Headlight arrangement of a vehicle

Abstract

Headlight arrangement of a vehicle (2) with at least one light-emitting element (8) in LED design with a number of pixel elements (20, 22), each of which is assigned at least one light-emitting diode, wherein a control unit is provided which controls a light distribution of the light-emitting element (8) such that different illumination strategies of the light-emitting element (8) can be implemented, wherein a cooling device with a maximum cooling capacity PK max designed for cooling the light-emitting diodes, characterized in that the control unit has means by which, depending on the cooling capacity PK, max The light distribution of the light organ (8) can be controlled by means of dimming or switching off individual pixel organs (20,22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight arrangement of a vehicle with at least one LED-type light source having a number of pixel elements, each of which is assigned at least one light-emitting diode, wherein a control unit is provided which controls the light distribution of the light source in such a way that different illumination strategies of the light source can be implemented, wherein a cooling device with a maximum cooling capacity PK max are intended for cooling the light-emitting diodes.

[0002] Such a headlight arrangement is known, for example, from DE 20 2012 004 965 U1. This utility model discloses, in particular, a headlight arrangement for a two-wheeler that ensures a desired overall light distribution on the road, independent of the pitch angle, lean angle, and / or steering lock of the two-wheeler. However, such optimization of the overall light distribution is also desirable for motor vehicles in light of various illumination strategies, such as low beam, high beam, cornering lights, overtaking lights, etc. Furthermore, it is known from DE 10 2007 063 542 A1, DE 10 2011 084 890 A1, DE 10 2012 204 791 A1, and DE 2010 013 560 A1 to provide headlight arrangements in which parts of the cooling system can influence the beam path of the headlight arrangement. A disadvantage of the known headlight arrangements, however, is that the maximum cooling capacity PK maxA full implementation of the lighting strategies of the light organ is limited, as only a slight exceedance of the maximum cooling capacity PK is possible in the short term. max is possible.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a headlight arrangement or a method for controlling a headlight arrangement, thereby avoiding the aforementioned disadvantage.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that the control unit has means by which, depending on the cooling capacity PK, maxThe light distribution of the light source can be controlled by dimming or switching off individual pixels. This allows light to be reduced in uninteresting areas based on a chosen illumination strategy, and the freed-up power can then be used to increase light in prioritized areas. Thus, situation-dependent prioritization of illumination areas can be easily implemented.

[0005] As a secondary prior art, for example DE 10 2010 023 177 A1 can be mentioned, which discloses a light module with dimmable semiconductor light sources in order to meet the legal requirements for light distribution.

[0006] It is also advantageous if the pixels are arranged in at least two rows, preferably in three rows. This ensures an LED matrix design that is particularly suitable for easily providing lighting strategies for a motor vehicle, such as low beam, high beam, cornering lights, or overtaking lights.

[0007] The task is also solved by a method for controlling such a headlight arrangement, whereby, based on a selected illumination strategy, such as low beam, high beam, cornering light, overtaking light, etc., when the maximum cooling capacity PK is reached, max The light distribution of the lighting element is controlled in such a way that at least one LED that is not relevant to the illumination strategy is switched off or dimmed, and at least one LED that is relevant to the illumination strategy is switched on or its output is increased.

[0008] Advantageously, the temperature of the heatsink can be used when setting and controlling individual LEDs to utilize maximum cooling capacity. This makes it possible to use the heatsink temperature as an input for a simple control loop.

[0009] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1. Schematic view of a two-lane road with a motor vehicle with its low beam headlights switched on, Fig. 2 a schematic front view of an LED matrix headlight arrangement with overtaking light switched on without a power distribution, and Fig. 3 a schematic front view of the LED matrix headlight arrangement Fig. 2 with power distribution.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 2 with a lighting system 4, which, in addition to a control unit (not shown), has at least two headlight assemblies 6. Each of these headlight assemblies 6 has an LED matrix 8 (see Figure 1). Fig. 3), through which various illumination strategies, such as dipped beam, main beam, cornering light, and overtaking light, can be represented. In the present embodiment, an overtaking light 10 is shown as an illumination strategy. The overtaking light is characterized by the fact that the areas next to a vehicle 12 ahead are illuminated without dazzling the vehicle 12 ahead. Furthermore, a foreground illumination is indicated by reference numeral 13.

[0011] Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the headlight assembly 6 in an LED matrix arrangement 8 as the light source. This LED matrix arrangement 8 has three rows 14, 16, 18 pixel elements 20, 22, each of which is assigned at least one LED. The first row 14 has only pixel elements 20, which perform a low beam function. The third row 18 has only pixel elements 22, which perform a high beam function. The second row 16 has both pixel elements 20 and pixel elements 22. It should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, not all pixel elements are labeled with a reference symbol. Furthermore, a cooling device (not shown) with a maximum cooling capacity PK is also included. max provided to ensure adequate cooling of the LEDs.

[0012] A key feature of the exemplary "overtaking light" illumination strategy 10 is that the headlights mask the area in the light cone where other vehicles 12 are located, in order to prevent dazzling these vehicles. It should be clear that such illumination strategies can be selected both manually and automatically, for example, by image acquisition units in combination with corresponding sensors and control units. The masked pixels here are pixels 22', which are colored black. All other pixels 20, 22 are illuminated according to the "high beam" mode, as indicated by the rings shown. It can also be assumed that under certain ambient conditions, the maximum cooling capacity PK is used in the high beam illumination strategy. maxThis is required to cool the LEDs. To optimize the overtaking light illumination strategy, light can be reduced or even switched off in uninteresting areas of the light cone emitted by the LED matrix arrangement 8. This can affect both pixels 20 and pixels 22, with pixels 20 specifically affecting the low beam illumination 13 in this context. This approach reduces the cooling power PK and allows the light distribution of the illumination element 8 to be controlled in such a way that pixels 22, which are significantly more relevant for the overtaking light illumination strategy, are brightened. This can be achieved by supplying a higher current to dimmed LEDs or by switching on LEDs that are not currently switched on.This increase in light intensity in areas relevant for the overtaking light is represented by an increase in the number of rings in the pixel organs 22". Conversely, a decrease in light intensity is represented by a decrease in the number of rings in the respective pixel organ 20''', 22'''.

Claims

[1] Headlight arrangement of a vehicle (2) with at least one light-emitting element (8) in LED design with a number of pixel elements (20, 22), each of which is assigned at least one light-emitting diode, wherein a control unit is provided which controls a light distribution of the light-emitting element (8) such that different illumination strategies of the light-emitting element (8) can be implemented, wherein a cooling device with a maximum cooling capacity PK max intended for cooling the light-emitting diodes, characterized by that the control unit has means by which, depending on the cooling capacity PK max The light distribution of the light organ (8) can be controlled by means of dimming or switching off individual pixel organs (20,22). [2] Headlight arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the pixel organs (20, 22) are arranged in at least two rows, preferably in three rows (14, 16, 18). [3] Method for controlling a headlight arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that due to a selected illumination strategy, such as dipped beam (13), main beam, cornering light, overtaking light (10), etc., when the maximum cooling capacity PK is reached max The light distribution of the lighting element is controlled in such a way that at least one LED that is not relevant to the illumination strategy is switched off or dimmed, and at least one LED that is relevant to the illumination strategy is switched on or its output is increased.

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