passenger cars

Abstract

A passenger car (1) that can be operated in various driving conditions, with a vehicle roof (10) wherein the vehicle roof (10) can be lowered from a normal position to an energy-saving position, wherein a roof lowering device (18) with which the vehicle roof (10) can be moved between the normal position and the energy-saving position, characterized in that the roof lowering device (18) is connected to a vehicle seat adjustment system in such a way that the vehicle roof (10) is lowered from the normal position to the energy-saving position when a vehicle seat (14) with a driver (15) of the passenger car (1) is in a reclining position in an autonomous driving condition.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a passenger car according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention further relates to a vehicle roof and a roof lowering device for such a passenger car. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a passenger car. The invention further relates to a computer program product with a program code for carrying out a method described above. The invention further relates to a control unit for controlling a lowerable vehicle roof of a passenger car described above, using a computer program product described above.

[0002] From the generic German utility model DE 20 2007 003 528 U1, a vehicle with a vehicle body for receiving goods to be transported is known, wherein the vehicle body has a plurality of side surfaces, a cover surface and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the movement originating from a drive to the vehicle body, which is continuously adjustable in height, wherein the side surfaces consist of tarpaulins or roller blinds which roll up or down or fold or unfold with the adjustment movement of the vehicle body, or of a plurality of plates which slide along one another or can be pushed into one another, wherein the cover surface of the vehicle body can be lowered down to the vehicle floor.German patent application DE 38 28 184 A1 discloses a body assembly for a motor vehicle or trailer, such as a truck, van, semi-trailer, car, container, or the like, consisting of a substantially rectangular structure with two side walls, two end walls, one of which may consist of two doors, and a roof. The structure enclosing or defining the transport or loading space, when the vehicle is fully or partially loaded, is configured horizontally, in two parts, and in a box-like manner to reduce its height, such that the upper part can be telescopically raised and lowered over or into the lower part by means of a lifting device. Japanese patent application JP S56-157 616 A discloses a sports car with a movable roof that can be held at a lower height to minimize the sports car's aerodynamic drag.Japanese Patent Application JP 2013 - 112 096 A discloses a vehicle with a variable wheelbase. Chinese Utility Model CN ​​2 03 637 962 U discloses a scooter with a folding roof for elderly people.

[0003] The object of the invention is to improve the efficiency in the operation of a passenger car according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0004] The problem is solved by a passenger car with the features of patent claim 1, by a vehicle roof with the features of patent claim 4, and by a roof lowering device with the features of patent claim 5. By lowering the vehicle roof, the air resistance and thus the drag coefficient of the moving passenger car can be significantly reduced. The roof lowering device is advantageously combined with a suitable drive device. The drive device comprises, for example, an electric motor controlled by a suitable control device of the motor vehicle. In autonomous driving mode, the driver can switch to a reclining position, for example, during a longer rest break.

[0005] The vehicle roof can then be advantageously lowered to reduce air resistance and thus the drag coefficient of the moving passenger car. When the person involved, especially the driver, is in a horizontal position, the space otherwise required for seating in the passenger car is no longer needed.

[0006] A preferred embodiment of the passenger car is characterized in that the vehicle roof is movable in a z-direction between the normal position and the energy-saving position. A longitudinal axis or longitudinal direction of the passenger car is also referred to as the x-direction or x-axis. A transverse direction of the passenger car is also referred to as the y-direction or y-axis. The z-direction or z-axis extends perpendicular to a plane spanned by the x-axis and the y-axis. The movement of the vehicle roof is enabled, for example, by a suitable movement mechanism. The movement mechanism can be purely mechanical. However, the movement mechanism can also include pneumatic or hydraulic components and / or electrical components.

[0007] A further preferred embodiment of the passenger car is characterized in that the vehicle roof, together with a windshield and / or a rear window, can be lowered from the normal position into the energy-saving position. The windshield and rear window are retracted, for example, into corresponding slots in a supporting structure of the passenger car. Similarly, side windows of the passenger car are advantageously retracted into vehicle doors, which are advantageously provided with no supporting structure or with a correspondingly adjustable supporting structure toward the vehicle roof.

[0008] In a method for operating a passenger car with a vehicle roof that can be operated in various driving modes, in particular a passenger car as described above, the above-mentioned object is achieved alternatively or additionally by lowering the vehicle roof in an autonomous driving mode. This makes it possible to easily reduce energy consumption during operation of the passenger car when the driver has changed into a reclining position during a longer rest break during autonomous driving. Since the driver is then in a horizontal position, the space above is no longer required. Due to the lower Cd value due to the minimization of air resistance with the vehicle roof lowered, noticeable fuel savings result.

[0009] The invention further achieves the above-mentioned object by means of a computer program product with a program code for carrying out a method described above. The computer program is preferably executed in a control device of the passenger car.

[0010] The invention further achieves the above-mentioned object by means of a control device for controlling a lowerable compartment roof of a passenger car, in particular a passenger car as described above, with a computer program product as described above.

[0011] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention within the scope of the claims will become apparent from the following description, in which various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a simplified representation of a passenger car with a lowerable vehicle roof in a normal position and Fig. 2 the passenger car from Fig. 1 with the vehicle roof in an energy-saving position.

[0012] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a simplified side view of a passenger car 1 with a body 4. Two circles indicate two wheels 5, 6 in the side view shown. The body 4 comprises Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 on the left side a bow 8. On the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 On the right side, the body 4 of the passenger car 1 includes a rear 9.

[0013] Between the front end 8 and the rear end 9, the body 4 is closed at the top by a vehicle roof 10. A windshield 11 extends from a front edge of the vehicle roof 10 to the front end 8 of the body 4. A rear window 12 extends from a rear edge of the vehicle roof 10 to the rear end 9 of the passenger car 1.

[0014] In the interior of the passenger car 1, a vehicle seat 14 with a person 15 is indicated. Person 15 is, for example, a driver of the passenger car 1.

[0015] The passenger car 1 further comprises a roof lowering device 18. With the help of the roof lowering device 18, the vehicle roof 10 can be moved between a normal position, which is Fig. 1, into an energy saving position, which is Fig. 2 shown.

[0016] In Fig. 2 is indicated by an arrow 20 that the vehicle roof 10 is between the Fig. 1 shown normal position and the one in Fig. 2 shown energy saving position in a z-direction. A dashed line 21 in Fig. 2 the vehicle roof with the windscreen 11 and the rear screen 12 in the normal position.

[0017] In Fig. 1 shows how the passenger car 1 can be driven normally. During normal driving, the driver 15 sits normally on the vehicle seat 14 and steers the passenger car 1. The vehicle roof 10 is in the normal position to provide the driver 15 with sufficient headroom in his seated position.

[0018] In Fig. 2, the passenger car 1 is operated autonomously. During autonomous driving, the driver 15 of the passenger car 1 can assume a reclining position on the correspondingly modified vehicle seat 14.

[0019] In the lying position the driver needs 15 compared to Fig. 1 significantly less headroom. Therefore, the vehicle roof 10 can be lowered in the reclining position of the driver 15, as can be seen in Fig. 2 sees.

[0020] By lowering the vehicle roof 10, the air resistance and thus the Cw value of the passenger car 1 can be significantly reduced. As soon as the vehicle is to be operated normally again, the vehicle roof 10 can be lowered back into its Fig. 1 shown normal position.

[0021] As soon as the vehicle roof 10 is raised again, the driver 15 can Fig. 1 in order to drive the passenger car 1 again.

Claims

[1] Passenger car (1) which can be operated in different driving modes, with a vehicle roof (10), wherein the vehicle roof (10) can be lowered from a normal position into an energy-saving position, wherein a roof lowering device (18) with which the vehicle roof (10) can be moved between the normal position and the energy-saving position, characterized by in that the roof lowering device (18) is connected in terms of control to a vehicle seat adjustment system in such a way that the vehicle roof (10) is lowered from the normal position into the energy-saving position when a vehicle seat (14) with a driver (15) of the passenger car (1) is in a lying position in an autonomous driving mode. [2] Passenger car (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the vehicle roof (10) is movable in a z-direction between the normal position and the energy-saving position. [3] Passenger car (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the vehicle roof (10) together with a windscreen (11) and / or a rear screen (12) can be lowered from the normal position into the energy-saving position. [4] Vehicle roof (10) for a passenger car (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [5] Roof lowering device (18) for a passenger car (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3. [6] Method for operating a passenger car (1) which can be operated in different driving modes, with a vehicle roof (10) of a passenger car (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the vehicle roof (10) is lowered in an autonomous driving mode. [7] Computer program product comprising a program code for performing a method according to claim 6. [8] Control device for controlling a lowerable vehicle roof (10) of a passenger car (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, with a computer program product according to claim 7.

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