Control circuit and method for an led external lighting unit of a vehicle

摘要

The invention describes a control circuit for an LED external lighting unit of a vehicle, said lighting unit comprising at least an LED source and a passive heatsink. The control circuit comprises: a temperature sensor adapted to provide a first output signal carrying information about the operating temperature of the LED source and/or of the passive heatsink; a first output node operatively connectable to an optical and/or acoustic warning device and adapted to provide thereto a first control signal, depending upon the first output signal, adapted to produce an alarm warning through said warning device when said temperature is higher than a first threshold value; a driver unit being adapted to output an LED source driving signal, said driving signal being a relatively high-power signal or a relatively low-power signal.

主权项

1. Control circuit for a LED external lighting unit of a vehicle, said lighting unit comprising at least a LED source and a passive heatsink, wherein the control circuit comprises:
a temperature sensor adapted to provide a first output signal carrying information about the operating temperature of at least one of the LED source and the passive heatsink; a first output node operatively connectable to at least one of an optical and acoustic warning device and adapted to provide thereto a first control signal depending upon the first output signal, adapted for generating an alarm warning through said warning device when said temperature is higher than a first threshold value; a driver unit of the LED source comprising a first input node adapted to receive a second control signal, depending upon the speed of the vehicle and the first output signal, the driver unit being adapted to output a LED source driving signal, said driving signal being a relatively high-power signal or a relatively low-power signal according to the second control signal.