DETECTION OF THE PARTIAL AND/OR TOTAL FAILURE OF A GROUP OF LIGHT SOURCES ON A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention discloses an electric power supply device for a plurality of light sources on a motor vehicle. The device comprises a plurality of means for the control of the electric power supply of at least one of said light sources respectively. The control means each comprise diagnostic means which are configured to deliver a diagnostic signal for said light source. According to the invention, the device is designed to deliver two binary signals for the identification of a partial failure and/or a total failure of light sources.

Claims

1. Electric power supply device for the light sources of a motor vehicle, wherein the device comprises a plurality of means for the control of the electric power supply of at least one light source respectively, wherein the control means each comprise diagnostic means which are configured to deliver a diagnostic signal for said light source, wherein the device comprises a processing unit for the diagnostic signals delivered by the plurality of control means, wherein the processing unit is configured to deliver, as a function of said diagnostic signals, a detection signal for the partial failure of light sources supplied by one of the control means, and/or a detection signal for the total failure of light sources supplied by each of the control means.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein each control means comprises a single diagnostic output for the delivery of the diagnostic signal.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit comprises a microcontroller component which is connected to the diagnostic means of each of the control means.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the processing unit comprises an AND combinational logic circuit for the delivery of the total failure detection signal on the basis of the diagnostic signals respectively supplied by the diagnostic means of the control means.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit comprises an OR combinational logic circuit for the delivery of the partial failure detection signal on the basis of the diagnostic signals respectively supplied by the diagnostic means of the control means.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the diagnostic signals delivered by the diagnostic means and/or by the processing unit are binary signals.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the control means comprise a microcontroller component.

8. Lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of light sources divided between a plurality of groups and an electric power supply device for the light sources, wherein the electric power supply device is compliant with claim 1, and in that each group of light sources is supplied via one of the control means of the electric power supply device.

9. Lighting module according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of light sources participates in the execution of a given lighting function in the motor vehicle.

10. Lighting module according to claim 9, wherein the light sources comprise light sources with a semiconductor element, specifically light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) or laser diodes.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises a microcontroller component which is connected to the diagnostic means of each of the control means.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises an AND combinational logic circuit for the delivery of the total failure detection signal on the basis of the diagnostic signals respectively supplied by the diagnostic means of the control means.

13. Device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit comprises an AND combinational logic circuit for the delivery of the total failure detection signal on the basis of the diagnostic signals respectively supplied by the diagnostic means of the control means.

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit comprises an OR combinational logic circuit for the delivery of the partial failure detection signal on the basis of the diagnostic signals respectively supplied by the diagnostic means of the control means.

15. Device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit comprises an OR combinational logic circuit for the delivery of the partial failure detection signal on the basis of the diagnostic signals respectively supplied by the diagnostic means of the control means.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic signals delivered by the diagnostic means and/or by the processing unit are binary signals.

17. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprise a microcontroller component.

18. Lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of light sources divided between a plurality of groups and an electric power supply device for the light sources, wherein the electric power supply device is compliant with claim 2, and in that each group of light sources is supplied via one of the control means of the electric power supply device.

19. Lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of light sources divided between a plurality of groups and an electric power supply device for the light sources, wherein the electric power supply device is compliant with claim 3, and in that each group of light sources is supplied via one of the control means of the electric power supply device.

20. Lighting module according to claim 8, wherein the light sources comprise light sources with a semiconductor element, specifically light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) or laser diodes.

Description

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clarified by the exemplary description and the drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to one preferred form of embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a device according to one preferred form of embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a device according to one preferred form of embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a device according to one preferred form of embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the technical characteristics described in detail for a given form of embodiment can be combined with the technical characteristics described in the context of further forms of embodiment, which are presented by way of an example, and not by way of limitation. Similar reference numbers are employed to describe concepts which are similar throughout various forms of embodiment of the invention. For example, the reference numbers 100, 200, 300 and 400 designate a device according to the invention, in the four forms of embodiment described.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred form of embodiment of the invention. An electric power supply device 100 comprises a plurality of control means 110, 120 for the supply of at least one light source respectively. The light sources 10 participate in the delivery of a given lighting function on a motor vehicle. While FIG. 1 represents two control means, greater pluralities are conceivable, according to the intended application, without departing from the scope of the invention. In a known manner, the control means comprise converter circuits, preferably of the linear type, which are designed to convert an input voltage supplied, for example, by a battery on the motor vehicle, into a load voltage which is suitable for the supply of the light sources arranged on the load-side of the control means. The device 100 can comprise an electronic circuit or a microcontroller component for the implementation of the control function for the supply of light sources 10. Circuits and/or microcontroller components of this type are known per se from the prior art, and are not described in detail in the context of the present invention. By way of a non-limiting example, the light sources may be light-emitting diodes, or LEDs.

[0025] Each of the control means 110, 120 comprises diagnostic means 112, 122, which are configured to deliver a diagnostic signal 114, 124 for the light source(s) arranged on the load-side of the control means in question. Preferably, this is a binary signal, having a first level when the light source is operating correctly, and a second level, which differs from the first level, when defective operation is diagnosed.

[0026] The device 100 additionally comprises a processing unit 130, which combines the diagnostic signals 114, 124 delivered by each of the control means at the input of the unit. The processing unit 130 is configured to deliver, at its output, a detection signal for “partial” failure 132, where power sources supplied by one of the control means are not operating correctly and/or a detection signal for “total” failure 134, where the entirety of power sources supplied by the control means 110, 120 are not operating correctly. Each of the signals 132, 134 is preferably a binary signal, having a first level where no defect is detected, and having a second level, which differs from the first level, in the event of the detection of partial or total failure. The signals 132, 134 are referred to a control module on the vehicle, which is not illustrated. In the case of multiple control means, it is evident that the provision of the processing unit 130 permits the connections provided for diagnostic purposes between the device 100 and the control module of the vehicle to be reduced to two in number.

[0027] The processing unit 130 can comprise a microcontroller component which is connected to the diagnostic means 112, 122 of the various control means 122. In combination, or alternatively, the processing unit 130 can also comprise electronic circuits for the execution of logic functions. In the forms of embodiment described hereinafter, the utility of AND and OR logic gates for the combination of the diagnostic signals 114, 124 originating from the various control means 110, 120 will be demonstrated.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred form of embodiment of the invention. An electric power supply device 200 comprises two control means 210, 220 for the supply of at least one light source respectively. Each of the control means 210, 220 supplies a number of LEDs, combined in series in circuit branches. Light sources 10 of the LED type participate in the delivery of a given lighting function on a motor vehicle. The control means each comprise a microcontroller component for the execution of a diagnostic function 212, 222. A dedicated lug of the microcontroller component provides access to the diagnostic signal 214, 224 relating to the LEDs arranged on the load-side of the control means in question. This is preferably a binary signal, having a first level when the light source is operating correctly, and a second level, which differs from the first level, when defective operation is diagnosed.

[0029] The processing unit 230 comprises a logic gate of the AND type, which combines the diagnostic signals 214, 224 delivered by each of the control means at the input of the unit. Where the two signals 214, 224 indicate no defect, and assume a first level representing the binary value 0, the output signal 234 also assumes a first level representing the binary value 0. Where only one of the signals 214 or 224 indicates a defect, whereas the other signal 214 or 224 indicates no defect, i.e. one of the signals assumes a first level representing the binary value 0, whereas the second signal assumes a second level representing the binary value 1, the output signal 234 remains at the first level, representing the binary value 0. If, conversely, the two signals 214 and 224 indicate a defect on the LEDs supplied by the control means 210 and 220 respectively, the output signal 234 assumes a second level, which differs from the first level, representing the binary value 1. The signal 234 generated by the processing unit therefore generates a signal which indicates the total failure of the LEDs 10.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a further preferred form of embodiment of the invention. An electric power supply device 300 comprises two control means 310, 320 for the supply of at least one light source respectively. Each of the control means 310, 320 supplies a number of LEDs, combined in series in circuit branches. Light sources 10 of the LED type participate in the delivery of a given lighting function on a motor vehicle. The control means each comprise a microcontroller component for the execution of a diagnostic function 312, 322. A dedicated lug of the microcontroller component provides access to the diagnostic signal 314, 324 relating to the LEDs arranged on the load-side of the control means in question. This is preferably a binary signal, having a first level when the light source is operating correctly, and a second level, which differs from the first level, when defective operation is diagnosed.

[0031] The processing unit 330 comprises a logic gate of the OR type, which combines the diagnostic signals 314, 324 delivered by each of the control means at the input of the unit. Where the two signals 314, 324 indicate no defect, and assume a first level representing the binary value 0, the output signal 332 also assumes a first level representing the binary value 0. Where only one of the signals 314 or 324 indicates a defect, whereas the other signal 314 or 324 indicates no defect, i.e. one of the signals assumes a first level representing the binary value 0, whereas the second signal assumes a second level representing the binary value 1, the output signal 332 assumes a second level, which differs from the first level, representing the binary value 1. If the two signals 314 and 324 indicate a defect on the LEDs supplied by the control means 310 and 320 respectively, the output signal 332 also assumes a second level, which differs from the first level, representing the binary value 1. The signal 332 generated by the processing unit therefore generates a signal which indicates the partial failure of the LEDs 10. If at least one of the groups of LEDs supplied by one of the control means 310 or 320 is defective, this will be indicated by the signal 332 as binary level 1.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a further preferred form of embodiment of the invention. An electric power supply device 400 comprises two control means 410, 420 for the supply of at least one light source respectively. Each of the control means 410, 420 supplies a number of LEDs, combined in series in circuit branches. Light sources 10 of the LED type participate in the delivery of a given lighting function on a motor vehicle. The control means each comprise a microcontroller component for the execution of a diagnostic function 412, 422. A dedicated lug of the microcontroller component provides access to the diagnostic signal 414, 424 relating to the LEDs arranged on the load-side of the control means in question. This is preferably a binary signal, having a first level when the light source is operating correctly, and a second level, which differs from the first level, when defective operation is diagnosed.

[0033] The processing unit 430 comprises an electronic circuit forming a logic gate of the OR type, which combines the diagnostic signals 414, 424 delivered by each of the control means at the input of the unit to form an output signal 432, and an electronic circuit forming a logic gate of the AND type, which combines the diagnostic signals 414, 424 delivered by each of the control means at the input of the unit to form an output signal 434. The electronic circuits in question are configured, for example, as diode circuits, whereby other embodiments of the AND/OR functions are also conceivable. As described above with respect to the preceding embodiments, the signal 432 is indicative of a partial failure, whereas the signal 434 is indicative of a total failure of the LEDs 10. Alternatively, the processing unit 430 can be embodied in the form of a microcontroller component which is programmed for this purpose.

[0034] A person skilled in the art will be able to undertake the design of the various electronic components involved in the implementation of the forms of embodiment described, in accordance with the specific application intended, without departing from the scope of the present invention.