System for monitoring the environment of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for monitoring the environment of a motor vehicle (100), in particular an autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicle, wherein the system (1) comprises at least one optical image detection device (2) and also comprises an illumination device (3, 4), wherein the optical image detection device (2) is designed to detect a detection region (E1) of the environment, and wherein the detection region (E1) is at least partially, preferably completely, illuminable by the illumination device (3, 4), and wherein the illumination device (3, 4) is designed to produce a motor vehicle light distribution or a part of a motor vehicle light distribution. The system (1) comprises at least one optical additional image detection device (5), which is designed to detect a so-called additional detection region (E2), and wherein the system (1) also comprises an additional illumination device (6), which is designed to at least partially, preferably completely, illuminate the additional detection region (E2), also referred to as second detection region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the environment of a motor vehicle, particularly an autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicle, wherein the system includes at least one optical image detection device and also includes an illumination device, wherein the optical image detection device is configured to detect a detection area for detecting the environment, and wherein the detection area is at least partially, preferably completely, illuminated by the illumination device, and wherein the illumination device is configured to generate a motor vehicle light distribution or a portion thereof.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight for motor vehicles, particularly autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicles, wherein the motor vehicle headlight includes such a system. Background Technology

[0003] In motor vehicles, such as automobiles, image detection units are typically provided. These units monitor the vehicle's environment, for example, observing the area in front of the vehicle along the direction of travel. The image detection unit may include an object recognition unit and / or a pattern recognition unit, or one or more such units connected to the image detection unit. In this manner, for example, it can identify people and / or vehicles traveling in front and / or oncoming vehicles and / or road signs and / or traffic signals.

[0004] The detected information can be used, for example, to control or partially control a motor vehicle, especially a semi-autonomous or autonomous motor vehicle, and / or to perform automatic light distribution control of the motor vehicle's headlights or the headlights.

[0005] Typically, this image detection device is a camera, and usually one or more forward-facing image detection devices, i.e., oriented generally along or in the direction of travel. During the day, the visible area of ​​the image detection devices is well illuminated by ambient light. At night, the detection area is illuminated by the forward-facing image detection devices by light emitted by the vehicle's headlights or said headlights (e.g., by light emitted by an optical module, such as the low beam or high beam module of the headlights).

[0006] To broaden the visible area of ​​the system, at least one additional image detection device is provided, which can detect the area adjacent to the detection area of ​​the existing, typically forward-oriented image detection device(s), so that, for example, the lateral area of ​​the vehicle can be observed / detected in addition to the forward area at the vehicle.

[0007] However, the lateral areas of a motor vehicle are not illuminated or are not sufficiently illuminated by one or more of the vehicle's headlights, especially not by the main light modules of the headlights, such as the low beam or high beam modules, which limits the field of view of (multiple) additional image detection devices at night. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution for the aforementioned system to function perfectly even at night.

[0009] The objective is achieved by means of the system mentioned at the beginning, wherein, according to the present invention, the system includes at least one optical additional image detection device configured to detect a so-called additional detection region, and wherein the system further includes an additional illumination device configured to at least partially, preferably completely, illuminate the additional detection region, also referred to as a second detection region.

[0010] In this manner, lateral regions can be reliably detected even at night or under poor visibility conditions with the aid of an additional image detection unit.

[0011] For example, it is proposed here that the image detection device is oriented along a first detection direction, and an additional image detection device is oriented along a second detection direction, wherein the first detection direction and the second detection direction have an angle α between them in the horizontal direction, wherein α ≠ 0 is applicable.

[0012] The angle "along the horizontal direction" can be understood as the angle between two vertical planes, each of which contains a different detection direction (for example, one vertical plane contains a first detection direction and the other vertical plane contains a second detection direction).

[0013] Each image detection device has a specific detection angle, such as along the horizontal and / or vertical direction. The detection angles can be the same or different in the detection direction. "Detection direction" is understood as the direction that bisects the horizontal and / or vertical detection angles.

[0014] Preferably, the angle α is between 45° and 65°, with α preferably being 55°. This allows for good detection of lateral areas.

[0015] It can be proposed that the detection direction extends roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and the second detection direction extends away from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle along the forward direction.

[0016] Preferably, the illumination device is a component of the headlights of motor vehicles, particularly motor vehicles. This results in a compact unit that is easy to install.

[0017] For example, an image detection device includes one or more cameras.

[0018] The additional image detection device preferably includes one or more additional cameras.

[0019] It can be proposed that the illumination device includes a low beam module for generating a low beam distribution and / or a high beam module for generating a high beam distribution, or a combined module for generating both low beam and high beam distributions.

[0020] It can be proposed that there be a first detection area and a second detection area.

[0021] - They do not overlap or touch each other, or

[0022] -They partially overlap, or

[0023] - They touch each other at least partially and may partially overlap.

[0024] The system may have a particularly non-optical environmental detection device, which includes, for example, radar and / or lidar, and wherein the environmental detection device is configured to detect an additional so-called third detection area, and wherein the environmental detection device has a third detection direction, wherein preferably, the third detection area at least partially overlaps with the first and / or second, preferably with the first and second detection areas respectively, or the third detection area does not overlap with either of the two detection areas.

[0025] The third detection direction is preferably observed horizontally between two other detection directions, or, where applicable, the second and third detection directions overlap.

[0026] The system according to the invention, such as a motor vehicle headlight, may include or have additional detection devices, such as sensor modules, such as lidar / radar, by means of which additional, such as supplementary and / or redundant, data can be acquired for other (image) detection devices. Through so-called "sensor fusion," which combines or fuses the data from the detection devices, it becomes possible to form the best possible image or picture of the detected environment.

[0027] Preferably, the additional irradiation device is an irradiation device for generating a vehicle light distribution or a portion thereof, or the additional irradiation device is a light source, such as in the form of a lamp or LED.

[0028] Depending on the type of additional image detection unit used, the additional illumination device, especially the light source, can be configured to emit light in the visible range, for example, a white light source, or configured to emit light in the infrared range.

[0029] For example, it could be suggested that additional illumination devices be installed to generate turn signal distribution.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be proposed that the illuminated area of ​​the additional illumination device, the so-called additional illumination area...

[0031] - Positioned below the HD line used for low beam headlights to, for example, avoid glare from oncoming traffic, or

[0032] - Located below and above the HD line for low beam headlights, and preferably at the HD line for low beam headlights, thereby enabling the best possible illumination and support for the additional image detection device.

[0033] As the name suggests, the "illuminated area" can be understood, for example, as the area in front of a motor vehicle, which is illuminated by a corresponding illumination device. In an illumination device used to generate a motor vehicle light distribution or a portion thereof, the illuminated area, the so-called main illuminated area, corresponds, for example, to a low beam distribution or a high beam distribution.

[0034] Preferably, the additional image detection device and the additional illumination device operate synchronously, such that the additional illumination device emits light only during a time window in which the additional image detection device detects the image.

[0035] Typically, the lateral regions need not be illuminated continuously; it is sufficient to illuminate them only when an additional image detection device is detecting the environment and / or when light conditions necessitate activation.

[0036] For example, it could be proposed to couple to an environmental detection device, that is, to activate the additional illumination device based on information from the environmental detection device. For instance, if the environmental detection device detects an obstacle in the lateral region, but the additional image detection device does not detect the obstacle, then the additional illumination device is activated.

[0037] It can be proposed that an additional image detection device be set up for detecting visible light and / or for IR radiation.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight for motor vehicles, particularly autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicles, wherein the motor vehicle headlight includes such a system, wherein preferably, an optical image detection device is disposed in the lateral edge region of the headlight, and / or an additional optical image detection device is disposed in the second edge region of the headlight.

[0039] Preferably, the headlight has a cover plate, wherein the optical image detection device is configured such that a first detection direction extends orthogonally to the region of the cover plate opposite to the optical image detection device, and / or the optical additional image detection device is configured such that a second detection direction extends orthogonally to the region of the cover plate opposite to the optical additional image detection device.

[0040] The expression "the area where the detection direction is orthogonal to the cover plate" can be understood, for example, as the detection direction or a line extending along the detection direction being orthogonal to a tangential plane at the point of penetration through the cover plate, the tangential plane being attached to the cover plate at the point of penetration.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle having preferably two, left and right, motor vehicle headlights as described above.

[0042] Preferably, the motor vehicle includes the system described above, wherein at least the illumination device is a component of the motor vehicle's headlights.

[0043] Preferably, at least the additional illumination device is a component of the motor vehicle headlight, especially a motor vehicle headlight that includes the illumination device. Attached Figure Description

[0044] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0045] Figure 1 The left headlight of the vehicle is shown, and

[0046] Figure 2 A motor vehicle with two headlights is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Figure 1 The system 1 according to the invention is shown, which is incorporated into or forms a motor vehicle headlight 10. System 1 includes an optical image detection device 2 in the form of a camera 2 and illumination devices 3 and 4. In this example, the illumination devices include a low beam module 3 and a high beam module 4, which are configured to generate a low beam or high beam distribution, by means of which, when the corresponding module is activated, illuminate a first illumination area A1, A2 (“main illumination area”).

[0048] Camera 2 establishes a detection area E1 for detecting the environment, enabling it to generate an image of the detected environment. The detection area E1 is illuminated at least partially, as shown, or preferably entirely, by the low beam module 3 and / or the high beam module 4.

[0049] According to the present invention, system 1 includes an optical additional image detection device 5, preferably in the form of an additional camera 5, which is configured to detect an additional detection area E2. In addition, system 1 also has an additional illumination device 6, which has an additional illumination area A3, which is configured to at least partially, preferably completely, illuminate the additional detection area E2, also referred to as the second detection area E2.

[0050] In this manner, even at night or under poor visibility conditions, system 1, especially motor vehicle headlight 10 (or motor vehicle 100, see [link]), can be reliably detected by means of an additional image detection unit. Figure 2 ) lateral region.

[0051] The additional irradiation device 6 may be an irradiation device for generating a vehicle light distribution or a portion thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the additional irradiation device 6 is a light source, such as in the form of a lamp or an LED.

[0052] Depending on the type of additional image detection unit used, the additional illumination device 6, in this example, the light source 6 emits light in the visible range (e.g., a white light source), or it emits light in the infrared range.

[0053] The system 1 shown also includes a non-optical environmental detection device 7, which includes, for example, radar and / or lidar, and is configured to detect an additional, so-called third detection area E3.

[0054] As in Figure 1 As can be seen, image detection device 2 is oriented along a first detection direction R1, and additional image detection device 5 is oriented along a second detection direction R2. The first detection direction R1 and the second detection direction R2 occupy an angle α between each other when viewed horizontally, wherein α ≠ 0 is preferred. Preferably, the angle α is between 45° and 65°, wherein α = 55° is preferred. This allows for good detection of lateral areas.

[0055] For example, in the case of motor vehicle 100 Figure 2 As can be seen, System 1 is installed in the vehicle as the left headlight 10 (preferably, System 1 is also installed in the vehicle as the right headlight 10 in the corresponding mirror image), the detection direction R1 extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 of the vehicle, and the second detection direction R2 extends away from the longitudinal axis L1 of the vehicle when viewed in the forward direction.

[0056] The environmental detection device 7 has a third detection direction R3, wherein preferably, the third detection area E3 overlaps at least partially with the first and / or second, and more preferably with the first and second detection areas E1 and E2, respectively.

[0057] The environmental detection device 7 is preferably located between the two cameras 2 and 5. The third detection direction R3 is preferably—observed horizontally—has a non-zero angle relative to the first detection direction R1, and extends away from the vehicle's longitudinal axis L1 in the direction of travel. The angle between the third detection direction R3 and the first detection direction R1 is, for example, less than or equal to the angle α between the first and second detection directions R1 and R2.

[0058] Preferably, as shown, the optical image detection device 2 is disposed in the lateral edge region of the headlight 10, preferably in the edge region facing the interior of the vehicle, and the optical additional image detection device 5 is disposed in the second edge region, the edge region of the headlight located on the outer side of the vehicle.

Claims

1. System (1) for monitoring an environment of a motor vehicle (100), wherein the system (1) comprises at least one optical image detection device (2) and further comprises an illumination device (3, 4), wherein the optical image detection device (2) is designed for detecting a first detection area (El) of the environment, and wherein the first detection area (El) is at least partially illuminable by the illumination device (3, 4), and wherein the illumination device (3, 4) is designed for generating a motor vehicle light distribution or a part of a motor vehicle light distribution, wherein the system (1) comprises at least one optical additional image detection device (5) which is designed for detecting a so-called additional detection area, and wherein the system (1) further comprises an additional illumination device (6) which is designed for at least partially illuminating the additional detection area, also referred to as a second detection area (E2), characterized in that the system has a non-optical environment detection device (7), and wherein the environment detection device (7) is designed for detecting a further so-called third detection area (E3), and wherein the environment detection device (7) has a third detection direction (R3), wherein the third detection area (E3) at least partially overlaps the first detection area (El) and the second detection area (E2), respectively, and wherein the additional illumination device (6) is coupled to the environment detection device (7) in such a way that the additional illumination device (6) can be activated on the basis of information of the environment detection device (7), wherein the additional illumination device is activated if the environment detection device recognizes an obstacle in a lateral area, but the optical additional image detection device does not recognize the obstacle.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the optical image detection device (2) is oriented along a first detection direction (Rl) and the optical additional image detection device (5) is oriented along a second detection direction (R2), and wherein the first detection direction (Rl) and the second detection direction (R2) have an angle a to each other in horizontal direction, wherein a ≠ 0 applies.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the first detection direction (Rl) extends approximately parallel to a motor vehicle longitudinal axis (LI) and the second detection direction (R2) extends away from the vehicle longitudinal axis (LI) as viewed in the direction of travel.

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination device (3, 4) is an integral part of a motor vehicle headlamp (10).

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical image detection device (2) comprises one or more cameras, and / or wherein the optical additional image detection device (5) comprises one or more additional cameras.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination device (3, 4) comprises a low beam module for generating a low beam distribution and / or a high beam module for generating a high beam distribution. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination device (3, 4) comprises a combination module for generating a low beam distribution and a high beam distribution.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first detection area (El) and the second detection area (E2) - do not overlap and do not touch each other, or - partially overlap each other, or - at least section-wise touch each other and possibly partially overlap.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional illumination device (6) is an illumination apparatus for generating a motor vehicle light distribution or a part of a motor vehicle light distribution, or the additional illumination device (6) is a light source.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional illumination device (6) is set up for emitting light in the visible range or is set up for emitting light in the infrared range.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional illumination device (6) is set up for generating a turn signal light distribution.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination area (A3), the so-called additional illumination area, of the additional illumination device (6) - is below the HD line, or - is above the HD line.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical additional image detection device (5) and the additional illumination device (6) are operated synchronously, such that the additional illumination device (6) emits light only in a time window in which the optical additional image detection device (5) detects an image.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical additional image detection device (5) is set up for detecting visible light and / or for detecting IR radiation.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle (100) is an autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicle.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first detection area (El) can be completely illuminated by the illumination device (3, 4).

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the additional illumination device (6) is set up to completely illuminate the additional detection area.

18. The system according to claim 2, wherein the angle a is between 45° and 65°.

19. The system according to claim 2, wherein a = 55° applies.

20. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination device (3, 4) is an integral part of a motor vehicle headlamp (10) of the motor vehicle (100).

21. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the environment detection device (7) comprises a radar and / or a lidar.

22. The system according to claim 9, wherein the light source is in the form of a lamp or an LED.

23. The system according to claim 10, wherein the additional illumination device (6) is designed as a white light source.

24. The system according to claim 9, wherein the light source is designed to emit light in the visible range or to constitute a light source for emitting light in the infrared range.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the light source is constituted as a white light source.

26. The system according to claim 12, wherein the illumination area (A3) is at the HD line.

27. Motor vehicle headlamp for a motor vehicle (100), wherein the motor vehicle headlamp (10) comprises a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 26.

28. Motor vehicle headlamp according to claim 27, wherein the optical image detection device (2) is arranged in a lateral edge region of the motor vehicle headlamp (10) and / or the optical additional image detection device (5) is arranged in a second edge region of the motor vehicle headlamp.

29. Motor vehicle headlamp according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the motor vehicle headlamp has a coverage disc and wherein the optical image detection device (2) is arranged such that the first detection direction (R1) runs orthogonally to a region of the coverage disc which is opposite the optical image detection device (2) and / or the optical additional image detection device (5) is arranged such that the second detection direction (R2) runs orthogonally to a region of the coverage disc which is opposite the optical additional image detection device (5).

30. Motor vehicle headlamp according to claim 27, wherein the motor vehicle (100) is an autonomous or semi-autonomous motor vehicle.

31. Motor vehicle having a motor vehicle headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 27 to 30.

32. Motor vehicle according to claim 31, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a left and a right motor vehicle headlamp (10).

33. Motor vehicle according to claim 31, wherein at least the illumination device (3, 4) is an integral part of the motor vehicle headlamp (10) of the motor vehicle (100).

34. Motor vehicle according to claim 31, wherein at least the additional illumination device (6) is an integral part of a motor vehicle headlamp.

35. Motor vehicle according to claim 31, wherein at least the additional illumination device (6) is an integral part of a motor vehicle headlamp (10) which comprises the illumination device (3, 4).

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