JP2008056056A - Vehicle headlight control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle headlight control system automatically lighting or switching off the main light of the vehicle headlight according to the intention of a user. <P>SOLUTION: When illumination at the periphery of the vehicle is lower than predetermined illumination and a vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined vehicle speed, a position of one's own vehicle detected by a position detector is previously registered in map data. It is determined whether or not the vehicle exists at "a place always required for lighting the main light of the headlight for the user" (step S270). Further, when it is determined that the one's own vehicle exists at a place corresponding to the place (step S270: yes), a control part is operated so that the main light of the headlight is not switched off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp control system that automatically turns on or off a headlamp main lamp according to the brightness around the vehicle, the vehicle speed, and the vehicle position.

  Even though the surroundings of the vehicle are dimmed, such as at dusk or rainy weather, the user forgets to turn on the lights (vehicle width lights and headlights) of the vehicle, and there are many vehicles that run without lights. In this case, the visibility of the user and the visibility from other vehicles and pedestrians are lacking, and there is a possibility of causing an accident.

  Therefore, there is a vehicle equipped with an auto light system that automatically turns on the vehicle width lamp and the headlamp when the brightness (illuminance) around the vehicle is less than a predetermined threshold. However, this auto light system does not operate unless the user performs a switch operation in advance (switch operation to the auto position). That is, it does not operate if the user forgets to perform the switch operation. Therefore, a technique for preventing such unlit travel due to the user's forgetting operation is disclosed in Patent Literature.

For example, in Patent Document 1, when the vehicle speed is detected and the vehicle speed is 1 km / h or more and the illuminance around the vehicle is below a predetermined threshold, whether or not the auto light system is being operated. However, a vehicle light lighting device that automatically turns on a headlight is disclosed.
JP 2000-313275 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a vehicle encounters a traffic jam in a tunnel and repeatedly starts and stops (so-called slow running), or when repeatedly stopping for parking in a parking lot, Depending on the vehicle speed, the headlight (headlight main lamp) is repeatedly turned on and off. This is inconvenient for the user when it is desired to secure the field of view in the tunnel or parking lot.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to automatically turn on or off the headlight of the vehicle according to the illuminance around the vehicle without any operation by the user. Therefore, when the illuminance around the vehicle is less than a predetermined value and the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the headlamp main light is turned on, and conversely, if it is less than the threshold value, it is turned off. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp control system that does not turn off the headlamp main lamp in a situation where the headlamp main lamp is always turned on.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the vehicle headlamp control system according to claim 1, a headlamp that illuminates the front of the vehicle, a drive circuit for turning on or off the headlamp, Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance around the vehicle, vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined illuminance, and at this time by the vehicle speed detection means If the detected vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed, the headlight is turned on in the drive circuit, and if the detected vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed, the headlight is directed to the drive circuit. A vehicle headlamp control system comprising a control means for turning off the lamp, wherein the current position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the headlight is always on for the user. Need A determination unit that determines whether or not the current position is at the location by comparing both the storage unit that stores the data of the location, the data stored in the storage unit, and the detected current position. And when the determination means determines that the current position is at the place, the control means is provided on the condition that the detected illuminance is less than the predetermined illuminance. Regardless of the detected vehicle speed, the driving circuit does not turn off the headlamp.

  In this way, even if the user does not operate in advance, the surroundings of the vehicle become a certain darkness, and if the vehicle speed at that time is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed, the headlamp is automatically turned on, and on the contrary If the vehicle speed is lower than the vehicle speed, the light is automatically turned off, so that the user forgets to perform the advance operation and the headlamp does not travel with no light, which increases safety. The predetermined illuminance here is illuminance that is felt to be dim for humans, and is specifically about several tens to several hundred lux. The predetermined vehicle speed here is a speed that can be said to be sufficiently low, for example, about zero to several kilometers per hour.

  In addition to the above, even if the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed at which the headlight should be automatically turned off, the vehicle is located in a place where the headlight must always be lit for the user. Since the headlamp is not automatically turned off when it is present, the field of view is ensured accurately in the driving operation of the user, the user can pay attention to other vehicles and pedestrians, and safety is improved.

  Next, according to the vehicle headlamp control system according to claim 2, the auxiliary lamp for informing other vehicles and pedestrians existing around the vehicle of the position of the vehicle and the front of the vehicle are illuminated. A headlight, a drive circuit for turning on or off each of the auxiliary light and the headlight, illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance around the vehicle, vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle, When the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined illuminance, the auxiliary light is turned on in the drive circuit, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means at this time is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed. And a control means for causing the drive circuit to turn on the headlamp and, if the detected vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined vehicle speed, to cause the drive circuit to turn off the headlamp. Vehicle headlamp system A storage means for storing data of a current position detection means for detecting a current position of the vehicle, a place where the headlight is always required to be lit for a user, and the storage means Determining means for comparing whether the current position is at the place by comparing both the data stored in the data and the detected current position, and the control means comprises the determination means If it is determined that the current position is at the location, the driving circuit is connected to the headlight regardless of the detected vehicle speed on the condition that the detected illuminance is less than the predetermined illuminance. The light is not turned off.

  In this way, even if the user does not perform a prior operation, when the surroundings of the vehicle become a certain darkness, the auxiliary light is automatically turned on first. The position of the can be accurately informed, and safety is increased.

  Further, according to the vehicle headlamp control system according to claim 3, in the vehicle headlamp control system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, the braking device for applying a braking force to the vehicle is in an operating state. Braking state detecting means for detecting the illuminance, and when the determining means determines that the current position is not in the place, the detected illuminance is less than the predetermined illuminance and When the detected vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed, the driving circuit turns off the headlamp, and at this time, the braking state detecting means indicates that the braking device of the vehicle has transitioned from the operating state to the non-operating state. When the detection is detected, the control means causes the drive circuit to light the headlamp.

  In this way, if the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed, the vehicle has decelerated the vehicle by operating the brake device (braking operation) in a place where the headlamp automatically turns off. When the user turns off the braking device (accelerating the brake operation) in order to accelerate the vehicle again after the lighting automatically turns off, the headlight is turned on immediately, and the user can see the area around the user. Because it is ensured, safety is improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle navigation device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle headlamp control system 10 applied to a vehicle-mounted navigation device. The vehicle headlamp control system 10 includes an in-vehicle navigation device 20 and a vehicle headlamp device 30 connected by an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network). Each configuration will be described below.

  The vehicle-mounted navigation device 20 reads a position detector 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, an illuminance sensor 22 that detects the brightness around the vehicle, a hard disk that stores map data, and the data stored in the hard disk. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device 23 that is a storage means integrated with a data input device, an operation switch group 24 that receives an instruction from the user, a communication device 25 for communicating with the outside, and information displayed by the user A display unit 26 for providing, a voice input / output device 27 including a microphone, a speaker, a voice recognition device and the like (all not shown), a brake sensor 28 for detecting an operating state of a vehicle braking device, and an in-vehicle LAN. Vehicle interface unit (vehicle I / F unit) 1 for transmitting instructions to the vehicle headlamp device 30 via A controller 29 for controlling these components is connected to 0a and configured.

  The position detector 21 detects the speed and acceleration of the vehicle in order to calculate the travel distance of the vehicle, detects the distance sensor 21a input to the control unit 29, detects the magnitude of the rotational motion applied to the vehicle, and controls it. A gyroscope 21 b that inputs to the unit 29, and a GPS receiver 21 c that receives radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) artificial satellite and inputs the received signals to the control unit 29. Based on the input signals from these elements, the control unit 29 calculates the current position and direction of the vehicle.

  The illuminance sensor 22 detects the illuminance around the vehicle and inputs it to the control unit 29.

  The map data stored in the HDD device 23 is node data, link data, road data, facility data, etc. constituting the map, and these are input to the control unit 29. Then, the control unit 29 compares the map data with the current vehicle position calculated based on the input signal from the position detector 21 to identify where the vehicle is present. As will be described later, this map data includes data of locations where it is necessary for the user to always have the headlamp main light on.

  In addition to the above map data, the HDD device 23 stores illuminance threshold data and vehicle speed threshold data for automatically controlling the vehicle headlamp device 30, and these data are stored as necessary. Input to the control unit 29.

  The operation switch group 24 includes mechanical key switches provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle, receives various operation commands from the user, and inputs the received commands to the control unit 29 as signals. . The operation switch group 24 may be a touch switch integrated with the display unit 26. The operation switch group 24 may be provided in a remote control terminal (not shown), and an instruction may be received by receiving a radio wave from the terminal by a sensor (not shown).

  The communication device 25 receives the radio wave transmitted from the radio broadcasting station or the artificial satellite for radio broadcasting, thereby acquiring weather information and the like and inputting the weather information to the control unit 29 as a signal.

  The display unit 26 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like, and can provide various displays to the user. For example, a symbol mark indicating the current location of the vehicle specified from the current location of the vehicle calculated by the control unit 29 by the input from the position detector 21 and the map data input from the HDD device 23 to the control unit 29, and the purpose from the current location The guidance route to the ground can be displayed in layers.

  The voice input / output device 27 outputs the voice for facility guidance and various notifications of the map data from the speaker, and the voice input from the microphone by the user is recognized by the voice recognition device, converted into an electric signal, and controlled. Input to the unit 29. Thus, the user can operate the system by inputting sound from the microphone.

  The brake sensor 28 detects the state of the braking device (brake) of the vehicle operated by the user, and inputs this to the control unit 29 as a signal. Here, the braking device includes a foot brake, a parking brake, a side brake, and the like. The brake sensor 28 detects a transition from the operating state (the state where the brake is operating) to the non-operating state (the state where the brake is not operating), and inputs the signal to the control unit 29 as a signal. .

  The vehicle I / F unit 10a serves as a window for the control unit 29 to transmit a lighting instruction and an extinguishing instruction to the vehicle headlamp device 30. The vehicle I / F unit 10a receives the instruction signal from the control unit 29 as an in-vehicle LAN. Is transmitted to the vehicle headlamp device 30 via the. The transmitted signal is delivered to the vehicle headlamp device 30 using the vehicle I / F unit 10b on the vehicle headlamp device 30 side as a window.

  The control unit 29 is configured mainly by a microcomputer in which a memory such as a peripheral ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) is connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) by a bus line. . And various processes are performed based on the input signal from the various component elements mentioned above and the program memorize | stored in ROM or RAM.

  The vehicle headlamp device 30 includes an auxiliary lamp 31 for notifying other vehicles and pedestrians of the position of the vehicle, a headlamp 32 for illuminating the front of the vehicle and ensuring the driver's (user) view, A vehicle I / F unit 10b for receiving an instruction from the control unit 29 of the navigation device 20 sent via the LAN is connected to a drive circuit 33 for turning on or off the vehicle light.

  The auxiliary lights 31 are so-called position lights, and are arranged in the front part and the rear part of the vehicle with a plurality of centers in the vehicle width direction as symmetric references, and even when the surroundings are dark, Has a role to appeal to pedestrians.

  The headlamp main lamps 32 are so-called headlights, and a plurality of headlamps 32 are arranged in the front part of the vehicle with the center in the vehicle width direction as a symmetric reference in the same manner as the auxiliary lamps 31 and have a role of improving user visibility.

  The drive circuit 33 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and includes a relay for setting a circuit for driving the auxiliary lamp 31 and the headlamp main lamp 32 to an energized state or a cut-off state, a relay operating circuit for operating the relay, etc. (Not shown). And according to the instruction | indication from the control part 29 sent from vehicle-mounted LAN via the vehicle I / F part 10b, the said relay operation circuit is driven and a relay is switched and the headlamp main lamp 32 and the auxiliary lamp 31 are lighted. Or turn it off. Of course, this drive circuit 33 is also connected to a vehicle battery and a drive switch (light switch) (not shown), and when the drive switch is operated by the user, these lights (auxiliary lamp 31 and headlamp main lamp 32). ) Works to turn on or off.

[Description of operation]
Hereinafter, each operation example of the control unit 29 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the diagrams and flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The outline of the present embodiment is based on the premise that the illuminance around the vehicle is less than the predetermined illuminance, and if the vehicle speed at that time is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed, the headlight main lamp 32 is automatically turned on. When the control unit 29 is operated so as to be automatically turned off if there is a vehicle in a place where it is necessary for the user to always turn on the headlamp main lamp 32, the headlamp That is, the controller 29 is operated so that the lamp 32 is not automatically turned off. Hereinafter, the specific operation of the control unit 29 in the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The operation start (step S200) of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is performed when the vehicle drive source (for example, the engine) is started by the user or when the accessory is turned on (the engine does not start, but the vehicle electrical device (audio device, navigation device) , Meter instrument, etc.) is operably powered.

  On the other hand, although not shown in the figure, the end of the operation of this flowchart is when the user stops the driving source of the vehicle or when the accessory is turned off. When the user performs an operation for ending the operation as described above, the operation of the flowchart is stopped at that time, and in particular, a prior manual instruction from the user (an operation to turn on a light switch (not shown) manually). Unless otherwise, the lit vehicle lamps (auxiliary lamp 31 and headlamp main lamp 32) are extinguished and the operation ends.

  Now, upon the start of the operation, the control unit 29 acquires the illuminance around the vehicle detected by the illuminance sensor 22 (step S210).

  Subsequent step S220 is a step of determining whether or not the acquired illuminance around the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined illuminance. Here, the control unit 29 acquires illuminance data that is a standard stored in the HDD device 23 and compares it with the illuminance around the vehicle. When the illuminance around the vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined illuminance (step S220: yes), it is not necessary to secure the visibility with the light, so the process proceeds to step S221, and the auxiliary light is supplied to the vehicle headlamp device 30. 31 and the headlamp main lamp 32 are instructed to be turned off, and the process returns to step S210. And the said instruction | indication is sent to the drive circuit 33 via the vehicle I / F part 10a and vehicle-mounted LAN.

  In response to this instruction, on the vehicle headlamp device 30 side, the drive circuit 33 switches the relay, and if the auxiliary lamp 31 and the headlamp main lamp 32 are lit, both of them are turned off and vice versa. If so, the light is kept off.

  On the other hand, when the illuminance around the vehicle is less than the prescribed illuminance in step S220 (step S220: no), first, the control unit 29 is configured to notify the other vehicle or pedestrian of the presence of the own vehicle. The headlamp device 30 is instructed to turn on the auxiliary lamp 31, and the process proceeds to step S230. In response to this instruction, the vehicle headlamp device 30 turns on the auxiliary lamp 31. The prescribed illuminance here refers to illuminance that feels dim for humans, and can be several tens to several hundred lux.

  In step S240, the control unit 29 acquires the vehicle speed (actual vehicle speed) detected by the position detector 21.

  The subsequent step S250 is a step of determining whether or not the acquired vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed.

  Then, the control unit 29 obtains the vehicle speed data stored in the HDD device 23 as the regulation and compares it with the actual vehicle speed. When the actual vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the prescribed vehicle speed (step S250: yes), not only appealing to other vehicles and pedestrians by the auxiliary light 31 but also ensuring of visibility in the user's own driving (heading) It is determined that lighting of the lamp main lamp 32 is also necessary, and the process proceeds to step S251.

  In step S251, the control unit 29 instructs the vehicle headlamp device 30 to turn on the headlamp main lamp 32, and the process returns to step S210. In response to this instruction, the vehicle headlamp apparatus 30 turns on or maintains the headlamp main lamp 32 in addition to the auxiliary lamp 31 that has already been turned on.

  On the other hand, in step S250, when the actual vehicle speed is less than the prescribed vehicle speed (step S250: no), the operation of the control unit 29 proceeds to step S260 to acquire the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 21. To do.

  In the subsequent step S270, the acquired current position of the vehicle is compared with the map data stored in the HDD device 23, so that the user can always go to a place where the headlamp main lamp 32 is always required to be lit. Determine if a car exists.

  It should be noted that the prescribed vehicle speed (first prescribed vehicle speed) that is a criterion for determining that step S250 is “yes” and the prescribed vehicle speed (second prescribed vehicle speed) that is the criterion for determining that step S250 is “no” are as follows. It does not necessarily need to match. For example, the second specified vehicle speed may be lower than or equal to the first specified vehicle speed, and conversely, the second specified vehicle speed may be higher. Any of the above-mentioned prescribed vehicle speeds is a very low vehicle speed, and is preferably about zero to several kilometers per hour.

  Here, the place where the headlight main light 32 is always required for the user is, specifically, an interchange or service provided in a parking lot, tunnel, mountain road, highway, etc. In the area, etc. For this reason, in the parking lot, the user always needs attention for driving operation even if the user is traveling at a low speed for parking. In addition, even in a tunnel, even if the traffic is congested and the start and stop are repeated, the user needs to secure a field of view for safety. In mountainous roads, it is also important to ensure visibility at all times from the viewpoint of safety. Furthermore, it is necessary to secure the user's field of view for parking and safety of the vehicle even at the service area and interchange.

  That is, in step S270, if it is determined that the vehicle is present in a place where the headlight main light 32 is always required for the user as shown above (step S270: yes), the control is performed. The unit 29 proceeds to step S271 for safety, instructs the vehicle headlamp device 30 to turn on the headlamp main lamp 32, and then returns to step S210.

  In response to this instruction, on the vehicle headlamp device 30 side, the drive circuit 33 switches the relay, and if the headlamp main lamp 32 is turned off, these are turned on, and if it is turned on, the lighting state is maintained. To do.

  In this way, even if the user does not perform any special operation, in order to automatically turn on or turn off the auxiliary lamp 31 and the headlamp main lamp 32 according to the ambient brightness, a threshold is set for the vehicle speed and controlled. In such a case, as described above, in a place where the user always needs to turn on the headlamp (under circumstances), the headlamp main lamp 32 can be turned on regardless of the vehicle speed, thereby ensuring visibility.

  On the other hand, places that do not correspond to the above place are the vicinity of intersections and the vicinity of crossings.

  For this reason, for example, when the vehicle is about to stop or stop near an intersection or a railroad crossing, the headlamp 32 of the vehicle is lit for a pedestrian or other surrounding vehicle. This is because it is dazzling and it is difficult to know exactly where the vehicle is. In such a situation, it is important for the user to pay attention to the surroundings, but since it is also necessary for safety that pedestrians and other vehicles can easily recognize the vehicle, the headlamp 32 is turned off. However, it is desirable that only the auxiliary lamp 31 is lit.

  In other words, the vehicle is present in a place that does not always correspond to the place where the headlight main light 32 is required to be lit for the user, as shown above (near an intersection or a crossing) in step S270. If it is determined (step S270: no), the control unit 29 proceeds to step S280 for safety, and instructs the vehicle headlamp device 30 to turn off the headlamp main lamp 32. The process returns to step S210.

  Upon receiving this instruction, on the vehicle headlamp device 30 side, the drive circuit 33 switches the relay, and if the headlamp main lamp 32 is lit, these are turned off, and conversely, if the lamp is turned off, the extinguished state is maintained. To do.

  If it does in this way, the exact position of the own vehicle can be accurately appealed to the pedestrian and other vehicles (without making the driver feel dazzling) by the auxiliary light 31, and the safety for the own vehicle is improved. In addition, energy consumption due to lighting the headlamp main lamp 32 can be reduced.

  However, when the signal at the intersection waiting for the signal is changed and the passing train is overtaken before the crossing, the user performs a driving operation again and tries to move the vehicle. Here, if the headlight main light 32 is not turned on unless the vehicle speed exceeds the prescribed speed, there is a possibility that the user's risk prediction for a pedestrian or another vehicle is delayed.

  Therefore, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the brake device (brake) is operated in front of an intersection or a crossing to decelerate the vehicle, whereby the headlamp main light 32 is turned off and the vehicle is stopped (or the above-mentioned) If the user deactivates the brake device (brake) in order to move (or accelerate) the vehicle again after that, it will remain below the specified vehicle speed). It is preferable that the transition to the non-operating state is detected by the brake sensor 28 and the control unit 29 immediately turns on the headlamp main lamp 32.

  In this way, the user can pay attention to the surroundings without burden.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is detected that the surrounding area of the vehicle has become a certain darkness, and first, the auxiliary lamp 31 is automatically turned on. Therefore, it is possible to accurately inform the position of the vehicle, and safety is increased.

  At the same time, if the vehicle speed at that time is equal to or higher than the specified vehicle speed (first specified vehicle speed), the headlight main light 32 is automatically turned on. Conversely, if the vehicle speed is less than the specified vehicle speed (second specified vehicle speed), automatic operation is performed. Since the light is turned off, it is not necessary for the user to perform a special operation in advance. If the user forgets to perform the operation, the headlight main light 32 does not travel without lighting, and safety is improved.

  Further, even if the vehicle speed is lower than the prescribed vehicle speed at that time, if the vehicle is present in a place where the headlight main light 32 is always required to be lit for the user, Since the lamp main light 32 is turned on or maintained without being automatically turned off, the field of view is ensured accurately in the driving operation of the user, and the user can pay attention to other vehicles and pedestrians. Increases nature.

  On the contrary, when the vehicle exists in a place where it is not always necessary for the user to turn on the headlight main light 32, the user operates the brake and the vehicle speed becomes less than the prescribed vehicle speed. Even if the headlight main light 32 is automatically turned off, if the brake is released for acceleration, the headlight main light 32 is immediately turned on when the brake is released. Is secured and safety is increased.

  In the first embodiment, the place where it is necessary for the user to always turn on the headlamp 32 is determined in advance on the map data in the HDD device 23 and is detected by the position detector 21. When the control unit 29 determines that the vehicle position exists at the corresponding location on the map data, the headlight main lamp 32 is automatically assumed on the assumption that the brightness around the vehicle is below a predetermined level. Lit or kept lit.

  However, the user himself / herself may be allowed to set the place where the headlight main light 32 needs to be always lit and the place where the headlight main light 32 is not necessary using the operation switch group 24. For example, when the display unit 26 is a touch panel type, the user may be able to set from a setting screen as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting screen of the display unit 26 (operating switch group 24 integrated with the display unit 26) for the user himself / herself to set a place where the headlamp main light 32 is always required to be lit. It is.

  Here, for example, considering that the user should always have the headlight main lamp 32 lit on a dark mountain road, in the “Mountain Road” item 300, the “Don't turn off” selection button 310 is selected, and the Enter button 320 is pressed. When selected, if the surrounding illuminance is less than a predetermined value and the vehicle position is on a mountain road, the headlamp main lamp 32 is automatically turned on or maintained regardless of the vehicle speed.

  On the other hand, for example, since it is felt dazzling for other vehicles and pedestrians that the user always lights the headlight main light 32 on a general road, the headlight main light 32 is very slow (including a stop state). It is natural to think that it is better to turn off the lights. Therefore, when the user selects the “turn off” selection button 340 in the “all on general road” item 330 and selects the determination button 320, the surrounding illuminance is less than a predetermined value and there is a vehicle on the general road. The headlamp 32 is automatically turned off when the vehicle speed falls below a prescribed speed (for example, 3 km / h). Information indicating that the road is a mountain road or a general road is registered in advance in the map data and stored in the HDD device 23.

  Next, a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 29 related to the above will be described with reference to FIG. 4 is a portion corresponding to the broken-line enclosure A in the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the operation of the control unit 29 according to the second embodiment is obtained by replacing the broken line enclosing portion A of the operation flow according to the first embodiment with the broken line enclosing portion B of the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, the description about the same part as Example 1 is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the control unit 29 that has acquired the current position in step S260 proceeds to step S400, compares the map data with the current position, and the vehicle is located at any location on the map data (for example, in a tunnel or a mountain road). To identify.

  Next, in step S410, it is determined whether or not the user has set the headlamp 32 so as not to be turned off at the specified location even if the speed is lower than the prescribed speed. If it is set not to be turned off (step S410: yes), the process proceeds to step S411, an instruction to turn on the headlamp main lamp 32 is transmitted to the vehicle headlamp device 30, and the process returns to step S210.

  Conversely, when it is set to be turned off (step S410: no), the process proceeds to step S411, an instruction to turn off the headlamp main lamp 32 is transmitted to the vehicle headlamp device 30, and the process returns to step S210. This is the operation of the control unit 29 according to the second embodiment. As described above, even if the user can set a place where the headlight main light 32 always needs to be lit for the user, the user can be effectively supported.

[Other Examples]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can take various forms. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, detecting that the illuminance around the vehicle is less than a predetermined value by the illuminance sensor 22 is a premise for starting the operation of lighting control based on the vehicle speed of the headlamp main lamp 32. However, instead of detecting the illuminance by the illuminance sensor 22, the following may be performed. That is, first, by receiving a radio broadcast by the communication device 25, information on sunrise and sunset times is acquired. Further, a well-known internal clock is built in the in-vehicle navigation device 20, and the current time is acquired by the internal clock. Then, triggered by the fact that the current time and the acquired sunrise and sunset times are within a predetermined time range, the above-described control operation for automatically turning on or turning off the headlight main light 32 according to the vehicle speed may be performed. Good.

  In the first embodiment, the switch for manually turning on the headlamp main lamp 32 is remembered that the user forgot to turn on the headlamp while the vehicle headlamp control system 10 is operating. When an operation (manual operation of a light switch (not shown)) is performed, the operation may be stopped and the user's manual operation may be prioritized.

  In the second embodiment, the vehicle speed (for example, 3 km / h) that is a reference for turning on or off the headlamp main lamp 32 is defined in advance. The user can change the vehicle speed by the operation switch group 24. It is also possible to make it. This is effective in the following cases.

  For example, when the user selects the “turn off” selection button 340 in the “all on general road” item 330 and selects the “decision” button 320, the headlamp is used when the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value on the general road. It is assumed that the main light 32 is set to automatically turn off. At this time, if the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam and starts and stops repeatedly, the headlamp 32 is turned on or off when the prescribed speed is fixed in advance. Regardless of the intention, it may be turned on and off repeatedly to make it bothersome. Therefore, as described above, if the user can change the specified speed with the operation switch group 24 (for example, if the user automatically turns on or off at the boundary of 3 kilometers per hour), the above-mentioned troublesomeness is felt. It will not let you. However, when the user can set a standard vehicle speed that is a reference for automatically turning on or off the headlamp main light 32 in this way, from the viewpoint of safety, an upper limit ( For example, it is necessary to provide a maximum of 5 kilometers per hour).

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle headlamp control system 20 ... Car-mounted navigation apparatus 30 ... Vehicle headlamp apparatus 21 ... Position detector 22 ... Illuminance sensor 23 ... HDD apparatus 24 ... Operation switch group 26... Display unit 31... Auxiliary light 32.

Claims (3)

A headlamp that illuminates the front of the vehicle;
A drive circuit for turning on or off the headlamp;
Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance around the vehicle;
Vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle;
If the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined illuminance and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means at this time is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed, the driving circuit is caused to light the headlamp, and A control means for turning off the headlamp for the drive circuit if the detected vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed;
A vehicle headlamp control system comprising:
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Storage means for storing data of a place where it is necessary for the user to always turn on the headlamp;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the current position is in the place by comparing both the data stored in the storage unit and the detected current position;
Comprising
When the determination means determines that the current position is at the place, the control means is irrelevant to the detected vehicle speed on the condition that the detected illuminance is less than the predetermined illuminance. , Do not turn off the headlamp in the drive circuit,
A vehicle headlamp control system characterized by. An auxiliary light for notifying other vehicles and pedestrians existing around the vehicle of the position of the vehicle;
A headlamp that illuminates the front of the vehicle;
A drive circuit for turning on or off each of the auxiliary lamp and the headlamp;
Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance around the vehicle;
Vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle;
When the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than a predetermined illuminance, the auxiliary light is turned on in the drive circuit, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means at this time is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed. Control means for turning on the headlamp in the drive circuit, and for turning off the headlamp for the drive circuit if the detected vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined vehicle speed;
A vehicle headlamp control system comprising:
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Storage means for storing data of a place where it is necessary for the user to always turn on the headlamp;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the current position is in the place by comparing both the data stored in the storage unit and the detected current position;
Comprising
When the determination means determines that the current position is at the place, the control means is irrelevant to the detected vehicle speed on the condition that the detected illuminance is less than the predetermined illuminance. , Do not turn off the headlamp in the drive circuit,
A vehicle headlamp control system characterized by. In the vehicle headlamp control system according to any one of claims 1 to 2,
Furthermore, the braking device for applying a braking force to the vehicle includes a braking state detecting means for detecting the operating state,
When the determination means determines that the current position is not in the place, the control means has the detected illuminance less than the predetermined illuminance and the detected vehicle speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed. In some cases, the driving circuit turns off the headlamp, and when the braking state detection means detects that the braking device of the vehicle has transitioned from the operating state to the non-operating state,
The control means turns on the headlamp in the drive circuit;
A vehicle headlamp control system characterized by.

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