SI22536A - Device and procedure for control of angular lamps in vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a procedure and a device for the control of motor vehicle angular lamps (91, 92). The intention of the invention is to assure a suitable operation of the mentioned lamps (91, 92), brought into accordance with currently valid standards, without any need to install additional sensors into the vehicle for this purpose and bring about additional costs in this way, prepare the installation place and increase the probability of defects. For this purpose, the device according to the invention comprises a processing unit (3) which is adapted for input of angular speed (omega1) data of the cornering inside driving wheel (11) and angular speed (omega2) data of the cornering outside driving wheel (12) from a driving wheel (11, 12) anti- spin assembly (4) both when braking and accelerating the vehicle. At the same time, the said unit (3) is adapted for the detection of difference (delta omega) between the said angular speeds (omega1, omega2) and activation of the said lamps (91, 92) for the case only when the mentioned difference (delta omega) between the angular speeds (mega1, omega2) exceeds a predetermined value and when all other conditions set in advance are fulfilled too. The subject of invention is also a control procedure for the mentioned lamps (91, 92) in accordance with the operational concept of the said device.

Description

HELLA LUX SLOVENIA Manufacture of lighting and other equipment for motor vehicles d.o.o.

MPK ⁸ : B 60 Q 1/02

Device and process for controlling the angle lamps of vehicles

The invention relates to a device for controlling the angle lamps in vehicles, as well as to a process for controlling such lamps in accordance with existing norms, which in principle allow the use of e.g. mounting and activating such lamps as optional accessories in vehicles, namely the activation of the corner lamp is only permitted in the case of a left or right turn when the direction indicator is engaged, when the travel speed does not exceed a predetermined value, which is limited at that time. e.g. at 40 km / h when the steering wheel is moved simultaneously and when driving is in conditions of reduced visibility, ie at dusk or at night. at night or in the mist. As a rule, this type of lamp is positioned in pairs in the front of the vehicle, either in the body, mask, fender or bumper area, distinguished by a relatively large angle of the beam in the horizontal plane, symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lamp, In the case of activation, it is also possible to rotate the corner lamp around the vertical axis, thereby deflecting at least the reflector or the entire body of the lamp while cornering, thus illuminating the area in front of the vehicle which is otherwise poorly or completely illuminated by the available lamps.

According to the International Patent Classification, such inventions in the field of traffic and transport are classified in the lighting equipment for vehicles, namely the installation and control in appropriate circuits, depending on the position of the steering wheels or. steering mechanism.

The invention is based on the problem of how to design a device for controlling the corner lamps, namely a device for activating the relevant ones, i.e. in the turn of the inner corner lamp, which should be allowed only in certain cases, i.e. subject to predetermined conditions, especially in the case of left or right-hand cornering with the directional indicator engaged while the vehicle speed does not exceed a predetermined value while ensuring the steering mechanism is moved while the vehicle is moving under reduced conditions visibility, so at dusk or at night or in the fog, which should be feasible due to the use of pre-existing sensing elements in the vehicle, avoiding the installation of additional sensors, thereby avoiding unnecessary costs, space constraints and increasing the likelihood of failure. At the same time, it is an object of the invention to solve the problem of designing the very process of controlling such lamps.

In order to provide for the turn-by-turn vehicle activation of an additional lamp that would illuminate an otherwise illuminated area in front of the vehicle during the turn, it is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,918 to activate a lamp based on centrifugal force. The device comprises a sensor, which is made as a container or. housing with a central area and each transverse depending on the direction of travel of the running arms. Contact fluid is available in the receptacle, and in the area of said arms, electrical receptacles are mounted on the receptacle that extend into the inside of the receptacle. When driving straight, the liquid is located in the central area and is therefore not in contact with any of the electrical connections mentioned. In the turn, due to the centrifugal force, the liquid is poured into one of the arms, contacting the associated electrical connector, thereby closing the corresponding electrical circuit that activates the associated corner lamp. The deviation of the fluid from the stationary position depends very much on the speed of the vehicle and the radius of the turn, but also on other factors such as inertia, vibration and more. The problem is that when the car is turning slowly, it actually activates only deep in the turn, while at the very beginning of the turn the space in front of the vehicle is relatively dimly lit. This can also cause oscillation of the contact fluid, which in turn activates or alternates. deactivates both corner lamps on the respective sides of the vehicle. In principle, the lamp can also be activated in the case of avoiding obstacles on the road; into a side street ..

By activating or. DE 197 19 573 B4 also deals with the deactivation of corner lamps, where it is intended that a fog lamp be activated in the turn only if the speed does not exceed a predetermined speed. Activation is made when the additional sensor detects that the vehicle is turning. The sensor can detect the movement of the steering column or steering mechanism, the angular velocity of the vehicle in a turn, or the centrifugal force, or the deflection from the desired direction, e.g. used in detecting or. control of stability in a certain direction. Therefore, in addition to the already available sensors, it is necessary to install an additional sensor for the operation of the device, which is related to costs and other requirements, especially in terms of providing and arranging the appropriate space for the installation of the sensor. On top of that, any installation of such a delicate accessory in a vehicle is associated with an additional risk of failure or failure. reliability of operation.

Similarly, WO 2005/035307 Al describes a method and device for controlling a vehicle light, which, while driving in a turn at a certain speed range, controls the corresponding corner lamp as static, i.e. position angle lamp, and in the second speed range as a deflection angle lamp whose housing or. at least the reflector deflects in such a case due to the rotation about the vertical axis. In this case, the angle lamp in one or the other operating mode is controlled based on the signal from the vehicle speedometer and at the same time based on the signal from the sensor that detects when the vehicle is turning. The speedometer is already available in the vehicle, and in this case, an additional sensor is also provided for cornering, which is mounted on / at the steering column and detects the steering column rotation as a result of steering wheel rotation. The disadvantages associated therewith are practically the same as those mentioned in connection with DE 197 19 573 B4.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the angular lamps of a vehicle, namely, lamps for additional illumination of areas in front of the vehicle, which are relatively dimly lit or completely illuminated by means of otherwise available vehicle lights. The apparatus generally consists of a processing unit which automatically activates or deactivates the respective corner lamp, comprising at least an entrance signal to receive a turn signal signal and an input to receive a signal associated with each current illumination of at least one area in the vicinity of the vehicle. On this basis, said processing unit then controls the operation of the corner lamps, taking into account the signals received through said inputs.

According to the invention, a sophisticated device is proposed, the processing unit of which further comprises an input which is coupled to the drive unit of the anti-slip wheel assembly for measuring the angular velocity of at least one corner of the inner drive wheel vehicle and the angular velocity of at least one corner of the outer drive wheel independent of the steering of the drive unit itself. In this case, said processing unit is adapted to receive signals or. information on the measured values of said angular velocities, in particular the differentiation of said angular velocities, and for the automatic activation or deactivation of the respective, preferably in the turn of the inner angular lamp depending on the said angular velocity differential and taking into account other predetermined signal conditions, received through the remaining inputs.

Said process unit of the device according to the invention is adapted to either permanently or occasionally receive data on the measured angular velocity differential of at least one in the turn of an internal drive wheel vehicle and an angular velocity of at least one in the turn of an external drive wheel.

Further, the processing unit is preferably adapted for calculating the speed of the vehicle itself based on the measurement of said angular velocities of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel and at least one in the turn of the external drive wheel, and on that basis also for the activation or activation of the vehicle. deactivating the corresponding angle lamp in each case, taking into account the vehicle speed thus calculated.

The processing unit is optionally adapted to activate and / or to activate. deactivation of the corresponding corner lamp at each time based on the differential of the angular velocity of the drive wheels and the vehicle speed while simultaneously considering the signals at the remaining inputs, the signal at one input being preferably available only in the case of a directional sign and the signal at least one further input being available either in the case of at least one activated dimmed headlamp of the same vehicle and / or at least one activated position lamp of the same vehicle and / or at least one fog lamp of that vehicle and / or at least one illumination meter of at least one area outside the vehicle.

The subject of the invention is also a method of controlling angular lamps, which in principle allows the activation or deactivation, either by switching on or off, and optionally, or simply turning the respective lamp around its vertical axis, in order to provide pre-determined illumination of those areas in front of the vehicle which are otherwise insufficiently or not illuminated by the available headlamps, whereby the control of operation he performs these angular lamps subject to certain conditions, in particular in terms of vehicle speed, pre-activation of other lamps and taking into account lighting or weather conditions around the vehicle

The method according to the invention is characterized in that, while driving the vehicle, a differential of the angular velocity of at least one in the turn of the inner drive wheel and the angular velocity of at least one in the bend of the outer drive wheel is permanently or occasionally measured; thereafter, the automatic activation of the vehicle's corner lamps shall be possible only if the said differential speed of corner exceeds a predetermined value and at the same time all other pre-determined conditions are fulfilled. Preferably, the speed of the vehicle in the direction of travel is also determined at the same time.

In this case, the corresponding angle lamp is preferably activated exclusively when the said differential of the angular velocity of the drive wheels exceeds a predetermined value and at the same time the speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value.

In a further variant of the process, the corresponding angle lamp is always activated solely when the said differential of the angular velocity of the drive wheels exceeds a predetermined value and at the same time the vehicle velocity is less than a predetermined value, and at the same time there must be signals at the inputs of the process unit indicating , the indicator is on and the outside area of the vehicle is low enough.

In a further variant of the process, the corresponding angular lamp is activated in each case only when the said differential of angular speeds of the driving wheels exceeds a predetermined value and at the same time the speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined value, and at the same time signals must be present at the inputs of the process unit. indicate that the direction indicator is on and that the illumination of the area outside the vehicle is low or low enough. the shaded lights have already been activated. vehicle fog lights.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail on the basis of a specific embodiment and in conjunction with the accompanying drawing showing

FIG. 1 is a schematically illustrated device for controlling the angle lamps of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic and plan view of a vehicle when cornering;

FIG. 3 diagram of vehicle speed while cornering;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the angular velocities of the drive wheels during cornering at speeds according to the diagram of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the difference in the differential speeds of the drive wheels when driving the vehicle in a turn according to the diagrams of FIG. 3 and 4.

The device for controlling the angle lamps 91, 92 comprises a process unit 3, which is provided with inputs 31, 32, 32, in the embodiment shown, namely, an input 31 for supplying a signal of the turn signal, with an input 32 for supplying a signal of the light sensor or. switching on one of the existing lighting fixtures on the vehicle, in particular e.g. position or shaded lights and / or fog lamps and / or other lights, as well as an input 33 for input of the angular velocity differential (Δω) signal from assembly 4 against the slip of the driving front wheels 11,12 and / or rear drive wheels 21, 22 when braking and / or starting the vehicle. For ease of further treatment and understanding of the invention, it is sufficient to have only two drive wheels 11, 12, whose angular velocities ω, and ω ₂ are in the vehicle stationary and in the driving direction 5 in FIG. 1 are the same, but they are different when cornering.

Said anti-skid assembly 4, 11, 12, 21, 22 is installed and thus available in virtually all modern road vehicles and as such comprises sensors 41, 42 that detect and measure angular velocities ω and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12, and in principle also the corresponding process unit 40, which then, depending on the measured angular velocities ω ,, ω _2, then via the steering or. the power unit 41 controls the operation of the respective brake assembly 6 for braking the wheels 11, 12, or respectively. optionally also an accelerator assembly, which is not shown as such in the sketch. In the example shown, the processing unit 40 receives information about the differential Δω of the angular velocity ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 and, depending on the differentiation of the Δω of the angular velocity ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 via the feed unit 41, from the input unit 43 valve 66 of hydraulic circuit 60 such that e.g. otherwise, through the pedal 65, in particular the brake pedal, lowers or increases the pressure of the hydraulic medium in the secondary circuits 61 ', 62' of the rotary speed control assemblies 61, 62, namely in the example of the braking intensity shown. At the same time, from the said input unit 43 of the wheel assembly 4, a signal is received, ie, the differential information Δω of angular velocity ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 also a process unit 3 which controls the operation of the angle lamps 91, 92. When the differential Δω of angular speeds the speeds ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11,12 are zero, the vehicle is either stationary or moving straight. As soon as the differential Δω of angular velocity ω and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 differs from zero, this indicates that the vehicle is moving in a turn.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, in any movement of the vehicle in a particular direction that deviates from the direction of travel in the straight direction φ, for a given wheel diameter 11, 12 there is a unique correlation between the speed (v) of the vehicle and the angular speed ω, and ω _{2 of the} wheels 11, 12, which in a turn, at any given moment, in principle, they move in circles with different diameters, but each of them depends on the same parameter, namely, the deviation φ. Accordingly, it is possible on the basis of the detected angular velocity ω, and the CO ₂ of the drive wheels 11, 12 on the one hand to calculate the difference Δω angular speed ω and ω _2, and at the same time for example. based on average or. the mean values of the angular velocities ω, and ω ₂ and the angular velocity data ω, and ω _{2 of} at least one of the wheels 11,12 also determine the speed (v) of vehicle movement and, optionally, control the corner lamps 91, 92 subject to the constraints associated with only the speed (v) of vehicle movement.

In the diagram of FIG. 3 illustrates the different speeds (v) of a vehicle during movement over a period of time. On the other hand, the angular velocities ω and ω _{2 of the} wheels 11, 12 are shown in the following diagram (Fig. 4) respectively, showing that each velocity (v) of the vehicle has the corresponding angular velocities ω, and ω _{2 of the} wheels 11 , 12 When driving straight, they coincide more or less when driving through a turn. The following diagram (Fig. 5) illustrates the different differentials Δω of angular velocity ω and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12, which, on the one hand, indicate whether the bend radius is larger or smaller, and at the same time, at what speed ( v) drive the vehicle in a turn. Accordingly, it is possible to program the processing unit 3 such that the activation of angle lamps 91, 92 is not even possible in certain cases, in particular e.g. when the velocity (v) exceeds the predetermined velocity, which in FIG. 3 is denoted by the dashed line, or when the differential Δω of angular velocity ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 does not exceed a predetermined value given in FIG. 5 marked with a dashed line.

For some vehicles, the anti-skid system of the drive wheels 11, 12 is permanently installed, but its operation can be optionally switched on or off. This circumstance generally has no effect on the operation of the device according to the invention. The measurement of the angular velocities ω, and ω _{2 of the} wheels 11, 12 and the calculation of the differential Δω are independent of the activation of the anti-slip system 11, 12, so that the process unit 3 receives the corresponding signals and controls the operation of the lamps 91, 92 independently of the control itself, e.g. . drive or brake assemblies of wheels 11, 12 by means of a processing unit 40.

The subject of the invention is also a method of controlling the angle lamps 91, 92, which enables activation or deactivating, either by switching on or off, and optionally, or simply turning the corresponding lamp 91, 92 around its vertical axis, in order to provide pre-determined illumination of those areas in front of the vehicle which are otherwise insufficiently or not illuminated by the available headlamps, whereby the control of the operation of said angle lamps 91, 92 is carried out subject to certain conditions, in particular with regard to the speed (v) of the vehicle and the light and / or weather conditions around the vehicle.

The process of controlling the angle lamps according to the invention is based on the step of determining the angular velocities ω, and ω _{2 of the} driving wheels 11, 12 and calculating the differential Δω of the angular speeds ω, and ω _{2 of the} driving wheels 11, 12, and automatically activating the corner lamps 91, 92 exclusively in the case when said differential Δω of angular velocity ω and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 exceeds a predetermined value and when other predetermined conditions are also fulfilled.

In one of the possible variants of the control process for the corner lamps according to the invention, the corner lamps 91, 92 are activated only when said differential Δω of the angular velocities ω and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 exceeds a predetermined value and when simultaneously at the inputs 31, 32 process unit 3 also has signals available, a directional indicator is on and the illumination of the area outside the vehicle is low enough.

In a further version of the process of controlling the corner lamps according to the invention, the corner lamp 91, 92 is activated only when said differential Δω of angular velocity ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 exceeds a predetermined value and the speed (v) of the vehicle is less than predetermined certain values, but at the same time, signals 31, 32 are provided at the inputs, the direction indicator is on and the illumination of the area outside the vehicle is low enough.

In a further embodiment of the process for controlling the corner lamps according to the invention, the corner lamp 91, 92 is activated only when said differential Δω of angular velocity ω, and ω _{2 of the} drive wheels 11, 12 exceeds a predetermined value and the speed (v) of the vehicle is less than predefined values, but at the same time there are signals available at inputs 31, 32, a directional indicator is on, and at the same time the illumination of the area outside the vehicle is low or low enough. the shaded lights have already been activated. vehicle fog lights.

Claims (15)

PATENT APPLICATIONS A device for controlling the angular lamps of a vehicle, namely lamps (91, 92) for additional illumination of areas in front of the vehicle which are relatively dimly lit or completely illuminated by means of otherwise available vehicle lamps, consisting of a process unit (3), by which performs automatic activation or deactivation of the respective corner lamp (91, 92) and comprising at least an input (31) for receiving the signal of the turn signal and an input (32) for receiving a signal associated with each current illumination of at least one area in the vicinity of the vehicle, such that the processing unit (3) then controls the operation of the lamps (91, 92) taking into account the signals received through said inputs (31, 32), characterized in that the processing unit (3) comprises an input (33) connected to the measuring device the angular velocity (ω,) of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11) and the angular velocity (ω ₂ ) of at least one in the bend of the external drive wheel (12), an adapted input unit (43) of the assembly (4) for preventing the drive from slipping wheels (11, 12; 13, 14), independently of the control of the drive unit (4) itself, to prevent the drive wheels from slipping (11, 12, 13, 14), said processing unit (3) being adapted to receive signals or. data on the measured values of said angular velocities (ω ,, ω ₂ ), in particular the differentiation (Δω) of said angular velocities (ω ,, ω ₂ ) and for the automatic activation or deactivation of the corresponding in each case, preferably in the turn of the inner corner lamp (91, 92 ), depending on the differential (Δω) of said angular velocities (ω ,, ω ₂ ) and taking into account other predefined conditions in the connection signals received through the remaining inputs (31, 32). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted to receive the differential data (Δω) of the angular velocity (ω,) of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11) and the angular velocity (11) ω ₂ ) at least one in the bend of the outer drive wheel (12). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted for occasionally receiving differential data (Δω) of the measured angular velocity (ω,) of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11) and angular velocity (ω ₂ ) at least one in the turn of the outer drive wheel (12). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted for permanently receiving differential data (Δω) of said angular velocities (ω ,, ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11), and angular velocities (ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the outer drive wheel (12). Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted for periodically receiving differential data (Δω) of said angular velocities (ω _Η ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11), and angular velocities (ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the outer drive wheel (12). Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is also adapted to calculate the speed (v) of the vehicle based on the measured angular velocities (ω,) of at least one corner of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11). and angular velocities (ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the outer drive wheel (12). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted to activate or to activate. deactivation of the corresponding angle lamp (91, 92) in each case, taking into account, based on the measured angular velocities (ω,) of at least one in the turn of the vehicle of the internal drive wheel (11) and the angular velocities (ω ₂ ) of at least one in the bend of the external drive wheel (12) vehicle speed (v). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted to activate or. deactivation of the corresponding angle lamp (91, 92) in each case while considering the signal at the input (31). Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the processing unit (3) is adapted to activate or. deactivation of the corresponding angle lamp (91, 92) in each case while considering the signal at the input (32). Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the signal at the input (31) is available only in the case of an activated direction indicator, while the signal at the input (32) is available either in the case of at least one activated shaded headlamp of the same vehicle, and / or at least one activated position light of the vehicle and / or at least one fog of the vehicle and / or at least one illumination meter of at least one area outside the vehicle. 11. A method for controlling angular lamps (91, 92) which enables the deactivating, either by switching on or off, and optionally or merely turning the respective lamp (91, 92) about its vertical axis, in order to provide pre-determined illumination of those areas in front of or behind the vehicle when cornering otherwise available the headlamps are insufficiently or completely illuminated, whereby the control of the operation of said corner lamps (91, 92) is carried out subject to certain conditions, in particular with regard to the speed (v) of the vehicle, the pre-activation of other lamps, and the light or the weather conditions around the vehicle, - that the angular velocity (ω ,, ω ₂ ) in the turn of at least one in the turn of the inner drive wheel (11) and in the turn of at least one in the turn of the outer drive wheel (12) is permanently or occasionally measured while driving the vehicle in order to calculate it permanently or occasionally the difference (Δω) of the angular velocities thus measured (ω,, ω ₂ ), and - to enable automatic activation of the corner lamps (91, 92) of the vehicle solely when said differential (Δω) between the angular speeds (ω ,, ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the internal drive wheel (11) and at least one in the turn of the external drive the drive wheel (12) exceeds a predetermined value and at the same time all other predetermined conditions are fulfilled. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that in parallel with the differential (Δω) between the angular velocities (ω ,, ω ₂ ) of at least one in the turn of the internal drive wheel (11) and at least one in the turn of the external drive wheel (12) it also determines the speed (v) of the vehicle in the direction of travel. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the angle lamps (91, 92) are activated only when said differential (Δω) of the angular speeds (ω ,, ω ₂ ) of the drive wheels (11, 12) exceeds the predetermined value and at the same time the vehicle speed (v) is less than the predetermined value. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the corner lamps (91, 92) are activated only when signals indicating that it is on are available at the inputs (31, 32) of the processing unit (3). the direction indicator and that the illumination of the area outside the vehicle is low enough. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the angle lamps (91, 92) are activated only when signals indicating that it is on are also available at the inputs (31, 32) of the process unit (3). direction indicator and that at the same time the illumination of the area outside the vehicle is low enough or the shaded lights have already been activated. vehicle fog lights.