CN113383613B

CN113383613B - Lighting circuit system for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN113383613B
Application number: CN202080007922.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: N·萨马雷什·钱德拉; M·杜尔加·马德哈布
Original assignee: Shangyinuo Motorcycle Co ltd
Current assignee: Shangyinuo Motorcycle Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-04
Filing date: 2020-01-03
Publication date: 2024-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-03
Also published as: CO2021008849A2; WO2020141558A1; CN113383613A

Abstract

Lighting circuitry (200) of a vehicle (100), comprising: a microcontroller (110), a plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) electrically coupled to the microcontroller (110) and operated by a plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6), a driver (120) configured to deliver a constant current to the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170), a detection module (160) for detecting a state of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170), and configured to communicate the state of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) to the microcontroller (110); and at least one electrical limiting path (210) electrically closed, wherein the microcontroller (110) is configured to electrically close the at least one electrical limiting path (210) when the detection module (160) communicates to the microcontroller (110) with the microcontroller (110) that at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is in an electrically open state.

Description

Lighting circuit system for vehicle

The following description describes in particular the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is performed.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to electrical circuitry, and more particularly to lighting circuitry for vehicles, including two-wheeled vehicles.

Background

With the development of technology in the automotive industry, there has been a tremendous technological development in multiple vertical product lines and technological fronts for any vehicle. More specifically, the lighting and associated circuitry of any vehicle is as important as any other component of the vehicle (such as the engine, transmission, electrical, etc.). Although there are a number of solutions to the problems and requirements of such lighting circuitry; there appear to be inherent and other problems/disadvantages associated with each.

Currently, lighting mechanisms for any vehicle, and in particular for two-wheeled vehicles, have different operating and standardization requirements. One such requirement authorizes the vehicle headlamp to be turned on immediately upon start-up of the vehicle or when the engine is turned on. However, in order to turn on the head lamp while utilizing the user/rider to control other lighting loads of the vehicle as desired, multiple drivers are required to control each of the head lamp and other lighting loads attached to the vehicle.

However, with such a system/architecture, there is a drawback in that higher power consumption is caused by a plurality of electronic/electric components. Furthermore, a plurality of such electronic components not only increases the overall cost, but also increases heat dissipation. Further, the increase in components amounts to the need for a larger packaging area, thereby making it an inefficient portable system/circuit for installation in vehicles where space is always a concern.

Furthermore, there is no existing system/circuit to effectively control, distribute and manage the current drawn by a lighting load attached to the circuit. Thus, even when one or more lighting loads fail, or when the demand for current by one or more lighting loads is small, the lighting loads will continuously draw equal or more current, thereby increasing the chance of damage, degrading performance, exceeding lighting specifications, overheating, etc.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention itself, as well as further features and attendant advantages, will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 2 illustrates lighting circuitry of a two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

The drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale, except if specifically noted, and are merely exemplary in nature. The color drawings, if provided together with the present description, are provided only for the sake of clarity of the details of the invention and do not have any effect on the scope of the invention.

SUMMARY

A lighting circuit system for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting circuitry includes a microcontroller, a driver, a detection module, a plurality of lighting loads, and at least one electrical limiting path. A plurality of lighting loads are electrically coupled to the microcontroller and operated by the plurality of switches. The driver is configured to deliver a constant current to a plurality of lighting loads. The detection module is for detecting a state of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads and is configured to communicate the state of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads to the microcontroller. At least one of the electrical power limiting paths is electrically closed based on a communicated state of the microcontroller by the detection circuit to at least one of the plurality of lighting loads. The microcontroller is configured to electrically close the at least one electrical limiting path when the detection module communicates the status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads as an electrical open to the microcontroller. The status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads as an electrical disconnect indicates that the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads is not in use.

In an embodiment, the at least one electrical limiting path is for ground balancing the current remaining from the constant current as a result of not using at least one of the plurality of lighting loads. In another embodiment, the status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads is that the electrical disconnection indicates a failure of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads.

In one embodiment, the plurality of lighting loads includes at least one low beam light source, at least one high beam light source, position lights, brake lights, tail lights, and license lights.

At least one of the electrical limiting paths includes an electrical limiting device. In an embodiment, the electrical limiting device comprises at least one of a transistor, a diode, a fuse, a resistor, or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the at least one switch operates at least one lighting load.

In an embodiment, the detection module is configured with a lighting load to detect an unused lighting load.

The microcontroller is configured to determine which of the at least one electrical limiting paths to electrically close based on the communication from the detection module. The microcontroller determines that a power limiting path having a resulting resistance value equal to an equivalent resistance value of at least one of the plurality of electrically disconnected lighting loads needs to be electrically closed.

In an embodiment, the driver drives the plurality of lighting loads based on instructions received from the microcontroller.

The present invention advantageously provides a lighting circuit system that utilizes exposure of a lighting load to an access load, thereby reducing the chance of damage, overheating.

The present lighting circuitry reduces the requirement for additional drivers to control the power/current requirements of each lighting load attached to the circuitry, thereby reducing the overall cost and space constraints for packaging all electrical/electronic devices.

Brief description of the drawings

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, apparatus, or method that comprises a list of elements or steps does not include only those elements or steps, but may include other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such device or apparatus or method. In other words, one or more elements of a system or apparatus beginning with "comprising … …" do not exclude the presence of other or additional elements of a system or apparatus without further constraint.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and the following description, in which, moreover, like reference numerals are used to identify like components in the various views.

Although the invention is illustrated in the context of a ride-on vehicle, the lighting circuitry may be used in other types of vehicles as well. It should be noted that terms such as "saddle-type vehicle", "two-wheeled vehicle" and "vehicle" are used interchangeably throughout the description. The term "two-wheeled vehicle" includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, scooters, pedal-powered vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and the like.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a two-wheeled vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle (100) referred to herein is embodied as a motorcycle. Alternatively, the vehicle (100) may be embodied as any other ride-on vehicle, such as a scooter, tricycle, ATV, etc., without limiting the scope of the invention. A vehicle (100) includes one or more body components, such as a body frame (101), a front fork (123), a handlebar (3), a second wheel (4) (such as a front wheel (4)), a seat (5), a swing arm (6), a rear seat cushion (7), a first wheel (8) (such as a rear wheel (8)), an engine (9), a fuel tank (13), an exhaust muffler (30), a head lamp (10), a tail lamp assembly (60), and a brake pedal (120). The frame (101) supports a seat (5) extending from a middle portion to a rear portion of the vehicle (100). The seat (5) provides a seat for a rider and a passenger of the vehicle (100). The rear wheel (8) is supported by a frame (101) at the rear of the vehicle (100).

In the illustrated example, the engine (9) provides the necessary power required to drive the rear wheels (8) of the vehicle (100). Alternatively, the engine (9) may provide the necessary power to drive the front wheels (4) or both the front wheels (4) and the rear wheels (8) simultaneously without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The frame (101) supports an engine (9) in the middle of the vehicle (100).

A vehicle (100) includes a fuel tank (13). The fuel tank (13) stores and supplies the necessary fuel to the power unit (9) to generate power in the vehicle (100). A fuel tank (13) is provided between the handle bar (3) and the seat (5). Further, the vehicle (100) may include swing arms or various other components known in the art, without limitation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front wheel brake device (22) is a disc brake (22) and the rear wheel brake device (23) may be a drum brake (23). It may be noted that the two-wheeled vehicle (100) is shown as including the above-described components; however, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the two-wheeled vehicle (100) includes other components that may not be relevant to explaining the present invention, and thus, are not shown and described.

The handlebar (3) is pivotally mounted on the frame (101). The handlebar (3) is configured to be rotated by a driver to steer the vehicle (100). The front wheel (4) is operatively connected to the handlebar (3). The front wheel (4) is located at the front of the vehicle (100) and the rear wheel (8) is located at the rear of the vehicle (100). In addition, a front portion (100) of the vehicle may include the headlamp assembly (10), the suspension assembly (123), and the disc brake (22). In this embodiment, the suspension assembly (123) is a front suspension assembly (123).

Fig. 2 illustrates lighting circuitry (200) of a vehicle (100) according to the invention. The lighting circuitry (200) includes a microcontroller (110), a driver (120), a plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) electrically coupled to the microcontroller (110) and operated by a plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6). The headlight (100) comprises at least one high beam light source (150) and at least one low beam light source (140). The lighting circuitry (200) further comprises a detection module (160) and at least one electrical limiting path (210). Furthermore, the lighting circuitry (100) may have a power supply (130) to power the entire circuitry. The power source (130) may be a direct current power source, such as a battery. Furthermore, in an embodiment and from an implementation perspective, the microcontroller (110), driver (120), and detection module (160) may be packaged in a body control module (290). Furthermore, the detection module (160) acts as a control and feedback module (180) to control the current distribution through the switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) and the at least one electrical limiting path (210) based on communication with the microcontroller (110).

A plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) are arranged in front of the lighting load (140, 150, 170) to allow or disconnect power/current to the lighting load (140, 150, 170) to achieve an on-state or an off-state of the lighting load (140, 150, 170). In one embodiment, the switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) may be toggle switches to be operated by an operator, driver, or the like. In another embodiment, the switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) may include relays, transistors (e.g., MOSFETs), BJTs, or any such electronic/electrical components that allow or prohibit current flow from one end to the other according to instructions received from the microcontroller (110).

The microcontroller (110) may be a small computing device configured on a single Integrated Circuit (IC), or a system on a chip (SoC) containing one or more processor cores, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. However, the microcontroller (110) may be replaced by or integrated with a microprocessor depending on the processing power/capacity requirements. Further, the microcontroller (110) is configured to communicate with the driver (120) and control events in which the driver (120) needs to draw power/current from the power supply (130).

The plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) includes at least one low beam light source (140), at least one high beam light source (150), a position light (170 a), a stop light (170 b), a tail light (170 c), and a license light (170 d). In an embodiment, the at least one high beam (150) and the at least one low beam (140) may be one or a series of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with a variable illumination capability range. The power or input current requirements for different LEDs may be different. In different arrangements from an implementation standpoint, one or more of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) may be configured to operate in all cases, and one or more of the lighting loads may be configured to operate based on conditions or commands. For example, when the engine (9) is started, the tail lamp (170 d) is operated. Similarly, the license lamp (170 d) and the position lamp (170 a) begin based on communications received from the microcontroller (110). The low beam light source (140) is configured to operate in all cases in conditions where the ignition is on or the engine (9) is on.

The driver (120) is configured to deliver a constant current to a plurality of lighting loads (40, 150, 170). The driver (120) ensures that the current remains constant up to a substantial value for a wide range of voltage drops. A common example of a driver (120) may be an LED driver circuit configured to provide a constant current to a plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170). In an embodiment, the driver (120) drives the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) based on instructions received from the microcontroller (110). In one embodiment of the invention, current is drawn from the power supply (130) by the driver (120), wherein power is drawn upon receiving instructions from the microcontroller (110). In addition, the driver (120) is connected in series with at least one high beam light source (150) and at least one low beam light source (140) to facilitate a constant current required for optimal operation of at least the low beam light source (140), the high beam light (150) and other lighting loads such as position lights (170 a), stop lights (170 b), tail lights (170 c) and license lights (170 d).

As described herein above, the detection module (160) is configured to detect a status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) and to communicate the status of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) to the microcontroller. In an embodiment, the detection module (160) is configured with each lighting load (140, 150, 170). In an embodiment, the detection module (160) may be configured to detect the condition/state when the lighting load (140, 150, 170) is drawing power/current and when no power/current is being drawn. When the lighting load (140, 150, 170) is not drawing current due to an off state of the lighting load (140, 150, 170), then the state indicates that the state of the lighting load (140, 150, 170) is electrically off. In an embodiment, the status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is an electrical disconnect indicating that the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is not in use. In another embodiment, a state of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is an electrical disconnect indicating that the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is malfunctioning.

As referenced by the bold line indication in fig. 2, at least one electrical limiting path (210) is configured in the lighting circuitry (200). At least one of the electrical limiting paths (210) may also be referred to as a bypass line. In one embodiment, at least one of the electrical limiting paths (210) has different current drawing capabilities. As described herein above, the non-use of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is detected by the detection module based on the electrically disconnected state of the lighting loads (140, 150, 170). Such non-use of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) generates a balancing current maintained by the constant current delivered by the driver (120). Thus, as a result of not using at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170), the at least one electrical limiting path (210) is used to ground balance the current remaining from the constant current. At least one of the electrical limiting paths (210) includes an electrical limiting device (190). The electrical limiting device (190) includes at least one of a transistor, a diode, a fuse, a resistor, or any combination thereof.

The microcontroller (110) is configured to decide which of the at least one electrical limiting paths (210) to electrically close (210) based on the communication from the detection module (160). The microcontroller (110) determines that a power limiting path (210) having a resulting resistance value equal to an equivalent resistance value of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) that is electrically disconnected needs to be electrically closed.

In an exemplary scenario and referring to fig. 2, in the event that the ignition is on, the engine is off, the high beam (150) switch is off, and a braking condition is not detected, the microcontroller (110) may deactivate switch S1 and activate switch S2. As a result, the microcontroller (110) or the driver turns off (turns off) the switch S4 of the stop lamp (170 b) and the switches S3, S5, and S6 are turned on, wherein the switches S3, S5, and S6 correspond to the position lamp (170 a), the tail lamp (170 c), and the license lamp (170 d), respectively. Thus, it can be said that the electricity limiting device (190) has the same resistance value as the unused lighting load (140, 150, 170) to ground balance the current remaining from the constant current delivered by the driver (120).

Furthermore, the microcontroller (110) may electrically close at least one (210) of a number of electrical limiting paths (210) having electrical limiting devices (CL 1, CL 2) in order to bypass the balancing current caused by the S3 switch being Opened (OFF). For example, as required by all electrical loads (140, 150, 170), the input current of the circuit is 1200 milliamps, and if the cumulative consumption of all lighting loads is 850 milliamps, the microcontroller (110) electrically closes at least one of the electrical limiting paths (210) so that the electrical limiting devices (CL 1, CL 2) (190) having a total capacity equal to 350mA will be turned on to ensure that additional current is bypassed and grounded.

Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a lighting circuitry (200) that utilizes a lighting load to be exposed to an access load, thereby reducing the chance of damage, overheating. Furthermore, the present lighting circuitry (200) reduces the requirement for additional drivers for controlling the power/current requirements of each lighting load attached to the circuitry, thereby reducing the overall cost and space constraints for packaging all electrical/electronic devices.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be appropriately modified within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

While considerable attention has been given to certain features of the invention herein, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or of the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the invention, and it is, therefore, to be clearly understood that the foregoing description is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not limiting of the invention.

Claims

1. Lighting circuitry (200) of a vehicle (100), comprising:

a microcontroller (110);

a plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) electrically coupled to the microcontroller (110) and operated by a plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6);

a driver (120) configured to deliver a constant current to the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170);

-a detection module (160) for detecting a status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) and configured to communicate the status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) to the microcontroller (110); and

at least one electrical limiting path (210) electrically closed,

wherein the microcontroller (110) is configured to electrically close the at least one electrical limiting path (210) when the detection module (160) is electrically disconnected from transmitting at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 17) to the microcontroller (110), wherein the at least one electrical limiting path (210) is for balancing the current remaining from the constant current to ground as a result of not using at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170).

2. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is an electrical disconnect indicating that the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is not in use.

3. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein a status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is an electrical disconnect indicating that at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is malfunctioning.

4. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) includes at least one low beam light source (140), at least one high beam light source (150), a position light (170 a), a stop light (170 b), a tail light (170 c), and a license light (170 d).

5. Lighting circuitry (200) of a vehicle (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one electrical limiting path (210) comprises an electrical limiting device (190).

6. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 5, wherein the electrical limiting device (190) comprises at least one of a transistor, a diode, a fuse, a resistor, or any combination thereof.

7. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) is for operating the at least one lighting load (140, 150, 170).

8. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the detection module (160) is configured with a lighting load (140, 150, 170) to detect an unused of the lighting load (140, 150, 170).

9. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller (110) is configured to decide which of the at least one electrical limiting paths (210) to electrically close based on the communication from the detection module (160).

10. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 9, wherein the microcontroller (110) determines that the electrical limiting path (210) having a resulting resistance value equal to an equivalent resistance value of at least one of the plurality of electrically disconnected lighting loads (140, 150, 170) needs to be electrically closed.

11. The lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the driver (120) drives the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) based on instructions received from the microcontroller (110).