PROJECTION OF SHAPES CHOSEN ACCORDING TO THE FUNCTION PERFORMED BY A LIGHTING DEVICE ON A LAND VEHICLE

Abstract

A projection device (DP11) is fitted to a land vehicle (V) comprising four lighting devices (DE11-DE22) providing a first function as a direction indicator and a second function as a hazard warning light, and includes: - a projection module (MP) capable of projecting onto a surface on which the land vehicle (V) is traveling a first shape representing the first function or a second shape representing the second function and different from the first shape, and - at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to perform the operations of controlling the projection module (MP) so that it projects the first or second shape depending on whether an associated lighting device (DE11) is performing the first or second function. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: PROJECTION OF FORMS CHOSEN ACCORDING TO THE FUNCTION PERFORMED BY A LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles comprising lighting devices providing turn signal and hazard warning light functions, and more specifically to projection devices associated with such lighting devices within such land vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally of the motor vehicle type, include in front end parts, right and left, and rear end parts, right and left, respectively four lighting devices each providing a first function of direction change indicator (or turn signal) and a second function of hazard warning light (or "warning").

[0003] It is noted that in a land vehicle of the type described above, when the first function is activated (for example, by the driver) to indicate a change of direction to the right (or left), at least one of the two lighting devices installed on the right (or left) performs this first function. Conversely, when the second function is activated (for example, by the driver) to indicate a potential hazard, all four lighting devices simultaneously perform this second function.

[0004] In order to improve the safety of people in the vicinity of certain land vehicles, and therefore also the safety of the passengers of these land vehicles, it has been proposed to equip these land vehicles with at least two projection devices, one right and one left, each comprising a projection module designed to project onto the surface on which the land vehicle is traveling a shape representative of this first function. Generally, this light projection is made to the right or left and slightly in front of or behind the land vehicle.

[0005] It will be understood that when the first function is activated on at least one right (respectively left) lighting device of a land vehicle to indicate a change of direction to the right (respectively left), the projection device associated with this lighting device projects the shape onto the surface on which this land vehicle is traveling, to the right (respectively left) of the vehicle. Thus, it is easier for a person located in the vicinity of this land vehicle to realize that the latter is going to change direction to the right (respectively to the left), and therefore to act accordingly.

[0006] It would be particularly useful if people in the vicinity of the land vehicle were also informed by light projection when the second function is activated. However, this would require equipping the land vehicle with additional right and left projection devices dedicated to this second function, which would increase not only the size of the land vehicle in several places (two or four) but also its weight and cost.

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] It proposes in particular for this purpose a projection device, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a land vehicle comprising in front and rear, right and left end parts, respectively four lighting devices ensuring a first function of direction change indicator and a second function of hazard light, and, on the other hand, comprising a projection module suitable for projecting onto a surface on which the land vehicle travels a first shape representative of this first function.

[0009] This projection device is characterized by the fact that:

[0010] - that its projection module is arranged so as to project onto the surface a second form representing the second function and different from the first form, and

[0011] - that it comprises at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to perform the operations to control the projection module so that it projects the first or second shape depending on whether an associated lighting device (to the projection device) performs the first or second function.

[0012] Thus, a single projection device makes it possible to project two different shapes representing respectively the two functions (turn signal and warning), which allows people located in the environment of a vehicle to easily notice that the latter is going to change direction or that an alert has been triggered, and therefore to act accordingly.

[0013] The projection device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0014] - in a first embodiment, its projection module can be arranged in in order to project a second form totally different from the first form;

[0015] - in this first embodiment, its projection module may include a set of light-emitting diodes, among which a first subset participates in a definition of the first form and a second subset participates in a definition of the second form;

[0016] - in a second embodiment, its projection module can be arranged so as to project a second shape constituting a part of the first shape;

[0017] - in this second embodiment, its projection module may include a set of light-emitting diodes, among which a subset participates in a definition of the second form;

[0018] - Alternatively, in this second embodiment, its projection module may to understand an occultation device capable of totally obscuring a part of the first shape in order to define the second shape;

[0019] - in a third embodiment, its projection module can be arranged so as to project a second shape comprising, on the one hand, a first part identical to a first part of the first shape and having a first luminous intensity, and, on the other hand, a second part identical to a second part of the first shape and having a second luminous intensity strictly lower than this first luminous intensity;

[0020] - in this third embodiment, its projection module may include an attenuation device capable of attenuating the first light intensity of the second part of the first shape to define the second part of the second shape.

[0021] The invention also proposes a lighting device, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a land vehicle and ensuring a first function of direction change indicator and a second function of distress light, and, on the other hand, comprising a projection device of the type presented above.

[0022] The invention also proposes a land vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising at least two lighting devices of the type presented above or at least two projection devices of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of a land vehicle comprising four lighting devices, each including an example of an embodiment of a projection device according to the invention, in a first situation representative of a change of direction to the left,

[0025] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates the land vehicle of [Fig.1], in a second situation representative of a change of direction to the right,

[0026] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates the land vehicle of the [Fig. 1], in a third situation representative of an activation of the second function (hazard lights),

[0027] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a variant of the first form which can be projected by a projection device according to the invention during a change of direction, and

[0028] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a second form variant that can be projected by a projection device according to the invention during an activation of the second function (of hazard lights). Detailed description of the invention

[0029] The invention aims in particular to provide a projection device DPij intended to equip a land vehicle V or a lighting device DEij of a land vehicle V, and arranged to project a first or second shape depending on whether a first or second function is activated in at least one lighting device DEij.

[0030] In what follows, the land vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. This is, for example, a car, as illustrated, without limitation, in Figures 1 to 3. However, the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It relates in fact to any land vehicle comprising at least two lighting devices, each providing a first function as a direction indicator and a second function as a hazard warning light.

[0031] Figures 1 to 3 schematically illustrate an example of a (land) vehicle V comprising four lighting devices DEij (i = 1 or 2, and j = 1 or 2) each comprising an example of an embodiment of a projection device DPij according to the invention.

[0032] It will be noted that the index i refers to the front end (i = 1) or the rear end (i = 2) of the vehicle V, and the index j refers to the left side (j = 1) or the right side (j = 2) of the vehicle V.

[0033] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3, four lighting devices DEij each include a projection device DPij. However, only the two lighting devices DEij (front) or only the two lighting devices DE2j (rear) could include a projection device DPij or DP2j. Furthermore, the projection devices DPij could not be part of any lighting devices DEij.

[0034] It should also be noted that each lighting device DEij is arranged to provide a first function as a direction change indicator (or turn signal) and a second function as a hazard warning light (or warning light).

[0035] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a projection device DPij, according to the invention, comprises at least one projection module MP and at least one processor PR1 and at least one memory MD.

[0036] The projection module MP is arranged so as to project onto the surface on which the vehicle V travels either a first shape which is representative of the first function, or a second shape which is representative of the second function and different from the first shape (at least partially).

[0037] To this end, it (MP) may, for example, comprise at least one photon source including an array of light-emitting diodes (or LEDs), possibly associated with at least one mask defining the first and / or second form. Alternatively, each photon source could comprise at least one laser diode or a gas laser, for example.

[0038] It should be noted that the MP projection module may also include an electronic board comprising the (each) photon source and electronic components and / or circuit(s) for controlling the power supply and operation of the (each) photon source. For example, this electronic board may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0039] The PR1 processor may, for example, be a digital signal processor (or DSP). The PR1 processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is defined as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0040] The MD memory is random access memory in order to store instructions for the implementation by the PR1 processor of the control operations of the projection module MP.

[0041] These PR1 processors and MD memory are part of, or constitute a, control device which can be implemented in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). By way of example, such a control device can be a microcontroller.

[0042] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 to 3, the PR1 processor and MD memory are part of a CD computer which is itself part of a DPij projection device. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the CD computer could be external to the DPij projection device (and, for example, installed in an associated DEij lighting device, or in another location in the vehicle V).

[0043] The PR1 processor and MD memory are arranged to perform operations consisting of controlling the MP projection module of their DPij projection device so that this MP projection module projects the first or second shape depending on whether The DEij lighting device associated with this DPij projection device is performing the first or second function.

[0044] It will be understood that if the lighting device DEij associated with a projection device DPij is performing the first function, then the processor PR1 and memory MD control the projection module MP of this projection device DPij so that it projects the first shape. Conversely, if the lighting device DEij associated with a projection device DPij is performing the second function, then the processor PR1 and memory MD control the projection module MP of this projection device DPij so that it projects the second shape.

[0045] Thanks to the invention, it is now possible, with a single projection device DPij, to project two different shapes representing the two functions (turn signal and hazard lights). Thus, people in the vicinity of a vehicle V can easily see that the vehicle (V) is about to change direction (to the right or left) or that a warning has been triggered by the hazard lights (for example, by the driver), allowing them to react accordingly. Furthermore, this eliminates the need to equip the vehicle with pairs of projection devices dedicated to the first and second functions, thereby avoiding an increase not only in the vehicle's size but also in its weight and cost.

[0046] Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a first, non-limiting example of a first shape that can be projected by a projection device DPij onto the surface on which the vehicle V travels during a change of direction, respectively to the left ([Fig. 1]) and to the right ([Fig. 2]). In this first example, the projection module MP is arranged to project three chevrons (or inverted Vs) of increasing sizes to define the first shape.

[0047] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 2, the two projection devices DP1 operate simultaneously with their associated lighting devices DE1 to signal a change of direction to the left ([Fig. 1]) and to the right ([Fig. 2]), respectively. However, in an alternative embodiment, when the vehicle V is moving forward, only the projection device DP1 (front left) could operate simultaneously with the lighting devices DE1 (front and rear left) to signal a change of direction to the left, or only the projection device DP12 (front right) could operate simultaneously with the lighting devices DE12 (front and rear right) to signal a change of direction to the right.In this embodiment, when reversing vehicle V, only the projection device DP21 (rear left) could operate simultaneously with the lighting devices DEil (front and rear left) to signal a change of direction to the left, . or only the DP22 projection device (rear right) could operate simultaneously with the DEi2 lighting devices (front and rear right) to signal a change of direction to the right.

[0048] It should also be noted that a second, non-limiting example of a first shape that can be projected by a projection device DPij onto the surface on which the vehicle V travels during a change of direction is schematically represented in [Fig. 4]. In this second example, the projection module MP is arranged to project a leading chevron followed by a pentagon whose intensity decreases as it approaches the leading chevron to define the first shape.

[0049] Furthermore, a first, non-limiting example of a second shape that can be projected by a projection device DPij onto the surface on which the vehicle V is traveling to indicate a potential hazard (warning) is schematically represented in [Fig. 3]. In this first example, the projection module MP is arranged to project a single chevron (or inverted V) to define the second shape.

[0050] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the four projection devices DPij operate simultaneously with their associated lighting devices DEij to signal a potential hazard. However, in an alternative embodiment, when the vehicle V is moving forward, only the projection devices DP1 (front left) and DP12 (front right) could operate simultaneously with the two lighting devices DE1j (front right and left) to signal a potential hazard, and when the vehicle V is moving backward, only the projection devices DP21 (rear left) and DP22 (rear right) could operate simultaneously with the two lighting devices DE2j (rear right and left) to signal a change of direction to the right.

[0051] It should also be noted that a second, non-limiting example of a second shape that can be projected by a projection device DPij onto the surface on which the vehicle V travels during a change of direction is schematically represented in [Fig. 5]. In this second example, the projection module MP is arranged to project three chevrons, the frontmost chevron having a first light intensity and the two following chevrons having a second light intensity strictly lower than the first light intensity.

[0052] At least three embodiments of the MP projection module can be envisaged.

[0053] In a first embodiment, the projection module MP can be arranged to project a second shape that is completely different from the first shape. Here, "completely different" means that there is not the slightest commonality between the first and second shapes.

[0054] For example, in this first embodiment, the MP projection module (and more precisely its photon source) may comprise a set of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), of which a first subset of LEDs contributes to defining the first shape and a second subset of LEDs contributes to defining the second shape. The subset of LEDs that is activated is the one that contributes to defining the shape associated with the activated function. It is important to note that in this case, there may be an overlap between the first and second subsets. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the LEDs of the first subset may all be different from the LEDs of the second subset.

[0055] In a variant, in this first embodiment, the projection module MP could comprise a single photon source and first and second masks (possibly defined on a moving part (in translation or rotation)) defining respectively the first and second shapes and which are selectively placed in front of the operating photon source.

[0056] In a second embodiment, the projection module MP can be arranged to project a second shape which constitutes a (predefined) part of the first shape.

[0057] For example, in this second embodiment, the projection module MP (and more precisely its photon source) may comprise a set of light-emitting diodes, a subset of which participates in defining the second form. It will be understood that in this case, when the first function is activated, all the light-emitting diodes in the set are switched on, whereas when the second function is activated, only the light-emitting diodes in the subset are switched on.

[0058] In one variant, in this second embodiment, the projection module MP may include a masking device capable of completely masking a (predefined) portion of the first shape to define the second shape. This masking device may, for example, include a mask defined on a moving part in translation or rotation, which is placed in front of the light-emitting diodes of the assembly that are not part of the subassembly.

[0059] In a third embodiment, the projection module MP can be arranged to project a second shape comprising first and second parts. The first part is identical to a first part of the first shape and has a first light intensity (provided by the photon source). In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 5], this first part of the first shape is The first chevron is the one furthest from the vehicle. The second part is identical to a second part of the first shape, and has a second light intensity that is strictly lower than the first light intensity. In the example illustrated (but not limited to) in [Fig. 5], this second part of the first shape comprises the second and third chevrons that follow the first chevron and are therefore the closest to the vehicle.

[0060] Obtaining the second light intensity can be done in at least two ways.

[0061] In a first manner, the projection module MP may include an attenuation device that is suitable for attenuating the first light intensity of the second part of the first shape in order to define the second part of the second shape. This attenuation device may, for example, include a filter defined on a moving part in translation or rotation and which is placed in front of the subset of light-emitting diodes that participate in defining the second part of the first shape.

[0062] In a second way, the projection module MP (and more precisely its photon source) can include a set of light-emitting diodes, among which a first subset of light-emitting diode(s) provides the first light intensity and participates only in defining the first part of the first form and a second subset of light-emitting diode(s) provides the second light intensity and participates only in defining the second part of the second form.

Claims

Demands

1. Projection device (DPij) suitable for equipping a land vehicle (V) comprising in front and rear, right and left end parts respectively, four lighting devices (DEij) ensuring a first function of direction change indicator and a second function of hazard warning light, and comprising a projection module (MP) suitable for projecting onto a surface on which said land vehicle (V) is traveling a first shape representative of said first function, characterized in that said projection module (MP) is arranged so as to project onto said surface a second shape representative of said second function and different from said first shape,and in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to perform the operations of controlling said projection module (MP) so that it projects said first or second form depending on whether an associated lighting device (DEij) performs said first or second function.

2. Projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said projection module (PM) is arranged to project a second shape totally different from said first shape.

3. Projection device according to claim 2, characterized in that said projection module (PM) comprises a set of light-emitting diodes, among which a first subset participates in a definition of said first form and a second subset participates in a definition of said second form.

4. Projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said projection module (PM) is arranged to project a second shape constituting a part of said first shape.

5. Projection device according to claim 4, characterized in that said projection module (PM) comprises a set of light-emitting diodes, among which a subset participates in a definition of said second form.

6. Projection device according to claim 4, characterized in that said projection module (PM) comprises an occultation device suitable for totally occulting a part of said first shape to define said second shape.

7. Projection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said projection module (PM) is arranged to project a second shape comprising i) a first part identical to a first part of said first shape and having a first luminous intensity, and ii) a second part identical to a second part of said first shape and having a second luminous intensity strictly lower than said first luminous intensity.

8. Projection device according to claim 7, characterized in that said projection module (PM) includes an attenuation device suitable for attenuating said first light intensity of the second part of said first shape to define said second part of the second shape.

9. Lighting device (DEij) suitable for equipping a land vehicle (V) and for providing a first function as a direction change indicator and a second function as a hazard warning light, characterized in that it comprises a projection device (DPij) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Land vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least two lighting devices (DEij) according to claim 9 or at least two projection devices (DPij) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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