Vehicular turning indicator

• US 20050062597A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exon Science, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exon Science, Inc.
• Inventors: Su, Wen-Wei
• Granted Patent: US 7,002,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/475
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation

Abstract

A vehicular turning indicator is used for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle. The vehicular turning indicator includes a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle; a control device asserting a control signal according to the turning direction, the turning angle and optionally the speed of the vehicle; and a plurality of lightening units in communication with the control device brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to the control signal. The vehicular turning indicator can be implemented by currently existent vehicular lamps such as indicator light, brake light or head-up display, be incorporated into an existent vehicular accessory such as rearview mirror module or auxiliary brake light module, or independently mounted to the vehicle. Preferably, special flashing effects are performed to make the turning indication prominent.

Claims

1. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a control device asserting a first control signal in response to an ON state of an indicator light switch and asserting a second control signal according to said turning angle; and

a plurality of lightening units in communication with said control device, selectively brightening to constitute a constant pattern in response to said first control signal, and selectively brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to said second control signal.

2. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel.

3. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor, said indicator light switch and said plurality of lightening units, asserting said first control signal to turn on a first selected number of said lightening units when said indicator light switch is in said ON state, and asserting said second control signal to turn on a second selected number of said lightening units when said indicator light switch is in an OFF state, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

4. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 3 wherein said first selected number of said lightening units alternately brighten for a first period and darken for a second period in response to said first control signal, and said control unit further asserts said second control signal during said second period when said indicator light switch is in said ON state.

5. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor, said indicator light switch and said plurality of lightening units, asserting said first control signal to turn on a first selected number of said lightening units for a first period and turn off said first selected number of said lightening units for a second period when said indicator light switch is in said ON state, and asserting said second control signal to turn on a second selected number of said lightening units during said second period when said indicator light switch is in said ON state, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

6. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein all of said plurality of lightening units brighten in response to said first control signal to constitute said constant pattern.

7. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said plurality of lightening units brighten in response to said first control signal to constitute said constant pattern.

8. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said lightening units to brighten in response to said second control signal are determined according to a lookup table.

9. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said control device asserts said second control signal according to said turning angle and a speed of said vehicle.

10. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 9 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first number of said lightening units in response to said second control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second number of said lightening units in response to said second control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

11. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 10 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

12. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 9 wherein a first pattern is shown in response to said second control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown in response to said second control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end lightening unit that brightens in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end lightening unit that brightens in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

13. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 9 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

14. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 9 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal increases with said speed of said vehicle.

15. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 9 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

16. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

17. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

18. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of patterns are sequentially shown in response to said second control signal for a specific turning angle, and the transformation of said plurality of patterns follows a predetermined rule.

19. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 18 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns varies with a speed of said vehicle.

20. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 18 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns increases with a speed of said vehicle.

21. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are arranged in a linear manner.

22. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are arranged in a concentric manner.

23. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are arranged in a helix manner.

24. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are filament lamps, bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), electro luminescence (EL) segments or fluorescent tubes.

25. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are multi-color lightening units showing a first color in response to said first control signal, and showing a second color different from said first color in response to said second control signal.

26. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle.

27. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said interior rearview mirror module.

28. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said exterior rearview mirror module.

29. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the housing of said exterior rearview mirror module.

30. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning direction and a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a control device asserting a first control signal in response to a brake operation and asserting a second control signal according to said turning angle; and

a plurality of lightening units in communication with said control device, selectively brightening to constitute a constant pattern in response to said first control signal, and selectively brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to said second control signal.

31. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel.

32. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor, a brake sensor and said plurality of lightening units, asserting said first control signal to turn on a first selected number of lightening units when said brake operation is performed, and asserting said second control signal to turn on a second selected number of lightening units when said brake operation is not performed, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

33. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 32 wherein said first selected number of said lightening units alternately brighten for a first period and darken for a second period in response to said first control signal, and said control unit further asserts said second control signal during said second period when said brake operation is performed.

34. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor, a brake sensor and said plurality of lightening units, asserting said first control signal to turn on a first selected number of said lightening units for a first period and turn off said first selected number of said lightening units for a second period when a brake operation is performed, and asserting said second control signal to turn on a second selected number of said lightening units during said second period when said brake operation is performed, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

35. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein all of said plurality of lightening units brighten in response to said first control signal to constitute said constant pattern.

36. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein a portion of said plurality of lightening units brighten in response to said first control signal to constitute said constant pattern.

37. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said lightening units to brighten in response to said second control signal are determined according to a lookup table.

38. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said control device asserts said second control signal according to said turning angle and a speed of said vehicle.

39. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 38 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first number of said lightening units in response to said second control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second number of said lightening units in response to said second control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

40. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 39 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

41. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 38 wherein a first pattern is shown in response to said second control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown in response to said second control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end lightening unit that brightens in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end lightening unit that brightens in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

42. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 38 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

43. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 38 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal increases with said speed of said vehicle.

44. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 38 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

45. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

46. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said second control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

47. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein a plurality of patterns are sequentially shown in response to said second control signal for a specific turning angle, and the transformation of said plurality of patterns follows a predetermined rule.

48. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 47 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns varies with a speed of said vehicle.

49. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 47 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns increases with a speed of said vehicle.

50. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of lightening units are arranged in a linear manner, a concentric manner or a helix manner.

51. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of lightening units are filament lamps, bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), electro luminescence (EL) segments or fluorescent tubes.

52. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of lightening units are multi-color lightening units showing a first color in response to said first control signal, and showing a second color different from said first color in response to said second control signal.

53. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle.

54. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on rear spoiler of said vehicle.

55. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed adjacent to the rear windscreen inside said vehicle.

56. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a control device asserting a control signal according to said turning angle; and

a plurality of lightening units in communication with said control device, integrated into a rearview mirror module and selectively brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to said control signal.

57. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel.

58. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor and said plurality of lightening units, asserting said control signal to turn on a selected number of lightening units, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

59. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said lightening units to brighten in response to said control signal are determined according to a lookup table.

60. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said control device asserts said control signal according to said turning angle and a speed of said vehicle.

61. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 60 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first number of said lightening units in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second number of said lightening units in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

62. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 61 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

63. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 60 wherein a first pattern is shown in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end lightening unit that brightens in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end lightening unit that brightens in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

64. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 60 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

65. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 60 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal increases with said speed of said vehicle.

66. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 60 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

67. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

68. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

69. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein a plurality of patterns are sequentially shown in response to said control signal for a specific turning angle, and the transformation of said plurality of patterns follows a predetermined rule.

70. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 69 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns varies with a speed of said vehicle.

71. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 69 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns increases with a speed of said vehicle.

72. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said plurality of lightening units are filament lamps, bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), electro luminescence (EL) segments or fluorescent tubes.

73. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said interior rearview mirror module.

74. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said exterior rearview mirror module.

75. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 56 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the housing of said exterior rearview mirror module.

76. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a control device asserting a control signal according to said turning angle; and

a first series of lightening units in communication with said control device, integrated into an auxiliary brake light module including a second series of lightening units brightening in response to a brake operation, and selectively brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to said control signal.

77. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel.

78. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor and said first series of lightening units, asserting said control signal to turn on a selected number of said first series of lightening units, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

79. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said lightening units in said first series to brighten in response to said control signal are determined according to a lookup table.

80. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said control device asserts said control signal according to said turning angle and a speed of said vehicle.

81. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 80 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first number of said lightening units in said first series in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second number of said lightening units in said first series in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

82. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 81 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

83. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 80 wherein a first pattern is shown in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end lightening unit in said first series that brightens in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end lightening unit in said first series that brightens in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

84. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 80 wherein the luminance of said lightening units in said first series brightening in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

85. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 80 wherein the luminance of said lightening units in said first series brightening in response to said control signal increases with said speed of said vehicle.

86. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 80 wherein the color of said lightening units in said first series brightening in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

87. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein the color of said lightening units in said first series brightening in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

88. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein the luminance of said lightening units in said first series brightening in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

89. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein a plurality of patterns are sequentially shown in response to said control signal for a specific turning angle, and the transformation of said plurality of patterns follows a predetermined rule.

90. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 89 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns varies with a speed of said vehicle.

91. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 89 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns increases with a speed of said vehicle.

92. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said first and said second series of lightening units brighten different colors of light.

93. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said first and said second series of lightening units are disposed on rear spoiler of said vehicle.

94. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 76 wherein said first and said second series of lightening units are disposed adjacent to the rear windscreen inside said vehicle.

95. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a control device asserting a control signal according to said turning angle; and

a plurality of light emitting elements in communication with said control device, integrated into a head-up display module, and emitting light to constitute a variable pattern in response to said control signal.

96. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein said sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel.

97. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining what pattern is to be shown according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor and said series of light-emitting elements, asserting said control signal to actuate a selected number of said series of light-emitting elements to emit light, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

98. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein said light-emitting elements to be actuated in response to said control signal are determined said micro-processor according to a lookup table.

99. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein said control device asserts said control signal according to said turning angle and a speed of said vehicle.

100. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 99 wherein a first pattern is formed by actuating a first number of said light-emitting elements in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by actuating a second number of said light-emitting elements in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

101. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 100 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

102. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 99 wherein a first pattern is shown in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end light-emitting element that is actuated in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end light-emitting element that is actuated in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

103. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 99 wherein the luminance of said light-emitting elements actuated in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

104. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 99 wherein the luminance of said light-emitting elements actuated in response to said control signal increases with said speed of said vehicle.

105. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 99 wherein the color of said light-emitting elements actuated in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

106. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein the color of said light-emitting elements actuated in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

107. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein the luminance of said light-emitting elements actuated in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

108. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein a plurality of patterns are sequentially shown in response to said control signal for a specific turning angle, and the transformation of said plurality of patterns follows a predetermined rule.

109. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 108 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns varies with a speed of said vehicle.

110. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 108 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns increases with a speed of said vehicle.

111. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein said head-up display is disposed on the front windscreen of said vehicle.

112. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 95 wherein said head-up display is one of a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a digital light processor (DLP) display, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFTLCD) and a transparent liquid crystal display (transparent LCD).

113. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a plurality of lightening units independently optionally brighten according to said turning angle of said vehicle; and

a control device in communication with said sensor and said plurality of lightening units, designating a maximum number of said plurality of lightening units to brighten according to said turning angle, and controlling said designated lightening units to sequentially twinkle in a predetermined manner.

114. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel.

115. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said sensor, determining said maximum number of said plurality of lightening units to brighten and said predetermined manner according to said turning angle; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor and said plurality of lightening units, sequentially twinkling said maximum number of lightening units in said predetermined manner.

116. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said maximum number of said plurality of lightening units to brighten is determined according to a lookup table.

117. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said control device determines said maximum number of said plurality of lightening units to brighten according to said turning angle and a speed of said vehicle.

118. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 117 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first maximum number of said lightening units designated at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second maximum number of said lightening units designated at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first maximum number of said lightening units is different from said second maximum number of said lightening units if said first speed is different from said second speed.

119. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 118 wherein said first maximum number of said lightening units is greater than said second maximum number of said lightening units if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

120. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 117 wherein a first pattern is shown at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end lightening unit that brightens in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end lightening unit that brightens in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

121. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 117 wherein the luminance of said lightening units varies with said speed of said vehicle.

122. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 117 wherein the luminance of said lightening units increases with said speed of said vehicle.

123. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 117 wherein the color of said lightening units varies with said speed of said vehicle.

124. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein the color of said lightening units varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

125. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein the luminance of said lightening units varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

126. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle between the trunk door and the bumper.

127. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle between the engine room and the bumper.

128. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle under a lamp assembly.

129. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 128 wherein said lamp assembly comprises an indicator light, a backup light, a brake light, an auxiliary brake light and/or a headlight lamp.

130. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are arranged in a linear manner, a concentric manner or a helix manner.

131. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said interior rearview mirror module.

132. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said exterior rearview mirror module.

133. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the housing of said exterior rearview mirror module.

134. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said plurality of lightening units include at least two sets of lightening units for emitting different colors.

135. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said predetermined manner includes a step of sequentially and accumulatively brightening said lightening units one by one until said maximum number of said lightening units is reached.

136. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said predetermined manner further includes a step of sequentially and accumulatively darkening said lightening units one by one after said maximum number of said lightening units all illuminate.

137. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said predetermined manner includes a step of sequentially and accumulatively brightening said lightening units portion by portion until the maximum number of said lighting units is reached, wherein portions illuminating at two adjacent time points include at least one common lightening unit.

138. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 113 wherein said predetermined manner includes a step of sequentially darkening one of the maximum number of said lightening units after said maximum number of said lightening units all illuminate.

139. A vehicular turning indicator for automatically showing a turning degree of a vehicle, comprising:

a first sensor sensing a turning angle of the vehicle;

a second sensor sensing a speed of said vehicle;

a control device asserting a control signal according to said turning angle and said speed of said vehicle; and

a plurality of lightening units in communication with said control device, selectively brightening to constitute a variable pattern in response to said control signal.

140. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said first sensor is mounted to a steering wheel of said vehicle for detecting a rotation degree of said steering wheel, and outputting a first digital signal indicative of said turning angle according to said rotation degree of said steering wheel, and said second sensor outputs a second digital signal indicative of said speed of said vehicle.

141. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said control device comprises:

a micro-processor in communication with said first and said second sensors, determining what pattern is to be shown in response to said first and said second digital signals; and

a control unit in communication with said micro-processor and said plurality of lightening units, asserting said control signal to turn on a selected number of said plurality of lightening units, thereby showing the desired pattern determined by said micro-processor.

142. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said lightening units to brighten in response to said control signal are determined by according to a lookup table.

143. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first number of said lightening units in response to said control signal at a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second number of said lightening units in response to said control signal at a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

144. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 143 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

145. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein a first pattern is formed by turning on a first number of said lightening units in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is formed by turning on a second number of said lightening units in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and said first number is different from said second number if said first speed is different from said second speed.

146. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 145 wherein said first number is greater than said second number if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

147. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein a first pattern is shown in response to said control signal at a certain turning direction, a certain turning angle and a first speed of said vehicle, and a second pattern is shown in response to said control signal at said certain turning direction, said certain turning angle and a second speed of said vehicle, and an end lightening unit that brightens in said first pattern is closer to said turning direction than an end lightening unit that brightens in said second pattern is if said first speed is higher than said second speed.

148. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

149. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal increases with said speed of said vehicle.

150. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said speed of said vehicle.

151. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein the color of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

152. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein the luminance of said lightening units brightening in response to said control signal varies with said turning degree of said vehicle.

153. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein a plurality of patterns are sequentially shown in response to said control signal for a specific turning direction and a specific turning angle, and the transformation of said plurality of patterns follows a predetermined rule.

154. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 153 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns varies with a speed of said vehicle.

155. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 153 wherein a transformation rate of said plurality of patterns increases with said speed of said vehicle.

156. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle between the trunk door and the bumper.

157. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle between the engine room and the bumper.

158. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the body of said vehicle under a lamp assembly.

159. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 158 wherein said lamp assembly comprises an indicator light, a backup light, a brake light, an auxiliary brake light and/or a headlight lamp.

160. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are arranged in a linear manner, a concentric manner or a helix manner.

161. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said interior rearview mirror module.

162. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed in said exterior rearview mirror module.

163. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units are disposed on the housing of said exterior rearview mirror module.

164. The vehicular turning indicator according to claim 139 wherein said plurality of lightening units include at least two sets of lightening units for emitting different colors.