DE102021129456A1 - Headlight unit for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a headlight unit (1) for a motor vehicle (2), having at least the following components: - a lighting unit (3) for emitting a variable light cone (4); and - an interface (5) for communicating with an external controller (6) for changing the light cone (4). The headlight unit (1) is characterized above all by the fact that it also includes an internal memory unit (7) in which the information for outputting the light cone (4) is stored data rate between an on-board computer and a lighting unit of a (high-resolution) headlight.

Description

The invention relates to a headlight unit for a motor vehicle, a method for controlling such a headlight unit, a headlight set with such a headlight unit for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle with such a headlight unit or headlight set.

Headlights for a motor vehicle are becoming increasingly important in terms of safety as road traffic becomes increasingly dense. The first headlights were only designed to switch between high beam and low beam, whereas today's headlights (such as those from the DE 11 2018/005 052 T5 are known) usually have a so-called adaptive cornering light. For example from the DE 10 2008/062 640 A1 headlights are known, which have a camera system and storage system, with which situations are recognized and evaluated in an evaluation unit and thereupon, for example, a switch is made automatically from high beam to low beam. Because the spotlights used according to the state of the art enable ever higher resolutions (>84 px), the camera systems and storage systems also have to deal with ever larger amounts of data. Therefore, data transmission rates of up to 60 Mbit/s are no longer uncommon and must be taken into account in the conventional data bus structure in motor vehicles or, as a rule, require an additional data processing system. As a result, in addition to a more complex architecture, additional installation space is required and power consumption is increased.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features according to the invention result from the independent claims, for which advantageous configurations are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically meaningful way, whereby the explanations from the following description and features from the figures can also be used for this purpose, which include additional configurations of the invention.

• - eine Leuchteinheit zum Ausgeben von einem veränderbaren Lichtkegel; und
• - eine Schnittstelle zum Kommunizieren mit einer externen Steuerung zum Verändern des Lichtkegels.

The invention relates to a headlight unit for a motor vehicle, having at least the following components:

• - A lighting unit for outputting a changeable light cone; and
• - an interface to communicate with an external controller to change the light cone.

The headlight unit is primarily characterized in that it also includes an internal memory unit in which the information for outputting the light cone is stored.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, ordinal numbers used in the description above and below only serve to clearly distinguish them and do not reflect any order or ranking of the components referred to. An ordinal number greater than one does not mean that another such component must necessarily be present.

To increase road safety, a headlight unit for a motor vehicle is proposed here, which includes a lighting unit. The headlight unit comprises at least one lighting unit and is designed with a housing or can be integrated into a housing or mounted directly in a corresponding installation space of a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the headlight unit is part of a headlight set, for example with a left headlight unit and a right headlight unit. The headlight unit is preferably set up for a front light of a motor vehicle.

The headlight unit is set up in such a way that it emits a cone of light by means of the lighting unit, the luminous field of the cone of light being variable. The lighting unit comprises at least one light source, for example a halogen incandescent lamp, a gas discharge lamp or an LED. In one embodiment, a filter is used, for example a mirror (system) and/or an LCD display to change the luminous field. In the case of a lighting unit with an LED (matrix), the individual LEDs are preferably controlled, that is to say switched on or off, and preferably dimmed. In this case, the light cone is set up to illuminate objects during a journey under poor lighting conditions (for example night or fog), for example the course of the road, traffic signs and/or other road users. In this case, a lighting means is supplied within the lighting unit, so that light is emitted within a predetermined lighting field in such a way that objects within the light cone are illuminated.

For example, the illumination of other road users by means of the headlight unit is desirable to run in such a way that the other road users are not or only be dazzled to a small extent by the light cone of the headlight unit. The light cone of the lighting unit can be changed by means of the external control or as a result of its control commands. The external controller is a computing unit that is supplied with traffic data from a (for example front) camera and/or a LiDAR (system), for example. To determine a desired swivel angle, the steering angle is taken into account by the computing unit, for example. By means of internal (in the headlight unit) or external sensors, traffic situations and/or driving situations are recognized and transmitted to the external controller or measurement data are transmitted to the external controller and interpreted by the external controller. The associated settings of the light cone are transferred from the external control to the interface of the headlight unit. The light cone is changed based on this information, so that a targeted illumination of the area surrounding the motor vehicle is achieved. This means that other road users are less blinded or not blinded at all.

Therefore, a headlight unit is proposed here, which includes an interface that is set up in such a way that communication with an external controller is made possible. Furthermore, it is proposed that the headlight unit includes such a memory unit that contains the information required for the desired light cone. In one embodiment, the information for outputting the respectively desired light cone (or light field) includes specific controls for the filter or the at least one lamp that is stored and assigned to a specific traffic situation and/or driving situation. For example, such traffic situations and/or driving situations are stored in what is known as a look-up table. Alternatively or additionally, a concrete activation of the filter and/or the at least one light source is calculated on the basis of one or more pieces of basic information (for example low beam and high beam). The interface is set up to only receive commands from a corresponding external controller and not to receive or process and/or forward any specific activation of the filter and/or the at least one illuminant. Such a command therefore includes a very small amount of data (with digital control) of less than 10 Mbit [ten megabits], preferably less than 5 Mbit. Such a command is, for example, 1 bit for switching between low beam and high beam, and 8 bits for a swivel command or a specific (deviation) swivel angle. On the other hand, information for a specific luminous field comprises (without compression) a number of bits corresponding to the number of pixels in the case of a luminous means comprising a luminous matrix. In the case of a high-resolution headlight, for example, this is 30 MBit [thirty MegaBit]. The data rate between the interface of the headlight unit and the external control is therefore significantly reduced and the effort involved in the data connection is thus significantly reduced. The data connection can preferably be mapped with a conventional LIN [Local Interconnect Network], CAN [Controller Area Network] or CAN FD [CAN Flexible Data Rate]. A significantly more complex LVDS [Low Voltage Differential Signaling, e.g. SATA, PCIe] or Ethernet line that has to be provided as an additional system is therefore not necessary.

It is also proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit that an internal calculation unit is also included, by means of which a light cone corresponding to the command is calculated on the basis of a command received at the interface and on the basis of at least one piece of information in the internal memory unit.

It is proposed here that, in addition to the storage unit, a calculation unit is included in the headlight unit. In this case, the internal calculation unit is set up to calculate a control output for the light cone. In response to the command received at the interface, the internal calculation unit calls up corresponding information stored on the internal storage unit and, if necessary, calculates the change. For example, a specific driving situation has been recognized by the external control and a corresponding command has been sent to the interface of the headlight unit. The command is interpreted by the internal calculation unit and converted into a (concrete) activation of the at least one light source or the filter. Alternatively, such a calculation unit is dispensed with and the internal memory unit is only read out in response to the command, for example with a large number of items of information stored in a look-up table, each of which corresponds to a specific command (and thus to a driving situation and/or traffic situation). assigned.

In an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit, it is also proposed that the lighting unit includes a high-resolution lighting matrix, preferably an LED matrix.

In order to be able to illuminate objects in any driving situation (e.g. when cornering), but also to make traffic information (e.g. street signs) visible to the driver make, a high-resolution lighting unit is beneficial. For this purpose, the lighting unit includes a high-resolution lighting matrix. A light matrix is understood to mean a planar or spatial arrangement of a large number of light sources or a digital filter, for example formed from an interposed high-resolution LCD array [Liquid Crystal Display]. Each of the illuminants or each of the filter points corresponds to a pixel. Each field of a plurality of pixels or preferably each individual pixel can be controlled individually. It is thus possible, for example, to generate illumination at the side of the road as in the case of high beam for illuminating street signs and low beam in the middle of the street, so that drivers of oncoming vehicles are not dazzled. In addition, precise curve guidance of the light cone is made possible without moving (pivoting) components. The pixels can either be switched on and off exclusively or can be controlled in different gradations and/or colors, for example with an 8-bit [eight-bit] color depth.

A particular advantage of a light matrix is dedicated masking, for example a clearly defined section of a light cone. This means that maximum illumination can be achieved with minimal dazzling of other road users.

In a preferred embodiment, the light matrix is an LED matrix. An LED matrix is composed of a large number of light-emitting diodes [LED]. These can be controlled precisely and with a high data rate (e.g. 60 fps [sixty frames per second]), as well as being energy-efficient and sufficiently bright. It is therefore possible to display a change in the light cone perceived by the human eye as a smooth transition, as well as a precise (i.e. high-resolution ) Illumination, only where it is needed. With an 8-bit color depth, dimming to the edge of the light cone, which is perceived as pleasant, can also be displayed. However, a data rate of up to 30 Mbit/s [thirty megabits per second] can also be mapped between the controller and the lighting unit. Due to the fact that this data rate is decentralized in the headlight unit, relocating the memory unit internally into the headlight unit is surprisingly advantageous, despite the inevitable increase in price of the headlight unit and possibly an increased installation space requirement, because only a low data rate, for example up to a maximum of 2 Mbit/s [two megabits per second] between the external controller and the interface of the headlight unit. This is in contrast to the significantly more expensive and complex measures mentioned above. At the same time, conventional structures (such as sensors and a CAN system) in a motor vehicle can also be used. It should be pointed out that a technology other than that of an LED matrix, which can be controlled so quickly and precisely, can also be used, for example a filter comprising an LCD array.

• - Schwenkwinkel abhängig von einer Fahrsituation eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• - Abblendung abhängig von einer Verkehrssituation; und
• - Ausblendung abhängig von einer Verkehrssituation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit, it is also proposed that the light cone can be changed at least as follows:

• - Swivel angle depending on a driving situation of a motor vehicle;
• - dimming depending on a traffic situation; and
• - Fade out depending on a traffic situation.

The swivel angle is the angular deviation, simply described as the position of the center of the light cone. This center is the area of greatest illumination (disregarding an overlying fade). This center can be shifted between driving straight ahead (0°) and driving around curves (up to +/-15°, for example). It should be pointed out that no movement of the at least one light source, preferably no movement of any component of the headlight unit, is necessary for this. A pixel of the lighting matrix of the lighting unit is preferably switched on or off or dimmed in accordance with its position in relation to the desired light cone.

The desired swivel angle is determined by the steering angle and/or by the course of the road, for example using automatically recognized road markings, and/or by a navigation-based trajectory of the future journey. In addition, the swivel angle may be dependent on the vehicle speed.

The light cone is changed when dimming in such a way that the high beam is dimmed in the upper area of the light cone when there are oncoming road users. The cone of light begins at a vertically lowered upper light edge, so as not to dazzle oncoming road users. If necessary, at least part of the light cone is dimmed when stopping down.

A combination of a change in the swivel angle and dimming is the illumination of a street sign, which, for example, has already been detected by means of an infrared sensor system (infrared light that is not visible to the human eye or at least not disturbing). tems was automatically detected. The cone of light is swung out to the outside of the lane and is superimposed in this lane edge area. The street sign is thus illuminated (preferably only for the duration of the passage).

In one embodiment, an area of the light cone can be blanked out in a corresponding traffic situation. A corresponding area is darkened (i.e. switched off or dimmed) in such a way that objects (and above all subjects) that are actually arranged in the light cone are not illuminated or are illuminated with reduced light intensity. For example, a pedestrian is detected at a pedestrian crossing and the light cone is blanked out and/or darkened in the area in which the pedestrian passes the light cone. This means that the pedestrian is not blinded when crossing the pedestrian crossing. An area around the pedestrian has been recognized by the external controller (or its sensors) and a command has been sent via the interface to the lighting unit in such a way that this area is not or at least only very slightly illuminated.

It is further proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the headlight unit that the components of the headlight unit are enclosed in a housing,
at least one additional function light preferably being included.

It is proposed here that a housing of the headlight unit encloses the components described above, so that an easy-to-handle structural unit is created. A (preferably standardized) connection is preferably already provided in the housing, from which the input of the interface of the headlight unit is formed. In a preferred embodiment, the additionally provided calculation unit is also arranged within the housing of the headlight unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit includes at least one additional functional light. This functional light is, for example, a so-called blinker (direction indicator). In one embodiment, the functional light is part of the LED matrix described above. Then some LEDs, in addition to their function as a (usually white) light-generating element of the light cone, are set up to reproduce another light color (usually yellow-orange).

• - auf ein an der Schnittstelle empfangenes ON-Signal mittels der Leuchteinheit Ausgeben eines Lichtkegels entsprechend einer ON-Information in der internen Speichereinheit der Scheinwerfereinheit; und
• - auf ein an der Schnittstelle empfangenes konkretes Abweichungs-Signal aus der internen Speichereinheit Abrufen der entsprechenden Abweichungs-Information und damit Verändern des Lichtkegels.

According to a further aspect, a method for controlling a light cone of a headlight unit according to an embodiment according to the above description is proposed, with at least one of the following functions being executable:

• - On an ON signal received at the interface by means of the lighting unit, outputting a light cone corresponding to ON information in the internal memory unit of the headlight unit; and
• - Retrieving the corresponding deviation information and thus changing the light cone in response to a specific deviation signal received at the interface from the internal storage unit.

According to this method, in one embodiment, a command for outputting the light cone by means of the lighting unit is that only an ON signal (with, for example, 1 bit) is received at the interface. The corresponding ON information is then retrieved from the internal memory unit and a standard light cone or the last light cone called up is output. A high data rate is therefore not required for this alone. In one embodiment, there are several different ON signals or similar commands, for example for parking lights, low beams or high beams.

In one embodiment, for changing the (already reproduced) light cone by means of the lighting unit, according to this method, only a deviation signal (with, for example, 8 bits) is received at the interface. The corresponding deviation information is then retrieved from the internal memory unit and a standard light cone or the light cone currently called up is output with a corresponding deviation. In one embodiment, the deviation information can be selected directly in a look-up table or must first be calculated using an internal calculation unit based on information stored in the internal memory unit and, if necessary, using formulas also stored in the internal memory unit.

In one embodiment, a masking (i.e. its position and intensity) is received as a superimposed signal directly from the external control as a command, because the information is, for example, as a (e.g. pixel) matrix with many identical entries (preferably a zero matrix) on very little information can be compressed, in the case of a zero matrix (or matrix with equal values in every position) to two values, namely the position of the upper corner and the position of the lower corner. Alternatively, the masking is also called up in the internal storage unit or calculated or modified by the internal calculation unit.

• - für zumindest zwei Schwenkwinkel;
• - für ein Abblenden ; und
• - für zumindest eine Ausblendung.

It is also proposed in an advantageous embodiment of the method that corresponding deviation information is stored in the memory unit at least for the following deviation signals for changing the light cone:

• - For at least two pivot angles;
• - for a stop down ; and
• - for at least one fade-out.

Because different driving situations can be represented with different settings of the light cone while driving a motor vehicle, it is proposed here that corresponding deviation information is stored in the memory unit for predetermined deviation signals. At least two swivel angles are stored in the storage unit. For example, these two swivel angles are stored for driving straight ahead (0°) and cornering (for example 15°), preferably further ones for a degree-accurate or more precise depiction of cornering. In one embodiment, a plurality of pivot angles are stored in the memory unit in such a way that specific controls for a specific light field (for example as a pixel matrix) are stored. In another embodiment, at least one formula is stored in the memory unit, which is read out and used by the internal calculation unit in response to the deviation signal, for example using the angle value of the command.

So while the pan angle relates to panning around the vertical, stopping down relates to panning around the horizontal. In most cases, two states are sufficient, namely high beam (swiveled fully up) and dimming (swiveled fully down), because this is the usual operation. Alternatively, a further number of additional dimming angles can also be set adaptively here, for example adapted to an approaching road user. A basic angle setting (for example dependent on a load and/or a tire pressure or manually by the driver in the cockpit of the motor vehicle) is not considered here, but can also be superimposed as a deviation signal or deviation information.

Attention is also drawn to the function described above for illuminating a street sign, which represents a combination of pan angle and dimming. However, this roadway-outside swivel angle is superimposed on the swivel angle dependent on the steering angle.

The deviation information relating to a blanking is, for example, a shape, size, intensity, color and/or an edge profile between the rest of the light cone and the blanking. The corresponding deviation signal is then, for example, simply an indication of the position and/or the type of blanking, with the type of deviation signal for the desired blanking determining the shape, size, intensity, color and/or an edge profile for the lighting unit clearly results. For example, the deviation signal includes information about pedestrians (type) and the relative position in the current (theoretically illuminable) luminous field of the luminous unit. A form of masking that is considered suitable for a pedestrian is then retrieved from the internal memory unit and masked out at the desired point in the light cone. It should be pointed out that the deviation information can also be carried out for other road users. For example, in one embodiment, a deviation signal is output when a wild animal is detected, so that corresponding deviation information is retrieved from the memory unit and the light cone is masked out in a corresponding area. The dreaded freezing of the wild animal as a result of glare is avoided.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it is also proposed that the method be executed as a function of a traffic situation and/or driving situation.

The proposed method is implemented in such a way that the commands, for example deviation signals, and thus the correspondingly retrieved deviation information result from the current driving situation and/or traffic situation. This is a traffic situation, a relative position of the motor vehicle with the headlight unit and other (dazzling) road users. For example, the motor vehicle is driving straight ahead on a freeway and is driving into an area of the freeway with increased traffic volume. In this traffic situation, a number of other road users are located in the vicinity of the motor vehicle at only a short distance. The deviation signal is therefore, for example, dimming in a large area of the light cone and/or switching off the high beam, which is stored in the memory unit as deviation information. Another example of a change in the traffic situation is when another road user suddenly swings into the lane of the motor vehicle that was previously driving with the high beam on.

A driving situation that results in a command (for example a deviation signal or deviation information) is a change in the route wise its displacement relative to the headlamp unit of the motor vehicle. For example, the transition from driving straight ahead to cornering or the current steering angle is a (deviating) driving situation, as a result of which a deviation signal is sent to the interface. Another example is a change in the incline of the route, so that when approaching a hill, for example, the vehicle is dimmed to prevent oncoming road users from being dazzled.

According to a further aspect, a headlight set for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising
at least two lighting units, wherein at least one of the lighting units is a component of a headlight unit according to an embodiment according to the above description,
the lighting units preferably being components of a separate headlight unit.

A headlight set is used for most motor vehicles for suitable illumination of a road. The headlight set is, for example, headlights which are arranged at the front of the vehicle structure in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The headlight set includes at least two lighting units. At least one lighting unit is a component of a headlight unit, as described above. The at least one other lighting unit is also supplied via the interface and by the internal memory unit of the headlight unit. Thus, only a single data line from the external control to the headlight set, ie one headlight unit, is necessary. In another embodiment, several, preferably all, lighting units are each a component of a headlight unit, as described above. Then the headlight set includes at least two headlight units. Even then, in one embodiment, only a single data line from the external controller to one of the headlight sets is necessary and transmission within the headlight set to the other lighting units and headlight units is ensured by means of data lines in the headlight set.

• - eine Antriebsstrang mit zumindest einem Vortriebsrad, einer Drehmoment-erzeugenden Antriebsmaschine zum Vortrieb des Kraftfahrzeugs über das zumindest eine Vortriebsrad;
• - zumindest eine Scheinwerfereinheit nach einer Ausführungsform gemäß der obigen Beschreibung, bevorzugt einem Scheinwerfer-Set nach einer Ausführungsform gemäß der obigen Beschreibung, zum Ausgeben von einem veränderbaren Lichtkegel;
• - zumindest einen Sensor zum Erfassen von Verkehrssituationen und/oder Fahrsituationen; und
• - einen Bordcomputer umfassend eine Steuerung für die zumindest eine Scheinwerfereinheit,

wobei bevorzugt der Lichtkegel nach einem Verfahren nach einer Ausführungsform gemäß der obigen Beschreibung steuerbar ist.According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is proposed, having at least the following components:

• - A drive train with at least one drive wheel, a torque-generating drive machine for propelling the motor vehicle via the at least one drive wheel;
• - at least one headlight unit according to an embodiment according to the above description, preferably a headlight set according to an embodiment according to the above description, for outputting a variable light cone;
• - At least one sensor for detecting traffic situations and / or driving situations; and
• - an on-board computer comprising a controller for the at least one headlight unit,

the light cone preferably being controllable by a method according to an embodiment as described above.

A motor vehicle is now proposed here that includes a drive machine that generates a torque. The torque of the prime mover can be transmitted to at least one drive wheel via a gear. The at least one drive wheel is set up to propel the motor vehicle forward. The motor vehicle comprises at least one headlight unit, preferably at least two headlight units (preferably in a headlight set), which are preferably arranged at the front of the vehicle structure in the direction of travel. The headlight units are set up to emit a changeable light cone, with one embodiment of the method described above for controlling a light cone being preferably used for changing the light cone.

With the headlight unit or headlight set proposed here, a data rate between the on-board computer and the interface of the relevant headlight unit can be reduced in such a way that no additional measures need to be taken in the vehicle to transmit the information to the interface. Rather, the conventionally used data line systems (LIN, CAN, CAN FD) are sufficient even for high-resolution lighting units with a high frame rate.

• 1: eine Scheinwerfereinheit;
• 2: ein Lichtkegel mit einer Ausblendung;
• 3: ein Lichtkegel mit zwei Schwenkwinkeln; und
• 4: ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einem Scheinwerfer-Set.

The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way restricted by the purely schematic drawings, it being noted that the drawings are not true to scale and are not suitable for defining size relationships. It is presented in

• 1 : a headlight unit;
• 2 : a cone of light with a fade;
• 3 : a light cone with two swivel angles; and
• 4 : a motor vehicle with a headlight set.

In 1 a headlight unit 1 is shown in a schematic view. The headlight unit 1 includes a lighting unit 3, an interface 5, an internal memory unit 7 and a (purely optional) internal calculation unit 8, which are arranged as a purely optional unit within a housing 11. It should be pointed out that an internal control unit that may be necessary is not shown here purely schematically as part of the internal memory unit 7 or the internal calculation unit 8 . Such an internal control unit processes the command which is received at the interface 5 from the external controller 6 and triggers a reading out from the internal memory unit 7 and/or a calculation in the internal calculation unit 8 .

The lighting unit 3 comprises a multiplicity of lighting means 19 in this embodiment a lighting matrix, preferably an LED matrix, which is shown here in simplified form. In this optional exemplary embodiment, two areas are provided, of which the large one is a lighting unit 3 and the smaller one is a functional light 12 (for example a turn signal). The external control 6 is shown here in simplified form as a camera panel, but is generally a complex system made up of arithmetic unit(s) (for example an on-board computer 18) and sensor 17(s) (cf 4 ). It should be pointed out that the interface 5 for communication with the external controller 6 can be wired and/or wireless (preferably using a data transmission standard such as a PAN [Personal Area Network]).

In 2 a light cone 4 with a blanking 10 is shown in a schematic view. This view is of the light cone 4 of a headlight unit 1 when driving straight ahead with the high beam switched on. Within the blanking area 10 of the light cone 4, the light is off or dimmed. A recognized road user is not blinded in this area. The view corresponds to a cone of light 4 in any (e.g. vertical) section transverse to the direction of illumination, for example the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 2 (cf 4 ). Alternatively, the view shows a lighting matrix in which the lighting means 19 (ie the pixels) are respectively controlled accordingly, ie off, on or (gradually) dimmed.

In 3 is the light cone 4 without excluding the general public purely for the sake of clarity largely with the in 2 embodiment shown is identical, so that reference is made to the description there. The motor vehicle 2 (compare 4 ) travels a curve according to the illustration. In this embodiment, the swivel angle is 9 (i.e. the deviation from the center according to 2 to the left as shown) 8° [eight degrees of three hundred and sixty]. Apart from the blanking 10, the light cone 4 with the in 2 shown, for example, otherwise identical. Further adjustments with regard to the shape and/or dimming are preferably made, for example to avoid dazzling an oncoming vehicle on the inside of the curve.

In 4 a motor vehicle 2 with a headlight set 13 is shown in a schematic plan view. The motor vehicle 2 includes a drive machine 16, which is designed purely optionally as an electric drive machine 16 here. The engine 16 is torque-transmitting (here via a gear) connected to two drive wheels 14,15. The left-hand drive wheel 14 and the right-hand drive wheel 15 are set up to drive the motor vehicle 2 . According to the illustration on the right, the headlight set 13 is integrated into the front of the motor vehicle 2 .

Here, the headlight set 13 includes two headlight units 1, each with a lighting unit 3 and (purely optional) a functional light 12 (indicators). A steering wheel 21 is arranged in the cockpit 20 of the motor vehicle 2, the steering angle of which can be read out by an on-board computer 18, so that a driving situation can be detected. Furthermore, a sensor 17, for example a LiDAR, is provided, which (among other things) is set up to detect a traffic situation. The sensor 17 communicates with the on-board computer 18 . The onboard computer 18 is or includes the controller 6 (external to the headlight set 13). The onboard computer 18 is connected to both headlight units 1, respectively. The lighting units 3 can thus be controlled by the external controller 6 (on-board computer 18) with a low data rate, and a respective light cone 4 can thus be changed.

With the headlight unit proposed here, a reduction in the data rate between an on-board computer and a lighting unit of a (high-resolution) headlight is made possible for changing a light cone.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 112018/005052 T5 [0002]
• DE 102008/062640 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Headlight unit (1) for a motor vehicle (2), having at least the following components: - a lighting unit (3) for emitting a variable light cone (4); and - an interface (5) for communicating with an external controller (6) for changing the light cone (4), characterized in that an internal memory unit (7) is also included, in which the information for outputting the light cone (4) are deposited. Headlight unit (1) after claim 1 , wherein an internal calculation unit (8) is also included, by means of which a light cone (4) corresponding to the command is calculated on the basis of a command received at the interface (5) and on the basis of at least one piece of information in the internal memory unit (7). Headlight unit (1) after claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the lighting unit (3) comprises a high-resolution lighting matrix, preferably an LED matrix. Headlight unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light cone (4) can be changed at least as follows: - Swivel angle (9) depending on a driving situation of a motor vehicle (2); - dimming depending on a traffic situation; and - Fade out (10) depending on a traffic situation. Headlight unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components of the headlight unit (1) are enclosed in a housing (11), with at least one further functional light (12) preferably being included. Method for controlling a light cone (4) of a headlight unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following functions can be performed: - On an ON signal received at the interface (5) by means of the lighting unit (3), outputting a light cone (4) corresponding to ON information in the internal memory unit (7) of the headlight unit (1); and - Retrieving the corresponding deviation information and thus changing the light cone (4) in response to a specific deviation signal received at the interface (5) from the internal memory unit (7). procedure after claim 6 , wherein corresponding deviation information is stored in the memory unit (7) at least for the following deviation signals for changing the light cone (4): - for at least two pivot angles (9); - for a stop down ; and - for at least one blanking (10). procedure after claim 6 or claim 7 , The method being executed depending on a traffic situation and/or driving situation. Headlight set (13) for a motor vehicle (2), comprising at least two lighting units (3), at least one of the lighting units (3) being a component of a headlight unit (1) according to one of claim 1 until claim 5 is, wherein preferably the lighting units (3) are each components of a separate headlight unit (1). Motor vehicle (2), having at least the following components: - a drive train with at least one drive wheel (14,15), a torque-generating drive machine (16) for propelling the motor vehicle (2) via the at least one drive wheel (14,15); - At least one headlight unit (1) according to one of claim 1 until claim 5 , Preferably after a headlight set (13). claim 9 , for outputting a changeable light cone (4); - At least one sensor (17) for detecting traffic situations and/or driving situations; and - an on-board computer (18) comprising a controller (6) for the at least one headlight unit (1), the light cone (4) preferably using a method according to one of claim 6 until claim 8 is controllable.

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