WO2022019847A1

WO2022019847A1 - Multi-purpose vehicle roof module

Info

Publication number: WO2022019847A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/050650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kerem Odabaşi
Original assignee: Odabasi Kerem
Priority date: 2020-07-24
Filing date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2022-01-27

Abstract

Vehicle roof module (1 ) mounted onto the roof of the transportation vehicles (11) wherein it is characterized by comprising: solar cells or solar film (2) which provides energy to the roof module (1) and/or vehicle (11) by converting the light received from sun into the electrical energy, a lane or an array of lanes (3) that enable visual projection to the outside people (17) and the advertising content to be played as pre-programmed, a digital audial communication medium (4) that provides audio communication to the outside people as pre-programmed so as to support the lane or array of lanes (3), distance sensors (5) that transmit the data perceived from the external environment to the microprocessor unit (14) as digital data and measure the distance, camera (6) that perceives the visual data and transmits it to the microprocessor (14) and provides collecting detailed data of external environment physical medium of the vehicle, microprocessor unit (14) which provides the control and management of the electronic equipments in the vehicle roof module (1).

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE ROOF MODULE

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle roof module which is used in the field of transportation, especially in on-road vehicles, and provides advantages in terms of both function and efficiency by being mounted on the roof of vehicles.

State of the art

Today, the use of electric vehicles is spreading rapidly. Also, technology-based systems such as renting a car, sharing, and receiving transportation services in urban transportation are rapidly gaining popularity.

There are existing solutions based on using solar energy to extend the range of electric vehicles. For example, in the patent application numbered as US2018050594A1 , there are photovoltaic panel modules mounted in a sunlit area on the vehicle.

Also, there are illuminated, and digital screen systems used by transportation vehicles such as taxi/minibus/bus as a means of communication with their environment. For example, the patent application numbered JP2011013585A ensures that the taxi lamp on the taxi can be flashed according to availability. Applications such as CN205737200U, DE19723533A1 ,

CN204452189U, CN203910188U contain similar approaches.

On the other hand, there are markets where digital displays that serve to advertise on transportation vehicles gain popularity. For example, in the USA, advertisements can be placed on right/left double-sided digital LED screens mounted on taxis, thus the taxi business provides additional income.KR20170130857A, CN109785780A, KR100935389B1 can be given as examples of these embodiments.

The patent application numbered US8933800B1 , relates to vehicles having luminous products such as lamp, LED etc. that serve as signalization such as a stop, right/left, parking. The application numbered US2006086470A1 relates to a solution to prevent the heating of the vehicles and the decreasing passenger comfort as a result of being in the sun while parked.

The application numbered FR2739762A1 relates to the application developed to create additional luggage space for vehicles.

The application numbered CN106945612A relates to the integration of sensors such as Lidar, radar, sonar, camera installed on the vehicle body to improve the safe driving system of the vehicles.

Application CN208867964U relates to a roof LED display equipped with a solar panel.

As can be seen, there is no integrated solution that can produce solutions for all and different combinations of the above-mentioned applications.

As a result, it is necessary to make an improvement in the relevant technical field due to the above-mentioned drawbacks and the insufficiency of existing solutions.

In the state of art, the modules that can be mounted on the vehicle comprising a digital visual communication medium or camera and distance sensor on the vehicle roofs provide electrical energy for the module to perform only its functions by including solar cells in a limited area.

Aim of the Invention

The invention aims to present a structure with different technical features, which brings a new development in this field, unlike the embodiments used in the state of art.

The primary aim of the invention is to provide a common solution to the above-mentioned problems with a multi-functional module mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

An object of the invention is to ensure that the required energy can be transferred to the module and/or the vehicle itself, by means of the solar panels on it.

Another aim of the invention is to provide visual communication with its surroundings by means of electronic screens mounted around the module. For example, if the car is available for rent, green color, if the car is in use, blue color can be reflected through screens. Also, previously prepared advertisements can be reflected on the screens. These advertisements can be presented based on time and location. When the vehicle makes a sudden stop, turns right/left or in case of an emergency, it will be able to signal to the outside through these screens. For example, when turning right, the right rear screen region will flash yellow or animated yellow arrow is provided.

Another aim of the invention is to provide verbal, melodic or signal-based communication with the outside by means of the speaker and voice communication activators on the module.

Another aim of the invention is to provide safe autonomous and safe driving by means of the sensors on the module.

Another aim of the invention is to protect the vehicle from excessive sunlight by creating shading as a result of the module on the roof of the vehicle cutting off the sunlight.

Another aim of the invention is to provide energy support to the vehicle besides the module itself by using more solar energy in an area spread over the roof of the vehicle.

Another aim of the invention is to enable the internal volume of the module to be used as an extra luggage space.

The feature and hardware components of the inventive product are as follows;

The product is a module that can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle, Width/length of the module should be measured in such a way that it does not exceed the base projection of the vehicle,

The module has connection fixtures that allow it to be mounted on the vehicle, Having photovoltaic panels (PV cells) covering the sun-exposed top surface of the module,

The module has LED matrix arrays that provide visual (color and graphical) change covering the front/back, right left side surfaces that can be seen by outside people (and/or have other electronic screens such as LCD, E-ink),

Optionally, the module should have speakers and sound warning activators mounted on the side surfaces to enable voice communication with outside people, The module has sensors such as Lidar, radar, GPS, sonar, camera, microphone, etc. which improve driving capacity, safety and autonomy on the outer surfaces of the module Optionally, the module has its own battery (energy storage) system,

Optionally, the module has a GSM module that provides remote communication, Optionally, the side surface and/or upper surface of the module can be opened/closed, so that the empty space between the roof and the floor can be used as luggage space.

In order to achieve above-mentioned objects, the invention relates to a vehicle roof module mounted onto the roof of the transportation vehicles wherein it comprises

• solar cells or solar film which provides energy to the roof module and/or vehicle by converting the light received from sun into the electrical energy, having a width between at least 50% and no more than 150% of the width of the roof to which it is attached and covering the upper surface of the roof module; and

• at least one lane or an array of lanes that provide colored light, moving or stationary visual display to outside persons as pre-programmed and are positioned in the right/left and/or front/rear side surfaces of the module.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to vehicle roof module mounted onto the roof of the transportation vehicles wherein it comprises

• a digital audial communication medium that provides audio communication to the outside people as pre-programmed so as to support digital visual communication medium,

• distance sensors that transmit the data perceived from the external environment to the microprocessor unit as digital data and measure the distance, and/or camera that perceives the visual data and transmits it to the microprocessor and provides collecting detailed data of external environment physical medium of the vehicle; and

• microprocessor unit which provides the control and management of the electronic equipments in the vehicle roof module

In another preferred embodiments of the invention, it comprises:

• a digital visual communication medium in the form of a single row of LEDs, matrix LEDs, LCD or an e-ink display,

• digital audial communication medium consisting of speaker, buzzer or horn,

• distance sensors which provide data to the processor in order to give safe driving, parking, lane tracking, distance keeping and advanced autonomous properties and consist of sensors that measure distance such as Lidar, Radar, Ultrasonic, Proximity,

• a long-distance communication module which provides the long distance communication of the vehicle roof module and has a GSM communication infrastructure such as 4g/5g,

• a short/medium distance communication module that provides the Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth communication infrastructure.

• a battery that enables the vehicle roof module to have its own energy independently,

• a cover that allows the interior volume of the vehicle roof module to be used as luggage.

The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly thanks to the figures given below and the detailed explanation written by referring to these figures, and therefore the evaluation should be made by taking these figures and detailed explanations into consideration.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is the perspective view/representation of the vehicle roof module integration of all visible elements and the person standing outside.

Figure 2 is the vehicle roof module integration perspective view/representation of all visible elements.

Figure 3 is the side view of the vehicle and vehicle roof module.

Figure 4 is the top view of the vehicle and vehicle roof module.

Figure 5 is the perspective view of the vehicle and vehicle roof module.

Figure 6 is the view of the vehicle roof module and the equipment thereon.

Figure 7 is the view of the digital visual communication medium.

Figure 8 is the view of the interior volume of the vehicle roof module.

Figure 9 is the schematic view of the working principle of the microprocessor unit.

Figure 10 is the perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the vehicle and vehicle roof module.

Drawings are not necessarily drawn according to the scale and details which are not necessary for the understanding of the present invention might be omitted. Additionally, at least significantly identical elements or elements having at least significantly identical functions are shown with the same reference number.

Description of reference numbers

1. Roof Module

2. Solar cells or solar film

3. Lane or an array of lanes

4. Dijital Audial Communication Medium

5. Distance Sensor

6. Camera

7. Connection Apparatus

8. Cover

9. Module Cable Connector

10. Module Cable

11. Vehicle

12. Long Distance Communication Module

13. Short Distance Communication Module

14. Microprocessor unit

15. Charge Regulator

16. Battery

17. Person Outside the Vehicle

18. Visual Graphics

19. Digital Visual Communication Medium

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, preferred embodiments of the invention will be only disclosed for the better understanding of the subject and without forming any limiting effect.

The invention relates to a vehicle roof module (1) which is used in the field of transportation, especially in on-road vehicles, and provides advantages in terms of both function and efficiency by being mounted on the roof of vehicles. The roof module (1) mounted on the vehicle (11) converts the incoming solar energy into electrical energy by means of the solar cells or solar film (2) on the upper surface. The energy obtained is transferred to the battery system of the vehicle (1).

Visual communication with the people outside the vehicle (17) can be provided by means of the lane or array of lanes (3) located at the front, rear, right and left margins of the roof module (1). Pre-programmed visual communication content benefits vehicle uses and service for different purposes.

The lane or array of lanes (3) allows the current availability status of the service taken or rented vehicle to be transferred to the people outside the vehicle (17) with a different color or graphic application, with an application similar to taxi vehicles. If the vehicle is available for service or rental, it reflects a suitable color image (e.g., green) to the outside, thus facilitating the identification of the person outside the vehicle (17) among other vehicles, informing about its usability, and also making it attractive to use by attracting attention. The vehicle can be programmed to turn to another color (e.g., blue) when it is in use, or to a third color (e.g., red) when out of service. This visual communication is not limited to color change, but can also be in the form of a visual graphic (18) or a time-adjusted animation within the limits of the technical features offered by the lane or array of lanes (3).

The lane or array of lanes (3) on the roof module (1 ) on the vehicle (11 ) can also be used for basic vehicle signaling functions such as stopping, right/left, and giving attention signals. For example, before turning right, yellow visual flashes can be flashed on the right rear and right front lanes or array of lanes (3). In this way, basic signaling lamps such as signal and parking are not required on the vehicle.

In the vehicle roof module (1 ), instead of lane or array of lanes (3), digital visual communication medium (19) can be also used which provides colored light, moving or stationary visual display to outside persons (17) as pre-programmed and is positioned in the right/left and/or front/rear side surfaces of the module.

Another important function of the lane or array of lanes (3) is that the previously prepared advertisements, promotions, and announcements contents can be displayed and broadcast over this lane or array of lanes (3). The lane or the array of lanes (3) may consist of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a single row, or they may also consist of light emitting diode (LED) panels in a multi-row matrix structure. Other alternatives to the LED panel are LCD screens with higher resolution and electronic ink (E-ink) screens with very low energy consumption.

By means of the digital audial communication medium (4) located on the roof module (1), auditory communication can be provided with people outside the vehicle (17), as well as the content of the lane or the array of lanes (3) can be enriched. The pre-programmed audio communication content can be used for all purposes using the visual communication content described above.

Digital audial communication medium (4) may consist of speakers where high quality sound and music can be broadcast, as well as sound activators (such as buzzers, horns) with more limited operating frequencies and functions.

By means of the distance sensors (5) located on the roof module (1), detailed data of the external environment physical medium of the vehicle can be collected. Distance sensors (5) can be positioned on the sides of the roof module (1 ) in different directions to collect data around the vehicle. Distance sensors (5) with wide-angle scanning capacity can be positioned at the corners of the roof module (1). It is an important feature of the roof module (1) that the distance sensors (5) can be positioned so that they can see a wide 360-degree surrounding area from the highest point of the vehicle. Distance sensors (5) may consist of different sensors such as Lidar scanning with laser light, radar scanning with magnetic waves, ultrasonic scanning with sound waves.

By means of the cameras (6) located on the roof module (1), detailed data of the external environment physical medium of the vehicle can be collected. Cameras (6) can be positioned on the sides of the roof module (1 ) in different directions to collect data around the vehicle. Cameras (5) with high resolution visual data collection capacity can be located on the front, rear, right and left edges of the roof module (1). It is an important feature of the roof module (1 ) that the cameras (6) can be positioned so that they can see a wide 360-degree surrounding area from the highest point of the vehicle.

The roof module (1 ) can be mounted to the vehicle (11 ) by means of the connection apparatus (7) on its lower surface. There is an easily accessible cover (8) on the roof module (1) in order to use the empty interior space of the roof module (1) as luggage space.

The electrical connection between the roof module (1) and the vehicle (11) is provided by the module cable connector (9) at the end of the module cable (10). The module cable connector (9) is waterproof and has protection from outdoor conditions.

There is long distance communication module (12) and short distance communication modules (13) within the roof module (1). The long-distance communication module (12) is capable of communication over GSM communication infrastructure such as 4G/5G. Short distance communication modules (13) use communication methods such as wifi and Bluetooth.

The microprocessor unit (14) within the roof module (1) ensures that the programs required for wireless communication are run over the long-distance communication module (12) and the short distance communication module (13). At the same time, the microprocessor unit (14) controls the cable communication with the lane or array of lanes (3), digital audial communication medium (4), distance sensors (5) and the vehicle (11).

The electrical energy produced by solar cells or solar film (2) is regulated in the charge regulator (15) and stored in the battery (16). The battery (16) is of lithium or lead acid type construction.

Claims

1. A vehicle roof module (1 ) mounted on the roof of an electric transportation vehicle (11 ) for the purposed of being rented characterized by comprising;

• solar cells or solar film (2) which provides energy to the roof module (1) and/or vehicle (11) by converting the light received from sun into the electrical energy, having a width between at least 50% and no more than %150 of the width of the roof to which it is attached and covering the upper surface of the roof module; and

• lane containing LED array located on all or at least two side surfaces of the module or an array of multiple lanes (3) located one under the other, which shows the availability of the vehicle to be rented according to the charging and customer occupancy status of the vehicle as pre-programmed with different colors or graphical symbols to the people outside (17).

2. The vehicle roof module (1 ) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; a lane or an array of lanes (3) in the form of a single row of LEDs, matrix LEDs, LCD or an e-ink display.

3. The vehicle roof module (1) mounted onto the roof of the transportation vehicles (11) characterized by comprising;

• solar cells or solar film (2) which provides energy to the roof module (1) and/or vehicle (11) by converting the light received from sun into the electrical energy, having a width between at least 50% and no more than %150 of the width of the roof to which it is attached and covering the upper surface of the roof module (1); and

• distance sensors (5) that transmit the data perceived from the external environment to the microprocessor unit (14) as digital data and measure the distance, and/or camera (6) that perceives the visual data and transmits it to the microprocessor (14) and provides collecting detailed data of external environment physical medium of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising microprocessor unit (14) which provides the control and management of the electronic equipments in the vehicle roof module (1).

5. The vehicle roof module (1 ) according to claim 3 characterized by comprising digital audial communication medium (4) consisting of speaker, buzzer or horn.

6. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 3 characterized by comprising distance sensors (5) which provide data to the processor in order to give safe driving, parking, lane tracking, distance keeping and advanced autonomous properties and consist of sensors that measure distance such as Lidar, Radar, Ultrasonic, Proximity.

7. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising a long distance communication module (12) which provides the long distance communication of the vehicle roof module (1) and has a GSM communication infrastructure such as 4g/5g.

8. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising a short/medium distance communication module (13) that provides the Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth communication infrastructure.

9. The vehicle roof module (1 ) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising a battery

(16) that enables the vehicle roof module (1) to store its own energy independently.

10. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising a cover (8) that allows the interior volume of the vehicle roof module (1) to be used as luggage.

11. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising at least one digital visual communication medium (19) that provides colored light, moving or stationary visual display to outside persons (17) as pre-programmed and is positioned in the right/left and/or front/rear side surfaces of the module.

12. The vehicle roof module (1) according to claim 1 or 3 characterized by comprising digital audial communication medium (4) that provides audio communication to the outside people

(17) as pre-programmed so as to support the lane or array of lanes (3).