MXPA06000929A - Exterior lamp check for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated system for cycling vehicle lamps on and off allows direct inspection by one person of operability of the lamp bulbs while doing a walk around of the vehicle. The system is switch operated. Interlocks to operation are based upon the status of the vehicle's service brake, its park brake and the on/off status of the lights themselves. Lights are organized by related groups and each group given a distinctive, repeating cycle to lighten the burden of memorization on the operator.

Description

CHECKING EXTERIOR LAMPS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field The present invention relates, generally, to commercial motor vehicles and, more particularly, to an automatic system for turning on and off, cyclically, the lamps of a vehicle to allow direct visual inspection to a person of the operability of the lamps, during his way around the vehicle. 2. Problem Description Federal regulations, which govern commercial vehicles and school buses, provide periodic inspection of various vehicle systems. Among the vehicle systems that require inspection are exterior lamps, such as headlights, turn indicator lamps and identification lights. An inspection must determine not only whether the lamp is operable, but also the systems to operate the lamps to indicate the turns, braking lights or flashing lights, to work properly. Carrying out such checks has generally been much easier if two people are available to do the checking, one staying inside the cab of the vehicle to squeeze the brakes, activate the return signals and perform other similar operations, while another person walks around the vehicle. vehicle to observe the operation of the lamps. When only one person, typically the driver, is available, such checks can be quite burdensome. The partial automatic form of an inspection procedure for exterior lights was proposed in the patent 6,674,288 of the United States of America, which is incorporated herein by reference. The proposed Vehicle Lamp Inspection System provides automatic activation and deactivation of the vehicle's exterior lights, according to a predetermined sequence. The system was made on a programmable electrical system controller, which is programmed to perform a repetitive test program in response to a user's request.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a feature of the exercise of the vehicle's lamp is provided.

This characteristic of the exercise of the lamp provides the switching on and off in a cyclic manner, of a plurality of lamps, mounted to be visible on the outside of the vehicle. The lamps are organized in functional subsets of them. An electric system controller has a plurality of lamp energizing output ports, with one energizing circuit for each functional subset of lamps, each energizing circuit being connected to a different lamp energizing output. A first set of lamp activation switches for some of the functional subsets of lamps, and brake switches for service and parking brake positioning, are connected to the electrical system controller, to provide status input to the electric system controller. A gauge controller provides entry points for a second set of lamp activation switches, which include a lamp test switch. A position sensing element of the ignition switch further provides a control input to the calibrator controller and the controller of the electrical system allows indications of the status of the condition and control inputs, received by the gauge controller to be communicated. to the controller of the electrical system. The electrical system controller further includes a programmable microcomputer for turning on and off each of the plurality of energizing output doors. A test program, which can be run on the programmable microcomputer, is responsive to the performance of the lamp test switch for execution. This test program includes a program medium for grouping selected functional subsets of lamps. The test program further provides a means to sequentially activate and extinguish the lamps of each functional subset within a group that is tested, by the selective energization of the exit doors for energizing the lamps. Other means of the program are responsive to the detection, to which the parking brake is set, the position of the ignition switch is active and the energization output doors of the external lamps are disconnected to allow the test program to proceed - in detecting the activation of the external lamp check switch. Yet another program element provides detection of a change in the state of a brake position switch, the parking brake position switch, or the lamp activation switch, for the completion of program execution test.

Additional effects, characteristics and advantages will be evident from the written description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel aspects that are believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the appended claims. The invention by itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, other of its objects and advantages, will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a school bus, equipped with lighting systems with which the present invention is advantageously employed; Figure 2 is a simplified frontal elevation of an instrument panel of a bus; Figure 3 is a high-level schematic drawing of the lighting connections for an electrical system controller; Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram for a lighting system of a motor vehicle and related controls; and Figure 5 is a flowchart of a program executed in the electric system controller, to carry out the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figure 1, a school bus 10 is shown. A collection of lamps is mounted on or will be visible on the exterior of a school bus 10, which includes, but is not limited to, headlights 12, front turn signals 14, front headlights 16 and side marker lights 18. Referring to Figure 2, an instrument panel 20 is placed in a driver's station, inside the school bus 10. The execution of the lamp check routine of the present invention is initiated, in part, by the cycling of a switch 24, mounted on a switch arrangement 22 in the lower left portion of the panel 20. A lamp 26 placed on the switch 24 is illuminated to indicate when the program of the present invention is executed or a request for its execution has been made. Figure 3 illustrates the lighting pin connections for a programmable electrical system (ESC) controller 30 and the selected input connections. The ESC 30 is a high level driver for a network in the area of the vehicle controller. This ESC 30 directly energizes most of the vehicle's exterior lamps, which include, by group, low beam headlamps, high beam headlamps, marker lights, pupil warning lights (PWL), red front left and back, the red PWL front right and back, the right amber front PWL, the left front amber PWL, the amber left rear PWL, the amber right rear PWL, the left front turn signals, the right front turn signals, the right rear turn signals, the left rear turn signals, the stop lights and the reverse lights. The ESC 20 is connected to directly receive an input of the parking brake position signal and the PWL input from a resistor interruption network. The ESC 20 receives an ignition input signal from an ignition switch 331 over a network manifold in the controller area. Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram, partial, of an electric calibrator controller (EGC) 40, ESC 30 and some of the plurality of lamps energized under ESC control. Several field effect transistors (FET), of power interruption, used to power several lamps, are illustrated. Less than the number of FET required are illustrated, because the specific circuit element is simply repeated up to the number of lamp circuits for which the support is required. ESC 30 is a programmable body system computer, used to control many functions of the vehicle's electrical system, most of which are not displayed. In the past, many of these functions were controlled by switches, relays and other devices energized and wired independently. The ESC 30 is based on a microprocessor 31, which executes programs and controls the interruption of the plurality of energy FETs, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58, used to drive external lights of the vehicle. Among those lights, and here illustrated. explicitly, they are the circuit of parking lights and markers, 37 and a circuit 38 of identity lights, which are energized by the FET of Parking Light 52, and the low and high beam lights 61, 48, which are energized by FET 53 and 54, respectively. Still another energy FET 61 is used to energize a horn 36. An FET can be used to drive the indicator light 26 in the outdoor light test switch 24. This allows indicator light 26 to flash during the test, and other certain conditions. The microprocessor 31 can apply activation signals to all the lamps subjected to inspection, as well as to a horn coil 36. In the case of the headlights 61, 48 this may also involve the high traction of a line enabling the headlights, by the introduction to EGC 40. The microprocessor 31 is connected to provide an activation signal to a power FET 51 of the horn, which, in turn, drives a horn coil 35. Another signal line of the microprocessor 31 is connected to drive a parking light FET 52, which, in turn, drives the parking light / marker lamps 37, and the identity lamps 38 of the license plate. Still another signal line from the microprocessor 31 drives a low beam FET 53, which in turn drives the filaments in the lamps 58 of the headlights. The FET 63 of low beams and the FET of parking light, also require an entry in the line that enables the headlights, for the operation. Still another pin in the microprocessor 32 controls a high beam FET 54, which drives the high beam filaments in the lamps 41 and 42. Pins that remain in the microprocessor 31 are used to control the remaining lights of the vehicle. Four FET 55, 56, 57 and 58 are illustrated as connecting to receive the signals and, in turn, energizing the lamps 43, 44, 45 or 46. However, those skilled in the art will realize how any number of FET and lamps can be connected. The operation of the push button can also be easily simulated. The entrances to ESC come from several sources. Primary among them is the electric calibrator controller (RGC) 40, which provides local control and a network interface of the controller area, over the instruments and switches, installed in the instrument panel 20. The EGC 40 communicates with the ESC 30 on a CAN data link (collector 60), which conforms to the SAE J1939 standard. The CAN controllers 43 and 143. located with RGC and ESC 30, respectively, perform the network protocols and the decoding of the data packet. The EGC 40 is based on a microprocessor 41, but includes any of typically fixed programming. The EGC 40 operates an array of micro-switches 45 and is programmed to provide manual control over the headlights, parking lights, marker lights, etc., as well as providing the initiation of the test cycles of the present invention, using the micro-switches. Sources of direct inputs to ESC 30, corresponding to the operation of the present invention, include a parking brake 140, brake 136, a possible horn 138 a resistive network 222 of the warning light to the pupil. This resistor network is adapted from the supplied switches to realize a speed control system. Of course, other arrangements can be made to activate the PWL. The activation of a lamp test routine begins with the cycling of one of the switches in the micro-switch arrangement 45, which is detected by EGC and diffused over the collector 60 for detection by ESC 30. The microprocessor 31 then begins the sequences of action of the FET switches to illuminate several lamps, according to the predetermined routines. The test routine requires, as a precondition, that the parking brake 140 be adjusted, all lights checked are turned off and the ignition key is in the 'activated' position. The cancellation of the cycle occurs in any of the following cases: (1) the bypass or depressurization of the brake pedal 137, (2) the release of the parking brake 140, (3) the movement of the ignition key to the starting or moving positions or (4) ignition of either of the lights that are in the sequence. The preconditions were the vehicle to be immobilized, before the sequence can begin.

Figure 5 is a high-level flow chart, which illustrates the test cycles for the lamps. To start the test, as was done in step 500, the exterior lamps are turned off, the key is in the ignition and moves to the activated position, the parking brake is adjusted and the lamp check switch 24 is depressed Exterior. This set of preconditions for the execution of the test program should prevent the accidental start of the program of the program, for example, when the vehicle is being driven. The test routine is divided into three subroutines 510, 520, 540, which are associated with different groups of lights, typically organized by function to help the operator on his way around, for visual inspection. Each subroutine can be programmed to repeatedly execute a predetermined period of time, for example two minutes, with each stage of light energization, which lasts a few seconds, before the next subroutine is executed. Or, the three subroutines can be programmed to run in parallel. Subroutine 510 handles marker and signal lights. In step 51, the left and right turn signals, marker lights and slights are energized. Next, following a one second delay (step 512) a subset of these lights, which include the left and right signal lights and the slights, turn off (step 513). Following another one second delay (step 514), the marker lights turn off (step 515). Then still another one second delay is executed (step 516) and the subroutine returns to step 510. Subroutine 520 handles the group of pupil alert lights (PWL). In step 521, the left red PWLS are turned on and the right red PWLS are turned off. The delay of one second is then executed (step 522). Next, at step 523, the left amber PWLS turn on and the left red PWLS turn off. Again, a delay of one second is executed (step 524). Then, at step 525, the right amber PWLS turn on and the left amber PWLS turn off. Following a one-second delay (step 526), step 527 is executed to turn on the right red PWLS and turn off the right amber PWLS. A one-second delay is then executed in step 528 and execution is returned to step 521. Subroutine 540 refers to the group of lights associated with the driver's vision aid, ie the headlights, fog lights and support lights. Step 541 provides for the firing of the high beams and extinguishes the low beams, the fog lamps and the support lights. Step 542 is a delay of three seconds, followed by step 643, where the low lights, fog lamps and support lights are illuminated and the high beams are extinguished. Step 544 provides another delay of three seconds and execution is returned to step 541. Step 550 is applicable to all three subroutines and provides disconnection of these subroutines. At the occurrence of any of the four events, the subroutines cease execution, which includes pressing and releasing the brake pedal, releasing the parking brake, turning the ignition key to the disconnected or crank positions, or manual ignition in any light in the test sequences. Automatic disconnection assumes that the light sequence is turned off. when the impeller starts to drive the vehicle. In addition, you can exit the routine by disconnecting the process using switch 24. Each subroutine defines a group of lamp assemblies. A unique pattern of lighting and extinction of the lamps characterizes each group, making the task of remembering which functional sets of the lamps belong to each group, and assuming better that an operator does not lose one of the functional sets during his way around the vehicle. The patterns are marked by varying when the sets are switched on and off with respect to each other, from one set to another and varying the delays formed in the cycling program for each group. The number of functional sets in each group is limited to four. The invention provides simplification of the inspection of the operator of the lamps to the outside of the vehicle, through automatic, sequential and repeated illumination and extinguishing of the lamps. Lamp sets are mutually associated in groups to present a hierarchy easily remembered by the user, and eliminating the need to remember patterns that are too complex. While the invention was shown in only one of its forms, it is not limited to the same and is susceptible to several changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A vehicle comprising: a plurality of lamps, mounted to be visible on the exterior of the vehicle; functional sub-assemblies of the lamps, within said plurality of lamps; an electric system controller, having a plurality of lamp energizing output ports; an energizing circuit for each functional subset of lamps, each energizing circuit being connected to a different energization output of the lamps; a first set of lamp activation switches, for the functional sub-assemblies of these lamps, and switches for the position of the service brake and the position of the parking brake, connected to the controller of the electrical system, to provide status inputs to the controller of the electrical system; a gauge controller; a second set of lamp activation switches, including a lamp test switch, connected to provide status inputs to the gauge controller; an element that detects the position of the ignition switch, which provides a control input to the gauge controller; a data link between the gauge controller and the electric system controller, which allows indication of the condition of the state and the control inputs received by the gauge controller, which is to be communicated to the electric system controller; the electric system controller further includes a programmable microcomputer, to activate and deactivate each of the plurality of energization output doors; and a test program, which can be run on the programmable microcomputer, and responsive to the operation of the lamp test switch, for execution, this test program includes a program elements to associate the selected functional subsets of the lamps in groups and provide additional means to activate in sequence and extinguish the lamps of each functional subset within a group that is being tested, by the selective energization of the exit doors of the lamp energization.
2. 2. A vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test program further comprises: elements responsive to detecting the setting of the parking brake, the position of the ignition switch is activated and all the exit doors of the energization of the external lamps are deactivated to allow the test program to proceed in detecting the activation of the external lamp check switch.
3. 3. A vehicle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the test program further comprises: program elements for detecting a change in the state of one of the brake position switch, the parking brake position switch, or the lamp activation switch, to finish the execution of this test program.
4. 4. A vehicle, as claimed in claim 4, in which no group includes more than four functional subsets of lamps.
5. 5. A system for checking the lamps of a vehicle, this system comprises: a plurality of lamps, for mounting to the outside of a motor vehicle; a plurality of electrical energizing circuits for sets of lamps of a function, among the plurality of lamps; a first programmable controller, having a plurality of circuit energizing doors, individual electric energizing circuits, which are connected to each of the circuit energizing doors, to be energized and which have stored instructions for executing the routine of the exercise of the lamps; a second controller, having a plurality of entry doors; an array of switches, connected to the plurality of input ports of the second controller, to provide operator control of the states of the plurality of energizing circuits and the initiation of the operator of the routine of the exercise of the lamps; a data link, connecting the second controller and the first programmable controller, to the second controller, which reports the status of the signals on the plurality of the input ports on the data link; and the first programmable controller is responsive to the operation of the operator of a predetermined switch between the array of switches, to execute the routine of exercise of the lamps, this routine of exercise of the lamps provides at least a first and second means for exercising the groups of lamps, energizing according to predetermined patterns that can distinguish, selected sets of lamps of a similar function.
6. 6. A system for checking lamps of a vehicle, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the predetermined patterns that can be further distinguished comprise: means for cycling the on and off state of lamp assemblies; and means to establish the length of time that each set of lamps is on and off in each cycle.
7. 7. A system for checking lamps of a vehicle, as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: switches of the position of the service brake and the position of the parking brake, connected to the first programmable controller; and the routine of the exercise of the lamps is responsive to the state of the switches of the position of the service brake and the parking brake, and the arrangement of switches to start and execute the suspension.
8. 8. A method for the automatic exercise of lamps, for a motor vehicle, to assist in the visual inspection of the operation status of the lamps, this method comprises the steps of: in response to the user's request for the exercise of the lamp, determine the condition of the vehicle service brake, the vehicle parking brake and the on / off status of the lamps being operated. in response to the service brake of the vehicle being opened, the parking brake of the vehicle is adjusted and the lamps are switched off, initiating a repeating cycle of at least two groups of lamps, the cycle of each group of lamps being characterized by a pattern of switching on and off of the lights, which differs in time and overlaps from the cycle for any other group; and interrupting the exercise of the lamps, in response to the activation of the vehicle service brake, the release of the parking brake or the switching off of any of the lamps being exercised.