FR3002194A1 - Autonomous power supply system e.g. photovoltaic generator, for e.g. sun visor of land vehicle, has energy source connected to storage unit and adapted to be loaded by electrical generators and connected to load by control element - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (1) has an energy source (3), a control element (8) and a lighting unit (5) that are associated with an electrical load (4). An adjusting unit and an opacifying unit or other electrical units interacting with a mirror system (2). The energy source is connected to an autonomous storage unit (10) and adapted to be loaded by electrical generators (9) and connected to the electrical load by the control element. A piezoelectric generator and/or an inductive generator are connected with a screening shutter of the mirror system.

Description

The present invention relates to an autonomous power supply device for a terrestrial, maritime or airborne vehicle mirror system comprising at least one mirror system, at least one energy source, at least one control device for at least one electric charge. associated, such as lighting means, adjusting means, opacifying means or any other electrical means interacting with this mirror system. The present invention will find application in the field of power devices for vehicle mirror system, including land, sea or air. In this respect, it should be observed that the term "mirror system" refers to any surface on which an image can be formed which is a reflection of the environment in front of this surface, by reflection or projection.

Such mirror systems usually equip the sun visors, exterior mirrors and interior mirrors of motor vehicles. In the particular case of sun visors, it is often associated with the mirror lighting means whose power is provided through an electrical connection to the battery of the vehicle. Thus, it is common to integrate the mirror in a frame-shaped box and having a pivoting or, as the case may be, sliding shutter. When by means of lighting, if it is often integrated in this case, it can take a position at any other place on the sun visor. It is a suitable electrical harness, generally crossing the joint connecting the sun visor to the passenger compartment, which connects the lighting means to the battery of the vehicle. The disadvantage of such a state of the art solution is, first of all, that wiring is required to power the lighting means. This wiring represents a cost, especially for its implementation which generates significant times of operations, if only for their passage through said articulation means which must necessarily and specifically be designed for such purpose.

In addition, the risk of breakdowns can also occur due to the crimping of the son and other connection, but also because of successive twists of the cables during the orientation of the sun visor.

However, it has been found that the use of the lighting means of a vanity mirror installed in such a sun visor is very episodic. It is therefore in a first inventive step, that it was highlighted that the low energy consumption of this lighting means did not justify its costly connection to a permanent power supply system, for example to the battery of the vehicle. According to the invention, it has been imagined that the energy source of a lighting means of such a mirror system mounted on a sun visor, is autonomous. By autonomous, it must be understood that the energy source is dedicated to the sole power supply of this lighting means. Finally, whether it is the lighting of a courtesy mirror of a sun visor or the means of adjustment of an outside rear-view mirror or the means of opacification of a rear-view mirror of a vehicle, the problem is the same. : we have an expensive electrical connection for use and solicitation that very rarely of these various means, referred to generically, electrical charges in the description.

In addition, in the context of a second inventive step, an energy source has been devised that does not pose a problem of autonomy and therefore comprises electrical generating means connected to storage means, the generating means electrical devices being able to load the storage means. For this purpose, the invention relates to an autonomous power supply device for a terrestrial, maritime or airborne vehicle mirror system comprising at least one mirror system, at least one energy source, at least one control device from less an associated electrical charge, such as lighting means, adjusting means, opacifying means or any other electrical means interacting with this mirror system, characterized in that the energy source is autonomous and comprises storage means connected to and capable of being charged by electrical generating means and connected to the electric charge (s) via said control member. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical generator means may comprise at least one photovoltaic generator.

According to another embodiment of the invention the electrical generating means may comprise at least one inductive variable or non-variable generator. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the electrical generating means may comprise at least one piezoelectric generator. According to the invention, the piezoelectric and / or inductive generator may be associated with an occulting flap of the mirror system for generating a current under the impulse of a closing and / or opening movement in translation and / or in rotation of said flap. According to the invention, the piezoelectric and / or inductive generator may be associated with a mobile support of the mirror system, for example with the sun visor, to generate a current during the displacement, in particular in translation and / or rotation, of said mirror. support. Preferably, the invention will find particular applications for sun visors, exterior mirrors and interior mirrors of vehicles. The advantages deriving from the present invention consist in that, because of the autonomy of the energy source, it is possible to dispense with all or part of the wiring connecting to the vehicle battery the electrical charge associated with a system. vehicle mirror, whether it is a means of lighting, adjustment or other. Furthermore, by the use of electrical generating means capable of charging the storage means, it comes to overcome the use of disposable battery, posing the problem of autonomy. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description relating to several exemplary embodiments given by way of indication and not limitation. The understanding of this description will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: - Figure 1 schematically shows an autonomous power supply device for a vehicle mirror system according to the invention; FIGS. 2 and 3 show the application of such a device to a sun visor according to the invention; Figures 4 and 5 show the application of the invention to an interior rear view mirror; - Figures 6 and 7 show the application of the device according to the invention to an outside mirror; As shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing, the present invention relates to an autonomous power supply device 1 for a land, sea or air vehicle mirror system. This feeding device 1 essentially comprises a mirror system 2. By mirror system is meant any surface on which an image can be formed which is a reflection of the environment in front of this surface, this by reflection or projection. Thus, this mirror system can conventionally be in the form of a thin, polished metal layer, it being understood that it can still be defined by a screen projecting an image of a CCD sensor or any video component. , from the moment that this image is comparable to a reflection of this environment. It also comprises a source of energy 3 which makes it possible to supply at least one electric charge 4 which may consist, for example, of a lighting means 5 or a setting device 6, in particular for positioning the mirror system 2, or even opacification 7, knowing that this enumeration is in no way limiting, the invention generally relates to any electrical means capable of being in interaction with this mirror system 2.

This electric charge 4 is in electrical connection with the energy source 3 via a control member 8. According to the invention, the energy source 3 comprises electrical generator means 9 and storage means 10 .

The storage means 10 can be loaded by the electrical generator means 9 and supply the electric charge (s) 4 via the control member 8. This configuration allows the power source 3 to be on the one hand, autonomous, in particular with respect to the battery of the vehicle, and, on the other hand, dedicated to powering the electric charge (s). According to a first preferred embodiment, said electric generating means 9 comprise a piezoelectric generator 11. As represented in FIG. 2, the piezoelectric generator 11 may be associated with an occulting flap 12 of the mirror system 2, whose opening and / or closing movement, for example by rotation or sliding, generates a current through this piezoelectric generator 11. According to another example of design, such a piezoelectric generator 11 may be associated with a medium mo bile 13 receiving the mirror system 2 and whose displacement, in particular in rotation and / or translation, solicits again this piezoelectric generator 11 for generating a current supplying the storage means 10. In particular, this piezoelectric generator 11 can be in cooperation with mobile connection means 14 connecting the support 13 of the mirror system 2 to the vehicle, as will be illustrated by dashed line this FIG.

Figures 2 and 3 show more particularly the application of the invention to a mobile support 13 in the form of sun visor. Thus, such a sun visor 13 essentially comprises a mirror system 2, in the form of a courtesy mirror, which is associated as the electric charge 4 a lighting means 5 powered by a power source 3. If this means of illumination may be arbitrary, LEDs or OLEDs will be preferred because of their low power consumption. This lighting means 5 is powered by the energy source 3 through a control member 8 adapted. The energy source 3 comprises electrical generator means 9 connected to storage means 10, themselves in electrical connection with the lighting means 5 through said control member 8. Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, said electric generating means 9 in the form of a piezoelectric generator 11 may be associated with the sliding or pivoting shutter 12 that is generally provided with such a courtesy mirror 2 of a sun visor 13 and / or with the mobile connection means 14, articulated type, connecting the sun visor 13 to the passenger compartment 15 of the vehicle. According to another embodiment, said electrical generator means 10 comprise an inductive variable or non-variable generator. In particular, in the embodiments described above, the piezoelectric generator 11 may be replaced by such an inductive generator, for generating, by displacement, in particular rotation or translation, as the case may be, of the occulting flap 12 or the support 13, a current capable of supplying the storage means 10. To this, it should be remembered that an inductive generator can correspond to a moving coil at the terminals of which a current is generated by displacement of this coil in front of a part fixed DC power supply, or a fixed coil in front of a variable current line. Thus, in an application to a mobile support 13, in particular in the form of a sun visor, it can be equipped with such a fixed coil which, in at least one position with respect to a fixed support to which is secured the mobile support 13, for example the passenger compartment of a vehicle, is subjected to the electromagnetic flux of a variable current line from which a charge current of the storage means 10 is generated across the fixed coil. Another embodiment, said electrical generator means 10 comprise a photovoltaic generator 16. According to an exemplary embodiment, this photovoltaic generator 16 can be directly associated with the mirror system 2, in particular on its face opposite to that 17, said active, reflective or likely to generate a reflection image. However, such a photovoltaic generator 16 can still be implanted at the periphery of this mirror system 2, according to the implantation of the latter and its exposure to light radiation to capture the latter and transform them into current. In the case of an application to a sunshade 13 and as illustrated in FIG. 3, this photovoltaic generator 16 can also be placed on the side of the sun visor 13 opposite to that receiving the mirror system 2. elsewhere in another embodiment, the mirror system 2, comprising an active face 17 and a face equipped with a solar collector as a photovoltaic generator 16, can be implanted in a suitable recess at the sun visor 13, to let appear on one side of the latter, said active face 17 of the mirror system 2 and, on the other side, said solar collector 16. However, it should be noted that such implantation n ' is not essential. In particular, this photovoltaic generator 11 can take up position in many other places on this sun visor, in this case on its edge for permanent exposure to solar radiation. Obviously the characteristics of this photovoltaic generator 11 can be chosen according to the 5 different obstacles interposed between the latter and solar radiation. For example, it is common for a windshield, because of anti-reflective treatment, to be a filter for some of this radiation and it may be wise to optimize the performance of the photovoltaic generator 11 accordingly. FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a variant according to the invention relating to an interior rear view mirror 18. Thus such an internal rearview mirror 18, as represented, essentially comprises a mirror system 2, a source of energy 3 which allows to supply, as an electric charge 4, an opacifying means 7 of the mirror system 2, for example a polarization means. Usually, the means for opacifying a mirror 7 are electrochemical gels deposited on the mirror 2. Such electrochemical gels have the particularity of allowing the mirror to be obscured when a current flows through them. Alternatively or in combination, such an interior rearview mirror 18 may also be equipped, as electric charge 4, with at least one adjustment means 6 making it possible to intervene in the positioning of the mirror system 2. This opacifying means 7 and / or adjustment 6 are also supplied by the energy source 3 through a control member 8 adapted. Here again, the energy source 3 comprises electrical generator means 9 for charging storage means 10 connected to the electrical charge (s) 4 previously mentioned. The electrical generator means 9 may in this case be in the form of a photovoltaic generator 16 disposed on the back of the mirror 18 in a manner exposed to solar radiation, for example through the windshield of a vehicle.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to such an implantation of the photovoltaic generator 16, the person skilled in the art being able to decide, without showing any inventive step, of this implantation according to the installation constraints of the installation. rear view mirror 18 and the result to be achieved: capture the light radiation generating the current needed to supply the storage means 10. Moreover, such a rearview mirror can also receive as an electric generator 9, a variable inductive generator in the form of a fixed coil associated with the rearview mirror and a variable current line on the support of this mirror, in this case the passenger compartment of the vehicle. FIG. 6 of the attached drawing relates to a variant according to the invention relating to an exterior rearview mirror 19. Thus such an external rearview mirror 19, as represented, essentially comprises a mirror system 2, a source of light. 3, with electrical generating means 9 and storage means 10, which makes it possible to feed an associated electric load 4, in this case at least one adjusting means 18. Here again the electric generator means 9 can present in the form of a photovoltaic generator 16 suitably implanted on the outside rearview mirror 19 to be able to capture, then restore in the form of current, the light energy, including solar energy. However, as for an interior rearview mirror 18, this electric generator 9 may be of the inductive type in the context of this exterior rearview mirror 19 and the description made thereunder applies here obviously. The present invention can not be limited to an autonomous power supply device comprising, alternatively, a photovoltaic generator or a piezoelectric generator or an inductive generator. Indeed, it may be provided with a combination of one or more of these generators.

As can be seen from the description which precedes the present invention, it provides an advantageous answer to the problem of wiring mirror systems fitted to a vehicle, whether it be terrestrial, overhead or maritime. Indeed, thanks to the autonomous power supply device according to this invention, these mirror systems and the active electrical charge or charges that are generally associated with them, are quite functional and able to meet the expectations of users, because solicited so episodic and not permanent.

Although the invention has particular embodiments, it has been described with reference to forms of course that it is by no means limited and that various modifications of shapes, materials and combinations of these various elements can be made. without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Autonomous power supply device for a terrestrial, maritime or airborne vehicle mirror system comprising at least one mirror system (2), at least one energy source (3), at least one control element (8) of at least one at least one associated electric charge (4), such as lighting means (5), adjusting means (6), opacifying means (7) or any other electrical means interacting with this mirror system ( 2), characterized in that the energy source (3) is autonomous and comprises storage means (10) connected and capable of being charged by electrical generating means (9) and connected to the electric charge (s) ( 4) via said control member (8). 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the electrical generating means (9) comprise at least one piezoelectric generator (11). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical generating means (9) comprise at least one variable inductive generator or not. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the piezoelectric generator (11) and / or the inductive generator is associated with an occulting flap (12) of the mirror system (2) and is capable of generating a current under the impulse of a closing movement and / or opening in translation and / or in rotation of said occulting flap (12). 5. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the piezoelectric generator (11) and / or the inductive generator is associated with a movable support (13) receiving the mirror system (2) and whose displacement, in particular in rotation and / or translation, urges said piezoelectric generator (11) to generate a current supplying the storage means (10). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the piezoelectric generator (11) and / or the inductive generator cooperates with movable connection means (14) connecting a movable support (13) to said vehicle, in a manner suitable for generating a current during the translational and / or rotational movement of said movable link means (11). 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical generating means (9) comprise at least one photovoltaic generator (16). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the photovoltaic generator (9) is disposed on the opposite side to the active face (17) mirror system (2). 9. Application of the device (1) autonomous power for mirror system (2) vehicle, land, sea or air according to any one of the preceding claims to a sun visor (13). 15 10. Application of the device (1) autonomous power for mirror system (2) vehicle, land, sea or air according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to an interior mirror (18). 11. Application of the autonomous power supply device (1) for a vehicle, terrestrial, maritime or overhead mirror system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to an exterior rearview mirror (19).