Automotive lighting devices

Abstract

The present invention refers to an automotive lighting device (10) comprising a main board (1) having a driver (2) and a main connector (3) connected to an edge portion (11) of the main board (1), the main connector (3) having at least four electrical inputs (31) and four electrical outputs (32), each electrical input (31) configured to receive power and control signals and electrically connected to an electrical track of the main board (1), and each electrical output (32) electrically connected to an electrical track of the main board (1). The device (10) further comprises secondary boards (4, 6) containing light sources (9) commanded by the driver (2). The device (10) further comprises secondary connectors (5, 7) connected to the edge portions of the corresponding secondary boards, each secondary connector having at least four inputs (51, 71) and four outputs (52), each input being connected by wire to one output (32, 52) of the preceding connector (3, 5).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive lighting devices, and more particularly to systems and devices for transmitting electrical signals between different parts. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Latest Technology A light module for a motor vehicle is a complex device involving multiple technologies in a very small space. It includes optical components, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), electronic circuits for driving the light sources, mechanical supports, and elements for dissipating humidity and heat. Assembling such a module is a complex task requiring a high degree of care and precision. This is especially the case regarding the electrical interconnection of the various electrical components and / or printed circuits involved in such a light module. For example, the control circuit for powering the light source must be connected via a connector to the printed circuit board containing the light source to be powered. Operators typically make these connections without direct visibility of the connectors and corresponding sockets—a task that must be performed blindly because other components are already assembled in the limited space in the module.

[0003] There are various ways to reduce the amount of wire harnesses present in these devices, but providing the same functionality with fewer cables is not easy because they are used to provide both power and control signals.

[0004] One example is when a printed circuit board contains the main driver and a different printed circuit board contains the light sources that are intended to be controlled by said driver. In this case, the driver printed circuit board must be connected to each of the printed circuit boards that contain one of the light sources, which requires either an increased pin count or the creation of splices in the harness.

[0005] Therefore, alternative solutions to this problem are being sought.

[0006] Object of the invention The invention provides a solution to this problem by providing an automotive lighting device, which comprises: - a main board comprising a driver and electrical tracks originating at and connecting an edge portion of the main board with the driver; - a main connector coupled to an edge portion of the main board, the main connector having at least four electrical inputs and four electrical outputs, each electrical input configured to receive a power supply and a control signal and electrically coupled to an electrical track on the main board, and each electrical output electrically coupled to an electrical track on the main board; - a first secondary board comprising at least one light source intended to be controlled by a driver on the main board and electrical tracks originating at an edge portion of the first secondary board and connecting the edge portion with the light source; - a first secondary connector coupled to an edge portion of the first secondary board, the first secondary connector having four inputs and four outputs, each input connected by a wire to one output of the main connector; - a second secondary board comprising at least one light source intended to be controlled by a driver of the main board and electrical tracks originating at an edge portion of the second secondary board and connecting the edge portion with the light source; - a second secondary connector coupled to an edge portion of the second secondary board, the second secondary connector including at least four inputs, each input connected by a wire to one output of the first secondary connector.

[0007] In such automotive lighting devices, multiple boards are used with multiple light sources, all connected to a driver by a daisy-chain assembly, with the connection between the driver and each light source being made via another board.

[0008] A substrate is an element that acts as a support for a circuit. A typical example of a substrate is a printed circuit board.

[0009] In some particular embodiments, - the second secondary connector further comprises at least four outputs; - the lighting device further comprises a third secondary board and a third secondary connector; - the third secondary board comprises at least one light source intended to be controlled by a driver on the main board and electrical tracks originating at and connecting an edge portion of the third secondary board with the light source; and - a third secondary connector is coupled to an edge portion of the third secondary board, the third secondary connector including at least four inputs, each input connected by a wire to one output of the second secondary connector.

[0010] This structure may be repeated multiple times as the invention supports the connection of successive boards with connectors having inputs and outputs, where the inputs come from the outputs of the preceding connector and the outputs (except for the last connector which does not have any outputs) are connected to the inputs of the subsequent connector.

[0011] In some particular embodiments, one of the electrical tracks is configured to provide information regarding the electrical connection between a corresponding connector and a corresponding edge portion.

[0012] This track is a connection position assurance track that provides information about the electrical connection between the connector and the edge portion. There are several ways to accomplish this action. Such connectors typically have contacts with a first length and shorter verification contacts that make positive electrical contact with corresponding terminals in the receptacle only when a certain depth of depression of the plug into the receptacle is achieved.

[0013] In some particular embodiments, the electrical tracks configured to provide information regarding the electrical connection between the corresponding connector and the corresponding edge portion are located in an electrical circuit separate and independent from the light source.

[0014] As a result, the connection position assurance issue and the light emission function issue are separated.

[0015] In some particular embodiments, the independent electrical circuit comprises a first branch connecting an electrical track configured to provide information regarding the electrical connection to the driver, and a second branch having a resistor connecting a node of the first branch to ground.

[0016] This is a very interesting problem because drivers receive information about connection location guarantees. Each driver may manage this information in their own appropriate way.

[0017] In some particular embodiments, the vehicle lighting device further comprises a heat sink, and the independent electrical circuit comprises a first branch connecting an electrical track configured to provide information regarding the electrical connection to the heat sink, and a second branch comprising a resistor connecting a node of the first branch to ground.

[0018] In this embodiment, the conductive part, the heat sink, carries information about the connection position assurance in its metal body, and measuring the impedance between this body and ground is sufficient to check whether the connector is properly connected.

[0019] In some specific embodiments, one of the electrical tracks is configured to provide diagnostic information regarding the status of the light source of the corresponding board.

[0020] The driver can use the diagnostic information in any way that suits him.

[0021] In some particular embodiments, the input and output of at least one of the connectors are located on opposite sides of the corresponding connector.

[0022] The connector is shaped like a parallelepiped. It has six faces, two of which are opposite each other. One first face is used to receive the edge of the board. There are therefore four faces that are substantially perpendicular to this first face. Due to the natural shape, two of these faces are larger than the other two. The input and output parts are located on these larger faces.

[0023] In some particular embodiments, at least one of the connectors comprises a first mechanical retention means and the corresponding substrate comprises a second mechanical retention means configured to cooperate with the first mechanical retention means to retain the connector.

[0024] In certain embodiments, these mechanical retention means are located on smaller faces that are perpendicular to the first face and receive connections from the edge of the substrate, these are side faces that usually contain the connections and have the mechanical retention means to avoid disconnections between the connections and the edge portion of the substrate.

[0025] In some particular embodiments, the first mechanical retention means and the second mechanical retention means comprise an arm-lobe pair, or a hook-latch pair, or a snap-fit connection.

[0026] In some specific embodiments, the secondary substrate light sources are configured to cooperate in providing various illumination or signaling functions.

[0027] This means that there are various lighting or signaling functions, and that the light sources of the boards cooperate in providing these lighting or signaling functions, either because each board is specialized in one of the lighting or signaling functions, or because there may be multiple boards specialized in one function and one or more other boards specialized in one or more functions.

[0028] In some specific embodiments, the light sources of at least two secondary substrates are configured to cooperate in providing the same illumination or signaling function.

[0029] In some specific embodiments, the connector is a card edge connector and the light source is a solid-state light source, such as a light emitting diode.

[0030] The term "solid-state" refers to light emitted by solid-state electroluminescence, which uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. Compared to incandescent lamps, solid-state lighting produces visible light with reduced heat generation and energy dissipation. The generally small mass of solid-state electronic lighting devices provides greater resistance to shock and vibration compared to fragile glass tubes / bulbs and thin filament wires. They also eliminate filament evaporation, potentially extending the life of the lighting device. Some examples of these types of lighting include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) as the illumination source, rather than electric filaments, plasmas, or gases.

[0031] In some particular embodiments, the automotive lighting device further comprises at least one optical element configured to receive light emitted by the light source and project it outside the lighting device.

[0032] As can be understood without further ado by those skilled in the art of automotive lighting, an optical element is an element having some optical properties for receiving a light beam and emitting it in a certain direction and / or shape. Reflectors, collimators, light guides, projection lenses, etc., or combinations thereof, are some examples of these optical elements that are useful for converting the light beam emitted by a light source into a light pattern acceptable for the selected function of the lighting device. All of these optical elements define a focal point, which is the point at which the light emitted by the light source is most effectively transmitted by the optical element.

[0033] In some particular embodiments, the main connector is powered at a voltage value of 5V or 12V.

[0034] These are typical values for automotive lighting devices.

[0035] In some particular embodiments, the wires are provided with a harness protection element.

[0036] In some particular embodiments, the light sources are light emitting diodes and the first substrate is configured to provide matrix beam functionality.

[0037] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein should be interpreted in accordance with the common practice in the art. Furthermore, commonly used terms, unless expressly defined herein, should also be interpreted in accordance with the common practice in the art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0038] In this regard, the term "comprises" and its derivatives (e.g., "comprises") should not be understood in an exclusive sense, i.e., these terms should not be understood as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve this problem and to provide a signaling device that can be easily adapted to different light source components, and to be able to cope with changes in availability and differences in regulations from country to country. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] Drawing List To complete the description and to provide a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as examples of how the invention can be carried out. The drawings include the following figures: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a connection assembly of an automotive lighting device according to the invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a particular feature of this connection: one of the lines is dedicated to connector position assurance. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a first example of this subcircuit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the connections of all sub-circuits according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 5] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the mechanical coupling between each connector 3 and the edge portion 11 of their respective printed circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In these figures, the following reference numbers are used: 1 Main PCB 2 Driver 3 Main Connector 4. First secondary PCB 5 First Secondary Connector 6 Secondary PCB 7 Secondary Connector 8 Heatsink 9 LED 10. Headlamp 11 Main PCB edge 12. Third Secondary PCB 13 Third Secondary Connector 14 Third secondary PCB edge section 15 Third secondary connector input 16 First holding means 17. Electric Truck 18 Second holding means 20 CPA Track 21 Branch 1 22 Second Branch 23 Resistance 27 Protrusion of electrical contacts to PCB 100 automobile vehicles

[0041] Text description of the illustration image022.gif. While the exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement 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 limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0042] Accordingly, while the embodiments are capable of being modified in various ways and of taking various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof 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 are to be covered. Where appropriate, elements of the exemplary embodiments will be consistently designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a connection assembly of an automotive lighting device according to the invention.

[0044] The main printed circuit board 1 contains electronic circuitry that begins at an edge portion 11 of the main printed circuit board 1 and connects this edge portion 11 with a driver 2, which is intended to manage the lighting and signaling functions of the light sources arranged in the light emitting device.

[0045] A main connector 3 is connected to an edge portion 11 of the main board 1. The main connector 3 supplies the main printed circuit board 1 with power and control signals coming from the vehicle's body control module.

[0046] The main connector 3 comprises five electrical inputs 31 and five electrical outputs 32. The electrical inputs 31 are arranged to transmit power and control signals to the main printed circuit board 1. To this end, they are electrically connected to electrical tracks on the main board 1 when the main connector 3 is plugged into the edge portion 11 of the main printed circuit board 1.

[0047] The electrical output 32 is also connected to electrical tracks on the opposite side of the main printed circuit board 1 .

[0048] There are also three secondary printed circuit boards 4, 6, 12. In different embodiments, there may be more secondary printed circuit boards as the invention is not limited to a particular number of them.

[0049] Each secondary printed circuit board 4, 6, 12 comprises an LED 9 and electrical tracks connecting an edge portion 41, 61, 14 of the corresponding secondary printed circuit board to the corresponding LED 9.

[0050] The LEDs 9 on each secondary printed circuit board 4 , 6 , 12 are intended to be controlled by the driver 2 on the main printed circuit board 1 .

[0051] This control is achieved through a daisy chain connection, as shown in Figure 1.

[0052] The main connector 3 is connected to an edge portion 11 of the main printed circuit board 1. Each electrical input 31 is configured to receive power and control signals from a body control module and is electrically connected to an electrical track on the main printed circuit board 1. After powering the circuits on the main printed circuit board 1, the opposite electrical track is connected to an electrical output 32 on the main connector 3.

[0053] The first secondary connector 5 is connected to an edge of the first secondary printed circuit board 4. The first secondary connector has five inputs 51, each connected by a wire to one output 32 of the main connector 3. After powering the circuits on the first secondary printed circuit board 4, the electrical tracks on the opposite side are connected to the electrical outputs 52 of the first secondary connector 5.

[0054] The second secondary connector 7 is connected to an edge of the second secondary printed circuit board 6. The second secondary connector 7 has five inputs 71, each of which is connected by a wire to one output 52 of the first secondary connector 5. After powering the circuits on the second secondary printed circuit board 6, the electrical tracks on the opposite side are connected to the electrical outputs 72 of the second secondary connector 7.

[0055] The third secondary connector 13 is connected to an edge portion of the third secondary printed circuit board 12. The third secondary connector 13 has five inputs 15, each of which is connected by a wire to one output 72 of the second secondary connector 7.

[0056] Therefore, control and power pass through all of the printed circuit boards in a daisy chain connection, rather than being carried on separate harnesses from the main printed circuit board. This type of connection eliminates the need for bulky connectors, as the overall control of three different printed circuit boards is provided by five inputs and five outputs.

[0057] In some cases where the distance between different printed circuit boards is long enough, the wires for a communication bus (eg, CAN) are twisted among themselves while the remaining wires remain straight.

[0058] Figure 2 illustrates a particular feature of this connection: one of the lines is dedicated to connector position assurance. This figure shows an electrical track 17 on the edge portion 11 of one of the printed circuit boards. As can be seen in this figure, each edge portion of the printed circuit board includes a connector position assurance track 20. This figure also shows the protrusions 27 of the connector's electrical contacts. The connector position assurance track 20 is shorter than the remaining tracks 17, so that it makes electrical contact with the corresponding electrical contact of the respective connector only if the remaining electrical tracks have made this electrical contact with their electrical contacts.

[0059] This connection between the connector position assurance track 20 and its corresponding electrical contact powers one subcircuit independent of that of the light source.

[0060] Figure 3 shows a first example of this subcircuit. The components of this subcircuit are not actively involved in the lighting function performed by the LEDs. The main function of this subcircuit is to electrically cooperate with the interface between the connector position assurance track 20 and its electrical contacts 28. The presence of current in this line of the circuit indicates a successful connection, indicating that all electrical tracks are successfully mated with their corresponding connections on the connector.

[0061] This subcircuit has a first branch 21 that includes an electrical contact 28 and a second branch 22 that includes a grounded resistor 23. When the circuit is closed (i.e., when the connector position assurance track is connected to the electrical contact 28), the first branch sees a resistance value.

[0062] Figure 4 shows the connections of all sub-circuits according to an embodiment of the invention, where the connector position assurance lines are connected in parallel and a single connection is given to the control output of driver 2 which can measure this equivalent resistance value.

[0063] Since each subcircuit has its own resistance value, the signal at the control output of the driver provides information about the connection status of all printed circuit boards: if all connectors are properly connected, the control output sees all resistors as parallel. However, if one of them is not connected, the control output will see a different value depending on which resistor is not connected to the circuit. Therefore, control of all printed circuit boards is done by a single control output at the driver.

[0064] Another embodiment is shown in Figure 5. In this case, the subcircuits are the same, but instead of being connected to the control outputs of the drivers, they are connected to a metallized part, the heat sink 8. The heat sink is therefore connected to ground and provides information about the equivalent resistance of the connector position assurance tracks. This equivalent impedance is measured in a simple process to check whether all connectors are properly connected to their corresponding printed circuit boards. The result provides the necessary information to know whether all connectors are connected and, if any, which connector is faulty.

[0065] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the mechanical coupling between each connector 3 and the edge portion 11 of their respective printed circuit board.

[0066] The connector 3 has a shape similar to a parallelepiped. It has six faces, two of which face each other. One first face is used to receive the edge 11 of the printed circuit board. There are therefore four faces substantially perpendicular to this first face. The input and output parts are located on these larger faces.

[0067] The mechanical retention means 16 are arranged on the lateral surfaces, which usually contain the connection portions and have the mechanical retention means 16 to prevent disconnection between the connection portions and the edge portions of the substrate.

[0068] In this case the mechanical retention means is in the form of a snap-fit connection with a groove 18 in the edge portion 11, but any other suitable way of achieving this purpose is within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. - a main board (1) comprising a driver (2) and electrical tracks originating at an edge portion (11) of said main board and connecting said edge portion (11) to said driver (2); a main connector (3) connected to the edge portion (11) of the main board (1), the main connector (3) comprising at least four electrical inputs (31) and four electrical outputs (32), each electrical input (31) configured to receive a power supply and a control signal and electrically connected to an electrical track of the main board (1), and each electrical output (32) electrically connected to an electrical track of the main board (1); a first secondary board (4) comprising at least one light source (9) intended to be commanded by the driver (2) of the main board (1) and an electric track originating in an edge portion (41) of the first secondary board (4) and connecting the edge portion (41) to the light source (9); - a first secondary connector (5) connected to the edge portion of the first secondary board, the first secondary connector (5) having at least four inputs (51) and four outputs (52), each input being connected by a wire to one output (32) of the main connector (3); a second secondary board (6) comprising at least one light source (9) intended to be commanded by the driver (2) of the main board (1) and electrical tracks originating in an edge portion (61) of the second secondary board (6) and connecting the edge portion (61) to the light source (9); - a second secondary connector (7) connected to the edge portion (61) of the second secondary board (6), the second secondary connector (7) having at least four inputs (71), each input (71) being connected by a wire to one output (52) of the first secondary connector (5); A lighting device (10) for an automobile comprising:

2. - said second secondary connector further comprises at least four outputs (72); - said lighting device further comprises a third secondary board (12) and a third secondary connector (13); - said third secondary board (12) comprises at least one light source (9) intended to be commanded by said driver of said main board and an electric track originating in an edge portion (14) of said third secondary board (12) and connecting said edge portion (14) to said light source (9); - said third secondary connector (13) is connected to said edge portion (14) of said third secondary board (12), said third secondary connector (13) having at least four inputs (15), each input being connected by a wire to one output (72) of said second secondary connector; The light emitting device for an automobile according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The automotive lighting device according to claim 1, wherein one of the electrical tracks is configured to provide information regarding the electrical connection between the corresponding connector and the corresponding edge portion.

4. 4. The automotive lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the electrical track configured to provide information regarding the electrical connection between the corresponding connector and the corresponding edge portion is disposed on an independent electrical circuit separate from the light source.

5. 5. The automotive lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the independent electrical circuit comprises a first branch (21) connecting the electric track configured to provide information about the electrical connection to the driver, and a second branch (22) having a resistor (23) connecting a node of the first branch (21) to ground.

6. 5. The automotive lighting device according to claim 4, further comprising a heat sink (8), wherein the independent electrical circuit comprises a first branch (21) connecting the electrical track configured to provide information about the electrical connection to the heat sink (8), and a second branch (22) having a resistor (23) connecting a node of the first branch to ground.

7. 7. The automotive light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein one of the electrical tracks is configured to provide diagnostic information about the status of the light source of the corresponding board.

8. 8. The automotive light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the input portion and the output portion of at least one of the connectors are arranged on opposite sides of the corresponding connector.

9. at least one of said connectors comprises first mechanical retention means (16) and said corresponding board comprises second mechanical retention means (17) adapted to cooperate with said first mechanical retention means for retaining said connector; - said first mechanical retention means (16) and said second mechanical retention means (18) comprise an arm-lobe pair or a hook-latch pair or a snap-fit connection; The light emitting device for an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 10. The automotive light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a card edge connector, and the light source is a solid-state light source such as a light emitting diode.

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