Rear turn lamp

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11325528-B2
Application number	US-202017077478-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2020
Priority date	Apr 25, 2018
Publication date	May 10, 2022
Grant date	May 10, 2022

Abstract

A rear turn lamp has a structure formed of divided components, i.e., a first lamp unit provided to a fixed portion of a vehicle body and a second lamp unit provided to a movable portion of the vehicle body. The first lamp unit is provided with a controller. A first lighting circuit turns on multiple first light sources. A second lighting circuit turns on multiple second light sources.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rear turn lamp having a divided structure comprising:
a first lamp unit provided to a fixed portion of a vehicle body;
a second lamp unit provided to a movable portion of the vehicle body,
wherein the first lamp unit includes,
at least one first light source,
a first lighting circuit structured to turn on the at least one first light source, and
a controller which is a microcontroller separate from the first lighting circuit and structured to control the first lighting circuit based on a turn-on instruction from a vehicle,

and wherein the second lamp unit includes,
a plurality of second light sources, and
a second lighting circuit structured to turn on the plurality of second light sources based on a signal supplied from the first lighting circuit, and wherein only the first lamp unit includes a microcontroller.

2. The rear turn lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are coupled via a first line,
wherein the controller is configured to transmit a first start signal to the second lighting circuit via the first line in response to the turn-on instruction from the vehicle,
wherein, in the first lighting mode, the second lighting circuit turns on the plurality of second light sources in a predetermined order in response to reception of the first start signal,
and wherein, after the second lighting circuit has turned on the plurality of second light sources in the first lighting mode, the first lighting circuit turns on the at least one first light source.

3. The rear turn lamp according to claim 2 , wherein the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are coupled via a second line,
and wherein, after the plurality of second light sources have been turned on, the second lighting circuit is configured to transmit a second start signal via the second line.

4. The rear turn lamp according to claim 3 , wherein the first lighting circuit turns on the at least one first light source in a predetermined order or at the same time in response to reception of the second start signal.

5. The rear turn lamp according to claim 3 , wherein the controller detects an abnormal state based on a period of time from transmission of the first start signal up to reception of the second start signal.

6. The rear turn lamp according to claim 5 , wherein, when an abnormal state has been detected in at least one from among the plurality of second light sources, the second lighting circuit does not transmit the second start signal.

7. The rear turn lamp according to claim 1 , wherein, when an abnormal state has been detected in at least one from among the at least one first light source, the first lighting circuit notifies the controller of the occurrence of an abnormal state.

8. The rear turn lamp according to claim 2 , wherein the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are coupled via a third line,
wherein the first lighting circuit and the second lighting circuit are configured to switch between the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode,
wherein the controller selects a lighting mode based on vehicle information received from the vehicle,
wherein the controller is capable of transmitting a mode signal that indicates the lighting mode to the second lighting circuit via the third line,
wherein, in the second lighting mode, the second lighting circuit simultaneously turns on the plurality of second light sources in response to reception of the first start signal,
and wherein, in the second lighting mode, the first lighting circuit simultaneously turns on the at least one first light source at substantially the same time as the second lighting circuit turns on the plurality of second light sources.

Assignees

• Koito Mfg Co Ltd

Inventors

• Miyashita Yuichi
• Yamazaki Masashi
• Tomono Toshikazu
• Ohta Shinji

Classifications

• B60Q1/381

  with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect · CPC title

• H05B47/165 Primary

  following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC] · CPC title

• B60Q1/304

  Adaptations of signalling devices having a part on the vehicle body and another on the boot door · CPC title

• B60Q1/346

  with automatic actuation · CPC title

• B60Q1/385

  Electronic temporisation with relay amplification · CPC title