DE102013001976B3 - Light signal device for vehicle e.g. passenger car, has LEDs which are arranged in region of headlights and rear lights of vehicle, and luminous element which is activated for detecting failure of electrical system of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The light signal device has LEDs with a driving circuit. The driving circuit is comprised with a sensor for monitoring the electrical system of the vehicle (1). The driving circuit with the LED is associated with separate power source. The LEDs are arranged in the region of the headlights (2) and the rear lights (3) of the vehicle. A luminous element (4) is activated for detecting failure of the electrical system of the vehicle. The control circuit is comprised of a flasher unit for the LED.

Description

The invention relates to a light-signaling device for a vehicle, in particular for a car, comprising at least one lighting element and comprising at least one lying in the region of the associated light-emitting element drive circuit for the lighting element, wherein the drive circuit has a sensor for monitoring the normal electrical system of the vehicle and the drive circuit together with the luminous element is assigned its own power source and wherein the luminous element is an LED.

Vehicles are equipped with headlamps, position lights and taillights, these represent light-signaling devices for moving the vehicle in traffic in darkness or poor visibility.

If such a standard light signal device in parts or completely, for example, by a fault in the electrical system of the vehicle, a short circuit or destruction of several main fuses, a vehicle in traffic is a completely unlit object. If this condition also occurs when the vehicle is no longer moved due to a technical fault, an accident or an impairment of the driver on the road, this unlit vehicle forms a standing obstacle for subsequent vehicles. This especially on highways or in highway construction sites, where, if necessary, no space to dodge. For the occupants of the unlit vehicle and the occupants of subsequent vehicles in this case, acute danger to life.

In the DE 10 2005 037 344 A1 had already been proposed to provide additional lighting elements, for example, immediately below a roof edge. However, these lighting elements are controlled by the normal electrical system of the vehicle. Vehicles can be understood as two- and four-wheeled vehicles as well as boats.

From the DE 10 2004 006 404 A1 is a generic light-signaling device known. The local light signal device is parked on accident scenarios, it has accident sensors. If it is determined that the electrical voltage has dropped after an accident, an emergency light is activated, for example a vehicle interior lighting.

The invention is therefore based on the object to show a light signal device of the type mentioned, which can form a lighting for a vehicle, especially in emergency situations without the presence of an accident.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that an LED provided in the vehicle serves as a lighting element, this being arranged in the region of the headlights or in the region of the taillights of the vehicle, a separate light-signaling device being provided for each front headlight and each tail light, and the driving circuit the lighting element activated in case of failure of the electrical system.

The light-signaling device according to the invention is equipped with a control circuit which monitors the normal electrical system of the vehicle. If the electrical system is in operation, the lighting element associated with the control circuit is in the off state. The vehicle is illuminated via the light signal devices, which are supplied with electrical energy by the electrical system.

But just in the above-described failure of the normal electrical system this is checked by the drive circuit. If a failure of the vehicle electrical system occurs, the driving element activates the lighting element and places it in its operating state. This driving and commissioning can be done even with a complete failure of the normal electrical system by the fact that drive circuit and light element have their own power source. This can be a common power source or separate power sources.

The drive circuit and an associated light-emitting element have their arrangement according to the invention in the area of the headlights and the rear taillights of the vehicle. For four normal lighting devices, namely two headlights and two taillights of a car, four light-emitting devices according to the invention are also provided. This achieves, on the one hand, that each light-signaling device according to the invention operates autonomously and thus, in the event of the failure of one or the other light-signaling device according to the invention, remaining light-signaling devices according to the invention can still be put into operation. On the other hand, the arrangement in the field of normal vehicle lights but also has a recognition effect on this z. B. damaged vehicle approximate driver, which lighting elements can recognize the usual areas of a possibly already dimly recognizable vehicle. However, at a greater distance, the light-signaling devices according to the invention first of all cause such a vehicle that has been injured to be detected by third parties.

As light elements of the light signal device according to the invention are used according to the invention LED. These have a high light intensity with low energy consumption. The LEDs already present in a vehicle in the area of the headlights or tail lights are integrated into the light-signaling device according to the invention as light-emitting elements. This simplifies the cost of retrofitting or original equipment of vehicles with the light-signaling device according to the invention.

The drive circuit for forming the sensor is connected according to a development with the normal electrical system of the vehicle. It can comprise a circuit with at least one microcontroller. Several control circuits are then respectively connected to the vehicle electrical system, so that each control circuit can monitor for itself the electrical system of the vehicle.

To form their own power sources, a further development of the invention provides that each power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery, which is connected via the normal electrical system to a sustaining charge voltage. As long as the normal state prevails, so the electrical system of the vehicle is intact, the accumulator of the power source is charged. It is thereby achieved that this power source is always provided with sufficient energy, so that even a prolonged failure of the electrical system of the vehicle can be bridged with light-emitting devices according to the invention. As an alternative to an accumulator, it is also possible to provide a battery or one or more capacitors.

Finally, the drive circuit may comprise a flasher for the light-emitting element. The attention of approaching vehicle drivers to a vehicle equipped with the light signal device according to the invention is significantly increased by the fact that the light signal device emits flashing signals. In this respect, this flasher serves to increase safety.

An embodiment of the invention, from which further inventive features arise, is shown in the drawing. Show it:

1 : a side view of a motor vehicle equipped with a light-signaling device according to the invention,

2 a schematic perspective view of a headlight from the vehicle according to 1 .

3 a schematic perspective view of a tail light from the vehicle according to 1 , and

4 : A schematic plan view of a motor vehicle equipped with a light signal device according to the invention.

The vehicle 1 in 1 has in the side view shown a headlight 2 as well as a tail light 3 on. The headlight 2 as well as the tail light 3 are additional lighting elements 4 assigned.

2 shows that these additional lighting elements 4 LEDs are, which, for example, in a Blinkerleiste 5 of the headlight 2 are arranged. The lighting elements 4 are from a drive circuit 6 via an electrical line 7 applied. The drive circuit 6 contains an electronic circuit, moreover it is over electrical lines 7 . 8th and 9 with the normal electrical system of the vehicle 1 connected.

The wires 7 and 8th For example, electrical leads may be used to charge voltage and charge current supply to one in the drive circuit 6 existing power source 10 be. The power source 10 is for example an accumulator, which via the lines 7 and 8th supplied by the electrical system. The administration 9 and / or one of the lines 7 . 8th may eventually serve with the driving circuit 6 the state of the electrical system of the motor vehicle 1 to monitor.

Also in 3 shown tail light 3 is with light elements 4 equipped in the form of LEDs. These lighting elements 4 is one of the front headlights 2 independent further drive circuit 6 with supply and monitoring cables 7 to 9 assigned.

The top view of the vehicle 1 in 4 first shows its main accumulator 11 for his electrical system. The wires 7 . 8th are each with the accumulator 11 connected. Also the lines 9 have a connection to the accumulator 11 and thus to the electrical system of the motor vehicle 1 to monitor this for its failure.

4 also shows the driving circuits 6 associated power sources 10 ,

With the drive circuits 6 is over the wires 9 or the lines 7 . 8th with the help of a sensor, the state of the electrical system of the vehicle 1 supervised. The sensor can be designed as a microcontroller.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

headlights

3

Taillight

4

lighting elements

5

turn signal bar

6

driving circuit

7

management

8th

management

9

management

Claims (6)

Light signal device for a vehicle, in particular for a passenger car, comprising at least one light-emitting element and comprising at least one drive circuit for the light-emitting element lying in the region of the associated light-emitting element, wherein the drive circuit ( 6 ) has a sensor for monitoring the normal electrical system of the vehicle and the driving circuit is associated with the lighting element own power source and wherein the lighting element is an LED, characterized in that a in the vehicle ( 1 ) existing LED as a light element ( 4 ), whereby in the area of the headlights ( 2 ) or in the area of the taillights ( 3 ) of the vehicle is arranged, wherein for each headlight ( 2 ) and each tail light ( 3 ) a separate light signal device is provided and the drive circuit ( 6 ) the luminous element ( 4 ) activated in case of failure of the electrical system. Light signaling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive circuit ( 6 ) is connected to form the sensor with the normal electrical system of the vehicle. Light signaling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each power source ( 10 ) comprises at least one accumulator, which is connected supplying via the normal electrical vehicle electrical system in a receiving charge voltage supply. Light signaling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the power source ( 10 ) comprises at least one capacitor, which is connected via the normal electrical system in a feeding voltage feührenderweise. Light signal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive circuit ( 6 ) a flasher for the light element ( 4 ). Light signal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor comprises at least one microcontroller.

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