JP2753780B2 - Flash warning light for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular flash warning light suitable for use in emergency vehicles such as white motorcycles and police cars.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in emergency vehicles such as white motorcycles and police cars, a warning lamp flashes when an emergency occurs. Generally, a rotary warning light is used as this type of warning light. In a rotating warning light, the reflector rotates around a lamp (incandescent bulb). That is, when the power is turned on, the drive motor rotates, and the reflector rotates around the lamp at a constant speed. As a result, the irradiation direction of the lamp is rotated, and it looks as if it is blinking.

[0003]

However, according to such a conventional rotary warning light, there is a problem that a mechanical component such as a drive motor and a reflector is required, so that an increase in size is unavoidable and the weight is heavy. Was. Further, the blinking cycle was constant, and the degree of emergency could not be known. Further, since the lamp is an incandescent ball, there is a problem that the lamp is easily disconnected.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and includes a booster circuit for boosting an input voltage to an appropriate voltage value and storing the same as flash energy in a capacitor; A flash discharge tube that emits light by receiving the flash energy stored in the capacitor when a voltage is applied, a trigger control circuit that applies a trigger voltage to a trigger electrode of the flash discharge tube at a predetermined cycle, and a vehicle. A light emission cycle changing circuit for changing the predetermined cycle in conjunction with the siren operation switch.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the present invention, the flash discharge tube emits light at a predetermined cycle, and the light emission cycle changes in conjunction with the siren operation switch.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A flash warning light for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below in detail.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the flash warning light for a vehicle. In the figure, 1 is a vehicle-mounted battery, 2 is a power switch, 3 and 4 are flash discharge tubes (X
e pipe), 5 is siren, 6 is siren operation switch, 1
00 is a DC / DC converter, 200 is a trigger control circuit including a trigger circuit, and 300 is a light emission cycle switching (change) circuit.

The DC / DC converter 100 includes capacitors C1 to C12, inductances L1 and L2, diodes D1 to D3, D7 and D8, and resistors R1 to R15.
, PNP transistor Tr1, NPN transistor Tr2, Zener diodes ZD1, ZD2, FE
T and flash energy storage capacitors C100, C20
0, a step-up transformer T1, an integrated circuit IC1, and comparators OP3 and OP4.

The trigger control circuit 200 includes a capacitor C1
3 to C22, diodes D4 to D6, and resistors R16 to
R31, comparators OP1 and OP2, NPN transistors Tr3 and Tr4, trigger transformers T2 and T3, and integrated circuits IC2 and IC3.

The light emitting cycle switching circuit 300 includes a capacitor C
23, C24, a diode D9, and resistors R32 to R3.
6, an NPN transistor Tr5, and a PNP transistor Tr6.

In this flash warning light for a vehicle, when the power switch 2 is turned on, the battery voltage (input voltage VIN) is applied to the terminal of the IC 1 shown in FIG.
Is given. IC1 receives input voltage VIN and sets its gate drive output terminal and enable terminal to "H" level. When the gate drive output terminal goes to “H” level, the gate voltage VGS is applied to the FET, the FET is turned on, and the primary current IP flows to the primary side of the step-up transformer T1. Further, when the enable terminal goes to the “H” level, the resistance R5
A current flows through the path of the capacitor C9, and the charged state of the capacitor C9 starts to rise.

When the voltage VID generated at the connection point between the resistor R11 and the FET becomes equal to or higher than the comparison reference voltage VIDa (1 V in this embodiment) with the increase of the primary current IP, the IC1 changes this state to the terminal. And the gate drive output terminal falls to the “L” level. As a result, the FET is turned off, the flow of the primary current IP is cut off, and the secondary current IS flows on the secondary side of the step-up transformer T1. This secondary current IS is equal to the diode D2
Flows into the flash energy storage capacitor C100 through the path of, and flows into the flash energy storage capacitor C200 through the path of the diode D3.

When the base potential of the transistor Tr2 becomes higher than its emitter potential, the transistor T2
r2 is turned on, the charge level of the capacitor C9 drops, and the clock CP to the terminal of the IC1 becomes "L" level. The IC 1 raises the gate drive output terminal to the “H” level in response to the fall of the clock CP to the “L” level, and turns on the FET. By repetition of this, a secondary current IS is periodically generated on the secondary side of the step-up transformer T1, and this secondary current IS flows into the flash energy storage capacitors C100 and C200, and its charge voltage (output voltage) V01 and V02 gradually rises.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show operation waveforms of respective parts in the process of increasing the output voltages V01 and V02 (transient state). FIG. 3A shows the output voltage V01, and FIG. 3B shows the primary current IP.
FIG. 2C shows the secondary current IS, FIG. 2D shows the clock CP to the terminal (the charge level of the capacitor C9), and FIG.
Represents a detection voltage VID to the terminal, FIG. 4F shows a gate voltage VGS to the FET, and FIG. 4G shows a drain voltage VDS of the FET.

Thus, the output voltages V01 and V0
2 rises and becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage (for example, 300 V), the outputs of the comparators OP3 and OP4 become “H” level, and the IC1 detects this state via the terminal and compares the state with the detected voltage VID. The reference voltage VIDa is lowered, and the output voltage V0 is kept at a constant value. FIG. 4 shows the output voltage V0.
7 shows operation waveforms of the respective parts in a process of maintaining a constant value (a steady state).

On the other hand, when the power switch 2 is turned on, a current flows through the path of the resistors R16, R17, R18 and the capacitor C13. As a result, the resistors R16 and R16
A trigger clock CPT which is at the "H" level for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined period determined by 17, R18 and the capacitor C13 is output. The trigger clock CPT is supplied to the clock input terminal CP of the IC 3 (see FIG. 5) and to the inverting inputs of the comparators OP1 and OP2. IC
3, when the trigger clock CPT is given, the input level (Q bar output) to the D terminal is taken in at the rising edge of the trigger clock CPT, and this is used as the Q output. The Q output of IC3 is applied to the non-inverting input of comparator OP1, and the Q output is applied to the non-inverting input of comparator OP2.

Now, when the power switch 2 is turned on (FIG. 6)
(Point t1 shown in (a)), the trigger clock CPT is “H”
Let's say it is level. As a result, IC3
The output is set to “H” level, and the Q bar output is set to “L” level. The "H" level Q output of IC3 is
It is applied to the non-inverting input of P1 and compared with the trigger clock CPT applied to its inverting input. In this case, IC
Since the trigger clock CPT is higher than the Q output of No. 3, the comparator OP1 maintains the output state of the “L” level.

When a predetermined time has elapsed and the trigger clock CPT goes to the "L" level (point t2 shown in FIG. 6D), the Q output of IC3 becomes higher, and the comparator OP
1 becomes "H" level. As a result, the transistor Tr3 is turned on, and the trigger voltage VBT1 is generated in the secondary winding of the trigger transformer T2, and is applied to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge tube 3. In response to the application of the trigger voltage VBT1, the flash current is caused to flow through the flash discharge tube 3 in standby with the output voltage V01 set to a high voltage, and the flash discharge tube 3 emits light.

As a result, the accumulated charge in the capacitor C100 is consumed, and the output voltage V01 drops sharply. Then, the output of the comparator OP3 becomes “L” level, and IC1
Detects this state via the terminal, and raises the comparison reference voltage VIDa with respect to the detected voltage VID.

While the trigger clock CPT is at the "L" level, the transistor Tr1 is turned on, so that the boosting operation in the transformer T1 is not performed. Trigger clock CP
When T becomes “H” level (t3 shown in FIG. 6D)
Point), the transistor Tr1 is turned off, and the transformer T1 is turned off.
Is restarted. Thereby, the capacitor C
The recharge of 100 starts, and the output voltage V01 gradually increases.

When the trigger clock CPT goes to the "H" level (point t3 shown in FIG. 6D), the Q output of IC3 is inverted to the "L" level and the Q bar output is inverted to the "H" level. After a predetermined time elapses, the trigger clock CPT
Becomes "L" level (point t4 shown in FIG. 6D).
The Q bar output of IC3 becomes higher than the trigger clock CPT, and the output of the comparator OP2 becomes "H" level.

As a result, the transistor Tr4 is turned on, and the trigger voltage VB is applied to the secondary winding of the trigger transformer T3.
T2 occurs and is applied to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge tube 4. In response to the application of the trigger voltage VBT2, the output voltage V02 is set to a high voltage, a flash current flows to the flash discharge tube 4 in a standby state, and the flash discharge tube 4 emits light.

As a result, the accumulated charge in the capacitor C200 is consumed, and the output voltage V02 drops sharply. Then, the output of the comparator OP4 becomes “L” level, and IC1
Detects this state via the terminal, and raises the comparison reference voltage VIDa with respect to the detected voltage VID.

While the trigger clock CPT is at the "L" level, the transistor Tr1 is turned on, so that the boosting operation in the transformer T1 is not performed. Trigger clock CP
When T becomes the “H” level (t5 shown in FIG.
Point), the transistor Tr1 is turned off, and the transformer T1 is turned off.
Is restarted. Thereby, the capacitor C
Recharging of 200 is started, and the output voltage V02 gradually increases.

Hereinafter, this operation is repeated, and the flash discharge tube 3
And the flash discharge tube 4 emit light alternately and at a predetermined cycle (generation cycle of the trigger clock CPT).

In this embodiment, in FIG. 1, the left circuit portion I is constructed in the power supply unit, and the right circuit portion II is constructed in the lamp unit. The power supply unit and the lamp unit are connected to each other via a cable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flash current does not flow through the cable connecting the power supply unit and the lamp unit, that is, a large current does not flow through the cable that crawls in the vehicle, and electromagnetic interference such as radio noise does not easily occur. It will be.

In this embodiment, when the siren operation switch 6 is turned on, the transistors Tr5 and Tr5 are turned off.
6 is turned on, and the transistors Tr6, R17, R
18. Current flows through the path of the capacitor C13. Thereby, the trigger clock CPT from IC2
Is shortened, and the light emission cycle of the flash discharge tubes 3 and 4 is shortened. That is, according to the present embodiment,
When the siren 5 rings, the cycle is earlier than when it is not ringing.
The flash discharge tubes 3 and 4 emit light alternately.

In this embodiment, the number of the flash discharge tubes is two. However, the number may be one or the number may be further increased. In this case as well, in the same manner as in the case of two, a flash energy storage capacitor is connected in parallel to each flash discharge tube, and the timing of applying a trigger voltage to the trigger electrode is controlled. In this case, the flash discharge tubes are made to emit light at a predetermined cycle, and in the case of a large number, the flash discharge tubes may be made to emit light sequentially and at a predetermined cycle.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a booster circuit for boosting an input voltage to an appropriate voltage value and storing it as flash energy in a capacitor, and applying a trigger voltage to a trigger electrode. A flash discharge tube that emits light by receiving the flash energy stored in the capacitor, a trigger control circuit that applies a trigger voltage to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge tube at a predetermined cycle, and a siren operation switch provided in the vehicle. And a light emission cycle changing circuit for changing the predetermined cycle, so that no mechanical parts such as a drive motor and a reflector are provided, and miniaturization and weight reduction can be promoted. It is difficult for a severe disconnection to occur, and the life is prolonged. Also, when the siren operation switch is turned on, the light emission cycle of the flash discharge tube changes in conjunction with this, and it is possible to notify the degree of an emergency by shortening the light emission cycle when the siren rings. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicular flash warning light according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a terminal configuration of an IC in a DC / DC converter of the vehicular flash warning light.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing operation waveforms of respective units in a process of increasing an output voltage V01.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing operation waveforms of respective units in a process of maintaining an output voltage V01 at a constant value.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a terminal configuration of an IC in a trigger control circuit of the vehicular flash warning light.

FIG. 6 is a time chart for explaining an operation in which trigger voltages VBT1 and VBT2 are generated alternately and in a predetermined cycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Power switch 3 Flash discharge tube (Xe tube) 4 Flash discharge tube (Xe tube) 100 DC / DC converter 200 Trigger control circuit 300 Light emission cycle switching circuit T1 Step-up transformer C100 Flash energy storage capacitor C200 Flash energy storage capacitor

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference table 58-501203 (JP, A) JP-A-53-94199 (JP, A) JP-A 62-103200 (JP, U) JP-A 54-115881 (JP) , U) Actually open 47-21572 (JP, U) Actually open 47-21571 (JP, U) Actually open 3-100308 (JP, U) Actually open 4-17410 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A booster circuit for boosting an input voltage to an appropriate voltage value and storing the same as flash energy in a capacitor, and a flash which emits light by receiving the flash energy stored in the capacitor when a trigger voltage is applied to a trigger electrode. A discharge tube; a trigger control circuit for applying a trigger voltage to the trigger electrode of the flash discharge tube at a predetermined cycle; and a light emission cycle changing circuit for changing the predetermined cycle in conjunction with a siren operation switch provided in the vehicle. A flash warning light for vehicles.