SENSOR DEVICE FOR A CAR HEADLIGHT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor device for a motor vehicle headlight for detecting a light-emitting object located in front of the sensor device, wherein the sensor device comprises the following: A sensor pixel array for detecting light from a light-emitting object, wherein the sensor pixel array comprises at least one row and several columns of sensor pixels arranged along a horizontal line when viewed in a properly installed state of the sensor device in a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor pixel array is configured to detect light incident on the sensor pixels; a projection optics system configured to image light-emitting objects in front of the projection optics system in an imaging area in an image plane of the projection optics system in the form of pixels, wherein the sensor pixel array is arranged in the imaging area of ​​the image plane, wherein the imaging area is such that the imaging area extends beyond the sensor pixel array at least in the vertical direction. wherein the sensor device comprises an image modification device which is arranged between the sensor pixel array and the projection optics system, wherein the image modification device is configured to defocus the image points that can be imaged in the imaging area of ​​the projection optics system substantially exclusively in the vertical direction, such that image points which, without the action of the image modification device, would be imaged outside the sensor pixel array in the imaging area are distorted by the vertical defocusing in such a way that these image points extend at least partially into the sensor pixel array and can be detected by sensor pixels of the sensor pixel array, or to focus the light rays generating image points that can be imaged in the imaging area of ​​the projection system substantially exclusively in the vertical direction, such that image points,which, without the action of the image modification device, would be imaged outside the sensor pixel array in the imaging area, are directed onto the sensor pixel array by vertical focusing, so that these pixels extend into the sensor pixel array and are detectable by sensor pixels of the sensor pixel array, wherein the image modification device comprises at least two mirror surfaces, wherein the at least two mirror surfaces are each arranged on a separate mounting plate, wherein the mounting plates each have a fastening section and a mirror surface section, wherein the fastening sections of the mounting plates are attached to a holding body by means of a fastening device, which holding body is configured to hold the mirror surfaces in a definable position with respect to the sensor pixel array.

[0002] The term "object space" of an optical system refers to the set of all object points that the system can image, and the term "image space" refers to the set of points onto which it can image an object point. Object points lying in a plane form an "object plane," and image points lying in a plane form an "image plane."

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one sensor device according to the invention.

[0004] Typically, sensor devices incorporate sensor pixel arrays, which are essentially arranged in rows and have a sensor pixel size of 2x2 to 10x10 micrometers.

[0005] When used with classic projection optics systems that are intended to image onto the sensor pixel array, the environment to be captured extends beyond the sensor pixel array in the image, so that objects arranged in a vertical direction or vertical extent may be difficult or impossible to detect by the line-like sensor pixel array.

[0006] US 2018 / 329060 A1 and EP 3 659 861 A1 disclose sensor devices from the prior art.

[0007] One object of the invention is to produce an improved sensor device for a motor vehicle headlight.

[0008] This task is solved by ensuring that the mirror surface section and the mounting section of the corresponding mounting plates are planar, with the planar mirror surface section being arranged at an angle away from the planar mounting section.

[0009] It may be provided that the image modification device includes at least one cylindrical lens.

[0010] The image modification device may include two cylindrical lens duplicates.

[0011] It may be provided that the two cylindrical lens duplicates comprise four plano-convex lenses, which are identically constructed.

[0012] The image modification device is designed to include at least two mirror surfaces.

[0013] It may be provided that, when viewed in a correctly installed state of the sensor device in a motor vehicle, the mirror surfaces are arranged above and below the optical axis of the projection optics system.

[0014] It may be provided that the mirror surfaces are arranged in a conical shape, starting from the projection optics system and extending towards the sensor pixel array.

[0015] It is provided that the at least two mirror surfaces are each arranged on a separate mounting plate, wherein the mounting plates each have a fastening section and a mirror surface section, wherein the fastening sections of the mounting plates are attached to a holding body by means of a fastening device, which holding body is configured to hold the mirror surfaces in a definable position with respect to the sensor pixel array.

[0016] It may be provided that the fastening device is a screw connection.

[0017] It is provided that the mirror surface section and the mounting section of the corresponding mounting plates are designed to be flat, with the flat mirror surface section being arranged at an angle protruding from the flat mounting section.

[0018] It may be provided that the mirror surfaces are each flat.

[0019] It may be provided that the projection optics system includes at least one projection lens.

[0020] It may be provided that the projection optics system is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis of the projection optics system.

[0021] It may be intended that the projection optics system is achromatic.

[0022] The problem is also solved by a motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one sensor device according to the invention.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. These show Fig. 1an exemplary sensor device for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the sensor device comprises a sensor pixel array and a projection optics system, wherein the sensor device further comprises an image modification device which, in the example shown, focuses imageable pixels of the projection optics system in a vertical direction, Fig. 2 Another exemplary sensor device for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the sensor device comprises a sensor pixel array and a projection optics system, wherein the sensor device further comprises an image modification device which, in the example shown, defocuses imageable pixels of the projection optics system in the vertical direction, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the example from Fig. 2 , Fig. 4a schematic representation of a sensor pixel array arranged within an imaging area of ​​the projection optics system, wherein a depicted exemplary pixel is arranged vertically according to the example from Fig. 2 is defocused, so that the pixel extends into the sensor pixel array, and Fig. 5 a perspective view of a sensor device, which essentially consists of the sensor device made of Fig. 1 corresponds.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary sensor device 10 for a motor vehicle headlight to detect an object in front of the sensor device 10 existing light-emitting object, wherein the sensor device 10 a sensor pixel array 100 for detecting light from a light-emitting object, wherein the sensor pixel array 100 at least one row and several columns of sensor pixels 110,which is seen in a properly installed state of the sensor device 10 in a motor vehicle arranged along a horizontal straight line, comprising the sensor pixel array 100 is set up to focus on the sensor pixels 110 to capture incoming light.

[0025] Furthermore, the sensor device includes 10 a projection optics system 200, which is set up to place light-emitting objects in front of the projection optics system 200 in an image area 210 in an image plane of the projection optics system 200 to be represented in the form of pixels, whereby the sensor pixel array 100 in the image area 210 is arranged in the image plane, with the imaging area 210 is so much larger than the sensor pixel array 100, that the imaging area 210 at least in the vertical direction, the sensor pixel array 100survives, as exemplified in Fig. 4 can be seen.

[0026] Furthermore, the sensor device includes 10 an image modification device 300, which between the sensor pixel array 100 and the projection optics system 200 is arranged, wherein the image modification device 300 in the example from Fig. 1 is set up, which is in the image area 210 of the projection system 200 to focus the light rays that generate image points essentially exclusively in a vertical direction, so that image points which would otherwise be generated without the action of the image modification device 300 in the image area 210 outside the sensor pixel array 100 would be depicted by vertical focusing onto the sensor pixel array 100 are directed so that these pixels are placed into the sensor pixel array. 100 range and from sensor pixels 110of the sensor pixel array 100 are detectable.

[0027] The image modification device 300 out of Fig. 1 is as two mirror surfaces 320 formed, whereby the mirror surfaces 320 seen in a correctly installed state of the sensor device 10 in a motor vehicle above and below the optical axis A of the projection optics system 200 are arranged.

[0028] Furthermore, the mirror surfaces 320 starting from the projection optics system 200 towards the sensor pixel array 100 arranged in a conical shape, with the mirror surfaces 320 just trained.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows another exemplary device in line with the example of Fig. 1 , in contrast to the device made of Fig. 1 the image modification device 300is set up, which is in the image area 210 of the projection optics system 200 to defocus imageable pixels essentially exclusively in the vertical direction, so that pixels which would otherwise be lost without the influence of the image modification device 300 in the image area 210 outside the sensor pixel array 100 The images would be distorted by the vertical defocusing to such an extent that these pixels would at least partially fall into the sensor pixel array. 100 range and from sensor pixels 110 of the sensor pixel array 100 are detectable. This fact is in Fig. 4 schematically represented, wherein in Fig. 4 the black dot which is above the sensor pixel array 100 drawn, corresponds to an exemplary pixel which is not affected by the image modification device 300was modified. The vertically stretched ellipse drawn around this exemplary image point represents the image modified by the image modification device in the figure. 300 the device Fig. 2 represents a defocused pixel.

[0030] The image modification device 300 out of Fig. 2 is designed as two cylindrical lens duplicates, each cylindrical lens duplicate comprising two plano-convex cylindrical lenses, which are preferably identical. The structure and arrangement of the cylindrical lenses are also described, for example, in Fig. 3 to recognize.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a sensor device 10, which essentially consists of the device Fig. 1 corresponds to the mirror surfaces 320 the image modification device 300 each on a separate mounting plate 400are arranged, with the mounting plates 400 each one fastening section 410 and a section of mirror surface 420 exhibiting the fastening sections 410 the retaining plates 400 to a holding body 500 by means of a fastening device 600 are attached, which holding body 500 is set up, the mirror surfaces 320 with regard to the sensor pixel array 100 to hold in a definable position.

[0032] The fastening device 600 is in the example shown in Fig. 5 designed as a screw connection.

[0033] The mirror surface section 420 and the fastening section 410 the corresponding mounting plates 400 are formed in a flat manner, whereby the flat mirror surface section 420 starting from the flat fastening section 420is arranged at an angle.

[0034] Furthermore, it should be noted that the projection optics system 200 In all examples shown in the figures, at least one projection lens is included, with the projection optics system comprising 200 or the projection lenses of the projection optics system 200 rotationally symmetric about the optical axis A of the projection optics system 200 is.

[0035] Furthermore, it may also be provided that the projection optics system 200 or the projection lenses of the projection optics system 200 are achromatically formed. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

[0036] Sensor device 10 Sensor pixel array 100 Sensor pixels 110 Projection optics system 200 Image area 210 Image modification device 300 Mirror surfaces 320 Mounting plate 400 Fastening section 410 S mirror surface section 420 Holding body 500 Fastening device 600 Optical axis A

Claims

1. Sensor device (10) for a motor vehicle headlight for detecting a light-emitting object present in front of the sensor device (10), wherein the sensor device (10) comprises: - a sensor pixel array (100) for detecting light from a light-emitting object, wherein the sensor pixel array (100) comprises at least one row and a plurality of columns of sensor pixels (110) arranged along a horizontal straight line as seen in a properly installed state of the sensor device (10) in a motor vehicle, the sensor pixel array (100) being arranged to detect light incident on the sensor pixels (110), - a projection optical system (200) which is designed to project light-emitting objects in front of the projection optical system (200) in an imaging area (210) in an image plane of the projection optical system (200) in the form of pixels, wherein the sensor pixel array (100) is arranged in the imaging area (210) of the image plane, wherein the imaging area (210) is larger than the sensor pixel array (100) such that the imaging area (210) protrudes beyond the sensor pixel array (100) at least in the vertical direction (100), wherein the sensor device (10) comprises an image modification device (300) which is arranged between the sensor pixel array (100) and the projection optical system (200), wherein the image modification device (300) is designed - defocus the image points that can be imaged in the imaging area (210) of the projection optical system (200) substantially exclusively in the vertical direction, so that image points that would be imaged outside the sensor pixel array (100) in the imaging area (210) without the action of the image modification device (300) (100) would be imaged without the action of the image modification device (300) are distorted by the vertical defocusing in such a way that these pixels extend at least partially into the sensor pixel array (100) and can be detected by sensor pixels (110) of the sensor pixel array (100), or - to bundle the light beams generating pixels imaged in the imaging area (210) of the projection system (200), are essentially focused exclusively in the vertical direction, so that image points which, without the action of the image modification device (300), would be imaged in the imaging area (210) outside the sensor pixel array (100) would be imaged outside the imaging area (210) are directed onto the sensor pixel array (100) by the vertical bundling, so that these pixels extend into the sensor pixel array (100) and can be detected by sensor pixels (110) of the sensor pixel array (100), characterized in that the image modification device (300) comprises at least two mirror surfaces (320), wherein the at least two mirror surfaces (320) are each arranged on a separate mounting plate (400), wherein the mounting plates (400) each have a fastening section (410) and a mirror surface section (420), wherein the fastening sections (410) of the mounting plates (400) are fastened to a mounting body (500) by means of a fastening device (600), which mounting body (500) is designed to hold the mirror surfaces (320) in a definable position relative to the sensor pixel array (100), wherein the mirror surface section (420) and the fastening section (410) of the corresponding retaining plates (400) are formed flat, wherein the flat mirror surface section (420) is arranged at an angle extending from the flat fastening section (420).

2. Sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image modification device (300) comprises at least one cylindrical lens.

3. Sensor device according to claim 2, characterized in that the image modification device (300) comprises two cylindrical lens doublets.

4. Sensor device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two cylindrical lens doublets comprise four plano-convex lenses which are identically constructed.

5. Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mirror surfaces (320), viewed in a correctly installed state of the sensor device (10) in a motor vehicle, are arranged above and below the optical axis (A) of the projection optical system (200).

6. Sensor device according to claim 5, characterized in that the mirror surfaces (320) are arranged conically tapering from the projection optical system (200) in the direction of the sensor pixel array (100).

7. Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (600) is a screw connection.

8. Sensor device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the mirror surfaces (320) are each designed to be flat.

9. Sensor device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the projection optics system (200) comprises at least one projection lens.

10. Sensor device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the projection optical system (200) is rotationally symmetrical about the optical axis (A) of the projection optical system (200).

11. Sensor device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the projection optical system (200) is achromatic.

12. Motor vehicle headlight comprising at least one sensor device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11.