Computer-implemented method for controlling two optical modules

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling two optical modules, the method comprising the following steps: supplying the first optical module with a first electrical power and supplying the second optical module with a second electrical power; determining a first temperature of the first optical module and a second temperature of the second optical module; and adapting the first electrical power and the second electrical power according to the first temperature and the second temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling two optical modules. Background Art

[0002] In the context of this description, a light module is understood to be, in particular, a component on which a plurality of light sources, for example light-emitting diodes, are arranged. The light sources can be designed to emit electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm.

[0003] Light modules are used in motor vehicle headlights in the prior art. A headlight typically includes multiple light modules. DE 10 2017 131 229 A1 discloses a method for controlling a light module based on the temperature of light-emitting diodes in individual groups. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved computer-implemented method. Furthermore, an improved headlamp and an improved motor vehicle should be provided.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method according to the invention, a headlamp according to the invention and a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0006] According to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for controlling two optical modules includes the following steps: supplying the first optical module with a first electrical power and supplying the second optical module with a second electrical power. Furthermore, a first temperature of the first optical module and a second temperature of the second optical module are determined. The respective electrical powers are then adapted based on the first and second temperatures. The adaptation of the first and second electrical powers is performed based on the difference between the first and second temperatures, and the adaptation of the first and second electrical powers is performed using a sigmoid function, which is defined by the following formula:

[0007]

[0008] Wherein, t is the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and k is an adjustable constant.

[0009] Depending on the power, heat is generated by the corresponding modules. By adapting the power, excessive heating of one of the light modules can be prevented by reducing its power. If the power of another module is increased simultaneously, the total power used for light generation remains the same, so that if the light module is used, for example, as part of a motor vehicle headlight, there is no impact on the user.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sum of the first electrical power and the second electrical power remains unchanged during adaptation. Subsequently, for example, only the ratio of the two powers to the total power is changed. Thus, the total brightness of the two light modules remains unchanged.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the first temperature is higher than the second temperature, the first power can be reduced and the second power increased during adaptation. Furthermore, if the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, the first power can be increased and the second power reduced during adaptation. This reduces the risk of overheating of the two optical modules. If one optical module is hotter than the other, the power of the first optical module can be reduced to generate less heat.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when determining the first temperature, a first temperature sensor of the first optical module can measure multiple first temperature measurement values, and a second temperature sensor of the second optical module can measure multiple second temperature measurement values. The first temperature is determined using the multiple first temperature measurement values. The second temperature is determined using the multiple second temperature measurement values. Considering multiple temperature measurement values ​​is advantageous for more accurate determination of the first and second temperatures.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the highest first temperature measurement value of the first temperature measurement values ​​can be used when determining the first temperature. The highest second temperature measurement value of the second temperature measurement values ​​can be used when determining the second temperature. This is particularly advantageous in order to reduce the risk of overheating of the optical module.

[0014] For example, it is possible to also take into account further temperature measured values ​​in addition to the respective highest temperature measured value. However, it is also possible to determine the highest first temperature measured value as the first temperature and the highest second temperature measured value as the second temperature.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first average value can be formed from the plurality of first temperature measurements, and a second average value can be formed from the plurality of second temperature measurements. The first temperature can be determined using the first average value, and the second temperature can be determined using the second average value.

[0016] The respective mean value can be used, for example, in conjunction with the respective maximum temperature measured value to determine the respective temperature.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first electric power and the second electric power may be adapted according to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrical power and the second electrical power can be adapted using a Sigmoid function, which has proven to be particularly advantageous in practical experiments.

[0019] According to an implementation form of the present invention, the Sigmoid function may be a logistic function.

[0020] According to one implementation form of the present invention, the Sigmoid function can be defined by the following formula:

[0021]

[0022] Here, t is the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and k is an adjustable constant. Constant k can also be called a proportionality factor. The larger the constant k is, the greater the adaptation of the first power and the second power is, even when the temperature difference between the two optical modules is relatively small.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, k can be 1. This has proven to be advantageous in practical tests. However, it is also possible for k to have a value between 0.1 and 5, preferably between 0.5 and 2.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the Sigmoid function can be used to calculate the proportion of the second electric power to the total to be adjusted during the adaptation. Therefore, in the above formula, the proportion of the second electric power can be equal to sig(t).

[0025] The headlamp according to the present invention includes a first light module, a second light module, and a control unit. The first light module is configured to illuminate an area. The second light module is configured to illuminate the same area. The control unit is configured to implement the method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first and second electrical powers may originate from a current source. In this case, the control unit controls the supply of corresponding electrical powers to the first and second light modules.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first light module and the second light module may respectively include a plurality of light sources.

[0027] The motor vehicle according to the present invention comprises a headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the headlamp is designed to illuminate the roadway in front of the motor vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components and for components having identical or similar functions. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 a schematic diagram showing temperature distribution of an optical module including a plurality of temperature sensors; and

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of schematic diagrams of a plurality of Sigmoid functions used when adapting the electrical power of an optical module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] A plurality of temperature sensors 100 are provided on the light module, each of which outputs a temperature measurement value. Only three of the temperature sensors 100 are designated by reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, reference numerals are omitted for the remaining temperature sensors. During operation of the light module, a higher temperature is typically measured in the central region 101 than in the peripheral region 102.

[0032] To determine the power distribution between two optical modules, you can apply Figures 2A to 2C Here, Figure 2A The Sigmoid function corresponds to the formula Figure 2B The Sigmoid function corresponds to the formula and Figure 2C The Sigmoid function corresponds to the formula The x-axis shows the difference between the first temperature of the first light module and the second temperature of the second light module. In the above formula, t corresponds to this difference. For example, the highest temperature value measured by the temperature sensor on the first light module can be used as the first temperature. For example, the highest temperature value measured by the temperature sensor on the second light module can be used as the second temperature.

[0033] On the y-axis is shown sig(t), which corresponds to the proportion of the second electrical power of the second light module to the total power, wherein the total power corresponds to the sum of the first electrical power of the first light module and the second electrical power of the second light module.

[0034] If there is no difference between the first and second temperatures (this is the case with a value of 0 on the x-axis), the ratio is 0.5 in all cases. This means that both light modules are operating with the same electrical power. If the first temperature is greater than the second temperature (this is the case with a positive value on the x-axis), the ratio is close to 1. This means that the second electrical power is greater than the first. Therefore, the first light module generates less heat and can cool down slightly. If the second temperature is greater than the first temperature (this is the case with a negative value on the x-axis), the ratio is close to 0. This means that the first electrical power is greater than the second electrical power. Therefore, the second light module generates less heat and can cool down slightly. The sum of the first and second electrical powers always remains the same, so that there are no brightness fluctuations for the user.

[0035] from Figures 2A to 2C As can be seen from the overview, the Sigmoid function can be adapted to specific conditions by selecting a suitable constant in the exponent of the Euler number. If the power should be adapted relatively strongly even with relatively small temperature differences, this constant can be increased. If the power should be adapted more slowly, this constant can be reduced.

[0036] List of reference numerals:

[0037] 100 Temperature Sensor

[0038] 101 Central Area

[0039] 102 Outer Area

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling two optical modules, the method comprising the following steps: supplying the first optical module with a first electrical power and supplying the second optical module with a second electrical power; measuring a first temperature of the first optical module and a second temperature of the second optical module; as well as adapting the first electric power and the second electric power according to the first temperature and the second temperature, wherein the first electric power and the second electric power are adapted according to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, The first electric power and the second electric power are adapted using a Sigmoid function, and The Sigmoid function is defined by the following formula: Wherein, sig(t) corresponds to the ratio of the second electrical power of the second optical module to the total power, wherein the total power corresponds to the sum of the first electrical power of the first optical module and the second electrical power of the second optical module, t is the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and k is an adjustable constant.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sum of the first electrical power and the second electrical power remains unchanged during the adaptation.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that If the first temperature is higher than the second temperature, the first electric power is reduced and the second electric power is increased during adaptation; and if the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, the first electric power is increased and the second electric power is reduced during adaptation.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that When determining the first temperature, a plurality of first temperature measurement values ​​are measured by a first temperature sensor (100) of a first optical module, and a plurality of second temperature measurement values ​​are measured by a second temperature sensor (100) of a second optical module; the first temperature is determined using the first temperature measurement values, and the second temperature is determined using the second temperature measurement values.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The highest first temperature measurement value of the first temperature measurement values ​​is used when determining the first temperature, and the highest second temperature measurement value of the second temperature measurement values ​​is used when determining the second temperature.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that A first average value is formed from the first temperature measurement values, and a second average value is formed from the second temperature measurement values, a first temperature is determined using the first average value, and a second temperature is determined using the second average value.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The Sigmoid function is a logistic function.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that k＝1。 9. A headlamp for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light module, a second light module, and a control unit, wherein the first light module is designed to illuminate an area, the second light module is designed to illuminate the same area, and the control unit is designed to carry out the method according to claim 1.

10. The headlamp according to claim 9, characterized in that The first optical module and the second optical module each include a plurality of light sources.

11. A motor vehicle comprising a headlamp according to claim 9 or 10, which is designed to illuminate a roadway in front of the motor vehicle.

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