In particular, a direction indicator having a wiping effect and a hazard warning function
By employing XOR gate logic circuits in the driving direction indicator of motor vehicles, signal analysis is simplified, the problem of complex CAN bus communication is solved, simplified wiping effect and hazard warning function are achieved, and system complexity and installation space requirements are reduced.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
- Filing Date
- 2019-01-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle direction indicators require complex CAN bus communication systems to achieve both wiping effects and hazard warning functions, leading to increased system design and installation space requirements.
The circuit layout design detects the operation signals of the right and left flash lights and uses XOR gate logic to ensure that the wiping effects of the right and left flash lights are not activated simultaneously when the hazard warning light is flashing, simplifying signal analysis and saving installation space.
This invention simplifies the circuit design of the driving direction indicator without using a CAN bus, ensures activation without wiping during hazard warnings, and reduces system complexity and installation space requirements.
Smart Images
Figure CN110027467B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a driving direction indicator, particularly having a wiping effect and a hazard warning function, and to a motor vehicle having such a driving direction indicator. Background Technology
[0002] Directional indicators are lighting devices on motor vehicles used to inform other road users of a change in direction or for other purposes. They are typically implemented using flashing lights. Directional indicators are commonly referred to as turn signals.
[0003] For single-track or multi-track motor vehicles, a hazard light is required at the front and rear on each side; for trailers, only the rear is required. However, many modern multi-track motor vehicles have more than four directional indicators, such as raised hazard warning lights in the rear or exterior rearview mirrors.
[0004] In addition to indicating normal changes in driving direction, the driving direction indicator also functions as a warning device and is called a hazard warning light. In this case, all lights flash simultaneously, regardless of whether one or more turn signals are malfunctioning and regardless of whether the ignition is on or off in the vehicle.
[0005] Modern motor vehicles have emergency braking indicators via hazard warning functions. In this case, the hazard warning device is automatically activated to warn following road users during emergency braking.
[0006] During emergency braking or an accident, the controller automatically activates the hazard warning devices, and in addition, for example, one of the raised hazard warning lights (e.g., the third brake light) flashes at an increased frequency.
[0007] Furthermore, modern motor vehicles have hazard lights consisting of one or more activatable LEDs. If each LED is activated in a controlled manner during a hazard light flash, an optical wiping effect is produced, creating a light band that extends from the inside out along the X-axis relative to the vehicle's direction. Considering that the turn signal wiping function will be disabled when the two hazard lights on the front and / or rear sides, respectively, are activated on the left and right sides of the vehicle's X-axis, communication between the hazard lights is necessary.
[0008] This can be achieved through complex activation using a bus system (such as the CAN bus Controller Area Network Bus).
[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a less complicated alternative. Summary of the Invention
[0010] The object of this invention is achieved by a driving direction indicator, specifically having a wiping effect and hazard warning function. The driving direction indicator has at least one right-side hazard light and one left-side hazard light, and a circuit arrangement designed to detect a first operating signal indicating operation of the right-side hazard light and a second operating signal indicating operation of the left-side hazard light. If the XOR combination of the first and second operating signals produces a logic high, the circuit arrangement provides a first logic high control signal for operating the right-side hazard light; and if the XOR combination of the first and second operating signals produces a logic high, the circuit arrangement provides a second logic high control signal for operating the left-side hazard light. In other words, the first and second operating signals are combined such that a logic high control signal is provided only when one operating signal is logic high. Otherwise, i.e., if both operating signals are either logic high or logic low, a logic low control signal is provided. Therefore, it is possible to ensure, in a remarkably simple manner, that the operating signal causing the wiping effect does not simultaneously act on one of the corresponding hazard lights when the hazard warning light is activated, without using a CAN bus.
[0011] According to one embodiment, the circuit arrangement includes a first XOR gate for providing a first control signal and a second XOR gate for providing a second control signal. Therefore, particularly simple signal analysis can be provided in a very simple manner, wherein the right flash and the left flash are associated with a corresponding XOR gate, and the XOR gate can be arranged in a space-saving manner near the respective flash.
[0012] According to another embodiment, the first input of the first XOR gate can be loaded by a first operation signal, the first input of the second XOR gate can be loaded by a second operation signal, and a connecting element electrically connects the second input of the first XOR gate to the first input of the second XOR gate, and simultaneously electrically connects the second input of the second XOR gate to the first input of the first XOR gate. Therefore, the corresponding other operation signal can be provided to the corresponding XOR gate in a particularly simple manner.
[0013] According to another embodiment, a first control signal activates a first wipe signal generator corresponding to the right flash, and a second control signal activates a second wipe signal generator corresponding to the left flash. Therefore, a particularly simple circuit arrangement can be provided.
[0014] According to another embodiment, a first control signal is provided by a first turn signal switch and a second control signal is provided by a second turn signal switch. For example, the first turn signal switch can provide a right-side hazard warning signal, and the second turn signal switch can provide a left-side hazard warning signal. A hazard warning can be triggered by simultaneously closing both turn signal switches, i.e., by providing two control signals. Therefore, a particularly simple circuit arrangement can be provided.
[0015] According to another embodiment, a first wipe signal generator and a first XOR gate form a first controller and switch assembly, and a second wipe signal generator and a second XOR gate form a second controller and switch assembly. Therefore, the respective wipe signal generators and XOR gates can be arranged in a way that saves required installation space near the respective flash units.
[0016] Furthermore, the present invention includes a motor vehicle having such a driving direction indicator and a circuit arrangement for such a driving direction indicator. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0018] Figure 1 These are schematic right and left views of a motor vehicle;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a driving direction indicator for a motor vehicle having a circuit arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 Further details of the circuit layout shown. Detailed Implementation
[0021] First refer to Figure 1 .
[0022] The vehicle shown is a motor vehicle 2, which is a passenger vehicle in this exemplary embodiment.
[0023] The motor vehicle 2 has a driving direction indicator 4, which has a right front hazard light 6a, a left front hazard light 6b, a right rear hazard light 6c, and a left rear hazard light 6d. Unlike this exemplary embodiment, the driving direction indicator 4 may also have other hazard lights.
[0024] The driving direction indicator 4 is designed to indicate the desired driving direction, for example, by periodically illuminating the right front strobe 6a and the right rear strobe 6c at a frequency of 1.5Hz ± 0.5Hz (i.e., illuminating 90 ± 30 times per minute), or periodically illuminating the left front strobe 6b and the left rear strobe 6d.
[0025] In this exemplary embodiment, the right front strobe 6a, left front strobe 6b, right rear strobe 6c, and left rear strobe 6d each include one or more activatable LEDs. In this case, the driving direction indicator 4 is designed as a "wiping turn signal," that is, when flashing, the individual LEDs are activated, thereby creating an optical wiping effect of a light band from the inside out.
[0026] In addition, the driving direction indicator 4 can also be used as a warning device or a hazard warning light. If the driving direction indicator 4 is used as a warning device or a hazard warning light, all the flashing lights will flash simultaneously, that is, in this exemplary embodiment, the right front flashing light 6a, the left front flashing light 6b, the right rear flashing light 6c, and the left rear flashing light 6d will flash simultaneously.
[0027] In other words, when the driving direction indicator is flashing, the hazard lights 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d on one side of the vehicle will flash simultaneously, while when the hazard warning lights are flashing, all the hazard lights 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d of the motor vehicle 2 will flash.
[0028] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 2 in this exemplary embodiment has a hazard warning function. To achieve this function, the driving direction indicator 4 is connected to the driver assistance system or controller of the motor vehicle 2 to transmit data, wherein the driver assistance system or controller is designed to detect emergency braking of the motor vehicle triggered by the driver or an emergency braking assist system. Upon detection of emergency braking, the driving direction indicator 4 operates as a warning device or hazard warning light. This automatically activates the hazard warning light to warn following road users.
[0029] For this purpose, the right rear hazard lights 6c and left rear hazard lights 6d are illuminated appropriately. However, while the driving direction indicator 4 operates as an "intermittent turn signal" when the driving direction indicator is flashing, it does not operate as an "intermittent turn signal" when the hazard warning lights are flashing; that is, all LEDs of the right rear hazard lights 6c and left rear hazard lights 6d must be turned on simultaneously. This also applies to the right front hazard lights 6a and left front hazard lights 6b.
[0030] To ensure this operation, the driving direction indicator 4 has a circuit arrangement 8, which will now be referred to separately. Figure 2 Explain it.
[0031] In this exemplary embodiment, Figure 2 The circuit arrangement 8 of the driving direction indicator 4 shown has a right wipe signal generator 10a, a left wipe signal generator 10b, a first XOR gate 20a, a second XOR gate 20b, and a driving direction indicator switch 16.
[0032] The driving direction indicator switch 16 has a right turn signal switch 22a and a left turn signal switch 22b.
[0033] The right turn signal switch 22a is electrically connected to the first input terminal of the first XOR gate 20a. The output terminal of the first XOR gate 20a is electrically connected to the right wipe signal generator 10a. The output terminal of the right wipe signal generator 10a is electrically connected to the right rear flash 6c. Furthermore, the right turn signal switch 22a is directly electrically connected to the right rear flash 6c.
[0034] Similarly, the left turn signal switch 22b is electrically connected to the first input terminal of the second XOR gate 20b. The output terminal of the second XOR gate 20b is electrically connected to the left wipe signal generator 10b. The output terminal of the left wipe signal generator 10b is electrically connected to the left rear flash 6d. Furthermore, the left turn signal switch 22b is directly electrically connected to the left rear flash 6d.
[0035] Furthermore, the connecting element 12 electrically connects the respective second input terminals of the two XOR gates 20a and 20b to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting element 12 has a first connecting line 12a and a second connecting line 12b. The first connecting line 12a electrically connects the second input terminal of the first XOR gate 20a to the first input terminal of the second XOR gate 20b or the left turn signal switch 22b. The second connecting line 12b electrically connects the second input terminal of the second XOR gate 20b to the first input terminal of the first XOR gate 20a or the right turn signal switch 22a.
[0036] In other words, the right wipe signal generator 10a is associated with the right rear flash 6c, and the left wipe signal generator 10b is associated with the left rear flash 6d to produce the corresponding wipe effect.
[0037] When the driving direction indicator flashes, the corresponding right wipe signal generator 10a and left wipe signal generator 10b are activated by means of the driving direction indicator switch 16.
[0038] When the driving direction indicator is flashing, the right wipe signal generator 10a or the left wipe signal generator 10b is activated depending on the switch position of the driving direction indicator switch 16, which in turn causes the corresponding right rear flash 6c or left rear flash 6d to wipe.
[0039] Therefore, the corresponding turn signal switches 22a and 22b provide logic high for the corresponding operation signals B1 and B2, which are then provided to the corresponding input terminals of the corresponding XOR gates 20a and 20b via connecting lines 12a and 12b. Since the other corresponding operation signal B1 and B2 is logic low, the corresponding XOR gates 20a and 20b provide logic high control signals SS1 and SS2, which activate the associated wipe signal generators 10a and 10b, which in turn achieve the wiping effect of the corresponding rear flash 6c and 6d.
[0040] When the hazard warning lights flash, i.e., the right turn signal switch 22a and the left turn signal switch 22b are closed, for example, due to manual operation by the driver of the motor vehicle, or due to detected emergency braking, or due to automatically triggered emergency braking, both operation signals B1 and B2 are simultaneously logic high or simultaneously logic low. Subsequently, the same input signal appears at the corresponding two input terminals of the corresponding XOR gates 20a and 20b, so both XOR gates 20a and 20b provide the corresponding logic low control signals S1 and S2. Therefore, the activation of the associated wipe signal generators 10a and 10b does not occur, so the corresponding rear flashers 6c and 6d do not display a wipe effect. Therefore, when the hazard warning lights flash, the right wipe signal generator 10a and / or the left wipe signal generator 10b are not activated regardless of the switch position of the driving direction indicator switch 16.
[0041] Therefore, it is possible to ensure, in a surprisingly simple way, that the operating signal providing the wiping effect when the hazard warning light is flashing does not simultaneously act on the right rear strobe 6c and the left rear strobe 6d without using the CAN bus.
[0042] Now, additional references Figure 3 .
[0043] The right component 24a and the left component 24b are shown.
[0044] The right-side component 24a has a first LED current controller 18a, a first controller and switch assembly 14a, and a plurality of LEDs 26a. In this exemplary embodiment, the first controller and switch assembly 14a includes a first wipe signal generator 10a and a first XOR gate 20a to provide a compact right-side component 24a that occupies very little installation space.
[0045] Similarly, the left-side component 24b includes a second LED current controller 18b, a second controller and switch assembly 14b, and a plurality of LEDs 26b. In this exemplary embodiment, the second controller and switch assembly 14b includes a second wipe signal generator 10b and a second XOR gate 20b.
[0046] In this configuration, turn signal switches 22a and 22b are power transmitters for LED current controllers 18a and 18b. In this exemplary embodiment, the control of the current provided by LED current controllers 18a and 18b is controlled solely by the first and second controllers and switch assemblies 14a and 14b (wiping turn signals or "normal" turn signals).
[0047] Therefore, it can provide a circuit layout that occupies a very small installation space.
[0048] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:
[0049] 2 Motor vehicles
[0050] 4. Driving direction indicator
[0051] 6a Right front flash
[0052] 6b Front left flash
[0053] 6c right rear flash
[0054] 6D rear left flash
[0055] 8 Circuit Layout
[0056] 10a Right Wipe Signal Generator
[0057] 10b Left Wipe Signal Generator
[0058] 12 Connecting elements
[0059] 12a connecting cable
[0060] 12b connecting cable
[0061] 14a First controller and switch assembly
[0062] 14b Second controller and switch assembly
[0063] 16. Directional Indicator Switch
[0064] 18A LED Current Controller
[0065] 18b LED Current Controller
[0066] 20a XOR gate
[0067] 20b XOR gate
[0068] 22a Turn signal switch
[0069] 22b Turn signal switch
[0070] 24a Component
[0071] 24b component
[0072] 26A LED
[0073] 26b LED
[0074] B1 First Operation Signal
[0075] B2 Second Operation Signal
[0076] SS1 First Control Signal
[0077] SS2 Second Control Signal
Claims
1. A driving direction indicator (4) having a wiping effect and a hazard warning function, the driving direction indicator having at least one right-side hazard indicator (6a, 6c) and one left-side hazard indicator (6b, 6d) and a circuit arrangement (8), the circuit arrangement (8) including a first XOR gate (20a) for providing a first control signal (SS2) and a second XOR gate (20b) for providing a second control signal (SS2); wherein the circuit arrangement (8) is designed to detect a first operating signal (B1) indicating the operation of the right-side hazard indicator (6a, 6c) and an operating signal indicating the left-side hazard indicator (6d). The circuit arrangement (8) provides a second operation signal (B2) for the operation of the side flashes (6b, 6d), and a first control signal (SS1) for activating the right flashes (6a, 6c) when the XOR combination of the first operation signal (B1) and the second operation signal (B2) produces a logic high, and a second control signal (SS2) for activating the left flashes (6b, 6d) when the XOR combination of the first operation signal (B1) and the second operation signal (B2) produces a logic high; and When the first operation signal (B1) and the second operation signal (B2) are both logic high or both logic low, the first XOR gate (20a) and the second XOR gate (20b) provide corresponding logic low control signals (SS1, SS2), so that the corresponding right flash (6c) and left flash (6d) do not display the wiping effect.
2. The driving direction indicator (4) according to claim 1, wherein, The first operation signal (B1) can be applied to the first input terminal of the first XOR gate (20a), the second operation signal (B2) can be applied to the first input terminal of the second XOR gate (20b), and the connecting element (12) electrically connects the second input terminal of the first XOR gate (20a) to the first input terminal of the second XOR gate (20b), and electrically connects the second input terminal of the second XOR gate (20b) to the first input terminal of the first XOR gate (20a).
3. The driving direction indicator (4) according to claim 1, wherein, The first control signal (SS1) activates the first wiping signal generator (10a), which corresponds to the right flash (6a, 6c), and the second control signal (SS2) activates the second wiping signal generator (10b), which corresponds to the left flash (6b, 6d).
4. The driving direction indicator (4) according to claim 1, wherein, The first control signal (SS1) is provided by the first turn signal switch (22a) and the second control signal (SS2) is provided by the second turn signal switch (22b).
5. The driving direction indicator (4) according to claim 3, wherein, The first wiping signal generator (10a) and the first XOR gate (20a) form a first controller and switch assembly (14a), and the second wiping signal generator (10b) and the second XOR gate (20b) form a second controller and switch assembly (14b).
6. A circuit arrangement (8) for use in a driving direction indicator (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. A motor vehicle (2) having a driving direction indicator (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.