Vehicle atmosphere lamp circuit and system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a vehicle atmosphere lamp circuit and system, which can be used in the field of vehicles, and the circuit comprises a controller, a power supply unit, a driving chip and a plurality of light-emitting units, the first end of the controller is connected with the first end of the driving chip; the first end of the power supply unit is connected with the first end of the driving chip; the second end of the driving chip is connected with the second end of the controller; the third end of the controller is connected with the third end of the driving chip; the fourth end of the controller and the fourth end of the driving chip are grounded; and the plurality of light emitting units are electrically connected with different channels of the driving chip. Therefore, in the embodiment of the utility model, a plurality of different light-emitting unit RGB LEDs can be driven by using one driving chip, and the number of driving chips required to be used in the vehicle atmosphere lamp circuit can be reduced, so that the heat generated by an IC (Integrated Circuit) is reduced, the over-temperature risk of the vehicle atmosphere lamp circuit is reduced, and the safety of the vehicle atmosphere lamp circuit is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to an ambient lighting circuit and system. Background Technology

[0002] As vehicles are used more frequently and in more diverse scenarios, the quality of vehicle interiors is attracting increasing attention. Ambient lighting, as a decorative feature, plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of a vehicle's interior.

[0003] Currently, vehicle ambient lighting systems typically consist of an ambient lighting controller and numerous dynamic slave nodes employing a Smart RGB LED solution. The Smart RGB LED integrates multi-color LEDs (RGB LEDs) and a driver chip (Smart RGB Driver) into a single package, simultaneously enabling communication and driving of the multi-color LEDs. Using the ambient lighting controller to control the Smart RGB LEDs with integrated driver chips achieves the desired dynamic ambient lighting effects. However, as the dynamic effects of ambient lighting become more diverse and complex, the number of multi-color LEDs required in vehicle ambient lighting systems is increasing, necessitating more Smart RGB LEDs. Since each Smart RGB LED integrates a driver chip, the heat generated by the IC also increases, raising the risk of overheating in the vehicle ambient lighting system and posing a safety hazard.

[0004] Therefore, how to reduce the risk of overheating in vehicle ambient lighting systems has become a problem that needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides an ambient lighting circuit and system that can reduce the risk of overheating in vehicle ambient lighting systems.

[0006] The present invention discloses the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, this utility model embodiment provides a vehicle ambient lighting circuit, the circuit including: a controller, a power supply unit, a driver chip, and multiple light-emitting units;

[0008] The first terminal of the controller is connected to the first terminal of the driver chip; the first terminal of the power supply unit is connected to the first terminal of the driver chip.

[0009] The second terminal of the driver chip is connected to the second terminal of the controller; the third terminal of the controller is connected to the third terminal of the driver chip.

[0010] The fourth terminal of the controller is grounded to the fourth terminal of the driver chip;

[0011] The plurality of light-emitting units are electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip.

[0012] Optionally, the light-emitting unit includes a red light-emitting diode, a green light-emitting diode, and a blue light-emitting diode;

[0013] The cathodes of the red light-emitting diode, the green light-emitting diode, and the blue light-emitting diode are respectively electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip;

[0014] The anodes of the red, green, and blue LEDs are connected to the multiplexer of the driver chip.

[0015] Optionally, the power supply unit includes a vehicle power supply and a step-down module;

[0016] The first end of the step-down module is connected to the vehicle power supply; the second end of the step-down module is connected to the first end of the driver chip.

[0017] Optionally, the driver chip integrates a time-sharing power switch.

[0018] Optionally, the driver chip integrates a successive approximation register-type analog-to-digital converter.

[0019] Optionally, the driver chip is an iND83220 chip.

[0020] Optionally, the driver chip integrates a successive approximation register-type analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC), which is connected to the light-emitting unit.

[0021] Optionally, the driver chip outputs a modulated pulse wave to the light-emitting unit via the ELINS protocol.

[0022] Optionally, the second terminal of the driver chip is connected to the second terminal of the controller via a CAN_H line; the third terminal of the driver chip is connected to the third terminal of the controller via a CAN_L line.

[0023] Optionally, the circuit includes multiple parallel light strings, each light string consisting of a driver chip, a power supply unit, and multiple light-emitting units.

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle ambient lighting system, the system including a vehicle ambient lighting circuit as described in any of the embodiments of the first aspect above.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] This utility model embodiment provides a vehicle ambient lighting circuit, which includes: a controller, a power supply unit, a driver chip, and multiple light-emitting units; a first terminal of the controller is connected to a first terminal of the driver chip; a first terminal of the power supply unit is connected to a first terminal of the driver chip; a second terminal of the driver chip is connected to a second terminal of the controller; a third terminal of the controller is connected to a third terminal of the driver chip; a fourth terminal of the controller is grounded to the fourth terminal of the driver chip; and the multiple light-emitting units are electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip. Therefore, in this utility model embodiment, multiple different light-emitting units (RGB LEDs) can be driven using a single driver chip, eliminating the need for a Smart RGB LED that packages an RGB LED and a driver chip together. On one hand, this reduces the number of driver chips required in the vehicle ambient lighting circuit, thereby reducing the heat generated by the IC, lowering the risk of overheating in the vehicle ambient lighting circuit, and improving the safety of the vehicle ambient lighting circuit; on the other hand, using inexpensive RGB LEDs instead of expensive Smart RGB LEDs can also significantly reduce costs. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an ambient lighting control system provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an ambient light circuit provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 3 This is another ambient light circuit diagram provided for an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0031] As described earlier, current vehicle ambient lighting systems typically consist of an ambient lighting controller and numerous dynamic slave nodes employing the Smart RGB LED solution. The Smart RGB LED is a chip that integrates multi-color LEDs (RGB LEDs) and a driver chip (Smart RGB Driver) into the same package, simultaneously enabling communication and driving of the multi-color LEDs. Using the ambient lighting controller to control the Smart RGB LEDs with integrated driver chips allows for the achievement of the desired dynamic ambient lighting effects.

[0032] Specifically, see Figure 1 This figure is a schematic diagram of an ambient lighting control system provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes an ambient lighting controller and multiple dynamic slave nodes. The multiple dynamic slave nodes are connected to the ambient lighting controller via a CAN bus; the multiple dynamic slave nodes are connected in parallel to form multiple light strings, which are connected in parallel across the ambient lighting controller. Each dynamic slave node includes a Smart RGB LED, a microprocessor chip, and a CAN3 transceiver. The microprocessor chip is typically an S32K116 chip manufactured by NXP. It receives commands from the ambient lighting controller via CAN communication and controls the Smart RGB LED using SPI communication.

[0033] As the dynamic effects of ambient lighting become more diverse and complex, the number of multi-color LEDs required in vehicle ambient lighting systems is increasing, necessitating more Smart RGB LEDs. Since each Smart RGB LED integrates a driver chip, the heat generated by the IC also rises, increasing the risk of overheating in the vehicle ambient lighting system and posing a safety hazard. Furthermore, this solution lacks monitoring for dynamic ambient lighting voltage detection and LED open / short circuit faults, failing to provide timely fault feedback, which also presents a safety risk.

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] See Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of an ambient light circuit provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit includes a controller 201, a power supply unit 202, a driver chip 203, and multiple light-emitting units 204.

[0036] The first end of the controller 201 is connected to the first end of the driver chip 203, so that the power supply unit 202 can provide power to the driver chip 203.

[0037] The first end of the power supply unit 202 is connected to the first end of the driver chip 203, so that the power supply unit 202 can provide power to the driver chip 203, so that the driver chip 203 can process the received signals and drive multiple light-emitting units 204.

[0038] The second terminal of the driver chip 203 is connected to the second terminal of the controller 201; the third terminal of the controller 201 is connected to the third terminal of the driver chip 203.

[0039] For example, the driver chip 203 integrates a CAN transceiver. The second terminal of the driver chip 203 is connected to the second terminal of the controller 201 via a CAN_H line; the third terminal of the driver chip 203 is connected to the third terminal of the controller 201 via a CAN_L line. Here, CAN_L refers to the low voltage of the network cable in the dominant state, with a data signal typically of 250K / S, and CAN_H refers to the high voltage of the network cable in the dominant state, with a data signal typically of 500K / S.

[0040] The signal input terminal of the controller 201 can be connected to a human-machine interface. Users can then select different ambient lighting effects through the interface, such as switching the ambient light on / off, color, brightness, rhythm, or breathing effects. In response to the user's selection, the interface sends the corresponding CAN signal to the controller 201 via the CAN bus. The controller 201, based on the received CAN signal, sends control commands to the driver chip 203 through the CAN physical layer. In response to the control commands, the driver chip 203 can time-division control the switching on / off of multiple light-emitting units 204, as well as the color and brightness of the light emitted when on.

[0041] The fourth terminal of the controller 201 is grounded, which is also the fourth terminal of the driver chip 203. This effectively prevents electromagnetic interference and improves system stability while ensuring stable system operation.

[0042] Multiple light-emitting units 204 are electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip 203. Thus, the light-emitting units 204 can emit light in response to the control signals of the driver chip 203, and the driver chip 203 can control the brightness and color of the light-emitting units 204 to achieve various display effects.

[0043] For example, the controller 201 can receive control signals sent by the vehicle's CAN bus and control the driver chip 203 through the CAN physical layer; the driver chip 203 can output modulated pulse PWM waves to different light-emitting units 204 through the ELINS protocol to control the switching of multiple light-emitting units 204 and the color and brightness of the light emitted when they are on.

[0044] Optionally, the power supply unit 202 may include a vehicle power supply (VBAT) 2021 and a step-down module 2022, wherein a first terminal of the step-down module 2022 is connected to the vehicle power supply 2021, and a second terminal of the step-down module 2022 is connected to the first terminal of the driver chip 203. Thus, when connected to the vehicle power supply, the step-down module 2022 can convert the higher vehicle power supply voltage provided by the vehicle power supply 2021, reducing its voltage to facilitate power supply to the light-emitting unit 204.

[0045] Specifically, the light-emitting unit 204 comprises multiple RGB LEDs. One light-emitting unit 204 may include three LEDs: a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED. The cathodes of the red, green, and blue LEDs are electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip. The anodes of the red, green, and blue LEDs are connected to a multiplexer of the driver chip. This multiplexer can be a multiplexer (MUX), such as a Texas Instruments Multiplexer (TMUX). The light-emitting unit 204 receives a PWM wave from the driver chip 203, allowing the three LEDs (R (red LED), G (green LED), and B (blue LED) in the light-emitting unit 204 to emit light of a specified brightness to display the desired color.

[0046] In this embodiment of the invention, we propose an innovative vehicle ambient lighting circuit that uses a single driver chip to drive multiple different RGB LED light-emitting units. This design breaks with traditional design thinking, avoiding the use of Smart RGB LEDs that package an RGB LED with a driver chip together. This innovative design not only improves the safety of the vehicle ambient lighting circuit but also reduces costs and enhances economic efficiency.

[0047] Specifically, on the one hand, by using a single driver chip to drive multiple RGB LEDs, the number of driver chips required in the vehicle ambient lighting circuit can be significantly reduced. This effectively controls the heat generated by the IC, lowering the risk of overheating in the ambient lighting circuit, which is crucial for improving its safety and extending its lifespan. On the other hand, this embodiment uses inexpensive RGB LEDs instead of expensive Smart RGB LEDs, significantly reducing costs and improving the product's cost-effectiveness. In today's highly competitive market, cost reduction is a key factor in enhancing product competitiveness. Through this design, we not only optimize the vehicle ambient lighting circuit but also provide strong support for its competitiveness in the market.

[0048] Therefore, the innovative design of this utility model not only improves the safety of vehicle ambient lighting circuits but also reduces costs and enhances economic benefits, showing broad prospects in practical applications.

[0049] Optionally, in some other embodiments provided by this utility model, the driver chip 203 used to form the vehicle ambient light circuit integrates a time-division power switch, thereby expanding the number of channels of the driver chip 203, so that each driver chip 203 can independently control more light-emitting units 204, thereby further reducing the number of driver chips required in the vehicle ambient light circuit.

[0050] As an example, the driver chip 203 has at least 18 channels, each channel can be connected to a light-emitting diode, and each light-emitting unit 204 has three light-emitting diodes. That is, one driver chip 203 can control at least six light-emitting units 204 in a time-division manner, which can greatly reduce the number of driver chips in the vehicle ambient light circuit, thereby reducing the heat generated by the IC and reducing the risk of overheating in the vehicle ambient light circuit.

[0051] Optionally, in some other embodiments provided by this utility model, the driver chip 203 used to form the vehicle ambient light circuit integrates a successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0052] Specifically, the SAR ADC can be connected to each light-emitting unit 204, and the voltage across each light-emitting unit 204 can be collected and differentially processed to obtain multiple differential voltages. If a differential voltage higher than a first voltage threshold exists, the light-emitting unit 204 corresponding to that differential voltage is determined to be open-circuited; if a differential voltage lower than a second voltage threshold exists, the light-emitting unit 204 corresponding to that differential voltage is determined to be short-circuited. The input voltage of the ambient light is collected as a single-ended input to the ADC for monitoring. Therefore, by using a driver chip 203 that integrates a SAR ADC, faults in the vehicle ambient light circuit can be diagnosed in a timely manner, allowing for timely fault handling and thus improving the reliability of the vehicle ambient light circuit.

[0053] Optionally, in some other embodiments provided by this utility model, the driver chip 203 used to form the vehicle ambient light circuit can be the iND83220 chip manufactured by IndiMicro.

[0054] See Figure 3 The figure is a schematic diagram of another vehicle ambient light circuit provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle ambient light circuit includes multiple parallel light strings, wherein each light string consists of a driver chip, a power supply unit and multiple light-emitting units.

[0055] Since a single driver chip can only drive a limited number of light-emitting units, connecting multiple light strings in parallel can conveniently expand the number of light-emitting units in the vehicle ambient lighting circuit. On the other hand, it can also improve the reliability of the vehicle ambient lighting circuit, preventing the entire vehicle ambient lighting circuit from failing due to a fault in one of the light strings.

[0056] For example, the power supply units of different light strings may include different step-down modules, while the vehicle power supply units may be the same. That is, each light string has a step-down module individually configured for the driver chip, and the first terminals of the step-down modules belonging to different light strings can be connected to the same vehicle power supply.

[0057] In addition, this utility model also provides a vehicle ambient lighting system, which includes the vehicle ambient lighting circuit described in any of the above embodiments.

[0058] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0059] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A vehicle ambient lighting circuit, characterized in that, The circuit includes: a controller, a power supply unit, a driver chip, and multiple light-emitting units; The first terminal of the controller is connected to the first terminal of the driver chip; the first terminal of the power supply unit is connected to the first terminal of the driver chip. The second terminal of the driver chip is connected to the second terminal of the controller; the third terminal of the controller is connected to the third terminal of the driver chip. The fourth terminal of the controller is grounded to the fourth terminal of the driver chip; The plurality of light-emitting units are electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip.

2. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting unit includes a red light-emitting diode, a green light-emitting diode and a blue light-emitting diode; The cathodes of the red light-emitting diode, the green light-emitting diode, and the blue light-emitting diode are respectively electrically connected to different channels of the driver chip; The anodes of the red, green, and blue LEDs are connected to the multiplexer of the driver chip.

3. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply unit includes a vehicle power supply and a step-down module; The first end of the step-down module is connected to the vehicle power supply; the second end of the step-down module is connected to the first end of the driver chip.

4. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driver chip integrates a time-sharing power switch.

5. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driver chip integrates a successive approximation register-type analog-to-digital converter.

6. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driver chip integrates a successive approximation register-type analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC), which is connected to the light-emitting unit.

7. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driver chip outputs modulated pulse waves to the light-emitting unit via the ELINS protocol.

8. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second terminal of the driver chip is connected to the second terminal of the controller via a CAN_H line; the third terminal of the driver chip is connected to the third terminal of the controller via a CAN_L line.

9. The vehicle ambient lighting circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit includes multiple parallel light strings, each of which consists of a driver chip, a power supply unit, and multiple light-emitting units.

10. A vehicle ambient lighting system, characterized in that, The system includes the vehicle ambient lighting circuit as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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