How to control the front headlights of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (1) for controlling the front headlights (2) of a vehicle (3), wherein each of the front headlights (2) has a plurality of feasible anti-glare areas (4). The present invention is characterized in that the number of selectable anti-glare areas (4) is selected by the driver and / or adapted to a selected driving program. The present invention further relates to the front headlights of a vehicle (3) for performing this method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle's front headlight. The present invention further relates to a front headlight for carrying out this method.

Background Art

[0002] In headlamps, especially front headlamps, individual anti-glare regions can be arbitrarily defined.

[0003] From Patent Document 1, a headlamp device for an automobile is known. This has a segmented light source having light source segments that can be individually switched off to generate a non-glare high beam using an automatic dimming system. The headlamp device is configured to be able to accurately suppress one or more regions in the main light distribution pattern of the headlamp device by deactivating individual light source segments. In the activated state, each light source segment illuminates a main beam segment region with a preset width in the main light distribution pattern of the headlamp. The width of the high beam segment region is preset in the main beam segment region according to the expected average motion characteristics of objects to avoid glare under normal traffic conditions. The fact that the light source segments are individually deactivated has the disadvantage that individual so-called "tunnels" occur that affect the driver's perception. In particular, these individual "tunnels" affect the driving experience. In this case, preferences vary from driver to driver. In particular, the driver cannot determine the settings of the front headlamp himself.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and a front headlight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 1, and more particularly the features of the feature portion of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and variations will become apparent from the dependent claims. Furthermore, a front headlight for an automobile is described.

[0007] The core of the method according to the present invention is that a selection of anti-glare areas can be chosen by the driver and / or adapted to a selected driving program. This allows for consideration of various driver preferences. This is particularly advantageous in the case of high-resolution headlights that can have a large number of anti-glare areas. In that case, the driver can, for example, select a saved program to ensure a desired number of anti-glare areas. On the other hand, the number of selected anti-glare areas can be adapted to a selected pre-program, for example, whether the vehicle is on a main road, highway, or in an urban area. Furthermore, vehicle speed and the driver's driving style can also be taken into consideration.

[0008] This method is designed to control the front headlights of a vehicle, with each headlight having multiple achievable anti-glare areas. This method can be used, for example, when a large number of anti-glare areas causes the high-beam light image (Lichtbild) to appear unstable in conventional methods or devices. By accommodating various driver needs, it allows drivers to find a comfortable setting.

[0009] Preferably, the number of anti-glare areas can be up to 120 per front headlight. This allows for individual settings for each front headlight. In this case, a large number of so-called "tunnels" can be provided, and since there is no need to connect individual objects, the utilization of high beams is also increased.

[0010] A highly advantageous development of this idea allows for the selective illumination of individual objects, ensuring that at least one anti-glare region exists between the objects. This, for example, avoids large light cones. Furthermore, it also avoids the illumination of unwanted areas between two objects.

[0011] In that case, according to an advantageous embodiment, it may be possible to select 10 to 120 anti-glare areas depending on the driving program. In particular, with high-resolution headlight technology, it is possible to provide up to 120 anti-glare areas. In certain embodiments of the headlight, it may be possible to provide more than 120 anti-glare areas.

[0012] Another advantageous embodiment may involve a driving program that includes eco mode, normal mode, and dynamic mode, allowing the selection of 10 anti-glare areas in eco mode, 30 in normal mode, and 120 in dynamic mode. This makes it possible, for example, to form 120 so-called "tunnels" at various locations in dynamic mode. This allows for the formation of, for example, 30 "tunnels" in normal mode and 10 individual "tunnels" in eco mode. Naturally, other modes may be provided in which a different number of anti-glare areas are offered. For example, eco mode may include 5 to 20 anti-glare areas, normal mode 20 to 70, and dynamic mode 70 to 120.

[0013] In that case, according to a highly advantageous development of this idea, the anti-glare areas can be selected via an application. The application can be, for example, an app connected to the vehicle. In that case, data can be provided in the cloud. The app can be operated, for example, on a mobile phone or tablet. The app can also be integrated into the vehicle itself and controlled by use within the vehicle, particularly on the display. Through the app, the driver can select, for example, a driving program or a desired number of anti-glare areas.

[0014] In that case, according to an advantageous embodiment, the anti-glare area can be selected in a manner dependent on the distance traveled. For example, if GPS data is stored, the number of anti-glare areas required can be made available, particularly depending on the individual driver, using a driving program optimized for that route.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment may involve the front headlights being DMD headlights or μLED headlights. Using such headlights, a number of anti-glare areas can be realized particularly advantageously.

[0016] The present invention further relates to a front headlight for a vehicle to carry out this method, wherein the front headlight has a plurality of anti-glare areas that can be selected by the driver or coupled to a driving program. The same features and advantages described with respect to the method apply to the front headlight. In particular, the front headlight can be designed to realize the features of various methods.

[0017] The present invention may further include a vehicle equipped with such front headlights. Furthermore, the present invention may include a vehicle designed to carry out the method according to the present invention.

[0018] Other advantageous embodiments of the method and the front headlight according to the present invention will also be apparent from exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail below with reference to the figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram of a vehicle when implementing the method in a possible embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] In the illustration of FIG. 1, a possible embodiment of Method 1 is shown. Method 1 is designed to control the front headlights 2 of the vehicle 3, and each of the front headlights 2 has a plurality of achievable anti-glare regions 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-glare region 4 directed at oncoming vehicles is shown. This anti-glare region 4 can be selected, for example, by the driver himself and / or adapted to a selected pre-program.

[0021] The vehicle 3 has a particularly high-resolution headlight technology, such as a DMD headlight or a μLED headlight, etc., whereby the front headlights 2 can realize a large number of anti-glare regions 4. Preferably, for example, it can include up to 120 anti-glare regions 4 per front headlight 2. Thereby, different modes such as, for example, an eco mode, a normal mode, a dynamic mode, etc. can be stored in the vehicle 3, and different numbers of anti-glare regions 4 are assigned to these.

[0022] The two front headlights 2 can react synchronously with each other, and the same anti-glare region 4 is selected for each. Further, in order to achieve individual lighting, each front headlight 2 can be controlled separately. In that case, each selection of the anti-glare region 4 can be made by the driver himself, for example via an app in the vehicle 3 or an app on a smartphone or a tablet. Further, the selection of the anti-glare region 4 can be adapted to a stored driving program. Therefore, when a certain driving program is selected, the corresponding number of anti-glare regions 4 is made available.

[0023] The anti-glare area 4 shown in Figure 1 is just one example; naturally, when displaying different objects within a so-called "tunnel," multiple such anti-glare areas 4 can be formed.

Claims

1. A method (1) for controlling the front headlights (2) of a vehicle (3), wherein each of the front headlights (2) has a plurality of achievable anti-glare areas (4), The method, characterized in that the number of selected anti-glare areas (4) is selected by the driver and / or adapted to a selected driving program.

2. The method according to claim 1 (1), characterized in that the number of the anti-glare areas (4) is up to 120 per front headlight (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 (1), characterized in that individual objects can be selectively illuminated and at least one anti-glare region (4) exists between the objects.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2, or 3 (1), characterized in that 10 to 120 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected depending on the driving program.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 (1), characterized in that the driving program includes an eco mode, a normal mode, and a dynamic mode, in which 10 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected in the eco mode, 30 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected in the normal mode, and 120 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected in the dynamic mode.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the anti-glare region (4) is selected via an application.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the anti-glare region (4) is selected depending on the distance traveled.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the front headlight (2) is a DMD headlight or a μLED headlight.

9. A front headlight (2) of a vehicle (3) for performing a method (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the front headlight (2) has a plurality of anti-glare areas (4) that can be selected by the driver or linked to a driving program.

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