Roof Module Sensor Viewing Area Integration for Lower Optical Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof modules face issues with optical losses and water tightness due to environment sensors being positioned to look through multiple viewing areas, leading to optical blurs and increased production costs, while also limiting design and installation space optimization.
Innovation Solution
The environment sensor's transmitter and/or receiver apparatus is integrated directly into the panel component's viewing area or disposed in a casing without walls, allowing direct signal transmission/reception and eliminating the need for additional components, thereby optimizing packaging and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If environment sensors are positioned to look through multiple viewing areas (windows/lenses), then the sensor can chart the vehicle environment, but optical losses increase and measuring accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor housing viewing area with the panel component viewing area into a single integrated viewing area. The transmitter and receiver apparatus are disposed directly at this merged viewing area without intermediate housings, eliminating multiple optical interfaces and reducing optical losses while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the transmitter and receiver apparatus from traditional sensor housings and positions them directly at the viewing area of the panel component. This removal of intermediate housing structures eliminates additional viewing areas and optical interfaces, directly reducing optical losses and improving signal quality.
2Reliability
If environment sensors are mounted on the roof module frame with panel components covering them, then the roof module maintains water tightness, but the sensor requires multiple viewing areas which increases complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor housing function with the panel component itself. The panel component serves dual purposes: as the outer sealing surface for water tightness and as the viewing area for the sensor. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor housings and multiple viewing areas, reducing structural complexity and production costs while maintaining water tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel component is given multiple functions: it serves as the outer sealing surface for water tightness, as the viewing area for the environment sensor, and as a structural element of the roof module. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensor housings, reducing overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If separate sensor housings with viewing areas are used, then the sensor is protected, but additional viewing areas cause optical blurs and increase production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor housing viewing area with the panel component viewing area into a single optical path. This eliminates the need for multiple separate viewing areas and their associated optical interfaces, reducing optical blurs and simplifying manufacturing while improving optical clarity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the transmitter and receiver apparatus are integrated directly into the panel component, then packaging is optimized and costs are reduced, but the sensor must be disposed directly at the viewing area which requires precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor mounting structure with the panel component assembly process. The transmitter and receiver apparatus are positioned directly at the viewing area during panel component manufacturing, allowing precise positioning to be achieved through integrated manufacturing rather than separate assembly steps.
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
This arrangement enhances the roof module's styling and design, reduces optical losses, optimizes installation space, and lowers production costs by integrating the sensor components directly into the panel component or a seamless casing, allowing for centralized processing and improved safety through enhanced field of view and deicing/defogging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter and/or receiver apparatus (16) is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic and/or optical signals directly via the viewing area (19)
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter and/or receiver apparatus (16) is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic and/or optical signals directly via the viewing area (19)
Data Source
AI summary
A roof module having a panel component which forms at least sections of a roof cladding of a vehicle roof, which functions as an outer sealing surface of the roof module, and has a viewing area, wherein at least one transmitter and/or receiver apparatus of an environment sensor is disposed directly and without gaps at the viewing area and/or the panel component or is integrated therein and is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic and/or optical signals directly via the viewing area and/or the panel component.