DE19722958A1 - Light-emitting diodes for illumination of controls in motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Each LED (1) is mounted on its own printed circuit board (2) together with a resistor (3), and connected to the vehicular wiring system by a cable (5) terminated in a plug (6) and secured to the board by a clip (4). The LEDs are crimped directly to the end of the cable which has maximum dimensions of 1 mm x 0.25-0.35 mm. The circuitry may be integrated into the central electronics of the vehicle.

Description

The present patent application comprises a complete offer for the automotive and Vehicle industry for the more economical design of night design for special applications. To date, this includes components that are difficult or impossible to illuminate, such as switches and switching knobs, Control wheels, rocker arms, recessed grips and the like. The offer also offers cost - optimized solutions for the replacement of existing applications with light bulbs and complex fiber optic systems.

The state of the art is that today in the age of modern electronics still Incandescent lamps of a conventional type in vehicles for various labeling and / or Lighting purposes are used. However, these are energy intensive and susceptible to mechanical shocks. Furthermore, their use requires a high level of technology Effort (socket, bracket, fiber optic cable or material).

The present patent application can be used in all vehicles. For this apply to cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, electric vehicles and small motor vehicles for the disabled and in sports, industrial trucks, excavators and other construction equipment, watercraft.

Only light emitting diodes, hereinafter referred to as LEDs, are used.

1. Decentralized variant

In control wheels for ventilation and / or heating flaps, as well as other actuating elements, one or more LEDs are installed by means of a printed circuit board. This circuit board contains: LED, series resistor, connection points or contacts for the on-board voltage. This variant is preferably suitable for up to 3 LEDs. (See drawing 1, circuit 1 ).

2. Central variant

All LEDs are controlled by a resistor network or circuit. Advantage: The electronic circuit can be integrated into the central vehicle electronics. It is also possible to easily and inexpensively accommodate a printed circuit board in rectangular format and without special contours. This eliminates the need for several individual, specially shaped printed circuit boards. The LEDs are supplied from the central vehicle electronics via a single supply cable with a maximum of 1 × 0.25-0.35 mm² and crimped directly onto this. The shift takes place against the vehicle mass. This enables a much easier, constructive installation of the LED's on site. This variant is suitable for several applications. (See drawing 1, circuit 2 and drawing 2).

The entire LED range can be used, from mini-LEDs to special LEDs can be operated directly with 9-15 V, up to high-performance LEDs with light intensities of 1-15 000 Millicandela - mcd -, with a current consumption of max. 20 mA.

The light intensity of LED groups can be staggered over different networks or wiring of the circuits.

The LEDs are mainly offered in the colors red, green and yellow. For a white one Certain yellow LEDs are suitable for night design. Positioned behind white PC material a good whitening effect is achieved.

All circuits are basic circuits that are specially dimensioned in the application Need to become. This depends in particular on which components the different Manufacturers are typed and optimized for their production in terms of both quality and cost have approved. The variant with an integrated circuit enables an additional one Brightness control of all connected LEDs.

3. Night design

So far, this has almost exclusively included the conventional area of the dashboard and visual inspection such as control wheels for ventilation and / or heating flaps. Useful Extensions are: marking / lighting of door handle recesses on all vehicle doors; Ashtray lids in the area of doors, center consoles or seat backrests; Ignition lock lighting; Marking el. Window regulator, trunk lever, radio cover, open door with marking of the top and bottom edge of the door exit, interior light switch (max. 1 mcd).

In this way, e.g. B. Mid-range cars can be upgraded significantly.

In the field of construction machinery, the color of the LED's can make the autovisual Overview of control levers can be improved. The same applies to water vehicles as for all types of disabled vehicles.  

5. Appendix

Drawing 1 - simple circuit ( 1 ), circuit with resistance network ( 2 );
Drawing 2 - circuit with integrated circuit;
Drawing 3 - Design variant for control wheels;
Drawing 4 - further design variants for toggle lever, shift knob, control wheel, schematic.

Claims (2)

1. Light emitting diodes for lighting (night design), of fittings, control wheels for ventilation and / or heating flaps and operating elements such as recessed door handles on vehicle doors; Ashtray lids in the area of doors, center consoles or seat backrests; Ignition lock lighting; Marking el. Window regulator; Trunk lever; Radio coverage; Marking the top and bottom edge of the door exit; Light switch interior lighting, characterized in that these are installed by means of a printed circuit board on which the diode itself, the series resistor and the connection contacts for the on-board voltage are located. 2. Light emitting diodes according to claim 1, characterized in that these by means of a circuit or Resistor network are controlled centrally, in the central vehicle electronics is integrated. From there, the diodes are supplied via a single supply cable and to this crimped directly.