DE102023002897A1 - Method for operating a lighting system of a vehicle and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a lighting system (1) of a vehicle (2), wherein the brightness of the light thrown by the lighting system (1) into the surroundings of the vehicle (2) is adjusted depending on the situation. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the lighting system (1) is divided into functional lighting (1.1) and decorative lighting (1.2), in order to adjust the brightness of the light thrown by the lighting system (1) into the surroundings of the vehicle (2), the brightness of the decorative lighting (1.2), while maintaining the light characteristics thrown into the environment by means of the functional lighting (1.1), is changed.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a lighting system of a vehicle according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 and to a vehicle for carrying out the method.

Vehicles such as cars have a wide variety of lighting systems. The functional lighting of a vehicle includes, for example, the headlights, direction indicators, taillights, brake lights, fog lights and the rear fog light. The headlights can also be used to implement low beam, high beam and parking lights. There are country-specific requirements as to how the respective functional lighting must be designed so that the respective vehicle can be registered.

When operating the functional lighting of a vehicle, care must be taken to ensure that other road users are not blinded, that general light pollution is kept to a minimum and that the energy requirement of the functional lighting is not too high, which would excessively drain the vehicle's electrical energy storage system.

Decorative lighting is also increasingly being integrated into vehicles. These are lighting elements that differ from functional lighting. In particular, the decorative lighting serves to imprint a characteristic appearance on the vehicle. Overall, the illuminated area of the vehicle increases, so that a vehicle with decorative lighting is also more noticeable in poor lighting conditions, which improves road safety.

From the DE 10 2007 039 470 A1 a method for controlling vehicle lighting is known. The publication addresses the problem that a vehicle parked on the road wheel is difficult to see in the dark. The parking lights can be activated to improve visibility. However, continuous operation of the parking lights excessively drains a vehicle battery. To prevent this, a corresponding vehicle monitors its surroundings and only activates the parking lights when another vehicle drives past. Those lighting elements of the vehicle that face the passing vehicle can be specifically activated.

In addition, it reveals DE 10 2021 101 075 A1 a dimmable external vehicle lighting and a method for using it. The publication describes the dimming of external vehicle lighting depending on ambient light intensity. The vehicle lighting can also be dimmed depending on the distance to vehicles in front or depending on an active autonomous driving mode. The ambient light intensity can be measured with a dedicated sensor or estimated taking into account the location of the vehicle as well as the current local time and season. The disadvantage, however, is that dimming the vehicle's functional lighting significantly impairs its visibility.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying an improved method for operating a lighting system of a vehicle, with the help of which, while maintaining the visibility of the vehicle, the risk of glare for other road users is reduced, light pollution is counteracted and which is energy-saving.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a lighting system of a vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements and further developments as well as a vehicle for carrying out the method result from the dependent claims.

A generic method for operating a lighting system of a vehicle, wherein the brightness of the light thrown by the lighting system into the surroundings of the vehicle is adapted depending on the situation, is further developed according to the invention in that the lighting system is divided into functional lighting and decorative lighting, with the purpose of adjusting the brightness of the light thrown by the lighting system into the surroundings of the vehicle, the brightness of the decorative lighting is changed, while maintaining the light characteristics thrown into the surroundings by means of the functional lighting. While maintaining the light characteristics thrown into the surroundings by means of the functional lighting, the proportion of light thrown into the surroundings can be reduced while the decorative lighting is dimmed at the same time, but the visibility of the vehicle can still be maintained.

As already mentioned at the beginning, functional lighting refers to the legally required lighting functions such as low beam, high beam, parking lights, daytime running lights, a direction indicator, also known as a turn signal, rear lights, a brake light, license plate lighting and the like. Decorative lighting, on the other hand, involves lighting functions that differ from functional lighting. By providing decorative lighting, recognition is made The vehicle's ability to operate is generally improved because a larger portion of the vehicle's area actively emits light. Depending on the situation, the brightness of the decorative lighting or individual components of the decorative lighting is reduced, so that the risk of dazzling other road users is reduced, there is less light pollution and the energy consumption through the operation of the decorative lighting is reduced. This protects the vehicle's electrical energy storage system, so that the range of battery-electric vehicles in particular can be increased.

An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the brightness of the light that can be emitted by at least one lighting unit of the decorative lighting is set to a value in the range of 0% to 100% of a maximum brightness that can be emitted. The decorative lighting is formed by at least one lighting unit, preferably several lighting units. The lighting units can be distributed anywhere around the vehicle. If the brightness of the light emitted by a lighting unit is set to a value of 0%, this means that the respective lighting unit is deactivated. At a brightness of 100%, the maximum light that can be emitted is thrown into the environment. The respective lighting unit can be dimmed to any value between the fully adjustable brightness and deactivation. To adjust the brightness of the decorative lighting, it is possible to switch individual lighting units off or on or to dim individual lighting units. Switching individual lighting units on and off can be combined with dimming other lighting units. This makes it possible to throw or generate very specific light patterns or light characteristics into the surroundings in the respective spatial directions around the vehicle.

• - ein manueller oder durch ein Assistenzsystem gewählter Schaltzustand von Fernlicht;
• - ein manueller oder durch ein Assistenzsystem gewählter Schaltzustand einer Nebelleuchte;
• - dem Erkennen weiterer Verkehrsteilnehmer im Umfeld des Fahrzeugs durch das Auswerten von Umgebungssensordaten durch eine Recheneinheit;
• - der Höhe des aktuellen Verkehrsaufkommens auf einem vom Fahrzeug befahrenen Straßenabschnitt;
• - einer vom Fahrzeug mit Hilfe eines Positionsbestimmungsmittels ermittelten aktuellen Aufenthaltsposition;
• - dem aktuellen vom Fahrzeug befahrenen Straßentyp;
• - der Höhe eines von einem Beschleunigungssensor des Fahrzeugs gemessenen Beschleunigungswerts, insbesondere eine daraus abgeleitete Wankbewegung des Fahrzeugs;
• - einer manuellen von der fahrzeugführenden Person getätigten Bedieneingabe;
• - einer aktuellen Tageszeit;
• - einem Fahrmodus des Fahrzeugs;
• - einer Restmenge eines vom Fahrzeug mitgeführten Antriebsenergievorrats; und/oder
• - einer Fortbewegungsgeschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the brightness of the decorative lighting is changed depending on at least one of the following features:

• - a switching state of high beam that is selected manually or by an assistance system;
• - a switching state of a fog light that is selected manually or by an assistance system;
• - recognizing other road users in the vicinity of the vehicle by evaluating environmental sensor data by a computing unit;
• - the level of current traffic on a section of road traveled by the vehicle;
• - a current location determined by the vehicle using a positioning means;
• - the type of road currently traveled by the vehicle;
• - the height of an acceleration value measured by an acceleration sensor of the vehicle, in particular a rolling movement of the vehicle derived therefrom;
• - a manual control input made by the person driving the vehicle;
• - a current time of day;
• - a driving mode of the vehicle;
• - a residual amount of a supply of drive energy carried by the vehicle; and or
• - a speed of movement of the vehicle.

The brightness of the decorative lighting can be linked to the switching state of at least one of the functional lights, such as the high beam or a fog light. This can be the front fog lights of the vehicle or the rear fog lights. For example, if the person driving the vehicle switches on the high beam, the brightness emitted via the decorative lighting can be automatically increased. If the person driving the vehicle switches to low beam, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be automatically reduced. Changing the switching status of the corresponding functional lighting is also possible automatically using an assistance system, such as a high beam assistant.

The vehicle can have various environmental sensors, such as one or more cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, LiDARe or the like. With the help of such environmental sensors, depth information can be obtained and the presence of other road users in the area around the vehicle can be detected. Not only can the direction in which the other road users are located in relation to the vehicle be determined, but also the distance. Those parts of the decorative lighting can then be darkened at which another road user is looking, i.e. at which solid angle the respective road user is located relative to the vehicle. The extent to which the respective parts of the decorative lighting are dimmed can be particularly advantageous depending on the distance of the other road user to the vehicle. The closer the other road user gets to the vehicle, the more dimming occurs. This makes it possible Reduce the risk of glare for other road users. Since the functional lighting continues to operate as usual, the vehicle remains recognizable.

By evaluating the environmental sensor data, the level of current traffic volume in the area surrounding the vehicle can also be determined. For this purpose, for example, a traffic density can be determined, i.e. the number of other road users and their distance from the vehicle. The level of current traffic volume on the section of road traveled by the vehicle can also be obtained from an external service provider, for example from a transport service provider. For this purpose, the vehicle can have appropriate communication means such as a radio, a navigation system or even a dedicated telecommunications unit. The brightness of the decorative lighting can preferably be reduced as traffic volume increases in order to reduce the risk of dazzling other road users. However, it would also be conceivable to increase the brightness of the decorative lighting here, since it can be assumed that the other road users themselves emit so much light into the surroundings that a particularly bright operation of the decorative lighting would not contribute to a further increase in light pollution.

The brightness of the decorative lighting can also be adjusted depending on the current location of the vehicle. As a position determination means, the vehicle can include, for example, a navigation system, which can determine its location based on signals emitted by a global navigation satellite system, for example GPS signals. The vehicle or a vehicle-internal computing unit can compare the position determined in this way with a digital road map. If the vehicle is then in certain regions, the decorative lighting operates at a certain brightness. However, if the vehicle is in other regions, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be adjusted, in particular reduced.

Determining the location of the vehicle is also possible in another way. For example, the vehicle can use cameras to recognize characteristic environmental features and assign them to a known location. Furthermore, the vehicle's position can be determined using triangulation. For example, the signal strength of a mobile phone signal can be evaluated. If several mobile network base stations are within range, this allows a distance to the respective mobile network base stations to be determined, which allows the vehicle position to be calculated if the location of the mobile network base stations is known.

Comparing the location of the vehicle with the digital road map also makes it possible to recognize the type of road traveled by the vehicle, for example a motorway, country road, through town, play street and the like. This is also possible by evaluating the environmental sensor data. For example, traffic signs can be recognized in camera images, whereby the vehicle can infer that it is traveling on a highway when it recognizes a highway sign and that it is traveling on a play street when it recognizes a play street sign.

For example, if the vehicle is driving along a play street, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be reduced so as not to dazzle or disturb residents. When driving on a motorway, however, the brightness can be increased, as the distance between vehicles is greater at higher driving speeds, which automatically reduces the risk of glare. However, the brightness of the decorative lighting could also be reduced here in order to provide more electrical energy to operate an electric drive unit.

With the help of acceleration sensors, the rolling, pitching and yaw movements of the vehicle can be determined. In such a case, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be changed periodically. This causes the vehicle to draw attention to the respective vibrations. The period with which the brightness of the decorative lighting is adjusted is particularly preferably selected in accordance with the oscillation frequency. For example, if the vehicle performs rolling movements, a right part of the decorative lighting can emit more light in relation to the vehicle's longitudinal axis if the vehicle is tilted to the right and the left part of the decorative lighting can be darkened. If the vehicle then swings to the left side, the left part of the functional lighting is illuminated and the right part of the functional lighting is darkened. In the same way, the decorative lighting can be controlled during pitching movements around the vehicle's transverse axis and yaw movements around the vehicle's vertical axis.

The person driving the vehicle or another vehicle occupant can also manually specify the brightness of individual segments of the decorative lighting. Appropriate controls in the vehicle can be used for this purpose.

The brightness of the decorative lighting can also be adjusted automatically depending on the time of day will fit. It is particularly preferred to increase the brightness of the decorative lighting during the day, since there is no risk of glare due to the already bright ambient lighting. At night, however, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be reduced as there is an increased risk of glare. Conversely, at night the decorative lighting comes into its own with a stronger light intensity.

The brightness of the decorative lighting can also be adjusted depending on the vehicle's driving mode. For example, the switching behavior of a vehicle's transmission can be changed from a standard mode to a sport mode, so that the gearshift only occurs automatically at higher engine speeds. The brightness with which the decorative lighting is operated is different for standard mode and sport mode. Other driving modes can also be provided, such as an environmentally friendly Eco mode, a Boost mode or the like. The driving mode does not necessarily have to relate to the vehicle's transmission. The driving mode can also relate to an operating behavior of the drive unit of the vehicle, i.e. to a control behavior of an internal combustion engine or an electric drive machine.

A vehicle with an internal combustion engine carries a certain amount of liquid fuel as a supply of driving energy. A battery-electric vehicle stores electrical drive energy in a traction battery. If the drive energy supply carried becomes increasingly empty, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be reduced in the same way in order to provide a larger part of the drive energy supply for gaining propulsion.

The brightness of the decorative lighting can also be adjusted depending on the speed of movement of the vehicle. Depending on what is desired, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be increased or decreased at high driving speeds. Similarly, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be increased or decreased at low driving speeds. For example, the brightness of the decorative lighting can be increased when driving slowly, since when driving slowly the vehicle usually moves in an urban area in which there is already light pollution due to street lighting. Brightly operated decorative lighting no longer contributes to light pollution. When driving quickly, however, the vehicle is on a country road or motorway, for example, so the brightness of the decorative lighting is preferably reduced here, since the decorative lighting has a greater impact on light pollution.

It might also be desirable to dim the decorative lighting when driving slowly, as there is an increased risk of glare for residents.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that the brightness of the decorative lighting is changed gradually. In general, the brightness of the decorative lighting could be changed suddenly. However, with a gradual change in the brightness of the decorative lighting, this is less disturbing for a viewer of the vehicle. The brightness can be stepped or changed continuously. The brightness can be changed linearly, progressively or degressively. A corresponding design is situation-specific.

In a vehicle comprising a lighting system divided into functional lighting and decorative lighting and a computing unit for controlling the lighting system, according to the invention the lighting system and the computing unit are set up to carry out a method described above. The vehicle can be any vehicle such as a car, truck, van, bus or the like. The decorative lighting is divided into at least one or preferably several individual lighting units. A respective lighting unit can include a wide variety of lighting devices, such as LEDs, OLEDs, lasers, incandescent lamps, xenon lamps and the like. The corresponding lamps can emit single-color light, for example white, or multicolored light, for example red light, green light and blue light. By adding colors, the number of colors that can be thrown into the environment can be increased. Decorative lighting can be used to cast static light patterns into the surroundings as well as animations. In this way, the brightness of adjacent lamps of the lighting units can be increased and reduced in a certain rhythm, which enables the appearance of a light wave running around the vehicle.

The lamps can be directed directly into the surroundings or can also illuminate a structure of the respective lighting unit. Light is then thrown into the environment through reflection or scattering.

An advantageous development of the vehicle according to the invention provides that at least one lighting unit of the decorative lighting is attached to the front of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle and/or to one side of the vehicle. By providing individual light units of the decorative lighting on corresponding parts of the vehicle, light can be directed specifically into the different solid angle areas around the vehicle using the decorative lighting Throw the vehicle around into the surrounding area. The decorative lighting particularly preferably runs continuously around the entire circumference of the vehicle. This means that the decorative lighting can be seen from any position around the vehicle.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, at least one lighting unit of the decorative lighting is integrated into the radiator grille of the vehicle, into a vehicle emblem or into a bumper of the vehicle.

This enables the vehicle to be illuminated particularly discreetly and therefore without risk of glare. In addition, characteristic identification features for identifying different vehicle models from a vehicle manufacturer can be realized in this way.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for operating the lighting system of the vehicle and the vehicle itself also result from the exemplary embodiments, which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 eine schematische Außenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs aus verschiedenen Perspektiven;
• 2 eine schematische Heckansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs, welches Wankbewegungen um die Fahrzeuglängsachse vollführt;
• 3 eine weitere schematisierte Heckansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs beim Vollziehen einer Wankbewegung; und
• 4 ein Helligkeitszeitdiagramm, zeigend eine Änderung der über die Zielbeleuchtung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs abgebaren Helligkeit über der Zeit.

Show:

• 1 a schematic external view of a vehicle according to the invention from different perspectives;
• 2 a schematic rear view of the vehicle according to the invention, which performs rolling movements about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
• 3 a further schematic rear view of the vehicle according to the invention when performing a rolling movement; and
• 4 a brightness time diagram showing a change in the brightness that can be emitted via the target lighting of a vehicle according to the invention over time.

1 shows different views of a vehicle 2 according to the invention in subfigures a), b) and c). The vehicle 2 comprises a lighting system 1, which is divided into functional lighting 1.1 and decorative lighting 1.2. Functional lighting 1.1 includes, for example, the high beam, low beam, parking light or the signal from a direction indicator that can be emitted via the headlights 9 of the vehicle 2. Functional lighting 1.1 also includes a reversing light, tail light or brake light that can be emitted via the tail lights 10 of the vehicle 2. In addition, the vehicle 2 can have an additional brake light 11.

In a broader sense, decorative lighting 1.2 includes any part of the lighting system 1 that does not belong to functional lighting 1.1. The decorative lighting 1.2 can be divided into several lighting units (not shown). The decorative lighting 1.2, or the respective lighting units, can include one or more dedicated lighting devices such as LEDs, OLEDs, lasers, incandescent lamps or the like.

The decorative lighting 1.2 can be provided on any side of the vehicle 2. Particularly preferred is at least part of the decorative lighting 1.2 on the in 1a) shown vehicle front 4, the in 1b) shown vehicle side 6 (and the opposite side of the vehicle, not shown) as well as in 1c ) shown vehicle rear 5 provided.

The lighting system 1 is controlled by a computing unit 3, which adapts the brightness of the decorative lighting 1.2 depending on the situation while maintaining the light characteristics thrown into the environment by the functional lighting 1.1.

Parts of the decorative lighting 1.2 can, for example, be integrated into or form the radiator grille 7 of the vehicle 2. Above or below there can also be a decorative strip 12, which represents a so-called band light source for emitting a band-shaped or “elongated” light. A corresponding decorative strip 12 can extend more or less over the entire width or length of the vehicle 2 between the headlights 9 and/or the taillights 10. In the 2 and 3 a vertical decorative strip 13 is also shown. Parts of the decorative lighting 1.2 can also be integrated into or form a vehicle emblem 8, for example the manufacturer's logo.

By brightening or darkening the light emitted by the decorative lighting 1.2 depending on the situation, the risk of other road users being blinded by the decorative lighting 1.2 can be reduced. Light pollution can also be counteracted and energy saved. A lighting unit such as a respective decorative strip 12, 13 can be switched evenly brighter or darker or even only in sections. The light and dark sections can travel along a respective light unit to create the appearance of animation.

The 2 and 3 show a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for operating the lighting system 1. The decorative lighting 1.2 is controlled depending on the vehicle's acceleration sensors (not shown). Acceleration values measured by the vehicle 2. In the 2 and 3 The vehicle performs 2 rolling movements around the vehicle's longitudinal axis 14. The decorative lighting 1.2 is preferably controlled in accordance with the rolling movements that have occurred. In the 2 and 3 In particular, more light is emitted from the turning side of the vehicle 2. Brightly operated decorative lighting 1.2 is in the 2 and 3 shown in white and darker operated decorative lighting 1.2 hatched. In 2a) the vehicle 2 deflects to the left in relation to the vehicle's longitudinal axis 14, so that the left vertical decorative strip 13 shines brighter than the right vertical decorative strip 13. In 2 B) However, the vehicle 2 swings to the right, so that the left vertical decorative strip 13 shines darker than the right vertical decorative strip 13.

3 shows the case that the brightness of the decorative lighting 1.2 can be done as an animation in accordance with the movements carried out. So shows 3 b) the vehicle 2 in a position deflected to the right and 3 a) in a middle position. When the middle position is exceeded, parts of the in 3 a) The decorative lighting 1.2 shown on the right is darkened and parts of the left decorative lighting 1.2 are brightened, which is indicated by arrows. As a result, the light characteristic emitted by the decorative lighting 1.2 of the vehicle 2 at the rear of the vehicle 5 appears like water sloshing back and forth. This ensures particularly clear visibility and informs other road users that the vehicle is making two rolling movements. This makes it possible to improve safety in road traffic, as it is made clear to other road users that they should keep a greater distance from the vehicle 2 according to the invention, for example when overtaking.

In the 2 and 3 the vehicle 2 is designed as a bus, van or truck. However, it could also be a car or another vehicle. In addition, one or more horizontal decorative strips (not shown) could also be used as decorative lighting 1.2 on the rear of the vehicle 5 instead of or in addition to the two vertical decorative strips 13. Animations for rolling movements, pitching movements and yaw movements can also be output using a flat lighting unit.

4 clarifies once again the way in which the brightness of the decorative lighting 1.2 can be changed, with an increase in brightness over time being shown. This in 4 The brightness-time diagram shown shows the time on the abscissa and the brightness on the ordinate. The brightness can be changed linearly, progressively, degressively and stepwise.

The vehicle 2 according to the invention or the method according to the invention for operating the lighting system 1 thus allows a particularly low-glare and energy-efficient operation of a lighting system 1, which is divided into functional lighting 1.1 and decorative lighting 1.2. Light pollution can also be reduced and traffic safety improved.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007039470 A1 [0005]
• DE 102021101075 A1 [0006]

Claims (7)

Method for operating a lighting system (1) of a vehicle (2), wherein the brightness of the light thrown by the lighting system (1) into the surroundings of the vehicle (2) is adapted depending on the situation, characterized in that the lighting system (1) is converted into functional lighting ( 1.1) and decorative lighting (1.2), whereby to adjust the brightness of the light thrown by the lighting system (1) into the surroundings of the vehicle (2), the brightness of the decorative lighting (1.2), while maintaining the function lighting (1.1) The light characteristics thrown into the environment are changed. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the brightness of the light that can be emitted by at least one lighting unit of the decorative lighting (1.2) is set to a value in the range of 0% to 100% of a maximum brightness that can be emitted. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the brightness of the decorative lighting (1.2) is changed depending on at least one of the following features: - a manual switching state of high beam or selected by an assistance system; - a switching state of a fog light that is selected manually or by an assistance system; - detecting other road users in the vicinity of the vehicle (2) by evaluating environmental sensor data by a computing unit (3); - the amount of current traffic on a section of road traveled by the vehicle (2); - a current location determined by the vehicle (2) with the aid of a position determination device; - the current type of road traveled by the vehicle (2); - the height of an acceleration value measured by an acceleration sensor of the vehicle (2), in particular a rolling movement of the vehicle (2) derived therefrom; - a manual control input made by the person driving the vehicle; - a current time of day; - a driving mode of the vehicle (2); - a remaining amount of drive energy supplied by the vehicle (2); and/or - a speed of movement of the vehicle (2). Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the brightness of the decorative lighting (1.2) is gradually changed. Vehicle (2), comprising a lighting system (1) divided into functional lighting (1.1) and decorative lighting (1.2) and a computing unit (3) for controlling the lighting system (1), characterized in that the lighting system (1) and the computing unit (3) to carry out a procedure according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 are set up. vehicle (2). Claim 5 , characterized in that at least one lighting unit of the decorative lighting (1.2) is attached to the vehicle front (4), the vehicle rear (5) and / or to a vehicle side (6). vehicle (2). Claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that at least one lighting unit of the decorative lighting (1.2) is integrated into the radiator grille (7) of the vehicle (2), into a vehicle emblem (8) or into a bumper of the vehicle (2).

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