Method for adjusting a high-resolution headlight of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for adjusting a high-resolution headlight which has a plurality of individual light sources, with the following steps: controlling the individual light sources in such a way that a light image (20) is generated in a projection area (10) which has a dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) or a light-dark-light gradient, wherein an adjustment reference marking (121, 122) is provided on the projection area (10), adjusting the high-resolution headlight in such a way that the center of the dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) or the light-dark-light gradient is arranged on the adjustment reference marking (121, 122).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for adjusting a high-resolution headlight.

[0002] Such high-resolution headlights, also known as HD matrix headlights, as well as methods for adjusting high-resolution headlights, i.e. their position relative to a vehicle body that accommodates the headlights, are generally known from the prior art. Using such a high-resolution headlight, which has a plurality of light sources, in particular LEDs, it is fundamentally possible to generate any desired light distribution, i.e. light images, in a projection area. By controlling the light emission of the individual LEDs, a freely definable light image can be generated on a projection area. This makes it possible to specifically illuminate certain areas and leave others unilluminated, so that, for example, a roadway can be illuminated as best as possible while avoiding dazzling oncoming traffic or a vehicle in front.

[0003] All headlights, including high-resolution headlights, must be adjusted before initial use and, if necessary, checked and readjusted at a later date, as the control of the light sources is based on a predefined setting or position of the headlight. Incorrect headlight adjustment results in a distorted light pattern caused by the light sources. A method for adjusting high-resolution headlights is described, for example, in DE 10 2020 121 293 A1 and US 10 890 309 B1. A method for adjusting a headlight is also described in US 2018 / 0 312 103 A1.

[0004] The checking or adjustment of a high-resolution headlight can be performed using a headlight alignment device and an adjustment tool. The headlight alignment is adjusted or adjusted horizontally and vertically using adjusting screws while the high-resolution headlight is activated, i.e., switched on. The light image projected by a high-resolution headlight, which has a cut-off line, can be displayed on a projection surface, such as a screen, of a headlight alignment device and aligned with a reference mark, in particular a coordinate system with a horizontal and a vertical reference line.

[0005] The problem here is that the light-dark boundary has a light-dark gradient, and the greater this gradient, the more subjective the decision regarding the exact boundary between light and dark becomes. As a result, the headlight adjustment varies depending on the person adjusting the headlight and the lighting conditions prevailing during the adjustment. Reproducibility of the headlight adjustment is virtually impossible.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a method for adjusting a high-resolution headlight, by means of which the high-resolution headlight can be adjusted in a simple, reproducible manner and with high accuracy.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0008] To adjust the high-resolution headlight, the individual light sources, in particular the individual LEDs, are controlled in such a way that a light image generated in one of them in the projection area has a dark-light-dark gradient or a light-dark-light gradient. In other words, the light sources are controlled in such a way that a light-dark gradient is present on both sides. With a dark-light-dark gradient, the brightest area is arranged in the center of the projection area, in particular of a headlight adjustment device, with the brightness continuously decreasing starting from the brightest area. With a light-dark-bright gradient, the darkest area is arranged in the center of the projection area, in particular of a headlight adjustment device, with the brightness continuously increasing starting from the darkest area.

[0009] The high-resolution headlight is then adjusted—that is, the position of the high-resolution headlight relative to a vehicle body housing the high-resolution headlight—so that the center of the dark-light-dark gradient or the light-dark-light gradient overlaps with an adjustment reference mark provided on the projection area. The projection area can be a component of a headlight adjustment device, also known as a light collection box, or a wall.

[0010] Crucially, the center of the dark-light-dark or light-dark-light gradient can be subjectively estimated relatively accurately by the person adjusting the headlight. This allows a high-resolution headlight to be adjusted with high precision, increasing the reproducibility of the adjustment by different people and increasing robustness to varying ambient brightness.

[0011] Preferably, the individual light sources are controlled such that a line is formed by the dark-light-dark gradient or the light-dark-light gradient. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment reference marking is a line, so that when adjusting the high-resolution headlight, the headlight is adjusted until the linear reference marking and the linear light image, i.e., the center of the line of the dark-light-dark or light-dark-light gradient, overlap. Alternatively, the light sources can also be controlled such that, for example, several dark-light-dark gradients or light-dark-light gradients are present in different areas, whereby several adjustment reference markings are also present.

[0012] Preferably, the line formed by the dark-light-dark gradient or the light-dark-light gradient and the linear adjustment reference mark run horizontally. This allows the height of the high-resolution spotlight to be adjusted.

[0013] Alternatively, the line formed by the dark-light-dark gradient or the light-dark-light gradient and the linear adjustment reference mark run vertically. This allows the high-resolution headlight to be adjusted transversely across the vehicle.

[0014] Preferably, the light sources are controlled in such a way that the dark-light-dark or light-dark-light gradient forms a cross, and the adjustment reference mark is a cross. This allows the high-resolution headlight to be adjusted vertically and transversely across the vehicle.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the headlight is adjusted vertically and / or transversely across the vehicle. The high-resolution headlight can be adjusted manually by a person or automatically by an adjustment device. For example, adjustment wheels are provided on a fastening device for attaching the high-resolution headlight to a vehicle body, which allows adjustment of the position relative to the vehicle body. A person can adjust the headlight based on the light image and the reference marking by turning the adjustment wheels in such a way that the center of the dark-light-dark or light-dark-light gradient forming a line overlaps with the reference marking.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a light image of a high-resolution headlight on a projection area in the front field of the vehicle.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a light image 20 generated by a high-resolution headlight in a projection area 10 in the front of the vehicle. The projection area 10 can be formed by a so-called light collection box, generally known for adjusting headlights, or by a wall.

[0018] The light image 20 shows a bright cross 22 on a dark background and is specifically selected for adjusting the high-resolution spotlight. Such a light image 20 can only be generated by spotlights that have a plurality of light sources arranged next to one another in a grid-like manner, wherein the individual light sources can be controlled individually. In the present case, the light sources of the high-resolution spotlight are controlled by a control unit such that a bright cross 22 is visible on a dark background in the projection area 10. The cross 22 is formed by a vertical line 24, which has a horizontal dark-light-dark gradient 241, and by a horizontal line 26, which has a vertical dark-light-dark gradient 261.

[0019] To adjust the high-resolution headlight, a cross 12 with a vertical line 121 and a horizontal line 122 is also present on the projection area 10.

[0020] The high-resolution spotlight is adjusted such that the cross 22 generated by the HD matrix spotlight on the projection area 10 is superimposed on the predefined cross 12 present on the projection area 10. The light image 20 generated by the light sources of the high-resolution spotlight remains permanently unchanged during the adjustment of the high-resolution spotlight, and the high-resolution spotlight itself is adjusted. In other words, the vertical position, the horizontal position, and / or a tilt of the high-resolution spotlight is adjusted by an adjustment device until the cross 22 projected by the high-resolution spotlight onto the projection area 10 overlaps the cross 12 present on the projection area 10.It is crucial for the best possible and precise adjustment of the high-resolution headlight that the lines 121, 122 of the cross 12 on the projection area 10 are arranged in the middle of the dark-light-dark gradients 241, 261, ie in the brightest area of ​​the dark-light-dark gradients 241, 261.

[0021] By adjusting the high-resolution headlight based on the dark-light-dark gradients 241, 261, each forming a line 24, 26, a person adjusting the headlight can estimate a predefined line much better than with a simple light-dark gradient. This allows a high-resolution headlight to be adjusted with high precision, while maintaining high reproducibility of the adjustment by different people and robustness to varying ambient brightness.

Claims

[1] Method for adjusting a high-resolution spotlight comprising a plurality of individual light sources, comprising the following steps: Controlling the individual light sources in such a way that a light image (20) is produced in a projection area (10) which has a dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) or a light-dark-light gradient, wherein in the dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) the brightest area is located in the center of the projection area (10), with the brightness decreasing continuously from the brightest area, and in the light-dark-light gradient the darkest area is located in the center of the projection area (10), with the brightness increasing continuously from the darkest area, wherein an adjustment reference mark (121, 122) is provided on the projection area (10), Adjusting the high-resolution headlight so that the center of the dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) or of the light-dark-light gradient is positioned on the adjustment reference mark (121, 122). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the individual light sources are controlled in such a way that a line (24, 26) is formed by the dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) or the light-dark-light gradient. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the setting reference mark (121, 122) is a line. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the line (26) formed by the dark-light-dark gradient (261) or the light-dark-light gradient and the line-like setting reference mark (122) run in a horizontal direction. [5] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by, that the line (24) formed by the dark-light-dark gradient (241) or the light-dark-light gradient and the line-like setting reference mark (121) run in a vertical direction. [6] Method according to claims 4 and 5, characterized by , that the individual light sources are controlled in such a way that a cross (22) is formed by the dark-light-dark gradient (241, 261) or the light-dark-light gradient and the setting reference mark (121, 122) is a cross (12).

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