Headlight unit for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Headlight unit (1) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising at least the following components: - a luminaire unit (3) with a light source (19) comprising a high-resolution luminaire matrix for emitting a variable light cone (4); and - an interface (5) for communicating with an external control (6) for changing the light cone (4), characterized by the fact that the interface (5) is set up to receive only commands from a corresponding external controller (6), where a command comprises a data amount of less than 10 MBit, furthermore includes an internal storage unit (7) in which the information for the output of the light cone (4) is stored, where such information for a specific light field comprises a number of bits corresponding to the number of pixels in the light matrix.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a headlight unit for a motor vehicle, a method for controlling such a headlight unit, a headlight set with such a headlight unit for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle with such a headlight unit or headlight set.

[0002] Headlights for motor vehicles are playing an increasingly important role in road safety, especially in ever-denser traffic. While early headlights were only designed to switch between high and low beams, today's headlights (such as those described in DE 11 2018 / 005 052 T5) typically feature adaptive cornering lights. Headlights described in DE 10 2008 / 062 640 A1, for example, incorporate a camera and data storage system that detects situations, evaluates them in a processing unit, and then automatically switches between high and low beams. Because state-of-the-art headlights offer increasingly higher resolutions (>84 pixels), the camera and data storage systems must also handle ever-larger amounts of data.Therefore, data transmission rates of up to 60 Mbit / s are no longer uncommon and must be taken into account in the conventional data bus structure in motor vehicles, or generally require an additional data processing system. This necessitates a more complex architecture, additional installation space, and increased power consumption.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2015 120 204 A1 discloses a method for operating at least one headlight of a vehicle, wherein the headlight-nonspecific light image information can be converted into headlight-specific information by an interface device of the vehicle. In this process, the pixels are individually controlled, so that the central interface device and / or the central control device does not have to take into account the optics of the various headlights for which the light algorithms can be used.

[0004] From DE 10 2018 217 235 A1, an external lighting unit, for example for an exterior mirror, is known, comprising a light projector configured to generate an illuminated image pattern on the ground surface from a mask next to the vehicle. The image pattern can be projected by means of a silhouette of the character engraved or printed on the mask. A signal is received to control the light projector for generating the illuminated pattern / image or video; data transmission to the light projector occurs wirelessly via Bluetooth or WLAN to an internal memory of the projector system.

[0005] From DE 10 2009 060 789 A1, a lighting device of a vehicle lighting system is known in which a storage element is integrated into the lighting device. The storage element is configured such that specific calibration information and / or type information about the type of headlight is stored in the storage element, wherein deviations of the reference positions of the main light module caused by manufacturing tolerances are stored as calibration information in the storage element.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention aims to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features of the invention are defined in the independent claims, for which advantageous embodiments are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically meaningful way, whereby the explanations in the following description and features from the figures, which comprise supplementary embodiments of the invention, can also be used.

[0007] The invention relates to a headlight unit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least the following components: - a lighting unit with a light source comprising a high-resolution light matrix for emitting a variable light cone; and - an interface for communicating with an external control system to change the light beam.

[0008] The headlight unit is characterized primarily by the fact that the interface is designed to receive only commands from a corresponding external control system, whereby a command comprises a data amount of less than 10 MBit, and furthermore includes an internal memory unit in which the information for the output of the light cone is stored, whereby such information for a specific illuminated field comprises a number of bits corresponding to the number of pixels of the light matrix.

[0009] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, ordinal numbers used in the preceding and following descriptions serve solely for unambiguous differentiation and do not indicate any order or ranking of the components referred to. An ordinal number greater than one does not necessarily imply the presence of another such component.

[0010] To improve road safety, a headlight unit for a motor vehicle is proposed here, comprising a lighting unit. The headlight unit includes at least one lighting unit and is designed with a housing or can be integrated into a housing, or can be mounted directly in a suitable installation space of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the headlight unit is part of a headlight set, for example, with a left headlight unit and a right headlight unit. Preferably, the headlight unit is configured for a front light of a motor vehicle.

[0011] The headlight unit is designed to emit a cone of light by means of the lighting unit, the illumination field of which is adjustable. The lighting unit comprises at least one light source, for example, a halogen bulb, a gas discharge lamp, or an LED. In one embodiment, a filter is used, for example, a mirror (system) and / or an LCD display to change the illumination field. In a lighting unit with an LED (matrix), the individual LEDs are preferably controlled, i.e., switched on or off, and preferably dimmed. The light cone is designed to illuminate objects during driving in poor lighting conditions (e.g., night or fog), such as the road, traffic signs, and / or other road users.In this system, a light source is supplied within the lighting unit, so that light is emitted within a predefined lighting field in such a way that objects within the light cone are illuminated.

[0012] For example, the illumination of other road users by the headlight unit should ideally be designed in such a way that other road users are not, or only minimally, dazzled by the headlight beam. The beam pattern of the headlight unit can be adjusted by means of an external control unit or as a result of its control commands. The external control unit is a processing unit that is supplied with traffic data from a (for example, front) camera and / or a LiDAR system. The steering angle, for instance, is taken into account by the processing unit to determine a desired swivel angle. Internal (in the headlight unit) or external sensors detect traffic situations and / or driving situations and transmit them to the external control unit, or transmit measurement data to the external control unit for interpretation.The corresponding settings for the light beam are transmitted from the external control unit to the interface of the headlight unit. Based on this information, the light beam is adjusted to achieve targeted illumination of the vehicle's surroundings. This reduces or eliminates glare for other road users.

[0013] Therefore, a headlight unit is proposed here that includes an interface configured to enable communication with an external control system. Furthermore, it is proposed that the headlight unit includes a storage unit containing the necessary information for the desired light beam. In one embodiment, the information for outputting the desired light beam (or illuminated field) includes specific control commands for the filter or at least one light source, stored and assigned to a specific traffic and / or driving situation. For example, such traffic and / or driving situations are stored in a so-called lookup table.Alternatively or additionally, based on one or more basic pieces of information (for example, low beam and high beam), a specific control signal for the filter and / or at least one light source is calculated. The interface is designed to only receive commands from a corresponding external control unit and not to receive, process, or transmit any specific control signal for the filter and / or at least one light source. Such a command therefore comprises a very small amount of data (with digital control) of less than 10 Mbit [ten megabits], preferably less than 5 Mbit. For example, such a command might use 1 bit for switching between low beam and high beam, and 8 bits for a swivel command or a specific (deviation) swivel angle.Information for a specific illuminated area, however, comprises (without compression) a number of bits corresponding to the number of pixels for the light source, encompassing the light matrix. For a high-resolution spotlight, this is, for example, 30 Mbit [thirty megabits]. The data rate between the interface of the spotlight unit and the external control system is thus significantly reduced, and consequently, the complexity of the data connection is considerably lowered. The data connection can preferably be implemented using a conventional LIN [Local Interconnect Network], CAN [Controller Area Network], or CAN FD [CAN Flexible Data Rate]. A significantly more complex LVDS [Low Voltage Differential Signaling, e.g., SATA, PCIe] or Ethernet connection, which would require a separate system, is therefore unnecessary.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit, it is further proposed that an internal calculation unit is included, by means of which a light cone corresponding to the command is calculated on the basis of a command received at the interface and on the basis of at least one of the pieces of information in the internal storage unit.

[0015] It is proposed here that, in addition to the storage unit, a processing unit is included in the headlight unit. The internal processing unit is configured to calculate a control output for the light beam. Thus, upon receiving a command at the interface, the internal processing unit retrieves corresponding information stored in the internal storage unit and, if necessary, performs a calculation to modify the beam. For example, a specific driving situation is detected by the external control system, and a corresponding command is sent to the headlight unit's interface. The internal processing unit interprets this command and translates it into a (concrete) control signal for at least one light source or the filter.Alternatively, such a calculation unit is dispensed with and the internal storage unit is simply read out accordingly upon command, for example with a large number of pieces of information stored in a look-up table, each of which is assigned to a specific command (and thus to a driving situation and / or traffic situation).

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit, it is further proposed that the lighting unit comprises a high-resolution lighting matrix, preferably an LED matrix.

[0017] To illuminate objects in every driving situation (for example, when cornering) and to make traffic information (such as road signs) visible to the driver, a high-resolution lighting unit is advantageous. This lighting unit includes a high-resolution light matrix. A light matrix is ​​defined as a planar or spatial arrangement of numerous light sources or a digital filter, for example, formed from an interposed high-resolution LCD array (Liquid Crystal Display). Each light source or filter point corresponds to a pixel. Each field of multiple pixels, or preferably each individual pixel, can be controlled individually. This allows, for example, illumination at the roadside similar to high beams to illuminate road signs, while low beams can be generated in the center of the road, preventing oncoming drivers from being dazzled.Furthermore, precise control of the light cone's curve is possible without moving (swivel) components. The pixels can either be switched on and off exclusively or controlled in various gradations and / or colors, for example with an 8-bit color depth.

[0018] A particular advantage of a light matrix is ​​the ability to selectively block out light, for example, a clearly defined section of the light beam. This allows for maximum illumination with minimal glare for other road users.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the light matrix is ​​an LED matrix. An LED matrix is ​​composed of a multitude of light-emitting diodes [LEDs]. These can be controlled precisely and at a high data rate (for example, 60 fps [sixty frames per second]), as well as being energy-efficient and sufficiently bright. Thus, a change in the light cone, perceived by the human eye as a smooth transition, can be represented, as well as precise (i.e., high-resolution) illumination only where it is needed. With an 8-bit color depth, a pleasantly dimming effect towards the edge of the light cone is also possible. A data rate of up to 30 Mbit / s [thirty megabits per second] must therefore be achieved between the controller and the light unit.Because this data rate is generated decentrally within the headlight unit, relocating the storage unit internally to the headlight unit is surprisingly advantageous, despite the inevitable increase in the unit's cost and potentially greater installation space requirements. This is because only a low data rate, for example, up to a maximum of 2 Mbit / s (two megabits per second), is required between the external control unit and the headlight unit's interface. This contrasts sharply with the significantly more expensive and complex measures mentioned earlier. At the same time, conventional structures (such as sensors and CAN systems) within a vehicle can also be used. It should be noted that a technology other than an LED matrix that can be controlled so quickly and precisely is also possible, for example, a filter comprising an LCD array.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit, it is further proposed that the light cone be variable at least as follows: - Swivel angle dependent on the driving situation of a motor vehicle; - Dimming depending on the traffic situation; and - Blinding depending on the traffic situation.

[0021] The swivel angle, simply put, is the angular deviation of the center of the light cone. This center is the area of ​​greatest illumination (neglecting any superimposed glare). This center can be shifted between driving straight ahead (0°) and driving around a curve (up to, for example, + / -15°). It should be noted that this requires no movement of at least one light source, preferably no component of the headlight unit. Preferably, a pixel of the light matrix of the lighting unit is switched on or off, or dimmed, corresponding to its position relative to the desired light cone.

[0022] The desired swivel angle is determined by the steering input and / or the road's course, for example, based on automatically detected road markings, and / or a navigation-based trajectory of the future journey. The swivel angle may also depend on the vehicle's speed.

[0023] When the high beam is dimmed, it is modified so that, when oncoming traffic is detected, the upper part of the beam is dimmed. The beam begins at a vertically lowered upper edge to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. If necessary, at least part of the beam is also dimmed during the dimming process.

[0024] A combination of changing the swivel angle and dimming illuminates a road sign, which, for example, has already been automatically detected by an infrared sensor system (invisible or at least non-distracting to the human eye). The light beam is swiveled outwards towards the roadway and the light is dimmed in this area at the edge of the road. This illuminates the road sign (preferably only for the duration of the passage).

[0025] In one embodiment, a portion of the light beam can be masked out in a specific traffic situation. This involves darkening (i.e., switching off or dimming) a corresponding area so that objects (and especially people) that would normally be within the light beam are either not illuminated or are illuminated with reduced light intensity. For example, at a pedestrian crossing, a pedestrian is detected, and the area where the pedestrian crosses the light beam is masked out and / or darkened. This means that the pedestrian is not dazzled when crossing. The area around the pedestrian is detected by the external control system (or its sensors) and a command is sent via the interface to the lighting unit, such that this area is either not illuminated or only very dimly lit.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit, it is proposed that the components of the headlight unit are enclosed in a housing, preferably including at least one additional functional light.

[0027] It is proposed here that a housing for the headlight unit encloses the components described above, thus creating an easily handled assembly. Preferably, the housing already includes a (preferably standardized) connection, which forms the input to the interface of the headlight unit. In a preferred embodiment, the additionally provided calculation unit is also arranged within the housing of the headlight unit.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, at least one further functional light is included in the lighting unit. This functional light is, for example, a so-called turn signal (direction indicator). In one embodiment, the functional light is part of the LED matrix described above. In this case, some LEDs, in addition to their function as (usually white) light-generating elements of the light beam, are configured to reproduce another light color (usually yellow-orange).

[0029] According to another aspect, a method for controlling a light cone of a headlight unit is proposed according to an embodiment as described above, wherein at least one of the following functions is executable: - upon receiving an ON signal at the interface, the lighting unit emits a light cone corresponding to an ON information stored in the internal memory unit of the headlight unit; and - Retrieving the corresponding deviation information from the internal storage unit upon receiving a specific deviation signal at the interface, and thus changing the light cone.

[0030] According to this method, in one embodiment, a command to output the light beam via the lighting unit is received by simply receiving an ON signal (e.g., with 1 bit) at the interface. The corresponding ON information is then retrieved from the internal memory unit, thus outputting a standard light beam or the last called-up light beam. Therefore, even for this purpose, a high data rate is not required. In one embodiment, there are several different ON signals or similar commands, for example, for parking lights, low beam, or high beam.

[0031] In one embodiment, to modify the (already displayed) light cone using the lighting unit, this method requires only a deviation signal (e.g., with 8 bits) to be received at the interface. The corresponding deviation information is then retrieved from the internal memory unit, and a standard light cone or the currently displayed light cone is output accordingly. In one embodiment, the deviation information can be selected directly from a lookup table, or it must first be calculated by an internal processing unit based on information stored in the internal memory unit and, if necessary, using formulas also stored in the internal memory unit.

[0032] In one embodiment, a fade-out (i.e., its position and intensity) is received directly from the external controller as a command via a superimposed signal. This is because the information, for example, as a (pixel) matrix with many identical entries (preferably a zero matrix), can be compressed to very little information. In the case of a zero matrix (or a matrix with identical values ​​at every position), this is reduced to two values: the position of the upper corner and the position of the lower corner. Alternatively, the fade-out is retrieved from the internal memory unit or calculated or modified by the internal processing unit.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it is further proposed that at least for the following deviation signals for changing the light cone, corresponding deviation information is stored in the storage unit: - for at least two swivel angles; - for dimming; and - at least for some filtering.

[0034] Because various driving situations with different light beam settings can be represented during a single journey in a motor vehicle, it is proposed here that corresponding deviation information is stored in the memory unit when predetermined deviation signals are triggered. At least two swivel angles are stored in the memory unit. For example, these two swivel angles are stored for driving straight ahead (0°) and driving around a curve (e.g., 15°), preferably with further angles for a more precise representation of a curve. In one embodiment, a plurality of swivel angles are stored in the memory unit such that specific control signals for a specific light field (e.g., as a pixel matrix) are stored.In another embodiment, at least one formula is stored in the memory unit, which is read and used by the internal calculation unit in response to the deviation signal, for example by inserting the angle value of the command.

[0035] While the swivel angle refers to the vertical movement, the dimming angle refers to the horizontal movement. In most cases, two states are sufficient: high beam (fully swiveled upwards) and low beam (fully swiveled downwards), as this is the usual operating mode. Alternatively, a number of additional dimming angles can be adaptively adjusted, for example, to detect an approaching road user. A basic angle setting (e.g., dependent on load and / or tire pressure, or manually adjusted by the driver in the vehicle's cockpit) is not considered here but can be superimposed as a deviation signal or information.

[0036] It should also be noted that the function described above for illuminating a road sign involves a combination of swivel angle and dimming. However, this swivel angle towards the outside of the roadway is superimposed on the swivel angle that depends on the steering angle.

[0037] The deviation information regarding a masking effect is, for example, the shape, size, intensity, color, and / or edge profile between the remaining light cone and the masking effect. The corresponding deviation signal is then, for example, solely the indication of the location and / or type of masking effect, whereby the shape, size, intensity, color, and / or edge profile for the desired masking effect is uniquely determined for the lighting unit by the type of deviation signal. For example, the deviation signal includes the information "pedestrian" (type) and the relative position within the current (theoretically illuminated) field of view of the lighting unit. Subsequently, a masking effect shape deemed suitable for a pedestrian is retrieved from the internal memory unit and masked at the desired location within the light cone. It should be noted that the deviation information can also be applied to other road users.For example, in one embodiment, a deviation signal is output when a wild animal is detected, so that corresponding deviation information is retrieved from the storage unit and the light beam is masked in the corresponding area. This prevents the wild animal from freezing due to glare.

[0038] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that the method be executed depending on a traffic situation and / or driving situation.

[0039] The proposed method is designed such that the commands, for example deviation signals, and thus the corresponding deviation information retrieved, are derived from the current driving and / or traffic situation. A traffic situation is defined as the relative position of the vehicle with its headlight unit and other (potentially dazzling) road users. For example, the vehicle is traveling straight ahead on a highway and enters a section of the highway with increased traffic volume. In this traffic situation, there are numerous other road users in close proximity to the vehicle. Therefore, the deviation signal is, for example, a dimming of a large portion of the light beam and / or a switching off of the high beam, which is stored as deviation information in the memory unit.Another example of a change in the traffic situation is a sudden swerve by another road user into the lane of the motor vehicle that was previously driving with its high beams on.

[0040] A driving situation that triggers a command (such as a deviation signal or deviation information) is a change in the vehicle's path or its relative position to the headlight unit. For example, the transition from driving straight ahead to cornering, or the current steering angle, constitutes a (deviating) driving situation that results in a deviation signal being sent to the interface. Another example is a change in the gradient of the road, such that, for instance, the headlights dim when approaching a hill to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic.

[0041] According to another aspect, a headlight set for a motor vehicle is proposed, featuring at least two lighting units, wherein at least one of the lighting units is a component of a headlight unit according to an embodiment as described above, wherein preferably the lighting units are each components of a separate headlight unit.

[0042] Most motor vehicles use a headlight set to provide adequate illumination of the road. This headlight set consists, for example, of front headlights mounted at the front of the vehicle structure, in the direction of travel. The headlight set comprises at least two lighting units. At least one lighting unit is a component of a headlight unit as described above. The other lighting unit is supplied via the interface and by the internal memory of the headlight unit. Thus, only a single data line is required from the external control unit to the headlight set, i.e., the single headlight unit. In another embodiment, several, preferably all, lighting units are each a component of a headlight unit as described above. In this case, the headlight set comprises at least two headlight units.Even then, in one embodiment, only a single data line from the external control to one of the headlight sets is necessary, and transmission within the headlight set to the other lighting units and headlight units is ensured via data lines of the headlight set.

[0043] According to another aspect, a motor vehicle is proposed that has at least the following components: - a drive train with at least one drive wheel, a torque-generating drive machine for propelling the motor vehicle via the at least one drive wheel; - at least one headlight unit according to an embodiment as described above, preferably a headlight set according to an embodiment as described above, for emitting a variable light cone; - at least one sensor for detecting traffic situations and / or driving situations; and - an on-board computer comprising a control unit for at least one headlight unit, wherein preferably the light cone can be controlled according to a method according to an embodiment as described above.

[0044] A motor vehicle is proposed here, comprising a drive motor that generates torque. The torque of the drive motor can be transmitted via a transmission to at least one drive wheel. The at least one drive wheel is configured to propel the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes at least one headlight unit, preferably at least two headlight units (preferably in a headlight set), which are preferably arranged at the front of the vehicle structure in the direction of travel. The headlight units are configured to emit a variable light beam, preferably employing an embodiment of the light beam control method described above to change the light beam.

[0045] With the headlight unit or headlight set proposed here, the data rate between the on-board computer and the interface of the respective headlight unit can be reduced to such an extent that no additional measures are required in the vehicle to transmit the information to the interface. Rather, the conventionally used data transmission systems (LIN, CAN, CAN FD) are sufficient even for high-resolution lighting units with a high frame rate.

[0046] The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, although it should be noted that the drawings are not dimensionally accurate and are not suitable for defining size relationships. It is illustrated in Fig. 1: a headlight unit; Fig. 2: a cone of light with a cut-out; Fig. 3: a light cone with two swivel angles; and Fig. 4: a motor vehicle with a headlight set.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a headlight unit 1. The headlight unit 1 comprises a lighting unit 3, an interface 5, an internal storage unit 7, and an (optional) internal processing unit 8, which are optionally arranged within a housing 11. It should be noted that any necessary internal control unit is not shown here schematically as part of the internal storage unit 7 or the internal processing unit 8. Such an internal control unit processes the command received at the interface 5 from the external controller 6 and triggers a read from the internal storage unit 7 and / or a calculation in the internal processing unit 8.

[0048] The lighting unit 3 comprises a plurality of light sources 19; in this embodiment, a light matrix, preferably an LED matrix, which is shown here in a simplified form. In this optional embodiment, two areas are provided, the larger of which is the lighting unit 3 and the smaller of which is a function light 12 (for example, a turn signal). The external control 6 is shown here in a simplified form as a camera aperture, but is generally a complex system consisting of a processing unit(s) (for example, an on-board computer 18) and sensor(s) 17 (compare Fig. 4) It should be noted that the interface 5 for communication with the external controller 6 can be wired and / or wireless (preferably using a data transmission standard such as a PAN [Personal Area Network]).

[0049] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a light cone 4 with a cutout 10. This view depicts the light cone 4 of a headlight unit 1 when driving straight ahead with the high beam switched on. Within the cutout 10 of the light cone 4, the light is off or dimmed. A detected road user is not dazzled in this area. The view corresponds to a light cone 4 in an arbitrary (e.g., vertical) section perpendicular to the direction of illumination, for example, the direction of travel of the vehicle 2 (compare Figure 2). Fig. 4) Alternatively, the view shows a light matrix in which the light sources 19 (i.e. the pixels) are each controlled accordingly, i.e., off, on or (gradually) dimmed.

[0050] In Fig. 3 is the light cone 4, without excluding the general public, purely for the sake of clarity, largely with the in Fig. The embodiment shown in section 2 is identical, so reference is made to the description therein. The motor vehicle 2 (compare Fig. 4) as shown, it travels along a curve. In this embodiment, the swivel angle is 9 (i.e., the deviation from the center according to the illustration). Fig. 2 (as shown, to the left) 8° [eight degrees out of three hundred and sixty]. Apart from the aperture 10, the light cone 4 is with the one in Fig. The two examples shown are otherwise identical. Further adjustments regarding shape and / or dimming are preferably made, for example to prevent glare for an oncoming vehicle approaching from the inside of a curve.

[0051] In Fig.Figure 4 shows a motor vehicle 2 with a headlight set 13 in a schematic top view. The motor vehicle 2 includes a drive unit 16, which is optionally designed here as an electric drive unit 16. The drive unit 16 is connected to two drive wheels 14 and 15 via a transmission (here via a gearbox). The left drive wheel 14 and the right drive wheel 15 are configured to drive the motor vehicle 2. As shown on the right, the headlight set 13 is integrated into the front of the motor vehicle 2.

[0052] The headlight set 13 comprises two headlight units 1, each with a light unit 3 and (optionally) a function light 12 (turn signal). A steering wheel 21 is located in the cockpit 20 of the vehicle 2, the steering angle of which can be read by an on-board computer 18, thus enabling the detection of the driving situation. Furthermore, a sensor 17, for example a LiDAR, is provided, which is designed (among other things) to detect a traffic situation. The sensor 17 is communicatively connected to the on-board computer 18. The on-board computer 18 is or includes the (relatively external to the headlight set 13) control unit 6. The on-board computer 18 is connected to each of the two headlight units 1. This allows the light units 3 to be controlled by the external control unit 6 (on-board computer 18) at a low data rate, and thus the respective light beam 4 can be changed.

[0053] The headlight unit proposed here enables a reduction in the data rate between an on-board computer and a lighting unit of a (high-resolution) headlight in order to change a light cone.

Claims

[1] Headlight assembly (1) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising at least the following components: - a luminaire unit (3) with a light source (19) comprising a high-resolution luminaire matrix for emitting a variable light cone (4); and - an interface (5) for communicating with an external control (6) for changing the light cone (4), characterized by , that the interface (5) is set up to receive only commands from a corresponding external controller (6), where a command comprises a data amount of less than 10 MBit, furthermore includes an internal storage unit (7) in which the information for the output of the light cone (4) is stored, where such information for a specific light field comprises a number of bits corresponding to the number of pixels in the light matrix. [2] Headlight unit (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an internal calculation unit (8) by means of which a light cone (4) corresponding to the command is calculated on the basis of a command received at the interface (5) and on the basis of at least one of the information of the internal storage unit (7). [3] Headlight unit (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lighting unit (3) comprises an LED matrix. [4] Headlight unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light cone (4) is at least as follows: - Swivel angle (9) depending on a driving situation of a motor vehicle (2); - Dimming depending on the traffic situation; and - Blinding (10) depending on a traffic situation. [5] Headlight unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components of the headlight unit (1) are enclosed in a housing (11). [6] Method for controlling a light cone (4) of a headlight unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following functions is executable: - upon receiving an ON signal at the interface (5) by means of the lighting unit (3) outputting a light cone (4) according to an ON information in the internal memory unit (7) of the headlight unit (1); and - upon receiving a specific deviation signal from the internal storage unit (7) at the interface (5), the corresponding deviation information is retrieved and the light cone is thereby changed (4). [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein at least for the following deviation signals for changing the light cone (4) corresponding deviation information is stored in the storage unit (7): - for at least two swivel angles (9); - for dimming; and - for at least one fade-out (10). [8] Method according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the method is carried out depending on a traffic situation and / or driving situation. [9] Headlight set (13) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising at least two lighting units (3), wherein at least one of the lighting units (3) is a component of a headlight unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [10] Motor vehicle (2) comprising at least the following components: - a drive train with at least one drive wheel (14,15), a torque-generating drive machine (16) for propelling the motor vehicle (2) via the at least one drive wheel (14,15); - at least one headlight unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for emitting a variable light cone (4); - at least one sensor (17) for detecting traffic situations and / or driving situations; and - an on-board computer (18) comprising a control unit (6) for at least one headlight unit (1).

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