JPH10272984A - Headlamp lighting circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To reduce the life of a discharge headlamp. A lighting circuit for a headlamp, comprising a dimmer lamp 1 and a main lamp 4, wherein a discharging headlamp is used for the dimmer lamp 1, wherein a passing operation means for performing a passing operation, and switching between the dimmer lamp 1 and the main lamp 4 are provided. Lamp switching means for performing, passing control means for turning on the main lamp 4 when the passing means is operated, and dimming lamp 1 for turning on the dimmer lamp 1 when the lamp switching means is switched to the dimmer lamp 1. And lamp switching control means for simultaneously turning on the dimmer lamp 1 and the main lamp 4 when switched to the lamp 4.
The passing operation means, the lamp switching means, the passing control means and the lamp switching control means are constituted by a combination switch 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a headlamp lighting circuit using a discharge headlamp as a dimmer lamp, and more particularly to a technique for suppressing a shortening of the life of a discharge headlamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, discharge headlamps that are brighter and have a longer life than conventional halogen lamps have been used as headlamps for some vehicles. The characteristics of the discharge headlamp are that it is bright and has a long service life, but has the disadvantage that its life is shortened as shown in FIG. 7 when it is repeatedly turned on and off. In addition, when replacing the bulb of the discharge headlamp for the purpose of life or the like, since it is a part that uses a high voltage, the structure cannot be basically replaced without using a special tool for safety reasons. For this reason, ordinary people cannot easily replace the valve, and the valve must be replaced at a maintenance shop or the like.

[0003]

However, in the current headlamp lighting circuit, as shown in FIG. 8, when a discharge headlamp is used for the dimmer lamp 100, the dimmer lamp 100 is turned on or off during the passing operation, and the discharge is performed. There was a problem that the life of the headlamp was shortened.

In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made to provide a headlamp lighting circuit that reduces the life of a discharge headlamp by reducing the number of times the dimmer lamp is turned on or off. Aim.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headlight lighting circuit including a dimmer lamp and a main lamp, wherein a discharging headlamp is used as the dimmer lamp. Lamp switching means for switching between the dimmer lamp and the main lamp, passing control means for turning on the main lamp when the passing means is operated, and when the lamp switching means is switched to the dimmer lamp, Turn on the dimmer lamp,
Lamp switching control means for simultaneously turning on the dimmer lamp and the main lamp when the lamp switching means is switched to the main lamp.

In this case, when the passing operation means is operated, the main lamp is turned on. When the lamp switching means is switched to the dimmer lamp, the dimmer lamp is turned on. When the lamp switching means is switched to the main lamp, the dimmer lamp and the main lamp are simultaneously turned on.
Therefore, even if the passing operation or the switching between the dimmer lamp and the main lamp is performed, the number of times of turning on or off the discharge head lamp used as the dimmer lamp is reduced, and the shortening of the life of the discharge head lamp is suppressed. As a result, the number of bulb replacements of the discharge headlamp is reduced, and the cost associated with such replacement can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lamp switching control means is constituted by an electric circuit composed of electric components. In this way, the discharge headlamp can be used as the headlamp of the current vehicle only by replacing the lamp switching control means constituted by the electric circuit, and the cost increase accompanying the specification change is suppressed as much as possible. .

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the present invention, a discharge headlamp (hereinafter referred to as "discharge lamp") is used as a dimmer lamp (Lo beam), and a conventional halogen headlamp (hereinafter referred to as "halogen lamp") is used as a main lamp (Hi beam). That is, in normal driving, only the dimmer lamp is used very frequently, and the main lamp is used only when the vehicle is traveling in an area where there is little passing or traffic.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of a headlamp lighting circuit according to the present invention. A dimmer lamp 1 using a discharge lamp is connected to a power supply via a dimmer lamp relay 2 and a fuse 3. The dimmer lamp relay 2 has a configuration in which the contact 2b is closed and power is supplied only when power is supplied to the coil 2a. The fuse 3 is blown quickly when an excessive current flows due to a short circuit, overload, or the like, to prevent damage to the fuse upstream circuit.

A main lamp 4 using a halogen lamp or the like is connected to a power supply via a main lamp relay 5 and a fuse 6. Since the configurations of the main lamp relay 5 and the fuse 6 are the same as those of the dimmer lamp relay 2 and the fuse 3, the description thereof will be omitted. One end of the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 and one end of the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 are connected to a combination switch 7, respectively. The combination switch 7 turns off the headlamp (OFF), turns on the small lamp, etc. (1 step) and turns on the headlamp (2 steps).
, A main lamp lighting mode (hereinafter referred to as "M mode") for switching to the main lamp 4, a dimmer lamp lighting mode (hereinafter referred to as "D mode") for switching to the dimmer lamp 1, and a passing mode (hereinafter "P mode") for passing. Mode changeover switch 7b.

The main switch 7a is provided with at least two terminals No. 1 and No. 2 terminals, and the mode switch 7b is provided with at least three terminals No. 3 to No.
o.5 terminals are provided. In the following description, description will be made using this terminal number (for example, No. 1 terminal). One end of the coil 2 a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is connected to the No. 1 terminal, and the No. 5 terminal is connected via the diode 8. The diode 8 is interposed so that current flows from the No. 5 terminal to the No. 1 terminal, but does not flow from the No. 1 terminal to the No. 5 terminal. Also, No.2 terminal and No.4
Are connected to ground, respectively, and one end of the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 is connected to the No. 3 terminal.

The main switch 7a short-circuits the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal only when the headlamp is turned on (two steps). With the mode changeover switch 7b, when switching to the M mode, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited, and when switching to the P mode, the No. 3 terminal, the No. 4 terminal and the No. 5 terminal And are short-circuited. In the present embodiment, a passing operation means, a lamp switching means, a passing control means, and a lamp switching control means include the combination switch 7, the dimmer lamp relay 2, the main lamp relay 5, and the diode 8.

Here, the operation of the headlamp lighting circuit having such a configuration will be described. First, the case where the main switch 7a is turned off or switched to the first stage will be described.
Even when the mode is switched to the mode, the dimmer lamp relay 2 and the main lamp relay 5 do not operate, and the dimmer lamp 1 and the main lamp 4 remain off. When the switching mode switch 7b is switched to the P mode, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 4 terminal are short-circuited.
And the main lamp 4 is turned on. In this case, since the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is not energized, the dimmer lamp 1 remains off.

Next, the case where the main switch 7a is switched to two stages will be described. Regardless of the mode of the mode changeover switch 7b, the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal are short-circuited. Power is supplied to the second coil 2a, and the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on. When the mode changeover switch 7b is switched to the M mode, No. 3
The terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited, and current flows through the diode 8, the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal, so that the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 is energized and the main lamp 4
Lights up. When the mode switch 7b is switched to the D mode, the main lamp relay 5 does not operate, and the main lamp 4 remains off. When the mode switch 7b is switched to the P mode, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 4 terminal are short-circuited, so that the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 is energized and the main lamp 4 is turned on.

To summarize the above description, when the mode is switched to the P mode with the head lamp turned off,
Only the main lamp 4 lights up. When the mode is switched to the M mode or the P mode while the headlamp is turned on, the main lamp 4 is turned on while the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on. Therefore, the number of times of turning on or off the discharge lamp used as the dimmer lamp 1 is reduced, and the shortening of the life of the discharge lamp can be suppressed.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the headlamp lighting circuit according to the present invention. In this embodiment,
This configuration is different from the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) only in the combination switch. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The combination switch 10 is provided with at least three terminal No. 1 to No. 3 terminals. No. 1 terminal is connected to ground, No. 2 terminal is connected to one end of coil 5a of main lamp relay 5, and No. 3 terminal is connected to one end of coil 2a of dimmer lamp relay 2. Is done.

Then, when the headlamp is turned off (O
FF) or a state where the small lamp or the like is turned on (first stage), the terminal No. 1 and the terminal No. 2 are short-circuited only when switching to the P mode. Also, when the headlamps are turned on (two steps), when switching to the M mode or P mode, the No. 1 terminal, No. 2 terminal and No. 3 terminal are short-circuited, and when the mode is switched to D mode. Then, short-circuit the No. 1 and No. 3 terminals.

In this embodiment, the combination switch 10, the dimmer lamp relay 2 and the main lamp relay 5 constitute a passing operation means, a lamp switching means, a passing control means and a lamp switching control means. According to the headlamp lighting circuit having such a configuration, the headlamp is turned off (OFF).
Alternatively, when the mode is switched to the P mode in a state where the small lamp or the like is turned on (1st stage), the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal are short-circuited, so that the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 is energized, The lamp 4 lights up.

When the mode is switched to the M mode or the P mode in the state where the headlamp is turned on (two steps), the No. 1 terminal, the No. 2 terminal and the No. 3 terminal are short-circuited. The coil 2a and the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 are energized, and both the dimmer lamp 1 and the main lamp 4 are turned on. Further, when the mode is switched to the D mode, the terminals No. 1 and No. 3 are short-circuited, so that the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is energized and the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on.

Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the life of the discharge lamp from being shortened. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the headlamp lighting circuit according to the present invention. In this embodiment, two dimmer lamp relays 2 are used without using the main lamp relay 5. The first embodiment (see FIG. 1)
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The dimmer lamp 1 is connected to a power supply via a fuse 3 and a discharge lamp relay 2, respectively. The combination switch 20 has at least 6
No. 1 to No. 6 terminals are provided. A power supply is connected to the No. 1 terminal and the No. 4 terminal via a fuse 21, respectively, and a main lamp 4 is connected to the No. 2 terminal and the No. 5 terminal, respectively. One end of the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is connected to the No. 3 terminal and the No. 6 terminal, respectively.

Then, when the head lamp is turned off (O
FF) or when the small lamps are turned on (1 stage), the No. 1 terminal and No. 2 terminal and the No. 4 terminal and No. 5 terminal are short-circuited only when switching to the P mode. . In the state where the headlamps are turned on (two steps), when the mode is switched to the M mode or the P mode, the No. 1 terminal, the No. 2 terminal and the No. 3 terminal, and the No. 4 terminal and the No. 5 terminal The terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited, respectively, and when the mode is switched to the D mode, the No. 1 terminal and the No. 3 terminal, and the No. 4 terminal and the No. 6 terminal are short-circuited, respectively.

In this embodiment, passing operation means, lamp switching means, passing control means, and lamp switching control means are constituted including the combination switch 20 and the dimmer lamp relay 2. Also,
In the present embodiment, the left and right headlamps of the vehicle are turned on or off by independent circuits, but may be turned on or off by a common circuit.

According to the headlamp lighting circuit having such a configuration, when the headlamp is turned off (OFF) or when the small lamp or the like is turned on (1st stage), P
When switching to the mode, the No.1 and No.2 terminals and N
Since the o.4 terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited, the power is directly supplied to the main lamp 4 from the power supply, and the main lamp 4 is turned on.

When the mode is switched to the M mode or the P mode in a state where the headlamp is turned on (two steps), the terminals No. 1 to No. 3 and the terminals No. 4 to No. 6 are short-circuited, respectively. Therefore, the power is directly supplied to the main lamp 4 from the power supply, the main lamp is turned on, and the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is supplied with electricity, so that the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on. Further, when the mode is switched to the D mode, the No. 1 terminal and the No. 3 terminal, and the No. 4 terminal and the No. 6 terminal are short-circuited, respectively, so that the coil 2a of the discharge lamp relay 2 is energized, The dimmer lamp 1 lights up.

Therefore, similarly to the first and second embodiments,
It is possible to suppress shortening of the life of the discharge lamp. FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the headlamp lighting circuit according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the embodiment. In the present embodiment, a circuit is configured only by a combination switch without using the dimmer lamp relay 2 and the main lamp relay 5. The same components as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The combination switch 30 has at least eight terminals No. 1 to No. 8 terminals. A power supply is connected to the No. 1 terminal and the No. 5 terminal via a fuse 31, respectively, and a power supply is connected to the No. 3 terminal and the No. 7 terminal via a fuse 32, respectively. The main lamp 4 is connected to the No. 2 terminal and the No. 6 terminal, respectively.
The dimmer lamp 1 is connected to the No. 4 terminal and the No. 8 terminal, respectively.

Then, when the head lamp is turned off (O
FF) or in the state where the small lamp or the like is turned on (1 step), only when the mode is switched to the P mode, the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal, and the No. 5 terminal and the No. 6 terminal are respectively short-circuited. . In the state where the headlamps are turned on (two steps), when the mode is switched to the M mode or the P mode, the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 4 terminal, and the No. 5 terminal No.6 terminal and
When the No.7 terminal and No.8 terminal are short-circuited respectively and switched to D mode, the No.3 terminal, No.4 terminal and No.7 terminal
Short-circuit with No.8 terminal respectively.

In this embodiment, passing operation means, lamp switching means, passing control means, and lamp switching control means include the combination switch 30. In the present embodiment, the third
As in the embodiment (see FIG. 3), the left and right headlamps of the vehicle may be turned on or off by a common circuit.

According to the headlamp lighting circuit having such a configuration, when the headlamp is turned off (OFF) or the small lamp or the like is turned on (1st stage),
When switching to the mode, the No.1 and No.2 terminals and N
Since the o.5 terminal and the No. 6 terminal are short-circuited, the power is directly supplied to the main lamp 4 from the power supply, and the main lamp 4 is turned on.

When the mode is switched to the M mode or the P mode in the state where the head lamp is turned on (two steps), the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 4 terminal, the No. 5 terminal and the No. .6 terminal and the No.7 terminal and No.8 terminal are short-circuited, respectively.
The power is also directly supplied to the dimmer lamp 1 from the power supply, and the dimmer lamp 1 and the main lamp 4 are simultaneously turned on. When the mode is switched to the D mode, the No. 3 and No. 4 terminals and the No. 7 terminal
Since the terminal and the No. 8 terminal are short-circuited, the power is directly supplied to the dimmer lamp 1 from the power supply, and the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on.

Therefore, similarly to the first to third embodiments, it is possible to suppress the life of the discharge lamp from being shortened. FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the headlamp lighting circuit according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the embodiment. This embodiment has a configuration using two main lamp relays in addition to the dimmer lamp relay 2. The same components as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The dimmer lamp 1 is connected to a power supply via a discharge lamp relay 2 and a fuse 3. Each main lamp 4 is connected to a power source via a first main lamp relay 40, a second main lamp relay 41, and a fuse 6 provided in parallel. The combination switch 42 includes a main switch 42a and a mode changeover switch 42, as in the first embodiment.
b.

In the main switch 42a, one end of the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is connected to the No. 1 terminal, and the ground is connected to the No. 2 terminal. In the mode switch 42b, one end of the coil 41a of the second main lamp switch 41 is connected to the No. 3 terminal.
The terminals include a coil 40 of the first main lamp switch 40.
a is connected to one end, and the No. 5 terminal is connected to ground.

Since the internal configurations of the main switch 42a and the mode changeover switch 42b are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Also,
In the present embodiment, the combination switch 4
0, the first main lamp relay 40, the second main lamp relay 41, and the dimmer lamp relay 2 constitute a passing operation means, a lamp switching means, a passing control means, and a lamp switching control means.

According to the headlamp lighting circuit having such a configuration, when the headlamp is turned off (OFF) or a small lamp or the like is turned on (1st stage),
When the mode is switched, the No. 4 terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited.
And the main lamp 4 is turned on. In the state where the head lamp is turned on (two stages), the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal are short-circuited, so that the coil 2a of the discharge lamp relay 2 is energized and the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on. Here, when the mode changeover switch 42b is switched to the M mode or the P mode, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited, so that the coil 41 of the second main lamp relay 41 is shorted.
Since the current is supplied to the a through the discharge lamp relay 2, the main lamp 4 is turned on.

Therefore, similarly to the first to fourth embodiments, it is possible to suppress the shortening of the life of the discharge lamp. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the headlamp lighting circuit according to the present invention. The basic configuration of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), but the circuit connection configuration is different. The first
The same components as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As in the first embodiment, the combination switch 50 includes a main switch 50a and a mode changeover switch 50b. The internal configurations of the main switch 50a and the mode changeover switch 50b are as follows.
Since they are the same as the main switch 7a and the mode changeover switch 7b in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

In the main switch 50a, one end of the coil 2a of the dimmer lamp relay 2 is connected to the No. 1 terminal, and the ground is connected to the No. 2 terminal. In the mode changeover switch 50b, the No. 3 terminal is connected to the dimmer lamp 1 side of the terminal 2b of the dimmer lamp relay 2 via the diode 51, and the No. 4 terminal is directly connected to the power supply. One end of the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5 is connected to the terminal. The diode 51 is interposed so that current flows from the dimmer lamp relay 2 to the No. 3 terminal, but does not flow from the No. 3 terminal to the dimmer lamp relay 2.

In this embodiment, passing operation means, lamp switching means, passing control means, and lamp switching control means are constituted by including the combination switch 50, the dimmer lamp relay 2, the main lamp relay 5, and the diode 51. I have. According to the headlamp lighting circuit having such a configuration, when the mode is switched to the P mode in a state in which the headlamp is turned off (OFF) or a state in which the small lamp or the like is turned on (1 stage), the No. 4 terminal and the No. 5 terminal are switched. Is short-circuited, the main lamp relay 5
Is energized, and the main lamp 4 is turned on.

In the state where the headlamp is turned on (two steps), the No. 1 terminal and the No. 2 terminal are short-circuited, so that the coil 2a of the discharge lamp relay 2 is energized and the dimmer lamp 1 is turned on. Here, when the mode switch 50b is switched to the M mode or the P mode, the No. 3 terminal and the No. 5 terminal are short-circuited, so that the discharge lamp relay 2 and the diode 51 are connected to the coil 5a of the main lamp relay 5. Since the power is supplied through the main lamp 4, the main lamp 4 is turned on.

Accordingly, similarly to the first to fifth embodiments, the shortening of the life of the discharge lamp can be suppressed.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of times of turning on or off the discharge head lamp used as the dimmer lamp can be reduced, and the shortening of the life of the discharge head lamp can be suppressed. . As a result, the number of bulb replacements of the discharge headlamp is reduced, and the cost associated with such replacement can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to minimize the cost increase accompanying the specification change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a headlamp lighting circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a headlamp lighting circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a headlamp lighting circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a headlamp lighting circuit diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a headlamp lighting circuit diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a headlamp lighting circuit diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing life characteristics of a discharge headlamp.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of a conventional headlamp lighting circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 dimmer lamp 2 dimmer lamp relay 4 main lamp 5 main lamp relay 7 combination switch 8 diode 10 combination switch 20 combination switch 30 combination switch 40 first main lamp relay 41 second main lamp relay 42 combination switch 50 combination switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A headlamp lighting circuit comprising a dimmer lamp and a main lamp, wherein a discharge headlamp is used for the dimmer lamp, wherein a passing operation means for performing a passing operation, and a lamp switch for switching between the dimmer lamp and the main lamp. Means, when the passing means is operated, a passing control means for turning on the main lamp, and when the lamp switching means is switched to a dimmer lamp,
A headlamp lighting circuit comprising: a lamp switching control unit for lighting the dimmer lamp and simultaneously lighting the dimmer lamp and the main lamp when the lamp switching unit is switched to the main lamp. . 2. The headlamp lighting circuit according to claim 1, wherein said lamp switching control means is constituted by an electric circuit comprising electric components.