Method of detecting a lamp outage condition in a vehicle flasher

Details Method of detecting a lamp outage condition in a vehicle flasher Method of detecting a lamp outage condition in a vehicle flasher

1997-06-30

1998-09-01

Hofsass, Jeffery A.

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...

340458, 340641, 340642, 340661, B60Q 1100

Patent

active

058016236

ABSTRACT:
An adaptive method of detecting a lamp outage condition is implemented in a vehicle flasher system including a plurality of lamps. The method includes the steps of: a) initializing an adaptive flasher current variable when the vehicle flasher system is powered on; b) monitoring the vehicle flasher system to detect a driver flasher signal request; c) measuring current output from the plurality of lamps in the vehicle flasher system; d) determining whether the level of measured current is indicative of a lamp outage condition by comparing the measured current to the adaptive flasher current variable; e) setting the adaptive flasher current variable equal to the measured current if the measured current falls within a predetermined learning range, thereby compensating for resistance changes in the flasher system over time to allow lamp outage detection; and f) returning to step b).

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