Roof module with roof cladding and environmental sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof module for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger motor vehicle, the roof module comprising an outer roof covering and at least one sensor module (20), the outer roof covering forming the outer appearance surface of the roof module, the sensor module comprising a radar antenna and detecting the vehicle environment during autonomous or partially autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle. The invention provides a planar substrate on which a structured coating in the form of a film (32) is arranged, the film forming the radar antenna and being connected to a control and evaluation unit (36).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof module having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Background Art

[0002] Such roof modules are known in practice and can form a roof in a passenger motor vehicle, which roof is arranged as a separate structural unit on the vehicle body forming the white body. Such a roof module can be configured as a fixed roof with a roof outer covering that is continuously fixed to the body, or can also have a roof opening system that includes a cover element by means of which the roof opening can be selectively closed or opened. The roof module can be provided with a sensor module that enables autonomous or partially autonomous driving of the associated vehicle using driver assistance systems. A sensor module having environmental sensors for monitoring and detecting the vehicle's surroundings, such as radar sensors, is fixed to the roof because this sensor module is usually the highest elevation of the associated vehicle, from which the vehicle's surroundings can be well seen. However, the environmental sensors arranged on the roof have an adverse effect on the appearance of the roof module. In particular, the roof formed by the environmental sensors also does not meet the high requirements regarding aerodynamics, which is also reflected in the energy consumption of the associated vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a roof module including a sensor module in which a radar antenna is integrated such that the roof module meets high requirements in terms of visual appearance and aerodynamics.

[0004] According to the present invention, this object is solved by a roof module having the features of claim 1.

[0005] Therefore, the subject of the present invention is a roof module for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger vehicle, which comprises a roof outer covering and at least one sensor module with an environmental sensor, the environmental sensor comprising a radar antenna. The radar antenna is applied to the planar substrate of the roof module in the form of a film and a structured, conductive coating is formed on the planar substrate. The film, in particular the laser structured film, which forms the radar antenna, is connected to a control and evaluation unit for evaluating or controlling the signals received or emitted by it. The planar substrate that is available in the roof module can be used as a carrier for the radar antenna. Therefore, no modification is required in terms of shape for the integration of the radar antenna in the roof module. More precisely, the existing shape can be used, wherein the radar antenna is also integrated into the roof module as a component of the environmental sensor at the same time. In addition to the radar sensor with the radar antenna, the roof module according to the present invention can also be provided with other environmental sensors or with a sensor module with an environmental sensor. These environmental sensors can be constructed in a variety of ways and include, for example, laser radar sensors, optical sensors (such as cameras), etc.

[0006] In principle, the planar substrate on which the radar antenna is arranged can be formed from plastic or also from glass. For example, the planar substrate is composed of a polycarbonate material or PMMA.

[0007] The invention provides a sensor roof or a roof sensor module (RSM) which enables autonomous or partially autonomous driving of the vehicle in question. In the autonomous driving mode, the vehicle in question drives autonomously at least without significant intervention by the driver. In the partially autonomous driving mode, the roof module according to the invention is, for example, part of a driver assistance system.

[0008] A roof module designed in accordance with the invention is integrated as a vehicle roof in which the components required for autonomous or partially autonomous driving of the vehicle in question are accommodated. The roof module with integrated functional elements can be connected as a compact structural unit to a vehicle body or a vehicle body structure by the vehicle manufacturer to form a vehicle roof.

[0009] Furthermore, the roof module according to the invention can be used in particular in passenger vehicles. However, it can also form the roof or be part of the roof in commercial vehicles, such as trucks or truck tractors.

[0010] As mentioned above, the substrate which is presented as a carrier for the radar antenna or for forming a film of the radar antenna can be formed by different regions or elements of the roof module. For example, the substrate is formed by the roof outer covering, which can also be the housing of the sensor module.

[0011] In a special embodiment of the roof module according to the invention, the substrate is formed by a transparent area, behind which additional environmental sensors are arranged. The transparent area, which can be part of the roof cladding, must be transparent for the wavelengths used by the environmental sensors. In the case of so-called lidar sensors, the wavelengths used are preferably 905 nm or even approximately 1550 nm. If the environmental sensor is a camera, the wavelength range used can be in the visible light range and / or in the infrared range. In particular, the transparent area is designed such that signals in the wavelength range between 300 nm and 2000 nm can pass through. In particular, when a radar antenna formed by a thin film and the planar substrate on which the radar antenna is arranged are located behind the transparent area or the transparent area bears the radar antenna on its inner side, the penetration of radar radiation should also be ensured.

[0012] For safety reasons, it is advantageous to integrate a signal lamp assembly in the roof module according to the invention, which signal lamp assembly indicates the driving mode of the relevant vehicle, that is to say, which signal lamp assembly indicates the activation state of the sensor module, so that it can be recognized by the vehicle surroundings whether the relevant vehicle is in the autonomous driving mode. Such a signal lamp assembly is often referred to as an ADS (Autonomous Drive Signal) lamp. In a special embodiment of the roof module according to the invention, the substrate of the roof module according to the invention is part of the signal lamp assembly, and a radar antenna is arranged on the substrate.

[0013] For example, the signal lamp assembly includes a transparent cover forming a window element, through which the signal lamp can be recognized and which forms a substrate for the radar antenna.

[0014] In order to minimize the risk of damage to the radar antenna, the structured coating forming the radar antenna is arranged on the side of the transparent cover facing the light source of the signal lamp assembly (i.e., away from the vehicle surroundings). Thus, the transparent cover that can be formed by the roof cladding or the window element formed by the transparent cover forms a planar substrate in this case.

[0015] In another special embodiment of the roof module according to the invention, the light source of the signal lamp assembly forms a planar substrate for the structured coating. In this case, the light source is formed, for example, by an LED area.

[0016] In another alternative embodiment of the roof module according to the invention, the substrate is formed by a planar light guide element of the signal lamp assembly. The light emitted by the light source is coupled into the planar light guide element when the signal lamp assembly is activated, and the planar light guide element then emits light in the direction of the vehicle surroundings.

[0017] It is also conceivable that the planar substrate provided with the radar antenna is formed by the planar diffusing element of the signal lamp assembly.

[0018] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the substrate is formed by an optical component (such as a lens, a scattering element, etc.), and the optical component is a component of the signal lamp assembly.

[0019] The subject matter of the present invention also includes a motor vehicle comprising a roof module of the aforementioned type.

[0020] Other advantages and advantageous configurations of the subject matter of the present invention can be derived from the description, the drawings and the claims. Description of the Drawings

[0021] An embodiment of the roof module according to the present invention is schematically and simplifiedly shown in the drawings and will be elaborated in detail in the following description. The present invention shows:

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective top view of a roof having a roof module according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 With a radar antenna according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module;

[0024] Figure 3 Figure 1 A cross-section of a second embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown;

[0025] Figure 4 Figure 1 A cross-section of a third embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown;

[0026] Figure 5 Figure 1 A cross-section of a fourth embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown;

[0027] Figure 6 Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown;

[0028] Figure 7 Figure 1 A cross-section of a sixth embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown;

[0029] Figure 8 Figure 1 A cross-section of a seventh embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown;

[0030] Figure 9 Figure 1 A cross-section of an eighth embodiment of the signal lamp assembly of the roof module of the type shown; and

[0031] Figure 10 Figure 1 Schematic perspective view of the sensor module of a roof module of the type shown. Detailed description

[0032] Figure 1 The roof 10 of a motor vehicle configured as a passenger motor vehicle is shown, which has a roof module 12 that is arranged on the body-in-white 14. The roof module 12 is configured as a fixed roof and includes an outer roof covering having a roof transparent area 16 that is surrounded by a non-transparent area 18, which also forms a roof sunshade that extends up to the front edge and the rear edge of the roof module 12.

[0033] The non-transparent area 18 forms a covering for the sensor modules 20A, 20B, and 22 in the edge area on the vehicle head side of the roof module 12, wherein the sensor modules 20A and 20B each include a lidar sensor as an environmental sensor, and the sensor module 22 includes a camera as an environmental sensor that operates in the visible light wavelength range and in the infrared range. For the sensor modules 20A, 20B, and 22, the non-transparent area 18 configured as a plastic sunshade respectively forms a sensor transparent area that is at least transparent for the respective wavelengths used.

[0034] A signal lamp assembly 24A or 24B is respectively arranged between the sensor module 20A and the sensor module 22 and between the sensor module 20B and the sensor module 22, which can display the operating mode of the relevant vehicle for the vehicle surroundings and is configured as so-called ADS light.

[0035] On the vehicle tail side of the roof transparent area 16, the roof module 12 includes another signal lamp assembly 26 in its edge area on the vehicle tail side in addition to another sensor module for detecting the vehicle surroundings, and this signal lamp assembly displays the driving mode of the relevant vehicle.

[0036] Therefore, the roof module 12 is a sensor roof module or roof sensor module (RSM) that is equipped with devices that enable autonomous driving of the relevant motor vehicle.

[0037] In the area of the signal lamp assemblies 24A and 24B on the vehicle head side, the roof module 12 as seen from Figure 2As can be seen in [[REF]], it includes a window element 28 respectively, which is received by the roof cladding forming the non-transparent area 18 or formed by the roof cladding itself. Behind the window element 28, an LED area 30 is arranged, which is composed of a plurality of LEDs and is a so-called LED array. On the LED area 30, a structured coating in the form of a conductive thin film 32 is arranged. Therefore, the LED area 30 forms a substrate for the thin film 32. The thin film 32 is a radar antenna, which is connected to the evaluation and control unit 36 shown schematically by signal and control lines 34.

[0038] A radar antenna of the above type can also be constructed in the area of the rear signal lamp assembly of the vehicle.

[0039] In [[REF]] Figure 3 the above-mentioned type of signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which includes a light guide element 38 formed of a polymer, such as polycarbonate or PMMA, behind the transparent window element 28, and the light guide element is provided with a light source 40 at the edge. On the side facing away from the window element 28, the light guide element 38 is provided with a coating 42, which is configured as a reflector or a scattering element and is used to couple the light that has been coupled into the light guide element 38 from the light source 40 out of the light guide element 38 in the direction of the vehicle's surroundings corresponding to the light emission path 44.

[0040] The light guide element 38 may also include a coupling output element, which has a diffused structure, is a microstructured surface of the light guide element itself, is a microstructured coating, or is an imprint of the light guide element.

[0041] On the side facing the window element 28, the light guide element 38 is provided with a structured coating, which is formed by the conductive thin film 32 and is a radar antenna. The thin film 32 is connected to the evaluation and control unit 36. According to the arrow 46 shown by the dotted line, radar signals can be emitted and received by means of the thin film 32 forming the radar antenna. The thin film 32 is transparent to the light coupled out of the light guide element 38 along the light emission path 44.

[0042] In [[REF]] Figure 4 the signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which forms another alternative embodiment and is different from the embodiment according to [[REF]] Figure 3 in that the light guide element 38 does not have a reflector coating on the side facing away from the window element 28. Instead, an LED area 30 is arranged on the side of the light guide element 38 facing away from the window element 28. When activated, the light of the LED area is coupled into the light guide element 38 and scattered surface-wise and diffusely through the light guide element 38, and is emitted through the thin film 32 and the window element 28 corresponding to the light emission path 44.

[0043] In the rest, according to [[REF]] Figure 4The signal lamp assembly corresponding to according to Figure 3 of the signal lamp assembly, so reference is made to the description related thereto.

[0044] In Figure 5 Another embodiment of the signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which is different from the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 4 in that on the side of the light guide element 38 facing away from the window element 28, instead of arranging the LED area, a reflector optical device 48 is arranged, which emits the light emitted by the light source 40 in the direction of the light guide element 38 and the window element 28.

[0045] In the rest, the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 5 corresponds to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 4 of the signal lamp assembly.

[0046] In Figure 6 a signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which largely corresponds to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 2 but is different from the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 2 in that it has a window element 28, on the inner side of which, i.e., on the side facing the LED area 30, a thin film 30 is carried, and the thin film is constructed as a structured metal coating of the window element 28 and forms a radar antenna, and the radar antenna is a component of an environmental sensor configured as a radar sensor.

[0047] The thin film 30 is connected to the evaluation and control unit 36 for this purpose. In the rest, the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 6 corresponds to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 2 of the signal lamp assembly.

[0048] In Figure 7 a signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which is basically corresponding to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 3 but is different from the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 3 in that the window element 28 carries a thin film 32 on the side facing the planar light guide element 38, and the thin film is constructed as a structured metal coating and is a radar antenna. The thin film 32 is connected to the evaluation and control unit.

[0049] In the rest, the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 7 corresponds to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 3 of the signal lamp assembly.

[0050] In Figure 8 a signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which is basically corresponding to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 4 but is different from the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 4The signal lamp assembly differs in that it has a structured thin film 32, which is arranged on the inner side of the window element 28 and forms the radar antenna of the radar sensor, and the radar antenna is connected to the evaluation and control unit and the scattering unit. The light guide element 38 does not carry a thin film.

[0051] In the remainder, the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 8 corresponds to the signal lamp assembly according to Figure 4 the signal lamp assembly.

[0052] In Figure 9 a signal lamp assembly 24 is shown, which has a window element 28, which is arranged in front of a reflector optical device 48, which is provided with a light source 40. The window element 28 carries a metallic, conductive thin film 32 on its inner side, which is a structured coating of the window element 28 presented as a planar substrate and forms the radar antenna. The thin film 32 is connected to the evaluation and control unit 36 and is thus part of an environmental sensor or part of a sensor module with an environmental sensor.

[0053] In Figure 10 a sensor module 20 is shown, which includes an environmental sensor 50, which includes a lidar sensor and / or a camera system, which operates in the visible light wavelength range and in the infrared range. The sensor module 20 includes a window element 28 as a cover, which is transparent for the wavelength range used by the environmental sensor 50.

[0054] In Figure 10 the window element 28 of the sensor module 20 shown in

[0055] carries a metallic thin film 32 on its inner side, which is constructed as a structured coating and is the radar antenna of a radar sensor, which is a further environmental sensor of the relevant roof module.

[0056] The planar substrate for the radar antenna can be made of inorganic or organic glass or can also be made of inorganic or organic polymers, for example made of polycarbonate or PMMA.

[0057] The manufacture of each radar antenna or the film forming the radar antenna can be achieved by laser structuring of a coating on a substrate.

[0058] In the roof module according to the invention, a radar sensor can be combined with other sensors and / or other optical elements to provide a dual function. The radar antenna can be applied directly to the transparent substrate made of glass or plastic of the roof module. In addition, the radar antenna formed by the film basically does not require additional structural space because the components that always exist are used as the substrate. Arranging the radar antenna on the roof module enables the assigned sensor to see the surroundings unobstructed.

[0059] List of reference numerals

[0060] 10 Roof

[0061] 12 Roof module

[0062] 14F Body-in-white

[0063] 16 Roof see-through area

[0064] 18 Non-see-through area

[0065] 20, 20A, 20B Sensor module

[0066] 22 Sensor module

[0067] 24, 24A, 24B Signal lamp assembly

[0068] 26 Signal lamp assembly

[0069] 28 Window element

[0070] 30 LED area

[0071] 32 Film

[0072] 34 Signal and control line

[0073] 36 Evaluation and control unit

[0074] 38 Light guide element

[0075] 40 Light source

[0076] 42 Coating

[0077] 44 Light emission path

[0078] 46 Radar signal

[0079] 48 Reflector optics

[0080] 50 Environment sensor

Claims

1. A roof module for a motor vehicle, the roof module comprising an outer roof covering and at least one sensor module (20), the outer roof covering forming the outer appearance surface of the roof module, the sensor module comprising a radar antenna and detecting the vehicle environment during autonomous or partially autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle. Characterized in that a planar substrate, on which a structured coating in the form of a thin film (32) is arranged, the thin film forming the radar antenna and being connected to a control and evaluation unit (36).

2. The roof module according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is formed by the outer roof covering.

3. The roof module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the substrate is formed by a transparent area for an environmental sensor (50).

4. The roof module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the substrate is part of a signal lamp assembly (24, 24A, 24B) which indicates the driving mode of the associated vehicle.

5. The roof module according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal lamp assembly (24, 24A, 24B) comprises a transparent cover which forms the substrate.

6. The roof module according to claim 5, characterized in that the thin film (32) forming the radar antenna is arranged on the side of the transparent cover facing the light source (40) of the signal lamp assembly (24).

7. The roof module according to claim 4, characterized in that the light source of the signal lamp assembly (24) forms the substrate.

8. The roof module according to claim 4, characterized in that the substrate is formed by a planar light guide element (38) of the signal lamp assembly (24).

9. The roof module according to claim 4, characterized in that the substrate is formed by a planar diffusing element of the signal lamp assembly (24).

10. The roof module according to claim 4, characterized in that the substrate is formed by an optical component of the signal lamp assembly (24).

11. The roof module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle.

12. A motor vehicle comprising the roof module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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