DE102011014701B4 - Driver assistance system with lighting device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle with a lighting device with the aid of the lighting device, an optical warning is generated and wherein the lighting device comprises: - a first plate (1) having a bottom and a top, and - a lighting device (4) for illuminating the first Plate (1) from the bottom, - the first plate (1) has a plurality of transparent and non-transparent elements (2, 3), which are arranged alternately, each other, and each extend completely from the bottom to the top, - the transparent and non-transparent elements (2, 3) of the first panel (1) form a striped pattern on the upper side of the first panel (1), - the lighting unit (4) has a plurality of LEDs (5), characterized in that - each of the LEDs (5) is assigned to exactly one of the transparent elements (2) and - the LEDs (5) for generating the warning with a control device (6) can be controlled sin d.

Description

The present invention relates to a driver assistance system having a lighting device and a motor vehicle having such a driver assistance system.

From the publication DE 298 08 949 U1 Such a lighting device for a motor vehicle is known. It comprises a light source, which is arranged behind a wall of a door trim, in particular a door strip. The wall is translucent in this area, and with the light source switched off, this area in its surface decoration corresponds to the rest of the surface decor of the wall. The door light is thus invisible in the vehicle door, in particular integrated in the trim strip due to their decor. The surface of the door panel can be realized in different surface designs (wood structures, metal effects, color gradients, etc.). The decorative layer is provided on the back with an opaque layer except for the permeable to the at least one light source area, by means of which edge contour of the translucent area in its shape as an arrow, point, etc. can be designed. In particular, the lighting device can also be used as a flashing light, running light or warning light.

In addition, the document describes DE 102 11 171 A1 a decorative trim part, consisting essentially of a support part made of plastic and a thin metal trim plate mounted thereon, for the design of the interior of a vehicle, primarily for use as dashboard element, center console or Türzierstäbe. The prefabricated decorative plate is placed in an injection mold, and the support member is molded as an injection molding material directly on the back of the decorative plate, so that both parts are so firmly connected at least in some areas that they form a stable unit.

Furthermore, the document discloses DE 299 12 270 U1 a wood trim for a vehicle interior. It has a single or multi-layered wooden structure on a support and serves to decorate the interior of a vehicle. The wood trim has wholly or partially in an opening in the timber structure and in the carrier at least one deposit. The inlay or the wood trim is backlit in whole or in part. Furthermore, the insert is made of a stone, and it reflects reflected light.

The US 2004/0 128 882 A1 describes a lighting element for a motor vehicle, in which a carrier element has corresponding openings in the form of characters. These openings are preferably filled with an at least partially transparent material. The carrier element is backlit by means of a lighting element.

From the DE 20 2007 019 209 U1 is an illuminated body known. This body is manufactured by first introducing at least one depression into the front of a body. The depression is filled with an at least partially transparent filling compound and the filling compound is exposed starting from the rear side of the body.

The DE 10 2009 017 363 A1 describes a decorative element for a motor vehicle, comprising at least a partially transparent decorative film, which is applied to a flat support member and back-injected with two layers of plastic. At least the first plastic layer is at least partially transparent. This makes it possible to use the first plastic layer as a light guide.

Higher value vehicles have numerous monitoring devices and driver assistance systems. These produce warning signals that are often visually displayed. Mostly this warning lights are provided in the vehicle interior. These warning lights are usually designed as purely technical elements and interfere with a visually appealing overall impression of the vehicle interior.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a driver assistance system with a lighting device for a motor vehicle, wherein the lighting device has a versatile designable surface and can meet a warning function.

• – eine erste Platte, die eine Unterseite und eine Oberseite aufweist, und
• – eine Leuchteinrichtung zum Beleuchten der ersten Platte von der Unterseite her, wobei
• – die erste Platte eine Vielzahl transparenter und nicht transparenter Elemente aufweist, die abwechselnd, aneinander angeordnet sind, und die jeweils vollständig von der Unterseite zu der Oberseite reichen,
• – die transparenten und nicht transparenten Elemente der ersten Platte ein Streifenmuster bilden,
• – die Leuchteinrichtung mehrere LEDs besitzt, wobei
• – jede der LEDs genau einem der transparenten Elemente zugeordnet ist und
• – die LEDs zum Erzeugen des Warnhinweises mit einer Steuereinrichtung ansteuerbar sind.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle having a lighting device, wherein an optical warning can be generated with the aid of the lighting device, and wherein the lighting device comprises:

• A first plate having a bottom and a top, and
• - A lighting device for illuminating the first plate from the bottom, wherein
• The first plate has a plurality of transparent and non-transparent elements which are arranged alternately, one against the other, and which in each case extend completely from the underside to the upper side,
• The transparent and non-transparent elements of the first panel form a striped pattern,
• - The lighting device has a plurality of LEDs, wherein
• - Each of the LEDs is assigned to exactly one of the transparent elements and
• - The LEDs for generating the warning with a control device are controlled.

Under "transparent" is understood here partially transparent or fully transparent.

Advantageously, it is possible by the special layer structure of the plate to use the certain transparency to place behind lighting elements that serve to visually warn a motor vehicle occupant. In particular, lighting devices that have a very attractive design can thus be provided.

The transparent and non-transparent elements of the first plate form a striped pattern at the top of the first plate. This means that the first plate has translucent stripes. Thus, structures are available on the surface of the plate which are essentially independent of the lighting device.

Furthermore, the non-transparent elements may at least partially be formed from a wood and / or a metal. This allows non-transparent areas to be realized with a very high-quality design.

Furthermore, the transparent elements may be at least partially formed from a plastic. It is particularly advantageous to produce the transparent elements, for example, from a partially transparent or fully transparent PMMA ("Plexiglas"). Such transparent layers can be produced in the desired form without great effort.

In a specific embodiment, a partially transparent second plate may be arranged between the lighting device and the first plate. This fulfills the task that the light of the lighting device is scattered before it enters the overlying layered second plate. This has the effect that the lighting device acts less punctually.

In addition, it is provided that the at least one lighting device comprises a plurality of LEDs as lighting elements. LEDs have low energy consumption with high luminance. Therefore, several LEDs are suitable for generating an intense or large-scale lighting or visual warning with low energy consumption.

It is particularly advantageous if a driver assistance system or motor vehicle is equipped with such a lighting device. It is advantageous, for example, to place the lighting device in a door of the motor vehicle.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 a schematic view of an optical Warnelements according to the present invention;

2 an optical warning element in the cross-sectional view and

3 a plan view of a plate of a optical Warnelements with honeycomb structure, this embodiment is not included in the scope.

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

According to the example of 1 the lighting device has a first plate 1 having in cross-section a plurality of alternately transparent and non-transparent elements. In the present example, the transparent elements become transparent stripes 2 made of a transparent material and the non-transparent areas by non-transparent stripes 3 made of a non-transparent material. The individual stripes 2 . 3 each form a layer and each project completely from the top of the first plate to the bottom.

The layers or stripes 2 . 3 are inextricably linked. For example, they are stuck together. The stacking direction of the layers runs perpendicular to the upper side of the plate. But the stacking direction can also run at an angle obliquely to the top of the plate. It is only essential that a lighting device 4 that is on the bottom of the first plate 1 through the transparent elements to the other side of the plate 1 can shine.

The non-transparent elements or stripes 3 For example, they can be made of wood. But you can also from a metal, z. B. aluminum or steel.

The transparent stripes 2 can be semi-transparent or fully transparent. They are made for example of PMMA or another plastic.

The Stripes 2 . 3 leading to the plate 1 are joined together, each can have the same layer thickness (parallel to the top plate). The Stripes 2 . 3 but can also be different widths. For example, the transparent stripes 2 thicker than the non-transparent stripes 3 be, or vice versa. In addition, the non-transparent stripes must 3 not all made of the same material. For example, a non-transparent strip 3 made of wood and a adjacent or next non-transparent strip 3 be formed of aluminum.

The first plate 1 is here by a lighting device 4 illuminated. The lighting device 4 owns here several light elements 5 , Each of these light elements 5 is from a controller 6 driven. The control device 6 controls the lighting elements 5 so that they light up as part of an assistance function when the vehicle occupant is to be warned on the basis of a certain circumstance. For this purpose, the control device has 6 a signal input in 1 not shown. Together with the lighting elements 5 can the controller 6 thus realize or support a warning function.

The lighting elements 5 are each according to the invention directly below a transparent element or strip 2 ( 1 ). This means every light element 5 is exactly a single transparent strip 2 assigned.

2 shows a section through the first plate 1 from 1 , It is the transparent and not transparent layers, here the transparent stripes 2 and the non-transparent stripes 3 to recognize. The lighting elements 5 are indicated here as a small "v". Between the lighting elements 5 and the plate 1 there is a second plate here 7 , This second plate 7 is either semi-transparent or fully transparent with roughened surface (and thus partially transparent). Preferably, it is partially transparent and thus opaque. In this way, the individual lighting elements 5 from the outside of a viewer can not be perceived. So even if the transparent stripes 2 Fully transparent, prevents the partially transparent plate 7 that the lighting elements 5 can be optically detected or accurately localized.

How out 2 can be seen, a luminous element emits light in the operating case through the second plate 7 where it is strewn. The scattered light then penetrates a transparent strip 2 and then penetrates to the outside (usually in the vehicle interior).

The above embodiments all have transparent and non-transparent stripes or layers. In the case of not included in the scope of embodiment of 3 Many hexagonal prisms become a plate 1 together. The prisms are made of transparent material, for example. The walls of the prisms are then made of a non-transparent material, for example. In the plan view results in a plate with honeycomb structure according to 3 , The cross section through this honeycomb element plate would be similar or equal to that of 2 , This results in the typical layering across the plate surface.

The transparent and non-transparent elements of the first panel 1 but can also be formed of prisms with other cross sections. Thus, any polygonal prism can serve as a structural element, for. B. triangular prisms, square prisms, pentagonal prisms and the like, straight or oblique. Also, the transparent areas may be formed, for example, by small transparent cylinders. The spaces between the cylinders are then filled by non-transparent materials. Again, alternating layers thus result in the cross-section of the plate.

Depending on the nature and importance of the warning can be targeted by a light element 5 a transparent element or a transparent layer are illuminated. In addition, the warning can be triggered depending on the risk situation in a portion of the plate or possibly in all sub-areas.

The preferred location of the optical warning element is a door of the motor vehicle. Thus, the side walls (i.e., doors) of the motor vehicle can be used as large-scale warning elements. In particular, this allows the driver to roughly indicate the direction from which the danger exists. For example, it is possible to make a visual reference to a cyclist who is at the side of the vehicle. Also, for example, be pointed to the wildlife on the roadside with the optical warning element.

For a warning in the direction of travel, for example, a free area in the dash panel (ie the instrument panel) can be used.

The specially layered panel on the inside of the door or on the dashboard of a vehicle can be perceived as a high-quality design element in the daytime when not illuminated. At the same time, the plate can also be part of an optical warning element so that it fulfills another function. This is possible because the plate just has the said transparent layers, through which light can shine.

The warning function can generally be realized by a control device checking a signal. If the signal fulfills a predetermined condition, then the control device activates a lighting device provided for this purpose. The lighting device has the structure as described above.

Warning functions are, as already indicated above, helpful in particular for driver assistance systems. Thus, the above lighting device can be used for example for a "distance warning". The "distance warning" constantly checks whether a certain distance to the person in front is observed. The control takes place for example by means of radar. If a minimum distance is exceeded, the driver must be warned in a suitable manner. This can be done here for example by means of the described lighting device below the windshield, the dashboard or the like.

The lighting device according to the invention can also be used for a driver assistance system "Überholwarner". For example, a radar beam scans the rear of a motor vehicle. If an overtaking vehicle is detected and the own vehicle has set the turn signal on the lane of the overtaking vehicle or if a steering angle of the own vehicle is registered in the direction of the lane of the overtaking vehicle, a corresponding overtake warning can be given off optically. This occurs, for example, in that a running light on the inside of the door on the side of the overtaking vehicle indicates an overtaking process. For example, this can be done by a red running light, which moves forward in the direction of travel.

Another possible application of the lighting device according to the invention in a driver assistance system would be the use of an "exit assistant". For example, if the vehicle stops next to a bicycle lane and an occupant wants to get out, the door can be displayed with appropriate lighting to indicate whether the door can be safely opened or not. If there is no danger, for example, the door can be illuminated green inside, while in danger, d. H. for example, in an approaching or a passing bike, red lights.

Other driver assistance systems can be equipped with the lighting device according to the invention. In this case, the lighting device can be made very large in the area, since it represents a high-quality decorative element when not in use.

Claims (6)

Driver assistance system for a motor vehicle with a lighting device, wherein with the aid of the lighting device, an optical warning can be generated and wherein the lighting device comprises: - a first plate ( 1 ) having a bottom and a top, and - a lighting device ( 4 ) for illuminating the first plate ( 1 ) from the bottom, - the first plate ( 1 ) a multitude of transparent and non-transparent elements ( 2 . 3 ), which are arranged alternately, and which in each case extend completely from the lower side to the upper side, - the transparent and non-transparent elements ( 2 . 3 ) of the first plate ( 1 ) at the top of the first plate ( 1 ) form a stripe pattern, - the lighting device ( 4 ) several LEDs ( 5 ), characterized in that - each of the LEDs ( 5 ) exactly one of the transparent elements ( 2 ) and - the LEDs ( 5 ) for generating the warning with a control device ( 6 ) are controllable. Driver assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the non-transparent elements ( 3 ) are at least partially formed of a wood. Driver assistance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-transparent areas ( 3 ) are formed at least partially of a metal. Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transparent elements ( 2 ) are at least partially formed of a plastic. Driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the lighting device ( 4 ) and the first plate ( 1 ) a partially transparent second plate ( 7 ) is arranged. Motor vehicle with a driver assistance system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device is arranged in particular in a door of the motor vehicle.

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