Vehicle equipped with a V2X antenna on the rear panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising a rear panel (3) extending along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle, characterized in that the rear panel (3) is bounded by at least one of its ends along the Y axis by lateral aerodynamic deflectors (6), and in that at least one V2X antenna is arranged in the free space formed between the aerodynamic deflector (6) and a desired mounting position on a structural element of the deflector (6) of the vehicle (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a V2X antenna on its rear surface.

Background Art

[0002] To properly understand the arrangement of various components involved in the vehicle according to the present invention, this disclosure refers to a right-handed orthogonal reference system XYZ associated with this vehicle, in which X is the longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is the transverse axis oriented towards the right side of the vehicle, and Z is the vertical axis oriented upwards.

[0003] The use of V2X (or vehicle-to-everything) antennas in autonomous vehicles enables the aforementioned vehicles to "see" what is happening on the road beyond the range of their sensors, up to 250 meters, through communication with other vehicles on the road and / or smart city control centers and / or connected infrastructure (traffic lights, roundabouts, intersections, etc.). To provide up-to-date information regarding any changes on the road, it is essential to continuously download the electronic horizon. These antennas are directional, and thus it has been found that it is essential to arrange some of these antennas around the vehicle in order to scan the entire surrounding situation of the vehicle over 360°. For them to be effective, these antennas need to be arranged near the outer panel of the vehicle.

[0004] These antennas are exclusively used for installation in autonomous vehicles, and in the case of autonomous vehicles, it is necessary to always accurately grasp the road environment in order for the on-vehicle computers of those vehicles to be able to adapt their driving states to the road environment.

[0005] Application CN207250702 describes a vehicle in which a plurality of directional antennas are arranged to grasp the road environment of the vehicle. This document does not disclose a directional antenna arranged on the rear surface of the vehicle.

[0006] The vehicle according to the present invention has a V2X antenna capable of covering an area located behind the vehicle without the need to modify the structure of the aforementioned vehicle.

[0007] Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms "V2X antenna" and "antenna" are equivalent and mean the same object.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The subject matter of the present invention is a motor vehicle having a rear surface extending along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle.

[0009] According to the present invention, the aforementioned rear face is delimited by lateral aerodynamic deflectors at at least one of the ends envisaged along the aforementioned axis Y, and at least one V2X antenna is arranged in the free space between the aforementioned aerodynamic deflector and a structural element of the vehicle. Specifically, it has been discovered that there is free space between the rear aerodynamic deflector and the structural element of the vehicle intended to house the aforementioned deflector. This is because the available space in the vehicle is becoming increasingly scarce, and the only space on the rear face of the vehicle that remains unoccupied is located between the rear aerodynamic deflector and the aforementioned structural element of the vehicle covered by the aforementioned deflector. This space has been found to be large enough to accommodate the V2X antenna without having to modify the position of the deflector and / or without having to adjust the structural element of the vehicle covered by the aerodynamic deflector. Advantageously, the aerodynamic deflector is fixed by being clip-fixed to the structural element of the vehicle. According to one variant embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention, the rear face is delimited by two lateral aerodynamic deflectors respectively arranged at one end of the rear face envisaged along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle. In this configuration, the V2X antenna is housed behind each of the two aerodynamic deflectors. The V2X antenna can be fixed to either the aerodynamic deflector or the structural element covered by the aforementioned deflector.

[0010] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the deflector is a thin component that fits within a plane XZ that is substantially vertical and longitudinal to the vehicle. The term "substantially" means a plus or minus of 10° in the vertical direction and a plus or minus of 10° in the longitudinal direction. Such a deflector is contoured to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle and thus avoid forming protrusions that tend to project as close as possible to the vehicle body and generate turbulent air movement. It is important to note that the insertion of the V2X antenna behind the aerodynamic deflector does not bring about any modification to the orientation of the aforementioned deflector on the vehicle.

[0011] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the V2X antenna is oriented to cover an area located behind the vehicle in the free space provided between the structural element and the aerodynamic deflector. Since the V2X antenna is directional, it is essential to arrange the aforementioned antenna precisely and accurately behind the deflector so that the area located behind the vehicle can be covered by the aforementioned antenna.

[0012] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the aerodynamic deflector has a lining fixed to the inner surface of the deflector, and the V2X antenna is fixed to this lining. Modifying the structure of the lining slightly so that the lining can accommodate the antenna is easier than modifying the structure of the aerodynamic deflector to fit the shape and dimensions of the antenna. This is because a minor structural modification of the deflector can have a direct impact on the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Advantageously, the lining is made of a plastic material, and preferably, the lining is fixed to the deflector by clip fixing.

[0013] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the V2X antenna is fixed to the lining of the aerodynamic deflector by clip fixing it to the lining. This is a simple way of fixing that does not require any specific tools or complex processes.

[0014] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the lining has two parallel sliding surfaces, and the V2X antenna is arranged between the aforementioned two sliding surfaces. The space between the sliding surfaces realizes the precise arrangement of the lining to which the antenna is fixed. Therefore, the sliding surfaces function as elements for guiding and arranging the aforementioned V2X antenna. Advantageously, each sliding surface is embodied by a straight bar with a smooth outer surface so that the antenna can be easily introduced and moved between the aforementioned sliding surfaces.

[0015] According to one possible feature of the present invention, each of the two sliding surfaces has a bent edge configured to contact the antenna to maintain the antenna in the lining when the antenna is disposed between the aforementioned sliding surfaces. These two bent edges function as retaining arms to prevent the antenna from moving in a direction away from the lining. Advantageously, each bent edge establishes surface contact with the antenna, i.e., spread-out contact.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the lining has at least one elastically deformable fixing tab extending between the two sliding surfaces, and the antenna is disposed between the two sliding surfaces by being disposed between the two bent edges and the aforementioned at least one fixing tab. The aforementioned fixing tab tends to push the V2X antenna back against the aforementioned bent edge by relaxing. In this way, the fixing tab functions as a member for maintaining the antenna against the bent edge of the sliding surface, and it is thanks to this tab that the antenna is firmly fixed to the lining of the deflector. The introduction of the antenna between the two sliding surfaces causes elastic deformation of the fixing tab, and the fixing tab exerts pressure on the antenna as it tries to return to its rest configuration, i.e., a configuration without any stress, and pushes the antenna back towards the two bent edges of the sliding surface.

[0017] According to one possible feature of the present invention, the fixing tab has a hooked end configured to hold the antenna between the two sliding surfaces. Since the fixing tab relaxes after elastically deforming during the passage of the antenna, when the antenna completely crosses the hooked end of the fixing tab during the deformation phase, the aforementioned end suddenly springs back against the antenna. This sprung-back end corresponds to a stop that prevents the antenna from leaving the space located between the two sliding surfaces in a direction opposite to the direction in which the antenna was inserted into the two sliding surfaces.

[0018] A further subject of the present invention is a method for mounting a V2X antenna for the production of a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0019] According to the present invention, the method includes the following steps: - preparing a deflector with a lining; - sliding a V2X antenna between two sliding surfaces of the lining to cause elastic deformation of a fixed tab; - continuing the sliding and stopping the sliding when the V2X antenna exceeds the hooked end of the tab, whereupon the aforementioned end relaxes and rebounds against the aforementioned V2X antenna, thereby preventing the aforementioned V2X antenna from sliding in the opposite direction and keeping the aforementioned antenna in contact with the bending edges of the two sliding surfaces; - fixing the deflector with the V2X antenna at a desired location on the vehicle.

[0020] The preferred embodiments of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The vehicle according to the present invention is preferably an autonomous vehicle that does not require a driver. Specifically, this type of vehicle is automatically steered by an on-board computer that receives in real time a certain amount of information regarding the vehicle's surrounding situation in order to adapt the vehicle's driving to the surrounding situation. This information is specifically received via a V2X (or Vehicle-to-Everything) antenna fixed to the vehicle, enabling the aforementioned vehicle to "see" what is happening on the road beyond the range of its sensors, up to 250 meters, through communication with other vehicles on the road and / or a smart city control center and / or connected infrastructure (traffic lights, roundabouts, intersections, etc.). In order to provide up-to-date information regarding any changes on the road, it is essential to continuously download an electronic horizon. These V2X antennas are directional, and thus it has been found that it is essential to arrange some of these antennas around the vehicle in order to scan the vehicle's surrounding situation over 360°. For effectiveness, these V2X antennas need to be arranged near the outer panel of the vehicle.

[0023] However, a problem commonly encountered by this type of vehicle is that there is no available space for the possibility of mounting these V2X antennas on the vehicle, specifically, there is no available space for mounting a V2X antenna that covers the rear area located behind the aforementioned vehicle.

[0024] The vehicle 1 according to the present invention is configured to receive a V2X antenna 2 that covers the area located behind the aforementioned vehicle 1.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear surface 3 of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention includes a hatch 4, a bumper 5, and two aerodynamic deflectors 6 fixed to the vehicle's structural elements and horizontally bounding the hatch 4. More specifically, the hatch 4 has two edge portions 7 aligned along the vehicle 1's transverse axis Y, and the two deflectors 6 each cover one of the edge portions 7 of the aforementioned hatch 4.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each deflector 6 is a substantially flat part with a small thickness and has a substantially triangular shape. The two deflectors 6 are fixed to the vehicle such that they are parallel to each other and extend in a plane XZ that is substantially perpendicular and longitudinal to the vehicle. The term "substantially" means a plus or minus 10° in the vertical direction and a plus or minus 10° in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the deflector 6 has a lining 8, which is preferably made of a plastic material and extends along at least 80% of the total length of the aforementioned deflector 6. Advantageously, this lining 8 is fixed to the deflector 6 by clip fixing.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lining 8 of one of the two deflectors 6 comprises two parallel sliding surfaces 9, 10 formed integrally with the aforementioned lining 8. Each of the sliding surfaces 9, 10 comprises a first flat segment 11 and a second flat segment 12, and the aforementioned second segment 12 is perpendicular to the aforementioned first segment 11 and continues the aforementioned first segment 11. More specifically, the two first segments 11 extend from the flat surface 13 of the lining 8 in a parallel manner to each other, and the two second segments 12 are in the same plane and extend towards each other. In this way, the distance between the parallel edges 14, 15 of the two second segments 12 closest to each other is less than the distance between the two first segments 11 of the two sliding surfaces 9, 10. The two second segments 12 project from the flat surface 13 of the lining 8 and extend parallel to the aforementioned flat surface 13. The flat surface 13 of the lining 8 from which the two first segments 11 extend has two elastically deformable fixing tabs 16, 17. These two fixing tabs 16, 17 are parallel to each other and are arranged between the aforementioned two first segments 11 and extend parallel to them. These two fixing tabs 16, 17 are arranged at the same height as the flat surface 13 and are slightly inclined with respect to the latter. Each of the two fixing tabs 16, 17 has a shaped hook end 18 that can serve as a stopper for the V2X antenna 2 when the V2X antenna 2 is sent into the space delimited by the two sliding surfaces 9, 10.

[0029] The V2X antenna 2 is a substantially parallelepiped-shaped housing having a surface 19 from which a rod 20 functioning as an antenna emerges. The V2X antenna 2 is fixed to the lining 8 of the aerodynamic deflector 6 by being inserted between a first segment 11 of two sliding surfaces 9, 10, between two second segments 12 of the two sliding surfaces 9, 10, and between two fixed tabs 16, 17. The hooked ends 18 of the fixed tabs 16, 17 prevent the V2X antenna 2 from sliding out of the two first segments 11. The two fixed tabs 16, 17 deformed during the introduction of the V2X antenna 2 between the two sliding surfaces 9, 10 tend to relax and press the aforementioned V2X antenna 2 against the two second segments 12 of the two sliding surfaces 9, 10.

[0030] A method for installing a V2X antenna for the production of a vehicle according to the present invention includes the following steps: - Sliding the V2X antenna between a first segment 11 of two sliding surfaces 9, 10 of the lining 8, between the second segments 12 of the aforementioned sliding surfaces 9, 10, and between two fixed tabs 16, 17, causing elastic deformation of the two fixed tabs 16, 17. - Continuing the sliding, stopping the sliding when the V2X antenna 2 has passed beyond the hooked ends 18 of the two fixed tabs 16, 17, and then the aforementioned hooked ends 18 spring back against the V2X antenna 2 by relaxing to prevent the V2X antenna 2 from sliding in the opposite direction. Since the two fixed tabs 16, 17 have already been deformed during the introduction of the V2X antenna 2 between the two sliding surfaces 9, 10, they tend to press the aforementioned antenna 2 back against the two second segments 12 by relaxing. These two fixed tabs 16, 17 function as elements for holding the V2X antenna within the deflector 6 and also as elements for stabilizing the aforementioned V2X antenna within the aforementioned deflector 6. - Fixing the deflector 6 provided with the V2X antenna 2 at a desired location on the vehicle.

[0031] The vehicle has two aerodynamic deflectors 6, and at least one of the two deflectors 6 described above houses a V2X antenna.

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) comprising a rear face (3) extending along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle, wherein the rear face (3) is bounded by a lateral aerodynamic deflector (6) at at least one of the ends envisaged along the axis Y, and at least one V2X antenna (2) is arranged in a free space provided between the aerodynamic deflector (6) and a structural element of the vehicle (1). The vehicle (1) is characterized by this.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflector (6) is a thin part that fits within a plane XZ that is substantially perpendicular and longitudinal to the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the V2X antenna (2) is oriented to cover a region located behind the vehicle (1) within the free space provided between the structural element and the aerodynamic deflector (6).

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the aerodynamic deflector (6) has a lining (8) fixed to the inner surface of the deflector (6), and the V2X antenna (2) is fixed to the lining (8).

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the V2X antenna (2) is clip-fixed to the lining (8) of the aerodynamic deflector (6).

6. The vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the lining (8) has two parallel sliding surfaces (9, 10), and the V2X antenna (2) is arranged between the two sliding surfaces (9, 10).

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the two sliding surfaces (9, 10) each have a bent edge (12), and the bent edge (12) is configured to contact the V2X antenna (2) in order to maintain the V2X antenna (2) in the lining (8) when the V2X antenna (2) is arranged between the sliding surfaces (9, 10).

8. The lining (8) has at least one elastically deformable fixing tab (16, 17) extending between the two sliding surfaces, and the antenna (2) is arranged between the two bending edges (12) and the at least one fixing tab (16, 17), so as to be arranged between the two sliding surfaces (9, 10), and the fixing tab (16, 17) is adapted to push the V2X antenna (2) back against the bending edge (12) by relaxing. The vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing tab (16, 17) has a hook end (18) configured to hold the V2X antenna (2) between the two sliding surfaces (9, 10).

10. A method for installing a V2X antenna (2) for the production of a vehicle (1) according to claim 8 or 9, comprising: Preparing a deflector (6) provided with a lining (8); Sliding the V2X antenna (2) between two sliding surfaces (9, 10) of the lining (8) to cause elastic deformation of the fixing tab (16, 17); Continuing the sliding and stopping the sliding when the V2X antenna (2) has passed beyond the hook end (18) of the fixing tab (16, 17), and then the end (18) relaxes and bounces back against the V2X antenna (2), preventing the V2X antenna (2) from sliding in the opposite direction and keeping the antenna (2) in contact with the bending edge (12) of the two sliding surfaces (9, 10); Fixing the deflector (6) provided with the V2X antenna (2) at a desired location on the vehicle (1); A method, characterized by including.

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