JP2008145260A - Disconnection detection alarm device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disconnection detection alarm device capable of properly detecting burning out of an LED in LED type winker lamp and tail lamp systems. <P>SOLUTION: The disconnection detection alarm device 100 is equipped with light emitting sections 1-3 for emitting rays of light by voltage application, voltage detection sections 10a-12a for detecting voltages applied to the light emitting sections, and current measuring sections 10b-12b for measuring the magnitudes of currents in the light emitting sections, and a controller 14. The controller is so configured as to determine that a disconnection of a light emitting section occurs, if the difference between the magnitude of a current in a light emitting section measured by a current measuring section and a reference magnitude set beforehand is not smaller than a determination value set beforehand, when voltage application to the light emitting section is detected by a voltage detection section, and change the setting for the magnitude of the reference to the magnitude of the current to be measured if the difference is smaller than the determination value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a disconnection detection alarm device that detects a disconnection in a lamp and wiring connected to the lamp and issues an alarm, and more particularly to a disconnection detection alarm device suitable for a configuration in which the lamp is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes.

  Conventionally, in order to ensure the visibility and safety when driving a vehicle, in addition to the headlamp, stop lamp, and back lamp, a pair of left and right blinker lamps are arranged in front and rear of the vehicle. In addition, a pair of left and right tail lamps are disposed at the rear of the vehicle.

  The blinker lamp and the tail lamp are usually provided with a light bulb in which a filament made of tungsten is provided inside a glass bulb filled with an inert gas. By the way, in this electric bulb, the blackening phenomenon in which tungsten adheres to the inner surface of the glass sphere occurs due to the evaporation of tungsten constituting the filament during light emission. Further, in this light bulb, after the luminance is reduced due to the blackening phenomenon, the filament is eventually broken. Here, when such a problem occurs, it is impossible to blink the blinker lamp or turn on the tail lamp, and thus it is impossible to reliably ensure the visibility and safety when the vehicle is operated. In view of this, a configuration for detecting the breakage of the filament provided in the light bulb is disclosed in order to replace the light bulb when the breakage of the filament occurs.

  For example, in a vehicle that includes a back lamp and a current detection circuit that detects a current supplied to the back lamp as a configuration for detecting the disconnection of the filament, a current supply stop is detected by the current detection circuit, and the light bulb of the back lamp is detected. The structure which detects the disconnection of the filament provided in is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  Further, in a vehicle including a stop lamp and a driver having a detecting means for detecting a load current and a means for supplying current to the stop lamp, a decrease in the load current is detected by the detecting means of the driver, and is provided in the light bulb of the stop lamp. The structure by which the disconnection of the filament which was detected is detected is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 2).

  Hereinafter, the principle for detecting the disconnection common to both Patent Documents 1 and 2 will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the bulb-type lamp has only one bulb.

  Fig.6 (a) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the concept for detecting the disconnection of a filament in a light bulb type lamp. In FIG. 6A, the horizontal axis indicates the current value detected by the predetermined current detection means, and the vertical axis indicates the detection frequency of the current value detected by the predetermined current detection means. In FIG. 6A, a curve a represents a distribution of current values detected by a predetermined current detecting means, and a straight line b represents a threshold value for detecting a filament breakage.

  As shown by the curve a in FIG. 6A, the current value of the current flowing through the light bulb is usually affected by the outside air temperature and self-heating, and the maximum current from the minimum current value Imin with the average current value Ityp as the center. It changes in the range up to the value Imax. For example, in a general light bulb with a power consumption of about 24 W in a vehicle equipped with a 24V battery, the average current value Ityp is about 1 A (about 1000 mA). In this general light bulb, the average current value Ityp changes in the range from the minimum current value Imin = 950 mA to the maximum current value Imax = 1050 mA.

  Now, when the filament of such a light bulb is broken, the electron movement path is completely cut off, so that the current value detected by the predetermined current detecting means is 0 mA. In this case, the difference between the current value when the filament of the bulb is not broken and the current value when the filament of the bulb is broken is, for example, at least about 950 mA. Therefore, in the prior art, in order to detect the disconnection of the filament provided in the light bulb, the threshold Is, which is a current value less than the minimum current value Imin, is arbitrarily set. And when the electric current value detected by the predetermined electric current detection means becomes below threshold value Is, it determines with the filament of the light bulb having been disconnected. Here, in the prior art, in order to appropriately detect the breakage of the filament provided in the light bulb, the threshold value Is is set to be a current value (Is << Imin) sufficiently separated from the minimum current value Imin. For example, in the prior art, the threshold Is is set to 500 mA with respect to the minimum current value Imin = 950 mA in order to appropriately detect the breakage of the filament provided in the light bulb. Thereby, even when the current value of the current flowing through the bulb changes in the range from the minimum current value Imin to the maximum current value Imax due to the influence of the outside air temperature or self-heating, the threshold Is is set from the minimum current value Imin. Since it is sufficiently far away, it becomes possible to properly detect the breakage of the filament.

As described above, in the prior art, the visibility and safety when the vehicle is operated are appropriately detected by detecting the breakage of the filament based on the comparison between the appropriately determined threshold value Is and the current value of the current flowing through the light bulb. To ensure.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-319171 (see FIG. 1 in particular) JP 09-150669 A

  However, although the above-described conventional technology is suitable for a light bulb type lamp, it may not be suitable for an LED type lamp composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as “LEDs”).

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a concept for detecting the breakage of the LED bulb in the LED lamp. In FIG. 6B, the horizontal axis represents the current value detected by the predetermined current detection means, and the vertical axis represents the detection frequency of the current value detected by the predetermined current detection means. In FIG. 6B, a curve a indicates a distribution of current values detected by a predetermined current detecting means, and a straight line b indicates a threshold value for detecting the breakage of a single LED.

  In an LED type blinker lamp and a tail lamp disposed in a vehicle, a plurality of LEDs are usually provided in order to make the luminance thereof equivalent to that of a light bulb type blinker lamp or the like.

  In such an LED-type lamp, as indicated by a curve a in FIG. 6B, the current value of the current flowing through the LED group is affected by the outside air temperature and self-heating, and the minimum is centered on the average current value Ityp. It changes in the range from the current value Imin to the maximum current value Imax. For example, in a general LED type lamp, the average current value Ityp is about 100 mA, the minimum current value Imin is about 80 mA, and the maximum current value Imax is about 120 mA.

  Now, when the current value of the current flowing through the LED group is about 100 mA, if one LED is disconnected, the current value of the current flowing through one LED is about 10 mA, so the current detected by the predetermined current detection means The value is about 90 mA. Therefore, based on the prior art, the threshold value Is may be set to 90 mA in order to detect the breakage of a single LED. However, as described above, the current value of the current flowing through the LED lamp varies in the range from about 80 mA to about 120 mA. Therefore, when the current value of the current flowing through the LED lamp is equal to or less than the threshold value Is (the current value detected by the predetermined current detecting means becomes the current value within the range of the region R shown in FIG. 6B). In some cases, it is erroneously detected that the LED is out of sphere even though the LED is actually normal.

  On the other hand, when the current value of the current flowing through the LED lamp exceeds the threshold value Is, it may not be possible to properly detect the LED ball breakage even though the LED ball breakage actually occurs. is there. For example, when the current value of the current flowing through a normal LED lamp is 120 mA, the current value detected by the predetermined current detection means is 110 mA even if one LED is out of sphere. In this case, since the detected current value exceeds the threshold value Is, it is not possible to properly detect the breakage of the LED.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and does not miss an LED ball breakage, and performs an alarm only when an LED ball breakage occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a disconnection detection alarm device capable of being detected.

  The inventors of the present application have completed the present invention, paying attention to the fact that the change in the current value due to the influence of the outside air temperature and self-heating is relatively gradual.

  That is, in order to solve the above-described problem, a disconnection detection alarm device according to the present invention includes a light emitting unit that emits light when a voltage is applied thereto, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage applied to the light emitting unit, and the light emitting unit. A current measurement unit that measures the magnitude of the current in the control unit, and a control unit, and when the control unit detects that a voltage is applied to the light emitting unit by the voltage detection unit, the current measurement unit If the difference between the measured current magnitude in the light emitting unit and a preset reference magnitude is greater than or equal to a preset determination value, it is determined that a break has occurred in the light emitting unit, and the difference is When it is less than the determination value, the reference magnitude is set to the measured current magnitude.

  With this configuration, disconnection in the light emitting unit is detected based on the difference between the magnitude of the current measured by the current measuring unit and a preset reference size, so that the occurrence of disconnection in the light emitting unit can be accurately detected without error. It becomes possible to do.

  Also, with this configuration, when the difference between the magnitude of the current measured by the current measuring unit and the preset reference magnitude is not an abnormal value, the reference magnitude is updated sequentially, so that self-heating, etc. It is possible to reliably eliminate adverse effects.

  In this case, when the difference is not less than the lower limit value considering the limit number of setting changes and not more than the considered upper limit value, the control unit sets the reference magnitude to the magnitude of the measured current. It is configured to change the setting.

  With such a configuration, the difference between the magnitude of the current measured by the current measuring unit and the preset reference magnitude is equal to or greater than the lower limit value considering the limit number of setting changes and equal to or less than the upper limit value considering the limit. Only in this case, the reference magnitude is changed to the magnitude of the current to be measured, so that the number of memory rewrites can be reduced, and thus the memory can be used for a long period of time.

  In the above case, the apparatus further includes a voltage measuring unit that measures a voltage applied to the light emitting unit, and the control unit is configured to measure the voltage based on the voltage applied to the light emitting unit measured by the voltage measuring unit. It is comprised so that the magnitude | size of the electric current to be converted may be converted.

  With such a configuration, since the magnitude of the current measured based on the voltage applied to the light emitting unit is appropriately converted, even if the voltage applied to the light emitting unit changes, the abnormality of the light emitting unit is appropriately Can be detected.

  In the above case, a temperature measuring unit for measuring the outside air temperature is further provided, and the control unit converts the magnitude of the measured current based on the outside temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit. It is configured.

  With such a configuration, since the magnitude of the current measured based on the outside temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit is appropriately converted, even if the temperature of the place where the light emitting unit is placed changes, Abnormalities can be detected appropriately.

  Further, in the above case, an alarm unit for performing an alarm is further provided, and the control unit determines that a break has occurred in the light emitting unit based on a difference between the magnitude of the measured current and the magnitude of the reference. In some cases, the alarm unit is activated.

  With this configuration, when the control unit detects an abnormality of the light emitting unit, the alarm unit is activated, so that the driver of the vehicle can easily know the abnormality of the light emitting unit.

  According to the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately detect an abnormality of an LED-type blinker lamp or tail lamp that does not miss an LED ball breakage and issues an alarm only when the LED ball breakage occurs. It is possible to provide a possible disconnection detection alarm device.

  A technical feature of the present invention is the operation of the disconnection detection alarm device. Therefore, in the following description, the description regarding operation | movement of components other than a disconnection detection alarm apparatus is abbreviate | omitted.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / flashing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and the connection form between various lamps will be described.

  Fig.1 (a) is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the disconnection detection alarm apparatus and lighting / flashing apparatus which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the connection form with various lamps. In FIG. 1A, only the components necessary for explaining the present invention are shown, and the other components are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the disconnection detection alarm device 100 according to the present embodiment detects a voltage applied to a right turn signal lamp 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “right turn signal 1”) and a current flowing therethrough. A voltage sensor 10a and a current sensor 10b, a voltage sensor 11a and a current sensor 11b for detecting a voltage applied to the tail lamp 2 and a current flowing therethrough, and a left turn signal lamp 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as “left turn signal 3”). And a voltage sensor 12a and a current sensor 12b for detecting a current applied to the voltage and a current flowing therethrough, respectively.

  Here, the voltage sensor 10a includes a detecting means 101a for detecting whether or not a voltage is applied to the right winker 1, and a measuring means 101b for measuring the voltage applied to the right winker 1. I have. Further, the voltage sensor 11a includes a detecting means 111a for detecting whether or not a voltage is applied to the tail lamp 2, and a measuring means 111b for measuring the voltage applied to the tail lamp 2. . Further, the voltage sensor 12a includes a detecting means 121a for detecting whether or not a voltage is applied to the left turn signal 3 and a measuring means 121b for measuring the voltage applied to the left turn signal 3. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the disconnection detection alarm device 100 according to the present embodiment includes an output unit 13, a controller 14, and a memory 15.

  The controller 14 outputs a control signal to the output unit 13 based on the output signals of the voltage sensors 10a, 11a, and 12a, the output signals of the current sensors 10b, 11b, and 12b, and the data stored in the memory 15. . The output unit 13 turns on the alarm lamp 4 based on the control signal output from the controller 14. In addition, about characteristic operation | movement of the disconnection detection alarm apparatus 100 which concerns on this Embodiment provided with these voltage sensors 10a, 11a, 12a, current sensor 10b, 11b, 12b, the output unit 13, the controller 14, and memory 15. This will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1A, the lighting / flashing device 200 according to the present embodiment applies a turn signal relay 20 a for applying an intermittent voltage to the left turn signal 3 and an intermittent voltage to the right turn signal 1. The winker relay 20b for performing the operation, the operation unit 21 for operating the voltage application to the winker relays 20a and 20b and the tail lamp 2, and the battery 22 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the output terminal of the winker relay 20a, the input terminal of the voltage sensor 12a, and the anode of the left winker 3 are electrically connected. Here, the cathode of the left turn signal 3 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the current sensor 12b. Further, the output terminal of the winker relay 20b, the input terminal of the voltage sensor 10a, and the anode of the right winker 1 are electrically connected. Here, the cathode of the right turn signal 1 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the current sensor 10b. Further, the output terminal of the output unit 13 and the anode of the alarm lamp 4 are electrically connected. The ground patterns of the disconnection detection alarm device 100 and the lighting / flashing device 200 are electrically connected to a vehicle chassis. The cathode of the alarm lamp 4 is electrically connected to the vehicle chassis.

  FIG.1 (b) is a circuit diagram which shows typically the internal structure of the tail lamp which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the tail lamp 2 according to the present embodiment includes LEDs 2a to LED 21. These LEDs 2 a to LED 21 are electrically connected in parallel in the tail lamp 2. The anodes of the LEDs 2a to LED2l are electrically connected to the output terminal of the operation unit 21 of the lighting / flashing device 200, and the cathodes of the LEDs 2a to LED2l are electrically connected to the input terminal of the current sensor 11b. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the current consumption of each of the LEDs 2a to 2l is 10 mA.

  Next, a characteristic basic operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, a characteristic operation for detecting a broken LED bulb in the tail lamp will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the output voltage value of the battery 22 is always 28V and the outside air temperature is always 20 ° C.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically showing the most basic operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Note that FIG. 2 schematically shows a single flow related to a characteristic operation for detecting a break in the LED bulb in the tail lamp.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, whether or not the operation unit 21 of the lighting / flashing device 200 is operated by the driver of the vehicle so that the tail lamp 2 is lit is detected by the voltage sensor 11a. The determination is made based on the detected voltage value Vd detected by 111a (step S1). If it is determined in step S1 that the operation unit 21 of the lighting / flashing device 200 is not operated so that the tail lamp 2 is lit (NO in step S1), the tail lamp 2 by the detection means 111a of the voltage sensor 11a is determined. The detection of the applied voltage is continuously performed.

  When it is determined in step S1 that the operation unit 21 of the lighting / flashing device 200 is operated so that the tail lamp 2 is turned on (YES in step S1), the current flowing through the tail lamp 2 is detected by the current sensor 11b. For example, the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b and the reference current value Is preset in the memory 15 of the disconnection detection alarm device 100 (this reference current value Is has an outside air temperature of 20 ° C., In addition, it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference from the standard current value of the current flowing through the tail lamp 2 when the output voltage value of the battery 22 is 28 V is equal to or greater than a determination value (for example, 9 mA). (Step S2).

  In step S2, if the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is equal to or greater than the determination value (YES in step S2), at least one of the LEDs 2a to LED2l constituting the tail lamp 2 is selected. It is determined that one LED has run out, and the controller 14 outputs a predetermined control signal to the output unit 13 so that the alarm lamp 4 is turned on. As a result, the alarm lamp 4 is turned on (step S3a).

  On the other hand, when the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is less than the determination value in step S2 (NO in step S2), the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is calculated. It is determined whether or not the absolute value is 0 mA (step S3b).

  If it is determined in step S3b that the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is not 0 mA (YES in step S3b), the current value of the current flowing through the tail lamp 2 is self- The reference current value Is used in step S2 is updated (step S4) by determining that it is simply shifted due to the influence of heat generation or the like. Specifically, the reference current value Is is updated so that the reference current value Is is replaced with the current detection current value Id and set as a new reference current value Is. In step S3b, when the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is 0 mA (NO in step S3b), the reference current value Is used in step S2 is not updated.

  A characteristic operation for detecting the LED bulb breakage in the tail lamp 2 is as follows. In a period when it is determined that the operation unit 21 of the lighting / flashing device 200 is operated so that the tail lamp 2 is lit by the driver of the vehicle. It is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the detected current value Id changes from the reference current value Is by a determination value or more, it is determined that at least one of the LEDs 2a to 2l constituting the tail lamp 2 is out of bulb. Then, the alarm lamp 4 is turned on. On the other hand, when the change of the detected current value Id with respect to the reference current value Is is less than the determination value, the reference current value Is is updated to be replaced with the current detected current value Id as needed. Then, based on how much the newly detected current value Id is changed with respect to the updated new reference current value Is, it is continuously determined whether or not the LED of the tail lamp 2 is broken.

  With this configuration, the reference current value Is is updated as needed in consideration of the influence of self-heating, and the detected current value Id is relatively compared with the reference current value Is updated as needed. It is possible to reliably prevent the alarm lamp from being turned on accidentally when the state is normal. In addition, even when only one LED 2a is broken in the tail lamp 2, it is possible to reliably detect that one LED 2a is broken. Of course, even when the two LEDs 2a to 2b or the three LEDs 2a to LED2c constituting the tail lamp 2 are out of sphere, or when all the LEDs 2a to LED2l are out of sphere, the occurrence of the out of sphere is ensured. It is possible to detect.

  In the present embodiment, the form in which the tail lamp 2 is composed of LEDs has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the present invention can be applied to a lamp in which a plurality of small light bulbs having a current consumption equivalent to that of an LED are provided.

  Moreover, although this Embodiment demonstrated the form which detects the ball break of at least 1 LED of LED2a-LED2l which comprises the tail lamp 2, it is not limited to such a form. For example, it is also possible to detect whether or not a break has occurred in each of the wires connected to the LEDs 2a to 21l of the tail lamp 2.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the mode of updating the reference current value Is when the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is not 0 mA has been described. However, the present embodiment is limited to such a mode. There is nothing. For example, in consideration of the limit (limit number of times) of rewriting of the memory 15, the reference current value Is is updated only when the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is 1 mA to 8 mA. It is good. Alternatively, the reference current value Is may be updated only when the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is 2 mA to 7 mA in consideration of the limitation on the number of rewrites of the memory 15. . That is, only when the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is greater than or equal to the lower limit value considering the limit number of setting changes of the reference current value Is and less than or equal to the upper limit value considering that. The reference current value Is may be updated.

  Furthermore, although the tail lamp 2 has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to the right turn signal 1 and the left turn signal 3. With such a configuration, it is possible to further ensure the visibility and safety when the vehicle is operated.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / flashing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the connection mode between the various lamps are the same as the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / flashing device and the various lamps shown in the first embodiment. It is the same as the connection form. Therefore, in the following description, description of the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / flashing device and the connection form of various lamps is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the disconnection detection alarm device according to the present embodiment operates in such a manner that the detected current value detected by the current sensor 11b is detected according to the detected voltage value detected by the measuring means 111b of the voltage sensor 11a. It differs from the operation of the disconnection detection alarm device shown in the first embodiment only in that it is appropriately converted (corrected).

  Specifically, the output voltage value of the battery 22 actually varies somewhat due to the influence of the outside air temperature. The output voltage value of the battery 22 is actually a relatively high voltage value (for example, 28V) when the vehicle is operated, but is relatively low when the vehicle is not operated. It is a voltage value (for example, 24V). Furthermore, the output voltage value of the battery 22 decreases according to the deterioration of the performance of the battery 22. In these cases, the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b greatly changes according to the change in the output voltage value of the battery 22. Therefore, in these cases, it is necessary to appropriately convert the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the detected voltage value Vd detected by the measuring means 111b of the voltage sensor 11a is a predetermined voltage value (for example, the reference current value Is described in the first embodiment). (NO in step S2), the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b is converted to a detected current value Id when a predetermined voltage is applied (step S3a). Conversion of the detected current value Id is appropriately performed based on a conversion formula that is obtained in advance by experiments and stored in the memory 15.

  Then, the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id converted in step S3a and the reference current value Is preset in the memory 15 of the disconnection detection alarm device 100 is calculated, and the calculated absolute value is a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to a determination value (step S3b).

  Thereafter, when the absolute value of the difference between the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is equal to or larger than the determination value (YES in step S3b), the controller 14 turns on the alarm lamp 4 toward the output unit 13. A control signal is output so as to make it happen (step S4a).

  On the other hand, if the absolute value of the difference between the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is less than the determination value (NO in step S3b), the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is It is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference is 0 mA (step S4b). When the absolute value of the difference between the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is not 0 mA (YES in step S4b), the reference current value Is used in step S3b is the same as in the first embodiment. Similarly, it is updated (step S5).

  With this configuration, even when the output voltage value of the battery 22 changes, the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b is appropriately converted according to the change in the output voltage value. It is possible to appropriately determine the presence or absence of the LED bulb in 2.

  Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / flashing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention and the connection form of various lamps are the same as the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / flashing device shown in Embodiment 1 and the various lamps. It is basically the same as the connection form. However, the present embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment only in that a temperature sensor is further provided, and the input terminal of the controller of the disconnection detection alarm device and the output terminal of the temperature sensor are electrically connected. ing.

  FIG. 4A is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / blinking device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention and the connection form with various lamps. In FIG. 4A, only the components necessary for explaining the present invention are shown, and the other components are not shown.

  FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the tail lamp according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown to Fig.4 (a), in this Embodiment, the temperature sensor 5 is further provided and the input terminal of the controller 14 of the disconnection detection alarm apparatus 100 and the output terminal of the temperature sensor 5 are electrically connected. . Here, the temperature sensor 5 detects the outside air temperature where the vehicle is driven or parked. The temperature sensor 5 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the outside air temperature toward the input terminal of the controller 14. As the temperature sensor 5, a general temperature detecting means such as a thermistor is used. As shown in FIG. 4B, the internal configuration of the tail lamp according to the present embodiment is the same as the internal configuration of the tail lamp according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the disconnection detection alarm device according to the present embodiment operates in such a manner that the detected current value detected by the current sensor 11 b is detected according to the detected voltage value detected by the measuring means 111 b of the voltage sensor 11 a. In addition to the appropriate conversion point, the detection current value detected by the current sensor 11b according to the outside air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5 is further converted, so that the disconnection detection alarm device of the first embodiment can be converted. It is different from the operation.

  More specifically, the outside air temperature at the place where the vehicle is driven or parked actually varies greatly depending on the latitude of the place. For example, in the area directly below the equator, the outside air temperature where the vehicle is driven or parked is relatively high, while in other areas it is relatively low. In addition, the outside air temperature where the vehicle is driven or parked actually varies greatly depending on the season. In this case, the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b varies greatly depending on the outside air temperature where the vehicle is driven or parked. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to appropriately convert the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b according to the outside air temperature.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the outside air temperature Td detected by the temperature sensor 5 is a predetermined temperature (for example, 20 ° C. corresponding to the reference current value Is described in the first embodiment). If not (NO in step S3b), the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b is further converted into a detected current value Id at a predetermined temperature (step S4a).

  Then, the absolute value of the difference between the detected current value Id converted in step S4a and the reference current value Is preset in the memory 15 of the disconnection detection alarm device 100 is calculated, and the calculated absolute value is a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to a determination value (step S4b).

  Thereafter, when the absolute value of the difference between the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is equal to or larger than the determination value (YES in step S4b), the controller 14 turns on the alarm lamp 4 toward the output unit 13. A control signal is output so as to make it happen (step S5a).

  On the other hand, when the absolute value of the difference between the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is less than the determination value (NO in step S4b), the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is It is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference is 0 mA (step S5b). If the absolute value of the difference between the converted detected current value Id and the reference current value Is is not 0 mA (YES in step S5b), the reference current value Is used in step S4b is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. Similarly, it is updated (step S6).

  By adopting such a configuration, even when the outside air temperature Td of the place where the vehicle is driven or parked changes, the detected current value Id detected by the current sensor 11b according to the change in the outside air temperature Td is appropriately set. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the LED of the tail lamp 2 is broken.

  Other points are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately detect the breakage of the LED in the LED type blinker lamp or the tail lamp which does not miss the breakage of the LED and issues an alarm only when the breakage of the LED occurs. It becomes possible to provide a detection alarm device. As a result, it is possible to quickly repair the turn-off of the turn signal lamp and the tail lamp, so that it is possible to reliably ensure the visibility and safety when the vehicle is operated.

  The disconnection detection alarm device according to the present invention provides an alarm only when an LED bulb breakage is not overlooked and can detect an abnormality of an LED type blinker lamp or tail lamp. As an alarm device, it has sufficient industrial applicability.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / blinking device according to the first embodiment and the connection form with various lamps. FIG. 1B is a circuit diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the tail lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically showing the most basic operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4A is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the disconnection detection alarm device and the lighting / blinking device according to the third embodiment and the connection form with various lamps. FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the tail lamp according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the disconnection detection alarm device according to the third embodiment. Fig.6 (a) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the concept for detecting the disconnection of a filament in a light bulb type lamp. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a concept for detecting the breakage of the LED bulb in the LED lamp.

Explanation of symbols

1 Right turn signal 2 Tail lamp 2a ~ 2l LED
3 left turn signal 4 alarm lamp 5 temperature sensor 10a, 11a, 12a voltage sensor 10b, 11b, 12b current sensor 13 output unit 14 controller 15 memory 20a, 20b turn signal relay 21 operation unit 22 battery 101a, 111a, 121a detection means 101b, 111b, 121b Measuring means 100 Disconnection detection alarm device 200 Lighting / flashing device

Claims (5)

A light emitting unit that emits light when a voltage is applied;
A voltage detection unit for detecting a voltage applied to the light emitting unit;
A current measuring unit for measuring the magnitude of the current in the light emitting unit;
A control unit,
When the control unit detects that a voltage is applied to the light emitting unit by the voltage detection unit, a current magnitude in the light emitting unit measured by the current measuring unit and a preset reference magnitude are determined. When the difference is greater than or equal to a preset determination value, it is determined that a break has occurred in the light emitting unit, and when the difference is less than the determination value, the reference magnitude is set to the measured current. A disconnection detection alarm device configured to be changed in size.   The control unit sets the reference magnitude to the measured current magnitude when the difference is not less than a lower limit value considering the limit number of the setting changes and not more than the considered upper limit value. The disconnection detection alarm device according to claim 1, which is configured to be changed. A voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage applied to the light emitting unit;
The disconnection detection alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to convert a magnitude of the measured current based on a voltage applied to the light emitting unit measured by the voltage measuring unit. . A temperature measuring unit for measuring the outside air temperature;
The disconnection detection alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to convert the magnitude of the measured current based on an outside air temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit. It further includes an alarm unit for performing an alarm,
The control unit is configured to activate the alarm unit when it is determined that a break has occurred in the light-emitting unit based on a difference between the magnitude of the measured current and the reference size. The disconnection detection alarm device according to 1.

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