FR3125472A1 - Automotive glazing with vehicle environment status sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to vehicle glazing (100), in particular vehicle roof glazing, comprising at least one fixed panel (20) adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the bodywork (C) of the vehicle (V) and a movable panel (10) adapted to move relative to the fixed panel (20) between an open position and a closed position by means of an actuation system (A), and the fixed panel (20) comprising a glazed element (26 ) and, at least on one useful edge (24a), a profiled receiving portion (40) with which the movable panel (10) is adapted to cooperate in its closed position, and the glazing (100) being characterized in that at least one vehicle environment condition sensor is attached to said contoured receiving portion (40). Figure 1

Description

Automotive glazing with vehicle environment status sensor

The present invention relates to vehicle glazing, in particular glazing intended to be used as vehicle roof glazing, comprising at least one sensor intended to acquire information relating to the state of the environment of the vehicle.

Modern vehicles today are designed to optimize their use by the driver and increase the safety of drivers and passengers. To this end, they incorporate a variety of driver assistance systems. These include, for example, rain sensors, light sensors, optical cameras and radar detectors.

They are generally used for monitoring traffic outside the vehicle. They can, for example, detect traffic signs, other road users or obstacles on the road.

Vehicle interior monitoring devices are also being developed. Camera systems are thus known, in particular infrared cameras, allowing the monitoring of the driver, in particular for the detection of signs of fatigue.

There are also systems for detecting people or objects, allowing for example to detect whether or not a child seat is occupied, or whether the seat belts have been fitted. These systems allow, for example, automatic regulation of the airbag systems, the detection of risky situations (for example the abnormally prolonged presence of a child alone in a stationary vehicle, or the forgetting of a seat belt ) and the triggering of alarms.

For a safe identification of situations and objects, the sensors need to be placed in an optimal way, which is made difficult by the presence in the vehicles of increasingly imposing windows, which limit the possibilities of positioning the sensors.

The present invention aims to provide a solution for integrating such a sensor of the state of the environment of a vehicle, which is both compatible with new automotive designs and easy to implement.

For this purpose, a vehicle glazing is proposed, in particular a vehicle roof glazing, comprising at least one fixed panel adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of the vehicle and a movable panel adapted to move relative to the panel fixed between an open position and a closed position by means of an actuation system, the fixed panel comprising a glazed element and, at least on a useful edge, a profiled receiving portion with which the movable panel is adapted to come cooperate in its closed position, and the glazing being characterized in that at least one sensor of the state of the environment of the vehicle is fixed on the said profiled receiving portion.

The invention therefore relates to a glazing, comprising at least a first fixed panel and a second movable panel, intended to close a window formed in the bodywork of the vehicle. In use, the fixed panel of the glazing is firmly fixed relative to the body of the vehicle, and the movable panel can be moved from an open position in which an opening is made between the passenger compartment and the exterior of the vehicle to a position closed wherein said opening is closed by the movable panel, and vice versa.

The glazing may comprise one or more sensors of the state of the environment of the vehicle.

By environment of the vehicle, we mean here its interior environment (in this case the sensor is a state sensor of the passenger compartment of the vehicle) and/or its exterior environment, in particular its close exterior environment.

The sensor may for example have the function of detecting the number, position and/or gestures of the passengers of the vehicle, of differentiating between children and adults present in the passenger compartment, and/or of detecting the presence of persons or objects at near the vehicle. The information is transmitted to the vehicle's control unit which can, if necessary, generate alerts and/or induce the locking/unlocking of the vehicle's doors, or induce any other suitable measure.

The sensor includes at least one data acquisition device, which includes at least one receiver, and optionally at least one transmitter and one receiver.

Such a data acquisition device may in particular comprise a transmitter and/or receiver of electromagnetic waves, in particular in the visible range, infrared waves, radio waves, microwaves. The data acquisition device is for example an optical system such as a camera, or a LiDAR detector, or a RaDAR detector.

Alternatively, it can also be an ultrasonic detector.

The data acquisition device can provide raw analog or digital data. If it provides analog data, then it is advantageously associated with an analog-to-digital converter.

Furthermore, and preferably, the sensor contains or is linked to a microcontroller suitable for managing the input and output signals of the data acquisition device, in particular preprocessing the output signal of the data acquisition device and transmitting information, resulting from said pre-processing, to the vehicle control unit. The sensor can for example transmit a signal to the control unit of the vehicle to order the emission of an alert signal in the event of a situation deemed to be dangerous. The microcontroller can, if necessary, integrate an analog-to-digital converter as mentioned above.

The positioning of the sensor on the profiled reception portion of the fixed panel makes it possible to limit the size of the system. Sensor(s) (and possibly cable(s)) being advantageously placed in the volume of the reception portion, they cause no loss of space or undesirable visual effect inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Cables and sensors are also protected against tearing.

Furthermore, the positioning of the sensor on the reception portion makes it possible to place it in an optimal position in the center of the passenger compartment, in the case of roof glazing.

The vehicle environment state sensor(s) can also be associated with other sensors and functional components, also placed on/in the profiled reception portion.

The glazing can comprise a single fixed panel and a single mobile panel, or a fixed panel and two mobile panels, or any other suitable combination.

Each panel typically comprises a glazed element, generally flat or slightly curved.

Fixed and mobile panels can be configured so as to be partially superimposed (in a transverse direction, orthogonal to the general plane of the fixed panel) in the open position of the mobile panel. In another configuration, movement of the movable panel may include pivoting relative to the fixed panel.

When the movable panel is in the closed position, the fixed panel and the movable panel are found side by side in a so-called main direction, and are in the extension of the vehicle body.

In this position, a useful edge of the mobile panel is adjacent to the useful edge of the fixed panel comprising a profiled receiving portion.

By profiled portion is meant here a portion having a generally constant profile along its length.

The receiving portion may for example have a Z profile, a primary section of which is used for its attachment - direct or indirect - to the glazed element (in particular to a main face of the glazed element and possibly its edge), and a secondary section extends in the direction of the mobile panel.

According to one example, the profiled receiving portion comprises a body made of plastic material. This portion thus has a seal function, ensuring the seal at the junction between the fixed panel and the mobile panel, when the mobile panel is in the closed position.

According to one example, the profiled receiving portion is produced by extrusion or by encapsulation of plastic material or else by bonding, to the periphery of the glazed element of the fixed panel, either directly in contact with the glazed element, or on an element intermediate border itself in contact with the glazed element.

According to a more specific example, the fixed panel comprises a peripheral seal surrounding the glazed element, preferably continuously over its entire periphery. Typically, a part of this peripheral seal - on the so-called fixing edges of the panel - forms a seal with the bodywork and a part - situated on the useful edge - forms or includes the aforementioned receiving portion. The peripheral seal may be monolithic, or may be formed of several parts, whether linked or not, for example obtained by separate encapsulations or extrusions or bondings, optionally using different plastic materials.

The sensor or sensors are preferably positioned towards the middle of the reception portion (and of the useful edge of the fixed panel). Preferably, each sensor is located at a distance from the middle of the useful edge that is less than or equal to a quarter of the length of said edge, more preferably still less than or equal to an eighth of said length.

If the glazing comprises a single sensor, this sensor is advantageously arranged in the middle of the useful edge of the fixed panel.

According to one possible configuration, the sensor is completely embedded inside the plastic body of the receiving portion.

According to another possible configuration, the glazing comprises a sensor support partially embedded inside said body so as to leave an area for fixing the sensor uncovered.

The sensor is then fixed on said fixing zone.

Such an arrangement has the advantage of allowing easy replacement or maintenance of the sensor.

The sensor can be fixed on the sensor support in particular by screwing, clipping, or any other suitable means, preferably in a removable manner. Advantageously, the sensor support carries for this purpose fixing means, preferably for removable fixing, of the sensor.

In addition, the sensor and the sensor support have, in this case, electronic connectors that can cooperate in the fixed position of the sensor to ensure the transmission of information and the electrical supply between the two components.

Advantageously, the glazing can comprise a cover adapted to be fixed to the receiving portion so as to hide the sensor.

The receiving portion is advantageously reinforced by a metal core, for example in the form of a metal section whose section corresponds to the section of the receiving portion.

According to one example, the metal core has a Z profile of which a primary wing is fixed to the glazed element and a secondary wing opposite the primary wing extends in the direction of the mobile panel.

According to one example, the metal core has an opening, in particular a through opening, and the sensor support is fixed in said opening. This arrangement allows a very solid fixing of the sensor support on the receiving portion. It also increases the possibilities of positioning the electrical cables connected to the sensor support.

Advantageously, the sensor support is sized to be able to be inserted by force inside the opening.

According to an advantageous arrangement, the sensor support comprises a first section dimensioned to be able to be inserted by force inside the opening, and extended by a second section of larger dimensions forming a shoulder adapted to bear against the core metal once the bracket is in the mounted position.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising glazing as described above.

According to one example, the glazing is a vehicle roof glazing.

According to one example, the sensor is connected by at least one cable to a vehicle control unit. The sensor can also be connected to the vehicle control unit via a wireless link.

In the case of a wired connection, a sheath may be provided to receive the cable(s), said sheath extending from the sensor or the sensor support, along the reception portion and out of said portion and, where applicable, of the peripheral seal.

Several embodiments or exemplary embodiments are described in this presentation. However, unless otherwise specified, the characteristics described in relation to any mode or example of embodiment may be applied to another mode or example of embodiment.

The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better, on reading the detailed description which follows, of several embodiments represented by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings which are not drawn to scale and on which:
is a sectional view of a fixed pane of glazing according to a first embodiment of the invention;
is a sectional view of a fixed pane of glazing according to a second embodiment of the invention;
is a sectional view of a fixed pane of glazing according to a third embodiment of the invention;
is a partial view of the fixed panel of the , in top view;
illustrates a vehicle equipped with a glazing according to the present invention, seen from above;
is a perspective view of a fixed panel of glazing according to the invention;
represents an example of a sensor that can be used in the present invention.

There illustrates a vehicle V equipped with a glazing 100 according to the present invention. This glazing 100 is roof glazing, but the invention is not limited to this application and may relate to other types of vehicle glazing.

The glazing 100 according to the invention is an opening glazing. It comprises here a movable panel 10 and a fixed panel 20, intended to close a bay formed in the bodywork C of the vehicle V. In the mounted position as illustrated in the , the fixed panel 20 is firmly fixed with respect to the body C of the vehicle, and the movable panel 10 can be moved from an open position in which an opening is provided between the passenger compartment and the exterior of the vehicle to a closed position wherein said opening is closed by the movable panel 10, and vice versa.

For the following, a main direction X of the glazing is defined as the direction in which the panels 10, 20 are juxtaposed.

A transverse direction Z is also defined, orthogonal to the general plane of the fixed panel 20.

Finally, a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the aforementioned main X and transverse Z directions is defined.

Unless otherwise specified, the adjectives interior and exterior will be used in reference to the interior and exterior of the vehicle in the fitted position of the glazing.

In the example, the main direction X corresponds to the main direction of the vehicle V: the mobile panel 10 is located at the front of the vehicle V, close to the windshield 2. The fixed panel 20 is located at the rear , close to the rear window 4. A different configuration and/or orientation is/are obviously possible.

In the example, each panel 10, 20 has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises a primary side edge respectively 12a, 22a and a secondary side edge respectively 12b, 22b, connected by a main front edge respectively 14a, 24a and a rear main edge respectively 14b, 24b. The primary side edges 12a, 22a of the two panels are aligned in the main direction, as are the secondary side edges 12b, 22b.

The main rear edge 14b of the movable panel 10 and the main front edge 24a of the fixed panel 20 are contiguous in the closed position of the glazing 100.

An actuation system (represented schematically on the ), which may or may not be automated, makes it possible to move the mobile panel 10, for example by translation, between its open position and its closed position.

The mobile 10 and fixed 20 panels can for example be configured so as to be partially superimposed (in the transverse direction Z) in the open position of the glazing 100. This example is not, however, limiting. The possibilities of actuation of the glazing and movement of the movable panel 10 are aspects well known to those skilled in the art which are not described in more detail in the present application.

Each panel 10, 20 comprises a glazed element respectively 16, 26, and on its periphery, a seal respectively 18, 28 essentially made of plastic material, produced by extrusion and/or by encapsulation of plastic material(s) and/or again by gluing.

An example of a fixed panel 20 is illustrated in the .

The peripheral edge 28 has the function, on the so-called fixing edges of the panel 22a, 22b, 24b, of sealing with the bodywork.

On these fixing edges 22a, 22b, 24b, the panel 20 can further comprise fixing elements, here in the form of metal fasteners 30a, 30b respectively. The fasteners are for example formed by metal plates partially embedded in the plastic material forming the peripheral seal 28 of the panel and having, on their part projecting out of the seal 28, openings 32 or other means allowing attachment to a complementary element, especially bodywork.

The peripheral seal 28 is monolithic or made in several parts, linked or not, for example obtained by separate encapsulations or extrusions, optionally using different plastic materials.

On its main edge 24a called useful, intended to cooperate with the movable panel 10 and therefore located opposite said panel 10, the peripheral seal 28 forms a profiled receiving portion 40.

There is a section of the receiving portion 40 along the plane P of the , the plane P being a plane of symmetry of the glazing 100, here orthogonal to the lateral direction Y and corresponding, in this case, to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle V in the mounted position of the glazing 100. As illustrated in the , the receiving portion 40 comprises a body 42 made of plastic material, which can advantageously be reinforced by a metal core 44.

The receiving portion 40 is fixed on an edge of the inner face 26a of the glazed element 26 (intended to be oriented towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle) and possibly on its edge 26c as illustrated in the figure, and extends in the main direction X, in the direction of the movable panel 10, so as to form a receiving bracket substantially parallel to the glazed element 26 and slightly offset from the latter in the transverse direction Z.

The receiving portion 40 has here, in a plane orthogonal to the direction of its length, a Z profile overall: a primary section 401 is fixed to the edge of the glazed element 26. A secondary section 402, substantially parallel to the primary section , is slightly offset in the main direction X in the direction of the movable panel and in the transverse direction Z. A middle portion 403 connects the primary and secondary sections.

A metal profile 44, of the same Z profile, reinforces the receiving portion.

A primary wing 441 of the profile reinforces the primary section 401, a secondary wing 442 reinforces the secondary section 402 and a middle portion 443 connects the two wings 441 and 442.

According to an example of implementation, during manufacture, a portion (here the primary wing 441) of the profile is glued to the glazed element 26 (its inner face 26a more particularly) using an adhesive 50 , then the plastic body 42 is made by encapsulation around the profile 44.

In the closed position of the movable panel 10, the main rear edge 14b of said panel comes into contact with the profiled receiving portion 40 of the fixed panel 20.

In accordance with the invention, at least one sensor 60 of the state of the environment of the vehicle is fixed on the reception portion 40. In the examples illustrated, the glazing 100 comprises a single sensor.

An example of a sensor 60 is schematically illustrated in the : it is in the form of a printed circuit 600 comprising a data acquisition device 610 formed here of a plurality of transmitters 612 and receivers 614. The data acquisition device 610 is for example a device RaDAR-type detection, based on the emission/reception of electromagnetic waves.

The sensor 60 also comprises a control unit 620 of the data acquisition device 610 - or microcontroller - suitable for powering the data acquisition device, pre-processing the output signal of said device and transmitting information, resulting from said pre-processing, to the control unit 8 of the vehicle V. The microcontroller 620 can for example transmit a signal to the control unit 8 of the vehicle to control the emission of a warning signal in the event of a situation deemed to be dangerous. In a case where the data acquisition device 610 provides analog raw data, the microcontroller 620 can also integrate an analog digital converter 630, as illustrated in the .

The example illustrated is however not limiting, and the data acquisition device of the sensor may be of any suitable type. It can for example use electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum (it can be a camera in particular), microwaves, radio waves, infrared waves, etc. It can also be an ultrasonic detector. Furthermore, and contrary to the particular example illustrated, the sensor may not integrate a microcontroller and/or a converter.

The sensor 60 is globally centered on the receiving portion 40 in the longitudinal direction thereof (here the lateral direction Y): it is located at a distance from the middle of the useful edge 24a less than or equal to a quarter of the length L of said edge, still preferably less than or equal to one eighth of said length L (see ).

If the glazing comprises a single sensor as in the example illustrated, this sensor is advantageously arranged in the middle of the useful edge of the fixed panel 20.

In the example, the sensor 60 is connected, by one or more electrical cables 80, to the control unit 8 of the vehicle V.

This or these cable(s) runs in a sheath 82 extending as far as a side edge of the fixed panel 20. The sheath 82 is advantageously embedded in the plastic body 42 of the receiving portion 40.

Alternatively, however, the sensor 60 may be in wireless communication with the control unit 8 of the vehicle V.

There illustrates a first possible mode of integration of the sensor 60:

As illustrated in the figure, the sensor 60 is here completely embedded in the plastic material 42 of the receiving portion 40.

In the example, cables 80 directly connected to the sensor 60 connect it to the control unit 8.

There illustrates a second mode of integration, in which a sensor support 70 is partially embedded in the plastic material 42 of the receiving portion 40.

Items similar or identical to the embodiment of the are not explained again below but can be referenced in the figure.

In the example illustrated, the sensor support 70 is fixed to the lower part of the reception portion 40, thus facing the interior of the passenger compartment in the mounted position of the glazing. More particularly, the support 70 is placed on the second section 402 of the reception portion 40, under the secondary wing 442 of the section 44

The sensor support 70 comprises at least one fixing zone 71, accessible (that is to say in particular not covered with the plastic material forming the body of the reception portion), and adapted to receive the sensor 60. On this fixing zone 71, the sensor support 70 comprises connectors 72, intended to cooperate with complementary connectors 62 of the sensor 60 once the latter is mounted.

If necessary, the cable or cables 80 connected to the vehicle control unit are, in this case, connected to the sensor support 70.

The sensor support 70 can for example comprise clipping means suitable for allowing the sensor 60 to be fixed by clipping on the fixing zone, for example elastic tabs 73 at the periphery of said fixing zone 71, as illustrated in the figure below. . As a variant, the sensor 60 can also be fixed on the sensor support 70 by screwing. In this case, the sensor support 70 advantageously comprises fixing zones, accessible, dedicated to screwing. As another variant, the sensor support 70 can comprise any other suitable means to allow the fixing of the sensor 60, preferably in a removable manner.

Advantageously, as illustrated in the , the glazing may comprise a cover 90 adapted to be fixed to the receiving portion 40 so as to hide the sensor. The cover 90 can for example be fixed by clipping or screwing or gluing or any other suitable means (not shown here).

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a third mode of integration of sensor 60.

Elements similar or identical to the embodiments of Figures 1 or 2 are not explained again below but can be referenced in Figures 3 and 4.

In this third embodiment, the metal profile 44 has an opening 46, and the sensor support 70 cooperates with said opening 46 by form complementarity.

In the particular example shown, the opening 46 is a through hole formed in the secondary wing 442 of the metal profile 44. Other types of openings may possibly be considered: notch, recess in particular.

The sensor support 70 has a cylindrical end section 74 sized to be able to be inserted by force inside the hole 46 by this end section 74. In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the hole crossing 46 has a circular cross-section with a diameter D1 and the end section of the sensor support has a circular cross-section with a diameter substantially identical to D1 (or very slightly lower). The sensor support is thus securely held to the profile 44, which is advantageous at the time of manufacture but also increases the overall strength of the receiving portion 40 in use. On the other hand, this arrangement makes it possible to more freely adjust the positioning of the sheath 82 for the cables 80 inside the reception portion 40. As on the for example, the sheath 82 can thus be easily positioned on the side of the profile 44 which is opposite to the fixing zone 71 of the sensor 60 (in other words on its upper side).

Advantageously, the sensor support 70 is extended by a second section 76 of dimensions strictly greater than the dimensions of the hole 46, thus forming a shoulder 78 bearing against the profile 44 on the periphery of the hole 46. In the example illustrated in the figures 3 and 4, the second section 76 of the sensor support 79 is cylindrical, of circular section, of diameter D2 strictly greater than D1. During manufacture, the sensor support 70 is thus fitted onto the profile 44, then the body 42 is produced by encapsulation around the assembly formed by the profile 44 and the sensor support 70. Such an arrangement further increases the resistance overall mechanics.

As illustrated, the second section 76 of larger dimensions is advantageously oriented towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle in the mounted position of the glazing 100. In this way, the sensor attachment zone 60 can be of suitable size, and the sensor support can be firmly fixed without the need to weaken the profile 44 by an opening of too large dimensions.

Claims (11)

Vehicle glazing (100), in particular vehicle roof glazing, comprising at least one fixed panel (20) adapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the bodywork (C) of the vehicle (V) and a movable panel (10) adapted to move relative to the fixed panel (20) between an open position and a closed position by means of an actuation system (A), the fixed panel (20) comprising a glazed element (26) and, at least on a useful edge (24a), a profiled receiving portion (40) with which the movable panel (10) is adapted to cooperate in its closed position, and the glazing (100) being characterized in that at least one sensor of The state of the vehicle environment is attached to said contoured receiving portion (40). Glazing (100) according to claim 1, in which the profiled receiving portion (40) comprises a body (42) of plastic material, and the sensor (60) is completely embedded inside said body (42). Glazing (100) according to claim 1, wherein the shaped receiving portion (40) comprises a body (42) of plastics material and the glazing (100) further comprises a sensor support (70) partially embedded therein of said body (42) so as to leave an area (71) for fixing the sensor (60) uncovered. Pane (100) according to Claims 2 or 3, in which the body (42) made of plastic material is reinforced by a metal core (44). Glazing (100) according to claims 3 and 4, in which the metal core (44) has an opening (46) and the sensor support (70) is fixed in said opening (46). Glazing (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a cover (90) adapted to be fixed to the reception portion (40) so as to hide the sensor (60) fixed to the fixing zone (71). Glazing (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the sensor (60) comprises at least one data acquisition device comprising at least one receiver of electromagnetic waves, in particular in the visible range, of infrared waves, radio waves, microwaves. Glazing according to Claim 7, in which the at least one data acquisition device is an optical sensor, in particular a camera, or a LiDAR sensor, or a RaDAR sensor. Glazing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the at least one sensor (60) is located at a distance from the middle of the useful edge (24a) of the fixed panel (20) less than or equal to a quarter of the length of said edge (24a), again preferably less than or equal to one eighth of said length. Vehicle (V) equipped with at least one glazing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Vehicle (V) according to claim 10, in which the sensor (60) is connected, by at least one cable (80) or by a wireless link, to a control unit (8) of the vehicle (V).