Motor vehicle with a roller shutter cover featuring solar cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roller shutter cover (100) comprising several articulated roller shutter elements (110) and two guide rails (120) for lateral guidance of the roller shutter elements (110), wherein the roller shutter elements (110) are equipped with solar cells at least on one side. According to the invention, at least one of the guide rails (120) is designed as a contact rail via which each roller shutter element (110) is individually electrically contacted in order to connect the respective solar cells to an on-board electrical system (200) of the motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] According to the preamble of claim 1, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roller shutter cover comprising several roller shutter elements articulated to one another and two guide rails for lateral guidance of the roller shutter elements, wherein the roller shutter elements are equipped with solar cells at least on one side.

[0002] From EP 4 309 933 A1, a cover designed as a roller shutter for the loading area of ​​a pickup truck is known, the roller shutter elements of which can be designed as solar panels. The electrical connection of the solar panels is made by means of a cable connection.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a motor vehicle that has an improved roller shutter cover with solar cells.

[0004] The problem is solved, firstly, by the motor vehicle according to the invention of claim 1 and, secondly, by the motor vehicle according to the invention of the dependent claim, the respective features of which can expressly be combined with one another. Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (including optional and exemplary features), and the figure.

[0005] A motor vehicle according to the invention has at least one cover designed as a roller shutter, which is hereinafter referred to as the roller shutter cover. The roller shutter cover can be an outer cover, e.g., a loading area cover. The roller shutter cover can also be an inner cover, e.g., a trunk cover or a window cover functioning as sun / privacy protection. The roller shutter cover has several roller shutter elements (also referred to as roller shutter profiles) articulated to one another, as well as two guide rails for the lateral guidance (and support) of the roller shutter elements. The roller shutter elements are held in the guide rails at their opposite lateral ends and can be moved in the plane between the guide rails without any folding movements. Preferably, the roller shutter elements are made of plastic or aluminum.

[0006] The motor vehicle is preferably a passenger car or a truck, in particular designed as a pick-up and having a loading area that can be covered with a roller shutter cover.

[0007] The roller shutter elements are equipped with solar cells on at least one side, preferably at least on the side facing the light, in particular daylight or sunlight, so that the roller shutter elements in question are essentially designed as solar modules and can generate electrical energy. Preferably, all roller shutter elements, or at least those exposed to light, are equipped with solar cells or designed as solar modules.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the guide rails is also designed as an (electrical) contact rail, via which each (solar cell-equipped) roller shutter element is individually electrically contacted in order to connect the respective solar cells to an (electrical) vehicle electrical system.

[0009] A guide rail designed as a contact rail has at least one (electrical) contact element extending longitudinally along the guide rail, which is (electrically) contacted by corresponding (electrical) contact elements on the roller shutter elements regardless of their relative position (so-called sliding or friction contact). Only one of the guide rails can be used for the electrical contact of the roller shutter elements, in which case it has at least two, preferably only two, longitudinally extending contact elements. Alternatively, both guide rails can be used, each then having at least one, preferably only one, longitudinally extending contact element. Preferably, the roller shutter elements are each designed with at least two contact elements (positive pole and negative pole), both of which can be arranged at one lateral end or at one of the opposite ends.

[0010] Preferably, the roller shutter elements are arranged in an electrical parallel circuit, so that even in a partially open state, in which not all roller shutter elements are extended or unwound from a roller shutter shaft (su), the roller shutter elements exposed to light can generate electrical energy without having to switch off or bridge the darkened or shaded roller shutter elements.

[0011] Preferably, the guide rail, designed as a contact rail, is sealed by means of a seal. The guide rails are particularly designed as U-shaped profiles with a guide groove, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending (electrical) contact element of a contact rail is located within the guide groove. The seal is specifically designed to seal the guide groove against moisture and / or dirt, thus protecting the contact element or the electrical contact of the roller shutter elements. The seal is particularly designed to either seal against the roller shutter elements or close the guide groove, which occurs section by section when the roller shutter is partially open. For this purpose, the seal can, for example, be designed similarly to a sash guide seal and additionally have one or more flexible sealing lips, possibly also in combination with a brush seal.

[0012] Preferably, a roller shutter shaft, in particular an electrically driven roller shutter shaft, is provided for winding and unwinding the roller shutter elements. The roller shutter shaft is preferably arranged in a roller shutter box or similar structure.

[0013] Preferably, a control device is provided for controlling the electric motor for the roller shutter shaft. The control device can be designed or configured, among other things, to automatically extend as many roller shutter elements as possible from the roller shutter shaft when light is present, especially daylight or sunlight, in order to generate as much electrical energy as possible and thus maximize the electricity yield.

[0014] The motorized unwinding or extension of the roller shutter elements, in particular automatic unwinding or extension, can be coupled with obstacle or collision detection to prevent collisions, e.g., with cargo, during the extension or unwinding process. Specifically, the extension or unwinding of the roller shutter elements is automatically stopped upon detection of an obstacle. Control is preferably achieved via the control unit. At least one sensor, e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, functioning similarly to a parking aid, can be arranged in the foremost roller shutter element or a front end rail. The sensor can be connected to the control unit via the at least one guide rail designed as a contact rail, thus eliminating the need for additional wiring. Data transmission between the sensor and the control unit can then be, for example,This is done using carrier frequency technology.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cleaning device is provided with which the roller shutter elements, at least the roller shutter elements equipped with solar cells, can be automatically cleaned when extending or unwinding from a roller shutter shaft and / or when retracting or winding onto the roller shutter shaft, at least on the side equipped with the solar cells.

[0016] Increasing soiling of the roller shutter elements (e.g., by dust deposits, bird droppings, insect remains, etc.) leads to a reduction in the generated electrical energy or power output. The cleaning device removes this soiling and ensures the optimal functioning of the solar cells.

[0017] Preferably, the cleaning device comprises at least one spray head for dispensing a cleaning fluid and at least one squeegee or wiper blade, a blow-off device, and / or a suction device. Optionally, a cleaning brush or similar device may also be provided. Preferably, the spray head and squeegee blade, the blow-off device, and / or the suction device are arranged in a roller shutter box or similar structure, in particular such that the roller shutter elements can be cleaned when extending from or retracting into the roller shutter box.

[0018] Preferably, a control device is provided (so) that automatically initiates or triggers a cleaning process when a certain degree of soiling (of the roller shutter elements) has been reached or exceeded. The degree of soiling can be detected by at least one optical sensor, e.g., a camera. The degree of soiling can also be detected based on a decrease in efficiency or power output.

[0019] The electrical energy generated by the roller shutter cover or its solar cells can be used for electrical consumers in the vehicle, in particular for the vehicle's electric drive, and / or stored in the vehicle's battery. The electrical energy generated by the roller shutter cover can also be used externally. Preferably, the vehicle has a socket or similar device for the external use of the electrical energy generated by the roller shutter cover, and in particular, only the electrical energy generated by the roller shutter cover. The socket essentially functions as a power source for an external consumer, especially when the vehicle is stationary or parked.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, both the features described above and those explained below are applicable not only in the specified combination of features, but also in other combinations or individually. This also applies to the features shown in the figure.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below in a non-limiting manner with reference to a figure. The features shown in the figure and / or explained below can, even independently of specific combinations of features, be general features of the invention and further develop the invention accordingly. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a roller shutter cover designed according to the invention on a motor vehicle.

[0022] The roller shutter cover 100 shown is located on the exterior of a motor vehicle (not shown). For example, it is a cargo bed cover of a pickup truck. The roller shutter cover 100 has several hinged roller shutter elements (roller shutter profiles) 110, which form a so-called roller curtain that serves as a cover. The roller shutter cover 100 includes two guide rails 120 for the lateral guidance and support of the roller shutter elements 110, of which only one is shown. Furthermore, a roller shutter shaft 130 is present, on which the roller shutter elements 110 can be wound and unwound to extend and retract the roller curtain, as illustrated by the double arrow. The roller shutter shaft 130 is located in a roller shutter box 140 and is driven by an electric motor 135.

[0023] The roller shutter elements 110 are equipped with solar cells on their outer surfaces facing daylight or sunlight, so that the roller shutter elements 110 function as solar modules. At least one of the guide rails 120 is designed as a contact rail, via which each roller shutter element 110 is individually or separately electrically contacted in order to subsequently connect the respective solar cells to the vehicle's electrical system 200. The at least one guide rail 120 designed as a contact rail has one or more contact elements 150 extending longitudinally along the guide rail, which are contacted by corresponding contact elements (not shown) on the roller shutter elements 110, regardless of their relative position, as explained in more detail above. The contact elements 150 are, optionally with the interposition of an electrical converter (e.g., a transformer),a DC / DC converter), connected to the vehicle's electrical system 200, so that the electrical energy generated using the roller shutter cover 100 or the roller shutter elements 110 can be supplied to the vehicle's electrical system 200.

[0024] A control unit 160 is provided for controlling various functions. With the help of the control unit 160, the electric motor 135 for driving the roller shutter shaft 130 can be controlled so that, in the presence of light, especially above a certain light intensity, as many roller shutter elements 110 as possible are automatically extended by unwinding from the roller shutter shaft 130 in order to generate maximum electrical energy. To prevent collisions, e.g., with cargo, obstacle detection is also provided. For this purpose, at least one sensor 170, e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, is arranged in the foremost roller shutter element 110 of the shutter curtain or in a front end rail. If an obstacle is detected, the unwinding or extension of the roller shutter elements 110 is automatically stopped. Data transmission between the sensor 170 and the control unit 160 can take place via the contact elements 150, as described above.

[0025] Furthermore, a cleaning device for automatically cleaning the roller shutter elements 110 is provided, which is designed, by way of example, such that the roller shutter elements 110 can be cleaned when being retracted or wound onto the roller shutter shaft 130. The cleaning device comprises at least one spray head 190 for dispensing a cleaning fluid and a suction device 195, which are arranged in the roller shutter box 140.

[0026] Instead of or in addition to the suction device 195, at least one wiping rubber and / or a blowing device may be provided. The suctioned, wiped and / or blown cleaning fluid is discharged in a suitable manner.

[0027] The automatic cleaning of the roller shutter elements 110 is controlled by the control unit 160. When the roller shutter elements 110 are retracted or wound up, the degree of soiling is detected using an optical sensor 180, e.g., a camera. If a certain degree of soiling is reached or exceeded, a cleaning process is triggered or initiated for the roller shutter elements 110, whereby only the soiled roller shutter elements 110 are cleaned.

[0028] Further features and embodiments of the invention are described above.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle with a roller shutter cover (100) comprising several roller shutter elements (110) connected by joints and two guide rails (120) for lateral guidance of the roller shutter elements (110), wherein the roller shutter elements (110) are equipped with solar cells at least on one side, characterized by , that at least one of the guide rails (120) is designed as a contact rail, via which each roller shutter element (110) is individually electrically contacted in order to connect the respective solar cells to an on-board network (200) of the motor vehicle. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the guide rail (120) designed as a contact rail is sealed by means of a seal. [3] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a roller shutter shaft (130) driven by an electric motor (135) is available for winding and unwinding the roller shutter elements (110). [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by, that a control device (160) for controlling the electric motor (135) is provided, which is designed to automatically extend as many roller shutter elements (110) as possible by unwinding them from the roller shutter shaft (130) when light is present, in order to generate as much electrical energy as possible. [5] Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized by , that the automatic unwinding of the roller shutter elements (110) is coupled with an obstacle detection, for which it is provided in particular that at least one sensor (170) is arranged in the foremost roller shutter element (110) or a front end strip. [6] Motor vehicle, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with a roller shutter cover (100) comprising several roller shutter elements (110) articulated to one another and two guide rails (120) for lateral guidance of the roller shutter elements (110), wherein the roller shutter elements (110) are equipped with solar cells at least on one side, characterized by, that a cleaning device for automatically cleaning the roller shutter elements (110) when extending and / or retracting the roller shutter elements (110) is provided. [7] Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized by that the cleaning device comprises a spray head (190) for dispensing a cleaning fluid and a wiping rubber, a blow-off device or a suction device (195). [8] Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by , that the spray head (190) and the wiper rubber, the blow-off device or the suction device (195) are arranged in a roller shutter box (140). [9] Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that a control device (160) is present which automatically initiates a cleaning process when a certain degree of soiling has been reached or exceeded. [10] Motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the motor vehicle has a socket for external use of the electrical energy generated by the roller shutter cover (100).

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