WO2008116865A1 - Roof integration module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof integration module (1) for installation on the inside of a roof (3) of a motor vehicle, the module comprising a carrier (2) for connecting the module (1) to the roof (3). The roof integration module (1) further comprises a bracket (4) extending to behind the windshield (5), said bracket comprising at least one sensor (7) mounted such that it can be moved in the direction of the windshield (5). The sensor (7) is used to record information on or in front of the windshield (5) and is supported in the functional position under prestress on the inside (9) of the windshield (5). The sensor (7) is displaceable between a mounting position and a functional position in which said sensor is supported under prestress on the inside (9) of the windshield (5). An activatable spring arrangement (15, 15') is associated with the roof integration module (1), said spring arrangement being activated in order to provide the prestress acting on the sensor (7) in the support arrangement in the course of displacing the sensor (7) from the mounting position to the functional position.

Description

 Roof integration module

The invention relates to a roof integration module for mounting on the inside of a roof of a motor vehicle, comprising a support for connecting the module to the roof and extending to behind the windshield boom with at least one movably mounted towards the windshield for detecting information on or designed in front of the windshield, in its functional position under bias on the inside of the windshield supporting sensor.

Such a roof integration module is known from EP 0 968 100 B1. The carrier of this known module is fixed on the roof side. This carries as a boom a narrow, reaching from the roof-side portion of the wearer behind the windshield nose. In the area of the end of this jib there is a rain sensor movable transversely to the plane of the windshield. The rain sensor is pressed against the inside of the windshield by means of a helical compression spring which is supported in the interior of the arm and acts on the rear side of the sensor. Thus, the rain sensor is supported with its side facing the windshield on the inside thereof under bias. The cantilever fully encloses the rain sensor, with the exception of its surface supporting the inside of the windshield, and also abuts against the inside of the windshield.

In order for the rain sensor of this previously known roof integration module to rest spring-loaded on the inside of the windshield, it must protrude from the boom before mounting the module in the motor vehicle with its surface intended to rest against the inside of the windshield. During assembly of the module in the motor vehicle, in which the boom is brought into contact with the disc, the rain sensor is pressed into the relevant receptacle of the arm against the force of the helical compression spring. When mounting a roof installation module this must be introduced into the interior of the vehicle, brought with its fasteners to the roof-side complementary fasteners and then attached to this. This assembly takes place after the windshield has been inserted into the vehicle. Since the surface of the rain sensor intended for engagement with the inside of the windshield is sensitive, this assembly process must be carried out very carefully. In particular, a displacement of the sensor on the inside of the windshield is to be avoided. If the surface of the sensor is damaged by scratches, for example, the functionality of the sensor may be impaired.

Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a roof integration module mentioned above in such a way that, in particular, the disadvantages mentioned with respect to the discussed prior art with regard to its mounting are avoided.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a generic roof integration module mentioned at the outset, in which the sensor is adjustable between a mounting position and a functional position in which it is supported on the inside of the windscreen under pretension and an activatable spring arrangement is assigned to the module , which is activated to provide the force acting on the sensor in its support arrangement bias in the course of adjusting the sensor from its mounting position into its functional position.

In this roof integration module, the sensor is adjustable relative to the boom movable and although from a mounting position into a functional position. The mounting position differs from the functional position in that in the mounting position, the surface facing the windshield of the sensor is spaced therefrom, while in the functional position of the sensor is supported on the inside of the windshield. These two positions of the sensor relative to the boom of the carrier allow to arrange the sensor and in particular the sensitive, facing the inside of the windshield side in the mounting position within the boom. In the functional position of the sensor is then brought when the roof integration module is fixed roof side in the vehicle. If this is the case, the carrier is rigidly connected to the roof of the motor vehicle, so that then no relative movements between the carrier and the boom and the windshield take place, at least no montagebedingten. Then the sensor is moved from its mounting position to its functional position in which it is supported under spring tension on the inside of the windshield. To realize this, the roof integration module has an activatable spring arrangement whose spring force acts in the functional position of the sensor on this, so that its side facing the windshield is supported at the desired bias on this. The spring arrangement is activated in the course of adjusting the sensor from its mounting position to its functional position. This can take place in the course of the actual movement of the sensor or with the adjustment of a bolt holding the sensor in its mounting position. If the lock is released in the latter case, the sensor is pressed by the spring assembly against the inside of the windshield. If an activation of the spring arrangement or an activation of the force required for pressing the sensor to the inside of the windshield due to active movement of the sensor from its mounting position to its functional position, it is expedient if the spring force in the mounting position not on the sensor in Direction to the windshield acts.

As an activatable spring arrangement can basically serve any single spring or each consisting of several individual springs spring group with which or with which the required force can muster.

The use of a plurality of advantageously symmetrically arranged springs for forming the activatable spring arrangement is considered advantageous in order to ensure a uniform pressing of the sensor with respect to its upper side facing the windshields. As springs of such a spring arrangement, preferably bending springs are used, each of which has a bending arm exhibit. Such bending springs may be leaf springs or coil springs. The bending arm acting on the sensor for application of the pretensioning voltage is in each case biased against the sensor both in the assembled position of the sensor and in its functional position, specifically on an actuating element assigned to the sensor. Thus, in the mounting position, the bias of the bending arms does not move the sensor in the direction of the windshield, the bending arms act in this position of the - A -

Sensor opposite the boom on a different surface than in the functional position of the sensor. As a result of the adjustment of the sensor from its mounting position to its functional position, the bending arms reach a respective other surface of the adjusting element, so that the force stored in the bending springs then acts in the direction of the windshield. As adjusting elements are webs with a longitudinal extent, which run parallel to the direction of movement of the sensor. In the mounting position of the sensor, the bending arms then act against a longitudinal side of the sensor, so that in this way no force is transmitted to the sensor, through which this endeavor to move towards the windshield. When adjusting the sensor from its mounting position to its functional position, the free ends of the bending arms are then guided around the rear edge of the web so that they subsequently act on the front side of the webs facing away from the windshield and then push the sensor in the direction of the windshield ,

The provision of an activatable spring arrangement, whose spring force only acts on the sensor in the manner of adjusting the sensor from its mounting position to its functional position such that it is pressed against the inside of the windshield, has the advantage that the sensor can be moved with a control lever , without it being necessary that the desired pressing force must be applied to the sensor in its functional position on the lever. The sensor can therefore be fixed relatively firmly in the mounting position by acting for example on the webs force of the bending arms, as by means of a lever and a higher holding force can be overcome without further notice. Thus, the spring assembly is also used in such an embodiment, the purpose of securely fixing the sensor in its mounting position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor is located in an adapter frame, which is movably guided on the arm of the carrier in the direction of the windshield. The above-described actuating and guiding elements are then part of the adapter frame. The advantage of such an adapter frame is that the sensor as such is additionally protected by it and that such a frame can at the same time be the carrier for further sensors. It is irrelevant whether the other sensors are also attached to the inside of the windshield. press or be held with a certain distance to this. If the roof integration module should also be a carrier of a fitting sensor, then this is typically to be arranged at a small distance from the inside of the windshield or adjacent thereto.

When providing a control lever for adjusting the sensor or its adapter frame from the mounting position to the functional position of such a lever can also be assigned a coding function. While the adjusting lever protrudes from the boom in the mounting position of the sensor or the adapter frame, it can be accommodated in the operating position of the sensor or the adapter frame in the boom or disposed adjacent thereto. The position of the lever is thus a readily recognizable indicator, whether in the course of installation of the roof integration module of the or the sensors have been brought from their mounting position in their functional position. If it is envisaged that the boom should be covered with a cover, the cover is expediently designed in such a way that it can be mounted only when the control lever is folded, ie when the sensor (s) or the adapter frame have previously been brought into their functional position have been.

An advantage of this roof integration module is further that the boom does not need to abut the inside of the windshield.

Sensors of all types can be used for implementation in the roof integration module. Preferably, optical sensors, such as camera sensors or combined rain, light and solar sensors or fog sensors are used.

The invention is described below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1: A schematic representation of a roof integration module, partially reproduced as an insight;

2 is a perspective view of the roof integration module of Figure 1, 3 shows a detail of the roof integration module of the preceding figures in a first position of its adapter frame, shown in another sectional plane, and

Fig. 4: the roof integration module of Figure 3 in a further position of the adapter frame.

A roof integration module 1 comprises a carrier 2, via which the roof integration module 1 is fastened to the roof 3 of a motor vehicle, which is otherwise not shown in any more detail. The carrier 2 has a boom 4, which extends from the roof 3 of the motor vehicle to behind the windshield 5 thereof. In the boom 4, an adapter frame 6 is guided movably in the transverse direction to the plane of the windshield 5. The direction of movement of the adapter frame 6 is indicated in FIG. 1 by the double arrows. FIG. 1 shows the adapter frame 6 in the functional position of the camera sensor 7 in which it is supported on the inside 9 of the windshield 5 under spring tension. The fitting sensor 8, however, remains spaced from the inside 9 of the windshield 5.

In the functional position of the adapter frame 6 shown in FIG. 1, in which the camera sensor 7 bears against the inside 9 of the windshield 5 under pretension, a silicone pad 10 is located between the photosensitive surface of the camera sensor 7 and the inside 9 of the windshield 5 as an optical coupling body. Support cam 11 is assigned to the camera sensor 7, the height of which determines the distance of the photosensitive surface of the camera sensor 7 from the inside 9 of the windshield 5.

The arm 4 of the carrier 2 is, as can be seen from Figure 2, a slender extension of the support 2 in the direction behind the windshield 5. It can be seen from this perspective view of the roof integration module 1 and the adapter frame 6, with the sensors held by him - the camera sensor 7 and the fitting sensor 8.

Before mounting the carrier 2 on the roof 3 of the motor vehicle, the adapter frame 6 is in its mounting position. This position of the adapter frame 6 with respect to the boom 4 is shown in FIG. It can clearly be seen from this illustration that the photosensitive surface of the camera sensor 7 recedes relative to the windshield-side termination 12 of the arm 4, and is thus protected by the arm 4. The adapter frame 6 remains in this mounting position until the carrier 2 is attached to the roof 3. Only when the carrier 2 is properly connected to the roof 3, the adapter frame 6 is brought from its mounting position shown in Figure 3 in the functional position in which the camera sensor 7 rests under a defined bias standing on the inside 9 of the windshield 5.

The adapter frame 6 has on both sides via two actuating webs 13, 13 ', whose longitudinal extension follows the direction of movement of the adapter frame 6. At each one bearing journal pair 14, 14 'of the boom 4 are each a coil spring 15, 15' sit. The inner end of each coil spring 15, 15 'is defined between the two bearing journals of a journal pair 14, 14'. The free end of the coil springs 15, 15 'is exposed to form a bending arm 16, 16' in the radially outward direction. The end of each bending arm 16, 16 'is formed by a U-shaped bend. In the assembled position of the adapter frame 6, the bias of the coil springs 15, 15 'acts on their respective bending arm 16, 16' on the longitudinal side of the actuating webs 13, 13 '. The adjusting webs 13, 13 'have a bead-like thickening on their side facing away from the windshield 5 and pointing to the respective bending arm 16 or 16'. Against this act the U-shaped bends of the ends of the bending arms 16 and 16 '. By means of the bending arms 16, 16 'on the bead-like thickening of the actuating webs 13, 13' acting bias of the adapter frame 6 is fixed in its position shown in Figure 3. There is therefore no risk that during transport of the adapter frame 6 is moved in its direction towards the end 12 of the boom 4. The photosensitive surface of the camera sensor 7 is thus protected against damage.

The adapter frame has parallel to the two adjusting bars 13, 13 'on each side of a guide slot 17 into which a guide web 18 of the boom 4 for guiding the adapter frame 6 engages. The engaged position between the guide web 18 and the guide web slot 17 is provided with a certain play, so that tolerances between the Boom 4 and the inside 9 of the windshield 5 with respect to their arrangement can be compensated for each other and yet the photosensitive surface of the camera sensor 4 is parallel to the inside 9 of the windshield 5 mens or the camera sensor in the functional position of the Adapterrah.

For adjusting the adapter frame 6 from its assembly position shown in Figure 3 in its functional position shown in Figure 4 is a lever 19. The lever 19 is designed as a bracket and carries at each end of a temple temple cam 20. The outside of the parking cam 20 serves as a footprint 21 for Adjusting the adapter frame 6 and acts against its bottom 22. The axis of rotation of the control lever 19 is indicated in Figure 3 by the reference numeral 23. The adjusting lever 19 is guided on the basis of a guide pin 25 engaging in a guide slot 24 (see FIG.

When pivoting the adjusting lever 19 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3, the adapter frame 6 is moved toward the inside 9 of the windshield 5. In the course of this movement, the end-side thickening of each actuating web 13, 13 'past the U-shaped ends of the bending arms 16, 16', until that the ends of the bending arms 16, 16 'engage behind the actuating webs 13, 13', as in Figure 4 is shown. The over the adjusting lever 19 to the adapter frame 6 to be transmitted adjusting movement ends before the camera sensor 7 rests with its support cam 11 on the inside 9 of the windshield 5. The last approach of the camera sensor 7 with the intermediate silicone pad 10 is thus effected by the energy stored in the coil springs 15, 15 'which is transmitted to the adapter frame 6 via the bending arms 16, 16'. This ensures that the bias voltage with which the camera sensor 7 acts against the inside 9 of the windshield 5 is determined by the spring force. The provision of two coil springs 15, 15 'on each side of the adapter 6 ensures that the camera sensor 7 is supported with its support cam 11 everywhere with the same bias on the inside 9 of the windshield 5. The decoupling between see the lever 19 and the adapter frame 6 assists that even when vibration of the camera sensor 7 remains securely pressed against the inside 9 of the windshield 5. The adjusting lever 19 is received in the boom 4 in the functional position of the adapter frame 6 or of the camera sensor 7 shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the roof integration module 1 is enclosed on the inside with a cover. This is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity. A mounting of the cover is only possible if the adjusting lever 19 has been brought into its folded position shown in Figure 4. Thus, the adjusting lever 19 also serves to avoid incorrect assembly of the cover when the camera sensor 7 is actually not yet in its functional position.

The adjusting lever 19 is locked in its position shown in Figure 4 on the boom 4 in a manner not shown. Serve this purpose formed on the adjusting lever 19 locking tabs 26, which carry on its side facing the adapter frame 6 side a locking bead.

Since no parts need to be glued to the inside of the windshield in the described roof integration module, the sensors held by the adapter frame can be easily replaced. The same applies of course to the windshield as such.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 roof integration module

2 carriers

3 roof

4 outriggers

5 windshield

6 adapter frame

7 camera sensor

8 fitting sensor

9 inside

10 silicone pad

11 support cam

12 end, 13 'step, 14' journal, 15 'coil spring, 16' flex arm

17 guide slot

18 guide bar

19 levers

20 positioning cam

21 footprint

22 bottom

23 axis of rotation

24 guidance course

25 guide pins

26 snap tab

Claims

claims 1. Roof integration module for mounting on the inside of a roof (3) of a motor vehicle, comprising a support (2) for Connecting the module (1) to the roof (3) and extending to behind the windshield (5) boom (4) with at least one in the direction of the windshield (5) movably mounted, for detecting information on or in front of the windshield Protective disc (5) designed, in its functional position under bias on the inside (9) of the windshield (5) supporting the sensor (7), characterized in that the sensor (7) between a mounting position and a functional position in which this under bias standing on the inner side (9) of the windshield (5) is supported, is adjustable and the module (1) an activatable spring arrangement (15, 15 ') is associated, which for providing the on the sensor (7) in its support arrangement acting bias in the course of the adjustment of the sensor (7) is activated from its mounting position in its function setting. 2. Roof integration module according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring arrangement comprises a plurality of bending arms (16, 16 ') each having bending springs (15, 15'), the bending arms (16, 16 ') each under bias on a the Sensor (7) associated actuating element (13, 13 ') are supported, wherein the bending arms (16, 16') in the mounting position of the sensor (7) act on a different surface than in the functional position of the sensor (7). 3. Roof integration module according to claim 2, characterized in that the spiral springs are coil springs (15, 15 '). 4. roof integration module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the adjusting elements (13, 13 ') carry a Stellwulst over which the bending arms (16, 16') of the bending springs (15, 15 ') must be moved away to with respect to their support from the support surface in the mounting position to the support surface in the Function position to be moved. 5. roof integration module according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the adjusting elements as webs (13, 13 ') are formed. 6. roof integration module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sensor (7) in an adapter frame (6) is received, which is guided in the direction of movement of the jacks (4) and the one or more adjusting elements (13 Wears, 13 '). 7. roof integration module according to claim 6, characterized in that the adapter frame (6) in the functional position of the sen- sensor (7) at a distance from the inside (9) of the windshield (5) is arranged. 8. Roof integration module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that for adjusting the adapter frame (6) from its mounting position into the functional position of the sensor (7) after Type of a bracket trained, on the boom (4) mounted adjusting lever (19) is provided which has two mutually parallel actuating cam (20) for converting the pivotal movement of the actuating lever (19) in a translational movement of the Adapterrah- men (6). 9. roof integration module according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjusting cams (20) are supported on the inwardly facing side of the adapter frame (6). 10. roof integration module according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the adjusting lever (19) in the mounting position of the A- adapter frame (6) of the boom (4) protrudes and in its folded position when the sensor (7) in his Function position is located in the boom (4) is added. 11. roof integration module according to claim 10, characterized in that the end position of the actuating lever (19) when the sensor (7) has been brought into its functional position is fixed by a detent on the boom (4). 12. roof integration module according to claim 10 or 11, character- ized in that the module (1) is associated with a boom cover, which is only mountable when the adjusting lever (19) is in its folded position. 13. roof integration module according to one of claims 6 to 12, character- ized in that the adapter frame (6) carrier for one or more other sensors (8). 14. Roof integration module according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the sensor is a camera sensor (7).