Patent ID: 6927683
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
1. A vehicular turn signal indicator system comprising: a first indicator lamp constructed of a light bulb; a second indicator lamp constructed of light emitting diodes and a disconnection detecting circuit for detecting disconnection of the light emitting diodes and outputting a disconnection signal indicative of the disconnection of the light emitting diodes; and a flasher circuit that intermittently supplies currents to the first and the second indicator lamps for flashing the first and the second indicator lamps, wherein the flasher circuit includes, a driving means that drives the first and the second indicator lamps to flash by supplying currents thereto, a current detecting resistor connected in a power supply line of the first and the second indicator lamps, a flashing control circuit that performs flashing control of the first and the second indicator lamps by outputting a flashing signal to the driving means during driving of the first and the second indicator lamps, detects a voltage drop across the current detecting resistor, and determines disconnection of at least one of the first and the second indicator lamps if the voltage drop is equal to or under a predetermined threshold value, and a shorting circuit that shorts across the current detecting resistor according to the disconnection signal outputted from the second indicator lamp for lowering the voltage drop equal to or under the threshold value.