Vehicle glazing and optical device for LIDAR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glazing system comprising a vehicle window (100) having a near-infrared transmission window (111) adapted to receive an emission beam (70) from a lidar (7) intended to be located in the vehicle's passenger compartment, and an optical device. According to the invention, the optical device comprises at least one converging lens (20) having a first surface (21) and a second surface (22) oriented outwards, the converging lens (20) having a first angular magnification in a first reference plane passing through the lens and a second angular magnification different from the first angular magnification in a second reference plane perpendicular to the first reference plane. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle glazing and optical device for LIDAR

[0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicle glazing associated with a lidar placed in the passenger compartment.

[0002] Laser remote sensing (LIDAR or lidar), an acronym for the English expression "light detection and ranging" or "laser detection and ranging" (i.e., in French "detection and estimation of distance by light" or "by laser"), is being considered for road vehicles, particularly autonomous ones, to improve safety.

[0003] Recently, it has been proposed to place a lidar behind the windshield of a road vehicle to protect it from external conditions. However, this placement of the lidar behind a windshield, particularly a sloping one, presents several difficulties. The lidar is generally installed in the upper part of the passenger compartment (upper windshield area) so that the beams emitted and received by the lidar pass through the glazing in an area close to the upper longitudinal edge of the glazing. On the one hand, the lidar is quite bulky and must be positioned so as not to obstruct the driver's view. On the other hand, the lidar generates a near-infrared beam with a field of view that has a vertical and horizontal angular aperture. Projecting the beam onto the glazing requires reserving an area of ​​the glazing for the transmission of this near-infrared beam (called the near-infrared transmission window).

[0004] In practice, the manufacturer of the LIDAR provides that the beam emitted by the lidar presents a given vertical and horizontal field of view having a given section around a median direction of pointing.

[0005] Document WO2023 / 274854 describes a road vehicle glazing with a lidar in the passenger compartment and a prism placed on the main inner surface of the glazing to increase the vertical opening of the lidar's field of view outside the vehicle. However, while this prism does allow adjustment of the angular opening at the glazing's exit in the vertical direction, it alters the cross-section of the field of view at the glazing's exit.

[0006] It is desirable to propose an alternative glazing without the aforementioned drawback and even by further reducing the spatial extent (the footprint) of the lidar reference beam on the glazing.

[0007] The present invention proposes a glazing system comprising vehicle glazing, particularly for road vehicles, particularly windshields, particularly curved windshields, the glazing comprising: a first sheet of glass (particularly clear) intended to form the outer glazing with a first main external face and a second face main oriented towards the passenger compartment, and, when the glazing is laminated, comprising a second sheet of glass intended to form the inner glazing with a third main face oriented towards the second main face and a fourth main face oriented towards the passenger compartment, and a polymer laminate interlayer (in particular polyvinyl butyral PVB or ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer EVA or thermoplastic polyurethane TPU) disposed between the second main face and the third main face, in particular the glazing being intended to form an angle of inclination (|3) of less than 90 degrees and even of at most 60 or 50 degrees, with a horizontal axis (Z) (in a characteristic plane) in the vehicle, in particular the glazing having an upper longitudinal edge and a lower longitudinal edge.

[0008] The glazing system has a near-infrared transmission window at a working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range in particular from 800nm ​​to 1800nm, in particular from 850nm to 1600nm, in particular 905±30nm, 940±30nm, 1310±30nm, 1550±30nm, (the near-infrared transmission window being suitable for receiving an emission beam at said working wavelength from a light source of a lidar intended to be disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle).

[0009] In particular, the emission beam has, at the output of the lidar, a median direction of pointing and extends over a source field of view of vertical angular aperture VFOV1 determined in a characteristic plane comprising a normal to the glazing and a vertical axis (Y) in the vehicle and of horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 determined in a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane, the perpendicular plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a horizontal axis (X) transverse to the median direction of pointing.

[0010] In particular, the emission beam exiting the glazing has an external field of view with a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 in the characteristic plane and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 on a section inscribed in a rectangle (and even rectangular) in the plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane.

[0011] The glazing system also includes an optical device intended to provide an external field of view (after the near-infrared transmission window).

[0012] According to the invention, the optical device comprises a converging lens (transparent at the working wavelength LB1), preferably disposed wholly or partly inside the passenger compartment, the converging lens having a first surface, called the rear surface (face A), and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, oriented outwards, called the front surface (face B), at least one of said first and second surfaces being convex (and preferably not adjusted).

[0013] The converging lens has a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the converging lens (in particular collinear with the median direction of pointing) and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification and even the second angular magnification (in absolute value) being greater than the first angular magnification.

[0014] Unlike a prism, which provides a single magnification, the converging lens according to the invention allows for the independent increase of the vertical and horizontal angular apertures of the lidar beam exiting the glazing, while substantially preserving the shape of the cross-section (particularly inscribed within a rectangle, or even a rectangular one) of the field of view exiting the glazing. Such a glazing system makes it possible to increase the horizontal angular aperture of the external field of view of the emitted beam relative to the horizontal angular aperture of the source field of view. And such a glazing system also makes it possible to increase the vertical angular aperture of the external field of view of the emitted beam relative to the vertical angular aperture of the source field of view.The spatial extent (the footprint) of the lidar reference beam on the glazing (and therefore the size of the required space on a peripheral masking layer) can thus be limited both in width (horizontally) and in height (vertically).

[0015] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the glazing system according to the invention (and more broadly of the features of the converging lens according to the invention for the glazing system and / or lidar), taken individually or according to all technically possible combinations, are as follows.

[0016] For better optical operation, the converging lens preferably has first and second surfaces which have free faces (i.e. to the air), spaced away from the glazing rather than bonded (glued) to the glazing and / or the lidar.

[0017] The converging lens is preferably operated in free space (in air), in particular it is external to the LIDAR and wholly or partly inside the passenger compartment. In particular, the converging lens is, for example, mechanically linked to the glazing (including to a plate in a hole in the glazing) and / or to the lidar at the periphery of the first and second surfaces (the free faces) of the lens, for example at least by a lateral face: upper and / or lower face, etc.

[0018] The converging lens may have preferentially flat lateral faces: an upper face, a lower face, and even two faces perpendicular to the upper and lower faces. At least one of the lateral faces allows, for example, the converging lens to be placed in an opto-mechanical mount and aligned with respect to the lidar reference plane and / or the characteristic plane of the glazing. For example, the top face and / or the bottom face and / or two other side faces are flat.

[0019] The converging lens may have lateral faces, in particular flat ones, comprising an upper face and a lower face. In particular, the first reference plane passes through the upper and lower faces (in particular, is a vertical plane and / or is a plane of symmetry of the lens), and even the lower and upper faces are horizontal.

[0020] In particular the converging lens is opposite an upper and even central part of the glazing, in particular the windshield.

[0021] The second surface of the converging lens may be bare (thus directly forming the free surface) or may have a functional layer (mono- or multi-layered) such as a coating (preferably a conformal coating) or a film (adhesive, etc.) whose outer surface forms the free surface. The second surface of the converging lens may be bare (thus directly forming the free surface) or may have a functional layer (mono- or multi-layered) such as a functional coating (preferably a conformal coating) or a film (adhesive, etc.) whose outer surface forms the free surface.

[0022] In particular, the second surface has a free face, for example, the second surface being located at a distance from the glazing (in particular, at a distance from the second main face or, when the glazing is laminated, at a distance from the fourth main face of the glazing or even at a distance from a hole in the glazing). And preferably the first surface has a free face, for example, at a distance from a LIDAR.

[0023] Advantageously, at least one surface among the first surface and the second surface of the converging lens (preferably at least the first surface and even better the first and second surfaces) is a convex surface without rotational symmetry about an optical axis.

[0024] Advantageously, at least one of the first and second surfaces of the converging lens (preferably at least the first surface, and even better both the first and second surfaces) is an unruled convex surface, that is, a convex surface that is not generated by the displacement of a straight line whose endpoints lie along two curves or a curve and a point. In other words, at least one of the two surfaces (preferably at least the first surface, and even better both the first and second surfaces) is not a spherical surface, nor a cylindrical surface, nor a conical surface, nor a hyperboloid surface.

[0025] Advantageously, the (each) convex (unruled) surface is a parameterized surface of class C2, that is, a twice-differentiable regular surface with continuous derivatives. For example, at least one of the two surfaces is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N (integer) greater than or equal to three.

[0026] Advantageously, the first surface is convex and of class C2 (the first surface being twice differentiable and of continuous derivatives) and preferably also the second surface is of class C2 (the second surface being twice differentiable and of continuous derivatives).

[0027] In particular, the converging lens comprises on the first surface (having a free face) and / or on the second surface (having a free face) a surface treatment or a functional layer (transparent at the working wavelength LB1) forming an anti-reflective element (at the working wavelength LB1) or being a hydrophobic layer, for example based on a fluorinated compound, or anti-fouling or forming a hard coat (for example DLC layer, based on amorphous carbon, (or “diamond like carbon” in English) -having a high hardness- in particular of a thickness of at least 10 nm or 20 nm and preferably from 50 nm to 300 nm and even of a maximum of 100 nm.

[0028] The converging lens is, for example, made of one of the following materials: PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), glass (preferably extra-clear), PC (polycarbonate), PU (polyurethane), or any other mineral or organic material known to those skilled in the art for use in optical lenses. The converging lens has, for example, a central thickness of between 1 cm and 4 cm. The converging lens has, for example, a transmission at wavelength LB1 of at least 75%, 80%, or 85%.

[0029] Preferably, the converging lens has an anti-reflective coating or an anti-reflective layer (mono or multi-layer) on the first surface (face A) and / or on the second surface (face B).

[0030] Anti-reflective treatment (coating or even structuring) can be applied using various technologies such as: liquid deposition, particularly in sol-gel form, macroporous layers, especially porous silica; PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), for example, a layer, particularly of silica, deposited by magnetron; plasma coating; microstructuring, etc. In the case of a (first or second) convex surface, plasma coating is preferred because this technique allows for 3D deposition of optical quality on a small element.

[0031] In the case of a macroporous silicon layer or porous silica layer, an optical refractive index n = 1.3 and a thickness of approximately 170 nm are preferred for a working wavelength LB1 of 905 nm and a thickness of approximately 270 nm for a working wavelength LB1 of 1550 nm.

[0032] In the case of a convex surface, a plasma coating is preferred because: 3D deposition, optical quality, on a small element.

[0033] Preferably, the converging lens has a hard coat on the second surface (face B), particularly when exposed to the outside.

[0034] In particular, the converging lens is at a distance (spaced) from the glazing, specifically from the main inner surface of the glazing (F2 if single or F4 if laminated, without a hole), in particular by a distance of no more than 8 cm, 5 cm, 3 cm, 1 cm, or 5 mm. In the case of glazing (single or laminated) with a through hole (as detailed later), the converging lens may be at a distance (spaced) from the flush surface of the main inner surface or from a multi-functional support, in particular by a distance of no more than 8 cm, 5 cm, 3 cm, 1 cm, or 5 mm.

[0035] In particular, the vertical footprint (height L) of the beam transmitted by the converging lens through the transmission window of the glazing system is at most 10cm.

[0036] The converging lens preferably has a centimeter height in the first reference plane, and a centimeter dimension, and even a centimeter thickness, in the plane perpendicular to the first reference plane.

[0037] The glazing system may include a lidar comprising a light source capable of emitting an emission beam at the working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range, lidar at a distance and upstream of the first surface preferably having a free face.

[0038] Preferably, the first angular magnification in absolute value is less than the second angular magnification and preferably the second angular magnification is strictly greater than 2 (in absolute value).

[0039] Preferably, the surface of each of the faces of the converging lens is of class C2, the first surface and the second surface being twice differentiable and of continuous derivatives.

[0040] The second angular magnification is preferably greater than strictly 2 and even greater than 3 (in absolute value), and preferably the first angular magnification can be greater than 2.0 in absolute value.

[0041] Preferably, the converging lens has an optical axis, a first plane of symmetry of the converging lens passing through the optical axis is preferably the first reference plane, and a second plane of symmetry of the converging lens passing through the optical axis and being perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry is preferably the second reference plane. In particular, the first plane of symmetry of the converging lens (preferably the first reference plane) is located in the reference plane of the lidar and / or the characteristic plane of the glazing. In one particular embodiment, the first plane of symmetry of the converging lens (the the first reference plane) is the vertical plane and the second plane of symmetry of the converging lens (the second reference plane) is the horizontal plane.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the first surface is convex and the second surface is convex or the first surface is convex and the second surface is flat.

[0043] In particular, at least one of said first surface and second surface is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to three, where N is an integer, in particular the polynomial equation describing the first surface or the second surface being written according to the following mathematical formula: 100441

[0045] where x, y and z represent Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal frame (O;X, O;Y, O;Z), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis of the converging lens, the point O; of coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the surface i considered and the optical axis of the converging lens, p and q being integer variables ranging from 0 to N, and apq being the coefficient of order p in x and of order q in y, each coefficient apq being expressed in mm^4'1.

[0046] For example, particularly when the converging lens is external to the LIDAR and at a distance from the glazing (possibly perforated, with the lens opposite this hole, or even all or part of it inside the hole), an origin point Oi of the first surface at the intersection of the optical axis of the converging lens is placed at a distance di from the light source of the lidar (real or virtual source, i.e., the point from which the rays emerging from the LIDAR appear to originate). The distance di is preferably at most 150 mm and even within a range of 20 mm to 150 mm.

[0047] For example, when the converging lens (possibly external to the lidar) is at a distance from the glazing (possibly perforated, with the lens opposite this perforation), an origin point O2 of the second surface is placed at a distance d2 from the main inner face of the glazing (F2 or F4), the lens being opposite this inner face or the lens being at a distance d2 from the perforation (partial or through) of the glazing. The converging lens is preferably positioned to minimize the distance d2. The distance d2 is taken along the longitudinal optical axis of the lens. Preferably, the distance d2 is at most 100 mm and even ranges from 10 to 100 mm. This minimization of the distance d2 reduces the size of the lidar system and the footprint.

[0048] For example, particularly when the converging lens (possibly external to the lidar) is at a distance from the glazing (possibly perforated with a lens opposite this hole), the converging lens forms an image (of the lidar light source) at a distance dA from the inner principal face (F2 or F4) of the glazing, the lens being in vis-à-vis the glazing, or at a distance dA from the hole along the optical axis of the median direction of the pointing. Alternatively, the converging lens forms an image (of the lidar light source) in the glazing along the optical axis of the median direction of the pointing, or even beyond the Fl face of the glazing. For example, the distance dA is at most 30 mm, even within a range of 15 mm to 30 mm.

[0049] In particular, at least one of said first and second surfaces is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N (integer) greater than or equal to four in which the odd-order coefficients are all zero. In particular, the converging lens has an optical axis, the first reference plane is a first plane of symmetry of the lens passing through the optical axis, and the converging lens has a second plane of symmetry passing through the optical axis and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry.

[0050] In one configuration, the converging lens is arranged and configured to modify a median pointing direction of a reference beam (from the lidar) at the working wavelength LB1 at the exit of the glazing, and / or at least one of said first and second surfaces is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N (integer) greater than or equal to three in which at least one odd-order coefficient is non-zero. For example, with the converging lens external to the lidar, the reference beam is inclined with respect to the horizontal at the exit of the lidar (and even at the exit of a deflector interposed between the lidar and the converging lens) and at the exit of the glazing is substantially horizontal.

[0051] In one configuration, at least one of said first and second surfaces is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N (integer) greater than or equal to three in which at least one odd-order coefficient is non-zero. In this case, said surface advantageously allows the lidar emission beam to be deflected and redirected. Said surface is not symmetrical with respect to the first reference plane or with respect to the second reference plane. In particular, the converging lens is arranged and configured to modify the median direction of the emission beam exiting the glazing.

[0052] In one embodiment, the converging lens is configured to transmit (out of the glazing) a reference beam (from the lidar) at the working wavelength LB1 with a median pointing direction substantially horizontal, for example, deviating by less than 5°, 2° or 1° from the horizontal axis) or even (if the lens is external to the lidar) to receive a median pointing direction of the reference beam from a lidar that is either substantially horizontal (deviating by less than 5°, 2° or 1° from the horizontal axis) or (more) inclined with respect to the horizontal.

[0053] In general, the polynomial equation of degree greater than or equal to N describing the first surface and / or the second surface can be written according to the following mathematical formula: E / V n fl

[0054] where x, y and z represent Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal frame (O;X, O;Y, O;Z), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis of the converging lens, the point O; of coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the surface i considered and the optical axis of the converging lens, p and q being integer variables ranging from 0 to N, and apq being the coefficient of order p in x and of order q in y, each coefficient apq being expressed in mm p+q 1.

[0055] Preferably, the first surface is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to four in which the odd-order coefficients are all zero. In particular, the converging lens has an optical axis, the first reference plane is a first plane of symmetry of the lens passing through the optical axis, and the converging lens has a second plane of symmetry passing through the optical axis and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, the second surface is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to four in which the odd-order coefficients are all zero.

[0056] In a particular embodiment, the first surface (face A) is a surface defined by the following polynomial equation of degree four: z(x, y) = a2o x2+ a40 x4 + a02 y2+ a04 y4 + a22 x2*y2 where x, y and z represent the Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal frame (OiX, OiY, OiZ), the axis OiZ being parallel to the optical axis of the converging lens and the point Oi with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the first surface and the optical axis of the converging lens.And the second surface (face B) is a surface defined by the following polynomial equation of degree four: z(x, y) = b20 x2+ b40 x4 + b02 y2+ b04 y4 + b22 x2*y2, where x, y and z represent the Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal frame (O2X, O2Y, O2Z), the axis O2Z being parallel to the optical axis of the converging lens and the point O2 with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the second surface and the optical axis of the converging lens, all odd order coefficients being zero for the first surface and for the second surface, with a20 between 0.03 mm1 and 0.3 mm1, a40 between 7 3 5 3 1 1. between 1x10 mm and 8x10 mm, a02 between 0.03 mm and 0.3 mm, a^ including 9 3 7 3 7343 between 2x10 mm and 9x10 mm, a22 between 7x10 mm and 4x10 mm, b20 between -9x10 mm and -1x10 mm, b40 between 3x10 mm and 1.4x10 mm 2> O 1 'J 1 ”7 'J mm, b02 between -2x10 mm and -1x10 mm, bo4 between 4x10 mm and 4 3 7 3 5 3 2x10 mm and b22 between 1x10 mm and 8x10 mm.

[0057] In a particular embodiment, the converging lens (external to the lidar) is linked to the lidar, in particular mechanically fixed to the lidar (and at a distance from the glazing).

[0058] In another particular embodiment, the converging lens (external to the lidar) is linked to the glazing, in particular mechanically fixed to the glazing (and at a distance from the LIDAR).

[0059] In one embodiment, the converging lens is external to the LIDAR, and even the second surface is at a distance from the glazing. Preferably, the converging lens has a peripheral extension connected to the glazing system or intended to be connected to the LIDAR (by fastening, screwing, etc.). For example, the system comprises an optomechanical system including the lens, the extension, and a slide. The slide is coupled to a guide rail (to fix the lens and position it correctly), in particular to a U-shaped housing, connected to the glazing and even to a plate on the glazing.

[0060] In one example, the glazing system includes a perforated support or plate. The plate may also serve as a base for one or more other sensors, such as a rain sensor, a visible camera, a thermal camera, etc. The plate is attached to the main inner surface of the glazing (F2 or F4) and / or to a housing and / or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The converging lens is fixed, for example, by bonding one of its lower surfaces to an opto-mechanical support. The opto-mechanical support is itself fixed, for example, via two screws, to a base. The base allows the converging lens to be fixed to the plate directly or via a U-shaped housing, for example, comprising a slide adapted to receive the base, which is equipped with a guide rail corresponding to the slide.

[0061] In one embodiment, the converging lens is internal to the LIDAR, the first face is at a distance from the glazing.

[0062] In a particular embodiment:

[0063] - the converging lens (in particular external to the lidar), is opposite a hole partial (in the thickness) of the laminated glazing or of a through hole in the glazing preferably laminated, through hole (in the thickness) possibly housing a support in particular multifunctional, in particular the converging lens being at a distance from the partial hole (hole in the second sheet therefore lens opposite the second main face or an internal face of an insert in the partial hole) or all or part disposed in the partial hole or in the through hole (the converging lens then being for example fixed to said support in particular multifunctional).

[0064] - or the converging lens, in particular external to the lidar, is opposite the fourth main face of the laminated glazing or is opposite the second main face of the monolithic glazing.

[0065] The hole (partial or through) is part of the near-infrared transmission window, for example the first sheet is extra-clear glass and even the second sheet is tinted or even clear glass.

[0066] In particular, especially when the converging lens is at a distance from the glazing (opposite an internal face of the glazing or opposite and outside a partial or through hole in the glazing), the glazing system includes a plate having a support plate for fixing a peripheral extension of the converging lens, the support plate being glued to the internal face F2 (if single glazing) or to the internal face F4 (if laminated glazing, especially the fixing support near said possible hole), preferably the support and the plate being a single piece, in particular the plate having an opening at the level of the near-infrared transmission window and / or being transparent at the working wavelength.

[0067] In particular, the glazing system includes a plate comprising a plate (individual or multi-sensor) in a hole through the glazing (in the thickness) and opening laterally from the glazing, the plate being transparent at the working wavelength, the converging lens (internal or external to the lidar) facing said plate.

[0068] In a particular embodiment, the converging lens (internal or external to the lidar) faces a partial hole in the glazing, preferably with an insert (transparent at the working wavelength, in particular flat or convex) in the partial hole. For example, the insert is made of glass, in particular extra-clear glass as detailed in patent application WO2022 / 175634, or of polymer as detailed in patent application WO2022 / 175635. The glazing may have a masking layer downstream of the second surface, for example, a coating on an insert as described in patent application WO2022 / 219273, or on face F2, F3, or F4, or on a film (polymer, PET, etc.) within the laminated glazing. It forms a selective filter that is transparent at the working wavelength and opaque in the visible spectrum (to mask the gap, the transmission window).

[0069] In a particular embodiment, the converging lens is fixed to the glazing and / or to a body and / or to a support (in particular a multi-functional one with other sensors, for example) or to a housing or cover (individual or common to other sensors, to one or more other cameras, for example). In particular, the converging lens is disposed (whole or part) in a partial or through (complete) hole in the glazing, in particular laminated glazing, the converging lens is in particular attached to a support, in particular a multi-functional one, or the converging lens is attached (peripherally) to the fourth principal surface of the glazing.

[0070] Preferably, the second surface is flush with or recessed from the first main face (sub-flush).

[0071] In a particular embodiment, (the converging lens being external to the lidar), a reference beam at the working wavelength LB1 having, (at the lidar output) a median direction of pointing and extending over an initial field of view of initial vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) determined in a characteristic plane comprising a normal to the glazing and a vertical axis in the vehicle and of initial horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) determined in a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a horizontal axis transverse to the median direction of pointing, in the near-infrared transmission window, the reference beam at the output of the glazing system having an external field of view of vertical angular aperture in the characteristic plane and of horizontal angular aperture in the perpendicular plane,the converging lens being arranged and configured so that the external vertical angular aperture is greater than the initial vertical angular aperture and so that the external horizontal angular aperture is greater than the initial horizontal angular aperture, and preferably the initial horizontal angular aperture is at most 20°.

[0072] In particular, the reference beam has, (at the lidar output) a median pointing direction inclined with respect to a horizontal axis (for example by at least 10°), in particular the median pointing direction forming an angle of at most 20° (and even of at most 10° or 5°) with the mean plane of the glazing the system further comprises a deflector suitable for receiving the reference beam (arranged between the lidar and the first surface of the converging lens), the deflector being arranged to deflect the reference beam towards the first surface of the converging lens.

[0073] In particular, the external converging lens is configured to: -transmit a lidar reference beam which is the emitting beam and preferably another converging lens, the other converging lens having a first surface, called the rear surface (in particular oriented or even in the passenger compartment) and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, oriented outwards, called the front surface, at least one of the said first and second surfaces being convex and preferably unadjusted, the second surface having in particular a free face (in particular disposed at a distance from the glazing, in particular from the second main face if single glazing or when the glazing is laminated, from the fourth main face of the glazing), the other converging lens having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the other converging lens (collinear with the median direction of pointing) and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a . second reference plane passing through the other converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification, the other converging lens being arranged to transmit a reflected beam (to the lidar detector), -or transmit a lidar reference beam that corresponds to the intersection of the emitting beam and the reflected beam.

[0074] In the present text concerning a refractive index, a numerical index or a standard number (neither or nor etc.) is used interchangeably; for degrees, deg. or the symbol ° are used interchangeably; the term film or sheet is used interchangeably to designate a self-supporting element (an interleaving sheet becomes an adhesive layer after lamination). The term layer includes a sheet or a coating.

[0075] The glazing can be monolithic (or single) and comprises a sheet of glass or polymer (PMMA for polymethyl methacrylate), or even polycarbonate (PC) or mineral. The glazing is preferably laminated.

[0076] The invention also relates to a lidar system intended to be disposed in a vehicle cabin, the lidar system comprising a lidar including a light source capable of emitting an emission beam at a working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range, the emission beam having a median direction of pointing and extending over an initial field of view of initial vertical angular aperture VFOV1 determined in a characteristic plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a vertical axis (Y) and of initial horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 determined in a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane, the perpendicular plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a horizontal axis (X) transverse to the median direction of pointing.

[0077] According to the invention, the lidar system comprises at least one converging lens, the converging lens having a first surface, called the rear surface (face A), oriented towards the light source of the lidar system and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, called the front surface (face B), at least one of said first and second surfaces being convex and preferably unadjusted, the first surface being disposed at a distance from the light source to receive the emission beam emitted by the lidar, (the second surface being adapted to transmit the emission beam), the converging lens being disposed and configured to present a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the converging lens (collinear with the median direction of pointing) and to present a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the first angular magnification being different (and even lower) than the second. angular magnification, the converging lens being arranged and configured so that the emission beam at the output of the lidar system has a vertical angular aperture field of view greater than the vertical angular aperture of the source field of view and so that the emission beam at the output of the lidar system has a horizontal angular aperture field of view greater than the horizontal angular aperture of the source field of view.

[0078] In particular, in this latter mode, the converging lens is internal to the LiDAR.

[0079] For example, with regard to the LiDAR, the internal vertical angular aperture VFOV1 ranges from 2 to 15 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees, for example, 7 degrees. And the external vertical angular aperture VFOV2 preferably ranges from 3 to 45 degrees, preferably greater than 15 degrees, for example, 20 degrees. With regard to the LiDAR, the internal horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 ranges from 10 to 25 degrees, preferably less than 20 degrees, for example, 17 degrees. And preferably the external horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 ranges from 12 to 120 degrees, preferably greater than 30 degrees, for example, 80 degrees.

[0080] The invention also relates to a lens for a glazing system comprising vehicle glazing and / or lidar, the lens being a converging lens (in particular as described above, for example intended to be placed in the passenger compartment), the converging lens having a first surface, called the rear surface (intended to be oriented towards the passenger compartment or even into the passenger compartment) and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, intended to be oriented towards the outside, called the front surface, at least one of said first and second surfaces being convex and preferably unadjusted, the converging lens having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the converging lens and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification.

[0081] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0082] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that when the features mentioned in the claims are followed by reference numerals, these numerals are included solely for the purpose of improving the intelligibility of the claims and do not in any way limit the scope of the claims.

[0083] On the attached drawings:

[0084] [Fig-1] schematically represents, in lateral section view along a plane characteristic, a vehicle glazing according to a first embodiment, with a lidar infrared vision system and a converging lens;

[0085] [Fig. 2] schematically represents, in longitudinal section view along a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane, the vehicle glazing of the first mode;

[0086] [Fig.3] shows a front view of an example of a windshield incorporating a lens convergent according to one embodiment, the laminated glazing possibly comprising a multi-functional support integrated on one edge of the glazing;

[0087] [Fig.4] schematically represents in perspective an example of a lens convergent having a first convex surface;

[0088] [Fig.5] shows graphs illustrating the horizontal angular opening (HFOV1) and the vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) of the emission beam from the lidar light source upstream of the converging lens (left graph) and respectively the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV2) and the vertical angular aperture (VFOV2) of the emission beam downstream of the converging lens, for example at the exit of the glazing (right graph);

[0089] [Fig.6a] and [Fig.6b] show graphs illustrating an irradiance map of the emission beam of the lidar source in 2D projection collected at 1.5m from the light source without converging lens ([Fig.6a]) and an irradiance map of the emission beam after enlargement of the vertical and horizontal field of view at the exit of the glazing ([Fig.6b]) in 2D projection (collected at 1.5m from the converging lens);

[0090] [Fig.7A] shows in perspective view an example of a converging lens mounted on an opto-mechanical stage ([Fig.7A]), the converging lens and its means of fixing to the stage in three-quarter view ([Fig.7B]) and respectively in slightly raised front view ([Fig.7C]);

[0091] [Fig.8] schematically represents in exploded view and perspective a glazing of vehicle according to a variant of the first embodiment in which the external converging lens of the lidar is mounted on a plate intended to be fixed to the glazing;

[0092] [Fig.9] shows in perspective view an example of a converging lens mounted on an opto-mechanical support intended to be fixed on a plate linked to the main internal face of a glazing;

[0093] [Fig. 10] schematically represents, in lateral section view, a vehicle window according to a variant of the first embodiment in which the glazing is laminated and the converging lens is positioned between the main internal face of the glazing (not perforated) and a lidar;

[0094] [Fig. 11] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to another variant of the first embodiment, with a converging lens arranged opposite an opening of a multi-function support on an edge of the main internal face of a laminated (non-perforated) glazing;

[0095] [Fig. 12] schematically represents in lateral section view a vehicle glazing according to another variant of the first embodiment with an optical deflector arranged between the lidar and the converging lens;

[0096] [Fig. 13] schematically represents in lateral section view a vehicle glazing according to a second embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged opposite a partial hole in a laminated glazing which is a hole through the inner sheet of glass;

[0097] [Fig. 14] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to a variant of the second embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged opposite a partial hole in the laminated glazing which is a through hole forming a notch on an upper edge of the second sheet of the laminated glazing;

[0098] [Fig. 15] schematically represents in lateral section view a vehicle glazing according to a third embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged opposite a through hole forming a notch on an upper edge of a laminated glazing;

[0099] [Fig. 16] shows a front view of the glazing of the third embodiment forming a windshield;

[0100] [Fig. 17] schematically represents in lateral section view a vehicle glazing according to a fourth embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged in a hole through the laminated glazing, the second face of the lens being flush or sub-flush with the main external face of the glazing;

[0101] [Fig. 18] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to an embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged in a through hole forming a notch on an edge of the glazing, the second face of the lens being flush or sub-flush with the main external face of the glazing;

[0102] [Fig. 19] shows a front view of a windscreen incorporating a converging lens such as that of [Fig. 18];

[0103] [Fig.20] schematically represents a vehicle window in a side section view according to an embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged in a partial hole in the glazing;

[0104] [Fig.21] schematically represents, in lateral section view, a vehicle window according to an embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged in a hole through the glazing;

[0105] [Fig.22] schematically represents a vehicle window in a side section view according to an embodiment in which the converging lens is arranged in a through hole forming a notch on an edge of the glazing;

[0106] [Fig.23] shows in perspective view a lidar system comprising a lens converging on the emitted lidar beam and another converging lens on the reflected lidar beam and, in dotted lines, a variant comprising a single, larger converging lens arranged on the optical path of the emitted lidar beam and the reflected lidar beam;

[0107] [Fig.24] shows in lateral sectional view a lidar system incorporating a lens converging inside a housing positioned to support the main internal face of the glazing.

[0108] It should be noted that in these figures, structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same reference numerals. The figures are not to scale.

[0109] In [Fig. 1] or [Fig. 10], a vehicle window (preferably a road vehicle windshield) is schematically represented in a characteristic plane, for example, laminated glass with a first principal face 11 (denoted Fl) at the outermost edge and a principal face 14 (denoted F4), or respectively 12 (denoted F2) in the case of single glazing. For clarity, the vehicle is assumed to be on a horizontal surface. The lateral (or transverse) section plane is thus taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (at the upper longitudinal edge 10 and the lower longitudinal edge 18 of the glass if straight). An orthonormal coordinate system XYZ is shown, in which the Y-axis is vertical, the X and Z axes are horizontal, and the Z-axis lies in the lateral section plane. The lateral section plane includes a normal 50 to the glass and a vertical axis Y within the vehicle.The positive direction of the angles used in this disclosure is also shown. Advantageously, the cutting plane passes through the midpoint of the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing and is a plane of symmetry of the glazing.

[0110] The vehicle on which the glazing is installed or intended is, for example, a road vehicle (car, truck, public transport: bus, coach) or a railway vehicle (in particular, vehicles with a maximum speed of 90 km / h or 70 km / h, especially subways and trams). The glazing finds applications particularly in windshields, rear windows, and even side windows (including quarter windows). For clarity, flat glazing is shown in the figures. However, the glazing may have at least one radius of curvature so as to be curved. The thickness of the glazing is denoted by E. The thickness E is generally less than or equal to 1 cm, for example, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm, preferably at most 5 mm.

[0111] Glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 320, 400, 500 is installed or intended to be installed on a vehicle at an angle of inclination, denoted [3], with a horizontal axis in the characteristic plane considered. For clarity, it is assumed that the vehicle is on a horizontal surface. The angle of inclination [3] is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and even at most 60 degrees, generally between 15 and 20 and 60 degrees, preferably ranging from 20 to 50 degrees, for example, 23 or 30 degrees for a motor vehicle windshield. As indicated above, the angle of inclination [3] has a sign, which is positive here.

[0112] The glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 320, 400, 500 has an upper longitudinal edge 10 and a lower longitudinal edge 18. The lateral section plane of the glazing includes a normal 50 to the glazing and a vertical axis Y in the vehicle. The lateral section plane preferably passes through the midpoint of the upper longitudinal edge 10 and the midpoint of the lower longitudinal edge 18. The characteristic plane of the glazing includes the normal 50 to the glazing and a vertical axis (Y) in the vehicle.

[0113] An infrared vision system 7 is placed here a lidar inside the vehicle's passenger compartment, spaced out and behind the laminated glazing.

[0114] As is known, the infrared vision system 7 comprises a light source 71 and a detection device 72. The light source 71 is arranged and configured to generate a near-infrared emission beam 70. The emission beam 70 is emitted at a working wavelength, LB1, within a spectral range from 800 nm to 1800 nm, in particular from 850 nm to 1600 nm, especially 905 ± 30 nm and / or 1550 ± 30 nm. The detection device 72 is arranged next to the light source 71 and configured to detect reflected radiation 76 in at least a portion of the lidar's field of view outside the vehicle. The detection device 72 is generally oriented parallel to the light source 71.Depending on the type of lidar used, the emission beam 70 is emitted in a direction that is scanned in two transverse dimensions, or the emission beam 70 extends along a sheet that is scanned in a single direction transverse to the sheet, or the emission beam 70 is of the flash type and does not use scanning. With or without scanning, the emission beam 70 from the light source 71 extends over a source field of view having a vertical angular aperture, denoted VFOV1, and an internal horizontal angular aperture, denoted HFOV1. The source field of view presents, for example, a rectangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a median direction pointed 40 to the emission beam 70. The vertical angular aperture VFOV1 ranges from 2 to 15 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees, for example, 7 degrees. The internal horizontal angular opening HFOV1 ranges from 10 to 25 degrees, preferably less than 20 degrees, for example 17 degrees.In this document, . The lidar reference beam is defined as the beam corresponding to the intersection of the emitting beam 70 and the reflected beam 76. The lidar reference plane comprises the median direction of point 40 and a vertical axis (Y). Preferably, the lidar reference plane coincides with the characteristic plane of the glazing.

[0115] Here, therefore, the beam section has been defined as a function of the transverse intensity or irradiance profile of the emission beam in a plane perpendicular to the median direction of point 40, the intensity or irradiance being measured in W / m2, at 1 / e2 of the maximum intensity at the wavelength LB1. A rectangular section is understood to be a beam having a rectangular transverse intensity or irradiance profile, as illustrated for example in Figure 6.

[0116] Figure 3 illustrates an example of an application in which the infrared vision system 7 is placed behind the glazing forming the windshield of a motor vehicle, facing an area, here called the near-infrared transmission window 111, which is preferably located in the central and upper part of the windshield. The transmission window 111 is transparent to the emission beam of the infrared vision system 7. In this window 111, the infrared vision system is oriented at a certain angle of incidence with respect to the surface of the windshield, in particular the main inner face 14 of the glazing 100. In this example, the transmission window 111 is separated from the upper edge 10 of the glazing by the masking layer 5.

[0117] The glazing may be a glazing comprising a single sheet of glass (see [Fig. 1]). In this case, the glazing 100 has an external main face 11 referred to as Fl oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and an internal main face 12 referred to as F2 oriented towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0118] In other variants or particular embodiments, the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 320, 400, 500 is a laminated glazing comprising (see figures 10 to 18): - a first sheet of glass 1 intended to form the outer glazing with a first main external face called Fl oriented outwards and a second main internal face 12 called F2 oriented towards the passenger compartment; for a motor vehicle, the first sheet of glass 1 has a thickness preferably of no more than 4mm, and even of no more than 3mm or 2.5mm, - in particular 2.1mm, 1.9mm, 1.8mm, 1.6mm and 1.4mm- and preferably of at least 0.7mm or 1mm; - a laminate interlayer 3 made of polymer material having a main face 38 oriented towards the second internal main face 12 and a main face 39 opposite the main face 38; the laminate interlayer 3 is single- or multi-layered, optionally neutral, clear, extra-clear or tinted, in particular grey or green, made of a polymer material, preferably thermoplastic and even better polyvinyl butyral (PVB), preferably for a road vehicle with a thickness of at most 1.8 mm, better still of at plus 1.2 mm and even up to 0.9 mm (and better yet at least 0.3 mm and even at least 0.6 mm), the laminate interlayer 3 is possibly acoustic and / or possibly has a cross-section decreasing in a wedge shape from the top to the bottom of the glazing (in particular a windshield) for a head-up display (HUD); and - a second sheet of glass 2 intended to form the interior glazing with a third main face 13 called F3 oriented towards the second internal main face 12 of the first sheet of glass 1 and a fourth main face 14 oriented towards the passenger compartment called F4.

[0119] In the case of laminated glazing, the first external principal face of the first sheet of glass 1 forms the external principal face 11 of the glazing and the fourth principal face of the second sheet of glass 2 forms the internal principal face 14 of the glazing.

[0120] The first sheet of glass 1, in particular based on silica, soda-lime, silicosodocalcium, aluminosilicate, or borosilicate, has a total iron oxide content (expressed as Fe2O3) by weight of not more than 0.05% (500 ppm), preferably not more than 0.03% (300 ppm) and not more than 0.015% (150 ppm), and in particular greater than or equal to 0.005%. The redox potential of the first sheet of glass is preferably greater than or equal to 0.15, and in particular between 0.2 and 0.30, and in particular between 0.25 and 0.30. In particular, an OPTWHITE glass 1.95 mm thick is chosen.

[0121] The second glass sheet 2 is optionally tinted. The second glass sheet 2, in particular based on silica, soda-lime, preferably silicic soda-lime, or even aluminosilicate, or borosilicate, preferably has a total iron oxide content (expressed as Fe2O3) of at least 0.4% and preferably not more than 1.5%. The second glass sheet 2 is, for example, based on a glass manufactured by the Applicant called TSAnx (0.5 to 0.6% iron), TSA2+, TSA3+ (0.8 to 0.9% iron), TSA4+ (1% iron), TSA5+, for example, green. A TSA3+ glass 1.6 mm thick is chosen, for example.

[0122] For a road vehicle, the second glass sheet 2 is preferably thinner than the first glass sheet 1, even by no more than 3mm or 2mm - in particular 1.9mm, 1.8mm, 1.6mm and 1.4mm - or even by no more than 1.3mm, and preferably by at least 0.7mm, the sum of the thicknesses of the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet preferably being strictly less than 5mm or 4mm, even 3.7mm.

[0123] Advantageously, at least in the near-infrared transmission window, the glass sheet or sheets are made of glass transparent in the near infrared, as for example described in patent documents WO2018015312 and / or WO2018178278.

[0124] In particular, in the embodiment(s) without a hole in the first or second sheet of glass (figures 10-12), the first sheet of glass 1 is made of clear or extra-clear glass and the second sheet is also made of clear or extra-clear glass.

[0125] The windshield of a road vehicle in particular is curved. In a conventional and well-known way, the windshield is obtained by hot lamination of the first, second sheets of glass 1, 2 and the lamination interlayer 3. For example, a lamination interlayer 3 made of clear (or tinted) PVB of 0.38mm or 0.76mm thickness is chosen.

[0126] The glazing system includes an optical device arranged along the optical path of the emission beam 70 emitted by the lidar. According to this disclosure, the optical device includes a converging lens 20. The converging lens 20 has a first surface 21, referred to as the rear surface or face A, located here within the passenger compartment, and a second surface 22, opposite the first surface 21, the second surface 22, referred to as the front surface or face B, being oriented outwards. The converging lens 20 preferably operates in free space. The converging lens 20 is preferably a single piece. The converging lens 20 includes, for example, an optical lens. The converging lens 20 is, for example, made of one of the following materials: PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), preferably extra-clear glass. The converging lens 20 has in particular an optical refractive index of 1.48 at the working wavelength LB1 in the case of PMMA.For example, the converging lens 20 has a thickness at the center of between 1 cm and 4 cm.

[0127] At least one surface among the first surface 21 and the second surface of the converging lens 20 is a convex surface, here unruled. Advantageously, the unruled convex surface is a C2-parameterized surface, that is, a twice-differentiable regular surface with continuous derivatives. For example, at least one of the two surfaces 21, 22 is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree three or higher. In particular, at least one of the two surfaces 21, 22 is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree four. We detail later an example of surfaces 21, 22 of a converging lens 20, in which each of the two surfaces 21, 22 is defined by a polynomial equation of degree four.

[0128] The converging lens 20 is arranged in the reference plane of the lidar to receive the emission beam 70 emitted by the lidar 7. For example, the converging lens 20 is arranged on the median direction of point 40 of the light source 71. Alternatively, one or more optical components are arranged between the light source 71 and the converging lens so as to redirect the emission beam towards the converging lens 20.

[0129] In one application, the converging lens 20 further allows the median direction of the pointed 45 of the emitted beam to be modified. For example, one or the The two surfaces 21, 22 of the converging lens are polynomial surfaces of degree three or higher with non-nuisance odd orders. For example, the two surfaces 21, 22 of the converging lens 20 are of order four or higher with nuisance odd orders, and the converging lens 20 is coupled to a redirection means such as a mirror 75 or a prism. The redirection means is preferably positioned between the lidar and the converging lens 20, as illustrated in [Fig. 12]. In this case, the lidar can, for example, advantageously point downwards to reduce the footprint of the mechanical support 81.

[0130] Figure 12 shows an optical device comprising an optical deflector 75, for example a plane mirror, positioned between the light source 71 and the converging lens 20. The optical deflector 75 allows the lidar to be positioned as close as possible to the glazing and / or the orientation of the median direction of the pointing 40 to be adjusted. In all cases, the first surface 21 is positioned to receive the emitted beam 70 over the entire source field of view, i.e., over the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 and the internal horizontal angular aperture HFOV1. For this purpose, the origin point 01 of the first surface 21 is located at a distance, denoted dH, from the light source 71 (real or virtual). The distance di is preferably in a range from 20 mm to 150 mm, for example, 110 mm.

[0131] Furthermore, the converging lens 20 is designed to exhibit a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane of the lens, here denoted plane YZ or PREEi (see Figures 1 and 4), and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a plane perpendicular to the first reference plane, the perpendicular plane being here denoted plane XZ or Pref2 (see [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 4]). The first reference plane PREEi of the converging lens 20 is transverse to the first surface 21 and the second surface 22. Advantageously, the first reference plane PREfi and the perpendicular plane PRu2 of the converging lens 20 each have a normal to the first surface 21 and a normal to the second surface 22. Preferably, the converging lens 20 is arranged so that the first reference plane of the lens coincides with the reference plane of the lidar.

[0132] Furthermore, the converging lens 20 is designed to exhibit an asymmetrical angular optical magnification, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification. Unlike a spherical or aspherical lens of revolution, the converging lens 20 does not exhibit rotational symmetry about its optical axis 25. For a converging lens, since the angular magnification is negative, the angular magnification is considered here in absolute value. In particular, the second angular magnification is greater in absolute value. at the first angular magnification. In this way, the emission beam 70 emerging from the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 has a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 greater than the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of the source-side field of view and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 greater than the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of the source-side field of view.

[0133] The first angular magnification is the ratio between the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of the emission beam 70 emerging from the second surface of the converging lens 20 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of the emission beam 70 of the lidar incident on the first surface 21 of the converging lens 20, whose first reference plane is arranged in the characteristic plane of the glazing 100, 200, 300, 400. The first angular magnification is the angular magnification of the converging lens 20 in the YZ characteristic plane of the glazing system.The YZ plane, for example, is a vertical plane.

[0134] Similarly, the second angular magnification is the ratio between the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 of the emission beam 70 emerging from the second surface of the converging lens 20 and the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of the emission beam 70 of the lidar incident on the first surface 21 of the converging lens 20 whose first reference plane is arranged in the characteristic plane of the glazing 100, 200, 300, 400. The second angular magnification is the angular magnification of the converging lens 20 in the plane XZ orthogonal to the characteristic plane of the glazing system and comprising the median direction of the point 40 of the emission beam 70 incident on the first surface 21. The plane XZ is, for example, a horizontal plane.

[0135] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the emission beam refracted through the second surface 22 is transmitted in free space and then through the glazing 100, here considered as a plate with flat and parallel faces which does not modify the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 or the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 at the exit of the glazing 100. We thus obtain at the exit of the glazing system an emission beam having a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 respectively larger than those of the light source 71. In addition, thanks to the refractive optical component 20, the angular magnification of the field of view is higher in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane.

[0136] In the first embodiment, the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130 does not have a hole to allow the lidar emission beam to pass through. The converging lens 20 is located inside the passenger compartment. The second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 is situated opposite the near-infrared transmission window 111, the second surface 22 being offset from the main inner face 12, 14 of the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130. The origin point O2 of the second surface 22 of the lens The converging lens is positioned at a distance d2 from the inner principal face 12 of the glazing unit 100 if it is single glazing (see Figures 1 and 2), or from the fourth of the inner principal face 14 of the laminated glazing unit 100 (see Figures 10-12). In this case, the emission beam propagates in free space between the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 and the inner principal face 12, 14 of the glazing unit 100. The converging lens 20 is preferably positioned to minimize the distance d2. The distance d2 is measured along the longitudinal optical axis of the lens 20 or the emission beam. For example, the distance d2 is 70 mm. Minimizing the distance d2 reduces the size of the lidar system and the footprint.

[0137] In [Fig.4], a converging lens 20 is shown in perspective according to a Example of implementation. The converging lens 20 has a first convex surface 21 and a second flat, concave, or convex surface 22. The first surface 21 and the second surface 22 have non-spherical shapes and lack rotational symmetry about the optical axis 25. The shape of the first surface 21 and the shape of the second surface 22 are designed and optimized so that the lidar emission beam 70 incident on the first surface has a horizontal angular aperture HFOV1, respectively a vertical angular aperture VFOV1, and the emission beam refracted through the converging lens 20 has, at the exit of the second surface 22, a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 greater than the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1, and respectively a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 greater than the vertical angular aperture VFOV1.

[0138] Particularly advantageously, the converging lens 20 has an anti-reflective coating 27 on the first surface 21 and / or an anti-reflective coating 28 on the second surface 22. The anti-reflective coating 27, 28 includes, for example, a porous silica-based layer having a thickness adapted according to the wavelength LB1 of the lidar.

[0139] Alternatively or complementarily, the converging lens 20 includes an external hydrophobic coating, for example based on a fluorinated compound, or a self-cleaning coating on the first surface 21 and / or on the second surface 22.

[0140] The converging lens 20 (without rotational symmetry) has a different angular magnification in the first reference plane and in the second reference plane perpendicular to the first reference plane. This configuration of the converging lens 20 makes it possible to obtain different values ​​for the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 at the output of the converging lens 20. A single converging lens 20 thus makes it possible to independently adjust the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of the emission beam at the output of the glazing system.

[0141] Preferably, the second angular magnification is greater than or equal to 2.0 and even the first angular magnification is greater than or equal to 2.0.

[0142] Figure 4 shows an example of a converging lens 20 which here has a first convex surface 21, a second flat or unadjusted surface 22, preferably convex. The converging lens 20 also has a longitudinal optical axis 25 transverse to the first surface 21 and the second surface 22. The converging lens 20 further has lateral faces that are preferably flat: a top surface 23, a bottom surface 24, and two faces 26 perpendicular to the top surface 23 and / or the bottom surface 24. One or more of the lateral faces 23, 24, 26 allows the converging lens 20 to be placed in an opto-mechanical mount and aligned with respect to the lidar reference plane YZ and / or the characteristic plane of the glazing. Preferably, the optical axis 25 of the converging lens 20 is aligned with the median direction of the pointed 40 of the emission beam 70 of the lidar.Preferably, the upper face 23, the lower face 24 and / or both faces 26 is (are) flat.

[0143] By way of non-limiting example, the external dimensions of the converging lens 20 are approximately 30 mm (along the optical axis 25), approximately 44 mm (between the lateral faces 26) and approximately 25.4 mm (between the lateral faces 23 and 24).

[0144] The converging lens 20 makes it possible to asymmetrically increase the vertical angular aperture and the horizontal angular aperture of the lidar emission beam 70. For example, the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 are less than 20 degrees. And the converging lens makes it possible to obtain an emission beam having a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 greater than twice the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 and, respectively, a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 greater than twice the vertical angular aperture VFOV1, the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 being different from the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 at the output of the converging lens. For example, the lens of [Fig.[4] allows transforming an emission beam with a vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of 13 degrees and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of 17 degrees into an emission beam with a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of 26 degrees and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 of 80 degrees. In this example, the vertical angular magnification is 2.0 in absolute value and the horizontal angular magnification is 4.7 in absolute value.

[0145] Preferably, the converging lens 20 operates in free space, in air.

[0146] In the first embodiment, the converging lens 20, in particular of the shape The asymmetric lens is positioned inside the passenger compartment, along an optical path between the light source 71 and the main inner surface of the glazing. The converging lens 20 is fixed, for example by gluing, onto a support or an opto-mechanical mount. preferably via at least one of the lateral faces 23, 24 and / or 26 which are inoperative for the optical transfer function of the converging lens (see for example [Fig. 7A], 7B, 7C), for example via the lower lateral face. The support or mount is for example fixed to the glazing or the passenger compartment or to the lidar light source 71.

[0147] For example, the origin point Oi of the first surface 21 is placed at a distance di from the light source 71 of the lidar (real or virtual source, i.e., the point from which the rays emerging from the lidar appear to originate) and the origin point O2 of the second surface 22 is placed at a distance d2 from the main inner face 12, 14 of the glazing. The converging lens 20 forms, in the reference YZ plane, an image 73 of the light source 71 at a distance d3 from the main inner face 12, 14 of the glazing 100 along the optical axis of the median direction of the pointing ([Fig. 1]). Similarly, the converging lens 20 forms, in the plane XZ orthogonal to the characteristic plane, an image 74 of the light source 71 at a distance d4 from the inner principal face 12, 14 of the glazing 100 along the optical axis of the median direction of the pointing ([Fig. 2]). The distance d3 is different from the distance d4 due to the asymmetrical shape of the converging lens 20.We can define dA as the smallest distance between d3 and d4.

[0148] The converging lens 20 is preferably configured and arranged to reduce the footprint of the lidar emission beam 70 on the transmission window 111 of the glazing system 100, 200, 300, 400. To this end, the converging lens 20 is preferably arranged so as to reduce, in particular, the distance d3 and / or the distance d4. For example, the distance d3 and the distance d4 are between 15 mm and 30 mm. In one embodiment, this configuration of the converging lens 20 makes it possible to reduce the size L of the vertical projection window of the lidar emission beam into the transmission window 111 of the glazing by a factor of approximately three, and the width W of the horizontal projection window of the lidar emission beam into the transmission window 111 of the glazing by a factor of approximately nine, while at least doubling the horizontal and vertical angular apertures.

[0149] In the case of laminated glazing, the glazing advantageously comprises a masking layer 5 disposed between the first glass sheet 1 and the lamination interlayer 3 (see Figures 3, 10-19, 26). The masking layer 5 is bonded to the second internal principal face 12 of the first glass sheet 1. The masking layer 5 is also bonded to the principal face 38 of the lamination interlayer 3. The masking layer 5 is opaque to visible and near-infrared radiation, for example, black, such as an enamel coating or a lacquer. The masking layer 5 is suitable for masking the lidar housing 8. The masking layer 5 comprises a spacer with dimensions greater than the size L and the width W of the emission beam incident on the main inner face of the glazing. The spacer in the masking layer 5 allows the passage of the lidar emission beam 70 and the reflected beam 76 towards the detection device 72. The spacer in the masking layer has, for example, a rectangular or trapezoidal shape with two long horizontal sides 501, 502 and two short sides 503, 504 (see front view figures 3, 16 and 19).

[0150] We will now describe in detail an example of an embodiment in which the first surface 21 and the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 are each defined by a polynomial equation of degree three or higher, in particular of degree four. The light source 71 is placed at a distance di of 110 mm from the origin O i of the first surface 21 of the converging lens 20. The light source 71 generates an emission beam having a vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of 12.6 degrees and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV of 17.5 degrees.

[0151] The first surface 21 is defined by a polynomial equation of degree four (all coefficients of order greater than four are zero and all coefficients of odd orders are also zero) which is the following: z(x, y) = 0.051743 x2+ 4.6567.10 7 x4 + 0.044764 y2+ 5.1965.10 9 y4 + 1.9546.10 6 x2*y2.

[0152] where x, y, and z represent the Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal coordinate system (OiX, OiY, OiZ), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis 25 of the converging lens 20, and the point Oi with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the first surface 21 and the optical axis 25 of the converging lens. The first surface 21 exhibits symmetry with respect to the XOiZ plane and another symmetry with respect to the YOiZ plane. However, the first surface 21 does not exhibit rotational symmetry with respect to the Z-axis, the coefficients in x2, x4 being different from the coefficients in y2, y4.

[0153] The second surface 22 is defined by another polynomial whose coefficients are defined in the following table 1.

[0154] [Tables 1] 1---------P—!------ r ocmwt {Y • mm) J %:< ; Y : mm) ^(X;msn} r {X : msn} 8.8251 xW' mm'01 ij F {Y : «fini ] «JO23Ô42 nw* L ' " " 1 — - ————— F (Y: mm) | 1.1255x18'%% --------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0155] In Table 1, all coefficients of order greater than four are null and all coefficients of odd orders are also null. In other words, the second surface 22 is defined by the following polynomial equation of degree four: z(x, y) = -0.0014947 x2+ 8.0251.10 7 x4 - 0.0023042 y2+ 1.1265.10 6 y4 + 4.2326.10 7 x2*y2, where x, y and z represent the Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal frame (O2X, O2Y, O2Z), the axis O2Z being parallel to the optical axis 25 of the converging lens 20 and the point O2 with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the second surface 22 and the optical axis 25 of the converging lens. The second surface 22 also exhibits symmetry with respect to the X02Z plane and another symmetry with respect to the YO2Z plane. However, the second surface 22 does not exhibit rotational symmetry with respect to the Z-axis, as the coefficients in x2, x4 are different from the coefficients in y2, y4.

[0156] A converging lens 20 is manufactured by CNC 3D machining and / or molding. Its first surface 21 is defined by the fourth-degree polynomial equation PI shown above, and its second surface 22 is defined by the fourth-degree polynomial equation P2 shown above. The converging lens 20 is, for example, made from a machinable block of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). An emission beam 70 is generated at the output of the glazing system equipped with this converging lens 20. The beam has a median direction, pointed horizontally here, a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of approximately 26 degrees, and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 of approximately 80 degrees. In this example, the vertical angular magnification is 2.06 and the horizontal angular magnification is 4.57.

[0157] Fig. 5 shows graphs illustrating the asymmetric angular magnification of the converging lens having the first surface 21 defined by the polynomial PI and the second surface 22 defined by the polynomial P2 indicated above.

[0158] In the left-hand graph of [Fig. 5], the intensity slices of the emission beam from the lidar light source 71 upstream of the converging lens 20 are represented as a function of the angle with respect to the median direction of the pointing (corresponding to an angle of 0 degrees) in the characteristic plane (vertical plane YZ), and the intensity slices of the emission beam from the lidar upstream of the converging lens 20 are represented as a function of the angle with respect to the median direction of the pointing in the plane orthogonal (horizontal plane XZ) to the characteristic plane. In this graph, the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of the emission beam from the lidar light source 71 is estimated at approximately 5 degrees and its horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 at approximately 17.5 degrees. The curves in [Fig. 5] are obtained by numerical simulation. In practice, the intensity can be measured as a function of the opening angle using a far-field goniometric system.

[0159] In the graph on the right of [Fig. 5], the intensity slices of the emission beam exiting the converging lens 20 are represented as a function of the angle with respect to the median direction of the pointing beam (corresponding to an angle of 0 degrees) in the characteristic plane (vertical plane YZ), and the intensity slices of the emission beam exiting the converging lens 20 are represented as a function of the angle with respect to the median direction of the pointing beam (corresponding to an angle of 0 degrees) in the plane orthogonal (horizontal plane XZ) to the characteristic plane. In this graph, the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of the emission beam exiting the converging lens 20 is estimated at approximately 20 degrees and its horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 at approximately 80 degrees.

[0160] Comparing Figure 5 on the left and Figure 5 on the right, the increase of approximately a factor of 3.5 in the vertical angular aperture (VFOV2) of the emission beam exiting this converging lens 20 is clearly observed compared to the vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) of the emission beam from the lidar light source. Furthermore, the intensity per angle slice remains almost constant after the field of view is enlarged over virtually the entire vertical aperture. The increase of approximately a factor of 4 in the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV2) of the emission beam exiting the glazing is also clearly observed compared to the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) of the emission beam from the lidar light source. Moreover, the intensity per angle slice remains almost constant after the field of view is enlarged over virtually the entire horizontal aperture.

[0161] Remarkably, it is thus possible to use a lidar having a very small internal field of view with a vertical angular aperture VFOV1 and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV1, for example 10 deg. or even 9 deg. or 8 deg. vertically and 20 degrees, or even 15 degrees or 10 degrees horizontally, while obtaining an enlarged external field of view with a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2, for example here 20 deg. or even 25 or 30 degrees vertically and 80 degrees or even 100 or even 120 degrees horizontally.

[0162] Fig. 6a shows an irradiance map (in W / mm2) of the emission beam from the lidar source measured in 2D projection in a plane perpendicular to the median direction of lidar pointing at a distance of 1610 mm from the emission source without the converging lens 20. The extent of the field of view is limited to an approximately elliptical area whose minor axis has a length of approximately 760 mm along the vertical axis (Y) and whose major axis has a length of approximately 1000 mm along the horizontal axis (X).

[0163] Figure 6b shows an irradiance map (in W / mm²) of the emission beam from the same light source combined with a converging lens 20 having a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 defined by the polynomial equations PI and P² given above. The irradiance map is measured here in 2D projection onto a plane perpendicular to the median direction of the lidar's pointing at a distance of 1610 mm from the emission source combined with the converging lens 20, the distance di between the source and the converging lens 20 being approximately 110 mm. An asymmetrical magnification of the vertical and horizontal field of view is thus measured at the exit of the glazing in 2D projection (right-hand graph). After asymmetrical enlargement, the field of view extends over an almost rectangular area with a width of approximately 1100 mm along the vertical axis (Y) and a length of approximately 2700 mm along the horizontal axis (X).Enlarging the field of view of the emission beam exiting the glazing with the converging lens 20 allows a larger field of view to be covered without increasing the size L or the width W of the projection window of the lidar emission beam 70 onto the main internal face 12, 14 of the glazing. The length L is expressed as a function of the distance d3 according to the following formula: L=2*d3*tan(VFOV2 / 2) and the width W as a function of the distance d4 according to the following formula: W=2*d4*tan(HFOV2 / 2).

[0164] The invention offers an additional advantage, which is that it allows the lidar beam cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the beam propagation axis to be approximately rectangular in shape, rather than circular, elliptical, or distorted as would be obtained after passing through a spherical, aspherical, or cylindrical lens. A beam cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the beam propagation axis with an approximately rectangular shape is desirable, in particular, for detecting objects close to the vehicle at the edge of the field of view, such as pedestrians.

[0165] Remarkably, it is thus possible to use a lidar having an internal field of view of rectangular cross-section and of very small vertical angular aperture VFOV1 and horizontal angular aperture HFOV1, while obtaining an external field of view of rectangular cross-section having a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 each enlarged by a different magnification.

[0166] For example, the angular magnification of the vertical angular opening is in absolute value greater than 1.0, preferably greater than 2.0 and the angular magnification of the vertical angular opening is in absolute value greater than 1.0, preferably greater than 2.0, for example of the order of 4.0.

[0167] For example, the internal vertical angular aperture VFOV1 ranges from 2 to 15 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees, for example 7 degrees, and the external vertical angular aperture VFOV2 ranges from 3 to 45 degrees, preferably greater than 15 degrees, for example 20 degrees. The internal horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 ranges from 10 to 25 degrees, preferably less than 20 degrees, for example 17 degrees, and the external horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 ranges from 12 to 120 degrees, preferably greater than 30 degrees, for example 80 degrees.

[0168] As indicated above, in the first embodiment, to transmit the LIDAR beam, the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, includes a transmission window 111 in a reserved area of ​​the glazing which is free of holes or notches.

[0169] In certain embodiments, described below in connection with Figures 13-22, to transmit the LIDAR beam, the glazing 110, 200, 220, 300, 310, 320, 400, 500 is perforated by a partial hole 30 or a through hole 31 (full) of the glazing, in particular forming a notch. The partial hole 30 or a through hole 31, in particular the notch, is dedicated individually to the LIDAR or is a common hole or notch housing a support, in particular a multi-function (multi-sensor) support, or dedicated to the lens.

[0170] Preferably, a support 80 is disposed at least partially in the partial or through hole and / or protruding from the first or fourth main face, the support 80 being attached to the glazing or to the edge of the partial or through hole. For example, the converging lens 20 is attached (by bonding or direct adhesive contact) to this support on its lower face, its upper face, or one of its lateral faces. In particular, the converging lens 20 is located opposite the partial hole 30 or, respectively, the through hole 31, the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 being offset from the inner main face 12, 14 of the glazing 110, 200, 300, or the second surface 22 being flush or subflush with the outer main face of the glazing 400, 500.

[0171] The partial hole 30, or respectively the through hole 31, is for example rectangular or trapezoidal in shape and comprises a first long side 301 or so-called upper longitudinal edge closest to the edge of the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing, preferably parallel to this edge 10, a second long side 302 or so-called lower longitudinal edge (furthest from the edge of the upper longitudinal edge 10, near the central area) parallel to the first long side, with a length of at most 25 cm or 20 cm and preferably greater than that of the first long side, for example 14 cm, and two short sides 303, 304 or straight or oblique lateral edges (see [Fig. 19]). The partial hole 30, or respectively the through hole 31, may have rounded corners.

[0172] Alternatively, the partial hole 30, or respectively the through hole 31, forms a notch on an edge, for example the upper edge 10, of the glazing (see figures 16 and 19). In figures 16 and 19, we observe the edges 301, 302, 303, 304 of the partial hole 30, or respectively of the through hole 31.

[0173] Furthermore, Figures 10 to 19 illustrate various ways of integrating a converging lens 20 into a glazing unit. These figures share the following common elements. The laminated glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 320, 400, 500 comprises a first sheet of glass 1, a lamination interlayer 3, and a second sheet of glass 2. The infrared vision system 7 is housed in a casing 8, for example, made of plastic or metal. In various embodiments, the light source 71 and the detection device 72 are arranged side by side in a vertical plane, in a horizontal plane, or in a plane inclined to a horizontal plane.

[0174] The housing 8 is attached by a fastening means in a removable manner, for example by clipping. The housing 8 is attached, for example (entirely) to the fourth main face 14 of the second sheet of glass 2 by the fastening means in a removable manner, for example by clipping. Alternatively, the housing 8 is attached to a multi-function support 80 (a multi-sensor plate, with antenna, etc.) which is attached (glued) to the fourth main face 14 of the second sheet of glass 2. According to another embodiment, the housing 8 is attached to face F4 or to the multi-function support 80 and also to a component of the vehicle, for example the roof of the vehicle, in particular to the interior trim of the vehicle passenger compartment and / or to the body 160, which is glued to the periphery of the glazing (on face 14 or face 12 if there is a partial hole, or on the support 80 if there is a through hole in the glazing) by means of an adhesive 60 (see [Fig. 11]).A seal 161 (extruded etc.) preferably with a lip 162 is between the body 160 and the edge of the glazing (and even the support 80 where applicable, see [Fig. 18]).

[0175] In particular, the glazing system includes a support or plate 80, which is particularly multifunctional and, in particular, opaque, and, if necessary, perforated (with an orifice 81) at the location of the near-infrared transmission window. The plate is on face F4 (Figures 14, 17, 21, 22) or within a through hole ([Fig. 18], 22). The orifice 81 is opposite or even houses the second surface of the converging lens 20. The support or plate 80 can form a base for fixing the converging lens 20. The plate 80 may also form a base for one or more other sensors, such as a rain sensor, a visible camera, a thermal camera, etc. The plate 80 is, for example, connected to the housing 8 and / or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0176] According to one embodiment, the plate 80 is transparent to the wavelength LB1 of the lidar radiation, the converging lens 20 being, for example, placed opposite the rear face of this plate 80, on the passenger compartment side.

[0177] According to other embodiments, the plate 80 is opaque or absorbing at the LB1 wavelength of the lidar radiation, the plate 80 therefore comprising a orifice 81 in which is for example partly disposed the converging lens 20 ([Fig.18]) or opposite ([Fig.11]).

[0178] In an example of the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig.12], the light source 71 and the detection device 72 are, for example, fixed to a support 81 which is itself fixed to the housing 8 or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The converging lens 20 is here fixed to the same support 81, for example via its lower face 24. Preferably, the support 81 includes means for adjusting the position and / or orientation of the converging lens to align the optical axis 25 of this converging lens with the median direction of pointing 40 of the light source 71. In addition, the support 81 preferably includes means for adjusting the position of the assembly formed by the lidar system (source 71 and detector 72) and the converging lens 20 so as to adjust the distance between the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 and the main inner face 14 of the glazing.These adjustment means make it possible to reduce the footprint of the incident emission beam on the main internal face of the glazing 130 while allowing an increase in the horizontal and vertical angular opening of the emission beam exiting the glazing. For a beam with a rectangular cross-section, the beam footprint is generally defined by the projection of this rectangle of length L and width W onto the glazing.

[0179] In another example of the first embodiment illustrated in connection with figures 7 to 9, the glazing system includes a support or plate 80 (see figures 3, 8-9) if necessary perforated in the transmission window 111 (opposite the converging lens) and opposite the converging lens 20.

[0180] The mounting plate 80 may include zones 601, 602, 603 (see [Fig. 3]) for one or more other sensors, such as a rain sensor, visible light camera, thermal imaging camera, etc., which may, if necessary, have openings for optical transmission and / or even form a base for these sensors. The mounting plate 80 is connected to the rear main face 14 of the glazing (see Figures 8-9) and / or to the housing 8 and / or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment. In [Fig. 3], the edges 801, 802, 803, 804 of the mounting plate 80 are shown.

[0181] The converging lens 20 is fixed, for example, by gluing its lower face 24 to an opto-mechanical support 82 (see Figures 7B-7C). The opto-mechanical support 82 is itself fixed, for example, by means of two screws, to a base 83. The base 83 allows the converging lens 20 to be fixed directly to the plate 80 (see [Fig. 7A]) or via a U-shaped housing 84 having, for example, a slide adapted to receive the base 83 equipped with a guide rail corresponding to the slide (see [Fig. 9]). This opto-mechanical assembly makes it possible to position the converging lens 20 as close as possible to the inner main face 14 of the glazing, while allowing adjustment of the distance d2.

[0182] In an example of the second embodiment (see [Fig. 20]), the glazing 200 has a partial hole 30 in the characteristic plane to form a near-infrared transmission window 111 suitable for transmitting the lidar emission beam. The partial hole 30 is formed on the inner side of the glazing. In this, the thickness E of the glazing is locally thinned to a thickness E2 less than E. For example, the thickness E ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm, preferably from 1.6 mm to 2.1 mm, and the thickness E2 ranges from 0.1 mm to 2.1 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.6 mm, preferably from 0.7 mm to 1.1 mm.

[0183] In the partial hole 30, the glazing has an internal principal surface 15. The converging lens 20 is disposed inside the housing and at least partially in the partial hole 30. The origin point O2 of the second surface 22 of the converging lens is placed at a distance d2 from the internal principal face 15 of the glazing 200. In this case, the emission beam propagates in free space between the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 and the internal principal face 15 of the glazing 200 in the partial hole 30.

[0184] In another example of the second embodiment (see [Fig. 13]), the glazing is laminated glass having a partial hole 30 which is a through hole through the second glass sheet 2 of the reference laminated glass to form the transmission window 111. The converging lens 20 is positioned opposite the hole 30. In [Fig. 13], the hole 30 is closed, i.e., away from the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing 200. In this example, the first glass sheet 1 and the interlayer sheet 3 do not have a hole aligned with the through hole 30 through the second glass sheet 2. Preferably, an insert bonded to the interlayer sheet 3 can be added to the hole, for example, extra-clear glass with a thickness less than or equal to the thickness of the second glass sheet. In a variant, this insert is bonded with a local adhesive, for example, an OCA (optical clear adhesive).In another variant, all or part of the spacer 3 is removed and, for example, face F2 includes a near-infrared anti-reflective element.

[0185] In another variant of the second embodiment (see [Fig. 14]), the glazing is laminated glass having a partial hole 30 which is a through hole through the second glass sheet 2 and preferably through the interlayer sheet 3 of the laminated glass to form the transmission window 110. The converging lens 20 is positioned opposite the hole 30 (opposite face F2). In [Fig. 14], the hole 30 forms a notch on the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing. In this example, the first glass sheet 1 does not have a hole aligned with the through hole 30 through the second glass sheet 2 and the interlayer sheet 3.

[0186] In embodiments (see Figures 15, 17, 18, 21 and 22), the glazing comprises a full hole or through hole 31 in the characteristic plane to form a A near-infrared transmission window 111 is suitable for allowing the lidar emission beam to pass through. In particular, for Figures 21 and 22, the through hole 31 in the glazing is preferably closed by a plate 32, of the type transparent at wavelength LB1, with parallel faces, of constant thickness, and spaced from the surface 22. The plate 32 has an internal main face 321 and an external main face 322. The plate is, for example, bonded to the upper lateral face 24 via an adhesive 60 ([Fig. 22]).

[0187] In the examples illustrated in [Fig.20] or [Fig.21], the through hole 31 is closed on its perimeter, for example by sides 301, 302, 303, 304.

[0188] In the examples illustrated in [Fig.18] or [Fig.22], the through hole 31 forms an open notch for example on the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing and for example closed on three other sides 302, 303, 304.

[0189] In embodiments (see figures 21-22), the plate 32 is fixed, for example by gluing its main inner face 321 to the main outer face 11 of the glazing around the periphery of the through hole 31 so as to close the through hole 31 on the outside and to ensure the sealing of the glazing 310, 320. The converging lens 20 is disposed inside the passenger compartment, and preferably at least partially inside the through hole 31. In this case, the emission beam 70 propagates in free space between the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 and the main inner face 321 of the plate 32 in the through hole. The second surface 22 of the converging lens is opposite and placed at a distance from the main internal face 321 of the plate 32. In other words, the emission beam propagates in free space between the second surface 22 of the converging lens and the main internal face 321 of the plate 32.

[0190] In embodiments (see [Fig. 20] or [Fig. 21]), the converging lens 20 is fixed by its lower face 24, here flat, to the support 80, which is inserted at least partially into the partial hole 30, or into the through hole 31, respectively. The upper face 23, here flat, of the converging lens 20 is pressed against or fixed, for example by gluing, to the first long side 301 of the partial hole 30, or of the through hole 31, respectively. The support 80 is pressed against or fixed, for example by gluing, to the second long side 302 of the partial hole 30, or of the through hole 31, respectively. In this way, the converging lens 20 is connected to the glazing 300. The second surface 22 of the converging lens 20 is at a fixed distance d2 from the main inner face 15 of the glazing 200, or from the main inner face 321 of the plate 32 connected to the glazing, respectively. 300.

[0191] In the third embodiment (see Figures 15 and 16), the converging lens 20 is opposite a plate 80 (for example, multifunctional, with transmission windows for various sensors) which is inserted at least partially into the through hole 31, for example, forming a notch. For example, the plate 80 is connected by For example, by means of an adhesive 61 at least to the first glass sheet 1. The plate 80 is here made of a sheet transparent at wavelength LB1 (extra-clear glass, plastic, etc.) and, for example, of the same thickness as the first glass sheet 1. According to a particular aspect applicable to this embodiment, a masking layer 88 (coating) is applied to the plate 80, opaque in the visible and near-infrared, for example, black in color, particularly at the working wavelength. The masking layer 88 protects against UV radiation, including the adhesive 60 if necessary.

[0192] The plate 80 can include areas 601, 602, 603 (see [Fig.16]) for one or more other sensors, such as rain sensor, visible camera, thermal camera, etc., having if necessary openings for optical transmission and / or even forming a base for these sensors.

[0193] In another embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 17], the through hole 31 in the glazing 400 is closed by the converging lens 20 with its optical axis inclined with respect to the horizontal. The through hole 31 extends here through the first glass sheet 1, the interlayer sheet 3, and the second glass sheet 2. The converging lens 20 is fixed, for example, on its periphery via its lateral faces. A multi-function support 80 is drilled at the hole 31. In the first glass sheet 1, the through hole 31 has, if necessary, a shape complementary to the converging lens 20. In this case, it is optional to cover the through hole 31 with a plate 32. In this configuration, the converging lens is configured to modify the median direction of the pointing of a reference beam (from the lidar) at the working wavelength LB1 exiting the glazing.The first surface 21 is a convex surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N (integer) greater than or equal to three in which at least one odd-order coefficient is non-zero and the second surface is either flat or convex, in particular flush with face 11. For example, with the converging lens being external to the lidar, the reference beam is inclined with respect to the horizontal at the exit of the lidar (and even, alternatively, at the exit of a deflector interposed between the lidar substantially parallel to the plane of the glazing or at a small angle and the converging lens) and at the exit of the glazing substantially horizontal.

[0194] In an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 18], the through hole 31 in the glazing 500 forms a notch that is closed by the converging lens 20 with its optical axis inclined with respect to the horizontal, its support 80, and preferably a continuous gasket 61 between the support and the edges of the through hole 31. In this case, it is optional to cover the through hole 31 with a plate 32. The through hole 31 extends here opposite each other through the first glass pane 1, the interlayer pane 3, and the second glass pane 2. The converging lens 20 is here fixed to a support 80, for example, fixed to its sides 23, 24, 26. The converging lens 20 and the support 80 are housed in the hole passing through 31. The second face of the converging lens is flush or even sub-flush with the main external face 11 of the glazing 500. In this configuration, the converging lens is configured to modify the median pointing direction of a reference beam (from the lidar) at the working wavelength LB1 at the glazing exit. The first surface 21 is a convex surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N (integer) greater than or equal to three in which at least one odd-order coefficient is non-zero, and the second surface is either flat or convex, in particular flush with face 11. For example, with the converging lens external to the lidar, the reference beam is inclined with respect to the horizontal at the lidar exit (and even, alternatively, at the exit of a deflector interposed between the lidar substantially parallel to the plane of the glazing or at a small angle and the converging lens) and at the glazing exit is substantially horizontal.

[0195] In some embodiments (see Figures 21-22), the plate 32 is fixed, for example, by bonding its outer main face 322 to the inner main face 12, 14 of the glazing 400 around the periphery of the through-hole 31 so as to close the through-hole on the inside and ensure the glazing is watertight. In this fourth embodiment, the converging lens 20 is positioned outside the passenger compartment and preferably at least partially inside the through-hole 31. The first surface 21 of the converging lens 20 is positioned at a distance from the outer main face 322 of the plate 32. In this case, the emission beam 70 propagates freely, or in free space, between the outer main face 322 of the plate 32 and the first surface 21 of the converging lens 20.

[0196] When the second surface 22 of the converging lens is located outside the passenger compartment (Figures 17 and 18), this surface is exposed to external elements and dust. In this case, it is useful to provide a hydrophobic or self-cleaning external coating on the second surface 22 of the converging lens 20. And a hard-coat type coating, for example, carbon in the form of amorphous diamond (or "diamond-like carbon").

[0197] Figure 23 shows a lidar system comprising two converging lenses in solid lines: a converging lens 20 on the emitted lidar beam 70 and another converging lens 120 on the reflected lidar beam 76. The lens 120 is analogous or identical to the converging lens 20 as described in this disclosure. The lens 120 has a first surface 121 oriented towards the detector 72 and a second surface 122, opposite the first surface 121, oriented outwards. At least one of said first surface 121 and second surface 122 is an unadjusted, convex surface. The lens 120 also has a vertical angular magnification different from its horizontal angular magnification, and preferably identical respectively to those of the lens 20. The lens 20 transmits a beam The reference lens 70 of the lidar is the emitting beam. The other converging lens 120 is arranged to transmit the reflected beam 76 to the detector 72 of the lidar 7. Optionally, both lenses 20 and 120 are integrated into the housing of the lidar 7.

[0198] According to a variant shown in dashed lines in [Fig. 23], the two lenses 20 and 120 are replaced by a single lens 20 (in dashed lines) which is positioned both on the optical path of the reference beam 70 and the reflected beam 76. In this particular arrangement, a single converging lens 20 is used on the path of the reference beam 70 and the reflected beam 76 instead of lens 20 on the path of the reference beam 70 and lens 120 on the path of the reflected beam 76. The converging lens 20 is preferably combined with the use of a beam-splitting optical component, for example a mirror, which allows the reference beam 70 from the lidar emission source to be received and redirected to the converging lens 20.In the return direction, the converging lens 20 receives the reflected beam 76 from the outside and directs it towards the beam splitter optical component which directs it towards the lidar detector 72. This configuration offers an advantage in terms of compactness.

[0199] Finally, [Fig.24] shows a lidar system 7 incorporating a converging lens according to the present disclosure, and disposed inside a vehicle window 100.

Claims

Demands

1. A glazing system comprising a vehicle glazing (100, 110, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 320, 400, 500), the glazing comprising: a first sheet of glass (1) intended to form the outer glazing with a first external principal face (11) and a second principal face (12) oriented towards the passenger compartment, and, when the glazing is laminated, comprising a second sheet of glass (2) intended to form the inner glazing with a third principal face (13) oriented towards the second principal face (12) and a fourth principal face (14) oriented towards the passenger compartment, and a lamination interlayer (3) made of polymer material disposed between the second principal face (12) and the third principal face (13), the glazing system having a near-infrared transmission window (111) at a working wavelength LB1 in the near-infrared rangeand the glazing system comprising an optical device intended to provide an external field of view, characterized in that: the optical device comprises a converging lens (20), the converging lens (20) having a first surface (21), called the rear surface, and a second surface (22), opposite the first surface, oriented outwards, called the front surface, at least one of said first and second surfaces being convex, in particular the second surface having a free face, the converging lens (20) having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the converging lens and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification.

2. System according to claim 1 wherein the second angular magnification in absolute value is greater than the first angular magnification and preferably the second angular magnification is strictly greater than 2.

3. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the convex surface is unregulated and preferably the convex surface is the first surface and even the second surface is convex and not ruled.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first surface is convex and of class C2, and preferably the second surface of the converging lens (20) is convex and of class C2.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the converging lens is in free space.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first surface (21) is convex and the second surface (22) is convex or in that the first surface (21) is convex and the second surface (22) is flat.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of said first surface (21) and second surface (22) is a convex surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to three, where N is an integer, in particular the polynomial equation describing the first surface or the second surface being written according to the following mathematical formula: where x, y and z represent Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal frame (O;X, O;Y, O;Z), the axis OiZ being parallel to the optical axis of the converging lens, the point O; of coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the surface i considered and the optical axis of the converging lens, p and q being integer variables from 0 to N, and apq being the coefficient of order p in x and of order q in y, each coefficient apq being expressed in mm', +, / .

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the converging lens (20) is arranged and configured to modify a median direction of pointing (40) of a reference beam at the working wavelength LB1 at the exit of the glazing, and / or at least one of said first surface (21) and second surface (22) is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to three in which at least one odd-order coefficient is non-zero.

9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein at least one of said first surface (21) and second surface (22) is a convex surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to four in which the odd order coefficients are all null, in particular the converging lens (20) has an optical axis (25), the first reference plane is a first plane of symmetry of the lens passing through the optical axis (25) and the converging lens (20) has a second plane of symmetry passing through the optical axis (25) and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry.

10. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the first surface (21) is a convex surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to four in which the odd-order coefficients are all null, in particular the converging lens (20) has an optical axis (25), the first reference plane is a first plane of symmetry of the lens passing through the optical axis (25) and the converging lens (20) has a second plane of symmetry passing through the optical axis (25) and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry and in that the second surface (22) is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to four in which the odd-order coefficients are all null.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the first surface (21) is a convex surface defined by the following polynomial equation of degree four: z(x, y) = a20x² + a40x⁴ + a0²y² + a0⁴y⁴ + a2²x²y², where x, y, and z represent the Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal coordinate system (OiX, OiY, OiZ), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis (25) of the converging lens (20), and the point Oi with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the first surface (21) and the optical axis (25) of the converging lens, and wherein the second surface (22) is a convex surface defined by the following polynomial equation of degree four: z(x, y) = b20x² + b40x⁴ + b0² y2+ b04 y4 + b22 x2*y2, where x, y and z represent the Cartesian coordinates expressed in millimeters in an orthonormal coordinate system (O2X, O2Y, O2Z), the O2Z axis being parallel to the optical axis (25) of the converging lens (20) and the point O2 with coordinates (0, 0,0) being located at the intersection, of the second surface (22) and the optical axis (25) of the converging lens, with a20 between 0.03 mm₁ and 0.3 mm₂, a40 between 1x10⁷ mm³ and 8x10⁵ mm³, a02 between 0.03 mm₁ and 0.3 mm₂ mm and 0.3 mm, ao4 between 2x10 mm and 9x10 mm, a22 between 7x10 mm and 4x10 mm, b20 between -9x10 mm and -1x10 mm, b40 between 3x10 mm and 1.4x10 mm, b02 between -2x102 mm and -1x103 mm, b04 between 4x10 mm and 2x10 mm and b22 between 1x10 mm and 8x10 mm.

12. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein a reference beam (70) at working wavelength LB1 having a median direction of pointing (40) and extending over an initial field of view of initial vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) determined in a characteristic plane comprising a normal to the glazing and a vertical axis (Y) in the vehicle and of initial horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) determined in a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a horizontal axis (X) transverse to the median direction of pointing, in the near-infrared transmission window, the reference beam (70) at the output of the glazing system having an external field of view of vertical angular aperture (VFOV2) in the characteristic plane and of horizontal angular aperture (HFOV2) in the perpendicular plane,the converging lens (20) being arranged and configured so that the external vertical angular aperture (VFOV2) is greater than the initial vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) and so that the external horizontal angular aperture (HFOV2) is greater than the initial horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) and preferably the initial horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) is at most 20°.

13. System according to the preceding claim in which the reference beam (70) has a median direction of pointing (40) inclined with respect to a horizontal axis upstream of the converging lens, the system further comprises a deflector (75) adapted to receive the reference beam, the deflector being arranged to deflect the reference beam towards the first surface of the converging lens (20).

14. System according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a lidar including a light source (71) being capable of emitting an emission beam (70) at the working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range, lidar at a distance and upstream of the first surface (21) preferably having a free face.

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the converging lens, in particular external to a lidar, is configured to: - transmit a reference beam which is the emitting beam of the lidar and preferably another converging lens, the other converging lens (120) having a first surface (121), called the back surface and a second surface (122), opposite to the first surface, oriented outwards, called the front surface, at least one of said first and second surfaces being convex, the other converging lens (120) having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the other converging lens (120) and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the other converging lens (120) perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification, the other converging lens (120) being arranged to transmit a reflected beam, - or to transmit a lidar reference beam which corresponds to the intersection of the emitting beam and the reflected beam.

16. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the converging lens (20) comprises, on the first surface (21) and / or on the second surface (22), a surface treatment or a functional layer, preferably forming an anti-reflective element at the working length or forming a hydrophobic or anti-fouling layer or forming a hard layer.

17. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the converging lens is external to a lidar and preferably the converging lens has a peripheral extension connected to the glazing or intended to be connected to the lidar.

18. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converging lens (20) is opposite a partial hole (30) in the glazing, preferably laminated, or a through hole (31) in the glazing

19. preferably laminated possibly through hole housing a support, in particular the converging lens (20) being wholly or partly disposed in the partial hole (30) or in the through hole (31) or facing an insert in the partial hole or in that the converging lens (20) is opposite the fourth principal face (14) of the laminated glazing. Lidar system (7) comprising a lidar including a light source (71) intended to be disposed in a vehicle cabin, the light source (71) being capable of emitting an emission beam (70) at a working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range, the emission beam (70) having a median direction of pointing (40) and extending over an initial field of view of initial vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) determined in a characteristic plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a vertical axis (Y) and of initial horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) determined in a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane, the perpendicular plane comprising the median direction of pointing and a horizontal axis (X) transverse to the median direction of pointing, characterized in that: the lidar system (7) includes at least one converging lens (20),the converging lens (20) having a first surface (21) oriented towards the light source and a second surface (22), opposite the first surface, at least one of said first surface (21) and second surface (22) being convex and preferably unadjusted, the first surface (22) being disposed at a distance from the light source (71) to receive the emitted beam, the converging lens (20) being disposed and configured to present a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the converging lens and to present a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the first angular magnification being different from the second angular magnification,the converging lens (20) being arranged and configured so that the emission beam exiting the lidar system has a vertical angular aperture field of view (VFOV2) greater than the initial vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) of the source field of view and the converging lens (20) being configured so that the,

20. The emission beam exiting the lidar system has a horizontal angular aperture field of view (HFOV2) greater than the initial horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) of the source field of view. The lens is for a system comprising vehicle glazing and / or a lidar, the lens being a converging lens (20), the converging lens (20) having a first surface (21), called the rear surface, and a second surface (22), opposite the first surface, intended to be oriented outwards, called the front surface, at least one of said first and second surfaces being convex and preferably unadjusted, the converging lens (20) having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the converging lens and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the converging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification.

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