Sensor assembly having adjustable sensor unit, roof having such sensor assembly, and motor vehicle having such sensor assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor assembly for a motor vehicle, in particular for a roof, comprising a vehicle housing which forms the outer side of the vehicle and which has a sensor opening; the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle housing, at least one sensor unit and a cleaning device with a nozzle assembly, the sensor unit comprising a support structure and an environmental sensor with a sensor perspective region, the sensor unit being adjustable relative to the vehicle housing between a rest position and an operating position, in which the environmental sensor is moved out via a sensor opening, and in which the environmental sensor is moved out via a nozzle opening. The sensor assembly comprises a sensor see-through region and a nozzle assembly, the sensor see-through region is arranged on the outside of the vehicle, and the nozzle assembly can be adjusted between a moved-in zero position and a moved-out cleaning position, in which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the sensor see-through region of the environmental sensor, and the sensor assembly further comprises a coupling device, in which the cleaning fluid can be coupled to the sensor see-through region. The coupling device converts an adjusting movement of the sensor unit relative to the vehicle housing into an adjusting movement of the nozzle assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor arrangement, in particular a sensor arrangement for a vehicle roof, comprising a sensor unit with an environmental sensor for detecting the vehicle environment, the sensor unit being adjustable between an extended operating position and an extended resting position, as well as a vehicle roof having such a sensor arrangement and a motor vehicle having such a sensor arrangement. Background Art

[0002] Sensor assemblies of the type described above are known from practice and are used as an integrated component of a vehicle roof. The vehicle roof has a housing formed by surface components and forming a visible surface of the vehicle roof facing the vehicle surroundings. A plurality of surface components can be used to form the housing. A sensor unit is integrated into the vehicle roof, which has an environmental sensor that can detect the vehicle environment through a sensor perspective area. The sensor unit can be shifted between a retracted static position and an operating position in which the sensor perspective area is located above the roof shell, and as an environmental sensor, for example, a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, a camera or the like can be used. The environmental sensor can be a component of an automatic or semi-automatic driving system of the relevant motor vehicle and is connected to a control device, which recognizes the corresponding traffic situation based on the surrounding environment data determined by the environmental sensor and controls the drive and / or steering of the relevant vehicle according to the traffic situation.

[0003] In order to be able to achieve the most uninterrupted and interference-free operation of the environmental sensors, it is important to keep the sensor perspective area, via which the relevant environmental sensor detects the vehicle surroundings, free from contamination. It is known that for this purpose the sensor arrangement is provided with a cleaning device which, when necessary, applies a cleaning fluid, which can be designed in liquid or gaseous form, to the sensor perspective area via a nozzle arrangement. The nozzle arrangement can include a nozzle rod or a nozzle shaft, on which a nozzle is formed and which can be adjusted by means of a fluid pressure provided by a cleaning system from a retracted zero position into a retracted cleaning position in which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the sensor perspective area of ​​the environmental sensor. In the absence of fluid pressure, the nozzle shaft is moved back into its retracted zero position or is held in the retracted zero position by means of a return spring. There is a risk that the nozzle shaft gets stuck in its guide, so that an automatic resetting movement cannot be achieved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a sensor arrangement having an extendable sensor unit and a retractable nozzle arrangement, in which the nozzle arrangement reliably assumes the retracted zero position, in particular when the sensor unit is retracted into the rest position.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a sensor arrangement having the features of claim 1 .

[0006] According to the invention, a sensor assembly for a motor vehicle, in particular for a roof, is therefore proposed, which comprises a vehicle housing forming the outside of the vehicle and having a sensor opening; at least one sensor unit, which comprises a supporting structure and an environment sensor having a sensor perspective area; and a cleaning device having a nozzle assembly. The sensor unit can be adjusted relative to the vehicle housing between a rest position and an operating position, in which the environment sensor is extended through the sensor opening of the vehicle housing and the sensor perspective area is arranged on the outside of the vehicle. The nozzle assembly can be adjusted between an inward zero position and an outward cleaning position, in which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the sensor perspective area of ​​the environment sensor. A coupling device is provided, which converts an adjustment movement of the sensor unit relative to the vehicle housing into an adjustment movement of the cleaning device.

[0007] Therefore, in the sensor assembly designed according to the present invention, the movement or drive of the sensor unit is also used to adjust the cleaning device or the nozzle assembly of the cleaning device. Therefore, when the sensor unit is moved in, that is, when it is not needed, the coupling device can ensure that the nozzle assembly is, for example, reliably shifted to its zero position. Therefore, the nozzle assembly can be prevented from getting stuck during guidance. Therefore, the risk of damage to the cleaning device and / or other components of the sensor assembly due to external forces, etc. can be reduced. In addition, it can also be achieved that the nozzle assembly is always ready for operation when the sensor assembly is moved out. Therefore, in a special embodiment, an automatic nozzle function can be provided by the coupling device. No additional drive is required for the nozzle assembly, which in turn provides weight advantages, cost advantages and structural space advantages.

[0008] The sensor assembly according to the invention is in particular a component of a system for automatic or semi-automatic driving of a vehicle and can in principle be arranged at any location of the vehicle. The vehicle housing is formed by surface elements which can be planar or one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally curved.

[0009] An environment sensor is a component of a sensor unit which can be designed in various ways, utilize electromagnetic radiation and include, for example, lidar sensors, radar sensors, optical sensors such as cameras and / or the like.

[0010] If the environment sensor is a lidar sensor, the lidar sensor preferably operates in a wavelength range of about 905 nm, or even 1550 nm. A camera used as an environment sensor can operate in a wavelength range in the visible and / or infrared region.

[0011] The sensor perspective region of the sensor assembly according to the invention is assigned to the surroundings sensor in the sense of the invention and is expediently transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 300 nm and 2000 nm. In the case where the surroundings sensor is designed as a radar sensor, the sensor perspective region is also transparent to radar beams.

[0012] In an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, the environmental sensors of the sensor assembly according to the present invention are preferably connected to a control device of the vehicle, which determines the corresponding traffic situation based on the measurement signals of the environmental sensors and possibly further environmental sensors, so that the vehicle can autonomously or independently adapt to the corresponding traffic situation and act accordingly.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, the sensor unit of the sensor arrangement according to the invention comprises a plurality of adjacent surroundings sensors which can monitor or detect the vehicle surroundings via at least one sensor perspective area.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the nozzle assembly of the cleaning device is arranged on the supporting structure of the sensor unit. The nozzle assembly is then a component of the sensor assembly. In this case, the coupling device designed according to the invention can be used in particular to convert an adjustment movement of the sensor assembly relative to the vehicle housing into an adjustment movement of the nozzle assembly relative to the supporting structure of the sensor unit. It can thus be ensured, for example, that when the sensor assembly occupies its operating position, preferably a nozzle assembly is used, which is simultaneously adjusted to its moved-in zero position when the sensor unit is adjusted from the operating position into the rest position, so that when the sensor unit is moved in, it does not collide with adjacent vehicle components, such as the vehicle housing that delimits the sensor opening. Damage to the nozzle assembly due to adjustment movements of the sensor unit can thus be substantially ruled out.

[0015] In a special embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, which can be implemented by technically simple means, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle shaft and a nozzle opening, the nozzle shaft being guided in a shaft guide of a support structure of the sensor unit, the nozzle opening being used to apply a cleaning fluid to the sensor perspective area of ​​the environmental sensor. To adjust the nozzle assembly from the zero position into the cleaning position, the nozzle shaft is displaced in the shaft guide so that the nozzle opening is arranged outside the housing of the sensor unit and the fluid cone of the cleaning fluid can be aligned to the sensor perspective area.

[0016] In order to minimize the drive means of the nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly of the cleaning device can be adjusted to the cleaning position according to the pressure of the cleaning fluid. Therefore, the cleaning fluid under pressure is placed by the pump of the cleaning device and then the nozzle assembly itself is adjusted to its cleaning position.

[0017] In order to keep the nozzle assembly in its zero position during standard operation of the sensor assembly without the use of the cleaning device or to reset the nozzle assembly autonomously to its zero position after the use of the cleaning device, in a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the cleaning device is provided with a return spring which preloads the nozzle assembly in the direction of its zero position. In this embodiment, the coupling device of the sensor assembly according to the invention preferably serves as a safety mechanism which can pull the nozzle assembly back into its zero position when the sensor assembly is jammed or the return spring malfunctions when the sensor unit is adjusted relative to the vehicle housing.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, in which the sensor assembly automatically moves out into the cleaning position when the sensor unit is extended into the operating position, the cleaning device is provided, for example, with a tension spring which preloads the nozzle assembly in the direction of its cleaning position. The coupling device releases the nozzle assembly when the sensor unit is extended into the operating position so that the nozzle assembly can be adjusted into the cleaning position. When the sensor unit is reset into the rest position, the coupling device pulls the nozzle assembly back into the zero position.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the coupling device comprises a cable which is connected to the cleaning device and which preferably moves the nozzle assembly into its zero position when the sensor unit is adjusted into the rest position. The cable is lightweight, inexpensive and requires little installation space.

[0020] In this context, the term rope is to be interpreted in its broadest sense and therefore comprises conventional ropes made of synthetic materials, metallic materials or naturally occurring materials, belt structures and, for example, compression-resistant drive cables etc. For example, Bowden cables constitute ropes in the sense of the present invention.

[0021] The cable of the sensor assembly according to the invention is preferably attached to the vehicle body with its end facing away from the cleaning device or the nozzle assembly, so that the cable relaxes when the sensor unit is adjusted from the rest position into the operating position and exerts a tensile force on the nozzle assembly when the sensor unit is adjusted from the operating position into the rest position. In order to ensure the functional reliability of the cable, a guide sleeve for the cable is preferably arranged on the sensor unit, which guide sleeve is supported on the sensor unit with its two ends. Of course, it is also conceivable to form another guide channel suitable for the cable on the sensor unit or the supporting structure of the sensor unit instead of the guide sleeve.

[0022] In order to ensure that the cleaning device is depressurized with respect to the cleaning fluid when pulling the nozzle assembly back into the zero position, in an advantageous embodiment of the sensor assembly according to the invention, the nozzle assembly can have a pressure relief opening which can be released by means of a coupling device. Thus, for example, at the beginning of an adjustment path of the sensor unit, the coupling device applies an adjustment force to a relief slide which is arranged in the cleaning position before the pressure relief opening and can be moved by means of the coupling device to a stop of the nozzle assembly, thereby releasing the pressure relief opening. Once the stop is reached, the relief slide is displaced together with the nozzle assembly by means of the coupling device to reach the zero position of the nozzle assembly.

[0023] The invention also relates to a vehicle roof comprising a sensor assembly of the above-mentioned type.

[0024] The roof according to the invention is preferably a roof module which can be mounted as a unit on the vehicle body and comprises in particular an interface with the vehicle body formed by a roof frame. The roof module thus forms a structural group in an integrated manner, in which the components required for the automatic or semi-automatic driving of the relevant vehicle are accommodated. The roof module according to the invention thus forms a compact structural unit in which a plurality of functional elements can be integrated and which can be connected to the vehicle body or the vehicle frame at the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle body or the vehicle frame can comprise load-bearing elements, such as roof side rails and / or roof crossbars, on which the roof frame can be mounted. Furthermore, a roof module constructed in the sense of the invention is in particular a so-called sensor roof module or roof sensor module (RSM) which enables automatic or semi-automatic driving of the relevant vehicle.

[0025] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle which is equipped with a sensor arrangement or a roof and which is designed as an automatically or semi-automatically driven vehicle. In the automatic driving mode, the motor vehicle is driven autonomously by means of a computer-assisted control device, at least without significant intervention by the driver. In the semi-automatic driving mode, the sensor arrangement or the roof, for example, forms part of a driver assistance system.

[0026] A motor vehicle equipped with a sensor arrangement designed according to the invention is in particular a passenger car, but can also be a commercial vehicle, for example a delivery van, a bus, an autonomous passenger car (such as a so-called "people carrier") or a truck tractor.

[0027] Further advantages and advantageous configurations of the subject matter of the invention can be derived from the description, the drawings and the patent claims. All combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and / or the drawings fall within the scope of the invention, i.e. each feature mentioned in the description can be part of the subject matter claimed independently of the other features and / or the specific contents mentioned in the context. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] An exemplary embodiment of the sensor arrangement is shown schematically and in simplified form in the drawings and is explained in more detail in the following description. The drawings show:

[0029] Figure 1 : A top view of a roof region of a motor vehicle having a sensor assembly according to the invention;

[0030] Figure 2 :The sensor assembly moves along the Figure 1 The longitudinal section of line II-II;

[0031] Figure 3 :The sensor component corresponds to Figure 2 longitudinal section, but with the sensor unit moved out;

[0032] Figure 4 :The sensor unit corresponds to Figure 3 , but with the nozzle assembly of the cleaning device additionally moved out;

[0033] Figure 5 : Front view of the sensor unit;

[0034] Figure 6 : A longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment of the nozzle assembly in its cleaning position;

[0035] Figure 7 :according to Figure 6 A longitudinal section of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 1 , but in the pressure relief position of the unloading slide; and

[0036] Figure 8 : A longitudinal section through another embodiment of a sensor assembly according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] exist Figure 1 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 having a roof 12 covering the vehicle interior and comprising a roof module 14, which forms a compact structural unit that accommodates, in particular, electrical and mechanical devices that allow the autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle 10. The roof module 14 forms a so-called sensor roof module or roof sensor module (RSM), which is fastened to a frame fastened to the vehicle body and which, relative to a vertical vehicle longitudinal center plane, comprises a roof side rail 16 on each side, a front roof cross member 18 on the front side associated with a front spoiler or front spoiler, and a rear roof cross member 20 on the rear side associated with a rear spoiler or rear spoiler.

[0038] The roof module 14 comprises a one-piece or multi-piece roof covering component 22 which forms the vehicle outer shell or the vehicle exterior and is fastened to the vehicle. Figure 1 2 , which is shown in dashed lines and which is mounted on the roof side rails 16 , the front roof cross member 18 and the rear roof cross member 20 and thus forms the interface of the roof module 14 with the vehicle body.

[0039] The roof module 14 has a sensor unit 26 in each of its front corner regions relative to a vertical vehicle longitudinal center plane, each of which includes an environment sensor 28, by means of which the vehicle surroundings can be detected in order to enable autonomous driving of the motor vehicle 10. By evaluating the measurement signals of the environment sensor using electromagnetic radiation, the corresponding traffic situation can be ascertained by means of a control device of the motor vehicle 10, so that the motor vehicle 10 can autonomously or independently adapt to the corresponding traffic situation and act accordingly.

[0040] The sensor units 26 are each a component of a sensor assembly, to which the roof cladding assembly 22 is also assigned, in which a sensor opening 30 is formed for each sensor unit 26. The sensor units 26 can be positioned in the vehicle via the correspondingly assigned sensor opening 30. Figure 2 The static position shown is Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustrated operating positions are adjusted in which the respective environment sensor 28 can detect the vehicle environment via a sensor viewing area 32. The sensor viewing area 32 is made of a material that is transparent to the wavelength used by the environment sensor 28.

[0041] In principle, surroundings sensors 28 can each be designed in a variety of ways and include, for example, lidar sensors, radar sensors, cameras, antenna devices and / or other particularly suitable sensors which, in particular, utilize electromagnetic radiation.

[0042] The sensor units 26 each comprise a housing 34 as a supporting structure, which is pivotably mounted on the roof frame 24 and can be adjusted between a rest position and an operating position by means of suitable adjustment movability (not shown in detail here).

[0043] In order to keep the sensor viewing area 32 free from contamination, the sensor units 26 each have a Figures 2 to 5The nozzle assembly 36 shown in the figure is a component of the cleaning device of the relevant sensor assembly. The nozzle assembly 36 respectively includes a nozzle shaft 38, which is particularly cylindrical, and the nozzle shaft is guided axially movably in the shaft guide device 40 of the housing 34 and is provided with a nozzle opening 42 on its periphery, through which the cleaning fluid can be applied to the relevant sensor perspective area 32 of each sensor unit 26 while forming a fluid cone F. The nozzle opening 42 formed by the transverse channel of the nozzle shaft 38 is connected to the axial channel 44 of the nozzle shaft 38. The axial channel 44 leads to a pressure chamber 46 adjacent to the rear end face of the nozzle shaft 38. The front end face of the pressure chamber 46 forms the outer surface of the sensor unit 26. The pressure chamber 46 is connected to the pressure line 48, through which the cleaning fluid can be provided at a preset delivery pressure by means of a suitable pump or the like. In addition, the nozzle shaft 38 can also be provided with a return spring 50, which returns the nozzle shaft to the position at which the pressure chamber 46 is connected. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The illustrated zero position is directional preloaded, in which the nozzle shaft 38 is moved into the housing 34 .

[0044] When cleaning fluid is supplied under pressure via the pressure line 48 and the pressure chamber 46 , the nozzle shaft 38 moves into the cavity against the spring force of the return spring 50 . Figure 4 In the cleaning position shown, cleaning fluid can be applied to the sensor viewing area 32 through the lateral nozzle opening 42 to clean the sensor viewing area. When the supply of cleaning fluid through the pressure line 48 is stopped, a pressure drop occurs in the pressure chamber 46, whereby the nozzle assembly 36 or the nozzle shaft 38 can be reset to the position by means of the return spring 50. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the zero state shown.

[0045] In order to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction, each sensor unit 26 is moved out of the nozzle shaft 38. Figure 4 The sensor assembly 36 is pivoted from the operating position shown into the rest position and thus may damage the nozzle assembly 36, the sensor assembly comprises a coupling device 52, which converts an adjustment movement of the sensor unit 26 relative to the roof cladding assembly 22 into an adjustment movement of the nozzle assembly 36 relative to the housing 34 of the sensor unit 26. The coupling device 52 comprises a cable 54 designed as a Bowden cable, which is connected to the roof cladding assembly 22 at one end at a fixing point 56 and is attached to the nozzle shaft 38 of the nozzle assembly 36 at its other end. In the region of the sensor unit 26, the cable 54 is guided in a guide sleeve 58 that is pressure-resistant in the displacement direction and is supported at its two ends on the housing 34 of the sensor unit 26. The cable 54 emerges in the region between the housing 34 and the fixing point 56.

[0046] exist Figure 2In the resting position of the sensor unit 26 shown, the cable 54 is tensioned. When the sensor unit 26 passes through the sensor opening 30 associated with the roof cladding component 22 into its operating position, in which the environment sensor 28 is located above the roof cladding component 22 and can detect the vehicle environment, the cable 54 is relaxed so that a loose, untensioned loop of the cable is formed between the housing 34 of the sensor unit 26 and the fastening point 56 on the roof cladding component 22. When the sensor viewing area 32 of the sensor unit 26 is contaminated and / or when the cleaning device is actuated at regular intervals, a cleaning fluid is supplied under pressure via the pressure line 48, which moves the nozzle shaft 38 through the pressure chamber 46. Figure 4 In the cleaning position shown, the sensor is applied via the axial channel 44 and the nozzle opening 42 to the sensor viewing area 32. In this case, a tensile force is applied to the cable 54, so that the cable is at least largely tightened.

[0047] When the sensor assembly 26 is pivoted from the operating position back into the rest position starting from the cleaning position of the nozzle assembly 36 or the nozzle shaft 38, a tensile force is exerted on the nozzle shaft 38 by means of the cable 54, so that the nozzle shaft 38 is moved into the retracted zero position in the shaft guide 40. This eliminates the possibility of damage to the nozzle assembly 36 due to adjustment movements of the sensor unit 26.

[0048] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A nozzle assembly 36' is shown, which is Figure 1 The components of a roof module of the type shown in the figure and the integrated components of a sensor unit, which corresponds to Figures 1 to 5 The sensor unit is constructed as shown, so reference is made to the related description to avoid repetition.

[0049] According to the above embodiment, the nozzle assembly 36 ′ comprises a nozzle shaft 38, in which an axial channel 44 is formed, which leads to a nozzle opening 42, through which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the sensor viewing area. The axial channel 44 is connected to a pressure chamber 46, through which a tensile pressure can be applied to the rear end face of the nozzle shaft 38, which tensile pressure can be provided by a pressure line of the above type.

[0050] and Figures 1 to 5 Unlike the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle assembly 36′ comprises a discharge slide 60 designed as a cylindrical guide sleeve, which is movably guided on the circumference of the nozzle shaft 38 and is bounded on the outside by a guide ring 62, which is fixedly arranged on the nozzle shaft 38. A preload spring 64 bounded by the nozzle shaft 38 and the guide ring 62 presses the discharge slide 60 into the closed position ( Figure 6The unloading slide 60 is connected to a cable 54, which is a component of a coupling device 52 of the type described above, which ensures that the nozzle assembly 36' always enters the zero position or remains in the zero position when the sensor unit (a component of which is the nozzle assembly 36') is adjusted from the operating position to the rest position. Damage to the nozzle assembly 36 due to a collision with a roof cladding component can thus be ruled out.

[0051] The relief slide 60 serves to release a pressure relief opening 66 connected to the axial channel 44 so that pressure relief can occur in the axial channel 44 or cleaning liquid contained in the axial channel 44 can flow out through the pressure relief opening 66 .

[0052] Equipped with Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sensor assembly of the nozzle assembly 36' operates in the manner described below.

[0053] according to Figures 1 to 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, when the sensor assembly is moved in, the nozzle assembly 36' is in its zero position when it is moved into the housing. Figure 7 The position in the vehicle roof cladding component releases the pressure relief opening 66, i.e. the relief slide 60 occupies its release position. When the sensor unit moves from this rest position through the sensor opening of the roof cladding component into its operating position, the vehicle environment can be detected by means of the associated environmental sensor. Here, the rope 54 is relaxed (see Figure 3 ), whereby the unloading slider 60 moves to its Figure 6 If cleaning liquid is now applied to the sensor viewing area via the associated pressure line and the associated pressure chamber as well as the axial channel 44 and the nozzle opening 42, the nozzle assembly 36 corresponds to Figure 4 Into its moved out cleaning position. This also tightens the rope 54 (see Figure 4 ).

[0054] When the sensor unit is moved from the operating position to the rest position in the cleaning position of the nozzle assembly 36 ′, a tensile force is applied to the cable 54 in accordance with the above-described embodiment, so that the cable first moves the unloading slide 60 toward the stop formed on the nozzle shaft 38 to release the pressure relief opening 66, and then pulls the nozzle assembly 36 ′ back into the moved zero position together with the unloading slide 60. As a result, the nozzle assembly 36 ′ does not collide with the roof cladding assembly 22 when the sensor unit is displaced.

[0055] exist Figure 8 2 shows a sensor arrangement having a sensor unit 26 ″ which corresponds largely to the sensor unit according to Figures 1 to 5The sensor unit shown in the figure, but with the difference that it comprises a nozzle assembly 36", which is autonomously adjusted from the zero position to a cleaning position moved out of the housing 34 by means of a tension spring 68 without additional fluid pressure, when the sensor unit 26" is adjusted into a moved-out operating position by means of its drive motion (in which the environmental sensor of the sensor unit 26" can detect the vehicle environment). When the sensor unit 26" is extended, the rope 54 of the coupling device 52 releases the nozzle shaft 38, so that it moves out of the housing 34 due to the spring force of the tension spring 68. When the sensor unit 26" is adjusted from the operating position, the nozzle shaft 38 is pulled back into the zero position by means of the rope 54 against the preload of the tension spring 68, and the rope is guided in the guide sleeve 58 in the area of ​​the housing 34.

[0056] also, Figure 8 The sensor assembly shown corresponds to the Figures 1 to 5 The sensor assembly shown here will therefore be described in order to avoid repeated reference to the embodiments related thereto.

[0057] Reference numerals list

[0058] 10 Motor Vehicles

[0059] 12 Roof

[0060] 14 Roof module

[0061] 16 Roof side rails

[0062] 18 Roof beam

[0063] 20 Roof beam

[0064] 22 Roof cladding components

[0065] 24 Roof frame

[0066] 26, 26″ sensor unit

[0067] 28 Environmental Sensors

[0068] 30 Sensor opening

[0069] 32 Sensor perspective area

[0070] 34 Shell

[0071] 36, 36′, 36″ Nozzle Assemblies

[0072] 38 Nozzle shaft

[0073] 40 Axis guide device

[0074] 42 Nozzle opening

[0075] 44 Axial channel

[0076] 46 Pressure Chamber

[0077] 48 Pressure line

[0078] 50 Return spring

[0079] 52 Coupling device

[0080] 54 Rope

[0081] 56 fixed points

[0082] 58 Guide sleeve

[0083] 60 Unloading Slider

[0084] 62 Guide ring

[0085] 64 Preload spring

[0086] 66 Pressure relief opening

[0087] 68 Extension spring

Claims

1. A sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular for a vehicle roof, comprising a vehicle housing forming the outer side of the vehicle and having a sensor opening (30), at least one sensor unit (26, 26″) and a cleaning device having a nozzle arrangement (36, 36′, 36″), wherein the sensor unit comprises a supporting structure and an environmental sensor (28) having a sensor viewing area (32), wherein: The sensor unit (26, 26") is adjustable relative to the vehicle housing between a rest position and an operating position, in which the environmental sensor (28) is moved out through the sensor opening (30) and the sensor perspective area (32) is arranged on the outside of the vehicle, and the nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") is adjustable between an inward zero position and an outward cleaning position, in which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the sensor perspective area (32) of the environmental sensor (28), the sensor assembly also comprising a coupling device (52) which converts an adjustment movement of the sensor unit (26, 26") relative to the vehicle housing into an adjustment movement of the nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36").

2. The sensor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") is arranged on the sensor unit (26, 26').

3. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") comprises a nozzle shaft (38) which is guided in a shaft guide (40) of the carrier structure and a nozzle opening (42) for applying a cleaning fluid to a sensor viewing area (32) of the environmental sensor (28).

4. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") is adjustable into its cleaning position depending on the pressure of the cleaning fluid.

5. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The cleaning device is provided with a return spring (50), which preloads the nozzle assembly (36) in the direction of its zero position.

6. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The cleaning device is provided with a tension spring (68) which preloads the nozzle assembly (36") in the direction of its cleaning position.

7. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The coupling device (52) comprises a cable (54) which is connected to the cleaning device and which, when the sensor unit (26, 26") is adjusted into a rest position, moves the nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") into its zero position.

8. The sensor assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that The rope (54) is attached to the vehicle body at its end facing away from the cleaning device so that the rope (54) is slack when the sensor unit (26, 26") is adjusted from the rest position to the operating position, and the rope (54) applies a tensile force to the nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") when the sensor unit (26, 26") is adjusted from the operating position to the rest position.

9. The sensor assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: A guide sleeve (58) for the cable (54) is arranged on the sensor unit (26, 26") and is supported at both ends on the sensor unit (26, 26").

10. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The nozzle assembly (36') has a pressure relief opening (66) which can be released by means of the coupling device (52).

11. The sensor assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that The cleaning device has a relief slide (60) which can be moved toward a stopper of the nozzle assembly (36, 36', 36") by means of the coupling device (52) to release the pressure relief opening (66).

12. A vehicle roof comprising the sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The vehicle roof according to claim 12, characterized in that: The vehicle roof is a roof module (14) which can be mounted as a unit on a vehicle body and comprises an interface to the vehicle body, in particular formed by a roof frame (24).

14. A motor vehicle comprising a sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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