Method for operating a vehicle exterior lighting system, vehicle exterior lighting system and vehicle security system

Abstract

Method for operating a vehicle exterior lighting system (1), comprising a light strip (4) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two lights (2, 3) arranged on either side of the light strip (4), wherein at least one of the lights (2, 3) and the light strip (4) are activated at least partially with a time delay, wherein the two lights (2, 3) are activated simultaneously and in particular for an equal period of time, wherein the light strip (4) and the at least one of the lights (2, 3) are activated completely with a time delay, and wherein the lights (2, 3) and / or the light strip (4) are activated at a frequency that is imperceptible to the human eye.

Description

[0001] The present invention is based on a method for operating a vehicle exterior lighting system, comprising a light strip extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two lights arranged on either side of the light strip. The invention further relates to a vehicle exterior lighting system and a vehicle safety system.

[0002] Such vehicle lighting systems and methods for operating such exterior vehicle lighting systems are already known from the prior art. For example, the light strip is arranged on a trunk lid, and the two lights are arranged on the adjacent body parts. The larger illuminated area compared to two individual lights increases the signaling effect and visibility of the vehicle.

[0003] Vehicle safety systems for determining the distance to a vehicle ahead are also already known. Such systems typically include a camera that detects two spaced-apart taillights and, based on the distance between the taillights and simple geometric considerations (ray theorem), can determine the distance to the vehicle ahead. For example, if the distance is too close, it can warn the driver and / or initiate automatic braking maneuvers.

[0004] The disadvantage is that such vehicle safety systems are necessarily based on a differentiation of the rear lights, which makes it impossible to determine the distance in the case of the vehicle lighting systems described above with a continuously extended illuminated surface.

[0005] DE 195 36 126 A1 discloses a brake light assembly for vehicles comprising two outer brake lights arranged on either side of the vehicle's rear, which are switched on when the service brake is applied. At least one additional brake light is arranged between these two outer brake lights. Furthermore, means are provided for switching the brake light on only when the service brake is applied with greater force than the actuation of the two outer brake lights.

[0006] DE 10 2011 085 002 A1 discloses a method for avoiding a rear-end collision and / or for reducing accident damage caused by a rear-end collision, wherein a driver assistance system of a preceding vehicle detects that the distance between the vehicles is too small and / or the relative speed is too high, wherein the driver assistance system of the preceding vehicle emits a signal via at least one rear-mounted optical signal transmitter.

[0007] EP 0 816 168 A2 discloses a device for transmitting information from a preceding vehicle to a following vehicle, wherein the preceding vehicle has a transmitter for pulsed light signals and the following vehicle has a receiver which receives and evaluates the emitted light signals.

[0008] DE 10 2011 050 738 A1 discloses a lighting device of a vehicle as a rear lighting device with side rear lights having a plurality of lighting means and with a panel field extending between the side rear lights and having a plurality of lighting means, wherein the side rear lights have a plurality of LED lighting means which are positioned along an edge thereof and can be individually controlled.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a vehicle exterior lighting system and a vehicle exterior lighting system which is configured to carry out such a method, according to the type mentioned at the outset, with which on the one hand a luminous area which is as continuous and large as possible can be provided and on the other hand a distance determination by a vehicle safety system is still possible.

[0010] This object is achieved with a method according to claim 1, a vehicle exterior lighting system according to claim 2 and a vehicle safety system according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system comprises a light strip extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two lights arranged on either side of the light strip, and wherein at least one of the lights and the light strip are activated at least partially at different times. The light and / or the light strip are activated in a pulsed manner, i.e. they are activated and deactivated, in particular regularly. Particularly preferably, the light strip and the light are activated and / or deactivated for the same period of time. Time-delayed means in particular that the light and the light strip are not activated at the same time. Activation means in particular the activation of a lighting effect, preferably by applying an electric current.The transverse direction of the vehicle means in particular a direction perpendicular to the usual direction of travel and parallel to the ground.

[0011] The method according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art that at least one specific time, preferably a specific period of time, only the lights are activated, i.e., illuminated, allowing a vehicle safety system to determine distance as before. At the same time, however, the regular activation of the light strip ensures good visibility and signaling of the vehicle, thus increasing safety.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description with reference to the drawings.

[0013] According to the invention, the two lights are activated simultaneously and, in particular, for the same duration. Particularly preferably, the lights are activated and / or deactivated synchronously. This advantageously makes it possible to activate and deactivate the lights simultaneously, which further simplifies distance determination.

[0014] According to the invention, the light strip and at least one of the lights are activated with a complete time delay. This means, in particular, that the light strip and the lights are not activated simultaneously, i.e., they do not illuminate simultaneously. This advantageously makes it possible to reliably distinguish between the light strip and the lights.

[0015] According to the invention, the lights and / or the light strip are activated at a frequency imperceptible to the human eye. This means, in particular, that a human observer perceives the lights and / or the light strip as continuously illuminated.

[0016] A further subject of the present invention is a vehicle exterior lighting system, in particular a rear light system for a vehicle, with a light strip extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two lights arranged on both sides of the light strip, wherein the vehicle exterior lighting system is configured to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0017] This advantageously makes it possible to provide a continuously illuminated vehicle exterior lighting system which nevertheless enables reliable distance determination by a vehicle safety system.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the lights are arranged directly next to the light strip, wherein the lights and the light strip are provided in particular so as to visually merge into one another. Particularly preferably, the lights and the light strip have the same extent in a direction transverse to the vehicle transverse direction. Most preferably, the lights and the light strip are indistinguishable to a human observer. This advantageously makes it possible to provide a visually homogeneous and aesthetically pleasing vehicle exterior lighting system which, thanks to a large illuminated surface, enables high visibility and / or a good signaling effect.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the lights comprise a light source, in particular at least one light-emitting diode. This advantageously makes it possible to provide a light source with a high luminous intensity and a comparatively low energy requirement, which can be selectively activated and deactivated with very short switching times, i.e., essentially without delay, in particular without causing increased wear.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the light strip comprises a plurality of light sources, in particular light-emitting diodes. This advantageously makes it possible to realize a large illuminated area with high luminous intensity and short, in particular essentially instantaneous, switching times. The visibility and signaling effect of the light strip is thus advantageously further increased.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the lights are rear lights, in particular tail lights, brake lights, and / or side marker lights, and / or the light strip is a rear light strip, in particular a tail light and / or a brake light. This advantageously makes it possible to provide a rear light system that simultaneously enables high road safety through high visibility and the ability to determine the distance of a following vehicle.

[0022] Yet another subject of the present invention is a vehicle safety system for determining the distance of another vehicle, comprising a detection means, in particular a camera-based one, wherein the resolution of the detection means is sufficiently high to distinguish between the lights and the light strip of a vehicle exterior lighting system according to the invention. In this case, the sufficiently high resolution means, in particular, that the detection means is provided with such high temporal resolution that it can detect at least one point in time at which only the lights are activated, but not the light strip.

[0023] This advantageously allows the vehicle safety system to determine the distance to a vehicle ahead with a light strip. The present invention advantageously enables the vehicle to be recognized, at least temporarily, as if it were not a vehicle, thereby allowing the application of known recognition algorithms.

[0024] With regard to possible advantageous embodiments, reference is made to the statements relating to the method according to the invention, which also apply to this subject matter and vice versa.

[0025] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings merely illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not limit the essential inventive concept. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b show various embodiments of a vehicle safety system and taillight systems in schematic view. Fig. 2 shows a known rear light system with a light strip in an activated state in a schematic rear view. Fig. 3 shows a vehicle safety system and a taillight system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a schematic view. Fig. 4 shows a vehicle exterior lighting system in an activated state over time according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a schematic view. Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of an activation sequence of a vehicle exterior lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the Fig. 1a and Fig. Figure 1b shows a schematic view of various embodiments of a vehicle safety system and taillight systems. A vehicle safety system is provided in a vehicle (not shown here), which comprises a detection means 5, in this case a camera 5. The camera 5 detects an area in front of the vehicle. In the present case, another vehicle with a taillight system is located in front of the vehicle with the vehicle safety system.

[0027] In Fig. 1a, the rear light system comprises a left light 2 and a right light 3. The camera 5 detects the two lights 2, 3 and, based on the distance between the lights 2, 3, can use the ray theorem to determine the distance to the vehicle ahead. At the same time, the detection of two lights allows the preceding object to be classified as a car. This makes it possible, for example, to warn the driver of the vehicle with the vehicle safety system if the distance suddenly decreases significantly and, if necessary, to initiate an autonomous emergency braking maneuver.

[0028] In Fig. 1b, the rear light system includes, in addition to the lights 2, 3, a light strip 4, which extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle between the lights 2, 3. Since a uniform light surface is now present, the camera cannot resolve the left light 2 and the right light 3 separately, which makes it impossible to determine the distance and also to classify the vehicle as "car."

[0029] In Fig. 2 shows a schematic rear view of a known rear light system with a light strip in an activated state. At any point in time when the light strip 4 and the lights 2, 3 are activated, the rear light system appears as shown, i.e. as a homogeneous and uniformly illuminated surface that extends seemingly uninterrupted from the left edge of the left light 2 to the right edge of the right light 3. This enables good visibility and signaling of the rear light system, however, a separation of the lights 2, 3 from the light strip 4 for a vehicle safety system, as in the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, is not possible, which makes it difficult to determine the distance to the vehicle and to classify the vehicle with the rear light system.

[0030] In Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a vehicle safety system and a taillight system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle exterior lighting system 1, which here again is a taillight system, comprises a left lamp 2 and a right lamp 3, as well as a light strip 4 extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle between the lamps 2, 3.

[0031] Both the lights 2, 3 and the light strip 4 have light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as their lighting sources. However, these are controlled with a time delay, i.e. they are activated at different times and at a high frequency. Here, the lights 2, 3 are activated, i.e. energized, and deactivated simultaneously. During the periods in which the lights 2, 3 are deactivated, the light strip 4 is activated or the plurality of LEDs in the light strip are activated. This creates a point in time in which only the lights 2, 3 are activated, allowing the camera 5 to detect the lights 2, 3 and thus determine the distance to the vehicle with the rear light system, making it possible to classify the vehicle as a "car."

[0032] In Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a vehicle exterior lighting system 1 in an activated state over time according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Time is shown on the vertical axis. At a first point in time, only the lights 2, 3 are activated. At a second point in time, which is after the first point in time, the lights 2, 3 are deactivated and the light strip 4 is activated. This activation sequence repeats regularly, so that at a third point in time, which follows the first and second points in time, only the lights 2, 3 are activated again.

[0033] In Fig.Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an activation sequence of a vehicle exterior lighting system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The upper part of the figure shows the temporal progression of the activations of the lights 2, 3. The vertical axis represents an applied current, and the horizontal axis represents time. It can be seen that the lights 2, 3 are activated simultaneously and are each activated and deactivated for equal periods of time Δt. In other words, the lights 2, 3 are activated at a constant frequency.

[0034] The lower part of the figure shows the temporal progression of the activation of the light strip 4. As can be seen, the light strip 4 is always activated for the periods in which the lights 2, 3 are deactivated and vice versa. Accordingly, the light strip 4 is also activated at a constant frequency. The frequency with which the lights 2, 3 and the light strip 4 are activated or deactivated is so high that the human eye can no longer resolve it. This means that the lights 2, 3 and the light strip 4 appear to be illuminated continuously to a human observer. However, a detection means 5, e.g. a camera, of a vehicle safety system according to the invention can resolve this and thus determine the distance to the vehicle with the vehicle exterior lighting system according to the invention.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a vehicle exterior lighting system (1), comprising a light strip (4) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two lights (2, 3) arranged on either side of the light strip (4), wherein at least one of the lights (2, 3) and the light strip (4) are activated at least partially with a time delay, wherein the two lights (2, 3) are activated simultaneously and in particular for an equal period of time, wherein the light strip (4) and the at least one of the lights (2, 3) are activated completely with a time delay, and wherein the lights (2, 3) and / or the light strip (4) are activated at a frequency that is imperceptible to the human eye. [2] Vehicle exterior lighting system (1), in particular rear light system for a vehicle, with a light strip (4) extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two lights (2, 3) arranged on both sides of the light strip (4), characterized bythat the vehicle exterior lighting system (1) is configured to carry out a method according to claim 1. [3] Vehicle exterior lighting system (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the lights (2, 3) are arranged directly next to the light strip (4), wherein the lights (2, 3) and the light strip (4) are provided in particular so as to visually merge into one another. [4] Vehicle exterior lighting system (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by that the lights (2, 3) have a light source, in particular at least one light-emitting diode. [5] Vehicle exterior lighting system (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the light strip (4) has a plurality of light sources, in particular light-emitting diodes. [6] Vehicle exterior lighting system (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized bythat the lights (2, 3) are rear lights, in particular tail lights, brake lights and / or side marker lights, and / or that the light strip (4) is a rear light strip, in particular a tail light and / or a brake light. [7] Vehicle safety system for determining a distance of another vehicle, comprising a camera-based detection means (5), characterized by that the resolution of the detection means (5) is provided with such a high temporal resolution that it can detect at least one point in time at which only the lights (2, 3) are activated, but not the light strip (4), in order to distinguish between the lights (2, 3) and the light strip (4) of a vehicle exterior lighting system (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6.

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