JP4798160B2 - Vehicle headlamp auto leveling device and vehicle headlamp auto leveling method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp that adjusts the direction of the optical axis of the vehicle headlamp, and an auto leveling method for the vehicle headlamp.

  Conventionally, as described in, for example, [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 4] and the like, a motor that tilts the optical axis of the lamp up and down in order to adjust the direction of the optical axis of the vehicle headlamp. 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle headlamp auto-leveling device including a drive device such as the above is known. Such an apparatus is important for preventing the light emitted from the lamp from giving glare to oncoming vehicles and passers-by. In particular, in recent years, from the viewpoint of safety, the amount of light from the lamp tends to increase, and in accordance with this, there are regulations that regulate the angle of the optical axis. It is growing.

JP 2007-176296 A JP 2005-219649 A JP 2003-306074 A JP 2001-191841 A

  However, in the conventional apparatus, since the time for tilting the optical axis by the driving device is constant, in the configuration in which the tilting of the optical axis is continued during the operation of the driving device, a truly necessary adjustment amount can be obtained. In some cases, there is a problem that glare prevention, legal compliance, and driver visibility may be insufficient.

  In addition, in a case where the time for tilting the optical axis is constant and the configuration in which the direction of the optical axis is determined by the magnitude of the input voltage is adopted, in order to obtain a desired adjustment amount, the voltage Since it is necessary to allow a long time with an allowance in the application time, voltage application is continued even after the optical axis is directed in the target direction, the magnitude of the input voltage vibrates due to noise, etc. As a result, there is a problem that a load is applied to the vehicle headlamp and the deterioration is accelerated, and unnecessary power consumption occurs.

  Furthermore, the speed at which the motor tilts the vehicle headlamp depends on the operating environment temperature of the motor, the actual magnitude of the input voltage to the motor, etc., but these are not taken into consideration in the conventional device. There is a problem that the direction of the optical axis may deviate from the target direction, and there is a risk that glare prevention, legal compliance, and driver visibility may be insufficient.

  In view of these problems, the present invention adjusts the tilting time of the lamp according to the speed at which the lamp is tilted in order to improve the accuracy of directing the optical axis of the vehicle headlamp in a desired direction. An object of the present invention is to provide an auto-leveling device for a vehicle headlamp and an auto-leveling method for a vehicle headlamp.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the optical axis is adjusted according to a drive means for tilting the optical axis of the headlamp up and down, and a speed at which the optical axis is tilted up and down by the drive means. There is provided an auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp having driving time calculation means for calculating a driving time of the driving means for directing in a predetermined direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp auto-leveling device according to the first aspect, the driving time calculating means drives the driving based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature. Time is calculated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp auto-leveling device according to the first or second aspect, the driving means has a direction of the optical axis depending on a ratio of an input reference voltage and a variable instruction voltage. It is set, and the drive time is an input time of the command voltage.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp auto-leveling device according to the third aspect, the drive time calculating means is based on the reference voltage detected by the voltage detecting means for detecting the reference voltage. The driving time is calculated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp auto-leveling device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the driving time calculating means detects the posture of the vehicle on which the headlamp is mounted. Based on the posture detected by the posture detecting means, the driving time is calculated so that the optical axis forms a predetermined angle with respect to a road surface.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving means for tilting the optical axis of the headlamp up and down, and a driving time calculation for calculating the driving time of the driving means according to the speed at which the optical axis is tilted up and down by the driving means. And an automatic leveling method for a vehicle headlamp that directs the optical axis in a predetermined direction.

  The present invention provides a driving means for tilting the optical axis of a headlamp up and down, and the driving means for directing the optical axis in a predetermined direction according to a speed at which the optical axis is tilted up and down by the driving means. Since there is a vehicle headlamp automatic leveling device having a drive time calculation means for calculating a drive time, the headlamp tilt time can be adjusted according to the speed at which the headlamp is tilted. The accuracy of directing the optical axis in a desired direction can be improved, so that the driving means continues to be driven even after the optical axis is directed to the target direction, and the optical axis is prevented from vibrating and shaking. It is possible to prevent or suppress glare, comply with laws and regulations, and ensure driver visibility, as well as to suppress or prevent the headlamp from being loaded and accelerated. Can, also it is possible to provide the automatic leveling device for a vehicle headlamp which can reduce wasteful power consumption.

  If the driving time calculating means calculates the driving time based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature, the speed at which the headlamp is tilted, which varies depending on the environmental temperature. The headlamp tilt time can be adjusted according to the accuracy of the headlamp so that the accuracy of directing the optical axis of the headlamp in a desired direction can be further improved. The drive of the drive means is continued, the vibration of the optical axis is further prevented or suppressed, and glare prevention or suppression, legal compliance, and driver visibility can be ensured with higher accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to better suppress or prevent the headlamp from being loaded and quickly deteriorated, and to further reduce wasteful power consumption. It is possible to provide the automatic leveling device of Doranpu.

  The driving means is configured such that the direction of the optical axis is set by a ratio between an input reference voltage and a variable instruction voltage, and the driving time is an input time of the instruction voltage. The time for tilting the headlamp can be adjusted by changing the input time of the instruction voltage according to the speed at which the headlamp is tilted, and the accuracy of directing the optical axis of the headlamp in a desired direction is improved. As a result, the drive means continues to be driven even after the optical axis is directed to the target direction, and the optical axis is prevented or suppressed from shaking to prevent or suppress glare, legal compliance, driving Vehicle heads that can assure the visibility of the user and can suppress or prevent the headlamps from being overloaded and prematurely deteriorated, and can reduce wasteful power consumption. It is possible to provide the automatic leveling device of the lamp.

  If the drive time calculation means calculates the drive time based on the reference voltage detected by the voltage detection means for detecting the reference voltage, the headlamp is tilted by detecting the reference voltage. The headlamp tilt time can be adjusted by accurately detecting the speed and changing the instruction voltage input time according to the accurately detected speed. The accuracy of directing in the direction can be further improved, so that the driving means continues to be driven even after the optical axis is directed to the target direction, and the optical axis is further prevented or suppressed from shaking due to vibration. It is possible to prevent or suppress glare, comply with laws and regulations, and ensure the driver's visibility with higher accuracy, as well as load on the headlamps to accelerate deterioration. Et a can be satisfactorily suppressed or prevented, and can provide an automatic leveling device for a vehicle headlamp capable of further reducing wasteful power consumption.

  The driving time calculating means is configured to cause the optical axis to form a predetermined angle with respect to a road surface based on the attitude detected by a vehicle body attitude detecting means that detects an attitude of a vehicle equipped with a headlamp. Can be adjusted according to the speed at which the headlamp is tilted and the attitude of the vehicle, and the accuracy of directing the optical axis of the headlamp in a desired direction can be further increased. As a result, the driving means continues to be driven even after the optical axis is directed to the target direction, and the optical axis is further prevented or suppressed from shaking to prevent glare. Suppression, legal compliance, and driver visibility can be ensured more accurately, and it is possible to more effectively suppress or prevent the headlamp from being loaded and accelerated. , Also it can be provided an automatic leveling device for a vehicle headlamp capable of further reducing wasteful power consumption.

  The present invention uses drive means for tilting the optical axis of the headlamp up and down, and drive time calculation means for calculating the drive time of the drive means according to the speed at which the optical axis is tilted up and down by the drive means. In the vehicle headlamp auto-leveling method in which the optical axis is directed in a predetermined direction, the time for tilting the headlamp can be adjusted according to the speed at which the headlamp is tilted. The accuracy of directing the axis in a desired direction can be improved, whereby the drive means continues to be driven even after the optical axis is directed to the target direction, and the optical axis is prevented or suppressed from shaking. In addition to preventing or suppressing glare, ensuring legal compliance, and ensuring driver visibility, it is possible to suppress or prevent the headlamp from being overloaded and accelerated. It is possible to provide an auto-leveling method for a vehicle headlamp that can reduce unnecessary power consumption.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of an auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp to which the present invention is applied. A vehicle headlamp automatic leveling device (hereinafter referred to as “leveling device”) 100 is provided as a part of a vehicle control device 101 that controls a vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted.

  The vehicle control device 101 includes various control units that are various electronic control units, that is, ECUs, that is, an engine control ECU 10 as an engine control unit, an air conditioner control ECU 30 as an air conditioner control unit, and a headlamp control unit as a headlamp control unit. ECU 40, CAN (controller area network) 50, which is an in-vehicle LAN connecting these with a network, and various sensors and actuators connected to various ECUs, that is, an air conditioner control ECU 30 for detecting environmental temperature Environmental temperature detection means 31, vehicle body posture detection means 20 and actuator 60 connected to headlamp control ECU 40, and HID vehicle headlamp (hereinafter referred to as "headlamp") driven by actuator 60. The flop "hereinafter) 70, as a power source shown in FIG. 2, the battery 80 is a power supply output 16V, and a brake control ECU or the like as the brake control means (not shown).

  The leveling device 100 is configured by a portion excluding the engine control ECU 10 among the components of the vehicle control device 101 illustrated in FIG. 1. The configurations of the engine control ECU 10, the CAN 50, and the brake control ECU are the same as those in the prior art, and a description thereof is omitted.

  The environmental temperature detection means 31 is constituted by a thermocouple, detects an environmental temperature at which the vehicle is used, specifically an outside air temperature, and inputs a detection signal to the air conditioner control ECU 30. The arrangement position of the environmental temperature detection means 31 may be any position that can detect an environmental temperature suitable for performing various controls performed using the temperature detected by the environmental temperature detection means 31. It is arranged inside the outside air intake.

  The air conditioner control ECU 30 has an amplifier (not shown) and an A / D converter that digitizes the detection signal input from the environmental temperature detection means 31, and calculates the environmental temperature based on the detection signal. To do. Here, the air conditioner control ECU 30 functions as an environmental temperature calculating means. The air conditioner control ECU 30 includes a RAM (not shown) and stores the calculated environmental temperature. Here, the RAM functions as an environmental temperature storage unit. The environmental temperature is calculated and stored as needed.

  The environmental temperature is used for air conditioner control by the air conditioner control ECU 30 for maintaining the temperature in the vehicle at a predetermined temperature, and is input to the head lamp control ECU 40 connected to the air conditioner control ECU 30 by the CAN 50 and the like. Used for control.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the headlamp control ECU 40 includes a CPU 41 as a calculation means, a ROM 42 as a first storage means, a RAM 43 as a second storage means, a timer 44 as a time measurement means, The I / O port 45 is connected to the CAN 50 and the actuator 60 for inputting / outputting predetermined information.

  The vehicle body posture detection unit 20 is a vehicle body posture detection unit that detects the posture of the vehicle on which the headlamp 70 is mounted. The vehicle body posture detection unit 20 is disposed in a suspension portion of each tire constituting the vehicle. Are connected to the headlamp control ECU 40, and a detection signal is input to the headlamp control ECU 40 via the I / O port 45. The detection signal input to the headlamp control ECU 40 is used to detect how the vehicle is tilted in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the road surface on which the vehicle is stopped or traveling. The angle of the vehicle with respect to the road surface varies depending on the position and weight of the passenger, the load, and the like.

  In the CPU 41, the headlamp control ECU 40 calculates the angle formed by the vehicle with respect to the road surface, that is, the vehicle body angle, based on the detection signal input from the vehicle body posture detection means 20. Here, the CPU 41 functions as a vehicle body angle calculation means. Further, the headlamp control ECU 40 stores the calculated vehicle body angle in the RAM 43. Here, the RAM 43 functions as a vehicle body angle storage unit. The calculation and storage of the vehicle body angle is performed at any time.

  The headlamp 70 is a light source (not shown) that emits light (not shown), a housing 71 that has a lens (not shown) on the front side of the vehicle, and that houses the light source. And a support shaft 73 that supports the casing 71 so as to be swingable with respect to the vehicle so that the optical axis 72 of the light to be tilted up and down. The headlamp 70 is a known type in which the direction of the optical axis 72, that is, the angle formed with respect to the vehicle body, is uniquely determined by the magnitude of the driving voltage 62 described later.

  The actuator 60 is connected to the drive unit 61 connected to the housing 71 so as to tilt the optical axis 72 up and down around the support shaft 73, and to the headlamp control ECU 40 via the I / O port 45. A driver 63 is connected to the battery 80 and controls a driving voltage 62 input from the battery 80 to the driving means 61 under the control of the headlamp control ECU 40.

  The driving means 61 includes a motor 64 as a driving source to which a driving voltage 62 is input by a driver 63, and a shaft 65 as a driving member that is pivotally attached to the casing 71 at one end and driven in the left-right direction in FIG. And have.

  The drive voltage 62 is an angle formed by the optical axis 72 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, that is, the angle with respect to the vehicle body, by the ratio of the reference voltage 66 that is substantially equal to the output voltage of the battery 80 at that time and the reference voltage 66. An instruction voltage 67 that is variably controlled as will be described later is determined. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the voltage ratio (= instruction voltage / reference voltage), which is the ratio between the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67, and the vehicle body angle. The driving means 61 is configured such that the direction of the optical axis 72 is set by the ratio of the inputted reference voltage 66 and the inputted variable instruction voltage 67, and the driving force for the motor 64 to drive the shaft 65 is The reference voltage 67 is obtained by the reference voltage 66, and the instruction voltage 67 is used to stop the driving of the shaft 65. The motor 64 is configured to fix the shaft 65 when the input of the instruction voltage 67 is stopped.

  The driver 63 synchronously inputs the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 to the motor 64, and stops inputting the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 to the motor 64 in synchronization. The input time of the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 to the motor 64, that is, the drive time of the motor 64 for directing the optical axis 72 in a predetermined direction will be described later.

  The magnitude of the instruction voltage 67 is set to 1 to 15 V in consideration of the magnitude of the output voltage of the battery 80 and reduction of the influence of noise, and is adjusted in units of 1 V, for example. The magnitude of the instruction voltage 67 is adjusted using an electronic volume incorporated in the driver 63. As the command voltage 67 increases, that is, as the voltage ratio between the reference voltage 66 and the command voltage 67 increases and approaches 1.0, the optical axis 72 faces downward and the portion closer to the vehicle is illuminated. The angle formed by the optical axis 72 and the road surface is increased, and the elevation angle of the optical axis 72 is increased. The magnitude of the instruction voltage 67 is stored in the RAM 43. Here, the RAM 43 functions as an instruction voltage storage unit. Note that the initial value of the magnitude of the instruction voltage 67 stored in the RAM 43 is set to 1 V at which the elevation angle is the largest.

  The driver 63 also turns on / off the power supply from the battery 80 to the light source of the headlamp 70 to blink the headlamp 70. When the light source of the headlamp 70 is turned on, the driver 80 The lighting voltage 68 that is substantially equal to the output voltage at that time is input. Whether or not to turn on the headlamp 70 is determined based on a signal input from the CAN 50 to the headlamp control ECU, for example, a signal transmitted when the driver performs a predetermined operation to turn on the headlamp 70. Be controlled.

  A schematic operation of the leveling apparatus 100 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 4 as appropriate. Note that the control shown in FIG. 4 is based on the condition that the headlamp 70 is turned on.

  In a state where the headlamp 70 is lit, the light emitted from the emitted light is prevented from being dazzled by oncoming vehicles and passers-by, and the optical axis 72 is provided so that the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize the front. Is required to form an angle within a predetermined range with respect to the road surface.

  Therefore, the leveling device 100 acquires the vehicle body angle stored in the RAM 43 in the headlamp control ECU 40 (FIG. 4 (S1)), and the CPU 41 uses the instruction voltage used last time from the RAM 43 as the instruction voltage storage unit. The size of 67 is read (FIG. 4 (S2)), and the angle to the vehicle body is calculated, and the angle formed by the optical axis 72 with respect to the road surface, that is, the angle to the road surface is calculated from the sum of these (FIG. 4 (S3)). . Here, the CPU 41 functions as a vehicle body angle calculation unit and a road surface angle calculation unit.

  The CPU 41 determines whether or not the calculated road surface angle is to be adjusted (FIG. 4 (S4)). That is, the angle of the optical axis 72 of the headlamp 70 is an angle that does not give glare to oncoming vehicles and passers-by, and a predetermined angle with respect to the road surface so that the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize the front. It is determined whether there is no. Here, the CPU 41 functions as a leveling necessity determination unit that determines whether the angle of the optical axis 72 is adjusted, that is, whether leveling is necessary. Note that a road surface reference angle to be compared with the calculated road surface angle is used as a reference for making this determination, and this road surface reference angle is stored in the ROM 42. Here, the ROM 42 functions as a road surface reference angle storage unit.

If it is determined in step S4 that leveling is not necessary, the process returns to step S1 and the operations up to step S4 are repeated.
If it is determined in step S4 that leveling is necessary, the CPU 41 calculates the magnitude of the command voltage 67 so that the angle of the optical axis 72 corresponds to the road surface reference angle (FIG. 4 (S5)). ) And the calculated magnitude of the instruction voltage 67 is stored in the RAM 43 (S6 in FIG. 4). Here, the CPU 67 functions as an instruction voltage calculation unit, and the RAM 43 functions as an instruction voltage storage unit. In addition, the memory | storage of the magnitude | size of the instruction voltage 67 here is performed in the aspect which overwrites the magnitude | size of the last instruction voltage 67. FIG.

  Here, if the driving time for tilting the optical axis 72 by the driving means 61 using the driving voltage 62 is constant, the following problem may occur.

First, when the driving time is insufficient, the following problems may occur.
That is, when it is necessary to tilt the optical axis 72 greatly, the application of the drive voltage 62 is stopped before the optical axis 72 forms a target angle, that is, before the road surface angle corresponds to the road surface reference angle, and the light When the tilting of the shaft 72 stops, problems such as giving glare to oncoming vehicles and passers-by, the driver of the vehicle being unable to see the front sufficiently, and insufficient compliance with regulations may arise.

Therefore, it is conceivable to set the driving time to a long time in order to provide a margin, but this may cause the driving time to be too long, and the following problems may occur.
That is, when the tilt of the optical axis 72 only needs to be reduced, the application of the drive voltage 62 is continued even after the optical axis 72 forms a target angle, that is, after the road surface angle corresponds to the road surface reference angle. The magnitude of the reference voltage 66 is vibrated by noise or the like, and the optical axis 72 is shaken, which still gives glare to oncoming vehicles and passers-by, and the driver of the vehicle cannot fully see the front, complying with laws and regulations. In addition to problems such as insufficiency, the headlamp 70 is also vibrated due to the vibration of the reference voltage 66, causing a load on the headlamp 70, leading to rapid deterioration of the headlamp 70 and its surroundings, and wasteful power consumption. Problems may occur.

Therefore, the leveling device 100 sets the drive time so that the drive time is cut off when the road surface angle corresponds to the road surface reference angle.
However, the speed at which the optical axis 72 is tilted up or down, that is, the driving speed varies depending on the ambient temperature in which the motor 64 and the battery 80 are used and the magnitude of the driving voltage 62 that is actually input to the motor 64. This is because the viscosity of the grease used for the motor 64 and the electrolytic characteristics of the battery 80 change to these operating environment temperatures, and the output of the battery 80 changes due to deterioration over time. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the driving time according to these parameters. Such a driving speed can also be referred to as a driving speed of the shaft 65 by the motor 64.

As already described, since the driving force for driving the shaft 65 by the motor 64 is obtained by the reference voltage 66, the driving speed is determined by the reference voltage 66 as shown in FIG. The magnitude of 66 and the magnitude of the driving speed are in a proportional relationship.
FIG. 5 shows a case where only the reference voltage 66 changes, and other conditions such as the environmental temperature are constant.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the driving speed is determined by the environmental temperature, and the environmental temperature and the magnitude of the driving speed are in a linearly changing relationship.
FIG. 6 shows a case where only the environmental temperature changes, and other conditions such as the reference voltage 66 are constant.

  Thus, of the reference voltage 66 and the environmental temperature that influence the driving speed, the reference voltage 66 is more likely to affect the driving speed than the environmental temperature. In other words, the influence of the environmental temperature on the driving speed is smaller than that of the reference voltage 66.

  In consideration of such circumstances, the leveling device 100 stores the magnitude of the instruction voltage 67 in step S6 as described above, and then calculates the appropriate driving time in the CPU 41 as described later. Then, the difference voltage from the previous instruction voltage, that is, the difference voltage is calculated (FIG. 4 (S7)). Here, the CPU 41 functions as an instruction voltage difference calculation unit. The calculated differential voltage may be stored in the RAM 43. In this case, the RAM 43 functions as an instruction voltage difference storage unit. This differential voltage corresponds to the amount by which the optical axis 72 is tilted, that is, the amount by which the optical axis is tilted, and also corresponds to the amount by which the shaft 65 is driven, that is, the drive member drive amount.

  Following step S7, the leveling device 100 acquires the environmental temperature stored in the RAM of the air conditioner control ECU 30 via the CAN 50 in the head lamp control ECU 40 (FIG. 4 (S8)), and from the ROM 42, Of the relational expressions between the reference voltage 66 and the driving speed prepared in accordance with the temperature, the relational expression corresponding to the acquired environmental temperature is read (FIG. 4 (S9)).

  As described above, the influence of the environmental temperature on the driving speed is smaller than that of the reference voltage 66. For example, even if the environmental temperature changes by 1 ° C., the change in the driving speed is not so large. It is prepared in a look-up table format in 5 ° C increments of environmental temperature. Further, the relational expression is an approximate expression obtained in advance by measuring the driving speed by changing the reference voltage 66 in each environmental temperature range, but the accuracy thereof is the road surface in the actual use of the headlamp 70. The angle can be regarded as matching the road surface reference angle. The ROM 42 shows the relationship between the reference voltage 66 corresponding to the environmental temperature and the drive speed, and functions as a drive speed determination table storage unit that stores a drive speed determination table for obtaining the drive speed.

  The environmental temperature may be calculated by the CPU 41 by obtaining the detection signal of the environmental temperature detection means 31 via the air conditioner control ECU 30 and the CAN 50 when necessary in the headlamp control ECU 40. In this case, the RAM 43 Memorize the ambient temperature. In this case, the CPU 41 functions as an environmental temperature calculation unit, and the RAM 43 functions as an environmental temperature storage unit.

  The environmental temperature detection means 31 may be provided in the vicinity of the motor 61 or in the vicinity of the motor 61 in addition to the motor 61 or in the vicinity of the battery 80 in that it is used for calculating the driving time. Because it is diverted and used, it is inexpensive. It is possible to divert the environmental temperature detecting means 31 for controlling an air conditioner by using the CAN 50 in a vehicle on which the leveling device 100 is mounted. The environmental temperature detecting means 31 is disposed inside the outside air intake port as described above, and the temperature detected at this position is the temperature of the environment in which the motor 61 or the battery 80 is used in addition to this, that is, the environmental temperature. However, the temperature at such a position can be regarded as substantially matching the ambient temperature for calculating the driving speed.

  Following step S9, the leveling device 100 detects the reference voltage 66 in the head lamp control ECU 40 via the driver 63 (FIG. 4 (S10)), and the CPU 41 sets the detected reference voltage 66 as described above. And substituting into the relational expression selected based on the environmental temperature to calculate the driving speed (FIG. 4 (S11)), and using the calculated driving speed, the differential voltage (optical axis tilt amount, driving) calculated in step S7. (Equivalent to the member driving amount) is divided to calculate a driving time for matching the road surface angle with the road surface reference angle (FIG. 4 (S12)). Here, the head lamp control ECU 40 functions as a reference voltage detection unit that is a voltage detection unit, and the CPU 41 functions as a drive speed calculation unit and a drive time calculation unit.

  As described above, the CPU 41 as the drive time calculation means is based on the vehicle attitude with respect to the road surface detected by the vehicle body attitude detection means 20 so as to match the road surface angle with the road surface reference road surface angle according to the drive speed. Thus, the drive time for directing the optical axis 72 in a predetermined direction is calculated. The CPU 41 as the drive time calculation means calculates the drive time based on the environmental temperature detected by the environmental temperature detection means 31 and the reference voltage 66 detected by the headlamp control ECU 40 as the reference voltage detection means. The CPU 41 serving as the drive time calculation means, in calculating the drive time, is within a range in which the above-described problem caused by continuing to apply the drive voltage 62 even after the road surface angle corresponds to the road surface reference angle can be ignored. You may make it add the allowance time for making a road surface angle correspond with a road surface reference angle reliably.

  In step S12, the leveling device 100 drives the driver 63 via the I / O port 45 by the CPU 41, and inputs the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 calculated in step S5 to the motor 64 (FIG. 4 (S13)). ), The tilting of the optical axis 72 is started so that the road surface angle coincides with the road surface reference angle, and at the same time, the timer 44 starts measuring whether or not the calculated drive time has elapsed, and the drive time The reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 are continuously input to the motor 64 until the time elapses (FIG. 4 (S14)). When the driving time is reached, that is, when the timer 44 measures the elapse of the driving time, The driver 63 stops the input of the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 to the motor 64 via the I / O port 45 (FIG. 4 (S15)). Here, the timer 44 functions as drive time measuring means for measuring the drive time.

  The road surface angle coincides with the road surface reference angle at the timing at which step S15 is performed or at a timing equal thereto, so that the driving voltage 62 is applied even after the road surface angle corresponds to the road surface reference angle. The driver of the vehicle does not continue, so the magnitude of the reference voltage 66 does not vibrate due to noise or the like and the optical axis 72 is not shaken, and thus gives glare to oncoming vehicles and passersby However, problems such as inadequate visibility of the front and insufficient compliance with laws and regulations are prevented or suppressed, and the headlamp 70 is vibrated due to the vibration of the reference voltage 66, and the headlamp 70 is subjected to a load. Problems such as rapid deterioration of surrounding components and wasteful power consumption are prevented or suppressed.

  For example, when the reference voltage 66 is the first condition of 12V and the environmental temperature is 25 ° C., the driving speed related to the shaft 65 is 1 mm / sec. When the driving member driving amount is 10 mm, the driving time is 10 seconds.

Here, when the reference voltage 66 is 12V and the environmental temperature is −30 ° C., the driving speed for the shaft 65 is 0.5 mm / sec, which is half that of the first condition.
If the driving time is 10 seconds when the driving time is constant as described above, the driving member is driven only half of the target, so the road surface angle is completely different from the road surface reference angle. This causes the above-mentioned problem. However, if the driving time is 90 seconds in accordance with the second condition, the reference voltage 66 is continuously input to the motor 54 for 10 seconds after the road surface angle reaches the target in the first condition. As a result, the above-described problems occur.

  However, according to the leveling device 100, the angle of the optical axis 72 is adjusted using the driving time calculated in accordance with each condition including the first condition and the second condition. The occurrence of such a problem is prevented or suppressed.

  As described above, when the driving time elapses, the input of both the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67 to the motor 64 is disconnected. However, if the noise on the reference voltage 66 can be ignored, the reference voltage 66 is Since it does not have to be disconnected, it is the input time of the instruction voltage 67 that the driving time must be equal to the input time of the reference voltage 66 and the instruction voltage 67.

  In the ROM 42, as described above, the driving unit 61 that tilts the optical axis 72 up and down, and the driving time for calculating the driving time of the driving unit 61 according to the speed at which the optical axis 72 is tilted up and down by the driving unit 61. Using an CPU 41 as a calculation means, an auto leveling program necessary for realizing an auto leveling method for a vehicle headlamp in which the optical axis 72 is directed in a predetermined direction in which the road surface angle coincides with the road surface reference angle is stored. is doing. Here, the ROM 42 functions as an auto leveling program storage unit.

  Note that, as a condition for starting the control shown in FIG. 4, it has been described that the headlamp 70 is lit as described above. This is because the posture of the used vehicle is stable. For example, when the vehicle is traveling on a rough road, the posture of the vehicle is not stable, but in this case, it is not necessary to perform such control, and if such control is performed, the driving means 61, the headlamp 70, etc. are loaded. It is because it will apply. In addition, the control shown in FIG. 4 is performed at a predetermined time interval such as a 5-second interval when such a condition is satisfied, so that the road surface angle coincides with the road surface reference angle as needed. Is desirable. However, when the vehicle is stopped, it is only necessary to perform such control once. Therefore, information on whether or not the vehicle is stopped is acquired from the engine control ECU 10 or the like, and whether or not the control is repeatedly performed is determined. You may make it select. In this case, the configuration used to acquire such information, such as the engine control ECU 10, is also included in the leveling device 100, and the auto leveling program is described correspondingly and stored in the ROM 42 as the auto leveling program storage unit. The Note that in the case of NO in step S4 in FIG. 4, such control may be terminated.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention described in the claims is not specifically limited by the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the above.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle body posture detection means 20 may be connected to a brake control ECU 90. In this configuration, the leveling device 100 includes the brake control ECU 90, and the vehicle body angle is calculated in the brake control ECU 90, and is calculated in the brake control ECU 90 via the CAN 50 when necessary in the headlamp control ECU 40. The vehicle body angle can be acquired, and when necessary, the headlamp control ECU 40 acquires a detection signal of the vehicle body posture detection means 20 via the brake control ECU 90 and the CAN 50, and the vehicle body angle is determined by the CPU 41. It is also possible to calculate in step. Further, as indicated by a broken line in the figure, the vehicle body posture detection means 20 may be directly connected to the headlamp control ECU 40 together with the brake control ECU 90 to perform the same control as described above. When calculating the vehicle body angle in the brake control ECU 90, a CPU (not shown) of the brake control ECU 90 functions as a vehicle body angle calculation means, and the calculated vehicle body angle may be stored in a RAM (not shown) of the brake control ECU 90. In this case, the RAM functions as a vehicle body angle storage unit.

  The driving source of the headlamp may be driven by inputting a voltage corresponding to the above-described reference voltage 66 without using the instruction voltage as the driving voltage. In this case, the driving time is obtained in the same manner, and the road surface angle is obtained. Can be driven to match the road surface reference angle. In this case, for example, the head lamp is tilted upward or downward by switching the positive / negative of the drive voltage or using a stepping motor as the drive source. Either the environmental temperature or the reference voltage value may be used for the calculation of the driving time. When the environmental temperature is used, the above relational expression considers only the output of the driving source due to the fluctuation of the environmental temperature, The power supply output drop may be ignored.

  The vehicle headlamp auto leveling apparatus and method according to the present invention may be used for switching so-called high beam settings, and in this case, it is not always necessary to detect the vehicle posture by the vehicle body posture detection means. . Similarly, even when such an apparatus or method is used to correct a temporal deviation of the optical axis, it is not always necessary to detect the vehicle posture by the vehicle body posture detection means.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

It is a control block diagram of the auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp to which the present invention is applied. It is a control block diagram of a part of the auto leveling device for the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the characteristic of the drive source with which the automatic leveling apparatus of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. 1 was equipped. It is the control flowchart in the automatic leveling apparatus of the headlamp for vehicles to which this invention is applied, and the automatic leveling apparatus of the headlamp for vehicles to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the correlation characteristic of the voltage and output of a common drive source. It is a figure which shows the correlation characteristic of temperature and an output of a general drive source. It is a control block diagram of the modification of the automatic leveling apparatus of the headlamp for vehicles to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Car body attitude | position detection means 31 Temperature detection means 40 Voltage detection means 41 Drive time calculation means 61 Drive means 66 Reference voltage 67 Instruction voltage 70 Headlamp 72 Optical axis 100 Auto-leveling device for vehicle headlamp

Claims (6)

Driving means for tilting the optical axis of the headlamp up and down;
A vehicle headlamp auto comprising: a drive time calculating means for calculating a drive time of the drive means for directing the optical axis in a predetermined direction according to a speed at which the optical axis is tilted up and down by the drive means Leveling device. In the vehicle headlamp automatic leveling device according to claim 1,
The driving time calculating means calculates the driving time based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature detecting means for detecting the environmental temperature. An auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp. In the vehicle headlamp automatic leveling device according to claim 1 or 2,
The drive means is configured such that the direction of the optical axis is set by a ratio between an input reference voltage and a variable instruction voltage,
An auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp, wherein the driving time is an input time of the command voltage. In the vehicle headlamp automatic leveling device according to claim 3,
The driving time calculating means calculates the driving time based on the reference voltage detected by the voltage detecting means for detecting the reference voltage. An auto leveling device for a vehicle headlamp. The automatic leveling device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The driving time calculating means is configured to cause the optical axis to form a predetermined angle with respect to a road surface based on the attitude detected by a vehicle body attitude detecting means that detects an attitude of a vehicle equipped with a headlamp. An automatic leveling device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized in that Driving means for tilting the optical axis of the headlamp up and down;
Using drive time calculating means for calculating the drive time of the drive means according to the speed at which the optical axis is tilted up and down by the drive means;
A vehicle headlamp auto-leveling method in which the optical axis is directed in a predetermined direction.

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