JP2008155797A - Light distribution control device for on-vehicle headlight and on-vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light distribution control device for an on-vehicle headlight, which prevents a target position signal for vertically driving an optical axis from dazzling other vehicles even when ground fault or short-circuit to a power supply occurs. <P>SOLUTION: The light distribution control device is provided with an upper/lower actuator 5 for stopping control operation of the optical axis when the target position signal for vertically driving the optical axis of the headlight 1 becomes abnormal. When a right/left actuator 3 for driving the optical axis of the headlight 1 in the right and left directions becomes abnormal and when the target position signal for vertically driving the optical axis has abnormal DC voltage caused by ground fault, short-circuit to the power supply or the like, the light distribution control device makes control to lower the optical axis by outputting a second target position signal with respect to the upper/lower actuator 5 instead of the abnormal target position signal or to reduce light output of the headlight 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an abnormal operation of a light distribution control device for an on-vehicle headlamp.

  In recent years, activities to improve safety in the car industry have become more active. In the field of in-vehicle headlamps, attempts have been made to further improve nighttime safety. Therefore, in order to improve nighttime visibility, vehicles equipped with a vehicle front lighting system that drives light distribution vertically and horizontally based on vehicle information, vehicle exterior environment information, and the like are commercially available. The current mainstream is one that drives the light distribution left and right in conjunction with the steering angle and vehicle speed information, and the other that drives the light distribution up and down in conjunction with the vehicle's front / rear tilt and vehicle speed.

  The system that only drives the light distribution up and down in conjunction with the vehicle's front / rear tilt is installed in many vehicles than before, and the low-function one is driven up and down by the driver with a hand switch. The target position (analog output value by DC voltage and variable resistance) is determined, and the actuator receives the voltage (apparatus in which the DC brush motor, optical axis state detection unit and control unit are housed in one case) in the vicinity of the lamp. The one that controls the light distribution, the one with high functionality detects the vehicle tilt and the vehicle speed with the vehicle height sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, determines the target position according to them, and automatically controls the light distribution (motor DC brush motor) (Patent No. 2531549, Patent No. 3784635, etc.).

  FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of a low-function light distribution control device. As described above, the target position is determined by the hand switch 4, and is transmitted to the actuators 5 and 5 'in the vicinity of the left and right vehicle lamps. In addition, power is supplied from the battery 6 to the left and right actuators 5, 5 ′ and the hand switch 4. As described above, the hand switch 4 divides and outputs the battery voltage by a variable resistor or a slide switch.

  An internal block diagram of the actuator 5 is shown in FIG. The control unit 53 receives the voltage from the battery 6 and the target position signal (analog value), and the DC brush motor 51 is driven by the drive unit 54. By driving the slide rod 55 of FIG. 17 by the DC brush motor 51, the light distribution is driven up and down as shown in FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b). In the figure, 11 is a lamp frame, 12 is a support point, and 13 is a convex lens. When the slide bar 55 is driven back and forth, the optical axis of the lamp moves up and down around the support point 12. Further, the slide amount of the slide bar 55 (corresponding to the vertical angle of light distribution) is detected by the light distribution variable state detection unit 52, and the DC brush motor 51 is controlled by the control unit 53 so as to be equal to the target position signal. Feedback control.

  Next, FIG. 19 shows an example of a highly functional light distribution control device. The control ECU 8 receives signals from vehicle height sensors 9, 9 'provided on the front and rear wheels of the vehicle (the vehicle height sensor may be attached to only one of the front and rear wheels), and the vehicle tilts. And an analog signal value is output to the actuators 5 and 5 ′ (similar to FIG. 17). In this case, since the motor 51 is a DC brush motor, the number of times it can be driven is limited (the life is short compared to a stepping motor or the like). Therefore, if the motor is driven by road surface undulation or subtle vibration during traveling, the vehicle The life of the DC brush motor becomes shorter than the life of For this reason, the control which restricts the drive of a motor according to the change width of a vehicle speed or a vehicle inclination is performed. For example, control is performed such that the engine is driven only once when the vehicle is stopped from ON, is controlled only when the vehicle speed is constant during operation, and is not controlled while the change in vehicle tilt is small. The control example of FIG. 20 will be described. At the timing of (a), control is once performed according to the inclination of the vehicle when the ignition switch IGN is turned on, but at the timing of (b), since the control is once performed while the vehicle is stopped from the ON of the ignition switch IGN, Even if the vehicle tilt changes, no drive signal is output. At the timing (c), the vehicle inclination changes while the vehicle is not stopped due to the change in the vehicle speed, but the control signal is not output because the vehicle speed is not stable. At the timing (d), the vehicle inclination changes in a vehicle speed stable state, but the control signal is not output because the vehicle inclination is unstable. At the timing (e), a control signal is output when the vehicle tilt and the vehicle speed are stabilized during traveling.

  Further, when there is no need to drive, control is performed to stop the operation without outputting the target position signal. Specifically, the control unit 53 stops its operation when the target position signal deviates from a predetermined threshold range. For example, when the target position signal deviates from the range of 15% to 85% of the power supply voltage, the operation is stopped.

  Changing the motor 51 to a stepping motor or a DC brushless motor can prevent the problem of shortening the life of the motor relative to the life of the vehicle, but increases the cost and complexity of the control. Because of the noise problem, the actuator 5 often uses a DC brush motor.

  Further, when the signal at the target position is grounded to ground or short-circuited to the power source (hereinafter referred to as a power fault), the control unit 53 in the actuator 5 operates the voltage value of the target position signal. Since it was out of the range, the driving of the DC brush motor 51 was stopped.

An IC in which the control unit 53 having the function of performing the feedback control and stopping the driving of the DC brush motor 51 in the case of abnormality and the driving unit 54 of the DC brush motor 51 are integrated is also widely used. The configuration is very advantageous.
Japanese Patent No. 2531549 Japanese Patent No. 3786635

  However, as described above, vehicles that can drive the light distribution not only up and down but also to the left and right are commercially available, and the degree of freedom to drive the light distribution will continue to increase in the future. For this reason, when the target position signal has a ground fault or a power fault as in the prior art, if the operation is stopped on the spot, the other vehicle is dazzled and an unsafe state may occur.

  As an example, it is conceivable that the light distribution is swung to the right when turning right, and the motor that drives the light distribution left and right at that position fails. In this case, since the light distribution is fixed while being swung to the right, the light is directed toward the oncoming vehicle when traveling straight, and the oncoming vehicle is dazzled. If the above-mentioned actuator for driving up and down is normal, it is possible to prevent dazzling oncoming vehicles by turning the light distribution downward, but at the same time the target position signal will cause a ground fault or a power fault. If it wakes up, it will not be possible to lower the light distribution, and it will cause illusion to the oncoming vehicle. Further, once a ground ground fault or a power fault occurs, it is impossible to lower the light distribution due to the structure of the conventional actuator no matter what signal is given from the hand switch or the control ECU.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and even when the target position signal causes a ground fault or a power supply to the power source, it is possible to prevent dazzling other vehicles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting light distribution control device.

  According to invention of Claim 1, in order to solve said subject, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the lighting device 2 which lights the headlamp 1, and the optical axis of the headlamp 1 are made into the left-right direction. The first actuator 3 composed of the first motor 31 and the first control unit 32, and the light that outputs a DC voltage corresponding to the optical axis target angle in the vertical direction of the headlamp 1 at all times or for a predetermined time. An axis target angle setting unit 4 and a second actuator 5 that receives the DC voltage and drives the optical axis in the vertical direction. The second actuator 5 includes a second motor 51 and an optical axis angle or From the optical axis state detection unit 52 that detects a value corresponding thereto, the second voltage control unit 53 that compares the DC voltage value with the optical axis angle or a value corresponding thereto, and feedback-drives the second motor 51. Configured, and the second control unit 53 includes the DC power supply. In the light distribution control device that performs control to stop the feedback control in the case of an abnormality in the vehicle, when the abnormality in the left-right optical axis in front of the vehicle is detected and the abnormality in the DC voltage is detected, the second actuator 5 A third control unit 21 that outputs a DC voltage that is the second optical axis target angle or that gives a signal for reducing the output to the lighting device 2 is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the target position signal causes a ground ground fault or a power supply to the power source, the target position signal causing the ground fault or the power fault is disconnected, and the second target position signal is given to the actuator. By providing the third control unit to be obtained, it is possible to reduce the light distribution even when the target position signal is abnormal, and to prevent dazzling other vehicles. In addition to providing the second target position signal, the third control unit is provided with a function of sending a signal for reducing the power to the headlamp lighting device, thereby reducing the light distribution as well as the headlamp. It is also possible to reduce the amount of luminous flux, and to prevent the other vehicle from being dazzled.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a light distribution control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Moreover, the structure which mounted this light distribution control apparatus in the vehicle is shown in FIG. The change from the conventional low-function system (FIG. 16) is that the target position signal is set by the hand switch 4, and the headlamp lighting devices 2, 2 ′ are in the middle of giving the signal to the upper and lower actuators 5, 5 ′. And an abnormality detection signal, which is a signal indicating that the optical axis is stopped in an abnormal state, from the left and right actuators 3 and 3 ′ for swinging the optical axis to the left and right, is input to the headlamp lighting devices 2 and 2 ′. It is a point. In the following description, the configurations of the actuators 3 and 5 on the left side of the vehicle and the headlamp lighting device 2 will be described. However, the actuators 3 ′ and 5 ′ and the headlamp lighting device 2 ′ on the right side of the vehicle have the same configuration. .

  As in the conventional example (FIG. 17), the vertical actuator 5 includes a DC brush motor 51, a light distribution variable state detection unit 52, a control unit 53, a drive unit 54, and a slide bar 55 that are integrated. The left / right actuator 3 includes a stepping motor 31, a stepping motor control unit 32, and a position sensor 33. The stepping motor control unit 32 acquires the vehicle running state and vehicle exterior environment information through communication, and drives the stepping motor 31 accordingly to drive the optical axis. The stepping motor control unit 32 detects the driving state of the optical axis by the position sensor 33 simultaneously with the driving, and compares the optical axis state and the driving state of the optical axis detected by the position sensor 33 by driving the stepping motor 31. If they are not the same, it is judged as abnormal and a swivel abnormal signal is transmitted to the headlamp lighting device 2. With the above system, when the swivel becomes abnormal and an abnormality such as a ground fault, a power fault, or an open failure occurs in the target position signal, the second target position signal (analog value) is sent to the control unit 53 in the upper and lower actuators 5. The headlamp lighting device 2 has a function given to the headlamp.

  Since the headlamp lighting device 2 controls the headlamp 1, the headlamp lighting device 2 exists in the vicinity of the left and right lamp bodies, and the distance from the actuators 3 and 5 is short. Moreover, although mentioned later for details, the microcomputer (MPU) 21 is used for the headlamp lighting device 2, and since the microcomputer 21 performs headlamp control which is complicated control, it is used for headlamps. Compared to other microcomputers provided, it is highly functional. Therefore, when the microcomputer 21 receives the swivel abnormality signal and the target position signal to the upper and lower actuators 5 and detects that an abnormality has occurred in both, the first target position signal is cut off and the second It is possible to add a function of giving a target position signal to the vertical actuator 5. As a result, the conventional widely used vertical actuator (FIG. 17) can be utilized without change, and the control microcomputer 21 of the headlamp lighting device 2 can be used in combination with the function of outputting the second target position signal. It is possible to realize the abnormal time control function with minimal cost increase.

  A block diagram of the headlamp lighting device 2 for realizing this is shown in FIG. In general, the headlamp lighting device 2 has a DC / DC converter 23 for raising and lowering the power supply voltage (battery voltage) to a voltage required by the lamp 1 and a DC voltage of its output in order to stably light the headlamp 1. Is converted to a rectangular wave, a microcomputer 21 for controlling the DC / DC converter 23 and the low-frequency inverter 24, and a control power source 22 therefor. In addition, an igniter 10 for generating a voltage of several tens of kV necessary for starting the lamp 1 is attached.

  The microcomputer 21 which is one of the components of the headlamp lighting device 2 is used to realize the above abnormal control (ground ground fault, sky fault, open) control. In this method, the target position signal is periodically read by the A / D conversion input of the microcomputer 21, and when the value is grounded, the value is almost 0V, and when the power is grounded, it is almost equal to the power supply voltage. A ground fault and a power fault are detected by determining whether each is below a predetermined threshold or higher. Even if the target position signal line is disconnected by pulling down the target position signal line to the ground (or pulling up to the power supply) with a large resistance (eg 100 kΩ) in the headlamp lighting device 2 (For example, if the ground fault is determined to be 0.5 V or less, it is determined to be a ground fault. If the power fault is equal to or higher than the battery voltage × 90% voltage value, it is determined to be a ground fault.) . In order to make this determination, the voltage value set by the hand switch 4 is set in a range that does not become the value of the abnormality determination when it is normal.

  If the target position signal is determined to be abnormal under the above conditions, the target position signal is disconnected by the switch SW1 (the switch SW1 can be easily realized by using a relay or a photocoupler), and the D / A conversion output from the microcomputer 21 A second target position signal is output and output to the vertical actuator 5 (in the case of a microcomputer without a D / A conversion output, an analog voltage may be generated by an external circuit).

  FIG. 3 shows a flow example of the microcomputer that realizes the above control. In step # 1, the target position signal is A / D converted and read. In step # 2, the ground fault of the target position signal is determined. In step # 3, the power supply fault of the target position signal is determined. If it is determined that there is a ground fault or a power supply fault, the process proceeds to step # 4 to determine the presence / absence of a swivel abnormal signal. If the swivel abnormality signal is detected, the switch SW1 is disconnected at step # 5, and the second target position signal is output at step # 6.

  The above control can be realized by adding this flow to the lamp lighting control. By this control, when the abnormality of the left and right actuators 3 and the abnormality of the target position signal, such as the ground fault and the power fault, overlap, it becomes possible to give the second target position signal for the abnormal condition to the vertical actuator 5. Can prevent dazzling.

  Further, by giving this function to the headlamp lighting device 2 that exists in the vicinity of the lamp body, that is, in the vicinity of the vertical actuator 5, the headlamp is lit without changing the conventionally used vertical actuator 5. Since the function of the microcomputer 21 provided in the apparatus 2 is used, it can be realized without causing a large cost increase.

  If the target position signal between the headlamp lighting device 2 and the actuator 5 (the second target position signal in the event of an abnormality) has a ground fault or a power fault, this system cannot reduce the light distribution. Since the distance between the lighting device 2 and the actuator 5 can be remarkably shortened compared to the distance between the actuator 5 and the hand switch 4, the target position signal between them (the second target position signal in the event of an abnormality) The chance of entanglement is much lower.

  Needless to say, the headlamp lighting device 2 and the actuator 5 are housed in the lamp, so that the possibility of a sky fault or a ground fault between them can be further reduced.

  Although the headlamp 1 has been described as an HID lamp here, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even with an LED.

  Here, the motor 51 is described as a DC brush motor. However, if the input of the actuator 5 is an analog value, the motor 51 is equivalent to a stepping motor 51a or a DC brushless motor 51b as shown in FIGS. The effect of can be obtained. At this time, the outputs from the control unit 53 and the drive unit 54 are changed according to the motor 51 (an example is shown in the figure).

  The light distribution variable state detection unit 52 is configured to directly detect the position of the slide bar 55 with a variable resistor or the like, or integrated with the control unit 53, counts the number of pulses output from the drive unit 54, and slides from that value. A configuration for detecting the position of the rod 55 can be used.

  Further, the swivel abnormality signal from the left / right actuator 3 is output only when the optical axis is directed toward the oncoming vehicle, so that the light distribution is performed only when the left / right optical axis is directed toward the oncoming vehicle. The light distribution is lowered to the point where it is possible to achieve control that lowers the brightness of the vehicle and when it is not necessary to prevent dazzling (when the optical axis in the left-right direction is fixed in the front direction or on the shoulder of the road and does not give dazzling to the oncoming vehicle) Can be prevented, and a better system can be obtained.

  The vertical actuator 5 includes a conventional motor 51, a light distribution variable state detection unit 52, a control unit 53, a drive unit 54, and a slide bar 55. In such a case, by using a set having a function to stop operation, if an abnormality occurs only in the vertical control, the headlamp lighting device 2 stops the operation without performing any control. To do. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the left and right actuators 3, the vertical actuator 5 is driven downward by the headlamp lighting device 2. Thus, a two-stage operation at the time of abnormality is possible, and a system capable of preventing the dazzling of other vehicles can be prevented as compared with the case where the operation at the time of abnormality is performed by one control unit 53.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the flowchart of FIG. The same blocks as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the present embodiment is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that a function (step # 7) for reducing the power output to the headlamp 1 is added when a ground fault or a power fault occurs in the target position signal and there is a swivel abnormal signal. Is a point.

  The output power control of the headlamp lighting device 2 is performed by the microcomputer 21 of the headlamp lighting device 2. The same microcomputer 21 detects the abnormal signal of the left and right actuators 3 and detects the abnormality of the target position signal from the hand switch 4. Since detection is performed and control for outputting the second target position signal to the vertical actuator 5 is performed, it is possible to easily reduce the output power to the headlamp 1 at the time of abnormality.

  In the present embodiment, the output power to the headlamp 1 is reduced simultaneously with the output of the second target position to the vertical actuator 5, but the other vehicle can be reduced only by reducing the output to the headlamp 1. Needless to say, it is possible to prevent dazzling.

  Needless to say, it is possible to prevent dazzling other vehicles even if the abnormal-side lamp is turned off instead of reducing the output power.

  The vertical actuator 5 includes a conventional motor 51, a light distribution variable state detection unit 52, a control unit 53, a drive unit 54, and a slide bar 55. In such a case, by using a set having a function to stop operation, if an abnormality occurs only in the vertical control, the headlamp lighting device 2 stops the operation without performing any control. To do. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the left and right actuators 3, the vertical actuator 5 is driven downward by the headlamp lighting device 2. Thus, it is possible to operate in the abnormal state of the two-stage setting, and by adding the reduction of the output power to the headlamp 1 to this, it is possible to operate in the abnormal condition of the three-stage setting, and the single control unit 53 operates at the abnormal time. Compared to those that do, it becomes a system that can prevent illusion to other cars.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same blocks as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the present embodiment is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the switch SW1 of the first embodiment is deleted. In the first embodiment, the microcomputer 21 checks whether an abnormality occurs in the left and right actuators 3 and 5 simultaneously, outputs a signal for turning off the switch SW1 only when an abnormality occurs, and performs D / A conversion. Therefore, the second target position signal was output.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, in a state where no abnormality has occurred, the microcomputer 21 outputs a signal having the same value as the target position signal by D / A conversion, and the vertical actuator 5 receives the target position signal of the microcomputer 21. The DC brush motor 51 is controlled. In addition, by monitoring the target position signal using A / D conversion in the same manner as in the first embodiment, when the abnormality occurs in the left and right actuators 3 and the abnormality such as a ground fault, a power fault, or an open of the target position signal, It becomes possible to change the signal given to the actuator 5 to the second target position signal for abnormal conditions, and to realize the operation of lowering the light distribution even when the target position signal is abnormal, which is a illusion to other vehicles. Can be prevented. Thereby, the switch SW1 can be reduced, and the cost reduction of the system can be realized.

  Further, it goes without saying that, similarly to the second embodiment, by outputting a signal for reducing the output power to the headlamp 1, it is possible to reduce the luminous flux of the headlamp 1 and to prevent further illusion to other vehicles. Yes.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The same blocks as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the present embodiment is omitted. The difference from the third embodiment is that the operation of the control unit 53 of the vertical actuator 5 is shared by the microcomputer 21 of the headlamp lighting device 2, and the drive unit 54 of the vertical actuator 5 is provided in the headlamp lighting device 2. is there.

  In the operation of the microcomputer 21 in this embodiment, the target position signal and the output voltage (both analog voltage values) of the light distribution variable state detection unit 52 are read by A / D conversion, and the drive unit 54 so that these values are the same. A drive signal is output. Since the motor 51 is a DC brush motor, it is possible to control the motor by determining ON / OFF of the drive and the rotation direction (forward / reverse rotation). The microcomputer 21 for controlling the headlamp lighting is used. Can also be controlled.

  Even in the configuration of this embodiment, since the microcomputer 21 in the headlamp lighting device 2 receives the target position signal from the hand switch 4, the abnormality can be detected. By performing the dedicated control, it is possible to realize an operation of reducing the light distribution even when the target position signal is abnormal, and it is possible to prevent dazzling other vehicles.

  The actuator 5 must be installed at the rear part of the lamp (see FIG. 18), and there is a great demand for downsizing. According to this embodiment, the internal structure of the actuator 5 can be simplified, and contribution to downsizing can be achieved.

  In the present embodiment, the drive unit 54 is provided in the headlamp lighting device 2, but only the control unit 53 is shared by the microcomputer 21, and the same operation is performed even if the drive unit 54 is provided on the actuator 5 side. It goes without saying that it can be realized.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 9 shows a system configuration of Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The change from the conventional high-performance system (FIG. 19) is that the control ECU 8 sets the target position signal and swivels (left / right drive) control of the headlight while giving the signal to the actuators 5 and 5 ′. It is a point through swivel drive ECU7,7 'for doing. The swivel drive ECUs 7 and 7 'of the present embodiment are provided in the vicinity of the lamps of the left and right headlights, and the distance between the swivel drive ECUs 7 and 7' and the actuators 5 and 5 'is the same as that of the swivel drive ECUs 7 and 7'. Shorter than the distance to the control ECU 8. The swivel drive ECUs 7 and 7 'need vehicle information for swiveling the headlights, and obtain the information by in-vehicle communication (CAN or LIN). Based on the vehicle information, a drive current is output to the left and right motors 31, 31 ′.

  A block diagram of the swivel drive ECU 7 for realizing this is shown in FIG. Although the configuration of the swivel drive ECU 7 on the left side of the vehicle will be described here, the configuration of the swivel drive ECU 7 'on the right side of the vehicle is the same. The swivel drive ECU 7 converts the power from the positive pole of the battery 6 to the power of the microcomputer 71 by the control power 73 and inputs it to the microcomputer 71 to operate the microcomputer 71. The microcomputer 71 obtains in-vehicle information such as the vehicle speed and steering angle by in-vehicle communication, and outputs a control signal to the motor driver 72 accordingly. The motor driver 72 receives a power supply from the positive pole of the battery 6 and a control signal from the microcomputer 71 and outputs a drive current to the stepping motor 31. In this embodiment, the stepping motor is used, but naturally a DC brushless motor or a brush motor may be used. Further, the operation position of the stepping motor 31 that has swiveled is detected via the position sensor 33. The microcomputer 71 compares the integrated value of the drive signal to the motor driver 72 with the current operating position of the stepping motor 31 from the position sensor 33 to detect an abnormality in the light distribution state in the left-right direction. Examples include failure of the driver 72, disconnection / short circuit of the motor 31, and failure of the drive mechanism).

  In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 71 that performs the above control is used to control the abnormal time (the ground ground fault, the power fault, and the disconnection of the target position signal) as in the first embodiment. The method of implementation is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the value of the target position signal is always supplied in the first embodiment, whereas in the present embodiment, the actuator 5 is operated due to problems such as the life of the actuator 5. Only the target position signal is output. When it is not necessary to operate the target position signal, a substantially ground potential is output. For this reason, if the abnormality determination similar to that of the first embodiment is performed, the abnormality is erroneously determined even when the target position signal is not output. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, in synchronization with the output of the target position signal from the control ECU 8, the swivel control ECU 7 is notified that the signal is being output by in-vehicle communication. The swivel control ECU 7 can perform reliable abnormality detection by performing the same abnormality determination as in the first embodiment only while the target position signal is being output.

  In the first embodiment, the abnormality of the left and right actuator 3 is determined by the swivel abnormality signal from the left and right actuator 3, but in the present embodiment, the determination is made by the same microcomputer 71 as described above.

  By outputting the second target position signal only when the above-described abnormality detection overlaps, the output of the second target position signal at the time of abnormality can be performed without malfunction.

  This control makes it possible to provide the actuator 5 with a second target position signal for abnormal conditions even when the target position signal is abnormal, such as a ground fault, ground fault, or disconnection, and lower the light distribution even when the target position signal is abnormal. Such an operation can be realized, and dazzling to other vehicles can be prevented.

  It goes without saying that the dazzling to other vehicles can be further prevented by outputting a signal for reducing the output power to the headlamp 1 to the headlamp lighting device 2 simultaneously with the control for reducing the light distribution or individually. Yes.

  In this case, it is also possible to realize the fail-safe function by detecting the abnormality of the leveling operation actuator 5 in the vertical direction, prohibiting the swivel operation, and fixing it in the front direction.

  Needless to say, the swivel drive ECU 7 and the actuator 5 are placed in one case, so that the power supply and ground faults between them can be eliminated.

  The swivel drive ECU 7 recognizes the direction of the optical axis of the headlight 1 in the left-right direction from the number of output pulses for driving the motor 31 output by the sensor 33 or itself. That is, it is grasped whether the optical axis in the left-right direction faces the oncoming vehicle. By using this information, it is possible to realize control for giving the second target position signal to the actuator 5 only when the optical axis in the left-right direction faces the oncoming vehicle direction. As a result, it is possible to realize a control that lowers the light distribution only when the left-right optical axis is facing the oncoming vehicle, and when it is not necessary (when the left-right optical axis is in the front direction and does not illuminate the oncoming vehicle) In addition, the light distribution can be lowered and the front visibility can be prevented from being lowered, and a better system can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the microcomputer 71 in the swivel drive ECU 7 has the above function. However, any other ECU (eg, a communication function) may be used as long as the microcomputer has a communication function in the vicinity of the lamp body. It goes without saying that a similar function can be realized even in a headlamp lighting device, an auxiliary lamp lighting ECU for lighting an auxiliary lamp during a curve.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The same blocks as those in Embodiments 1 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in this embodiment is omitted. A difference from the first embodiment is that the same communication control and swivel motor control functions as those of the fifth embodiment are added to the microcomputer 21.

  In the first embodiment, the abnormality of the left and right actuators 3 is detected by the swivel abnormality signal from the left and right actuators 3. However, in this embodiment, the same microcomputer 21 can perform swivel control. The more the shaft is directed toward the oncoming vehicle, the more detailed control can be performed such that the second target position signal is directed downward. In addition, if the vehicle stops at the oncoming vehicle side too much, it is possible to control the output power to the headlamp 1 to be reduced (extinguishes), which can further prevent dazzling other vehicles. It becomes.

  Further, by inputting in-vehicle communication to the headlamp lighting device 2, it is possible to easily realize the high-performance conventional system shown in the fifth embodiment.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The same blocks as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. When the abnormality of the target position signal is detected and the swivel abnormality signal is received in the vertical actuator 5 of the conventional example, the target position signal is disconnected and the second target position signal is sent to the control unit 53 of the vertical actuator 5. Is provided. In the present embodiment, the above functions are realized by the microcomputer 56, and the realization method is the same as that in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 57 denotes a control power source.

  According to the present embodiment, when the abnormality of the vertical actuator 5 and the abnormality of the target position signal occur at the same time, there is nothing between the target position signal setting unit such as the hand switch 4 and the control ECU 7 and the vertical actuator 5. It is possible to realize without. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of connectors (for example, the connection between the headlamp lighting device and the target position signal) and the like, and a low-cost other vehicle dazzling prevention function can be realized.

  Further, since the microcomputer 56 and the control unit 53 are accommodated in the same case, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the target position signal causes a ground fault or a power fault between them.

(Embodiment 8)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The same blocks as those in the sixth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the sixth embodiment is that the vertical actuator 5 is also integrated with the headlamp lighting device 2. Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the control of the control unit 53 that has controlled the DC brush motor 51 is taken into the microcomputer 21.

  According to the present embodiment, the abnormality of the target position signal to the vertical actuator 5 (ground fault / sky fault / open) and the abnormality of the left / right actuator 3 (in this embodiment, the motor control is also determined by the microcomputer 21: the same as in the fifth embodiment). It is possible to realize the function for preventing the dazzling of other vehicles when there are simultaneous occurrences with the least number of components.

  Further, since the output power of the headlamp lighting device 2 is also reduced by the same microcomputer 21, the output power control of the headlamp 1 is controlled when the above abnormalities occur simultaneously. Can also be easily performed.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 15 shows an in-vehicle headlamp that employs the light distribution control system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. Here, the system configuration of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment is used, but it goes without saying that any of the system configurations of the second to eighth embodiments may be used.

  By adopting the light distribution control system of the present invention, it is possible to control the light distribution even if a ground fault, a power fault, or a disconnection occurs in the signal line that transmits the target position signal. It is possible to realize a headlamp that does not give any increase without increasing the number of ECUs constituting the system.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a wiring diagram which shows the mounting condition to the vehicle of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the vertical actuator of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the vertical actuator of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a wiring diagram which shows the mounting condition to the vehicle of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a time chart figure which shows operation | movement of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Embodiment 8 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle-mounted headlamp using the light distribution control system of Embodiment 9 of this invention. It is a wiring diagram which shows the mounting condition to the vehicle of the prior art example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vertical actuator of the prior art example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mechanism of the vertical drive of the optical axis of the prior art example 1. FIG. It is a wiring diagram which shows the mounting condition to the vehicle of the prior art example 2. It is a time chart figure which shows operation | movement of the prior art example 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Headlamp 2 Headlamp lighting device 21 Microcomputer 3 Left-right actuator 31 Motor 32 Control part 5 Vertical actuator 51 Motor 52 Detection part 53 Control part

Claims (10)

A lighting device for turning on the headlamp;
A first actuator comprising a first motor and a first control unit for driving the optical axis of the headlamp in the left-right direction;
An optical axis target angle setting unit that outputs a DC voltage corresponding to the optical axis target angle in the vertical direction of the headlamp at all times or for a predetermined time;
A second actuator that receives the DC voltage and drives the optical axis in the vertical direction;
The second actuator compares the second motor, an optical axis state detection unit that detects an optical axis angle or a value corresponding thereto, the DC voltage value and the optical axis angle or a value corresponding thereto, A second control unit that feedback-drives the second motor;
In the light distribution control device that performs control to stop the feedback control when the DC voltage is abnormal,
When an abnormality in the left-right optical axis in front of the vehicle is detected and an abnormality in the DC voltage is detected, a DC voltage that is a second optical axis target angle is output to the second actuator, or the lighting is performed A light distribution control device for an on-vehicle headlamp, characterized in that a third control unit for giving a signal for reducing output to the device is provided. When the third control unit detects an optical axis abnormality in the left-right direction in front of the vehicle and detects an abnormality in the DC voltage, the third actuator applies a DC voltage that is a second optical axis target angle to the second actuator. The light distribution control device for an on-vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein a signal for reducing the output is provided to the lighting device. The in-vehicle headlamp light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit of the lighting device is also used as a third control unit. The in-vehicle headlamp light distribution control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first control unit and the third control unit are also used. The light distribution control device for an in-vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second control unit and the third control unit are also used. The light distribution control device for an on-vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second actuator and the third control unit are also used. The said 3rd control part acquires the abnormality detection timing of the said DC voltage by communication, The light distribution control apparatus of the vehicle-mounted headlamp in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. The light distribution control device for an in-vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light distribution control device is controlled by one MPU. The light distribution control device for an in-vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second motor is a DC brush motor. An in-vehicle headlamp provided with the light distribution control device according to claim 1.

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