FR2845956A1 - Method for controlling reversing lights of motor vehicle involves detecting ambient light conditions to determine light intensity - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of controlling the reversing lights (FAR=1) of a motor vehicle involves detecting rearward movement of the vehicle and release of electrical contact and determining the time gap (MT1) between these stages. This value is compared to a reference value (t10). A new light level outside the vehicle is also detected, which is compared to a reference value to control the lighting of the reverse lamps.

Description

I

  METHOD FOR STEERING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE MEANS

  OF IGNITION CONTROL I EXTINGUISHING AT LEAST ONE FIRE

FOR THE REVERSE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

  The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of the means for controlling the ignition / extinction of at least one traffic light.

recoil from a motor vehicle.

  The invention relates mainly to a method which makes it possible to control

  means for controlling the switching on / off of at least one reversing light of a vehicle in order to temporally and automatically illuminate a shadow area present near the rear part of the vehicle, during its stopping.

  It is known in the state of the art of methods and devices for automatically controlling the lights of a motor vehicle which take account of the light intensity detected in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and of the speed of movement of the vehicle, or even of the wipers engagement. These are mainly systems comprising a central information processing unit suitable for analyzing the information delivered by organs, such as vehicle instrumentation elements which can be actuated by the driver, sensors for example detecting the light intensity in which is

  immersed the passenger compartment of the vehicle, but also the instantaneous speed of movement of the vehicle and a time base. After analysis, the information processing unit controls the operation of the control means for switching on / off the lights of a vehicle, as is presented in patent FR 2 786 745.

  The analysis of the information delivered by the various organs thus passes through the study of the evolution of the physical quantities linked to the light intensity and to the instantaneous speed of movement of the vehicle, with respect to a time frame. The variations of these physical quantities imply changes of states of the control unit of the lights and this mainly when thresholds assigned to

  these physical magnitudes are crossed.

  However, the control of the ignition / extinction control means does not take into account the direction of movement of the vehicle in order to distinguish the switching on / off of the dipped or reversing lights, located respectively at the front and at the rear of the vehicle. In fact, the systems currently used in vehicles control the operation of the control means for switching on / off the lights of a vehicle, generally the dipped beam headlights located at the front and the position lights located at the rear. of the vehicle simultaneously, without requesting the on / off control of at least one reversing light which, when it is in working condition, provides a light source whose intensity is greater than that delivered by the only rear position lights. Indeed, the well-known function which is attributed to these two types of lights is

  totally different: on the one hand, it is a question of signaling the positioning of the vehicle, on the other hand it is a question of lighting an area located near the rear part of the vehicle when the latter is traveling or will be traveling in reverse , by engaging the reverse gear with the 20-speed selector.

  The known devices for controlling the means for switching on / off the lights generally provide timed lighting after the vehicle is closed, which are very popular when the driver leaves his vehicle and the front part of the vehicle is positioned in the direction of an area. shade. Thus positioned, the means for controlling the switching on / off of the vehicle dipped beam

  light up a gray area to increase visibility.

  In a low light intensity situation where the parking of a vehicle is in reverse, the rear face of the vehicle is then oriented towards a gray area. The position lights, located at the rear of the vehicle, are thus acted upon by the action of their respective on / off control means, as known in the devices for automatically controlling the lights of a vehicle. However, their low light intensity does not provide sufficient lighting, guaranteeing a

correct visibility.

  Generally, vehicles have at least one reversing light to illuminate the area at the rear of the vehicle when the selection of reverse gear is made with the gear selector. It is customary to illuminate a gray area located near the rear part of the vehicle by engaging the reverse gear at the speed selector and leaving the contact key in a determined position. This situation does not allow the vehicle to be closed, nor the timed extinction of at least one reversing light. In addition it accentuates

  the probability of a malicious act aimed at stealing the vehicle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method of

  piloting the operation of the ignition / extinction control means of at least one reversing light of a motor vehicle, overcoming all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted cil5 above.

  To this end, the method according to the invention, furthermore in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 20 - detection of the shift of the gear ratio reverse gear, - detection of the electrical contact being cut, - a time measurement (MT1) between the two previously mentioned steps, - a comparative measurement (MC1) between the value of the time measurement (MT1) of the previous step and a reference value (t10) relating to a duration during which the execution of the detections is effective, - a detection of the light intensity level (NLI) present outside the vehicle, - a comparative measurement (MC2) between the value of the light intensity and a reference value (Si) relating to a light threshold, in order to control the lighting of at least one reversing light (FAR = 1) if first of all the breaking of the electrical contact, succeeding the passage of ra reverse gear, intervenes before the end of the predefined duration t10, and if 35 then the comparative measurement MC2 gives a value of the level

  light intensity below the reference threshold SI.

  Advantageously, the invention proposes a control method characterized in that it comprises the following additional steps: - a time measurement (MT2) of the ignition time, - a comparative measurement (MC3) between the value of the time measurement (MT2) from the previous step and a predefined value (t1i) relating to an ignition duration, so that if the comparative measurement MC3 gives an ignition duration greater than the value (tl 1), there is then switch off at

minus a reversing light (FAR = O).

  Another advantage relating to this invention relates to a control method characterized in that it takes into account the position of a door, in particular the door ensuring access to the driver's seat, so that if the driver's door passes from a open position to a closed position and if the comparative measurement MC3 does not give an ignition duration greater than the predefined value (ti1i), then the ignition duration of at least one reversing light is reset as soon as the moment of

driver's door closed.

  Another advantage of the invention relates to a piloting method characterized in that it dissociates the means for controlling the switching on / off of at least one reversing light and the means for

  control of switching on / off of the dipped beam headlights.

  Advantageously, the invention relates to a device for implementing the methods previously presented, characterized in that the time measurement (MT2) relating to the time for maintaining the automatic ignition of at least one reversing light is ensured by a time delay T , and that the time measurement (MT1) relating to the counting of the time 30 separating the two detection steps is ensured by a time delay

called TAR.

  Advantageously, the device for implementing the methods according to the invention preferably comprises at least one sensor for measuring the light intensity, at least one switch for breaking the electrical contact, at least one position detector for a lever. of speeds, at least one contactor for opening / closing a driver's door, the whole being linked to an information processing unit controlling the means for switching on / off the low beams, characterized in that the information processing unit also controls the means for switching on / off at least one reversing light of the vehicle. Other features and advantages will appear on reading the

  description below made with reference to the figures in which:

  - Figure 1 shows an algorithm describing an operating method according to the invention, - Figure 2 represents a general algorithm illustrating the device for implementing the method of the invention, - Figure 3 is a representation of a motor vehicle for

  the application of the method according to the invention.

  - Figure 4 shows a variant of the algorithm presented in

Figure 1.

  In order to make it easier to understand the invention, we generalize the use of the term "gear selector" which can be either a gear selection lever for vehicles equipped with a manual or robotized gearbox, or a mode selection lever

  operation for automatic gearboxes.

  Thus, the principle of piloting the operation of the means for controlling the ignition / extinction of at least one reversing light of a motor vehicle of the present invention, as detailed in the algorithm of FIG 1 , is a control process operating by studying and analyzing the information sent by sensors present in the

  vehicle 1 to an information processing unit 3.

  The general algorithm presented in FIG 2 details the various sensors used in the device for implementing the method according to the invention. The sensor 4 measures the light intensity NLI outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. The sensor 5 for engaging the reverse gear ratio at a speed selector gives the value of the signal MAR. The contact breaker contactor 7 gives the value of the DC signal. The sensor 6 for opening / closing a door 10 for the driver of the vehicle 1 gives the value of the signal PO. Sensors 4, 5, 6 and 7

  communicate with the information processing unit 3.

  The information processing unit 3 controls the operation of the means 2 for controlling the switching on / off of at least one reversing light, as well as the means 8 for controlling the switching on / off of the parking lights.

  crossing 30 of vehicle 1, visible in FIG 3.

  The method for controlling the operation of the means 2 of the ignition / extinction control of at least one reversing light 20, according to the present invention, is an improvement on part of a known device for implementing a method for automatically controlling the lights of a

  vehicle, as described in patent FR 2 786 745.

  The information processing unit 3 analyzes several parameters, among which is the parameter relating to the direction of movement of the vehicle during a time interval t10 before the ignition is switched off, in order to distinguish the piloting from the operation of the means 8 for switching on / off the dipped beam headlights 30, for controlling the operation of the means 2 for switching on / off of at least one reversing light 20. This distinction of control means is made by a computer installed in the information processing unit 3 which takes into account three parameters: - the selection of the vehicle reverse movement mode, via the reverse gear engagement sensor 5 located at the selector of speeds. The logic signal thus delivered by the sensor 5 is worth 1 when the reverse mode is selected, MAR = 1, and a fortiori 0 when the reverse mode

is not selected, MAR = 0.

  - a signal CC for switching off the contact, the states of which are 0 and 1, respectively as a function of switching on the ignition, CC = 0, and of switching off the vehicle, CC = 1, - the predefined duration t10 during which cut-off information

  current is taken into account by the information processing unit 3.

  We consider, by way of example, that the information processing unit 3 stores the signal emanating from the reverse engagement sensor 5 during a time t10 preceding the switching off of the ignition

vehicle, CC = 1.

  This situation is equivalent to setting a time credit t10 starting at the shift from the reverse gear, MAR = 1, during which the

  counts the signal emitted by the contact cut-off sensor 7.

  Thus, when reverse gear is engaged at the speed selector, MAR = 1, a TAR timer is initialized at the

value 0, i.e. TAR = 0.

  An internal clock connected to the different cadence timers 15 incrementing the values of the timers by one unit, the value

  being for example incremented at the frequency of one unit per second.

  If during the time interval t10, that is to say before the value of the time delay TAR is equal to t10, that is to say before TAR = t10, the driver switches off the vehicle ignition , CC = 1, then the information processing unit 3 takes into account the physical quantity linked to the light intensity whose image is given by the signal emitted by the

light intensity sensor 4.

  If the value of the signal coming from the brightness sensor 4 is less than a threshold SI, then at least one reversing light 20 is lit by the means 2 for switching on / off at least one reversing light 20 of the vehicle 1, the driver can leave the vehicle and take advantage of the light source provided by the ignition of at least one reversing light 30 in order to improve the visibility of a shadow area placed near the part

  rear of the vehicle, for a time tl1.

  The duration tii of lighting at least one reversing light 20 is arbitrarily fixed and can thus be of the order of 45 time units, with reference to the lighting time of the lights presented in the patent.

FR 2 786 745.

  The invention is an improvement of the device for implementing the method for controlling the operation of the control means for switching on / off the lights already known in the prior art for applications related to switching on / off the lights. depending on the brightness 5 or the weather conditions, except that the signal delivered by a reverse engagement sensor 5 present at the speed selector also reaches the information processing unit 3 dedicated to management the ignition / extinction of at least one fire

step back.

  When the reversing light (s) is switched on, the system initializes a

  time delay T for counting the lighting time of the lights, therefore T = 0.

  This time delay T is incremented, T = T + 1, by the signal delivered by the internal clock, until the value of the time delay T is equal to 1 5 to the value of the duration ti1, or until that T = tl1. This instant indicates the end of the time allotted for the automatic ignition of at least one reversing light. The device then controls the extinction of at least one reversing light 20, thus the operating status signal of at least one reversing light is

zero, i.e. FAR = 0.

  A variant, as presented in FIG. 4, of the previously described control method, takes into account the value of a signal PO for opening / closing of a door 10 of the driver. Indeed, in order to improve the functionality of the control system of the means 2 for switching on / off control of at least one reversing light 20, it is important to consider the value of the signal emitted by the sensor 6 of door opening / closing integrated around door 10 of the

vehicle driver 1.

  It is indeed advantageous to take into account the parameter

  door opening / closing to control the operation of the means 2 for switching on / off at least one reversing light of the vehicle, the lighting of at least one reversing light continuing during a time interval ti1 starting when the driver's door is closed.

  In fact, when the vehicle is switched off, if the value of the instantaneous luminosity signal NLI is less than a threshold Si, at least one reversing light is lit for a period of time t1i elapsing after the ignition is switched off, CC = 1, and continuing after closing the driver's door of the vehicle, PO = 0, if it was opened before the end of

this period ti1, PO = 1.

  In addition, if the energy stored in the vehicle battery is deemed sufficient to provide for the ignition of the low beam 30 and at least one reversing light 20 simultaneously, then the method according to the invention allows the piloting of the operation of the means 2 of 1o controlling the switching on / off of at least one reversing light 20 and controlling the operation of the control means 8

  switching on / off the low beam 30 of the vehicle 1.

  Otherwise, if the stored energy is judged to be insufficient, there is dissociation of the means 2 and 8 for controlling the switching on / off of the lights, respectively reversing 20 and

crossing 30.

  Finally, although the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it includes all the technical equivalents

means described.

Claims (7)

  1. Method for controlling the operation of the control means (2) 5 for switching on / off at least one reversing light (20) of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises the following steps : detection of the shift from the reverse gear, - detection of the interruption of the electrical contact, - a time measurement (MT1) between the two steps Io mentioned above, - a comparative measurement (MC1) between the value of the time measurement (MT1) of the previous step and a reference value (t10) relating to a duration during which the execution of the detections is effective, - a detection of the light intensity level (NLI) present outside the vehicle, - a comparative measurement (MC2) between the value of the light intensity and a reference value (SI) relating to a light threshold, in order to control the lighting of at least one reversing light (FAR = 1) 20 if first switching off the electrical contact, following the passage of the r reverse input, intervenes before the end of the predefined duration tlO, and if then the comparative measurement MC2 gives a value of the level   light intensity below the reference threshold Si.   2. Control method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following additional steps: - a time measurement (MT2) of the ignition time, - a comparative measurement (MC3) between the value of the time measurement (MT2) from the previous step and a predefined value (tîl) relating to an ignition duration, so that if the comparative measurement MC3 gives an ignition duration greater than the value (t1I), there is then   command to switch off at least one reversing light (FAR = 0).   3. A control method according to claim 2, characterized in that it takes into account the position of a door, in particular the door (10) providing access to the driver's seat, so that if the driver's door passes from an open position to a closed position and if the comparative measurement MC3 does not give an ignition duration greater than the predefined value (t1i), then the ignition duration of at least one reversing light is reset as soon as   the instant of closing of the driver's door (10).   4. Piloting method according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it dissociates the means (2) for controlling the ignition / extinction of at least one reversing light (20) and the means (8) for controlling   switching on / off of the dipped beam headlights (30).   5. Device for implementing the method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the time measurement (MT1) relating to the counting of the time separating the two detection steps is provided by a timer called TAR.   6. Device for implementing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the time measurement (MT2) relating to the time for keeping the automatic ignition of at least one reversing light is provided by a time delay T.   7. Device for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one sensor (4) for measuring the light intensity, at least one contactor (7) for breaking the electrical contact, at least one position sensor (5) of a 25-speed lever, at least one contactor (6) for opening / closing status of a   driver's door (10), the whole being linked to a unit (3) for processing information controlling the means (2) for switching on / off the dipped beam, characterized in that the unit (3) information processing also controls the means (2) for controlling 30 switching on / off of at least one reversing light (20) of the vehicle (1).