Apparatus and method for controlling illumination devices of vehicles

US6414437B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Werner Diez · Wolfschlugen, DE
• Christine Weber · Garbsen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 22, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 2, 2002
• Expiry date: Sep 22, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02B20/30
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a method for controlling illumination devices of motor vehicles, wherein the illumination devices are correlated with different functional areas of a light assembly and are supplied with current, the illumination devices are cycled with a rated current and the brightness level of the illumination devices are adjusted with a pulse width modulated signal. A device for performing the method has an electrical power source and illumination devices correlated with at least two functional areas and connected to the electrical power source. Actuating elements are provided for activating the illumination devices. At least one microprocessor is provided, wherein the actuating elements are connected to the at least one microprocessor, wherein the at least one microprocessor converts signals emitted by the actuating elements into pulse width modulated signals supplied to output terminals of the at least one microprocessor. Driver stages are connected to the output terminals of the at least one microprocessor and the illumination devices and configured to transmit the pulse width modulated signals to the illumination devices.