MODULAR LIGHT EMITTING DIODE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE ILLUMINATION
A light emitting diode (LED) unit is therefore provided, comprising: an LED module, comprising: a plurality of LEDs; LED drive circuitry that drives the LEDs; an LED control bus that carries LED illumination control information to the LED drive circuitry; and a housing that at least partially surrounds LED module components; a power supply and control module, comprising: a power supply that converts a first voltage level to a second voltage level; a microcontroller that receives illumination instructions from an external source; an LED drive controller that receives lighting instructions from the microcontroller and transmits LED illumination information to the LED drive circuitry; a housing that at least partially surrounds power supply and control module components; an interface that connects the LED drive controller to the LED control bus.
1 . A light emitting diode (LED) unit, comprising:
an LED module, comprising:
a plurality of LEDs;
LED drive circuitry that drives the LEDs;
an LED control bus that carries LED illumination control information to the LED drive circuitry; and
a housing that at least partially surrounds LED module components;
a power supply and control module, comprising:
a power supply that converts a first voltage level to a second voltage level;
a microcontroller that receives illumination instructions from an external source;
an LED drive controller that receives lighting instructions from the microcontroller and transmits LED illumination information to the LED drive circuitry;
a housing that at least partially surrounds power supply and control module components;
an interface that connects the LED drive controller to the LED control bus.
2 . The LED unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a temperature sensor that provides temperature information to the microcontroller.
3 . The LED unit of claim 2 , wherein:
the microcontroller comprises temperature compensation information and software for maintaining a temperature independent brightness and color of the LEDs.
4 . The LED unit of claim 2 , wherein:
the microcontroller comprises software for reducing power to the LEDs if an overtemperature condition is detected.
5 . The LED unit of claim 2 , wherein:
the temperature sensor is located proximate the LED drive circuitry to measure its temperature.
6 . The LED unit of claim 5 , wherein the LED module further comprises:
a peripheral control bus that connects the temperature sensor to the microcontroller.
7 . The LED unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
an additional LED module that is powered by the power supply and control module; and
an LED module connector that connects the additional LED module to the LED module.
8 . The LED unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a datastore that stores calibration information for LEDs obtained during testing prior to installation of the LED unit.
9 . The LED unit of claim 1 , wherein:
the LED unit is configured to read information from the external source that is an external controller and connected to a cabin communication system (CCS).
10 . The LED unit of claim 9 , wherein an RS-485 interface is provided between the external controller and the LED unit.
11 . The LED unit of claim 1 , wherein the power supply and control module comprises an isolation barrier that electrically isolates the power supply first voltage level from the second voltage level.
12 . A vehicle LED illumination system, comprising:
a plurality of LED units, as claimed in claim 1 ;
wherein a plurality of the LED units are controlled by a single external controller that is connected to a cabin communication system (CCS).
13 . The illumination system of claim 12 , wherein at least two of the LED units have a different size.
14 . The illumination system of claim 12 , further comprising:
a access panel and an arbitrator that connects to the external controller and permits a user to control the LED units within the system.