Abstract
A vehicle having at least one roof rail and window, the window connected to the roof rail, and a roof module for forming a vehicle roof of the motor vehicle. The roof module has a frame, connected to or partially forms the one roof rail, a panel component, which at least partially forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof skin serving as an outer sealing surface of the roof module, and which is connected to the roof module frame, an environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals through a panel see-through area in the panel component so as to detect a vehicle environment, and a cleaning feature which has at least one cleaning nozzle and is configured to clean the see-through area. The at least one window and the roof module frame and/or the panel component overlap so that an installation space is formed.
Claims
1. A motor vehicle comprising: at least one roof rail, at least one window, which is connected to the at least one roof rail, and a roof module for forming a vehicle roof of the motor vehicle, the roof module comprising a roof module frame, which is connected to or at least partially forms the at least one roof rail, a panel component, which at least partially forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof skin serving as an outer sealing surface of the roof module, and which is connected to the roof module frame, an environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals through a see-through area provided on the panel component so as to detect a vehicle environment, and a cleaning feature having at least one cleaning nozzle and being configured to clean the see-through area, wherein the at least one window and the roof module frame and/or the panel component overlap in such a manner that an installation space is formed between the at least one window and the roof module frame and/or the panel component, said installation space being at least partially open in the direction of the see-through area, the at least one cleaning nozzle being placed in said installation space, or in that a stepped portion is formed in the panel component, the at least one cleaning nozzle being attached to said stepped portion.
2. A motor vehicle comprising: at least one roof rail, at least one cover element and a roof module for forming a vehicle roof of the motor vehicle, the roof module comprising a roof module frame, which is connected to or at least partially forms the at least one roof rail, a panel component, which at least partially forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof skin serving as an outer sealing surface of the roof module, and which is connected to the roof module frame, an environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals through a see-through area provided on the panel component so as to detect a vehicle environment, and a cleaning feature having at least one cleaning nozzle and being configured to clean the see-through area, wherein the at least one cover element and the roof module frame and/or the panel component overlap in such a manner that an installation space is formed between the at least one cover element and the roof module frame and/or the panel component, said installation space being at least partially open in the direction of the see-through area, the at least one cleaning nozzle being placed in said installation space, or in that a stepped portion is formed in the cover element, the at least one cleaning nozzle being attached to said stepped portion.
3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is connected to the roof module frame or the panel component or on the roof rail or the cover element within the installation space.
4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is inserted through at least one opening in the stepped portion and is attached at least to an inner side of the stepped portion.
5. The motor vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the stepped portion forms a wall which is oriented at an angle with respect to the roof skin.
6. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is configured to clean the at least one see-through area by a gaseous and/or liquid cleaning fluid.
7. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein if the roof module frame at least partially forms the at least one roof rail, at least one reinforcing and/or stiffening beam with which the roof module frame is at least partially in contact or which is connected to the roof module frame is disposed in the roof area of the motor vehicle.
8. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one window protrudes over the at least one roof rail in such a manner that the window overlaps with the roof module frame and/or the panel component surface-wise.
9. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cover element protrudes over the at least one roof rail in such a manner that the cover element overlaps with the roof module frame and/or the panel component surface-wise.
10. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the window is glued to the roof rail or the panel component and/or attached thereto by overmolding and/or foaming.
11. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is fastened in the installation space or to the stepped portion directly and/or indirectly, and/or the at least one cleaning nozzle is injection-molded onto the panel component and/or the cover element and/or the roof module frame and/or the roof rail and/or comprised by the panel and/or the cover element and/or the roof module frame and/or the roof rail.
12. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is at least partially formed integrally on the stepped portion and/or the panel component and/or the cover element and/or the roof module frame and/or the roof rail.
13. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one environment sensor comprises a lidar sensor and/or a radar sensor and/or a camera sensor and/or a multi-camera sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor.
14. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the overlap formed between the at least one window and the roof module frame and/or the panel component, and/or at least part of the stepped portion, and/or the at least one cover element at least externally serves as a wind deflector and/or a wind deflecting element and/or a spoiler.
15. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the at least one window is a windshield.
16. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is connected in a moisture-tight manner.
17. The motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is fastened in the installation space or to the stepped portion directly and/or indirectly, via a support profile.
18. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is connected to the roof module frame or the panel component or on the roof rail or the cover element within the installation space.
19. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cleaning nozzle is inserted through at least one opening in the stepped portion and is attached at least to an inner side of the stepped portion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated in the drawings and will be discussed as examples below.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0050] FIG. 5 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0051] FIG. 6 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0052] FIG. 7 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention;
[0053] FIG. 8 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature;
[0054] FIG. 9 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature;
[0055] FIG. 10 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature;
[0056] FIG. 11 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature;
[0057] FIG. 12 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature;
[0058] FIG. 13 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature; and
[0059] FIG. 14 shows a schematic embodiment of a cleaning feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] FIG. 1 shows a section of a vehicle roof 100 of a motor vehicle according to the invention (not shown completely). The motor vehicle comprises a roof rail 102. According to one possible embodiment, the roof rail 102 defines a frontal (as viewed in a longitudinal vehicle direction x) transverse rail 103 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6). The in particular hollow-channel-shaped transverse rail 103 is oriented transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the longitudinal vehicle direction x. A vehicle width direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal vehicle direction x, i.e., perpendicular to an imaginary sheet plane in the Figures.
[0061] The motor vehicle further comprises at least one window 104, in this case a windshield. The windshield 104 is a front window in the case at hand. The motor vehicle according to the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 3 also comprises a cover element 105. The cover element 105 forms part of the roof skin of the vehicle roof 100 and serves as an outer sealing surface which prevents moisture from entering an interior of the motor vehicle. The cover element 105 is present only in some embodiments of the invention and does not necessarily form part of the motor vehicle according to the invention.
[0062] The motor vehicle further comprises a roof module 10. The roof module 10 is preferably attached as a structural unit to at least a part of a vehicle body of the motor vehicle, for example to the transverse rail 103. The roof module 10 comprises a roof module frame 11. Via the roof module frame 11, the roof module 10 is preferably attached to the vehicle body, for example to the transverse rail 103 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7). Alternatively, the roof module frame 11 may at least partially form the at least one roof rail 102 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). In this case, it can be referred to as an extended roof module 10 in a simplified manner since the roof module 10 comprises components that are otherwise part of the vehicle body. If at least one of the roof rails 102 is formed by the roof module frame 11, it is advantageous if a reinforcing and/or stiffening beam 106 is provided, which preferably increases a structural rigidity of the motor vehicle in the roof area (see FIGS. 2 and 5).
[0063] The roof module 10 comprises a panel component 12 for forming a roof skin of the vehicle roof 100. An environment sensor 14 is disposed in a presently frontal region of the vehicle roof 100 or of the roof module 10 (viewed in a longitudinal vehicle direction x). The environment sensor 14 is disposed directly behind a front roof rail 102, which defines a header at the roof of the vehicle. In the case at hand, the environment sensor 14 is disposed in a mounting space formed between the panel component 12 and the roof module frame 11. The environment sensor 14 may also be mounted on an outer surface of the roof skin or on the panel component 12. The mounting space forms a dry area in which the environment sensor 14 is disposed in a moisture-proof manner. The environment sensor 14 is a lidar sensor in the case at hand. Other sensor types, e.g., (multidirectional) cameras used in (semi-)autonomous driving, can also be used.
[0064] In the panel component 12, a see-through area 16, for example in the manner of a window, is provided, which can for example be made of a preferably shatterproof plastic or another (partially) transparent material. The environment sensor 14 is aligned along an optical axis and configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals through the see-through area 16 in order to detect a vehicle environment within a sensor-specific field of view 17.
[0065] The roof module 10 further comprises at least one cleaning feature 18 with at least one cleaning nozzle 20. The at least one cleaning nozzle 20 is configured to clean the see-through area 16 by means of a gaseous and/or liquid cleaning fluid 22. For this purpose, the at least one cleaning nozzle 20 preferably sprays the cleaning fluid 22 onto the see-through area 16 from the outside in the form of a fluid cone 24. The cleaning fluid 22 is supplied to the at least one cleaning nozzle 20 via a supply line 25. Alternatively or in addition to a fluid cone, it can be a fluid jet and/or a fluid spray area, meaning the exemplarily selected cone shape is not to be understood as geometrically limiting.
[0066] According to the invention, the at least one windshield 104 and the roof module frame 11 or the panel component 12 overlap in such a manner that an installation space 26 is formed between the at least one windshield 104 and the roof module frame 11 (see FIG. 7) or between the at least one windshield 104 and the panel component 12 (see FIG. 6), the installation space 26 being at least partially open in the direction of the see-through area 16, and the at least one cleaning nozzle 20 being placed in the installation space 26. Alternatively, according to the invention, a stepped portion 28 is formed in the panel component 12, the at least one cleaning nozzle 20 being attached to the stepped portion 28 (see FIG. 4).
[0067] Alternatively, the at least one cover element 105 and the roof module frame 11 or the panel component 12 overlap in such a manner that an installation space 26 is formed between the at least one cover element 105 and the roof module frame 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) or between the at least one cover element 105 and the panel component 12 (see FIG. 3), the installation space 26 being at least partially open in the direction of the see-through area 16, and the at least one cleaning nozzle 20 being placed in the installation space 26.
[0068] In the following description, the individual embodiments and their structural specifics will be explicitly discussed once again.
[0069] According to FIG. 1, the windshield 104 is glued to the transverse rail 103, which forms the front header. The cover element 105 is disposed adjacent to the windshield 104 and glued to the transverse rail 103. The roof module frame 11 is glued to a connecting flange of the transverse rail 103. The panel component 12 is glued to the roof module frame 11. The cover element 105 is glued to the transverse rail 103 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the roof module frame 11. This limits the height of the installation space 26. The installation space 26 is thus formed between the cover element 105 and the roof module frame 11. The cover element 105 limits the installation space 26 at the top. The roof module frame 11 limits the installation space 26 at the bottom. Furthermore, the installation space 26 is limited on one side by a part of the roof rail 102 or of the transverse rail 103 and is open in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed within the installation space 26 and oriented in the direction of the see-through area 16. For this purpose, the cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the roof module frame 11, in particular inserted through an opening in the roof module frame 11. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-proof manner with respect to the roof module frame 11 and with respect to the cover element 105. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, the windshield 104 is glued to the roof module frame 11, which forms the front header in this case. The cover element 105 is disposed adjacent to the windshield 104 and glued to the roof module frame 11. The roof module frame 11 is connected to a reinforcing and/or stiffening beam 106 for stiffening. The panel component 12 is glued to the roof module frame 11. The cover element 105 is glued to the roof module frame 11 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the roof module frame 11 in a free end region. This limits the height of the installation space 26. The installation space 26 is thus formed between the cover element 105 and the roof module frame 11. The cover element 105 limits the installation space 26 at the top. The roof module frame 11 limits the installation space 26 at the bottom and also on one side due to its geometric design. The installation space 26 is open in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed inside the installation space 26 and oriented in the direction of the see-through area 16. For this purpose, the cleaning nozzle 20 is attached between the cover element 105 and the roof module frame 11, in particular inserted through an opening in the roof module frame 11. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-proof manner with respect to the roof module frame 11 and with respect to the cover element 105. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0071] According to FIG. 3, the windshield 104 is glued to the transverse rail 103, which forms the front header. The cover element 105 is disposed adjacent to the windshield 104 and glued to the transverse rail 103. The roof module frame 11 is glued to a connecting flange of the transverse rail 103. The panel component 12 is glued to the roof module frame 11. The cover element 105 is glued to the transverse rail 103 and the panel component 12 is shaped in such a manner that the cover element 105 is spaced apart from the panel component 12 at a free end portion. This limits the height of the installation space 26. The installation space 26 is thus formed between the cover element 105 and the panel component 12. The cover element 105 limits the installation space 26 at the top. The panel component 12 limits the installation space 26 at the bottom. Furthermore, the installation space 26 is laterally limited by a specially shaped part of the panel component 12. The installation space 26 is open in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed within the installation space 26 and oriented in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the panel component 12, in particular inserted through an opening in the panel component 12. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-proof manner with respect to the panel component 12 and with respect to the cover element 105. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0072] According to FIG. 4, the windshield 104 is glued to the transverse rail 103, which forms the front header. The panel component 12 is disposed adjacent to the windshield 104 and glued to the transverse rail 103. The roof module frame 11 is glued to a connecting flange of the transverse rail 103. The panel component 12 is further glued to the roof module frame 11. The panel component 12 is geometrically shaped to form the stepped portion 28. The at least one cleaning nozzle 20 is inserted through at least one opening in the stepped portion 28 and attached to at least one inner side 29 of the stepped portion 28. The stepped portion 28 forms a wall which is oriented at an angle with respect to the roof skin. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed on the stepped portion 28, in particular on the inner side 29 of the stepped portion 28. For this purpose, the cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the panel component 12, in particular inserted through an opening in the panel component 12. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-proof manner with respect to the panel component 12 and with respect to the cover element 105. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0073] According to FIG. 5, the windshield 104 is glued to the roof module frame 11, which forms the front header in this case. In this case, the windshield 104 protrudes over the roof module frame 11 or over the mounting flange of the roof module frame which forms the roof rail 102. The roof module frame 11 is connected to a reinforcing and/or stiffening beam 106 for stiffening. The panel component 12 is glued to the roof module frame 11. The windshield 104 protrudes over the roof module frame 11 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the roof module frame 11 in a free end region. This limits the height of the installation space 26. The installation space 26 is thus formed between the windshield 104 and the roof module frame 11. The windshield 104 limits the installation space 26 at the top. The roof module frame 11 limits the installation space 26 at the bottom and also on one side due to its geometric design. The installation space 26 is open in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed within the installation space 26 and oriented in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the roof module frame 11, in particular inserted through an opening in the roof module frame 11. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-tight manner with respect to the roof module frame 11. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 6, the windshield 104 is glued to the transverse rail 103, which forms the front header. In this case, the windshield 104 protrudes over the transverse rail 103 or over the mounting flange of the transverse rail 103 on one side. The panel component 12 is glued to the roof module frame 11. The windshield 104 protrudes over the transverse rail 103 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the panel component 12 in a free end area. This limits the height of the installation space 26. The installation space 26 is thus formed between the windshield 104 and the panel component 12. The windshield 104 limits the installation space 26 at the top. The panel component 12 limits the installation space 26 at the bottom and also on one side due to its geometric design. The installation space 26 is open in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed within the installation space 26 and oriented in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the panel component 12, in particular inserted through an opening in the panel component 12. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-tight manner with respect to the panel component 12. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 7, the windshield 104 is glued to the transverse rail 103, which forms the front header. In this case, the windshield 104 protrudes over the transverse rail 103 or over the mounting flange of the transverse rail 103 on one side. The panel component 12 is glued to the roof module frame 11. The windshield 104 protrudes over the transverse rail 103 in such a manner that it is spaced apart from the roof module frame 11 in a free end area. This limits the height of the installation space 26. The installation space 26 is thus formed between the windshield 104 and the roof module frame 11. The windshield 104 limits the installation space 26 at the top. The roof module frame 11 limits the installation space 26 at the bottom. Furthermore, the installation space 26 is limited on one side by a part of the transverse rail 103. The installation space 26 is open in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is disposed within the installation space 26 and oriented in the direction of the see-through area 16. The cleaning nozzle 20 is attached to the roof module frame 11, in particular inserted through an opening in the roof module frame 11. The cleaning nozzle 20 is sealed in a moisture-tight manner with respect to the roof module frame 11. In principle, other fastening methods for fastening the individual components to one another besides gluing are of course also possible.
[0076] FIGS. 8 to 12 show further embodiments of the cleaning feature 18 according to the invention. Here, the cover element 105 forms a wind deflector and/or a wind deflecting element and/or a spoiler at least on the outside. Alternatively, the overlap formed between the at least one window 104 and the roof module frame 11 and/or the panel component 12, and/or at least part of the stepped portion 28 could also form such a wind deflector and/or a wind deflecting element and/or a spoiler.
[0077] The cover element 105 thus effects an aerodynamic optimization of the air flow around the vehicle 1000, as can be seen schematically in FIG. 11. So the cover element 105 acts as a flow deflecting element which deflects a flow S away from the see-through area 16. The see-through area 16 is thus preferably disposed at least in a low-flow area of the roof with the result that the cleaning effect is not or only slightly influenced by the flow S. The cover element 105 may preferably be connected to the cleaning nozzle 20 via at least one support component 30. Alternatively, the cleaning nozzle can also be at least partially integrated in the cover element 105. At least one seal 31 can be disposed between the cover element 105 and the roof module frame 11 and/or the roof rail 102 and/or the panel component 12, the seal 31 preferably preventing moisture from entering via the cover element 105. A plurality of cleaning nozzles 20 can also be covered by or included in the cover element 105 and/or the panel component 12 and/or the window 104, for example in a series connection (see exemplary FIG. 12). Respective valves 32 can be disposed between the individual cleaning nozzles 20, for example.
[0078] The cover element 105 may be disposed on the panel component 12 or on the roof module frame 11 or on the roof rail 102, for example. The roof module 10 may comprise a roof module frame 11 but does not have to comprise such a roof module frame. For example, the roof module 10 may also be disposed on a roof body portion, in particular on the at least one roof rail 102 of the vehicle 1000.
[0079] FIGS. 13 and 14 show further embodiments of the motor vehicle 1000 according to the invention and the cleaning features 10. According to FIGS. 13 and 14, a cleaning nozzle 20a (two cleaning nozzles are shown here) is disposed on the support component 30, for example. The support component 30 forms a mounting cover and/or a mounting platform for the at least one cleaning nozzle 20a, for example. Another cleaning nozzle 20b, on the other hand, is disposed on the cover element 105, in particular placed thereon. The cover element 105 comprises an aerodynamic molded portion 107 which can direct an airstream away from the see-through area 16, for example. The cleaning nozzles 20a, 20b are each connected to a supply line 25a, 25b. This allows a cleaning fluid to be supplied to each of the cleaning nozzles 20a, 20b. The molded portion 107 is dashed in the case at hand. The support element 30 is attached to the cover element 105 via at least one attachment point, in particular screwed and/or welded and/or soldered and/or injection-molded on and/or glued. A water outlet 33 is formed on the support component 30 in the case at hand, via which water or moisture that enters the installation space 26 can be discharged from the vehicle 1000 via a discharge line 109. The installation space 26, which is at least partially open in the direction of the see-through area 16, is preferably covered by a net 34. This prevents the ingress of foreign particles, such as dust, dirt particles, leaves or the like.
[0080] According to FIG. 14, in contrast to FIG. 13, both cleaning nozzles 20a, 20b are disposed on the support component 30, which is covered by the cover element 105. Here, too, the cover element 105 forms a molded portion 107 which has an aerodynamic deflection effect, for example for deflecting a driving wind away from the see-through area 16. This can minimize contamination of the see-through area 16, in particular at high driving speeds of the motor vehicle 1000.
[0081] It is understood that all features shown and/or described in connection with the exemplary embodiments shown can also be used in any combination and/or on their own to distinguish the subject matter according to the invention from the prior art. In particular, individual features shown in only one of the Figures shown can be applied to other Figures and embodiments without having to adopt all the features described for the embodiment in question. In particular, an isolated extraction of features that are not in a technically necessary operative connection with other features is also possible.
