JP2007125985A - In-cabin illumination control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-cabin illumination control device capable of reducing glare the instant that a vehicle leaves a tunnel. <P>SOLUTION: The in-cabin illumination control device comprises a control ECU 10, an illumination device 20, a navigation device 30, and a vehicle speed sensor 40. The control ECU 10 comprises a tunnel detection unit 11, a distance calculation unit 12, and an illumination control unit 13. The navigation device 30 comprises a navigation ECU 31, a position detector 32 and a map data storage device 33. The tunnel detection unit 11 detects the advance of the self vehicle into a tunnel based on the result of detection of the position detector 32 and the storage content of the map data storage device 33. The distance calculation unit 12 calculates the distance between the self vehicle and an exit of the tunnel based on the storage content of the map data storage device 33 and the result of detection of the vehicle speed sensor 40. The illumination control unit 13 performs the lighting control of the illumination device 20 when the advance of the self vehicle into the tunnel is detected, and the distance to the tunnel exit becomes the predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle interior lighting control device that controls vehicle interior lighting.

  Conventionally, there has been a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a device using a discriminating means for discriminating between a state in which a vehicle is inside a tunnel and a state outside a tunnel.

  The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a determination unit that determines a state inside the tunnel and a state outside the tunnel, a warning unit such as a buzzer, and a control circuit. The control circuit drives the warning unit only when the determination unit is switched to the detection state outside the tunnel, when the detection state in the tunnel of the determination unit continues for the set short time or more and within the set long time or less.

According to this configuration, the warning means automatically operates when exiting the tunnel, so the driver can be prompted to turn off the light.
JP-A-6-48241

  Usually, the brightness around the vehicle is different between inside and outside the tunnel. Therefore, when the vehicle travels through the tunnel and leaves the tunnel, the driver may feel dazzled because the pupil cannot follow the change in ambient brightness.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle interior lighting control device that can reduce glare at the moment when the vehicle leaves the tunnel.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 1 includes an illumination unit that illuminates the vehicle interior, tunnel entry detection means for detecting entry of the vehicle into a tunnel, the vehicle, and the vehicle. Distance calculating means for calculating the distance to the exit of the tunnel, and lighting control for controlling lighting of the lighting unit when the entry of the own vehicle into the tunnel is detected and the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a predetermined distance Means are provided.

  In this way, when the host vehicle enters the tunnel and the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a predetermined distance, the lighting section is controlled to light up so that the vehicle interior is brightened before the host vehicle exits the tunnel. be able to. Therefore, the driver's pupil can be closed before the vehicle exits the tunnel, so the glare caused by the pupil not being able to keep up with changes in ambient brightness at the moment the vehicle exits the tunnel can be reduced. Can do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a position detection means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle, a map data storage device for storing map data relating to a road map including position information and length information of the tunnel, Travel distance detection means for detecting the travel distance, the tunnel entry detection means detects the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel based on the detection result of the position detection means and the stored contents of the map data storage device, The distance calculation means can calculate the distance between the host vehicle and the tunnel exit based on the stored contents of the map data storage device and the detection result of the travel distance detection means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lighting control means starts lighting the lighting section and approaches the tunnel exit based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means. Along with this, the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit is increased.

  In this way, the driver's pupil can be gradually closed by increasing the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit as the illumination unit approaches the tunnel exit after the lighting unit is turned on. Therefore, a sudden change in ambient brightness can be prevented, and dazzling caused by failure to keep up with the change in ambient brightness can be further reduced.

  Further, as shown in claim 4, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than a predetermined distance. The lighting illuminance of the illuminating unit may be set to the maximum value after passing through the first distance.

  In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to claim 5 includes a front illuminance detecting means for detecting an illuminance in front of the host vehicle, and the lighting control means is based on a detection result of the front illuminance detecting means. Then, the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit is changed.

  In this way, by changing the illuminance of the illumination unit based on the detection result of the illuminance in front of the host vehicle, the state of the pupil can be made substantially the same as that outside the tunnel, and changes in ambient brightness cannot be followed. The glare caused by this can be further reduced.

  Further, as shown in claim 6, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than a predetermined distance. If the first distance is raised, the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit may be changed based on the detection result of the front illuminance detection means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 7 determines whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means, and determines that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. In such a case, the illumination unit is controlled to be turned off.

  Thus, since it is not necessary to turn on the illumination unit after the host vehicle has exited the tunnel, it is preferable to control the illumination unit to be turned off when it is determined that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel.

  Further, as shown in claim 8, at least one of a front illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and an upper illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance above the own vehicle, and the illuminance in front of the own vehicle, And a map storage device that stores a map that associates at least one of the illuminance above the host vehicle and the distance to the exit of the tunnel, and the tunnel entry detecting means is at least one of the forward illuminance detecting means and the upward illuminance detecting means. Based on the detection result of the vehicle, the entry of the own vehicle into the tunnel is detected, and based on the detection result of at least one of the distance calculation means, the forward illuminance detection means and the upper illuminance detection means, and the map, the own vehicle and the tunnel The distance to the exit may be calculated.

  The detection results of the front illuminance detection means and the upper illuminance detection means vary depending on the weather outside the tunnel. Therefore, when calculating the distance to the tunnel exit using a map that associates at least one of the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and the illuminance above the host vehicle with the distance to the tunnel exit, The distance to the tunnel exit may vary. Therefore, as shown in claim 9, the map storage device stores a map for each illuminance range outside the tunnel, and the distance calculation means uses the illuminance outside the tunnel detected by the upper illuminance detection means. Thus, it is preferable to calculate the distance between the vehicle and the exit of the tunnel using a map of the illuminance range corresponding to the detection result. By doing in this way, it can reduce that the distance to the exit of a tunnel varies by the weather etc. outside a tunnel.

  The operation and effect of the vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 10 is the same as that of claim 3 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, according to the eleventh aspect, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than a predetermined distance. The lighting illuminance of the illuminating unit may be set to the maximum value after passing through the first distance.

  The operation and effect of the vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 12 is the same as that of claim 5 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, as shown in claim 13, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than a predetermined distance. If the first distance is raised, the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit may be changed based on the detection result of the front illuminance detection means.

  The operation and effect of the vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 14 is the same as that of claim 7 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 15 includes: an illumination unit that illuminates the vehicle interior; tunnel entry detection means for detecting entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel; and an exit of the tunnel. A tunnel exit detecting means for detecting and an illumination control means for controlling lighting of the illumination section when the entrance of the tunnel is detected when entry into the tunnel of the host vehicle is detected.

  In this way, when entry into the tunnel of the host vehicle is detected, the lighting unit is controlled to be turned on when the exit of the tunnel is detected, so that the host vehicle can be operated even when the tunnel length is short. Since the driver's pupil can be closed before exiting the tunnel, it is possible to reduce glare caused by the pupil not being able to keep up with changes in ambient brightness at the instant the vehicle exits the tunnel.

  Further, as shown in claim 16, the tunnel entrance detection means comprises at least one of a front illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and an upper illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance above the host vehicle. Based on the detection result of at least one of the front illuminance detecting means and the upper illuminance detecting means, the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel is detected, and the exit detecting means is at least one of the front illuminance detecting means and the upper illuminance detecting means. You may make it detect the exit of a tunnel based on a detection result.

  The operation and effect of the vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 17 is the same as that of claim 5 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 18, when the lighting control unit starts lighting control of the lighting unit, the lighting level of the lighting unit is increased from low to high. It is characterized by this.

  Thus, the driver's pupil can be gradually closed by increasing the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit from low illuminance to high illuminance. That is, since the state of the pupil can be made to correspond to a change in ambient brightness, it is possible to further reduce glare caused by failure to keep up with the change in ambient brightness.

  The operation and effect of the vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 19 is the same as that of claim 7 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to claim 20 is characterized in that the illumination unit is installed at a position that does not fall within the visual field of the driver when the vehicle is traveling.

  Thus, by installing the illumination unit at a position that does not enter the driver's field of view when the vehicle is traveling, it is possible to suppress the driver's field of view from being narrowed.

  In addition, as shown in claim 21, the illuminating unit is suitable because it is less likely to enter the driver's field of view by being installed on the ceiling. In addition, as shown in claim 22, by using a room lamp as the illumination unit, an existing lamp can be used, which is preferable.

  Further, as shown in claim 23, it is preferable that the illumination unit illuminates the upper part of the instrument panel and / or the center console and the periphery thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 24 includes a time output means for outputting the current time, and the lighting control means is configured to perform the operation when the current time is within a predetermined time range. It is characterized by operation.

  After sunset or before sunrise, it is not so bright even outside the tunnel. Therefore, by operating when the current time is within a predetermined time range, the illumination unit is only operated during the required time zone, i.e., the time zone when there is a high possibility of feeling dazzling when going out of the tunnel. Can be lit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing an installation example of the illumination device 20 and the front illuminance sensor 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle interior lighting control device in the present embodiment includes a control ECU 10, a lighting device 20, a navigation device 30, a vehicle speed sensor 40, a front illumination sensor 50, and the like.

  The control ECU 10 is composed mainly of a microcomputer, and includes a memory such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, an interface circuit, a bus line for data transfer, and the like, and includes a tunnel detection unit 11, a distance calculation unit 12, and an illumination control unit. 13 and the like.

  The tunnel detection unit 11 detects the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel based on the detection result of the position detection device 32 of the navigation device 30 and the stored content of the map data storage device 33, and generates a detection signal indicating the detection result. This is output to the illumination control unit 13. Therefore, the tunnel detection unit 11, the position detection device 32, and the map data storage device 33 correspond to the tunnel entry detection means of the present invention.

  The distance calculation unit 12 calculates the distance between the host vehicle and the tunnel entrance based on the detection result of the position detection device 32 of the navigation device 30 and the stored content of the map data storage device 33, and lighting control is performed on a distance signal indicating the distance. To the unit 13. Further, the distance calculation unit 12 calculates the distance between the host vehicle and the tunnel exit based on the stored contents of the map data storage device 33 of the navigation device 30 and the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor 40, and generates a distance signal indicating the distance. Output to the illumination controller 13. Therefore, the distance calculation unit 12, the map data storage device 33, and the vehicle speed sensor 40 correspond to the distance calculation means of the present invention.

  The illumination control unit 13 controls turning on / off of the illumination device 20 and lighting illuminance by outputting a control signal based on the detection result of the tunnel detection unit 11 and the calculation result of the distance calculation unit 12. Therefore, the illumination control unit 13 corresponds to the illumination control means of the present invention.

  The illuminating device 20 includes a light source such as a light emitting diode, and illuminates the vehicle interior of the host vehicle with a predetermined illuminance based on a control signal from the illumination control unit 13. When the lighting device 20 enters the driver's field of view, there is a possibility that the driver's field of view (the range indicated by the dotted line B in FIG. 2) may be narrowed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to provide it at a position that does not fall within the visual field of the person. The lighting device 20 may also serve as a room lamp provided in the vehicle interior. Moreover, it is preferable that the illumination range in the illuminating device 20 is the instrument panel upper part and its periphery (range shown with the dashed-dotted line A of FIG. 2) and / or a center console and its periphery.

  The navigation device 30 includes a navigation ECU 31, a position detection device 32, a map data storage device 33, a timer unit 34, and the like, along with the current position of the host vehicle, display of a surrounding road map, and a guidance route to a destination, etc. Perform navigation functions.

  The navigation ECU 31 controls the entire navigation device 30 and is configured mainly with a microcomputer, and includes a memory such as a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM, an interface circuit, or a bus line for data transfer. The control circuit 1 sets a guide route by a program stored in a ROM, RAM, EEPROM or the like.

  The position detector 32 is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a gyroscope, a distance sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor as a device for detecting the current position coordinates (hereinafter also referred to as current position) of the host vehicle. A sensor is provided. Various sensors output detection signals to the navigation ECU 31. The navigation ECU 31 detects the current position of the host vehicle based on the output detection signal. Then, the navigation ECU 31 outputs a position signal indicating the detected current position to the control ECU 10.

  The map data storage device 33 includes road data used for map display, route guidance, etc., landmark data, facility data, tunnel data such as tunnel position information and tunnel length information (hereinafter also referred to as tunnel information), etc. It is a storage medium for storing map data related to a map. The storage medium is a rewritable HDD or the like from the viewpoint of data capacity or handling. The timer unit 34 is a clock that outputs a current time signal to the navigation ECU 31.

  Vehicle speed sensor 40, which is attached in the vicinity of wheels, transmissions, etc., detects a vehicle speed by outputting a pulse signal each time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance, and outputs a vehicle speed signal indicating the detected vehicle speed to control ECU 10 It is.

  The front illuminance sensor 50 is provided on a windshield as shown in FIG. 2, and detects the illuminance in front of the host vehicle. The front illuminance sensor 50 detects the illuminance in front of the host vehicle, and outputs an illuminance signal indicating the detected illuminance to the control ECU 10.

  Here, the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 starts when power is supplied to the vehicle interior lighting control device, that is, the control ECU 10, the lighting device 20, the navigation device 30, the vehicle speed sensor 40, and the front illumination sensor 50.

  In step S10, the tunnel detection unit 11 of the control ECU 10 detects whether there is a tunnel in the traveling direction of the host vehicle. That is, the navigation EUC 31 detects the current position of the host vehicle using the position detection device 32 and also detects the traveling direction of the host vehicle using the gyroscope of the position detection device 32. Then, the navigation EUC 31 detects whether there is a tunnel in the traveling direction of the host vehicle from the current position detected by the position detection device 32, the traveling direction, and the map data in the map data storage device 33, and the traveling of the host vehicle is detected. A detection signal indicating whether there is a tunnel ahead in the direction is output to the control ECU 10. And the tunnel detection part 11 of control ECU10 detects whether there exists a tunnel in the advancing direction of the own vehicle based on the detection signal from navigation ECU31.

  In step S11, the tunnel detection unit 11 of the control ECU 10 determines whether there is a tunnel in the traveling direction of the host vehicle based on the detection result in step S10, and determines that there is a tunnel in the traveling direction of the host vehicle. If so, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that there is no tunnel in the traveling direction of the host vehicle, the process in step S10 is repeated.

  In step S12, the illumination control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 inputs a time signal timed by the time measuring unit 34 from the navigation ECU 31.

  In step S13, the lighting control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 determines whether or not the current time is within 10:00 to 16:00 (predetermined time range) based on the time signal input in step S12. When it is determined that it is within 10:00 to 16:00, the process proceeds to step S14, and when it is determined that it is not within 10:00 to 16:00, the process returns to step S10.

  In this way, by operating when the current time is within a predetermined time range such as 10:00 to 16:00, it is dazzling when it goes out of the tunnel from the required time zone, that is, from inside the tunnel. The lighting device 20 can be turned on only during a time zone where there is a high possibility of feeling. The predetermined time range is not limited to 10:00 to 16:00, but is a time period other than a time zone where the outside of the tunnel is not so bright, such as after sunset to before sunrise.

  In step S <b> 14, the tunnel detection unit 11 of the control ECU 10 inputs tunnel information from the navigation ECU 31. In step S15, the tunnel detection unit 11 of the control ECU 10 determines whether or not the tunnel length is 500 m (predetermined distance) or more using the input tunnel information. Proceed to S16, and if it is determined that it is not 500 m or longer, the process returns to Step S10.

  The pupil gradually opens when the surrounding brightness becomes dark. Therefore, when the length of the tunnel is a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m) or more, there is a high possibility that the pupil will feel dazzling at the moment of exiting the tunnel due to opening. In other words, when the length of the tunnel is a predetermined distance or more, there is a high possibility that the eyes become accustomed to the brightness in the tunnel and feel dazzling at the moment of going out of the tunnel. Therefore, the lighting device 20 can be turned on only when necessary by turning on the lighting device 20 only when it is determined that the length of the tunnel is equal to or longer than the predetermined distance.

  In step S16, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 inputs the current position of the host vehicle from the navigation ECU 31 in order to calculate the distance to the tunnel entrance. In step S17, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 calculates the distance to the tunnel entrance using the current position of the host vehicle input in step S16 and the tunnel information (tunnel position information) input in step S14. To do.

  In step S18, the tunnel detection unit 11 of the control ECU 10 determines whether or not the host vehicle has entered the tunnel based on the distance to the tunnel entrance calculated in step S17, and determines that the host vehicle has entered the tunnel. If so, the process proceeds to step S19. If it is determined that the host vehicle has not entered the tunnel, the process returns to step S16.

  In step S19, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 inputs a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 40 in order to calculate the distance to the tunnel exit. In step S20, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 calculates the distance to the tunnel exit using the vehicle speed signal input in step S19 and the tunnel information (tunnel length information) input in step S14. . In this case, the distance calculation unit 12 calculates the travel distance based on the vehicle speed signal, and calculates the distance to the tunnel exit by subtracting the travel distance from the tunnel length of the tunnel information.

  In step S21, the lighting control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 determines whether the distance to the tunnel exit calculated in step S20 is within 400 m (predetermined distance), for example, in order to turn on the lighting device 20 before the predetermined distance from the tunnel exit. If it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is within 400 m, the process proceeds to step S22. If it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is not within 400 m, the process returns to step S19.

  In step S22, the illumination control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 calculates the time (expected time) until the host vehicle reaches 200 m (predetermined distance, first distance) before the tunnel exit, for example, the vehicle speed sensor 40. Input the vehicle speed signal from. In step S23, the control ECU 10 calculates an estimated time until it reaches 200m before the tunnel exit, using the vehicle speed signal input in step S22. This is because the lighting control is performed so that the illuminance of the lighting device 20 is gradually increased during the period from 400 m before the exit of the tunnel to 200 m before the exit of the tunnel.

  In step S <b> 24, the lighting control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 performs lighting control for changing the illuminance of the lighting device 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the illumination control unit 13 outputs a control signal to the illumination device 20 so as to gradually increase the illuminance of the illumination device 20 during the expected time calculated in step S23. Specifically, the illumination control unit 13 controls the duty of the control signal (pulse current) for the illumination device 20 to be 0% to 100%.

  In this way, when the own vehicle enters the tunnel and the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a predetermined distance, the lighting device 20 is controlled to light up so that the vehicle interior is brightened before the own vehicle exits the tunnel. can do. Therefore, the driver's pupil can be closed before the vehicle exits the tunnel, so the glare caused by the pupil not being able to keep up with changes in ambient brightness at the moment the vehicle exits the tunnel can be reduced. Can do.

  Moreover, the driver's pupil can be gradually closed by increasing the lighting illuminance of the lighting device 20 as the lighting device 20 starts to light and then approaches the exit of the tunnel. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an abrupt change in ambient brightness, and to further reduce the glare caused by the pupil not being able to follow the change in ambient brightness.

  In step S25, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 calculates the distance to the tunnel exit, and inputs a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 40 in order to change the lighting mode of the lighting device 20 in the vicinity of the tunnel exit. In step S26, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 calculates the distance to the tunnel exit using the vehicle speed signal input in step S25 and the tunnel information (tunnel length information) input in step S14. .

  In step S27, the illumination control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 determines whether or not the distance to the tunnel exit calculated in step S26 is within 200 m, and if it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is within 200 m, step The process proceeds to S28, and if it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is not within 200 m, the process returns to step S24.

  In step S28, the illumination control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 inputs an illuminance signal from the front illuminance sensor 50 in order to make the lighting illuminance of the illumination device 20 correspond to the illuminance outside the tunnel near the exit of the tunnel. And in step S29, the illumination control part 13 of control ECU10 changes the illumination intensity of the illuminating device 20 according to the illumination intensity signal input in step S28, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the illumination control unit 13 changes the duty of the control signal (pulse current) for the illumination device 20 according to the illuminance signal from the front illuminance sensor 50.

  In this way, by changing the illuminance of the lighting device 20 based on the illuminance in front of the host vehicle, the state of the pupil can be made substantially the same as that outside the tunnel, and the change in ambient brightness cannot be followed. The resulting glare can be further reduced.

  In step S30, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 inputs a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 40 in order to calculate the distance to the tunnel exit and determine whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. In step S31, the distance calculation unit 12 of the control ECU 10 calculates the distance to the tunnel exit using the vehicle speed signal input in step S30 and the tunnel information (tunnel length information) input in step S14. .

  In step S32, the illumination control unit 13 of the control ECU 10 determines whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel based on the distance to the tunnel exit calculated in step S31, and determines that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. If this is the case, the process proceeds to step S33. If it is determined that the host vehicle has not left the tunnel, the process returns to step S28.

  In step S33, the illumination control unit 13 of the control ECU 10, as shown in FIG. 4, gradually turns off the illumination device 20 by controlling the output of the control signal to the illumination device 20 gradually (for example, for 5 seconds). Turn off completely). Thus, since it is not necessary to turn on the lighting device 20 after the host vehicle has exited the tunnel, it is preferable to control the lighting device 20 to be turned off when it is determined that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. Further, by gradually controlling the lighting device 20 to be turned off, it is possible to prevent the ambient brightness from changing suddenly.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting device 20 is turned on when the host vehicle is a predetermined distance before the tunnel exit (400 m before), and the lighting device 20 is gradually increased until the first distance (200 m) is reached. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be achieved simply by turning on the lighting device 20 when the host vehicle is a predetermined distance before the tunnel exit. It is possible to achieve the purpose.

  Moreover, although it demonstrated using the example which changes the lighting illumination intensity of the illuminating device 20 based on the detection result (illuminance signal) of the front illumination intensity sensor 50 after reaching a 1st distance (200 m), this invention is limited to this. The lighting illuminance of the lighting device 20 may be changed based on the illuminance signal when the lighting device 20 is turned on.

  Moreover, although it demonstrated using the example which changes the lighting illumination intensity of the illuminating device 20 based on the detection result (illuminance signal) of the front illumination intensity sensor 50 after reaching a 1st distance (200 m), this invention is limited to this. The lighting illuminance of the lighting device 20 may be made constant at the maximum value after reaching the first distance (200 m).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the lighting device 20 is turned on when the host vehicle is a predetermined distance before the tunnel exit (400 m before), and the lighting device 20 is gradually increased until the first distance (200 m) is reached. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lighting device 20 is turned on when the host vehicle is a predetermined distance before the tunnel exit (400 m before). Thus, the illuminance of the lighting device 20 may be gradually increased until the host vehicle reaches the tunnel exit.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting device 20 is controlled to be turned off gradually. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lighting device is determined when it is determined that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. 20 may be turned off.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing an installation example of the illumination device 90 and the illuminance sensors 70 and 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the second embodiment is often in common with that in the first embodiment described above, and therefore, detailed description of the common parts will be omitted below, and different parts will be mainly described. To do. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the lighting device is controlled based on the illuminance ahead and above the host vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle interior lighting control device of the present embodiment includes a control ECU 60, a front illuminance sensor 70, an upper illuminance sensor 80, a lighting device 90, a timer unit 100, and the like.

  The control ECU 60 is composed mainly of a microcomputer, and includes a memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, an interface circuit, a data transfer bus line, and the like, and includes a tunnel detection unit 61, a distance calculation unit 62, and an illumination control unit. 63, a map storage unit 64, and the like.

  The tunnel detection unit 61 detects the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel based on the detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the detection result of the upper illuminance sensor 80, and sends a detection signal indicating the detection result to the illumination control unit 63. Output. Therefore, the detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 correspond to the tunnel entry detection means of the present invention.

  The distance calculation unit 62 calculates the distance between the host vehicle and the tunnel exit based on the detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70, the detection result of the upper illuminance sensor 80, the stored contents of the map storage unit 64, and the like. A signal is output to the illumination control unit 63. Therefore, the distance calculation unit 62, the front illuminance sensor 70, and the upper illuminance sensor 80 correspond to the distance calculation means of the present invention.

  The illumination control unit 63 controls turning on / off of the illumination device 90 and lighting illuminance by outputting a control signal based on the detection result of the tunnel detection unit 61 and the calculation result of the distance calculation unit 62. Therefore, the illumination control unit 63 corresponds to the illumination control means of the present invention.

  The map storage unit 64 stores a map in which the detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70, the detection result of the upper illuminance sensor 80, and the distance to the tunnel exit are associated with each other. Note that the detection results of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 vary depending on the weather outside the tunnel. Therefore, when calculating the distance to the tunnel exit using a map that associates at least one of the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and the illuminance above the host vehicle with the distance to the tunnel exit, The distance to the tunnel exit may vary. Therefore, the map storage unit 64 preferably stores a map for each illuminance range outside the tunnel. That is, it is preferable that the distance calculation unit 62 calculates the distance from the host vehicle to the tunnel exit using the illuminance outside the tunnel detected by the upper illuminance sensor 80 and using the illuminance range map corresponding to the detection result. . By doing in this way, it can reduce that the distance to a tunnel exit varies with the weather etc. outside a tunnel.

  The front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 are provided on a windshield as shown in FIG. 6, and detect the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and above the host vehicle. The front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 detect the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and above the host vehicle, and output an illuminance signal indicating the detected illuminance to the control ECU 60.

  Here, the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts when power is supplied to the vehicle interior lighting control device, that is, the control ECU 60, the lighting device 90, the front illumination sensor 70, the upper illumination sensor 80, and the timer unit 100.

  First, in step S <b> 40, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 inputs a time signal timed by the time measuring unit 100. In step S41, the lighting control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 determines whether or not the current time is within 10:00 to 16:00 (predetermined time range) based on the time signal input in step S40. When it is determined that it is within 10:00 to 16:00, the process proceeds to step S42, and when it is determined that it is not within 10:00 to 16:00, the process returns to step S40.

  In step S42, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to determine whether or not the host vehicle has entered the tunnel. In step S43, when the illuminance signal input in step S42 satisfies a predetermined condition, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 determines that the host vehicle has entered the tunnel, proceeds to step S44, and inputs in step S42. If the illuminance signal thus satisfied does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it is determined that the host vehicle has not entered the tunnel, and the process returns to step S40. Note that the predetermined condition for determining whether or not the host vehicle has entered the tunnel is whether or not the illuminance signal has reached an illuminance (reference value) corresponding to the illuminance in the tunnel.

  In step S44, the distance calculation unit 62 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to calculate the distance to the tunnel exit. In step S45, the distance calculation unit 62 of the control ECU 60 calculates the distance to the tunnel exit by comparing the illuminance signal input in step S44 with the map stored in the map storage unit 64.

  In step S46, the lighting control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 determines whether the distance to the tunnel exit calculated in step S45 is within 400 m (predetermined distance), for example, in order to turn on the lighting device 90 before the predetermined distance from the tunnel exit. If it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is within 400 m, the process proceeds to step S47. If it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is not within 400 m, the process returns to step S44.

  In step S <b> 47, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 executes lighting control for changing the illuminance of the illumination device 90. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the illumination control unit 63 gradually increases the illuminance of the illumination device 90 until a distance that will be calculated later (for example, 200 m (predetermined distance, first distance)) is reached. In this manner, a control signal is output to the illumination device 90. Specifically, the illumination control unit 63 controls the duty of the control signal (pulse current) for the illumination device 90 to be 0% to 100%.

  In this way, when the own vehicle enters the tunnel and the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a predetermined distance, the lighting device 90 is controlled to light up so that the interior of the vehicle is brightened before the own vehicle leaves the tunnel. be able to. Therefore, the driver's pupil can be closed before the vehicle exits the tunnel, so the glare caused by the pupil not being able to keep up with changes in ambient brightness at the moment the vehicle exits the tunnel can be reduced. Can do.

  Moreover, the driver's pupil can be gradually closed by increasing the lighting illuminance of the lighting device 90 as the lighting device 90 starts to turn on and approaches the exit of the tunnel. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an abrupt change in ambient brightness, and to further reduce the glare caused by the pupil not being able to follow the change in ambient brightness.

  In step S48, the distance calculation unit 62 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to calculate the distance to the tunnel exit. In step S49, the distance calculation unit 62 of the control ECU 60 calculates the distance to the tunnel exit by comparing the illuminance signal input in step S48 with the map stored in the map storage unit 64.

  In step S50, the lighting control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 instructs the lighting device 90 to gradually increase the illuminance of the lighting device 90 until the host vehicle reaches the tunnel exit, for example, 200 m. In order to output the control signal, it is determined whether or not the distance to the tunnel exit calculated in step S49 is within 200 m. If it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is within 200 m, the process proceeds to step S51. If it is determined that the distance to the tunnel exit is not within 200 m, the process returns to step S48.

  In step S51, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal from the front illuminance sensor 70 so that the lighting illuminance of the illumination device 90 corresponds to the illuminance outside the tunnel near the tunnel exit. And in step S52, the illumination control part 63 of control ECU60 changes the illumination intensity of the illuminating device 90 according to the illumination intensity signal input in step S51, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the illumination control unit 63 changes the duty of the control signal (pulse current) for the illumination device 90 according to the illuminance signal from the front illuminance sensor 70.

  Thus, by changing the illuminance of the lighting device 90 based on the illuminance in front of the host vehicle, the state of the pupil can be made substantially the same as that outside the tunnel, and the change in ambient brightness cannot be followed. The resulting glare can be further reduced.

  In step S53, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to determine whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. In step S54, when the illuminance signal input in step S53 satisfies a predetermined condition, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 determines that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel, proceeds to step S55, and inputs in step S53. If the illuminance signal does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it is determined that the host vehicle has not exited the tunnel, and the process returns to step S53. The predetermined condition for determining whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel is whether or not the illuminance signal has reached an illuminance (reference value) corresponding to the illuminance outside the tunnel.

  In step S55, as shown in FIG. 8, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 gradually stops the output of the control signal to the illumination device 90, thereby gradually turning off the illumination device 90 (for example, for 5 seconds). Turn off completely). Thus, since it is not necessary to turn on the lighting device 90 after the host vehicle has exited the tunnel, it is preferable to control the lighting device 90 to be turned off when it is determined that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. In addition, by gradually controlling the lighting device 90 to be turned off, it is possible to prevent the ambient brightness from changing suddenly.

  In addition, although it demonstrated using the example which changes the lighting illumination intensity of the illuminating device 90 based on the detection result (illuminance signal) of the front illumination intensity sensor 70 after reaching 1st distance (200m), this invention is limited to this. Instead, the lighting illuminance of the lighting device 90 may be changed based on the illuminance signal when the lighting device 90 is turned on.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the lighting device 90 is turned on when the host vehicle is a predetermined distance before the tunnel exit (400 m before), and the lighting device 90 is gradually increased until the first distance (200 m) is reached. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lighting device 90 is turned on when the host vehicle is a predetermined distance before the tunnel exit (400 m before). Thus, the illuminance of the lighting device 90 may be gradually increased until the host vehicle reaches the tunnel exit.

  Moreover, although it demonstrated using the example which changes the lighting illumination intensity of the illuminating device 90 based on the detection result (illuminance signal) of the front illumination intensity sensor 70 after reaching 1st distance (200m), this invention is limited to this. The lighting illuminance of the lighting device 90 may be made constant at the maximum value after reaching the first distance (200 m).

  In the present embodiment, the lighting device 90 is controlled to be turned off gradually. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lighting device is determined when it is determined that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. 90 may be turned off.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 are provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 If at least one of them is provided, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

(Modification)
Next, a modified example will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to the modification of the present invention.

  The vehicle interior lighting control device in the modified example is often in common with that according to the above-described second embodiment, and therefore, detailed description of the common parts will be omitted and different parts will be described mainly. In the modification, the point different from the second embodiment described above is the timing at which lighting control of the lighting device 90 is started. In addition, since it is comprised similarly to the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus by 2nd Embodiment mentioned above, the description regarding a structure is abbreviate | omitted.

  The flow chart shown in FIG. 9 starts when power is supplied to the vehicle interior lighting control device, that is, the control ECU 60, the lighting device 90, the front illuminance sensor 70, the upper illuminance sensor 80, and the timekeeping unit 100 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 60, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 inputs a time signal timed by the time measuring unit 100. In step S61, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 determines whether or not the current time is within 10:00 to 16:00 (predetermined time range) based on the time signal input in step S60. When it is determined that it is within 10:00 to 16:00, the process proceeds to step S62, and when it is determined that it is not within 10:00 to 16:00, the process returns to step S60.

  In step S62, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to determine whether or not the host vehicle has entered the tunnel. In step S63, when the illuminance signal input in step S62 satisfies a predetermined condition, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 determines that the host vehicle has entered the tunnel, proceeds to step S64, and inputs in step S62. If the illuminance signal thus satisfied does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it is determined that the host vehicle has not entered the tunnel, and the process returns to step S60.

  In step S64, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to detect the tunnel exit. In step S65, when the illuminance signal input in step S64 satisfies the predetermined condition, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 regards that the tunnel exit has been detected, and proceeds to step S66, where the illuminance input in step S64. When the signal does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it is considered that the tunnel exit has not been detected, and the process returns to step S64. Thus, in a modification, the tunnel detection part 61 detects a tunnel exit based on the detection result of the front illumination intensity sensor 70 and the upper illumination intensity sensor 80 (equivalent to the tunnel exit detection of this invention).

  The predetermined condition for detecting the tunnel exit is whether or not the illuminance signal exceeds a reference value due to light from outside the tunnel. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the illuminance in front and above the host vehicle is high near the exit of the tunnel. Accordingly, the tunnel exit can be detected when the illuminance in front and above the host vehicle gradually increases and exceeds the reference value.

  In step S66, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 executes lighting control for changing the illuminance of the illumination device 90 by detecting the tunnel exit in step S65. That is, the illumination control unit 63 outputs a control signal to the illumination device 90 so as to gradually increase the illuminance of the illumination device 90 until the host vehicle leaves the tunnel. Specifically, the illumination control unit 63 controls the duty of the control signal (pulse current) for the illumination device 90 to be 0% to 100%.

  In step S67, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 inputs an illuminance signal that is a detection result of the front illuminance sensor 70 and the upper illuminance sensor 80 in order to detect whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. In step S68, when the illuminance signal input in step S67 satisfies a predetermined condition, the tunnel detection unit 61 of the control ECU 60 assumes that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel and proceeds to step S69, and inputs in step S67. If the illuminance signal does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it is considered that the host vehicle has not left the tunnel, and the process returns to step S67.

  In step S69, the illumination control unit 63 of the control ECU 60 gradually controls the illumination device 90 to be turned off (for example, completely turned off in 5 seconds) by gradually stopping the output of the control signal to the illumination device 90.

  As described above, when entry into the tunnel of the host vehicle is detected, the lighting device 90 is controlled to be turned on when the exit of the tunnel is detected, so that the host vehicle can be operated even when the tunnel length is short. Since the driver's pupil can be closed before the vehicle exits the tunnel, it is possible to reduce glare caused by the pupil not being able to keep up with changes in ambient brightness when the vehicle exits the tunnel.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the example of installation of the illuminating device 20 and the front illumination intensity sensor 50 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the example of installation of the illuminating device 90 and the illumination intensity sensors 70 and 80 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle interior lighting control apparatus in the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 60 control ECU, 11, 61 tunnel detection unit, 12, 62 distance calculation unit, 13, 63 illumination control unit, 20, 90 illumination device, 30 navigation device, 31 navigation ECU, 32 position detection device, 33 map data storage Device, 34,100 Timekeeping unit, 40 Vehicle speed sensor, 50, 70 Front illumination sensor, 80 Upper illumination sensor, 64 Map storage unit

Claims (24)

An illumination unit for illuminating the interior of the vehicle;
Tunnel entry detection means for detecting the entry of the vehicle into the tunnel;
A distance calculating means for calculating a distance between the host vehicle and the exit of the tunnel;
When the entry of the own vehicle into the tunnel is detected and the distance to the tunnel exit is a predetermined distance, lighting control means for controlling lighting of the lighting unit;
A vehicle interior lighting control device comprising:   Position detection means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle, a map data storage device for storing map data relating to a road map including position information and length information of the tunnel, and a travel distance for detecting the travel distance of the host vehicle Detecting means for detecting the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel based on the detection result of the position detecting means and the stored contents of the map data storage device, and calculating the distance. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the means calculates a distance from the host vehicle to the tunnel exit based on the stored contents of the map data storage device and the detection result of the travel distance detection means. Indoor lighting control device.   The lighting control unit increases the lighting illuminance of the lighting unit as it approaches the exit of the tunnel after starting lighting of the lighting unit based on the calculation result of the distance calculation unit. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 2.   Based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than the predetermined distance. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein when the distance of 1 is passed, the lighting illuminance of the lighting unit is maximized.   A front illuminance detection unit that detects an illuminance in front of the host vehicle is provided, and the illumination control unit changes a lighting illuminance of the illumination unit based on a detection result of the front illuminance detection unit. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   Based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than the predetermined distance. 6. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 5, wherein when the distance of 1 is passed, the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit is changed based on a detection result of the front illuminance detection means.   The lighting control unit determines whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel based on a calculation result of the distance calculating unit, and turns off the lighting unit when determining that the host vehicle has exited the tunnel. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the vehicle interior lighting control device is controlled.   At least one of a front illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance in front of the host vehicle and an upper illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance above the own vehicle, the illuminance in front of the own vehicle, and the upper illuminance above the own vehicle. A map storage device that stores a map that associates at least one of the illuminance and the distance to the exit of the tunnel, and the tunnel approach detection means is at least one of the forward illuminance detection means and the upper illuminance detection means. Based on the detection result, the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel is detected, and the distance calculation means is based on the detection result of at least one of the front illuminance detection means and the upper illuminance detection means, and the map. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the host vehicle and the exit of the tunnel is calculated.   The map storage device stores the map for each illuminance range outside the tunnel, and the distance calculation means detects the illuminance using the illuminance outside the tunnel detected by the upper illuminance detection means. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 8, wherein a distance between the host vehicle and the exit of the tunnel is calculated using the map of the illuminance range corresponding to the result.   The lighting control unit increases the lighting illuminance of the lighting unit as it approaches the exit of the tunnel after starting lighting of the lighting unit based on the calculation result of the distance calculation unit. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 8 or 9.   Based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than the predetermined distance. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a lighting illuminance of the lighting unit is set to a maximum value when a distance of 1 is passed.   The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the lighting control unit changes a lighting illuminance of the lighting unit according to a detection result of the front illuminance detecting unit.   Based on the calculation result of the distance calculation means, the illumination control means gradually increases the illuminance until the distance to the tunnel exit reaches a first distance shorter than the predetermined distance. 13. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 12, wherein when the distance of 1 is passed, the lighting illuminance of the illumination unit is changed based on the detection result of the front illuminance detection means.   The lighting control unit determines whether the host vehicle has exited the tunnel based on at least one of a detection result of the front illuminance detection unit and a detection result of the upper illuminance detection unit. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein when it is determined that the vehicle has exited from the tunnel, the lighting unit is controlled to be turned off. An illumination unit for illuminating the interior of the vehicle;
Tunnel entry detection means for detecting the entry of the vehicle into the tunnel;
Tunnel exit detecting means for detecting the exit of the tunnel;
When entry into the tunnel of the host vehicle is detected, lighting control means for controlling lighting of the lighting unit when an exit of the tunnel is detected;
A vehicle interior lighting control device comprising:   It comprises at least one of a front illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance in front of the host vehicle, and an upper illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance above the own vehicle, the tunnel entry detecting means, the forward illuminance detecting means, and Based on the detection result of at least one of the upper illuminance detection means, the entry of the host vehicle into the tunnel is detected, and the exit detection means detects at least one of the front illuminance detection means and the upper illuminance detection means. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 15, wherein an exit of the tunnel is detected based on a result.   The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 16, wherein the lighting control unit changes a lighting illuminance of the lighting unit according to a detection result of the front illuminance detecting unit.   18. The lighting control unit according to claim 15, wherein when the lighting control of the lighting unit is started, the lighting control unit increases the lighting illuminance of the lighting unit from low illuminance to high illuminance. Car interior lighting control device.   The illumination control means determines whether or not the host vehicle has exited the tunnel based on the detection result of at least one of the front illuminance detection means and the upper illuminance detection means, and the host vehicle exits the tunnel. The vehicle interior lighting control device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein when it is determined that the lighting unit has been turned off, the lighting unit is controlled to be turned off.   The vehicle interior lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the lighting unit is installed at a position that does not enter a driver's field of view when the vehicle is traveling.   The vehicle interior lighting control device according to claim 20, wherein the lighting unit is installed on a ceiling.   The vehicle interior lighting control apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the illumination unit is a room lamp.   The vehicle interior lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the lighting unit illuminates an upper part of the instrument panel and / or a center console and the periphery thereof.   The time output means for outputting the current time is provided, and the illumination control means operates when the current time is within a predetermined time range. Car interior lighting control device.

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