FR3123108A1 - Method of lighting a vehicle. - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for lighting a lane (41) in front of a vehicle (40), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: a first mode of illuminating the lane over a first distance (D) and at a first intensity; displaying a sign (42) on the illuminated track (41); passage from the first mode of lighting to a second mode of lighting of the lane (41) over a second distance (L) greater than the first distance (D) and/or according to a second intensity greater than the first intensity in a cluster (13) light areas (14). Figure for abstract: 4

Description

Method of lighting a vehicle.

The invention relates to a method for illuminating a lane in front of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a lighting system for carrying out said method.

Current lighting systems include lighting devices capable of forming a plurality of selectively activatable light zones forming a light beam. This type of lighting makes it possible to display signs on the lane in front of the vehicle at night. The display of a sign on the lane in the light beam of the headlights makes it possible to display indications to the driver that he can see without taking his eyes off the road. This information includes for example the speed of the vehicle, or signals such as direction arrows or warnings.

A disadvantage of displaying such signs on the lane is that it can catch the eye of the driver. The driver then concentrates his gaze on a displayed sign instead of observing the road in the distance, particularly in its farthest part lit by the headlights, as is the case in a normal driving situation. Such a display event thus risks inducing a reduction in driving safety. At the same time, this display of a sign induces an indirect sensation that the road is less well lit, which induces a reduction in driver comfort.

The object of the invention is to provide a system and a method of lighting the way, capable of displaying a sign on the way, and remedying the above drawbacks and improving the systems and methods of lighting known from prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce a system and a method which are simple and reliable and which make it possible to improve the safety and the visual comfort of the user of his driving when a sign is displayed on the road.

In this respect, the subject of the invention is a method for lighting a lane in front of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps:

• a first mode of illuminating the lane over a first distance and according to a first intensity;
• the display of a sign on the lit lane;
• passage from the first mode of lighting to a second mode of lighting of the lane over a second distance greater than the first distance and/or according to a second intensity greater than the first intensity in a cluster of light zones.

According to other characteristics of the process taken alone or in combination:

• the second lane lighting mode is implemented substantially simultaneously with the display of a sign on the illuminated lane;
• the method comprises a step of switching from the second lighting mode to the first lighting mode when the display of the sign is off;
• the first lane lighting mode comprises lighting a first area closer to the vehicle and lighting a second area further away from the vehicle at a first intensity, and in that the second lighting mode comprises illuminating at least a portion of the more distant second area of the vehicle at a second intensity higher than the first intensity;
• the first lighting mode comprises the emission of a plurality of selectively activatable light zones and comprising a cluster of light zones and in that the second lighting mode comprises the emission of said cluster of light zones at an intensity greater than that of the first lighting mode;
• said cluster extends over an angular range between 0.4 degrees and 1 degree in a horizontal direction, and/or in that it is offset from the central vertical direction by an angle between 1 and 8 degrees, and /or in that it is offset downwards from the direction of the horizon by an angle between 0 and 5 degrees.

The invention also relates to a vehicle lighting system, in particular a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises hardware and/or software elements designed to implement the method according to the invention.

This lighting system comprises a first lighting device able to form a plurality of light zones forming a light beam that can be selectively activated and whose intensity is selectively adjustable.

It further comprises a second lighting device for lighting a first area closer to the vehicle, the first lighting device being arranged to illuminate a second more distant area of the vehicle and to display a sign on the lane.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a lighting system as defined above.

Another subject of the invention is a computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium or computer program product downloadable from a communication network and/or recorded on a data medium readable by a computer and/or executable by a computer, remarkable in that it comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the latter to implement the method according to the invention.

A final subject of the invention is a data recording medium, readable by a computer, on which is recorded a computer program or recording medium readable by a computer, comprising instructions which, when they are executed by a computer, lead it to implement the method according to the invention.

The appended drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a lighting system according to the invention and an embodiment of a lighting method according to the invention.

The shows a lighting system comprising two lighting devices according to one embodiment of the invention.

The shows a vehicle equipped with the lighting system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The shows a vehicle equipped with the lighting system according to the embodiment of the present invention in a situation where a sign is displayed on the lane.

The represents a diagram of the projection on a screen perpendicular to a horizontal plane on which the vehicle rests of the light rays coming from the lighting system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The represents the diagram of the projection on a screen of the light rays coming from the lighting system according to the embodiment of the present invention in a situation where a sign is displayed on the track.

An example of an embodiment of a lighting system is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The lighting system 1 for vehicle 10, schematically represented by the , comprises hardware and/or software elements 2, 3, 30 implementing or governing a lighting and signaling method according to the embodiment of the invention.

The lighting system 1 comprises a first lighting device 2 and optionally a second lighting device 3. The lighting system 1 can be integrated into a headlight of the vehicle, for example in the form of a module included in the headlamp which performs the function of lighting and/or signaling the road. The lighting system 1 may comprise the vehicle's main beam and/or dipped beam headlamps.

The first lighting device 2 is capable of forming a plurality of light zones 14, represented by FIGS. 4 and 5, together forming a lighting beam. The light zones 14 can be activated selectively. The first lighting device is capable of selectively varying the intensity of each light zone 14. In other words, in each light zone 14, the intensity is selectively adjustable, and modulated independently of the intensity of the other activatable light zones. Thus, in the embodiment, the first lighting device 2 comprises one or a plurality of light sources, forming a plurality of light zones 14 which can be selectively activated and form the beam.

The first lighting device 2 can implement an adaptive driving beam function (or ABD for “Adaptive Driving Beam”). This type of lighting can make it possible to illuminate the different luminous zones 14 forming the beam at variable intensity, thus forming signs on the road, as explained above.

The first lighting device 2 may in particular comprise a matrix of light-emitting diodes forming a light beam. Each diode of the matrix allows the lighting of a luminous zone of the light beam. For example, the first lighting device 2 can comprise a matrix of reflecting micro-mirrors, illuminated by a light source. Each micro-mirror is selectively able to tilt for the lighting or not of a luminous zone of its own.

Advantageously, the lighting system 1 comprises a control module 30 connected to the first lighting device 2. The control module 30 makes it possible to selectively control the lighting and/or the light intensity of each light zone 14.

Optionally, the lighting system comprises a second lighting device 3. The second lighting device 3 is designed and arranged to illuminate an area of the lane closest to the vehicle.

A lighting method according to one embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. This method is implemented within a vehicle 40, equipped with at least one lighting system. lighting 1 as described above. Preferably, the two front headlights of the vehicle 40 comprise a lighting system 1 and/or a first lighting device 2 as described above.

In a first step illustrated on the , the lighting system 1 of the vehicle 40 illuminates the lane 41 over a first distance D. This phase corresponds to a situation of implementation of a first lighting mode.

In this embodiment, the second lighting device 3 illuminates a first zone 43 of the lane closest to the vehicle 40 and the first lighting device 2 notably illuminates a second zone 44 further from the vehicle 40.

The represents a projection of this first lighting mode of the lighting system 1 on a screen. The x axis represents the vertical axis in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the vehicle equipped with said system. The x axis passes through the axis representing the direction of the vehicle. In other words, the x axis delimits the right part and the left part of the lighting system 1. The x axis thus defines a central vertical direction. The y axis is perpendicular to the x axis and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle, at a height corresponding to the horizon, and will also be referred to simply as the direction of the horizon.

The first lighting mode consists of two parts. A first part 12 produced by the first lighting device 2 and a second part 11 produced by the second lighting device 3. The second part 11 is wider than the first part 12, and makes it possible to illuminate the most close to the vehicle 40. The second part 11 corresponds in particular to a basic distribution of a dipped headlight, without oblique cut.

The first part 12 of the lighting is composed of a plurality of light zones 14 emitted by the first lighting device 2 and forming a beam.

In a second stage of the lighting process, the lighting is changed.

First, a sign 42 is displayed on the illuminated track, as represented by the . This sign 42 can comprise a signaling to the driver's address such as an arrow, the current speed of the vehicle or a maximum speed not to be exceeded or any other information.

In one embodiment, the sign 42 can be displayed by the first lighting device 2. The luminous intensity of the luminous zones 15 forming the sign 42 is greater than the luminous intensity of the same zone possibly illuminated by the second device. lighting 3.

In an alternative embodiment, the sign 42 can be displayed in negative, that is to say that the zones 15 are not lit or less lit than the adjacent zones.

The sign 42 can be displayed by the first lighting device 2 or by the second lighting device 3, in a variant embodiment in which the second lighting device 3 is likewise capable of forming a plurality of light zones that can be activated selectively.

Then, a third lighting stage is generated, in which the lighting system 1 generates a second lighting mode of the lane. This second lighting mode comprises lighting of the track over a second distance L greater than the first distance D of the first lighting mode, as illustrated in the . Preferably, this second lighting mode is triggered when the sign 42 is displayed on the track. In other words, the second and third steps are implemented simultaneously. According to a variant embodiment, the third step is implemented in a manner shifted in time with respect to the second step, with a very short lapse of time, allowing the driver to view the sign as soon as it is displayed during the second step and then to draw his gaze back to the horizon during the successive implementation of the third stage.

When sign 42 is displayed on channel 41, the user's gaze is drawn towards this sign and diverted from the horizon. This results in an impression of seeing less far on the road when a sign 42 is displayed, and a reduction in driving safety. By extending the lighting distance when a 42 sign is displayed, it has been found that this increase in range reduces this impression of seeing less far. This second lighting mode makes it possible to form in competition with the display of the sign 42 a second display event, which tends to draw its gaze towards the horizon. Thus, this second lighting mode reduces the insecurity of the situation and allows the driver to simultaneously benefit from the information provided by the display of the sign while maintaining a comfortable and safe distant vision.

As mentioned above, preferably, the second lighting mode is substantially simultaneous with the display of the sign 42 on the illuminated track. The lighting mode (first lighting mode or second lighting mode) can be controlled by the display of the sign 42. In this way, the method activates the first lighting mode when the sign is not displayed and activates the second lighting mode when the sign is displayed. Thus, when the sign is extinguished in a fourth step of the method, the lighting system switches from the second lighting mode to the first lighting mode during a fifth step, simultaneously with the fourth step or very slightly offset .

In one embodiment, the first mode of lighting the lane comprises lighting a first area 43 closer to the vehicle and lighting a second area 44 farther away from the vehicle at a first intensity, and the second lighting comprises the lighting of the second more distant zone 44 of the vehicle at a second intensity higher than the first intensity.

In other words, the lighting device 2 is designed to operate according to at least two operating modes. The first operating mode, corresponding to the first lighting mode, comprises the lighting of a first zone closer to the vehicle and the lighting of a second zone further from the vehicle at a first intensity. The second operating mode, corresponding to the second lighting mode, comprises the lighting of the second more distant zone of the vehicle at a second intensity higher than the first intensity, making it possible to extend the lighting distance.

In one embodiment, during the second lighting mode, at least part of the first part 12 of the lighting emitted by the first lighting device 2 is emitted with an intensity greater than that emitted during the first lighting mode. 'lighting. The intensity of part of the light zones 14 is therefore increased when switching to the second lighting mode.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, these light areas 14 whose intensity is increased during the second lighting mode are grouped together in the form of a cluster 13, that is to say a grouping of light areas 14 The shape of the cluster can comprise a substantially square, round or ovoid shape.

Preferably, the cluster 13 represents between 1% and 50%, preferably between 1 and 20%, of the first part 12 of the lighting.

As mentioned above, at least one cluster 13 of light zones 14 is illuminated at a higher intensity during the second lighting mode than during the first lighting mode. In other words, in the embodiment, the light sources of the first lighting device forming the light zones of said clusters illuminate at a higher intensity during the second lighting mode than during the first lighting mode.

In one embodiment, the light intensity of the light areas of the cluster 13 during the second lighting mode is increased between 8% and 30%, preferably between 10% and 20% compared to the first lighting mode.

The light areas 14 of the first part 12 of the lighting preferably form a shoulder 16. The light areas 14 on the left side of the x axis form a horizontal line, parallel to the y axis, substantially aligned with the y axis. horizon, lower than that of the right side. This allows, as shown in , to reduce the lighting distance on the lane of the adjacent road 45 to the lane 41 on which the vehicle 40 is traveling. Thus, the risk of dazzling a person located on the road going in the opposite direction and arriving in front of the vehicle.

Preferably, the cluster 13 of light zones comprises the light zones making it possible to illuminate further on the track 41 on which the vehicle 40 is traveling. In this way, on a projection as illustrated in , the cluster 13 is preferably located on the right side with respect to the x axis, or more generally on the driving side, the right and the left being reversed in the case of driving on the left. Cluster 13 can be located slightly below the horizontal line formed by the left side illumination (and represented by the y axis).

In one embodiment, the center of the cluster 13 is located on a projection screen at approximately 3° from the x axis, preferably more generally offset from the x axis by an angle comprised between 1 and 8 degrees, and at about 1.5° below the y axis, preferably more generally offset from the y axis by an angle between 0 and 5 degrees.

It has been found that these coordinates advantageously allow the lighting of channel 41 over a greater distance when the intensity of the light zones of cluster 13 is increased.

In one embodiment, the radius or the width of the cluster 13 is between 0.4° and 1°, preferably around 0.7°.

In one embodiment, the intensity of the light zones 14 not forming part of the cluster 13 is substantially the same between the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode. In one embodiment, the light areas of the cluster 13 form a second beam, the intensity of which is increased during the second lighting mode compared to the first lighting mode.

The control module 30 makes it possible to control the activation and adjustment of the intensity of each light zone emitted by the first lighting device 2 making it possible to implement the method according to the present invention.

The embodiment described above is an example and the present invention may encompass other embodiments not described. For example, lighting system 1 can be designed for a car intended to drive in the left lane. In this case, the lighting is reversed with respect to the x axis.

Claims (10)

Method for lighting a lane (41) in front of a vehicle (40), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps:

1. a first way lighting mode over a first distance (D) and according to a first intensity;
2. displaying a sign (42) on the illuminated track (41);
3. passage from the first mode of lighting to a second mode of lighting of the lane (41) over a second distance (L) greater than the first distance (D) and/or according to a second intensity greater than the first intensity in a cluster (13) light areas (14).

Lighting method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second mode of lighting the track (41) is implemented substantially simultaneously with the display of a sign (42) on the lit track (41). Lighting method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of switching from the second lighting mode to the first lighting mode when the display of the sign (42) is off. Lighting method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mode of lighting the lane (41) comprises the lighting of a first zone (43) closer to the vehicle (40) and the illumination of a second, more distant area (44) of the vehicle (40) at a first intensity, and in that the second mode of illumination comprises the illumination of at least part of the second, more distant area (44) of the vehicle (40) at a second intensity greater than the first intensity. Lighting method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first mode of lighting comprises the emission of a plurality of light zones (14) which can be selectively activated and comprising a cluster (13) of light zones (14 ) and in that the second lighting mode comprises the emission of said cluster (13) of light zones (14) at an intensity greater than that of the first lighting mode. Lighting method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said cluster (13) extends over an angular range of between 0.4 degree and 1 degree in a horizontal direction, and/or in that it is offset by the central vertical direction by an angle comprised between 1 and 8 degrees, and/or in that it is offset downwards from the direction of the horizon by an angle comprised between 0 and 5 degrees. Lighting system (1) for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises hardware elements (2, 3, 30) and/or software designed to implement the method according to one of previous claims. Lighting system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a first lighting device (2) capable of forming a plurality of luminous zones forming a light beam which can be selectively activated and whose intensity is selectively adjustable . Lighting system (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a second lighting device (3) for lighting a first area closer to the vehicle, the first lighting device (2) being arranged to illuminate a second more distant area of the vehicle and to display a sign (42) on the lane. Computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium or computer program product downloadable from a communication network and/or recorded on a data medium readable by a computer and/or executable by a computer, characterized in that it comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the latter to implement the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.