Part 2
Non-Glare High-Beam Assistant
System functions
The lighting functions of the headlights are controlled with one headlight driver module each. The headlight driver module receives the information about the voltage supply of light sources from footwell module (FRM). The xenon headlights or LED headlights are supplied with voltage by a power distribution box.
The following system functions are described:
- Side lights, driving light and high-beam headlight
- Dynamic headlight beam throw adjustment
- Automatic driving lights control
- Variable light distribution
- Adaptive Headlights
- Non-glare high-beam assistant
Side lights, driving light and high-beam headlight
The exterior lights can be switched on and off at the lights operating facility.
Side lights
To use the side lights to make the parked vehicle easier to identify in darkness, the light switch must be turned to switch position 1. When the side lights are switched on, an acoustic signal sounds if the driver's door is opened, while a Check Control message also appears in the instrument panel (KOMBI). Leaving the side lights on can drain the vehicle's battery.
Driving light
The light switch of the operating facility must be rotated to switch position 2 to activate the low-beam headlight. When the engine is switched off, the side lights remain on although the light switch is in switch position 2. When the driver's door is opened, the side lights are also switched off.
In switch position A (switch position for automatic driving lights control) the driving light is activated by the footwell module (FRM) based on information from the rain-light-solar-condensation sensor.
The headlights execute a reference run each time terminal 15 is activated. The adjustment range of the headlight beam throw adjustment and adaptive head light will hereby be referenced.
High-beam headlight
The high-beam headlight is switched on under the following preconditions:
- Terminal 15 on
- Driving light on
- High-beam headlight selected at turn signal/high beam switch or with high-beam assistant activated
The headlight flasher is activated by pulling back the turn signal/high beam switch.
Dynamic headlight beam throw adjustment
The automatic headlight beam throw adjustment thus ensures that oncoming traffic is not dazzled. The automatic headlight beam throw adjustment is supported by two ride height sensors. one ride height sensor each located on the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle. Data from ride height sensors are evaluated directly by the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM). The footwell module (FRM) receives signals from the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM).
The dynamic headlight beam throw adjustment was developed for compensating pitching movements that occur as a result of braking and acceleration.
Automatic driving lights control
The following preconditions must be satisfied before the driving light can be activated automatically:
- Light switch in the switch position A (switch position for automatic driving lights control)
- Terminal 15 on
- Rain-light-solar-condensation sensor reports low brightness
The junction box electronics (JBE) 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) module. The footwell module (FRM) receives the status of ambient brightness and analyses it. The footwell module (FRM) 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.
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 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. Even after Terminal 15 off the side lights can remain on because they were activated by the automatic driving lights control system. The side lights are switched off automatically when the driver's door is opened. When the occupants exit the vehicle from another door, the side lights are switched off when the vehicle's locks are engaged.
The footwell module (FRM) 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 light switch must be in switch position A (switch position for automatic driving lights control)
Variable light distribution
In the European market version, the variable light distribution function is integrated in the footwell module (FRM).
The variable light distribution is not available in US market versions.
City light distribution
The urban light distribution pattern projects more light toward the left edge of the road than the previous lighting system. The footwell module (FRM) implements the improved roadway illumination with the following measures:
- Lowering the left headlight
- Tilting the left headlight to the left
The urban light distribution pattern is available as soon as the engine running signal is present. The Digital Engine Electronics (DME) and Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) furnish the signal.
Country road light distribution
The secondary road light distribution pattern corresponds to the pattern hitherto employed for the driving light. This lighting function is available once Terminal 15 on status is present. The country road light distribution represents the basic setting for the headlights. The basic setting is assumed when there are faults in the complete light distribution system.
The system switches from urban traffic light distribution to country road light distribution as soon as the driving speed exceeds 45 kilometers per hour. The system reverts to the urban light distribution pattern when the driving speed falls back below 40 kilometers per hour. The footwell module (FRM) receives both the speed signal and the "engine running" signal from the central gateway module (ZGM).
Motorway light distribution
The motorway light distribution increases the range of the driving light under certain conditions.
The footwell module (FRM) adjusts the headlights to motorway light distribution under the following preconditions:
- Driving speed exceeds 110 kilometers per hour for longer than 30 seconds
- Driving speed exceeds 140 kilometers per hour
The headlights are lowered once the driving speed falls below 110 kilometers per hour. The headlights are lowered (reducing the headlight beam throw) in gradual stages as the speed drops below 110 kilometers per hour:
- 110 kilometers per hour
- 100 kilometers per hour
- 90 kilometers per hour
- 80 kilometers per hour
From 80 kilometers per hour, the headlights are fully reset to country road light distribution.
Adaptive Headlights
The adaptive head light is offered as optional equipment required for the non-glare high-beam assistant. The Adaptive Headlight is basically a headlight that can tilt along a horizontal and vertical axis and is part of both the low-beam headlight and high-beam headlight function. The Adaptive Headlight feature allows the headlights to turn into the direction of the driving area while cornering. Using the automatic headlight beam throw adjustment ensures optimum adaptation in every driving situation. The headlights swivel angle is continuously adjusted for the duration of cornering. This enhanced illumination during cornering improves visibility for the driver.
The Adaptive Headlight's electronics componentry facilitates rapid reaction to current driving situation. The electronics can also activate an emergency program.
Non-glare high-beam assistant
The object recognition of the KAFAS camera and/or the inside mirror with high-beam assistant uses a motor to control a movable cover in the headlight. The high-beam headlight is thereby masked so that oncoming traffic or traffic driving ahead is not blinded. Your own high-beam headlight is thereby suppressed for the other vehicle. The greatest possible headlight illumination is thereby available to the driver with the non-glare high-beam assistant without blinding other road users.
The non-glare high-beam assistant is a combination of the following light controls:
- Dynamic headlight beam throw adjustment
- Automatic driving lights control
- Variable light distribution
- Adaptive Headlights
When activated with the headlights on, the high-beam assistant automatically activates and switches off the highbeam headlights. The non-glare high-beam headlight assistant uses the KAFAS camera and/or high beam assistant camera to recognize the oncoming traffic and traffic driving ahead. The non-glare high-beam assistant ensures that the high-beam headlights are activated whenever traffic situations allow.
The light cones of the headlights were continuously adjusted by the servomotors of the headlight beam throw adjustment and also the servomotors of the adaptive headlight.
Recognized road users will be suppressed using a cover in the headlight. If required due to traffic conditions, the non-glare high-beam assistant will suppress on one side or both sides.
The non-glare high-beam assistant recognizes oncoming traffic from distances of 1000 m. Traffic driving ahead is recognized up to 400 m.
The high-beam headlights can always be switched on and off manually.
To activate the non-glare high-beam assistant:
1. Turn light switch to switch position A (switch position for automatic driving lights control)
2. Press the non-glare high-beam assistant button on the left steering column switch
3. The indicator light (2) in the instrument cluster lights up.
The non-glare high-beam assistant responds to lights on approaching and preceding vehicles while also monitoring the surrounding area for adequate illumination.
Manual high-beam activation and dipping
1. High-beam headlight on or headlight flasher on
2. High-beam headlight off
To switch the non-glare high-beam assistant off, press the high-beam assistant button on the left steering column switch again.
The graphic below shows the different light distributions for city, county road, freeway and full high-beam headlight.
An asymmetrical shorter headlight beam through was realized in the light distribution for city. A greater headlight beam throw is not necessary due to the street lighting.
In the light distribution for county road the light distribution targets good illumination of the road sides and high range. For this purpose, the light/dark boundary will be raised in the outer area. This illuminates traffic signs and obstacles clearly sooner and better. A limitation of the headlight beam throw in the center serves to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.
The light distribution for freeway approximately correspond with the light distribution for county road; however, the limitation in the centre does not apply.
Combined light distributions are also available for the last mentioned light distributions. During the transition from light distribution for county road to light distribution for freeway, the characteristic properties of the correspondent light distributions vary. In addition, a speed-dependent raise of the light/dark boundary occurs for the light distribution for freeway to increase the range.
Conditions between a light distribution and the full high-beam headlight and low-beam headlight can be implemented with defined recesses in the cover.
Horizontal movement range of headlights
Both headlights can be moved vertically and also horizontally by a few degrees. The light cones thereby receive a new targeted alignment.
Preceding vehicle
To recognize a vehicle, the non-glare high-beam assistant monitors the immediate area (up to 400 m) in front of the vehicle. The non-glare high-beam assistant recognizes the rear lights of vehicles driving ahead. When recognizing road users driving ahead, the non-glare high-beam assistant will automatically adjust the high-beam headlight. The traffic driving ahead can thereby not be blinded.
The graphic below shows the light distribution from the "top" (1) and from the driver's perspective (2).
Oncoming vehicle
To recognize a vehicle, the non-glare high-beam assistant monitors the distant area (up to 1000 m) in front of the vehicle. The non-glare high-beam assistant recognizes the light of oncoming traffic. While recognizing oncoming road users, the system adjusts the high-beam headlight automatically so that they will not be blinded. Both headlights will be moved by a few degrees for this purpose: The light cones are aligned again.
The graphic below shows the light distribution from the "top" (1) and from the driver's perspective (2).
When oncoming traffic is recognized, a range will develop that is only scarcely illuminated by the high-beam headlight. Outside of this range, the optimized illumination of the road will be maintained (1). The non-glare alignment will adjust to the movement of the other road users as needed. When the oncoming vehicle passes an unfavorable angle, the high-beam headlight facing him will be deactivated (2). The high-beam headlight temporarily switches to the dimmed mode.
Locality
The high-beam headlight for both headlights will be switched off as soon as the surrounding area is light enough. For example, this is the case with closed localities.
Limits of the system
The non-glare high-beam assistant does replace the individual's responsibility to decide when the high-beam headlights are used. Thus the headlights must be dipped manually whenever conditions render it necessary to do so.
Operation of the non-glare high-beam assistant is restricted, or it may fail to operate entirely, under the following conditions:
- Unfavorable weather conditions, such as fog or heavy precipitation
- Road users with poor lighting
- Sharp curves, steep rises and dips
- Crossing traffic or partially hidden traffic on the opposite side of motorways
- Poorly lit towns and intense reflections from road signs
- Low driving speed
- Contamination or stickers on the windscreen in the area around the KAFAS camera
Field of view of KAFAS camera and from inside mirror with high-beam assistant
The field of view of the KAFAS camera and/or high-beam assistant camera is near the inside mirror. The area around the inside mirror must not be obstructed by air fresheners, etc.
Notes for Service department
Right-hand traffic and left-hand traffic
When driving in countries where vehicles drive on the opposite side of the road from the country in which the vehicle is registered, the headlights must be partially covered with foil. The light switch must be turned to switch position 2. The function of the non-glare high-beam assistant is then not available.
In the F01LCI light setting "tourist light" can be activated in the menu of the personal profile.
Adjust headlight.
The basic setting of the headlights can be performed as usual; however, the light switch must be in switch position 2. The lateral adjustment is then performed using a service function in the diagnosis system.
When the lights are switched on by the automatic driving lights control, the urban light distribution pattern is active. The headlights can only be correctly adjusted in the country road light distribution mode. In the urban traffic light distribution mode, the left headlight is simultaneously lowered and swivelled slightly to the left.
If the headlights are adjusted while in their urban light distribution mode, the automatic driving lights control will dazzle oncoming traffic. This is why the headlights should always be adjusted with the switch position 2 and the engine must be shut off.
The repair instructions must be followed without exception. Ensure that only original BMW parts are used when renewing the headlights.
Renewing components.
Various repairs may be necessary over the service life of the vehicle. In the course of repairs, components for various software versions and hardware numbers may be installed. New parts are then used together with components already installed in the vehicle. It is always essential to adapt the replacement components for operation in the vehicle. Among the components that may be replaced when the vehicle is serviced are the:
- Footwell module (FRM)
- Headlight driver module
- Light source
- Headlight
Refer to the appropriate repair instructions for more details.
Diagnosis
The exterior lighting must be set to the "diagnostic mode" as a condition for carrying out various diagnosis orders. For example, the "diagnostic mode" is required for the following diagnosis orders:
- Reading out relevant bus signals while the vehicle is stationary
- Speed
- Yaw rate
- Steering angle
- Analysis of switch-on conditions
- Status of rain-light-solar-condensation sensor.
- Status of non-glare high-beam assistant
- Status of light switch
Missing or implausible bus signals will be stored as faults.
The types of faults are stored in the headlight driver module. The footwell module (FRM) provides access to the headlight driver module.
General notes
Monitoring of light source
All of the exterior lighting's light sources are monitored by the footwell module (FRM) when switched on. The monitoring starts at terminal 15 ON.
Hot monitoring with light ON
Hot monitoring is based on the current measurement. The power consumption readings assist in detection of short and open circuits. For example, when the power consumption of the gas discharge bulb cannot be measured while the xenon light is switched on, the footwell module (FRM) detects a faulty xenon light. The system cancels the activation signal to the affected xenon light and a Check Control message appears in the instrument panel's display panel.
The monitoring function also embraces the light-emitting diodes in the exterior lighting. This function relies on monitoring of power consumption. Failure of light-emitting diodes is also indicated as a Check Control message in the instrument panel (KOMBI).
We can assume no liability for printing errors or inaccuracies in this document and reserve the right to introduce technical modifications at any time.