Method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror present on the exterior of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror present on the exterior of a motor vehicle. The adjustment method implements the reception by a computing unit (6) of an instruction confirming the selection of an off-road driving mode and then, the transmission by the computing unit (6) of at least one instruction, to at least one motorized rearview mirror (12), to pivot so as to allow a driver to have an at least partial view of a rear wheel of the motor vehicle (10), through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror present on the exterior of a motor vehicle Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of motor vehicles and, more particularly, to an automated adjustment of the exterior rearview mirrors of a motor vehicle as a function of an off-road type driving mode. Technological background

[0002] It is now common to equip a motor vehicle with an on-board computer, to enable real-time monitoring of various parameters of a motor vehicle, such as travel speed, engine temperature, tire pressure, fuel level, safety systems, etc.

[0003] In order to increase driving comfort, the on-board computer can also modify the parameters of the motor vehicle, according to a specific driving mode selected by the driver. The driving modes offered concern, among others, parking assistance, driving in urban areas, off-road driving.

[0004] Among the driving modes mentioned above, off-road driving plays a vital role, allowing vehicles to successfully navigate varied terrains, such as steep trails, uneven surfaces, and rugged environments.

[0005] Currently, all-terrain vehicles are often equipped with a so-called "4x4" driving mode, allowing the engine speed and transmission to be adjusted depending on the nature of the terrain encountered.

[0006] However, this driving mode creates particular challenges. In particular, when driving on narrow and uneven roads, the driver often faces difficulties in monitoring the passage of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle.

[0007] In some cases, to avoid problems such as flat tires or collisions, the driver may have to lean his head out the window to get a better view of the rear wheels. This can be uncomfortable or even dangerous for the driver.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to overcome the challenges associated with off-road driving, by providing better visibility of the rear wheels of the vehicle, without requiring a change in the driver's position. Subject of the invention

[0009] For this, the invention proposes a method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror, present on the exterior of a motor vehicle, so as to improve the driving comfort of a motor vehicle in off-road mode.

[0010] The adjustment method is remarkable in that the following steps are implemented:

[0011] - receiving an instruction confirming the selection of an all-wheel drive mode land; then

[0012] - issuing at least one instruction to at least one motorized rearview mirror to pivot, so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of the motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to change his driving position.

[0013] By off-road driving mode is meant an off-road driving mode, for which specific parameters of a motor vehicle are adjusted, to enable better performance and safety when driving on rough terrain, such as unpaved roads, muddy terrain, steep slopes, rocks, etc.

[0014] In other words, the adjustment method according to the invention performs an automatic adjustment of at least one motorized rearview mirror present on the exterior of a motor vehicle, so as to allow the driver of the motor vehicle to properly view a rear wheel of the motor vehicle as well as its close environment, so as to be able to ensure that said wheel is not damaged or likely to be damaged by a stone or a stump for example, when moving the motor vehicle.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the instruction confirming the selection of an off-road driving mode comes from an on-board computer of a motor vehicle.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one instruction for modifying the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror passes through an on-board computer of a motor vehicle.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for calibrating an adjustment method as described above, comprising a step of saving, in a storage unit, the position of at least one motorized rearview mirror, oriented so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position.

[0018] The invention also relates to a device for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror, present on the exterior of a motor vehicle, so as to improve the driving comfort of a motor vehicle in off-road mode, comprising a storage unit saving at least one position of a rearview mirror. motorized rearview mirror, oriented so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position, and the steps of a method for adjusting said motorized rearview mirror as described above, and in that it comprises a calculation unit capable of implementing an adjustment method, saved by the storage unit, from at least one position of a motorized rearview mirror saved by the storage unit.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the calculation unit and the storage unit belong to an on-board computer of a motor vehicle.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the on-board computer controls at least one motorized rearview mirror present outside a motor vehicle.

[0021] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an adjustment device as described above. Description of the figures

[0022] The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawing, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] illustrates a diagram of an adjustment device according to the invention, the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror, present on the exterior of a motor vehicle. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] As a reminder, the invention proposes a method and a device for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror, present on the exterior of a motor vehicle, to allow the driver of the motor vehicle to properly view a rear wheel of the motor vehicle as well as its close environment, so as to be able to ensure that said wheel is not damaged or likely to be damaged by a stone or a stump when the motor vehicle is moving.

[0025] To do this, the invention proposes a non-limiting example of a device for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror, present outside a motor vehicle, when an off-road driving mode is selected for the motor vehicle.

[0026] The adjustment device 2 as illustrated by [Fig.l], consists of a storage unit 4 connected to a calculation unit 6. By the term "connected", we mean the possibility for two units to exchange information reciprocally or not.

[0027] More precisely, the storage unit 4 saves a calibration process and at at least one position of a motorized rearview mirror, oriented so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle through a motorized rearview mirror, without having to change his driving position and an adjustment method as described below.

[0028] According to the present example, the adjustment device is part of an on-board computer 8 of a motor vehicle 10. The computer is capable of controlling the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror 12, present outside the motor vehicle 10 and held thereto.

[0029] It should be noted that the calculation unit 6 is able to receive instructions from the on-board computer 8, in particular concerning a driving mode selected by a driver of the motor vehicle. The calculation unit 6 is also able to transmit an instruction to the on-board computer 8, to modify the position of at least one motorized rearview mirror 12.

[0030] On command from the on-board computer, the calculation unit 6 is capable of carrying out a calibration process saved by the storage unit. The calibration process implements a step of storing the position of at least one motorized rearview mirror 12.

[0031] Of course, the calibration method is implemented when at least one motorized rearview mirror is oriented so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of the motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position.

[0032] Preferably, the calibration method is activated by the driver of the motor vehicle, through the on-board computer, after the driver has adjusted the position of the motorized exterior rearview mirrors, so as to see at least partially the rear wheels of his vehicle through said rearview mirrors, when the driver adopts an off-road type driving position.

[0033] After carrying out the calibration method described above, the control unit is able to implement an adjustment method saved by the storage unit.

[0034] The adjustment method is activated when the calculation unit 6 receives from the on-board computer 8 an instruction confirming the selection of an off-road driving mode.

[0035] According to a second step, the calculation unit transmits to the on-board computer 8 an instruction to pivot at least one motorized rearview mirror 12, until it reaches its position recorded during the calibration method described above. In other words, the calculation unit 6 commands, via the on-board computer 8, at least one motorized rearview mirror, to pivot so as to allow the driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of the motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position.

[0036] The adjustment device as described above advantageously makes it possible to automatically adjust at least one motorized rearview mirror located outside a motor vehicle.

[0037] The purpose of this adjustment is to enable the driver of the vehicle to adequately view the rear wheel of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings. This is particularly useful to ensure that the wheel in question does not suffer any damage, or is not likely to suffer any damage, for example, from a stone or a stump, while the vehicle is in motion.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror (12), present outside a motor vehicle (10), so as to improve the driving comfort of a motor vehicle in off-road mode, characterized in that the following steps are implemented: - receiving an instruction confirming the selection of an off-road driving mode; then - transmitting at least one instruction, to at least one motorized rearview mirror (12), to pivot so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of the motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position.

2. Method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that the instruction confirming the selection of an off-road driving mode comes from an on-board computer (8) of a motor vehicle.

3. Method for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one instruction for modifying the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror passes through an on-board computer (8) of a motor vehicle.

4. Method for calibrating an adjustment method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a step of saving, in a storage unit (4), the position of at least one motorized rearview mirror (12), oriented so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position.

5. Device (2) for adjusting the orientation of at least one motorized rearview mirror (12), present outside a motor vehicle, so as to improve the driving comfort of a motor vehicle (10) in off-road mode, characterized in that it comprises a storage unit (4) comprising at least one position of a motorized rearview mirror (12), oriented so as to allow a driver to have at least a partial view of a rear wheel of a motor vehicle, through said rearview mirror, without having to modify his driving position, and in that the storage unit (4) comprises the steps of a method for adjusting said motorized rearview mirror, according to one of the re-

6.

7.

8. claims 1 to 3, and in that it comprises a calculation unit (6) capable of implementing an adjustment method, saved by the storage unit (4), from at least one position of a motorized rearview mirror saved by the storage unit (4). Adjustment device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the calculation unit (6) and the storage unit (4) belong to an on-board computer (8) of a motor vehicle. Adjustment device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the on-board computer (8) controls at least one motorized rearview mirror (12) present outside a motor vehicle. Motor vehicle (10) characterized in that it comprises an adjustment device (2) according to claim 6 or 7.

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