Vehicle proximity person warning system

Abstract

System for warning a person located near a vehicle The warning system comprises: - several signaling devices (10) mounted on a side face (4) of the vehicle (1), spaced apart longitudinally, each signaling device (10) comprising a light signal emitter and a sound signal emitter; - a detection device (25) mounted on the vehicle (1), configured to detect the presence of a person (21) in a risk zone (20) and to determine the position of said person in said risk zone; - a control unit connected to the detection device and to each of the signaling devices, said control unit being configured to receive a position data item of said person supplied by the detection device and to cause in response the activation of the sound signal emitter of the signaling device (10a) located closest to said person. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: System for warning a person located near a vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to a warning system intended to be installed on a vehicle, to warn a person located in a lateral zone adjacent to the vehicle, called a risk zone. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such a warning system. Finally, the invention relates to a method for warning a person located in a lateral zone adjacent to a vehicle.

[0002] The invention applies particularly to long vehicles, such as trucks or buses. Indeed, when a vehicle of this type turns, it is required to use a large space, or even to shift onto the road. Furthermore, in the case of an articulated vehicle, such as a semi-trailer truck, the rotation of the rear part of the vehicle does not follow the same trajectory as the front part. This represents a danger for a person on the side of the vehicle, in particular vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, especially since these people are barely or not at all visible to the driver of the vehicle.

[0003] The invention aims to improve the safety of people located in a lateral area adjacent to a vehicle.

[0004] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a warning system intended to be installed on a vehicle, in particular a vehicle for transporting goods or people, such as a truck or a bus, the system being intended to warn a person located in a lateral zone adjacent to the vehicle, called a risk zone. The warning system comprises: - a plurality of signaling devices intended to be mounted on a side face of the vehicle, spaced longitudinally, each signaling device comprising a light signal transmitter and an audible signal transmitter; - a detection device intended to be mounted on the vehicle, configured to detect the presence of a person in the risk zone and to determine the position of said person in said risk zone; - a control unit connected to the detection device and to each of the signaling devices, said control unit being configured to receive position data of said person provided by the detection device and to cause in response the activation of the sound signal transmitter of the signaling device located closest to said person.

[0005] The emission of an audible signal near the person to be warned allows on the one hand to warn this person very effectively and, on the other hand, limits noise pollution. In fact, the system preferably provides for the targeted activation of an audible signal transmitter from a single signaling device, namely the one located closest to the person to be warned.

[0006] According to a possible embodiment, each signaling device comprises a side marker light. Such a light makes it possible to visualize the outline of the vehicle, therefore its dimensions, in particular its length. Insofar as regulations require the presence of such lights on certain vehicles, the invention makes it possible to take advantage of the electrical / electronic fixing and connection system of such lights already present on the vehicle. The implementation of the invention therefore only involves replacing the signaling devices provided only with a light signal transmitter with signaling devices also provided with an audible signal transmitter.

[0007] According to a possible embodiment, said control unit is configured to receive a direction change data item provided by a device of the vehicle and to cause the activation of said sound signal transmitter only in response to the reception of said direction change data item. Said direction change data item corresponds to an actual change of direction or to an indication of a change of direction. Such an arrangement makes it possible to limit the emission of a sound signal to the most dangerous situations for the person.

[0008] For example, each signaling device includes a turn signal repeater light.

[0009] According to a possible embodiment, the detection device comprises at least one of the following devices: a camera, a radar, a LIDAR device, an ultrasonic sensor, a thermal camera, a time of flight (TOF) camera.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a vehicle for transporting goods or people, such as a truck or a bus, which comprises a warning system as previously described. The control unit of the warning system is for example the electronic control unit of the vehicle.

[0011] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for warning a person located in a neighboring lateral zone of a vehicle, called a risk zone, in particular for a vehicle for transporting goods or people, such as a truck or a bus, the vehicle comprising a plurality of signaling devices mounted on a lateral face of the vehicle, in a longitudinally spaced manner, each signaling device comprising a light signal transmitter and an audible signal transmitter. The warning method comprises the steps of:

[0012] - monitor the risk area;

[0013] - if the presence of a person is detected in the risk zone, determine the position of said person in said risk zone;

[0014] - activate the sound signal transmitter of the signaling device located closest to said person.

[0015] Furthermore, if the detected position of said person in said risk zone changes from a first position, of which the nearest signaling device is a first signaling device, to a second position, of which the nearest signaling device is a second signaling device, the warning method comprises activating the sound signal transmitter of the second signaling device and deactivating the sound signal transmitter of the first signaling device.

[0016] According to a possible embodiment, said sound signal transmitter is only activated if it is determined that the vehicle is changing direction or is emitting a signal indicative of a change of direction.

[0017] The method may use the warning system as previously described.

[0018] A possible embodiment of the invention, with reference to the attached figures:

[0019] [Fig.l] is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a warning system according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a signaling device belonging to the warning system;

[0021] [Fig.3] illustrates the implementation of the warning system.

[0022] [Fig.l] represents a vehicle 1. This is a truck comprising a cabin 2 and a semi-trailer 3.

[0023] The invention is however not limited to this type of vehicle. It can in particular be implemented on any other goods transport vehicle such as a carrier, that is to say a truck having on the same chassis the cabin and the loading volume. The invention can also be applied to passenger transport vehicles, such as buses (articulated or not), coaches, etc.

[0024] The vehicle 1 has side faces 4 and a rear face 5. It is equipped with rear signal lights 6 typically having, among other things, a direction change indicator 7.

[0025] The vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of signaling devices 10 which are mounted on each of the side faces 4, for example in the lower part.

[0026] The signaling devices 10 are arranged in a longitudinally spaced manner, for example regularly spaced longitudinally. They may be arranged over at least 50% or even at least 70% of the total length of the vehicle 1. In the example shown, the signaling devices 10 are arranged over substantially the entire length of the semi-trailer 3.

[0027] An example of a signaling device 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The signaling device 10 comprises a base 11 and a glass wall 12 mounted on the base so as to define a closed housing. The signaling device 10 comprises a light signal transmitter 13 and an audible signal transmitter 14.

[0028] Concretely, according to one embodiment, an electronic card housed in the housing carries one or more light sources as well as a loudspeaker (these components not being visible). In addition, the glass wall 12 may comprise an optical zone 15 opposite the light source(s), to direct the emitted beams appropriately to the desired function, and an acoustic output opening 16 of the loudspeaker.

[0029] Furthermore, the glazed wall 12 may comprise a retroreflective or catadioptric surface 17, forming passive signaling.

[0030] Each signaling device 10 may comprise a side position light, which makes it possible to visualize the outline of the vehicle.

[0031] For example, each signaling device 10 comprises a turn signal repeater light, i.e. a light which is activated when the direction indicator 7 is activated, so as to provide the same information as the direction indicator 7, but essentially laterally rather than essentially rearwardly.

[0032] As seen in [Fig. 3], a lateral zone adjacent to the vehicle 1 is defined on each side of the vehicle 1, referred to as a risk zone 20, in which a person 21 may be located, in particular a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian or a cyclist. In the example shown, in the case of a semi-trailer truck 3, the risk zone 20 may extend over substantially the entire length of the semi-trailer 3, and over a width of the order of 2 to 3 m.

[0033] A detection device 25 is mounted on the vehicle 1, on each side, so as to be able to detect the presence of a person 21 in the corresponding risk zone 20 and to be able to determine the position of this person 21 in the risk zone 20. The detection device 25 comprises for example a camera, preferably mounted on the cabin 2 and whose vision zone encompasses the risk zone 20.

[0034] The vehicle 1 further comprises a control unit 26 connected to the detection device 25 and to each of the signaling devices 10. This may be the electronic control unit of the vehicle or a separate control unit for implementing the invention, and possibly other systems.

[0035] The invention aims to improve the safety of a person 21 located in the risk zone 20, by warning him of the potential danger, and this by means of a warning system 30 which comprises the plurality of signaling devices 10, the detection device 25 and the control unit 26.

[0036] For this purpose, the risk zone 20 is monitored. Typically, the detection device 25 captures information, for example images in the case of a camera, continuously or discreetly. If the presence of a person 21 is detected in the risk zone 20, the warning system 30 - and more particularly the detection device 25, for example - determines the position of this person 21 in the risk zone 20.

[0037] The position data of said person 21 is provided by the detection device 25 to the control unit 26. In response, the control unit 26 causes the activation of the sound signal transmitter 14 of the signaling device 10a which is located closest to said person 21, as schematically illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Thus, even if the light signal transmitter 13 of all the signaling devices 10 is active, only the sound signal transmitter 14 of the signaling device 10a concerned is active.

[0038] The emitted sound signal may comprise a voice message, a short sound (such as a beep), a long sound, a series of repeated sounds, etc. The loudspeaker may be adapted so that the emitted sound corresponds to the wishes of a user, in particular the driver of the vehicle 1. For example, the loudspeaker may be chosen according to its frequency response, so that a voice message is produced with a more or less deep voice.

[0039] The activation of the relevant sound signal transmitter 14 may be conditioned on the fact that it is determined that the vehicle 1 is changing direction or is going to change direction. Indeed, this is a situation where the safety of the person 21 may be seriously threatened, whereas when the vehicle 1 is traveling in a straight line, the danger is much less. It may therefore be provided that no sound signal is emitted when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, or following a slight curve, in order to minimize noise pollution.

[0040] Direction change data may be provided by a sensor placed on or linked to the vehicle's steering column or to one of the steered wheels, the sensor being capable of determining an angle relative to a neutral position. The fact that the determined angle exceeds a predefined threshold value means that the vehicle is actually making a direction change.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, a direction change data item may correspond to a direction change indication, when the driver of the vehicle 1 activates one of the direction change indicators 7.

[0042] In either of these situations, the change of direction data is supplied to the control unit 26 which, in the presence of a person 21 detected in the risk zone 20, causes the activation of the sound signal transmitter 14 of the signaling device 10a which is located closest to said person 21.

[0043] Furthermore, the position of the person 21 relative to the vehicle 1 may change over time, due to the movement of the person and / or the vehicle.

[0044] In the event that the detected position of the person 21 in the risk zone 20 changes from a first position, of which the nearest signaling device 10 is a first signaling device, to a second position, of which the nearest signaling device 10 is a second signaling device, the sound signal transmitter 14 of the second signaling device 10 is activated, and the sound signal transmitter 14 of the first signaling device 10 is deactivated.

[0045] Thus, it is ensured that the audible warning is emitted as close as possible to the person 21, who can therefore perceive it well, even during their movement and that of the vehicle 1. In addition, the audible warning, intended particularly for this person 21, can have a lower intensity and thus be less perceptible and therefore less annoying for other people, not subject to the risk.

[0046] Thus, the invention provides a decisive improvement to the prior art, in particular by providing a warning system mounted on a vehicle, comprising a signaling device which is: both bright, typically to fulfill usual or even regulatory functions for the vehicle, and sound, to broadcast a danger message as close as possible to the person in the risk zone.

[0047] Furthermore, combining these two functions in a single product has advantages in terms of compactness and assembly time.

[0048] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

Claims

1. Warning system (30) intended to be installed on a vehicle (1), in particular a vehicle for transporting goods or people, such as a truck or a bus, the warning system (30) being intended to warn a person (21) located in a lateral area adjacent to the vehicle (1), called a risk area (20), the warning system (30) comprising: - a plurality of signaling devices (10) intended to be mounted on a lateral face (4) of the vehicle (1), in a longitudinally spaced manner, each signaling device (10) comprising a light signal transmitter (13) and an audible signal transmitter (14); - a detection device (25) intended to be mounted on the vehicle (1), configured to detect the presence of a person (21) in the risk area (20) and to determine the position of said person (21) in said risk area (20);- a control unit (26) connected to the detection device (25) and to each of the signaling devices (10), said control unit (26) being configured to receive position data of said person (21) provided by the detection device (25) and to cause in response the activation of the sound signal transmitter (14) of the signaling device (10a) located closest to said person (21).;

2. Warning system according to claim 1, characterized in that said control unit (26) is configured to receive a direction change data item provided by a device of the vehicle (1), said direction change data item corresponding to an actual change of direction or to an indication of a change of direction, and to cause the activation of said sound signal transmitter (14) only in response to the reception of said direction change data item.

3. Warning system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each signaling device (10) comprises a side marker light.

4. Warning system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each signaling device (10) comprises a flashing repeater light.

5. Warning system according to one of claims 1 to 4, ca- characterized in that the detection device (25) comprises at least one of the following devices: a camera, a radar, a LIDAR device, an ultrasonic sensor, a thermal camera, a time of flight (TOF) camera.

6. Vehicle (1), in particular a vehicle for transporting goods or people, such as a truck or a bus, characterized in that it comprises a warning system (30) according to one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Method for warning a person (21) located in a neighboring lateral area of ​​a vehicle (1), called a risk area (20), in particular for a vehicle for transporting goods or people, such as a truck or a bus, the vehicle (1) comprising a plurality of signaling devices (10) mounted on a lateral face (4) of the vehicle (1), in a longitudinally spaced manner, each signaling device (10) comprising a light signal transmitter (13) and a sound signal transmitter (14), the warning method comprising the steps of: - monitoring the risk area (20); - if the presence of a person (21) is detected in the risk area (20), determining the position of said person (21) in said risk area (20); - activating the sound signal transmitter (14) of the signaling device (10a) located closest to said person (21).

8. A warning method according to claim 7, characterized in that, if the detected position of said person (21) in said risk zone (20) changes from a first position, of which the nearest signaling device (10) is a first signaling device, to a second position, of which the nearest signaling device (10) is a second signaling device, the warning method comprises activating the sound signal transmitter (14) of the second signaling device and deactivating the sound signal transmitter (14) of the first signaling device.

9. A warning method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said sound signal transmitter (14) is activated only if it is determined that the vehicle (1) is changing direction or is emitting a signal indicative of a change of direction.

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