JPH10203244A - Ecd glare-proof mirror device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To steplessly control reflectance by a simple constitution by switching the supply and stoppage of DC voltage obtained by a constant voltage generation means from a battery power source to an EC mirror by a colorizable switch, inverting the polarity of DC voltage and switching the supply and stoppage to the EC mirror by a decolorizable switch. SOLUTION: Output voltage of a battery 1 is transformed by a constant voltage circuit 2 and is connected with an EC mirror 5 via a colorizable switch 3 and a decolorizable switch 4. Each of the colorizable and decolorizable switches 3, 4 has automatic reset switches 31, 32 and 41, 42. When the colorizable switch 3 is continued to be depressed, voltage is impressed from the plus side of the EC mirror 5 and the EC mirror 5 is gradually colored. When the decolorizable switch 4 is depressed, voltage is impressed on the minus side of the EC mirror 5 via the switch 42 and the plus side terminal is connected with the ground via the switch 41 and is decolored according to depression continuation time. Thus, reflectance of the EC mirror 5 can be adjusted by a simple circuitry.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ECD anti-glare mirror for changing the reflectance of a vehicle mirror by controlling a voltage value, and more particularly to a technology which can be constituted by a simple circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Inner mirrors and door mirrors mounted on vehicles such as passenger cars and trucks may be dazzled by glare when the headlights of the following vehicle are reflected as they are during night driving and enter the driver's field of view. Yes, driving safety is impaired. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a device that controls the reflectance by using an electrochromic device (hereinafter, referred to as ECD) has been often used. ECD is 1.5
When a DC voltage of about volts is applied in the forward direction, it is colored according to the application time, and conversely, when the DC voltage is applied in the reverse direction, the color is erased. If the headlights are not dazzling, leave them in a normal state.If the headlights of the following vehicle are dazzling, such as at night, apply a voltage to color them, thereby lowering the reflectance to prevent glare and prevent driver dazzling. There is an advantage that the switching operation is easier than that using a prism mirror.

[0003] As such an anti-glare mirror using an ECD, a conventional microfilm disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-107425 (conventional example 1), Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 57-30639 (conventional example 2), JP-A-6-80052 (conventional example 3) and JP-A-6-122344 (conventional example 4)
Are known. Of these, Conventional Example 1
Is disclosed as a reflectance switch 2
Using a continuous 5 position switch, by operating this switch reversibly apply a DC voltage to the ECD,
Thus, the reflectance is steplessly controlled by switching between coloring and decoloring. However, the contents described in the prior art 1 use a comparator IC, an AND IC, a transistor bridge circuit, and the like, and the circuit configuration is complicated, the cost is high, and a complicated weak electric circuit is used. However, there is a disadvantage that many troubles occur. Further, in the contents described in the above-mentioned conventional examples 2 to 4, since the coloring and decoloring of the EC mirror are controlled by continuously changing the voltage value supplied to the EC mirror, the control circuit is also complicated. The disadvantage is that the cost increases and a failure occurs.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional anti-glare mirror, although the reflectance can be controlled steplessly using the ECD, the circuit configuration is complicated and the cost is low. There has been a problem that high and many failures occur. The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drive circuit for an ECD anti-glare mirror capable of controlling the reflectance steplessly with a simple configuration. Is to provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when a predetermined DC voltage is applied, the color is continuously colored to a constant level in accordance with the application time, and the DC voltage is When a voltage having a different polarity is applied, an EC mirror having a function of continuously decoloring to an initial state in accordance with the application time, and a constant voltage for obtaining a predetermined DC voltage from a vehicle battery power supply Generating means, a coloring switch for switching between supply and stop of a DC voltage obtained by the constant voltage generating means to the EC mirror, and a switch for inverting the polarity of the DC voltage obtained by the constant voltage generating means. And a decoloring switch for switching between supply and stop.

According to the present invention constructed as described above, when the coloring switch is turned on, a constant DC voltage outputted from the constant voltage generating means is inputted from the plus side terminal of the EC mirror. The EC mirror will be colored according to the ON duration. Also,
When the decoloring switch is turned on, a voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the EC mirror, contrary to the above, so that the colored mirror is decolorized and returns to the original state.
This makes it possible to continuously switch between coloring and decoloring with a simple operation.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an ECD to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the anti-glare mirror device, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection thereof. FIG.
As shown in (1), the output voltage of the battery 1 mounted on the vehicle is supplied to a constant voltage circuit 2 (constant voltage generating means) and transformed into a constant DC voltage (for example, 1.5 V). The system is branched into systems and connected to the EC mirror 5 via the coloring switch 3 and the decoloring switch 4 respectively.

The constant voltage circuit 2 comprises a junction transistor Q1, a Zener diode D1 and a resistor R1, as shown in FIG. 2. The positive output of the battery 1 is connected to the collector of the transistor Q1.
One emitter is connected to one terminal of the coloring switch 3 and one terminal of the decoloring switch 4. The base of the transistor Q1 is connected to the collector via the resistor R1 and to the ground via the Zener diode D1.

The coloring switch 3 and the decoloring switch 4 are respectively two systems of automatic reset type switches (operated to be turned on by manual operation and turned off when released) 31, 31
32, 41, and 42, of which one end of each of the switches 31 and 42 is connected to the emitter of the transistor Q1, the other end of the switch 31 is a plus-side input terminal of the EC mirror 5, and the other end of the switch 42 is Connected to the negative input terminals. On the other hand, both ends of the switches 32 and 41 are connected to the ground, the other end of the switch 32 is connected to the minus input terminal of the EC mirror 5, and the other end of the switch 41 is connected to the plus input terminal.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. Since the value of the current supplied to the base of the transistor Q1 becomes substantially constant due to the reverse voltage characteristic of the Zener diode D1 of the constant voltage circuit 2, the output voltage of the constant voltage circuit 2 becomes a stable constant voltage (for example, DC 1 .5V). Now, when the headlights of the following vehicle are dazzling, such as at night, when the coloring switch 3 is kept pressed, the voltage output from the constant voltage circuit 2 is applied from the plus side of the EC mirror 5, so that the EC mirror 5 The switch 3 is gradually colored according to the time for which the switch is kept pressed, and when the switch 3 is pressed for a predetermined time or more, the limit is reached and the colored state is maximized. That is, the degree of coloring gradually increases according to the time for which the coloring switch 3 is kept pressed, so that the reflectance can be continuously changed, and an antiglare effect can be obtained.

When the driver releases his / her hand from the coloring switch 3, the coloring state at this time is maintained, and a constant reflectance can be maintained. When the user wants to return the EC mirror 5 from the colored state to the original state of the reflectance, the user presses the decoloring switch 4, and the DC voltage output from the constant voltage circuit 2 passes through the switch 42. The voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the EC mirror 5 and the positive terminal is connected to the switch 41.
Is connected to the ground via. Therefore, EC mirror 5
Since the voltage is applied to the EC mirror in the opposite direction to that at the time of coloring, the EC mirror is decolored according to the application time, that is, the time when the decoloring switch 4 is kept pressed, and the EC mirror is returned to the initial state. The normal reflectance is restored. Thus, coloring and decoloring are adjusted, and an antiglare effect can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the degree of coloring can be continuously changed in accordance with the time during which the coloring switch 3 is kept pressed. E is easily erased
The reflectance of the C mirror 5 can be adjusted to be suitable, and an antiglare effect can be obtained. Further, since the circuit configuration is extremely simple, the size of the device can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the occurrence of failure can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state. As shown in FIG. 3, the second embodiment is substantially the same as the above-described first embodiment, but differs in that two systems of constant voltage circuits are arranged.
That is, the output of the battery 1 is branched into two systems, one of which is connected to the first constant voltage circuit 2A and the other is connected to the second constant voltage circuit 2B. The DC voltage output from the first constant voltage circuit 2A is supplied to the EC mirror 5 via the coloring switch 3, and the second constant voltage circuit 2B
DC voltage output from the EC through the decoloring switch 4
It is supplied to the mirror 5. Further, the first constant voltage circuit 2A and the second constant voltage circuit 2B generate voltages having different magnitudes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a specific circuit configuration is such that a second constant voltage circuit 2B comprising a junction transistor Q2, a Zener diode D2 and a resistor R2 is connected to the first constant voltage circuit 2A. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure arrange | positioned in parallel. According to such a configuration, the present invention can be applied to a case where the applied voltage at the time of coloring and the applied voltage at the time of decoloring of the EC mirror 5 are different, and the operation and effect are the same as those of the first embodiment. .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the configuration at the time of coloring is the same as the configuration shown in the first embodiment, but the operation at the time of decoloring is different. That is, when the EC mirror 5 having a function of returning from the colored state to the decolored state by short-circuiting the two input terminals is used, there is no need to apply a reverse voltage when decoloring.
Since it is only necessary to short-circuit the two input terminals,
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the decoloring switch 4 is disposed between two input terminals of the EC mirror 5.

When the coloring switch 3 is turned on at the time of coloring, the DC voltage output from the constant voltage circuit 2 is supplied to the plus terminal of the EC mirror 5 via the switch 31, and the minus terminal is connected to the switch 32. The EC mirror 5 is connected to the ground via
When the color is erased, when the color erasing switch 4 is turned on, the two input terminals of the EC mirror 5 are short-circuited. The color is erased and the original state is restored. Thus, according to the third embodiment, the decoloring switch is set to E
Since it may be arranged between the two input terminals of the C mirror 5,
The circuit configuration can be further simplified.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state. In this embodiment, the seesaw switch 6 is used in order to use both the coloring switch and the decoloring switch, and the number of switches can be reduced to one. Are not turned on at the same time, so there is no fear of malfunction.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state. The fifth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment.
This embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, except that both ends of the battery 1 are not short-circuited when the coloring switch 3 and the decoloring switch 4 are simultaneously pressed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the colored switch 3 is connected to the contacts 33a, 33b, 33c.
, And contacts 34a, 34b, 34c
And the decoloring switch 4 includes a switch 43 having contacts 43a, 43b, 43c and a switch 44 having contacts 44a, 44b, 44c. The output voltage of the constant voltage circuit 2 is
3a and 44a, and contacts 33c and 34c are connected to contacts 43b and 44b, respectively. Also, the contact 34
a and 43a are connected to the ground, and the contacts 43c and 44c
Are connected to the plus side input terminal and the minus side input terminal of the EC mirror 5, respectively.

According to such a configuration, when the coloring switch 3 is turned on, the DC voltage output from the constant voltage circuit 2 is applied to the positive terminal of the EC mirror 5 via the contacts 33a, 33c, 43b, 43c. The negative side terminal is connected to the ground via the terminals 44c, 44b, 34c and 34a, so that the EC mirror 5 is colored. Here, if the decoloring switch 4 is also turned on while the coloring switch 3 is turned on, FIG.
As will be easily understood from the above, a voltage is supplied from the negative input terminal of the EC mirror 5 and therefore, the color is erased, and the positive and negative sides of the battery 1 are not short-circuited. is there.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an ECD antiglare mirror device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in this embodiment, the EC mirror 5 is connected to the output side of the coloring switch 4, contrary to the circuit shown in FIG. alike,
When the coloring switch 3 and the decoloring switch 4 are turned on at the same time, the plus side and the minus side of the battery 1 are not short-circuited, so that it is safe. Also, since a voltage is supplied from the plus terminal of the EC mirror 5,
It becomes a colored state.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in this embodiment, a current limiting resistor R3 is interposed between the battery 1 and the constant voltage circuit 2, and the operation is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, when the coloring switch 3 is turned on, the EC mirror 5 is colored, and when the decoloring switch 4 is turned on, the EC mirror 5 is decolored. Also, if the coloring switch 3 and the decoloring switch 4
Are turned on at the same time, switch 31,
Although both ends of the battery 1 are short-circuited via 41, the occurrence of excessive current can be prevented since the resistor R3 is interposed.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in this embodiment, a PTC 7 element is interposed between the battery 1 and the constant voltage circuit 2. As is well known, the PTC element 7 acts so that the resistance value increases as the temperature rises. With such a configuration, the color switch 3 and the decoloring switch are used in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment. Even when the switch 4 and the switch 4 are turned on at the same time, the voltage between the batteries 1 is applied to the PTC element 7, and both ends of the battery 1 are not short-circuited.

[0023]

As described above, according to the ECD anti-glare mirror device of the present invention, the constant voltage generating means (constant voltage circuit 2) formed by a simple connection circuit using transistors, diodes, resistors and the like. ) And the coloring switch 3 and the decoloring switch 4 constitute a drive circuit, which can color and decolor the EC mirror. Therefore, the configuration is simplified and the cost is greatly reduced as compared with the conventional anti-glare mirror device. Can be achieved. Further, the degree of coloring can be continuously adjusted by the duration of turning on the coloring switch, so that the operation is simple and the reflectance can be set arbitrarily. Further, by interposing a current limiting resistor or a PTC element between the battery and the constant voltage generating means, the batteries are short-circuited even when the coloring switch and the decoloring switch are simultaneously turned on. Nothing is safe.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECD anti-glare mirror device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram showing a specific connection state according to the eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 battery 2 (2A, 2B) constant voltage circuit (constant voltage generation means) 3 coloring switch 4 decoloring switch 5 EC mirror 6 seesaw switch 7 PTC element R3 current limiting resistor

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 24, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When the driver releases his / her hand from the coloring switch 3, the coloring state at this time is maintained, and a constant reflectance can be maintained. When the user wants to return the EC mirror 5 from the colored state to the original state of the reflectance, the user presses the decoloring switch 4, and the DC voltage output from the constant voltage circuit 2 passes through the switch 42. The voltage is applied to the negative terminal of the EC mirror 5 and the positive terminal is connected to the switch 41.
Is connected to the ground via. Therefore, EC mirror 5
Since the voltage is applied to the EC mirror in the opposite direction to that at the time of coloring, the EC mirror is decolored according to the application time, that is, the time when the decoloring switch 4 is kept pressed, and the EC mirror is returned to the initial state. And the normal reflectance is restored. Thus, coloring and decoloring are adjusted, and an antiglare effect can be obtained.

Claims (8)

[Claims] When a predetermined DC voltage is applied, the color is continuously colored to a certain level in accordance with the application time, and when a voltage having a different polarity from the DC voltage is applied,
An EC mirror having a function of continuously decoloring to an initial state in accordance with the application time; a constant voltage generating means for obtaining a predetermined DC voltage from a vehicle battery power supply; A color switch that switches between supply and stop of the applied DC voltage to the EC mirror, and a decoloring switch that switches supply and stop of the DC mirror obtained by inverting the polarity of the DC voltage obtained by the constant voltage generation means, An ECD anti-glare mirror device comprising: 2. When a predetermined DC voltage is applied, the color is continuously colored to a constant level according to the application time, and when a voltage having a polarity different from the DC voltage is applied,
An EC mirror having a function of continuously decoloring to an initial state according to the application time, first constant voltage generating means for obtaining a predetermined DC voltage from a vehicle battery power supply, and a vehicle battery power supply A second constant voltage generating means for obtaining a DC voltage having a magnitude different from that of the first constant voltage generating means, and supplying the DC voltage obtained by the first constant voltage generating means to the EC mirror; An ECD anti-glare mirror device, comprising: a coloring switch for switching a stop; and a decoloring switch for switching supply and stop of a DC voltage obtained by the second constant voltage generating means to the EC mirror. 3. When a predetermined DC voltage is applied to the input terminal, the input terminal is colored continuously to a certain level in accordance with the application time, and when the input terminal is short-circuited, continuous in accordance with the short-circuit time. An EC mirror having a function of decoloring to an initial state, a constant voltage generating means for obtaining a predetermined DC voltage from a vehicle battery power supply, and a DC voltage obtained by the constant voltage generating means to the EC mirror. An ECD anti-glare mirror device, comprising: a coloring switch for switching between supply and stop of the EC mirror; and a decoloring switch for short-circuiting between two input terminals of the EC mirror. 4. A circuit configuration for shutting off both ends of the battery so as not to be short-circuited when the coloring switch and the decoloring switch are simultaneously turned on. ECD according to any one of the above
Anti-glare mirror device. 5. The constant voltage generating means comprises a junction transistor, a Zener diode and a resistor, the emitter of the junction transistor is connected to the input side of the coloring switch and the decoloring switch, and the collector is 2. The zener diode connected to the positive side of the battery, the zener diode being connected between the base of the junction transistor and ground, and the resistor being interposed between the collector and the base of the junction transistor. 3. To claim 3
The ECD anti-glare mirror device according to any one of the above items. 6. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the coloring switch and the decoloring switch are formed of a seesaw type switch which is turned on / off contrary to each other.
The ECD anti-glare mirror device according to any one of the above items. 7. A current limiting resistor is arranged between said battery and said constant voltage generating means.
The ECD anti-glare mirror device according to claim 3. 8. The ECD anti-glare mirror device according to claim 1, wherein a PTC element is arranged between said battery and said constant voltage generating means.