Method for controlling the headlights of a vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling the driving light of a vehicle (1) with at least one headlight (1.1, 1.2) and with at least one sensor (1.3) for detecting objects (O), wherein a special function of the driving light is activated in the event of a collision risk with at least one object (O), characterized in that, in the event of a collision risk with the at least one object (O), at least one first light source of the headlight (1.1, 1.2) formed from one or more light-emitting diodes is alternately activated and deactivated, and a second light source formed from one or more light-emitting diodes is controlled in such a way that flashes of light (L) are generated, wherein an optical axis of the second light source is directed towards the at least one object (O).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling the driving light of a vehicle with at least one headlight and with at least one sensor for detecting objects.

[0002] From US patent 6,281,806 B1, a device for detecting and illuminating objects for a vehicle is known, whereby the detection and illumination can be carried out in such a way that the driver's attention is directed to the detected object. The device comprises at least one sensor for acquiring information about the vehicle's surroundings, an image processing unit for receiving data from the sensor and generating an output signal. A processor can then determine from the sensor data whether a specific object is located in the vehicle's vicinity that requires an alert to the driver.Furthermore, the device comprises an arrangement for operating a light source, by means of which the output signal of the image processing unit can be received and a control signal for operating the light source can be generated, wherein the light source can be activated depending on the control signal and its light distribution and direction can be controlled based on the control signal. The light source is controllable in such a way that its light distribution can be continuously directed onto the detected object, even if the vehicle and / or the object are moving relative to each other.

[0003] Furthermore, the unpublished patent application DE 10 2009 035 327.5 of the applicant describes a method for controlling the headlights of a vehicle with at least one headlight and at least one sensor for detecting objects. In the event of a risk of collision with at least one object, a special function of the headlights is activated to warn the driver and / or other road users.

[0004] From DE 10 2005 026 684 A1, a vehicle lighting system for illuminating the area in front of a vehicle is known. The vehicle lighting system comprises a plurality of light sources, each capable of illuminating a different area, in order to collectively form a light distribution pattern. Furthermore, the vehicle lighting system includes a light source control unit for controlling the light distribution pattern by independently changing the orientation of each of the plurality of light sources. If the light source control unit receives information about a pedestrian who is present as a dangerous obstacle on the left side of the light distribution pattern, it causes the light sources illuminating an area B of the light distribution pattern, which is located closest to the pedestrian, to illuminate an area A containing the pedestrian.The light source control unit then directs the light sources illuminating area C of the light distribution pattern furthest from the pedestrian to illuminate area B. In doing so, the light source control unit changes the orientations or light output of the light sources in such a way that the pedestrian, who is the hazardous obstacle, is illuminated at a luminous intensity lower than that of the light distribution pattern. Alternatively, the light source control unit controls the multiple light sources in such a way that the pedestrian is intermittently illuminated.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for controlling the headlights of a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a method which has the features specified in claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] In the method for controlling the driving lights of a vehicle with at least one headlight and at least one sensor for detecting objects, a special function of the driving lights is activated in the event of a risk of collision with at least one object.

[0009] According to the invention, in the event of a risk of collision with at least one object, at least one first light source of the headlight, formed from one or more light-emitting diodes, is alternately activated and deactivated, and a second light source, formed from one or more light-emitting diodes, is controlled in such a way that flashes of light are generated, wherein an optical axis of the second light source is directed towards the at least one object.

[0010] The method according to the invention represents an effective, simple, and rapid method for alerting both the object and the driver of the vehicle to the risk of collision, while simultaneously preventing or at least reducing glare for the object and minimizing heat stress on the light source. This effectively directs the driver's attention to the at least one detected object in front of the vehicle and the object's attention to the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to use at least one sensor already installed in the vehicle, such as those used for operating a distance warning radar or for controlling the headlights, including an automatically activated high beam or a so-called partial high beam function.Thus, the method according to the invention and its embodiments can be implemented in a particularly simple manner and therefore at low cost, whereby a significant increase in road safety can be achieved with this low cost.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0012] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically a vehicle on a road and an object located in front of the vehicle.

[0013] In the only Fig.Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 moving on a road S. The vehicle 1 includes two headlights 1.1, 1.2, each of which has a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These LEDs are arranged in so-called LED arrays in a manner not shown in detail, wherein preferably each LED or several groups of LEDs can be controlled separately.

[0014] Using headlights 1.1 and 1.2, functions performed by means of a so-called automatic light assistant can be implemented in a particularly simple manner. An automatic light assistant is understood to be a driver assistance system that automatically adjusts the headlights of vehicle 1 depending on moving and / or stationary objects O detected in the vicinity of vehicle 1, the current traffic situation, and / or the type of road S on which vehicle 1 is traveling.In this system, the driving lights are automatically switched between high beam, partial high beam and low beam, so that the driver of vehicle F can drive with the high beam setting permanently activated, whereby a beam range, a beam pattern and / or a horizontal swivel angle are automatically adjusted so that the area in front of vehicle F is always illuminated in a way adapted to the current situation and other road users are not dazzled.

[0015] The vehicle 1 further comprises at least one sensor 1.3 for detecting the objects O in the vicinity of the vehicle 1, wherein a detection area E of the sensor 1.3 extends over a wide area in front of the vehicle 1 in the illustrated embodiment, so that the objects O in this area in front can be detected by means of the sensor 1.3 and a distance to the objects O can be determined.

[0016] In further preferred embodiments, the sensor 1.3 or a plurality of sensors 1.3 preferably detects the entire environment of the vehicle 1. The sensor 1.3 or the plurality of sensors 1.3 are, for example, one or more radar sensors, cameras, stereo camera systems, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, lidar sensors, and / or laser sensors. Preferably, several of these sensors 1.3 are used, and a combination of different sensors 1.3 is also possible and advantageous in order to detect the largest possible area surrounding the vehicle 1.

[0017] Using such sensors 1.3 and other sensors of the vehicle 1, it is possible, for example, to determine the speed, acceleration, and yaw rate of the vehicle 1, as well as the speed, acceleration, and direction of movement of the detected objects O, and their relative speed and acceleration with respect to the vehicle 1. From the data thus acquired, a collision risk between at least one detected object O and the vehicle 1 can, in turn, be determined.

[0018] In addition to recording this data, preferably a type of object O is also determined, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the object O is a pedestrian who is located on the right edge of the road S in front of the vehicle 1.

[0019] Furthermore, objects such as cyclists, animals, stationary objects such as peripheral buildings, as well as vehicles and other road users can be detected and identified.

[0020] In an advantageous, but not further described, further development, it is possible to acquire data about object O, for example, another vehicle, by means of a direct or indirect communication link between vehicle 1 and at least one object O. This data includes, for example, position, direction of travel, speed, and / or acceleration, so that a potential collision risk between vehicle 1 and object O in its vicinity can be determined based on an evaluation of such data.

[0021] To avoid dazzling objects O by the headlights of vehicle 1, the light distributions of the headlights 1.1, 1.2 are adjusted by the automatic light assistant in such a way that a position of the objects O detected by sensor 1.3 is excluded from the light distributions, especially until a certain range of the low beam is reached.

[0022] In order to reduce the resulting reduced visibility of object O for the driver of vehicle 1 and the resulting increased risk of collision with object O, a special function of the headlights is activated in the event of a risk of collision with object O.

[0023] According to the invention, at least one first light source formed from one or more light-emitting diodes is alternately activated and deactivated in at least one of the headlights 1.1, 1.2. This first light source is, for example, one or more sections of the headlights 1.1, 1.2 formed from several light-emitting diodes arranged in a row, wherein the first light source is not directed at the object O, so that the "flashing" of these lower rows of the headlights 1.1, 1.2 avoids glare to the object O.

[0024] This "flashing" action draws the attention of the driver of vehicle 1 to object O, allowing them to take early action to avoid a collision. Likewise, it draws the attention of object O to the approaching vehicle 1, enabling object O to perceive it early and also take early action to avoid a collision.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the invention, a second light source formed from one or more light-emitting diodes is controlled simultaneously with the "flashing" such that flashes of light L directed at the object O are generated. This means that an optical axis of the second light source is aligned with the object O. For this purpose, means for deflecting the generated light radiation of the light sources are provided in each headlight 1.1, 1.2, wherein the means in particular include reflectors, apertures and / or devices for adjusting the alignment of the light sources.

[0026] The flashes of light L generated and directed at object O further increase the warning effect for both the driver of vehicle 1 and object O, as well as for other road users.

[0027] Particularly due to the very high responsiveness of the LEDs, i.e., due to very short switching times, this method can be successfully implemented when using them, for example, in the event of a very sudden risk of collision with objects O crossing in front of the vehicle 1, such as other vehicles or pedestrians at intersections and junctions, or animals crossing the road S, since the headlights and their special functions can be adapted very quickly to a current situation.

[0028] In this way, due to the very early detection of the risk of collision, both the driver of vehicle 1 and object O can initiate appropriate countermeasures in time to prevent the collision or at least reduce the severity of the collision.

[0029] The light flashes L are generated, in particular, by producing them at a frequency of, for example, 0.5 Hz, meaning that one light flash L is generated every 2 seconds. It is also possible, for example, to generate a sequence of three light flashes L, each with a duration of 0.1 seconds, at intervals of 0.2 seconds between the light flashes L, with such a sequence preferably being repeated every 3 seconds. According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive method, the light flashes L can be generated by the second light source while the first light source is deactivated. That is, the "blinking" of the first light source is deactivated for the duration of the light flash generation. These measures further enhance the warning effect.

[0030] Preferably, the brightness of the light flashes L is automatically adjusted depending on the ambient brightness of the vehicle, so that the light flashes L are always easily perceptible to the driver and the object O.

[0031] In a special training course, a single flash of light L is generated, for example, after a fixed time interval of 0.5 seconds, together with an acoustic warning signal for the driver of vehicle 1.

[0032] A further embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the direction of gaze of a driver of the vehicle 1 is detected by means of optical detection units (not shown), wherein the special function of the driving lights, i.e., the "flashing" and / or the generation of light flashes L, is only executed if the driver's gaze is directed outside the vehicle 1. The optical detection units can, for example, be a camera directed into the interior of the vehicle 1.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the direction of gaze of object O is preferably detected by means of sensor 1.3 or further optical detection units not shown, whereby the "flashing" and / or the generation of light flashes L is only carried out if the direction of gaze of object O is turned away from the vehicle 1. This in turn means that the warning function is only activated when necessary and distraction of other road users is avoided or at least reduced. The direction of gaze of object O is detected when object O is a person, such as a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver, or an animal.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the "blinking" and the flashes of light L are generated by means of both spotlights 1.1 and 1.2. Alternatively, it is also possible for the "blinking" and the flashes of light L to be generated by means of a single spotlight 1.1 or 1.2, in particular one facing the object O. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 1.1 Headlights 1.2 Headlights 1.3 Sensor E detection area L flash of light O object S Street

Claims

[1] Method for controlling the driving light of a vehicle (1) with at least one headlight (1.1, 1.2) and with at least one sensor (1.3) for detecting objects (O), wherein a special function of the driving light is activated in the event of a risk of collision with at least one object (O), characterized by , that in the event of a collision risk with the at least one object (O) at least one first light source of the headlight (1.1, 1.2) formed from one or more light-emitting diodes is alternately activated and deactivated and a second light source formed from one or more light-emitting diodes is controlled in such a way that flashes of light (L) are generated, wherein an optical axis of the second light source is directed towards the at least one object (O). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that one or more flashes of light (L) are generated by means of the second light source in a deactivated state of the first light source. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the brightness of the light flashes (L) is adjusted depending on the ambient brightness of the vehicle. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a direction of gaze of a driver of the vehicle (1) is detected, whereby the special function of the driving light is activated when the driver's gaze is directed towards the outside of the vehicle (1). [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that a direction of view of the object (O) is detected, whereby the special function of the driving light is activated when the direction of view of the object (O) is turned away from the vehicle (1).

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