Lighting system for an emergency vehicle and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting system (10) for an emergency vehicle (12) with at least one vehicle headlight (14) and an input system with which the light distribution of the headlight is adjusted and amplified in a partial area of ​​the possible illumination range of the headlight in the form of a lighting focus.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting system for an emergency vehicle according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a lighting system.

[0002] Authorities and / or emergency vehicles often have to work in poorly lit scenes at dusk or in the dark. It is particularly important that the scenes are illuminated in such a way that they provide the best possible support to emergency personnel. Current technology uses so-called searchlights or worklights for this purpose. Searchlights, for example, are often permanently installed on the vehicle and can be manually guided and / or adjusted. Worklights, on the other hand, are mobile lights that can often be taken to the scene of the incident using battery power. These are then positioned to best illuminate the scene.

[0003] DE 20 2017 103 620 U1 discloses a lighting system for a vehicle comprising a roof structure, a headlight with a fixedly coupled base, a pivotably coupled body, and a light assembly pivotably arranged within the body. The light assembly is configured to project a light beam outward, with a lens assembly capable of focusing, collimating, or scattering the light emitted by an LED array.

[0004] A headlight of the prior art relating to the subject matter of the invention is disclosed in DE 10 2012 019 942 A1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to further develop a lighting system and a method in such a way that a particularly strong and adjustable illumination of scenes in the immediate vicinity of an emergency vehicle is possible.

[0006] This object is achieved by means of a lighting system having the features of patent claim 1 and by means of a method according to the invention for operating such a lighting system. Further advantageous features in embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a lighting system for emergency vehicles, comprising a vehicle headlight designed to detect a specific sub-area within its illumination range and to focus the generated light specifically on this sub-area. This lighting system thus enables a spotlight function, which allows emergency vehicles to support emergency personnel by providing light from the main headlights. Various high-resolution light sources in the vehicle headlights, such as DMD or micro-LEDs, are used to specifically direct the focus of the light onto the situations that, from the perspective of the emergency personnel, require illumination. This targeting of the focus of the light is made possible by focusing on a very specific sub-area within the illumination range.This means that the illumination area of ​​the vehicle headlight, which can be a light cone, for example, can be seen as a space that can be illuminated by the at least one light or by the at least one vehicle headlight. However, the light in this illumination area is relatively diffuse, so that according to the invention the vehicle headlights are now designed to focus the light and thus emit or illuminate a specific sub-area, i.e. an area of ​​the entire illumination area. It is particularly advantageous that the vehicle headlights or main headlights generate a very high luminous flux, which can therefore illuminate the immediate surroundings of the emergency vehicle particularly brightly. In addition, the sub-areas can also be focused with the light, thus enabling even better illumination of this sub-area.Additionally, the vehicle headlights are not lost, as they are now permanently installed on the emergency vehicle. This means that a paramedic, for example, no longer needs to retrieve a headlight from the emergency vehicle, turn it on, and direct it at the scene. The long-term power supply for at least one of the vehicle headlights is ensured by an internal combustion engine or a high-voltage battery. The special arrangement of the various vehicle headlights also enables better illumination of all scenarios, allowing for larger lighting areas.

[0008] To achieve the object of the invention, the invention provides that the focusing of the light can be carried out depending on a detected driving speed. This means that the light of the vehicle's headlights can only be changed when the vehicle speed falls below a recommended speed, for example, 20 kilometers per hour, which means that it can be assumed that the now modified lighting system does not pose a threat to traffic regulations. Such a low speed allows it to be assumed that the emergency vehicle is already on duty and not in traffic.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one additional vehicle headlight is arranged, and the vehicle headlights are designed to focus on the same partial area. In particular, it is provided that the left and right headlights of the emergency vehicle, and thus the left and right vehicle headlights, are used to illuminate the partial area. Since the respective vehicle headlights encompass different illumination areas, it is provided, in particular, that in an overlapping area, both vehicle headlights are designed to illuminate a specific partial area particularly well.

[0010] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the focusing can be adjusted using an input system. This allows the focusing to be at least partially adjustable by the respective vehicle headlights, allowing the partial area within the illumination range to be selected, thus enabling flexible alignment of the light despite the rigid arrangement of the vehicle headlights on the emergency vehicle.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the input system comprises buttons and / or switches. These buttons and / or switches can be, in particular, mechanical buttons or other actuating elements. Furthermore, a joystick or other conventional levers and switches can also be used to detect the partial area within the illumination zone and focus the light on this partial area.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the input system comprises a touch-sensitive display device, wherein a detection device, in particular an optical detection device, in particular a camera, detects the illumination area and this can be displayed on the display device. This means that the entire illumination area is detected via the camera mentioned as an example and shown on the touch-sensitive display device. A user can then determine the partial area within the illumination area on which the light must be focused, for example by tapping or sliding a finger through. This enables particularly simple and intuitive operation of the input system, and furthermore, further settings and options can also be changed or set via this touch-sensitive display device.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the luminous intensity and / or the luminous color of the light are variable. This not only provides the possibility of focusing the light, but also of varying the luminous intensity, so that, for example, no glare or too weak light is provided or produced. Furthermore, it is also possible to change the luminous color so that it can be adapted to the surroundings, for example. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide different light corridors that use different luminous colors.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that switching on and off can be carried out using an emergency actuating element. Since this particularly concerns the use of emergency vehicles that are on the move in emergencies, it is also necessary, for example, to represent or provide such an emergency actuating element so that, for example, in an emergency, simple switching on is possible by actuating this actuating element. After use, the respective vehicle headlights can be switched off again simply using the same emergency actuating element.

[0015] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one vehicle headlight comprises an HD lighting system. The lighting system is intended to provide high resolution and high definition of the light, in particular to illuminate accidents particularly well, for example. Furthermore, LED technologies, DMD technologies, and a micro-LED can also be used here. In particular, however, it is intended to use common lighting systems for the vehicle headlights.

[0016] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a lighting system for an emergency vehicle having at least one vehicle headlight, in which a partial area within an illumination range of the at least one vehicle headlight is detected and the light generated by the at least one vehicle headlight is focused on this partial area. It is provided that the focusing of the light is carried out as a function of a detected driving speed.

[0017] Law enforcement and emergency vehicles often have to work in poorly lit scenes at dusk or in the dark. It is crucial that the scenes are illuminated in such a way that they provide the best possible support to emergency personnel. In the past, so-called searchlights or work lights were used for this purpose. Searchlights, for example, are often permanently mounted on the vehicle and can be manually guided and / or adjusted. Work lights, on the other hand, are mobile lights that can often be taken to the scene of the incident using battery power.

[0018] The spotlight function for emergency vehicles makes it possible to support emergency personnel with light from the main headlights. Using high-resolution light sources (e.g., DMD or micro-LED), it is possible to direct the light focus specifically to the situations that, from the perspective of the emergency personnel, require illumination.

[0019] In summary, the lighting system for emergency vehicles consists of a vehicle headlight that can be equipped with a matrix light module. This module consists of individually controllable LEDs that enable various lighting functions such as high beam, low beam, and cornering lights, as well as the spotlight function. The latter is implemented by specifically controlling the LEDs to focus the light on specific areas. A certain limitation of the swivel range is accepted to enable this functionality.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figure, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0021] It shows: Fig. 1 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a possible embodiment of a lighting system according to the invention for an emergency vehicle with a first and a second vehicle headlight.

[0022] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0023] Fig.1 shows an embodiment of a lighting system 10, which is provided in particular for emergency vehicles 12 and comprises at least one vehicle headlight 14. Within the illumination area 20 of this vehicle headlight 14, a specific subarea 18 can be detected, on which the light 22 generated by the vehicle headlight 14 can be focused. Such functionality enables, in particular, a spotlight function, which allows the emergency vehicle 12 to illuminate very specific areas in a targeted and, in particular, intensive manner. The lighting system 10 is thus designed to enable individual adjustment of the focus of the light 22.

[0024] Here, at least one additional vehicle headlight 16 is shown, which is arranged such that it can focus on the same partial area 18. This means that both vehicle headlights 14 and 16 have specific illumination areas 20, wherein in an overlapping illumination area 20, a specific partial area 18 can be illuminated by both vehicle headlights 14, 16. This means that the focus of both vehicle headlights 14, 16 can be directed to this one partial area 16. This enables uniform illumination of the entire illumination area 20 and focusing on the partial area 18. Furthermore, however, it is also possible for additional vehicle headlights to be arranged in a similar manner, for example in a higher position of the emergency vehicle 12 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and to be similarly designed to focus on this one specific partial area 18.

[0025] In addition, the focusing of the light 22 is possible depending on a detected driving speed, which is detected, for example, by a vehicle network 32. This information or these data are transmitted to a control unit 34 of the lighting system 10, whereby the lighting system 10 can be switched on and off. In particular, if the driving speed is too high, the focusing of the respective sub-area 18 or of one sub-area 18 can be blocked or not carried out. In this case, it is particularly provided that the focusing is adjusted via an input system 24, which, for example, has either buttons and / or switches and / or levers and / or joysticks or comprises a touch-sensitive display device 26.This makes it possible to display the illumination area 20, on which a user can now determine the partial area 18, for example, using finger movements, whereby the respective vehicle headlights 14, 16 are configured to operate in the actual surroundings of the emergency vehicle 12 depending on the partial area determined by the finger on the display device 26. This means that the partial area 18 determined on the display of the device 26 is also focused with the light as such a partial area 18 in the illumination area 20 of the emergency vehicle 12.

[0026] Furthermore, the luminous intensity and / or luminous color of the generated light 22 can be varied to meet the requirements of different application scenarios or to enable a variety of such scenarios. An emergency actuating element 30 is also arranged or can be used to quickly switch the lighting system 10 on and / or off in critical situations.

[0027] Finally, the lighting system 10 is also equipped, for example, with vehicle headlights 14, 16, each of which comprises an HD lighting system, whereby a particularly high-resolution and precise light source is used to enable particularly good and strong alignment and control of the light 22.

[0028] In other words, a driver, user, or passenger of an emergency vehicle 12 should activate the spotlight function when needed. This can be done via a discreet switch, via the emergency actuation element 30, via voice input, via a gesture, or via a menu system of an input system 24. If the emergency vehicle 12 is moving, a portion of the light emitted by the main headlight or the respective vehicle headlights remains intact, allowing safe maneuvering of the emergency vehicle 12. The actual light center is then significantly reduced in width and height, allowing the illuminance and thus the focus in the center of the spotlight cone to be increased. Typically, the illuminating intensity must be reduced for legal requirements or thermal reasons, although the lighting systems 10 can generally emit more light.This focal point, or the focusing of the light cone on the partial area 18, can then be adjusted or controlled using various input options, such as the input system 24. It is possible to adjust the direction of the light beam as well as the width, height, and / or brightness to suit the requirements.

[0029] The following elements can also be used as an input system 24 for activating / deactivating the spotlight function: For example, a discreet switch could be installed inside or outside the vehicle, and a vehicle menu system could be used to operate the lighting system. Furthermore, gesture controls can also be performed inside the vehicle using a vehicle assistance system or driver assistance system, but also outside the vehicle. Furthermore, voice control is also possible using the driver assistance system, which would also be possible outside the vehicle. Furthermore, mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets can also be used to control the focus of the light and / or simply to control the lighting system.

[0030] Since at least one optical detection device is necessary for the display of a display device 26, a camera can be used for this purpose, which, for example, also includes a K1 or algorithms to track the one partial area 18 or spotlight. In particular, the data exchange options are provided via the control unit 34, which records all data and information and generates control signals for the respective vehicle headlights 16 in order to then enable focusing on the partial area 18. Further embodiments are also possible, in which data exchange with third parties or identities of a control center external to the vehicle is also possible. Parameters of the spotlight can also be changed via the input system 24, for example the width of the light center, the height of the light center, a position in the x and y directions in the surroundings of the motor vehicle, and a brightness of the light center.In addition, both headlights or vehicle headlights 14, 16 can be operated independently of one another and viewed as such, making it possible to create two individual sub-areas 18 and operate them independently of one another. If multiple vehicle headlights are arranged, multiple sub-areas can also be operated. Furthermore, one of the vehicle headlights 14 could be used to cast a broad light 22 and thus create a diffuse light 22 in order to illuminate a particularly large space or illumination area 20, while the second vehicle headlight 16 is used to focus the sub-area 18. However, further combinations and options are also possible. In summary, the invention proposes a spotlight function for authorities and / or emergency vehicles.

[0031] Finally, the control of the components can be performed by a control unit 34, which can be used as a central control unit 34. It acquires, generates, and transmits data and provides the core for the lighting system 10. For example, data can be acquired from the vehicle network 32 using a communication module for wireless data transmission. Likewise, data can be acquired from the input system 24 and the display device 26, for example via cabling systems. Furthermore, signals from the emergency actuation element 30 can be acquired, leading to immediate reactions to respond to hazards as quickly as possible. In addition, data can also be acquired from the detection device 28. All of this data can be analyzed, and signals can be provided to the vehicle headlights 14, 16, which then illuminate the lighting area 20 and focus the light 22 on the partial area 18.

[0032] In summary, a spotlight function for government and emergency vehicles is proposed.

Claims

[1] Lighting system (10) for an emergency vehicle (12) with at least one vehicle headlight (14), in which a partial area (18) within an illumination area (20) of the at least one vehicle headlight (14) can be detected and the light (22) generated by the vehicle headlight (14) can be focused on this partial area (18), characterized by that the focusing of the light (22) can be carried out as a function of a detected driving speed. [2] Lighting system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one further vehicle headlight (16) is arranged and the vehicle headlights (14, 16) are designed to focus an identical partial area (18). [3] Lighting system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the focusing can be adjusted by means of an input system (24). [4] Lighting system (10) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the input system (24) comprises buttons and / or switches. [5] Lighting system (10) according to claim 4, characterized by that the input system (24) comprises a touch-sensitive display device (26), wherein a detection device (28) detects the illumination area (20) and this can be displayed on the display device (26). [6] Lighting system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a luminous intensity and / or a luminous colour of the light (22) can be changed. [7] Lighting system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that switching on and off can be carried out by means of an emergency actuating element (30). [8] Lighting system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one vehicle headlight (14, 16) comprises an HD lighting system. [9] Method for operating a lighting system (10) for an emergency vehicle (12) with at least one vehicle headlight (14), in which a partial area (18) within an illumination area (20) of the at least one vehicle headlight (14) is detected and the light (22) generated by the at least one vehicle headlight (14) is focused on this partial area (22), characterized by that the focusing of the light (22) is carried out as a function of a detected driving speed.

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