Vehicle control device and associated vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle control device and associated vehicle. A control device (16) adapted to be integrated into a vehicle (10) for displaying vehicle control information (10), the control device (16) comprising: an opaque panel (20) having a working surface (21) at least a portion of which is adapted to be positioned opposite the upper body of a driver (18) in the driving position, a reflective element covering the working surface (21) of the opaque panel (20), the reflective element being at least partially reflective, and a vehicle control information (10) emission unit (24), the emission unit (24) being adapted to emit at least one light beam in the direction of the reflective element such that the reflection of the light beam on the reflective element forms at least one useful image in an observation window of the driver (18) in the driving position. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle control device and associated vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for controlling a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a control device.

[0002] Vehicles, particularly automobiles, are equipped with control devices, also called instrument clusters or dashboards, to present the driver with information useful for driving and operating the vehicle. For this purpose, the control device includes the vehicle's on-board instruments, some of which are required by law.

[0003] For a motor vehicle, the control device is traditionally integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle under the windshield, behind the steering wheel. Typically, such a control device is arranged at least -15° from the direction of view of an average driver looking at the road, approximately 50 centimeters from the eyes. The driver is then required to take his eyes off the road to view the control device, which reduces vigilance and increases eye fatigue due to the visual accommodation effort constantly required.

[0004] To enable the viewing of useful information in a safer manner, it is known to use head-up displays which transmit some information from the control device to the driver.

[0005] Nevertheless, such displays occupy additional space in the vehicle, in redundancy of the control device, and are for some very bulky. In addition, these displays allow the useful image to be viewed only in a restricted observation window (in English "eyebox").

[0006] Furthermore, the visibility of the useful image generated by these displays depends on the ambient brightness. Thus, in the case of strong brightness (sunny weather), the visibility of the useful image is often reduced because the power of the projection screen is not sufficient. One possibility would be to increase the brightness of the projection screen. However, this would lead to an increase in energy costs and heating. In addition, projection screens are limited in power.

[0007] An alternative is to replace mechanical dashboard instruments with digital dashboard instruments. For this purpose, control devices in the form of a screen are known. The trend is to position such control devices higher and higher in the driver's field of vision so as to reduce the viewing angle (in English "look-down angle") of the dashboard instruments.

[0008] However, such control devices then mask part of the windshield of the vehicle, and in particular part of the driver's field of vision, which is not optimal in terms of driving comfort and safety.

[0009] There is therefore a need for a vehicle control device allowing the display of information useful for driving, in a viewing window that is comfortable for the driver and without affecting driving safety.

[0010] For this purpose, the present description relates to a control device suitable for being integrated into a vehicle to display vehicle control information, including all of the vehicle's on-board instruments, the control device comprising:

[0011] - an opaque panel having a useful surface of which at least a part is suitable for be positioned opposite the upper body of a driver in the driving position,

[0012] - a reflective element covering the useful surface of the opaque panel, the reflective element reflector being at least partially reflective, and

[0013] - a vehicle control information transmission unit, the transmission unit being capable of emitting at least one light beam towards the reflecting element so that the reflection of the light beam on the reflecting element forms at least one useful image in an observation window of the driver in the driving position.

[0014] According to other advantageous aspects, the control device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0015] - the vehicle comprises a windshield comprising a transparent surface and an area screen printed surrounding the transparent surface, the screen printed area comprising a lower portion having a base and a raised portion projecting from the base, the opaque panel being formed by the raised portion;

[0016] - the vehicle comprises pillars connected to the lateral portions of the base of the windshield, the raised portion comprising a strip projecting from the base and extending substantially across the width of the transparent surface except for the ends of the base of the screen-printed area which are clear, so as to clear visibility of the surroundings at the level of the vehicle pillars;

[0017] - the raised portion comprises a raised area more raised than the strip and projecting from the strip, the raised area being an area facing the upper body of the driver in the driving position;

[0018] - the control device is suitable for being integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle;

[0019] - the emission unit is capable of emitting, in the direction of the reflector element, a light beam polarized according to a main polarization, called incident beam, the incident beam arriving on the reflecting element with an angle of incidence and defining with the reflecting element a plane of incidence, the main polarization being a polarization contained in the plane of incidence, called polarization P, the element re reflector being optimized to have greater reflectivity, over a range of angles of incidence including the angle of incidence, for light of polarization P than a non-optimized reflector element;

[0020] - the reflective element has greater reflectivity, over the range of angles of incidence, for light of polarization P than for light of different polarization;

[0021] - the control device is configured to be turned on automatically when the ignition is switched on in the vehicle and to be automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in the vehicle.

[0022] The present description also relates to a vehicle in which a control device as described above is integrated.

[0023] As an optional addition, the dashboard of the vehicle is devoid of mechanical dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard and digital dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard different from the control device.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings which are:

[0025] [Fig. 1][Fig. 1], a schematic representation of an example of a vehicle interior in which a control device is integrated according to a first integration mode,

[0026] [Fig.2][Fig.2], a schematic representation of an example of a device for control,

[0027] [Fig.3][Fig.3], a schematic representation of another example of a device for control,

[0028] [Fig.4][Fig.4], a schematic representation of an example of a passenger compartment in in which a control device is integrated according to a second integration mode, and

[0029] [Fig.5][Fig.5], a schematic representation of a windshield (visible face of the exterior) of the vehicle according to the second integration mode.

[0030] A vehicle 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0031] In this example, the vehicle 10 comprises, in a passenger compartment 11, a windshield 12, a dashboard 14, pillars 15 and a control device 16.

[0032] The vehicle 10 is, for example, a land, air or naval vehicle. The land vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle ([Fig.l]), a railway vehicle or even a two-wheeler.

[0033] The dashboard 14 is defined as being a surface extending over the entire width of the vehicle 10, below the windshield 12 and above the feet of the driver 18 and, where applicable, of the front passenger.

[0034] The pillars 15 are connected to the windshield 12 and to the roof of the vehicle 10.

[0035] In the integration mode of [Fig.l], the control device 16 is integrated into the dashboard 14 of the vehicle 10. By the term “integrated”, it is understood that the control device 16 is incorporated in a suitable manner into the dashboard 14. Such incorporation has, for example, been carried out during the design of said dashboard 14 (in the industrialization phase of the vehicle 10). The control device 16 is therefore different from a device installed as a second assembly and which would only have been arranged in the vehicle 10 without specific incorporation into the dashboard 14. The control device 16 is capable of displaying control information for the vehicle 10, including all of the dashboard instruments 19 of the vehicle 10.

[0036] The dashboard instruments 19 are indicators or warning lights which inform the driver 18 of a vehicle 10 about the driving parameters (speed, acceleration, temperature, etc.) and the operation of the vehicle 10, in particular of the engine of the vehicle 10. For a motor vehicle, the dashboard indicators comprise, for example, at least one rev counter, a speedometer, a fuel gauge and a coolant temperature indicator.

[0037] Optionally, the control device 16 is also capable of displaying information useful for driving such as navigation (mapping, positions, directions); traffic conditions (traffic jams, roadworks), or more generally driving assistance systems (ADAS for “Advanced Driving Assistant Systems”). Optionally, the control device 16 is also capable of displaying other information such as multimedia services, or information relating to the vehicle's air conditioning.

[0038] Advantageously, the control device 16 is the only element integrated into the vehicle 10 displaying the on-board instruments 19. The vehicle 10 is thus devoid of integrated mechanical on-board instruments or other integrated digital means for displaying the on-board instruments.

[0039] Advantageously, the control device 16 is configured to be automatically switched on when the ignition is switched on in the vehicle 10 (i.e. when the vehicle engine is started) and to be automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in the vehicle 10 (engine is switched off).

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the control device 16 comprises an opaque panel 20, a reflective element 22 and a unit 24 for transmitting control information of the vehicle 10.

[0041] By the term “opaque” is meant zero transparency.

[0042] Preferably, the opaque panel 20 is black, which makes it possible to obtain useful images with better contrast.

[0043] Preferably, the opaque panel 20 is made of glass or plastic. In the case of glass, the glass (for example of the windshield) forming the opaque panel 20 is by example covered with a ceramic providing opacity. In the case of plastic, the plastic forming the opaque panel 20 is for example tinted or covered with a film providing opacity.

[0044] The opaque panel 20 has a useful surface 21 of which at least one part is suitable for being positioned opposite the upper body (torso, head) of a driver 18 in the driving position.

[0045] In an exemplary implementation, the useful surface 21 extends over the entire extent of the dashboard, that is to say also opposite the passenger seat in the case of a motor vehicle. More generally, the useful surface 21 advantageously also has a part which is not opposite the driver in the driving position.

[0046] The useful surface 21 is preferably flat, which makes it possible to reduce aberrations and to obtain a larger observation window than for a concave surface. Alternatively, the or at least a portion of the useful surface 21 is concave.

[0047] The reflective element 22 covers the useful surface 21 of the opaque panel 20.

[0048] The reflective element 22 is at least partially reflective.

[0049] The reflective element 22 is, for example, a coating or treatment (for example obtained by physical deposition or chemical deposition) or a film (for example laminated or held by electrostatic effect).

[0050] The emission unit 24 is capable of emitting at least one light beam in the direction of the reflector element 22 so that the reflection of the light beam by the reflector element 22 forms at least one useful virtual image in an observation window of the driver 18 in the driving position.

[0051] The light beam is, for example, in the visible wavelength range (380 nanometers to 700 nanometers). The useful image thus allows the driver 18 to view control information for the vehicle 10.

[0052] Preferably, the transmission unit 24 comprises at least one screen 40 on which an image is displayed. The at least one useful image is then a virtual image IM of the image displayed on the screen 40. Such a virtual image IM is obtained by reflection of the beam coming from the screen 40 on the reflector element 22 (due to the semi-reflective property of the reflector element 22).

[0053] The screen 40 is, for example, a liquid crystal screen (LCD for “liquid crystal display”).

[0054] Advantageously, the control device 16 is devoid of optics on the path of the light beam between the emission unit 24 and the reflector element 22, which makes it possible to gain in compactness and not to restrict the observation window.

[0055] An example of operation of the control device 16 integrated in the vehicle 10 will now be described.

[0056] Advantageously, the control device 16 is started automatically. when the ignition is switched on in vehicle 10 and is automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in vehicle 10.

[0057] When driving, the transmission unit 24 sends information in the form of a light beam towards the reflector element 22 which then forms a useful image comprising information useful for driving the vehicle 10.

[0058] Thus, the control device 16 allows the display of information useful for driving (control information, navigation information, traffic conditions) without affecting driving safety since the windshield 12 is not masked. Such a control device 16 is compact and easily integrated into the dashboard 14 of the vehicle 10. In addition, such a control device 16 allows the useful image to be observed in a larger, and therefore more comfortable, observation window (eyebox) than for a head-up display.

[0059] Furthermore, due to the opacity of the opaque panel 20, better contrast is obtained for the useful image compared to a transparent panel. It is thus possible to reduce the brightness of the emission unit 24 (for example, going from 12,000 nits, which is the current minimum standard for head-up displays, to 6,000 nits or less, i.e. a reduction by a factor of 2), which facilitates the production of the control device 16, makes it possible to reduce heating, and generates an energy saving compared to a transparent panel.

[0060] In the following, there is described, with reference to [Fig. 3], an embodiment of the control device optionally supplementing the embodiment described previously.

[0061] In this embodiment, the reflector element 22, also called a reflective polarizer, is an element capable of reflecting an incident light beam F! having a given range of wavelengths, as a function of the angle of incidence of the incident beam F, on the reflector element 22 and of the polarization of said incident beam Fb.

[0062] The given range of wavelengths of the incident beam F, belongs, for example, to the visible domain (380 nanometers to 700 nanometers).

[0063] The angle of incidence of the incident beam Fi is the angle between the axis of the beam and the normal N to the reflector element 22 at the point of incidence ?! of the incident beam F, on the reflector element 22. The axis of the incident beam F, and the normal N to the reflector element 22 at the point of incidence ?! define a plane of incidence. In the example illustrated by [Fig.3], the plane of incidence is the plane of the figure. In particular, the reflector element 22 is capable of reflecting the incident beam Fj to form a useful virtual image observable from an observation window (corresponding to a useful beam Fu).

[0064] In the following, a linear polarization contained in the plane of incidence is also called P polarization, and a linear polarization perpendicular to the plane incidence is also called S polarization.

[0065] The reflector element 22 is optimized to reflect P-polarized light.

[0066] Preferably, the reflector element 22 has a greater reflectivity, over a given range of angles of incidence and over the given range of wavelengths, for light of P polarization than for light of different polarization (S polarization, circular, elliptical).

[0067] Alternatively (particularly on an industrial scale), the reflector element 22 has an optimized reflectivity for P-polarized light compared to a reflection on a non-specifically optimized reflector element. On the other hand, the reflectivity of the reflector element 22 remains greater, over a range of angles of incidence and over the given range of wavelengths, for S-polarized light than for P-polarized light.

[0068] Preferably, the reflectivity of the reflector element 22 for light of polarization P, over the range of angles of incidence and over the given range of wavelengths, is greater than or equal to 10 percent, preferably greater than or equal to 15 percent, advantageously greater than or equal to 20 percent, advantageously greater than or equal to 40 percent.

[0069] Advantageously, the reflectivity of the reflector element 22 for light of polarization different from a polarization P, over the range of angles of incidence and over the given range of wavelengths, is less than or equal to 10 percent, preferably less than or equal to 5 percent.

[0070] Advantageously, the range of angles of incidence extends over at least 20 degrees, preferably at least 40 degrees, advantageously at least 60 degrees.

[0071] The reflective element 22 comprises, for example, a stack of dielectric layers.

[0072] The reflector element 22 is, for example, a polarizer having a specific reflectivity for P-polarized light, as described in patent application WO 96 / 19347 A.

[0073] In particular, the reflective element 22 comprises, for example, a multi-layer polymer film comprising layers of a crystalline or semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester, for example, a 2,6-polyethylene naphthalate ("PEN") or a copolymer derived from ethylene glycol, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and certain other acids such as terephthalate ("co-PEN"), with a positive optical coefficient of strain, i.e., upon stretching, its refractive index in the direction of stretching increases, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and layers of a second selected polymer, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") or a co-PEN, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns.

[0074] In another example, the reflective element 22 comprises a multi-layer polymer film comprising layers of a crystalline or semi-crystalline polyester, for example PET, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; and layers of a second selected polymer, for example polyester or polystyrene, having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns; wherein said film has been stretched in at least one direction to at least twice the unstretched dimension of that direction.

[0075] In an exemplary implementation, the reflective element 22 also has at least one coating providing additional optical and / or mechanical properties. The coating is, for example, thermal protection, a neutralizing colorimetric treatment or even an anti-scratch or anti-fog coating.

[0076] The emission unit 24 is capable of emitting an incident light beam on the reflector element 22. The incident beam Fi carries information which is, for example, as described previously.

[0077] The incident beam F! emitted by the emission unit 24 is a beam polarized according to a specific polarization, called the main polarization.

[0078] The main polarization is a rectilinear polarization contained in the plane of incidence, called P polarization. The main polarization is thus different from an S polarization, a circular polarization or an elliptical polarization.

[0079] The wavelengths of the incident beam ?! are in the wavelength range given for the reflector element 22, typically in the visible.

[0080] The emission unit 24 is configured so that the incident beam Fi arrives at the reflector element 22 with an angle of incidence included in the range of angles of incidence defined previously for the reflector element 22.

[0081] The operation of the control device 16 according to this embodiment is similar to that of the general case, the differences in operation residing in the polarization of the beam sent by the emission unit 24, as well as in the optimized reflection of the reflector element 22 for light of polarization P.

[0082] Thus, this specific embodiment has the advantage of being compatible with polarized solar lenses. Such lenses are in fact conventionally configured to transmit only P-polarized light, and reject other types of polarizations. The combination of a specific polarization of the beam sent by the emission unit 24, and the optimized reflection of the reflector element 22, thus makes it possible to optimize the reflection and therefore the visibility of the useful image by polarized solar lenses.

[0083] A second mode of integration of the control device 16 in the vehicle 10 is given with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The second mode of integration has the same characteristics and variants as those of the first mode of integration (illustrated in [Fig.l]) unlike the characteristics below. The second mode of integration is therefore described by difference with the first mode of integration, and identical characteristics are not repeated. In particular, the characteristics described in relation to Figures 2 and 3 also apply here.

[0084] In the second mode of integration, the control device 16 is not integrated into the dashboard 14 of the vehicle 10, but uses elements of the windshield 12.

[0085] In particular, as illustrated in detail in [Fig.5], the windshield 12 comprises a transparent surface 12A and a screen-printed area 12B surrounding the transparent surface 12A.

[0086] The screen-printed area 12B is an opaque area.

[0087] The screen-printed area 12B is typically made of ceramic.

[0088] The screen-printed area 12B comprises a lower part 40, two lateral parts 42 and an upper part 44.

[0089] The lower portion 40 of the screen-printed area 12B comprises a base 50 and a raised portion 52 from the base 50. The base 50 and the raised portion 52 are typically made of one material (and therefore made of the same material).

[0090] The base 50 is typically a strip extending substantially over the width of the transparent surface 12A (therefore over the extent of the windshield 12). The base 50 is conventional for all windshields.

[0091] The raised portion 52 forms the opaque panel 20. In particular, the surface of the raised portion 52 oriented towards the interior of the vehicle 10 forms the useful surface 21 of the opaque panel 20. The raised portion 52 is, thus, a specific feature of this integration mode allowing the display of control information on the windshield 12. The maximum height of the raised portion 52 is typically lower than the standards provided for the opaque bases of the windshields so as not to obstruct the vision of the driver 18.

[0092] Preferably, the raised portion 52 comprises at least one raised zone 60 facing the upper body of a driver 18 in the driving position.

[0093] Preferably, the raised portion 52 comprises a strip 62 projecting from the base 50 and extending over substantially the width of the transparent surface 12A with the exception of the edges 64 which are clear. In other words, the raised portion 52 does not extend over areas of the base 50 adjoining the pillars 15 of the vehicle 10. This makes it possible to clear the visibility of the environment at the level of the pillars 15 of the vehicle 10.

[0094] Preferably, the raised area 60 is a more raised area than the strip 62 and protruding from the strip 62. The raised area 62 allows access to a larger display area at the level of the driver 18.

[0095] Alternatively, the raised portion 52 comprises only the raised zone 60.

[0096] Alternatively, the raised portion 52 has a different design or shape depending on the head-up display desired for the vehicle 10.

[0097] The operation and advantages of the second integration mode are the same as those described previously for the first integration mode and its variants.

[0098] The second integration mode also has the advantage of further optimizing the space in the vehicle, and of simplifying the design of the dashboard which is not modified to integrate the opaque panel 20. Ergonomics and visibility are also improved since the on-board information is displayed directly on the opaque portion of the windshield (therefore in the driver's field of vision and with good contrast).

[0099] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

[0100] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the present description is based on the particular case of motor vehicles, but that the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. The control device is thus adaptable to all types of vehicles, in particular air and naval.

Claims

Claims

1. Control device (16) suitable for being integrated into a vehicle (10) for displaying control information of the vehicle (10), including all of the on-board instruments (19) of the vehicle (10), the control device (16) comprising: a. an opaque panel (20) having a useful surface (21) of which at least a portion is suitable for being positioned opposite the upper body of a driver (18) in the driving position, b. a reflective element (22) covering the useful surface (21) of the opaque panel (20), the reflective element (22) being at least partially reflective, and c. a unit (24) for transmitting control information of the vehicle (10), the transmitting unit (24) being capable of transmitting at least one light beam towards the reflector element (22) so that the reflection of the light beam on the reflector element (22) forms at least one useful image in a driver observation window (18) in the driving position.

2. A control device (16) according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle (10) comprises a windshield (12) comprising a transparent surface (12A) and a screen-printed area (12B) surrounding the transparent surface (12A), the screen-printed area (12B) comprising a lower portion (40) having a base (50) and a raised portion (52) projecting from the base (50), the opaque panel (20) being formed by the raised portion (52).

3. Control device (16) according to claim 2, in which the vehicle (10) comprises pillars (15) connected to the lateral portions (42) of the base (12B) of the windshield (12), the raised portion (52) comprising a strip (62) projecting from the base (50) and extending over substantially the width of the transparent surface (12A) with the exception of the ends of the base (50) of the screen-printed area (12B) which are clear, so as to clear the visibility of the environment at the level of the pillars (15) of the vehicle (10).

4. A control device (16) according to claim 3, wherein the raised portion (52) comprises a raised area (60) more raised than the strip (62) and projecting from the strip (62), the raised area (60) being an area facing the upper body of the driver (18) in the driving position.

5. Control device (16) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (16) is suitable for being integrated into the dashboard (14) of the vehicle (10).

6. Control device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the emission unit (24) is capable of emitting, in the direction of the reflector element (22), a light beam polarized according to a main polarization, called incident beam (FO), the incident beam (FO arriving on the reflector element (22) with an angle of incidence (❖O and defining with the reflector element (22) a plane of incidence, the main polarization being a polarization contained in the plane of incidence, called polarization P, the reflector element (22) being optimized so as to have a greater reflectivity, over a range of angles of incidence including the angle of incidence (❖O, for light of polarization P than a non-optimized reflector element.

7. A monitoring device (16) according to claim 6, wherein the reflective element (22) has greater reflectivity, over the range of angles of incidence, for light of polarization P than for light of different polarization.

8. A control device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device (16) is configured to be automatically switched on when the ignition is switched on in the vehicle (10) and to be automatically switched off when the ignition is switched off in the vehicle (10).

9. Vehicle (10) in which is integrated a control device (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle (10) according to claim 9, wherein the dashboard (14) is devoid of mechanical dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard (14) and digital dashboard instruments integrated into the dashboard (14) different from the control device (16).

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