KR102536245B1 - Radome, radar sensor for vehicle and sensing apparatus for vehicle having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A radome according to an embodiment includes a cover portion covering a substrate on which a plurality of antenna arrays and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays are disposed in a radome of a radar device, and an upper surface of the cover portion opposite to the substrate is , has a certain inclination angle with respect to the surface of the substrate.

Description

Radome, vehicle radar sensor and vehicle detection device including the same {RADOME, RADAR SENSOR FOR VEHICLE AND SENSING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a radome, a vehicle radar sensor, and a vehicle sensing device including the same, and more particularly, to a radome having a predetermined inclination angle on an outer surface corresponding to the inclination angle of a windshield of a vehicle, a vehicle radar sensor, and a vehicle sensing device including the same. will be.

Demand for automotive radar technology is rapidly increasing with the development of millimeter wave wireless communication technology and interest in vehicle safety technology. A vehicle radar device is mounted on the outside of a vehicle and can detect or track the distance, speed, and angle of a target device through transmission and reception of radio waves. Recently, FMCW (frequency modulated continuous wave) type radar, which has a relatively simple circuit configuration and can be implemented with low radio wave output in the 24GHz or 77GHz band, has been adopted as a vehicle radar device for front detection, side/rear detection, and automatic cruise control. Cars with functions are being developed.

Among the components constituting a reliable vehicle radar device, the array antenna is a key component that transmits and receives radar waves, and has a phased array antenna structure to distinguish the relative position and speed of an obstacle and a vehicle. For forward sensing and automatic driving, an antenna that detects by very precisely decomposing a narrow angular area is used, and an antenna that decomposes and detects an angle of a very wide area is required for side-rear sensing.

On the other hand, the vehicle radar device includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, internal electronic components such as a millimeter wave radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and a radome for protecting them. The radome functions to mechanically protect internal electronic components of the vehicle radar device from the external environment and minimizes loss of radio waves transmitted or received from the outside.

A conventional radar sensor is disposed inside a vehicle at a position spaced apart from a windshield of the vehicle by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, in the conventional radar sensor, a heterogeneous propagation path exists between the windshield of the vehicle and the radar sensor.

That is, the signal propagated from the antenna of the radar sensor passes through the first air layer between the antenna corresponding to the space inside the radome and the radome, and the signal passing through the first air layer passes through the radome, and passes through the radome and the windshield. It passes again through the second air layer in between. Then, the signal passing through the second air layer again passes through the windshield having a predetermined inclination angle, and then propagates to the outside by passing through the third air layer outside the windshield again.

In other words, the signal of the antenna propagates through a path sequentially passing through the first air layer inside the radome, the radome, the second air layer between the radome and the windshield, the windshield and the third air layer outside the vehicle, Such multiple layers of different mediums cause mutual reflection layers, and thus, the reflected wave loss increases exponentially.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, a radome having a structure capable of minimizing signal loss of an antenna, a vehicle radar sensor, and a vehicle detection device including the same are provided.

In addition, in an embodiment according to the present invention, a radome having irregularities on one surface to detect a wide area, a vehicle radar sensor, and a vehicle sensing device including the same are provided.

The technical tasks to be achieved in the proposed embodiment are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned are clear to those skilled in the art from the description below to which the proposed embodiment belongs. will be understandable.

A radome according to an embodiment includes a cover portion covering a substrate on which a plurality of antenna arrays and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays are disposed in a radome of a radar device, and an upper surface of the cover portion opposite to the substrate is , has a certain inclination angle with respect to the surface of the substrate.

In addition, the inclination angle of the upper surface of the cover part corresponds to the inclination angle of the front glass of the vehicle.

In addition, the inner surface of the upper surface of the lid portion includes a first area facing the communication element and a second area facing the plurality of antenna arrays, and a plurality of concavo-convex portions in the second area excluding the first area. is formed

In addition, an electromagnetic wave shielding member is disposed in the first region of the inner surface of the lid portion.

In addition, the plurality of irregularities have a shape extending continuously in a first direction of the inner surface, and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in a second direction of the inner surface.

Further, the plurality of irregularities gradually increase in height from one end to the other end of the second region.

In addition, an inner surface of the cover portion is disposed parallel to the substrate.

Further, the cover portion gradually increases in width from one end to the other end of the cover portion.

In addition, the permittivity of the cover part has a value between the permittivity of the air layer and the permittivity of the front glass.

On the other hand, the vehicle radar sensor according to the embodiment, one side is open, the case having a receiving space therein; a radar unit accommodated in the accommodating space of the case and transmitting and receiving radar signals; and a radome spaced apart from the radar unit by a predetermined distance and covering the open side of the case, and having an inclined surface corresponding to a windshield of a vehicle.

In addition, the inclined surface is a contact surface contacting the vehicle windshield.

In addition, the radar unit includes a substrate, a plurality of antenna arrays disposed on the substrate, and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays, and the radome includes a cover portion covering the substrate of the radar unit, An outer surface of the cover portion facing the substrate has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the surface of the substrate.

In addition, the inner surface of the cover portion facing the substrate includes a first area facing the communication element and a second area facing the plurality of antenna arrays, and the second area excluding the first area has A plurality of irregularities are formed.

Also, the plurality of irregularities are disposed in the second area, and gradually increase in height from one end to the other end of the second area.

In addition, an inner surface of the lid portion is disposed parallel to the substrate.

Further, the cover portion gradually increases in width from one end to the other end of the cover portion.

In addition, the permittivity of the cover part has a value between the permittivity of the air layer and the permittivity of the windshield of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, a vehicle sensing device according to an embodiment includes a case partitioned into a plurality of areas; a radar sensor disposed within a first area of the case; and a vision sensor disposed in a second region of the case, wherein the radar sensor is accommodated in the case, and a substrate having a plurality of antenna arrays and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays disposed on an upper surface thereof; A radome coupled to the case and covering an upper region of the substrate, wherein the radome includes a cover portion opposed to an upper surface of the substrate, and an outer surface of the cover portion corresponds to an inclination angle of a windshield of a vehicle. It has a certain inclination angle.

In addition, the inner surface of the lid includes a first surface facing the communication element and a second surface facing the plurality of antenna arrays, and a plurality of irregularities are formed on the second surface excluding the first surface. do.

Further, an electromagnetic wave shielding member is disposed on the first surface of the lid portion.

In addition, the plurality of irregularities have a shape continuously extending in the first direction of the second surface, and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the second direction of the second surface.

Also, the plurality of irregularities gradually increase in height from one end to the other end of the second surface.

In addition, the cover part has a width gradually increasing from one end to the other end of the cover part, and an inner surface of the cover part is disposed parallel to the substrate.

In addition, the permittivity of the cover part has a value between the permittivity of the air layer inside the cover part and the permittivity of the front glass.

In addition, the substrate is disposed with a predetermined inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the upper surface of the lid part in the radome.

In addition, the upper surface of the substrate has an inclination angle corresponding to the outer surface of the lid, and the thickness of the substrate gradually increases from one end to the other.

Further, a groove recessed toward the inside of the case is formed on the outer surface of the second region among the outer surfaces of the case, and a camera is inserted into the groove.

According to an embodiment according to the present invention, by designing the outer surface of the radome to have an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the windshield, it is possible to maximize the detection distance of the radar sensor by minimizing the incident angle loss between the radome and the windshield. there is.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, propagation loss can be minimized by removing some of the air layer present on the propagation path of the antenna signal by placing the radome of the radar sensor in direct contact with the windshield.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, the thickness of each region of the radome is changed according to the inclination angle of the outer surface of the radome, the height of the concavo-convex protruding on the surface of the radome is changed, or the antenna is mounted. By arranging the substrate to have a certain inclination angle, it is possible to minimize a difference in signals reaching the surface of the radome, thereby improving sensing performance.

1 is a diagram showing a mounting structure of a radar device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view of the radar device shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a perspective view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a plan view of a radome of a vehicle radar device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a plan view of a radome of a vehicle radar device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a comparative example of propagation loss of the radar apparatus of the present invention and the prior art.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram illustrating a sensing device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a mounting view of a sensing device for a vehicle.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used together in consideration of ease of writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinct from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention , it should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. It should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

A vehicle described in this specification may be a concept including a car and a motorcycle. Hereinafter, vehicles will be mainly described with respect to vehicles.

The vehicle described in this specification may be a concept including all of an internal combustion engine vehicle having an engine as a power source, a hybrid vehicle having an engine and an electric motor as a power source, an electric vehicle having an electric motor as a power source, and the like.

In the following description, the left side of the vehicle means the left side of the driving direction of the vehicle, and the right side of the vehicle means the right side of the driving direction of the vehicle.

1 is a view showing a mounting structure of a radar device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the radar device shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , a radar device 100 is attached to one surface of a windshield W of a vehicle.

To this end, the radar device 100 includes a case 110, a radome 170, and radar units 150, 430, 440, 410, and 420.

That is, the outer surface of the radome 170 constituting the radar device 100 is disposed in direct contact with the inner surface of the windshield W. Therefore, in the embodiment according to the present invention, there is no air layer between the outer surface of the radome constituting the radar device 100 and the inner surface of the windshield W. In other words, in the prior art, there was an air layer path through which radar signals propagated between the radome and the windshield of the vehicle, but in the present invention, since the radome directly contacts the windshield W as described above, the air layer does not exist.

In addition, the outer surface of the radome constituting the radar device 100 in the embodiment of the present invention has a certain inclination angle with respect to the main surface. The outer surface of the radome means a surface in contact with the inner surface of the windshield (W). Preferably, the inclination angle of the outer surface of the radome may correspond to the inclination angle of the front glass W.

In other words, the windshield W is mounted on a vehicle with an inclination angle of about 60 degrees. Accordingly, in the radar device 100, the outer surface of the radome in contact with the windshield W has an inclination angle of 60 degrees corresponding to the inclination angle of the windshield W.

That is, the radome of the radar device 100 includes an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is a surface in contact with the windshield W of the vehicle, and the inclined surface may have an inclined angle of 60 degrees corresponding to the inclined angle of the windshield. .

Referring to FIG. 2, the vehicle radar device 100 includes a case 110, a connector 120, a printed circuit board (PCB, 130), a bracket (140), and a printed circuit board (150). , a shield 160, a radome 170 and a waterproof ring; 180.

At this time, the outer surface of the radome 170 is a portion in contact with the windshield of the vehicle, and thus may be an inclined surface having a predetermined inclination angle.

The case 110 may accommodate the connector 120 , the auxiliary printed circuit board 130 , the bracket 140 , the printed circuit board 150 and the shield 160 .

That is, the case 110 has an accommodation space formed therein, and at least one surface thereof is open. In other words, the case 110 has an open surface corresponding to the windshield of the vehicle, and the open surface is covered by the radome 170 .

The connector 120 may transmit and receive signals between the vehicle radar device 100 and an external device. For example, the connector 120 may be a CAN (controller area network) connector, but is not limited thereto.

Circuits for power and signal processing may be mounted on the auxiliary printed circuit board 130, but are not limited thereto.

The bracket 140 may block noise generated during signal processing of the auxiliary printed circuit board 130 .

A plurality of antenna arrays and integrated circuit (IC) chips connected to the plurality of antenna arrays may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150 . The plurality of antenna array may include a plurality of wide-angle antennas arranged in a line, but is not limited thereto. The IC chip may be a millimeter wave radio frequency IC (RFIC), but is not limited thereto.

Depending on the embodiment, the auxiliary printed circuit board 130 may be mounted with the plurality of antenna arrays and an IC chip connected to the plurality of antenna arrays. The auxiliary printed circuit board 130 and the printed circuit board 150 may be spaced apart with the bracket 140 interposed therebetween.

The shielding unit 160 may shield an RF signal generated from the IC chip of the printed circuit board 150 . To this end, the shielding portion 160 may be formed in a region of the printed circuit board 150 corresponding to the IC chip.

The radome 170 may accommodate the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150, and the radome 170 may be fastened to the case 110. The radome 170 may be made of a material with little attenuation of radio waves and may be an electrical insulator.

That is, the radome 170 is disposed while covering one side of the case 110, and accordingly, the auxiliary printed circuit board 130 and the printed circuit board disposed in the accommodation space of the case 110 Protect 150.

At this time, the radome 170 faces the printed circuit board 150 and includes an outer surface in contact with the front glass W, and the outer surface has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the printed circuit board 150. have Preferably, the outer surface of the radome 170 has an inclination angle of about 60 degrees with respect to the printed circuit board 150 .

The waterproof ring 180 is disposed between the radome 170 and the case 110 to prevent the vehicle radar device 100 from being submerged. For example, the waterproof ring 180 may be formed of an elastic material.

3 is a perspective view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the printed circuit board 150 may include a plurality of antenna arrays and communication elements 430 and 440 .

The plurality of antenna arrays may include a transmission antenna unit 410 and a reception antenna unit 420 on the printed circuit board 150 .

The transmit antenna unit 410 may include a radiator 411 , and the radiator 411 radiates signals from the transmit antenna unit 410 . That is, the radiator 411 forms a radiation pattern of the transmit antenna unit 410 . Here, the radiator 411 is arranged along the feed line, and the radiator 411 is made of a conductive material. Here, the radiator 411 may include at least one of silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), copper (Gu), gold (Au), and nickel (Ni).

The receiving antenna unit 420 may include a plurality of receiving antenna arrays 421 , 423 , 425 and 427 and may include a radiator 429 . The radiator 429 forms a radiation pattern of the receiving antenna unit 420 . Here, the radiator 429 is arranged along the feed line, and the radiator 429 is made of a conductive material. Here, the radiator 429 may include at least one of silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), copper (Gu), gold (Au), and nickel (Ni).

Communication elements 430 and 440 are connected to the plurality of antenna arrays. The communication elements 430 and 440 may include, for example, a millimeter wave RFIC. The communication elements 430 and 440 generate a transmission signal from the transmission data, output the signal to the transmission antenna unit 410, receive a signal from the reception antenna unit 420, and generate data from the received signal.

The radome 170 may include a cover portion 171 disposed to face the printed circuit board 150 and an edge portion 173 coupled to the case 110 . The printed circuit board 150 may be accommodated in a space formed by a height difference between the cover portion 171 and the edge portion 173 of the radome 170 .

In the radome 170, a direction in which the plurality of antenna arrays are sequentially arranged may be defined as a Y-axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the plurality of antenna arrays are sequentially arranged may be defined as a Y-axis direction, A direction perpendicular to the plurality of antenna arrays may be defined as a Z-axis direction.

At this time, the surface of the cover part 171 of the radome 170 has a certain inclination angle as described above. That is, the outer surface of the cover part 171 directly contacts the windshield W and is attached to the inner surface of the windshield W. At this time, the windshield (W) has a certain inclination angle, and accordingly, the outer surface of the cover part 171 also has a certain inclination angle.

Accordingly, the distance between the transmission antenna unit 410 and the cover unit 171 may vary depending on the area. In other words, the radiator 411 constituting the transmit antenna unit 410 may include a plurality of radiators 411 . In this case, the distance between the first radiator and the cover part 171 among the plurality of radiators and the distance between the second radiator and the cover part 171 may be different from each other.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the radome 170 includes a cover part 171 disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150, an edge part 173 for fastening to the case 110, and an inner surface of the cover part 171. It may include a concave-convex portion 175 disposed at (177).

Also, communication devices 430 and 440 are mounted on the printed circuit board 150 .

Preferably, the upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 is divided into a first area where the communication elements 430 and 440 are mounted and a second area where the antenna units 410 and 420 are mounted.

Also, a distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 in the first area may be shorter than a distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 in the second area. In other words, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 gradually increases from the first area to the second area. This is because the cover part 171 has an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the front glass W.

Also, an electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 for shielding electromagnetic waves generated by the communication devices 430 and 440 is disposed on an inner surface of the cover part 171 that faces the first region. Here, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 may be a shield can.

In addition, a concave-convex portion 175 is disposed on an inner surface of the lid portion 171 in a region facing the second region.

The cover portion 171 may accommodate the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150, and radio waves radiated from the antenna units 410 and 420 mounted on the printed circuit board 150 and the outside. Radio waves received from can pass through.

In the radome 170, the printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by a height difference between the cover part 171 and the edge part 173. A transmit antenna unit 410 and a receive antenna unit 420 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150, and the receive antenna unit 420 may include a plurality of receive antenna arrays 421, 423, 425 and 427. can

Referring to the enlarged view of the radome 170 and the printed circuit board 150, the height d1 of the cover portion 171 of the radome 170 and the height d2 of the edge portion 173 may be the same. It is not limited to For example, the height d1 of the lid portion 171 may be greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm, and the height d2 of the edge portion 173 may be greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The uneven portion 175 may include a plurality of irregularities, and the shape of the irregularities may be rectangular, but is not limited thereto. The period d3 between the plurality of irregularities may be 0.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The distance between the inner surface 177 of the lid 171 and the printed circuit board 150 varies depending on the area, and preferably, may gradually increase from top to bottom in the drawing.

A height d5 of the plurality of irregularities may be 0.5 mm or more and 0.75 mm or less, but is not limited thereto. However, the height d4 of the plurality of irregularities has a great influence on realizing a wide angle, and accordingly, when the height d4 is formed to be 0.5 mm or more and 0.75 mm or less, it is possible to implement an optimal wide angle.

That is, the radome 170 of the vehicle radar device according to the embodiment of the present invention forms the uneven portion 175 on the inner surface 177 to suppress the propagation of radio waves in the surface direction due to diffuse reflection and increase the transmission of radio waves in the vertical direction. can make it

Meanwhile, the outer surface of the cover part 171 is formed with a certain inclination angle, and accordingly, the inner surface of the cover part 171 is also formed with a certain inclination angle.

That is, the inner surface of the cover part 171 may be divided into a first area where the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed and a second area where the concave-convex part 175 is disposed.

Accordingly, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the inner surface of the cover part 171 may gradually increase from the first area to the second area.

Meanwhile, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed in the first area of the cover part 171 . In this case, the distance between the first area of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 may be determined by the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 .

At this time, the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 is generally about 0.8 mm, and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is about 4.2 mm.

Accordingly, the distance between the inner surface of the first region of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 may satisfy 4.2 mm.

In other words, the first area of the inner surface of the cover part 171 may be defined as an area for shielding electromagnetic waves, and the second area may be defined as an area for transmitting radio waves.

As described above, the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 is different depending on the area. For example, in the first area where the communication elements 430 and 440 are disposed, the transmission It may gradually increase toward the second area where the antenna unit 410 and the receiving antenna unit 420 are disposed.

5 is a plan view of a radome of a vehicle radar device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, as a plan view illustrating the inner surface 177a of the radome 170a, the radome 170a includes a concave-convex portion 175a disposed in a second region of the inner surface 177a within the rim portion 173a. can include At this time, the uneven portion 175a is not formed in the first region of the inner surface 177a of the edge portion 173a and has an inclined surface contacting the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 .

The distance d8 in the X-axis direction and the distance d7 in the Y-axis direction between the edge portion 173a and the inner surface 177a may be the same, but are not limited thereto. The distance d7 in the X-axis direction between the rim portion 173a and the inner surface 177a may be 5 mm or more and 7 mm or less, and the distance d6 in the Y-axis direction between the rim portion 173a and the inner surface 177a. ) may be 5 mm or more and 7 mm.

The concavo-convex portion 175a of the radome according to the first embodiment has a shape extending continuously in the vertical direction (eg, the Y-axis direction), and a plurality of concavo-convex portions may be disposed in the horizontal direction (eg, the X-axis direction). .

6 is a plan view of a radome of a vehicle radar device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, as a plan view showing the inner surface 177b of the radome 170b, the radome 170b may include a concave-convex portion 175b disposed on the inner surface 177b within the rim portion 173b. there is. The interval in the X-axis direction and the interval in the Y-axis direction between the edge portion 173b and the inner surface 177b may be the same, but are not limited thereto.

The concavo-convex portion 175b of the radome according to the second embodiment has a shape extending discontinuously in the vertical direction (eg, the Y-axis direction), and a plurality of concavities and convexities in the horizontal direction (eg, the X-axis direction) are zigzag. -zag) form.

On the other hand, in the radar device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the signal propagated from the transmission antenna unit 410 passes through the air layer in the accommodation space inside the radome 170, and then the radome 170 It passes through, and thus is provided as a front glass (W) in direct contact with the outer surface of the radome (170).

At this time, it is preferable that the dielectric constant of the radome 170 has a value between the dielectric constant of the air layer and the dielectric constant of the windshield (W). That is, by making the radome 170 have a value between 1, which is the permittivity of the air layer, and 3.7, which is the permittivity of the windshield (W), the loss of the radio signal generated according to the change in the permittivity can be minimized. let it be

That is, in the conventional radar device, the signal of the antenna is propagated in a path passing through the first air layer, the radome, the second air layer, and the windshield (W). At this time, the dielectric constant of the first air layer and the second air layer is 1.0, and the dielectric constant of the front glass W is 3.7. Accordingly, in the related art, the dielectric constant between the first air layer and the radome increases, and the dielectric constant between the radome and the second air layer decreases again, and the windshield (W) in the second air layer The permittivity between them increases again.

Accordingly, in the conventional radar device as described above, an impedance mismatch occurs due to an irregular increase or decrease in permittivity, and a loss occurs due to the impedance mismatch.

However, in the present invention, the second air layer is omitted, and accordingly, the dielectric constant of the radome 170 is designed to have a value between the dielectric constant of the air layer and the dielectric constant of the windshield W, so that the dielectric constant Impedance matching according to regular increase is made.

Preferably, the permittivity of the air layer is 1, the permittivity of the windshield W is 3.7, and accordingly, the permittivity of the radome 170 is designed to have an intermediate value of 2.4 between 1 and 3.7.

According to an embodiment according to the present invention, by designing the outer surface of the radome to have an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the windshield, it is possible to maximize the detection distance of the radar sensor by minimizing the incident angle loss between the radome and the windshield. there is.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, propagation loss can be minimized by removing some of the air layer present on the propagation path of the antenna signal by placing the radome of the radar sensor in direct contact with the windshield.

7 is a comparative example of propagation loss of the radar apparatus of the present invention and the prior art.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, in the prior art, as shown in the circled area, it can be confirmed that the propagation loss changes rapidly in the frequency domain between 68.3 GHz and 74.8 GHz.

However, it was confirmed that the radar device according to the present invention reduces propagation loss compared to the prior art in the frequency range between 68.3 GHz and 74.8 GHz by changing the permittivity of the radome while removing the air layer as described above.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Since the radome and the printed circuit board in FIG. 8 have substantially the same structure as those shown in FIG. 4 except for the concavo-convex portion formed on the radome, the same reference numerals are given.

Referring to FIG. 8, the radome 170 includes a cover part 171 disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150, an edge part 173 for fastening to the case 110, and an inner surface of the cover part 171. An uneven portion 175a disposed at 177 may be included.

Also, communication devices 430 and 440 are mounted on the printed circuit board 150 .

Preferably, the upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 is divided into a first area where the communication elements 430 and 440 are mounted and a second area where the antenna units 410 and 420 are mounted.

Also, a distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 in the first area may be shorter than a distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 in the second area. In other words, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 gradually increases from the first area to the second area. This is because the cover part 171 has an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the front glass W.

Also, an electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 for shielding electromagnetic waves generated by the communication devices 430 and 440 is disposed on an inner surface of the cover part 171 that faces the first region. Here, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 may be a shield can.

In addition, a concavo-convex portion 175a is disposed on an inner surface of the lid portion 171 on an area opposite to the second area.

The cover portion 171 may accommodate the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150, and radio waves radiated from the antenna units 410 and 420 mounted on the printed circuit board 150 and the outside. Radio waves received from can pass through.

In the radome 170, the printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by a height difference between the cover part 171 and the edge part 173. A transmit antenna unit 410 and a receive antenna unit 420 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150, and the receive antenna unit 420 may include a plurality of receive antenna arrays 421, 423, 425 and 427. can

Referring to the enlarged view of the radome 170 and the printed circuit board 150, the height d1 of the cover portion 171 of the radome 170 and the height d2 of the edge portion 173 may be the same. It is not limited to For example, the height d1 of the lid portion 171 may be greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm, and the height d2 of the edge portion 173 may be greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The uneven portion 175a may include a plurality of irregularities, and the shape of the irregularities may be rectangular, but is not limited thereto. A period between the plurality of irregularities may be 0.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The distance between the inner surface 177 of the lid 171 and the printed circuit board 150 varies depending on the area, and preferably, may gradually increase from top to bottom in the drawing.

Accordingly, the height of the plurality of irregularities may vary depending on the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the substrate of the printed circuit board 150 .

In other words, the height of the irregularities disposed in the area where the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 is "1" may be greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 0.75 mm. In addition, the height of the irregularities disposed in the area where the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 is "2" greater than the "1" may be greater than or equal to 1.0 mm and less than or equal to 1.5 mm.

In other words, since the cover part 171 has a certain inclination angle, the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 varies depending on the region. However, by covering the change in the distance with the change in the height of the concavo-convex disposed on the inner surface of the cover part 171, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the surface of the concavo-convex is the same in all areas.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 8 , the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 increases from left to right. Accordingly, the height of the concave-convex portion 175a disposed on the inner surface of the cover portion 171 is increased to correspond to the increase in the distance from the left side to the right side. Therefore, the distance (a) between the printed circuit board 150 and the surface of the concave-convex portion in the upper region is equal to the distance (b) between the printed circuit board 150 and the surface of the concave-convex portion in the lower region.

That is, the radome 170 of the vehicle radar device according to the embodiment of the present invention forms the concave-convex portion 175a on the inner surface 177, and the height of the concave-convex portion 175a corresponds to the inclination angle of the radome 170. By changing it to be, it is possible to suppress the propagation of radio waves in the surface direction due to diffuse reflection by the uneven portion 175a, increase the transmission of radio waves in the vertical direction, and minimize the difference in signals reaching the surface of the radome, Accordingly, sensing performance may be improved.

Meanwhile, the outer surface of the cover part 171 is formed with a certain inclination angle, and accordingly, the inner surface of the cover part 171 is also formed with a certain inclination angle.

That is, the inner surface of the cover part 171 may be divided into a first area where the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed and a second area where the concavo-convex part 175a is disposed.

Accordingly, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the inner surface of the cover part 171 may gradually increase from the first area to the second area.

Meanwhile, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed in the first area of the cover part 171 . In this case, the distance between the first area of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 may be determined by the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 .

At this time, the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 is generally about 0.8 mm, and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is about 4.2 mm.

Accordingly, the distance between the inner surface of the first region of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 may satisfy 4.2 mm.

In other words, the first area of the inner surface of the cover part 171 may be defined as an area for shielding electromagnetic waves, and the second area may be defined as an area for transmitting radio waves.

As described above, the distance between the inner surface of the cover part 171 and the printed circuit board 150 is different depending on the area. For example, in the first area where the communication elements 430 and 440 are disposed, the transmission It may gradually increase toward the second area where the antenna unit 410 and the receiving antenna unit 420 are disposed.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Since the radome and the printed circuit board in FIG. 9 have substantially the same structure as those shown in FIG. 4 except for the cover portion 171a of the radome, the same reference numerals are given.

Referring to FIG. 9, the radome 170 includes a cover portion 171a disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150, an edge portion 173 for fastening to the case 110, and an inner surface of the cover portion 171a. It may include a concave-convex portion 175 disposed at (177).

Also, communication devices 430 and 440 are mounted on the printed circuit board 150 .

Preferably, the upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 is divided into a first area where the communication elements 430 and 440 are mounted and a second area where the antenna units 410 and 420 are mounted.

Also, a distance between the printed circuit board 150 in the first area and the cover portion 171a may be the same as a distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover portion 171a in the second area. Preferably, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 in the first area and the inner surface of the cover part 171a is the distance between the printed circuit board 150 in the second area and the inner surface of the cover part 171a. can be the same as

In other words, the outer surface of the cover portion 171a may increase in distance from the printed circuit board 150 from one end to the other.

However, the inner surface of the cover part 171a may have the same distance from the printed circuit board 150 in the entire area from the one end to the other end. Here, the one end is a portion in contact with the upper region of the windshield (W), and the other end is a portion in contact with the lower region of the windshield (W).

Accordingly, in the cover part 171a, the thickness (a) of the area adjacent to the one end may be smaller than the thickness (b) of the area adjacent to the other end.

Accordingly, the separation distance between the transmission antenna unit 410 and the reception antenna unit 420 is the same in the entire area of the inner surface of the cover unit 171a.

In other words, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the outer surface of the cover part 171a gradually increases from the one end to the other end. This is because the cover portion 171a has an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the front glass W. However, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the inner surface of the cover part 171a does not change from one end to the other end and appears the same.

An electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 for shielding electromagnetic waves generated by the communication elements 430 and 440 is disposed on an inner surface of the cover part 171a that faces the first region. Here, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 may be a shield can.

In addition, a concave-convex portion 175 is disposed on an inner surface of the cover portion 171a that faces the second area.

The cover portion 171a may accommodate the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150, and radio waves radiated from the antenna units 410 and 420 mounted on the printed circuit board 150 and the outside. Radio waves received from can pass through.

In the radome 170, the printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by a height difference between the cover part 171 and the edge part 173. A transmit antenna unit 410 and a receive antenna unit 420 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150, and the receive antenna unit 420 may include a plurality of receive antenna arrays 421, 423, 425 and 427. can

The uneven portion 175 may include a plurality of irregularities, and the shape of the irregularities may be rectangular, but is not limited thereto. A period between the plurality of irregularities may be 0.5 mm, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the upper surface of the cover part 171a is formed with a predetermined inclination angle.

That is, the inner surface of the cover part 171 may be divided into a first area where the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed and a second area where the concave-convex part 175 is disposed.

Accordingly, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the outer surface of the cover portion 171a may gradually increase from the first area to the second area.

Meanwhile, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is disposed in the first area of the cover part 171a. In this case, the distance between the first area of the cover part 171a and the printed circuit board 150 may be determined by the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 .

At this time, the height of the communication elements 430 and 440 is generally about 0.8 mm, and the height of the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 is about 4.2 mm.

Accordingly, the distance between the inner surface of the first region of the cover part 171a and the printed circuit board 150 may satisfy 4.2 mm.

In other words, the first area of the inner surface of the cover part 171a may be defined as an area for shielding electromagnetic waves, and the second area may be defined as an area for transmitting radio waves.

10 is a cross-sectional view showing a radome and a printed circuit board of a vehicle radar device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the radome 170 includes a cover part 171 disposed opposite to the printed circuit board 150, an edge part 173 for fastening to the case 110, and an inner surface of the cover part 171. It may include a concave-convex portion 175 disposed at (177).

Also, communication devices 430 and 440 are mounted on the printed circuit board 150 .

Preferably, the upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 is divided into a first area where the communication elements 430 and 440 are mounted and a second area where the antenna units 410 and 420 are mounted.

Also, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 in the first area may be the same as the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 in the second area. In other words, the distance between the printed circuit board 150 and the cover part 171 may appear the same in all areas without changing from the first area to the second area. This means that the cover part 171 has an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the front glass W, but the printed circuit board 150 disposed in the radome 170 also has a certain inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle. because it is placed

At this time, the thickness of all areas of the printed circuit board 150 may be the same, and accordingly, it may be arranged with a certain inclination angle within the radome 170 corresponding to the inclination angle of the radome 170 as described above. there is.

Also, differently from this, the width of the printed circuit board 150 may gradually increase from one end to the other, and accordingly, only the upper surface of the printed circuit board 150 has an inclination angle with the outer surface of the radome 170. It may have an inclination angle corresponding to .

Also, an electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 for shielding electromagnetic waves generated by the communication devices 430 and 440 is disposed on an inner surface of the cover part 171 that faces the first region. Here, the electromagnetic wave shielding member 450 may be a shield can.

In addition, a concave-convex portion 175 is disposed on an inner surface of the lid portion 171 in a region facing the second region.

The cover portion 171 may accommodate the printed circuit board 150 to protect the printed circuit board 150, and radio waves radiated from the antenna units 410 and 420 mounted on the printed circuit board 150 and the outside. Radio waves received from can pass through.

In the radome 170, the printed circuit board 150 may be disposed in a space formed by a height difference between the cover part 171 and the edge part 173. A transmit antenna unit 410 and a receive antenna unit 420 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 150, and the receive antenna unit 420 may include a plurality of receive antenna arrays 421, 423, 425 and 427. can

According to an embodiment according to the present invention, by designing the outer surface of the radome to have an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the windshield, it is possible to maximize the detection distance of the radar sensor by minimizing the incident angle loss between the radome and the windshield. there is.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, propagation loss can be minimized by removing some of the air layer present on the propagation path of the antenna signal by placing the radome of the radar sensor in direct contact with the windshield.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, the thickness of each region of the radome is changed according to the inclination angle of the outer surface of the radome, the height of the concavo-convex protruding on the surface of the radome is changed, or the antenna is mounted. By arranging the substrate to have a certain inclination angle, it is possible to minimize a difference in signals reaching the surface of the radome, thereby improving sensing performance.

11 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a mounting diagram of the vehicle sensing device.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , a vehicle sensing device 500 includes the radar device 100 as described above and a vision sensor 300 disposed on the radar device 100 .

The outer surface of the vision sensor 300 connected to the outer surface of the radome 170 has an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the outer surface of the radome 170.

In addition, a groove 310 recessed in an inward direction is formed on an outer surface of the vision sensor 300 .

A camera 315 is disposed in the groove 310 formed in the vision sensor 300 .

In addition, inside the vision sensor 300, there is a substrate 320 equipped with a processing element 325 that analyzes an image captured by the camera 315 and generates detection information accordingly.

As described above, the sensing device 500 including the vision sensor 300 and the radar device 100 is disposed in direct contact with the windshield W.

According to an embodiment according to the present invention, by designing the outer surface of the radome to have an inclination angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the windshield, it is possible to maximize the detection distance of the radar sensor by minimizing the incident angle loss between the radome and the windshield. there is.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, propagation loss can be minimized by removing some of the air layer present on the propagation path of the antenna signal by placing the radome of the radar sensor in direct contact with the windshield.

In addition, according to an embodiment according to the present invention, the thickness of each region of the radome is changed according to the inclination angle of the outer surface of the radome, the height of the concavo-convex protruding on the surface of the radome is changed, or the antenna is mounted. By arranging the substrate to have a certain inclination angle, it is possible to minimize a difference in signals reaching the surface of the radome, thereby improving sensing performance.

Claims (25)

One side is open, the case having a receiving space therein;
a radar unit accommodated in the accommodating space of the case and transmitting and receiving radar signals; and
It includes a radome spaced apart from the radar unit and disposed covering the open side of the case,
The radar unit,
substrate,
It includes a plurality of antenna arrays disposed on the substrate and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays,
The plurality of antenna arrays are spaced apart from each other in a first horizontal direction on the substrate,
Each of the plurality of antenna arrays extends and is disposed on the substrate in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction,
The radome,
A cover portion covering the substrate of the radar portion,
An outer surface of the lid facing the substrate has an inclination with respect to the surface of the substrate,
The inclination of the outer surface of the cover part is inclined in the second horizontal direction in which each of the plurality of antenna arrays extends.
sensing device. According to claim 1,
The radome is attached to the windshield of the vehicle,
The outer surface of the cover part is a contact surface in contact with the windshield,
The inclination of the outer surface corresponds to the inclination of the windshield,
sensing device. According to claim 1 or 2,
The inner surface of the cover portion opposite to the substrate,
a first area facing the communication element;
A second area facing the plurality of antenna arrays;
A plurality of irregularities are formed in a second region excluding the first region
sensing device. One side is open, the case having a receiving space therein;
a radar unit accommodated in the accommodating space of the case and transmitting and receiving radar signals; and
It includes a radome spaced apart from the radar unit and disposed covering the open side of the case,
The radar unit,
substrate,
It includes a plurality of antenna arrays disposed on the substrate and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays,
The radome,
A cover portion covering the substrate of the radar portion,
The inner surface of the cover portion opposite to the substrate,
a first area facing the communication element;
A second area facing the plurality of antenna arrays;
Each of the outer and inner surfaces of the lid facing the substrate has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the surface of the substrate,
The radome includes a plurality of irregularities provided in the second region of the inner surface of the cover part,
The plurality of irregularities,
The height gradually increases from one end of the second region to the other,
The sensing device of claim 1 , wherein respective separation distances between one surface of the plurality of irregularities from the substrate are equal to each other. One side is open, the case having a receiving space therein;
a radar unit accommodated in the accommodating space of the case and transmitting and receiving radar signals; and
A radome spaced apart from the radar unit and disposed covering the open side of the case;
The radar unit,
substrate,
It includes a plurality of antenna arrays disposed on the substrate and a communication element connected to the plurality of antenna arrays,
The radome,
A cover portion covering the substrate of the radar portion,
The inner surface of the cover portion opposite to the substrate,
a first area facing the communication element;
A second area facing the plurality of antenna arrays;
The radome includes a plurality of irregularities provided in the second region of the inner surface of the cover part,
The cover part increases in thickness from one end to the other end,
The heights of the plurality of irregularities are equal to each other,
Each separation distance between one surface of the plurality of concavities and convexities from the substrate is the same as each other,
sensing device. According to claim 2,
The permittivity of the cover part is,
having a value between the permittivity of the air layer and the permittivity of the windshield of the vehicle
sensing device. The method of any one of claims 1, 4 and 5,
The case is partitioned into a first case and a second case area,
The radar unit is disposed in the first case area,
A vision sensor is disposed in the second case area,
Among the outer surfaces of the case, on the outer surface corresponding to the second case region,
A recessed groove is formed in the inner direction of the case,
A camera is inserted into the groove
sensing device. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

Images