INTEGRATED DEVICE AGAINST MOBILITY DISCOMFORT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for combating motion sickness integrated into a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle equipped with said device.

[0002] A common problem experienced by people traveling in vehicles, airplanes, or boats is motion sickness, also known as motion sickness. Motion sickness is caused by a mismatch between the sensations felt in the vestibular system of the inner ear and those experienced by other senses, such as a person's visual perceptions. Balance receptors in the inner ear are sensitive to gravity (e.g., changes in orientation), speed, and changes in velocity (accelerations) occurring during vehicle movement. When the sensations felt by the inner ear do not match the visual signals perceived by the person, the result is often motion sickness, which can include nausea and headaches.

[0003] For example, a passenger traveling on a winding road in a car experiences linear and angular accelerations each time the vehicle moves around a curve. The vestibular sensing system's response to the acceleration caused by the vehicle's motion will not match visual perception unless the person continually looks at the road, so that their inner ear's perception matches the vehicle's visually perceived trajectory around curves. For this reason, the driver of a vehicle does not usually suffer from motion sickness, while vehicle passengers may. This is because the driver is constantly monitoring the road and visually perceiving the vehicle's motion, so visual perceptions match the inner ear's senses.Conversely, vehicle passengers who read or only look inside the vehicle or who perform other activities that prevent them from monitoring the road will have a visual perception that does not match that of their inner ear.

[0004] To avoid motion sickness, one solution is for the passenger to monitor the road as if they were driving the vehicle, so that the visual information they receive corresponds more closely to the sensations of their vestibular system. However, when sitting in the rear of the vehicle, they usually only see part of the road. The actual movement of the passenger perceived by the inner hearing apparatus of the vestibular ear cannot therefore be easily associated with the visual perception of this movement. Motion sickness cannot therefore be avoided in this case.

[0005] Another solution to motion sickness, described in US 2019 / 0083739, consists of using light markers in the interior pillars of a vehicle passenger compartment, said light markers forming light columns on each side of the passenger compartment. The height of the light columns is controlled by electronic control means so as to create an artificial horizon corresponding to the perception of the inner ear of a passenger seated in the vehicle. This solution, however, has the disadvantage of defining an artificial horizon that does not take into account the size of the passengers and their position in the passenger compartment. Thus, in this known solution, a young child may have difficulty seeing the artificial horizon if it is positioned above his eyes.Similarly, a tall person will have difficulty seeing the artificial horizon if their eyes are above the highest light markers of the light columns. Furthermore, this known solution only allows for the creation of a single artificial horizon in the passenger compartment. However, in the case where two people of different sizes are sitting side by side in the rear of the vehicle, it would be desirable to define two artificial horizons at two different heights, each of the artificial horizons being specifically assigned to one of the people. Other known solutions to motion sickness have been described in documents DE 10 2007 207 788 A and DE 10 2006 009 566 A. In these solutions, a control unit is capable of receiving signals emitted by sensors and of controlling display means to form one or more artificial horizon lines.However, these solutions have the disadvantage of not allowing sufficiently reliable detection of the vehicle's orientation. It is also known from the Wikipedia document "Accelerometer" that a triaxial accelerometer can be used to detect changes in the orientation of a vehicle.

[0006] The invention therefore aims to propose a device intended to combat motion sickness integrated into a motor vehicle and not having the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an anti-kinetosis device equipping a motor vehicle, the anti-kinetosis device comprising: a triaxial accelerometer configured to detect the accelerations of the vehicle along 3 axes and to emit a corresponding acceleration signal; means for displaying luminous markers capable of forming at least a first artificial horizon line at a first interior surface of the motor vehicle and at least a second artificial horizon line at a second interior surface of the motor vehicle, said first and second artificial horizon lines being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other; a control unit capable of receiving the acceleration signals emitted by the accelerometer and of controlling said display means such that the first and second artificial horizon lines are aligned in a horizontal plane, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the gravitation vector, whatever the accelerations of the vehicle,the position of said horizontal plane along a direction parallel to the gravitation vector being able to vary as a function of a physical parameter linked to the person seated in the motor vehicle by being positioned just next to the first interior surface and just opposite the second interior surface, in which the display means are capable of emitting at least two light beams of rectilinear shape, respectively a first light beam projected onto the first interior surface and forming the first artificial horizon line, and a second light beam projected onto the second interior surface and forming the second artificial horizon line, and in which the display means comprise at least one light source emitting a main light beam, and means for separating and deflecting said main light beam into two secondary light beams.

[0008] Thus configured, the anti-motion sickness device of the invention makes it possible to eliminate motion sickness by displaying two artificial horizon lines, respectively one in front of a person seated in the vehicle and the other next to said person, said lines being aligned in a horizontal plane. The device also makes it possible to vary the height of the lines according to a physical parameter linked to the person.

[0009] The device of the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics: the physical parameter is the size of the person, in a seated position in the vehicle. the control unit is capable of modifying the position of the horizontal plane defined by the first and second artificial horizon lines in response to a command entered manually by one of the occupants of the vehicle by means of a control interface. the control interface is integrated into the dashboard of the vehicle. the control interface is integrated into a central pillar of the vehicle. the control interface comprises an external surface functionally linked to capacitive type detection means, said detection means being capable of detecting the contact of a finger on said external surface and of transmitting a corresponding signal to the control unit.the control unit is capable of automatically modifying the position of the horizontal plane defined by the first and second artificial horizon lines in response to a signal emitted by a sensor configured to detect at least one physical parameter, in particular the position of the eyes, of the person seated just next to the first interior surface and just in front of the second interior surface. the sensor is chosen from a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radiofrequency sensor and a weight measurement sensor positioned in one of the seats of the vehicle. the separation and deflection means comprise a prism intended to separate the light beam into two secondary light beams and a combination of mirrors and / or lenses intended to modify the trajectory of said secondary light beams. the light source is a laser.

[0010] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with the anti-kinetosis device as defined above.

[0011] In a particular configuration of the invention, the vehicle comprises at least one central upright, said central upright supporting the display means, said display means being configured to project the first light beam onto a rear side window or a rear door panel of the vehicle and to project the second light beam onto an interior surface of the passenger compartment arranged substantially perpendicular to said window or said door panel, for example the backrest of one of the front seats of the vehicle.

[0012] In another particular configuration of the invention, the display means are movable along the central upright so as to allow adjustment of the height of the artificial horizon lines relative to a fixed horizontal plane.

[0013] The invention also relates to a method for displaying luminous markers intended to combat motion sickness, comprising the following steps: detection of the accelerations of a motor vehicle along 3 axes and sending corresponding signals to a control unit; detection of a physical parameter linked to the person seated in the motor vehicle and sending a corresponding signal to the control unit; control by the control unit of means for displaying luminous markers capable of forming at least a first artificial horizon line at a first interior surface of the motor vehicle and at least a second artificial horizon line at a second interior surface of the motor vehicle, said first and second artificial horizon lines being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, such that the first and second artificial horizon lines are aligned in a horizontal plane, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, whatever the accelerations of the vehicle,the position of said horizontal plane along a direction parallel to the gravitation vector being able to vary according to the physical parameter detected, in which the display means are capable of emitting at least two light beams of rectilinear shape, respectively a first light beam projected onto the first interior surface and forming the first artificial horizon line, and a second light beam projected onto the second interior surface and forming the second artificial horizon line, and in which the display means comprise at least one light source emitting a main light beam, and means for separating and deflecting said main light beam into two secondary light beams.

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge clearly from the following description of two particular embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view from the rear of the passenger compartment of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention and according to a first mode of operation of the anti-motion sickness device, the vehicle not being subjected to any acceleration; [ Fig. 1a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 1 ; [ Fig. 1b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 1 ; [ Fig. 2 ] is a view similar to the fig. 1 , in a second mode of operation of the anti-kinetosis device; [ Fig. 2a ] is a view similar to the fig. 2 , in which a first example of a command interface is shown; [ Fig. 2b ] is a view similar to the fig. 2 , in which a second example of a command interface is shown; [ Fig. 2c ] is a perspective view from the front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle shown in the fig. 1 , in which an example of a sensor is shown; [ Fig. 3 ] is a view similar to the fig. 1 , the vehicle being subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis; [ Fig. 3a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 3 ; [ Fig. 3b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 3 ; [ Fig. 4 ] is a view similar to the fig. 1 , the vehicle being subjected to an acceleration along the X axis; [ Fig. 4a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 4 ; [ Fig. 4b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 4 ; [ Fig. 5 ] is a view similar to the fig. 1 , the vehicle being subjected to acceleration along the X axis and along the Y axis; [ Fig. 5a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 5 ; [ Fig. 5b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 5 ; [ Fig. 6 ] is a view similar to the fig. 1 , the vehicle being subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis; [ Fig. 6a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 6 ; [ Fig. 6b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 6 ; [ Fig. 7 ] is a perspective view of the passenger compartment of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention, the vehicle not being subjected to any acceleration; [ Fig. 7a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 7 ; [ Fig. 7b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 7 ; [ Fig. 8 ] is a view similar to the fig. 7 , the vehicle being subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis; [ Fig. 8a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 8 ; [ Fig. 8b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 8 ; [ Fig. 9 ] is a view similar to the fig. 7 , the vehicle being subjected to an acceleration along the X axis; [ Fig. 9a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 9 ; [ Fig. 9b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 9 ; [ Fig. 10 ] is a view similar to the fig. 7 , the vehicle being subjected to acceleration along the X axis and along the Y axis; [ Fig. 10a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 10 ; [ Fig. 10b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 10 ; [ Fig. 11 ] is a view similar to the fig. 7 , the vehicle being subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis; [ Fig. 11a ] is a rear view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 11 ; [ Fig. 11b ] is a side view of the vehicle shown in the fig. 11 .

[0015] In the remainder of this description, and with reference to the Cartesian reference system XYZ represented on the figs 1 And 7 , the terms "longitudinal direction" will be used for a direction along the X axis, "transverse direction" for a direction along the Y axis and "vertical direction" for a direction along the Z axis. Furthermore, by convention, the term "front" will be used to indicate an orientation directed towards the front of the vehicle and the term "rear" will be used to indicate an orientation directed towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0016] In reference to the fig. 1 , there is shown a passenger compartment of a vehicle 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a first lighting column 12 oriented vertically is supported by a central pillar 11 of the vehicle and is arranged on the left side relative to the field of vision of a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle, and a second lighting column 12' oriented vertically is supported by another central pillar 11' of the vehicle and is arranged on the right side relative to the field of vision of a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle. Each lighting column 12, 12' comprises at least one light source configured to project a first rectilinear light beam onto a rear side window or a rear door panel 13 of the vehicle and to project a second rectilinear light beam onto the backrest of one of the front seats 15 or 15' of the vehicle.The first light beam emitted by the first lighting column 12 is projected onto the rear side window or the rear door panel 13 directly adjacent to the first lighting column 12 along a first line 14, hereinafter referred to as the first artificial horizon line, and the second light beam emitted by the first lighting column 12 is projected onto the back of the front seat 15 directly adjacent to the first lighting column 12 along a second line 16, hereinafter referred to as the second artificial horizon line.Similarly, the first light beam emitted by the second lighting column 12' projects onto the rear side window or rear door panel (not shown) directly adjacent to the second lighting column 12' along a first line 14', hereinafter referred to as the first artificial horizon line, and the second light beam emitted by the second lighting column 12' projects onto the front seatback 15' directly adjacent to the second lighting column 12' along a second line 16', hereinafter referred to as the second artificial horizon line. In this configuration, the first and second artificial horizon lines are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0017] By appropriately controlling the light source(s), it is thus possible to align the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' in a horizontal plane A which is always perpendicular to the gravitation vector. Thus, a person sitting next to the rear side window 13 and behind the front seat 15 and staring at said artificial horizon lines 14, 16 will have the same visual sensations as the driver looking at the road: he will therefore no longer be subject to motion sickness.To achieve this result, the vehicle 10 is advantageously equipped with a triaxial accelerometer configured to detect the accelerations of the vehicle along the 3 axes X, Y and Z and to emit corresponding acceleration signals, and a control unit capable of receiving the acceleration signals emitted by the accelerometer and of controlling the light source(s) in such a way that the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' are aligned in a horizontal plane A, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, whatever the accelerations of the vehicle.

[0018] THE figs 1, 1a, 1b , 3 à 6, 3a à 6a et 3b à 6b illustrate several possible driving conditions and the corresponding operation of the anti-motion sickness device fitted to the vehicle of the invention.

[0019] Thus, in the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a flat road, as shown in the figs 1a et 1b , it is not subject in principle to any acceleration. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' is parallel to the floor P of the vehicle.

[0020] In the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a road inclined to the left relative to a fixed horizontal plane H, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, as shown in the figs 3a et 3b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light sources of the first and second lighting columns 12, 12' so as to align the light beams emitted by said light sources with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the level of the Y axis, as shown in the fig. 3 .

[0021] In the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a road inclined downwards relative to a fixed horizontal plane H, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, as shown in the figs 4a et 4b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the X axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light sources of the first and second lighting columns 12, 12' so as to align the light beams emitted by said light sources with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the X axis, as shown in the fig. 4 .

[0022] In the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a road inclined to the left and downwards relative to a fixed horizontal plane H, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, as shown in the figs 5a et 5b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the X axis and along the Y axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light sources of the first and second lighting columns 12, 12' so as to align the light beams emitted by said light sources with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the X and Y axes, as shown in the fig. 5 .

[0023] In the case where vehicle 10 is traveling on a level road and makes a left turn, as shown in the figs 6a et 6b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light sources of the first and second lighting columns 12, 12' so as to align the light beams emitted by said light sources with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the level of the Y axis, as shown in the fig. 6 .

[0024] The light beams of each of the lighting columns 12, 12' may be generated by two separate light sources, or by a single light source emitting a main light beam, said main light beam being subsequently separated and deflected into two secondary light beams by separation and deflection means. Said separation and deflection means may, for example, consist of a prism intended to separate the light beam into two secondary light beams and a combination of mirrors and / or lenses intended to modify the trajectory of said secondary light beams.

[0025] The light source(s) may advantageously move along each of the lighting columns 12, 12' so as to modify the height of the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 and 14', 16' relative to a fixed horizontal plane. Thus, and as shown in the fig. 2 , the position of the light source(s) along the first lighting column 12 may for example be higher than the position of the light source(s) along the second lighting column 12'. This configuration is particularly suitable in the case where the person sitting in the left rear seat 17 is taller than the person sitting in the right rear seat 17'. This modification of the position of the light source(s) along the lighting column 12, 12' may be done using movement means controlled by the control unit and in response to a command entered manually by one of the occupants of the vehicle by means of a control interface 19, which may be integrated for example in the dashboard 18, as illustrated in the fig. 2a , or in the central pillar(s) 11, 11' of the vehicle, as illustrated in the fig. 2b . A control interface usable at this level may comprise an external surface functionally linked to capacitive type detection means, said detection means being capable of detecting the contact of a finger on said external surface and of transmitting a corresponding signal to the control unit. In another possible configuration, the movement of the light source(s) along one of the lighting columns 12, 12' may be carried out automatically in response to a signal emitted by a sensor configured to detect at least one physical parameter, in particular the size or position of the eyes, of the person seated closest to the lighting column. The sensor may for example be a camera 21, as shown in the fig. 2c , an ultrasonic sensor, a radio frequency sensor or a weight measurement sensor integrated into one of the vehicle's seats.

[0026] In reference to the fig. 7 , there is shown a passenger compartment of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the anti-kinetosis device comprises at least three vertically oriented light columns, respectively a first light column 12 which is supported by a central pillar 11 of the vehicle and which is arranged on the left side with respect to the field of vision of a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle, a second light column 12' which is supported by another central pillar 11' of the vehicle and which is arranged on the right side with respect to the field of vision of a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle, and a third light column 12" which is supported by a side pillar 11" forming part of a rear side window or a rear door panel 13 and on the left side with respect to the field of vision of a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle.Each light column 12, 12', 12" is formed from a plurality of light points aligned in the vertical direction, each of the light points being capable of emitting light in an activated state and not emitting light in a deactivated state. Thus, a first artificial horizon line 14 is formed by the virtual straight line passing through the highest activated light points 17 and 17" on the first and third light columns 12, 12" respectively, and a second artificial horizon line 16 is formed by the virtual straight line passing through the highest activated light points 17 and 17' on the first and second light columns 12, 12' respectively. In this configuration, the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other.In an advantageous variant of the invention, each of the light columns 12, 12' and 12" may comprise, for example, a linear array of vertically aligned light-emitting diodes, each of the light-emitting diodes forming one of the light points of the light columns. In another configuration of the invention, the light points may be activated starting from the top of each light column. In this case, the first artificial horizon line 14 will be formed by the virtual straight line passing through the lowest activated light points on the first and third light columns 12, 12" respectively, and the second artificial horizon line 16 will be formed by the virtual straight line passing through the lowest activated light points on the first and second light columns 12, 12' respectively.Furthermore, the vehicle 10 may advantageously comprise a fourth light column (not shown) which will be supported by a side pillar forming part of a rear side window or a rear door panel and on the right side relative to the field of vision of a passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle, said fourth light column making it possible to define, in combination with the second light column 12', a third artificial horizon line 14' on the right side of the vehicle.

[0027] By appropriately controlling the light-emitting diodes of the first, second and third light columns 12, 12' and 12", it is thus possible to align the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 in a horizontal plane A which is always perpendicular to the gravitation vector. Thus, a person sitting next to a rear side window or a rear side door panel 13 and behind the front seat 15 and staring at said artificial horizon lines 14, 16 will have the same visual sensations as the driver looking at the road: he will therefore no longer be subject to motion sickness. As in the embodiment of the fig. 1 , the control of the light-emitting diodes is carried out by means of a triaxial accelerometer and a control unit capable of receiving the acceleration signals emitted by the accelerometer. The control unit will also be able to control the height of the highest or lowest light points, depending on a physical parameter linked to the person sitting on one of the rear seats. In particular, a sensor arranged inside the passenger compartment may be configured to detect at least one physical parameter, in particular the size or position of the eyes, of the person sitting on one of the rear seats and transmit the corresponding information to the control unit.In response to the information transmitted by the sensor, the control unit is able to modify the height of the highest or lowest light point of each of the light columns so as to align it, for example with the position of the eyes of the person sitting in the back, which has been previously detected by the sensor.

[0028] THE figs 7 à 11, 7a à 11a et 7b à 11b illustrate several possible driving conditions and the corresponding operation of the anti-motion sickness device of the invention fitted to the vehicle.

[0029] Thus, in the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a flat road, as shown in the figs 7a et 7b , it is not subject in principle to any acceleration. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines 14, 16 is parallel to the floor P of the vehicle.

[0030] In the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a road inclined to the left relative to a fixed horizontal plane H, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, as shown in the figs 8a et 8b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the light-emitting diodes of the first, second and third light columns 12, 12', 12" so as to align the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the level of the Y axis, as shown in the fig. 8 .

[0031] In the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a road inclined downwards relative to a fixed horizontal plane H, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, as shown in the figs 9a et 9b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the X axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light-emitting diodes of the first, second and third light columns 12, 12', 12" so as to align the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the X axis, as shown in the fig. 9 .

[0032] In the case where the vehicle 10 is traveling on a road inclined to the left and downwards relative to a fixed horizontal plane H, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, as shown in the figs 10a et 10b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the X axis and along the Y axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light-emitting diodes of the first, second and third light columns 12, 12', 12" so as to align the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the X and Y axes, as shown in the fig. 10 .

[0033] In the case where vehicle 10 is traveling on a level road and makes a left turn, as shown in the figs 11a et 11b , it is subjected to an acceleration along the Y axis. This acceleration is detected by the triaxial accelerometer, which sends a corresponding acceleration signal to the control unit. In response to this acceleration signal, the control unit controls the corresponding light-emitting diodes of the first, second and third light columns 12, 12', 12" so as to align the first and second artificial horizon lines 14, 16 with the fixed horizontal plane H. In this case, the plane A defined by the artificial horizon lines is inclined relative to the floor P of the vehicle at the level of the Y axis, as shown in the fig. 11 .

[0034] The two embodiments described above are obviously not limiting for the invention. Other variant embodiments could be envisaged at this level.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention also aims to protect a method for displaying luminous markers intended to combat motion sickness. This method may in particular comprise the following steps: detection of accelerations of a motor vehicle along 3 axes, in particular by means of a triaxial accelerometer, and sending corresponding signals to a control unit; detection of a physical parameter linked to the person seated in the motor vehicle and sending a corresponding signal to the control unit;control by the control unit of means for displaying luminous markers capable of forming at least a first artificial horizon line at a first interior surface of the motor vehicle and at least a second artificial horizon line at a second interior surface of the motor vehicle, said first and second artificial horizon lines being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, such that the first and second artificial horizon lines are aligned in a horizontal plane, perpendicular to the gravitation vector, whatever the accelerations of the vehicle, the position of said horizontal plane along a direction parallel to the gravitation vector being able to vary according to the physical parameter detected.;

Claims

1. An anti-motion sickness device fitted to a motor vehicle (10), characterized in that the anti-motion sickness device comprises: - a triaxial accelerometer configured to detect the accelerations of the vehicle (10) along 3 axes and to emit a corresponding acceleration signal; - means (12, 12', 12") for displaying light markers capable of forming at least one first artificial horizon line (14, 14') at a first inner surface (13) of the motor vehicle (10) and at least one second artificial horizon line (16, 16') at a second inner surface (15, 15') of the motor vehicle (10), said first and second artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other; - a control unit capable of receiving the acceleration signals emitted by the accelerometer and of driving said display means (12, 12', 12") such that the first and second artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') are aligned in a horizontal plane (A), perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the gravity vector, whatever the accelerations of the vehicle, the position of said horizontal plane (A) along a direction parallel to the gravity vector being able to vary as a function of a physical parameter linked to the person seated in the motor vehicle while being positioned just next to the first inner surface (13) and just in front of the second inner surface (15, 15), wherein the display means (12, 12', 12") are capable of emitting at least two rectilinear light beams, respectively a first light beam projected onto the first inner surface (13) and forming the first artificial horizon line (14, 14'), and a second light beam projected onto the second inner surface (15, 15') and forming the second artificial horizon line (16, 16'), and wherein the display means (12, 12', 12") comprise at least one light source emitting a main light beam, and means for separating and deflecting said main light beam into two secondary light beams.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the physical parameter is the size of the person, in a seated position in the vehicle.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit is capable of modifying the position of the horizontal plane (A) defined by the first and second artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') in response to a command entered manually by one of the occupants of the vehicle by means of a command interface.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the command interface is integrated into the dashboard (18) of the vehicle.

5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the command interface is integrated into a central pillar (11, 11') of the vehicle.

6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the command interface comprises an external surface functionally linked to capacitive-type detection means, said detection means being capable of detecting the contact of a finger on said external surface and of transmitting a corresponding signal to the control unit.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit is capable of automatically modifying the position of the horizontal plane (A) defined by the first and second artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') in response to a signal emitted by a sensor configured to detect at least one physical parameter, in particular the position of the eyes, of the person seated just next to the first inner surface (13) and just in front of the second inner surface (15, 15').

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the sensor is chosen from a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radiofrequency sensor and a weight measurement sensor positioned in one of the seats of the vehicle.

9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation and deflection means comprise a prism intended to separate the light beam into two secondary light beams and a combination of mirrors and / or lenses intended to modify the trajectory of said secondary light beams.

10. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source is a laser.

11. A motor vehicle (10) fitted with an anti-motion sickness device according to any of the preceding claims.

12. The motor vehicle (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one central pillar (11, 11'), said central pillar supporting the display means (12, 12'), said display means being configured to project the first light beam onto a rear side window or a rear door panel (13) of the vehicle and to project the second light beam onto an inner surface (15, 15') of the passenger compartment disposed substantially perpendicular to said window or to said door panel (13), for example the backrest of one of the front seats of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the display means (12, 12') are movable along the central pillar (11, 11') so as to allow adjustment of the height of the artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') relative to a fixed horizontal plane (H).

14. A method for displaying light markers intended to combat motion sickness, comprising the following steps: - detecting the accelerations of a motor vehicle (10) along 3 axes and sending corresponding signals to a control unit; - detecting a physical parameter linked to the person seated in the motor vehicle and sending a corresponding signal to the control unit; - driving, by the control unit, means (12, 12', 12") for displaying light markers capable of forming at least one first artificial horizon line (14, 14') at a first inner surface (13) of the motor vehicle and at least one second artificial horizon line (16, 16') at a second inner surface (15, 15') of the motor vehicle, said first and second artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, such that the first and second artificial horizon lines (14, 16; 14', 16') are aligned in a horizontal plane (A), perpendicular to the gravity vector, whatever the accelerations of the vehicle, the position of said horizontal plane (A) along a direction parallel to the gravity vector being able to vary as a function of the detected physical parameter, wherein the display means (12, 12', 12") are capable of emitting at least two rectilinear light beams, respectively a first light beam projected onto the first inner surface (13) and forming the first artificial horizon line (14, 14'), and a second light beam projected onto the second inner surface (15, 15') and forming the second artificial horizon line (16, 16'), and wherein the display means (12, 12', 12") comprise at least one light source emitting a main light beam, and means for separating and deflecting said main light beam into two secondary light beams.