Headlight for a motor vehicle with a device for improved basic adjustment

Abstract

Headlight (10) for a motor vehicle (11) with a headlight housing in which at least one light module (12) is accommodated, which emits light in a predetermined light axis (13), wherein a device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) for a basic headlight setting is also provided, wherein the device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) is designed as an electromotive device (14), wherein an electromotive actuating device (14') is provided in order to compensate for changes in the position of the light axis (13), at least during operation of the headlight (10), wherein the electromotive actuating device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) is formed by the electromotive actuating device (14'), wherein an image capture camera (16) is provided, which is designed at least to determine the position of the light axis (13),wherein the device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) comprises an electronic control unit which is designed to receive position values ​​of the light module (12) from the image capture camera (16) and to control the electromotive actuating device (14'), wherein a distance sensor (20) is also provided for detecting the distance between the motor vehicle (11) and an imaging surface (17).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle having a headlight housing in which at least one light module is accommodated, which emits light in a predetermined light axis, wherein a device for basic adjustment of the light module for a basic headlight setting is also provided.

[0002] The light axis, which describes the propagation axis of the emitted light from the headlight's light module, is subject to very strict limits regarding vertical and horizontal deviation. Due to the materials used for headlights and the operating temperatures encountered, volume expansion of the headlight components is inevitable. The design of the headlight and the lengths of the components exposed to the force flow determine the impact on the cut-off line, which can increase depending on the changing course of the light axis. Further influences arise from environmental conditions such as weather and road conditions and lead to irreversible settling effects that cannot be counteracted by design.

[0003] Mechanically and manually operated devices for basic adjustment of the light module in the headlight housing are generally known. These can be operated with a tool and are designed, for example, as screw elements in the rear area of the headlight housing. One screw element can be used to adjust the horizontal axis and another screw element to adjust the vertical axis of the headlight's light axis. However, in order to operate the screw elements with an appropriate tool, the rear area of the headlight housing must be accessible. Due to the openings required for the screw elements through the headlight housing, leakage problems in the headlight housing can result.Furthermore, the design effort of the mechanically manually operated devices for the basic adjustment of the light module in the headlight housing is often very high, since spindle elements have to be driven by deflection gears that are located on a different axis than the axis of the screw elements for operation by a tool.

[0004] Headlights for basic adjustment of the light module are known from the documents DE 101 31 068 A1 and DE 10 2005 040 980 A1.

[0005] Within the scope of the present invention, the basic adjustment of the light module for a basic headlight setting relates to a one-time change in the position of the light module in the headlight housing or one that can be performed only at discrete service intervals; however, the adjustment can also be provided as a continuous readjustment. The basic adjustment is initially performed by the automobile manufacturer when the headlight is installed in the vehicle and adjusted. Furthermore, during regular light tests as part of service work on the vehicle, the light module can be readjusted using the device for basic adjustment of the light module. These basic adjustments are generally performed by specialist personnel and require special tools to operate the manual-mechanical screw elements.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a headlight for a motor vehicle that enables improved basic adjustment of the light module. In particular, the object of the present invention is to simplify the device for basic adjustment of the light module and, in particular, to expand its functional scope.

[0007] This object is achieved on the basis of a headlight for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and on the basis of a method for basic adjustment of a headlight for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 9 with the respective characterizing features. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0008] The invention includes the technical teaching that the device for basic adjustment of the light module is designed as an electromotive device.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea of no longer implementing the device for basic adjustment of the light module as a manual-mechanical device that functions via screw elements on the headlight housing, but rather as an electromotive device. This allows the device for basic adjustment to be implemented considerably more simply, as complex deflection gears, rods, and openings in the headlight housing are no longer necessary. The electromotive device can be designed such that the light axis is adjusted by moving the light module using the electromotive device until the light axis corresponds to the specified light axis.

[0010] The headlights according to the invention usually have electromotive adjusting devices designed to compensate for changes in the position of the light axis, at least during operation of the headlight. For example, electromotive adjusting devices are known as headlight range adjustment devices, which preferably act between the light module and the headlight housing. If, for example, the inclination of the vehicle changes due to different loading conditions, the headlight range adjustment device can adjust the light module such that the light axis of the emitted light corresponds to the predetermined light axis. According to the invention, the electromotive adjusting device, such as the headlight range adjustment device, forms the electromotive device for basic adjustment of the light module.This particularly ensures that the device for basic adjustment of the light module is designed free of manual-mechanical means, such that the electromotive actuating device replaces the manual-mechanical means for basic adjustment of the light module. According to the invention, the electromotive actuating device performs two functions: firstly, the conventional function of adjusting the light module during operation of the motor vehicle, and secondly, the device for basic adjustment of the light module.

[0011] Other electromotive actuating devices are known as rotary drives for pivoting the light module to fulfill the cornering light function of the headlight. According to the invention, the device for basic adjustment of the light module can also be formed by the rotary drive for pivoting the light module to fulfill the cornering light function.

[0012] If the basic adjustment device for the light module is the headlight range adjustment device, the light axis can be adjusted vertically. If the basic adjustment device for the light module is designed as a rotary drive for pivoting the light module to fulfill the cornering light function of the headlight, the rotary drive can be used to enable horizontal adjustment of the light axis.

[0013] According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, the headlight can have an inclination sensor, which is preferably arranged in and / or on the light module such that the position of the light module relative to the horizontal can be determined by means of the inclination sensor. In this case, it can be provided that the device for basic adjustment of the light module has an electronic control unit, which is designed in particular to receive position values of the light module from the inclination sensor and to control the electromotive device. As a result, an active control loop can be formed so that the inclination sensor monitors the position of the light module and adjusts it electromotively by the device for basic adjustment. Gravity serves as the reference variable, by means of which the inclination sensor can determine the position of the light module relative to the horizontal.If, for example, the light module deviates from the position required for the light axis to correspond to the specified light axis due to setting amounts or thermal influences, the position of the light module can be readjusted after a one-time referencing. This allows for continuous monitoring of the headlight's basic alignment.

[0014] The present invention provides an image capture camera configured at least to determine the position of the light axis. The device for basic adjustment of the light module comprises an electronic control unit configured to receive position values of the light module from the image capture camera and to control the electromotive actuating device. For this purpose, the vehicle can, for example, be moved in front of an imaging surface so that a defined distance exists between the headlights and the imaging surface. The imaging surface can, for example, represent a vertically extending white wall.

[0015] When the headlights are switched on, the image capture camera can detect the position of the light axis and compare it with the specified position of the light axis. Through this target-actual comparison, the light module can be adjusted via the electromotive device for basic adjustment so that the light axis matches the specified light axis. For this purpose, a distance sensor is provided that detects the distance between the vehicle and the imaging surface. Using triangulation, the image capture camera can be used by a control unit to determine the deviation between the actual position of the light axis and the specified position of the light axis in order to control the device for basic adjustment of the light module with appropriate control values.

[0016] To simplify matters, the electronic control unit can be designed as an electronic diagnostic service module, which is preferably connected to the vehicle via an electrical interface. The control unit can be operated in a diagnostic mode to allow a specialist to calibrate the horizontal adjustment. For this purpose, the vehicle is driven to a defined distance in front of the imaging surface, which can be determined by the distance sensor. This distance can be, for example, 10 meters.

[0017] The left and right headlights of the motor vehicle are moved into position one after the other using existing control elements, which according to the invention are designed electrically or electronically. If adjustment close to the headlights is required or desired, this could be implemented electrically with a selector switch for the adjusted size and connection to a headlight control unit via an electrical interface on the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the electronic control unit can be designed as part of the motor vehicle's on-board electronics, with the basic adjustment of the light module being possible using input and display devices on or in the motor vehicle. For example, modern vehicles have displays that also offer service options for the motor vehicle via a menu structure.If the input and display device is designed as a display in the dashboard of the vehicle, for example, a specialist can carry out the basic adjustment of the headlights via the display.

[0018] The present invention further relates to a method for basic adjustment of a headlight for a motor vehicle having a headlight housing in which at least one light module is accommodated, which emits light along a predetermined light axis, wherein a device for basic adjustment of the light module is provided, which according to the invention is formed from an electromotive device and the basic adjustment is carried out via an electrical control. Furthermore, the device for basic adjustment of the light module according to the invention has an electronic control unit, wherein a reference value for the position of the predetermined light axis is specified to the electronic control unit, so that the electronic control unit carries out the basic adjustment of the light module by aligning the light axis to the reference value.

[0019] The method comprises at least one vertical alignment step. According to the invention, the light module emits light with a cut-off line, wherein an image capture camera is provided with which the position of the light axis on an imaging surface in front of the motor vehicle is determined. The image capture camera is preferably operatively connected to the electronic control unit, so that the electromotive device for basic adjustment of the light module adjusts the position of the light axis, preferably vertically, via the electronic control unit, depending on the position of the light axis determined by the image capture camera. The method further comprises at least one horizontal alignment step.According to the invention, the light module emits light with a light-dark boundary, wherein the light-dark boundary has an asymmetry kink in its course, and the position of the asymmetry kink is determined by the image capture camera, and the electromotive device for basic adjustment of the light module adjusts the light axis via the electronic control unit, preferably in the horizontal, depending on the position of the asymmetry kink determined by the image capture camera.

[0020] By using a headlight range adjustment device for vertical adjustment of the cut-off line and / or by using a rotary operation for pivoting the light module to fulfill the cornering light function as a device for basic adjustment of the light module, the functional scope of both the headlight range adjustment device and the rotary drive is expanded. If the headlight range adjustment device or the rotary drive acts as a device for basic adjustment, the headlight range adjustment device or the rotary drive can move the light module to a base position. This represents the zero position or the basic setting of the headlight. This zero position can be used as a reference position when the headlight range adjustment device is used for vertical adjustment of the cut-off line or when the rotary drive performs the horizontal pivoting of the light module.This reference value can be adjusted either once when the headlight is installed in the vehicle or repeatedly at regular intervals as part of service work on the vehicle.

[0021] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. It shows: Fig. 1 a vehicle with a headlight and a light axis at a specified angle to the horizontal, the vehicle being arranged in front of an imaging surface for basic adjustment of the headlights in the vertical direction, Fig. 2 a plan view of the arrangement of the vehicle in front of the imaging surface for basic adjustment of the headlights in the horizontal direction, Fig. 3 a plan view of a motor vehicle in front of an imaging surface, the motor vehicle having an image capture camera and a distance sensor, Fig. 4 the order pursuant to Fig. 3, but the image area is represented by reference objects of different distances, Fig. 5 two setting situations for the inclination sensor, once on a horizontal plane and once on an inclined plane and Fig. 6 an embodiment for the arrangement of a light module in a headlight with an electromotive actuating device.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 11 with headlights 10, wherein the motor vehicle 11 is shown in side view and only one headlight 10 is visible. The motor vehicle 11 is arranged at a distance X in front of a vertically arranged imaging surface 17. The headlight 10 emits light in a light axis 13, which is imaged with a defined light distribution on the imaging surface 17. Furthermore, a horizontal line 15 is shown, wherein the light axis 13 forms an angle α with the horizontal line 15. The presence of an image capture camera 16 is shown without any specific embodiment, although any type of imaging sensor 16 can generally be used for this purpose.

[0023] The image capture camera 16 is designed to determine the position of the light axis 13. To do this, the image capture camera 16 captures the light distribution imaged on the imaging surface 17, from which the position of the light axis 13 can be recognized by the image capture camera 16, at least in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the distance X between the motor vehicle 11 and the imaging surface 17 is measurable or known, so that the angle α between the horizontal 15 and the light axis 13 can be detected and evaluated by the image capture camera 16. By means of the device according to the invention for basic adjustment of the light module 12 based on an electromotive device 14, the light module 12 in the headlight 10 can be adjusted such that the light axis 13 assumes the predetermined position relative to the horizontal 15 by adjusting the light module 12 such that the light axis 13 is adjusted vertically.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a plan view of an arrangement for adjusting the headlights 10 of the motor vehicle 11. The tilted imaging surface 17, for example, designed as a reference object 17, is positioned vertically in front of the vehicle 11. A light-dark boundary 19 is created on the imaging surface 17, which is shown for both the left and right headlights 10. Both light-dark boundaries 19 have an asymmetry kink 18, which is present at a respective distance A from the central axis 22 of the motor vehicle 11. Furthermore, the distance X between the motor vehicle 11 and the reference object 17 is shown. The image capture camera 16 of the motor vehicle 11, which is shown only schematically, detects the course of the light-dark boundary 19 with the respectively associated asymmetry bend 18. Consequently, the image capture camera 16 can determine the distance A of both the left and the right asymmetry bend 18 relative to the central axis 22.If the respective distance A does not correspond to the specified distance A, the headlight 10 can be adjusted horizontally by adjusting the light module by pivoting it in the manner of or using the cornering light function.

[0025] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 again show a plan view of a motor vehicle 11 with a left and a right headlight 10. Fig. 3 shows the motor vehicle 11 in front of a reference object 17 at a distance X, where Fig. 4 shows the motor vehicle 11 in front of reference objects 21a and 21b, which are not formed in a fundamentally defined form. Rather, these reference objects 21a and 21b can be objects that are located arbitrarily in front of the vehicle. Both in Fig. 3 as well as in Fig. 4 shows a distance sensor 20, by means of which the distance X of the motor vehicle 11 to both the reference object 17 and the referencing objects 21a and 21b can be determined. The distance in Fig. 3 between motor vehicle 11 and the reference object 17 is indicated by X, the distance of the motor vehicle 11 being as shown in Fig. 4 to the referencing object 21a with X' and to the referencing object 21b with X''.

[0026] The headlight adjustment according to Fig. 3 can be carried out using the reference object 17 during service or during assembly of the headlights 10 at the manufacturer of the motor vehicle 11. The basic adjustment is carried out by image analysis using the image capture camera 16, by determining the light distribution of the light emitted by the headlights 10 with a respective assigned light axis. The reference object 17 is located at a defined distance X from the motor vehicle 11, which is specified by a service person or an assembly person. Additionally or alternatively, the distance between the motor vehicle 11 and the reference object 17 can be determined by a distance sensor 20, which can be located in the front area of the motor vehicle 11.

[0027] To establish the basic adjustment, an electronic control unit is provided that acts on the headlights 10 in such a way that the light axis 13 can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically. The motor vehicle 11 is stationary and the reference object 17 is designed as a stationary object. Consequently, the distance X does not change over time.

[0028] According to the structure in Fig. 4, the basic adjustment of the headlights 10 can be carried out both when the motor vehicle 11 is stationary and while it is moving. The distance to the referencing objects 21a and 21b is continuously, i.e., dynamically, recorded by the distance sensor 20. The light distribution of the light emitted by the headlights 10 is also dynamically recorded by the image capture camera 16, wherein the image capture camera 16 can be designed, for example, as a LIDAR system. Via image analysis of the imaging sensor (LIDAR), the current setting of the headlights 10 can be automatically recorded and corrected if necessary. Consequently, several possibilities are shown for performing a basic adjustment of the headlight 10 either once when the vehicle is stationary when it is installed in the motor vehicle 11 or during servicing, as well as for enabling a dynamic correction of the basic setting of the headlights 10 while the motor vehicle 11 is moving.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a motor vehicle 11 with a headlight 10 in which an inclination sensor 23 is applied to a light module (not shown in detail). The inclination sensor 23 can preferably be arranged on the underside of the light module, since the underside is subject to lower temperature stress. Since the light module is adjusted on a straight, horizontal plane and the inclination sensor 23 is calibrated, the application of the inclination sensor 23 to the light module does not require high precision. As a result, the vertical position of the light axis 13 is fixed relative to the calibration of the inclination sensor 23, and the deviation of the light axis 13 relative to the horizontal 15 is tracked using an electronic control unit for moving the light module in the headlight of the motor vehicle 11.

[0030] In the lower part of the Fig. 5 shows a vehicle 11 on an inclined plane. For example, to calibrate the headlights of motor vehicle 11 on roadways sloping downwards or upwards, the alignment must be adjusted depending on the roadway inclination. Consequently, a reference signal is required, which is provided by a vehicle inclination sensor 24. This corresponding angle value of the reference signal is provided to the electronic control unit for aligning the light axis 13 and processed therein to determine a targeted deviation of the light axis 13 from the horizontal 15, even for vehicles 11 arranged at an incline.

[0031] Fig.6 shows, in an abstract form, an embodiment for accommodating a light module 12 in a headlight. The light module 12 is accommodated in a support frame 25, which is tiltably mounted in the headlight housing via fixed points 26 on the underside and a variable adjustment point 27 on the top. Consequently, the support frame 25 has three pivot points as connection points to the headlight housing. The support frame 25 extends essentially in a plane oriented perpendicular to the light axis 13. This plane corresponds approximately to the plane spanned by the fixed points 26 on the underside and by the adjustment point 27 on the top of the support frame 25.Due to the fixed arrangement of the fixed points 26 in the headlight housing, these form the tilt axis of the support frame 25, and the adjustment point 27 is articulated by an electromagnetically acting adjusting device 14' designed as a headlight range adjusting device 14', wherein the articulation direction is indicated as the adjustment direction by a double arrow and whereby the device for the basic adjustment of the light module is formed according to the invention.

[0032] The fixed points 26 and 27 have a ball head, with the headlight range adjustment device 14' having another ball head 28 on the rear. To the right of the headlight range adjustment device 14', the ball head 28 is accommodated in a housing receptacle 29. This results in a short housing design. According to one embodiment, the ball head 28 can have a cam 30 to prevent the ball head 28 from twisting in the housing receptacle 29. Depending on requirements, a greater adjustment range can be provided by using a longer threaded rod 31, which can be screwed into an element 32 that serves as a connection to the ball head 28. For this purpose, the housing-side ball head geometry can be hollow-drilled to allow the threaded rod 31 to be inserted.This is especially true when the function of the headlight range adjustment device 14' for dynamically changing the headlight range of the light axis 13 must be fulfilled in addition to the function of basic adjustment of the light module 12 of the headlight 10. In this case, the adjustment paths can be added together, so that an increased adjustment option is advantageous.

[0033] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which utilize the presented solution even in fundamentally different embodiments. All features and / or advantages apparent from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. List of reference symbols 10 headlights 11 Motor vehicle 12 light module 13 Light axis 14 Device for basic adjustment, electromotive device 14' electromotive adjusting device, headlight range adjustment device 15 horizontal 16 image capture camera 17 Image area, reference object 18 Asymmetry kink 19 Light-dark boundary 20 Distance sensor 21a Referencing object 21b Referencing object 22 Central axis 23 Tilt sensor 24 Vehicle tilt sensor 25 supporting frames 26 Fixed point 27 Setting point 28 ball head 29 Housing holder 30 cams 31 threaded rod 32 elements X distance X' distance X'' distance A distance α angle

Claims

[1] Headlight (10) for a motor vehicle (11) with a headlight housing in which at least one light module (12) is accommodated, which emits light in a predetermined light axis (13), wherein a device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) for a basic headlight setting is also provided, wherein the device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) is designed as an electromotive device (14), wherein an electromotive actuating device (14') is provided in order to compensate for changes in the position of the light axis (13), at least during operation of the headlight (10), wherein the electromotive actuating device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) is formed by the electromotive actuating device (14'), wherein an image capture camera (16) is provided, which is designed at least to determine the position of the light axis (13),wherein the device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) comprises an electronic control unit which is designed to receive position values of the light module (12) from the image capture camera (16) and to control the electromotive actuating device (14'), wherein a distance sensor (20) is also provided for detecting the distance between the motor vehicle (11) and an imaging surface (17). [2] Headlight (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) is designed free of manual-mechanical means, such that the electromotive actuating device (14') substitutes the manual-mechanical means for basic adjustment of the light module (12). [3] Headlight (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the electromotive adjusting device (14') is a headlight range adjusting device (14') which preferably acts between the light module (12) and the headlight housing. [4] Headlight (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electromotive device (14) is a rotary drive for pivoting the light mode (12) to fulfill a cornering light function of the headlight (10). [5] Headlight (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an inclination sensor (23) is provided and preferably arranged in and / or on the light module (12) in such a way that the position of the light module (12) relative to the horizontal (15) can be determined by means of the inclination sensor (23). [6] Headlight (10) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the device (14) for basic adjustment of the light module (12) has an electronic control unit which is designed in particular to receive position values of the light module (12) from the inclination sensor (23) and to control the electromotive device (14). [7] Headlight (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the electronic control unit is designed in the form of an electronic diagnostic and service module, which can preferably be connected to the motor vehicle (11) via an electrical interface. [8] Headlight (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the electronic control unit is designed as a component of the on-board electronics of the motor vehicle (11), wherein the basic adjustment of the light module can be carried out via input and display means present on and / or in the motor vehicle (11). [9] Method for the basic adjustment of a headlight (10) for a motor vehicle (11) with a headlight housing in which at least one light module (12) is accommodated, which emits light in a predetermined light axis (13), wherein a device (14) for the basic adjustment of the light module (12) is provided, wherein the device (14) for the basic adjustment of the light module (12) is formed from an electromotive device (14) and the basic adjustment is carried out via an electrical control of the device (14), wherein the device (14) for the basic adjustment of the light module (12) has an electronic control unit, wherein a reference value of the position of the predetermined light axis (13) is predetermined for the electronic control unit, so that the electronic control unit carries out the basic adjustment of the light module (12) by aligning the light axis (13) to the reference value,wherein the distance between the motor vehicle (11) and the imaging surface (17) is detected by a distance sensor (20), wherein the light module (12) emits light with a light-dark boundary, wherein an image capture camera (16) is provided, with which the position of the light axis (13) on the imaging surface (17) in front of the motor vehicle (11) is determined, and wherein the image capture camera (16) is preferably operatively connected to the electronic control unit, so that the electromotive device (14) for the basic adjustment of the light module (12) adjusts the position of the light axis (13) via the electronic control unit, preferably vertically, depending on the position of the light axis (13) determined by means of the image capture camera (16), and / or wherein the light-dark boundary (19) has an asymmetry kink (18) in its course, wherein the position of the asymmetry kink (18) is determined by the image capture camera (16), and wherein the electromotive device (14) for the basic adjustment of the light module (12) adjusts the light axis (13) via the electronic control unit, preferably in the horizontal (15), depending on the position of the asymmetry kink (18) determined by means of the image capture camera (16).

Images