Device for combating motion sickness in a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for countering motion sickness in a vehicle. A device is configured to be arranged in a passenger cabin of a vehicle to provide visual information to a passenger such that the visual information and the vestibular information match and motion sickness is suppressed. Furthermore, at least a part of the device is configured to be movable within a predetermined limited range of movement corresponding to an acceleration of the vehicle, and the device is designed and configured to provide visual information to the passenger about a direction corresponding to the acceleration by moving said part of the device in said direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for combating motion sickness in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Motion sickness is a known symptom among vehicle passengers. A major aspect contributing to motion sickness is the discrepancy between visual information and the perceived motion (i.e., information from the vestibular system). For example, motion sickness can occur when viewing a monitor or reading a book in a vehicle because the monitor or book remains stationary relative to the visual system, while the vestibular system experiences motion. Therefore, motion sickness can be suppressed by looking at the horizon while the vehicle is in motion, thus aligning visual and vestibular information as closely as possible.

[0003] In one known vehicle interior, an entertainment system displaying video can be configured to move the displayed video image as the vehicle moves, thereby reducing the chance of motion sickness caused by watching video by generating visual motion corresponding to actual movement. In another known vehicle interior, passenger seats can be actuated to move with the vehicle. Therefore, both known vehicle interiors are configured to reduce the discrepancy between visual and vestibular information.

[0004] Another known system uses running lights along a line in the passenger compartment (e.g., along the edge of the roof) to inform passengers of actual movement. This system is designed to reduce motion sickness in visually enclosed environments where there is no visual information related to the vehicle's actual movement. For example, future autonomous vehicles may be equipped with such visually enclosed passenger compartments. It has been shown that such lighting can alleviate motion sickness, but only with a small number of passengers and only after a period of training. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a device for installation in a vehicle to reduce motion sickness, wherein no training is required for passengers.

[0006] In a first aspect, this objective is achieved in the device according to claim 1. The device according to the invention is configured to be arranged in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the device is configured to be movable within a predetermined limited range of movement corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle. Furthermore, the device is designed and configured to provide the passenger with visual information about the direction of the acceleration through the movement of said portion in the direction corresponding to the acceleration.

[0007] Moving at a constant speed in the same direction is perceived as stationary. Any acceleration is perceived as motion by the vestibular system. For example, a vehicle turning left corresponds to acceleration in the left direction. Therefore, it is essential to provide visual information about the vehicle's motion, where this visual information corresponds to the motion perceived by the vestibular system. The motion in the visual information should correspond to the vehicle's acceleration, where it is particularly important that the direction of the motion corresponds to the direction of the actual acceleration.

[0008] The device according to the invention is not intended to be continuously and actively observed by the passenger. The device is preferably visible anywhere within the passenger's field of vision, even though the passenger may actually be looking at another object. Therefore, the device according to the invention provides a visual reference within the field of vision. Of course, passengers prone to motion sickness may still look at the device to increase visual impact.

[0009] In embodiments of the device, the portion thereof is a decorative element. The movable portion of the device is visibly arranged in the passenger compartment and can be decorative to provide visually appealing linings, etc.

[0010] In an embodiment of this device, the movable portion is located on the roof of the passenger compartment. For optimal effect, the movable portion can preferably be relatively large and within the passengers' field of vision. The roof of the passenger compartment is likely a good location for arranging large movable components within the field of vision of most (if not all) passengers.

[0011] In one embodiment, the portion of the device is rotatably mounted in a substantially horizontal plane, thus rotating in the substantially horizontal plane as the vehicle rotates. The primary cause of motion sickness in land vehicles (such as automobiles) is turning left or right. Therefore, it is preferable to at least ensure that such turning is reflected in the corresponding movement of the movable portion. The movable portion can preferably rotate to accommodate the rotational movement during turning. An exemplary embodiment may be a disc-shaped portion. Furthermore, rotational movement reduces the amount of space required for a predetermined range of movement.

[0012] In one embodiment, the portion of the device is rotatably mounted in a substantially vertical plane, thereby rotating in the substantially vertical plane as the vehicle rotates. Such an embodiment is suitable for reflecting vehicle movement due to acceleration or differences in altitude, for example, when driving in mountainous terrain or while sailing. Of course, in certain embodiments, the portion can rotate in both a horizontal and a vertical plane. For example, the movable portion may be spherical.

[0013] In embodiments of the invention, the device includes a control unit, wherein the control unit includes a sensor for detecting acceleration and an actuator for moving said portion of the device in response to the detected acceleration. Specifically, a processing unit may be provided in the control unit to receive a sensor output indicating the actual acceleration of the vehicle. In response to the received sensor output, the processing unit may drive an actuator operatively coupled to a movable portion of the device. The actuator is configured to move the movable portion of the device, wherein the processing unit controls the actuator such that movement of the movable portion corresponds to the actual acceleration. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the processing unit may be omitted and the sensor output may be adapted to directly drive the actuator.

[0014] In another embodiment, the device includes a control unit, wherein the control unit includes a sensor for detecting acceleration, and wherein said portion of the device is a predetermined image that can be displayed on a surface in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the device includes a display device for displaying the predetermined image, and the control unit is configured to move the predetermined image in response to the detected acceleration. The predetermined image can be displayed on a display device such as an LCD or OLED display. Alternatively, the display device may include a projector for projecting the predetermined image onto a surface in the passenger compartment. For example, such a surface could be the surface of the passenger compartment roof, as described above, as a suitable surface.

[0015] In another embodiment, the device includes a support element, an elastic element, and the movable portion. The support element is fixedly mounted in the passenger compartment, and the elastic element is arranged between the support element and the movable portion. The movable portion is configured to move in response to the inertia caused by the acceleration of the movable portion, such that the movable portion moves with the actual acceleration of the vehicle. The elastic element is arranged to impede this relative movement between the movable portion and the support element, thereby limiting the range of movement. Due to the elasticity of the elastic element, when the acceleration stops, the movable portion returns to its initial position and orientation. More generally and preferably also applicable to the above embodiments, the magnitude of movement of the movable portion corresponds to the amount of acceleration, and the direction of movement corresponds to the direction of acceleration.

[0016] In another embodiment, the device also includes sensors for detecting conditions within the passenger compartment. Increasingly, systems with sensors for sensing various internal conditions (e.g., temperature, passenger presence, air quality, etc.) are provided inside vehicles. Such sensors can preferably be arranged in a single device. Therefore, in this embodiment of the device according to the invention, sensors including an acceleration sensor can be provided. For example, a single processing unit can be provided to receive the outputs of all sensors, control associated actuators, and / or communicate with other control units in the vehicle.

[0017] In one aspect, the present invention also provides a roof assembly for a vehicle, wherein the roof assembly includes a support frame that can be mounted on the vehicle body frame to form a roof of the vehicle's passenger compartment, wherein the roof assembly includes the aforementioned device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the roof assembly includes the device described above, wherein the device includes a control unit that includes a sensor for detecting acceleration, and wherein the portion of the device is a predetermined image that can be displayed on a surface in the passenger compartment, and the device includes a display device for displaying the predetermined image, the control unit being configured to move the predetermined image in response to the detected acceleration. In this embodiment of the roof assembly, a transparent panel forming at least a portion of the passenger compartment roof is provided, wherein the display device includes a projector device for projecting the predetermined image onto an inner surface of the transparent panel.

[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer program product comprising instructions for causing a processing unit of at least one of the aforementioned control units to perform a step of detecting acceleration and a step of moving said portion of the device corresponding to the detected acceleration.

[0020] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium carrying the above-described computer program product. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The further scope of the invention will become clear from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate embodiments of the invention, they are given for illustrative purposes only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description with reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1A A perspective view of the roof with an open roof assembly is shown;

[0023] Figure 1B It shows Figure 1A Exploded view of the open roof assembly;

[0024] Figure 2A A perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 2B It shows including according to Figure 2A A top view of the vehicle carrying the equipment;

[0026] Figures 3A-3B The diagram illustrates the following: Figure 2A Exemplary details of the first embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 A diagram illustrating a method of operating the apparatus according to the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 5 A perspective view of the interior of a vehicle including a second embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 6A A third embodiment of the device according to the present invention is illustrated;

[0030] Figures 6B-6D The diagram shows... Figure 6A The operation of the third embodiment; Detailed Implementation

[0031] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to identify the same or similar elements in several views.

[0032] Figure 1A The diagram shows a roof 1 with an open roof assembly disposed therein. This open roof assembly includes a movable panel 2a and a fixed panel 2b. The movable panel 2a is also referred to as a closing member because it is movable above a first roof opening 3a, thereby enabling the opening and closing of the first roof opening 3a. A vent 4 is disposed on the front side of the first roof opening 3a.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the movable panel 2a can be in a closed position, in which it is positioned above and closes the first roof opening 3a, and is therefore typically positioned within the plane of the vehicle roof 1. Alternatively, the movable panel 2a can be in an inclined position, in which its rear end RE is raised compared to the closed position, while its front end FE remains closed. Furthermore, the movable panel 2a can be in an open position, in which it is slid open and the first roof opening 3a is partially or completely exposed.

[0034] Note that the vehicle roof 1 shown corresponds to a passenger car. However, the invention is not limited to passenger cars. Any other type of vehicle that can be equipped with a movable panel is also conceivable.

[0035] Figure 1B The diagram illustrates the relationship between... Figure 1A The vehicle roof shown has the same panels 2a and 2b. Specifically, Figure 1A The open roof assembly in the open position is shown, while Figure 1B This is an exploded view of the open roof assembly in the closed position. Furthermore, in Figure 1BThis exploded view shows the presence of a second roof opening 3b. The first and second roof openings 3a and 3b are situated within the frame 5 of the open roof assembly, with a central beam 12 of the frame 5 between the openings 3a and 3b. An edge 5a of the frame 5 defines the first roof opening 3a.

[0036] The second roof opening 3b is arranged below the fixed panel 2b, allowing light to enter the vehicle's interior passenger compartment through the fixed panel 2b, assuming the fixed panel 2b is a glass panel or a similar transparent panel, for example, made of plastic or any other suitable material. The second roof opening 3b with a transparent or translucent fixed panel 2b is optional and may be omitted in another embodiment of the open roof assembly.

[0037] The air guide plate 4 is typically made of a flexible material, such as a woven or nonwoven fabric with perforations, mesh, or a mesh-like structure. The flexible material is supported by a support structure 4a (e.g., a rod-like or tubular structure), which is directly or indirectly hinged to the frame 5 at a hinge 4b.

[0038] The air deflector 4 is positioned in front of the first roof opening 3a and regulates airflow when the movable panel 2a is in the open position. In its raised position, the air deflector 4 reduces uncomfortable noise caused by airflow during driving. When the movable panel 2a is in the closed or tilted position, the air deflector 4 is pressed under the front end FE of the movable panel 2a.

[0039] Generally, when the movable panel 2a slides to the open position, the air guide plate 4 rises due to elasticity, and when the movable panel 2a slides back to its closed position, the air guide plate 4 is pushed downward by the movable panel 2a. Figure 1A In the image, the movable panel 2a is shown in the open position, and the air guide plate 4 is shown in the raised position. Figure 1B In the diagram, the movable panel 2a is shown in the closed position, and the air guide plate 4 is correspondingly shown in the depressed position.

[0040] Figure 1B The diagram further illustrates a drive assembly having a first guide component 6a, a second guide component 6b, a first drive cable 7, and a second drive cable 8. The first guide component 6a and the second guide component 6b are arranged on corresponding side ends SE of the movable panel 2a, and each of them may include a guide and a mechanism. The guide is coupled to the frame 5, and the mechanism includes a movable portion and is slidably movable within the guide. The first drive cable 7 and the second drive cable 8 are disposed between the mechanism of each guide component 6a, 6b and the electric motor 9.

[0041] Drive cables 7 and 8 couple the electric motor 9 to the mechanisms of the corresponding guide components 6a and 6b, so that these mechanisms begin to move when the electric motor 9 is operated. Specifically, the electric motor 9 moves the core of the drive cables 7 and 8 to push or pull the mechanisms of the respective guides 6a and 6b. Such drive components are well known in the art and will not be described further herein. Alternatively, any other suitable drive component may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the electric motor may be operably arranged between the respective guides and the mechanisms of the guide components 6a and 6b, and in such embodiments, the drive component may be completely omitted.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, guide components 6a, 6b can begin to move by raising the rear end RE of the movable panel 2a, thereby placing the movable panel 2a in a tilted position. Then, guide components 6a, 6b can slide from the tilted position to place the movable panel 2a in an open position. However, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, in another embodiment, the movable panel 2a can be moved to the tilted position by raising the rear end RE, and to the open position by first lowering the rear end RE and then sliding the movable panel 2a under the fixed panel 2b or any other structure or element disposed behind the rear end RE of the movable panel 2a. In another exemplary embodiment, the movable panel 2a may be movable only between a closed position and a tilted position, or only between a closed position and an open position.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the electric motor 9 is mounted at the recess 10 near or below the front end FE of the movable panel 2a. In another embodiment, the electric motor 9 can be positioned at any other suitable location or place. For example, the electric motor 9 can be arranged near or below the rear end RE of the movable panel 2a or below the fixed panel 2b.

[0044] Control module 11 is schematically illustrated and operatively coupled to electric motor 9. Control module 11 can be any type of processing module, either software-controlled or dedicated, such as an ASIC, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Control module 11 can be a standalone module, or it can be operatively connected to another control module, such as a multipurpose vehicle control module. In yet another embodiment, control module 11 can be embedded in or as part of such a multipurpose vehicle control module. Essentially, control module 11 can be implemented as any control module suitable for, capable of, and configured to perform operation of electric motor 9 and thus operation of the movable roof assembly.

[0045] Figure 2A Shown from the inside of the vehicle Figure 1A and Figure 1B An open roof assembly. This open roof assembly includes a device 20 arranged on a center beam 12. In this embodiment, the device 20 is elliptical and rotatably mounted on the center beam 12, such that the device 20 can be rotated clockwise to position 20a as indicated by arrows R1 and R2. Similarly, the device 20 can be rotated counterclockwise. Figure 2B As shown, the rotation and the resulting position correspond to the vehicle's direction of travel.

[0046] When the vehicle is traveling in a straight line on road 100 as shown by the first vehicle 110, the elliptical device 20 is oriented parallel to the center beam. When the vehicle turns as the second and third vehicles 111 and 112 respectively, the device 20 rotates relative to the center beam, thereby indicating to any occupants of the vehicle that the vehicle is turning.

[0047] The amount of rotation of device 20 corresponds to the turning radius of the vehicle. For example, the rotation angle of device 20 relative to the intermediate beam in the second vehicle 111 makes device 20 (in Figure 2B The device 20 (in the middle) may appear parallel to the first vehicle 110, but this is purely coincidental. A comparison between the second and third vehicles 111 and 112 clearly shows that the rotation angle of the device 20 relative to the middle beam remains consistent with the constant radius of the vehicle's turning.

[0048] More specifically, the rotation angle of device 20 is determined by the vehicle's acceleration, particularly by the acceleration in the vertical direction PD, which is perpendicular to the main straight direction of travel MD. The first vehicle 110 is traveling in the main straight direction MD and may or may not be accelerating or decelerating. The second and third vehicles 111 and 112 are turning and therefore have acceleration in the vertical direction PD. Thus, the total acceleration points in a direction deviating from the main direction of travel MD, and device 20, for example, adapts its rotation angle to the direction of the total acceleration. In another embodiment, device 20 may be designed and configured to reflect only the acceleration in the vertical direction PD; however, such an indication direction may not correspond to the natural sensation of the occupants.

[0049] Generally, device 20 provides occupants in the vehicle with a natural reference to the vehicle's actual direction of travel within the passenger compartment. Thus, visual and vestibular information regarding the direction of travel corresponds and can suppress motion sickness.

[0050] The illustrated embodiment of the rotating device 20 at the center beam of the open roof assembly is particularly suitable for suppressing motion sickness in rear-seat passengers because front-seat passengers do not have the device 20 in their field of vision when looking out the windshield from the front. Nevertheless, these front-seat passengers typically have sufficient natural reference from the outside landscape. In the future, autonomous vehicles may have limited landscape visibility, or front-seat passengers may be looking rearwards while in motion; in such cases, the illustrated embodiment of device 20 may also be sufficient to suppress motion sickness for front-seat passengers.

[0051] Of course, in another embodiment, the shape of the device can be different. It can be larger, occupying a larger area of ​​the roof of the interior passenger compartment, or there can be multiple devices arranged on the interior roof or in other locations within the passenger compartment's line of sight.

[0052] Furthermore, device 20 can be configured to respond to other orientations of the vehicle, such as orientation in the vertical plane. For example, the orientation of the device can correspond to the vehicle's tilt angle. For instance, when the vehicle is traveling uphill or downhill, the device can remain in a horizontal orientation, thereby displaying the vehicle's tilt angle relative to the horizon. Multiple angles and rotations can be displayed by a single device, or multiple devices can be installed in the vehicle, each displaying at least one orientation or direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, device 20 is arranged on the center beam 12 of the open roof assembly. In another embodiment, device 20 can be arranged on any other structure in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It can be arranged on the interior surface of the roof, with or without a transparent panel in the roof, or it can be arranged on the dashboard or any other surface or structure. When arranged on the roof, it can be located at the central portion of the roof or at any other location on the interior surface. In a particular exemplary embodiment, device 20 can be arranged such that it is flush with the interior surface of the roof, wherein the decorative appearance of the visible surface of device 20 provides visual information to passengers. Of course, in any other embodiment, such as Figure 2A In some embodiments, this decorative appearance may also be provided on the surface of the device 20.

[0054] Figure 3A The diagram shows... Figure 2A and Figure 2B A specific exemplary embodiment of the device 20 shown is described. The device 20 includes a base 24 and a cover 22. The base 24 is fixedly arranged on the intermediate beam 12 and forms a support element for the cover 22. The cover 22 forms a movable portion that is rotatably mounted on the base 24.

[0055] A set of springs 26a and 26b is provided as elastic elements. These springs 26a and 26b are mechanically coupled between the base 24 and the cover 22. These springs 26a and 26b are not essential to the function of the device 20. Advantageously, these springs 26a and 26b can be provided to compensate for friction between the cover 22 and the base 24. These springs 26a and 26b are arranged and biased such that, without any external force, the cover 22 is in its initial position, which corresponds to... Figure 3A The location shown.

[0056] The cover 22 can be designed such that its center of gravity is aligned with the center of rotation in the main direction of travel, thus ensuring that the cover 22 is in its initial position when the vehicle is traveling in the main direction of travel, i.e., when traveling straight. However, if the center of gravity is not aligned with the center of rotation, torque will be generated once the vehicle begins to turn during travel, and the cover 22 will rotate against the spring force of the set of springs 26a and 26b.

[0057] like Figure 3B As shown, the first spring 26a can be compressed due to rotation, while the second spring 26b can be extended. Preferably, the spring forces of this set of springs 26a and 26b are relatively low to minimize the reaction force to the inertial force generated by acceleration. On the other hand, the spring forces are preferably greater than the frictional forces in the device 20, so that once the inertial force is removed, the cover 22 rotates to the starting position.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that many other technical means of achieving and providing this return to the initial position are well known and can function equally well. Such technical means include various kinds of springs or other elastic elements. Other technical means may also be chosen to replace the elastic element. For example, the cover 22 may rotate upward against gravity along a helical guide on the base 24, such that if and once the inertial force is removed, gravity will pull the cover 22 back to the initial position.

[0059] Figure 4 Another embodiment of device 30 is illustrated, which, unlike embodiment 20 described above, does not rely on sensed mechanical force. Device 30 is based on electronic control. The illustrated device 30 includes a sensor 31, a control unit 32, an actuator 33, and a movable element 34 visible to the passenger.

[0060] In one embodiment, sensor 31 may be an acceleration sensor that detects actual acceleration. In another embodiment, sensor 31 may be a sensor that detects the orientation of one or more wheels of the vehicle or the orientation of the steering wheel. Any other sensor or combination of sensors may be used to detect the orientation or acceleration during vehicle movement in order to adjust the orientation of the movable element 34 accordingly.

[0061] The control unit 32 receives sensor output and determines the desired orientation of the movable element 34 based on such output and other data that may be received from another system or device, such that the orientation corresponds to the actual direction of travel of the vehicle, thereby matching the visual and vestibular information of any vehicle passengers.

[0062] The control unit 32 provides control information to the actuator 33, which in turn controls the movable element 34. For example, the actuator 34 could be a drive similar to... Figure 3A and Figure 3B The cover 22 shown is an electric motor for the cover. However, the term "actuator" can be interpreted broadly as a component configured and arranged to influence the orientation of a visible object, where such an object is not necessarily tangible. For example, Figure 5 and Figures 6A-6D The illustration shows an embodiment in which the movable element 34 is not tangible.

[0063] Figure 5 An embodiment of device 30 is illustrated, wherein the actuator is implemented as a projector 36. The projector 36 is configured to project a first image 361 onto a first panel 2a of the roof 1 and a second image 362 onto a second panel 2b. The first panel 2a and the second panel 2b may be as follows: Figure 1A and Figure 1B The projector 36 is part of the open roof assembly shown, or it could be any other suitable panel inside the vehicle. The projector 36 is arranged on the center beam 12, but it could of course be mounted in any other location within the vehicle suitable for projecting at least one image onto a surface inside the vehicle to provide visual information to passengers. Similarly, instead of the projector 36, an LCD or OLED display, or even a transparent display, could be used.

[0064] Note that the projected or displayed image is intended to be decorative and predetermined, although it may change over time. The projected image is not intended to include entertainment films or any other images or videos containing visual information that require passenger attention. Of course, the projector 36 can still be configured to project such films, etc., but according to the invention, the projector 36 should at least be configured to project predetermined images, such as predetermined patterns, that clearly provide visual information about the actual direction of travel of the vehicle without requiring the passenger's full attention.

[0065] Figure 6A Another embodiment is illustrated, in which a transparent panel 2 of, for example, an open roof assembly is provided with multiple light sources, such as LEDs 21 that direct light into the transparent panel 2 as light guiding media, and wherein a device is provided on the surface of the transparent panel 2 to couple incident light out of the transparent panel 2 and into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. This arrangement is known in the prior art and will not be described further herein.

[0066] exist Figure 6A In this embodiment, such as Figure 4 The actuator 33 shown may be a light intensity control unit configured to control the output light intensity of each LED 38, which generates a light output pattern that serves as a movable element 34. For example, see reference... Figure 6A and Figure 6B The first LED 38a can be controlled to output high light intensity and the second LED 38b can be controlled to output low intensity or can be turned off, thereby causing... Figure 6B The pattern shown. When the vehicle is turning, the light intensity distribution of LED38 can be controlled so that... Figure 6A The pattern shown appears to rotate as the vehicle turns, as... Figure 6C As shown in the middle (approximately 15° rotation) and 6D (approximately 45° rotation).

[0067] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the device according to the invention can be combined or integrated with any other device or unit in a vehicle. For example, sensors for monitoring interior conditions (e.g., the presence of passengers) can be provided in the device. Furthermore, the movable and visible elements can take any other form or shape to provide suitable visual information to passengers. For example, projected holographic 3D images can be adapted to provide detailed visual information in all relevant directions.

[0068] Detailed embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which may be implemented in various forms. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to apply the invention differently with any suitable detailed structure contemplated. In particular, features set forth and described in the individual dependent claims may be applied in combination, and thus any advantageous combinations of these claims are disclosed.

[0069] Furthermore, it is anticipated that structural elements can be generated by applying three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. Therefore, any reference to a structural element is intended to cover any computer-executable instructions that instruct a computer to generate such a structural element using 3D printing technology or similar computer-controlled manufacturing techniques. Additionally, any such reference to a structural element is also intended to include computer-readable media carrying such computer-executable instructions.

[0070] Furthermore, the terminology and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. As used herein, the term "a" or "an" is defined as one or more. As used herein, the term "a plurality" is defined as two or more. As used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "comprising" and / or "having" are defined as including (i.e., open language). As used herein, the term "coupled" is defined as a connection, but not necessarily a direct connection.

[0071] The invention described herein can obviously be varied in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A roof assembly for a vehicle, wherein the roof assembly includes a support frame capable of being mounted on a vehicle body frame to form a roof of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the roof assembly including devices configured to be disposed within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the devices is configured to be movable within a predetermined limited range of movement corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle, and wherein the devices are designed and configured to provide visual information about a direction to a passenger by moving the portion of the devices in a direction corresponding to the acceleration, wherein the devices include a support element, an elastic element, and a movable portion, wherein the support element is fixedly mounted in the passenger compartment and wherein the elastic element is disposed between the support element and the movable portion, the movable portion being configured to move in response to inertia caused by the acceleration of the movable portion, and the elastic element being disposed to impede relative movement between the movable portion and the support element.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device is a decorative element.

3. The component of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device is disposed on the top of the passenger compartment.

4. The component of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device is rotatably mounted in a substantially horizontal plane, thereby rotating in the substantially horizontal plane as the vehicle rotates.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device is rotatably mounted in a substantially vertical plane, thereby rotating in a substantially vertical plane as the vehicle rotates.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein the device includes sensors for detecting conditions in the passenger compartment.

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