Roof module

Abstract

To provide a roof module capable of improving aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A roof module 19 is attached to a roof frame 15 of a vehicle 11. The roof module 19 includes: a panel member 22; a sensor unit 30 disposed at the vehicle outer side relative to the panel member 22; a sensor cover 23 configured to cover the sensor unit 30; a lamp unit 38 disposed at the vehicle inner side relative to the panel member 22; and an inner cover 24 configured to cover the lamp unit 38. The sensor cover 23 is located adjacent to a windshield 12 of the vehicle 11 and has a surface which is flush with a surface of the windshield 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof module to be mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a roof module of this type is known, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. This roof module has a sensor module. The sensor module has an environmental sensor that detects the vehicle environment for implementing automatic driving of the vehicle. The sensor module is covered by a roof skin. A step is formed in the area of ​​the roof skin corresponding to the sensor module. A see-through portion is formed in front of the step. The see-through portion is transparent to the wavelength range of electromagnetic waves used by the environmental sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7311616 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the roof module described above, a step is formed in the roof skin that covers the sensor module, which causes the air flowing along the outer surface of the vehicle to hit the step and become turbulent while the vehicle is moving, resulting in a problem of poor aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Various aspects of the roof module for solving the above problems will be described below. [Embodiment 1] A roof module that is attached to the roof frame of a vehicle, comprising a panel member, a sensor unit that is positioned outside the vehicle relative to the panel member, a sensor cover that covers the sensor unit, a lamp unit that is positioned inside the vehicle relative to the panel member, and an inner cover that covers the lamp unit, wherein the sensor cover is adjacent to a window of the vehicle and has a surface that is flush with the surface of the window.

[0006] With this configuration, the surface of the sensor cover and the surface of the window form a continuous surface without any steps, which prevents turbulence of the air flowing over the continuous surface while the vehicle is running, thereby improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle.

[0007] [Aspect 2] A roof module as described in [Aspect 1], characterized in that the sensor cover is adjacent to the roof panel of the vehicle and its surface is flush with the surface of the roof panel.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the surface of the sensor cover and the surface of the roof panel form a continuous surface without any steps, which prevents turbulence of the air flowing over the continuous surface while the vehicle is running, thereby further improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle.

[0009] [Aspect 3] The roof module according to [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], characterized in that the inner cover is provided with a through hole. According to the above configuration, air from the vehicle's air conditioner can be sent through the through-hole to the inside of the inner cover, so that the temperature of the sensor unit can be adjusted by the air conditioner.

[0010] [Aspect 4] A roof module according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], characterized in that the panel member is a partition wall that separates the sensor unit and the lamp unit.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the panel member can prevent air from the vehicle interior from flowing into the sensor unit, thereby preventing the inner surface of the sensor cover from fogging up due to moisture contained in the air in the vehicle interior. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention can improve the aerodynamics of a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a roof module in one embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged exploded cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a state in which a roof module is attached to a vehicle. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 11 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 11, and the left-right direction refers to the vehicle width direction, which coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 11 is moving forward.

[0015] <Vehicle 11> 1 and 2, a ring-shaped opening 14 is provided in the center of a vehicle 11 in the vehicle width direction, at a portion spanning a front windshield 12 (an example of a window) and a roof panel 13. A ring-shaped roof frame 15 is provided around the opening 14 in the vehicle 11, surrounding the opening 14. A sheet metal sealant 16 is arranged between the roof frame 15 and the roof panel 13. A glass sealant 17 is arranged between the roof frame 15 and the front windshield 12.

[0016] A portion of the roof frame 15 is connected to a body frame (not shown) that extends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 11 and has both ends connected to a pair of A-pillars 18. A roof module 19 is fitted into an opening 14 of the vehicle 11. That is, the roof module 19 is attached to the roof frame 15 while being fitted into the opening 14. The roof frame 15 is covered by an interior panel 21 provided inside the passenger compartment 20. Therefore, the roof frame 15 cannot be seen from inside the passenger compartment 20.

[0017] <Roof Module 19> As shown in FIG. 2, the roof module 19 includes a panel member 22, a sensor cover 23, and an inner cover 24.

[0018] The inner cover 24 is made of synthetic resin and has a box-like shape with a bottom and an open top. The sensor cover 23 is made of synthetic resin that transmits visible light and has a plate-like shape. The sensor cover 23 is joined to the inner cover 24 in a state where it closes the opening at the top of the inner cover 24.

[0019] The panel member 22 is arranged so as to divide the closed space formed by the inner cover 24 and the sensor cover 23 into an upper chamber 25 and a lower chamber 26 that are aligned in the vertical direction. In other words, the panel member 22 functions as a partition that completely separates the upper chamber 25 and the lower chamber 26. The upper chamber 25 is arranged closer to the outside of the vehicle than the panel member 22. The lower chamber 26 is arranged closer to the inside of the vehicle than the panel member 22. The panel member 22 is made of, for example, a metal such as aluminum or copper that has high thermal conductivity.

[0020] The sensor cover 23 has an inclined portion 27 in a portion forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction, which is inclined downward toward the front. The sensor cover 23 has a substantially horizontal flat portion 28 in a portion rearward of the center in the front-to-rear direction. The sensor cover 23 has a curved portion 29 in the center in the front-to-rear direction, which is curved so as to bulge outward from the vehicle. The inclined portion 27 and the flat portion 28 are connected via the curved portion 29. The inclined portion 27, the flat portion 28, and the curved portion 29 are integrally formed.

[0021] The inclined portion 27 is adjacent to the windshield 12. The surface of the inclined portion 27 facing the vehicle exterior is flush with the surface of the windshield 12 facing the vehicle exterior. The flat portion 28 is adjacent to the roof panel 13. The surface of the flat portion 28 facing the vehicle exterior is flush with the surface of the roof panel 13 facing the vehicle exterior.

[0022] That is, the surface of the sensor cover 23 is flush with both the surface of the roof panel 13 and the surface of the windshield 12. Therefore, no steps are formed between the sensor cover 23 and the roof panel 13, and between the sensor cover 23 and the windshield 12.

[0023] <Upper Room 25> 2, the upper chamber 25 is sealed by the inner cover 24, the sensor cover 23, and the panel member 22. The sensor unit 30, the external lamp 31, and the external antenna 32 are disposed in the upper chamber 25. The sensor unit 30, the external lamp 31, and the external antenna 32 disposed in the upper chamber 25 are covered by the sensor cover 23.

[0024] The sensor unit 30 is fixed in contact with the panel member 22. The sensor unit 30 faces the inclined portion 27 of the sensor cover 23 in the front-rear direction. The sensor unit 30 has a laser lidar (LiDAR; light detection and ranging) 33, a millimeter-wave radar 34, and an external camera 35.

[0025] The laser lidar 33 measures the distance and direction to an object by measuring the time it takes for an emitted laser beam to hit an object, such as a preceding vehicle, located in front of the vehicle 11 and bounce back. The millimeter-wave radar 34 measures the distance and direction to an object by measuring the time it takes for an emitted millimeter wave (radio wave) to hit an object, such as a preceding vehicle, located in front of the vehicle 11 and bounce back. The external camera 35 captures images of objects, pedestrians, etc. located in front of the vehicle 11.

[0026] The exterior lamp 31 is disposed above the sensor unit 30 in the upper chamber 25. The exterior lamp 31 is, for example, an autonomous driving marker light that is turned on while the vehicle 11 is autonomously driving. The external antenna 32 is disposed behind the external lamp 31 in the upper chamber 25. The external antenna 32 is configured by, for example, a 5G or 6G GHz antenna (V2X), an ETC antenna, a MHz antenna for a remote control key, a television and radio antenna, a GPS antenna, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) antenna, etc.

[0027] <Lower room 26> 2, the control unit 36, the microphone speaker 37, the lamp unit 38, the internal antenna 39, and the temperature sensor 40 are disposed in the lower chamber 26. The control unit 36, the microphone speaker 37, the lamp unit 38, the internal antenna 39, and the temperature sensor 40 disposed in the lower chamber 26 are covered by the inner cover 24.

[0028] The control unit 36 ​​is fixed in contact with the panel member 22 at the upper rear part of the lower compartment 26. The control unit 36 ​​comprehensively controls the entire roof module 19 including the sensor unit 30. The control unit 36 ​​remotely controls an air conditioner 41 mounted inside an instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle 11 via wireless communication.

[0029] The microphone speaker 37 is disposed below the control unit 36 ​​in the lower compartment 26. A portion of the microphone speaker 37 is exposed inside the vehicle interior 20 from the lower wall of the inner cover 24. The microphone speaker 37 enables hands-free conversations on a mobile phone, for example, by setting up a communication connection with the mobile phone. The microphone speaker 37 can be used for voice guidance and voice operation of a car navigation system (not shown) installed in the vehicle 11, for example, by setting up a communication connection with the car navigation system.

[0030] The lamp unit 38 is disposed in front of the microphone speaker 37 in the lower compartment 26. The lamp unit 38 has an internal lamp 42 and an operation switch 43 disposed between the internal lamp 42 and the microphone speaker 37. The internal lamp 42 is, for example, configured as an interior light or an illumination lamp that illuminates the interior of the vehicle compartment 20. The operation switch 43 is operated to turn the internal lamp 42 on or off. A portion of each of the internal lamp 42 and the operation switch 43 is exposed inside the vehicle compartment 20 from the lower wall of the inner cover 24.

[0031] The internal antenna 39 is disposed in front of the control unit 36 ​​in the lower chamber 26. The internal antenna 39 is configured by, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) antenna, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) antenna, an NFC (Near Field Communication) antenna, or the like.

[0032] The temperature sensor 40 is fixed in contact with the panel member 22 in front of the internal antenna 39 in the lower chamber 26. The temperature sensor 40 detects the temperature of the panel member 22. The temperature sensor 40 transmits the temperature detection result to the control unit 36.

[0033] The inner cover 24 is provided with one or more through-holes 44 that communicate between the lower chamber 26 and the interior of the vehicle compartment 20. That is, the inner cover 24 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 44 in a mesh pattern, for example. The through-holes 44 are covered by a filter 45 from the lower chamber 26 side of the inner cover 24. Therefore, air within the vehicle compartment 20 is filtered by the filter 45 when it enters the lower chamber 26 through the through-holes 44.

[0034] A monitor 46 and an internal camera 47 are provided in an area corresponding to the lower compartment 26 on the rear surface of the inner cover 24. The monitor 46 displays an image captured by a camera (not shown) provided at the rear of the vehicle 11 and capturing an image behind the vehicle 11. In other words, the monitor 46 functions as a so-called electronic rearview mirror. The internal camera 47 captures an image of the interior of the vehicle compartment 20.

[0035] <How to install the roof module 19 on the vehicle 11> As shown in Fig. 3, when attaching the roof module 19 to the vehicle 11, first, an annular waterproof sealant 48 is placed on the roof frame 15. Next, the roof module 19 is fitted into the opening 14 of the vehicle 11 from outside the vehicle. Then, as shown in Fig. 2, the peripheral edge 49 of the roof module 19 is supported by the roof frame 15 with the waterproof sealant 48 interposed between the peripheral edge 49 of the roof module 19 and the roof frame 15.

[0036] In this state, a plurality of bolts 51 that have passed through the roof frame 15 are screwed from the inside of the vehicle into a plurality of female thread portions 50 that are provided at appropriate intervals on the peripheral portion 49 of the roof module 19. At this time, some of the plurality of bolts 51 are screwed into the female thread portions 50 of the peripheral portion 49 of the roof module 19 while passing through the roof frame 15 and the roof panel 13. In other words, some of the plurality of bolts 51 tighten the roof frame 15 and the roof panel 13 together with the female thread portions 50.

[0037] As a result, the roof module 19 is attached to the roof frame 15 at the peripheral edge 49. In this case, the roof module 19 is mechanically fastened to the roof frame 15 that forms the framework of the vehicle 11, so the alignment of the sensor unit 30 does not change. Next, after wiring the roof module 19, the interior panel 21 is attached to the vehicle 11 from inside the vehicle so as to cover the roof frame 15 and each bolt 51. This completes the installation of the roof module 19 to the vehicle 11.

[0038] <Operation of the embodiment> When the vehicle 11 is traveling, air flows sequentially along the surface of the windshield 12 of the vehicle 11, the surface of the sensor cover 23 of the roof module 19, and the surface of the roof panel 13. At this time, the surface of the windshield 12 of the vehicle 11, the surface of the sensor cover 23 of the roof module 19, and the surface of the roof panel 13 form a continuous surface without any steps. Therefore, turbulence of the air flowing over the continuous surface is suppressed when the vehicle 11 is traveling, thereby improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 11.

[0039] Incidentally, if the roof module 19 is attached to the vehicle 11 so as to protrude from the surface of the vehicle 11 toward the outside of the vehicle, a step will be created between the roof module 19 and the windshield 12 and the roof panel 13. In this case, the air flowing over the surface of the vehicle 11 while the vehicle 11 is traveling will be disturbed by the step, and the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 11 will deteriorate.

[0040] Furthermore, when the vehicle 11 is driven when the outside temperature is high or low, the temperature of the sensor unit 30 in the roof module 19 may fall outside the operating temperature range of the sensor unit 30. For this reason, the control unit 36 ​​constantly monitors the temperature of the panel member 22 based on the temperature detection results transmitted from the temperature sensor 40.

[0041] If the detected temperature of the panel member 22 is outside the operating temperature range of the sensor unit 30, the control unit 36 ​​remotely controls the operation of the air conditioner 41 to send hot or cold air from the air conditioner 41 to the roof module 19 so that the temperature of the panel member 22 falls within the operating temperature range of the sensor unit 30. In this case, the hot or cold air is blown out from the air outlet of the defroster of the air conditioner 41.

[0042] The hot or cold air sent to the roof module 19 is filtered by the filter 45 as it enters the lower chamber 26 through the through-hole 44. The hot or cold air that enters the lower chamber 26 heats or cools the panel member 22. The heated or cooled panel member 22 then exchanges heat with the sensor unit 30. This adjusts the temperature of the sensor unit 30 so that it falls within the operating temperature range of the sensor unit 30. This maintains normal operation of the sensor unit 30.

[0043] <Effects of the embodiment> According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved. (1) In the roof module 19 , the sensor cover 23 is adjacent to the windshield 12 of the vehicle 11 and has a surface flush with the surface of the windshield 12 .

[0044] According to the above configuration, the surface of sensor cover 23 and the surface of windshield 12 form a continuous surface without any steps, which can prevent turbulence of the air flowing over the continuous surface when vehicle 11 is traveling. Therefore, the aerodynamic characteristics of vehicle 11 can be improved.

[0045] (2) In the roof module 19 , the sensor cover 23 is adjacent to the roof panel 13 of the vehicle 11 and has a surface flush with the surface of the roof panel 13 . According to the above configuration, the surface of the sensor cover 23 and the surface of the roof panel 13 form a continuous surface without any steps, which can prevent turbulence of the air flowing over the continuous surface when the vehicle 11 is traveling. Therefore, the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 11 can be further improved.

[0046] (3) In the roof module 19, the inner cover 24 is provided with a through hole 44. According to the above configuration, the air from the air conditioner 41 of the vehicle 11 can be sent to the inside of the inner cover 24 through the through-hole 44, so that the temperature of the sensor unit 30 can be adjusted by the air conditioner 41.

[0047] (4) In the roof module 19, the panel member 22 is a partition wall that separates the sensor unit 30 and the lamp unit . According to the above configuration, panel member 22 can prevent air in vehicle interior 20 from flowing into upper chamber 25, where sensor unit 30 is located, via lower chamber 26. This can prevent the inner surface of sensor cover 23 from fogging up due to moisture contained in the air in vehicle interior 20.

[0048] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: Furthermore, the above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0049] The panel member 22 does not necessarily have to be a partition wall separating the sensor unit 30 and the lamp unit 38. In other words, the panel member 22 does not necessarily have to completely separate the sensor unit 30 and the lamp unit 38.

[0050] The through-hole 44 in the inner cover 24 may be omitted. The surface of the sensor cover 23 does not necessarily have to be flush with the surface of the roof panel 13.

[0051] The opening 14 into which the roof module 19 is fitted may be provided only in the front windshield 12 of the vehicle 11. In this way, the entire surface of the sensor cover 23 of the roof module 19 fitted into the opening 14 can be wiped with the windshield wiper 12.

[0052] The opening 14 into which the roof module 19 is fitted may be provided in a portion spanning the roof panel 13 and the rear window. In this case, a rear antenna or a high-mounted stop lamp may be incorporated into the roof module 19 fitted into the opening 14.

[0053] The opening 14 into which the roof module 19 is fitted may be provided only in the rear window of the vehicle 11. In this way, the entire surface of the sensor cover 23 of the roof module 19 fitted into the opening 14 can be wiped with the rear window wiper.

[0054] When the roof module 19 is attached to the vehicle 11, it may be fitted into the opening 14 from the inside of the vehicle. A dehumidifier or dehumidifying agent may be placed in the upper chamber 25 of the roof module 19 where the sensor unit 30 is placed. This reduces the humidity in the upper chamber 25, thereby preventing condensation from forming on the inner surface of the sensor cover 23.

[0055] When the temperatures of the sensor unit 30 and the control unit 36 ​​rise, the panel member 22 may function as a heat sink for the sensor unit 30 and the control unit 36. In this case, the air conditioner 41 does not need to be operated to cool the sensor unit 30 and the control unit 36.

[0056] A nozzle for directing air from the air conditioner 41 into the roof module 19 may be disposed inside the passenger compartment 20. The temperature control function within the roof module 19 may be improved by additionally providing a Peltier element, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, or the like within the roof module 19 .

[0057] The flat portion 28 of the sensor cover 23 does not necessarily need to transmit visible light, and may be colored the same color as the roof panel 13, for example. The roof module 19 may include a camera for a drive recorder, an outside air temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, an external speaker, a snow melting heater, a washer for the sensor cover 23, an air blower for the sensor cover 23, a wiper for the sensor cover 23, an infrared camera, an infrared lamp, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor for the interior of the vehicle 20, a rearview mirror monitor, a side mirror monitor, an entertainment projector, an emergency call device, various switches, a touch panel, a touch monitor, a USB terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 11...Vehicle 12... A windshield as an example of a window 13...Roof panel 14...Opening 15...Roof frame 16...Sealing material for sheet metal 17...Glass sealant 18...A-pillar 19...Roof module 20…Vehicle compartment 21...Interior panel 22...Panel member 23...Sensor cover 24...Inner cover 25...Upper chamber 26…lower room 27…Slope part 28...Flat section 29...Bend 30...Sensor unit 31...External lamp 32...External antenna 33...Laser Rider 34...Millimeter wave radar 35...External camera 36...Control unit 37...Microphone speaker 38...Lamp unit 39...Internal antenna 40...Temperature sensor 41...Air conditioner 42...Internal lamp 43...Operation switch 44...Through hole 45...Filter 46...Monitor 47...Internal camera 48...Waterproof sealant 49...periphery 50...Female thread 51...Bolt

Claims

1. A roof module attached to a roof frame of a vehicle, comprising: A panel member; a sensor unit disposed on the outer side of the vehicle than the panel member; a sensor cover that covers the sensor unit; a lamp unit disposed on the vehicle inner side of the panel member; an inner cover that covers the lamp unit; Equipped with The roof module is characterized in that the sensor cover is adjacent to a window of the vehicle and has a surface flush with a surface of the window.

2. 2. The roof module according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cover is adjacent to a roof panel of the vehicle and has a surface flush with a surface of the roof panel.

3. 3. The roof module according to claim 1, wherein the inner cover is provided with a through hole.

4. 3. The roof module according to claim 1, wherein the panel member is a partition wall that separates the sensor unit and the lamp unit.

Images