KR102016718B1 - Apparatus for controlling of lamp for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The lamp control apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of LED units in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series, the lamp unit in which the plurality of LEDs are connected in parallel, and the power input from the power supply of the vehicle. And a power input unit configured to supply a negative power, a failure detecting unit detecting a failure of at least one of the plurality of LED units, and a power control unit to cut off power supplied to the lamp unit when a failure is detected by the failure detecting unit.

Description

Lamp control device for vehicles {APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OF LAMP FOR VEHICLE}

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp control apparatus, comprising: a vehicle lamp control apparatus for controlling a lamp unit in which a plurality of LEDs connected in series are connected in parallel, the lamp control unit for detecting a failure of the LED, at least one LED When the failure of the detection is, the lamp control device for a vehicle that can turn off the entire lamp unit by cutting off the power supplied to the lamp unit.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a vehicle includes various types of vehicle lamps having a lighting function for easily checking an object located around the vehicle at night and a signal function for notifying other vehicles or road users of the driving state of the vehicle.

For example, head lamps, daytime running lights, position lamps, fog lamps, and the like are mainly intended for lighting functions, and turn signal lamps, tail lamps, brake lamps, and the like are primarily intended for signal functions. In addition, such vehicle lamps are prescribed by law with respect to their installation standards and standards so as to fully exhibit their respective functions.

Among these vehicle lamps, the daytime running light (DRL) for pedestrians and opposite lane drivers during daytime driving and the position lamps for measuring the position and width of the vehicle at nighttime driving play an important role in safe driving. .

In addition, LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a trend that is widely used as a light source in the head lamp field of the vehicle.

Such daytime running lights or position lamps need to turn off the entire lamp when one of the LEDs fails to comply with the requirements of the law.

Conventionally, when it is necessary to comply with these regulations, all LEDs are connected in series to configure a circuit so that the entire lamp is turned off when one is opened. However, such a conventional technology requires a complicated circuit such as a booster converter or a driver in order to connect a plurality of LEDs in series, which makes it difficult to miniaturize a control device and requires a high cost. In addition, the boost converter has a disadvantage of high power consumption and heat generation.

Accordingly, a plurality of LEDs are connected in parallel so as not to include a boost converter, and when a failure occurs in at least one of the LEDs, a method of turning off the entire lamp is required.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-272763 (2010.12.02)

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above in the vehicle lamp control apparatus for controlling a lamp unit connected in parallel a plurality of LEDs connected in series a plurality of LEDs, detecting the failure of the LED, When the failure of at least one LED is detected, a vehicle lamp control apparatus capable of turning off the entire lamp unit by shutting off power supplied to the lamp unit.

The lamp control apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of LED units in which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series, the lamp unit in which the plurality of LEDs are connected in parallel, and the power input from the power supply of the vehicle. And a power input unit configured to supply a negative power, a failure detecting unit detecting a failure of at least one of the plurality of LED units, and a power control unit to cut off power supplied to the lamp unit when a failure is detected by the failure detecting unit.

In one embodiment, the failure detection unit may detect the failure by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the plurality of LED unit.

In an embodiment, the fault detector may output a fault signal to the power controller when the voltage value of one of the output terminals is different from the voltage value of the other output terminal.

Here, the fault detection unit has a first resistor, one end of which is connected to the power input unit, a collector of which is connected to the other end of the first resistor, a base of which is connected to an output of any one of the plurality of LED units, and an emitter of the A first transistor and a collector connected to the other output terminal of the plurality of LED units are connected to the other end of the first resistor, an emitter is connected to the output terminal of any one of the plurality of LED units, and the base is a plurality of It may include a second transistor connected to the output terminal of the other of the LED unit.

In one embodiment, the power control unit has a source connected to the power input unit, the drain is connected to the lamp unit, the base is connected to the other end of the first resistor, the emitter is connected to the power input unit A third transistor having a collector connected to a ground terminal, a base connected to a collector of the third transistor, a collector connected to the power input unit, and a fourth transistor and a base connected to an emitter connected to the ground terminal; And a fifth transistor connected to the collector of the collector, the collector connected to the gate of the switching element, and the emitter connected to the ground terminal.

In example embodiments, when the overvoltage is applied to the power input unit, the fourth transistor may further include an overvoltage protection unit configured to prevent the overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit by operating the fourth transistor.

Here, the overvoltage protection unit has a cathode connected to the power input unit, a anode connected to the base of the fourth transistor, a second resistor connected between the zener diode and the base of the fourth transistor, and the fourth. A third resistor may be connected between the base of the transistor and the ground terminal.

In an embodiment, the apparatus may further include a PWM signal generator configured to output a PWM signal according to an operation mode of the lamp unit to the power controller.

Here, when the operation mode is the first mode, the PWM signal generator may generate a PWM signal having a duty ratio of the power input to the lamp unit having a first signal value and output the generated PWM signal to the power controller.

Here, the first mode may be a daytime running mode for performing a daytime driving lamp function.

In another exemplary embodiment, when the operation mode is the second mode, the PWM signal generator may generate a PWM signal having a duty ratio of a power input to the lamp unit having a second signal value and output the generated PWM signal to the power controller. .

Here, the second mode may be a position lamp mode that performs a position lamp function.

In one embodiment, the failure detection unit, one end of the first resistor connected to the power input unit, the collector is connected to the other end of the first resistor, the base is connected to the output terminal of any one of the plurality of LED units, A first transistor and a collector having an emitter connected to the other output terminal of the plurality of LED units connected to the other end of the first resistor, an emitter connected to an output terminal of any one of the plurality of LED units, May include a second transistor connected to another output terminal of the plurality of LED units.

Here, the power control unit, the source is connected to the power input unit, the drain is connected to the lamp unit, the base is connected to the other end of the first resistor, the emitter is connected to the power input unit, the collector Is a third transistor whose base is connected to a ground terminal, a base is connected to a collector of the third transistor, a collector is connected to the power input, and a fourth transistor and a base, whose emitter is connected to the ground terminal, is a collector of the fourth transistor. And a fifth transistor having a collector connected to a gate of the switching device and an emitter connected to the ground terminal.

Here, the PWM signal generator may output the PWM signal to the base of the fifth transistor.

In one embodiment, when the fault is detected by being connected to the collector of the third transistor, the charge is charged when the PWM signal is high, and the charged charge is discharged when the PWM signal is low to discharge the PWM signal. It may further include a malfunction preventing unit for preventing the blocking of the power supplied to the lamp by the release.

Here, the malfunction prevention part may include a sixth transistor and a collector of the third transistor, the base of which is connected to the collector of the third transistor, the collector of which is connected to the other end of the first resistor, and the emitter of which is connected to the ground terminal. It may include a capacitor connected between the ground terminal.

Herein, the capacitance of the capacitor may be determined based on a duty ratio determined according to an operation mode of the lamp unit.

In one embodiment, the capacitance of the capacitor may be inversely proportional to the on duty ratio of the lamp unit.

In example embodiments, when the overvoltage is applied to the power input unit, the fourth transistor may further include an overvoltage protection unit configured to prevent the overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit by operating the fourth transistor.

Here, the overvoltage protection unit, a cathode is connected to the power input, the anode is a zener diode connected to the base of the fifth transistor, a second resistor connected between the zener diode and the base and the base and the ground terminal It may include a third resistor connected between.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by connecting a plurality of LED units in parallel, detects the failure of the LED included in the LED unit, and if any one of the LED failure, by shutting off the power supplied to the lamp unit In addition, it can reduce costs while satisfying the regulations on vehicle lamps, and it is possible to miniaturize.

In addition, it can be driven in the daytime running light mode and the position lamp mode using a PWM signal, there is an effect that can prevent the malfunction of the failure detection unit according to the PWM signal.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detector illustrated in FIG. 1.
3 is a configuration diagram for describing another exemplary embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detection unit illustrated in FIG. 1.
4 is a configuration diagram for describing another exemplary embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detection unit illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle lamp sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating another embodiment of the vehicle lamp sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detector illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an embodiment of a PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator in the weekly driving mode.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an exemplary embodiment of a PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator in the position lamp mode.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a vehicle lamp sensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of the vehicle lamp sensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of the vehicle lamp sensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used in a sense that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the terms defined in the commonly used dictionaries are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless they are specifically defined clearly.

In addition, the embodiments described herein will be described with reference to cross-sectional and / or schematic views, which are ideal illustrations of the invention. Accordingly, shapes of the exemplary views may be modified by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. In addition, each component in each drawing shown in the present invention may be shown to be somewhat enlarged or reduced in view of the convenience of description. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification, and "and / or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned items.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detection unit shown in FIG.

1 and 2, a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a lamp unit 100, a power input unit 200, a failure detector 300, and a power controller 400. have.

The lamp unit 100 may include a plurality of LED units 110 to which a plurality of LEDs are connected in series. Here, the plurality of LED units 110 may each include the same number of LEDs, and the plurality of LED units 110 may be connected in parallel. In addition, the lamp unit 100 may receive power from the power input unit 200, and the power supplied to the lamp unit 100 may be controlled by the power control unit 400.

In one embodiment, the plurality of LED units 110 connected in parallel may all include the same number of LEDs. Accordingly, the current values passing through the LED unit 110 may all be the same, and the voltage values of the output terminals of the respective LED units 110 may all have the same value. Here, the lamp unit 100 has a resistor having a predetermined value for the same voltage value between the output terminal and the ground terminal of the plurality of LED unit 110 in order to prevent the voltage value is changed according to the error of the LED. (RL1, RL2).

The power input unit 200 may supply power input from the power supply device of the vehicle to the lamp unit 100. Here, the power input unit 200 may include a power input terminal connected to the power supply of the vehicle.

The failure detection unit 300 may detect at least one failure of the plurality of LED units 110 included in the lamp unit 100. Here, the failure of the LED unit 110 may mean that at least one of the LEDs included in the LED unit 110 is opened. In one embodiment, the failure detection unit 300 may output a failure signal to the power control unit 400 when at least one failure of the plurality of LEDs included in the lamp unit 100 is detected.

In one embodiment, the failure detection unit 300 may detect the failure by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the plurality of LED unit 110 connected in parallel.

Specifically, the failure detection unit 300 compares the voltage value of the output terminal of any one of the plurality of LED units (110a, 110b) with the voltage value of the output terminal of the other LED unit (110b) When the voltage values are different, a failure signal may be output to the power control unit 400.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the lamp unit 100 includes the first and second LED units 110a and 110b, the failure detecting unit 300 may be connected to the first LED unit 110a as shown in FIG. 2. The fault signal may be output by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a with the voltage value of the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detector illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the lamp unit and the failure detector illustrated in FIG. 1. It is also.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the lamp unit 100 includes the first LED unit 110a, the second LED unit 110b, and the third LED unit 110c, the failure detection unit 300 may include the first LED. The first failure detection unit 300a connected between the unit 110a and the second LED unit 110b and the second failure detection unit connected between the second LED unit 110b and the third LED unit 110c ( 300b). Here, the first failure detecting unit 300a may detect whether there is a failure by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a with the voltage value of the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. The detector 300b may detect whether a failure occurs by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b with the voltage value of the output terminal of the third LED unit 110c.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the lamp unit 100 includes a first LED unit 110a, a second LED unit 110b, a third LED unit 110c, and a fourth LED unit 110d, a failure detection may be performed. The unit 300 is provided between the first failure detection unit 300a and the third LED unit 110c and the fourth LED unit 110d connected between the first LED unit 110a and the second LED unit 110b. It may include a second failure detection unit 300b connected. Here, the first failure detecting unit 300a may detect whether there is a failure by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a with the voltage value of the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. The sensing unit 300b may detect the failure by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the third LED unit 110c with the voltage value of the output terminal of the fourth LED unit 110d.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the voltage controller 400 may adjust power provided to the lamp unit 100 in a voltage supply path between the voltage input unit 200 and the lamp unit 100.

In detail, the voltage controller 400 may transfer the power to the lamp unit 100 when power is input from the power supply of the vehicle to the power input unit 200 under the control of the vehicle control apparatus. Here, when a failure is detected by the failure detector 300, the voltage controller 400 may cut off the power supplied to the lamp unit 100.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle lamp sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, the failure detector 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first resistor R1, a first transistor Q1, and a second transistor Q2.

In an embodiment, the power control unit 400 may include a switching device M1, a third transistor Q3, a fourth transistor Q4, and a fifth transistor Q5.

One end of the first resistor R1 may be connected to the power input unit Vin, and the other end thereof may be connected to the collector of the first transistor Q1, the collector of the second transistor Q2, and the base of the third transistor Q3. .

The first transistor Q1 has a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor R1, a base connected to the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a, and an emitter connected to the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. Can be.

The second transistor Q2 may have a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor R1, an output terminal of the emitter first LED unit 110a, and a collector connected to the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. have.

Here, the first transistor Q1 and the second transistor Q2 may be a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or an npn type BJT.

In addition, the failure detector 300 may include a first distribution resistor R2 and a first resistor R1, a first transistor Q1, and a second transistor Q2 connected between the first resistor R1 and a ground terminal. It may further include a second distribution resistor (R3) connected between the collector of.

In the third transistor Q3, the base may be connected to the other end of the first resistor R1, the emitter may be connected to the power input unit Vin, and the collector may be connected to the ground terminal. Here, the third transistor Q3 may be a bipolar junction transistor and may be a pnp type BJT.

The fourth transistor Q4 may have a base connected to a collector of the third transistor Q3, a collector connected to a power input unit Vin, and an emitter connected to a ground terminal.

The fifth transistor Q5 may have a base connected to the collector of the fourth transistor Q4, a collector connected to the gate of the switching device MOSFET, and an emitter connected to the ground terminal. The fourth transistor Q4 and the fifth transistor Q5 may be bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) or npn type BJTs.

In the switching device M1, a source may be connected to the power input unit Vin, a drain may be connected to an input terminal of the lamp unit 100, and a gate may be connected to the collector of the fifth transistor Q5. Here, the switching device M1 may be a MOSFET.

Referring to the operation of the failure detection unit 300 and the power control unit 400 according to the embodiment of Figure 5, when the LEDs included in the first LED unit 110a and the second LED unit 110b is normally operated, The voltage value of the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a and the voltage value of the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b may have the same value.

In this case, since the voltages of the base terminal and the emitter terminal of the first transistor Q1 are the same, and the voltages of the base terminal and the emitter terminal of the second transistor q2 are the same, the first transistor Q1 and the second transistor Q2. Does not work.

However, when any one of the plurality of LEDs of the first LED unit 110a is opened, the emitter terminal of the second transistor Q2 becomes ground. Accordingly, the voltage at the base end of the second transistor Q2 is higher than the voltage at the emitter end, so that the second transistor Q2 is turned on. When the second transistor Q2 is turned on, current flows from the collector of the second transistor Q2 to the emitter, thereby causing the voltage V1 of the first node n1 to drop. Here, when the voltage at the base terminal of the third transistor Q3 connected to the first node n1 drops, the voltage at the base terminal of the third transistor Q3 is lower than the voltage at the emitter terminal so that the third transistor Q3 When turned on and the third transistor Q3 is turned on, the fourth transistor Q4 is turned on.

Here, when the fourth transistor Q4 is turned on, as the fifth transistor Q5 is turned off and the fifth transistor Q5 is turned off, the switching device M1 is turned off and provided to the lamp unit 100. Power may be cut off.

The lamp control apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may control the power of a daytime running light (DRL) or a position lamp of the vehicle. These daytime running lights or position lights must turn off the entire lamp if any one of the LEDs fails to comply with the requirements of the law. Conventionally, when it is necessary to comply with these regulations, all LEDs are connected in series to configure a circuit so that the entire lamp is turned off when one is opened. However, such a conventional technology requires a complicated circuit such as a booster converter or a driver in order to connect a plurality of LEDs in series, which makes it difficult to miniaturize a control device and requires a high cost.

The present invention is to solve this problem, but connecting a plurality of LED unit in parallel, detects the failure of the LED included in the LED unit, if any one of the LED failure, the power supplied to the lamp unit By blocking, the cost can be reduced while satisfying the regulations for the vehicle lamps, and the effect can be miniaturized.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating another embodiment of the vehicle lamp sensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the lamp control apparatus for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include an overvoltage protection unit 500.

The overvoltage protection unit 500 is provided to the lamp unit 100 to prevent the LED from being damaged due to the overvoltage flowing into the lamp unit 100 when an overvoltage is applied from the vehicle power supply unit to the power input unit Vin. Can cut off the power supply.

In an embodiment, the overvoltage protection part 500 may include a zener diode ZD1, a second resistor R4, and a third resistor R5.

The zener diode ZD1 may have a cathode connected to a power input unit Vin and an anode connected to a base of the fourth transistor Q4. Here, the breakdown voltage of the zener diode ZD1 may be determined according to a limit voltage for protecting the lamp unit 100.

When an overvoltage is applied to the voltage input unit Vin, the overvoltage protection part 500 flows a current from the cathode of the zener diode ZD1 toward the anode, and the current turns on the fourth transistor Q4 to turn on the fifth transistor Q5. ) May be turned off, and finally, the switching element M1 may be turned off to block overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit 100.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp control apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of a lamp unit and a failure detection unit illustrated in FIG. 7. 10 is a view for explaining an embodiment of the PWM signal generated in the PWM signal generator in the daytime driving mode, Figure 10 is an embodiment of a PWM signal generated in the PWM signal generator in the position lamp mode A diagram for explaining.

7 and 8 have the same basic configuration as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, but generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal for controlling dimming of the LED according to the operation mode of the lamp unit. It further includes a PWM signal generating unit 600 for outputting.

7 and 8, the PWM signal generator 600 may generate a PWM signal according to the operation mode of the lamp unit 100 and output the generated PWM signal to the power controller 400. Here, the PWM signal generator 600 may receive a signal for the operation mode of the lamp unit 100 from the control device of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the PWM signal generation unit 600 is to adjust the brightness of the lamp unit 100 to the maximum, when the operation mode of the lamp unit 100 is the first mode (eg, daytime running light mode), As shown in FIG. 9, a PWM signal having a duty ratio having a first signal value (eg, 1) may be generated and output to the power control unit 400. In addition, when the operation mode of the lamp unit 100 is the second mode (for example, the position lamp mode), the PWM signal generator 600 may have a duty ratio of the power supply having a second signal value (for example, as shown in FIG. 10). 0.1) to generate a PWM signal and output it to the power control unit 400. Here, the magnitude of the second signal value may be equal to or less than the magnitude of the first signal value. In addition, the frequency of the PWM signal may be 250 Hz, the frequency of the PWM signal may be changed as necessary.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a vehicle lamp sensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 11, the failure detecting unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first resistor R1, a first transistor Q1, and a second transistor Q2.

In an embodiment, the power control unit 400 may include a switching device M1, a third transistor Q3, a fourth transistor Q4, and a fifth transistor Q5.

One end of the first resistor R1 may be connected to the power input unit Vin, and the other end thereof may be connected to the collector of the first transistor Q1, the collector of the second transistor Q2, and the base of the third transistor Q3. .

The first transistor Q1 has a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor R1, a base connected to the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a, and an emitter connected to the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. Can be.

The second transistor Q2 may have a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor R1, an output terminal of the emitter first LED unit 110a, and a collector connected to the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. have.

In addition, the failure detector 300 may include a first distribution resistor R2 and a first resistor R1, a first transistor Q1, and a second transistor Q2 connected between the first resistor R1 and a ground terminal. It may further include a second distribution resistor (R3) connected between the collector of.

In the third transistor Q3, the base may be connected to the other end of the first resistor R1, the emitter may be connected to the power input unit Vin, and the collector may be connected to the ground terminal. Here, the third transistor Q3 may be a bipolar junction transistor and may be a pnp type BJT.

The fourth transistor Q4 may have a base connected to a collector of the third transistor Q3, a collector connected to a power input unit Vin, and an emitter connected to a ground terminal.

The fifth transistor Q5 may have a base connected to the collector of the fourth transistor Q4, a collector connected to the gate of the switching device MOSFET, and an emitter connected to the ground terminal. Here, the first transistor Q1, the second transistor Q2, the fourth transistor Q4, and the fifth transistor Q5 may be a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and may be an npn type BJT. .

The PWM signal generator 600 may generate a PWM signal according to the operation mode of the ramp unit 100 and output the PWM signal to the base terminal of the fifth transistor Q5.

In the switching device M1, a source may be connected to the power input unit Vin, a drain may be connected to an input terminal of the lamp unit 100, and a gate may be connected to the collector of the fifth transistor Q5.

Referring to the operation of the failure detection unit 300 and the power control unit 400 according to the embodiment of FIG. 11, first, the fifth transistor Q5 and the switching device according to the PWM signal generated by the PWM signal generator 600. As M1 is turned on / off, power having a duty ratio according to an operation mode may be provided to the lamp unit 100.

Here, when the LEDs included in the first LED unit 110a and the second LED unit 110b operate normally, the voltage value of the output terminal of the first LED unit 110a and the output terminal of the second LED unit 110b. The voltage value of may have the same value.

In this case, since the voltages of the base terminal and the emitter terminal of the first transistor Q1 are the same, and the voltages of the base terminal and the emitter terminal of the second transistor Q2 are the same, the first transistor Q1 and the second transistor Q2. Does not work.

However, when any one of the plurality of LEDs of the first LED unit 110a is opened, the emitter terminal of the second transistor Q2 becomes ground. Accordingly, the voltage at the base end of the second transistor Q2 is higher than the voltage at the emitter end, so that the second transistor Q2 is turned on. When the second transistor Q2 is turned on, current flows from the collector of the second transistor Q2 to the emitter, thereby causing the voltage V1 of the first node n1 to drop. Here, when the voltage at the base terminal of the third transistor Q3 connected to the first node n1 drops, the voltage at the base terminal of the third transistor Q3 is lower than the voltage at the emitter terminal so that the third transistor Q3 When turned on and the third transistor Q3 is turned on, the fourth transistor Q4 is turned on.

Here, when the fourth transistor Q4 is turned on, as the fifth transistor Q5 is turned off and the fifth transistor Q5 is turned off, the switching device M1 is turned off and provided to the lamp unit 100. Power may be cut off.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of the vehicle lamp sensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.

12, the vehicle lamp control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a malfunction preventing unit 700.

When the PWM signal is input to the power control unit 400, the malfunction prevention unit 700 may prevent the power off state due to the detection of a failure by the PWM signal.

Specifically, the vehicle lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a failure occurs in any one of the plurality of LEDs included in the lamp unit 100, the switching element (M1) of the power control unit 400 is turned It may be turned off to cut off the power supply.

Here, when the lamp unit 100 is operated in the position lamp mode, a PWM signal having a duty ratio of less than 1 may be input to the power control unit 400.

However, when a PWM signal having a duty ratio of less than 1 is input to the power control unit 400, within one period, when the PWM signal is high, a failure is detected and supplied to the lamp unit 100. Even if the power is cut off, when the PWM signal is low, the failure detection state is initialized, and when the PWM signal of the next cycle is high, there is a problem of repeatedly detecting the failure and repeatedly shutting down the power. In this case, the LED units which do not include the LED which has failed due to the high signal input to the lamp unit 100 every cycle emit light, and the lamp unit 100 blinks or emits faint light. Problems that do not satisfy the law may occur.

The present invention is to solve this problem, when a failure is detected, the malfunction prevention unit 700 charges the charge when the PWM signal of the power input from the PWM signal generation unit 600 is high, the low At this time, by discharging the charged charge to the third transistor Q3, it is possible to prevent the power supply state (failure detection state) from being released by the PWM signal.

In an embodiment, the malfunction prevention part 700 may include a sixth transistor Q6 and a capacitor C1.

The sixth transistor Q6 has a base connected to the collector of the third transistor Q3, a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor (or the other end of the first distribution resistor), and an emitter connected to the ground terminal.

The capacitor C1 may be connected between the collector of the third transistor Q3 and the ground terminal. Here, the capacitor C1 is for turning on the fourth transistor Q4 for blocking the supply of power to the lamp unit 100 while the PWM signal is low, and the capacitance of the capacitor C1 is the lamp unit 100. It may be determined according to the duty ratio of the position lamp mode. That is, the capacitor C1 provides a voltage for turning on the fourth transistor Q4 while the PWM signal is low, and the capacitance of the capacitor C1 may be inversely proportional to the on duty ratio.

Referring to the operation of the malfunction prevention unit 700 according to the present embodiment, when a failure occurs in any one of the plurality of LEDs, when the PWM signal is high, the first transistor Q1 or the second transistor Q2 When the third transistor Q3 is turned on as it is turned on and the third transistor Q3 is turned on, the sixth transistor Q6 is turned on to charge the capacitor C1. Here, when the PWM signal goes low, all of the first to third and sixth transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q6 are turned off, and the voltage charged in the capacitor C1 is provided to the fourth transistor Q4. The turn-on state of the fourth transistor Q4 may be maintained, and accordingly, the turn-off state of the switching device M1 may be maintained to maintain the power-off state.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating another example of the vehicle lamp sensing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 13, when an overvoltage is applied from the power supply of the vehicle to the power input unit Vin, the overvoltage protection unit 500 may prevent the overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit 100 to prevent the LED from being damaged. The power provided to the unit 100 may be cut off.

In an embodiment, the overvoltage protection part 500 may include a zener diode ZD1, a second resistor R4, and a third resistor R5.

The zener diode ZD1 may have a cathode connected to a power input unit Vin and an anode connected to a base of the fourth transistor Q4. Here, the breakdown voltage of the zener diode ZD1 may be determined according to a limit voltage for protecting the lamp unit 100.

When an overvoltage is applied to the voltage input unit Vin, the overvoltage protection part 500 flows a current from the cathode of the zener diode ZD1 toward the anode, and the current turns on the fourth transistor Q4 to turn on the fifth transistor Q5. ) May be turned off, and finally, the switching element M1 may be turned off to block overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit 100.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, but is defined by the claims below, and the configuration of the present invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be changed and modified.

100: lamp unit
110: LED
200: power input unit
300: fault detection unit
400: power control unit
500: overvoltage protection
600: PWM signal generator
700: malfunction prevention unit

Claims (21)

A lamp unit including a plurality of LED units connected in series to a plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of LED units are connected in parallel;
A power input unit supplying power input from a power supply device of the vehicle to the lamp unit;
A failure detecting unit detecting a failure of at least one of the plurality of LED units; And
And a power control unit which cuts off power supplied to the lamp unit when a failure is detected by the failure detecting unit.
The failure detection unit,
A first resistor having one end connected to the power input unit;
A first transistor having a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor, a base connected to an output terminal of any one of the plurality of LED units, and an emitter connected to the other output terminal of the plurality of LED units; And
A second transistor having a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor, an emitter connected to one output terminal of the plurality of LED units, and a base connected to the other output terminal of the plurality of LED units; and,
The power control unit,
A switching device having a source connected to the power input unit and a drain connected to the lamp unit; And
And a third transistor having a base connected to the other end of the first resistor, an emitter connected to the power input, and a collector connected to a ground terminal.
The third transistor,
And at least one of the first transistor and the second transistor is turned on so that the switching element is turned off when a voltage drop occurs at the other end of the first resistor.
The method of claim 1, wherein the failure detection unit,
The lamp control device for a vehicle to detect the failure by comparing the voltage value of the output terminal of the plurality of LED unit.
The method of claim 2, wherein the failure detection unit,
And a failure signal is output to the power control unit when the voltage value of one of the plurality of LED units is different from the voltage value of the other output terminal.
delete The method of claim 1, wherein the power control unit,
A fourth transistor having a base connected to the collector of the third transistor, a collector connected to the power input, and an emitter connected to the ground terminal; And
And a fifth transistor having a base connected to a collector of the fourth transistor, a collector connected to a gate of the switching element, and an emitter connected to the ground terminal.
The method of claim 5,
And an overvoltage protector configured to operate the fourth transistor to prevent the overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit when an overvoltage is applied to the power input unit.
The method of claim 6, wherein the overvoltage protection unit,
A zener diode having a cathode connected to the power input unit and an anode connected to a base of the fourth transistor;
A second resistor connected between the zener diode and the base of the fourth transistor; And
A third resistor connected between the base of the fourth transistor and the ground terminal;
Vehicle lamp control device comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
And a PWM signal generator for outputting a PWM signal according to an operation mode of the lamp unit to the power control unit.
The method of claim 8, wherein the PWM signal generation unit,
And generating a PWM signal having a first signal value having a duty ratio of the power input to the lamp unit when the operation mode is the first mode, and outputting the PWM signal to the power control unit.
The method of claim 9, wherein the first mode,
Vehicle lamp control device in the daytime running mode that performs the daytime running lamp function.
The method of claim 8, wherein the PWM signal generation unit,
When the operation mode is the second mode, the vehicle lamp control device for generating a PWM signal having a duty ratio of the power input to the lamp unit having a second signal value and outputs the PWM signal.
The method of claim 11, wherein the second mode,
A vehicle lamp control device in position lamp mode that performs a position lamp function.
delete The method of claim 8,
The power control unit may include a base connected to the collector of the third transistor, a collector connected to the power input unit, a fourth transistor and a base connected to an emitter connected to the ground terminal, and a collector connected to the fourth transistor. A fifth transistor having a collector connected to the gate of the switching device and an emitter connected to the ground terminal; More,
The PWM signal generator, the vehicle lamp control device for outputting the PWM signal to the base of the fifth transistor.
delete The method of claim 14,
When the fault is detected by being connected to the collector of the third transistor, the charge is charged when the PWM signal is high, and when the PWM signal is low, the charged charge is discharged to the lamp unit by the PWM signal. Malfunction prevention unit for preventing the interruption of the power supply is released.
The method of claim 16, wherein the malfunction prevention unit,
A sixth transistor having a base connected to the collector of the third transistor, a collector connected to the other end of the first resistor, and an emitter connected to the ground terminal; And
A capacitor connected between the collector of the third transistor and the ground terminal;
Vehicle lamp control device comprising a.
The method of claim 17, wherein the capacitor,
And a capacitance is determined based on a duty ratio determined according to an operation mode of the lamp unit.
The method of claim 17,
And a capacitance of the capacitor is inversely proportional to an on duty ratio of the lamp unit.
The method of claim 14,
And an overvoltage protector configured to operate the fourth transistor to prevent the overvoltage from flowing into the lamp unit when an overvoltage is applied to the power input unit.
The method of claim 20, wherein the overvoltage protection unit,
A zener diode having a cathode connected to the power input unit and an anode connected to a base of the fifth transistor;
A second resistor connected between the zener diode and the base; And
A third resistor connected between the base and the ground terminal;
Vehicle lamp control device comprising a.

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