JP2007246017A - Method and device for detecting condition of vehicular lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve detection accuracy when detecting disconnection (blowout) and recovery from disconnection of a turn signal lamp of a vehicle as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: A detection value of the lamp driving current in disconnection detecting timing when influence of unevenness of the electrifying current between lamps becomes sufficiently small near termination of each of lighting period, in which flashing is performed at normal speed in usual, is compared with a disconnection threshold value. Since the detection value of the lamp driving current in the disconnection detecting timing becomes smaller than the disconnection threshold value, disconnection of each of turn signal lamps 2a - 2c (3a - 3c) is accurately detected. When flashing speed becomes higher than the normal speed with detection of disconnection, a detection value of the lamp driving current in a recovery detecting timing set near a termination of each of the lighting period, in which flashing is performed at high speed, is compared with a recovery threshold value larger than the disconnection threshold value, and since the detection value of the lamp driving current in the recovery detecting timing becomes larger than the recovery threshold value, recovery from disconnection is accurately detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp state detection method and a lamp state detection device for detecting disconnection (out of a ball) and return of disconnection of a turn signal lamp.

  Conventionally, a vehicle (automobile) is provided with a plurality of left and right turn signal lamps. These turn signal lamps are usually formed of so-called light bulbs (incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, etc.). When the direction indicator lever is turned to the left, the lamp drive currents intermittently supplied to the left lamps are fed in parallel to the left. When each lamp blinks and the direction indicating lever is rotated to the right, the lamp driving current that is intermittently supplied to each right lamp is supplied in parallel, and each right lamp blinks.

  By the way, the turn signal lamps of the light bulbs are disconnected (bulb) due to deterioration over time.

  Then, if a break occurs in either of the blinking left or right turn signal lamps, the lamp driving current supplied in parallel to each turn signal lamp is reduced accordingly. It has been proposed to detect the disconnection since the lamp driving current in each lighting period decreases below the threshold value (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, it is also proposed that when the disconnection of the turn signal lamp is detected, the interruption of the lamp drive current is increased to increase the blinking speed of the remaining turn signal lamps, and the disconnection (out of the ball) is notified (for example, patent) Reference 2).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-116683 (Abstract, [0002], FIG. 6 etc.) JP-A-6-130112 ([0002], [0021], FIG. 1 etc.)

  When each turn signal lamp is a light bulb, the lamp driving current (total amount) fed in parallel to each turn signal lamp during each lighting period (energization period) is, for example, as indicated by solid lines α and β in FIG. Gradually decreases.

  Note that a solid line α indicates a current change at a normal time (non-disconnection), and a solid line β indicates a current change at a disconnection (ball break). In FIG. 7, T1 is a normal lighting period, and T2 (T1> T2) is a disconnection lighting period. The lighting periods T1 and T2 are specifically a time of several hundred milliseconds, for example, T2 = T1 / 2. Further, the off periods between the lighting periods T1 and T2 are often set to the same time as the lighting periods T1 and T2.

  Therefore, when the disconnection (out of the bulb) is detected because the lamp driving current during the lighting period T1 decreases below the set threshold value as in the conventional proposal, the change in the lamp driving current actually decreases. In consideration of the characteristics, it is necessary to compare the lamp driving current at a predetermined timing in the lighting period T1 with the threshold value.

  Further, based on the detection of disconnection, the lighting period T1 is changed to the lighting period T2 intermittently, and after the flashing speed of the remaining turn signal lamps is increased, it is detected that the disconnection is restored by lamp replacement or the like. In consideration of returning from the intermittent lighting period T2 to the intermittent lighting period T1, not only at the time of disconnection (when there is no disconnection) but also when there is a disconnection (when the ball is disconnected), the disconnection is detected when disconnection occurs. There is a need to.

  Then, in order to determine the disconnection not only at the time of disconnection but also at the time of disconnection, as shown in FIG. 7, the predetermined timing is set to the timing ta within the lighting period T2, and is used for disconnection detection and disconnection return detection. It is conceivable to set Ith to a current value smaller than the current value Iα (ta) at the timing ta of the solid line α and larger than the current value Iβ (ta) at the timing ta of the solid line β.

  In this way, if a disconnection (out of the bulb) occurs during the lighting period T1, the lamp driving current at the timing ta becomes smaller than the threshold value Ith. Therefore, the disconnection is detected and the lighting period T2 is interrupted. When the disconnection is restored during the intermittent period of the lighting period T2, the lamp driving current (total amount) at the timing ta becomes larger than the threshold value Ith. Therefore, the disconnection is detected and the intermittent period of the lighting period T1 is detected. Can be switched.

  However, the timing ta needs to be set within the lighting period T2 in which the time elapsed from the start of lighting is short.

  On the other hand, this type of turn signal lamp has a large variation in current between the lamps, as in a general light bulb, and the influence of the variation becomes larger as it approaches the start of lighting.

  For this reason, when the timing ta is set within the lighting period T2, especially when the lighting period T1 is intermittently interrupted, the presence or absence of the disconnection is determined at the timing when the influence of the variation in the lighting period T1 is large. In addition, since the threshold value Ith is commonly used for disconnection detection and disconnection return detection, there is a high possibility of erroneous detection of disconnection and there is a problem that the detection accuracy of disconnection is low.

  For disconnection recovery, the threshold value Ith is shared with disconnection detection and disconnection recovery detection, so it cannot be made too large. Like the disconnection detection, it is affected by variations in the current between lamps. Accuracy is lowered.

  Further, since the lamp driving current changes from moment to moment due to fluctuations in the battery voltage of the vehicle, when the disconnection and return from disconnection are detected by comparing the single detection value of the lamp driving current at the timing ta with the threshold value Ith, the battery The detection accuracy of disconnection and disconnection recovery also decreases due to the influence of voltage fluctuation.

  It is an object of the present invention to improve the detection accuracy of a disconnection (out of a ball) and return of a disconnection of a vehicle turn signal lamp as much as possible.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the vehicle lamp state detection method of the present invention is configured such that the turn signal lamps of a plurality of vehicles, which always flash at normal speed, are disconnected at the normal speed to disconnect each turn signal lamp. Detected from a decrease in lamp driving current fed in parallel to the lamp, and when the disconnection is detected, the lamp driving current is intermittently switched at a speed higher than the normal speed, and the blinking speed of each turn signal lamp changes from the normal speed to the high speed. In addition, a method for detecting a lamp state of a vehicle that detects a disconnection return from an increase in lamp driving current, wherein the detection value of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the normal speed flashing is normally set. And a current value smaller than the current value of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing when each of the turn signal lamps is not disconnected. The detection value of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing is smaller than the disconnection threshold, and the disconnection is detected, and the blinking speed is recorded by detecting the disconnection. When the speed is higher than the normal speed, the detection value of the lamp detection current at the return detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the high-speed flashing, and the turn signal lamp when both of the turn signal lamps are not disconnected. A return threshold value set to a current value that is smaller than the lamp drive current at the return detection timing and greater than the disconnection threshold value is compared, and the detected value of the lamp drive current at the return detection timing is greater than the return threshold value. Since it becomes large, the disconnection recovery is detected (claim 1).

  Further, the vehicle lamp state detection method of the present invention is characterized in that a detected value of the lamp driving current is obtained by detecting a lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing. 2) In this case, the detected value of the lamp driving current is obtained from the average value of the detection results of the lamp driving current a plurality of times.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp state detection method according to the present invention, a lamp driving current is detected a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, and the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value and the lamp at each time are detected. The detection value of the drive current is compared and the comparison results of the respective times coincide with each other, so that the disconnection or the disconnection return is detected (claim 4), and the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing respectively In addition, the lamp driving current is detected a plurality of times, the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value is compared with the detected value of the lamp driving current each time, and the comparison result of each time is subjected to majority processing to determine the disconnection or the It is also characterized by detecting disconnection recovery (claim 5).

  Next, the vehicle lamp state detection device according to the present invention is a lamp which is connected to the turn signal lamps in parallel by interrupting disconnection of the turn signal lamps at a plurality of locations that always flash at a normal speed at the normal speed. Detecting from a decrease in driving current, when the disconnection is detected, the lamp driving current is interrupted at a higher speed than the normal speed, and the blinking speed of each turn signal lamp changes from the normal speed to a higher speed. A lamp state detection device for a vehicle that detects disconnection recovery from an increase, and is normally supplied in parallel to each turn signal at a disconnection detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the normal speed flashing. When the blinking speed becomes higher than the normal speed due to the detection of the disconnection, the lighting period of the fast blinking is approaching the end. Current detection means for detecting a lamp driving current fed in parallel to each turn signal at a set return detection timing, and a lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing when each of the turn signal lamps is not disconnected. The disconnection threshold set to a current value smaller than the current value and the current value smaller than the lamp drive current at the return detection timing when each of the turn signal lamps is not disconnected and greater than the disconnection threshold The threshold value holding means for holding the set return threshold value and the detected value of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing are always compared with the disconnection threshold value to determine the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing. Since the detected value is smaller than the disconnection threshold, the disconnection is detected, and the blinking speed is recorded by detecting the disconnection. When the speed is higher than the predetermined speed, the detected value of the lamp driving current at the return detection timing is compared with the return threshold value, and the detected value of the lamp drive current at the return detection timing becomes larger than the return threshold value. Therefore, it is characterized by comprising comparison detection means for detecting the disconnection recovery (claim 6).

  Furthermore, in the lamp state detection apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention, the comparison detection unit detects the lamp drive current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing to obtain a detection value of the lamp drive current. (Claim 7), and at this time, the comparison detection means is provided with a function of obtaining a detection value of the lamp driving current based on an average value of a plurality of detection results of the lamp driving current. (Claim 8).

  In the vehicle lamp state detection apparatus of the present invention, the comparison detection unit detects a lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, and the disconnection threshold or the return threshold is detected. And the detection value of the lamp driving current at each time, and the comparison result at each time matches all, so that the disconnection or the return from the disconnection is detected (claim 9), and the comparison detection means However, each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing detects a lamp drive current a plurality of times, compares the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value with the detected value of the lamp drive current each time, and The comparison result is majority processed to detect the disconnection or the disconnection recovery (claim 10).

  Furthermore, the lamp state detection apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention includes at least the current detection means and the comparison detection means for each turn signal lamp supplied in parallel on the left side of the vehicle and each turn signal supplied in parallel on the right side of the vehicle. Each of the lamps is provided (claim 11).

  According to the first and sixth aspects of the invention, in order to detect the disconnection of each turn signal lamp, the disconnection detection timing is set near the end of each lighting period of the normal speed blinking, and each turn of the disconnection detection timing is set. A current value smaller than the current value of the lamp drive current when any of the signal lamps is not disconnected is set as a disconnection threshold value, and if any of the turn signal lamps is disconnected, each turn signal lamp is detected at the disconnection detection timing. The detected value of the lamp driving current fed in parallel to the current is smaller than the disconnection threshold value, and disconnection is detected.

  In this case, since the disconnection detection timing is close to the end of lighting after sufficient time has elapsed since the start of lighting in each lighting period, the influence of the variation in the current between the lamps of each turn signal lamp on the detected value of the lamp driving current is affected. The disconnection threshold value can be set sufficiently small.

  Therefore, the possibility of erroneous detection of disconnection is extremely reduced, and the detection accuracy of disconnection is improved.

  In addition, in order to detect disconnection return, a return detection timing is set near the end of each lighting period of blinking faster than the normal speed, and each turn signal lamp at this disconnection detection timing is a lamp in a non-disconnected state. A return threshold value is set that is smaller than the current value of the drive current and greater than the disconnection threshold value. The detection value of the lamp driving current fed in parallel to the signal lamp becomes larger than the return threshold value, and disconnection return is detected.

  In this case, the return detection timing is also set close to the end of each lighting period of the high-speed flashing so that the influence of the variation in the energization current between the lamps is minimized, and the return threshold is set higher than the disconnection threshold. It can be set large, and the detection accuracy of disconnection recovery is also improved.

  That is, the disconnection detection timing is different from the return detection timing, and both detection timings are set to timings at which the influence of variations in the current flowing between the lamps is minimized, respectively. Therefore, the detection accuracy of disconnection and disconnection return of each turn signal lamp can be improved as much as possible.

  Next, according to the second and seventh aspects of the invention, in order to obtain the detected value of the lamp driving current by detecting the lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, the lamp driving is performed by the battery voltage of the vehicle. Even when the current fluctuates from moment to moment, or when the current fluctuates instantaneously due to the influence of noise, the average value of the plurality of detections is used as the detection value of the lamp driving current. Further, it is possible to detect the disconnection and the disconnection recovery by eliminating the influence of the fluctuation, and the detection accuracy thereof is further improved.

  According to the third and eighth aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the average value of the plurality of detections is used as a detection value of the lamp driving current.

  According to the fourth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the disconnection or the disconnection recovery is further performed on the condition that a plurality of detection results of a plurality of times of the lamp driving current coincide with the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, respectively. It can be detected reliably.

  Furthermore, according to the fifth and tenth aspects of the present invention, the disconnection and the disconnection return can be detected by majority of the detection results of the lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing.

  Next, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect disconnection and disconnection return of each turn signal lamp on each of the left and right sides of the vehicle.

  Next, in order to describe the present invention in more detail, the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(One embodiment)
First, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a connection diagram of a lamp state detection device for a vehicle 1, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a blinking cycle at all times (when no disconnection) and disconnection, and FIG. 3 shows a disconnection threshold value Ith1 and a return threshold value Ith2 described later FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

(Constitution)
In FIG. 1, 2a, 2b and 2c are turn signal lamps connected in parallel on the left side of the vehicle 1, and 3a, 3b and 3c are turn signal lamps connected in parallel on the right side of the vehicle 1. Each of the lamps 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c is a light bulb, and is provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle 1 such as the front and rear. The ground end 2n of the parallel connection circuit of the left lamps 2a to 2c and the ground end 3n of the parallel connection circuit of the right lamps 3a to 3c are both grounded to the vehicle body.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a control ECU of the vehicle 1, and 5 denotes a control unit having a microcomputer configuration of the control ECU 4, and functions of blinking control of the left lamps 2 a to 2 c and the right lamps 3 a to 3 c based on the operation of the direction indicator lever, The function of detecting disconnection of the left lamps 2a to 2c and the right lamps 3a to 3c is provided.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a rewritable non-volatile memory connected to the control unit 5, and holds a set disconnection threshold value Ith1, a return threshold value Ith2, and the like.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a current driver provided in the control ECU 4. Based on the left and right blinking commands SL and SR of the control unit 5, the left and right power supply output terminals 7L and 7R are connected in parallel to the left lamps 2a to 2c. A direct-current lamp driving current is intermittently supplied to the positive end 2p of the circuit and the positive end 3p of the parallel connection circuit of the right lamps 3a to 3c.

  Reference numerals 8L and 8R denote current detectors. The current detector 8L converts the lamp driving current IL supplied in parallel to the lamps 2a to 2c from the power supply output terminal 7L into a voltage and detects the current, and the current detector 8R outputs the power supply output. The lamp driving current IR fed in parallel from the terminal 7R to the lamps 3a to 3c is converted into a voltage and detected.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes an A / D converter that converts the detection voltages of the lamp driving currents IL and IR of the current detector 9 into digital values DL and DR, respectively, and outputs the digital values DL and DR to the controller 5. A battery 10 of the vehicle 1 supplies power to various locations in the vehicle 1 such as the control ECU 4 and the lamps 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c.

  Next, the blinking control function and the disconnection detection function of the control unit 5 will be described.

  First, the function of the flashing control of the control unit 5 is that when the direction indicating lever is tilted to the left, the flashing drive command SL for each of the left lamps 2a to 2c is output to the current driver 7, and when the direction indicating lever is tilted to the right, This is a function for outputting a blinking drive command SR for each of the right lamps 3a to 3c to the current driver 7. Specifically, based on the contact signals of the left and right direction indicating contacts linked to the operation of the direction indicating lever, The blinking drive commands SL and SR are output.

  Then, the blinking drive commands SL and SR are always in a high-level lighting period T1 as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, when the lamps 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c are all disconnected and healthy. When the disconnection occurs in any of the lamps 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c, the left lamps in which the disconnection has occurred are the signals of the cycle 2 · T1 in which the low-level extinction period T1 appears alternately. The blinking drive command SL of 2a to 2c or the blinking drive command SR of the right lamps 3a to 3c is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a high level lighting period T2 (T2 <T1, Is a high-speed flashing signal with a cycle of 2 · T2 (<2 · T1) in which T2 = T1 / 2) and the low-level extinction period T2 appear alternately.

  Next, the disconnection detection function of the control unit 5 forms the current detection means and the comparison detection means of the present invention.

  The current detection means is normally supplied in parallel to the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c), for example, at the disconnection detection timing t1 of FIG. When the lamp driving current I (t1) is detected and the blinking speed becomes higher than the normal speed due to the detection of the disconnection, each lamp 2a is set at the return detection timing t2 set near the end of each lighting period T2 of the fast blinking. The lamp driving current I (t2) fed in parallel to ˜2c (or 3a to 3c) is detected.

  Further, the comparison detection means always detects the detection value I (t1) of the lamp driving current detected by the digital value DL (t1) (or DR (t1)) at the disconnection detection timing t1 and the disconnection threshold value Ith1 of FIG. Is detected, and the disconnection is detected when the detected value I (t1) of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing t1 becomes smaller than the disconnection threshold Ith1. Further, when the blinking speed becomes higher than the normal speed due to detection of disconnection, the detection value I (t2) of the lamp driving current at the return detection timing t2 is compared with the return threshold value Ith2 in FIG. When the detected value I (t2) of the lamp driving current at t2) becomes larger than the return threshold value Ith2, the disconnection return is detected.

  By the way, the disconnection threshold value Ith1 and the return threshold value Ith2 are rewritably set and held in the memory 6 as the threshold value holding means.

  As is apparent from FIG. 3, the disconnection threshold value Ith1 decreases along the solid line α in FIG. 3 when any of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) fed in parallel is disconnected. The solid line in FIG. 3 is set to a current value sufficiently smaller than the current value Iα (t1) of the lamp drive current disconnection detection timing t1 and one of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) is disconnected. The value is sufficiently larger than the current value Iβ (t1) that is expected by extending the lamp driving current that decreases along β to the disconnection detection timing t1. Here, “sufficiently large” means that it is larger than an error including variation and aging of each of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c), and the current value is in the region of the disconnection threshold Ith1. Since it is a stable area, it does not require a large margin.

  The return threshold value Ith2 is sufficiently larger than Iβ (t2), and the lamp driving current at the return detection timing t2 when any of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) fed in parallel is disconnected. Is sufficiently smaller than the current value Iα (t2).

  That is, the disconnection threshold value Ith1 is a current value sufficiently lower than the non-disconnected lamp drive current at the disconnection detection timing t1 when the lighting period T1 has passed since the start of lighting, and I (t1) <Ith1 is a condition for detecting disconnection. This reliably prevents erroneous detection of disconnection based on the influence of variations in current between lamps.

  Further, the return threshold value Ith2 is sufficiently larger than the lamp driving current Iβ (t2) during disconnection that decreases substantially along the solid line β at the return detection timing t2, and I (t2)> Ith2 is set as a condition for detection of return. Thus, erroneous detection of disconnection recovery based on the influence of variations in current between lamps and the like can be reliably prevented.

(Operation)
The control unit 5 executes the lamp state detection processing program shown in FIG. 4 each time the direction indicating lever is operated while the vehicle 1 with the engine key in the ON position is turned on.

  Then, when the direction indicating lever is operated to generate a left or right direction instruction, it is assumed that the state is initially in a healthy state without disconnection. For example, the blinking drive command SL (SR) in FIG. Are supplied to the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) from the power supply output terminal 7L (7R) of the current driver 7 in accordance with the blinking drive command SL (SR). 2c (or 3a to 3c) blinks in the cycle of the lighting period T1 and the extinguishing period T1.

  At this time, for example, when the lighting period T1 is detected from the level change of the blinking drive command SL (SR), the process proceeds from step S1 to step S2 in FIG. At first, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S3, and when the disconnection detection timing t1 is reached, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4, and the lamp driving current detected by the digital value DL (t1) (or DR (t1)) is detected. The detected value I (t1) is compared with the disconnection threshold value Ith1 of FIG. 3, and the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) that flash by being fed in parallel are analyzed based on the disconnection detection condition of I (t1) <Ith1. The disconnection is detected by determining the presence or absence of any disconnection.

  When any disconnection of each of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) is detected, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S5, and the blinking drive command SL (SR) in FIG. Switching to the high-speed flashing drive command SL (SR) of b), the subsequent flashing of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) is set to high speed.

  In addition, when the vehicle 1 is stopped and the power supply of the battery 10 is turned off, if the previous lamp state (the state of presence or absence of disconnection) is rewritten and held separately in the left and right in the memory 6, The first blinking state is determined by the lamp state.

  In addition, the result of the latest disconnection detection of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) that are flashed in parallel is supplied at least while the power supply of the battery 10 is continued due to rewriting of the lamp state of the memory 6, flag setting of disconnection, and the like. Is retained.

  Then, the process returns from step S4 or step S5 to step S1 via step S6, and the process is repeated from step S1 until the direction indicating lever is returned.

  Therefore, at any time (when the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) that are flashed by being fed in parallel are not disconnected), the normal speed is obtained by the loop process of step Si to step S6 every time the direction indicating lever is operated. Disconnection is detected during each lighting period T1 of each of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c) blinking at.

  On the other hand, after disconnection is detected and switching to high-speed flashing, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S7 through step S2 in each lighting period T2 of high-speed flashing.

  Then, at the return detection timing t2, the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8, and the detection value I (t2) of the lamp driving current detected as the digital value DL (t2) (or DR (t2)) and the return of FIG. The threshold value Ith2 is compared, and from the condition of disconnection return detection of I (t2)> Ith2, the presence or absence of disconnection return due to lamp replacement or the like is determined. When disconnection return is detected, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S9. The flashing drive command SL (SR) in FIG. 2B returns to the normal speed flashing drive command SL (SR) in FIG. 2B, and the subsequent flashing of the lamps 2a to 2c (or 3a to 3c). To normal speed.

  During disconnection, the process returns from step S8 to step S1, and when the disconnection is restored, the process returns from step S9 to step S1, and the process is repeated from step S1.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the disconnection threshold value Ith1 and the return threshold value Ith2 are set independently, the disconnection is detected from I (t1) <Ith1, and the disconnection is detected from I (t2)> Ith2. Since the return is detected, each is set to an optimum value, and it is possible to reliably prevent disconnection due to fluctuations in lamp drive current (such as variations in current between lamps) and erroneous detection of disconnection return.

  Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the disconnection and disconnection recovery of each of the lamps 2a to 2c that are fed in parallel on the left side of the vehicle 1 and each of the lamps 3a to 3c that are fed on the right side of the vehicle 1 in parallel.

(Other embodiments)
Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6.

  FIG. 5 is a relationship diagram of the battery voltage of the vehicle 1 and appropriate disconnection threshold value Ith1 and return threshold value Ith2, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of multiple times of lamp drive currents for disconnection and disconnection return.

  And the lamp drive current at the time of parallel electric power feeding to each lamp 2a-2c (or 3a-3c) changes according to the voltage fluctuation of the battery 10 of the vehicle 1, and an appropriate disconnection threshold value according to the voltage fluctuation of the battery 10 Ith1 and return threshold value Ith2 also change, for example, as indicated by solid lines itth1 and ith2 in FIG.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the comparison detection means of the control unit 5 obtains the detected value of the lamp driving current from the average value of the detection results of the lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing t1 and the return detection timing t2. The comparison detection means detects the lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing t1 and the return detection timing t2 as shown in FIG. 6, and detects the detected value I (t1) of the lamp driving current from the average value thereof. ), I (t2). In FIG. 6, t11, t12, and t13 indicate detection timings for three consecutive disconnection detections, and t21, t22, and t23 indicate three detection timings for continuous disconnection detection.

  The number of detections and detection intervals of the disconnection detection and disconnection return detection are appropriately set based on experiments and the like. Further, the average value is obtained by a calculation method selected based on experiments or the like from various average calculations such as a simple average or a weighted average corresponding to a deviation from the original timings t1 and t2. Further, instead of calculating the average value from the lamp driving current detected a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing t1 and the return detection timing t2, the lamp driving current is selected by selecting the maximum value or the minimum value among them. The detected values I (t1) and I (t2) may be obtained.

  On the other hand, the disconnection threshold value Ith1 and the return threshold value Ith2 read from the memory 6 may be set to fixed values that do not change with respect to the voltage fluctuation of the battery 9 in order to simplify the control. 5, for example, the characteristic data of the solid lines ith1 and ith2 in FIG. 5 are held in the memory 6, and the corresponding disconnection threshold value Ith1 and return threshold value Ith2 are set according to the voltage fluctuation of the battery 10. You may make it vary according to the voltage fluctuation of reading and the battery 10.

  Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, it is possible to detect the disconnection and return of disconnection of each of the lamps 2a to 2c (3a to 3c) by eliminating the influence of the voltage fluctuation of the battery 10, and the detection accuracy thereof is further improved. . Moreover, by taking the average of a plurality of detection results, noise superimposed on the battery voltage is removed, and the influence of the noise is eliminated, and the lamps 2a to 2c (3a to 3c) are more accurately disconnected and restored from disconnection. There is also an advantage that can be detected.

  By the way, the comparison detection means of the control unit 5 detects the lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing t1 and the return detection timing t2, and the set disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value and the lamp each time. The detection value of the drive current may be compared, and the disconnection and return from disconnection may be detected more reliably on condition that all the comparison results of each time match.

  Further, the comparison detection means of the control unit 5 detects the lamp drive current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing t1 and the return detection timing t2, and the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value and the lamp drive current at each time are detected. The detection value may be compared, and the comparison result of each time may be majority processed to detect disconnection or disconnection recovery.

  The present invention is not limited to both the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The number of turn signal lamps may be two or four or more, and the disconnection threshold value Ith1 and the return threshold value Ith2 may be appropriately set by experiments or the like. Of course, these may differ from the two embodiments.

  The present invention can be applied to detection of disconnection and return of disconnection of turn signal lamps of various vehicles.

It is a connection diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing of the blinking period at the time of the usual time (at the time of non-disconnection) of FIG. 1, and a disconnection. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a disconnection threshold value Ith1 and a return threshold value Ith2 in FIG. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of FIG. It is a characteristic view with respect to the battery voltage of the disconnection threshold value Ith1 and the return threshold value Ith2 of other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of multiple times detection of the lamp drive current of other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the disconnection of a prior art example, and disconnection return.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicles 2a to 2c, 3a to 3c Turn signal lamp 4 Control ECU
5 Control Unit 6 Memory 7 Current Driver 9 A / D Converter 10 Battery Ith1 Disconnection Threshold Ith2 Return Threshold

Claims (11)

The disconnection of the turn signal lamps at a plurality of locations that always flash at a normal speed is detected from a decrease in lamp driving current that is intermittently supplied at the normal speed and supplied in parallel to the turn signal lamps. A vehicle lamp state detection method for detecting a disconnection return from an increase in lamp drive current when a drive current is interrupted at a higher speed than the normal speed and a blinking speed of each turn signal lamp is changed from the normal speed to a higher speed. There,
Normally, the detection value of the lamp drive current at the disconnection detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the blinking of the normal speed, and the lamp drive current at the disconnection detection timing at which each of the turn signal lamps is not disconnected Compare with the disconnection threshold set to a small current value,
Since the detected value of the lamp drive current at the disconnection detection timing is smaller than the disconnection threshold, the disconnection is detected,
When the blinking speed becomes higher than the normal speed due to the detection of the disconnection, the detection value of the lamp driving current at the return detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the high-speed blinking, and each turn signal lamp Any of these is compared with a return threshold set to a current value that is smaller than the lamp drive current of the return detection timing of the non-breakage and greater than the breakage threshold,
A method of detecting a lamp state of a vehicle, wherein the disconnection recovery is detected because a detection value of the lamp driving current at the recovery detection timing is greater than the recovery threshold.   2. The vehicle lamp state detection method according to claim 1, wherein a detected value of the lamp driving current is obtained by detecting a lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing.   3. The method of detecting a lamp state of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the detected value of the lamp driving current is obtained from an average value of a plurality of detection results of the lamp driving current.   A lamp driving current is detected a plurality of times for each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value is compared with the detected value of the lamp drive current each time, and each time 2. The vehicle lamp state detection method according to claim 1, wherein the disconnection and the disconnection recovery are detected because all of the comparison results match.   A lamp driving current is detected a plurality of times for each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value is compared with the detected value of the lamp drive current each time, and each comparison is performed. 2. The vehicle lamp state detection method according to claim 1, wherein a majority of the results is processed to detect the disconnection or the disconnection recovery. The disconnection of the turn signal lamps at a plurality of locations that always flash at a normal speed is detected from a decrease in lamp driving current that is intermittently supplied at the normal speed and supplied in parallel to the turn signal lamps. A vehicle lamp state detection device that detects a disconnection return from an increase in lamp drive current when a drive current is interrupted at a higher speed than the normal speed and a blinking speed of each turn signal lamp changes from the normal speed to a higher speed. There,
Normally, the lamp drive current supplied in parallel to each turn signal is detected at the disconnection detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the flashing of the normal speed, and the flashing speed is higher than the normal speed by detecting the disconnection. Current detection means for detecting a lamp driving current that is fed in parallel to each turn signal at a return detection timing set near the end of each lighting period of the high-speed flashing when the high-speed flashing is achieved;
The disconnection threshold value set to a current value smaller than the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing at which each of the turn signal lamps is not disconnected, and the return detection timing at which each of the turn signal lamps is not disconnected Threshold holding means for holding a return threshold set at a current value smaller than the lamp driving current of the lamp and larger than the disconnection threshold;
Normally, the detected value of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing is compared with the disconnection threshold value, and the detected value of the lamp driving current at the disconnection detection timing is smaller than the disconnection threshold value, so that the disconnection is detected. When the blinking speed becomes higher than the normal speed due to the detection of the disconnection, the detection value of the lamp driving current at the return detection timing is compared with the return threshold value, and the lamp drive at the return detection timing is compared. A vehicle lamp state detection device comprising: comparison detection means for detecting the disconnection return because a detected current value is larger than the return threshold value.   7. The lamp state of the vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the comparison detection unit detects a lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing to obtain a detection value of the lamp driving current. Detection device.   8. The lamp state detecting device for a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the comparison detecting means is provided with a function of obtaining a detected value of the lamp driving current based on an average value of a plurality of detection results of the lamp driving current. .   The comparison detection unit detects a lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, and determines the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value and the detected value of the lamp drive current each time. The vehicle lamp state detection device according to claim 6, wherein the disconnection or the disconnection recovery is detected because all the comparison results of the respective times coincide with each other.   The comparison detection unit detects a lamp driving current a plurality of times at each of the disconnection detection timing and the return detection timing, and determines the disconnection threshold value or the return threshold value and the detected value of the lamp drive current each time. 7. The vehicle lamp state detection device according to claim 6, wherein the comparison is made and majority processing is performed for each comparison result to detect the disconnection or the disconnection recovery.   At least the current detection unit and the comparison detection unit are provided for each turn signal lamp that is fed in parallel on the left side of the vehicle and each turn signal lamp that is fed in parallel on the right side of the vehicle. Item 11. The vehicle lamp state detection device according to any one of Items 6 to 10.

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