GB2595507A

GB2595507A - An ignition switch illumination system

Info

Publication number: GB2595507A
Application number: GB2008057.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thangam Aiyam Pillai Balaji; Paul Luke Kingkam Durai Winnefred
Original assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Priority date: 2020-05-29
Filing date: 2020-05-29
Publication date: 2021-12-01
Also published as: GB202008057D0

Abstract

An ignition switch illumination system is disclosed herein. The ignition switch illumination system comprises an illumination device and a magnetic sensor. The illumination device is positioned in order to illuminate an ignition switch. The magnetic sensor detects magnetic flux from a magnetic ignition key. The illumination device illuminates the ignition switch when the magnetic sensor detects a magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key. A method of illuminating an ignition switch is also disclosed.

Description

An Ignition Switch Illumination System

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to an ignition switch. In particular, this disclosure relates to a position indicator for an ignition switch disclosed herein is for outdoor applications, such as a two-wheeler, an all-terrain vehicle, an agriculture machinery or a heavy equipment vehicle.

Background

Often times, a rider of outdoor motor vehicles such as a two-wheeler or an all-terrain vehicle can only depend on lighting from street lamp to visually locate lock position of the motor vehicle at night or under dimly-lit conditions, and therefore, locating position of the lock may be challenging.

A known relevant art discloses a door knob and/or door frame containing a light emitting diode (LED) which utilises motion detection to activate a combination of illumination of the LED and activation of sound as a safety feature, implements a motion detection circuit operable between a sleep mode and a standby mode. The motion detection circuit is in a sleep mode when the visibility of light is above an expected level and in a standby mode when the visibility of light is below an expected level. To achieve such operation, a light detection circuit is necessary to determine the visibility of light and the light detection circuit needs to be constantly measuring visibility of light to support this safety system. However, such systems are not feasible in the context of a motor vehicle. If activation of the system is done using motion detection, in outdoor motor vehicle applications, other problematic issues may emerge, for example activation of system may occur, for example when pedestrians walking pass a motor vehicle parked at a dimly lit roadside.

Summary

A purpose of this disclosure is to ameliorate the problem of the inability to determine a position of an ignition switch of a motor vehicle at night or under dimly-lit conditions, by providing the subject-matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an ignition switch illumination system is disclosed. The ignition switch illu-mination system may comprise an illumination device configured to be positioned in order to illuminate an ignition switch; and a magnetic sensor configured to detect magnetic flux from a magnetic ignition key. The illumination device may be configured to illuminate the ignition switch when the magnetic sensor detects magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key. Advantageously, this configuration allows the illumination device to switch on or light up, to indicate a position of the ignition switch. This feature is particularly useful to assist with visibility of the position of the ignition switch at night time.

The ignition switch illumination system may further comprise a light sensor configured to detect a level of light proximate the ignition switch. The illumination device may be configured to illuminate the ignition switch when the magnetic sensor detects magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key and the light sensor detects that the level of light proximate the ignition switch is below a threshold value. Advantageously, this configuration ensures that the illumination device is light up only when there is an insufficient level of light present in the ambient.

The magnetic sensor may comprise a switch. The switch may be a digital hall effect sensor. Alternatively, the switch may be a magneto-resistive sensor. Advantageously, the switch enables to the illumination device to exchange between an ON state and an OFF state depending on the presence of the magnetic flux.

The light sensor may be a light dependent resistor (LDR). The light sensor may comprise a photodiode, a photocell or a photoresistor. Advantageously, the light sensor operates to read the level of light proximate the ignition switch. This reading of level of light allows the system to determine whether there is sufficient light to allow visibility of the position of the ignition switch, before turning on the illumination device.

The illumination device may be integral with the ignition switch. Advantageously, this configuration allows the illumination to be 20 integrally part of the ignition switch, thereby illuminating light rays through the ignition switch.

In the alternative, the illumination device may be independent of the ignition switch. Advantageously, this configuration allows design flexibility, for example, by having a separate or individual illumination device for illuminating a peripheral of the ignition switch, such that the illumination device which may be coupled to the ignition switch.

The threshold value may be 2 Lux/m2. Advantageously, the threshold value of 2 Lux/m2 allows the system to determine whether the level of light proximate the ignition switch is sufficient to allow visibility of the position of the ignition switch.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an ignition switch illumination method is disclosed. The method may comprise: positioning an illumination device for illuminating an ignition switch; detecting magnetic flux from a magnetic ignition key; and illuminating the ignition switch if magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key is detected.

Description of Drawings

Other objects and aspects will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompany drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an ignition switch illumination system in accordance to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method of controlling an ignition switch illumination system in accordance to an exemplary em-25 bodiment.

Fig. 3a shows an exemplary embodiment of an ignition switch suitable for this disclosure.

Fig. 3b shows an exemplary embodiment of an ignition switch suitable for this disclosure.

Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of an ignition switch illumination system and a method of controlling such system will 5 be discussed in detail.

Embodiments described below are used to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art should be noted that the present disclosure is not unduly limited by the 10 embodiments described below.

The term "ambient" shall refer to an atmosphere or an environment. The terms "ambient light", "a level of ambient light" and its grammatical variations thereof shall therefore, refer to amount of light waves present in the atmosphere or environment, that allows visibility of a position of the ignition switch, but shall not encompass light emitting from specific sources, such as the ignition switch illumination system or light emitting from ignition key.

The term "independent of" used in the context herein shall refer to an individual or separate component / element which is not dependent on another component / element for functionality. By way of an example, an illumination device may be driven by a circuit board which is separate from a main circuitry which drives the ignition switch illumination system. The term "independent of" may also refers to a separate electronic component, which may be connected to part of a circuitry in the existing system. For example, an illumination device maybe an individual electronic component that is add-on to a main circuitry, for example an ignition circuit.

The term "memory" should be interpreted broadly to encompass any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The term memory may refer to various types of processor-readable media such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), 5 non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with a processor if the 10 processor can read information from and/or write information to the memory. Memory that is integral to a processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

The term "position" and its grammatical variations thereof used in the context herein shall refer to an arrangement or placement of components in a particular manner. For example, the term "position" of an ignition switch may refer to a location of the ignition switch mounted on the panel of the motor vehicle, or the arrangement of an illumination device "positioned" in a par-ticular manner for illuminating the ignition switch or a peripheral of the ignition switch, such that a rider may easily identify a location of the ignition switch mounted on a panel of the motor vehicle.

With reference to Fig. 1, which shows a block diagram of an ignition switch illumination system 100 in accordance to an exemplary embodiment, the ignition switch illumination system 100 includes a control unit 102, an ignition circuit 104, a magnetic sensor 106, a light sensor 108, and an illumination device 110.

The control unit 102 may encompass a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a micro-controller and so forth. The control unit 102 may be configured to enable one or more methods, processes and/or operations of the 5 ignition switch illumination system. Example of such methods, processes and operations may include functions to process data, calculation, automate reasoning to derive a decision based on data processed and execute algorithmic functions, but not limited thereto. The control unit 102 may include a memory, for storing 10 a set of instructions for execution, based on input information from other electronic components within the system 100.

The ignition circuit 104 is typically connected to an ignition switch, such as an ignition switch 300a as shown in Fig. 3a, or an ignition switch 300b as shown in Fig. 3b. The ignition switch 300a, 300b has an input unit 302 for receiving a mechanical ignition key 112 to activate the ignition circuit 104, to ignite an engine system of a motor vehicle. In the system 100 disclosed herein, a magnetic sensor 106 is in electrical connection with the ignition circuit 104. The magnetic sensor 106 is operable to detect magnetic flux from a magnetic ignition key 112. The magnetic sensor 106 may be a switch, for example a magnetic switch. Suitable types of switches include a digital hall effect sensor or a magneto-resistive sensor. An example of a magnetic ignition key 112 may be a mechanical ignition key embedded with magnet (not shown), for generating magnetic flux. In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 102 executes a set of instructions stored in memory, to switch on the illumination device 110 in response to the magnetic sensor 102 detecting magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key 112, thereby illuminating the ignition switch 300a, 300b to indicate a position of the ignition switch 300a, 300b. Ideally, the illumination device 110 maybe embedded within the ignition switch 300a, or surround a peripheral of the ignition switch 300b, for illuminating an ignition switch mounted on a motor vehicle, of which details of both embodiments will be discussed in details below.

The light sensor 108 function to detect a level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a, 300b. A suitable light sensor may be a light dependent resistor (LDR), such as photodiode, photocell or photoresistor. By measuring the level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a, 300b allows the ignition switch illu-mination system 100 to determine whether there is sufficient ambient light for the ignition switch 300a, 300b to be seen by a rider. This measurement of level of light functions as a preventive measure to avoid accidental switching on of the illumination device 110, which provides indication of a position of the ignition switch 300a, 300b. The illumination device 110 is switched on, illuminating the ignition switch 300, thereby indicating a position of the ignition switch 300 upon the control unit 102 confirming the presence of magnetic flux detected by the magnetic sensor 106. This feature of detection of magnetic flux by the magnetic sensor 106 allows the system 100 to confirm the presence of a magnetic ignition key 112, to trigger illumination of the ignition switch 300.

In an exemplary embodiment, the illumination device 110 is integral with an ignition switch 300a, 300b. The ignition switch 300a includes an input unit 302 for receiving a mechanical ignition key 112. The input unit 302 shall be unblocked by any other components, such that a mechanical ignition key 112 may be inserted into the input unit 302. The illumination device 110 may be integrally embedded within the ignition switch 300a. The light sensor 108 detects a level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a. If the level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a falls below a threshold value, magnetic sensor 106 begins to scan for presence of magnetic flux. Ideally, the threshold value is approximately 2 Lux/m2. In contrast, normal visibility is approximately 5 Lux/m2. The light sensor 108 detects the level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a to determine whether motor vehicle is under a dimly lit ambient light condition. The magnetic flux is generated wirelessly from magnetic ignition key 112 when the magnetic ignition key 112 is brought near to the ignition switch 300a. The illuffination device 110 is switched on orinanONstatewhenthecontrolunit102 confirms the detection of magnetic flux near the ignition switch 300a, from the magnetic ignition key. In this embodiment, at least a part of the ignition switch 300a shall be translucent or transparent, in order for light rays illuminating from the illumination device 110 to pass through, illuminating the ignition switch 300a, for indicating a position of the ignition switch 300a.

In another embodiment, the illumination device 110 is not integrated with the ignition switch, but rather, is an individual component or a component independent of the ignition switch, which surrounds the ignition switch to provide a peripheral of the ignition switch 300b, as shown in Fig. 3b. The illumination device 110 may be connected to the existing ignition circuit 104 for power supply. Optionally, the illumination device 110 independent of the ignition circuit 104 may be driven by a separate circuitry, specifically for supplying power to the illumination device 110. When the light sensor 108 detects the level of light proximate the ignition switch 300b is below the threshold value, i.e. 2 Lux/m2, the magnetic sensor 106 begin to detect presence of magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key 112. Once magnetic flux is detected by the magnetic sensor 106, the control unit 102 switches on illumination device 110, showing the peripheral of ignition switch 300b, thereby illuminating the ignition switch 300b and indicates a position of the ignition switch. This configuration allows design flexibility since the illumination device 110 and power source may be an add-on to existing ignition circuit, while still achieving the purpose and advantages of this disclosure.

Amain advantage of the concept of this disclosure is the use of magnetic flux to initiate indication of a position of an ignition switch, by illuminating the ignition switch or a peripheral of the ignition switch, for easy location of the ignition switch by a rider or operator under dimly-lit condition. Through generating magnetic flux from an ignition key, magnetic flux is wirelessly transmitted to the ignition switch and therefore, the ignition switch illumination system is initiated. This provides easy accessibility to locate position of ignition switch, such that the rider can ignite the engine without hassle to find additional light source, for example using light from a personal mobile phone.

As a preventive measure to avoid accidental initiation of the ignition switch illumination system, the feature of detection of level of ambient light determines whether the motor vehicle is indeed parked under a dimly lit condition before illuminating the ignition switch in response to a presence of magnetic flux.

Turning now to Fig. 2, the method for illuminating an ignition switch as disclose herein is illustrated in flowchart 200.

In step 202, measurement of level of light proximate an ignition 25 switch 300a, 300b is being carried out. This information is detected by a light sensor 108 of the ignition switch illumination system 100 (Fig. 1 referred) as disclosed above.

Instep204, the system 100 determines if level of light is below 30 a threshold value, i.e. 2 Lux/m2. Determination on whether level of light is below the threshold value is carried out by a control unit 102. If the control unit 102 determines the measurement of level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a, 300b is below the threshold value, the control unit 102 executes step 208. This 5 step is a preventive measure, to avoid accidental switching on of the illumination device 110, which provides indication of a position of the ignition switch 300a, 300b, when the level of light proximate the ignition switch 300a, 300b does not fall under the Otherwise, the control unit 102 proceed to step 212, where 10 no further processing step will be executed.

In step 208, the magnetic sensor 106 scans for presence of magnetic flux. If magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key 112 is detected by the magnetic sensor 106 at step 208, the control unit 102 executes the next step 210. Otherwise, the control unit 102 proceed to step 212, where no further processing step will be executed. In step 210, the control unit 102 executes switching on of the illumination device 110, thereby illuminating the ignition switch 300a, 30015 to indicate a position of the ignition switch 300a, 300b.

The detailed description above serves the purpose of explaining the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various exemplary embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The detailed description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise embodiments herein. Modifications and equivalents will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art and are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

List of Reference Signs -ignition switch illumination system 102 -control unit 104 -ignition circuit 106 -magnetic sensor 108 -light sensor -illumination device 112 -mechanical key embedded with magnet -flowchart of illumination method 202 -reading of level of light 204 -determine if level of light is below a threshold value.

206 -reading of availability of magnetic signal by magnetic sensor 208 -determine if magnetic signal is present 210 -switch on illumination device (ON state) 212 -illumination device OFF state 300a, 300b -exemplary ignition switch 302 -input unit

Claims

Patent claims 1. An ignition switch illumination system (100) comprising: an illumination device (110) configured to be positioned in order to illuminate an ignition switch (300a, 300b); and a magnetic sensor (106) configured to detect magnetic flux from a magnetic ignition key (112); wherein the illumination device (110) is configured to illuminate the ignition switch (300a, 300b) when the magnetic sensor (106) detects magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key (112).
2. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor (108) configured to detect a level of light proximate the ignition switch (300a, 300b), wherein the illumination device (110) is configured to illuminate the ignition switch (300a, 300b) when the magnetic sensor (106) detects magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key (112) and the light sensor (108) detects that the level of light proximate the ignition switch (300a, 300b) is below a threshold value.
3. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the magnetic sensor (106) comprises a switch.
4. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of claim 3, wherein the switch is a digital hall effect sensor.
5. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of claim 3, wherein the switch is a magneto-resistive sensor.
6. The ignition switch illumination system of (100) claim 1, wherein the light sensor (108) is a light dependent resistor (LDR).
7. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of claim 1, wherein the light sensor (108) comprises a photodiode, a photocell or a photoresistor.
8. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the illumination device (110) is integral with the ignition switch (300a, 300b).
9. The ignition switch illumination system (100) of any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the illumination device (110) is independent of the ignition switch (300a, 300b).
10.The ignition switch illumination system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the threshold value is 2 Lux/m2.
11.An ignition switch illumination method comprising: positioning an illumination device (1:0) for illuminating an ignition switch (300a, 300b); detecting magnetic flux from a magnetic ignition key (112); and illuminating the ignition switch (300a, 300b) if magnetic flux from the magnetic ignition key (112) is detected.