Headlight arrangement of a motor vehicle in LED matrix design and a method for adjusting such a headlight arrangement

Abstract

Headlight arrangement of a motor vehicle (2) in LED matrix design, with a number of pixel elements (30, 32, 34), each of which is assigned at least one light-emitting diode, wherein the pixel elements (30, 32, 34) are arranged in at least two rows (24, 26, 28) in such a way that a low beam and a high beam function can be carried out by means of a control unit, characterized in that an adjustment pixel element (34) is provided which can be controlled by the control unit during an adjustment process of the low beam function and during the high beam function, in such a way that the low beam function can be adjusted by means of a horizontal and a vertical line, wherein at least three rows of pixel elements (24, 26, 28) are provided, wherein the low beam function can be carried out by parts of the first two rows (24, 26).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight assembly of a motor vehicle in LED matrix design, comprising a number of pixel elements, each of which is assigned at least one light-emitting diode. The pixel elements are arranged in at least two rows such that a low beam and a high beam function can be executed by means of a control unit. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting such a headlight assembly.

[0002] Due to its particularly precise and efficient light output, LED technology has now also found its way into the automotive sector. It is known to assign LEDs to pixel elements arranged in a matrix-like manner, which can be switched on or off or dimmed to adapt illumination to the ambient conditions. Reference is made in this context to DE 102 34 102 A1 as an example. In order to adjust or set the headlight assembly if necessary, it is known from DE 10 2007 049 619 A1 to detect a characteristic light distribution of the headlight assembly using a detector unit and to adjust the light unit based on the detection of an adjustment mark and a comparison of the adjustment mark with a reference mark.In addition, a multitude of other methods for adjusting and / or calibrating headlight assemblies are naturally known (see also DE 10 2011 109 440 A1). A basic method for adjusting such a headlight assembly is also known from the subsequently published DE 10 2014 100 727 A1. Furthermore, DE 10 2012 211 613 A1, DE 10 2007 050 374 A1, and DE 10 2008 062 640 A1 disclose headlight assemblies that are to be controlled in a special light mode, with DE 10 2008 062 640 A1, in which the headlight assembly is controlled with a reduced data connection. However, most workshops or service providers that can also perform a so-called general inspection of a vehicle have adjustment devices with which conventional halogen or xenon headlight arrangements can be detected or adjusted.

[0003] These adjustment devices essentially consist of a light-collecting box in which the horizontal and vertical distribution of the light can be checked using a coordinate system, particularly to prevent glare to other road users. The light path of conventional headlight arrangements is characterized by a so-called 45° bend at the coordinate origin. In LED matrix headlight arrangements, this bend is characterized by a 90° angle, making glare-free adjustment of the headlight arrangement difficult with conventional light-collecting boxes.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a headlight arrangement or a method for adjusting a headlight arrangement in order to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages and to be able to adjust such headlight arrangements without additional effort using conventional adjustment devices.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in that an adjustment pixel element is provided which can be controlled by the control unit during an adjustment process for the low beam function and during the high beam function, such that the low beam function can be adjusted by means of a horizontal and a vertical line, wherein at least three rows of pixel elements are provided, wherein the low beam function can be carried out by parts of the first two rows. This makes it possible to easily adjust the light collecting box, for example, with the aid of the controlled adjustment pixel element and to ensure glare-free operation of the headlight arrangement by deactivating this adjustment pixel element during the low beam function. The first row ensures the basic illumination in front of the vehicle.Part of the second row serves to improve illumination of the vehicle's own lane without dazzling oncoming traffic. The remaining pixel elements in the second and third rows serve the high beam function. Advantageously, the control function of the adjustment pixel element can be triggered by an open body part, such as a hood or trunk lid. However, it is also conceivable for this control function of the adjustment pixel element to be triggered by a test switch or test switch combination.

[0006] The invention is also achieved by a method for adjusting such a headlight arrangement, wherein the adjustment pixel element is controlled during the adjustment process of the low beam function.

[0007] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing, which shows: Fig. 1 in schematic view a two-lane carriageway with a vehicle with dipped headlights switched on, Fig. 2 Front view of a cut-off line of a conventional headlight arrangement with dipped beam switched on and superimposed adjustment coordinate system, and Fig. 3 schematic front view of an LED matrix headlight arrangement with switched on low beam function and controlled adjustment pixel organ.

[0008] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 2 with a lighting system 4, which, in addition to a control unit (not shown in detail), has at least two headlight assemblies 6. These headlight assemblies 6 each have an LED matrix 8 (see Fig. 3) by which a low beam function 10 and a high beam function (not shown) can be implemented. In the present embodiment, reference numeral 12 designates the near-illuminated front area of ​​the motor vehicle, also called the front illumination. 14 denotes a so-called cut-off line, or HDG for short, of the low beam function.

[0009] Fig. Figure 2 shows a front view of a headlight assembly with conventional halogen light and a superimposed adjustment coordinate system 16, as is also used for adjustment in conventional light collection boxes, for example, in automotive workshops. A cut-off line 14' of the conventional headlight assembly can be seen here. The headlight assembly is correctly adjusted when the horizontal line 20 of the coordinate system 18 is aligned with the left area of ​​the cut-off line and the coordinate origin 22 lies in the so-called 45° bend of the cut-off line 14'.

[0010] Fig. Figure 3 now shows a schematic view of the headlight assembly 6 in an LED matrix design. This LED matrix 8 has three rows of pixel elements 24, 26, 28. The first row 24 and a portion of the second row 26 have pixel elements 30 that perform the low beam function, although it should be noted that only a portion of the pixel elements are designated by way of example. Another portion of the row 26 and the third row 28 have pixels 32 that perform the high beam function. The LED matrix 8 is configured here as shown in Fig.2 is superimposed with the adjustment coordinate system 18. In order to ensure a glare-free adjustment of the low beam function in a simple manner, an adjustment pixel element 34 is provided which can be controlled during the high beam function and during the adjustment process of the low beam function. The coordinate system 18 can then be aligned with the adjustment pixel element 34. During the normal low beam function, this adjustment pixel element 34 is then switched off, whereby the glare-free low beam function is ensured. The adjustment pixel element 34 can be triggered, for example, by an open body part, such as a hood or trunk lid, or it is triggered by a test switch, for example the vehicle key or a test switch combination, i.e. a combination of different buttons.

Claims

[1] Headlight arrangement of a motor vehicle (2) in LED matrix design, with a number of pixel elements (30, 32, 34), each of which is assigned at least one light-emitting diode, wherein the pixel elements (30, 32, 34) are arranged in at least two rows (24, 26, 28) in such a way that a low beam and a high beam function can be carried out by means of a control unit, characterized by that an adjustment pixel element (34) is provided which can be controlled by the control unit during an adjustment process of the low beam function and during the high beam function, such that the low beam function can be adjusted by means of a horizontal and a vertical line, wherein at least three rows of pixel elements (24, 26, 28) are provided, wherein the low beam function can be carried out by parts of the first two rows (24, 26). [2] Headlight arrangement according to claim 1, characterized bythat a control function of the setting pixel element (34) can be triggered by an open body part, such as a bonnet or a trunk lid. [3] Headlight arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that a control function of the setting pixel element (34) can be triggered by a test switch or a test switch combination. [4] Method for adjusting a headlight arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adjustment pixel element (34) is activated during the adjustment process of the low beam function.

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