Method of adjusting vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site (1), wherein, when driving on a construction site (1) is recognized, the light image (3) projected into the surroundings by at least one vehicle headlight (2) consisting of an upper light field (3.1) called high beam and a lower light field (3.2) called low beam is adjusted by changing the light intensity of the light image (3). The method according to the invention is characterized in that the light intensity of the emitted low beam is increased to a specified value when driving on a construction site (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method for adjusting the vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site, wherein, when driving on a construction site is recognized, the light image projected by at least one vehicle headlight into the surroundings, consisting of an upper light field, referred to as high beam, and a lower light field, referred to as low beam, is adjusted by changing the light intensity with which the light image is generated. The invention also relates to a vehicle having at least one headlight, a surroundings monitoring system and a computing unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to be able to operate a vehicle safely even in the dark, for example at night, vehicles usually have a lighting device. With this lighting device it is possible to illuminate the surroundings of the vehicle, in particular the section of the road lying in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel. Here, the brightness of the light emitted by the lighting device can be adjusted depending on the situation, and the propagation direction and the cross-sectional area of the projected light can be changed. Vehicle headlamps are usually used with low beam in towns and with high beam outside towns if there is no risk of dazzling other road users. This enables the person driving the vehicle to see further in the dark. By increasing the brightness of the light emitted by the lighting device beyond the range of the lighting device, it is also possible to see objects that are difficult to recognize more clearly.

[0003] To this end, the person driving the vehicle can manually switch back and forth between low beam and high beam. So-called adaptive high beam assistants are also known, which automatically adjust the illumination distance and / or the brightness of the light emitted by the lighting device depending on sensor signals. Modern vehicles use LEDs as light sources, in particular in the form of so-called matrix headlamps. Here, the individual LEDs of the matrix headlamps, also referred to as pixels, can be controlled in a targeted manner in order to extinguish regions of the light cone emitted by the matrix headlamps. For example, regions of the light cone in which other road users are present can be extinguished precisely. In this way, it is possible to avoid dazzling other road users while emitting high beam. It is also known, for example, to change the propagation direction of the light emitted by the lighting device by moving the reflector and / or the lens of the lighting device. Thereby, for example, an adaptive follow-me turn signal can be realized.

[0004] Nighttime travel on a construction site is a challenging traffic scenario. For example, in a construction site area, the road width often narrows, which requires a person driving a vehicle to be very careful in order to safely operate the vehicle. This becomes difficult due to the poor nighttime visibility. The vehicle driver is dazzled by a relatively large number of surrounding objects that reflect light (e.g., traffic signs and / or warning lights) back in the direction of the vehicle or the vehicle driver due to having a retroreflective coating. In addition, the retroreflective ability of the resurfaced road is reduced compared to the old road surface, so more light is absorbed by the road, which makes the traffic scenario in the construction site area even darker. As a result, surrounding objects, lane markings, and exits can be difficult to identify or easily overlooked.

[0005] A method for operating a vehicle having a lighting device is known from DE 10 2011 014 455 A1. According to the method disclosed in this document, travel on a construction site is identified and the light distribution of the light emitted by the vehicle headlight is automatically adjusted when traveling on the construction site. When a construction site is identified, a static cornering assistance light is switched on or a follow-me turn signal is activated, and the propagation direction of the follow-me turn signal or the static cornering assistance light is directed away from the vehicle to the side of the vehicle in order to better illuminate the edge area of the road in the construction site area. Here, according to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in this document, the emitted light output is also increased. As a result, a person driving the vehicle can better perceive the road edge and / or objects located in the respective area, thereby making the vehicle operation safer. In order to identify travel on a construction site, a camera image generated by a camera is evaluated and / or the current vehicle position is compared to map material in which construction site areas are recorded. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be inferred that travel is taking place on a construction site by a specific vehicle speed, since a reduced speed limit generally applies in a construction site. In addition, a radio signal can be transmitted to the vehicle, for example via a car-to-X communication interface, in order to inform the vehicle about the construction site. However, the disadvantage here is that the brightening of the road sides also means that more light is projected onto retroreflective objects such as traffic signs and warning lights, which makes it even more difficult for a person driving the vehicle.

[0006] A vehicle lighting system is also known from DE 199 22 735 Al. This document describes that the light emitted by the vehicle lighting system is adjusted depending on the current weather conditions and / or the road surface conditions. On the one hand, it is possible to adjust the direction and area of the illumination of the light emitted by the vehicle lighting system, and it is possible to change the brightness and / or the color of the light emitted. Here, the surroundings are brightened, in particular when there are adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog or snow. It is also possible to adjust the lighting depending on the detected road surface moisture. It is possible to pivot individual headlamps and / or components of the headlamps, such as reflectors, of the vehicle and / or to switch on auxiliary headlamps, such as fog lamps. The adjustment of the direction of propagation and / or the area occupied by the light emitted by the vehicle lighting system is here carried out mainly depending on the steering angle of the vehicle, depending on navigation data from which the course of the road is inferred, and by evaluating camera images by means of which, in addition to classifying the weather conditions, other road users can also be identified. The light emitted by the vehicle lighting system is also adjusted depending on other road users in order to avoid dazzling them. SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of the present application to propose an improved method for adjusting the vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site, in which the person driving the vehicle is less strongly dazzled when driving on the construction site, and in which the lane markings which are usually difficult to recognize can still be more easily perceived.

[0008] According to the application, this object is achieved by a method for adjusting the vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site and by a vehicle having the following features.

[0009] In the method for adjusting the vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site of the type mentioned above, according to the application, the light intensity of the low beam emitted is increased to a specified value when driving on the construction site.

[0010] In darkness, in particular at night, the visual perception of the area of the construction site is limited. The reason for this is, for example, new, poorly reflective asphalt and a relatively large number of reflective surrounding objects, such as traffic signs and / or warning lights. As a result, it can be more difficult for the person driving the vehicle to recognize the relevant lane markings, which makes it more difficult for the person driving the vehicle to stay in the lane. In addition, it can be more difficult for the person driving the vehicle to recognize surrounding objects and / or to miss an exit, since the person driving the vehicle will perceive the exit too late. This can reduce the safety of road traffic. However, with the aid of the method according to the application, sufficient visual perception can also be achieved when driving at night in a construction site. Here, only a relatively small area in the immediate surrounding of the vehicle in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel is illuminated particularly brightly. Due to the increased light intensity, objects and lane markings that are difficult to recognize can also be seen more clearly. By increasing the light intensity of the lower light field, i.e. the low beam, only, the potential risk to the person driving the vehicle due to light emitted by the vehicle headlight being reflected by reflective surrounding objects is reduced.

[0011] The light intensity of the low beam can be increased in various ways. For example, additional light sources and / or lamps, such as fog lamps and / or LEDs or pixels of a previously deactivated matrix headlight, can be switched on. It is also conceivable to increase the power supply to the light sources. It is also possible to arrange a shielding element in the beam path between the light source and the lane, which shielding element is moved at least partially out of the beam path in order to increase the light intensity. Here, the light intensity can be increased stepwise or continuously.

[0012] Driving in a construction site refers to any point in time before, during and after driving in the construction site. Thus, the light intensity can already be increased at a specified distance before reaching a traffic sign indicating the construction site, or the light intensity can be increased only after the vehicle has driven a specified distance in the construction site. The light intensity can also be increased depending on a specified distance to the end of the construction site, and can be returned to its original state when leaving the construction site area or after a specified period of time or distance after leaving the construction site area. While increasing the light intensity of the low beam, the vehicle headlight can also emit high beam.

[0013] An advantageous refinement of the method provides for reducing the light intensity of the emitted high beam or deactivating the high beam when driving in the construction site. As mentioned above, the person driving the vehicle can be dazzled by light reflected by surrounding objects. By reducing the brightness of the high beam or particularly advantageously by completely deactivating the high beam when driving in the construction site, the risk of the person driving the vehicle being dazzled by reflections of light emitted by the vehicle can also be reduced. Thus, driving in the construction site at night is safer.

[0014] According to a further advantageous design of the method, driving in the construction site is identified by at least one of the following methods:

[0015] - evaluating at least one camera image generated by a vehicle camera;

[0016] - evaluating sensor signals provided by a radar system;

[0017] - comparing a current vehicle position, in particular a vehicle position determined by a global navigation satellite system, with map material;

[0018] - evaluating a current vehicle speed; and / or

[0019] - evaluating a wireless construction site indication signal, in particular a construction site indication signal transmitted via a car-to-X communication interface.

[0020] By means of the method mentioned, a construction site detection can be carried out particularly reliably. Here, any camera, for example a multipurpose camera, can be used as a vehicle camera. This can be a monocular camera or a stereo camera. In particular, the vehicle camera can also capture infrared light in addition to visible light, which ensures a more reliable image recognition in the dark. By means of the radar system, distance information can also be reliably detected even in the dark. In particular at low speeds and short distances, an ultrasonic sensor system can also be used in addition to or instead of the radar system to determine the distance. It is also conceivable to determine the distance by means of a laser scanner, for example a lidar. Similar to the prior art, a construction site area can also be determined by comparing the current vehicle position with construction site positions recorded in the map material. A driving in a construction site area can also be recognized by a vehicle speed that is atypical for the road currently driven on, for example a speed of 80 on a motorway. Furthermore, a construction site indication signal transmitted wirelessly can indicate a construction site, wherein additional information, for example a construction site length, can also be transmitted with the construction site indication signal.

[0021] A further advantageous design of the method also provides for the specified value to be changed depending on the road conditions, in particular the road surface conditions and / or wetness detected on the road. By changing the light intensity of the low beam depending on the road conditions, it is possible to ensure that the lighting of the construction site area is even safer. Thus, the light intensity of the low beam can be increased depending on the degree to which the road surface reflects light. For example, if the road surface of a construction site has not been renewed, it will also not absorb the light emitted by the vehicle headlight as intensively. In this case, the light intensity of the low beam does not have to be increased by much. The same applies to the case of a wet road surface. For example, if it is raining or there is snow on the road, the reflective ability of the road will increase. In this case too, it is sufficient to increase the light intensity of the low beam by a small degree. Thereby, the risk of light being reflected from the road in the direction of surrounding objects, such as traffic signs and / or warning lights, is also reduced, whereby the risk of dazzling for the person driving the vehicle can be further reduced.

[0022] According to a further advantageous design of the method, sensor data from at least one vehicle camera and a laser scanner are fused in order to identify the road situation. By means of sensor fusion, the road situation can be identified particularly reliably. If a sensor system fails or provides false sensor signals, false detections can be avoided by taking into account sensor data provided by a functioning sensor. Here, too, more sensor systems can be taken into account in the sensor fusion. In order to identify the road situation, sensor signals emitted additionally by an ultrasonic system or a radar system can also be fused with the sensor data of the vehicle camera and the laser scanner.

[0023] A further advantageous design of the method also provides that, when an exit is identified, the focal point of the light image is moved to a surrounding area corresponding to the exit or the area occupied by the light image is expanded in such a way that the surrounding area corresponding to the exit is also illuminated at least regionally. Due to constructional restrictions in the construction site area, exits are often moved or the lane width is shortened and / or narrowed. Therefore, exits in the construction site area are sometimes particularly difficult to identify. In particular at night, the risk that a person driving a vehicle misses an exit is considerable. By illuminating the exit more brightly when driving in the construction site, a person driving a vehicle can perceive the exit better. Thereby, the risk that a person driving a vehicle unintentionally misses an exit can be reduced. Here, on the one hand, the light beam emitted by the vehicle headlight can be deflected in order to illuminate the construction site, and / or an additional headlight or light source can also be switched on in order to illuminate the surrounding area corresponding to the exit. In particular, an exit is only illuminated more brightly if a person driving a vehicle intends to drive into the respective exit. This can be determined, for example, by means of the setting of a turn signal. Furthermore, it is also possible to infer the intention of a person driving a vehicle to drive into an exit by analyzing a planned driving route, for example a driving route entered into a navigation system of the vehicle. Thereby, unnecessary illumination of irrelevant exits is avoided. Therefore, it is ensured that the vehicle or the vehicle lighting is particularly easy to operate when driving in the construction site.

[0024] According to a further advantageous design of the method, the illumination of at least one specified region of the light image, in particular of the lower light field, is extinguished purposefully when at least one other road user located in the vehicle's surroundings is detected. Thereby, an undesired dazzling of the other road user can be prevented. Here, the other road user in the vehicle's surroundings can be identified, for example, by evaluating the camera image. The other road user can also be identified by transmitting or receiving signals transmitted via the vehicle-to-vehicle communication interface. Additionally or alternatively, the relative position or the relative distance between the vehicle and the other road user can also be determined, for example, by means of a distance detection system, such as a laser scanner and / or a distance radar. Thereby, the region of the light image or of the lower light field which is to be excluded / extinguished when the light emission of the vehicle headlamp is calculated. This is generally already known by means of adaptive high beam assistants. However, if the road is wet, the wetness can reflect the bright low beam, which can cause the other road user to be dazzled from the road direction. Since the light intensity of the vehicle's low beam is increased in particular, the other road user is particularly strongly dazzled. However, by evaluating the positional relationship of the other road user to the vehicle and taking into account the reflection angle between the vehicle headlamp, the road and the other road user, the individual regions of the bright low beam projected onto the road can be extinguished, so that the other road user is not dazzled by the light reflected by the wet road. Thereby, the safety of road traffic can be further improved.

[0025] It is preferred to emit the light image using at least one LED headlamp, in particular a matrix headlamp. In general, any vehicle headlamp can be used to emit the light image. For example, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps or xenon lamps can be used as light sources. Lasers can also be used as light sources. However, LEDs have a particularly high efficiency level, so that a bright low beam can be produced while consuming little energy. By means of a matrix headlamp, the direction in which the light image is projected into the surroundings can also be adjusted particularly simply. For this purpose, no movable components are required, which simplifies the construction of the vehicle headlamp and also makes the vehicle headlamp resistant to vibrations. Thus, the reliability of the projection of the light image into the surroundings according to the specified direction can be improved.

[0026] In a vehicle having at least one headlight, a surrounding monitoring system and a computing unit, according to the application the computing unit is adapted to perform the above-mentioned method. The vehicle can be any vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a van, a bus, etc. The one or more vehicle headlights can be used to emit a light image. Various sensor systems can be used as surrounding monitoring system. For example the surrounding of the vehicle can be monitored using a camera, a radar system, a laser scanner, etc. The computing unit can be any computing unit, for example a central on-board computer, a controller of a vehicle subsystem or a separately arranged control computer for performing the method. Here also artificial intelligence can be used to evaluate the camera images, for example in the form of an artificial neural network, for example a convolutional neural network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Further advantageous design options of the method according to the application are also given by the embodiments explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] The only figure shows a vehicle driving at night on a construction site from the perspective of the person driving the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The figure shows a vehicle 8 driving at night on a construction site 1. In order to illuminate the surrounding of the vehicle, the vehicle 8 comprises a plurality of vehicle headlights 2, in the following referred to as headlights 9. The headlights 9 emit light to create a light image 3. The light image 3 consists of an upper light field 3.1 and a lower light field 3.2, wherein the upper light field 3.1 corresponds to high beam and the lower light field 3.2 corresponds to low beam. In the figure, the headlights 9 only project light forming the lower light field 3.2.

[0030] When driving on the construction site 1, the visual perception of the construction site 1 is often limited, since the road surface of the renewed road 4 has a poor road surface reflection and a large number of surrounding objects (like traffic signs 10 and warning lights 11) are provided in the area of the construction site 1, which reflect the light emitted by the headlights 9 back in the direction of the vehicle driver and cause glare. According to the application, the visual perception of the construction site area 1 is improved by causing the headlights 9 to emit low beam with an increased light intensity compared to a typical low beam. By means of the brighter low beam, also the light-absorbing road surface can be brightened and, in addition, since the surrounding objects (like traffic signs 10 and warning lights 11) that reflect light are not illuminated, also glare for the vehicle driver is avoided. Thereby, the person driving the vehicle can perceive the lane markings 12 better and, thus, the person driving the vehicle can also more easily stay on the lane in which the vehicle is driving. This also improves the driving comfort when driving on the construction site.

[0031] It can occur here that there is a reflective area on the road 4, for example in the form of a wet patch 5. Here, the light emitted by the headlamp 9 is reflected by the wet patch 5 in the direction of the other road user 6 and thus dazzles him. Since the dipped beam emitted by means of the method according to the application is particularly bright, this also causes more intense dazzling of the other road user 6. In order to avoid this, individual regions 7 of the light image 3, preferably of the lower light field 3.2, can be switched off. Dazzling of the other road user 6 can thus be reliably avoided. In order to calculate the regions 7 to be switched off, for example a camera image of the scene shown in the diagram is generated and evaluated. Thereby, the other road user 6 and the wet patch 5 can be identified and the positional relationship between the road user 6, the wet patch 5 and the vehicle 8 or the headlamp 9 can be calculated, which makes it possible to adaptively switch off the regions 7. Furthermore, it is also possible here to take into account other sensor data, for example distance information generated by means of a radar or laser scanner system.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting vehicle lighting when driving on a construction site (1), wherein, adjusting, upon recognition of driving on a construction site (1), the light image (3) projected by at least one vehicle headlight (2) into the surroundings, consisting of an upper light field (3.1) called high beam and a lower light field (3.2) called low beam, by varying the light intensity of the light image (3), characterized in that the light intensity of the emitted low beam is increased to a specified value upon driving on the construction site (1), upon recognition of an exit, the focal point of the light image is moved to a surrounding area corresponding to the exit or the area occupied by the light image is expanded in such a way that the surrounding area corresponding to the exit is also at least regionally illuminated.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the light intensity of the emitted high beam is reduced or the high beam is deactivated upon driving on the construction site (1).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the driving on the construction site (1) is recognized by at least one of the following methods: evaluating at least one camera image generated by a vehicle camera; evaluating sensor signals provided by a radar system; comparing the current vehicle position with map material, the vehicle position being determined by a global navigation satellite system; evaluating the current vehicle speed; and / or evaluating a wireless construction site indication signal, the construction site indication signal being transmitted via a vehicle-to-X communication interface.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the specified value is changed depending on the road conditions and / or on a detected wet spot (5) on the road (4), the road conditions being the road surface conditions.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that sensor data from at least one vehicle camera and a laser scanner are fused to recognize the road conditions.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that upon detection of at least one other road user (6) in the vehicle's surroundings, the illumination of at least one specified area (7) of the light image (3) is selectively switched off.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, upon detection of at least one other road user (6) in the vehicle's surroundings, the illumination of at least one specified area (7) of the lower light field (3.2) is selectively switched off.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one LED headlight is used to emit the light image (3), the LED headlight being a matrix headlight.

9. A vehicle (8) having at least one headlight (9), a surroundings monitoring system and a computing unit, characterized in that the computing unit is adapted to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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