WO2009093788A1 - Brake lamp control apparatus - Google Patents

Brake lamp control apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009093788A1
WO2009093788A1 PCT/KR2008/004558 KR2008004558W WO2009093788A1 WO 2009093788 A1 WO2009093788 A1 WO 2009093788A1 KR 2008004558 W KR2008004558 W KR 2008004558W WO 2009093788 A1 WO2009093788 A1 WO 2009093788A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
brake
area
light sources
brake lamp
brightness level
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2008/004558
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Seong-Rae Jho
Original Assignee
Seong-Rae Jho
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020080006476A external-priority patent/KR20090080615A/en
Priority claimed from KR1020080047209A external-priority patent/KR101006577B1/en
Application filed by Seong-Rae Jho filed Critical Seong-Rae Jho
Publication of WO2009093788A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009093788A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/44—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
    • B60Q1/444—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/44—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
    • B60Q1/441—Electric switches operable by the driver's pedals

Definitions

  • a vehicle brake system In general, a vehicle brake system generates fluid pressure depending on pressure applied to a brake pedal and converts the fluid pressure into brake power, thus stopping the vehicle. [3] The vehicle brake system turns on brake lamps positioned on the rear of the vehicle when a brake works, and warns the driver of a following vehicle of the speed reduction of the vehicle in order to avoid a rear-end collision. However, upon emergency braking, the driver of a following vehicle can be surprised or a rear-end collision may occur in a serious case. [4] In order to resolve the problem, a technique of warning the speed reduction of a vehicle by changing the brightness of brake lamps in proportion to pressure applied to a brake pedal has been proposed. However, since the brightness of brake lamps cannot be easily distinguished by drivers, it is difficult to guarantee the safety of a vehicle only by varying the brightness of a brake lamp.
  • the present invention is aimed to cause a driver to easily recognize a degree of speed reduction of a vehicle according to the brake power of a brake.
  • the controller measures the magnitude of the brake power on the basis of the electrical signal received from the sensor.
  • a brake lamp control apparatus including: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; a displacement sensor detecting a degree of movement of a brake pedal and generating a pedal movement signal; a modulator modulating the pedal movement signal received from the displacement sensor and outputting the modulated pedal movement signal to a brake signal line; a demodulator demodulating the modulated pedal movement signal received from the modulator; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.
  • the displacement sensor includes: a sensor frame; a bar, whose one end is linked to an arm of the brake pedal, whose the other end is inserted into the sensor frame, and which moves back and forth according to movement of the brake pedal; and a potentiometer outputting a pedal movement signal having a different magnitude according to displacement of the bar.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus further includes a sub brake lamp including a plurality of light sources capable of being turned on with the first brightness level and the second brightness level, wherein the controller turns on a plurality of light sources in a second area of the sub brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the demodulated pedal movement signal, in the second area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the second area.
  • a sub brake lamp including a plurality of light sources capable of being turned on with the first brightness level and the second brightness level, wherein the controller turns on a plurality of light sources in a second area of the sub brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the demodulated pedal movement signal, in the second area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the second area.
  • a brake lamp control apparatus including: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; a displacement sensor detecting a degree of movement of a brake pedal, and generating a pedal movement signal; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the pedal movement signal, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.
  • a brake lamp control apparatus by turning on a brake lamp with different brightness levels according to the magnitude of brake power actually applied to a brake or according to the magnitude of a signal generated by pressure applied to a brake pedal, the driver of a following vehicle can easily recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle according to the brake power of the brake.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a connection line between a displacement sensor and a brake pedal according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are views for explaining states where a brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining states where a sub brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the brake lamp control apparatus includes a controller 15 and a brake lamp 17.
  • the brake lamp 17 includes a plurality of light sources that can emit light with a first brightness level and light with a second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
  • each light source may be a point-like light source.
  • the point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • a LED can emit light with different brightness levels by changing current.
  • the first brightness level may be the brightness of a brake light to inform the driver of a following vehicle of speed reduction upon braking.
  • the second brightness level may be the brightness of a taillight to inform other drivers of the breadth of a vehicle.
  • the controller 15 turns on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp
  • the first area includes the first brightness area and the second brightness area on the brake lamp 17.
  • the magnitude of brake power can be measured by measuring pressure of brake fluids applied from a hydraulic modulator 18 to wheel cylinders 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id of wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od.
  • the magnitude of brake power may be determined as a maximum value of the measured pressure.
  • information of an area ratio that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area
  • a memory not shown.
  • the controller 15 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of brake power from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to a brake lamp driver 16. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 16 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 17 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
  • the brake lamp 17 changes the ratio of the first brightness area to the second brightness area in proportion to the magnitude of brake power. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • the controller 15 can reduce the size of the first area.
  • a taillight is turned on to inform other drivers of the existence of a vehicle at night or in cloudy weather.
  • the reason of using a taillight is because at night or in cloudy weather, a driver can easily recognize other vehicles in weak light such as the brightness of a taillight. Accordingly, at night or in cloudy weather, although only some of light sources constructing a brake lamp are turned on, other drivers can easily recognize the speed reduction of a preceding vehicle. Also, at night or in cloudy weather, by reducing the number of light sources that are turned on, the driver of a following vehicle continues to drive without being excited by too-bright light of a brake lamp.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a plurality of hydraulic sensors 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, an analog-to-digital converter 13, a manipulating unit 14, a brake lamp driver 16, a hydraulic modulator 18, an Electronic control unit (ECU) 19, a master cylinder 20, and a brake pedal 21.
  • ECU Electronice control unit
  • the master cylinder 20 can be used with a servo for amplifying the brake power transferred from the brake pedal 21.
  • the ECU 19 performs anti-lock brake system (ABS) control upon emergency braking or when the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od are skidding. That is, the ECU 19 controls the hydraulic modulator 18 to adjust the pressure of brake fluids applied to the wheel cylinders 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id upon emergency braking or when the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od are skidding, thereby adjusting the brake power. At this time, the pressures of brake fluids applied respectively to the wheel cylinders 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id may be different. The reason is because the rotation speeds of the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od are different from each other upon emergency braking or when braking on a slippery road.
  • ABS anti-lock brake system
  • the hydraulic sensors 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d sense the pressures of brake fluids applied from the hydraulic modulator 18 to the wheel cylinders 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id of the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od, and transmits signals corresponding to the sensed pressures to the analog-to-digital converter 13.
  • the analog-to-digital converter 13 converts the signals corresponding to the sensed pressures into digital signals, and then transmits the digital signals to the controller 15.
  • the controller 15 calculates a magnitude of brake power using the digital signals.
  • the magnitude of brake power can be determined as a maximum value of the digital signals.
  • the controller 15 searches for an area ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area, corresponding to the calculated magnitude of brake power, from the information of the area ratio stored in advance in the memory, and transfers the searched information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 16.
  • the brake lamp driver 16 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 17 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 15.
  • the manipulating unit 14 includes a switch for turning on/off the taillight.
  • a driver manipulates the switch for turning on the taillight
  • the manipulating unit 14 generates a taillight selection signal and transfers it to the controller 15.
  • the controller 15 reduces the size of the first area in response to the taillight selection signal, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 17 with the first and second brightness levels.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp 22.
  • the sub brake lamp 22 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level, like the brake lamp 17.
  • each light source may be a point-like light source.
  • the point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • the sub brake lamp 22 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 17 under the control of the brake lamp driver 16. That is, the brake lamp driver 16 adjusts the number of light sources that are to be turned on with the first and second brightness levels, according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 15. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus includes a controller 54 and a brake lamp 58.
  • the brake lamp 58 includes a plurality of light sources which can emit light with a first brightness level and light with a second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
  • the controller 54 turns on the plurality of light sources of the brake lamp 17 in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources positioned in an area (hereinafter, referred to as a first brightness area) corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in a first area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources positioned in the remaining area (hereinafter, referred to as a second brightness area) of the first area.
  • the first area includes the first and second brightness areas.
  • the controller 54 can store a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area, which corresponds to the magnitude of brake power.
  • information of an area ratio that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area
  • a memory not shown.
  • the controller 54 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of brake power from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to a brake lamp driver 56. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 56 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
  • the controller 54 can reduce the size of the first area. That is, the controller 54 reduces the size of the first area in response to a taillight selection signal, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second brightness levels.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a brake actuator 51, a brake controller 52, a manipulating unit 53, a pedal stroke sensor 55, a brake lamp driver 56, and a brake pedal 57.
  • the pedal stroke sensor 55 detects a value of displacement of the brake pedal 57, and transfers the detected displacement value to the controller 52.
  • the brake controller 52 calculates a magnitude of brake power considering at least one of the displacement value received from the pedal stroke sensor 55, force of the brake pedal 57, and a wheel speed.
  • the brake controller 52 adds information regarding the calculated magnitude of brake power to a brake control signal, and transfers the resultant brake control signal to the brake actuator 51.
  • the brake actuator 51 drives a wheel according to the magnitude of brake power included in the brake control signal.
  • the controller 54 reads information of an area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of brake power included in the brake control signal, from a table stored in the memory, and transfers the information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 56.
  • the brake lamp driver 56 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
  • the controller 54 can reflect actual brake power to turning-on/off of the brake lamp 58 by using the brake control signal applied from the brake controller 52 to the brake actuator 51.
  • the manipulating unit 53 includes a switch for turning on/off a taillight.
  • a driver manipulates the switch for turning on the taillight
  • the manipulating unit 53 generates a taillight selection signal and transfers it to the controller 54.
  • the controller 54 reduces the size of the first area in response to the taillight selection signal, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second light levels.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp 59.
  • the sub brake lamp 59 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness darker than the first brightness level, like the brake lamp 58.
  • each light source may be a point-like light source.
  • the point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • the sub brake lamp 59 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 58 under the control of the brake lamp driver 56. That is, the brake lamp driver 56 adjusts the number of light sources of the sub brake lamp 59 that are to be turned on with the first and second brightness levels, according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 54. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus includes a displacement sensor
  • a modulator 32 a demodulator 33, a controller 34, and a brake lamp 35.
  • the brake lamp 35 includes a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
  • each light source may be a point-like light source.
  • the point- like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • a LED can emit light with different brightness levels by changing current.
  • the filament lamp includes filaments to emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level.
  • the first brightness level may be the brightness of the brake lamp 35 to inform the driver of a following vehicle of speed reduction upon braking.
  • the second brightness level may be the brightness of a taillight to inform other drivers of the breadth of a vehicle.
  • the displacement sensor 31 generates a pedal movement signal by detecting movement of a brake pedal 30.
  • the displacement sensor 31 may be assembled in the brake pedal 30 or linked to the brake pedal 30.
  • a connection between the displacement sensor 31 and the brake pedal 30 is shown in FIG. 4.
  • the displacement sensor 31 includes a sensor frame 63, a bar 62, and a potentiometer 64.
  • the bar 62 whose one end is linked to an arm 61 of the brake pedal 30 and whose the other end is inserted into the sensor frame 63, moves back and forth according to movement of the brake pedal 30.
  • the potentiometer 64 outputs a different electrical signal according to the displacement of the bar 62.
  • the potentiometer 64 generates a pedal movement signal having a different voltage according to the displacement of the bar 62.
  • the modulator 32 modulates a frequency of the pedal movement signal and transmits the modulated pedal movement signal to the demodulator 33 through a brake lamp line 38.
  • the displacement sensor 31 and the modulator 32 can be integrated into a single module.
  • the brake lamp line 38 may be a signal line wired in a chassis of a vehicle. The signal line wired in the chassis of the vehicle may be used to connect a switch of sensing movement of a brake pedal to a brake lamp driver of turning on/off brake lamps according to the magnitude of a signal generated from the switch.
  • the demodulator 33, the controller 34, and the brake lamp driver 36 can be integrated into a single module. By connecting the modules to the signal line wired in the chassis of the vehicle, the brake lamp control apparatus can be easily implemented.
  • the demodulator 33 demodulates the pedal movement signal received from the modulator 32 to an original pedal movement signal using a frequency modulation method, and transmits the demodulated pedal movement signal to the controller 34.
  • the controller 34 turns on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp
  • the first area includes the first and second brightness areas.
  • information of an area ratio that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area, which corresponds to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal, is stored in a memory (not shown).
  • the controller 34 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 36. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 36 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 35 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
  • the brake lamp 35 changes a ratio of the first brightness area to the second brightness area in proportion to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal. Accordingly, due to contrast between the more bright light and the less bright light, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • the controller 34 can reduce the size of the first area. That is, the controller 34 reduces the size of the first area when the taillight state is selected, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 35 with the first and second brightness levels.
  • a taillight state is used to inform other drivers of existence of a vehicle at night or in cloudy weather.
  • the reason of using a taillight is because at night or in cloudy weather, a driver can easily recognize other vehicles in weak light such as the brightness of a taillight. Accordingly, at night or in cloudy weather, although only some of light sources constructing a brake lamp are turned on, other drivers can easily recognize the speed reduction of a preceding vehicle. Also, at night or in cloudy weather, by reducing the number of light sources that are to be turned on, the driver of a following vehicle continues to drive without being excited by too-bright light of brake lamps.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp 37.
  • the sub brake lamp 37 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
  • each light source may be a point- like light source.
  • the point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • the sub brake lamp 37 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 35 under the control of the brake lamp driver 36. That is, the brake lamp driver 36 adjusts the number of light sources of the sub brake lamp 37 that are to be turned on with the first and second brightness levels, according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 34. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus includes a brake pedal 70, a displacement sensor 71, a controller 72, and a brake lamp 73.
  • the brake lamp 73 includes a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
  • each light source may be a point-like light source.
  • the point- like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • a LED can emit light with different brightness levels by changing current.
  • the first brightness level may be the brightness of a brake lamp to inform the driver of a following vehicle of speed reduction upon braking.
  • the second brightness level may be the brightness of a taillight to inform the drivers of preceding and following vehicles of the breadth of a vehicle.
  • the displacement sensor 71 detects a degree of movement of the brake pedal 70, and generates a pedal movement signal.
  • the displacement sensor 71 can have the same construction as that of the displacement sensor 31 illustrated in FIG. 4, and therefore a detailed description for the displacement sensor 71 will be omitted.
  • the displacement sensor 71 is assembled in the brake pedal 70, or linked to the brake pedal 70.
  • the displacement sensor 71 can be constructed in the form of a module or can include a connector receiving unit into which a connector terminal included in the brake lamp line 76 can be inserted. That is, the displacement sensor 71 can be connected to the controller 72 via the brake lamp line 76.
  • the controller 72 and the brake lamp driver 74 can be integrated into a single module.
  • the module can include a connector receiving unit into which the connector terminal included in the brake lamp line 76 can be inserted. That is, the module is connected to the displacement sensor 71 via the brake lamp line 76.
  • the brake lamp line 76 is separated from a brake lamp line wired in a chassis of a vehicle, and both ends of the brake lamp line 76 respectively include connector terminals which can be connected to the connector receiving unit of the module.
  • the brake lamp line 76 is a line which connects a switch of sensing movement of the brake pedal to a brake lamp driver of turning on the brake lamp in response to a signal generated from the switch. That is, the pedal movement signal is transmitted through a brake lamp line 76 which is different from an existing brake lamp line wired in the chassis of the vehicle.
  • the controller 72 turns on the plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp 73, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area (that is, a first brightness area) corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal received from the displacement sensor 71, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area (that is, a second brightness area) of the first area.
  • the first area includes the first and second brightness areas.
  • information of an area ratio that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area
  • a memory not shown.
  • the controller 72 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 74. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 74 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 73 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
  • the brake lamp 73 changes a ratio of the first brightness area to the second brightness area in proportion to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal. Accordingly, due to contrast between the more bright light and the less bright light, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • the controller 72 can reduce the size of the first area. That is, the controller 72 reduces the size of the first area when the taillight state is selected, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 73 with the first and second brightness levels.
  • a taillight state is used to inform other drivers to the existence of a vehicle at night or in cloudy weather.
  • the reason of using a taillight is because at night or in cloudy weather, a driver can easily recognize other vehicles in weak light such as the brightness of a taillight. Accordingly, at night or in cloudy weather, although only some of light sources constructing a brake lamp are turned on, other drivers can easily recognize the speed reduction of a vehicle. Also, at night or in cloudy weather, by reducing the number of light sources that are turned on, the driver of a following vehicle continues to drive without being excited by too-bright light of brake lamps.
  • the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp
  • the sub brake lamp 75 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
  • each light source may be a point- like light source.
  • the point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc.
  • the sub brake lamp 75 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 73 under the control of the brake lamp driver 74. That is, the brake lamp driver 74 performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the sub brake lamp 73 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
  • FIGS. 6 through 10 are views for explaining states where a brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example of turning on the light sources of a brake lamp according to a magnitude of brake power or according to a magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is not selected.
  • FIG. 6 shows a state where all light sources in a first area al of the brake lamp are turned off according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
  • [79] (b) of FIG. 6 shows a state where light sources in an area bl of the first area al are turned on with a brightness level of a taillight and light sources in an area b2 of the first area al are turned on with a brightness level of a brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
  • FIG. 6 shows a state where light sources in an area cl of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area c2 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
  • (d) of FIG. 6 shows a state where all the light sources of the first area al are turned on with the brightness of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state.
  • an area turned on with the brightness level of the brake light is widened in the order of (a) no brake -> (b) brake power level 1 -> (c) brake power level 2 -> (d) full brake.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an example of turning on the light sources of a brake lamp according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is selected.
  • a first area al in (e) through (h) of FIG. 7 is the same as the first area al in (a) through (d) of FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 7 shows a state where all light sources in the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
  • [84] (f) of FIG. 7 shows a state where light sources in an area b3 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area b4 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
  • FIG. 7 shows a state where light sources in an area c3 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area c4 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
  • FIG. 7 shows a state where all the light sources in the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state.
  • an area turned on with the brightness of the brake light is widened in the order of (e) no brake -> (f) brake power level 1 -> (g) brake power level 2 -> (h) full brake,
  • FIG. 8 illustrates an example of turning on the light sources of a brake lamp according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is not selected.
  • a turned-on area a2 hereinafter, referred to as a second area a2 of FIG. 8 is smaller than the first area al of FIG. 7.
  • the driver of a following vehicle can easily recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle.
  • FIG. 8 shows a state where all light sources in the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
  • [89] (j) of FIG. 8 shows a state where light sources in an area b5 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area b6 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
  • [90] (k) of FIG. 8 shows a state where light sources in an area c5 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area c6 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
  • [91] (1) of FIG. 8 shows a state where all the light sources in the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state.
  • an area turned on with the brightness level of the brake light is widened in the order of (i) no brake -> (j) brake power level 1 -> (k) brake power level 2 -> (1) full brake.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining states where a sub brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the sub brake lamp can be turned on simultaneously with the brake lamp illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8.
  • FIG. 9 shows a state where the sub brake lamp is turned on according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is not selected.
  • [94] (m) of FIG. 9 shows a state where all light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned off according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
  • FIG. 9 shows a state where the fifth and sixth light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
  • [96] (o) of FIG. 9 shows a state where the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
  • [97] (p) of FIG. 9 shows a state where all the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state.
  • the number of light sources turned on with the brightness level of the brake light increases in the order of (m) no brake -> (h) brake power level 1 -> (o) brake power level 2 -> (p) full brake.
  • the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on sequentially from the center of the sub brake lamp, according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal.
  • FIG. 10 shows a state where a sub brake lamp is turned on according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is selected.
  • the number of light sources of the sub brake lamp illustrated in FIG. 10 is the same as the number of the light sources of the sub brake lamp illustrated in FIG. 9.
  • [99] (q) of FIG. 10 shows a state where all the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
  • [100] (r) of FIG. 10 shows a state where the fifth and sixth light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
  • FIG. 10 shows a state where the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
  • [102] (t) of FIG. 10 shows a state where all the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the level brightness of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state.
  • the number of light sources turned on with the brightness level of the brake light increases in the order of (q) no brake -> (r) brake power level 1 -> (s) brake power level 2 -> (t) full brake.
  • the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on sequentially from the center of the sub brake lamp, according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal.

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Abstract

Provided is a brake lamp control apparatus for allowing the driver of a following vehicle to recognize a degree of actual speed reduction of the preceding vehicle according to a magnitude of brake power. The brake lamp control apparatus includes: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.

Description

Description BRAKE LAMP CONTROL APPARATUS
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly, to control of a brake lamp of a vehicle.
Background Art [2] In general, a vehicle brake system generates fluid pressure depending on pressure applied to a brake pedal and converts the fluid pressure into brake power, thus stopping the vehicle. [3] The vehicle brake system turns on brake lamps positioned on the rear of the vehicle when a brake works, and warns the driver of a following vehicle of the speed reduction of the vehicle in order to avoid a rear-end collision. However, upon emergency braking, the driver of a following vehicle can be surprised or a rear-end collision may occur in a serious case. [4] In order to resolve the problem, a technique of warning the speed reduction of a vehicle by changing the brightness of brake lamps in proportion to pressure applied to a brake pedal has been proposed. However, since the brightness of brake lamps cannot be easily distinguished by drivers, it is difficult to guarantee the safety of a vehicle only by varying the brightness of a brake lamp.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem [5] The present invention is aimed to cause a driver to easily recognize a degree of speed reduction of a vehicle according to the brake power of a brake.
Technical Solution [6] The present invention provides a brake lamp control apparatus of turning on a brake lamp with different brightness levels according to the magnitude of brake power actually applied to a brake. [7] According to an aspect, there is provided a brake lamp control apparatus including: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level. [8] The brake lamp control apparatus further includes a manipulation unit for selecting a taillight state of the brake lamp, wherein the controller reduces the first area when the taillight state is selected.
[9] The brake lamp control apparatus further includes a sensor sensing brake power according to fluid pressure applied to a brake, generating an electrical signal corresponding to a magnitude of the brake power, and outputting the electrical signal to the controller.
[10] The controller measures the magnitude of the brake power on the basis of the electrical signal received from the sensor.
[11] According to another aspect, there is provided a brake lamp control apparatus including: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; a displacement sensor detecting a degree of movement of a brake pedal and generating a pedal movement signal; a modulator modulating the pedal movement signal received from the displacement sensor and outputting the modulated pedal movement signal to a brake signal line; a demodulator demodulating the modulated pedal movement signal received from the modulator; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.
[12] The displacement sensor includes: a sensor frame; a bar, whose one end is linked to an arm of the brake pedal, whose the other end is inserted into the sensor frame, and which moves back and forth according to movement of the brake pedal; and a potentiometer outputting a pedal movement signal having a different magnitude according to displacement of the bar.
[13] The brake lamp control apparatus further includes a sub brake lamp including a plurality of light sources capable of being turned on with the first brightness level and the second brightness level, wherein the controller turns on a plurality of light sources in a second area of the sub brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the demodulated pedal movement signal, in the second area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the second area.
[14] According to another aspect, there is provided a brake lamp control apparatus including: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; a displacement sensor detecting a degree of movement of a brake pedal, and generating a pedal movement signal; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the pedal movement signal, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level. [15] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Advantageous Effects
[16] As described above, in a brake lamp control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, by turning on a brake lamp with different brightness levels according to the magnitude of brake power actually applied to a brake or according to the magnitude of a signal generated by pressure applied to a brake pedal, the driver of a following vehicle can easily recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle according to the brake power of the brake.
[17] Also, the brake lamp control apparatus can be easily installed by utilizing a single signal line to transmit a signal corresponding to pressure applied to a brake pedal. Brief Description of the Drawings
[18] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[19] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[20] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[21] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[22] FIG. 4 illustrates a connection line between a displacement sensor and a brake pedal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[23] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[24] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are views for explaining states where a brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[25] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining states where a sub brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention
[26] The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and areas may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
[27] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the brake lamp control apparatus includes a controller 15 and a brake lamp 17.
[28] The brake lamp 17 includes a plurality of light sources that can emit light with a first brightness level and light with a second brightness level darker than the first brightness level. Here, each light source may be a point-like light source. The point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. A LED can emit light with different brightness levels by changing current. The first brightness level may be the brightness of a brake light to inform the driver of a following vehicle of speed reduction upon braking. The second brightness level may be the brightness of a taillight to inform other drivers of the breadth of a vehicle.
[29] The controller 15 turns on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp
17, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources positioned in an area (hereinafter, referred to as a first brightness area) corresponding to a magnitude of brake power in the first area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources positioned in the remaining area (hereinafter, referred to as a second brightness area) of the first area. Here, the first area includes the first brightness area and the second brightness area on the brake lamp 17. The magnitude of brake power can be measured by measuring pressure of brake fluids applied from a hydraulic modulator 18 to wheel cylinders 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id of wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od. The magnitude of brake power may be determined as a maximum value of the measured pressure. According to an embodiment, information of an area ratio (that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area), which corresponds to the magnitude of brake power, is stored in a memory (not shown).
[30] The controller 15 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of brake power from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to a brake lamp driver 16. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 16 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 17 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
[31] That is, the brake lamp 17 changes the ratio of the first brightness area to the second brightness area in proportion to the magnitude of brake power. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[32] Also, when a taillight state is selected through a manipulation unit 14, the controller 15 can reduce the size of the first area. Generally, a taillight is turned on to inform other drivers of the existence of a vehicle at night or in cloudy weather. The reason of using a taillight is because at night or in cloudy weather, a driver can easily recognize other vehicles in weak light such as the brightness of a taillight. Accordingly, at night or in cloudy weather, although only some of light sources constructing a brake lamp are turned on, other drivers can easily recognize the speed reduction of a preceding vehicle. Also, at night or in cloudy weather, by reducing the number of light sources that are turned on, the driver of a following vehicle continues to drive without being excited by too-bright light of a brake lamp.
[33] Meanwhile, the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a plurality of hydraulic sensors 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, an analog-to-digital converter 13, a manipulating unit 14, a brake lamp driver 16, a hydraulic modulator 18, an Electronic control unit (ECU) 19, a master cylinder 20, and a brake pedal 21.
[34] Upon braking, the master cylinder 20 applies brake fluids to the hydraulic modulator
18 according to the magnitude of brake power transferred from the brake pedal 21. Here, the master cylinder 20 can be used with a servo for amplifying the brake power transferred from the brake pedal 21.
[35] The ECU 19 performs anti-lock brake system (ABS) control upon emergency braking or when the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od are skidding. That is, the ECU 19 controls the hydraulic modulator 18 to adjust the pressure of brake fluids applied to the wheel cylinders 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id upon emergency braking or when the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od are skidding, thereby adjusting the brake power. At this time, the pressures of brake fluids applied respectively to the wheel cylinders 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id may be different. The reason is because the rotation speeds of the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od are different from each other upon emergency braking or when braking on a slippery road.
[36] The hydraulic sensors 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d sense the pressures of brake fluids applied from the hydraulic modulator 18 to the wheel cylinders 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id of the wheels 10a, 10b, 10c and 1Od, and transmits signals corresponding to the sensed pressures to the analog-to-digital converter 13. The analog-to-digital converter 13 converts the signals corresponding to the sensed pressures into digital signals, and then transmits the digital signals to the controller 15. The controller 15 calculates a magnitude of brake power using the digital signals. Here, the magnitude of brake power can be determined as a maximum value of the digital signals.
[37] Accordingly, since the magnitude of brake power is calculated using hydraulic pressure applied directly to a brake, instead of using an indirect method of measuring displacement of a brake pedal, a degree of speed reduction of a vehicle can be correctly measured. [38] The controller 15 searches for an area ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area, corresponding to the calculated magnitude of brake power, from the information of the area ratio stored in advance in the memory, and transfers the searched information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 16. The brake lamp driver 16 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 17 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 15.
[39] The manipulating unit 14 includes a switch for turning on/off the taillight. When a driver manipulates the switch for turning on the taillight, the manipulating unit 14 generates a taillight selection signal and transfers it to the controller 15. The controller 15 reduces the size of the first area in response to the taillight selection signal, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 17 with the first and second brightness levels.
[40] Also, the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp 22. The sub brake lamp 22 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level, like the brake lamp 17. Here, each light source may be a point-like light source. The point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. The sub brake lamp 22 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 17 under the control of the brake lamp driver 16. That is, the brake lamp driver 16 adjusts the number of light sources that are to be turned on with the first and second brightness levels, according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 15. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[41] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the brake lamp control apparatus includes a controller 54 and a brake lamp 58.
[42] The brake lamp 58 includes a plurality of light sources which can emit light with a first brightness level and light with a second brightness level darker than the first brightness level.
[43] The controller 54 turns on the plurality of light sources of the brake lamp 17 in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources positioned in an area (hereinafter, referred to as a first brightness area) corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in a first area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources positioned in the remaining area (hereinafter, referred to as a second brightness area) of the first area. Here, the first area includes the first and second brightness areas. The controller 54 can store a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area, which corresponds to the magnitude of brake power. According to an embodiment, information of an area ratio (that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area), which corresponds to the magnitude of brake power, is stored in a memory (not shown).
[44] The controller 54 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of brake power from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to a brake lamp driver 56. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 56 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
[45] Also, when a taillight state is selected through a manipulation unit 53, the controller
54 can reduce the size of the first area. That is, the controller 54 reduces the size of the first area in response to a taillight selection signal, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second brightness levels.
[46] The brake lamp control apparatus can further include a brake actuator 51, a brake controller 52, a manipulating unit 53, a pedal stroke sensor 55, a brake lamp driver 56, and a brake pedal 57.
[47] The pedal stroke sensor 55 detects a value of displacement of the brake pedal 57, and transfers the detected displacement value to the controller 52.
[48] The brake controller 52 calculates a magnitude of brake power considering at least one of the displacement value received from the pedal stroke sensor 55, force of the brake pedal 57, and a wheel speed. The brake controller 52 adds information regarding the calculated magnitude of brake power to a brake control signal, and transfers the resultant brake control signal to the brake actuator 51. The brake actuator 51 drives a wheel according to the magnitude of brake power included in the brake control signal.
[49] The controller 54 reads information of an area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of brake power included in the brake control signal, from a table stored in the memory, and transfers the information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 56. The brake lamp driver 56 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
[50] As described above, the controller 54 can reflect actual brake power to turning-on/off of the brake lamp 58 by using the brake control signal applied from the brake controller 52 to the brake actuator 51.
[51] The manipulating unit 53 includes a switch for turning on/off a taillight. When a driver manipulates the switch for turning on the taillight, the manipulating unit 53 generates a taillight selection signal and transfers it to the controller 54. The controller 54 reduces the size of the first area in response to the taillight selection signal, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 58 with the first and second light levels.
[52] The brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp 59. The sub brake lamp 59 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness darker than the first brightness level, like the brake lamp 58. Here, each light source may be a point-like light source. The point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. The sub brake lamp 59 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 58 under the control of the brake lamp driver 56. That is, the brake lamp driver 56 adjusts the number of light sources of the sub brake lamp 59 that are to be turned on with the first and second brightness levels, according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 54. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[53] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[54] Referring to FIG. 3, the brake lamp control apparatus includes a displacement sensor
31, a modulator 32, a demodulator 33, a controller 34, and a brake lamp 35.
[55] The brake lamp 35 includes a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level. Here, each light source may be a point-like light source. The point- like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. A LED can emit light with different brightness levels by changing current. The filament lamp includes filaments to emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level. The first brightness level may be the brightness of the brake lamp 35 to inform the driver of a following vehicle of speed reduction upon braking. The second brightness level may be the brightness of a taillight to inform other drivers of the breadth of a vehicle.
[56] The displacement sensor 31 generates a pedal movement signal by detecting movement of a brake pedal 30. The displacement sensor 31 may be assembled in the brake pedal 30 or linked to the brake pedal 30. A connection between the displacement sensor 31 and the brake pedal 30 is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the displacement sensor 31 includes a sensor frame 63, a bar 62, and a potentiometer 64. The bar 62, whose one end is linked to an arm 61 of the brake pedal 30 and whose the other end is inserted into the sensor frame 63, moves back and forth according to movement of the brake pedal 30. The potentiometer 64 outputs a different electrical signal according to the displacement of the bar 62. That is, the potentiometer 64 generates a pedal movement signal having a different voltage according to the displacement of the bar 62. [57] The modulator 32 modulates a frequency of the pedal movement signal and transmits the modulated pedal movement signal to the demodulator 33 through a brake lamp line 38. Here, the displacement sensor 31 and the modulator 32 can be integrated into a single module. Also, the brake lamp line 38 may be a signal line wired in a chassis of a vehicle. The signal line wired in the chassis of the vehicle may be used to connect a switch of sensing movement of a brake pedal to a brake lamp driver of turning on/off brake lamps according to the magnitude of a signal generated from the switch. Here, the demodulator 33, the controller 34, and the brake lamp driver 36 can be integrated into a single module. By connecting the modules to the signal line wired in the chassis of the vehicle, the brake lamp control apparatus can be easily implemented.
[58] The demodulator 33 demodulates the pedal movement signal received from the modulator 32 to an original pedal movement signal using a frequency modulation method, and transmits the demodulated pedal movement signal to the controller 34.
[59] The controller 34 turns on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp
35, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area (that is, a first brightness area) corresponding to a magnitude of the pedal movement signal received from the demodulator 33, in the first area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area (that is, a second brightness area) of the first area. The first area includes the first and second brightness areas. According to an embodiment, information of an area ratio (that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area), which corresponds to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal, is stored in a memory (not shown).
[60] The controller 34 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 36. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 36 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 35 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
[61] That is, the brake lamp 35 changes a ratio of the first brightness area to the second brightness area in proportion to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal. Accordingly, due to contrast between the more bright light and the less bright light, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[62] Meanwhile, when a taillight state is selected, the controller 34 can reduce the size of the first area. That is, the controller 34 reduces the size of the first area when the taillight state is selected, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 35 with the first and second brightness levels. Generally, a taillight state is used to inform other drivers of existence of a vehicle at night or in cloudy weather. The reason of using a taillight is because at night or in cloudy weather, a driver can easily recognize other vehicles in weak light such as the brightness of a taillight. Accordingly, at night or in cloudy weather, although only some of light sources constructing a brake lamp are turned on, other drivers can easily recognize the speed reduction of a preceding vehicle. Also, at night or in cloudy weather, by reducing the number of light sources that are to be turned on, the driver of a following vehicle continues to drive without being excited by too-bright light of brake lamps.
[63] Meanwhile, the brake lamp control apparatus according can further include a sub brake lamp 37. The sub brake lamp 37 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level. Here, each light source may be a point- like light source. The point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. The sub brake lamp 37 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 35 under the control of the brake lamp driver 36. That is, the brake lamp driver 36 adjusts the number of light sources of the sub brake lamp 37 that are to be turned on with the first and second brightness levels, according to the information of the area ratio received from the controller 34. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[64] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a brake lamp control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[65] Referring to FIG. 5, the brake lamp control apparatus includes a brake pedal 70, a displacement sensor 71, a controller 72, and a brake lamp 73.
[66] The brake lamp 73 includes a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level. Here, each light source may be a point-like light source. The point- like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. A LED can emit light with different brightness levels by changing current. The first brightness level may be the brightness of a brake lamp to inform the driver of a following vehicle of speed reduction upon braking. The second brightness level may be the brightness of a taillight to inform the drivers of preceding and following vehicles of the breadth of a vehicle.
[67] The displacement sensor 71 detects a degree of movement of the brake pedal 70, and generates a pedal movement signal. The displacement sensor 71 can have the same construction as that of the displacement sensor 31 illustrated in FIG. 4, and therefore a detailed description for the displacement sensor 71 will be omitted. The displacement sensor 71 is assembled in the brake pedal 70, or linked to the brake pedal 70. The displacement sensor 71 can be constructed in the form of a module or can include a connector receiving unit into which a connector terminal included in the brake lamp line 76 can be inserted. That is, the displacement sensor 71 can be connected to the controller 72 via the brake lamp line 76.
[68] Also, the controller 72 and the brake lamp driver 74 can be integrated into a single module. The module can include a connector receiving unit into which the connector terminal included in the brake lamp line 76 can be inserted. That is, the module is connected to the displacement sensor 71 via the brake lamp line 76.
[69] The brake lamp line 76 is separated from a brake lamp line wired in a chassis of a vehicle, and both ends of the brake lamp line 76 respectively include connector terminals which can be connected to the connector receiving unit of the module. Here, the brake lamp line 76 is a line which connects a switch of sensing movement of the brake pedal to a brake lamp driver of turning on the brake lamp in response to a signal generated from the switch. That is, the pedal movement signal is transmitted through a brake lamp line 76 which is different from an existing brake lamp line wired in the chassis of the vehicle.
[70] By connecting the modules to the brake lamp line 76, the brake lamp control apparatus can be easily installed.
[71] The controller 72 turns on the plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp 73, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area (that is, a first brightness area) corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal received from the displacement sensor 71, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area (that is, a second brightness area) of the first area. The first area includes the first and second brightness areas. According to an embodiment, information of an area ratio (that is, a ratio of the second brightness area to the first brightness area), which corresponds to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal, is stored in a memory (not shown).
[72] The controller 72 reads the information of the area ratio corresponding to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal from the memory, and transmits the information of the area ratio to the brake lamp driver 74. Accordingly, the brake lamp driver 74 turns on the light sources of the brake lamp 73 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio.
[73] That is, the brake lamp 73 changes a ratio of the first brightness area to the second brightness area in proportion to the magnitude of the pedal movement signal. Accordingly, due to contrast between the more bright light and the less bright light, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[74] Meanwhile, when a taillight state is selected, the controller 72 can reduce the size of the first area. That is, the controller 72 reduces the size of the first area when the taillight state is selected, and then performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the brake lamp 73 with the first and second brightness levels. Generally, a taillight state is used to inform other drivers to the existence of a vehicle at night or in cloudy weather. The reason of using a taillight is because at night or in cloudy weather, a driver can easily recognize other vehicles in weak light such as the brightness of a taillight. Accordingly, at night or in cloudy weather, although only some of light sources constructing a brake lamp are turned on, other drivers can easily recognize the speed reduction of a vehicle. Also, at night or in cloudy weather, by reducing the number of light sources that are turned on, the driver of a following vehicle continues to drive without being excited by too-bright light of brake lamps.
[75] Meanwhile, the brake lamp control apparatus can further include a sub brake lamp
75. The sub brake lamp 75 can include a plurality of light sources which can emit light with the first brightness level and light with the second brightness level darker than the first brightness level. Here, each light source may be a point- like light source. The point-like light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a filament lamp, etc. The sub brake lamp 75 can be turned on/off simultaneously with the brake lamp 73 under the control of the brake lamp driver 74. That is, the brake lamp driver 74 performs turning-on/off controlling of the light sources of the sub brake lamp 73 with the first and second brightness levels according to the information of the area ratio. Accordingly, the driver of a following vehicle can intuitively recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle by seeing the brake lamps of the preceding vehicle.
[76] FIGS. 6 through 10 are views for explaining states where a brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[77] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of turning on the light sources of a brake lamp according to a magnitude of brake power or according to a magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is not selected.
[78] (a) of FIG. 6 shows a state where all light sources in a first area al of the brake lamp are turned off according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
[79] (b) of FIG. 6 shows a state where light sources in an area bl of the first area al are turned on with a brightness level of a taillight and light sources in an area b2 of the first area al are turned on with a brightness level of a brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
[80] (c) of FIG. 6 shows a state where light sources in an area cl of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area c2 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2. [81] (d) of FIG. 6 shows a state where all the light sources of the first area al are turned on with the brightness of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state. In the example of FIG. 6, an area turned on with the brightness level of the brake light is widened in the order of (a) no brake -> (b) brake power level 1 -> (c) brake power level 2 -> (d) full brake.
[82] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 illustrates an example of turning on the light sources of a brake lamp according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is selected. A first area al in (e) through (h) of FIG. 7 is the same as the first area al in (a) through (d) of FIG. 6.
[83] (e) of FIG. 7 shows a state where all light sources in the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
[84] (f) of FIG. 7 shows a state where light sources in an area b3 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area b4 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
[85] (g) of FIG. 7 shows a state where light sources in an area c3 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area c4 of the first area al are turned on with the brightness of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
[86] (h) of FIG. 7 shows a state where all the light sources in the first area al are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state. In the example of FIG. 7, an area turned on with the brightness of the brake light is widened in the order of (e) no brake -> (f) brake power level 1 -> (g) brake power level 2 -> (h) full brake,
[87] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of turning on the light sources of a brake lamp according to the magnitude of brake power or according to the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is not selected. Here, a turned-on area a2 (hereinafter, referred to as a second area a2) of FIG. 8 is smaller than the first area al of FIG. 7. At night or in cloudy weather, by turning on only some among the entire light sources constructing a brake lamp, the driver of a following vehicle can easily recognize a degree of speed reduction of the preceding vehicle.
[88] (i) of FIG. 8 shows a state where all light sources in the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
[89] (j) of FIG. 8 shows a state where light sources in an area b5 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area b6 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
[90] (k) of FIG. 8 shows a state where light sources in an area c5 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight and light sources in an area c6 of the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
[91] (1) of FIG. 8 shows a state where all the light sources in the second area a2 are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state. In the example of FIG. 8, an area turned on with the brightness level of the brake light is widened in the order of (i) no brake -> (j) brake power level 1 -> (k) brake power level 2 -> (1) full brake.
[92] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for explaining states where a sub brake lamp is turned on, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sub brake lamp can be turned on simultaneously with the brake lamp illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8.
[93] FIG. 9 shows a state where the sub brake lamp is turned on according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is not selected.
[94] (m) of FIG. 9 shows a state where all light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned off according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
[95] (n) of FIG. 9 shows a state where the fifth and sixth light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
[96] (o) of FIG. 9 shows a state where the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
[97] (p) of FIG. 9 shows a state where all the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state. In the example of FIG. 9, the number of light sources turned on with the brightness level of the brake light increases in the order of (m) no brake -> (h) brake power level 1 -> (o) brake power level 2 -> (p) full brake. Also, as illustrated in (n) through (p) of FIG. 9, the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on sequentially from the center of the sub brake lamp, according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal.
[98] Meanwhile, FIG. 10 shows a state where a sub brake lamp is turned on according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when a taillight state is selected. Here, the number of light sources of the sub brake lamp illustrated in FIG. 10 is the same as the number of the light sources of the sub brake lamp illustrated in FIG. 9.
[99] (q) of FIG. 10 shows a state where all the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal, when no brake is applied.
[100] (r) of FIG. 10 shows a state where the fifth and sixth light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 1.
[101] (s) of FIG. 10 shows a state where the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh light sources of the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the brightness level of the brake light and the remaining light sources are turned on with the brightness level of the taillight, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a brake power level 2.
[102] (t) of FIG. 10 shows a state where all the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on with the level brightness of the brake light, when the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal corresponds to a full brake state. In the example of FIG. 10, the number of light sources turned on with the brightness level of the brake light increases in the order of (q) no brake -> (r) brake power level 1 -> (s) brake power level 2 -> (t) full brake. Furthermore, as illustrated in (q) through (t) of FIG. 10, the light sources of the sub brake lamp are turned on sequentially from the center of the sub brake lamp, according to the magnitude of brake power or the magnitude of a pedal movement signal.
[103] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability The present invention can be efficiently applied to various lamps.

Claims

Claims
[1] A brake lamp control apparatus comprising: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in the first area, and to turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.
[2] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a manipulation unit for selecting a taillight state of the brake lamp, wherein the controller reduces the first area when the taillight state is selected.
[3] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor sensing brake power according to fluid pressure applied to a brake, generating an electrical signal corresponding to a magnitude of the brake power, and outputting the electrical signal to the controller.
[4] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller measures the magnitude of the brake power on the basis of the electrical signal received from the sensor.
[5] A vehicle in which the brake lamp control apparatus of claim 1 is installed.
[6] A brake lamp control apparatus comprising: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; a displacement sensor detecting a degree of movement of a brake pedal and generating a pedal movement signal; a modulator modulating the pedal movement signal received from the displacement sensor and outputting the modulated pedal movement signal to a brake signal line; a demodulator demodulating the modulated pedal movement signal received from the modulator; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area of the brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of brake power, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.
[7] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 6, wherein the displacement sensor comprises: a sensor frame; a bar, whose one end is linked to an arm of the brake pedal, whose the other end is inserted into the sensor frame, and which moves back and forth according to movement of the brake pedal; and a potentiometer outputting a pedal movement signal having a different magnitude according to displacement of the bar.
[8] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a sub brake lamp including a plurality of light sources capable of being turned on with the first brightness level and the second brightness level, wherein the controller turns on a plurality of light sources in a second area of the sub brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the demodulated pedal movement signal, in the second area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the second area.
[9] A brake lamp control apparatus comprising: a brake lamp including a plurality of light sources; a displacement sensor detecting a degree of movement of a brake pedal, and generating a pedal movement signal; and a controller turning on a plurality of light sources in a first area, in such a manner as to turn on, with a first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the pedal movement signal, in the first area, and turn on, with a second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the first area, wherein the second brightness level is darker than the first brightness level.
[10] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the displacement sensor comprises: a sensor frame; a bar, whose one end is linked to the brake pedal, whose the other end is inserted into the sensor frame, and which moves back and forth according to movement of the brake pedal; and a potentiometer outputting a pedal movement signal having a different magnitude according to displacement of the bar.
[11] The brake lamp control apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a sub brake lamp including a plurality of light sources capable of being turned on with the first brightness level and the second brightness level, wherein the controller turns on a plurality of light sources in a second area of the sub brake lamp, in such a manner as to turn on, with the first brightness level, light sources in an area corresponding to a magnitude of the pedal movement signal, in the second area, and turn on, with the second brightness level, light sources in the remaining area of the second area.
PCT/KR2008/004558 2008-01-22 2008-08-06 Brake lamp control apparatus WO2009093788A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2008-0006476 2008-01-22
KR1020080006476A KR20090080615A (en) 2008-01-22 2008-01-22 Apparatus for controlling brake lamp display
KR1020080047209A KR101006577B1 (en) 2008-05-21 2008-05-21 Apparatus for controlling brake lamp display
KR10-2008-0047209 2008-05-21

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ITRM20090608A1 (en) * 2009-11-21 2011-05-22 Paolo Castorino COMPLETE LIGHT INDICATOR OF BRAKING INTENSITY OF VEHICLES
ITRM20100140A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-27 Giovanni Rossi BRAKING INTENSITY INDICATOR DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
ITMI20102153A1 (en) * 2010-11-22 2012-05-23 Paolo Gambarini OPTICAL BRAKING SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
ITMO20130040A1 (en) * 2013-02-21 2014-08-22 Stiromagic S N C Di Guazzolini Mau Ro E Savini Ma EQUIPMENT INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL STOPPER LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
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ITRM20090608A1 (en) * 2009-11-21 2011-05-22 Paolo Castorino COMPLETE LIGHT INDICATOR OF BRAKING INTENSITY OF VEHICLES
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ITRM20100140A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2011-09-27 Giovanni Rossi BRAKING INTENSITY INDICATOR DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
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ITMO20130040A1 (en) * 2013-02-21 2014-08-22 Stiromagic S N C Di Guazzolini Mau Ro E Savini Ma EQUIPMENT INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL STOPPER LIGHT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
WO2014202372A1 (en) * 2013-06-20 2014-12-24 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for controlling the light emission of a rear lamp of a vehicle
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CN111994077A (en) * 2020-08-31 2020-11-27 安徽江淮汽车集团股份有限公司 Queue driving method, vehicle and system
CN111994077B (en) * 2020-08-31 2021-10-29 安徽江淮汽车集团股份有限公司 Queue driving method, vehicle and system
EP4253151A4 (en) * 2020-11-24 2024-01-17 Blanes Juan Pedro Navarro Smart tail lights

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