Rear combination lamp and control method thereof

Abstract

A rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment may comprise: a rear combination lamp including multiple LED modules each having multiple LED channels; a converter for converting a voltage supplied in response to a direction indication signal into an output voltage and an internal voltage, supplying the output voltage to the LED modules, and supplying the internal voltage to a control unit; and the control unit for performing control such that when the internal voltage is supplied to sequentially turn on the multiple LED channels of a first LED module, the multiple LED channels of a next LED module are sequentially turned on based on the lighting situation of the sequentially turned-on LED channels.

Description

Rear combination lamp and its control method

[0001] The embodiment relates to a rear combination lamp, and more specifically, to a rear combination lamp capable of sequential lighting control.

[0002] Typically, cars have rear combination lamps on both sides of the rear.

[0003] The rear combination lamp includes turn signal lamps, brake lamps, tail lamps, and reverse lamps, and is used as a means to inform drivers of other vehicles following behind of the vehicle's driving intention and driving status.

[0004] Recently, the rapid development of high-brightness LEDs (Light Emitted Diodes) has led to the development of rear combination lamps and headlamps incorporating LEDs. The adoption of LEDs as a light source has led to a diversification in rear combination lamp designs, and this diversification has also led to an increase in the number of LEDs incorporated into rear combination lamps.

[0005] Conventionally, rear combination lamps are sequentially lit using preset delay time counting. However, implementing sequential lighting requires presetting delay times for each IC for rear sequential lighting, which is inconvenient.

[0006] In addition, there is a problem that the cost increases with the additional configuration because a separate memory is required to store the program in which the delay time is programmed.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the purpose of the embodiment is to provide a rear combination lamp and a control method thereof for stably sequentially lighting the rear combination lamp without separate programming.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment may include a rear combination lamp including a plurality of LED modules having a plurality of LED channels; a converter that converts a voltage supplied in response to a turn signal into an output voltage and an internal voltage, supplies the output voltage to the LED module, and supplies the internal voltage to a control unit; and a control unit that controls the plurality of LED channels of a next LED module to be sequentially lit based on the lighting status of the sequentially lit LED channels when the plurality of LED channels of a first LED module are sequentially lit when the internal voltage is supplied.

[0009] The above control unit can monitor the lighting status of the LED channel based on the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channel.

[0010] The above control unit can replace the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channel with a voltage or current magnitude or a voltage / current pattern, and monitor the lighting status of the LED channel based on the replaced voltage or current magnitude or voltage / current pattern.

[0011] The above control unit can control the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module to be sequentially turned on when the duty ratio of the LED channel is different from the duty ratio of the previously turned on LED channel.

[0012] The above control unit can control the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module to be sequentially turned on when the voltage or current of the LED channel is different from the voltage or current or voltage / current pattern of the previously turned on LED channel.

[0013] The control unit may include a first interface mounted on the plurality of LED modules to monitor the lighting status of the sequentially lit LED channels; and a second interface mounted on the plurality of LED modules to determine the lighting order of the plurality of LED modules.

[0014] The above control unit can apply different voltages to the second interfaces mounted on each of the plurality of LED modules, and determine the lighting order of the plurality of LED modules according to the magnitude of the voltage.

[0015] In addition, in order to achieve the above purpose, a control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment may include a step of monitoring the lighting status of sequentially lit LED channels of an LED module; and a step of controlling the plurality of LED channels of a next LED module to be sequentially lit based on the lighting status of the sequentially lit LED channels.

[0016] The lighting status of the LED channel can be monitored based on the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channel.

[0017] The duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channel is replaced by a voltage or current magnitude or a voltage / current pattern, and the lighting status of the LED channel can be monitored based on the replaced voltage or current magnitude or voltage / current pattern.

[0018] If the duty ratio of the above LED channel is different from the duty ratio of the previously lit LED channel, the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module can be controlled to be sequentially lit.

[0019] If the voltage or current of the LED channel is different from the voltage or current or voltage / current pattern of the previously lit LED channel, the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module can be controlled to be sequentially lit.

[0020] The step of determining the lighting order of the plurality of LED modules may be further included.

[0021] Different voltages can be applied to the second interfaces mounted on each of the plurality of LED modules, and the lighting order of the plurality of LED modules can be determined based on the magnitude of the voltage.

[0022] The embodiment can stably and sequentially light the rear combination lamps without separate programming operation.

[0023] Additionally, the embodiment can simplify the overall configuration and reduce costs by eliminating the storage means required to store the program.

[0024] Fig. 1 is an example drawing of a turn signal lamp to which a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment is applied.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are circuit diagrams showing the configuration of a first interface of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation of the first interface of the rear combination lamp device according to the embodiment.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 8 is a timing diagram for explaining a detailed control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in their meanings and concepts consistent with the technical aspects of the present invention.

[0032] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, so there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0033] Fig. 1 is an example drawing of a turn signal lamp to which a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment is applied.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 1, the rear combination lamp (RCL) can be divided into a type that is located only on the vehicle body and a type that is distributed between the vehicle body and trunk, depending on the vehicle type.

[0035] The embodiment can be applied to a type in which rear combination lamps (RCL) are distributed across the body and trunk. In addition, the embodiment can also be applied to a rear combination lamp (RCL) in which LED modules (50, 52) are employed only on the body, i.e., in which a large number of LEDs are required and multiple LED modules are employed.

[0036] Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The LED module (50) may correspond to the inside (In-Side) corresponding to the trunk of the vehicle, and the LED module (52) may correspond to the outside (Out-Side) corresponding to the body of the vehicle.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the rear combination lamp device according to the embodiment may include a first module IC (M1) and a second module IC (M2).

[0039] A first module IC (M1) may include a first LED module (50), a first converter (10), and a first control unit (20). A second module IC (M2) may include a second LED module (52), a second converter (12), and a second control unit (22). The first LED module (50) and the second LED module (52) may form a rear combination lamp (RCL).

[0040] The first LED module (50) may have multiple LED channels. The first control unit (20) is shown as driving eight LED channels.

[0041] The vehicle control unit (2) can control the MCU (Micro Controller Unit) (32) to transmit the battery voltage (VB) to the first converter (10) in response to a turn signal (T / S) and to transmit the battery voltage (VB) to the first converter (10) in response to an emergency braking signal (ESS).

[0042] Between the vehicle control unit (30) and the first converter (10) and the first control unit (20), a battery voltage (VB) is transmitted through a first connector (60), and a path unit (40) is provided to transmit a DIMM signal (DIMA) from the first connector (60) to the first control unit (20).

[0043] The first converter (10) generates an output voltage (VOUT) and an internal voltage (VIN) using the supplied battery voltage (VB), supplies the output voltage (VOUT) to the first LED module (50) through the second connector (62), and supplies the internal voltage (VIN) to the first control unit (20). For example, a buck converter may be used as the first converter (10).

[0044] When the internal voltage (VIN) is supplied from the first converter (10) in the inactive state of the DIMM signal (DIMA), the lighting status of the first LED module (50) can be monitored, and the second LED module (52) can be sequentially turned on based on the lighting status of the first LED module (50).

[0045] The first control unit (20) may be configured to include switching elements (not shown) that form or block a current path between the feedback voltage terminals (FB1 to FB8) and the channel resistance terminals (RCH1 to RCH8) of the first to eighth channels (CH1 to CH8). These switching elements are sequentially turned on to form a current path between the feedback voltage terminals (FB1 to FB8) and the channel resistance terminals (RCH1 to RCH8), thereby sequentially lighting the first to eighth channels of the first LED module (50).

[0046] Here, VIN is an internal voltage for the operation of the first control unit (20), SEN is a sensing voltage used for level judgment and counting synchronization of the internal voltage (VIN), and GATE is a control signal for regulation of the output voltage (VOUT). GATE can be provided as a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the battery voltage (VB) is transmitted to the first converter (10) in response to the direction signal (T / S), the first converter (10) can supply the internal voltage (VIN) to the first control unit (20) and the output voltage (VOUT) to the first LED module (50).

[0048] The first control unit (20) receives the DIMM A signal (DIMA) and can selectively control the first to eighth channels to sequentially light up or blink simultaneously in response to the logic state of the DIMM A signal (DIMA). That is, the first control unit (20) can perform control by distinguishing between the turn signal (T / S) and the emergency braking signal (ESS) in response to the logic state of the DIMM A signal (DIMA).

[0049] When the DIMM signal (DIMA) is activated, the first control unit (20) turns on and off switching elements that form or block a current path between the feedback voltage terminals (FB1 to FB8) and the channel resistance terminals (RCH1 to RCH8), thereby controlling the first to eighth channels of the first LED module (50) to blink simultaneously.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the internal voltage (VIN) is supplied while the dim A signal (DIMA) is inactive, the rear combination lamp (RCL) is sequentially turned on, and when the dim A signal (DIMA) is activated, the rear combination lamp (RCL) with a turn signal function is switched to an emergency flashing lamp function and operated.

[0051] When the lighting of the first LED module (50) is completed, the second LED module (52) can be controlled to be lit by the second control unit (22).

[0052] The second converter (12) of the second module IC (M2) may operate in the same manner as the first converter (10) of the first module IC (M1).

[0053] Meanwhile, the first control unit of the rear combination lamp device according to the embodiment may include a first interface and a second interface. The first interface and the second interface may also be provided in the second control unit.

[0054] If there are three or more control units, the first interface and the second interface may each be equipped with a control unit.

[0055] The first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status between LED modules. The first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status of the LED channel of the first LED module (50). The first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status based on the duty ratio of the LED channel of the first LED module (50). The first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status based on the voltage or current or voltage / current pattern applied to the LED channel of the first LED module (50).

[0056] More specifically, the first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status based on whether the voltage applied to the LED channel is different.

[0057] In contrast, the first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status based on whether the current measured in the LED channel is different.

[0058] In contrast, the first interface (70) can monitor the lighting status based on whether the voltage or current pattern measured from the LED channel is different.

[0059] Below, we will explain the process of monitoring the lighting status based on the duty ratio of the LED channel.

[0060] The duty ratios of the LED channels except for the last LED channel may be the same. For example, the duty ratio of the last lit LED channel may be greater than the duty ratio of the previously lit LED channel.

[0061] The first interface (70) can determine that all LED channels of the first LED module (50) are lit based on the duty ratio of the last lit LED channel of the first LED module (50).

[0062] In contrast, the first interface (70) sets a reference duty ratio, and when the duty ratio of the LED channel deviates from the reference duty ratio, it can be determined that the last LED channel is turned on.

[0063] The first interface (72) provided in the second control unit (22) can monitor that the last LED channel of the first LED module (50) is turned on and control the second LED module (52) to be sequentially turned on.

[0064] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are circuit diagrams showing the configuration of a first interface of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first interface (72) may include a transistor (72-1) and a comparator (72-2). The transistor (72-1) may receive the lighting status of an LED channel in a waveform. The comparator (72-2) may be composed of a first comparator (72-21) and a second comparator (72-22) and may detect the lighting status of an LED channel.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation of the first interface of the rear combination lamp device according to the embodiment.

[0067] Referring to Fig. 5, when the LED channels of the first LED module are sequentially turned on, the first interface of the first LED module can check the lighting status of the LED channels. When the lighting status is checked based on the duty ratio of the last LED channel of the first LED module, the first interface of the second LED module can control the lighting of the LED channels of the second LED module.

[0068] Returning to FIG. 2, the second interface (80, 82) can determine the lighting order of the LED modules (50, 52). For example, the lighting order can be set so that the second LED module lights up after the lighting of the first LED module is completed.

[0069] To this end, the voltage applied to the second interface (80) mounted on the first control unit (20) and the voltage applied to the second interface (82) equipped on the second control unit (22) can be configured differently. For example, the voltage applied to the second interface (80) equipped on the first control unit (20) and the voltage applied to the second interface (82) equipped on the second control unit (22) can be set differently using a fixed resistor.

[0070] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 6, when the LED channels of the first LED module are sequentially turned on, the first interface of the first LED module and the first interface of the second LED module can monitor the lighting status of the LED channels (S1000).

[0072] The first interface of the second LED module can control the LED channels of the second LED module to be sequentially turned on when the LED channels of the first LED module are turned on based on the duty ratio of the LED channels (S2000).

[0073] Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0074] Referring to Fig. 7, when an internal voltage (VIN) is supplied to the rear combination lamp device (S100), a POK signal may be generated (S110). Subsequently, the status (VPGM) of the second interface may be checked (S120).

[0075] Next, it can be confirmed whether the input voltage input to the second interface is 0.5 V or less (S130). If the input voltage input to the second interface is 0.5 V or less, the counter value can be set to 0 (S140). From this, it can be known that the first LED module is the first to be lit.

[0076] On the other hand, if the input voltage input to the second interface exceeds 0.5 V, it can be confirmed from the state of the second interface whether 1 V to 2.5 V is input to the second interface (S150).

[0077] The LED module to be lit next can be determined based on the voltage input to the second interface (S160). On the other hand, if a voltage exceeding 2.5 V is input to the second interface from this state, the lighting order of the LED modules can be determined through the internal memory (S170).

[0078] When a DIMM A signal is received (S200), it can be checked whether the second interface of the first control unit is a high signal (S210). If the second interface is a high signal, the LED channels of the first module can be sequentially turned on. The first interface can monitor the lighting status (first state) of the LED channels (S220).

[0079] It can be confirmed whether the last LED channel is lit (S230). When the first interface enters the second state, it can be confirmed that the last LED channel of the first LED module is fully lit (S230). On the other hand, if the first interface is in the first state, the next LED channel can be lit after a certain period of time (S250, S260).

[0080] The second control unit can monitor the status of the first interface (S310). The second control unit can check the status of the first interface (S320).

[0081] The second control unit can compare the counter count of the second state with the counter value set by the second interface to determine whether they are the same (S330, S340).

[0082] If the counter count of the second state is equal to the counter value set by the second interface, the state of the first interface of the second control unit can be confirmed. The second control unit can confirm the first state in which the LED channel is turned on through the first interface (S350), and if the last LED channel is turned on, it can be confirmed whether the state of the first interface is the second state S (370).

[0083] In the same way, if there are more LED modules, such as a third LED module, a fourth LED module, etc., the LED modules can be sequentially lit in the order described above.

[0084] Fig. 8 is a timing diagram for explaining a detailed control method of a rear combination lamp device according to an embodiment.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 8, when an internal voltage (VIN) is supplied to the rear combination lamp device, the lighting order of the LED modules can be determined in the first period (T1). The lighting order of the LED modules can be determined through the second interface, and if the state of the second interface is outside a certain range, it can also be determined through the internal memory.

[0086] When the DIMA signal (DIMA) is input in the second section (T2), the LED channel starts to light up and the first interface can start monitoring.

[0087] In the third section (T3), the LED channels of the first LED module can perform sequential lighting.

[0088] In the fourth section (T4), the first interface state can be monitored to sequentially light the LED channel based on the state change point after the second state.

[0089] In the fifth section (T5), the LED channels of the second LED module can perform sequential lighting.

[0090] Although the above has been described with reference to drawings and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments can be variously modified and changed within a scope that does not depart from the technical idea of ​​the embodiments described in the following patent claims.

Claims

1. A rear combination lamp comprising a plurality of LED modules having a plurality of LED channels; A converter that converts the voltage supplied in response to a direction signal into an output voltage and an internal voltage, supplies the output voltage to the LED module, and supplies the internal voltage to the control unit; and A control unit that controls the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module to be sequentially lit based on the lighting status of the sequentially lit LED channels when the internal voltage is supplied and the plurality of LED channels of the first LED module are sequentially lit; A rear combination lamp device including:

2. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A rear combination lamp device that monitors the lighting status of the LED channel based on the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channel.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, A rear combination lamp device in which the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channels is replaced by a voltage or current magnitude or a voltage / current pattern, and the lighting status of the LED channels is monitored based on the replaced voltage or current magnitude or voltage / current pattern of the sequentially lit LED channels.

4. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, A rear combination lamp device that controls the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module to be sequentially lit when the duty ratio of the LED channel is different from the duty ratio of the previously lit LED channel.

5. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, A rear combination lamp device that controls the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module to be sequentially lit when the voltage or current of the LED channel is different from the voltage or current or voltage / current pattern of the previously lit LED channel.

6. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A first interface mounted on the plurality of LED modules to monitor the lighting status of the sequentially lit LED channels; and A rear combination lamp device comprising a second interface mounted on the plurality of LED modules and determining a lighting order of the plurality of LED modules.

7. In paragraph 6, The above control unit, A rear combination lamp device that applies different voltages to second interfaces respectively mounted on the plurality of LED modules and determines the lighting order of the plurality of LED modules according to the magnitude of the voltage.

8. A step for monitoring the lighting status of sequentially lit LED channels of the LED module; and A step of controlling the plurality of LED channels of the next LED module to be sequentially lit based on the lighting status of the sequentially lit LED channels; A method for controlling a rear combination lamp device including a .

9. In paragraph 8, A control method for a rear combination lamp device that monitors the lighting status of the LED channel based on the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channel.

10. In paragraph 9, A control method for a rear combination lamp device, wherein the duty ratio of the sequentially lit LED channels is replaced by a voltage or current magnitude or a voltage / current pattern, and the lighting status of the LED channels is monitored based on the replaced voltage or current magnitude or voltage / current pattern.

11. In paragraph 9, A control method for a rear combination lamp device that controls the plurality of LED channels of a next LED module to be sequentially lit when the duty ratio of the LED channel is different from the duty ratio of the previously lit LED channel.

12. In paragraph 10, A control method for a rear combination lamp device that controls the plurality of LED channels of a next LED module to be sequentially lit when the voltage or current of the LED channel is different from the voltage or current or voltage / current pattern of the previously lit LED channel.

13. In paragraph 6, A control method for a rear combination lamp device, further comprising a step of determining a lighting order of the plurality of LED modules.

14. In paragraph 13, A control method for a rear combination lamp device, which applies different voltages to second interfaces respectively mounted on a plurality of LED modules and determines the lighting order of the plurality of LED modules according to the magnitude of the voltages.

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