Pre-opening warning system for a motor vehicle's side door

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) for providing prior warning before the opening of a side door of a motor vehicle, comprising: - means for detecting the imminent opening of a side door, - monitoring means (120) capable of establishing the existence of a risk of collision between a road user and said door in the event of its actual opening, - external warning means (130) comprising at least one projection device and capable of emitting a light alert including the projection of a visual warning signal onto the portion of the roadway adjoining said door laterally, and - a control unit (160) configured to order the activation of said monitoring means following the detection of the imminent opening of said door.said control unit being also configured to command the emission of said visual warning signal by said external warning means when such a risk of collision is established. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3,

Description

Title of the invention: Pre-opening warning system for a motor vehicle side door Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles. It relates in particular to a warning system prior to the opening of a side door of such a motor vehicle. Previous technique

[0002] When a vehicle is stopped or parked, the occupants may decide to exit by opening the side doors. If the vehicle is parked at the edge of a traffic lane and one of the occupants decides to open a door leading onto that lane, there is a risk that the opening of the door may obstruct a road user or cause an accident. For example, the untimely opening of a side door leading onto the roadway by an inattentive passenger who does not check that the lane is clear before opening the door may result in a collision with a cyclist riding in the traffic lane who is surprised by the sudden opening of the door. Injuries to cyclists in this way can be serious or even fatal. It may also happen that the cyclist swerves suddenly to avoid colliding with the vehicle door and then collides with another vehicle.

[0003] The opening of a door by an inattentive vehicle occupant can also be the cause of a collision with another vehicle which will hit the door, tearing it off or damaging it.

[0004] Warning systems are known that are capable of sending an alert message in the vehicle at the level of a side mirror following the detection of a risk of collision with another road user in the event of the opening of a side door of the vehicle located on the side of this mirror.

[0005] Document DE 10 2011 010 242 Al discloses a warning system for a vehicle equipped with a pivoting door over a given opening range, said system comprising: - Environmental monitoring devices around the vehicle capable of collecting information on an object located in a target area surrounding the vehicle, - actuation means capable of controlling the movement of the door, and - a control unit coupled to the monitoring means and configured to operate selectively in a first mode and in a second mode.

[0006] In the first mode, the control unit is configured to generate a first alert in the vehicle based on the characteristics of the object.

[0007] In the second mode, the control unit is configured to determine the risk of collision of the door with said object on its opening range and to command the door actuation means to hinder or prevent its opening.

[0008] It is also known to place reflective or luminous devices on the edges of side doors to improve their visibility to road users when they are open at night or on a poorly lit road. Unfortunately, it is often at the moment the door is opened that the accident will occur. Once the door is open, it is already too late.

[0009] Therefore, warning systems for the imminent opening of a vehicle's side door have been proposed for road users. An example of such a system is given in US patent 2011 / 0260848 A1. This patent proposes activating warning lights when the handle of an interior or exterior door control is operated. The system proposes emitting light signals outward from the vehicle at two different locations, far apart from each other, to ensure that at least one of the two signals is visible in cases where opening the door would obscure one. Finally, the patent also proposes emitting a signal to vehicle occupants who wish to exit the vehicle when another vehicle is detected, for example, by radar, and even temporarily blocking the door from opening.

[0010] The proposed system is interesting but nevertheless has some drawbacks. For example, the outward warning light is emitted in all situations where a door is opened, whether or not this opening presents a danger. However, the emission of unnecessary warning signals can lead to reduced attention being paid to said signals or unnecessarily distract road users.

[0011] Document FR 3 058 959 A1 also discloses a pre-opening warning system for a side door of a motor vehicle configured to perform:

[0012] a) an activation command for environmental monitoring means around the vehicle in response to an actuation of the control to open said door, and

[0013] b) an activation order for an external audible and / or visual alert generated by the vehicle's audible warning devices and / or lighting and / or signaling devices in response to the detection by the monitoring means of a risk of collision between a road user and said door in the event of the latter being effectively opened.

[0014] However, in practice, such an external alert is not necessarily perceived clearly by users as indicating the imminent opening of a vehicle door, so that they do not become aware of the danger and do not react correctly. Description of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0016] To this end, it proposes a pre-opening warning system for a side door of a motor vehicle, comprising: - means of detecting the imminent opening of a vehicle's side door, - monitoring systems capable of establishing the existence of a risk of collision between a road user and said door in the event of its actual opening, - external warning devices capable of emitting a light warning signal towards the outside of said vehicle on the side where said side door is located, and - a control unit configured to order the activation of said monitoring means following the detection of the imminent opening of said side door, said control unit also being configured to order the emission of said light alert by said external alert means when such a risk of collision is established; characterized in that said external warning means include at least one projection device, said light warning including the projection of a visual warning signal on the portion of the roadway adjoining laterally said side door.

[0017] The warning system according to the invention thus makes it possible to warn other road users safely and effectively, day and night and when a risk of collision is established, of an imminent opening of one of the side doors of the vehicle, so that they can become aware of the danger and adapt their trajectory accordingly.

[0018] According to preferred characteristics of said alert system according to the invention: - said visual warning signage includes a marking line extending laterally along the side of said vehicle where said side door is located and laterally delimiting, between it and this vehicle, a portion of the roadway to be bypassed; - said visual warning signage also includes, on said section of road to be bypassed, a pictogram indicating a traffic prohibition; - said external warning devices include two laser video projectors installed on the two lateral sides of said vehicle; - said detection means include, for each side door of said vehicle, a motion sensor capable of detecting the insertion of a passenger's hand into the housing for the opening control handle manual for this side door; - said system also includes internal warning means connected to said control unit and comprising, for each side door of the vehicle, a lighting device capable of generating a lit warning zone near the manual opening control handle of that door, said control unit also being configured to control the activation of the lighting device of said side door when said monitoring means establish the existence of a risk of collision in the event of actual opening of that door; - each said lighting device includes a projection light-emitting diode capable of projecting colored light against the back wall of the housing for the manual opening control handle of the corresponding side door; - said system configured so that the color of the illuminated area generated by said lighting device depends on the level of collision risk established by said monitoring means; - said system also includes actuation means connected to said control unit and comprising, for each side door of the vehicle, a device for controlling its opening range, said control unit also being configured to command the control device of said side door to limit or block its opening when said monitoring means establish the existence of a risk of collision in the event of actual opening of that door; and / or - said system is configured so that the opening range of said side door authorized by the corresponding control device depends on the level of collision risk detected by said monitoring means. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The description of the invention will now be continued by a detailed description of an example embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which: - [Fig.1] represents a top view of a vehicle equipped with a pre-opening warning system for a side door according to the invention; - [Fig.2] represents an interior door opening control mounted on the interior face of a side door of the vehicle in [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] is a functional diagram of the system according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 comprising at least one side door 2 provided with a manual interior door opening control 3 or COI shown in Fig. 2.

[0021] In the remainder of this description, the terms "front," "rear," and "side" shall refer to the general orientation of vehicle 1, as viewed along its longitudinal direction. The term "side" of the vehicle shall refer to the left and right sides of the vehicle as delimited by the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, thus including the side flanks and, for each side, one half of the front and rear faces of vehicle 1.

[0022] With reference to [Fig. 2], the manual interior opening control 3 of each side door 2 is conventionally mounted in a housing 4 provided in said door on the passenger compartment side. Such an interior opening control conventionally comprises a pivoting handle 5 which, when pulled inwards, unlocks the door 3, allowing it to be opened by pushing it outwards.

[0023] The vehicle 1 is also equipped with a system 100 for prior warning of the opening of a side door 2 according to the invention, the functional diagram of which is shown in [Fig.3].

[0024] With reference to this [Fig.3], this device 100 comprises: - means of detecting the imminent opening of a side door 2 of the motor vehicle 1; - monitoring means 120 capable of establishing the existence of a risk of collision between a road user U such as a cyclist or a motorcyclist and said side door 2 in the event of the latter being effectively opened; - external warning devices 130 capable of emitting a light warning signal towards the outside of the vehicle 1 on the side where this side door 2 is located; and - a control unit 160 connected, via the multiplexed on-board electronic network of the vehicle 1 to the detection means 110, monitoring means 120 and external warning means 130.

[0025] The detection means 110 advantageously include, for each side door 2 of the vehicle 1, a motion sensor 111, integrated for example in one of the walls delimiting the housing 4 of the manual opening control handle 5 of this door 2, and capable of detecting the introduction of a hand of a passenger of this vehicle 1 into this housing 4.

[0026] Each motion sensor 111 is for example made up of a passive infrared sensor, commonly referred to by the English acronym PIR (for "Passive InfraRed" in English).

[0027] The surveillance means 120 in this case include at least one camera 121 installed at the rear of the vehicle 1 and capable of capturing the rear environment of this vehicle 1.

[0028] Each camera 121 typically includes an optical sensor of the CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Charge-Coupled Device) type. Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor » which translates into French as «semi-conducteur à oxyde de métal complémentaire »).

[0029] As illustrated by [Fig.1], the surveillance means 120 may advantageously include two cameras 121 implanted on the two lateral sides of the vehicle, for example at the two lateral ends of a spoiler 6 extending in the rear extension of the roof of the vehicle 1.

[0030] The monitoring means 120 may also advantageously include at least one radar or lidar, not shown, installed at the rear of the vehicle 1, and capable of more accurately assessing the approach speed of other identified road users so as to determine more precisely the level of risk of collision.

[0031] These monitoring means 120 are not necessarily specific to the warning device 100 according to the invention and can for example be used by other devices of the vehicle allowing for example to assist the driver in parking maneuvers.

[0032] The external warning means 130 include at least one projection device 131 capable of projecting a visual warning sign S onto the portion of the roadway adjoining laterally each side door 2 of the vehicle 1.

[0033] As illustrated by [Fig.1], this visual warning signage S may advantageously include a marking line L extending laterally along the side of the vehicle 1 where the side door 2 is about to be opened and laterally delimiting, between it and this vehicle 1, a portion of the roadway to be bypassed by road users located in the vicinity of this vehicle 1.

[0034] In order to make this visual warning sign S even clearer for road users, it may also include, on this section of road to be bypassed, a pictogram P indicating a traffic prohibition.

[0035] As illustrated by [Fig.1], the external warning means 130 advantageously comprise two laser video projectors 131 located on the two lateral sides of the vehicle near the two cameras 121 (each miniature video projector 131 and the camera 121 located on the same side of the vehicle can, for example, be integrated into a single housing).

[0036] The projection device(s) 131 are not necessarily specific to the system according to the invention 100, but may also constitute one of the elements of a complementary system such as, for example, a welcome lighting system intended to accompany the driver in his phases of approaching or moving away from the vehicle.

[0037] Advantageously, the image projected by the projection device(s) 131 is anamorphic, that is to say, distorted in relation to its visible projection on the ground for compensate for the angle of inclination of the optical path relative to the road surface and so as to improve the readability of warning signs for road users U located in the vicinity of vehicle 1.

[0038] Alternatively, the projection device(s) 131 may each consist of a simple miniature projector combined with a transparent slide on which the image containing the visual warning signage is displayed. Such a projector may, for example, include a high-power LED or laser, white or colored, combined with at least one converging lens.

[0039] Preferably consisting of the vehicle's B SI (for "Intelligent Servicing Box") also called VSM (for "Vehicle Supervisor Module" in English) in common terminology, the control unit 160 includes a computer 161 and a storage module 162 comprising non-volatile memory of the EEPROM or FLASH type and random access memory.

[0040] This control unit 160 is configured to order the activation of the monitoring means 120 following the detection by the detection means 110 of the imminent opening of a side door 2 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0041] When the monitoring means 120 establish the existence of a risk of collision with another road user U in the event of the actual opening of this side door 2, the control unit 160 is also configured to command the external warning means 130 to project a visual warning sign S onto the portion of the roadway adjoining laterally said side door.

[0042] With reference to [Fig.3], the system 100 also advantageously includes interior warning means 140 connected to the control unit 160 and configured to emit a warning signal inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 for the benefit of the passenger(s) of that vehicle 1.

[0043] These internal warning means 140 comprise in this case, for each side door 2 of the vehicle 1, a lighting device 141, integrated for example in one of the walls delimiting the housing 4 of the manual opening control handle 5 of this door 2 as schematically illustrated on [Fig.2], and capable of generating an illuminated warning zone near this handle 5.

[0044] Each lighting device 141 can for example include a projection light-emitting diode capable of projecting colored lighting against the back wall of this housing 4 (each lighting device 141 and the motion sensor 111 associated with the same side door 2 can for example be integrated into a single housing).

[0045] When the monitoring means 120 establish the existence of a risk of collision with another road user U in the event of the actual opening of a side door 2, the control unit 160 can thus also be configured to control the activation of the lighting device 141 integrated into this side door 2.

[0046] According to an advantageous feature, the system 100 according to the invention can be configured so that the color of the illuminated area generated by the lighting device 141 integrated into this side door 2 depends on the level of risk of collision established by the monitoring means 120.

[0047] It may be provided for, for example, that this illuminated area is "orange" when the risk of collision is below a predetermined threshold, and that it is "red" when the risk of collision is greater than or equal to this threshold.

[0048] The interior warning means 140 may also include at least one display screen 142 consisting of the instrument cluster screen of the vehicle 1 or of the infotainment system integrated into the center console of the dashboard of this vehicle 1. When the monitoring means 120 establish the existence of a risk of collision with another road user U in the event of an actual opening of a side door 2, the control unit 160 can thus also be configured to command this screen 142 to display an alert message.

[0049] The interior warning means 140 may further include an audible interaction device 143, such as the infotainment system speakers or an independent system alarm. When the monitoring means 120 detect a risk of collision with another road user U in the event of a side door 2 being opened, the control unit 160 can also be configured to command this audible interaction device 143 to generate an audible alert in the passenger compartment.

[0050] With further reference to [Fig. 3], the device 100 also advantageously comprises actuation means 150 connected to the control unit 160 and including, for each side door 2 of the vehicle 1, a control device 151 for its opening range. When the monitoring means 120 establish the existence of a risk of collision with another road user U in the event of the actual opening of a side door 2, the control unit 160 can thus also be configured to command the control device 151 of that side door 2 to limit or block its opening.

[0051] According to an advantageous feature, the system 100 according to the invention can be configured so that the opening range of this side door 2 allowed by the corresponding control device 151 depends on the level of collision risk detected by the monitoring means 120.

[0052] It may be provided for, for example, that the opening range of the side door 2 is simply limited when the detected risk of collision is below a predetermined threshold, and that this side door 2 is completely blocked when the risk of collision is greater than or equal to this threshold.

[0053] Many variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented, but also encompasses all variants of execution within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. System (100) for providing a warning prior to the opening of a side door (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - means (110) for detecting the imminent opening of a side door (2) of the vehicle (1), - monitoring means (120) capable of establishing the existence of a risk of collision between a road user (U) and said door (2) in the event of the latter actually opening, - external warning means (130) capable of emitting a light warning towards the outside of said vehicle (1) on the side where said side door (2) is located, and - a control unit (160) configured to order the activation of said monitoring means (120) following the detection of the imminent opening of said side door (2), said control unit (160) also being configured to command the emission of a said light warning by said means external alert (130) when such a risk of collision is established;characterized in that said external alert means (130) comprise at least one projection device (131), said light alert comprising the projection of a visual alert sign (S) onto the portion of the roadway laterally adjoining said side door (2).;

2. Alert system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said visual alert signage (S) comprises a marking line (L) extending laterally along the side of said vehicle (1) where said side door (2) is located and laterally delimiting, between it and this vehicle (1), a portion of the roadway to be bypassed.

3. Alert system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said visual alert signage (S) also comprises, on said portion of roadway to be bypassed, a pictogram (P) indicating a traffic ban.

4. Alert system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said external alert means (130) comprise two laser video projectors (131) installed on the two lateral sides of said vehicle (1).

5. Alert system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said detection means (110) comprise, for each side door (2) of said vehicle (1), a motion sensor (111) capable of detecting the introduction of a hand of a passenger of the vehicle inside the reception housing (4) of the manual opening control handle (5) of this side door (2).

6. Warning system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it also comprises interior warning means (140) connected to said control unit (160) and comprising, for each side door (2) of the vehicle (1), a lighting device (141) capable of generating an illuminated warning zone near the manual opening control handle (5) of this door (2), said control unit (160) also being configured to control the activation of the lighting device (141) of a said side door (2) when said monitoring means (120) establish the existence of a risk of collision in the event of actual opening of this door (2).

7. Alert system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that each said lighting device (141) comprises a projection light-emitting diode capable of projecting colored lighting against the back wall of the receiving housing (4) of the manual opening control handle (5) of the corresponding side door (2).

8. Alert system (100) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it is configured so that the color of the illuminated area generated by a said lighting device (141) depends on the level of collision risk established by said monitoring means (120).

9. Alert system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it also comprises actuating means (150) connected to said control unit (160) and comprising, for each side door (2) of the vehicle (1), a device for controlling its opening range (151), said control unit (160) also being configured to command the control device (151) of a said side door (2) to limit or block its opening when said monitoring means (120) establish the existence of a risk of collision in the event of actual opening of this door (2).

10. Alert system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that it is configured so that the opening range of said side door (2) authorized by the corresponding control device (151) depends on the level of collision risk detected by said monitoring means (120).

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