A system, method and method of controlling a matrix of LEDs in a vehicle headlamp assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure includes methods and systems for creating, using, and controlling LED headlamp topologies and matrices that require fewer components, electrical power, and power while allowing for advanced features such as cornering illumination. The disclosed methods and systems are capable of using smaller electrical systems, including control systems for LED and other headlamp topologies. Among other methods, the disclosed methods and systems can utilize pixel pairing and time multiplexing to manage current to minimize the power required on a circuit at a given time, thereby reducing the amount of material required to create LED headlamp topologies and related methods and systems for creating, using, and controlling LED headlamp topologies.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 043467, filed June 24, 2020, entitled “LED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to vehicle headlight design, and more specifically, to light-emitting diode (LED) headlight topology and matrix management. Background Technology

[0004] Some vehicles use headlight designs composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED functions in automotive headlights can include various LED activation modes and brightness levels associated with different headlight settings. For example, LED functions may include, but are not limited to: low beam, low beam wide, high beam, turn signals, and daytime running lights (DRLs). The LED function of the low beam can be designed to illuminate a relatively close distance to the vehicle, but primarily concentrated in a single spot or area directly in front of the vehicle. The LED function of the low beam wide can be designed to illuminate a relatively close distance to the vehicle, but can be dispersed to project light in a cone shape from the lamp, thus projecting light to the sides of the vehicle. Therefore, headlights with low beam wide disperse light in a wider pattern compared to low beam. The LED function of the high beam can be designed to illuminate a relatively far distance to the vehicle, allowing the driver to see further in the dark. The LED function of the turn signals can be used to signal to oncoming traffic participants that the driver intends to turn in a certain direction. Daytime running lights can be used to increase a car's visibility to other vehicles and people outside the vehicle, even if the driver in the nearby area does not need the lights.

[0005] Other LED functions can include advanced features such as cornering lighting when the beam is aimed to provide illumination around turns and corners. For example, an LED function can be designed to output light from the LED to direct the light at the angle the vehicle is turning.

[0006] like Figure 1A As shown, some current automotive headlight designs use multiple LEDs, with each LED connected to a separate driver circuit for activating and deactivating the connected LED. Figure 1AIn the illustrated implementation, each driver circuit is connected to a separate LED, which in turn is connected to ground. Activation of the driver circuit causes the individual LED to activate. Some LEDs connected in this manner can be used within a vehicle to provide a high beam headlight, which allows the driver within the vehicle to see long distances at night. Optionally, some of the LEDs within the headlight can be used as part of a low beam. Other LEDs within the automotive lighting assembly can be used as a daytime running light.

[0007] In some light emitting diode (LED) based headlight designs, individual LED functions are arranged in parallel and independently driven by separate LED drivers, meaning that each LED string requires a single LED driver. Because each LED string can require sufficient power to drive the LED driver, this parallel design can be cost-inefficient and can result in poor system efficiency. For example, more power can be converted to heat rather than light, resulting in low efficiency of converting electrical energy to light. SUMMARY

[0008] One embodiment is a system for controlling light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a vehicle. The embodiment includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to control current, voltage, or power to a first LED driver circuit; one or more LEDs electrically connected to the first LED driver circuit; and a first shunt connected to the ECU and configured to electrically bypass the one or more first LEDs to form one or more first LED functions. The system can include one or more second LEDs electrically connected to the first LED driver circuit. The system can include a second shunt connected to the ECU and configured to electrically bypass the one or more second LEDs to form one or more second LED functions. The first shunt can be controlled using time division multiplexing, angular domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis to bypass the one or more first LEDs. The second shunt can be controlled using time division multiplexing, angular domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis to bypass the one or more second LEDs. The ECU can be configured to prevent the total power provided to the one or more first LEDs and the one or more second LEDs first shunt from reaching a predetermined threshold. The one or more first LEDs can include a plurality of LEDs that can be independently illuminated. The ECU can include various designs for illuminating groups of LEDs within a headlight assembly. These designs can include designs selected from the group consisting of: a high beam, a low beam spot light, a low beam wide light, a daytime running light, and a turn signal.

[0009] The present disclosure includes a method of controlling a light emitting diode (LED) matrix in a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a signal to activate a set of LEDs in the vehicle; activating a first LED driver circuit to provide power to the set of LEDs; and controlling a first shunt connected to one or more LEDs in the set of LEDs to electrically bypass the one or more LEDs in the set of LEDs. The method can further comprise monitoring power drawn by the first LED driver circuit and, if the power draw is above a predetermined threshold, bypassing the one or more LEDs. Activating the first LED driver circuit can comprise reading an LED lighting design to determine which LEDs should be bypassed by the first shunt. The design can be selected from the group consisting of: a high beam, a near spot beam, a near wide beam, a daytime running light, or a turn signal. Controlling the first shunt can comprise time division multiplexing, angle domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis of the first shunt.

[0010] The present disclosure includes a method of controlling a light emitting diode (LED) matrix in a vehicle, the method comprising: identifying a first pixel and a second pixel of the LED matrix powered by an LED driver; pairing the first pixel with the second pixel, wherein the pairing is optimized such that a total intensity of the pairing is lower than a maximum intensity of any individual pixel powered by the LED driver; determining a threshold number of volt-seconds of an LED driver output; determining a set of LED functions associated with the LED driver; optimizing the set of LED functions of the vehicle headlamp assembly; and associating the set of LED functions with the LED driver. The set of LED functions can be associated with an LED light design comprising one of: a high beam, a near spot beam, a near wide beam, a daytime running light, or a turn signal. Optimizing the set of LED functions of the vehicle headlamp assembly can comprise optimizing by using any combination of time division multiplexing, angle domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of various inventive features will now be described, with reference to the following drawings. Like reference numerals can be repeated in the drawings and can refer to like elements. The drawings provided are for purposes of illustration only and do not exhaust the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1A A prior art exemplary circuit diagram is shown having parallel drivers for each LED function.

[0013] Figure 1B An exemplary circuit diagram is shown having LED strings according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein each LED string comprises an LED driver, one or more LED functions, and one or more shunts.

[0014] Figure 1C An example timing diagram showing operation of the exemplary circuit diagram shown. Figure 1B An example timing diagram showing operation of the exemplary circuit diagram shown.

[0015] Figure 2A An example showing changing current flow through a series-shunt topology.

[0016] Figure 2B Another example showing changing current flow through a series-shunt topology.

[0017] Figure 3A An exemplary LED matrix arrangement is shown.

[0018] Figure 3B An exemplary LED matrix arrangement grouped into banks is shown.

[0019] Figure 4A An exemplary voltage measurement over time for three interleaved LED banks is shown.

[0020] Figure 4B An exemplary voltage measurement over time for an LED channel is shown.

[0021] Figure 5 A graph depicting how pixel pairing is optimized in the angular domain is shown.

[0022] Figure 6 A plot of a volt-second analysis for maximizing utilization of an LED driver is shown.

[0023] Figure 7A An example flowchart showing an example sequence of steps in optimizing pixel pairing is shown.

[0024] Figure 7B An example flowchart showing an example sequence of steps in optimizing pixel pairing is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Various aspects of the systems, devices, and methods are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the novel systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of, or combined with, any other aspect of the application. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or a method can be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the application is intended to cover devices or methods which are

[0026] While specific aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects are possible. Although some benefits and advantages of preferred aspects are described herein, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to specific benefits, advantages, or uses. Rather, aspects of the disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable in different wireless technologies, system configurations, networks, and transmission protocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and description below. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the present disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the present disclosure being defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0027] The present disclosure includes methods and systems for creating, using, and controlling LED headlamp topologies and matrices that require fewer components, electrical power, and power compared to existing systems while allowing for advanced features such as cornering illumination. The disclosed methods and systems enable LED and other headlamp topologies to be manufactured more easily and repaired more easily. Embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems enable smaller, lower power electrical systems to be used, including control systems for LED and other headlamp topologies. In other methods, other embodiments can utilize pixel pairing and time multiplexing to manage the current flowing to each LED to minimize the power required on the circuit at a given time, thereby reducing the amount of material required to create LED headlamp topologies and related methods and systems for creating, using, and controlling LED headlamp topologies.

[0028] In some implementations of this system, groups of multiple LEDs are connected in series to the same LED driver and driven as a single LED string. This design allows multiple LED lights and functions to be assigned to a single LED driver. In some implementations, the system uses a splitter to control the individual LED functions to adjust the brightness of each LED or LED group without affecting the brightness of other LEDs in the same LED string. For example, reducing the number of components by reducing the number of LED drivers can lower system costs, reduce printed circuit board (PCB) size, and increase space for other electrical components. This allows for smaller LED headlight designs to fit a variety of headlight configurations and designs, and also reduces circuit complexity. Reduced complexity can lead to improvements in manufacturing, repairing, and replacing headlights using this system. This embodiment can also result in a reduction in the size of the housing or heat sink for a particular headlight.

[0029] Typically, systems with fewer LED drivers also reduce the amount of energy and / or power required to operate, thus reducing power draw and increasing battery life if power is drawn from a battery (e.g., in an electric vehicle). Therefore, the currently disclosed series shunt LED topology can lead to improved electrical efficiency, reduced size and weight, and lower cost. Series shunt topologies can be utilized to improve electrical efficiency and reduce cost in any high-power LED lighting system, although this disclosure focuses on its use in automotive headlights.

[0030] like Figure 1B As shown, a series split topology that supports five LEDs requires only two driver circuits, namely LED driver 1 and LED driver 2. Figure 1B The illustrated series shunt topology includes LED shunts for individual control of each LED. Placing a shunt at each LED function allows for independent control of each LED function by activating the shunt using a control system connected to each shunt. As shown in the figure, V in Connected to LED driver 1, driver 1 powers LED string 1. LED driver 1 supplies power to the first LED (LED function 1) and the second LED (LED function 2). LED function 1 is also connected to a first LED dimming splitter, which allows the power passing through the LED to be split and is used to controllably dim or brighten LED function 1. Figure 1B As shown, LED string 1 also includes LED function 2 connected to a second LED dimming splitter on LED string 1. By activating each splitter, the control system can control the brightness of the first or second LED in LED string 1, and only a single driver is needed to provide power to LED string 1 and activate the LEDs.

[0031] Similarly, Figure 1BThe LED driver 2 is shown connected to V in and is configured to drive a set of three LEDs (LED functions 1, 2, and 3). Each of the three LEDs is connected to a separate shunt circuit that can be used to dim or brighten each LED without affecting the other LED functions in the same series.

[0032] To operate each shunt, the control system can turn off (open) the shunt, which allows current to flow through the LED of that function, thus illuminating the LED. When the shunt of an LED function is turned on, current can be shunted around the LED of that function, so the LED can not be turned on because power is being bypassed around the LED. Alternatively, the shunt can be used to dim the LED, rather than turn it off completely.

[0033] To dim the LEDs, each shunt can be modulated at a frequency high enough to avoid noticeable flicker but low enough that switching losses are negligible. For example, the shunts can be modulated to operate at a frequency of about 200 Hz. Alternatively, the shunts can be modulated to operate at a frequency of about 100, 120, 130, 144 Hz, or above 200 Hz, depending on design constraints. The LED driver that powers each LED string can maintain a constant current through the string, so that the current through any given LED function can be controlled by its associated shunt. Thus, the shunts can drive multiple LED functions from the same LED driver, while maintaining full control over the relative brightness of each LED function. The shunts can also be useful because they can be configured to use very little PCB space, and can be relatively low in complexity compared to other electrical components, such as the LED driver and boost converter.

[0034] Figure 1C is an exemplary voltage level diagram showing Figure 1B LED functions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and the corresponding voltage levels that can be seen on two LED strings, as shown in the exemplary series-shunt topology shown in Figure 1B Figure 1C It is also illustrated how different LED functions can be multiplexed to avoid any overvoltage condition of any LED string or LED function. For example, LED function 3 can be a daytime running light, while LED function 5 can be a low beam wide light. Since the daytime running light operates during the day, while the low beam wide light operates in the dark, these lights cannot be used at the same time. In this way, Figure 1C The exemplary time-multiplexing shown in ​

[0035] In another example, LED function 1 and LED function 2 can be used as a second daytime running light and a third daytime running light, respectively. In this way, Figure 1C The example time multiplexing shown in FIG. 6 illustrates how LED function 1 as a second daytime running light is only turned on when LED function 2 as a third daytime running light is turned off, and vice versa. These examples show how time multiplexing and / or interleaved LED driver channels allow for additional LED functions without increasing the forward voltage of the entire LED string.

[0036] Figure 2A And 2B An example of varying current through a series shunt topology directed by a shunt is shown. Varying the current can allow for different combinations of LED functions, which can be used in specific situations. For example, Figure 2A The shunt activation of high beam LEDs shown can avoid activating the high beam LED function for night driving to reduce the risk to oncoming traffic participants. In another example, Figure 2B A combination of LED functions that are activated is depicted, which can include only daytime running lights (DRL) for daytime driving. As Figure 2B LED driver 1 is shown shunted to bypass the low beam spot, low beam wide, and high beam LEDs, and only connect the DRL1 LED function to be activated. Similarly, LED driver 2 is connected to DRL2 and DRL3 so that all three DRL systems are activated, as Figure 2B is shown. Figure 2A And 2B It is also shown how diodes and shunts can be used to power a turn signal from either LED driver.

[0037] Figure 2A And 2B The description in FIG. 6 can reflect all LED functions activated by LED drivers 1 and 2, but not all LED functions need to be activated at the same time. Figure 2A And 2B An example pattern of LED drivers is shown that can activate one or more LED functions at a time, and alternate and / or multiplex signals to each associated LED function.

[0038] The series-shunt topology described herein can use time multiplexing to share a single LED driver among multiple LED functions. Time multiplexing can be used because the shunt allows for individual control of different LED functions for interleaving and multiplexing the LED functions in time. When there is a large difference between the input voltage to the LED driver and the output voltage from the LED driver, a lagging LED driver can suffer from poor electrical efficiency. By stacking multiple LED functions and multiplexing them, the series-shunt topology can reduce the input-output voltage difference, improving the electrical efficiency of the LED driver.

[0039] The reduction in input-output voltage difference can be attributed to the time multiplexing of LED functions driven by the same LED driver. For example, Figure 2A LED driver 1 can drive DRL1 and low beam because the maximum LED driver voltage does not include both low beam and DRL1 at the same time. The LED driver will use time multiplexing to drive DRL1 and the low beam LEDs function at different times. Similarly, Figure 2B DRL2 and DRL3 in LED driver 2 can never be on at the same time, so LED driver 2 can drive both DRL2 and DRL3 because they never contribute to the maximum LED driver voltage at the same time. Due to this increased electrical efficiency and / or reduction in power draw, the boost converter used in the series-shunt topology can be physically smaller than the boost converter in other topologies. It should be recognized that the series-shunt topology can be implemented using any commercially available LED driver.

[0040] In some implementations, LED matrix control systems result in large, expensive ECUs that are inefficient and can suffer from large power / current surges that affect upstream components. In some implementations, LED matrix control methods generally align the start times of all pixels in a LED group. As used herein, a "pixel" can be an individual LED. A pixel can be a part of a LED group, which includes multiple individual LEDs, each of which can be powered individually to provide a specific light pattern within the LED group. By aligning the start times of all pixels in a LED group, all pixels are turned on at the same time, and turned off at the same time as needed to achieve the desired brightness. This results in drawing maximum power / current from upstream components in a short amount of time. To accommodate the power surge, upstream components (e.g., wires, high-side drivers, etc.) need to be sized to accommodate the power draw, and the LED matrix module needs to be divided into LED groups, each with a dedicated LED driver. Additionally, higher input-to-output voltage differences result in further electrical inefficiencies. This results in each LED driver controlling a small section of LEDs. This design inefficiently utilizes LED drivers, and requires several LED drivers to drive a matrix. The present control method can allow for a lower number of components, higher system power, component, and space efficiency, and lower system cost. The present system and method can group multiple groups to form channels. Instead of using one LED driver per group, the present method can use one LED driver per channel, reducing the number of LED drivers needed. The system and method can further improve LED system efficiency by grouping pixels to more efficiently utilize LED drivers. This control of the LEDs can also limit the occurrence of surge currents by staggering the activation periods of individual pixels. Embodiments of the system can be used to control any LED matrix, including but not limited to the series-shunt LED topology described above.

[0041] Figure 3A and 3B An exemplary LED matrix arrangement is shown. Figure 3AA 28x4 matrix of individual pixels is shown, where each pixel can operate at a set brightness within the light unit. The brightness of a given pixel can be determined by the currently active LED function (e.g., high beams, low beam spot, or daytime running light). Another LED function can be cornering illumination, a feature that can change the headlight directionality as the vehicle prepares to turn around a corner, during the turn, or upon completion of the turn or adjustment to the road corner. In prior art implementations, cornering illumination is achieved mechanically, where a motor rotates the headlight hardware such that the beam is angled toward the corner. In the present embodiment, cornering illumination is achieved electronically by adjusting the pixel brightness to focus the beam toward the corner. In some implementations, the pixels facing the corner can increase in brightness, while the pixels facing away from the corner can dim. In some implementations, cornering illumination can be achieved by creating an interference pattern from the light emitted by individual pixels based on the brightness of the individual pixels.

[0042] Figure 3B A possible configuration of how individual pixels of Figure 3A may be grouped into groups is shown. As shown in Figure 3B , the LEDs can be grouped into nine LED light groups, where each group is individually controllable. In some embodiments, Figure 3A the use of each pixel is described, while Figure 3B the use of groups is described. The nine groups can also be grouped into channels. To form a channel, groups that draw more power can be paired with groups that draw less power, such that the amount of power used never exceeds the maximum of the associated LED driver that will drive the power to the multiple groups that are grouped to form a channel. In some implementations, one or more groups with lower utilization will be paired with one or more groups with higher utilization, such that the power required by the groups does not exceed the maximum power that the LED driver can provide. The pixels in each group can also be individually interleaved to eliminate large power / current surges that occur. Under the present control method, one LED driver can drive each channel. Thus, the present control method can maximize the utilization of the LED driver while still implementing advanced features such as cornering illumination, which requires very dynamic control of pixel brightness.

[0043] In some implementations, one or more groups with lower utilization will be paired with one or more groups with higher utilization, such that the power required by the groups does not exceed the maximum power that the LED driver can provide when any particular LED function is performed. Utilization can be measured in average power draw, brightness, or time percentage that a threshold amount of current is typically drawn. The pixels in each group can also be individually interleaved to eliminate large power / current surges that occur during any particular LED function.

[0044] Figure 4A and 4BVoltage levels in a pixel-activated time interleaved LED matrix are shown. Figure 4A Exemplary voltage measurements over time are shown for three interleaved LED groups that can be controlled by a single LED driver, where the LED groups are configured to form a channel. With interleaving, the LED groups do not need to be activated at the same time. Instead, each LED group can only be activated when needed, so power surges can be spread out in time, avoiding large surges. An interleaved LED matrix can support overlap in LED group activation by combining multiple groups together, even when activated at the same time, these groups do not draw more power than the driver can support.

[0045] Figure 4B Exemplary voltage measurements over time are shown for an LED channel. The channel can be formed by combining at least two LED groups together. Each channel can be controlled by a dedicated LED driver. With interleaving, the LED driver can use more time compared to other methods that idle the LED driver (at 0 voltage) for a relatively long period of time between LED function changes. As shown, interleaving can minimize peak channel voltage and can prevent the system from exceeding the maximum supported voltage of the driver.

[0046] Figure 5 is a diagram depicting how to optimize pixel pairing in the angular domain of a curved way lighting. As described above, electronic curved way lighting can require dynamic dimming and brightening of individual pixels. Figure 5The bend angles and intensities of pixels A, B, and their sum are shown. The pixel intensity can depend on the bend angle and can change as the bend angle changes. In some implementations, the bend illumination can include beam patterns for bend angles from -10 degrees to 5 degrees or from -5 degrees to 10 degrees, depending on whether the beam is emitted from the left or right side of the vehicle. In this example, -10 degrees can be -10 degrees relative to the light shining straight ahead and can be -10 degrees to the left or right. In some implementations, these bend angles can be configured to change in 0.1 degree resolution (e.g., allowing bend angles of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 degrees, etc.). The optimized pixel pairings can allow the intensity of each pixel to be adjusted during LED operation while ensuring that the pixel pair never exceeds 100% combined intensity. Intensity can refer to the voltage, current, and / or power provided to a pixel or the brightness of the light emitted from a pixel. It should also be noted that when pulse width modulation is implemented to power the pixels, the intensity of a pixel can be related to the on-time of the pixel. For example, it can not be possible to provide more maximum voltage, current, and / or power to each pair of pixels than can be provided to a single pixel at any given time. In some implementations, it can not be possible for each pair of pixels to emit more light than a single pixel can emit at most. A pixel pair with 100% intensity for all angles can mean that the two pixels are perfectly matched, as any off-time in one pixel is filled by on-time in the other pixel.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5 the pixels can not necessarily add up to 100% intensity for all angles, but the ideal sum should be as close to 100% as possible without exceeding 100%. By finding a way to optimize all pixel pairs to 100% intensity, the input-output voltage difference can be minimized to increase electrical efficiency and other factors disclosed herein. For example, some pixels can have maximum intensity at negative angles while other pixels can have maximum intensity at positive angles. These pixels with maximum intensity at opposite angles can be paired together so that when one is dark, the other is bright. The paired pixels do not have to be adjacent to each other or laterally adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the intensity of the pixel pairs can be optimized to a sum close to 200%, where 200% represents the maximum intensity of two pixels that the LED driver is designed to power.

[0048] Pixel pairings can be optimized in the angular domain and the temporal domain. For example, angular domain optimization would pair pixels based on utilization of the light bend angle. In another example, temporal domain optimization would pair pixels based on utilization during time multiplexing. Pixel pairings can be optimized on both the angular and temporal domains simultaneously. Pixel pairings can also be optimized in the volt-second domain (described herein).

[0049] Figure 6is a graph illustrating a volt-second analysis for maximizing utilization of an LED driver. When multiple LED functions are multiplexed, volt-second analysis (also known as Tetromino analysis) can be used to optimize LED driver channels. Volt-second analysis can observe the maximum capacity of an LED driver in terms of area in volt-seconds, represented by the rectangular portion in Figure 6 Using volt-second analysis, an LED driver (or controller of an LED driver) can determine LED functions to drive by examining the input voltage and PWM of the input voltage. For example, if the input voltage is between 30 and 50 V and the PWM of the input voltage is between 0 and 90%, then the far light LED function would be driven with the example LED driver system with the volt-second analysis graph plotted in Figure 6 If the input voltage is between 10 V and 30 V and the PWM of the input voltage is between 10% and 100%, then Figure 6 the same example LED driver system plotted in Using volt-second analysis can result in a simpler design of control schemes for multiple LED functions driven by a single LED driver. An LED driver can support as many different functions as possible until its volt-second capacity is fully occupied. Increasing the LED driver output voltage can increase the total available volt-second area. Increasing the LED driver current can decrease the volt-second area required for each function, allowing each LED driver to have more functions. Thus, the utilization of an LED driver (e.g., the volt-second area of an LED driver occupied by LED functions) can be maximized by adjusting the driver voltage and current.

[0050] Figure 7A and 7B is an example flowchart illustrating an example sequence of steps in optimizing pixel pairing. This flowchart helps ensure that pixels are paired as efficiently as possible for advanced features such as cornering illumination. This method will also allow us to assign a value to each possible pair of pixels in a channel powered by an LED driver, where the value represents how good or bad the pixel pair is.

[0051] Figure 7A represents an example series of steps that can be described as angular domain optimization. Angular domain optimization describes the utilization of each pixel in a channel (e.g., for advanced features such as cornering illumination) and uses that utilization to determine pixel pairing.

[0052] Figure 7BThis represents an example sequence of steps that can be described as time-domain optimization. Time-domain optimization describes the utilization of pixels, groups, and / or channels, and their corresponding peak voltages or currents over a time period. Time-domain optimization can use multiplexing or interleaving techniques to ensure that peak voltages or currents (whether pixel, group, or channel peak voltages or currents) are not exceeded in the electrical system, while providing the necessary voltages and / or currents to the LEDs for targeted illumination or beam patterning and brightness.

[0053] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit this disclosure to the exact form disclosed or a particular field of use. Therefore, various alternative embodiments and / or modifications of this disclosure are possible, whether expressly described or implied herein. Since embodiments of this disclosure have been so described, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is defined only by the claims.

[0054] In the foregoing specification, this disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the various embodiments disclosed herein may be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this specification is to be considered illustrative and is intended to teach those skilled in the art the various ways of making and using the disclosed motor assemblies. It should be understood that the forms of this disclosure shown and described herein are considered representative implementations. Equivalent elements, materials, processes, or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Furthermore, certain features of this disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art after benefiting from this specification. Expressions such as “comprising,” “including,” “incorporated,” “consisting of,” “having,” and “is” are used to describe and claim this disclosure and are intended to be interpreted in a non-exclusive manner, allowing for the presence of items, assemblies, or elements not explicitly described. References to the singular are also interpreted to refer to the plural.

[0055] Furthermore, the various implementations disclosed herein should be considered illustrative and explanatory, and in no way should they be construed as limiting this disclosure. All linking references (e.g., attachment, affixation, coupling, connection, etc.) are provided only to aid the reader in understanding this disclosure and are not intended to be limiting, particularly regarding the location, orientation, or use of the systems and / or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, linking references, if any, will be interpreted broadly. Moreover, such linking references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly interconnected.

[0056] Also, all numerical terms should be read as by the identified term preceded by "about" or "approximately," to account for variations in the measurement. Also, all numerical terms should be read as by the identified term preceded by "about" or "approximately," to account for variations in the measurement. Additionally, all numerical terms such as but not limited to "first," "second," "third," "primary," "secondary," "main," or any other ordinal and / or numerical terms should be taken as merely identifiers to aid the reader in understanding the various elements, embodiments, variations, and / or modifications of the present disclosure, and can not create any limitation, particularly as to the order or priority of one element, embodiment, variation, and / or modification relative to another element, embodiment, variation, and / or modification.

[0057] It should also be understood that one or more elements depicted in the figures can also be implemented in a more separate or integrated manner, or in some cases even removed or rendered inoperable, as can be useful in light of a particular application. Furthermore, any signal arrows depicted in the figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Claims

1. A system for controlling light-emitting diodes in a vehicle, comprising: First LED driver circuit; An electronic control unit configured to control the current, voltage, or power to the first light-emitting diode driver circuit; One or more first light-emitting diodes, which are electrically connected to the first light-emitting diode driver circuit; A first splitter is connected to the electronic control unit and is configured to electrically bypass the one or more first light-emitting diodes to form the function of one or more first light-emitting diodes; A second light-emitting diode driver circuit, wherein the electronic control unit is further configured to control the current, voltage or power to the second light-emitting diode driver circuit; The second light-emitting diode is electrically connected to the first light-emitting diode driver circuit and the second light-emitting diode driver circuit. as well as A second splitter is connected to the electronic control unit and is configured to selectively power the second LED from either the first LED driver circuit or the second LED driver circuit to form the second LED function.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: One or more third light-emitting diodes, which are electrically connected to the second light-emitting diode driver circuit; as well as A third splitter is connected to the electronic control unit and is configured to electrically bypass the one or more third light-emitting diodes to form the function of one or more third light-emitting diodes.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first splitter is controlled using time-division multiplexing, angle-domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis to bypass the one or more first light-emitting diodes.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The third splitter is controlled using time-division multiplexing, angle-domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis to bypass the one or more third light-emitting diodes.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The electronic control unit is configured to prevent the total power supplied to the first shunt of the one or more first light-emitting diodes and the one or more third light-emitting diodes from reaching a predetermined threshold.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The second light-emitting diode is capable of illuminating independently of the one or more first light-emitting diodes.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The electronic control unit includes various designs for illuminating the group of light-emitting diodes within the headlight assembly.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The design includes designs selected from the group consisting of: high beam headlights, low beam spotlights, low beam wide beams, daytime running lights, and turn signal designs.

9. A method for controlling a light-emitting diode (LED) matrix in a vehicle, the LED matrix comprising: One or more first light-emitting diodes, which are electrically connected to a first light-emitting diode driver circuit; The second light-emitting diode is electrically connected to the first light-emitting diode driver circuit and the second light-emitting diode driver circuit. A first splitter is configured to electrically bypass the one or more first light-emitting diodes to form the function of one or more first light-emitting diodes; And a second splitter, configured to supply power to the second light-emitting diode to enable the function of the second light-emitting diode. The method includes: Receive a signal to activate the second light-emitting diode in the vehicle; Activate the first LED driver circuit to provide a first power to the second LED, or activate the second LED driver circuit to provide a second power to the second LED; and Control the second splitter connected to the second light-emitting diode to selectively provide the first power or the second power to the second light-emitting diode.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising monitoring the power drawn by the first LED driver circuit, and bypassing the one or more first LEDs if the power drawn exceeds a predetermined threshold.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Activating the first LED driver circuit includes: reading the LED lighting design to determine which of the one or more first LEDs should be bypassed by the first splitter.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The LED lighting design is selected from: high beam headlights, low beam spotlights, low beam wide beam headlights, daytime running lights, or turn signals.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Controlling the first splitter includes performing time-division multiplexing, angle-domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis on the first splitter.

14. A method for controlling a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a vehicle headlight assembly, the method comprising: Identify the first and second LEDs in the LED matrix powered by the LED driver; The first light-emitting diode is paired with the second light-emitting diode, wherein the total intensity of the paired light-emitting diodes is lower than the maximum intensity of any single pixel powered by the light-emitting diode driver; Determine the threshold number of volt-seconds output of the LED driver; and The LED driver outputs volts per second below the threshold.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining a set of light-emitting diode functions associated with the light-emitting diode driver.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising associating the light-emitting diode function with the light-emitting diode driver.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The LED function is associated with the LED light design, which includes one of the following LED light designs: high beam headlight, low beam spotlight, low beam wide beam, daytime running light, or turn signal design.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The output of the volt-second includes any combination of time-division multiplexing, angle-domain multiplexing, or volt-second analysis.

Images