Vehicle Brake Pre-Motion Indication Light Module System and its Control Method

Abstract

This invention discloses a vehicle braking indicator light module system. A brake indicator light, a brake trigger switch, and a vehicle power supply are connected in series on the brake control signal line. A left-side indicator light and a right-side indicator light are also connected in series on the brake control signal line. These left-side and right-side indicator lights are fixed to the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, respectively, and are used to indicate the vehicle's braking status to the vehicles ahead when braking. This invention facilitates the judgment of the following vehicle's intention to yield when a vehicle is changing lanes to overtake or when pedestrians or non-motorized vehicles are crossing the road, thereby determining whether the opportunity to change lanes, overtake, or cross the road is appropriate and preventing vehicle collisions or traffic accidents. Furthermore, this invention has a simple structure, is easy to implement, and can be applied to all vehicle models on the market, making it highly practical and bringing significant economic benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the automotive field, specifically to a vehicle brake indicator light module system. Background Technology

[0002] A significant portion of vehicle accidents are caused by insufficient yielding or the failure of both parties to receive warnings of yielding. We all know that when a vehicle brakes, the brake switch below the brake pedal is triggered, activating the rear brake light system and illuminating the lights. This warns drivers behind that the vehicle ahead is braking, indicating a potential situation or emergency, and necessitating caution regarding distance. Following drivers can clearly understand the intention of the vehicle ahead to slow down or brake, allowing them to take appropriate action, thus reducing or avoiding traffic accidents. However, in this process, the driver ahead often lacks the necessary support to mitigate or prevent accidents.

[0003] A significant portion of minor collisions during vehicle travel are caused by overtaking or lane changes. While yielding to other vehicles is crucial, it's equally important that drivers behind promptly communicate their willingness to yield. If a driver in front is about to overtake or change lanes, and the driver behind fails to yield or slow down, and the driver in front continues overtaking or changing lanes without being aware of this lack of yielding, a collision is likely to occur, potentially leading to a vehicle accident or personal injury. On urban or rural roads, vehicles inevitably encounter non-motorized vehicles or pedestrians attempting to cross the road or disobeying traffic lights. In these situations, it's essential that drivers promptly communicate their willingness to yield, ensuring that these individuals or vehicles are aware of the potential for accidents and potential harm to themselves and their property.

[0004] However, current automotive brake light systems lack interaction with vehicles in front and pedestrians. For example, the published document CN106585485A, published on April 26, 2017, entitled "A Brake Light Control System and Brake Light Control Method for Automobiles," discloses a brake light control system for automobiles that includes: brake lights; dual brake switches, including a main brake switch signal output terminal and a secondary brake switch signal output terminal; an engine electronic control unit (ECU) for generating target control commands based on the main brake switch signal and the secondary brake switch signal, the ECU being electrically connected to the main brake switch signal output terminal and the secondary brake switch signal output terminal; and a body controller for receiving the target control commands sent by the ECU and controlling the brake lights to illuminate or extinguish according to the target control commands, the body controller being communicatively connected to the ECU and electrically connected to the brake lights.

[0005] Similar brake light display methods can only alert the vehicle itself and vehicles behind it, lacking the function of interacting with pedestrians and vehicles ahead. Therefore, there is an urgent need to add a vehicle brake light module system to alert drivers or non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians ahead, clarify whether vehicles behind are yielding, and determine whether there are conditions for overtaking, changing lanes, or crossing the road; reduce the occurrence of vehicle accidents and avoid damage to personal safety and property. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a light system that warns drivers or non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians ahead, so as to reduce the probability of scratches and traffic accidents during driving.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a vehicle braking indicator light module system, wherein a brake indicator light, a brake trigger switch, and a vehicle power supply are connected in series on the brake control signal line, and a left indicator light and a right indicator light are also connected in series on the brake control signal line. The left indicator light and the right indicator light are respectively fixed on the left and right sides in front of the vehicle, and are used to indicate the current braking status information of the vehicle to the front when the vehicle brakes.

[0008] The car is equipped with a projection laser light that projects onto the ground in front of it. After receiving a braking signal, the projection laser light projects the braking range onto the ground.

[0009] The system is equipped with a controller and a vehicle front detection device. The vehicle front detection device is connected to and outputs a sensing signal to the controller. The controller is connected to and outputs a control signal to the projection laser light. When a pedestrian or vehicle is detected in front, a prompting operation is performed.

[0010] The system is equipped with a light intensity sensor that collects ambient light intensity and a positioning unit that determines the location. The light intensity sensor and the positioning unit are connected and output signals to the controller. The controller controls the brightness of the projection laser lamp based on the ambient light intensity and uses the positioning information to help determine the braking distance.

[0011] The system is equipped with a camera that collects rear image information. The camera is connected to and outputs image information to the controller. The controller is connected to and outputs drive signals to the vehicle power system.

[0012] Control method for vehicle braking indicator light module system:

[0013] When the intelligent prompt function is enabled, the braking status signal is acquired in real time;

[0014] The braking system is pre-defined into three types: emergency braking, service braking, and low-speed braking.

[0015] When in emergency braking, the projector lights are activated to illuminate the ground in front of the stationary projection area.

[0016] When braking at low speed, if there is a pedestrian in front of or to the side of the vehicle, a projected stopping area will be illuminated on the ground in front of the vehicle.

[0017] The projector lamp will turn off after a set delay period following its activation.

[0018] The projection stop area is a rectangular projection located directly in front of the car. The horizontal line in the middle of the projection stop area is the horizontal stop line of the projection. The stop line is the vehicle's stopping position calculated according to the current vehicle braking parameters. The stop line is a bright yellow line, with a gradually darkening green area in front and a gradually brightening red area behind.

[0019] The projection stop zone moves toward the far end or near end of the vehicle as the vehicle speed and braking force change. The projection stop zone references the positioning information to obtain the current road conditions and weather parameters to set a modulation value, and the adjustment value is used in the calculation of the projection stop zone position.

[0020] If the stop line illuminates an obstacle ahead, a red warning circle will be displayed at a set distance in front of the vehicle. The red warning circle is a bright red flashing projection.

[0021] When a red warning circle is detected behind the vehicle while it is in motion, the system determines whether the road conditions ahead allow for acceleration. If so, the vehicle accelerates forward a set distance; otherwise, an alarm is triggered.

[0022] This invention facilitates the judgment of a following vehicle's intention to yield when another vehicle is changing lanes to overtake or when pedestrians or non-motorized vehicles are crossing the road. This is achieved by illuminating the vehicle's brake indicator module. The system helps determine whether the opportunity to change lanes, overtake, or cross the road is ripe, thus preventing vehicle collisions or traffic accidents. Furthermore, this invention is simple in structure, easy to implement, and applicable to all vehicle models on the market, making it highly practical and economically beneficial. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The following is a brief explanation of the content and markings in each of the accompanying drawings in this specification:

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the installation location of the vehicle's pre-braking indicator light module system;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a circuit control diagram for the vehicle's pre-braking indicator light module system.

[0026] The markings in the above diagrams are: 1. Left indicator light; 2. Right indicator light; 3. Brake indicator light; 4. Brake trigger switch; 5. Vehicle power supply. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, details the specific implementation of the present invention, including the shape and structure of each component, the relative positions and connections between the parts, the function and working principle of each part, the manufacturing process, and the operation and use methods, to help those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate, and in-depth understanding of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention.

[0028] To reduce the occurrence of scrapes and traffic accidents during driving, it is important to consider whether drivers of vehicles behind are courteous, whether they are willing to yield to vehicles changing lanes or overtaking, and whether they are willing to yield to non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road. This intention should be communicated to the drivers or pedestrians ahead, rather than relying on the assumption that vehicles behind will yield. Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that drivers or pedestrians do not forcibly change lanes, overtake, or cross the road when conditions are not right, thus preventing traffic accidents and causing personal injury or property damage.

[0029] The vehicle's front brake indicator module system can determine whether following vehicles have seen the vehicle ahead changing lanes to overtake or pedestrians crossing the road, and whether they are willing to yield to the vehicle ahead, or to non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road. When a driver behind presses the brake pedal, the brake pedal triggers a brake switch signal to illuminate the brake lights. One signal is transmitted to the rear brake indicator module 3 (currently, all vehicles have this signal display system), and another signal is transmitted to the vehicle's front brake indicator module system to illuminate the front brake indicator lights. (Left indicator light 1, right indicator light 2, brake indicator light 3) The brake trigger switch 4 and the vehicle power supply 5 are connected in series. This series connection provides a start signal to the left indicator light 1 and the right indicator light 2 to perform the corresponding prompt functions. The brake indicator light 3 illuminates according to the state of the brake trigger switch 4, indicating that the brake trigger switch 4 is open. Through this circuit structure, the vehicle brake indicator light module system illuminates the intention of the driver behind to yield to the vehicle in front when changing lanes or overtaking, and to yield to non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road, thus ensuring the safety of the driver in front when overtaking or changing lanes, and ensuring the safety of pedestrians crossing the road. If drivers behind do not notice vehicles overtaking or changing lanes, or pedestrians crossing the road, they will not apply the brakes. The brake pedal will trigger the brake switch signal, but the brake lights will not illuminate. Consequently, the vehicle's pre-braking indicator lights will not be activated, and drivers ahead will not see them illuminate. This allows them to understand that the vehicle behind is not yielding and will not force overtaking or changing lanes, thus preventing traffic accidents. Similarly, pedestrians ahead will also understand that the vehicle behind is not yielding and will not force crossing the road, preventing personal injury and property damage.

[0030] Whether driving on highways or in urban or rural areas, when the driver in front wants to change lanes to overtake, or when a non-motorized vehicle or pedestrian is crossing the road, the driver behind should press the brake pedal. This will activate the brake indicator light module 3, illuminating the left brake indicator light 1 and the right brake indicator light 2 of the vehicle's front brake indicator light module system. Simultaneously, the brake indicator light 3 of the rear brake indicator light module system will also illuminate. This ensures that the driver in front is aware of the need to yield to the vehicle or pedestrian, allowing for a safe and smooth lane change or crossing. Otherwise, if the driver behind is not aware of the need to yield, and the conditions for changing lanes to overtake are not met, it is forbidden to forcibly change lanes to overtake or cross the road.

[0031] The left-side indicator light 1 and the right-side indicator light 2 primarily use red light clusters, which can be integrated into the headlights or separately installed on the front bumper or A-pillar, depending on the needs. Their function is essentially a front-mounted brake light. To enhance the system's intelligence and interactivity, a projection laser light is installed in front of the car to project onto the ground. This projection laser light is a laser projector that can use the ground as a screen to project information, enabling interaction with the driver and other vehicles and pedestrians outside. The projection laser light is equipped with an independent controller, which requires a light intensity sensor installed outside the vehicle. The light intensity sensor is connected to the controller, collects the ambient light intensity, and sends it to the controller. When the laser projector needs to be used, the controller will adjust the brightness of the laser projector according to the ambient light intensity to adapt to different usage scenarios (e.g., high brightness during the day and low brightness at night).

[0032] The controller acquires the vehicle's braking signals in real time. When braking occurs and the set requirements are met, the projection laser lights project the braking zone onto the ground in front of the vehicle. Since the projection needs to be done in front, the laser projector is preferably installed in the center of the upper edge of the windshield and fixed to the roof. To coordinate with the timing of the controller's activation of the laser projector, the system is equipped with a front detection device that can be integrated with the laser projector, i.e., installed on the roof. It typically uses a three-lens camera in conjunction with radar to determine the road conditions ahead.

[0033] The projection stop area is a rectangular projection located directly in front of the car. This projection stop area changes as the car stops, making it a dynamic projection. Therefore, the laser projector needs to project sufficiently far, with a long projection range. This is achieved by "lighting up" portions of this projection range and then moving those portions within the range, creating a dynamic display effect. The projection stop area is a long strip image with a horizontal center line as the stop line, preferably displayed in bright yellow. The stop line needs to be calculated by the controller based on braking force and the vehicle's current speed to display the estimated stopping position. However, this position changes with the driver's braking force. As the vehicle speed increases and changes occur, the stop line inevitably becomes a dynamic line that needs to move back and forth. To improve the accuracy of stop line calculation, the system is equipped with a positioning unit (such as GPS or Beidou system) to collect the vehicle's location. After the vehicle obtains its location, it can know the road surface information, such as paved road or gravel road. It can also obtain the estimated information on whether the road surface is wet or muddy based on the weather forecast. After combining the above information, a modulation value for judging braking force is obtained. The controller will incorporate the modulation value as a coefficient into the formula for calculating the stop line position, so that the adjustment value participates in the calculation of the projected stop area position, thus making the stop line calculation more accurate.

[0034] In the projected stop zone, the area forward of the stop line is a gradually darkening green zone, indicating a safe zone where vehicles (theoretically) will not cross. The area backward is a gradually brightening red zone, indicating an area where vehicles (theoretically) will pass, representing a potential collision risk zone. The extension lengths of both the green and red zones can be set as needed, for example, each 1 meter. The widths of the stop line, green zone, and red zone are consistent, generally matching the width of the vehicle or slightly smaller. The gradual change in color between the green and red zones provides a safety / danger warning, alerting pedestrians and other vehicles around the vehicle, and also allowing the driver to be aware of the vehicle's stopping position.

[0035] The controller is connected to the vehicle's infotainment system via a communication line. The intelligent reminder function can be turned on and off through the infotainment system's settings interface. When the intelligent reminder function is turned on, the controller acquires the braking status signal in real time. The controller will pre-set conditions to classify braking into: emergency braking, service braking, and low-speed braking.

[0036] Emergency braking is generally determined by the pressure applied to the brake pedal. When the pressure increases significantly, it is emergency braking. Service braking occurs when the vehicle speed is above 40 km / h and the pressure applied to the brake pedal is below the set value, which is a normal driving condition. Braking is generally used to control the vehicle speed. Low-speed braking occurs when the vehicle speed is below 40 km / h, at which point there is a high probability that the vehicle will need to stop.

[0037] When in emergency braking, the projector lights are activated to illuminate the stopping area on the ground ahead. This allows the driver to know whether braking can avoid a collision and whether the pedal needs to be pressed harder. It is mainly used to remind the driver.

[0038] When braking at low speed, it is generally necessary to stop and yield to pedestrians. To avoid frequent invalid activation, the camera will determine whether there are pedestrians in front of or to the side of the vehicle in this situation. If there are no pedestrians, the projection lights will not be activated even if the vehicle is braking at low speed. If there are pedestrians in front of or to the side of the vehicle, the vehicle needs to be raised to allow pedestrians to see the projection stop area on the ground in front of the vehicle, so that pedestrians can judge whether the vehicle has yielded.

[0039] During braking, the projection light will remain on as long as it is turned on according to the set conditions. When the brake pedal is released, the projection light will turn off after a set delay, such as 3 seconds. This avoids frequently turning the projection light on and off when the conditions are met, thus reducing the lifespan of the projection light. During the delay phase, the projection stop range is also dynamic. It is calculated based on the braking force of the brake pedal before the brake pedal is released when the projection light is turned on. Therefore, the projection stop range changes with the vehicle speed, which can also show the driver's driving intention, whether the vehicle is accelerating or waiting.

[0040] Although the projection lights are conditionally turned on, the left indicator light 1 and the right indicator light 2 are illuminated in time when braking, so the lights will illuminate to warn the driver whenever the vehicle brakes.

[0041] When the projection light is on, if the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the stop line of the projected stop area will gradually be projected below the front lip of the vehicle, at which point the red area disappears. Of course, there are also situations where braking poses a risk. If the stop line illuminates an obstacle ahead, the controller will control the projection light to display a red warning circle at a set distance in front of the car, such as 3 meters in front. This warning circle is a projected image, bright red and flashing, serving as a reminder to both the driver and the vehicle in front. Vehicles equipped with this system have a rear-view camera. If the rear camera detects a red warning circle while the vehicle is in motion, it indicates a risk of rear-end collision. The red warning circle acts as a special trigger signal. When it appears directly behind the vehicle, the vehicle will determine if the road conditions ahead allow for acceleration. If so, it will accelerate a set distance, i.e., move forward a certain distance, with the specific acceleration and distance executed according to the set program. If the road conditions ahead do not impede acceleration, the system will alert the driver, allowing them to handle the situation themselves.

[0042] The vehicle braking indicator light module system mainly addresses two issues:

[0043] 1. When a vehicle in front is preparing to change lanes or overtake, whether the vehicle behind yields can check the rearview mirror to see if the brake indicator light module of the vehicle behind is illuminated. This will help the driver behind confirm whether the vehicle in front has received the intention to change lanes or overtake and yields. This will allow the driver in front to confirm whether there is an opportunity to overtake or change lanes, thus avoiding vehicle collisions or even traffic accidents.

[0044] It can even use an automatic recognition system to obtain the intentions of vehicles behind through cameras, and in conjunction with corresponding autonomous driving functions, accelerate forward to avoid rear-end collisions while ensuring safety ahead.

[0045] 2. When pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles, or people on foot are crossing the road ahead, people behind can also check whether the indicator lights of the vehicle behind are illuminated to confirm that the driver behind intends to cross the road as a pedestrian and give way, so as to cross the road safely and avoid collisions with vehicles, resulting in personal injury and property damage.

[0046] It can even use light signals to indicate the estimated stopping position of vehicles, allowing pedestrians to know the current driver's intentions and avoid risks in time. This helps to prevent "conflicts" between pedestrians and vehicles, such as yielding to each other and passing together, thus improving the traffic efficiency on the road, enhancing the technological and intelligent features of vehicles, and enriching human-computer interaction.

[0047] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention to other occasions without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a vehicle braking indicator light module system, characterized in that: When the intelligent prompt function is enabled, the braking status signal is acquired in real time; The braking system is pre-defined into three types: emergency braking, service braking, and low-speed braking. When the emergency braking is in effect, the projection laser light is activated to illuminate the ground in front of the projected stopping area. When braking at low speed, if there is a pedestrian in front of or to the side of the vehicle, a projection stop area is projected onto the ground in front of the vehicle. The projection laser light is turned off after a set delay following its activation. The projection stop area is a rectangular projection located directly in front of the car. The horizontal line in the middle of the projection stop area is the horizontal stop line of the projection. The stop line is the vehicle's stopping position calculated according to the current vehicle braking parameters. The stop line is a bright yellow line, with a gradually darkening green area in front and a gradually brightening red area behind. If the stop line illuminates an obstacle ahead, a red warning circle will be displayed at a set distance in front of the vehicle. The red warning circle is a bright red flashing projection. When a red warning circle is detected behind the vehicle while it is in motion, the system determines whether the road conditions ahead allow for acceleration. If so, the vehicle accelerates forward at the set distance; otherwise, an alarm is triggered.

2. The control method for the vehicle braking indicator light module system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projection stop zone moves towards the far end or near end of the vehicle as the vehicle speed and braking force change. The projection stop zone references the positioning information to obtain the current road conditions and weather parameters and set adjustment values, which are then used in the calculation of the projection stop zone position.

3. A vehicle brake indicator light module system, wherein brake indicator lights, a brake trigger switch, and a vehicle power supply are connected in series on the brake control signal line, characterized in that: The braking control signal line is also connected in series with a left indicator light and a right indicator light. The left indicator light and the right indicator light are fixed on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, respectively, and are used to indicate the current braking status information of the vehicle when the vehicle brakes. The vehicle braking indicator light module system executes the vehicle braking indicator light module system control method as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The vehicle braking indicator light module system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vehicle is equipped with a projection laser light that projects onto the ground in front of it. After receiving a braking signal, the projection laser light projects a stopping area onto the ground.

5. The vehicle braking indicator light module system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The system is equipped with a controller and a vehicle front detection device. The vehicle front detection device is connected to and outputs a sensing signal to the controller. The controller is connected to and outputs a control signal to the projection laser light. When a pedestrian or vehicle is detected in front, a prompting operation is performed.

6. The vehicle braking indicator light module system according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that: The system is equipped with a light intensity sensor that collects ambient light intensity and a positioning unit that determines the location. The light intensity sensor and the positioning unit are connected and output signals to the controller. The controller controls the brightness of the projection laser lamp based on the ambient light intensity and uses the positioning information to help determine the braking distance.

7. The vehicle braking indicator light module system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The system is equipped with a camera that collects rear image information. The camera is connected to and outputs image information to the controller. The controller is connected to and outputs drive signals to the vehicle power system.

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