JPH0514849U - Remaining alarm system for wash liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a washer liquid remaining amount alarm device in which the luminescent color changes according to the degree of the remaining amount. [Structure] A potentiometer 10 arranged at the upper part of a washer tank, a float 14 which drives the potentiometer 10 by following a displacement of a liquid surface level by floating in a washer liquid 2, and a diffusion plate 22 for mixing colors with each other. The red light emitting lamp 20 and the different color light emitting lamp 21 arranged side by side are separated from each other with respect to the light emission amount of the red light emitting lamp 20 in response to the change in the resistance value of the potentiometer 10 accompanying the decrease of the float position. It is provided with light emitter drive circuits R1 and R2 that relatively reduce the amount of color light emission.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a remaining amount warning device that notifies the remaining amount of washer liquid in a washer tank of a vehicle.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 According to Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-137755, a magnet is attached to the bottom of the float floating in the washer liquid, and a reed switch is arranged below the float so that the reed switch becomes magnetized when the remaining amount decreases and it approaches an empty state. It is well known to turn on an alarm lamp by turning on the.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In this type of alarm device, when the washer liquid drops to a predetermined level, it suddenly lights up, which may miss the opportunity for replenishment. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washer liquid remaining amount alarm device in which the emission color changes according to the degree of the remaining amount.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve this object, the present invention is designed so that the potentiometer disposed above the washer tank and the float that floats on the washer liquid and follows the displacement of the liquid surface level to drive the potentiometer are mixed with each other. The red light emitter and another color light emitter juxtaposed on the back of the projection plate, and the red light emitter's luminescence amount corresponding to the change of the resistance value of the potentiometer due to the decrease of the float position And a light emitter driving circuit for relatively reducing the light emission amount of the light emitter.

[0005]

[Action]

 When the float position decreases following the decrease in the level of the washer liquid, the light emitter drive circuit responds to the change in the resistance value of the potentiometer that is linked to the float, and changes the emission amount of the red light emitter to that of another color. Gradually increase relative to the amount of light emitted. As a result, the color of light emitted through the projection plate gradually approaches red as the washer tank approaches the sky.

[0006]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 shows a vehicle washer fluid level warning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a rotary potentiometer 10 is arranged above the washer tank 1, and a winding drum 11 is attached to the rotary shaft thereof. One end of the wire 12 wound around the winding drum 11 is connected to the bottom portion of the float 14 through the hole 13a at the lower end portion of the rod hook 13. By attaching a weight 15 to the other end of the wire 12 and suspending it in the washer liquid 2, the wire 12 is crimped to the winding drum 11, and the winding drum 11 is securely attached to the displacement of the float 14. Interlock.

On the instrument panel, a lamp 20 having a red cap 20a and a lamp 21 having a green cap 21a are juxtaposed, and a milky white filter for evenly mixing the light emission of these lamps forward. Alternatively, a diffusion plate 22 as a projection plate such as frosted glass is arranged.

The lamps 20, 21 are associated with a light emitter drive circuit which cooperates with the potentiometer 10. That is, the lamp 20 is constantly driven through the resistor R1 and emits red light. On the other hand, the lamp 21 is driven through the resistance of the potentiometer 10 and a fixed series resistor R2. The resistance of the potentiometer 10 is reduced by lowering the washer fluid level and lowering the float 14 to lower the weight 15 corresponding to the rise of the wire 12 on that side and rotating the take-up drum 11. Enlarge.

The operation of the remaining amount warning device configured as described above is as follows. When the washer liquid 2 is almost full, the float 14 also rises, the potentiometer 10 rotates in the direction in which the resistance value is small, and the weight 15 also rises in the liquid. In this state, the amount of green light emitted is relatively larger than the amount of red light emitted, and the light is emitted greenish yellow through the diffusion plate 22. On the contrary, in the almost empty state, the resistance value of the potentiometer 10 rotates toward the maximum direction, the green light amount is almost disappeared, and the red light amount is relatively increased, and it appears red. Therefore, the resistance value of the potentiometer 10 gradually increases as the amount of liquid decreases from the full tank to near the sky, and the light emission changes through the diffuser plate 22 from green yellow to yellow to orange to red.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitter drive circuit has two potentiometers. The green light emitter 31 and the red light emitter 32 have resistances R11 and R12, and the resistance value increases as the float descends and descends. It is also possible to connect the potentiometer circuit 33 and the potentiometer circuit 34 whose resistance value is reduced. In addition, blue is used as the light emission of another color, or various modifications can be considered for the drive mechanism of the potentiometer, the light emitter drive circuit, etc. within the scope of the present invention.

[0011]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the remaining amount of the washer liquid can be monitored by continuous color change. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, a warning is not suddenly issued in a state close to an empty state, the washer fluid can be easily managed, and the state of no fluid can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a washer liquid remaining amount warning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a light emitter drive circuit of the same device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 33, 34 Potentiometer 11 Winding drum 14 Float 15 Weight 20, 21 Lamp 20a Red cap 21a Yellow cap 22 Diffusion plate 31 Green light emitter 32 Red light emitter

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A potentiometer disposed above a washer tank, a float that floats on the washer liquid and drives the potentiometer to follow the displacement of the liquid level, and a potentiometer behind the projection plate so as to mix colors with each other. Red light emitters and light emitters of different colors juxtaposed, corresponding to the change in the resistance value of the potentiometer with the decrease of the float position, of the light emitter of the different color with respect to the amount of light emission of the red light emitters. A washer liquid remaining amount warning device, comprising: a light emitter drive circuit for relatively reducing the light emission amount.