DE102022211905A1 - Method and a projection system for signaling a change in direction of a vehicle by means of a near-field projection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for signaling a turning or lane-changing maneuver of a vehicle (1) by means of a near-field projection device (111). The near-field projection device (111) is activated as a function of at least one signal (TS, MS) that represents an impending turning or lane-changing maneuver of the vehicle (1). A direction of travel symbol (113) is projected onto a road surface by means of the near-field projection device (111), wherein a geometric orientation and/or the relative position of the projected direction of travel symbol (113) to the vehicle (1) is continuously adapted as a function of at least one current movement parameter (α, v) of the vehicle (1).
The present disclosure further relates to a projection system for signaling a turning or lane changing maneuver, comprising a near-field projection device (111) and a control device (10).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a method and a projection system for signaling a change in the direction of travel of a vehicle by means of a near-field projection device.

State of the art

From the EP 4 026 733 A1 A near-field projection device for a vehicle is known with which a symbol for a direction indicator can be projected onto a road surface.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention is based on the object of improving a method and projection system for signaling a turning or lane changing maneuver of a vehicle, so that road safety is further increased.

Accordingly, a method according to the main claim and a projection system according to the secondary claim are proposed. Further embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for signaling a turning or lane-changing maneuver of a vehicle by means of a near-field projection device. The near-field projection device is activated as a function of at least one signal that represents an impending (i.e. an intended or planned) turning or lane-changing maneuver of the vehicle. A direction of travel symbol is projected onto a road surface by means of the near-field projection device, wherein a geometric orientation and/or the relative position of the projected direction of travel symbol to the vehicle is continuously adapted as a function of at least one current movement parameter of the vehicle.

One idea behind the method according to the invention is to provide a supplementary optical signal to the conventional direction indicators, which provide additional information about the progress of a turning or lane-changing maneuver in the area surrounding the vehicle. By projecting the information onto the road surface, it can also be perceived by road users who do not have a direct view of the respective vehicle and its lighting equipment.

According to a further development of the method, the geometric orientation of the projected direction of travel symbol to the vehicle can be adapted depending on a steering angle.

By changing the geometric orientation of the direction of travel symbol projected onto the road surface, other road users can deduce an impending movement intention of the vehicle, which is specified by the driver through the steering angle.

According to a development of the method, the relative position of the direction of travel symbol to the vehicle can be adjusted depending on a vehicle speed.

This means that, for example, the distance between the projection and the vehicle can be increased in relation to the vehicle's longitudinal direction as soon as the speed of the vehicle exceeds a certain threshold, e.g. walking speed (i.e. in a range of 5-11 km/h). When driving faster, the signal can therefore be perceived somewhat earlier by other road users.

According to a further development of the method, the near-field projection device can provide a graphical representation of the direction of travel symbol for a number of geometric orientations and/or relative positions to the vehicle. A graphical representation can be selected for projection depending on the at least one movement parameter.

By limiting the number of graphical representations of the direction of travel symbol, the design effort of the near-field projection device can be limited. The different representations can be selected based on electrical signals, and mechanical assemblies for a continuously adaptable orientation can be avoided.

According to a development of the method, a sequence with at least two partial images can be provided for at least one of the graphic representations of the direction of travel symbol, wherein partial images are projected alternately or sequentially superimposed.

By alternating or sequentially superimposed projection of two or more partial images, the direction symbol can be animated on the road surface, increasing its visibility for other road users. In particular, the animation can be perceived by other road users as a "wiping indicator".

According to a further development of the method, the signal can be provided by an assistance system of the vehicle, whereby an intended turning or lane change maneuver can be predicted by the assistance system.

The assistance system can, for example, be a navigation device that generates and provides maneuver information based on data about a planned and upcoming turning or lane-changing maneuver.

The assistance system may further comprise a maneuver prediction that analyzes a movement pattern of the vehicle that is representative of a turning or lane-changing maneuver.

Alternatively or additionally, the signal can be provided by a direction switch.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a projection system for signaling a turning or lane-changing maneuver of a vehicle, which comprises a near-field projection device and a control device. The control device is designed to output a control signal from a predetermined number of control signals to the near-field projection device based on at least one signal that represents an impending turning or lane-changing maneuver and based on a movement parameter of a respective vehicle. The near-field projection device has a number of different representations of a direction of travel symbol to be projected, with each of the control signals being assigned one of the different representations. The near-field projection device controlled by the control device is thus designed to project a direction of travel symbol depending on the signal and to continuously adapt the representation during a projection depending on the movement parameter.

According to a further development of the projection system, the different representations of a direction of travel symbol to be projected can differ from one another by their geometric orientations and/or projection positions.

According to a development of the projection system, the near-field projection device can have a light source and a light-structuring element for each of the different representations of a direction of travel symbol to be projected, wherein each light-structuring element carries a different graphic representation of the direction of travel symbol, and wherein each of the control signals serves to control an associated light source.

According to a further development, the light-structuring element can be designed as a mask, for example as a shadow mask (graphic optical blackout, gobo).

Furthermore, each light-structuring element can be assigned a lens optic consisting of at least one lens.

Short description of the drawing figures

• 1 zeigt einen Straßenabschnitt mit einer Fahrbahn und einem Fahrzeug mit einem Projektionssystem zu einem Zeitpunkt während eines Abbiegemanövers;
• 2 zeigt den Straßenabschnitt und das Fahrzeug zu weiteren Zeitpunkten während eines Abbiegemanövers;
• 3 zeigt eine Steuerungseinrichtung des Projektionssystems;
• 4 zeigt eine Nahfeldprojektionseinrichtung des Projektionssystems.

Further features and details emerge from the following description, in which - if necessary with reference to the drawing - at least one embodiment is described in detail. Described and/or illustrated features form the subject matter on their own or in any meaningful combination, possibly also independently of the claims, and can in particular also be the subject of one or more separate applications. Identical, similar and/or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. Shown are:

• 1 shows a road section with a carriageway and a vehicle with a projection system at a time during a turning maneuver;
• 2 shows the road section and the vehicle at further points in time during a turning manoeuvre;
• 3 shows a control device of the projection system;
• 4 shows a near-field projection device of the projection system.

Description of the execution types

The 1 shows a bird's eye view of a road section 20 with a carriageway 21 on which a vehicle 1 with a projection system according to the invention is traveling in the direction of travel. To the right of the carriageway 21 there is a cycle lane 22, which is separated from the carriageway 21 by a solid line and is marked with a bicycle pictogram. On the right side, the cycle lane 22 is bordered by a curb. At the top right of the picture there is a property entrance 23 with a curb cut.

According to the present embodiment, the driver of the vehicle 1 intends to the carriageway 21 into the property entrance 23, which requires crossing the cycle lane 22.

The projection system according to the invention comprises at least one near-field projection device 111, which is arranged in a housing of a right-hand headlight 11, so that a light beam 112 with a light distribution pattern is directed onto the road surface in such a way that a direction of travel symbol 113 in the form of an arrow is projected onto the road surface. Of course, a left-hand headlight can also be equipped with a corresponding near-field projection device 111.

The projection system further comprises a control device 10, with which a number of control signals S are provided on the output side for controlling the near-field projection device 111. The control device 10 also has a plurality of signal inputs with which input signals from other vehicle systems can be received, which are converted into corresponding control signals S by means of an internal control logic. A steering angle α, a speed v of the vehicle 1, turn information TI and/or maneuver information Ml can be received as input signals. The steering angle α is provided by a steering angle sensor that is connected to a steering wheel 12 of the vehicle 1. The direction information TI is provided by a direction switch that is arranged in the area of the steering wheel 12 and can be operated by the driver of the vehicle 1. The maneuver information MI is transmitted to the control device 10, for example, from a navigation system 13. The maneuver information MI contains data about a planned or upcoming turning or lane changing maneuver, whereby distance information may be included in the data.

A method according to the invention for signaling an impending or started but not yet completed turning or lane changing maneuver of the vehicle 1 is explained using a chronological sequence which, in conjunction with the 1 and 2 is shown.

In the left picture of the 2 the vehicle 1 is shown at a first time t1, traveling in the direction of travel on the roadway 21 at a speed v that is greater than walking speed vS. Maneuver information MI is transmitted from the navigation system 13 to the control device 10, which contains an impending right-turn maneuver at a distance of several meters. The control device 10 transmits a first control signal S1 to the near-field projection device 111, so that the direction of travel symbol 113 is projected onto the road surface with a first orientation to the vehicle 1 and at a first distance in the vehicle's longitudinal direction from the vehicle 1. In the first orientation, a vertical axis v of the direction of travel symbol 113 is rotated 80° counterclockwise with respect to a vehicle's longitudinal axis x of the vehicle 1. The first distance in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is, for example, one vehicle length from the vehicle 1. At the first time t1, the driver of the vehicle 1 has not yet operated the direction of travel switch. Based on the maneuver information MI, the near-field projection device 111 thus announces an impending turning maneuver, which can be perceived, for example, by a cyclist 30 who is traveling to the right of the vehicle 1 on the cycle lane 22.

The middle picture of the 2 shows the vehicle 1 at a second point in time t2, at which the speed of the vehicle 1 has been reduced to at least walking speed vS. Furthermore, the direction indicators 14 have been activated by the driver using the direction switch. The control device 10 transmits a second control signal S2 for controlling the near-field projection device 111 based on the corresponding input signals, i.e. at least based on the direction of travel information TI and on the speed v. The direction of travel symbol 113 is projected onto the road surface in a second orientation to the vehicle 1. In the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the direction of travel symbol 113 is positioned at a second distance from the vehicle 1. In the second orientation, a vertical axis v of the direction of travel symbol 113 is rotated 60° counterclockwise relative to the vehicle's longitudinal axis x. The position of the projection is directed to an area of the road surface that borders a right-hand side and a front of the vehicle 1. The projection is directed at least partially onto the cycle lane 22, so that the direction of travel symbol 113 is also in the field of vision of the cyclist 30 when he is looking in his direction of travel at the road ahead and not in the direction of the vehicle 1.

The 1 shows the vehicle 1 at a third time t3. The vehicle 1 is moving at walking speed vS and with a steering angle α that is above a first steering angle limit value α1, towards the property entrance 23. The control device 10 transmits a third control signal S3 to the near-field projection device 111 based on its input signals, so that the direction of travel symbol 113 is projected onto the road surface in a third orientation. The The vertical axis v of the direction of travel symbol 113 is rotated by 40° relative to the vehicle’s longitudinal axis x.

The right picture of the 2 shows the vehicle 1 at a fourth point in time t4. The vehicle 1 was stopped to let the cyclist with right of way pass. The direction of travel symbol 113 is projected onto the road surface in a fourth orientation. The vertical axis v of the direction of travel symbol 113 is rotated by 5° to the vehicle's longitudinal axis x.

In the 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a control device 10 of a projection system according to the invention. The control device 10 receives as input signals a value for the speed v, the steering angle α, the direction of travel information TI and the maneuver information MI. On the output side, depending on the input signals, either the first control signal S1, the second control signal S2, the third control signal S3, the fourth control signal S4 or no control signal is output.

In the 3 Possible functions of an internal switching logic are shown. The first control signal S1 is output when the speed v is greater than a predetermined speed value for a walking speed vS and when a signal for the direction of travel information TI or for the maneuver information Ml is present. The second control signal S2 is output when the speed v is less than or equal to the walking speed vS and when a signal for the direction of travel information TI and, furthermore, when the steering angle α is less than a first steering angle limit value α1. The third control signal S3 is output when the speed v is less than or equal to the walking speed vS and when a signal for the direction of travel information TI and, furthermore, when the steering angle α is between the first steering angle limit value α1 and a second steering angle limit value α2. The fourth control signal S4 is output when a signal for the direction of travel information TI is received and when the vehicle 1 is stationary. If, for example, the vehicle 1 is at the stop line of a traffic light with an activated direction indicator 14, the direction symbol 113 is projected onto the road surface in its fourth orientation. The fourth control signal S4 is also output when the steering angle α is greater than the second steering angle limit value α2 and when the vehicle 1 is moving at a low speed v less than or equal to walking speed. It is therefore possible to warn of a lateral vehicle movement using the direction symbol 113 even when the direction indicator 14 is deactivated, for example when maneuvering.

In the 4 a near-field projection device 111 is sketched as an example, which can be used in a projection system according to the invention. The near-field projection device 111 is designed to provide four different representations of the direction of travel symbol 113 and to project them onto a road surface. For each representation, the near-field projection device 111 has a light source 41.1 - 41.4, e.g. a light-emitting diode (LED), a mask 42.1 - 42.4 (graphical optical blackout, gobo) and a lens optic 43.1 - 43.4. Each of the four masks 42.1 - 42.4 contains a representation of the direction of travel symbol 113 with the corresponding different orientations. The masks 42.1 - 42.4 can be designed as a shadow mask, for example, and shape the light of an associated light source 41.1 - 41.4. The lens optics 43.1 - 43.4 project an attractive light distribution pattern onto the road surface. The light sources 41.1 - 41.4 are controlled by the corresponding control signals S1 - S4 from the control device 10.

Although the subject matter has been illustrated and explained in detail by means of embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that embodiments mentioned as examples only represent examples that are not to be understood in any way as a limitation of the scope of protection, the possible applications or the configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

List of reference symbols

1

vehicle

10

Control device

11

Headlights

111

Near-field projection device

112

light beam

113

Direction symbol

12

steering wheel

13

Navigation system13

14

Direction indicators

20

Street

21

lane

22

Cycle lanes

23

Property entrance

30

Cyclists

41.1 - 41.4

Light source

42.1 - 42.4

mask

43.1 - 43.4

Lens optics

H

Horizontal axis

MI

Maneuver information

S1 - S4, S

Control signal

t; t1, t2, t3, t4

time; points in time

TI

Direction information

v

speed

v

Vertical axis

vS

Walking speed

x

Vehicle longitudinal axis

Y

Vehicle transverse axle

α

Steering angle

α1

first steering angle limit

α2

second steering angle limit

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 4026733 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Method for signaling a turning or lane changing maneuver of a vehicle (1) by means of a near-field projection device (111), wherein the near-field projection device (111) is activated as a function of at least one signal (TS, MS) that represents an impending turning or lane changing maneuver of the vehicle (1), and wherein a direction of travel symbol (113) is projected onto a road surface by means of the near-field projection device (111), and wherein a geometric orientation and/or the relative position of the projected direction of travel symbol (113) to the vehicle (1) is continuously adapted as a function of at least one current movement parameter (α, v) of the vehicle (1). Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the geometric orientation of the projected direction of travel symbol (113) to the vehicle (1) is adapted depending on a steering angle (α). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the relative position of the direction of travel symbol to the vehicle (1) is adjusted depending on a vehicle speed (v). Procedure one of the above Claims 1 until 3 , wherein a graphical representation of the direction of travel symbol (113) is provided by the near-field projection device (111) for a number of geometric orientations and/or relative positions to the vehicle (1), and wherein a graphical representation is selected for projection depending on the at least one movement parameter (α, v). Procedure according to the above Claim 4 , wherein for at least one of the graphical representations of the direction of travel symbol a sequence with at least two partial images is provided, wherein partial images are projected alternately. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal is provided by an assistance system of the vehicle (1), wherein an intended turning or lane changing maneuver is predicted by the assistance system. Projection system for signaling a turning or lane-changing maneuver of a vehicle (1), comprising a near-field projection device (111) and a control device (10), wherein the control device (10) is designed to output a control signal from a predetermined number of control signals (S1, S2, S3, S4) to the near-field projection device (111) based on at least one signal (TS, MS) and based on a movement parameter (α, v) from a respective vehicle (1), and wherein the near-field projection device (111) has a number of different representations of a direction of travel symbol to be projected, wherein each of the control signals is assigned one of the different representations, so that the near-field projection device (111) controlled by the control device (10) is designed to project a direction of travel symbol depending on the signal (TS, MS) and to continuously adapt the representation during a projection depending on the movement parameter (α, v). Projection system according to Claim 7 , whereby the different representations of a direction of travel symbol to be projected differ from one another in their geometric orientations and/or projection positions. Projection system one of the above Claims 7 or 8th , wherein the near-field projection device (111) has a light source (41.1 - 41.4) and a light-structuring element for each of the different representations of a direction of travel symbol to be projected, wherein each light-structuring element carries a different graphic representation of the direction of travel symbol, and wherein each of the control signals (S1, S2, S3, S4) serves to control an associated light source (41.1 - 41.4). Projection system according to Claim 9 , wherein the light-structuring elements are designed as a mask, in particular as a shadow mask, and wherein each mask is assigned a lens optic consisting of at least one lens.

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