JPH09126886A - Device for adjusting sensitivity of optical sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust the sensitivity of an optical sensor accurately and easily with its simplified structure. SOLUTION: An optical sensor is housed in a case 1, and the device for adjusting its sensitivity is arranged in front of the sensor and allows only necessary lights receiving from the outside to transmit therein. In order to engage a part with desired plate thickness in a sensor mask 6 which has parts with different plate thicknesses with an opening part 1b of the optical sensor, two claw parts 6c formed beneath the sensor mask 6 are engaged selectively and elastically with desired two notch opening parts 1a out of four claw parts formed on the surface of the case 1 at a symmetrical position against the claw parts 6c, through one-touch operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention adjusts the sensitivity of an optical sensor by using a sensor mask that transmits only light of a required wavelength out of light such as sunlight and road lighting received from the outside of a vehicle such as an automobile. The present invention relates to a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor that can be easily performed.

[0002]

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 uses an optical sensor for detecting the brightness of the surroundings of the vehicle. ing. Then, as the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor, which is configured to adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor by changing the amount of light incident on the optical sensor from the outside, the following is proposed.

13 and 14 are sectional views for schematically explaining the principle of a conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, 1 is a case, 2 is an optical sensor that is housed in the case 1, and is a light receiving element such as a photodiode supported by the substrate 3, and 4 is arranged in front of the optical sensor 2, and The diaphragm 5 provided inside so as to be movable in the vertical direction is a filter which is arranged on the front surface of the diaphragm 4 and transmits incident light from the outside.

In the above-mentioned conventional sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor, when the diaphragm 4 is in the position as shown in FIG.
As shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, the incident light from the outside is as follows.
The light passes through the filter 5, and then 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 the position is as shown in Fig. 4, the incident light from the outside is
4, the light passes through the filter 5 first, and then through the opening of the diaphragm 4, and enters the optical sensor 2.

As described above, as a result of changing the position of the diaphragm portion 4 arranged in front of the optical sensor 2, FIG.
The amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2 by the diaphragm 4 shown in FIG.
The amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2 by the diaphragm 4 shown in FIG. That is, by moving the position of the diaphragm 4 vertically (mechanically), the amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2 is changed, whereby the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 is adjusted (light amount adjustment). There is. Incidentally, as a technique similar to the above-mentioned technique, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-21
Some are disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 425.

[0006]

The conventional optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device is constructed as described above, and the optical sensor 2
Since the throttle portion 4 arranged on the front surface of the case is configured to be movable in the vertical direction inside the case 1,
(1) The structure of the case 1 is inevitably complicated, and a tool for moving the narrowed portion 4 in the vertical direction is required.
(2) In order to change the position of the diaphragm 4 in the vertical direction,
There is a limit to the range of light amount adjustment for the optical sensor 2.
(3) As the filter 5, unless a light-colored material or a dark-colored material is properly replaced, the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 cannot be adjusted sufficiently. Therefore, filter 5
It is necessary to perform a two-step operation such as removing and replacing the diaphragm or changing the position of the diaphragm 4. (4) Since the diaphragm 4 exists on the front surface of the optical sensor 2, the filter 5 and the optical sensor 2 cannot be close to each other, and a certain distance is required,
Therefore, it becomes impossible to make the incident light incident on the optical sensor 2 accurately depending on the incident angle of the incident light. (5)
Since a component of the throttle unit 4 is required, the cost is high in view of the structure. As described above, the conventional optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device has many problems as described in (1) to (5) above.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is arranged in front of the optical sensor.
A sensor mask having portions having different plate thicknesses for transmitting only light of 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 matched with an opening portion of the optical sensor to selectively. Since it can be assembled and changed, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be adjusted easily.
An object of the present invention is to obtain a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor, which can be performed extremely accurately and easily.

[0008]

A sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1 of the present invention is housed in a case,
This sensor mask is provided with an optical sensor supported by a substrate and a sensor mask which is arranged in front of the optical sensor and which transmits only a light of a required wavelength out of the light received from the outside and which has a different plate thickness. The sensor mask is detachably attachable to the case so that a portion having a desired plate thickness of can be matched with the opening of the optical sensor to selectively change the assembly.

The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 2 of the present invention is the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor mask has a structure in which an upper surface is formed flat and a lower surface is formed. It is characterized in that a stepped surface composed of four portions having different plate thicknesses and two claw portions are formed.

The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 3 of the present invention is the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting mechanism is formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask. Two claws are selectively and detachably fitted into two desired claw openings out of four claw openings provided at the target position with the two claws on the upper surface of the case. It is characterized in that it is configured to be attached.

A sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the first aspect, wherein the sensor mask has a structure in which the upper surface portion has a continuously different thickness. It is characterized in that it is formed as an inclined surface, the lower surface is formed as a flat surface, and two claw portions are formed.

The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the first or fourth aspects, in which the mounting mechanism is formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask. The two claws are detachably fitted into the two claws provided in the target position and the two claws provided at the target position on the peripheral surface of the case, and the desired claws in the two cutouts are provided. It is characterized in that it is attached so that it can be selectively rotated to a position.

The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 6 of the present invention is the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting mechanism is formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask. The two claws are detachably attached to the opening provided in the surface plate of the instrument panel inside the automobile, and the elastic locking piece formed on the peripheral surface on the upper side of the case is attached to the instrument. It is characterized in that it is detachably attached so as to engage with an engaging groove of an inner wall of an opening provided in the middle plate of the ment panel.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the present invention is an automatic lighting / extinguishing control device for automatically turning on / off a lighting device for a vehicle such as an automobile. This is extremely optimum for carrying out the sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor used for detecting the height with high accuracy.

That is, a sensor mask which transmits only the light of a required wavelength out of the light received from the outside, has a portion having a different plate thickness, and has two claw portions formed on the lower surface,
It is installed so that it can be inserted into the opening of the surface plate of the instrument panel that is close to the windshield inside the automobile. On the other hand, a case is provided which is inserted into the opening of the middle plate of the instrument panel, is elastically and detachably supported by the middle plate, and accommodates the optical sensor supported by the substrate. Of the two claws and a plurality of notch openings provided at the target position on the upper surface or the peripheral surface of this case, the desired two
The two claw portions are selectively fitted into the notch openings with elastic force, 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 attached and changed so as to match the opening of the photosensor.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of a sensor mask in the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a case in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the case in the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device of FIG. 1 to 4, 1 is a case having an L-shaped outer shape, 2 is an optical sensor which is a light receiving element such as a photodiode housed in the case 1, and 3 is an L-shaped outer shape as in the case 1. The substrate 3 is an egg-shaped substrate and is slidably housed in the case 1 along rails inside the case 1 as shown by a circular dotted line in FIG.

Reference numeral 3a is a holder for supporting the optical sensor 2, and the optical sensor 2 is supported in the holder 3a.
The lead wire 2a of the optical sensor 2 is soldered to the substrate 3. 3b is provided on the substrate 3, a connector for connecting lead wires (not shown), 3c is provided on the substrate 3, and a dip switch for finely adjusting the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 is provided on the substrate 3. IC that is an electric circuit
(Integrated circuit) 3e is a cover for covering the bottom surface of the case 1, and 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 synthetic resin that transmits only light having a necessary wavelength out of light received from the outside. The upper surface of the sensor mask 6 is formed into a flat surface 6a, and the lower surface thereof has four different shapes. A stepped surface 6b composed of plate thickness portions A, B, C, D is formed and two claw portions 6c are formed.
Are formed. A sensor mask 6 is provided on the upper surface of the case 1.
The two claw portions 6c and four cutout openings 1a are provided at the target positions, and the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2 is provided. Reference numeral 1d is an adjustment operation window portion provided for finely adjusting the DIP switch 3c by inserting a driver or the like from the outside, and 1e is an elastic locking piece formed on the peripheral surface on the upper side of the case 1. As will be described later, the locking piece 1e is detachably engaged with the engaging groove of the inner wall of the opening provided in the middle plate of the instrument panel inside the automobile with an elastic force so as to attach the case 1 to the instrument. 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 sensitivity adjusting device for the optical sensor 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. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between thickness and the light transmittance.
The same or corresponding parts in FIGS. 5 and 6 as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are represented 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 into a flat surface 6a, and the lower surface is formed with a step surface 6b composed of four portions A, B, C and D having different plate thicknesses. At the same time, two claws 6c are formed. The thickness [mm] of the four portions A, B, C and D having different plate thicknesses is set as A <B <C <D.

In the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor having the above-mentioned structure, among the four parts A, B, C, D having different plate thicknesses formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask 6 shown in FIG. 5, for example, Two claw portions 6c are provided so that the plate thickness portion D is aligned with the opening portion 1b of the optical sensor 2 shown in FIGS.
Of the two claws 6c on the upper surface of the case 1 and the four notch openings 1a provided at the target position, and selectively into the desired two notch openings 1a with elastic force. Install by mating with. Similarly, in order to match the portions A, B, and C having different plate thicknesses of the sensor mask 6 with the openings 1b of the optical sensor 2, the two claw portions 6c are provided with two desired cut hole openings. It is fitted into the portion 1a selectively and with elastic force by one-touch fitting.

As described above, any one of the four portions A, B, C and D having different plate thicknesses formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask 6 arranged on the front surface of the optical sensor 2 is selectively selected. By setting so as to match with the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2, the sensitivity of the optical sensor 2 can be digitally adjusted with a simple structure and with extremely high accuracy and easily. In this case, the light transmittance of the sensor mask 6 by the four portions A, B, C and D having different plate thicknesses of the sensor mask 6 is
As shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG. 7, it changes stepwise.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the construction of a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the continuously different plate thickness of the sensor mask and the light transmittance in the sensitivity adjusting 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 necessary wavelength out of light received from the outside, and the upper surface of the sensor mask 6 has a continuously different plate thickness. Is formed on the inclined surface 6d, the lower surface is formed on the flat surface 6a, and two claw portions 6c are formed. Reference numeral 1 denotes a case whose outer shape is a cylindrical shape, and the case 1 is provided with two claw portions 6c and two laterally elongated notch openings 1c at the target position.

In the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor having the structure as shown in FIG. 8, the two claw portions 6c formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask 6 and the two claw portions 6c on the peripheral surface of the case 1 are provided. Then, the two laterally elongated notch openings 1c provided at the target positions are fitted with one elastic force and attached. Then, the two claw portions 6c of the sensor mask 6 are configured to be selectively rotatable to desired positions within the two horizontally long notch openings 1c. Since the upper surface of the sensor mask 6 is formed as a slanted surface 6d composed of portions having different plate thicknesses continuously, the opening 1b of the optical sensor 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is formed.
The portions of the sensor mask 6 having different plate thicknesses successively and successively pass through the front surface of the sensor mask 6 in accordance with 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 structure, it can be performed extremely accurately and easily. 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 the case where the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an automatic lighting on / off control device for an automobile. FIG.
In 0, 2 is an optical sensor such as a photodiode, 6 is a front surface of the optical sensor 2, and is a sensor mask that transmits only light of a required wavelength out of light received from the outside and has a portion of different plate thickness, 7 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 specified voltage, and 9 is a lamp control circuit that controls lighting and extinguishing of a lamp 10 such as a vehicle headlight. Reference numerals 10a are auto light switches connected between the lamp 10 and the power source 10b.

In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 10, the sensor mask 6 transmits only the light of the required wavelength out of the light received from the outside of the vehicle, but the light transmitted through the portion of the sensor mask 6 having the desired plate thickness. Enters the optical sensor 2. The optical sensor 2 causes a sensor current change according to a change in the amount of incident light,
This sensor current change is converted into a voltage. The voltage converted voltage is amplified by the amplifier 7. This makes it possible to change the voltage slope characteristic with respect to the change in the amount of incident light. The voltage from the amplifier 7 is compared with a specified voltage by the comparator 8, and the above voltage is a specified voltage (light quantity).
In the following cases, the lamp control circuit 9 operates, and at this time, only when the auto light switch 10a is in the ON state,
The lamp control circuit 9 turns on the lamp 10 such as a headlight. On the other hand, when the voltage from the amplifier 7 exceeds a certain 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 the light received from the outside of the vehicle passes through the sensor mask 6 and enters the optical sensor 2, the optical sensor 2 detects the incident light. When a change in sensor current caused by a change in light amount is converted into a voltage, and the obtained voltage becomes lower than (or higher than) a predetermined voltage, the lamp 10 is passed through the lamp control circuit 9.
Is controlled to turn on (turn off). The optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device according to the present invention is characterized in that a sensor mask 6 having portions having different plate thicknesses is set on the front surface of the optical sensor 2, and the mounting direction of the sensor mask 6 with respect to the optical sensor 2 is selectively set. It is configured so that the assembly can be changed. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily change the light amount-voltage characteristic with respect to the amount of light incident on the optical sensor 2, and the sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor 2 can be easily performed with extremely high accuracy with a simple configuration.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view for schematically explaining a mode in which the sensitivity adjusting device for the optical sensor of FIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside a vehicle. In FIG. 11, 1 is a case in which the optical sensor 2 (see FIG. 3) and the like are housed, 6 is a sensor mask which is arranged on the front surface of the optical sensor 2 and has portions with different plate thicknesses, and two are provided on the lower surface thereof. Claw portion 6c is formed. Reference numeral 11 is a windshield provided on the front surface of the automobile, 12 is a surface plate of an instrument panel which is close to the windshield 11 inside the automobile,
12a is an opening provided on the surface plate 12 of the instrument panel, 12b is an intermediate plate 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 having a necessary wavelength out of light received from the outside and has portions having different plate thicknesses and 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 inserted into the opening 12a of the front surface plate 12 of the instrument panel adjacent to 1. On the other hand, the case 1 in which the optical sensor 2 (see FIG. 3) supported by the substrate 3 is housed
The opening 12 of the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel.
When inserted into the c from the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 11, 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.

As described above, with the case 1 attached to the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel inside the automobile, two claws 6c are provided on the upper surface of the case 1 and four notches provided at target positions. Of the openings 1a (see FIGS. 1 and 3), the two claws 6c are selectively fitted into desired two notched openings 1a with elastic force, and the sensor mask 6 is attached to the case 1 Attach with one touch. Therefore, it is possible to selectively assemble and change the portion of the sensor mask 6 having a desired plate thickness so as to match the opening portion 1b (see FIGS. 1 and 3) of the optical sensor 2. Further, when the case 1 is detached from the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel, if the case 1 is pulled out by hand against the elastic force between the elastic locking piece 1e and the opening 12c at the time of attachment, 1 can be easily removed.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view for schematically explaining the manner of mounting the optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device according to another embodiment of the present invention inside a vehicle. 11 that are the same as or corresponding to those in FIGS. 11 and 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 12, 12d is an engagement groove provided in the inner wall of the opening 12c of the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel. As shown in FIG. 12, the sensor mask 6 having two claws 6c formed on the lower surface is elastically fitted into the opening 12a of the surface plate 12 of the instrument panel inside the automobile and attached. .

On the other hand, when the case 1 in which the optical sensor 2 (see FIG. 3) supported by the substrate 3 is housed, the middle plate 12b of the instrument panel is inserted into the opening 12c from the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. The elastic locking piece 1e formed on the peripheral surface on the upper side of the case 1 has an engaging groove 12 formed 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 plate 12b of the instrument panel by elastically engaging with d. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the sensor mask 6 is detachably mounted in the opening 12a of the front panel 12 of the instrument panel, and the case 1 is in the opening 12d of the middle panel 12b of the instrument panel. Is configured to be detachably attached to.

[0032]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the optical sensor housed in the case and supported by the substrate and the light received from the outside which is arranged on the front surface of the optical sensor. A sensor mask is provided that transmits only the light of the required wavelength and has different thicknesses, and the desired thickness of the sensor mask is matched with the opening of the optical sensor to selectively change the assembly. The sensor mask is detachably attached to the case so that the sensitivity adjusting device for the optical sensor can be easily and accurately performed with a simple structure. It has an excellent effect that the cost can be reduced as compared with the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the first aspect, the sensor mask has a structure in which the upper surface is formed as a flat surface and the lower surface has four different plate thicknesses. Since the stepped surface made up of parts and the two claws are formed, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be adjusted extremely accurately with a simple structure using only one sensor mask. Has the effect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor according to the first or second aspect, the mounting mechanism is configured such that the two claw portions formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask are Of the above two claws and four notch openings provided at the target position on the upper surface of, the desired two notch openings are selectively removably fitted and attached. By selectively changing the mounting direction of the sensor mask with respect to the case accommodating the optical sensor, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be adjusted extremely accurately and easily.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor according to the first aspect, the sensor mask has a structure in which the upper surface is formed into an inclined surface composed of portions having continuously different plate thicknesses, Since the lower surface is formed to be a flat surface and two claw portions are formed, the sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor can be performed very accurately with a simple configuration using only one sensor mask. It has an effect that it can be easily performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the first or fourth aspect, the mounting mechanism is configured such that two claw portions formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask are The two claws and the two notch openings provided at the target position are removably fitted on the peripheral surface of, and can be selectively rotated to a desired position in the two notch openings. Since it is configured as described above, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be adjusted extremely accurately and easily by selectively changing the mounting position of the sensor mask with respect to the case in which the optical sensor is housed. There is an effect that can be.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor according to the first or second aspect, the structure of the mounting mechanism is such that the two claw portions formed on the lower surface of the sensor mask are Is detachably attached to the inside of the opening provided on the surface plate of the instrument panel, and an elastic locking piece formed on the peripheral surface on the upper side of the case is provided on the middle plate of the instrument panel. Since it has a structure that is detachably attached so as to engage with the engagement groove of the inner wall of the opening, it is possible to selectively assemble and change the mounting direction of the sensor mask with respect to the case in which the optical sensor is housed. Therefore, the sensitivity of the optical sensor can be adjusted extremely accurately and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of a sensor mask in the sensitivity adjusting device for the optical sensor of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a case in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of a case in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor of FIG.

5 is a plan view showing a sensor mask in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the sensor mask of FIG.

7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between four different plate thicknesses and light transmittance of the sensor mask 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.

9 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the continuously different plate thickness of the sensor mask and the light transmittance in the sensitivity adjusting device of the optical sensor of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram schematically showing an operation circuit in the case where the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an automatic lighting on / off control device for an automobile.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining a mode in which the sensitivity adjusting device for the optical sensor of FIG. 1 that is an embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside a vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining a mode in which a sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside a vehicle.

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 optical sensor sensitivity adjusting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Case 1a Cutout Opening 1b Opening 1c Cutout Opening 1d Adjusting Operation Window 1e Elastic Locking Piece 2 Optical Sensor (Photoreceptor) 2a Lead Wire 3 Board 3a Holder 3b Connector 3c Dip Switch 3d IC (Integrated Circuit) 3e Cover 3f Hole 4 Filter 5 Filter 6 Sensor mask 6a Flat surface 6b Step 6c Claw 6d Inclined surface 7 Amplifier 8 Comparator 9 Lamp control circuit 10 Lamp 10a Auto light switch 10b Power supply 11 Windshield 12 Front panel of instrument panel 12a Opening 12b Instrument panel middle plate 12c Opening 12d Engagement groove

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical sensor, which is a light receiving element accommodated in a case and supported by a substrate, and a light sensor disposed on the front surface of the optical sensor, which transmits only light having a necessary wavelength out of light received from the outside, A sensor mask having portions having different plate thicknesses, and the sensor mask is attached to the case so that the portion having a desired plate thickness of the sensor mask can be selectively assembled and changed by matching with the opening of the optical sensor. A device for adjusting the sensitivity of an optical sensor, comprising: an attachment mechanism that is detachably attached. 2. The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor mask has a flat upper surface and a lower surface and a step surface formed of four portions having different plate thicknesses.
A sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor, wherein individual claw portions are formed. 3. The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism has two claw portions formed on a lower surface of the sensor mask, and the two claw portions are provided on an upper surface of the case. One claw portion and four notch openings provided at the target position, and a configuration in which two desired notch openings are selectively removably fitted and attached. Sensor sensitivity adjustment device. 4. The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor mask has an upper surface formed on an inclined surface composed of portions having different plate thicknesses and a lower surface formed on a flat surface. In addition, the sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor is characterized in that two claw portions are formed. 5. The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes two claw portions formed on a lower surface of the sensor mask on the peripheral surface of the case. Two claws and two notch openings provided at target positions are detachably fitted and attached to the two notch openings so that they can be selectively rotated to desired positions. A sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor, which is provided. 6. The sensitivity adjusting device for an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes two claw portions formed on a lower surface of the sensor mask, and an instrument panel inside a vehicle. Is detachably mounted in the opening provided in the surface plate of the instrument, and the elastic locking piece formed on the peripheral surface of the upper side of the case is attached to the inner wall of the opening provided in the middle plate of the instrument panel. A device for adjusting the sensitivity of an optical sensor, wherein the device is detachably attached so as to be engaged with the engaging groove of the optical sensor.