Method and device for controlling the light emission of a rear light of a vehicle

Abstract

A method and device for controlling a light emission of a rear lamp of a vehicle. The rear lamp includes optical components having emission surfaces having at least three partial emission surfaces. At least a first and a second light function can be produced by the light emission of the emission surfaces. After a switchover process from the first to the second light function, the first partial emission surface, which emits light for the first light function, emits no light, the second partial emission surface, which emits light for the first light function, continues to emit light, and the third partial emission surface, which emits no light for the first light function, emits light.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a light emission of a rear light of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing the rear light with optical components having emitting surfaces with at least three partial emitting surfaces; and generating at least a first and a second light function via the light emission of the emitting surfaces, wherein, after a switchover process from the first to the second light function, a first partial emitting surface, which emits light for the first light function, no longer emits light, a second partial emitting surface, which emits light for the first light function, continues to emit light, and a third partial emitting surface, which does not emit light for the first light function, emits light, wherein the first light function is a taillight function and the second light function is a braking light function.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the partial emitting surfaces are formed in a shape of lines, wherein the lines of the first and second partial emitting surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the third partial emitting surface.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein substantially horizontal light lines are produced by the first and second partial emitting surface and a substantially vertical light line is produced by the third partial emitting surface.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein at least the horizontal light lines produced by the first partial emitting surface are produced by lower emitting surfaces arranged next to one another, and/or the vertical light line of the third partial emitting surface is produced by lower emitting surfaces arranged below one another.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first partial emitting surface is produced by a first set of lower emitting surfaces and the third partial emitting surface is produced by a second set of lower emitting surfaces, wherein at least one lower emitting surface is a subset of the first and second set of lower emitting surfaces.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein three light lines are produced by at least one part of the second partial emitting surface, wherein the three light lines are arranged such that the one part of the second partial emitting surface produces a u-shaped light emission.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the switchover process is carried out as a function of a signal, and an intensity of the light emission via the second partial emitting surface is increased as a function of the signal, wherein the intensity of the light emission of the second partial emitting surface is precisely as great as the intensity of the light emission by the third partial emitting surface.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the signal is assigned to a deceleration of the vehicle caused by a braking action.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the third partial emitting surface comprises at least two lower emitting surfaces, the second light function is divided into two levels as a function of the deceleration of the vehicle, when the first level is reached, the second light function is generated by the second partial emitting surface and the first lower emitting surface of the third partial emitting surface, and when the second level is reached, the second light function is additionally generated by the second lower emitting surface of the third partial emitting surface so that the second light function is generated jointly by the second partial emitting surface and the first and second lower emitting surface of the third partial emitting surface.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second light function is divided into three levels as a function of the deceleration, wherein, when the third level is reached, the optical components are controlled such that a pulsating light is emitted by the second partial emitting surface and by the first and second lower emitting surface of the third partial emitting surface and/or a hazard warning light function of the vehicle is turned on.

11. A device for controlling a light emission of a rear light of a vehicle, the rear light comprising optical components having emitting surfaces with at least three partial emitting surfaces, and at least a first and a second light function being generated by the light emission of the emitting surfaces, the device comprising a control device via which the light emission by the partial emitting surfaces are controllable, the optical components being controlled by the control device such that after a switchover process from the first to the second light function, a first partial emitting surface, which emits light for the first light function, no longer emits light, a second partial emitting surface, which emits light for the first light function, continues to emit light, and a third partial emitting surface, which does not emit light for the first light function, emits light, wherein the first light function is a taillight function and the second light function is a braking light function.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the optical components comprise LEDs.

13. A vehicle with a device according to claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a vehicle with the device 1 of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 3a to 3c show signatures of the rear lights in different braking levels;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the process in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a process in an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention;

(7) FIGS. 6a and 6b show an embodiment of the rear light and signatures that can be produced with this embodiment of the rear light; and

(8) FIGS. 7a to 7c show an embodiment of the rear light and signatures that can be produced with this embodiment of the rear light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) An exemplary embodiment of device 1 of the invention is described with reference to FIG. 1.

(10) Device 1 of the invention comprises two rear lights 2, which in turn comprise a plurality of optical components 5 and 8. Optical components 5 and 8 comprise optical fibers 5 and LEDs 8. LEDs 8 couple light into optical fibers 5. The decoupling surfaces of optical fibers 5 function as emitting surfaces 6 of rear lights 2. Emitting surface 6 is divided into three partial emitting surfaces 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3. Optical components 5 are arranged furthermore so that partial emitting surfaces 6.1 and 6.2 of optical fibers 5.1 and 5.2 emit light as horizontal lines. Partial emitting surface 6.3, in contrast, is arranged so that it emits light as a vertical line. Partial emitting surfaces 6.1 and 6.2 are therefore perpendicular to partial emitting surface 6.3. Partial emitting surfaces 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 further are arranged separately from one another; therefore they are not in contact.

(11) Rear light 2 generates as a first light function a taillight function and as the second light function a brake light function. The taillight function in this case is generated by optical components 5.1, 8.1, 5.2, and 8.2. The brake light function is generated by optical components 5.2, 8.2, 5.3, and 8.3. The free area below partial emitting surface 6.1 can be occupied by other light functions. For example, a turn signal or a rear fog light can be mounted there.

(12) Furthermore, device 1 comprises a signal generating device 4. This is a brake pedal in the specific exemplary embodiment. When brake pedal 4 is actuated, a signal is generated which brings about a switchover process from a taillight function to a brake light function. Brake pedal 4 is connected via a control device 3 to rear lights 2. Optical components 8 of rear lights 2 are therefore controlled by control device 3 as a function of the signal generated via brake pedal 4.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a vehicle 7 with a device 1 of the invention from the rear view. It becomes clear here that device 1 of the invention allows a special design of rear light 2.

(14) FIG. 3a shows a slightly modified embodiment of rear light 2. In this case, partial emitting surface 6.3 is again divided into two lower emitting surfaces 6.4 and 6.5 arranged separately from one another.

(15) A first exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In this regard, for the first exemplary embodiment the two lower emitting surfaces are seen as a partial emitting surface 6.3. The hatching in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c indicates illuminated partial emitting surfaces 6. The denser hatching in FIGS. 3b and 3c denotes a greater light intensity.

(16) At the start of process 10 in process step 11, partial emitting surfaces 6.1 and 6.2 are illuminated as the taillight function of vehicle 7, as shown in FIG. 3a.

(17) If the driver of vehicle 7 steps on brake pedal 4, then a signal is generated in step 12. In step 13, the signal generated in step 12 is sent to control device 3, which in step 14 then in turn controls optical components 8 of rear lights 2. In the case of method 10, LED 8.1, which couples light into optical fiber 5.1, is turned off. Partial emitting surface 6.1, which originally had generated a part of the taillight function, accordingly no longer emits light outwardly. At the same time, LED 8.3, which couples light into optical fibers 5.3, is turned on. In so doing, the intensity of LED 8.3 is set higher than the intensity of LEDs 8.1 and 8.2, when they provide a taillight function. The intensity of LED 8.2, which couples light into optical fiber 5.2, is increased simultaneously. As a result, partial emitting surface 6.2 is illuminated more brightly as part of the brake light function than as part of the taillight function. The signature of rear light 2 in the case of an activated brake light is shown in FIG. 3b or 3c.

(18) If the driver of vehicle 7 removes his foot from brake pedal 4, the starting light distribution of FIG. 3a is restored and the process begins again in step 11.

(19) Method 10 represents the simplest variant of the method of the invention.

(20) Another exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. In this case, this involves a three-level brake light.

(21) Step 21 here is equivalent to step 11 of method 10.

(22) In step 22 stepping on brake pedal 4 generates a signal, which is associated with the deceleration of vehicle 7. In this case, two deceleration values are established at which a next brake light level is turned on. In this regard, the first level is assigned a first deceleration value, for example, the value of 3 m/s.sup.2. Level one is then active until this deceleration value is exceeded. Then level two is activated, which is likewise assigned a deceleration value that is higher than the first deceleration value, for example, the value of 6 m/s.sup.2. Level two in turn is active until the second deceleration value is exceeded. Then level three is activated. The deceleration values at which the different levels are to be activated are stored in control device 3. Control device 3 controls the various LEDs 8 by means of pulse width modulation.

(23) The deceleration of vehicle 7 is detected in step 23. In step 24 control device 3 compares the detected deceleration value with the stored deceleration value.

(24) In step 25, control device 3 controls LEDs 8 such that LED 8.1 is turned off, whereas LED 8.4 is turned on. In this case, the intensity of LED 8.4 is adjusted such that it is greater than the intensity of LEDs 8.1 and 8.2 during operation of the taillight function. Furthermore, the intensity of LED 8.2 is increased to the value of LED 8.4. The signature of rear light 2 in this step can be seen in FIG. 3b.

(25) After step 25, depending on the driver's behavior the method is continued either with step 21 or with step 26.

(26) If the braking action is only a light, short braking, i.e., the driver takes his foot again off the brake, then vehicle 7 no longer experiences a deceleration caused by the braking force. The taillight function from step 21 is restored. As a result, a driver of a following vehicle is signaled that the reason for the instituted braking action no longer exists.

(27) If the driver of vehicle 7 during the braking action steps more heavily on brake pedal 4, so that the deceleration value is between 3 m/s.sup.2 and 6 m/s.sup.2, in step 26 in addition to LEDs 8.2 and 8.4, LED 8.5 is turned on in the same intensity as LEDs 8.2 and 8.4. As a result, the signal effect of the brake light is greater than at a deceleration value below 3 m/s.sup.2.

(28) The method after step 26 depending on the behavior of the driver of vehicle 7 can continue either with step 28, step 21, or step 27.

(29) If the driver of vehicle 7 reduces the pressure on brake pedal 4, therefore in fact deceleration being continued, the deceleration value declines again below 3 m/s.sup.2. In step 28 the same brake signature is then produced as in step 25. Therefore LED 8.5 is turned off, so that light is no longer emitted by lower emitting surface 6.5 of optical fiber 5.5. Therefore, as in step 25 the signature of the brake light is generated still only by partial emitting surface 6.2 and lower emitting surface 6.4.

(30) If the driver of vehicle 7 completely removes the pressure from brake pedal 4, thus vehicle 7 no longer experiences any deceleration. Therefore, the taillight function from step 21 is restored and thus the method is started from the beginning.

(31) Step 27 is begun when the driver of vehicle 7 steps so firmly on brake pedal 4 that the deceleration value rises above the value of 6 m/s.sup.2. This is the case, e.g., in an emergency braking. LEDs 8.2, 8.4, and 8.5, which are turned on in step 27, are then controlled such that they give off a pulsating light emission. A signal effect is especially great as a result. Alternatively or in addition, the flashing light function of vehicle 7 can be turned on.

(32) After step 27 the method can continue either with step 21 or step 29 depending on the behavior of the driver of vehicle 7.

(33) Step 21 is started when the driver of vehicle 7 removes his foot from the brake pedal 4 and thus vehicle 7 experiences no further deceleration due to the braking force. The taillight function is turned on again.

(34) Step 29 is started when the driver of vehicle 7 reduces the pressure on brake pedal 4, until the deceleration value again falls below the value of 6 m/s.sup.2. The pulsating light emission of LEDs 8.2, 8.4, and 8.5 is turned off. If necessary, the hazard warning light function is also turned off. Either step 28 or step 21 now follows step 29.

(35) If the detected deceleration value even at the beginning of the braking action is above the first deceleration value, step 25 of method 20 is skipped, and the signature in FIG. 3c is activated immediately.

(36) If an emergency braking occurs at the beginning, the detected deceleration value even at the beginning of the braking action will therefore be above the second deceleration value. Then steps 25 and 26 of method 20 are skipped and a pulsating light emission is activated immediately.

(37) A method of the invention naturally can also comprise only two levels. Level three of the method can be omitted, e.g., so that no pulsating light emission is activated during emergency braking. Alternatively, step 25 of method 20 can also be omitted in general.

(38) Alternatively, partial emitting surface 6.3 can also be divided into more than two lower emitting surfaces, for example, into three lower emitting surfaces. Thus, for example, in level 1 a middle lower emitting surface and in the second level a right and left lower emitting surface together with the second partial emitting surface can then generate the second light function.

(39) Another embodiment of rear light 2 is explained with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(40) In this case, the decoupling surfaces of optical fibers 5 again serve as emitting surface 9 of rear light 2.

(41) Rear light 2 is formed in two parts. The first part 15.1 is arranged, for example, on a movable part of the rear of a vehicle, for example, a trunk lid or a tailgate, and the second part 15.2 on a nonmovable part, for example, directly next to the trunk lid or tailgate.

(42) The first part 15.1 comprises a plurality of partial emitting surfaces 9.1 to 9.3, which are illuminated, for example, by LEDs (not shown), as explained in the previous examples.

(43) Partial emitting surface 9.2 is formed thereby such that it forms a u-shape in first part 15.1 and a line in part 15.2. The u-shape again comprises two substantially horizontal sections, running parallel to one another, and a substantially vertical section, running slightly diagonally from bottom to top, which connects the two sections running substantially horizontal to one another. The u-shape is therefore open to the side.

(44) Partial emitting surface 9.1 in both parts 15.1 and 15.2 forms a substantially horizontal broad stripe. Said stripe can be formed, for example, by a plurality of lower emitting surfaces 9.1 and 9.13 arranged above one another. Partial emitting surface 9.3 is formed by lower emitting surfaces 9.3 and 9.13. They form a vertical stripe.

(45) The two parts 15.1 and 15.2 of rear light 2 are operated simultaneously, so that rear light 2 generates the signatures of rear light 2 as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(46) A signature of a taillight function is shown in FIG. 6a. In this case, light is emitted outwardly via partial emitting surfaces 9.1 and 9.2. Partial emitting surface 9.3 is not illuminated during operation of the taillight function. Partial emitting surface 9.1 furthermore comprises lower emitting surfaces 9.1 and 9.13.

(47) If the brake pedal activates a switchover process from the taillight function to the brake light function, a signature is generated, as shown in FIG. 6b. Lower emitting surfaces 9.1 of partial emitting surface 9.1 no longer emit any light. Lower emitting surfaces 9.13 continue to emit light, because they are also assigned to partial emitting surface 9.3. Moreover, lower emitting surfaces 9.3 emit light. The light intensity of lower emitting surfaces 9.13 and partial emitting surface 9.2 can then be adjusted to the light intensity of the additionally connected lower emitting surfaces 9.3.

(48) The brake light function is provided jointly by partial emitting surfaces 9.2 and 9.3.

(49) Another embodiment of rear light 2 in the case of different light functions is explained with reference to FIGS. 7a to 7c.

(50) In this case, decoupling surfaces of optical fibers 5 again serve as emitting surface 16 of rear light 2.

(51) Rear light 2 is made as two parts, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b. The first part 15.1 is again arranged on a movable part of the rear of the vehicle, whereas part 15.2 is arranged on an unmovable part of the rear of the vehicle.

(52) Partial emitting surfaces 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3 emit light in first part 15.1 and in second part 15.2 of rear light 2.

(53) Partial emitting surface 16.2 is again formed u-shaped in first part 15.1 and as a line in second part 15.2.

(54) A plurality of lower emitting surfaces 16 are arranged in first part 15.1 and second part 15.2 of rear light 2. These are arranged in eight rows and four columns slightly offset to one another. Partial emitting surfaces 16.2 and 16.3 can then be generated by any combinations of light-emitting lower emitting surfaces 16.

(55) In addition, two partial emitting surfaces 16.4 are arranged in second part 15.2 of rear light 2. These then emit light when a rear fog light function is turned on.

(56) FIG. 7a shows a taillight function that can be generated by rear light 2. The signature of the taillight function is generated, for example, in that partial emitting surface 16.2 emits light. Partial emitting surface 16.1 is generated in that lower emitting surfaces 16 of rows three and four in both parts 15.1 and 15.2 of rear light 2 emit light.

(57) The signature of the taillight accordingly in first part 15.1 has a u-shape, formed by partial emitting surface 16.2 and two horizontal light lines, which are produced by partial emitting surface 16.1.

(58) If a switchover process from the taillight function to the brake light function is brought about in response to the brake pedal, a signature is generated, as it is shown in FIG. 7b. Partial emitting surface 16.2 continues to emit light. In this case, the light intensity with which partial emitting surface 16.2 emits light can be adjusted according to the described method.

(59) In first part 15.1 of rear light 2, the two horizontal light lines, produced by partial emitting surface 16.2, are no longer produced. Instead, partial emitting surface 16.3 emits light. Partial emitting surface 16.3 in first part 15.1 of rear light 2 includes lower emitting surfaces 16 of the first and second column from the left. Two light stripes running slightly diagonally from top to bottom are formed. Moreover, partial emitting surface 16.3, as in the previous example, is produced partially by the same lower emitting surfaces 16 as partial emitting surface 16.1.

(60) In second part 15.2 of rear light 2 as well, the two horizontal light lines are no longer produced. Instead, partial emitting surface 16.3 emits light. Partial emitting surface 16.3 of second part 15.2 includes lower emitting surfaces 16 of only the first column from the left.

(61) Alternatively, the signature of rear light 2 can also correspond to the signature shown in FIG. 7c. This signature corresponds to a combination of signatures of the taillight function and brake light function of FIGS. 7a and 7b. The taillight function is thereby not completely turned off. Rather, the signature of the taillight function from second part 15.2 of rear light 2, as it is shown in FIG. 7a, is retained. First part 15.1 of rear light 2 has the signature of the brake light function, as it is shown in first part 15.1 of rear light 2 in FIG. 7b. In this case, the light intensities of partial emitting surfaces 16.1 and 16.2 of the taillight function can be changed in turn.

(62) If the rear fog light function is turned on, partial emitting surfaces 16.4 as well emit light. This is also shown in FIG. 7c.

(63) In the present example, not all lower emitting surfaces 16 installed in the rear light are used for generating the signatures. These unused lower emitting surfaces 16 can be used, for example, for other light functions. Alternatively, rear light 2 can have lower emitting surfaces 16 in the quantity and arrangement necessary for generating the desired signatures. For the example of FIGS. 7a to 7c, this means that the rear light has only lower emitting surfaces 16, which are involved in generating the signature of the taillight function shown in FIG. 7a, the signature of the brake light function shown in FIG. 7b, or the combination of taillight and brake light functions and the rear fog light function of FIG. 7c.

(64) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.