Roof Module Carrier Unit for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof modules for autonomous vehicles require complex assembly, multiple fastening components, and a stable roof outer skin to accommodate electronic units, leading to increased complexity and installation space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A roof module with a carrier unit designed as a roof structure component that can be directly fastened to vehicle body framework components, forming a load-bearing receptacle for both the electronic unit and the roof outer skin, simplifying assembly and reducing component count while ensuring stability through a prefabricated design that integrates all necessary units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic unit is fastened to the roof outer skin using a carrier structure, then the electronic unit can be accommodated, but the roof outer skin must be configured to be very stable to accommodate the forces of the electronic unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier unit as an intermediary component between the electronic unit and the roof structure. This carrier unit absorbs and distributes the mechanical forces, preventing direct transmission to the roof outer skin. The carrier unit includes mounting elements that engage with the roof structure while providing a stable platform for the electronic unit, thus reducing the strength requirements of the roof outer skin itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electronic unit is fastened via a carrier unit to the body framework component, then the assembly is simplified, but the number of fastening components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the carrier unit: it serves as both the mounting structure for the electronic unit and the fastening mechanism to the roof. The carrier unit integrates mounting elements, fastening components, and structural support functions into a single assembled component, reducing the total number of separate parts while maintaining assembly simplicity.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used to fasten the electronic unit to the roof, then the fastening can be stable, but the installation space and assembly outlay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the electronic unit is mounted within or upon the carrier unit, which in turn is integrated with the roof structure. The carrier unit acts as a nested intermediary that consolidates multiple fastening functions into a compact assembly, reducing the overall installation space requirement while maintaining stable fastening through the nested hierarchical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A roof module for an autonomous vehicle comprising: an electronic unit containing a number of electronic components and/or environment recognition sensors; a carrier unit for accommodating the electronic unit; and fastening means for fastening the electronic unit to the carrier unit; wherein the carrier unit is designed as a roof structure component which can be fastened directly to a lateral body framework component and/or to a front body framework component and/or to a rear body framework component of the vehicle via fastening means and which forms a load-hearing receptacle for a roof outer skin of the vehicle.