JP3198708B2 - Optical sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical sensor, and more particularly, to an optical sensor whose sensitivity can be adjusted by an external operation, for example, an automatic lighting control device for automatically turning on and off a vehicle lighting device. And to an optical sensor suitable as an optical sensor for detecting the brightness around the vehicle.

[0002]

[Prior art]

(1) First Prior Art Conventionally, as an optical sensor capable of adjusting the amount of light incident on a light receiving element by an external operation to adjust the sensitivity of the light receiving element, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-94817, A light-shielding plate having a light-transmitting portion is provided on the front side of the light-receiving element, and a rotary plate having the same light-transmitting portion is provided on the front side of the light-shielding plate, and the rotary plate is rotated by an external operation. There is a configuration in which the overlapping area between the light transmitting portion of the plate and the light transmitting portion of the light shielding plate is adjusted to adjust the amount of light incident on the light receiving element.

(2) Second prior art In general, the above-mentioned automatic lighting / extinguishing control device employs a system in which the user can freely adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor by giving importance to the user's sense of brightness around the vehicle. ing.

On the other hand, in an air conditioner for a vehicle, if the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be freely adjusted according to such a user's sense, the system itself cannot be established, so that the sensitivity cannot be adjusted by the user. Has adopted.

[0005] For this reason, the optical sensor for the automatic lighting control device and the optical sensor for the vehicle air conditioner have been separately and independently arranged in the vehicle.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

(1) First problem However, in the first prior art, a flat cover having high transparency is disposed in front of the rotating plate in parallel with the rotating plate, and external light is internally transmitted through the cover. Therefore, even if the brightness of the external light is the same, the amount of light received by the light receiving element varies depending on the incident angle of the external light to the cover, and therefore, there is a difficulty in directivity. Was.

The first invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its main object to improve the directivity with a simple configuration. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts.

Although the type is completely different from that of the first prior art, a cylinder having a light transmitting portion is disposed in front of the light receiving element as another conventional optical sensor, and the cylinder is operated by an external operation. Is moved in the front-rear direction to adjust the light incident angle on the light-receiving element, thereby adjusting the amount of light incident on the light-receiving element (Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-2).
No. 6773).

(2) Second problem In the second prior art, as described above, since each optical sensor must be separately arranged in a vehicle, a large space is occupied, and the number of parts is large. There was a problem that the installation work was complicated.

The second aspect of the present invention is directed to the problem of the second prior art in addition to the problem of the first conventional technique. To reduce the number of parts, reduce the occupied space when combining an optical sensor with sensitivity adjustment and an optical sensor with non-sensitivity adjustment. The purpose is to simplify the work.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) First invention In order to solve the above first problem, an optical sensor according to a first invention has a light receiving element and a light transmitting part, and the light transmitting part is provided in front of the light receiving element. A light-shielding member to be disposed, a light-diffusing member having a thick portion and a thin-wall portion having different thicknesses in the front-rear direction, and disposed to cover the light-transmitting portion in front of the light-shielding member. By operating the light diffusing member from the outside, the ratio of the area where the thick portion covers the light transmitting portion and the area where the thin portion covers the light transmitting portion changes. And

(2) Second invention In order to solve the second problem, an optical sensor according to a second invention comprises a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and a first light receiving element.
And a second light transmitting section, wherein the first light transmitting section is provided in front of the first light receiving element, and the second light transmitting section is provided in front of the second light receiving element. Each of the light-shielding members has a thick portion and a thin portion having different thicknesses in the front-rear direction, the thick portion covers the first light transmitting portion, and the thick portion and the thin portion correspond to the first light transmitting portion. A light-diffusing member disposed in front of the light-shielding member so as to cover the light-transmitting portion of the second light-transmitting portion. And the area where the thin portion covers the second light transmitting portion changes, while the area where the thick portion covers the first light transmitting portion does not change. It is characterized by.

[0013]

Operation and Effect of the Invention

(1) Operation and effect of the first invention Light incident on the light diffusion member is diffused by the light diffusion member,
Light with a small amount of light is emitted from the thick part of the light diffusion member, and light with a large amount of light is emitted from the thin part to the light shielding member. Here, a light transmitting portion is formed in the light shielding member, and the light transmitting portion is covered by a thick portion and a thin portion,
The ratio of the area covered by the thick portion to the area covered by the thin portion is made variable by an external operation. Therefore, the amount of light incident on the light transmitting portion is a minimum value because the outgoing light amount of the thick portion is small when the thick portion covers the entire light transmitting portion, and the thin portion covers the entire light transmitting portion. The maximum value because the amount of light emitted from the thin part is large when
During that time, a value proportional to the area ratio is continuously taken.

According to the present invention, since the light diffusing member is used, it is possible to introduce light of an amount corresponding to the brightness of the external light regardless of the incident angle of the external light. Can be improved. Further, since one light diffusing member corresponds to the cover and the rotating plate in the above-described conventional technology, the number of components can be reduced.

(2) Operation and Effect of the Second Invention Light incident on the light diffusion member is diffused by the light diffusion member,
Light with a small amount of light is emitted from the thick part of the light diffusion member, and light with a large amount of light is emitted from the thin part to the light shielding member. Here, a second light transmitting portion is formed on the light shielding member, and the second light transmitting portion is covered by the thick portion and the thin portion. The ratio of the area covered by the portion is variable.
Therefore, the amount of light incident on the second light transmitting portion becomes the minimum value when the thick portion covers the entire area of the second light transmitting portion, because the outgoing light amount of the thick portion is small. 2
When the entire light transmitting portion is covered, the maximum value is obtained because the amount of light emitted from the thin portion is large, and a value proportional to the area ratio is continuously taken during that time.

On the other hand, the area in which the thick portion of the light diffusing member covers the first light transmitting portion is invariant regardless of the external operation, so that the amount of light incident on the first light transmitting portion is equal to the external light amount. It does not change depending on the operation.

According to the present invention, since the light diffusing member is used, it is possible to introduce light of an amount corresponding to the brightness of the external light regardless of the incident angle of the external light. Can be improved. Further, since one light diffusing member corresponds to the cover and the rotating plate in the above-described conventional technology, the number of components can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the amount of light received by the first light receiving element remains unchanged regardless of external operation.
Since the amount of light received by the second light receiving element is made variable by an external operation, it is possible to integrate an optical sensor whose sensitivity can be adjusted and an optical sensor whose sensitivity cannot be adjusted. Further, since the functions of both sensors are shared by one light diffusing member and one light shielding member, the occupied space can be reduced, the number of parts can be reduced, and the disposing work can be simplified.

[0019]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an optical sensor according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the optical sensor includes a light receiving element 1, a light shielding member 2, and a light diffusing member 3.

The light receiving element 1 is composed of a photodiode or the like, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light, as is well known.

The light shielding member 2 has, for example, a black painted flat plate shape so as not to transmit incident light. However, a hole 4 having a predetermined shape (a substantially semicircular shape in FIG. 1) as a light transmitting portion is formed at a predetermined position. The light blocking member 2 is disposed in a housing (not shown) such that the hole 4 is located in front of the light receiving element 1. Further, a plurality of elastic locking legs 5 are formed on the front surface of the light shielding member 2 to press and hold the light diffusing member 3 from the outer peripheral surface side toward the center so that the light diffusing member 3 can be rotated manually. Also, near the center of the diameter of the substantially semicircular hole 4,
An elastic pressing piece 7 formed by cutouts 6 on both sides of the side is formed, and a projection 9 is formed on the front surface of the elastic pressing piece 7 to be partially inserted into the concave portion 8 of the light diffusing member 3. I have. The elastic pressing piece 7 elastically presses the light diffusing member 3 from the rear surface side by the protrusion 9 being partially inserted into the concave portion 8, and cooperates with the elastic locking leg 5 to move the light diffusing member 3 to the light shielding member. (2) It is fixed to the front surface and acts to prevent rattling. The projection 9 on the front surface of the elastic pressing piece 7 functions as a rotation axis of the light diffusing member 3 when the light diffusing member 3 is manually rotated.

The light diffusing member 3 is formed of a milky white synthetic resin material having a property of absorbing and diffusing incident light, and has a substantially hemispherical overall shape. As shown in FIG. 2 as a vertical cross-sectional view, the light diffusing member 3 is formed in the left-right direction by being roughly divided into a thick portion 10 and a thin portion 11 having different thicknesses in the front-rear direction. Is provided on the front surface of the light shielding member 2 so as to cover the hole 4. An annular groove 12 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the light diffusion member 3 so that the projection 9 of the elastic locking leg 5 is locked. As described above, the concave portion 8 into which the protrusion 9 on the front surface of the elastic pressing piece 7 is partially inserted is formed at the center of the rear surface of the light diffusing member 3.

The light diffusing member 3 can be manually rotated about the projection 9 as described above, but depending on its rotational position, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 3 (c).
The relative position between the thick portion 10 and the thin portion 11 and the hole 4 of the light blocking member 2 changes, and the ratio of the area where the thick portion 10 covers the hole 4 to the area where the thin portion 11 covers the hole 4 changes. , Light receiving element 1
Of the received light changes. That is, when the thick portion 10 covers the entire area of the hole 4 as shown in FIG. 3A, the amount of light incident on the hole 4 is the smallest, and thus the amount of light received by the light receiving element 1 is the minimum value. In addition, as shown in FIG.
When 0 and the thin portion 11 partially cover the hole 4, respectively, the amount of light incident on the hole 4 has an intermediate value, and therefore, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 1 has an intermediate value. When the thin portion 11 covers the entire area of the hole 4 as shown in FIG. 3C, the amount of light incident on the hole 4 is the largest, and therefore, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 1 has the maximum value. Then, the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 1 is
It changes continuously from the minimum value to the maximum value.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the light diffusing member 3 is used, it is possible to introduce light of an amount corresponding to the brightness of the external light regardless of the incident angle of the external light, and it is possible to improve directivity. Further, since one light diffusing member 3 corresponds to the cover and the rotating plate in the above-described conventional technology, the number of components can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the sensitivity can be adjusted by directly operating the light diffusing member 3 by hand, so that the operation becomes extremely simple.

(2) Second Embodiment (FIGS. 4 to 6) The optical sensor according to the present embodiment integrates, for example, an optical sensor for a vehicle air conditioner and an optical sensor for an automatic lighting control device. It was made.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the optical sensor.

Referring to FIG. 4, the optical sensor includes two light receiving elements 1A and 1B, a light shielding member 2, and a light diffusing member 3.

The first light receiving element 1A is, for example, a light receiving element for a vehicle air conditioner, and the second light receiving element 1B is
For example, it is a light receiving element for an automatic light-on / off control device. Each of the light receiving elements 1A and 1B is composed of a photodiode or the like, and outputs an electric signal according to the amount of received light, as is well known.

The light shielding member 2 has substantially the same construction as the light shielding member 2 in the first embodiment described above. However, instead of the semicircular hole 4 as in the first embodiment, this hole 4
A semicircular ring-shaped second hole 4B as a second light transmitting portion is formed at substantially the same position as that of the first embodiment, and the elastic pressing piece 7 in the first embodiment is not formed. A first circular hole 4A as a first light transmitting portion is formed around the position of the projection 9. Then, the first hole 4A is arranged in front of the first light receiving element 1A, and the second hole 4B is arranged in front of the second light receiving element 1B.

The light diffusing member 3 has substantially the same construction as the light diffusing member 3 in the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the concave portion 8 in the first embodiment is not formed, and instead, the thick portion 13 in which a half in the left-right direction projects in a semi-cylindrical shape with the concave portion 8 as a center. Are formed. The thick portions 10 and 13 are formed so as to cover the entire area of the first hole 4A regardless of the rotational position of the light diffusion member 3.

Therefore, the amount of light received by the first light receiving element 1A is:
The value is uniform regardless of the rotational position of the light diffusion member 3.

On the other hand, the relationship between the thick portion 10 and the thin portion 11 of the light diffusing member 3 and the second hole 4B is substantially the same as the relationship between the light diffusing member 3 and the hole 4 in the first embodiment. . That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the thin portion 11 is formed in the second hole 4B.
Is the largest, the amount of light incident on the second hole 4B is the largest, and the amount of light received by the second light receiving element 1B is the maximum value. When the thick portion 10 and the thin portion 11 partially cover the second hole 4B, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6B, the amount of light incident on the second hole 4B has an intermediate value. Therefore, the amount of light received by the second light receiving element 1B is an intermediate value. When the thick portion 10 covers the entire area of the second hole 4B as shown in FIG. 6C, the amount of light incident on the second hole 4B is the largest, and therefore, the light reception of the second light receiving element 1B is performed. The amount will be a minimum. The amount of light received by the second light receiving element 1 </ b> B continuously changes from a minimum value to a maximum value according to the rotational position of the light diffusion member 3.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the light diffusing member 3 was used, similar to the first embodiment,
Directivity can be improved. Further, since one light diffusing member 3 corresponds to the cover and the rotating plate in the above-described conventional technology, the number of components can be reduced as in the first embodiment.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the amount of light received by the first light receiving element 1A remains unchanged regardless of external operation.
On the other hand, the amount of light received by the second light receiving element 1B is made variable by an external operation, so that an optical sensor whose sensitivity can be adjusted and an optical sensor whose sensitivity cannot be adjusted can be integrated. Also,
Since one light diffusion member 3 and one light shielding member 2 share the functions of both sensors, it is possible to reduce the occupied space, reduce the number of components, simplify the arrangement work, and the like.

(3) Third Embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) This embodiment is also an optical sensor in which two optical sensors are integrated as in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the optical sensor.

In FIG. 7, the optical sensor comprises two light receiving elements 1A and 1B, a light shielding member 2 and a light diffusing member 3, as in the second embodiment.

First light receiving element 1A and second light receiving element 1
B is the same as in the second embodiment.

The light shielding member 2 has substantially the same construction as the light shielding member 2 in the second embodiment described above. However, the first hole 4A is formed at an appropriate position shifted from the rotation center position of the light diffusing member 3, and is replaced with the semicircular ring-shaped second hole 4B as in the second embodiment. In addition, a fan-shaped second hole 4B as a second light transmitting portion is formed at substantially the same position as the second hole 4B. Further, a protrusion 9 similar to the protrusion 9 in the first embodiment is formed at the rotation center position of the light diffusing member 3.

The light diffusing member 3 has substantially the same construction as the light diffusing member 3 in the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the thin portion 11 is formed in a shape corresponding to the sector shape of the second hole 4B.

The light diffusing member 3 is rotatable about the projection 9 by hand.
As shown in (a) and (b), the thick portion 10 and the thin portion 1
1 and the second hole 4B of the light-shielding plate have a first relative positional relationship.
This is the same as the second embodiment. Therefore, the second light receiving element 1
The light receiving amount of B continuously changes from the minimum value to the maximum value depending on the rotational position of the light diffusing member 3.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the relative positional relationship between the thick portion 10 and the first hole 4A is such that the light diffusing member 3 is rotated under a predetermined limit. In this case, the thick portion 10 can cover the entire area of the first hole 4A irrespective of the rotational position of the light diffusing member 3, and the light receiving amount of the first light receiving element 1A can be made uniform. it can.

As is clear from the above description, according to this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, it is possible to improve the directivity and reduce the number of parts as an optical sensor whose sensitivity can be adjusted. In addition, it is possible to integrate an optical sensor whose sensitivity can be adjusted and an optical sensor whose sensitivity cannot be adjusted, reduce the occupied space, reduce the number of parts, simplify the arrangement work, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of an optical sensor according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a light diffusing member.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a thick portion and a thin portion of a light diffusing member and holes of a light shielding member.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of an optical sensor according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a light diffusing member.

FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the constant thickness portion of the light diffusion member and the first hole of the light shielding member, and the relationship between the thick portion and the thin portion and the second position of the light shielding member.
Explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship with holes

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of an optical sensor according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the positional relationship between the constant thickness portion of the light diffusion member and the first hole of the light shielding member, and the relationship between the thick portion and the thin portion and the second portion of the light shielding member.
Explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship with holes

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 light receiving element 1A first light receiving element 1B second light receiving element 2 light shielding member 3 light diffusion member 4 hole (light transmitting portion) 4A first hole (first light transmitting portion) 4B second hole (second 10, 13 thick part 11 thin part

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuaki Makino 1-1-1 Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Japan Inside Denso Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaki Takashima 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Japan Nihon Denso Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-278427 (JP, A) JP-A-57-94817 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01J 1/00-1 / 60 B60Q 1/00-1/56 H05B 37/00-39/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light-receiving element, comprising a light-transmitting portion, the light-transmitting portion having a light-shielding member disposed in front of the light-receiving element, and a thick portion and a thin portion having different thicknesses in the front-rear direction. A light diffusing member disposed on the front side of the light shielding member so as to cover the light transmitting portion; by operating the light diffusing member from the outside, the thick portion allows the light transmitting portion to An optical sensor, wherein a ratio of an area to be covered and an area of the thin portion to cover the light transmitting portion is changed. 2. A light receiving device comprising: a first light receiving element and a second light receiving element; a first light transmitting part and a second light transmitting part, wherein the first light transmitting part is provided on the first light receiving element. Forward, the second light transmitting portion has a light shielding member disposed in front of the second light receiving element, and a thick portion and a thin portion having different thicknesses in the front-rear direction. A light diffusing member disposed on the front side of the light blocking member so as to cover the first light transmitting portion, and the thick portion and the thin portion cover the second light transmitting portion; By manipulating the diffusion member, the ratio of the area where the thick portion covers the second light transmitting portion to the area where the thin portion covers the second light transmitting portion changes, while the thick portion covers the second light transmitting portion. An optical sensor, wherein an area of the portion covering the first light transmitting portion does not change.