JPH11334460A - Lighting system for bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an excess current from being supplied to a headlamp and to efficiently utilize dump power even when an amount of electric power generation is larger than a rating power of the headlamp without making substantial changes in design and the like. SOLUTION: This system is provided: a comparing/operating unit 60 which judges whether light of the surroundings is lighter than a predetermined light on the basis of a signal from a light/dark detecting unit 50, and judges whether an electric power generated by a hub dynamo 8 is larger than a first reference value and than a second reference value on the basis of a signal from a voltage detecting unit 30; and a storage battery switching unit 90 which supplies a storage battery 14, on the basis of a signal from the comparing/operating unit 60, with the generated electric power when the surrounding is lighter than the predetermined light and when the surrounding is darker than the predetermined light and the generated electric power is larger than the first reference value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device for a bicycle, which prevents an overcurrent from flowing into a headlight of the bicycle and uses electric power generated according to a running state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bicycle lighting device is generally provided with a dynamo to generate power in-house, and at the time of lighting, a dynamo rotor abuts a front wheel tire to rotate the rotor to generate power.

[0003] In this case, since the rotor is in contact with the tire of the front wheel, there is a drawback that a large torque acts on the pedal and the pedal becomes heavy. Therefore, a configuration called a hub dynamo having a dynamo attached to the axle is proposed. Has been put to practical use.

Since the hub dynamo is incorporated in the axle as described above, it generates electricity even during daytime when no lighting is required. Therefore, in order to make effective use of the power generated during the day, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-239967, the power generated during the day is charged into a battery, and at night the predetermined brightness is obtained by using the power of the battery. It is described that it can be obtained.

[0005]

However, when the speed of the bicycle is high or when a hub dynamo with a large power generation capacity is mounted, there is a problem that a current exceeding the rating is supplied to the bulb and the life is shortened.

Of course, it is possible to provide current limiting means so that the current supplied to the bulb does not exceed the rating, and to consume the excess power at that time internally.

However, in this case, there arises a problem that the power consumed internally is wasted, and an increase in cost due to the provision of the current limiting means and an operation margin such as an allowable temperature must be taken into the design. A growing problem arises.

Therefore, the present invention prevents overcurrent from flowing through the bulb even when the supply current exceeds the rated value when the lighting is turned on without any significant change in the design or the like, and prevents excess current at that time. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for a bicycle in which electric power can be used effectively.

[0009]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headlight, a generator incorporated in an axle of a bicycle, and a generator for storing the generated power. In a lighting device for a bicycle having the following features, the surrounding brightness and the amount of power generated by the generator are detected, and when the surroundings are brighter than a predetermined brightness, the generated power is supplied to the storage battery, and the surroundings are controlled by the predetermined brightness. A control circuit for supplying the generated power to the headlight and the storage battery when the power is dark and the generated power is greater than the first reference value which is the rated power of the headlight; And an excess current at that time is stored in a storage battery.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control circuit includes a light / dark detector for detecting the brightness of the surroundings, a voltage detector for detecting the power generated by the generator as a voltage, and a signal from the light / dark detector. A comparison operation unit that determines whether the surroundings are brighter than a predetermined brightness based on the signal, and determines whether the power generated by the generator is greater than a first reference value based on a signal from the voltage detection unit. Based on the signal from the comparison operation unit, when the surroundings are brighter than a predetermined brightness and when the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness and the generated power is larger than the first reference value, the generated power is reduced. Based on the signal from the storage battery switching unit that supplies the storage battery and the comparison calculation unit,
A headlight control unit for turning on the headlight when the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, so that overcurrent is not supplied to the headlight and surplus power at that time is stored in the storage battery; It is characterized by doing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary light for illuminating a position closer to the headlight, and the control circuit compares the generated power with a second reference value smaller than the first reference value. When the brightness is smaller than the second reference value and the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, the generated power is supplied to the headlight and the power of the storage battery is supplied to the auxiliary light to enhance safety. It is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control circuit has an auxiliary light control unit for controlling turning on and off of the auxiliary light, and the comparison operation unit generates electric power by the generator based on a signal from the voltage detection unit. It is determined whether the obtained power is greater than the second reference value,
Based on the determination, if the surroundings are darker than the predetermined brightness and the generated power is smaller than the second reference value, the auxiliary light control unit supplies the power of the storage battery to the auxiliary light to turn it on,
It is characterized by enhanced safety.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which a lighting device according to the present invention is mounted on a bicycle. A lighting device 3 is fixed to a bicycle 1 by a bracket 4 and a hub dynamo 8 attached to an axle of a bicycle front wheel. Electric power is supplied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the lighting device 3.
2A is a front sectional view, and FIG. 2B is a side sectional view.

A headlight 1 is provided in a case 11 of the lighting device 3.
2, an auxiliary light 13, a storage battery 14 for storing and supplying power when necessary, detecting the surrounding brightness and the amount of power generated by the hub dynamo 8, and detecting the headlight 12 and the auxiliary light 13 under preset conditions.
, And a control circuit 15 for controlling the storage battery 14 to supply power to the auxiliary lamp 13 from the storage battery 14 and the like.

In the following description, the auxiliary light 13 will be described.
Only the case where only the power is supplied from the storage battery 14 will be described, but it is added that the headlight 12 can be also supplied with the power.

The headlight 12 is set to illuminate a distant place, for example, several meters away, and the auxiliary light 13 is set to illuminate a place near a few meters away, for example.
Thus, the light emitted can be used effectively.

The case 11 is provided with an ambient light detection sensor 51 formed of Cds for detecting ambient light, as will be described later. The ambient light enters through the transparent member 18. .

The ambient light detection sensor 51 is provided to face the road surface so that the headlights 12 and the like do not repeatedly turn on and off when the surrounding brightness suddenly changes due to the street light in the evening. I have.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit 15.
FIG. 4 shows a detailed view thereof. The control circuit 15 includes a rectifying / smoothing unit 20 for rectifying the AC voltage generated by the hub dynamo 8 into a DC voltage, a voltage detecting unit 30 for detecting the generated power by detecting the generated voltage, and a voltage value from the rectifying / smoothing unit 20. Since the voltage fluctuates depending on the generated voltage, the voltage is changed based on the signals from the constant voltage unit 40 for converting the voltage to a constant DC voltage, the light / dark detector 50 for detecting the surrounding brightness, the voltage detector 30 and the light / dark detector 50. , Charging and discharging the storage battery 14 and the headlight 12
And a comparison operation unit 60 that outputs a control signal for turning on and off the auxiliary lamp 13, a storage battery switching unit 90 that controls charging of the storage battery 14 based on the storage battery control signal from the comparison operation unit 60, and a comparison operation unit 60. A headlight control unit 70 that controls the turning on and off of the headlight 12 based on the headlight control signal from the
An auxiliary light control unit 80 and the like for controlling turning on and off of the auxiliary light 13 based on the auxiliary light control signal from the comparison operation unit 60 are provided.

The voltage generated by the hub dynamo 8 is an alternating current. The power supply for the headlight 12 and the auxiliary light 13 may be an alternating current, but the electronic components constituting the control circuit 15 require a direct current voltage. .

Therefore, in the rectifying and smoothing section 20, the AC voltage generated by the hub dynamo 8 is full-wave rectified by the diodes 21 to 24 and smoothed by the capacitor 25.

The voltage detecting section 30 has resistors 31 and 32 and detects the DC voltage from the rectifying and smoothing section 20 by using the resistors 31 and 3.
2, the generated voltage depending on the running speed of the bicycle is detected.

At this time, since the running speed may fluctuate and the generated voltage may suddenly change, a capacitor 33 is connected in parallel with the resistor 32 to suppress a sudden change in the detected voltage. Note that the voltage output from the voltage detection unit 30 is referred to as a running voltage VR.

As described above, the voltage output from the rectifying / smoothing unit 20 fluctuates according to the running speed of the bicycle. Power supply.

The constant voltage section 40 includes the transistor 4
1, a resistor 42 and a Zener diode 43, the voltage from the rectifying / smoothing unit 20 is divided by the Zener diode 43 and the resistor 42, and both ends of the resistor 42
Connected to the base and collector.

Thus, when the voltage from the rectifying / smoothing unit 20 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage (Zener voltage), the Zener diode 43 conducts, and accordingly, the base voltage of the transistor 41 decreases and the resistance between the emitter and collector increases. And the voltage becomes constant.

The light / dark detector 50 detects the constant voltage from the constant voltage unit 40 by using an ambient light detection sensor 51 made of Cds and a resistor 52.
And outputs the divided voltage as the light-dark voltage VL.

The resistance of the ambient light detection sensor 51 changes depending on the intensity of the received light. The resistance decreases when the light is bright as in the daytime and decreases when the light is dark as at night. Get higher.

The comparison operation unit 60 determines whether the running voltage VR is higher than the first reference value VRc1.
It includes a transistor 65 for determining whether the running voltage VR is higher than the second reference value VRc2, a comparator 62 for determining whether the light-dark voltage VL is higher than the reference light-dark voltage VLc, and the like.

The traveling voltage VR is input to the + terminal of the comparator 61 and the first reference value obtained by dividing the voltage from the constant voltage section 40 by the resistor 63 and the Zener diode 64 to the-terminal. VRc1 is input.

Therefore, when the Zener diode 64 is turned on, the first reference value VRc1 is substantially constant, and when the running voltage VR is higher than the first reference value VRc1, the output of the comparator 61 is "H". Level. Conversely, when the traveling voltage VR is smaller than the first reference value VRc1, the output of the comparator 61 becomes the “L” level.

On the other hand, the running voltage VR is input to the base of the transistor 65 via the resistor 66, and the running voltage V
When R becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, conduction is established. The voltage at which this transistor 65 conducts is set to a second reference value VRc.
Described as 2.

The first reference value VRc1 and the second reference value Vc
Rc2 is set so as to satisfy VRc1> VRc2 (Equation 1).

The first reference value VRc1 and the second reference value Vc1
As the bicycle speed corresponding to Rc2, for example, the first reference value VRc1 is 15 km / h, and the second reference value VRc2 is 8
km / h.

Therefore, in this specification, when the running voltage VR is VR <VRc2... (Equation 2), the running voltage is in a low speed region, when VRc2 ≦ VR <VRc1 (Equation 3) is in a middle speed region, and VRc1 ≦ VR. The case of Expression 4) is called a high-speed region.

Further, a reference light / dark voltage VLc obtained by dividing the voltage from the constant voltage unit 40 by the resistors 67 and 68 is input to the + terminal of the comparator 62, and the light / dark voltage VL is input to the − terminal. You are typing.

The illuminance corresponding to the reference light-dark voltage VLc is, for example, 10 lux, and can correspond to a dim evening.

Therefore, the light-dark voltage VL is equal to the reference light-dark voltage VL.
When the value is larger than c (when the surroundings are dark: VL> VLc), the output terminal of the comparator 62 is at the “L” level, and when the light and dark voltage VL is smaller than the reference light and dark voltage VLc (when the surroundings are bright: VL ≦ VL). At (VLc), the output terminal of the comparator 62 becomes “H” level.

The storage battery switching unit 90 includes a transistor 91,
The collector of the transistor 91 is connected to the rectifying / smoothing unit 20, and the emitter is a diode 96 and a resistor 9.
7 and connected to the storage battery 14.

The base of the transistor 91 is connected to the resistor 9
3 and a transistor 92
Connected to the emitter.

The base of the transistor 92 is connected to the output terminal of the comparator 61 via a resistor 95 and to the emitter via a resistor 94.

Thus, when the output of the comparator 61 is at the "H" level (in a high-speed region: VR≥VRc1), the transistor 92 is turned "OFF", regardless of the output level of the comparator 62 ( The transistor 91 is turned “ON” (regardless of the surrounding light and darkness), and the storage battery 14 is charged.

When the output of the comparator 61 is at the "L" level (medium / low speed range: VR <VRc1),
2 is "H" level (when the surroundings are bright: V
When L ≦ VLc), the transistor 92 is turned “OFF”, the transistor 91 is turned “ON”, and the storage battery 14 is charged.

On the other hand, when the output of the comparator 61 is at the "L" level (in the middle and low speed regions: VR <VRc1),
2 is "L" level (when the surroundings are dark: VL
> VLc) because the transistor 92 is turned “ON” and the base voltage of the transistor 91 becomes “L” level.
The transistor 91 is turned “OFF” and power is not supplied to the storage battery 14.

The headlight control unit 70 includes a transistor 7 that is connected between the output of the comparator 62 and the base via a resistor 75 and that is turned “ON” and “OFF” in accordance with the output level of the comparator 62.
1, a photo triac coupler 72 having a light emitting diode connected to the collector of the transistor 71, a triac 73 triggered by the photo triac coupler 72, and the like. Note that a resistor 74 is connected between the base and the emitter of the transistor 71.

One of the input terminals of the headlight 12 is
It is connected to one anode terminal of the triac 73. Accordingly, the headlight 12 is turned on and off in accordance with the conduction state of the triac 73.

That is, when the output of the comparator 62 is at the “H” level (bright: VL ≦ VLc), the transistor 71
Is turned "OFF" and the phototriac coupler 72 does not conduct, so that the gate of the triac 73 becomes "L" level and the headlight 12 is turned off.

On the other hand, when the output of the comparator 62 is at the "L" level (when dark: VL> VLc), the transistor 71 is turned "ON" and the phototriac coupler 72 is turned on. Level, the light is turned on, and the headlight 12 is turned on.

The auxiliary light control unit 80 is provided so that a divided voltage obtained by dividing the voltage from the constant voltage unit 40 by the resistors 81 and 82 becomes a base voltage, and the emitter is an output terminal of the comparator 62. The base of the transistor 83 is connected to the collector of the transistor 83, and the base of the transistor 65 is turned on and off in accordance with the conduction state of the transistor 83 and the output level of the comparator 62. The transistor 86 connected to the collector and also connected to the ground line via the resistor 87, the base is connected to the collector of the transistor 86, the emitter is connected to the storage battery 14, and the collector is connected to the auxiliary lamp 13, respectively. And a transistor 85 for controlling the power supply of the semiconductor device.

The transistor 83 is connected to the constant voltage unit 40
Turns on when the voltage supplied through the diode 88 via the diode 88 is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage. This ON state corresponds to a case where the bicycle is substantially running.

When the transistor 83 is turned "ON" (during bicycle running) and the output of the comparator 62 is at "H" level (bright: VL≤VLc), the transistor 8
Since the base of the transistor 4 is at the “H” level, the transistor 84 is turned “OFF”.

Therefore, the transistor 86 is turned "OFF" regardless of the "ON" and "OFF" of the transistor 65 (regardless of the running speed), and the transistor 85 is also turned "O".
FF "and the auxiliary light 13 is turned off.

When the transistor 83 is turned "ON" (during bicycle running) and the output of the comparator 62 is at "L" level (when dark: VL> VLc), the transistor 84
Is at the “L” level, the transistor 84 is turned “ON”.

At this time, when the transistor 65 is "ON" (in the case of the high / medium speed region: VR≥VRc2), the transistor 86 is turned "OFF" and the transistor 85 is turned "OFF".
F "and the auxiliary light 13 is turned off.

On the other hand, when the transistor 65 is "OFF" (low speed region: VR <VRc2), the transistor 86 is turned "ON", the transistor 85 is turned "ON", and the auxiliary lamp 13 is turned on.

When the transistor 83 is "OFF" (when the bicycle is stopped), the transistor 84 is turned "OFF" regardless of the output of the comparator 62. As a result, the transistor 86 is set to the state of the transistor 65. Regardless, it is turned "OFF". Therefore, the transistor 85 is "OF"
F "and the auxiliary light 13 is turned off.

The headlight 12, obtained by the above configuration,
FIG. 5 summarizes the relationship between the state of the auxiliary light 13 and the storage battery 14, the surrounding brightness, and the running speed of the bicycle.

As a result, the surrounding area becomes dark and the headlight 12
When is turned on and the speed of the bicycle is in the high speed range, power is supplied to the headlight 12 and the storage battery 14, so that the surplus power is effectively used.

In this case, when the storage battery 14 is sufficiently charged and the voltage of the battery charger reaches a predetermined voltage, the Zener diode 6 is turned “ON” and is internally consumed by the resistor 7.

When the bicycle speed is in the low speed range,
Since electric power is supplied from the storage battery 14 to the auxiliary light 13, even if the headlight 12 is dim, it is possible to illuminate the vicinity of the bicycle with the light of the auxiliary light 13, thereby increasing safety.

In the above description, the collector of the transistor 92 is connected to the output terminal of the comparator 62 so that the "ON" and "OFF" operations of the transistor 91 are related to the surrounding brightness. .

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the collector of the transistor 92 may be connected to the ground line from the rectifying / smoothing unit 20, as shown in FIG.

It should be noted that the headlight 12, having the configuration shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the state of the auxiliary light 13 and the storage battery 14, the ambient brightness, and the running speed of the bicycle.

In this case, when the output of the comparator 61 is at the “H” level (in a high-speed region: VR ≧ VRc1), the transistor 92 is turned “OFF”. The transistor 91 is turned “ON” (regardless of the surrounding light and darkness), the storage battery 14 is charged, and performs the same operation as the above-described procedure, but the output of the comparator 61 is at the “L” level (in the case of the middle and low speed regions). : VR <VRc1)
In the case of, a different operation is performed.

That is, when the output of the comparator 61 is at the "L" level (in the middle and low speed regions: VR <VRc1), the transistor 92 is turned "ON".
Becomes "L" level and "OFF". Therefore, in the middle to low speed range, the storage battery
4 will not be charged.

Such a configuration seems to waste the generated power as compared with the above-described configuration shown in FIG. 4 and the like.

However, in order to charge the storage battery 14, a voltage higher than the voltage of the storage battery 14 needs to be applied.
When the voltage is lower than that, the transistor 91 is turned ON.
There is no point in trying to charge it.

In this sense, the average voltage of the storage battery 14 in the daytime is obtained, and the transistor 9 is set so as to reach the average voltage.
If an on-resistance of 2 is set, substantially the same effect as in FIG. 4 can be obtained.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness and the power generated by the generator is larger than the first reference value, the generated power is increased. Since the power is supplied to the headlight and the storage battery, no overcurrent is applied to the headlight even when the bicycle is running at high speed without any significant design change, and the life of the headlight can be prevented from deteriorating. In addition, it becomes possible to mount a generator having a large power generation capacity.

Further, since the surplus power at that time is supplied to the storage battery, the generated power can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining a lighting device of a bicycle.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device, (a) is a front cross-sectional view,
(B) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 4 is a detailed circuit diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram summarizing control by a control circuit.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram replacing the control circuit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram summarizing the control by the control circuit of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 8 hub dynamo 12 headlight 13 auxiliary light 14 storage battery 15 control circuit 20 smoothing unit 30 voltage detection unit 40 constant voltage unit 50 light / dark detection unit 60 comparison operation unit 70 headlight control unit 80 auxiliary light control unit 90 storage battery switching unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A lighting device for a bicycle, comprising: a headlight, a generator incorporated in a bicycle axle for generating electric power, and a storage battery for storing the generated electric power. When the amount of power generation is detected and the surroundings are brighter than a predetermined brightness, the generated power is supplied to the storage battery,
The surroundings are darker than the predetermined brightness, and the generated power is
A lighting device for a bicycle, comprising: a control circuit that supplies the generated power to the headlight and the storage battery when the power is larger than a first reference value that is the rated power of the headlight. 2. A control circuit comprising: a light / dark detector for detecting ambient brightness; a voltage detector for detecting power generated by the generator as a voltage; and a signal from the light / dark detector. A comparison operation unit that determines whether the surroundings are brighter than a predetermined brightness, and determines whether the power generated by the generator is greater than the first reference value based on a signal from the voltage detection unit. Based on the signal from the comparison operation unit, when the surroundings are brighter than a predetermined brightness and when the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness and the generated power is larger than the first reference value, the generated power is reduced. A storage battery switching unit that supplies the storage battery; and a headlight control unit that turns on the headlight when the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness based on a signal from the comparison calculation unit. Claim 1 Bicycle lighting device. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an auxiliary light for illuminating a second part of said second light, said second light being smaller than said first reference value. 2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein when the brightness is smaller than a reference value and the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness, the generated power is supplied to the headlight, and the power of the storage battery is supplied to the auxiliary light. Or the lighting device for a bicycle according to 2. 4. The control circuit has an auxiliary light control unit for controlling turning on and off of the auxiliary light, and the comparison operation unit generates electric power by the generator based on a signal from the voltage detection unit. It is determined whether the power is greater than the second reference value. If the surroundings are darker than a predetermined brightness and the generated power is smaller than the second reference value based on the determination, The lighting device for a bicycle according to claim 3, wherein electric power of the storage battery is supplied to the auxiliary light so as to light the auxiliary light.