Communication device for vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication device for vehicles, in particular for semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles, with a plurality of light sources (3) and with control means for generating light patterns or light animations directed at individual road users, wherein the light sources (3) are arranged in a matrix-like manner and individually controllable on a common planar support (2) to form a light module, wherein an environment sensor unit (10) is provided for detecting road users in an environment (11) of the vehicle (F), and wherein a control unit (9) is provided as a control means for controlling the light sources (3) such that, depending on the road user detected in the environment (11) of the vehicle F, the light sources (3) are controlled in such a way that a light pattern (24, 26) visualizing the current driving state of the vehicle (F) is generated.and that a cover (13) with a plurality of lamellar struts (14) and strip-shaped openings (16) is attached to the light module on the light output side, by means of which a first part (17) of the light (8) generated by the light module is allowed to pass through the strip-shaped openings (163) and a second part (18) of the light (8) generated by the light module is not allowed to pass through by means of the lamellar struts (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a communication device for vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2017 111 322 A1, a communication device for vehicles is known, comprising a plurality of light sources oriented in different directions. The communication device is arranged in a lateral area of ​​the vehicle, for example on an A-pillar or a B-pillar, and can transmit light signals to road users in the vicinity of the vehicle to indicate information about the vehicle's status or its planned movement. An LCD is arranged in front of each light source in the direction of light emission, allowing the light emitted by the light sources to pass through or be blocked. The LCD thus serves as a diaphragm to enable the transmission of differently shaped or colored light signals in specific directions. A disadvantage of the known communication device is its relatively high cost.

[0003] From DE 10 2021 128 935 A1, a lighting device for generating a direction indicator is known, comprising a light source, a light guide, and an LC display arranged on one light output side of the same. The LC display has a plurality of individually controllable pixels arranged in a matrix, so that different light patterns can be generated. In the non-operating state of the LC display, it has a black surface, thus giving the lighting device a dark appearance.

[0004] From EP 3 640 089 A1, a communication device for vehicles is known which provides a plurality of light sources arranged in a strip. This allows a horizontal ring of light to be formed around the vehicle, which appears in different colors and thus sends different light signals to road users located in the vicinity of the vehicle. A disadvantage of the known device is that a large number of light sources are required if the information content of the light signals is to be increased.

[0005] From EP 3 812 210 A1, a lighting device for vehicles is known which comprises a plurality of matrix-like arranged light sources, each of which can emit light in a different color. The light sources are arranged on a planar substrate, so that a multitude of pixels are formed, by means of which, depending on the control signal, different signal light functions, for example, rear lights, brake lights, or daytime running lights, and, on the other hand, communication light functions in the form of light patterns or light animations can be generated. A disadvantage of the known device is that the appearance of the communication device is dominated by the individual light sources.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to further develop a communication device for vehicles in such a way that a large number of different light patterns or light animations can be generated in a cost-effective manner, while ensuring an appealing appearance of the communication device in a non-operating state.

[0007] To solve this problem, the invention has the features of claim 1.

[0008] The particular advantage of the invention is that by covering a light source field by means of a cover consisting of a plurality of lamellar struts and strip-shaped openings running between them, a desired light pattern or light animation can be generated in an operating state of the communication device, and in a non-operating state of the communication device it has an appealing, preferably dark appearance.

[0009] According to a further development of the invention, the cover is designed as a protective film, wherein the lamellar struts, preferably polymeric microstructural elements, are surrounded by a transparent, translucent material. This results in relatively low costs.

[0010] According to a further development of the invention, the length of the lamellar struts extending transversely to the plane of extension of the cover film is more than 1.5 times greater than the width of the lamellar struts extending in the plane of extension. Advantageously, this reduces the ambient radiation from the sun to such an extent that the cover film appears as a dark film when the light sources are switched off.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the distance between adjacent lamellar struts is smaller than the width of the lamellar struts. This ensures sufficient glare reduction from ambient light, so that the communication device appears dark when not in use.

[0012] According to a further development of the invention, the lamellar struts run in a horizontal direction in the installed position of the communication device, so that a desired reduction of glare from the ambient light is ensured.

[0013] According to a further development of the invention, the lamellar strut has a first side surface and a second side surface that converge towards a free end in the direction of light emission. The first side surface, which is arranged at the top in the installed position, is inclined to a horizontal plane, resulting in an increased opening angle for the transmission, which increases the light output.

[0014] According to a further development of the invention, the control unit has a light pattern routine such that a light pattern is generated and / or changed depending on the movement state of the road user and / or the driving state of the vehicle. Advantageously, this can signal to a pedestrian, for example, whether the vehicle has detected them and that the vehicle is being brought to a stop so that the pedestrian can cross the road. Such a signaling function is particularly helpful for semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles.

[0015] According to a further development of the invention, the control unit can include a light animation routine, so that, unlike a static light pattern, dynamically changing light animations can be generated. Advantageously, this allows the signaling effect or information transmission to be made more convenient and unambiguous.

[0016] According to a further development of the invention, the communication device is arranged in a front area of ​​the vehicle, away from a headlight. Advantageously, the communication device forms a separate component that serves exclusively for transmitting signaling messages to another road user.

[0017] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further dependent claims.

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a communication device, Fig. 2 a front view of the communication device showing the output of a first light pattern, Fig. 3 a front view of the communication device with output of a second light pattern, Fig. 4. A front view of the communication device with output of a first light animation and Fig. 5 A front view of the communication device with output of a second light animation.

[0020] A communication device K according to the invention for vehicles F can be installed as a component, for example, in semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles F for generating light pattern signals or light animation signals directed at an individual road user, for example, a pedestrian, to inform them about the current driving status of the vehicle F equipped with the communication device K. The communication device K can, for example, be arranged in a front area of ​​the vehicle F between the headlights 1 of the vehicle F.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the communication device K can also be located in a side area or on the rear of the vehicle F.

[0022] The communication device K comprises a planar carrier 2, preferably designed as a printed circuit board. A plurality of light sources 3 are arranged in a matrix on the carrier 2. The light sources 3 are preferably designed as LED light sources. Partitions 4 extend laterally from the light sources 3, so that each light source 3 is surrounded by partitions 4. The free ends of the partitions 4 are covered by a transparent disc 5. In the present embodiment, the transparent disc 5 is arranged parallel to the carrier 2 in the direction of light emission 6 of the communication device K. The carrier 2, the transparent disc 5, and the partitions 4 form a number of light chambers 7 corresponding to the number of light sources 3. This ensures that there can be no overlap or intersection of the light 8 emitted by the light sources 3. The partitions 4 can, for example, have reflective surfaces.

[0023] Furthermore, the communication device K includes a control unit 9 for controlling the light sources 3. The light sources 3 can be controlled individually.

[0024] An environment sensor unit 10 is provided for detecting road users in an environment 11 of the vehicle F. For this purpose, the environment sensor unit 10 can, for example, have a camera.

[0025] The control unit 9 preferably contains an evaluation routine for evaluating the sensor data 12 sent by the environment sensor unit 10. In this way, the current location of the road user relative to the vehicle F can be determined at any time.

[0026] On the light-exit side of the transparent disc 5, a cover film 13 is applied, in which a plurality of lamellar struts 14 are arranged. The lamellar struts 14 are surrounded by a polymeric transparent surrounding material 15.

[0027] The lamellar struts 14 are elongated and extend from one edge of the cover film 13 to the opposite edge. The lamellar struts 14 are identical. Each lamellar strut 14 has a width B. They are spaced apart from one another, with adjacent lamellar struts 14 being spaced a apart. This forms a strip-shaped opening 16 between the adjacent lamellar struts 14, through which a first part 17 of the light 8 emerging from the light chambers 7 passes. A second part 18 of the emerging light 8 strikes a wide end face 19 of the lamellar struts 14, located on the light-entry side of the cover film 13, and is absorbed by it.

[0028] The lamellar struts 14 have a width B on the light-entry side, with the end faces 19 arranged on the light-entry side extending in a plane 20 of the cover film 13. Each lamellar strut 14 has a length L extending transversely to the plane 20 of the cover film 13. The ratio of the length L to the width B of the lamellar struts 14 is preferably greater than 1.5.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the opening a is smaller than the width B of the lamellar struts 14. The ratio between the distance a and the width B of the lamellar struts 14 can, for example, be 1 to 2, resulting in a light transmission of approximately 30%.

[0030] The lamellar struts 14 are designed as microstructural elements and have dimensions in the nanometer or micrometer range. The length L of the lamellar struts 14 can be in a range between 150 nm and 10 µm.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the lamellar struts 14 run in a straight line. The cover film 13 is applied to the transparent disc 5 in such a way that the lamellar struts 14 run in a horizontal direction in the installed position of the communication device K.

[0032] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the lamellar struts 14 each have a first side surface 21 and a second side surface 22, which each taper from the end face 19 in the direction of light emission 6. In the present embodiment, the first side surface 21 and the second side surface 22 of the lamellar struts 14 taper to a point 23 at the free end.

[0033] In the installed position of the communication device K, the first side surface 21 is arranged on the upper side of the lamellar struts 14. This upper side surface 21 is inclined at an acute angle φ to a horizontal plane H. The second side surface 22 is arranged horizontally as the lower side surface in the installed position. The lamellar struts 14 thus form a sawtooth-shaped microstructure.

[0034] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the lamellar struts can also be symmetrical. A free end can also be flattened to form an end face that runs parallel to the end face 19.

[0035] The cover film 13 allows, in the operating state of the communication device K, i.e., when the light sources 3 are switched on, partial transmission of the light 8 emitted by the light sources 3 through the openings a. Furthermore, in a non-operating state of the communication device K, i.e., when the light sources 3 are switched off, the cover film 13 allows a dark appearance. Control is directed exclusively to the light sources 3.

[0036] The control unit 9 has a light pattern routine so that a light pattern is generated and / or changed depending on the movement state of the road user in the vicinity 11 and / or depending on the driving state of the vehicle F. For example, if the pedestrian is standing at a crosswalk and the vehicle F is approaching, a first light pattern signal 24 can be generated by controlling the light sources 3 by means of a control signal 25. This signal, which displays a standing figure 28, indicates to the pedestrian that they should remain standing until the vehicle F has reached its stopping position. As soon as the vehicle F has reached the stopping position in front of the crosswalk, the control unit 9 generates a control signal 25 that generates and displays a second light pattern signal 26 with a walking figure 32. The pedestrian is now signaled that they can cross the crosswalk.If the light sources are colored 3, for example the first light pattern signal 24 e can show a standing male in red light color and the second light pattern signal 26 a walking male in green light color.

[0037] In this way, the current driving status of the vehicle or instructions in relation to vehicle F are visualized for the road user located in the vicinity 11.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the invention according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the control unit 9 can have a light animation routine so that light animations are generated and / or changed depending on a movement state of the road user in the environment 11 and / or depending on the driving state of the vehicle F.

[0039] If the pedestrian at the edge of the lane at the level of the zebra crossing is to be signaled to wait until the vehicle F has reached a stop, for example a first light animation signal 27 can be generated according to Fig. 4. The first light animation signal 27 visualizes the standing figure 28 and a zebra crossing 29. Additionally, the word "STOP" 30 indicates to the road user that they must stop. Only when the vehicle F has come to a complete stop in front of the zebra crossing is a second light animation signal 31 generated, showing the walking figure 32, the zebra crossing 29, and an arrow 23 to signal to the road user that they may now cross the road at the zebra crossing. This creates a convenient, dynamically changing light animation.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown, other light patterns or light animations can also be generated to enable interaction between the vehicle F and the road user located in the vicinity 11 of the vehicle F. Reference symbol list 1 headlight 2 carriers 3 light source 4 Partition wall 5 slices 6 Light emission direction 7 Light chamber 8 lights 9 Control unit 10 Environmental sensor unit 11 Environment 12 sensor data 13 Cover film 14 Strut 15 Environmental material 16 Passage 17 Part One 18 Part Two 19 Front 20 Extension level 21 First side surface 22 Second side surface 23 top 24 First light pattern signal 25 Control signal 26 second light pattern signal 27 First light animation signal 28 Standing male 29 zebra crossings 30 instructions 31 second light animation signal 32 Walking male 33 Arrow a distance B Width Length L F vehicle H Horizontal plane K Communication device 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] DE 10 2017 111 322 A1

[0002] DE 10 2021 128 935 A1

[0003] EP 3 640 089 A1

[0004] EP 3 812 210 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Communication device for vehicles, in particular for semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles, with a plurality of light sources (3) and with control means for generating light patterns or light animations directed at individual road users, characterized bythat the light sources (3) are arranged in a matrix-like manner and are individually controllable on a common planar support (2) to form a light module, that an environment sensor unit (10) is provided for detecting road users in an environment (11) of the vehicle (F), that a control unit (9) is provided as a control means for controlling the light sources (3) such that, depending on the road user detected in the environment (11) of the vehicle (F), the light sources (3) are controlled in such a way that a light pattern (24, 26) visualizing the current driving state of the vehicle (F) or a light animation (27, 31) is generated, and that a cover (13) with a plurality of lamellar struts (14) and strip-shaped openings (16) is attached to the light module on the light output side,by means of which a first part (17) of the light (8) generated by the light module is allowed to pass through the strip-shaped openings (163) and a second part (18) of the light (8) generated by the light module is not allowed to pass through by means of the lamellar struts (14). [2] Communication device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cover is designed as a cover film (13), wherein the lamellar struts (14) are designed as microstructure elements surrounded by a transparent surrounding material (15). [3] Communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the lamellar struts (14) have a length (L) extending transversely to a plane of extension (20) of the cover film (13) and a width (B) extending in the plane of extension (20) of the cover film (13), wherein the ratio L / B is greater than 1.

5. [4] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that a distance (a) between adjacent lamellar struts (14) is smaller than the width (B) of the lamellar struts (14). [5] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the lamellar struts (14) extend continuously and in a straight line along the extension plane (20) of the cover film (13), wherein the cover film (13) is attached to the light module in such a way that the lamellar struts (14) run in a horizontal direction in the installation position of the communication device (K). [6] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the lamellar struts (14) have a first side surface (21) and a second side surface (22) which are arranged converging towards a free end (23) of the lamellar struts (14). [7] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that the first side surface (21) of the lamellar struts (14) is designed as an upper side surface in the installed position, which is inclined to a horizontal plane (H) at an acute angle (φ) in the direction of the free end (23) of the lamellar strut (14). [8] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the cover film (13) is laminated onto a transparent disc (5) of the light module. [9] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the light sources (3) of the light module are designed as LED light sources, that the planar support (2) is designed as a printed circuit board, that opaque partitions (4) rise from the printed circuit board (2), the free ends of which are covered by the transparent disc (5), so that light chambers (7) are formed, in each of which a single LED light source (3) is arranged. [10] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the control unit (9) has a light pattern routine, so that light pattern signals (24, 26) are generated and / or changed depending on a movement state of the road user in the environment (11) and / or depending on a driving state of the vehicle (F). [11] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the light pattern routine is set up so that the light pattern generates and / or changes its shape and / or color depending on the movement state of the road user in the vicinity (11) and / or depending on the driving state of the vehicle (F). [12] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by, that the control unit (9) has a light animation routine, so that dynamically changing light animation signals (27, 31) are generated and / or changed depending on a movement state of the road user in the environment (11) and / or depending on a driving state of the vehicle (F). [13] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the communication device (K) is located in a front area of ​​the vehicle (F) away from a headlight (1) of the same. [14] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the lamellar struts (14) are formed tapering to a point towards the free end (23) thereof. [15] Communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the length (L) of the lamellar struts (14) lies in a range between 150 nm and 10 µm.

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