Radar and Light Emission Assembly for Vehicles for Emitting Light and Radar Radiation, and Method and Use

Abstract

Provided is a radar and light emission assembly for emitting light and radar radiation and for detecting at least reflected radar radiation including: a headlight including a light-transparent headlight cover, and a light source, and a light reflector; a radar module, which is arranged behind the headlight cover, integrated in the headlight and including a radar antenna unit. The radar and light emission assembly has at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism, in particular a frequency-selective radar radiation-forming mechanism, including a radar radiation-forming mechanism, which is integrated in the headlight cover. The application of the radar technology, integrated in the headlight, can be further optimized hereby. The invention further relates to a method and a use for a radar and light emission assembly of this type.

Claims

1. A radar and light emitting assembly, in particular for vehicles, equipped for emitting light and radar radiation and equipped for detecting at least reflected radar radiation, said assembly comprising: a headlight comprising a light-transparent headlight cover and a light source arranged behind the headlight cover, and a light reflector; and a radar module, which is arranged behind the headlight cover, integrated in the headlight and comprising a radar antenna unit; wherein the radar and light emission assembly has at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism, in particular a frequency-selective radar radiation-forming mechanism.

2. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the emission direction of the radar radiation.

3. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the direction of reflection of the radar radiation.

4. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is formed to be flat, in particular planar or curved.

5. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is frequency-selective, in particular in that the radar radiation-forming mechanism comprises a frequency-selective radar passage structure; and/or wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the emission direction of the light source.

6. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least two radar radiation-forming regions, each comprising an individual radar radiation-forming function, are provided at the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism.

7. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 6, wherein the at least two radar radiation-forming regions are arranged/formed in the same radar radiation-forming mechanism.

8. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein the radar and light emission assembly has a radar reflector, which is arranged behind the headlight cover, integrated in the headlight, and wherein the radar module is arranged below the radar reflector; and/or wherein the radar reflector, together with the radar module, is at least approximately arranged in the same longitudinal position, in particular completely overlapped or covered by the headlight cover, in particular in a last third of the longitudinal extension of the radar and light emission assembly to the headlight cover in the emission direction; and/or wherein the radar reflector is arranged below an optical axis or an axis according to the main orientation of the light reflector or of the light source; and/or wherein a/the beam path of the radar radiation is deflected in the range of from 70 to 110°, in particular in the range of 90°, by means of the radar reflector, is in particular oriented at least approximately in the emission direction of the radar and light emission assembly; and/or wherein the radar reflector, in the particular the inner side thereof, is arranged with an incline in the range of from 35 to 60°, in particular 40 to 50°, relative to the emission direction or relative to the horizontal, at least in some sections; and/or wherein the radar reflector is arranged relative to the headlight cover in such a way that the radar reflector and the headlight cover form a roof structure, which covers the radar module, with the geometry of a saddle roof comprising two surface areas, which are oppositely inclined, in particular with an included angle in the range of from 45 to 90°; and/or wherein the arrangement and/or orientation of the radar reflector can be adjusted by means of a motor; and/or wherein the radar reflector has a three-dimensional extension at least in some sections and is equipped for also laterally reflecting radar radiation; and/or wherein the radar reflector consists of light- and radar radiation-transparent substrate material and has a further radar radiation-forming mechanism, in particular designed as coating or as electrically conductive surface; and/or wherein the radar reflector has a further radar radiation-forming mechanism and is arranged relative to the headlight cover in such a way that the radar radiation irradiates through a frequency-selective radar passage structure at least twice from the radar module to outside of the headlight cover; and/or wherein the radar reflector has, on at least one of its surfaces, a light-transparent, electrically conductive oxide layer or an electrically conductive surface.

9. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, wherein the radar radiation-forming mechanism has a periodic arrangement of structure patterns at least in some sections, with the structure patterns being in particular in concentric arrangement; and/or wherein the radar radiation-forming mechanism is formed as a coating or as a film or as an electrically conductive surface; and/or wherein the headlight cover forms a substrate for the radar radiation-forming mechanism; and/or wherein the radar radiation-forming mechanism has a conductive part, which is designed as light-transparent, electrically conductive oxide layer.

10. A method for emitting light and for the frequency-selective emission of radar radiation and for specifying a radar detection region by means of at least one of the radar and light emission assembly, in particular by means of at least two radar radiation-forming mechanisms, in particular frequency-selective radar passage structures, which mechanism is at least also provided in or on at least one side of a light-transparent headlight cover of the radar and light emission assembly, in particular in the beam path, starting at a radar module in series one behind the other in at least two positions comprising a position at a radar reflector arranged outside of the light cone of the light source, in particular in a headlight of a vehicle, wherein the radar module is arranged outside of a light cone emitted by the light source, in particular below the at least one, in particular below the at least two radar radiation-forming mechanisms, comprising an optical axis of the radar module oriented upwards, in particular at least approximately orthogonally to the optical axis of a light source of the headlight.

11. A radar and light emission assembly for vehicles and equipped for emitting light and radar radiation and equipped for detecting at least reflected radar radiation, comprising a headlight comprising a light-transparent headlight cover, and a light source arranged behind the headlight cover, and a light reflector, and comprising a radar module arranged behind the headlight cover, integrated in the headlight, comprising a radar antenna unit, in particular radar and light emission assembly according to claim 1, produced by forming at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism, in particular designed as frequency-selective radar passage structure, at least also on or in the headlight cover, wherein the radar radiation-forming mechanism has a conductive part designed as light-transparent, electrically conductive oxide layer, or is at least partially formed thereby, and wherein a structure pattern is introduced into the radar radiation-forming mechanism by means of thin layer removal, in particular by means of laser.

12. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 11, wherein a structure pattern is introduced into the radar radiation-forming mechanism by means of thin layer removal or thin layer application, or wherein the radar radiation-forming mechanism is produced by means of thin layer removal or by means of thin layer application or by applying a film.

13. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 2, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the direction of reflection of the radar radiation.

14. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is formed to be flat, in particular planar or curved.

15. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 13, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is formed to be flat, in particular planar or curved.

16. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 2, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is frequency-selective, in particular in that the radar radiation-forming mechanism comprises a frequency-selective radar passage structure; and/or wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the emission direction of the light source.

17. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is frequency-selective, in particular in that the radar radiation-forming mechanism comprises a frequency-selective radar passage structure; and/or wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the emission direction of the light source.

18. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is frequency-selective, in particular in that the radar radiation-forming mechanism comprises a frequency-selective radar passage structure; and/or wherein the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism is arranged in the emission direction of the light source.

19. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least two radar radiation-forming regions, each comprising an individual radar radiation-forming function, are provided at the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism.

20. The radar and light emission assembly according to claim 3, wherein at least two radar radiation-forming regions, each comprising an individual radar radiation-forming function, are provided at the at least one radar radiation-forming mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] The invention will be described in more detail in the following drawing figures, wherein for reference numerals, which are not explicitly described in a respective drawing figure, reference is made to the other drawing figures, in which:

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a radar and light emission assembly according to an exemplary embodiment in a side view in schematic illustration;

[0082] FIG. 2 shows a radar reflector and radar antenna units of a radar and light emission assembly according to an exemplary embodiment in a perspective view in schematic illustration;

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a radar passage structure of a radar and light emission assembly according to an exemplary embodiment in a top view in schematic illustration; and

[0084] FIG. 4 shows a radar and light emission assembly according to an exemplary embodiment in a side view in schematic illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0085] A headlight 1 is shown in FIG. 1, which has a light source 2 (optionally also projections lens), and a light reflector 3, and a light-transparent headlight cover 4 comprising an outer surface 4.1 and an inner surface 4.2. The light source 2 and the light reflector 3 are oriented in such a way according to an optical axis 7 (main orientation) that the light is emitted in a light cone 9 through the headlight cover 4. This results in a light propagation path 6, which, starting from the light source 2, runs frontally to the front and which is laterally limited by the specifications of the light reflector. According to one option, the light propagation path 6 is a light cone.

[0086] A radar module 11 is integrated in the headlight 1, so that a radar and light emission assembly 10 is formed. At least one radar antenna unit 12 (transmitting and receiving unit) is provided on the upper side 11.1 of the radar module 11. A radar reflector 13 is arranged above the radar module 11. The headlight cover 4 has at least one light-transparent, frequency-selective radar passage structure 14, in particular designed as coating. An external radar passage structure 14.1 and/or an internal radar passage structure 14.2 can in particular be provided.

[0087] An intermediate plane 15 comprising radiation-active cover is provided between the radar module 11 and the radar reflector 13. The intermediate plane 15 or the cover, respectively, at least approximately coincides with a plane 18 (tangential plane), which is tangent to the light reflector 3 on the bottom, and/or is oriented at least approximately parallel thereto. The optical axis 16 of the radar module or of the respective antenna unit 12 is oriented at least approximately orthogonally to the intermediate plane 15, and/or is oriented at least approximately vertically.

[0088] A headlight cavity 17, which is spanned by the headlight cover and optionally also spanned by the light reflector, serves to receive all radar technology components. The radar module 12, together with the antenna unit 13, is thereby arranged in a partial cavity 17.1 (in particular in the form of a saddle roof), which is roofed by the headlight cover and the radar reflector, in a region in the very front of the headlight cavity 17 adjacent to the headlight cover 4. Frontally, the partial cavity 17.1 is limited by the headlight cover 4, and at the aft (rear), the partial cavity 17.1 is limited by the radar reflector 11.

[0089] In a contact point or a fastening point 13.5 of the radar reflector for contact with the headlight cover, an angle is formed between the headlight cover and the radar reflector, which angle lies in particular in the range of from 45 to 90°, for example approx. 55 to 60°. This contact angle can also be described as roof angle between two oppositely inclined (roof) surface areas, in particular with reference to a saddle roof construction. Further contact points with further angles can also be formed between the headlight cover and the radar reflector, in particular in the case of optionally three-dimensional extension of the radar reflector also at the intersection to the headlight cover.

[0090] The beam path 19 of the radar radiation or HF wave, respectively, which is emitted by the radar module 12 and which propagates, initially runs transversely to the emission direction x, in particular at least approximately orthogonally thereto and/or at least approximately in the vertical direction, and is then deflected by approx. 90° by means of the radar reflector 13, whereby a detection region 8 is defined by means of the radar reflector and/or by means of a respective radar passage structure 13, 14. It follows from FIG. 2 that the detection region can optionally or additionally, respectively, also be arranged laterally, in particular in the case of a radar reflector comprising a three-dimensional extension.

[0091] The arrow x in FIG. 1 indicates the emission direction or the corresponding longitudinal position of a respective component in the emission direction, respectively, whereby the respective longitudinal position is detected, for example, starting at the light source. The radar module and the radar reflector and optionally also the antenna unit are arranged in at least approximately the same longitudinal position x. The headlight cover 4 extends aftwards (to the rear) into a longitudinal position smaller than the longitudinal position of the radar module and of the radar reflector. In other words: The headlight cover does not only overlap the radar module and the radar reflector, but covers these two components completely in the emission direction.

[0092] A radar and light emission assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 2, which has a plurality of radar reflectors and a plurality of radar antenna units 12, 12a, namely also at least one radar antenna unit 12a for obliquely oriented radiation, and which is equipped for the lateral detection. In addition to the radar reflector 13 already described above, a radar reflector 13a, which is equipped for oblique irradiation, as well as a radar reflector 13b, which is equipped for lateral irradiation (side view) is also provided. Together, all three types of radar reflectors can be provided in a module-like manner as uniform radar reflector, in particular in that each radar reflector is provided as reflector element 13.4 comprising a two-dimensional extension. Each reflector element 13.4 can be characterized by at least one of the following components: first (in particular on one side) frequency-selective structure 13.1 (radar passage structure), second (in particular applied on one side) frequency-selective structure 13.2, each in particular introduced as coating or integrated in the material; and/or light-transparent, electrically conductive oxide layer (TCO) 13.3 optionally on one side or on both sides. Only a single frequency-selective structure is optionally provided, in particular integrated in the material of the respective reflector element 13.4. In the alternative or in addition, the TCO layer 13.3 can optionally also be formed at the headlight cover 4.

[0093] An individual exemplary embodiment for a radar passage structure 14 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. The radar passage structure 14 is formed by a system of at least four types of structures, in particular a first frequency-selective radar passage structure 14a, in particular so-called bandpass structure, and a second frequency-selective radar passage structure 14b, in particular so-called Fresnel region, and a third frequency-selective radar passage structure 14c, in particular so-called PRS (partially reflective structure), and a fourth frequency-selective radar passage structure 14d, in particular so-called lowpass structure. The respective structure can be introduced or integrated, respectively, in particular by means of a laser method. In the case of an individual or in the case of every radar passage structure, one or several transparent, electrically conductive oxide layers (TCO) 14.3 can optionally be provided, in particular for the purpose of optimizing the reflection properties.

[0094] An exemplary embodiment for a further radar and light emission assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 4, which is integrated in a headlight 1. The radar module 11 is arranged behind several light sources 2. The optical axes 7 and 16 are located one on top of the other or are oriented at least approximately parallel to one another. The light sources 2 surround the optical axis 16 of the antenna unit 12 or are arranged at least partially circumferentially around it. Between the light sources 2 and the detection region 8, (only) the light-transparent, radar radiation-forming headlight cover is arranged. A radar radiation-forming mechanism 14 with TCO layer 14.3, which does not necessarily have to be light-transparent in the assembly according to FIG. 4, is arranged between the antenna unit 12 and the light sources.

List of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1 headlight

[0096] 2 light source or projection lens

[0097] 3 light reflector

[0098] 4 headlight cover, in particular designed as or with light-transparent radar radiation-forming mechanism

[0099] 4.1 outer surface

[0100] 4.2 inner surface

[0101] 6 light propagation path

[0102] 7 optical axis of the light source or of the light reflector (main orientation)

[0103] 8 detection region

[0104] 9 light cone

[0105] 10 radar and light emission assembly

[0106] 11 radar module

[0107] 11.1 upper side

[0108] 12 radar antenna unit (transmission and receiving unit)

[0109] 12a radar antenna unit for obliquely oriented radiation

[0110] 13 light-transparent radar radiation-forming mechanism, in particular radar reflector

[0111] 13.1 first frequency-selective structure, in particular coating or integrated

[0112] 13.2 second frequency-selective structure, in particular coating or integrated

[0113] 13a radar reflector or radar reflector element, respectively, for oblique irradiation

[0114] 13b radar reflector or radar reflector element, respectively, for lateral irradiation (side view)

[0115] 13.3 light-transparent, electrically conductive oxide layer (TCO)

[0116] 13.4 reflector element, in particular with two-dimensional extension

[0117] 13.5 contact point or fastening point for headlight cover

[0118] 14 light-transparent radar radiation-forming mechanism, in particular frequency-selective radar passage structure, in particular designed as coating and/or introduced so as to be integrated in the material

[0119] 14.1 external radar passage structure, in particular as outer coating

[0120] 14.2 internal radar passage structure, in particular as inner coating

[0121] 14.3 transparent, electrically conductive oxide layer (TCO)

[0122] 14a first frequency-selective radar passage structure, in particular bandpass

[0123] 14b second frequency-selective radar passage structure, in particular Fresnel region

[0124] 14c third frequency-selective radar passage structure, in particular PRS

[0125] 14d fourth frequency-selective radar passage structure, in particular lowpass

[0126] 15 intermediate plane with radiation-active cover

[0127] 16 optical axis of the radar module or of the antenna unit

[0128] 17 headlight cavity, spanned by the headlight cover and optionally also spanned by the light reflector

[0129] 17.1 roofed partial cavity

[0130] 18 tangential plane, in particular oriented as horizontal plane

[0131] 19 beam path (emitted, propagating radar radiation or HF wave, respectively)

[0132] x emission direction or longitudinal position, respectively