FR2881389A1 - Motor vehicle e.g. car, lighting or signaling device, has secondary voltage regulator substituting primary regulator in case of failure of primary regulator and including output to deliver supply voltage to lamps - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a set of lamps (16-19), and a primary voltage regulator (32) mounted inside a signaling lamp (6) that is fixed outside the body of a motor vehicle. A secondary voltage regulator (34) is adapted to substitute automatically the voltage regulator (32) in case of failure of the regulator (32). The regulator (34) has an input for receiving a direct voltage and an output for delivering supply voltage to the lamps (16-19). An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle including a signaling or lighting device.

Description

The present invention relates to a signaling device or

  lighting a motor vehicle using at least two regulators, and a vehicle equipped with this device.

  Known signaling or lighting devices of a motor vehicle equipped with a body, comprise: at least one signaling or lighting lamp; and a first voltage regulator mounted inside a signaling or lighting light mounted outside the body of the motor vehicle, said first regulator comprising an input for receiving a DC voltage and an output for delivering a supply voltage to the or each lamp, the first regulator being able to build the supply voltage from the DC voltage received.

  The lamp is, for example, that located inside one of the rear lights of the vehicle.

  The operation of these known devices is satisfactory. However, when the controller fails, the signal or lighting lamp can no longer be used.

  The invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a more reliable signaling device.

  The subject of the invention is therefore a signaling or lighting device as described above comprising a second regulator adapted to automatically replace the first regulator in the event of failure of the first regulator, this second regulator comprising an input for receiving the DC voltage and an output for supplying the supply voltage to the or each lamp, the second regulator being adapted to build the supply voltage from the DC voltage received.

  The reliability of the above device is improved since in case of failure of the first regulator, the supply of the or each lamp is supported by the second regulator. Thus, this device allows to continue to use the or each signal lamp or lighting despite a failure of the first regulator.

  The embodiments of this signaling or lighting device may comprise one or more of the following features: the first regulator comprises a pulse width modulation chopper for generating the supply voltage from the DC voltage, depending on the a cyclical report; the second regulator is capable of constructing the supply voltage solely by means of ohmic resistors; a switch capable of activating the supply of the or each lamp from the second regulator only in the event of failure of the first regulator; a controllable switch capable of inhibiting or, on the contrary, activating the supply of the or each lamp from the second regulator; and a control circuit of the switch as a function of the difference between the DC voltage and the DC voltage. power supply built by the first regulator; the control circuit is an RC (Resistance-Capacitor) filter; a first electrical conductor connected directly to the output of the first regulator and to a first lamp for supplying this lamp with the supply voltage; - a second electrical conductor connected directly to the output of the second regulator for supplying a second lamp from this source; second regulator; and - a third current bidirectional electrical conductor for connecting both the second lamp to the first conductor and the first lamp to the second conductor; the second regulator is mounted inside another signaling or lighting light than that inside which the first regulator is mounted.

  These embodiments of the signaling or lighting device furthermore have the following advantages: the use of a regulator comprising a pulse width modulation chopper improves the operation of the lamps, especially in the event of a drop in voltage keep on going; the use of a second regulator using only one or more ohmic resistors to build the supply voltage reduces the cost of the device; the combination of a controllable switch and a simple parallel RC filter to build the switch reduces the cost of the device; the use of the difference in voltage between the DC voltage and the voltage constructed by the first regulator makes it possible to switch automatically to the second regulator; the use of a third conductor by both the first and second regulators reduces wiring costs; and - placing the first and second regulators each in a respective signaling or lighting signal makes it possible to install this device in existing vehicles.

  The subject of the invention is also a motor vehicle equipped with the signaling or lighting device described above, as well as a signaling or lighting method for a motor vehicle implemented in the device described above. .

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the architecture of a device for signaling a motor vehicle, and - Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method of signaling or lighting a motor vehicle.

  FIG. 1 represents a motor vehicle 2, such as, for example a car, equipped with a signaling device 4.

  The device 4 comprises: a signaling light 6 or a body-mounted light attached to the rear left of the vehicle 2; a signaling light 8 attached to the right rear of the vehicle 2; - A side light 10 or flap light attached to the left side of the vehicle 2 and a side light 12 fixed on the right side of the vehicle 2; and a computer 14 capable of controlling the switching on or off of these lights in response to commands transmitted, for example, by a driver.

  The lights are attached to the outside of the vehicle body 2.

  Lamps 16 to 19 are mounted inside, respectively, lights 6, 8, 10 and 12. Each of these lamps is, for example, formed by a network of light emitting diodes 22 or LED (Light Emitting Diodes).

  Each lamp 16 or 17 is used to signal alternately, either the position of the vehicle or an action on the vehicle brakes. Each of these lamps 16 or 17 is therefore used during operation as position lights or as stop lights.

  The lamps 18 and 19 are only intended to be used as position lights.

  The lamps 16 and 17 are connected via respective resistors 24 and 26 to output terminals 28 and 30 respectively of voltage regulators 32 and 34.

  The regulator 32 and the resistor 24 are mounted inside the lamp 6 while the regulator 34 and the resistor 26 are mounted inside the lamp 8.

  The lamps 16 and 17 are also connected by means of another electrical conductor to the vehicle 2.

  The regulators 32 and 34 are each able to deliver respectively on the terminals 28 and 30, either a supply voltage V1r or a supply voltage V2 lower than the voltage V1. The voltage V1 corresponds to the stop light function and the voltage V2 corresponds to the position light function.

  For this purpose, the regulator 32 comprises a first branch connecting an input terminal 36 of direct voltage U to the terminal 28 only via a diode 38 intended to prevent a current flowing in this branch of the terminal The terminal 36 is connected to a terminal 40 of the computer 14. The computer 14 is able to deliver the DC voltage U on this terminal 40, when the stop light left must be activated.

  The regulator 32 also comprises a second branch connecting an input terminal 42 of the voltage U to the terminal 28 via a voltage chopper 44 and a diode 46. The diode 46 is configured to prevent a current flows from terminal 28 to terminal 42.

  The terminal 42 is connected to an output terminal 48 of the computer 14.

  The chopper 44 is adapted to generate the voltage V2 from the voltage U received on the terminal 42, by modulating pulse widths as a function of a duty cycle.

  A terminal 50 of the regulator 32 is connected to the electrical ground of the vehicle 2.

  Finally, the regulator 32 comprises an output terminal 52 of the voltage V2. For this purpose, inside the regulator 32, the terminal 52 is directly connected to an output of the chopper 44.

  The terminal 52 is connected by an electrical conductor 54 to an input terminal 56 of a resistance card 58.

  The terminal 56 is connected to an output terminal 60 of the card 58 via a diode 62 and a resistor ohmic 64 voltage. The diode 62 prevents a current flow from the terminal 60 to the terminal 56. The terminal 60 is connected to the lamp 18 to supply it. The card 58 also comprises a conductor 66 connecting the lamp 18 to the mass of the vehicle 2.

  The card 58 is housed inside fire 10.

  The regulator 34 comprises a first branch connecting an input terminal 70 of the voltage U to the terminal 30 only via a diode 72. The diode 72 is configured to prevent the flow of a current in this branch going from marker 30 to marker 70

  The terminal 70 is connected to an output terminal 76 of the computer 14.

  The regulator 34 also comprises a second branch connecting the terminal 30 to an input terminal 78 of the voltage U via a diode 80, an ohmic resistor 82 and a diode 84. The diodes 80 and 84 are configured to prevent current flow from terminal 30 to terminal 78. Resistor 82 is calibrated to build voltage V2 from voltage U. Terminal 78 is connected to a terminal 86 output of the voltage U of the computer 14.

  Finally, the regulator 34 comprises a terminal 88 connected to the vehicle ground 2 and an output terminal 90 of the voltage V2. Inside the regulator 34, the terminal 90 is connected directly between the resistor 82 and the diode 80.

  The terminal 90 is connected via a conductor 92 to an input 94 of a resistance card 96.

  The resistor card 96 has an output terminal 98 connected to the lamp 19. This card 96 is, for example, identical to the card 58 and will not be described here in more detail. This card 96 is housed inside the fire 12.

  The device 4 also includes a bidirectional electric conductor 100, to enable the lamps 17 and 19 to be fed through the conductor 54 and to enable the lamps 16 and 18 to be fed through the conductor 92. For this purpose, the conductors 54 and 92 each comprise an electrical connection respectively 102 and 104. The connector 102 establishes the electrical contact between one end of the conductor 100 and the conductor 54. The connection 104 establishes the electrical contact between the other end of the For example, the connectors 102 and 104 are splices.

  Under these conditions, the regulator 32 is able to supply the lamps 16 and 18, as well as the lamps 17 and 19, and the regulator 34 is able to supply the lamps 17 and 19 as well as the lamps 16 and 18. lamps 16 to 19 simultaneously from the regulators 32 and 34, the device 4 comprises a switch 110.

  The switch 110 is able to activate the regulator 34 only when the regulator 32, and more precisely the chopper 44, is faulty. For this purpose, the switch 110 comprises a switch 112 and a circuit 114 for controlling this switch. The switch 112 is, for example, a P-channel MOSFET whose source is connected directly to the diode 84 and whose drain is connected directly to the resistor 82. The gate of this transistor is connected to the circuit 114.

  The circuit 114 is a filter such as an RC filter comprising a capacitor 116, in parallel with a resistor 118.

  The capacitor 116 and the resistor 118 are connected on one side to the gate of the switch 112 and on the other side to the vehicle ground. The capacitor plate opposite to the plate connected to the vehicle ground is connected via a diode 120 to the terminal 90. The diode 120 is configured to prevent the flow of current from the RC filter to the terminal 90 .

  The operation of the device 4 will now be described with reference to the method of FIG.

  During normal operation, that is to say when the controller 32 does not exhibit any failure, the lamps 16 to 19 are powered by the regulator 32. More precisely, when a motorist controls the ignition of the position lights, the the computer 14 delivers, during a step 140, the voltage U only on the terminals 48 and 86. The chopper 44 ax, during a step 142, the voltage U received on the terminal 42, to build the voltage V2 from this voltage U. The voltage V2 is delivered by the terminals 28 and 52. The voltage V2 corresponds to that required for the lamps to radiate with an intensity: Luminous corresponding to the function of position lights. Under these conditions, the regulator 32 supplies, during a step 144, the lamp 16 via the terminal 28 and the resistor 24, and the lamp 18 via the terminal 52, the conductor 54 and of resistance card 58.

  In step 144, the regulator 32 also supplies the lamp 19 via the leads 54, 100 and 92 and the resistor card 96.

  Still during step 144, the lamp 17 is supplied by the regulator 32 via the conductors 54, 100 and 92, the diode 80, the terminal 30 and the resistor 26.

  Under these conditions, the circuit 114 filters the voltage V2, during a step 150, and delivers the filtered voltage to the gate of the switch 112. In parallel, the voltage U is received via the terminal 78 and of the diode 84 on the source of the switch 112, during a step 152.

  In these circumstances, the switch 112 is blocked since the voltage on its gate is substantially equal to the voltage on its source. When the switch 112 is blocked, it is open and no current flows between the diode 84 and the resistor 82.

  If the driver simultaneously activates the position lights and the stop lights, the computer 14 delivers, during a step 154, the voltage U on all of the terminals 40, 48, 76 and 86. The voltage U is then transmitted directly on the terminals 28 and 30 through, respectively, diodes 38 and 72, so that the voltage U forms the voltage V1 delivered to the lamps 16 and 17.

  The lamps 16 and 17 then radiate with a luminous intensity corresponding to the stoplight function greater than that required for the position lamp function.

  In parallel, the chopper 44 builds the voltage V2 from the voltage U and delivers this voltage to the terminal 52. Therefore, the lamps 18 and 19 are powered with the voltage V2 built by the regulator 32.

  When only the stop lamps are activated, the computer 14 delivers only the voltage U on the terminals 40 and 76. Under these conditions, the regulators 32 and 34 deliver the voltage V1 only on the terminals 28 and 30, so that only the lamps 16 and 17 are powered.

  When the chopper 44 is faulty, that is to say it is no longer able to build the voltage V2 from the voltage U, the device 4 automatically goes into a backup operating mode.

  In this emergency mode of operation, when the driver controls the ignition of the position lights, the computer 14 delivers, in a step 154, as previously, the voltage U only on the terminals 48 and 86. However, although the voltage U is received on the terminal 42, no voltage V2 is built by the chopper 44 failed. Therefore, the difference between the voltage filtered by the circuit 114 and the voltage received by the terminal 78 of the regulator 34 is sufficient to turn on, during a step 156, the switch 112. The voltage U is then lowered, when a step 158, by the resistor 82 to obtain the voltage V2. This voltage V2 is delivered, during a step 160, through the terminals 30 and 90 of the regulator 34. The lamp 17 is thus supplied with this voltage V2 via the resistor 26.

  In parallel, the voltage V2 delivered by the terminal 90 is transmitted to the lamp 19 via the conductor 92.

  Also in parallel, this voltage V2 is also transmitted to the lamps 16 and 18. Specifically, the lamp 16 receives the voltage V2 delivered by the terminal 90 via the conductors 92, 100 and 54, the terminal 52, the The lamp 18 receives the voltage V2 delivered by the terminal 90 via the conductors 92, 100 and 54 and the resistance card 58.

  Thus, although the chopper 44 is faulty, the four lamps 16 to 19 are lit.

  A failure of the chopper 44 does not affect the operation of the lamps 16 to 17, when they fulfill the function of stop lights. Indeed, the voltage V1 is obtained without transformation via the diodes 38 and 72.

  Finally, if in the emergency operating mode, the driver controls both the lighting of the parking lights and stop lamps, the lamps 16 and 17 are powered with the voltage V1 delivered respectively by the terminals 28 and 30 and the lamps 18 and 19 are powered with the voltage V2 delivered by the terminal 90.

  Many other embodiments of the device 4 are possible. For example, the device 4 has been described in the particular case of left and right rear left and right and left side traffic lights. Alternatively, the device 4 comprises in addition to or instead of the rear lights, lighting lights front left and right of the vehicle. The device 4 may also include the pilot lamp used to illuminate the license plate of the vehicle.

  The lamps are here made using LED arrays. In a variant, this LED array is replaced by a mono-filament lamp or a halogen lamp. Lamp is also understood to mean any type of light source.

  The device 4 has been described in the particular case where the regulator 34 is a resistance regulator not including a chopper. In a variant, the regulator 34 is replaced by a regulator identical to the regulator 32.

  The device 4 has been described in the particular case where it feeds several lamps. Alternatively, this device can be applied to the case where there is only one lamp to power.

Claims (9)

  1. Device for signaling or lighting a motor vehicle equipped with a box, this device 5 comprising: - at least one lamp (16 to 19) signaling or lighting; and a first voltage regulator (32) mounted inside a signaling or lighting lamp (6) fixed outside the body of the motor vehicle, this first regulator comprising an input for receiving a voltage continuous and an output for delivering a supply voltage to the or each lamp, the first regulator being adapted to build the supply voltage from the received DC voltage, characterized in that the device comprises a second regulator (34 ) adapted to automatically replace the first regulator in case of failure of the first regulator, this second regulator comprising an input for receiving the DC voltage and an output for supplying the supply voltage to the or each lamp, the second regulator being suitable to build the supply voltage from the DC voltage received.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first regulator (32) comprises a pulse width modulation chopper (44) for generating the supply voltage from the DC voltage, as a function of a cyclical report.   3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second regulator (34) is adapted to build the supply voltage only with ohmic resistors (82).   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a switch (110) adapted to activate the supply of the or each lamp from the second regulator (34) only in case of failure of the first regulator.   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the switch comprises: a controllable switch (112) able to inhibit or, on the contrary, to activate the supply of the or each lamp from the second regulator, and circuit (114) for controlling the switch as a function of the difference between the DC voltage and the supply voltage constructed by the first regulator.   8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control circuit is an RC (Resistance-Capacitor) filter.   9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a first electrical conductor (54) connected directly to the output of the first regulator (32) and a first lamp (18) for delivering to this lamp the supply voltage, - a second electrical conductor (92) connected directly to the output of the second regulator (34) for supplying a second lamp (19) from this second regulator, and - a third conductor (100) bi-directional electrical current for connecting both the second lamp (19) to the first conductor (54) and the first lamp (18) to the second conductor (92).   8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second regulator is mounted inside another traffic light (8) signaling or lighting that to: Inside which is mounted first regulator.   9. Motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises a device (4) for signaling or lighting according to any one of the preceding claims.