Vehicle Roof Panel with Translucent Sensor Region
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle upper portion structures with peripheral information detecting sensors on the roof panel are conspicuous, affecting the vehicle's appearance and requiring improvements in aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle upper portion structure with a peripheral information detecting sensor mounted to a reinforcing member between roof side rails, covered by a roof panel that transmits detection media, such as radio waves or light, to maintain detection capability while being inconspicuous, and is integrated into the vehicle's design to enhance aerodynamics and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the peripheral information detecting sensor is disposed on the roof panel, then the detection function is achieved, but the appearance of the vehicle is compromised due to the sensor being conspicuous
Solution Approach 1:
The roof panel is designed as a transparent or translucent thin film structure that covers the sensor while allowing detection medium passage, making the sensor inconspicuous from the exterior while maintaining detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent roof panel acts as an intermediary between the sensor and external environment, allowing the detection medium to pass through while concealing the sensor from external view
2Measurement precision
If the roof panel is made transparent to allow detection medium passage, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the aesthetic appearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The roof panel is designed with different optical properties in different regions - transparent or translucent in the area corresponding to the sensor to allow detection medium passage, and opaque in other areas to maintain aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The roof panel utilizes transparent or translucent materials that can be integrated into the vehicle's color scheme, making the transparency feature visually imperceptible while maintaining detection functionality
3Device complexity
If the sensor is mounted directly on the roof panel, then the structure is simple, but the mounting strength is insufficient and vibration occurs during traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure transitions from a two-dimensional surface mounting on the roof panel to a three-dimensional mounting on a reinforcing member that extends below the roof panel, providing additional structural support and vibration resistance
4Ease of manufacture
If the reinforcing member is positioned at the roof panel level, then sensor mounting is simplified, but the roof panel shape must be modified causing aerodynamic resistance and wind noise
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member is positioned in the vertical dimension below the roof panel, allowing the roof panel to maintain its original aerodynamic shape while providing sensor mounting support through the offset positioning
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution improves the vehicle's appearance, maintains detection accuracy, enhances aerodynamic performance, reduces noise, and ensures dent resistance while minimizing the number of parts needed for sensor mounting.
Implementation Method 1
at least a region, that faces the detecting section, is formed of a material that transmits the detection medium therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle, to which a vehicle upper portion structure is applied, has: a peripheral information detecting sensor that is mounted to a vehicle upper portion, and that has a detecting section that obtains peripheral information of the vehicle by detecting a detection medium; and a roof panel that covers the peripheral information detecting sensor from a vehicle upper side, and at which at least a region, that faces the detecting section, is formed of a material that transmits the detection medium therethrough.