Method for generating a headlight flash, headlight flash control and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (10) for generating a headlight flash in a motor vehicle (1), - in which a control element (5) which can be manually operated by a driver is configured to generate the headlight flasher, - in which the motor vehicle (1) can be operated on public roads in normal operation and on a race track in racing operation, - in which the headlight flasher can be operated in a single headlight flasher mode to generate a single headlight flasher, in which a headlight system (2) of the motor vehicle (1) is controlled by actuating the control element (5) to emit a single light signal in the form of a single light signal, - in which the headlight flasher can be operated in a multiple headlight flash mode to generate a multiple headlight flash, in which the headlight system (2) is controlled by actuating the control element (5) to emit a multiple light signal in the form of several successive individual light signals, - where the multiple headlight flashing function can only be activated in racing mode, - in which the multiple headlight flash is only generated by operating the control element (5) when the multiple headlight flash operation is activated.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for generating a headlight flash in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a headlight flash control for generating a headlight flash in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a headlight flash control.

[0002] In a motor vehicle equipped with headlights, the driver (male / female / diverse) can flash their headlights using a control. A flash is a brief light signal projected forward by the headlight system, usually generated by the headlights' high beams. It is generally used to draw the attention of other road users in front of the vehicle. The length of time the control is operated determines the duration of the light signal. The driver can also operate the control several times in succession to generate a multiple-light signal.

[0003] DE 10 2017 002 881 A1 discloses a control element designed as a steering column lever, wherein the steering column lever can be adjusted between a neutral position, a headlight flasher position, and a high beam position. Typically, the neutral position and the high beam position are stable, while the headlight flasher position is unstable, so that the steering column lever, adjusted to the headlight flasher position, automatically returns to the neutral position at the end of its operation.

[0004] From DE 10 2015 003 725 A1 a monostable control element for adjusting a lighting function of a headlight system is known, wherein a headlight flasher function can be adjusted via the control element.

[0005] From DE 10 2020 200 274 ​​A1 a method for outputting an acoustic voice signal with a loudspeaker system of a motor vehicle is known, wherein in addition to the output of the acoustic voice signal a horn, a headlight flasher and / or a continuous headlight flasher as well as a hazard warning system are also activated.

[0006] DE 10 2018 206 044 A1 discloses a motor vehicle that can be operated on public roads in normal mode and on a racetrack in racing mode. The lighting is also adjusted depending on the operating mode.

[0007] From DE 10 2007 009 078 A1 a motor vehicle with a headlight flasher is known, which is operated by the driver.

[0008] DE 10 2012 024 148 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a headlight flasher that can be activated automatically. This automatically triggers a headlight system of the motor vehicle to emit a multiple light signal in the form of several consecutive individual light signals.

[0009] The present invention addresses the problem of creating an additional functionality for a headlight flasher of a motor vehicle, which can in particular increase the range of use of the motor vehicle equipped therewith without impairing road safety.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​configuring the headlight flasher of the motor vehicle in such a way that a single headlight flasher operation for generating a single headlight flash and a multiple headlight flasher operation for generating a multiple headlight flash can be implemented. While in the single headlight flasher, the headlight system emits a single light signal in the form of a single light signal, in the multiple headlight flasher the headlight system emits a multiple light signal in the form of several consecutive individual light signals. In particular, the multiple light signal can have a frequency with which the individual light signals follow one another, which is not possible by multiple manual actuation of the control element with a conventional headlight flasher function. In particular, a stroboscopic multiple headlight flash is implementable, in which, for example, 5 to 10 light signals can be emitted, or virtually fired, within 1 second.Such a multiple headlight flash is extremely conspicuous and is therefore particularly suitable for racing, i.e., operating the vehicle on a racetrack. During racing, drivers are extremely focused on the track in front of the vehicle, meaning they are often unable to see other vehicles approaching from behind in time. With the help of an aggressive multiple headlight flash, the driver of the rear vehicle can easily attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle in front, allowing the driver of the vehicle in front to react accordingly. In this way, the multiple headlight flash increases the safety of the vehicle during racing. However, such an aggressive multiple headlight flash is not necessary for normal operation of the vehicle on public roads and is generally not permitted.Accordingly, the invention also proposes that the multiple headlight flasher be activated only during racing. This increases vehicle safety during racing, while also ensuring that other road users are not disturbed during normal operation.

[0012] In the present context, a ‘configuration’ corresponds to a ‘design’ and / or a ‘means’ and / or a ‘programming’, so that the expression ‘configured so that’ is synonymous with the expression ‘designed so that’ and / or ‘arranged so that’ and / or ‘programmed so that’.

[0013] Specifically, a method for generating a headlight flash in a motor vehicle is proposed, in which a control element that can be manually operated by a driver is configured to generate the headlight flash. The control element can be configured as a steering column stalk that the driver pulls towards them to generate the headlight flash. The motor vehicle is configured so that it can be operated on public roads in normal operation and on a racetrack in racing operation. For example, low energy consumption is paramount in normal operation, while high performance is paramount in racing operation. The headlight flash can be operated in single headlight flash mode to generate a single headlight flash, in which a headlight system of the motor vehicle is controlled by actuating the control element to emit a single light signal in the form of a single light signal.In addition, the headlight flasher can be operated in a multiple-beam mode to generate a multiple-beam flash, in which the headlight system is controlled by operating the control element to emit a multiple-beam signal in the form of several consecutive individual light signals. Furthermore, it is intended that the multiple-beam mode can only be activated in racing mode, and that the multiple-beam flash can only be generated by operating the control element when the multiple-beam mode is activated.

[0014] This inevitably means that the single headlight flasher mode is always activated during normal operation, meaning that the driver can only generate a single headlight flash in the conventional manner by operating the control element during normal operation. The multiple headlight flasher differs from the single headlight flasher in that it emits a predetermined number of individual light signals that follow one another at a predetermined frequency and are automatically emitted. For example, five separate light signals are emitted or fired every 0.5 seconds, i.e., at a frequency of 10 Hz.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that racing mode can only be activated when the motor vehicle is on a racetrack. This can exclude multiple headlight flashing on public roads and prevent obstruction of other road users by multiple headlight flashing. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that racing mode can only be activated by a qualified person (male / female / diverse). A qualified person can, for example, be a member of the staff at a racetrack. Racing mode can be activated in particular via an interface in the vehicle or a vehicle control system to which the driver does not normally have access. For example, modern motor vehicles have a diagnostic interface that a specialist workshop can access.In particular, this diagnostic interface can be used by the qualified person to activate racing operation.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that a navigation system of the motor vehicle is used to check whether the motor vehicle is on a racetrack. Modern motor vehicles are equipped with a navigation system as standard, so that the motor vehicle or a headlight flasher control system knows the current location of the motor vehicle. By comparing this with location data of racetracks, which can be stored in the vehicle in a corresponding data storage device or in a backend server accessible by a corresponding control system of the motor vehicle, it is easy to determine whether the motor vehicle is currently on a racetrack or not.

[0017] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the driver can only activate the multiple headlight flasher mode in racing mode using an input device of the motor vehicle, so that the multiple headlight flasher, i.e. the multiple light signal, is generated by actuating the control element. In other words, switching from normal operation to racing mode does not automatically switch from single headlight flasher mode to multiple headlight flasher mode; rather, the driver must take action to activate the multiple headlight flasher mode in racing mode using the input device. The input device can be located on an instrument panel of the vehicle. In particular, it can be a multifunctional input device, such as a touch display.

[0018] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the driver, during racing operation, can specify a frequency and / or a number of individual light signals of the multiple light signal and / or a duration of the multiple light signal using an input device of the motor vehicle. For example, the driver can specify a frequency of 10 Hz and a duration of 1 second for the multiple headlight flash, so that the multiple headlight flash comprises 10 separate light signals. Likewise, the driver can specify a number of 10 light signals, following one another at a duration of 0.5 seconds, which ultimately corresponds to a frequency of 20 Hz.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a special embodiment, it is conceivable that the light signals emitted by the headlight system to generate the single headlight flash and the multiple headlight flash have a higher light intensity in racing operation than in normal operation, so that an even greater recognizability of the light signals can be realized for racing operation.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the driver can choose between individual operation and parallel operation during racing mode using an input device on the motor vehicle. This input device can be a different input device or the same input device. In particular, a multifunctional input device, such as a touch display, can be used. Individual operation and parallel operation can differ from one another in that when multiple headlight flashers are activated, only the multiple headlight flashers can be generated by operating the control element in individual mode, whereas when multiple headlight flashers are activated in parallel operation, either the individual headlight flasher or the multiple headlight flashers can be generated by operating the control element.In single-beam operation, the driver commits to always generating the multiple headlight flash when operating the control. In parallel operation, the driver still has the option of generating the single headlight flash or the multiple headlight flash as needed.

[0021] For example, it can be provided that when multiple headlight flashing mode is activated during parallel operation, the single headlight flash is generated by a first actuation of the control element, while the multiple headlight flash is generated by a second actuation of the control element, which differs from the first actuation. In other words, the driver can optionally generate the single headlight flash and the multiple headlight flash using the same control element, for which they can actuate the control element in two different ways. It can expediently be provided that the first actuation type is a single actuation of the control element. With a control element designed as a steering column stalk, the driver pulls the control element towards them once to generate the single actuation.The second type of actuation, however, can be a multiple actuation, in particular a double actuation, of the control element, in which at least two single actuations follow one another within a predetermined time. For example, the driver can pull the control element, designed as a steering column lever, toward themselves twice in quick succession. The predetermined time can be, for example, 0.5 seconds. The second type of actuation can also be a continuous actuation of the control element, in which the control element is actuated for a predetermined minimum time. The minimum time can be, for example, 0.5 seconds.

[0022] According to another expedient embodiment, the driver can select between single headlight flash and multiple headlight flash using an input device on the motor vehicle during racing mode and when single headlight flash is selected. In other words, the driver can leave single headlight flash active for racing mode and single headlight flash or switch to the more aggressive multiple headlight flash mode. This input device can be a different input device or the same input device. In particular, a multifunctional input device, such as a touch display, can be used.

[0023] A headlight flasher control according to the invention serves to generate a headlight flash in a motor vehicle and comprises at least one input interface, which is configured at least for coupling the headlight flasher control to an operating element for generating the headlight flash, and at least one output interface, which is configured at least for coupling the headlight flasher control to a headlight system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the headlight flasher control is configured to carry out the method described above.

[0024] A motor vehicle according to the invention is configured such that it can be operated on public roads in normal operation and on a racetrack in racing operation. The motor vehicle can be a passenger car, in particular a sports car, or a truck. The motor vehicle has a headlight system and an operating element for generating a headlight flash and is also equipped with a headlight flash control of the type mentioned above. The headlight flash control is coupled at least to the operating element via the at least one input interface and at least to the headlight system via the at least one output interface.

[0025] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0026] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below 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. Components mentioned above and those to be mentioned below of a higher-level unit, such as a device, a device, or an arrangement, which are designated separately, may form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0028] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method for generating a headlight flash for activating a multiple headlight flash operation, Fig. 2 a flow chart of the procedure for a single company, Fig. 3 a flowchart of the procedure for parallel operation, Fig. 4 a highly simplified, circuit diagram-like schematic representation of a motor vehicle.

[0029] Accordingly Fig. 4, a motor vehicle 1 comprises a headlight system 2, which can be formed in particular by a left headlight device 3 and a right headlight device 4, an operating element 5, a headlight flasher control 6 and at least one input device 7. The motor vehicle 1 is configured such that it can be operated on public roads in normal operation and on a race track in racing operation.

[0030] The control element 5 is configured to be manually operated by a driver of the vehicle 1. The control element 5 is also configured to generate a headlight flash. In particular, the control element 5 is a steering column lever that is pulled toward the driver to generate the headlight flash.

[0031] The headlight flasher control 6 has at least one input interface 8, which is configured to couple the headlight flasher control 6 to the control element 5 and, in this case, also to the input device 7. Furthermore, the headlight flasher control 6 has at least one output interface 9, which is configured to couple the headlight flasher control 6 to the headlight system 2. In the installed state of the Fig. 4, the headlight flasher control 6 is coupled via the input interface 8 to the control element 5 and to the input device 7, and via the output interface 9 to the two headlight devices 3, 4 of the headlight system 2. Corresponding signal lines or control lines are not designated in more detail. The headlight flasher control 6 is configured to carry out a method 10, which is described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 3 are explained in more detail.

[0032] According to the Fig. 1 to 3, the method 10 for generating the headlight flash is configured on the motor vehicle 1. The headlight flash that can be generated using method 1 can be operated in a single headlight flash mode and in a multiple headlight flash mode, or can be configured as a single headlight flash and a multiple headlight flash. The single headlight flash mode serves to generate a single headlight flash, in which the headlight system 2 is controlled by actuating the control element 5 to emit a single light signal in the form of a single light signal. The multiple headlight flash mode, on the other hand, serves to generate a multiple headlight flash, in which the headlight system 2 is controlled by actuating the control element 5 to emit a multiple light signal in the form of several consecutive individual light signals. The method 10 is configured such that the multiple headlight flash mode can only be activated during racing operation of the motor vehicle 1.Furthermore, the method 10 is configured such that by actuating the control element 5, the multiple headlight flash is only generated when the multiple headlight flash operation is activated.

[0033] According to Fig. 1, the racing mode of vehicle 1 is first activated in a step 11. For this purpose, it can be checked whether vehicle 1 is currently on a race track or not. For example, vehicle 1 can be Fig. 4 may have a navigation system 12 that knows the current position of the vehicle 1. It may also be provided that the racing operation can only be activated by a qualified person, who need not be the driver. For example, such a qualified person could be racetrack personnel.

[0034] According to Fig. 1, in step 13, when racing mode is activated, the multiple headlight flasher mode can be activated using the input device 7. This simultaneously deactivates the single headlight flasher, which is automatically active during normal operation. Likewise, in step 13, it is possible to leave the single headlight flasher active while the multiple headlight flasher remains deactivated.

[0035] In a step 14, the driver can use input device 7 to specify the frequency of the individual light signals of the multiple light signal, i.e., the number of separate, individual light signals that should follow one another per second. In a step 15, the driver can use input device 7 to specify the duration of the multiple light signal. In a step 16, the driver can use input device 7 to select between individual operation and parallel operation. If the driver selects individual operation, they can decide again in a step 17 whether actuating control element 5 should generate a single headlight flash or a multiple headlight flash.If, in step 17, after setting the frequency and duration for the light signals of the multiple headlight flasher, the driver has decided to initially retain the single headlight flasher mode, he can simply switch to the multiple headlight flasher mode at a later point in time in step 17 using the input device 7, in which case the previously set values ​​for frequency and duration are then adopted.

[0036] In Fig. 2, method 10 for individual operation is explained in more detail. In step 18, the driver manually actuates control element 5. Field 19 represents that individual operation is present. Field 20 represents that the driver has selected multiple headlight flasher operation. Field 21 represents that the driver has selected single headlight flasher operation. In the case of multiple headlight flasher operation, method 10 follows a path 22 after field 20. There, field 23 represents the frequency and duration of the light signals of the multiple light signal set by the driver. In step 24, the multiple headlight flasher is then generated by emitting the multiple light signal using headlight system 2. Headlight system 2 generates the light signals of the multiple light signal at the set frequency and for the set duration.

[0037] In single-beam flash mode, method 10 follows a path 25 after field 21, which leads to a step 26 in which the single-beam flash is generated. Here, headlight system 2 is controlled to emit the single light signal, so that a single light signal is emitted.

[0038] In Fig.3, the method 10 for parallel operation is explained in more detail. In a step 27, the driver manually actuates the control element 5. Two manual actuation modes are available to the driver, namely a first actuation mode for generating the single headlight flash and a second actuation mode for generating the multiple headlight flash. In field 28, the driver actuates the control element 5 according to the second actuation mode, i.e., for generating the multiple headlight flash. The second actuation mode can be configured as a multiple actuation, in particular as a double actuation. In a multiple actuation, at least two single actuations follow one another within a predetermined time. For example, the driver can actuate the control element 5 twice within 0.5 seconds.Additionally or alternatively, the second actuation type can also be a continuous actuation, in which the driver continuously actuates the control element 5 for a predetermined minimum time of, for example, at least 0.5 seconds. In other words, depending on the setting, the driver can generate the multiple headlight flash either by multiple actuation or by continuous actuation, or by both multiple actuation and continuous actuation.

[0039] Method 10 then follows a path 29. A field 30 represents the preset values ​​for the frequency and duration of the light signals of the multiple headlight flash. In step 31, the multiple headlight flash is generated. Headlight system 2 emits the multiple light signal, in which the light signals are generated and emitted at the set frequency and for the set duration.

[0040] In step 32, the driver actuates the control element 5 according to the first actuation type. The first actuation type can be a single actuation, in which the driver actuates the control element 5 once. The method 10 then follows a path 33, which leads to a step 34 in which the single headlight flash is generated. The headlight system 2 then emits the single light signal and generates a single light signal for this purpose.

Claims

[1] Method (10) for generating a headlight flash in a motor vehicle (1), - in which a control element (5) which can be manually operated by a driver is configured to generate the headlight flasher, - in which the motor vehicle (1) can be operated on public roads in normal operation and on a race track in racing operation, - in which the headlight flasher can be operated in a single headlight flasher mode to generate a single headlight flasher, in which a headlight system (2) of the motor vehicle (1) is controlled by actuating the control element (5) to emit a single light signal in the form of a single light signal, - in which the headlight flasher can be operated in a multiple headlight flash mode to generate a multiple headlight flash, in which the headlight system (2) is controlled by actuating the control element (5) to emit a multiple light signal in the form of several successive individual light signals, - where the multiple headlight flashing function can only be activated in racing mode, - in which the multiple headlight flash is only generated by operating the control element (5) when the multiple headlight flash operation is activated. [2] Method (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the racing mode can only be activated when the motor vehicle (1) is on a race track, and / or - that the racing operation can only be activated by a qualified person. [3] Method (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , - that a navigation system (12) of the motor vehicle (1) is used to check whether the motor vehicle (1) is on a race track. [4] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the driver can only activate the multiple headlight flasher operation in racing mode by means of an input device (7) of the motor vehicle (1), so that the multiple headlight flasher is generated by actuating the control element (5). [5] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the driver can determine a frequency and / or a number of the individual light signals of the multiple light signal and / or a duration of the multiple light signal by means of an input device (7) of the motor vehicle (1) during racing. [6] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the driver can select between individual operation and parallel operation in racing mode by means of an input device (7) of the motor vehicle (1), - that when the multiple headlight flasher mode is activated, only the multiple headlight flasher is generated in single operation by operating the control element (5), - that when the multiple headlight flasher mode is activated during parallel operation, the single headlight flasher or the multiple headlight flasher is optionally generated by operating the control element (5). [7] Method (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , - that when the multiple headlight flasher operation is activated during parallel operation, the single headlight flasher is generated by a first type of actuation of the control element (5), while the multiple headlight flasher is generated by a second type of actuation of the control element (5) which differs from the first type of actuation. [8] Method (10) according to claim 7, characterized by , - that the first type of actuation is a single actuation of the operating element (5), - that the second type of actuation is a multiple actuation, in particular a double actuation, of the operating element (5), in which at least two single actuations follow one another within a predetermined time, and / or a continuous actuation of the operating element (5), in which the operating element (5) is actuated for a predetermined minimum time. [9] Headlight flasher control (6) for generating a headlight flasher in a motor vehicle (1), - with at least one input interface (8) at least for coupling the headlight flasher control (6) to an operating element (5) for generating the headlight flasher, - with at least one output interface (9) at least for coupling the headlight flasher control (6) to a headlight system (2) of the motor vehicle (1), - wherein the headlight flasher control (6) is configured to carry out the method (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Motor vehicle (1) which can be operated on public roads in normal operation and on a race track in racing operation, - with a headlight system (2), - with an operating element (5) for generating a headlight flash, - with a headlight flasher control (6) according to claim 9, which is coupled via the at least one input interface (8) at least to the control element (5) and via the at least one output interface (9) at least to the headlight system (2).

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