A roof panel for the passenger cabin of a motor vehicle includes a composite or plastic panel-like body and a metal frame that runs continuously along a periphery of the plastic body. The metal frame prevents the thermal expansion of the plastic body at high temperatures, so the expansion of the entire roof panel approximates that of an equivalent metal roof panel. Specifically, the uninterrupted encircling structure of the frame absorbs forces resulting from thermal expansion of the plastic body.

A roof panel for the passenger cabin of a motor vehicle includes a composite or plastic panel-like body and a metal frame that runs continuously along a periphery of the plastic body. The metal frame prevents the thermal expansion of the plastic body at high temperatures, so the expansion of the entire roof panel approximates that of an equivalent metal roof panel. Specifically, the uninterrupted encircling structure of the frame absorbs forces resulting from thermal expansion of the plastic body.

A roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle may have a panel component whose outer surface at least partially forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof; at least one environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals for detecting the vehicle environment and disposed at least partially below the roof skin formed by the panel component; and a cooling feature configured to discharge waste heat emitted by the environment sensor and/or externally introduced heat from the environment sensor. The cooling feature may have at least one cooling channel in which at least two cooling fans are disposed, the cooling fans being connected to at least one controller of the cooling feature.

A roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle may have a panel component whose outer surface at least partially forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof; at least one environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals for detecting the vehicle environment and disposed at least partially below the roof skin formed by the panel component; and a cooling feature configured to discharge waste heat emitted by the environment sensor and/or externally introduced heat from the environment sensor. The cooling feature may have at least one cooling channel in which at least two cooling fans are disposed, the cooling fans being connected to at least one controller of the cooling feature.

A vehicle roof, in particular for a passenger car, the vehicle roof having a roof skin which forms a visible outer surface of the vehicle roof, and a sensor unit having at least two environment sensors for detecting a vehicle environment, the sensor unit being disposed below the roof skin and attached to a carrier and may have a support for the at least two environment sensors, the support being connected to a thermal management system. An electrical insulation element is disposed between each of the environment sensors and the support, the electrical insulation elements thermally coupling the respective environment sensors and the support.

A vehicle roof, in particular for a passenger car, the vehicle roof having a roof skin which forms a visible outer surface of the vehicle roof, and a sensor unit having at least two environment sensors for detecting a vehicle environment, the sensor unit being disposed below the roof skin and attached to a carrier and may have a support for the at least two environment sensors, the support being connected to a thermal management system. An electrical insulation element is disposed between each of the environment sensors and the support, the electrical insulation elements thermally coupling the respective environment sensors and the support.

An embodiment panel assembly for a vehicle includes an inner panel configured to surround a roof, two opposite pillars, and a front side of a vehicle body of the vehicle, a first outer panel coupled to the inner panel and having a first assembling part at an end thereof, and a second outer panel coupled to surround a front side of the inner panel and having a second assembling part disposed at an end corresponding to the first assembling part and coupled to the first assembling part, wherein the first assembling part and the second assembling part are coupled to each other by fitting.

A vehicle skeleton structure includes: a support surface portion that configures a part of a vehicle body, the support surface portion being disposed further toward a vehicle lower side than a design surface of a roof portion of the vehicle body, and the support surface portion being configured to support a communication device from a vehicle lower side of the communication device; and a roof reinforcement that is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the support surface portion, the roof reinforcement configuring at least a part of a closed cross-sectional structure extending in a vehicle width direction and having a closed cross-sectional shape as viewed from the vehicle width direction.

A vehicle skeleton structure includes: a support surface portion that configures a part of a vehicle body, the support surface portion being disposed further toward a vehicle lower side than a design surface of a roof portion of the vehicle body, and the support surface portion being configured to support a communication device from a vehicle lower side of the communication device; and a roof reinforcement that is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the support surface portion, the roof reinforcement configuring at least a part of a closed cross-sectional structure extending in a vehicle width direction and having a closed cross-sectional shape as viewed from the vehicle width direction.

An embodiment frame joint structure includes a plurality of body members, each body member including a closed section portion having a closed section of a set shape and a flange portion integrally extending from the closed section portion, and a plurality of joints, each joint having a first end coupled to a connection point of a respective one of the body members and a second end coupled to an adjacent joint.