ES2454022A1 - Device and method of signaling and lighting for motor vehicles (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device and method of signaling and lighting (1) for motor vehicles (2). The device has at least one light source (102), a semitransparent casing (106), a control unit (200) and a semitransparent screen (104), located between the light source (102) and the casing (106). ), for the projection on the housing (106) of images of colors and/or forms configurable by the control unit (200). When the simultaneous activation of more than one input signal (202-216) occurs, the device generates in the semitransparent screen (104) an image combined with information associated with the activated inputs. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Signaling and lighting device and method for motor vehicles

Field of the Invention

The present invention falls within the field of the automotive industry, and more specifically in the signaling and lighting systems of motor vehicles.

Background of the invention

At the moment the rear lights of a car are composed of several bulbs located behind different colored housings, lighting those that are located behind the portion of the carcass that you want to use in each use (red in case of brake, white for reverse, and yellow for flashing). This limits the visibility of each light that comes on to the fixed area intended for use (the flasher only occupies the area of the yellow-painted pilot housing to perform the flashing function), which implies a decrease in visibility and restriction in the freedom of design.

Systems are also known to reduce the number of light bulbs in car pilots or turn signals. Some patent documents disclose the use of a single bulb that backlights the outer housing of the flasher, transmitting lights of different color by interposing filters or shutters in response to electrical signals. In US4530041 a solenoid moves a grooved plate that allows the color of the light emitted by the pilot to be varied, allowing light to pass through the different colored lenses. In JP10297354 a oscillating dichroic filter is used with which the wavelength and color of the emitted light can be varied.

JP11222073 also describes a lighting system for headlights, taillights and fog lamps in vehicles, consisting of including a sheet of liquid crystal in which the transmission of light depends on the intensity of the voltage. In this sheet opaque and transmitting sections are generated, thus controlling the transmission of light. With the system the need to use a second bulb is eliminated.

Patent document GB2211923 describes a vehicle headlight system that incorporates a light source that crosses a sheet of liquid crystal that can be controlled by voltage and that allows to emit white light in one of its states or yellow in another state, by absorbing of red and blue light, turning it into fog light.

Patent document US2011084609 describes a device for front, rear and turn signal lights of vehicles, consisting of a semiconductor laser element that serves as a light source and a fluorescent sheet that is irradiated by said light containing a fluorescent substance to emit color light that is desired. The device incorporates safety means to control the source of laser emission and prevent damage to people in the event of an accident.

Also patent document WO02091487 describes a system that uses a semiconductor laser that strikes a plastic sheet that contains a rare earth complex, and where the coincidence of wavelengths causes red light to be generated when the brake is pressed, remaining the transparent or white plastic sheet when the brake is not used.

Although the mentioned documents contemplate the replacement in the turn signals and lights of vehicles of several bulbs by a single light source, and the use of sheets or screens of uniform appearance, none of them foresees a solution like that of the present invention , where the entire area of the pilots is used, increasing visibility while the pilot (whether front, top, side or rear) is illuminated by some cause (brake, intermittent, etc.) and obtains freedom of design from them , thus making that, for example, in the case of braking the brake light instead of having a limited pilot area available for this function, it is visible on the entire surface of the pilot.

Description of the invention

The device and method object of the present invention has as advantages, in addition to using a single white light source, a better visibility of the maneuvers of the vehicle since the visible area of each illuminated area is enlarged and greater freedom of design. This achieves a better transmission of information and greater capacity for transmitting information (using text, arrows, images, etc.).

A first aspect of the present invention comprises a signaling and lighting device for motor vehicles, which has at least one light source, a housing and a control unit. It also includes a semi-transparent screen, located between the light source and the housing, for the projection on the housing of color images and / or shapes configurable by the control unit.

The housing where the light emitted by the light source is projected is preferably semi-transparent, while the semi-transparent screen is preferably of the LCD type.

In a preferred embodiment the device comprises at least one lens for adjusting the direction of the light, being preferably located between the light source and the housing.

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The control unit may be configured to, depending on at least one input signal, control the images projected on the housing by means of configurable output signals.

The images projected on the housing can be obtained by light generated by a signal sent from the control unit to the light source, while the shapes and colors are generated by another signal sent from the control unit to the semi-transparent screen.

The at least one input signal may come from at least one of the following elements:

-

 an activation of a vehicle brake pedal;

-

 an activation of a right turn signal of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a left turn signal of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a vehicle emergency signal;

-

 an activation of a position light, low beam or road light of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a rear and / or front fog lamp of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a reverse gear of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of at least one input function to present text messages or present images or animations.

The control unit can be configured to send a signal to the light source to project on the housing an image associated with the activation of the vehicle brake pedal with a variable light intensity depending on the travel of said brake pedal.

In a preferred embodiment the control unit is configured to:

-

 when the activation of an input signal occurs, generate an image associated with said input activated on the semi-transparent screen;

-

 When simultaneous activation of more than one input signal occurs, generate on the semi-transparent screen an image combined with information associated with the activated inputs.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles. The method comprises emitting light by means of a light source and generating, in a semi-transparent screen located between the light source and a housing, color images and / or shapes configurable by a control unit, for the projection of said images in the housing .

The method may comprise performing, on the part of the control unit, and depending on at least one input signal, the control of the projected images in the housing by means of configurable output signals.

The images projected on the housing are preferably obtained by light generated by a signal sent from the control unit to the light source, while the shapes and colors are preferably generated by another signal sent from the control unit to the semi-transparent screen.

The method may comprise sending, by the control unit, a signal to the light source to project on the housing an image associated with the activation of the vehicle brake pedal with a variable light intensity depending on the path of said brake pedal.

The method may comprise:

-

 when the activation of an input signal occurs, generate an image associated with said input activated on the semi-transparent screen;

-

 When simultaneous activation of more than one input signal occurs, generate on the semi-transparent screen an image combined with information associated with the activated inputs.

Brief description of the drawings

A series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention which is presented as a non-limiting example thereof is described very briefly below.

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Figures 1A and 1B show different examples of lighting of the device object of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a schematic of the signaling device for motor vehicles.

Figure 3 shows a scheme of possible inputs and outputs of the control unit of the rear signaling device.

Figure 4 shows a motor vehicle where the signaling and lighting device is installed.

Detailed description of the invention

As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the present invention relates to a signaling and lighting device for motor vehicles in which the current bulbs are replaced by a white light source 102 and the usual colored housings in the sector by a semi-transparent screen 104 similar to that used by image projectors. In said screen, colored regions are formed, allowing infinite shapes and combinations, which are projected in a housing 106, preferably semi-transparent. For example, by causing the entire projection screen 104 to glow red, a red image 108 would be projected on the housing 106 that would indicate that the vehicle is braking (Figure 1A). Forming a yellow intermittent region 110 together with a portion of the red screen 108 it would indicate that the vehicle is braking while setting the turn signal (Figure 1B), whereby various information combined with a single device could be given to users (with a single light source).

In the present invention, an LCD image projector is preferably used, with a semi-transparent LCD screen and a single light source 102 that projects white light through said semi-transparent liquid crystal screen where the images are formed. The light continues its journey, dyed colors and shapes. Both the white light source and the semi-transparent LCD screen are installed inside the car's pilot. Finally, the light is projected on the housing 106 where the images with the desired shapes and colors are formed. When a semi-transparent screen 104 is used, part of the light passes through it, thereby obtaining the light intensity prescribed in the approvals (perceived or measured outside the vehicle). The semi-transparent screen 104 may be made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), for example Plexiglas® 8N. Between the light source 102 and the semi-transparent screen 104 or between the semi-transparent screen 104 and the housing 106 there may be one or more lenses 300 that adjust the direction of the light rays, depending on the geometry of the entire device in each case.

Figure 2 shows input signals 218 and output signals 220 of a control unit 200 of the vehicle (e.g. an electronic switchboard) in charge of controlling the device. The control unit 200 receives the corresponding inputs and sends the images (designed in each case) corresponding to each input or combinations of inputs to the semi-transparent screen 104, in addition to activating the light source 102.

Figure 3 shows a breakdown of possible input and output signals of control unit 200. As possible input signals 218:

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 Activation of brake pedal 202 (with possible information on the intensity of the tread).

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 Activation of right turn signal 204 and left turn signal 206.

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 Activation of the emergency signal 208.

-

Activation of position light, dipped beam or road light 210, and activation of front and / or rear fog lamp 212.

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Reverse activation 214 (gear lever).

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 Other input functions 216 for:

•

 Present text message (accident, breakdown, police stop sign, free / busy taxi).

•

 Present direction indicator arrows.

•

 Present images or decorative animations (while standing).

As output signals 220, color images and variable shapes, depending on the output function chosen. Features:

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 Minimum dimensions, colors, light intensity and response time according to appropriate approvals.

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 Able to perform all possible output function combinations.

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 Able to take advantage of the maximum available surface when several output functions are not given simultaneously.

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 Animations on or off output functions.

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Possible output signals or functions depend on the input signals 218:

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 Brake light 222: Red light on both rear lights (100 ’, 100’) whose intensity could increase with the brake pedal 202 travel.

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 Right turn signal light 224: Yellow flashing light on the right rear light 100 ’when the right turn signal 204 is activated. It can be shaped like an arrow or can move.

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 Left turn signal light 226: Yellow flashing light on the left rear light 100 ’when the left turn signal 206 is activated. It can be shaped like an arrow or can be moved.

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 Emergency light 228: Yellow flashing light on both taillights (100 ', 100' ') when the emergency signal 208 is activated. Both sides may have the form of arrows to the right indicating that it stops at the shoulder or towards the left indicating where the other vehicles must pass.

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 Position / cross / road light 230: Red light of lower intensity that is activated on both taillights (100 ', 100' ') when the activation of the position, cross or road light 210 is received. It can always be on by defect occupying the entire free surface.

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 Rear fog lamp 232: one or two high intensity red lights. Permanent light that can have a blinking frame.

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 Reverse light 234: one or two white lights.

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 Other output functions 236, depending on the input function 216 received:

•

 Text messages (accident, breakdown, police stop sign, free / busy taxi), with possible animations.

• Direction indicator arrows.

•

 Stationary decoration. An interval of time after stopping the car can illuminate the pilot in any color or with any type of image or animation. Possibility of projecting advertising.

•

 Location of the car: When the remote control of the key is activated, the pilots present any type of image, color or animation to locate the car in the parking lot.

Finally, Figure 4 represents a motor vehicle 2 that has the signaling and lighting device 1 of the present invention installed in its pilots. The signaling and lighting device 1 could also be used for side pilots (such as turn signals in the rear-view mirrors) or even in the top lights (for ambulances, taxis, police, etc.), to display different messages or images, fully configurable.

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Claims (17)

one.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2), which has at least one light source (102), a housing (106) and a control unit (200), characterized in that it comprises a semi-transparent screen ( 104), located between the light source (102) and the housing (106), for projection on the housing (106) of images of colors and / or shapes configurable by the control unit (200).

2.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (106) where the light emitted by the light source (102) is projected is semi-transparent.

3.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the semi-transparent screen (104) is of the LCD type.

Four.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one lens (300) for adjusting the direction of the light.

5.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one lens (300) is located between the light source (102) and the housing (106).

6.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (200) is configured to, depending on at least one input signal (202-216), control the images projected on the housing (106) by means of output signals

(220) configurable.

7.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the images projected on the housing (106) are obtained by light generated by a signal sent from the control unit (200) to the light source (102) and shapes and colors generated by another signal sent from the control unit (200) to the semi-transparent screen (104).

8.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one input signal (218) comes from at least one of the following elements:

-

 an activation of a brake pedal (202) of the vehicle;

- an activation of a right turn signal (204) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a left turn signal (206) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of an emergency signal (208) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a position light, low beam or road light (210) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a rear and / or front fog lamp (212) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a reverse gear (214) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of at least one input function (216) to present text messages or present images

or animations.

9.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (200) is configured to send a signal to the light source (102) to project on the housing (106) an image associated with the activation of the brake pedal (202) of the vehicle with a variable light intensity depending on the travel of said brake pedal (202).

10.

 Signaling and lighting device (1) for motor vehicles (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (200) is configured to:

-

 when the activation of an input signal (202-216) occurs, generate an image associated with said input activated on the semi-transparent screen (104);

-

 when simultaneous activation of more than one input signal (202-216) occurs, generate on the semi-transparent screen (104) an image combined with information associated with the activated inputs.

eleven.

 Signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles (2), characterized in that it comprises emitting light by means of a light source (102) and generating, in a semi-transparent screen (104) located between the light source (102) and a housing (106 ), color images and / or shapes configurable by a control unit (200), for the projection of said images in the housing (106).

12.

 Signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises carrying out, on the part of the control unit (200) and depending on at least one input signal (202-216), the

control of the images projected on the housing (106) by means of configurable output signals (220).

13.

 Signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles (2) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the images projected on the housing (106) are obtained by light generated by a signal sent from the control unit (200) to the source of light (102) and shapes and colors generated by another signal sent from the control unit (200) to the semi-transparent screen (104).

14.

 Signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles (2) according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the at least one input signal (218) comes from at least one element of the following:

-

 an activation of a brake pedal (202) of the vehicle;

- an activation of a right turn signal (204) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a left turn signal (206) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of an emergency signal (208) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a position light, low beam or road light (210) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of a rear and / or front fog lamp (212) of the vehicle;

- an activation of a reverse gear (214) of the vehicle;

-

 an activation of at least one input function (216) to present text messages or present images or animations.

fifteen.

 Signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles (2) according to any of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it comprises sending, by the control unit (200), a signal to the light source (102) to project in the housing (106) an image associated with the activation of the brake pedal (202) of the vehicle with a variable light intensity depending on the travel of said brake pedal (202).

16.

 Signaling and lighting method for motor vehicles (2) according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that it comprises:

-

 when the activation of an input signal (202-216) occurs, generate an image associated with said input activated on the semi-transparent screen (104);

-

 when simultaneous activation of more than one input signal (202-216) occurs, generate on the semi-transparent screen (104) an image combined with information associated with the activated inputs.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201231544 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 08.10.2012 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: See Additional Sheet RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

US 2008231195 A1 (KOBAYASHI KENJI et al.) 25.09.2008, paragraphs [0028-0048]; Figure 1. 1-6

TO

DE 202004009030 U1 (ALBERTER ALFRED) 19.08.2004, summary; figures. Extracted from the EPODOC database in EPOQUE. 1-16

X

JP 2004136838 A (TOYOTA IND CORP) 05.13.2004, summary; figures. Extracted from the EPODOC database in EPOQUE. 1-5

TO

6-16

TO

US 2004227627 A1 (LI SHIH-HSIUNG) 18.11.2004, paragraphs [0019-0034]; Figures 1-6A. 1-16

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 30.03.2014

Examiner P. Pérez Fernández Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201231544 CLASSIFICATION OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION B60Q1 / 26 (2006.01) B60Q1 / 44 (2006.01) G02F1 / 13 (2006.01) F21S8 / 10 (2006.01) Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) B60Q, G02F, F21S Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, search terms used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI, PAJ State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201231544 Date of Written Opinion: 30.03.2014 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 2.8-10, 14-16 1.3-7.11-13 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-16 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201231544  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2008231195 A1 (KOBAYASHI KENJI et al.) 25.09.2008

D02

DE 202004009030 U1 (ALBERTER ALFRED) 19.08.2004

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement Lack of Novelty Claim No. 1 Document D01 is established as the closest to the State of the Art. Said document D01 refers to a car headlight control device and contains: a light source (3) (see paragraph 0030; figure 1). -a control unit (2) (see paragraphs 0028-0030; figure 1). - Semitransparent screens (46B, 46G, 46R) for the projection of images of colors and shapes configurable by the control unit (2) (see paragraphs 0040-0042; Figure 1). The object of the invention set forth in claim 1 derives directly and without any ambiguity from document D01. Therefore, claim 1 lacks Novelty (Art 6.1 LP). Claim No. 3 The characteristics of claim No. 3 are already found in document D01 (see paragraphs 0040-0041; Figure 1). Accordingly, claim 3 lacks Novelty (Art 6.1 LP). Claim 4 The fact that the signaling and lighting device comprises a lens appears in document D01 (see paragraph 0043; figure 1). Consequently claim 4 lacks Novelty (Art 6.1 LP). Claim 5 The features of claim 5 are already found in document D01 (see figure 1). Therefore, claim 5 is not new (Art 6.1 LP). Claims 6, 7 The object of claims 6,7 already appears in document D01 (see paragraphs 0047, 0049; Figure 1). Accordingly, claims 6, 7 lack Novelty (Art 6.1 LP). Lack of Inventive Activity Claim 2 The fact that the car headlight housing is semi-transparent is a particularly obvious execution for a person skilled in the art. Consequently, claim 2 lacks Inventive Activity (Art 8 LP). Claims 8, 9 The fact that the activation input signal of the lighting device is a braking signal is simply one of several possibilities that a person skilled in the art will select according to the circumstances, without exercising the exercise of activity inventive to solve the problem. However, and to illustrate this obvious criterion, document D02 (summary; figures) can be seen. Therefore, claims 8, 9 lack Inventive Activity (Art 8 LP). Claim 10 The features of claim 10 is a mere obvious particular execution for the person skilled in the art. Accordingly, claim 10 lacks Inventive Activity (Art 8 LP). Lack of Novelty / Inventive Activity Claims No. 11-16 An analogy can be established between claims 11 with 1, claim 12 with 6, claim 13 with 7, claim 14 with 8, claim 15 with 9 and claim 16 with 10. Accordingly, claims 11-16 will have the same category as their corresponding claims 1-10, that is, claims 11-13 lack Novelty ( Art 6.1 LP) and claims No. 14-16 lack Inventive Activity (Art 8 LP). State of the Art Report Page 4/4