DE102012011810A1 - Vehicle headlight has shading unit for influencing light-dark boundary, where shading unit is designed such that it is shifted from driving light position to reference position, in which light-dark boundary has vertical course - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle headlight (1) has a shading unit, which is designed for influencing a light-dark boundary (2). The shading unit is designed such that it is shifted from a driving light position to a reference position, in which the light-dark boundary has a vertical course. The adjustment of the vehicle headlight is executed in the reference position. The shading unit is a screen or a roller. The shading unit is arranged between a light source and a projection lens. An independent claim is included for a method for adjusting a vehicle headlight.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle headlight and a method for adjusting a vehicle headlight.

From the general state of the art known vehicle headlights are usually divided in terms of their structure in projection headlights and reflection headlights. In the more recent development of driving lights, the focus is increasingly on optimizing driving safety. In addition to further improvements in lighting technology, such as the use of LEDs or xenon lamps, adaptive light-dark limits have in the meantime also found their way into modern motor vehicles. Known projection headlights have a roller, which ensures a suitable limitation of the light emission.

Similar to the adaptive cut-off line, the vertical cut-off line dynamically adapts the illumination to the traffic. This system consists of a high-performance camera in the windscreen, image processing software and intelligent lighting technology.

The adaptive cut-off is realized with a roller between the light source and the projection lens. This roller has a contour that serves to adjust different light distributions. Depending on the rotational position, areas are removed from the light distribution.

An example of a headlight for motor vehicles is from the DE 10 2010 006 190 A1 known. This document relates to a method for adjusting a light unit of a vehicle, in which by means of at least one activated light source at least one, a specific light function characterizing light distribution of the light unit is generated.

Accordingly, an image of the light distribution is detected by means of an image acquisition unit of the vehicle and by evaluating the one captured image in an image evaluation unit, a horizontal and / or vertical position of a predetermined part of the light distribution is determined and compared with a predetermined horizontal and / or vertical target position in the case of a deviation of the determined position from the predefined setpoint position, an information message to a vehicle driver is generated and / or means for horizontal and / or vertical adjustment of the light unit are activated.

An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle headlight or a method for adjusting a vehicle headlamp, in which the course of the cut-off line can be adjusted in a simple manner.

This object is solved by the features of patent claims 1 and 6, respectively. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are each the subject of the dependent claims. These can be combined in a technologically meaningful way. The description, in particular in conjunction with the drawing, additionally characterizes and specifies the invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a vehicle headlamp is provided, which has a shading means designed to influence a cut-off line, which is configured so that it can be switched from a driving light position to a reference position, in which the cut-off line vertical course, whereby in the reference position an adjustment of the vehicle headlamp is feasible.

Usually vehicle headlights are adjusted automatically by means of a camera system in the production of motor vehicles. The detection of a cut-off line and the determination of the relevant setting features can sometimes be difficult. A camera system scans the cut-off and, based on a gradient of the cut-off line, the significant increase is determined and used for a basic setting. Inhomogeneities, manufacturing tolerances and other disturbance variables in the vehicle headlight, such as, for example, a fringe in the projection system, lead to a misinterpretation of the cut-off line. This results in a poor basic setting and slows down the automated setting process.

According to the invention, the cut-off line is designed so that the setting can be unambiguous, simple, fast and reproducible. The vehicle headlight is moved to a setting position so that the cut-off line sets significant and easy-to-associate light markers through the abolition means. This allows a precise basic adjustment of the vehicle headlight.

In one embodiment, the shading means is a shutter or a roller.

Accordingly, the invention can be realized with roller or with shutter systems. A roller can cause a different light distribution by a rotary motion. For active high beam systems or other special light distributions, a horizontal HD line with vertical masking is known. The resulting Light distribution on the screen of a setting system is then used with the system's own parameters to adjust the basic setting.

In a further embodiment, the shading means is arranged between a light source and a projection optics.

This allows the invention to be used in many known headlamp configurations.

In a further embodiment, in the driving light position, the cut-off line corresponds to a motorway, a country road or a city light course.

Accordingly, all known driving light situations can also be achieved using the invention. The headlamp is moved to a set position so that the HD line sets significant and easy-to-associate light markers.

In a further embodiment, the vehicle headlight can be coupled with a camera system in order to carry out the adjustment.

The light-dark line can be used, for example, with regard to its gradient for adjustment. The HD line can be set faster and cleaner with the camera system thanks to a horizontal HD line deposited on the roller.

• – Bereitstellen eines Fahrzeugscheinwerfer, der geeignet ist, eine Hell-Dunkel-Grenze zu beeinflussen,
• – Aktivieren einer Referenzposition, in der die Hell-Dunkel-Grenze einen vertikalen Verlauf aufweist,
• – Justierung des Fahrzeugscheinwerfers in der Referenzposition, und
• – Aktivieren einer Fahrlichtposition.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for adjusting a vehicle headlight is described in which the following steps are carried out:

• Providing a vehicle headlamp capable of influencing a cut-off line,
• Activating a reference position in which the cut-off line has a vertical course,
• - Adjustment of the vehicle headlight in the reference position, and
• - Activate a driving light position.

In one embodiment, the activation is effected by means of a shading means, which is formed as a diaphragm or a roller.

In a further embodiment, in the driving light position, the light-dark boundary corresponds to a distance or a low beam light course.

In another embodiment, the vehicle headlight is coupled to a camera system to perform an adjustment of the vehicle headlight by using the vertical cut-off line.

In a further embodiment, the vehicle headlight is activated by means of a diagnostic interface, after mounting the headlight in a motor vehicle or via a switch in the reference position.

In a further embodiment, the vehicle headlight is installed in the reference position in a motor vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the reference position is activated via a test pattern of the headlamp, which is detected by a built-in vehicle camera.

Furthermore, a motor vehicle is specified with a vehicle headlight described above, wherein the vehicle headlamp is designed as a matrix or multi-spot light, as a projection headlamp or as a reflection headlamp.

Some embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 : a headlamp with a light-dark border in a front view,

2 FIG. 4: a headlamp with a light-dark boundary in a front view according to a comparative example, FIG.

3 : a headlamp with a cut-off in a front view during adjustment,

4 a headlight having a cut-off in a front view during adjustment according to the comparative example,

5 : a headlamp with a cut-off in a front view during adjustment,

6 a headlight having a cut-off in a front view during adjustment according to the comparative example,

7 : a component of a headlamp according to the invention in a side view,

8th : a headlamp with a cut-off in a front view during adjustment according to 7 , and

9 a method according to the invention in a flow chart.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 is in a front view a headlight 1 shown. By introducing a diaphragm or roller, the radiated light can be brought from a high beam operation in a low beam operation, which is reflected in a corresponding cut-off. The light-dark border 2 is in 1 drawn as an optimal course, which corresponds to a course without disturbances in the headlight.

Usually in the low beam operation, a road illumination is achieved, as in 2 is shown. That of the headlight 1 emitted light causes a light emission that does not have a sharp cut-off 3 having.

A camera scans the cut-off and based on the gradient, the significant increase is determined and used for the basic setting. At the optimal cut-off point 2 the rise of the camera system is quite simple and accurate, as in 3 and 5 is shown. The different sampling points 4 the optimal cut-off point 2 allow an accurate determination of the gradient 5 about the rise of the cut-off line 2 ,

At the actual cut-off point 3 the camera system can find the increase of the light-dark-border quite heavy and partly inaccurate, as in 4 and 6 is shown. The different sampling points 4 the actual cut-off line 3 do not allow accurate determination of the increase 6 about the increase in the actual cut-off line 3 ,

As in 7 shown is a vehicle headlight 1 provided, which is designed to influence a light-dark boundary shading 10 which is configured so that it can be switched from a driving light position to a reference position. In the reference position, the cut-off point is indicated 7 a vertical course 8th on, whereby in the reference position an adjustment of the vehicle headlight 1 is feasible.

The light-dark border 7 is designed so that the setting can be made clearly, simply, quickly and reproducibly. The vehicle headlight 1 is moved to a setting position, so that the cut-off line sets significant and easy to assign light markers by the shading means. This allows a precise basic adjustment of the vehicle headlight 1 ,

The shading agent 10 is an aperture or - as in 7 shown - a roller. A roller can cause a different light distribution by a rotary motion.

The resulting light distribution on the screen of a setting system is then used with the system's own parameters for adjusting the basic setting. It is likewise possible to design the roller in such a way that the radiated light in the driving-light position is located on a highway. 11 a country road 12 or a city light course 13 equivalent. In the reference position, the in 8th shown vertical course 14 the light-dark border 7 set.

In a method for adjusting a vehicle headlamp, the following steps are performed.

In step 100 there is a provision of a vehicle headlight 1 which is capable of influencing a cut-off line.

In step 101 the reference position is activated 14 in which the light-dark border 7 a vertical course 8th having.

In step 102 An adjustment of the vehicle headlight takes place 1 in the reference position 14 ,

In step 103 the driving light position is activated by selecting one of the light distributions 11 . 12 or 13 ,

As already described above, the activation by means of a shading means 10 take place, which is designed as a diaphragm or a roller.

The vehicle headlight 1 can also by means of a diagnostic interface, after mounting the headlamp 1 in the vehicle or via a switch in the reference position 14 is activated.

It is also possible that the vehicle headlight 1 in the reference position 14 is installed in a motor vehicle.

Activation of the reference position 14 can also be done via a test pattern, which is detected by a built-in vehicle camera. It is possible to deposit special test patterns as a characteristic light emission, which allow an adjustment of the vehicle headlight. The test pattern can be designed, for example, as specially arranged self-illuminating or even passively bright areas.

The vehicle headlight 1 can be designed as a matrix or multi-spot light, as a projection headlight or as a reflection headlight.

Although some possible embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that numerous other variants of embodiments exist through the possibility of combining all of the cited and further all of the obvious technical features and embodiments. It is further understood that the embodiments are to be understood as examples only, which in no way limit the scope, applicability and configuration. Rather, the foregoing description would suggest a suitable way for the skilled person to realize at least one exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that in an exemplary embodiment, numerous changes in the function and arrangement of the elements may be made without departing from the scope and equivalents disclosed in the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

headlights

2

optimal HD limit

3

actual HD limit

4

scanning positions

5

gradient

6

rise

7

vertical HD border

8th

vertical rise

10

shading

11

Motorway mode

12

Highway lighting

13

city light

14

reference position

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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 102010006190 A1 [0005]

Claims (14)

Vehicle headlamp which is used to influence a cut-off line ( 7 ) configured shadowing agent ( 10 ) that is configured to be movable from a driving light position ( 11 . 12 . 13 ) into a reference position ( 14 ), in which the cut-off line ( 7 ) a vertical course ( 8th ), whereby in the reference position ( 14 ) an adjustment of the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) is feasible. Vehicle headlight according to claim 1, in which the shading means ( 10 ) is a diaphragm or a roller. Vehicle headlight according to claim 1 or 2, in which the shading means ( 10 ) is arranged between a light source and a projection optics. Vehicle headlight according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which in the driving light position ( 11 . 12 . 13 ) the light-dark boundary corresponds to a far-field or a low-beam light course. Vehicle headlight according to one of claims 1 to 4, which can be coupled with a camera system to perform the adjustment. Method for adjusting a vehicle headlight, comprising the following steps: - providing a vehicle headlight ( 1 ), which is capable of influencing a cut-off line, - activating a reference position ( 14 ), in which the cut-off line ( 7 ) a vertical course ( 8th ), - adjustment of the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) in the reference position ( 14 ), and - activating a driving light position ( 11 . 12 . 13 ). Method according to Claim 6, in which the activation by means of a shading agent ( 10 ), which is formed as a diaphragm or a roller. Method according to Claim 7, in which the shading agent ( 10 ) is arranged between a light source and a projection optics. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein in the driving light position ( 11 . 12 . 13 ) the light-dark boundary corresponds to a far-field or a low-beam light course. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 9, in which the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) is coupled with a camera system in order to adjust the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) by placing the vertical cut-off line ( 8th ) is used. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 10, in which the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) by means of a diagnostic interface, after mounting the headlamp ( 1 ) in a motor vehicle or via a switch in the reference position ( 14 ) is activated. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 10, in which the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) in the reference position ( 14 ) is installed in a motor vehicle. Method according to one of Claims 6 to 10, in which activation of the reference position ( 14 ) via a test pattern detected by a built-in vehicle camera. Motor vehicle with a vehicle headlight ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vehicle headlight ( 1 ) is designed as a matrix or multi-spot light, as a projection headlamp or as a reflection headlamp.

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