JP2002321561A - Headlamp light distribution control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To commonly use a rotating plate for detecting a steering angle even in various types of vehicles having different play amounts. SOLUTION: The system has a correcting zone judging means which judges whether an angle position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correcting zone 80 or not by setting regions of plural numbers of angle detecting slits 34 which exist in a prescribed angle width that is larger than the angle width of a slit 35 for detecting the original position at the correcting zone 80, a mileage judging means which judges whether the mileage is more than the set mileage or not when the angle position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correcting zone 80, a calculating means which respectively calculates the residence time of which the angle position detecting photosensor 33 faces about each angle position detecting slits 34 existing within the correcting zone 80 during the time until the set mileage is transcended, and an original position changing means which changes the angle position detecting slits 34 within the correcting zone 80 corresponding to the maximum residence time among each residence time when the mileage transcends the set mileage to the original position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a headlamp light distribution control system for controlling the light distribution of a headlamp lighting device according to the steering angle of a steering wheel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a headlamp light distribution control system for controlling light distribution of a headlamp according to a steering angle of a steering wheel has been known. This headlamp light distribution control system includes a rotating plate that rotates in conjunction with steering of a steering wheel.

A plurality of angle detecting slits for detecting the rotation angle of the handle are provided along the periphery of the rotating plate at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and the origin position of the handle is detected. A slit for detecting the origin position is provided.

A pair of angle detecting photosensors are provided at regular intervals in the rotation direction in the rotation area of the angle detection slit, and an origin position detection photosensor is provided in the rotation area of the origin position detection slit. Have been.

This type of headlamp light distribution control system obtains an origin position detection signal detected by an origin position detection photosensor and an origin position detection slit, and a pair of angles based on the origin position detection signal. A rotation direction (steering direction) and a rotation angle (steering angle) of the steering wheel are calculated based on a rotation angle detection signal of the steering wheel detected by the photo sensor for detection and the slit for angle detection, and the steering direction and the steering angle are calculated. The light distribution control of the headlamp is performed based on this.

[0006]

By the way, in this type of headlamp light distribution control system, the slit for detecting the origin position has a deviation in serration between the steering shaft and the steering wheel, a mounting tolerance between the steering shaft and the steering sensor, a wheel alignment. In some cases, the position may be as high as several tens of degrees due to improper adjustment due to improper adjustment, etc., and even if there is such an assembling error, the origin position detection signal can be obtained as long as the vehicle is traveling straight. The slit for origin position detection has a fan shape and its angular width is enlarged to provide a play, and then the slit for origin position detection is divided into a plurality of sub-zones, and the origin range of each of the divided sub-zones is divided. The time that contributed to the detection is integrated, and the sub-zone where the integrated time is the maximum within a predetermined time is set as the origin. It devised to determine that the location has been carried out.

According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the origin position can be accurately specified in a short time (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No.
-58180).

However, the play amount differs depending on the vehicle type. Therefore, if the angular width of the slit for detecting the origin position of the rotating plate is selected in accordance with the vehicle type having a small play amount, the vehicle type having a large play amount is not suitable. The rotating plate cannot be used, and if the angular width of the slit for detecting the origin position of the rotating plate is selected according to the vehicle type having a large play amount, the rotary plate cannot be used for a vehicle type having a small play amount. There is a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to use a common rotating plate for detecting a steering direction and a steering angle of a steering wheel in vehicles having different play amounts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light distribution control device for a headlamp that can be used.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light distribution control system for a headlamp is provided with a slit for detecting an origin position corresponding to the origin position of the handle, the slit being rotated in conjunction with the steering of the handle. Also, a rotating body provided with an angular position detecting slit for detecting a rotation angle based on the origin position detecting slit as a reference, and an origin position detecting slit of the rotating body is detected and an origin position detecting signal is output. A rotation angle detection photosensor that outputs an angular position detection signal that detects a rotation direction and a rotation angle each time the angular position detection slit is detected based on the rotation of the rotating body. A steering angle and a steering direction of a steering wheel are obtained based on the origin position detection signal and the rotation angle detection signal, and the steering angle and the steering direction of the steering wheel are obtained. In the apparatus for controlling the light distribution of the headlamp illuminating device based on, an origin position correcting means for correcting the origin position of the steering wheel while the vehicle is running is provided, and the origin position correcting means is provided in a rotational direction of the origin position detecting slit. A region of a plurality of angle detection slits existing at a predetermined angle width larger than the angle width of the origin position detection slit with respect to the center is set as a correction zone, and the angle position detection photosensor is located in the correction zone. Correction zone judging means for judging whether the vehicle speed is in a predetermined range, vehicle speed judging means for judging whether the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, and vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means being A run that determines whether or not the travel distance is equal to or greater than a set travel distance when the speed is equal to or more than the speed and the angular position detection photosensor is within the correction zone. And the distance determination means,
The angular position detection photosensor faces each slit for angular position detection existing in the correction zone until the travel distance when the angular position detection photosensor is within the correction zone exceeds the set travel distance. Calculating means for calculating the staying time respectively, and changing the slit for detecting the angular position in the correction zone corresponding to the maximum staying time among the staying times when the running distance exceeds the set running distance to the origin position. Origin position changing means for performing the operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the headlamp light distribution control system, a predetermined number of angular position detecting slits existing on both sides of the angular position detecting slit set at the origin position are provided on the handle. The irradiation axis of the headlamp is fixed when the photosensor for angular position detection is present in the center zone.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the light distribution control system for a headlamp cancels the obtained maximum stay time when the obtained maximum stay time is shorter than a preset time. I do.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a headlamp light distribution control system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The headlamp light distribution control system shown in FIG. 1 includes a left headlamp illuminating device 10, a right headlamp illuminating device 20, a steering sensor 30 for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel, and a left headlamp based on a detection signal from the steering sensor 30. Headlamp lighting device, right headlamp lighting device 2
Light distribution control device 50 for controlling light distribution of 0, vehicle speed detecting means 6
0 is provided.

The left headlamp lighting device 10 includes a bulb 1
1. A movable reflector 12 disposed behind the valve 11 and a stepping motor 13 for rotating the movable reflector 12 in the left-right direction are provided. A fixed reflector (not shown) is disposed behind the valve 11, and the movable reflector 12 is disposed above the fixed reflector.
Light distribution control can be performed by rotating the movable reflector 12 in the left-right direction.
The right headlamp lighting device 20 includes a bulb 21, a reflector 22, and a stepping motor 23, and has the same configuration as the left headlamp lighting device 10 (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-18346).

The lighting devices 10 and 20 may be of a so-called movable reflector type, or may be a headlamp of a unit movable type, a fog lamp, or a fixed type. Further, the light distribution control may be performed by turning on the light at a predetermined steering angle or more.

As shown in FIG. 2, the steering sensor 30 has a rotating plate 31 which rotates in conjunction with steering of the steering wheel. The rotating plate 31 is used for the steering shaft 3.
1A. Steering shaft 31
The rotation center O1 of A coincides with the rotation center of the rotating plate 31.

A plurality of angle detecting slits 3 for detecting the rotation angle of the handle are provided on the periphery of the rotating plate 31.
4 are provided along the periphery at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. A fan-shaped origin position detection slit 35 for detecting the origin position of the handle is provided on the inner peripheral side of the angle detection slit 34.

In the rotation range of the angle detecting slit 34, a pair of angle detecting photosensors (rotation angle detecting means) are provided.
33, 43 are provided at regular intervals in the rotation direction. An origin position detecting photosensor 36 is provided in the rotation range of the origin position detecting slit 35. The origin position detecting photosensor (origin position detecting means) 36 is located at the center of the origin position detecting photoslit 35 in the rotation direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the width L1 of the angle detecting slit 34 in the rotation direction of the rotary plate 31 is set equal to the width L2 between the angle detecting slit 34 and the angle detecting slit 34. The width L3 (see FIG. 2) of the position detection slit in the rotation direction of the rotary plate 31 is set to a width across ten angle detection slits 34 here.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of angle detecting photo sensors 33 and 43 includes light emitting diodes 33D and 43D and light receiving diodes 33H and 43H. The light emitting diodes 33D and 43D are provided on an upper holding portion plate portion 37A of the U-shaped holding member 37. The light receiving diodes 33H and 43H are connected to the lower holding plate portion 37 of the holding member 37.
B. The origin position detecting photosensor 36 includes a light emitting diode 36D and a light receiving diode 36H. The light emitting diode 36D is provided on the upper holding plate portion 37A, and the light receiving diode 36H is provided on the lower holding plate portion 37B.

The light emitting diodes 33D, 43D, 36
D and its light receiving diodes 33H, 43H, and 36H are opposed to each other with the rotating plate 31 interposed therebetween. The angle detecting photosensors 33 and 43 are provided with respective light emitting diodes 33D,
43D and the light receiving diodes 33H, 43H face the slit 34 for angle detection, and the light emitting diodes 33D, 43H
The light emitted from D is received by each of the light receiving diodes 33H and 43H.
Respectively receive an H level signal when receiving light.
Output to Each of the light emitting diodes 33D and 43D includes an angle detection slit 34.
When the light of each of the light emitting diodes 33D and 43D is shielded while facing the light shielding area 34 'between the light and the angle detecting slit 34, an L level signal is output to the light distribution control device 50.

When the light emitting diode 36D and the light receiving diode 36H face the slit 35 for detecting the original position, and the light receiving diode 36H receives the light from the light emitting diode 36D, the photo sensor 36 for detecting the origin position transmits an H level signal to the light distribution control device. Output to 50. The origin position detecting photosensor 36 includes a light emitting diode 36D and a light receiving diode 36.
When H reaches the light blocking area 34 ″ of the rotating plate 1, an L level signal is output to the light distribution control device 50.

The angle detecting sensor 33 and the angle detecting sensor 43 are provided at a predetermined interval in the rotation direction of the rotary plate 31, and the interval L4 is the width L of the angle detecting slit 34.
(L4 = L1 / 2), and the angular position detection signal of the light receiving diode 33H of the angle detection photo sensor 33 is G
a, the angle position detection signal of the angle detection
As b, as the rotating plate 31 shown in FIG. 2 rotates clockwise, the angle detection photosensors 33 and 43 relatively move counterclockwise (leftward as shown in FIG. 5).
The point in time when the detection signal Ga of the angle detection photosensor 33 changes from L level to H level is determined by the angle detection photosensor 4.
3 is 1/4 cycle earlier than the point at which the detection signal Gb changes from L level to H level.

When the rotating plate 31 shown in FIG. 2 rotates counterclockwise, the angle detecting photosensors 33 and 43 relatively move clockwise (rightward as shown in FIG. 5). , The detection signal Gb of the angle detection photosensor 43 is L
The time when the level changes from the level to the H level is 1/4 cycle earlier than the time when the detection signal Ga of the angle detection photosensor 33 changes from the L level to the H level.

Accordingly, the light distribution control device 50 determines which of the outputs of the angle detection photosensors 33 and 43 first changes from the L level to the H level, thereby determining the rotation direction of the rotary plate 31, that is, In addition, the steering direction and the rotation angle of the steering wheel can be detected.

The detection signal Gc of the photo sensor 36 for detecting the origin position is at the H level when the light receiving diode 36H receives the light from the light emitting diode 36D facing the slit 35 for detecting the origin position. Light-emitting diode 36
When the light from D is blocked, the level becomes L level.

The detection signal of the vehicle speed detection means 60 is input to the light distribution control device 50.

The slit 35 for detecting the origin position is divided into a plurality of sub-zones 35a to 35j as shown in FIG. 6 based on the slit 34 for detecting the angular position existing within the angular width of the slit 35 for detecting the origin position. If one of the plurality of sub-zones 35a to 35j is used as the origin position of the steering wheel, this rotary plate 31 is applied to a vehicle having a play amount larger than the angular width of the origin position detection slit 35. Can not do it.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of angular positions existing at a predetermined angular width larger than the angular width of the origin position detecting slit 35 with respect to the rotational direction center O2 of the origin position detecting slit 35 as a reference. The area of the detection slit 34 is set in the correction zone 80.

Then, one of the angular position detecting slits 34 present in the correction zone 80 is used as the origin position of the steering wheel. When the correction zone 80 is set to an angle width larger than the angle width of the origin position detection correction slit 35 in this manner, the rotating plate 31 can be used for a vehicle having a large play amount, and common use of parts is achieved. be able to.

However, a predetermined angular width larger than the angular width of the origin position detecting slit 35 is set in the correction zone 80, and one of the angular position detecting slits 35 existing in the correction zone 80 is set to the origin. When used as a position, how to determine the origin position of the handle becomes a problem.

That is, when the origin position detecting slit 35 is divided into a plurality of sub-zones 35a to 35j, a plurality of angular position detecting slits 34 existing within the angular width of the origin position detecting slit 35 and the origin position By using the position detection slit 35, the origin position of the handle can be determined to any one of the plurality of sub-zones 35a to 35j, but the correction zone 80 is set to be smaller than the angular width of the origin position detection slit 35. If the angle width is set to be large, the angle position detecting slit 34 existing outside the angle width of the origin position detecting slit 35 may be used as the origin position of the handle.

Therefore, the origin position of the steering wheel is specified by utilizing the following relationship between the steering angle of the steering wheel and the running condition of the vehicle. (1) In general, when the vehicle speed V1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed Vkm / h (for example, 60 Km / h), the steering angle of the steering wheel is within a small range based on the center of the steering wheel (the origin position of the steering wheel) when the vehicle is traveling straight. Is assumed to be within.

If the correction of the origin position of the steering wheel is performed without taking the vehicle speed into consideration, the correction of the origin position is frequently performed, which may cause an undesirable situation. (2) When the steering angle of the steering wheel is smaller than 360 degrees (one rotation of the steering wheel),
It is assumed that the traveling distance of the vehicle is longest when the vehicle 3 and 43 are within the correction zone 80, and when the steering wheel is rotated by 360 degrees (one rotation) or more, the photo sensor 3 for detecting the angular position is used.
It is assumed that the traveling distance of the vehicle when 3, 43 is within the correction zone 80 is short. (3) Further, when the vehicle is in the straight traveling state, it is assumed that the stay time in which the angular position detecting slit 34 existing in the correction zone 80 faces the angular position detecting photosensors 33 and 43 will be the longest. .

Here, the photo sensor 33 for detecting the angular position is used.
The explanation is made on the basis of the stay time at which the user is facing.

Therefore, in order to provide the light distribution control device 50 with a function as an origin position correcting means, the following functions are added by software.

That is, a plurality of angular positions existing in a predetermined angular width larger than the angular width of the origin position detecting slit 35 with respect to the rotational direction center O2 of the origin position detecting slit 35 in the light distribution control device 50. Detection slit 34
Is set in the correction zone 80 to determine whether or not the photo sensor 33 for detecting the angular position is within the correction zone 80.

Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed V1 detected by the vehicle speed detecting means 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed V. The traveling distance L1 when the vehicle speed V1 is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed V and the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80 is the set traveling distance L (L ≧ 160 m).
It is determined whether or not the above is true. The traveling distance L1 is stored in the traveling distance accumulation memory 82.

As a result, the steering range of the steering wheel becomes 3
It is specified that the vehicle is in a state close to a straight traveling state at 60 degrees or less.

Next, the correction zone 8 is provided to the light distribution control device 50.
0, the angular position detecting photosensor 3 is provided for each angular position detecting slit 34 existing in the correction zone 80 until the traveling distance L1 when the distance is within the set traveling distance L.
3 is calculated.

The stay time for each of the angular position detecting slits 34 is stored in the stay time accumulation memory 83 shown in FIG.

Then, the slit 34 for detecting the angular position in the correction zone 80 corresponding to the maximum stay time among the stay times in which the travel distance L1 exceeds the set travel distance L is changed to the origin position of the steering wheel.

Hereinafter, an example of a light distribution control system for a headlamp will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

The light distribution control system starts operating (S.
1) Assume that the light distribution control operation is being performed (S.2). That is, it is assumed that the light distribution control is executed by finding the temporary origin position of the steering wheel by the origin position detection signal GC.

The light distribution control device 50 determines whether the vehicle speed V1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed Vkm / h (for example, 60 km / h) (S.3). Next, the light distribution control device 50
Resets the traveling distance accumulation memory 82 and each stay accumulation time memory 83 when the vehicle speed V1 is lower than Vkm / h (S.4), and returns to the light distribution control processing (S.2).

If the change of the origin position of the steering wheel is permitted when the vehicle speed V1 is lower than the predetermined speed V, there is a high possibility that the correction is performed during the curve running. Also, if the correction of the origin position of the steering wheel is performed without considering the vehicle speed, the correction of the origin position is frequently performed, which may cause an undesirable situation.

Next, it is determined whether or not the photo sensor 33 for detecting the angular position is within the correction zone 80 (S.5).
When the photo sensor 33 for detecting the angular position is not in the correction zone 80, the process proceeds to S. 4 and the mileage accumulation memory 82,
Reset each stay accumulated time memory 83; Return to 2.

This is because there is no need to correct the origin position of the handle.

When the photo sensor 33 for detecting the angular position is within the correction zone 80, the photo sensor 3 for detecting the angular position is
The travel distance L when the vehicle 3 is within the correction zone 80 is calculated based on the vehicle speed detection means 60, and the calculation result is stored in the travel distance accumulation memory 82 (S.6). Next, the correction zone 8 where the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is currently facing.
The slit 34 for detecting the angular position within 0 is secured (S.
7). Here, the slit 3 for detecting the angular position shown in FIG.
4A is S. It is assumed that the current angular position detection slit secured by 7 is used. In addition, the slit for detecting the angular position 34
The slit for detecting the angular position on the right side of the above is another slit 34B for detecting the angular position.

Next, the light distribution control device 50 determines whether the angular position detecting slit facing the angular position detecting photosensor 33 has changed from the current angular position detecting slit 34A to another angular position detecting slit 34B. Is determined (S.8).

When the angular position detecting slit facing the angular position detecting photosensor 33 changes from the current angular position detecting slit 34A to another angular position detecting slit 34B as shown in FIG. In order to calculate the stay time T in which the photo sensor 33 for staying at the slit 34A for angle position detection that is currently facing,
The process proceeds to the stay time calculation subroutine (S. 9).

That is, in the stay time calculation subroutine, as shown in FIG. 11, a time (current time) at which another slit 34A for angle position detection actually faces the photosensor 33 for angle position detection is performed (S. 91). Then
A time (previous time) at which the already secured angle position detecting slit 34B is secured (S.9).
2).

Then, by subtracting the previous time from the current time, the stay time T of the angular position detecting slit 34A is calculated (S.93), and this stay time T is calculated as the stay time of the angular position detecting slit 34A. It is stored in the integration memory 83 (S.94).

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the angular position detecting slit 34A is
From the time point t0 when the angular position detection signal Ga of the angular position detection slit 34A is secured to the angle position detection slit 34B faces the angle position detection photosensor 33 and the time point t1 when the angle position detection signal Ga ′ is output. Is stored in the stay time accumulation memory 83 for the angular position detecting slit 34A.

The angle position detection signal Ga corresponding to the angle position detection slit 34A is shown in FIG. 12 as being already at the H level before the time point t0 when the angle position detection slit 34A is secured. .

Next, the light distribution control device 50 executes the S.D. 10 '
The traveling distance L1 when the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80 is changed to the set traveling distance L.
It is determined whether or not this is the case. That is, it is determined whether or not the traveling distance L1 stored in the traveling distance accumulation memory 82 is the set traveling distance L.

The travel distance L1 when the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80 is the set travel distance L
If less than S. 2-S. 10 loops or S.I. 2-S. The loop of 10 'is repeated.

When the vehicle speed V1 is maintained at VKm / h or more and the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80, this loop is repeated for the traveling distance L already stored in the traveling distance accumulation memory 82. The distance traveled by the vehicle within the time required when passing the vehicle is integrated (S.6), and then another slit 34B for angular position detection shown in FIG. 10 is secured as the current slit for angular position detection (FIG. 10). S.
7).

Then, it is determined again whether the angular position detecting slit facing the angular position detecting photosensor 33 has changed from the present angular position detecting slit 33B to another angular position detecting slit (S). .8).

Next, the slit for angle position detection facing the photosensor 33 for angle position detection has changed from another currently secured angle position detection slit 33B to the previously secured angle position detection slit 33A shown in FIG. Sometimes, S. 9 and similarly, the stay time T ′ of another currently secured angular position detecting slit 33B (see FIG. 1).
2) is calculated, and the stay time T ′ is stored in the stay time accumulation memory 83 for the other angular position detecting slit 33B.

Then, S. The process proceeds to 10 ′, and it is determined whether or not the traveling distance L when the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80 is equal to or longer than the set traveling distance L1. When the travel distance L1 when the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80 is less than the set travel distance L, the process returns to S.D. 2-S. 10 loops or S.I. 2-S. Repeat the 10 'loop.

Subsequently, the vehicle speed is maintained at VKm / h or more, and the photo sensor 33 for detecting the angular position
When the position is within the range, the initially secured angular position detecting slit 33A is secured as the current angular position detecting slit (S.7), and the angular position detecting photosensor 3
It is determined whether or not the angular position detecting slit facing 3 has changed from the current angular position detecting slit 33A to another angular position detecting slit (S.8).

Here, it is assumed that the traveling distance L when the angular position detecting photosensor 33 is within the correction zone 80 exceeds the set traveling distance L1 while the currently secured angular position detecting slit 33A is maintained. I do. Then
S. 8, the determination is no, and S. 10 and the determination is yes. 9 'will be executed.

S. 9 ′, 9, the time at which the currently secured angular position detection slit is secured (current time) is secured (S.91), and the time at which the set traveling distance L is exceeded is reached. (Previous time) is secured (S.92), and the previous time is subtracted from the current time to calculate the stay time T ″ of the currently secured angular position detecting slit 33A (S.92).
93), the stay time T "obtained this time is added to the stay time T stored in the stay time accumulation memory 83 for the angle detecting slit 33A and stored (S. 94).
Then, it is determined whether or not which stay time accumulation memory 83 is the maximum among the stay accumulation memories 83 for each angular position detecting slit (S.11).

Here, the slit 34A for detecting the angular position is used.
It is determined that the stay time stored in the stay time accumulation memory 83 for is the longest.

Accordingly, the origin position is changed to the angular position detecting slit 34A in the correction zone 80 corresponding to the maximum stay time among the stay times when the travel distance L exceeds the set travel distance L1 (S.12). ), The origin position correction ends. Then, the set traveling distance memory 82 and each stay time accumulation memory 83 are cleared (S.4). The loop for executing the light distribution control 2 is repeated.

Next, the light distribution control device 50 determines the area of the predetermined number of angular position detecting slits 34 existing on both sides of the angular position detecting slit 34A, which is set as the origin position in this way, on the basis of the slit 34A. The area of the six slits 34 for detecting the angular position is regarded as the center zone 84 of the steering wheel, and when the photosensor 33 for detecting the angular position exists in the center zone 84, the control for fixing the irradiation axis of the headlamp is performed.

Thus, even if the steering wheel rotates within the play range of the steering wheel while the vehicle is traveling straight, the light distribution direction is fixed, and the irradiation direction can be prevented from deviating from the vehicle traveling direction.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a modification of the light distribution control device for a headlamp according to the present invention. 11 and S.I. A determination means for determining whether or not the obtained maximum stay time TM is smaller than the set time TQ is provided between S.1 and S.12 (S.1).
1 ′), when the maximum stay time TM is shorter than the set time TQ, the obtained maximum time TM is canceled, and In step 4, the travel distance accumulation memory 82 and the stay time accumulation memory 83 are cancelled, and the slit for angle position detection in the correction zone obtained last time is used as it is as the origin position.

In this way, it is possible to solve the problem that the origin position is corrected even though the origin position should not be corrected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the origin position from being out of order.

[0072]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use a common rotating plate for detecting a steering direction and a steering angle of a steering wheel even in a vehicle type having a different play amount.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the irradiation axis is fixed when the vehicle is in the center zone, it is possible to prevent the irradiation direction from shifting during straight running.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the minimum set stay time required to determine the origin position is determined, and when the determined stay time is shorter than the set stay time,
Since the slit for detecting the angular position in the correction zone corresponding to the maximum stay time determined last time was used as the origin position, the origin position was corrected even though the origin position should not be corrected. Thus, it is possible to prevent the origin position from being out of order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a light distribution control system for a headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a rotating plate used in a light distribution control system for a headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a positional relationship between a slit of the rotating plate shown in FIG. 1 and a photosensor.

FIG. 4 is a partial view showing the positional relationship between the rotating plate and the photo sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a detection signal output from each photo sensor.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram in a case where an origin position detecting slit is divided into a plurality of sub-zones.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram in a case where a correction zone is set to be larger than the angular width of a slit for detecting an origin position.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a light distribution control system for a headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram when an angular position detecting photosensor is in a correction zone, and is a diagram showing a state where one of the angular position detecting slits is secured.

10 is an explanatory view when the photosensor for angular position detection is in the correction zone, and shows a state in which a slit for angular position detection on the right of the photosensor for angular position detection shown in FIG. 9 is secured; FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an integrated time calculating process shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a stay time stored in a stay time accumulation memory.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a modification of the light distribution control system for a headlamp according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 31 ... Rotating body 34 ... Slit for detecting angular position 35 ... Slit for detecting origin position 36 ... Photosensor for detecting origin position 33, 43 ... Photosensor for detecting rotational angle position 50 ... Light distribution control device (correction zone judgment) Means, travel distance determining means, calculating means, origin position changing means) 80: correction zone

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) G01D 5/244 B60Q 1/12 5/36 1/04 EF term (reference) 2F065 AA42 CC11 FF17 FF18 GG07 JJ01 JJ05 UU05 2F069 AA06 AA12 AA87 BB21 DD12 DD22 DD30 EE22 GG04 GG07 GG31 GG45 GG56 GG59 GG65 GG72 HH13 HH15 HH30 JJ17 NN01 NN09 2F077 AA38 CC02 NN02 NN23 PP12 Q02 EB12 DA02Q02 EB03 CC01 DC02 GA02 JA03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An origin position detecting slit corresponding to the origin position of the steering wheel, the slit being rotated in conjunction with the steering of the steering wheel, and an angle for detecting a rotation angle with reference to the origin position detecting slit. A rotating body having a position detecting slit, an origin position detecting photosensor for detecting the origin position detecting slit of the rotating body and outputting an origin position detecting signal, and detecting the angular position based on the rotation of the rotating body A rotation angle detection photosensor that outputs an angular position detection signal that detects a rotation direction and a rotation angle each time a slit is detected, and a steering angle of a steering wheel based on the origin position detection signal and the rotation angle detection signal. And a steering direction, and controlling the light distribution of the headlamp illuminating device based on the steering angle and the steering direction of the steering wheel. In the control system, there is provided origin position correcting means for correcting the origin position of the steering wheel while the vehicle is traveling, and the origin position correcting means is provided with the origin position detecting slit based on the rotation direction center of the origin position detecting slit. Correction zone determination in which a plurality of angle detection slit regions existing at a predetermined angle width larger than the angle width of the angle detection zone are set as correction zones to determine whether the angle position detecting photosensor is within the correction zone. Means, a vehicle speed judging means for judging whether or not the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, and for detecting the angular position when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. Travel distance determining means for determining whether or not the travel distance when the photo sensor is within the correction zone is equal to or greater than a set travel distance; The stay time in which the angular position detecting photosensor faces each of the angular position detecting slits existing in the correction zone until the traveling distance when the sensor is in the correction zone exceeds the set traveling distance is respectively Calculating means for calculating, and an origin position change for changing an angular position detection slit in the correction zone corresponding to a maximum stay time among the stay times when the travel distance exceeds a set travel distance to an origin position. And a light distribution control system for a headlamp. 2. A predetermined number of slits for detecting an angular position existing on both sides of the slit for detecting an angular position set at the origin position are regarded as a center zone of a steering wheel, and the angular position is determined within the center zone. The light distribution control system for a headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation axis of the headlamp is fixed when a photosensor for detection is present. 3. The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein when the obtained maximum stay time is shorter than a preset set time, the obtained maximum stay time is cancelled. Light distribution control system.