Electronic assemblies and automotive light emitting devices

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic assembly for an automotive lighting device (10). The electronic assembly includes a first group of light sources (1), a second group of light sources (2), a driver element (3) configured to control the operation of the light sources (1, 2), and a mode selection circuit (5). The mode selection circuit (5) is configured to receive a mode selection control signal and provide an output signal with a control value determined by the mode selection control signal. The driver element (3) includes a first input (31) configured to receive a power supply, a second input (32) configured to receive an output signal of the mode selection circuit, and outputs received by the first group of light sources (1) and the second group of light sources (2), such that the operation of the first group of light sources and the operation of the second group of light sources are controlled by the output of the driver element (3). The first group of light sources includes a switch (12) controlled by the first control signal and the second group of light sources includes a switch (22) controlled by the second control signal.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is in the field of electronic assemblies contained within automotive lighting devices and intended to provide lighting functions to vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] cutting edge The automotive lighting market is considered one of the most competitive, with new lighting functions constantly in demand. A growing customer trend is multi-function light-emitting devices, where some lighting functions are designed not to be used simultaneously.

[0003] This concept needs to be implemented by driver elements, and known solutions give these elements the ability to manage two simultaneous inputs to their functionality, but this brings about excessive complexity and cost.

[0004] The present invention provides an alternative configuration for providing controlled lighting functions in an electronic assembly for an automotive lighting device, where at least two of the lighting functions are controlled in a mutually exclusive manner such that one function cannot be enabled at the same time as another function. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides another solution to manage the current need for light sources for automotive lighting devices by an electronic assembly for automotive lighting devices, the electronic assembly comprising: A first light source group intended to contribute to a first light-emitting function; a second light source group intended to perform a second light-emitting function; a driver element configured to control operation of the first bank of light sources and the second bank of light sources; a mode selection circuit configured to receive a mode selection control signal and provide an output signal with a control value determined by the mode selection control signal, the mode selection control signal including at least one of a first control signal and a second control signal; Including, The driver element is a first input configured to receive a power supply; a second input configured to receive the output signal of the mode selection circuit; outputs received by the first bank of light sources and the second bank of light sources, such that operation of the first bank of light sources and operation of the second bank of light sources are controlled by the output of the driver element; The first group of light sources includes a switch controlled by a first control signal, and the second group of light sources includes a switch controlled by a second control signal.

[0006] Such an arrangement allows a single driver to be used to control the operation of two different light functions, such as rear fog lights and reversing lights, turn signals and rear width lights, brake lights and rear width lights, etc. In fact, the pair of rear fog lights and reversing lights is a typical example of mutually exclusive functions.

[0007] Two different function power signals are provided to the driver, and a mode selection control signal derived from one of the power signals is provided to a mode selection circuit that includes electronic components that provide different impedance values ​​using the input of the mode selection control signal. The mode selection control signal includes at least one control signal derived from the first power signal or the second power signal. In some cases, the mode selection control signal includes only one control signal derived from the first power signal or the second power signal. In such a case, if the mode selection control signal is valid (meaning that the power signal that produces the mode selection control signal is valid and the other power signal is not valid since two power signals cannot be valid at the same time), the impedance of the mode selection circuit is an appropriate impedance for the driver to power the light group corresponding to the power signal that produces the mode selection control signal. If the valid power signal is one that does not produce the mode selection control signal, the mode selection control signal is zero and the impedance of the mode selection circuit is an appropriate impedance for the driver to power the other light group.

[0008] In another case, the mode selection control signal includes two control signals, each control signal is generated by one of the power signals, and the mode selection circuit receives two control signals but can only receive one at a time, because each control signal is generated by one power signal and two power signals cannot be received at the same time, only one of the control signals is received by the mode selection circuit. If the received signal is the first control signal, the impedance of the mode selection circuit is an appropriate impedance for the driver to power the first light group, and if the received signal is the second control signal, the impedance of the mode selection circuit is an appropriate impedance for the driver to power the second light group.

[0009] In either case, an appropriate output value is produced by the mode selection circuit, which output value is provided to the second input of the driver.

[0010] This output value is received by a driver which uses this output value to provide the appropriate current value for the enabled function. This current value is provided to both the first and second light groups, but each light group is independently controlled due to the fact that each light group receives a corresponding control signal which enables or disables the corresponding light group, and only those light groups which are actually enabled receive a current value from the light driver.

[0011] In some particular embodiments, the electronic assembly further includes an input protection circuit, the input protection circuit comprising: configured to receive a first power signal and a second power signal; the input protection circuit includes a first protection output coupled to the first input of the driver element to control power received by the first input of the driver element in response to the first power signal and the second power signal; A second protection output is included that receives one of the first power signal and the second power signal and provides a mode selection signal.

[0012] Because the element receives multiple power signals, the input protection element provides power to the driver whenever any of the power signals are valid.

[0013] In some particular embodiments, the input protection circuit includes a first circuit element that receives a first power signal and a second circuit element that receives a second power signal, and an output of the first circuit element and an output of the second circuit element are electrically connected to a first protected output of the input protection circuit.

[0014] The fact that the outputs of these circuit elements are connected corresponds to two input signals corresponding to lighting functions that are non-simultaneous.

[0015] In some particular embodiments, the input protection circuit comprises: a first diode disposed at the output of the first circuit element, the first diode being directly connected to the first protection output; a second diode disposed at the output of the second circuit element, the second diode being directly connected to the first protection output; a third circuit element disposed between one of the first power signal and the second power signal and the second protection output, the third circuit element including a third diode; Includes.

[0016] This arrangement of the first and second circuit elements with corresponding diodes corresponds to the use of an OR logic door, which is a simple and reliable structure that accomplishes the purpose of this element. In fact, a true OR logic door can be used in another embodiment. The third circuit element is used to provide a mode selection control signal from one of the power signals to the mode selection circuit. Since the mode selection control signal has a much lower consumption than the driver to the light source group, the signal conducted to the third circuit is much smaller than the power signal output by the first protection output.

[0017] In some particular embodiments, the mode selection circuit includes a first group of resistors, a second group of resistors, and at least one switch element, and the mode selection control signal is configured to act on the switch element to activate or deactivate the supply of power to the second group of resistors to change the output signal value.

[0018] With just a few resistors and a simple switch, the mode selection circuit can use the information provided by the control signal to send a specific output to the driver so that the driver can select the correct current to power the useful function.

[0019] In some particular embodiments, at least one of the first set of resistors and the second set of resistors includes a BIN resistor and a thermal resistor.

[0020] In some particular embodiments, the mode selection control signal includes only the second control signal and the mode selection circuit includes only one switch element, such that the impedance of the mode selection circuit is the same when control signals other than the mode selection signal are enabled and when they are not enabled.

[0021] A single mode select signal is sufficient to govern the operation of the two resistor banks, and when a mode select signal is received, one of the resistor banks is put into the circuit by enabling (or disabling) the one that is switched on, so that the impedance when the mode select signal is not enabled is different than when the mode select signal is enabled. As a result, the other select signal (the one that is not the mode select signal) does not affect the behavior of this impedance, since in such an embodiment it is not received in the mode selection circuit.

[0022] In another particular embodiment, the mode selection circuit receives two control signals and includes two switches, in which case the first resistor group is controlled by a first switch, and the first control signal activates the first switch to provide an impedance required by the first group of light sources, and the second resistor group is controlled by a second switch, and the second control signal activates the second switch to provide an impedance required by the second group of light sources.

[0023] In some particular embodiments, the impedance of the mode selection circuit when the mode selection signal is asserted causes the output of the driver element to have a higher current value than when the mode selection signal is not asserted.

[0024] In such an embodiment, the default current value is the lowest of the two functions being controlled, and the system is therefore protected against accidental failure to set the current value to a high value that could damage a light source intended to perform one of the light-emitting functions that is not adapted to such a high value.

[0025] In some particular embodiments, the driver is configured to provide a greater current value to the output when a greater current value is received at the second input.

[0026] This method of managing driver behavior works well for many existing drivers.

[0027] In some particular embodiments, the switch element is a transistor, such as a BJT or a MOSFET.

[0028] In some specific embodiments, the first bank of light sources and the second bank of light sources are arranged in parallel, while in other embodiments, the first bank of light sources and the second bank of light sources are arranged in series.

[0029] In some particular embodiments, the light source is a solid-state light source.

[0030] The term "solid-state" refers to light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence, which uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lighting, solid-state lighting produces visible light with less heat and less energy consumption. Typically small solid-state electronic lighting devices offer greater resistance to shock and vibration compared to fragile glass tubes / bulbs and long, thin filament wires. Such devices also eliminate filament evaporation, potentially increasing the lifespan of the lighting device. Some examples of these types of lighting include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as lighting sources other than electric filaments, plasma, or gas.

[0031] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light emitting device for an automobile, the light emitting device comprising: an electronic assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the first light-emitting function is a rear fog light and the second light-emitting function is a reverse light; an optical element configured to project light emitted by the first bank of light sources and the second bank of light sources; Includes.

[0032] Rear fog lights and reverse lights are typically mutually exclusive, so that the body control module does not send both activation control signals to the lighting device at the same time. Therefore, these two lighting functions are contemplated for the present invention, although any other suitable pair of functions (that are not simultaneously enabled) is also applicable to the present invention.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including scientific and technical terms) used herein shall be interpreted as customary in the art. Furthermore, it is understood that commonly used terms should be interpreted as customary in the relevant art, and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined as such in this specification.

[0034] In this document, the term "comprise" and its derivatives (such as "comprising") should not be construed as exclusive, i.e., these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.

[0035] In order to complete this specification and to provide a better understanding of the invention, a series of drawings are provided. The drawings form an integral part of this specification and illustrate embodiments of the invention, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as examples of how the invention can be practiced. The drawings include the following figures: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 shows an arrangement of an electronic assembly according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] Specific embodiments of some elements of this electronic device are shown. [Diagram 3] Specific embodiments of some elements of this electronic device are shown. [Figure 4] 4 shows an automobile light emitting device including the electronic assembly of FIGS. 1 to 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] In these figures the following reference numerals are used: 1 1st LED group 10 tail lights 11 1st LED 12 Switch for the first LED group 2 2nd LED group 21 2nd LED 22 Switch for the second LED group 3 Driver Elements 31 Driver element first input 32 Second input of driver element 4 Input protection circuit 41 1st circuit element 42 Second circuit element 43 First Diode 44 Second Diode 45 First output of input protection circuit 46 Third Diode 47 Second output of input protection circuit 48 Third circuit element 49 Third output of input protection circuit 5 Mode selection circuit 51 1st resistor group 52 2nd resistor group 53 Switching elements in the mode selection circuit F1 First power signal F2 Second power signal 100 Automobiles

[0038] The exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to embody and practice the systems and processes described herein, it is important to understand that the embodiments may be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0039] Thus, while the embodiments can be modified in various ways and can take various alternative forms, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below by way of example. There is no intention to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be embraced. Elements of the illustrated embodiments are, where appropriate, consistently represented by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of an electronic assembly according to the invention.

[0041] In this figure, a driver element 3 is configured to control the operation of a first group of LEDs 1 and a second group of LEDs 2. The first group of LEDs 1 is intended to perform a reversing light function and the second group of LEDs 2 is intended to perform a rear fog light function.

[0042] The driver element 3 receives two inputs: a first input 31 from an input protection circuit 4 and a second input 32 from a mode selection circuit 5 .

[0043] The input protection circuit 4 receives two power signals from the vehicle's body control module: a first control signal F1 that is activated when the vehicle's body control module requests activation of a first group of LEDs, and a second power signal F2 that is activated when the vehicle's body control module requests activation of a second group of LEDs. The input protection circuit 4 provides both a power supply to the driver and a requested control signal to the mode selection circuit 5 when either of these two light functions is requested by the body control module. The power supply is provided by a first protection output 45 and the control to the mode selection circuit is provided by a second protection output 47.

[0044] The mode selection circuit 5 sends an output value to the driver element 3 depending on the value of a control signal it receives from a second protection output 47, referred to as the mode selection control signal. The driver element 3 then uses this control signal received from the mode selection circuit 5 to create a current value. This current value, which is output by the driver element 3, is determined by a second input of the driver element 3, provided by the mode selection circuit 5. The output current value of the driver element 3 is provided to both the first group of LEDs and the second group of LEDs. However, since each group of LEDs has its own control, only the enabled groups of LEDs effectively receive the driver element 3 output signal to enable or disable the group.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an input protection circuit arrangement implemented in a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The input protection circuit 4 includes a first circuit element 41 that receives a first power signal F1 and a second circuit element 42 that receives a second power signal F2. The output of the first circuit element and the output of the second circuit element each include a diode 43, a diode 44 that are electrically connected to a first output 45 of the input protection circuit. This configuration corresponds to the use of an OR logic door. If either of these two power signals is received, the input protection circuit allows power to be supplied to the driver.

[0047] Additionally, there is a third circuit element 48 which receives the second power signal and produces a mode selection control signal at a second output 47 of the input protection circuit 4. The third circuit element is used to provide the mode selection control signal from one of the power signals to the mode selection circuit. Since the mode selection control signal has a much lower consumption than from the driver to the light sources, the signal conducted to the third circuit is much smaller than the power signal output by the first protection output.

[0048] In this case, the mode selection circuit 5 receives a mode selection control signal from the second output 47 of the input protection circuit via the control diode 46. This mode selection control signal is produced only if the input protection circuit 4 receives the second power signal F2. Therefore, if the requested function is the first function, the mode selection circuit 5 does not receive the mode selection control signal and provides a first default output signal. If the requested function is the second function, the mode selection circuit receives the mode selection control signal and provides a second output signal different from the first default output signal.

[0049] As a result, when a first function is required, the driver is powered by a first power signal F1 at the first input and receives a default output signal at the second input, and when a second function is required, the driver is powered by a second power signal F2 at the first input and receives a modified output signal at the second input.

[0050] Using these two inputs (a power signal and a control signal), the driver is configured to provide a corresponding output appropriate for the desired lighting function.

[0051] This output is delivered to two light bank groups, but as we have seen, each group has a switch so that when one function is requested, the light bank corresponding to the other light function is disabled. Therefore, even though the driver output is sent to both light bank groups, only the one that is requested will be powered and emit light.

[0052] As a result of this electronic arrangement, one driver element 3 is used to control the operation of two different light functions, namely the first group 1 and the second group 2.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a particular embodiment of this electronic device.

[0054] First, the mode selection circuit 5 includes a first resistor group 51, a second resistor group 52 and a switch element 53. A control diode is interposed at the input of the mode selection circuit 5 so that the mode selection control signal received from the second output of the input protection circuit acts on the switch element 53. If no signal is received at the input of the mode selection circuit from the second output 47 of the input protection circuit, the output of the mode selection circuit 5 provides the driver element 3 with a first default value defined by the first resistor group 51. However, if this mode selection control signal is received from the output 47, the switch element terminates the supply of power to the second resistor group 52, and the output signal value is changed. Due to the impedance of the mode selection circuit when the second control signal is activated, the second input of the driver element receives a higher current value. Due to the characteristics of the driver element, the output of the driver element thus has a higher current value than when the second control signal is not activated. The particular embodiment shown in this figure receives only one control signal from the second output 47 of the input protection circuit. The received signal is called the mode selection signal. Since there is no possibility of receiving both power signals at the same time, it is sufficient to receive only one of them, and there are only two possible "valid" cases: activating the first light-emitting function or activating the second light-emitting function. Therefore, only two impedance settings are needed: an impedance setting for the first light-emitting function (which is realized when the second control signal, which in this case serves as the mode selection control signal, is not received) and an impedance setting for the second light-emitting function (which is realized when the mode selection control signal is received). This effect could also be achieved with an arrangement having two signals and two switches, but it would require more elements.

[0055] The first light group 1 includes a plurality of LEDs 11 and a switch 12. The switch 12 is connected to an input of a second control signal from a second output 47 of the input protection circuit, such that when the second control signal is received, the switch 12 opens the circuit and the first LED 11 does not receive current from the driver.

[0056] The second light group 2 includes a plurality of LEDs 21 and a switch 22. The switch 22 is connected to the input of a first control signal from the third output 49 of the input protection circuit, such that when the first control signal is received, the switch 22 opens the circuit and the second LED 21 does not receive current from the driver.

[0057] In this figure, the first LED group 1 and the second LED group 2 are arranged in parallel, however, in different embodiments of the invention, the LED groups can also be arranged in series.

[0058] Figure 4 shows an automobile rear light emitting device 10 including the electronic assembly of Figures 1-3 and an optical element configured to project light emitted by the light source. This is a tail light 10 and is installed in an automobile vehicle 100. As shown in Figures 1-3, the first light emitting function is a rear fog light and the second light emitting function is a reverse light.

Claims

1. An electronic assembly for an automotive light emitting device (10), comprising: A first light source group (1) intended to contribute to a first light emitting function; a second light source group (2) intended to perform a second light emitting function; a driver element (3) configured to control the operation of the first light source group (1) and the second light source group (2); a mode selection circuit (5) configured to receive a mode selection control signal and provide an output signal with a control value determined by said mode selection control signal, said mode selection control signal including at least one of a first control signal and a second control signal; Including, The driver element (3) a first input (31) configured to receive a power supply; a second input (32) configured to receive the output signal of the mode selection circuit; the outputs received by the first light source group (1) and the second light source group (2); so that the operation of the first light source group and the operation of the second light source group are controlled by the output of the driver element (3); The first light source group includes a switch (12) controlled by the first control signal, and the second light source group includes a switch (22) controlled by the second control signal. Electronic assemblies.

2. An input protection circuit (4), configured to receive a first power signal (F1) and a second power signal (F2); the input protection circuit (4) includes a first protection output (45) connected to the first input (31) of the driver element (3) so as to control the power received by the first input (31) of the driver element in response to the first power signal (F1) and the second power signal (F2); an input protection circuit (4) including a second protection output (47) receiving one of the first power signal and the second power signal and providing the mode selection signal; The electronic assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

3. 3. The electronic assembly of claim 2, wherein the input protection circuit includes a first circuit element (41) that receives the first power signal (F1) and a second circuit element (42) that receives the second power signal (F2), an output of the first circuit element and an output of the second circuit element being electrically connected to the first protection output of the input protection circuit.

4. The input protection circuit includes: a first diode (43) disposed at the output of the first circuit element, the first diode (43) being directly connected to the first protection output (45); a second diode (44) disposed at the output of the second circuit element, the second diode (44) being directly connected to the first protection output (45); a third circuit element (48) disposed between one of the first and second power signals and the second protection output (47), the third circuit element (48) including a third diode (46); The electronic assembly of claim 3 , comprising:

5. 5. The electronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection circuit (5) comprises a first resistor group (51), a second resistor group (52) and at least one switch element (53), and the mode selection control signal is configured to act on the switch element (53) to activate or deactivate the supply of power to the second resistor group, thereby changing an output signal value.

6. 5. The electronic assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first group of resistors (51) and said second group of resistors (52) includes a BIN resistor and a thermal resistor.

7. 7. The electronic assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein the mode selection control signal includes only the second control signal and the mode selection circuit includes only one switch element, such that an impedance of the mode selection circuit is the same when the first control signal is enabled and when the first control signal is not enabled.

8. 8. The electronic assembly of claim 7, wherein the impedance of the mode selection circuit when the second control signal is enabled causes the output of the driver element to have a current value that is greater than a current value when the second control signal is not enabled.

9. An electronic assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the driver is configured to provide a greater current value to the output when the current value received at the second input is greater.

10. An electronic assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the switch element (53) is a BJT or a MOSFET.

11. The electronic assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first group of light sources (1) and the second group of light sources (2) are arranged in parallel.

12. The electronic assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first group of light sources (1) and the second group of light sources (2) are arranged in series.

13. The electronic assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is a solid-state light source.

14. An electronic assembly comprising the electronic assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first light-emitting function is a rear fog lamp and the second light-emitting function is a reverse lamp; an optical element configured to project light emitted by the first bank of light sources and the second bank of light sources; A lighting device (10) for an automobile, comprising:

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