DECORATIVE RADOME FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS

• US 20120119961A1
• Filed: 11/09/2011
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zanini Auto Grup, S.A.
• Original Assignee: Zanini Auto Grup, S.A.
• Inventors: Mayer Pujadas, Augusto
• Granted Patent: US 9,114,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93271 in the front of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/422 comprising two or more layers of dielectric material H01Q1/425 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence

Abstract

A molded radome for the beam path of a radar device with low radio transmission loss and improved resistance to attack by the environmental elements comprises a base layer or body composed of a resin and a decoration layer bearing an image. The decoration layer is characterized with bright metallic looking coat disposed on the surface of the base layer or body. The decoration layer is composed of a metalloid such as germanium or a germanium alloy applied to the base layer by sputtering deposition.

Claims

1. A decorative radome comprising a substrate formed of a radio transmissive resin, the substrate having a proximal face and a distal face and a decoration layer applied to the proximal face, the decoration layer comprising a metalloid or metalloid alloy deposited on the surface of the proximal face.

2. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metalloid comprises germanium and the metalloid alloy comprises an alloy of germanium and one or more other metalloids.

3. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the decoration layer is of uniform thickness.

4. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the substrate is molded.

5. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the decoration layer is formed of a plurality of metalloid or metalloid alloy layers.

6. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein the thickness of each metalloid or metalloid alloy layer is in the order of 1 nm to 500 nm.

7. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein the thickness of each metalloid or metalloid alloy layer is in the order of 10 nm to 100 nm.

8. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein one of the metalloid or metalloid alloy layers comprises germanium and another metalloid or metalloid alloy layer comprises silicon.

9. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a radio transmissive resin layer overlying the decoration layer.

10. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the resin layer is molded over the decoration layer.

11. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein the resin layer includes a decoration ink overlay.

12. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a vehicle having a front grill assembly, the decoration radome being positioned within the grill assembly, the vehicle further including a radar antenna positioned behind and in registration with the decorative radome.

13. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the proximal face of the substrate is configured with a design comprising surface indentations or projections.

14. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metalloid or metalloid alloy is deposited on the surface of the proximal face by sputtering deposition.

15. A method of fabricating a decorative radome, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a substrate comprising a resin layer having a proximal face and a distal face;

b) covering the proximal face with a decoration layer with a metalloid or metalloid alloy utilizing sputtering deposition; and

c) covering the decoration layer with a further resin layer.

16. A method of fabricating a decorative radome in accordance with claim 15 wherein the substrate resin layer and the further resin layer are formed by molding.

17. A method of fabricating a decorative radome in accordance with claim 15 wherein step a) includes configuring the proximal face with surface indentations or depressions.

18. A method of fabricating a decorative radome in accordance with claim 15 wherein the metalloid or metalloid alloy comprises germanium and/or a germanium alloy.

19. A decorative radome comprising a base body composed of a resin layer and a decoration layer disposed on a surface of the base body, the decoration layer comprising germanium and/or a germanium alloy.

20. A decorative radome as constructed in accordance with claim 19 wherein the decoration layer is formed of a plurality of germanium and/or germanium alloy layers.