JP2007145232A - Light irradiation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light irradiation system for a vehicle superior in visibility. <P>SOLUTION: The light irradiation system of the present invention is characterized in that an optical axis of an irradiation light 1L at at least shoulder side of the vehicle of two irradiation lights 1R, 1L is raised when the vehicle having the two irradiation lights 1R, 1L arranged in a vehicle width direction is turned. In the light irradiation system of the present invention, a driver's visibility is enhanced at turning of the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light irradiation system that controls the optical axis of light emitted from a vehicle, and more particularly to a light irradiation system that improves driver visibility when the vehicle turns.

  Various vehicles for safely traveling are mounted on recent vehicles. One such device is an auto leveling device. The auto-leveling device is a device that adjusts the irradiation direction (optical axis) of a vehicle light (headlight) in the vertical direction. By adjusting the optical axis of the light, it is possible to irradiate a predetermined direction even if the posture of the vehicle changes, such as when a heavy object is loaded on the vehicle, ensuring driver visibility and dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle Is prevented. Such an auto leveling device is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

Light control in an auto leveling device can be broadly divided into two methods: dynamic leveling and static leveling. Dynamic leveling is a control method that ensures constant visibility by always controlling the optical axis, and static leveling is a control method that adjusts the optical axis in the initial stop state and then fixes the state of the optical axis. It is. In addition, vehicle headlamps are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Conventional auto-leveling devices are controlled so that the left and right lights simultaneously point the optical axis in the same direction (angle).
JP 2000-198384 A

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said actual condition, and makes it a subject to provide the light irradiation system of the vehicle which was further excellent in visibility.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present inventor has repeatedly studied the light irradiation system, and as a result, the light irradiation system in which the optical axes of the two irradiation lamps of the vehicle are independently shifted in the vertical direction is used. I found that it can be solved.

  That is, in the light irradiation system according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a vehicle having two illuminating lamps arranged in the vehicle width direction turns, at least of the illuminating lamps on the road shoulder side of the two illuminating lights. The optical axis is raised.

  The light irradiation system of the present invention controls two irradiation lamps arranged in the width direction of the vehicle independently of each other. Then, the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the road shoulder side is raised when the vehicle turns. As a result, when the vehicle turns, the illuminating lamp irradiates far ahead on the shoulder side, and the driver's visibility is improved.

  The light irradiation system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein when the turning of the vehicle is turning to the center side of the road, the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side is set. It is preferable to raise. When the vehicle turns to the center of the road, not only the shoulder side but also the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side can be raised to irradiate light to the front (back of the curve) in the direction of turning when turning This improves the visibility of the driver.

  A light irradiation system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein when the turning of the vehicle is turning to the shoulder side of the road, the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side is set. It is preferable not to rise. When the vehicle turns to the shoulder side of the road, the optical axis of the illumination light on the shoulder side rises, and the optical axis of the illumination lamp on the center side does not rise, so that the vehicle turns forward (back of the curve) Light can be emitted, the visibility of the driver is improved, and the driver of the oncoming vehicle does not feel glare.

  A light irradiation system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein there is an oncoming vehicle and the turning of the vehicle is turning to the shoulder side of the road. It is preferable not to raise the optical axis of the central irradiation lamp. When the turn of the vehicle is a turn to the shoulder, even if there is an oncoming vehicle, the occupant of the oncoming vehicle does not feel glare by not raising the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side. That is, it is possible to irradiate light forward (in the back of the curve) in the direction of turning when turning, without impeding the driving of the driver of the oncoming vehicle, and the visibility of the driver is improved.

  The light irradiation system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is preferably the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein when there is no oncoming vehicle, the optical axes of the two irradiation lamps are raised. Even if the optical axes of the two illuminating lamps are raised, there is no oncoming vehicle, so the driver of the oncoming vehicle is not hindered. As a result, it is possible to irradiate the light of the irradiation lamp further forward, and the driver's visibility is improved.

  The light irradiation system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein the adjustment of the optical axes of the two irradiation lamps is performed based on the turning radius of the vehicle. Depending on the turning radius at the time of turning of the vehicle, the part to be irradiated in front of the turning direction (the back of the curve) changes. Then, by adjusting the optical axis based on the turning radius of the turning of the vehicle, it becomes possible to irradiate light to the back of the curve. At this time, as the turning radius is smaller, it is preferable to irradiate light to the depth of the curve, and it is preferable to further raise the optical axis of the irradiation lamp. The turning radius of the vehicle can be calculated from a detection signal from a sensor provided on the vehicle such as a vehicle speed sensor, a steering wheel steering angle sensor, or a roll sensor.

  A light irradiation system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, wherein the vehicle has oncoming vehicle detection means for detecting the presence of the oncoming vehicle. By having the oncoming vehicle detection means, the oncoming vehicle can be automatically detected, and the optical axis can be adjusted with reference to the detection result from the detection means.

  The light irradiation system of the present invention according to claim 8 is the light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the two irradiation lamps are provided near both ends in the width direction of the vehicle and irradiate the front of the vehicle. It is a light. The two illuminating lamps consist of headlamps installed in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the vehicle, so that light can be emitted to the part of the road where the vehicle travels (the course), and light is emitted to the back of the curve when turning it can.

  A light irradiation system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the light irradiation system according to the first aspect, and has an auto leveling device. The auto-leveling device is a system that moves the direction of the optical axis of a vehicle light up and down, and the light irradiation system of the present invention has the same effect (turning) without using an AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) that changes the optical axis to the left and right. Ensuring driver visibility at the time).

  The light irradiation system of the present invention controls two irradiation lamps arranged in the width direction of the vehicle independently, and raises the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the road shoulder side when the vehicle turns. As a result, when the vehicle turns, the illuminating lamp irradiates far ahead on the shoulder side, and the driver's visibility is improved. Moreover, the light irradiation system of this invention can improve a driver | operator's visibility, without changing the optical axis of an irradiation lamp to the left-right direction. That is, the visibility of the driver can be improved when turning without newly installing an AFS device. By not installing a new device (AFS), an increase in vehicle weight can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, the light irradiation system of the present invention will be described using specific examples.

  The light irradiation system of the present embodiment is a system having the configuration shown in FIG. The light irradiation system of the present embodiment includes a right headlight 1R that is provided on the right side in front of the vehicle and irradiates the front, a left headlight 1L that is provided on the left side in front of the vehicle and irradiates the front, and a right headlamp 1R. Right optical axis adjusting means 2R for adjusting the direction of the optical axis of the headlight in the vertical direction, left optical axis adjusting means 2L for adjusting the direction of the optical axis of the left headlight 1L in the vertical direction, right optical axis adjusting means 2R and left light. ECU 3 for determining the direction of the optical axis of axis adjusting means 2L, radar 4 for detecting the oncoming vehicle, roll sensor 5 for detecting the roll of the vehicle, speed sensor 6 for detecting the speed of the vehicle, rudder for detecting the steering angle of the steering wheel An angle sensor 7 is included.

  As the right headlight 1R and the left headlight 1L, the same devices as those used in a conventional vehicle can be used.

  The right optical axis adjusting means 2R and the left optical axis adjusting means 2L are means for controlling the optical axes of the right headlight 1R and the left headlamp 1L, and are the same as those used in the conventional leveling device. It has a configuration. In the present embodiment, the direction of the optical axis is controlled by controlling the angle of the reflectors of the headlamps 1R and 1L. In the present embodiment, the right optical axis adjusting means 2R and the left optical axis adjusting means 2L have the respective optical axes of the right headlight 1R and the left headlight 1L oriented in the horizontal direction and α ° below the horizontal direction. The optical axis can be controlled between the initial position. In the system of the present embodiment, the right optical axis adjusting means 2R and the left optical axis adjusting means 2L operate based on instructions from the ECU 3, respectively, and the respective optical axes of the right headlamp 1R and the left headlamp 1L are determined. Control independently.

  The ECU 3 receives signals from the sensors 4, 5, 6 and 7, and controls the right optical axis adjusting means 2R and the left optical axis adjusting means 2L based on the input signals.

  As the radar 4, a conventionally known radar can be used as long as it is a device that detects an oncoming vehicle. In addition, if an oncoming vehicle can be detected, a radar installed to detect an object ahead in a collision detection system or the like may be used.

  As the speed sensor 5, a sensor capable of detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle can be used. In this embodiment, a speed sensor assembled in advance in the vehicle is used.

  As the roll sensor 6, a sensor capable of detecting the roll of the vehicle can be used. In this embodiment, a roll sensor of a protection system for protecting an occupant when the vehicle rolls over is used.

  As the steering angle sensor 7, a sensor capable of detecting the steering angle of the steering wheel can be used. In this embodiment, a rudder angle sensor assembled in advance in the vehicle is used.

  The light irradiation system of a present Example is a system which irradiates light ahead of a turning direction, when the vehicle is turning. Specifically, the ECU 3 controls the optical axis adjusting means 2R, 2L based on signals from the sensors 4, 5, 6, 7.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the light irradiation system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the vehicle on which the light irradiation system of this embodiment is mounted has a driver located on the right side of the vehicle and travels on the left side of the road.

  First, the vehicle travels with the headlamps 1R and 1L turned on. The optical axes of the headlamps 1R and 1L immediately after the start of traveling of the vehicle are controlled to be at the initial position.

  Then, the detection signal of the radar 4 is input to the ECU 3 while the vehicle is traveling straight. When it is determined that the oncoming vehicle is not traveling, the ECU 3 controls the optical axis adjusting means 2R, 2L so that the optical axes of the headlamps 1R, 1L are directed to the horizontal position (or downward by β ° from the horizontal direction). To the position (α> β)). As a result, the light is irradiated far to the front, so that the driver can visually recognize the distance and can drive safely.

  When the ECU 3 determines that the oncoming vehicle is traveling while the vehicle is traveling straight, the optical axis adjusting means 2R and 2L are controlled so that the optical axes of the headlamps 1R and 1L are set to the horizontal position (or from the horizontal direction). The optical axis position is lowered from a position (α> β) directed downward by β ° to a predetermined optical axis position. As a result, the driver of the oncoming vehicle does not feel glare. Here, the predetermined optical axis position means that the ground height where the headlamps 1R and 1L are installed, the amount of light to be emitted, and the like are different for each vehicle, but the optical axis position cannot be determined unconditionally, but the headlamp 1R , 1L is preferably set to the initial position of the optical axis.

  The specific operation of the light irradiation system of the present invention will be described below.

  When the vehicle travels on the right curve, the vehicle turns to the right. The turning of the vehicle is determined by the ECU 3 based on input signals from the speed sensor 5, the roll sensor 6 and the steering angle sensor 7. Judgment of turning of the vehicle can be made in the light of the graphs shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the vehicle speed, the steering angle of the steering wheel, and the curvature of the curve, and FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the vehicle speed, the steering angle of the steering wheel, and the yaw rate.

  While turning rightward, the detection signal of the radar 4 is input to the ECU 3. When it is determined that the oncoming vehicle is not traveling, the ECU 3 controls the optical axis adjusting means 2R, 2L so that the optical axes of the headlamps 1R, 1L are directed to the horizontal position (or downward by β ° from the horizontal direction). Position (α> β)). Thereby, light is irradiated to the far front (in particular, the back of the curve in the turning direction), and the driver can visually recognize the far distance and can drive safely.

  When the ECU 3 determines that the oncoming vehicle is running while turning rightward, the optical axis adjusting means 2R and 2L are controlled to change the optical axes of the headlamps 1R and 1L in the horizontal direction (or from the horizontal direction). It is held at a position facing down β ° (α> β). Even if the optical axis of the headlamp 1R on the oncoming vehicle is in the horizontal direction (or a position (α> β) that is directed downward by β ° from the horizontal direction), the optical axis of the headlamp 1R is a curve curve. Since it faces in the tangential direction, the optical axis is not suitable for the driver of the oncoming vehicle that runs inside the curve of the curve from the vehicle. As a result, the driver of the oncoming vehicle does not feel glare. Further, the optical axis of the headlamp 1R of the vehicle is held at a horizontal position (or a position (β> β) directed downward by β ° from the horizontal direction), so that the light of the headlamp 1R illuminates the back of the curve. It will be. As a result, the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize the back of the curve. Here, the predetermined optical axis position cannot be determined in general, but is preferably the initial optical axis position of the headlamp 1R. Here, when the optical axis is directed downward by β ° from the horizontal direction, the angle of β ° can be determined by the ECU 3 from the curvature of the curve or the like.

  When the vehicle travels on the left curve, the vehicle turns leftward. The turning of the vehicle is determined by the ECU 3 based on input signals from the speed sensor 5, the roll sensor 6 and the steering angle sensor 7.

  While turning leftward, the detection signal of the radar 4 is input to the ECU 3. When the ECU 3 determines that the oncoming vehicle is not traveling, the optical axis adjusting means 2R, 2L are controlled to move the optical axis of the headlamps 1R, 1L to a horizontal position (or a position (or a position facing β ° downward from the horizontal direction) ( It rises to α> β)). Thereby, light is irradiated to the far front (in particular, the back of the curve in the turning direction), and the driver can visually recognize the far distance and can drive safely.

  When the ECU 3 determines that the oncoming vehicle is traveling while turning leftward, the optical axis adjusting means 2R and 2L are controlled to lower the optical axis of the headlamp 1R to a predetermined optical axis position and the headlamp. The optical axis position of 1L is held in the horizontal direction (or a position (α> β) facing β ° downward from the horizontal direction). By lowering the optical axis of the headlamp 1R on the oncoming vehicle to a predetermined optical axis position, there is no light traveling toward the driver of the oncoming vehicle, and the driver of the oncoming vehicle does not feel glare. Further, the optical axis of the headlamp 1L on the shoulder side is held in a horizontal position (or a position (α> β) directed downward by β ° from the horizontal direction), so that the light of the headlamp 1L on the roadside is curved. The back of the light will be illuminated. As a result, the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize the back of the curve. Here, the predetermined optical axis position cannot be determined in general, but is preferably the initial optical axis position of the headlamp 1R. Here, when the optical axis is directed downward by β ° from the horizontal direction, the angle of β ° can be determined by the ECU 3 from the curvature of the curve or the like.

  The light irradiation system of the present embodiment appropriately raises the optical axes of the headlamps 1R and 1L to a position closer to the horizontal direction than the initial position when the vehicle turns. By raising the optical axis, it is possible to irradiate light far ahead (back of the curve) in the turning direction. At this time, since the optical axis is not suitable for the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the driver of the oncoming vehicle does not feel glare. For this reason, an oncoming vehicle can also drive | work safely and exhibits the casting effect.

  Furthermore, the light irradiation system according to the present embodiment can shorten the time required for recognizing the road shoulder and the center line even when the vehicle is not equipped with an AFS. And the time until visual recognition of a pedestrian or a light vehicle can be shortened. As a result, the effect of increasing safety for personnel outside the vehicle is exhibited.

  Furthermore, the light irradiation system of a present Example may determine the state of a vehicle further with reference to the detection signal from the acceleration sensor which detects the acceleration of the front-back direction of a vehicle. With the acceleration sensor, when the front part of the vehicle sinks due to sudden braking or the like, it is possible to perform control to quickly raise the optical axis.

It is the figure which showed the structure of the light irradiation system of an Example. It is the figure which showed the flowchart of control of the light irradiation system of an Example. It is the figure which showed the relationship of the curvature of the speed of a vehicle, the steering angle of a steering wheel, and a curve. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the speed of a vehicle, the steering angle of a steering wheel, and a yaw rate.

Explanation of symbols

1R: right headlight 1L: left headlight 2R: right optical axis adjustment means 2L: left optical axis adjustment means 3: ECU
4: Radar 5: Speed sensor 6: Roll sensor 7: Rudder angle sensor

Claims (9)

  When a vehicle having two illuminating lamps arranged in the vehicle width direction turns, at least the optical axis of the illuminating lamp on the road shoulder side of the two illuminating lights is raised. system.   The vehicle light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein when the turning of the vehicle is turning toward the center side of the road, the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side is raised.   2. The vehicle light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein when the turning of the vehicle is turning to the shoulder side of a road, the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side is not raised.   The vehicle light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the irradiation lamp on the center side is not raised when there is an oncoming vehicle and the turning of the vehicle is turning toward the shoulder of the road.   The vehicle light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein when there is no oncoming vehicle, the optical axes of the two irradiation lamps are raised.   The light irradiation system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the optical axes of the two irradiation lamps are adjusted based on a turning radius of the vehicle.   The vehicle light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has oncoming vehicle detection means for detecting the presence of the oncoming vehicle.   The vehicle light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the two irradiation lamps are headlamps that are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the vehicle and irradiate the front of the vehicle.   The light irradiation system according to claim 1, further comprising an auto leveling device.

Images