CN119403701A - A system and method for illuminating a ground surface surrounding a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (200) and method (500) for illuminating a ground surface around the periphery of a vehicle (100). The system (200) includes one or more light modules (400) mounted on the vehicle (100). The one or more light modules (400) are configured to illuminate at least an area of a floor surface around a perimeter of the vehicle (100). The control unit (300) is mounted on the vehicle (100) and communicates with one or more light modules (400). The control unit (300) is configured to activate one or more lamp modules (400) for a predefined time interval when one or more predefined conditions are met.

Description

System and method for illuminating a ground surface around a perimeter of a vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for illuminating at least a region of a floor surface around the perimeter of a vehicle.

Background

In the prior art, there is no capability for illuminating the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle. In dark areas or dimly lit areas, the rider's view of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle is zero or limited when the rider gets off the vehicle, which can cause the rider to ride on uneven surfaces, puddles, pits, rocks, etc., thereby losing balance and causing a fall, which can be fatal. Similarly, when the vehicle is parked in a darkened area or a dimly lit area, it is difficult to locate/identify the vehicle and to discern features of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle. This may cause unnecessary anxiety to the rider and cause the rider to fall in the case where the vehicle is surrounded by uneven surfaces, puddles, pits, rocks, or the like.

Further, the prior art also fails to disclose a simple and economical way to project names, logos, images or customized text on a ground surface around the perimeter of a vehicle to increase the aesthetics and market appeal of the vehicle.

In view of the above, there is a need to at least overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for illuminating at least a region of a surface of a ground surface around a perimeter of a vehicle. The system comprises one or more lamp modules and a control unit. One or more lamp modules are mounted on the vehicle. The control unit is also mounted on the vehicle. Upon satisfaction of one or more predefined conditions, the control unit activates one or more light modules for a predefined time interval to illuminate at least an area of the floor surface around the perimeter of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the vehicle is a saddle-type vehicle having a handlebar extending between a first end and a second end. One or more light modules are mounted on one or both ends of the handlebar. One or more light modules may be used to illuminate the entire area of the floor surface or a portion thereof around the perimeter of the vehicle. Thus, one or more light modules may be mounted at various locations on the rear, side and/or front portions of the saddle-type vehicle.

In an embodiment, the vehicle is a passenger vehicle and the one or more light modules may be mounted on one or more frame members proximate a ground surface of the passenger vehicle. One or more light modules may be used to illuminate the entire area of the floor surface, or a portion thereof, around the perimeter of the passenger vehicle. Thus, one or more light modules may be mounted at different locations on the rear, side, and/or front portions of the passenger vehicle.

In an embodiment, the predefined interval is 60 seconds. The present embodiment should not be construed as limiting, and the predefined interval may be any value set by the manufacturer and/or entered by the rider of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the one or more predefined conditions include any one or combination of (i) an input from a keyless remote control for unlocking the vehicle, (ii) an input from a personal digital assistant of the rider for unlocking the vehicle, (iii) an insertion of a key for locking or unlocking the vehicle, (iv) a removal of the key from an ignition lock of the vehicle, (v) a shutdown of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, (vi) a shutdown of one or more traction motors of the vehicle, (vii) a shutdown of the internal combustion engine and traction motor of the vehicle, (viii) an Ignition Start Stop (ISS) mode of the vehicle and a shutdown of the internal combustion engine, (ix) a detection of an enablement of a side stand foot of the vehicle from a side stand foot stowed state to a side stand foot lowered state, and (x) a shutdown of the internal combustion engine when the ISS stop condition is satisfied.

In an embodiment, the one or more light modules project a brand name, a logo, one or more predefined images, and/or one or more predefined text on at least a region of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, each letter of the brand name and the predefined text is displayed in a sequential manner.

In an embodiment, one or more lamp modules are operated at a predefined frequency for a predefined time interval.

In an embodiment, one or more control buttons are provided on the vehicle to vary the intensity of light from one or more light modules. One or more buttons are positioned such that they are easily accessible and operable by a rider of the vehicle.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention includes a method for illuminating at least one region on a ground surface around a perimeter of a vehicle. The method comprises the step of determining whether one or more predefined conditions are met. The determining step is performed by a control unit mounted on the vehicle. The method further includes the step of transmitting instructions to activate one or more light modules. The step of transmitting instructions to activate one or more lamp modules is performed by the control unit. The method further includes illuminating at least one region of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle for a predefined time interval. The illuminating step is performed by one or more lamp modules.

Drawings

Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting. While the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for illuminating a ground surface around a perimeter of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a handlebar of saddle-type vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a left side portion of a handlebar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a right side portion of a handlebar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for illuminating a surrounding ground surface around a vehicle periphery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Various features and embodiments of the invention herein will be identified from the further description thereof set forth below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 200 for illuminating at least one region on a ground surface around the perimeter of a vehicle 100. As shown, the system 200 includes a control unit 300 and one or more lamp modules 400. The control unit 300 communicates with one or more lamp modules 400. The control unit 300 is configured to determine whether one or more predefined conditions have been met. One or more predefined conditions are typically preconfigured in the control unit by the manufacturer. The control unit 300 is further configured to activate one or more lamp modules 400 when one or more predefined conditions are met. Upon receiving an activation instruction from the control unit 300, one or more light modules 400 are turned on to illuminate at least one area on the floor surface around the perimeter of the vehicle 100. One or more of the lamp modules 400 may include a receiving unit for receiving instructions from the control unit 300. One or more lamp modules 400 are activated for a predefined duration. This duration may be set by the manufacturer of the vehicle 100 or by the rider of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the predefined interval is 60 seconds.

The present invention can be implemented in saddle-type vehicles and passenger vehicles. Saddle-type vehicles include two-wheelers, tricycles, and four-wheelers, such as bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and the like. The invention may also be implemented in passenger vehicles such as automobiles, rickshaw, trucks, vans, etc. Both saddle-type vehicles and passenger vehicles may be conventional types of internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, or other now known or later developed vehicles.

In an embodiment, in a saddle-type vehicle, a handlebar 102 (see fig. 2) extends between a first end 102a (see fig. 2) and a second end 102b (see fig. 2). One or more light modules 400 are mounted on either or both ends 102a, 102b of the handlebar 102. In another embodiment, in the passenger vehicle 100, one or more light modules 400 are mounted on a frame member or on a component on a frame member near a ground surface. However, the above-described location of the one or more light modules 400 on the saddle-type vehicle or passenger vehicle should not be construed as limiting, and the one or more light modules 400 may be mounted or disposed on a front portion, a rear portion, or a side portion of the saddle-type vehicle or passenger vehicle, depending on the area of the ground surrounding the periphery of the vehicle 100 that needs to be illuminated. In one non-limiting example, one or more light modules 400 are mounted on the vehicle 100 such that an area around a side stand of the vehicle 100 is illuminated. In another non-limiting example, one or more light modules 400 are mounted on the vehicle 100 such that an area of the ground surface in front of the vehicle 100 is illuminated for better visibility when a rider approaches the vehicle 100. In another non-limiting example, one or more light modules 400 are mounted on the vehicle 100 such that an area of the ground surface behind the vehicle 100 is illuminated so that a fellow rider can see the vehicle 100 in an ignition on-off (ISS) off mode.

In an embodiment, the one or more predefined conditions include any one or combination of the following conditions, an input from a keyless remote control for unlocking the vehicle 100, (ii) an input from a personal digital assistant (such as a rider's mobile phone) for unlocking the vehicle 100, (iii) an insertion of a key for locking or unlocking the vehicle 100, (iv) a removal of the key from an ignition lock of the vehicle 100, (v) a shutdown of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle 100, (vi) a shutdown of one or more traction motors of the vehicle 100, (vii) a shutdown of the internal combustion engine and traction motors of the vehicle 100, (viii) an Ignition Start Stop (ISS) mode of the vehicle 100 and a shutdown of the internal combustion engine, (ix) a detection of an enablement of a side stand foot of the vehicle 100 from a side stand foot stowed state to a side stand foot lowered state, and (x) a shutdown of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle 100 when the ISS stop condition is satisfied.

Keyless entry remote controls are generally known in the art and include a short-range radio transmitter and operate within a short range. When the button is pressed, it transmits a coded signal to the vehicle 100 by radio waves, thereby locking or unlocking the vehicle 100. Keyless entry remote controls lock and unlock the vehicle by flashing lights or some discrete combination of unique sounds.

In an embodiment, one or more light modules 400 can project a brand name, a logo, one or more predefined images, and/or one or more predefined text to increase the aesthetic appeal of vehicle 100. One or more brand names, logos, predefined images, and/or predefined text may be projected in a sequential manner. Further, each letter in the one or more predefined texts may be displayed in a sequential manner. In addition, options for selecting one or more colors, font size, font style, visual effects may also be provided. Such options may be available to the user via a mobile application that may be downloaded to a personal digital assistant (such as the mobile phone of the rider of vehicle 100). Such performance generally increases the aesthetics and market appeal of the vehicle 100.

In an embodiment, one or more lamp modules 400 operate at a predefined frequency for a predefined time interval. In one non-limiting example, the light module blinks every 5 seconds for a duration of 60 seconds.

In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 may also be provided with one or more control buttons (not shown) to vary the intensity of light from the one or more light modules 400. Such buttons are typically located on the vehicle 100 such that they are easily accessible and operable by a rider of the vehicle 100.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the handlebar 102 of the saddle-type vehicle 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the left portion of the handlebar 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a right side portion of the handlebar 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, in saddle-type vehicle 100, handlebar 102 extends between a first end 102a and a second end 102 b. One or more light modules 400 can be mounted on one or both ends 102a, 102b of the handlebar 102. In one non-limiting example, the one or more light modules 400 are mounted such that the projection lenses of the one or more light modules 400 face the ground, which provides visibility to the ground surface even in dark or dim light conditions and ensures a fashionable appearance as well as a significantly unique external appearance of the vehicle 100.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of a lamp module 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

As shown, each lamp module 400 includes a cover 401, a lens 402, one or more light sources 403, a light source cover 404, a printed circuit board 405, and a heat sink 406. As shown, the cover 401 may be divided into a first portion 401a and a second portion 401b and is adapted to enclose the lens 402, the light source 403, the light source cover 404, the printed circuit board 405, and the heat sink 406. The printed circuit board 405 is used to support and power one or more light sources 403 (such as light emitting diodes) and a heat sink 406. The light emitting diode 403 is a semiconductor diode that emits light when a voltage is applied or when a current flows therethrough. The light emitting diodes 403 are typically covered with a protective cover 404 and communicate with a heat sink 406 to dissipate heat generated during operation of the one or more lamp modules 400. The lens 402 is used to project the brand name, logo, one or more predefined images, and one or more predefined text onto the surface of the ground. The construction of the lamp module 400 should not be construed as limiting and may include lamp modules now known or later developed.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 for illuminating a ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, at step 501, the method includes determining whether one or more predefined conditions are met. This determination step is performed by the control unit 300. One or more predefined conditions are preconfigured in the control unit 300 of the vehicle 100.

At step 502, the method includes transmitting instructions to activate one or more lamp modules 400. The transmitting step is performed by the control unit 300 and such instructions may be received by a receiving unit provided in one or more lamp modules 400.

At step 503, the method includes illuminating at least a region of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle 100 for a predefined time interval. The illumination step is performed by one or more lamp modules 400.

In an embodiment, the one or more predefined conditions include any one or combination of conditions from a keyless remote control input for unlocking the vehicle 100, (ii) an input from a personal digital assistant of a rider for unlocking the vehicle 100, (iii) an insertion of a key for locking or unlocking the vehicle 100, (iv) a removal of the key from an ignition lock of the vehicle 100, (v) a shutdown of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle 100, (vi) a shutdown of one or more traction motors of the vehicle 100, (vii) a shutdown of the internal combustion engine and traction motors of the vehicle 100, (viii) an Ignition Start Stop (ISS) mode of the vehicle 100 and a shutdown of the internal combustion engine, (ix) a detection of an enablement of a side stand foot of the vehicle 100 from a side stand foot stowed state to a side stand foot lowered state, and (x) a shutdown of the internal combustion engine when the ISS stop condition is satisfied.

In an embodiment, one or more light modules 400 can project a brand name, a logo, one or more predefined images, and one or more predefined text to increase the aesthetic appeal of vehicle 100. The one or more predefined images and/or the one or more predefined texts may be projected in a sequential manner. Further, each letter in the one or more predefined texts may be displayed in a sequential manner. In addition, options for selecting one or more colors, font size, font style, visual effects may also be provided. Such options may be available to the user via a mobile application that may be downloaded to a personal digital assistant (such as the mobile phone of the rider of vehicle 100). Such performance generally increases the aesthetics and market appeal of the vehicle 100.

In an embodiment, one or more lamp modules 400 operate at a predefined frequency for a predefined time interval. In one non-limiting example, one or more of the light modules 400 blinks every 5 seconds for a duration of 60 seconds.

It should be appreciated that a typical hardware configuration of the control unit 300 may include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the control unit 300 to perform the methods disclosed above.

The control unit 300 may include a processor, which may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or both. The processor may be one or more general purpose processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analyzing and processing data. The processor may implement a software program such as manually generated code, i.e. programmed code.

The control unit 300 may include a memory. The memory may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory may include, but is not limited to, computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and nonvolatile storage media, including, but not limited to, random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media, and the like. The memory is operable to store instructions executable by the processor. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated or described in the figures may be performed by a programmed processor executing instructions stored in memory.

The control unit 300 may further include a display unit such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube, or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determination information. The display may serve as an interface for the user to view the functionality of the processor, or in particular as an interface with software stored in memory.

In addition, the control unit 300 may include an input device configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components of the control unit 300. The input device may be a keypad, keyboard or cursor control device, such as a mouse or joystick, touch screen display, remote control, or any other device operable to interact with the control unit 300.

The control unit 300 may further include a magnetic disk drive unit or an optical disk drive unit. The disk drive unit may include a computer-readable medium in which one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software) may be embedded. Furthermore, the instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In particular examples, the instructions may reside, completely or at least partially, within a memory or within a processor during execution thereof by the control unit 300. The memory and processor may also include a computer-readable medium as described above. The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium comprising instructions or receiving and executing instructions in response to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network can communicate data over the network. Further, the instructions may be transmitted or received over a network. The network may include a wired network, a wireless network, an ethernet AVB network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network. Further, the network may be a public network such as the Internet, a private network such as an intranet, or a combination thereof, and may utilize various networking protocols now available or later developed.

The claimed features/method steps of the present invention, as discussed above, are not routine, conventional or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps are capable of implementing the following solutions to the problems encountered in conventional techniques. In particular, the present invention solves the technical problem of zero or limited visibility of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle 100 in dark or dimly lit areas.

The present invention illuminates at least one area of the floor surface around the perimeter of the vehicle 100 in a darkened or dimly lit area. This assists the rider when the rider is getting off the vehicle 100 in a darkened or dimly lit area, and also assists the rider when the rider is approaching the vehicle 100 parked in the darkened or dimly lit area. The system also assists in easily identifying the vehicle 100 in dark or dimly lit areas. Such illumination may also assist the fellow rider in recognizing that an ISS stop condition is activated in the vehicle during a traffic light or traffic jam.

The present invention also increases the market appeal of the vehicle 100 because the projection of the brand name, logo, predefined image, and predefined text increases the aesthetics of the vehicle 100.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A system (200) for illuminating a ground surface surrounding a perimeter of a vehicle (100), the system (200) comprising: - one or more light modules (400) mounted on the vehicle (100), the one or more light modules (400) being configured to illuminate at least an area of the ground surface surrounding a perimeter of the vehicle (100); and - a control unit (300) mounted on the vehicle (100) and in communication with the one or more light modules (400), the control unit (300) being configured to activate the one or more light modules (400) for a predefined time interval when one or more predefined conditions are met. 2. The system (200) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) is a saddle-type vehicle, the saddle-type vehicle comprising a handlebar (102) extending between a first end (102a) and a second end (102b), and the one or more light modules (400) are mounted on at least one of the first end (102a) and the second end (102b) of the handlebar (102). 3. The system (200) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) is a passenger vehicle and the one or more light modules (400) are mounted on one or more frame members proximate to the ground surface of the vehicle (100). 4. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the predefined time interval is 60 seconds. 5. The system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined conditions include at least one of the following: - input from a keyless remote control for unlocking the vehicle (100); - input from the rider's personal digital assistant for unlocking the vehicle (100); - insertion of a key for locking or unlocking the vehicle (100); - Removal of the key from the ignition lock of the vehicle (100); - shutting down of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle (100); - deactivation of one or more traction motors of the vehicle (100); - shutting down the internal combustion engine and the traction motor of the vehicle (100); - shutting down of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle (100) when an ignition start-stop (ISS) stop condition is met; - Ignition Start-Stop (ISS) mode of the vehicle (100) and shut-down of the internal combustion engine; and - Detection of activation of a side standing foot of the vehicle (100) from a side standing foot retracted state to a side standing foot lowered state. 6. The system (200) of claim 1, wherein the one or more light modules (400) project at least one of the following onto at least the area of the ground surface surrounding the perimeter of the vehicle (100): a brand name, a logo, one or more predefined images, and one or more predefined texts. 7. The system (200) according to claim 6, wherein each letter of the brand name and the predefined text is displayed in a sequential manner. 8. The system (200) of claim 1, wherein the one or more light modules (400) operate at a predefined frequency within the predefined time interval. 9. The system (200) of claim 1, wherein one or more control buttons are disposed on the vehicle (100) to change the intensity of light from the one or more light modules (400), and one or more of the buttons are operable by a rider of the vehicle (100). 10. A method (500) for illuminating a ground surface around a perimeter of a vehicle (100), the method (500) comprising: - determining (501) by a control unit (300) installed on the vehicle (100) whether one or more predefined conditions are met; - transmitting (502) a command by the control unit (300) to activate one or more light modules (400); - At least one area of the ground surface around the perimeter of the vehicle (100) is illuminated (503) by the one or more light modules (400) for a predefined time interval. 11. The method (500) of claim 10, wherein the one or more predefined conditions include at least one of the following: - input from a keyless remote control for unlocking the vehicle (100); - input from the rider's personal digital assistant for unlocking the vehicle (100); - Insertion of a mechanical key for locking or unlocking the vehicle (100); - Removal of the key from the ignition lock of the vehicle (100); - shutting down of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle (100); - deactivation of one or more traction motors of the vehicle (100); - shutting down the internal combustion engine and the traction motor of the vehicle (100); - shutting down of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle (100) when an ignition start-stop (ISS) stop condition is met; - Ignition Start-Stop (ISS) mode of the vehicle (100) and shut-down of the internal combustion engine; and - Detection of activation of a side standing foot of the vehicle (100) from a side standing foot retracted state to a side standing foot lowered state.