Working light and control of one or more working lights

Abstract

To provide a work light, a method for controlling one or a plurality of work lights, a computer program product, a device, a system, and a work vehicle, which achieve appropriate illumination suitable for work to be performed.SOLUTION: The working lights 110 to 115 are a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plurality of alternating rows of light emitting diodes, LEDs, having a first correlated color temperature, CCT, and LEDs having a second CCT; Wherein the first CCT is different from the second CCT. and a controller configured to receive one or more control signals for setting a brightness, a color temperature, and / or a light pattern of the working lights 110 to 115, and to control the brightness of the plurality of LEDs to set the brightness, the color temperature, and / or the light pattern of the working lights 110 to 115 according to the one or more control signals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The solution generally relates to a work light, a method for controlling one or more work lights, a computer program product, a device configured to control one or more work lights, a system comprising one or more work lights and said device, and a work vehicle comprising said device or said system. [Background technology]

[0002] Work lights are often used to illuminate work areas where workers, work machines, and / or work vehicles operate. Work lights may be mounted on work machines and / or work vehicles. Different work conditions place different demands on work lights to provide adequate lighting for the task being performed. Work vehicle operators seek improved ergonomics and efficiency when using work lights in various scenarios. Changing work conditions require flexibility, but also require stability from the work lights. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is indicated by the independent claims. Various embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. To the extent that there are embodiments and features described herein that are not within the scope of the independent claims, they should be construed as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0004] According to one aspect, a work light for illuminating an area around a work vehicle includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in alternating rows of LEDs having a first correlated color temperature (CCT) and LEDs having a second CCT, the first CCT being different from the second CCT; and a controller configured to receive one or more control signals to set a brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the work light, and to control the brightness of the plurality of LEDs to set the brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the work light in accordance with the one or more control signals.

[0005] The alternating rows may be parallel to one another.

[0006] The alternating rows may be adjacent to one another.

[0007] The alternating rows may be a single row.

[0008] The alternating rows may be linear rows.

[0009] The plurality of LEDs may be arranged in at least four alternating rows of LEDs having the first CCT and LEDs having the second CCT.

[0010] The controller may be configured to set the brightness of the LEDs in one of the plurality of alternating columns to a brightness level of a common column.

[0011] The LEDs in the string may be connected in series.

[0012] The controller may be configured to control the brightness of the plurality of LEDs such that the LEDs having the first CCT are set to a first brightness level and the LEDs having the second CCT are set to a second brightness level.

[0013] The LEDs having the first CCT may be connected in series and the LEDs having the second CCT may be connected in series.

[0014] The work light can include one or more transmissive optical elements facing the plurality of LEDs, the one or more transmissive optical elements comprising a plurality of optical structures including one or more first optical structures facing a first one or more of the plurality of LEDs, the one or more first optical structures configured to generate a first light pattern, and one or more second optical structures facing a second one or more of the plurality of LEDs, the one or more second optical structures configured to generate a second light pattern, the first light pattern being different from the second light pattern.

[0015] The controller may be configured to illuminate the first one or more of the plurality of LEDs in response to receiving one or more control signals including instructions to set the first light pattern, and the controller may be configured to illuminate the second one or more of the plurality of LEDs in response to receiving one or more control signals including instructions to set the second light pattern.

[0016] The first light pattern may be configured to extend a first distance from the work light, and the second light pattern may be configured to extend a second distance from the work light, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0017] The one or more first optical structures may be configured to face one or more of the LEDs having the first CCT and one or more of the LEDs having the second CCT, and the one or more second optical structures may be configured to face one or more of the LEDs having the first CCT and one or more of the LEDs having the second CCT.

[0018] For each optical structure of the plurality of optical structures configured to face at least one LED having the first CCT or the second CCT, the optical structure may be further configured to face at least one LED having the other of the first CCT and the second CCT, and / or the plurality of optical structures may comprise a further optical structure configured to face at least one LED having the other of the first CCT and the second CCT and configured to produce the same light pattern as the optical structure.

[0019] The plurality of optical structures may include, for each LED of the plurality of LEDs, an optical structure facing the LED, the optical structure configured to generate a light pattern that is different from another of the plurality of optical structures.

[0020] According to a second aspect, a method for controlling one or more of the work lights includes: calculating a light pattern target based on one or more of sensor data measured by one or more sensors configured to measure a work vehicle and / or an environment of the work vehicle, one or more predetermined lighting profiles, and / or one or more user inputs received via a user interface of the work vehicle, the light pattern target defining at least a brightness, a color temperature, and / or a light pattern of one or more work lights; converting the light pattern target into one or more control signals including instructions for setting the brightness, the color temperature, and / or the light pattern of the one or more work lights according to the calculated light pattern target; and outputting the one or more control signals to control the one or more work lights.

[0021] The method may include calculating the illumination pattern target based at least on position sensor data measured by one or more position sensors configured to measure a position of an implement of the work vehicle and / or a position of a cabin of the work vehicle.

[0022] The method may include calculating the lighting pattern target based at least on visibility sensor data measured by one or more visibility sensors configured to measure visibility around the work vehicle, detecting a low visibility condition based on the visibility sensor data, and setting a brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the lighting pattern target based on the detected low visibility condition.

[0023] The method may include calculating the lighting pattern target based at least on light sensor data measured by one or more light sensors configured to measure the luminance and / or color temperature of ambient light in the surroundings of the work vehicle, setting a color temperature of the lighting pattern target to correspond to the color temperature of the ambient light measured by the one or more light sensors, and / or setting a luminance of the lighting pattern target to counteract or correspond to the luminance of the ambient light measured by the one or more light sensors.

[0024] The one or more task lights may include a plurality of task lights, and the one or more control signals may include a group control signal including instructions to set a group brightness level, a group color temperature, and / or a group light pattern for at least two of the plurality of task lights.

[0025] The method may include setting, for the lighting pattern target, a first brightness level for a first one or more LEDs of the one or more work lights and a second brightness level for a second one or more LEDs of the one or more work lights, the first brightness level being different from the second brightness level, the first one or more LEDs configured to provide illumination to a first area around the work vehicle and the second one or more LEDs configured to provide illumination to a second area around the work vehicle.

[0026] The first luminance level or the second luminance level may be zero.

[0027] According to a third aspect, a computer program product comprises computer program code configured to, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform the method.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, an apparatus is configured to carry out the method for controlling one or more of the work lights.

[0029] The apparatus may include one or more processors and one or more memories containing computer program code configured to cause the apparatus, using the one or more processors, to perform the method.

[0030] According to a fifth aspect, a system comprises one or more of said work lights and said devices.

[0031] The system may include the one or more sensors.

[0032] According to a sixth aspect, a work vehicle includes the device or the system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system. [Figure 2] 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus. [Figure 3] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for controlling one or more task lights. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a work light. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an exemplary control signal frame for controlling one or more task lights. [Figure 6]1 illustrates an exemplary light beam emitted by one embodiment of the task light. [Figure 7] 10 shows a front view of another embodiment of the work light. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connections of LEDs. [Figure 9] 1 shows an exemplary PWM signal for controlling an LED. [Figure 10] Some examples of controlling work lights are given below. [Figure 11] A further example of controlling a work light is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The following description and drawings are illustrative and should not be construed as unnecessarily limiting. Specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described to avoid obscuring the description. In this specification, reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference to one embodiment may, but does not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment in the present disclosure. The present disclosure relates to work lights, methods for controlling one or more work lights, computer program products and devices configured to control one or more work lights, systems including one or more work lights and the devices, and work vehicles including the devices or the systems. Work lights are often used to illuminate a work area in which workers, work machines, and / or work vehicles operate. The work lights may be mounted on the work machine and / or work vehicle.

[0035] Some examples of work vehicles include: -Construction vehicles such as articulated trucks, asphalt track pavers, wheel loaders, bulldozers / track dozers, compactors / road rollers, excavators, mobile cranes, motor graders / scrapers, pile drivers, skid steer loaders, and telehandlers; -Mining vehicles such as articulated carriages, blast hole drills, bucket wheel excavators, drilling / continuous mining machines, draglines, dump trucks, highwall mining machines, hydraulic / rope shovels, load haul dumps (LHD), rocket boomers / drill jumbos, surface mining machines, and wheel loaders; - Forestry vehicles such as chippers, delimbers, feller bunchers, forwarders, harvesters, knuckle boom loaders, timber trucks, skidders, swing machines and track dozers; agricultural vehicles such as bean harvesters, beet harvesters, combine harvesters, pesticide applicators, forage harvesters, pea harvesters, potato harvesters, rapeseed windrowers, slurry spreaders and tractors, -Material handling vehicles such as forklift trucks, rubber-tyre gantry cranes (RTGs), reach stackers, straddle carriers, tow vehicles, telehandlers, and truck-mounted cranes Includes:

[0036] As work vehicles operate in different types of settings and with different lighting requirements, flexibility and versatility is also required in work lights.

[0037] Work machines are similar to work vehicles and are used for similar tasks. However, they may not be mobile. Nevertheless, the work lights, methods, apparatus, computer program products, and systems are also suitable for use with work machines, and therefore work vehicles may be substituted for work machines throughout this disclosure. Examples of work machines include the non-mobile versions of the work vehicles described above, as well as: -Construction machinery such as lighting masts and tower cranes, -Material handling machinery such as container cranes, shipyard cranes, and port / harbor cranes Includes:

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system. The system includes a device 106, preferably an electronic control unit (ECU) of a work vehicle. The system may further include a user interface (UI) 102 that can be operated by a user 150, and one or more sensors 104 configured to measure the work vehicle and its surroundings. The UI and / or the sensors may be integral parts of the work vehicle. The user is often the driver or operator of the work vehicle. The system further includes a plurality of work lights 110-115. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the work lights are divided into two groups 120, 122, although any grouping (or no grouping) is contemplated. The ECU is configured to control the work lights by transmitting control signals to the first and / or second groups of work lights, for example, via a bus. The ECU may be configured to receive input from the UI 102 and / or sensors 104 and / or to use pre-stored information when generating the control signals used to control the work lights.

[0039] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 200. The apparatus 106 of Figure 1 (e.g., the ECU) may be implemented as the apparatus 200 illustrated in Figure 2. The apparatus includes one or more processors 10, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The apparatus may further include a graphics processing unit (GPU) (not shown), for example, for processing image data and / or video data received from associated sensors. The apparatus 200 includes one or more memories, such as random-access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory.

[0040] The apparatus 200 includes communications circuitry 40 for communicating with other devices. The communications circuitry may include one or more network interfaces for communicating with other devices over one or more networks, including wired and / or wireless networks. These network interfaces may include a cellular network interface, an Internet of Things (IOT) network interface, a personal area network (PAN) interface, a bus network interface, and / or other suitable network interfaces. Preferred bus network interfaces include a controller area network (CAN) interface, preferably using the CAN J1939 or CANopen protocol, and / or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) interface, preferably LIN 2.2 (ISO / CD 17987).

[0041] The device may include one or more sensors 50 and / or may be coupled via its communication circuitry to one or more sensors 52. The sensors are preferably configured to measure the work vehicle, its driver / operator, and / or the interior and / or surroundings of the work vehicle. Exemplary sensors include: - Optical sensors such as cameras, proximity / distance sensors, such as time-of-flight (TOF) sensors, laser sensors, and / or ultrasonic sensors; -position sensors, -Infrared (IR) sensor, -movement sensors, -Ultrasonic sensors Includes:

[0042] The sensor 104 of FIG. 1 may be implemented as the sensors 50 and / or 52 shown in FIG.

[0043] The device may include a UI 60 and / or may be coupled via its communications circuitry to a UI 62. The UI may include various input and / or output devices, such as one or more of a display, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a keyboard, a lever, a button, a speaker, a microphone, and / or a tactile output device. The UI may be configured to receive user input from a user, such as user 150 of FIG. 1, via the input device. UI 102 of FIG. 1 may be implemented as UI 60 and / or UI 62 shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] As described above, the device may be implemented as an ECU of a work vehicle, preferably an ECU of the work vehicle that controls its work lights and receives data and user input from its sensors and UI. The device may be remote from the UI, the sensors, and / or the one or more work lights. For example, the device may be located in a data center and be able to remotely control the one or more work lights.

[0045] The device 200 is configured to perform the method of Figure 3 or any of its embodiments. The memory 20 of said device comprises computer program code 22 which, when executed by the processor 10 of said device, causes said device to perform said method or any of its embodiments. The computer program code 22 can be stored on a (non-transitory) computer-readable medium 30 in the form of a computer program product.

[0046] The method of Figure 3 includes calculating 300 a lighting pattern target. The device 200 (see Figure 2) may calculate the lighting pattern target based on sensor data measured by sensors 50, 52, one or more predefined (and / or calculated) lighting profiles stored, for example, in memory 20 of the device, and / or one or more user inputs received via UIs 60, 62.

[0047] Lighting profiles may be stored, for example, in database 24 in memory 20. Lighting profiles may define the brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the task lights. The device may define lighting profiles in a similar manner to light pattern targets.

[0048] User inputs can be received via the UI 60, 62 of the device 200. The user inputs can indicate which sensor data and / or which lighting profile, if any, should be used by the device in the calculations. Based on one or more user inputs received by the device 200, the device can include sensor data and / or lighting profiles selected by the user and / or exclude sensor data and / or lighting profiles excluded by the user from the calculations.

[0049] The light pattern target may define a desired light pattern or profile to be produced by the work light controlled by the device. The light pattern target may be defined by the device in terms of brightness, color temperature, and light pattern of the work light under control. The brightness may be defined as the overall brightness of the work light, as the brightness of each individual work light, and / or as the brightness of each individual LED of a work light. The color temperature may be defined as the overall color temperature of the work light and / or as the color temperature of each individual work light. The light pattern may be defined as the overall light pattern of the work light and / or as the light pattern of each individual work light.

[0050] The method of FIG. 3 further includes converting 302 the calculated light pattern target (e.g., a calculated or stored lighting profile) into one or more control signals. The control signals include instructions for the work lights to set their brightness, the color temperature, and the light pattern according to the calculated light pattern target. Exemplary control signals generated by apparatus 200 (see FIG. 2) are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5, where the apparatus converts the light pattern target into instructions for the work lights under its control. Identifying different work lights using IDs and controlling multiple work lights with a single control signal using a group ID are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. The IDs and mappings for each work light can be stored in memory 20 (see FIG. 2) of apparatus 200. Further information about the work lights, such as their position in space and / or their mounting position on the work vehicle, or characteristics of the individual LEDs and / or optical structures of the work lights, can be stored in the memory. The apparatus can use the further information when calculating the light pattern target and / or converting the target into one or more control signals for the work lights.

[0051] The method of FIG. 3 further includes outputting 304 the control signal. Referring again to FIG. 2, the device 200 may output the control signal, for example, by writing the control signal to the device's memory 20 or an external computer-readable medium 30 coupled to the device. Alternatively or additionally, the outputting may include transmitting the control signal, for example, via one or more of the network interfaces of the communication circuitry 40. For example, the device 100 of FIG. 1 may transmit the control signal to the work lights 110-115 via the device's bus network interface. The work lights 110-115 receive the control signal via the bus and control their LEDs accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, the outputting may include outputting the control signal via the UI 102 of the device 100 of FIG. 1 or the UIs 60, 62 of the device 200 of FIG. 2.

[0052] One embodiment of a task light that can be controlled with the above method, apparatus, system and / or computer program product will now be described with reference to Figure 4. For completeness, it is noted that the method, apparatus, system and / or computer program product is also suitable for controlling other types of task lights.

[0053] 4 shows a front view of one embodiment of a work light 400. The work light includes a frame 402, shown from the front, a mounting support 404, and a mounting handle 406. The work light 404 may be attached to a work vehicle or machine using fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts) through mounting holes 408 in the mounting handle. Other methods of mounting or attaching the work light to a work vehicle or machine are also suitable.

[0054] The task light includes a plurality of LEDs 410-423. The LEDs may be mounted on a circuit board (not shown). The LEDs include LEDs of two different correlated color temperatures (CCTs): a first plurality of LEDs 410-412, 417-420 having a first CCT, and a second plurality of LEDs 413-416, 421-423 having a second CCT. The second CCT is different from the first CCT. Although the first CCT is considered to be higher than the second CCT herein, alternatively, the second CCT and the first CCT may be reversed.

[0055] The first CCT may be in the range of 5000 K to 6000 K, and is preferably 5500 K or 5700 K. The LEDs having the first CCT can emit cool white light and are sometimes called cool LEDs.

[0056] The second CCT may be in the range of 3000 K to 4000 K, and is preferably 3500 K or 3000 K. LEDs with the second CCT can emit warm white or red light and are sometimes called warm LEDs or red LEDs.

[0057] The LEDs are arranged in multiple rows, with first LEDs 410-412 forming a first row, second LEDs 413-416 forming a second row below the first row, third LEDs 417-420 forming a third row below the second row, and fourth LEDs 421-423 forming a fourth row below the third row. The LEDs 410-412, 417-420 in the first and third rows have the first CCT, and the LEDs 413-416, 421-423 in the second and fourth rows have the second CCT. Thus, the LEDs are arranged in alternating rows with respect to their CCTs.

[0058] The technical effect of the alternating rows is to increase the stability of the resulting light pattern, in particular its shadows. This is most evident when the output of the work light is adjusted and / or when objects close to the work light are brightly lit by the work light and cast hard shadows. By mixing LEDs of different colors in an alternating row, changes in the light pattern and shadows are reduced when the relative intensities of the LEDs of different colors are adjusted, compared to solutions in which the LEDs of different colors are separated from each other.

[0059] For completeness, it should be noted that if the work light is rotated, for example 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, the LEDs will appear to form alternating columns rather than rows, however the arrangement of the LEDs in alternating rows relative to each other is maintained regardless of the orientation of the work light.

[0060] Although the figure shows the LEDs in a linear array, staggered arrays are also acceptable. For example, a hypothetical staggered array of the task light of Figure 4 rotated 90 degrees could be formed by, for example, LEDs 410, 414, 418, 421, or 422.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, there are two columns of LEDs each having the first CCT and the second CCT. The first column is horizontally offset (along the length of the columns) from the second and third columns such that the midpoint of a first LED 410-412 is preferably halfway between the midpoint of the LEDs in the second column and the midpoint of the LEDs in the third column. The same is true for the fourth column, as shown.

[0062] In the task light 400 of Figure 4, there are seven LEDs having the first and second CCTs. Another embodiment having five LEDs having the first CCT and five LEDs having the second CCT is described with reference to Figure 7. In such a four-string configuration, an odd number of LEDs in each CCT allows for compact offset positioning of the shorter string (one less LED) relative to the longer string. The number of LEDs may vary and is not limited to the numbers mentioned herein.

[0063] The work light 400 further includes a controller for controlling the LEDs. The controller may be implemented with one or more processors and one or more memories, as shown in FIG. 2. The one or more processors and the one or more memories may be coupled to the circuit board on which the LEDs are mounted. The work light may further include a communications circuit 40 and / or one or more network interfaces, such as those described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, for receiving control signals from the device. Preferred interfaces are CAN J1939 or CANopen, or LIN 2.2 (ISO / CD 17987) bus network interfaces.

[0064] Each LED can be controlled individually and / or independently of the other LEDs by the controller. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may be configured to set some or all of the LEDs having the first CCT to the same (first) brightness level relative to each other and / or to set some or all of the LEDs having the second CCT to the same (second) brightness level relative to each other. The first brightness level of the LEDs having the first CCT may be the same or different from the second brightness level of the LEDs having the second CCT.

[0065] The device and work light may communicate via master-slave communication, with the device being the master. The controller of the work light is configured to receive control signals from the device, for example, via the aforementioned CAN J1939 / CANopen or LIN 2.2 (ISO / CD 17987) bus. An exemplary control signal frame 500 generated by the device used to control the work light is shown in FIG. 5. The frame includes an identifier (ID) 502 that identifies the work light for which the frame or control signal is intended. Upon receiving the frame, the controller may compare the ID 502 with one or more IDs assigned to the work light, e.g., stored in the work light's memory. If the IDs match, the controller may proceed with controlling the work light; if not, the controller may stop and wait for further control signals.

[0066] As described above, an ID may be stored in the memory of the work light. One or more IDs may be associated with a single work light. Each work light controlled by an ECU may have a lamp ID that is unique among lamps controlled by the ECU. Additionally or alternatively, a work light may have one or more group IDs. Multiple work lights may share the same group ID. The ECU may control work lights with the same group ID using a single control signal frame, the ID corresponding to the group ID. The ECU may set or reset the group ID of one or more work lights by outputting a control signal to set the group ID of the work light.

[0067] The control signal frame 500 further includes data 504, 506 for controlling the LEDs of the work light. For example, a first byte may represent brightness or intensity, and a second byte may represent CCT. The data may specify an overall brightness and / or color temperature value for the work light, i.e., the brightness and / or color temperature value that the work light should achieve by operating its LEDs together. Alternatively or additionally, the data may specify brightness values ​​for one or more (or all) of the LEDs of the controlled work light. A combination of the relative brightness values ​​of the individual LEDs of a work light may define a light pattern for the work light, and a combination of the light patterns of multiple work lights may define an overall light pattern for the multiple work lights.

[0068] The controller receives the control signals, such as frame 500 shown in Figure 5, and controls the LEDs of the work light accordingly. The controller can convert the control signals into electrical signals for setting the brightness of each LED, and therefore the color temperature and light pattern of the work light.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a task light 400 emitting exemplary light beams 601 and 602. The LEDs emitting the light beams are surrounded by the front of a frame 402 and controlled by hardware and software on a PCB 610. In the illustrated example, a first beam 601 is emitted by a first set of LEDs corresponding to LEDs 410-416 shown in FIG. 4. A second beam 602 is emitted by a second set of LEDs corresponding to LEDs 417-423 shown in FIG. 4. A first light pattern is formed by only the first beam 601, and the LEDs contributing to the second beam are deactivated by one or more control signals. A second light pattern is formed by only the second beam 602, and the LEDs contributing to the first beam are deactivated by one or more control signals. A third light pattern is formed by a combination of both beams 601 and 602. Additional light patterns can be formed by combining the first and second light patterns of different relative intensities. Furthermore, the CCT of each beam can be adjusted by setting the relative brightness of the LEDs having the first CCT and the LEDs having the second CCT within each beam.

[0070] Referring again to FIG. 4 , the work light 400 may include optical elements or lenses 430, 432 in front of the LEDs. While two optical elements are shown, any number, including one, is suitable, and the exact placement of the optical elements may depend on the structure of the frame 402. The optical elements allow for the transmission of light from the LEDs to the exterior of the work light and may include optical structures 434 configured to affect the light emitted by the LEDs through the optical elements. Each optical element generates a light pattern that contributes to the overall light pattern of the work light when the LED it faces is illuminated.

[0071] The optical structures face the LEDs. Although only one optical structure 434 is explicitly shown, preferably there is an optical structure facing all of the LEDs in the work light. The optical element can include an individual optical structure for each of the LEDs in the work light. Each individual optical structure may face a single LED, similar to how optical structure 434 faces LED 413. Alternatively, one or more of the optical structures may face multiple LEDs.

[0072] The work light preferably includes different types of optical structures, i.e., optical structures that generate different light patterns for the same type of LED. Defined terms for the types of preferred optical structures for these light patterns are flood light pattern, wide flood light pattern, high beam light pattern, left hand traffic (LHT) light pattern, right hand traffic (RHT) light pattern, low beam light pattern, low beam light pattern for LHT, low beam light pattern for RHT, pencil beam light pattern, spot light pattern, diffused light pattern, and / or glare-free light pattern. A single optical structure can implement one or more (above) light patterns. These light patterns and optical structures for implementing them are generally known in the art, and therefore further details regarding their characteristics will be omitted. Glare-free light patterns can be implemented using cutoff optics configured to create a cutoff in areas of the light pattern where illumination may cause glare.

[0073] Preferably, the work light comprises an optical structure configured to generate light patterns that extend at different distances from the work light, such as a high beam light pattern and a low beam light pattern.

[0074] One optical structure, or multiple optical structures generating the same light pattern, preferably faces at least one LED having the first CCT and at least one LED having the second CCT. This allows the color temperature to be adjusted by changing the relative intensity of the different color LEDs without changing the shape of the light pattern. Preferably, the same number of LEDs having the first CCT and LEDs having the second CCT face one optical structure, or multiple optical structures generating the same light pattern. This further balances the color temperature adjustment and intensity of the resulting beam. These configurations are preferably applied for each type of optical structure facing the LEDs (i.e., optical structures generating a specific light pattern). This ensures that LEDs of both colors face all types of optical structures, preferably in equal numbers.

[0075] Alternatively, the optical element may comprise a unique optical structure for each LED, in which case each LED can produce a different light pattern than the other LEDs. In one intermediate alternative, each pair of LEDs, including one LED with the first CCT and one LED with the second CCT, faces a unique optical structure that is different from the other optical structures.

[0076] The controller may be configured to illuminate the LEDs facing one or more optical structures in response to a control signal including instructions for generating the light pattern generated or contributed by one or more optical structures. In response to receiving one or more control signals including instructions for setting a first light pattern, the controller may switch from one light pattern to another, for example, by illuminating a first one or more of the LEDs facing one or more optical structures configured to generate the first light pattern. Upon receiving a further control signal for setting a second, different light pattern generated by a second one or more optical structures facing a second one or more LEDs, the controller may illuminate the second LED and optionally extinguish or dim the first LED. The first LED may be left on by the controller to achieve a composite light pattern as a combination of the first light pattern and the second light pattern.

[0077] A mapping of LEDs and their respective optical structures may be stored in the memory of the work light and / or in the memory of the device used to control the work light, which may use the mapping when calculating the light pattern target and / or when translating the target into instructions for the work light to ensure that the effect of the optical structures is taken into account.

[0078] Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a work light 700. Work light 700 can have the same features as the work light of Figure 4, such as frame 702 and optical elements 730, 732, but differs in the number and configuration of the LEDs. Some or all of the features of work light 700 and its control shown and described herein with reference to Figures 7-9 may be applied to the work light of Figure 4.

[0079] The task light 700 includes a plurality of LEDs, LEDs 1-10, mounted on a circuit board or PCB. A first plurality of LEDs, LEDs 1-5, have a first CCT, and a second plurality of LEDs, LEDs 6-10, have a second CCT. The second CCT is different from the first CCT. Although the first CCT is considered higher than the second CCT herein, alternatively, the second CCT and the first CCT may be reversed. Similar CCTs may apply as described in connection with FIG. 4. Accordingly, the first plurality of LEDs may be considered cool LEDs, and the second plurality of LEDs may be considered warm LEDs.

[0080] The first LEDs, LED8 and LED7, form a first row, the second LEDs, LED4, LED5 and LED1, form a second row below the first row, the third LEDs, LED9, LED10 and LED6, form a third row below the second row, and the fourth LEDs, LED3 and LED2, form a fourth row below the third row.

[0081] The alternating rows of LEDs of the first and second CCTs provide stability of the light pattern as explained in connection with FIG.

[0082] 8 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connections of the LEDs in the work light of FIG. 7. The cool color LEDs, LEDs 1 to 5, are connected in series, and the warm color LEDs, LEDs 6 to 10, are connected in series. The LEDs in each column are also connected in series. That is, the first LEDs, LEDs 8 and 7, are connected in series, the second LEDs, LEDs 4, 5, and 1, are connected in series, the third LEDs, LEDs 9, 10, and 6, are connected in series, and the fourth LEDs, LEDs 3 and 2, are connected in series. The cool color LEDs and the warm color LEDs are connected in parallel.

[0083] The task light's controller controls the warm LEDs together and the cool LEDs together. The controller sets the LEDs in a particular string to a common string brightness level, which is further facilitated by the series connection within the string. The controller also sets the warm LEDs to a common brightness level and the cool LEDs to a common brightness level, which is also facilitated by the series connection of the warm LEDs and the series connection of the cool LEDs. However, these brightness levels may be different from each other, thereby allowing the controller to control the warm LEDs independently of the cool LEDs. Each LED may be thermally coupled to a ground conductor 802, 804, which acts as a heat sink.

[0084] Each string of serially connected LEDs reduces the complexity of the electrical connections on the circuit board on which the LEDs are mounted. Because the LEDs in a string are adjacent to each other, shorter connections can be made between them. This maintains the compact size of the circuit board and, therefore, the compact size of the work light. Thus, by having LEDs of different CCTs in alternating strings with series connections in one or more strings, preferably within each string, it is possible to provide a compact work light with a stable light pattern.

[0085] In an exemplary control scheme based on the schematic diagram of FIG. 8 , the controller controls a direct current (DC) signal 806 connected to both the cool LEDs LEDs 1-5 and the warm LEDs LEDs 6-10 to control the overall brightness of the task light. By decreasing the current of signal 806, the task light can be dimmed by the controller. The controller further includes a first transistor arrangement coupled to signal 808, i.e., in series with the cool LEDs LEDs 1-5, and a second transistor arrangement coupled to signal 810, i.e., in series with the warm LEDs LEDs 6-10. These transistor arrangements are configured to perform pulse width modulation (PWM) on the LEDs. The first transistor arrangement is configured to control the cool LEDs LEDs 1-5 via PWM, and the second transistor arrangement is configured to control the warm LEDs LEDs 6-10 via PWM. Thus, the ratio of the duty cycles of the PWM performed on the cool LEDs and the PWN performed on the warm LEDs may determine the overall color temperature of the task light, and the controller may control this ratio based on the control signal received from the device for setting the color temperature.

[0086] Preferably, the duty cycles of the PWM for the cool LED and the PWM for the warm LED are matched so that during a PWM cycle, when either the cool LED or the warm LED is on, the other of the cool LED and the warm LED is off, and when either the cool LED or the warm LED is off, the other of the cool LED and the warm LED is on. Their duty cycles sum to 100% so that the cool LED and the warm LED are not simultaneously on and off relative to each other. Figure 9 shows exemplary PWM signals 900, 902 for controlling the LEDs via PWM in this manner. For example, a first PWM signal 900 may be for controlling the cool LED and thus corresponds to signal 808 in Figure 8 . The second PWM signal may be for controlling the warm LED and thus corresponds to signal 810 in Figure 8 .

[0087] Matching the duty cycles provides stable power usage and consistent overall brightness of the task light throughout the PWM cycle, especially if the cool and warm LEDs have the same or similar luminous intensity characteristics. This also allows for simplified control of overall brightness via DC signal 806. At a minimum, to avoid spikes in power usage, it is preferred that during a duty cycle the warm LEDs be off when the cool LEDs are on, and the cool LEDs be off when the warm LEDs are on.

[0088] As an alternative to the connections shown in Figure 8, one or more of the LEDs may have individual electrical connections to the controller of the work light to allow control of the LEDs independently of other LEDs.

[0089] Various examples of controlling the task lights will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In some examples, the light pattern target is defined as a differential light pattern target, i.e., as a difference to the current or previous illumination produced by the task light. The examples can be combined such that a device or system can perform one or more of the examples.

[0090] In a first example, the system includes one or more sensors 1000 configured to detect a person 1002 in the surroundings of a work vehicle 1004. The sensor may include, for example, a camera or an IR sensor. The device may be configured to process the sensor data measured by the sensor using image processing techniques to detect the location or position of the person in the surroundings of the work vehicle. The device may then calculate the lighting pattern target as a differential lighting pattern that is set so that the location / location of the person has a minimum threshold lighting produced by one or more work lights 1006 and / or so that the lighting at the location / location of the person is increased from a current lighting level produced by one or more work lights 1006.

[0091] In a second example, the system includes one or more position sensors configured to measure the position of one or more parts of a work vehicle 1004. For example, the position sensors may measure the position of an implement of the work vehicle, such as a bucket 1008 or a boom, and / or the position of a cabin 1010 of the work vehicle. The device may then calculate the light pattern target based on the position sensor data measured by the one or more position sensors. The light pattern target may be set to provide illumination to one or more areas at a predetermined position relative to the position measured by the position sensor. The predetermined position may correspond to the measured position or may be at a predetermined offset from the measured position. The predetermined position and / or predetermined offset may be stored in a memory 20 of the device, for example, in a database 24 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0092] The position of the cabin 1010 often determines the line of sight of an operator within the cabin. Seats within a work vehicle cabin are often fixed relative to the cabin. The position of the cabin can be measured by one or more position sensors, for example, by reading a value indicating the cabin position from the memory of the device. The obtained cabin position data can be used by the device to calculate the lighting pattern target. For example, the lighting pattern target can be determined to dim or turn off work lights whose beam light areas are not visible from the cabin. The lighting pattern target can be determined to turn on and / or at a higher intensity work lights whose beam light areas are visible from the cabin.

[0093] The position measured by the position sensor can include, for example, the proximity of the implement to the cabin of the work vehicle. This can be measured, for example, by a proximity sensor to obtain proximity data. The device can calculate the light pattern target based on the proximity data. For example, a short distance (proximity) between the implement and the cabin can correspond to a lower brightness or intensity of the light pattern target, at least in the direction of the implement. In this case, less light is needed to clearly see the implement, glare from light reflected by the implement is reduced, and power savings are realized. A longer distance between the implement and the cabin can correspond to a higher brightness or intensity of the light pattern target, at least in the direction of the implement.

[0094] The device can use the sensor data to determine the work mode of the work machine. Referring now to FIG. 11 , a work machine, such as a forestry harvester 1100, can operate in multiple work modes when trees are processed into logs and transported to another location. These work modes include, for example, cutting, delimbing, loading, driving, and unloading. The memory of the device can store predetermined lighting profiles for the work modes. The device can detect the work mode in response to, for example, user input via its UI 60, 62 or sensor data from sensors 50, 52 (see FIG. 2 ). This can trigger the device to calculate a lighting pattern target based on one of these predetermined lighting profiles associated with the work mode. For example, sensor data indicating operation of a chainsaw, delimbing knife, or feed roller of a harvester head 1102 of the harvester 1100, or sensor data indicating movement of the harvester 1100, can be used by the device to detect the work mode of the harvester 1100. For example, a predetermined position of the harvester head 1102 and rotation of the feed roller indicate delimbing. As another example, motion sensor data indicating the harvester is moving can correspond to dimming the work lights of the light pattern target, and motion sensor data indicating the harvester is stopped or stationary can correspond to increasing or increasing the brightness of the light pattern target. As another example, in loading and / or unloading modes, dimming of work lights whose beams are aimed at the light-colored ends of logs is desired to avoid glare, and the light pattern target can be calculated by the device accordingly. As a further example, cutting and limbing operations are performed in close proximity to the harvester, and a light pattern target with higher intensity near the harvester and reduced intensity elsewhere can be calculated by the device. In this case, different brightness in these different areas allows for reduced glare while maintaining sufficient levels of illumination.

[0095] The optical structures of the work lights can be utilized to generate the different light patterns associated with different work modes. For example, treetop lighting can be provided, e.g., for the cutting mode, by activating LEDs facing optical structures configured to generate high beam and / or spot light patterns. These LEDs may be deactivated in some other modes of operation. Alternatively, other LEDs facing different optical structures can be activated to generate different light patterns, such as for general illumination around the harvester. The switching may be triggered by sensor data, as described above, or by user input from the operator of the harvester via a UI.

[0096] Forwarders are often used in conjunction with harvesters, particularly for transporting logs from one location to another. Work lights configured to illuminate stacked logs, typically the lighter ends of the logs, can cause glare due to reflections from the lighter ends of the logs toward the forwarder operator. For example, one or more light sensors mounted on the forwarder may be configured to detect this glare or reflection. Based on light sensor data measured by the light sensors, the device can calculate a lighting pattern target, under whose control the ends of the logs receive a lower level of illumination from the work lights. On work lights, this switching can correspond to, for example, deactivating or dimming LEDs configured to generate a high-beam light pattern and / or activating LEDs configured to generate a low-beam light pattern. As described above, different optical structures of the work lights can be used to generate such light patterns by specifically activating and / or deactivating LEDs facing the optical structures. Thus, by reducing or eliminating the brightness in the area of ​​the end of the log and, if desired, for example using low beam lighting elsewhere, glare is avoided while maintaining a sufficient level of illumination.

[0097] In another example, a light sensor configured to detect glare can be used to detect visibility conditions. Light emitted by the work light and reflected by airborne particles such as steam, snow, and fog, and / or dust such as sawdust, indicates the visibility of the surroundings of the work vehicle. As an alternative to a light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor can be used for the same purpose, but may be less resistant to the effects of accumulated particles such as dust or dirt. The device can receive visibility sensor data from one or more such sensors and detect a low visibility condition based on the sensor data. The device can set the brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the lighting pattern target according to the low visibility condition. Preferably, when the target is defined as a differential target, the brightness is reduced and / or the color temperature is reduced, thereby improving visibility and reducing glare. The target can preferably set the color temperature to 2800K to 6000K, preferably 3000K to 5400K, more preferably 3300K to 4500K, and ideally 31000K. These temperatures showed increasingly better visibility in dusty conditions in experiments carried out with task lights with adjustable color temperature.

[0098] In another example, a drilling machine in a tunnel is equipped with a light sensor configured to detect glare, as in the example above. When a low visibility condition is detected, work lights above or around the drilling machine are controlled to direct light upward. For example, referring now to FIG. 6, an upper beam 601 of one or more work lights may be activated. Alternatively or additionally, a drill rotation sensor and / or drill position sensor may generate drill rotation data and / or drill position data received by the device controlling the work lights. The device may control the work lights based on the drill position data in the direction of the drilling, e.g., to provide illumination to the area where the drill bit of the drill contacts the tunnel wall. The device may control the brightness of the work lights based on the drill rotation data, e.g., such that the brightness is dimmed or increased during drilling indicated by the drill rotation.

[0099] Another example relates to cooperation between a combine and a tractor. Typically, the tractor travels next to the combine. However, before harvesting and threshing, the tractor often travels behind the combine. The combine can be equipped with a camera and a work light configured to illuminate the camera's field of view behind the combine. However, the work light can cause glare to the tractor driver. The camera and / or another sensor, such as a proximity sensor, is configured to detect the tractor behind the combine. The device receives sensor data from the camera / sensor and calculates a light pattern target, which dims or turns off the light from the combine toward the tractor. The device sends the appropriate control signal to the work light, thereby avoiding glare to the tractor. In this example, the device receiving the sensor data and calculating the light pattern target may preferably be the ECU of the combine or the ECU of the tractor.

[0100] In another example, light sensor data from one or more light sensors may be used by the device to match the output of work lights to or counteract ambient lighting conditions. The light sensors may be configured to measure the brightness and / or color temperature of ambient light around the work vehicle. The device may calculate the lighting pattern target to match the brightness and / or color temperature of the ambient light (within limits set by characteristics of the work lights) to ensure proper circadian rhythm maintenance by the operator of the work vehicle. Alternatively, the device may calculate the lighting pattern target to counteract the brightness and / or color temperature of the ambient light to promote wakefulness, for example, in the evening or at night.

[0101] A predetermined lighting profile may define one or more prioritized colors and / or one or more distracting colors. The prioritized colors may be those that are more important for the operator to see in the context of the task being performed. A distracting color may correspond, for example, to the color of dust commonly present in the environment or the color of another distracting color. These colors may be different for different industries or different tasks. For example, in agriculture, prioritized colors may be the colors of crops and / or animals such as cows. Multiple profiles, for example, for different tasks, may be stored in the memory of the device, and a profile may be selected by user input, for example, via a UI. The device may use the predetermined lighting profile to set the color temperature of the lighting pattern target to increase the visibility of the one or more prioritized colors and / or decrease the visibility of the one or more distracting colors.

[0102] A predetermined lighting profile can be associated with, for example, a user profile stored in the memory of the device. A user or operator of a work vehicle can store user-specific technical requirements for the lighting generated by the work lights in the user profile and / or the predetermined lighting profile. For example, an older user may require a higher lighting intensity than a younger user. The device can store this as a technical requirement, for example, in the form of a brightness factor and / or a minimum brightness threshold in the user profile and / or the predetermined lighting profile associated with the user's user profile. Additionally or alternatively, a particular color temperature and / or light pattern can be associated with the user profile.

[0103] As described above, a predetermined lighting profile can correspond to a work mode, a user, an industry, and / or a task. Additionally or alternatively, the profile can correspond to a time of day. The device can combine multiple predetermined lighting profiles to calculate the lighting pattern target. These predetermined lighting profiles can include one or more of a predetermined work mode lighting profile, a predetermined user lighting profile, a predetermined time lighting profile, and / or a predetermined industrial lighting profile. For example, the device can combine a predetermined work mode lighting profile (e.g., unloading logs), a predetermined user lighting profile, a predetermined industrial lighting profile (e.g., forestry), a predetermined time lighting profile (e.g., nighttime), and a predetermined user lighting profile (e.g., having dimming and warm lighting requirements). The device can combine these lighting profiles to achieve a lighting pattern target that takes into account all the requirements of the different profiles.

[0104] Referring again to FIG. 1 , multiple work lights may be controlled by the device using a group control signal. The above description provides an example of a group control signal in which an ECU identifies the work lights to be controlled by a group ID. A work light can belong to zero, one, or multiple groups. Control using a group control signal allows two or more work lights to be controlled to set the same group brightness level, group color temperature, and / or group light pattern for the work lights. For example, two work lights configured to illuminate the same area may be assigned to a single group and controlled together.

[0105] Where appropriate, different functions described herein may be performed in different orders and / or concurrently with others. Furthermore, where appropriate, one or more of the above-described functions and embodiments may be present or combined as desired.

[0106] Various aspects of the embodiments are set out in the dependent claims, but other aspects include other combinations of features from the described embodiments and / or dependent claims with features of the independent claims, not just the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0107] It should also be noted that while the above describes exemplary embodiments, these descriptions should not be construed in a limiting sense. Rather, several variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. a light emitting diode (LED) having a first correlated color temperature (CCT), and - LED with second CCT a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plurality of alternating rows, wherein the first CCT is different from the second CCT; - receiving one or more control signals for setting the brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the task lights; - controlling the brightness of the LEDs to set the brightness, the color temperature and / or the light pattern of the work light according to the one or more control signals; With a controller configured as A work light for illuminating the area around a work vehicle.

2. the controller is configured to set the brightness of the LEDs in one column of the plurality of alternating columns to a brightness level of a common column; and optionally 10. The work light of claim 1, wherein the LEDs in the string are connected in series.

3. the controller is configured to control the brightness of the plurality of LEDs such that the LEDs having the first CCT are set to a first brightness level and the LEDs having the second CCT are set to a second brightness level; and optionally 3. The work light of claim 1 or 2, wherein the LEDs having the first CCT are connected in series and the LEDs having the second CCT are connected in series.

4. The work light includes one or more transmissive optical elements facing the plurality of LEDs, and the one or more transmissive optical elements include: one or more first optical structures facing a first one or more of the plurality of LEDs, the one or more first optical structures configured to generate a first light pattern; one or more second optical structures facing a second one or more of the plurality of LEDs, the second optical structures configured to generate a second light pattern, the first light pattern being different from the second light pattern; and a plurality of optical structures, the controller is configured to illuminate the first one or more of the plurality of LEDs in response to receiving one or more control signals including instructions to set the first light pattern; 4. The work light of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to illuminate the second one or more of the plurality of LEDs in response to receiving one or more control signals including instructions to set the second light pattern.

5. 5. The work light of claim 4, wherein the first light pattern is configured to extend a first distance from the work light and the second light pattern is configured to extend a second distance from the work light, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

6. 6. The work light of claim 4 or 5, wherein the one or more first optical structures are configured to face one or more of the LEDs having the first CCT and one or more of the LEDs having the second CCT, and the one or more second optical structures are configured to face one or more of the LEDs having the first CCT and one or more of the LEDs having the second CCT.

7. For each optical structure of the plurality of optical structures configured to face at least one LED having the first CCT or the second CCT, the optical structure is further configured to face at least one LED having the other of the first CCT and the second CCT; and / or 7. The work light of claim 6, wherein the plurality of optical structures comprises a further optical structure configured to face at least one LED having the other of the first CCT and the second CCT and configured to produce the same light pattern as the optical structure.

8. 6. The work light of claim 4, wherein the plurality of optical structures comprises, for each LED of the plurality of LEDs, an optical structure facing the LED, the optical structure being configured to produce a light pattern that is different from another one of the plurality of optical structures.

9. A method for controlling one or more work lights according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: - sensor data measured by one or more sensors configured to measure the work vehicle and / or the surroundings of said work vehicle; - one or more predetermined lighting profiles, and / or - one or more user inputs received via a user interface of the work vehicle; calculating an illumination pattern target based on one or more of: the light pattern target defining at least the brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the one or more task lights; converting the light pattern target into one or more control signals including instructions for setting the brightness, the color temperature, and / or the light pattern of the one or more task lights according to the calculated light pattern target; outputting the one or more control signals to control the one or more work lights; A method comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising calculating the illumination pattern target based at least on position sensor data measured by one or more position sensors configured to measure a position of an implement of the work vehicle and / or a position of a cabin of the work vehicle.

11. calculating the illumination pattern target based at least on visibility sensor data measured by one or more visibility sensors configured to measure visibility of the surroundings of the work vehicle; detecting a low visibility condition based on the visibility sensor data; setting the brightness, color temperature, and / or light pattern of the illumination pattern target based on the detected low visibility condition; 11. The method of claim 9 or claim 10, comprising:

12. calculating the illumination pattern target based at least on light sensor data measured by one or more light sensors configured to measure luminance and / or color temperature of ambient light in the surroundings of the work vehicle; setting the color temperature of the illumination pattern target to correspond to the color temperature of the ambient light measured by the one or more light sensors; and / or setting a brightness of the illumination pattern target to counteract or correspond to the brightness of the ambient light measured by the one or more light sensors. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising:

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the one or more task lights comprise a plurality of task lights according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the one or more control signals comprise a group control signal comprising instructions to set a group brightness level, a group color temperature, and / or a group light pattern for at least two of the plurality of work lights.

14. setting, for the lighting pattern target, a first brightness level for a first one or more LEDs of the one or more work lights and a second brightness level for a second one or more LEDs of the one or more work lights, the first brightness level being different from the second brightness level, the first one or more LEDs being configured to provide illumination to a first area around the work vehicle and the second one or more LEDs being configured to provide illumination to a second area around the work vehicle. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first luminance level or the second luminance level is 0.

16. A computer program product comprising computer program code configured, when executed by one or more processors, to cause an apparatus to carry out the method of any one of claims 9 to 15.

17. Apparatus configured to carry out the method of any one of claims 9 to 15 for controlling one or more task lights of any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A system comprising one or more work lights according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and the device according to claim 17.

19. A work vehicle comprising the device according to claim 17 or the system according to claim 18.

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