JP3504407B2 - Optical sensor sensitivity adjustment device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a sensor mask for transmitting only light having a required wavelength out of sunlight, road lighting and the like received from the outside of a vehicle such as an automobile. The present invention relates to a sensitivity adjustment device for an optical sensor that can easily adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor using the method. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic lighting / extinguishing control device for automatically turning on / off a lighting device for a vehicle such as an automobile has an optical sensor for detecting the brightness around the vehicle. Is used. The following is proposed as a sensitivity adjustment device for an optical sensor in which the amount of light incident on the optical sensor from the outside is changed to adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor. FIGS. 13 and 14 are sectional views for schematically explaining the principle of a conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor. 13 and 14, reference numeral 1 denotes a case, 2 denotes an optical sensor that is housed in the case 1, and is a light receiving element such as a photodiode supported by a substrate 3, and 4 denotes a light sensor disposed on the front surface of the optical sensor 2. A diaphragm unit 5 movably provided in the vertical direction inside is a filter that is disposed on the front surface of the diaphragm unit 4 and transmits incident light from the outside. In the above-described conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor, when the diaphragm unit 4 is at a position as shown in FIG.
First, as shown by the arrow in FIG.
The light passes through the filter 5, then passes through the opening of the diaphragm 4, and enters the optical sensor 2. In addition, the diaphragm unit 4 is shown in FIG.
3 is moved downward from the position shown in FIG.
When it is in the position as shown in FIG.
As shown by an arrow in FIG. 4, first, the light passes through the filter 5, and then passes through the opening of the diaphragm unit 4 and enters the optical sensor 2. As described above, as a result of changing the position of the diaphragm 4 disposed on the front surface of the optical sensor 2, FIG.
The amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2 by the diaphragm unit 4 shown in FIG.
4 is smaller than the amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2 by the diaphragm unit 4 shown in FIG. That is, the amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2 is changed by mechanically (mechanically) moving the position of the diaphragm unit 4 in the vertical direction, thereby adjusting the sensitivity (light amount adjustment) of the optical sensor 2. I have. In addition, as a technique similar to the technique described above, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 425 is disclosed. [0006] A conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor is configured as described above.
Is arranged so as to be movable up and down inside the case 1,
(1) The structure of the case 1 is inevitably complicated, and a tool for moving the throttle unit 4 in the vertical direction is required.
(2) In order to change the position of the diaphragm unit 4 in the vertical direction,
There is a limit to the range of light amount adjustment for the optical sensor 2.
(3) The sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 cannot be sufficiently adjusted unless a light-colored material or a dark-colored material is properly replaced as the filter 5. Therefore, filter 5
, And two steps of changing the position of the throttle unit 4 are required. (4) Since the aperture 4 is present in front of the optical sensor 2, the filter 5 and the optical sensor 2 cannot be approached, and a certain distance is required.
Therefore, it becomes impossible to make the incident light incident on the optical sensor 2 with high accuracy depending on the incident angle of the incident light. (5)
Since the parts of the throttle unit 4 are required, the cost increases from the viewpoint of the structure. As described above, the conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor has many problems as described in the above (1) to (5). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is arranged on a front surface of an optical sensor.
A sensor mask having a portion having a different plate thickness for transmitting only light having a required wavelength out of light received from the outside is provided, and a portion having a desired plate thickness of the sensor mask is selectively matched with an opening of the optical sensor. With a simple configuration, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be adjusted with a simple configuration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a sensitivity adjustment device for an optical sensor that can be easily and extremely accurately performed. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor is housed in a case.
An optical sensor, which is a light receiving element supported by a substrate, and is disposed in front of the optical sensor, and transmits only light having a required wavelength among light received from the outside, and has a flat upper surface.
The lower surface is composed of four steps with different thicknesses and
A sensor mask formed with a plurality of claw portions;
4 which selectively fits with two claw portions formed on the lower surface of
Are provided in the case, and the two claw portions are
Make sure that the desired thickness matches the opening of the optical sensor.
Of the four cutout openings at the position to be fitted.
Mounting machine that detachably fits into and attaches to the notch openings
It is characterized by having a structure . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION sensitivity adjustment apparatus for an optical sensor according to the present invention, for example, automatically turns on the vehicle lighting device, such as an automobile, the automatic on off control device for controlling so as to turn off, the vehicle This is extremely optimal for performing when the sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor used for detecting the ambient brightness is performed with high accuracy. [0010] That is, the transmitting only light of the required wavelength of the light received from the outside, has a portion of different thickness, the two sensors mask claw portion is formed in the lower surface,
The instrument panel is provided so as to be freely inserted into an opening of a surface plate of an instrument panel close to a windshield inside an automobile. On the other hand, there is provided a case which is inserted into the opening of the middle plate of the instrument panel, is elastically detachably supported by the middle plate, and houses the optical sensor supported by the substrate. Of the two claw portions and the plurality of notch openings provided at the target position on the upper surface or the peripheral surface of the case, a desired 2
The two claw portions are selectively fitted with elastic force into the notch openings, and the sensor mask is attached to the case with one touch. Thus, the portion of the sensor mask having a desired plate thickness can be selectively assembled and changed in accordance with the opening of the optical sensor. [0011] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, a description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of a sensor mask in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a case in the sensitivity adjustment device for the optical sensor of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the case in the sensitivity adjustment device of the optical sensor of FIG. 1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a case having an L-shaped outer shape, 2 denotes an optical sensor which is a light receiving element such as a photodiode housed in the case 1, and 3 denotes an L-shaped outer shape as in the case 1. The substrate 3 is slidably housed in the case 1 along a rail inside the case 1 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. Reference numeral 3a denotes a holder for supporting the optical sensor 2. The optical sensor 2 is supported in the holder 3a.
The lead wire 2 a of the optical sensor 2 is soldered to the substrate 3. Reference numeral 3b is provided on the substrate 3, a connector for connecting each lead wire (not shown), 3c is provided on the substrate 3, a dip switch for finely adjusting the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2, and 3d is provided on the substrate 3. IC that is an electric circuit
(Integrated circuit) 3e is a cover that covers the bottom surface of the case 1. The cover 3e has a hole 3 through which the connector 3b is inserted.
f is provided. Reference numeral 6 denotes a sensor mask made of a synthetic resin that transmits only light having a required wavelength out of light received from the outside. The upper surface of the sensor mask 6 is formed on a flat surface 6a, and the lower surface has four different surfaces. A stepped surface 6b consisting of portions A, B, C, and D having a plate thickness is formed, and two claw portions 6c are formed.
Is formed. A sensor mask 6 is provided on the upper surface of the case 1.
The two claw portions 6c and four notch openings 1a are provided at target positions, and the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2 is provided. Reference numeral 1d denotes an adjusting operation window provided for finely adjusting the DIP switch 3c by inserting a driver or the like from the outside, and 1e denotes an elastic locking piece formed on the upper peripheral surface of the case 1. As will be described later, the locking piece 1e is removably engaged with an engaging groove of an inner wall of an opening provided in a middle panel of an instrument panel in an automobile, for example, by elastic force. Attach it to the middle plate of the panel so that it can be removed. FIG . 5 is a plan view showing a sensor mask in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a side view showing the sensor mask of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is four different plates of the sensor mask of FIG. FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a relationship between thickness and light transmittance.
5 and 6 which are the same as or correspond to those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper surface of the sensor mask 6 is formed as a flat surface 6a, and the lower surface is formed with a step surface 6b including four portions A, B, C, and D having different thicknesses. In addition, two claw portions 6c are formed. The dimensions of the thickness [mm] of the four portions A, B, C, D having different plate thicknesses are set as A <B <C <D. In the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor having the above-described configuration, of the four portions A, B, C, and D having different plate thicknesses formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask 6 shown in FIG. The two claws 6c are arranged so that the plate thickness portion D matches the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2 shown in FIGS.
Of the two claw portions 6c on the upper surface of the case 1 and the desired two notch openings 1a among the four notch openings 1a provided at target positions, and one-touch operation with elastic force. Attach and attach with. Similarly, two claw portions 6c are inserted into desired two cutout openings so that portions A, B, and C of different thicknesses of the sensor mask 6 coincide with the openings 1b of the optical sensor 2. It is selectively and fitted into the portion 1a with one touch with elastic force. [0016] Thus, four different thickness of the portion A formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask 6 arranged in front of the optical sensor 2, B, C, among and D, selective arbitrary one By setting the optical sensor 2 so as to match the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2, the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 can be digitally adjusted with a simple configuration and extremely accurately and easily. In this case, the light transmittance of the sensor mask 6 due to the four different thicknesses A, B, C, and D of the sensor mask 6 is as follows:
It changes stepwise as shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. FIG . 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between continuously different plate thicknesses of the sensor mask and light transmittance in the sensitivity adjustment device for the optical sensor of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, reference numeral 6 denotes a sensor mask made of a synthetic resin that transmits only light having a required wavelength out of light received from the outside. The lower surface is formed as a flat surface 6a, and two claw portions 6c are formed. Reference numeral 1 denotes a case having a cylindrical outer shape, and two claw portions 6c and two horizontally long cutout openings 1c at target positions are provided on the peripheral surface of the case 1. In a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor having a configuration as shown in FIG . 8, two claw portions 6c formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask 6 are attached to the two claw portions 6c on the peripheral surface of the case 1. Then, it is fitted into the two horizontally long cutout openings 1c provided at the target positions by one-touch operation with elastic force. The two claw portions 6c of the sensor mask 6 are configured to be selectively rotated to desired positions in the two horizontally long cutout openings 1c. Since the upper surface of the sensor mask 6 is formed on an inclined surface 6d formed of a portion having a continuously different plate thickness, the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2 shown in FIGS.
Of the sensor mask 6 continuously passes through the front surface of the sensor mask 6 sequentially according to the rotation of the sensor mask 6, and as a result, the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 is adjusted in an analog manner. With a simple configuration, it can be easily performed with high accuracy. In this case, the light transmittance of the sensor mask 6 due to the continuously different plate thickness portions of the sensor mask 6 continuously changes as shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. FIG . 10 is a circuit diagram schematically showing an operation circuit in a case where the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an automatic lighting control device for an automobile. FIG.
0, 2 is an optical sensor such as a photodiode, 6 is a sensor mask disposed on the front surface of the optical sensor 2 and transmitting only light of a required wavelength out of light received from the outside, and having a portion with a different plate thickness. Is an amplifier that amplifies the voltage from the optical sensor 2, 8 is a comparator that compares the voltage from the amplifier 7 with a predetermined voltage, 9 is a lamp control circuit that controls the turning on and off of a lamp 10 such as a headlight of an automobile. Reference numeral 10a denotes an auto light switch connected between the lamp 10 and the power supply 10b. In the circuit diagram shown in FIG . 10, the sensor mask 6 transmits only light of a required wavelength out of the light received from the outside of the vehicle, but the light transmitted through a portion of the sensor mask 6 having a desired thickness. Is incident on the optical sensor 2. The optical sensor 2 generates a sensor current change according to a change in the amount of incident light,
This sensor current change is converted into a voltage. The converted voltage is amplified by the amplifier 7. This makes it possible to change the voltage gradient characteristic with respect to a change in the amount of incident light. The voltage from the amplifier 7 is compared with a specified voltage by a comparator 8, and the voltage is a specified voltage (light quantity).
Below, the lamp control circuit 9 is activated. At this time, only when the auto light switch 10a is in the ON state,
The lamp control circuit 9 turns on a lamp 10 such as a headlight. On the other hand, when the voltage from the amplifier 7 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage, the lamp 10 is turned off via the lamp control circuit 9. As is clear from the description of the operation circuit shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 10, when light received from the outside of the vehicle passes through the sensor mask 6 and enters the optical sensor 2, the optical sensor 2 receives the incident light. The sensor current change generated in accordance with the light quantity change is converted into a voltage, and when the obtained voltage becomes equal to or less than a predetermined voltage (or more), the lamp 10 is passed through the lamp control circuit 9.
Is controlled to light (turn off). As a feature of the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the present invention, a sensor mask 6 having a portion having a different plate thickness is set on the front surface of the optical sensor 2 and a mounting direction of the sensor mask 6 with respect to the optical sensor 2 is selectively selected. The point is that it is configured so that the assembly can be changed. Therefore, the light quantity-voltage characteristic with respect to the light quantity incident on the optical sensor 2 can be easily changed, and the sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor 2 can be easily and extremely accurately performed with a simple configuration. FIG . 11 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining an embodiment in which the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor of FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside an automobile. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 denotes a case in which an optical sensor 2 (see FIG. 3) is housed, and 6 denotes a sensor mask which is disposed on the front surface of the optical sensor 2 and has a portion having a different plate thickness. Are formed. 11 is a windshield provided on the front of the vehicle, 12 is a surface plate of an instrument panel adjacent to the windshield 11 inside the vehicle,
12a is an opening provided in the front panel 12 of the instrument panel, 12b is a middle panel of the instrument panel,
12c is an opening provided in the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel. As shown in FIG . 11, a sensor which transmits only light of a required wavelength out of light received from the outside, has portions of different plate thicknesses, and has two claw portions 6c formed on the lower surface thereof. Put the mask 6 on the windshield 1 inside the car.
1 is provided so as to be freely insertable into the opening 12a of the surface plate 12 of the instrument panel close to 1. On the other hand, the case 1 in which the optical sensor 2 (see FIG. 3) supported by the substrate 3 is stored
With the opening 12 of the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel.
11C, the elastic locking piece 1e (see FIGS. 1 and 4) formed on the peripheral surface on the upper side of the case 1 has an elastic force with the opening 12c. Engagement, whereby the case 1 is attached to the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel. With the case 1 attached to the middle panel 12b of the instrument panel inside the automobile as described above, two claw portions 6c and four notches provided at target positions are provided on the upper surface of the case 1. Of the openings 1a (see FIGS. 1 and 3), the two claws 6c are selectively fitted with elastic force into desired two notches 1a, and the sensor mask 6 is placed in the case 1 Attach with one touch. Therefore, the desired thickness of the sensor mask 6 can be selectively changed in accordance with the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). When the case 1 is detached from the middle panel 12b of the instrument panel, if the case 1 is manually pulled out against the elastic force between the elastic locking piece 1e and the opening 12c at the time of attachment, the case 1 1 can be easily removed. FIG . 12 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining a mode of mounting a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention inside an automobile. 12 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIGS. 11 and 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 12d denotes an engagement groove provided on the inner wall of the opening 12c of the middle panel 12b of the instrument panel. As shown in FIG. 12, the sensor mask 6 having two claw portions 6c formed on the lower surface is fitted into the opening 12a of the surface plate 12 of the instrument panel inside the automobile by elastic fitting. . On the other hand, the case 1 where the light sensor 2, which is supported by the substrate 3 (see FIG. 3) is housed, the intermediate plate 12b of the instrument panel is inserted from the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12 into the opening portion 12c The elastic locking piece 1e formed on the peripheral surface on the upper side of the case 1 is provided with an engaging groove 12 provided on the inner wall of the opening 12c of the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel.
The case 1 is attached to the middle panel 12b of the instrument panel by the elastic force. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the sensor mask 6 is removably mounted in the opening 12a of the front panel 12 of the instrument panel, and the case 1 is mounted in the opening 12d of the middle panel 12b of the instrument panel. It is configured to be detachably attached to As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an optical sensor, which is a light receiving element housed in a case and supported by a substrate, is disposed on the front surface of the optical sensor. A sensor that transmits only light of a required wavelength out of light received from the outside, has an upper surface formed as a flat surface, and a lower surface formed with a step surface formed of four portions having different thicknesses and two claw portions. A mask and four notch openings selectively fitted to two claw portions formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask are provided in the case, and the two claw portions are provided with a portion having a desired plate thickness. A mounting mechanism for detachably fitting and mounting the two notch openings at the fitting target position among the four notch openings so that the openings of the optical sensor coincide with each other; The sensitivity adjustment device for the optical sensor can be easily and extremely accurately In addition to this, there is an excellent effect that the cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional apparatus of this type. Further, by selectively assembling and changing the mounting direction of the sensor mask with respect to the case in which the optical sensor is stored, there is an effect that the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be easily and extremely accurately adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of a sensor mask in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a case in the sensitivity adjustment device for the optical sensor of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of a case in the sensitivity adjustment device for the optical sensor of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a sensor mask in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a side view showing the sensor mask of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between four different plate thicknesses and light transmittance of the sensor mask of FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of a configuration of a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between continuously different plate thicknesses of a sensor mask and light transmittance in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram schematically showing an operation circuit in a case where the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an automatic light-on / off control device of an automobile. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining an aspect in which the sensitivity adjusting device for the optical sensor of FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside an automobile. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining an aspect in which a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside an automobile. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining the principle of a conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining the principle of a conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor. [Description of Signs] 1 Case 1a Notch opening 1b Opening 1c Notch opening 1d Adjustment operation window 1e Elastic locking piece 2 Optical sensor (light receiving element) 2a Lead wire 3 Substrate 3a Holder 3b Connector 3c Dip switch 3d IC (Integrated Circuit) 3e Cover 3f Hole 4 Aperture 5 Filter 6 Sensor Mask 6a Flat Surface 6b Step 6c Claw 6d Inclined 7 Amplifier 8 Comparator 9 Lamp Control Circuit 10 Lamp 10a Auto Light Switch 10b Power Supply 11 Windshield 12 Instrument Front panel 12a of instrument panel Opening 12b Middle panel 12c of instrument panel Opening 12d Engagement groove

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Claims (1)

(57) [Claim 1] An optical sensor which is housed in a case and is supported by a substrate and which is a light receiving element, and which is disposed in front of the optical sensor and which is required for light received from outside. Wavelength light, and the upper surface is formed as a flat surface and the lower surface is
A step surface consisting of different thicknesses and two claw portions are formed.
Sensor mask and the lower surface of the sensor mask.
Four notch openings that selectively fit with the two claw portions
Provided on the case, the two claw portions and the portion of the desired plate thickness
The four cutouts are aligned with the opening of the optical sensor.
Two notch openings at the fitting target position among the notch openings;
A sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor, comprising: a mounting mechanism for detachably fitting and mounting.