Abstract A breakage detector for an automotive lamp circuit having a plurality of parallel autmotive lamps such as brake lamps, tail lamps and a number lamp. The breakage detector comprises a plurality of burn-out detection relays individually provided for the respective automotive lamps and each consisting of a voltage coil, a current coil and a normally open switch adapted to be closed when either the current coil or voltage coil is energized. Each current coil is connected in series with the associated automotive lamp, and in the ''''on'''' state of a lamp switch current from a power supply is caused to pass through the current coil to the associated lamp. Even in the ''''off'''' state of the lamp switch, if the automotive key switch is ''''on'''' a minute current is caused from the power supply through each voltage coil to the associated lamp. The normally open switches of the respective relays are connected such as to form a series circuit. An indicator is controlled according to whether the series circuit is closed or open so as to indicate the accidental burn-out of any automotive lamp.
Inventors
👤 Y Sakurai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-25 14:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q11/00; B60Q11/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A breakage detector for an automotive lamp circuit having a plurality of lamps, a key switch, a lamp switch, a relay switch means for turning on said lamps when said lamp switch is closed and a power supply, comprising: a plurality of relays each including a current coil connected in series with an associated one of said lamps and said relay switch means, a voltage coil connected to said power supply as to be energized through said lamp when said key switch is closed, and a normally open switch adapted to be closed when either said current coil or said voltage coil is energized; a series circuit made of said normally open switches of said individual relays connected in series; a detecting means connected to said series circuit for detecting the state of said normally open switches of said relays; and an indicating means connected to said detecting means and producing an alarm when any one of said normally open switches is open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A breakage detector for an automotive lamp circuit having a plurality of lamps, a key switch, a lamp switch, a relay switch means for turning on said lamps when said lamp switch is closed and a power supply, comprising: a plurality of relays each including a current coil connected in series with an associated one of said lamps and said relay switch means, a voltage coil connected to said power supply as to be energized through said lamp when said key switch is closed, and a normally open switch adapted to be closed when either said current coil or said voltage coil is energized; a series circuit made of said normally open switches of said individual relays connected in series; a detecting means connected to said series circuit for detecting the state of said normally open switches of said relays; and an indicating means connected to said detecting means and producing an alarm when any one of said normally open switches is open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The breakage detector according to claim 1, which further comprises a check switch connected to said series circuit through said indicating means and to said power supply.