Lighting assembly for performing multiple lighting functions
The lighting assembly with dual drivers and switching units addresses the inflexibility of prior art by allowing simultaneous function activation and ensuring safety, optimizing power use and visibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VALEO VISION SA
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle lighting assemblies cannot simultaneously activate certain lighting functions, such as low beam and daytime running light, or low beam and high beam, due to limitations in the DC/DC driver architecture, restricting flexibility and safety.
A lighting assembly with two separate drivers and switching units, allowing parallel and series connections of lighting units, enabling flexible combinations of lighting functions and ensuring safety by maintaining critical functions even in failures.
Enables simultaneous activation of multiple lighting functions, improves safety by maintaining essential functions during failures, and optimizes power consumption and visibility.
Smart Images
Figure 2026123061000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lighting. In particular, but not limited thereto, it relates to a lighting assembly including a lighting module that can be attached to a headlamp such as a vehicle headlamp.
Summary of the Invention
[0002] It is advantageous when a plurality of lighting functions are performed by a single lighting assembly.
[0003] The Japanese Patent published under the number JP5396134B2 discloses a vehicle lighting assembly including a DC / DC driver connected to a plurality of series of LEDs arranged to perform each of the following lighting functions, as shown in FIG. 1 of this patent: high beam HB, low beam LB, and daytime running light DRL.
[0004] According to this architecture, the HB function, the LB function, and the DRL function are driven by a single output of the DC / DC driver. For this reason, it is not possible to turn on the LB function and the DRL function simultaneously, which is, however, useful when overtaking other vehicles. For the same reason, it is not possible to turn on the LB+HB function and the DRL function simultaneously.
[0005] Also, when performing the position lighting PL function, the DC / DC driver cannot drive the LB function and the PL function simultaneously. Also, it is not possible to drive the LB function+HB function and the PL function simultaneously.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need to enable a more flexible combination of lighting functions in the lighting assembly.
[0007] The present invention improves this situation.
[0008] For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention relates to a lighting assembly including: - power supply; - A first series of lighting units configured to perform a first lighting function; - A second series of lighting units configured to perform a second lighting function; - A third series of lighting units configured to perform a third lighting function.
[0009] The lighting assembly includes a first driver and a second driver. The power supply, the first driver, and the second driver are connected in parallel. The first driver is positioned to provide a first power output to a first and third series of lighting units connected in series, based on the input power generated by the power supply, and the second driver is positioned to provide a second power output to a second series of lighting units, based on the input power.
[0010] According to the invention, the <<lighting function>> includes both of the following: - Functions aimed at improving the lighting of scenes located in front of lighting assemblies, such as roads, to assist drivers of automobiles. These functions may be, for example, HB or LB; - Signaling functions aimed at improving the visibility of objects equipped with lighting assemblies, such as automobiles including headlamps with lighting assemblies. These functions may be, for example, daytime running lights (DRL) or light-emitting lamps (PL).
[0011] By using two separate drivers to control different lighting functions, the shortcomings identified in prior art are mitigated, which allows for more flexible combinations of lighting functions, for example, in a vehicle.
[0012] According to some embodiments, the first function is a low beam function, and the third function is a high beam function.
[0013] These are complementary lighting functions; the high beam function operates only in addition to the low beam function, while the low beam function can operate independently. Therefore, it is advantageous to use the same driver to control both functions, and this embodiment ensures a trade-off between flexibility in controlling the functions and cost reduction associated with the number of drivers.
[0014] To further clarify, the lighting assembly may further include a first switching unit connected in series with the first and third series of lighting units, and a second switching unit connected in parallel with the third series of lighting units.
[0015] This ensures that the first function is maintained even if the third series of the lighting unit is short-circuited to ground. In particular, if the first function is the low beam function, it is essential that the function remains operational even if the third series of the lighting unit fails. Therefore, the level of safety ensured by the lighting assembly is improved.
[0016] To elaborate, the first switching unit is located in a high-side or central position between the first series of lighting units and the third series of lighting units.
[0017] The "high-side position" means that the switching unit is positioned in series between the first driver and the first and third series of the lighting unit. This enhances safety associated with the lighting assembly, especially in the event of a short circuit between the first series of the lighting unit and the first driver.
[0018] According to some embodiments of the invention, the second function may be a daylight function.
[0019] Alternatively, the second function may be a position lighting function.
[0020] As a further alternative, the second series of lighting units is arranged to perform a turn indicator function.
[0021] As a further alternative, the second series of lighting units is arranged to perform a position function and a daytime function.
[0022] This alternative enables two functions to be performed using the same series of lighting units, which reduces the cost of the lighting assembly without affecting the number of functions performed.
[0023] Supplementally, the second driver is configured to change the second power output, the position function corresponds to the nighttime power output value, and the daytime function corresponds to a second daytime power output value different from the nighttime power output value.
[0024] This makes it possible to optimize the power consumption of the lighting assembly and to optimize the control of the multiple functions performed. For example, the nighttime power output value may be smaller than the daytime power output value, which makes it possible to avoid dazzling other drivers at night and to ensure that the vehicle can be visually recognized during the day, thus improving security.
[0025] According to some embodiments, the first series and the third series of lighting units are attached to the headlamp.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description detailed below and from the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a lighting assembly according to some embodiments of the invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the structure of the lighting assembly depicted in FIG. 1.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0027] Figure 1 shows a lighting assembly 100 according to several embodiments of the invention.
[0028] The lighting assembly 100 comprises a power supply 120, a first driver 110.1, and a second driver 110.2. The power supply 120 may be a voltage source or a current source according to the invention. In the following, for illustrative purposes only, an example of a voltage source will be considered primarily.
[0029] According to the first embodiment, the power supply 120 can be a DC voltage source, and the first and second drivers 110.1 and 110.2 are each DC / DC drivers. Alternatively, the power supply 120 may be an AC voltage source, and the first and second drivers 110.1 and 110.2 are AC / DC drivers.
[0030] The power supply 120 is configured to generate source inputs such as a power supply voltage Vs that are applied to the first driver 110.1 and the second driver 110.2, which are connected in parallel.
[0031] The first driver 110.1 is configured to provide a first power output, such as a first voltage V1, to at least a first series 130.1 of a lighting unit 140 that is connected in series and configured to perform a first lighting function based on the first voltage V1. Alternatively, the first power output may be a first current output.
[0032] The second driver 110.2 is configured to apply a second power output, such as a second voltage V2, to at least a second series 130.2 of the lighting unit 140. Alternatively, the second power output may be a second current output.
[0033] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first voltage V1 is applied to the first series 130.1 of the lighting unit and to the third series 130.3 of the lighting unit 140, which is configured to perform a third lighting function. There is no limit to the number of lighting functions powered by the first voltage V1 emitted by the first driver 110.1. The first series 130.1 and the third series 130.3 of the lighting unit are connected in series according to the invention.
[0034] The lighting unit 140 can be any technology that can emit light when power is applied to it. Below, for illustrative purposes only, we will consider an example of a diode such as an LED. Therefore, without deviating from the fact that the lighting unit can encompass other technologies besides LEDs, we will consider the following: <led>Use the expression ">" instead of <<lighting unit>>.
[0035] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first lighting function is the low beam (LB) function, and the third lighting function is the high beam (HB) function. The LB and HB functions are complementary because the HB function is additional to the LB function: this means that the HB function can only be operated while the LB function is on. However, the LB function can be turned on while the HB function is off.
[0036] There is no limit to the number of LEDs 140 for each function. In the example shown in Figure 1, the first and third functions are performed by series 130.1 and 130.2 of two LEDs 140, respectively. However, according to the invention, the first and third functions can be performed by any number n1 and n2 of lighting units 140, where n1 and n2 are integers of 1 or greater.
[0037] The lighting assembly may further include a first switching unit 150.1 and a second switching unit 150.2 to selectively activate / deactivate the first and third series 130.1 and 130.3 LEDs.
[0038] The first switching unit 150.1 is connected in series with the first and third series LEDs 130.1 and 130.3, and the second switching unit 150.2 is connected in parallel with the third series LED 130.3. The position of the first switching unit 150.1 is not restricted and can be as follows: - High-side position between the first series 130.1 and the first driver 110.1 of the LED; - The central position between the first series 130.1 LED and the third series 130.3 LED; - Low-side position between the 3rd series 130.3 LED and ground.
[0039] This architecture makes the following possible: - The first and third functions are controlled as complementary functions, wherein the third function can be operated in addition to the first function, and the first function can be operated without the third function; - Even if there is a failure in the third series 130.3, the first function can be kept active, which improves the safety of the lighting assembly 100. This is particularly advantageous when the first function is the low beam function, and the low beam function needs to be maintained even in the event of a failure.
[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the first switching unit 150.1 can be connected in the high-side position, which allows the circuit to be secured when the first series 130.1 is shorted to the first driver 110.1. This can also be achieved in the middle-size position.
[0041] As explained above, the high-side position means that the first switching unit 150.1 is located between the first driver 110.1 and the first series 130.1. For example, the first switching unit 150.2 may be located in the same physical block as the first driver, but away from other physical blocks such as the headlamp containing the first and third series of LEDs.
[0042] The truth tables for the switching units, and how they are used to activate / deactivate the lighting functions, are described below.
[0043] To activate only the LB function, the first switching unit 150.1 and the second switching unit 150.2 are closed, thereby applying the first voltage V1 to the first series 130.1.
[0044] To activate both the LB and HB functions, the first voltage V1 is applied to both the first series 130.1 and the second series 130.2 of the LEDs by opening the second switching unit 150.2.
[0045] To deactivate both the LB and HB functions, the switching unit 150.1 is opened as shown in Figure 1.
[0046] In the example shown in Figure 1, the second lighting function can be a Daytime Running Light (DRL) function. This is just an example; instead, the second lighting function could be a position lighting (PL) function, a turn indicator function, a fog lighting function, etc. According to another embodiment, both the DRL function and the PL function can be performed by a second series of LEDs. This makes it possible to perform multiple functions without adding any new components to the lighting assembly 100. The second driver 110.2 may change the second voltage V2 depending on the function being performed, such as DRL or PL. For example, the nighttime power output value may be used for PL while the daytime power output value is used for DRL. The nighttime power output value may be smaller than the daytime power output value, which makes it possible to avoid dazzling other drivers at night and ensure that the vehicle is visible during the day. This improves safety related to the lighting function and also optimizes the power consumption of the lighting assembly 100.
[0047] To alter the second power output provided by the second driver 110.2, the second driver 110.2 may be controlled externally. Solutions for controlling the driver are well known and will not be further described here.
[0048] In Figure 1, the second series 130.2 of LEDs contains four LEDs. However, the number of LEDs n3 in the second series 130.2 is not restricted and can be any integer greater than or equal to 1.
[0049] Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment, the second driver 110.2 can supply power to multiple series of LEDs. For example, a second power output, such as a second voltage V2, can supply power to multiple DRL functions connected in series, which can be selectively activated / deactivated by a switching unit.
[0050] In the embodiment described with reference to Figure 1, functions HB, LB, and DRL can be activated simultaneously, or functions LB and DRL can be activated simultaneously, which is advantageous during overtaking.
[0051] Alternatively, if the second function is a PL function in place of or in addition to the DRL function, then functions LB, HB and PL or functions LB and DRL can be operated simultaneously, which is advantageous during nighttime hours.
[0052] By using two separate drivers to control different functions, it allows for a more flexible combination of lighting functions in the lighting assembly, thus mitigating the shortcomings identified in the prior art. A first external control unit, not shown in the figure, can be used to control both switching units 150.1 and 150.2.
[0053] Another advantage of using separate drivers for different functions is that the functions are controlled independently.
[0054] There are no restrictions on the technology used for the switching unit; it can be an electronic switch such as a transistor (e.g., N-MOS, P-MOS, MOSFET, or IGBT). Alternatively, each switching unit can be a bipolar transistor, a power diode, or a mechanical switch.
[0055] Drivers 110.1 and 110.2 encompass any technology capable of converting input power into output power different from the input power. The input power and output power may differ depending on their type (DC or AC) and / or their values (two DC voltages / currents with different values). These drivers can be electronic circuits such as Single Ended Primary Inductor Converters, SEPICs, etc. However, there are no restrictions on the circuits used as drivers 110.1 and 110.2, and it can include other examples such as buck converters, boost converters, and / or buck-to-boost converters.
[0056] It should also be noted that the first technology may be used for the first driver 110.1, and a second technology different from the first technology may be used for the second driver 110.2.
[0057] There are no limitations on such a control unit; it could be a microprocessor configured to process command signals from the driver and, accordingly, control switching units 150.1 and 150.2.
[0058] Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the lighting assembly described in Figure 1 is shown. The lighting assembly comprises a voltage source 120, a drive block 110 including first drivers 110.1 and 110.2, and a headlamp 200.
[0059] The headlamp 200 may include at least a first series 130.1 and a third series 130.3 of LEDs. Complementarily, the headlamp 200 may also include a second series 130.2 of LEDs.
[0060] Returning to the first switching unit 150.1, it is preferably located inside the drive block 110, which improves the safety of the lighting assembly 100 in the event of a malfunction of the first series 130.1 of the LED 140.
[0061] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples; it extends to other alternatives.< / led>
Claims
1. Lighting assembly (100): - Power supply (120) and; - A first series (130.1) of lighting units (140) configured to perform a first lighting function; - A second series (130.2) of lighting units configured to perform a second lighting function; - A third series (130.3) of lighting units configured to perform a third lighting function; The lighting assembly comprises a first driver (110.1) and a second driver (110.2); The power supply, the first driver, and the second driver are connected in parallel; The first driver is positioned to apply a first power output to a first series and a third series of lighting units connected in series, based on the source power generated by the power supply; The second driver is positioned to apply a second power output to a second series of the lighting unit based on the source power. A lighting assembly (100) characterized by the above.
2. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first function is a low beam function and the third function is a high beam function.
3. The lighting assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first switching unit (150.1) connected in series with the first series and the third series (130.1; 130.3) of the lighting units, and a second switching unit (150.2) connected in parallel with the third series of the lighting units.
4. The lighting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first switching unit (150.1) is located in a high-side position.
5. The lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second function is a daylight function.
6. The lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second function is a position lighting function.
7. The lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second function is a turn indicator function.
8. The lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second series of light is arranged to perform a position function and a daylight function.
9. The lighting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second driver (110.2) is configured to change the second voltage, the position function corresponds to a nighttime power output value, and the daylight function corresponds to a daytime power output value different from the nighttime power output value.
10. The lighting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first series of lighting units and the third series of lighting units (130.1; 130.2; 130.3) are mounted in the headlamp (200) of the lighting assembly.