Adaptive vehicle lighting system

Abstract

This adaptive vehicle lighting system (3) comprises a camera, light-emitting diodes, an optical system, and a computer. The light-emitting diodes and the optical system are configured to emit and guide visible electromagnetic radiation (13), the light distribution (15) of which comprises a first sector (19) consisting of at least ten light beams (21) contiguous in pairs along a first direction (X). The light distribution (15) comprises a second sector (23) contiguous to the first sector (19) along a second direction (Y) transverse to the first direction (X) and comprising between one and three light beams (21) contiguous in pairs along the first direction (X). Each light beam (21) in each sector (19; 23) can be switched on independently of the other light beams (21). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Adaptive lighting system for vehicles technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptive lighting system intended to be mounted on a vehicle.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to this adaptive lighting system mounted on a motor vehicle as high beams, the system being called "Adaptive Driving Beam" in Anglo-Saxon terms.

[0003] In general, the invention applies to a lighting system whose lighting of light beams can be controlled according to objects detected on the path of said light beams. Previous techniques

[0004] High beam headlights on motor vehicles illuminate the passing scenery in front of the vehicle with a high light intensity to ensure good visibility for the driver. However, the light intensity of high beams is sometimes too high for clear reading of road signs and can also dazzle drivers of oncoming vehicles.

[0005] To overcome this latter drawback, on-board adaptive lighting systems make it possible to detect a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction and to minimize the light intensity reaching it.

[0006] A first type of adaptive lighting system is called a column tunnel system. The light distribution of such a system comprises a sector consisting of four contiguous light beams arranged in pairs along a first direction, in practice the horizontal direction. Each of the light beams extends from the lighting system towards the landscape and from the road to the sky, that is to say, at an angle greater than 15° in the plane comprising a second direction transverse to the first direction. When a camera of the lighting system detects a vehicle in the path of one of the light beams, that beam is switched off so as not to dazzle the driver of said vehicle.

[0007] A second type of adaptive lighting system is called a closed tunnel system. The light distribution of such a system comprises a first sector with at least ten contiguous light beams arranged in pairs along a first direction, in practice the horizontal direction; the light distribution comprises a second sector contiguous to the first sector along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and also comprising at least ten contiguous light beams arranged in pairs along the first direction, each light beam in each sector being able to be lit independently of other light beams. The first sector generally has an angle between 4° and 11° in the plane including the second direction.

[0008] This second type of adaptive lighting system thus makes it possible to illuminate the road, motor vehicles, and more broadly the lower part of the landscape with the first sector. It also makes it possible to illuminate the upper part of the landscape, as well as road signs, coastlines, and semi-trailers with the second sector.

[0009] Thus, even if a motor vehicle is detected and a beam of light from the first sector is turned off, the second sector can remain lit for better visual comfort for the driver and better reading of road signs at height.

[0010] However, the lighting system then includes complex and expensive optical and electronic systems. Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide an adaptive lighting system having similar performance to the second type of adaptive lighting system presented previously but at a lower cost and with less design complexity.

[0012] The present invention relates to an adaptive lighting system for vehicles, comprising a camera, light-emitting diodes, an optical system and a computer, the light-emitting diodes and the optical system being configured to emit and guide visible electromagnetic radiation whose light distribution comprises a first sector comprising at least ten contiguous light beams in pairs along a first direction, the light distribution comprising a second sector contiguous to the first sector along a second direction transverse to the first direction and comprising between one and three contiguous light beams in pairs along the first direction, each light beam in each sector being able to be switched on independently of the other light beams.

[0013] Thus, reducing the number of light beams in the second sector makes it possible to reduce the complexity and cost of design while allowing the lighting of the landscape and signage located above a vehicle traveling on the path of the light beams of the first sector.

[0014] Advantageously, the optical system comprises an assembly of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the optical system comprises an assembly of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens common to all light beams, or a plurality of assemblies of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens, each assembly being dedicated to a light beam.

[0016] Advantageously, the first sector has an angle between 4° and 11° in the plane comprising the second direction.

[0017] Advantageously, the second sector has an angle greater than 5° in the plane comprising the second direction.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an adaptive lighting system as defined above.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an adaptive lighting system as defined above, the adaptive lighting system being a high beam of said motor vehicle.

[0020] The present invention also relates to an adaptive lighting method implemented by a computer of an adaptive lighting system as defined above or of a vehicle as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0021] - Ignition of all light beams of the adaptive lighting system;

[0022] - Detection by the camera of an object on the trajectory of at least one beam luminous;

[0023] - Calculator determination of a modification to be applied to the distribution luminous electromagnetic radiation emitted by the adaptive lighting system;

[0024] - Modification of the luminous intensity of at least one light beam in such a way to obtain the determined modification of light distribution.

[0025] Advantageously, the step of modifying the light intensity of at least one light beam includes canceling and / or reducing the light intensity of at least one light beam according to the nature and / or speed of the detected object.

[0026] Advantageously, the step of modifying the light intensity of at least one light beam includes modifying the light intensity emitted by a light-emitting diode and / or pivoting a reflector and / or an optical lens of the optical system. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a vehicle comprising an adaptive lighting system according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the light distribution of the electromagnetic radiation emitted and guided by the light-emitting diodes and the optical system of the adaptive lighting system according to the invention;

[0030] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the light distribution of the electromagnetic radiation emitted and guided by the light-emitting diodes and the optical system of the adaptive lighting system according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the light distribution of the electromagnetic radiation emitted and guided by the light-emitting diodes and the optical system of the adaptive lighting system according to the invention; and

[0032] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of an adaptive lighting method according to the invention.

[0033] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0034] A vehicle 1 comprising a is schematically represented in [Fig. 1]. adaptive lighting system 3. Vehicle 1 is for example a motor vehicle 1, the adaptive lighting system 3 being where applicable a high beam of said motor vehicle 1.

[0035] The adaptive lighting system 3 includes a camera 5, light-emitting diodes 7, an optical system 9 and a computer 11.

[0036] The light-emitting diodes 7 and the optical system 9 are configured to emit and guide visible electromagnetic radiation 13.

[0037] The optical system 9 includes, for example, an assembly of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens (not shown).

[0038] A first embodiment of the light distribution 15 of the electromagnetic radiation 13 emitted and guided by the light-emitting diodes 7 and the optical system 9, juxtaposed with the light distribution 17 of a dipped beam of the motor vehicle 1, has been schematically represented in [Fig.2].

[0039] The light-emitting diodes 7 and the optical system 9 are configured to emit and guide visible electromagnetic radiation 13, the light distribution 15 of which comprises a first sector 19 comprising at least ten contiguous light beams 21 arranged in pairs along a first direction X. In practice, when the adaptive lighting system 3 is installed in a motor vehicle 1, the first direction X is the horizontal direction.

[0040] The light distribution 15 further includes a second sector 23 contiguous to the first sector 19 along a second direction Y transverse to the first direction X and comprising a single light beam 21. In practice, the second direction Y is the vertical direction.

[0041] Each light beam 21 of each sector 19 or 23 can be switched on independently of the other light beams 21.

[0042] The first sector 19 has, for example, an angle A between 4° and 11° in the plane including the second direction Y. This angle A allows the electromagnetic radiation 13 emitted in the first sector 19 to illuminate vehicles located between 0 and 5 meters from the ground, in particular at a distance of about 25 meters from the vehicle 1 including the adaptive lighting system 3.

[0043] In order to sufficiently illuminate the rest of the landscape, the second sector 23 has an angle B greater than 5° in the plane comprising the second direction Y.

[0044] The first and second sectors 19 and 23 each have an angle C greater than 15° in the plane comprising the first direction X.

[0045] In this embodiment, the single light beam 21 of the second sector 23 makes it possible to minimize the complexity and manufacturing cost of the adaptive lighting system 3.

[0046] A second embodiment of the light distribution 15 of the electromagnetic radiation 13 emitted and guided by the light-emitting diodes 7 and the optical system 9, juxtaposed with the light distribution 17 of a dipped beam of the motor vehicle 1, has been schematically represented in [Fig.3].

[0047] This second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment but the second sector 23 of the light distribution 15 nevertheless includes two contiguous light beams 21 along the first direction X, thus making it possible to dedicate one light beam 21 to the road facing the vehicle 1 on which the adaptive lighting system 3 is mounted, and to dedicate another light beam 21 to the road of traffic in the opposite direction.

[0048] The two light beams 21 have, for example, the same solid angle.

[0049] A third embodiment of the light distribution 15 of the electromagnetic radiation 13 emitted and guided by the light-emitting diodes 7 and the optical system 9, juxtaposed with the light distribution 17 of a dipped beam of the motor vehicle 1, has been schematically represented in [Fig.4].

[0050] This third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, but the second sector 23 of the light distribution 15 nevertheless comprises three light beams 21 contiguous in pairs along the first direction X, allowing thus to dedicate a light beam 21 to the road facing the vehicle 1 on which the adaptive lighting system 3 is mounted, to dedicate another light beam 21 to the road of traffic in the opposite direction, and to dedicate a final light beam 21 to the shoulder on which traffic signs are posted.

[0051] The second and third embodiments thus make it possible to turn off part of the second sector 23, for example in the case of a semi-trailer crossing, or when crossing a motor vehicle on a hill, or when passing a particularly high signpost, without turning off the entire second sector 23.

[0052] In a particular embodiment, the optical system 9 comprises an assembly of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens common to all light beams 21.

[0053] Alternatively, the optical system 9 comprises a plurality of assemblies of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens, each assembly being dedicated to a light beam 21.

[0054] The steps of an adaptive lighting process implemented by the computer 11 of the adaptive lighting system 3 as described above have been schematically represented in [Fig.5].

[0055] For the implementation of this method, a first step 31 is carried out of switching on all the light beams 21 of the adaptive lighting system 3. In other words, this is a step of switching on the high beams.

[0056] Then a step 33 is carried out by the camera 5 of detection of an object on the path of at least one light beam 21. The object is for example a vehicle, a pedestrian, or even a traffic sign.

[0057] Next, the computer 11 performs a step 35 of determining a modification to be applied to the light distribution 15 of the electromagnetic radiation 13 emitted by the adaptive lighting system 3.

[0058] The modification to be applied is, for example, to cancel or reduce the luminous intensity of a light beam 21 when a vehicle passes in the path of said light beam 21. The modification to be applied may also be a reduction in the luminous intensity of a light beam 21 when a traffic sign passes in the path of said light beam 21.

[0059] Finally, a step 37 is carried out to modify the light intensity of at least one light beam 21 so as to obtain the modification of light distribution 15 determined in the previous step 35.

[0060] Advantageously, the modification step 37 can also be performed based on the speed of the detected object.

[0061] In one embodiment, step 37 of modifying the light intensity of at least one light beam 21 includes modifying the light intensity emitted by a light-emitting diode 7.

[0062] Alternatively, step 37 of modifying the light intensity of at least one light beam 21 includes pivoting a reflector and / or an optical lens of the optical system 9.

Claims

Demands

1. Adaptive lighting system (3) for vehicle (1), comprising a camera (5), light-emitting diodes (7), an optical system (9) and a computer (11), the light-emitting diodes (7) and the optical system (9) being configured to emit and guide visible electromagnetic radiation (13) the light distribution (15) comprising a first sector (19) comprising at least ten light beams (21) contiguous in pairs along a first direction (X), the light distribution (15) comprising a second sector (23) contiguous to the first sector (19) along a second direction (Y) transverse to the first direction (X) and comprising two or three light beams (21) contiguous in pairs along the first direction (X), each light beam (21) of each sector (19;23) being ignitable independently of other light beams (21), characterized in that the optical system (9) comprises an assembly of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens configured to pivot so as to modify the light intensity of at least one beam.;

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the optical system (9) comprises an assembly of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens common to all light beams, or a plurality of assemblies of at least one reflector and / or at least one optical lens, each assembly being dedicated to a light beam (21).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sector (19) has an angle (A) between 4° and 11° in the plane comprising the second direction (Y).

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second sector (23) has an angle (B) greater than 5° in the plane comprising the second direction (Y).

5. Vehicle (1) comprising an adaptive lighting system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an adaptive lighting system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the adaptive lighting system being a high beam of said motor vehicle (1).

7.

8. Adaptive lighting method implemented by a computer (11) of an adaptive lighting system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or of a vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, the method comprising the following steps: - Activation of all light beams (21) of the adaptive lighting system (3) (step 31); - Detection by the camera (5) of an object on the path of at least one light beam (21) (step 33); - Determination by the computer (11) of a modification to be applied to the light distribution (15) of the electromagnetic radiation (13) emitted by the adaptive lighting system (3) (step 35); - Modification of the light intensity of at least one light beam (21) so as to obtain the modification of light distribution (15) determined (step 37) includes the pivoting of the reflector and / or the optical lens of the optical system (9). A method according to claim 7, wherein the step (37) of modifying the light intensity of at least one light beam (21) includes canceling and / or reducing the light intensity of at least one light beam (21) according to the nature and / or speed of the detected object.

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