DE102007051272A1 - Device for controlling and / or regulating the activation or deactivation of the automatic adjustment of the cut-off line of a motor vehicle headlight or the switching on or off of the high beam in motor vehicle headlights - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for controlling and / or regulating the activation or deactivation of the automatic setting of the cut-off line of a motor vehicle headlight or the switching on or off of the high beam in motor vehicle headlights, the device having one or more interfaces at least for reading in signals (21, 22, ...; 31, 32, ...) and the device is suitable and arranged to process the signals (21, 22, ...; 31, 32, ...) and a control signal (41) in dependence the signals read in (21, 22, ..., 31, 32, ...) to activate or deactivate the automatic adjustment of the cut-off of a high beam or to switch the high beam on or off, the device comprising: ...; 31, 32, ...) to process different signals from electronic driver assistance systems or sensors present in the vehicle for generating the control signal (41).

Description

The The invention relates to a device for controlling and / or regulating activating or deactivating automatic adjustment a light-dark boundary of a motor vehicle headlight or to Turning on or off the high beam in vehicle headlights.

Such a device is for example from the publication with the publication number US 6,281,632 B1 or the publication US 5,796,094 A known. The devices have one or more interfaces at least for reading in signals, and the device is suitable and configured to process the signals and to use a control signal as a function of the signals read in to activate or deactivate the automatic setting of the cut-off line or to or to turn off the high beam.

Out the publications, it is known, for example, in dependence ambient brightness, vehicle inclination, vehicle speed, the steering angle or the precipitation the high beam on or switch off, or the automatic setting of the cut-off line of the vehicle headlight to activate or deactivate.

Out the same documents or from other publications furthermore devices for setting the cut-off line are known, having an image capture and image processing system, the take a picture of the traffic situation in front of the vehicle and then by means of the image processing system, the captured image investigate whether vehicles in front or oncoming vehicles can be dazzled by the high beam. In dependence of the processing result can then be turned on or off the high beam or the chiaroscuro limit can be set.

The Systems known from the prior art basically work reliable and increase driving safety both for the equipped with such a device Vehicle as well as other road users. unnecessary Dazzling the vehicles in front and oncoming traffic avoided by such systems.

It However, it has been shown that it exceeds the previously considered Traffic situations and driving situations also other traffic situations and Driving situations can occur in which turning off the high beam desired or deactivating the automatic setting the cut-off line is advantageous.

Here uses the present invention.

Of the present invention is based on the object, a device for controlling and / or regulating the switching on or off of the high beam or to enable or disable automatic tuning of the Train the cut-off line of the motor vehicle headlight in such a way that that further traffic and driving situations can be detected, which are considered in the rule and / or taxes.

• – ein die Sichtweite angebendes Signal,
• – ein den Schaltzustand mindestens eines Nebelscheinwerfers angebendes Signal,
• – ein den Schaltzustand mindestens einer Nebelschlussleuchte angebendes Signal,
• – ein die Schaltstellung des Scheibenwischers angebendes Signal,
• – ein die Gierrate des Kraftfahrzeugs angebendes Signal,
• – ein den Vorderradwinkel angebendes Signal,
• – ein Signal eines Lane-Departure-Warning-Systems,
• – ein den Straßenverlauf angebendes Signal, zum Beispiel eines Navigationssystems,
• – ein den Kurvenradius des durchfahrenden Straßenabschnitts angebendes Signal,
• – ein die Schaltstellung „rückwärts" des Getriebes angebendes Signal,
• – ein die Durchfahrt einer Ortschaft angebendes Signal, zum Beispiel eines Navigationssystems,
• – ein ein Ansprechen des ESP angebendes Signal,
• – ein ein Ansprechen des ABS angebendes Signal, und/oder
• – ein den Zustand der Fahrbahn angebendes Signal, zum Beispiel von Achssensoren.

This object is achieved in that the device is suitable and adapted to process in addition to the previously known signals further signals for generating the control signal. It is one or more of the following signals:

• A signal indicative of the visibility,
• A signal indicating the switching state of at least one fog lamp,
• A signal indicating the switching state of at least one rear fog lamp,
• A signal indicating the switching position of the windscreen wiper,
• A signal indicating the yaw rate of the motor vehicle,
• A signal indicating the front wheel angle,
• A signal from a lane departure warning system,
• A signal indicating the course of the road, for example a navigation system,
• A signal indicating the radius of curvature of the passing road section,
• A signal indicating the shift position "backwards" of the transmission,
• A signal indicating the passage of a locality, for example a navigation system,
• A signal indicating a response of the ESP,
• A signal indicating a response of the ABS, and / or
• A signal indicative of the condition of the roadway, for example axle sensors.

The aforementioned signals are partly available as yes-no statements and partly as value-related variables in in-vehicle communication systems, for example bus systems of the vehicle. These signals are passed into the device according to the invention and processed there in a suitable manner. The value-prone signals, such as the signal indicating the visibility, the signal indicative of the yaw rate of the motor vehicle, the signal indicative of the front wheel angle, the signal indicative of the radius of curvature of the road section passing through, can thereby be incorporated with their value into the determination of the actuating signal. It is also possible that by the invention Vorrich It is checked whether the value-affected signals exceed or fall below a control value. Depending on such a comparison with a control value, a signal can then be generated in the device according to the invention, which signal is further processed in the device in order to determine the actuating signal.

• – ein die Umgebungshelligkeit angebendes Signal,
• – ein die Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit angebendes Signal,
• – ein den Niederschlag angebendes Signal,
• – ein den Lenkwinkel angebendes Signal und/oder
• – ein die Fahrzeugneigung angebendes Signal.

According to the invention, further signals for generating the actuating signal can be taken into account, namely:

• A signal indicating the ambient brightness,
• A signal indicating the vehicle speed,
• A signal indicating the precipitation,
• A signal indicating the steering angle and / or
• A signal indicative of the vehicle inclination.

New is also the use of the aforementioned Signals in a device for controlling and / or regulating the activation or deactivating the automatic setting of the cut-off line a motor vehicle headlight or the on or off of the high beam in motor vehicle headlamps, with a sensor means for detecting light, in particular for detecting light from vehicles in front or oncoming vehicles, light from street lamps or the like, provided that the sensor means comprises a phototransistor, a photoelement and / or a photodiode as photosensitive Element has. By using such, easier photosensitive Elements may rely on the use of sophisticated image processing systems for detecting the light sources in space in front of the vehicle or for detection the ambient brightness can be dispensed with.

at these signals are mostly about value-prone sizes corresponding to the aforementioned Sizes can be treated. Ie., The sizes can be used as such in the investigation or generate the actuating signal. alternative It is possible that the value-prone sizes are first compared with a threshold and the Result of this comparison is received in the determination of the control signal.

The Device according to the invention can be suitable and be set up, a control signal to turn on the high beam and / or to activate an automatic setting the light-dark border, provided that the ambient brightness indicating Signal that indicates the precipitation signal that the yaw rate of the motor vehicle indicating signal indicating the front wheel angle Signal and / or the curve radius of the passing road section indicating signal has a first threshold for the respective one Signal falls below. The device may be suitable and arranged a control signal for switching off the high beam and / or to a Deactivation of an automatic setting of the cut-off line provided that the signal indicating the ambient brightness, the the precipitation indicating signal indicating the yaw rate of the motor vehicle indicating signal, the signal indicating the front wheel angle and / or that is the radius of curvature of the passing road section indicating signal a second threshold for the respective Signal exceeds.

As well is it possible that an inventive Device is suitable and set up, a control signal to turn off the high beam and / or to deactivate an automatic setting to produce the cut-off line, if that is the vehicle speed indicating signal and / or the visibility indicating signal a first Threshold for the respective signal falls below. The the same device may be suitable and arranged, a control signal for switching on the high beam and / or for activating a automatic adjustment of the cut-off line, provided the vehicle speed indicating signal and / or the signal indicating the visibility a second threshold for exceeds the respective signal.

in principle it is conceivable that the first threshold and the second threshold correspond to each other. This can, however, in a sway of Values around the thresholds for continuous switching on and off or activate and deactivate. It is therefore advantageous when a hysteresis is provided, and the first threshold is less than the second threshold. The first Threshold can be in case of vehicle speed for example at 65 km / h and the second threshold at 55 km / h. In the event of Visibility can see the thresholds at 45 to 55 m lie.

The the vehicle speed indicating signal is further Conclusions about the type of road to, which is driven. If the speed is below 75 km / h is the Probability that this is a street within a closed village is very high. At speeds between 75 and 115 km / h can with high probability of country roads and at speeds in excess of 115 km / h of highways or expressways. The conclusions The type of road can then have an impact on that Control and / or rules of activation or deactivation of automatic Adjusting the cut-off of a motor vehicle headlight or turning on or off the high beam in automotive headlights to have.

The The aforementioned circuit can be realized, for example, by the device has threshold switches with hysteresis, suitable for processing at least one of said signals and are set up.

According to the Invention, the device may be a digital circuit, in particular have a switching network or a switching mechanism. The digital circuit may be suitable and arranged to the signals to each other Link to a control signal to turn off the high beam and / or to deactivate an automatic setting to create the cut-off line. The digital circuit can be Have flip-flop. The threshold value switches are advantageous upstream of the digital circuit.

Based In the accompanying drawings, the invention will be described below explained in more detail. Showing:

1 a block diagram of the device according to the invention,

2 a characteristic of a first threshold switch type and

3 a characteristic of a second threshold switch type.

The device according to the invention for controlling and / or regulating the cut-off line of the motor vehicle headlight in motor vehicle headlights may include a 1 have shown digital circuit. The digital circuit includes an AND gate U1, an OR gate O, a flip-flop FP and an AND gate U2.

In 1 are additionally threshold switches S21, S22, S31 and S32 shown, which do not belong to the digital circuit and in which in addition to an analog-to-digital conversion and a processing of signals 21 . 22 . 31 . 32 he follows.

The illustrated circuit arrangement has one or more interfaces via which signals 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...; can be recorded by sensors arranged in the motor vehicle or from a motor vehicle bus system. These signals 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ..., are processed in the circuit and in particular in the digital circuit to a control signal 41 to generate, with which a high beam is turned on or off or a means for controlling and / or regulating the cut-off of the motor vehicle headlight is activated or deactivated.

The threshold switches S21, S22, S31, S32 are provided for analog sensor signals 21 . 22 . 31 . 32 to process and digitize. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that digital threshold switches are provided which process digital sensor signals.

The operation of the threshold value switches S21, S22, S31, S32 is in the 2 and 3 shown. There are two different types of threshold switches. The type of threshold switches whose characteristic is in 2 has input signals below a threshold 1 an output signal which is at an on level while at high input signals it is above a threshold level 2 an off level is present. A hysteresis ensures that when the input signal fluctuates a few fractions up or down, the level at the output of the threshold switch does not change constantly. The hysteresis ensures that, with a rising sensor signal, the level starts at a second threshold value 2 is turned off while at the first threshold 1 which is smaller than the second threshold 2 is switched to ON when the input signal drops.

Also the second type of threshold switch, as in 3 is shown, has a hysteresis. However, the switch is designed so that it has an off level at the output at low input signals and an on level at high input signals at the output. The hysteresis ensures that, with a rising input signal, the output level starts from a second threshold value 2 of the input signal is switched to on, while with a decrease in the input signal, the output signal from a first threshold 1 which is smaller than the second threshold 2 , is switched off.

The signals 21 . 22 . 23 , ... lie partly with the interposition of the threshold value switches S21, S22 to the AND gate U1. This AND gate U1 is connected with its output to a set input S of the flip-flop FP's. The signals 31 . 32 . 33 are partly with the interposition of the threshold value switches S31, S32 to the OR gate O on. The output of the OR gate is connected to a reset input R of the flip-flop FP. At the AND gate U1, all the signals are present as input signals, which must have an on level, if the main beam should be turned on or the automatic setting of the cut-off line should be activated. On the other hand, signals are at the OR gate, which have an on-level, if the main beam should be turned off, or if the automatic setting of the cut-off line should be disabled.

While the signals applied to the AND gate 21 . 22 . 23 , ... must have an ON level at the same time, so that the main beam is switched on is activated, or the automatic setting of the cut-off line, it is sufficient if one of the signals applied to the OR gate O signals 31 . 32 . 33 has an on level so that the main beam is switched off or the automatic setting of the cut-off point is deactivated.

The flip-flop FP has two outputs, a non-inverted output A1 and an inverted output A2. The non-inverted output A1 is connected to the second AND gate U2. The second AND gate has two further inputs to which a signal 11 from a handset to turn on the vehicle lights and a signal 12 of a manual switch for switching on the high beam is applied. At the output of the second AND gate U2 is a control signal 41 on, which turns the high beam on or off, or which activates or deactivates the automatic setting of the cut-off line. Due to the AND connection of the inputs of the second AND gate U2, the high beam can only be turned on or the setting of the cut-off limit to be activated only when both the vehicle lights are turned on, the high beam is turned on by means of the manual switch and the conditions for present the switching on of the high beam or to activate the setting of the cut-off line, which are checked via the first AND gate U1 and the flip-flop FP.

At the inverting output 2 of the flip-flop FP is a signal 42 on, which indicates whether the high beam must be switched off or whether the automatic setting of the cut-off line must be deactivated.

U1, U2

And gate

O

OR gate

FP

Flip-flop

S11 S12, S21, S22

threshold

21 22, 31, 32

signals

41

actuating signal

42

signal

2

threshold

A1, A2

output

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 6281632 B1 [0002]
• US 5796094 A [0002]

Claims (13)

Device for controlling and / or regulating the activation or deactivation of the automatic setting of the light-dark boundary of a motor vehicle headlight or the switching on or off of the high beam in motor vehicle headlights, the device having one or more interfaces at least for reading in signals ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) and the device is suitable and set up the signals ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) and a control signal ( 41 ) depending on the signals read in ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) for activating or deactivating the automatic setting of the light-dark boundary of a motor vehicle headlight or for switching on or off the high beam, characterized in that the device is suitable and arranged as a signal ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) - a signal indicating the visibility, - a signal indicating the switching state of at least one fog lamp, - a signal indicating the switching state of at least one rear fog lamp, - a signal indicating the switching position of the windscreen wiper, - a signal indicating the yaw rate of the motor vehicle, A signal indicative of the front wheel angle, a signal of a lane departure warning system, a signal indicating the course of the road, e.g. A signal indicative of the turning radius of the road section passed through, a signal indicative of the shift position "reverse" of the transmission, a signal indicative of the passage of a locality, for example of a navigation system, a response of the ESP indicating signal, - a signal indicating a response of the ABS and / or - a signal indicating the condition of the roadway, eg of axle sensors, for generating the actuating signal ( 41 ) to process. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is further suitable and arranged as a signal ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) - a signal indicating the ambient brightness, - a signal indicating the vehicle speed, - a signal indicative of precipitation, - a signal indicating the steering angle, and / or - a signal indicative of the vehicle inclination for generating the actuating signal ( 41 ) to process. Device for controlling and / or regulating the activation or deactivation of the automatic setting of the light-dark boundary of a motor vehicle headlight or the switching on or off of the high beam in motor vehicle headlights, with a sensor means for detecting light, in particular for detecting light from preceding or oncoming Vehicles, light from street lamps or the like, the device having one or more interfaces at least for reading in signals ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) and the device is suitable and set up the signals ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) and a control signal ( 41 ) depending on the signals read in ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) and of the light detected by the sensor means for activating or deactivating the automatic setting of the cut-off of a motor vehicle headlight or for switching the high beam on or off, characterized in that the sensor means comprise a phototransistor, a photoelement and / or have a photodiode and that the device is suitable and arranged as a signal ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) - a signal indicating the visibility, - a signal indicating the switching state of at least one fog lamp, - a signal indicating the switching state of at least one rear fog lamp, - a signal indicating the switching position of the windscreen wiper, - a signal indicating the yaw rate of the motor vehicle, A signal indicative of the front wheel angle, a signal of a lane departure warning system, a signal indicating the course of the road, e.g. A signal indicative of the radius of curvature of the road section traveled through, a signal indicating the shift position "backwards" of the transmission, - a signal indicative of the passage of a locality, for example of a navigation system, - a response indicating the ESP Signal, - a signal indicative of the ABS response, - a signal indicative of the condition of the lane, eg of axle sensors, - a signal indicating the ambient brightness, - a signal indicative of vehicle speed, - a signal indicative of precipitation, - a signal indicating the vehicle Steering angle indicative signal, and / or - a signal indicating the vehicle inclination signal for generating the actuating signal ( 41 ) to process. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device is suitable and arranged a control signal for scarf the high beam and / or to activate an automatic adjustment of the cut-off line provided that - the signal indicating the ambient brightness, - the signal indicating the precipitation, - the signal indicating the yaw rate of the motor vehicle, - the signal indicating the front wheel angle , and / or - the signal indicating the radius of curvature of the road section passed through is a first threshold value ( 1 ) falls below for the respective signal. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the device is suitable and set up a control signal ( 41 ) to switch off the high beam and / or to deactivate an automatic adjustment of the cut-off line to produce - the signal indicating the ambient brightness, - the signal indicating the precipitation, - the signal indicating the yaw rate of the motor vehicle, - the front wheel angle indicating signal, and / or the signal indicating the radius of curvature of the section of road passed through has a second threshold value ( 2 ) for the respective signal. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device is suitable and set up a control signal ( 41 ) for switching off the high beam and / or for deactivating an automatic setting of the cut-off line if: the signal indicating the vehicle speed, and / or the signal indicative of the visibility have a first threshold value ( 1 ) falls below for the respective signal. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the device is suitable and set up a control signal ( 41 ) to turn on the high beam and / or to activate an automatic setting of the cut-off line provided that - the signal indicating the vehicle speed, and / or - the signal indicating the visibility a second threshold ( 2 ) for the respective signal. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 7, characterized in that the first threshold ( 1 ) for the respective signal is smaller than the second threshold value for the respective signal. Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the device threshold value switch (S1, S2) with hysteresis suitable for processing at least the Suitable in the claims 4 to 8 signals and are set up. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device is a digital Circuit, in particular a switching network or a switching mechanism has. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the digital circuit is suitable and arranged the signals ( 21 . 22 , ...; 31 . 32 , ...) to link together to a control signal ( 41 ) to turn off the high beam and / or to deactivate an automatic adjustment of the cut-off line. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized the digital circuit has a flip-flop (FP) Apparatus according to claim 9 and one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the threshold value (S, S2) of the digital circuit are connected upstream.