JPS60176839A - Head lamp driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To aim at safety in a way of cutting off an electric current in time of motor locking, by starting a timing motion in time of motor energizing but stopping it in time of motor stopping, while making a device generate a stop signal if the motor energizing continues for the setting time long from the start of the motor energizing. CONSTITUTION:In a safety circuit 90, a transistor 91 turns to OFF when relay coils 22a and 71a of a motor driver 70 are energized with current L and thereby a condenser 93 is charged as specified. When it passes through t1, it goes beyond reference voltage V1 of a comparator 95, and output of this comparator 95 turns to H whereby output of a motor 40 goes up, thus an arm is driven into rotation by strong force. Accordingly, even if the required driving force of a head lamp grows large due to lost motion, wear, etc., the specified drive is performable. In addition, when it comes to t2, voltage of the condenser 93 goes beyond reference voltage V2 and thereby output of a comparator 94 comes to H, turning a transistor 96 to ON, and transistors 74 and 76 come to L so that a continuous rating current for relay coils 72a and 71a is cut off, thus the motor stops. With this constitution, in time of trouble happening, it stops automatically before the motor generates heat, thus a device mechanism is protected.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a drive device for driving a headlamp up and down,
Especially when the vehicle headlights are tilted to the vehicle body.

The present invention relates to a drive device for an on-vehicle headlamp that adjusts the illumination angle according to state quantities such as elevation.

[Prior art]

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1380113/1983 discloses an illumination angle adjustment system for an on-vehicle headlamp.

In order to adjust the optical axis of a retractable headlight, the shock absorber is equipped with a switch that is turned on and off by a predetermined pressure, and the inclination of the optical axis is adjusted depending on whether the switch is turned on or off. Adjust automatically. This switch turns on when the average pressure of the shock absorber exceeds a predetermined value. This average pressure corresponds to the height of the vehicle or, if the switch is attached to the rear wheel shock absorber, approximately the inclination of the vehicle body. The electric mechanism that supports the headlamp is equipped with a brush contact UP that raises the lamp, a brush contact Dlil that lowers the lamp, and a brush contact EM that stops the lamp tilting in the downward direction from the up position. By adjusting the height, the illumination angle of the lamp can be changed. When the aforementioned switch is turned on, the IEM relay drive circuit operates to adjust the optical axis. In this case, the illumination angle adjustment is performed in one step.

French patent specification No. 1,592,664 states that the vehicle height is 4
A system has been disclosed in which detection is performed in several stages (multi-stages) using a switch, and the illumination angle of the headlamp is adjusted in several stages accordingly.

In any of the above conventional examples, the irradiation angle is automatically determined by selectively connecting the brush provided in the headlamp tilting mechanism and the sensor switch to energize and stop the motor in the forward and reverse directions.

In this type of hent lamp drive device, the motor drive mechanism is in an environment where temperature changes, rainwater, dust, mud, etc. are likely to enter, so there is a possibility that the stenter of the drive mechanism may be continuously energized when the motor is locked. In the motor lock state, a large current continuously flows through the motor and motor driver, so there is a risk that the motor and/or motor driver may be damaged or burnt out due to high heat generation of the current-carrying wire.

To prevent this, thermally responsive elements such as thermostats3
- A possible protection measure is to place the thermostat at a required location to cut off the motor's energization when the temperature is high, but since one thermostat can only monitor the temperature at one point, it cannot provide sufficient protection. Furthermore, since heating is detected through the process of applying a large current, generating a large amount of heat, and increasing the temperature, this method is not sufficient as a protective measure.

[Purpose of the invention]

The purpose of the present invention is to cut off the motor current when the headlamp drive device is abnormal, that is, when the motor locks, and to ensure the safety of the headlamp drive device. The purpose is to cut off the motor current.

[Structure of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention starts a timed operation when motor energization starts, stops the timed operation when the motor stops, and generates a motor stop signal when the motor energization continues for a set time from the start of motor energization. The motor driver selectively energizes or de-energizes the motor in response to a motor energization control signal generated by the illumination angle control means, and energizes or deenergizes the motor in response to a motor stop signal. Something that stops the energization.

According to this, if the drive does not end within a set time after the motor is energized (when the mechanical load is abnormally large), the timer generates a motor stop signal, thereby stopping the motor. For example, by setting a time limit that is the range of motor energization time during normal operation plus a small tolerance value, the motor can be stopped without waiting for the motor to lock up and generate high heat. , which increases safety. such as installing many thermostats in various places,
There is no need to worry about equipment.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the time limit means is: A time limit for switching from one on/off state to the other state at the start of energization of the relay for energizing the motor and maintaining the other state during the energization. Operation control switching means; CR time constant circuit whose charging and discharging are controlled by turning on/off this switching means: The charging voltage of this CR time constant circuit is compared with a reference value, and when the charging voltage crosses the reference value, the output state is changed. and a self-holding switching means i that switches states in response to the motor stop signal and provides a signal to the second comparison means to maintain the motor stop signal output state. The timer circuit includes a timer circuit, and the time-limited switching means keeps the CR time constant circuit in a charging state while the current is flowing, and puts it in the discharging state when the current stops flowing, and the self-holding switching means maintains self-holding when the power is cut off. It shall be reversed to the state where the signal is cut off.

According to this, the timer circuit starts a timed operation every time the motor energizing relay is energized, but when the motor energizing relay is de-energized, the CR time constant circuit is reset and waits for the next timed operation. automatically determined by the state. Furthermore, if the motor is self-holding while stopped, the self-holding will be canceled when the power is turned off. Therefore, for example, after the motor is self-suspended due to an abnormality, the device power is turned off, the headlamp drive mechanism is checked, the headlamp drive mechanism is returned to normal, and the power is turned on again to cancel the motor stop self-retention.

Therefore, the reset of the automatic adjustment lock should be checked.

Once the power is turned off for repairs etc., this will be carried out in conjunction with this.

Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

〔Example〕

First, the configuration and operation of the lamp drive mechanism will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a lamp drive mechanism to which a rotation angle sensor 38 is coupled. The headlight 31 is a right headlight arranged facing forward on the right side of the vehicle.

The headlight 31 is rotatably supported at one end by a bracket 33 via a pin 32, and the bracket 33 is connected to the vehicle body 34.
is fixed.

Further, a link 36 is rotatably supported on the headlight 31 by a pin 35, and the other end of the link 36 is supported pivotally on a 7-arm 37. The arm 37 is fixed to a rotation shaft 39 of a rotation angle sensor 38.

A worm (path shown) is fixed to the rotating shaft of the electric motor 40, and this worm is coupled to the rotation angle sensor 38.

FIG. 1 shows the headlight 31 in an upright position (top dead center). When the motor 40 rotates in this state, the drive shaft 39 and the arm 37 rotate, which causes the link 36 to move downward and the headlight 31 to move toward the pin 32.
It is rotated downward around the center and retracted (bottom dead center). As the motor 40 continues to rotate, the headlights begin to rise again and return to top dead center.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the rotation angle sensor 38, and FIG. 3 shows the printed circuit board (conductor pattern member) 4 inside the sensor 38.
3 plane is shown. The rotation angle sensor 38 is connected to the worm of the output shaft of the motor 10 and transmits the rotational force to the drive shaft 39.
A reduction gear (wheel) 41 is disposed for transmitting the signal.

A conductive pattern member (printed circuit board) 43-8 is fixed to this wheel 41. An insulating base 46 is arranged facing the printed circuit board 43. The conductors of the printed circuit board 43 are separated into five conductors 45a to 45e and 45f. Each of the conductors 45a to 45e has a shape in which an arcuate portion forming a part of a concentric circle centered on the center of the printed circuit board 43 and a radial portion extending in the radial direction are continuous. Furthermore, in order to increase the number of angle detection stages, the outermost portions 46a to 46a of the radial portion protrude clockwise in FIG. 3, and the inner portions 47a to 47e protrude counterclockwise and pass through the center. The shape and surface arrangement are such that a straight line intersects the outermost protrusion of one of the two adjacent conductors and the inner protrusion of the other. One remaining conductor 45f
is ring-shaped, with a concave notch at only one location.

Although only one contact 44b is shown in FIG. 2, there are actually eight contacts 44a to 44e+ on the insulating substrate 46.
44g+ 44up, 44t3u and 44com
is fixed. The contacts 44a to 44e are fixed to an insulating base 46 with their contacts a to e spaced apart by 72°, and when the printed circuit board 13 is in the reference position (rotation position), the conductors 45a to 45e The tip of the arcuate portion is determined such that the tip of the arcuate portion is at the contact point a"-"e. Similarly, when the printer 1 to the board 13 are in the reference position, another contact 44g is fixed to the insulating base 46 with two contacts g arranged at the side ends of the conductor 45a.

When the printed circuit board 43 is in the reference position (position relative to the contact) shown in FIG. When the ring-shaped conductor 45f is contacted at a position 180 degrees apart from up and the print 1 to substrate 43 are rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise from the state shown in the third figure, they are located on the notch of the ring-shaped conductor 45f. A contactor 44dν having contacts dw& is fixed to an insulating substrate 46,
Further, a contact 44 com having a contact com that is always in contact with the ring-shaped conductor 45 f throughout the entire range of the planned rotation of the substrate 43 to the pudding 1 is fixed to the insulating substrate 46 .

With the above conductor pattern configuration and contactor arrangement, the ground potential (L) is applied to the contacts 44g and 44com,
Other contacts 44a-44e.

When a predetermined positive potential (I) is applied to 44up and 44dv via a resistor, the potentials of the contacts 44a to 44e become as shown in Table 1 below as the printed circuit board 13 rotates. In Table 1, A-E indicates the rotation angle range shown in FIG. 4. These ranges are O
The reference point is o.

If the axis of rotation is at the reference angle and the angle is plotted on the horizontal axis, the relationship between ranges A-E is as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, in the range from when the headlight 31 is at the top dead center (headlight 1 to the most up state: the state shown in FIG. 3) to the state where the contact g is in contact with the conductor 45e, the ring-shaped conductor 45f The contact up is located in the notch, and the contact 44f is electrically separated from the conductor 45f (switch open).
The contact 44up is H1 and the contact 44dty is L.
It is.

Also, the headlight 31 is at the bottom dead center (maximum down state: 3rd
-11 when the angle is 180° rotated from the figure
= indicates that the contact 44up is high and the contact 44dw is H.

When the headlight is at any other angle, contact 4
Both 4up and 44dw are L.

The signal switching shown in Table 1 is caused by the two contacts g of the contactor 44g, the outermost portions 46a to 46e of the radiation 12-shaped portions of the conductors 45a to 45e, and the inner portion 4 of the conductors 45a to 45e.
Determined by contact with 7a-470.

Since the contacts 44a to 44e need only be in contact with the conductors 45a to 45e at all times, there is no problem even if the accuracy of the mounting is rough.

Therefore, since it is necessary to attach only the contact 44g with high precision, the workability of the dispensing needle and assembly becomes high.

Next, the inclination angle detector mounted on the vehicle body will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

In addition, FIG. 7 is a side view with half of the external appearance of the tilt angle detector cut away, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view (front direction) taken along the line VI-Vl in FIG. 7.

The base of the tilt detector is composed of a housing cover 1 and a housing base 2.

Transparent tube support legs 21 and 22 are integrally formed on two opposing edges of the housing base 2, and these legs 2
1 and 22 are box-shaped upper walls 11+ of the housing cover 1;
] The upper wall 23 that closes the rectangular opening between 2 and the lower wall 24 that has an opening 24a for pulling out the electric cord are continuous, but the transparent tube 3 is connected between the upper and lower walls 23 + 4. It is open so that it can be inserted between the upper and lower walls 23 and 24.

The light-transmitting tube 3 is made of light-transmitting synthetic resin, and is preformed into a curved shape that detects the angle of inclination of the vehicle in the range of 0 to 3 degrees.

A light-shielding synthetic resin sphere 4 having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the light-transmitting tube 3 is inserted inside the light-transmitting tube 3.

A support cap 5 with an orifice 5a formed in the center is attached to the left end of the transparent tube 3, a hollow support cap 6 is attached to the right end, and an orifice 7a is formed in the center on the back side of the camp 6. The elastic sheet 7 is in contact with the elastic sheet 7. The transparent tube 3 equipped with the caps 5 and 6 and the elastic seams 1-7 is attached to the legs 21 and 22 in such a way that the lowest point of its curvature is closest to the lower wall 24. When installed in this way, the result will be as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the leg 21 has a screw hole formed at a position facing the orifice 7a, and a transparent tube support screw is inserted into this screw hole, and a through hole for air circulation is formed in the central shaft portion. 9
is screwed in.

The leg 22 is provided with an adjustment screw hole at a position facing the orifice 5a, and an aperture adjustment screw 8 is inserted into this screw hole.
is screwed in.

A ventilation hole 22a is provided approximately at the location where the tip of the adjustment screw 8 is located, which communicates the screw hole with the outside of the housing.

When the adjustment screw 8 is tightened, the side hole of the ventilation hole 22a [
This narrows the airflow opening between the orifice 5a and the ventilation hole 22a, and the air resistance against the movement of the ball 4 increases.

When adjusting screw 8 is loosened, orifice 5a-vent hole 22
The ventilation opening between a and a is widened, and the air resistance against the movement of the ball 4 is reduced.

A printed circuit board 10 is fixed to a lower wall 24 integral with the housing base 2 with fixing screws 17 to 20.

To the substrate 10, a light source support stand 21 and a sensor support stand 22 are arranged and fixed to face each other with the transparent tube 3 in between. Five light emitting diodes 11 (lla to 11e) are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the
) are fixed in position and connected to the electrical conductors of the printed circuit board 10.

On the sensor support base 22, photo 1-transistors 12 (12a-12e) are arranged and fixed to face each of the light-emitting diodes 11 (lla-11e) with the transparent tube 3 in between. connected to an electrical conductor.

The electric circuit formed on the print base 10 including these light emitting diodes 11 (lla to 11e) and phototransistors 12 (12a to 12e) is
It is shown within the two-dot chain line 10 in the figure.

Position of sphere 4 and output lines LNI~L of printed circuit IO
The relationship with the N4 signal is shown in Table 2 below.

Note that the sphere 4 may be simultaneously detected by two adjacent phototransistors (phototransistor light shielding).

In this case, when the previously detected phototransistor is turned off, the output transistor 16-Table 2 connected to it is turned on, which causes the bases of the output transistors on both sides to become L through the diodes. The transistors from output 1 to which the detected phototransistor is connected remain off, and the signal (2) appears only on the line connected to the collector of the output 1 transistor connected to the previously detected phototransistor. In other words, when two phototransistors are shielded from light, a detection signal corresponding to the first phototransistor that is shielded appears, and the detection signal corresponding to the first transistor that is shielded from light appears until this phototransistor turns on (receives light). The detection signal corresponding to the 1-transistor does not appear, and no signal switching occurs.

In the tilt detector described above, when the detector is placed horizontally with the light transmitting tube 3 at its center as the lowest curved point, the sphere 4 is located at the center of the light transmitting tube, and the light emitting diode 1
Light is blocked between lc and phototransistor 12c.

As a result, the output of the output line LNI-LN4 becomes in the state shown in inclination angle category 2 shown in Table 2. If the detector is tilted slightly by lowering one end of the light-transmitting tube 3 and raising the other end, LN
The outputs of I to LN4 are in the state shown in inclination angle category 1 shown in Table 2.

If it is further tilted, the outputs of LNI to L N 4 will be in the state shown in the tilt angle category O shown in Table 2.

Conversely, if the detector is slightly tilted by raising one end of the light transmitting tube 3 and lowering the other end, the outputs of LNI to LN4 will be in the state shown in tilt angle category 3 shown in Table 2.

If it is further tilted, the outputs of LNI to LN4 will be in the state shown in tilt angle category 4 shown in Table 2.

The actual angle range of each of the inclination angle sections 0 to 4 shown in Table 2 is determined by the curvature of the light-transmitting tube 3.

The ease of movement of the ball 4 is determined by the amount by which the screw 8 is tightened.

In other words, it is determined by the degree of air flow opening between the inside and outside of the light-transmitting tube 3.

As the screw 8 is tightened, air flow becomes more difficult, making it difficult for the ball 4 to move and making it difficult to respond to vibrations of the detector.

In other words, the response speed of the tilt detector can be adjusted using the screw 8.

After the above-described elements are attached to the housing base, the housing cover 1 is assembled to the housing base 2, and both are fixed together with fixing screws 13 to 16.

This tilt detector has no movable contacts (and the detection element is housed in the housing), so it is easy to mount on a vehicle and has high durability.Furthermore, tilt can be detected in multiple stages.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the entire electrical system. In FIG. 8, numeral 10 indicates the electric circuit on the printed circuit board 10 of the tilt detector shown in FIGS. show.

A signal line 1 connected to the printed circuit board 10 of the tilt detector. N1~1. N4 is connected to the D/A converter 48.

The D/A converter 48 includes a first D/A converter including a series-connected resistor 49a and diodes dla-d4a,
A second circuit consisting of a series resistor 49b and a diode dlb-d4b
It consists of a D/A converter.

The highest voltage output terminal of the series-connected resistor 49a of the first D/A converter is the output line of the first conversion signal a, and from the terminal outputting the next highest voltage to the terminal outputting the lowest voltage, a diode d4a, d3a.

The output line LN4. of the tilt angle detector 10 through d2a and dLa. LN3. Connected to LN2 and LNL.

The highest voltage output terminal of the series-connected resistor 49b of the second D-converter is used as the output line of the second conversion signal, and from this terminal to the terminal outputting the lowest voltage is ramped through diodes d4b, d3b, d2b and dlb, respectively. Output line LN4 of angle detector 10. LN3. LN2 O20
- connected to the LNI and LNI.

With the above configuration, the D/A converter 48 outputs analog signals a and b having voltage levels shown in Table 3 below.

The first output signal a has a l step voltage higher than the second output signal a. The first signal a is given to the forward/reverse/stop determination circuit (comparison circuit) 50 and the switch operation detection circuit 100, and the second signal a is given to the forward/reverse/stop determine circuit 50.

In Table 3, H and L correspond to those shown in Table 2, but in FIG. 8, L means earth connection and H means transistor off (cut off from earth).

A series-connected resistor 49c is also connected to the rotation angle sensor 38 to indicate the output of the sensor 38 as an analog voltage. is generated. The relationship between the rotation angle of the rotation angle sensor 38 and the angle signal C is expressed as follows.
Shown in the table.

Note that H and L in Table 4 correspond to the contents in Table 1, and in the connection shown in FIG. 8, I4 indicates switch-off and L indicates switch-on.

An angle signal C obtained by converting the output of the rotation angle sensor 38 into analog is given to a forward/reverse/stop determination circuit 50 and a position feedback sensor disconnection detection circuit 60.

Table 4 In summary, the comparator 50 is a first comparator 51 . A second comparator 52 that compares the second signal C with the angle signal C, a transistor 53 for inverting the output of the comparator 52, and diodes d5a and d5.
b, d6b, a capacitor, and a resistor,
Motor energization control signals f and g shown in Table 5 are generated by the correlation of the voltage levels of input signals a and b and 23-C.

Table 5 shows that when the angle signal C is Vdd (rotation angle sensor 38
or when the contact 44g is disconnected from the conductor 4.
When not in contact with any of 5a to 45e),
Comparator 6 of position feedback sensor disconnection detection circuit 60
Since the output of 1 becomes L and the output f is forced to L, the motor reverse energization instruction (headlamp down) is not issued and the lamp is not retracted.

In this embodiment, the direction of the electric motor 40 is determined depending on the outputs f and d of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50.

In addition to the motor driver 24-70 that performs reverse energization and stopping, and the light control switch 80 that instructs the storage and setting of the use position of the headlamp 31,
A safety timer circuit 90 and a switch operation detection circuit 100 are provided to detect abnormalities in headlamp up/down and to provide safety protection.

First, the motor driver 70 will be explained. The motor driver 70 has relay contacts 71b and 72b that apply forward and reverse energizing voltages to the motor 40, and a full power relay contact 73b that switches from low torque drive to high 1-lux drive. .

These relay contacts 71b, 72b, and 73b switch from the illustrated state (contact a contact) to each other (contact contact) when relay coils 71a, 72a, and 73a are energized, respectively.

Relay coil 72a is energized only when 1-Rangistaft 4 is on. Since the output f of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50 is applied to the base of the transistor 74,
When the transistor 74 is f=H, it becomes conductive and the coil 72
A is energized, but a transistor 75 is further connected to the base of the transistor 74, and this transistor 75 is on/off controlled by the output j of the switch operation detection circuit 100, and becomes conductive when j=H. transistor 7
Since the base of 4 is set to L and f=H is cut to turn off the transistor 74, the transistor 74 will not be turned on unless j=L and f=H are established at the same time. In other words, the relay coil 72a is energized only when j=L and f=1-1, and the relay contact piece 72b is brought into contact with the contact point. In addition,
j=L, f=I (when 1 to Landistav 4 are conductive,
1- through diode dll and transistor 74
Since the base of Ranjistaf 5 becomes L level (self-holding), even if j becomes H thereafter, transistor 75 remains off, transistors 1 to Ranjistaf 4 remain on, and f=L, or the safety described below When the output n of the timer circuit 90 becomes L, or when the signal line connected to the rotation angle sensor 38 and the light control switch 80 through the diode d16 becomes L, 1 to 4 are turned off. In this way, when the transistor 74 is turned off or becomes j-H after being turned off, the base of the transistor 75 becomes I'', so the 1-hylang transistor 75 is reset to on. In other words, self-retention is released.

When the transistor 74 is conducting (relay contact piece 72
b contacts the contact point (motor reverse rotation), there is a diode dlO
Through the diode l<d 13, the bases of 1 to Langistav 6 become L, so the relay coil 71
A is not energized, and the relay contact piece 71b is in the state shown.

In one embodiment, energization of the relay coil 71a is controlled by the 1-Rangistaft 6. The transistor 76 is turned on and the relay coil 7]a is turned on only when three conditions are satisfied: the output d=H of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50, the output n=H1 of the safety timer circuit 80, and the transistor 74 off. Turn on electricity.

At this time, the relay coil 72a is de-energized, and the relay contact piece 72b is in the illustrated state, and the relay contact piece 71b contacts the contact point.

In one embodiment, the relay coil 73a is energized by the transistor 27-star 77. The output l of the safety timer circuit 90 is given to the base of the transistor 77, and 1=
When the voltage is H, the transistor 77 turns on and the relay coil 7
3a is energized, and the relay contact piece 73c comes into contact with the contact point.

At this time, if one of the relay contacts 71b and 72b is in contact with the contact point a and the other is in contact with the contact point a, a high current flows through the motor 40 with the low torque resistor 78 short-circuited. rotates with high torque.

Relay coil 71. Diode d14 is connected to a and 73a.
．． The rotation angle sensor 38 and the light control switch 80 are connected through d15.

The switch 80 is closed to the down side, and the conductor 4
When the contactor 44dw is connected to 44coI11 through 5f (the headlight is not in the down position and the switch 80 is instructing the down position), electricity is applied.

In addition, the switch 80 is closed to the up side, and the contact 44up is connected to the 44coI1 through the conductor 45f.
1 (when the switch 80 is instructing the up position with the heno 1 - lie 1 - not in the up position), it is energized.

During this energization, the base of the transistor 74 is connected to 1.0 through the diode d16. As a result, the coil 72a is not energized, the relay contact 71b contacts the contact A, the contact 72b contacts the contact A, and the contact 73b contacts the contact A, and the motor 40 rotates normally at a high torque of 1 to 1.

In this way, when the motor is energized in accordance with the switching of the limey control switch 80 and the switching of the rotation angle sensor 38, the motor is instructed to move up.

Normal rotation is energized regardless of the down instruction.

As explained with reference to FIG. 1, the lamp drive mechanism is
Since it is a crank mechanism, if the motor is continuously urged to rotate in the normal direction, the arm 37 will continue to rotate in the same direction while the motor is rotating in the normal direction, and the headlamp will repeatedly rise and fall.

This rotation rotates the printed circuit board 43 shown in FIG. 3 in a counterclockwise direction. However, during one rotation, for example, switch 8
0 is the down setting, when the notch of the conductor 45f comes to the position of the contact +Jtr of the contactor 44dw (when the headlamp comes to the retracted position), the contactor 44dν separates from the conductor 45f, so the diode d14. d15 and switch 8
0 is open, and relay coil 71 a + 7
3a is de-energized, the relay contacts 71b and 73b return to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the motor 40 stops. When switch 80 is closed to the up contact, conductor 45
When the notch f comes to the position of the contact point up of the contactor 44up (as the printed circuit board 43 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 due to normal rotation of the motor, when the conductor 45e comes into contact with the contact point g) Since the contact 44up is separated from the conductor 45f,
The connection between the diode d14[d], 5 and the switch 80 is opened, the relay coils 71a and 73a are de-energized, the relay contacts 71b and 73b return to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the motor 40 is stopped. In this way, instructions down.

When the switch 80 is switched to the up instruction, the motor 40 is driven to the retracted position or the up position with full power. When in the retract-up position, the angle signal C is], dV, and the tilt signal a=2-]'OdV, b
= O~8 dV, the outputs f and d of the circuit 50 instruct normal rotation, and as shown in Table 5, a>c,
The relay coil 71a is energized and the motor 40 is driven in forward rotation (the printed circuit board 43 is rotated counterclockwise) until b<c (stopped), and the illumination angle of the lamp is changed to the angle category 1-4 state shown in Table 4. is raised.

After this, the motor 40 is energized in the forward and reverse directions based on the comparison result between the inclination angle signals a and b and the actual angle signal C. In this rotation range, the notch of the conductor 45f is located below the contact point up of the contactor 44up, and the contact piece 4 shown in FIG.
5f (conductor 45f in FIG. 3) is open and switch 80 is on the up side, so the cathode of diode d16 is 1].

The switch 80 is for a simple amplifier down instruction, with the amplifier contact connected when the headlamp is rotated upward from the storage position, and the down contact connected when the headlamp is to be retracted from the up position.

31- When the switch 80 is brought into contact with the up contact, the headlight rotates upward from the retracted position and reaches the lowest angle of illumination angle adjustment (retracted up position where the conductor 45e is in contact with the contact g)
After reaching , automatic up and down adjustments are made in response to the output of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50 in response to the correlation between the tilt angle of the vehicle body (signals a, b) and the actual illumination angle (signal C). This is performed based on the outputs f and d of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50.

When the switch 80 is brought into contact with the down contact, the headlight rotates downward from the automatic adjustment state, and when it reaches the retracted position, the motor stops.

In this stopped state, the contact 44g is connected to the conductors 45a to 45.
Since it is not in contact with any of e, the signal C is Vdd, and the output of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50 is f=H, d=
L indicates a reverse rotation (see Table 5), but the output of the comparator 61 of the position feedback sensor disconnection detection circuit 60 restricts the base of the transistor 74 to the off level L, and the relay coil 72a Power cannot be turned on. In other words, after the headlights 1~ arrive at the retracted position, the reverse rotation is stopped.

Further, since the output of the rotation/stop determination circuit 50 is f=H, d= to instruct reverse rotation, the relay coil 7]a is not energized. Therefore, the automatic adjustment function is locked.

By connecting the switch 80 to the up contact side, the motor 40 can be driven.

Next, the safety timer circuit 90 will be explained.

The base of the transistor 91 of the safety timer circuit 90 is connected to the earth connection side terminal of the relay coils 72a (for down energization) and 71a (for up energization) of the motor driver 70 through a diode d20 and a diode d10 (inside the motor driver 70). potential is applied.

That is, a signal indicating whether the relay coils 72a, 71a are energized or not (L is energized, 11 is not energized) is applied.

When energized, transistor 91 turns off from its normal on state, and charging of capacitor 93 through resistor 92 begins.

When tl has elapsed since the transistor 91 was turned off, the voltage of the capacitor 93 exceeds the reference voltage v1 of the comparator 95, and the output of the comparator 95 changes from L to H, indicating that the set driving time in steady state has passed. The first time-over signal 1
=H is applied to the base of the transistor 77.

As a result, the relay coil 73a is energized, the relay contact piece 73b closes to the contact point, and the resistor 78 is short-circuited.

This increases the motor current and the output torque of the motor 40.

The transistor 91 continues to be turned off (the motor 40 is energized for reverse or forward rotation by the energization of the relay 72a or 71a), and 1
- At time t2 after the transistor 91 starts turning off, the voltage of the capacitor 93 exceeds the reference voltage v2 of the comparator 94, the output of the comparator 94 changes from L to H, and the transistor 96 turns from OFF to ON. 2 time over signal n
=L as diode d8. d Applied to the cathode of 9. As a result, the bases of the 1-herald transistors 74 and 76 become L, and the relay coils 72a and 71a are de-energized. 1 to transistor 96 are turned on, transistor 97 is turned on, and a predetermined high lock voltage Vdd is applied to the positive phase input terminal of comparator 94. As a result, the comparator 94
maintains the output at I regardless of the voltage on capacitor 93, keeping I-transistor 96 on. In other words, maintain oneself. Due to this self-holding, automatic adjustment according to the output of the forward/reverse rotation/stop judgment circuit 5o is impossible;
It is possible to energize the drive (normal rotation of the motor) to the top dead center (retract 1-up position) or bottom dead center (storage position) in response to an up/down switching instruction by the switch 8o.

Due to the operation of the safety timer circuit 9o explained above, when the energization of the motor exceeds the set time t1, the relay coil 73
When the motor 4o is energized, a high torque current flows through the motor 4o, and the arm 37 is driven to rotate by a strong force. As a result, even if the required driving force for the headlamp increases due to play in the mechanism or wear of the mechanism, the headlamp can be driven in a predetermined manner.

35- Note that when the device power is turned off, the transistors 96 and 97 are turned off, and when the power is turned on again, the safety timer circuit 90 is reset. Further, even when the power is on, when the tilt angle detection signal a rises or falls by one step, the signal ≦ or i becomes L. This causes transistor 9
6 is turned off, transistor 97 is turned off, safety timer circuit 90 is in a reset state, and the output f of circuit 50 is
.

It becomes possible to energize the motor according to d. In other words, the illumination angle can be adjusted.

As mentioned above, the low torque drive and high torque drive are possible because one of the reasons is to speed up the drive of the headlamp to the up position and to the retracted position. The purpose of automatic illumination angle adjustment according to the tilt angle is to avoid high-speed driving and improve control stability and accuracy.
The other reason is to enable automatic raising and lowering of the headlamp even if the required drive torque changes over time due to wear, deformation, dirt, etc. of the mechanism.

Next, the switch operation detection circuit 100 will be explained.

36- The tilt angle signal a is applied to the capacitor 1.05 of the switch operation detection circuit 100, and when the tilt angle signal a is constant and does not fluctuate, the signal a and the negative phase input terminal of the comparator 1.01 (comparison The capacitor 105 is charged with a voltage that is different from the constant voltage applied to the positive phase input terminal of the device 102. In this state, the outputs of comparators 101 and 102 and i are both H.

If the tilt angle signal a rises, a charging current flows into the capacitor 105, and while the charging current flows, the voltage at the negative phase input terminal of the comparator 102 increases, and the output 1 of the comparator 102 remains at I]. The output h of the comparator 101 is inverted to L. When the capacitor 105 has finished charging, the output of the comparator 101 becomes H.
Return to Conversely, when the tilt angle signal a decreases, the capacitor 105 discharges into the series resistor 49a, and while the capacitor 105 is discharging, the output of the comparator 101 remains I4, but the output 1 of the comparator 102 is inverted to L. . When the capacitor 105 finishes discharging, the output i of the comparator 102 returns to the high level H. That is, the capacitor 105 is used as a differentiator,
The comparator 101 is used as a rise determiner to determine whether the inclination angle signal a is rising, and the comparator 102 is used as a fall determiner to determine whether it is falling.

When the output of the comparator 101 becomes L (when the tilt angle signal a becomes high), the transistor 96 of the safety timer circuit 90
The base of transistor 96 remains off. When the safety timer circuit 90 stops the motor and self-holds the motor (transistor 96 is on) due to some abnormality before, the transistor 96 is turned off due to h=L, which turns off the transistor 97 and turns off the comparator. Lock voltage to the positive phase input terminal of 94 (94
(the voltage that always outputs H) is cut off.

That is, when the safety timer circuit 90 is in an abnormal self-holding state, the self-holding is canceled due to h=L.

At this time, as a increases as described above, the output of the comparator 52 of the forward/reverse/stop determination circuit 50 becomes L, the outputs f and d of the circuit 50 become L and H, respectively, and the relay 71a is energized. The motor 40 is urged to rotate forward (
headlight up drive). When the headlights are raised due to this forward rotation, the rotation angle signal C increases by 2.
The output of the comparator 52 is inverted to H, the outputs f and d of the circuit 50 are each L, and the remoter 40 is stopped.

When the output i of the comparator 102 becomes L (when the tilt angle signal a becomes low), the output end of the comparator 101 similarly becomes L, and the base of the transistor 96 of the safety timer circuit 9o similarly becomes L. , transistor 96 continues to remain off. When the transistor 96 is on (abnormal stop/self-hold), this self-hold is released as described above. Along with this, the transistor 10 at i-L
3 is turned off, transistor 104 is turned on, and charging of capacitor d26 begins. The output j becomes L for 13 hours until the capacitor d26 is charged to a predetermined voltage. When the output j becomes L, the anode of the diode dll and the base of the transistor 75 in the motor driver 70 become L, and the transistor 75 is turned off. This allows transistor 74 to be turned on by the output f=H of circuit 5.39-. Conversely, the signal j=L between ta after the tilt angle signal a decreases is a condition for turning on the transistor 74, and the transistor 74 cannot be turned on at any time other than t3.

As the tilt angle signal a decreases, the output of the comparator 51 of the forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit 50 changes from L to H, the transistor 74 is turned on, the relay coil 72a is energized, and the motor 40 is energized in the reverse direction. be done. Turning on the transistor 74 causes the base of the transistor 75 to connect to the diode d.
ll and transistor 74 to ground level, thereby keeping transistor 75 off. That is, when the transistor 74 is turned on with j=L, L is applied to the base of the transistor 75 due to self-holding even if j=H returns. When the signal of the rotation angle sensor 38 changes due to the reverse rotation of the motor and the output voltage C of the series resistor 49c decreases, the output of the comparator 51 returns to L, the transistor 74 is turned off, and the relay coil 72a is turned off.
The energization of the motor 40 stops, and the motor 40 stops. When the transistor 74 is turned off, the anode of the diode dll and the base of the transistor 75 return to the level of the signal j, and the self-holding is released.

As described above, this switch operation detection circuit 100 simply resets the safety timer circuit 90 when the tilt angle signal a rises and the headlamp is adjusted up, but when the signal a falls and the headlamp is adjusted up. When down-adjusting, the safety timer circuit 90 is not only reset, but also the transistor 74 can be turned on only during j=L(t3). Unless f=H while j=L, the motor will not be energized in the reverse direction.

With the operation described above, when the switch 80 is closed to the up side, when the slope of the vehicle body shifts upward, the irradiation axis of the headlamp 31 is automatically lowered in the downward direction, and the slope of the vehicle body shifts downward. When the headlamp 31 is displaced, the irradiation axis of the headlamp 31 is automatically raised upward,
The illumination angle of the lamp 31 is set where the output of the tilt detector (10) and the output of the rotation angle sensor 38 match.

When the switch 80 is turned down, the headlamp 3
1 moves down to the storage position and stops. When the switch 80 is switched to the amplifier side in the retracted state, the headlamp 31 rises to the lowest illumination angle that illuminates the front of the vehicle during night driving, and then sets the illumination angle according to the output of the tilt detector (10). be done.

The lamp drive mechanism explained below is also provided in the left headlamp section, and another rotation angle sensor is also connected to the left headlamp drive mechanism, and the motor that energizes this left headlamp drive mechanism is connected to the left headlamp drive mechanism. A driver, a forward/reverse rotation/stop determination circuit, a two-position feedback sensor, a disconnection detection circuit, and another set of safety timer circuits are provided. Light control switch 80. Tilt detector (10), D/
The A converter 48 and the switch operation detection circuit 100 are shared by the right and left headlights.

FIG. 9 shows the detection signals (a, b) of the tilt angle detector (10).
The signals of various parts of the electric circuit shown in FIG. 8 are shown in the case where the inclination of the headlamp is automatically adjusted in the direction in which the two coincide with each other in accordance with the correlation between the detection signal (c) of the rotation angle sensor 38 and the detection signal (c) of the rotation angle sensor 38.

The signal shown in Figure 8 is shown for Alphabella 1 at the far left in Figure 9, and the second column from the left shows the signal when the tilt angle of the vehicle body increases (the tilt of the vehicle body changes downward). a, b
The third column from the left shows the state of the electrical signals in each part of No. 8 when the level of increases. The third column from the left shows the state of the electric signals a and b when the inclination angle of the car body becomes smaller (the inclination of the car body changes toward the top). Showing the state of the electrical signal when the level drops, 4 from the left
The second column shows the signals of each part when the inclination angle of the vehicle body becomes smaller and the levels of signals a and b decrease, driving the motor 40 in reverse, causing a reoverrun, and then driving the motor in the forward direction. The rightmost column shows the signals of various parts when the inclination angle of the vehicle body becomes smaller and the levels of signals a and b decrease and the motor 40 is driven in reverse, but the ramp does not descend within a predetermined time.

In the embodiment described below, the light control switch 80 is switched. In driving from the storage position to the draw-out position and vice versa, the safety timer circuit 90 is set to perform a timed operation, and the outputs n and l of the safety timer circuit 90 are
simply turns off relay energizing transistors 77, 76 and 74, and diodes d14. d15, the conductor 45f of the rotation angle sensor 38, the light control switch 80, and the current path toward the mechanism ground.

In this way, in the retract drive, the safety timer circuit 90
The reason why the protective operation is not performed based on the output of the retract drive but is performed only by automatic illumination angle adjustment is that if you try to perform the protective operation using the output of the safety timer circuit 90 even in retract drive, the retract drive Since the time is long, the setting time t2 must be made longer, which is much longer than the adjustment drive time of one step or several steps in automatic beam angle adjustment, and the protective operation in automatic beam angle adjustment becomes impossible. and in retract drive, switch 8
Since the drive instruction is given manually at 0, the driver monitors the raising and lowering of the headlamp and can detect the abnormality 44- by himself.

If a similar protective operation is to be performed in this retract drive, for example, a timer circuit similar to the safety timer circuit 90 (however, the comparator 95 is not required) is provided.
The set time limit of this additional timer circuit is set to a value that is the maximum normal retract drive time plus a small tolerance value, and the time over signal (motor stop signal, for example H) is applied to the base of the transistor 74 (connected to the base). The configuration is such that the voltage is applied to the base side of the resistor. In the retract drive, the relay coil 71a is energized (relay contact piece 7
1b is connected to the contact point. Therefore, a time-over signal, that is, a motor stop signal (H) is generated, the transistor 72a becomes conductive, current flows through the relay coil Pv12a, the relay contact 72b switches from contact a to contact b, and the motor 4
Both terminals of 0 are connected to equipment ground, and the motor 40 stops.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the present invention, the timer can be integrated as part of the urging device without providing a thermostat on the motor side, and the configuration of the headlamp drive mechanism can be simplified. If the motor energization does not stop within the set time (t2),
Since the motor is stopped, in the event of an abnormality such as when the mechanism is clogged with foreign matter, the motor is automatically stopped before it generates a large amount of heat, thereby protecting the mechanism and the motor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of a lamp drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rotation angle sensor 38 shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printed circuit board 43 of the rotation angle sensor 38, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing an angular range obtained by linearly developing the rotation angle of the rotation angle sensor 38. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the inclination angle detector attached to the vehicle body in this embodiment, showing the plane direction, and FIG. 6 is the Vl-
FIG. 7, which is a sectional view taken along the Vl line and shows the front direction, is a side view, and the right half is shown as a □ cross section. FIG. 8 is an electric circuit diagram showing the entire electrical system of the embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a time chart showing electrical signals of various parts of the circuit shown in FIG. 1: Housing force bar 2 = Housing base 3: Transparent tube 4: Ball 5.6: Cap 5a, 7a Niorifice 72 Elastic sheet 8: Aperture adjustment screw 9: Screw 10 Niblint board 13-22: Fixing screw 1 .1(lla~1ie): Light emitting diode 12(1
2a-12e): Photo transistor 31: Headlight 32: Pin 33 nib bracket 34: Vehicle body 35: Pin 36: Link 37: Arm 38: Rotation angle sensor 39: Rotating shaft 40: Electric motor 41: Wheel 43 Niblint board 44.44a ~44e: Contact 45, 45a-45
e: Conductor 46: Insulating base 46a to 46e: Outermost portions 47a to 47 of the radial part
e: Inner part a-e, g: Contact 50: Forward/reverse rotation/stop judgment circuit (lamp drive control means) 70: Motor driver circuit (motor driver) 47-80 Light control switch 90: Safety timer circuit ( time limit means) −48=

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A lamp drive mechanism that includes an electric motor, supports the headlamp, and drives the headlamp in a tilting manner; a lamp drive control means that generates a motor energization control signal; a timed operation starts when motor energization starts, and a timed operation when the motor stops; a timer for stopping the operation and generating a motor stop signal when the motor continues to be energized for a set time from the start of motor energization; and selectively energizing or deenergizing the electric motor in accordance with the motor energization control signal; A headlamp drive device comprising: a motor driver that stops energizing a motor in response to a motor stop signal. (2) The time-limiting means is: a time-limited operation control switching means that switches from one on/off state to the other state at the start of energization of the relay that energizes the motor and maintains the other state during the energization; A CR time constant circuit whose charging and discharging are controlled by turning on and off the switching means; the charging voltage of this CR time constant circuit is compared with a reference value, and when the charging voltage crosses the reference value, the output state is reversed and the motor is activated. and a self-holding switching means whose state is switched in response to the motor stop signal to provide a signal to the comparison means to maintain the motor stop signal output state. A headlamp drive device according to claim (1). (3) The time-limited operation control switching means charges the CR time constant circuit in response to energization of the relay and discharges it in response to energization, and the self-holding switching means is in a state in which the signal for maintaining self-holding is cut off when the power is cut off. The headlamp drive device according to claim 2, wherein the headlamp drive device is reversed to .