VEHICLE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device of a vehicle comprising a master control device and at least one slave control device, wherein the slave control device is connected to the master control device via a bus system.

[0002] Modern vehicles often feature complex headlights with integrated control units. Because these control units are permanently installed within the headlight, even a purely software-related error necessitates the removal of the entire headlight assembly. This is a complex and costly process.

[0003] DE 10 2006 021 694 A1 relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a control unit and a lighting unit consisting of several separate modules, each comprising several LEDs. The modules generating the low beam and / or the high beam, or separate LEDs within a module serving to generate the low beam and / or high beam, can be controlled separately via the control unit for the variable generation of the low beam and / or high beam.

[0004] EP 2 086 084 A1 relates to an LED electrical system for operating vehicle lights with light-emitting diodes. The LED electrical system comprises an LED power supply whose nominal voltage differs from the nominal voltage of a vehicle starter battery, and at least two driver units connected to the LED power supply via supply lines and each designed to control its own vehicle light.

[0005] US 2005 / 0111231 A1 concerns a lighting control device that can linearly change the brightness of a light-emitting diode. The lighting control device can control a number of lights in a predetermined pattern or in a user-designed pattern. A remote control can be used to operate and interact with the lighting control device. The lighting control device can have inputs for audio signals, tachometer signals, or other external signals. The lighting control device can be coupled with other lighting control devices to enable the synchronized control of additional lights.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to create a lighting device for a vehicle that can be maintained easily and cost-effectively.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention is characterized by a vehicle lighting system comprising a master control device and at least one slave control device, wherein the slave control device is connected to the master control device via a bus system. The slave control device is configured to execute application software for controlling a headlight system component. The master control device is configured to upload the application software to the slave control device.

[0009] The vehicle is, for example, a car or a motorcycle. The lighting device is, for example, a front or a rear lighting device.

[0010] The master control device can also be referred to as the superior control device. The slave control device can also be referred to as the subordinate control device.

[0011] Controlling the headlight system component includes, in particular, controlling at least one light source, such as LEDs or laser light sources, and / or reading sensors and / or controlling thermistors, such as NTCs, and / or controlling swiveling devices or other headlight system components. The application software is therefore specifically designed for a predefined operation of the headlight, for example, to implement a high-beam assist function and / or cornering lights. The application software of the slave control device is, in particular, vehicle-specific and therefore not identical in every vehicle.

[0012] The bus system is, for example, a CAN bus (Controller Area Network, in particular according to ISO 11898) and / or a FlexRay bus, in particular according to ISO 17458-1 to 17458-5 and / or an Ethernet bus, in particular according to IEEE standard 802.3 and / or another automotive-qualified bus system.

[0013] By allowing the application software to be transferred from the master control unit to the slave control unit, it is not necessary to remove the entire headlight in case of a fault. Often, simply uploading new application software is sufficient. Furthermore, this method allows for easy updates of the application software. Therefore, headlight maintenance is simple, cost-effective, and saves time.

[0014] According to an optional configuration, the master control device is designed to control and / or diagnose the slave control device.

[0015] According to the invention, the lighting device has a headlight housing, wherein the slave control device and the headlight system component are arranged in the headlight housing and the master control device is arranged outside the headlight housing.

[0016] This type of setup makes it possible to position the slave control device close to the light sources to be controlled, thus enabling a straightforward setup.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment not according to the invention, the master control device is arranged inside the headlight housing.

[0018] According to a further optional embodiment, the slave control device is designed to execute application software for controlling an LED vehicle headlight.

[0019] Modern LED vehicle headlights often require one or more slave control devices.

[0020] According to a further optional embodiment, the slave control device is designed to execute application software for controlling a laser vehicle headlight.

[0021] Just like LED vehicle headlights, laser vehicle headlights often require one or more slave control devices.

[0022] According to a further optional embodiment, the slave control device is designed to execute application software for controlling a matrix vehicle headlight.

[0023] Just like LED vehicle headlights or laser vehicle headlights, matrix vehicle headlights often require one or more slave control devices.

[0024] According to a further optional embodiment, the slave control device is designed to execute application software for controlling any headlight system components.

[0025] According to another optional configuration, the master control device is a front headlight master control device or a rear light master control device.

[0026] Especially in the headlights, many different light control circuits and therefore application software are required, which also makes them more prone to errors. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to integrate the lighting system into the headlights. The same applies to the rear headlights.

[0027] According to a further optional embodiment, the master control device is designed to overwrite a flash memory of a BIOS of the slave control device with firmware in order to upload the application software to the slave control device.

[0028] Such an overwrite, also known as flashing, can be performed in real time, for example within the framework of AUTOSAR 4 (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture). Flashing in this way can save additional costs, as the flash memory of the slave control device only needs to be small.

[0029] In particular, the slave control device has a bootloader adapted for this purpose, which communicates with the master control device so that the application software can be installed.

[0030] According to a further optional embodiment, the master control device is designed to perform a fault diagnosis of the slave control device.

[0031] Fault diagnosis includes, in particular, the ability to determine which version of the application software is installed and / or to identify fault states of the slave control device. Additionally, if the master control device cannot diagnose the slave control device (connection or hardware error), it can, for example, create additional fault memory entries that provide sufficiently detailed information about the fault.

[0032] In order to perform fault diagnosis, the slave control device may, in particular, have its own diagnostic address, which is known to the entire vehicle and a tester attached to the vehicle (public) or only directly to the master control device (private).

[0033] According to a further optional embodiment, the lighting device has several slave control devices, wherein the master control device is designed to upload the application software in parallel to the slave control devices and / or to control the slave control devices in parallel and / or to diagnose them in parallel.

[0034] This allows for particularly fast maintenance.

[0035] According to a further optional configuration, the master control device is designed to communicate with an external diagnostic device.

[0036] The diagnostic device can also be called a tester. The diagnostic device is, in particular, a portable device that can be plugged into the vehicle or communicates wirelessly with the vehicle.

[0037] This makes it possible, in particular, to install the application software from outside, as well as to perform fault diagnosis.

[0038] In summary, the lighting system offers the following additional advantages: The cost of the lighting system is reduced. Since the application software is integrated into the slave control unit, basic functions can be implemented using the master control unit. This enables a cost-effective standard version for the base system. Furthermore, it is possible to partition all equipment components into separate slave control units, which are only installed when that specific equipment is selected, e.g., laser vehicle headlights. This eliminates the need to maintain these components in the master control unit, thus avoiding the need for a fully equipped master control unit, which would be associated with high costs and no real benefit. Due to the bus structure, compared to discrete control, many copper wires are saved, which can be very expensive in quantity.A smaller number of cables means that smaller and therefore cheaper plugs can be used.

[0039] Furthermore, the lighting system offers advantages in terms of weight. Because electronic components can be partitioned depending on the configuration, the master control unit remains small and lightweight. Due to the bus structure, many weight-adding wires are eliminated compared to discrete control. A smaller number of cables allows for the use of smaller and therefore lighter connectors.

[0040] Furthermore, there are advantages in terms of functionality. The new architecture of the lighting system allows for the flexible connection of various slave control units to the master control unit, each handling different functions, such as controlling laser or matrix spotlights. Since the slave control units are connected to a bus system, many of them can be combined as needed, depending on the required functions, without cluttering the entire lighting system with the cabling that would be necessary with discrete control. Because the slave control units are connected to the master control unit via a bus system, they can be configured as needed via software, and their functions can be extended or corrected without requiring new hardware.

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. These show: Figure 1 a lighting device of a vehicle, Figure 2 a slave control device, Figure 3 another slave control device and Figure 4 another slave control device.

[0042] Elements of the same construction or function are marked with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0043] The Figure 1 shows a lighting device of a vehicle.

[0044] The lighting device includes a master control device 1. The lighting device also includes at least one further slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c.

[0045] The slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c is connected to the master control device 1 via a bus system 15.

[0046] Furthermore, the master control device 1 is connected to the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c via a supply interface 13, by means of which it can switchably supply the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c with current / voltage.

[0047] The master control device 1 is configured to upload application software to the slave control devices 21a, 21b, 21c. For this purpose, the master control device 1 includes, in particular, a processing unit (not shown), a program and data memory (not shown), and, for example, one or more communication interfaces 11. The program and data memory and / or the processing unit and / or the communication interfaces 11 can be integrated into a single module and / or distributed across multiple modules.

[0048] The master control device 1 is, for example, designed to overwrite a flash memory of a BIOS of the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c with firmware in order to upload the application software to the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c.

[0049] Master control device 1 is, for example, a front headlight master control device.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the master control device 1 is optionally designed to control the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the master control device 1 is optionally equipped to perform a fault diagnosis of the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c.

[0052] In particular, the master control device 1 is designed to communicate with an external diagnostic device, for example via the communication interface 11 and / or by means of the bus system 15 or another communication interface and / or by means of another bus system.

[0053] The slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c is configured to execute the application software for controlling a headlight system component 23a, 23b, 23c. According to the invention, the slave control device 21a, 21b, 21c and the headlight system component 23a, 23b, 23c are arranged in a headlight housing 20. The master control device 1 is arranged outside the headlight housing 20.

[0054] The Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the

[0055] Slave control device 21a, which is designed to execute application software for controlling a laser vehicle headlight.

[0056] The slave control device 21a of the Figure 2 The device includes, in particular, a processing unit 31, a program and data memory (not shown), and, for example, one or more interfaces. The program and data memory and / or the processing unit 31 and / or the interfaces can be implemented in a single module and / or distributed across multiple modules.

[0057] The interfaces include, for example, supply connections 41, 42 for the power supply of the slave control device 21a.

[0058] The interfaces also include, for example, one or more bus connections 43, 44 for communication with the master control device 1.

[0059] The interfaces include, for example, a connection for controlling a laser light source 51. Alternatively, several laser light sources 51 can also be provided.

[0060] The interfaces also include, for example, one or more sensor connections for communication with sensors 61, 62, 63.

[0061] The interfaces include, for example, one or more connections for thermistors 71, 72, 73.

[0062] The Figure 3 Figure 21b shows an embodiment of the slave control device configured to execute application software for controlling an LED vehicle headlight.

[0063] The slave control device 21b of the Figure 3 It features, in particular, a processing unit 131, a program and data memory (not shown), and, for example, one or more interfaces. The program and data memory and / or the processing unit 131 and / or the interfaces can be implemented in a single module and / or distributed across multiple modules.

[0064] The interfaces include, for example, supply connections 141, 142 for the power supply of the slave control device 21b.

[0065] The interfaces also include, for example, one or more bus connections 143, 144 for communication with the master control device 1.

[0066] The interfaces include, for example, several connections for controlling multiple LED light sources 151, 152.

[0067] The interfaces include, for example, one or more connections for thermistors 171, 172.

[0068] The Figure 4 Figure 21c shows an embodiment of the slave control device configured to execute application software for controlling a matrix vehicle headlight.

[0069] The slave control device 21c of the Figure 4It features, in particular, a processing unit 231, a program and data memory (not shown), and, for example, one or more interfaces. The program and data memory and / or the processing unit 231 and / or the interfaces can be implemented in a single module and / or distributed across multiple modules.

[0070] The interfaces include, for example, supply connections 241, 242 for the power supply of the slave control device 21c.

[0071] The interfaces also include, for example, one or more bus connections 243, 244 for communication with the master control device 1.

[0072] The interfaces include, for example, several connections for controlling a matrix of LED light sources 251, 252, which is symbolized by the multitude of lines.

[0073] The interfaces include, for example, one or more connections for thermistors 271, 272, 273.

[0074] The slave control device can also be configured (not shown) to execute any application software for controlling any headlight system component.

[0075] The lighting device can also include several slave control devices 21a configured to execute application software for controlling a laser vehicle headlight and / or several slave control devices 21b configured to execute application software for controlling an LED vehicle headlight and / or several slave control devices 21c configured to execute application software for controlling a matrix vehicle headlight. Reference symbol list

[0076] 1 Master control device 11 Communication interface 13 Power supply interface 15 Bus system 17 Power supply 20 Headlight housing 21a, 21b, 21c Slave control devices 23a, 23b, 23c Headlight system component 31 Processing unit 41, 42 Power supply connections 43, 44 Bus connections 51 Light source 61, 62, 63 Sensors 71, 72, 73 Thermistors 131 Processing unit 141, 142 Power supply connections 143, 144 Bus connections 151, 152 Light sources 171, 172, Thermistors 231 Processing unit 241, 242 Power supply connections 243, 244 Bus connections 251, 252 Light sources 271, 272 thermistors

Claims

1. Lighting device of a vehicle comprising a master control device (1), at least one slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) and a headlamp housing (20), wherein the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) is connected to the master control device (1) via a bus system (15), wherein - the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) is designed to execute application software for controlling a headlamp system component (23a, 23b, 23c) - the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) and the headlamp system component (23a, 23b, 23c) are arranged in the headlamp housing (20) and the master control device (1) is arranged outside the headlamp housing (20), characterized in that - the master control device (1) is designed to upload the application software to the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c).

2. Lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the master control device (1) is designed to control and / or diagnose the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c).

3. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) is designed to execute application software for controlling an LED vehicle headlamp.

4. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) is designed to execute application software for controlling a laser vehicle headlamp.

5. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slave control device is designed to execute any application software for controlling any headlamp system component.

6. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) is designed to execute application software for controlling a matrix vehicle headlamp.

7. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the master control device (1) is a front headlamp master control device or a rear headlamp master control device.

8. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the master control device (1) is designed to overwrite a flash memory of a BIOS of the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c) with firmware for uploading the application software to the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c).

9. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the master control device (1) is designed to perform error diagnosis of the slave control device (21a, 21b, 21c).

10. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising multiple slave control devices (21a, 21b, 21c), wherein the master control device (1) is designed to upload the application software in parallel to the slave control devices (21a, 21b, 21c) and / or to control the slave control devices (21a, 21b, 21c) in parallel and / or to diagnose them in parallel.

11. Lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the master control device (1) is designed to communicate with an external diagnostic device.