FR2935653A1 - Vehicle i.e. motor vehicle, has locking and occupation detecting system including optical switch cooperating with buckle, emitter element emitting signal, and receiver element receiving another signal provided based on state of switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has a seat (1) with a buckle (4) for receiving a tongue (21) of a safety belt (20). A locking and occupation detecting system includes an optical switch (10) cooperating with the buckle, where a switching state of the switch depends on introduction or non-introduction of the tongue in the buckle. An emitter element i.e. LED, emits an optical signal, and a receiver element i.e. LED, receives another optical signal that is provided based on the state of the switch. Two interface elements (7, 11) are separated from a distance over which the optical signals are transmitted. An independent claim is also included for a method for detecting locking and occupation of a seat in a vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a seat, a seat, particularly for a motor vehicle, a loopback and / or occupancy detection system, and a loopback detection method and / or occupancy in a vehicle.

Loopback detection systems are known that include a switch in the buckle of a seat belt, the switch being provided to detect whether or not the tongue of the seat belt is in the buckle. If necessary, an acoustic warning is produced to indicate to the driver that at least one passenger or the driver himself is not attached by his seat belt.

Moreover, systems for detecting the positioning of a seat in a vehicle are known, for example from German Patent DE 103 57 991 B4.

A disadvantage of such loopback detection systems according to the known art is the need to provide a considerable effort for the installation of electrical son to achieve such systems. Moreover, such wiring is sensitive and can cause downtime of such systems comparatively often. In addition, during an exchange or disassembly of the respective seat, there is the need to interrupt and / or connect the electrical son.

The present invention is intended in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, especially those mentioned above, and also aims to provide a loopback detection system, a vehicle equipped with such a system and a seat for use with such a vehicle. Notably, a vehicle passenger feedback detection system is provided which is comparatively simple and can be mounted in a vehicle in a simple and efficient manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a vehicle comprising at least one seat, the seat comprising a buckle adapted to receive a seatbelt tongue, the seat comprising a switch cooperating with the buckle, the state of the switch depending on whether or not the belt tongue is inserted into the buckle, the seat comprising a first interface element, the vehicle comprising a second interface element, the vehicle comprising a transmitter element for transmitting a first optical signal and a receiver element for receiving a second optical signal, the second optical signal being provided depending on the state of the switch. By such an embodiment of a loopback detection system, it is advantageously possible to achieve a reliable and resistant system during the life of the vehicle.

A preferred refinement of the invention resides in the fact that the first interface element is connected to the loop via a light pipe.

Another preferred refinement of the invention resides in the fact that the first interface element and the second interface element are spaced apart by a distance over which the first optical signal and the second optical signal are transmitted.

A preferred refinement of the invention lies in the fact that the switch is an optical switch.

Another preferred refinement of the invention resides in the fact that the seat is a seat movable in several positions, and that the vehicle comprises a plurality of second interface elements, the plurality of second interface elements being located so that in different positions of the seat different second interface elements emit the first optical signal and receive the second optical signal.

A preferred development of the invention lies in the fact that the seat comprises a seat occupancy detector whose state depends on whether the seat is occupied or not.

Another preferred refinement of the invention lies in the fact that the first interface element comprises an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit being connected to the seat occupation detector and to the switch, the circuit of evaluation including a photovoltaic cell.

A preferred development of the invention lies in the fact that the evaluation circuit comprises a display element for modifying the second optical signal, in particular according to the state of the switch and / or or depending on the state of the seat occupation detector.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a seat, particularly for a motor vehicle, the seat comprising a buckle adapted to receive a seat belt tongue, the seat comprising a switch cooperating with the buckle and / or comprising an occupancy detector. seat, the seat being intended for use with a vehicle according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a loopback detection system and / or occupation for a vehicle according to the present invention, the vehicle comprising a seat, the seat comprising a loop adapted to receive a seatbelt tab, the seat comprising a switch cooperating with the loop and / or comprising a seat occupation detector, the vehicle comprising a transmitter element for transmitting a first optical signal and a receiver element for receiving a second optical signal.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a loopback detection method and / or occupation in a vehicle according to the present invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from the following description, which refers to preferred embodiments given by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with a seat on which a passenger sits and with a buckling detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, JC0637-EN 4 FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a part of the loopback detection system according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with a buckling detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention in which the seat is in a rear position,

FIG. 4 is a view according to FIG. 3 but with the seat in a forward position,

Figures 5 to 7 are schematic views for illustrating how light propagates within the loopback detection system,

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the rear portion of a vehicle equipped with a loopback detection system according to the present invention,

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with a seat on which a passenger is seated and with a buckling and occupancy detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of part of the loopback and occupancy detection system according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with a buckling and occupancy detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention in which the seat is in a rearward position. ,

FIG. 12 is a view according to FIG. 3 but with the seat in a forward position, and

Figures 13 to 17 are schematic views for illustrating how light propagates within the loopback and occupancy detection system according to different embodiments.

JC0637-EN 5 08328 / FR DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing shows a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with a seat 1 on which a passenger F is seated and with a buckling detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. . The seat 1 comprises a backrest 2 and a part 3 of the seat 1 on which the passenger F sits.

The loopback detection system according to the present invention comprises a switch 10, in particular an optical switch 10, the switch 10 being in particular integrated in a loop 4 for a safety belt 20. The safety belt 20 comprises a tongue 21 intended for to be introduced into the loop 4. The state of the switch 10, in particular the switching state of the switch 10, depends on whether or not the belt tongue 21 is inserted into the buckle 4. The seat 1 comprises a first interface element 11 and the vehicle, in particular a part 9 of the bottom of the bodywork, comprises a second interface element 7. Furthermore, the seat comprises a first light pipe L1 and a second light pipe L2. The light conduits L1, L2 are provided for connecting the first interface element 11 with the loop 4 so that a light beam can propagate from the first interface element 11 to the loop 4 (especially at the intermediate of the first light pipe L1), through the switch 10 and the loop 4 to the first interface element 11 (in particular via the second light pipe L2).

The embodiment of the loopback detection system shown in FIG. 1 is primarily intended to be used with the vehicle seats 1 which are either stationary (relative to the vehicle body) or else with the vehicle seats 1 which comprise a sliding system which is integrated in the seat 1 so that the first interface element 11 can be provided on the fixed part of the seat 1.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a part of the loopback detection system according to FIG. 1. A first optical signal E is emitted by a transmitter element 5 and a second optical signal A is received by a receiver element 6. The receiver element 6 is for example a light sensor, in particular a light-emitting diode, LED. The emitter element 5 is for example a light-emitting diode, LED. The optical signals can be guided via a lens 8. The lens 8 can in particular be used to transform the first and the second optical signal E, A.

The first optical signal E is transmitted through a gap 12 between the second interface element 7 and the first interface element 11 and is received by the first interface element 11 (in particular by the end portion of the first conduit of light L1). Through the first light pipe L1, the first optical signal E is transmitted to the switch 10.

The switch 10 modifies the first optical signal E to obtain the second optical signal A. This modification may comprise in particular a change in the intensity and / or the wavelength and / or the polarization state of the light beam. .

The second optical signal A is transmitted through the second light pipe L2 to the first interface element 11. From the first interface element 11, the second optical signal A is transmitted through the gap 12 between the second optical element interface 7 and the first interface element 11 to the second interface element 7 and the receiver element 6. The receiver element 6 transforms the second optical signal A into a second electric signal MA (in particular by demodulation and / or decoding). The first optical signal E is in particular the result of an operation for modulating and / or coding a corresponding first electric signal ME. The second electric signal MA is notably processed and / or demodulated and / or decoded by a microcontroller. In this way, an evaluation of the second optical signal A with respect to a change in the characteristics of the light beam due to the action of the switch 10 is possible, and therefore the determination of the state of looping or not of the passenger sitting on seat 1 is accessible.

JC0637-EN 7 08328 / FR The switch 10 can be made in various ways, in particular by a rotating mirror and / or a translational mirror and / or a rotary obstacle and / or a translational obstacle which modifies the light beam.

The first optical signal E may be modulated in a certain way indicated by ME, for example by a series of transmission and interruption periods of the transmission of the first optical signal E, comparable to the transmission mode of Morse information. By comparing the modulation ME of the first optical signal E and the modulation MA of the second optical signal A, it is possible to assign the two signals unequivocally.

Figures 3 to 8 show other embodiments of the loopback detection system according to the invention. The components and parts that are identical in the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with a buckling detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention in which the seat 1 is in a further rearward position.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3 is primarily intended to be used with vehicle seats 1 which are movable relative to the vehicle body), for example by a sliding system or guide rails which is not integrated in the seat 1 and that the seat 1 is movable in several positions. In this embodiment, the loopback detection system comprises a plurality of second interface elements, referred to as 7V for the second most-positioned interface element, 7M for the second interface element positioned in the middle, and 7H for the second, most rearward positioned interface element of the seat (or seat guide rail 1).

The second interface elements 7V, 7M, 7H are provided almost identically with a transmitter element, a receiver element and a lens respectively.

In the situation shown in FIG. 3, the seat 1 is positioned in a position further back compared to the situation shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 3, the seat 1 and consequently the first seat Interface element 11 is positioned opposite the second interface element 7M which is in the middle of the plurality of second interface elements. In FIG. 4, the seat 1 and consequently the first interface element 11 is positioned in front of the second interface element 7V which is furthest forward of the plurality of second interface elements.

By locating the plurality of second interface elements 7 along the area of movement of the seat 1, it is possible that the loopback detection system is usable in each position in which the seat 1 can be engaged and fixed relative to the bodywork. In each fixing position of the seat relative to the bodywork there is a second interface element 7 among the plurality of second interface elements which is positioned opposite (or vis-à-vis) the first interface element 11 of the seat, as a rule the second interface element which is located closest to the first interface element 11. With the present invention, it is also possible to provide a multiple mirror system to be able to use the loopback detection system .

FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrammatic views to illustrate how the light propagates inside the loopback detection system, FIG. 5 corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 corresponding to the mode embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The embodiment of the loopback detection system shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to a variant relating to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the multitude of second elements of FIG. the interface is provided with a single transmitter element 5 and a single receiver element 6. From the transmitter element 5, the light beam between a first light guide 15 which is fixed with the vehicle body, in particular in a part 9 from the bottom of the bodywork. The first light guide 15 comprises a plurality of output portions 15 '. Each of these output portions 15 'may cause the output of a portion of the light beam from the first light guide 15. The output locations 15' are chosen to correspond with the locations of the light beams 15 '. transmitter elements 5 of the plurality of second interface elements 7 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this way, it is possible that the portion of the light beam output by one of the output portions 15 'can especially via one of the lenses ù to the first interface element 11 in the case where the seat 1 is positioned correspondingly. In the same manner, a second light guide 16 is provided to guide the second optical signal A to the receiver element 6. The second light guide comprises a plurality of input portions 16 '. Each of these input portions 16 'can receive the second optical signal A when the seat 1 is positioned at a corresponding position.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the rear portion of a vehicle equipped with a loopback detection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle with seat 1 on which passenger F is seated and with a buckling and occupancy detection system according to another embodiment of the invention. present invention. The seat 1 comprises a backrest 2 and a part 3 of the seat 1 on which the passenger F sits. The loopback and occupancy detection system according to the present invention comprises a loopback detector and a seat occupancy detector 30. The loopback detector is notably integrated in the buckle 4 for the safety belt 20 and is notably realized. as the switch 10. The safety belt 20 comprises a tongue 21 intended to be introduced into the loop 4. The seat 1 comprises the first interface element 11 and the vehicle, in particular the part 9 of the bottom of the bodywork, comprises the second interface element 7. The first interface element 11 comprises an evaluation circuit 13 (not shown in FIG. 9) which is connected to the seat occupation detector 30 and to the loop 4 / to the switch 10.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic view of a portion of the loopback and occupancy detection system according to Fig. 9 according to one embodiment. The first optical signal E is emitted by the transmitting element 5 and the second optical signal A is received by the receiving element 6. The first optical signal E is transmitted through the gap 12 between the second interface element 7 and the first interface element 11. In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, a first prism 41 and a second prism 42 are provided so as to reflect the light beam so as to transmit information the state of the loopback detector and / or the state of the occupancy detector. To perform this function, a display element 14 is provided and is positioned between the prisms 41, 42. The first prism 41 receives the first optical signal E of the second interface element 7, reflects the first optical signal E towards the second prism 42 through the display element 14, and the second prism 42 reflects the second optical signal A towards the second interface element 7.

With respect to all the embodiments according to FIGS. 9 to 17, it can be provided that the first optical signal E is a non-modulated signal and that the modulation of the second optical signal A is obtained solely via the action of the display element 14, ie the display element 14 is for example controlled so as to be transparent or non-transparent with a frequency which depends on the state of the seat occupancy detector 30 and / or the loopback detector 10.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of a portion of the loopback and occupancy detection system according to Fig. 10. The portion of Fig. 11 showing the first prism 41 is shown enlarged at the bottom right of Fig. 11. From this enlargement, it can be seen that the first interface element 11 comprises a photovoltaic cell 25 which serves to supply electrical power to the evaluation circuit 13 and its components as well as the loopback detectors 10 and / or occupancy detectors. seat 30. The power supply of the evaluation circuit 13, its components and the loopback detectors 10 and / or occupation of seat 30 can also be achieved by an electric wire between the vehicle and the seat 1.

FIGS. 12 to 17 show other embodiments of the loopback and occupancy detection system according to the invention. The components and parts that are identical in the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are schematic views of a loopback detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14 is primarily intended for use with the vehicle seats 1 which are movable relative to the vehicle body), for example by a sliding system or guide rails that is not integrated in the seat 1 and that the seat 1 is movable in several positions. In this embodiment, the seatback and seat occupancy detection system includes a plurality of second interface members 7.

The second interface elements 7 are provided almost identically with a transmitter element and a receiver element.

In the situation shown in FIG. 12, the seat 1 is positioned in a position further back compared to the situation shown in FIG. 13.

By locating the plurality of second interface elements 7 along the movement zone of the seat 1, it is possible for the loopback and occupancy detection system to be usable in each position in which the seat 1 can be engaged and fixed relative to the bodywork. In each fixing position of the seat relative to the bodywork there is a second interface element 7 among the plurality of second interface elements which is positioned opposite (or vis-à-vis) the first interface element 11 of the seat, as a rule the second interface element which is located closest to the first interface element 11.

The embodiment of the loopback and busy detection system shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to a variant relating to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. In the embodiment according to FIG. second interface elements 7 is provided with a single transmitter element 5 and a single receiver element 6. From the transmitter element 5, the light beam between the first light guide 15 which is fixed with the vehicle body, in particular in a part 9 of the bottom of the bodywork. The first light guide 15 comprises a plurality of output portions 15 '. Each of these output portions 15 'may cause the output of a portion of the light beam from the first light guide 15. The exit locations 15' are chosen to correspond with the locations of the light beams 15 '. transmitter elements 5 of the plurality of second interface elements 7 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. In this way, it is possible that the portion of the light beam output by one of the output portions 15 can reach the first interface element 11 in the case where the seat 1 is positioned correspondingly. In the same way, the second light guide 16 is provided to guide the second optical signal A to the receiver element 6. The second light guide 16 comprises a plurality of input portions 16 '. Each of these input portions 16 'can receive the second optical signal A when the seat 1 is positioned at a corresponding position.

The embodiment of the loopback and busy detection system shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to a variant relating to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. In the embodiment according to FIG. second interface elements 7 is provided with a single transmitter element 5 and a single receiver element 6. From the transmitter element 5, the light beam between a subsequent light guide 17 which is fixed with the vehicle body, in particular in a part 9 of the bottom of the bodywork. The subsequent light guide 17 includes a plurality of input and output portions 17 '. Each of these input and output portions 17 'can cause the output of a portion of the light beam of the first optical signal E from the subsequent light guide 17 and can receive the second optical signal A when the seat 1 is positioned at a corresponding position. In this way, it is possible that the portion of the light beam output from one of the input and output portions 17 'can reach the first interface element 11 in the event that the seat 1 is correspondingly positioned. In this embodiment, only one prism 43 is provided which fulfills the function of the first prism and the second prism 41, 43 according to the embodiment shown in detail in FIG. 11. A mirror 44 is provided to reflect the light in the first interface element 11.

Fig. 17 shows a schematic view of a portion of the loopback and occupancy detection system according to another embodiment. The first optical signal E is emitted by the transmitting element 5 and the second optical signal A is received by the receiver element 6, in particular through the subsequent light guide 17. The first optical signal E is transmitted through the gap 12 between the second interface element 7 and the first interface element 11. In the embodiment according to FIG. 17, a concave mirror 50 is provided so as to reflect the light beam of FIG. so as to transmit information on the state of the loopback detector and / or on the state of the occupancy detector. To achieve this function, the display element 14 is provided and is positioned near the focus or focal plane of the concave mirror 50. The portion of the concave mirror 50 is shown enlarged to the right in FIG. 17. From this enlargement, it can be seen that the first interface element 11 comprises a photovoltaic cell 25 which serves to supply electrical power to the evaluation circuit 13 and its components as well as the loopback detectors 10 and / or occupancy detectors. seat 30.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Vehicle comprising at least one seat (1), the seat comprising a buckle (4) adapted to receive a seat belt tongue, the seat (1) comprising a switch (10) cooperating with the buckle (4), the state of the switch depending on whether or not the belt tongue is inserted into the buckle (4), the seat comprising a first interface element (11), the vehicle comprising a second interface element (7, 7H, 7M, 7V), characterized in that the vehicle comprises a transmitter element (5) for transmitting a first optical signal (E, EM, EV) and a receiver element (6) for receiving a second optical signal (A, AM, AV), and - that the second optical signal (A, AM, AV) is provided depending on the state of the switch (10). 2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first interface element (11) is connected to the loop (4) via a light pipe (L1, L2). Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first interface element (11) and the second interface element (7, 7H, 7M, 7V) are separated by a distance (12). on which the first optical signal (E, EM, EV) and the second optical signal (A, AM, AV) are transmitted. 4. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch (10) is an optical switch. 5. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat (1) is a seat (1) movable in several positions, and that the vehicle comprises a plurality of second interface elements (7, 7H, 7M, 7V), the plurality of second interface elements (7, 7H, 7M, 7V) being located such that in different positions of the seat (1) different second interface elements (7, 7H, 7M, 7V) emit the first optical signal (E, EM, EV) and receive the second optical signal (A, AM, AV). 6. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat (1) comprises a seat occupation detector (30) whose state depends on whether the seat (1) is occupied or not. 7. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first interface element (11) comprises an evaluation circuit (13), the evaluation circuit (13) being connected to the occupancy detector. seat (30) and the switch (10), the evaluation circuit (13) including a photovoltaic cell (25). 8. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation circuit (13) comprises a display element (14) for modifying the second optical signal (A, AM, AV), in particular according to the state of the switch (10) and / or the state of the seat occupation detector (30). 9. Seat (1), especially for a motor vehicle, the seat (1) comprising a loop (4) adapted to receive a seat belt tongue, the seat (1) comprising a switch (10) cooperating with the buckle (4). and / or comprising a seat occupancy detector (30), the seat being provided for use with a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. A loopback detection system and / or occupation, for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the vehicle comprising a seat (1), the seat (1) comprising a loop (4) adapted to receiving a safety belt tongue, the seat (1) comprising a switch (10) cooperating with the buckle (4) and / or comprising a seat occupancy detector (), the vehicle comprising a transmitter element (5) for transmitting a first optical signal (E, EM, EV) and a receiving element (6) to receive a second optical signal (A, AM, AV). 11.The method of loopback detection and / or occupancy in a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.