Method for operating a light device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a light device (5) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the light device (5) illuminates a right front outer region (7) of the motor vehicle (1) when driving around a right bend and a left front outer region (6) of the motor vehicle (1) when driving around a left bend. Higher comfort and improved safety are achieved in that the right front outer region (7) is additionally illuminated when driving around a left bend and / or the left front outer region (6) is additionally illuminated when driving around a right bend. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (1) operated in this way.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a light device of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle also has a steering device for steering the motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle thus operated. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to illuminate the inside of a curve of a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is driving in the curve, in order to make it easier for the driver of the motor vehicle to observe the road situation when driving through the curve, in particular. Obstacles should therefore be identified more easily when driving through the curve and the risk of a collision should thus be reduced, for example.

[0003] A corresponding motor vehicle is disclosed, for example, by DE 10 2011 100 030 A1. The motor vehicle has a light device with a left-hand curve light and a right-hand curve light, wherein the right-hand curve light is activated when the motor vehicle is driving in a left-hand curve, and wherein the right-hand curve light is activated when the motor vehicle is driving in a right-hand curve. Similarly, the left-hand curve light is activated when the motor vehicle is driving in a left-hand curve. The activation of the right-hand curve light takes place when the steering device exceeds a right-hand steering angle which belongs to a right-hand curve. Similarly, the activation of the left-hand curve light takes place when the steering device exceeds a left-hand steering angle which belongs to a left-hand curve. SUMMARY

[0004] The invention is concerned with the task of specifying improved or at least different embodiments for a method for operating a light device of the type mentioned in the introduction and for a corresponding motor vehicle, which are distinguished in particular by a higher comfort and / or a higher safety.

[0005] According to the invention, this task is accomplished by the subject matter described below. Advantageous embodiments are also described below.

[0006] The invention is based on the general idea that, in a curve driving of a motor vehicle, not only the inside of the curve is illuminated, but also the outside of the curve. This allows the driver of the motor vehicle to have a better overview of the situation of the motor vehicle. In this case, the unexpected insight is used that, in a curve driving and in particular in a sharp curve and / or in a narrow environment, objects and obstacles can not only be present on the inside of the curve, but also on the outside of the curve along the movement trajectory of the motor vehicle. Therefore, such obstacles and objects on the outside of the curve along the movement trajectory of the motor vehicle can also be easily identified by illuminating the outside of the curve. Correspondingly, the comfort for the driver of the motor vehicle is increased in this way. By this means, it is also possible to prevent a collision with the objects mentioned or to reduce the risk of such a collision, so that the safety is also increased at the same time.

[0007] According to the invention, the motor vehicle has a light device for illuminating an outer region of the motor vehicle and a steering device for steering the motor vehicle. Here, both the outer region on the outside of a curve and the outer region on the inside of a curve are illuminated when the motor vehicle is negotiating the curve. That is, the left front outer region of the motor vehicle, which is the outer region on the inside of the curve, is illuminated when driving around a left-hand bend. In addition, the right front outer region of the motor vehicle, which is the outer region on the inside of the curve, is illuminated when driving around a right-hand bend. According to the invention, the right front outer region is additionally illuminated when driving around a left-hand bend and / or the left front outer region is additionally illuminated when driving around a right-hand bend.

[0008] The directions indicated here advantageously relate to a motor vehicle coordinate system. That is, "front" is the direction in which the motor vehicle is driving forwards in the X direction. Similarly, "left" and "right" are given in the Y direction of the motor vehicle coordinate system.

[0009] The following embodiment is considered to be preferred, in which the outer region of the motor vehicle on the outside of the curve is illuminated only when the motor vehicle is negotiating a particularly sharp curve. That is, the illumination of the outer region on the inside of the curve and the outer region on the outside of the curve is graduated, wherein the outer region on the inside of the curve is illuminated first and the outer region on the outside of the curve is illuminated only when driving around a particularly sharp curve. This is advantageously done in such a way that, when a first left steering angle, which belongs to driving around a left-hand bend, is exceeded, the left front outer region, and thus the outer region on the inside of the curve, is illuminated in driving around a left-hand bend. The right front outer region is illuminated in driving around a left-hand bend only when a second steering angle, which exceeds the first left steering angle, is exceeded. Alternatively or additionally, when a first right steering angle, which belongs to driving around a right-hand bend, is exceeded, the right front outer region, and thus the outer region on the inside of the curve, is illuminated in driving around a right-hand bend, wherein the left front outer region is additionally illuminated in driving around a right-hand bend when a second right steering angle, which exceeds the first right steering angle, is exceeded. The respective steering angle in this case preferably corresponds to the curvature of the respective curve around which the motor vehicle is driving, wherein the second steering angle represents a particularly sharp curve. In this way, the outer region on the outside of the respective curve is illuminated only as required. Furthermore, in this way it is possible to reduce the distraction of the driver of the motor vehicle, which can be caused by illuminating the outer region on the outside of the curve, and thus to further improve safety.

[0010] The respective second steering angle can in principle be chosen arbitrarily, provided that it exceeds the respective first steering angle.

[0011] The following embodiment is considered preferred, in which at least one of the second steering angles is defined and thus selected in such a way that it is offset toward the corresponding steering end stop compared to the corresponding first steering angle. The respective steering end stop is defined in this case by the maximum possible curvature in the motor vehicle trajectory when driving the corresponding bend. In this way, illumination of the outer lateral region of the motor vehicle on the outside of the bend is achieved, especially when driving narrow bends. The following insight is utilized in this case: obstacles and objects along the motor vehicle trajectory in the outer region of the bend occur primarily when driving very sharp bends, which approach the maximum possible curvature of the driven bend and thus the steering end stop. In this way, illumination of the outer lateral region on the outside of the bend is only carried out when required. Distraction of the motor vehicle driver is thus reduced. Overall, greater comfort is thus achieved while increasing safety.

[0012] It is preferred that the outer lateral region on the outside of the bend is not illuminated when the steering stop is reached, but rather when the steering end stop is approached. In other words, the second steering angle is defined so as to be offset relative to the corresponding steering end stop, but not to exceed it.

[0013] It is apparent that, in addition to the method according to the invention, a motor vehicle which is operated in this way also belongs to the scope of the invention.

[0014] The motor vehicle in this case comprises, in addition to the light device for illuminating the outer lateral region of the motor vehicle, a steering device for steering the motor vehicle. Preferably, the light device has a left-hand cornering headlamp and a right-hand cornering headlamp, wherein each cornering headlamp illuminates the corresponding outer lateral region of the motor vehicle in the corresponding cornering light operation. That is, the left-hand cornering headlamp illuminates the left front outer lateral region of the motor vehicle in the corresponding cornering light operation, and the right-hand cornering headlamp illuminates the right front outer lateral region of the motor vehicle in the corresponding cornering light operation. In order to operate the light device, the motor vehicle has a control device which is communicatively connected to the steering device and the light device and is designed in such a way that it operates the motor vehicle accordingly.

[0015] Each cornering headlamp can be designed arbitrarily as a matter of principle.

[0016] At least one of the cornering headlamps can be a static cornering light. That is, at least one of the cornering headlamps is designed as a static cornering light. In this way, a simple and low-cost implementation of the light device is obtained.

[0017] It is advantageously provided that at least one of the cornering headlamps, in particular the static cornering headlamp, is designed as a fog light. In this way, the light device can be implemented particularly cost-effectively and simply.

[0018] It is also conceivable to design at least one of the cornering headlamps as a dynamic cornering light, which can thus dynamically illuminate the corresponding outer lateral region.

[0019] The method according to the invention is particularly applicable to large motor vehicles. In this case, it should be considered that, especially in such motor vehicles with correspondingly large dimensions, obstacles and / or objects are commonly encountered along the trajectory outside curves. Accordingly, the motor vehicle could be, for example, a bus. Similarly, the motor vehicle could be a truck.

[0020] Other important features and advantages of the invention are derived from the figures and the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Obviously, the features described above and those to be explained below may be used not only in their respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without exceeding the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the figures and explained in detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components. The figures schematically illustrate:

[0023] Figures 1-5 The diagrams show extremely simplified route diagrams of motor vehicles in different states. Detailed Implementation

[0024] For example, Figures 1-5 The motor vehicle 1 shown can in particular be designed as a bus 2. The motor vehicle 1 includes a steering device 3 for steering the motor vehicle 1. The steering device 3 in... Figures 1-5 The steering wheel 4 is shown as a simple example and for simplicity. The vehicle 1 also includes a lighting device 5. The lighting device 5 is specifically designed to illuminate the inside of the curve of the vehicle 1 when it is turning. Therefore, the lighting device 5 is designed to illuminate the left front outer region 6 of the vehicle 1 when turning left and the right front outer region 7 when turning right. The outer regions 6 and 7 are represented in the figure by corresponding cones, where the dashed lines indicate that the corresponding outer regions 6 and 7 are not illuminated, while the solid lines indicate that the corresponding outer regions 6 and 7 are illuminated.

[0025] As can be seen in the diagram, the lighting device 5, used to illuminate the left front outer region 6 and the right front outer region 7, can respectively have corresponding turn signals 8 and 9. That is, the lighting device 5 has a left turn signal 8 to illuminate the left front outer region 6 and a right turn signal 9 to illuminate the right front outer region 7. At least one of the turn signals 8 and 9 can be a static cornering light 10, especially a fog light 11.

[0026] As can be seen in the figure, the lighting device 5 advantageously also includes a headlight 12 for illuminating the front outer area 13 of the motor vehicle 1, wherein the headlight 12 and below are also referred to as the front headlight 12. As can also be seen in the figure, a turning headlight 8, 9 and a front headlight 12 can be integrated into the headlight devices 14, 15 of the lighting device 5, respectively. That is, the lighting device 5 can have a left headlight device 14 with a left turning headlight 8 and a front headlight 12, and a right headlight device 15 with a right turning headlight 9 and another front headlight 12.

[0027] The steering mechanism 13 moves to steer the motor vehicle 1. This movement is particularly manual, but it can also be performed automatically within at least a semi-autonomous driving range. The steering mechanism 13 moves advantageously to the left for leftward travel and thus leftward turn, and preferably to the right for rightward travel and thus rightward turn. The maximum possible turning radius is defined in this case by the respective steering end stops 16 and 17. That is, the maximum possible curvature of the curve when turning left is defined by the left steering end stop 16, and the maximum possible curvature of the curve when turning right is defined by the right steering end stop 17.

[0028] If possible Figures 2-5 According to the local regulations, when each vehicle is turning, not only the outer areas 6 and 7 inside the curve of vehicle 1 are illuminated, but also the outer areas 6 and 7 outside the curve are illuminated.

[0029] according to Figure 2 and 3 This regulation stipulates that when vehicle 1 turns right, the right front outer region 7 of vehicle 1 is illuminated when the turn exceeds the first steering angle 18 (hereinafter also referred to as the first right steering angle 18) associated with the right turn. If the turn is sharper, i.e., the steering angle is greater than the first right steering angle 18, the left front outer region 6 of the vehicle is also illuminated. Figure 3 As seen in [the text]. That is, when exceeding [a certain threshold]... Figure 3 When the second right turn angle 19, which exceeds the first right turn angle 18, is shown, the left front outer region 6 of the vehicle 1 is also illuminated.

[0030] If it can be from Figure 4 and 5 When viewing a location, it is best to consider whether it is a substitute or additional location, and ideally, one should also be able to act accordingly when making a left turn. That is, if it is possible to... Figure 4 As seen in the image, when the first left turn angle 20 is exceeded, the left front outer region 6 of vehicle 1 is illuminated. Furthermore, when the second left turn angle 21 is exceeded, which is also beyond the first left turn angle 20, the right front outer region 7 of vehicle 1 is illuminated, as can be seen from... Figure 5 As seen in the image.

[0031] Especially in Figure 3 and 5As can be seen, each second turning angle 19, 21 is selected or defined as being offset towards the corresponding turning end stop 16, 17. Here, each second turning angle 20, 21 is selected and defined in such a way as to approach the corresponding turning end stop 16, 17. In other words, the second right turning angle 19 is defined as approaching the second right turning end stop 17. In addition, the second left turning angle 21 is defined as approaching the left turning end stop 16. This results in the outer lateral region 6, 7 being illuminated on the respective outside of the curve, in the case of an approach to the end stop 16, 17.

[0032] In order to carry out the method, the motor vehicle 1 has a control device 22. The control device 22 is communicatively connected to the steering device 3 and the light device 5 in this case and is designed for carrying out the method. As can be seen from Figures 2-5 As can be seen in the figures, it is merely assumed by way of example in the figures that the headlamp 12 is activated and thus illuminates the front region 13.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous that the application is used for driving forwards and for reversing, which is particularly suitable for buses. Thus, in the case of a front wheel that is turned to the left in the forward direction when reversing, the right side of the cornering light is additionally or exclusively controlled and activated. The left cornering light is activated in the case of a front wheel that is turned to the right in the forward direction. Particularly in the case of buses with a long front overhang, the front overhang is turned significantly by the front wheel when reversing, so that the risk of colliding with unknown obstacles in the turning region is high.

Claims

1. A method for operating a light device (5) of a motor vehicle (1), which motor vehicle also has a steering device (3) for steering the motor vehicle (1), - with which light device (5) a left front outer region (6) and a right front outer region (7) of the motor vehicle (1) can be illuminated, - wherein the left front outer region (6) is illuminated when the motor vehicle (1) is being driven around a left-hand bend, - wherein the right front outer region (7) is illuminated when the motor vehicle (1) is being driven around a right-hand bend, - wherein the right front outer region (7) is additionally illuminated when being driven around a left-hand bend, and / or the left front outer region (6) is additionally illuminated when being driven around a right-hand bend, characterized in that - the left front outer region (6) is illuminated when being driven around a left-hand bend when a first left steering angle (20) corresponding to the left-hand bend is exceeded, and - the right front outer region (7) is additionally illuminated when being driven around a left-hand bend when a second left steering angle (21) which exceeds the first left steering angle (20) is exceeded. - wherein, 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that - the right front outer region (7) is illuminated when being driven around a right-hand bend when a first right steering angle (18) corresponding to the right-hand bend is exceeded, and - the left front outer region (6) is additionally illuminated when being driven around a right-hand bend when a second right steering angle (19) which exceeds the first right steering angle (18) is exceeded. At least one of the second right steering angle (19) and the second left steering angle (21) is defined in a manner offset towards the corresponding end-of- steering stop (16, 17) compared to the corresponding first right steering angle (18) or the first left steering angle (20). At least one of the second right steering angle (19) and the second left steering angle (21) is defined in a manner spaced from the corresponding end-of- steering stop (16, 17).

5. A motor vehicle (1) having a light device (5) for illuminating an outer region of the motor vehicle (1) and a steering device (3) for steering the motor vehicle, - the light device (5) having a left-hand bend headlamp (8) which illuminates a left front outer region (6) of the motor vehicle (1) in a corresponding bend light operation, - wherein the light device (5) has a right-hand bend headlamp (9) which illuminates a right front outer region (7) of the motor vehicle (1) in a corresponding bend light operation, - the motor vehicle also having a control device (22) which is in communication with the light device (5) and the steering device (3) and is designed to operate the light device (5) in accordance with the method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4. At least one of the left-hand bend headlamp (8) and the right-hand bend headlamp (9) is designed as a static bend light (10). At least one of the left-hand bend headlamp (8) and the right-hand bend headlamp (9) is designed as a fog lamp (11). At least one of the left-hand bend headlamp (8) and the right-hand bend headlamp (9) is designed as a dynamic bend light. The motor vehicle (1) is designed as a bus (2). ​ ​ 3. The method of claim 2, wherein, ​ 4. The method of claim 3, wherein, ​ ​ - wherein, ​ ​ ​ 6. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein, ​ 7. The motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein, ​ 8. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that ​ 9. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that ​ 10. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 4 for the front or rear movement of a bus.

Images