Electrophoretic roof light for motor vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a body panel (1) for a motor vehicle (3), the body panel (1) comprising an electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) configured to change color according to environmental parameters including ambient light, the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) extending over the body panel (1). The invention also addresses an arrangement (2) comprising such a body panel (1) controlled by a control unit (12) which takes into account environmental parameters external to the motor vehicle (3) and functional parameters of the motor vehicle (3) and its electric battery (32) to control the coloring state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electrophoretic roof canopy for motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of components of a motor vehicle that optimize its energy management and the thermal comfort of its occupants. Furthermore, although the present invention offers a particularly interesting advantage in the field of electrified motor vehicles, it is not limited to these electrified vehicles alone and is compatible with any type of motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to an electrophoretic body element, a motor vehicle arrangement comprising such a body element, a motor vehicle, and a method for controlling such an arrangement.

[0002] It is well known that the thermal comfort of a motor vehicle's passenger compartment can significantly influence its fuel consumption and pollution levels. Furthermore, in the more specific field of electrified motor vehicles, the thermal comfort of the passenger compartment can also influence their energy efficiency in various operating phases, including in particular:

[0003] - during the convergence phases during which the heating and When the vehicle's air conditioning activates to reach a set temperature, the heating and air conditioning system can lead to excessive use of the vehicle's electric battery, thus reducing its range;

[0004] - during the cabin temperature regulation phases, if the insulation If the passenger compartment is insufficiently insulated, the heat or cold losses caused by this insufficient insulation force the heating and air conditioning system to work harder to maintain the set temperature, also leading to overconsumption of electricity and a loss of range of the vehicle's electric battery.

[0005] To this end, the thermal insulation of the passenger compartment is particularly important for achieving optimal thermal comfort for the occupants of the motor vehicle, but also for minimizing the electrical consumption of the heating and air conditioning system. In particular, it is observed that the body of the motor vehicle – and especially its exterior cladding – is of great importance with regard to thermal comfort in the passenger compartment. Thus, for example, it is known that the presence of a panoramic glass roof creates a significant thermal coupling surface, thereby negatively impacting the heating and air conditioning system in The regulation of passenger compartment temperature and comfort leads to higher electricity consumption compared to a similar vehicle with an opaque roof. This is because the glass roof has a large surface area, and its exposure to sunlight causes the vehicle's interior to heat up more quickly. Conversely, in cold weather, the glass roof creates a significant thermal bridge, leading to a cooling of the passenger compartment. Indeed, it is well known that glass is less insulating than other materials used for vehicle bodies or roofs.

[0006] Regarding the bodywork itself, it is also known that dark colors are used to absorb more heat from the sun's rays, compared to using a lighter color. Thus, for the same motor vehicle, the temperature inside a vehicle with a dark-colored body is higher than that inside a vehicle with a light-colored body.

[0007] Thus, depending on the body colors, the thermal performance of motor vehicles differs, and the electrical consumption induced by the heating and air conditioning system is more or less great depending on the color chosen.

[0008] Of course, this situation is not desirable because it leads to variable quality of performance offered by motor vehicles within the same model and even within the same range.

[0009] To circumvent these problems, the use of a changing body color by applying an active film over the body is known, the surface active film comprising microcapsules, each containing negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments, so that the application of an electric field to the surface active film makes it possible to control a density of white or black pigments on the surface of the microcapsule, thus giving the body the desired shade.

[0010] The drawback of these known bodywork elements lies in the complexity of applying the active surface films, as they must be perfectly stretched over the bodywork itself. Furthermore, another known drawback is the fragility of these bodywork elements, and more specifically of the active surface film, which is particularly exposed to impacts, scratches, and splashes during normal use of the motor vehicle.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a new bodywork element, in order to address at least largely the previous problems, and to lead to other advantages.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide such a bodywork element that is more robust and simpler to implement.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to improve the thermal efficiency of a motor vehicle equipped with such a bodywork element and to reduce its electrical consumption.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a bodywork element for a motor vehicle, the bodywork element comprising an electrophoretic coloring assembly configured to change color according to environmental parameters including external brightness, the electrophoretic coloring assembly extending over the bodywork element.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, a body element is a covering element of a structural assembly of the motor vehicle, such as, for example, a side fender, a roof panel, a trunk element, a hood element, a door section, etc. According to the invention, the body element is opaque, that is to say, it does not allow visible light to pass through it. The body element is a surface element of any shape and any size. The body element may be flat or curved. The body element is formed from a piece of small thickness relative to its lateral dimensions. For example, the body element is a sheet metal part, formed from a metal or plastic sheet, or from a shaped metal sheet. Preferably, the body element is intended to be associated with a chassis part delimiting the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the electrophoretic coloring assembly comprises a plurality of microcapsules, each containing electrically charged colored pigments. Applying an electric field to the electrophoretic coloring assembly leads to a reorganization of the colored pigments, according to their electrical polarity and the polarization value of the applied electric field, resulting in color control of the body panel. According to the invention, the electrophoretic coloring assembly extends over the body panel. In other words, the electrophoretic coloring assembly is directly integrated into the body panel itself, that is, into the sheet metal or foil used to form the opaque element serving as the body.The invention, according to its first aspect, is thus distinguished from the known prior art in that the electrophoretic coloring assembly is not applied to a film superimposed on the bodywork sheet metal, but is integrated directly into the sheet metal itself.

[0017] Thus, the bodywork element conforming to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem by being more robust and simpler to implement, since The electrophoretic coloring system is integrated into the body panel rather than stretched across its surface. Consequently, controlling the color of the body panel allows for modulation of its ability to reflect or absorb sunlight and, therefore, to reduce thermal coupling with the outside.

[0018] The bodywork element conforming to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0019] - the bodywork element comprises a sheet of plastic or metal, the sheet forming an opaque and solid surface, the entire electrophoretic coloring being associated with the sheet metal;

[0020] - The electrophoretic coloring assembly is applied directly to the sheet metal. A As a non-limiting example, the electrophoretic coloring system is applied as a topcoat or coating to the sheet metal. Alternatively, the electrophoretic coloring system is applied throughout the sheet metal forming the body panel. Generally, the electrophoretic coloring system is bonded to the sheet metal forming the body panel, meaning it is directly integrated into the sheet metal.

[0021] - according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bodywork element is a roof pavilion configured to extend over the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;

[0022] - the electrophoretic staining assembly comprises a plurality of cells electrophoretic which extends according to an electrophoretic coloring surface the electrophoretic coloring surface is that of the sheet metal forming the bodywork element.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention, an arrangement for a motor vehicle is proposed, the arrangement comprising:

[0024] - the bodywork element conforming to the first aspect of the invention or according to one of any of its improvements;

[0025] - a control unit electrically connected to the coloring assembly electrophoretic analysis of the bodywork element.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the control unit comprises a microcontroller and / or a printed circuit board and / or a microprocessor. Additionally, the control unit may also include memory.

[0027] Thus, the arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a body color - that is to say that of the body element - which changes according to, for example, the weather conditions - including in particular the sunshine - in order to reduce the energy consumption for heating or cooling the motor vehicle. This advantageous configuration allows for improved overall energy efficiency of the motor vehicle and a reduction in its carbon footprint.

[0028] The arrangement according to the second aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical features forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0029] - the control unit is configured to selectively drive each cell electrophoretic of the electrophoretic coloring assembly in order to control a color and / or a hue, that is to say to make a given color lighter or darker;

[0030] - the arrangement includes a light sensor configured to detect a external brightness of the motor vehicle, the brightness sensor being connected to the control unit, the control unit being configured to control the entire electrophoretic coloring system according to the external brightness detected;

[0031] - the arrangement includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a outside temperature of the motor vehicle, the temperature sensor being connected to the control unit, the control unit being configured to drive the entire electrophoretic coloring assembly according to the measured outside temperature;

[0032] - the arrangement includes a geolocation sensor configured to determine geolocation coordinates of the motor vehicle, the geolocation sensor being connected to the control unit, the control unit being configured to drive the entire electrophoretic coloring system according to the determined geolocation coordinates.

[0033] According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising an arrangement in accordance with the second aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements.

[0034] The invention according to its third aspect makes it possible to reduce the use of the heating and air conditioning system, and therefore to reduce its electrical consumption and, finally, to optimize the operation of such a motor vehicle, whatever its type.

[0035] Advantageously, although not limiting, the motor vehicle conforming to the third aspect of the invention is more particularly of the type of an electrified motor vehicle.

[0036] In the context of the present invention, an electrified motor vehicle may be of the type of an electric vehicle pulled exclusively by an electric machine powered by an electric traction battery, or of the type of a hybrid motor vehicle comprising both the electric machine powered by the electric traction battery and associated with another propulsion system, such as a thermal engine, to propel the motor vehicle. Among hybrid motor vehicles, a distinction is made between plug-in hybrid vehicles, for which the electric traction battery can be recharged by connecting to an external energy source, and non-plug-in hybrid vehicles, that is to say, those which are not equipped for such recharging of the electric traction battery on an external electrical network.

[0037] Generally, the drivetrain of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by an electric machine, powered by a traction battery, in order to generate motor torque for propelling the motor vehicle. Complementarily or alternatively, the electric machine is configured to recover mechanical energy from the drivetrain and convert it into electrical energy, thereby producing braking torque on the drivetrain and recharging the traction battery.

[0038] Thus, the invention according to its third aspect makes it possible to promote energy savings on such an electrified motor vehicle, and to preserve the autonomy of the electric traction battery.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for controlling an arrangement for a motor vehicle is proposed in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, the control method comprising a step of controlling a color state of the electrophoretic color assembly of the bodywork element as a function of functional parameters of the motor vehicle and / or environmental and external parameters of said motor vehicle.

[0040] The control method according to the fourth aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0041] - the control method includes a temperature measurement step external by the temperature sensor of the arrangement, the control step comprising a step of regulating the colouring state of the electrophoretic colouring assembly as a function of the measured temperature.

[0042] - the control method includes a step of determining the brightness external by the brightness sensor of the arrangement, the control step comprising a step of regulating the colouring state of the electrophoretic colouring assembly according to the detected brightness.

[0043] - the motor vehicle equipped with the arrangement is of the type of a vehicle electrified automobile comprising an electric traction battery, and the control method includes a step of regulating the color state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly as a function of the charge state of the electric traction battery.

[0044] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0045] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0046] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic view of a motor vehicle conforming to the third aspect of the invention and including an example of the realization of a bodywork element conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0047] [Fig.2] illustrates a synoptic view of the control process conforming to the fourth aspect of the invention.

[0048] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0049] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0050] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0051] With reference to [Fig.1], the invention addresses a bodywork element 1 for a motor vehicle 3, the bodywork element 1 comprising an electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 configured to change color according to environmental parameters including external brightness, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 extending over the bodywork element 1.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is associated with the roof panel 11 of the motor vehicle 3, but the invention addresses any other type of body element 1 of a motor vehicle 3, such as, for example, a side fender, side door panels, or even a hood. Generally, the body element 1 is an opaque and rigid panel forming the body of the motor vehicle 3 and, preferably, delimiting the interior passenger compartment 31.

[0053] The bodywork element 1 is thus advantageously a sheet metal part, forming a surface of the body of the motor vehicle 3, regardless of its shape or dimensions. The bodywork element 1 is made of plastic or metal.

[0054] According to the invention, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is integrated directly into the body panel 1. In other words, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is not added to the body panel 1; that is, it is not superimposed on or attached to the body panel 1. By way of non-limiting example, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is applied within the body panel 1. The electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is incorporated into the thickness of the body panel 1. Optionally, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is not deposited on the surface layers of the sheet metal forming the body panel 1.

[0055] According to the invention, the bodywork element 1 is a panel associated with "electrophoretic coloring" technology, formed by an electronic ink and known for its applications in the field of e-readers. Thus, preferably, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 comprises microcapsules, each containing negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments, so that the application of an electric field to the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 makes it possible to control a density of white or black pigments on the surface of the microcapsule, thereby giving the bodywork element 1 the desired shade.

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the invention provides that a motor vehicle 3 can be equipped with an arrangement 2 comprising:

[0057] - the bodywork element 1 as described above;

[0058] - a control unit 12 electrically connected to the coloring assembly The electrophoretic 10 of the bodywork element 1. The control unit 12 is, for example, housed at the top of the windshield. The control unit 12 is also connected to an on-board network of the motor vehicle 3 in order to access various data from the motor vehicle 3 to control the coloring state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10.

[0059] The control unit 12 and the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 of the bodywork element 1 are electrically connected to the on-board network of the motor vehicle 3, and in particular to a low voltage electric battery 32 which provides the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10.

[0060] Thus, depending on functional parameters of the motor vehicle 3 or depending on environmental parameters external to the motor vehicle 3, the control unit 12 controls the electric field polarizing the coloring assembly Electrophoretic 10 is used to modulate its color, ranging from lightest to darkest. These parameters can be as follows:

[0061] - the outside brightness, using a brightness sensor 13 configured for detect and evaluate the external brightness to which the body element 1 is exposed. For this purpose, the brightness sensor 13 is advantageously located near the body element 1. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the brightness sensor 13 is located at the top of the front windshield of the motor vehicle 3;

[0062] - the outside temperature, using a temperature sensor 14 configured for to measure an outside temperature to which the bodywork element 1 is exposed. For this purpose, the temperature sensor 14 is advantageously mounted on the motor vehicle 3. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the temperature sensor 14 is located at the level of a front bumper of the motor vehicle 3;

[0063] - the location of the motor vehicle 3 equipped with such an arrangement 2, the vehicle automobile 3 comprising a geolocation sensor 45 configured to determine geolocation coordinates 45 of the automobile vehicle 3.

[0064] These different sensors, taken in combination with each other or separately, make it possible to adjust the colouring of the bodywork element 1 according to the measured environmental data.

[0065] Additionally, certain operating parameters of the motor vehicle 3 can be taken into account to adjust the coloring of the bodywork element 1. Without limitation, this parameterization is particularly relevant for an electrified motor vehicle 3: depending on the use made of the electric traction battery 32 of the motor vehicle 3, its management mode, its charge level, or its state of charge 43 via a connector 34 connected to a three-phase urban or residential network. Additionally or alternatively, the use of a heating and air conditioning system 33 in the passenger compartment 31 can also serve as a control parameter for the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10.

[0066] With reference to [Fig. 2], the invention also addresses a control method 4 for the arrangement 2 as described above, and more particularly through an illustration adapted to electrified motor vehicles. Thus, to control such an arrangement 2, the invention relates to a control method 4 comprising a control step 49 of a color state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 of the bodywork element 1, as a function of functional parameters of the motor vehicle 3 and / or environmental and external parameters of said motor vehicle 3. In particular:

[0067] - the control method 4 includes a temperature measurement step 42 external temperature sensor 14 of arrangement 2 is used in the control step 49, which includes a step for regulating the color state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 as a function of the measured temperature. More specifically, the control method 4 includes a step 44 for comparing the measured temperature with at least one threshold value. If the measured temperature is below the threshold value, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is controlled to darken the body element 1, through a darkening step 48, so as to utilize any solar radiation to which the vehicle 3 may be exposed to heat the passenger compartment 31, thereby limiting the use of the heating and air conditioning system 33 and ultimately saving the electrical energy of the battery 32.Conversely, in the case where the measured temperature is above the threshold value, the electrophoretic colouring assembly 10 is controlled so that the bodywork element 1 becomes lighter, through a lightening step 47, in order to limit the impact of solar radiation to which the motor vehicle 3 may be exposed and in order not to overheat the passenger compartment 31, thus limiting the use of the heating and air conditioning system 33 in order to ultimately save the electrical energy of the battery 32.

[0068] - the control method 4 includes a step 41 for determining the brightness external by the light sensor 13 of arrangement 2, the control step 49 includes a step for regulating the color state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 according to the detected light level. More specifically, the control method 4 includes a step 44 for comparing the detected light level with at least one threshold value. If the detected light level is lower than the threshold value, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 is driven so that the body element 1 becomes darker, through a darkening step, in order to use the solar radiation to which the motor vehicle 3 may be exposed to heat the passenger compartment 31, thus limiting the use of the heating and air conditioning system 33 and ultimately saving the electrical energy of the battery 32.Conversely, in the case where the detected brightness is greater than the threshold value, the electrophoretic colouring assembly 10 is controlled so that the bodywork element 1 becomes lighter, through a lightening step 47, in order to limit the impact of solar radiation to which the motor vehicle 3 may be exposed and in order not to overheat the passenger compartment 31, thus limiting the use of the heating and air conditioning system 33 in order to, ultimately, save the electrical energy of the battery 32.

[0069] Optionally, the control method 4 also uses geolocation data 45 to refine the control of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10, according to temperature and / or according to brightness.

[0070] Optionally, the control method 4 also uses calendars to refine the control of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10, according to temperature and / or according to brightness and / or geolocation 45: for a given day and a particular geolocation 45, the control unit 12 can determine an optimal coloring of the bodywork element 1.

[0071] In the case of an electrified motor vehicle 3, the control step 49 of the colouring state of the electrophoretic colouring assembly 10 can also be carried out according to a state of charge 43 of the electric traction battery 32 of the motor vehicle 3, according to its charge level or according to the mode of use of the motor vehicle 3.

[0072] Thus, according to a first embodiment, during the electric charging of the motor vehicle 3, it may be relevant for the bodywork element 1 - for example the roof lining 11 - to be:

[0073] - lightened, or even rendered white, in order to maintain an adequate temperature in the passenger compartment 31 in case of high temperatures; or

[0074] - darkened, or even made black, in order to help the cells of the electric battery 32 traction to rise to temperature more quickly and thus improve the efficiency and duration of the charge, during winter days for example.

[0075] We can thus understand the interest of the invention in the more particular case of the electric charging of an electrified motor vehicle 3.

[0076] Possibly, depending on the driving mode envisaged, and in particular the management mode of the electric battery 32, the color of the bodywork element 1 can be adjusted to take the color most suitable for the situation and the environment, according to the energy needs of the motor vehicle 3 and to ensure the best thermal regulation of the passenger compartment 31.

[0077] In summary, the invention relates to a bodywork element 1 for a motor vehicle 3, the bodywork element 1 comprising an electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 configured to change color according to environmental parameters including external brightness, the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10 extending over the bodywork element 1. The invention also addresses an arrangement 2 comprising such a bodywork element 1 controlled by a control unit 12 which takes into account environmental parameters external to the motor vehicle 3 and functional parameters of the motor vehicle 3 and its electric battery 32 to control the coloring state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly 10.

[0078] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle body element (3), the body element (1) comprising an electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) configured to change color according to environmental parameters including outside brightness, the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) extending over the body element (1).

2. Bodywork element according to the preceding claim, wherein the bodywork element (1) is a roof panel (11) configured to extend over a passenger compartment (31) of the motor vehicle (3)

3. Arrangement (2) for motor vehicle (3), the arrangement (2) comprising: - the body element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; - a control unit (12) electrically connected to the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) of the body element (1).

4. Arrangement (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the arrangement (2) comprises a light sensor (13) configured to detect light outside the motor vehicle (3), the light sensor (13) being connected to the control unit (12), the control unit (12) being configured to drive the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) as a function of the detected outside light.

5. Arrangement (2) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the arrangement (2) comprises a temperature sensor (14) configured to measure an outside temperature of the motor vehicle (3), the temperature sensor (14) being connected to the control unit (12), the control unit (12) being configured to drive the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) as a function of the outside temperature measured.

6. Motor vehicle (3) comprising an arrangement (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. A method for checking (4) an arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle (3) according to the preceding claim, the method for checking (4) comprising a step (49) for checking a color state of the electrophoretic coloring assembly (10) of the bodywork element (1) according to functional parameters of the motor vehicle (3) and / or environmental and external parameters of said motor vehicle (3).

8. Control method (4) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control method (4) comprises a step of measuring (42) the outside temperature by the temperature sensor (14) of the arrangement (2), the control step (49) comprising a step of regulating the colouring state of the electrophoretic colouring assembly (10) as a function of the measured temperature.

9. Control method (4) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the control method (4) comprises a step of determining the outside brightness by the brightness sensor (13) of the arrangement (2), the control step (49) comprising a step of regulating the color state of the electrophoretic color assembly (10) as a function of the detected brightness.

10. A control method (4) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the motor vehicle (3) equipped with the arrangement (2) is of the type of an electrified motor vehicle (3) comprising an electric traction battery (32), and the control method (4) comprises a step of regulating the color state of the electrophoretic color assembly (10) as a function of a charge state (43) of the electric traction battery (32).

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