The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to electrical circuitries, and more particularly to a lighting circuitry of vehicles including a two-wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] With the augmentation of technology in the automotive industry, there has been an enormous development of technology in multiple verticals of the product line-ups and technology front for any vehicle. More specifically, the lighting and associated electric circuitries of any vehicle is as critical as any other parts of the vehicle such as engines, transmission, electrical, etc. Although, there exists a number of solutions to the problem and requirement of such lighting circuitries; however, there appears to be inherent and other problems/shortcomings associated with each.

[003] Currently, the lighting mechanism of any vehicle, and especially the two wheelers, have different operational and standardization requirements. One of such requirement mandates switching ON the vehicle headlight, as soon as the vehicle starts or when the engine is turned ON. However, in order to switch ON the headlight while leveraging the user/rider to control the other lighting loads of the vehicle as per the requirement, there exists requirement of multiple drivers for controlling the headlight and each of the other lighting loads attached to the vehicle.

[004] However, having such system/architecture in place, there exists drawbacks in terms of higher power consumption due to multiple electronic/electrical components. Further, multiple such electronic components not only increase the overall cost but also increases thermal dissipation. Moreover, increase in components amount to requirement of larger packing area thereby making it an ineffective portable system/circuit to be mounted in the vehicle where space is always a concern.

[005] Further, there is no system/circuit in place for effectively controlling, distributing, and managing current drawn by the light loads attached to the circuit. Therefore, even in case of a failure of one or more light loads or when there is lesser requirement of current by one or more light loads, the light loads will continue to constantly draw equal or more current thereby increasing the chance of damage, decrease in performance, exceeding the illumination norms, overheating etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[007] Figure 1 illustrates a two-wheeled vehicle, according with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[008] Figure 2 illustrates a lighting circuitry of the two-wheeled vehicle, according with an embodiment of the present invention.

[009] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature. The coloured drawings, if provided along with this description are only meant to make the details of invention clear and have no effect whatsoever on the scope of the invention.

SUMMARY

[0010] A lighting circuitry of a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting circuitry comprises a microcontroller, a driver, a detection module, a plurality of lighting loads and at least one electric limiting path. The plurality of lighting loads electrically coupled to the microcontroller and operated through a plurality of the switches. The driver is configured to deliver constant current to the plurality of lighting loads. The detection module to detect status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads and configured to communicate status of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads to the microcontroller. The at least one electric limiting path electrically closes based on the communication of status by the detection circuit to the microcontroller of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads. The microcontroller configured to electrically close the at least one electric limiting path when the detection module communicates to the microcontroller the status of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads as electrically open. The at least one of the plurality of lighting loads’ status as electrically open indicates non-utilization of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads.

[0011] In an embodiment, the at least one electric limiting path to ground balanced current remaining from constant current as a result of non-utilization of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads. In another embodiment, the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads status’ as electrically open indicates failure of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads.

[0012] In an embodiment, the plurality of lighting loads comprise at least one low beam light source, at least one high beam light source, a position lamp, a stop lamp, a tail lamp and a license lamp.

[0013] The at least one electric limiting path comprises a current limiting device. In an embodiment, the current limiting device comprises at least one of a transistor, a diode, a fuse, a resistor or their any combination thereof.

[0014] In an embodiment, the at least one switch to operate the at least one light load.

[0015] In an embodiment, the detection module configured with the lighting loads to detect the non-utilization of the lighting loads.

[0016] The microcontroller is configured to decide which electric limiting path from among the at least one electric limiting path to be electrically closed basis the communication from the detection module the microcontroller decides that the electric limiting path which is required to be electrically closed that has a resultant resistance value equivalent to the equivalent resistance value of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads which is electrically open.

[0017] In an embodiment, the driver drives the plurality of lighting loads basis the instructions received from the microcontroller. [0018] The present invention advantageously provide a lighting circuitry that leverages the light loads from exposure to access load thereby reduces the chance of getting damaged, overheating.

[0019] The present lighting circuitry reduces the requirement of additional drivers for controlling power/current requirement for each of the light loads attached to the circuitry, thereby reducing the overall cost and space constraints for packaging all the electrical/electronic s .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0020] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, an embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described here below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.

[0021] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by“comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

[0022] For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures and description here below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.

[0023] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a saddle riding type vehicle, however, the lighting circuitry can be used with other type of vehicles as well. It is to be noted that terms such as“saddle riding type vehicle”,“two-wheeled vehicle” and “vehicle” are interchangeably used throughout the description. The term“two- wheeled vehicle” includes vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a two wheeled vehicle (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (100) referred to herein, embodies a motorcycle. Alternatively, the vehicle (100) may embody any other ridden vehicles such as scooters, three-wheeled vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) etc. without limiting the scope of the invention. The vehicle (100) comprising one or more body parts, such as a body frame (101), a front fork (123), a handle bar (3), a second wheel (4) such as a front wheel (4), a seat (5), a swing arm (6), a rear cushion (7), a first wheel (8) such as a rear wheel (8), an engine (9), a fuel tank (13), an exhaust muffler (30), a headlight (10), a tail light assembly (60), a brake pedal (120). The frame (101) supports the seat (5) which extends from middle portion to rear portion of the vehicle (100). The seat (5) provides seating for a rider and a passenger of the vehicle (100). The rear wheel (8) is supported by the frame (101) at rear portion of the vehicle (100).

[0025] In the illustrated example, the engine (9) provides necessary power required to drive the rear wheel (8) of the vehicle (100). Alternatively, the engine (9) may provide necessary power to the drive the front wheel (4), or both the front wheel (4) and the rear wheel (8) simultaneously, without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The frame (101) supports the engine (9) in middle portion of the vehicle (100).

[0026] The vehicle (100) comprises the fuel tank (13). The fuel tank (13) stores and supplies necessary fuel to the power unit (9) to generate power within the vehicle (100). The fuel tank (13) is disposed between the handle bar (3) and the seat (5). Further, the vehicle (100) may comprise swing arms or various other components known in the art without limitations.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the front wheel braking device (22) is a disc brake (22) and the rear wheel braking device (23) may be a drum brake (23). It may be noted that the two wheeled vehicle (100) is shown to have include above stated parts; however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that the two wheeled vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and described.

[0028] The handle bar (3) is pivotally mounted on the frame (101). The handle bar (3) is configured to be rotated by the rider to steer the vehicle (100). The front wheel (4) is operatively connected to the handle bar (3). The front wheel (4) is in front portion of the vehicle (100) and the rear wheel (8) is in rear portion of the vehicle (100). Further, front portion of the vehicle (100) may comprise the headlight assembly (10), the suspension assembly (123), and the disc brake (22). In present embodiment, the suspension assembly (123) is the front suspension assembly (123).

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a lighting circuitry (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with the present invention. The lighting circuitry (200) comprises a microcontroller (110), a driver (120), a plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) electrically coupled to the microcontroller (110) and operated through a plurality of the switches (S I, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6). The headlight (100) comprises at least one high beam light source (150) and at least one low beam light source (140). The lighting circuitry (200) further comprises a detection module (160) and at least one electric limiting path (210). Further, the lighting circuitry (100) may have a power source (130) to power the entire circuitry. The power source (130) may be a direct current source e.g. a battery.

[0030] Further, in an embodiment and from the implementation point of view, the microcontroller (110), the driver (120), and a detection module (160) may be packed in a body control module (290). Moreover, a detection module (160) acts as a control and feedback module (180) to control the distribution of current vide the switches (S I, S2,

53, S4, S5, S6) and at least one electric limiting path (210) based on communication with the microcontroller (110).

[0031] The plurality of plurality of the switches (S I, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) are configured prior to the lighting loads (140, 150, 170) to allow or disconnect the electric power/current towards said lighting loads (140, 150, 170) such that either ON state or OFF state of said lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is achieved. In an embodiment, the switches (S I, S2, S3,

54, S5, S6) may be the toggle type switches to be operated by an operator, a rider or a like person. In another embodiment, the switches (S I, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6) may include a relay, a transistor for e.g. a MOSFET, a BJT or any such electronic/electrical component that may allow or disallow the flow of current from one end to other, upon instructions received from the microcontroller (110).

[0032] The microcontroller (110) may be a small computing device configured on a single integrated circuit (IC), or a system on chip (SoC) containing one or more processor cores, memory and programmable input/output peripherals. However, the microcontroller (110) may be replaced or integrated with a microprocessor depending upon the requirement of processing power/capacity. Further, the microcontroller (110) is configured to communicate with the driver (120) and control the event at which the power/current is required to be drawn by the driver (120) from the power source (130).

[0033] The plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) comprise at least one low beam light source (140), at least one high beam light source (150), a position lamp (170a), a stop lamp (170b), a tail lamp (170c) and a license lamp (170d). In an embodiment, the at least one high beam light (150) and the at least one low beam light (140) may be one or a series of light emitting diodes (LED) having a varied range of illumination capacity. The power or input current requirement for different LED may be different. In different arrangements from the implementation point of view, one or more of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) may be configured to operate at all instances, and one or more may be configured to operate on the basis of a condition or a command. For example, the tail lamp (170d) operates when the engine (9) starts. Similarly, the license lamp (170d) and the position lamp (170a) starts based on the communication received from the microcontroller (110). The low beam light source (140) configured to be operated at all instances at a condition of ignition ON or the engine (9) ON.

[0034] The driver (120) configured to deliver constant current to the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170). The driver (120) ensures that for a wide range of voltage drop, the current remains constant up to a considerable value. The common example of the driver (120) may be a LED driver circuit that configures to provide constant current to the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170). In an embodiment, the driver (120) drives the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) basis the instructions received from the microcontroller (110). In an embodiment of the present invention, current is drawn by the driver (120) from the power source (130), where the power is drawn upon receiving instructions from the microcontroller (110). Further, the driver (120) is connected, in series, with the at least one high beam light source (150) and the at least one low beam light source (140), to facilitate constant current for optimum operational requirement at least the low beam light (140), the high beam light (150), and other light loads such as a position lamp (170a), a stop lamp (170b), a tail lamp (170c) and a license lamp (170d).

[0035] The detection module (160), as referred herein above, to detect status of at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) and configured to communicate the status of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) to the microcontroller. In an embodiment, the detection module (160) is configured with each of the light loads (140, 150, 170). In an embodiment, the detection module (160) may be configured to detect the condition/status when lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is drawing the power/current and when not. When the lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is not drawing current because of open condition of the lighting loads (140, 150, 170) and this condition indicates the status of the lighting loads (140, 150, 170) as electrically open. In an embodiment, status of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) as electrically open indicate non-utilization of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170). In another embodiment, status of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) as electrically open indicate failure of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170).

[0036] As referred in Figure 2, indicated in bold lines, at least one electric limiting path (210) configured in the lighting circuitry (200). The at least one electric limiting path (210) may also referred as a bypass line. In an embodiment, the at least one electric limiting path (210) has different current drawing capacity. As described herein above, non-utilization of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) is detected by the detection module basis the electrically open status of the lighting loads (140, 150, 170). This non-utilization of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) creates balanced current remaining from constant current as delivered by the driver (120). Therefore, the at least one electric limiting path (210) to ground balanced current remaining from constant current as a result of non-utilization of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170). The at least one electric limiting path (210) comprises a current limiting device (190). The current limiting device (190) comprises at least one of a transistor, a diode, a fuse, a resistor or their any combination thereof.

[0037] The microcontroller (110) is configured to decide which electric limiting path (210) from among the at least one electric limiting path (210) to be electrically closed basis the communication from the detection module (160). The microcontroller (110) decides that the electric limiting path (210) which is required to be electrically closed that has a resultant resistance value equivalent to the equivalent resistance value of the at least one of the plurality of lighting loads (140, 150, 170) which is electrically open.

[0038] In an exemplary scenario, and with reference to Figure 2, in an event the ignition is ON, the Engine is OFF, the high beam light (150) switch is OFF and there is no brake condition detected then the microcontroller (110) may deactivate the switch S I and activate the switch S2. As a result, the microcontroller (110) or the driver opens (OFF) the switch S4 of the stop light (170b) while the switches S3, S5 and S6 is turned ON, wherein the switches S3, S5 and S6 correspond to the position lamp (170a), the tail lamp (170c) and the license lamp (170d), respectively. Thus, it may be said that the current limiting device (190) has the equivalent resistance value as of the unutilized lighting loads (140, 150, 170) to ground balanced current remaining from constant current delivered by the driver (120).

[0039] Further, the microcontroller (110) may electrically close the at least one electric limiting path (210) out of the many electric limiting paths (210) having the current limiting devices (CL1, CL2) in order to bypass balanced current due to S3 switch getting opened (OFF). For example, the input current to the circuit is 1200 mA as required by all the electrical loads (140, 150, 170) and if the cumulative consumption by all the light loads is 850mA then the microcontroller (110) electrically closes the at least one electric limiting path (210) having the current limiting devices (CL1, CL2) (190) with total capacity equal to 350mA will be turned ON, to ensure that extra current is bypassed and grounded. [0040] Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a lighting circuitry (200) that leverages the light loads from exposure to access load thereby reduces the chance of getting damaged, overheating. Further, the present lighting circuitry (200) reduces the requirement of additional drivers for controlling power/current requirement for each of the light loads attached to the circuitry, thereby reducing the overall cost and space constraints for packaging all the electrical/electronics.

[0041] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0042] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.