Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
  • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
  • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
  • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
  • B60Q1/0017—Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
  • B60Q1/0023—Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
  • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
  • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
  • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
  • B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
  • B60Q1/1423—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
  • B60Q2300/10—Indexing codes relating to particular vehicle conditions
  • B60Q2300/11—Linear movements of the vehicle
  • B60Q2300/112—Vehicle speed
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
  • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
  • B60Q2300/31—Atmospheric conditions
  • B60Q2300/314—Ambient light
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
  • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
  • B60Q2300/33—Driving situation
  • B60Q2300/332—Driving situation on city roads
  • B60Q2300/3321—Detection of streetlights
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
  • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
  • B60Q2300/33—Driving situation
  • B60Q2300/337—Tunnels or bridges

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for the automatic switching of lighting devices in vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1.
• Such a device is known from DE 195 23 262 AI.
• This device has a sensor device by means of which the light intensity m of the surroundings of the vehicle is detected.
• the sensor device is connected to an evaluation device by means of which the signals of the sensor device for the light intensity are compared with at least one threshold value and from which it is determined whether a change in the switching state of the lighting devices is necessary, that is to say whether they have to be switched on or can be switched off ,
• no distinction is made between light intensity, which comes from natural sunlight and light intensity, which comes from artificial light sources.
• the erfmdungsgedorfe device having the features of claim 1 has, in contrast, that a distinction between the light intensity of the natural Sonnenlic h t-derived light component and the light intensity of an originating from artificial light sources light portion is carried out to advantage.
• artificial light sources are usually operated with an alternating voltage and thus, according to the frequency of the alternating voltage, result in periodic changes in the intensity of the light emitted by the light sources, which reliably distinguish this light component from a light component originating from the natural sun.
• FIG. 1 shows a vehicle with lighting devices and with a device for automatically switching the lighting devices
• FIG. 2 shows the time course of the light intensity of one of Sunlight originating light portion
• Figure 3 shows the time course of the light intensity of a light portion originating from artificial light sources
• FIG. 1 A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is shown in a highly simplified manner in FIG. 1, which is provided with lighting devices which include headlights 10 arranged on the front of the vehicle and rear lights 12 arranged on the rear of the vehicle.
• the headlights 10 can be pure low beam headlights or Combined low beam and high beam headlights that can be switched between their two operating positions.
• a device is provided which is arranged on the vehicle.
• This device shown in simplified form in FIG. 2, has at least one sensor device 20, by means of which the light intensity m in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected.
• the sensor device 20 can have two sensors 22, 24, the sensor 22 being a global sensor through which the
• the sensor 24 is a direction sensor, which only detects the light intensity of the light hitting it from a certain direction.
• the direction sensor 24 is arranged such that it detects the light intensity from the direction of travel 14 of the vehicle hitting the light.
• the direction sensor 24 can be a sensor Have imaging optics 26 through the incident light 14 against the direction of travel the direction sensor 24 is bundled.
• the sensor device 20 can also have only one sensor.
• the global sensor 22 and the direction sensor 24 each have at least one light-sensitive element 28 and 30, respectively.
• the light-sensitive elements 28, 30 are, for example, photocells or photoresistors or other elements in which at least one electrical property changes depending on the intensity of the light striking them. The change in electrical
• the property is a measure of the intensity of the light striking the elements 28, 30.
• the sensor device 20 can be arranged in the interior of the vehicle, for example behind the windshield. Alternatively, the sensor device 20 can also be integrated in one of the headlights 10 or arranged at another suitable location on the vehicle.
• the device also has an electronic evaluation device 32 to which the sensor device 20 is connected.
• the signals from the sensor device 20 are compared with at least one threshold value by the evaluation device 32 and the lighting devices 10, 12 are switched as a function thereof. If the signals of the sensor device 20 fall below a certain switch-on threshold value, the evaluation device 32 causes the lighting devices 10, 12 to be switched on or the lighting devices 10, 12 remain switched on when they are already switched on. If the signals of the
• the evaluation device 32 switches off the lighting devices 10, 12.
• the switch-off threshold value is preferably higher than the switch-on threshold value by an alternating switching on and off Avoid switching off the lighting devices 10, 12 if the signals of the sensor device 20 fluctuate around the switch-on threshold value.
• the switch-on and switch-off threshold values can be constant or variable, for example depending on the operating parameters of the vehicle such as the speed.
• the signals of the global sensor 22 and the direction sensor 24 of the sensor device 20 can be evaluated separately by the evaluation device 32, with different threshold values for the signals of the
• Global sensor 22 and the signals of the direction sensor 24 are used as a basis. Switching on the
• Illumination devices 10, 12 are only brought about when the signals of both the global sensor 22 and the direction sensor 24 fall below the respective switch-on threshold values and the switch-off
• Illumination devices 10, 12 are only brought about when the signals of both the global sensor 22 and the direction sensor 24 exceed the respective switch-off threshold values.
• FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, a course of a signal S from the sensor device 20 over time t while the vehicle is running.
• the course of the signal S of the global sensor 22 is shown in FIG. 3, the course of the signal from the direction sensor 24 being qualitatively acceptable.
• the signal has irregular changes, which are caused, for example, by the shadows of trees, buildings, bridges or elevations. As the intensity of the sunlight decreases, for example at dusk, nothing changes in this irregular course of the signal over time, but overall the level of the signal decreases. If the vehicle is traveling, for example, in a tunnel, an underground car park or a parking garage, with artificial light sources being present which produce a high light intensity, the lighting devices 10, 12 of the vehicle should nevertheless be switched on and remain switched on there. According to the invention, it is also provided that light intensity originating from artificial light sources is recognized by the evaluation device and, in this case, a light intensity which may be above the switch-on threshold value
• Switching on the lighting devices 10, 12 is effected or the lighting devices 10, 12 remain switched on.
• FIG. 4 shows a course of a signal Sk of the sensor device 20 over time t, which is represented by the light intensity of the light emitted by artificial light sources, which are operated with AC voltage.
• the light intensity generated by artificial light sources has periodic fluctuations which are caused by the AC voltage and have the same frequency as the AC voltage.
• the AC voltage of the public electricity network has a frequency between about 20 Hz and 100 Hz, preferably of about 50 Hz, so that the signal Sk for the light intensity also changes accordingly and with twice the frequency as the AC voltage, that is to say with one frequency changes between about 40 Hz and 200 Hz, preferably about 100 Hz.
• the light intensity has a maximum every 10 ms.
• the periodic change in the light intensity of the light originating from artificial light sources thus makes it possible to distinguish it from the light intensity which is generated by the sun as a natural light source and which, as shown in FIG. 3, has at most irregular fluctuations.
• the signals of the sensor device 20 are first evaluated by the evaluation device 32 for the presence of a periodically changing signal component. If such a periodically changing signal component is present, the level of this signal component is determined and if this exceeds a certain switch-on threshold value, the evaluation device 32 switches the lighting devices 10, 12 on or they remain switched on.
• the evaluation device 32 can also determine the amount of the remaining, non-periodically changing signal component.
• the evaluation device 32 can compare the level of the periodically changing signal component with the level of the remaining signal component, with the evaluation device 32 causing the lighting devices 10, 12 to be switched on or remain on when the level of the periodically changing signal part is greater than the level of the remaining signal component. This ensures that the lighting devices 10, 12 are switched on or remain switched on when the intensity of the artificial light detected by the sensor device 20 is higher than the intensity of the natural light detected by the sensor device 20.
• the lighting devices 10, 12 are switched on or remain in the switched-on state even when the signals from the sensor device 20 are above the underlying switch-on threshold or switch-off threshold.
• the evaluation explained above is carried out for the presence of a periodically changing signal component, at least in the case of the Signals from the global sensor 22 or the signals from both sensors 22, 24.
• the evaluation of the signals of the sensor device 20 by the evaluation device 32 is carried out in a clocked manner, the evaluation device 32 having an analog / digital converter which is equipped with a
• Sampling frequency works, which is greater than the frequency of the periodically changing signal component
• Sensor device 20 This ensures that the periodically variable signal component of sensor device 20 is recognized by evaluation device 32.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
• Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=7636126

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (10)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2000
  • 2000-03-23 DE DE10014549A patent/DE10014549A1/de not_active Ceased
• 2001
  • 2001-03-20 BR BR0105314-0A patent/BR0105314A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-03-20 KR KR1020017014497A patent/KR100781909B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-03-20 CN CNB018006477A patent/CN1211226C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-03-20 WO PCT/DE2001/001058 patent/WO2001071389A2/de not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-03-20 US US09/979,501 patent/US6727653B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-03-20 JP JP2001569523A patent/JP2003528006A/ja active Pending
  • 2001-03-20 EP EP01921218A patent/EP1224097A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (2)

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