JP2002234383A - Variable light distribution head lamp system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a rotation of an optical axis is not coincident with an actual circumstance in the case of an extremely low speed including stopping and a high speed since the rotation of the optical axis is carried out only by an information from a steering device in a conventional variable light distribution head lamp system. SOLUTION: A speed signal is inputted to a control means of the variable light distribution head lamp system 1 and the control means 4 carries out a restriction of a function or an addition of the function against a light distribution change means 3 when a predetermined speed is detected at the speed signal. Therefore, a problem generated at the time of extremely low speed including stopping and a high speed is solved by also referring to a traveling speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp for lighting such as a headlamp, and more particularly to an AFS.
(Adaptive Front Lighting System), which is related to a lighting system that changes the irradiation width and irradiation direction, etc., so that the optimum lighting can be performed for the running state of the vehicle such as the operation of the steering device and the speed of the vehicle It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional variable light distribution headlamp system 90 of this type. This variable light distribution headlamp system 90 includes a steering device (not shown). A rotation device 92 for rotating the headlamp lamp body 91 by a signal L corresponding to an operation amount, and a signal S sent from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) when the speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the headlamp lamp is used. Body 9
For example, a solenoid device 9 in which 1 is directed upward by a specified angle
3 and a control circuit 94 for processing these signals L and S.

[0003] In this way, when the driver operates the steering device in preparation for entry into a curved road, the control circuit 9 is activated.
Reference numeral 4 processes the signal L, and turns the headlamp lamp body 91 by the turning device 92 by an angle corresponding to the operation amount to irradiate the traveling direction of the vehicle. Further, when the vehicle travels at a speed higher than a specified speed on a highway or the like, the headlamp lamp 91 has an optical axis X directed upward by a specified angle (for example, 0.5 °), and irradiates a farther distance.

[0004]

However, in the conventional variable light distribution headlamp system 90 described above,
For example, when the vehicle 20 is stopped or running at an extremely low speed and the steering device is largely operated, such as when the vehicle 20 turns right at an intersection (however, when the vehicle is traveling on the left side), the light of the headlamp lamp 91 as shown in FIG. The axle also turns to the right, causing a problem that the straight-ahead vehicle T in the oncoming lane is dazzled. A similar problem also occurs for the straight-ahead vehicle T in the oncoming lane when the vehicle 20 performs reverse parking on the road side as shown in FIG.

When the traveling speed is relatively high, such as on an expressway, the vehicle 20 operates the steering device for the purpose of, for example, correcting the course in the lane, and the headlamp lamp 91 responds accordingly. When the direction of the optical axis is changed, the illumination reaches the preceding vehicle F in another lane as shown in FIG. Therefore, there is a problem in that the irradiation light from the following vehicle (vehicle 20) is reflected on the room mirror of the preceding vehicle F, causing dazzling to the driver.

In the above case, since the lighting is suddenly performed from behind, the preceding vehicle F may be mistaken as if there is a following vehicle approaching quickly. If F performs an avoidance action such as a course change based on a misperception, a dangerous situation may occur for the following vehicle.

[0007]

According to the present invention, as a specific means for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, a light distribution changing means for changing a light distribution shape according to an operation amount of a steering device, and the light distribution changing means are provided. A variable light distribution headlamp system comprising: a speed signal is input to the control means of the variable light distribution headlamp system, and when a predetermined speed is detected in the speed signal, The object of the present invention is attained by providing a variable light distribution headlamp system, wherein the control means restricts or adds a function to the light distribution changing means.

[0008]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 is a variable light distribution headlamp system according to the present invention.
The variable light distribution headlamp system 1 includes a headlamp lamp 2, a rotation device 3 for rotating the headlamp lamp 2, such as a stepping motor, and a steering device (not shown). (Not shown) and a control device 4 for giving a rotation signal H according to the operation amount.

Further, if necessary, the headlamp lamp 2 is turned upward by a specified angle (for example, 0.5 °) during a high-speed running by a signal from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) so that a distant front can be visually recognized. A solenoid device 5 for improving the performance may be provided.

In addition, as this kind of variable light distribution headlamp system, one of the auxiliary lamps whose irradiation direction is directed to the outside of the vehicle body instead of the rotation of the headlamp lamp body 2 by the rotation device 3 is described. Equipped with the above, there is also a configuration in which the auxiliary light is turned on in accordance with the operation of the steering device to secure the field of view on the front side of the vehicle body, and the irradiation direction is upward according to the output of the vehicle speed sensor. In such a case, there is a configuration in which only the light source is moved without making the entire headlamp lamp body 2 face upward, but the present invention can be implemented with any of the above configurations.

Here, when the operation of the conventional variable light distribution headlamp system is examined in detail, for example, the change of the irradiation direction (or the irradiation angle) at the time of turning of the vehicle only takes into account only the operation amount of the steering device. The other factors were not taken into account.

According to the present invention, when the irradiation direction (or irradiation angle) is changed, in addition to the operation amount of the steering device, the running speed at that time is taken into consideration to obtain a more realistic light distribution shape. The headlamp lamp 2 is provided with an auxiliary rotation device 6 in addition to the rotation device 3.

The auxiliary rotation device 6 has a direction of rotation orthogonal to the rotation device 3 and operates such that the irradiation direction of the headlamp lamp 2 is downward when driven. The auxiliary rotation device 6 is attached to the rotation device 3 and rotates integrally with the headlamp lamp 2 when the rotation device 3 rotates.

In addition, in the present invention, when a signal from a vehicle speed sensor is input to the control device 4 and an extremely low speed (for example, 3 km / h or less) including a stop is output to the signal from the vehicle speed sensor, the auxiliary device is used. An auxiliary rotation signal V is output to the rotation device 6 and driven.

In the present invention, since the headlamp lamp 2 changes the irradiation direction by two elements, a steering device and a vehicle speed sensor, the control device 4 has an appropriate logic circuit 4a and the like. It is preferable that an auxiliary rotation signal V to the auxiliary rotation device 6 is not output when the rotation signal H to the rotation device 3 is not output.

When a high speed (for example, 80 km / h or more) is output to the signal from the vehicle speed sensor, the control device 4 changes the rotation signal H to the rotation device 3 so that, for example, the driving amount is halved. Reduced to In the actual implementation, if the driving amount of the headlamp lamp 2 suddenly changes at a specific speed, a sense of incongruity occurs.
It is preferable that the driving amount is temporarily reduced between 90 km and 90 km.

At this time, when the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 is of a type in which the above-described auxiliary light with the irradiation direction directed outward is sequentially turned on according to the operation amount of the steering device. Sets a large amount of operation of the steering device for turning on the respective auxiliary lights. Alternatively, the second and subsequent lamps are not turned on regardless of the operation amount of the steering device. It is a good thing.

In this way, when turning right at the intersection of the vehicles 20 as shown in FIG. 2, in order to wait for the straight vehicle T to pass, the vehicle is operated at a very low speed with the steering device operated to the right. Therefore, the rotation device 3 operates to shift the irradiation direction of the headlamp lamp body 2 rightward.

At the same time, the auxiliary rotation device 6 is also operated, so that the headlamp lamp 2 is deflected downward in addition to being deflected rightward. Therefore, the vehicle 2
For a driver of 0, the visibility at a short distance required when traveling at a low speed is improved, and for a driver of an opposite straight-ahead vehicle T, the irradiation direction is shifted to the right, that is, it is set to the own vehicle direction. Nevertheless, it is possible to prevent dazzling by being turned downward by the auxiliary rotating device 6 (see also the conventional example of FIG. 5).

In a situation where the vehicle travels at a relatively high speed, such as on an expressway, when the signal from the vehicle speed sensor is detected to be higher than the specified speed, the control circuit 4 rotates as described above. The rotation amount with respect to the device 3 is output as being reduced by a predetermined ratio.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, even when the vehicle 20 operates the steering device for the purpose of correcting the course in the travel route, the irradiation direction of the headlamp lamp 2 is changed to another travel route. , And it can be prevented that the following vehicle is mistakenly recognized as being on the same traveling route as the preceding vehicle (see also FIG. 7 of the conventional example).

At this time, when the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 is provided with a solenoid device 5 for raising the irradiation direction of the headlamp lamp body 2 by a predetermined angle during high-speed traveling, the steering device is provided. When the operation is performed, the operation of the solenoid device 5 is controlled by the control circuit 4.
For example, the vehicle may be stopped (FIG. 3 shows this state), and by doing so, the influence on the vehicle traveling on another lane can be further reduced.

In addition, in the present invention, the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 is manually operated to forcibly stop the operation of the rotation device 3, the auxiliary rotation device 4, and the solenoid device 5 according to the driver's intention. A switch 7 may be provided. At this time, the power supply of the rotating device 3, the auxiliary rotating device 4, and the solenoid device 5 may be directly cut off, but these devices 3 to 5 operate. Considering the situation where the manual switch 7 is operated when the vehicle is in the middle, it is preferable to provide the manual switch 7 on the control device 4 side.

When the manual switch 7 is provided,
When the manual switch 7 is a mechanical switch such as a toggle switch, once the operation is performed, the state is maintained unless manually reset, and thereafter the function of the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 is maintained. For example, an electronic switch equipped with an electric holding mechanism may be used, and the function of the headlamp system 1 may be automatically restored by, for example, removing an ignition key (ie, stopping use of the vehicle). It is preferable to do so.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, a variable light distribution system comprising light distribution changing means for changing the light distribution shape in accordance with the operation amount of the steering device and control means for controlling the light distribution changing means. In the optical headlamp system, a speed signal is input to the control means of the variable light distribution headlamp system, and when a predetermined speed is detected in the speed signal, the control means sends a signal to the light distribution changing means. By adopting a variable light distribution headlamp system characterized by limiting or adding functions, conventionally, the irradiation direction is changed only by referring to the operation amount of the steering device, and when the vehicle stops. -Problems that occurred at extremely low speeds or at high speeds were resolved by referring to the traveling speed, and this type of variable light distribution head In which exhibits an extremely excellent effect in improving the performance of the up system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a variable light distribution headlamp system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation in a low-speed region of the vehicle according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in a high-speed region of the vehicle of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a defect in a low-speed region in a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another problem in a low-speed region of the conventional example.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a defect in a high-speed area of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Variable light distribution headlamp system 2 ... Headlamp lamp 3 ... Rotating device 4 ... Control device 4a ... Logic circuit 5 ... Solenoid device 6 ... Auxiliary rotating device 7 ... Manual switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A variable light distribution headlamp system comprising: a light distribution changing means for changing a light distribution shape according to an operation amount of a steering device; and a control means for controlling the light distribution changing means. A speed signal is input to the control means of the headlamp system, and when a predetermined speed is detected in the speed signal, the control means restricts or adds a function to the light distribution changing means. Variable light distribution headlamp system characterized by the following. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed is in a range from a stop to an extremely low speed, and when the range from the stop to an extremely low speed is detected, the control unit sets the headlamp to a further angle of inclination relative to the light distribution change unit. The variable light distribution headlamp system according to claim 1, wherein the variable light distribution headlamp system is provided. 3. The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed is a relatively high speed range, and when the high speed range is detected, the control means performs the light distribution changing means in accordance with an operation amount of a steering device. 3. The variable light distribution headlamp system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the change of the light distribution shape is limited. 4. The control means or the light distribution changing means is provided with a manual switch for stopping a part or all of the functions of the light distribution changing means. The variable light distribution headlamp system according to any one of the above.