GB2589858A

GB2589858A - A vehicle bulkhead, control system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2589858A
Application number: GB1917982.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Murray James; Craven Richard
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-12-09
Filing date: 2019-12-09
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-09
Also published as: GB201917982D0; GB2589858B

Abstract

A motor vehicle bulkhead 10 configured to separate an occupant cabin (14) and a cargo bay (16) of a motor vehicle, wherein the bulkhead comprises a window, and wherein at least a portion of the window 20 is selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration.

Description

A VEHICLE BULKHEAD, CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to a vehicle bulkhead, control system and method in which a vehicle bulkhead comprises a window that is, at least partially, selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration and particularly, but not exclusively, the configuration of the window may depend on an operative state of the motor vehicle.

Background

It can be difficult for the driver of a vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, to see objects or other road users located in the blind spot of their vehicle. This can be worse for commercial vehicles, since commercial vehicles typically have a bulkhead provided behind the seats in the passenger compartment that may prevent the driver from viewing the blind spot by looking over their shoulder. Current solutions to this problem typically involve additional wing mirror arrangements, but such additions increase air resistance and thus result in a fuel penalty.

Some commercial vehicles provide a window in the bulkhead so that the driver can see from the passenger compartment into the compartment in the rear of the vehicle, such as the cargo area or a rear passenger compartment. However, such windows in bulkheads are typically very small in order to prevent would-be thieves from looking into the cargo area when the vehicle is parked.

Statements of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a motor vehicle bulkhead configured to separate an occupant cabin and a cargo bay of a motor vehicle, wherein the bulkhead comprises a window, wherein at least a portion of the window is selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration.

The configuration of the window may depend on an operative state of the motor vehicle. For example, the window may be in the non-transparent configuration when the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode. The window may be in the transparent configuration when the vehicle is in motion. The window may be in the transparent or non-transparent configuration depending on an ignition state of the vehicle.

The window may be in the transparent configuration when a road user or item is detected in a blind spot of the motor vehicle.

In the non-transparent configuration, the at least a portion of the window may be translucent or opaque. The window may be operable to concurrently have a non-transparent zone and a transparent zone.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle control system for a motor vehicle comprising the motor vehicle bulkhead of any of the preceding claims, the vehicle control system comprising a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the configuration of the window depending on an operative state of the motor vehicle.

The controller may be configured such that the window may be in the non-transparent configuration when the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode. The controller may be configured such that the window may be in the transparent configuration when the vehicle is in motion. The controller may determine the ignition state of the vehicle and the controller may control the configuration of the window depending on the ignition state.

The controller may be configured such that the window may be in the transparent configuration when a road user or item is detected in a blind spot of the motor vehicle. The vehicle control system may thither comprise a sensor configured to detect if a road user or item is in a blind spot of the motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle may further comprise a further window in a panel of the vehicle behind a driver's seat. The further window may be selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration. The controller of the vehicle control system may be further configured to control the configuration of the further window depending on the configuration of the window in the bulkhead.

A motor vehicle may comprise at least one of the aforementioned motor vehicle bulkhead and the vehicle control system. The motor vehicle may further comprise a further window in a panel of the vehicle behind a driver's seat. The further window may be in a line of sight from a driver of the vehicle to a blind spot. The further window may be selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a bulkhead configured to separate an occupant cabin and a cargo bay of a motor vehicle, wherein the bulkhead comprises a window, wherein the method comprises: switching at least a portion of the window between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration.

The method may further comprise: determining an operative, e.g. ignition, state of the motor vehicle; and controlling the configuration of the window depending on the operative state of the motor vehicle.

The method may further comprise: determining if the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode; and controlling the window to be in the non-transparent configuration when it is determined that the vehicle is stationary or in the parked mode.

The method may further comprise: determining if the vehicle is in motion; and controlling the window to be in the transparent configuration when it is determined that the vehicle is in motion.

The method may further comprise: detecting if a road user or item is in a blind spot of the motor vehicle; and controlling the window to be in the transparent configuration when it is determined that a road user or item is detected in the blind spot of the motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle may further comprise a further window in a panel of the vehicle behind a driver's seat. The further window may be selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration. The method may further comprise: controlling the configuration of the further window depending on the configuration of the window in the bulkhead.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided software which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform any of the aforementioned methods.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic end on sectional view depicting a motor vehicle bulkhead and a vehicle control system according to an arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view depicting a motor vehicle bulkhead and a vehicle control system according to an arrangement of the present disclosure; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a bulkhead window according to an arrangement of the present

disclosure; and

Figure 4 is a flow chart depicting a method according to an arrangement of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle bulkhead ID for a motor vehicle 12. The motor vehicle 12 may be a commercial vehicle, such as a van, lorry, truck or any other type of vehicle. The bulkhead 10 may separate an occupant cabin 14 from a cargo bay 16 of the vehicle 12. Passengers (including the driver) may reside in the occupant cabin 14 and the passengers may sit on one or more seats 18a, 18b. Cargo may be stored in the cargo bay 16 and the bulkhead ID may securely divide the two areas.

The bulkhead 10 comprises a window 20. The window 20 may selectively provide a view from the occupant cabin 14 into the cargo bay 16. In particular, at least a portion of the window 20 is selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration. When in the transparent configuration, the window 20 may transmit most or all of the incident light. By contrast, when in the non-transparent configuration, the window 20 may transmit some or none of the incident light. Accordingly, the window 20 may be translucent or opaque in the non-transparent configuration. In the case of the window 20 being translucent in the non-transparent configuration, the window 20 may transmit some light or diffuse the light so that it is not possible to discern shapes or items through the window.

By way of example, the window 20 has light transmission properties that are selectively altered upon application of a stimulus, such as voltage, light, heat or any other stimulus. The window may comprise smart glass, although the window may be manufactured from glass, plastic or any other selectively transparent material or combinations thereof The window 20 may comprise one or more of electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic, suspended-particle, micro-blind, polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal devices or any other device capable of varying the light transmission properties.

In the depicted arrangement, the window 20 is provided in the bulkhead 10 behind the driver's seat 18a. The window 20 may be sized and provided at a location that allows a driver to look through the window when whey turn to look behind them whilst sitting in the scat 18a. For example, the window 20 may be provided behind a headrest 19a of seat 18a. The window 20 may extend laterally across the bulkhead 10. As depicted, the window 20 may only extend across a portion of the bulkhead 10 and may be provided to one side of the bulkhead. For example, the window 20 may be provided behind driver's seat 18a but not behind passenger seat 18b (or vice versa). However, in an alternative arrangement, the window 20 may extend over a greater lateral distance, e.g. emending behind both seats I 8a, 18b. in any event, the window 20 may be in one or more lines of sight from the driver of the vehicle 12, e.g. to one or more respective blind spots of the vehicle.

The motor vehicle 12 may further comprise a vehicle control system 30 comprising a controller 32 configured to control the configuration of the window 20. The controller 32 may control the window 20 depending on an operative state of the motor vehicle 12. For example, the window 20 may be in the non-transparent configuration when the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode and the window 20 may be in the transparent configuration when the vehicle is in motion, in a further example, the window 20 may be in the transparent or non-transparent configuration depending on an ignition state of the vehicle. The controller 32 may determine the operative state of the vehicle. In particular, the controller 32 may be operatively coupled to a further controller 34 of the vehicle (such as an engine control unit) and the controller 32 may receive data from the further controller 34 to establish the operative state of the vehicle, e.g. if it is in motion, stationary or its ignition state.

A user interface, such as a button, may be associated with the window 20 (via the controller 32) and the user interface may allow a user to manually select the configuration of the window. The user interface may be provided inside the occupant cabin 14 and the user interface may only function to switch the window 20 to die transparent configuration when a valid user has been identified, e.g. via a key.

The vehicle control system 30 may further comprise at least one sensor 36 configured to detect if a road user or item is in at least one blind spot of the motor vehicle. The sensor 36 may comprise a proximity sensor, a LTDAR sensor, a camera or any other type of sensor capable of detecting the presence of a road user or item in the blind spot. As depicted, the sensor 36 may be provided to the side of the vehicle 12, e.g. to detect a blind spot alongside the vehicle, but it may be provided in other locations, such as the rear of the vehicle. The sensor 36 may be operatively coupled to the controller 32 and the controller may be configured such that the window 20 may be in the transparent configuration when a road user or item is detected in the blind spot of the motor vehicle. The window 20 may be in the non-transparent configuration if the sensor does not detect a road user or item is detected in the blind spot unless the controller instructs otherwise.

With reference to Figure 2, the motor vehicle 12 may comprise a further window 40 in a panel of the vehicle, for example behind the driver's seat 18a. As depicted, the further window 40 may be provided in a side panel 13 of the vehicle, e.g. on the driver's side. Additionally or alternatively, the window 40 may be provided on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The window 40 may also be provided at the rear of the vehicle, for example on a rear door panel. One or more thriller windows 40 may be provided and in the case of their being a plurality, the windows 40 may be provided at one or more of the above-mentioned locations. In any event, the one or more further windows 40 may be provided in one or more lines of sight from the driver of the vehicle 12 to one or more respective blind spots.

As for the window 20, one or more of the further window(s) 40 may be selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration. Accordingly, one or 35 more of the further windows 40 may be of a similar construction to the window 20 mentioned above. The controller 32 of the vehicle control system 30 may be configured to control the configuration of the further window(s) 40, e.g. depending on the configuration of the bulkhead window 20. For example, the controller 32 may control one or more of the further window(s) 40 to have the same transparent or non-transparent configuration as the bulkhead window 20.

In a particular arrangement, the control system 30 may monitor a plurality of blind spots of the vehicle, e.g. with a plurality of respective sensors 36 (although a single sensor may monitor the plurality of blind spots). If a road user or item is identified in a particular one of the blind spots, the controller 32 may switch only die further window(s) 40 that are in the line of sight to that particular blind spot into the transparent configuration in addition to the bulkhead window 20.

For example, if a road user or item is detected in a blind spot alongside the driver's side of the vehicle, the controller 32 may only switch the further window 40 on the driver's side and the bulkhead window 20 into the transparent configuration. Additional further window(s) 40 may remain in the non-transparent configuration. This may help focus the driver's attention on the potential hazard. The default state for the window 20 and/or window(s) 40 may otherwise be the non-transparent configuration.

With reference to Figure 3, the window 20 may be capable of concurrently having a non-transparent zone 20a and a transparent zone 20b. For example, in the non-transparent configuration, the window 20 may be substantially non-transparent, however, a small portion 22 of the window 20 may remain substantially transparent such that an occupant of the vehicle can visually check the cargo bay 16, but without someone outside the vehicle being able to do so. Such a portion 22 of the window 20 may not be switchable between non-transparent and transparent states or the window 20 may be capable of altering the transparency of any portion of the window independently of other portions. In the latter case, the portion 22 may be selected to be transparent or non-transparent, e.g. depending on a user preference.

A method according to the present disclosure comprises switching at least a portion of the window 20 between the non-transparent configuration and the transparent configuration.

For example, with particular reference to Figure 4, a method 100 comprises a first block 110, in which an operative, e.g. ignition, state of the motor vehicle 12 is determined; and a second block 120, in which the configuration of the window 20 is controlled depending on the operative state of the motor vehicle.

The method 100 may further comprise determining if the vehicle 12 is stationary or in a parked mode and controlling the window 20 to be in the non-transparent configuration when it is determined that die vehicle is stationary or in the parked mode. Likewise, die method may further comprise determining if the vehicle 12 is in motion and controlling the window 20 to be in the transparent configuration when it is determined that the vehicle is in motion.

The method 100 may further comprise detecting if a road user or item is in a blind spot of the motor vehicle 12 and controlling the window 20 to be in the transparent configuration when it is determined that a road user or item is detected in the blind spot of the motor vehicle. The method 100 may further comprise controlling the configuration of the further window(s) 40 depending on the configuration of the window 20 in the bulkhead or the presence of a road user or item in a blind spot.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and alternative examples may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A motor vehicle bulkhead configured to separate an occupant cabin and a cargo bay of a motor vehicle, wherein the bulkhead comprises a window, and wherein at least a portion of the window is selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration.
2. The motor vehicle bulkhead of claim I, wherein the configuration of the window depends on an operative state of the motor vehicle.
3. The motor vehicle bulkhead of claim 2, wherein the window is in the non-transparent configuration when the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode.
4. The motor vehicle bulkhead of claim 2 or 3, wherein thc window is in the transparent configuration when the vehicle is in motion.
The motor vehicle bulkhead of any of the preceding claims, wherein the window is in the transparent configuration when a road user or item is detected in a blind spot of the motor vehicle.
6. The motor vehicle bulkhead of any of the preceding claims, wherein the window is operable to concurrently have a non-transparent zone and a transparent zone
7. A vehicle control system for a motor vehicle comprising the motor vehicle bulkhead of any of the preceding claims, the vehicle control system comprising a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the configuration of the window depending on an operative state of the motor vehicle.
8. The vehicle control system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured such that die window is in the non-transparent configuration when the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode.
9. The vehicle control system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the controller is configured such that the window is in the transparent configuration when the vehicle is in motion.
10. The vehicle control system of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the controller is configured such that the window is in the transparent configuration when a road user or item is detected in a blind spot of the motor vehicle.
11. The vehicle control system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle control system further comprises a sensor configured to detect if a road user or item is in a blind spot of the motor vehicle.
12. The vehicle control system of any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a thither window in a panel of the vehicle behind a driver's seat, the further window being selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration, wherein the controller of the vehicle control system is further configured to control the configuration of the further window depending on the configuration of the window in the bulkhead.
13. A motor vehicle comprising at least one of the motor vehicle bulkhead of any of claims I to 6 and the vehicle control system of any of claims 7 to 12.
14. The motor vehicle of claim 13 thither comprising a further window in a panel of the vehicle behind a driver's scat, the further window being in a line of sight from a driver of the vehicle to a blind spot.
15. The motor vehicle of claim 14, wherein the further window is selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration. 25
16. A method for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a bulkhead configured to separate an occupant cabin and a cargo bay of a motor vehicle, wherein the bulkhead comprises a window, wherein the method comprises: switching at least a portion of the window between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: determining an operative state of the motor vehicle; and controlling the configuration of the window depending on the operative state of the motor 35 vehicle.
18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the method further comprises: determining if the vehicle is stationary or in a parked mode; and controlling the window to be in the non-transparent configuration when it is determined that the vehicle is stationary or in the parked mode
19. The method of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the method further comprises: determining if the vehicle is in motion, and controlling the window to be in the transparent configuration when it is determined that the vehicle is in motion.
20. The method of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the method further comprises: detecting if a road user or item is in a blind spot of the motor vehicle; and controlling the window to be in the transparent configuration when it is determined that a road user or item is detected in the blind spot of the motor vehicle.
21. The method of any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the motor vehicle further comprises a figther window in a panel of the vehicle behind a driver's seat, the further window being selectively switchable between a non-transparent configuration and a transparent configuration, wherein the method further comprises: controlling the configuration of the further window depending on the configuration of the window in the bulkhead.
22. Software which, when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform the method according to any of claims 16 to 21.