Showing papers by "Valeo published in 2008"

Method and system for universal lane boundary detection

Abstract: A method and system for detecting road markings, is provided. One implementation involves receiving an image (3) of a road (4) in front of a vehicle (2) from an imager (1 ), determining a region of interest in an identified road in the image, and detecting road markings (8L1 8R) by detecting lane markings (7L, 7R) in the region of interest, and if lane markings cannot be detected, then detecting road boundaries in the region of interest.

Analysis of squeal noise and mode coupling instabilities including damping and gyroscopic effects

Abstract: This paper deals with an audible disturbance known as automotive clutch squeal noise from the viewpoint of friction-induced mode coupling instability. Firstly, an auto-coupling model is presented showing a non-conservative circulatory effect originating from friction forces. Secondly, the stability of an equilibrium is investigated by determining the eigenvalues of the system linearized equations. The effects of the circulatory and gyroscopic actions are examined analytically and numerically to determine their influence on the stability region. Separate and combined effects are analyzed with and without structural damping and important information is obtained on the role of each parameter and their interactions regarding overall stability. Not only is structural damping shown to be of primary importance, as reported in many previous works, this article also highlights a particular relationship with gyroscopic effects. A method of optimizing both the stability range and its robustness with respect to uncertainty on system parameters is discussed after which practical design recommendations are given.

Method and system for weather condition detection with image-based road characterization

Abstract: The present invention relates to video-based driver assistance systems being used in vehicles today to perform a variety of functions, such as lane or road departure warning. These functions often require that parts of the video image be identified as, for example, a traffic sign, a bridge, lane markings, etc. Particularly the present invention relates to a method for video image-based weather and/or road condition detection. A method and a system is described, according to which method, weather and/or conditions are detected by identifying bright pixels or groups of bright pixels in video images and by deciding whether or not said bright pixels are caused by reflections, due to rain- or snowfall, and/or due to a wet or snowy surface. Also a computer program product is described, stored on a computer usable medium comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to perform such a method, wherein said computer program product is executed on a computer.

Review of geometric distortion compensation in fish-eye cameras

Abstract: The majority of computer vision applications assume the pin-hole camera model. However, most optics will introduce some undesirable effects, rendering the assumption of the pin-hole camera model invalid. This is particularly evident in cameras with wide fields-of-view. The aim of distortion correction is, therefore, to transform the distorted view of wide-angle cameras to the pin-hole perspective view. Fish-eye cameras are those with "super-wide" fields-of-view, e.g. those cameras with fields-of-view of up to 180 degrees. However, these lenses exhibit severe forms of distortion. The most evident of these is radial distortion, but several other distortions, such as uneven illumination and inaccurate estimation of the centre of distortion, should also be considered when using a fish-eye camera. In this paper, we review and discuss methods of correcting radial and other distortions for fish-eye cameras and illustrate the effect of these methods on a test image exhibiting multiple types of distortion.

Method and system for video-based road characterization, lane detection and departure prevention

Abstract: A method and system for video-based road departure warning for a vehicle on a road, is provided. Road departure warning involves receiving an image of a road in front of the vehicle from a video imager, and detecting one or more road markings in the image corresponding to markings on the road. Then, analyzing the characteristics of an image region beyond the detected markings to determine a rating for drivability of the road corresponding to said image region, and detecting the lateral offset of the vehicle relative to the markings on the road based on the detected road markings. A warning signal is generated as function of said lateral offset and said rating.

Security handle for vehicles

Abstract: Handle for vehicles, which comprises a lever (5) which is pivoted for rotating around a first axis (7) in a frame (1) and is mechanically connected to a rocker (11; 111) which rotates around a second axis (12) when the lever (5) rotates, wherein a counterweight (28; 128) is pivoted to the frame (1) and is mechanically connected to the lever (5) for balancing the lever (5) and rotating around a third axis (30) when the lever (5) rotates.

Connection base interacting with an adapter for forming therewith mechanical connector for the wiper blade for an automobile

Abstract: The invention relates to a connection base (1) for carrying a wiping blade and to be attached to an adapter (5) that can be connected to an actuation arm for forming with said adapter (5) a mechanical connector for a wiper blade for an automobile, the adapter (5) having an elongated shape with first (7) and second (9) ends, characterised in that it comprises a retaining linear guide (27, 29) for the first end (7) of the adapter and removable attachment means (13) of the second end (9) supported on the one hand by the adapter and on the other hand by the base (1). The invention also relates to a conform adapter (5), to a mechanical connector formed by the adapter and the connection base, to a planar wiper blade and to a wiping device.

Antriebsbatteriebaugruppes eines Elektro-, Brennstoffzellen- oder Hybridfahrzeugs

Abstract: Eine Antriebsbatteriebaugruppe eines Elektro-, Brennstoffzellen- oder Hybridfahrzeugs, ist mit mehreren nach ausen durch jeweils eigene Zellengehause (18) geschlossenen, zu einem Zellenpaket zusammengefasten Batteriezellen (16) und wenigstens einem Kuhlfluid fuhrenden Rohr (36) zum Abtransport von Warmeenergie der Batteriezellen (16) versehen. Wenigstens eine vom Rohr (36) ausgehende, warmefuhrende Lamelle (42) liegt wenigstens abschnittsweise flachig an wenigstens einem Zellengehause (18) an. Der Bereich des Rohres (36), an dem die Lamellen (42) befestigt sind, befindet sich innerhalb des Zellenpakets, im Hohlraum zwischen benachbarten Batteriezellen (16).

Method of automatically unlocking an opening member of a motor vehicle for a hands-free system, and device for implementing the method

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically unlocking an opening member of a motor vehicle using a hands-free access system (4), comprising a central processing unit (5) intended to be installed inside the vehicle, a portable identification member (17), said central processing unit (5) being capable of communicating remotely by radiofrequency with the identification member (17) in order to authenticate it and, in response to the authentication of the identification member (17), of controlling the locking or unlocking of the opening member of the vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: the step of detecting the presence of an identification member (17) in a predefined perimeter around the vehicle; the step of authenticating that the identification member (17) is associated with the vehicle; and, in the case of positive authentication, the step of placing the access system in a 'ready to unlock' state for all the opening members. The method further includes a step of remote optical recognition of a predetermined movement of a member of the body and, in the case of positive recognition of the movement, the opening member in front of which the movement has been performed, is unlocked. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Anordnung zur Erfassung eines Drehwinkels

Abstract: Es wird eine Anordnung zur Erfassung von Drehwinkeln an einem rotierenden Bauteil mit Gebern und Sensoren vorgeschlagen, die in Abhangigkeit von der Drehwinkelanderung des rotierenden Bauteils von den Gebern erzeugte Anderungen einer physikalischen Grose als digital auswertbare Signale detektieren. Das rotierende Bauteil weist mindestens einen an seinem Umfang gekoppelten, durch seine Rotation sich drehenden Satelliten kleineren Umfangs, vorzugsweise mit einem Winkelsensor, auf, der uber ein axial gekoppeltes Hypozykloidgetriebe eine ebenfalls rotierende Hypozykloidscheibe oder Hypozykloidzahnrad antreibt, deren Umdrehungsgeschwindigkeit durch das Hypozykloidgetriebe derart untersetzbar ist, dass hieraus eine Umdrehungszahl des rotierenden Bauteils und der absoluten Lenkwinkel uber mehrere Umdrehungen der Lenkwelle mit einem Umdrehungssensorsystem ermittelbar ist.

Method and system for online calibration of a video system

Abstract: The present invention relates to video-based driver assistance systems being used in vehicles today to perform a variety of functions, such as lane or road departure warning. These functions often require that parts of the video image be identified as, for example, a traffic sign, a bridge, lane markings, etc. Particularly the present invention relates to a method and system for online calibration of a vehicle video system using vanishing points, evaluated from frames of a camera image contains identified markings or edges on a road. The vanishing points are located by finding or extrapolating at least at one left- and/or right-hand side markings or edges of a road to a point of intersection, whereby a long term average vanishing point location is calculated with time-filtering methods from a sequence of images, even when only one side of a road or lane marking or an edge is visible in any given frame of an image at a time, and from the time-averaged vanishing point location coordinates, the static yaw and pitch angles of the camera are deduced. The present invention relates to also to a method to locate the vanishing points by finding or extrapolating the regularity of repeated road markings, such as dashed patterns and to a method to locate the vanishing point d by using the change in spatial frequency of textures on the surface ahead as an object to determine the camera pitch angle.

Method for assisting driver of motor vehicle during parking operation, involves searching automatically suitable parking area by vehicle after driver has left vehicle for parking

Abstract: The method involves searching automatically a suitable parking area by the vehicle after the driver has left it for parking. The vehicle is automatically unparked from the parking area, if the driver requires the vehicle. The vehicle automatically picks the driver at a certain point. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a driver assistance device for executing the driver assisting method; and (2) a computer program product stored on a computer-usable medium.

Process for the automatic determination of speed limitations on a road and an associated system

Abstract: An automatic process is provided for automatically determining a current speed limitation on a road being used by a motor vehicle, in which by means of a first system, making use in particular of a GPS aerial and cartographical details, a first set of information is established, in which at least one likely speed limitation is associated with a confidence index; by means of a second system, involving the use of a camera and image processing applications capable of identifying roadside speed limitation panels, a second set of information is established comprising at least one probable speed limitation, wherein the basis of the first and second sets of information, the current speed limitation is determined along the road in question.

Improving pan-European speed-limit signs recognition with a new “global number segmentation” before digit recognition

Abstract: In this paper, we present an improved European speed-limit sign recognition system based on an original ldquoglobal number segmentationrdquo (inside detected circles) before digit segmentation and recognition. The global speed-limit sign detection and correct recognition rate, currently evaluated on videos recorded on a mix of French and German roads, is around 94%, with a misclassification rate below 1%, and not a single validated false alarm in several hours of recorded videos. Our greyscale-based system is intrinsically insensitive to colour variability and quite robust to illumination variations, as shown by an on-road evaluation under bad weather conditions (cloudy and rainy) which yielded 84% good detection and recognition rate, and by a first night-time on-road evaluation with 75% correct detection rate. Due to recognition occurring at digit level, our system has the potential to be very easily extended to handle properly all variants of speed-limit signs from various European countries. Regarding computation load, videos with images of 640 times 480 pixels can be processed in real-time at ~20 frames/s on a standard 2.13 GHz dual-core laptop.

Dynamic three dimensional effect lamp assembly

Abstract: A lamp assembly providing a three dimensional lamp image may be animated by driving the mirror portion with an electromechanical device responsive to a varying input signal. The three dimensional image can then be reshaped in response according to a preferred input signal.

Automobile headlight comprising an optical module equipped with a mobile shade

Abstract: The headlight has a case closed longitudinally towards front by a protection glass. An optical module is arranged inside the case and produces a longitudinal light beam towards front across an active surface of a diopter. A mask (38) is mounted inside the case between a masking position and an opening position. The mask is interposed longitudinally between the diopter and the glass to partially hide the active surface in the masking position. The mask is separated transversally to permit passage of light beam emitted through the surface in opening position.

Modeling and control of a seven-phase claw-pole integrated starter alternator for micro-hybrid automotive applications

Abstract: This paper deals with the modeling and the control of a new high power 12 V integrated starter alternator (ISA). This system is used to bring micro-hybrid functions to standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The drive is composed of a seven-phase synchronous claw-pole machine with separate excitation, supplied with a seven-leg Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) designed for low voltage and high current. The system is modeled in a generalized Concordia frame and a graphical description is used to highlight energetic properties of such a complex system. A control scheme is then deduced from this graphical description. Two controls are achieved in generator mode and compared: one is using the VSI in a square-wave mode, the other in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode. Experimental results are provided.

Device for electrically heating an air flow circulating in a ventilation, heating and/or air-conditioning installation of an automobile vehicle

Abstract: The device (1) has a heat block (3) with a heating element (4) e.g. positive transfer coefficient resistor, where the heating element is in the form of a bar extended along an extension direction (D) between ends (5, 6). A control module (7) is housed in a case (10), and electrical terminals (8) are arranged at the end (5) of the heating element. Mechanical connection elements (11) mechanically connect the heating element and the case, where the elements are interposed between the end (5) and the case. The case with a sleeve (16) defines a receiving housing (17) for receiving the end (5). An independent claim is also included a method for assembling an air flow heating device.

Electrical power supply device comprising a tray for accommodating ultra-high capacity storage units

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power supply device (10) for a motor vehicle, which comprises a tray (34) made of a heat-conducting material, in which there is positioned at least one ultra-high capacity electrical energy storage unit (20) liable to emit heat, said tray (34) comprising at least one housing (44) to accommodate at least one electrical energy storage unit (20) with the presence of a heat-conducting layer (54) made of a heat-conducting adhesive or a heat-conducting resin interposed without clearance between the storage unit (20) and the interior face of the wall of the associated housing (44) so as to conduct the heat emitted by the unit (20).

Wischarm/Wischblatt-Verbindung, Wischblatt sowie Scheibenwischanlage

Abstract: Verbindung zwischen einem Wischblatt und einem Wischarm einer Scheibenwischanlage fur Fahrzeuge, mit einem am Wischblatt vorgesehenen Wischblattadapter zur losbaren Befestigung des Wischblattes am Wischarm, wobei das Wischblatt als flaches Wischblatt im Wesentlichen, bestehend aus profilschienenartigen Wischblattkorper, aus wenigstens einer Federschiene sowie aus einem wenigstens eine Wischlippe bildenden Wischgummi ausgebildet ist und an wenigstens einer Wischblattlangsseite zumindest einen Spritz- oder Verteilerkanal mit Dusenoffnungen zum Ausbringen einer Reinigungs- oder Waschflussigkeit auf eine Fahrzeugscheibe aufweist sowie mit wenigstens einem Flussigkeitsanschluss am Wischblattadapter zum losbaren Verbinden des wenigstens einen Spritz- oder Verteilerkanals mit wenigstens einer zumindest auf einer Teillange am Wischarm vorgesehenen auseren Flussigkeitsleitung zum Zufuhren der Wasch- oder Reinigungsflussigkeit an den wenigstens einen Spritz- oder Verteilerkanal, und zwar uber eine an die wenigstens eine Flussigkeitsleitung angeschlossene Kupplungseinheit.

Closing assisted electric lock for opening of automobile

Abstract: The invention relates to a closing assisted electric lock for the opening of an automobile, that comprises: a bolt (5) including first (19) and second (20) notches, said bolt (5) interacting with a strike and being capable of rotating between an open position, a position closed at the first notch of the lock and a position closed at the second notch of the lock; a pivoting ratchet (13) capable of interacting with said bolt (5) for preventing the rotation thereof (5) into a closed position at the first and second notches of the lock; a bolt (5) driving lever for rotatingly driving the bolt (5) between the closed position at the first notch and the closed position at the second notch of the lock; characterised in that the driving lever (9) includes a protrusion (37) provided so that said bolt (5) is capable of pivoting the lever (9) when said bolt (5) rotates from the open position to the closed position at the second notch of the lock.

Motor Vehicle Internal Combustion Engine EGR Loop

Abstract: Motor vehicle internal combustion engine EGR loop in which: when the fresh air flow rate in the air inlet passage (2) of the EGR valve (1) is at its maximum, the EGR gas passage (3) in the valve is gradually opened and, before the EGR gas flow rate in the valve increases any further, the fresh air inlet passage (2) is gradually closed in order to cause the flow rate of the EGR gases to continue to increase in a monotonous increasing curve.

Energy storage device, particularly for an automobile

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy storage device, particularly for an automobile, that comprises: an assembly (2) of serially-connected energy storage cells; a balancing circuit adapted for balancing the cells during the discharge thereof by enabling the flow of one or more balancing currents in one or more cells of the assembly (2); optionally a diagnosis system (61) for providing at least one piece of information associated with at least one cell in the assembly; wherein the balancing circuit (10; 41) is adapted for controlling the balancing current(s) based at least on outer information independent from the energy-storage cell assembly and/or information associated with at least one of the cells and provided by the optional diagnosis system.

Lighting device for an automobile

Abstract: The device has light sources provided for base light bundles (3, 4) of a light beam (2) and controlled by a control unit. The bundle (3) is formed by a dynamic bending light (DBL) type headlight. The bundles are respectively extended from sides of an optical axis. The bundle (4) is composed of elementary bundles (15a-15e). Each elementary bundle is limited to the interior side by rectilinear raising edges (16a-16e). The raising edges are angularly shifted by moving away from the optical axis. Reflectors are provided for each elementary bundle.

Module For The Cooling Circuit Of An Engine In An Automobile

Abstract: The invention relates to a module for the cooling circuit of an engine in an automobile, that comprises at least one control valve (18) allowing a flow according to at least one so-called nominal mode. The module further includes a thermal safety device (30) for said circuit, the thermal safety device (30) being capable of authorising a flow according to another so-called short-circuit mode in case of failure of the nominal flow mode. The invention can be used for automobiles.

Luminous signalling device for an automobile

Abstract: The device (12) has two light sources (14A, 14B) i.e. LEDs, that are activated in an alternative or grouped manner. Formation units are constituted of facets (36) and optical elements (20A, 20B) with collecting surfaces (22) to form intermediate light beams that are directed towards a common output surface of a transversal refraction face (42). The face has a series of prisms, where each prism has two facets (44A, 44B) respectively refracting the beams to form two light signaling beams to obtain stop light and turn signal indicator light functions.

Wiper arm or wiper blade connection has wiper arm side adapter, and adapter is mounted by inserting adaptor part in axial direction, and support is formed for form-fit locking of adapter part by adjusting adapter part

Abstract: The wiper arm (1) or wiper blade connection has a wiper arm side adapter and a wiper arm side support. An adapter is mounted by inserting an adaptor part in an axial direction. A support is formed for a form-fit locking of the adapter part by adjusting the adapter part after an insertion in another axial direction oriented perpendicular or transverse to the former axial direction. The support is made of a metal or a plastic. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a wiper blade with a hinge pin; and (2) a wiper arm with an adapter section.