Exterior lighting equipment for a motor vehicle

Abstract

An external lighting device for a motor vehicle is presented, comprising capacitor electrodes integrated into the external lighting device, and an operating and evaluation circuit electrically connected to the capacitor electrodes, which is designed to generate electrical measuring fields with the capacitor electrodes, and which is designed to detect an interaction of a measuring object located in one of the measuring fields with the measuring field for at least two of the capacitor electrodes individually.The outdoor lighting device is characterized by the fact that the capacitor electrodes are arranged in a series such that a sweeping movement of the object being measured along the series generates a sequence of interactions, and that the operating and evaluation circuit is designed to detect the sequence of interactions and compare it with a predetermined sequence criterion, and then, if the sequence meets the predetermined sequence criterion, to output a signal indicating that the outdoor lighting device has detected the sweeping movement of the object being measured.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior lighting device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an exterior lighting device is known from CN 216814038 U and comprises a plurality of capacitor electrodes integrated into the exterior lighting device and an operating and evaluation circuit electrically connected to the capacitor electrodes. This circuit is configured to generate electrical measuring fields with the capacitor electrodes and to detect an interaction of a measured object located in one of the measuring fields with the respective measuring field for at least two of the capacitor electrodes individually. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The present invention differs from the prior art mentioned at the outset by the characterizing features of claim 1. Accordingly, the capacitor electrodes are arranged in a series such that a sweeping movement of the object being measured along the series generates a sequence of interactions at the at least two capacitor electrodes, and the operating and evaluation circuit is configured to detect the sequence of interactions and compare it with a predetermined sequence criterion, and then, if the sequence meets the predetermined sequence criterion, to output a signal indicating that the outdoor lighting device has detected the sweeping movement of the object being measured.

[0003] An advantageous embodiment provides that the capacitor electrodes are integrated into a cover plate of the external lighting device.

[0004] It is also preferred that the capacitor electrodes are arranged on an inner side of the cover plate.

[0005] It is further preferred that the capacitor electrodes are arranged within the material volume of the cover plate.

[0006] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the capacitor electrodes are components of a cover plate heater.

[0007] It is also preferred that the capacitor electrodes are transparent films.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferred that the films consist of indium tin oxide.

[0009] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the capacitor electrodes are wires.

[0010] It is also preferred that the exterior lighting device be a headlight, a taillight or an illuminated front panel.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferred that the row runs horizontally when oriented in space in a manner that corresponds to the orientation of the row when the external lighting device is used as intended in a motor vehicle.

[0012] It is also preferred that the row runs vertically when oriented in space in a manner that corresponds to the orientation of the row when the exterior lighting device is used as intended in a motor vehicle.

[0013] Another advantageous embodiment provides that, when oriented in space in a manner corresponding to the orientation of the row when the exterior lighting device is used as intended in a motor vehicle, the row has a horizontal directional component and a vertical directional component.

[0014] Further advantages arise from the description and the attached figures.

[0015] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Drawings

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show, each in schematic form: Fig. 1 an embodiment of an outdoor lighting device according to the invention; Fig. 2 qualitatively a sequence of field strength profiles, as produced by a wiping hand movement; Fig. 3. An embodiment in which the capacitor electrodes are arranged on an inner side of the cover plate; and Fig. 4 an embodiment in which the capacitor electrodes are arranged within the material volume of the cover plate.

[0017] The external lighting device 10 has a housing 12, the light emission opening of which is covered by a cover plate 14 that is at least partially transparent. A light module 16 is arranged in the housing 12, with which a light distribution emitted by the external lighting device 10 during its intended use can be generated. The external lighting device 10 is, for example, a headlight, a taillight, or an illuminated front panel.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the x-direction represents a main emission direction of light from the light module and the external lighting device 10. The external lighting device 10 has a plurality of capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, which are preferably integrated into the interior of the external lighting device 10 enclosed by the housing 12 and the cover plate 14. The capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 are electrically connected to an operating and evaluation circuit 20, which is configured to generate electrical measuring fields 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 with the capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 and to detect an interaction of a measuring object 24 located in one of the measuring fields 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 with the respective measuring field 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 for at least two of the capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 individually.The operating and evaluation circuit 20 is preferably configured to detect interactions between the measuring fields and a hand movement 22, such that the object being measured 24 is preferably a hand performing a wiping movement 22.

[0019] The capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 are arranged in a series such that a sweeping movement 22 of the object 24 along the series generates a sequence of interactions at the at least two capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3.

[0020] When the external lighting device 10 is oriented in space in a manner that corresponds to its orientation when the external lighting device 10 is used as intended in a motor vehicle, the row runs in a horizontal direction y in one configuration.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the series runs vertically in the direction of the external lighting device 10 when oriented in space in a manner corresponding to its intended use in a motor vehicle.

[0022] In another alternative embodiment, the series has a horizontal directional component and a vertical directional component when the external lighting device 10 is oriented in space in a manner that corresponds to its orientation when the external lighting device 10 is used as intended in a motor vehicle.

[0023] During the wiping hand movement 22, the interaction occurs because the dielectric hand, forming a measuring object 24, reduces the field strength 18.i with i = 1, 2, 3, ... generated by the operating and evaluation circuit 20 between an electrically charged capacitor electrode 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 and ground 26, which leads to a change in the electrical operating signal generated by the operating and evaluation circuit 20. This change is reflected in the electrical parameter that is output by the operating and evaluation circuit 20 to the respective capacitor electrode 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, which is detectable by the operating and evaluation circuit 20.

[0024] The operating and evaluation circuit 20 is designed, in particular programmed, to detect the sequence of interactions and to compare it with a predetermined sequence criterion and then, if the sequence meets the predetermined sequence criterion, to output a signal S that indicates that the external lighting device 10 has detected the wiping movement 22 of the object 24 being measured.

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 qualitatively shows a sequence of field strength profiles 28.i with i = 1, 2, 3, as they occur during a wiping hand movement 22 through three measuring fields 20.1, 20.2, 20.3. The invention is not limited to an implementation with three measuring fields and can, in principle, be carried out with any number i greater than or equal to 2 of measuring fields 20. However, it has been shown that the use of three measuring fields represents a good compromise between the requirements for reliable detection of, in particular, horizontal wiping movements and the lowest possible equipment complexity.

[0026] Each maximum occurs in a measurement field in which there is currently no dielectric object 24 being measured. The uppermost field strength profile in Fig. 2. At the first point in time, all three measurement fields are empty. In the second field strength profile from the top... Fig. For example, in measurement field 20.1 from the left, a hand is located in the first measurement field, which leads to a reduction in the corresponding field strength 28.1 at a second time point. In the third field strength profile from the top, Fig. 2. The wiping hand has moved further into the second measurement field 20.2 from the left by a third point in time. Accordingly, a field strength maximum occurs again in the then empty first measurement field 20.1 from the left, while the field strength in the second measurement field 20.2 is reduced. In the fourth field strength profile from the top in Fig. By the fourth time point, the wiping hand had moved into the third measurement field 20.3 from the left. Accordingly, a field strength maximum reappears in the now empty second measurement field 20.1 from the left, while the field strength in the third measurement field 20.3 is reduced. The changes in field strength can each be detected by comparison with a threshold value.

[0027] The aforementioned signal S is output, for example, when the... Fig. The sequence of four field strength profiles shown in Figure 2 is recorded and evaluated. In a preferred embodiment, the operating and evaluation circuit 20 is configured to use or provide the aforementioned signal S for controlling a function of a motor vehicle, e.g., for switching on or off vehicle lighting, for opening and / or closing and / or locking the vehicle, or for switching on an electric heater, e.g., the exterior lighting device or an exhaust gas probe of the vehicle.

[0028] Other figures show embodiments in which the capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 are integrated into the cover plate 14 of the external lighting device 10. Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which a capacitor electrode 18 is arranged on an inner surface 30 of the cover plate 14 and is applied, for example, as a coating or by thermoforming. The capacitor electrode 18 is representative of the capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 from Fig. 1 shown. Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which a capacitor electrode 18 is arranged within the material volume of the cover plate 14, which can be achieved during injection molding of the cover plate 14 (e.g. by In Molded Printed Film).

[0029] The capacitor electrodes 18, or 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, are preferably components of an electric cover plate heater. In this embodiment, the capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 are each individually supplied with a current by the operating and evaluation circuit 20, which has two summands or partial currents. A first summand is primarily designed to generate a heating effect. A second summand is primarily designed to generate a measuring field 20.2, 20.2, 20.3 and to detect any interaction that may occur with a measuring object 24. In this case, the heating element is to be divided into separate sections in order to detect movement. Each capacitor electrode also serves as a heating element, so that in this embodiment two functions can be performed by the multiple use of a single structure.

[0030] The capacitor electrodes 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 are preferably transparent films, which as such may consist of indium tin oxide. Alternatively or additionally, the capacitor electrodes may be wires, as is known, for example, from heated windshields of motor vehicles. Due to their small diameter compared to the rest of the transparent area of ​​the cover plate, the wires may also be opaque. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 216814038 U

[0001]

Claims

[1] Exterior lighting device (10) for a motor vehicle with a plurality of capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) integrated into the exterior lighting device (10), and with an operating and evaluation circuit (20) electrically connected to the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3), which is configured to generate electrical measuring fields (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) with the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3), and which is configured to detect an interaction of a measurement object (24) located in one of the measuring fields (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) with the respective one of the measuring fields (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) for at least two of the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) individually, characterized by, that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are arranged in a series such that a sweeping movement (22) of the object being measured (24) along the series generates a sequence of interactions at the at least two capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3), and that the operating and evaluation circuit (20) is configured to detect the sequence of interactions and compare it with a predetermined sequence criterion and then, if the sequence meets the predetermined sequence criterion, output a signal indicating that the external lighting device (10) has detected the sweeping movement (22) of the object being measured (24). [2] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are integrated into a cover plate (14) of the external lighting device (10). [3] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are arranged on an inner side (30) of the cover disk (14). [4] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are arranged within the material volume of the cover disk (14). [5] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are components of a cover plate heater. [6] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are transparent films. [7] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the films consist of indium tin oxide. [8] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by , that the capacitor electrodes (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) are wires. [9] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the external lighting device (10) is a front headlight, a rear light or an illuminated front panel. [10] Outdoor lighting device according to (10) one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the row runs horizontally when the external lighting device (10) is oriented in space in a manner that corresponds to its orientation when the external lighting device (10) is used as intended in a motor vehicle. [11] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized by , that the row runs vertically when the external lighting device (10) is oriented in space in a manner that corresponds to its orientation when the external lighting device (10) is used as intended in a motor vehicle. [12] Outdoor lighting device (10) according to one of claims 1-9, characterized by, that when the external lighting device (10) is oriented in space in a manner corresponding to its intended use in a motor vehicle, the series has a horizontal directional component and a vertical directional component.

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