JP2012101586A - Headlamp control device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch an irradiation mode of a headlamp to a low beam state from a high beam state in the proper timing.SOLUTION: This headlamp control device includes the headlamp 1 capable of switching the irradiation mode between a high beam and a low beam, a rear side detector 3 for detecting the other vehicle of traveling on the rear side of one's own vehicle, a passing predictor 6 for outputting a passing predicting signal by predicting whether or not the one's own vehicle is put in a state of being passed by the other vehicle detected by the rear side detector 3, and an irradiation mode controller 4 for controlling the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1. The irradiation mode controller 4 is constituted so as to switch the headlamp 1 to the high beam state from the low beam state when confirming that the other vehicle enters an irradiation range of the headlamp after outputting the passing predicting signal from the passing predictor 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp control device having a function of switching an irradiation mode of a headlamp between a high beam and a low beam.

  Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a current location detection unit that detects the current location of the vehicle, an imaging device that captures the rear of the vehicle and generates image data, and reads image data from the imaging device A rear vehicle information acquisition processing unit that acquires rear vehicle information based on the image data, an overtaking operation prediction processing unit that predicts an overtaking operation in which the rear vehicle overtakes the own vehicle based on the rear vehicle information, and Mode switching condition establishment determination processing means for determining whether or not the mode switching condition is established based on the overtaking operation, and an automatic mode for switching the headlamp irradiation mode from the high beam mode to the low beam mode when the mode switching condition is established. A light distribution control system having setting processing means is known.

JP 2006-327314 A

  In the light distribution control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front end of the other vehicle and the front end of the own vehicle based on speed information and position information of the other vehicle located behind the own vehicle detected by the back camera or the like. When the vehicle is detected to be in the overtaking state at the same position, that is, before the rear vehicle enters the irradiation range of the headlamp, the automatic mode setting processing control of the light distribution control processing means is executed and the head is Since the lamp irradiation mode is switched from the high beam mode to the low beam mode, it is possible to prevent the driver of the other vehicle from being affected by the irradiation of the headlamp in advance.

  However, as described above, the headlamp of the other vehicle that is determined to be in the overtaking state with the front end of the other vehicle located behind the host vehicle and the front end of the host vehicle being in the same position is not necessarily immediately after the headlamp. It is not always within the irradiation range of the vehicle, and it takes a predetermined time from when the overtaking state is detected until the other vehicle is affected by the irradiation of the headlamp. There is a possibility that the route is changed before the vehicle enters the irradiation area of the headlamp. In such a case, after the headlamp irradiation mode is switched to the low beam mode as described above, when it is confirmed that it is not necessary to set the low beam mode, the headlamp is switched to the high beam mode again. There was a problem that people felt uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp control device that can switch the irradiation mode of a headlamp from a high beam state to a low beam state at an appropriate timing. It is said.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headlamp capable of switching an irradiation mode between a high beam and a low beam, a rear side detecting means for detecting another vehicle traveling behind the host vehicle, and the rear side detecting means. An overtaking prediction means for predicting whether the detected other vehicle is in a state of overtaking the own vehicle and outputting an overtaking prediction signal; and an irradiation mode control means for controlling the irradiation mode of the headlamp. The mode control means switches the headlamp from the low beam state to the high beam state when it is confirmed that the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range of the headlamp after the overtaking prediction signal is output from the overtaking prediction means. It is composed of.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp control device according to the first aspect, the front side detects that another vehicle has entered the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp of the own vehicle. The irradiation mode control means has a detection means, and after the other vehicle is predicted to be overtaking the host vehicle in accordance with the output signal of the overtaking prediction means, the other vehicle is detected by the front detection means. The head lamp is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state when it is detected that it is within the irradiation range.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the irradiation mode control means overtakes the other vehicle according to the output signal of the front side detection means. The function of determining whether the tail lamp of the other vehicle is an LED, and when it is determined that the tail lamp of the other vehicle is an LED, either the left or right of the tail lamp made of the LED is out of the irradiation range of the head lamp. Immediately before entering the irradiation range, the irradiation mode of the headlamp is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation mode control means is in a state in which the other vehicle overtakes the own vehicle in accordance with an output signal of the overtaking prediction means. Is calculated based on the relative speed between the other vehicle and the host vehicle, and the time when the other vehicle enters the irradiation range of the headlamp. Control for switching the irradiation mode from the high beam state to the low beam state is executed.

  In the invention according to claim 1, after it is predicted that the other vehicle is overtaking the host vehicle in accordance with the output signal of the overtaking predicting means, the other vehicle is irradiated with the headlamp by the front side detecting means. Since it is configured to switch the irradiation mode of the headlamp from the high beam state to the low beam state when it is detected that it enters the inside, the headlamp irradiation mode is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state at an appropriate timing, There is an advantage that it is possible to effectively prevent the influence of the headlamp on the other vehicle.

  In the invention according to claim 2, after it is predicted that the other vehicle is overtaking the host vehicle according to the output signal of the overtaking predicting means, the other vehicle is within the irradiation range of the headlamp by the front side detecting means. Since the headlamp illumination mode is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state by the above-mentioned illumination mode control means when it is detected that the vehicle has entered, it is possible to accurately detect when the other vehicle has overtaken the vehicle. The headlamp irradiation mode can be switched from the high beam state to the low beam state at an appropriate timing so that the headlamp does not affect the other vehicle.

  In the invention according to claim 3, it is determined whether or not the tail lamp of the other vehicle that has overtaken the host vehicle is an LED according to the output signal of the front side detection means, and it is determined that the tail lamp of the other vehicle is the LED. In this case, the head lamp irradiation mode is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state immediately before either the left or right of the tail lamp made of the LED enters the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the head lamp. The headlamp is effectively prevented from switching the headlamp irradiation mode from the high beam state to the low beam state due to the fact that the tail lamp made of is more straight ahead than a halogen lamp or the like. There is an advantage that it is possible to reliably prevent the influence of.

  In the invention according to claim 4, after it is predicted that the other vehicle is in a state of overtaking the own vehicle according to the output signal of the overtaking predicting means, the other vehicle is based on the relative speed between the other vehicle and the own vehicle. Is calculated to enter the irradiation range of the headlamp, and control for switching the irradiation mode of the headlamp from the high beam state to the low beam state is executed based on the calculation result. There is an advantage that it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable by appropriately executing the control to switch from the high beam state to the low beam state with a simple configuration.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the vehicle provided with the headlamp control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle headlamp control device according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation | movement of the said headlamp control apparatus of the said vehicle. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the headlamp control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another embodiment of the headlamp control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another embodiment of the headlamp control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on this invention.

  1 and 2 show an embodiment of a vehicle headlamp control apparatus according to the present invention. The headlamp control device includes headlamps 1 and 1 provided on the left and right of the front portion of the vehicle body, front side detection means 2 for detecting obstacles and the like located on the front side of the host vehicle, and the rear side of the host vehicle. There are provided a rear side detection means 3 for detecting other vehicles traveling on the side, and a control unit 5 provided with an irradiation mode control means 4 for outputting a control signal to the headlamp 1 to control its irradiation mode. .

  The headlamp 1 includes a high beam lamp and a low beam lamp made of a halogen lamp or an LED, and the high beam state during normal travel in which the high beam lamp is turned on and the irradiation direction is upward, and the low beam. The lamp is turned on and the irradiation direction is downward, so that it can be switched to a low beam state during passing driving.

  The front side detection means 2 captures image information of a preceding vehicle positioned in front of the traveling lane of the own vehicle or an oncoming vehicle traveling on the opposite lane, and the irradiation mode control provided in the control unit 5 It consists of a CCD camera or the like that outputs to means 4. Further, the front side detection means 2 has been determined by the overtaking prediction means 6 provided in the control unit 5 as will be described later that there is a high possibility that the own vehicle will be overtaken by another vehicle located behind the own vehicle. Thereafter, it is configured to detect whether or not the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp of the own vehicle, and output the detection signal to the irradiation mode control means 4.

  The rear side detection means 3 includes a transmitter for transmitting a detection wave made of a laser wave, a millimeter wave, an ultrasonic wave, or the like toward the rear side of the vehicle body, and the detection wave to other vehicles traveling behind the host vehicle. And a receiver for receiving the reflected wave reflected by the signal, and configured to output information of the other vehicle detected based on the reflected wave to the overtaking predicting means 6 provided in the control unit 5 Has been.

  The control unit 5 includes an overtaking prediction means 6 for predicting whether or not another vehicle located behind the own vehicle is overtaking the own vehicle according to the output signal of the rear side detection means 3, and the overtaking prediction. Irradiation mode control means 4 for controlling the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 according to the output signal of the means 6, the detection signal of the front side detection means 2, and the like.

  The overtaking predicting means 6 sequentially measures the time from the time when the detected wave is transmitted to the time when the reflected wave is received in accordance with the output signal of the rear side detecting means 3, and the other vehicle located behind the own vehicle and the own vehicle. By calculating the relative distance and relative speed with the vehicle, when it is determined that the traveling speed of the other vehicle is faster than the own vehicle and that the own vehicle is likely to be overtaken by the other vehicle after a predetermined time has elapsed, The overtaking prediction signal is output to the irradiation mode control means 4.

  The irradiation mode control means 4 maintains the headlamp 1 in a high beam state from the time when the overtaking prediction signal is output from the overtaking prediction means 6 until the other vehicle enters the irradiation range of the headlamp 1, When it is confirmed that a part of the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle according to the output signal of the front detection means 2, the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is changed from the high beam state to the low beam. A control signal for switching to the state is output.

  The control operation in the vehicle headlamp control apparatus will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When the control operation starts, it is first determined whether or not the vehicle is in a night driving state (step S1). If YES is determined, the vehicle is automatically determined according to the output signal of the front side detection means 2. It is determined whether or not there is a preceding vehicle such as a preceding vehicle located in front of the traveling lane of the vehicle or an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite lane (step S2).

  If it is determined as YES in step S2 and it is confirmed that there is a vehicle ahead, a control signal for setting the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 to the low beam state is output to the headlamp 1 (step S3). On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S3 and it is confirmed that there is no vehicle ahead, a control signal for setting the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 to the low beam state is output to the headlamp 1 (step S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is another vehicle traveling behind the host vehicle in accordance with the output signal of the rear side detection means 3 (step S5). . If it is determined YES in step S5 and it is confirmed that there is another vehicle traveling behind the host vehicle, it is determined whether the other vehicle is overtaking the host vehicle. The prediction means 6 determines (Step S6). In step S6, the determination is NO, and the traveling speed of the other vehicle located on the rear side of the own vehicle is substantially the same as or slower than the own vehicle, so that the other vehicle is not overtaking the own vehicle. If it is confirmed, the process returns.

  If it is determined as YES in step S6 and it is confirmed that the other vehicle is overtaking the own vehicle, the other vehicle is irradiated with the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle according to the output signal of the front detection means 2. It is determined whether or not the irradiation range has been entered from outside the range (step S7). If NO is determined, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time set in advance in a timer not shown has elapsed ( Step S8) If NO is determined, the process returns to Step S6 and the above control operation is repeated.

  And it determines with YES by the said step S7, and a part of said other vehicles, for example, one of the left and right tall lamps, or one of the left and right side mirrors is within the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle. When the entry is detected, a control signal for switching the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 in the high beam state to the low beam state is output to the headlamp 1 (step S9), and then the process returns. Note that when the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is in the low beam state at the time when YES is determined in step S7, switching of the irradiation mode is not necessary.

  If it is determined YES in step S9 and it is confirmed that the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, the other vehicle determined to be in a state of overtaking the host vehicle changes lanes or decreases its speed. If there is no possibility in the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle by returning to the state of traveling behind the vehicle, etc., without executing the control to switch the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 to the low beam state, Return as is.

  As described above, the headlamp 1 whose irradiation mode can be switched between the high beam and the low beam, the rear side detection means 3 for detecting another vehicle traveling behind the host vehicle, and the rear side detection means 3 are used for detection. An overtaking prediction means 6 for predicting whether the other vehicle is overtaking the own vehicle and outputting an overtaking prediction signal; and an irradiation mode control means 4 for controlling the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1, When the irradiation mode control means 4 confirms that the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 after the overtaking prediction signal is output from the overtaking prediction means 6, the headlamp 1 is put into a high beam state. Since it is configured to switch from the low beam state to the low beam state, the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state at an appropriate timing. The Rukoto, there is an advantage that the other vehicle the effect of the headlamp 1 from reaching can be effectively prevented.

  That is, in the above embodiment, the front side detection means 2 for detecting that the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle is provided, and according to the output signal of the overtaking prediction means 6, As indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4, after the irradiation mode control means 4 predicts that the other vehicle T located behind the own vehicle J is overtaking the own vehicle J, the front side detecting means 2 4, since it is configured to determine whether or not the other vehicle T has entered the irradiation range of the headlamp 1, the time point when the other vehicle T has overtaken the own vehicle J is accurately determined. The irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 can be switched from the high beam state to the low beam state at an appropriate timing so that the headlamp 1 does not affect the other vehicle.

  Therefore, as in the prior art configured to switch the irradiation mode of the headlamp from the high beam state to the low beam state at the time when the other vehicle is predicted to be overtaking the own vehicle according to the output signal of the overtaking predicting means, It takes a predetermined time from the predicted time of overtaking until the other vehicle is affected by the headlamp irradiation, or the route is changed before the other vehicle predicted to be in the overtaking state enters the irradiation area of the headlamp. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the driver feels uncomfortable due to the switching even though it is not necessary to immediately switch the irradiation mode of the headlamp to the low beam state. There is an advantage that the irradiation mode switching control can be properly executed.

  The irradiation mode control unit 4 has a function of determining whether the tail lamp of the other vehicle T that has overtaken the host vehicle J is an LED according to the output signal of the front side detection unit 2, and the irradiation mode. When it is determined by the control means 4 that the tail lamp of the other vehicle T is an LED, immediately before either the left or right of the tail lamp made of the LED enters the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1, You may comprise so that the control which switches the irradiation mode of the lamp | ramp 1 from a high beam state to a low beam state may be performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, after executing the control of step S1 to step S5, when it is determined YES in step S6 and it is confirmed that the other vehicle is overtaking the host vehicle, It is determined whether or not the tail lamp of the other vehicle is an LED according to the output signal of the front detection means 2 whose detection range is set wider than the irradiation range of 1 (step S10). Then, it is determined whether either the left or right of the tail lamp made of the LED is in a state immediately before entering the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 (step S11), and when it is determined YES, A control signal for switching the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 from the high beam state to the low beam state is output to the headlamp 1 (step S9).

  On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S1 and it is confirmed that the tail lamp of another vehicle that is overtaking the host vehicle is not an LED but a halogen lamp or the like, the tail lamp is the head lamp 1 of the host vehicle. It is determined whether or not the irradiation range has been entered from outside the irradiation range (step S12). When YES is determined, the process proceeds to step S9 to change the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 from the high beam state to the low beam state. A control signal for switching is output to the headlamp 1.

  If it is determined NO in step S11 and step S12, the process proceeds to step S8 to determine whether or not a predetermined time set in a timer (not shown) has elapsed, and NO in step S8. If it is determined, the process returns to step S10 to repeat the control operation.

  Since the tail lamp made of the LED has higher straightness than the halogen lamp or the like, when it is confirmed that the tail lamp made of the LED enters the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle, When the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is configured to be switched from the high beam state to the low beam state, the switching timing is delayed, and the headlamp 1 affects the other vehicle. Therefore, when the irradiation mode control means 4 determines that the tail lamp of the other vehicle is an LED as described above, either the left or right of the tail lamp made of the LED is irradiated from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1. It is desirable that the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state when it is detected that the state immediately before entering the range is detected.

  On the other hand, when the tail lamp of the other vehicle is not a LED but a logen lamp or the like, its straightness is low, and the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle according to the detection signal of the tail lamp. Even if it is configured that the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state when it is confirmed that the vehicle enters the vehicle, the effect of the headlamp 1 does not affect the other vehicle, and is appropriate. It is possible to switch the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 at an appropriate timing.

  In the irradiation mode control means 4, after it is predicted that the other vehicle is overtaking the own vehicle according to the output signal of the overtaking prediction means 6, the other vehicle is changed according to the output signal of the front side detection means 2. In the embodiment described above, the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state when it is detected that the lamp enters the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp 1 of the own vehicle. Instead, based on the relative speed and relative distance between the other vehicle and the own vehicle detected by the overtaking predicting means 6 or the acceleration of the other vehicle, the function of calculating the time point when the other vehicle enters the irradiation range of the headlamp is provided. Provided in the irradiation mode control means 4 to execute control for switching the irradiation mode of the headlamp from the high beam state to the low beam state based on the calculation time point. Configuration may be.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, after it is determined as YES in step S6 and it is confirmed that the other vehicle is overtaking the own vehicle, the other vehicle and the own vehicle detected by the overtaking predicting means 6 are Based on the relative speed and relative distance, the irradiation mode control means 4 calculates when the other vehicle enters the irradiation range of the headlamp 1, that is, when the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 should be switched to the low beam state (step S13). ). Then, based on the count value of a timer or the like, it is determined whether or not the switching timing has been calculated (step S14), and when it is determined YES, the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state. Control is executed (step S9).

  When it is predicted that the other vehicle is in the state of overtaking the host vehicle in accordance with the output signal of the overtaking predicting means 6 as described above, and when the other vehicle is predicted to fall within the irradiation range of the headlamp 1. When the irradiation mode control means 4 is configured to control the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 from the high beam state to the low beam state, the irradiation mode of the headlamp 1 is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state. There is an advantage that it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable by properly executing the control with a simple configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Head lamp 2 Front side detection means 3 Back side detection means 4 Irradiation mode control means 6 Passing detection means

Claims (4)

  A headlamp capable of switching the irradiation mode between a high beam and a low beam, a rear side detection means for detecting another vehicle traveling behind the own vehicle, and the other vehicle detected by the rear side detection means An overtaking prediction unit that predicts whether or not the vehicle is overtaking and outputs an overtaking prediction signal; and an irradiation mode control unit that controls the irradiation mode of the headlamp, and the irradiation mode control unit includes the overtaking prediction. The headlamp is switched from the low beam state to the high beam state when it is confirmed that the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range of the headlamp after the overtaking prediction signal is output from the means. A vehicle headlamp control device.   It has a front side detection means for detecting that another vehicle has entered the irradiation range from outside the irradiation range of the headlamp of the own vehicle, and the irradiation mode control means is configured to detect the other vehicle according to the output signal of the overtaking prediction means. When it is predicted that the vehicle is overtaking the host vehicle, the front-side detection means detects that the other vehicle has entered the irradiation range of the headlamp. The vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle headlight control device is configured to switch from a low beam state to a low beam state.   The irradiation mode control means has a function of determining whether or not the tail lamp of another vehicle that has overtaken the host vehicle is an LED according to the output signal of the front side detection means, and the tail lamp of the other vehicle is an LED. The head lamp irradiation mode is switched from the high beam state to the low beam state immediately before either the left or right of the tail lamp made of the LED enters the irradiation range from the outside of the head lamp irradiation range. The vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle headlamp control device is provided.   The irradiation mode control means determines that the other vehicle is based on the relative speed between the other vehicle and the own vehicle after the other vehicle is predicted to be overtaking the own vehicle according to the output signal of the overtaking predicting means. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a function of calculating a point in time of entering an irradiation range of the headlamp, and executing control for switching the irradiation mode of the headlamp from a high beam state to a low beam state based on the calculation result. Vehicle headlamp control device.

Images