DE102011002894A1 - Illumination device for illuminating e.g. abdomen of rider of motorcycle, has recognition arrangement to recognize and evaluate momentary environment of vehicle, and vary parameters of lighting unit based on evaluation result - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a lighting unit (14) for radiating a light beam (15) on a body part e.g. abdomen and breast portion, of a rider (12) of a vehicle i.e. motorcycle (11). A recognition arrangement (16) automatically recognizes and evaluates a momentary environment of the vehicle, and varies the parameters i.e. color of the light beam, of the lighting unit based on a result of the evaluation. The recognition arrangement recognizes the subject matters, people, and/or local weather conditions. Another lighting unit (17) radiates another light beam (18) on another part of the body of the rider.

Description

The invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle, in particular the invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle for open driving.

A vehicle for open driving operation is understood to mean a vehicle whose driver is exposed to an environment of the vehicle, such as a motorcycle, a motorcycle-like vehicle, a scooter, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a so-called so-called quad and the like or even a bicycle. These vehicles usually have headlamps for illuminating a road in the direction of travel and tail lights for marking the vehicle for subsequent vehicles. In addition to the illumination of the road to be traveled by means of the headlight, the headlight and the tail light are known to make the vehicle visible to other road users, especially at night or in bad weather conditions.

In order to achieve an improved visibility of the vehicle and thus increase the traffic safety for the vehicle and its passengers, a great deal of effort has already been made. Thus, the technology of the headlights was steadily improved and in particular increased their luminosity.

Nevertheless, the visibility of the vehicles for other road users continue to be a major difficulty. Due to an increasing traffic volume and associated increased vehicle density, the number of light sources in the road increases significantly, so that it is increasingly difficult for a road user, the respective light source a particular Assign vehicle and in particular to identify two-wheelers as such. However, this is important for proper estimation of the speed and distance to the vehicle in order to avoid collisions.

In addition, the increasingly powerful vehicle headlights and corresponding street lighting, but also illuminated advertising advertising or the like, in particular at night or in poor weather conditions cause a certain basic brightness, which produces a diffuse lighting situation. This also makes recognition of the vehicle difficult if the lighting of the vehicle can not stand out sufficiently from it. As a result, vehicles with a known lighting can be easily overlooked.

Therefore, various measures have already been taken to improve the visibility of the vehicles. For example, motorcyclists wear clothing with special, reflective sections so that the driver's body can be seen in addition to the headlights of the vehicle. However, this measure is based only on a reflection of light, which must be generated by a foreign light source. If these are missing, then no reflection and thus no improved recognizability is possible. In addition, an optimal illumination of the reflectors must be made in order to achieve the brightest possible reflection. However, due to a conventionally inclined orientation of known vehicle headlamps to reduce glare for oncoming vehicles, optimum glaring is generally not possible, so that the said reflectors are as a rule not illuminated directly but only indirectly by scattered light. Consequently, only a reduced portion of the light is reflected.

It is also known from the prior art to provide active lighting devices for two-wheelers, which in addition to the known front and rear headlamps allow additional active lighting of the driver or a passenger to make the driver visible to other road users and aware.

That's how it shows EP 0 952 073 A2 a bicycle lamp comprising means for redirecting a beam of light to illuminate a cyclist on a front of his torso.

From the DE 40 12 771 C2 It is known to provide a vehicle for open driving, such as a bicycle or a motorcycle, with lighting means for illuminating a rear of a driver or a passenger.

However, the proposed devices have the disadvantage that a steady and constant illumination of the driver is provided. However, this presents, in particular in connection with the above-described general high illumination intensity by stronger vehicle headlights and street lighting, the difficulty that these devices offer no way of sufficiently distinguishing the vehicle to be marked from the general illuminated environment, for example a diffusely illuminated road different light sources and make it particularly recognizable for other road users.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a lighting device, which allows improved visibility of the vehicle or its driver and draws attention to the vehicle in order to reduce the risk of collision.

This object is achieved by a lighting device according to the subject of claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 10.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims 2 to 9 or 11th

Accordingly, a lighting device for a vehicle is described, with a lighting unit for providing a first light beam for illuminating at least a part of a driver of the vehicle and a detection arrangement. The recognition arrangement is designed to automatically detect and evaluate a current environment of the vehicle, and parameters of the lighting unit are changeable in response to a result of the evaluation.

The lighting device thus makes it possible to variably illuminate a driver depending on external criteria. For this purpose, the recognition arrangement with the lighting unit is communication-technically effective coupled, so that a corresponding control of the lighting unit is made possible based on the results of the evaluation. The detection arrangement detects and evaluates information about the environment or environment in which the vehicle is currently located. Based on results of this evaluation, the control of the lighting unit takes place. For this purpose, parameters of the lighting unit can be changed and variably adapted to predefined specifications or scenarios. These will be explained in detail below.

According to an embodiment of the illumination device, the detection of the current environment comprises a location determination. Accordingly, the recognition arrangement is designed to determine a current location of the vehicle. For example, this can be done via a navigation device, so that the current location and preferably also the current direction of movement can be detected. From this, the environment can then be determined and evaluated on the basis of navigation data of the navigation device. This evaluation can be made in such a way that, for example, imminent, approaching danger spots are identified. Thus, road junctions, junctions, pedestrian crossings or other potential danger spots may be identified where good visibility of the driver for other road users may be required to prevent collision therewith. If a danger point has been determined in this way, then the adaptation of the parameters of the illumination unit takes place.

According to another embodiment, recognizing the current environment comprises recognizing objects and / or persons. This means that beyond the detection of the environment. Obstacles that could possibly be a source of danger and for which there is a risk of collision. In this way, stationary or moving obstacles are recognizable, which can not be determined by a pure location determination based on navigation data. In addition to the objects mentioned, other road users or animals are to be understood as obstacles. For example, an ambient or distance radar or other systems for distance and environment detection can be used to detect them in order to prevent a possible collision.

Furthermore, recognizing the current environment may include detecting local weather conditions. This may, for example, be of importance for an evaluation of a potential danger spot, which only becomes such in the case of rain, fog, ice or other unfavorable weather-related changes. Devices for detecting the weather conditions are known in vehicle construction and include, for example, temperature sensors and rain sensors. Thus, if rain or a temperature near the freezing point is detected, an extended braking distance in front of a danger point can, for example, be taken into account and an adaptation of the parameters can be carried out accordingly early.

According to another embodiment, the detection of the current environment comprises a communication connection to external communication devices for transmitting information. External communication devices are to be understood as those which are not arranged in the vehicle itself but are provided as infrastructure of the environment or by other road users. For example, it is possible to provide communication in the form of a transmission of data between different vehicles or systems of an infrastructure. Such communication connections are already known and enable a wireless and dynamic networking of the vehicles and the infrastructure with each other for the exchange of vehicle data, status data or position data and the like. In particular, so-called cooperative transponder systems are known, which allow an exchange of relative positions of several road users.

Thus, an approach of one vehicle to another can be determined or tracked and a potential collision risk can already be determined in advance. For example, a first vehicle waiting at an intersection can notify an approaching second vehicle, inter alia, of its location and its direction of travel. Based on this, the approaching second vehicle can determine whether a collision could be feared. If this is the case, then the parameters of the lighting unit can be adjusted according to the above description, so that the approaching second vehicle for the waiting first vehicle or its driver is easier to recognize and an actual collision is prevented. Likewise, a communication with stationary systems of the infrastructure can be provided. This can, for example, provide communication with a traffic light system or the like in order to identify the associated intersection or junction as a danger location and to initiate the described measure.

As already mentioned above by way of example, the lighting device for detecting the current environment may comprise at least one of a group consisting of a GPS sensor, an ambient radar, a distance radar, a camera, a night vision device, a rain sensor, a light sensor and a wireless communication device. However, it is also possible that the lighting device can access all the devices mentioned for detecting the current environment, as far as they are already present in the vehicle, so that they do not have to be provided in the lighting device itself. If required, these are integrated as external components. For this purpose, the lighting device can preferably be coupled to an on-board electronics of the vehicle, so that a data exchange is made possible.

According to one embodiment, an intensity of the light beam can be changed as a parameter. This means that, if necessary, the light beam can be switched to brighter or darker. In this way, the driver of the vehicle can be lit stronger or weaker, if necessary, and thus be better or less visible to other road users. The variation may allow either constant lighting or timed lighting, so that the driver is illuminated either constantly or with flashes of light in a pulsed manner for a certain period of time. It is also possible to provide additional light sources for amplifying the light beam. A requirement is, for example, if an evaluation recognizes a potential danger point or a dangerous situation due to a suspicion of a collision.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that a color of the light beam is variable as a parameter. This allows a change of color, for example due to predefined conditions. If an imminent collision or danger spot is detected, then a hue of the lighting can be changed, so that there is an improved recognizability of the vehicle or of the driver for other road users. This can be done, for example, such that upon detection of a potential danger point or an imminent risk of collision, the driver is first illuminated with light of a first color to make it visible to the other road users and make the vehicle identifiable. Exacerbates the danger situation in addition, for example, due to a classified in the evaluation of the recognition arrangement as critical situation, the color of a signal color, such as the color red, change to facilitate the other road users a recognition of the vehicle in addition and thus the Danger situation averted if possible. Of course, other shades are also possible to ensure improved perception by the other road users or possibly to meet existing legal requirements. Of course, a combination with the measures described above is possible.

According to a further embodiment, the illumination device comprises a second illumination unit for providing a second light beam for illuminating a further part of the driver. By means of a second lighting unit thus two sections of the driver can be illuminated independently. For example, the first lighting unit can illuminate a front side to make the driver visible to road users who are in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel. The second lighting unit can illuminate a rear side of the driver, so that it is recognizable for subsequent vehicles. Preferably, that lighting unit is controlled and actuated in case of need, which is associated with a respective direction in which the danger point lies or threatens the risk of collision. The second illumination unit is designed in accordance with the first illumination unit, so that reference is made to the description of the features of the first illumination unit. The described assignment of the first and second lighting unit to the said body parts of the driver is to be understood merely as an example and can therefore also be reversed. Preferably, the lighting units each comprise a number of LEDs as light sources. These allow a high brightness and dimming of the intensity of their light as well as a quick response. Furthermore, LEDs of different colors can be combined to form a lighting unit to enable the changeability of the light beam color.

Preferably, a motorcycle clothing adapted to the lighting device may also be provided for the driver of the motorcycle. This has at defined points of clothing reflectors, which can preferably be directly illuminated by the light beam of the lighting unit. For this purpose, the lighting unit is designed such that it can be directed to the reflectors. Thus, a particularly advantageous and bright reflection is possible, since the reflectors are not only illuminated by a scattered light, but are selectively illuminated. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a plurality of reflectors at different locations of the motorcycle clothing, which can be illuminated depending on the direction of the potential danger. Also preferably, the reflectors are adapted to reflect the light in an angular range of at least 170 degrees within a horizontal plane to be as possible to be seen from different directions.

In addition to the described improved recognizability of the driver for other road users, the lighting device described also offers the possibility of alerting the driver to an approaching danger situation. He notices the light beams provided and is warned accordingly. Alternatively, in the field of vision of the driver, for example in the area of the usual operating elements, a corresponding indication can be provided as an indication of an approaching danger situation, which is activated accordingly.

Furthermore, a vehicle with a lighting device for illuminating at least a part of a driver is proposed, wherein the lighting device is designed according to the given description. Preferably, the vehicle is designed as a vehicle for open driving, such as a motorcycle, a motorcycle-like vehicle, a scooter, a so-called all-terrain vehicle (short: ATV) or a so-called quad and the like or a bicycle.

The invention will be described in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the figures. Show it

1 a motorcycle with a lighting device according to the invention for illuminating a driver,

2 a schematic block diagram of a lighting device according to the invention and

3 exemplary applications of the lighting device according to the invention in a schematic representation.

1 shows a motorcycle 11 with a lighting device according to the invention for illuminating a driver 12 of the motorcycle 11 , The lighting device comprises a first lighting unit 14 for providing a first light beam 15 for lighting a first part of the driver 12 , This irradiated in the illustrated embodiment, a front fuselage section of the driver 12 holding a belly and chest section of the driver 12 includes. When selecting the irradiated body parts, special care must be taken to avoid dazzling the driver. In the present case, this can be achieved by limiting the illumination to parts of the body below a neck area of the driver 12 be achieved. Furthermore, the lighting device comprises 13 a recognition arrangement 16 (shown schematically) for automatic detection by means of a first sensor 21 and evaluating a current environment of the motorcycle 11 , In response to a result of the evaluation of the environment or the environment of the motorcycle 11 there is a change of parameters of the lighting unit 14 , This can be, for example, a change in the intensity of the light beam 15 so that it can be adjusted lighter or darker. For example, by the recognition arrangement 16 determines a danger point or a dangerous situation, then the intensity of the light beam 15 be increased to the driver 12 of the motorcycle 11 to light up brightly on its front and thus make it easily recognizable to other road users. In this case, the intensity for a defined period of time can have a constant intensity and steadily illuminate the driver during this time. Alternatively, it is also possible to flash the intensity by a pulsed clocking at defined time intervals. Detects the recognition arrangement 16 on the other hand, that there is no danger point or dangerous situation or is imminent, the intensity can be reduced and the light can be switched darker or completely switched off.

As a further parameter, the color of the light beam can be changed if necessary. If, for example, a danger spot is determined at a greater distance, it is already possible as a precaution to illuminate the driver when approaching this point. If the motorcycle continues to approach the danger point or if a dangerous situation is aggravated, the color can be changed to a particularly noticeable color in order to prevent the danger Make drivers easier to recognize for other road users.

Optionally, the lighting device may be a second lighting unit 17 for illuminating a second part of the driver 12 by means of a second light beam 18 include. In the illustrated embodiment, the second light beam is 18 so fanned out, that this one back part 19 the driver 12 illuminated over a large area. The second lighting unit 17 can according to the first lighting unit 14 be executed. The assignment of the first and second illumination unit is merely exemplary and therefore can be reversed as well. In addition, both the first and the second lighting unit can be provided in isolation, so that only a lighting of the front or only the back of the driver takes place. Also the parameters of the second lighting unit 17 are customizable.

The recognition arrangement 16 may further include a second sensor 20 include, in the illustrated embodiment, counter to a direction of travel of the motorcycle 11 pointing to the rear and thus one behind the motorcycle 11 monitored environment so that, if necessary, dangerous situations can be detected. Thus, by means of the recognition arrangement 16 and the second sensor 20 also following vehicles are monitored. If, for example, a relatively rapid approach or too close approach of a following vehicle occurs, a corresponding change in the parameters of the second illumination unit is carried out. Of course, it is also possible to control the respective other lighting unit accordingly and to change their parameters.

2 shows a schematic block diagram of the lighting device 13 , This includes, as already too 1 described, a recognition arrangement 16 , including sensors 20 . 21 to determine the current environment of the motorcycle has. For example, a first sensor 21 for one area in front of the motorcycle and a second sensor 20 be assigned to an area behind the motorcycle. Of course, further sensors can be provided in addition to provide further detection functions. The sensors 20 . 21 give measurement data to a detection unit 22 continue to process and recognize the environment. The recognition unit 22 transmits detection data obtained therefrom to an evaluation unit 23 for the evaluation and evaluation of the recognition data. It assesses whether a danger zone is relevant or can become relevant in the future and whether a reaction might be required. If this is the case, corresponding control commands are sent to a control unit 24 transmitted, which is a corresponding change of parameters of the corresponding lighting units 14 . 17 performs. The described structure is to be understood merely as an example. Likewise, the lighting device may have a different structure. In particular, said components may be split or grouped in other ways.

3 shows by way of example various embodiments of the lighting device according to the invention in a schematic representation. This in 1 described motorcycle 11 approaches an intersection 31 with a pedestrian crossing 32 , A person is already waiting at this 33 with the intention the road over the pedestrian crossing 32 to cross. As already described above, the recognition device comprises 13 of the motorcycle 11 a recognition arrangement (not shown). This is designed by means of a location a momentary environment of the motorcycle 11 to detect or determine. For example, a navigation device can be used for this purpose, which can provide information about the approaching intersection and the pedestrian crossing on the basis of stored navigation data. An evaluation of the information results in a fundamental danger potential for a pedestrian crossing. In response to this result, the lighting unit 14 (see. 1 ) the first light beam 15 or increase its intensity to illuminate the driver and thus the motorcycle 11 and his driver for the person 33 easier to identify and make identifiable as a motorcycle. In this way, a possible collision due to overlooking the motorcyclist by the person 33 be prevented. A recognition of the person 33 through the motorcycle 11 does not occur in the context of the described procedure of location. A control of the lighting unit 14 . 17 for the change of the parameters takes place here exclusively on the basis of the available information of an approaching intersection 31 or an approaching pedestrian crossing 32 and a potential danger spot identified from this.

Alternatively or additionally, the recognition arrangement 16 enable recognition of objects or persons. This can be done for example via an ambient radar or corresponding environmental cameras (symbolically indicated environment detection 36 ), which allow a corresponding environment detection and thus detection of a possible dangerous situation. If such is detected, a corresponding control of the lighting unit takes place. It can thus be the waiting person 33 be recognized and also made a corresponding e change in the parameters.

Likewise, an environment detection or monitoring, a distance monitoring ( 37 ) to a (in the illustrated case) subsequent vehicle 34 include. If a defined distance is undershot, a corresponding control of the lighting unit, as already described above, takes place to a driver of the following vehicle 34 on the bike 11 to draw attention. Of course, this feature can also be used for a front or side of the motorcycle 11 arranged vehicle can be provided.

Furthermore, the recognition arrangement 16 be formed such that a communication connection (symbolically indicated by 38 ) can be provided with external communication devices for transmitting data. Such systems are already known in the art and allow for the exchange of position data and speeds between vehicles. That's the intersection 31 approaching motorcycle 11 can thus be from a different direction of the intersection 31 approaching vehicle 35 receive its position information. Based on this data, an evaluation can be made to check whether the route of the motorcycle is crossed and the vehicle 35 a danger to the motorcycle 11 can represent. If such is detected, then the described change in the parameters of the lighting arrangement can be caused to a collision of the motorcycle 11 with the cruising vehicle 35 to prevent.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

motorcycle

12

driver

13

lighting device

14

first lighting unit

15

first light beam

16

recognition arrangement

17

second lighting unit

18

second light beam

19

back

20

sensor

21

sensor

22

recognizer

23

evaluation

24

control unit

31

crossing

32

pedestrian crossing

33

person

34

following vehicle

35

vehicle

36

Area Learning

37

distance monitoring

38

Communication technology connection

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

• EP 0952073 A2 [0008]
• DE 4012771 C2 [0009]

Claims (11)

Lighting device for a vehicle, comprising - a lighting unit ( 14 . 17 ) for providing a first light beam ( 15 . 18 ) for illuminating at least a first part of a driver ( 12 ) of the vehicle ( 11 ) and - a recognition arrangement ( 16 ), wherein the recognition arrangement ( 16 ) for automatically detecting and evaluating a current environment of the vehicle ( 11 ) and parameters of the lighting unit ( 14 . 17 ) are changeable in response to a result of the evaluation. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein detecting the current environment comprises location determination. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the detection of the current environment comprises a recognition of objects and / or persons. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection of the current environment comprises detecting local weather conditions. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection of the current environment comprises a communication connection with external communication means for transmitting information. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lighting device for detecting the current environment is at least one of a GPS sensor, an ambient radar, a distance radar, a camera, a night vision device, a rain sensor, a light sensor, and a wireless one Communication device comprises. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein as an intensity parameter of the light beam is variable. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein as a parameter, a color of the light beam is changeable. Lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lighting device ( 13 ) a second illumination unit ( 14 . 17 ) for providing a second light beam ( 15 . 18 ), to illuminate another part of the driver ( 12 ). Vehicle with a lighting device for illuminating at least a part of a driver, wherein the lighting device ( 13 ) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vehicle is a motorcycle, a motorcycle-like vehicle, a scooter, a quad, a tricycle or a bicycle.

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