Roof module for forming a vehicle roof including adjustable cleaning nozzles

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof module for forming a vehicle roof (100) on a motor vehicle, the roof module comprising: a panel member (12), an outer surface of which at least partially forms a roof skin (14) of the vehicle roof (100) and serves as an outer sealing surface of the roof module (10); at least one environmental sensor (16) configured to be able to send and / or receive electromagnetic signals through a transmission area (20) to detect the vehicle environment around an optical axis (22) of the environmental sensor (16); and at least one cleaning nozzle (24) configured to be able to clean the transmission area (20). When viewed in the direction in which the optical axis of the environmental sensor (16) points, the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is arranged in an area of ​​the panel member (12) located in front of the transmission area (20), so that the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position by at least one drive movement unit (34).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Universal roof modules are widely used in vehicle manufacturing because they can be prefabricated as individual functional modules and delivered to the assembly line during vehicle assembly. On their outer surfaces, the roof module at least partially forms the roof skin of the vehicle roof, which prevents moisture and drafts from entering the vehicle interior. The roof skin is formed from a panel member made of a stable material, such as painted sheet metal or painted or dyed plastic. The roof module can be part of a rigid vehicle roof or an openable roof member.

[0003] Furthermore, the development of the automotive industry is increasingly focusing on autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. In order to enable a vehicle controller to automatically or semi-automatically control a motor vehicle, a plurality of environmental sensors (e.g., lidar sensors, radar sensors, (multiple) camera sensors, etc., including sensors of other (electronic) components) are used, which are integrated, for example, in a roof module and detect the environment around the motor vehicle and, for example, determine the current traffic situation from the detected environmental data. A roof module equipped with a plurality of environmental sensors is also referred to as a roof sensor module (RSM). To this end, the known environmental sensors send and / or receive suitable electromagnetic signals, such as laser beams or radar beams, thereby allowing a data model of the vehicle environment to be generated by evaluating the appropriate signals and used for controlling the vehicle.

[0004] Environmental sensors used to monitor and detect the vehicle's environment are typically mounted on the vehicle's roof, as this is typically the highest point on the vehicle and provides easy visibility of the vehicle's surroundings. Environmental sensors are typically placed as attachments on top of the roof module's panel members that form the roof skin; alternatively, they can be positioned within openings in the roof module and adjusted between retracted and deployed positions.

[0005] During use of the environmental sensor, ambient conditions (e.g., weather) can cause the (partially) transparent transmissive area of ​​the environmental sensor, which detects the vehicle's surroundings, to become dirty, i.e., opaque to the environmental sensor, due to environmental and weather conditions. To clean the transmissive area, it is known to use cleaning nozzles capable of cleaning the transmissive area. Similar to the nozzles of windshield wiper systems, known cleaning nozzles are typically statically positioned in an area of ​​the roof module or panel component that is located in front of the environmental sensor when viewed in the direction of its optical axis. Therefore, the cleaning nozzle is positioned within the field of view of the environmental sensor and typically protrudes beyond the roof panel.

[0006] However, this arrangement of the cleaning nozzles is disadvantageous for various reasons. Firstly, cleaning nozzles protruding from the roof panel often do not meet the aesthetic requirements of vehicle design and may, for example, be perceived as undesirable by customers. Secondly, placing the cleaning nozzles in front of the ambient sensors means that they are at least within the sensor's field of view. However, within this field of view, the protrusion of the cleaning nozzles creates blind spots where the ambient sensors cannot accurately detect the vehicle's surroundings due to the obscured field of view. Due to triangular optics, these blind spots increase with increasing distance from the ambient sensors, potentially creating "blind corners" in the ambient sensor's field of view, which should be avoided. Furthermore, the known arrangement of the cleaning nozzles can result in aerodynamically unfavorable noise behavior caused by the turbulence surrounding the protruding cleaning nozzles, which can be disturbing to vehicle passengers. When positioned in the known manner, the cleaning nozzles spray cleaning fluid at least upwind (i.e., against the direction of travel). In this position, their spraying, and therefore the cleaning effect, is negatively impacted by the presence of headwinds (particularly at higher driving speeds). Headwinds reduce cleaning efficiency because at least part of the cleaning fluid is blown away by the wind and can no longer strike the transmission area.

[0007] In automotive engineering, retractable and deployable cleaning nozzles for headlights and / or windshields, embedded in the vehicle bodywork in front of the area to be cleaned relative to the line of sight, are one approach to addressing this problem. These cleaning nozzles are hydraulically actuated, meaning they are moved by the inherent water pressure within the cleaning nozzle. However, this system also has disadvantages, as each cleaning nozzle requires its own hydraulic drive, which, for example, requires additional installation space. Furthermore, these hydraulic systems can only move in one predetermined direction, i.e., the hydraulic path of the cleaning nozzle, which limits the structural scope and design freedom for the placement of the cleaning nozzles. Similarly, the initiation of movement may be delayed by a time delay, defined as the time required to build pressure within the hydraulic drive system, which can be several seconds. Overall, these known drives for moving cleaning nozzles have several disadvantages that also need to be overcome. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is therefore to propose a roof module which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] This object is achieved by a top module according to the teaching of the invention.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the present invention.

[0011] The roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle according to the present invention comprises a panel member, the outer surface of which at least partially forms a top skin of the vehicle roof and serves as an outer sealing surface of the roof module. The roof module comprises at least one environmental sensor, which can send and / or receive electromagnetic signals via a transmission area for detecting the vehicle environment around the optical axis of the environmental sensor. In addition, the roof module comprises at least one cleaning nozzle, by means of which the transmission area can be cleaned. The roof module according to the present invention is characterized in that, viewed in the direction in which the optical axis of the environmental sensor points, the at least one cleaning nozzle is arranged in an area of ​​the panel member located in front of the transmission area, so that the at least one cleaning nozzle can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position by at least one drive movement unit.

[0012] The configuration of the roof module according to the present invention, and more precisely, the mobility of the at least one cleaning nozzle between a retracted position and an extended position, offers the following advantages: no cleaning nozzle is positioned within the field of view of the environmental sensor. Consequently, the at least one cleaning nozzle does not create a "blind spot" where the environmental sensor cannot detect the vehicle's surroundings due to obstruction by the cleaning nozzle. Instead, the environmental sensor can perceive the vehicle's surroundings undisturbed throughout its entire detection range. This increases the reliability and accuracy of the environmental sensor's detection.

[0013] Therefore, the top module according to the present invention preferably does not use a water pressure-based adjustment drive to adjust the cleaning nozzle, but instead uses a drive motion unit that is not based on water pressure but preferably operates in another mechanical, electric or, for example, oil pressure manner. As a result, the retraction and deployment capabilities of the cleaning nozzle are no longer linked to the system pressure of the cleaning nozzle, which means that the pressure level of at least one cleaning nozzle (or cleaning circuit) is lower than in the water pressure-based drive used in the prior art. As a result, a smaller pump (with a lower pressure level) can be used, which, for example, can save installation space and the required energy. Similarly, the use of a preferably mechanical or electric adjustment drive allows for shorter waiting times for the retraction and / or deployment of the at least one cleaning nozzle compared to a water pressure-based drive, since, for example, there is no delay due to pressure buildup in the case of an electric drive; instead, the adjustment energy can be provided immediately (for example, within a few milliseconds). As a result, the drive motion unit is independent of the fluid circuit of the cleaning fluid, which means that faster retraction and / or deployment can be ensured. The use of at least one drive motion unit allows for a high degree of design freedom in the design and dimensioning of the top module. This is because, in contrast to hydraulic drives, the drive motion unit can be positioned very flexibly within the top module and is independent of the flow direction along the hydraulic path. This allows for very flexible use of the available installation space.

[0014] Furthermore, the arrangement of the at least one cleaning nozzle according to the invention is advantageous from an aesthetic point of view, since no undesirable protrusions are formed on the top skin. On the contrary, the at least one cleaning nozzle is preferably completely retracted into the opening of the panel member when it is in the retracted position, i.e. flush with the outer surface of the top skin, and disappears from the appearance of the top module when it is in the retracted position. Furthermore, the arrangement of the at least one cleaning nozzle according to the invention has the advantage that the at least one cleaning nozzle does not cause any disturbing aerodynamic factors. As a result, preferably lower noise is emitted into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Furthermore, due to aerodynamic design aspects, the at least one cleaning nozzle according to the invention can ensure more effective cleaning of the transmission area, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0015] "At least one environmental sensor" means that the top module can include one or more environmental sensors. "At least one cleaning nozzle" means that the top module can include one or more cleaning nozzles. "At least one drive motion unit" means that the top module can include one or more drive motion units. Therefore, if there are multiple cleaning nozzles, multiple drive motion units can be used. For example, one drive motion unit can be used for a single cleaning nozzle or for multiple cleaning nozzles. This basically depends on the respective application and design. The field of view of the environmental sensor preferably extends symmetrically around the optical axis of the environmental sensor in the form of a cone with a sensor-specific cone opening angle.

[0016] Preferably, the roof module includes at least two cleaning nozzles, which are arranged in the same opening and spaced apart from each other, or are arranged in two separate openings in the panel component of the roof module and can be moved therein. For cleaning purposes, the roof module can also have one or more hose lines and / or a tank for cleaning fluid. Alternatively, the tank for cleaning fluid already present in the vehicle for cleaning the front and rear windows can also be used as a reservoir for the cleaning fluid. The deployed position does not necessarily have to be the fully deployed position. For example, if only a portion of the transmission area is to be cleaned (for example, if only part of it is dirty), at least one cleaning nozzle can, for example, only be moved to a less-than-fully deployed position.

[0017] The roof module according to the present invention can form a structural unit that integrates features for autonomous or semi-autonomous driving supported by driver assistance systems and can be placed as a unit on top of the vehicle body shell by the vehicle manufacturer. Furthermore, the roof module according to the present invention can be a purely fixed roof or a roof that includes a roof opening system. Furthermore, the roof module can be configured for use in passenger cars or utility vehicles. The roof module can preferably be configured as a structural unit in the form of a roof sensor module (RSM), in which environmental sensors are configured as a supplyable structural unit that is plugged into the roof frame of the vehicle body.

[0018] The environmental sensor of the roof module according to the present invention can be configured in various ways and can include, in particular, a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, an optical sensor, such as a camera, and / or the like. For example, a lidar sensor operates in the wavelength range of 905 nm or approximately 1550 nm. The roof skin material in the transmissive region should be transparent to the wavelength range used by the environmental sensor and should therefore be selected based on the wavelength used by the environmental sensor.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one cleaning nozzle is arranged in at least one housing, which includes at least one cover. Therefore, at least one cleaning nozzle is preferably arranged in a separate housing. At least one housing is preferably mounted on the frame structure of the top module and is movable thereon. If multiple cleaning nozzles are used, they can, for example, be arranged in a single housing while being spaced apart from each other, or be arranged in separate housings (for example, corresponding to the number of cleaning nozzles). The housing can be made of metal material or plastic and can at least partially surround the at least one cleaning nozzle. The housing has a portion that forms the cover of the housing. The cover can be mounted on the housing as a separate accessory, or can alternatively be connected to the housing as a whole.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, when the at least one cleaning nozzle is in the retracted position, the at least one cover portion is flush with the outer surface of the top skin of the vehicle roof, i.e., there is no protrusion. In the deployed position, the at least one cleaning nozzle preferably protrudes at least partially beyond the outer surface of the top skin of the vehicle roof, so that cleaning fluid can be discharged from the cleaning nozzle and sprayed onto the transmission area from the outside. Preferably, the at least one cleaning nozzle is oriented in the deployed position so that the cone of fluid hits the transmission area at an oblique angle. For example, if two cleaning nozzles are arranged on either side of the environmental sensor (i.e., to the right and left of the environmental sensor in the direction of the optical axis), then this embodiment is particularly preferred. In this case, each cleaning nozzle or at least one nozzle head of the cleaning nozzle can be positioned, for example, obliquely relative to the optical axis of the environmental sensor, so that at least parts of the two cones of fluid cleaning nozzles formed by the cleaning nozzles can overlap. This allows the cleaning effect to be increased at least in the overlapping area, which preferably covers almost the entire transmission area according to the cone opening angle.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one cover portion can close at least one opening in the panel member, in which the at least one cleaning nozzle is arranged and can be moved between the retracted position and the deployed position in a substantially precisely fitting manner. In other words, the at least one cleaning nozzle preferably comprises a cover, i.e. a cover portion, which is arranged on the at least one shell in a substantially precisely fitting manner and can close the opening in the top skin in the retracted state. The cover preferably has a shape that is substantially the same as the opening in the panel member (i.e., it only has a dimensional difference related to the tolerance). For example, the cover can prevent the at least one cleaning nozzle from being blocked or damaged by flying particles or the like. Therefore, a cover of this shape can accurately close the shell opening in a precisely fitting manner when the cleaning nozzle is retracted. In addition, the cover portion can have an aerodynamically optimized shape.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one housing comprises at least one opening through which the at least one cleaning nozzle can spray the conical cone of fluid generated for cleaning the transmission area onto the transmission area from the outside, preferably in a direction opposite to the direction of travel. The housing therefore does not completely enclose the at least one cleaning nozzle; instead, it has at least one opening, through which, for example, the nozzle head of the cleaning nozzle protrudes, so that the cleaning fluid can be discharged unhindered.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, at least one cleaning nozzle is positioned to the left and / or right of the environmental sensor, when viewed along its optical axis. In this embodiment, two cleaning nozzles are positioned in the panel member of the top module, spaced a distance apart on either side of the environmental sensor, preferably symmetrically about its optical axis. This configuration creates an ideal overlap region for the tapered fluid flow, as the fluid nozzles can be directed toward the transmissive area from both sides, preferably in mirror-image symmetry. Furthermore, if the transmissive area is large, one half of the transmissive area can be cleaned with one of the two cleaning nozzles, while the other half can be cleaned with the other cleaning nozzle.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, at least one cleaning nozzle is positioned below the transmissive area of ​​the environmental sensor in the housing (as viewed from the top cover). Thus, the cleaning nozzle is preferably positioned below the mounting height of the environmental sensor when viewed vertically. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to position the at least one cleaning nozzle at the height of the environmental sensor or at the mounting height where the optical axis of the environmental sensor extends, or above the latter. Therefore, depending on the mounting space of the environmental sensor and the configuration of the housing, the cleaning nozzle is preferably positioned on either side of the environmental sensor.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of at least one housing serves as a headwind spoiler, which, when at least one cleaning nozzle is in the deployed position, can deflect the headwind away from the transmission area. In other words, at least one housing of at least one cleaning nozzle is swiveled out, i.e., deployed, and at least partially forms a spoiler that deflects the headwind during cleaning. Therefore, the spray field or spray cone of at least one nozzle is less affected by the headwind and any prevailing ambient wind. The headwind and / or ambient wind are deflected by the spoiler, resulting in it no longer directly hitting the transmission area, but instead being directed to the sides and above the transmission area. Therefore, the wind has less influence on the spray cone, thereby achieving an improved cleaning effect. To this end, the housing, such as the cover and / or sidewalls of the housing, can be aerodynamically shaped and can, for example, have one or more curvatures, channels, air guide slots, and / or other shaped elements. The aerodynamic shape of the housing can be provided by one or more components that can be mounted on the housing. Alternatively, the aerodynamic shape can also be provided by a one-piece design of the housing.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one drive motion unit includes a driver configured to move the at least one cleaning nozzle from a retracted position to a deployed position at least along a movement axis and / or at least around a rotation axis. Thus, the housing can be moved by the drive motion unit. For example, depending on the kinematic design, the housing translates along one or more axes of motion. Alternatively or additionally, the housing can rotate or rotate around one or more axes of rotation during the retraction and / or deployment movement. The exact sequence of motions depends primarily on the position where the drive motion unit is placed relative to the housing of the cleaning nozzle and the type and size of the installation space for the at least one cleaning nozzle and the drive motion unit.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the drive comprises an electric motor, a Bowden cable and / or an oil pressure device. Other types of drives not explicitly mentioned here are also conceivable. For example, an (electric) linear drive can also be used to move at least one cleaning nozzle from a retracted position to an extended position. The Bowden cable is preferably a movable mechanical element, which is used to transmit mechanical movement and pressure and tension through a flexible combination of a cable and a sleeve that is resistant to pressure in its length direction. For example, the oil pressure device can be one or more hydraulic components, which are operated by a predetermined oil pressure. The advantage of the oil pressure device is that any pressure level can be selected, so the pressure build-up delay for starting the movement can be kept at a low level.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator can move along and / or around a drive axis. The drive axis is preferably oriented in a direction different from the axis of movement and / or the axis of rotation. Thus, the drive is not limited to a specific direction, as is the case with water pressure-based movement of the washer nozzle; instead, it is preferably freely selectable. Thus, the drive motion unit can cause the retraction and / or deployment movement to occur in a direction other than the direction in which the cleaning nozzle actually retracts and / or deploys (e.g., translation along the drive axis and / or rotation about the axis of rotation). For example, this allows the drive motion unit to be positioned laterally next to the cleaning nozzle (as viewed from the direction of the ambient sensor's optical axis), while the cleaning nozzle deploys vertically (away from the vehicle floor). By decoupling the direction of movement, design freedom is increased, allowing for optimal utilization of available installation space. To deflect the direction of movement, the drive motion unit can include a transmission, for example, with a gear drive. Other types of deflection (e.g., cables with pulleys, etc.) are also conceivable.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the drive motion unit includes at least one spring, by which the at least one cleaning nozzle can be returned from the deployed position to the retracted position by the restoring force of the at least one spring. Therefore, the at least one cleaning nozzle is preferably not returned from the deployed position to the retracted position by the drive motion unit. Instead, one or more springs are preloaded by the actuator during deployment, resulting in the at least one cleaning nozzle being able to be moved back to the retracted position after cleaning by the preloaded spring without having to operate the actuator again. The spring constant is selected to determine the retraction time, which decreases as the spring stiffness increases.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the drive motion unit includes at least one lever element, which is preferably supported on the frame structure of the top module by a fixed support, and the movement of the drive can be transmitted directly or indirectly to at least one cleaning nozzle through the fixed support. Alternatively or additionally (i.e. and / or), at least one lever element is connected to the drive of at least one cleaning nozzle in a force-transmitting manner through a floating support. For example, the force required to retract and / or expand at least one cleaning nozzle can also be transmitted from the drive to the cleaning nozzle via one or more lever elements. For example, such a lever element can serve only as a connection between the drive and the cleaning nozzle, or actually participate in the motion sequence of the retraction and / or expansion motion in a kinematic manner (e.g., by a deflection direction). The lever element can also be arranged on the housing as a suspension so that the housing rotates around the axis of rotation. In this case, the lever element is only indirectly connected to the drive.

[0031] Basically any type of environmental sensor can be installed in the top module. The use of lidar sensors and / or radar sensors and / or camera sensors and / or multi-camera sensors is particularly advantageous.

[0032] Of course, the above-mentioned embodiments and illustrative configurations can be realized not only individually but also in any combination with one another without departing from the scope of the invention.In addition, any and all embodiments and illustrative configurations of the roof module relate to a motor vehicle having such a roof module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawing and will be described below as an example.

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle roof having a roof module according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A schematic configuration of a top module according to the invention is shown in schematic and sectional views, respectively, wherein the cleaning nozzle is in a retracted position;

[0036] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A schematic configuration of a top module according to the invention is shown in schematic and sectional views, respectively, wherein the cleaning nozzles are in the deployed position;

[0037] Figure 4 A schematic configuration of a housing of a cleaning nozzle is shown in cross-section, wherein the cleaning nozzle is in a retracted position;

[0038] Figure 5 An illustrative configuration of a housing for a cleaning nozzle is shown in cross-section with the cleaning nozzle in a deployed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 A vehicle roof 100 of a vehicle (not shown in its entirety) is shown, comprising a roof module 10. The roof module 10 is preferably inserted as a structural unit into a roof frame 104 of the vehicle, i.e., is placed on top of at least two transverse beams 102 and at least two longitudinal beams 106 forming the roof frame 104. The roof module 10 in the exemplary configuration shown has a panoramic roof 108.

[0040] The roof module 10 includes a panel member 12 that forms a roof skin 14 of a vehicle roof 100. An environmental sensor 16 is disposed symmetrically relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis in the front region of the vehicle roof 100 or the roof module 10 (as viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x). The environmental sensor 16 is disposed directly behind a front cross member 102 that defines the head section of the vehicle's roof. The environmental sensor 16 is housed in a sensor housing 18, which is disposed (or mounted) on a frame structure 110 so that it can be retracted and deployed within an opening (not shown) in the roof skin 14 of the roof module 10. Alternatively, the environmental sensor 16 can be mounted on an outer surface of the roof skin 14 or on the panel member 12 having the sensor housing 18. The environmental sensor 16 is disposed within the interior of the sensor housing 18. The sensor housing 18 forms a dry area within which the environmental sensor 16 is disposed and sealed against moisture. In the present case, the environmental sensor 16 is a lidar sensor. However, other types of sensors, such as (multi-directional) cameras for (semi-)autonomous driving, may also be employed.

[0041] The ambient sensor 16, ie the sensor housing 18 of the ambient sensor 16, comprises a transmissive region 20 which can be made of, for example, a preferably shatterproof plastic or another (semi-)transparent material. The ambient sensor 16 is oriented along an optical axis 22. Figure 1 In the case of , the optical axis 22 is oriented parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction x.

[0042] The top module 10 further comprises at least one cleaning nozzle 24, through which the transmission area 20 can be cleaned. In this example, the top module 10 is provided with two cleaning nozzles 24 (see FIG. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B ), each cleaning nozzle is supplied with a cleaning fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) via a supply channel (not shown). When in the cleaning position, the cleaning nozzles 24 are preferably oriented at an angle relative to each other so that the transmissive area 20 can be cleaned from two different directions. For example, the cleaning fluid can be soapy water. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to use pressurized air or other pressurized gases for cleaning. When the cleaning fluid is discharged from the cleaning nozzles 24, corresponding cones of fluid 26 are generated, which impact the transmissive area 20 and clean it (see Figure 5 The tapered fluids 26 may preferably at least partially overlap in an overlapping region (not shown) of the transmissive region 20 .

[0043] In this example, the cleaning nozzle 24 is arranged in at least one housing 28. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 3A 、 Figure 3BIn the illustrated configuration, the two cleaning nozzles 24 are arranged in a common housing 28. Alternatively, the (currently two) cleaning nozzles 24 can also be arranged in separate housings 28. The housings 28 are movably mounted or supported on the frame structure 110 so that the cleaning nozzles 24 can be moved in a retracted position (see Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 4 )) and expanded position (see Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 5 ) between. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B , the cleaning nozzle 24 can be translated along the movement axis 30 between a retracted position (see FIG. 2 ) and an extended position (see FIG. 3 ). Figure 4 and 5 In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 24 can be moved in a retracted position about the rotation axis 32 (see Figure 4 ) and expanded position (see Figure 5 ) between rotational motions.

[0044] The movability between the retracted position and the deployed position is provided by the drive movement unit 34. The drive movement unit 34 moves the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 so that the at least one cover portion 36 of the shell 28 is flush with the outer surface of the top skin 14 when the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 is in the retracted position (see FIG. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B When the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 is in the deployed position, the at least one cover portion 36 at least partially protrudes beyond the outer surface of the top skin 14 of the vehicle roof 100, as in particular in Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 5 As shown. At least one opening 38 in the panel member 12 can be substantially precisely closed by means of at least one cover portion 36, in which opening at least one cleaning nozzle 24 is disposed and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Furthermore, the housing 28 includes at least one opening 40 through which, when the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 is in the deployed position, the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 can spray a conical cone of fluid generated during the cleaning process of the transmissive area 20 from the outside, preferably in a direction opposite to the direction of travel, onto the transmissive area 20.

[0045] When the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 is in the deployed position, at least a portion of the housing 28 acts as a (head) wind spoiler, by which head wind can be deflected away from the transmission area 20. This aerodynamic shape of the housing 28 is Figure 5Schematically shown in FIG. At least the cover portion 36 of the housing is configured to deflect headwind (and ambient wind) vertically so that it no longer strikes the transmissive area 20. This enables more efficient cleaning of the transmissive area 20, as the cleaning process is no longer affected by headwind or ambient wind that could, for example, blow away the cleaning fluid. Alternatively or additionally, for example, one or more sidewalls of the housing 28 can be shaped so that headwind (and ambient wind) can be directed past the sides of the transmissive area 20 (as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis).

[0046] The drive movement unit 34 comprises a drive 42, which is only schematically shown in the figure. For example, the drive 42 may comprise an electric motor, a Bowden cable and / or an oil pressure device. Other types of drives are also conceivable. For example, the drive 42 may be configured to move along a drive shaft 44 and / or around a drive shaft 44. In this example, the drive 42 is an electric motor, whose drive shaft 44 is a rotational axis. Preferably, the direction of the drive shaft 44 is different from the direction of the movement axis 30 and / or the rotational axis 32. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B In the case of , the direction of the drive shaft 44 is orthogonal to the moving axis 30. On the other hand, in Figure 4 and 5 In the embodiment, the drive shaft 44 coincides with the axis of rotation 32. For the deflection of the movement, the drive movement unit 34 can preferably have a transmission including a gear drive or the like.

[0047] exist Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B In this embodiment, the drive motion unit 34 further includes at least one spring 46 (in the present embodiment, two springs 46), by which the at least one cleaning nozzle 24 can be returned from the deployed position to the retracted position by the restoring force of the at least one spring 46. When the cleaning nozzle 24 is deployed, the driver 42 preloads the spring 46. Once the transmission area 20 is cleaned, the retaining force holding the cleaning nozzle 24 in the deployed position (e.g., provided by the self-action of the motor) can be released. After release, the cleaning nozzle can be moved back to the retracted position by the preload of the spring 46 without the need for additional drive energy.

[0048] In the exemplary configuration according to Figures 2 and 3, the drive movement unit 34 also includes at least one lever element 48. In this case, the drive movement unit 34 includes a first lever element 48 and a second lever element 50, which are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner at their ends via floating bearings. The first lever element 48 is connected at one end to the driver 42 so that the rotation of the driver 42 (i.e., the electric motor) around the drive shaft 44 is transmitted to the first lever element. Since the first lever element 48 is connected to the second lever element 50, the rotation is in turn transmitted to the second lever element 50. The second lever element 50 engages a bracket 52 (see FIG. 1 ) fixed to the housing portion of the housing 28. Figure 2A 、 Figure 3A The second lever element 50 is guided with play (i.e., at least in a translationally movable manner) in a support 52. Thus, a rotational movement of the first lever element 48 is transmitted via the second lever element 50 to the support 52, and the support 52 moves the housing part, to which it is fastened, along the axis of movement 30 (i.e., in translation), thereby deploying the cleaning nozzle 24.

[0049] Reference Signs List

[0050] 10 Top module

[0051] 12 Panel components

[0052] 14 Top skin

[0053] 16 Environmental Sensors

[0054] 18 Sensor housing

[0055] 20 Transmission area

[0056] 22 optical axis

[0057] 24 Cleaning nozzle

[0058] 26 Conical Fluid

[0059] 28 housing

[0060] 30 Moving axis

[0061] 32 Rotation axis

[0062] 34 drive motion unit

[0063] 36 cover

[0064] 38 Openings in panel members

[0065] 40 Opening in housing

[0066] 42 Driver

[0067] 44 drive shaft

[0068] 46 Spring

[0069] 48 First lever element

[0070] 50 Second lever element

[0071] 52 bracket

[0072] 100 Vehicle top

[0073] 102 beam

[0074] 104 top frame

[0075] 106 longitudinal beam

[0076] 108 Panoramic Roof

[0077] 110 frame structure

Claims

1. A roof module for forming a vehicle roof (100) on a motor vehicle, the roof module comprising: a panel member (12) whose outer surface at least partially forms a roof skin (14) of a vehicle roof (100) and serves as an outer sealing surface of the roof module (10); at least one environmental sensor (16) configured to be able to send and / or receive electromagnetic signals through a transmission area (20) to detect the vehicle environment around an optical axis (22) of the environmental sensor (16); and at least one cleaning nozzle (24) configured to be able to clean the transmission area (20), wherein, viewed in the direction in which the optical axis of the environmental sensor (16) points, the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is arranged in an area of ​​the panel member (12) located in front of the transmission area (20), so that the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position by at least one driving movement unit (34), The at least one drive movement unit (34) comprises a drive (42) configured to be able to move the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) at least along a movement axis (30) and / or at least around a rotation axis (32) from a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein the drive (42) is able to move along a drive shaft (44) and / or around a drive shaft (44), and the drive shaft (44) is oriented in a direction different from the direction of the movement axis (30) and / or the rotation axis (32), wherein the drive movement unit (34) comprises a first lever element (4 8) and a second lever element (50), wherein the first lever element (48) is supported on the frame structure (110) of the top module (10) via a fixed bearing, wherein the lever elements (48, 50) are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner at one of their ends via a floating bearing, wherein the movement of the drive (42) can be indirectly transmitted to at least one cleaning nozzle (24) via the first lever element (48) and the second lever element (50), wherein the second lever element (50) is engaged with a bracket (52) fixedly arranged on the housing part of the housing (28).

2. The top module according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is disposed in at least one housing (28), the housing (28) comprising at least one cover (36).

3. The top module according to claim 2, characterized in that When the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is in the retracted position, the at least one cover portion (36) is flush with the outer surface of the top skin (14) of the vehicle roof, and when the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is in the deployed position, the at least one cover portion (36) at least partially protrudes beyond the outer surface of the top skin (14) of the vehicle roof (100).

4. The top module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The at least one cover portion (36) is configured to close at least one opening (38) in the panel member (12) in a precise fit, the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) being disposed in the opening (38) and adjustable between a retracted position and a deployed position.

5. The top module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The at least one housing (28) includes at least one opening (40), and the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) can spray a conical fluid (26) generated when cleaning the transmission area (20) from the outside to the transmission area (20) through the opening (40).

6. The top module according to claim 5, characterized in that The at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is oriented such that when in its deployed position, the cone of fluid (26) impinges upon the transmissive area (20) at an oblique angle.

7. The top module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that At least a portion of the at least one housing (28) functions as an upwind spoiler configured to deflect upwind away from the transmission area (20) when the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is in a deployed state.

8. The top module according to claim 1, characterized in that The drive (42) includes an electric motor, a Bowden cable and / or an oil pressure device.

9. The top module according to claim 1, characterized in that The driving motion unit (34) comprises a transmission device with a gear drive.

10. The top module according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8 to 9, characterized in that The driving movement unit (34) includes at least one spring (46) configured to be able to return the at least one cleaning nozzle (24) from the deployed position to the retracted position by means of a restoring force of the at least one spring (46).

11. The top module according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8 to 9, characterized in that: The lever element is connected to the drive (42) and / or at least one cleaning nozzle (24) in a force-transmitting manner via a floating bearing.

12. The top module according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 8 to 9, characterized in that The at least one environmental sensor (16) is a lidar sensor and / or a radar sensor and / or a camera sensor and / or a multi-camera sensor.

13. The top module according to claim 5, characterized in that The at least one cleaning nozzle (24) is capable of spraying a conical fluid (26) toward the transmission area (20) in a direction opposite to the traveling direction.

14. A motor vehicle comprising a top module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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