Method for controlling side light illumination of a vehicle and lighting device for a vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling side light illumination of a vehicle (1) by means of a side light module (12), wherein the side light module (12) comprises a plurality of light sources (9, 10, 11) whose light emissions are directed in different directions and which illuminate different, mutually complementary side areas, in which a signal for switching on the side light module (12) is generated and the light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12) are switched on one after the other to generate the side light illumination independently of the steering angle when the signal for switching on the side light module (12) has been generated, wherein a steering angle of the vehicle (1) is detected by means of a steering angle sensor (15) and the signal for switching on the side light module (12) is generated as a function of the detected steering angle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the sidelight illumination of a vehicle using a sidelight module. This sidelight module comprises a plurality of light sources whose light emissions are directed in different directions and which illuminate different, complementary side areas. Furthermore, the invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle comprising such a sidelight module, a device for generating a signal for switching on the sidelight module, and a control unit coupled to this device and the light sources of the sidelight module.

[0002] Sidelight illumination can complement another lighting function of the vehicle, such as dipped beam, in driving situations where it is desired to illuminate the side areas around the vehicle more effectively than is possible with the lighting function being supplemented alone. For example, a cornering light can be provided that complements a dipped beam and, when turning, illuminates the side area diagonally in front of the vehicle in addition to the light distribution of the dipped beam. Furthermore, when driving in city areas, sidelight illumination can complement the dipped beam in such a way that the resulting light distribution has a larger aperture angle for short ranges than conventional dipped beam.

[0003] To enable flexible illumination of the side areas, it is known to provide different light sources for different side areas. These light sources are then controlled for side light illumination depending on the steering angle. Such lighting devices are described, for example, in DE 100 07 984 A1 and US 2011 / 0198999 A1.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2004 055 882 A1 describes a motor vehicle with a lighting device comprising a control unit and a light source that can be controlled via the control unit to illuminate a curve. The light source comprises several light sources that are directed in different directions and illuminate different, complementary areas. The light sources can be switched on sequentially via the control unit depending on the steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor.

[0005] DE 10 2014 009 252 A1 describes a motor vehicle with an intersection light. The headlights contain LEDs that are activated exclusively for the intersection light. A control unit activates the intersection light when the vehicle approaches an intersection and falls below a certain distance. The light cone is then gradually expanded horizontally.

[0006] DE 10 2015 010 583 A1 describes a cornering light system with a control unit and two light units at the front corners of the vehicle.

[0007] DE 10 2015 005 568 A1 describes a lighting device of a motor vehicle that can produce different illuminance distributions.

[0008] DE 10 2013 001 276 A1 describes a method for controlling the cornering light depending on the detection of a road user in a blind spot area.

[0009] The present invention is based on the object of providing a method and a lighting device of the type mentioned at the outset, with which improved sidelight illumination can be provided.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the feature of claim 1 and a lighting device having the feature of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0011] In the method according to the invention, a signal for switching on the side light module is generated and the light sources of the side light module are switched on one after the other to generate the side light illumination independently of the steering angle when the signal for switching on the side light module has been generated.

[0012] After the switching on of the sidelight module has been initiated in the method according to the invention, the light sources of the sidelight module are switched on sequentially, regardless of the steering angle. Compared to steering-angle-dependent switching of the light sources, this has the advantage that, particularly during a turning maneuver, the outermost side area diagonally in front of the vehicle or to the side of the vehicle is illuminated even if the steering angle has not yet changed, for example, because the vehicle is still stationary. This advantageously ensures that another road user in the front side area of ​​the vehicle can be better perceived by the driver.Furthermore, the method according to the invention advantageously results in a lighting animation by switching on the light sources of the sidelight module, which makes it easier for the driver to direct their gaze to the side area by following the illumination of the side area spreading outwards. Compared to methods in which the entire side area is illuminated immediately after the initiation of the sidelight module and only the light intensity is increased, the method according to the invention also has the advantage that the driver's gaze is guided to the outer side area by following the animation.

[0013] In the method according to the invention, a steering angle of the vehicle is detected, and the signal for switching on the side light module is generated as a function of the detected steering angle. Although in this case the switching on of the side light module is initiated by the steering angle, the subsequent sequential switching on of the light sources of the side light module occurs independently of the steering angle. In this way, for example, the lighting function of a cornering light can be realized, wherein the entire side area is advantageously illuminated by the light emission of the side light module after it is switched on following an animation, without the steering angle having to be changed. It can be provided that the signal for switching on the side light module is only generated when the steering angle exceeds a certain threshold value.This threshold is set so that it is likely that a turn will be executed shortly. For example, if the steering angle is very small, a curve may be negotiated.

[0014] Another criterion for generating the signal to switch on the sidelight module is the vehicle's speed, which can be detected and taken into account. For example, the signal to switch on the sidelight module can only be generated if the speed is below a threshold. This threshold is particularly likely to be in an area where a turn is likely to be made shortly. If, for example, the speed corresponds to the speed limit in an urban area or on a country road, it is unlikely that a turn will follow the change in steering angle. In this case, it is more likely that a curve with a small radius will be negotiated, for example.

[0015] The steering angle and the vehicle's speed can also be combined to generate the signal to activate the second light module. Different steering angle ranges can be defined for different speeds, in which a turn is typically imminent.

[0016] Finally, the signal to switch on the sidelight module is only generated when another lighting function, such as a low beam, is already switched on. In this case, the light emission of the sidelight module is only switched on in addition to the low beam. It can also be provided that the sidelight module is not switched on when another lighting function, such as the high beam, is switched on.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, all light sources of the sidelight module are switched on one after the other to generate the sidelight illumination, regardless of the steering angle and / or the course of the expected next section of road traveled, once the signal to switch on the sidelight module has been generated. The steering angle or the course of the expected next section of road traveled is thus only a condition for generating the signal to switch on the sidelight module, but not for the subsequently performed lighting animation, in which the light sources of the sidelight module are switched on one after the other. This advantageously ensures particularly good illumination of the side areas after the sidelight module has been switched on.

[0018] According to a further development of the method according to the invention, the vehicle speed is detected, and a first supplementary signal for switching on the side light module is generated as a function of the detected vehicle speed. Once this first supplementary signal for switching on the side light module has been generated, at least some of the light sources of the side light module are switched on to generate supplementary side light illumination as a function of the detected vehicle speed. In this case, the light sources of the side light module are therefore not necessarily switched on one after the other. Depending on the detected vehicle speed, a first light source of the side light module can be switched on first. Only after the vehicle speed has further decreased can a further light source of the side light module be switched on.Even in this case, however, the switching on of individual light sources of the sidelight module can occur independently of the steering angle. By generating the first supplementary signal, the method according to the invention can advantageously provide an additional function in which the illumination of the side areas of the vehicle is changed depending on the speed. In this case, in particular, two symmetrically arranged sidelight modules on both sides of the vehicle are controlled in such a way that the light distribution of the low beam is broadened on both sides in the near side area.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, driving situation data are recorded, and a second supplementary signal for switching on the sidelight module is generated depending on the recorded driving situation data. Once the second supplementary signal for switching on the sidelight module has been generated, at least some of the light sources of the sidelight module are switched on one after the other to generate supplementary sidelight illumination, in particular independent of the steering angle. As a result, the method according to the invention can advantageously provide a further additional function, namely illumination of the side area depending on specific driving situations.

[0020] Using the driving situation data, for example, a bad weather situation, an off-road driving situation, and / or a city trip can be recorded. To record the driving situation data, data from a navigation system, image data from a camera, data from a light sensor, and / or data from a vehicle control device can be taken into account. This allows the side light illumination to be advantageously adapted to the driving situation. This can increase safety while driving the vehicle and create a flexible light distribution that is adapted to the driving situation.

[0021] In this document, a side area is understood to mean, in particular, the area diagonally in front of the vehicle. It may, for example, comprise an opening angle of 90°, with the apex of the opening angle being located near the front corner of the vehicle, for example, within the headlight housing, and one leg of the opening angle running parallel and the other leg perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the switched-on light sources of the sidelight module emit light into the side area of ​​the vehicle in a direction that encloses an angle with the direction of travel that is greater than or equal to 80°, in particular greater than or equal to 90°. The sidelight module particularly complements the headlights of the vehicle. It provides sidelight illumination that supplements the light distribution of another lighting function, such as the low beam, to the side. Thus, in particular, sidelight illumination is provided that has an aperture angle and an orientation that extends from the lateral cut-off line, for example of the low beam, up to an angle of 90° to the direction of travel or to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0023] The lighting device according to the invention is characterized in that the control unit is configured such that the light sources of the sidelight module are switched on sequentially to generate sidelight illumination, independent of the steering angle, once the signal for switching on the sidelight module has been generated. A steering angle sensor is provided to detect the steering angle of the vehicle and to generate the signal for switching on the sidelight module depending on the detected steering angle.

[0024] The lighting device according to the invention is thus particularly designed to carry out the above-described method according to the invention. The lighting device thus has the same advantages as the method according to the invention.

[0025] The light sources of the side light module are arranged in particular in a matrix or in a row. For example, three or more light sources can be provided, the primary radiation directions of which are at an angle of 10° to 30° to one another. The aperture angle of the emitted light fan of at least some of the light sources is in particular in a range of 10° to 35°, in particular of 15° to 30°. A light fan is understood to be a cross-section, in particular a horizontal cross-section, of the light cone emitted by a light source. The emitted light fans of the light sources of the side light module overlap one another and thus form a light fan with a larger aperture angle. The range of the light emission in particular only covers the area near the vehicle, thus preventing other road users who are further away from the vehicle in the side areas from being dazzled.

[0026] In the following, an embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the attached drawings. Fig. 1 shows the light distribution generated by an embodiment of the method according to the invention or an embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the Fig. 1 shown light distribution on a measuring screen, Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the Fig. 4A to 4G illustrate the embodiment of the method according to the invention using a turning process and the Fig. 5A to 5D illustrate an aspect of the embodiment of the method according to the invention in different driving situations.

[0027] With reference to the Fig. 1 to 3, the embodiment of the lighting device 6 according to the invention is first described: A vehicle 1 includes a lighting device 6 arranged on the front right and left sides of the vehicle 1. By means of these two lighting devices 6, the light distribution 2 of a conventional low beam can be generated. Additionally, the light distributions 3, 4, and 5 can be generated in the side areas of the vehicle 1. Fig. 1, these light distributions 2 to 5 are shown in a top view relative to a road and relative to the vehicle 1, which includes the lighting devices 6. In Fig. 2, the light distributions 2 to 5 are shown on a measuring screen which is arranged in front of the vehicle 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of the right-hand lighting device 6. The left-hand lighting device 6 is constructed correspondingly symmetrically.

[0029] The lighting device 6 comprises, in a manner known per se, a lens 7, behind which a light source 8 is arranged for generating the light distribution 2 for the low beam. This is a headlight known per se for a low beam, which may optionally have further optical elements such as a reflector and a lens. Fig. 3 not shown.

[0030] Furthermore, the lighting device 6 comprises a side light module 12, which comprises a plurality of light sources. In the present exemplary embodiment, three separate light sources 9, 10 and 11 are provided, which are, for example, each array comprising a light-emitting diode or a plurality of individual light-emitting diodes. Optical elements can be assigned to the light sources 9, 10 and 11 to generate a defined radiation characteristic, which optical elements are arranged in Fig. 3 are not shown.

[0031] As in Fig. 3, the light emissions of the light sources 9, 10, and 11 are directed in different directions to illuminate different, complementary side areas of the vehicle 1. For this purpose, disc lenses can be arranged in front of the light sources 9, 10, and 11, for example, which point in different directions and which generate the desired radiation characteristics of the light emissions of the light sources 9, 10, and 11.

[0032] If we consider a horizontal cross-section as shown in Fig. 3, the respective primary radiation directions of the light emissions from light sources 9, 10, and 11 have an increasing angle to the vehicle's longitudinal axis F. The respective emitted light fans L1, L2, and L3 are designed with their respective aperture angle α, which is preferably the same for all light sources 9, 10, and 11, such that the light fans L1, L2, and L3 overlap. The light fans L1, L2, and L3 thus generate a light distribution whose most oblique radiation encloses an angle β with the vehicle's longitudinal axis F. The aperture angles α of the light emissions from light sources 9, 10, and 11 are, for example, 15°; the angle β can reach up to 90°.

[0033] Light sources 8 to 11 are coupled to a central control unit 13, which can control light sources 8 to 11 separately. Control unit 13 can switch light sources 8 to 11 on and off. Furthermore, control unit 13 can control the emitted light intensity of light sources 8 to 11. Of the light sources 8 to 11, light sources 9 to 11 in particular are dimmable. For this purpose, additional switching devices may be provided for light sources 9 to 11, which implement pulse width modulation for the light sources 9 to 11, which are configured as light-emitting diodes.

[0034] The control unit 13 is further coupled to a switching device 14 for generating a signal for switching on the sidelight module 12. The switching device 14 can further generate a signal for switching on the light source 8 for the low beam. The switching device 14 is in turn coupled to a steering angle sensor 15, a speed sensor 16, a navigation system 17, and an operating device 18. In further embodiments, the switching device 14 can also be coupled to other sensors or systems of the vehicle 1, e.g., a light sensor or a camera; in still other embodiments, the switching device 14 is coupled to fewer sensors or devices. Based on the data transmitted to the switching device 14, the switching device 14 can generate the signal for switching on the sidelight module 12.Furthermore, the switching device 14 can use this data to generate additional supplementary signals for controlling the light sources 9 to 11. These supplementary signals can, for example, contain information about the target values ​​of the light intensities, in particular of the light sources 9 to 11, and information about which of the light sources 9 to 11 are to be switched on. The control unit 13 converts these signals from the switching device 14 to control the light sources 8 to 11.

[0035] In the following, an embodiment of the method according to the invention as well as details of the design of the embodiment of the lighting device 6 according to the invention are explained: First, the method is described in connection with a turning manoeuvre of vehicle 1 with reference to the Fig. 4A to 4G explained.

[0036] Vehicle 1 is located before an intersection or a junction or is approaching the intersection or junction, as described in Fig. 4A. The low beam is switched on, so that the lighting device 6 generates the light distribution 2 of the low beam. The driver of the vehicle 1 now actuates the shift lever of the operating device 18 to switch on the right turn indicator. This actuation is detected by the switching device 14. At the same time, the switching device 14 detects, based on the data transmitted by the speed sensor 16, that the speed of the vehicle 1 is below a certain limit. The switching device 14 evaluates this data and concludes that a turning maneuver is imminent. The switching device 14 then generates a signal to switch on the side light module 12 and transmits this signal to the control unit 13.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the signal for switching on the side light module 12 for a driving situation in which the vehicle 1 is expected to turn at an intersection or turn can be generated in a different way. For example, the steering angle can be detected using the steering angle sensor 15. If the switching device 14 detects that the steering angle exceeds a defined value, the switching device 14 can generate the signal for switching on the side light module. In addition, the switching device 14 can take into account data from the navigation system 17 or the image data from a camera in order to verify that a turning maneuver is highly likely to occur. In this case, the signal for switching on the side light module 12 is generated depending on the steering angle. However, the switching on of the additional light sources 10 and 11 of the side light module 12 continues to occur independently of the steering angle.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the section of road likely to be traveled next by vehicle 1 can also be predicted in a manner other than by activating the turn indicator. The switching device 14 can determine whether a turning maneuver is imminent. For example, a route from the navigation system 17 or a predictively calculated navigation route can be taken into account for this purpose. If it has been determined in this way that vehicle 1 will turn in a certain direction at an upcoming turn or intersection, the switching device 14 can generate a corresponding signal to switch on the respective sidelight module 12 of the corresponding lighting device 6.

[0039] After the signal to switch on the sidelight module 12 has been transmitted to the control unit 13, the control unit 13 now controls the light sources 9, 10, and 11 of the sidelight module 12 so that they are switched on one after the other to generate sidelight illumination. Thus, the light source 9 is switched on first, so that the light distribution 3 is generated on the right side of the vehicle 1, as shown in Fig. 4A. If necessary, the intensity of the light emission of the light source 9 can be successively increased until it reaches its maximum value. Independently of further signals from the switching device 14, the light source 10 is switched on by means of the control unit 13 within a defined time interval after the light source 9 is switched on. In this case, too, the intensity of the light emission of the light source 10 can be successively increased up to a maximum value. Fig. Figure 4B shows the light emission after switching on the light source 10. In the right side area of ​​the vehicle 1, the light distributions 3 and 4 are thus obtained in addition to the light distribution 2 of the low beam.

[0040] After a further time interval after switching on the light source 10, the last light source 11 of the side light module 12 is switched on and the intensity of the light emission of this light source 11 is also successively increased to a maximum value. Fig. 4C shows the light distribution after the last light source 11 of the sidelight module 12 is switched on. In this case, light distributions 3, 4, and 5 are generated in addition to light distribution 2 for the low beam in the front right side area of ​​the vehicle 1.

[0041] When light source 10 is switched on, light source 9 remains switched on. Likewise, when light source 11 is switched on, light sources 9 and 10 remain switched on.

[0042] It should be noted that the light sources 9, 10 and 11 of the side light module 12 are not switched on simultaneously, but one after the other. Furthermore, it should be noted that the switching on of the light sources 10 and 11 is independent of the steering angle. Therefore, no further signal from the switching device 14 is required to switch on the other light sources 10 and 11. Even if the vehicle 1 is switched on as shown in the Fig. 4A to 4C, and the steering angle does not change, the light sources 9 to 11 are switched on sequentially. In this way, an animation of the light distribution for the side light illumination is generated, in which the light distribution 2 of the low beam gradually spreads into the desired side area or areas. However, since the switching on of the light sources 9 to 11 occurs independently of the steering angle, the outermost side areas are also illuminated after the animation, so that during a turning maneuver, a pedestrian who is about to enter the lane into which the vehicle 1 is turning can be reliably illuminated and thus detected by the driver of the vehicle 1.

[0043] As in Fig. 4D, vehicle 1 now turns into the road branching off to the right and then moves away from the junction or intersection. As shown in the Fig. 4E to 4G, the light sources 9 to 12 are now switched off in reverse order by means of the control unit 13. During this switching-off process, the control unit 13 can consider data from the speed sensor 16 to calculate the distance from the junction. The data from the speed sensor 16 and the other units 16 to 18 can be transmitted to the control unit 13 for this purpose via the switching device 14.

[0044] With reference to the Fig. 5A to 5D further refinements of the embodiment of the method according to the invention for different driving situations are explained: As an example, the following considers the situation in which vehicle 1 enters an urban area from a rural road. On the rural road, vehicle 1 initially travels at a higher speed, which is then gradually reduced until it enters the urban area.

[0045] At high speed, initially only the known light distribution 2 for the low beam is generated, as shown in Fig. 4A. If the speed of the vehicle 1 falls below a first limit value, this is detected by the switching device 14. The switching device 14 then generates a first supplementary signal for switching on the right and left light modules 12. If necessary, the switching device 14 also takes into account, for example, data from the navigation system 17 in order to detect that the vehicle 1 is approaching an urban area and that the speed reduction is not occurring for another reason. In this case, the first supplementary signal comprises the instruction to switch on the first light source 9 of the side light module 12. This instruction is implemented by the control unit 13 so that the light source 9 of the lighting device 6 is switched on on both sides of the vehicle 1, so that the light distribution 3 supplements the light distribution 2 of the low beam on the right and left in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle 1.

[0046] If the speed of the vehicle 1 falls below a second limit value, this is detected by the switching device 14, whereupon the first supplementary signal is again generated with the instruction to switch on the second light source 10 of the side light module 12. This instruction is implemented by the control unit 13, so that the Fig. 5C are generated. These light distributions correspond to a city light for driving through an urban area.

[0047] When the vehicle 1 leaves the urban area and gradually increases the speed, the light sources 9 and 10 of the side light module 12 on both sides of the vehicle 1 can be switched off one after the other in reverse order until only the Fig. 5A is generated for the low beam. Here, too, the switching device 14 can additionally take into account the data from the navigation system 17 each time a light source 9 or 10 is switched off in order to verify that the urban area is being left.

[0048] In the embodiment of the method according to the invention, there are further driving situations in which the Fig. 5B to 5D are generated. Generally, the switching device 14, for generating a second supplementary signal for switching on the sidelight module 12 of the lighting device 6 or for switching on the sidelight modules 12 of the lighting devices 6 on both sides of the vehicle 1, takes into account driving situation data transmitted by the steering angle sensor 15, the speed sensor 16, the navigation system 17, the operating device 18, or other devices to which the switching device 14 is coupled.

[0049] The operating device 18 may, for example, comprise a bad weather light button. If the driver of the vehicle 1 actuates this bad weather light button, a corresponding signal is transmitted to the switching device 14. The switching device 14 then transmits a second supplementary signal to the control unit 13 with the instruction to switch on the first light source 9 of the side light module 12 on both sides of the vehicle 1 in order to Fig. 5B to produce the light distribution shown.

[0050] Furthermore, the operating device 18 can comprise a driving experience switch for an off-road driving situation. If the driver of the vehicle 1 actuates this driving experience switch, a second supplementary signal is generated by means of the switching device 14 with the instruction to switch on the first light source 9 and the second light source 10 of the side light module 12 on both sides of the vehicle 1 in order to Fig. 5C to produce the light distribution shown.

[0051] Furthermore, a light sensor can be provided which is coupled to the switching device 14. Based on the data transmitted by the light sensor, the switching device 14 can generate supplementary signals which contain the instruction as to which of the light sources 9 to 11 of the side light module 12 or the side light modules 12 should be switched on and with which intensity of light emission. In this case, the visibility conditions, particularly due to the weather conditions in the surroundings of the vehicle 1, can be taken into account in order to generate optimal illumination of the side areas of the vehicle 1, as described in the Fig. 5B to 5D are shown. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 2 Light distribution of the low beam 3 Light distribution of the first light source 4 Light distribution of the second light source 5 Light distribution of the third light source 6 Lighting device 7 Lens 8 Light source for the low beam 9 first light source of the side light module 10 second light source of the side light module 11 third light source of the side light module 12 side light module 13 Control unit 14 Switching device 15 Steering angle sensor 16 Speed ​​sensor 17 Navigation system 18 Operating device L1-L3 light fan α opening angle β Angle of most oblique radiation F Vehicle longitudinal axis

Claims

[1] Method for controlling side light illumination of a vehicle (1) by means of a side light module (12), wherein the side light module (12) comprises a plurality of light sources (9, 10, 11) whose light emissions are directed in different directions and which illuminate different, complementary side areas, in which a signal for switching on the side light module (12) is generated and the light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12) are switched on one after the other to generate the side light illumination independently of the steering angle when the signal for switching on the side light module (12) has been generated, wherein a steering angle of the vehicle (1) is detected by means of a steering angle sensor (15) and the signal for switching on the side light module (12) is generated as a function of the detected steering angle. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the vehicle speed is detected and, depending on the detected vehicle speed, a first supplementary signal for switching on the side light module (12) is generated and at least some of the light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12) are switched on to generate supplementary side light illumination depending on the detected vehicle speed when the first supplementary signal for switching on the side light module (12) has been generated. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat driving situation data are recorded and, depending on the recorded driving situation data, a second supplementary signal for switching on the side light module (12) is generated and at least some of the light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12) are switched on one after the other to generate supplementary side light illumination when the second supplementary signal for switching on the side light module (12) has been generated. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that the driving situation data is used to record a bad weather situation, an off-road driving situation and / or a city trip. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the switched-on light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12) emit light into the side area of the vehicle (1) in a direction which encloses an angle with the direction of travel (F) which is greater than or equal to 80°, in particular greater than or equal to 90°. [6] Lighting device (6) for a vehicle (1) with a side light module (12) comprising a plurality of light sources (9, 10, 11) whose light emissions (3, 4, 5) are directed in different directions and which illuminate different, complementary side areas, a switching device (14) for generating a signal for switching on the side light module (12) and a control unit (13) which is coupled to the switching device (14) and the light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12), characterized byin that the control unit (13) is set up such that the light sources (9, 10, 11) of the side light module (12) are switched on one after the other to generate side light illumination, independent of the steering angle, when the signal for switching on the side light module (12) has been generated, wherein a steering angle sensor (15) is provided to detect the steering angle of the vehicle (1) and to generate the signal for switching on the side light module (12) as a function of the detected steering angle.

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