Glazing unit for vehicle and optical device for lidar

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glazing system comprising a glazing unit (100) for a vehicle, the glazing unit having a transmission window (111) for transmission in the near-infrared range and an optical device. According to the invention, the optical device comprises a divergent lens (20) having a first surface (21) and a second surface (22), the divergent lens (20) having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in a characteristic plane and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification.

Description

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" (or in French "détection et estimation de la distance par la lumière" or "par 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, especially a sloped one, presents several challenges. The lidar is generally installed in the upper part of the passenger compartment (the upper area of ​​the windshield) so that the beams emitted and received by the lidar pass through the glass in an area close to the upper longitudinal edge of the glass. Firstly, the lidar is quite bulky and must be positioned so as not to obstruct the driver's view. Secondly, the lidar generates a near-infrared beam with a field of view that has a wide vertical and horizontal angle. Projecting this beam onto the glass requires reserving a specific area of ​​the glass for the transmission of this near-infrared beam (known as the near-infrared transmission window).

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

[0005] Document WO2023 / 274854 describes a glazing system comprising a lidar oriented towards the inner face of the inclined glazing of a road vehicle and a prism placed on the inner face of the glazing to increase the vertical aperture of the lidar's field of view outside the vehicle. However, while this prism does allow adjustment of the angular aperture at the glazing's exit point only in the vertical direction, it alters the cross-section of the field of view at the glazing's exit point.

[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 road glazing, the glazing, in particular windshield, particularly curved, the glazing comprising: a first sheet of glass (particularly clear) intended to form the outer glazing with a first external main face and a second main face 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 lamination interlayer made of polymer material (in particular polyvinyl butyral PVB or ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer EVA or thermoplastic polyurethane TPU) disposed between the second inner main face and the third main face,in particular glazing intended to form an angle of inclination (P) of less than 90 degrees and even of at most 60 or 50 degrees, with a horizontal axis (Z) (in a plane characteristic of the glazing) in the vehicle, in particular glazing having an upper longitudinal edge and a lower longitudinal edge.

[0008] The glazing system features a near-infrared transmission window at a working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range, specifically in the ranging from 800nm ​​to 1800nm, in particular from 850nm to 1600nm, notably 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 lidar intended to be placed in the vehicle's passenger compartment).

[0009] In particular, the emission beam has, at the lidar output, a median direction of pointing and extends over a source field of view of vertical angular aperture VFOV1 determined in a characteristic plane of the glazing, the 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] The glazing system also includes an optical device transparent at the working wavelength LB1 intended to provide an external field of view (particularly after the near-infrared transmission window).

[0011] The optical device comprises a diverging lens, the diverging lens having a first surface, called the rear surface (face A), and a second surface, called the front surface (face B) oriented outwards, opposite the first surface, at least one of said first and second surfaces being concave and preferably unadjusted, the diverging lens having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the diverging 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 diverging lens and perpendicular to the first reference plane (and in particular collinear with the median direction of pointing), the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification and preferably the second angular magnification being greater than the first angular magnification.

[0012] At the exit of the diverging lens, the lidar emission beam has an external field of view with vertical angular aperture VFOV2 and horizontal angular aperture VFOV2.

[0013] Advantageously, the diverging lens is arranged and configured so that the output beam of the system has an external field of view with a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 greater than the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of the source field of view and so that the output beam of the system has an external field of view with a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 greater than the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of the source field of view.

[0014] The diverging lens is (operates) preferably in free space (in air).

[0015] The lens is notably positioned entirely or partially outside the passenger compartment.

[0016] In one embodiment, the front surface is arranged flush or protruding from the first main face, and in particular the diverging lens is wholly or partly outside the outer glazing with a possible transparent blade spaced from the front surface (forming a protection).

[0017] The diverging lens is preferably a single piece. For example, it is made of one of the following materials: PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), preferably extra-clear glass, PC (polycarbonate), PU (polyurethane), or any other mineral or organic material known to those skilled in the art for use in optical lenses. The diverging lens has, for example, a thickness at its center of between 1 cm and 4 cm.

[0018] In all cases, the first surface of the diverging lens is positioned to receive the emitted beam across the entire source field of view, that is, across the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 and the internal horizontal angular aperture HFOV1. To achieve this, the first surface (a vertex) is located at a distance, denoted d1, from the light source (real or virtual). The distance d1 is generally between 50 mm and 300 mm, for example, 210 mm. The second surface (a vertex), or front surface, is located at a distance, denoted d2, from the first principal face of the glazing, projecting from the first principal face of the glazing. The distance d2 is generally between 0 mm and 200 mm, for example, 110 mm.

[0019] The lidar is preferably located entirely within the passenger compartment (on the inside of the glazing). Alternatively, the lidar may be partially located in a partial hole in the glazing (of the second layer) or in a through hole in the glazing, particularly laminated glazing.

[0020] Unlike a prism, which provides a single magnification, a diverging lens allows for 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 its rectangular shape) of the field of view exiting the glazing. Such a glazing system increases the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 of the external field of view of the emitted beam relative to the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of the source field of view. Similarly, this glazing system also increases the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of the external field of view of the emitted beam relative to the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 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).

[0021] In particular, the glazing system with a diverging lens makes it possible to obtain an emission beam with a uniform intensity distribution over a field of view of approximately rectangular shape at the output of the glazing system.

[0022] Advantageously, such a glazing system also allows the median direction of the pointing at the exit of the glazing to be modified relative to the median direction of the pointing at the entrance of the optical device.

[0023] The glazing system allows, in particular, for an increase in the vertical angular aperture of the source field of view without increasing, or even reducing, the lidar beam footprint on the glazing. In this way, it is possible to use a lidar with a relatively narrow source field of view while maintaining a sufficiently large angular aperture at the glazing system's output. Furthermore, the glazing system with the diverging lens allows for modification of the angle of the lidar beam incident on the inner surface of the glazing, thus reducing the lidar's footprint inside the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0024] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the glazing system according to the invention (and more broadly of the features of the diverging lens according to the invention for the glazing system and / or lidar), taken individually or according to all technically possible combinations, are as follows.

[0025] The diverging lens preferably operates in free space in air, and even though the diverging lens is mechanically bonded to the glazing (the diverging lens may have a suitable functional coating, such as a protective or anti-reflective one), in particular, the diverging lens is, for example, mechanically bonded to the glazing (including to a plate in a hole in the glazing) at the periphery of the front and rear surfaces (free faces). of the lens for example at least by a lateral face: upper and / or lower face etc.

[0026] The diverging lens may have preferentially flat lateral surfaces: a top surface, a bottom surface, and two surfaces perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. One or more of the lateral surfaces allows, for example, the diverging lens to be placed in an opto-mechanical frame and aligned with the lidar reference plane and / or the characteristic plane of the glazing. For example, the top surface and / or the bottom surface and / or two other lateral surfaces may be flat.

[0027] The diverging lens may have lateral surfaces, including flat surfaces comprising a top surface and a bottom surface. In particular, the first reference plane passes through the top and bottom surfaces (specifically, it is a vertical plane and / or a plane of symmetry of the lens), and even the top and bottom surfaces are horizontal.

[0028] In particular, the diverging lens is opposite an upper and even central part of the glazing, especially the windshield.

[0029] For better optical performance, the diverging lens has front and rear surfaces that have free faces, therefore exposed to the air, spaced away from the glazing rather than bonded (glued) to the glazing.

[0030] The front surface of the diverging lens can be bare (thus directly forming the free surface) or have a functional layer (single or multilayer) such as a coating (preferably a conformal deposition) or a film (adhesive, etc.) whose outer surface forms the free surface. The rear surface of the diverging lens can be bare (thus directly forming the free surface) or have a functional layer (single or multilayer) such as a functional coating (preferably a conformal deposition) or a film (adhesive, etc.) whose outer surface forms the free surface.

[0031] In particular, the diverging lens has on the front surface (presenting a free face) and / or on the rear surface (presenting a free face) a surface treatment or a functional layer forming an anti-reflective element 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 with a thickness of at least 10 nm or 20 nm and preferably from 50 nm to 300 nm and even at most 100 nm.

[0032] Preferably, the diverging 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).

[0033] Anti-reflective treatment (coating or even structuring) can be applied using various technologies such as: liquid deposition, particularly in sol-gel form, macroporous layers, notably 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) curved surface, plasma coating is preferred because this technique allows for 3D deposition, with optical quality, on a small element.

[0034] In the case of a macroporous silicon layer or porous silica layer, a 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.

[0035] In the case of a curved surface, plasma coating is preferred because: 3D deposition, optical quality, on small element size.

[0036] Preferably, the diverging lens has a hard coat on the front surface, especially when exposed to the outside.

[0037] The diverging lens, for example, has a transmission at wavelength LB1 of at least 75%, 80% or 85%.

[0038] The diverging 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.

[0039] In particular, 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 and even greater than 5 or 10.

[0040] Preferably, the back surface (first surface) is concave and of class C2, the back surface being twice differentiable and of continuous derivatives and possibly the front surface (second surface) is concave and of class C2, the front surface being twice differentiable and of continuous derivatives.

[0041] Advantageously, the second angular magnification is greater than 2.0 and even 5 or 10 in absolute value and even the first angular magnification is greater than 2.0 in absolute value.

[0042] Preferably, the diverging lens has an optical axis, a first plane of symmetry of the diverging lens passing through the optical axis (which is preferably the first reference plane), and a second plane of symmetry of the diverging lens passing through the optical axis and being perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry (which is preferably the second reference plane). In particular, the first plane of symmetry of the diverging lens lies in the characteristic plane of the glazing. For example

[0043] In particular, at least one surface among the first surface (back surface) and the second surface (front surface) of the diverging lens is concave.

[0044] In a particular embodiment, the first surface (back surface) is concave and the second surface (front surface) is flat.

[0045] 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, 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 mm in an orthonormal coordinate system (OiX, OiY, OiZ), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis of the diverging lens, the point Oi with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the surface i considered and the optical axis of the diverging lens, p and q being integer variables ranging from 0 to N, and a pq being the coefficient of order p in x and of order q in y, each coefficient a pq being x = - J3* and y = - And expressed in mm, and where are unitless, with RO equal to 30 mm and R being between 10 mm and 60 mm.

[0046] In particular, at least one of said first and second surfaces is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree four or higher in which all odd-order coefficients are zero. The fact that all odd-order coefficients are zero confers symmetry to said surface. In particular, the diverging 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 diverging lens has a second plane of symmetry passing through the optical axis and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry.

[0047] In a particular embodiment, the first surface (face A, back surface) is a surface defined by the following eighth-degree polynomial equation: z(x,y) = -25.502x 2 -5.4996 x 4 - 17,460 x 6 - 0.89593 x 8 - 7.6410 y 2 - 12,530 x 2 *y 2 + 1.4422 x4 *y 2 + 13,012 x 6 *y 2 + 0.34126 y 4 - 34,060 x 2 *y 4 + 36,118 x 4 *y 4 + 25,538 x 2 *y 6 and the second surface (face B) is flat, where x and y represent Cartesian coordinates in an orthonormal coordinate system (X, Y, Z), the Z-axis being parallel to the optical axis of the diverging lens. All odd-order coefficients are zero.

[0048] Alternatively, the diverging lens is arranged and configured to modify the median pointing direction of a lidar reference beam exiting the glazing. In particular, at least one of said first and second surfaces is a surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree three or higher in which at least one odd-order coefficient is nonzero. In this case, said surface is not symmetrical with respect to the horizontal plane or the vertical plane.

[0049] According to one particular aspect, the diverging lens is configured to transmit a beam with a median pointing direction substantially horizontal (inclined less than 5°, 2° with respect to a horizontal plane) and even to receive the median pointing direction of the reference beam of a lidar substantially horizontal (inclined less than 5°, 2° with respect to a horizontal plane).

[0050] Preferably, the lidar is positioned at a distance from the main inner face of the glazing and the diverging lens is positioned at another distance from the main outer face of the glazing, the distances being adapted to reduce the size L of the vertical projection window of the lidar emission beam into the transmission window of the glazing and / or the width W of the horizontal projection window of the lidar emission beam into the transmission window of the glazing.

[0051] According to another particular aspect, a reference beam having, at the lidar output, a median direction of pointing and extending over an initial field of view of initial vertical angular aperture determined in a characteristic plane comprising a normal to the glazing and a vertical axis in the vehicle and of initial horizontal angular aperture 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 front surface has an external field of view of vertical angular aperture in the characteristic plane and of horizontal angular aperture in the perpendicular plane,The diverging lens is 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, be greater than the initial horizontal angular opening and preferably the initial horizontal angular opening is at most 20°.

[0052] In particular, the reference beam having, at the lidar output, a median pointing direction inclined with respect to a horizontal axis, the system further includes a deflector arranged upstream of the first surface (rear surface) of the diverging lens (notably in the passenger compartment), the deflector being arranged to deflect the reference beam towards the first surface of the diverging lens.

[0053] Preferably, the diverging lens has a functional layer or surface treatment, preferably anti-reflective at the working length, and / or hydrophobic or antifouling on the first surface and / or on the second surface and / or a hard coat on the second surface.

[0054] In particular, the diverging lens is spaced from the glazing (outside the glazing), specifically opposite the main external face of the glazing (F1) or a hole in the glazing (housing a plate), specifically spaced at most 8 cm or 5 cm or 3 cm or 1 cm apart.

[0055] In particular, the diverging lens has a peripheral extension linked to the first main face (by fixing, screwing etc).

[0056] The diverging lens can be fixed to a support, in particular via one or more side faces, the support being fixed to the glazing (directly or fixed to a plate in a hole in the glazing).

[0057] According to a particular aspect, the diverging lens is disposed at least partially in a partial hole (hole in the first sheet of glass) or through hole in the glazing, in particular laminated, the diverging lens being linked at the periphery to the first main face or to a support in particular multifunctional.

[0058] In this case, preferably, the point located at the intersection of the first surface and the optical axis of the diverging lens is located in projection from the main internal face of the glazing.

[0059] In one particular embodiment, the diverging lens is fixed to the glazing and / or to a support, including a multi-functional one, or to a housing or cover (individual or shared with other sensors, or with one or more other cameras, for example). Specifically, the diverging lens is positioned in a partial or through (complete) hole in the glazing, including laminated glazing, or the diverging lens is then attached to the first main surface or to a support, including a multi-functional one.

[0060] In particular, the glazing system includes a plate comprising a plate (individual or multi-sensor) in a hole through the glazing and transparent to the working wavelength, the diverging lens facing said plate, the second surface being projecting from said plate.

[0061] In this text, regarding a refractive index, we use interchangeably a numerical index or a standard number (or n1, etc.). For degrees, we use interchangeably deg. or the symbol °. We use interchangeably the terms film and sheet, which refer to a self-supporting element (an interleaving sheet becomes an adhesive layer after lamination). The term layer includes both a sheet and a coating.

[0062] The glazing can be monolithic and consists of a sheet of glass or polymer (PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), or polycarbonate (PC) or mineral. The glazing is preferably laminated.

[0063] The invention also relates to a lens for a glazing system comprising vehicle glazing and a lidar, the lens being a diverging lens, the diverging lens having a first surface, called the rear surface, and a second surface, called the surface front, opposite the first surface, the front surface being intended to be oriented (and even placed) outside the glazing, at least one of said first and second surfaces being unadjusted and concave, the diverging lens having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the diverging lens and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the diverging lens perpendicular to the first reference plane, the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification and even greater.

[0064] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0065] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain the nature of the invention 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 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 their scope.

[0066] Regarding the attached drawings:

[0067] [Fig. 1] schematically represents, in lateral section view along a characteristic plane, a vehicle glazing according to a first embodiment, with a lidar type infrared vision system and a diverging lens;

[0068] [Fig. 2] schematically represents, in longitudinal section view along a plane perpendicular to the characteristic plane, the vehicle glazing of the first mode,

[0069] [Fig. 3] shows a front view example of a windscreen incorporating a diverging lens according to one embodiment, the laminated glazing possibly including a multi-functional support integrated on an edge of the glazing;

[0070] [Fig. 4] schematically represents in perspective an example of a diverging lens having a first concave surface;

[0071] [Fig. 5] schematically represents, in lateral section view along a second reference plane (on the left) of the lens and in longitudinal section view along a plane perpendicular to the second reference plane (on the right), the diverging lens of figure 4;

[0072] [Fig. 6] schematically represents, in a lateral section view along a first reference plane, the emission beam from the lidar emission source through the glazing emission window and through a diverging lens;

[0073] [Fig. 7] schematically represents, in longitudinal section view along a second reference plane, the emission beam exiting the emission window of the glazing and passing through the diverging lens of the previous figure;

[0074] [Fig. 8] shows graphs illustrating the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) and vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) of the emission beam from the lidar light source upstream of the diverging lens (left graph) and the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV2) and vertical angular aperture (VFOV2) of the emission beam exiting the diverging lens (right graph);

[0075] [Fig. 9] shows graphs illustrating an irradiance map at 500mm of the emission beam from the lidar source in 2D projection (top graph) and respectively an irradiance map of the emission beam after enlargement of the field of view vertical and horizontal projection in 2D at the output of the glazing system with diverging lens (bottom graph);

[0076] [Fig. 10] schematically represents in lateral section view a vehicle glazing according to an example of a first embodiment, without a hole, with a diverging lens linked to the main external face of the glazing by one or more support(s);

[0077] [Fig. 11] schematically represents in side section view a laminated vehicle glazing according to a second embodiment in which the diverging lens is partially disposed in a hole through the first sheet of glass of the laminated glazing and linked to the second sheet of glass face of the laminated glazing by one or more support(s);

[0078] [Fig. 12] schematically represents in lateral section view a vehicle glazing according to a third embodiment in which the diverging lens is disposed partly in a hole through the glazing;

[0079] [Fig. 13] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to a variant of the first embodiment in which the glazing is laminated, without a hole, the diverging lens being positioned outside the vehicle;

[0080] [Fig. 14] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to a variant of the first embodiment in which the glazing is laminated, without holes, and the diverging lens is arranged outside the vehicle;

[0081] [Fig. 15] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to another variant of the first embodiment with laminated glazing, without holes, and a diverging lens outside the vehicle, in which an optical deflector is arranged in the passenger compartment downstream of the lidar;

[0082] [Fig. 16] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to another example of the second embodiment with laminated glazing and a diverging lens outside the vehicle, in which the lidar is opposite a through hole in the second sheet of glass of the laminated glazing;

[0083] [Fig. 17] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to another example of the second embodiment with laminated glazing and a diverging lens outside the vehicle, in which the lidar is opposite a partial notch in the glazing, namely forming a hole in the second sheet of glass and in the interlayer sheet of lamination;

[0084] [Fig. 18] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to another example of the third embodiment in which the glazing has a through hole forming a notch and the lidar as well as the diverging lens are opposite the notch housing a plate;

[0085] [Fig. 19] shows a front view of an example of a windshield incorporating a diverging lens from figure 18;

[0086] [Fig. 20] schematically represents in perspective a glazing system comprising a lidar and the emission and reception beams passing through the diverging lens.

[0087] [Fig. 21] schematically represents in side section view a vehicle glazing according to another embodiment with laminated glazing and a diverging lens within the glazing in a through hole;

[0088] [Fig. 22] schematically represents, in a side section view, a vehicle window according to another embodiment with laminated glass and a lens divergent in a hole through the glazing and in particular in a through orifice of a plate housed in the hole.

[0089] It should be noted that in these figures, structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references. The figures are not to scale.

[0090] Figure 1 or Figure 13 schematically represents a vehicle window (preferably a road vehicle windshield) in a characteristic plane, for example, laminated glass with a first principal face 11 (F1) at the outermost edge and a main face 14 (F4) at the inner edge, or 12 (F2) respectively in the case of single glazing. For clarity, the vehicle is assumed to be on a level surface. The characteristic plane is the lateral (or transverse) cross-sectional plane, 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 characteristic plane. The characteristic 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 characteristic plane passes through the midpoint of the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing and is a plane of symmetry of the glazing.

[0091] 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 (particularly those with a maximum speed of 90 km / h or 70 km / h, especially subways and trams). Glazing is used in applications such as windshields, rear windows, and even side windows (including quarter windows). For clarity, the figures show flat glazing. However, the glazing may have at least one radius of curvature, making it curved. Let E be the thickness of the glazing. The thickness E is generally less than or equal to 1 cm, for example, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm, or 6 mm, preferably no more than 5 mm (inclusive).

[0092] The glazing (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 400, 500) is installed or intended to be installed on a vehicle at an angle of inclination, denoted p, with a horizontal axis in the characteristic plane under consideration. For clarity, the vehicle is assumed to be on level ground. The angle of inclination p is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and at most 60 degrees, generally between 15 and 20 degrees and preferably between 20 and 50 degrees, for example, 23 or 30 degrees for a motor vehicle windshield. As indicated above, the angle of inclination p has a sign, which in this case is positive.

[0093] The glazing units 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 400, and 500 have an upper longitudinal edge 10 and a lower longitudinal edge 18. The characteristic plane of the glazing is the lateral cross-sectional plane of the glazing, comprising a normal 50 to the glazing and a vertical axis Y within the vehicle. The characteristic plane of the glazing preferably passes through the midpoint of the upper longitudinal edge 10 and the midpoint of the lower longitudinal edge 18.

[0094] An infrared vision system is placed here, a lidar inside the vehicle's passenger compartment, spaced out and behind the laminated or non-laminated glazing.

[0095] 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, notably 905 ± 30 nm and / or 1550 ± 30 nm. The The detection device 72 is positioned next to the light source 71 and configured to detect reflected radiation 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 swept in two transverse dimensions, or the emission beam 70 extends along a sheet that is swept 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 vertical angular aperture VFOV1 ranges from 2 to 15 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees, for example, 7 degrees. The internal horizontal angular aperture 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 intersection of the emitted beam 70 and the reflected beam 170. The lidar reference plane comprises the median direction of the point 40 and a vertical axis (Y). Preferably, the lidar reference plane coincides with the characteristic plane of the glazing.

[0096] Here, therefore, we have defined the beam cross-section as a function of the spatial distribution of the transverse profile in intensity or irradiance of the emitted beam in a plane perpendicular to the median direction of point 40, the intensity or irradiance being measured in W / m² 2 , the section being measured at 1 / e 2of maximum intensity at wavelength LB1. A rectangular or quasi-rectangular section is understood to be a beam having a rectangular cross-sectional intensity profile, as illustrated by white dashes (example in figure 9).

[0097] Figure 3 illustrates an application example in which the infrared vision system 7 is positioned 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. Within this window 111, the infrared vision system is oriented at a certain angle of incidence with respect to the surface of the glazing, for example, the windshield, specifically the inner main 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.

[0098] The glazing can be a glazing consisting of a single sheet of glass (see figure 1). In this case, the glazing 100 has an external main face 11 called F1 oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and an internal main face 12 called F2 oriented towards the interior of the vehicle.

[0099] In other specific embodiments, glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 400, 500 is laminated glazing comprising (see figures 11 and 13 to 18): - a first sheet of glass 1 intended to form the outer glazing with a first main external face 11 called F1 oriented towards the outside and a second main internal face 12 called F2 oriented towards the passenger compartment; for a motor vehicle, the first sheet of glass 1 preferably has a thickness of at most 4mm, and even of at most 3mm or 2.5mm, - in particular 2.1 mm, 1.9mm, 1.8mm, 1.6mm and 1.4mm- and preferably of at least 0.7mm or 1 mm (inclusive of the terminals); - 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, particularly grey or green, made of 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 at most 1.2 mm and even at most 0.9 mm (and better at least 0.3 mm and even at least 0.6 mm), the laminate interlayer 3 is optionally acoustic and / or optionally 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.

[0100] In the case of laminated glazing, the first main external face of the first sheet of glass 1 forms the main external face 11 of the glazing and the fourth main face of the second sheet of glass 2 forms the main internal face 14 of the glazing.

[0101] The first sheet of glass 1, in particular based on silica, soda-lime, silica-soda-lime, 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. An OPTWHITE glass 1.95 mm thick is chosen.

[0102] The second glass sheet 2, particularly one based on silica, soda-lime, preferably silica-soda-lime, or even aluminosilicate or borosilicate, preferably has a total iron oxide content (expressed as Fe2O3) by weight of at least 0.4% and preferably not more than 1.5%. The second glass sheet 2 may be tinted. For example, the second glass sheet 2 is 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), or TSA5+, for example, green. A TSA3+ glass 1.6 mm thick is chosen, for example.

[0103] For a road vehicle, the second sheet of glass 2 is preferably thinner than the first sheet of glass 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 no less than 0.7mm, the sum of the thicknesses of the first sheet of glass and the second sheet of glass preferably being strictly less than 5mm or 4mm, even 3.7mm (terminals included).

[0104] Advantageously, at least in the near-infrared transmission window 111, the glass sheet(s) are transparent in the near-infrared, as described for example in patent documents WO2018015312 and / or WO2018178278.

[0105] In particular, in the embodiment(s) without a hole in the first or second sheet of glass (figures 1-2, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15) 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.

[0106] The windshield of a road vehicle in particular is curved. In a classic 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 in clear (or tinted) PVB of 0.38mm or 0.76mm thickness is chosen.

[0107] 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 diverging lens 20. The diverging lens 20 has a first surface 21, referred to as the rear surface or face A, and a second surface 22, opposite the first surface 21. The second surface 22, referred to as the front surface or face B, is oriented outwards and is positioned at a distance from the first principal face 11 of the glazing, projecting from the first principal face of the glazing. The diverging lens 20 preferably operates in free space, in air. The diverging lens 20 is preferably a single piece. The diverging lens 20 is, for example, made of one of the following materials: PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), extra-clear glass, PC (polycarbonate), or PU (polyurethane).For example, the diverging lens 20 has a thickness at the center between 1 cm and 4 cm (inclusive).

[0108] According to this disclosure, at least one of the two surfaces 21 and 22 is a concave surface without rotational symmetry about an optical axis and unruled; that is, a surface not generated by the movement of a straight line whose endpoints lie on two curves or a curve and a point. In other words, at least one of the two surfaces 21, 22 (preferably the front surface at least) is not a plane, cylindrical, conical, or hyperboloid surface. For example, at least one of the two surfaces 21, 22 is defined by a polynomial equation of degree three or higher. In particular, at least one of the two surfaces 21, 22 is defined by a polynomial equation of degree four. We later detail an example of a diverging lens 20, in which one of the two surfaces is defined by a polynomial equation of degree eight.

[0109] The diverging lens 20 is positioned in the lidar reference plane to receive the emission beam 70 emitted by the lidar 7. For example, the diverging lens 20 is positioned on the median direction of the point 40 of the light source 71. Alternatively, one or more optical components are positioned between the light source 71 and the diverging lens 20 so as to redirect the emission beam towards the diverging lens 20.

[0110] In one application, the diverging lens 20 further allows the median direction of the pointed beam 45 to be modified. For example, one or both surfaces 21, 22 of the diverging lens may be a polynomial surface of degree three or higher with non-nuisance odd orders. For example, both surfaces 21, 22 of the diverging lens 20 may be of order four or higher with nuisance odd orders, and the diverging lens 20 may be coupled to a redirection means such as a mirror 75 or a prism. The redirection means is preferably positioned between the lidar 7 and the main inner face 12, 14 of the glazing, as illustrated in Figure 15. In this case, the lidar can, for example, advantageously point downwards to reduce its footprint inside the vehicle.

[0111] Figure 15 shows an optical device comprising an optical deflector 75, for example a plane reflector mirror at the working wavelength, arranged between the light source 71 and the main internal face 12, 14 of the glazing 140. The optical deflector 75 allows the lidar to be placed as close as possible to the glazing and / or the orientation of the median direction of pointing 40 to be adjusted.

[0112] In all cases, the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20 is arranged so as to receive the emitted beam 70 over the entire source field of view, that is, over the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 and over the internal horizontal angular aperture HFOV1. For this purpose, the vertex of the first surface 21 is located at a distance, denoted d1, of the light source 71 (real or virtual). The distance d1 is preferably between 50 mm and 300 mm (inclusive), for example 210 mm. As indicated above, the vertex of the second surface 22, or front surface, is located at a distance, denoted d2, from the first main face 11 of the glazing, projecting from the first main face of the glazing. The distance d2 is preferably at most 200 mm, preferably greater than 0.1 mm (inclusive), for example 110 mm.

[0113] Furthermore, the diverging 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, denoted here as plane YZ or PREFI (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 denoted here as plane XZ or PREF2 (see Figures 2 and 4). The first reference plane PREFI of the diverging lens 20 is transverse to the first surface 21 and the second surface 22. Advantageously, the first reference plane PREFI and the perpendicular plane PREF2 of the diverging lens 20 each have a normal to the first surface 21 and a normal to the second surface 22. Preferably, the diverging lens 20 is arranged so that the first reference plane of the lens coincides with the reference plane of the lidar.

[0114] Furthermore, the diverging lens 20 is designed to exhibit asymmetrical angular optical magnification, with the second angular magnification being different from, and indeed greater than, the first. In other words, unlike a spherical or aspheric lens of revolution, the diverging lens 20 does not exhibit rotational symmetry about its optical axis 25. For a diverging lens, the angular magnification is positive. However, here we consider the angular magnification in absolute value. Specifically, the second angular magnification is greater than the first. In this way, the emission beam 70 emerging from the second surface 22 of the diverging 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.

[0115] 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 diverging lens 20 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of the lidar emission beam 70 incident on the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20 arranged in the characteristic plane of the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310. The first angular magnification is the angular magnification of the diverging lens 20 in the characteristic plane YZ of the glazing system. The YZ plane is, for example, a vertical plane.

[0116] 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 diverging lens 20 and the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of the emission beam 70 of the lidar incident on the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20 arranged in the characteristic plane of the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310. In other words, the second angular magnification is the angular magnification of the diverging lens 20 in the plane XZ orthogonal to the characteristic plane of the glazing system and including the median direction of the pointing 40 of the emission beam 70. The plane XZ is, for example, a horizontal plane.

[0117] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the emission beam 70 is transmitted through the glazing 100, here considered as a plate with flat and parallel faces that does not modify Neither the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 nor the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 at the exit of the glazing 100 is present. The emission beam exiting the transmission window 111 is refracted through the first surface 21 and then the second surface 22 of the diverging lens 20, and then propagates in free space. Thus, at the exit of the diverging lens 20, the emission beam has a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 that are respectively larger than those of the light source 71. Furthermore, thanks to the diverging lens 20, the angular magnification of the field of view is greater in the horizontal plane than in the vertical plane.

[0118] In some embodiments, the diverging lens 20 is entirely located on the outer side of the glazing (see figures 1-2, 6-7, 10, 13-16). In other embodiments, the diverging lens 20 is located in a partial hole in the glazing on the outer side (figure 11) or in a through hole (figures 12, 21, 22) in the glazing.

[0119] The lidar 7 is positioned in the passenger compartment. In particular, it is located opposite the inner surface of the glazing (Figures 1, 2, 13, 14, 15). In other embodiments, the lidar 7 is positioned opposite a partial hole in the glazing on the inner side (see Figures 16, 17), or a through hole (Figure 18) in the glazing, with the lidar 7 either at a distance from or partially within said hole.

[0120] In a first embodiment, the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 does not have a hole or notch to allow the lidar emission beam to pass through, nor to house at least partially the diverging lens 20 or the lidar 7. The diverging lens 20 is located outside the passenger compartment and the lidar 7 is located inside the passenger compartment. In this case, the emission beam propagates in free space (in air) between the main external face 11 of the glazing 10 and the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20. The first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20 is located opposite the near-infrared transmission window 111, the first surface 21 being spaced from the main external face 11 or F1 of the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140.The vertex or point 221 of the second surface 22 of the diverging lens 20 on the median direction of the point 45 exiting the glazing is placed at a distance d2 from the main external face 11 of the glazing 10 (see figures 1 and 2).

[0121] Figures 4-5 show a diverging lens 20 according to an example embodiment, from different views. The diverging lens 20 has a first concave surface 21 and a second flat surface 22. The first surface 21 and the second surface 22 have non-spherical shapes and lack rotational symmetry about the optical axis 25 of the lens 20. The shape of the first surface 21 and the shape of the second surface 22 are designed and optimized so that the emission beam 70 of the lidar incident on the first surface has a horizontal angular aperture HFOV1, respectively a vertical angular aperture VFOV1, and the emission beam refracted through the diverging 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.Preferably, the diverging lens 20 is designed to have a horizontal angular magnification greater than its vertical angular magnification.

[0122] In one embodiment, the diverging lens 20 is optimized using software that simulates the light intensity at the output of the glazing system. The shape of the first surface 21 and / or the second surface 22 are optimized according to parameters in order to define a figure of merit that defines homogeneity of irradiance or intensity across the lidar field of view at the output of the glazing system.

[0123] Particularly advantageously, the diverging 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 treatment 27, 28 includes for example a porous silica-based layer having a thickness adapted according to the LB1 wavelength of the lidar.

[0124] Anti-reflective coatings (such as coatings or structuring) can be applied using various technologies, including: liquid deposition, particularly in sol-gel form, macroporous layers (especially porous silica); PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), for example, a layer (particularly silica) deposited by magnetron; plasma coating; microstructuring, etc. For concave surfaces, plasma coating is preferred because this technique allows for 3D deposition of optical quality on small elements.

[0125] We prefer a macroporous silicon layer or porous silica layer, with a refractive index n = 1.3 and a thickness of about 170 nm for a working wavelength LB1 of 905 nm or with a thickness of about 270 nm for a working wavelength LB1 of 1550 nm.

[0126] Since the diverging lens 20 is located wholly or partly outside the passenger compartment, its surfaces (at least the front surface) are generally exposed to the elements and dust. Alternatively or in addition, the diverging lens 20 has a hydrophobic or self-cleaning and / or antifouling external coating and / or a hard coat on the first surface 21 and / or on the second surface 22. An example of a hard coat is, for example, a layer of carbon in the form of diamond-like carbon.

[0127] The diverging lens 20 is asymmetrical, resulting in a different angular magnification in the first reference plane and in the second reference plane, which is perpendicular to the first reference plane. Specifically, the magnification is greater in the second reference plane. This configuration of the diverging lens 20 allows for different values ​​for the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 at the output of the diverging lens 20. A single diverging lens 20 thus allows for independent adjustment of the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of the emitted beam exiting the glazing system.

[0128] Figures 4 and 5 show an example of a diverging lens 20, which is in this case an asymmetric diverging lens. The diverging lens 20 has a first concave surface 21 and a second flat surface 22. The diverging lens 20 also has a longitudinal optical axis 25 transverse to the first surface 21 and the second surface 22. The diverging lens 20 further presents flat lateral faces: an upper face 23, a lower face 24, and two faces 26 perpendicular to the upper face 23 and / or the lower face 24. On the sides of the first surface 21, the diverging lens 20 also has flat facets 29 parallel to the second surface 22. The lateral faces 23, 24, 26 and / or facets 29 allow the diverging lens 20 to be placed in an opto-mechanical mount and aligned with respect to the characteristic plane YZ.Preferably, the optical axis 25 of the diverging lens 20 is aligned with the median direction of the pointed beam 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 planar.

[0129] The external dimensions of the diverging lens 20 are approximately 37 mm (between facets 29 and face 22), approximately 85 mm (between lateral faces 26), and approximately 39 mm (between lateral faces 23 and 24). The opening of the first surface 21 between the facets 29 in the plane passing through the X axis and the optical axis 25 is approximately 35 mm along the X axis.

[0130] The diverging lens 20 asymmetrically increases the vertical and horizontal angular apertures of the lidar emission beam 70. For example, the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 and the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 are less than 20 degrees. The diverging lens then produces an emission beam with 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 diverging lens.For example, the lens in Figures 4-5 transforms an emission beam with a vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of 7 degrees and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 of 9.6 degrees into an emission beam with a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of 26 degrees and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 of 120 degrees. In this example, the vertical angular magnification (first angular magnification) is 3.7 and the horizontal angular magnification (second angular magnification) is 12.5. Using this diverging lens reduces the beam's footprint on the glazing by a factor of 5 vertically and 38 horizontally.

[0131] Preferably, the diverging lens 20 operates in free space, in air.

[0132] In the first embodiment (illustrated in Figures 1-2, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15), the asymmetrically shaped diverging lens 20 is positioned entirely outside the passenger compartment, along the optical path of the lidar beam emerging from the outer main face of the glazing. The diverging lens 20 is fixed, for example by adhesive, to a support 80, 82, 83 or an opto-mechanical mount, preferably via the lateral faces 23, 24 and / or 26, which are inoperative for the optical transfer function of the asymmetric diverging lens (see, for example, Figure 10). The support 82 or the mount is, for example, fixed to the glazing or the passenger compartment. In the example illustrated in Figure 10, the diverging lens 20 is also fixed, via its lower face 24, to a support 84 (of suitable shape, prism shape etc) which is itself fixed, for example by an adhesive 85 on the main external face 11 F1 of the glazing.Preferably, a transparent blade 32 is positioned at the outlet of the diverging lens 20 and the support 84 so as to protect the surfaces of these elements from external dust. The transparent blade 32 is, for example, attached to the support 82.

[0133] For example, vertex 211 of the first surface 21 is placed at an optical distance di from the lidar light source 71 (real or virtual source, i.e., the point from which the rays emerging from the lidar appear to originate), and vertex 221 of the second surface 22 is placed at a distance d2 from the outer principal face 11 of the glazing. The asymmetric diverging lens 20 forms, in the reference YZ plane, a virtual image 73 of the light source 71 at a distance ds from point 211 of the first surface 21 along the optical axis of the median direction of the point (Figure 1). Similarly, the asymmetric diverging lens 20 forms, in the plane XZ orthogonal to the characteristic plane, a virtual image 74 of the light source 71 at a distance d4 from the point 211 of the first surface 21 along the optical axis of the median direction of the point (figure 2).The distance ds is different from the distance d4 due to the asymmetrical shape of the diverging lens 20.

[0134] The asymmetric diverging lens 20 is preferably configured and arranged to reduce the footprint or obstruction of the lidar emission beam 70 on the window 111 of transmission of the glazing system 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310. For this purpose, the asymmetric diverging lens 20 is preferably arranged so as to reduce in particular the distance ds and / or the distance d4 and / or the distance di between the light source 71 and the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20. In one embodiment, this configuration of the diverging lens 20 makes it possible to reduce by a factor of about three the size L of the vertical projection window of the lidar emission beam into the glazing transmission window 111 and by a factor of about nine the width W of the horizontal projection window of the lidar emission beam into the glazing transmission window 111, while multiplying by at least two the horizontal and vertical angular openings.

[0135] In the case of laminated glazing, the glazing advantageously includes a masking layer 5 disposed between the first glass sheet 1 and the lamination interlayer 3 (see Figures 2, 3, 13-19). 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 lacquer. The masking layer 5 is suitable for masking the lidar housing 8. The masking layer 5 has a masking area larger than the size L and the width W of the emission beam incident on the internal principal face of the glazing. The space in the masking layer 5 allows the passage of the emission beam 70 from the lidar and the reflected beam towards the detection device 72.The masking layer spare, for example, has a rectangular or trapezoidal shape with two long horizontal sides 501, 502 and two short sides (see front view figures).

[0136] In particular, at least one of the 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, where N is an integer, 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 mm in an orthonormal coordinate system (OiX, OiY, OiZ), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis of the diverging lens, the point Oi with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the surface i considered and the optical axis of the diverging lens, p and q being integer variables ranging from 0 to N, and a pqbeing the coefficient of order p in x and of order q in y, each coefficient a pq being x = x - FS» and v > = - y O expressed in mm, and where are dimensionless (also noted x, y), with R0 equal to 30 mm and R being between 10 mm and 60 mm.

[0137] We will now describe in detail an example of an embodiment in which the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20 is defined by a polynomial equation of degree three or higher, in particular degree eight, and the second surface 22 is planar. The light source 71 is placed at a distance di of 110 mm from point 211 on the optical axis 25 of the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20. The light source 71 generates an emission beam having a vertical angular aperture VFOV1 of 7.0 degrees and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV of 9.4 degrees.

[0138] The first surface 21 is defined by a polynomial of degree eight whose coefficients are defined in the following table 1.

[0139] [Tables 1]

[0140] In Table 1, all x-coefficients of order greater than eight are zero, all y-coefficients of order greater than six are zero, and all odd-order coefficients are also zero. In other words, the first surface 21 is defined by the following eighth-degree polynomial equation: z(x, y) = -25.502x 2 -5.4996 x 4 - 17,460 x 6 - 0.89593 x 8 - 7.6410 y 2 - 12,530 x 2 *y 2 + 1.4422 x 4 *y 2 + 13,012 x 6 *y 2 + 0.34126 y 4 - 34,060 x 2 *y 4 + 36.1 18 x 4 *y 4 + 25,538 x 2 *y 6where x and y represent the Cartesian coordinates normalized to R (i.e., dimensionless) in an orthonormal coordinate system OiX, OiY, OiZ), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis 25 of the diverging 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 diverging lens. The first surface 21 exhibits symmetry with respect to the XO1Z plane and another symmetry with respect to the YO1Z plane. However, the first surface 21 does not exhibit rotational symmetry with respect to the Z axis, the respective coefficients in x 2 , x 4 , x 6 , x 8 being different from the respective coefficients in y 2 , y 4 , y 6 , y 8 .

[0141] The second surface 22 is here planar. Alternatively, the second surface 22 is defined by another polynomial of degree greater than or equal to three, for example of degree four, six or eight.

[0142] A diverging lens 20 is manufactured by CNC 3D machining and / or molding. Its first surface 21 is defined by the eighth-degree polynomial equation indicated above, and its second surface 22 is flat. The diverging lens 20 is, for example, made from a machinable block of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The glazing system equipped with this diverging lens 20 generates an emission beam 70 with a median direction pointed horizontally (here, 45), a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 of approximately 26 degrees, and a horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 of approximately 120 degrees. In this example, the vertical angular magnification is 3.7 and the horizontal angular magnification is 12.5.

[0143] Figure 8 shows graphs illustrating the asymmetric angular magnification of the diverging lens having a first surface 21 defined by the eighth-degree polynomial indicated above and a second plane surface 22. The curves in Figure 8 were obtained by numerical simulation. In practice, the intensity can be measured as a function of the aperture angle using a far-field goniometer.

[0144] In the graph on the left of Figure 8, the intensity slices of the emission beam from the lidar light source 71 upstream of the diverging lens 20 are represented by dashed lines 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 solid lines represent the intensity slices of the lidar emission beam upstream of the diverging lens 20 as a function of the angle relative to the median direction of the point in the plane orthogonal (horizontal plane XZ) to the characteristic plane. On this graph, the vertical angular aperture VFOV1 is estimated at 5 degrees and the horizontal angular aperture HFOV1 at approximately 8 degrees.

[0145] In the graph on the right of Figure 8, the intensity slices of the emission beam exiting the diverging lens 20 are represented as a function of the angle relative 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 exiting the diverging lens 20 as a function of the angle relative to the median direction of the pointing (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 is estimated at approximately 26 degrees and the horizontal angular aperture HFOV2 at approximately 115 degrees.

[0146] Comparing Figure 8 on the left and Figure 8 on the right, we clearly observe an increase of approximately a factor of fourteen in the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV2) of the emission beam exiting the glazing compared to the horizontal angular aperture (HFOV1) of the emission beam from the lidar light source (right-hand graph). Furthermore, we observe that the intensity per angle slice remains almost constant after enlarging the field of view over virtually the entire horizontal aperture. We also clearly observe an increase of approximately a factor of four in the vertical angular aperture (VFOV2) of the emission beam exiting this diverging lens 20 compared to the vertical angular aperture (VFOV1) of the emission beam from the lidar light source. Moreover, we observe that the intensity per angle slice remains almost constant after enlarging the field of view over virtually the entire vertical aperture.

[0147] Remarkably, it is thus possible to use a lidar with a very small internal field of view with a vertical angular aperture VFOV1 and horizontal angular aperture HFOV1, for example 10 deg. or even 8 deg. or 7 deg. vertically and 20 degrees, or even 15 degrees or 9 degrees horizontally, while obtaining an enlarged external field of view with a vertical angular aperture VFOV2 and horizontal angular aperture HFOV2, for example here 26 deg. vertically and 115 degrees.

[0148] Figure 9 (top graph) shows an irradiance map (in W / mm²) 2) of the emission beam of the lidar source measured in 2D projection in a plane perpendicular to the median direction of lidar pointing at a distance of 680 mm from the emission source without the diverging lens 20. The extent of the field of view is limited to an approximately elliptical area whose minor axis has a length of approximately 750 mm along the vertical axis (Y) and whose major axis has a length of approximately 760 mm along the horizontal axis (X).

[0149] Figure 9 (bottom graph) shows an irradiance map (in W / mm²) 2) of the emission beam from the same light source combined with a diverging lens 20 having a first surface 21 defined by the polynomial equation indicated above and a second flat surface 22. The irradiance map is measured here as a 2D projection onto a plane perpendicular to the median direction of the lidar's pointing at a distance of 680 mm from the emission source combined with the diverging lens 20, and at 460 mm in front of the diverging lens 20. This provides an asymmetrical magnification of the vertical and horizontal field of view. Horizontal beam exiting the glazing in 2D projection (right-hand graph). After asymmetric magnification, the field of view extends over a roughly rectangular area with a width of approximately 1200 mm along the vertical axis (Y) and a length of approximately 1800 mm along the horizontal axis (X). Magnifying the field of view of the emission beam exiting the glazing with the diverging lens 20 allows for a larger field of view 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 size 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).

[0150] The invention offers an additional advantage: it allows the lidar beam cross-section to be obtained in a plane perpendicular to the beam propagation axis with an approximately rectangular shape, rather than a circular, elliptical, or distorted shape 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, particularly for detecting objects close to the vehicle at the edge of the field of view, such as pedestrians.

[0151] Remarkably, a lidar with a rectangular cross-section internal field of view and very small vertical (VFOV1) and horizontal (HFOV1) angular apertures can be used, while still obtaining a rectangular cross-section external field of view with a vertical (VFOV2) and horizontal (HFOV2) angular apertures each magnified by a different factor. For example, the angular magnification of the vertical aperture is greater than 1.0, preferably greater than 2.0, and the angular magnification of the horizontal aperture is greater than 1.0, preferably greater than 2.0, for example, on the order of 4.0.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.

[0152] As mentioned above, in the first embodiment, to transmit the LIDAR beam, the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 includes a transmission window 111 in a reserved area of ​​the glazing which is free of holes or notches.

[0153] In the second and third embodiments, respectively, described below in relation to Figures 11-12 and 16-18, for transmitting the LIDAR beam, the glazing 200, 300 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 the through hole 31, in particular the notch, is dedicated individually either to the diverging lens or to the LIDAR or is a common hole or notch housing a support, in particular a multi-function (multi-sensor) one.

[0154] Preferably, a support 80, such as a plate (especially multi-functional ones), 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 the edge of the partial or through hole. Preferably, the diverging lens 20 is attached (by bonding or direct adhesive contact) to this support on its lower and upper surfaces. or one of the lateral faces). More precisely, the second surface 22 of the diverging lens 20 is located at a distance from the first main face 11, projecting from the first main face 11 of the glazing 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310.

[0155] 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 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 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 Figure 19). The partial hole 30, or respectively the through hole 31, may have rounded corners.

[0156] 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 17 and 18, 19). In Figures 17 and 18, 19, the edges 301, 302, 303, 304 of the partial hole 30, or respectively of the through hole 31, can be seen.

[0157] Furthermore, Figures 13 to 22 illustrate various integration methods for a diverging lens 20 and / or a lidar system within a pane of glass. These figures share the following common elements. The laminated glass 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 310, 400, 500 comprises a first glass sheet 1, a lamination interlayer 3, and a second glass sheet 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, a horizontal plane, or an inclined plane relative to a horizontal plane.

[0158] The housing 8 is attached by a means of removability, for example, by clipping. The housing 8 is attached, for example, (entirely) to the fourth main face 14 of the second glass pane 2 by the means of removability, for example, by clipping. Alternatively, the housing 8 is attached to a support 80, preferably multifunctional (a multi-sensor plate, with antenna, etc.), which is attached (glued) to the fourth main face 14 of the second glass pane 2. According to another variant, the housing 8 is attached to face F4 or to the support 80 and also to a vehicle component, for example, the vehicle roof, in particular to the interior trim of the vehicle passenger compartment and / or to the bodywork 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) using an adhesive 60 (see Figures 14 and 17).A seal 161 (extruded etc.) preferably with a lip 162 is between the body 160 and the edge of the glazing (and even of the support 80 where applicable, see figures 14 and 17).

[0159] Particularly advantageously, as shown in figure 3, the glazing system includes a support or plate 80 (on face F4) possibly perforated at the right of the transmission window 111 possibly forming a base for the infrared vision system 7.

[0160] The mounting plate 80 may include areas for one or more other sensors 601, 602, 603, such as a rain sensor, a visible light camera, a thermal imaging camera, and even a base for these sensors. If necessary, the mounting plate is perforated for the optical transmission. The mounting plate 80 is connected to the rear main face 14 of the glazing and / or to the housing 8 and / or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the 80 plate is transparent to the LB1 wavelength of lidar radiation.

[0162] According to other embodiment examples, the plate 80 is opaque or absorbing at the LB1 wavelength of the lidar radiation, the plate 80 having a through hole or notch through which the emission beams 70 and reception beams 76 of the infrared vision system 7 pass.

[0163] In an example illustrated in Figure 10, the diverging lens 20 is fixed by means of one or two other supports 82, 84 to the outer main face 11 of the glazing. In this example, the upper face 23 of the diverging lens 20 is fixed to the support 82 and the lower face 24 of the diverging lens 20 is fixed to the support 84. The support 82, 84 is fixed, for example, by bonding to the outer face of the outer main face 11. Preferably, the support 82 and / or 84 includes means for adjusting the position and / or orientation of the diverging lens to align the optical axis 25 of this diverging lens with the median direction of the pointing 40 of the light source 71. Furthermore, the support 82 and / or 84 preferably includes means for adjusting the position of the diverging lens 20 so as to adjust the distance between the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20 and the main external face 11 of the glazing.

[0164] In an example of the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the glazing 200 is a laminated glazing having a partial hole 30 of the laminated glazing to form in the characteristic plane the near-infrared transmission window 111 capable of letting the lidar emission beam pass through. The partial hole 30 is formed on the outer side of the glazing, the partial hole passing through the first glass sheet and the interlayer sheet 3. The second glass sheet 2 is here intact, i.e. without a hole or notch in line with the hole in the first glass sheet 1 and in the interlayer 3. The diverging lens 20 is positioned outside the passenger compartment and opposite the partial hole, here partly within the partial hole 30. On the optical axis 25, the point 221 of the second surface 22 of the diverging lens is located at a distance d2 from the third principal face 13 of the second glass sheet 2 opposite the partial hole in the glazing 200.In this case, the emission beam propagates in free space in the partial hole 30 between the third main face 13 of the second glass sheet 2 and the first surface 21 of the diverging lens 20. In Figure 11, the partial hole 30 is closed, i.e. away from the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing 200.

[0165] In an example of the third embodiment (see Figure 12), the diverging lens 20 is fixed by its upper face 23, which is flat, to the support 82, which is inserted at least partially into the through hole 31. The lower face 24, which is also flat, of the diverging lens 20 is fixed, for example by gluing, to one long side 302 of the through hole 31. The support 82 is fixed, for example by gluing, to another long side of the through hole 31. In this way, the diverging lens 20 is connected to the glazing 300.

[0166] In an example of the first embodiment illustrated in connection with Figure 14, the glazing system includes a support or plate 80 with a hole aligned with the transmission window 111 and optionally forming a base for the lidar 7. The plate 80 may also serve as a base for one or more other sensors such as a rain sensor, a visible camera, etc. The plate 80 is connected to the rear main face 14 of the glazing and / or to the housing 8 and / or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0167] In another example of the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 17, the light source 71 and the detection device 72 are, for example, attached to a bracket 81 which is itself attached to the housing 8 or to the interior trim of the vehicle's passenger compartment. The diverging lens 20 is located outside the vehicle. Preferably, the bracket 81 includes means for adjusting the position and / or orientation of the light source. 71 to align the median direction of the point 40 with the optical axis 25 of this diverging lens 20. 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) with respect to the main internal face 12, 14 of the glazing 220 so as to adjust the distance between the main internal face 12, 14 of the glazing and the source 71. These adjustment means make it possible to reduce the footprint of the incident emission beam on the main internal face of the glazing 220 while making it possible to increase the horizontal and vertical angular aperture of the emission beam exiting the glazing via the diverging lens 20. 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.

[0168] Alternatively, the diverging lens 20 is fixed, for example, by bonding its lower face 24 to an opto-mechanical support 82 and / or a base 83, 84 (see description in relation to Figures 10-12). The base 83, 84 allows the diverging lens 20 to be fixed to the outer main face (Figure 10), or to be housed on the third main face 13 of the second glass sheet 2 opposite a partial hole or notch in the first glass sheet 1 and the lamination interlayer 3 (Figure 11). This opto-mechanical mounting allows the diverging lens 20 to be placed as close as possible to the outer main face 11 of the glazing, while also permitting a reduction in the distance d2.

[0169] The various fixing systems 80, 82, 83, 84 of the diverging lens also apply, depending on the specific case, to the embodiments related to figures 13 to 18.

[0170] In another variant of the second embodiment (see Figures 16, 17), the glazing is laminated glass with a partial hole 30 passing through the second glass pane 2 and optionally the interlayer 3 of the laminated glass to form the transmission window 111. The diverging lens 20 is positioned on the outside opposite the partial hole 30. In Figure 16, the partial hole 30 is a closed hole located away from the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing. In this example, the first glass pane 1 and the interlayer 3 do not have a hole aligned with the partial hole 30 that passes through the second glass pane 2 and the interlayer 3. In Figure 17, the hole 30 forms a notch on the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing.

[0171] In a third embodiment (see Figures 18-19), the glazing has a full hole or through hole 31 in the characteristic plane to form a near-infrared transmission window 111 capable of transmitting the lidar emission beam. The through hole 31 forms a notch that is open, for example, on the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the glazing and closed on three other sides 302, 303, 304.

[0172] In the example illustrated in Figures 18-19, the through-hole 31 in the glazing is closed by a plate 80, here transparent at wavelength LB1, notably with parallel faces, and of constant thickness. The plate 80 has an internal principal face and an external principal face. Preferably, the through-hole 31 is closed around its perimeter, for example by sides 301, 302, 303, 304. The plate 32 is fixed by bonding around the periphery of the through-hole 31 so as to close the through-hole 31 on the outside and to ensure the seal of the glazing 300.

[0173] In the example illustrated in Figures 18-19, the infrared vision system 7 is located inside the passenger compartment, opposite the through-hole of the plate 80, or at least partially inside the through-hole 31. The emitted beam 70 propagates in free space between the light source 71 and the main inner face of the plate 80 in the through-hole. The first surface 21 of the diverging lens is positioned at a distance of the main external face of the plate 80. In other words, the emission beam propagates in free space between the main external face of the plate 80 and the first surface 21 of the diverging lens.

[0174] The plate 80, for example, consists of a transparent sheet at wavelength LB1, for example, extra-clear glass, 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 (possibly transparent), 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.

[0175] Optionally, the optical device further includes a blade 32 with flat, parallel faces located at the exit of the diverging lens 20. The blade 32 has a first face 321 facing the second surface 22 of the diverging lens 20 and a second face 322 facing outwards. Preferably, the blade 32 is fixed in a watertight manner to the supports 82, 83, to protect the diverging lens 20 from the external environment.

[0176] According to various embodiment examples, the light source 71 and the detection device 72 are arranged side by side in a vertical plane, in a horizontal plane or even in a plane inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

[0177] The partial hole 30, or respectively the through hole 31, is advantageously located in a central peripheral region along the upper longitudinal edge 10 of the laminated windshield. The partial hole 30, or respectively the through hole 31, may be located in another region of the windshield or even in another glazing of the vehicle, in particular the rear window.

[0178] The masking layer 5 has dimensions greater than or equal to those of the through-hole. Preferably, the masking layer 5 is positioned directly above the through-hole. The dimensions of the through-hole are adapted to allow the lidar emission beam 70 to pass over the horizontal and vertical fields of view of the lidar 7. The through-hole also allows the reflected beam towards the detection device 72 to pass over the entire field of view of the lidar.

[0179] In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 21, the through hole 31 in the glazing 400 is closed by the diverging lens 20 with its optical axis inclined relative to the horizontal. The through hole 31 extends through the first glass sheet 1, the interlayer sheet 3, and the second glass sheet 2. The diverging lens 20 is fixed, for example, on its periphery via its lateral faces by any known means. A multi-function plate 80 (on face F4) is drilled at the hole 31. In the first glass sheet 1, the through hole 31 may, if necessary, have a shape complementary to the diverging lens 20. In this configuration, the lens is configured to modify the median direction of the beam pointing of a reference beam (from the lidar) at the working wavelength LB1 as it exits the glazing.The first surface 21 is a concave 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 flat surface is flush with the face 11. For example, the diverging lens is spaced from the lidar 7, 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 diverging lens) and at the exit of the front surface 22 substantially horizontal.

[0180] In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 22, the through hole 31 in the glazing 500 forms a notch that is closed by the diverging lens 20 with its optical axis inclined with respect to the horizontal, the mounting plate 80, and preferably a continuous gasket 61 between the support and the edges of the through hole 31. 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 diverging lens 20 is here fixed to a support 80, for example, fixed to its sides 23, 24, 26. The diverging lens 20 and the support 80 are housed within the through hole 31. The front surface 22 of the diverging lens is flush with the outer main face 11 of the glazing 500. In this configuration, the diverging lens is configured to change a median pointing direction of a reference beam (from the lidar) at the working wavelength LB1 at the output of the glazing.The first surface or rear surface 21 is a concave 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 flat, in particular flush with the face 11. For example, the diverging lens is spaced at 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 diverging lens) and at the exit of the front surface 22 substantially horizontal.

[0181] In these last two embodiments, a protective blade spaced from the front surface 22 and fixed on the face F1 11 can be added.

[0182] In all examples, a protective coating (hard layer) can be added to the front surface and / or an anti-reflective element to the back surface. The lens may include a lateral extension used to attach it to the glazing system.

Claims

Tl Demands

1. A glazing system comprising a vehicle glazing unit (100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 200, 210, 220, 300, 310, 400, 500), the glazing unit comprising: a first sheet of glass (1) intended to form the outer glazing unit with a first external principal face (11) and a second principal face (12) oriented towards the passenger compartment, and, when the glazing unit is laminated, comprising a second sheet of glass (2) intended to form the inner glazing unit 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), in particular the glazing unit being intended to form an angle of inclination (P) of less than 90 degrees with a horizontal axis in the vehicle,the glazing system having a near-infrared transmission window (111) at a working wavelength LB1 in a near-infrared range, and an optical device intended to provide an external field of view characterized in that: the optical device comprises a diverging lens (20), the diverging lens (20) having a first surface (21), called the rear surface, and a second surface (22), called the front surface, opposite the first surface and oriented outwards, at least one of said first and second surfaces being concave, the diverging lens (20) having a first angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a first reference plane passing through the diverging lens and a second angular magnification greater than 1.0 in absolute value in a second reference plane passing through the diverging lens and perpendicular to the first reference plane,the second angular magnification being different from the first angular magnification and in that a reference 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 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) exiting the front surface (22) 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 diverging 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).

2. System according to claim 1 wherein 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.

3. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear surface is concave and unadjusted and preferably the front surface is concave and unadjusted or the front surface is flat.

4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear surface (21) is concave and of class C2, and in that optionally the front surface (22) is concave and of class C2, the front surface being twice differentiable and of continuous derivatives.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diverging lens is in free space.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the front surface (22) is arranged flush or projecting from the first principal face (11), and in particular the diverging lens is wholly or partly external to the outer glazing with an optional transparent blade (32) spaced from the front surface.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of said first surface (21) and second surface (22) is a concave 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 or second surface being written according to the following mathematical formula where x, y, and z represent Cartesian coordinates expressed in mm in an orthonormal coordinate system (OiX, OiY, OiZ), the OiZ axis being parallel to the optical axis of the diverging lens, the point Oi with coordinates (0, 0, 0) being located at the intersection of the surface i considered and the optical axis of the diverging lens, p and q being integer variables ranging from 0 to N, and a pq being the coefficient of order p in x and of order q in y, each coefficient a pq being expressed in mm, and where x = x - _ J3* and y = - y are dimensionless, with RO equal to 30 mm and R being between 10 mm and 60 mm.

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

9. System according to any one of claims 7 or 8 wherein the first surface (21) is a concave surface defined by said polynomial equation of degree N greater than or equal to four in which the odd order coefficients are all null, in particular the diverging 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 diverging lens (20) has a second plane of symmetry passing through the optical axis (25) and perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry and in which the second surface (22) is planar.

10. A system according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the first surface (21) is a surface defined by the following eighth-degree polynomial equation: z(x,y) = -25.502x 2 - 5.4996 x 4 - 17,460 x 6 - 0.89593 x 8 - 7.6410 y 2 - 12,530 x 2 *y 2 + 1.4422 x4 *y 2 + 13,012 x 6 *y 2 + 0.34126 y 4 - 34,060 x 2 *y 4 + 36,118 x 4 *y 4 + 25,538 x 2 *y 6 and in which the second surface (22) is flat. [Claim 1 1] System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the diverging lens is configured to transmit a reference beam at working wavelength LB1 with a substantially horizontal median pointing direction and even to receive the median pointing direction of said substantially horizontal beam.

12. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the diverging lens is arranged and configured to modify a median direction of pointing of a reference beam at the working wavelength LB1 exiting the glazing, in particular at less the first surface is a concave surface defined by a polynomial equation of degree greater than or equal to three in which at least one odd-order coefficient is non-zero.

13. System according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in which a reference beam (70) at working wavelength LB1 having, upstream of the diverging lens, a median direction of pointing (40) inclined with respect to a horizontal axis, the system further comprises a deflector (75) disposed upstream of the first surface (21) of the diverging lens (20), the deflector being arranged to deflect the reference beam towards the first surface of the diverging lens (20).

14. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the initial horizontal angular opening (HFOV1) is at most 20°.

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

16. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the diverging lens is fixed to a support (80, 82, 83) in particular via one or more lateral faces (23, 24, 26) support in particular fixed to the glazing and / or wherein the diverging lens (20) is disposed at least partially in a partial hole (30) or through hole (31) of the glazing, in particular laminated.

17. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the glazing system comprises a plate (80) having a plate in a hole through the glazing and transparent to the working wavelength, the diverging lens facing said plate on the outside or the diverging lens being partially in a hole in said plate.

Images