JPS63195039A - Flusher device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To flush apparently a lamp for elongating the life thereof by normally lighting the lamp along with the turning-on operation of a direction indicating switch or the like and converting the lamp light to electric energy to drive a liquid crystal shutter in a predetermined cycle. CONSTITUTION:When an ignition switch 2 is turned on, a switch 5a is connected to a terminal A and a direction indicating switch 6 for example is turned on and connected to either a terminal L or R, either left lamp 4a or right one 4b is lit. Then, a solar battery 13 converts light generated by the lamp 4 to electric energy which is given to a controlling circuit 14, so that said circuit 14 drives a liquid crystal shutter 12 in a predetermined cycle to transmit and interrupt the light generated by the lamp 4. As a result, though either left lamp 4a or right one 4b is normally lit, the lamp seems to be flushed as viewed from the outside.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a flasher device for an automobile that controls the flashing of a lamp for indicating direction and notifying the occurrence of an abnormality in an automobile.

[Prior Art] In a conventional automobile flasher device, when a hazard switch that generates a signal to notify of an abnormality that has occurred in the automobile and a direction indicator switch that indicates the direction of the automobile are brought into conduction, Electronic circuits were used to control relays on and off to control lamp blinking.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional automobile flasher device. In FIG. 3, the conventional automobile flasher device includes a power source 1, an ignition switch 2 for transmitting electric power from the power source 1 to the engine system, etc., and a /1 zard switch 5 for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality in the automobile. and,
A direction switch 6 that generates a signal to indicate the direction of travel of the automobile; lamps 4a and 4b that are turned on in response to the hazard switch 5 or the direction switch 6;
It is comprised of a flasher unit 9 that controls the blinking of the lamps 4a and 4b. The hazard switch 5 is
It consists of a switch 5a for generating a hazard signal, and a switch 5b that is turned on when the switch 5a is switched to terminal B. Terminal A of switch 5a is connected to the output terminal of ignition switch 2, and terminal B
is connected to power supply 1. The direction indicator switch 6 has a terminal for blinking the lamp on the left side and a terminal for blinking the lamp on the right side.
It is equipped with a terminal R for blinking. The flasher unit 9 is activated when either the relay switch 9a, which is turned on when excited, the hazard switch 5, or the direction indicator switch 6, is turned on.
The relay control circuit 9b controls the relay switch 9a to be turned on and off at predetermined intervals. However, in order to simplify the drawing, a path for activating the relay control circuit 9b is not shown. Next, the operation will be explained.

First, the operation when the direction indicating switch 6 is turned on will be explained. At this time, the ignition switch 2 is first in the on state. Further, the switch 5a of the hazard switch is connected to the terminal A. In this state, the direction indicating switch 6 is connected to either the terminal or the terminal R depending on the course direction. In response, the relay control circuit 9b is activated, causing current to flow through the coil at a predetermined period.
゛The relay switch 9a is controlled to be turned on and off at regular intervals. As a result, current from the power source 1 is supplied to the right lamp 4b or the left lamp 4a via the ignition switch 2, the hazard switch 5, and the relay switch 9a, and the direction indicator lamp is supplied to the electronic relay control circuit 9b. It blinks at a predetermined period from .

The operation when the hazard switch is turned on will be described next. At this time, the switch 5a of the hazard switch 5 is connected to the terminal B. Accordingly, the switch 5b is also turned on. Accordingly, the relay control circuit 9b is also activated,
The relay switch 9a is turned on and off at predetermined intervals. This causes both the lamps 4a and 4b to blink at a predetermined period. In this state,
Even if the ignition switch 2 is turned off, the switch 5a is connected to terminal B, so there is no power? Current is supplied from R1, and the lamp will blink regardless of the state of the ignition switch 2.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, in the conventional automobile flasher control device, a relay control circuit is used to control the flashing of a lamp on and off by turning a relay switch on and off at a predetermined cycle. This was done by doing this. Therefore, since the lamp is repeatedly flashed in a short period of time, the inrush Wi current flows through the lamp repeatedly, resulting in a problem that the life of the lamp is shortened.

Furthermore, since the inrush current of the lamp repeatedly flows through the relay switch, there is a problem that the life of the relay switch is shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automobile flasher device that can eliminate the problems of the conventional automobile flasher control device described above and can extend the life of the lamp.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The automobile flasher device according to the present invention includes an instruction signal generation means for generating a signal for instructing lighting of a lamp, and a lamp that is always turned on in response to the output of the instruction signal generation means. , a cover integrally formed on the body of the automobile so as to cover the lamp; and a cover integrally provided with the cover facing the lamp;
A transmission control element that controls the transmission amount of light generated by the lamp, a light-to-electrical conversion element that converts the light generated by the lamp into electrical energy, and a light-to-electrical conversion element that is supplied with electric energy from the light-to-electrical conversion element to a certain predetermined level. and a driving means for driving the transmission control element at a certain period.

[Function] In this invention, the lamp is always on when the hazard switch or the direction switch is turned on, and the optical-to-electrical conversion element converts the light energy generated by the lamp into electrical energy to activate the drive circuit. The driving means drives the transmission control element at a constant predetermined period, and the transmission control element transmits or does not transmit the light generated by the lamp depending on the output of the driving means to control the transmission; Control quantity.

[Embodiment of the Invention] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automobile flasher device which is an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, the automobile flasher device according to the present invention includes a lamp 4 that is turned on in response to the ON state of a hazard switch or a direction indicator switch, and is provided integrally on the body of an automobile so as to cover the lamp 4. A cover 11 , a liquid crystal shutter 12 formed of a transmissive liquid crystal element, for example, which is integrally provided on the cover 11 facing the lamp 4 , a solar cell 13 that converts light generated by the lamp 4 into electrical energy, and a solar cell 1
A control circuit 14 is activated by being supplied with electrical energy from 3 and drives the liquid crystal shutter 12 at a predetermined period.
It consists of As the drive circuit 14, for example, a pulse generation circuit that generates a signal with a predetermined period when power is supplied from the solar cell 13 can be used.

The liquid crystal shutter 12 blocks the light generated by the lamp 4 when an electric field is applied from the control circuit 14, for example, and allows the light generated from the lamp 4 to pass when the electric field is not applied from the control circuit 14.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the automobile flasher device of FIG. 1 is connected to a hazard switch and a direction indicator switch. In FIG. 2, a hazard switch 5 that generates a signal to notify the occurrence of an abnormality in the automobile;
A direction switch 6 that generates a signal indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle, a hazard switch 5, and a direction switch 6.
The lamps 4a and 4b blink in response to the on state of the lamps 4a and 4b. The switch 5a of the hazard switch 5 includes a terminal A connected to the output terminal of the ignition switch 2, and a terminal B connected to the power source 1. The switch 5b includes:
In response to the switch 5a being connected to the terminal B, it becomes conductive. The direction indicator switch 6 is the right lamp 4b.
It has a terminal R that generates a signal for blinking the lamp 4a, and a terminal R that generates a signal for blinking the left lamp 4a. Next, the operation will be explained.

First, a case will be described in which the direction indicating switch 6 is turned on and connected to the L terminal or the R terminal.

At this time, the ignition switch 2 is in the on state, and the switch 5a is connected to the terminal A.

Therefore, the direction indicator switch 6 can be connected to the terminal R or the terminal R.
When connected to, the lamp 4a or 4b lights up accordingly. Accordingly, the solar cell 13 shown in FIG. 1 converts the light generated by the lamp 4 into electrical energy and supplies it to the control circuit 14. The control circuit 14 is supplied with power from the solar cell 13 and drives the liquid crystal shutter 12 at a predetermined period to pass or block the light generated by the lamp 4. Therefore, although the right or left lamp 4a or 4b is always on, due to the function of the liquid crystal shutter 12,
The light is passed through periodically, and from the outside it looks like a blinking lamp.

Next, the case where the hazard switch 5 is turned on will be explained. At this time, switch 5a is connected to terminal B. Accordingly, the switch 5b is turned on, and the lamps 4a,
4b are both lit. The subsequent operation is the same as that described with reference to the direction indicating switch 6 above.

Therefore, when the hazard switch 5 or the direction indicator switch 6 is turned on, the lamp 4a is turned on.

4b are both in a constantly lit state, no inrush current flows into the lamp repeatedly, and the life of the relay switch contact and the lamp can be extended. In addition, since the liquid crystal shutter 12 is used to pass/block the light generated by the lamp 4, it is possible to operate with low power consumption, and it is possible to operate sufficiently with the power generated by the solar cell. .

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, 1. According to the present invention, when the lXard switch or the direction indicator switch is turned on, the lamp is always turned on, and the light of the lamp is converted into electric energy to power the drive circuit. The liquid crystal shutter is activated and the driving circuit drives the liquid crystal shutter at a predetermined cycle to pass/block the light generated by the lamp.
Since the lamp is always on, inrush current does not flow repeatedly, making it possible to extend the life of the lamp.

Additionally, since there is no need for a relay switch to make the lamp blink, there is no need to consider the durability of the relay contacts against inrush current, eliminating malfunctions such as lamps not blinking, and improving reliability. Furthermore, since a relay switch and a control circuit for driving the relay switch are not required, it is possible to reduce the wiring area and space, and it is possible to realize a small and compact automobile flasher device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration around a lamp of an automobile flasher device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing connections between an automobile flasher device, a hazard switch, and a direction indicator switch, which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional automobile flasher device. In the figure, 1 is the power supply, 2 is the ignition switch,
4a, 4b, 4 are lamps, 5 is a hazard switch, 6 is a direction switch, 1o is a vehicle body, 11 is a cover, 12 is a liquid crystal shutter, 13 is a solar cell, and 14 is a drive circuit. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. (haρ)Zru] - 1st time z 2 times

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A flasher device for an automobile that lights up a lamp provided on the automobile to indicate the direction of travel of the automobile and an indication of the occurrence of an abnormality, the cover being attached to the body of the automobile so as to cover the lamp; a light transmission control means that is integrally attached to the cover facing the lamp and controls the amount of light generated by the lamp that is transmitted through the cover; and a light transmission control means that converts the light generated by the lamp into electrical energy. A flasher device for an automobile, comprising: a light-to-electricity conversion means; and a drive means that is activated in response to the output of the light-to-electricity conversion means and drives the light transmission control means at predetermined time intervals. (2) the light transmission control means is a transmission type liquid crystal element;
An automobile flasher device according to claim 1. (3) The automobile flasher device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-to-electricity conversion means is a solar cell.