Vehicle visualization system including a fold-down display device

Abstract

Vehicle visualization system comprising a foldable display device The visualization system (1) comprises a support element (2) defining an outer surface (6) and an inner surface (8), and a visualization device (4) comprising at least one image acquisition device (16) extending over the outer surface of the support element and at least one display device (18) extending over the inner surface of the support element (2), the display device (18) comprising a display surface on which the images acquired by the acquisition device (16) are displayed, the display device (18) being movable relative to the support element (2) between at least one deployed position and one folded position.In the folded position, the display surface extends substantially parallel to the inner surface (8) of the support element (2) and is turned towards the outer surface (8) of the support element (2). Figure for the abbreviation: 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle display system comprising a foldable display device

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for viewing the external environment of a vehicle, of the type comprising at least one support element defining an external surface intended to extend outside the vehicle and an internal surface intended to extend inside the vehicle, and at least one device for viewing the external environment of the vehicle, the viewing device comprising at least one image acquisition device extending on the external surface of the support element and at least one display device extending on the internal surface of the support element, the display device comprising a display surface on which the images acquired by the acquisition device are displayed, the display device being movable relative to the support element between at least one deployed position, in which the display surface forms an angle substantially between 80° and 160°,preferably between 91° and 135°, with the inner surface of the support element, and a folded position.

[0002] The invention also relates to a vehicle door comprising such a display system as well as a vehicle comprising such a vehicle door.

[0003] It is known to replace certain optical mirrors forming rearview mirrors of the vehicle with image acquisition devices arranged to acquire images of the external environment of the vehicle in order to enable, in particular, viewing of a part of the environment at the rear of the vehicle. The images acquired by an acquisition device are for example displayed on a display device extending into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0004] The display device is for example arranged on a door of the vehicle so as to extend next to the window defined by the door in the vicinity of the area where a rearview mirror is traditionally located. The display device then projects from the door towards the interior of the passenger compartment to be easily visible to the occupants of the vehicle, in particular to the driver of the vehicle.

[0005] However, this position of the display device is not suitable in all configurations of the vehicle, when the door of the vehicle carrying this display device is open. Indeed, in this position, the display device constitutes an obstacle for exiting the vehicle or entering it, thus limiting access to the vehicle. In addition, there is a high risk of hitting the display device, which is likely to damage the display system, or even injure the person entering or exiting the vehicle.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a display system whose display device is positioned in an appropriate manner to be visible when driving the vehicle without constituting an obstacle to access to the vehicle.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a display system of the aforementioned type, in which, in the folded position, the display surface extends substantially parallel to the inner surface of the support element and is turned towards the outer surface of the support element.

[0008] In the deployed position, the angle formed between the display device and the inner surface makes it possible to orient the display device in the driver's field of vision and can thus be used without the driver having to particularly turn his head or look away from the road to see it. By positioning the display device in the folded position, its footprint projecting from the support element is reduced, which makes it easier to access a vehicle when the display system is mounted on a door of the vehicle. Furthermore, by orienting the display surface towards the outer surface of the support element, the display device can be used for functions other than displaying images relating to the external environment of the vehicle.Indeed, since the display surface is visible from outside the vehicle in the folded position, it can be used to display images to people outside the vehicle, such as images relating to a state of the vehicle. In this position, the display device also does not interfere with the environment of the vehicle door, whether the latter is closed or open.

[0009] According to other optional characteristics of the external environment visualization system according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0010] - the display device is movable in rotation around an axis of rotation by relative to the support member between the deployed position and the folded position, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the outer and inner surfaces of the support member;

[0011] - the acquisition device comprises an image sensor and a support extending in projection from the outer surface of the support element, said image sensor being fixed to the free end of the support;

[0012] - the display device constitutes a single module capable of being mounted on the support element.

[0013] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a vehicle door comprising a door body defining at least one window and a system for viewing the external environment as described above, in which the element of support forms a part of the body extending in the vicinity of the window.

[0014] According to other optional characteristics of the vehicle door according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0015] - the display surface of the viewing device extends opposite one side interior of the window in the folded position and is turned towards an exterior side of the window so as to be visible from outside the vehicle door;

[0016] - the support element forms a part of a front upright of the window.

[0017] According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body and at least one door as described above, comprising at least one opening, a door being mounted on the body and being movable relative to said body between a closed position, in which the door closes the opening and in which the inner surface of the support member extends into the interior of the body, and an open position, in which the door is moved away from the opening and provides access to the interior of the body.

[0018] According to other optional characteristics of the vehicle according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0019] - the display device is placed in the folded position at least when the door is in the open position;

[0020] - the vehicle comprises at least two doors each comprising a vi system sualization.

[0021] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0022] [fig. 1] - [fig.l] is a perspective representation of a vehicle interior comprising a system for visualizing the exterior environment according to the invention,

[0023] [fig.2] - [fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation of a system of visualization of [fig.l], the display device being in the deployed position,

[0024] [fig.3] - [fig.3] is a schematic representation of the visualization system of [fig.2], the display device being in the folded position, and

[0025] [fig.4] - [fig.4] is a schematic representation of the visualization system of [fig.3], seen from outside the vehicle.

[0026] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a system for viewing the external environment 1 of a vehicle is described, intended to be mounted on a door 3 of a vehicle. The viewing system 1 comprises at least one support element 2 and at least one device 4 for viewing the external environment of the vehicle.

[0027] The support element 2 is for example a part of a vehicle door 3, in particular a front door of the vehicle, and the display device 4 aims to replace the re mirror usually mounted on such a door, as will be described in more detail later. More particularly, the door 3 comprises a body 5 defining an opening forming a window 7, receiving in a known manner a pane of glass. The support element 2 forms for example a part of the body 5 of the door 3 in the vicinity of the window 7.

[0028] The support element 2 defines an outer surface 6 extending outside the vehicle and an inner surface 8 extending inside the vehicle. In other words, the outer surface 6 forms a part of the outer surface of the body 5 of the door 3 and the inner surface 8 forms a part of the inner surface of the body 5 of the door, delimiting a part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle with respect to the exterior of the vehicle when the door 3 is closed, as will be described later. The outer surface 6 of the support element 2 thus forms, for example, a part of a body panel of the vehicle door and the inner surface 8 forms a trim element of the body 5 of the door, the body panel part and the trim element extending on either side of the window 7.In other words, the support element 2 forms a part of a window pillar 7. More particularly, the support element 2 forms, for example, the front lower corner 12 of the window pillar. Thus, relative to a vehicle driver, the support element 2 extends in front of the latter substantially at the same height as the base of a windshield 14 of the vehicle on the left or right side of the vehicle, as shown in [fig.l]. It is understood that the support element 2 may form another part of the vehicle, such as a windshield pillar for example.

[0029] The display device 4 comprises at least one image acquisition device 16 and at least one display device 18. The image acquisition device 16 and the display device 18 extend on either side of the support element 2 so that the image acquisition device 16 forms an outer part of the display device 4 extending outside the vehicle and the display device 18 belongs to an inner part of the display device 4 extending inside the vehicle. Thus, the image acquisition device 16 is mounted on the outer surface 6 of the support element 2 and the display device 18 is mounted on the inner surface of the support element 2.

[0030] The image acquisition device 16 comprises an image sensor 20, such as a camera, and a support 22 for mounting the image sensor 20 on the outer surface 6 of the support element 2 so that the acquisition device 16 projects from the outer surface of the support element 2 towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0031] The image sensor 20 is arranged to acquire images of the environment outside the vehicle, more particularly of the side of the vehicle outside which extends the image acquisition device 16 and an area extending to the rear of the vehicle in order to inform the driver of the presence of other vehicles and / or obstacles in this external environment.

[0032] According to an embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support 2 comprises a first end portion 24 mounted on the support element 2 and a second end portion 26 free and extending opposite the end portion 24 and carrying the image sensor 20. The length of the support 2 between the first end portion 24 and the second end portion 26 may be arranged so that the image sensor 20 is sufficiently spaced from the outer surface 6 of the support element 2 to be able to capture images of an extended area of ​​the external environment of the vehicle, in particular towards the rear thereof. Thus, by way of example, the length is such that the field of vision of the image sensor 20 encompasses the entire side of the vehicle and a substantial area extending behind this side of the vehicle.

[0033] The image sensor 20 having reduced dimensions, the dimensions of the support 22 can be arranged to allow it to fulfill its role of supporting the image sensor 20 while having a reduced surface area in order to limit the wind resistance of the acquisition device 16. For this purpose, the support 22 is for example formed by two branches 28 extending between the first end portion 24 and the second end portion 26 free, the second end portion carrying a housing 30 in which the image sensor 20 is housed. The housing 30 is for example received between the two branches 28. Between the first end portion 24 and the second end portion 26, the two branches 28 are spaced apart from each other so as to allow air flow between the two branches 28.Thus, the image acquisition device 16 offers little resistance to the air flow around the vehicle and degrades the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle less compared to a conventional rearview mirror, in which the mirror occupies a relatively large surface area forming an obstacle to the air flow. Indeed, the image acquisition device 16 does not have an optical mirror extending outside the vehicle. It is understood that the support 22 could have a different shape depending on the appearance of the vehicle. It could for example be formed of only a single branch carrying at its free end the housing 30 or have a shape adjusted to the housing 30 in order to limit the size of the support 22 outside the vehicle, the housing 30 then being applied against the outer surface 6 of the support element 2.

[0034] The connection of the image sensor 20, that is to say the power supply cable(s) and the cable(s) for transmitting a signal representative of the images acquired by the acquisition device, extend from the image sensor 20 towards the interior of the vehicle, for example by passing inside a branch 28. The cable then passes through an orifice provided in the support element 2 to be connected directly to the device display 18 through the support element 2. By directly connected, it is meant that the connection of the image sensor does not necessarily require connection to the electronic system of the vehicle so that the display system can, according to one embodiment, be simply mounted in one piece in the vehicle, for example as a replacement for a rearview mirror of the vehicle.

[0035] The display device 18 comprises a screen 34 arranged to display at least the images acquired by the image acquisition device 16. The screen 34 thus forms a display surface for the images acquired by the image acquisition device 16. The screen 34 may furthermore be a touch screen making it possible, for example, to adjust the display on the screen 34, the orientation of the image sensor 20 and / or the magnification of the images captured by touch contact directly on the display surface of the screen 34. The display device may also be arranged to display information other than the images acquired by the acquisition device 16, as will be described later.

[0036] The display system may for example be arranged to recognize obstacles in the external environment of the vehicle and displayed on the screen 34. In this case, it is for example possible to modify the images displayed by the screen 34 for example to highlight this presence of obstacles, for example by modifying the color of these obstacles, by surrounding them or otherwise.

[0037] Furthermore, according to one embodiment and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the display device 4 comprises, around at least a portion of the screen 34, a warning surface 36 for displaying additional information in addition to the images displayed on the screen 34. Such a warning surface 36 is illuminated by at least one light source (not shown), extending for example under the warning surface in order to backlight it. The light source and the warning surface are for example arranged so that pictograms or patterns are illuminated and become visible, for example depending on the external environment of the vehicle. Thus, the patterns are for example illuminated or change color when an obstacle is close to the vehicle. Such detection of the proximity of an obstacle is for example obtained by using the images acquired by the acquisition device 16.Alternatively or additionally, the detection is obtained by means of one or more proximity sensors arranged on the vehicle to detect the proximity of an obstacle around the vehicle. Advantageously, the display system is coupled with the use of one or more proximity sensors arranged to detect objects extending into the blind spots of the vehicle, i.e. in the areas of which the acquisition device 18 cannot acquire images due to the geometry of the vehicle. Thus, a driver has information on all the elements located near the vehicle, on the one hand thanks to. to the display device 18 and on the other hand thanks to the warning surface(s) 36 indicating the possible presence of an object in a blind spot of the vehicle. The patterns 38 can be arranged to change color, shape and / or location for example depending on the distance separating the vehicle from the obstacle located in a blind spot.

[0038] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the display device 4 comprises a control device 40 arranged around at least a portion of the display device 18, the control device 40 being configured for controlling the image acquisition device 16 and / or the display device 18.

[0039] The control device 40 comprises, for example, one or more buttons 42 for controlling the image acquisition device 16 and / or the display device 18. Each button is physical or tactile. A physical button comprises, for example, a mobile element that can be moved manually by the user and a sensor for moving the mobile element. A tactile button is in the form of a so-called “touch” surface provided with a sensor, for example an inductive or capacitive sensor, capable of detecting an interaction of the user with the tactile surface.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the image acquisition device 16 is orientable, and the control device 40 is configured to control the orientation of the image acquisition device 16 and / or the display device has several image display modes and the control device 40 is configured to control the image display mode on the display device 18. The orientation of the image acquisition device 16 makes it possible to modify the area viewed using the image acquisition device 16, for example according to the wishes of the driver or to carry out a particular maneuver, for example reversing. The different display modes of the display device 18 make it possible to display different information according to the wishes of the driver. They make it possible, for example, to activate / deactivate the highlighting of obstacles present in the displayed images.

[0041] The display device 18 is movable relative to the support element 2 between at least one deployed position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and a folded position, shown in Figs. 3 and 4. More particularly, the display device 18 is for example movable in rotation about an axis of rotation R relative to the support element 2 between the deployed position and the folded position. The axis of rotation R is for example formed by a hinge (not shown) extending between the display device 18 and the support element 2. The axis of rotation R is substantially parallel to the outer 6 and inner 8 surfaces of the support element 2 and extending in the direction of elevation of the vehicle, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and extends for example in the vicinity of a front edge of the inner surface 8 of the support element 2. support 2.

[0042] In the deployed position, the display device 18 projects from the inner surface 8 of the support element 2 in a direction extending towards the interior of the passenger compartment so that the screen 34 extends into the passenger compartment in the vicinity of one side of the vehicle and the display surface faces the passengers of the vehicle. More particularly, as shown in [fig. 2], the display device 18 forms an angle α with the inner surface 8 substantially between 80° and 160°. The angle α is measured between the display surface of the screen 34 and the portion of the inner surface 8 extending behind the display device 18 when the display system is mounted in a vehicle. The angle a is measured between the display device 18 and the portion of the inner surface 8 extending from the front edge of the inner surface 8, i.e. behind the axis of rotation R.The angle a is preferably between 91° and 135°, which makes it possible to orient the display surface of the screen 34 towards the driver and thus improve its visibility without the driver having to turn his head. More particularly, the screen 34 extends, for example, opposite a lower corner of the windshield support 14 so that the display surface is located in the driver's field of vision without the driver having to look away from the road. More particularly, the driver does not need to look through the window of the vehicle door to have an overview of the environment outside the vehicle, as is the case with a conventional rearview mirror.According to one embodiment, the display device 18 can be placed in several deployed positions to modify the orientation of the display surface, in particular to take into account the position of the driver and his morphology, so that he can see the display surface as well as possible. Alternatively, a single deployed position can be provided and the orientation of the display surface can be modified by moving the screen 34 relative to the rest of the display device 18.

[0043] In the folded position, the display device 18 is oriented so that the display surface extends substantially parallel to the inner surface 8 of the support element 2 and faces the outer surface 6, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In other words, and as more particularly visible in [fig. 4], the display surface of the display device 18 is visible from outside the vehicle in the folded position of the display device 18 when the display system 1 is mounted on a door 3 in the vicinity of the window 7 of this door 3. Indeed, the movement of the display device 18 in the folded position is such that the display surface extends opposite the window 7, on the inside thereof, and is turned towards the outside of the door 3. Thus, the display surface is visible through the glass mounted in the window 7, as shown in [fig. 4].In other words, the rotation of the support device around the axis of rotation R . between the deployed position and the folded position is done in the direction of window 7, towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0044] In the folded position, the display device 18 occupies a reduced space projecting from the support element 2, as more particularly visible in [fig. 3]. As will be described later, the folded position facilitates access to the vehicle when the door is open. Furthermore, when the door is closed, the display device 18 in the folded position frees up space in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, thereby increasing the comfort of the vehicle's passengers, for example when the vehicle is stationary or when it is in an autonomous driving configuration and the display system is not used to view the vehicle's external environment.

[0045] In the folded position, the display surface can also be used to display information other than that relating to the external environment of the vehicle. Thus, for example, the display surface can be used to display information relating to a state of the vehicle or the door, such as information on the locked or unlocked state of the door(s) of the vehicle, on the state of charge of a battery of the vehicle, on the contents of a fuel or oil tank and / or on desired maintenance operations on the vehicle. The display surface can also be used to display content adapted to the owner of the vehicle, such as a welcome message when the owner opens the door of the vehicle to enter it for example.

[0046] In the folded position, a rear surface, opposite the display surface of the screen 34 is visible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3. This rear surface may be arranged to have a particular appearance, for example similar to the door panel in order to improve the appearance of the display system in the folded position. The rear surface may also comprise a display surface for displaying information intended for the passengers of the vehicle while the display device is in the folded position, for example when the vehicle is stationary or in an autonomous driving configuration and the display system 1 is not used to view the environment outside the vehicle.

[0047] The control of the movement of the display device 18 can be carried out by a user and / or in an automated manner, for example depending on a configuration of the vehicle.

[0048] When the movement is controlled by a user, the latter can for example use the control device 40 in order to control a motorized movement of the display device 18. Alternatively or in addition, the movement of the display device 18 can be carried out manually by folding the device actuation 18 towards the user.

[0049] When the movement is automated, it can for example be synchronized with that of the door 3. The door 3 is in fact mounted in a movable manner on the body of the vehicle between a closed position, in which it closes an opening of the body and an open position, in which the door is moved away from the opening and frees access to it and to the interior of the vehicle. Thus, the movement of the display device 18 can be synchronized with that of the door 3 for example so that the display device 18 passes from the deployed position to the folded position when the door 3 passes from the closed position to the open position or when the door 3 is about to pass into the open position, for example when a user operates the handle of the door 3. Indeed, it is advantageous for the display device 18 to be in the folded position when the door 3 is in the open position in order to improve accessibility to the vehicle.In the folded position, the display device 18 does not obstruct the opening released by the door 3 and a passenger entering or leaving the vehicle is therefore not likely to hit it. Furthermore, by providing that the display device 18 extends opposite the window 7 in the folded position, it is ensured that the display device 18 does not interfere with the body of the vehicle when the door 3 is moved between the closed position and the open position, which reduces the risks of damage to the display device 18 and / or its surroundings when the door 3 is moved.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the display device 18 may be arranged to move into the folded position when the vehicle is stationary and / or when it is placed in an autonomous driving configuration, in which the intervention of a driver is not necessary. Conversely, the display device 18 may be arranged to move from the folded position to the deployed position when the door is closed and / or when the vehicle is started and / or when the vehicle moves into a manual driving configuration.

[0051] According to the embodiment shown in [fig.l], the display system comprises two display systems 1 as described above provided on the front right and left doors 3 of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can be completely without an optical mirror outside the vehicle.

[0052] The display system described above makes it possible to effectively and advantageously replace traditional vehicle rearview mirrors by being simple to install, by reducing the size of the vehicle, by improving its aerodynamic performance by providing that the exterior part of the display device(s) only comprises the acquisition device 16. The display system also makes it possible to improve the driving conditions for the driver by providing that the display device is part of the interior part of the display device(s) sualisation without these viewing devices limiting access to the vehicle when the doors are open.

Claims

Claims

1. A system (1) for viewing the external environment of a vehicle, comprising at least one support element (2) defining an external surface (6) intended to extend outside the vehicle and an internal surface (8) intended to extend inside the vehicle, and at least one device (4) for viewing the external environment of the vehicle, the viewing device (4) comprising at least one image acquisition device (16) extending on the external surface of the support element and at least one display device (18) extending on the internal surface of the support element (2), the display device (18) comprising a display surface on which the images acquired by the acquisition device (16) are displayed, the display device (18) being movable relative to the support element (2) between at least one deployed position,in which the display surface forms an angle (a) substantially between 80° and 160°, preferably between 91° and 135°, with the inner surface (8) of the support element (2), and a folded position, characterized in that, in the folded position, the display surface extends substantially parallel to the inner surface (8) of the support element (2) and faces the outer surface (8) of the support element (2), the display surface being visible from outside the vehicle in the folded position.,

2. An external environment viewing system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing device (18) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R) relative to the support element (2) between the deployed position and the folded position, the axis of rotation (R) being substantially parallel to the outer (6) and inner (8) surfaces of the support element (2).

3. An external environment viewing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition device (16) comprises an image sensor (20) and a support (22) extending projecting from the outer surface (6) of the support element (2), said image sensor (20) being fixed to the free end of the support (22).

4. An external environment viewing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the viewing device (4) constitutes a single module capable of being mounted on the support element (2).

5. Vehicle door (3), comprising a door body (5) defining at least one window (7) and a system (1) for viewing the external environment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support element (2) forms a part of the body (5) extending in the vicinity of the window (7).

6. A vehicle door according to claim 5, wherein the display surface of the viewing device (18) extends opposite an inner side of the window (7) in the folded-down position and faces an outer side of the window (7) so as to be visible from outside the vehicle door (3).

7. A vehicle door according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the support member (2) forms part of a front pillar of the window (7).

8. A vehicle comprising a vehicle body comprising at least one opening, a door (3) according to any one of claims 5 to 7 being mounted on the body and being movable relative to said body between a closed position, in which the door (3) closes the opening and in which the inner surface (8) of the support member (2) extends into the interior of the body, and an open position, in which the door (3) is spaced from the opening and provides access to the interior of the body.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the viewing device (18) is placed in the folded position at least when the door is in the open position.

10. Vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, comprising at least two doors (3) each comprising a display system (1).

Images