JPS6213238B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention detects the direction of the steering wheel of a vehicle and makes the driver aware of this. In particular, by doing this when starting the vehicle, the driver can start the vehicle with peace of mind. It is intended to be used in various ways.

Conventionally, nothing has been done regarding this kind of display, and the spoke positions of the steering wheel are slightly symmetrical when driving straight, or the steering wheel is only in the neutral position when the vehicle is actually moved forward or backward a little. It was enough to tell that it wasn't.

In situations where the direction of the steering wheel is not displayed as in the past, the driver can only be made aware of the extent to which the spoke position of the steering wheel differs from neutral, so it is difficult to tell whether the steering wheel is in the left or right direction. If you start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction in a hurry, you may end up in a dangerous situation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is capable of making the driver reliably aware of whether the steering wheel is in the left, right, or neutral position when starting the vehicle, etc. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel direction display device for a vehicle that can prevent unnecessary display by stopping the display once the vehicle starts running.

The present invention will be explained below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. Figure 1 shows the basic circuit part of an embodiment of the present invention, where 1 is a power supply and its positive terminal is a power switch 2.
, the negative electrodes are each connected to ground. 3 is a fuse, one end of which is connected to the non-power side of the power switch 2. 4 and 5 are indicator lights of the steering wheel direction display device according to the present invention; 4 is an indicator light that lights up when the steering wheel is turned to the left; 5 is an indicator light for the right direction; , 5 are connected to the non-power side of the fuse 3. These indicator lights 4 and 5 are provided in different colors, for example, in the center of a steering wheel (not shown). A normally open switch 6 is closed only when the steering wheel turns to the left, one end of which is connected to the indicator light 4, and the other end connected to the ground. A normally open switch 7 is closed only when the steering wheel turns to the right, and one end of the switch is connected to the indicator light 5 and the other end is connected to ground. These normally open switches 6 and 7 constitute the direction detecting means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the direction detection means of the steering wheel direction display device according to the present invention, in which 101 is a steering gear box provided at the tip of the steering post, and 102 is not shown in the figure. A steering shaft 103 is a cylinder that is operated by the rotation of the steering shaft, and when the driver rotates the steering wheel to the left in order to change the direction of the vehicle to the left, the steering shaft 102 rotates to the left. As a result, the cylinder 103 moves in the direction of arrow A. Similarly, if the steering wheel is rotated to the right, the cylinder 103 moves in the direction of arrow B. 104 is a sector shaft that rotates as the cylinder 103 moves and changes the direction of the steering wheel using a tie rod or the like; when the cylinder 103 moves in the direction of arrow A, it rotates in the direction of arrow A';
If it moves in the direction of arrow B, it will rotate in the direction of arrow B'. 105 is a shaft for opening and closing a switch for detecting the steering wheel direction. 106 is a detection normally open switch for the left direction;
The switch plate spring 106 is rotated by the shaft 105 as the steering wheel rotates in the direction of arrow A' through a series of operations starting from the left rotation of the steering wheel.
a is pushed and bends while switchchinozu 106b
Push in to close the normally open switch 106. Similarly, 107, 107a, and 107b are a detection normally open switch for the right direction, a switch plate spring, and a switch knob. Here, the normally open switch 106,1
07 corresponds to the normally open switches 6 and 7 in FIG.

The operation of the basic circuit shown in FIG. 1 will be explained below.

Now, when the driving vehicle closes the power switch 2 to operate the vehicle, if the steering wheel is facing left at this time, the normally open switch 6 for detecting the left direction of the steering wheel is turned on.
is closed, current flows from the power supply 1 to the ground from the closed power switch 2, the fuse 3, the left direction indicator light 4 of the steering wheel, and the closed left direction detection normally open switch 6. , the indicator light 4 lights up to indicate to the driver that the steering wheel of the vehicle is facing left. Further, at this time, the right direction indicator light 5 of the steering wheel is turned off because the steering wheel is facing left, so the normally open switch 7 for detecting the right direction is not closed and therefore remains off.

Furthermore, the steering wheel with the driver facing left,
By turning the steering wheel to the right, it is gradually returned to the neutral position. When the wheels return to the neutral position, the normally open switch 6 for detecting the steering wheel in the left direction, which had been closed until now, is opened and the light is turned on. The left direction indicator light 4 is turned off, allowing the driver to recognize that the steering wheels of the vehicle are in a neutral position, neither to the left nor to the right.

The above has explained the left direction display, but if the steering wheel is facing right, the right direction indicator light 5
It is clear that the same operation is performed by opening and closing the normally open switch 7 for detecting the right direction.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, with reference numerals 1 to 1.
7 is the same as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 8 designates a charge relay of a voltage regulator conventionally installed in a vehicle, 8a is its power supply terminal, 8b is a load terminal, and 8c is a ground terminal. 8d is a power generation signal input terminal, and when the engine rotates and the generator starts generating electricity, a voltage is applied from the neutral point of the generator (not shown) to the electromagnetic coil 8.
Supplies power to e. As a result, the movable contact connected to the load terminal 8b is separated from the normally closed fixed contact connected to the ground terminal 8c, and closed to the normally open fixed contact connected to the power supply terminal 8a. The power switch 2 and charge relay 8 constitute a switch means that is closed by the driver to operate the vehicle. A charge warning lamp 9 is driven by the charge relay 8 and lights up when the engine is not rotating and therefore the generator is not generating electricity, and turns off when the engine is rotating and the generator starts generating electricity. Reference numeral 10 denotes a timer which is one of the stop means for stopping the display when the condition for starting the vehicle running is determined, 10a is a power supply terminal, 10b is a load terminal, 10c is a signal input terminal, and 10d is a ground terminal. Of the timer device 10, 11 is a PNP type transistor, 12 is a timer NPN type transistor,
13 is a PNP type transistor for load control; 14 is a time limit electrolytic capacitor; 15 and 16 are time limit registers 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are registers, respectively.

The operation of the first embodiment will be explained below. Now, when the driver closes the power switch 2 to drive the vehicle, the power switch 2 is connected to the power source 1, the fuse 3, the charge warning lamp 9, the load terminal 8b of the charge relay, and the closed movable contacts. Electricity is applied from the ground terminal 8c to the ground via the normally closed fixed contact, and the charge warning lamp 9 lights up. At the same time, power is also supplied from the power supply 1 to the power supply terminal 10a of the timer 10, and from the power supply terminal 10a to the emitter and base of the transistor 11, to the resistor 18, to the load terminal 8b of the charge relay, and from the ground terminal 8c to the ground. The base current of transistor 11 flows, and conduction occurs between the emitter and collector of transistor 11. As a result, the timer capacitor 14 is charged via the timer register 15, and the timer transistor 1 is charged via the timer register 16.
The base current of the timer transistor 12 flows from the base to the emitter of the transistor 2, from the ground terminal 10d to the ground, and conduction is established between the collector and emitter of the transistor 12.
The base current of the transistor 13 flows through the transistor 13, and the load control transistor 13 also becomes conductive between its emitter and collector.

After that, when the engine is started and the generator starts generating electricity, power is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 8e of the charge relay 8, which generates magnetic force, and the normally closed fixed contact connected to the ground terminal 8c until now is closed. The movable contact connected to the load terminal 8b closes with the normally open fixed contact connected to the power supply terminal 8a. As a result, the charge warning lamp 9 is turned off, and at the same time, the base current of the transistor 11, which has been flowing through the resistor 18, no longer flows, and the emitter and collector of the transistor 11 are opened. However, the time limit capacitor 1
4 is being charged, the discharge current of the timer capacitor 14, that is, the base current of the timer transistor 12, continues to flow from the timer capacitor 14 through the timer registers 15 and 16, so the transistor 12 remains conductive. Therefore, the load control transistor 13 also remains conductive. After that, the discharge current of the time capacitor 14 decreases and almost no longer flows, that is, when the base current of the transistor 12 becomes sufficiently small, the transistor 12 can no longer maintain conduction, and the collector and emitter are opened, and the load control transistor The base current that had been flowing through the resistor 20 no longer flows through the transistor 13, and the emitter and collector of the transistor 13 are also opened.

If during this period, load control transistor 1
3, if the steering wheel of the vehicle is pointing to the left, the normally open switch 6 for detecting the left direction of the steering wheel is naturally closed, and therefore the power supply 1
Power is supplied to ground from the power supply terminal 10a, the emitter and collector of the conductive load control transistor 13, the resistor 21, the load terminal 10b, the left indicator light 4, and the closed normally open detection switch 6. The left direction indicator light 4 lights up. At this time, if the driver turns the steering wheel to the right and returns the steering wheel to the neutral position, the energizing circuit for the indicator light 4 will open the normally closed switch for detecting the left steering wheel, which has been closed until now. Since it is released, it is opened and the indicator light 4 goes out.

Also, during normal operation thereafter, the transistor 11
The power supply voltage is always applied to the base of the transistor 11, and the time capacitor 14 is cut off.
is in a discharging state, the timer transistor 12 is cut off, and the load control transistor 13 remains cut off, even if the steering wheel is turned to either the left or right and the detection normally open switch 6 or 7 is closed. However, the indicator light 4 or 5 will not light up because power is not being supplied to it.

Next, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment 10' of the timer 10 in FIG. 3, in which reference numerals 11, 12, and 14 to 20 are the same as those shown in FIG.
10'a is a power supply terminal, 10'b is a load terminal, 10'
C is a signal input terminal, and 10'd is a ground terminal.
22 is an unstable multivibrator circuit;
3 and 24 are transistors that are alternately conductive; 25;
26 is a capacitor, 27 is a backflow prevention diode 28, 29, 30, 31 is a resistor, and 32 is a power transistor for the unstable multivibrator 22 which is conductive only when the transistor 12 is conductive. Reference numeral 13' denotes a load control transistor which turns conduction on and off in synchronization with the transistor 23 of the unstable multivibrator 22, thereby cutting off and cutting off the power supply to the load terminal 10'b. 19', 20', 2
1' is a register.

In this embodiment, compared to the above-described first embodiment in which the indicator light 4 or 5 was lit continuously, a blinking display is performed in synchronization with the operation of the unstable multivibrator 22.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention,
As the direction detection means, a potentiometer 200 and a voltage comparator 205 are used.
Reference numerals 101 to 104 are the same as those shown in FIG. The potentiometer 200 generates a voltage at the output end 200a according to the rotation of the sector shifter 104, and this voltage becomes smaller as the steering wheel points to the left. 201 and 202 are resistors, and 203 and 204 are Zener diodes and resistors as constant voltage sources. Voltage comparator 205
Now, the output end 200a of the potentiometer 200
and the divided voltages of registers 206 and 207 are input, and the output terminal 200a
When the voltage is smaller, the level is high, output terminal 2
When the voltage of 00a is larger, a low level discrimination signal is output. This discrimination signal is inputted to the base of an amplifying transistor 209 through a resistor 208, and this transistor 209 becomes conductive to excite the relay coil 210 only when the discrimination signal is at a high level. 211 is a diode for absorbing back electromotive force of the relay coil 210, 212 and 213 are contacts that are opened and closed by the relay coil 210, and the contact 212 is closed when the relay coil 210 is excited and opened when the relay coil 210 is demagnetized; 213 is a relay coil 213
When it is energized, it opens and when it is demagnetized, it closes.

As described above, when the handle wheel is facing leftward, the voltage generated at the output terminal 210a of the potentiometer 200 is low, so the discrimination signal of the voltage comparator 205 becomes high level, and the transistor 209 becomes conductive and the relay Coil 210 is energized and contact 2
12 becomes conductive and the left indicator light 4 lights up. Further, when the steering wheel gradually turns to the right and the voltage generated at the output terminal 210a of the potentiometer 200 becomes larger than the divided voltage of the registers 206 and 207, the discrimination signal of the voltage comparator 205 becomes a low level. , the transistor 209 is cut off,
The relay coil 210 is demagnetized and the right indicator light 5 lights up. This switching of lighting indicates that the steering wheel has almost reached the neutral position.

In addition, 8 is a charge relay, and 10 is a time limit device.Similar to the one shown in Fig. 3, from the time the power switch 2 is turned on, the steering wheel is operated for a certain period of time after the engine starts rotating and the generator starts generating electricity. Displays the direction and then stops displaying it.

In addition, two voltage comparators with different reference voltages are provided for the voltage generated by the potentiometer so that different lamps are turned on and off, so that when the voltage generated by the potentiometer is between the two reference voltages, By also turning off the lamp, the neutral position of the steering wheel can be more clearly displayed.

As described above, in the present invention, since the direction in which the steering wheel of the vehicle is facing is clearly displayed to the driver, the direction in which the vehicle is traveling can be confirmed in advance when starting or reversing the vehicle. On the other hand, in consideration of the fact that once the vehicle starts traveling, the direction of the steering wheel can be confirmed based on the actual traveling direction of the vehicle, the present invention provides a switch means that the driver closes to operate the vehicle. Since the system is equipped with a stop means that stops the above display when the conditions for starting the vehicle to start running are determined after the switch is closed, it is possible to prevent unnecessary display and also to prevent wasteful consumption of the onboard power source. It has the excellent effect of being able to

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an electrical wiring diagram showing the basic circuit of an embodiment of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the direction detection means used in the device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of the device of the present invention. 4 is an electrical wiring diagram showing another example of the timer in the device shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an electrical wiring diagram showing the second embodiment of the device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an electrical wiring diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 4, 5... Indicator light, 6, 7... Normally open switch forming direction detecting means, 200, 205... Potentiometer and voltage comparator forming direction detecting means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Direction detection means for detecting whether the steering wheel of the vehicle is in the left or right direction, and a display activated by the detection means to display whether the steering wheel is in the left or right direction. A switch means that is closed when the driver starts driving the vehicle, and a display restriction means that causes the display to display a display only during an initial period of operation from the closing of the switch means. Steering wheel direction indicator.