DE102017009901A1 - Lighting system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting system for a vehicle (1) with a headlight (3) and a headlight (3) driving the control unit (5), wherein the headlight (3) comprises a plurality of HD pixel light sources (6) with individually controllable light points, the HD pixel light sources (6) of the headlamp (3) via a data connection (4) to the controller (5) are connected. The illumination system according to the invention is characterized in that the data connection (4) comprises at least two parallel data lines (4.1, 4.2), each of the data lines (4.1, 4.2) each controlling one or more of the HD pixel light sources (6) which this data line ( 4.1, 4.2) are permanently assigned. Furthermore, a putter (3) and a method for implementing a calculated in a control unit (5) target light distribution means of the illumination system for the vehicle (1) are described.

Description

The invention relates to a lighting system for a vehicle according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a headlight according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 4. The invention further relates to a method for implementing a calculated in a control unit target Light distribution by means of a lighting system for a vehicle according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 7.

From the general state of the art, headlamps for vehicles are known, which have a plurality of individual HD pixel light sources in order to enable a very targeted light distribution in the area illuminated by the respective headlamp section. Such an HD pixel light source can be understood to mean, for example, an LED chip with individually controllable light points, for example LED chips with a matrix of 32 × 32 light spots. For example, such LED chips were developed as part of a BMWF funding program called "Microstructured Adaptive Front Headlight Systems (mikroAFS)". However, HD pixel light sources in the sense of the present invention can also be understood to mean other types of HD pixel light sources, for example LED chips with smaller or larger matrices at points of light or other types of devices, such as the micromirror fields known from the field of beamers and laser projection (micro Mirror devices), which can have up to two million individually controllable and variable in their orientation mirror elements on a single unit.

A targeted control of the light distribution in the illuminated space section on headlights with such HD pixel light sources is far known from the prior art. For example, the cut-off threshold can be adjusted accordingly or oncoming traffic participants can be hidden in the light distribution so that there is no glare, although the headlight continues to illuminate a very large area of the room, for example in the form of a so-called high beam.

All these controls are based on the detection of the environment, for example via a camera. Subsequently, based on the detected environmental situation, a corresponding light distribution for the respective headlight is calculated in a control device of the headlight or for the respective headlight. This control unit is typically part of the vehicle and is connected via a data link to the headlight and arranged in the headlight HD pixel light sources. With a correspondingly large number of controllable light spots in the respective HD pixel light source, this leads to considerable data streams. For example, in the case of an LED chip having a matrix of 32 × 32 light spots, that is to say 1024 individual pixels, it is now the case that each of these light spots must be appropriately controlled with respect to its current brightness in order to realize the light distribution previously calculated in the control unit. The driving data for the respective HD pixel light source must be transferred to the HD pixel light source quickly and reliably.

A simplified example calculation shows that common data lines such as CAN or CAN FD buses are not sufficient for this. It is assumed that, for example, three HD pixel light sources each with 1024 pixels or light spots are installed in one headlight. Each of the pixels can be controlled with 256 gray levels, ie 8 bits. The changes to the photograph are to be transmitted correspondingly quickly, for example with a maximum latency of 20 ms. This results in a data rate of: $$3\times 1024\text{pixel}\times \mathrm{8th}\text{Bits / pixel}\times 1/0.02\text{s}=1.23\text{Mbit / s},$$

The transmission of the necessary data thus requires a data rate of 1.23 Mbit / s. A standard CAN bus with 500 kBit / s is therefore by far not sufficient for the transmission of the data, even if it is assumed that the overhead can be neglected by protocol data. Looking at the advanced CAN-FD bus with up to 1 Mbit / s, this variant is not enough.

The state of the art here forms the DE 10 2015 007 862 A1 in which a headlight for a vehicle with a plurality of pixel light sources and a control unit is described. The structure collects the data streams of a control unit in this together and then sends them over a data line to separate them in the spotlight back to the individual HD pixel light sources. This method can not solve the above problem, since in the transmission between the control unit and the headlight, only the data bus with one line remains available. A sufficient transmission rate can therefore be realized only by a very complex and expensive transmission module.

To further state of the art can also on the DE 10 2012 008 833 A1 to be pointed out, which shows a lighting arrangement for a headlamp, which comprises a number of light-emitting diodes which are grouped together to form fields. The one described there Number of light-emitting diodes in the individual fields is correspondingly low, so that the above problem does not come to light here.

The object of the present invention is now to provide an improved lighting system and a suitable headlight and a method corresponding thereto, which further improves the state of the art and in particular the above-mentioned problem with respect to the data rate to be transmitted in a very simple and efficient way solves.

This object is achieved by a lighting system with the features in claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. A headlamp, by which the object is also achieved, is specified in claim 4. In claim 7, a method for implementing a calculated in a control unit target light distribution is also specified, which also solves the task together with the lighting system.

In the illumination system according to the invention, it is provided that at least two parallel data lines are present, each of the data lines driving one or more of the HD pixel light sources which are permanently assigned to this data line. The required data stream for driving the HD pixel light sources is thus divided in the illumination system according to the invention to a plurality of parallel data lines, so as to transmit the required data rate.

Data lines within the meaning of the present invention can be understood to mean, in particular, data lines of serial bus systems, which typically have more than one core, if they are configured in the form of cables. Nevertheless, even those constructed with two or more wires data bus lines fall under the concept of data line in the context of the present invention.

The several parallel data lines can be designed in particular as lines of a data bus according to a very advantageous development of the illumination system. Such bus systems are well known, technically specified or standardized and accordingly easy and inexpensive available. Such structures may now be used in parallel, unlike what is typically intended for a typical serial bus. As a result, the data rates increase accordingly. Preferably, the bus can be designed as a CAN bus, a form of the bus, which is well known and common in vehicle applications, and is used in a majority of vehicles today. Such a CAN bus or, according to an advantageous development, a CAN FD bus is now suitable for transmitting a correspondingly high data rate by, for example, doubling the data lines between the control device and the headlight, in order to control the HD pixel light sources. For example, by doubling the lines of a standard CAN bus, the data rate can be increased from 500 kbit / s to 1000 kbit / s = 1 Mbit / s; through the use of a CAN-FD bus, which can handle data rates up to twice the size, accordingly to 2 Mbit / s. Another data line, so there are three such data lines, allows a further increase, so that the required data rate despite the relatively small reaction time, which is to be realized when changing the lighting, is easily possible. By using conventional lines of known data bus systems, this is correspondingly simple, inexpensive and without much modification effort both in terms of hardware and in terms of software possible.

A corresponding headlight for a vehicle with a plurality of HD pixel light sources with individually controllable light points or pixels, which is controllable via a control unit of the vehicle for the headlamp with respect to its generated light distribution, therefore, it provides according to the invention that at least two parallel connection elements are provided each of the terminals is associated with and connected to one or more of the HD pixel light sources. In this case, the connection elements can be connected to one of the numbers of data lines corresponding to the number of connecting elements coming from the control unit. Thus, the headlight has, for example, multipolar connection plugs in order to connect the abovementioned two or three or, if appropriate, more parallel bus lines to the corresponding control device for the headlight. This connection option enables efficient parallel transmission of parts of the data stream over the different data lines. As a result, even high data rates are easy and efficient to handle.

According to a very advantageous development of the idea, the connection elements are designed as connection elements for parallel lines of a respective data bus, in particular a CAN or CAN FD bus.

Another very favorable embodiment of the headlight according to the invention, it also provides that the HD pixel light sources as LED chips, each with a matrix of, preferably 1024 or more, individually controllable LEDs is formed. Especially for such HD pixel light sources in shape of LED chips with 1024 or more individually controllable LEDS or points of light, the above-mentioned embodiment is particularly suitable. In principle, however, any other HD pixel light source can also be used accordingly in the sense described above.

The inventive method for implementing a calculated in a control unit target light distribution by means of a lighting system for a vehicle with a headlamp and the headlamps driving controller. The headlight comprises several HD pixel light sources with a number of individually controllable light spots or pixels arranged thereon. The HD pixel light sources of the headlamp are connected via a data connection to the control unit. From the desired light distribution results in a necessary light intensity for each illuminated space area. According to the invention, it is provided, as in the illumination system described above, that the data connection comprises at least two parallel data lines, each of the data lines being permanently assigned to one or more of the HD pixel light sources. In order to achieve the desired light distribution, activation data are generated which contain the necessary light intensity of each individual light spot associated with a given spatial area. For each of the points of light or pixel is so clear, with which intensity he must shine. Further, it is assigned to a fixed predetermined space area to achieve the required target light distribution. It is then the case that the activation data for the respective points of light are transmitted in accordance with their arrangement on the respective HD pixel light source via the data line assigned to them. Characterized in that the targeted control of each individual light spot on the target light distribution is known, and since it is known in which of the HD pixel light sources of the respective light point is arranged, the data for the light spots to be controlled so easy according to at least split two parallel data lines by each of the control data for the respective points of light are transmitted via the respective data line, which is associated with the respective light spot having HD pixel light source.

As mentioned in the example calculation at the beginning, in the case of an HD pixel light source in the form of an LED chip with 1024 pixels or light points, for example, 256 different gray or brightness levels are available in order to achieve the desired light distribution desired. Based on the control data for the light spots in the HD pixel light sources permanently assigned to the respective data line, it is now possible to transmit the control data for the HD pixel light sources assigned to the respective data line via this data line to the headlight. For example, the data for driving the pixels 1 to 1024 are transmitted via the first data line and the data for driving the pixels 1025 to 2048, ie the second HD pixel light module, as an example of one of the LED chips described above as HD pixel light source is assumed over the other data line. When controlling, for example, two HD pixel light modules per data line, the numbers would have to be doubled accordingly, so that in this case the data for the pixels 1 to 2048 are transmitted via the one data line and the data for the pixels 2049 to 4096 via the other of the data lines would become. This makes it very simple and efficient by the calculation in the control unit itself without additional effort to distribute the appropriate data possible to split the required data reliable and highly efficient on the parallel data lines.

In the case of an assignment of one of the data lines to more than one HD pixel light source, the division can then again be analogue, for which a corresponding electronic component is necessary, which supplies the drive data for the pixels 1 to 1024 to the one HD pixel light source and the drive data for the Pixels 1025-2048 to the other HD pixel light source. As an alternative to this, it is also possible, when an assignment of one of the data lines to more than one HD pixel light source, to divide the drive data from the data line in the headlight as in a classic bus application by addressing the individual HD pixel light sources via an identifier of the data bus he follows.

The control data for all individual light spots or pixels of the HD pixel light sources essentially correspond to image data. For such image data very fast, efficient and low-loss methods for data compression are known. According to a very advantageous further development of the idea, in addition to the described division into at least two parallel data lines in the abovementioned type, a compression of the activation data can now take place so that these are transmitted in compressed form via the data lines. Since compression and decompression can take place relatively quickly and largely without loss, it is suitable for further increasing the transferable data rate so that, for example, including the compression in the above-described calculation example, two parallel "standard" CAN bus lines can be operated Nevertheless, the data rate, which is not too large in compressed form, can be transmitted simply and inexpensively via such a structure.

Further advantageous embodiments of the idea will become apparent from the embodiment, which is described below with reference to the figures.

• 1 ein prinzipmäßig angedeutetes Fahrzeug mit einem schematisch dargestellten Beleuchtungssystem gemäß der Erfindung;
• 2 ein Beleuchtungssystem gemäß der Erfindung in einer schematischen Darstellung;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Scheinwerfers in einer möglichen Ausführungsform; und
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines möglichen Aufbaus eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß der Erfindung, mit der Darstellung einer Datenanalyse zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise.

Showing:

• 1 a vehicle indicated in principle with a schematically illustrated illumination system according to the invention;
• 2 a lighting system according to the invention in a schematic representation;
• 3 a schematic representation of a headlamp according to the invention in a possible embodiment; and
• 4 a schematic representation of a possible structure of a lighting system according to the invention, with the presentation of a data analysis to explain the operation.

In the presentation of the 1 is schematically a vehicle 1 indicated. This captures its surroundings via a camera designated by 2, at least as part of an assistance system for the headlights 3 of the vehicle, with only one of the headlights here 3 , which can be seen in the direction of travel right front headlights. This spotlight will light up with one R designated space, wherein the illumination may be radiated starting from the headlights starting in individual areas of space, for example, not to dazzle oncoming traffic or the like. The individual room areas are included r denotes only a few of the indicated space areas r bear this reference. The headlight 3 itself becomes in a manner to be described in more detail later via a data connection denoted by 4 with a control device 5 for the respective headlight 3 connected. The control unit 5 In addition, data from the camera is directly or indirectly transmitted via other control components 2 provided to this, the desired desired light distribution, which is due to the headlights 3 should be generated to determine. This is known from the prior art.

In the presentation of the 2 is the control unit 5 together with the headlight 3 shown again. The desired light distribution in the headlight 3 gets over two HD pixel light sources 6 who are here with 6.1 and 6.2 are designated generated. The headlight 3 So here in the embodiment of the 2 about two such HD pixel light sources 6 , Each of the HD pixel light sources 6 For example, it can be designed as an LED chip, which comprises a plurality of individually controllable light spots or pixels. These light spots or pixels can preferably be arranged in a matrix, for example in a matrix of 32 × 32 light spots per HD pixel light source 6 , Alternative embodiments, for example in the form of so-called micro-mirror devices (MMD) or the like, are also conceivable. The concrete construction principle of the HD pixel light source 6 is of minor importance for the invention explained below. Crucial is only that in the HD pixel light sources 6 individually controllable points of light are present in appreciable number.

In practice, it is now that via the control unit 5 a detailed light distribution is calculated, the result of which is control data which includes the light intensity or brightness of each individual light spot or pixel. This then allows the corresponding illumination of each room area r in the room R achieve in the desired manner. The transmission of data from the controller 5 to the headlight 3 or its HD pixel light sources 6 must be done accordingly fast. Thus, only latencies on the order of 10 to 30 ms are acceptable. Greater time delays are hard to accept due to the typically very dynamic change of traffic situations. The data rate, which over the data connection 4 has to be transferred is therefore high accordingly. Reference is made to the example calculation presented at the beginning in the description. To get a sufficient data rate in the data connection 4 to be able to realize this, in the embodiment of the 2 two individual data lines 4.1 and 4.2 on which the controller 5 in the embodiment of 2 each with one of the HD pixel light sources 6 connect. The HD pixel light source 6.1 is via the data line 4.1 controlled so that the data line 4.1 the HD pixel light source 6.1 is permanently assigned. The same applies to the data line 4.2 , which is the HD pixel light source 6.2 is permanently assigned. Of course, the use of further data lines would be natural 4.3 etc. conceivable, which then more HD pixel light sources 6.3 etc. would be assigned.

Each of the data lines 4.1 . 4.2 the data connection 4 can be designed as a line in each case a data bus. The connection between the controller 5 and the headlight 3 or its HD pixel light sources 6.1 and 6.2 in the embodiment of the 2 So would, for example, two parallel CAN buses as data lines 4.1 and 4.2 respectively. This could be per data line 4.1 . 4.2 500 kbps, transmitted together as 1 Mbps. For controlling two HD pixel light sources 6.1 . 6.2 with in each case, for example, 1024 light points or pixels, this would be sufficient at a latency of, for example, 20 ms in practice.

In the control unit 5 In this case, a fixed division of the data takes place on the two data lines 4.1 and 4.2 , On the one hand, it is known for each individual light spot or pixel in which of the HD pixel light modules 6.1 or 6.2 he is arranged. It is also known over which of the pixels which area of space r of the room R is illuminated accordingly. The light intensity data of the pixels included in the HD pixel light module 6.1 are arranged, therefore, results from the corresponding data of the desired light distribution, from which it is known which areas of space to be illuminated with which intensity. By assigning individual pixels to the spatial regions, it is then clear which spatial regions of which of the HD pixel light modules 6.1 and 6.2 be lit up. As a result, based on this spatial allocation, the drive data can be easily transferred to the two data lines 4.1 and 4.2 split. They can be transmitted extremely quickly and efficiently. In particular, no additional data is required, such as identifiers or the like, which would unnecessarily increase the amount of data and which would slow down the overall division. Such a space-oriented distribution of the control data from the control unit on the two data lines 4.1 and 4.2 So it's extremely easy and fast.

In the presentation of the 3 is an alternative embodiment of the headlamp 3 to recognize. On the representation of the control unit 5 has been omitted. The headlight 3 in the presentation of the 3 now includes four individual HD pixel light modules 6.1 . 6.2 . 6.3 and 6.4 , These are via an electronic module 7 each indirectly via one of their permanently assigned data lines 4.1 and 4.2 from the control unit, not shown here 5 from controlled. The two data lines 4.1 and 4.2 are with two parallel connection elements 8.1 and 8.2 of the headlight 3 connected. So you are in the manner of a connector for two parallel data lines 4.1 and 4.2 at the headlight 3 infected. The headlight 3 itself then has the two parallel connection elements 8.1 and 8.2 accordingly. Each of these connection elements is connected to the electronic module via an internal data cable 7 connected to the data then back to the two associated with him HD pixel light sources 6.1 and 6.2 or. 6.3 and 6.4 divides. This can be done in the conventional manner, as is customary with bus data, that is, via a corresponding identifier, which transmits the data to the respective HD pixel light module 6 assigns.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable, the division analogous to the distribution on the two data lines 4.1 and 4.2 in the manner already described above also to make within the headlamp, so here too the division based on the illuminated space areas r is done by a fixed assignment, which is particularly simple, efficient and fast.

The variants of 2 and 3 can be combined with each other arbitrarily, so for example, the design with the connection elements on the 2 even though there are fewer HD pixel light modules here 6 exist as well as the other way around. In particular, in the representation of the 2 of course corresponding electronic components 7 inside the headlight 3 with, for example, filters or electronic units for decompressing data if the data is over the data lines 4.1 and 4.2 have been transmitted in compressed form.

Furthermore, it is now possible in the area of the control unit 5 the data, in particular after their allocation to the respective data lines 4.1 and 4.2 to compress accordingly so as to be able to transmit the compressed data. Finally, since the desired light distribution corresponds to a gray scale image, known compression techniques are able to compress the data quickly, efficiently and without data loss. The compressed data can then be transmitted at an even higher data rate over the individual data lines 4.1 and 4.2 transfer. They are in the area of the headlight 3 decompressed again and are then directly to control the HD pixel light modules 6 to disposal. This compression, which can optionally be provided with, allows the data rate to be increased even further.

Finally, in the presentation of the 4 again the control unit 5 as well as the interior of the headlamp 3 , which is not indicated again in its entirety, to recognize. The headlight 3 in the illustrated embodiment, four of the HD pixel light sources 6.1 to 6.4 include. Two of each HD pixel light sources 6.1 and 6.2 on the one hand and 6.3 and 6.4 On the other hand, there is an electronic module 7 combined to a light source module and controlled together. The data lines 4.1 and 4.2 are here each indicated as lines with two different poles, as is realized in practice. For example, it may be two CAN buses or CAN FD buses running in parallel and the controller 5 with the respective HD pixel light sources 6.1 and 6.2 on the one hand and 6.3 and 6.4 on the other hand. To analyze whether the data transmission works in the desired manner is in the presentation of the 4 also an analysis tool 12 , in this case, for example, a CANoe with implied. This is via appropriate lines 9 with sensors 10 on each of the data lines 4.1 and 4.2 connected. Now, for example, in the controller over the example with 11 displayed connection from the analysis tool 12 a control are triggered, for example, a control in the HD pixel light source 6.1 , Each of the HD pixel light sources 6.1 to 6.4 has in the analysis screen of the analysis tool 12 an associated line of potential between the two wires of the data line 6.1 and 6.2 , This is represented by different types of lines. For example, in the analysis tool 12 With 6.1 dashed line dashed line, with 6.2 drawn line drawn with the 6.3 drawn line dash-dotted and the with 6.4 drawn line dotted. Should now a control of the HD pixel light source 6.1 be done, so in the curve of the potential to detect a corresponding jump up, which by the sensor 10 is recorded accordingly. The control of the HD pixel light source 6.1 according to the arrow 11 triggers the corresponding response directly. About the analysis tool 12 So it can be understood whether the desired functionality is given, which is the case here. The review also allows the review of other control options and is used for the detailed analysis of data transmission over the two parallel CAN buses used as data lines 4.1 and 4.2 in the embodiment shown here.

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 102015007862 A1 [0007]
• DE 102012008833 A1 [0008]

Claims (10)

Illumination system for a vehicle (1) with a headlight (3) and a control unit (5) controlling the headlight (3), the headlight (3) comprising a plurality of HD pixel light sources (6) with individually controllable light spots, the HD pixel light sources (6) of the headlamp (3) are connected to the control device (5) via a data connection (4), characterized in that the data connection (4) comprises at least two parallel data lines (4.1, 4.2), each of the data lines (4.1, 4.2) each one or more of the HD pixel light sources (6) drives, which are permanently assigned to this data line (4.1, 4.2). Lighting system after Claim 1 , characterized in that each of the data lines (4.1, 4.2) is designed as a line in each case a data bus. Lighting system after Claim 2 , characterized in that the data bus is designed as a CAN bus, preferably as a CAN FD bus. Headlight (3) for a vehicle (1) which can be controlled via a control unit (5) of the vehicle (1) for the headlight (3) with regard to its light distribution to be generated, with a plurality of HD pixel light sources (6) with individually controllable light spots, characterized in that at least two parallel connection elements (8.1, 8.2) are provided, wherein each of the connection elements (8.1, 8.2) associated with one or more of the HD pixel light sources (6) and with this / this is connected, and wherein the connection elements (8.1 , 8.2) with a coming from the control unit (5) number of, the number of connection elements (8.1, 8.2), corresponding data lines (4.1, 4.2) are connectable. Headlight after Claim 4 , characterized in that the connection elements (8.1, 8.2) as connecting elements (8.1, 8.2) for parallel data lines (4.1, 4.2) each have a data bus, in particular a CAN or CAN FD bus, are formed. Headlight after Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the HD pixel light sources (6) as LED chips each having a matrix of, preferably at least 1024, individually controllable LED are formed as light points. Method for implementing a target light distribution calculated in a control unit (5) by means of a lighting system for a vehicle (1) with a headlight (3) controlled by the control unit (5), the headlight (3) comprising a plurality of HD pixel light sources ( 6) with a number of individually controllable light spots arranged thereon, wherein the HD pixel light sources (6) of the headlight (3) are connected to the control unit (5) via a data connection (4), the target light distribution provides a necessary light intensity for each room area (r) to be illuminated, characterized in that the data connection (4) comprises at least two parallel data lines (4.1, 4.2), each of the data lines (4.1, 4.2) respectively one or more of the HD pixel light sources (6) is permanently assigned, wherein to achieve the desired light distribution control data to the necessary light intensity of each one a given space area (r) added ordered light point are generated, after which the drive data for the respective light points according to their arrangement on the respective HD pixel light source (6) via the associated data line (4.1, 4.2) are transmitted. Method according to Claim 7 , characterized in that when assigning one of the data lines (4.1, 4.2) to more than one HD pixel light source (6) the distribution of the drive data from the data line (4.1, 4.2) to the HD pixel light sources (6) in the headlight ( 3) takes place analogously to the division of the control data on the data lines (4.1, 4.2) in the control unit. Method according to Claim 7 , characterized in that when assigning one of the data lines (4.1, 4.2) to more than one HD pixel light source (6) the distribution of the drive data from the data line (4.1, 4.2) to the HD pixel light sources (6) in the headlight ( 3) via an addressing of each of these data line (4.1, 4.2) permanently assigned HD pixel light sources (6) via an identifier in the data of the data bus. Method according to one of Claims 7 . 8th or 9 , characterized in that the transmission of the control data via the data lines (4.1, 4.2) takes place in compressed form.

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