JP4715769B2 - Headlamp lighting device, variable light distribution type headlamp system, and vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the safety of vehicle traveling by controlling the light flux of the headlight so as to complement the shortage of brightness due to changes of a light distribution state, while keeping a life by rated lighting of the headlight. <P>SOLUTION: The headlight lighting device is composed of a converter portion receiving direct-current power supply and lighting the headlight, an information obtaining portion obtaining a light distribution state in front of a vehicle or a signal corresponding to that, and a controlling portion controlling the converter portion and the information obtaining portion. According to the light distribution state in front of the vehicle or the signal corresponding to that, when the headlight is a traveling beam or when the headlight on the other side does not light or has abnormality on an optical axis, light output of the headlight on a normal side is increased to the light output at the time of rated lighting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp lighting device, a variable light distribution headlamp system in combination with a variable light distribution device, and a vehicle headlamp lamp equipped with the same.

  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. As part of this, in order to improve nighttime visibility, vehicles equipped with a vehicle front lighting system (AFS: Adaptive Frontlighting System) that drives the light distribution to the left and right based on vehicle information, external environment information, etc. are commercially available. Yes.

  FIG. 17 shows a configuration of a conventional example. A pair of left and right headlights 2 are provided in front of the vehicle 1. Each headlight 2 is provided with a headlamp 3 so that the optical axis can be changed left and right. The headlamp 3 is controlled to be turned on and off by the headlamp lighting device 4, and the left and right optical axes are controlled by the light distribution driving unit 5. The light distribution drive unit 5 includes drive means such as a stepping motor, and is controlled by a drive signal from the light distribution variable device 6. The light distribution variable device 6 is provided in the vehicle interior, is supplied with power linked to an ignition (IGN), obtains vehicle information and vehicle exterior environment information through CAN communication, and controls the light distribution drive unit 5. The headlamp lighting device 4 receives a power source linked to a low beam switch (refers to a hand switch for turning the headlamp ON / OFF. It normally lights in a passing beam state), and turns off the headlamp 3. .

  Although not shown in FIG. 17, a system that varies the light distribution in the vertical direction also exists separately or in a form that adds functions to the horizontal light distribution variable device 6.

  FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of the headlamp lighting device 4. Here, an example in which the headlamp 3 is a high-intensity discharge lamp is shown. The converter 41 that steps up and down the power source linked to the low beam switch to a voltage required by the high-intensity discharge lamp, the control interface 43 that connects the converter 41 and the MPU 44, and the power source linked to the low beam switch are supplied to the MPU 44. A power supply unit 42 is provided. The MPU 44 reads the lamp voltage Vla and the lamp current Ila from the converter 41 via the control interface 43, and outputs an output increase / decrease signal S for raising and lowering the output of the converter 41 to an output required by the high-intensity discharge lamp.

  FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of the light distribution variable device 6. Here, an example in which the light distribution drive unit 5 is a stepping motor is shown. The stepping motor drives the optical axis left and right by driving an actuator that is a load. From a power source linked to the ignition (IGN) and a drive signal from the MPU 64, a stepping motor driver 61 that drives the stepping motor, a power source 62 that supplies power to the MPU 64 from a power source linked to the IGN, and a CAN bus A CAN transceiver 63 is provided for transmitting information such as the running state of the vehicle to the MPU 64. The MPU 64 outputs a signal for driving in a predetermined pattern to initialize the optical axis (toward the front direction) to the stepping motor driver 61 when the power source linked to the IGN is input, and then passes through the CAN transceiver 63. A signal for driving the stepping motor is output to the stepping motor driver 61 according to the traveling state of the vehicle obtained in this way.

  FIG. 20A shows a flowchart of microcomputer control when the headlamp lighting device 2 lights the headlamp 3. Here, the case where the electric power output to a high-intensity discharge lamp is adjusted is demonstrated.

  First, in step # 1, variables and registers to be used are initialized when the power is turned on (RESET input). Next, in step # 2, control at the time of no load before lighting of the high-intensity discharge lamp is set. In step # 3, it is determined whether or not the lamp is lit. If not, the process returns to step # 2. If it is lit, the process proceeds to the loop (steps # 4 to # 11) in which the following constant power control is performed.

  In step # 4, the lamp voltage Vla is read by A / D conversion. In step # 5, the past value is combined with the read value and averaged. As an example of averaging, the detected value is stored in three values from the latest value (updated during reading), and when the next latest value is read, the three values are added together and divided by four. In step # 6, a lamp power command value corresponding to the lamp voltage is read from a memory table held in the microcomputer (MPU 44). In step # 7, the lamp current command value is calculated by the formula of lamp power command value / averaged voltage value. In step # 8, the lamp current Ila is read by A / D conversion. In step # 9, the past value is combined with the read value, and the above averaging is performed. In step # 10, the lamp current command value is compared with the averaged current value. In step # 11, a control signal S for raising and lowering the output to the high-intensity discharge lamp is output based on the comparison result. In step # 12, other controls are performed.

  FIG. 20B shows a control flow (operation flow of the MPU 64) of the light distribution variable device 6 that controls the light distribution drive unit 5. FIG. The following step # 21 and step # 22 are repeated. In step # 21, the CAN communication is received, and it is determined how to change the light distribution (what and how to drive). In step # 22, a drive signal is output according to the light distribution variable command. As described above, in the conventional example, turning on and off the headlamp and changing the light distribution are independently controlled by the MPU 44 of the headlamp lighting device 4 and the MPU 64 of the light distribution variable device 6.

As a headlamp control system having such a variable light distribution device 6, Patent Literature 1 detects the weather conditions during vehicle travel and the travel conditions of the travel path of the vehicle, and determines the diffusion range and lamp color of the irradiated light flux. A technique for controlling the vehicle to be suitable for traveling is disclosed. Patent Document 2 proposes that when one of the actuators that can change the irradiation angle of the left and right headlamps is locked, the other actuator is forcibly fixed at a predetermined position.
Japanese Patent No. 2907371 Japanese Patent No. 2613825

  In Patent Document 1, it is proposed that the irradiation angle is varied according to the weather conditions during traveling of the vehicle and the traveling conditions of the traveling path of the vehicle, and in Patent Document 2, the irradiation angle is varied according to the state of the actuator. The light source (total luminous flux) is limited, and an area where the illuminance is insufficient as compared with the illuminance before the variable is generated due to abnormal headlamps or variable light distribution.

  As shown in the following three examples (FIGS. 21 to 23), this is more conspicuous when switching between a high beam and a low beam that greatly move the light distribution, or when the headlamp 3 or the light distribution variable device 6 is abnormal. Occurs.

Example 1
FIG. 21 is an example of deterioration in visibility due to switching from the passing beam LB to the traveling beam HB. It is assumed that the vehicle 1 travels with a passing beam (Low beam) when passing the oncoming vehicle during night traveling and travels with a traveling beam (High beam). In fact, in the city, it always travels with a passing beam, and it switches to the traveling beam only in the mountains or when there is no preceding / oncoming vehicle.

  If the lamp is large and has 4 lamps, the lamp that is different from the passing beam is turned on when the traveling beam is used, so it is possible to individually design the light distribution of the traveling beam and the passing beam, which reduces visibility due to insufficient illuminance. There was no such problem.

  However, in recent years, there has been a demand for downsizing / cost reduction of lamps, and the number of lamps is increasing. In the case of the two-lamp type, the passing beam and the traveling beam must be realized with the same lamp. The traveling beam needs to reach light farther than the passing beam, and it is difficult to make the traveling beam and the passing beam compatible by the light distribution design using the same lamp. For this reason, when the light distribution design of the cut-off line of the low beam is designed as shown in FIG. 21A, it is difficult to realize the light distribution necessary for the traveling beam as shown in FIG. There is a problem that visibility is sometimes lowered.

<< Example 2 >>
FIG. 22 shows an example of a decrease in illuminance due to a right headlight defect. The headlamps are a pair of left and right, and both are lit in principle. However, there are rarely situations in which it is necessary to travel in a state where the headlamp on one side is not lit, such as an abnormality in the headlamp lighting device or the life of the headlamp. At this time, since the headlamp on one side is not lit, the illuminance on the non-lighting side (dotted line circled portion in the figure) is lowered, and there is a problem that visibility is lowered.

Example 3
FIG. 23 shows an example of a decrease in illuminance when the right headlight is AFS driven and abnormal. When the light distribution of only the right lamp is driven to the right when turning right, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the light distribution interval between the left and right lamps is widened, resulting in a gap (dotted line in FIG. 23 (b)). Circle). Thereby, the illumination intensity of the area | region of a clearance gap falls compared with before the light distribution drive. Because the place that was bright until then becomes dark, the driver feels uncomfortable.

  In addition, since a motor or the like is used for driving the light distribution, it may be possible that the motor breaks down. If the right headlight is facing the oncoming vehicle and it becomes uncontrollable due to a motor failure, the optical axis must be driven downward so that the right headlight does not illuminate the oncoming vehicle. For this reason, as shown in FIG.23 (c), the area | region where the headlight of the right side illuminates the front becomes narrow, and the illumination intensity of the right side front will fall.

  As described above, an area where the illuminance is insufficient as compared with the illuminance before the variable is generated due to an abnormality in the headlamp or variable light distribution. Generally, a light source such as a high-intensity discharge lamp or LED used for the headlamp is rated. Since it is designed on the premise that the lamp is lit at the lighting output, the life is shortened if the lamp is lit at a larger output than the rated output. In particular, when the headlamp is a high-intensity discharge lamp, it is generally well known that the life is shortened even if the headlamp is lit at an output smaller than the rated output. FIG. 24 shows an example of a decrease in luminous flux when a high-intensity discharge lamp with a rated power of 150 W is lit at an output power ratio of 100%, 60%, and 40%.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and while maintaining the life of rated lighting, the light flux of the headlamp is used to supplement the lack of illuminance due to a change in the light distribution state. It is an object to improve the safety of vehicle travel by controlling.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1, as shown in FIG. 10, receives a DC power supply and turns on the headlamp 3, and the light distribution state in front of the vehicle or corresponding to it. In a headlamp lighting device comprising an information acquisition unit 63 that obtains a signal, and a control unit 44 that controls the converter unit 41 and the information acquisition unit 63, the control unit 44 corresponds to a light distribution state in front of the vehicle or a corresponding state. The light output of the headlamp 3 is increased with respect to the light output at the time of rated lighting according to the signal to be transmitted, and the headlamp lighting devices 4 are provided in pairs on the left and right in front of the vehicle 1 as shown in FIG. The information acquisition unit (for example, LIN transceiver 8) has means for detecting a light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device 4 or a signal corresponding thereto, and the control unit 44 has the other headlamp. Light distribution by lighting device 4 Alternatively, the light output of the headlamp 3 is increased with respect to the light output at the time of rated lighting according to the signal corresponding thereto, and the light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device 4 or the signal corresponding thereto is shown in FIG. 8 is a signal indicating that the other is a dot, and when the control unit 44 detects a signal indicating that the other is a dot, as shown in FIG. The light output of the headlamp 3 is increased with respect to the light output at the time of rated lighting .

As shown in FIG. 10, the invention of claim 2 is a converter unit 41 that receives DC power and lights the headlamp 3, an information acquisition unit 63 that obtains a light distribution state in front of the vehicle or a signal corresponding thereto, In the headlamp lighting device comprising the converter unit 41 and the control unit 44 that controls the information acquisition unit 63, the control unit 44 determines whether the headlamp 3 is in accordance with the light distribution state in front of the vehicle or a signal corresponding thereto. of the light output is increased relative to light output during rated lighting, as shown in FIG. 6, the headlamp lighting device 4 is provided in pairs on the left and right of the vehicle 1 forward, the information acquisition unit (e.g. LIN The transceiver 8) has means for detecting the light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device 4 or a signal corresponding thereto, and the control unit 44 corresponds to the light distribution state by the other headlight lighting device 4 or corresponding thereto. Depending on the signal , The light distribution state or a signal corresponding thereto by increasing the other headlamp lighting device to light output during rated lighting the light output of the headlight 3 Te 11 (especially # 61 to # 63) As shown in FIG. 12 (d), when the signal indicating that the other is an optical axis abnormality and the control unit 44 detects a signal indicating that the other is an optical axis abnormality, The light output of the headlamp 3 is increased with respect to the light output at the time of rated lighting .

The invention of claim 3 is the invention of any one of claims 1 and 2 , wherein the light output of the headlamp 3 is set to the light output at the time of rated lighting as shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15 (d), (e). When the optical axis is increased, the optical axis is driven to the inside of the vehicle.

In the invention of claim 4 , as shown in FIG. 10, the headlamp lighting device 4 of any one of claims 1 to 3 and the light distribution variable device 6 for changing the light distribution state in front of the vehicle are in the same casing. 46, and is controlled by one MPU 44.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a variable light distribution type headlamp system including the headlamp lighting device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

The invention of claim 6 is an in-vehicle headlamp (FIGS. 4 and 16) including the headlamp lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, when it is detected that the illuminance has been reduced, the light flux of the headlights on both the left and right sides or the side where no abnormality has occurred is increased in order to compensate for this. As a result, the decrease in illuminance can be mitigated and the safety of vehicle travel can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 1 , even when one side cannot be normally lit and the illuminance in front of the vehicle is reduced, the illuminance in front of the vehicle can be increased by increasing the luminous flux amount of the headlight on the normal side. It is possible to improve nighttime safety. In addition, since the output is increased only when one of the headlamps becomes unsatisfactory, the influence on the lamp life is small, and both improvement in safety and prevention of shortening of the lamp life can be realized.

According to the invention of claim 2 , when it is detected that one of the light distribution variable states of the left and right headlamps in front of the vehicle is abnormal, the vehicle front illuminance is secured by increasing the output power of the other, The safety of night driving can be improved. Further, since the output of the other side is increased only when the light distribution becomes abnormal, it is possible to realize both improvement in safety and prevention of shortening the lamp life.

According to the invention of claim 3 , it is possible to alleviate the uneven illuminance in front of the vehicle by further swinging the headlamp with increased output power inward, and to further improve nighttime safety. Can do.

According to the invention of claim 4, a highly reliable headlamp lighting device can be realized while saving space and low cost.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described. Embodiments 3 and 4 to be described later correspond to the configurations of claims 1 and 2, respectively, and other embodiments are assumed configurations or additional configurations. The configuration will be described.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows the installation status of the headlamp lighting device 4 and the like in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment. About the same part as a prior art example, the description with this embodiment is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same number as a prior art example. The difference from the conventional example of FIG. 17 is that a high / low switching device 7 is used in place of the light distribution variable device 6 that makes the optical axis variable to the left and right. This is not a CAN signal but a High / Low switching signal. In addition, a High / Low switching state signal is transmitted from the High / Low switching device 7 to the headlamp lighting device 4.

  Here, for example, an actuator using a solenoid coil or the like is used for the light distribution driving unit 5, and a high beam (traveling beam HB) and a low beam (passing each other) as shown in FIG. 2 in response to a high / low switching signal. Switch beam LB).

  FIG. 3A shows a flow of the microcomputer (MPU 44) that controls the headlamp lighting device 4 in the present embodiment. The difference from the conventional example (FIG. 20) is that, after the lamp power command value is read out in step # 6, the flow of steps # 6a to # 6c is added, and in the case of a high beam (light distribution state is traveling beam HB). Only a predetermined power value (for example, 2 to 10 W with respect to the rated power of 35 W) is added to the lamp power command value.

  In Step # 6a, the High / Low switching state that is an input from the High / Low switching device 7 is acquired. In step # 6b, it is determined whether the headlamp 3 is a high beam or a low beam. In the case of High (traveling beam HB), the process proceeds to Step # 6c and is added to the lamp power command value. In the case of Low (passing beam LB), the process proceeds to step # 7 without performing the above addition. In step # 6c, a predetermined power is added to the lamp power command value.

  A control flow of the high / low switching device 7 in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. The following steps # 71 to # 73 are repeated. In Step # 71, a High / Low switching signal is received. In Step # 72, a High / Low switching signal (for solenoid driving) is output to the light distribution driving unit 5 in accordance with the signal. In Step # 73, a High / Low switching state is output to the headlamp lighting device 4.

  With the above control, as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to increase the output power supplied to the headlamp 3 when the beam is switched from the low beam LB to the traveling beam HB with respect to the rated power. As shown in c), it is possible to alleviate a decrease in illuminance in the vicinity of the vehicle at the time of the traveling beam, and it is possible to improve nighttime safety.

  In general, since normal traveling is performed with a low beam, the situation where the traveling beam is lit is short with respect to the lamp life. In this embodiment, the forward visibility is improved by increasing the output power with respect to the rated power only when the periphery of the vehicle that requires the traveling beam is dark. Both prevention of life shortening can be realized.

  Although the lamp of this embodiment uses a high-intensity discharge lamp, the same effect can be obtained even if an LED is used. Since the LED generally performs constant current control, the same control can be realized by increasing the output current as a control target.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of this embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the present embodiment is omitted. In the first embodiment, the high / low switching device 7 and the headlamp lighting device 4 are separate ECUs (electronic control units). However, in the present embodiment, one ECU (a headlamp lighting device with a high / low switching function) is used. 47). For this reason, the High / Low switching signal is also input to the headlamp lighting device 47 with a High / Low switching function.

  FIG. 5 shows a control flow of the headlamp lighting device 47 with the High / Low switching function of the present embodiment. Steps having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the present embodiment is omitted. In order to control both the headlamp and the high / low switching function with one MPU, the flow of the headlamp lighting control and the high / low switching function is alternately performed.

  In Step # 3a, a High / Low switching signal is received. The received signal is used in the subsequent control steps # 6b and # 12a. In step # 3, it is determined whether the lamp is lit. If it is not lit, the process proceeds to step # 2, and control is performed when there is no load before the high-intensity discharge lamp is lit. If it is lit, constant power control is performed when the lamps are lit in steps # 4 to # 12 and steps # 6b and # 6c.

  In step # 6b, it is determined whether the High / Low switching signal is High or Low. In the case of High (running beam), the process proceeds to Step # 6c and is added to the lamp power command value. In the case of Low (passing beam), the process proceeds to step # 7 without performing the above addition. After the lamp control is completed, the following High / Low switching control is performed.

  In Step # 12a, it is determined whether the High / Low switching signal is High or Low. If it is Low, the process proceeds to Step # 12b. If it is High, the process proceeds to Step # 12c. In Step # 12b, a Low beam signal (passing beam) is output to the light distribution driving unit 5. In step # 12c, a high beam signal (traveling beam) is output to the light distribution driving unit 5.

  As in the first embodiment, the above control makes it possible to increase the output power to be input to the headlamp 3 when the low beam LB is switched to the traveling beam HB, as shown in FIG. It is possible to alleviate a decrease in illuminance in the vehicle vicinity area at the time of beaming, and it is possible to improve night driving safety.

  Further, by controlling the headlamp 3 and the light distribution drive unit 5 with a single ECU (a headlamp lighting device 47 with a High / Low switching function), a high / low switching state that is easily affected by noise or the like can be obtained. The signal line (wiring from the High / Low switching device 7 in FIG. 1 to the headlamp lighting device 4) can be deleted. Further, by controlling by one MPU, it is possible to control each of the headlamps 3 to be controlled and the state of High / Low switching at the same time. As described above, the system reliability can be greatly improved and the vehicle interior can be easily arranged by reducing the number of ECUs.

  Although the lamp of this embodiment uses a high-intensity discharge lamp, the same effect can be obtained even if an LED is used. Since the LED generally performs constant current control, the same control can be realized by increasing the output current as a control target.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 shows the installation status of the headlamp lighting device 4 in the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment. The difference from the conventional example (FIG. 17) is that the LIN communication transceiver 8 is provided in the left and right headlamp lighting devices 4 in the present embodiment as means for transmitting information between the left and right headlamp lighting devices 4, The connection between them is LIN communication.

  FIG. 8 shows a control flow of the headlamp lighting device 4 of the present embodiment. About the same flow as a prior art example (FIG. 20), the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description in this embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.

  In steps # 5A and # 5B, the lighting state of the headlamp is transmitted to the other headlamp lighting device, and the other lighting state is received in steps # 6A to # 6C. Add command value.

  In step # 5A, the lamp lighting state is determined from the lamp voltage average value. When the lamp voltage is 250 V or less, it is determined that the lamp is on.

  In step # 5B, the lamp lighting state determined in step # 5A is transmitted to the other headlamp lighting device via LIN communication.

  In Step # 6A, the lighting state of the other headlamp lighting device is received via LIN communication.

  In step # 6B, it is determined whether the other lamp is lit. On the other hand, when the lamp is turned off, the process proceeds to step # 6C to increase the lamp power command value.

  In step # 6C, the lamp power command value is added. For example, the output power command value is 45 W by increasing 10 W for a lamp with a rated power of 35 W.

  By implementing the above control, it is possible to increase the output power on the normal side when one of the headlamps becomes unsatisfactory due to a failure of the headlamp lighting device due to an accident or the life of the lamp. It becomes. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), even when one side cannot be lit normally and the illuminance in front of the vehicle is reduced, the amount of luminous flux of the normal headlamp is increased as shown in FIG. 7 (c). The illuminance in front of the vehicle can be increased.

  Thereby, the safety | security of night driving | running | working can be improved. In addition, since the output is increased only when one of the headlamps is unsatisfactory, the effect on the lamp life is small as in the first embodiment, and both improvement in safety and prevention of shortening of the lamp life are realized. Can do.

  In this embodiment, LIN communication is used for communication between the headlamp lighting devices. However, as long as the headlamp can be informed of an unsatisfactory state such as CAN communication, serial communication, or a digital / analog signal. The same effect can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the lamp voltage is used for confirming the lighting state of the lamp (step # 5A), but it may be determined using the lamp current value (lighting if 0.1 A or more). Alternatively, it is possible to further improve the accuracy by making judgment based on both the lamp voltage and the lamp current.

  Although the lamp of this embodiment uses a high-intensity discharge lamp, the same effect can be obtained even if an LED is used. Since the LED generally performs constant current control, the same control can be realized by increasing the output current as a control target.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the conventional example (FIG. 17) is that the function of the variable light distribution device 6 is distributed to the left and right headlamp lighting devices 4 and integrated as a headlamp control device 46. In order to acquire the other light distribution state and lighting state, a CAN communication transceiver 63 is provided in the headlight control device 46, and the headlight control device 46 is connected to CAN communication. The light distribution drive unit 5 is a light distribution drive motor (stepping motor).

  FIG. 10 shows a circuit block diagram of the present embodiment. Compared to the conventional example (FIGS. 18 and 19), the headlamp lighting device 4 and the light distribution variable device 6 are made into one ECU (electronic control unit) and controlled by one MPU 44, so that the MPU 44 can be controlled. The number of power supplies 42 to be supplied is reduced to one so that power can be supplied to the MPU 44 from either a power source linked to a low beam power source or a power source linked to an ignition (IGN).

  FIG. 11 shows a control flow of the headlamp control device 46 in the present embodiment. The same items as those in the flow of the conventional headlamp lighting device 4 (FIG. 20) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the present embodiment is omitted. In the conventional example, the headlamp lighting device 4 and the light distribution variable device 6 are controlled by the individual MPUs 44 and 64, but in this embodiment, in order to control both by the single MPU 44, the headlamp 3 is controlled. The flow is such that control of variable light distribution is performed alternately.

  In Step # 1a, it is determined whether or not the Low beam power source is ON. When the low beam power source (power source linked to the low beam switch) is 9V or more and 16V or less, it is determined that the low beam switch is ON. When the low beam power is ON, control to turn on the lamp (steps # 3 to # 12, # 61 to # 63) is performed. When the low beam power is OFF, the lamp control is not performed, and the routine proceeds to motor drive control (# 13 to # 20).

  In step # 3, it is determined whether the lamp is lit. If the lamp is not lit, no-load control (step # 2) is performed to turn on the lamp. When the lamp is on, the process proceeds to the control of steps # 4 to # 12 and # 61 to # 63 for constant power output.

  In step # 61, the other light distribution variable state of the left and right headlamps is detected by CAN communication.

  In step # 62, it is determined whether or not the other light distribution variable state is normal. If the other AFS is abnormal, the process proceeds to step # 63 to increase the output power command value.

  In step # 63, the lamp power command value is added. For example, the output power command value is 45 W by increasing 10 W for a lamp with a rated power of 35 W.

  In step # 13, the vehicle running state (vehicle speed / steering angle) is received by CAN communication.

  In step # 14, it is determined whether or not the own light distribution variable state is normal. In the normal case, the light distribution angle corresponding to the vehicle speed and the steering angle is calculated. If there is an error, set the control at the time of error.

  In step # 15, the light distribution angle corresponding to the vehicle speed and the steering angle is calculated. The light distribution angle has a one-to-one correspondence with the number of pulses output to the motor. However, when the variable light distribution state of the other lamp is abnormal, the front direction is set.

  In step # 16, the light distribution angle is set to face downward in the front direction regardless of the abnormal vehicle speed or steering angle signal. The motor for driving the light distribution in the left-right direction is faulty and cannot be directed in the front direction. It is preventing.

  In step # 17, it is determined whether the current light distribution angle is the same as the light distribution angle corresponding to the vehicle speed and the steering angle. The current light distribution angle indicates the light distribution angle calculated from the number of output pulses calculated in step # 20. If they are the same, the process proceeds to step # 1a, and the process proceeds to lamp lighting control. If they are different, the process proceeds to step # 18, and the process proceeds to drive pulse output processing to the motor.

  In step # 18, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time for determining an interval for outputting a drive pulse to the motor has elapsed. That is, time measurement is performed for outputting drive pulses at predetermined time intervals. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step # 19. If not, the process proceeds to step # 1a, and the process proceeds to lamp lighting control.

  In step # 19, a drive pulse is output to the motor.

  In step # 20, the number of output pulses is calculated and stored as the current light distribution angle. This is used as the current light distribution angle used in step # 17.

  With the above control, it becomes possible to control the light distribution variable motor 5 and the headlamp lighting circuit (converter 41) with one MPU 44 as shown in FIG. By controlling with one MPU 44, it is possible to control each of the headlamps 3 as a control target while simultaneously grasping the state and the light distribution state. As a result, it is possible to greatly improve the reliability of the system and facilitate the vehicle interior arrangement by reducing the number of ECUs.

  Further, when it is detected in steps # 61 to # 63 that one of the variable light distribution states of the headlights on the left and right in front of the vehicle is abnormal, the output power can be increased. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the motor for changing the light distribution in the left-right direction on one side becomes abnormal, and it becomes impossible to control while facing the oncoming vehicle side. When the illuminance in front of the vehicle is reduced by driving the vehicle downward, as shown in FIG. 12 (d), the luminous flux of the other (normal) headlamp can be increased, and the illuminance in front of the vehicle can be reduced. Can be raised. Thereby, the safety | security of night driving | running | working can be improved. Further, since it is possible to increase the output of the other only when the light distribution becomes abnormal, it is possible to realize both improvement of safety and prevention of shortening of the lamp life as in the first embodiment. .

  Further, in step # 62, it is determined whether or not the lamp power command value is added based on “whether the other light distribution variable state is abnormal” or not. By changing to the processing contents for determining whether or not the other headlamp control device 46 is operating the light distribution, it is possible to control to increase the output power of the other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (e), it is possible to reduce the light distribution gap between the left and right lamps, which occurs during the light distribution operation, and the safety can be further improved.

  In this embodiment (FIG. 9), the left-right direction variable light distribution device 6 is divided into left and right two. However, as shown in FIG. 13, a gateway (GW) for connecting CAN communication and LIN communication is provided, The left and right direction light distribution calculation GW9 that performs variable light distribution calculation and the left and right ECUs are divided into three ECUs, and the left and right ECUs and the headlight lighting device 4 are combined into an integrated ECU (headlight control device 46). In addition, the CAN communication transceiver 63 of the headlight control device 46 (FIG. 10) is changed to the LIN communication transceiver 8, and the left-right light distribution calculation GW9 and the headlight control device 46 are connected via LIN communication. The same effect can be obtained also.

  In this embodiment, as an abnormality of the light distribution variable state, “the motor for variable light distribution becomes abnormal and becomes uncontrollable while facing the oncoming vehicle side, and the light distribution is driven downward to prevent the oncoming vehicle from being dazzled. In addition, “When the light distribution is swung to the oncoming vehicle, the headlight control device breaks down and the motor becomes uncontrollable. ”Or“ If the motor that drives the light distribution in the vertical direction breaks down, the light distribution must be lowered, but the headlight on the abnormal side is dimmed (dimmed or turned off) without being able to lower it. In the “case” as well, the same effect can be obtained by controlling so as to increase the power on the normal side.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 14 shows changes in the flow from the fourth embodiment. In the flow of Embodiment 4 (FIG. 11), only the step # 15 for changing the light distribution angle when the light distribution variable state of the own lamp is normal and the light distribution variable state of the other lamp is abnormal is changed. Yes.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the light distribution variable state of the own lamp is normal and the light distribution variable state of the other lamp is abnormal, the self lamp is set to face the front direction. The light distribution state is changed so that the light distribution variable state of the other lamp is directed not only when the light distribution variable state is abnormal but also when the light distribution is variable.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 15D and 15E, it is possible to alleviate the illuminance unevenness in front of the vehicle by swinging the headlamp with increased output power further inward, so that the vehicle can travel at night. It becomes possible to further improve the safety of.

  The same effect can be obtained by performing the same control on the third embodiment (when the other lamp is inconspicuous).

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 16 shows an example of mounting an in-vehicle headlamp using the variable light distribution type headlamp system according to the fourth or fifth embodiment. By adopting the variable light distribution type headlamp system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the decrease in illuminance ahead of the vehicle even in the case of variable light distribution, abnormal headlamps, and abnormal light distribution. A light can be realized. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of ECUs and wire harnesses for variable light distribution control, and it is possible to reduce the installation location of the ECU and the wiring area of the harness in the vehicle, thereby facilitating vehicle design. it can.

It is a whole block diagram of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a principal part block diagram of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the headlamp control apparatus of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the modification of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for principal part operation | movement description of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the light distribution variable type headlamp system and vehicle-mounted headlamp lamp of Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the conventional headlamp system. It is a block diagram of the conventional headlamp lighting device. It is a block diagram of the conventional light distribution variable apparatus. It is a flowchart for operation | movement description of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the subject 1 of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the subject 2 of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the subject 3 of a prior art example. It is a characteristic view which shows the lifetime characteristic of the conventional high-intensity discharge lamp.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Headlight 3 Headlamp 4 Headlamp lighting device 5 Light distribution drive part 6 Light distribution variable device 7 High / Low switching device

Claims (6)

Consists of a converter unit that receives a DC power source and lights the headlamp, an information acquisition unit that obtains a light distribution state in front of the vehicle or a signal corresponding thereto, and a control unit that controls the converter unit and the information acquisition unit In the headlamp lighting device, the control unit increases the light output of the headlamp relative to the light output at the rated lighting according to the light distribution state in front of the vehicle or the signal corresponding thereto ,
The headlamp lighting devices are provided in pairs on the left and right in front of the vehicle, and the information acquisition unit has means for detecting a light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device or a signal corresponding thereto, and the control unit Increases the light output of the headlamp relative to the light output at the time of rated lighting according to the light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device or the signal corresponding thereto,
The light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device or the signal corresponding thereto is a signal indicating that the other is a point, and the control unit detects a signal indicating that the other is a point A headlamp lighting device characterized in that the light output of the headlamp is increased with respect to the light output at the time of rated lighting . Consists of a converter unit that receives a DC power source and lights the headlamp, an information acquisition unit that obtains a light distribution state in front of the vehicle or a signal corresponding thereto, and a control unit that controls the converter unit and the information acquisition unit In the headlamp lighting device, the control unit increases the light output of the headlamp relative to the light output at the rated lighting according to the light distribution state in front of the vehicle or the signal corresponding thereto ,
The headlamp lighting devices are provided in pairs on the left and right in front of the vehicle, and the information acquisition unit has means for detecting a light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device or a signal corresponding thereto, and the control unit Increases the light output of the headlamp relative to the light output at the time of rated lighting according to the light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device or the signal corresponding thereto,
The light distribution state by the other headlamp lighting device or the signal corresponding thereto is a signal indicating that the other is an optical axis abnormality, and the control unit detects a signal indicating that the other is an optical axis abnormality. In this case, the headlamp lighting device is characterized in that the light output of the headlamp is increased with respect to the light output at the time of rated lighting . 3. The headlamp lighting device according to claim 1, wherein when the light output of the headlamp is increased relative to the light output at the time of rated lighting, the optical axis is driven to the inside of the vehicle. . The front according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the light distribution variable device that changes the light distribution state in front of the vehicle is housed in the same housing and is controlled by one MPU together with the light distribution variable device. Illumination lighting device. A light distribution variable type headlamp system comprising the headlamp lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . An in-vehicle headlamp lamp comprising the headlamp lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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