WO2017067739A1

WO2017067739A1 - Radome

Info

Publication number: WO2017067739A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/072650
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Allouis; Wolfgang Nicke; Heiko SCHÖNE; Dr. Herbert WAMBSGANSS
Original assignee: Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co.
Priority date: 2015-10-19
Filing date: 2016-09-23
Publication date: 2017-04-27
Also published as: DE102015220344A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a radome (1) comprising: a substantially sheet-type front plate (2), the front face of which is transparent and the rear face of which is provided with an opaque layer (3), at least one cut-out (4) being provided in the opaque layer (3) to act as a light exit (10); at least one substantially sheet-type light guide (7) situated on the rear face on the opaque layer (3); and at least one light-emitting element (8), which is coupled to the light guide (7) so that light enters said light guide (7), propagates through the at least one light guide (7), and enters the transparent front plate (2) at the at least one light exit (10), so that the light is emitted from the front face of the front plate (2). The opaque layer is formed by a painted coating and/or by a plastics element.

Description

Radom

description

Technical area

The invention relates to a radome, in particular for a radar sensor for a motor vehicle.

State of the art

Radomes are cover elements or cover plates which cover a radar wave emitting radar transmitter or radar sensor. These radomes are used in motor vehicles to such radar transmitters

For example, by Abstandswarnradarsystemen, which are arranged in the front of the vehicle to protect against weathering and damage, such as against stone chipping or rainfall, while the radome must also meet the optical requirements of the vehicle manufacturer, because it is integrated in the front of the vehicle and the

Appearance of the vehicle with coins. Such radomes are

For example, become known from DE 198 19 709 A1. Furthermore, it is essential in the case of a radome that it is at least essentially electromagnetic radiation in the long-wavelength range is transparent, and it is advantageous that it is at least partially opaque in the optically visible wavelength range. This transparency is achieved by coatings or coatings, so that in the optically visible wavelength range transparent materials are covered intransparent and thus become intransparent. As a result, visible three-dimensional structures can be generated, which can also be used as brand symbols, for example.

For this purpose, a radome is used with a front panel having on its front side a front surface and on its back a back surface. The front side can be formed by a transparent material, which can be coated and covered by the back to be able to produce optically visible structures. Nevertheless, such visible structures are not always easy to see, especially in the dark or in poor visibility.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, OBJECT, SOLUTION, ADVANTAGES It is the object of the invention to provide a radome which is simple to produce and yet exhibits a defined optical effect, in particular even in the dark or in poor visibility conditions.

The solution of the problem is achieved with the features of claim 1.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a radome with a in

Essentially flat front plate, which is frontally translucent and which is provided on the back with an opaque layer, wherein in the opaque layer at least one

Recess is designed as a light passage, with at least one in

Essentially flat light guide, which on the back of the opaque layer is arranged and with at least one

Luminous element, which is coupled to the light guide such that light enters the light guide and so that the light propagates through the at least one light guide and at the at least one light passage enters the translucent front panel, so that it exits the front side of the front panel, wherein the opaque layer is painted by a

Coating and / or is formed by a plastic element. As a result, a secure design is achieved, especially in areas where a paint is not suitable.

Particularly preferred. when a reflective area of the faceplate is provided, the reflective area of the recess being disposed adjacent so that light from the waveguide is located at the

reflective area can be reflected.

It is also preferred if at least one diffuser element is arranged on the at least one light guide, which is arranged in such a way that the light propagating through the at least one light guide into the light source

Diffuser element enters, propagates through the diffuser element and exits the diffuser element and enters the at least one light passage in the translucent front panel and is reflected at the reflective area, so that it exits the front side of the front panel. As a result, a more uniform illumination of the recess is achieved. Furthermore, it is expedient if a planar light guide or that a plurality of planar light guides is or are provided, wherein each light guide is associated with at least one light-emitting element, preferably more than one light-emitting element. which is coupled to the light guide for feeding light into the light guide. It is also advantageous if the opaque layer is at least partially formed by a plastic element which is molded onto the front panel or to which the front panel is molded. This can be used in such a way if a coating in this area would be disadvantageous because, for example, the space conditions do not allow it better.

It is also advantageous if the opaque layer is at least partially formed by a coating which on the

Front panel is applied. This coating can be used in areas where, for example, the space conditions allow it.

It is particularly advantageous if the diffuser element on a

Outer edge of the light guide is arranged on this and in particular rests against this. Then, the light can enter the diffuser through the substantially planar light guide at its outer edge and be scattered from there in the direction of the transparent front panel. As a result, a uniform illumination of the recess or illumination can be made through the recess.

It is also advantageous if the diffuser element surrounds the light guide at its peripheral outer edge. This can be a circumferential

largely uniform illumination or lighting are generated. Thus flat figurative motifs can be displayed well.

It is particularly advantageous if the reflective region of the front plate is a reflective coated region of the surface of the front plate. As a result, a reflecting region can be produced on the surface of the front panel, which serves to reflect light, so that the light can emerge laterally from the optical waveguide or diffuser element and against which reflective area is reflected forward toward the front of the front panel.

It is also advantageous if the reflective coated area is coated with a metallic coating. Thus, a lasting good reflection can be achieved.

Also, it is also advantageous if the reflective area of the

Front plate is a conical region, which is arranged at a defined angle, in particular between 30 ° and 60 °, to the plane which is at least substantially spanned by the front panel. This allows the light to be reflected in a targeted manner towards the front surface of the front panel.

It is also advantageous if the angle is in particular between 40 ° and 50 °, in particular 45 °. This achieves a relatively direct forward reflection.

Furthermore, it is expedient if the reflective region of the front plate is a curved region, which is inclined in particular relative to the plane which at least substantially extends from the front plate

is spanned.

It is also expedient if the light guide consists of a transparent plastic material and the diffuser element consists of a translucent plastic material. As a result, the light is transmitted well from the light source to the diffuser element and scattered there, so that it can be conducted uniformly into the recess.

So it is advantageous in one embodiment, when the optical fiber and the diffuser element as separately formed parts adjacent to each other are placed. Thus, the two parts can be well separated and arranged side by side or in each other.

It is also expedient if the optical waveguide and the diffuser element are arranged adjacent to one another as parts connected to one another, in particular as are connected to one another by injection molding or gluing. Thus, in a 2-component process, the entire part consisting of at least the light guide and the diffuser element can be produced easily and simply, which also simplifies assembly.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if a back cover is provided, which covers the plate on the back of the Fron arranged light guide and possibly arranged diffuser elements. As a result, the radome is also protected from the rear, where advantageously the electrical connections are arranged.

Further advantageous embodiments are characterized by the following

Description of the figures and described by the subclaims. Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, the invention will be based on at least one

Embodiment explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a radome of FIG

Front page

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a radome of the

Back. Figure 3 shows two light guides with each surrounding

Diffuser elements,

FIG. 4 shows a light guide,

Figure 5 shows a diffuser element, and

Figure 6 is a view of the radome in a partial section.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

FIG. 1 shows a radome 1 from a front side. The radome 1 has a substantially flat front panel 2, which front side

is translucent and which back with a

opaque layer 3 is provided, see also Figure 6. Here, in the opaque layer 3, at least one recess 4 as

Light passage 10 is formed. In FIG. 1, the light passage 10 is the light passage

formed recess 4 triangular manner of three straight webs 5 of the recess 4 is formed, which has an annular border 6. In this case, the webs 5 may also be formed angled, such as angled centrally. At least one substantially planar light guide 7 is arranged on the rear side of the front panel 2 of the radome 1.

In Figure 2 it can be seen that in this embodiment, three planar light guides 7 are arranged, which are arranged on the rear side of the opaque layer 3. In other embodiments, other configurations may be provided with a different number of optical fibers 7. Furthermore, at least one light-emitting element 8 is preferably provided per light guide 7, which is provided with a coupling-in element 9 of the light guide 7 is coupled to couple light into the substantially planar light guide 7. The respective luminous element 8 is coupled to the respective light guide 7 in such a way that light enters the light guide 7 at the coupling element 9 and that the light propagates through the at least one light guide 7, is reflected at a reflective region of the front plate 2 and at least a light passage 10 in the translucent

Front panel 2 enters, so that it exits the front side of the front panel 2 and the lighting effect is visible. It can be seen that optionally at the at least one light guide 7, at least one diffuser element 1 1 is arranged, which is arranged such that the propagating through the at least one light guide 7 light enters the diffuser element 11, propagates through the diffuser element 1 1 , emerges from the diffuser element 1 1 again and is reflected at the reflective area of the front panel 2 and on the at least one

Light passage 10 enters the translucent front panel 2, so that it exits the front side of the front panel 2 and the lighting effect is visible. 3 shows two planar light guides 7, which are formed approximately like a circular section, which may be formed in particular flat or curved. Such planar light guides 7 can be provided individually or several such planar light guides can also be provided. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, three such optical fiber 7 are provided. Everybody is

At least one light-emitting element 8 associated with light guide 7, wherein preferably more than one light-emitting element 8, such as two light elements 8, can be assigned, which can be placed on the coupling elements 9, so that the light elements 8 to the light guide 7 for feeding light into the Light guide 7 are coupled. The coupling elements 9 are quite differently formed, as shown in FIG. These are preferably arranged at a distance from one another per light guide 7. According to one exemplary embodiment, at least one of the light guides 7 or, advantageously, each of the light guides 7 is at least one diffuser element 1

assigned.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary optical waveguide 7, which is approximately circular-segment-like and has coupling elements 9 which are arranged at a distance from the tapering end regions 20. This planar light guide 7 is associated with a diffuser element 1 1, which has an approximately arcuate portion 21 and an approximately straight portion 22, wherein the diffuser element 1 1 is disposed on an outer edge 23 of the light guide 7 at this and in particular rests against this. This is also shown in FIG.

In this case, the approximately arcuate part 21 may be approximately a piece of a circle or may be curved differently. The approximately straight part 22 may be straight or have an angle, such as in particular in the middle have an angle and form, for example, a flat V.

It is particularly advantageous if the diffuser element 1 1 surrounds the light guide 7 at its peripheral outer edge 23. Alternatively, the diffuser element 1 1 can create only on one side or only partially on the outer edge 23 of the light guide. Also, the light guide 7 can also be assigned to a plurality of diffuser elements 1 1, which create sections of the light guide 7 or connect. FIG. 6 shows a section through the radome, wherein only a radially outer subregion thereof can be seen. The radome 1 has a

Front panel 2 made of a transparent material. This material may be in particular a plastic. Also, the front panel 2 may be further optionally coated on its front side 30 with at least one coating 31 to be formed scratch resistant. The flat front panel 2 is translucent, as transparent, formed. On the back of the front panel 2 is provided with an opaque layer 3, which may be at least partially or surface sprayed and / or painted or molded or glued. Thus, areas with a sprayed-on plastic layer 40 may be provided as a plastic element, wherein the transparent material of the front panel to the

opaque layer can be molded. It may also be that the plastic element 40 is molded onto the front panel or as

Plastic element is formed, to which the front panel is molded. Correspondingly, the opaque layers arranged adjacent to the diffuser elements and / or the light guides can pass through

Be formed plastic elements.

Radially outside a painted surface 41 can be seen, which is formed opaque. Also in the opaque layer 3 at least one recess 4 is formed as a light passage 10, as in Figure 6 between the areas 40 and 41. Furthermore, adjacent to the recess 4, a reflective area 70 is formed and arranged so that light from the light guide 7 or from the diffuser element 1 1 can be reflected at the reflective area and reflected toward the front of the front panel. The reflective area 70 of the front panel 2 is preferably a reflective coated area of the surface of the front panel 2. Here, the reflective coated area 70 with a metallic

Coating should be coated to provide a permanently good reflective

To reach property.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the reflective region 70 of the front plate 2 is formed as a conical region, which is arranged at a defined angle, in particular between 30 ° and 60 ° to the plane 71, which is at least substantially parallel to the front plate 2 is spanned. Prefers the angle is in particular between 40 ° and 50 °, in particular it is 45 ".

It is also advantageous if the reflective area 70 of the front panel 2 is alternatively formed as a curved area, which is inclined in particular relative to the plane 71, which is at least substantially spanned by the front panel 2.

On the back of the front panel 2 of the radome 1 is the back of the

opaque layer 3, a substantially planar light guide 7 is arranged. Adjacent to the light guide and also in the area of

Light passage 10 is optionally a diffuser element 1 1 arranged. The light is emitted by a luminous element 8, fed into a coupling element 9 and fed into the light guide 7. From there, the light is introduced into the diffuser element 1 1 and scattered from there to the reflective area 70, where it is reflected and then reflected by the light passage 10 to the front of the front panel 2. There, the light exits from the front and can thus represent a defined light structure. On the back, a cover 50 may be provided, which covers the front panel 2 with light guide 7 and optional diffuser element 1 1.

The light guide 7 is preferably made of a transparent plastic material and the optional diffuser element 1 is preferably made of a translucent plastic material.

With regard to the production of the light guide and the diffuser element, these can be manufactured as separately formed parts and placed adjacent to one another on the rear side of the front plate 2. Alternatively, the light guide and the diffuser element may be formed as interconnected parts adjacent to each other, in particular through Injection molding are hergesteilt or bonded together by gluing.

On the edge side of the front panel, a closing element 80 may be provided, which is designed, for example, as a cover ring to cover a glow of the radially outer contour of the radome.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1 radome

2 front panel

3 Ilichundurclilässig layer

4 recess

5 straight bars

6 annular border

7 light guides

8 lighting element

9 coupling element

10 light passage

1 1 diffuser element

20 tapered end areas

21 arcuate part

22 straight part

23 outer edge

30 front

31 coating

40 plastic layer

41 painted surface

50 cover

60 end element

70 reflective area

71 level

Claims

claims

1. radome (1) having a substantially flat front plate (2), which is frontally translucent and is provided on the back with an opaque layer (3), wherein in the opaque layer (3) at least one recess (4) as a light passage (10) is formed, with at least one in

Substantially planar light guide (7) which is arranged on the rear side against the opaque layer (3) and with at least one luminous element (8) which is coupled to the light guide (7) such that light enters the light guide (7) and so on that the light propagates through the at least one light guide (7) and on the at least one light passage (10) in the translucent

Front panel (2) enters, so that it exits the front side of the front panel (2), wherein the opaque layer is formed by a painted coating and / or by a plastic element.

2. radome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a

reflective area (70) of the flat front panel (2) is provided, wherein the reflective area (70) of the recess (4) is arranged adjacent, so that light from the light guide to the

reflective area (70) can be reflected.

3. radome (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that on the at least one light guide (7) at least one diffuser element (1 1) is arranged, which is arranged such that the at least one light guide (7) propagating light in the

Diffuser element (1 1) enters, propagates through the diffuser element (1 1) and emerges from the diffuser element (1 1) and at the at least one light passage (10) in the translucent front panel (2) enters and is reflected at the reflective area (70) so that it emerges from the front panel (2) at the front,

Radome (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a planar light guide (7) or that a plurality of planar light guides (7) are provided, each light guide (7) at least one luminous element (8), preferably more than one

Luminous element (8) is associated, which is coupled to the light guide (7) for feeding light into the light guide (7).

Radom according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opaque layer is at least partially formed by a plastic element which is molded onto the front panel or to which the front panel is molded.

Radom according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opaque layer is at least partially formed by a coating which is applied to the front panel.

7. radome (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that at least one of the light guides (7) or each of the light guides (7) is assigned at least one diffuser element (1 1).

8. radome (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the

Diffuser element (1 1) on an outer edge (23) of the light guide (7) is arranged on this and in particular rests against this. 9. radome (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the diffuser element (1 1) the light guide (7) at its circumferential

Outer edge (23) surrounds. O.Radom (1) according to any one of the preceding claims _» characterized in that the reflective area (70) of the front panel (2) is a reflective coated area (70) of the surface of the

Front panel (2) is.

H . Radome (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the reflective coated area (70) is coated with a metallic coating (31).