Method and device for adjusting the headlight distribution of a vehicle's front lighting system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
- Filing Date
- 2012-01-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle headlight systems struggle to maintain optimal light distribution on uneven road surfaces, leading to dazzling of other drivers and insufficient illumination for the vehicle's driver, particularly due to pitching movements caused by road bumps and gradients.
The system uses an environment detection unit, such as a stereo camera or navigation device, to detect road profiles and predict pitching movements, allowing a control unit to adjust the headlight distribution to maintain a constant horizontal light-dark boundary independent of these movements, ensuring optimal illumination and avoiding dazzling.
This approach allows for advanced prediction and adjustment of headlight distribution to maintain consistent illumination on uneven roads, preventing dazzling of other drivers and ensuring better visibility for the vehicle's driver by anticipating and compensating for road unevenness.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method for setting a driving light distribution of a front light system of a vehicle, with at least one environment detection unit detecting a vehicle environment and using at least one control unit the driving light distribution being set.
[0002] The invention further relates to a device for setting a headlight distribution of a front light system of a vehicle with at least one environment detection unit for detecting a vehicle environment and at least one control unit for setting the headlight distribution.
[0003] DE 10 2008 031 947 A1 discloses a method for determining a change in position of a vehicle, with a first acceleration value in a substantially vertical direction in a front area of the vehicle and a second acceleration value in a substantially vertical direction in a rear area of the vehicle are detected. The change in position of the vehicle is determined from the first acceleration value and the second acceleration value. Furthermore, a method for determining a position of the vehicle is described. Image information is recorded, the image information being an image of a section of an environment outside the vehicle ( 1 ) includes.
[0004] Furthermore, a position of the vehicle in relation to the surroundings is determined from the image information by processing it. In addition, an image processing time required for processing the image information and the attitude change of the vehicle during the image processing time are determined. The position of the vehicle is determined by linking the position of the vehicle determined from the image information and the change in position of the vehicle determined during the image processing time. Depending on the determined position and the change in position, the headlight range of a front headlight of the vehicle is adjusted automatically. Devices for determining the position and position change of the vehicle and for adjusting the headlight range of the front headlights are also known.
[0005] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for adjusting a headlight distribution of a headlight system of a vehicle that is improved compared to the prior art, and an improved device for adjusting a headlight distribution of a headlight system of a vehicle.
[0006] With regard to the method, the object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1 and with regard to the device by the features specified in claim 5.
[0007] Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
[0008] In a method for setting a driving light distribution of a front light system of a vehicle, a vehicle environment is detected by means of at least one environment detection unit and the driving light distribution is set by means of at least one control unit, with a first height profile located in a far area of a road surface in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel being detected as the vehicle environment and wherein the first elevation profile includes ups and downs.
[0009] According to the invention, a second height profile located in a close-up area of a road surface in front of the vehicle in a runway from its wheels is detected as the vehicle environment, the second height profile containing bumps in the road surface. Furthermore, according to the invention, anticipated pitching movements of the vehicle caused by the bumps are predicted and, depending on the predicted pitching movements, the control unit carries out a control of the driving light distribution in such a way that a horizontal light-dark boundary of the driving light distribution is independent of the pitching movements at a predetermined distance is set in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle.
[0010] In a particularly advantageous manner, the method according to the invention makes it possible for unevenness in the roadway to be recognized in advance and for the pitching movements to also be predicted in advance. It is therefore possible to achieve an optimal setting of the driving light distribution even on an uneven road surface, so that dazzling other road users, in particular vehicle drivers ahead and oncoming drivers, is avoided. At the same time, an optimized view for the driver of the driver's own vehicle is realized.
[0011] In particular, light signals generated by short pitching movements, which act like a “headlight flasher signal” for other road users, are also avoided. This prevents irritation of other road users.
[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.
[0013] show:
[0014] figure 1 schematically shows a first traffic situation with two vehicles approaching each other on a vertically curved roadway according to the prior art,
[0015] figure 2 schematically shows a second traffic situation according to the prior art, with two vehicles approaching each other on a vertically curved roadway,
[0016] figure 3 schematically shows the first traffic situation, with one of the vehicles comprising a device according to the invention,
[0017] figure 4 schematically shows a third traffic situation with a vehicle moving on a vertically curved roadway,
[0018] figure 5 schematically the third traffic situation, the vehicle comprising the device according to the invention,
[0019] figure 6 schematically shows a fourth traffic situation with a vehicle moving on a roadway with bumps according to the prior art,
[0020] figure 7 schematically shows a fifth traffic situation with a vehicle moving on a roadway with bumps according to the prior art,
[0021] figure 8 schematically shows the fourth and fifth traffic situation, the vehicle comprising the device according to the invention and
[0022] figure 9 shows a schematic block diagram of the device according to the invention.
[0023] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.
[0024] In figure 1 shows a first traffic situation with two vehicles F1, F2 approaching each other on a vertically curved roadway S according to the prior art.
[0025] The vehicle F1 drives up an incline, so that a horizontal cut-off line HDG of a headlight distribution LV of the vehicle F1 is located far behind the oncoming vehicle F2 in the direction of travel of the vehicle F1. As a result, the driving light distribution LV is set too high and the driver of the oncoming vehicle F2 is blinded.
[0026] figure 2 shows a second traffic situation with two vehicles F1, F2 on a vertically curved roadway S, according to the prior art.
[0027] Both vehicles F1, F2 move toward each other or are in an intersection area. The vehicle F1 is located on a section of the roadway that has an incline. For this reason, as already stated in the in figure 1, the driving light distribution LV is set too high and the driver of the oncoming vehicle F2 is blinded.
[0028] figure 3 shows the first traffic situation, with the vehicle F1 using the device according to the invention 1 for setting the driving light distribution LV of a front light system of the vehicle F1. The device 1 is in figure 9 shown in more detail.
[0029] The device 1 includes an environment sensing unit 1.1 for detecting a vehicle environment, wherein the environment detection unit 1.1 is a stereo camera.
[0030] Alternatively, the environment detection unit 1.1 also be a navigation device.
[0031] The detected vehicle surroundings include a first height profile HP1 located in a far area FB of a roadway surface located in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel. The long-distance area FB preferably begins at a distance of 10 m in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle F1 and extends in the direction of travel. The first height profile HP1 includes gradients and depressions of the roadway S.
[0032] To determine the ups and downs from the data recorded by the environment detection unit 1.1 is an evaluation unit 1.2 provided, which with the environment detection unit 1.1 is coupled and to which the height profile HP1 is transmitted.
[0033] Furthermore, the device comprises 1 a control unit 1.3 for setting the driving light distribution LV depending on the uphill and downhill gradients. The driving light distribution LV is adjusted in such a way that the horizontal cut-off line HDG is located at a predetermined distance in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle F1, regardless of a respective uphill or downhill gradient. On the one hand, this prevents the oncoming traffic from being dazzled and, at the same time, the driver of the vehicle F1 is able to have an improved view, since larger areas of the road surface are illuminated. In particular, in the case of oncoming traffic, a height adjustment of the headlight distribution LV is set, preferably by means of a headlight range control, not shown in detail, in such a way that the cut-off line HDG corresponds to that of a low beam distribution.
[0034] Furthermore, by means of the environment detection unit 1.1 a second height profile HP2 located in front of the vehicle F1 in a close range NB in the direction of travel is detected as the vehicle environment. The close range NB extends in particular at a distance of 0.3 m to 10 m in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle F1.
[0035] In figure 4 shows a third traffic situation with a vehicle F1 moving on a vertically curved roadway S according to the prior art. The vehicle F1 is moving down a slope, i. H. on a depression in the road S. In the direction of travel in front of the vehicle F1, the course of the road changes to a level course. For this reason, the driving light distribution LV of the vehicle ends in a transition area between downhill and level. This results in a headlight range that is too short and insufficient illumination of the roadway for the driver of the vehicle F1.
[0036] figure 5 schematically shows the third traffic situation, the vehicle F1 using the device according to the invention 1 includes.
[0037] From the first height profile HP1 by means of the evaluation unit 1.2 in turn determines the height adjustment, which is required to realize optimal illumination of the roadway S for the driver in the illustrated traffic situation. By changing the height setting, the headlight range of the driving light distribution LV is adjusted in such a way that the horizontal light-dark boundary HDG is independent of the depression at the specified distance in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle F1.
[0038] In the figure 6 and figure 7, the vehicle F1 is shown in two traffic situations according to the prior art, in which it makes what are known as pitching movements due to unevenness in the road surface, i. H. Movements around the transverse axis, while driving. These pitching movements result in a teetering down, the so-called immersion of a front area of the vehicle F1 according to figure 6 according to a driving light distribution LV with insufficient headlight range and with a see-saw or rising of the front area figure 7 a driving light distribution LV with too large a headlight range.
[0039] As a result, in one case the view of the driver of the vehicle F1 is restricted and in the other case road users ahead or oncoming traffic may be blinded.
[0040] To solve this problem, the vehicle F1 according to FIG figure 8 the device according to the invention 1 on.
[0041] By means of the environment detection unit 1.1the vehicle environment in the vicinity NB is recorded as the second height profile HP2 of the road surface. The second height profile HP2 is recorded in a rolling path of wheels of the vehicle F1, in particular for pairs of wheels.
[0042] The second height profile HP2 contains bumps in the road surface, with the evaluation unit predicting pitching movements of the vehicle F1 resulting from the bumps from the second height profile HP2.
[0043] Using the control unit 1.3 depending on the predicted pitching movements, the driving light distribution LV is controlled in such a way that the horizontal light-dark boundary HDG of the driving light distribution LV is independent of the pitching movements at the specified distance in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle F1. This means that the headlight range of the driving light distribution LV is kept constant despite any pitching movements that occur, so that dazzling of other road users and insufficient visibility of the driver of the vehicle F1 due to insufficient headlight range are avoided.
[0044] Due to the fact that the bumps in the road surface are detected before driving over the same and the pitching movements can thus be predicted, a sufficient reaction time or lead time of at least 0.15 s to 0.3 s is created in order to approach the upcoming bumps early enough react by adjusting the headlight distribution accordingly, as described. Thus, short-term increases in the headlight range resulting from the unevenness, from which light phenomena result in the form of headlight flashers, and thus dazzling and irritation of preceding and oncoming road users are avoided.
[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the pitching motions of the vehicle F1 are detected with the aid of a so-called pitching rate or pitching sensor (not shown).
[0046] figure 9 shows the device 1 with the environment detection unit 1.1 , the evaluation unit 1.2 and the control unit 1.3 .
[0047] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the environment detection unit 1.1 , the evaluation unit 1.2 and the control unit 1.3 used to set and control a so-called active chassis, by means of which the pitching and rolling movements of the vehicle F1 are compensated for. reference list 1 device 1.1 Environment Sensing Unit 1.2 Evaluation unit 1.3 Control Unit FB long range F1 vehicle F2 vehicle HDG cut-off line HP1 first elevation profile HP2 second elevation profile LV headlight distribution NB close range S lane QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION
[0048] This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Patent Literature Cited
[0049] DE 102008031947 A1
[0003]
Claims
[1] Method for adjusting a driving light distribution (LV) of a front lighting system of a vehicle (F1), – using at least one environmental sensing unit ( 1.1 ) a vehicle environment is captured and – by means of at least one control unit ( 1.3 ) the headlight distribution (LV) is set, characterized by , that – as vehicle environment, a height profile (HP2) of a road surface located in a short area (NB) in front of the vehicle (F1) in a rolling path of its wheels is detected, – where the elevation profile (HP2) includes irregularities in the road surface, – predicting the expected pitching movements of the vehicle (F1) caused by the unevenness and – whereby by means of the control unit ( 1.3) depending on the predicted pitching movements, the driving light distribution (LV) is controlled in such a way that a horizontal light-dark boundary (HDG) of the driving light distribution (LV) is set at a predetermined distance in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle (F1), independent of the pitching movements. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the height profile (HP2) is recorded for each pair of wheels of the vehicle (F1). [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that as vehicle environment a height profile (HP1) of a road surface located in front of the vehicle (F1) in the direction of travel is detected in a remote area (FB) and – where the elevation profile (HP1) includes ascents and descents, [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized in that, depending on the gradients and depressions from the elevation profile (HP1), the driving light distribution (LV) is controlled in such a way that the horizontal light-dark boundary (HDG) of the driving light distribution (LV) is located at a predetermined distance in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle (F1), independent of the pitching movements. [5] Device ( 1 ) for adjusting the driving light distribution (LV) of a vehicle's front lighting system (F1) – with at least one environmental detection unit ( 1.1 ) for capturing a vehicle's surroundings and – at least one control unit ( 1.3 ) for adjusting the headlight distribution (LV), characterized by the fact that – the detected vehicle environment includes a height profile (HP2) of a road surface located in a short area (NB) in front of the vehicle (F1) in a rolling path of its wheels, – where the elevation profile (HP2) includes irregularities in the road surface, – one of which is connected to the control unit ( 1.3 ) coupled evaluation unit ( 1.2 ) is intended for predicting likely pitching movements of the vehicle (F1) caused by the unevenness and – whereby by means of the control unit ( 1.3 ) depending on the predicted pitching movements, the driving light distribution (LV) is controlled in such a way that a horizontal light-dark boundary (HDG) of the driving light distribution (LV) is located at a predetermined distance in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle (F1), independent of the pitching movements. [6] Device ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the detected vehicle environment includes a first elevation profile (HP1) of a road surface located in front of the vehicle (F1) in the direction of travel and is situated in a distant area (FB). – where the first elevation profile (HP1) includes ascents and descents, [7] Device ( 1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the environmental detection unit ( 1.1 ) is a stereo camera.