Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a lighting device (4) comprising at least two headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16), wherein the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) are arranged horizontally staggered on the front side (7) of the motor vehicle (1) and each has one or more dimmable light-emitting devices (8), wherein each headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) can illuminate a spatial area (18, 19, 29, 30) in front of the motor vehicle (1) covering a horizontal angle range (20, 21, 32, 33) according to the brightness generated by the corresponding one or more light-emitting devices (8), wherein the illumination is effective before or during the reversing of the motor vehicle (1). The brightness of one or more light-emitting elements (8) of at least one of the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) is adjusted according to the steering action of the motor vehicle (1), wherein, when using the headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) comprising multiple light-emitting elements (8), the light-emitting elements (8) are adjusted such that at least one sub-region (22-27) of the spatial region (18, 19, 29, 30) opposite to the direction of steering action is illuminated with increased brightness, and / or wherein, when using the headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) comprising at least one light-emitting element (8), the brightness of at least one light-emitting element (8) of the headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) arranged in the direction of steering action is dimmed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a lighting device comprising at least two headlight units arranged horizontally offset at the front of the motor vehicle, and each headlight unit having one or more dimmable light-emitting devices, wherein each headlight unit illuminates a spatial area in front of the motor vehicle covering a horizontal angular range according to the brightness generated by the corresponding one or more light-emitting devices. Furthermore, this invention relates to a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] When reversing a motor vehicle, situations may arise where it is necessary to observe obstacles in front of the vehicle. This may occur, for example, when a vehicle is moving backward from a parking space, where a steering motion is performed during reversing. In this case, objects positioned beside the vehicle before or during reversing may be within the range of motion in front of the vehicle. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to identify these objects even in poor visibility conditions, such as in the dark, in order to avoid accidental collisions. Different methods are known from existing technologies for this purpose.

[0003] DE 10 2015 015 052 A1 describes a method for operating a vehicle, wherein, when the vehicle is reversing, a turn signal is radiated in the opposite direction to the direction of steering.

[0004] A motor vehicle is known from DE 103 06 108A1, comprising at least one right turn signal and at least one left turn signal arranged in areas at the front and / or sides of the vehicle. When the vehicle is moving forward while exiting a parking space, at least the right turn signal is activated when a left turn action resulting in a turning angle is performed, and vice versa.

[0005] DE 37 04 029 A1 describes a motor vehicle with fixedly mounted turn signals arranged on the left and right front sides of the vehicle. Starting with a specific steering action, different contacts close depending on the direction of the steering action, thereby activating either the right turn signal or the left turn signal. Thus, when reversing through a curve, the vehicle illuminates the surrounding area that the front of the vehicle is swinging towards.

[0006] DE 103 13 731A1 discloses a headlight device for a motor vehicle, which has at least one low beam function, a high beam function, and a turn signal function. Here, during reversing and turning actions, a parking light consisting of a low beam and / or a turn signal is turned on to illuminate the front side area of ​​the motor vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for operating a motor vehicle, particularly improving the operation of a lighting system including at least two headlight devices when the motor vehicle is reversing.

[0008] To achieve this objective, according to the present invention, in the method of the above type, it is specified that in a motor vehicle...

[0009] Before or during reversing, the brightness of one or more light-emitting elements of at least one headlight device is adjusted according to the steering action of the vehicle.

[0010] - Wherein, when using a headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting devices, the light-emitting devices are adjusted such that at least one sub-region of the spatial area opposite to the direction of turning is illuminated with increased brightness, and / or

[0011] - Wherein, when using a headlight assembly including at least one light-emitting device, the brightness of at least one light-emitting device of the headlight assembly arranged in the direction of turning action is dimmed.

[0012] The method according to the invention is used to adjust the light-emitting elements of at least two headlight devices of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes at least two headlight devices, each having multiple dimmable light-emitting elements, arranged horizontally offset from each other on the front side of the vehicle, and / or two headlight devices, each having at least one dimmable light-emitting element, also arranged horizontally offset from each other on the front side of the vehicle. Each headlight device illuminates a spatial area in front of the vehicle associated with the corresponding headlight device, wherein each spatial area covers a horizontal angular range.

[0013] The method according to the invention has the advantage of improving the identifiability of objects located therein by illuminating a sub-region of the space area in front of the vehicle illuminated by a headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting elements, opposite to the direction of the steering action, with increased brightness. Additionally or alternatively, object identifiability can also be improved by dimming the brightness of a headlight assembly comprising at least one light-emitting element arranged in the direction of the steering action. In a leftward steering action, the right-hand sub-region of the illuminating space area can be illuminated with increased brightness using at least one of the headlight assemblies having multiple light-emitting elements.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the light-emitting element of a headlight assembly located on the left side of a motor vehicle, including at least one light-emitting element, can be dimmed to operate at a reduced brightness. In this case, dimming the light-emitting element means reducing its brightness, but not turning it off; therefore, the brightness is reduced to a value greater than zero. Accordingly, during reversing and right-turning maneuvers, the left-side sub-area can be illuminated with increased brightness using at least one of the headlight assemblies having multiple light-emitting elements. Alternatively or additionally, the light-emitting element of a headlight assembly located on the right side of a motor vehicle, including at least one light-emitting element, can be dimmed.

[0015] In particular, in at least two headlight assemblies having multiple light-emitting devices, each can illuminate a sub-area opposite to the direction of turning. In headlight assemblies including at least one light-emitting device, the headlights arranged opposite to the direction of turning operate at maximum brightness.

[0016] The change in brightness in one or more sub-regions of a headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting devices and / or the dimming of light-emitting devices in a headlight assembly comprising at least one light-emitting device is particularly relevant in the case of headlight assemblies that are already in operation and / or configured for such operation while reversing without any steering action. Here, the headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting devices can operate with a normal brightness distribution, wherein, in particular, sub-regions of the spatial area are illuminated with increased brightness, and sub-regions on the edge sides of the spatial area are correspondingly illuminated with decreased brightness.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the headlight assembly including at least one light-emitting element may operate at maximum brightness and / or at a dimmed brightness relative to the maximum brightness when reversing without any steering action. It is also possible that the headlight assembly including at least one light-emitting element may be turned off when reversing without any steering action.

[0018] In a headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting devices, different brightness distributions can be generated in a spatial area illuminated by the headlight assembly through the different brightness levels of the multiple light-emitting devices. This spatial area covers a horizontal angular range in front of the vehicle. Therefore, the brightness distribution within this spatial area, and thus the brightness distribution over the horizontal angular range covered by this spatial area, can be generated by the different brightness levels of the light-emitting devices, wherein the brightness levels specifically correspond to sub-regions of the horizontal angular range or the spatial area.

[0019] By increasing or decreasing the brightness of the light-emitting devices, or by turning off one or more light-emitting devices, the brightness distribution over a horizontal angular range within a spatial area can be altered. This allows, when reversing and in the presence of steering action, the brightness of one or more light-emitting devices to be adjusted such that at least the sub-area of ​​the spatial area opposite to the direction of steering action is illuminated with increased brightness. This can occur, for example, by turning on the light-emitting devices of the headlight assembly belonging to the sub-area of ​​the spatial area opposite to the direction of steering action, and / or by operating these devices with increased brightness compared to normal operation when driving without steering action.

[0020] Illuminating a spatial area by a headlight device comprising multiple light-emitting devices with a brightness distribution over a horizontal angular range of the spatial area can be understood as illuminating the spatial area according to a dimming characteristic curve, wherein the dimming characteristic curve describes a brightness variation curve and / or the brightness generated by the light-emitting devices illuminating the corresponding sub-segments and dimmed as necessary, the light-emitting devices corresponding to the sub-segments of the angular range.

[0021] A headlight assembly, including at least one light-emitting device arranged in the direction of turning, can operate with reduced brightness to improve visibility of objects in the opposite direction of turning. Specifically, the brightness of the at least one light-emitting device can be dimmed such that it at least partially illuminates the area covered by the headlight assembly along the direction of turning.

[0022] By dimming, i.e. reducing the brightness, at least one light-emitting element of a headlight assembly comprising at least one light-emitting element, the power demand of the lighting equipment can be advantageously reduced, which, for example, has an advantageous impact on the still available driving range of electric motor vehicles with electric power units.

[0023] For example, the engagement of reverse gear and / or the presence of a vehicle speed that causes the vehicle to reverse can be used to determine whether the vehicle is in the process of reversing. The presence of a steering action can be determined, for example, by using a vehicle steering angle sensor to determine the steering angle and / or by determining the steering wheel position and / or wheel position. Therefore, a control device designed to perform the method according to the invention can be connected to a transmission and / or speed sensor or steering angle sensor, a sensor for determining the steering wheel position and / or wheel position, and / or other sensors. Additionally or alternatively, the control device can also be connected to a steering adjuster, chassis electronics, and / or powertrain electronics, which can similarly transmit information about reversing, the presence of a steering action, and / or the steering angle to the control device.

[0024] The lighting equipment of a motor vehicle may include multiple headlight units, each headlight unit having multiple light-emitting devices, wherein two of the headlight units having multiple light-emitting devices are arranged horizontally offset on the front side of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting equipment may also have two headlight units, each including at least one light-emitting device, which are also arranged offset on the front side of the motor vehicle. As dimmable light-emitting devices, light bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may be used. Light bulbs can be controlled, for example, by the current intensity flowing through them, while LEDs can be controlled, for example, by pulse width modulation (PWM) for dimming.

[0025] According to the present invention, the brightness of the light-emitting elements of at least one headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting elements is adjusted such that at least one sub-region of the spatial area along the direction of steering is illuminated with reduced brightness. This can further help to better identify objects arranged in the sub-region, which is illuminated with increased brightness opposite to the direction of steering. By reducing the brightness of the sub-region along the direction of steering, the brightness distribution produced by the headlight assembly in the illuminated spatial area can be shifted in a manner perceptible to the vehicle user, particularly by shifting the center of gravity of brightness along the direction opposite to the steering action.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a headlight device comprising multiple light-emitting elements is used, designed to generate turn signals and / or low beams. By using a headlight device comprising multiple light-emitting elements to generate turn signals and / or low beams, it is possible for the turn signals or low beams to operate with different brightness distributions or different dimming characteristic curves over a horizontal angular range, thereby enabling a brightness distribution through the brightness of each light-emitting element in the corresponding illuminating area of ​​the headlight device. The headlight device designed to generate low beams and the headlight device designed to generate turn signals can be arranged in separate housings. Alternatively, the headlight device designed to generate low beams and the headlight device designed to generate turn signals can also be arranged in a common housing, particularly in a common motor vehicle headlight.

[0027] According to the present invention, a headlight device having at least two sections can be used, wherein each section of one of the headlight devices is equipped with at least one light-emitting device of the headlight device, and each section is designed to illuminate a sub-region of a spatial area. It is possible that more than one light-emitting device is assigned to each horizontal angle range, and / or multiple sections are correspondingly assigned to a sub-region of a horizontal angle range that can be illuminated by the headlight device.

[0028] The light-emitting devices and / or segments can be arranged, for example, in the form of an array of multiple rows, wherein a row of light-emitting devices covers a horizontal angular range. A headlight assembly comprising multiple light-emitting devices can be, in particular, an array headlight. This can be achieved by using multiple rows of light-emitting devices arranged, for example, in overlapping configurations, and the vertical brightness distribution in the spatial area can also be adjusted by the brightness of the light-emitting devices corresponding to the segments.

[0029] The number of segments and / or the number of light-emitting elements in a headlight assembly is, in principle, arbitrary, and in particular, can be from 2 to 100 segments in each headlight assembly. For example, a headlight assembly used as a turn signal and including multiple light-emitting elements may include 2 to 10 segments, particularly 3 to 5 segments. A headlight assembly designed to produce low beams and having multiple light-emitting elements may include a larger number of light-emitting elements, for example, 10 to 25 light-emitting elements.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be specified that a plurality of light-emitting devices of a headlight device designed to generate low beams and one or more light-emitting devices of a headlight device designed to generate turn signals are controlled such that the spatial regions respectively illuminated are adjacent to or partially overlap each other, wherein at least substantially continuous brightness distribution is generated over the total angular range of the formed horizontal direction.

[0031] In addition to a headlight assembly including multiple light-emitting devices designed to generate low beams, the illumination of a sub-region of the spatial area illuminated by the headlight assembly that is opposite to the turning action can be improved by additionally controlling a headlight assembly including one or more light-emitting devices designed to generate turn signals, such that the spatial area illuminated by the headlight assembly designed to generate turn signals is adjacent to the spatial area illuminated by the headlight assembly designed to generate low beams. The spatial area illuminated by the headlight assembly designed to generate turn signals can, in particular, be directly adjacent to and / or partially overlap with the spatial area illuminated by the headlight assembly designed to generate low beams. By generating at least substantially continuous brightness distribution, the entire spatial area covering the total horizontal angular range formed, consisting of spatial areas separately illuminated by the two headlight assemblies, can be illuminated in a generally pleasing manner.

[0032] According to the present invention, the brightness of the irradiated sub-region can be increased, either continuously or intermittently, based on the steering angle of the steering action. Here, attention is paid not only to the direction of the steering action but also to the intensity of the action, i.e., the steering angle at which the steering is performed, with a particular emphasis on further increasing the brightness of the irradiated sub-region when the steering angle is larger.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of the sub-region relative to the horizontal angular range of the spatial region can be specified to change according to the steering angle of the steering action, particularly continuously or intermittently. In this way, especially in the case of a larger steering angle, the sub-region can be further moved in the direction opposite to the steering action direction, so that the stronger the action or the larger the steering angle, the more outward the irradiation range.

[0034] Here, this change can be performed in intervals, particularly by assigning different positions to sub-regions for different steering angle intervals. Alternatively, the intervals may be chosen to be very small, allowing for continuous sensing of the sub-regions through positional changes. Thus, when the steering angle increases or during stronger motion, the sub-region illuminated with increased brightness moves in the direction opposite to the steering direction within the spatial region. Correspondingly, the sub-region with increased brightness can also move in the direction of the steering direction when the steering angle decreases.

[0035] According to the invention, the brightness of at least one light-emitting element of a headlight assembly arranged in the direction of steering and designed to generate turn signals is dimmed. If necessary, an additional headlight assembly comprising at least one light-emitting element (designed to generate turn signals and arranged opposite to the direction of steering) can, in particular, remain unchanged, operating at the brightness already present at the start of reversing.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brightness of at least one light-emitting element of the headlight assembly arranged along the direction of the turning action can be dimmed continuously or intermittently, depending on the turning angle of the turning action. The dimming can be particularly pronounced as the turning angle increases, resulting in a lower brightness of the headlight assembly illuminating the associated spatial area as the turning angle increases.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brightness of one or more light-emitting devices may be adjusted and / or dimmed according to ambient light levels. In ambient light levels exceeding the ambient light limit, control of the headlight assembly is particularly inadvisable. This is especially likely if the environment is bright enough that the vehicle's headlights are not required to operate, and / or if headlight assemblies, particularly designed to produce low beams, are not in operation due to ambient light, and therefore all their light-emitting devices are off. In this case, it is not necessary to shift the dimming characteristic curve while reversing or cause a change in the brightness distribution in the correspondingly illuminated area by the headlight assembly.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brightness of one or more light-emitting devices may be adjusted and / or dimmed only when the steering angle exceeds at least one limit. This avoids the situation where, during reversing a motor vehicle, a slight change in steering action around the zero position due to uneven ground or similar conditions causes manipulation of the light-emitting devices, thereby altering the brightness radiated by the headlights into the respective spatial areas. The steering angle limit may be, for example, 1° to 25°, particularly 5°, 10°, 15°, or 20°. If the steering angle is below the limit, the headlights operate as before or during reversing.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be specified that, when the turning action is below a limit, the headlight assembly, including at least one light-emitting element and designed to generate turn signals, operates at maximum brightness, operates at a dimmed brightness, or is turned off. Whether the headlight assembly designed to generate turn signals operates at maximum brightness, at a dimmed brightness, or is off can be set or selected, for example, based on ambient brightness. The degree or intensity of dimming of one or more light-emitting elements of the headlight assembly designed to generate turn signals can be determined, for example, based on ambient brightness.

[0040] According to the present invention, the limits for the steering angles of left-turning and right-turning actions can be the same or different. By selecting different limits, the driver's position in the vehicle can be taken into account, since, according to the design of the vehicle, the driver is located on the left or right side of the vehicle.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be specified that when reversing ends and / or when the vehicle's speed in the forward direction exceeds a speed threshold, the brightness change or dimming is restored / reverted and / or at least one of the headlight devices is turned off. The end of reversing can be determined similarly to the determination of reversing described above. For example, reversing can be assumed to have ended when the first gear, driving position (D), or neutral position (N) of the transmission is engaged or set. When the vehicle moves forward and / or when the vehicle's speed in the forward direction exceeds a speed threshold, i.e., when there is a speed of the vehicle in the forward direction, the brightness change or dimming can also be restored, particularly continuously or intermittently, or these one or more headlight devices are turned off.

[0042] According to the provisions of the present invention, the motor vehicle includes a lighting device and a control device for controlling the lighting device, the lighting device including at least two headlight devices, wherein the headlight devices are arranged horizontally offset on the front side of the motor vehicle and each has one or more dimmable light-emitting devices, wherein each headlight device can illuminate a spatial area in front of the motor vehicle covering a horizontal angular range according to the brightness generated by at least one light-emitting device, and wherein the control device is designed to perform the method according to the present invention.

[0043] The motor vehicle can be a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor. In particular, the motor vehicle may have two headlight units, each comprising multiple light-emitting elements, designed to produce low beams. Additionally, the motor vehicle may have two headlight units, each comprising at least one light-emitting element, designed to produce turn signals. The motor vehicle's control unit may be connected to the transmission and / or sensors and / or steering angle sensors for determining the steering wheel position and / or wheel position, wherein the corresponding measurements are transmitted to the control unit to determine the presence of reversing, the presence of steering action, and the direction and / or steering angle. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be connected to the motor vehicle's steering adjuster, chassis electronics, and / or powertrain electronics, from which information regarding reversing, the presence of steering action, the steering angle of the steering action, and / or other information may be transmitted to the control unit. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and from the accompanying drawings. These drawings are schematic diagrams:

[0045] Figure 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown in a first case used to illustrate an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 2 An embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown in a second case used to illustrate embodiments of the method of the invention.

[0047] Figure 3 A front view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1A motor vehicle 1 according to the invention is shown in a parking space between another motor vehicle 2 and an obstacle 3, for example, designed as a wall. The motor vehicle 1 includes a lighting device 4 comprising two headlight units 5 and 6 arranged horizontally offset on the front side 7 of the motor vehicle 1. The headlight units 5 and 6 each include a plurality of dimmable light-emitting elements 8, which are respectively associated with different sections 9, 10, and 11 of the headlight unit 5 and different sections 12, 13, and 14 of the headlight unit 6. The lighting device 4 also includes two headlight units 15 and 16, each having dimmable light-emitting elements 8.

[0049] Headlight assemblies 5 and 6, each including multiple light-emitting devices 8, are designed to generate the low beam of the vehicle 1. Headlight assemblies 15 and 16, each including a light-emitting device 8, are designed to generate the turn signals of the vehicle 1.

[0050] Motor vehicle 1 includes a control device 17 (connection not shown) connected to the respective headlight units 5, 6, 15, 16. The control device 17 can control the lighting equipment 4 of motor vehicle 1, wherein the brightness of the light-emitting elements 8 of the headlight units 5, 6, 15, 16 can be adjusted. The control device 17 is also connected to the transmission of motor vehicle 1 and / or sensors of motor vehicle 1 for determining steering wheel position and / or wheel position and / or steering angle sensors of motor vehicle 1, wherein corresponding measurements and / or information about the currently engaged gear are transmitted to the control device 17 to determine the presence of reversing, the presence and direction of steering action, and / or steering angle. Additionally or alternatively, the control device 17 may be connected to the steering adjuster, chassis electronics, and / or powertrain electronics of motor vehicle 1, from which information about reversing, the presence of steering action, the steering angle of steering action, and / or other information can also be transmitted to the control device 17.

[0051] Headlight assemblies 5 and 6 include multiple segments 9 to 14, each segment being equipped with one of the light-emitting devices 8 of the corresponding headlight assembly 5 or 6. The illustrations of the three segments of each headlight assembly are purely illustrative; headlight assemblies 5 and 6 with a larger number of segments 9 to 14 and therefore a higher number of light-emitting devices 8 may also be used. In particular, 2 to 100 segments are used in each headlight assembly 5, 6, 15, and 16. For example, headlight assemblies 15 and 16 used as turn signals, including multiple light-emitting devices, may include 2 to 10, especially 3 to 5 segments. Headlight assemblies 5 and 6 designed to produce low beams, including multiple light-emitting devices 8, may include a larger number of light-emitting devices 8, such as 10 to 25 light-emitting devices 8.

[0052] Each headlight assembly 5, 6 can illuminate a spatial area 18, 19 in front of the vehicle 1. Spatial area 18 covers an angle range 20, and spatial area 19 correspondingly covers an angle range 21. Based on the brightness produced by the light-emitting device 8 of the headlight assembly 5, the brightness distribution or dimming characteristic curve produced in the angle range 20 of the spatial area 18 illuminated by the headlight assembly 5 can be adjusted by different sections 9 to 11 of the headlight assembly 5.

[0053] The light-emitting device 8 of the headlight assembly 5 can illuminate different sub-regions 22, 23, and 24 of the space area 18 illuminated by the headlight assembly 5 at different brightness levels. Correspondingly, the brightness of the light-emitting device 8 of the headlight assembly 6 can illuminate different sub-regions 25, 26, and 27 of the space area 19 illuminated by the headlight assembly 6 at different brightness levels. For example, the light-emitting device 8, designed as a light-emitting diode, can be controlled by a control device 17 using pulse width modulation to control its brightness, wherein the light-emitting device 8 is controlled by the control device 17 of the vehicle 1.

[0054] For clarity, the spatial regions 18 and 19 of the headlight devices 5 and 6 are shown without overlap. However, especially in the case of headlight devices 5 and 6 designed to produce low beams, spatial regions 18 and 19 may overlap in front of the vehicle 1. Different orientations of the headlight devices 5 and 6 (especially such that the centrally located sub-regions 23 and 26 radiate directly forward) are also possible in the design of headlight devices 5 and 6 for producing low beams. In particular, in the design of headlight devices 5 and 6 for producing low beams, it can be specified that spatial regions 18 and 19 are adjacent to or partially overlap each other, such that during normal operation, the sub-regions 23 and 26, which operate with relatively high brightness, are substantially pointing forward of the vehicle 1.

[0055] As schematically shown by arrow 28, vehicle 1 is reversing to exit a parking position, with the vehicle turning right relative to its normal direction of travel. Before or during reversing, the brightness of the light-emitting elements 8 of the headlight devices 5, 6, 15, and 16 can be adjusted according to the steering action of vehicle 1. Before reversing begins or before engaging reverse gear in vehicle 1, headlight devices 5 and 6 are, for example, turned on and produce low beams. Here, sub-region 23 of the illuminable space area 18 of headlight device 5 is illuminated with the highest brightness, while sub-regions 22 and 24 are illuminated with lower brightness. Correspondingly, sub-region 26 of the illuminable space area 19 of headlight device 6 is illuminated with the highest brightness, while sub-regions 25 and 27 are illuminated with lower brightness. Therefore, headlight devices 5 and 6 produce brightness distribution or dimming characteristic curves over corresponding angle ranges 20 or 21. Headlight devices 15 and 16, used to generate turn signals, are, for example, turned off before reversing begins or before engaging reverse gear in vehicle 1.

[0056] exist Figure 2 In the middle, continuing Figure 1 The following scenario illustrates a situation where vehicle 1 has moved backward and, due to a rightward steering angle relative to the vehicle's normal direction of travel, is tilted out of its parking space between another vehicle 2 and obstacle 3. To improve the visibility of obstacle 3 during this reversing maneuver, headlight units 5 and 6, comprising multiple light-emitting elements 8, operate with altered brightness distributions in their respective spatial regions 18 and 19. For this purpose, the light-emitting elements 8 of the headlight units 5 are controlled such that sub-regions 24 of spatial region 20 opposite to the direction of steering are illuminated with increased brightness.

[0057] Therefore, continuing Figure 1 In some cases, the brightness in sub-region 24 can be increased, so that sub-region 24 is illuminated with increased brightness. In this case, sub-region 22 is illuminated with the highest brightness, and sub-regions 23 and 24 are illuminated with decreased brightness. Correspondingly, sub-region 25 of the headlight assembly 6 can also be illuminated with increased brightness. In this way, the brightness distribution in spatial regions 18 and 19 is changed such that the brightness distribution of the headlight assembly 5 swings outward, and the brightness distribution of the headlight assembly 6 swings inward toward the center of the vehicle 1. In addition to increasing the brightness in sub-regions 24 and 25, the brightness in sub-regions 22 and 27 along the direction of steering can be decreased to improve illumination of obstacles 3 and / or other objects related to reversing.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the headlight assembly 16, including the light-emitting element 8, arranged in the direction of the vehicle 1's steering movement, is dimmed, thereby illuminating the spatial area 29 belonging to the headlight assembly 16 and covering the horizontal angle range 31 with reduced brightness. For this purpose, the brightness of the light-emitting element 8 of the headlight assembly 16 can be reduced.

[0059] The light-emitting devices 8 of the headlight device 15 and the headlight device 5 are further controlled such that the spatial region 30 illuminated by the headlight device 15, covering the horizontal angle range 32, overlaps with or is adjacent to the spatial region 18 of the headlight device 5, thereby producing a continuous brightness distribution across the total horizontal angle range generally included by the spatial regions 18 and 30, covering the entire spatial region from the spatial region 18 of the headlight device 5 to the spatial region 30 of the headlight device 15.

[0060] The brightness of sub-regions 24 and 25 is continuously or intermittently increased according to the steering action, which causes the vehicle 1 to move backward. For this purpose, the control device 17 is connected to the steering angle sensor (not shown) of the vehicle 1, through which the steering angle of the vehicle 1 can be determined.

[0061] When the steering angle exceeds the limit, the brightness in sub-regions 24 and 25 opposite to the direction of the steering action is increased. The limit for the steering angle can be, for example, a range of 1° to 25°, particularly 5°, 10°, 15°, or 20°. Here, the steering angle limit for a left turn can be the same as or different from the steering angle limit for a right turn.

[0062] When the steering action is below a limit, the headlights 15 and 16 designed to generate turn signals can operate at maximum brightness, dimmed brightness, or off. Whether the headlights 15 and 16 operate at maximum brightness, dimmed brightness, or off can be preset in the control device 17, or can be selected by the control device 17, for example, based on the ambient brightness in the vehicle environment. The degree or intensity of dimming of one or more light-emitting elements 8 of the headlights 15 and 16 can also be determined, for example, based on the ambient brightness.

[0063] In the headlight devices 5 and 6, which each have three or more sections 9 to 14, the position of the sub-area illuminated with increased brightness can be moved according to the turning angle. Thus, the greater the movement or the larger the turning angle, the more the headlight device 5 illuminates outward with increased brightness, or the headlight device 6 illuminates inward with increased brightness.

[0064] The dimming of the light-emitting element 8 of the headlight assembly 16, designed to generate turn signals, is also based on the steering angle, wherein the degree of dimming—that is, dimming the brightness to a value greater than 0—is determined according to the steering angle. Here, the larger the steering angle of the operation, the stronger the dimming, that is, the greater the reduction in brightness. Additionally, the brightness of the light-emitting element 8 is changed or one or more light-emitting elements 8 are dimmed according to the ambient brightness, such that, for example, the brightness is changed or dimmed only when the ambient brightness exceeds a limit, that is, when there is an ambient brightness that requires illumination of the vehicle 1. When the steering angle is reduced, for example at the end of the exiting parking process, the position change and / or brightness change can also be changed according to the steering angle so that the brightness distribution of the headlight assemblies 5 and 6, in particular, continuously or intermittently, approaches the initial state again.

[0065] It is also possible that the headlight devices 15 and 16 of the motor vehicle 1 have multiple light-emitting elements 8, which can also illuminate multiple sections 9-14 and thus multiple sub-regions of the spatial areas 29 and 30 according to the implementation scheme of the headlight devices 5 and 6. This segmented turn signal can operate according to the implementation scheme of the headlight devices 5 and 6, wherein the spatial areas 29 and 30 illuminated by the headlight devices 15 and 16, which are designed to generate turn signals, radiate laterally to the motor vehicle 1 further than the spatial areas designed to generate low beams. The headlight devices 15 and 16, designed to generate turn signals, can be as follows: Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, the headlights 1 and 6 are positioned below the headlights designed to produce low beams, specifically on the front side 7 of the vehicle 1. Alternatively, headlight 15 may be positioned to the side of headlight 5, and headlight 16 may be positioned to the side of headlight 6, wherein headlights 5 and 15 or headlights 6 and 16 may be housed in a common housing, particularly in a common vehicle headlight.

[0066] When reversing ends, especially when the transmission is in first gear, driving (D), or neutral (N), and / or when the speed of the vehicle 1 in the forward direction exceeds a speed threshold, the brightness change for illuminating sub-regions 24, 25 with increased brightness and the dimming of the light-emitting element 8 of the headlight assembly 16 can be restored. It is also possible that, while driving forward or exceeding the speed limit, the headlight assemblies 15, 16, designed to generate turn signals, are turned off, and illumination of the front of the vehicle is provided primarily by the headlight assemblies 5, 6, designed to generate low beams.

Claims

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle (1), wherein, The motor vehicle (1) has a lighting device (4) including at least two headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16), wherein the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) are arranged horizontally staggered on the front side (7) of the motor vehicle (1), and each has one or more dimmable light-emitting devices (8), wherein each headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) can illuminate a spatial area (18, 19, 29, 30) in front of the motor vehicle (1) covering a horizontal angle range (20, 21, 32, 33) according to the brightness generated by the corresponding one or more light-emitting devices (8), wherein before or during the reversing of the motor vehicle (1), the brightness of one or more light-emitting devices (8) of at least one of the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) is adjusted according to the steering action of the motor vehicle (1). - Wherein, when using a headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) comprising multiple light-emitting devices (8), the light-emitting devices (8) are adjusted such that at least one sub-region (22-27) of the spatial regions (18, 19, 29, 30) opposite to the direction of steering is illuminated with increased brightness, and at least one sub-region (22-27) of the spatial regions (18, 19, 29, 30) in the direction of steering is illuminated with decreased brightness, and / or - Wherein, when using a headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) including at least one light-emitting device (8), the brightness of at least one light-emitting device (8) of the headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) arranged in the direction of turning action is dimmed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) comprising multiple light-emitting devices (8) is used as a headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) designed to generate turn signals and / or to generate low beams.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Using a headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) having at least two sections (8 to 14), wherein each section (8 to 14) of one of the headlight assemblies (5, 6, 15, 16) is equipped with at least one of the light-emitting devices (8) of the headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16), and each section (8 to 14) is designed to illuminate a sub-region (22-27) of the spatial region (18, 19, 29, 30).

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Multiple light-emitting devices (8) of the headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) designed to generate low beams and one or more light-emitting devices (8) of the headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) designed to generate turn signals are controlled such that the spatial regions (18, 19, 29, 30) respectively illuminated are adjacent to or partially overlap each other, wherein a continuous brightness distribution is generated over the total angular range of the formed horizontal direction.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Increase the brightness of the irradiated sub-region (22-27) according to the turning angle of the turning action.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The position of the sub-region (22-27) relative to the horizontal angle range (20, 21, 32, 33) of the spatial region (18, 19, 29, 30) changes according to the steering angle of the steering action.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The brightness of at least one light-emitting device (8) of a headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) arranged in the direction of the turning action and designed to produce turn signals is dimmed.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The brightness of at least one light-emitting element (8) of the headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) arranged in the direction of the steering action is dimmed according to the steering angle of the steering action.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Adjust the brightness of the light-emitting device (8) according to the ambient brightness, and / or dim the brightness of the light-emitting device (8) according to the ambient brightness.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The brightness of the light-emitting device (8) is adjusted only when the steering angle of the steering action exceeds at least one limit, and / or the brightness of the light-emitting device (8) is dimmed only when the steering angle of the steering action exceeds at least one limit.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the steering action is below the limit, the headlight assembly (5, 6, 15, 16) including at least one light-emitting device (8) and designed to generate turn signals operates at maximum brightness, operates dimly, or is turned off.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The limits for the steering angle when turning left and turning right may be the same or different.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, When the reversing operation ends and / or when the speed of the vehicle in the forward direction exceeds the speed threshold, the brightness change or dimming is restored and / or at least one of the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) is turned off.

14. A motor vehicle comprising lighting equipment (4) and a control device (17) for controlling the lighting equipment (4), the lighting equipment comprising at least two headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16), wherein, The headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) are arranged horizontally staggered on the front side of the vehicle (1) and each has one or more dimmable light-emitting devices (8), wherein each headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) can illuminate a spatial area (18, 19, 29, 30) in front of the vehicle (1) covering a horizontal angle range (20, 21, 32, 33) according to the brightness generated by at least one light-emitting device (8), wherein the control device (17) is designed to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-13.

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