Sequential lighting system and method of controlling the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a sequential lighting system and a control method thereof, in which, when a lighting unit for applying light to the outside of a vehicle is turned on, an aesthetic appearance is improved by implementing sequential lighting, constituent components for implementing the sequential lighting are simplified, and costs are reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a sequential lighting system and a control method thereof, which allows lighting units of a vehicle to be sequentially turned on. BACKGROUND

[0002] Lighting units using various light sources are applied to vehicles. Each lighting unit is appropriately used for its characteristics according to an installation position and a use.

[0003] The lighting units include interior lights installed in the interior of a vehicle and headlamps, fog lamps, back-up lamps, stop lamps, license plate lamps, rear combination lamps, brake lamps, turn signal lamps, and hazard warning signal lamps installed in the exterior of a vehicle.

[0004] In particular, since the lighting units installed in the exterior of a vehicle contribute to making a high-grade product in terms of design, the lighting design and effect of a vehicle are also important.

[0005] Generally, the lighting units installed on a vehicle emphasize light application toward the front, and thus the development of technology for securing the convergence and diffusion rate of light is important. In addition, in order to improve the design of the lighting units, the shape around the lighting units is changed, thereby improving the aesthetic sense. For this, the lighting units having a sequential lighting mode are generally applied.

[0006] Since a plurality of light sources is generally applied to the lighting units having the sequential lighting mode, there is a problem in that the number of components increases and the system is complicated.

[0007] The information disclosed in this Background section is only for the purpose of enhancing the understanding of the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as admitting that the information constitutes prior art that is already known in this country. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention is directed to solving the above-described problems in the prior art, and an aspect of the present invention is directed to providing a sequential lighting system and a control method thereof, in which, when lighting units for applying light to the exterior of a vehicle are turned on, the aesthetic appearance is improved by implementing sequential lighting, thereby increasing the value of goods, and the constituent components are also simplified, thereby reducing costs.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a sequential lighting system including a light guide configured to reflect and move some light and transmit and emit some light to the outside of the light guide when light is incident to the inside of the light guide, a first light source and a second light source disposed at one end and the other end of the light guide, respectively, and configured to apply light to the inside of the light guide at different positions, and a controller configured to control lighting of each of the first light source and the second light source and control lighting time of each of the first light source and the second light source so that the light guide emits light in a sequential lighting mode.

[0010] The first light source and the second light source can have different maximum luminances when turned on.

[0011] In a case where the first light source is turned on by the controller prior to the second light source, the luminance of the first light source can be configured to be brighter than the luminance of the second light source.

[0012] The controller can perform cross control of turning on the first light source first and then turning on the second light source so that light in the light guide is emitted while crossing from one end to the other end.

[0013] In a case where the first light source is turned on by the controller prior to the second light source, the time for the first light source to reach the maximum luminance can be longer than the time for the first light source to turn off from the maximum luminance, and the time for the second light source to turn off from the maximum luminance can be longer than the time for the second light source to reach the maximum luminance.

[0014] If the first light source is turned on and a set time elapses, the controller can control the second light source to turn on, and when the first light source reaches the maximum luminance, control the first light source to turn off, and when the second light source reaches the maximum luminance, control the second light source to turn off.

[0015] If the first light source is turned on and a set time elapses, the controller can cause the second light source to turn on, cause the first light source to remain in a lighted state even when the first light source reaches the maximum luminance, and simultaneously turn off the first light source and the second light source when the first light source and the second light source reach the maximum luminance.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a control method of a sequential lighting system in which a first light source and a second light source are disposed at one end and the other end of a light guide, respectively, the control method including a first light source control step of turning on the first light source, and a second light source control step of turning on the second light source when a set time elapses after the first light source is turned on, so that light in the light guide increases the luminance of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other end.

[0017] The first light source control step can include turning off the first light source when the first light source reaches the maximum brightness, and the second light source control step can include turning off the second light source after the first light source, when the second light source reaches the maximum brightness, so that the light within the light guide decreases the brightness of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other.

[0018] The first light source control step can include maintaining the lighting state of the first light source even if the first light source reaches the maximum brightness, and turning off the first light source when the second light source reaches the maximum brightness, and the second light source control step can include turning off the second light source when the second light source reaches the maximum brightness.

[0019] According to the sequential lighting system formed in the above-described configuration and the control method thereof, when the lighting unit for applying light to the outside of the vehicle is turned on, the aesthetic appearance is improved by implementing sequential lighting, the product value is increased, the constituent components for implementing the sequential lighting are simplified, and thus the cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a sequential lighting system according to the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating Figure 1 the sequential lighting system shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating Figure 1 an embodiment of the sequential lighting system shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the sequential lighting system according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, a sequential lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application and a control method thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a sequential lighting system according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating Figure 1 the sequential lighting system shown in FIG. 1; Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating Figure 1A schematic view of an embodiment of the sequential lighting system shown. Figure 6 A flowchart showing a control method of the sequential lighting system of the present invention.

[0027] As Figure 1 shown, the present invention includes a light guide 10 that causes some light to reflect and move inside the light guide 10 and causes some light to transmit and emit outside the light guide 10 when light is incident inside the light guide 10, a plurality of light sources 20 that are disposed at one end 10a and the other end 10b of the light guide 10 and apply light to inside the light guide 10 at different positions, and a controller 30 that causes the light guide 10 to emit light in a sequential lighting mode by controlling the lighting of each light source 20 and controlling the lighting time of each light source 20.

[0028] Here, the light guide 10 extends in a given direction and is formed of a translucent material having low transmittance, so that when light enters the inside of the light guide 10, a part of the light reflects and moves in the extension direction in the light guide 10, and a part of the light is emitted to the outside. Thus, the light amount of the part of the light entering the light guide 10 is high, and as the light amount gradually decreases in the direction away from the part where the light enters, a gradual change lighting image can be achieved. Depending on the shape of the lamp, the light guide 10 can be formed in various shapes, such as a straight line or a curved line.

[0029] The light sources 20 that apply light to the light guide 10 are disposed at one end 10a and the other end 10b of the light guide 10. LEDs can be used as the light sources 20, and when light is applied to inside the light guide 10 at one end 10a and the other end 10b of the light guide 10, the light is emitted through the light guide 10.

[0030] The light sources 20 are controlled by the controller 30 and turned on or off. Specifically, the controller 30 differently (or individually) controls the lighting time of the light sources 20, thereby causing the light guide 10 to emit light in a sequential lighting mode. That is, since the light guide 10 is formed of a translucent material having low transmittance, a gradual change lighting image is achieved, and by controlling the lighting time of each light source 20, the light guide 10 can emit light in various lighting modes. In general, if the controller 30 turns on the light sources 20 disposed at one end 10a of the light guide 10 and then turns on the light sources 20 disposed at the other end 10b of the light guide 10, the light guide 10 can achieve sequential lighting in such a way that the light emission amount gradually increases from one end 10a to the other end 10b.

[0031] Furthermore, if the controller 30 simultaneously turns on the light source 20 located at one end 10a and the other end 10b of the light guide 10, sequential illumination can be achieved in such a way that light is emitted from one end 10a and the other end 10b of the light guide 10, and then the amount of light emitted gradually increases in the middle part of the light guide 10.

[0032] Thus, the present invention provides light sources 20 at one end 10a and the other end 10b of the light guide 10, and controls the illumination time of each light source 20 to achieve various illumination modes. This results in advanced illumination images, and reduces material costs by minimizing the number of light sources 20.

[0033] To illustrate the present invention in detail, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the multiple light sources include: a first light source 21 and a second light source 22. The first light source 21 is disposed at one end 10a of the light guide 10 and applies light into the light guide 10. The second light source 22 is disposed at the other end 10b of the light guide 10 and applies light into the light guide 10. The first light source 21 and the second light source 22 can have different maximum brightness when they are turned on.

[0034] Thus, based on the light guide 10, the light source 20 includes a first light source 21 disposed at one end 10a of the light guide 10 and a second light source 22 disposed at the other end 10b of the light guide 10. That is, as Figure 2 As shown, when the first light source 21 is turned on, a gradual illumination image is achieved in such a way that the light emission is higher at one end 10a of the light guide 10, and the light emission gradually decreases towards the other end 10b of the light guide 10. In contrast, as Figure 3 As shown, when the second light source 22 is turned on, a gradient lighting image is achieved in such a way that the light emission amount adjacent to the other end 10b of the light guide 10 is higher, and the light emission amount gradually decreases toward one end 10a of the light guide 10.

[0035] Here, the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 can have different maximum brightness when they are turned on. In this way, the maximum brightness of the first light source 21 and the maximum brightness of the second light source 22 are configured to be different from each other. As a result, when the illumination time of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are set differently to achieve sequential illumination of the light guide 10, the light emission type of the sequential illumination mode can be achieved more gently.

[0036] Specifically, when the first light source 21 is turned on via the controller 30 before the second light source 22 is turned on, the brightness of the first light source 21 can be configured to be brighter than that of the second light source 22.

[0037] In the present application, the light guide 10 is formed of a translucent material having low transmittance, so when light enters the inside of the light guide 10, a part of the light is reflected and moves in the extending direction in the light guide 10, and a part of the light is emitted to the outside. Thus, assuming that the first light source 21 provided at one end 10a of the light guide 10 is turned on, the light guide 10 emits light in such a manner that the light is brighter at the one end 10a and darker toward the other end 10b. If the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are turned on with the same brightness, since the other end 10b of the light guide 10 becomes bright at too fast a speed, the sequential illumination of the light guide 10 loses balance and is not soft.

[0038] Thus, the light source 20 turned on first is configured so that the maximum brightness is brighter than the maximum brightness of the light source 20 turned on next, so that the sequential illumination of the light guide 10 can be achieved softly without a sense of unevenness.

[0039] Further, in the case where the first light source 21 is turned on before the second light source 22 by the controller 30, the first light source 21 can be configured so that the time for the first light source 21 to reach the maximum brightness is longer than the time for the first light source 21 to go from the maximum brightness to the off state, and the second light source 22 can be configured so that the time for the second light source 22 to go from the maximum brightness to the off state is longer than the time for the second light source 22 to reach the maximum brightness.

[0040] Thus, the first light source 21 is configured so that the time for the first light source 21 to reach the maximum brightness is longer than the time for the first light source 21 to go from the maximum brightness to the off state, so that the first light source 21 can be turned on in such a manner that the one end 10a of the light guide 10 gradually becomes bright softly. In addition, as the first light source 21 is turned on and then the second light source 22 is turned on, the light guide 10 gradually becomes bright from the one end 10a to the other end 10b, so that soft sequential illumination can be achieved.

[0041] Meanwhile, the present application should have a form in which the light sources 20 are sequentially turned off at the time of the off state. Accordingly, by setting the time for the first light source 21 to go from the maximum brightness to the off state to be shorter than the time for the first light source 21 to reach the maximum brightness, the first light source 21 is quickly turned off, and by setting the time for the second light source 22 to go from the maximum brightness to the off state to be longer than the time for the second light source 22 to reach the maximum brightness, the second light source 22 is turned off for a longer time.

[0042] That is, if the first light source 21 is turned on, light of the first light source 21 is also transmitted toward the other end 10b of the light guide 10. If the second light source 22 is turned on, light of the second light source 22 is also transmitted toward the one end 10a of the light guide 10. Accordingly, the first light source 21 is turned off in a relatively short time, and the one end 10a of the light guide 10 is maintained in a slightly bright state due to the light of the second light source 22. Next, since the second light source 22 is turned off in a relatively long time, the light gradually disappears from the one end 10a to the other end 10b of the light guide 10.

[0043] Accordingly, the sequential lighting or extinguishing operation of the light guide 10 of the present application can be implemented at the time of lighting and extinguishing.

[0044] The present application can implement various types of sequential lighting using the light sources and the light guide 10 as follows.

[0045] Specifically, in the present application, the controller 30 performs cross control of turning on the first light source 21 first and then turning on the second light source 22, so that the light within the light guide 10 is emitted while crossing from the one end 10a to the other end 10b. Of course, control of turning on the second light source 22 first and then turning on the first light source 21 can be performed, which is selectively changed according to the light emission pattern of the light guide 10. In this way, since the light within the light guide 10 is sequentially lighted while crossing from the one end 10a to the other end 10b, the light emission image effect of the light guide 10 is improved, and various lighting types can be implemented. That is, the light emission image of the light guide 10 can be diversified by controlling the lighting and extinguishing times of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22.

[0046] As the first embodiment, if the first light source 21 is turned on and then a set time elapses, the controller 30 can control the second light source 22 to be turned on, and when each of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 reaches the maximum brightness, the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are controlled to be turned off.

[0047] Accordingly, when the first light source 21 is turned on, the light guide 10 is configured so that the one end 10a becomes the brightest and the other end 10b gradually becomes bright. After a set time elapses, the second light source 22 is turned on, and the other end 10b of the light guide 10 is brightened by the light applied from the first light source 21 and the light applied from the second light source 22. In this way, the sequential lighting of the light guide 10 that gradually becomes bright from the one end 10a to the other end 10b is implemented.

[0048] Here, the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are configured to turn off when they reach maximum brightness. Thus, when the first light source 21 reaches maximum brightness before the second light source 22, the first light source 21, which is turned on first, is turned off first, followed by the second light source 22. Correspondingly, when the first light source 21 is turned off, one end 10a of the light guide 10 darkens and emits light at a low brightness due to the light applied from the second light source 22. However, since the second light source 22 is turned off next to the first light source 21, the other end 10b of the light guide 10 gradually darkens. In this way, the light guide 10 is sequentially extinguished, gradually darkening from one end 10a to the other end 10b.

[0049] As an example, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 can be controlled over time. For example, the controller 30 can set the maximum brightness of the second light source 22 to 50% of the maximum brightness of the first light source 21, and the time when the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 reach their maximum brightness and the time when they turn off can be predetermined. Thus, when the first light source 21 is turned on and a set time has elapsed, the second light source 22 is turned on, and because the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 turn off at different times, sequential illumination of the light guide 10 can be achieved. Figure 4 The brightness control of the first light source 21 in each time interval shown and based on Figure 5 The control of the brightness of the second light source 22 in each time interval shown is illustrative, and various implementation schemes can be implemented based on them.

[0050] Meanwhile, as a second implementation, the controller 30 can: turn on the second light source 22 if the first light source 21 is turned on and then a set time has elapsed; keep the first light source 21 on even if the second light source 22 reaches its maximum brightness; and turn off both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 simultaneously if the second light source 22 reaches its maximum brightness.

[0051] Therefore, when the first light source 21 is turned on, one end 10a of the light guide 10 becomes the brightest, and the other end 10b of the light guide 10 gradually brightens. After a set time, the second light source 22 is turned on, and the other end 10b of the light guide 10 brightens due to the light applied from the first light source 21 and the light applied from the second light source 22. In this way, sequential illumination of the light guide 10, which gradually brightens from one end 10a to the other end 10b, is achieved.

[0052] Simultaneously, the following state can be achieved: even when the second light source 22 reaches its maximum brightness, the first light source 21 remains on, and when the second light source 22 reaches its maximum brightness, both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are simultaneously turned off. As a result, the light guide 10 is completely extinguished.

[0053] That is, the first light source 21 is configured so that the brightness of the first light source 21 is higher relative to the brightness of the second light source 22 and the time during which the first light source 21 is turned off is shorter, and the second light source 22 is configured so that the brightness of the second light source 22 is lower relative to the brightness of the first light source 21 and the time during which the second light source 22 is turned off is longer. Thereby, even if the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are turned off at the same time, the light guide 10 can be extinguished as a whole. Light applied from the first light source 21 is transmitted to the other end 10b of the light guide 10, and light applied from the second light source 22 is partially transmitted to the one end 10a of the light guide 10. When the radiation intensity of the first light source 21 becomes higher, even if the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are turned off at the same time, the image of the entire light guide 10 being extinguished can be realized.

[0054] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 6 , the control method of the sequential lighting system according to the present application is a control method of a sequential lighting system in which light sources are provided at one end and the other end of a light guide, and includes a first light source control step S10 of turning on the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide, and a second light source control step S20 of turning on the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide when a set time has passed after the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is turned on, thereby causing light within the light guide to increase the brightness of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other end.

[0055] Therefore, when the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is turned on by performing the first light source control step S10, one end of the light guide becomes the brightest, and the other end of the light guide gradually becomes brighter. After a set time has passed, the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide is turned on by performing the second light source control step S20, and the other end of the light guide is brightened by light applied from the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide and light applied from the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide. In this way, sequential lighting of the light guide that gradually becomes brighter from one end to the other end of the light guide is realized.

[0056] Meanwhile, the first light source control step S10 includes turning off the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide when the light source reaches maximum brightness, and the second light source control step S20 includes turning off the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide when the light source reaches maximum brightness after the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is turned off. Thereby, light within the light guide decreases the brightness of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other end.

[0057] Thus, when the maximum luminance is reached, the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is turned off. Thereby, when the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is turned off after the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide is turned on, the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide gradually dims. Thus, the sequential extinction of the light guide that gradually dims from one end to the other end is achieved.

[0058] Meanwhile, as another embodiment, the first light source control step S10 includes maintaining the state in which the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is turned on even if the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide reaches the maximum luminance, and turning off the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide when the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide reaches the maximum luminance, and the second light source control step S20 includes turning off the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide when the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide reaches the maximum luminance.

[0059] That is, it is possible to achieve a state in which the light source adjacent to one end of the light guide is maintained in the turned-on state even if the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide reaches the maximum luminance, and the light sources adjacent to one end and the other end of the light guide are simultaneously turned off when the light source adjacent to the other end of the light guide reaches the maximum luminance. Thereby, the light guide as a whole is extinguished.

[0060] The controller can include a processor or a microprocessor. In addition, the controller can further include a memory. The above-described operations / functions can be implemented as computer-readable codes / algorithms / software stored on the memory, which can include a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a CPU. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like. The processor or the microprocessor can perform the above-described operations / functions by executing the computer-readable codes / algorithms / software stored on the computer-readable recording medium.

[0061] In the sequential lighting system formed in the above-described structure, when the lighting unit for applying light to the outside of the vehicle is turned on, the aesthetic appearance is improved by implementing sequential lighting, the constituent parts for implementing sequential lighting are simplified, and the cost is reduced. In particular, since the lighting time of the light source is adjusted, various lighting patterns are realized, and the product value is improved.

[0062] While specific embodiments of the application have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and substitutions can be made to the application without departing from the scope and spirit of the application as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A sequential lighting system comprising: a light guide configured to cause some light to reflect and move within the light guide and some light to transmit and emit to the outside of the light guide when light is incident to the inside of the light guide; a first light source and a second light source disposed at one end and the other end of the light guide, respectively, and configured to apply light within the light guide at different positions; and a controller configured to control the lighting of each of the first light source and the second light source and to control the lighting time of each of the first light source and the second light source so that the light guide emits light in a sequential lighting mode; wherein the first light source and the second light source have different maximum luminances when turned on; in the case where the first light source is turned on prior to the second light source by the controller, the time for the first light source to reach the maximum luminance is longer than the time for the first light source to go from the maximum luminance to off, and the time for the second light source to go from the maximum luminance to off is longer than the time for the second light source to reach the maximum luminance.

2. The sequential lighting system of claim 1, wherein, in the case where the first light source is turned on prior to the second light source by the controller, the luminance of the first light source is configured to be brighter than the luminance of the second light source.

3. The sequential lighting system of claim 2, wherein, the controller performs cross control of turning on the first light source first and then turning on the second light source so that light within the light guide is emitted while crossing from one end to the other end.

4. The sequential lighting system of claim 3, wherein, if the first light source is turned on and a set time elapses, the controller controls the second light source to turn on, and when the first light source reaches the maximum luminance, controls the first light source to turn off, and when the second light source reaches the maximum luminance, controls the second light source to turn off.

5. The sequential lighting system of claim 3, wherein, if the first light source is turned on and a set time elapses, the controller causes the second light source to turn on, causes the first light source to remain in the on state even when the first light source reaches the maximum luminance, and simultaneously turns off the first light source and the second light source when the first light source and the second light source reach the maximum luminance.

6. A control method of a sequential lighting system in which a first light source and a second light source are disposed at one end and the other end of a light guide, respectively, the control method comprising: a first light source control step of turning on the first light source; a second light source control step of turning on the second light source when a set time elapses after the first light source is turned on so that light within the light guide increases the luminance of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other end; wherein the first light source control step includes turning off the first light source when the first light source reaches the maximum luminance; the second light source control step includes turning off the second light source when the second light source reaches the maximum luminance after the first light source is turned off so that light within the light guide decreases the luminance of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other end.

7. A control method of a sequential lighting system in which a first light source and a second light source are disposed at one end and the other end of a light guide, respectively, the control method comprising: a first light source control step of turning on the first light source; a second light source control step of turning on the second light source when a set time elapses after the first light source is turned on so that light within the light guide increases the luminance of the light guide while crossing from one end to the other end; The first light source control step includes maintaining the lighting state of the first light source even if the first light source reaches the maximum brightness, and turning off the first light source when the second light source reaches the maximum brightness. The second light source control step includes turning off the second light source when the second light source reaches the maximum brightness.

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