Headlights for vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headlamp (10) for a vehicle (101), comprising an LED unit (11) for providing headlamp light and a control unit (12) for actuating the LED unit (11). To this end, the present invention provides that the LED unit (11) comprises a coding resistor (CODE_L, CODE_R) which is designed to identify the headlamp (10) as a left headlamp (L) or a right headlamp (R).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headlamp according to the invention for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a headlamp arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, according to the invention. Background Art

[0002] Headlights for vehicles are generally known. Depending on the position of the headlight on the vehicle (left or right), the headlights must be actuated differently. The corresponding headlight control unit must identify which headlight (left or right) the control unit is to actuate. This is particularly important for headlights that do not receive direct turn signal signals but instead communicate with a vehicle-side control unit via bus signals. Known headlights provide for the headlight control unit to be connected to the cable harness via different lines, such as GND and UBAT, so that the corresponding control unit can identify the headlight as left or right. However, even when the headlight is off, standby current flows from the vehicle battery to the corresponding control unit. Furthermore, the control unit requires additional plug pins on the cable harness, control inputs on the control unit, and additional lines (GND or UBAT) between the cable harness and the control unit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a headlight that enables improved identification as a left headlight or a right headlight. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a headlight that is simple and cost-effective to construct, requires minimal space on the printed circuit boards of the LED units and the control unit, and can be easily connected and operated. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved headlight device for a vehicle and a corresponding motor vehicle.

[0004] The object according to the present invention is achieved by a headlight for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, having the features according to the present invention. Furthermore, the object according to the present invention is achieved by a headlight arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, the object according to the present invention is achieved by a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, in accordance with the present invention. Features and details described in connection with individual aspects according to the present invention naturally also apply in connection with other aspects according to the present invention, and vice versa, so that reference is always made to, or can be made to, one another with respect to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a headlamp for a vehicle, comprising: (at least one) LED unit for providing headlight light; and (at least one) control unit (of the headlamp itself) for operating the LED unit. To this end, the present invention provides that the LED unit includes a coding resistor (herein, an electronic component having a resistor), which is designed to identify the headlamp as a left headlamp or a right headlamp.

[0006] In the sense of the present invention, an LED unit can have one or more LEDs, which can be arranged, for example, on an LED printed circuit board. In the sense of the present invention, an LED unit can be designed to provide headlights for a first light function, such as a turn signal, and / or for a second light function, such as a daytime running light.

[0007] A control unit within the meaning of the present invention can have one or more control devices.

[0008] The present invention contemplates providing a coding resistor on the LED printed circuit board that identifies the headlight as left-hand or right-hand. The coding resistor can be used as a coding resistor already present on the LED printed circuit board, with its resistance being adapted to uniquely identify the headlight and indicate the light level for at least one light function of the LED. It is also conceivable within the scope of the present invention to provide a separate coding resistor solely for identifying the headlight as left-hand or right-hand.

[0009] The present invention eliminates the need for conventional lines (GND or UBAT) from the cable harness to the control unit. This simplifies the connection between the LED unit and the control unit. Plug pins are eliminated on this side of the cable harness. Consequently, control inputs are eliminated on this side of the control unit. This also saves space on the printed circuit board (PCB) of the control unit. This also eliminates the problem of quiescent current when the headlight is off. Furthermore, circuitry for detecting whether a GND or UBAT line is connected from the cable harness to the control unit is eliminated.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention can provide that, in a headlamp, the coding resistor is implemented as a combined coding resistor, which is used to identify at least one light level (or efficiency) for at least one light function of an LED unit and to identify the headlamp as a left-hand or right-hand headlamp. For a specific light function, the light level or efficiency of the LED unit is identified in order to set a suitable rated current for operating the LED unit. The combined coding resistor also makes the headlamp simpler and more cost-effective to implement. This eliminates the need to modify the (already existing) circuitry for identifying the LED unit (i.e., reading the coding resistor to determine the rated current value for the LED unit). The existing coding resistor for identifying the LED unit can be replaced solely by a modified coding resistor, which can differ from, for example, the unchanging coding resistor of other headlamps. In this way, the control unit can read the suitable rated current value for the LED unit based on the resistance value of the coding resistor and can also detect whether the headlamp or the control unit is installed on the left or right side of the vehicle.

[0011] Nevertheless, the present invention can provide for the coding resistor in a headlamp to be implemented as an additional coding resistor relative to at least one coding resistor (also referred to as identification resistor) of the LED unit, which is implemented to identify at least one light level for at least one light function of the LED unit. Thus, although the LED unit is implemented with an additional coding resistor, the identification resistor does not need to be changed. The circuitry of the control unit for identifying the LED unit can be easily modified to enable reading of the additional coding resistor. Furthermore, it is conceivable that no changes to the control unit are required to read the coding resistor. A dedicated electronic component, such as an LED matrix manager, can be provided to read the coding resistor.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention may provide for a control unit in a headlamp to include a circuit or a separate electronic component for reading a coding resistor. This circuit or electronic component is designed to use the coding resistor to identify at least one light level for at least one light function of the LED unit and to identify the headlamp as left-hand or right-hand. In the case of a combined coding resistor for identifying the light level of at least one light function of the LED unit and identifying the headlamp as left-hand or right-hand, this can be an existing circuit for identifying the LED unit. In the case of an additional coding resistor for identifying the headlamp as left-hand or right-hand, this can be a modified circuit of the control unit for identifying the LED unit. Both variants represent simple implementation possibilities for the headlamp within the meaning of the present invention. To read the coding resistor, in addition to or instead of a circuit within the control unit, a separate electronic component, such as an LED matrix manager, can be arranged structurally remote from the control unit, for example, directly on the printed circuit board of the LED unit. It is generally conceivable within the scope of the present invention to use different evaluation options for the coding resistor.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention can provide for a headlamp in which the LED unit and the coding resistor are arranged on a printed circuit board, so that the LED unit can be used as a specific LED unit for a left headlamp or a right headlamp.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention can provide for the LED unit in a headlamp to be designed to provide a first light function, such as a turn signal LED unit, and / or to provide a second light function, such as a daytime running light LED unit. The turn signal LED unit and / or the daytime running light LED unit are typically designed differently, for example, having mirror-image contours.

[0015] Therefore the turn signal LED unit and / or the daytime running light LED unit are advantageously adapted to identify the headlamp as a left headlamp or a right headlamp.By means of different LED units, the headlamp can have differently designed designs and / or a plurality of functional LED units.

[0016] Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, it is conceivable to implement a coding resistor for identifying a headlamp as a left or right headlamp and / or for at least one light level and / or at least one light function of an LED unit. In this way, the coding resistor according to the present invention can be used to encode multiple items of information, for example three items.

[0017] Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, it can be provided that the control unit includes a first control unit and a second control unit. Advantageously, the coding resistor can be implemented to identify a headlamp as left or right and / or to identify the first installation position of the first control unit or the second installation position of the second control unit. Thus, the present invention can be used for left-right detection of a headlamp and for detecting the installation position of a control unit. In this way, the coding resistor according to the present invention can be used to encode multiple pieces of information, for example, three or four pieces of information.

[0018] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a headlight arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a headlight embodied as described above as a left headlight, and another headlight embodied as described above as a right headlight, wherein the coding resistor of the left headlight is embodied differently from the coding resistor of the right headlight. The headlight arrangement according to the present invention achieves the same advantages as described above in conjunction with the headlight according to the present invention. Reference is hereby made in full to these advantages.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention can provide in a headlight arrangement that the (at least one) LED unit (possibly having multiple functions) of the left headlight and the (at least one) LED unit (possibly having multiple functions) of the right headlight are different, for example, mirror-symmetrical. Thus, the headlights of the headlight arrangement can be designed and controlled differently.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention can provide for the control unit of the left headlight and the control unit of the right headlight to be programmed identically in a headlight system. However, the coding resistor according to the present invention allows the control unit to identify which headlight the control unit belongs to. The headlights of the headlight system can thus be controlled accordingly.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle having a headlamp arrangement that can be implemented as described above. The vehicle according to the present invention achieves the same advantages as described above in conjunction with the headlamp arrangement according to the present invention and / or the headlamp according to the present invention. Reference is hereby made in full to these advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 An exemplary view showing a headlamp device in the prior art,

[0024] Figure 2 An exemplary view showing a headlight arrangement according to the invention,

[0025] Figure 3 shows an exemplary coding resistor within the meaning of the present invention,

[0026] Figure 4 An exemplary view showing a headlight arrangement according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 5 An exemplary coding resistor within the meaning of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the different figures, identical components are always provided with the same reference symbols, so these components are generally described only once.

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary headlamp device 100* in the prior art is shown. The headlamp device has a left headlamp L * and right headlight R * . According to the headlamp 10 * In the position on the left or right side of the vehicle 101, the headlight 10 must be operated differently. * Here, the headlamp 10 * The corresponding control device 12 * It is necessary to distinguish which headlights 10 these control devices must actuate * This is especially true for a headlamp 10 * It is expedient for the headlights not to receive direct control signals for the turn signal lights, but rather to communicate with a vehicle-side control unit via bus signals.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, in the known headlamp device 100 * It is stipulated that the headlight 10 * Control device 12 * Connect to the cable harness KB, BUS through different lines GND / UBAT so that the corresponding control device 12 * Lieutenant General Headlamp 10 * Identified as left headlight L * or right headlight R * .

[0031] Figure 2 and Figure 4 A headlight arrangement 100 according to the present invention is shown for a vehicle 101 , in particular a motor vehicle, which may have two headlights 10 , namely a left headlight L and a right headlight R. Each headlight 10 comprises at least one LED unit 11 for providing headlight light.

[0032] Figure 2 and Figure 4For example, two LED units 11 are shown for each headlamp 10. The LED units 11 can be designed, for example, as turn signal LED units and / or daytime running light LED units, and further LED units 11 can optionally be used to provide high beam and / or low beam light. In principle, it is conceivable that each headlamp 10 can include one, two, or more LED units 11, wherein different functions can be provided within the individual LED units 11 in order to provide the desired optical and / or functional characteristics of a headlamp arrangement 100 for a vehicle 101.

[0033] In accordance with Figure 2 and Figure 4 Each headlamp 10 within the scope of the headlamp arrangement 100 comprises a control unit 12 for actuating one or more LED units 11 .

[0034] According to the present invention and Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the LED unit 11 has coding resistors CODE_L and CODE_R (here, electronic components with a certain resistance). The coding resistors CODE_L and CODE_R are designed to identify the headlamp 10 as a left headlamp L or a right headlamp R in the control unit 12 .

[0035] According to the present invention and Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R are provided on the LED printed circuit board, which identify the headlamp 10 as a left headlamp L or a right headlamp R.

[0036] according to Figure 2 , the coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R can be used as the existing coding resistors CODE1, CODE2 on the LED printed circuit board, the resistance of the coding resistors being adapted (see Figure 3 ), in order to clearly identify the headlamp 10 as a left headlamp L or a right headlamp R and furthermore to identify the light levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for at least one light function of an LED in the LED unit 11.

[0037] according to Figure 4 , separate coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R may be provided, which are intended only to identify the headlamp 10 as a left headlamp L or a right headlamp R.

[0038] As according to Figure 2 and Figure 4 It can be seen that the present invention can save Figure 1The conventional GND / UBAT lines from the cable harness KB, BUS to the control unit 12 are omitted. This simplifies the connection between the LED unit 11 and the control unit 12 overall. Consequently, plug pins can be omitted on the cable harness KB, BUS side. Consequently, control inputs can be omitted on the control unit 12 side. This also saves space on the printed circuit board (PCB) of the control unit 12. Furthermore, this overcomes the problem of quiescent current when the headlamp 10 is in the off state. Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the need for special circuitry for detecting the GND or UBAT lines running from the cable harness BUS to the control unit 12.

[0039] Figure 2 The coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R according to the invention are shown as a combined coding resistor which is implemented for identifying light classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or efficiency for at least one light function of the LED unit 11 (see Figure 3 Furthermore, the combined coding resistor is designed to identify the headlight 10 as a left headlight L or a right headlight R.

[0040] Figure 4 The coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R according to the present invention are shown as additional coding resistors to the coding resistors CODE1, CODE2 of the LED unit 11. The coding resistors CODE1, CODE2 of the LED unit 11 are designed here for identifying light levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for at least one light function of the LED unit 11.

[0041] In principle, within the scope of the present invention, Figure 2 or Figure 4 It is possible to provide one, two, or more light functions using LED unit 11. Coding resistors CODE_L and CODE_R can advantageously also be used to encode multiple, for example three, pieces of information: information about the right / left position of headlight 10, the corresponding light level of the first light function, and / or the corresponding light level of the second light function, and thus also the light function of the corresponding LED unit 11. For example, a printed circuit board with an orange LED for the turn signal and a white LED for the daytime running light can have different light levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. For the LEDs for both light functions, the corresponding light levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 must be encoded.

[0042] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the control unit 12 may include two control devices (not shown). In this case, the coding resistors CODE_L and CODE_R can advantageously be implemented to identify the headlamp 10 as a left headlamp L or a right headlamp R and / or to identify the first installation position of the first control device or the second installation position of the second control device. Thus, both the left and right detection of the headlamp 10 and the installation position of the control devices can be performed. The coding resistors CODE_L and CODE_R according to the present invention can also be used to encode multiple pieces of information, for example, three or four pieces of information: information about the right / left position of the headlamp 10, the first or second installation position of the control device, the corresponding light level of at least one light function of the LED unit 11, and thus the light function of the LED unit 11.

[0043] Figure 3 and Figure 5 The following schematically illustrates, using exemplary numerical examples, how control unit 12 can detect light levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for at least one light function of LED unit 11, depending on the resistance values ​​of coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R, and whether headlamp 10, and therefore control unit 12, is installed on the left or right side of vehicle 101. Light levels 1 to 5 are shown only as an example. There may also be only three or, if necessary, even more than five light levels.

[0044] Within the scope of the present invention, the LED unit(s) and the coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R can be arranged on a common printed circuit board.

[0045] In the sense of the present invention, the LED unit 11 with the coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R can be designed as a turn signal LED unit and / or a daytime running light LED unit. The turn signal LED unit and / or the daytime running light LED unit are usually designed differently, for example, with mirrored contours, so that the turn signal LED unit and / or the daytime running light LED unit can be advantageously used to identify the headlight 10 as a left headlight L or a right headlight R using the coding resistors.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the present invention provides, according to a first aspect, a headlamp 10 having coding resistors CODE_L, CODE_R according to the present invention, according to a second aspect, a headlamp arrangement 100 having two corresponding headlamps 10 , and according to a third aspect, a vehicle 101 having a corresponding headlamp arrangement 100 .

[0047] The above description of the drawings describes the invention only within the scope of examples. Of course, the individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another as long as this makes technical sense, without leaving the scope of the invention.

[0048] Reference Signs List

[0049] 10 headlights

[0050] 11 LED units

[0051] 12 Control Unit

[0052] 10 * Known headlights

[0053] 11 * Known LED units

[0054] 12 * Known control unit

[0055] 100 headlight unit

[0056] 100 * Known headlamp device

[0057] 101 Vehicles

[0058] 1 Light Level

[0059] 2 light levels

[0060] 3 light levels

[0061] 4 light levels

[0062] 5 Light Level

[0063] CODE_L Coding resistor

[0064] CODE_R Coding resistor

[0065] CODE1 coding resistor

[0066] CODE2 coding resistor

[0067] L Left headlight

[0068] R Right headlight

[0069] L * Known left headlamp

[0070] R * Known right headlamp

Claims

1. A headlamp (10) for a vehicle (101), the headlamp comprising: An LED unit (11) for providing headlight; and a control unit (12) for operating the LED unit (11), It is characterized by: The LED unit (11) has a coding resistor (CODE_L, CODE_R), which is a coding resistor already present on the LED printed circuit board, and the resistance of the coding resistor is adapted to identify the headlamp (10) as a left headlamp (L) or a right headlamp (R), The control unit (12) has a first control device and a second control device, wherein coding resistors (CODE_L, CODE_R) are designed to identify the headlight (10) as a left headlight (L) or a right headlight (R) and to identify a first installation position of the first control device or a second installation position of the second control device.

2. The headlamp (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The coding resistors (CODE_L, CODE_R) are implemented as a combined coding resistor, which is implemented to identify at least one light level (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for at least one light function of an LED unit (11) and to identify the headlight (10) as a left headlight (L) or a right headlight (R).

3. The headlamp (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The coding resistor (CODE_L, CODE_R) is implemented as an additional coding resistor relative to at least one coding resistor (CODE1, CODE2) of the LED unit (11), wherein the coding resistor (CODE1, CODE2) of the LED unit (11) is implemented for identifying at least one light level (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for at least one light function of the LED unit (11).

4. The headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The control unit (12) has a circuit or a separate electronic component for reading coding resistors (CODE1, CODE2, CODE_L, CODE_R), which is designed to identify at least one light level (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for at least one light function of the LED unit (11) with the help of the coding resistors (CODE1, CODE2, CODE_L, CODE_R) and to identify the headlight (10) as a left headlight (L) or a right headlight (R).

5. The headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The LED unit (11) and the coding resistors (CODE_L, CODE_R) are arranged on a printed circuit board.

6. The headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The LED unit (11) is configured to provide a first light function, and / or the LED unit is configured to provide a second light function.

7. The headlamp (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The LED unit (11) is designed to provide a first light function as a turn signal LED unit.

8. The headlamp (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The LED unit is designed to provide a second light function as a daytime running light LED unit.

9. The headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The coding resistors (CODE_L, CODE_R) are designed to identify the headlight (10) as a left headlight (L) or a right headlight (R) and / or to identify at least one light level (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for at least one light function and / or to identify the at least one light function of the LED unit (11).

10. A headlamp device (100) for a vehicle (101), the headlamp device comprising: The headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, being embodied as a left headlamp (L); and A further headlamp (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is embodied as a right headlamp (R), In this case, the coding resistor (CODE_L) of the left headlight (L) is designed to be different from the coding resistor (CODE_R) of the right headlight (R).

11. The headlamp device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that The LED unit (11) of the left headlight (L) and the LED unit (11) of the right headlight (R) are different from each other.

12. The headlamp device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that The LED unit (11) of the left headlight (L) and the LED unit (11) of the right headlight (R) are constructed to be mirror-symmetrical.

13. The headlamp device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that The control unit (12) of the left headlamp (L) and the control unit (12) of the right headlamp (R) are programmed identically.

14. A vehicle (101) comprising a headlamp device (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

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