RGB LED SIGNAL LIGHTS

A vehicle lighting fixture and system where the fixture includes light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lens. A controller monitors vehicle conditions and sends lighting commands to activate one or more LEDs based on the vehicle conditions. The LEDs can be red-green-blue (RGB) LEDs capable of emitting various different colors. The lighting commands can include illumination color, intensity level and on/off. The LEDs can be arranged in groups, where each group is separated from the other groups. The lighting commands can include a blink/steady designation, where blink causes the group to blink in the illumination color, and steady causes the group to steadily light in the illumination color. A blink frequency can control the blink rate in the illumination color. The lighting commands can include an intensity level; where when a group is activated it is illuminated in the illumination color at the intensity level.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to vehicle signal lights, and more specifically relates to color signal lights.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle signal lights have historically utilized incandescent bulb technology. With the advent of LED (light emitting diode) light sources, the ability to use colored LEDs to direct the color emitted even through a clear lens has enhanced the ability to incorporate color lights within an uncolored exterior. Taken one step further RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs enable any color in the color spectrum to be utilized given different scenarios. An example for automobiles are daytime running lights (DRL) and front signal lamps. One challenge here is that the light output and optics required can be quite different for different applications. For example, DRL and turn signal function use different sets of LEDs with unique optics for the different applications.

Different vehicle signal lights can have generally the same shape and/or lighting requirements but with different colors or color combinations. In the past this required different parts for each light with different lens colors to meet the different color requirements, or multiple adjacent lights with different colors to meet the different color requirements. Tracking, stocking and installing these similar but different lights can be costly and burdensome.

The opportunity presented by off road equipment is unique in that the equipment has different lighting scenarios and requirements for on-road and off-road applications. Off-road applications are typically less regulated from a compliance standpoint. The flexibility for off-road applications can allow the lighting development to focus the optics, color and other parameters for on road compliance, while also supporting different color and lighting options in the off-road environment.

It would be desirable to have vehicle signal lights that comply with on-road vehicle signal light requirements, and can be controlled to meet lighting requirements for various vehicle light positions, while also providing flexibility for lighting applications of the vehicle signal lights for the off-road environment.

SUMMARY

A vehicle lighting system is disclosed that includes a light fixture and a controller. The light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lens enclosing the plurality of LEDs, such that when any of the plurality of LEDs is activated the activated LED is visible through the lens of the light fixture. The controller is configured to control the plurality of LEDs. The controller monitors vehicle conditions and sends lighting commands to activate one or more LEDs of the plurality of LEDs based on the vehicle conditions. Each of the plurality of LEDs can be a red-green-blue (RGB) LED capable of emitting a plurality of different colors; and the lighting commands can include an illumination color from the plurality of different colors for the activated LEDs. The lens of the light fixture can be clear.

The controller can be coupled to the light fixture over a controller area network (CAN) bus; and the lighting commands can be sent by the controller to the light fixture over the CAN bus. The controller can be coupled to the light fixture over a local interconnect network (LIN) bus; and the lighting commands can be sent by the controller to the light fixture over the LIN bus. The controller can be coupled to the light fixture over a single power line; and the lighting commands can be sent by the controller to the light fixture over the single power line. The controller can be coupled to the light fixture wirelessly; and the lighting commands can be sent by the controller to the light fixture using any of various wireless protocols. The lighting commands can include the illumination color, an intensity level and an on/off command for each of the plurality of LEDs of the light fixture.

The plurality of LEDs can be arranged in contiguous groups, where each of the contiguous groups is separated from the other contiguous groups, and the lighting commands can include the illumination color for each of the contiguous groups. The lighting commands can include a blink/steady designation, wherein when the blink/steady designation for a particular group is a blink command then the particular group blinks in the illumination color for the particular group and, when the blink/steady designation for the particular group is a steady command then the particular group steadily lights in the illumination color for the particular group. The blink/steady designation can include a blink frequency and when the blink/steady designation for a particular group is the blink command then the particular group blinks in the illumination color for the particular group at the blink frequency. The lighting commands can include an intensity level; wherein when a particular group is activated then the particular group is illuminated in the illumination color for the particular group at the intensity level.

The lighting commands sent by the controller to activate the one or more LEDs can include a sequence of lighting commands configured to illuminate one or more LEDs in a desired order. Each of the sequence of lighting commands can include a blink/steady designation; where when the blink/steady designation is a blink command then the one or more LEDs blinks in the illumination color and, when the blink/steady designation is a steady command then the one or more LEDs steadily lights in the illumination color. Each of the sequence of lighting commands can include an intensity level; where when the one or more LEDs is activated then the one or more LEDs is illuminated in the illumination color at the intensity level.

The vehicle lighting system can include a plurality of light fixtures, where each light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lens enclosing the plurality of LEDs, such that when any of the LEDs of a particular fixture is activated the activated LED is visible through the lens of the particular light fixture. The controller is configured to control the LEDs of the plurality of light fixtures. The controller monitors vehicle conditions and sends lighting commands to activate one or more LEDs of the plurality of light fixtures based on the vehicle conditions. Each of the plurality of LEDs can be a red-green-blue (RGB) LED capable of emitting a plurality of different colors; and the lighting commands can include an illumination color from the plurality of different colors for the activated LEDs. The controller can send a sequence of lighting commands configured to illuminate one or more LEDs of multiple light fixtures in a desired order.

A light fixture for a vehicle is disclosed, where the light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a lens and an interface. Each of the LEDs is a red-green-blue RGB LED capable of emitting a plurality of different colors. The lens encloses the plurality of LEDs. The interface receives lighting commands. When any of the LEDs is activated the activated LED is visible through the lens of the light fixture. The lens can be clear.

The LEDs of the light fixture can be arranged in contiguous groups, where each contiguous group is separated from the other contiguous groups, and the lighting commands can include an active/inactive command and an illumination color for each contiguous group. When the associated active/inactive command for a particular group is active then the particular group is configured to illuminate in the associated illumination color, and when the associated active/inactive command is inactive then the particular group is configured to not illuminate. The lighting commands can include a blink/steady designation for each contiguous group; where when the associated blink/steady designation is a blink command then the particular group is configured to blink in the associated illumination color and, when the associated blink/steady designation is a steady command then the particular group is configured to steadily illuminate in the associated illumination color. The blink/steady designation can include a blink frequency and when the blink/steady designation for a particular group is the blink command then the particular group is configured to blink in the associated illumination color at the blink frequency. The lighting commands can include an intensity level for each contiguous group, where when a particular group is activated then the particular group is configured to illuminate in the illumination color for the particular group at the intensity level.

The lighting commands for the light fixture can include a sequence of lighting commands configured to illuminate one or more LEDs in a desired order. Each of the sequence of lighting commands can include an active/inactive command and an illumination color; where for each LED of the one or more LEDs, when the associated active/inactive command is active then the LED is configured to illuminate in the associated illumination color, and when the associated active/inactive command is inactive then the LED is configured to not illuminate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vehicle signal lights, even for off-road vehicles, are traditionally designed primarily to meet road legal lighting requirements. RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs (light emitting diodes) can be designed to meet road legal lighting requirements while also being designed to provide flexibility and added functionality for the off-road environment. As an example, a large row crop tractor typically has roof halo mounted amber warning lights used for hazard and signal function for the North American Market. These amber warning lights can be replaced with RGB LEDs that could be used to display any color requested in the color spectrum, including for example white light output to match adjacent work lamps to form a signature shape for styling to convey branding in dark applications where vehicle forms are less recognizable. The same roof halo signal lights could also be changed to red in color to indicate the vehicle is stopped or has some error on board. Flashing red could indicate that the implement being towed by the tractor is nearly empty and needs a seed tender in a planting environment. Green in color could be used to indicate working function of the vehicle or positive movement across the field. Any combination of full color spectrum along with the use of solid on or flash sequences can be used as a visual aid to the vehicle in a field working environment. These can be controlled and set by the operator in their given use case via use of onboard controls, for example a touch screen as depicted inFIG. 1.

The exemplary embodiments discussed herein to describe the present invention are primarily directed to a tractor configuration, however it is noted that the invention is applicable to any self-propelled or towed vehicles and implements across the agriculture, turf, construction, forestry, mining, commercial, and residential vehicle industries.

FIG. 1illustrates components of an exemplary vehicle lighting system. The exemplary lighting system includes various exemplary light fixtures including a roof light fixture110, a warning light fixture120, a side light fixture130and a tail light and rear signal fixture140. The various light fixtures110-140shown, and possibly others, are coupled to a controller150which is coupled to an operator control160. The operator control160can include mechanical or electronic switches, or for example a touch screen display. The connections of the vehicle lighting system can use any of various wired or wireless protocols, for example controller area network (CAN) bus, local interconnect network (LIN) bus, Ethernet, power-over-data-line (PoDL), Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.

Each of the various light fixtures110-140can be implemented using an LED array. Each LED in the array of a light fixture can be addressable, and can be controlled to be on/off, and to have a desired intensity, color and other parameters. The LED array of a light fixture can have various capabilities, for example 256 colors with multiple contrast settings, blinking, etc. Control of the LED array of a light fixture can be implemented in various different ways. Power can be provided by a single wire per function. Power and LIN, where LIN provides the commands for on/off and any of various lighting parameters. Power and CAN, where CAN provides the commands for on/off and any of various lighting parameters. Power and T1 Ethernet, where Ethernet provides the commands for on/off and any of various lighting parameters. Signal over power wire, where a single power wire is provided, but data is also communicated over the power wire thus providing the commands for on/off and any of various lighting parameters. Power and wireless control, where wireless connection provides the commands for on/off and any of various lighting parameters.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate front and rear views of a typical tractor200in a North American configuration. The front view ofFIG. 2shows forward warning lights210and left and right warning lights220,222. The rear view ofFIG. 3shows rearward warning lights212, the left and right warning lights220,222, rear signal lights240,242and tail lights250,252. The forward and rearward warning lights210,212could each have a clear lens with LEDs mounted on the roof of the vehicle200where the LEDs can change colors depending on the situation. For example, the warning lights210,212could default to amber, and switch to white for operator controlled field work, and switch to green when the tractor200enters autonomous operation in the field, and switch to other colors or color combinations for other situations. In the North American configuration warning lamps220,222typically use single-color amber LEDs. Previously the rear signal lights240,242and tail lights250,252used separate lamps that shone through different colored amber (signal) and red (tail light) lenses. In some cases, this configuration used co-molded amber/red lens covers. With RGB LED light arrays, the left-side rear signal and tail lights240,250can be combined and the right-side rear signal and tail lights242,252can be combined. Each signal and tail light combination could have a molded clear lens and color-controlled LEDs that shine through in amber, red or both depending on the situation. With RGB LED arrays in the various lights, new colors and color combinations can be used to communicate more information than prior single color lights.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate front and rear views of a typical tractor400in a European configuration. The front view ofFIG. 4shows forward roofline warning lights/turn indicators410, side left and right warning lights420,422, front side position lights430,432, forward left and right warning lights440,442, and forward position lights450,452. The rear view ofFIG. 5shows rear roofline warning lights/turn indicators412, the side left and right warning lights420,422, back side position lights460,462, rear left and right signal lights470,472, and tail lights480,482. The front and rear roofline warning lights/turn indicators410,412could each have a clear lens with LEDs mounted on the roof of the vehicle400where the LEDs can default to amber, and switch to other colors to indicate different vehicle modes and situations. In the European configuration, note the white/amber adjacent or co-molded warning/position light pairs420and430,422and432,440and450,442and452. If these light pairs are replaced with an RGB LED array in combination with control logic then these turn signal/position light pairs could switch to entirely white when not turning, partially white and partially blinking amber when turning, green when the tractor enters autonomous operation within the field, and other desired color combinations. The rear-facing red/amber adjacent or co-molded warning/position light pairs420and460,422and462,470and480,472and482, if using RGB LED arrays in combination with control logic could use similar turn signal/position light combinations but with red or another color in place of white for the position lights. With RGB LED arrays in the various lights, new colors and color combinations can be used to communicate more information than prior single color lights.

FIG. 6illustrates an example of a beacon light610with a RGB LED array attached to the roof of a vehicle600. The beacon light610includes a central portion612, a right-hand portion614and a left-hand portion616(from the vehicle driver perspective). Each portion612,614,616of the RGB LED array of a beacon light610could independently, together, or otherwise switch to road legal amber warning lights when traveling on a roadway, switch to white in a work lamp situation, switch to green when the vehicle600enters autonomous operation, and switch to red indicating an error mode within autonomous operation. The right-hand portion614or the left-hand portion616could start to blink to indicate an upcoming turn in the designated direction, while the other portions of the RGB LED array of a beacon light610continue to indicate a desired condition. Alternatively, if a vehicle operator were actively completing a task and was only signaling to another vehicle in the field (for example a seed tender or fertilizer tender) that they will need a fill up, then the central portion612could change color to indicate the desired need while the right and left portions614and616can continue in field lighting mode so the task at hand can continue without losing nighttime work lighting. The central portion612could blink at varying frequencies/rates to indicate the urgency of the need. These and various other colors, color combinations, light intensities and other RGB LED array parameters can be controlled to provide desired signals and lighting.

FIG. 7illustrates various different prior art lights700-712with substantially the same perimeter shape that are used on one exemplary embodiment of a tractor. The differences between the lights700-710is primarily the color of the lens, or light color emitted by each. In current implementations there are six different part numbers that have to be separately tracked, stocked and installed for these similar lights. By using lights with RGB LEDs these various parts could be significantly reduced. For example, the light fixture800shown inFIG. 8with the same general perimeter shape and a clear lens could be used and the RGB LEDs of the light fixture800could be arranged so a left portion810, a central portion820and a right portion830can be independently commanded to display different colors, color combinations and light intensities depending on the position/use of the light fixture. The light fixture800could be controlled to replace any of the various light fixtures700-710shown inFIG. 7, as well other lighting combinations.

The exemplary light fixture800includes the left portion810with a contiguous group of three RGB LED lights812,814,816; the central portion820with a contiguous group of three RGB LED lights822,824,826; and the right portion830with a contiguous group of three RGB LED lights832,834,836. When functioning as an amber extremity light700then the light fixture800could be controlled so all of the LEDs of the left, central and right portions810,812,814light amber; and when functioning as a tail light710then the light fixture800could be controlled so all of the LEDs of the left, central and right portions810,812,814light red. When functioning as a right rear position light702then the light fixture800could be controlled so the LEDs812,814,816of the left portion810light red, while the LEDS822,824,826of the central portion820light amber, and the LEDs832,834,836of the right portion830light amber. When functioning as a left rear position light704then the light fixture800could be controlled so the LEDs812,814,816of the left portion810light amber, and the LEDS822,824,826of the central portion820light amber, while the LEDs832,834,836of the right portion830light red. When functioning as a right front position light706then the light fixture800could be controlled so the LEDs812,814,816of the left portion810light white, while the LEDS822,824,826of the central portion820light amber, and the LEDs832,834,836of the right portion830light amber. When functioning as a left front position light708then the light fixture800could be controlled so the LEDs812,814,816of the left portion810light amber, and the LEDS822,824,826of the central portion820light amber, while the LEDs832,834,836of the right portion830light white. Due to optics and control challenges, the list of lights inFIG. 7might not be shrunk to one light fixture, but it could be significantly consolidated when considering added off-road options. There is potential to consolidate more and more light fixtures into one part-number that can be controlled to have variable power levels tied to specific colors.

FIG. 9illustrates an example of an added off-road application, where a RGB LED array of an extremity light910attached to a vehicle900is illuminated green signifying autonomous mode activated. The exemplary light fixture800can be used to indicate various on-road light signals, for example those shown inFIG. 7, and also to indicate various off-road light signals, for example that shown inFIG. 9. The light fixture800shown inFIG. 8could be controlled to signify that autonomous mode is activated by commanding the LEDs of the left, central and right portions810,820,830all to light green. An extremity light using an RGB LED array can display various color and/or multi-color signals to indicate various conditions, whereas former single-color extremity lights require several one-off specific parts to indicate conditions with different colors.

The light fixture800can also be configured to indicate various on-road, off-road or other light signals by lighting the LEDs sequentially, individually or in groups to create signals or animations. For example, the LEDs could be controlled to light individually left to right by activating the LEDs812, then814, then816, then822, then824, then826, then832, then834, then836. Alternatively, the LEDs could be controlled to light in groups of two left to right by activating the LEDs812and814, then816and822, then824and826, then832and834. Different size groups or different5 directions of sequential lighting could also be implemented as desired. The LEDs could be controlled to light individually or in groups to create animations, for example every other LED814,822,826,834could blink on for a brief period, then when they go off the surrounding LEDs812,816,824,832,836blink on for the brief period, and the alternate blinking cycle can repeat. A blink/steady designation can be sent to command each LED or group of LEDs, where the blink/steady designation can be set to steady so when the LED is activated it remains steadily illuminated, or set to blink so when the LED is activated it blinks on and off. The blink designation can also include a frequency for the blinking of the LED. As is readily apparent, there are various options for lighting individual and groups of LEDs to create various unique signals or animations. These various signals be configured to illuminate the LEDs in one or more different colors to add to the variations.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of a prior art incandescent light fixture1000with an upper amber signal portion1010and a lower stop/tail light portion1020. The optics for the bulb light sources of the light fixture1000are designed into the lens for the amber signal and the stop/tail light functions. Each region of the world has light standards specific to their area governing the intensity, location, and directional distribution of emitted light.

FIG. 11illustrates an example of an LED light fixture1100with an upper portion1110and a lower portion1120. The lens for the upper and lower portions1110,1120can each be clear or can each have any desired color for a particular application. For example, the upper portion1110can have an amber lens and the lower portion1120can have a red lens. The optics for the upper and lower portions1110,1120can be the same or can each have any desired optical parameters for a particular application. The optics parameters for the LEDs can be molded into the surrounding material, in this case molded into the lens or casing that surrounds the LEDs of the LED light fixture1100. The optics of the lens of the LED light fixture1100for each portion1110,1120could be optimized to meet the legal regulations of the region governing intensity, directional distribution, etc. of the emitted light for that portion of the light fixture. Then the off-road and non-regulated uses of the light fixture can be added subject to the optic design of the primary legally regulated functions.

As an example of the versatility enabled by RGB LED lights, the LED light fixture1100when used as rear signal/tail lights240/250, or242/252ofFIG. 3could enable more explicit vehicle signaling. When normally traveling in the forward direction, the rear signal light240,242can illuminate amber and the tail lights250,252could illuminate red. When the vehicle brakes are engaged, the intensity of the tail lights250,252could be increased to indicate braking. When the vehicle is put in reverse to backup, the rear signal light240,242could illuminate white to indicate reverse as is common in trucks and automobiles. When the vehicle is going to turn left, the left rear signal light240could blink amber while the right rear signal light242could remain steady amber. When the vehicle is going to turn right, the right rear signal light242could blink amber while the left rear signal light240could remain steady amber. This is just one example of the flexibility and added functionality enabled by RGB LED light fixtures without requiring additional components.

The various light fixtures of a vehicle could have multiple LEDs of different colors assembled into the light fixture and turned on via LIN, CAN, wireless or other control method including separate circuits with separate power lines. The primary function of the fixture could have the prime optical position, as in a flashing warning light, having the amber LED in the prime position, and then the other functions without legal regulations could use non-optimal optical positions for the LEDs of different colors like green or white.

A light fixture with a plurality of RGB LEDs, for example the fixture900or1100, could be controlled or programmed to have different colors or color combinations, to have different brightnesses/intensities, to flash in different colors, to strobe, to perform sequential lighting (left-to-right, center-to-edge, etc.), to vary in brightness (dim-to-bright, bright-to-dim, etc.), make desired shapes or animations, or other variations and combinations thereof. The RGB LED light fixtures can have any desired shape (round, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, crescent, etc.), and can have various different arrangements of LEDs within the fixtures.

A lighting system with a plurality of light fixtures and a controller, where each of the light fixtures includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lens enclosing the plurality of LEDs. The controller can be configured to control the plurality of LEDs of the plurality of light fixtures, for example the light fixtures ofFIGS. 2 and 3, or ofFIGS. 4 and 5. The controller can monitor vehicle conditions, which can include monitoring operator commands, and send lighting commands to activate one or more LEDs of the plurality of light fixtures based on the vehicle conditions. The lighting commands sent by the controller can include a sequence of lighting commands configured to illuminate one or more LEDs of multiple light fixtures in a desired order or sequence. For example, the lighting commands could command a repeated sequence illuminating one or more LEDs of left warning light220, followed by left side forward warning light210, followed by right side forward warning light210, followed by right warning light222. As another example, the lighting commands could command a repeated sequence illuminating one or more LEDs of rearward warning lights212, followed by left and right warning lights220,222, followed by rear signal lights240,242. The lighting commands could command the selected group of LEDs to have different colors or color combinations, to have different brightnesses/intensities, to flash at different rates, to strobe, or to have other desired parameters. The coordinated, sequential lighting (left-to-right, top-to-bottom, center-to-edge, etc.) across a plurality of light fixtures can enable design of shapes, animations, or other variations and combinations thereof.