Roof module for forming a vehicle roof

Abstract

Roof module (10) for forming a vehicle roof (100) on a motor vehicle, comprising a surface component (12) which, at least in some regions, forms a roof skin (14) of the vehicle roof (100), which functions as an outer sealing surface of the roof module (10), wherein the roof module (10) comprises at least one mounting unit (15) having a plurality of functional devices (16) with at least one environment sensor (16a) which can transmit and / or receive electromagnetic signals through a viewing area (18) to detect the vehicle environment, wherein the at least one mounting unit (15) is arranged on the inside of the roof module (10), in particular on an inner surface (17) of the surface component (12) opposite the roof skin (14), characterized in that a part of the roof module frame (19) forms at least one support structure (24) of the mounting unit (15), on which the plurality of functional devices (16) are arranged,wherein the roof module frame (19) is connected to the surface component (12).,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one such roof module.

[0002] Generic roof modules are widely used in vehicle construction, as these roof modules can be prefabricated as separate functional modules and delivered to the assembly line during vehicle assembly. The roof module forms a roof skin on its outer surface, at least in some areas, which prevents moisture or airflow from penetrating the vehicle interior. The roof skin is formed by one or more surface components, which can be made of a stable material, such as painted sheet metal or painted or solid-colored plastic. The roof module can be part of a rigid vehicle roof or part of an openable roof assembly.

[0003] Furthermore, developments in vehicle construction are increasingly focused on autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. To enable the vehicle control system to control the vehicle autonomously and / or semi-autonomously, a large number of environmental sensors (e.g., lidar sensors, radar sensors, (multi-)cameras, etc., along with other (electrical) components) are used. These sensors detect the environment around the vehicle and, from the recorded environmental data, determine, for example, the current traffic situation. Roof modules equipped with a large number of environmental sensors are also known as roof sensor modules (RSM). These familiar environmental sensors send and receive electromagnetic signals, such as laser beams or radar beams. Signal analysis generates a data model of the vehicle's environment, which can be used for vehicle control.

[0004] The environmental sensors for monitoring and recording the vehicle's surroundings are usually attached to the vehicle roof, as the vehicle roof is usually the highest elevation on a vehicle from which the vehicle's surroundings can be clearly seen. The environmental sensors are usually attached as an attachment to the surface component of the roof module that forms the roof skin and / or can be extended and retracted relative to the surface component. During use of the environmental sensor, there is a risk due to environmental influences (e.g. weather conditions) that a partially transparent or transparent viewing area through which the environmental sensor records the vehicle's surroundings may become dirty and at least partially opaque to the environmental sensor, or even damaged, for example, by stone chips or other external influences.

[0005] In addition to the problem of contamination, known sensor arrangements also have disadvantages in the type of mounting and arrangement. For example, the known environmental sensors are often provided with a removable cover on the outside, which is intended to protect the environmental sensor. However, such covers, in particular covers, often have to be sealed in a complex manner to prevent the ingress of dust and / or moisture. For example, there are often multiple sealing interfaces, each of which must be sealed separately. Alternatively, the environmental sensors can also be arranged in a dust- and / or water-resistant housing, although this often requires a structurally complex water management system, particularly a water drainage system.The conventional arrangement of environmental sensors is also disadvantageous in that a surface component on which the environmental sensor is to be mounted often has to be constructed in multiple parts, for example, because a cover for the environmental sensor must also be created. This multi-part design, in turn, creates optical and mechanical dividing lines between the individual surface components, which, among other things, makes assembly and water drainage management more complex. Such multi-part surface components also make tolerances and / or gap dimensions more difficult to maintain, and the labor and assembly effort required for this purpose increases.

[0006] Further prior art can be found in DE 11 2018 002 318 T5, DE 10 2020 125 410 B3 and US 2021 / 0 293 933 A1.

[0007] Due to the aforementioned disadvantages and problems, one object of the invention is to propose a further developed roof module by which the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome and, in particular, a simplified and / or more efficient arrangement of a functional device on the roof module is enabled.

[0008] The problem is solved by a roof module having the features of independent claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The scope of the invention includes all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims, and / or the figures. It is understood that the statements made regarding the roof module relate equivalently to the motor vehicle according to the invention, without being redundant for the latter. In this context, it is particularly understood that customary linguistic transformations and / or a corresponding replacement of respective terms within the scope of common linguistic practice, in particular the use of synonyms supported by generally accepted linguistic literature, are encompassed by the present disclosure content without being explicitly mentioned in their respective formulation.

[0010] According to the invention, a roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle is proposed. The roof module comprises a surface component which, at least in part, forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof, which functions as an outer sealing surface of the roof module. The roof module comprises at least one mounting unit having a plurality of functional devices with at least one environment sensor which can transmit and / or receive electromagnetic signals through a viewing area to detect the vehicle environment. The at least one mounting unit is arranged on the inside of the roof module, in particular on an inner surface of the surface component opposite the roof skin and / or on a roof module frame and / or on a component of a motor vehicle body.A part of the roof module frame forms at least one support structure of the assembly unit on which the plurality of functional devices are arranged, wherein the roof module frame is connected to the surface component.

[0011] In its intended use, the assembly unit is therefore preferably designed to be fastened from the inside, i.e. from the interior of the roof module, to the surface component and / or another support structure of the roof module. Alternatively, the assembly unit can also be formed by such a support structure. It is particularly preferred that the assembly unit can be prefabricated, for example by pre-assembling several functional devices on a support structure and then fastening them as a whole to the support structure on the roof module. This makes it possible to dispense with a large number of assembly steps, in particular for final assembly. This is particularly advantageous for an OEM, as it can purchase such assembly units, for example together with the other roof module, and assemble them on the assembly line.According to the invention, it is possible to mount the functional devices, in particular the at least one environmental sensor, as the mounting unit from the inside on the surface component and / or on a roof module frame and / or another frame part. For example, the mounting unit can also be mounted on the surface component and / or a roof module frame with the aid of an adapter. According to the invention, simple assembly and / or disassembly of the at least one mounting unit is possible from the interior of the roof module, despite a possibly spatially narrow assembly access or a small installation space. In this way, a plurality of functional devices, in particular a plurality of environmental sensors, which are jointly comprised in the mounting unit, can be assembled and / or disassembled. Due to the internal mounting of the mounting unit, the surface component or the roof skin can preferably be formed in one piece or at least from a few surface components.As a result, there are only a few optical and / or mechanical dividing lines, which mitigates the sealing problem compared to the prior art and improves the visual appearance of the roof module. The inventive installation from the inside also has the advantage that unauthorized access to the at least one environmental sensor and / or to other functional devices can be prevented. The functional devices are thus protected, for example, from theft and / or external influences because they are covered by the surface component. A further advantage of the inventive arrangement of the mounting unit is that it is arranged, in particular together with the functional devices, in a dry area of ​​the roof module. The mounting unit and / or the functional devices are thus protected from dust and / or moisture. This improves the service life.Maintenance of the functional devices is also simplified because, for example, no cleaning steps are required before the actual maintenance to remove dust and / or dirt from the components in question. Compared to the prior art, multiple sealing points between wet and dry areas can be omitted, which simplifies the overall assembly and maintenance. The same applies to the sealing of individual components from the surface component, as was common in the prior art. Compared to the prior art, it is advantageous that the surface component can be preferably rigidly attached, for example glued, to a roof module frame and / or a vehicle body, without, for example, the need for assembly openings and / or maintenance access to be arranged or provided from the outside.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the surface component is completely sealed to the outside, thus preventing moisture from penetrating the interior of a roof module. In this case, the roof skin is preferably designed to be continuous. This configuration is particularly advantageous if the surface component is transparent or at least partially transparent to the wavelengths used by the at least one environmental sensor. If the environmental sensor is a lidar sensor, the surface component can, for example, be partially made of a material that is opaque to the human eye but transparent to the lidar sensor.

[0013] In an embodiment not claimed, the at least one mounting unit is arranged directly or indirectly, for example by means of a mounting aid and / or a mounting guide and / or a mounting profile, on the inner surface of the surface component. The mounting unit is preferably directly or indirectly screwed to the inner surface and / or glued to the inner surface and / or soldered to the inner surface and / or clamped to a molded section formed on the inner surface and / or welded to the inner surface and / or injection-molded onto the inner surface and / or overmolded together with the inner surface. In principle, other fastening options are also possible, such as a plug-in fastening, so that the above list is not to be understood as restrictive.

[0014] In this case, part of the roof module frame forms the support structure of the mounting unit. The roof module frame is preferably connected to the surface component. The mounting unit does not necessarily have to be arranged on the inside of the surface component, but can also be arranged on a support structure of the roof module located inside the roof module or form part of this internal support structure. The mounting unit can, for example, be arranged on the roof module frame from above, from the side, or from below.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the see-through area is arranged on the surface component or formed by it. Alternatively or additionally, the see-through area is provided on a housing of the at least one environmental sensor. For example, the surface component can form the at least one see-through area for the at least one environmental sensor, at least in part. The see-through area can be formed integrally in the surface component or, alternatively, can be inserted as a window in an opening in the surface component. Alternatively, the surface component can also comprise an opening through which at least part of the at least one environmental sensor can be inserted from the inside when the mounting unit is attached. In principle, the environmental sensor can be retractable and extendable relative to the surface component or can also protrude rigidly outwards beyond it.In other words, in a preferred embodiment, at least one of the plurality of functional devices is inserted through an opening in the surface component from the inside to the outside, so that at least one of the plurality of functional devices protrudes at least in regions and / or sections and / or partially beyond the roof skin.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a sealing arrangement is provided between the opening and the mounting unit and / or between the opening and at least one of the multiple functional devices. Whether the sealing arrangement is provided on the surface component, for example, at least partially surrounding the edge of the opening, and / or on the respective functional device is fundamentally optional. The sealing arrangement can prevent moisture from penetrating the interior of the roof module, in particular into the dry area formed inside.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of functional devices comprise at least one component of a cooling device for cooling the at least one environmental sensor and / or at least one component of a cleaning device for cleaning the viewing area of ​​the at least one environmental sensor and / or at least one electrical and / or electronic and / or electromagnetic and / or mechanical component that preferably interacts with the at least one environmental sensor. In principle, a plurality of components that interact with the at least one environmental sensor, for example, before and / or during and / or after a journey and / or are advantageous for another function of the vehicle and / or the environmental sensor, can be arranged on the assembly unit or comprised thereof. This has the great advantage that all of these functional devices can be pre-assembled as the assembly unit.The pre-assembled assembly unit can then only be arranged on the roof module as a whole, which is particularly advantageous for the entire vehicle assembly.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one environmental sensor comprises a lidar sensor and / or a camera sensor and / or a multi-camera sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor and / or an antenna and / or an antenna module. Other environmental sensors are also conceivable, so the list mentioned here is not intended to be limiting.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a motor vehicle with a roof module according to any embodiment.

[0020] The motor vehicle preferably comprises a motor vehicle body and is characterized in that the roof module according to any embodiment forms a structural unit which is arranged on the motor vehicle body, in particular on at least one body member of the motor vehicle body.

[0021] The roof module according to the invention can, in principle, be arranged at any location on a motor vehicle and be designed for different purposes. The mounting unit according to the invention can, in principle, be arranged at any location on a motor vehicle and / or on the roof module. The motor vehicle can preferably be a passenger car, a truck, a transport vehicle, a rail vehicle, an autonomously or semi-autonomously driving vehicle, a passenger transport vehicle, a military vehicle, or the like.

[0022] It is understood that the embodiments and examples mentioned above and those to be explained below can be implemented not only individually, but also in any combination with one another without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is also understood that the embodiments and examples mentioned above and those to be explained below relate in an equivalent or at least similar manner to all embodiments of the invention, without each being mentioned separately.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated schematically in the drawings and are explained below by way of example. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a vehicle roof of a motor vehicle with a roof module according to the invention; Fig. 1a a section through the Fig. 1 vehicle roof shown parallel to a vehicle longitudinal axis; Fig. 2 a first assembly progress representation of a first embodiment of the assembly unit in an internal view; Fig. 3 a second assembly progress illustration of the first embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 4 a third assembly progress illustration of the first embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 5 an assembly diagram of the first embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 6 a detailed view of the Fig. 5 shown view; Fig. 7 a first assembly progress illustration of a second embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 8 a second assembly progress illustration of the second embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 9 a third assembly progress illustration of the second embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 10 a fourth assembly progress illustration of the second embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 11 a fifth assembly progress illustration of the second embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 12 is an assembly view of the second embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 13 a detailed view of the Fig. 12 shown view; Fig. 14 a first assembly progress illustration of a third embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 15 a second assembly progress illustration of the third embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 16 a third assembly progress illustration of the third embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 17 an assembly diagram of the third embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 18 an assembly diagram of the third embodiment of the assembly unit in an external view; Fig. 19 a first assembly progress illustration of a fourth embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 20 a second assembly progress illustration of the fourth embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 21 a third assembly progress illustration of the fourth embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; Fig. 22 is an assembly diagram of the fourth embodiment of the assembly unit in an inside view; and Fig. 23 a detailed view of the Fig. View shown in Figure 22.

[0024] In Fig. 1 shows a vehicle roof 100 comprising a roof module 10. The roof module 10 comprises a surface component 12 for forming a roof skin 14 of the vehicle roof 100 of a motor vehicle (not shown in its entirety). In a front region of the vehicle roof 100 or the roof module 10, viewed in a vehicle longitudinal direction x, at least one mounting unit 15 is arranged symmetrically to the vehicle longitudinal axis x, for example on an inner surface 17 of the surface component 12 opposite the roof skin 14. Other arrangement options can also be advantageous for the mounting unit 15, as will be shown later. The mounting unit 15 comprises a plurality of functional devices 16, such as at least one environmental sensor 16a.

[0025] The mounting unit 15 is arranged directly behind a front cross member 102, which defines a roof-side cowl of the vehicle. The roof module 10 is preferably arranged as a structural unit on a motor vehicle body 104. The roof module 10 can be arranged, for example, on at least one cross member 102 and / or at least one longitudinal member 106. The roof module 10 in the illustrated embodiment has a roof opening system 108. The motor vehicle further comprises a windshield 110.

[0026] The environment sensor 16a looks through a viewing area 18, which in this case is formed by a portion of the surface component 12. The viewing area 18 can be made, for example, of a preferably shatter-proof plastic or a material that is transparent or partially transparent to the environment sensor 16a.

[0027] Alternatively, the viewing area 18 can also be provided on a housing of the environment sensor 16a and / or on a cover.

[0028] The surface component 12 covers according to Fig. 1, Fig. 1a completely the assembly unit 15. According to Fig. 1, the surface component 12 is supported by a roof module frame 19, which serves to attach the roof module 10 to the motor vehicle body 104 as a structural unit. However, the roof module 10 does not necessarily have to include a roof module frame. Due to the complete coverage by the surface component 12, all functional devices 16, in particular the at least one environmental sensor 16a, are arranged in a dry area 21 of the roof module 10, which is separated from an external wet area 22 by the surface component 12.

[0029] The environment sensor 16a is in this case a lidar sensor that can transmit and / or receive electromagnetic signals to detect the vehicle's surroundings through the viewing area 18. Other sensor types, e.g., multidirectional cameras and / or cameras and / or ultrasonic sensors and / or antennas and / or antenna modules and / or lighting devices, can also be used. The environment sensor 16a is aligned along an optical axis 23, which in the case of Fig. 1 is aligned parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction x. The vehicle longitudinal direction x is aligned transversely, in particular orthogonally, to a vehicle width direction y.

[0030] The assembly unit 15 comprises in the present case a support structure 24, for example a support element and / or a housing and / or a housing section, which has at least one (according to Fig. 1a two) fastening point 20, in particular at least one adhesive point, is attached, for example glued, to the inner surface 17 of the surface component 12. This enables assembly from the inside of the roof module 10. The support structure 24 is according to Fig. 1, Fig. 1a is designed as a trough-shaped housing section that serves to accommodate the functional devices 16, for example, the at least one environmental sensor 16a. This allows pre-assembly of the mounting unit 15 before it is completely attached to the roof module 10 from the inside. An advantage of this arrangement is that sealing points for individual functional devices 16 on the outside can be omitted, since they are completely covered by the surface component 12.

[0031] In the Fig. 2 to 23, various assembly units 15 according to the invention are shown in assembly views and / or in roof positions during assembly of the respective assembly unit 15. Some of the views shown are exploded views of the respective assembly unit 15 in order to obtain a more detailed insight into the respective assembly unit 15. It is understood that only the differences and / or special features of the respective assembly unit 15 are mentioned here and that the assembly units 15 shown are merely exemplary in nature. It is also understood that the functional devices 16 shown are merely exemplary in nature and that other functional devices not shown can also be used alternatively or additionally.

[0032] In the Fig. Figures 2 to 6 show a first embodiment of the assembly unit 15 during assembly, or partially in an exploded view and in an assembled view. In this embodiment, the assembly unit 15 comprises the support structure 24, which in this case forms a mounting platform for the assembly of the functional devices 16.

[0033] The assembly unit 15 is, as can be seen from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, it is attached to the roof module frame 19 of the roof module 10. The roof module frame 19 is covered outwardly by the surface component 12. In principle, the mounting unit 15 could also be arranged on a part of the motor vehicle body 104 or directly on the surface component 12 from the inside.

[0034] The assembly unit 15 comprises according to the Fig. 2 to 6, the environmental sensor 16a designed as a lidar sensor, and two environmental sensors 16b designed as camera sensors as further functional devices 16. The lidar sensor 16a is arranged in a housing. The environmental sensors 16b are each attached to the support structure 24 with a camera housing 26 and with a mounting aid 28, in particular with a mounting bracket. The attachment of the functional devices 16, 16a, 16b preferably takes place before the attachment of the mounting unit 15 to the roof module frame 19. The functional devices 16, 16a, 16b are therefore preferably pre-assembled. The support structure 24 is preferably attached to the roof module frame 19 by screws 30, see, for example, Fig. 6. The lidar sensor 16a and the two camera sensors 16b are each configured to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic radiation through a respective viewing area 18, which is preferably formed on the surface component 12 and / or on the housing and / or on the camera housing 26.

[0035] In the Fig. Figures 7 to 13 show a second embodiment of the assembly unit 15 during assembly, or partially in an exploded view and in an assembled view. In this embodiment, the assembly unit 15 comprises the support structure 24, which in this case forms a mounting frame for the assembly of the functional devices 16.

[0036] The assembly unit 15 is, as can be seen from the Fig. 11 to 13, the mounting unit 15 is attached to the roof module frame 19 of the roof module 10. The roof module frame 19 is covered outwardly by the surface component 12. In principle, the mounting unit 15 could also be arranged on a part of the motor vehicle body 104 or directly on the surface component 12 from the inside.

[0037] The assembly unit 15 comprises according to the Fig. 7 to 13 show the environmental sensor 16a embodied as a lidar sensor, and, as further functional devices 16, six environmental sensors 16b embodied as camera sensors, for example. For better clarity, only two groups of three of the camera sensors 16b are identified. The lidar sensor 16a is arranged in a housing. The environmental sensors 16b are each inserted into openings in the support structure 24. The support structure 24 thus forms, at least in sections, a housing for each of the camera sensors 16b. Each of the camera sensors 16b is fastened to the support structure 24 with a mounting aid 28, in particular with a mounting frame. The fastening of the functional devices 16, 16a, 16b preferably takes place before the fastening of the mounting unit 15 to the roof module frame 19. The functional devices 16, 16a, 16b are therefore preferably pre-assembled. The support structure 24 is preferably fastened to the roof module frame 19 by screws 30, see e.g. Fig. 13. The lidar sensor 16a and the camera sensors 16b are each configured to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic radiation through a respective viewing area 18, which is preferably formed on the surface component 12 and / or on the housing and / or on the camera housing 26. In principle, the camera sensors 16b and / or the at least one lidar sensor 16a can alternatively be inserted through a respective opening 34 in the surface component 12 from the inside and, for example, look outward into the vehicle's surroundings through their respective viewing area 18, which is arranged or formed, for example, on a respective housing. The mounting unit 15 or the support structure 24 can, for example, comprise a retaining bracket 32, which facilitates the assembly and / or adjustment of the support structure 24 when attaching it to the surface component 12 and / or the roof module frame 19.

[0038] In the Fig. 14 to 18, a third embodiment of the assembly unit 15 is shown during assembly or partially in exploded view and in assembly view.

[0039] The assembly unit 15 is, as can be seen from the Fig. 14 to 18, is attached to the roof module frame 19 of the roof module 10. The roof module frame 19 is covered outwardly by the surface component 12. In principle, the mounting unit 15 could also be arranged on a part of the motor vehicle body 104 or directly on the surface component 12 from the inside. According to the Fig. 14 to 18 show a push-through solution for attaching the mounting unit 15 from the inside to the roof module frame 19 and / or the surface component 12.

[0040] The assembly unit 15 comprises according to the Fig. 14 to 18 as functional devices 16, for example, an environmental sensor 16b designed as a camera sensor and a sealing arrangement 16c for sealing an opening 34 in the surface component 12, into or through which the environmental sensor 16b is inserted or pushed through from the inside. The environmental sensor 16b is inserted from the inside into an opening 33 in the roof module frame 19 and the corresponding opening 34 in the surface component 12 of the support structure 24. The roof module frame 19 thus forms, at least in sections, a housing for the camera sensor 16b. The camera sensor 16b is attached to the roof module frame 19 with a mounting aid 28, in particular with a mounting frame. The fastening of the functional devices 16, 16b, 16c preferably takes place before the fastening of the mounting unit 15 to the roof module frame 19. The functional devices 16, 16b, 16c are therefore preferably pre-assembled.The mounting aid 28 is preferably fastened to the roof module frame 19 by screws 30, see e.g. . Fig. 17. The camera sensor 16b is configured to transmit and / or receive electromagnetic radiation through the viewing area 18, which is preferably formed on the camera housing 26. The sealing arrangement 16c, which is pre-mounted in particular on the mounting unit 15, enables a seal between the opening 34 and the camera sensor 16b and / or the camera housing 26, thus preventing moisture from penetrating the interior of the roof module 10.

[0041] In the Fig.19 to 23 show a fourth embodiment of the mounting unit 15 during assembly, or partially in an exploded view and in an assembled view. The roof module 10 comprises a plurality of partially different mounting units 15, which differ in particular with regard to their functional devices 16 and / or their support structures 24. The roof module 10 comprises four mounting units 15, each of which comprises a camera sensor 16b, a camera housing 26, and a focusing device 16d as functional devices 16. Furthermore, the roof module 10 comprises two mounting units 15, each of which comprises a functional device 16 designed as a lidar sensor 16a, which is fastened from the inside to the roof module frame 19 via a respective support structure 24. The roof module 10 also comprises an mounting unit 15, which comprises, for example, a control device 16e as functional device 16.The camera sensors 16b are each inserted through openings 34 in the surface component 12 from the inside and are attached to the roof module frame 19. The lidar sensors 16a view through viewing areas 18 formed in the surface component 12. List of reference symbols 10 roof module 12 Surface component 14 Roof skin 15 Assembly unit 16 functional facilities 16a Environment sensor, Lidar sensor 16b Environment sensor, camera sensor 16c Sealing arrangement 16d focusing device 16e Control device 17 inner surface 18 See-through area 19 roof module frames 20 attachment point 21 Dry area 22 Wet area 23 optical axis 24 Support structure 26 camera bodies 28 Assembly aid 30 screws 32 support brackets 33 Opening in roof module frame 34 Opening in surface component 100 vehicle roof 102 Crossbeam 104 Motor vehicle body 106 Longitudinal beam 108 Roof opening system 110 Windshield x Vehicle longitudinal direction y vehicle width direction

Claims

[1] Roof module (10) for forming a vehicle roof (100) on a motor vehicle, comprising a surface component (12) which, at least in some regions, forms a roof skin (14) of the vehicle roof (100) which functions as an outer sealing surface of the roof module (10), wherein the roof module (10) comprises at least one mounting unit (15) which has a plurality of functional devices (16) with at least one environment sensor (16a) which can transmit and / or receive electromagnetic signals through a viewing area (18) to detect the vehicle environment, wherein the at least one mounting unit (15) is arranged on the inside of the roof module (10), in particular on an inner surface (17) of the surface component (12) opposite the roof skin (14), characterized bythat a part of the roof module frame (19) forms at least one support structure (24) of the assembly unit (15), on which the plurality of functional devices (16) are arranged, wherein the roof module frame (19) is connected to the surface component (12). [2] Roof module according to claim 1, characterized by that the see-through area (18) is arranged on the surface component (12) or formed by it and / or that the see-through area is provided on a housing of the at least one environment sensor (16a). [3] Roof module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one of the plurality of functional devices (16) is inserted through an opening in the surface component (12) from the inside to the outside, so that at least one of the plurality of functional devices (16) projects beyond the roof skin (14). [4] Roof module according to claim 3, characterized bythat a sealing arrangement is provided between the opening and the mounting unit (15) and / or between the opening and at least one of the plurality of functional devices (16). [5] Roof module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plurality of functional devices (16) comprise at least one component of a cooling device for cooling the at least one environmental sensor (16a) and / or at least one component of a cleaning device for cleaning the viewing area (18) of the at least one environmental sensor (16a) and / or at least one electrical and / or electronic and / or electromagnetic and / or mechanical component which preferably interacts with the at least one environmental sensor (16a). [6] Roof module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one environment sensor (16a) comprises a lidar sensor and / or a camera sensor and / or a multi-camera sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor and / or an antenna and / or an antenna module. [7] Motor vehicle comprising a roof module (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Motor vehicle according to claim 7, comprising a motor vehicle body (104), characterized by that the roof module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6 forms a structural unit which is arranged on the motor vehicle body (104), in particular on at least one body spar (102, 106) of the motor vehicle body (104).

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