JP6767127B2 - Dimming control device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle dimming control device.

For example, when the headlight of a vehicle such as an automobile is switched from the off state to the on state, or when the headlight is switched from the on state to the off state, the state is generally switched instantaneously. In an environment where the amount of light emitted from a lamp such as a headlight can be finely adjusted, control (fade-in) is performed to gradually increase the amount of light when switching from the off state to the on state with the passage of time and change it smoothly. Alternatively, control (fade out) may be performed in which the amount of light when switching from the lit state to the extinguished state is gradually reduced with the passage of time to change smoothly.

By implementing such fade-in / fade-out dimming control, it is possible to produce a sense of luxury to the eyes of the vehicle user and surrounding people, and it is possible to increase the commercial value of the vehicle. become.

For example, the LED drive circuit shown in Patent Document 1 shows a technique for providing a function of performing fade-in and fade-out operations of LEDs used for vehicle lighting and signal lights in a small size and with high quality. Further, in the vehicle headlight lighting device of Patent Document 2, for example, FIG. 13 shows fade-in / fade-out dimming control.

Further, the headlight control device of Patent Document 3 shows a technique for suppressing dazzling other road users. Specifically, the information on the shift lever position is acquired, and when the shift lever position is the parking position or the neutral position, the headlight is turned on so that the illuminance gradually reaches a predetermined value, and the shift lever position. When is other than the parking position and the neutral position, the headlight is controlled to be turned on so that the illuminance instantly reaches the predetermined value.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-32470 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-30259 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-153307

However, when the fade-in function operates while the vehicle is running, it takes a certain amount of time for the amount of light emitted from the headlights to become sufficiently bright, so that safety and operability during driving are required. May cause problems. For example, when a vehicle enters a tunnel, the brightness of the surrounding environment suddenly changes from a bright state to a dark state, so it is desirable to instantly switch the headlight from the off state to the on state. However, in an environment where the fade-in function operates, it takes time to obtain sufficient brightness.

Therefore, for example, as in the headlight control device shown in Patent Document 3, when the shift lever position of the vehicle is other than the parking position and the neutral position, it is conceivable to prohibit the fade-in function.

However, when the technology of Patent Document 3 is adopted, the amount of light of the headlight is instantaneously set, as in the case where the vehicle is not actually running yet or the vehicle is running at a very low speed in a parking lot or the like. Even if it is a safe environment without switching to, the fade-in function is prohibited. Therefore, the chance that the fade-in function is recognized by the user of the vehicle and the surrounding people is reduced, and it becomes difficult to obtain a high-class effect.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to control dimming for a vehicle, which can ensure safety when driving a vehicle and effectively produce a sense of luxury. To provide the equipment.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle dimming control device according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to ( 3 ).
(1) A light amount adjusting unit capable of adjusting the light emission amount of at least one light source mounted on the vehicle, and
When a fade-in instruction is generated, an instruction for raising the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount is given to the light amount adjusting unit, and when a fade-out instruction is generated, the light amount of the light source is given to the first light amount. A fade control unit that gives an instruction to lower the light amount from the light amount of 2 to the first light amount to the light amount adjusting unit, and
A vehicle speed information acquisition unit that acquires information on the traveling speed of the vehicle,
Based on the traveling speed information acquired by the vehicle speed information acquisition unit , the speed of change when the light amount of the light source is raised from the first light amount to the second light amount is the speed at which the traveling speed is greater than zero to zero. If it is less than one speed, it is fixed at the minimum value, and if the traveling speed is from the first speed to the second speed larger than the first speed, the first speed to the second speed of the traveling speed are used. It is set to increase from the minimum value to the first value larger than the minimum value according to the increase to the speed, and when the traveling speed exceeds the second speed, the maximum value larger than the first value is set. A vehicle speed reflection control unit that controls the fade control unit so as to be fixed to
With
The light source includes the headlights of the vehicle.
It has a switch that is operated to indicate the on / off of the headlights.
A vehicle dimming control device configured to generate the fade-in instruction when the switch is turned from off to on, and to generate the fade-out instruction when the switch is turned from on to off.

According to the vehicle dimming control device having the configuration of (1) above, when the amount of light of a light source such as a headlight is raised from the first amount of light to the second amount of light, it is short when the traveling speed is relatively high. Since the amount of light can be switched with time, it becomes easy to ensure safety during driving. Further, even if the shift lever position of the vehicle is other than the parking position and the neutral position, when the traveling speed is relatively slow, the change in the amount of light of the light source when the amount of light is raised from the first amount of light to the second amount of light. Since the speed is reduced, there are more opportunities to produce a sense of quality, and a sufficient effect can be expected.

Further, according to the vehicle dimming control device having the configuration of ( 1 ) above, when the traveling speed of the vehicle is high as in a normal traveling state, the amount of light of the light source is changed from the first amount of light to the second amount of light. It can be switched instantly, and sufficient safety can be ensured.
Further, according to the vehicle dimming control device having the configuration of the above (1), it is possible to prevent the change speed of the amount of light from becoming too slow when the traveling speed of the vehicle is low. That is, since it is possible to prevent the rate of change in the amount of light from slowing down to the extent that it is difficult for the user and surrounding people to visually recognize the fade-in operation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the effect of the effect.

( 2 ) The vehicle speed reflection control unit increases the rate of change when the light amount of the light source is lowered from the second light amount to the first light amount, as compared with the case where the traveling speed is high and slow.
The vehicle dimming control device according to (1) above.

According to the vehicle dimming control device having the configuration of ( 2 ) above, the change in the traveling speed of the vehicle can be reflected in the change speed of the light amount even when the fade-out light amount control is performed. As a result, an appropriate effect can be obtained according to the situation.

( 3 ) When the vehicle speed reflection control unit changes the change speed when raising the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount, the change speed is changed according to the magnitude of the traveling speed. In steps,
The vehicle dimming control device according to (1) above.

According to the vehicle dimming control device having the configuration of ( 3 ) above, the speed of change of the amount of light is switched in steps, so that an appropriate effect according to the vehicle speed can be obtained and the driving safety when the vehicle is running can be improved. Can be secured.

According to the vehicle dimming control device of the present invention, it is possible to realize a vehicle dimming control device capable of ensuring safety when driving a vehicle and effectively producing a sense of quality. That is, when the amount of light of a light source such as a headlight is raised from the first amount of light to the second amount of light, the amount of light can be switched in a short time when the traveling speed is relatively high, so that safety during traveling is possible. It becomes easy to secure. Further, even if the shift lever position of the vehicle is other than the parking position and the neutral position, when the traveling speed is relatively slow, the change in the amount of light of the light source when the amount of light is raised from the first amount of light to the second amount of light. Since the speed is reduced, there are more opportunities to produce a sense of quality, and a sufficient effect can be expected.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. ..

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a dimming control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the vehicle speed reflection control unit. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the vehicle speed corresponding to the operation of FIG. 2 and the light intensity change speed. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of changes in lamp illuminance according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the vehicle speed and the light amount change speed corresponding to the operation of FIG.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to each figure.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the dimming control device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the dimming control device 10 includes a switch 11, a sensor 12, a lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13, a lamp 14, a light amount adjusting unit 15, a fade control unit 16, and a vehicle speed reflection control unit 17. ..

The dimming control device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle and is used to control a lamp 14 such as a headlight, that is, a lighting lamp.

The switch 11 is used to receive a driver's input operation for instructing the on / off of the headlights and the like. The sensor 12 detects the state of the environment and the state of the own vehicle, and outputs information necessary for automatically turning on / off the headlights and the like.

The lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13 generates an instruction signal SG1 for controlling the lamp 14 based on the state of the switch 11 and the detection state of the sensor 12. The instruction signal SG1 has a plurality of states such as lighting, extinguishing, fading in, and fading out.

The fade-in instruction signal SG1 is used, for example, to instruct an operation in which the amount of light is gradually increased with the passage of time to smoothly raise the amount of light when the lamp of the lamp 14 is switched from the off state to the on state. The fade-out instruction signal SG1 is used, for example, to instruct an operation of gradually reducing the amount of light with the passage of time to smoothly lower the amount of light when switching the lamp of the lamp 14 from the lit state to the extinguished state.

The lamp 14 has a built-in light source such as a halogen lamp, a HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamp, or an LED (light emitting diode) lamp, and is used as a headlight or the like for illuminating the road surface of the road on which the own vehicle travels. It is also possible to use the dimming control device 10 of FIG. 1 to control outdoor lighting lights other than headlights such as tail lamps and side lights, and various lamps that illuminate the interior of the vehicle.

The light amount adjusting unit 15 is an electronic circuit for adjusting the light amount of the lamp 14 according to the input light amount target value SG3. For example, when the lamp built in the lamp 14 is a halogen lamp or an LED lamp, the PWM (pulse width modulation) signal is used to repeatedly turn on / off the energized state of the lamp in a short cycle to obtain an on section and an off section. By adjusting the duty of, it is possible to precisely adjust the average value of the light emission amount. When the lamp 14 is an HID lamp, the amount of light emitted can be adjusted by adopting a known technique as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-124033.

The fade control unit 16 generates a light amount target value SG3 to be given to the light amount adjusting unit 15 according to the instruction signal SG1 input from the lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13. For example, when a fade-in instruction signal SG1 is input, the light amount target value SG3 is gradually increased with the passage of time from the current light amount to a specified light amount (for example, a light amount equivalent to 100% of the rated power). Let me. Further, for example, when the fade-out instruction signal SG1 is input, the light amount target value SG3 is gradually reduced with the passage of time from the current light amount to a specified light amount (for example, the light amount in the extinguished state).

Further, the light amount change speed in the case of fade-in / fade-out in the fade control unit 16 is changed according to the light amount change speed instruction value SG2 output from the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17. For example, when the fade-in instruction signal SG1 is input, the fade control unit 16 controls to increase the light intensity target value SG3 by a certain increment value every time a certain time elapses. Here, if the increment value is adjusted so as to be proportional to the light amount change speed indicated value SG2, the change speed of the light amount target value SG3 also changes according to the light amount change speed indicated value SG2, and the actual light amount change speed in the lamp 14 is also the same. It changes like. Alternatively, the cycle for updating (increasing) the light intensity target value SG3 may be changed while maintaining the incremental value constant. If the update cycle is shortened, the light amount change rate becomes faster, and if the update cycle is lengthened, the light amount change rate becomes slower.

Further, when the fade-out instruction signal SG1 is input, the fade control unit 16 controls to reduce the light amount target value SG3 by a certain decrease value every time a certain time elapses. Here, if the decrease value is adjusted so as to be proportional to the light amount change speed indicated value SG2, the change speed of the light amount target value SG3 also changes according to the light amount change speed indicated value SG2, and the actual light amount change speed in the lamp 14 is also the same. It changes like. Alternatively, the cycle for updating (reducing) the light intensity target value SG3 may be changed while maintaining the decrease value constant. If the update cycle is shortened, the light amount change rate becomes faster, and if the update cycle is lengthened, the light amount change rate becomes slower.

The vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 repeatedly acquires the latest information on the running speed (vehicle speed [km / h]) of the current vehicle, and controls the light amount change speed instruction value SG2 so as to reflect the vehicle speed. For example, by monitoring the vehicle speed pulse SG5 output from a predetermined sensor on the vehicle, the vehicle speed can be grasped based on the pulse period or the number of pulses within a certain time, so that the amount of light changes according to the vehicle speed. The speed indication value SG2 is automatically changed. Further, when the vehicle speed information can be received from a higher-level electronic control unit (ECU) (not shown), this vehicle speed information may be used.

Each function of the lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13, the fade control unit 16, and the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 shown in FIG. 1 can be individually realized as hardware such as a logic circuit, or can be realized as hardware such as a logic circuit. It can also be achieved by combining hardware with software that can do this.

<Operation of vehicle speed reflection control unit 17>
An operation example of the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. The operation of FIG. 2 will be described below.

The vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 acquires the current vehicle speed Vc in step S11, and compares this vehicle speed Vc with the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU predetermined in the next step S12. As a specific example of the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU, 30 [km / h] is assumed. If the vehicle speed Vc exceeds the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU, the process proceeds to step S13, and if the vehicle speed Vc is equal to or less than the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S13, the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 switches the output light amount change speed instruction value SG2 to the maximum value, and prohibits the fade operation of the fade control unit 16.

Further, in step S14, the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 compares the vehicle speed Vc with the vehicle speed lower limit threshold value VthL determined in advance. As a specific example of the vehicle speed lower limit threshold value VthL, 5 [km / h] is assumed. If the vehicle speed Vc is less than the vehicle speed lower limit threshold value VthL, the process proceeds to step S15, and if the vehicle speed Vc is greater than or equal to the vehicle speed lower limit threshold value VthL, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S15, the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 switches the output light amount change speed instruction value SG2 to a predetermined minimum value (constant). That is, it prevents the light amount change speed at the time of fade-in / fade-out from becoming slower than that.

In step S16, the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 calculates the output light amount change speed instruction value SG2 based on a predetermined calculation formula with the vehicle speed Vc as a parameter and the current vehicle speed Vc. For example, as in the section between the vehicle speed lower limit threshold value VthL and the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU of the characteristics shown in FIG. 3, the calculation of the function is performed so that the light amount change speed indicated value SG2 increases in proportion to the vehicle speed Vc.

In step S16, when the calculation result is less than the predetermined minimum value (constant), the output light amount change speed indication value SG2 may be fixed to the minimum value. In that case, steps S14 and S15 are unnecessary and may be omitted.

<Relationship between vehicle speed and light intensity change speed>
FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the vehicle speed corresponding to the operation of FIG. 2 and the light intensity change speed. That is, when the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 performs the operation shown in FIG. 2, the operation characteristic shown in FIG. 3 is realized.

That is, in the section where the vehicle speed Vc is 0 to less than VthL, step S15 in FIG. 2 is executed, so that the light amount change speed (indicated value SG2) is fixed to the minimum value. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fading operation of the amount of lamp light from becoming slow to the extent that it is difficult to visually recognize it, and it is possible to prevent the effect of producing a sense of quality from being reduced.

Further, in the section where the vehicle speed Vc is from VthL to VthU, the light amount change speed (indicated value SG2) increases or decreases in proportion to the increase / decrease of the vehicle speed Vc. As a result, the difference in vehicle speed Vc can be reflected in the effect of changing the amount of light. That is, it is possible to obtain different effects for each vehicle speed.

Further, in the section where the vehicle speed Vc exceeds VthU, the light amount change speed (indicated value SG2) becomes maximum, and the fade control unit 16 prohibits the fade-in / fade-out operation. For example, when the own vehicle enters the tunnel under normal driving conditions, the brightness of the surrounding environment suddenly becomes dark, so the driver operates a switch or outputs a sensor that detects the brightness of the surroundings. As a result, the lighting equipment 14 such as the headlight is switched from turning off to turning on. Here, when the fade-in function is activated, it takes time for the brightness of the lamp of the lamp 14 to become sufficiently large, so that it becomes difficult for the driver to visually recognize the front of the own vehicle. However, when the operation shown in FIG. 2 is executed, the fade-in / fade-out operation is prohibited when the vehicle speed Vc exceeds the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU. Therefore, under normal driving conditions, there is no delay and the vehicle itself Immediately after the vehicle enters the tunnel, the brightness of the lamp becomes bright enough,

In the operations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is assumed that a common light intensity change rate is applied to both the fade-in operation and the fade-out operation, but the fade-in and fade-out are individual. The rate of change in the amount of light may be controlled. For example, it can be assumed that VthU and VthL in the fade-in and VthU and VthL in the fade-out are set to different independent values.

<Change in lamp illuminance>
FIG. 4 shows an example of a change in lamp illuminance according to the embodiment of the present invention. That is, when driving a vehicle equipped with the dimming control device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the lamp 14 is switched from extinguished to lit and switched from lit to extinguished by turning on / off the signal SG6 of the switch 11. FIG. 4 shows how the lamp illuminance changes along with the change in the vehicle speed Vc when the fade-in and fade-out operations are applied. The operation of FIG. 4 will be described below.

When the signal SG6 is turned from off to on at the time t1 shown in FIG. 4, the lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13 outputs the fade-in instruction signal SG1, so that the fade-in operation is started. That is, since the fade control unit 16 gradually increases the light amount target value SG3 with the passage of time, the light amount so that the lamp light amount of the lamp 14 gradually increases from 0% to 100% according to the light amount target value SG3. The adjusting unit 15 controls.

That is, in the fade-in section Tf1 at times t1 to t2, the amount of lamp light slowly rises from 0% to 100% (rising). The rising curve at this time, that is, the light amount change speed is determined by the light amount change speed indicated value SG2 output by the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17. In this fade-in section Tf1, since the vehicle speed Vc is in the low speed range (for example, 5 km / h or less), the light intensity change speed indicated value SG2 becomes a low speed value. That is, the rate of change in the amount of light in the fade-in section Tf1 is relatively low.

Further, when the signal SG6 is turned from on to off at the time t3 shown in FIG. 4, the lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13 outputs the fade-out instruction signal SG1, so that the fade-out operation is started. That is, since the fade control unit 16 gradually reduces the light amount target value SG3 with the passage of time, the light amount so that the lamp light amount of the lamp 14 gradually decreases from 100% to 0% according to the light amount target value SG3. The adjusting unit 15 controls.

That is, in the fade-out section Tf2 at times t3 to t4, the amount of lamp light slowly decreases from 100% to 0% (falling down). The downward curve at this time, that is, the light amount change speed is determined by the light amount change speed indication value SG2 output by the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17. In this fade-out section Tf2, since the vehicle speed Vc is in the low speed range (for example, 5 km / h or less), the light intensity change speed indicated value SG2 becomes a low speed value. That is, the rate of change in the amount of light in the fade-out section Tf2 is relatively low.

In the fade-in section Tf3 at times t5 to t6, the amount of lamp light rises relatively slowly from 0% to 100%, as in the case of the fade-in section Tf1. The rising curve at this time, that is, the light amount change speed is determined by the light amount change speed indicated value SG2 output by the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17. In the fade-in section Tf3, since the vehicle speed Vc is in the medium speed range (for example, about 10 km / h), the light intensity change speed indicated value SG2 becomes the value of the medium speed. That is, in the fade-in section Tf3, the fade-in operation is performed, but the light amount change speed is faster than that in the fade-in section Tf1.

Further, in the fade-out section Tf4 at times t7 to t8, the amount of lamp light decreases relatively slowly from 100% to 0%, as in the case of the fade-out section Tf2. The downward curve at this time, that is, the light amount change speed is determined by the light amount change speed indication value SG2 output by the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17. In the fade-out section Tf4, since the vehicle speed Vc is in the medium speed range (for example, about 10 km / h), the light intensity change speed indicated value SG2 becomes the value of the medium speed. That is, in the fade-out section Tf4, the fade-out operation is performed, but the light amount change speed is faster than that in the fade-out section Tf2.

On the other hand, when the signal SG6 is turned from off to on at time t9, the lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13 outputs the fade-in instruction signal SG1. However, at this time, since the vehicle speed Vc is in the high speed range (for example, 40 km / h or more), the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 outputs the maximum value as the light amount change speed instruction value SG2. Therefore, the fade control unit 16 prohibits the fade-in operation and performs a normal lighting operation. That is, the light amount target value SG3 is controlled so that the lamp light amount of the lamp 14 is instantly (in the shortest time) switched from 0% to 100%.

Further, when the signal SG6 is turned from on to off at time t10, the lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 13 outputs the fade-out instruction signal SG1. However, at this time, since the vehicle speed Vc is in the high speed range (for example, 40 km / h or more), the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 outputs the maximum value as the light amount change speed instruction value SG2. Therefore, the fade control unit 16 prohibits the fade-out operation and performs a normal extinguishing operation. That is, the light amount target value SG3 is controlled so that the lamp light amount of the lamp 14 is instantly switched from 100% to 0%.

<Operation of modified example>
A modified example of the operation of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the vehicle speed corresponding to the operation of FIG. 5 and the light intensity change speed.

In the operation shown in FIG. 5, step S16B is different from the operation shown in FIG. In step S16B of FIG. 5, the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 selects one of a plurality of constants prepared in advance according to the vehicle speed Vc, and determines this as the light intensity change speed indicated value SG2. That is, based on the result of comparing the vehicle speed Vc with the plurality of threshold values, an appropriate constant is selected as the light amount change speed indication value SG2 from the plurality of constants. Therefore, it is possible to output the light amount change speed indication value SG2 similar to that in step S16 in the operation of FIG.

However, in the case of the operation of FIG. 5, the light amount change speed indication value output by the vehicle speed reflection control unit 17 is limited to the constants prepared in advance. Therefore, if the number of the constants to be prepared is small, the vehicle speed lower limit threshold value VthL The light intensity change speed between the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU and the vehicle speed upper limit threshold value VthU changes stepwise with respect to the change in the vehicle speed Vc as shown in FIG.

Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the vehicle dimming control device according to the present invention are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5], respectively.
[1] A light amount adjusting unit (15) capable of adjusting the light emission amount of at least one light source (lamp 14) mounted on the vehicle, and
When a fade-in instruction is generated, an instruction for raising the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount is given to the light amount adjusting unit, and when a fade-out instruction is generated, the light amount of the light source is given to the first light amount. A fade control unit (16) that gives an instruction to lower the light amount from the light amount of 2 to the first light amount to the light amount adjusting unit, and
A vehicle speed information acquisition unit (S11) that acquires information on the traveling speed of the vehicle, and
Based on the travel speed information acquired by the vehicle speed information acquisition unit, when the travel speed is high, at least when the light amount of the light source is raised from the first light amount to the second light amount as compared with when the travel speed is slow. A vehicle speed reflection control unit (17, S16) that controls the fade control unit so as to increase the change speed, and
A vehicle dimming control device (10).

[2] When the traveling speed (Vc) is at a high speed traveling state of equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value (VthU), the vehicle speed reflection control unit sets the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount. Switch the time required for rising to the shortest time (S12, S13),
The vehicle dimming control device according to the above [1].

[3] The vehicle speed reflection control unit increases the rate of change when the light amount of the light source is lowered from the second light amount to the first light amount, as compared with the case where the traveling speed is high and slow. S16),
The vehicle dimming control device according to the above [1].

[4] When the vehicle speed reflection control unit reduces the change speed when the light amount of the light source is raised from the first light amount to the second light amount, the change speed reaches a predetermined lower limit value. In this case, the rate of change is controlled so as not to fall below the lower limit (S14, S15).
The vehicle dimming control device according to the above [1].

[5] When the vehicle speed reflection control unit changes the change speed when raising the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount, the change speed is changed according to the magnitude of the traveling speed. Is switched in steps (S16B, see FIG. 6),
The vehicle dimming control device according to the above [1].

10 Dimming control device 11 Switch 12 Sensor 13 Lighting / extinguishing instruction unit 14 Lighting equipment 15 Light intensity adjustment unit 16 Fade control unit 17 Vehicle speed reflection control unit SG1 Instruction signal SG2 Light intensity change speed indication value SG3 Light intensity target value SG4 Light intensity control signal SG5 Vehicle speed pulse Vc vehicle speed VthU vehicle speed upper limit threshold VthL vehicle speed lower limit threshold Tf1, Tf3 fade-in section Tf2, Tf4 fade-out section

Claims (3)

A light amount adjusting unit that can adjust the light emission amount of at least one light source mounted on the vehicle,
When a fade-in instruction is generated, an instruction for raising the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount is given to the light amount adjusting unit, and when a fade-out instruction is generated, the light amount of the light source is given to the first light amount. A fade control unit that gives an instruction to lower the light amount from the light amount of 2 to the first light amount to the light amount adjusting unit, and
A vehicle speed information acquisition unit that acquires information on the traveling speed of the vehicle,
Based on the traveling speed information acquired by the vehicle speed information acquisition unit , the speed of change when the light amount of the light source is raised from the first light amount to the second light amount is the speed at which the traveling speed is greater than zero to zero. If it is less than one speed, it is fixed at the minimum value, and if the traveling speed is from the first speed to the second speed larger than the first speed, the first speed to the second speed of the traveling speed are used. It is set to increase from the minimum value to the first value larger than the minimum value according to the increase to the speed, and when the traveling speed exceeds the second speed, the maximum value larger than the first value is set. A vehicle speed reflection control unit that controls the fade control unit so as to be fixed to
With
The light source includes the headlights of the vehicle.
It has a switch that is operated to indicate the on / off of the headlights.
A vehicle dimming control device configured to generate the fade-in instruction when the switch is turned from off to on, and to generate the fade-out instruction when the switch is turned from on to off. The vehicle speed reflection control unit increases the rate of change when the light amount of the light source is lowered from the second light amount to the first light amount, as compared with the case where the traveling speed is high and slow.
The vehicle dimming control device according to claim 1. When the vehicle speed reflection control unit changes the change speed when raising the light amount of the light source from the first light amount to the second light amount, the vehicle speed reflection control unit steps the change speed according to the magnitude of the traveling speed. Switch to,
The vehicle dimming control device according to claim 1.

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