Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
  • B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
  • B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
  • B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
  • B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
  • B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
  • B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
  • B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
  • B60S1/0818—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
  • B60S1/0822—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
  • B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
  • B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
  • B60S1/0818—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
  • B60S1/0822—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
  • B60S1/0833—Optical rain sensor
  • B60S1/0837—Optical rain sensor with a particular arrangement of the optical elements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
  • B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
  • B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
  • B60S1/0818—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
  • B60S1/0822—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
  • B60S1/0874—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means characterized by the position of the sensor on the windshield
  • B60S1/0877—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means characterized by the position of the sensor on the windshield at least part of the sensor being positioned between layers of the windshield
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
  • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
  • G01N21/55—Specular reflectivity
  • G01N21/552—Attenuated total reflection

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of the detection of parameters representative of a state associated with a motor vehicle, in particular with a window of the vehicle, such as a windshield or a rear window.
• Such a state associated with the glass relates to the presence of mist or drops of water on one side of the glass, fouling, or even sunshine, which can be detected in particular by electromagnetic means.
• Detection devices usually comprise a module provided with at least one sensor arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, at a distance from the window.
• a sensor does not detect a parameter directly representative of a state associated with the glass and it is necessary to provide, in the case of detection by optical means, covers around this sensor to avoid stray light detection. Furthermore, such detection can be disturbed, if necessary, by the presence of smoke in the passenger compartment.
• Other known devices comprise a module provided with at least one sensor fixed, in particular by gluing, on one of the faces of the window, passenger compartment side. It is still necessary, in this case, to provide covers around the sensor, in particular if it is desired to detect a state associated with the other face of the glass, external side.
• the present invention improves the situation.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a device making it possible to detect a foreign body on one or other of the faces of the glass and making it possible in particular to detect both the presence of fog and rain.
• a detection device comprising a module sensitive to a parameter representative of a state associated with the window, consisting of emission means (El) of at least one electromagnetic beam (FI) towards a face ( AV) of the pane, of means (R) for receiving at least part of the beam, returned by said face, and at least one insert (II, 12) in the thickness e of the pane, provided with '' a surface (S1, S2; SU) substantially facing said face (AV, AR) and substantially reflecting the beam (FI), so that the beam undergoes, from transmission to reception, a plurality of reflections in the thickness of the glass, between the surface (S1, S2; SU) of the insert (II) and the face (AV, AR) of the glass.
• a module sensitive to a parameter representative of a state associated with the window consisting of emission means (El) of at least one electromagnetic beam (FI) towards a face ( AV) of the pane, of means (R) for receiving at least part of the beam, returned by said face,
• an insert is compatible with current manufacturing techniques for vehicle windows, in particular windshields and rear glasses, which have a heterogeneous structure generally comprising a spacer thickness between two rigid panels.
• the reflective faces of this insert make it possible to detect a foreign material on one or the other of the faces of the glass.
• the reception means are connected to means for measuring a parameter representative of a proportion of part of the beam returned, this proportion being linked to a degree of humidity (drops of water and / or mist) and / or to a degree of fouling (dust) on the face of the glass.
• the reception means are further arranged to detect ambient electromagnetic radiation, while the measurement means are capable of distinguishing this ambient radiation from a portion of the beam returned by the face of the window.
• the transmission means comprise at minus an emitting source applied against one of the faces of the glass.
• a source of this type is located in the thickness of the glass.
• the reception means comprise at least one sensor for detecting the part of the beam returned. This sensor is applied against the face of the aforementioned window.
• a sensor of this type is installed in the thickness of the glass.
• the emission means are arranged to emit a first beam intended to be returned at least in part by a front face of the window, as well as a second beam intended to be returned at least in part by a rear face of the pane, in order to detect foreign matter on the front and / or rear faces of the pane.
• the measurement means are capable of distinguishing respective electromagnetic radiation, originating from the references of the first and second beams by the front and rear faces.
• the module comprises at least one insert provided with a first reflecting surface facing the front face, and a second reflecting surface facing the rear face, and the receiving means are arranged to receive at least parts first and second beams, reflected respectively by the front and rear faces.
• the transmission means comprise first and second sources suitable for transmitting the first and second beams respectively, while the reception means comprise a sensor for detecting the parts reflected from the first and second beams; the first and second sources, as well as the sensor being applied against the same face of the glass.
• the module of the device further comprises a temperature sensor inserted in the thickness of the window.
• the module includes a light flux sensor, in particular a solar flux sensor, inserted into the thickness of the window.
• the pane comprises a spacer of selected thickness
• the module comprises a part located in a thickness of this spacer.
• the present invention also relates to a vehicle window, in particular a motor vehicle window, comprising, in its thickness, an insert of a detection device of the aforementioned type, or even an insert of which at least part of its surface is intended to be used as as a reflecting surface of a detection device of the aforementioned type.
• a window of this type advantageously comprises two substantially transparent, substantially rigid panels and separated by a substantially transparent spacer, into which is inserted at least part of the module of the aforementioned device.
• the insert is substantially in contact with at least one of the panels.
• a window of this type can advantageously form the windshield of a motor vehicle, or the rear window of this vehicle.
• FIG. 1 schematically shows a detection device according to the invention comprising a sensor module at least partially installed in the thickness of a window of a motor vehicle;
• FIG. 2A schematically represents a device for detecting a parameter associated with the state of a window, in particular its degree of humidity (drops of water and mist) on the front and rear faces of this window, according to a first embodiment
• Figure 2B shows a variant of the device shown in Figure 2A with an insert provided with two reflecting surfaces facing the respective faces of the glass;
• FIG. 3A schematically shows a detection device according to a second embodiment, with transmission means and reception means located in one thickness of the glass;
• Figure 3B shows a variant of the device shown in Figure 3A with an insert provided with two reflecting surfaces facing the respective faces of the glass.
• the window 1 comprises a spacer 11 of thickness e 'between two substantially rigid panels 10a and 10b.
• this window intended to form the windshield of the vehicle, is a safety window made of laminated material comprising a transparent film of plastic material, or more particularly of adhesive, forming a spacer 11 between two glass panels 10a and 10b.
• the thickness of this spacer film is close to 0.9 mm.
• the detection device comprises a module 20, at least partially installed in the thickness e of the window 1.
• this module 20 is embedded, at least in part, in the film shows 11.
• the module 20 comprises at least one electromagnetic sensor, optical in the example described, preferably in the infrared range.
• the detection device comprises a supply 23, in particular of this sensor, connected to the module 20 by a connection 21.
• the module therefore detects optically a parameter representative of a state of the window 1, such as its degree of sunshine, its degree of humidity (raindrops on the front face AV of the windshield, or fog on the rear side AR), or a degree of fouling (dust or other).
• a parameter representative of a state of the window such as its degree of sunshine, its degree of humidity (raindrops on the front face AV of the windshield, or fog on the rear side AR), or a degree of fouling (dust or other).
• the module 20 delivers information via the connection 22, to a communication interface 24.
• This communication interface 24 is, in the example described, connected to an actuator for adjusting equipment of the motor vehicle.
• the communication interface 24 transmits information for the system wiping the windshield, with a view to triggering it, if necessary.
• the communication interface 24 is connected to an actuator for adjusting a ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation, in view to trigger a demisting ventilation of the windscreen.
• a communication interface 24 can be connected to the deicing / demisting system of the rear window.
• the communication interface 24 is connected to an actuator for adjusting a lighting system that the vehicle includes, for example to initiate lighting at night below a light threshold detected on the windshield, if applicable.
• the communication interface 24 is connected to an actuator for adjusting a system for obscuring the mirrors of the vehicle (obtained by a chosen orientation of crystals which the windows of the mirrors contain), to avoid dazzling the driver.
• the device comprising the module 20 is capable of detecting the presence of drops of water G and of mist B on the front faces AV and rear AR of a screen -brise 1 of a motor vehicle.
• a module is then connected by a communication interface 24 with, on the one hand, an actuator for adjusting a wiping system of the vehicle (drops of water G detected) and, on the other hand, with an installation ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning to trigger ventilation of the windshield (fog B detected).
• the diopter formed by the glass of the panel with the water from the fogging becomes different from a usual diopter between the glass of the panel 10b and l ambient air in the passenger compartment.
• the reflection coefficient of this diopter is modified (decreases in practice) and, when a beam F2 of predetermined light intensity is reflected by the rear face of the panel 10b, the light intensity of the beam F2 after reflection varies according to the quantity of mist on the rear side of the windshield.
• the light intensity of a beam FI after reflection on the front face AV of the windshield, varies according to the density of water drops G.
• the module 20 of a device for detecting raindrops and mist on the respectively front and rear faces of a windshield comprises:
• a first emitting diode El with a first light beam FI, intended to be reflected by the front face AV of the windshield
• a second emitting diode E2 delivering a second light beam F2, intended to be reflected by the rear face AR of the windshield
• a reception diode R connected, in the example described, to the communication interface 24.
• the incidences of the beams FI and F2 on the front and rear faces of the windshield are greater than the limiting incidence (so-called Brewster) for which the beams are practically entirely reflected by the faces of the windscreen. breeze, in the absence of humidity (mist and drops of water). However, part of these beams are lost by transmission to the passenger compartment and / or the exterior of the vehicle, in the presence of drops of water or mist on the faces, and the quantity of light reflected and received by the receiving diode R decreases with the quantity water on the windshield.
• the module 20 comprises two inserts II and 12 located, according to the invention, in the thickness of the windshield, in particular between the glass panel 10a and the spacer film 11, and between the spacer film 11 and the glass panel 10b, respectively.
• the inserts II and 12 are produced in the form of metal plates, with a large reflection coefficient.
• the respective exterior surfaces SI and S2 of the inserts II and 12 are in contact with the respective glass panels 10a and 10b.
• the surfaces S1 and S2 are reflective and form waveguides with the front and rear faces of the windshield.
• the emitting diode El electroluminescent in the example described, emits a beam FI which undergoes a plurality of reflections between the surface SI and the front face AV of the windshield, advantageously in the thickness of the glass panel 10a. At least part of the reflected IF beam is finally detected by the reception diode R.
• the emitting diode E2 electroluminescent in the example described, emits a light beam F2 which undergoes a plurality of reflections between the reflecting surface S2 and the rear face AR of the windshield.
• the beam F2 is finally detected by the reception diode R.
• the module 20 advantageously comprises a single insert II.
• the beam F2 emitted by the diode E2 undergoes a plurality of reflections between the surface S12 of one insert II and the face AR of the windshield.
• the optical indices of the glass panels and of the spacer 11 are very close and the measurement of the beam portion F2 received is practically not disturbed by the small deviation due to the interface between the spacer 11 and the panel 10b.
• the beam FI emitted by the diode El, undergoes a plurality of reflections between the surface SU of one insert II and the surface AV of the window.
• the initial function of such a film is to filter, by reflection, radiation, especially infrared, present in sunlight, in order to avoid an undesired rise in temperature in the passenger compartment.
• the emission wavelengths of the emitting diodes El and E2 are preferably in the infrared range and the front and rear faces of the windshield can guide the beams FI and F2, by cooperation with such a film.
• the present invention also relates to the use of an athermic film of this type, as a reflecting surface of a detection device according to the invention.
• the beams FI and F2 emitted respectively by the emitting diodes El and E2 are of light intensities modulated in different ways.
• the light intensities of the beams FI and F2 are modulated by square waveforms, of respective respective frequencies.
• the detection device advantageously comprises a demodulation stage as a function of the respective slot frequencies, which makes it possible to distinguish the light intensities originating from reflections on the front face, from the light intensities originating from reflections on the rear face of the windshield.
• a modulation of the intensity of the beams also makes it possible to distinguish these reflected lights from ambient light. (sun, light in the passenger compartment, etc.).
• the receiving diode R also contributes to the detection of ambient light on the windshield (sunshine, illumination by the headlights of a following vehicle, etc.)
• predetermined light intensities are detected in the absence of drops of water and / or mist.
• the wiping system and / or the ventilation, heating and / or air conditioning installation is triggered if a variation in the intensities of the reflected beams is detected.
• the emitting diodes El and E2 as well as the receiving diode R are placed side by side on the free surface (rear face AR) of the panel 10b, on the passenger compartment side of the vehicle.
• FIG. 3A to describe a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the emitting diodes El and E2 are implanted (embedded, if applicable) in the thickness e 'of the spacer film 11.
• L' power supply of the light-emitting diodes El and E2 is ensured by the connection 21 of these diodes which, in the example shown, is also inserted in the thickness of the windshield (between the film 11 and the panel 10a in the example represented) .
• the module comprises two receiving diodes RI and R2, also implanted in the thickness e 'of the spacer film 11.
• the module can comprise only one receiving diode implanted.
• this reception diode can be attached to the rear face AR of the windshield, as shown in FIG. 2.
• the module 20 advantageously comprises a single insert II provided with two large reflecting surfaces SU and S12 facing the front and rear faces of the windshield , forming waveguides of the beams FI and F2.
• the detection device further comprises a temperature sensor advantageously located in the thickness of the windshield and arranged to cooperate with the module 20 for detecting fogging on the rear face, in particular to adjust the temperature of the air to be ventilated for demisting the windshield.
• the temperature sensor is preferably entirely implanted in the spacer film 11, and advantageously in contact with one face of the front panel 10a (outside side), so as to directly detect the outside temperature of the barrier. breeze, to obtain a direct temperature measurement, outside of the windshield.
• the device described in the example above advantageously comprises two emitting diodes for detecting the presence of drops of water and mist on the front and rear faces of the windshield 1.
• the module 20 has only one emitting diode to detect the presence of fogging or drops of water on the windshield.
• the emission incidence of the beams FI and F2 is chosen above greater than the abovementioned limit incidence, which advantageously makes it possible to recover, at the level of the receiving diode R, practically all of the beams transmitted, in the absence of drops of water and / or mist on the windshield. Although advantageous, such incidences are likely to vary.
• the diodes in the example above, emit optical waves.
• the module of the device includes means for emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as optical waves, or even radio frequency or microwave waves, forming an electromagnetic beam capable of undergoing reflection on one face of the screen. broken.
• the device according to the invention can be arranged to carry out an electromagnetic detection, for example of radar or other signals.
• the device according to the invention is, in general, arranged to detect a parameter representative of a state associated with a motor vehicle, for example an outside or inside temperature, vehicle sunshine, etc. .
• a nicotine film on the rear face of the windshield can contribute to modifying the light intensity of the reflected beam F2, and can thus be detected by measuring the quantity of light reflected after demisting the windshield, if necessary.
• the emitting diodes and the receiving diode (s) are preferably placed on the same rear face AR
• the device for detecting fogging and / or drops of water comprises means for receiving a light returned, in general, by the windshield, by reflection or by diffusion.
• the inserts II and 12 can be omitted in the variant of the device for detecting drops of water and mist, as shown in FIG. 3A described above.
• it can be provided to subject only one reflection to each of the beams FI and F2, before being detected by the receiving diode (s) RI and R2.
• the emitting diodes E1 and E2 are located in the thickness of the windshield, provision may be made to arrange these diodes opposite the respective faces of the windshield, and to surround them, with the (or the) receiving diode (s), of a substantially opaque film so that they substantially only illuminate the respective front and rear faces.
• the sensor provided can detect any parameter other than a temperature.
• An outside air speed sensor can be provided, for example, for modeling, regulating and / or compensating for ventilation in the passenger compartment.
• the present invention also relates to a device for detecting an illumination of the windshield, in particular by sunshine.
• the module 20 includes an optical sensor installed in the windshield, preferably in contact with the panel 10a forming its front face, for directly detecting a light on the windshield.
• the heterogeneous structure of the window 1 (spacer 11 between two panels 10a and 10b) is described above by way of example.
• the pane is made of a solid material, while a sensor module is at least partly cast in its thickness.
• the invention also applies to a window pane formed by a stack of successive glass panels, alternated by transparent films.
• a parameter representative of the state associated with the external surface AV of the window such as its temperature or drops of water

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
• Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
• Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)
• Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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• 1999
  • 1999-05-18 FR FR9906300A patent/FR2793739B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2000
  • 2000-05-18 US US09/743,717 patent/US6768099B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-05-18 JP JP2000618129A patent/JP2002544505A/ja active Pending
  • 2000-05-18 WO PCT/FR2000/001353 patent/WO2000069692A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2000-05-18 EP EP00929636A patent/EP1098792A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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