Roof system and its control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a roof system and a control method thereof. The roof system includes an opening-closing module and a loading module. The opening-closing module is disposed on the roof of a vehicle, and the loading module is disposed on top of the opening-closing module. A locking mechanism is also disposed in the loading module. The opening-closing module slides in one direction or the opposite direction to open or close the roof. The loading module has a loading space separated from the interior space in the vehicle, and the opening-closing module is disposed between the interior space and the loading space. The locking mechanism supports the weight of the load during a locking operation and no longer supports the weight of the load during an unlocking operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof system through which an external delivery device (e.g., a drone) delivers a load to a roof carrier of a vehicle or picks up a load from the roof carrier, so that the load can be conveniently transferred between the external delivery device and the vehicle without the driver getting out of the vehicle or even without the vehicle stopping. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling the roof system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, autonomous vehicles have been developed. Autonomous vehicles provide convenience for drivers and a comfortable environment for long rides in vehicles, so autonomous vehicles are considered as mobile living spaces and efficient means of transportation. In addition, drones have been applied in a wide range of fields. Unmanned delivery systems using drones have been developed and have been deployed for testing.

[0003] However, no unmanned system for delivering to a vehicle using a drone has been proposed. The concept of delivering from a drone to a vehicle has not been introduced. Autonomous vehicles are becoming more and more popular and are being used. People will spend more time in autonomous vehicles that can be used as mobile living spaces and efficient means of transportation.

[0004] For this reason, there will be an increasing need to directly deliver an object to an autonomous vehicle. The technology of an unmanned delivery system for delivering from a drone to a vehicle will improve the utility of the vehicle. Possible connections between the vehicle and the outside world will create various new services. Therefore, an interface is needed to more easily transfer things to or from the outside when the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle is moving.

[0005] The above content is only intended to help understand the background of the present invention and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention falls within the scope of the prior art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a roof system and a method of controlling the roof system through which an external delivery device (e.g., a drone) delivers a load to a roof carrier of a vehicle, and through which the load can be delivered into an interior space of the vehicle, so that the load can be conveniently delivered into the vehicle without an occupant getting out of the vehicle to pick up the load, or the load can be delivered into the vehicle while the vehicle is moving.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a roof system, which may include: an opening-closing module disposed on the roof of a vehicle, the opening-closing module sliding in one direction or the opposite direction to open or close the roof; a loading module disposed on top of the opening-closing module, the loading module having a loading space separated from the interior space in the vehicle, the opening-closing module being disposed between the interior space and the loading space; and a locking mechanism disposed within the loading module, the locking mechanism supporting the weight of the load during a locking operation and no longer supporting the weight of the load during an unlocking operation.

[0008] The roof system may further include a controller configured to operate the opening-closing module and the locking mechanism in such a manner as to place a load in the loading module or transfer the load into the interior space in the vehicle. In the roof system, the opening-closing module may be a sunroof of the vehicle, and the loading module may be a roof carrier mounted on the roof of the vehicle. In addition, the opening-closing module may include a plurality of panels, and when the locking mechanism is opened, the panels on the first side may slide in an overlapping manner towards the panels on the second side to form an opening.

[0009] The roof system may further include a door disposed below the loading module, wherein when the opening-closing module is opened, the door may be opened, and the load within the internal space of the loading module may be transferred into the internal space in the vehicle through the opened opening-closing module and the door. In the roof system, the interior of the loading module may have a support plate, the support plate may slide within the loading module, and the load may be supported on the support plate within the loading module.

[0010] When the opening-closing module is opened, the support plate may slide and thus the load may be exposed towards the interior space in the vehicle, and when the locking mechanism unlocks the load, the load may be transferred into the interior space in the vehicle. The roof system may further include a cover disposed on top of the loading module, wherein when the cover is opened, the internal space within the loading module may be exposed upward.

[0011] In the roof system, when a delivery request from a drone is received, the controller may be configured to perform control to open the cover so that the drone can deliver a load into the internal space within the loading module. In the roof system, when the drone finishes delivering, the controller may be configured to perform control to close the cover. When the delivered load needs to be transferred within the vehicle, the controller may be configured to operate the opening-closing module to open it and operate the locking mechanism to unlock the delivered load, so as to transfer the delivered load into the internal space in the vehicle.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a roof system, which may include: sliding the opening-closing module to open; and unlocking the load by the locking mechanism and thus transferring the load from the loading module to the interior space in the vehicle. The method may further include identifying the position of the load within the loading module, wherein when sliding the opening-closing module to open, the panel of the opening-closing module may be slid to open, and the panel corresponds to the position where the load is located.

[0013] In this method, when unlocking the load by the locking mechanism and transferring the load from the loading module to the interior space in the vehicle, the load at a specific position may be unlocked. Additionally, when identifying the position of the load within the loading module, the change in the weight of the support plate of the loading module may be utilized to identify the position of the load.

[0014] With the roof system and the method of controlling the roof system according to the present invention, an external delivery device (e.g., a drone) delivers a load to the roof carrier of the vehicle, and the load may be transferred to the interior space in the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can conveniently receive the load from the outside without the occupants getting out of the vehicle to pick up the load, or receive the load from the outside while the vehicle is moving. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are given by way of example only hereinafter and thus do not limit the present invention, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 and Figure 2 each of which is a schematic diagram showing how the roof system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention transfers a load;

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the roof system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the method of controlling the roof system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, vessels including various boats and ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from non-fossil energy sources).

[0020] Although the exemplary embodiments are described as utilizing multiple units to perform the exemplary processes, it should be understood that the exemplary processes can also be performed by one or more modules. Further, it should be understood that the term "controller / control unit" refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor and is specifically programmed to perform the processes described herein. The memory is configured to store modules, and the processor is specifically configured to execute the modules to complete one or more processes described further below.

[0021] In addition, the control logic of the present invention can be implemented as a non-volatile computer-readable medium, which is a computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, a controller / control unit, etc. Examples of computer-readable media include (but are not limited to) ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed in network-connected computer systems so that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner (e.g., via a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN)).

[0022] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0023] Unless otherwise stated or apparent from the context, the term "about" as used herein is understood to be within the normal tolerance range in the art, e.g., within 2 standard deviations of the mean value. "About" can be understood to be within a range of 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise specified in the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term "about".

[0024] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a roof system of a vehicle may include an opening-closing module 100, a loading module 300, and a locking mechanism 500. Each component may be operated by an integrated controller within the vehicle. In particular, the opening-closing module 100 mounted on the roof of the vehicle may slide in a first direction or a second direction (opposite to the first direction) to open or close the roof of the vehicle. The loading module 300 disposed on top of the opening-closing module 100 has a loading space 30 separated from the interior space 10 in the vehicle, and the opening-closing module 100 is disposed between the interior space 10 and the loading space 30. The locking mechanism 500 disposed within the loading module 300 supports the weight of the load 50 during a locking operation and no longer supports the weight of the load 50 during an unlocking operation.

[0025] According to the present invention, a vehicle can transfer an object (e.g., a package, a load, or the like) to the outside or transfer an object from the outside. Therefore, the roof of the vehicle needs space to place the object therein. The load can be received through the roof of the vehicle and can be transferred to the interior space within the vehicle. This improves the utilization efficiency of the interior space. In particular, a drone carrying a load can place the load on the roof of the vehicle that is most suitable for delivering to the vehicle.

[0026] Specifically, a roof system according to the present invention may include an opening-closing module 100. The opening-closing module 100 may be disposed on the roof of the vehicle. The opening-closing module 100 may slide in a first direction or a second direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction) to open or close the roof. The sunroof of the vehicle may be used as the opening-closing module 100. The sunroof may include a plurality of panels. When closed, the sunroof serves as the roof of the vehicle. When opened, the sunroof provides an opening through which the load 50 is delivered.

[0027] In addition, the loading module 300 may be disposed on top of the opening / closing module 100 and have a loading space 30, and may be separated from the interior space 10 in the vehicle, with the opening / closing module 100 disposed between the interior space 10 and the loading space 30. The loading module 300 may be a roof carrier separately disposed on top of the vehicle roof or a roof carrier integrally combined with the vehicle roof. When the loading module 300 is separately disposed on the roof, a sunroof may be provided as the opening / closing module 100 for the vehicle, and the loading module 300 may include a door 360 disposed at its bottom. When the loading module 300 is integrally combined with the vehicle roof, only the opening / closing module 100 on the roof is required, and a separate door 360 may not be needed. In other words, in this case, only the opening / closing module 100 is opened, so that the interior space 10 in the vehicle and the loading space 30 in the loading module 300 can communicate directly with each other.

[0028] In addition, a locking mechanism 500 may be disposed within the loading module 300. When a locking operation is performed, the locking mechanism 500 supports the weight of the load 50. When an unlocking operation is performed, the locking mechanism no longer supports the weight of the load 50. In other words, when a locking operation is performed, the locking mechanism 500 supports the weight of the load 50 in such a manner that the load 50 remains within the loading space 30 in the loading module 300. When an unlocking operation is performed, the locking mechanism 500 no longer supports the weight of the load 50 in such a manner that the load 50 falls into the open space. Accordingly, the load 50 can be transferred into the interior space in the vehicle.

[0029] Then, the controller C may be configured to operate the opening / closing module 100 and the locking mechanism 500 to place the load 50 in the loading module 300 or transfer the load 50 into the interior space 10 in the vehicle. More specifically, the controller C may be configured to operate actuators M that respectively drive the opening / closing module 100 and the locking mechanism 500. The controller C may be configured to receive information from various other necessary sensors and operate the various actuators based on the received pieces of information. The controller C may be configured to perform overall control for receiving and transferring the load. A method of transmitting power through a wire or the like is applicable to the actuator M.

[0030] The controller C according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by a non-volatile memory (not shown) and a processor (not shown). Stored in the non-volatile memory are algorithms for performing operations of various components of the vehicle or pieces of data related to software commands for performing the algorithms. The processor may be configured to use the pieces of data stored in the non-volatile memory to perform the operations described below. The memory and the processor are implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single integrated chip. The processor may be a combination of two or more processors.

[0031] The opening - closing module 100 can be a sunroof of a vehicle, and the loading module 300 can be a roof carrier mounted on the sunroof of the vehicle. The opening - closing module 100 can include a plurality of panels, for example, panels 120 and 140. When the opening - closing module 100 is opened, the panel 120 on the first side can slide in an overlapping manner towards the panel 140 on the second side (for example, the side opposite to the first side), thereby forming an opening. The loading module 300 can include a door 360 provided at its bottom. When the opening - closing module 100 is opened, the door 360 can be opened. The load in the internal space of the loading module 300 can be transferred to the internal space in the vehicle through the opened door 360 and the opening - closing module 100. In this way, in a vehicle not equipped with the loading module 300, the opening - closing module 100 works as a general sunroof. In a vehicle equipped with the loading module 300, the opening - closing module 100, which is a sunroof, works as a path along which things are transferred.

[0032] The loading module 300 can include a support plate 340 inside. The support plate 340 can slide within the loading module 300. The load 50 can be supported on the support plate 340 within the loading module 300. Generally, the load 50 is stably placed on the support plate 340 within the loading module 300. The load 50 can be stably transferred to or from a drone.

[0033] When the opening - closing module 100 is opened, the support plate 340 can slide. Thus, the load 50 can be exposed towards the interior space 10 in the vehicle. When the locking mechanism 500 unlocks the load 50, the load 50 can be transferred to the interior space 10 in the vehicle. In other words, the load 50 can be substantially supported on the support plate 340, but can be supported on a separate locking mechanism 500. Therefore, although the support plate 340 slides, the locking mechanism 500 can ultimately support the load 50. Thus, when the support plate 340 slides, the load 50 can be prevented from immediately falling into the internal space of the vehicle.

[0034] The loading module 300 can include a cover 320 provided at its top. When the cover 320 is opened, the loading space 30 in the loading module 300 can be exposed upwards. Thus, in response to receiving a delivery request from a drone (not shown), the controller C can be configured to open the cover 320. Then, the drone can deliver the load 50 into the loading space 30 in the loading module 300. When the drone finishes the delivery, the controller C can be configured to close the cover 320. When the delivered load 50 needs to be transferred within the vehicle, the controller C can be configured to operate the opening - closing module 100 to open it and operate the locking mechanism 500 to unlock the delivered load 50, thereby transferring the delivered load 50 into the interior space 10 in the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each of which is a schematic diagram showing how a roof system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention transmits a load. Figure 3 Is a cross-sectional view showing a roof system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Although not shown, when approaching the vehicle, a drone carrying a load can communicate with the vehicle's controller C or an external server and can be configured to send a signal to the vehicle indicating that the load 50 will be transmitted. According to this signal, the vehicle's controller C can be configured to open the lid 320, and the drone can safely place the load 50 on the support plate 340 within the loading module 300. The locking mechanism 500 can be configured to lock the load 50 and close the lid 320. In this way, the load 50 can be placed within the loading module 300. Figure 1 Shows this state. The controller C can be configured to measure the weight of the support plate 340 to thereby detect the position where the load 50 is placed.

[0037] When the load 50 needs to be transferred to the interior space 10 in the vehicle, the controller C can be configured to first open the opening-closing module 100. Since the controller C has detected that the load 50 is placed on one side 120 (e.g., the first side) of the opening-closing module 100 rather than on its opposite side 140 (e.g., the second side), the controller C can be configured to operate such that the first side 120 slides towards the second side 140, thereby forming an opening. Similarly, the controller C can be configured to operate such that one side 362 (e.g., the first side) of the door 360 also slides towards its opposite side 364 (e.g., the second side). The controller C can be configured to operate such that the support plate 340 also slides in the opposite direction (e.g., the second direction). Thus, when the locking mechanism 500 locks the load 50, the load 50 can be supported on the locking mechanism 500, and at the same time, it can be exposed towards the interior space 10 in the vehicle located below the load 50.

[0038] In this state, as Figure 3 shown, when the controller C rotates the locking mechanism 500 and operates the locking mechanism to unlock the load 50, the load 50 is no longer supported and drops downward. Of course, a separate transfer mechanism can be provided in the interior space 10 of the vehicle, which safely receives the load 50 falling from above and conveys the received load 50 downward. In particular, it is possible to prevent the load 50 from injuring the occupants and to increase the convenience of the occupants.

[0039] Figure 4It is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a roof system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method described herein may be executed by an overall controller of the system. The method may include step S240 of sliding an opening-closing module to open, and step S300 of unlocking a load of a locking mechanism and transferring the load from a loading module to an interior space in a vehicle.

[0040] First, the controller may be configured to detect whether the weight of a support plate increases (step S100). Then, the controller may be configured to measure the weight and detect the position of a load within the loading module. In response to receiving a roof opening signal, the controller may be configured to detect the loading position of the load and slide a panel of the opening-closing module corresponding to the loading position of the load to open (steps S200 and S220). In particular, a part of the opening-closing module corresponding to the position where the load is located may slide to open (step S240). A door corresponding to the opening-closing module may be opened (step S260). The support plate may slide and the load may be exposed toward an interior space in the vehicle located below the load (step S280).

[0041] In step S300 of unlocking the load of the locking mechanism and transferring the load from the loading module to the interior space in the vehicle, the locking mechanism may be unlocked at a specific position to unlock the load (step S320). Thus, only the necessary load may be transferred to the interior space in the vehicle located below the necessary load. When the transfer of the load is completed, control for closing the roof of the vehicle may be executed (step S340).

[0042] With the roof system and the method of controlling the roof system according to the present invention, an external delivery device (e.g., a drone) may deliver a load to a roof carrier of a vehicle or pick up a load from the roof carrier of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle may conveniently receive a load from the outside or transfer the load to the outside without the occupant getting out of the vehicle or even without the vehicle stopping.

[0043] Specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the technical idea of the present invention claimed in the above claims.

Claims

1. A roof system, comprising: An open - close module disposed on the roof of a vehicle, the open - close module sliding in a first direction or a second direction to open or close the roof; A loading module disposed on top of the open - close module, the loading module having a loading space separated from the interior space in the vehicle, and the open - close module being disposed between the interior space and the loading space; A locking mechanism disposed within the loading module, the locking mechanism supporting the weight of a load during a locking operation and no longer supporting the weight of the load during an unlocking operation; And A controller configured to detect the position of a load within the loading module, operate the locking mechanism to unlock the load, and control the transfer of the load from the loading module into the interior space of the vehicle, wherein a portion of the open - close module corresponding to the position where the load is located slides to open.

2. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein The controller is further configured to operate the open - close module and the locking mechanism to place a load into the loading module or transfer the load into the interior space of the vehicle.

3. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein, The open - close module is a sunroof of the vehicle, and the loading module is a roof carrier mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

4. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein, The open - close module includes a plurality of panels, and when the locking mechanism is opened, the panels on the first side slide in an overlapping manner towards the panels on the second side to form an opening.

5. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein, The loading module includes a door disposed at its bottom, and when the open - close module is opened, the door is opened, and the load within the interior space of the loading module is transferred into the interior space of the vehicle through the opened open - close module and the door.

6. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein, The interior of the loading module has a support plate that slides within the loading module, and the load is supported on the support plate within the loading module.

7. The roof system according to claim 6, wherein, When the open - close module is opened, the support plate slides and the load is exposed towards the interior space within the vehicle. When the locking mechanism unlocks the load, the load is transferred into the interior space of the vehicle.

8. The roof system according to claim 1, wherein, The loading module includes a cover disposed on its top, and when the cover is opened, the interior space within the loading module is exposed upward.

9. The roof system according to claim 8, wherein, When receiving a delivery request from a drone, the controller is configured to open the cover so that the drone can deliver a load into the interior space of the loading module.

10. The roof system according to claim 9, wherein, When the drone finishes delivery, the controller is configured to close the cover. When the delivered load needs to be transferred within the vehicle, the controller is configured to open the open - close module and operate the locking mechanism to unlock the delivered load to transfer the delivered load into the interior space of the vehicle.

11. A method for controlling a roof system, comprising: An open - close module disposed on the roof of a vehicle, the open - close module sliding in a first direction or a second direction to open or close the roof; A loading module disposed on top of the open - close module, the loading module having a loading space separated from the interior space in the vehicle, and the open - close module being disposed between the interior space and the loading space; And A locking mechanism, which is provided in the loading module, supports the weight of the load during the locking operation and no longer supports the weight of the load during the unlocking operation. Slide the opening-closing module to open. Operate the locking mechanism to unlock the load and transfer the load from the loading module to the interior space in the vehicle. Detect the position of the load in the loading module. When sliding the opening-closing module to open, a part of the opening-closing module corresponding to the position where the load is located slides to open.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, When operating the locking mechanism to unlock the load and transfer the load from the loading module to the interior space in the vehicle, operate the locking mechanism to unlock the load at a specific position.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, When detecting the position of the load in the loading module, use the change in the weight of the support plate of the loading module to detect the position of the load.

Images