FR2548394A1 - Optoelectronic drive device - Google Patents

Abstract

Optoelectronic drive device including at least one manual switch, one electronic drive and control device and one transmission means connecting the switch to the electronic drive and control device, characterised in that it comprises at least one optical fibre 4 whose end associated with the switch 3 interacts with means enabling the optical light-transfer conditions in the switch to be altered.

Description

Opto-electronic control device.

 The present invention relates to a device for controlling an electronic system by an optical circuit comprising a manual action switch whose state provides information for the control of the electronic system.

The control switches, used in particular in the driving positions of motor vehicles, each require a large number of wires and connectors. Indeed, it is generally desired, for each command to fulfill a certain number of simultaneous functions. In addition, a higher or lower intensity intended to supply the end user station should be allowed to pass, which requires good quality contact points. It is important to be able to have night lighting for the switches in order to facilitate their location in the passenger compartment. In addition, it is preferable that the switches can be lit in a particular way: especially when the commanded function is activated by the switch. It is also necessary that the switch can serve as a light indicator by self-display, for example failure of a function of the motor vehicle. Finally, it is good that the different connections of the control switch are such that conflict arbitration, prohibition or exclusion can be carried out to avoid, for example, that the same orga is controlled by two switches for opposite incompatible functions.
An electronic system supporting the control and power supply function of an organ or a set of organs, for example via a multiplexed network making it possible to obtain such a possibility of prohibition of exclusion and arbitration of disputes usually requires complex cabling and a large number of electrical connections.

 The present invention relates to a control device only use optical techniques to cause the electrical switching of one or more organs electrically controlled by means of electronic and opto-electronic control modules ensuring the various functions mentioned above in a more simple. In particular, the present inver allows not to use electrical signals for switching and c to get rid of the need to use conductors and contaci good quality made of precious and rare metals with a high cost price.

 The present invention also relates to such an opto-electronic control device which is not disturbed by parasites of magnetic or electromagnetic nature and which furthermore does not generate any parasite of this type as was the case in known devices. at the time of opening and closing of the electrical contacts draining a current of high intensity.

 The opto-electronic control device according to the invention comprises at least one manual switch, an electronic command and control device and a transmission means connecting the manual switch to the electronic command and control device. The opto-electronic control device comprises, for each manual switch, at least one optical fiber whose end associated with the manual switch cooperates with means making it possible to modify the optical conditions of light transfer in the switch.

 The electronic command and control device, which can for example be installed at any location in a motor vehicle, comprises an opto-electronic processing module connected to several members to be controlled via a plurality of electrical connections.

This connection can for example be carried out by means of a multiplexed bus. The opto-electronic processing module is furthermore connected to a plurality of manual switches by means of optical fibers which are coupled to the processing module each by an output light flux emitting device and a light flux detecting device. back.

 The optical circuit therefore includes the manual switch which plays the role of optical switch and which is placed in the normal area of access and vision of the operator and on the other hand an optical fiber which allows the circulation of a luminous flux between the manual switch acting as an optical switch and the opto-electronic processing module. The optical circuit is designed so that it can be made opaque or transparent depending on the action of the operator, in a perfect or imperfect manner, the opto-electronic processing module being able to distinguish these two states.

 The opto-electronic processing module is capable of performing the various usual functions attached to the control and can preferably provide some additional security functions.

 In particular in an advantageous embodiment, the processing module comprises, at least for certain optical fibers, a safety device capable of detecting the abnormal states of the electrical signals transmitted by the electrical connections and / or of the optical signals transmitted by the fibers optical. The security device cooperates with means generating light intensity different from the normal intensity. Alternatively, the generator means are capable of operating the light emission intermittently. The operator can then detect abnormal states by observing a different light intensity or a flashing of the light power emitted.

 In an advantageous embodiment, the processing module comprises, at least for certain optical fibers, means for modulating the intensity of the output light flux and means for demodulating and controlling the coherence of the intensity of the light flux back. The system can then verify that the return light excitation it receives is modulated in the same way as the light flux it has emitted and therefore make the difference with a parasitic light source.

 Light can be emitted in the visible spectrum, the manual switch then having at least a portion of surface capable of diffusing towards the operator's vision zone part of the light flux transmitted by the optical fiber. The manual switch can then be illuminated during night operation and also fulfill the role of operating indicator, its intensity of illumination being able to be modified in the event of a malfunction following a corresponding instruction passing through the processing module. .

 In a variant, the light emitted is on the contrary outside of the visible spectrum, which has the advantage of avoiding any risk of disturbance by ambient visible light, but which then requires providing an auxiliary light source in order to ensure the possible night lighting and indicator light functions.

 Two states are possible for the optical circuit which can be normally opaque or normally transparent or translucent. In the case where the optical circuit is normally opaque, the manual switch is such that in the absence of manual action it does not allow the light flux to pass. In the contrary case where the optical circuit is normally transparent or translucent, the manual switch is such that in the absence of manual action, it lets the light flow through. The operator's action on the switch consists in passing from one state to its opposite. The opto-electronic processing module is then capable of interpreting the meaning of this change of state according to the current state of the system to be controlled.

 The manual switch can also operate either in transmission or in reflection. When the manual switch operates in transmission, it is capable of passing from a state or it transmits light to a state or it does not transmit light. The switch is then mounted in an optical loop constituted by a first optical fiber transmitting the light flux emitted by the electronic command and control device and a second return optical fiber retransmitting the light flux having passed through the switch.

 When the switch, on the contrary, operates in reflection, is capable of going from a state where it reflects light to a state where it does not reflect light. It is then mounted at a first end of a single optical fiber, the second end of which is connected to the electronic command and control device.

 The transition from one state to another of the manual switch can be done by any suitable means, for example by a mechanical action causing deformation of the switch. Another possibility is to use a mechanical action causing for example the relative displacement of a portion of the optical fiber with respect to a reflective element. It is also possible to modify the refractive index of a medium into which a total reflection face of the optical fiber penetrates.

 The following description will make it possible to better understand the invention by examining a few particular embodiments showing in particular different possible variants for manual switches.

In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 very schematically represents the main organs of the opto-electronic control device of the invention;
fig. 2a, 2b; 3a, 3b; 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b; 6a, 6b; 7a, 7b, 7c illustrate different possible embodiments of manual switches that can be used in the invention, each of the figures showing one of the states of the switch; and
fig. 8 and 9 illustrate two variants of coupling of the optical fiber with the opto-electronic processing module in the case of the use of a single fiber.

 As illustrated in fig. 1, the control device of the invention comprises an electronic command and control device referenced 1 as a whole and connected to a set of members to be controlled via a plurality of electric actuators 2 which can also be constituted in the form of a multiplexed bus. Note that in fig. 1 the organs to be controlled have not been shown.

 The electronic device 1 is also connected to a plurality of manual switches 3 by a plurality of optical fibers 4.

 The electronic device 1 comprises an opto-electronic processing module 5 which receives information on the state of the various organs to be controlled by means of the electrical connections 2. The processing module 5 is capable of managing this various information, emit signals allowing the power supply of the optical circuits constituted by the optical fibers 4 and the switches 3 and to take account of information coming from a manual action of the operator on some of the switches 3 with a view to controlling a non-member shown in the figure.

 Each manual switch 3 receives, through its associated optical fiber 4, a light flux coming from a transmitting device 6 which may for example be a light-emitting diode. The return luminous flux also carried by the optical fiber 4 reaches a return luminous flux detector device referenced 7 which is in turn connected to the opto-electronic processing module 5.

 In one of the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, the manual switch 3 is mounted in an optical loop constituted by a first optical fiber connected to the transmitter 6 transmitting the light flux emitted and a second optical fiber connected to the detector device 7 retransmitting the return light flux having passed through the switch 3 .

 In this embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, a modulation device 8 is connected to the emitter 6 so as to modulate the intensity of the light flux emitted at the output in the optical fiber 4. A demodulation device 9 is connected in turn to the detector 7 and supplies a control device 10 which receives, via connection ll, information on the modulation of the light flux emitted. The device 10 therefore exercises a consistency phase control of the intensity of the return light flux and provides corresponding information by connection 12 to a safety device 13 which is part of the opto-electronic processing module and which is capable of detecting an abnormal state of an optical signal transmitted by an optical fiber.

 In the same way, the safety device 13 is advantageously capable of detecting the abnormal states of the electrical signals transmitted by the connections 2 by transmitting information corresponding to the module 5.

 In another embodiment also illustrated in FIG. 1 in combination with another manual switch 3, the safety device 13, when it detects an abnormal state in an electrical circuit of a member to be controlled, generates via the connecting member 14 a signal allowing the start-up of a generator 15 providing via the transmitter 6 controlled by the connection 16 a flashing effect of the output light flux emitted by the optical fiber 4 thus causing an alarm for the operator. The same alarm effect can be obtained by replacing the flashing light with an intensity different from the normal emission intensity.

 It will be understood that in FIG. 1 to simplify it has been shown that only two manual switches 3 but that in reality the opto-electronic control device comprises a plurality which can each be connected differently.

 Different embodiments of manual switches are illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7. For each of these figures, the reference a shows the switch in its normal state and the reference b shows the switch in the state it takes when the operator acts manually on the switch.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 2a the switch 17 is constituted by a deformable solid optical chamber 18 made for example from transparent plastic. The optical chamber 18 has a front transmission face 19 with which an optical fiber 20 is associated so that the light rays can pass perpendicularly across the face 19. The optical chamber 18 has another front face 21 parallel to the face 19 and provided with '' an internal reflective coating.

 In normal operation, the light rays coming from the optical fiber 20 therefore penetrate into the optical chamber 18, the material of which allows their passage. The incident ray 22 is reflected by the front face 21 to constitute the return ray 23 which is again conveyed by the same optical fiber 20. To simplify the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 2a the path of the light rays 22 and 23 by considerably exaggerating the deflection before the reflection on the front face 21.

 As illustrated in fig. 2b, when 11 operator acts on the switch 17, he presses with his finger 24 on the flat face 25 of the optical chamber 18, a face which is parallel to the paths of the light rays 22 and 23. The material of the optical chamber 18 is chosen so as to be able to deform under the pressure of the operator's finger 24 so that the incident light ray 22 can no longer reach the reflecting face 21. Under these conditions, no return light ray is conveyed by optical fiber 20.

 In the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b in which the identical parts have the same references, the optical chamber 18 is of the same structure. In this case, however, the front face 26 opposite the entry front face 19 allows the transmission of the light ray 22. The optical chamber 18 is here associated not only with the emission optical fiber 20 but also with an optical fiber of return 27 which is associated with the transmission face 26. The switch therefore operates here in transmission and no longer in reflection as was the case in FIG. 2a. As in the previous embodiment, the action of the operator's finger stops the passage of the light ray 22.

 Note in fig. 3a the existence of arrows 28 which symbolize the scattering of light in the middle of the optical chamber 18. In this embodiment, in fact, the light flux transmitted by the optical fiber 20 is in the visible spectrum and the diffusion of part of this luminous flux during its passage through the optical chamber 18 to provide lighting for the switch 17 which facilitates its identification by the operator, for example at night. Furthermore, the operator can thus identify a change in light intensity or a flashing which can signify the appearance of a fault on an electrical circuit of one of the organs to be controlled, fault which has been apprehended by the electronic system of command and control 1.

 Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate two variants in which the full optical chamber 18 is replaced by a flexible deformable pocket 28 which can be filled with a fluid which can for example be air. As in the previous embodiments, the action of the operator's finger 24 modifies the state of the switch by preventing the passage of the incident light ray.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4a and 4b, the switch 29 operates in reflection and for this purpose has an internal reflecting face 30 similar to the face 21 of the switch 17 of FIGS. 2a and 2b.

 In the embodiment of FIGS. 5a and 5b, the switch on the contrary operates in transmission and the corresponding face 31 lets the light ray pass in the direction of the return optical fiber 27.

 In all the embodiments which have just been described, it can be seen that the switch 17, 29 is normally in a state where it lets the return light ray pass.

 In the embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b on the contrary, the switch 32 is initially in a state where it does not allow the return ray to pass. In this embodiment, on which the identical parts bear the same references, there is the optical fiber 20, the end of which this time has a face 33 inclined with respect to the axis and which is placed inside a container. 34 containing a liquid 35 and provided with a flexible deformable wall 36. A manual pusher 37 has an internal face 38 partially reflecting capable of reflecting the incident light ray 22 towards the field of vision of the operator in the normal non actuated by the switch 32. In this state, which is illustrated in FIG.

6a, it can be seen that the level 39 of the liquid 35 is located below the optical fiber 20 so that the reflection face 33 of the latter is in the air at the top of the container 34. The inclination of the face 33 is chosen according to the refractive index of the air so that under these conditions the incident ray 22 crosses the face 33 to then be reflected by the face 38 as far as the operator's field of vision.

 An action of the operator's finger 24, as illustrated in FIG. 6b, causes the plunger 37 to sink and the flexible wall 36 to deform, thereby raising the level of the liquid to the position 40 illustrated in FIG. 6b. In this position, the face 33 is completely embedded in the liquid 40 whose refractive index is such that said face 33 constitutes a total reflection face at the end of the fiber 20. In these conditions, the incident ray 22 gives rise to a return light ray 23 by total reflection on the face 33. It will be noted that the luminous upper face of the push button 37 is no longer illuminated when the operator presses the push button 37. However, this is not annoying being given that the pusher 37 was on when the operator sought to actuate the switch.

 In the embodiment of FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c the optical fiber 20 has a total reflection face 41 at its end and cooperates with a push button 42. A strip 43 has a non-reflecting portion 44 and a reflecting portion 45 placed side by side. The pusher 42 has a thin portion 43 which is in contact with the end of the optical fiber 20 when the operator does not act on the push button 42. In this position illustrated in FIG. 7a, the incident light ray 22 from the optical fiber 20 reaches the portion 44 of the strip 43 and, not being reflected, does not give rise to a return ray.

 When the operator presses the push button 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 7b and 7c, a wider portion 44 of the latter acts on the optical fiber 20 and moves the end of the latter laterally so as to place the optical fiber 20 above the reflecting portion 45 of the strip 43. In these conditions, as illustrated in figs. 7b and 7c, the incident light ray 22 gives rise to a reflected light ray 23 which returns via the optical fiber 20.

 The coupling system between the optical fiber and the switch is of the conventional type. Note, however, that it is advantageous to use plastic optical fibers of relatively large section which minimizes alignment problems.

 The connection between the optical fiber and the opto-electronic processing module requires ensuring an optical link with the various transmitter and receiver transducers. The injection and extraction of light into a single optical fiber can be carried out according to one of the devices shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 8 and 9.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the light ray 22 emitted by the emitter 6 constituted for example by an electroluminescent diode, penetrates into the optical fiber 20 by a first bevelled face 46 and is reflected on a second bevelled face 47 along the axis of the fiber . The return light ray 23, parallel to the axis of the fiber, is reflected on the beveled face 46 and crosses the face 47 before entering the detector 7.

 In the variant of FIG. 9, the incident light ray 22 emitted by the emitter 6 is reflected by an inclined face 48 of a slot 49 made in the thickness of the optical fiber 20 up to the vicinity of its middle part. The light ray 22 is reflected on the inclined face 48 and penetrates along the axis in the optical fiber 20. The return ray 23 passes through the end end face perpendicular to the axis 50 before entering the detector 16.

 When the optical circuit comprises two optical fibers, one emitting and the other receiving, then conventional opto-electronic transduction methods are used.

 It can be seen that thanks to the present invention, the control device is greatly simplified. In addition, it will be noted that compared to the electrical control circuits of conventional types, the electrical return circuit is here abandoned and it is possible to house all of the switches in places which are entirely electrically isolated without the need to search for the vehicle ground in for use in a motor vehicle.

Claims (16)

 1. Opto-electronic control device comprising at least one manual switch, an electronic command and control device and a transmission means connecting the switch to the electronic command and control device, characterized in that it comprises at least an optical fiber (4) whose end associated with the switch (3) cooperates with means making it possible to modify the optical conditions of light transfer in the switch.  2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic command and control device (1) comprises an opto-electronic processing module (5) connected on the one hand to several organs to be controlled by the via a plurality of electrical connections (2) and on the other hand to a plurality of manual switches (3) via optical fibers (4) coupled to the processing module by a device emitting light output stream ( 6) and a return light flux detector device (7).  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the processing module (5) comprises, at least for certain optical fibers, a security module (13) capable of detecting the abnormal states of the electrical signals transmitted by the electrical connections (2) and / or optical signals transmitted by the optical fibers (4), cooperating with means (15) generating light intensity different from the normal intensity or intermittent operation of the light emission.  4. Device according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing module (5) comprises, at least for certain optical fibers, means (8) for modulating the intensity of the output light flux and means (9) demodulation and consistency control (10) of the intensity of the return light flux.  5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic command and control device (1) comprises means for emitting a visible light flow.  6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic command and control device (1) comprises means for emitting a light flux outside the visible spectrum.  7. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual switch is capable of passing from a state where it transmits light to a state or it does not transmit light, said switch being mounted in an optical loop constituted by a first optical fiber (20) transmitting the light flux emitted by the electronic command and control device and a second optical fiber (27) retransmitting the light flux having passed through the switch (17, 29).  8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the manual switch is capable of passing from a state where it reflects light to a state where it does not reflect light, said switch being mounted at a first end of a single optical fiber (20), the second end of which is connected to the electronic command and control device.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the light flux emitted enters the optical fiber by a first bevelled face (46) at said second end, the reflected light flux leaving the optical fiber by a second beveled face ( 47) of said second end.  10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the emitted light flux (22) enters the optical fiber (20) by an inclined face (48) of a slot (49) formed in part of the thickness of the fiber in the vicinity of said second end, the reflected light flux (23) exiting through the front face (50) of said second end.  11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual switch is such that. the absence of manual action it lets through the luminous flux.  12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, charac-terized in that the manual switch is such that in the absence of manual action it does not allow the light flux to pass.  13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual switch (17, 29) is constituted by a solid or hollow optical chamber ensuring the transmission or the reflection of the input light flux and comprising a wall manually deformable (25, 28), transmission or reflection being prevented when said wall is in its deformed state.  14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the manual switch (32) is constituted by an optical chamber (34) comprising means for modifying the index of refraction of the internal medium.  15. Control device according to any one of claims 10, characterized in that the manual switch is constituted by a reflecting zone (45) capable of cooperating with the first end of the optical fiber (20) and means (42) to modify the relative position of said end and of the reflecting zone (45).  16. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual switch comprises means for diverting at least part of the light flux towards the operator so as to allow the latter to control the state of disposit