JP2015209010A - Other lighting function built-in fog bulb - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to increase a daylight function without damaging exterior equipment and cutting an electrical wiring.SOLUTION: A fog bulb 2 is provided with a light source 21 for a fog lamp, and further, a light source 22 for a daylight, of which an outgoing optical axis is elected in a direction same as an optical path after an emission light from the light source 21 is reflected by a second reflector, between a first reflector and a projection lens. A lamp drive unit 3 alternatively supplies a drive power to the light source for the fog lamp or the light source for the daylight according to operations of a genuine fog switch 50 and an ACC switch 70. The unit 3 lights the light source for the daylight and lights-out the light source for the fog lamp when the ACC swith is switched on and the genuine fog switch is switched off. The unit 3 lights-out the light source for the daylight and lights the light source for the fog lamp when both of the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are switched off, and lights-out both light sources 21, 22 for the daylight and the fog lamp when both of the switches 70, 50 are switched off.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fog valve that integrally has a daylight function and other lighting functions as well as a basic function as a fog lamp.

In recent years, automobiles equipped with a “daytime running lamp” as a standard feature have been widely used in the automobile industry.
"Daytime running lamp" (hereinafter referred to as "daylight") is a forward-lighting device that is equipped to make the vehicle easier to see from the surroundings during daytime driving, and always lights up during daytime driving. It refers to the lamp that is being used.

The restrictions on the daylight installation position are as follows: (1) At least a part of the daylight body is installed within a range of 40 cm from the outermost side (horizontal direction) of the vehicle; (2) The vertical position of the edge (installation position in the height direction) is 25 cm or more above the ground.
In addition, regarding the installation position of the light, the condition that the daylight is installed below the center of the headlight is also imposed.
Furthermore, the lighting condition of the daylight is that the daylight is not turned on in conjunction with the genuine headlight and the genuine small light that are standard equipment on the car as a balance with other lighting equipment.

By installing the daylight, the visibility of the vehicle in the daytime as seen from the surroundings will be improved, leading to prevention of traffic accidents. Therefore, it is desirable that daylight be recognized by a wide range of users and installed in more automobiles.
However, in the old model of the day before the daylight was devised, the daylight was naturally not equipped, and even if it was recently released, the cost is reduced by reducing the equipment There are vehicles that are not equipped with daylights.

In order to improve the function of the daylight described above, various improvement techniques have been considered (for example, see Patent Document 1).
According to the technique of Patent Document 1, a light source (second LED) for daylight is provided in the main body of the fog lamp, and the fog lamp also serves as daylight.
Furthermore, although the 15th paragraph of the document 1 does not show a specific control method for switching lighting between the light source for fog lamp and the light source for daylight, the second LED described above is used when the fog lamp is used as daylight. Only light is emitted.

Japanese Patent No. 4969958

  There are not a few users who use automobiles who wish to equip daylights in order to improve visibility of vehicles seen from the surroundings during daytime driving and prevent traffic accidents. It is assumed.

However, if the daylight product currently on the market is to be retrofitted, it is necessary to cut a part of the vehicle exterior part to provide a notch so that the daylight can be mounted (inserted or the like).
Therefore, even a user who desires to wear daylights cannot deny the possibility that the psychological hurdle for daylight mounting has increased because he does not want to damage the exterior parts of the vehicle as a compensation.

Furthermore, depending on the product specifications of daylights distributed in the market, there are cases where it is necessary to cut the wiring of other electrical components when the light is mounted on a car, or complicated wiring is involved.
In view of the necessity of such complicated wiring work, it is considered that there is a factor that the potential needs for daylight cannot be fully discovered and the promotion of the spread of daylight is hindered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. For a vehicle that does not have a daylight function as a standard feature, the same function (daylight function) can be achieved without damaging the exterior parts of the vehicle or cutting the electrical wiring. ) Can be added.

[First invention]
Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the other lighting function integrated fog valve according to the first invention of the present application is:
Integrated with other lighting functions that selectively switch between the light source for fog light and the light source for daylight according to the operation of the genuine fog switch that is standard equipment on the car to control the lighting and extinguishing of the light source for fog lamp A fog valve,

A fog lamp light source; a first reflector that reflects light emitted from the fog lamp light source toward the rear of the vehicle; a second reflector that reflects light reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the vehicle; And a projection lens that condenses the reflected light from the reflector and transmits the light to the outside. In addition, the light emitted from the fog lamp light source is emitted in the same direction as the optical path after being reflected by the second reflector. A fog valve in which the light source for daylight with the light axis selected is disposed between the first reflector and the projection lens;
A unit that is wired to both a genuine relay connected to the genuine fog switch and an ACC (Accessory: accessory power supply) switch, and the fog lamp according to the switch operation of the driver with respect to the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch A lamp driving unit that alternatively supplies driving power for lighting to the light source for daylight or the light source for daylight,

The lamp driving unit is
When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch is off, the daylight light source is turned on and the fog lamp light source is turned off.
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are on, the daylight light source is turned off and the fog lamp light source is turned on,
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are off, both the daylight light source and the fog lamp light source are turned off.

According to the other lighting function-integrated fog bulb according to the first aspect of the invention, the daylight source is also provided inside the fog bulb having the fog lamp light source (see FIG. 3).
Then, remove the genuine fog valve 90 (see FIG. 12) and replace it with the other lighting function integrated fog valve of the present invention.
(1) When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch 50 (see FIG. 2) is off, the daylight light source is turned on and the fog lamp light source is turned off.
(2) When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch 50 are on, the daylight light source is turned off and the fog lamp light source is turned on.
Further, (3) when both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch 50 are off, both the daylight light source and the fog lamp light source are turned off.
Note that the selective switching lighting control between the daylight light source and the fog lamp light source is performed by the lamp driving unit 3 (see FIG. 1).

According to the other lighting function integrated type fog valve, the member of the fog valve 2 (see FIG. 3) can be attached to the vehicle after the genuine fog valve 90 (FIG. 12) screwed into the lamp socket is removed and then attached to the lamp socket. Only a simple detaching operation of screwing the fog valve 2 of the present invention is required.
Therefore, the vehicle can be equipped with a daylight function without damaging the exterior parts of the vehicle.

In addition, the lamp drive unit for controlling the lighting / extinguishing of the other lighting function integrated fog bulbs can be expanded by connecting the coupler C _{A of the} wire harness connected to the unit (see FIG. 1) to the coupler C _O of the vehicle side wiring (see FIG. 1). ) And desorption.
Therefore, the genuine fog switch 50 and the existing wiring (see Fig. 12) that are standard equipment in the car can be used directly, and the lamp can be used without cutting the wiring of other electrical components or making complicated connections. Mounting of the drive unit 3 (see FIG. 1) can be completed easily and in a short time.

In the vehicular lamp of Patent Document 1, the second LED (light source for daylight) is arranged on the back side of the shade (when viewed from the projection lens) when viewed from the projection lens.
Due to this positional relationship, the light emitted from the second LED (daylight light source) is blocked by the shade, and thus it is necessary to open an opening (for passing the light emitted from the daylight light source to the projection lens) in the shade. Occurs.

However, in the other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to the first invention (see FIG. 3), the daylight light source 22 is closer to the front side than the shade 20 when viewed from the projection lens 25 (from the shade 20 when viewed from the projection lens 25). (Closely located).
Therefore, according to the fog lamp integrated with other lighting functions, there is no light blocking between the light source 22 and the projection lens 25, and the light emitted from the daylight light source 22 passes through. There is no need to open a hole for making the shade 20 open.
Thereby, the “manufacturing process of the fog valve having the daylight function” is simplified as compared with the manufacturing process of the vehicular lamp disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Further, in the fog lamp integrated with other lighting functions of the first invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the outgoing light axis of the daylight light source 22 is parallel to the optical path of the emitted light from the fog lamp light source 21 (more specifically, the fog lamp light source). The light emitted from the light source 21 is selected so as to have the same direction as the light path after being reflected by the second reflector 24.
Further, the daylight light source 22 is disposed between the first reflector 23 and the projection lens 25 as shown in FIG. Here, since the first reflector 23 is provided in front of the shade 20, the daylight light source 22 is necessarily positioned in front of the shade 20 when viewed from the projection lens 25.
The light emitted from the light source 22 for daylight is simply emitted toward the projection lens 25 without being reflected by the optical system such as the first reflector 23 and the second reflector 24, and directly to the outside through the focal point of the lens 25. Is translucent. Therefore, it is not necessary to select the arrangement position of the daylight light source based on complicated calculation in consideration of the optical path of the daylight light source as in the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1, and the fog valve has a daylight function. Can simplify the design process.

  In addition, the other lighting function-integrated fog valve of the present invention is not limited to the daylight function in addition to the fog lamp function. It is possible to configure a fog valve

[Second invention]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to the second invention of the present application is:
Integrated with other lighting functions that selectively switch between the light source for fog light and the light source for daylight according to the operation of the genuine fog switch that is standard equipment on the car to control the lighting and extinguishing of the light source for fog lamp A fog valve,

The light source for the fog lamp, the light source for the daylight that is fixed in the vicinity of the light source for the fog lamp, and the light source for the fog lamp, the light source for the fog lamp, and the daylight A first reflector that reflects light emitted from a light source toward the rear of the vehicle, a second reflector that reflects light reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the vehicle, and reflected light from the second reflector are collected. A fog valve comprising a projection lens that emits light and transmits light to the outside;
A unit that is wired to both a genuine relay connected to the genuine fog switch and an ACC (Accessory: accessory power supply) switch, and the fog lamp according to the switch operation of the driver with respect to the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch A lamp driving unit that alternatively supplies driving power for lighting to the light source for daylight or the light source for daylight,

The lamp driving unit is
When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch is off, the daylight light source is turned on and the fog lamp light source is turned off.
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are on, the daylight light source is turned off and the fog lamp light source is turned on,
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are off, both the daylight light source and the fog lamp light source are turned off.

As shown in FIG. 7, the daylight light source 22 is a light source that is physically provided separately from the fog lamp light source 21. Arranged very close.
In addition to this positional relationship, in the second invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the outgoing optical axis of the daylight light source 22 is selected in the same direction as the outgoing optical axis of the fog lamp light source 21.
Therefore, the optical path followed by the light emitted from the daylight light source 22 (see FIG. 8) can be regarded as almost the same as the optical path followed by the emitted light from the fog lamp light source 21.
For this reason, in the second invention, as in the first invention, the fog valve is made multifunctional (both the fog lamp function and the daylight function), and the individual light path design for each of the plurality of light sources 21 and 22 is not required. It is possible to “simplify the design process” of the fog valve that has both functions.

[Third invention]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the other lighting function integrated fog valve according to the third invention of the present application is:
In accordance with the operation of a genuine fog switch that is standard on the automobile for controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the light source for fog lamps, this is a fog valve integrated with other lighting functions that allows the fog light source to function as a fog lamp and a daylight.

A fog lamp light source; a first reflector that reflects light emitted from the fog lamp light source toward the rear of the vehicle; a second reflector that reflects light reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the vehicle; A fog valve comprising a projection lens that condenses the light reflected by the two reflectors and transmits the light to the outside;
A unit that is wired to both the genuine relay connected to the genuine fog switch and the ACC (Accessory: accessory power supply) switch, and for the fog lamp according to the switch operation of the driver for the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch. A lamp driving unit that selectively turns on the fog lamp light source as a fog lamp and a daylight by adjusting the brightness of the light source;

The lamp driving unit is
When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch is off, the fog lamp light source is lit at a brightness equivalent to the daylight,
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are on, the fog lamp light source is lit at a brightness equivalent to the fog lamp,
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are off, the fog lamp light source is turned off.

The third invention is that the light source 21 for fog lamps (single light source) is commonly used for fog lamps and daylights (see FIG. 10), and the light source for fog lamps / daylights (FIG. 3) is used according to each application. -It differs from the 1st or 2nd invention which provided FIG. 7) physically separately.
Here, the restriction condition for the daylight installation position described above applies to the fog lamp installation condition as well. Therefore, it is possible to install a daylight in a place where the fog lamp is properly installed without violating the laws and regulations.
Accordingly, in the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that the fog lamp installation conditions are common to the daylight installation conditions, and the fog lamp / daylight is adjusted by adjusting the brightness of the fog lamp light source without physically providing two separate light sources. The proper use is realized.
As a result, a single fog valve member can coexist with a plurality of functions of a fog lamp function and a daylight function, and the same effects as in the first or second invention can be achieved.

Further, by sharing the light source, the number of light sources can be minimized (one light source), and “the number of components” constituting the fog valve can be reduced.
Therefore, the manufacturing process of the other lighting function-integrated fog valve is simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the bulb is reduced, so that it can be “provided at low cost” to consumers.

[Fourth Invention]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to the fourth invention of the present application is the other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to any one of the first to third inventions,
The fog lamp light source and the daylight light source are both semiconductor light emitting devices.

In recent years, light emitting diodes (LEDs: hereinafter abbreviated as “LEDs”) have been used because of the advantage that the irradiation light can be easily seen even under clear daylight and is not easily affected by sunlight. Cases where “semiconductor light-emitting elements” are used as light sources for daylights are conspicuous.
According to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, in view of such advantages, a semiconductor light emitting device that is a “light source suitable as a light source for daylight” used during daytime driving is employed.
This makes it easier to recognize the emitted light of the daylight light source even in the daytime, and the visibility of the vehicle viewed from the surroundings during daytime running is further enhanced.

[Fifth Invention]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to the fifth invention of the present application is the other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to the fourth invention,
A cooling fan for blowing air to the semiconductor light emitting element;
And a cooling fin provided on the outer periphery of the cooling fan.

Although semiconductor light emitting devices such as LEDs have the advantage that the emitted light is not easily affected by sunlight and is lit with low power consumption, the semiconductor light emitting devices are susceptible to heat and deteriorate in nature at 80 ° C or higher. The life as a light source is shortened.
Further, if a large amount of power is supplied to obtain a high output, the amount of heat generated inside the LED also becomes large. If the temperature of the light emitting element rises above the deterioration temperature due to this amount of heat generation, the light emission efficiency will decrease.
In the configuration of the fifth aspect of the invention to overcome such a weak point, by providing a cooling fan so that the LED does not reach the deterioration temperature, avoiding a decrease in luminous efficiency of the LED used as a fog light source / daylight light source and maintaining the life I am trying.

Furthermore, in the fifth aspect of the invention, “cooling fins” are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cooling fan to increase the surface area so that the heat radiation effect can be further enhanced without relying solely on the blowing capacity of the cooling fan.
The cooling mechanism for cooling the semiconductor light emitting element is not limited to an air cooling type cooling fan, and a water cooling type cooling mechanism using a liquid as a cooling medium may be employed.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a fog lamp lighting control system when the other lighting function integrated type fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is expanded. It is a figure which shows the in-vehicle instrument panel periphery in the existing motor vehicle. It is a figure which shows the physical structure of the other lighting function integrated type fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the optical path of each light source built in the fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the electrical connection form of a lamp drive unit. It is a flowchart which shows the switching lighting control of a fog lamp and a daylight by a lamp drive unit. It is a figure which shows the physical structure of the other lighting function integrated type fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the optical path of each light source built in the fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a fog lamp lighting control system when the other lighting function integrated type fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 3 is expanded. It is a figure which shows the physical structure of the other lighting function integrated type fog valve which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a fog lamp lighting control system when another fog function integrated type fog valve is added to the vehicle in which the lamp ECU is mounted. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the existing fog lamp lighting control system.

Hereinafter, the other lighting function-integrated fog valve of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[Embodiment 1: Two-light-source fog bulb]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an example in which a fog valve 1 integrated with other lighting functions is configured by using a fog valve 2 provided with light sources according to uses (for fog lamps / daylights).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fog lamp lighting control system including a fog lamp 1 with an integrated other lighting function according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the other lighting function integrated fog valve 1 is an additional component added to the automobile. The fog bulb 1 includes a fog bulb 2 (see FIG. 3) and a lamp driving unit 3 as components physically separated from each other.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 of the fog bulb 2 are connected to the lamp driving unit 3 by wire.

On the other hand, all components (existing wiring, genuine fog switch 50, genuine relay 60, ACC switch 70, battery 40) except the other lighting function integrated fog valve 1 and the unit extension line UL are all originally standard for automobiles. A component to be equipped.
The other lighting function integrated fog valve 1 of the present invention is used by connecting the additional lamp driving unit 3 to the genuine relay 60 and the ACC switch 70 connected to the genuine fog switch 50 by wiring.

As for the light source, the right and left genuine fog valves 90 (see FIG. 12) at the front of the vehicle, which are standard equipment on the automobile, are removed, and the fog valve 2 which is one component of the present invention is attached to the automobile instead.
Then, the daylight light source 22 and the fog lamp light source 21 installed in the fog bulb 2 are selectively switched on according to the driver's switch operation on the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50.
Hereinafter, this content will be described in detail.

The genuine fog switch 50 shown in FIG. 1 is a switch for controlling on / off of the fog lamp light source 21 via the genuine relay 60 and the lamp driving unit 3.
The switch type employed in the switch 50 is a lever rocker switch, a toggle switch, or the like that switches on or off in response to a driver's switch depression.
When the genuine fog switch 50 is energized by turning on the driver, the genuine fog switch 50 outputs a “fog lighting signal” for instructing the lighting of the fog lamp light source 21 to the lamp driving unit 3.
The genuine fog switch 50 outputs a “fog extinguishing signal” to the lamp driving unit 3 instructing the extinguishing of the fog lamp light source 21 in response to an off operation by the driver.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, an instrument panel 91 made of synthetic resin is arranged in the vehicle width direction in front of the front seat of the automobile, and instruments and passenger-side airbags (not shown) are provided on the panel 91. ) Etc. are installed. On the driver seat side of the panel 91, a steering wheel 92 is assembled to the vehicle body via a steering column (not shown).
The genuine fog switch 50 in this example is attached to the right side of the steering wheel 92 as viewed from the driver.

An ACC switch 70 shown in FIG. 1 is a switch for controlling on / off of an accessory power source (battery 40), and is turned on / off by a key operation for starting an automobile engine or the like. The ACC switch 70 is always on while the automobile engine (not shown) is started.
Here, the “accessory power supply” refers to a power supply for functioning an electrical component which is an accessory (accessory) of the automobile among the power supplies by the battery 40.
In this example, when the ACC switch 70 is in the ON state, a “daylight lighting signal” for instructing lighting of the daylight light source 22 is output.
Further, when the switch 70 is in the OFF state, it outputs a “daylight extinction signal” instructing the extinction of the daylight light source 22.

Next, the structure of the fog valve 2 will be described.
The fog valve 2 according to the present embodiment is designed with its rated voltage, rated output, size, etc. in accordance with the standard specifications of the fog valve in the automobile industry represented by H16, H8, H11, HB4, PSX26W, etc. Has been.
By doing so, even when the fog valve 2 is installed in place of the genuine fog valve 90 (FIG. 12), the operation compatibility with the genuine fog switch 50 is guaranteed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fog bulb 2 is formed in a fog lamp light source 21, a daylight light source 22, a first reflector 23, a second reflector 24, a projection lens 25, and a parabolic surface. And a shade 20.
Further, the fog valve 2 includes a cooling mechanism (cooling fan 27 and cooling fin 26) for cooling the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 which are LEDs in this example.

The fog lamp light source 21 is a light source that functions as a fog lamp (auxiliary lamp). In this example, an LED, which is a kind of semiconductor light emitting element, is employed as the fog lamp light source 21.
As shown in FIG. 4, the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 21 is an axis parallel to the straight line connecting the rotational symmetry axis of the paraboloid of the shade 20 and the focal point F of the projection lens 25. Is done.

The daylight light source 22 is disposed so that the light output axis of the light source 22 is parallel to the optical path of the emitted light from the fog lamp light source 21. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the output optical axis of the light source 22 is horizontal to the focal point F of the projection lens 25 (the same direction as the optical path after the light emitted from the fog lamp light source 21 is reflected by the second reflector 24). ).
The daylight light source 22 is disposed between the first reflector 23 and the projection lens 25. In particular, in the example in FIG. 4, the light source 22 is attached to the front portion of the first reflector 23.

In this example, an LED (a discrete type LED having only a single function and having a hemispherical shape in which the periphery of the LED chip is filled with an epoxy resin) is employed as the daylight source 22. It is more desirable for the hemispherical portion of the LED to enhance the lighting effect on the front side of the automobile by the spot effect.
The light intensity of each of the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 is 300 candela or less.

The first reflector 23 shown in FIG. 3 is a mirror member formed by aluminum vapor deposition, and is disposed in front of the fog lamp light source 21.
The reflection surface of the first reflector 23 is directed to the fog lamp light source 21, and the light emitted from the light source 21 is reflected toward the rear of the vehicle.

The second reflector 24 is a mirror surface portion formed by performing aluminum vapor deposition on the inner surface of the shade 20, and is disposed behind the first reflector 23 and the fog lamp light source 21.
The reflection surface of the second reflector 24 is directed to the projection lens 25, and the light reflected by the first reflector 23 is reflected toward the front of the vehicle as indicated by the broken line in FIG. The paraboloid of the shade 20 (that is, the reflection surface of the second reflector 24) is designed in advance so that the reflected light from the reflector 24 is collected on the projection lens 25.

The projection lens 25 shown in FIG. 3 is a lens that collects the light reflected by the second reflector 24 and transmits the light to the outside.
The lens 25 is a lens in which an inner part directed to the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 is a concave surface and an outer part directed to the outside of the fog lamp 2 is a convex surface.

The cooling fan 27 is an electric fan that blows air to the fog bulb light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 formed of semiconductor light emitting elements (LEDs in this example).
The air blowing capacity of the cooling fan 27 is selected so that the internal temperature of both the light sources 21 and 22 does not become a deterioration temperature (about 80 ° C.) in consideration of the size of the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22.
Driving power for the cooling fan 27 is also supplied from the battery 40 via the lamp driving unit 3.

  The cooling fins 26 are fins provided on the outer periphery of the cooling fan 27 in order to increase the surface area outside the cooling fan 27. The cooling fin 26 plays a role of enhancing the heat dissipation effect for the semiconductor light emitting element.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp driving unit 3 is wired to both the genuine relay 60 and the ACC switch 70. In this example, two lamp drive units 3 are added so as to correspond to the respective fog valves 2 attached to the left and right of the front portion of the vehicle.
The unit 3 alternatively supplies lighting drive power from the battery 40 to the fog lamp light source 21 or the daylight light source 22 in accordance with the driver's switch operation on the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50.

More specifically, the lamp driving unit 3 performs the following control operation according to the output state of each signal from the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50.
(1) When the “daylight lighting signal” is output from the ACC switch 70 and the “fog extinguishing signal” is output from the genuine fog switch 50, the lamp driving unit 3 is connected to the daylight light source 22. Only the driving power for lighting from the battery 40 is supplied, and the supply of the driving power for lighting to the fog lamp light source 21 is cut off.
Therefore, when the ACC switch 70 is on and the genuine fog switch 50 is off, the daylight light source 22 is turned on and the fog lamp light source 21 is turned off.

(2) In the state where the ACC switch 70 is outputting the “daylight lighting signal”, when the “fog lighting signal” is also output from the genuine fog switch 50, the lamp driving unit 3 causes the daylight light source 22 to The supply of the driving power for lighting that has been performed on is interrupted, and the supply of the driving power for lighting to the fog lamp light source 21 is newly started.
As a result, when both the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50 are on, the daylight light source 22 is turned off and the fog lamp light source 21 is turned on.
Japanese domestic laws stipulate that daylight and fog lamps are prohibited from interlocking. Therefore, the lighting law of the daylight light source 22 and the fog lamp light source 21 according to the present invention is also complied with by selectively switching these light sources 21 and 22 to light.

Further, (3) when the “daylight extinction signal” is output from the ACC switch 70 and the “fog extinction signal” is output from the genuine fog switch 50, the lamp drive unit 3 uses the daylight light source 22 and the fog lamp The supply of lighting driving power to both the light sources 21 is cut off.
Thus, when both the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50 are off, both the daylight light source 22 and the fog lamp light source 21 are turned off.

Next, the electrical configuration of the lamp driving unit 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lamp driving unit 3 includes a changeover switch 32 and a changeover control mechanism 31 that controls the connection state of the changeover switch 32.

The changeover switch 32 has a terminal structure of 1 to N (N: plural, N = 3 in the example of FIG. 5), and loads (daylight light source 22) connected to N terminals T _{1 to} T ₃ , respectively. The fog lamp light source 21) can be selectively connected to any one load.
The connection example shown in FIG. 5, the battery 40 is connected to the terminal T _0. Further to the terminal T ₁ is connected to a fog light source 21, the terminal T ₂ is daylight light source 22 is connected. Further terminal T ₃ is an open end.
That is, the light sources 21 and 22 in the fog bulb 2 and the battery 40 are connected via the change-over switch 32 by a power supply line (thick line in FIG. 1).

The change control mechanism 31 changes the connection between the terminals of the changeover switch 32 in accordance with each signal output from the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50.
In the configuration example of FIG. 5, when the “daylight lighting signal” is output from the ACC switch 70 and the “fog extinguishing signal” is output from the genuine fog switch 50, the switching control mechanism 31 switches between the terminals T ₀ and T ₂ . Make the connection conductive.
As a result, the lighting driving power from the battery 40 is supplied to the daylight light source 22 and the lighting driving power is not supplied to the fog lamp light source 21.

The switching control mechanism 31, the "fog lighting signal" is output from the genuine fog switch 50 in a state where the ACC switch 70 "Daylight lighting signal" is outputted, the connection between the terminals T ₀ and T ₁ Conduct.
As a result, the lighting driving power from the battery 40 is supplied to the fog lamp light source 21 and the lighting driving power is not supplied to the daylight light source 22.

Further switching control mechanism 31, the "fog off signal" is output from the "daylight off signal" is output and genuine fog switch 50 from the ACC switch 70, thereby turning the connection between the terminals T ₀ and T _3.
As a result, the supply of lighting drive power to the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 is cut off.

The genuine relay 60 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a genuine fog switch 50 and controls the lighting / extinguishing of the fog lamp light source 21 in accordance with an on / off operation of the switch 50.
The genuine relay 60 has a structure in which an electromagnet (not shown) is excited when the genuine fog switch 50 is on, and the movable contact of the relay switch is closed to energize. When the genuine fog switch 50 is off, the electromagnet (not shown) is not excited, and the connection is cut off by opening the movable contact of the relay switch. One terminal of this relay switch is connected to the battery 40, and the other terminal is connected to the lamp driving unit 3 (output side to the fog lamp light source 21).

Further, in this example, the lamp driving unit 3 is connected to the output side of the genuine relay 60, and the fog lamp light source 21 is turned on or off following the on / off state of the genuine relay 60 while the ACC switch 70 is on. Turn off the light.
Hereinafter, the connection of the lamp driving unit 3 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the state before the addition of the unit 3 (that is, the existing fog lamp lighting control system), the genuine relay 60 and the genuine fog valve 90 are connected by a wire harness. A wire harness refers to a bundle of signal wires having connectors of a predetermined shape suitable for a vehicle type at both ends.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp driving unit 3 according to this embodiment is connected so as to interrupt between the load output side of the genuine relay 60 and the fog valve 2 replaced with the genuine fog valve 90 (FIG. 12). Is done. When the unit 3 is connected to the genuine relay 60, a coupler C _A (FIG. 1) that fits the connector shape of the relay 60 output side coupler C _O (FIG. 1) is fitted.
Thus, the wiring work accompanying the addition of the other lamp function-integrated fog lamp 1 according to the present embodiment is mainly simple attachment / detachment of the connector to / from the genuine relay 60 mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, the attachment of the fog valve 1 can be completed easily and in a short time without cutting the wiring of other electrical components mounted on the vehicle or making complicated connections.
In this example, when the lamp driving unit 3 and the ACC switch 70 are connected, as shown in FIG. 1, the unit extension line UL is used as an additional wiring for the existing electrical system.

A battery 40 shown in FIG. 1 is a secondary battery that is directly connected to the lamp driving unit 3, the genuine relay 60, and the like by a power supply line (thick line in FIG. 1). The drive power is supplied to all the electrical components. The battery 40 is generally used for automobile applications, and for example, a lead storage battery using lead dioxide for the positive electrode, spongy lead for the negative electrode, and dilute sulfuric acid for the electrolyte can be employed.
Daylights need to be lit when running during the day. Therefore, when the ACC switch 70 is turned on by the key switch of the automobile, the power supply from the battery 40 (accessory power supply) to the daylight light source 22 is immediately started.

Next, the “fog lamp / daylight switching lighting operation” by the other lighting function-integrated fog valve 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
When getting in the driver's seat of the car, the driver turns the ACC switch 70 by turning the key switch (step S11 in FIG. 6; Yes).
Then, a “daylight lighting signal” is output from the ACC switch 70. In response to this signal output, the switching control mechanism 31 in the lamp drive unit 3 switches the connection between the terminals, and the changeover switch 32 connects the battery 40 and the daylight light source 22 (in the example of FIG. connection between T ₀ and _{T 2)} are turned on.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, driving power for lighting is supplied from the battery 40 to the light source 22 (step S12), and the daylights mounted on the left and right of the front part of the vehicle are turned on.

Here, when the ACC switch 70 is in the ON state (step S11; Yes) and the genuine fog switch 50 is further turned on by the driver (step S13; Yes), the genuine fog switch 50 outputs a “fog lighting signal”. Is output.
Then, the connection between the terminals is switched by the switching control mechanism 31 in the lamp drive unit 3, and the connection between the battery 40 and the daylight light source 22 (connection between the terminals T ₀ and T ₂ in FIG. 5) is cut off at the changeover switch 32. together it is (step S14) that the connection between the battery 40 and the fog light source 21 (connected to the terminals _{T 0} and _{T 1} in FIG. 5) becomes conductive.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the driving power for lighting is supplied from the battery 40 to the light source 21 (step S15), and the fog lamps mounted on the left and right of the front part of the vehicle are turned on.

Note that changes in the on / off states of the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50 are always detected by the lamp driving unit 3.
Therefore, when both the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50 are turned off by the driver from the state in which either the daylight or the fog lamp is lit, the switching control mechanism 31 switches the connection between terminals (configuration example in FIG. 5). Terminal T ₀ and T ₃ are connected), the connection of the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 to the battery 40 is cut off.
As a result, the supply of driving power for lighting to these light sources 21 and 22 is stopped (steps S16 and S17 in FIG. 6), and both the fog lamps and daylights mounted on the automobile are turned off.

As described above, according to the other lighting function integrated fog valve 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application, the fog valve 2 can be mounted on the vehicle by simply replacing the genuine fog valve 90, and a simple connector for the existing wiring is provided. The attachment of the lamp driving unit 3 is completed only by attaching / detaching.
Therefore, it is possible to add a daylight function to a car that does not have a daylight function as a standard feature without damaging the exterior parts of the car or cutting the electrical wiring. This can lower the user's psychological hurdle to the introduction of daylight and can contribute to widespread use of daylight.
In addition, by adding a daylight function to vehicles that do not have a daylight function as a standard feature, the visibility of the vehicle as seen from the surroundings when driving during the day can be improved, and as a result, it can contribute to the prevention of traffic accidents.

[Embodiment 2: Two-light-source fog bulb]
Embodiment 2 of the present invention is an example in which the other lighting function integrated fog valve 1A is configured so that the light emitted from the daylight light source 22 follows substantially the same optical path as the light emitted from the fog lamp light source 21. is there.

As shown in FIG. 7, the fog valve 1 </ b> A is common to the valve structure (FIG. 3) of the first embodiment in that a plurality of light sources 21 and 22 are provided for each application.
However, as shown in FIG. 8, in the fog valve 2A of the second embodiment, the emitted light of the daylight light source 22 is once reflected by the first reflector 23 and the second reflector 24 in the same manner as the light emitted from the fog lamp light source 21. Is different from the first embodiment (thick dashed arrow shown in FIG. 4) in which the light emitted from the daylight light source 22 is directly irradiated onto the projection lens 25 in that the projection lens 25 is directed toward the projection lens 25.

Here, the daylight light source 22 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the fog lamp light source 21 (more specifically, behind the first reflector 23), and the outgoing light axis of the daylight light source 22 as shown in FIG. Is selected in the same direction as the outgoing optical axis of the fog lamp light source 21.
Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 22 can be regarded as following substantially the same optical path as the light emitted from the fog lamp light source 21 before reaching the projection lamp 25.
Therefore, also in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to design individual optical paths for each of the plurality of light sources 21 and 22, and it is possible to “simplify the design process” of a fog valve having a daylight function.
In the example of FIG. 8, the daylight light source 22 is disposed in front of the fog lamp light source 21 with respect to the first reflector 23. However, the positional relationship between the light sources 21 and 22 with respect to the reflector 23 is similar to that of FIG. The front and back may be reversed.

The fog lamp lighting control system including the other lighting function integrated fog valve 1A according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the switching lighting control of the fog lamp light source 21 and the daylight light source 22 may be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment.
In other words, the lamp driving unit 3 receives the “daylight lighting signal” and “daylight lighting signal” output from the ACC switch 70 and the “fog lighting signal” and “fog lighting signal” output from the genuine fog switch 50. The load (fog lamp light source 21 and daylight light source 22) connected to the battery 40 is switched according to the combination.
As a result, in the second invention as well, in the same way as in the first invention, the fog valve can be made multifunctional (both the fog lamp function and the daylight function).

In the bulb configuration (FIG. 8) of the second embodiment, light emitted from the daylight light source 22 is externally irradiated as indirect illumination through the first reflector 23 and the second reflector 24.
For this reason, when the light source 22 for daylight is composed of high-power LEDs, when the light emitted from the light source 22 is projected directly onto the projection lens 25, it is effective to relieve this when it feels dazzling from the oncoming vehicle. It is.

[Embodiment 3: One light source type fog valve]
Embodiment 3 of the present invention is an example in which the other light function integrated fog bulb 1B is configured so that a single light source (fog lamp light source 21 shown in FIG. 10) is commonly used for fog lamps and daylights. .

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fog lamp lighting control system including the other lighting function-integrated fog valve 1B according to the third embodiment.
As described above, the other lighting function integrated fog bulb 1B according to the present embodiment has a plurality of light sources 21 according to applications in that the fog lamp light source 21 (FIG. 10) provided in the fog bulb 2B functions as a fog lamp and a daylight.・ Valve structure is different from Embodiment 1 (FIG. 3) or Embodiment 2 (FIG. 7) that also includes 22.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the configuration of the lamp driving unit 3 is basically the same as that in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The connection form of the lamp driving unit 3 in the third embodiment is also common to the first embodiment in that it is wired to both the genuine relay 60 connected to the genuine fog switch 50 and the ACC switch 70.

  The unit 3 according to the third embodiment adjusts the brightness of the fog lamp light source 21 in accordance with the driver's switch operation with respect to the ACC switch 70 and the genuine fog switch 50, whereby the fog lamp light source 21 shown in FIG. It functions as a daylight.

If the ACC switch 70 is energized (turned on), the lamp driving unit 3 to conduct the connection between terminals _{T 0} and _{T 2} in FIG.
Incidentally power amount P _D of the driving power supplied from the battery 40 to the fog light source 21 via the ACC switch 70 when the connection between the terminals T ₀ and T ₂ and conduction, the amount of daylight equivalent from the light source 21 (Brightness) is set in advance to the amount of power to be emitted.
Here, an example of the “light amount corresponding to daylight” is a light amount corresponding to a high-intensity LED having an output of about 1 watt.

When the genuine fog switch 50 is energized (turned on), the lamp driving unit 3 makes the connection between the terminals T ₀ and T ₁ in FIG. 5 conductive.
Terminals T ₀ and a power amount P _F of the lighting drive power supplied from the battery 40 to the fog light source 21 via a genuine relay 60 when the connection is conducted with T ₁ is the light amount of the corresponding fog lamp from the light source 21 (Brightness) is set to the amount of power released.

An example of the “light amount equivalent to a fog lamp” is a light amount that reaches about 2,100 to 2,500 meters in front of an automobile.
When the fog lamp light source 21 is caused to function as a fog lamp, the color temperature of the light source 21 is adjusted to be about 5500 Kelvin which substantially corresponds to the color temperature of sunlight during the day. This is because the illumination effect (visibility when driving a car) is kept good at a color temperature of around 5,500 Kelvin, and the significance as a fog lamp (auxiliary light that illuminates the front of the car) is secured.
Note that as the color temperature becomes higher than 6,000 Kelvin, the visibility is remarkably lowered, so that a suitable lighting effect cannot be obtained.

In the configuration of the third embodiment as well, the daylight lamp is physically separated from the genuine fog valve 90 by introducing the foglight 1B having the other light function in addition to the foglight function which is a basic function. The introduction of a vessel becomes unnecessary, and the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.
In other words, for a car that does not have a daylight function as a standard feature, the daylight function can be expanded without damaging the exterior parts of the car or cutting the electrical wiring. Can contribute to the widespread use of daylight.

Further, by sharing the single light source 21 (FIG. 10) for fog lamps and daylights, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the fog valves (FIGS. 3 and 7) according to the first and second embodiments using a plurality of light sources. Can be reduced.
Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the other lighting function-integrated fog valve is suppressed, and as a result, the price of the valve can be reduced. As a result, the bottom of the user group considering the purchase of daylight will be expanded, and further spread of daylight is expected.

[Modification: Mounting on a vehicle with a lamp ECU mounted]
The other lighting function-integrated fog valve of the above embodiment can also be installed in a vehicle in which a lamp ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 80 is mounted as shown in FIG.

A lamp ECU 80 shown in FIG. 11 is a device that is provided as a standard in an automobile, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.
The lamp ECU 80 loads an application program stored in the ROM or the like into the RAM and executes it, so that in addition to the fog lamp light source 21, a headlight (not shown), a brake lamp (not shown), a turn signal lamp (not shown) Controls the overall operation of lights installed in automobiles.
Even when the lamp ECU 80 is mounted, the connecting portion of the lamp driving unit 3 may be attached to the output-side coupler _CO of the genuine relay 60 as in FIG.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fog valve integrated with another light function 2 Fog valve 3 Lamp drive unit 21 Light source for fog lamp 22 Light source for daylight 40 Battery 50 Genuine fog switch 60 Genuine relay 70 ACC switch 80 Lamp ECU
90 Genuine fog valve 91 Instrument panel 92 Steering wheel UL Unit extension line

Claims (5)

Integrated with other lighting functions that selectively switch between the light source for fog light and the light source for daylight according to the operation of the genuine fog switch that is standard equipment on the car to control the lighting and extinguishing of the light source for fog lamp A fog valve,

A fog lamp light source; a first reflector that reflects light emitted from the fog lamp light source toward the rear of the vehicle; a second reflector that reflects light reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the vehicle; And a projection lens that condenses the reflected light from the reflector and transmits the light to the outside. In addition, the light emitted from the fog lamp light source is emitted in the same direction as the optical path after being reflected by the second reflector. A fog valve in which the light source for daylight with the light axis selected is disposed between the first reflector and the projection lens;
A unit that is wired to both a genuine relay connected to the genuine fog switch and an ACC (Accessory: accessory power supply) switch, and the fog lamp according to the switch operation of the driver with respect to the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch A lamp driving unit that alternatively supplies driving power for lighting to the light source for daylight or the light source for daylight,

The lamp driving unit is
When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch is off, the daylight light source is turned on and the fog lamp light source is turned off.
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are on, the daylight light source is turned off and the fog lamp light source is turned on,
The other lighting function integrated fog valve, wherein both the daylight light source and the fog lamp light source are turned off when both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are off.
Integrated with other lighting functions that selectively switch between the light source for fog light and the light source for daylight according to the operation of the genuine fog switch that is standard equipment on the car to control the lighting and extinguishing of the light source for fog lamp A fog valve,

The light source for the fog lamp, the light source for the daylight that is fixed in the vicinity of the light source for the fog lamp, and the light source for the fog lamp, the light source for the fog lamp, and the daylight A first reflector that reflects light emitted from a light source toward the rear of the vehicle, a second reflector that reflects light reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the vehicle, and reflected light from the second reflector are collected. A fog valve comprising a projection lens that emits light and transmits light to the outside;
A unit that is wired to both a genuine relay connected to the genuine fog switch and an ACC (Accessory: accessory power supply) switch, and the fog lamp according to the switch operation of the driver with respect to the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch A lamp driving unit that alternatively supplies driving power for lighting to the light source for daylight or the light source for daylight,

The lamp driving unit is
When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch is off, the daylight light source is turned on and the fog lamp light source is turned off.
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are on, the daylight light source is turned off and the fog lamp light source is turned on,
The other lighting function integrated fog valve, wherein both the daylight light source and the fog lamp light source are turned off when both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are off.
In accordance with the operation of a genuine fog switch that is standard on the automobile for controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the light source for fog lamps, this is a fog valve integrated with other lighting functions that allows the fog light source to function as a fog lamp and a daylight.

A fog lamp light source; a first reflector that reflects light emitted from the fog lamp light source toward the rear of the vehicle; a second reflector that reflects light reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the vehicle; A fog valve comprising a projection lens that condenses the light reflected by the two reflectors and transmits the light to the outside;
A unit that is wired to both the genuine relay connected to the genuine fog switch and the ACC (Accessory: accessory power supply) switch, and for the fog lamp according to the switch operation of the driver for the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch. A lamp driving unit that selectively turns on the fog lamp light source as a fog lamp and a daylight by adjusting the brightness of the light source;

The lamp driving unit is
When the ACC switch is on and the genuine fog switch is off, the fog lamp light source is lit at a brightness equivalent to the daylight,
When both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are on, the fog lamp light source is lit at a brightness equivalent to the fog lamp,
The other-light-function-integrated fog valve is configured to turn off the fog lamp light source when both the ACC switch and the genuine fog switch are off.
The other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The fog light integrated with other lighting function, wherein the fog lamp light source and the daylight light source are both semiconductor light emitting elements.
The other lighting function-integrated fog valve according to claim 4,
A cooling fan for blowing air to the semiconductor light emitting element;
The other lighting function-integrated fog valve, comprising: a cooling fin provided on an outer peripheral portion of the cooling fan.

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