JP2005138781A - Lighting device for vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a vehicle headlight capable of eliminating the risk of bothering other vehicles while reducing the burden on a driver and securing the running safety of the own vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting device for the vehicle headlight is structured so that the head lamps are changed over into the low beam condition automatically in case the situation is immediately after starting the engine (S5), an oncoming-vehicle exists (S6), or steering equal to or over the specified angle (S7), when a lamp switch is in the Auto position and a turn signal lever is turned to the high beam position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular headlamp lighting device, and more particularly to a technique for automatically switching a headlamp from high beam lighting to low beam lighting.

In general, a vehicle headlamp (headlamp) is configured to be switchable between a low beam that irradiates the vicinity of the front of the vehicle and a high beam that irradiates a distance in front of the vehicle.
In the high beam state of the headlamp, the far angle is illuminated by making the irradiation angle higher than the low beam. For this reason, if there is an oncoming vehicle in front when the headlamp of the host vehicle lights up the high beam, strong light will be emitted toward the driver of the oncoming vehicle. There is a problem of dazzling.

Also, in situations where the surroundings of the host vehicle are dark and poor in visibility, such as mountain roads and suburban roads, it is safer to drive with a high beam lit than a low beam, while it is safer to see a sharp curve or intersection. When turning, it is safer to irradiate the vicinity of the vehicle with a low beam, and it is not preferable to leave the high beam that irradiates light at the far center.
This problem can be solved by manually switching from high beam to low beam when the driver confirms an oncoming vehicle or turns a sharp curve or intersection, but such an operation must be performed each time. This has to be bothersome for the driver and forgets to do this.

In particular, when the headlamp is turned off while operating the high beam when the vehicle is stopped, etc., the driver forgets that the high beam is being operated when restarting, and the headlamp is turned on as it is In many cases, however, the driver continues to drive without noticing that the high beam is turned on, causing the above problems unconsciously.
Thus, for example, when a headlamp of the host vehicle is a high beam, a device that automatically switches to a low beam when light from an oncoming vehicle is detected has been developed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-155287

By the way, in recent years, a system is known in which the driver automatically turns on the headlamp by detecting the illuminance around the vehicle at night or when entering a tunnel, etc., by setting the headlamp to the AUTO state. .
However, even in this system, switching between the low beam and the high beam is manually performed by the driver, and the above-described problems relating to the high beam still occur.

Also in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, consideration is given to the safety when turning a sharp curve or intersection in a dark surrounding, the high beam being easily forgotten at the time of restart, etc. In addition, the automatic lighting switching device from the high beam to the low beam is incomplete.
Furthermore, in the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is no description of setting the AUTO state in particular, and whenever the light of the oncoming vehicle is detected regardless of the driver's intention, the driver's intention is always changed from the high beam to the low beam. On the other hand, it is not preferable because it is automatically switched.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to avoid inconvenience to other vehicles without increasing the cost and reducing the burden on the driver. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp lighting device capable of ensuring traveling safety of a vehicle.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to claim 1, the headlamp provided in the host vehicle, at least the ON operation position for turning on the headlamp, and the extinguishing state It is possible to switch between an OFF operation position and an AUTO operation position to switch between a low beam lighting state that illuminates the vicinity in front of the host vehicle and a high beam lighting state that illuminates the distance in front of the host vehicle when the headlamp is lit. An operable headlamp operating device, and at least a control for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a non-lighting state and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting, according to the operation of the headlight operating device Means, illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the host vehicle, and light reception detection means for detecting the light of the headlight of the oncoming vehicle received by the host vehicle, The control means automatically lights the headlamp when the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined value when the headlamp operating device is switched to the AUTO operation position, When the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state, the light reception detecting means automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when detecting the light of the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle.

  In the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to claim 2, a headlamp provided in the host vehicle, at least an ON operation position for turning on the headlamp, an OFF operation position for turning off the lamp, and an AUTO operation position. A headlamp operating device that can be switched between a low beam lighting state that illuminates the vicinity of the front of the host vehicle and a high beam lighting state that illuminates a distance in front of the host vehicle when the headlamp is lit. , At least according to the operation of the headlight operating device, the headlight is switched to the on state or the off state, and at the time of lighting, control means for switching to the low beam lighting state or the high beam lighting state, Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance; and steering angle detection means for detecting a steering angle of the steering of the host vehicle, wherein the control means includes the headlamp operating device. When the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined value, the headlamp is automatically turned on, and the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state. The headlamp is automatically switched to a low beam lighting state when the steering angle detected by the steering angle detector is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle.

  In the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to claim 3, a headlamp provided in the host vehicle, at least an ON operation position for turning on the headlamp, an OFF operation position for turning off the lamp, and an AUTO operation position. A headlamp operating device that can be switched between a low beam lighting state that illuminates the vicinity of the front of the host vehicle and a high beam lighting state that illuminates a distance in front of the host vehicle when the headlamp is lit. , At least according to the operation of the headlight operating device, the headlight is switched to the on state or the off state, and at the time of lighting, control means for switching to the low beam lighting state or the high beam lighting state, Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance and engine start detection means for detecting start of the engine of the host vehicle, wherein the control means includes the headlamp operating device. When the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined value, the headlamp is automatically turned on, and the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state. When the engine start is detected by the engine start detection means, the headlamp is automatically switched to a low beam lighting state.

  In the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to claim 4, the headlamp provided in the host vehicle, the headlamp operation device capable of switching the headlamp, and the operation of the headlamp operation device And at least control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a non-lighting state and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting, and a steering angle detection means for detecting a steering angle of the steering of the host vehicle. And the control means automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle when the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state. It is characterized by.

  In the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to claim 5, the headlamp provided in the host vehicle, the headlamp operating device capable of switching the headlamp, and the operation of the headlamp operating device And at least a control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a non-lighting state and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting, and an engine start detection means for detecting a starting state of the engine of the host vehicle. The control means automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when the engine start detecting means detects engine start when the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlamp lighting device, further comprising: a light receiving detection unit that detects the light of an oncoming vehicle headlamp received by the host vehicle according to the fourth and fifth aspects, When the light detection means detects the light of the headlight of the oncoming vehicle when the lamp is in the high beam lighting state, the headlamp is automatically switched to the low beam lighting state.

According to the vehicle headlamp lighting device of the present invention using the above means, the headlamp is automatically operated when the illuminance around the host vehicle is lowered by operating the headlamp operating device in the AUTO state. When the lamp is lit and the headlamp operating device is operated to the high beam in the AUTO state, when the host vehicle detects the light of the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle, it automatically switches to the low beam.
As a result, when entering a tunnel at night or when passing the oncoming vehicle by turning on the high beam, driving the oncoming vehicle with the high beam of the host vehicle while reducing the burden on the driver while reducing the headlamp operation. Can prevent dazzling the person.

According to the vehicle headlamp lighting device of the second aspect, when the headlamp operating device is operated to the high beam in the AUTO state, the low beam is automatically turned on when the steering angle of the steering exceeds a predetermined steering angle. Switch.
This ensures driving safety while reducing the burden on the driver by reducing headlamp operation when turning around sharp curves or intersections where the surroundings of the vehicle such as mountain roads and suburban roads are dark and have poor visibility. can do.

According to the vehicle headlamp lighting device of the third aspect, when the headlamp operation device is operated to the high beam in the AUTO state, the vehicle is automatically switched to the low beam when the start of the engine is detected.
As a result, it is possible to solve the problem of high beam lighting at the time of engine start that is often forgotten by the driver.

According to the vehicle headlamp lighting device of the fourth aspect, in the state where the headlamp is operated to the high beam, when the steering angle of the steering becomes a predetermined steering angle or more, the vehicle headlamp is automatically switched to the low beam.
This ensures driving safety while reducing the burden on the driver by reducing headlamp operation when turning around sharp curves or intersections where the surroundings of the vehicle such as mountain roads and suburban roads are dark and have poor visibility. can do.

According to the vehicle headlamp lighting device of the fifth aspect, when the start of the engine is detected in a state where the headlamp is operated to the high beam, the vehicle headlamp is automatically switched to the low beam.
As a result, it is possible to solve the problem of high beam lighting at the time of engine start that is often forgotten by the driver.
According to the vehicle headlamp lighting device of the sixth aspect, when the vehicle detects the light of the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle, the vehicle automatically switches to the low beam when the headlamp is operated to the high beam. .

  This makes it possible to prevent dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle due to the high beam of the host vehicle while reducing the headlamp operation and reducing the burden on the driver when passing the oncoming vehicle by turning on the high beam.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle headlamp lighting device according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, headlamps (headlights) 2 and 2 are disposed at both ends in the vehicle width direction (one is not shown) of a front end portion of a vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as a host vehicle) 1. Yes.
A steering 10 is provided in front of the driver's seat 3 inside the host vehicle 1, and a steering angle sensor (steering angle detection means) 11 that detects a steering angle of the steering 10 is provided on a rotating shaft (not shown) of the steering 10. Is arranged.

  Further, a turn signal lever 12 (headlight operation device) is disposed in the vicinity of the rotation shaft of the steering 10, and a lamp switch (headlight operation device) 13 is attached to the tip of the turn signal lever 12. It has been. The lamp switch 13 is configured to be capable of switching to an OFF position where the headlamp 2 is turned off, an ON position where the headlamp 2 is turned on, and an AUTO position which controls turning off, turning on, and the like by the control described below. The turn signal lever 12 can be switched between a low beam that irradiates the vicinity of the front of the host vehicle 1 and a high beam that irradiates the front of the host vehicle 1 when the headlamp 2 is turned on, for example, by tilting in the front-rear direction. It is configured to be possible.

  An illuminance sensor (illuminance detection means) 15 for detecting the illuminance around the host vehicle 1 is disposed on the front deck 14 in the front part of the host vehicle 1. A certain room mirror 16 is provided with a light receiving sensor (light receiving detecting means) 17 for detecting light (hereinafter also referred to as oncoming vehicle light) received by the host vehicle 1 from a headlamp of the oncoming vehicle. The light receiving sensor 17 only needs to be provided at a site where the oncoming vehicle light can be reliably received. For example, the light receiving sensor 17 may be attached to the back surface side of the front windshield glass of the host vehicle 1.

  Further, an engine (not shown) mounted on the front portion of the host vehicle 1 is provided with an engine start sensor (engine start detection means) 18 for detecting the start of the engine. Specifically, the engine start sensor 18 is, for example, an engine speed sensor, and the engine start is detected by detecting that the engine speed sensor has changed from 0.

  The host vehicle 1 is equipped with an ECU (electronic control unit) 20 that is a control device that performs various controls of the host vehicle 1. The steering angle sensor 11, the turn signal lever 12, the lamp switch 13, the illuminance sensor 15, the light receiving sensor 17, and the engine start sensor 18 are connected to the input side of the ECU 20, respectively, while the output side of the ECU 20 is connected to the output side of the ECU 20. The headlamp 2 is connected.

Referring to FIG. 2, the internal configuration of the ECU 20 of the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to the present invention is shown in a block diagram, and the input / output relationship of the ECU 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
Signals for switching operation of the ON position, OFF position, AUTO position by the lamp switch 13 and switching operation of the low beam and the high beam by the turn signal lever 12 are input to the switch recognition unit 21. The switch recognition unit 21 recognizes the switching operation and transmits a corresponding signal to the headlamp control unit 26.

Further, the illuminance detection data from the illuminance sensor 15 is input to the illuminance recognition unit 22. The illuminance recognition unit 22 recognizes the illuminance around the host vehicle 1 from the illuminance detection data, and the recognized illuminance data is transmitted to the headlamp control unit 26.
Further, the light reception detection data from the light reception sensor 17 is input to the oncoming vehicle light recognition unit 23. The oncoming vehicle light recognition unit 23 recognizes the oncoming vehicle light from the received light detection data, and the recognized oncoming vehicle light data is transmitted to the headlamp control unit 26.

Further, the steering angle detection data from the steering angle sensor 11 is input to the steering angle recognition unit 24. The steering angle recognition unit 24 recognizes the steering angle of the steering wheel 10 from the steering angle detection data, and the recognized steering angle data is transmitted to the headlamp control unit 26.
Engine start detection data from the engine start sensor 18 is input to the engine start recognition unit 25. The engine start recognizing unit 25 recognizes engine start from the engine start detection data, and the recognized engine start data is transmitted to the headlamp control unit 26.

Based on these signals and data, the headlamp control unit 26 determines whether the headlamp 2 is turned off or turned on according to the situation, and turns the headlamp 2 off, turns on the low beam, or turns on the high beam.
The operation of the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

When the lamp switch 13 is switched to the ON position or the OFF position, the headlamp 2 is turned on and off according to the driver's operation without special control.
Referring to FIG. 3, a control routine that is executed when the lamp switch 13 is switched to the AUTO position in the headlamp control unit 26 is shown in a flowchart, which will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the illuminance around the host vehicle 1 is less than a predetermined illuminance. If the determination result is false (No), the process proceeds to step S2, the headlamp 2 is turned off, and the routine is exited. On the other hand, if the determination result is true (Yes), the process proceeds to step S3.
That is, by determining whether or not the illuminance data is less than a predetermined illuminance (for example, evening illuminance), the brightness of the surroundings of the host vehicle 1 is determined, and the illuminance data is greater than or equal to the predetermined illuminance. If the illuminance is, the surroundings are bright, so it can be determined that it is not necessary to turn on the headlamp 2, and the light is turned off.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the turn signal lever 12 is operated to a high beam. When the determination result is false (No), that is, when the turn signal lever 12 is operated to the low beam, the process proceeds to step S4, the headlamp 2 turns on the low beam, and exits the routine. On the other hand, if the determination result is true (Yes) and the turn signal lever 12 is operated to the high beam, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not it is immediately after the engine is started. If the determination result is false (No) and not immediately after engine startup, the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle 1 is receiving oncoming light. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if there is no oncoming vehicle, the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, it is determined whether or not the steering angle of the steering 10 is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if the vehicle 1 is traveling substantially linearly, the process proceeds to step S8, where the headlamp 2 turns on the high beam and exits the routine.

On the other hand, if the determination result of any of steps S5, S6, and S7 is true (Yes), the process proceeds to step S9, and the turn signal lever 12 is automatically switched from the high beam to the low beam, and the process proceeds to step S4. The headlamp 2 turns on the low beam and exits the routine.
That is, in a state where the lamp switch 13 is in the AUTO position and the turn signal lever 12 is operated to a high beam in a dark environment such as at night, when the engine is just started or there is an oncoming vehicle 1 If the vehicle is receiving oncoming light, or if the steering angle of the steering 10 is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle (for example, 180 degrees) and the vehicle 1 is about to turn a sharp curve or an intersection, the high beam is operated. The turn signal lever 12 is automatically switched to the low beam, and the headlamp 2 turns on the low beam.

  Thus, in the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to the present invention, the headlamp 2 is automatically turned on and off at night or when entering the tunnel by switching the lamp switch 13 to the AUTO position. As a result, the operation of the lamp switch 13 is reduced and the burden on the driver is reduced. In addition, since switching from high beam to low beam is also performed automatically, it is possible to prevent the driver from forgetting to turn on the high beam when starting the engine and to dazzle the driver of the oncoming vehicle with the high beam of the vehicle. In addition, it is possible to ensure driving safety when turning at a sharp curve or intersection. Further, since the illuminance sensor, the light receiving sensor, the steering angle sensor, the engine start sensor and the like use existing sensors, the cost increase is small.

Although the description of the embodiment of the vehicle headlamp lighting device according to the present invention has been completed above, the embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, the control in the above embodiment is in a state where the lamp switch 13 is operated to the AUTO position, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control may be performed without particularly operating the AUTO position. That is, only step S3 and subsequent steps in FIG. 3 may be executed at positions other than the AUTO position.

In this example, the oncoming vehicle, the steering angle, and the engine start are considered as the control elements for switching from the high beam to the low beam. However, only one or two of these may be used as the elements for switching from the high beam to the low beam.
In addition, when the engine is started immediately, when there is an oncoming vehicle, or when the steering angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle, after the high beam is automatically switched to the low beam, before the above three conditions are removed. When switching to the high beam again, the high beam may be temporarily turned on and switched to the low beam again (so-called passing).

In the above embodiment, the lamp switch 13 is switched between the ON position, the OFF position, and the AUTO position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switching operation to the small position where only the vehicle width lamp is turned on may be added.
In addition, the driver may be able to set the predetermined illuminance and the predetermined steering angle in the above embodiment to some extent.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle headlamp lighting device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of ECU in the vehicle headlamp lighting device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control routine based on this invention performed when the lamp switch is operated to the AUTO position.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle (own vehicle)
2 Headlamp (headlight)
11 Steering angle sensor (steering angle detection means)
12 Turn signal lever (headlamp operating device)
13 Lamp switch (headlamp operating device)
15 Illuminance sensor (illuminance detection means)
17 Light receiving sensor (light receiving detection means)
18 Engine start sensor (engine start detection means)
20 ECU (control means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Switch recognition part 22 Illuminance recognition part 23 Oncoming vehicle light recognition part 24 Steering angle recognition part 25 Engine start recognition part 26 Headlamp control part

Claims (6)

A headlight provided on the vehicle,
At least the ON operation position for turning on the headlamp, the OFF operation position for turning off the light, and the AUTO operation position can be switched, and the front vicinity of the vehicle is irradiated when the headlight is turned on. A headlamp operating device that can be switched between a low beam lighting state and a high beam lighting state that illuminates the front of the host vehicle,
In accordance with the operation of the headlight operating device, at least the control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a lighting state, and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting,
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the host vehicle;
Receiving light detecting means for detecting the light of the headlight of the oncoming vehicle received by the host vehicle,
The control means includes
When the headlamp operating device is switched to the AUTO operation position, the headlamp is automatically turned on when the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined value, and the headlamp is turned into a high beam. A vehicular headlamp lighting device that automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when the light receiving detection means detects the light of the headlight of the oncoming vehicle in a lighting state. A headlight provided on the vehicle,
At least the ON operation position for turning on the headlamp, the OFF operation position for turning off the light, and the AUTO operation position can be switched, and the front vicinity of the vehicle is irradiated when the headlight is turned on. A headlamp operating device that can be switched between a low beam lighting state and a high beam lighting state that illuminates the front of the host vehicle,
In accordance with the operation of the headlight operating device, at least the control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a lighting state, and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting,
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the host vehicle;
Steering angle detection means for detecting the steering angle of the steering of the host vehicle,
The control means includes
When the headlamp operating device is switched to the AUTO operation position, the headlamp is automatically turned on when the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined value, and the headlamp is turned into a high beam. A vehicular headlamp lighting device that automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle in the lighting state. A headlamp provided on the vehicle,
At least the ON operation position for turning on the headlight, the OFF operation position for turning off the light, and the AUTO operation position can be switched, and the front vicinity of the vehicle is irradiated when the headlight is turned on. A headlamp operating device that can be switched between a low beam lighting state and a high beam lighting state that illuminates the front of the host vehicle,
In accordance with the operation of the headlight operating device, at least the control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a lighting state, and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting,
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the host vehicle;
Engine start detection means for detecting the start of the engine of the host vehicle,
The control means includes
When the headlamp operating device is switched to the AUTO operation position, the headlamp is automatically turned on when the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined value, and the headlamp is turned into a high beam. A vehicular headlamp lighting device that automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when engine start is detected by the engine start detection means in a lighting state. A headlight provided on the vehicle,
A headlamp operating device capable of switching the headlamp;
In accordance with the operation of the headlight operating device, at least the control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a lighting state, and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting,
Steering angle detection means for detecting the steering angle of the steering of the host vehicle,
The control means includes
When the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state, the headlamp is automatically switched to a low beam lighting state if the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection means is a predetermined angle or more. Illumination lighting device. A headlight provided on the vehicle,
A headlamp operating device capable of switching the headlamp;
In accordance with the operation of the headlight operating device, at least the control means for switching the headlamp to a lighting state or a lighting state, and switching to a low beam lighting state or a high beam lighting state at the time of lighting,
Engine start detection means for detecting the start state of the engine of the host vehicle,
The control means includes
A vehicular headlamp lighting device that automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when engine start is detected by the engine start detection means when the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state. Further comprising a light receiving detection means for detecting the light of the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle received by the host vehicle,
The control means automatically switches the headlamp to a low beam lighting state when the light receiving detection means detects light of the headlight of the oncoming vehicle when the headlamp is in a high beam lighting state. The vehicle headlamp lighting device according to claim 4 or 5.

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