FR3074743B1 - ADAPTIVE REAR SIGNALING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Adaptive rear signaling system for a motor vehicle (1) comprising a left rear light and a right rear light each comprising at least one optical unit (13) comprising at least a first lighting unit (110) and a second lighting unit lighting (114) of adaptive type, capable respectively of rendering signaling lighting functions and a control member capable of controlling the light intensity levels of the first (110) and second (114) lighting units of each block optical (13), characterized in that the control member is coupled to a vehicle access management device, and in that the first (110) and second (114) lighting units of each optical unit ( 13) respectively respond to first and second determined control laws imposed by the control unit (OC) following a detection of a control signal received by the vehicle access management device ( 1); the first (110) and second (114) lighting units of each optical unit (13) being controlled to restore levels of light intensity with a successively increasing then decreasing linear evolution over a determined total duration.

Description

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE ADAPTIVE REAR SIGNALING LIGHTS SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a system of adaptive rear traffic signal lights of a motor vehicle, that is to say a system that is capable of providing variable light intensities at the rear of the vehicle for its signaling.

The invention also relates to a control method of said system.

[0003] Adaptive Rearlight Systems (Adaptive Rearlight System) are also referred to as Adaptive Rearlight System (Adaptive Rearlight System). They are capable of delivering a variable intensity depending on the light intensity outside the vehicle to provide an automatic adaptation of the signaling light to external visibility conditions (including day / night, rain, fog).

STATE OF THE ART

It is known from FR3025020 ARS type rear lights, and more precisely control devices which are responsible for controlling at least some light sources that participate in at least one photometric function in such lights.

Here means "photometric function >> a light function provided by a fire" ARS "and intended to participate in the regulatory photometry to which must respond the rear signaling of the vehicle or an event relating to the vehicle.

To date, the light functions implemented by such lights are limited to applications of rear traffic lights in which the rear light of a vehicle, generates several levels of light intensity of suitable duration and suitable to provide signaling, according to known light coding, to the drivers of the following vehicles and to potential passers-by. This luminous coding relates to different automatic or driver-controlled commands in different situations, for example in the event of braking (higher level of intensity called "stop light" during the braking period), of night or weak movement. brightness (level lights adapted for the corresponding duration), change of direction or warning of distress (flashing lights with a higher or adapted level). In any case, the light intensity of the rear lamps of the vehicle must not be dazzling for the drivers of the vehicles that follow it immediately.

According to the teaching of document FR3025020, each light level may be distributed between the one and the other groups of light units respectively of cash and flap of each rear light, these groups then being dedicated to different signaling codings, either duplicated on the light units of the two groups of each of the tail lights, the groups then evolving synchronously and identically in light intensity.

The same level of light intensity can be displayed by duplication on several units of identical lights. Different levels of signaling light are returned by these light units to perform the functions of position lights, stop lights or flashing lights.

The invention aims to exploit the full potential offered by this type of ARS rear signaling light to provide varied light animations when the vehicle is stopped for locking-unlocking day-night, for the reception of the passengers of the vehicle and in particular the animation designated by reception "showroom", ...; these same lights must continue to comply, moreover, the regulatory photometry for the standard signaling lights of a vehicle at a standstill or while taxiing.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

It proposes for this purpose a system of adaptive rear lights of a motor vehicle comprising a left rear light and right taillight each having at least one optical unit comprising at least a first lighting unit and a second lighting unit of adaptive type, respectively able to restore signaling lighting functions and a control member adapted to control the light intensity levels of the first and second lighting units of each optical unit, characterized in that the control member is coupled to a vehicle access management device, and in that the first and second lighting units of each optical block respond respectively to first and second determined control laws imposed by the control member as a result of a detection of a control signal received by the vehicle access management device e; the first and second lighting units of each optical block being controlled to restore levels of light intensity with a linear evolution successively increasing and decreasing over a given total duration.

According to one characteristic, each left rear and right rear light comprises three adjacent optical blocks and aligned on either side of the median plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; the optical blocks furthest from the median plane being designated by external optical blocks, the optical blocks closest to the median plane, by internal optical blocks and the optical blocks, arranged between the external optical blocks and the internal optical blocks, by optical blocks middle.

According to another characteristic, the first lighting units of each of the three optical blocks are arranged on the same side of their respective optical blocks, on the right side for the right rear light and on the left side optical blocks for the optical blocks of the left rear light.

The present invention also proposes a method of controlling an adaptive rear traffic signal system as described above, characterized in that it consists in a light animation sequence, to simultaneously control the first lighting units. and the second lighting units of the optical blocks; the light intensities of the first and second lighting units being respectively controlled to linearly grow up to a first determined level of luminous intensity and then to decrease linearly to a second level of determined luminous intensity lower than the first, for a given period of time .

According to a characteristic of the method, the luminous intensities of the first and second lighting units of the optical blocks are controlled to repeat, a certain number of times, cycles of increase and then reduction of the luminous intensity of the first and second units of light. illumination of the optical blocks for the duration determined to create a "breathing" effect of the illumination restored by the taillight system during said determined period of time.

According to another characteristic of the method, prior to the light animation sequence, it consists in controlling the first and second lighting units of each optical unit to restore specific light intensity levels successively staggered over a predetermined number of amplitude intensity intensity levels first increasing then decreasing, stepwise: a step corresponding to a predetermined integer number of constant time intervals over a determined total duration.

According to another characteristic, it consists in first controlling the first lighting units and the second lighting units of the external optical blocks and then the first lighting units and the second lighting units of the optical blocks of the medium and finally the first lighting units and the second lighting units of the internal optical blocks; the light intensities of the first and second lighting units being respectively controlled to grow up to a determined maximum light intensity level and then to decrease to a determined minimum light intensity level for a specified period of time.

According to another characteristic, it then consists in first controlling the first lighting units and the second lighting units of the internal optical blocks and then the first lighting units and the second lighting units of the optical blocks of the medium and finally, the first lighting units and the second lighting units of the external optical blocks; the light intensities of the first and second lighting units being respectively controlled to grow up to a determined maximum light intensity level and then to decrease to a determined minimum light intensity level for the same determined duration.

[0010] PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following nonlimited description, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively: FIG. 1, an adaptive right rear signaling light of a fire system according to the invention; - Figure 2, a detail rear view of an outer optical block of the left rear light of the fire system according to the invention; - Figure 3, a longitudinal sectional view (along X) of an optical block along the cutting axis III-III of Figure 2; - Figure 4, a first timing diagram illustrating a first control law of the light intensity of the microgriffes of the optical blocks of the rear light system according to the invention participating in a light animation dedicated to an unlocking control of the vehicle; FIG. 5, a second timing diagram illustrating a second law for controlling the light intensity of the flat light guides of the optical blocks of the rear light system according to the invention participating in the same light animation and dedicated to the same unlocking command. of the vehicle ; - Figure 6, taking the timing diagram of Figure 4 by completing, illustrates the provision called "home showroom"; and FIG. 7, taking again the chronogram of FIG. 5 by supplementing it, illustrates the so-called "showroom reception" service.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 define an orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three mutually perpendicular axes, namely: an axis X defining a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a Y axis defining a transverse direction, horizontal, which with the X axis defines a horizontal plane XY, and - an axis Z, defining a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane XY.

In the present text, the qualifiers "vertical", and "horizontal", "low", "high", "front", "rear" refer to the locations of elements by contribution to a vehicle in standard use. In the figures accompanying this text, identical elements are identified by the same reference sign.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of arrangement of three optical blocks 11, 12 and 13 of a rear left signaling light 10 of a motor vehicle 1.

These three optical blocks 11, 12 and 13 are substantially identical and are arranged adjacent and separated by their assembly. They are aligned in the same horizontal direction, parallel to the Y axis of the XYZ mark.

Two of these three optical blocks 11 and 12 are mounted on the rear trunk 2 can form a tailgate (the rear boxes or hatchbacks being called hereinafter "shutter" to use a generic term) depending on the vehicle model, and the third 13 is mounted on the rear wing 3 of the vehicle body 1 (hereinafter referred to as "body").

The three adjacent optical blocks 11, 12 and 13, when they are observed from the rear of the vehicle 1 along the X axis of the XYZ mark, define two groups of lighting units: a first group of units on the cash register side, intended to be mounted on the cash register 3 and a second group of lighting units on the "flap" side, intended to be mounted on the shutter 2. The optical blocks 11, 12 and 13 comprise the same number of first and second lighting units 110 and 114.

The optical blocks 11, 12 and 13 are made from housings 14 respectively containing the first and second lighting units 110 and 114.

Each housing 14 is closed by a transparent cover glass 15. The two optical blocks 11 and 12 side "shutter" 2 share the same housing 14 and the same ice 15.

Although not shown in Figure 1, we find on the right rear light, the same arrangement with other optical blocks, identical to the three optical blocks 11, 12 and 13 of the left rear light 10, symmetrically by relative to the median plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1 (X axis of the XYZ mark).

The set of optical blocks 11-13 of the rear left and right rear lights 10 defines a system of rear traffic signal lights of a motor vehicle 1.

The system also comprises a control member OC of the light intensity of the first and second lighting units 110 and 114 of each of the optical blocks 11 to 13 and a vehicle access management member 1.

Each optical block 11 to 13 has the same number of first and second adjacent lighting units 110 and 114.

These first and second lighting units 110 and 114 are illustrated in detail in Figure 2 in a rear view of the optical block 13 along the X axis. This optical unit 13 is mounted on the body 3 of the vehicle 1 and corresponds to the optical block farthest from the median plane of the vehicle 1. That is why it is designated by external optical block.

The external optical block 13 of the right rear light 10 is the symmetrical external optical block 13 of the left rear light 10 shown in Figure 1 (that is why they will be referenced by the same reference numeral 10).

The optical block 13 comprises a housing 14 which is closed by the window 15 and which supports the first and second lighting units 110 and 114.

Referring to Figure 3 which illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the optical block 13 along the cutting axis III-III of Figure 2, the second lighting unit 114 is constructed from a diffuser screen of light (also designated opal screen) 16 disposed behind a black mask 17, opaque to light. The mask 17 has three openings 171-173 revealing the opal screen 16 through the three openings 171-173 for an observer outside the vehicle 1. These three openings 171-173 respectively define three parallel elongated light slots drawing three microgrifts 111 -113 extending from the top of the housing 14 towards the bottom of the housing 14 in a direction slightly oblique with respect to the Z axis.

The opaline screen 16 closes a light box 18 having three bars 19 of five LEDs 20, arranged in parallel with each other and arranged opposite the three openings 171-173. An optical screen 21 is interposed between the strips 19 of LEDs 20 and the opal screen 16 to obtain a homogeneous distribution of light on the opal screen 16 and thus a homogeneous rendering of the illumination restored by microgriffs 111-113.

The first lighting unit 110 comprises a flat type of light guide (more commonly referred to as the "fiat guide") adapted to transfer the light rays that feed its input face to its output face 115 facing the cover glass 15. The outlet face 115 of the flat guide 110 is parallel to the slots 171-173 light.

Thus, each of the three optical blocks 11-13 has three microgriffs 111-113 and a flat guide 110 in view. The three microgriffs 111-113 thus reveal the identity aspect of the vehicle mark.

The flat guides 110 (first lighting unit) are always arranged on the same side relative to the 111-113 microgrids (second lighting unit). Thus, taking again the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the flat guides 110 are all arranged on the left side of the microgriffs 111-113, on the left side which corresponds to an arrangement of the guides 110 to the left of the vehicle 1 with regard to the left rear light 10 (Figure 1) and, symmetrically, for the right rear light (not shown), to the right of the vehicle 1. With regard to the optical blocks 11 and 12 respectively designated "inner" block and "middle" block, the flat guides 110 are adjacent to their respective adjacent optical blocks. The flat guide 110 of the optical block 13 designated "external" is itself arranged on the outer edge of the left rear light with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The maximum level of light intensity of the first lighting unit 110 is greater than the maximum level of light intensity of the second lighting unit 114 and the maximum intensity levels of the first and second lighting units. 110 are reached at the same moments.

FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively illustrate first and second chronograms of the control laws of the light intensity of microgriffs 111 -113 and flat guides 110 of each of the three optical blocks 11-13 of the right and left rear tail lights. 10 of the taillight system according to the invention. These control laws managed by the OC control member, allow to provide a light animation that stages the microgriffs 111 -113 and the flat guides 110 by adjusting their light intensity levels according to determined sequencing to meet, in this example, to a vehicle unlocking command 1 when a vehicle access control 1 is detected by the access management device of the vehicle 1.

These control laws are implemented by the lighting controller OC also called "driver or lighting buffer" integrated with a vehicle computer 1 or which is a specific member dedicated to one or more optical blocks 11 -13.

The control member OC is connected to the vehicle electrical network 1 and the multiplexed network (CAN) of the vehicle that connects the passenger compartment computer (BSI) to the optical blocks 11 -13 of the rear light system of the vehicle 1 .

The control member OC is also used to coordinate the animations at the three optical blocks 11-13 (the three optical blocks of the right rear light 10 and the three optical blocks of the left rear light 10) of the fire system. rearward adaptive according to the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first chronogram of a first light animation sequence featuring the second lighting unit 114 of the light units 11-13 of the left and right rear lamps 10 of the adaptive rear lamp system, constituted by microgriffs 111-113.

This first sequence is represented over a total duration T of 4 s during which the three microgriffs 111-113 (114) of the three optical blocks 11 -13, designated respectively by "MicroGriffs EXTER", "MicroGriffs MIDDLE" and "MicroGriffs" INTER "in FIG. 4 and the table inserted at the end of the description, are controlled to restore luminous intensity levels sequentially staggered over three levels of luminous intensity (0, 1 and 2) of increasing amplitude first. then decreasing. The luminous intensity is controlled to evolve in stages: a step corresponding to a given integer of constant time intervals "t" (not).

This step "t" is in the example described equal to 1/15 s (about 67 ms); level 2 being the maximum level of light intensity taken for microgriffs 114.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a second chronogram of a second light animation sequence featuring the first lighting unit 110 of the light units 11-13 of the left and right rear lamps 10 of the adaptive tail light system, consisting of flat light guides 110.

This second sequence is represented over a total duration T of 4 s during which the flat light guides 110 designated respectively by "Fiat EXTER", "Fiat MILIEU" and "Fiat INTER" in FIG. Table inserted at the end of the description, are controlled to restore levels of light intensity sequentially staggered over five levels of light intensity (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) amplitude first increasing and decreasing. The luminous intensity is controlled to evolve in steps: a step corresponding to a given integer of constant time intervals "t" (not).

This step "t" is in the example described equal to 1/15 s (about 67 ms); level 4 being the maximum level of light intensity taken by the flat light guides 110.

A fifth level of intensity of the flat light guides 110, not taken into account by the control laws, correspond to the first intensity level of the stop function thus respecting the regulatory photometry for this signaling function.

Figure 6, incorporating the first timing diagram of Figure 4 by completing, illustrates the provision called reception "showroom". For this benefit, and the example described, the total duration of the animation sequence is 20 s.

The first chronogram continues after the sequence of the 4 s by another control sequence of the light intensity of the microgriffes 114 (microgrifffes INTER, MID and INTER) rear lights 11, 12 and 13, after a duration of 5 s until 20 s. This other sequence comprises a succession of four successive control cycles, linearly increasing then decreasing the light intensity of the three microgriffs 114 microgriffes rear lights.

The microgriffes 114 (Microgrifffes INTER, MID and INTER) rear lights 11, 12 and 13 are controlled simultaneously.

From the representation used to illustrate the control intensities of microgriffes, only appears (strong line) the control intensity of microgriffs INTER.

The first control cycle begins with the intensity level "0" (t = 5 s) and then increases linearly to level "2" after 1.875 s. The intensity level then decreases linearly to intensity level "1" after 1.875 s (t = 8.75 s).

Then begins the second and third cycles, identical and successive, starting at the intensity level "1 >> to then grow linearly to level" 2 >> after 1.875 s and then decrease linearly to the level " 1 >> after 1,875 s. (t = 16.25 s).

The fourth and last cycle starts at the intensity level "1" at t = 16.25 s to grow linearly up to the intensity level "2" after 1.875 s to finally decrease linearly up to at the "0" level after 1.875 s (t = 20 s).

Figure 7, incorporating the second timing diagram of Figure 5 by completing it for the service called "showroom" home, illustrates the control of the light intensity of the flat guides "Flats >> 110 rear lights 11, 12 and 13.

110 flat guides rear lights are controlled simultaneously. From the representation used to illustrate the control intensities of the flat guides, only appears (in strong line) the intensity of control of the flat guides INTER (Fiat INTER).

The second chronogram of Figure 7 continues after the sequence of 4 s by another control sequence of the light intensity of the flat guides (Flats INTER, MID and EXTER) rear lights 11, 12 and 13, after a duration of 5 s until 20 s. This other sequence comprises a succession of four successive control cycles, linearly increasing then decreasing the light intensity of the three flat guides (Flats INTER, MID and INTER).

Microgriffs 114 rear lights are controlled simultaneously.

The first control cycle begins with the intensity level "0" (t = 5 s) and then increases linearly to level "4" after 1.875 s. The intensity level then decreases linearly to intensity level "1" after 1.875 s (t = 8.75 s).

Then begins the second and third cycles, identical and successive, starting at intensity level "1" to then grow linearly to level "4" after 1.875 s and then decrease linearly to level "1" After 1,875 s. (t = 16.25 s).

The fourth and last cycle begins at the intensity level "1" at t = 16.25 s to grow linearly to the intensity level "4" after 1.875 s to finally decrease linearly to the level "0" after 1,875 s (t = 20 s).

The intensities of the flat guides (Flats) and microgriffs are controlled simultaneously: the maxima, respectively the minima, intensities of the first and second chronograms coincide in time t.

In order to satisfy also the regulatory photometric grid of the rear signaling lights, the exit surface 115 of the flat light guide 110 is provided with optical elements (prisms for example) able to spread the light horizontally and vertically. The lateral face 116 of the flat light guide 110 which is visible from the outside of the vehicle 1, is advantageously provided with a styling layer by graining, laser ablation or any other method of etching or deposition on a polyurethane-type plastic surface. for example to break the light on parts of the side face 116 of the flat light guide 110.

The light animation thus produced, for an observer located behind the vehicle 1, renders a visual effect first of scrolling lighting from the left to the right along the Y axis for the left rear light, and inversely from right to left for the right rear light. This visual effect continues with a "light breathing" effect due to successions of simultaneous increase and decrease cycles of the light intensities of the flat guides (Flats) and microgriffes (Microgriffes) of the rear lights of the vehicle.

The summary table, attached below, translates the first and second chronograms of Figures 4 to 7 (control laws) and avoids a cumbersome and cumbersome description of animation sequences corresponding to a lighting sequence reception of the taillights of the vehicle 1 offering the so-called "showroom" service, different levels of light intensity for the microgriffes 114 and the flat light guides 110.

Reading is also facilitated. Table:

Claims (8)

Motor vehicle adaptive rear traffic light system (1) comprising a left rear light and a right rear light (10) each comprising at least one optical block (11 to 13) comprising at least a first lighting unit (110). ) and a second lighting unit (114) of adaptive type, respectively adapted to restore signaling lighting functions and a control member (OC) able to control the light intensity levels of the first (110) and second (114) lighting units of each optical block (11 to 13), characterized in that the control member (OC) is coupled to a vehicle access management device, and in that the first (110) ) and second (114) lighting units of each optical block (11 to 13) respectively correspond to first and second determined control laws imposed by the control member (OC) following a detection of a command signal received by the vehicle access management device (1); the first (110) and second (114) lighting units of each optical block (11 to 13) being controlled to restore levels of light intensity with a linear evolution successively increasing and decreasing over a given total duration (tx). 2. Traffic light system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each rear left and right rear light (10) comprises three optical blocks (11-13) adjacent and aligned on either side of the median plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (1); the optical blocks (13) furthest from the median plane being designated by external optical blocks, the optical blocks (11) closest to the median plane, by internal optical blocks and the optical blocks (12), arranged between the optical blocks ( 13) external and optical blocks (11) internal, by optical blocks medium. 3. Adaptive rear lights system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first lighting units (110) of each of the three optical blocks (11-13) are arranged on the same side of their respective optical blocks ( 11 to 13), on the right side for the right-hand taillight (10) and left-side light units (11 -13) for the left-rear light (10) optics blocks (11-13). 4. A method of controlling an adaptive rear traffic signal system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it consists in a light animation sequence, to simultaneously control the first lighting units (110) and the second lighting units (114) of the optical blocks (11, 12 and 13); the light intensities of the first and second lighting units (110 and 114) being respectively controlled to linearly grow to a first determined level of luminous intensity and then to decrease linearly to a second level of determined luminous intensity lower than the first , for a fixed period (tx). 5. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the light intensities of the first and second lighting units (110 and 114) of the optical blocks (11, 12 and 13) are controlled to repeat, a specified number of times, cycles of increasing and then reducing the light intensity of the first and second lighting units (110 and 114) of the optical blocks (11, 12 and 13) during the determined duration (tx) to create a "breathing" effect > the lighting restored by the taillight system during the specified duration (tx). 6. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that, prior to the light animation sequence, it consists in controlling the first (110) and second (114) lighting units of each optical block ( 11 to 13) for restoring determined light intensity levels successively staggered over a determined number of amplitude intensity intensity levels first increasing and then decreasing, stepwise: a step corresponding to a predetermined integer of constant time intervals (t) over a determined total duration (T). 7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that it consists in controlling first the first lighting units (110) and the second lighting units (114) external optical blocks (13) and the first units (110) and the second lighting units (114) of the middle optical blocks (12) and finally the first lighting units (110) and the second lighting units (114) of the internal optical blocks. (11); the light intensities of the first and second lighting units (110 and 114) being respectively controlled to grow to a determined maximum light intensity level and then to decrease to a determined minimum light intensity level for a specified period of time. 8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it then consists in controlling first the first lighting units (110) and the second lighting units (114) of the internal optical blocks (11) and then the first lighting units (110) and the second lighting units (114) of the middle optical blocks (12) and finally the first lighting units (110) and the second lighting units (114) of the optical blocks external (13); the light intensities of the first and second lighting units (110 and 114) being respectively controlled to grow up to a determined maximum light intensity level and then to decrease to a determined minimum light intensity level for the same determined period of time .