ITTV20110065A1 - ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM CONFIGURED IN ORDER TO CHECK A AUTOLYCLE LED-ARRAY DIRECTION INDICATOR - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

â € œ ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO CONTROL A VEHICLE LED-ARRAY DIRECTION INDICATORâ €

The present invention relates to an electronic system for controlling an automotive LED-array direction indicator.

As is known, motor vehicles are equipped with a series of direction indicator lights (Blinker or Turn indicator), which are suitably positioned on the vehicle chassis and are designed to be activated by the vehicle user to emit on command, an intermittent light that signals to other road users a change of direction of the vehicle itself.

Each indicator light includes a lighting device, which is typically housed inside a support hull and is equipped with a plurality of LEDs (acronym for Light Emitting Diode) arranged facing a lenticular signaling body fixed to the support hull, and able to emit an intermittent light towards the lens body itself; and an electronic control circuit, which is electrically connected to the LEDs and is configured in such a way as to receive a command signal given by the user on the basis of which it commands, at predetermined intervals, the ignition / simultaneous switching off of all the LEDs so as to emit an intermittent light spot of preset intensity on the entire external surface of the lenticular signaling body.

In the latest generation of motor vehicles, the light indicator described above is typically integrated / contained in a vehicle light in a position typically adjacent to / alongside other light sources of the motor vehicle contained in the light itself.

In use, in certain conditions of visibility, the activation of the light sources contained in the light at the same time as the activation of the direction indicator light, can make the intermittent light spot generated by the latter less distinguishable and cause consequently, a significant reduction in the visual perception of the light spot by road users outside the vehicle.

Therefore, the need arose in the automotive sector to create a direction indicator light that emits a light spot that is more distinguishable from the light emitted by the other light sources adjacent to the direction indicator itself, so as to increase the visual perception by of road users outside the vehicle of the notification of a change of direction of the vehicle itself.

The Applicant has therefore conducted an in-depth study with the aim of identifying a solution that would allow to specifically achieve the goal of creating an electronic system to control a motor vehicle LED direction indicator generating a light spot, which is more distinguishable from light. emitted by the light sources arranged in a position adjacent to the indicator itself.

The object of this innovation is therefore that of providing a solution that allows to achieve the objective indicated above.

This object is achieved by the present invention as it relates to an electronic control system configured to control an automotive LED-array direction indicator, as defined in the attached claims.

The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle light made according to claim 17. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle LED-array direction indicator made according to claim 18.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example of embodiment, in which:

- Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic control system of an automotive LED-array direction indicator light made according to the dictates of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a block diagram of a first variant of the electronic control system of a motor vehicle LED-array direction indicator light made according to the dictates of the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a block diagram of a second variant of the electronic control system of a motor vehicle LED-array direction indicator light made according to the dictates of the present invention;

- Figure 4 is a block diagram of a third variant of the electronic control system of an automotive LED-array direction indicator light made according to the dictates of the present invention;

Figures 5, 6 schematically show different lighting configurations of the LEDs in the direction indicator light according to as many controls made by means of the electronic system made according to the dictates of the present invention;

- Figure 7 is an example of a front elevation view with parts removed for clarity of a headlight containing the automotive LED-array direction indicator light made according to the dictates of the present invention;

- Figure 8 is an example of a front elevation view of a light containing a motor vehicle LED-array direction indicator light made according to the dictates of the present invention; while

- Figure 9 is a section with an enlarged part of the light shown in Figure 7 along the line A-A.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached figures to allow a skilled person to make and use it. Various modifications to the embodiments described will be immediately evident to those skilled in the art and the generic principles described can be applied to other embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims. Therefore, the present innovation must not be considered limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, but must be accorded the widest protective scope in accordance with the principles and characteristics described and claimed herein.

With reference to Figure 1, the number 1 illustrates as a whole an electronic control system 1 configured to control a motor vehicle direction indicator 2 comprising a plurality of LEDs 3, which are arranged side by side in such a way to form an array of LEDs 5.

The electronic control system 1 is configured in such a way as to control the LEDs 3 so as to emit a luminous spot 4 moving along the LED array 5 (shown in Figures 4 and 5).

In particular, the electronic control system 1 is configured to switch on the LEDs 3 included in the LED array 5 in such a way that the luminous intensity I1 emitted by the LEDs 3 forming the moving light spot 4 is different from the luminous intensity I2 emitted by the LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 which, during the movement of the light spot 4, appear to be outside the light spot 4 itself.

Preferably, the electronic control system 1 is configured to turn on all the LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 in such a way that the luminous intensity I1 of the light spot 4 emitted by one or more LEDs 3 is greater, or is lower than the luminous intensity I2 of the light emitted by the remaining LEDs 3 present in the LED array 5 and not forming the light spot 4, so as to conveniently obtain a mobile light pattern to signal the change of direction of the vehicle, which flows repeatedly on a luminous background, which is produced by the LEDs 3 external to the moving light pattern, and has a lower or greater luminous intensity than the luminous pattern itself.

From what has been described above, it should be noted that the switching on of all the LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 in such a way as to generate a moving light spot on a luminous background having a uniform light intensity greater than zero and different from Luminous intensity of the movable light spot 4, conveniently increases the visual perception of the signal generated by the direction indicator light. In fact, the switching on of the LEDs 3 external to the light spot 4 to maintain a luminous background on which the spot itself flows makes, for example, in night conditions or in conditions of reduced visibility, the overall light signal generated by the Direction indicator 2 for road users outside the vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and described in detail below by way of example, the LED array 5 has a substantially linear geometry, in which the LEDs 3 are arranged individually, or in banks of LEDs 3 (each comprising a series of LEDs), placed side by side and aligned to each other in such a way as to form a row of LEDs, or more superimposed rows of LEDs, or a row of banks / groups of LEDs, in which each LED is flanked by another bank of LEDs.

However, it should be noted that according to a different embodiment (not shown), the LED array 5 could have a geometry which, instead of being linear, is substantially circular in which the LEDs 3 or the LED banks are arranged side by side between them in such a way as to form a series of concentric rings.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the LEDs 3 that form the LED array 5 are arranged in respective lighting branches 6 (three of which are schematically shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 as an example) , which are connected in parallel with each other between two supply lines 8 placed at a predetermined supply voltage VA and respectively at a predetermined reference voltage VGND (for example at a ground voltage).

Each lighting branch 6 comprises one or more LEDs 3 preferably, but not necessarily connected in series with each other between the electric power supply lines 8, and a switching device 9, for example a transistor, which is preferably connected in series to the LED 3 along the lighting branch 6, and is able to be switched (on / off) on the basis of a control signal Sci (i between 1 and n; in which n is the number of lighting circuit branches 6 ) so as to regulate / modulate the current flowing through the LEDs 3 and consequently cause a variation in the luminous intensity emitted by the LEDs 3 themselves along the relative lighting branches 6.

The electronic control system 1 also comprises an electronic control unit 10, which is provided with a plurality of outputs connected to respective control terminals of the switching devices 9 for supplying the latter with the control signals Sci.

The electronic control unit 10 is able to modulate, through the control signals Sci, the electric power fed to the LED (s) 3 present in each lighting branch 6 so that the luminous intensity I1 emitted by the LEDs 3 present in the lighting branches 6 and forming the movable light spot 4, is different from the luminous intensity I2 emitted by the LEDs present in the lighting branches 6, which during the movement of the light spot 4 are external to it.

With reference to Figure 1, the control signals Sci are pulse width modulated signals, i.e. pulse signals obtained through a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) pulse modulation, while the electronic control unit 10 regulates / modulates the duty cycle Dci of the pulses included in the control signals Sci supplied to the switching devices 9, in such a way as to supply a first electric power Pe1 to the lighting branches 6 comprising the LEDs 3 forming the movable light spot 4, and a second electric power Pe2 to the lighting branches 6 comprising the remaining 3 LEDs of the LED array 5, ie the LEDs 3 which do not form the light spot 4.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 5, the electronic control unit 10 adjusts the duty cycle Dci of the pulses of the control signals Sci in such a way as to: supply the electrical power Pe1 to the LEDs 3 forming the light spot 4 according to a predetermined sequential order so as to determine a displacement of the light spot 4 in the LED array 5 along a direction of advancement Da1 indicating the direction of movement of the vehicle (in the example shown in figure 5 towards the right direction in the table); and at the same time, it feeds the electrical power Pe2 to the remaining LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 outside the light spot 4. The lighting effect obtained through this control carried out by the electronic control unit 10 is represented by a spot or light pattern that progressively advances in the LED array 5 from one end of the LED array 5 to the other in the direction of movement of the vehicle.

With reference to Figures 1 and 5, the electronic control unit 10 is configured to vary the duty cycle Dci of the pulses of the control signals Sci in such a way that the electrical power Pe1 fed to the LEDs 3 forming the movable light spot 4 is greater than the electrical power Pe2> 0 fed to the other LEDs 3 of the LED array 5. In this case the LEDs 3 forming the movable light spot 4 emit a light having a luminous intensity I1 greater than the luminous intensity I2> 0 of the light emitted by the LEDs 3 outside the light spot 4.

With reference to Figure 5, the electronic control unit 10 drives the lighting branches 6 in such a way as to cause the displacement of the light spot 4 between the two ends of the LED array 5 and increases, during the displacement carried out to each predetermined interval Ti (i between 1 and 8, assuming you have 8 single LEDs or 8 banks of LEDs), the number of LEDs 3 forming the light spot 4 so as to cause a progressive enlargement of at least one dimension, i.e. Light area of light spot 4 in LED array 5, which ends when light spot 4 is made up of all LEDs 3 of LED array 5.

In this case, the remaining LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 external to the light spot 4 generate a light having a light intensity I2 greater than zero and less than the light intensity I1 of the light spot 4 and, at each time interval Ti, progressively reduce the relative luminous area in the LED array 3 until it disappears at the instant Tn when the light spot is generated by all the LEDs 3 of the LED array 5.

In this case, as shown in the simplified schematic example of Figure 5, at the instant T1, the electronic control unit 10 supplies the LED with LED1 (assuming for simplification reasons that there is a single LED for each lighting branch 6) a control signal Sc1 with pulses having a duty cycle DC1, for example a duty cycle DC1 = 100% DTC corresponding to a nominal value of duty cycle DTC, so that the light spot generated by LED1 has a light of nominal intensity I1 , and simultaneously supplies the remaining LEDs LED2-LEDn respective control signals Sc2-Scn presenting pulses with an intermediate duty cycle DC2 greater than zero, for example DC1 = 20% DTC, so that the latter generate a light of intermediate intensity I2 (less than the nominal intensity value). At each instant Ti subsequent to the instant T1 (i between 1 and n), the electronic control unit 10 supplies the LED1-LEDi with a command signal Sci with pulses having the nominal duty cycle DC1 so as to progressively increase the luminous area of the light spot 4 characterized by the nominal intensity I1, and supply, together with the remaining LEDs LEDi <+1> - LEDn, the control signals Sci <+1> - Scn having a duty cycle DC2 , in such a way as to obtain a progressive reduction of the luminous area of the LED array 5 having the intermediate intensity I2, and thus obtaining a â € œprogressive luminous fillingâ € effect of the LED array 5.

According to a different embodiment (not shown), the electronic control unit 10 is configured to control the LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 in a complementary way (i.e. with a logic negated with respect to) the control described in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 so as to generate a luminous spot having a low luminous intensity I1> 0, moving on a luminous background having a high luminous intensity. In particular, the electronic control unit 10 can be conveniently configured to vary the duty cycle DCi of the pulses of the control signals Sci in such a way that the electrical power Pe1 fed to the LEDs 3 forming the moving light spot 4 is greater than zero. and lower than the electrical power Pe2 associated with the other LEDs 3 of the LED array 5. In this case the LEDs 3 forming the movable light spot 4 emit a light having a luminous intensity I1 lower than the luminous intensity I2 of the light emitted by the LED 3 external to the light spot 4 and the luminous effect of the light generated by the automotive direction indicator 2 is opposite to the luminous effect shown in Figure 5.

According to a different embodiment shown in Figure 6, the luminous pattern generated by the motor vehicle direction indicator 2 corresponds to a luminous spot 4 which, during its movement, instead of increasing its luminous area, maintains its initial dimensions, i.e. It consists of a predetermined number of LEDs 3, corresponding to one or more LEDs.

At each interval Ti, the electronic control unit 10 varies the duty cycle Dci of the control signals Sci in such a way that a predetermined number of lighting branches 6 comprising the LEDs 3 forming the light spot 4, (i.e. one or more LED 3) are powered by the electric power Pe1 and emit a light of intensity I1, and at the same time the lighting branches 6 comprising the remaining LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 not forming the light spot 4 are powered by the electric power Pe2 and emit a light of intensity I2 greater than zero.

The electrical power fed to the LEDs 3 forming the light spot 4 is regulated by modulating the duty cycles Dci of the control signals Sci which causes the light spot to move from one end of the LED array to the other 5. The duty cycle Dci of the control signals Sci which power the LEDs 3 forming the luminous spot 4 can have a value Dci = 100% DTC equal to the nominal value DTC, while the duty cycle Dci of the control signals Sci which power the remaining LEDs 3 can have an intermediate value less than the nominal value, for example Dci = 20% DTC. The luminous effect obtained by the light emitted by the direction indicator light 2 therefore provides, in this case, the sliding of a light spot 4 of predetermined size and having a light of high luminous intensity I1 inside a background luminous having a low luminous intensity I2.

According to a different embodiment (not shown), the electronic control unit 10 controls the duty cycle DCi of the control signals Sci in such a way as to cause a displacement of the light spot 4 in the LED array 5 which appears to be similar to the displacement shown in Figure 6 in which, however, the electrical power Pe1 fed to the lighting branches 6 comprising the LEDs forming the light spot 4 is greater than zero and is less than the electrical power Pe2 fed to the lighting branches 6 comprising the remaining LED 3. In this case, the luminous effect obtained through the direction indicator 2 is complementary (logic negated) to the luminous effect shown in Figure 5, as the displacement of a luminous spot 4 of pre-established dimensions at low luminous intensity I1, greater than zero, inside a luminous background having a high luminous intensity I2.

From what has been described above, it should be noted that according to different embodiments (not shown), the electronic control unit 10 is configured to adjust the duty cycle DCi so that the displacement of the light spot 4 in the LED 5 takes place in a different direction from those indicated above, based on the geometry of the LED array 5. For example, if the LED array 5 is equipped with a plurality of rows of horizontal LEDs 3 arranged parallel to each other, one above the other, along a vertical direction, the light spot 4 can be mobile along a substantially vertical direction (from bottom to top or vice versa), while in the case of a geometry with LED 3 arranged in concentric rings, the light spot can be mobile starting from a ring of external LEDs towards the ring of LEDs positioned in the center, or vice versa, starting from the center towards the external ring.

As regards the time interval Ti, if the length of an array of LEDs 5, comprising eight consecutive LEDs, is equal to 400mm and the distance between two adjacent LEDs 3 is 50mm, it can be equal, for example, to 50 ms.

With reference to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the electronic control unit 10 has an input terminal receiving a configuration signal SF able to selectively control it: a first signaling light configuration of the direction indicator 2 , in which the LEDs 3 external to the light spot 4 are on and are powered by the electrical power Pe2 other than zero according to the control methods described above; or a second luminous configuration for signaling the direction indicator 2 in which all the LEDs 3 are switched on / off intermittently at predetermined intervals; or a third luminous configuration for signaling the direction indicator 2 in which the LEDs 3 not forming the luminous spot 4 remain off (OFF) for example (Dci = 0%; Pe2 = 0; I2 = 0).

In detail, in the third signaling configuration, the electronic control unit 10 assigns a null value to the electrical power Pe2 for supplying the LEDs 3 external to the light spot 4 so that they remain off. The configuration signal SF can be conveniently performed by an electronic control unit of the vehicle 11 (automotive body computer) through a suitable signal adapter circuit 12 (wiring code adapter).

From what has been described above, it should be noted that the generation of the configuration signal SF through the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11 advantageously allows to program / modify the operation, i.e. the luminous configuration of the direction indicator 2 in an extremely quick and simple by acting directly on the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11, without the need for dedicated reprogramming interventions of the electronic control unit 10 located inside the indicator 2.

With reference to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the electronic control system 1 further comprises an auxiliary electric load 13; a voltage regulator device 14; a switching device 15, and a filter 16, for example an EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) filter.

The auxiliary electric load 13 is connected to the power supply line 8 through the filter 16 and the switch device 15, and is equipped with a control terminal connected to the electronic control unit 10 to receive a command signal SK from it. .

The auxiliary electrical load 13 can be provided, for example, with a load circuit branch connected in parallel to the LED array 5, which is equipped with a series of preferably, but not necessarily, resistive electronic components, for example resistors suitably connected to each other; and it is configured in such a way as to vary, on the basis of the command signal SK, its electrical resistance so as to regulate the total electrical current / power absorbed by the direction indicator 2.

In particular, the electronic control unit 10 is configured in such a way as to generate the command signal SK when it determines, through the diagnostic / measurement circuits (not shown) connected to the lighting branches 6, that the current / power electricity absorbed by the LED array 5 is below a predetermined power threshold.

In this case, the activation of the auxiliary electric load 13 allows to conveniently increase in a controlled manner the total electric current / power absorbed by the direction indicator 2 until a predetermined value is reached.

The adjustment of the total electrical current / power absorbed by the direction indicator 2 through the auxiliary electrical load 13 conveniently compensates for any current / power imbalances which can be interpreted by the vehicle electronic control unit 11 or by other diagnostic devices as a malfunction of the ™ indicator light 2.

As regards the voltage regulator device 14, it is of a known type and will not be further described except to indicate that it is connected to the power supply line 8 through the filter 19 and the switch device 15 to receive the power supply voltage. IT GOES; and has output terminals providing a power supply voltage VR suitable for being supplied to the electronic control unit 10.

As regards the switch device 15, it can comprise a bistable switch circuit, which is commanded in opening / closing by the electronic control unit 10 through a command signal SH, and is able to interrupt the power supply to the voltage regulator device 14 and therefore to the electronic control unit 10, to the auxiliary electric load 16 and to the lighting branches 6 when the current circulating in one or more lighting branches 6 does not satisfy a certain relationship with a reference threshold pre-established. In particular, the electronic control unit 10 is configured in such a way as to: determine, through measurement / diagnosis circuits (not shown) connected to the lighting branches 6, the current circulating in each lighting branch 6; command the opening of the switching device 15 when the measured current does not satisfy a determined relationship with a predetermined current threshold associated with a malfunction condition of the lighting branch 6 itself.

The electronic control unit 10 can also be configured to advantageously receive from the vehicle electronic control unit 11 a parameter for setting the duty cycle Dci of the control signals Sci in such a way as to regulate the powers Pe1 and Pe2. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to advantageously reconfigure the intensity I1 and / or I2 of the direction indicator 2 by acting centrally on the vehicle electronic control unit 11 without carrying out any intervention that requires the removal of the direction indicator 2 from the vehicle to reprogram the electronic control unit 10.

With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, according to a different embodiment, the pulsed control signals Sci fed to the switching devices 9 of the lighting branches 6 are obtained on the basis of: a common pulse width modulated signal Sb fed simultaneously to all the lighting branches 6 and presenting pulses of fixed width associated with a predetermined common electric power; and n additional pulse-width modulated signals Smi, whose pulses are varied in width, instant by instant, as a function of the difference between the common electrical power and the electrical power to be fed to the lighting branches 6 to form the movable light spot 4 .

In particular, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the electronic control unit 10 generates: the common pulse-width modulated signal Sb comprising pulses having a width associated with the electrical power Pe2 for supplying the LEDs 3 external to the light spot 4; and the additional pulse-width modulated signals Smi, whose pulses are modulated in width, instant by instant, as a function of the difference between the electrical power Pe1 to be fed to the LEDs 3 of the lighting branches 6 to form the movable light spot 4 and the electrical power Pe2 to be fed to the LEDs 3 not forming the light spot 4.

Preferably, the pulses of the additional pulse-width modulated signals SMi are suitably synchronized by the electronic control unit 10 with the pulses of the common pulse-width modulated signal Sb, so that their combination / sum at the input to the device switch 9 of each lighting branch 6 generates the pulses corresponding to the control signal Sci.

For this purpose, each lighting branch 6 can preferably be provided with an adder circuit or node (for example an OR gate) configured in such a way as to: receive at the input the common pulse-width modulated signal Sb; receiving at the input and the additional SMi width modulated signal; and combining, for example adding, the widths of the pulses of the signal Sb with the widths of the corresponding pulses of the signal SMi so as to obtain the control signal Sci to be supplied to the switching device 9.

The use of a common pulse-width modulated signal Sb for all the LEDs 3 of the LED array 5 is convenient as it simplifies any operations of redefinition / modification of the luminous powers / intensities of the LEDs 3 in the indicator direction 2. In fact, by modifying a single value associated with the duty cycle of the common signal modulated with pulse width Sb, it is possible to reprogram / change the powers Pe1, Pe2 and the intensities I1 and I2 of the LEDs 3 in the direction indicator 2 .

For this purpose, the electronic control unit 10 can receive, for example, from the vehicle electronic control unit 11 a parameter for setting the duty cycle of the common pulse-width modulated signal Sb. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to advantageously reconfigure the intensity of the direction indicator 2 by acting centrally on the vehicle electronic control unit 11 without carrying out any intervention that requires the indicator to be removed to reprogram the electronic control unit 10.

According to a different embodiment shown in Figure 3, the common pulse width modulated signal Sb, instead of being generated by the electronic control unit 10, is generated directly by the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11, while the additional pulse-width modulated signals Smi are generated by the electronic control unit 10 on the basis of a synchronization signal (not shown).

For this purpose, the electronic control system 1 is provided with a PWM adapter circuit 18, which has an input terminal receiving a PWM signal generated by the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11 and associated with an electrical power Pe2, and an output terminal connected to the branch switching devices 10 to supply them with the common pulse-width modulated signal Sb generated on the basis of the PWM signal received at the input.

Also in this case, it is possible to advantageously reconfigure the intensity I1 of the light spot and at the same time the intensity I2 of the light background of the direction indicator 2 by carrying out a single setting operation, acting centrally on the vehicle control electronic unit. 11 without carrying out any intervention, for example disassembling the direction indicator 2 to reprogram the electronic control unit 10.

According to a different embodiment shown in Figure 4, the common pulse width modulated signal Sb is generated by the electronic control unit 10, while the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11 generates the additional width modulated signals Smi pulse on the basis of a synchronization signal (not shown).

For this purpose, the electronic control system 1 is equipped with a PWM adapter circuit 18, which has n input terminals corresponding to as many lighting branches 6 and receiving respective PWM signals generated by the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11 , and n output terminals connected to corresponding switching devices 9 of the lighting branches 6 to supply them with the additional pulse-width modulated signals Smi generated on the basis of the PWM signal received at the input.

With reference to figures 7, 8 and 9, the direction indicator 2 made as described above can be conveniently contained / integrated in an automotive outer light device, i.e. an automotive light 20.

In particular, with reference to Figures 7 and 9, the motor vehicle light 20 can correspond to the front or rear light of the vehicle and comprise, for example, a cup-shaped rear hull 21, which is structured in such a way as to be able to be embedded inside a compartment 22 obtained on the body 23 of the vehicle; a front lenticular body 24 made at least partially of transparent or semitransparent material and coupled to the rear hull 21 at the mouth of the same in such a way as to emerge from the body 23; and one or more lighting devices 25 housed inside the rear hull 21.

With reference to Figures 7 and 9, the LED array 5 can be arranged inside the rear hull 21 in a position adjacent to the lighting devices 25 of the motor vehicle light 20 so that the LEDs 3 face one another. a portion 24a of the front lenticular body 24 able to be hit by the light emitted by the LEDs 3 forming the light spot 4 and by the light emitted by the LEDs 3 external to the light spot 4 itself.

The rear hull 21 can also house an electronic board 26 containing the electronic circuits / components of the direction indicator 2, or the electronic control unit 10 comprising for example a microprocessor; the adapter circuit 12; the auxiliary electric load 13; the voltage regulator device 15; the switch device 15; the filter 16 and the PWM adapter circuit 18.

The LED array 5 can be fixed to the electronic board 26 in such a way that the lighting branches 6 are suitably connected to the electronic circuits / components as described above. The rear hull 21 can also be equipped with a connector suitable for electrically connecting the electronic board to the power supply lines 8 and to the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11.

From what has been described above, it is appropriate to specify that the direction indicator 2 can be separated from the light (i.e. not integrated) and comprise a rear hull 21 and a front lenticular body 24 of its own (not shown), independent and separate from the light, inside which the circuits / electronic components of the direction indicator 2 listed above are arranged.

The advantages of the electronic control system described above are evident.

The switching on of all the LEDs of the LED array in such a way as to generate the moving light spot and the light background of different light intensity compared to the spot, considerably improves the visual perception of the light signal generated by the indicator bright in any environmental condition thus allowing the road user to immediately distinguish the light indicator and its signaling from the lights emitted by automotive light sources adjacent to the indicator itself.

The direction indicator is also easily reprogrammable through the electronic control unit of the vehicle 11. Consequently both during the installation phase (for example during the production phase) and when a reconfiguration of some parameters of the indicators is required) It is not necessary to disassemble the direction indicator to reprogram the electronic control unit 10 (for example reprogram the microprocessor) but it is sufficient to act centrally, thus reducing the intervention costs. In this case, thanks to the configuration of the electronic control system 1, it is possible through programming the electronic control unit of the vehicle to carry out the following operations: modify, by adjusting the common pulse width modulated signal, the light intensity emitted by the LEDs of the mobile light spot and the LEDs external to the spot; and / or through the configuration signal SF change the setting of indicator 2 according to the first or second configuration described above.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the electronic control system described above without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims (18)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1. Electronic control system (1) configured to control an automotive LED-array direction indicator (2) to form a movable light spot (4) in a LED array (5); the electronic control system (1) being characterized by the fact that it is also configured to turn on the LEDs (3) of the LED array (5) in such a way that the luminous intensity (I1) emitted by the LEDs (3) forming the moving light spot is different from the light intensity (I2) emitted by the LEDs (3) outside the light spot (4) itself. 2. System according to claim 1, configured to turn on all the LEDs (3) of the LED array (5), so that the light intensity (I1) of the light spot (4) emitted by the LEDs (3 ) is different from the luminous intensity (I2) of the light emitted by the remaining LEDs (3) present in the LED array (5) not forming the light spot (4). 3. System according to claim 2, configured to turn on the LEDs (3) of the LED array (5) so as to add to the LEDs (3) forming the light spot (4), at predetermined instants (Ti), a predetermined number of adjacent LEDs (3) so that the light spot (4) progressively and sequentially increases at least one of its own initial dimensions towards at least one predetermined direction until it reaches a nominal size, in which the number of LEDs (3 ) forming the light spot (4) corresponds to the total number of LEDs (3) present in the LED array. 4. System according to claim 2, configured to turn on the LEDs (3) of the LED array (5) so that the number of LEDs (3) forming the light spot (4) remains constant during the movement of the spot luminous (4) in the LED array (5) itself, to ensure that the luminous spot (4), during its movement in the LED array (5), maintains constant pre-established initial dimensions. 5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the luminous intensity (I1) of the movable light spot (4) emitted by the LEDs (3) is greater or less than the luminous intensity (I2) of the light emitted by the remaining LEDs (3) present in the LED array (5) not forming the light spot (4); said luminous intensities (i1) (i2) being both greater than zero. 6. Electronic control system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said automotive LED-array direction indicator (2) comprises: a plurality of lighting branches (6), each of which comprises one or more LEDs (3); and at least one switching device (9) configured so as to vary the electric power supplied to the LEDs (3) present in each lighting branch (6) on the basis of a pulse width modulated signal (Sci). 7. Electronic control system according to claim 6, wherein said automotive LED-array direction indicator (2) comprises an electronic control unit (10) configured in such a way as to modulate the duty cycle (DCi) of the control signals for ensure that the luminous intensity (I1) emitted by the LEDs (3) of the lighting branches (6) forming the moving light spot (4) is greater or less than the luminous intensity (I2) emitted by the LEDs (3) present in the circuit lighting branches (6) external to it. 8. Electronic control system according to claim 7, wherein said pulse width modulated signals (Sci) are obtained on the basis of: a common pulse width modulated signal (Sb) fed simultaneously to all said lighting branches (6 ) and having pulses of predetermined fixed width associated with a first electrical power (Pe2) to be fed to the LEDs (3) external to the light spot (4); and additional pulse-width modulated signals (SMi), which have pulses, the width of which is varied, at predetermined intervals (Ti), as a function of the difference between a second electrical power (Pe1) to be supplied to the lighting branches ( 6) to form the movable light spot (4) and said first electrical power (Pe2). 9. Electronic control system according to claim 8, wherein said common pulse width modulated signal (Sb) and said additional pulse width modulated signals (SMi) are generated independently of each other by said electronic unit control (10) on two different output terminals. 10. Electronic control system according to claim 8, comprising an electronic vehicle control unit (11); said pulse width modulated common signal (Sb) being generated by said electronic vehicle control unit (11); said additional pulse width modulated signals (SMi) being generated by said electronic control unit (10). 11. Electronic control system according to claim 8, comprising an electronic vehicle control unit (11); said common pulse width modulated signal (Sb) being generated by said electronic control unit (10); said additional pulse width modulated signals (SMi) being generated by said electronic vehicle control unit (11). 12. Electronic control system according to claims 10 or 11, wherein said direction indicator (2) comprises a PWM adapter module (12) which is electrically connectable between said electronic vehicle control unit (11) and the inputs of the switching devices (9) of the lighting branches (6) and is configured so as to treat the said common pulse width modulated signal (Sb) or said additional pulse width modulated signals (SMi) so as to adapt it to the switching devices (9) themselves. 13. Electronic control system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which is also configured in such a way as to: switch on the LEDs (3) external to the light spot (4); o switch off or the LEDs (3) outside the light spot (4); or command the intermittent switching on / off of all the LEDs (3) of the LED array (5) on the basis of a command signal (SF) generated by the said vehicle electronic control unit (11). 14. Electronic control system according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said luminous indicator (2) comprises a switching device (15), which is configured to interrupt the power supply to the components of said luminous indicator ( 2) when said electronic control unit (10) detects a malfunction of at least one lighting branch (6). 15. Electronic control system according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein said luminous indicator (2) comprises an auxiliary load (13) which is configured in such a way as to vary the electric current / power absorbed by the indicator automotive LED-array direction indicator (2) when the electronic control unit (10) detects a predetermined variation in the power absorbed by said LED array (5). 16. Electronic control system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said motor vehicle direction indicator (2) is contained in a motor vehicle light (20). Motor vehicle light (20) comprising a motor vehicle LED-array direction indicator (2) adapted to be controlled by an electronic control system (1) made according to any one of claims 1 to 16. 18. Automotive LED-array direction indicator (2) adapted to be controlled by an electronic control system (1) made according to any one of claims 1 to 16.