally as if it bulges forward. Therefore, it is possible to make a mark or the like formed by the bright region 10A three-dimensional.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the radar cover 20 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the radar cover 20 of this embodiment does not have the inner core 12 of the radar cover 10 of the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the radar cover 20 of this embodiment, the base member 13 has a protruding portion 13b that fits into the concave portion 11a of the transparent member 11 .

The protruding portion 13b is made of a part of the base member 13 that has radio wave transparency and light shielding properties. Such a projecting portion 13b is arranged in contact with the tip of the reflecting projecting portion 11b. In other words, in the present embodiment, the projecting portion 13b, which is a part of the base member 13, has a light shielding property and functions as a contact portion arranged in contact with the tip of at least one of the reflecting projecting portions 11b.

In the radar cover 20 of this embodiment, since the projecting portion 13b is in contact with the tip of the reflecting projecting portion 11b, the shape of the reflecting projecting portion 11b and the relationship between the surface of the reflecting projecting portion 11b and the projecting portion 13b are different. The shape of the space K surrounded by the surface can be maintained. In such a radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the light entering the transparent member 11 from the front surface thereof is reflected by the interface between the reflecting projection 11b and the space K. As shown in FIG. In addition, the light that escapes to the space K without being reflected at the interface between the reflecting projection 11b and the space K is blocked by the projecting portion 13b having a light-blocking property, thereby preventing it from entering the projecting portion 13b and becoming stray light. be done. Therefore, a person outside the radar cover 10 can clearly see the portion of the radar cover 10 where the reflecting projection 11b is provided. Therefore, according to the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the radar cover 10 can transmit radio waves, and it is possible to obtain brightness without using rare metals.

Further, in the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment, the protruding portion 13b functioning as a contact portion is a part of the base member 13. As shown in FIG. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the inner core 12 separately, and the manufacturing process of the radar cover 20 can be simplified. When manufacturing the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment, it is preferable to join the base member 13 to the transparent member 11 after forming the base member 13 in order to prevent the shape of the reflecting projection 11b from changing.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the radar cover 30 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the radar cover 30 of the present embodiment is not provided with the concave portion 11a of the transparent member 11 of the radar cover 10 of the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the radar cover 30 of this embodiment, the transparent member 11 has a protruding portion 11 c that protrudes toward the base member 13 .

Further, in the present embodiment, a reflecting protrusion 11b is provided on the surface of the protrusion 11c. A portion of the base member 13 having radio wave transmission and light shielding properties is disposed in contact with the tip of the reflecting projection 11b.

In the radar cover 30 of the present embodiment, since a part of the base member 13 is in contact with the tip of the reflecting protrusion 11b, the shape of the reflecting protrusion 11b and the relationship between the surface of the reflecting protrusion 11b and the protrusion 13b are different. The shape of the space K surrounded by the surface can be maintained. In such a radar cover 30 of the present embodiment, the light entering the transparent member 11 from the front surface thereof is reflected by the interface between the reflecting projection 11b and the space K. As shown in FIG. Further, the light that escapes to the space K without being reflected at the interface between the reflecting projection 11b and the space K is blocked by the base member 13 having a light blocking property, thereby preventing it from entering the base member 13 and becoming stray light. be done. Therefore, a person outside the radar cover 30 can clearly see the portion of the radar cover 30 where the reflecting projection 11b is provided. Therefore, according to the radar cover 30 of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain brightness without depending on rare metals.

Further, in the radar cover 30 of the present embodiment, a part of the base member 13 serves as a contact portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the inner core 12 separately, and the manufacturing process of the radar cover 30 can be simplified. When manufacturing the radar cover 30 of the present embodiment, it is preferable to join the base member 13 to the transparent member 11 after forming the base member 13 in order to prevent the shape of the reflecting projection 11b from changing.

Further, in the radar cover 30 of the present embodiment, a projecting portion 11c is provided on the back surface of the transparent member 11, and a reflecting projecting portion 11b is provided on the inner wall surface of the projecting portion 11c. Therefore, when viewed from the front side of the transparent member 11, the bright region 10A formed by the reflecting projections 11b is viewed three-dimensionally as if it were recessed inward. Therefore, it is possible to make a mark or the like formed by the bright region 10A three-dimensional.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the reflecting protrusion 11b is formed on the inner wall surface of the recess 11a or the surface of the protrusion 11c has been described. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the reflecting projection 11b may be provided in a flat area on the back surface of the transparent member 11. FIG.

Reference Signs List 1 Radiator grille 10 Radar cover 10A Bright area 10B Black area 11 Transparent member 11a Concave portion 11b Reflective projection 11c Projection 12 Inner core (contact portion) 13 Base member (contact portion) 13b Protrusion (contact portion) 20 Radar cover 30 Radar cover K Space R radar unit

Claims (4)

A radar cover comprising a transparent member and a support member arranged on the back side of the transparent member,
a plurality of reflecting protrusions provided on at least a portion of the back surface of the transparent member and reflecting light incident from the front surface of the transparent member;
a light-shielding abutting portion disposed in contact with the tip of at least one of the reflecting protrusions;
A radar cover comprising a space surrounded by a surface of the reflecting projection and a surface of the contact portion. 2. The radar cover according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is an inner core that is separate from the support member and inserted between the transparent member and the support member. 2. The radar cover according to claim 1, wherein said contact portion is a part of said support member. The radar cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a recess is provided on the back surface of the transparent member, and the reflection projection is provided on an inner wall surface of the recess.

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