JP6868549B2 - Radar cover - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a radar cover.

In recent years, radar units that detect obstacles and the like around the vehicle using radio waves such as millimeter waves have been mounted on the vehicle. Such a radar unit is arranged inside a radiator grill or an emblem provided on the front surface of the vehicle, and transmits / receives radio waves transmitted through the radiator grill. Therefore, in a vehicle equipped with the radar unit as described above, it is necessary to form the radiator grille and the emblem so that the radio waves can be transmitted while suppressing the attenuation of the radio waves.

On the other hand, since the radiator grille and the emblem are arranged on the front surface of the vehicle, they are extremely important parts in the design of the vehicle, and are often given metallic brilliance in order to improve the sense of quality and texture. Conventionally, in order to impart such metallic brilliance, it has been common to perform a plating treatment, but the plating layer does not transmit radio waves. For this reason, in recent years, a technique for forming a metal layer of indium (In) or aluminum (Al) through which radio waves can be transmitted has been used in order to impart metal brilliance and allow radio waves to be transmitted (Patent Document 1). reference).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-46183

By the way, it is important that the design formed on the radar cover has a sense of unity with the surroundings of the radar cover. For example, when the emblem of the radiator grill is used as a radar cover, it is desirable that the color tone of the design formed on the radar cover be the same as the color tone of other parts of the radiator grille. However, some radiator grilles that do not require radio wave transmission are generally given metallic brilliance by plating. Therefore, there is a slight difference between the color tone of the design formed on the radar cover and the color tone of the part of the radiator grill that does not require radio wave transmission. As a result, such a difference in color tone gives a person who visually recognizes a sense of discomfort with respect to the design of the entire vehicle.

In order to eliminate such a difference in color tone, for example, it is conceivable to give a color to a transparent member on which a bright film, which is a metal layer capable of transmitting radio waves, is fixedly formed. However, a bright film that allows radio waves to pass through is generally formed by vacuum deposition or sputtering. Therefore, if the property of the transparent member on which the bright film is fixedly formed is changed in order to impart color, the radio wave transmission of the bright film may change, and the desired radio wave transmission may not be obtained. ..

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and in the radar cover, the color tone of the design formed on the radar cover is changed to the color tone around the radar cover without affecting the radio wave transmission of the glitter film. The purpose is to be able to synchronize with.

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

The first invention comprises a transparent member, a back surface member arranged on the back surface of the transparent member, and a colored core including a bright film arranged between the transparent member and the back surface member and having radio wave transmission. The colored core has a base material on which the brilliant film is fixedly formed, and is arranged on the opposite side of the base material with the brilliant film as a reference and the brilliant film. A configuration is adopted in which a filter layer for changing the color tone of the reflected light is provided.

The second invention adopts the configuration in which the transparent member is the filter layer in the first invention.

The third invention adopts the configuration in which the colored core is provided with a coat layer covering the glitter film from the opposite side of the base material, and the coat layer is the filter layer in the first invention. ..

In the fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the configuration in which the filter layer is a colored layer in which a dye is dissolved is adopted.

In the fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the configuration in which the brilliant film is an indium (In) film and the filter layer is colored blue is adopted.

According to the present invention, the colored core has a base material on which a bright film is fixedly formed, and the color tone of the reflected light of the bright film is changed by a filter layer different from this base material. Therefore, it is possible to change the color tone of the bright film visually recognized from the outside without changing the properties of the base material on which the bright film is formed. Therefore, according to the present invention, in the radar cover, it is possible to synchronize the color tone of the design formed on the radar cover with the color tone around the radar cover without affecting the radio wave transmission of the glitter film. ..

It is a front view of the radiator grill provided with the radar cover in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged front view of the radar cover in 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the radar cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of an inner core included in the radar cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the radar cover in 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the radar cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the inner core provided by the radar cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the radar cover according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view of the radiator grill 1 provided with the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the inner core 12 included in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment.

The radiator grill 1 is provided on the front surface of the vehicle so as to close the 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 grill 1 so as to face the radar unit R arranged in the engine room. In the radiator grill 1, the portion other than the radar cover 10 does not need to have radio wave transmission, and is therefore plated with, for example, chromium (Cr).

The radar unit R (see FIG. 3A) has, for example, a transmitting unit that emits millimeter waves, a receiving unit that receives reflected waves, an arithmetic unit that performs arithmetic processing, and the like. The radar unit R transmits and receives radio waves transmitted 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 so as to cover the radar unit R when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the radar cover 10 has a bright region 10A representing a figure or a character indicating a vehicle manufacturer's emblem and a black region improving the visibility of the bright region 10A when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. It is a part having 10B. As shown in FIG. 3A, such a radar cover 10 includes a transparent member 11 (filter layer), an inner core 12 (colored core), and a base member 13 (back surface member).

The transparent member 11 is a portion formed of a substantially rectangular transparent material arranged on the outermost side of the vehicle. The front surface of the transparent member 11 is a smooth surface in order to enhance the visibility of the inner core 12 from the outside of the vehicle. Further, a recess 11a on which the inner core 12 is arranged is formed on the back surface of the transparent member 11. Further, the region on the back surface of the transparent member 11 where the recess 11a is not provided is a fixed surface with the base member 13.

The recess 11a is a portion for accommodating the inner core 12, and makes the accommodated inner core 12 three-dimensionally visible from the front side of the vehicle. The recess 11a is provided along the shape of a figure such as an emblem of a vehicle manufacturer or a character. By accommodating the inner core 12 in such a recess 11a, the above-mentioned bright region 10A is formed.

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

The transparent member 11 is a transparent colored layer formed by curing a resin material in which a dye is dissolved. Such a transparent member 11 functions as a filter layer for changing the color tone of the reflected light reflected by the external light incident on the transparent member 11 from the outside on the glitter film 12c described later of the inner core 12. The transparent member 11 changes the color tone of the reflected light by shielding only a specific frequency component among the frequency components contained in the reflected light. With such a transparent member 11, an outside viewer feels that the color tone of the bright region 10A is changed as compared with the case where the transparent member 11 is colorless and transparent. In the black region 10B, since the external light is absorbed without being reflected, the outside viewer does not feel the change in color tone.

In the present embodiment, the periphery of the radar cover 10 is plated with chromium (Cr), and the glitter film 12c of the inner core 12 is formed of indium (In). ^{Therefore, the bright region 10A has a higher b *} value than the surrounding chromium (Cr) -plated region, and appears to be slightly yellowish. Therefore, by using the transparent member 11 in which the blue dye is dissolved, the b ^* value of the bright region 10A can be lowered and synchronized with the color tone of the region subjected to chromium (Cr) plating.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the inner core 12 includes a base portion 12a, a base coat layer 12b, a brilliant film 12c, and a top coat layer 12d. The base portion 12a is formed by injection molding or the like, and is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as ABS, PC or PET. The base portion 12a has a convex shape in which the recess 11a of the transparent member 11 is embedded, and is fitted into the recess 11a of the transparent member 11. The base coat layer 12b is formed between the base portion 12a and the brilliant film 12c, and is for improving the adhesion between the base portion 12a and the brilliant film 12c. The base coat layer 12b is formed by, for example, clear coating using a transparent synthetic resin.

The brilliant film 12c is a layer having metal brilliance, which is formed on the front surface (the surface on the transparent member 11 side) of the base portion 12a and is arranged so as to cover the base portion 12a. The brilliant film 12c is a metal thin film made of indium (In). The brilliant film 12c has a structure having a plurality of islands arranged with gaps between them, and is a discontinuous film having a large number of fine gaps. Such a brilliant film 12c is capable of transmitting radio waves through these gaps.

The top coat layer 12d is formed on the bright film 12c so as to cover the bright film 12c, and is for protecting the bright film 12c. Like the base coat layer 12b, the top coat layer 12d is also formed by clear coating using a transparent (including colored transparent) synthetic resin.

The base coat layer 12b and the top coat layer 12d can also be a transparent ceramic coat layer made of silicon oxide (SiOx). In this case, it has higher heat resistance and higher radio wave transmission than a base coat layer or a top coat layer made of a resin formed by clear coating or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the brilliant film 12c is fixedly formed on the surface of the base portion 12a on which the base coat layer 12b is formed. That is, in the present embodiment, the portion including the base portion 12a and the base coat layer 12b functions as a base material on which the glittering film 12c is fixedly formed. When the glittering film 12c having high corrosion resistance is used, the base coat layer 12b can be omitted. In such a case, only the base portion 12a functions as a base material on which the glittering film 12c is fixedly formed.

As described above, in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the base material on which the bright film 12c is fixedly formed with the bright film 12c as a reference (in the present embodiment, the portion formed by the base portion 12a and the base coat layer 12b). The transparent member 11 arranged on the opposite side of the filter layer functions as a filter layer.

The base member 13 is a portion fixed to the back side of the transparent member 11, and is formed of a black resin material. The base member 13 has an engaging portion 13a protruding toward the engine room side. The tip of the engaging portion 13a is formed in a claw shape, and the tip is locked to, for example, the radiator grill body. The base member 13 thus fixed to the back surface of the transparent member 11 is visible from the outside of the transparent member 11 and forms the black region 10B described above. The base member 13 makes a region other than the bright region 10A visible in black, and relatively improves the visibility of the bright region 10A.

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

Subsequently, a method of manufacturing the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining a method of manufacturing the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the transparent member 11 is formed. For example, the transparent member 11 is formed by injection molding a resin material together with a dye. Since the transparent member 11 having the recess 11a can be formed by this injection molding, it is not necessary to form the recess 11a in the subsequent process. If necessary, the 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. 4B, the base portion 12a of the inner core 12 is formed. For example, the base 12a is formed by injection molding. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, the base coat layer 12b, the glitter film 12c and the top coat layer 12d are formed. For example, the base portion 12a is subjected to clear coating and then dried to form the base coat layer 12b. Further, a glitter film 12c is formed on the base coat layer 12b by sputtering or vacuum deposition. Further, the surface of the brilliant film 12c is subjected to clear coating and then dried to form the top coat layer 12d. It is not necessary to wait for the formation of the transparent member 11 shown in FIG. 4A before the inner core 12 is formed. By forming the inner core 12 in parallel with the process of forming the transparent member 11 shown in FIG. 4A, the manufacturing time of the radar cover 10 can be shortened.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, the inner core 12 is fitted into the recess 11a of the transparent member 11. Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the base member 13 is formed. Here, the transparent member 11 in which the inner core 12 is installed in the recess 11a is placed inside the mold for injection molding, and insert molding is performed to inject the molten resin into the back side of the transparent member 11 to perform insert molding. The member 13 is formed. Such a base member 13 is welded to the transparent member 11 by heat during insert molding and is arranged so as to cover the inner core 12. As a result, the inner core 12 is fixed to the transparent member 11 in a contact state.

The radar cover 10 of the present embodiment is manufactured by the above steps. In such a radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the inner core 12 has a base material (base portion 12a and base coat layer 12b) on which the glitter film 12c is fixedly formed, and is formed by a transparent member 11 different from this base material. The color tone of the reflected light of the glitter film 12c is changed. Therefore, the color tone of the bright film 12c (that is, the bright region 10A) visually recognized from the outside can be changed without changing the properties of the base material (base 12a and base coat layer 12b) on which the bright film 12c is formed. it can. Therefore, according to the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the color tone of the design formed on the radar cover 10 is synchronized with the color tone around the radar cover 10 without affecting the radio wave transmission of the glitter film 12c. Is possible.

Further, in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the transparent member 11 functions as a filter layer. Therefore, it is possible to change the color tone of the bright region 10A without installing a separate filter layer.

Further, in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the transparent member 11 is a transparent colored layer in which a dye is dissolved. Therefore, unlike the case where the transparent member 11 is colored by an object having no radio wave transmission, it is possible to maintain the radio wave transmittance of the transparent member 11.

Further, in the radar cover 10 of the present embodiment, the glitter film 12c is an indium (In) film, and the transparent member 11 is colored blue. Therefore, the b ^* value of the bright region 10A can be lowered, and the color tone of the bright region 10A can be synchronized with the region subjected to the chromium (Cr) plating treatment.

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

5A and 5B are a cross-sectional view of the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the inner core 12 included in the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment. The radar cover 20 of the present embodiment includes a colorless transparent member 14 in place of the transparent member 11 of the first embodiment. The transparent member 14 has the same shape as the transparent member 11 of the first embodiment, and a recess 14a in which the inner core 12 is arranged is formed on the back surface thereof. Further, the region where the recess 14a on the back surface of the transparent member 14 is not provided is a fixed surface with the base member 13. The recess 14a is a portion for accommodating the inner core 12 as in the recess 11a of the first embodiment, and the accommodated inner core 12 is three-dimensionally visible from the front side of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the inner core 12 includes a topcoat layer 12e that functions as a colored transparent filter layer in place of the colorless topcoat layer 12d of the first embodiment. Such a top coat layer 12e is formed by clear coating using a synthetic resin in which a dye is dissolved. In the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment having such a configuration, the color tone of the reflected light of the glitter film 12c is changed by the top coat layer 12e.

According to the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment as described above, the inner core 12 has a base material (base portion 12a and base coat layer 12b) on which the glitter film 12c is fixedly formed, and a top coat different from this base material. The color tone of the reflected light of the glitter film 12c is changed by the layer 12e. Therefore, the color tone of the bright film 12c (that is, the bright region 10A) visually recognized from the outside can be changed without changing the properties of the base material (base 12a and base coat layer 12b) on which the bright film 12c is formed. it can. Therefore, according to the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment, the color tone of the design formed on the radar cover 20 is synchronized with the color tone around the radar cover 20 without affecting the radio wave transmission of the glitter film 12c. Is possible.

Further, in the radar cover 20 of the present embodiment, the top coat layer 12e functions as a filter layer. Therefore, it is possible to change the color tone of the bright region 10A without installing a separate filter layer.

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

For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the transparent member 11 or the top coat layer 12e is provided with a function as a filter layer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration including the transparent member 11 and the top coat layer 12e and a separate filter layer. It is also possible to adopt a configuration including both the transparent member 11 and the top coat layer 12e.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the transparent member 11 or the top coat layer 12e is colored blue has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transparent member 11 or the top coat layer 12e can be colored in a color other than blue according to the periphery of the radar cover 10 or the like.

1 ... Radiator grill, 10 ... Radar cover, 11 ... Transparent member (filter layer), 12 ... Inner core (colored core), 12a ... Base, 12b ... Base coat layer, 12c ... Bright film, 12d …… Top coat layer, 12e …… Top coat layer (filter layer), 13 …… Base member (back member), 14 …… Transparent member, 14a …… Recess, 20 …… Radar cover

Claims (3)

A radar cover including a transparent member, a back surface member arranged on the back surface of the transparent member, and a colored core arranged between the transparent member and the back surface member and including a bright film having radio wave transmission. hand,
The colored core has a base material on which the bright film is fixedly formed.
E Bei filter layer to change the color tone of the reflected light of the glossy film while being disposed on the opposite side of the substrate the glossy film based,
A radar cover characterized in that the transparent member is the filter layer. The filter layer is a radar cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the colored layer dye has been dissolved. The radar cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brilliant film is an indium (In) film, and the filter layer is colored blue.

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