Method for controlling headlamps of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (1) for controlling headlamps (2) of a vehicle (3), each headlamp (2) having a plurality of possible glare suppression regions (4). The invention is characterised in that a number of the selected glare suppression regions (4) are selected by a driver and / or adapted to a selected driving programme. The invention also relates to a headlamp for a vehicle (3) for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] Method for controlling headlights of a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a method for controlling the headlights of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a headlight for implementing the method.

[0003] In headlights, especially front headlights, individual glare control areas can be defined as desired.

[0004] A headlight device for a motor vehicle is known from US Pat. No. 9,764,683 B2. This comprises a segmented light source having individually switchable light source segments for generating a glare-free high beam with the aid of an automatic dimming system. The headlight device is configured such that, by deactivating individual light source segments, one or more areas in the main light distribution of the headlight device can be specifically suppressed. When activated, each light source segment illuminates a main light segment area with a preset width in the main light distribution of the headlight. The width of the high beam segment area is preset in the main light segment area depending on the expected average dynamic range of objects in order to avoid glare under normal traffic conditions.

[0005] The disadvantage is that the individual deactivated light source segments create so-called "tunnels," which impact the driver's perception. In particular, these individual "tunnels" impact the driving experience. Different drivers have different preferences in this regard. In particular, the headlight adjustment cannot be controlled by the driver themselves.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a headlight which overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims. A front headlight for a motor vehicle is also described.

[0008] At the core of the method according to the invention, a number of selected anti-glare areas can be selected by a driver and / or adapted to a selected driving program. This allows the preferences of different drivers to be taken into account. This is particularly advantageous with high-resolution headlights, which can have a large number of anti-glare areas. The driver can either select them themselves, for example from stored programs, to ensure a desired number of anti-glare areas. Furthermore, the number of selected anti-glare areas can be adapted to a selected pre-program, for example by detecting whether the vehicle is on a country road, on a motorway, or in an urban area. Furthermore, the vehicle speed and the driver's driving style can be taken into account.

[0009] The method is designed to control the headlights of a vehicle, each headlight having a plurality of possible glare-reducing zones. The method can be used, for example, when, with methods or devices known from the prior art, the light pattern of a high beam appears unsteady with a large number of glare-reducing zones. By being able to accommodate the different needs of the driver, a setting can be found that is comfortable for the driver.

[0010] Preferably, the number of glare-reducing zones can be up to 120 per headlight. This allows for highly customized adjustment of each headlight. A multitude of so-called "tunnels" can be provided, which also results in a higher utilization of the high beam, since individual objects do not need to be switched together.

[0011] According to a very advantageous development of the concept, it can be provided that individual objects can be selectively illuminated, with at least a glare-free zone between the objects. This can, for example, prevent a large light cone. Furthermore, the illumination of an undesirable area between two objects can be avoided.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that, depending on the driving program, between 10 and 120 anti-glare zones can be selected. Especially with high-resolution headlight technologies, it is possible to provide up to 120 anti-glare zones. It may also be possible to provide more than 120 anti-glare zones with a certain headlight design.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for the driving program to comprise an Eco mode, a Normal mode, and a Dynamic mode, wherein 10 anti-glare zones can be selected in Eco mode, 30 anti-glare zones in Normal mode, and 120 anti-glare zones in Dynamic mode. This makes it possible, for example, to form 120 so-called "tunnels" at different positions in Dynamic mode. In Normal mode, for example, 30 "tunnels" can be formed, and in Eco mode 10 individual "tunnels." Of course, other modes can be provided for which a different number of anti-glare zones can be provided. For example, an Eco mode can comprise 5-20 anti-glare zones, a Normal mode 20-70 anti-glare zones, and a Dynamic mode 70-120 anti-glare zones.

[0014] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, the anti-glare areas can be selected via an application. The application could, for example, be an app connected to the vehicle. The data can be provided in a cloud. The app can be operated on a mobile phone or tablet, for example. The app can also be integrated into the vehicle itself and controlled via an application in the vehicle, particularly on the display. Using the app, the driver can, for example, select a driving program or a number of desired anti-glare areas themselves.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the anti-glare zones can be selected depending on the route. For example, if GPS data is stored, a number of required anti-glare zones can be provided based on the optimal driving program for the route, particularly depending on the individual driver.

[0016] A further advantageous embodiment may provide for the headlights to be DMD headlights or pLED headlights. Such headlights can be used to particularly advantageously implement a variety of glare control zones.

[0017] The invention further relates to a headlight for a vehicle for implementing the method, wherein the headlight of the vehicle has a plurality of anti-glare areas that can be selected by the driver or linked to a driving program. The same features and advantages apply to the headlight as described with regard to the method. In particular, the headlight can be designed in such a way that it can implement the various method features.

[0018] The invention may further comprise a vehicle with such a headlight. Furthermore, the invention may comprise a vehicle configured to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0019] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention and of the headlight according to the invention also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in more detail below with reference to the figure.

[0020] Showing:

[0021] Fig. 1 A vehicle carrying out the method in a possible embodiment.

[0022] The illustration in Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of method 1. Method 1 is designed to control headlights 2 of a vehicle 3, each headlight 2 having a plurality of possible anti-glare zones 4. In the illustrated embodiment, a anti-glare zone 4 is shown that is directed toward an oncoming vehicle. This anti-glare zone 4 can, for example, be selected by the driver themselves and / or adapted to a selected pre-program.

[0023] The vehicle 3, in particular, has high-resolution headlight technology, such as DMD headlights or pLED headlights, so that the headlights 2 can implement a plurality of anti-glare zones 4. Preferably, for example, up to 120 anti-glare zones 4 can be included per headlight 2. This allows, for example, different modes such as an Eco mode, a Normal mode, and a Dynamic mode to be stored in the vehicle 3, each of which is assigned a different number of anti-glare zones 4.

[0024] The two headlights 2 can react synchronously with each other, with the same anti-glare areas 4 being selected for each. Furthermore, each headlight 2 can be controlled separately to achieve individual illumination. The respective anti-glare areas 4 can be selected by the driver themselves, for example, via an app in the vehicle 3 or an app on a smartphone or tablet. Furthermore, the selection of the anti-glare areas 4 can be adapted to the stored driving programs. Consequently, if a driving program is selected, the corresponding number of anti-glare areas 4 is made available.

[0025] The anti-glare area 4 shown in Figure 1 is merely an example, although it is of course possible to form a plurality of such anti-glare areas 4 if different objects are to be displayed in a so-called “tunnel”.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method (1) for controlling headlights (2) of a vehicle (3), wherein each headlight (2) has a plurality of possible anti-glare areas (4), characterized in that a number of the selected anti-glare areas (4) are selected by a driver and / or adapted to a selected driving program.

2. Method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of anti-glare areas (4) is up to 120 per headlight (2).

3. Method (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that individual objects can be selectively illuminated, and at least one anti-glare area (4) lies between the objects.

4. Method (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that depending on the driving program between 10 and 120 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected.

5. Method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the driving program comprises an Eco mode, a Normal mode and a Dynamic mode, whereby 10 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected in the Eco mode, 30 anti-glare areas (4) in the Normal mode and 120 anti-glare areas (4) can be selected in the Dynamic mode.

6. Method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the anti-glare areas (4) are selected via an application.

7. Method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the anti-glare areas (4) are selected depending on the route.

8. Method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the headlights (2) are DMD headlights or pLED headlights.

9. Headlight (2) for a vehicle (3) for carrying out the method (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the headlight (2) has a plurality of anti-glare areas (4) which can be selected by the driver or coupled to a driving program.

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