Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a bend light control system of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bend light control system and the method for switching ON the bend light control system in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Travelling under darkness is always a cause of concern for a driver as the absence of natural light impedes vision. A lamp of some kind has always been used when travelling to show the way ahead so that the driver can react in time to undulations and obstructions in the way. Modern land vehicles come equipped with some form of lamp that project a beam of light illuminating the way ahead commonly known as headlights. Two wheeled vehicles generally come with a single headlight assembly disposed in the middle of the vehicle, whereas vehicles with 4 wheels or more come with a plurality of headlight assemblies, at least 2 being placed on either side of the front face of the vehicle.
[0003] The light beams projected by the modern headlights are directed straight forward to optimise utilisation of the lamps and maximize the visibility of the driver as the driver’s vision is oriented forward most of the time. Turning manoeuvres are therefore critical as the visibility of the driver is limited in the direction where they want to turn. Various safety measures are incorporated in vehicles to avoid causing an accident such as turning indicator lamps and braking indicator lamps in conspicuous places so that drivers in vehicles around the vehicle making the turn are sufficiently warned of the fact.
[0004] It is also a known feature that headlamps provided in commercial vehicles come with a low beam as well as a high beam function. While the low beam function can illuminate the immediate path of the vehicle, the high beam function on the other hand provides a comprehensive illumination of the surrounding environment. However, it is at the detriment of other road users, especially the drivers of preceding and oncoming vehicles, who get dazzled. The low beam, however, does not dazzle other road users, but has the obvious disadvantage in illuminating the path of the vehicle being driven. Nowadays, due to very high traffic densities, the high beam function can only be used very rarely. Therefore, there is a need to provide headlamp assemblies which provide better illumination than the conventional low beam function, but at the same time do not dazzle other road users like the high beam function.
[0005] Nonetheless, in the absence of a light source illuminating the direction of the driver’s vision when executing a turn, there remains a chance of an accident. One of the ways in which manufacturers choose to solve this issue is to provide additional lamps directed towards the direction of the turn as the vehicle is turning. These lamps are generally automated and switch on as the vehicle is making the turn. However, the method of implementing the solution varies the type of vehicle. This is usually more commonly found in 4-wheeled vehicles, and in high end 2 wheelers. This is primarily due to the systems required to implement the method in 2 wheelers being more complex and expensive than the ones required for 2 wheelers.
[0006] During leaning the conventional bending lights are switched ON, the conventional vehicles have a reflector integrated with a body panel and the reflector is disposed on the bending or cornering lights. The area of projection varies with the type of leaning and the bending light varies with each leaning. This configuration uses plurality of LED lamps and actuation of LED lamps depends on the leaning of the vehicle.
[0007] In some conventional designs, a parabolic reflector receives and reflects light from a light source and the parabolic reflector is controlled by 2 to 3 electric motors and the parabolic reflectors are disposed on the headlight. This is a complex design which uses additional motors and increases the overall weight of the vehicle and the headlamp assembly.
[0008] The conventional location of the bending light is disposed on the headlight assembly or integrated with the body panels of the headlight assembly. This leads to change in entire design of the frame assembly of the vehicle and also increases complexity of the bending lights construction.
[0009] Conventional designs also discuss and discloses a predictively controlled cornering light in a 4-wheeler vehicle. The headlights are provided with a pivoting means and a monitoring system which monitors the roadway and / or lane in front of the vehicle and generates roadway data to drive the pivoting means for setting the headlights at the appropriate position. Further, a model of the headlamp projection on the roadway is made with the data, and the lamp is further rotated to minimize the deviation between the model and the actual roadway data.
[00010] Existing systems disclose multiple sets of bend lights where more the leaning angle, more number of lights starts illuminating.
[00011] However, there are certain drawbacks of the known systems such as multiple sub systems are required, multiple set of lights are present which increases overall cost of the vehicle. It increases complexity as number of parts are increased.
[00012] Thus, it is important to have a bend light control system for a vehicle which can overcome the above mentioned problems.
[00013] It is an object of the present invention to provide additional visibility during cornering of the vehicle, or when turning at intersections or navigating sharp curves especially at night.
[00014] It is also an object of the present invention to enhance the safety of the user when driving in low-light conditions and to prevent accidents and injuries.
[00015] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an easy packaging of lamp by proving lamp of smaller size and improved mounting.
SUMMARY
[00016] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[00017] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a bend light control system of a vehicle which comprises a controller, a one or more bend light, a one or more vehicle sensors, wherein the controller being configured to receive inputs from the one or more vehicle sensors for calculating a leaning angle of the vehicle and the controller being configured to provide a signal to switch ON the one or more bend light when the vehicle leans at a corner.
[00018] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a saddle type vehicle which comprises a front cover panel, a one or more bend light, wherein the one or more bend light being disposed in a one or more bend light mounting bracket and the one or more bend light mounting bracket being disposed below the front cover panel.
[00019] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure also discloses a method of controlling one or more bend lights in a vehicle which comprises the steps of- receiving, one or more sensor inputs by a controller, followed by analyzing, and calibrating a leaning angle upon receiving the one or more sensor inputs by the controller, followed by providing, a signal to switch ON the one or more bend lights by the controller once the leaning angle being calculated followed by switching off, the one or more bend lights when the leaning angle being detected as zero and the vehicle running in a straight path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00020] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein
[00021] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front view of the vehicle showing the bend lights;
[00022] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view where mounting brackets are being shown;
[00023] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view showing the mounting of bend light;
[00024] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the bend light;
[00025] Fig. 5 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of the bend light;
[00026] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the bend light;
[00027] Fig. 7 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart showing the method to control the operation of bend lights;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00028] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
[00029] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00030] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[00031] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00032] The present invention is illustrated as a bend light control system of a vehicle which comprises a controller, a one or more bend light, a one or more vehicle sensors, wherein the controller being configured to receive inputs from the one or more vehicle sensors for calculating a leaning angle of the vehicle and the controller being configured to provide a signal to switch ON the one or more bend light when the vehicle leans at a corner.
[00033] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide additional visibility during cornering of the vehicle, or when turning at intersections or navigating sharp curves especially at night.
[00034] It is also an object of the present invention to enhance the safety of the user when driving in low-light conditions and to prevent accidents and injuries.
[00035] There are certain drawbacks of the known systems such as multiple sub systems are required; multiple set of lights are present which increases overall cost of the vehicle. It increases complexity as number of parts are increased.
[00036] Thus, the present subject matter ensures to overcome the above mentioned problems.
[00037] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front view of the saddle type vehicle (100) showing the one or more bend lights (101). The front view of the saddle type vehicle (100) illustrates one or more bend lights (101) placed in the front side of the saddle type vehicle (100). It also shows headlamp and front cover panel (102). As illustrated, the bend lights are disposed on either side of the saddle type vehicle (100) below the front cover panel (102). The bend lights help the user to have better visibility while cornering the vehicle especially in low light conditions.
[00038] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view where mounting brackets (103) are being shown. As illustrated bend light mounting brackets (103) are placed on the inner side of the front cover panel (102). Mounting brackets have one or more blind openings, herein referred as bosses. These bosses accommodate the protrusions made on the inner side of the front cover panel (102). It also illustrates the connection of bend light with the vehicle control unit VCU.
[00039] Fig. 3 exemplarily illustrates a sectional view showing the mounting brackets. The mounting brackets are holding the bend lights. Bend lights are mounted in the center of the bracket. Entire arrangement is secured by plurality of screws.
[00040] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the bend light (101) and its connection with the VCU. It also illustrates an upward protrusion which will be mounted in the mounting bracket using screw or any other like means.
[00041] Fig. 5 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of the bend light (101). It illustrates the connectors which is placed on the rear side of the bend light to connect it with VCU.
[00042] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the bend light. It further illustrates the front portion of the bend light is a LED lens (601). PCB (602) and wire harness are also shown which will be housed with the help of housing (603).
[00043] Fig. 7 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart showing the method (700) to control the operation of bend lights. The method comprises the steps of (702) receiving, one or more sensor inputs by a controller, followed by (703) analyzing, and calibrating a leaning angle upon receiving the one or more sensor inputs by the controller, followed by (704) providing, a signal to switch ON the one or more bend lights by the controller once the leaning angle being calculated followed by (705) switching off, the one or more bend lights when the leaning angle being detected as zero and the vehicle running in a straight path.
[00044] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors being an accelerometer and a gyro sensor. An accelerometer sensor is a tool that measures the acceleration of any body or object in its instantaneous rest frame. Accelerometers measure acceleration, which in practical terms means changes in speed or direction. This can include bumps and vibrations, sharp increases or decreases in velocity such as hard vehicle acceleration or braking, forces that might indicate taking a turn too fast, or strong impacts. Gyro sensors, also known as angular rate sensors or angular velocity sensors, are devices that sense angular velocity.
[00045] In an embodiment, the controller being configured to calibrate a yaw rate and the leaning angle upon receiving the inputs from the one or more vehicle sensors. Yaw happens when the weight of the vehicle shifts from its center of gravity to the left or the right. This is a shift which user will definitely feel when riding the vehicle. The yaw rate or yaw velocity is the angular velocity of this rotation, or rate of change of the heading angle when the vehicle is horizontal. It is commonly measured in degrees per second or radians per second. Lean angle is the angle at which your bike is leaned at the corners or while turning. Maximum lean angle is the angle at which user is physically able to lean the vehicle without touching the vehicle parts to the ground.
[00046] In other embodiment, the controller being configured to analyse and choose calibrated leaning angles from the inputs received from the one or more vehicle sensors in a fusion sensor algorithm. The one or more sensors gives various inputs. Thus, it is important to have a fusion sensor algorithm which will receive various inputs from one or more sensors and then calibrate the most accurate input in order to avoid errors. Fusion sensor algorithm will determine which input is the most accurate and control the switching on of the bend lights accordingly.
[00047] In other embodiment, the front cover panel having a one or more protrusions for receiving a one or more bosses of the one or more bend light mounting bracket. Mounting brackets have one or more blind openings, herein referred as bosses. These bosses accommodate the protrusions made on the inner side of the front cover panel. The mounting brackets are holding the bend lights. Bend lights are mounted in the center of the bracket. Entire arrangement is secured by plurality of screws.
[00048] In one embodiment, the one or more bend light mounting bracket being covered behind the front cover panel and the one or more bend lights being visible in a front portion of the vehicle. Mounting brackets are placed on the inner side of the front cover panel whereas the lens of the bend lights are visible from the front side of the vehicle.
[00049] In one embodiment, the one or more bend lights comprises a LED lens, a PCB board with a collimator, and the LED lens and PCB board with the collimator being disposed inside a housing. Housing accommodates both the LED lens and PCB board. Lamp illuminates road in a certain fashion after being switched ON. Control Unit utilizes sensor data to predict the cornering conditions of the vehicle.
[00050] In an aspect, the method of controlling one or more bend lights in a vehicle comprising steps of- receiving, one or more sensor inputs by a controller followed by analysing and calibrating a leaning angle upon receiving the one or more sensor inputs by the controller, followed by providing, a signal to switch ON the one or more bend lights by the controller once the leaning angle being calculated and switching off, the one or more bend lights when the leaning angle being detected as zero and the vehicle running in a straight path.
[00051] Thus, the present invention offers several advantages such as it provides additional visibility during cornering of the vehicle, or when turning at intersections or navigating sharp curves especially at night.
[00052] Another advantage is it enhances the safety of the user when driving in low-light conditions and to prevent accidents and injuries.
[00053] Further, it provides an easy packaging of lamp by proving lamp of smaller size and improved mounting.
[00054] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate the components, method, structure and its arrangement that have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed subject matter, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
[00055] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[00056] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
, Claims:We Claim:

1. A bend light control system of a saddle type vehicle (100), the bend light control system of the saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a controller;
a one or more bend light (101);
a one or more vehicle sensors;
wherein the controller being configured to receive inputs from the one or more vehicle sensors for calculating a leaning angle of the saddle type vehicle (100);
wherein the controller being configured to provide a signal to switch ON the one or more bend light when the saddle type vehicle (100) leans at a corner.

2. The bend light control system of the saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors being an accelerometer and a gyro sensor.
3. The bend light control system of the saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller being configured to calibrate a yaw rate and the leaning angle upon receiving the inputs from the one or more vehicle sensors.
4. The bend light control system of the saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller being configured to analyse and choose calibrated leaning angles from the inputs received from the one or more vehicle sensors in a fusion sensor algorithm.
5. A saddle type vehicle (100), the saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a front cover panel (102);
a one or more bend light (101);
wherein the one or more bend light (101) being disposed in a one or more bend light mounting bracket (103);
wherein the one or more bend light mounting bracket (103) being disposed below the front cover panel (102).

6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the front cover panel (102) having a one or more protrusions for receiving a one or more bosses of the one or more bend light mounting bracket (103).
7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more bend light mounting bracket (103) being covered behind the front cover panel (102) and the one or more bend light (101) being visible in a front portion of the saddle type vehicle (100).
8. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more bend light (101) being connected to VCU.
9. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more bend light mounting bracket (103) being provided with bosses which are blind openings.
10. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more bend lights (101) comprising:
a LED lens (601);
a PCB board (602) with a collimator; and
the LED lens and PCB board with the collimator being disposed inside a housing (603).

11. A method (700) of controlling one or more bend lights in a saddle type vehicle (100), the method (700) comprising steps of:
receiving, one or more sensor inputs by a controller;
analysing, and calibrating a leaning angle upon receiving the one or more sensor inputs by the controller;
providing, a signal to switch ON the one or more bend lights (101) by the controller once the leaning angle being calculated;
switching off, the one or more bend lights (101) when the leaning angle being detected as zero and the saddle type vehicle (100) running in a straight path.