Motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving and method for the production thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a motor vehicle body (10), wherein the motor vehicle is designed for autonomous driving and has a computer (12) for controlling the motor vehicle during the autonomous driving. The computer (12) is secured to a support element (14) arranged at the rear of the tor vehicle body (10) and secured to the body (10) of the motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving and method for its production

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving, according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a method for producing a motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving.

[0004] There is a desire to develop motor vehicles so that they are suitable for autonomous driving. Autonomous driving of a motor vehicle is understood, in particular, to mean that it can travel a certain distance without requiring driver intervention to control the vehicle.

[0005] To make this possible, the motor vehicles in question are equipped with powerful computers for controlling the vehicle during autonomous driving. The need for such a powerful computer arises simply from the fact that, in order to ensure safe autonomous driving, the computer controlling the autonomously driving vehicle must evaluate a large amount of data from the vehicle's comparatively complex sensor system. This is necessary so that the computer is capable of correctly recording complex traffic situations with the highest level of reliability. The decisions that the computer must make to ensure safe autonomous driving are correspondingly complex and must be made in the shortest possible time.

[0006] This means that the computers in question have a considerable weight, which results in particular from the necessary cooling of the computers in question. In addition, the computers in question are cost-intensive, so it is desirable that the computers are protected as well as possible from harmful influences during operation of the motor vehicle. This gives rise to corresponding requirements for the location in a motor vehicle where a corresponding computer is installed. From the prior art, such as US 2020 / 0148136 A1, it is known to arrange the computer below the rear seat of a motor vehicle. There it is possible to attach the computer to the motor vehicle body. For example, the computer can be attached to supports of the motor vehicle body that run transversely in the motor vehicle in the area of ​​the floor of the motor vehicle.However, this type of computer arrangement results in a number of additional disadvantages. Firstly, the computer is difficult to access in this position, which complicates maintenance work, which may well be necessary on such a complex computer. Furthermore, the computer is not as well protected in this position as one might assume given its inaccessibility. For example, spilled drinks in the rear seat area pose a risk of potential damage to the computer.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving and a method for its production, in which the disadvantages described above do not occur or at least occur to a reduced extent.

[0008] The problem is solved by a motor vehicle and a method having the features of the independent claims. The features of the dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0009] The motor vehicle is designed for autonomous driving. In this context, a motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving is understood in particular to be a motor vehicle that has the necessary sensors to enable autonomous driving, at least for some sections. This means, in particular, that the vehicle does not have to be able to handle every traffic situation autonomously. A motor vehicle designed for autonomous driving is understood in particular to be a motor vehicle that can cover routes autonomously, for example following a route from a navigation system, and in doing so can detect and independently handle traffic situations, especially complex ones, and not merely a motor vehicle that is designed to autonomously enable only individual, discrete driving maneuvers, such as automated parking.

[0010] The motor vehicle has a computer for controlling the vehicle during autonomous driving. The computer can, in particular, be a liquid-cooled computer. Liquid cooling has the advantage of enabling comparatively high computing power, as the heat generated can be effectively dissipated.

[0011] The problem is solved, in particular, by the computer being mounted on a support element located in the rear of the motor vehicle body and secured to the body of the motor vehicle. Securing the computer to such a support element allows the arrangement of a powerful, and thus heavy, computer in question in the rear of the motor vehicle. The support element, in particular, enables a connection between the computer and the motor vehicle body. This allows the computer to be mounted in the rear of the vehicle in such a way that, even in the event of a frontal impact of the motor vehicle, it is held sufficiently securely by the motor vehicle body and does not break away, thus becoming a threat to the occupants of the motor vehicle.Otherwise, if the computer is located at the rear of the vehicle body, they could be hit from behind by the computer flying around and be seriously injured.

[0012] Furthermore, the arrangement of the computer in the rear of the motor vehicle body is advantageous. There, the computer is not exposed to the influences which, as described above, arise from the people in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the computer in the rear of the motor vehicle is easily accessible, for example for maintenance purposes. The arrangement in the rear can in particular mean the arrangement in an area within the motor vehicle body which is typically used as a trunk in conventional, i.e. non-autonomously driving, motor vehicles. Such an arrangement of the computer in particular enables the greatest possible use of conventional motor vehicle bodies, for which the support element creates a suitable installation option for the computer. The support element can in particular be arranged in the manner of a rack in the rear of the motor vehicle body.

[0013] The computer can be located behind the last row of seats in the motor vehicle, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. In most motor vehicle bodies, there is a suitable area of ​​space behind the last row of seats that can be used to install the computer. By attaching the computer using the support element and the resulting anchoring in the vehicle body, this is also made safe in the event of a frontal collision. In particular, the computer can be located behind a rear seat backrest in the last row of seats in the motor vehicle. This means that the computer is located at a height that is largely safe from leaking fluids from the passenger area of ​​the motor vehicle, and at a height that is easily accessible for maintenance work.

[0014] Alternatively and / or additionally, the computer can be arranged behind a partition that separates the computer from a cargo space located in front of the computer in the direction of travel. In this context, the vehicle can be, in particular, a commercial vehicle, for example, a van. Such a partition can effectively protect the computer in the rear of the vehicle body from interference from the cargo space. In this case, the cargo space can be accessible, in particular, through one or more doors located on the side of the vehicle.

[0015] The support element can be designed, at least essentially, as a flat surface. With a flat surface, such a support element offers a practical mounting position not only for the computer, but also for any other equipment components of the motor vehicle associated with the computer or the autonomous driving functionality. The support element can extend, in particular, in a horizontal plane at the rear. A horizontal extension of the support element advantageously enables the arrangement of the equipment in question thereon.

[0016] The computer can be fastened to the support element by at least one connecting element fastened to the computer. The at least one connecting element can extend upwards away from the support element along the computer. Such connecting elements enable a firm connection between the computer and the support element, since flat sides of the computer that do not face the support element can be used for fastening. In this context, the connecting elements extend in particular flatly along the computer away from the support element upwards. Due to such a flat extension, the connecting elements offer good options for connecting to the computer and at the same time only minimally increase the space required on the support element, so that a correspondingly large amount of space is available for arranging additional equipment next to the computer.In this context, a plurality of connecting elements can be provided to further increase the stability of the attachment of the computer to the support element. The computer can be attached to a crossbeam. The crossbeam is in particular spaced from the support element. The crossbeam can be arranged above the support element. By arranging the crossbeam in this way, the crossbeam offers an effective additional attachment option for securely fixing the computer, in particular in the event of a frontal impact of the motor vehicle. In particular, the arrangement above and spaced from the support element has a positive effect on the resulting mechanical stress on the components involved in the event of a frontal impact. The crossbeam can in particular extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The crossbeam can be attached to the motor vehicle body.The attachment of a motor vehicle body can provide a secure anchoring of the cross member, allowing it to absorb even relatively large forces in the event of a frontal impact and transmit them to the vehicle body. The extension of the cross member transverse to the direction of travel makes it possible, in particular, to use the cross member to span an area of ​​the body that is located between two suitable attachment points for the cross member, but which does not itself provide suitable attachment options. This spanned area could, for example, be an opening in the vehicle body, such as an opening that can be closed by a tailgate and / or a rear door. The cross member can therefore provide a useful additional attachment for the computer.The cross member is spaced from the support element in the vertical direction of the vehicle by at least half the height of the computer, in particular by 75% of the height of the computer. Such an arrangement allows the forces generated by the computer's inertia in the event of a frontal impact to be particularly well absorbed and transferred to the vehicle body.

[0017] The computer can be attached to the crossbeam, in particular by at least one connecting element. The connecting elements can advantageously be used to attach the computer to the crossbeam as well. In this way, the connecting elements also create a mechanical connection between the support element and the crossbeam, which contributes to additional stabilization of the overall structure. Furthermore, the crossbeam can advantageously provide additional attachment points for other equipment arranged on the support element.

[0018] In particular, a cooling fluid tank for cooling the computer, a cleaning fluid tank for cleaning the motor vehicle's sensors, and / or a battery for supplying the computer and / or other components of the vehicle's electronics with electrical energy can be mounted on the support element. Motor vehicles designed for autonomous driving require a large quantity of cleaning fluid to keep the sensors free of contamination. This can expediently be stored in a tank arranged on the support element. Advantageously, the tank for the cleaning fluid can have a capacity of at least 10 l, preferably at least 15 l.By locating this tank on the support element, no additional installation space is required elsewhere in the vehicle, simplifying the equipping of a vehicle for the autonomous procedure. Furthermore, the tank's easy accessibility, located in the rear of the vehicle body, ensures easy refilling.

[0019] The high-performance computers used can benefit from cooling using a coolant. The coolant also has a considerable weight, so the placement of a coolant tank for liquid cooling of the computer on the support element, and in particular its attachment to it, is also advantageous.

[0020] Furthermore, motor vehicles of the type in question often require additional batteries to power the computer and / or other components of the vehicle's electronics. This is especially the case with electrically powered vehicles. Batteries of the type in question also have a considerable weight, which is why their attachment to the support element is also advantageous.

[0021] The support element can be attached to the body in such a way that ground can be conducted via the support element to the vehicle body. In motor vehicles, it is common to use the body as a ground pole. A suitable attachment of the support element to the body, which in particular establishes electrical contact between the body and the support element, in conjunction with a conductive material of the support element, can enable its use as a ground pole for the motor vehicle equipment arranged on the support element. For this purpose, the support element can in particular have suitable contacting elements, such as WHT bolts, via which electrical and / or electronic equipment can be electrically connected to the support element.

[0022] The support element, the at least one connecting element, and / or the crossbeam can be made, in particular, of metallic materials. These typically exhibit high strength and ductile deformation behavior, thus providing advantageous absorption of the forces caused by the inertia of the computer and other equipment attached to the support element and, if applicable, the crossbeam in the event of a frontal impact.

[0023] The method for manufacturing a motor vehicle serves, in particular, to manufacture a motor vehicle as described above. The motor vehicle manufactured according to the method is designed for autonomous driving and has a computer for controlling the vehicle during autonomous driving. In particular, it is a motor vehicle according to the above description.

[0024] The method achieves the object in particular by first attaching the computer to the support element during assembly of the motor vehicle and, after attaching the computer to the support element, the unit formed from the computer and the support element is attached to the rear of the motor vehicle body.

[0025] This simplifies the installation of the computer. The computer and, in particular, other equipment of the motor vehicle, such as a cleaning fluid tank, a coolant tank, and / or a battery, can thus be attached to the support element outside the vehicle body, which significantly simplifies this work. The resulting unit can then be secured in the body as a single piece by attaching the support element to the vehicle body. The support element is attached to the vehicle body in particular in such a way that an electrically conductive connection is created between the support element and the vehicle body.

[0026] The method can advantageously also provide for at least one connecting element, in particular at least one connecting element of the type described above, to be first attached to the computer. After the connecting element has been attached to the computer, the assembly comprising the computer and at least one connecting element is attached to the support element. This further simplifies the pre-assembly of the unit comprising the computer and support element, and any additional equipment.

[0027] The method may in particular provide that the body is painted before the unit is attached to the rear of the body.

[0028] The method can provide that, after the unit formed by the computer and support element is secured in the body, a cross member, in particular a cross member according to the above description, the computer is secured to this cross member, and the cross member is in turn secured to the vehicle body. Securing the computer to the cross member and the cross member in the vehicle body after securing the unit in the body is particularly advantageous because the process of inserting the unit into the rear of the vehicle body and securing the support element to the vehicle body is not hindered by the cross member.This is particularly advantageous when the unit is inserted into the vehicle through an opening in the rear of the vehicle body, which in a conventional vehicle is typically used for loading the vehicle with luggage. The computer can be attached to the crossmember by at least one connecting element, in particular by at least one connecting element according to the above description. This advantageously creates a mechanically resilient connection between the computer and the crossmember.

[0029] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings. They show:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the rear of the motor vehicle body of an exemplary motor vehicle with a built-in computer,

[0031] Fig. 2 is a view of the rear of Figure 1 with parts of the motor vehicle removed,

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the support element from the example shown in Figure 1,

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the components of the support element from Fig. 3. Figures 1 and 2 show, by way of example, the view through an opening of a motor vehicle body 10, such as is typically closed by a tailgate or rear door. The motor vehicle is shown in an unfinished state; in Fig. 2, some of the components of the motor vehicle have been omitted from the illustration for better visibility of certain elements.

[0034] For the purpose of autonomous driving, the exemplary motor vehicle has a computer 12 for controlling the motor vehicle during autonomous driving. As shown by way of example, the computer 12 is arranged in the rear of the motor vehicle body 10 and is attached to a support element 14 fastened to the motor vehicle body 10. In particular, as shown, the computer 12 is arranged such that it is accessible through an opening in the rear of the vehicle, which can be closed in particular by a tailgate and / or a rear door.

[0035] As shown by way of example in particular in Fig. 1, the computer 12 can be arranged behind the last row of seats of the motor vehicle, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. In the example shown, the row of seats is not visible in Fig. 2 for illustrative reasons; only the floor area 16 of the motor vehicle body 10 is visible, on which the last row of seats of the motor vehicle, arranged in front of the computer in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is attached.

[0036] As in the example shown, the computer 12 can be fastened to the support element 14 by at least one connecting element 18 to which the computer 12 is fastened. In the example shown, two connecting elements 18 are shown as examples. The connecting elements 18 extend from the computer 12 upwards along the computer 12. The connecting elements 18 can have a flat extension, as in the example shown. The connecting elements 18 allow additional surface sides of the computer 12 to be used for its fastening when it is fastened to the support element 14. Assembly is advantageously carried out in such a way that the connecting elements 18 are first connected to the computer 12 and the thus formed combination of computer 12 and connecting elements 18 is then connected to the support element 14.The unit thus formed, comprising the computer 12 and the support element 14, can then advantageously be fastened together in a subsequent step at the rear of the body 10 of the motor vehicle. As shown, a cross member 20 can advantageously be fastened to the motor vehicle body 10 at the rear of the motor vehicle. The computer 12 can be fastened to this cross member 20, as shown by way of example. As in the example shown, the computer 12 can be fastened to the cross member 20 via at least one connecting element 18, two in the example shown.

[0037] The structure of the support element 14 is shown schematically in Figures 3 and 4. The support element 14 can, as in the example shown, have a planar surface element 22 for providing a flat surface. Such a flat surface advantageously enables the arrangement and fastening of the computer 12 and, if appropriate, as shown in Fig. 1, further equipment 23, such as in particular a coolant tank, a cleaning fluid tank and / or a battery, on the surface of the surface element 22. As shown in the example shown using an exemplary battery console 24, additional elements can be arranged on the surface element 22 to support the arrangement of the equipment on the surface element 22.

[0038] The support element 14 can further comprise a support structure 26. The support structure 26 can be frame-shaped, as in the example shown. For example, the support structure 26 can be composed of a plurality of profiles. The support structure 26 can, in particular, comprise additional fastening areas 28 that extend away from the support structure 26 in order to reach suitable fastening points in the motor vehicle body 10 and enable fastening to them. The surface element 22 can be arranged on the support structure 26.By means of such a combination of a support structure 26 and a surface element 22, a comparatively light support element 14 can be formed which, on the one hand, provides a corresponding flat surface and functionality for arranging the computer 12 and, if appropriate, further equipment 23, and, on the other hand, has a high load-bearing capacity in order to securely fasten the total weight of the equipment arranged on the support element 14, which in practice can easily reach values ​​of around 100 kg, and to hold it securely in the rear of the motor vehicle, in particular in the event of a frontal impact of the motor vehicle.

[0039] Advantageously, the support element 14, as shown by way of example in Fig. 4, can have contacting elements 30, which serve to utilize the support element 14 for grounding via the motor vehicle body 10. The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings, and in the claims can be essential, both individually and in any combination, for the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the competent person skilled in the art.

[0040] List of reference symbols

[0041] Motor vehicle body calculator

[0042] Support element

[0043] Floor area

[0044] Fasteners

[0045] Crossbeam

[0046] Surface element

[0047] Equipment

[0048] Battery console

[0049] supporting structure

[0050] Mounting areas

[0051] Contacting elements

Claims

Claims A motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body (10), the motor vehicle being designed for autonomous driving and having a computer (12) for controlling the motor vehicle during autonomous driving, characterized in that the computer (12) is mounted on a support element (14) arranged in the rear of the motor vehicle body (10) and fastened to the motor vehicle body (10) of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer (12) is arranged behind a last row of seats of the motor vehicle, as viewed from the front of the vehicle, in particular behind a backrest of the last row of seats of the motor vehicle, as viewed from the front of the vehicle, and / or behind a partition that separates the computer (12) from a cargo space that is arranged in front of the computer in the direction of travel.Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support element (14) is at least substantially flat and extends flatly, in particular, in a horizontal plane. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer (12) is fastened to the support element (14) by at least one connecting element (18) fastened to the computer (12) and extending upwards from the support element (14), in particular flatly, along the computer (12). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer (12) is fastened, in particular by the at least one connecting element (18), to a cross-member (20) spaced from the support element (14) and arranged in particular above the support element (14), extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and in particular fastened to the motor vehicle body (10). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cooling fluid tank for a cooling fluid for cooling the computer (12), a cleaning fluid tank for a cleaning fluid for cleaning sensors of the motor vehicle, and / or a battery for supplying the computer (12) and / or other components of the vehicle electronics with electrical energy are attached to the support element (14). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (14) is attached to the body (10) in such a way that ground can be conducted to the vehicle body (10) via the support element (14).Method for producing a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle is designed for autonomous driving and has a computer (12) for controlling the vehicle during autonomous driving, characterized in that the computer (12) is first fastened to the support element (14) during assembly of the motor vehicle and, after the computer (12) has been fastened to the support element (14), the unit formed from the computer (12) and the support element (14) is fastened in the rear of the motor vehicle body (10). Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the painting of the body (10) takes place before the unit is fastened in the rear of the body (10).Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that after fastening the unit in the body (10), a cross member (20) arranged above the support element (14) and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is fastened to the motor vehicle body (10) and connected to the computer (12), in particular by at least one connecting element (18) by which the computer (12) is connected to the support element (14).

Images