Sensitivity control of a vehicle anti-intrusion alarm detection system.

Abstract

A vehicle comprising a vehicle intrusion alarm detection system including at least one presence sensor (9), an electronic control unit, said presence sensor (9) sending a detection signal to the electronic control unit, the detection system comprising a position sensor capable of detecting the position of an element (12) located in the vehicle's passenger compartment, connected to the electronic control unit so as to send the electronic control unit a position signal dependent on the position of said element (12), and in that the control unit is capable of processing the detection signal, in order to determine whether there is an intrusion, based on the position signal. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Control of the sensitivity of a vehicle anti-intrusion alarm detection system. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle comprising an anti-intrusion alarm system comprising a device for detecting the presence of people in the vehicle, and the operation of the anti-intrusion alarm system as a function of the position of elements of the passenger compartment of the vehicle opposite sensors of the detection system.

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In order to reduce the possibilities of vehicle theft and break-ins, it is known to have anti-intrusion alarm systems comprising a system for detecting unwanted intrusion inside the vehicle.

[0004] Some of these detection systems are sensitive to the presence of an occupant in the passenger compartment and use, for example, wave detection means, for example of the ultrasonic type. These detection means detect movement of a body inside the vehicle and an alarm is triggered following such detection. The entire detection system, detection means and alarm is known as a volumetric alarm.

[0005] The sensitivity of the processing of the detection means is one of the parameters to be adjusted according to the vehicle, in particular the dimensions of the passenger compartment, and the equipment present there and which influences the reflections of the waves.

[0006] Document FR2926155 describes a support device for a sensor of a detection system of an anti-intrusion alarm system which allows the position of this sensor to be adjusted, said support device being fixed to the roof console of a motor vehicle.

[0007] When a sensor of a detection system of an anti-intrusion alarm system is installed within a roof console, it is common for this roof console to include storage means which themselves include movable covers allowing access to said storage. In an open position, a cover of one of the storage devices may partially or almost completely obstruct the detection field by being totally or partially opposite a detection sensor.

[0008] The production of an adjustment device according to document FR2926155 is complex and expensive and does not make it possible to completely overcome the presence of an obstacle such as said cover when the latter is open opposite and close to the detection sensor of a detection system of an anti-intrusion alarm system.

[0009] The presence of the cover left open opposite a detection sensor of the detection system of an anti-intrusion alarm system partially or totally obstructs the detection field of said detection sensor, and strongly influences the capacity of the detection device to correctly detect any intrusion.

[0010] The prior art is therefore not effective enough to propose a definition of an anti-intrusion alarm system installed in a roof console which comprises a detection device capable of overcoming the fact that an element attached to the vehicle, such as for example a storage compartment cover, is in a position opposite a detection sensor of said detection system and obstructs the detection field of the detection sensor.

[0011] The object of the invention is to solve the problems of the prior art. In particular, one of the objectives of the invention is to overcome the fact that a cover is open opposite a sensor of a detection device of an intrusion alarm system.

[0012] It will be noted that the invention applies to any vehicle comprising an element, attached to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, comprising a facing detection sensor of a detection system of an anti-intrusion alarm system.

[0013] GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] To this end, the invention proposes a detection system for a vehicle anti-intrusion alarm comprising - at least one presence sensor, - an electronic control unit, said presence sensor sending a detection signal to the electronic control unit, remarkable in that - the detection system comprises a position sensor, capable of detecting the position of an element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, connected to the electronic control unit so as to send to the electronic control unit a position signal dependent on the position of said element, and in that the control unit performs processing of the detection signal in order to determine whether there is intrusion, as a function of the position signal.

[0015] One advantage is that the detection system is able to maintain high-performance intrusion detection regardless of the position of the mobile element.

[0016] The electronic control unit receiving the position signal is capable of processing a detection of the element arranged in the passenger compartment as not being an intrusion, i.e. not detecting a false intrusion due to the position of the element arranged in the passenger compartment.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the detection system comprises one or more ultrasonic wave emitters, said presence sensor being a sensor ultrasound receiving the reflections of the ultrasonic waves emitted by at least one of the transmitters.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unit modifies the processing of the detection signal from the presence sensor as a function of the position signal emitted by the position sensor to the electronic control unit.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit processes the detection signal from the presence sensor: - by time step, the control unit modifying the duration of the time steps according to the position signal, - and / or by calculating detection levels from the received detection signal, the control unit modifying the thresholds of the detection levels, from which an intrusion is detected, depending on the position signal.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the position sensor is a sensor comprising a two-position switch operating from contact with a part of the element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or an optical type sensor, or an electromagnetic type sensor.

[0021] Thus advantageously, the position sensor uses a simple and low-cost technology making it possible to reliably determine the position of an element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the signal emitted by the position sensor to the electronic control unit is transmitted by a wired network of the vehicle, preferably by the multiplexed wired network of the vehicle.

[0023] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a detection system according to the invention, the presence sensor of which is arranged on a first element of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, at least one second movable element of the passenger compartment being movable between a position in which said second element is arranged opposite the presence sensor, so as to be in the reception field of the presence sensor, and a position outside this field, the position sensor detecting at least one of these two positions of said second movable element.

[0024] Thus the position sensor sends a signal to the electronic control unit informing it of a position of the second element which, by facing the presence sensor, interferes with the reception of the reflected ultrasonic waves.

[0025] The control unit is thus able to modify the processing of the detection signal from the presence sensor as a function of the position of the second element, so as to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the detection and thus ensuring effective detection regardless of the position of the second element.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the element of the passenger compartment, i.e. the first element, is a central roof console and the movable element, the second element, is a cover movable between a closed position closing a storage area arranged in the central roof console, and an open position allowing access to the storage area.

[0027] Thus, advantageously, the detection retains its reliability with an installation of the presence sensor within the central console, with said central console which also comprises a movable cover closing a storage space arranged in the central console, the movable cover being able to hinder the reception of ultrasonic waves by the presence sensor.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the central roof console is arranged at the front of the roof, the central roof console comprising a transmitter emitting ultrasonic waves towards the rear of the vehicle, the central console further comprising the presence sensor, the movable cover being arranged in the open position opposite the presence sensor and / or the transmitter.

[0029] Thus the position sensor is able to send the information of the movable shutter left open facing the presence sensor and / or the first transmitter, to the electronic control unit. The control unit is thus able to modify the processing of the signal, so as to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the detection when the movable shutter is open, the shutter left open affecting the ultrasonic waves received by the presence sensor and / or the ultrasonic waves emitted by the first transmitter and affecting the reception.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the central roof console comprises a transmitter emitting ultrasonic waves towards the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0031] The position sensor being able to send the information of the movable shutter left open facing the presence sensor, to the electronic control unit, the control unit is thus able to modify the processing of the signal when the movable shutter is open, the shutter left open affecting the ultrasonic waves received by the presence sensor as a function of the ultrasonic waves emitted by a transmitter emitting ultrasonic waves in the direction of the driver's seat of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] represents a schematic top view of a vehicle and a system vehicle alarm.

[0034] [Fig.2] represents a schematic view of the presence sensor and the transmitters according to the invention.

[0035] [Fig.3] represents a schematic “perspective” view from the rear of a central roof console including storage.

[0036] [Fig.4] represents a “schematic view” in perspective from the rear of a central roof console, the storage cover being in the open position.

[0037] [Fig.5] represents "a schematic view" of a section in an XZ plane of a central roof console, the storage cover being in the open position.

[0038] The drawings are schematic representations used to facilitate understanding of the invention. The components are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0039] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements or means of a projector module. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0040] The X direction is the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in running order, oriented from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

[0041] The Y direction is the transverse direction, in a horizontal plane, of the vehicle in running order.

[0042] The Z direction is the vertical of the vehicle facing upwards, the vehicle being in running order.

[0043] The XYZ trihedron is said to be direct

[0044] The schematic representations as presented are in a particular case of ultrasonic wave transmitters and a presence sensor receiving these waves, said presence sensor being limited to a receiver function. As shown, said transmitters and presence sensor are installed in a roof console.

[0045] [Fig.l] shows a schematic view of a vehicle with an anti-intrusion alarm system.

[0046] As shown in [Fig.l], the vehicle 1 is equipped with an anti-intrusion alarm system comprising a detection system 100.

[0047] The alarm system comprises a siren 2 installed according to [Fig.l] in the engine compartment.

[0048] The detection system comprises a hood opening sensor 3, to prevent the alarm siren 2 from being deactivated.

[0049] The detection system 100 consists of a volumetric type detection system so as to detect intrusions inside the passenger compartment when the vehicle is locked, without any occupants on board. This type of volumetric detection system is capable of detecting movements inside the passenger compartment, and operates using ultrasonic wave emitters and one or more sensors. presence acting as receivers which receive the waves emitted by the transmitters and which are reflected by the elements of the passenger compartment.

[0050] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to this particular case but concerns all types of transmitting and / or sensor devices, of a detection system of an anti-intrusion alarm system, installed within the passenger compartment.

[0051] Alternatively, the detection system can use electromagnetic or infrared type sensors.

[0052] [Fig. 2] schematically represents such a detection system 100 which comprises control electronics 5 capable of controlling the wave emissions by the transmitters 7, 8.

[0053] The transmitters 7, 8 of the detection system 100 emit ultrasonic waves into the passenger compartment 4 which are reflected by the different parts of the passenger compartment 4.

[0054] The detection system 100 further comprises a presence sensor 9 which therefore performs the receiver function.

[0055] The control electronics processes the signals received by the presence sensor 9, which receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the different parts of the passenger compartment 4.

[0056] The detection system 100 comprises the electronic control device 5 which receives and processes the signals captured by the presence sensor 9.

[0057] As a variant, the transmitter and receiver of ultrasonic waves are integrated within a single device carrying out the emission of ultrasonic waves and the reception of ultrasonic waves reflected by the different parts of the passenger compartment.

[0058] If there is an intrusion or detection of something moving in the passenger compartment 4, following processing of the signals from the presence sensors by the electronic control device 5, the latter activates the siren 2 directly or by means of another electronic means, such as for example an electronic box 6 of the vehicle.

[0059] The detection system 100 of a vehicle anti-intrusion alarm comprises - at least one presence sensor 9, - an electronic control unit 5, said presence sensor 9 sending a detection signal to the electronic control unit 5. The detection system 100 further comprises a position sensor, capable of detecting the position of an element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, connected to the electronic control unit 5 so as to send to the electronic control unit a position signal dependent on the position of said element, and in that the control unit 5 performs processing of the detection signal, in order to determine whether there is an intrusion, as a function of the position signal.

[0060] In a variant of the invention, the control electronics 5 of the vehicle are integrated into an electronic box 6 of the vehicle, thus grouping together electronic control elements of other functions of the vehicle and the control electronics 5 of the detection system 100.

[0061] The control electronics 5 performs in particular processing of the signals from the presence sensors on detection thresholds in terms of levels. The processing is also carried out in time steps, and / or in sliding time steps.

[0062] Regulation 116 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in its "Uniform technical prescriptions concerning the protection of motor vehicles against unauthorized use" prescribes that during tests of passenger compartment protection systems, the alarm must be triggered when a vertical panel measuring 0.2 x 0.15 m is introduced into the passenger compartment through the open window of a front door, towards the front, on an axis parallel to the plane of the road and at an angle of 45° to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle, over a distance of 0.3 m (measured from the center of the vertical panel) and at a speed of 0.4 m / s.

[0063] This leads to processing by time steps ranging from 50ms to 300ms or even 500ms.

[0064] Increasing a level threshold and / or increasing the processing time step decreases the sensitivity of the detection system 100. The adequacy of the levels and the time steps is chosen so as to have the greatest possible sensitivity while eliminating false alarms, and satisfying regulatory constraints.

[0065] [Fig.2] schematically represents a detection system 100.

[0066] The detection system 100 comprises one or more transmitters 7, 8 of ultrasonic waves, the presence sensor 9 is distinct and separate from the transmitters 7, 8, and said presence sensor 9 receives the reflections of the ultrasonic waves emitted by at least one of the transmitters 7, 8.

[0067] The detection system 100 according to [Fig. 2] comprises two ultrasonic wave transmitters 7, 8 and a presence sensor 9 separate from the two transmitters. The presence sensor 9 has a function of receiving the ultrasonic waves emitted by the two transmitters 7, 8 and reflected on the walls and parts of the passenger compartment 4. The signals received by the presence sensor are transmitted to the control electronics 5.

[0068] The electronic control unit 5 modifies the processing of the detection signal of the detection signals transmitted by the presence sensor 9 as a function of the position signal emitted by the position sensor to the electronic control unit 5.

[0069] The control unit 5 processes the detection signal from the presence sensor 9 in time steps. The control unit 5 modifies the duration of said time steps as a function of the position signal.

[0070] Furthermore, in particular as a function of said time steps, the electronic control unit 5 obtains by processing from the detection signal levels, calculation levels for example of the average or maximum type. As a function of the signal position, the control unit 5 modifies the thresholds against which the calculation levels are compared to determine whether an intrusion occurs.

[0071] In other words, the control unit 5 performing the processing of the detection signal from the presence sensor 9, modifies both the processing parameters of the detection signal as a function of the position signal allowing it to obtain calculation signals and / or modifies the thresholds with respect to which the calculation signals are compared, said comparison allowing the detection system 100 to determine a possible intrusion.

[0072] The position sensor is a sensor comprising a two-position switch operating from contact with a part of the element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0073] In other variants the position sensor uses optical or electromagnetic technologies.

[0074] The connections between the presence sensor 9 and the control electronics 5 and / or between the control electronics 5 and the electronic box 6 of the vehicle are made by wire, in particular using the multiplexed wired network of the vehicle.

[0075] The connection between the position sensor and the control electronics 5 is made by wire, in particular using the vehicle's multiplexed wire network.

[0076] The connections between the transmitters 7, 8 of the detection system 100 and the control electronics 5 in particular using the multiplexed wired network of the vehicle.

[0077] As shown in [Fig. 3], the central roof console 10 is located at the front of the roof 13 and comprises a first transmitter 7. Said first transmitter 7 emits ultrasonic waves towards the rear so as to detect an intrusion behind the central roof console 10. The central roof console 10 also accommodates a second transmitter 8. The second transmitter 8 emits ultrasonic waves towards the driving position to monitor access to the vehicle controls such as the steering wheel, the pedals and the electronic equipment of the driving position at the front of the passenger compartment such as for example a communication socket with the vehicle.

[0078] The roof console 10 further comprises the control electronics 5.

[0079] In a variant of the invention, the control electronics 5 is integrated into another electronic box 6 of the vehicle. In this variant, the connection between the sensors, transmitters 7, 8, presence sensor 9, and the control electronics 5, therefore to the box 6, is made by wired network, for example using the multiplexed wired network of the vehicle. In a first case, the box 6 is installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, for example under the dashboard. In a second case, the box 6 is installed in the engine compartment.

[0080] The roof console 10 comprises, in addition to other equipment such as lighting and / or screens and / or control buttons, and storage 11.

[0081] As shown schematically in [Fig.3], said storage 11 is located behind the transmitters 7, 8 and the presence sensor 9.

[0082] The storage 11 is in one variant a storage for glasses.

[0083] As shown schematically in [Fig.4], the storage 11 comprises a cover 12 which, in the open position, provides access to the internal space of the storage 11. In the open position, the cover 12 is arranged, at least in part, opposite the transmitter 7 and the presence sensor 9. The cover 12 thus at least in part obstructs the emission field of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transmitter 7, the emission field corresponding to the volume of direct propagation of the waves emitted by the transmitter 7 when the cover 12 is closed. In other words, part of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transmitter 7 will strike the cover 12 and be reflected against said cover 12. Thus, these waves, instead of being reflected, when the cover 12 is closed, on a wall of the passenger compartment located further than the cover 12 towards the rear of the vehicle, will be reflected against the cover 12 in the open position.

[0084] [Fig.5] schematically represents a section in an XZ plane of the central console with the cover in the open position.

[0085] The cover 12 also obstructs at least in part the reception field of the waves of the presence sensor 9., the reception field of the ultrasonic waves corresponding to the volume of the waves opposite the also obstructs at least in part the reception field of the waves of the presence sensor 9 which will impact said also obstructs at least in part the reception field of the waves of the presence sensor 9 when the cover is closed. In other words, the cover in the open position prevents part of the waves which are received directly by the presence sensor 9 when the cover 12 is in the closed position, from being received by the presence sensor 9.

[0086] The open position of the cover 12 therefore influences the waves emitted by the transmitter 7 and also modifies the reception of the waves by the presence sensor 9. These two effects modify the waves received by the presence sensor 9 when the cover 12 is in the open position.

[0087] The presence sensor 9 transmits the detection signals received to the processing electronics 5. Thus the detection signals received by the electronic control unit 5 are modified when the cover 12 is in the open position compared to a configuration in which the cover 12 is in the closed position.

[0088] The cover 12 in the open position opposite the transmitter 7 hinders the emissions of ultrasonic waves towards the rear of the passenger compartment, by being in the field of emission of the ultrasonic waves. The cover 12 in the open position disrupts the emission of the ultrasonic waves towards the rear of the passenger compartment 4, and will therefore influence the waves received by the presence sensor 9.

[0089] The storage 12 comprises a position sensor which makes it possible to detect the open position and / or the closed position of the cover 12. The position sensor is in a first variant a switch coupled, directly or via another part, with the opening-closing mechanism of the cover 12. In other variants the position sensor uses other technologies, for example contactless, in particular electromagnetic or optical.

[0090] Said position sensor sends the position signal of the cover 12, open and / or closed position, to the control electronics 5.

[0091] Following receipt of said position signal corresponding to the closed position of the cover 12, the control electronics 5 retains its nominal parameters for processing the signals from the presence sensor 9, corresponding to the silhouette of the vehicle 1.

[0092] Following receipt of the position signal corresponding to the open position of the cover 12, the processing electronics 5 adopts parameters for processing the signals from the presence sensor 9 that are different from the nominal parameters, so that the detection system detects intrusions at the correct sensitivity level without untimely false alarms. The nominal parameters for processing the signals from the presence sensor are used when the cover 12 is in the closed position. In other words, the electronics adopt a modification of the processing of the signals from the presence sensor as a function of the signal from the position sensor that reflects the open position of the cover 12 of the storage 11.

[0093] Modifying the processing of the signals transmitted by the presence sensor 9, when the cover 12 is in the open position, will make it possible to overcome disturbances in the routing and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and thus make it possible to maintain a satisfactory level of detection of possible intrusions without generating false alarms.

[0094] The fact of obstructing, by the cover in the open position, at least partially the emission field of the waves of the transmitter 7 and the reception field of the waves of the presence sensor 9 leads, without modification of the processing of the detection signals by the electronic unit 5, to false alarms or to a loss of detection sensitivity.

[0095] The modification of the processing carried out by the control electronics 5 consisting of a modification of the time step(s) taken into account for the processing of the signals from the presence sensor 9 and / or in a modification of the minimum or maximum level thresholds to which calculation signal levels are compared, calculated by processing from the detection signals coming from the presence sensor 9, in The position signal function allows for the detection of a possible intrusion to be maintained at a good level of reliability without generating false alarms.

[0096] In another variant of the invention, the detection system 100 comprises a presence sensor 9 which is arranged on a first element of the passenger compartment 4 of the vehicle 1, and at least one second movable element of the passenger compartment 4 which is movable between a position in which said second element is arranged opposite the presence sensor 9, so as to be in the reception field of the presence sensor 9, and a position outside this field, the position sensor detecting at least one of these two positions of the movable element. In this other variant the first element of the passenger compartment 4 is the dashboard of the vehicle, and the second element of the passenger compartment 4 is a cover of a storage area arranged at the dashboard or a display or multimedia screen or a support for such a screen movable between a storage position in the dashboard and a position of use outside the dashboard.

[0097] The invention relates to equipment for the passenger compartment 4 of a vehicle comprising a detection system 100 according to the invention.

[0098] The invention relates to a vehicle 1 comprising a detection system 100 according to the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Detection system (100) of a vehicle anti-intrusion alarm comprising - at least one presence sensor (9), - an electronic control unit (5), said presence sensor (9) sending a detection signal to the electronic control unit (5), characterized in that - the detection system (100) comprises a position sensor, capable of detecting the position of an element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, connected to the electronic control unit (5) so as to send to the electronic control unit (5) a position signal dependent on the position of said element, and in that the control unit (5) performs processing of the detection signal, in order to determine whether there is an intrusion, as a function of the position signal.

2. Detection system (100) according to claim 1, the detection system (100) comprising one or more emitters (7, 8) of ultrasonic waves, said presence sensor (9) being an ultrasonic sensor receiving the reflections of the ultrasonic waves emitted by at least one of the emitters (7, 8).

3. Detection system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (5) modifies the processing of the detection signal from the presence sensor (9) as a function of the position signal emitted by the position sensor to the electronic control unit (5).

4. Detection system (100) according to claim 3, in which the control unit (5) performs the processing of the detection signal of the presence sensor (9) - by time steps, the control unit (5) modifying the duration of the time steps as a function of the position signal, - and / or by calculating detection levels from the received detection signal, the control unit (5) modifying thresholds of the detection levels from which an intrusion is detected, depending on the position signal.

5. Detection system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the position sensor is a sensor comprising a two-position switch operating from contact with a part of the element arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or an optical type sensor, or an electromagnetic type sensor.

6. Detection system (100) according to one of the preceding claims in which the signal emitted by the position sensor to the electronic control unit (5) is transmitted by a wired network of the vehicle, preferably by a multiplexed wired network of the vehicle.

7. Vehicle (1) comprising a detection system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which: - the presence sensor (9) is arranged on a first element of the passenger compartment (4) of the vehicle (1), - at least one second movable element of the passenger compartment (4) is movable between a position in which said second element is arranged opposite the presence sensor (9), so as to be in the reception field of the presence sensor (9), and a position outside this field, the position sensor detecting at least one of these two positions of said second movable element.

8. Vehicle (1) according to claim 7, in which the passenger compartment element (4) is a central roof console (10) and the second movable element is a cover (12) movable between a closed position closing a storage compartment (11) arranged in the central roof console 10, and an open position allowing access to the storage compartment.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, in which the central roof console (10) is arranged at the front of the roof, the central roof console (10) comprising a transmitter (7) emitting ultrasonic waves towards the rear of the vehicle, the central console (10) further comprising the presence sensor (9), the cover (12) movable in the open position being arranged opposite the presence sensor (9) and / or the transmitter (7).

10. Vehicle according to claim 9 in which the central roof console (10) comprises a transmitter (8) emitting ultrasonic waves towards the driving position of the vehicle (1).

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