Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to a motor vehicle comprising a cab, comprising a glass wall and an occultation system, the occultation system comprising a darkening device and being configured to allow the darkening device to move along a trajectory (rail) between an open position in which the darkening device does not obscure the glass wall and a closed position in which the darkening device obscures the lass wall. <CIT> relates to a motor vehicle comprising a cab comprising a glass wall and a camera monitoring system comprising at least one camera configured to capture images of a scene outside the vehicle, and a display device configured to display the images captured by the camera, the display device being positioned in the cab, along the glass wall.

In a motor vehicle, the cab constitutes a living space for the driver. When the driver is on a break, it is advantageous to be able to darken the cab to allow the driver to rest. In order to guarantee maximum driver comfort, it is preferable to be able to completely darken the cab.

The cab generally comprises a glass wall formed by the windshield and side windows. To allow the cab to be darkened, the cab usually includes a darkening device, such as a curtain, movable along a trajectory between an open position in which the darkening device does not obscure the glass wall and a closed position in which the darkening device obscures the glass wall, and thus darkens the cab.

The current motor vehicles are also usually provided with display devices to assist the driver in his driving. For example, some motor vehicles comprise a camera configured to capture images of a scene outside the vehicle, and a display device configured to display the images captured by the camera. However, the display devices are usually positioned in the cab, along the glass wall. The display device is therefore on the trajectory of the darkening device, and it hinders the closing of the darkening device.

To allow the darkening device to move to the closed position, it is known to surround the display device with the darkening device. The darkening device has then a specific shape and specific cut-outs related to the position of the display device along the glass wall. For example, the darkening device can include a notch enabling the darkening device to pass on either side of the display device in the closed position.

However, as the shape and the cut-outs of the darkening device have to be specific to the position of the display device in the vehicle, the darkening device is specific to a vehicle. Besides, the cut-outs of the darkening device allow light to pass around the display device, particularly below the display device, and the darkness created in the cab is unsatisfactory.

There is therefore a need to provide an easy to set up and adaptable solution to provide a satisfactory darkness in the cab.

The above need is adressed with the features of claim <NUM>.

It is proposed a motor vehicle according to claim <NUM> comprising:.

wherein when the darkening device is in the closed position, the darkening device is configured to fully obscure the glass wall and to cover the display device.

This way, as the darkening device covers the display device, that is, the darkening device goes over the display device, the display device no longer hinders the closing of the darkening device. No cut-outs are thus necessary in the darkening device to enable the darkening device to extend on either side of the display device in the closed position and no light goes around the display device.

Moreover, the darkening device makes it possible to fully obscure the glass wall when it is in the closed position. The entire glass wall is then covered by the darkening device. The darkening device covers the entire height and the entire width of the glass wall. The light coming from the outside of the cab to the inside of the cab through the glass wall is stopped by the darkening device, and the cab can thus be fully darkened.

Besides, as no cut-outs are formed in the darkening device, the darkening device can be used in all vehicles, regardless of the position of the display device along the glass wall in the cab.

According to the invention the occultation system comprises a control unit configured to detect a position of the darkening device and configured to control the display device depending on the position of the darkening device, so that the display device is switched off when the darkening device is in the closed position.

When the darkening device is in the closed position, the darkening device covers the display device, and the display device is thus no longer visible by a driver of the vehicle, and can therefore be switched off without any loss of information for the driver. Switching off the display allows the energy consumption of the vehicle to be reduced.

According to one alternative, the control unit is configured to detect the closed position of the darkening device and is configured to switch off the display device when the control unit detects that the darkening device is in the closed position.

Thus, the display device remains switched on as long as the darkening device is not in the closed position. The display device is switched off only when the darkening device is in the closed position. This ensures that if the darkening device is not completely closed, then the display device is not switched off and continues to display the images captured by the camera.

According to another alternative, the control unit is configured to detect that the darkening device is moved from the open position to the closed position and is configured to switch off the display device when the control unit detects that the darkening device is moved from the open position to the closed position.

Thus, the display device can be switched off before it reaches the closed position.

According to one aspect, the occultation system comprises a rail on which the darkening device is slidably attached and the control unit comprises at least one sensor disposed on the rail and configured to detect the position of the darkening device.

The sensor can thus detect when the darkening device is slid on the rail.

According to one aspect, the at least one sensor is a switch configured to detect when the darkening device is slid over the switch and to switch off the display device when the darkening device is slid over the switch.

Thus, the sensor also acts as an actuator and can trigger the display device to switch off.

According to one aspect, the rail is disposed above the glass wall and the darkening device comprises an upper edge and a lower edge opposed to the upper edge, the darkening device being slidably attached by the upper edge to the rail and the lower edge being a free lower edge extending below the glass wall.

According to one aspect, the display device is disposed below the rail and the sensor is aligned with the display device so that the display device is switched off when the darkening device reaches the display device.

Thus, the display device is switched off once the darkening device covers the display device. It ensures that the display device is switched off once it is covered by the darkening device and is then not visible for the driver, even if the darkening device has not reached its closed position. This further reduces power consumption of the vehicle.

According to one aspect, among the at least one sensor, the control unit comprises a first sensor and a second sensor disposed on the rail and configured to detect the position of the darkening device.

The display device can thus be switched off only when the first sensor and the second sensor detect the sliding of the darkening device. In particular, if the darkening device is located between the first sensor and the second sensor, then the display device is not switched off.

According to one aspect, the display device is disposed on a pillar of the cab. Alternatively, the motor vehicle comprises a windshield and the display device is disposed on at the center and on the top or on the bottom of the windshield.

According to one aspect, the motor vehicle comprises an additional display device positioned in the cab, out of the trajectory of the darkening device, and configured to display images captured by the camera of the monitoring system when the darkening device is in the closed position.

The additional display device is positioned so as not to be obscured by the darkening device when the darkening device is in the closed position. It allows the driver to see the scene outside the vehicle.

According to one aspect, the cab comprises a dashboard and the additional display device is disposed on the dashboard.

According to one aspect, the darkening device comprises a first side curtain and a second side curtain or a single side curtain.

In the figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements. For sake of clarity, various elements may not be represented at scale.

In the description, the longitudinal direction L is defined as the direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle when considering the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, the transverse direction T is defined as the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and from one side of the vehicle to the other, and the vertical direction V is defined from bottom to top, as the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction.

<FIG> shows a truck <NUM> comprising a cab <NUM> and a camera monitoring system comprising a camera <NUM> enabling to capture images of a scene outside the truck <NUM>.

Although the description presents a truck <NUM> as a motor vehicle, it is understood that the invention applies to any type of motor vehicle such as a car, a bus or any other ground vehicle.

The cab <NUM> comprises a windshield <NUM>, a first side window <NUM> and a second side window <NUM>. Only the first side window <NUM> is visible on <FIG>, the second side window <NUM> is visible on <FIG>. The windshield <NUM> and the first and second side windows <NUM>, <NUM> form a glass wall <NUM>.

The cab <NUM> also comprises an occultation system <NUM> comprising a darkening device <NUM> and a rail <NUM>. The rail <NUM> is disposed above the glass wall <NUM> and runs along the entire upper edge of the glass wall <NUM>.

According to a first alternative represented on <FIG>, the darkening device <NUM> comprises a first side curtain 41a and a second side curtain 41b slidably attached to the rail <NUM>. The first side curtain 41a and the second side curtain 41b each comprise an upper edge <NUM> and a lower edge <NUM> opposed to the upper edge <NUM>. The first side curtain 41a and the second side curtain 41b are slidably attached by the upper edge <NUM> to the rail <NUM>. The lower edge <NUM> of the first side curtain 41a and of the second side curtain 41b is a free lower edge and extends below the glass wall <NUM>.

According to a second alternative represented on <FIG>, the darkening device <NUM> comprises a single side curtain 41c slidably attached to the rail <NUM>. As for the first side curtain 41a and the second side curtain 41b, the single side curtain 41c comprises an upper edge <NUM> and a lower edge <NUM> opposed to the upper edge <NUM>. The single side curtain 41c is slidably attached by the upper edge <NUM> to the rail <NUM>. The lower edge <NUM> of the single side curtain 41c is a free lower edge and extends below the glass wall <NUM>.

In the first and second alternatives, the darkening device <NUM> extends from the upper edge which is slidably attached to the rail <NUM> which is disposed above the glass wall <NUM> to the free lower edge which extends below the glass wall <NUM>. The darkening device <NUM> thus extends along the entire height of the glass wall <NUM>.

In a non represented alternative, the occultation system <NUM> could comprise a darkening device <NUM> formed by a roller curtain attached above the glass wall <NUM> and rails disposed on lateral ends of the first and second side windows <NUM>, <NUM> and on lateral ends of the windshield <NUM>. The roller curtain could comprise a first side curtain attached above the first side window <NUM> and that can be guided along the rails disposed on lateral ends of the first side window <NUM>, a second side curtain attached above the second side window <NUM> and that can be guided along the rails disposed on lateral ends of the second side windows <NUM> and a central curtain attached above the windshield <NUM> and that can be guided along the rails disposed on lateral ends of the windshield <NUM>.

The occultation system <NUM> allows the darkening device <NUM> to be movable along a trajectory between an open position in which the darkening device <NUM> does not obscure the glass wall <NUM> and a closed position in which the darkening device <NUM> obscures the glass wall <NUM>. The darkening device <NUM> can be slid in the rail <NUM> between the open position and the closed position.

In <FIG>, the darkening device <NUM> is represented in the open position. The darkening device <NUM> does not cover the glass wall <NUM>.

The camera monitoring system also comprises a display device <NUM> positioned in the cab <NUM>, that displays the images of the scene outside the truck <NUM> captured by the camera <NUM> of the camera monitoring system.

In the first alternative, the display device <NUM> comprises a first side screen 55a and a second side screen 55b. The first side screen 55a is disposed on a first pillar 3a of the truck <NUM> and the second side screen 55b is disposed on a second pillar 3b of the truck <NUM>. The first side screen 55a and the second side screen 55b are disposed below the rail <NUM>. The first side screen 55a and the second side screen 55b extend along the glass wall <NUM>. A part of the first side screen 55a extends facing the glass wall <NUM> and a part of the second side screen 55b extends facing the glass wall <NUM>.

In the second alternative, the display device <NUM> comprises a central screen 55c disposed on the windshield <NUM>. The central screen 55c extends along the glass wall <NUM>, facing the windshield <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the darkening device <NUM> is represented in the closed position. In the closed position, the darkening device <NUM> fully obscures the glass wall <NUM>. The entire glass wall <NUM> is covered by the darkening device <NUM>. The darkening device <NUM> covers the entire height and the entire width of the glass wall <NUM>.

The darkening device <NUM> also covers the display device <NUM>. The rail <NUM> is disposed upstream the display device <NUM> along the longitudinal direction, and allows the darkening device <NUM> to pass over the display device <NUM>. the display device <NUM> does not hinder the closing of the darkening device <NUM>. The darkening device <NUM> goes over the display device <NUM>. The light coming from the outside of the cab <NUM> to the inside of the cab <NUM> through the glass wall <NUM> is stopped by the darkening device <NUM>, and the cab <NUM> can thus be fully darkened.

<FIG> shows the darkening device <NUM> with the first side curtain 41a and the second side curtain 41b and the display device <NUM> with the first side screen 55a and the second side screen 55b corresponding to the first alternative. It is understood that the darkening device <NUM> with the single side curtain 41c and the display device <NUM> with the central screen 55c of the second alternative or any other alternative may also be suitable.

In particular, <FIG> shows that the first side curtain 41a covers the first side screen 55a and the second side curtain 41b covers the second side screen 55b. In the second alternative, the single side curtain 41c would cover the central screen 55c.

It is understood that the first and second alternatives may be combined without going beyond the scope of the invention. In particular, the darkening device <NUM> with the first side curtain 41a and the second side curtain 41b according to the first alternative could be used to cover the display device <NUM> with the central screen 55c according to the second alternative. And conversely, the darkening device <NUM> with the single side curtain 41c according to the second alternative could cover the display device <NUM> with the first side screen 55a and the second side screen 55b according to the first alternative.

The occultation system <NUM> also comprises a control unit <NUM> which can detect a position of the darkening device <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> controls the display device <NUM> depending on the position of the darkening device <NUM>, so that the display device <NUM> is switched off when the darkening device <NUM> is in the closed position. The control unit <NUM> comprises at least one sensor to detect the position of the darkening device <NUM>.

In the first alternative shown on <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> comprises a first switch 61a and a second switch 61b each disposed on the rail <NUM>. The first switch 61a is aligned with the first side screen 55a and the second switch 61b is aligned with the second side screen 55b.

The first switch 61a can detect when the first side curtain 41a is slid over the first switch 61a and the second switch 61b can detect when the second side curtain 41b is slid over the second switch 61b. The first switch 61a switches off the first side screen 55a when the first side curtain 41a slides over the first switch 61a, and the second switch 61b switches off the second side screen 55b when the second side curtain 41b slides over the second switch 61b.

Hence, the first side screen 55a is switched off when the first side curtain 41a reaches the first side screen 55a, and the second side screen 55b is switched off when the second side curtain 41b reaches the second side screen 55b.

In the second alternative shown on <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> comprises a single switch 61c disposed on the rail <NUM>. The single switch 61c is aligned with the central screen 55c. The single switch 53c can detect when the single side curtain 41c is slid over the single switch 53c. The single switch 61c switches off the central screen 55c when the single side curtain 41c slides over the single switch 61c.

Thanks to the first switch 61a and the second switch 61b, or the single switch 61c, the control unit <NUM> can detects that the darkening device <NUM> is moved from the open position to the closed position and switches off the display device <NUM> when the darkening device <NUM> is moved from the open position to the closed position. So, when the darkening device <NUM> is in closed position, the display device <NUM> is switched off. As the display device <NUM> is covered by the darkening device <NUM> when the darkening device <NUM> is in the closed position, the images displayed on the display device <NUM> are no longer visible for a driver inside the cab <NUM>. So switching off the display device <NUM> enables to reduce the energy consumption of the truck <NUM> without any loss of information for the driver.

It is understood that the switches in the first and second alternatives could have a different location. In particular, the switches could be positioned at the end of the trajectory of the darkening device <NUM>, or between the display device <NUM> and the end of the trajectory of the darkening device <NUM>.

Besides, in the first alternative, a single switch could be disposed on the rail <NUM>. The single switch could switch off the first side screen 55a and the second side screen 55b. In the second alternative, two switches could be disposed on the rail <NUM>. The central screen 55c could be switched off only when the two switches detect that the single side curtain 41c is moved from the open position to the closed position.

The occultation system <NUM> could be coupled with a fold away system (not showed) for the display device. This insure better coverage and motion of the darkening device <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> could also comprise other sensors than switches, which only detect that the darkening device is moved from the open position to the closed position and that transmit the position of the darkening device to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> could then switch off the display device <NUM>.

Alternatively, the control unit <NUM> could detect the closed position of the darkening device <NUM> and switch off the display device <NUM> when the darkening device <NUM> is in the closed position.

The truck <NUM> comprises an additional display device <NUM> positioned on the cab <NUM>. The additional display device <NUM> is disposed on the dashboard <NUM> of the truck <NUM>. The additional display device <NUM> is disposed out of the trajectory of the darkening device <NUM>. So when the darkening device <NUM> is moved from the open position to the closed position, the additional display device <NUM> does not hinder the trajectory of the darkening device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A motor vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
- a cab (<NUM>) comprising a glass wall (<NUM>) and an occultation system (<NUM>), the occultation system comprising a darkening device (<NUM>) and being configured to allow the darkening device to move along a trajectory between an open position in which the darkening device does not obscure the glass wall and a closed position in which the darkening device obscures the glass wall,
- a camera monitoring system comprising at least one camera (<NUM>) configured to capture images of a scene outside the vehicle, and a display device (<NUM>) configured to display the images captured by the camera, the display device being positioned in the cab, along the glass wall, characterized in that when the darkening device is in the closed position, the darkening device is configured to fully obscure the glass wall and to cover the display device
wherein the occultation system comprises a control unit (<NUM>) configured to detect a position of the darkening device and configured to control the display device depending on the position of the darkening device, so that the display device is switched off when the darkening device is in the closed position.