Method for operating at least one turn signal of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for at least one turn indicator (3, 4) for operating a motor vehicle (1), wherein the turn indicator (3, 4) outputs a light-emitting signal (8) from the moment of operation, the light-emitting signal consisting of a periodically repeated, alternately occurring on-state (10) and off-state (11), the deviation of the initial phase of the light-emitting signal (8) relative to a preset reference signal (9) is determined at the moment of operation, the deviation is compared with a preset target phase configured for the turn indicator (3, 4), and when there is a phase shift between the initial phase and the target phase, the light-emitting signal (8) is adjusted at the moment of operation. At least two of the subsequent turn-on phase (10) and / or turn-off phase (11) are extended or shortened by different time differences, such that the phase of the light-emitting signal (8) relative to the reference signal (9) is equal to the preset target phase, and / or - at the manipulation moment, the light-emitting signal (8) begins with the first turn-off phase (11), the duration of which is equal to the time offset corresponding to the phase offset between the initial phase and the preset target phase, such that the connection of the light-emitting signal (8) to the turn-on phase (10) after the first turn-off phase (11) is in the target phase relative to the reference signal (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for at least one turn indicator for operating a motor vehicle, wherein the turn indicator outputs a light-emitting signal from the moment of operation, the light-emitting signal consisting of a periodic repetition of alternating on and off phases, wherein at least one light-emitting element of the turn indicator emits light during the on phase and is turned off during the off phase, wherein at the moment of operation, the initial phase of the light-emitting signal is determined as a deviation from a preset reference signal and the deviation is compared with a preset target phase configured for the turn indicator. Background Technology

[0002] The turn indicators of multiple motor vehicles, also known as hazard lights, typically flash individually at their own rhythm. In motor vehicles, this rhythm is usually determined by when the driver activates the corresponding turn indicator by manipulating the hazard light control lever. Here, the start time of the corresponding flashing signal is the moment the driver manipulates the hazard light control lever, thus, in multiple vehicles, due to the individual manipulation of the hazard lights, there is no fixed phase relationship between the flashing signals generated by these hazard lights. Alternatively, it is possible that in multiple vehicles, each vehicle has turn indicators that flash at slightly different frequencies, thereby creating a time-varying phase relationship between the flashing signals.

[0003] To obtain a unified flashing signal image from multiple vehicles in road traffic, it is known to synchronize the flashing signals generated by each vehicle when the turn indicator is operated. Different schemes for this purpose are known from the prior art.

[0004] DE 10 2013 002 875 A1 describes a control device for controlling a direction indicator of a motor vehicle. Here, the control device is configured to synchronize the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicator of the motor vehicle with the phase and / or frequency of the flashing of the direction indicator of at least one other vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2017 219 535 A1 describes a method for operating a turn indicator in a motor vehicle. Here, a beat signal for manipulating the turn indicator is output, wherein a reference beat signal is determined using a global time signal, and the beat signal is output based on the reference beat signal.

[0006] DE 10 2016 220 054 B4 discloses a method for indicating a lead vehicle and at least one following vehicle in a convoy of motor vehicles. Here, a light pattern signal is determined during convoy movement of the motor vehicles, and this light pattern signal is simultaneously reproduced by the indicating devices of multiple motor vehicles or reproduced in a form shown sequentially by multiple motor vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of this invention is to provide an improved method for at least one turn indicator for operating a motor vehicle.

[0008] To achieve this objective, in the method of the type described at the beginning, according to the present invention, when there is a phase shift between the initial phase and the target phase,

[0009] - To extend or shorten at least two of the on-phase and / or off-phases of the luminous signal after the manipulation time by different time differences, thereby making the phase of the luminous signal relative to the reference signal equal to a preset target phase, and / or

[0010] - At the manipulation moment, the light emission signal begins with a first disconnect phase, wherein the duration of the first disconnect phase is equal to the time offset corresponding to the phase offset between the initial phase and the preset target phase, so that the connection of the light emission signal in the turn-on phase after the first disconnect phase is in the target phase relative to the reference signal.

[0011] The luminous signal to be displayed by the turn indicator includes a periodic repetition of alternating on and off phases. During the on phase, at least one luminous element of the turn indicator illuminates, while during the off phase, the at least one luminous element of the turn indicator is switched off, resulting in the turn indicator or its luminous element flashing. When the turn indicator is operated at a specific time via an associated control element, the luminous signal is output through the turn indicator. Here, the emitted luminous signal has an initial phase relative to a preset reference signal, wherein this initial phase is obtained from the position of the operation time relative to the reference signal.

[0012] The synchronized flashing of multiple vehicles creates a consistent image in road traffic, improving the perception of turn indicators and, consequently, the anticipation of vehicle movement. Furthermore, the synchronized flashing of multiple vehicles creates a sense of belonging / interdependence for the user of the vehicles used for synchronized flashing.

[0013] To achieve synchronization of different turn indicators, a target phase is assigned to at least one turn indicator, where the target phase represents the phase that the illuminated signal should have relative to a preset reference signal, so as to achieve synchronized operation of at least one corresponding turn indicator in multiple vehicles. Depending on the position of the operation time relative to the reference signal, different phase offsets or different phase differences are obtained between the initial phase of the operation time and the target phase that the illuminated signal should have relative to the reference signal. To generate synchronized flashing, it is necessary to eliminate or avoid this phase offset.

[0014] By setting a target phase, it is possible not only to generate synchronous flashing of light signals from multiple vehicles that are not phase-shifted to each other and therefore flash simultaneously, but also to generate synchronous flashing of multiple vehicles whose light signals have non-zero phase shifts to each other and, in particular, do not change over time, thus flashing in a fixed order or in a preset pattern.

[0015] Synchronous flashing of multiple turn indicators in multiple vehicles requires the emission of corresponding luminous signals relative to a reference signal in a target phase assigned to the respective turn indicator. These luminous signals are output through the turn indicators of the motor vehicle. This can be achieved by extending or shortening at least two phases of the on-state and / or off-state of the luminous signal by different time differences after the moment of operation, so that thereafter the phase between the luminous signal and the reference signal equals the preset target phase.

[0016] By altering at least two on and / or off phases using different time values ​​to align the initial and target phases, continuous elimination of phase shift between the initial and target phases is achieved. This allows the phase of a vehicle's luminous signal to be perceptibly matched to the theoretical beat of another vehicle or a group of other vehicles. The perception of this beat synchronization further enhances the sense of belonging to the same whole generated by synchronized flashing.

[0017] Here, the sum of the different time differences extended by at least two on-phase and / or off-phase phases is equal to the time offset that can be calculated from the phase offset between the initial phase and the target phase. When the phase offset of the emitted signal is p and the frequency is f, it can be achieved by means of...

[0018] t = (1 / f)·(p / 360°)

[0019] Determine the time offset t. The resulting total time offset can be adjusted by multiple different time differences that are extended or shortened by at least two on-phase and / or off-phase phases, thereby eliminating the phase shift between the initial phase and the target phase, and thus placing the emitted signal in the target phase relative to the reference signal. This can be done regardless of whether the emitted signal begins at the start of the on-phase, the start of the off-phase, or during either the on-phase or off-phase.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, it is feasible to initiate the luminous signal with a first disconnect phase at the moment of operation, wherein the duration of the first disconnect phase is equal to the time offset between the initial phase and the target phase. In this way, the subsequent on-state of the luminous signal, following the disconnect phase, is in the target phase relative to the reference signal. Thus, a delay in the first on-state is achieved, wherein the length of this delay is equivalent to the time offset obtained by the phase offset between the initial phase and the target phase. This advantageously enables synchronization between the luminous signal and the reference signal or other vehicles as quickly as possible after the moment of operation.

[0021] For example, a feasible approach is to use a reference signal that is a time signal with a frequency equal to the frequency of the emitted signal, where a zero-degree phase deviation is adjusted between the reference signal and the emitted signal as the target phase. In this way, by synchronizing the emitted signal with the reference signal, the emitted signal is made compatible with the reference signal. Here, the reference signal can also be understood as, for example, the theoretical beat. Besides adjusting the phase deviation relative to the reference signal to zero degrees, a non-zero phase deviation can also be adjusted, and if necessary, different phase deviations can be adjusted in different vehicles, thereby generating a phase relationship different from the exact same beat between two or more vehicles.

[0022] According to the present invention, a preset maximum time difference value can be extended or shortened for a turn-on phase and / or a turn-off phase, or a plurality of successive turn-on phases and / or turn-off phases, wherein the turn-on phase or turn-off phase following the at least one phase whose maximum time difference value has been extended or shortened is extended or shortened by a remaining time difference value, which is less than the maximum time difference value. Here, the sum of the remaining time difference value and the maximum time difference value extended or shortened in the preceding phase is equal to the time offset obtained from the phase offset between the initial phase and the target phase.

[0023] By setting a maximum time difference value, the maximum difference that a single turn-on or turn-off phase can be extended or shortened can be preset. This allows for the definition of the maximum values ​​that a single phase can be extended and / or shortened, when the phase offset between the initial phase and the target phase is relatively large, or when the time offset is relatively large.

[0024] This maximum time difference prevents a large deviation between the duration of a single turn-on and / or turn-off phase and the duration of an unextended or unshortened turn-on and / or turn-off phase. An unextended turn-on and / or turn-off phase could, for example, have a length of 400 ms, thus making the beat length of each cycle, including one turn-off phase and one turn-on phase, 800 ms. The maximum time difference could, for example, be between 10 ms and 100 ms, and particularly 50 ms.

[0025] Because the phase offset between the initial phase and the target phase is related to the manipulation time, a remainder may remain after extending or shortening one or more on and / or off phases, which may be less than the maximum time difference. Therefore, to adjust the time difference, one or more successive on and / or off phases may be extended or shortened by the maximum time difference, and then the subsequent on and / or off phase may be extended or shortened by the remaining time difference.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be specified that the time difference between the successive on-state and / or off-state phases, which decreases as the time interval with respect to the operation time increases, is extended or shortened respectively. Here, the farther the shortened or extended on-state and / or off-state phases are from the operation time, the smaller or lower the time difference between the successive on-state and / or off-state phases is selected.

[0027] In this way, the time difference between the extended or shortened turn-on and / or turn-off phases and the corresponding unextended or unshortened turn-on and / or turn-off phases is continuously eliminated. This time difference, which decreases with increasing intervals from the manipulation moment, can also be combined with one or more turn-on and / or turn-off phases whose maximum time difference has been extended or / or shortened, such that, for example, after the manipulation moment, one or more phases are first extended and / or shortened to the maximum time difference, and then the remaining difference is extended and / or shortened by multiple time difference values ​​that decrease with increasing time intervals from the manipulation moment.

[0028] According to the present invention, the amount by which the time difference between two successive on-state and / or off-state phases, which are extended or shortened, is reduced is always the same. Thus, the fit between the emitted signal and the target phase relative to the reference signal, or with the theoretical beat, can be clearly perceived without causing any sense of disturbance.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be specified that when the time offset corresponding to the phase shift of the emitted signal relative to the reference signal is greater than half the period of the emitted signal, the one on-phase and / or off-phase, or the plurality of on-phase and / or off-phase, is extended; and when the time offset corresponding to the phase shift of the emitted signal relative to the reference signal is less than half the period of the emitted signal, the one on-phase and / or off-phase, or the plurality of on-phase and / or off-phase, is shortened. Due to the periodic nature of the emitted signal and the reference signal, phase matching between the emitted signal and the reference signal can be achieved not only by extending but also by shortening the on-phase and / or off-phase of the emitted signal. Therefore, by evaluating whether the time offset between the signals is greater than or less than half the period, the emitted signal can be matched with the reference signal as quickly as possible, since only a small time offset needs to be compensated.

[0030] It is feasible to initiate the emission signal with a disconnect phase, as described above, when the time offset is less than or equal to a preset limit, to generate a time offset equivalent to the phase offset between the initial and target phases. When the time offset is greater than the limit, at least two of the turn-on and / or turn-off phases can be extended or shortened, as described above, so that the emission signal is perceptibly guided to the target phase or theoretical beat relative to the reference signal only from the manipulation moment if the time offset at the manipulation moment is sufficiently large.

[0031] According to the invention, it is feasible to derive a reference signal—particularly periodically or continuously—from at least one time signal that is locally / locally or globally / globally receivable. The advantage of using a locally or globally receivable time signal is that multiple nearby vehicles can receive the same time signal and derive the reference signal from it in the same manner, so that after successful synchronization, the turn indicators of these vehicles all flash at the same beat, or correspondingly flash in their respective target phases adjusted relative to the reference signal.

[0032] According to the present invention, as a time signal, signals from global satellite navigation systems, radio clocks, analog radios, digital radios, mobile communication networks, motor vehicle communication networks, and / or time information from communication networks can be used.

[0033] For example, time signals from global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and / or BeiDou) can be used. Signals that serve as radio clocks can, for example, be the DCF77 signal. Radio signals, such as analog RDS signals and / or digital radio signals, especially DAB signals and / or DAB+ signals, can also be used. Different signals from mobile communication networks that also contain time information can also be used as correction reference signals, such as time information from dedicated vehicle communication networks (e.g., vehicle-to-X communication networks) and / or communication networks based on NTP and / or PTP standards.

[0034] All of the aforementioned signals are types of signals that may have already been received in the vehicle for other purposes, thus enabling the retrieval of these signals in a simple manner. Furthermore, all of these reference signals originate from clock time as a fixed reference point, allowing the use of different time signals in different vehicles to derive the reference signals. Due to the fixed timing relationships of the time signals used, the reference signals also have fixed relationships with each other, particularly being at least substantially in phase. This approach advantageously allows the use of different time signals in different vehicles and / or, for example, the selection of another time signal when one of the time signals is not received. For example, the Unix time can be determined from the received time signal, and from the Unix time, a definite relationship can then be established for the reference signals.

[0035] According to the present invention, when no time signal is received, a preset beat signal on the vehicle side can be used as a reference signal. If no time signal can be received and therefore the allocated time signal and / or all time signals cannot be used, the beat signal on the vehicle side can be used as a reference signal to enable the normal operation of the turn indicator, and thus the display of the luminous signal. In this way, the turn indicator can be operated for safety reasons even when no time signal is received.

[0036] The preset beat signal on the vehicle side can be extrapolated / interpolated from a reference signal determined at a previous time, or a beat signal that is not related to the reference signal and / or time signal can be used, so that the at least one steering indicator can operate asynchronously when no time signal is received.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Unix time can be used as the time signal, wherein the beat of the luminous signal, preset by a reference signal, begins in the on-phase at a Unix timestamp / Unix epoch, corresponding to 00:00:00.00 on January 1, 1970, according to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Using Unix time, the elapsed time is accumulated from the Unix timestamp corresponding to 00:00:00.00 on January 1, 1970, according to UTC. For example, Unix time can include the accumulated milliseconds elapsed since the Unix timestamp and is therefore used as an explicit time stamp in integer form. This number or Unix time can be used to derive the reference signal, wherein the beat of the luminous signal, described by the reference signal, begins in the on-phase at the Unix timestamp.

[0038] By dividing the Unix time at the moment of steering indicator input with a remainder by the duration of one beat of the illuminated signal (which includes an on phase and a subsequent off phase), the time offset between the illuminated signal and the reference signal, or the Unix time at the moment of input, can be determined. Then, as explained above, this time offset can be eliminated to achieve the desired target phase between the illuminated signal and the reference signal.

[0039] According to the present invention, in the target phase, particularly in the direction flashing operation and / or warning flashing operation of the turn indicator, the duration of the on-phase and off-phase of the luminous signal is 400 ms each. Here, the duration of a cycle including one on-phase and one off-phase is correspondingly 800 ms. In other operating modes of the turn indicator, such as to indicate a successful opening or closing process and / or for emergency braking flashing, the same or different durations of the on-phase and off-phase, or the cycle, can be used. Until the target phase is reached, the duration of one or more on-phase and / or one or more off-phase may differ from 400 ms to achieve phase shift adaptation to reach the target phase.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be specified that a reference signal and / or target phase can be derived from environmental information detected by a sensor device of a motor vehicle having a turn indicator, wherein the environmental information depicts at least one manipulated turn indicator of another motor vehicle, and wherein the frequency of the reference signal is equal to the frequency of the turn indicator of the other motor vehicle depicted in the environmental information.

[0041] In this way, the luminous signal displayed by the vehicle itself via at least one turn indicator is matched with luminous signals emitted by other vehicles around it via their turn indicators. This achieves adaptation or synchronization of the vehicle's luminous signal with the other vehicle, even though the rhythm of the other vehicle's luminous signal does not have a corresponding reference signal for the vehicle itself. Here, a camera can be used as a sensor device, for example.

[0042] According to the present invention, a reference signal and / or target phase can be determined based on environmental information of a vehicle with a turn indicator and / or phase information transmitted by another vehicle via a communication link. Here, the communication link can be, for example, vehicle-to-X communication, visible light communication (VLC), and / or light fidelity communication / visible light wireless communication (LiFi). Through this communication link, phase information can be transmitted from the other vehicle to the vehicle itself, and the target phase of the reference signal and / or the luminous signal relative to the reference signal can be determined based on this phase information. This enables the joint realization of light patterns on multiple vehicles, such as flowing / dynamic light similar to light markings at a warning triangle / warnbarken or construction site markings.

[0043] Communication links, such as vehicle-to-X communication, can be used to exchange the positions of vehicles in a queue—for example, behind a stop line at a traffic light or similar location. Here, from the total number of vehicles stopped there, each vehicle's position can be determined collectively with respect to its own reference signal or its own target phase relative to a common reference signal, thus enabling a common appearance of the luminous signals emitted by the turn indicators. As individual vehicles join or leave, the corresponding reference signal and / or target phase can be adapted accordingly, thereby reproducing a common light pattern, such as flowing light, by readjusting the target phase offset in each vehicle.

[0044] According to the present invention, the distance between a motor vehicle and a stop line can be used as environmental information. Here, the stop line may be, for example, before a traffic light, at the end of a curve, at an intersection, before a drive-in entrance, etc. When multiple motor vehicles are lined up, for example, the distance between each vehicle and the stop line can be used to determine reference signals and / or target phases for each vehicle to jointly display a light pattern.

[0045] According to the present invention, it can be specified that, for the duration during which the turn indicator is manipulated, particularly periodically or continuously, the phase of the luminous signal relative to the reference signal is corrected using a target phase, wherein when the deviation between the phase and the target phase is greater than a preset limit, at least one on-state and / or off-state phase of the luminous signal is extended or shortened by a time difference, so that thereafter the phase of the luminous signal relative to the reference signal is equivalent to the preset target phase.

[0046] This enables direct resynchronization of the emitted signal with the reference signal, allowing the emitted signal to be emitted as precisely as possible within its assigned target phase. In this way, small discrepancies in the beat frequency (at which the emitted signal is indicated by at least one steering indicator) can also be corrected. This direct synchronization with the reference signal can be additionally or alternatively configured, in addition to indirect synchronization and periodically deriving the reference signal from the received time signal.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two turn indicators may be used, each associated with a different driving direction and / or a warning signal output, wherein the same target phase may be used, or different target phases may be used for the driving direction to be displayed and / or the warning signal output. For example, when the left turn indicator and the right turn indicator are operated separately to display the intended driving direction, different target phases may be used for the left turn indicator and the right turn indicator.

[0048] For example, the target phase of the turn indicator for the left turn and the target phase of the turn indicator for the right turn can be phase-shifted by 180° relative to the reference signal. Thus, for example at a large intersection, the first group of vehicles turning left and the second group of vehicles turning right each have synchronized luminous signals within their respective groups, while these two groups are phase-shifted by 180° relative to each other. In this way, the luminous signal output in the intersection area can be designed to be very clear.

[0049] Accordingly, for warning signal outputs, particularly so-called warning flashing, in which at least two turn indicators associated with different directions operate simultaneously, the selected target phase is different from the target phase used for flashing, i.e., for manipulating the turn indicator associated with only one direction of travel. It is also possible, when manipulating the warning flashing device, to make the target phase of the warning flashing equal to the target phase of the left turn indicator or the target phase of the right turn indicator, or to use a target phase different from these target phases. It is also possible to operate the warning flasher without phase synchronization. The latter could be, for example, a situation where the warning flashing has a different beat ratio when the ignition is off compared to when the ignition is on; for example, when the ignition is off, the on-phase to off-phase ratio is 310 ms to 490 ms, while when the ignition is on, it is 400 ms to 400 ms.

[0050] According to the provisions of the present invention, the motor vehicle includes at least one steering indicator and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to perform the method according to the present invention.

[0051] The advantages and design schemes described above with reference to the method according to the present invention are correspondingly applicable to motor vehicles according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with the aid of the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic diagrams, and in which:

[0053] Figure 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown.

[0054] Figure 2 A first graph is shown to explain an embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

[0055] Figure 3 A second graph is shown to explain a first embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0056] Figure 4 A third graph is shown to explain a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0057] Figure 5 A fourth graph is shown to illustrate a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, and

[0058] Figure 6 Several motor vehicles are shown to illustrate embodiments of the method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0059] exist Figure 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the present invention is shown. The motor vehicle 1 includes a control device 2 and a plurality of turn indicators 3, 4. Here, the turn indicator 3 is arranged on the left side of the motor vehicle and the turn indicator 4 is arranged on the right side of the motor vehicle, such that the turn indicator 3 is used, for example, to indicate a left turn, and correspondingly the turn indicator 4 is used to indicate a right turn or equivalent driving operation.

[0060] The turn indicators 3 and 4 can be operated by a control element 5 arranged in the interior space of the vehicle 1. The operated turn indicator outputs a light-emitting signal, which consists of a periodic repetition of alternating on and off phases. During the on phase, at least one light-emitting element of the turn indicator illuminates; during the off phase, the light-emitting element is turned off. During the operation of the vehicle 1, the driver of the vehicle 1 can operate the control element 5 and, consequently, the turn indicators 3 and 4 at any time.

[0061] The controller 2 is configured to generate a reference signal and may use information transmitted to the communication device 6 of the control device 2 and / or information received by the receiving device 7 of the control device 2, as described in more detail below. The light signals of the steering indicators 3 and 4 generated at any time of operation have different initial phase offsets or different initial phase differences relative to the reference signal, depending on the position of the operation time relative to the reference signal.

[0062] This is Figure 2 The graph is shown below. In this graph, time is represented on the horizontal axis, and the signal levels s of the luminous signal 8 and the reference signal 9 are schematically shown on the vertical axis, respectively. Here, for clarity, the reference signal 9 is shown as a dashed line. The luminous signal 8 comprises periodic beats with a preset frequency, wherein each beat includes an on-phase 10 indicated by a high signal level and an off-phase 11 indicated by a low signal level. The reference signal also has such beats. It can be seen that at time t0 corresponding to the manipulation time, there is a phase shift between the luminous signal 8 and the reference signal 9. This phase shift can also be understood as a time shift between the luminous signal 8 and the reference signal 9.

[0063] In order to achieve the target phase between the light-emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9, the control device 2 can extend and / or shorten at least two of the on-state phase 10 and / or off-state phase 11 of the light-emitting signal 8 by different time differences after the manipulation time t0, so that the phase of the light-emitting signal 8 relative to the reference signal 9 subsequently corresponds to the preset target phase.

[0064] This is an example in Figure 3 As shown, the phase between the light-emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9 is adjusted to 0° as a preset target phase. To this end, the first turn-on phase 10 is extended by a maximum time difference Δt after the manipulation time t0. max The corresponding extension of the turn-on phase 10 is shown through the shaded area 12.

[0065] Correspondingly, this also extends the maximum time difference Δt in the disconnection phase 11 following the connection phase 10. max The subsequent connection phase, following the disconnection phase 11, extends the remaining time difference Δt. rest Thus, the overall balance between the luminous signal 8 and the reference signal 9 is adjusted to 2×Δt. max +Δt rest The time difference, in this embodiment, is equal to the phase shift between the light-emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9. This adaptation is merely exemplary; depending on the magnitude of the phase shift between the light-emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9, other numbers of on and / or off phases may also extend the maximum time difference Δt. max.

[0066] For example, the durations of the turn-on phase 10 and the turn-off phase 11 can each be 400 ms, thus resulting in a total cycle time of 800 ms for one cycle of the light-emitting signal 8. For example, if a time offset of 220 ms is obtained between the light-emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9, and the maximum time difference Δt for each individual phase is determined up to 50 ms... max For example, the synchronization of the light emission signal 8 to the reference signal 9 can be achieved by extending each of the two on-phase and two off-phase phases by 50ms, and then extending the remaining time difference Δt of the connecting on-phase phase by 20ms. rest This allows for the adaptation of the emitted signal 8 to the reference signal 9 within five stages. Alternatively, the remaining time difference Δt can be used... rest Distributed across multiple turn-on and turn-off phases, thus, for example, not extending the remaining time difference Δt of the connecting turn-on phase by 20ms. rest Instead, it extends the connection phase and the immediately following disconnection phase by Δt respectively. rest / 2, which is 10ms.

[0067] exist Figure 4 The graph illustrates another embodiment of the adaptation. Here, by extending the time difference between the multiple successive on and off phases, which decreases as the time interval with respect to the manipulation time increases, the initial phase between the luminous signal 8 and the reference signal 9 is adapted to the target phase, i.e., a phase shift of 0°.

[0068] Here, the time difference Δt1 is extended in the first turn-on phase 10 after the manipulation time t0, the time difference Δt2 is extended in the immediately following turn-off phase 11, and the time difference Δt3 is extended in the next turn-on phase, where Δt3 is less than Δt2 and Δt2 is less than Δt1. Therefore, the time offset Δt1 plus Δt2 plus Δt3 between the emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9 can be compensated in total during these three phases. By compensating for the time offset between the emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9, the emitting signal 8 can be brought from the initial phase to the target phase relative to the reference signal.

[0069] Alternatively, compensation can be performed in more than three stages. For example, when the stage duration is 400 ms and the offset relative to the theoretical beat or reference signal 9 is 220 ms, the first stage can be run for a stage duration of 450 ms, the second stage for 444 ms, the third stage for 438 ms, the fourth stage for 432 ms, the fifth stage for 426 ms, the sixth stage for 420 ms, and the seventh stage for 410 ms. This allows for continuous and, in particular, interference-free adaptation of the luminous signal 8 to the reference signal 9 by the decreasing time difference obtained between the extended stage duration and the initial stage duration of 400 ms.

[0070] In this adaptation method, it is feasible to make the time difference Δt decrease from the manipulation time t0. i The amount of reduction remains constant, so that the difference between any two successive, decreasing time differences is the same, wherein the difference is chosen such that the initial phase is adapted to the target phase within a certain number of preset beats. Therefore, the amount of reduction in the time difference between any two successive, extended or shortened on-state 10 and / or off-state 11 is always the same.

[0071] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 The combination of embodiments shown is also feasible, wherein a predetermined number of turn-on phases 10 and / or turn-off phases 11 are first extended by the maximum allowable time difference Δt. max And then as multiple time differences Δt over multiple phases in the turn-on phase 10 and / or turn-off phase 11. i Compensation for the remaining residual value Δt rest Here, the remaining value can also be greater than the maximum time difference Δt. max Here, multiple time differences Δt i For example, it can decrease as the time interval with respect to the manipulation time t0 increases, that is, it becomes smaller.

[0072] exist Figure 5Another feasible scheme for adapting the phase of the emitting signal 8 relative to the reference signal 9 is shown. Here, unlike the feasible schemes described above, the emitting signal 8 begins at the manipulation time t0 with a disconnection phase 11 instead of an on-phase 10. Here, the duration of the first disconnection phase 11 corresponds to the phase shift between the initial phase and the preset target phase between the emitting signal 8 and the reference signal 9, so that the on-phase 10 following the first disconnection phase 11 is already in the target phase (which is also equal to 0° in this example). Combinations of this embodiment with any of the other embodiments are also feasible, wherein a portion of the total time offset to be compensated consists of the duration of the disconnection phase occurring directly after the manipulation time.

[0073] Alternatively, when the time offset to be compensated is less than or equal to the limit, especially for the maximum time difference Δt, it is feasible to compensate for it. max When the value is greater than the limit, the luminous signal 8 begins in the disconnection phase at the manipulation time t0, and the time difference is greater than the limit, especially Δt. max As explained above, adaptation can be achieved by extending or shortening two or more successive turn-on and / or turn-off phases.

[0074] In all the embodiments described above, instead of extending one on-phase and one off-phase, it is also possible to extend only multiple on-phases or only multiple off-phases. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible to shorten the on-phase and / or off-phase respectively. Here, in particular, when the time offset corresponding to the phase shift of the light-emitting signal 8 relative to the reference signal 9 is greater than half the period time of the light-emitting signal, and therefore greater than the duration of the on-phase or off-phase, the on-phase and / or off-phase can be extended. Correspondingly, when the time offset corresponding to the phase shift of the light-emitting signal relative to the reference signal is less than half the period time of the light-emitting signal 8, one on-phase and / or one off-phase, or multiple on-phase and / or multiple off-phases can be shortened.

[0075] As in Figure 6 As shown, the reference signal for vehicle 1 can be derived from the locally or globally received time signal 12. This enables the formulation of corresponding reference signals in other vehicles 13 and 14 based on the locally or globally received time signal, thereby achieving synchronized operation of the turn indicators 3 and 4 of vehicles 1, 13, and 14.

[0076] Here, as time signal 12, a signal including absolute time information can be used. For example, a signal from a global satellite navigation system (e.g., GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and / or BeiDou) can be used as the time signal. It is also possible to use a radio clock signal (e.g., DCF77 signal), an analog radio signal (e.g., RDS signal), or a digital radio signal (e.g., DAB signal and / or DAB+ signal). The time signal that is locally or globally receivable can also exist as a signal from a mobile communication network, a signal from a vehicle communication network (e.g., a vehicle-to-X communication network), and / or as time information from other communication networks, such as those based on NTP and / or PTP standards.

[0077] Here, the time signal 12 may exist, for example, in Unix format or be converted to such a format by the control device 2 of vehicle 1. In this way, a time signal 12 is obtained such that it has the same reference, specifically the effective clock time, for all vehicles 1, 13, 14 that receive the time signal 12 or another similar time signal. Accordingly, reference signals 9 for each vehicle 1, 13, 14 can be derived from the time signal 12, thereby correspondingly adjusting the phase offset between the corresponding light emission signals 8 of vehicles 1, 13, 14 and, for example, the reference signals 9 generated from the time signal 12 in the same manner.

[0078] The Unix time transmitted as a locally or globally receivable time signal 12 is a 32-bit variable that increments by one count per second starting at midnight on January 1, 1970. From this time value, the time difference with the aforementioned date can be determined, and thus the current clock time can be determined. To calculate the reference signal 9, the Unix time can be converted to milliseconds, for example, and divided by the duration of the flashing beat, for example, 800 ms, with a remainder. Here, for each of the vehicles 1, 13, and 14, the remainder of this modulo operation represents the deviation from the reference signal 9 or its theoretical beat, where the deviation may vary depending on the corresponding operating time of the corresponding control element 5 of the vehicles 1, 13, and 14. When the deviation exceeds 400 ms, for example, 800 ms can be subtracted to obtain either a positive value indicating that the corresponding phase can be extended or a negative value indicating that the corresponding phase is shortened. Then, the corresponding extension or shortening of the individual on and / or off phases can be performed as described above.

[0079] When the time signal 12 is not received, the beat difference signal 9 can use a beat signal preset on the vehicle side, especially generated by the control device 2, as a reference signal 9, so that the light signal can still be output in the event of a fault. When the time signal 12 is unavailable, the reference signal 9 used when the turn indicator was last operated can also be extrapolated.

[0080] Alternatively, a reference signal and / or target phase for one of the vehicles 1, 13, and 14 can be derived from environmental information, wherein the environmental information depicts at least one manipulated turn indicator of another vehicle. Here, the frequency of the reference signal 9 can be equal to the frequency of the turn indicators 3 and 4 of the other vehicle 13 and 14 depicted in the environmental information. For example, the flickering of vehicle 13 can be detected by a sensor device of vehicle 1, and then the control device 2 generates a reference signal 9 corresponding to the phase and frequency of the flickering of the other vehicle 13. Vehicle 1 can then adjust to the target phase based on the reference signal 9 and thereby perform its own flickering, that is, its own display of the luminous signal 8 via the turn indicator 3. Here, the detection of the flickering of vehicle 13 can be achieved, for example, by a sensor device of vehicle 1 including a camera connected to the control device 2.

[0081] It is feasible to determine the reference signal and / or target phase based on the environmental information of vehicle 1. For this purpose, the distance between vehicle 1 and the stop line 15 can be used as environmental information, for example. This achieves synchronized flashing of the turn indicators 3 when vehicles 1, 13, and 14 are respectively designed to perform this method. Here, the synchronized flashing can be performed at the same beat. It is also feasible, for example, for vehicles 1, 13, and 14 located in the left-turn lane, to manipulate their turn indicators 3 to flash synchronously, thereby creating a flowing signal / dynamic signal of movement from vehicle 13 through vehicle 1 to vehicle 14. This flowing light can be achieved by assigning different target phases to vehicles 13, 13, and 14. For example, the target phase can be selected for each of vehicles 1, 13, and 14 based on their distance from the stop line 15.

[0082] Alternatively, the reference signal and / or target phase can be determined based on phase information transmitted to vehicle 1 by another vehicle 13, 14 via a communication link. Here, the communication link could be, for example, vehicle-to-X communication, visible light communication (VLC), and / or light fidelity communication (LiFi). Communication between vehicles 1, 13, 14 is achieved so that, in order to synchronize flashing, and especially to indicate flowing light or the like, the vehicles determine different reference signals 9 and / or the same reference signal 9 with different target phases, thereby obtaining the desired effect when operating the turn indicator 3.

[0083] To minimize the deviation between the operation of the turn indicator 3 or the display of the illuminated signal 8 in the motor vehicle 1 and a determined reference, a reference signal can be periodically derived from the time signal 12, thereby achieving indirect synchronization with the reference time used for the time signal 12. Additionally or alternatively, the phase of the illuminated signal 8 relative to the reference signal 9 can be corrected using a target phase over the duration of the turn indicator 3 operation—particularly periodically or continuously. When the deviation between the current phase and the target phase exceeds a preset limit stored in the control device 2, at least one on and / or off phase of the illuminated signal can be extended or shortened by a time difference, thereby causing the phase of the illuminated signal 8 relative to the reference signal to again correspond to the preset time phase. This enables direct synchronization between the illuminated signal 8 displayed by the turn indicator 3 and the reference signal determined in the control device 2.

[0084] In this example, the turn indicator 3 associated with the left-hand driving direction and the turn indicator 4 associated with the right-hand driving direction can be assigned different target phases for their relationship with reference signal 9. This achieves that the flashing on the left, i.e., via turn indicator 3, and the flashing on the right, i.e., via turn indicator 4, are respectively phase-shifted by, for example, 180°. In the group of motor vehicles 1, 13, and 14, this produces a uniform and identical appearance, wherein vehicles flashing in different directions can be well distinguished due to the time shift between the individual activation phases of the luminous signal 8. When the warning flashes, i.e., when a maneuver occurs simultaneously or the activation phase is performed simultaneously, not only the turn indicator 3 associated with the left-hand driving direction but also the turn indicator 4 associated with the right-hand driving direction can employ another reference signal and / or another target phase relationship. It is also possible that, for the warning flashing, the target phase relationship or reference signal corresponds to turn indicator 3 or turn indicator 4.

[0085] By adapting the phase or time offset between the luminous signal 8 and the reference signal 9 after the operation moment, the luminous signal 8 can be matched with the reference signal 9, and thus also with the synchronized flashing rhythm of multiple vehicles. Using an off phase at the beginning of the signal results in only synchronized flashing being visible, without any rhythmic adaptation. By extending or shortening one or more on and / or off phases, the function of synchronized flashing can be made visible, thereby further enhancing the sense of unity among vehicles 1, 13, and 14.

[0086] Synchronized flashing produces a consistent flashing signal, resulting in a consistent street view. The phase difference that may exist between left-side and right-side flashing contributes to improved traffic perception because vehicles flashing in different directions can be better distinguished from each other.

[0087] A preferred embodiment of the method uses Unix time as time signal 12, which is obtained from GPS signals received by vehicles 1, 13, and 14. The advantage of using GPS signals to obtain Unix time is that Unix time exists with high precision in GPS signals, because Unix time is required within the range of the GPS system for location determination. Alternatively, Unix time can also be retrieved from other sources or other forms of signals.

[0088] Here, reference signal 9 is derived from Unix time, for example, by accumulating in milliseconds from 00:00:00.00 UTC (the so-called Unix timestamp / Unix epoch) on January 1, 1970, where reference signal 9 begins with an on-phase at the Unix timestamp. Here, the preset beat of the luminous signal 8 via reference signal 9 has a duration of 800 ms, where the beat includes an on-phase and an off-phase lasting 400 ms respectively. At least from the occurrence of target phase shift during the directional flashing and warning flashing operations of turn indicators 3 and / or 4, the luminous signals 8 of vehicles 1, 13, and 14 also correspondingly have on-phase and off-phases of 400 ms each.

[0089] As described with reference to the above embodiments, the luminous signal 8 can be matched with the reference signal 9 from the moment of operation, wherein, in this embodiment, a target phase of 0° is adjusted. This results in vehicles 1, 13, and 14 flashing synchronously with each other at the latest from the moment the target phase is reached.

[0090] From the moment the target phase is reached, the light emission signal 8 of vehicles 1, 13, and 14 also blinks synchronously with the reference signal 9 derived from the Unix time. The light emission signal 8 has an on-phase and an off-phase of 400ms each, respectively, from the moment the target phase is reached. Therefore, by synchronizing with the reference signal, vehicles 1, 13, and 14 blink as if starting with an on-phase from the Unix timestamp and blinking for a duration of 800ms. In this way, consistent blinking can be achieved for the group of vehicles 1, 13, and 14.

Claims

1. A method for operating at least one turn indicator (3, 4) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein, The turn indicators (3, 4) output a light-emitting signal (8) from the moment of operation. The light-emitting signal consists of a periodically repeated, alternating on phase (10) and off phase (11). In the on phase, at least one light-emitting element of the turn indicators (3, 4) emits light, and in the off phase, the light-emitting element is turned off. At the moment of operation, the deviation of the initial phase of the light-emitting signal (8) relative to a preset reference signal (9) is determined, and this deviation is compared with a preset target phase configured for the turn indicators (3, 4). When there is a phase shift between the initial phase and the target phase, - The time difference between at least two phases of the light emission signal (8) in the turn-on phase (10) and / or turn-off phase (11) after the manipulation time is extended or shortened by different time differences, so that the phase of the light emission signal (8) relative to the reference signal (9) thereafter is equal to the preset target phase. - To extend or shorten the successive turn-on phases (10) and / or turn-off phases (11) by a time difference that decreases as the time interval with respect to the manipulation time increases. - The amount of reduction in the time difference between any two successive, extended or shortened turn-on phases (10) and / or turn-off phases (11) is always the same.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, A preset maximum time difference is extended or shortened for a turn-on phase (10) and / or a turn-off phase (11) or a series of turn-on phases (10) and / or turn-off phases (11), respectively, and the remaining time difference is extended or shortened for a turn-on phase (10) or a turn-off phase (11) connected after at least one phase whose maximum time difference has been extended or shortened, wherein the remaining time difference is less than the maximum time difference.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the time offset corresponding to the phase offset of the light emission signal relative to the reference signal (9) is greater than half the period time of the light emission signal (8), the one turn-on phase (10) and / or the turn-off phase (11) or the plurality of turn-on phases (10) and / or turn-off phases (11) are extended, and when the time offset corresponding to the phase offset of the light emission signal (8) relative to the reference signal (9) is less than half the period time of the light emission signal (8), the one turn-on phase (10) and / or the turn-off phase (11) or the plurality of turn-on phases (10) and / or turn-off phases (11) are shortened.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The reference signal (9) is derived periodically or continuously from at least one time signal (12) that can be received locally or globally.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, As a time signal (12), it uses signals from global satellite navigation systems, radio clocks, analog radios, digital radios, and / or mobile communication networks.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When no time signal (12) is received, a beat signal preset on the motor vehicle side is used as a reference signal (9).

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Using Unix time as the time signal, the beat of the light-emitting signal (8) passing the reference signal (9) is preset to start at the Unix timestamp at the turn-on phase, the Unix timestamp corresponding to 00:00:00.00 on January 1, 1970 according to Coordinated Universal Time.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the target phase, during the turn-on and / or warning-flash operation of the turn indicators (3, 4), the duration of the turn-on and turn-off phases of the light-emitting signal (8) is 400ms.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A reference signal (9) and / or a target phase are derived from environmental information detected by a sensor device of a motor vehicle (1) having turn indicators (3, 4), the environmental information depicting at least one manipulated turn indicator (3, 4) of another motor vehicle (13, 14), wherein the frequency of the reference signal (9) is equal to the frequency of the turn indicator (3, 4) of the other motor vehicle (13, 14) depicted in the environmental information.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The reference signal (9) and / or the target phase are determined based on the environmental information of the motor vehicle (1) with turn indicators (3, 4) and / or the phase information transmitted by another motor vehicle (13, 14) via a communication link.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The distance between the motor vehicle (1) and the parking line (15) is used as environmental information.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, During the duration of manipulating the steering indicators (3, 4), the phase of the luminous signal (8) relative to the reference signal (9) is periodically or continuously corrected using the target phase, wherein when the deviation between the phase and the target phase is greater than a preset limit, at least one on-phase (10) and / or off-phase (11) of the luminous signal (8) is extended or shortened by a time difference, such that thereafter the phase of the luminous signal (8) relative to the reference signal (9) is equal to the preset target phase.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Use at least two turn indicators (3, 4) that are associated with different driving directions and / or with warning signal outputs, respectively, wherein the same target phase is used, or different target phases are used for the driving direction to be displayed and / or the warning signal output.

14. A motor vehicle, said motor vehicle comprising at least one turn indicator (3, 4) and a control device (2), wherein, The control device (2) is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-13.

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