Method for controlling a headlight of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a headlight of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the headlight comprises several light sources, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Detection of whether a motor vehicle's direction indicator is activated, wherein the direction indicator comprises a light source that is periodically switched on and off when the direction indicator is activated; and - Periodic change in the brightness of a subset of light sources if and as long as the direction indicator is activated.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a headlight of a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

[0002] A so-called turning light is known from the prior art. This illuminates the area directly in front of a vehicle more intensely during a turning maneuver in order to reduce the risk of collisions.

[0003] It is known from CN 207 502 870 U to illuminate certain ground areas in front of a motor vehicle more intensely when turning.

[0004] In contrast, the present invention is based on the objective of increasing road safety.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1, a control unit according to claim 8, and a motor vehicle according to claim 9. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The headlight incorporates multiple light sources, such as LEDs. These individual light sources can also be referred to as pixels. The headlight can be described as a matrix headlight. A matrix headlight allows for precise control of all angular areas within the headlight's beam angle. For example, areas within the headlight's beam angle can be illuminated with a resolution of approximately 0.1°.

[0007] According to claim 1, it is detected whether a motor vehicle's turn signal indicator is activated. The turn signal indicator comprises a light source that is periodically switched on and off when the turn signal indicator is activated. For the purposes of this description, this means in particular that the turn signal indicator switches on and off at a fixed frequency when activated. The turn signal indicator can also be referred to as a flasher.

[0008] When the turn signal is activated, the brightness of a subset of the headlight's light sources changes periodically for as long as the turn signal is active. This periodic change in brightness draws the attention of other road users—such as pedestrians, cyclists, or drivers of other vehicles—even more strongly to the vehicle. The turn signal serves to alert other road users that the vehicle is changing direction, turning, changing lanes, exiting a roundabout, or parking. These are all maneuvers that relatively frequently result in collisions.The additional change in brightness of the subgroup of light sources further focuses the attention of other road users on the driving maneuver of the motor vehicle, thus reducing the risk of collisions.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the turn signal indicator can be switched on and off at a specific frequency. The brightness of the subgroup can be changed synchronously with the turn signal indicator at this frequency. For example, the brightness of the subgroup can be increased whenever the turn signal indicator's light source is switched on and decreased whenever the turn signal indicator's light source is switched off. However, it is also possible for the brightness of the subgroup to be decreased whenever the turn signal indicator's light source is switched on and increased whenever the turn signal indicator's light source is switched off.

[0010] The periodic change in brightness at the same frequency as the periodic switching on and off of the turn signal indicator further draws the attention of other road users to the motor vehicle.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the subgroup can comprise fewer than all light sources. Thus, the brightness is only ever changed in a portion of the area illuminated by the headlight. This supports the direction-dependent function of the turn signal.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the direction indicator can be arranged in a lateral area of ​​the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this description, the lateral area is understood to be the rear end of the motor vehicle in its transverse direction. This rear end comprises approximately one-fifth of the vehicle's width. The subgroup illuminates a lateral edge area of ​​the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle. This lateral edge area is closer to the lateral area than to other areas of the motor vehicle. For example, the direction indicator can be arranged in the right lateral area of ​​the motor vehicle. In this case, the subgroup illuminates a right edge area of ​​the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle. Thus, the directional dependence of the direction indicator is emphasized by the change in brightness of the subgroup of light sources.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the edge area can include a bicycle path, a pedestrian path, and / or an oncoming lane. This is particularly advantageous for alerting other road users in these areas to the driving maneuver indicated by the turn signal. For the purposes of this description, the oncoming lane is understood to mean, in particular, a portion of the road in front of the motor vehicle on which other motor vehicles are traveling in the opposite direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle can include several turn signals. These can all be identical in construction to the single turn signal mentioned in this description and have the same functionality. The motor vehicle can also include an additional headlight. This additional headlight can be identical in construction to the headlight described above. It can be detected whether all turn signals of the motor vehicle are activated. The brightness of light sources from subgroups of both headlights can be changed periodically if and as long as all turn signals are activated. The subgroup of the additional headlight can also illuminate a lateral edge area of ​​the surroundings in front of the motor vehicle, which, however, is different from the lateral edge area illuminated by the subgroup of the headlight mentioned above.

[0015] Activating all turn signals can also be called hazard warning lights. Hazard warning lights are typically activated when there is a dangerous situation, for example, when the vehicle has stopped in a place not designated for parking and is no longer drivable. The periodic change in the brightness of the lights draws even more attention to the dangerous situation from other road users.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, a traffic situation can be detected. This can be done, for example, using a camera on the vehicle. The brightness of the subgroup can be changed depending on the traffic situation. For example, the subgroup can also be selected depending on the traffic situation. It may be advantageous, for instance, to select a different subgroup when changing lanes on the highway than when turning into a driveway.

[0017] The control unit according to claim 8 is configured to execute a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] The motor vehicle according to claim 9 comprises a control unit according to an embodiment of the invention, the direction indicator(s) and the headlight(s).

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components, features, or elements, and for components, features, or elements with identical or similar functions. Fig. 1 a schematic top view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention on a roadway; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a light distribution according to an embodiment of the invention with the direction indicator activated and the light source of the direction indicator switched on; Fig. 3 a schematic view of a light distribution according to an embodiment of the invention with the direction indicator activated and the light source of the direction indicator switched off; Fig. 4 a schematic view of a light distribution according to an embodiment of the invention with both direction indicators activated and the direction indicator lamps switched on; and Fig. 5 a schematic view of a light distribution according to an embodiment of the invention with both direction indicators activated and the direction indicator lamps switched off.

[0020] The motor vehicle is traveling on lane 2. On one side, directly next to lane 2, runs a first cycle and / or footpath 3. On the other side, directly next to lane 2, runs an oncoming lane 5. Next to the oncoming lane 5 runs a second cycle and / or footpath 4.

[0021] When vehicle 1 begins an overtaking maneuver or turns into another road or driveway, a turn signal indicator is activated to draw the attention of other road users to the planned maneuver. The turn signal indicator includes a light source that, when activated, flashes on and off periodically at a specific frequency.

[0022] To further increase the attention of other road users, for example, when the right turn signal of vehicle 1 is activated, the brightness of light sources in a subgroup of the right headlight of the vehicle is periodically changed synchronously with the frequency of the turn signal's on and off. The light sources of this subgroup illuminate the lateral edge area 6 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) the area in front of the vehicle. Preferably, the brightness is increased when the turn signal indicator is switched on. Accordingly, the brightness is decreased when the turn signal indicator is switched off. This is to be achieved in Fig. 2 the light distribution of the headlight with the increased brightness is shown, while in Fig. 3 shows the light distribution of the headlight with the reduced brightness.

[0023] Preferably, the lateral edge area 6 can overlap with the first bicycle and / or pedestrian path 3, so that cyclists and / or pedestrians on the first bicycle and / or pedestrian path 3 are alerted to the motor vehicle 1 by the periodically changing, differently illuminated lateral edge area 6. They can adjust their behavior to the planned driving maneuver and, if necessary, avoid a collision.

[0024] The same procedure can of course also be used analogously for a left-hand turn signal and a left-hand headlight. In this case, the lateral edge area can overlap with the oncoming lane 5 and / or the second bicycle and / or pedestrian path 4.

[0025] When all of the vehicle's turn signals are activated, the brightness of both the light sources in the subgroup of the right headlight and the light sources in the subgroup of the left headlight are periodically changed at the same frequency as the turn signal bulbs are switched on and off. This change in brightness occurs synchronously with the switching on and off of the turn signal bulbs.

[0026] The change in brightness is exemplified in the Fig. 4 and Fig.Figure 5 illustrates this. The brightness of the light distribution changes simultaneously in both a right lateral edge area 7 and a left lateral edge area 8. This draws the attention of other road users to the vehicle 1. This is particularly important in situations where all direction indicators are activated, as these can be potentially dangerous situations. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 lanes 3 Bicycle and / or footpath 4 Bicycle and / or footpath 5 opposite lane 6 Side edge area 7 Side edge area 8 Side edge area QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 207 502 870 U

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a headlight of a motor vehicle (1) wherein the headlight comprises several light sources, the method comprising the following steps: - Detection of whether a motor vehicle's direction indicator is activated, wherein the direction indicator comprises a light source that is periodically switched on and off when the direction indicator is activated; and - Periodic change in the brightness of a subset of light sources if and as long as the direction indicator is activated. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the direction indicator is switched on and off at a frequency, whereby the brightness of the subgroup is changed at the frequency synchronously with the direction indicator. [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the subgroup includes fewer than all light sources. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the direction indicator is arranged in a lateral area of ​​the motor vehicle, wherein the subgroup illuminates a lateral edge area (6; 7; 8) of an environment in front of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the lateral edge area (6; 7; 8) is closer to the lateral area than to other areas of the motor vehicle (1). [5] Method according to the previous claim, characterized by , that the lateral edge area (6; 7; 8) includes a cycle path (3; 4), a pedestrian path (3; 4) and / or an oncoming lane (5). [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the motor vehicle (1) comprises several direction indicators and a further headlight, wherein it is detected whether all direction indicators of the motor vehicle (1) are activated, wherein the brightness of light sources of subgroups of both headlights is periodically changed if all direction indicators are activated and as long as all direction indicators are activated. [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a traffic situation is detected and that the brightness of the subgroup changes depending on the traffic situation. [8] Control unit for a motor vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims. [9] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a control unit according to the preceding claim, the direction indicator(s) and the headlight(s).

Images