Method for projecting a light distribution onto a roadway in front of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for projecting a light distribution (300) onto a roadway in front of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - Projection of a first part (100) of the light distribution (300) with a first headlight of the motor vehicle, wherein the first part (100) has an inner end (102) and an outer end (101); - Projection of a second part (200) of the light distribution (300) with a second headlight of the motor vehicle, wherein the second part (200) has an inner end (202) and an outer end (201), and wherein the first part (100) overlaps with the second part (200) in an overlap area; wherein - the first headlight projects the first part (100) in the overlap area with a decreasing light intensity towards the inner end (102) of the first part (100), and wherein the second headlight projects the second part (200) in the overlap area with a decreasing light intensity towards the inner end (202) of the second part (200), characterized in that the first headlight projects the first part (100) in the overlap area with a continuously decreasing light intensity towards the inner end (102) of the first part (100), and that the second headlight projects the second part (200) in the overlap area with a continuously decreasing light intensity towards the inner end (202) of the second part (200).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for projecting a light distribution onto a roadway in front of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to project symbols as light distributions onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. German patent application DE 10 2018 105 563 A1 describes how such symbols can be projected onto the road surface using two headlights. The area in front of the vehicle is the area in which the vehicle is typically driven without turning the steering wheel or using reverse gear.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2016 122 499 A1 discloses a headlight module with at least one first pixel that emits a first light beam with an adjustable luminous intensity. Simultaneously, a second pixel emits a second light beam, illuminating an overlap point at the intersection of the first and second light beams. The luminous intensity of the first pixel is adjusted such that a predetermined illuminance is achieved at the overlap point.

[0004] In contrast, the present invention aims to reduce undesirable optical effects in the projection of the light distribution.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 7. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] A first part of the light distribution is projected by a first headlight of the vehicle. This first part has an inner and an outer end. A second part of the light distribution is projected by a second headlight of the vehicle. This second part also has an inner and an outer end. The first part overlaps with the second part in an overlapping area. The first headlight can, for example, be positioned at the front of the vehicle in a first lateral end area. The second headlight can, for example, be positioned at the front of the vehicle in a second lateral end area. The first end area is opposite the second end area.

[0007] The inner and outer ends can, in particular, represent ends of the respective part in a transverse direction. The transverse direction runs horizontally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle without steering input during intended use.

[0008] The first spotlight projects the first part in the overlap area with a decreasing light intensity towards the inner end of the first part. The second spotlight projects the second part in the overlap area with a decreasing light intensity towards the inner end of the second part.

[0009] This reduces the likelihood of unwanted edges appearing in the overall light distribution projected by both headlights. Without decreasing light intensities, such edges can occur due to vehicle pitching, road geometry, tolerances in vehicle components, and headlight settings, as the first part of the light distribution shifts relative to the second. In such a case, the overlapping area can become visible to the vehicle's occupant, which is often undesirable.

[0010] The first spotlight projects the first part in the overlap region with a light intensity that decreases continuously towards the inner end of the first part. For example, the light intensity can decrease following a continuous function towards the inner end of the first part. In particular, it is possible that the first spotlight projects the first part in the overlap region with a continuously decreasing light intensity towards the inner end of the first part. Furthermore, the second spotlight projects the second part in the overlap region with a light intensity that decreases continuously towards the inner end of the second part. For example, the light intensity can decrease following a continuous function towards the inner end of the second part.In particular, it is possible that the second headlight projects the second part in the overlap area with a continuously decreasing light intensity towards the inner end of the second part.

[0011] The respective light intensities can decrease steadily and / or continuously down to 0.

[0012] The steady and / or continuous distribution of light intensity has the advantage of further reducing the probability of the aforementioned edges appearing in the light distribution. If the two projected parts of the light distribution move relative to each other, a slightly distorted light distribution may result. However, due to the steady and / or continuous light intensity, no edges appear within the overlapping area.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner end of the first part and the inner end of the second part can form opposing boundaries of the overlap area. In particular, it is possible for the inner ends to each be designed as geometric lines extending on the roadway in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer end of the first part and the outer end of the second part can be arranged outside the overlap area.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner end of the second part can be illuminated exclusively by the first spotlight. Thus, relative movement between the first and second spotlights has no effect on the transition between the overlap area and an adjacent area of ​​the first part located next to the overlap area. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a steadily and / or continuously decreasing light intensity, as it achieves a steady and / or continuous transition between the overlap area and the adjacent area of ​​the first part. In other words, the light intensity of the second part can decrease continuously and / or steadily to zero.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner end of the first part can be illuminated exclusively by the second spotlight. Thus, relative movement between the first and second spotlights has no effect on the transition between the overlapping area and an adjacent area of ​​the second part located next to the overlapping area. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a steadily and / or continuously decreasing light intensity, as it achieves a steady and / or continuous transition between the overlapping area and the adjacent area of ​​the second part. In other words, the light intensity of the first part can decrease continuously and / or steadily to zero.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the light distribution can include a symbol. In particular, it is possible for the light distribution to be designed as a symbol. For the purposes of this description, a symbol is understood to mean, in particular, a pictogram, a letter, a letter, a word, and / or a sign.

[0018] The motor vehicle comprises a first headlight, a second headlight, and a control device. The headlights are each configured to illuminate a roadway in front of the motor vehicle. The control device is configured to control the headlights and to execute a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. This will show Fig. 1 a schematic view of the first part of a light distribution; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a second part of a light distribution; and Fig. 3 A schematic view of the light distribution, which is taken from the first part. Fig. 1 and the second part from Fig. 2 is created.

[0020] The in Fig. The first part 100 of the light distribution 300 shown in Figure 1 has an outer end 101 and an inner end 102. The light intensity of the first part 100 decreases from the outer end 101 towards the inner end 102 according to a continuous function until it reaches the value 0 directly at the inner end 102. The first part 100 can, for example, be projected onto a road from a left headlight. In this case, the outer end 101 represents the left end of the first part 100 and the inner end 102 represents the right end of the first part 100.

[0021] The in Fig. The second part 200 shown in Figure 2 has an outer end 201 and an inner end 202. The light intensity of the second part 200 decreases from the outer end 201 towards the inner end 202 according to a continuous function until it reaches the value 0 directly at the inner end 202. The second part 200 can, for example, be projected onto a roadway by a right-hand headlight. In this case, the outer end 201 represents the right end of the second part 200 and the inner end 202 represents the left end of the second part 200.

[0022] When the first part 100 and the second part 200 are projected together onto a roadway, the following is created: Fig. Figure 3 shows the light distribution 300. There is an overlap area where the first part 100 and the second part 200 overlap. The inner ends 102 and 202 are located within the overlap area. The outer ends 101 and 201 are located outside the overlap area.

[0023] Since the light intensities of the first part 100 and the second part 200 decrease continuously towards their respective inner ends 102 and 202, the light distribution 300 exhibits no undesirable edges in the region of the inner ends 102 and 202 when the two parts 100 and 200 move relative to each other. For a vehicle user, this results in a particularly pleasing and harmonious image of the light distribution 300, even during such relative movements. It is not apparent to the user that parts of the light distribution 300 are projected by only a single headlight.

Claims

[1] Method for projecting a light distribution (300) onto a roadway in front of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - Projection of a first part (100) of the light distribution (300) with a first headlight of the motor vehicle, wherein the first part (100) has an inner end (102) and an outer end (101); - Projection of a second part (200) of the light distribution (300) with a second headlight of the motor vehicle, wherein the second part (200) has an inner end (202) and an outer end (201), and wherein the first part (100) overlaps with the second part (200) in an overlap area; wherein - the first headlight projects the first part (100) in the overlap area with a decreasing light intensity towards the inner end (102) of the first part (100), and wherein the second headlight projects the second part (200) in the overlap area with a decreasing light intensity towards the inner end (202) of the second part (200), characterized by , that the first headlight projects the first part (100) in the overlap area with a light intensity that decreases continuously towards the inner end (102) of the first part (100), and that the second headlight projects the second part (200) in the overlap area with a light intensity that decreases continuously towards the inner end (202) of the second part (200). [2] Method according to the previous claim, characterized by , that the inner end (102) of the first part (100) and the inner end (202) of the second part (200) form opposite boundaries of the overlap area. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the outer end (101) of the first part (100) and the outer end (201) of the second part (200) are located outside the overlap area. [4] Method according to the previous claim, characterized by , that the inner end (202) of the second part (200) is illuminated exclusively by the first headlight. [5] Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by , that the inner end (102) of the first part (100) is illuminated exclusively by the second headlight. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the light distribution (300) includes a symbol. [7] Motor vehicle comprising a first headlight, a second headlight and a control device, wherein the headlights are each configured to illuminate a roadway in front of the motor vehicle, wherein the control device is configured to control the headlights, characterized bythat the control device is configured to execute a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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