Light distribution device, vehicle with light distribution device and method for operating a light distribution device

Abstract

The invention relates to a light distribution device (1) comprising a lighting unit (4) for illuminating a vehicle environment (6) of a vehicle (2), a projection unit (8) for projecting a light (10) into the vehicle environment (6), at least one sensor device (12.n) for detecting vehicle parameters and the vehicle environment (6) and a communication device (14) for communicating with at least one vehicle-external communication device (16), wherein a light control device (18) for dynamically controlling a light distribution (20) into the vehicle environment (6) of the vehicle (2) is provided and configured,to automatically determine an upcoming driving condition for the own vehicle (2) based on the detected vehicle parameters and the detected vehicle environment (6) of the own vehicle (2) and / or based on at least one remote environmental situation and / or a received remote environmental state received by means of the communication device (14) and to control the lighting unit (4) and / or the projection unit (8) depending on the determined upcoming driving condition and the detected vehicle environment (6) in such a way that the light distribution (20) in the vehicle environment (6) of the own vehicle (2) is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a light distribution device, a vehicle with such a light distribution device and a method for operating such a light distribution device.

[0002] From DE 10 2015 103 971 A1, a vehicle system is known that includes a communication interface which communicates with a processing unit. The communication interface is designed to receive ambient light information from a remote server via a communication network. The processing unit is designed to selectively activate a vehicle lighting system according to the ambient light information. From DE 10 2013 018 782 A1, another method for operating a dynamic lighting system for a vehicle is known.

[0003] From DE 10 2024 000 189 A1, a method for operating a vehicle assistance system is known, wherein the lateral distance of the vehicle to a lane marking of a lane is detected and displayed. According to the invention, when a narrowing of the lane ahead of the vehicle is detected, a guide mat corresponding to at least one vehicle width is projected onto a roadway in front of the vehicle.

[0004] Vehicle headlight systems with dynamic illumination are known from DE 11 2012 003 611 T5, DE 11 2021 005 254 T5, DE 11 2017 007 062 B4 and DE 11 2019 004 606 T5.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a light distribution device, a vehicle with such a light distribution device and a method for operating such a light distribution device, which optimize the illumination of a vehicle environment ahead.

[0006] The first problem is solved according to the invention by a light distribution device having the features of claim 1. The second problem is solved according to the invention by a vehicle having the features of claim 8. The third problem is solved according to the invention by a method for operating a light distribution device having the features of claim 9.

[0007] The light distribution device according to the invention comprises at least one lighting unit for illuminating the vehicle environment, a projection unit for projecting light into the vehicle environment, at least one sensor device for detecting vehicle parameters and the vehicle environment (environmental situations and / or environmental states), a communication device for communicating with at least one external communication device, and a light control device for dynamically controlling the light distribution into the vehicle environment.The light control unit is designed to automatically determine an upcoming driving condition for the vehicle based on the detected vehicle parameters and the detected vehicle environment of the vehicle itself and / or based on at least one remote environmental situation and / or a received remote environmental condition received via the communication device, and to control the lighting unit and / or the projection unit, in particular optionally either the lighting unit or the projection unit or a combination of the lighting unit and the projection unit, depending on the determined upcoming driving condition and the detected vehicle environment, in such a way that the light distribution into the vehicle environment of the vehicle itself is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the detected vehicle environment.

[0008] The advantages achieved with the invention consist in particular in the fact that adaptive lighting, in particular optimized and situation-appropriate illumination, is made possible by means of the automatically dynamically adjusted light distribution through appropriate selective or combined control of the lighting unit and projection unit.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the light control device may, for example, include at least one adaptive light distribution function, in particular an illumination function, which automatically adapts to the driving conditions, the vehicle environment and / or weather conditions.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the lighting control unit can include at least one adaptive warning function which, in the event of a detected hazard, automatically controls the projection unit so that a hazard message can be projected, or is projected, into the field of view of the light distribution. For example, the communication unit can detect a potential weather hazard from external communication devices, such as a weather station, other vehicles with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or the like, and issue an early warning to the vehicle itself by projecting the hazard message onto the field of view of the generated light distribution.

[0012] Through the collective intelligence of a vehicle fleet and the adaptive warning function implemented in the lighting control system, distant hazards detected by other vehicles, such as approaching bad weather, an upcoming accident, a roadworks situation, or similar, can be validated and projected into the immediate field of vision of the vehicle before the hazard is reached. Additionally, the adaptive light distribution function implemented in the lighting control system can validate current situational awareness, such as bad weather conditions like rain, snow, hail, or similar, and dynamically adjust the current light distribution using a corresponding bad-weather light distribution function. This enables optimized and continuously situation-appropriate illumination.

[0013] The light control device includes, for example, a fusion algorithm, in particular a software-based fusion algorithm, by means of which the vehicle parameters and / or the vehicle environment detected by the at least one sensor device, in particular environmental situations and / or environmental states, and remote environmental situations and / or remote environmental states received by the communication device are validated and fused, and corresponding control signals for the lighting unit and / or the projection unit are generated in such a way that the light distribution into the vehicle environment of the vehicle itself is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment.

[0014] For example, depending on the prevailing weather conditions, a hazard warning can be projected onto the driver's field of vision using the adaptive warning function (also called the projection function), and / or a weather-optimized light distribution can be generated using the adaptive light distribution function. This allows the driver to be warned of hazards in good time, even before a dangerous situation occurs, and / or enables optimized light distribution. Additionally, other vehicle systems, such as an on-board camera for object detection, can also operate more effectively and efficiently due to the dynamically adjusted light distribution, particularly because of the resulting optimized illumination of the vehicle itself, for example, weather-optimized, road-optimized, and / or hazard-optimized.

[0015] The linking of information received by the communication device, such as received distant environmental situations and / or distant environmental conditions, in particular so-called Car-2-X information, with the light control device to take this received information into account when controlling the lighting unit and / or the projection unit enables the driver not only to have better visibility in harsh weather conditions detected in the vehicle environment, but also better visibility even before the vehicle enters a distant bad weather region.

[0016] To enable this, the invention aims to collect vehicle-external, in particular remote, for example, ahead weather-related, information, especially backend information, from vehicle-external communication devices and to connect, in particular combine and fuse, this information with other vehicle-internal sensor inputs and states of the vehicle itself. By applying a suitable algorithm, such as the fusion algorithm described above, which combines this vehicle-external information with the sensor inputs and states, at least one control signal is generated for activating and automatically dynamically adjusting the light distribution, in particular the generated weather-optimized, road surface-optimized, or similarly optimized light distributions and / or superimposed projections.The invention thus enables safer driving, especially in critical weather conditions, as well as optimized obstacle detection through improved ambient illumination.

[0017] When rain is detected and the bad-weather light distribution is activated, the vehicle uses both its own sensors and external systems (e.g., external sensors, the vehicle's communication system, etc.). The vehicle's own sensors can detect rain using, for example, the following: windshield wiper sensor with wiper status and speed, ultrasonic sensor in the wheel arch with road noise in wet conditions, and a camera with a reduced field of view due to rain. External systems (e.g., the vehicle's communication system) can detect rain using, for example, the following data: weather information from the internet, a combination of GPS position and backend weather information, online weather forecasts, and car-to-car communication (C2X) data exchange between vehicles.

[0018] Each piece of information is defined by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and always has a so-called confidence level. A KPI describes the quality of the information provided. Good KPIs therefore indicate a reliable source, good detection, and a sound physical basis. Such KPIs are well-suited for integration into the algorithm, for example, the fusion algorithm described above (and vice versa). A confidence level indicates a probability, i.e., how likely it is that the signal will provide a plausible value. The fusion algorithm is based on the KPIs and the confidence levels of the individual pieces of information and, in application, generates a control signal for activating and automatically dynamically adjusting the bad-weather light distribution.

[0019] The at least one sensor device of the vehicle is, for example, a camera, a rain sensor, a radar device, a windscreen wiper sensor, a navigation map, a speed sensor, a curve sensor, an acceleration sensor, a stereo camera, a time-of-flight camera, a dynamic combined lighting camera sensor (vision sensor) or the like.

[0020] The vehicle-external communication device can be, for example, a communication unit of a cloud server, a navigation warning system, a weather warning system, another vehicle, a vehicle manufacturer and / or an external service.

[0021] The projection unit can, for example, be designed as a high-resolution digital light module for generating and projecting light distributions, especially light patterns, into the vehicle's surroundings. For instance, the projection unit can generate a hazard warning as a light pattern, which is then superimposed onto the light distribution within the driver's field of vision.

[0022] The lighting unit is in particular a headlight, for example a so-called LED headlight (= headlight with LED pixel matrix).

[0023] The vehicle according to the invention comprises the light distribution device described above.

[0024] In the inventive method for operating the light distribution device, a future driving condition for the vehicle is automatically determined based on detected vehicle parameters and a detected vehicle environment of the vehicle itself and / or based on at least one remote environmental situation and / or a received remote environmental state received by means of the communication device, wherein, depending on the determined future driving condition, the lighting unit and / or the projection unit are activated and, depending on the determined future driving condition and the detected vehicle environment, are controlled for a light distribution such that the light distribution into the vehicle environment of the vehicle itself is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined future driving condition and the detected vehicle environment.

[0025] For example, by means of at least one implemented adaptive light distribution function of the lighting control unit, the light distribution can be automatically adjusted to the driving conditions, the vehicle's surroundings, and optionally to weather conditions. Similarly, by means of at least one implemented adaptive warning function of the lighting control unit, the projection unit can be controlled in such a way that, in the event of an identified hazard, a hazard message is automatically projected into a visible area of ​​the light distribution.

[0026] For example, the light distribution activates or generates cornering lights, high beams, narrow passage lights and / or bad weather lights, and is continuously and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving conditions and the vehicle environment.

[0027] Remote environmental situations and / or remote environmental conditions, such as recorded and / or transmitted navigation data, traffic data, weather data, construction site data and / or hazard data, are continuously taken into account for the dynamic control of light distribution.

[0028] The light distribution can be dynamically controlled, for example, when a wet road surface is detected, in such a way that light reflections and / or glare from the wet road ahead are reduced. Additionally or alternatively, the light distribution can be dynamically controlled when fog is detected, in such a way that activated high beams are deactivated and fog lights are activated.

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0030] This shows: Fig. 1. Schematic block diagram of a lighting control device for a vehicle, Fig. 2 schematically the vehicle with the light control device and a communication device for communication with external communication devices, and Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows an example of a light distribution with a projected construction site warning.

[0031] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a light distribution device 1 for a vehicle 2 in block representation (shown in Fig. 2).

[0033] The light distribution device 1 includes as output A at least one lighting unit 4 for illuminating a vehicle environment 6 (shown in Fig. 2) of the vehicle 2 and a projection unit 8 for projecting a light 10 into the vehicle environment 6.

[0034] The light distribution device 1 comprises as input E at least one sensor device 12.n for detecting vehicle parameters and the vehicle environment 6, in particular environmental situations and / or environmental states, and a communication device 14 for communication with at least one vehicle-external communication device 16 of another vehicle 26 and / or a backend server 32, optionally via a cloud server 30.

[0035] The light distribution device 1 comprises a light control device 18 for dynamically controlling a light distribution 20 into the vehicle environment 6 of the own moving vehicle 2 for processing V the detected vehicle parameters, the detected vehicle environment 6 of the own vehicle 2 and / or information from received remote environmental situations and / or environmental conditions.

[0036] The light control unit 18 is configured to automatically determine an upcoming driving condition for the own vehicle 2 based on the detected vehicle parameters and the detected vehicle environment 6 of the own vehicle 2 and / or based on at least one remote environmental situation and / or a received remote environmental state received by means of the communication device 14 and to control the lighting unit 4 and / or the projection unit 8, in particular optionally either the lighting unit 4 or the projection unit 8 or a combination of the lighting unit 4 and the projection unit 8, depending on the determined upcoming driving condition and the detected vehicle environment 6, such that the light distribution 20 in the vehicle environment 6 of the own vehicle 2 is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment 6.

[0037] The at least one sensor device 12.n of the vehicle 2 is, for example, a backend unit 12.0, a camera 12.1, a rain and / or fog sensor 12.2, a radar device 12.3, a windshield wiper sensor 12.4, a navigation map 12.5, a temperature sensor 12.6, a speed sensor 12.7, a curve sensor 12.8, an acceleration sensor 12.9, a stereo camera 12.10, a time-of-flight camera 12.11, a dynamic vision sensor 12.12 (= combined illumination camera sensor) or the like.

[0038] In one possible embodiment, the light control device 18 can, for example, include various light distribution functions 18.m.

[0039] For example, the light control device 18 can include at least one adaptive lighting function 18.1 (also called lighting function or light distribution function) which automatically adapts to the driving conditions, the vehicle environment 6 and / or weather conditions and generates a correspondingly dynamically adapted light distribution 20.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the lighting control unit 18 can include at least one adaptive warning function 18.2 which, in the event of a detected hazard, automatically controls the projection unit 8 such that a hazard message 22 can be projected or is projected into a field of view 24 of the light distribution 20. For example, the warning function 18.2 can include, as a sub-function, a frost warning function, a fog warning function, a construction site warning function, a hazard warning function, a narrow passage warning function, or the like. The respective warning function 18.2 is implemented and configured as a software-based algorithm in the lighting control unit 18, based on a fusion of information acquired by the sensor unit 12.to determine, from the information received by the vehicle's external communication devices 16, whether a hazardous situation exists in the vehicle environment 6, in particular the current and / or a distant vehicle environment 6 ahead, and / or a hazardous condition of the vehicle's own 2 and / or of objects detected in the vehicle environment 6, and, if a hazardous situation and / or a hazardous condition exists, to issue a hazard message 22 superimposed in the light distribution 20, for example by projecting a warning symbol, such as a traffic sign for slippery conditions, fog, rain or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, the light control unit 18 can include at least one adaptive bad weather function 18.3. For example, depending on the prevailing weather conditions, determined by the adaptive bad weather function 18.3, the hazard message 22 can be generated in the field of vision 24 of the light distribution 20 by means of the warning function 18.2 (also called projection function) and projected by means of the projection unit 8. In addition, a weather-optimized light distribution 20 can be generated by the fusion algorithm using the adaptive illumination function 18.1 (also called lighting function). This allows the driver of the vehicle 2 to be warned of hazards in good time, even before the occurrence of the hazardous situation, and / or an optimized light distribution 20 to be generated.

[0042] In addition, other vehicle systems, such as the vehicle's own camera 12.1 for object recognition, can also operate and function better due to the dynamically adapted light distribution 20, in particular due to a resulting optimized, for example weather-optimized, road-optimized and / or hazard-optimized, illumination of the vehicle 2.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the vehicle 2 with the light distribution device 1 with implemented light control device 18, for example designed as a light control unit, and the vehicle's own communication device 14 for communication with vehicle-external communication devices 16 of other vehicles 26, the cloud server 30 and / or a central backend server 32 via wireless communication links 28.

[0044] For example, the vehicle's own communication device 14 can detect a possible weather hazard from external communication devices 16, for example a weather station, from other vehicles 26, in particular a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device or the like, via wireless communication links 28, optionally via the central cloud server 30, which is issued as an early hazard message 22, in particular a warning, to the vehicle's own vehicle 2 by projecting the hazard message 22 into the field of view 24 superimposed on the generated light distribution 20.

[0045] Through the swarm intelligence of several other vehicles 26 in a vehicle fleet and the adaptive warning function 18.2 implemented in the light control unit 18, for example, distant hazards detected by other vehicles 26, such as an upcoming bad weather situation, an upcoming accident situation, an upcoming construction site situation or the like, can be validated and projected early on before reaching the position of the respective hazard in the immediate field of vision 24 of the own vehicle 2 as a hazard message 22, for example in the form of highlighted lane markings as marking 34, traffic signs 36 or the like.

[0046] Additionally, by means of the adaptive illumination function 18.1 implemented in the light control unit 18, a momentary situation recognition, such as a bad weather situation like rain, snow, hail or the like, can be validated and the momentary light distribution 20 can be dynamically adjusted automatically by the implemented bad weather light distribution function 18.1.

[0047] The light control device 18 comprises, for example, a fusion algorithm, in particular a software-based fusion algorithm, by means of which the vehicle parameters and / or the detected vehicle environment 6, in particular environmental situations and / or environmental states, and remote environmental situations and / or remote environmental states received by the own communication device 14 are validated and fused, and corresponding control signals for the lighting unit 4 and / or the projection unit 8 are generated in such a way that the light distribution 20 in the vehicle environment 6 of the own vehicle 2 is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment 6.

[0048] The linking of the information received by the communication device 14, such as the received distant environmental situations and / or distant environmental conditions, in particular so-called Car-2-X information, with the light control device 18 to take this received information into account when controlling the lighting unit 4 and / or the projection unit 8 enables the driver not only to have better visibility in the harsh weather conditions detected in the vehicle environment 6, but also better visibility even before the vehicle 2 enters a distant bad weather region.

[0049] For this purpose, for example, the vehicle-external, in particular remote, backend server 32 collects prior weather-related information, in particular backend information, from vehicle-external communication devices 16 of other vehicles 26 and transmits this via the communication links 28 to the vehicle's own backend unit 12.0 and / or to the light control device 18 in order to link, in particular to combine and fuse, this vehicle-external information with vehicle-owned information, such as measurement information from sensor inputs of the vehicle's own sensor devices 12.n and / or states of the vehicle 2.

[0050] By applying a suitable algorithm, such as the previously described fusion algorithm, which combines this vehicle-external information with the sensor inputs and states, at least one control signal is generated for the activation and automatic dynamic adjustment of the light distribution 20, in particular of generated weather-optimized, road surface-optimized or similarly optimized light distributions 20 and / or superimposed projections, for example as a hazard message 22 and / or as a highlighted marking 34.

[0051] When rain is detected and the bad-weather light distribution 20 is activated, for example, vehicle-integrated sensor devices 12.n and vehicle-external devices (e.g., the vehicle-external communication device 16, etc.) are used. The vehicle-integrated sensor devices 12.n can, for example, include the following devices for rain detection and use corresponding data or information: windshield wiper sensor 12.4 with wiper status and wiping speed, ultrasonic sensor in the wheel arch with rolling noise in wet conditions, camera 12.10 with camera range reduced by rain. The vehicle-external devices (e.g., the vehicle-external communication device 16) can, for example, use the following data or information for rain detection: weather information on the internet, combination of GPS position and backend information on weather conditions, online weather forecasts, car-to-x information exchange between vehicles 2, 26.

[0052] Each piece of information is defined by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and always has a so-called confidence level. A KPI describes the quality of the information provided. Good KPIs therefore indicate a reliable source, good detection, and a sound physical basis. Such KPIs are well-suited for integration into the algorithm, for example, the fusion algorithm described above (and vice versa). A confidence level indicates a probability, i.e., how likely it is that the signal will provide a plausible value. The fusion algorithm is based on the KPIs and the confidence levels of the individual pieces of information and, in application, generates a control signal for activating and automatically dynamically adjusting the bad-weather light distribution 20.

[0053] The vehicle-external communication device 16 can, for example, be a communication unit of the cloud server 30, a navigation warning system, a weather warning system, another vehicle 26, a vehicle manufacturer and / or an external service.

[0054] The projection unit 8 can, for example, be designed as a high-resolution digital light module for generating and projecting light distributions 20, in particular superimposed by light patterns, hazard messages 22, markings 34, or the like, into the vehicle environment 6. For example, the projection unit 8 can generate the hazard message 22 as a light pattern, which is superimposed onto the light distribution 20 and projected into the field of vision 24 of the driver of the vehicle 2.

[0055] The lighting unit 4 is in particular a headlight, for example a so-called LED headlight (= headlight with LED pixel matrix).

[0056] During operation of the light distribution device 1, a future driving condition for the own vehicle 2 is automatically determined based on detected vehicle parameters of the own vehicle 2 and / or other vehicles 26 and the detected vehicle environment 6 of the own vehicle 2 and / or the other vehicles 26 and / or based on at least one remote environmental situation received by means of the communication device 14 and / or a received remote environmental state, whereby, depending on the determined future driving condition, the lighting unit 4 and / or the projection unit 8 are activated and, depending on the determined future driving condition and the detected vehicle environment 6, are controlled to generate a light distribution 20 in such a way as tothat the light distribution 20 in the vehicle environment 6 of the own vehicle 2 is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment 6.

[0057] For example, the adaptive illumination function 18.1 implemented in the light control unit 18 can automatically adapt the light distribution 20 to the driving conditions, the vehicle environment 6, and optionally to weather conditions. Furthermore, the projection unit 8 can be controlled by means of at least the implemented adaptive warning function 18.2 of the light control unit 18 in such a way that, in the event of an identified hazard, a hazard message 22 is automatically projected into the field of vision 24 of the light distribution 20.

[0058] As a light distribution 20, for example, a cornering light, a high beam, a narrow passage light and / or a bad weather light can be activated or generated using the implemented adaptive light distribution function 18.1 and continuously dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the vehicle environment 6.

[0059] Remote environmental conditions and / or remote environmental conditions, such as recorded and / or transmitted navigation data, traffic data, weather data, construction site data and / or hazard data, are continuously taken into account for the dynamic control of the light distribution 20.

[0060] The light distribution 20 can, for example, be dynamically controlled when a wet road surface is detected, such that light reflections and / or glare from the wet road surface ahead are reduced. Additionally or alternatively, the light distribution 20 can be dynamically controlled when fog is detected, such that activated high beams are deactivated and fog lights are activated.

[0061] Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of a dynamically adapted light distribution 20, which is superimposed with a hazard message 22 designed as a construction site warning in the field of view 24.

[0062] The vehicle 2 is driving in a construction zone where a normal lane marking 38 is visible in the field of vision 24 due to the light distribution 20. Additionally, a highlighted marking 34 for the construction zone lane marking is superimposed on this light distribution 20, generated by the lighting unit 4, as a hazard warning 22. This marking 34 is generated by projection using the projection unit 8 and superimposed onto the light distribution 20 in the field of vision 24.

[0063] Further examples of the automatic dynamic adjustment of the light distribution 20 by means of functions implemented in the light control device 18 are described below. The invention is not limited to these examples and may include further functions.

[0064] For example, a dynamically adapted lighting function for cornering can be implemented as a further light distribution function 18.1. Additional functions can also provide for the activation of high beams only when needed, as well as the continuous dynamic adjustment of special light distributions 20, such as narrow-way lighting or bad-weather lighting. These functions improve the driver's visibility in the field of vision 24 due to the dynamic illumination and thus increase safety.

[0065] A weather-optimized light distribution function 18.1, for example, dynamically adjusts the headlight illumination to the current weather conditions. In fog, rain, or snow, the light distribution 20 is adjusted to minimize glare and improve visibility. For example, in fog, the fog light can be activated and the high beam deactivated through fusion and combination, and the light distribution 20 can be dynamically adjusted with regard to reflections. Similarly, in heavy rain, the light distribution 20 can be dynamically adjusted, particularly through filters, to reduce reflections.

[0066] The light control unit 18 processes various inputs E, such as input data from sensor devices 12.n, other vehicles 26 or the like, as described above, and controls the lighting unit 4 and / or the projection unit 8 accordingly.

[0067] The projection unit 8 can be configured as a so-called HD module, in particular an image-generating unit, for projection. It can, for example, be a high-resolution module capable of projecting complex light patterns and symbols onto the road. The transmission to the HD module can be, for example, a video stream. This enables precise and flexible control of the projected content, especially hazard warnings 22, within the field of vision 24.

[0068] With activated vehicle-to-vehicle communication (Car-2-X triggered activation), the projection and / or the adapted light distribution 20 is triggered by information from other vehicles 26 and / or external infrastructure, such as cloud servers 30 or backend servers 32. For example, the lighting can be adapted if navigation data reports a narrow road or a construction site. The system switches between the projection to be generated and the light distribution 20 to be generated, or combines them to provide optimal visibility.

[0069] In addition to navigation data, received information such as traffic data, weather reports, construction site information, or warnings of hazards can also be used. This data could further optimize the generated light distribution and enable additional safety functions.

[0070] The received Car-2-X input data and the data acquired by sensor devices 12.n, such as environmental data or vehicle parameters, can be fused. Weighting can be applied, whereby certain information, such as direct sensor readings, is weighted more heavily than external and thus received data, in order to enable reliable dynamic light control of the light distribution 20 to be generated.

[0071] For example, a validated narrow-way lighting system can project a light pattern as marker 34, indicating the width of the vehicle 2 on narrow road sections. This helps the driver to better judge the lateral position of their vehicle 2. Validated potholes can also be displayed at the identified positions by markers 34 and / or hazard warnings 22 within the field of vision 24. This allows the driver to avoid the pothole.

[0072] Hazard warnings (22) and / or markings (34) can also be projected into the light distribution (20) within the field of view (24). For example, traffic signs (36), as shown in Fig. 3 are shown, projected when those traffic situations exist and have been validated as being ahead for the own vehicle 2 by means of the implemented algorithm, which are indicated by these traffic signs 36.

[0073] These symbols can serve various purposes, such as warning of hazards or improving lane guidance.

[0074] An example of a dynamic bad-weather function 18.3 through a dynamic bad-weather light distribution 20 would be the adjustment and control of the lighting unit 4, designed as a headlight, in such a way as to avoid glare from rain or snow. For example, the light distribution 20 to be generated can be widened and lowered to minimize reflections and improve visibility of the road.

[0075] Alternatives could include other types of sensors or additional trigger conditions, such as considering vehicle speeds and / or using radar data. The light distribution device 1 according to the invention is characterized by a high degree of flexibility and adaptability of the light distribution 20, as well as the integration of information from external vehicle communication devices 16 to improve the road safety of the vehicle 2 itself.

Claims

[1] Light distribution device (1) comprising a lighting unit (4) for illuminating a vehicle environment (6) of a vehicle (2), additionally a projection unit (8) for projecting a light (10) into the vehicle environment (6), at least one sensor device (12.n) for detecting vehicle parameters and the vehicle environment (6) and a communication device (14) for communicating with at least one external communication device (16), wherein a light control device (18) for dynamically controlling a light distribution (20) into the vehicle environment (6) of the vehicle (2) is provided and installed,to automatically determine an upcoming driving condition for the own vehicle (2) based on the detected vehicle parameters and the detected vehicle environment (6) of the own vehicle (2) and / or based on at least one remote environmental situation and / or a received remote environmental state received by means of the communication device (14) and to control the lighting unit (4) and / or the projection unit (8) depending on the determined upcoming driving condition and the detected vehicle environment (6) in such a way that the light distribution (20) in the vehicle environment (6) of the own vehicle (2) is automatically dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment (6). [2] Light distribution device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the light control device (18) includes at least one adaptive light distribution function (18.m) which automatically adapts to the driving conditions, the vehicle environment (6) and / or weather conditions. [3] Light distribution device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the light control device (18) includes at least one adaptive warning function (18.2) which, in the event of a detected hazard situation, automatically controls the projection unit (8) in such a way that a hazard message (22) can be projected into a viewing area (24) of the light distribution (20) or is projected. [4] Light distribution device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the at least one sensor device (12.n) is a camera (12.1), a rain and / or fog sensor (12.2), a radar device (12.3), a windscreen wiper sensor (12.4), a navigation map (12.5), a temperature sensor (12.6), a speed sensor (12.7), a curve sensor (12.8), an acceleration sensor (12.9), a stereo camera (12.10), a time-of-flight camera (12.11) and / or a vision sensor (12.12). [5] Light distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle-external communication device (16) is a communication unit of a cloud server (30), a navigation warning system, a weather warning system, another vehicle (26), a vehicle manufacturer and / or an external service. [6] Light distribution device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the projection unit (8) is a high-resolution digital light module for generating and projecting light distributions (20) into the vehicle environment (6). [7] Light distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lighting unit (4) is a headlight. [8] Vehicle (2) with a light distribution device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Method for operating a light distribution device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that based on recorded vehicle parameters and a recorded vehicle environment (6) of the own vehicle (2) and / or based on at least one remote environment situation and / or a received remote environment state received by means of the communication device (14), an upcoming driving condition for the own vehicle (2) is automatically determined, wherein, depending on the determined upcoming driving condition, the lighting unit (4) and / or the projection unit (8) are controlled for a light distribution (20) in such a way that the light distribution (20) in the vehicle environment (6) of the own vehicle (2) is automatically and dynamically adapted to the determined upcoming driving condition and the determined vehicle environment (6). [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by, that by means of at least one adaptive light distribution function (18.1) of the light control device (18) the light distribution (20) is automatically adapted to the driving conditions, the vehicle environment (6) and optionally to weather conditions. [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that by means of at least one adaptive warning function (18.2) of the light control device (18) the projection unit (8) is controlled in such a way that in the event of an identified hazard situation a hazard message (22) is automatically projected into a viewing area (24) of the light distribution (20).

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