Abstract:
A covering module ( 04, 05, 09, 19, 29, 48, 60 ) is provided for arrangement on the inside of the roof of a vehicle. The covering module ( 04, 05, 09, 19, 29, 48, 60 ) covers the inside of the roof in the area of the sheet metal car body ( 02 ) at least partially, in particular essentially completely. All function elements to be provided overhead from the passengers in the vehicle are completely preassembled on the covering module ( 04, 05, 09, 19, 29, 48, 60 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a covering module for arrangement on the inside of the roof of a motor vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Generic covering modules are used in automotive engineering to cover the sheet metal car body on the inside of the roof of the vehicle toward the interior. In a nontechnical context, such a covering module is often referred to as a “headliner.” 
         [0003]     A plurality of function elements that may be used by the driver or the other passengers of the vehicle are provided in modern vehicles. To be able to accommodate the plurality of function elements in the motor vehicle, the trend has been to arrange many of these function elements in the overhead area. In assembly of the vehicle, these function elements must therefore be mounted individually on the covering module.  
         [0004]     The assembly of function elements on the cover modules is tedious and time-consuming because of the arrangement of generic covering modules on the inside of the roof. i.e., in the overhead area for the assembly personnel.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Therefore, against the background of this state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide a covering module which simplifies the final assembly of vehicles.  
         [0006]     According to this invention, all function elements provided in the area above the head of passengers in a motor vehicle are completely preinstalled. Pre-installation of the function elements may be performed in a position that is advantageous from the standpoint of assembly, because the covering module can be handled freely before the final assembly. For final assembly, the covering module with the pre-installed function elements is then mounted in the area of the interior of the roof of the vehicle, thus eliminating the mounting of additional function elements on the covering module. As a result, a great deal of assembly time can be saved in final assembly of vehicles, and furthermore, the burden for the assembly personnel can be reduced.  
         [0007]     According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, at least one contact element, e.g., a plug strip, is provided on the covering module. This contact element is used to provide electric or electronic contacting of several function elements provided on the covering module. For example, if all function elements of the covering module can be contacted via the contact element, it is sufficient in final assembly of the vehicle to contact this one contact element to the onboard network in order to make the entire covering module functional. In addition to the conventional 12-volt power supply, a 42-volt power supply would also be conceivable. In addition, a data connection to the databus (LAN, CAN. LIN) of the vehicle may also be created via the contact element.  
         [0008]     It is especially advantageous if the covering module can be locked or clipped in place with a simple joining movement on the inside of the roof. Due to this type of attachment, the assembly time in final assembly of the vehicle can be further shortened.  
         [0009]     The contact elements provided on the covering module should be designed and arranged so that they can be contacted with the contact elements designed with a complementary function by fastening the covering module to the inside of the roof without requiring any additional assembly effort. As a result, this eliminates one assembly operation, namely separate assembly of the contact elements. Instead, contacting of the contact elements is accomplished merely by the fact that the covering module is moved to the correct position on the inside of the roof and secured there.  
         [0010]     The covering module itself may have essentially any design, which may be adapted to the particular features of the respective vehicle. However, covering modules according to this invention offer special advantages when they need not cover the entire surface on the inside of the roof. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the covering module therefore has large-area recesses and/or concavities in which transparent components, in particular panes of glass, may be arranged and form a portion of the roof of the vehicle. The transparent components axe of course mounted and attached to the automobile body to guarantee a sufficient stability of the automobile roof. As a result, this design achieves the effect that the covering modules are relatively compact components whose inherent weight is not too great and which can be handled well because of their relatively small size. Because of the preassembly of the required function elements according to this invention, such covering modules can then be attached to the vehicle in a simple “plug and play” joining action.  
         [0011]     Essentially any desired number of covering modules may be used to cover the inside of an automobile roof. In particular, it is conceivable for the covering module to be designed in multiple parts, in which case then one part of the covering module can be installed so it faces toward the front of the vehicle and the other part of the covering module can be installed so it faces toward the trunk of the vehicle. This design offers the advantage in particular that the respective covering modules can be handled from the front or from the rear through the windshield or through the rear window.  
         [0012]     Essentially any type and design of the function elements pre-installed on the covering module are possible according to this invention. Thus, a large number of function elements, which may be pre-installed on the covering modules according to this invention, are conceivable.  
         [0013]     According to an especially preferred embodiment, the interior rearview mirror of the vehicle is integrated into the covering module. To do so, a recess is provided in the area in front of the windshield, with a rearview device arranged in this recess so that the driver can observe the following traffic. The recess is arranged and designed in such a way that the driver can observe with a sufficient field of vision the traffic following behind the vehicle after the rearview device has been arranged in the recess. By integration of the rearview device into the covering module, the separate installation of a rearview mirror may be omitted. One particular advantage of this embodiment is that the area between the two side sun visors at the upper edge of the front windshield is covered by the covering module so that separate devices to provide shade such as a central sun visor may be omitted.  
         [0014]     In the simplest embodiment, the rearview device is designed in the manner of a mirror element, which is also used in a corresponding design with conventional interior rearview mirrors.  
         [0015]     This arrangement of a mirror element on a covering module according to this invention offers special advantages when a remote-controlled adjustment of the mirror element is desired, because a suitable drive for adjusting the angle of view of the mirror element can be installed in the hollow space formed by the covering module in a simple manner. Suitable adjustment devices also include in particular adjustment drives such as those used to adjust the mirror element in exterior rearview mirrors.  
         [0016]     If an adjustment drive is provided on the mirror element, it is therefore possible to provide a memory function for the adjustment of the mirror element. In other words, depending on the choice made by the driver, in addition to other settings. e.g., the seat setting and the adjustment of the exterior rearview mirror, it is also possible for the mirror element in the interior to be adjusted automatically according to a position stored for the respective driver.  
         [0017]     The mirror element may also be designed in the manner of a glass prism having two reflective surfaces, in which case it is then possible in particular to dim the mirror element by remote-controlled drive of the glass prism.  
         [0018]     As an alternative to dimming by adjusting a glass prism, an electrochromatic dimming system may also be provided on the mirror element, such that its transmission properties can be altered through corresponding electric or electronic triggering.  
         [0019]     As an alternative to use of a conventional mirror element as a rearview device, an electronic display may also be built into the recess in the covering module. This display is then to be connected to a suitable camera arranged on the vehicle so that the image data picked up by the camera can be displayed on the display in the interior of the vehicle.  
         [0020]     As an alternative to the use of mirror elements or displays as rearview devices, projection devices may also be used, projecting the image data of a camera system onto a projection surface where they can be reflected and observed by the driver. Studies in using electronic displays as rearview devices have shown that the driver&#39;s eye must refocus to observe the display, which requires a certain reaction time. This effect can be avoided by using projection devices having projection surfaces.  
         [0021]     According to a preferred embodiment, not only the projection surface is integrated into the covering module, but also the projection device is integrated into it. When both the projection device and the projection surface are integrated into the covering module, this makes it possible to achieve the result that the adjustment of the projection device on the projection surface can be performed during the preliminary assembly. In the final assembly of the vehicle, the adjusted projection system is then installed together with the covering module and further adjustment is eliminated.  
         [0022]     With known vehicles the sun visors which are required for protection from sun are installed as separate parts on the inside of the roof in the area of the upper edge of the windshield. This type of installation of sun visors represents an additional effort in automotive assembly. For further integration of function, it is therefore proposed that a left and/or tight sun visor be mounted adjustably on the covering module according to this invention. As a result, this also makes it possible to pre-install and pre-adjust sun visors on the covering module and eliminate the step of installing the sun visors in the final assembly of the vehicle. Essentially any desired manner of adjusting the sun visors between their resting position and the sun protection position is possible. For example, it is conceivable for the sun visors to be pivoted in a rotational movement between the resting position and the sun protection position in the known manner. To do so, for example, the sun visors may be designed in the manner of plate-shaped components which are mounted laterally on the covering module by means of corresponding axles.  
         [0023]     As an alternative to this design it is also possible to implement new designs for sun visors. In particular when using covering modules according to this invention, it is conceivable for the sun visors to be pulled out linearly and retracted linearly between the resting position and the sun protection position, because the hollow space formed by the covering module can accommodate the sun visors in the resting position. To implement such designs, it is possible, for example, for the sun visors to be designed in the manner of rolling blinds that can be pulled out. It is thus also possible in particular to pull out the sun visors only partially as needed.  
         [0024]     Due to the hollow space formed by the covering module, it is also possible to provide a drive device, e.g., suitable electric motors, accordingly for adjustment of the sun visors. Then to adjust the sun visors, the driver need not make any manual adjustment and instead a remote-controlled adjustment of the sun visors can be implemented. In particular it is also conceivable to automatically adjust the sun visors as a function of certain external conditions, e.g., a certain incidence of light.  
         [0025]     In addition, adjustably mounted additional visors may also be provided on the sun visors. By pivoting out or pulling out these additional visors, the shading effect of the sun visors may be further increased if necessary. This is advantageous in particular when the driver is to be protected from the incident light of the sun low in the sky.  
         [0026]     In addition to integration of rearview device and/or sun visors, it is also possible to provide an optical and/or acoustic sensor on the covering module according to this invention with which video data and/or audio data can be recorded in the passenger compartment. Due to the reception of this video and/or audio data, it is possible to record and document events in the passenger compartment, so that in the event of accidents, for example, it is possible to reconstruct the causes of the accident accordingly.  
         [0027]     In principle, the optical sensor may be designed in any desired manner. Video cameras, in particular digital video cameras with a CCD chip, are especially suitable because first, these devices are available inexpensively and secondly they allow a good recording quality of the video data.  
         [0028]     To be able to accommodate the largest possible areas in the passenger compartment with an optical sensor, it is especially advantageous if a wide-angle lens, preferably a lens having a “fish-eye” characteristic, is provided on the optical sensor.  
         [0029]     It is in principle irrelevant where in the passenger compartment the optical and/or acoustic sensor is arranged in terms of implementation of a data recording system according to this invention. Frequently, however, accidents are caused by a certain improper behavior on the part of the driver. This improper behavior may be due, for example, to the fact that a fatigued driver closes his eyes in a so-called “sudden sleep.” Furthermore, many drivers turn their attention to their passengers or the car radio for too long a period of time so that sufficient attention in observation of traffic is no longer possible during this period of time. In addition, in the case of drivers with special health restrictions such as people with diabetes or people with a heart pacemaker, there may be a temporary loss of capabilities. To be able to detect such causes for accidents, it would be especially advantageous if the field of vision of the driver were recorded with the optical sensor. Such image data could then also be used in particular to exonerate the driver of responsibility and/or liability.  
         [0030]     It is also advantageous if the optical sensor can be used to observe people such as children on the back seat. This also makes it possible to document the behavior of the passengers on the back seat so that it is possible to ascertain retroactively whether this behavior has been the cause of an accident. Furthermore, it is possible by observing the back seat to display the current image data on a display device, e.g., on a display screen for the driver. In this way the driver can observe what is going on in the rear part of the vehicle without turning his head.  
         [0031]     It is also advantageous if the optical sensor is suitable for triggering a child seat recognition. Through the use of such systems it is then possible to recognize whether a child seat has been installed in a seat and if so, in which location. With this information the airbag system in the vehicle can then be controlled so that the corresponding airbags are not deployed in the event of an accident if a child seat is installed in that location.  
         [0032]     It is in principle conceivable to store the data thus compiled permanently in the buffer. Then, however, this would result in an enormous volume of data over a period of time, so that at least partial deletion of data is necessary to reduce the data volume. It is therefore especially advantageous if the data is stored in a memory unit temporarily and deleted on a rolling basis. For example, it is possible to always store the data of the last 5 to 60 seconds in the memory unit. All data behind this time horizon is deleted because it may be assumed that corresponding events in the passenger compartment could not have been the cause of an accident. Through rolling data storage, this yields the result that only a relatively small volume of data need be stored temporarily at any time. Such a volume of data today can be stored electronically in a buffer memory in corresponding suitable electronic memory modules.  
         [0033]     As an alternative to rolling data storage, it is also possible to record the data in blocks every 60 seconds on an external data medium, such as a writable CD-ROM.  
         [0034]     In addition to integration of rearview devices, sun visors and/or data acquisition sensors, it is also conceivable to pre-install an antenna carrier element on the covering module according to this invention. With such embodiments, a recess is then provided on the roof of the vehicle so that the antenna carrier element can be accommodated in the recess.  
         [0035]     Preferably the surface of the antenna carrier element is essentially flush with the surface of the roof of the vehicle. In addition, an antenna may be arranged directly or indirectly on the underside of the antenna carrier element opposite the surface. This antenna is primarily a GPS antenna; in this case, it may be integrally connected to a telematics control unit (control unit for operation of the GPS system) and thus pre-installed completely on the covering module. As an alternative, the antenna may also be a radio antenna or a wireless antenna. In all cases, the antenna may be integrally connected to the antenna carrier element. In the latter case, a preferred embodiment is characterized in that the material of the antenna carrier element is extruded around the antenna.  
         [0036]     Primarily through such an antenna carrier system a GPS antenna can be optimally accommodated in the vehicle.  
         [0037]     The antenna itself may have essentially any desired shape. According to a preferred embodiment, the antenna is designed in the manner of a ring body antenna, which also guarantees very good radio reception in the case of a suitable compact design.  
         [0038]     If the antenna itself does not project beyond the antenna carrier element but instead is situated beneath the antenna carrier element, then the antenna carrier element must be made of a material such as plastic or glass which is permeable for electromagnetic waves.  
         [0039]     In addition to integration of a rearview device, sun visors, data recording sensors and/or antenna modules, it is also conceivable to pre-install a number of other function elements. e.g., lighting equipment (interior lighting, reading lights, console lighting), radio receivers, loudspeakers, anti-theft alarm systems, multifunction displays, sliding roof controls, video displays or distance sensors on the covering module according to this invention.  
         [0040]     Various embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in greater detail below. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0041]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a vehicle having an automotive roof in a view as seen from above;  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a perspective interior view showing the vehicle according to  FIG. 1  having a covering module according to this invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is front view of a second embodiment of a covering module according to this invention:  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of a third embodiment of a covering module according to this invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a covering module according to this invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is partial cross sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of a covering module according to this invention;  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of a covering module according to this invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0048]      FIG. 1  shows an automobile roof  01  of a vehicle diagramed schematically, shown in a view from above. The vehicle roof  01  is formed by the sheet metal car body  02  together with six panes of glass  03 . For this purpose, recesses are provided in the sheet metal car body on the sides of the vehicle, with panes of glass  03  inserted into these recesses. Two covering modules  04  and  05 , indicated with dash-dot lines in  FIG. 1 , are attached to the inside of the roof of vehicle roof  01  to cover the sheet metal car body  03 .  
         [0049]     Front covering module  04  is shown in a perspective interior view in  FIG. 2 . A wide variety of function elements, in particular a rearview device  06 , two sun visors  07  and an optical sensor  08 , axe provided on covering module  04 . All these function elements were pre-installed on covering module  04 , and together with covering module  04  they are attached to the inside of the vehicle during the final assembly of the vehicle.  
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment  09  of a covering module according to this invention, shown schematically. Covering module  09  has a main body  10  on which are integrated a wide variety of function elements in particular an electrically adjustable rearview device  11  and a display  12  for displaying additional vehicle data. Two sun visors  13  and  14  for the driver and passenger are provided on the side of the main body  10 . Sun visors  13  and  14  are each connected to the main body  10  by means of a connecting shaft  15  or  16 , and they can be pivoted to rotate separately from one another by means of electric drive motors  17  and  1 . 8  (indicated with dotted lines alone in  FIG. 3 ) arranged inside of covering module  09 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment  19  of a covering module according to this invention, shown in cross section, arranged on the inside of the roof of a vehicle  20 . Data recording system  21  which consists essentially of an optical sensor  22  designed in the manner of a CCD video camera, an acoustic sensor  23  and an electronic memory unit  24  is pre-installed on the covering module  19 . The optical sensor  22  and the acoustic sensor  23  pass through the covering module  19  to the rear so that video data and/or audio data from the passenger compartment  25  can be compiled. In front of the optical sensor  22 , a wide-angle lens  26 , e.g., with a fisheye characteristic, is mounted to allow observation of the largest possible field of view in the passenger compartment  25 . The acoustic sensor  23  is covered toward the rear by a perforated protective shield  27 . Optical sensor  22  and acoustic sensor  23  are connected to memory unit  24  by signal lines so that the video and audio data compiled in passenger compartment  07  can be stored temporarily in the memory unit  24 . In addition, memory unit  24  is also connected to the airbag control (not shown) of vehicle  20 . As soon as the airbags of vehicle  20  are deployed, this is recorded in memory unit  24  and the audio and video data  20  compiled during the last 60 seconds is saved.  
         [0052]     Due to the arrangement of the optical sensor  22  on the front edge of covering module  19 , both the field of view of the driver as well as people on the back seat can be observed. In embodiment  19  of the covering module according to this invention illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the inside rearview mirror  28  is not integrated into the covering module  19  but instead is mounted as a separate component in vehicle  20 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment  29  of a covering module according to this invention which is mounted on the inside of the roof of the vehicle roof  30  and partially covers the transition between windshield  31  and vehicle roof  30 . Covering module  29  with its component all  32  forms a hollow space  34  which is sealed off with respect to the interior  33  of the vehicle.  
         [0054]     In the position where an interior rearview mirror is usually mounted in a vehicle, covering module  29  has a recess  35  in which a rearview device  36  is arranged. The rearview device  36  has a mirror element with an electrochromatic coating.  
         [0055]     The rearview device  36  is mounted so it is adjustable in multiple axes in covering module  29 . For remote-controlled adjustment of the rearview device  36 , an electric adjusting device  37  is provided, only one of the two actuating motors of this being shown in  FIG. 5 . Due to the adjusting drive  37 , the driver has the possibility of individually adjusting the angle of view of rearview device  36  to his own needs by remote control by operating an operating element arranged in the interior, optionally designed in the manner of a joystick, for example.  
         [0056]     Above rearview device  36  a light sensor  38  is provided, with which the light intensity of the incident light striking rearview device  36  can be measured. Depending on the light intensity measured by the light sensor  38 , the electrochromatic coating on the rearview device  36  may be controlled and dimmed accordingly.  
         [0057]     Another light sensor  39  is arranged on the front side of covering module  29  behind the windshield  31  so that the light intensity of the incident light through the windshield  31  can also be measured. In addition, a rain sensor  40  is also integrated into the component all  04  of the covering module  29  directly beneath windshield  31  so that the amount of rain striking the windshield  31  can be measured by rain sensor  40 .  
         [0058]     A reading light  41  is integrated into the covering module  29  on the lower side of the covering module  29  beneath recess  35 , so that a cutout is provided in the component wall  32  to allow the passage of light generated by lighting means of reading light  41 .  
         [0059]     A radio receiver  42  which permits control of vehicle functions by wireless transmission from outside the vehicle, e.g., for operation of the central locking system or certain lighting functions, is provided on the front side of the covering module  29 , protected by component wall  32 .  
         [0060]     In the upper area of covering module  29 , an electronic box  43  is also mounted on covering module  29  in hollow space  34 . Various control and regulating functions can be implemented with the electronic box  43 . In particular, the sliding roof control, control of the interior Lighting and control of the adjustment drive  37  may also be regulated and/or controlled by the electronic box  43 .  
         [0061]     In addition, an interior light  44  and a glove compartment  45  where glasses or similar items may be stored are integrated into covering module  29 .  
         [0062]     For fastening covering module  29  to vehicle roof  30 , a spacer  46  is provided on the inside of the roof, a catch element  47  being attached to its lower end. The front edge of the component wall  32  of the covering module  29  is inserted between windshield  31  and spacer  46  and is secured in the desired position by catch element  19 . Then several mounting screws are screwed through the component wall  32  of covering module  29  to thereby permanently secure the position of covering module  29 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment  48  of a covering module designed in two parts. Covering module  48  is formed by a front partial module  49  and a rear partial module  50 . The front edge of the component wall  51  of the front partial module  49  is connected directly to windshield  52  so that a large hollow space is formed behind a rearview device  53 . Therefore, a sun protection is readily formed in the center of the vehicle by front partial module  49 , so that it is unnecessary to have any additional sun visors or darkening of windshield  52  between the sun visors provided on the sides for the driver and/or the passenger. Rearview device  53  is designed in covering module  48  in the manner of a projection surface on which the images produced in a projection device  54  are reflected. The beam path of the images generated by projection device  54  is diagramed schematically in  FIG. 2 . The images generated by projection device  54  are first picked up by a camera in the area of the rear of the vehicle and are transmitted as image data to the projection device  54 .  
         [0064]     Rear partial module  50  may essentially have any desired length and it may extend, for example, to the rear window of the vehicle. Thus in particular a sufficiently great distance between the projection device  54 , which is integrated into the rear partial module  50 , and the rearview device  53 , which is integrated into the front partial module  49 , can be achieved. To further accelerate or simplify the final assembly of the vehicle, the two partial modules  49  and  50  may also be connected to one another before the final assembly.  
         [0065]     In addition, a camera  55  with which wide areas of the interior of the vehicle can be recorded may also be integrated into the rear partial module  50 . Camera  55  works together with a memory unit  56  which is also mounted on the rear partial module  50  in such a way that the data recorded by camera  55  is stored temporarily in memory unit  56  on a rolling basis.  
         [0066]     In addition, an antenna carrier element  57  having a GPS antenna and an audio system  58  are also mounted on the rear partial module  50  and a UHF antenna  59  is connected to audio system  58  via antenna carrier element  57 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment  60  of a covering module according to this invention. Covering module  60  is composed of a front partial module  61 , a central partial module  62  and a rear partial module  63 . The design of the front partial module  61  corresponds essentially to the design of partial module  49  because in the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the rearview device  64  is designed in the manner of mirror element.  
         [0068]     Central partial module  62  which is arranged in front of a sliding roof  65  in the vehicle corresponds in design essentially to partial module  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 6  and it also has a camera  66 , a memory  67 , an antenna carrier element  68  and an audio system  69 . Since the rearview device  64  is designed in the manner of a mirror element, there is no need for a projection device such as that provided in the embodiment  48  of the covering module. The rear partial module  63  extends from the rear side of the sliding roof  65  to the rear window. A video display  70  which can be pivoted downward is integrated into the rear partial module  63  so that computer games or movies, for example, can be displayed for the people sitting on the back seat. In addition, an audio system  71 , another antenna carrier element  62  with telematics control and integrated GPS antenna, a projection device  73  for projection of video data onto the interior front windshield and/or the dashboard, an additional brake light with an integrated distance sensor  74  and a camera  75  are also integrated into the rear partial module  63 .  
         [0069]     While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.