Motor vehicle damage detection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a damage detection device (6, 7, 8) for a vehicle (1) comprising a chassis on which is mounted a body structure (2) including at least one external body element (3, 4, 5). The damage detection device includes at least one position sensor (6, 7) intended to be positioned inside the vehicle (1) and to be mechanically connected to the external body element (3, 4, 5). The damage detection device (6, 7, 8) includes a computing means (8) configured to detect a deformation of at least a portion of the external body element (3, 4, 5) from the displacement of the position sensor (6, 7). The computing means (8) includes a wireless communication means for communicating deformation information to a communication interface (10) located remotely from the vehicle (1). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for detecting damage to a motor vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle body structures and more particularly to a damage detection device making it possible to detect whether a vehicle has been damaged during an accident.

[0002] Vehicles usually comprise a chassis on which is mounted a body structure comprising at least one external body element such as a bumper, a wing, a door or a roof.

[0003] When a rental company such as a rental agency rents a vehicle, it is impossible in certain cases for them to know if the renter has had an accident, then carry out repairs and return the rental vehicle to the rental company if the renter does not inform them.

[0004] However, the vehicle may have been seriously damaged and not repaired properly, putting the vehicle owner or subsequent user at risk. In addition, the owner loses the right to have his car properly repaired in after-sales service since he is not informed of the accident.

[0005] Document KR20140020656 is known, which describes a vehicle comprising a deformation sensor generating a high-frequency collision signal at the time of a vehicle collision and which is mounted inside an airbag control unit making it possible to dispense with a frontal impact sensor and a side impact sensor and associated wiring.

[0006] However, this type of sensor is intended to detect a localized impact at the location of the vehicle's airbag or at a precise position on a bodywork element, but does not make it possible to detect a deformation of a bodywork element and then inform the owner.

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for detecting damage to a bodywork element of a vehicle making it possible to detect deformation of the bodywork element and to inform the owner in real time.

[0008] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a damage detection device intended for a vehicle comprising a chassis on which is mounted a body structure comprising at least one external body element.

[0009] According to the invention, the damage detection device comprises at least one position sensor intended to be positioned inside the vehicle and to be mechanically connected to the external bodywork element. The detection device damage comprises a calculation means configured to detect a deformation of at least a portion of the external bodywork element from the displacement of the position sensor. The calculation means comprises a wireless communication means intended to communicate deformation information to a communication interface remote from the vehicle.

[0010] The invention thus provides a device for detecting damage to a bodywork element of a vehicle making it possible to detect deformation of the bodywork element and to inform the owner thereof in real time.

[0011] Thus, when a rental agency rents a vehicle and the renter has had an accident, the agency is informed of the accident in real time by the damage detection device and can contact the renter quickly before he repairs the vehicle himself.

[0012] This prevents the tenant from carrying out repairs himself and then returning the rental vehicle to the agency without informing them.

[0013] In all cases, the damage detection device records a trace of the deformation or deterioration of the bodywork element. The owner of the vehicle will always be informed of the accident, even if the lessee repairs the vehicle himself and the deformation information reaches the owner after the repair.

[0014] The damage detection device thus makes it possible to avoid endangering the following driver.

[0015] According to one variant, the external bodywork element has an internal face oriented towards the interior of the vehicle. The position sensor is mechanically connected to the internal face or integrated inside the external bodywork element.

[0016] This position of the position sensor makes it possible to improve the aesthetic appearance of the external bodywork element.

[0017] According to one variant, the damage detection device comprises several position sensors intended to be distributed along the external bodywork element. The damage detection device is configured to detect the relative displacement of the position sensors with respect to each other in order to deduce the deformation information therefrom.

[0018] The use of several position sensors makes it possible to create a mesh and better detect deformations, even in the areas on the periphery of the external bodywork element.

[0019] According to one variant, each position sensor is associated with a position coordinate.

[0020] This is an effective and simple way to determine whether the position sensor has moved relative to its initial position or relative to the other position sensors.

[0021] According to a variant, the calculation means is connected to the position sensor by radiofrequency communication means.

[0022] This solution avoids the use of electrical wires.

[0023] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a damage detection device as defined previously.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for detecting damage to at least one external bodywork element of a bodywork structure of a vehicle by a damage detection device as defined above. The method comprises: - a step of mechanical connection of at least one position sensor with the external bodywork element, - a step of determining deformation information by a calculation means of the damage detection device when the position sensor has moved relative to its initial position, and - a step of transmitting the deformation information by a wireless communication means from the damage detection device to a remote communication interface.

[0025] According to a variant, the damage detection device comprises several position sensors. The calculation means analyzes the offset distance between position sensors displaced relative to their initial position and the number of position sensors displaced to deduce therefrom a level of severity of deformation. The communication interface displays a signal varying according to the level of severity of deformation.

[0026] This allows the vehicle owner to be provided with a more accurate analysis of the severity of the accident.

[0027] According to another variant, a first series of position sensors is connected to a first external bodywork element. A second series of position sensors is connected to a second external bodywork element. The calculation means determines a first deformation information item associated with the first external bodywork element and a second deformation information item associated with the second external bodywork element. The communication interface displays a separate damage signal for each external bodywork element.

[0028] This allows the owner to know precisely which external bodywork element has been impacted.

[0029] According to another variant, the positioning of the position sensors on the external bodywork element is determined by software calculating the optimal positions of the position sensors allowing them to correctly detect a deformation of the external bodywork element using a number of position sensors minimum.

[0030] This solution makes it possible to determine the best locations for the position sensors while limiting their number, reducing installation time and costs.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figure in which:

[0032] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a transparent view of a vehicle comprising a damage detection device, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0033] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates a vehicle 1 comprising a chassis on which a body structure 2 is mounted. The body structure 2 is an external structure which envelops or surrounds the interior of the vehicle 1 and which comprises, among other things, a passenger compartment 9 and an engine compartment.

[0035] The body structure 2 serves to protect the interior of the vehicle 1 and comprises at least one external body element 3, 4, 5, such as a front bumper 3, a front wing 4 and a door 5, for example, without being limiting.

[0036] The external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 has an internal face oriented towards the interior of the vehicle 1, that is to say towards the passenger compartment 9 or the engine compartment, for example. The external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 has an external face 11, opposite the internal face, and in contact with the exterior of the vehicle 1.

[0037] According to the invention, the vehicle 1 comprises a damage detection device 6, 7, 8 for detecting whether the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 has been damaged during an accident of the vehicle 1. In other words, the damage detection device 6, 7, 8 is provided for detecting whether the vehicle 1 has had an accident.

[0038] The damage detection device 6, 7, 8 comprises at least one position sensor 6, 7 secured to the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5.

[0039] The damage detection device 6, 7, 8 comprises a calculation means 8 connected to the position sensor 6, 7 which is configured to detect a deformation of at least a part of the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 from the movement of the position sensor 6, 7.

[0040] The calculation means 8 can be connected to the position sensor 6, 7 by wired or wireless means such as radiofrequency communication, for example.

[0041] The position sensor 6, 7 can be connected to the internal face of the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 directly by being fixed on the internal face or indirectly by being connected to the internal face by an intermediate element.

[0042] Alternatively, the position sensor 6, 7 can be integrated into the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 during its manufacture.

[0043] Advantageously, the damage detection device 6, 7, 8 comprises several position sensors 6, 7 intended to be distributed along the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5.

[0044] A mesh or network of position sensors 6, 7 is arranged on the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5.

[0045] Preferably, several external bodywork elements 3, 4, 5 comprise a mesh of position sensors 6, 7.

[0046] Alternatively, all the external bodywork elements 3, 4, 5 comprise a mesh of position sensors 6, 7.

[0047] [Fig.l] shows position sensors 6, 7 positioned on some external body elements 3, 4, 5 as an example. Other external body elements 3, 4, 5 may include position sensors 6, 7. The external body elements 3, 4, 5 are shown transparently to show the position of the position sensors 6, 7.

[0048] The meshing or positioning of the position sensors 6, 7 is determined by dedicated software to determine the optimal positions of the position sensors 6, 7 making it possible to detect a deformation of the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 using a minimum number of position sensors 6, 7.

[0049] The damage detection device 6, 7, 8 and more precisely the calculation means 8 is configured to detect the relative displacement of the position sensors 6, 7 with respect to each other in order to deduce the deformation information therefrom.

[0050] Each position sensor 6, 7 is associated with a position coordinate in three directions. The movement of the position sensor 6, 7 is detected relative to its initial position. The initial coordinate of the position sensor 6, 7 and its coordinate after its movement are recorded in a memory of the calculation means 8, then compared by the calculation means 8 to deduce the movement information which may include three distances in three directions which are different and orthogonal to each other.

[0051] According to a variant, the movement of the position sensor 6, 7 is detected relative to a fixed reference frame positioned in the calculation means 8, for example.

[0052] According to another variant, the movement of the position sensor 6, 7 is detected relatively to the position of the other position sensors 6, 7.

[0053] When the coordinate of one or more position sensors 6, 7 is modified, the calculation means 8 determines a displacement of the position sensor(s) 6, 7 and therefore a deformation of one or more external bodywork elements 3, 4, 5 at a time. The calculation means 8 generates deformation information.

[0054] The calculation means 8 comprises a wireless communication means communicating the deformation information to a communication interface 10 which is remote from the vehicle 1.

[0055] The communication interface 10 may be a mobile phone, a tablet or a computer, for example.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the communication interface 10 displays a green signal if no position of position sensor 6, 7 has been modified, meaning that the external bodywork elements 3, 4, 5 have not undergone any impact or a red signal if the coordinate of at least one position sensor 6, 7 has been modified, meaning that the position sensor 6, 7 has been moved and that the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 has been deformed or destroyed during an impact caused by an accident. The color code or the shape of the deformation information may be different.

[0057] Alternatively, the signal displayed on the communication interface 10 varies depending on the severity of the accident.

[0058] For this, the calculation means 8 analyzes the offset distance of the position sensors 6, 7 moved relative to their initial position or relative to the position sensors 6, 7 not moved and the number of position sensors 6, 7 moved.

[0059] The calculation means 8 transmits to the communication interface 10 deformation information comprising a severity level.

[0060] Alternatively, the position sensors 6, 7 are referenced relative to the external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 with which it is associated.

[0061] For example, a first series of position sensors 6, 7 is connected to a first external bodywork element 3 and a second series of position sensors 6, 7 is connected to a second external bodywork element 4.

[0062] The first series of position sensors 6, 7 may comprise a first reference number associated with the first external bodywork element 3. The second series of position sensors 6, 7 may comprise a second reference number associated with the second external bodywork element 4.

[0063] The calculation means 8 determines a first deformation information item associated with the first external bodywork element 3 and a second deformation information item associated with the second external bodywork element 4.

[0064] The communication interface 10 displays a separate damage signal for each external bodywork element 3, 4, 5. The severity of the damage can also be determined for each external bodywork element 3, 4, 5 and displayed on the communication interface 10 by a colored bar comprising several shades of red and green, for example.

Claims

Claims

1. Damage detection device (6, 7, 8) for a vehicle (1) comprising a chassis on which is mounted a body structure (2) comprising at least one external body element (3, 4, 5), characterized in that it comprises at least one position sensor (6, 7) intended to be positioned inside the vehicle (1) and to be mechanically connected to the external body element (3, 4, 5), the damage detection device (6, 7, 8) comprising a calculation means (8) configured to detect a deformation of at least a portion of the external body element (3, 4, 5) from the movement of the position sensor (6, 7), the calculation means (8) comprising a wireless communication means intended to communicate deformation information to a communication interface (10) remote from the vehicle (1).

2. Damage detection device (6, 7, 8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the external bodywork element (3, 4, 5) has an internal face oriented towards the interior of the vehicle (1), the position sensor (6, 7) being mechanically connected to the internal face or integrated inside the external bodywork element (3, 4, 5).

3. Damage detection device (6, 7, 8) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises several position sensors (6, 7) intended to be distributed along the external bodywork element (3, 4, 5), the damage detection device (6, 7, 8) being configured to detect the relative displacement of the position sensors (6, 7) with respect to each other to deduce the deformation information therefrom.

4. Damage detection device (6, 7, 8) (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each position sensor (6, 7) is associated with a position coordinate.

5. Damage detection device (6, 7, 8) (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the calculation means (8) is connected to the position sensor (6, 7) by radiofrequency communication means.

6. Vehicle (1) comprising a chassis on which is mounted a body structure (2) comprising at least one external body element (3, 4, 5), characterized in that it comprises a damage detection device (6, 7, 8) as defined according to any one of the claims 1 to 5.

7. Method for detecting damage to at least one external bodywork element of a bodywork structure (2) of a vehicle (1) by a damage detection device (6, 7, 8) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and comprising at least one position sensor (6, 7) positioned inside the vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a step of mechanically connecting at least one position sensor (6, 7) with the external bodywork element (3, 4, 5), - a step of determining deformation information by a calculation means (8) of the damage detection device (6, 7, 8) when the position sensor (6, 7) has moved relative to its initial position, and - a step of transmitting the deformation information by a wireless communication means of the damage detection device (6, 7, 8) to a communication interface (10) distant.

8. Detection method according to claim 7, characterized in that the damage detection device (6, 7, 8) comprises several position sensors (6, 7), the calculation means (8) analyzing the offset distance between position sensors (6, 7) displaced from their initial position and the number of position sensors (6, 7) displaced to deduce therefrom a level of severity of deformation, the communication interface (10) displaying a signal varying according to the level of severity of deformation.

9. Detection method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that a first series of position sensors (6, 7) is connected to a first external bodywork element (3), a second series of position sensors (6, 7) being connected to a second external bodywork element (4), the calculation means (8) determining a first deformation information item associated with the first external bodywork element (3) and a second deformation information item associated with the second external bodywork element (4), the communication interface (10) displaying a separate damage signal for each external bodywork element (3, 4, 5).

10. A detection method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the positioning of the position sensors (6, 7) on the external bodywork element (3, 4, 5) is determined by software calculating the optimal positions of the position sensors (6, 7) allowing them to correctly detect a deformation of the external bodywork element (3, 4, 5) using a minimum number of position sensors (6, 7).

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