JP2005138740A - Optical axis control device for vehicular headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adapt the angle of the optical axis of a headlight to that of a road on which a vehicle travels, such as a highway and an urban road. <P>SOLUTION: An optical axis control device for a vehicular headlight comprises a manual operation unit 2 to adjust and operate the angle of the optical axis of a headlight 1, a sensor 3 for detecting the angle of inclination to detect the angle of inclination of a vehicle, a changing means to arbitrarily change the manual control by the manual operation unit 2 and the automatic control by the sensor 3 for detecting the angle of inclination, and an optical axis control unit 5 to set the angle of the optical axis of the headlight 1 according to the manual control or the automatic control following the change by the changing means, and is changed to the manual control or the automatic control according to a road on which a vehicle travels, and the angle of the optical axis of the headlight 1 is controlled. The changing means is realized, for example, by simultaneously operating an optical axis elevating switch 22 and an optical axis lowering switch 23 of the manual operation unit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular headlamp optical axis control apparatus that can automatically or manually control an optical axis angle of a vehicular headlamp (headlight).

While the optical axis angle of the vehicle headlamp greatly affects the safe driving of the host vehicle, it may cause dazzling around oncoming vehicles and the like. Therefore, the optical axis angle of the headlamp should be set in consideration of both of them.
Examples of conventional vehicle headlamp optical axis control devices include the following.

As a conventional example 1, there is an optical axis control device configured to change the optical axis of a headlamp to a preset angle in accordance with the speed of a vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In the case of this optical axis control device, control is performed to shorten the irradiation distance of the optical axis beam at a vehicle speed lower than a preset vehicle speed value, while the irradiation distance of the optical axis beam at a vehicle speed higher than the preset vehicle speed value. Is controlled to lengthen.

  As a conventional example 2, the distance between the front and rear axles and the vehicle body is measured for the optical axis of the headlamp, and converted to the vehicle inclination angle to correct the vehicle inclination angle due to passengers getting on and off and cargo loading and unloading. There is an optical axis control device configured to keep the optical axis of the headlamp constant (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Conventional Example 3 is an example similar to Conventional Example 2, and there is an optical axis control device in which an ultrasonic sensor is used in a configuration for detecting a vehicle tilt angle (see, for example, Patent Document 3). .

JP-A-61-36032 JP-A-10-250463 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-181425

  The conventional vehicle headlight optical axis control device is configured as described above. In the case of the conventional example 1, the optical axis is controlled according to the speed of the vehicle, but changes depending on passengers getting on and off and cargo loading and unloading. There is no way to detect the vertical change of the optical axis angle according to the tilt angle of the vehicle, and the basic optical axis is set by manual operation, and has the function of automatic optical axis setting There wasn't.

  In the case of the conventional example 2 or 3, the optical axis is controlled according to the inclination angle of the vehicle, but there is no way to arbitrarily change the optical axis angle depending on the traveling state or region of the vehicle. The optical axis is operated by automatic operation, and sometimes discomfort due to glare is sometimes given to the surroundings.

  As described above, the conventional example is either a manual control unit that does not have a vehicle tilt angle detection function or an automatic control unit that has a vehicle tilt angle detection function. However, it does not combine the setting of the optical axis angle of the headlamp with excellent visibility suitable for highways and the setting of the optical axis angle of the headlamp that does not cause discomfort due to dazzling around the city. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has a vehicle tilt angle detection function and makes the optical axis angle of the headlamp compatible with both highways and urban areas. Therefore, both automatic and manual adjustments can be combined. For example, when an inclination angle detection sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor becomes damaged or freezes due to a vehicle accident or the like, the automatic adjustment is switched to manual adjustment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp optical axis control device that can adjust a headlamp to an appropriate optical axis angle at any time.

  A vehicle headlamp optical axis control device according to the present invention includes a manual operation unit that adjusts an optical axis angle of a headlamp, a tilt angle detection sensor that detects a tilt angle of a vehicle, and a manual operation performed by the manual operation unit. Switching means for arbitrarily switching between control and automatic control by the tilt angle detection sensor, and an optical axis control section for setting the optical axis angle of the headlamp by switching the manual control or automatic control according to the switching by the switching means It is equipped with.

  According to the present invention, both manual control by manual operation and automatic control by an inclination angle detection sensor are provided, these controls can be arbitrarily switched, and the optical axis angle of the headlamp is set under each control. Because of this configuration, it is possible to switch to automatic control on expressways and suburban roads that require long-distance irradiation, and to manual control on urban roads that require consideration not to dazzle oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles. The optical axis angle of the headlamp can be set according to the traveling road.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicular headlamp optical axis control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle headlamp optical axis control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention drawn with the optical axis control unit of FIG. 1 as the center.
In FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the vehicle headlamp optical axis control device adjusts the headlamp 1 for irradiating the front of the vehicle in the traveling direction, and the optical axis of the headlamp 1 to an arbitrary angle. While operating manually, the manual operation unit 2 is provided with switching means for switching between manual control by this manual operation or automatic control for automatically adjusting and controlling the optical axis of the headlamp 1 to an appropriate angle, vehicle inclination angle Inclination angle detection sensor 3 for detecting vehicle speed, vehicle speed sensor 4 for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, manual control by an operation signal from manual operation unit 2 according to switching by the switching means provided in manual operation unit 2, or inclination angle And an optical axis controller 5 that sets the optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 by automatic control based on a detection signal from the detection sensor 3 and a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 4.

  As the tilt angle detection sensor 3, a method using a suspension stroke sensor for measuring the distance between the vehicle body and the axle or a distance sensor using ultrasonic waves is known, but either method may be used.

  Further, the optical axis control unit 5 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer including a memory unit 51 that stores various data by dividing an area, a determination unit 52 that performs various determinations, and the like, the headlamp itself, the lamp portion, or The optical axis is controlled by controlling a driving unit such as a motor that drives the reflecting mirror to adjust the optical axis. The drive unit is built in / adjacent to the headlamp 1.

Next, the operation will be described.
First, the operation in the basic configuration will be described.
This vehicle headlight optical axis control device has two control modes: automatic control that automatically adjusts the optical axis angle and manual control that is performed manually. These two control modes can be switched arbitrarily. It is characterized by the point.
Among these, in the automatic control, the optical axis control unit 5 automatically controls the optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 according to the vehicle inclination angle detected by the inclination angle detection sensor 3. Conceptually, the inclination of the front side of the vehicle is lower than the rear side, and the optical axis of the headlamp 1 is raised, and conversely, the front side of the vehicle is higher than the rear side. In contrast, the optical axis of the headlamp 1 is controlled to be lowered.
For this automatic control, the memory unit 51 of the optical axis control unit 5 stores in advance the optical axis control program data for the headlamp 1 corresponding to the detection signal from the tilt angle detection sensor 3. The control unit 5 reads the optical axis control data corresponding to the detection signal actually input from the tilt angle detection sensor 3 from the memory unit 51 and sets it in the headlamp 1.

In contrast to the automatic control, manual control is performed by operating the manual operation unit 2.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the manual operation unit 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the manual operation unit 2 raises the optical axis of the display unit 21 including the lamp 21a (for example, green), the lamp 21b (for example, red) and one display window 21c, and the headlamp 1. For example, a push button type optical axis raising switch 22 that is operated at the time, a push button type optical axis lowering switch 23 that is operated when the optical axis of the headlamp 1 is lowered, and a vehicle body connection for connection to the vehicle body side. A connector 24 and the like are provided.
For this manual control, the optical axis control for the headlamp 1 corresponding to the operation signals of the optical axis raising switch 22 and the optical axis lowering switch 23 input from the manual operation unit 2 in the memory unit 51 of the optical axis control unit 5. The optical axis control unit 5 stores the optical axis control data corresponding to the operation signal of the optical axis raising switch 22 or the optical axis lowering switch 23 actually input from the manual operation unit 2 in the memory unit. Read from 51 and set to headlamp 1.

The manual operation unit 2 includes switching means for switching between automatic control and manual control of the optical axis as described above. As this switching means, for example, an optical axis raising switch 22 and an optical axis lowering switch 23 are provided. When operated simultaneously, each operation is toggled from automatic control to manual control or from manual control to automatic control.
The switching determination is performed by the optical axis controller 5. That is, the optical axis control unit 5 stores in the memory unit 51 whether the current setting is automatic control or manual control, and when the optical axis up switch 22 and the optical axis down switch 23 are operated simultaneously, the control method is switched. The current setting is changed to automatic control or manual control. In accordance with this change, the optical axis control unit 5 performs the automatic control or the manual control.

  The above is the operation in the basic configuration, and it is possible to arbitrarily switch between automatic optical axis control and manual optical axis control and select the headlamp 1 on an expressway or an urban road with different road environments. The optical axis can be switched appropriately.

  In the above description, the switching means for switching between automatic control or manual control of the optical axis is configured to operate the optical axis raising switch 22 and the optical axis lowering switch 23 of the manual operation unit 2 at the same time. Instead, it may be provided in a place other than the manual operation unit 2 and may be configured by a different switching method.

  Next, other functions for the basic function capable of arbitrarily switching between the above-described automatic control and manual control will be described below.

Initially, the function which divides | segments a control form by the driving | running | working and stop of a vehicle is demonstrated.
The basic operation described above can be arbitrarily switched between automatic control and manual control. In this switching function, automatic control is prioritized during driving and manual control is prioritized during stopping. May be.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of optical axis control when priority is given to this optical axis control.
The operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step ST1, the optical axis control unit 5 determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped based on the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 4, and if YES, the process proceeds to step ST2, and if NO, the vehicle is stopped. If not, the process proceeds to step ST3.

  In step ST2, the optical axis control unit 5 uses a manual input value from the manual operation unit 2.

  In step ST3, the optical axis control unit 5 uses the detection value from the tilt angle detection sensor 3.

In step ST4, the optical axis control unit 5 controls and sets the optical axis of the headlamp 1 based on the manual input value in step ST2 or the detection value in step ST3.
As described above, it is possible to perform optical axis control adapted to traveling or stopping of the vehicle.

Next, switching to manual control when automatic control becomes inoperable will be described.
In the switching function between the automatic control and the manual control in the basic operation described above, the tilt angle detection sensor 3 does not function due to breakage or the like in the automatic control mode, and the automatic control of the optical axis becomes impossible. If it happens, switch to manual control.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the optical axis control when the automatic control of the optical axis becomes impossible in the automatic control mode.
The operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step ST11, the optical axis control unit 5 determines whether or not the inclination angle detection sensor 3 is abnormal by the determination unit 52. If YES, the process proceeds to step ST12. If NO, the optical axis control unit 5 proceeds to step ST13. Proceed to
Whether or not the inclination angle detection sensor 3 is abnormal can be determined as follows.
That is, when the tilt angle detection sensor 3 is operating normally, the type or range of the detection signal is determined in advance. Therefore, when the signal input from the tilt angle detection sensor 3 is a signal deviating from the above type or range, the determination unit 52 of the optical axis control unit 5 can determine that the tilt angle detection sensor 3 is abnormal.

  In step ST12, the optical axis control unit 5 uses a manual input value from the manual operation unit 2.

  In step ST13, the optical axis control unit 5 uses the detection value from the tilt angle detection sensor 3.

In step ST14, the optical axis control unit 5 controls and sets the optical axis of the headlamp 1 based on the manual input value in step ST12 or the detection value in step ST13.
As described above, when the tilt angle detection sensor 3 stops functioning and automatic control of the optical axis becomes impossible, it is switched to manual control.

Next, display by the display unit 21 will be described.
In the basic function in which automatic control and manual control can be arbitrarily switched, it is wise to display whether the mode is automatic or manual.
The vehicular headlamp optical axis control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention displays an action to that effect when switching to manual control. Further, in addition to this operation display, it is also possible to display an alarm indicating that, for example, an abnormality has occurred in a part of the optical axis control unit 5 and both manual control and automatic control have become uncontrollable.
The configuration of the display unit 21 of the manual operation unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 is the latter, that is, the operation display indicating that the manual control is switched, and the state where both manual control and automatic control are disabled. The alarm display is performed, and the display is performed through one display window 21c. As described above, the lamp 21a (for example, green) and the lamp 21b (for example, red) are behind the display window 21c. And are provided.

Further, as a case where the automatic control is switched to the manual control, as described above, when the optical axis raising switch 22 and the optical axis lowering switch 23 of the manual operation unit 2 are simultaneously operated, the vehicle is stopped and the manual operation is performed. When the optical axis lowering switch 23 or the optical axis raising switch 22 of the unit 2 is operated, there are three ways in which the function of the tilt angle detecting sensor 3 is stopped and automatic control of the optical axis becomes impossible. The switching to the manual control is set by the optical axis controller 5 in any of these three cases as described above.
Therefore, when switching from automatic control to manual control, the optical axis control unit 5 sends a signal to that effect to the manual operation unit 2, and lights up the lamp 21a (for example, green) to display the operation.
In addition, when both manual control and automatic control become uncontrollable, the optical axis control unit 5 sends a signal to that effect to the manual operation unit 2 to turn on the lamp 21b (for example, red). Display an alarm. When only manual control is impossible or only automatic control is impossible, an alarm may be displayed by changing a different lamp or a lighting color of each lamp.

Since the lighting of the lamp 21a or the lamp 21b is visually recognized through one display window 23, the operation display when switching to manual control with a single display and the alarm display at the time of abnormality are combined. Display form.
In FIG. 3, the lamp 21a and the lamp 21b are used as two lamps. However, the lamp 21a and the lamp 21b may be used as a single light emitting diode whose emission color is variable.

  Moreover, it is good also as a 1 color display structure which displays only that it switched to manual control, without displaying an alarm with respect to the display of said 2 colors. In this case, it is preferable to display in an unobtrusive cold color (for example, blue) that does not recognize the alarm.

  Although the display unit 21 described above is provided in the manual operation unit 2, the display unit 21 is not limited to this and may be provided in a place other than the manual operation unit 2.

  Moreover, although the display of the said description is a structure which displays that it has switched to manual control, it is good also as a structure which displays that it has switched to automatic control.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, both the manual control by the manual operation unit 2 and the automatic control by the inclination angle detection sensor 3 are provided, and these controls can be switched arbitrarily. The optical axis control unit 5 is configured to control the optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 in accordance with this switching. Therefore, automatic control is performed on highways and suburban roads that require far-distance irradiation, and oncoming vehicles and forward running It can be manually controlled on an urban road that requires consideration without giving glare to the car, and the optical axis angle of the headlamp can be set in accordance with the road on which the vehicle is traveling.

  In addition, the optical axis control unit 5 determines traveling or stopping from the signal of the vehicle speed sensor 4, and gives priority to automatic control by the inclination angle detection sensor when traveling, and prioritizes manual control by the manual operation unit when stopping. The optical axis angle can be lowered by manual control so as not to dazzle the preceding vehicle, and when the vehicle starts traveling again, it can return to automatic control and be automatically set to an appropriate optical axis angle.

  Further, since the optical axis control unit 5 switches to manual control when the operation of the tilt angle detection sensor 3 does not function, the tilt angle detection sensor 3 is damaged by a vehicle accident or a hopping stone, or the tilt angle detection sensor 3. Can be set by the manual control even when the function of the water attached to the sensor 3 in the cold region is not functioning normally due to freezing. The setting of the shaft angle can be avoided.

In addition, the fact that it has been switched to manual control is displayed on the display unit equipped with a single display window, and when the optical axis cannot be controlled due to an abnormality, an alarm is displayed using this single display window. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm that the current control mode is switched to manual control and that an abnormality has occurred.
In addition, since a single display window is also used for operation display and alarm display, a limited space can be used effectively.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle headlamp optical axis control apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
6, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the configuration of FIG. 6 is different from the configuration of FIG. 2 in that an initial position adjusting unit 6 is provided.
The initial position adjusting unit 6 sets the initial position (initial position) of the optical axis in the automatic control to the optical axis control unit 5.
The appropriate optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 differs depending on, for example, the physique of the driver or whether the road on which the vehicle is traveling is an urban area or a suburb. Therefore, in the automatic optical axis control, each driver actually driving or traveling Appropriate automatic control becomes possible by setting the initial position for each road.
In the automatic control of the optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 described in the first embodiment, the initial position in the control is a predetermined position.
On the other hand, the vehicular headlamp optical axis control device according to the second embodiment enables the driver to arbitrarily set the initial position of the optical axis in this automatic control.

  When the initial position is set according to the physique of the driver, the initial position adjusting unit 6 is configured by a switch mechanism that switches in conjunction with a change in the seat position of the driver's seat and outputs a corresponding signal, for example.

  In addition, when the initial position is set according to the road on which the vehicle travels, the initial position adjusting unit 6 is configured to reduce the optical axis so as not to cause discomfort due to glare to oncoming vehicles and forward vehicles. There are multiple mode switches that are set as "suburban mode" that raises the optical axis so that light is distributed with little distance, and a preset mechanism that presets each mode switch, and each of these mode switches has a predetermined initial. Preset to output position setting signal.

On the other hand, various initial position data associated with the signal from the initial position adjustment unit 6 are stored in advance in the memory unit 51 of the optical axis control unit 5, and the optical axis control unit 5 actually uses the initial position adjustment unit 6. The initial position corresponding to the input signal is read from the memory unit 51 and set in the headlamp 1. The optical axis control by the tilt angle detection sensor 3 described above is performed around the set initial position.
Note that description of portions common to the configuration of FIG. 2 is omitted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the initial position adjusting unit 6 is configured to set the initial position of the optical axis in the automatic control with respect to the optical axis control unit 5. The optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 can be set appropriately depending on whether the road on which the vehicle is traveling is an urban area or a suburb.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle headlamp optical axis control apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
In the third embodiment, control of the optical axis angle of the headlamp 1 is associated with a DRL (daytime running light) system.
7, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the configuration of FIG. 7 is different from the configuration of FIG.
The lighting switch 7 is a switch for turning on / off lighting of a predetermined light such as a taillight or an instrument in addition to the headlight at night.

In recent years, a DRL (Daytime Running Light) system that lights the headlamp 1 even during the day has attracted attention as being effective in reducing traffic accidents. This DRL system is a mechanism in which the headlamp 1 is automatically turned on when the engine is started. However, since it is turned on during the day, it is desired to lower the optical axis to reduce the amount of irradiation light in the forward direction. .
In order to suppress the amount of irradiation light, the optical axis of the headlamp 1 is moved up and down in conjunction with the lighting switch 7 that is turned on at night, and the optical axis is lowered when the DRL system is activated.
That is, the optical axis control unit 5 sets the optical axis of the headlamp 1 to a normal position when the lighting switch 7 is on, and lowers the optical axis when the lighting switch 7 is off.
Therefore, since the optical axis control unit 5 sets the optical axis lower when the lighting switch 7 is turned off, the optical axis is lowered when the DRL system is operated, and the amount of irradiation light in the forward direction is suppressed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the optical axis control unit 5 is configured to set the optical axis angle to be lowered when the lighting switch 7 is in the OFF position. As a result, the amount of forward irradiation light when the DRL system is activated can be suppressed.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the vehicle headlamp optical-axis control apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle headlamp optical-axis control apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention drawn centering on the optical-axis control part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a manual operation unit in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. It is a flowchart of the optical axis control at the time of giving priority to the optical axis control in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the optical axis control when the automatic control in Embodiment 1 of this invention becomes impossible. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle headlamp optical-axis control apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle headlamp optical-axis control apparatus by Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Headlamp, 2 Manual operation part, 3 Sensor for inclination angle detection, 4 Vehicle speed sensor, 5 Optical axis control part, 6 Initial position adjustment part, 7 Lighting switch, 21 Display part, 21a, 21b Lamp, 21c Display window, 22 optical axis up switch, 23 optical axis down switch, 51 memory unit, 52 determination unit.

Claims (7)

  A headlamp that illuminates the front of the vehicle in the traveling direction, a manual operation unit that performs an operation of adjusting the optical axis of the headlamp to an arbitrary angle, a tilt angle detection sensor that detects a tilt angle of the vehicle, An automatic control unit that automatically adjusts and controls the optical axis of the headlamp to an appropriate angle, a switching unit that switches between manual control and automatic control by the manual operation unit, and the manual operation unit based on switching by the switching unit Headlight optical axis control for a vehicle having an optical axis control unit for setting the optical axis angle of the headlamp by switching manual control by an operation signal from the vehicle or automatic control by a detection signal from the tilt angle detection sensor apparatus.   A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle is provided, and the optical axis control unit determines traveling or stopping based on a signal from the vehicle speed sensor, and automatic control based on a detection signal from an inclination angle detection sensor at the time of traveling determination. The vehicle headlamp optical axis control device according to claim 1, wherein priority is given to manual control by the manual operation unit when it is determined to stop.   The vehicular headlamp optical axis control device according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis control unit determines whether or not the operation of the tilt angle detection sensor is abnormal, and switches to manual control when the abnormality is determined.   4. The optical axis control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the optical axis of the headlamp is controlled manually or automatically, the display unit displays manual or automatic control. The vehicle headlamp optical axis control device according to claim 1.   5. The vehicular headlamp optical axis control device according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays an alarm when the optical axis of the headlamp cannot be manually controlled due to an abnormality.   2. The vehicle headlight optical axis control device according to claim 1, further comprising an initial position adjusting unit that sets an initial position of the optical axis in the automatic control with respect to the optical axis control unit.   The optical axis control unit sets the optical axis angle to be lower than the ON position of the lighting switch that is turned on at night or the like to suppress the amount of forward irradiation light when the daytime running light is activated. 2. The vehicle headlamp optical axis control device according to claim 1, wherein

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