SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ILLUMINATION OF A SIDE AREA OF A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting system for the side of a vehicle and a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle itself comprising such a lighting system or such a driver assistance system. The invention further relates to a method for illuminating the side of a vehicle and a method for providing driver assistance for a motor vehicle, implemented respectively by the lighting system and the driver assistance system. State of the art

[0002] With the development of autonomous vehicles, it becomes necessary to improve driver assistance in all lighting conditions, particularly to manage various specific driving functions, including: lane keeping, also known by the Anglo-Saxon term "lane keeping", to allow a vehicle to stay in its lane on a road, in particular by detecting and signaling to the driver any deviation from the trajectory;Lane centering, also known as lane centering, complements the previous function and more specifically allows the vehicle to autonomously maintain itself in the center of its lane; lane changing, also known as lane changing, allows a vehicle to change lanes, for example, to overtake; emergency braking, also known as automated emergency braking (AEB); emergency avoidance maneuver, also known as automated emergency steering (AES), allows the vehicle to avoid an obstacle in its lane; parking assistance; and autonomous parking.

[0003] In these various functions, the assistance system needs to receive input information, including the detection of road markings, such as lane lines, and / or the presence of any obstacles on the road. This detection must be possible under all conditions, particularly at night.

[0004] As a note, the existing lighting on a vehicle allows the road in front of the vehicle to be illuminated from a distance of two meters on its own lane and five meters on the adjacent lanes.

[0005] However, lighting the side of the vehicle is more challenging because the lights must cover an entire rectangular area adjacent to the vehicle, extending from a few centimeters away to several meters and stretching for a length of about ten meters. The angular extent of this area makes it very difficult to illuminate the entire surface evenly.

[0006] These constraints mean that it is currently difficult, or even impossible, to detect certain road markings or obstacles near a vehicle, particularly in lateral areas, which makes it impossible to offer an assistance system fulfilling the aforementioned functions necessary for an autonomous vehicle.

[0007] An example of an earlier document is US 2008 / 122597 A1 (ENGLANDER BENJAMIN [US]) May 29, 2008 (2008-05-29) Object of the invention

[0008] The invention is defined by the attached claims. The object of the invention is to provide a system and method for lighting a lateral region of a vehicle which remedies the above drawbacks and improves the driver assistance systems and methods of a motor vehicle, enabling it in particular to perform the assistance functions explained above, in order to be suitable for assisting an autonomous vehicle.

[0009] In addition, the aim of the invention is to provide a simple, cost-effective and reliable lighting and driving assistance solution for a motor vehicle.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a lighting system for a lateral region of a vehicle, comprising a first rear light module capable of emitting a first beam of light and a second front light module capable of emitting a second beam of light. The first and second light modules are arranged so that their respective light beams are directed towards each other.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first light beam is oriented along a first principal emission axis, and the second light beam is oriented along a second principal emission axis. The projections onto a horizontal plane of the first principal emission axis and the second principal emission axis are intersecting.

[0012] In one embodiment, the two light modules are arranged so that their light beams are able to cross in an overlap zone, delimited by a crossing point located at a distance from the vehicle of between 50 cm and 5 m.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first light module and the second light module are arranged at a distance greater than 15 cm from each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first light module and / or the second light module includes at least one infrared light source, preferably near-infrared.

[0015] The invention also relates to a vehicle driving assistance system comprising a lighting system according to the invention and at least one image capture device such as a camera.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a lighting system according to the invention or a vehicle driving assistance system according to the invention.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first light module is arranged on a rear part of the vehicle and the second light module is arranged on a front part of the vehicle, and in which the first main emission axis is oriented towards the front part of the vehicle and the second main emission axis is oriented towards the rear part of the vehicle.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first light module and / or the second light module is placed on a lower part of the vehicle, preferably at a distance from the ground of between 20 cm and 50 cm.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vehicle further includes an image-capturing device arranged to capture an image of a lateral region of the vehicle.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for illuminating a lateral region of a vehicle. This lighting method comprises a step of emitting a first beam of light from a first rear light module and a step of emitting a second beam of light from a second front light module. The two beams of light are directed towards each other.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of assisting the driving of a vehicle, comprising the implementation of a lighting method according to the invention, and a step of capturing an image of a lateral region of a vehicle illuminated by at least one of the two light beams. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the accompanying figures, among which: There figure 1 schematically represents, in top view, a vehicle equipped with a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. figure 2 represents the vehicle equipped with the lighting system according to the embodiment of the invention, in which only the lighting of the first light module is illuminated. figure 3 represents the vehicle equipped with the lighting system according to the embodiment of the invention, in which only the lighting of the second light module is illuminated. figure 4 represents the main emission axes of the two light modules of the lighting system according to the embodiment of the invention. figure 5represents a side view of a vehicle equipped with a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. figure 6 represents a top view of a vehicle and the lateral region of the vehicle to be illuminated according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0023] For ease of description, we will conventionally refer to the longitudinal direction as the direction extending from the rear to the front of a vehicle, that is, the direction in which a vehicle moves forward. This direction is illustrated by an arrow A in the figures. We will refer to the transverse direction as the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in a horizontal plane defined by the plane on which the vehicle rests. Finally, we will refer to the vertical direction as the direction perpendicular to the two preceding directions, oriented upwards.

[0024] An example of vehicle 2 equipped with a side-area lighting system according to one embodiment is described below with reference to figures 1 to 6 The vehicle 2 is preferably a motor vehicle such as a car or a truck. It comprises a side panel 21. It is equipped with a lighting system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention which allows illumination of a lateral region 5 of the vehicle, adjacent to or near this side panel 21. As illustrated in the figure 6 This lateral region 5 of vehicle 2 can be defined as a rectangular surface adjacent to the vehicle or located at a distance less than or equal to 10 cm, preferably less than or equal to 5 cm. Lateral region 5 is preferably a ground surface, that is, a portion of the horizontal surface on which vehicle 2 rests. As illustrated in the figure 6, the lateral region 5 to be illuminated can extend over a length of approximately 20 m and over a width of approximately 5 m.

[0025] The lighting system 1 comprises a first rear light module 3 and a second front light module 4. The light emitted by the light modules 3 and 4 can be visible or infrared light. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye, thus allowing the light modules 3 and 4 to emit a beam that complies with current regulations. Preferably, the light emitted by the light modules 3 and 4 can be light whose radiation covers the near-infrared wavelengths. Indeed, near-infrared is advantageous because, in addition to allowing the formation of a beam invisible to the human eye and therefore compliant with current regulations, the sensors commonly used to detect visible light are also sensitive to near-infrared light, whereas they are not sensitive to other infrared radiation.The emission of near-infrared light thus eliminates the need for a sensor specifically designed to capture infrared light. Near-infrared refers to radiation with a wavelength between 0.7 µm and 2.5 µm or between 0.7 µm and 1.1 µm.

[0026] Light modules 3, 4 are arranged to illuminate the lateral region 5 of vehicle 2. Light modules 3, 4 are arranged to illuminate the ground.

[0027] As illustrated on the figure 2The first light module 3 emits a first beam of light 7 along a first principal emission axis 8. This first beam of light 7 is substantially contained within a conical volume with the axis of the first principal emission axis 8. The ground surface illuminated by the first light module 3 is represented by the hatched area. Note that the first beam of light 7 cannot reach the ground for the first few centimeters due to the vertical emission angle of the beam and the height of the first light module 3.

[0028] The "vertical emission angle" refers to the angle at which the beam is opened up on a vertical plane. In contrast, the "horizontal emission angle" refers to the angle at which the beam is opened up on a horizontal plane.

[0029] As illustrated on the figure 3The second light module 4 emits a second light beam 9 along a second principal emission axis 10. This second light beam 9 is substantially contained within a conical volume with the axis of the second principal emission axis 10. The ground surface illuminated by the second light module 4 is represented by the hatched area.

[0030] A light beam should be understood as a collection of light rays all originating from the same source or point. The principal axis of emission is an axis passing through the source of the light beam and along which the light intensity from the source is greatest. As mentioned previously, all the light rays in the beam are essentially contained within a conical volume formed around the principal axis of emission.

[0031] According to the embodiment of the invention, the first light beam 7 of the first rear light module 3 is directed forwards. The second light beam 9 of the second front light module 4 is directed backwards. The two light beams 7 and 9 are thus directed towards each other. Consequently, the two light beams 7 and 9 intersect, particularly near the vehicle; that is, at least a portion of the light rays of each beam intersect, so that the two light beams 7 and 9 overlap in an overlap zone 12 located between the two light modules. In its horizontal projection onto the road surface, this overlap zone 12 has a triangular shape, delimited by an intersection point 11, which is the point in said overlap zone 12 furthest from the vehicle 2.

[0032] In other words, the principal emission axes 8, 10 are oriented towards each other. They intersect such that the first beam 7 is directed towards the second module 4 and vice versa. The first principal emission axis 8 and the second principal emission axis 10 are therefore intersecting, in the embodiment in which the two lighting modules 3, 4 have the same height in the vertical direction. If these two lighting modules 3, 4 have different heights or different orientations in the vertical direction, their principal emission axes 8, 10 are at different heights, but their projection onto a horizontal plane intersects, as is particularly represented by the figure 4 .

[0033] The first light module 3 and the second light module 4 are arranged so that the previously defined crossing point 11 is located near a lateral side 21. The distance d between said crossing point 11 and the lateral side 21 of the vehicle 2 is preferably between 50 cm and 5 m, and most preferably between 4 m and 5 m. This distance advantageously corresponds at least to the side of the lateral region 5 parallel to the vehicle and furthest from the vehicle, so as to cover the entire lateral region 5, as illustrated by the figure 1 As illustrated on the figure 4 , the first main emission axis 8 and the second main emission axis 10 (or their projection onto a horizontal plane) intersect at a meeting point 13. The distance m between said meeting point 13 and the lateral side 21 of the vehicle 2 is preferably between 25 cm and 2 m, very preferably between 50 cm and 1 m.

[0034] In one embodiment, the first main emission axis 8 forms an angle α with the lateral side 21 of the vehicle 2 between 15° and 35°, preferably between 20° and 25°.

[0035] In one embodiment, the second main emission axis 10 forms an angle β with the lateral side 21 of the vehicle 2 between 165° and 145°, preferably between 160° and 155°.

[0036] The first light module 3 and the second light module 4 can be separated by a distance greater than 15 cm, preferably by a distance between 15 cm and 4.5 m. This distance between the two light modules advantageously allows optimal illumination of the part of the lateral region 5 of the vehicle 2 located between the two light modules, as well as the parts of the lateral region located towards the front and rear of the vehicle 2.

[0037] The first light module 3 and the second light module 4 can be positioned on the lower part of the vehicle, i.e., closer to the ground. The distance between the ground and the first light module 3 and / or the second light module 4 is preferably between 20 cm and 50 cm.

[0038] This low ground position reduces the distance between the light module and the first point of the beam to reach the ground. This makes it possible to use light modules with a reduced vertical beam angle.

[0039] As is apparent from the figure 1The light modules are arranged so that their beams cover the entire lateral region 5. This arrangement of the first light module 3 and the second light module 4 advantageously illuminates the portion of the vehicle's lateral region 5 located between the two light modules. It also illuminates the periphery of this portion of the lateral region 5, particularly the peripheral area facing the side 21 of the vehicle 2. The entire surface of the lateral region 5 of the vehicle 2 is thus illuminated at a minimum intensity.

[0040] Preferably, the light modules 3, 4 are arranged so that the beams each include at least one light ray parallel to the lateral side 21 of the vehicle.

[0041] As illustrated on the figure 1This arrangement advantageously allows the first light module 3 to illuminate the area of ​​the ground near the second light module 4, which is close to the side 21 of the vehicle. As explained previously, this area is not illuminated by the second light module due to the vertical emission angle of the second light beam 9 and the height of the second light module 4.

[0042] Similarly, the second light module 4 illuminates the part of the ground near the first light module 3, which is close to the side 21 of the vehicle. A beam of light from the first light module 3, parallel to the side 21 of the vehicle, illuminates the ground surface under the second light module 4, and vice versa.

[0043] The invention thus advantageously allows the use of light modules with a reduced horizontal emission angle while illuminating the entire lateral region 5, including the portion closest to the light modules 3,4.

[0044] In one embodiment, the horizontal emission angle of the first light module 3 and / or the second light module 4 is equal to 70° or between 65° and 75°. The crossing of the light modules advantageously reduces their horizontal emission angle.

[0045] Note that with light modules whose main emission axes are oriented parallel and perpendicular to the side 21, the portions of the vehicle's side furthest from the modules would be insufficiently illuminated. Such an arrangement would require light modules with a horizontal emission angle of at least 180°, which would be more expensive and more difficult to manufacture.

[0046] Also noteworthy is that with two light modules placed side by side and not crossed, the horizontal emission angle of the light modules should be at least equal to 90°.

[0047] The light modules 3 and 4 can be positioned in a recess in the vehicle body. Indeed, since the invention advantageously allows the surface near one light module to be illuminated by the other module, it is possible to move the light module back to protect it from impacts without affecting the lighting of the portion of the lateral region 5 closest to the side 21 of the vehicle.

[0048] The invention also relates to an assistance system comprising a lighting system according to the embodiment of the invention. This assistance system further includes at least one image-capturing device 6, such as a camera. The image-capturing device 6 is arranged to capture an image or video of the lateral region 5 of the vehicle 2 illuminated by the lighting system 1. In particular, it allows for capturing images of the ground near the vehicle, such as information on obstacles and road markings, both day and night.

[0049] The driver assistance system also includes a central unit, which may consist of any hardware and / or software component of an intelligent management unit, comprising at least one computer, for example, one or more microprocessors, for implementing a driver assistance process. This central unit may be located anywhere in the motor vehicle, for example, integrated into the vehicle's on-board computer. Alternatively, it may be located within an image capture device. The driver assistance system thus includes a device for detecting markings and / or any road surface element, formed by the combination of at least one image capture device and an image processing unit.

[0050] The assistance system also includes communication means connecting the camera(s) to the central unit, so as to receive the camera images. The central unit includes image processing software to derive the information necessary for driver assistance. Thus, the assistance system more generally includes a device for detecting road markings and / or obstacles and / or any element in a lateral area of ​​the vehicle. The assistance system further includes communication means connecting the central unit to the lighting modules and to at least one image capture device 6, to control, activate, and / or deactivate them.

[0051] The invention also relates to a vehicle 2, in particular a motor vehicle comprising such a lighting system 1 and such an assistance system. For this purpose, the vehicle 2 comprises at least a first light module 3 and a second light module 4, as described above. These light modules are preferably arranged on or near a side 21 of the vehicle.

[0052] The invention also relates to a method of lighting a lateral region 5 of a vehicle 2.

[0053] An embodiment of the method for lighting a lateral region 5 of a vehicle 2 is described below.

[0054] The process includes a first step of emitting a first light beam 7 by a first light module 3 arranged on a rear part of said vehicle 2 along a first main emission axis 8.

[0055] The process includes a second step of emitting a second light beam 9 by a second light module 4 disposed on a front part of said vehicle 2 along a second main axis.

[0056] The two light beams 7, 9 are directed towards each other, as detailed previously.

[0057] The first and second steps are preferably executed simultaneously.

[0058] In addition, the assistance system implements a driving assistance method, which includes a first step of emitting specific lighting, using the light beam(s) described previously, according to the lighting method described. The assistance method also includes a step of capturing an image of a lateral region 5 of a vehicle 2.

[0059] The image capture step is performed during the emission of the first light beam 7 and / or the second light beam 9.

[0060] This process advantageously allows the production of an image of the lateral area 5 of the vehicle 2 whose entire surface is illuminated with sufficient intensity for the detection of a marking or obstacle or a change in the structure of the lane.

Claims

1. Lighting system (1) of a lateral region (5) of a vehicle (2), comprising a first rear light module (3) capable of emitting a first light beam (7) and a second front light module (4) capable of emitting a second light beam (9), the first and second light modules (3, 4) being arranged so that their respective light beams (7, 9) are oriented toward each other, the two light modules (3, 4) being arranged so that their light beams (7, 9) are capable of crossing in an overlap zone (12), delimited by a crossing point (11) located at a distance (d) from the vehicle (2) between 50 cm and 5 m, the first and second light modules (3, 4) being arranged so that the respective beams (7, 9) each comprise at least one light ray parallel to the lateral side (21) of the vehicle (2), characterized in that in the horizontal projection on the road plane (30), the overlap zone (12) has a triangular shape, delimited by the crossing point (11) as the point of said overlap zone (12) furthest from the vehicle (2).

2. Lighting system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first light beam (7) is oriented along a first main emission axis (8), in that the second light beam (9) is oriented along a second main emission axis (10), and in that the projections on a horizontal plane of the first main emission axis (8) and the second main emission axis (10) are intersecting.

3. Lighting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first light module (3) and the second light module (4) are disposed at a distance from each other greater than 15 cm.

4. Lighting system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first light module (3) and / or the second light module (4) comprises at least one infrared light source, preferentially near infrared.

5. Driving assistance system of a vehicle characterized in that it comprises a lighting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one image capturing device (6) such as a photo camera or a video camera.

6. Vehicle (2), particularly a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a lighting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 or a driving assistance system of a vehicle according to the preceding claim.

7. Vehicle (2) according to the preceding claim in which the first light module (3) is arranged on a rear part of the vehicle (2) and the second light module (4) is arranged on a front part of the vehicle (2), and in which the first main emission axis (8) is oriented toward the front part of the vehicle (2) and the second main emission axis (10) is oriented toward the rear part of the vehicle (2).

8. Vehicle according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the first light module (3) and / or the second light module (4) is arranged on a lower part of the vehicle, preferentially at a distance from the ground between 20 cm and 50 cm.

9. Vehicle (2) according to one of claims 6 to 8 further comprising an image capturing device (6) arranged to take an image of a lateral region (5) of the vehicle (2).

10. Method for lighting a lateral region (5) of a vehicle (2), comprising the following steps: - emission of a first light beam (7) by a first rear light module (3); - emission of a second light beam (9) by a second front light module (4), the two light beams (7, 9) being oriented toward each other, the two light modules (3, 4) being arranged so that their light beams (7, 9) are capable of crossing in an overlap zone (12), delimited by a crossing point (11) located at a distance (d) from the vehicle (2) between 50 cm and 5 m, the first and second light modules (3, 4) being arranged so that the respective beams (7, 9) each comprise at least one light ray parallel to the lateral side (21) of the vehicle (2), characterized in that in the horizontal projection on the road plane (30), the overlap zone (12) has a triangular shape, delimited by the crossing point (11) as the point of said overlap zone (12) furthest from the vehicle (2).

11. Method for driving assistance of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises implementing a lighting method according to the preceding claim, and a step of capturing an image of a lateral region (5) of a vehicle (2) illuminated by at least one of the two light beams (7, 9).