Description:Technical Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention is generally related to a lamp actuation system in a vehicle. Particularly, the present invention is related to a tail lamp and head actuation system of the vehicle, and detection of failure of the lamp.
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Background
[0002] Vehicles have multiple lamp systems. The lamps can be external as well as internal. External lamps are used to help the user of the vehicle to increase safety by illuminating the path in front of the vehicle, and indicate to other vehicles behind the vehicle. These are essential safety features. There are also internal lamps in a 10 vehicle. These lamps generally indicate to the driver of the vehicle regarding the status of various systems of the vehicle. Conventionally, a vehicle will have various analogue dials indicating the speed of the vehicle, the revolutions per minute (rpm) of the engine of the vehicle, the temperature of the cooling fluid for the engine, and the fuel level in the vehicle. Modern vehicles are more dependent on electronic 15 control systems, that are more suited to inform the driver of the vehicle regarding the status of more critical systems in the vehicle than previously possible. In recent times, these statuses have been displayed using dedicated Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps on a more conventional instrument cluster.
[0003] Two wheeled vehicles have a significant disadvantage when compared to 20 four wheeled vehicles. Modern four wheeled vehicles often have large display screens in addition to conventional instrument clusters and status indicator LEDs. Two wheeled vehicles have limited space and electrical capacity in terms of indication systems on or near the instrument cluster. Some modern two wheeled vehicles have instrument clusters that consist entirely of a digital screen that can be 25 used to display more than the basic required information. However, most two wheeled vehicles have a conventional instrument cluster, which may be analogue or digital, which are generally configured to display the important information like speed, rpm and fuel level to the driver of the vehicle. Indicating the status of the lamps in the vehicle to the driver is crucial as the lamps are essential safety features 30
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of the vehicle. In either kind of instrument cluster as described above, it is a necessity to have an indication system that will indicate to the driver when one or more of the lamps on the vehicle fail. A failure in a front lamp is easily detectable by the driver of the vehicle. However, a failure in a rear lamp of the vehicle is not easily detectable by the driver because the driver is facing forwards when driving 5 the vehicle. [0004] Detecting a fault in an electrical system using either analogue or digital systems is well known in the field of electrical engineering and digital communication. However, the challenge arises in the implementation of such a fault detection and display system in a vehicle. The electrical systems in a vehicle are 10 configured in the form of a wiring harness. The design and construction of a wiring harness for a vehicle is as crucial to the vehicle as the frame of the vehicle. Vehicles are also generally limited on how much electrical power can be drawn by the central electrical systems through the wiring harness. Drawing too much power will generally drain the battery of a vehicle, which results, in less range and efficiency 15 in the case of electric vehicles, and the inability to start the vehicle in the case of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Conventionally, vehicles have had such fault detection systems as described above within or near the instrument cluster of the vehicle itself. This is done since most of the electrical and electronic components of the vehicle are near the instrument cluster, whether in a conventional 20 four wheeled vehicle or a conventional two wheeled vehicle. This arrangement however gives rise to the problem of addressing the detection of faults in the electronic systems that are located at the rear of the vehicle, viz., the rear tail lamps, parking sensors, and cameras. The rear lamps are the most critical of the systems, since it is an essential safety feature of the vehicle. If traditional fault detection 25 systems are to be implemented, it would require extra wires that would have to run from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle multiple times, and would not serve any other purpose, thus increasing the complexity, cost, and manufacturing and assembly time of the wiring harness of the vehicle.
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[0005] Therefore, there is a requirement for a lamp actuation system which solves the above-mentioned technical challenges in implementing a fault detection system for the tail lamp assembly of a vehicle.
Summary of the Invention 5
[0006] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described below, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[0007] The present invention provides a lamp actuation system which enables the 10 detection of a fault and alerts the user. For brevity, the following description will be illustrated using the example of the tail lamp assembly. However, the invention described herein may be used detect a fault in any other system such as parking sensors, cameras, front lamp assembly etc. The tail lamp assembly comprises a lamp driver circuit and one or more lamp assemblies. 15
[0008] The lamp actuation system consists of a first switch, which detects the actuation of a brake by the user of the vehicle. When the brake is actuated, the first switch sends a signal to a vehicle control unit (VCU) of the vehicle. The VCU is connected to the lamp driver circuit through a signal line, comprising a signal sensor. Upon detecting the first switch being actuated, the VCU transmits a first 20 signal to a lamp driver circuit in the tail lamp assembly. The signal sensor is configured to detect fidelity of connection between the vehicle control unit and the lamp driver circuit. The VCU receives a second signal from the signal sensor. The VCU then determines whether the lamp driver circuit is receiving the first signal based on the second signal. The VCU is configured to actuate the lamp status 25 indicator to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted.
[0009] In an aspect, a lamp actuation system for a vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a first switch, a lamp driver circuit, a lamp status indicator, a vehicle control unit, and a signal sensor. The signal sensor being configured to detect 30 fidelity of connection between the vehicle control unit and the lamp driver circuit.
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The vehicle control unit is configured to detect the first switch being actuated. The vehicle control unit is further configured to transmit a first signal to the lamp driver circuit to actuate the lamp. The vehicle control unit is further configured to receive a second signal from the signal sensor. The vehicle control unit is further configured to determine whether the lamp driver circuit is receiving the first signal based on 5 the second signal. The vehicle control unit is further configured to actuate the lamp status indicator to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted. [00010] In an embodiment, the lamp driver circuit is configured to actuate a lamp in a lamp assembly. 10
[00011] In an embodiment, the lamp driver circuit is configured within the lamp assembly.
[00012] In an embodiment, a low voltage battery is configured to provide electrical power to the lamp driver circuit and the vehicle control unit.
[00013] In an embodiment, the first switch is configured to determine the actuation 15 of a brake on the vehicle, and transmit a corresponding signal to the vehicle control unit enabling the vehicle control unit to detect the first switch being actuated.
[00014] In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit is connected to the lamp driver circuit by one of CAN (Controlled Area Network) lines, LIN (Local Interconnect Network) lines, and a combination of both. 20
[00015] In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit is configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of vehicle parameters from a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors, the plurality of vehicle parameter sensors including the first switch.
[00016] In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit is configured to transmit a 25 plurality of signals for controlling a plurality of actuators in the vehicle. In an embodiment, the plurality of actuators includes the lamp status indicator.
[00017] In an embodiment, the lamp status indicator is a light emitting diode (LED) lamp on an instrument cluster of the vehicle.
[00018] In an aspect, a method for indicating an actuation status of a lamp in a 30 vehicle is described. The method comprises detecting, by a vehicle control unit, a
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first switch being actuated. The method further comprises transmitting, by the vehicle control unit, a first signal to a lamp driver circuit to actuate the lamp. The method further comprises receiving, by the vehicle control unit, a second signal from a signal sensor. The method further comprises determining, by the vehicle control unit, whether the lamp driver circuit is receiving the first signal based on 5 the second signal. The method further comprises actuating, by the vehicle control unit, a lamp status indicator to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted. [00019] In an embodiment, the signal sensor is configured to detect fidelity of connection between the vehicle control unit and the lamp driver circuit. 10
[00020] In an embodiment, the first switch is configured to determine the actuation of a brake on the vehicle, and transmit a corresponding signal to the vehicle control unit enabling the vehicle control unit to detect the first switch being actuated.
[00021] In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit is connected to the lamp driver circuit by one of CAN (Controlled Area Network) lines, LIN (Local Interconnect 15 Network) lines, and a combination of both.
[00022] In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit is configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of vehicle parameters from a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors, the plurality of vehicle parameter sensors including the first switch. 20
[00023] In an embodiment, the vehicle control unit is configured to transmit a plurality of signals for controlling a plurality of actuators in the vehicle, the plurality of actuators including the lamp status indicator.
Brief Description of Drawings 25
[0010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. 30
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[0011] Figure 1 is an exemplary system diagram showing the lamp actuation system in the vehicle.
[0012] Figure 2 is another exemplary system diagram showing the lamp actuation system in the vehicle.
[0013] Figure 3 is an exemplary flow chart showing the method being implemented 5 by the VCU.
Detailed Description
[0014] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following description thereof, set out hereunder.
[0015] Figure 1 exemplarily shows the lamp actuation system as per an 10 embodiment of the present invention. A brake switch 103 (referred here onwards as the first switch) is installed with the brake actuation lever of the vehicle. This first switch 103 is configured to generate a signal that the brake has been actuated by the driver of the vehicle. A vehicle control unit (VCU) 101 is provided in the vehicle. The VCU 101 is a controller which is configured to control the various 15 electronic systems in the vehicle such as the fuel injection system. The VCU is connected to a plurality of sensors and actuators in the vehicle. The first switch 103 is one of the plurality of sensors. The vehicle also may have an instrument cluster. The instrument cluster generally has a central controller and a telematics unit. As per an embodiment of the present invention, a tail lamp status indicator (here 20 onwards referred to as the lamp status indicator) 107 is configured in the instrument cluster of the vehicle. As per an embodiment, the lamp status indicator 107 is a light emitting diode (LED) lamp. As per another embodiment, the lamp status indicator 107 is displayed on a digital screen of the instrument cluster by configuring a plurality of pixels of the digital screen to display the status of the lamp. The VCU 25 is also connected to a tail lamp driver circuit (here onwards referred to as the lamp driver circuit) 104. The lamp driver circuit 104 is further connected to the tail lamp assembly (here onwards referred to as the lamp assembly) 105. The lamp driver circuit 104 is configured to receive a first signal from the VCU, and actuate the lamp assembly 105. The lamp assembly 105 may comprise of one or more lamps. 30
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As per an embodiment, a signal sensor 102 is configured on the communication line between the VCU 101 and the lamp driver circuit 104. As per an embodiment, this communication line is a controlled area network (CAN) bus. The signal sensor 102 is configured to send a second signal corresponding to the fidelity of the connection between the VCU 101 and the lamp driver circuit 104. As per an embodiment, the 5 signal sensor 102 sends the second signal when the CAN bus has failed to transmit the first signal to the lamp driver circuit 104.
[0016]
The vehicle may comprise an electric motor or an internal combustion engine as the primary mover. For a vehicle with an electric motor, a high voltage battery is provided to power the electric motor, and a low voltage battery is provided 10 to power the other electrical systems in the vehicle. For a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a low voltage battery is provided to power the electrical systems of the vehicle, including the starter motor which starts the vehicle from a resting state. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the low voltage battery 106 is configured to provided electrical power to the VCU 101 and the lamp driver 15 circuit 104. As per an embodiment, the power lines are separate from the communication lines in the present system. The lamp status indicator 107 draws little power, and therefore can be actuated by the output lines from the VCU 101. The lamp driver circuit 104, upon receiving the first signal, allows the electrical power from the low voltage battery 106 to actuate the lamp assembly 105, therefore 20 acting as a switch for the lamp assembly 105.
[0017] As per an embodiment, the VCU 101 is configured to detect the first switch 103 being actuated. As per another embodiment, the VCU 101 is further configured to transmit a first signal to the lamp driver circuit 104 to actuate the lamp. As per another embodiment, the VCU 101 is further configured to receive a second signal 25 from the signal sensor 102. As per another embodiment, the VCU 101 is further configured to determine whether the lamp driver circuit 104 is receiving the first signal based on the second signal. As per another embodiment, the VCU 101 is further configured to actuate the lamp status indicator 107 to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted. As per an embodiment, 30 the lamp driver circuit 104 is configured within the lamp assembly 105.
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[0018]
Figure 2 exemplarily shows the lamp actuation system as per an embodiment of the present invention. The VCU 101 comprises a memory unit, a processor, and an input / output unit. A plurality of vehicle parameter sensors are connected to the input / output unit of the VCU 101. A plurality of actuators are also connected to the input / output unit of the VCU 101. The first switch 103 is a 5 brake actuation sensor, being one of the plurality of vehicle parameter sensors. A four wheeled vehicle generally has a brake pedal, whereas a two wheeled vehicle may have one or more of pedals and levers, or a combination of both, as means of actuation of the brake. As per an embodiment of the present invention, each of the brake actuation means of the vehicle is configured with a first switch 103. As per 10 an embodiment of the present invention, the lamp status indicator is an LED lamp configured on the instrument cluster of the vehicle such that the indicator 107 is in line off sight of the driver of the vehicle. As per another embodiment, the lamp status indicator is a plurality of pixels in a defined region of a digital display screen of the instrument cluster. As per an embodiment, when the lamp status indicator is 15 actuated by the VCU, the plurality of pixels in the defined region are configured to illuminate in a predefined colour. In an embodiment, the predefined colour is one of red, orange, and yellow.
[0019] As per an embodiment, the lamp assembly 105 (shown as the tail lamp assembly) has a lamp driver circuit 104 (shown as LED driver circuit). The lamp 20 driver circuit 104 has a memory unit and a processor. The lamp driver circuit 104 acts as a switch for the lamps in the lamp assembly 105. As per an embodiment, the lamps in the lamp assembly 105 include a first set of LEDs and a second set of LEDs. As per an embodiment, one of the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs has a lumen value higher than the other. As per an embodiment, actuating the 25 brake results in the illumination of either or both of the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs. As per another embodiment, one of the first set of LEDs and the second set of LEDs is configured to remain in an ON state when the vehicle is in an ON state. As per an embodiment, the VCU 101 is communicatively connected to the lamp assembly 105 by CAN lines 108. Both the VCU 101 and the lamp 30
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assembly 105 are connected to a low voltage battery 106 for supply of electrical power.
[0020]
Figure 3 is an exemplary flow chart showing the method 200 being implemented by the VCU 101. The method comprises detecting 201, by the VCU 101, the first switch being actuated. The method further comprises transmitting 202, 5 by the VCU 101, a first signal to a lamp driver circuit to actuate the lamp. The method further comprises receiving 203, by the VCU 101, a second signal from a signal sensor. The method further comprises determining 204, by the VCU 101, whether the lamp driver circuit is receiving the first signal based on the second signal. The method further comprises actuating 205, by the VCU 101, a lamp status 10 indicator to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted.
[0021] Accordingly, the advantages associated with the method as described above are that the wiring harness doesn’t need extensive modifications, reducing the number of wires required. The driver of the vehicle is notified of the failure of the 15 lamp assembly which increases the safety of the driver and the vehicle. The lamp status indicator as provided in the present invention can be implemented in any conventional or upcoming instrument cluster. , Claims:We claim:
1. A lamp actuation system (100) for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising
a first switch (103),
a lamp driver circuit (104),
a lamp status indicator (107), 5
a vehicle control unit (101), and
a signal sensor (102), the signal sensor being configured to detect fidelity of connection between the vehicle control unit (101) and the lamp driver circuit (104)
wherein, the vehicle control unit (101) is configured to 10
detect the first switch (103) being actuated,
transmit a first signal to the lamp driver circuit (104) to actuate the lamp,
receive a second signal from the signal sensor (102),
determine whether the lamp driver circuit (104) is receiving the first signal based on the second signal, 15
actuate the lamp status indicator (107) to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted.
2. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp driver circuit (104) is configured to actuate a lamp in a lamp assembly (105).
3. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lamp driver 20 circuit (104) is configured within the lamp assembly (105).
4. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a low voltage battery (106) is configured to provide electrical power to the lamp driver circuit (104) and the vehicle control unit (101).
5. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first switch 25 (103) is configured to determine the actuation of a brake on the vehicle, and transmit a corresponding signal to the vehicle control unit (101) enabling the vehicle control unit (101) to detect the first switch (103) being actuated.
6. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (101) is connected to the lamp driver circuit (104) by one of CAN 30
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(Controlled Area Network) lines (108), LIN (Local Interconnect Network) lines, and a combination of both. 7. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (101) is configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of vehicle parameters from a plurality of vehicle parameter
5 sensors, the plurality of vehicle parameter sensors including the first switch (103).
8. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (101) is configured to transmit a plurality of signals for controlling a plurality of actuators in the vehicle, the plurality of actuators including the 10 lamp status indicator (107).
9. The lamp actuation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lamp status indicator (107) is a light emitting diode (LED) lamp on an instrument cluster of the vehicle.
10. A method for indicating an actuation status of a lamp in a vehicle, the method 15 comprising:
detecting, by a vehicle control unit (101), a first switch (103) being actuated,
transmitting, by the vehicle control unit (101), a first signal to a lamp driver circuit (104) to actuate the lamp,
receiving, by the vehicle control unit (101), a second signal from a signal 20 sensor (102),
determining, by the vehicle control unit (101), whether the lamp driver circuit (104) is receiving the first signal based on the second signal,
actuating, by the vehicle control unit (101), a lamp status indicator (107) to indicate the lamp not being actuated when the first signal is being transmitted. 25
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the signal sensor is configured to detect fidelity of connection between the vehicle control unit (101) and the lamp driver circuit (104).
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first switch (103) is configured to determine the actuation of a brake on the vehicle, and transmit a 30
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corresponding signal to the vehicle control unit (101) enabling the vehicle control unit (101) to detect the first switch (103) being actuated. 13.The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the vehicle control unit (101) isconnected to the lamp driver circuit (104) by one of CAN (Controlled AreaNetwork) lines (108), LIN (Local Interconnect Network) lines, and a
5 combination of both.
14.The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the vehicle control unit (101) isconfigured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality ofvehicle parameters from a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors, the pluralityof vehicle parameter sensors including the first switch (103).10
15.The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the vehicle control unit (101) isconfigured to transmit a plurality of signals for controlling a plurality ofactuators in the vehicle, the plurality of actuators including the lamp statusindicator (107).