Patent Application
20080130303
Motorcycles often include several sets of lights which serve to make a motorcycle more visible to other drivers, as well as to signal the intention of the motorcycle's rider (e.g., via turn signals). Often, lights are mounted near the front of a motorcycle so that they are visible to motorists and others in front of the motorcycle. In addition, lights are often mounted near the rear of a motorcycle so that the motorcycle's rider is clearly visible from behind.
Motorcycles generally include a headlight and left and right turn signal lights mounted near the front. Motorcycles also generally include a tail/stop light, and left and right turn signal lights near the rear. The lights generally include an incandescent bulb and can be controlled by an electronic control module.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a tail light assembly for a motorcycle. The tail light assembly includes a circuit and a housing configured to receive the circuit. The circuit includes a first light emitting diode (“LED”) configured to provide at least a visual turn indication associated with the motorcycle, and a controller having at least one controller input and at least one controller output. The at least one controller output is configured to supply current to the first LED. The tail light assembly is configured to draw current having at least a first current magnitude when an input signal corresponding to the visual turn indication is received by the controller, wherein the first current magnitude is substantially equivalent to a magnitude of current drawn by a second tail light assembly employing an incandescent lamp to provide a visual turn indication.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of operating a tail light assembly including a first LED, a controller having at least one controller input and at least one controller output, and a housing. The method comprises receiving an input signal corresponding to a visual turn indication on the at least one controller input, supplying a current to the LED from the at least one controller output, providing the visual turn indication, and drawing, by the tail light assembly, a current having a first current magnitude, the first current magnitude substantially equivalent to a magnitude of current drawn by a second tail light assembly employing an incandescent lamp to provide the visual turn indication.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a motorcycle including an engine, a plurality of wheels, and a lighting and indication system. The lighting and indication system includes at least one headlight, a plurality of forward turn signals, and a plurality of tail light assemblies. Each of the tail light assemblies includes a circuit having a first LED configured to provide at least a visual turn indication associated with the motorcycle, and a controller having at least one controller input and at least one controller output, the at least one controller output configured to supply current to the first LED. Each of the tail light assemblies also includes a housing configured to receive the circuit. Each of the tail light assemblies is configured to draw current having at least a first current magnitude when an input signal corresponding to the visual turn indication is received by its respective controller. The first current magnitude is substantially equivalent to a magnitude of current drawn by a second tail light assembly employing an incandescent lamp to provide a visual turn indication.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
The drive assembly 105 includes an engine 150 and a transmission 155. The engine 150 and the transmission 155 comprise distinct, independent components of the drive assembly 105. The engine 150 includes an output shaft (not shown), such as a crankshaft, which includes a primary drive sprocket (not shown) for driving a primary chain (not shown) in a conventional manner to power the transmission 155.
The motorcycle 100 also includes a headlight 160, a front left turn signal 165, a front right turn signal 170, a rear left tail/stop/turn light 175, and a rear right tail/stop/turn light 180.
A conventional lighting system for a motorcycle includes a headlight, a front right turn light, a front left turn light, a tail/stop light, and separate left and right rear turn lights. The lighting system of an embodiment of the invention combines the tail/stop light with the rear turn lights, resulting in a right and left tail/stop/turn light assembly.
The battery 210 has a positive terminal 245 connected to a power input 250 of the ECM 205 and a negative terminal 255 connected to a ground on the motorcycle.
Referring back to
When the ignition switch 270 closes (e.g., when a rider starts an engine), a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) is provided to the ignition input 310 of the ECM 205. The ECM 205 detects the signal on its ignition input 310 and provides a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) to its headlight output 320, thereby applying the signal to the input 322 of the headlight 215. The ECM 205 also provides a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) to its tail output 336, thereby applying the signal to the tail input 338 of the left tail/stop/turn light 230 and the right tail/stop/turn light 235.
When the front brake switch 260 closes (e.g., when a handlebar brake is engaged by a rider), a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) is provided to the first brake input 302 of the ECM 205. The ECM 205 detects the signal on its first brake input 302 and provides a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) to its stop output 342, thereby applying the signal to the stop input 344 of the left tail/stop/turn light 230 and the right tail/stop/turn light 235.
When the rear brake switch 265 closes (e.g., when a foot brake is engaged by a rider), a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) is provided to the second brake input 306 of the ECM 205. The ECM 205 detects the signal on its second brake input 306 and provides a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) to its stop output 342, thereby applying the signal to the stop input 344 of the left tail/stop/turn light 230 and the right tail/stop/turn light 235.
When the right turn switch 275 closes (e.g., when a rider engages the right turn switch 275), a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) is provided to the right turn input 314 of the ECM 205. The ECM 205 detects the signal on its right turn input 314 and provides a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) to its right turn output 330, thereby applying the signal to the input 332 of the front right turn light 225 and the turn input 328 of the right tail/stop/turn light 235.
When the left turn switch 280 closes (e.g., when a rider engages the left turn switch 280), a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) is provided to the left turn input 318 of the ECM 205. The ECM 205 detects the signal on its left turn input 318 and provides a signal (e.g., +12 vdc) to its left turn output 324, thereby applying the signal to the input 326 of the front left turn light 220 and the turn input 328 of the left tail/stop/turn light 230.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lens 480 is formed by injection molding a translucent thermoplastic (e.g., polyethylene) such that light is allowed to pass through the lens 480. The lens 480 can be any color. However, to meet regulations applicable to a motorcycle tail/stop/turn light assembly (e.g., Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 571.108), the lens 480 is either red (for use with any color LED 465, e.g., white) or clear for use with a red LED 465. The lens 480 can include external threads for screwing onto internal threads in the housing 455.
The seal 475 can be positioned between the housing 455 and the lens 480. When the lens 480 is screwed into the housing 455, the seal 475 can form a water-tight seal and prevent water and other debris from entering the housing 455.
The reflector 470 includes a plurality of multifaceted reflecting surfaces designed to reflect and evenly distribute light from the LED 465 out through the lens 480.
A cable 485 including a plurality of wires 490 (e.g., four) links the tail/stop/turn light assembly 450 to an ECM on a motorcycle.
The control circuit 505 can provide a first current (e.g., 0.02 amps) to the LED 525 to light the LED 525 at a first brightness. The control circuit 505 can also provide a second current (e.g., 0.2 amps) to light the LED 525 at a second brightness that is substantially brighter than the first brightness.
In some embodiments, the control circuit 505 can provide additional currents to the LED 525 to produce additional brightness levels (e.g., to provide one brightness for daytime operation and another brightness for nighttime operation).
Next, the control circuit 505 determines, at block 610, whether it is receiving a signal on its stop input 510. The ECM provides the tail/stop/turn light 500 with a signal at the stop input 510 whenever the front or rear brake switch of the motorcycle is closed. If a signal is received at the stop input 510, the tail/stop/turn light 500 illuminates the LED 525 to the second brightness (block 615). If a signal is not received on the stop input 510, the control circuit 505 skips block 615.
Next, the control circuit 505 determines, at block 620, whether it is receiving a signal on its turn input 520. If a signal is not received on the turn input 520, the control circuit 505 loops back to block 600. If a signal is received on the turn input 520, the control circuit 505 illuminates the LED 525 to the first brightness (block 625). The control circuit 505 then delays for a period of time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) (block 630) and then illuminates the LED 525 to the second brightness (block 635). The control circuit 505 then delays for a second time period (block 640) and continues at block 620 to check if a signal is received on the turn input 520. In some embodiments, the first and second time periods are substantially equal.
In some embodiments of an LED tail/stop/turn light assembly, the control circuit 505 (
When the motorcycle is turned off (i.e., the ignition switch is open), no signal is applied to the tail input of the control circuit 505. No voltage is available to the LED 525 and the LED 525 is off. When the motor is turned on (i.e., the ignition switch is closed), there is a signal at the tail input 515 of the control circuit 505. There are four possible combinations of the stop input 510 and the turn input 520 when the ignition is turned on. In the first scenario, there is no signal at either the stop input 510 or the turn input 520. The control circuit 505 drives the LED 525 with 0.02 amps, illuminating the LED 525 at a low brightness.
In the second scenario, a signal is applied to both the tail input 515 and the stop input 510, but there is no signal applied to the turn input 520. The control circuit 505 drives the LED 525 with 0.2 amps of current, illuminating the LED 525 with a high brightness.
In the third scenario, a signal is applied to both the tail input 515 and the turn input 520, but there is no signal applied to the stop input 510. The control circuit 505 cycles driving the LED 525 between the low and the high brightness to flash the LED 525. The control circuit 505 also draws 1.55 amps from the ECM to mimic the current draw of an incandescent light.
In the fourth scenario, a signal is applied to the tail input 515, the stop input 510, and the turn input 520. The control circuit 505 cycles driving the LED 525 between the low and the high brightness to flash the LED 525. The control circuit 505 also draws 1.55 amps from the ECM to mimic the current draw of an incandescent light.
It is to be appreciated that the values of the electrical characteristics, the circuit configurations, the logic levels, etc. described herein (e.g., in Table 1) are exemplary and could be modified for particular implementations.
In various embodiments herein, an LED tail/stop/turn light assembly mimics the operation of a tail/stop/turn light assembly employing an incandescent light or the operation of a standard tail/stop light assembly and a separate turn light assembly both employing incandescent lights. Embodiments herein can be retrofit onto an existing motorcycle or used on a new motorcycle, without making modifications to the existing onboard electrical system and components. For instance, an existing ECM can be used with the LED tail/stop/turn light assembly without modification. Since LEDs generally do not burn out, a standard ECM used with the LED tail/stop/turn light assembly for the rear lights can determine if a front turn incandescent light is burned out and can provide an indication of such component failure to a rider.
In some embodiments, a tail/stop/turn light assembly can use more than one LED. For example, an amber LED can be used as a turn indication and a red LED can be used for the tail and stop indications. Further, one red LED can be used for the tail indication and a different or multiple red LEDs can be used for the stop indication. In addition, LED turn light assemblies can be used for the front turn indicators.
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, an LED tail/stop/turn light that can be used with a standard ECM. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
