Motor vehicle with a body, methods for operating a motor vehicle and methods for manufacturing a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a body (2) comprising a body component (7) and an outer skin component (11) attached to the body component (7), wherein a cavity is provided between the body component (7) and the outer skin component (11), in which an environment detection sensor (13) for detecting the environment (12) of the motor vehicle (1) through the outer skin component (11) is arranged. The environment detection sensor (13) is provided to be movably mounted in the cavity. The invention further relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (1) and a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a body comprising a body component and an outer skin component attached to the body component, wherein a cavity is provided between the body component and the outer skin component, in which an environment detection sensor for detecting the environment of the motor vehicle through the outer skin component is arranged. The invention further relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle and a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle.

[0002] For example, the prior art document WO 2019 / 081315 A1 describes a vehicle add-on part with an integrated camera module, comprising at least: a cover with an outer and an inner side, wherein the cover is made at least partially of a transparent thermoplastic material; a support part arranged on the inner side of the cover in which a camera module is arranged; wherein the cover has a local thickening and / or a local thinning of the transparent thermoplastic material on the inner side; and wherein the camera module comprises at least one camera lens and is arranged in the support part such that at least one camera lens is positioned directly opposite the local thickening and / or the local expansion.

[0003] Furthermore, the publication DE 10 2019 128 013 A1 discloses a vehicle component for integrating an environment detection sensor into a vehicle, wherein the vehicle component is designed as a plastic component and has a main body with a recess for receiving the environment detection sensor, wherein the recess is limited on a visible side of the vehicle component by a cover section which has a signal transmission surface or a signal transmission opening.

[0004] The German patent application DE 43 25 414 A1 also mentions a deformation sensor for a safety device to protect vehicle occupants against side impacts, which consists of at least one pressure-sensitive signaling element and is arranged in the side area of ​​the vehicle. It is provided that at least one signaling element is integrated into a protective strip attached to the outside of the vehicle's body.

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose a motor vehicle with a body which has advantages over known motor vehicles, in particular enabling a simple and inconspicuous integration of an environment detection sensor into the body of the motor vehicle as well as a comprehensive detection of the environment by means of the environment detection sensor.

[0006] According to the invention, this is achieved with a motor vehicle having a body with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the environment detection sensor is mounted in a displaceable manner within the cavity.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described in the description are not limiting; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims, and the figures are possible.

[0008] The body of a motor vehicle includes a body component, which in this respect forms part of the body. For example, the body component might be a roof frame rail; however, it can, in principle, be designed in any way or be located at any point on the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle, preferably a driver assistance system, has an environmental sensing device that serves to detect the vehicle's surroundings. When the environmental sensing device detects the surroundings, environmental data is generated that describes the vehicle's environment. To detect the surroundings and provide the environmental data, the environmental sensing device has an environmental sensor or several environmental sensors.For example, one or more of the following sensors are used as environmental sensing sensors: radar sensor, sonar sensor, lidar sensor, image sensor or camera, and sound sensor or microphone.

[0009] The radar sensor uses electromagnetic waves, the sonar sensor uses sound waves, and the lidar sensor uses light to detect the environment, particularly to identify obstacles. The sonar sensor, for example, is designed as an ultrasonic sensor and therefore uses sound waves in the ultrasonic range. The radar sensor, sonar sensor, and lidar sensor are all reflectivity sensors, meaning they are active sensors that emit an output signal into the environment and receive the reflected output signal as an input signal. The sound sensor, or microphone, is used to detect sound waves present in the environment.

[0010] For example, the environmental sensing sensor might be mounted on the vehicle body with a protective cover. In this case, the cover constitutes the outer skin component. Despite the cover, the sensor's placement on the body is typically visible from the outside, meaning it is not completely integrated into the vehicle's appearance. This is primarily because a small cover is often used, specifically designed to protect the sensor from environmental conditions.

[0011] For this reason, the invention provides for the use of an existing, large-area outer skin component to cover and protect the environmental sensing sensor, which is arranged as a visible component on the aforementioned body component, for example, on the roof frame rail. The body component, in particular the roof frame rail, extends in the direction of a longitudinal and / or a transverse axis of the vehicle, preferably over a relevant portion of the body, for example, over at least 40%, at least 50%, or at least 60% of the dimensions of the vehicle or its body in the same direction. The outer skin component also therefore has relevant dimensions in this direction, namely preferably also dimensions of at least 40%, at least 50%, or at least 60% of the dimensions of the vehicle in the direction of the longitudinal and / or the transverse axis.With this design of the motor vehicle, visual anomalies that would otherwise be caused by the placement of the environmental sensor on the body are reliably avoided.

[0012] The outer skin component is designed such that the environmental sensing sensor can detect the vehicle's surroundings through it. The outer skin component is therefore designed to be transparent to the environmental sensing sensor. The type of transparency depends in particular on the type of environmental sensing sensor. For example, the environmental sensing sensor may be a radar sensor. In this case, the outer skin component is radar-transparent, but preferably optically opaque. The same applies to a sonar sensor. Here, the outer skin component is acoustically transparent and—preferably—optically opaque. Of course, it is also possible for the environmental sensing sensor to be an image sensor. In this case, the outer skin component is optically transparent.More generally, the outer skin component for the environmental sensing sensor is designed to be transparent, but preferably – if possible – optically opaque. This allows for a particularly discreet integration of the environmental sensing sensor into the vehicle.

[0013] The environmental sensing sensor is mounted within the cavity so that it can be moved, for example, along the longitudinal axis and / or the transverse axis. The longitudinal axis of the vehicle is understood to be, in particular, the axis along which the vehicle has its greatest dimensions. The longitudinal axis of the vehicle is perpendicular to the transverse axis; a vertical axis is perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse axes. The longitudinal axis, the transverse axis, and the vertical axis together define a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0014] The cavity preferably has larger dimensions than the environmental sensing sensor. It is designed such that the environmental sensing sensor can be displaced within it. Preferably, the cavity is larger in the direction in which the environmental sensing sensor is displaceably mounted by a factor of at least 5, at least 10, at least 25, or at least 50 than the environmental sensing sensor in the same direction. More preferably, the environmental sensing sensor is displaceably mounted within the cavity over a distance that is also larger by a factor of at least 5, at least 10, at least 5 and 20, or at least 50 than its dimensions in that direction.

[0015] With this type of vehicle design, the environmental sensing sensor can be positioned and oriented differently during operation to detect different areas of the surroundings. Specifically, the sensor is repositioned depending on the vehicle's surroundings and / or its operating state. For example, the sensor follows the nearest obstacle it detects. This ensures a high degree of reliability in detecting the obstacle.

[0016] A further development of the invention provides that the environmental sensing sensor is connected to an actuator designed and configured for the mechanical repositioning of the environmental sensing sensor. The actuator serves to reposition the environmental sensing sensor and is operated at least intermittently for this purpose. In particular, the actuator is controlled to reposition the environmental sensing sensor depending on the environmental data provided by the sensor. Additionally or alternatively, it is controlled depending on the state of the vehicle, for example, depending on the vehicle's position. Accordingly, the position of the environmental sensing sensor relative to the vehicle body is always optimally selected, thus ensuring the high detection reliability of the environmental sensing sensor.

[0017] A further development of the invention provides that the body component is a roof frame strip that adjoins the roof of the motor vehicle on one side and defines a vehicle opening on the other. The cavity has larger dimensions in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle than the environmental sensing sensor, and the environmental sensing sensor is mounted in the cavity so as to be displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The roof frame strip adjoins the roof of the motor vehicle on one side and defines the vehicle opening on the other. For example, an outer skin or roof skin of the roof adjoins the roof frame strip and / or is attached to the roof frame strip. It can also be provided that the roof frame strip is formed, at least in part, by the roof skin of the motor vehicle.The term "roof" refers to a component of the motor vehicle, in particular the bodywork, that limits the vehicle upwards in the direction of a vertical axis.

[0018] The vehicle opening is a recess in the body. Preferably, it is completely and continuously bounded by the body, but at least partially by the body component. Preferably, the vehicle opening is a door opening of the motor vehicle. The vehicle opening can be closed, at least temporarily and at least partially, by a vehicle locking element hinged to the body. For example, the vehicle locking element is mounted on the body so that it can be moved such that in a first position it partially opens the vehicle opening and in a second position it closes it completely. In the case of a door opening, the vehicle locking element is the vehicle door. Preferably, the roof frame strip borders the vehicle opening upwards in the direction of the vertical axis, in particular completely and continuously.The roof frame strip forms part of a frame formed by the bodywork around the vehicle opening, which completely and continuously surrounds the vehicle opening.

[0019] The cavity should have larger dimensions in the direction of the longitudinal axis, i.e., in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, than the environmental sensing sensor. It is designed such that the environmental sensing sensor can be displaced within it, also in the axial direction. Preferably, the cavity is larger than the environmental sensing sensor by a factor of at least 5, at least 10, at least 25, or at least 50 in the same direction. More preferably, the environmental sensing sensor is displaceably mounted within the cavity over a distance that is also larger than its dimensions in this direction by a factor of at least 5, at least 10, at least 5 and 20, or at least 50.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the cavity and the outer skin component overlap the vehicle opening by at least 50%, at least 75%, or completely. This applies particularly in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. As already explained, the body component forms an edge that delimits the vehicle opening, at least in some areas. The cavity is located within this edge, and the outer skin component is attached to the edge. Both the cavity and the outer skin component each have an extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis that corresponds to at least 50%, at least 75%, or at least 100% of the dimensions of the vehicle opening in the same direction. Preferably, the cavity has a cross-section over the same extension that allows the repositioning of the environmental sensing sensor.Accordingly, the environmental detection sensor can also be moved over at least 50%, at least 75%, or over the entire vehicle opening, thus achieving high flexibility and good detection reliability.

[0021] A further development of the invention provides that the motor vehicle has a further vehicle opening adjacent to the vehicle opening, which is at least partially bounded by the roof frame strip, wherein the cavity and the outer skin component encompass both the vehicle opening and the further vehicle opening. The further vehicle opening is preferably of the same type as the vehicle opening; for example, both are door openings. For example, the vehicle opening is a front-facing opening located in the direction of the longitudinal center axis, and the further vehicle opening is a rear-facing opening located in the direction of the longitudinal center axis.

[0022] Preferably, the two vehicle openings are separated by a body pillar, in particular a B-pillar. Both vehicle openings are at least partially bounded by the roof frame rail. In particular, the roof frame rail binds both vehicle openings upwards in the direction of the vertical axis, thus overlapping them at least partially. Preferably, the roof frame rail completely and continuously overlaps both the vehicle opening and the other vehicle opening, thus having dimensions in the direction of the longitudinal axis that at least correspond to the common dimensions of both vehicle openings in the same direction. Furthermore, the cavity and the outer skin component used to cover the cavity also overlap both vehicle openings, again in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. This achieves a particularly discreet arrangement of the environmental sensing sensor on the body.

[0023] A further development of the invention provides that the cavity and the outer skin component extend from an A-pillar of the motor vehicle to a C-pillar of the motor vehicle. The pillars of the motor vehicle are understood to be vertically extending pillars. In particular, the A-pillar and the C-pillar enclose the vehicle opening and the further vehicle opening in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Specifically, the A-pillar limits the vehicle opening in a first direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the C-pillar limits the further vehicle opening in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0024] The B-pillar is preferably arranged between the A-pillar and the C-pillar, separating the vehicle opening from the other vehicle opening. Viewed along the longitudinal axis, the vehicle opening is bounded on one side by the A-pillar and on the other by the B-pillar, while the other vehicle opening is bounded on the one hand by the B-pillar and on the other by the C-pillar. The A-pillar and the C-pillar, and preferably also the B-pillar, are connected to each other via the body panel; in particular, they are integrally formed and made of the same material as the body panel.

[0025] The cavity and the outer skin component extend along the longitudinal axis from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, thus overlapping it. However, it is not necessary for the cavity and the outer skin component to be directly adjacent to the pillars; rather, they merely extend along the longitudinal axis by a distance at least equal to the distance between the A-pillar and the C-pillar in that direction. As previously explained, this achieves a significant extension of the outer skin component and allows for a visually unobtrusive integration of the surround-view sensor into the vehicle body.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle as described in this description, wherein the motor vehicle has a body comprising a body component and an outer skin component attached to the body component, wherein a cavity is provided between the body component and the outer skin component, in which an environment detection sensor for detecting the environment of the motor vehicle through the outer skin component is arranged, and which is operated at least temporarily to detect the environment of the motor vehicle through the outer skin component. It is provided that the environment detection sensor is movably mounted in the cavity and is moved within the cavity at least temporarily.

[0027] The advantages of such a procedure or such a design of the motor vehicle have already been pointed out. Both the motor vehicle and the method for operating it may be further developed as explained in the description, and reference is made to these explanations. The environmental sensing sensor is movably arranged in the cavity and is moved within it at least temporarily, in particular mechanically by means of an actuator. The actuator is connected to the environmental sensing sensor via a drive mechanism.

[0028] A further development of the invention provides that the environmental sensing sensor is relocated, at least temporarily, by means of an actuator, particularly depending on environmental data acquired by the environmental sensing sensor and / or on a state variable of the vehicle. The relocation of the environmental sensing sensor using the actuator has already been mentioned. Preferably, this relocation occurs depending on the environmental data acquired by the environmental sensing sensor itself and / or depending on the state variable of the vehicle.

[0029] The state variable can be, for example, the vehicle's position, its speed, or similar parameters. The vehicle's position describes, for instance, the type of road on which the vehicle is currently traveling. The road type specifically describes whether the road the vehicle is traveling on is an urban or rural road, such as a country road or a highway. This approach ensures demand-based operation of the environmental sensor and achieves particularly high detection accuracy, as the sensor captures the relevant area of ​​the vehicle's surroundings.

[0030] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle as described in this description, wherein the motor vehicle has a body comprising a body component and an outer skin component attached to the body component, wherein a cavity is provided between the body component and the outer skin component in which an environment sensing sensor for detecting the environment of the motor vehicle through the outer skin component is arranged. It is provided that the environment sensing sensor (13) is movably mounted in the cavity.

[0031] Regarding the advantages and potential beneficial further developments of the motor vehicle and the method for its manufacture, reference is again made to the further details in this description. For example, it is intended that a roof frame strip, adjacent on one side to the roof of the motor vehicle and on the other side defining a vehicle opening, is used as a body component.

[0032] A further development of the invention provides that the body component is first coated and then the outer skin component is attached to the coated body component. The body component is coated, for example, by painting, preferably by dip coating. In particular, the coating is carried out using cathodic dip coating. During the coating process, the body component is heat-treated at temperatures of at least 120 °C, at least 150 °C, or at least 180 °C. In any case, the temperature used for the heat treatment is higher than the maximum temperature to which the environmental sensing sensor may be exposed in order to prevent damage.

[0033] Accordingly, it is necessary to first coat the body panel, including heat treatment, and only then attach the environmental sensing sensor to the body panel, in particular to mount it. The environmental sensing sensor is subsequently covered using the outer skin panel, thus sealing the cavity housing the sensor. Preferably, the environmental sensing sensor and the outer skin panel are mounted separately on the body panel. The environmental sensing sensor and the outer skin panel do not form a single unit and are mounted or attached to the body panel separately. This achieves the advantages already mentioned.

[0034] The features and combinations of features described in the description, in particular those described in the following figure description and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention, in particular the scope of the claims. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which emerge from or can be derived from the explained embodiments, particularly within the scope of the claims, are also to be considered as encompassed by the invention.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, without limiting the invention. The only embodiment shown is... Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an area of ​​a motor vehicle, more precisely a body of the motor vehicle.

[0036] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a section of a motor vehicle 1, more precisely, a body 2 of the motor vehicle 1. A longitudinal member 3 is shown, from which several pillars 4, 5, and 6 of the body 2 extend. Pillar 4 can also be referred to as the A-pillar, pillar 5 as the B-pillar, and pillar 6 as the C-pillar. On their side facing away from the longitudinal member 3, pillars 4, 5, and 6 are connected to each other by a body component 7, which is a roof frame rail.

[0037] The longitudinal member 3, the pillars 4, 5, and 6, and the body component 7 define a first vehicle opening 8 and a second vehicle opening 9. More precisely, the first vehicle opening 8 is defined by the longitudinal member 3, the pillars 4 and 5, and the body component 7, whereas the second vehicle opening 9 is defined by the longitudinal member 3, the pillars 5 and 6, and also the body component 7. This means that the body component 7 extends over the pillars 4, 5, and 6, specifically from pillar 4 to pillar 6, overlapping pillar 5 in the process.

[0038] The body component 7 defines the vehicle openings 8 and 9 on one side and abuts the roof 10 of the vehicle 1 on the other. For example, a roof skin forming the roof 10 is attached to the body component 7 or at least partially forms the body component 7. An outer skin component 11 is attached to the body component 7, which closes a cavity also present in the body component 7. The cavity is, for example, a recess in the body component 7 and is closed off by the outer skin component 11 towards the surroundings 12 or the external environment of the vehicle 1.

[0039] At least one environmental sensing sensor 13 is arranged in the cavity, shown here by way of example in three different positions. The environmental sensing sensor 13 is movable according to the double arrows 14, in particular along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1. Of course, it is also possible for several environmental sensing sensors 13 to be located in the cavity, each of which can be moved independently of one another. At least one actuator is provided for moving the environmental sensing sensor 13 or sensors 13; in the case of multiple environmental sensing sensors 13, preferably several actuators. With the aid of the actuator, the environmental sensing sensor 13, or the multiple environmental sensing sensors 13, can be moved mechanically, in particular independently of one another.

[0040] The described design of the vehicle 1 achieves an optically unobtrusive integration of the environmental sensing sensor 13 into the body 2. Furthermore, particularly high detection accuracy is achieved because the environmental sensing sensor 13 is repositionable. It can therefore always be positioned so that it detects the environment 2 of the vehicle 1 as needed. It should be noted that the body component 7 does not necessarily have to be designed as a roof frame strip. Other body components are also fundamentally suitable for mounting the environmental sensing sensor 13. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 motor vehicle 2 Bodywork 3 longitudinal beams 4th pillar 5th pillar 6th pillar 7 Body component 8 1. Vehicle opening 9 2. Vehicle opening 10 Roof 11 Outer skin component 12 Environment 13 Environment detection sensor 14 Double Arrow QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2019 / 081315 A1

[0002] DE 10 2019 128 013 A1

[0003] DE 43 25 414 A1

[0004]

Claims

Motor vehicle (1) with a body (2) comprising a body component (7) and an outer skin component (11) attached to the body component (7), wherein a cavity is located between the body component (7) and the outer skin component (11), in which an environment detection sensor (13) for detecting an environment (12) of the motor vehicle (1) through the outer skin component (11) is arranged, characterized in that the environment detection sensor (13) is displaceably mounted in the cavity. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the environment detection sensor (13) is connected to an actuator in a drive-technical manner, which is provided and designed for the mechanical relocation of the environment detection sensor (13). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body component (7) is a roof frame strip adjoining on one side a roof (10) of the motor vehicle (1) and on the other side limiting a vehicle opening (8) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the cavity has larger dimensions in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle (1) than the environment detection sensor (13) and the environment detection sensor (13) is displaceably mounted in the cavity in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity and the outer skin component (11) overlap the vehicle opening (8) by at least 50%, at least 75% or completely. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (1) has a further vehicle opening (9) adjacent to the vehicle opening (8), which is at least partially limited by the roof frame strip, wherein the cavity and the outer skin component (11) overlap both the vehicle opening (8) and the further vehicle opening (9). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity and the outer skin component (11) extend from an A-pillar of the motor vehicle (1) to a C-pillar of the motor vehicle (1). Method for operating a motor vehicle (1), in particular a motor vehicle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a body (2) comprising a body component (7) and an outer skin component (11) attached to the body component (7), wherein a cavity is provided between the body component (7) and the outer skin component (11), in which an environment detection sensor (13) for detecting an environment (12) of the motor vehicle (1) through the outer skin component (11) is arranged, which is operated at least temporarily for detecting the environment (12) of the motor vehicle (1) through the outer skin component (11), characterized in that the environment detection sensor (13) is displaceably mounted in the cavity and is displaced at least temporarily in the cavity. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the environment detection sensor is moved mechanically, at least temporarily, by means of an actuator. Method for manufacturing a motor vehicle (1), in particular a motor vehicle (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a body (2) comprising a body component (7) and an outer skin component (11) attached to the body component (7), wherein a cavity is provided between the body component (7) and the outer skin component (11), in which an environment detection sensor (13) is arranged for detecting an environment of the motor vehicle (1) through the outer skin component (11), characterized in that the environment detection sensor (13) is displaceably mounted in the cavity. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the body component (7) is first coated and then the outer skin component (11) is attached to the coated body component (7).

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