KR20110076483A - Vehicle lamp control device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting control device that facilitates the control of a plurality of LED light sources included in a vehicle headlamp. The vehicle lamp control apparatus includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources connected in series constituting a vehicle lamp and corresponding to each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources, and the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources are opened and closed. And switches for determining whether each of the lights is turned on and off, and a connection controller for controlling the opening and closing of the switches.

Automotive lamps, semiconductor light emitting elements, defect safety, class, lighting pattern

Description

Apparatus for controlling a vehicle lamp

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly, to a lighting control device that facilitates the control of a plurality of LED light sources included in a vehicle headlamp.

An automobile is equipped with a plurality of lamps. For example, tail lights, traffic lights, number lights and headlights are representative lamps. These lamps are legislated and installed in automobiles for the safe driving of automobiles. The various lamps are driven and turned on by a direct current supplied from a battery of a vehicle, and the battery is charged by a voltage supplied from a generator of the vehicle.

Recently, a semiconductor light emitting device, typically an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, is used in place of a halogen bulb as a light source of various lamps. The LED light source has a tendency to be applied to a variety of various lamps mounted on the vehicle because of the advantages of high light efficiency and less heat than the halogen bulb. In the past, LED light sources were mainly used for functional lamps such as tail lamps and turn signals for decoration purposes, but recently, they are often used for direct headlamps.

In the case of halogen lamps, one or two light sources are mounted in one lamp, and a plurality of LED light sources are generally mounted in one lamp.

1 is a view showing a conventional configuration for controlling the lighting of the lamp, when a plurality of LED light sources (L ₁ ~ L ₆ ) is included in one lamp. Here, the LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ are unit units constituting all or part of one lamp. In FIG. 1, the LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ are connected in series but may be connected in parallel. However, when they are connected in parallel, it is difficult to produce the desired brightness sufficiently, and in general, when it is necessary to irradiate high brightness light such as a headlamp, the LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ are connected in series to the power supply unit 10. Is usually connected to

In this conventional technique, a beam pattern (by a combination of LED light sources) according to a predetermined class can be formed by placing several unit units that connect a predetermined combination of LED light sources in series in one lamp. have. As described above, although the conventional LED lamps can be controlled to be turned on and off for each unit, each LED light source is connected in series in one unit unit, so if any one of them fails, There is a problem in that the remaining LED light sources cannot be controlled in the unit unit.

In addition, the conventional technique can express a lighting pattern of a specific class by turning on and off a specific unit unit, but it is not possible to freely generate any lighting baton that is not predetermined according to the driver's preference or to add a new class. There is a problem (as in the prior art, the connection is fixed).

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp control apparatus for providing various lighting patterns in a vehicle lamp made of a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources.

Further, another object of the present invention is to ensure that there is no abnormality in the control of the remaining light sources even if a defect occurs in some light sources in a vehicle lamp including a plurality of light emitting device light sources.

Technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lamp control apparatus comprising: a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources connected in series constituting a vehicle lamp; Switches corresponding to each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources and configured to determine whether each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources is turned on or off by opening and closing; And a connection controller for controlling the opening and closing of the switch. Here, the connection controller may control the opening and closing of the switch such that the vehicle lamp has a lighting pattern corresponding to a predetermined light distribution class.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lamp control apparatus including a defect detector configured to detect whether each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources is defective. The switch corresponding to the semiconductor light emitting device light source detected as the defect is generated by the defect detector is controlled to be closed.

As described above, according to the vehicle lamp control apparatus according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources, various lighting patterns may be provided according to a driver's preference, and even if some light sources are defective, other light sources may be provided. They have an effect that can be controlled normally.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms, and only the present embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle lamp control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it can independently control the lighting of each semiconductor light emitting element light source constituting the vehicle lamp. A detailed configuration capable of implementing such a feature will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an exterior of a vehicle lamp including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor light emitting device may be various, but the present invention will be described by taking an example of a light emitting diode (LED) which is most commonly used.

The vehicle lamp 20 includes a plurality of LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ . Each of the LED light sources may consist of a single LED element or may consist of a plurality of LED elements. However, even if the LED light source is composed of a plurality of LED elements, since it is manufactured and controlled as an integral part, there is no substantial difference from the case of a single LED element.

FIG. 2 illustrates that six LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ are arranged in two stages in one vehicle lamp 20. However, the number and arrangement of LED light sources may vary depending on the choice of those skilled in the art. Of course, it can be made.

3A to 3D are views illustrating various lighting patterns in a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the vehicle lamp 20 may implement various lighting patterns according to a driver's request or an automatic command of the electronic control system of the vehicle. For example, only the LED light sources disposed on the lower side as shown in FIG. 3A light up, only the LED light sources disposed on the upper side as shown in FIG. 3B light up, or only the LED light sources corresponding to one middle line as shown in FIG. 3C light up. It is possible to turn on any light sources as shown in FIG. 3D.

Such various patterns may be linked to classes for providing various light distribution patterns in a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as light distribution class, or simply class) to display a suitable lighting pattern. Such light distribution classes are known as class C, class V, class E, class W, high-beam and the like.

In addition, when a new class is added to the vehicle, it is possible to simply implement a new lighting pattern corresponding to the new class without changing the configuration of a separate circuit. In addition, various lighting patterns may be immediately implemented according to the driver's preference.

4A and 4B are views illustrating a case where a defect occurs in some light sources in a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the LED light source indicated by 'X' indicates a light source in which a defect has occurred. In the prior art, even if only one of the LDE light sources connected in series has a problem, the entire lamp does not work. However, also as in 4a, according to the present invention, even if one animation is defective (L ₁₎ among all of the LED light sources it included in the vehicle lamp 20, no problem There controlling the remaining five LED light source none. Even if an additional defect occurs in any LED light source after the occurrence of the defect of FIG. 4A, according to the present invention, there is no problem in controlling the lighting or turning off of the remaining four LED light sources.

5 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle lamp control apparatus 300 includes a plurality of LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ connected in series, a plurality of defect detectors FD ₁ to FD ₆ that determine whether the light sources are defective, and the LED light source. Among them, a plurality of switches SW ₁ to SW ₆ configured to form a bypass path in order to skip a light source in which a defect occurs, and a corresponding LED light source from the defect detectors FD ₁ to FD ₆ . A connection control unit 100 which receives information on whether a defect is present and controls the opening and closing of the switches SW ₁ to SW ₆ , and supplies power to the plurality of LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ (current Control) may be configured to include a power supply (200).

The defect detectors FD ₁ to FD ₆ respectively check whether the LED light source is in charge and provide the information to the connection controller 100. Of course, the information may be provided directly to the ECU (electronic control unit) 400, depending on the implementation. The defect includes a case in which the circuit of the LED light source is open or short. Such a defect can be easily recognized by, for example, configuring the defect detector as a voltmeter. In other words, if the voltage in the normal operating range is not displayed when the LED light source is driven, a defect can be considered to have occurred.

The plurality of switches SW ₁ to SW ₆ allow the respective LED light sources to operate or to bypass the LED light sources under the control of the connection controller 100. For example, the LED light source will operate when the switch is open, and the LED light source will not operate because the bypass path occurs when the switch is closed.

The connection control unit 100 may close the switch to bypass the LED light source according to the information on whether the LED light source is defective from the defect detector. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when it is confirmed that defects have occurred in L ₁ and L ₆ (receive defect information from FD ₁ and FD ₆ ), the connection control unit 100 determines that L ₁ and L ₆ are bidirectional. The SW ₁ and SW ₆ switches are controlled to close and the other switches open to pass. In the event of some faults like this, the remaining four light sources can be turned on to provide a 'fail safe' function.

Of course, the LED light sources L ₁ to L ₆ may be controlled to implement a predetermined lighting pattern according to a command from the ECU 400 to perform a specific class regardless of whether there is a defect. For example, if you want to implement a lighting pattern as shown in Figure 3d, L ₁ and L ₃ should be turned off, the remaining light sources should be turned on. Therefore, in this case, the connection controller 100 controls the SW ₁ and SW ₃ switches to be closed and the remaining switches to be opened.

Meanwhile, the defect detectors FD ₁ to FD ₆ , the switches SW ₁ to SW ₆ , the connection control unit 100, and the power supply unit 200 are provided on one board to a printed circuit board (PCB). Can be implemented. Thus, the assembler of the device can simply complete the assembly by properly connecting the terminals of the plurality of LED light sources and the terminals of the board.

The ECU 400 is a processor that manages the components of the entire system, and instructs the connection control unit 100 to implement a predetermined lighting pattern according to a driver's command, or the connection control unit 100 or the defect detectors FD ₁ to ₁ . Information provided from the FD ₆ ) may be displayed on the display device to provide the driver. The input or output of a signal between the ECU 400 and the driver is made by the I / O 350.

In FIG. 5, each of L ₁ to L ₆ may be one physical LED, but may also mean one unit unit including a plurality of physical LEDs. Such a unit unit means that even if a plurality of physical LEDs are included therein, the unit unit has an integrated structure in which lighting and extinction cannot be controlled individually.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing a plurality of classes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the start-up is initially turned on, after the system is initialized (S60), a system check is performed (S61).

If the ECU 400 determines to switch to Class C (base class) according to a driver's command or a specific condition (YES in S62), the ECU 400 causes the vehicle lamp control device 300 to correspond to Class C. An instruction is made to show a lighting pattern (S66).

If the ECU 400 determines to switch to Class V instead of Class C (YES in S63), the ECU 400 commands the vehicle lamp control device 300 to display a lighting pattern corresponding to Class V. (S67).

If the ECU 400 determines to switch to class E instead of class V (YES in S64), the ECU 400 commands the vehicle lamp control device 300 to display a lighting pattern corresponding to class E. FIG. (S68).

Finally, when the ECU 400 determines to switch to class W instead of class E (YES in S65), the ECU 400 causes the vehicle lamp control device 300 to display a lighting pattern corresponding to the class W. Give a command (S69).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing a fail safe function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the start-up is initially turned on, after the system is initialized (S70), a system check is performed (S71).

If a defect is not found among the LED light sources included in the vehicle lamp 20 by the defect detector (NO in S72), the vehicle lamp control apparatus 300 displays a lighting pattern corresponding to the class C, which is a base class ( S73).

If a defect is found among the LED light sources by the defect detector (YES in S72), the connection controller 100 searches for the defect (S74). This defect search can be easily identified by identifying which defect detector the report of the defect came from. For example, if there were reports of defects in FD ₁ , the defective LED light source is L ₁ .

The connection control unit 100 closes the switch corresponding to the LED light source in which the defect is generated and bypasses the corresponding LED light source. Thereby, the connection of the LED light sources is reset (S75). As a result, when it is determined that a defect has occurred, the implementation of a specific class is not performed, and a defect safety mode (lighting pattern for defect safety) is executed (S76).

The connection control unit 100 resets the LED connection at step S75 and transmits defect information to the ECU 400 (S77). Accordingly, the ECU 400 may take a specific action (S78), for example, the ECU 400 may display information indicating that a defect has occurred among the LED light sources to the user. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the ECU 400 implements a light distribution class that can be implemented to turn off the defective LED light source, even while the specific LED light source is turned off. In particular, the ECU 400 preferably implements a light distribution class adjacent to the current light distribution class when the current light distribution class is impossible to implement. The adjacent light distribution class means the next light distribution class when the order of lighting is determined in the order of class C, class V, class E and class W, for example. If a defect occurs in the implementation of class C, the ECU 400 attempts a light distribution class of the next class, Class V. Of course, if the implementation of class V is not feasible depending on the off-LED source, then the next class of light distribution will be tried.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of a vehicle lamp using a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an exterior of a vehicle lamp including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3A to 3D are views illustrating various lighting patterns in a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B are views illustrating a case where a defect occurs in some light sources in a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing a plurality of classes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing a fail safe function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(Symbol description of main part of drawing)

L ₁ to L ₆ : LED light sources FD ₁ to FD ₆ : Flaw detectors

SW ₁ to SW ₆ : switches 100: connection control unit

200: power supply unit 300: vehicle lamp control device

350: I / O 400: ECU

Claims (9)

A plurality of semiconductor light emitting element light sources connected in series constituting a vehicle lamp; Switches corresponding to each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources and configured to determine whether each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources is turned on or off by opening and closing; And It includes a connection control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the switch, And controlling the opening and closing of the switches such that the vehicle lamp has a lighting pattern corresponding to a predetermined light distribution class. The method of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor light emitting device light source A vehicle lamp control device comprising at least one physical light emitting element. The method of claim 1, And a defect detector for detecting whether each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting device light sources is defective. The method of claim 3, And the connection controller controls the switch corresponding to the semiconductor light emitting element light source detected as the defect to be generated by the defect detector to close. The method of claim 4, wherein when the defect occurs A lamp control apparatus for a vehicle in which a lighting pattern is formed in accordance with a predetermined defect safety mode regardless of the current light distribution class. The lighting pattern of claim 5, wherein the lighting pattern according to the predetermined defect safety mode is defined. The lamp control device for a vehicle, which is a lighting pattern in which light directed toward the cutoff line upper region of the light distribution pattern is reduced. The lighting pattern of claim 5, wherein the lighting pattern according to the predetermined defect safety mode is defined. The lamp control apparatus for a vehicle which is a lighting pattern of the adjacent light distribution class which can be switched while turning off a defective semiconductor light source light emitting element light source. The method of claim 4, wherein when the defect occurs The connection control unit transmits the information in which the defect is generated to the ECU, And the ECU controls the driver to display information indicating that a defect has occurred among the plurality of semiconductor light emitting element light sources. The method of claim 3, And the switches, the connection control unit and the defect detector are implemented as an integrated printed circuit board.

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