System functions

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The control unit for the left-hand targeted illumination (GZAL) and the control unit for right-hand targeted illumination (GZAR) activate the lighting functions of the headlights for the targeted illumination.

The headlights for targeted illumination are supplied with voltage by the rear power distribution box.

Switch-on conditions

The targeted illumination is switched on under the following preconditions:

Light switch in the switch position A (switch position for automatic driving lights control)
Terminal 15 on
Active driving light
Activated person recognition in the Night Vision system
Activated targeted illumination system

Switch-off condition

The targeted illumination is switched off or not switched on under the following preconditions:

A person is located outside of the movement range or detection range of the function indicator light.
A person is located in the dazzle-free area before they should be warned.
The ambient brightness is high and/or there are many in front driving or oncoming vehicles present, so that the high-beam assistant can no longer securely identify in which area the road users are located.
A person is already located near the vehicle (approx. 30 meters) before they should be warned.

If the light switch is located in switch position A, the driving light is switched on via a signal from the rain-light-solar-condensation sensor from the footwell module (FRM) or from the Body Domain Controller (BDC).

The junction box electronics (JBE) or the Body Domain Controller (BDC) module requests the status of the ambient brightness from the rain-light-solar-condensation sensor. The rain-light-solar-condensation sensor relays this information to the Junction Box Electronics (JBE) or the Body Domain Controller (BDC). The footwell module or the Body Domain Controller (BDC) thereby receives the status of ambient brightness and evaluates it. The footwell module (FRM) or the Body Domain Controller (BCD) carries out any prompt received to switch the driving lights on or off. The automatic driving lights control switches on the driving light together with the side lights. A the same time, the night vision electronics (NVE) issues a request to the control unit GZAL and GZAR, to switch on the positioning lights (in the headlight for targeted illumination).

Should no signal be received from the rain-light-solar-condensation sensor owing to a defect while the automatic driving lights control is activated, the footwell module or the Body Domain Controller (BDC) will respond by switching on the headlamps. Once the headlamps have been switched on by the automatic driving lights control, they can be switched off again with the light switch or by the rain-light-solar-condensation sensor, provided that ambient lighting of adequate brightness is present.

The footwell module (FRM) or the Body Domain Controller (BDC) will only switch on the driving lights when there is low ambient brightness. There may thus be a delayed activation of the driving light when the vehicle enters a tunnel or a tree-shaded lane. The high-beam assistant identifies the oncoming and ahead driving road users with the help of the FLA camera or the KAFAS camera. The high-beam assistant monitors the distant field (up to 1000 m) ahead of the vehicle for the identification of a vehicle. By doing this, oncoming vehicles are identified starting at a distance of 1000 m; vehicles that are driving in front are identified starting at 400 m. With the high-beam assistant optional equipment, one always has the greatest possible illumination with the high-beam headlight, without dazzling other road users.

The headlights for targeted illumination adapt themselves to the variable motion of the identified persons. In addition, both headlights can be independently horizontally tilted several degrees via the stepper motor. If a person gets into an unfavorable angle, the function indicator light facing them is deactivated.

System limits

The function of the targeted illumination system is limited in following situations, e.g. due to the physical limits of the system optics:

Steep crests or drops
Oncoming light and dazzlings
During heavy fog, rain or snow fall
During very high ambient temperatures

The function of the targeted illumination system is limited in following situations, e.g. due to the limits of the person recognition:

Persons who are not standing, e.g. laying down
Cyclists on unusual wheels, e.g. recumbent bicycles

Prerequisite for an optimal system function: Clean and adjusted Night Vision camera, KAFAS camera or FLA camera and headlights for targeted illumination (no mechanical effect on the system, e.g. after an accident).