EP2872364A1

EP2872364A1 - Method for controlling an interior lighting system in a vehicle and interior lighting system

Info

Publication number: EP2872364A1
Application number: EP13736859.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulrich Backes
Original assignee: BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH
Current assignee: BCS Automotive Interface Solutions GmbH
Priority date: 2012-07-11
Filing date: 2013-07-05
Publication date: 2015-05-20
Also published as: CN104428168B; WO2014009262A1; JP2015525706A; JP6280547B2; DE102012013783B4; WO2014009264A1; US20150145410A1; DE102012013783A1; US9758093B2; US20150224924A1; US9950659B2; DE102012013783C5; CN104428167B; CN104428168A; CN104428167A; EP2872365A1; JP2015528768A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an interior lighting system (25) in a vehicle (18), comprising a plurality of lighting means (26a - 26g) that can be controlled independently of each other. According to the invention, a moving light pattern, especially a wave light pattern, is generated depending on vehicle operating data by separately controlling the individual lighting means (26a - 26g), all lighting means (26a - 26g) being controlled with the same or similar light pattern, and the lighting means (26a - 26g) being controlled to generate the light pattern in a time-offset manner. The time-offset with which the lighting means (26a - 26g) are controlled depends on the speed of the vehicle.

Description

Method for controlling interior lighting in a vehicle and interior lighting

The invention relates to a method for controlling an interior lighting according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to an interior lighting for a vehicle.

From DE 10 2010 018 336 and DE 10 201 1014 262 A1 vehicle interior lighting with a plurality of bulbs are known, which can generate a defined pattern of light in the vehicle by the bulbs are controlled separately. Modern vehicles have always better noise insulation and better suspension, so that driving noise, such as wind, rolling or engine noise, are effectively reduced in the vehicle interior. Although this increases the ride comfort of the vehicle. For the driver of the vehicle, but this makes it difficult to correctly estimate the speed or acceleration of the vehicle.

Although the driver receives feedback about the driving state, for example about the speed of the vehicle, via the control instruments of the vehicle, for example via the speedometer. However, the driver can be distracted by other indicators and controls in the vehicle or by the traffic situation of these control instruments, so that the driver can not perceive a speed change in time. In addition, especially on long trips with the vehicle, the driver's attention may decrease, so that it is difficult for the driver to perceive all the information of the control instruments. The object of the invention is to provide a system and a method which allows the driver to better estimate the driving condition of the vehicle.

To achieve the object, a method for controlling an interior lighting in a vehicle with a plurality of separately controllable lighting mittein provided, wherein depending on vehicle operating data by separately driving the individual lighting means, a motion light pattern, in particular a wave pattern is generated. The basic idea of the invention is to use an interior lighting, which indirectly or directly illuminates the interior of the vehicle, for informing the driver about various vehicle operating states, for example the driving speed. The motion light pattern is generated by separately driving the light source, wherein a light duration, a turn-off and a light pause and the luminosity can be set separately for each light source.

By targeted activation of the individual lighting means, for example, a motion light pattern can be generated in the vehicle, which imitates the light changes when driving through an avenue or a road through a wooded area with a low sun. As a result of the incidence of light, dark, shady areas and areas with direct incidence of light are created on such a street. The driver passes through these areas with the vehicle and receives an effective feedback about the actual speed of the vehicle due to the periodic change between brightness and shadow. If the vehicle drives faster, these changes between light and dark areas are correspondingly faster or slower at a low speed. On such a road, even without looking at the speedometer, the driver can perceive a change in speed due to the faster or slower light change or estimate its speed due to these light changes. The invention is based on the idea of imitating the motion light pattern of such a natural light / dark change in the vehicle to the driver even in the absence of such external clues, due to which no assessment of the driving speed is possible, an optical feedback on the driving condition of the vehicle give. The brightness difference does not have to correspond to the actual brightness differences on such a street. The change of helmet need only be so strong that the driver can perceive it consciously or subconsciously. On the other hand, it would also be possible strong light changes, especially in wooded areas to dampen, so that the driver is not distracted so much by the strong light changes.

In addition, the driver's brain can be stimulated by a corresponding motion light pattern, so that fatigue of the driver can be prevented by the method according to the invention or it can at least be delayed.

For example, the motion light pattern is intended to simulate the natural motion light pattern in the vehicle as it traverses a road in a wooded area or alley. This is done by generating a substantially periodically recurring pattern of light. Due to the periodically recurring change between the switching on of the lighting means and the switching off of the lighting means, the change between shadows and bright areas of such an avenue is simulated.

In order to generate such a motion light pattern in the vehicle, according to the invention, all bulbs are driven with a same or at least similar light pattern, wherein the bulbs are controlled in a time-shifted manner with the light pattern. A feedback on the driving speed or an acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is given by the lamps in the vehicle longitudinal direction, in particular in the direction of travel, are driven offset in time, so that a running in the vehicle longitudinal direction of motion light pattern is generated.

In order to avoid habituation of the vehicle occupant to this light pattern or to simulate a more natural, irregular course, the period of this light pattern can in particular have a defined variance, so that the lighting duration or the switch-off duration of the individual lighting means is varied within a certain defined range.

In order to allow the driver to estimate the vehicle speed, the time offset of the lighting means is preferably selected so that the motion light pattern moves with the speed of the vehicle opposite to the direction of travel, whereby a motion light pattern is generated, the natural light-shadow change when driving through a wooded area imitated. In order to provide the driver with feedback about a transverse acceleration of the vehicle, for example when cornering, it is also conceivable that the lighting means are controlled offset in the vehicle transverse direction, so that a moving light pattern running in the vehicle transverse direction of the vehicle is generated.

The time offset with which the lighting means are controlled may be dependent on the driving speed of the vehicle, for example. This time offset can be controlled such that the speed of the moving light pattern in the vehicle longitudinal direction or in the vehicle transverse direction corresponds to the actual speed of the vehicle in this direction. But it is also conceivable that the time offset is controlled so that the motion light pattern is faster or slower than the actual speed of the vehicle and the driver thus, for example, a too high or too low speed is simulated. For example, by simulating too high a speed, the driver may be made to slow down.

The time offset with which the lighting means are controlled, however, can also be dependent on the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal or transverse direction, so that the driver receives feedback about the acceleration of the vehicle. This is at lateral accelerations, especially when cornering beneficial.

The vehicle operation data used to control the motion light pattern may include, for example, acceleration or speed data of the vehicle. However, it is also conceivable that the vehicle operating data contain environmental data that is recorded via a sensor, in particular a light sensor. As a result, for example, the ambient brightness can be measured, and the brightness and / or the light pattern of the individual light sources can be controlled accordingly. Thus, the motion light pattern can be adjusted so that the driver receives a feedback about the driving condition of the vehicle, but not too much distraction of the vehicle occupant, for example, by too bright lighting of the bulbs, he follows. The intensity of the motion light pattern can also be adjusted manually by the driver.

The vehicle operating data can be stored in a memory, so that for various operating conditions of the vehicle, the corresponding data can be read from this memory. It is conceivable, for example, for this vehicle operating data to be compared with a positioning system, for example a GPS, so that a defined motion light pattern is stored or defined for certain routes, which can be called up when driving through the corresponding route. The vehicle operating data can also be determined, for example, via the location system.

In addition to the motion light pattern, the light pattern of the individual light sources may also depend on the driving speed of the vehicle. At a higher speed, the natural alternations between brightness and darkness are correspondingly shorter, so that the light sources are controlled so that the lighting duration or the lighting pauses are correspondingly shorter.

Accordingly, the light pattern of the individual lamps can also be dependent on the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal or in the transverse direction.

To achieve the object, an interior lighting for a vehicle with a lighting device is further provided, which has at least two light sources, which can be controlled separately, and with a controller that can control the lamps separately. The lighting means are controlled by a method according to the invention and at least one sensor is provided for detecting vehicle operating data.

The interior lighting preferably has a memory for vehicle-specific data, so that for certain driving conditions, a motion light pattern can be retrieved or cached, with which the light source or the interior lighting can be controlled.

Preferably, the lighting means are arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction or in the vehicle transverse direction, so that by a time-offset control the light source feedback on the driving speed or the acceleration of the vehicle is possible.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In these show:

FIG. 1 shows a representation of a natural light pattern of a vehicle when driving through a wooded road,

FIG. 2 shows a representation of a light pattern at a point of the moving vehicle when driving through the road from FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a movement light pattern in a moving vehicle when driving through the road from FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an interior lighting according to the invention,

- Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the control of the interior lighting of Figure 3, - Figure 6 is a detailed representation of the method according to the invention for driving a lamp of the interior lighting of Figure 3, and

FIG. 7 shows the driving method for a further light source of the interior lighting from FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a road 10 that leads through a wooded area 12. Due to the incidence of light 10 areas 14 with low brightness or shadows and areas 16 with direct light, so with high brightness arise on the street. A vehicle 18 which travels on the road 10 in a direction of movement L traverses these dark or light areas 14, 16. At a measuring point arbitrarily positioned in the vehicle 18, the light pattern 24 illustrated in FIG the measurement point is the areas 14 with low brightness, the light intensity at the measurement point for this period is lower (sections 20). If the measuring point crosses bright areas, the light intensity at the measuring point is correspondingly higher for this period (sections 22). The duration of the sections 20, 22 is dependent on the width of the bright or dark areas 14, 16 of the road and the speed of the vehicle 18. In principle, the sections 20, 22 become shorter as the speed increases.

FIG. 3 shows a movement light pattern that is composed of the light patterns 24A-24G of different measurement points which are distributed uniformly in the vehicle 18 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 18. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the course of the light patterns 24A-24G is approximately the same since the measurement points traverse the same dark and light regions 14, 16. A slight variation is possible, for example, in the case of an avenue by the movements of the trees, which can lead to a slightly altered light-dark pattern.

However, since the measuring points are arranged offset in the direction of travel, they occur with a time offset in a light or dark area, so that the light patterns at the individual points A to G are offset in time to each other. This time offset is thus dependent on the speed of the vehicle 18.

Since both the light pattern at a certain measuring point, ie the duration of the dark sections 20 and the bright sections 22, and the light pattern composed of a plurality of light patterns 24A-24G are dependent on the speed of the vehicle 18, a driver is affected Such light distribution pattern easier to estimate the speed of the vehicle 18.

The invention is based on the idea to mimic these light changes in the vehicle 18 in order to enable the driver, even in the absence of such a natural light change, an intuitive assessment of the driving condition, for example the speed traveled. This is particularly advantageous in modern vehicles, since the driver receives less feedback on the actual driving speed in these due to better noise reduction and more modern chassis. Due to the many displays or controls in the vehicle, the driver can also be distracted from the speedometer of the vehicle, so that the driver can not perceive a speed change in time. In order to give the driver nevertheless a feedback about the driven speed, the interior lighting shown in Figure 4 25 of a vehicle 18 is provided.

The interior lighting 25 has a plurality of lighting means 26a to 26g, which are arranged one behind the other in the vehicle longitudinal direction L in the embodiment shown here. The interior lighting 25 furthermore has at least one sensor (not illustrated here) for detecting vehicle operating data or environmental data, and a control 28 shown schematically in FIG. 5. The control 28 can control the lighting means 26a to 26g separately from one another, wherein the control 28 controls the lighting duration, Luminous pauses and the luminous intensity of the individual bulbs 26a to 26g can control.

Furthermore, the controller 28 can record or process vehicle operating data, for example the driving speed, an acceleration or the position of the vehicle, or else environmental data such as, for example, the ambient brightness or corresponding brightness changes.

The controller 28 controls the individual lighting means 26a to 26g depending on measured vehicle operating data, such as the driving speed or the acceleration of the vehicle or the ambient brightness separately from each other.

By an appropriate choice of the illumination duration or the switch-off of the individual bulbs 26a to 26g and a temporal offset when driving the individual bulbs 26a to 26g can be imitated by the controller 28 in the vehicle, a motion light pattern that the natural motion light pattern shown in Figure 3 when driving through a road 10 through a wooded area corresponds. As a result, the driver of the vehicle 18, even in the absence of external clues, for example, in the dark, a feedback about the actual driven speed can be taught. By the movement light pattern or the variation of the motion light pattern can also be a stimulation of the brain of the driver done, which can counteract fatigue of the driver. The light pattern of the individual light sources 26a to 26g may be a periodically recurring light pattern. The lighting duration or the switch-off duration of the individual lighting means 26a to 26g, however, may vary in a defined range, for example randomly controlled, in order to counteract a habituation effect and / or to make the motion light pattern appear more natural.

A driving method of the lighting means 26a to 26g is shown by way of example with reference to a lighting means 26a. In a first step, a probable light width of a bright area 16 is generated via a random number generator 30. By dividing this light width by the current speed of the vehicle 18, the luminous duration of the luminous means 26a is calculated. This is added to the current time and thus determines the time at which the bulb 26a is turned off, so the simulated entry into a dark area 14 takes place. This value is stored in a time-controlled memory 32.

This memory 32 performs a constant comparison of the time values of the stored events with the current time and triggers when applicable comparison, switching on the lamp or off the bulb. Subsequently, a second random number generator 34 generates a value for a probable shadow width of the area 14. This shadow width is divided by the speed of the vehicle 18 and thus determines the duration of the switching off of the light source 26a. Addition to the current time results in the time at which the vehicle exits the simulated shadow and the light source 26 is switched on again.

Subsequently, this process is repeated.

The driving of two adjacent lighting means 26a, 26b is shown schematically in FIG. The distance between the light sources 26a, 26b is divided by the speed of the vehicle, resulting in the time lag between the light patterns of the individual bulbs 26a, 26g. As a result, the time-delayed switch-on or switch-off times for the individual lighting means 26a, 26g are calculated and stored in the memory 32. The switch-on and switch-off times are compared with the actual time. If the actual time of the determined switch-on or switch-off time corresponds to the corresponding event for the respective lighting means 26a, 26b is triggered. The time offset with which the lighting means 26a to 26g are controlled depends on the driving speed or the acceleration in the exemplary embodiment shown here. If the driver is to be given a feel for the actually driven speed of the vehicle, the time offset is selected such that it corresponds to the actually traveled driving speed, that is to say that the motion light pattern corresponds to that of a forest section driven through at the same speed.

The luminosity of the individual bulbs is chosen so that the motion light pattern can be perceived by the vehicle occupant, but does not distract the driver or dazzles, for example. However, it is also conceivable that the movement light pattern has a shorter time offset or a longer time offset, so that the driver is given the impression of a higher vehicle speed or a lower vehicle speed, for example to alert the driver to an excessive speed or to make him slower to drive.

For example, the driver can also regulate the time offset, for example via an additional operating unit, so that the latter can set the speed or the time offset so that it is pleasant for the driver. In the embodiment shown here, the lighting means 26a to 26g are arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction L. As a result, a simulation of the driving speed of the vehicle is possible. With a corresponding activation of the lighting means 26a to 26g, an acceleration of the vehicle can also be visualized in order to give the driver an impression of the acceleration of the vehicle.

Furthermore, it is also possible that the lighting means 26a to 26g are arranged transversely in the vehicle, so that the driver via the bulbs 26a to 26g, a feedback about a lateral velocity or a lateral acceleration, for example, when cornering, can be given. The lateral acceleration can be determined via additional sensors or, for example, via stored road data, which are compared with a GPS.

The lighting means 26a to 26g are arranged on the headliner of the vehicle 18 in the embodiment shown here. But it is also conceivable that these are arranged at a different location in the vehicle, for example on the vehicle floor. The lighting means 26a to 26g, for example, illuminate the interior directly, but it is conceivable that these, in order to avoid glare of the vehicle occupants, indirectly illuminate the interior by reflection.

The light sources 26a to 26g are, for example, LEDs that enable large-area illumination of the interior. Preferably, these are dimmable, so that it is possible to adapt the brightness of the light patterns 26a to 26g, for example to the brightness outside or inside the vehicle. The driver can also adjust the brightness of the light pattern itself, for example via an operating unit. If the lamps 26a to 26g are dimmable, a slow transition between light phases and dark phases is also possible, which is more pleasant for the driver. This can be done for example by a sinusoidal curve between brightness and darkness.

The controller 28 may, for example, have a memory in which corresponding motion light patterns are stored for different operating states of the vehicle. It is also conceivable for the controller 28 to precalculate the motion light pattern or the light patterns for the individual light sources 26a to 26g and, for example, to resort to route data of a GPS.

The interior lighting can also be permanently switched on for another use of the vehicle, for example for reading. It is also conceivable that the controller determines the number of vehicle occupants and an activation of the lighting means 26a to 26g takes place only in areas in which vehicle occupants are located.

Claims

claims

1 . Method for controlling an interior lighting (25) in a vehicle (18) with a plurality of separately controllable light sources (26a - 26g), wherein a motion light pattern, in particular a wave pattern, is generated as a function of vehicle operating data by separately driving the individual light sources (26a - 26g) , wherein all lighting means (26a - 26g) are driven with a same or similar light pattern, and wherein the lighting means (26a - 26g) are controlled with a time offset with the light pattern, characterized in that the time offset with which the lighting means (26a - 26g) be dependent on the driving speed of the vehicle is dependent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a substantially periodically recurring light pattern is generated, wherein the period of the light pattern in particular has a defined variance.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lighting means (26a - 26g) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (L), in particular in the direction of travel, are driven offset in time, so that a running in the vehicle longitudinal direction of motion light pattern is generated.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lighting means (26a - 26g) are driven offset in time in the vehicle transverse direction, so that a running in the vehicle transverse direction of the vehicle motion light pattern is generated.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time offset with which the lighting means (26a - 26g) are driven, is dependent on the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle operating data include acceleration or speed data of the vehicle.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle operating data contain environmental data, which are received via a sensor, in particular a light sensor.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle operating data are stored in a memory.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light pattern is dependent on the driving speed of the vehicle.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light pattern is dependent on the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction.

1 1. Interior lighting (25) for a vehicle (18) with at least two light sources (26a - 26g), which can be controlled separately, and with a controller (28) which can control the light sources (26a - 26g) separately, characterized in that the lighting means (26a - 26g) are controlled by a method according to one of the preceding claims and that at least one sensor is provided for detecting vehicle operating data.

12. Interior lighting according to claim 1 1, characterized in that a memory (32) is provided for the vehicle-specific data.

13. Interior lighting according to one of claims 1 1 and 12, characterized in that the lighting means (26 a - 26 g) are arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (L) and / or in the vehicle transverse direction.