Apparatus and method for controlling light distribution using steering information

Abstract

Device for controlling light distribution using steering information, the device comprising: a steering information detector (110) configured to detect a degree of change in steering information acquired by a steering sensor that acquires the steering information; and a determining device (120) designed to determine whether the degree of change in the steering information detected by means of the steering information detector (110) is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value, and determines a direction in which the steering information changes; characterized by a control device (130) designed to enlarge or reduce an area of ​​a shadow zone of a headlight (2) according to the degree of change in the steering information when the determining device (120) determines that the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to a critical value, wherein the control device (130) enlarges the area of ​​the shadow zone, which is located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information changes, proportionally to the extent to which the steering information changes, and a glare-free area (GFA) expands from a base area of ​​the shadow zone to a maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, and when the glare-free area (GFA) has reached the maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, the control device (130) reduces the shadow zone so that the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced, wherein the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced at a rate lower than that of the expansion, where the steering information consists of one of steering wheel angle (SWA) information and steering wheel rotation speed (SWS) information.

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Subject area of ​​the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for controlling the light distribution using steering information, and in particular to a device and a method for controlling the light distribution using steering information, wherein steering information of a vehicle is detected and a glare-free area of ​​an adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlight is controlled by means of the detected steering information. 2. Discussion of the state of the art

[0002] Generally, a headlight refers to a headlight that illuminates an area in front of a vehicle to provide safety when driving a vehicle at night.

[0003] With such a headlight, the glare from oncoming and preceding vehicles is not taken into account, and therefore the headlight has limitations regarding the prevention of glare from oncoming and preceding vehicles.

[0004] To prevent dazzling oncoming and preceding vehicles, an Adaptive Headlight (hereinafter referred to as "ADB") system has been developed.

[0005] A conventional ADB system has various sensors and cameras for acquiring information about a vehicle. This means that the conventional ADB system acquires environmental information and information about vehicles ahead by capturing images with the camera, analyzes this environmental information and information about vehicles ahead 100% based on a camera image processing algorithm, and controls a portion of the headlight's shadow zone. A device for controlling the light distribution using steering information, with the features of the preamble of claim 1, is known from DE 10 2009 054 249 A1.

[0006] Here, the environmental information refers to information about a surrounding environment that is recognizable to the camera (a street light, a tunnel and the number of vehicles), and the information about vehicles ahead refers to individual pieces of information about a vehicle ahead and an oncoming vehicle that are measured by the camera (a position, a distance and the like).

[0007] However, such a conventional camera-based ADB system is useful on a straight road where a vehicle ahead does not make significant changes, but not on a winding road where a vehicle ahead does make significant changes. This means that with a conventional ADB system based on image processing technology for ADB control, it is not easy to determine the exact position of a vehicle ahead, as described in [reference to relevant example]. Fig. 1A to Fig. 1D is shown, so that the estimation speed is considerably reduced.

[0008] Furthermore, in the conventional camera-based ADB system, pulse width modulation (PWM) of a light source and external light sources, such as streetlights, lights in urban areas, and the like, become factors that can reduce the accuracy of the camera image processing.

[0009] As described above, with the conventional ADB system, which is based on the camera image processing algorithm, it is difficult to prevent dazzling oncoming and preceding vehicles due to the limitation of the camera recognition speed on a curved section of road where the target position of the headlight changes abruptly.

[0010] Furthermore, the ADB system requires individual alignment of an ADB light-emitting diode (LED) spotlight, such as an ADB light distribution control, and alignment of the ADB luminaire is necessary to form an accurate glare-free area. OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present disclosure serves to provide a device and a method by which dazzling of vehicles ahead can be prevented even under a condition of an abrupt change of position by controlling a glare-free area of ​​an adaptive headlight (ADB) according to the degree of change in steering information of a vehicle.

[0012] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those disclosed above, and further problems will be obvious to those skilled in the field on the basis of the following description.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device for controlling the light distribution using steering information is provided, wherein the device has the features of claim 1 or claim 2.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling the light distribution using steering information, wherein the method comprises the features of claim 3 or 4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The aforementioned and further tasks, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the field with reference to the detailed descriptions of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1A to Fig. 1D a functional block diagram for describing a tracking speed on a winding road by camera image processing in a conventional camera-based Adaptive Driving Light (ADB) system; Fig. 2 a functional block diagram for describing a device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 a flowchart describing a method for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 a flowchart for describing a device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 5 a flowchart describing a method for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0016] The aforementioned and further advantages, and a concept for achieving the advantages of the present disclosure, will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments, and the present disclosure can be realized in various forms. The embodiments described below are provided in such a way that the present disclosure is accurate and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the accompanying claims. The terms used herein serve to aid in the explanation and understanding of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the scope and nature of the present disclosure.It is understood that the singular forms "ein", "eine", and "der / die / das" also include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The expressions "umfasst", "umfassend", "zeigt auf", and / or "aufweisend", when used here, specify the presence of components, steps, processes, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more components, steps, processes, and / or elements.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram for describing a device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] According to Fig. 2 The device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to the embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a steering information detector 110, a determination device 120 and a control device 130.

[0019] The steering information detector 110 detects a degree of change in steering information, which is acquired by a steering sensor that acquires the steering information. The steering sensor used in the embodiment of the present disclosure acquires a rotation angle or rotational speed of a steering device 1 and delivers the acquired steering information to the determining device 120.

[0020] The determining device 120 determines whether the degree of change in the steering information detected by the steering information detector 110 is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value and determines a direction of the changed steering information.

[0021] The control device 130 enlarges or reduces a portion of a shadow zone of a headlight 2 according to the degree of change in the steering information when the determining device 120 determines that the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value. The headlight 2 used in the embodiment of the present disclosure can have a shadow zone that is adjusted such that, according to an existing adaptive headlight (ADB) control logic, dazzling of oncoming or preceding vehicles is prevented.

[0022] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, information from the steering device 1 of the vehicle is detected and the detected steering information is used to control the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2, so that even on a curved road where the directional position of the headlight 2 changes abruptly, dazzling oncoming vehicles is prevented, ensuring the driver's visibility.

[0023] Below, a process is described in which the device for controlling the light distribution by means of steering information is used according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to Fig. 2 described. Preferably, the device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be mounted on a vehicle.

[0024] First, a steering sensor is installed on a handlebar or steering device 1 of the vehicle to detect the handlebar or steering device 1.

[0025] When the vehicle is traveling on a straight road, the driver of the vehicle experiences a change within a predetermined range of steering information.

[0026] In this state, the determining device 120 determines that a change in the steering information supplied by the steering sensor is not greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value. In the present embodiment, steering wheel angle (SWA) information is used as steering information to determine whether the change in the steering information is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value; however, in a further embodiment of the present disclosure, steering wheel speed (SWS) information can be used for this purpose.

[0027] Accordingly, the control device 130 maintains a current area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 without increasing or decreasing the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight.

[0028] When the vehicle enters a winding road, the driver turns the steering wheel, thus changing the SWA information of steering device 1.

[0029] Then the steering information detector 110 can detect the degree of change in the steering information acquired by the steering sensor, and the determination device 120 can determine whether the degree of change in the SWA information (i.e. steering information) is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value.

[0030] If the determining device 120 determines that the degree of change in the SWA information (steering information) is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value, the control device 130 enlarges or reduces the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 according to the degree of change in the steering information.

[0031] As described above, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is enlarged or reduced based on the steering information, thereby enabling rapid control of the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 and preventing dazzling of oncoming or preceding vehicles due to a low estimated speed on a winding road, as shown in Fig. 1A to Fig. Figure 1D shows what a limitation of a conventional camera-based ADB system is.

[0032] The control device 130 used in the embodiment of the present disclosure increases the area of ​​the shadow zone, which is located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information changes, proportionally to the extent to which the steering information changes. When a glare-free area (hereinafter referred to as "GFA") expands, the GFA expands from a base area of ​​the shadow zone to a maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, and when the GFA, having reached the maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, is reduced, the GFA is reduced at a rate lower than the rate of expansion.

[0033] Accordingly, the control device 130, which is used in the embodiment of the present disclosure, can effectively prevent glare from oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead when the GFA expands, and can mitigate glare that the driver may experience when the GFA shrinks.

[0034] Furthermore, the control device 130, which is used in the embodiment of the present disclosure, enlarges or reduces the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2, which is located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information is changing.

[0035] As described above, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2, which is located in the direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information changes, is enlarged or reduced, thereby preventing glare to which oncoming vehicles are maximally exposed when a steering direction of an affected vehicle is opposite to a direction of travel of a preceding vehicle.

[0036] The device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to Fig. 3 described.

[0037] According to Fig. 3. The device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is preferably operated by a processor for controlling a device for controlling the light distribution using steering information, and the processor can be used as an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling a vehicle.

[0038] First, the degree of change of SWA information from steering information, which is acquired by means of a steering sensor that acquires the steering information, is detected (S110). In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the steering information is SWA information, but in another embodiment of the present disclosure, SWS information can be used as steering information.

[0039] Then it is determined whether the detected degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value and a direction in which the steering information is changing is determined (S120).

[0040] If, during process S120, it is determined that the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value, the control device 130 enlarges or reduces a region of the shadow zone of the headlight 2 according to the degree of change in the steering information (S130). In the present embodiment (S130), when enlarging or reducing the region of the shadow zone of the headlight 2, preferably a region of the shadow zone of a region of the headlight 2 located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information is changing is enlarged or reduced.

[0041] Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart for describing a device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] According to Fig. 4. In addition to the configuration of the embodiment described above, the device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to the present embodiment may further include a camera 140 which is designed to capture position information of a vehicle driving ahead and to calculate a measure of change in the position of the vehicle driving ahead from the position information.

[0043] Details regarding the steering sensor and the steering information detector 110, which have been described above, are omitted here.

[0044] First, the camera gathers 140 positional information points from a vehicle ahead and calculates a measure of change in the position of the vehicle ahead from the positional information.

[0045] The control device 130 then compares a change in the degree of change of steering information and the degree of change of the position of the vehicle ahead via a determining device 120 and enlarges or reduces an area of ​​a shadow zone of the headlight 2.

[0046] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is adjusted, the degree of change in steering information is not simply compared with a preset critical value, but the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead, which is detected by the camera, is compared with the degree of change in the steering information in order to increase or decrease the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2.

[0047] The device for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below.

[0048] First, the camera 140 detects a degree of change in the position of a vehicle ahead using a camera, and if the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead exceeds a predetermined critical value, the determining device 120 determines whether a degree of change in steering information exceeds a predetermined critical value.

[0049] If the degree of change in the steering information exceeds the predetermined critical value, an area of ​​a shadow zone of the headlight 2, which is located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information is changing, is enlarged or reduced.

[0050] For example, if the direction in which the steering information changes is counterclockwise (-), an area of ​​the shadow zone of headlight 2, corresponding to a right boundary, is enlarged or reduced, and if the direction in which the steering information Changing the direction is clockwise (+), an area of ​​a shadow zone of headlight 2, corresponding to a left boundary, is enlarged or reduced.

[0051] In the present embodiment, a time for adjusting the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is first predicted by determining the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead, and an area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is determined by comparing the degree of change in the steering information with the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead, so that an adjustment of the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is carried out quickly even on a curved road, thereby preventing dazzling oncoming vehicles and ensuring the driver's visibility.

[0052] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the process described above can be carried out several times according to the number of vehicles ahead in order to determine a shadow zone area ratio and a direction for each vehicle, so that the accuracy of setting the shadow zone can be improved.

[0053] Below is described a method for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to Fig. 5 described.

[0054] The method for controlling the light distribution using steering information according to the present embodiment can, in addition to the configuration of the embodiment described above, further include tapping position information from a vehicle ahead, calculating a measure of change in the position of the vehicle ahead from the tapped position information, and enlarging or reducing the area of ​​a shadow zone of the headlight 2 by comparing a change in the measure of change in steering information and the measure of change in the position of the vehicle ahead.

[0055] First, camera 140 determines whether a measure of change in the position of a vehicle ahead, detected by a camera, exceeds a predetermined critical value (S210).

[0056] If, during process S210, it is determined that the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead exceeds the predetermined critical value, it is determined whether a degree of change in steering information detected by a steering information detector (S220) exceeds a predetermined critical value (S230).

[0057] If the degree of change in the position of a vehicle ahead is less than or equal to the predetermined critical value, a current area of ​​the shadow zone of headlight 2 is maintained.

[0058] If the determination process (S230) determines that the degree of change in the steering information exceeds the predetermined critical value (YES), the area of ​​the shadow zone of headlight 2 that is in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information is changing is increased or decreased (S240).

[0059] In the present embodiment, the control device 130 enlarges or reduces the area of ​​the shadow zone corresponding to a right boundary of the headlight 2 when the direction in which the steering information changes is a counterclockwise direction (-), and it enlarges or reduces the area of ​​the shadow zone corresponding to a left boundary of the headlight 2 when the direction in which the steering information changes is a clockwise direction (+).

[0060] In the present embodiment, a time for adjusting the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is first predicted by determining the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead, and an area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight 2 is determined by comparing the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead with the degree of change in the steering information, so that the adjustment of the shadow zone of the headlight 2 can be carried out quickly even on a curved road, thereby preventing dazzling oncoming vehicles and ensuring the driver's visibility.

[0061] As can be seen from the foregoing, information about a vehicle's steering system is detected and the detected information is used to control an area of ​​a headlight's shadow zone, so that even on a winding road where the headlight's direction of travel changes abruptly, dazzling oncoming vehicles can be prevented, ensuring the driver's visibility.

[0062] The time required to adjust a section of a headlight's shadow zone is first predicted by determining the degree of change in the position of a vehicle ahead, and the area of ​​the headlight's shadow zone is determined by comparing the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead with a degree of change in steering information, so that the headlight's shadow zone can be adjusted quickly even on a winding road, thus preventing dazzling oncoming vehicles and ensuring the driver's visibility.

[0063] The foregoing description of the disclosure serves only for illustrative purposes, and a person skilled in the art will recognize that other specific modifications can easily be made without departing from the technical essence or essential features of the disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings serve only for illustration and must not be understood as limiting the technical essence of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not defined by the detailed description set forth above, but by the accompanying claims of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Device for controlling the light distribution using steering information, the device comprising: a steering information detector (110) configured to detect a degree of change in steering information acquired by a steering sensor that acquires the steering information; and a determining device (120) designed to determine whether the degree of change in the steering information detected by means of the steering information detector (110) is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value, and determines a direction in which the steering information changes; characterized by a control device (130) designed to enlarge or reduce an area of ​​a shadow zone of a headlight (2) according to the degree of change in the steering information when the determining device (120) determines that the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to a critical value, wherein the control device (130) enlarges the area of ​​the shadow zone, which is located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information changes, proportionally to the extent to which the steering information changes, and a glare-free area (GFA) expands from a base area of ​​the shadow zone to a maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, and when the glare-free area (GFA) has reached the maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, the control device (130) reduces the shadow zone so that the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced, wherein the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced at a rate lower than that of the expansion, where the steering information consists of one of steering wheel angle (SWA) information and steering wheel rotation speed (SWS) information. [2] Device for controlling the light distribution using steering information, the device comprising: a camera (140) designed to capture positions of a vehicle ahead and to calculate a measure of change in the position of the vehicle ahead from the position information of the vehicle ahead; a steering information detector (110) configured to detect a degree of change in steering information acquired by a steering sensor configured to acquire the steering information; and a determining device (120) designed to determine whether the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead exceeds a predetermined critical value, whether the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value, and determines a direction in which the steering information changes; characterized by a control device (130) designed to enlarge or reduce an area of ​​a shadow zone of a headlight (2) according to the degree of change in the steering information when the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead exceeds the predetermined critical value and the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value, wherein the control device (130) enlarges the area of ​​the shadow zone, which is located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information changes, proportionally to the extent to which the steering information changes, and a glare-free area (GFA) extends from a base area of ​​the shadow zone to a maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, and when the glare-free area (GFA) has reached the maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, the control device (130) reduces the shadow zone so that the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced, wherein the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced at a rate lower than that of the extension, wherein the steering information consists of one of steering wheel angle (SWA) information and steering wheel rotation speed (SWS) information. [3] Method for controlling the light distribution using steering information, the method comprising: Detecting a measure of change in steering angle (SWA) information of the steering information, which is captured by a steering sensor that captures the steering information; and Determine whether the detected degree of change in steering information is greater than or equal to a critical value, and determine a direction in which the steering information is changing; characterized by Enlarging or reducing the area of ​​a shadow zone of a headlight (2) according to the degree of change in the steering information, if it is determined during the determination that the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to the critical value, wherein, during the enlargement or reduction of the area of ​​the shadow zone of the headlight (2), the area of ​​the shadow zone located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information is changing is increased proportionally to the degree to which the steering information is changing, and a glare-free area (GFA) extends from a base area of ​​the shadow zone to a maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, and when the glare-free area (GFA) has reached the maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, the shadow zone is reduced so that the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced, where the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced at a rate lower than the rate of expansion, where the steering information is one of the SWA information or the steering wheel rotation speed (SWS) information. [4] Method for controlling the light distribution using steering information, the method comprising: Extracting position information from a vehicle ahead and calculating a measure of change in the position of the vehicle ahead from the position information of the vehicle ahead; Detecting a degree of change in steering information, which is captured by a steering sensor that records the steering information; and Determine whether the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead exceeds a predetermined critical value, whether the degree of change in the steering information is greater than or equal to a predetermined critical value, and the direction in which the steering information is changing; Enlarging or reducing the area of ​​a headlight's shadow zone (2) according to the degree of change in steering information, if the degree of change in the position of the vehicle ahead exceeds the predetermined critical value and the degree of change in steering information is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical value, wherein, during the enlargement or reduction of the area of ​​the headlight's shadow zone (2), the area of ​​the shadow zone located in a direction opposite to the direction in which the steering information is changing is increased proportionally to the degree to which the steering information is changing, and a glare-free area (GFA) expands from a base area of ​​the shadow zone to a maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, and when the glare-free area (GFA) has reached the maximum area of ​​the shadow zone, the shadow zone is reduced so that the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced, wherein the glare-free area (GFA) is reduced at a rate lower than that of the expansion, wherein the steering information is one of the SWA information or the steering wheel rotation speed (SWS) information.

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