Auto light system for vehicle and operating method thereof

Abstract

An auto-light system for a vehicle and a method of operating the same are disclosed. An auto-light system for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a solar module configured to generate power using solar energy; a voltage sensor configured to detect the output voltage of the solar module; and a processor that determines whether the output voltage of the solar module detected through the voltage sensor is below a preset reference voltage, and if the output voltage of the solar module is below the preset reference voltage, illuminates a light source equipped in the vehicle.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auto-light system for a vehicle and a method of operating the same, and more specifically, to an auto-light system for a vehicle and a method of operating the same that can control a light source equipped in a vehicle according to the output voltage of a photovoltaic power generation system. Background Technology

[0003] Various electronic components that provide convenience features to drivers are being installed in vehicles. One such component is the auto-light system, which automatically turns the headlights and taillights on and off according to ambient light levels.

[0004] The auto-light system detects the vehicle's ambient light level through a light sensor located at the top of the crash pad. The light sensor may malfunction due to various factors, and if it does, the auto-light system may not operate properly.

[0005] The background technology of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2529736 (May 2, 2023). The problem to be solved

[0007] An object according to one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle auto-light system capable of controlling a light source equipped in a vehicle according to a voltage output from a photovoltaic power generation system, and a method of operating the same. means of solving the problem

[0009] An auto light system for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a solar module configured to generate power using solar energy; a voltage sensor configured to detect the output voltage of the solar module; and a processor that determines whether the output voltage of the solar module detected through the voltage sensor is below a preset reference voltage, and if the output voltage of the solar module is below the preset reference voltage, illuminates a light source provided in the vehicle.

[0010] In the present invention, the light source is characterized by including a head lamp and a tail lamp.

[0011] In the present invention, the processor is characterized by turning off the light source when the voltage of the solar module is not below the reference voltage.

[0012] In the present invention, the processor determines whether an abnormality has occurred in an illuminance sensor configured to detect ambient illuminance of the vehicle, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor, determines whether the output voltage of the solar module is below the reference voltage.

[0013] In the present invention, the processor predicts the output voltage of the solar module based on the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor, compares the predicted output voltage with the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor based on the comparison result.

[0014] In the present invention, the processor detects a voltage corresponding to the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor from pre-stored relationship information regarding voltage according to illuminance, and predicts the detected voltage as the output voltage of the solar module.

[0015] In the present invention, the processor is characterized by determining that an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor when the difference between the predicted output voltage and the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor is greater than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0016] A method of operating an auto light system for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a step in which a processor detects the output voltage of a solar module through a voltage sensor; a step in which the processor determines whether the output voltage of the solar module is below a preset reference voltage; and a step in which the processor illuminates a light source provided in a vehicle when the output voltage of the solar module is below the reference voltage. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, by controlling a light source equipped in a vehicle according to the output voltage of a photovoltaic power generation system, the auto-light function can be performed smoothly even when the vehicle does not have an illuminance sensor or when an illuminance sensor malfunctions.

[0019] Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an auto light system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a vehicle auto light system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation method of a vehicle auto light system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] Hereinafter, an auto-light system for a vehicle and a method of operation thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering their functions in the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intention or convention of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle auto light system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an example diagram showing a vehicle auto light system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle auto-light system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a solar module (110), a voltage sensor (120), a light source (130), a memory (140), and a processor (150). A vehicle auto-light system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include various additional components in addition to the components shown in FIG. 1, or may not include some of the components shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] A solar module (110) can be installed on a vehicle. The solar module (110) can convert light energy from sunlight into electrical energy and output it. The solar module (110) may include a solar panel (111) and a converter (112). The solar panel (111) can convert light energy from sunlight into electrical energy. The solar panel (111) can be installed in various locations on the vehicle, such as the roof, doors, rear, and trunk. The converter (112) can output power from the solar panel (111) to a battery. The converter (112) may be a boost converter. The converter (112) may be implemented through a DC / DC converter circuit.

[0027] The voltage sensor (120) can detect the output voltage of the solar module (110) and output the detected output voltage of the solar module (110) to the processor (150). The output voltage of the solar module (110) detected through the voltage sensor (120) can be used to control the light source (130).

[0028] The light source (130) can be turned on or off according to the control of the processor (150). For example, the light source (130) may include a head lamp (131) and a tail lamp (132).

[0029] At least one instruction to be executed by the processor (150) may be stored in the memory (140). The memory (140) may be implemented as a volatile storage medium and / or a non-volatile storage medium, for example, as a read-only memory (ROM) and / or random access memory (RAM).

[0030] Various information required during the operation of the processor (150) may be stored in the memory (140). Additionally, various information generated during the operation of the processor (150) may be stored in the memory (140).

[0031] The processor (150) can be operatively connected to the solar module (110), voltage sensor (120), light source (130), and memory (140). The processor (150) can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a System on Chip (SoC), and can control multiple hardware or software components connected to the processor (150) by running an operating system or application, and can perform various data processing and calculations. The processor (150) can be configured to execute at least one instruction stored in memory (140) and store the execution result data in memory (140).

[0032] The processor (150) determines whether the output voltage of the solar module (110) detected through the voltage sensor (120) is below a preset reference voltage, and if the output voltage of the solar module (110) is below the preset reference voltage, it can turn on the light source (130). The reference voltage is a threshold value for determining whether to turn on the light source (130), and can be calculated in advance through an experiment or simulation and stored in the memory (140). For example, the reference voltage may be a voltage sufficient to charge the battery. If the output voltage of the solar module (110) is below a predetermined value, the processor (150) determines that the surroundings of the vehicle are dark and can turn on the light source (130), such as the head lamp (131) and tail lamp (132).

[0033] In this embodiment, the light source (130) can be controlled based on the output voltage of the solar module (110) instead of the ambient light of the vehicle detected by the light sensor, and thus the auto-light function can be performed smoothly even if there is no light sensor or if there is a malfunction in the light sensor.

[0034] The processor (150) can turn off the light source (130) when the voltage of the solar module (110) is not below a reference voltage. The processor (150) can turn off the light source (130), such as the head lamp (131) and tail lamp (132), when the output voltage of the solar module (110) exceeds a predetermined value, by determining that the surroundings of the vehicle are bright.

[0035] The processor (150) determines whether there is a malfunction in the light sensor configured to detect the ambient light level of the vehicle, and if it is determined that there is a malfunction in the light sensor, it can determine whether the output voltage of the solar module (110) is below a reference voltage. In this embodiment, the light source (130) is controlled according to the output voltage of the solar module (110) when there is a malfunction in the light sensor, thereby enabling the auto-light function to be performed smoothly even when there is a malfunction in the light sensor. Of course, even if there is no malfunction in the light sensor, the light source (130) can be controlled according to the output voltage of the solar module (110).

[0036] The processor (150) can predict the output voltage of the solar module (110) based on the ambient light of the vehicle detected through the light sensor, compare the predicted output voltage with the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor (120), and determine whether there is an abnormality in the light sensor based on the comparison result. The processor (150) can check whether there is an abnormality in the light sensor by comparing the output voltage of the solar module (110) predicted based on the ambient light of the vehicle detected through the light sensor with the actual output voltage of the solar module (110). The processor (150) can also check for an abnormality in the light sensor using various known methods.

[0037] In the memory (140), relationship information regarding voltage according to illuminance may be stored in advance, and the processor (150) may detect a voltage corresponding to the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor from the relationship information stored in the memory (140), and predict the detected voltage as the output voltage of the solar module (110). The processor (150) may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor if the difference between the predicted output voltage and the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor (120) is greater than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation method of a vehicle auto light system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation method of a vehicle auto-light system will be examined focusing on the operation of the processor (150). Some of the processes described below may be performed in a different order than the order described below or omitted. Meanwhile, the detailed description of configurations that overlap with the above content will be omitted below, and the explanation will focus on the chronological configuration. The process of FIG. 3 may be performed repeatedly at a preset cycle.

[0041] First, the processor (150) can detect the output voltage of the solar module (110) through the voltage sensor (120) (S301).

[0042] Next, the processor (150) can determine whether the output voltage of the solar module (110) is below the reference voltage by comparing the output voltage of the solar module (110) with a preset reference voltage (S303). The reference voltage is a threshold value for determining whether the light source (130) is lit, and can be calculated in advance through an experiment or simulation and stored in memory (140).

[0043] When the output voltage of the solar module (110) is below the reference voltage, the processor (150) can turn on the light source (130) (S305). In step S305, the processor (150) determines that the surroundings of the vehicle are dark and can turn on the light source (130), such as the head lamp (131) and tail lamp (132).

[0044] On the other hand, if the output voltage of the solar module (110) is not below the reference voltage, the processor (150) may turn off the light source (130) (S307). In step S307, the processor (150) may turn off the light source (130), such as the headlamp (131) and taillamp (132), by determining that the surroundings of the vehicle are bright. Step S307 may be performed only when the solar module (110) is lit.

[0046] As described above, the vehicle auto-light system and the method of operation according to the embodiment of the present invention control a light source equipped in a vehicle according to the output voltage of a photovoltaic power generation system, thereby enabling the smooth performance of the auto-light function even when the vehicle does not have an illuminance sensor or when an illuminance sensor malfunctions.

[0047] The implementations described herein may be implemented, for example, as methods or processes, devices, software programs, data streams, or signals. Even if discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., devices or programs). Devices may be implemented in appropriate hardware, software, and firmware, etc. Methods may be implemented in devices such as processors, which generally refer to processing devices including, for example, computers, microprocessors, integrated circuits, or programmable logic devices. Processors also include communication devices such as computers, cell phones, portable / personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and other devices that facilitate the communication of information between end-users.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims below. Explanation of the symbols

[0050] 100: Vehicle Auto Light System 110: Solar module 111: Solar panel 112: Converter 120: Voltage sensor 130: Light source 131: Headlamp 132: Tail lamp 140: Memory 150: Processor

Claims

Claim 1 A solar module configured to generate power using sunlight; a voltage sensor configured to detect the output voltage of the solar module; The method includes a processor that determines whether the output voltage of the solar module detected through the voltage sensor is below a preset reference voltage, and if the output voltage of the solar module is below the preset reference voltage, illuminates a light source equipped in the vehicle. The processor determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor configured to detect the ambient illuminance of the vehicle, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor, determines whether the output voltage of the solar module is below the preset reference voltage. The processor predicts the output voltage of the solar module based on the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor, compares the predicted output voltage with the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor based on the comparison result. The processor detects a voltage corresponding to the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor from pre-stored relationship information regarding voltage according to illuminance, and predicts the detected voltage as the output voltage of the solar module. The processor determines whether the difference between the predicted output voltage and the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor is preset. A vehicle auto-light system that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the above-mentioned illuminance sensor when the value exceeds a reference value. Claim 2 In claim 1, the light source comprises a headlamp and a taillamp, an auto light system for a vehicle. Claim 3 In claim 1, the processor turns off the light source when the voltage of the solar module is not below the reference voltage, in a vehicle auto-light system. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A processor detects the output voltage of a solar module through a voltage sensor; the processor determines whether the output voltage of the solar module is below a preset reference voltage; The processor includes a step of illuminating a light source equipped in a vehicle when the output voltage of the solar module is below the reference voltage, and the processor further includes a step of determining whether an abnormality has occurred in an illuminance sensor configured to detect the ambient illuminance of the vehicle, and the processor performs a step of determining whether the output voltage of the solar module is below the reference voltage when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor, and in the step of determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor, the processor predicts the output voltage of the solar module based on the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor, compares the predicted output voltage with the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor based on the comparison result, and in the step of determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor, the processor detects a voltage corresponding to the ambient illuminance of the vehicle detected through the illuminance sensor from pre-stored relationship information regarding voltage according to illuminance, predicts the detected voltage as the output voltage of the solar module, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor A method of operating an auto light system for a vehicle, wherein, in the step of determining whether an event has occurred, the processor determines that an abnormality has occurred in the illuminance sensor if the difference between the predicted output voltage and the output voltage detected through the voltage sensor is greater than or equal to a preset threshold. Claim 9 In claim 8, the method of operation of an auto light system for a vehicle, wherein the light source comprises a headlamp and a taillamp. Claim 10 A method of operation for a vehicle auto-light system according to claim 8, wherein the processor further comprises the step of turning off the light source when the output voltage of the solar module is not below the reference voltage. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete

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