Abstract
A virtual panoramic roof or sunroof for a motor vehicle (100), the roof being capable of realistically reproducing or adapting the outside world. The roof offers many advantages, such as a reduction in driving noise and a decrease in fuel consumption of the motor vehicle (100) compared to conventional sunroofs. The assembly comprises at least one sensor device (102), in particular an image-capture device for recording the surroundings of the motor vehicle (100), and at least one reproduction device, disposed on an inner face of the roof (101), for reproducing a virtual representation of the surroundings captured by the sensor device.
Claims
1. An assembly for a roof of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one sensor device for recording the surroundings of the motor vehicle; and at least one reproduction device disposed on an inner face of the roof for reproducing a virtual representation of at least the surroundings captured by the at least one sensor device at least approximately equal to at least one of a perception or a view of at least the surroundings through a sunroof or panoramic roof.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one sensor device or the at least one reproduction device is configured to be adjustable by the user.
3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the roof further comprises a roof box and that at least one of the at least one sensor device is disposed on the roof box.
4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reproduction device is arranged to extend at least on a roof liner forming an inner face of the roof.
5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least an upper region of at least a windscreen on at least one of its inner or outer face with at least one reproduction device is configured to at least one of reproduce a virtual representation of at least one section of the surroundings towards the interior of the motor vehicle, reproduce a virtual representation of at least one subregion of the interior towards at least one of the interior or the surroundings of the motor vehicle or reproduce at least one virtual representation of at least one item of information of a vehicle display instrument towards the interior of the motor vehicle or reproduce at least one virtual representation of at least one item of information towards the surroundings of the motor vehicle or at least partially dimming a transparency of the at least one upper region of at least the windscreen to form a sunscreen, wherein for controlling the preceding reproductions, at least one sensor signal of at least one sensor for recording a direction of incidence of the sunlight or of at least one sensor for recording at least one of a movement or gesture or viewing direction of at least one user of the motor vehicle, is used at least in the manner that the at least partial dimming of the transparency of the at least upper region of at least the windscreen is undertaken to form the sunscreen depending on the direction of incidence of the sunlight or that the optional reproduction of the virtual representation of the at least one section of the surroundings or of the at least one subregion of the interior is undertaken depending on at least one of the movement or gesture or viewing direction of the at least one user of the motor vehicle.
6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reproduction device further comprises a touch screen for controlling at least one of the reproduction of the virtual representation of the surroundings or further devices of an interior of the motor vehicle.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reproduction device further comprises at least two partial reproduction devices of which at least one front one is disposed at least predominantly in a front region of the roof and at least one rear one is disposed at least predominantly in a rear region of the roof.
8. The assembly according to claim 1, for a roof of a motor vehicle with a roof box which has a base element or a trough element or a trough-like base element, wherein the base element or trough element or trough-like base element has at least one recess between transverse pillars of the roof.
9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the base element or trough element or trough-like base element is configured with at least one damping element.
10. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the at least one reproduction device is disposed in the position of the sunroof or panoramic roof and at least partially in the region underneath the at least one recess of the base element or trough element or trough-like base element.
11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is an image-capture device for the pictorial recording of at least the surroundings of the motor vehicle.
12. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction device is an image reproduction device for reproducing a virtual pictorial representation of at least the surroundings of the motor vehicle.
13. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the least one reproduction device is disposed in a position of a sunroof or panoramic roof.
14. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the roof box is one of a foldable or integrable roof box, and that at least one of the at least one sensor device is disposed at or on a lid of the roof box.
15. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one reproduction device is arranged to extend at least one of at least approximately as far as a windscreen or front window of the motor vehicle or at least over a subregion of at least the windscreen.
16. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein a spatial position of at least one of the partial reproduction devices is adjustable or controllable.
17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein that the at least one rear partial reproduction device is foldable or rotatable.
18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein that the at least one rear partial reproduction device is capable of being folded down.
19. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the at least one damping element is at least one damping mat.
20. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the at least one damping element is disposed in the at least one recess.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] Exemplary embodiments and preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in detail hereinafter with reference to these drawings, wherein further advantageous details can be deduced from the figures and functionally the same, in particular identical elements in all the figures are provided with the same reference numbers and a repeated description of these elements is omitted. In the figures schematically:
[0048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the vehicle roof fitted with a plurality of preferably different-type sensors in a front view obliquely from above,
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a roof box, in particular of an integrated foldable roof box, configured with a plurality of preferably different-type sensors in a front view obliquely from above,
[0050] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from the vehicle interior with a view of the roof liner with virtual panoramic roof or sunroof from a right side of the vehicle in the direction of travel,
[0051] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from the vehicle interior with a view of the roof liner with virtual panoramic roof or sunroof from a right side of the vehicle in the direction of travel, where the rear part of the monitor is folded down,
[0052] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from the vehicle interior with a view of the roof liner with virtual panoramic roof or sunroof from a right side of the vehicle in the direction of travel, wherein the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof runs as far as the windscreen,
[0053] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a vehicle body with a base element of a foldable roof box having recesses between the transverse pillars,
[0054] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram for signal exchange,
[0055] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a roof box with an exemplary embodiment for an attachment of at least one microphone and at least one loudspeaker,
[0056] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle roof fitted with a windscreen which is configured in an upper region adjoining the vehicle roof, preferably on the inner and/or outer face thereof with at least one reproduction device, in particular image reproduction device, in another front view from obliquely above on the outside,
[0057] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the vehicle interior of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 with a view in the direction of travel onto the dashboard and the windscreen configured with at least one reproduction device, in particular image reproduction device and
[0058] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment for a roof box fitted with a height sensor according to the invention for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding exemplary embodiments.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle 100, preferably an automobile, with a vehicle roof 101 which is configured with a plurality of preferably different-type sensors 102. For example here the sensors 102 are arranged in three rows transversely to a longitudinal direction, i.e. direction of travel, of the motor vehicle 100. The sensors 102 are, for example image sensors (i.e. cameras), microphones, temperature sensors and others.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle 100, preferably an automobile having a vehicle roof 101 on which a roof box 103, in particular an integrated foldable roof box 103, is arranged. On the roof box 103, in particular on a lid of the roof box 103, the sensors 102 are arranged in the same manner as in the example according to FIG. 1 on the vehicle roof 101.
[0061] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a vehicle interior 104 of the motor vehicle 100 with a view of a roof liner 105 which lines an underside or inner side of the vehicle roof 101. Under the vehicle roof 101, i.e. inserted in the roof liner 105 and at least partially forming the roof liner 105 is a virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106. The virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106 in the assembly according to FIG. 3 extends over the front and rear seat of the motor vehicle 100, here an automobile. Here a region of the roof liner 105 which adjoins this in the direction of travel behind a windscreen or front window 108 is excluded from the extension of the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106. In this region for example, fold-down sun visors 111 and other operating elements 109 are provided. In addition, a face recognition sensor 118 is arranged for example here. This is used for recognition of the face of at least one of the users of the motor vehicle 100, in particular the driver or a passenger and is preferably for recognizing a tanning of the face, i.e. a complexion of the user, a gesture and/or facial expression e.g. for control of a rear mirror function as described hereinbefore and hereinafter or a position of the eyelids, e.g. for recognition of falling asleep preferably of the driver and for controlling a sleep prevention linked thereto, e.g. wake function and/or drive control, e.g. speed control.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the vehicle interior 104 of the motor vehicle 100 in the same viewing direction as in FIG. 3 from the right side of the motor vehicle 100 in the direction of travel onto the roof liner 105 in a modification of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Therein the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106 is divided into a front and a rear part; the rear part 107 of the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106 forming a monitor is shown folded down here. In the region of the roof liner 105 which adjoins this in the direction of travel behind the windscreen or front window 108 and which is excluded from the extension of the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106, apart from the further operating elements 109, movable sun visors 112 and reading lamps 122 are provided here for example. Advantageously instead of the sun visors 112 indicated here or in addition to these, air outlets 112 are provided through which fresh air can be supplied to the vehicle interior 104 of the motor vehicle 100 and instead of or in addition to the reading lamps 122, tanning lamps 122 can be provided which in particular serve as face tanners for driver and/or passenger and can preferably be controlled by the face recognition sensor 118. In addition, the further operating elements 109 are combined in a console mounted under the roof liner 105 which accommodates loudspeakers 120 of a so-called vehicle sound system.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the vehicle interior 104 of the motor vehicle 100 in the same viewing direction as in FIG. 3 from the right side of the motor vehicle 100 in the direction of travel onto the roof liner 105 in a modification of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Therein the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106 extends from behind as far as the windscreen 108, i.e. also beyond the region of the roof liner 105 designated in FIGS. 3 and 4, which adjoins this in the direction of travel behind the windscreen or front window 108. In this region which can be reached easily in particular by vehicle passengers on the front seats, preferably a driver of the motor vehicle 100, the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof 106 is configured with a region 110 delimited towards the rear by a border symbolized as a dotted line for example in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 100, which has a so-called touch screen function, i.e. is configured as a touch screen via which various devices, assemblies and functions of the motor vehicle 100 can be controlled. Optionally the virtual panoramic roof or sunroof can also be configured at least approximately along its entire extension as a touch screen. For example, spotlights and/or reading lamps 122 and movable sun visors 112 which can at least partially replace the previously described fold-down sun visors 111 are provided and can be operated via the touch screen 110. As a result of this design of the sun visors 112 and a substantially punctuate design of the spotlights and/or reading lamps 122, the region behind the windscreen 108 is kept free for the touch screen 110.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a vehicle body 113 of a motor vehicle 100, in particular of a vehicle roof 101 of the motor vehicle 100 or the vehicle body 113. Here the vehicle roof 101 at the same time forms a base element or trough element 114 of a roof box 103 which is integrated in the vehicle roof 101 and/or foldable, as indicated in FIG. 2. The vehicle roof 101 is formed with transverse pillars 116, here in particular with A, B, C and D transverse pillars 116. Between each two adjacent ones of the transverse pillars 116 the vehicle roof 101 is formed with recesses 115 by means of which a volume of the roof box 103 is expanded downwards, i.e. towards the roof liner 105 or towards the vehicle interior 104. The space, i.e. storage space of the roof box 103 can thus be better used. Preferably damping elements 121, in particular mat-shaped damping elements 121, are arranged in the recesses 115, i.e. inserted therein. These damping elements 121 are used both as sound damping and as cushioning or impact protection for items carried in the roof box.
[0065] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram for signal exchange between the sensors 102 of the roof box 103 or the vehicle roof 101, an on-board computer 117 as well as other sensors and/or reproduction devices, also designated as terminals and applications, in the vehicles interior 104. For example, a microphone 119 in the vehicle interior 104 is indicated for the further sensors. The sensors 102 of the roof box 103 or the vehicle roof 101 are connected to the on-board computer 117 via a first signal connection 123 for supplying sensor signals to the on-board computer 117. The on-board computer 117 is connected to further sensors 119 and/or reproduction devices in the vehicle interior 104 via a second signal connection 124 for supplying sensor signals of the further sensors 119 to the on-board computer 117 and/or for supplying reproduction signals from the on-board computer 117 to the reproduction devices in the vehicle interior 104. In the on-board computer 117 the sensor signals are converted into reproduction signals.
[0066] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a roof box 103 with an exemplary embodiment for an application of at least one microphone 119 and at least one loudspeaker 120, here however provided for a sound recording in a surroundings, preferably an immediate surroundings of the motor vehicle 100 or for an audio recording in the surroundings, preferably the immediate surroundings of the motor vehicle 100. Particularly preferably the at least one microphone 119 and/or the at least one loudspeaker 120 are arranged in a rear region of the roof box 103, in particular on its rear wall, and thus protected particularly well against in particular airflow and/or weather influences.
[0067] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle roof 101 fitted with a windscreen 108 which is configured in an upper region 130 adjoining the vehicle roof 101 with at least one reproduction device, in particular image reproduction device, in another front view obliquely upwards on the outside. In this example, the region 130 has at least one reproduction device, in particular image reproduction device, both on an inner face facing the vehicle interior 104 of the vehicle 100 and on an outer face of the windscreen 108 facing the surroundings. The region 130 is configured both with a sun visor function and also with display functions, wherein information can be reproduced both for the user, in particular the driver, towards the interior and also for other road users in the surroundings outwards. As an example, mention is made of a display of a navigation system or a reproduction of a reversing or rear mirror camera which here replaces an inner rear mirror of conventional design for a display in the vehicle interior 104. In this exemplary embodiment, conventional outer rear mirrors 131 are also provided but in a further development these can be replaced by a reproduction on the inner face of the windscreen 108 in the region 130. As an example for a reproduction on the outer face of the windscreen 108, possibly a taxi sign, a vignette, a parking disk or an emissions or pollution badge can be displayed in the region 130.
[0068] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the vehicle interior 104 of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 with a view in the direction of travel of the dashboard 132 with the steering wheel 133 and the windscreen 108 configured in the region 130 with at least one reproduction device, in particular image reproduction device. Preferably operating elements, in particular touch operating elements with a touch screen function 110, and/or sensors, e.g. a face recognition sensor 118 are disposed in a subregion 134 on the inner face of the windscreen 108 within the region 130. These sensors 118 are for example configured as cameras and adapted to record a movement and/or gesture, preferably a head movement, head position or viewing direction of the eyes, of the driver and control the image reproduction of the reversing or rear mirror camera according to this, in particular the size of this image reproduction.
[0069] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment for a roof box 103 fitted with a plurality of height sensors 135 according to the invention for a motor vehicle 100 according one of the preceding exemplary embodiments. The roof box is reproduced in the folded-out state. Three of the height sensors 135 are attached to the front edge of the lid of the roof box 103. Furthermore, a receiving housing 136 is attached at the rear edge of the lid of the roof box 103, i.e. at the highest point of the motor vehicle 100 fitted therewith. Apart from at least one of the height sensors 135, preferably recognition means for independent driving are disposed in the receiving housing 136, e.g. laser scanners, optical sensors of special design, ultrasound sensors, radar sensors or the like.
[0070] In a preferred example the height sensors 135 are configured in the manner of proximity sensors but can for example also be provided with one or more cameras. The height sensors 135 or the height sensors 135 detect an approach of the motor vehicle 100, in particular the lid of the roof box 103, to an obstacle which limits a travel section of the motor vehicle 100 in terms of height and for example gives a warning signal to the driver. More comprehensive information, e.g. camera images of the obstacle can also be produced and transmitted.
[0071] The vehicle roof 101 of a motor vehicle 100 can be fitted directly with height sensors 135 if no roof box 103 is mounted. If a roof box 103 is mounted subsequently, i.e. retrofitted, sensors arranged advantageously on the roof box 103, in particular height sensors 135, are connected to the on-board computer 117 additionally to or instead of the sensors on the vehicle roof 101.
REFERENCE LIST
[0072] 100 Motor vehicle
101 Vehicle roof
102 Sensors
[0073] 103 Roof box, in particular integrable and/or foldable
104 Vehicle interior
105 Roof liner
106 Virtual panoramic roof or sunroof
107 Folded-down part of the monitor/display
108 Windscreen
[0074] 109 Operating elements on the roof liner 105
110 Touch screen function
111 Fold-down sun visors
112 Movable sun visors and/or air outlets
113 Vehicle body
114 Base/trough element of roof box 103
115 Recesses
[0075] 116 Transverse pillars
117 On-board computer
118 Face recognition sensor on 105
119 Microphone
120 Loudspeaker
[0076] 121 Damping elements
122 Reading lamps and/or tanning lamps
123 First signal connection
124 Second signal connection
130 Region of 108 with sun visor and display function
131 Outside rear mirror of conventional design
132 Dashboard
[0077] 133 Steering wheel
134 Subregion of 130 on inner face f 108
135 Height sensor on lid of 103
136 Receiving housing for 135, aerials inter alia
