JP7350219B2 - Optical axis adjustment device, optical axis adjustment system, and optical axis adjustment method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an optical axis adjustment device, an optical axis adjustment system, and an optical axis adjustment method.

The optical axis adjusting device described in Patent Document 1 adjusts the angle of the optical axis of the projection lens by rotating a driven part on which the projection lens and the acceleration sensor are mounted, thereby adjusting the angle of the optical axis of the projection lens by rotating the driven part on which the projection lens and the acceleration sensor are mounted. The calculation is performed based on the maximum angle, which is the rotation angle at which the rotation angle of the driven portion becomes maximum when the acceleration value in the direction of gravity is maximum. The maximum angle is located at the apex of a curve approximating a parabola that defines the relationship between the acceleration value in the direction of gravity and the rotation angle.

International Publication No. 2020-217421

In order to identify the maximum angle, it was necessary to sample a large number of points located near the vertex.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical axis adjustment device, an optical axis adjustment system, and an optical axis adjustment method that can adjust the angle of an optical axis without sampling a large number of points.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an optical axis adjustment device according to the present disclosure provides an optical axis adjustment device that is mounted on a rotated unit provided with an acceleration sensor, and that is configured to angle an optical axis of an optical member that projects light toward the front of a vehicle. The optical axis adjustment device adjusts the rotation of the rotated unit according to the first instruction value by outputting a first instruction value that is an instruction value for rotating the rotated unit. obtaining a first acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle, which are output from the acceleration sensor in response to the above, and the first instruction value. By outputting a second instruction value different from the second instruction value, the third instruction value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is output from the acceleration sensor in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the second instruction value. and a fourth acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle; and a fourth acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle; A regression line defined by a first point specified by the first instruction value and the first acceleration value, and a second point specified by the second instruction value and the third acceleration value. As an inherent offset error, the first acceleration value and the second acceleration on a plane defined by two axes: an acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle. a circle whose radius is centered on the first point specified by the value and whose radius is the gravitational acceleration; and a radius centered on the second point specified by the third acceleration value and the fourth acceleration value. a calculation unit that calculates a coordinate value about an axis of an acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at one point of at least two intersections with a circle whose gravitational acceleration is a gravitational acceleration; and an output section for outputting the output.

According to the optical axis adjustment device according to the present disclosure, the angle of the optical axis can be adjusted without sampling a large number of points.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the first embodiment. 3 shows the structure of the rotated unit HY of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 shows the operation of the acceleration sensor KS of the first embodiment. The rotation instruction value θ(E), rotation angle θ(M), and assembly tolerance angle Δθ of the first embodiment are shown. The relationship between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ(E)) in the first embodiment is shown. FIG. 6A shows the relationship (Part 1) between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the rotation angle θ(M) in the first embodiment. FIG. 6B shows the relationship (Part 2) between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the rotation angle θ(M) in the first embodiment. FIG. 6C shows the relationship (part 3) between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the rotation angle θ(M) in the first embodiment. The relationship between point P1, point P2, and offset error point Poff in the first embodiment is shown. A method of calculating the offset error point Poff in the first embodiment will be described. A method of calculating the straight line LQ from the straight line LP of the first embodiment will be shown. The rotation instruction value θShor(E) when the sensor axis SJ of Embodiment 1 is horizontal is shown. The rotation instruction value θKhor(E) in the first embodiment when the optical axis KJ is horizontal is shown. 1 shows a configuration of an optical axis adjustment device KD of Embodiment 1. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of the optical axis adjustment system KCS of a modification. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an optical axis adjustment system KCS according to a second embodiment. FIG. 16A shows the step (part 1) of the second embodiment. FIG. 16B shows the process (Part 2) of Embodiment 2. 7 is a flowchart (first half) showing the operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart (second half) showing the operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the second embodiment.

An embodiment of an optical axis adjustment system according to the present disclosure will be described.

Embodiment 1.
<Embodiment 1>
The optical axis adjustment system of Embodiment 1 will be described.

<Functions of Embodiment 1>
<Overall optical axis adjustment system KCS>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the first embodiment. The functions of the optical axis adjustment system KCS of Embodiment 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 1.

The optical axis adjustment system KCS of the first embodiment, for example, adjusts the angle of the optical axis KJ (for example, shown in FIG. 2) of an optical member KB, which is a headlamp in a rotated unit HY mounted on a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes an optical axis adjustment device KD and a rotation mechanism KK.

The optical axis adjustment system KCS corresponds to an "optical axis adjustment system," the optical axis adjustment device KD corresponds to an "optical axis adjustment device," and the rotation mechanism KK corresponds to a "rotation mechanism." The rotating unit HY corresponds to a "rotated unit."

For ease of explanation and understanding, for example, as shown in FIG. ”, and the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and the X-axis (the left-right direction of the vehicle) is the “Y-axis”.

In the following explanation, angles are generally expressed in degrees.

In order to differentiate between the meaning of an electrical signal and the meaning of a mechanical operation, in the former case, an "E" is added, and on the other hand, in the latter case, an "M" is added.

Adjustment of the optical axis KJ described above means changing the pitch angle (rotation angle with the Y-axis as the rotation axis) with the X-axis parallel to the horizontal plane as a reference (ie, 0 degrees).

<Configuration of optical axis adjustment device KD>
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical axis adjustment device KD includes a first acquisition section SY1, a second acquisition section SY2, a calculation section SA, a derivation section DO, an input/output section NS, and a control section SE. and, including.

The first acquisition unit SY1 and the second acquisition unit SY2 correspond to an “acquisition unit”, the calculation unit SA corresponds to a “calculation unit”, and the derivation unit DO corresponds to an “input unit”. The output unit NS corresponds to an “output unit” and a “second output unit”.

The first acquisition unit SY1 instructs that the rotated unit HY should be rotated by a rotation angle θ1 (M) (actually corresponds to (θ1+θinit) (M) shown in FIG. 6B). The rotation instruction value θ1(E) (shown in FIG. 6B) is output to the rotation mechanism KK. The first acquisition unit SY1 receives an output from the acceleration sensor KS (shown in FIG. 1) as a result of the rotation mechanism KK rotating the rotated unit HY in response to the rotation instruction value θ1(E). The value Ax(θ1) indicating the acceleration in the X-axis direction (actually corresponds to Ax(θ1+θinit)+Aoff shown in FIG. 7; hereinafter referred to as "X-axis acceleration value") and the Z-axis direction. A value Az(θ1) indicating the acceleration (actually corresponds to Az(θ1+θinit) shown in FIG. 7; hereinafter referred to as "Z-axis acceleration value") is obtained.

The second acquisition unit SY2 instructs that the rotated unit HY should be rotated by a rotation angle θ2 (M) (actually corresponds to (θ2+θinit) (M) illustrated in FIG. 6C). The rotation instruction value θ2(E) (shown in FIG. 6C) is output to the rotation mechanism KK. The second acquisition unit SY2 acquires an X-axis acceleration value Ax output from the acceleration sensor KS as a result of the rotation mechanism KK rotating the rotated unit HY in response to the rotation instruction value θ2(E). (θ2) (actually corresponds to Ax(θ2+θinit)+Aoff illustrated in FIG. 7) and Z-axis acceleration value Az(θ2) (actually corresponds to Az(θ2+θinit) illustrated in FIG. 7. ) to obtain.

The rotation angle θinit and the offset error Aoff will be described later.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the calculation unit SA doubles the rotation instruction value θ(E) output to the rotation mechanism KK and the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ) output from the acceleration sensor KS. On the orthogonal coordinate system as the axis, a point P1 specified by the rotation instruction value θ1 (E) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ1), as well as the rotation instruction value θ2 (E) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax ( The original regression line LQ is inherent in the regression line LP that indicates the relationship between the rotation instruction value θ (E) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ), which is defined by the point P2 specified by θ2). The offset error Aoff, which is the difference between .
Here, point P1 corresponds to a "first point" and point P2 corresponds to a "second point."

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the derivation unit DO derives the regression line LQ by moving the regression line LP in the direction of the axis of the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ) by the offset error Aoff described above. do. The derivation unit DO further derives the rotation instruction value θShor(E) when the sensor axis SJ becomes horizontal with reference to the regression line LQ.

The derivation unit DO also calculates the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) (shown in FIG. 4) using the rotation instruction value θShor(E) and rotation instruction value θKhor(E) (shown in FIG. 11). Derive.

The rotation instruction value θKhor(E) and the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) will be described later.

The input/output unit NS exchanges signals with the outside of the optical axis adjustment device KD. The input/output unit NS receives an instruction to adjust the angle of the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB, for example, from outside the optical axis adjustment device KD. The input/output unit NS also receives the X-axis acceleration value Ax and the Z-axis acceleration value Az output from the acceleration sensor KS from the rotated unit HY. The input/output unit NS further outputs the calculated offset error Aoff.

The control unit SE monitors and controls the entire operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD. The control unit SE includes, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

<Configuration of rotation mechanism KK>
The rotation mechanism KK follows the rotation instruction value θ(E), which is an instruction from the optical axis adjustment device KD.
The rotated unit HY is rotated to adjust the angle between the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB and the X axis. The rotation mechanism KK is, for example, an actuator.

<Configuration of rotated unit HY>
As shown in FIG. 1, the rotated unit HY includes an acceleration sensor KS and an optical member KB.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the rotated unit HY of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, an optical member KB is mounted on the rotated unit HY.

An acceleration sensor KS is arranged on the optical member KB. The optical member KB employs, for example, a so-called "direct projection method" in order to change the angle at which light is projected in conjunction with the optical axis KJ. Specifically, the optical member KB converts light generated by a light source (not shown) such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) into a condensing lens (not shown), a projection lens (not shown), The light is projected forward of the vehicle by passing through a front lens (not shown) provided in a front opening (not shown). As is conventionally known, a cutoff line (for example, a boundary line at which the upper light component of the low beam should be eliminated) is defined for the projected light.

As shown in FIG. 2, the acceleration sensor KS detects acceleration in the X-axis direction and acceleration in the Z-axis direction, and outputs an X-axis acceleration value Ax and a Z-axis acceleration value Az.

<X-axis acceleration value Ax, Z-axis acceleration value Az, rotation instruction value θ (E), rotation angle θ (M)>
FIG. 3 shows the operation of the acceleration sensor KS of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the acceleration sensor KS changes by an angle θ, the acceleration sensor KS outputs an X-axis acceleration value Ax and a Z-axis acceleration value Az corresponding to the angle θ.

<Relationship between rotation instruction value θ (E) and rotation angle θ (M) and definition of assembly tolerance angle Δθ>
FIG. 4 shows the rotation instruction value θ(E), rotation angle θ(M), and assembly tolerance angle Δθ of the first embodiment.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 4, the rotated unit HY receives a rotation instruction value θ (E ), as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, it is rotated by the rotation mechanism KK. Due to the rotation of the rotated unit HY based on the rotation instruction value θ(E), as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, the reference line KS (KK) of the rotation mechanism KK and the reference line of the rotated unit HY The rotation angle, which is the angle formed by KS(HY), is θ(M). Here, the reference line KS (KK) of the rotation mechanism KK is parallel to the horizontal plane.

In other words, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, in order to set the rotation angle to θ(M), as shown in the upper part of FIG. 4, the rotation instruction value θ(E) is output. There is a need.

The optical axis KJ of the optical member KB and the sensor axis SJ, which is the X-axis of the acceleration sensor KS, are adjusted at an initial stage, that is, when the adjustment of the angle of the optical axis KJ is started, as shown in the lower part of FIG. There was no match in the previous stage. Specifically, for example, when mounting a printed circuit board (not shown) on which the acceleration sensor KS is mounted on the optical member KB, that is, when assembling, there is a certain angle (hereinafter referred to as "assembly") between the two axes. Δθ(M). The assembly tolerance angle Δθ(M) is a fixed value.

Here, the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(M) is positioned to correspond to the rotation instruction value Δθ(E), as shown in the upper part of FIG.

<Regression lines LP, LQ, offset error Aoff>
FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ(E)) in the first embodiment.

As suggested in FIG. 3, the X-axis acceleration value Ax is calculated by the following equation (1) using the rotation instruction value θ(E) that instructs rotation by the rotation angle θ(M). Given.

Here, Go is gravitational acceleration.

When the above sin is expanded into a polynomial by Maclaurin expansion, when the rotation angle θ(M) is relatively small, for example within the range of about 0 ± 10 degrees, the third-order or higher terms are minute. Therefore, it can be ignored. Thereby, the above equation (1) can be approximated by the following equation (2), that is, by a regression line that is a linear straight line.

Here, θ(E) is expressed in radians.

In FIG. 5, a straight line LQ indicates the relationship (theoretical relationship) between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ(E)) according to the above equation (2).

If the straight line LQ can be specified, for example, if the straight line LQ can be specified by the points Q1 and Q2, the rotation instruction value θ(E) can be calculated using the following equation (2), which is a modification of the above equation (2). 3), it can be obtained from the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ(E)).

However, straight line LQ is a theoretical straight line. The actual X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ(E)) is accompanied by a measurement error, for example, an offset error Aoff. Therefore, the offset error Aoff is added to the measured X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ(E)). As a result, the relationship (actual relationship) between the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ(E)) and the rotation instruction value θ(E) is such that the straight line LQ moves by the offset error Aoff, as shown in FIG. It becomes a straight line LP. Therefore, in order to obtain the rotation instruction value θ(E) from the measured X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ(E)), it is necessary to obtain the straight line LQ by subtracting the offset error Aoff from the straight line LP. .

The straight line LP corresponds to a "regression line", and the straight line LQ corresponds to a "second regression line".

<Rotation instruction values 0 (E), θ1 (E), θ2 (E) and corresponding rotation angles>
FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the rotation angle θ(M) in the first embodiment.

Regarding points P1 and P2 (shown in FIG. 5) on the straight line LP, it is assumed that point P1 is determined by the rotation instruction value θ1 (E), and point P2 is determined by the rotation instruction value θ2 (E). Then, the relationship between the rotation instruction value θ(E) and the rotation angle θ(M) is as follows.
(1) As shown in FIG. 6A, when the rotation instruction value θ(E) is 0(E), the rotation angle θ(M) is θinit(M). Specifically, even if electrically the rotation instruction value θ(E) is 0 degrees, mechanically the rotation angle θ(M) is not 0 degrees but θinit(M). It is.
(2) As shown in FIG. 6B, when the rotation instruction value θ(E) is θ1(E), the rotation angle θ(M) is (θ1+θinit)(M).
(3) As shown in FIG. 6C, when the rotation instruction value θ(E) is θ2(E), the rotation angle θ(M) is (θ2+θinit)(M).
Here, it is sufficient that θ1 and θ2 are not the same. In other words, it is sufficient that the relationship between θ1 and θ2 is other than that the absolute values are the same and the signs are also the same.
However, it is desirable that θ1 and θ2 have different signs. As a result, regardless of whether θinit(M) is positive or negative, when changing the rotation instruction value from θ1(E) to θ2(E), the rotated unit HY is rotated at a rotation angle of 0. It can be rotated so as to pass through (M).

<Point P1, point P2, offset error point Poff>
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between point P1, point P2, and offset error point Poff in the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the unit of the acceleration value is G (gravitational acceleration).

In the following, in order to facilitate explanation and understanding, θ(E) when representing the X-axis acceleration value Ax and the Z-axis acceleration value Az will be simply expressed as θ. For example, the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ(E)) is expressed as the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ), and similarly, the Z-axis acceleration value Az(θ(E)) is expressed as the Z-axis acceleration value Az(θ). Use in combination as appropriate.

When the rotation instruction value θ1 (E) is output from the optical axis adjustment device KD to the rotation mechanism KK, the rotation angle becomes (θ1 + θinit) (M), and as a result, the acceleration sensor KS changes the Z-axis acceleration value. Az (θ1+θinit) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ1+θinit)+Aoff are output. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the point P1(Az(θ1+θinit), Ax(θ1+θinit)+Aoff ) is given.

Similarly to the above, when the rotation instruction value θ2 (E) is output from the optical axis adjustment device KD to the rotation mechanism KK, the rotation angle becomes (θ2 + θinit) (M), and as a result, the acceleration sensor KS , Z-axis acceleration value Az (θ2+θinit), and X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ2+θinit)+Aoff. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the point P2(Az(θ2+θinit), Ax(θ2+θinit)+Aoff ) is given.

The above fact indicates that the gravitational acceleration 1G is resolved into each of the X-axis and the Z-axis according to the magnitude of the angle at which the acceleration sensor KS is tilted, which is linked to the magnitude of the rotation angle θ(M).

In other words, the above fact means that on a plane defined by both the axis of the X-axis acceleration value Ax and the axis of the Z-axis acceleration value Az, a circle whose radius is the gravitational acceleration and whose center is the point P1, This means that one of at least two or more intersections with a circle centered on point P2 and whose radius is the gravitational acceleration gives an offset error point Poff(Zoff, Xoff).
At first glance in FIG. 7, the offset error point Poff seems to coincide with the origin (0, 0). However, in reality, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, Zoff of the offset error point Poff and Xoff of the offset error point Poff are values other than 0, that is, the offset error point Poff is 0,0) does not match. Therefore, the offset error point Poff actually does not coincide with the origin (0, 0) in FIG. 7 as well.
Here, the offset miscalculation point Poff corresponds to "one point out of at least two intersection points."

<Calculation method of offset error point Poff>
FIG. 8 shows a method for calculating the offset error point Poff in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the plane defined by both the axis of the X-axis acceleration value Ax and the axis of the Z-axis acceleration value Az, the angle φ1 formed by the X-axis acceleration value Ax and the line segment P1P2 is as follows. is given by equation (4).

Here, x2, x1, z2, and z1 are as follows.
x2=Ax(θ2+θinit)+Aoff
x1=Ax(θ1+θinit)+Aoff
z2=Az(θ2+θinit)
z1=Az(θ1+θinit)

As shown in FIG. 8, on a plane defined by both the axis of the X-axis acceleration value Ax and the axis of the Z-axis acceleration value Az, if the midpoint of the line segment P1P2 is a point Pm, the triangle PoffP1Pm is It is a right triangle. Further, the length of the line segment PoffP1 is 1. As a result, the angle φ2 formed by the line segment PoffP1 and the line segment P1P2 is given by the following equation (5).

The coordinates of the offset error point Poff are given by the following equation (6) by adding vectors having a length of 1 and an angle of (φ1+φ2) based on the point P1.

As is clear from equation (6), and equations (4) and (5), the coordinates (Zoff, Xoff) of the offset error point Poff are immediately given from x1, x2, z1, and z2.

<Obtain line LQ from line LP>
FIG. 9 shows a method of calculating the straight line LQ from the straight line LP in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, on a plane defined by both the axis of rotation instruction value θ(E) and the axis of X-axis acceleration value Ax, a straight line LP specified by points P1 and P2 is A straight line LQ is obtained by subtracting the offset error Aoff, that is, the value Xoff (shown in equation (6)) along the axis of the axial acceleration value Ax.

Unlike the straight line LQ passing through the origin O in FIG. 5, the straight line LQ does not pass through the origin O in FIG. The fact that the straight line LQ in FIG. 9 does not pass through the origin O means that electrically, as explained with reference to FIG. 6A, even if the rotation instruction value θ(E) is 0 degrees, the mechanical Specifically, this means that the rotation angle θ(M) is not 0 degrees but θinit(M). In other words, in order to make the sensor axis SJ horizontal, that is, to make the X-axis acceleration value Ax 0, it is necessary to provide some rotation instruction value θ.

<Calculation of assembly tolerance angle Δθ>
FIG. 10 shows the rotation instruction value θShor(E) in the first embodiment when the sensor axis SJ is horizontal.

In FIG. 9, the point where the X-axis acceleration value Ax(θ(E))=0 on the straight line LQ, in other words, the rotation instruction value θShor(E ) makes the acceleration sensor KS horizontal, as shown in the lower part of FIG.

Here, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, when the rotation instruction value θShor(E), as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the rotation angle is θShor(M).

The optical axis adjustment device KD calculates the rotation instruction value θShor(E) when the acceleration sensor KS becomes horizontal based on the principle and method described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

FIG. 11 shows the rotation instruction value θKhor(E) in the first embodiment when the optical axis KJ is horizontal.

A user (not shown) of the optical axis adjustment device KD uses the optical axis adjustment device KD to change the rotation instruction value θ(E), that is, to change the rotation angle θ(M). Thereby, the user moves the position of the cutoff line of the light from the optical member KB that is irradiated onto the screen SC. The user sets the position of the cut-off line within a predetermined reference range in which the optical axis KJ is recognized to be substantially horizontal, and adjusts the rotation to the rotation instruction value θ(E) at that time. Obtain the instruction value θKhor(E).

Here, when the optical axis KJ is horizontal, in other words, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 11, when the rotation instruction value θKhor (E) is reached, as shown in the lower part of FIG. The angle is θKhor(M).

The assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) is given by the following equation (7).

Instead of manually acquiring the rotation instruction value θKhor (E) by the user of the optical axis adjustment device KD as described above, the device and system (not shown) may automatically acquire it. .

The assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) corresponds to the "interaxial angle".

<Configuration of Embodiment 1>
FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment.

In order to fulfill the above-mentioned functions, the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment includes an input section NY, a processor PC, an output section SY, a memory MM, and a storage medium KB, as shown in FIG. include. More precisely, the optical axis adjustment device KD of Embodiment 1 includes an input section NY and an output section SY, as required.

The input unit NY includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, buttons, a camera, and a microphone. Processor PC is the core of a well-known computer that operates hardware according to software. The output unit SY includes, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, a lamp, a printer, and a touch panel. The memory MM includes, for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The storage medium KB includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

The storage medium KB stores the program PR. The program PR is a group of instructions that defines the content of processing to be executed by the processor PC.

Regarding the relationship between the functions and configuration of the optical axis adjustment device KD, on the hardware, the processor PC executes the program PR stored in the storage medium KB on the memory MM, and also controls the input section as necessary. By controlling the operations of NY and the output section SY, the functions of each section from the input/output section NS to the control section SE are realized.

<Operation of Embodiment 1>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment. The operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13.

Step ST11: The input/output unit NS (shown in FIG. 1) receives an instruction (for example, , button press). In response to the instruction, the first acquisition unit SY1 (shown in FIG. 1) outputs a rotation instruction value θ1(E) to the rotation mechanism KK (shown in FIG. 1). In response to the rotation instruction value θ1(E), the rotation mechanism KK rotates the rotated unit HY (shown in FIG. 1). As a result, the acceleration sensor KS (shown in FIG. 1) outputs the Z-axis acceleration value Az (θ1+θinit) and the X-axis acceleration value Ax (θ1+θinit)+Aoff) (shown in FIG. 7). As a result, the first acquisition unit SY1 acquires the coordinates (Az(θ1+θinit), Ax(θ1+θinit)+Aoff) of the point P1.

Step ST12: The second acquisition unit SY2 obtains the coordinates (Az (θ2+θinit), Ax (θ2+θinit)+Aoff) (shown in FIG. 7) of the point P2 in the same manner as the first acquisition unit SY1 in step ST11. get.

Step ST13: The calculation unit SA (shown in FIG. 1) calculates the coordinates of the offset error point Poff using the above equation (6), in other words, calculates the offset error Aoff.

Step ST14: The input/output unit NS outputs the calculated offset error Aoff to the outside of the optical axis adjustment device KD, for example.

<Effects of Embodiment 1>
As described above, in the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment, the angle of the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB is adjusted using the coordinates of the point P1 (Az (θ1+θinit), Ax (θ1+θinit)+Aoff) and the coordinates of the point P2. This is done by obtaining the offset error Aoff only from the coordinates of two points: (Az(θ2+θinit), Ax(θ2+θinit)+Aoff). As a result, there is no need to sample a large number of points, which was done in the past, so the time required to obtain a standard for adjusting the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB is shortened compared to the past. be able to.

<Modified example>
An optical axis adjustment system KCS as a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

The optical axis adjustment system KCS of the modified example performs up to the adjustment of the angle of the optical axis KJ, unlike the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment, which performs up to the calculation of the offset error Aoff.

<Modification of modified example>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the modified optical axis adjustment system KCS. The operation of the modified optical axis adjustment system KCS will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14.

In the following, in order to facilitate explanation and understanding, it is assumed that the optical axis KJ is set to the pitch angle θlaw(M), which is a legal angle defined by laws and regulations.

Steps ST21 to ST24: The input/output unit NS, the first acquisition unit SY1, the second acquisition unit SY2, and the calculation unit SA perform the same processing as steps ST11 to ST14.

Step ST25: As described above with reference to FIG. 9 and as shown in FIG. 10, the derivation unit DO calculates the rotation instruction value θShor(E) when the sensor axis SJ of the acceleration sensor KS is horizontal. Derive.

Step ST26: Manually by the user of the optical axis adjustment device KD or automatically by the device and system, the rotation instruction value θKhor( Obtain E).

Step ST27: The derivation unit DO, for example, substitutes the calculated rotation instruction value θShor(E) and the acquired rotation instruction value Khor(E) into the above-mentioned equation (7), thereby The assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) (shown in FIG. 4) is derived.

Step ST28: The input/output unit NS outputs the rotation instruction value {θShor(E)+θlaw(E)−Δθ(E)} to the rotation mechanism KK. In response to the rotation instruction value {θShor (E) + θlaw (E) - Δθ (E)}, the rotation mechanism KK rotates the rotated unit HY at the rotation angle {(θlaw (M) - Δθ (M) }. Thereby, the optical axis KJ is set to the pitch angle θlaw(M).

Step ST29: The input/output unit NS notifies the user of the optical axis adjustment device KD by display (e.g., lamp, LCD monitor) that adjustment of the pitch angle of the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB has been completed. .

<Effects of modified examples>
As described above, in the modified optical axis adjustment system KCS, the pitch angle of the optical axis KJ is adjusted using the offset error Aoff calculated by the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment. As a result, the effect of the optical axis adjusting device KD of the first embodiment allows the time required for adjusting the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB to be reduced compared to the conventional method.

Embodiment 2.
<Embodiment 2>
An optical axis adjustment system according to a second embodiment will be described.

<Functions of Embodiment 2>
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the second embodiment. The functions of the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the second embodiment, unlike the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the first embodiment, further includes a storage section KI. The storage unit KI is, for example, mounted on the rotated unit HY. The storage section KI may be mounted on the optical axis adjustment device KD instead of being mounted on the rotated unit HY. The storage unit KI is used for writing and reading the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) (for example, shown in FIG. 4).

The storage section KI corresponds to a "storage section".

<Configuration of Embodiment 2>
The configuration of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the second embodiment is similar to the configuration of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 12).

<Process of Embodiment 2>
FIG. 16 shows the steps of the second embodiment.

The process of Embodiment 2 is divided into a first process and a second process, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the first process KT1 is, for example, a process of manufacturing the rotated unit HY in a parts manufacturing factory. As shown in FIG. 16B, the second process KT2 is a process of assembling the rotated unit HY into the vehicle SR, for example, in a vehicle manufacturing factory.

In the first step KT1, that is, in the parts manufacturing factory, the control unit SE in the optical axis adjustment device KD writes the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) calculated in the same manner as in the first embodiment into the storage unit KI. . After the writing, the rotated unit HY is shipped from the parts manufacturing factory to the vehicle manufacturing factory.

In the second process KT2, that is, at the vehicle manufacturing factory, the rotated unit HY is received from the parts manufacturing factory. After the loading, the control unit SE in the optical axis adjustment device KD (different from the optical axis adjustment device KD in the parts manufacturing factory) reads the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) from the storage unit KI. After the reading, the input/output unit NS outputs the rotation instruction value {θShor(E)+θlaw(E)−Δθ(E)}, similarly to the modification of the first embodiment, thereby changing the direction of the optical axis KJ. The angle is adjusted to pitch angle θlaw(M).

<Operation of Embodiment 2>
FIG. 17 is a flowchart (first half) showing the operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart (second half) showing the operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the second embodiment.

The operation of the optical axis adjustment device KD of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18.

Steps ST31 to ST37: In the optical axis adjustment device KD in the parts manufacturing factory, the input/output section NS to the derivation section DO perform the same processing as steps ST21 to ST27 of the modification of the first embodiment. As a result, the assembly tolerance angle Δθ is derived.

Step ST38: The control unit SE writes the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) into the storage unit KI.

Step ST39: The rotated unit HY is delivered and delivered from the parts manufacturing factory to the vehicle manufacturing factory.

Step ST40: In the optical axis adjustment device KD in the vehicle manufacturing factory, the control unit SE derives the rotation instruction value θShor(E) in the same manner as in steps ST31 to ST35.

Step ST41: In the optical axis adjustment device KD in the vehicle manufacturing factory, the control unit SE also reads out the assembly tolerance angle Δθ(E) from the storage unit KI.

Steps ST42 to ST43: The input/output unit NS performs the same processing as steps ST28 to ST29 of the modified example of the first embodiment. Thereby, the optical axis KJ is set to the pitch angle θlaw(M).

<Effects of Embodiment 2>
As described above, in the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the second embodiment, as in the optical axis adjustment system KCS of the modified example of the first embodiment, the time required to adjust the optical axis KJ of the optical member KB is longer than that of the conventional one. Can be shortened.

As described above, in the first process KT1 at the parts manufacturing factory, work related to the assembly tolerance angle Δθ (steps ST31 to ST38) is performed. As a result, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, it is possible to obtain the effect that, for example, it is not necessary to perform step ST36 in the second process KT2 at the vehicle manufacturing factory. Specifically, it is no longer necessary to light up the optical member KB, and the work to manually obtain the rotation instruction value θKhor (E) when the optical axis KJ is horizontal is no longer necessary, and adjustments caused by manual work are eliminated. It is possible to obtain the effect that it is not necessary to install a screen SC or the like and to secure a space for the installation.

The embodiments described above may be combined with each other without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and components in each embodiment may be deleted or changed, or other components may be added as appropriate. good.

The optical axis adjustment device, optical axis adjustment system, and optical axis adjustment method according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, to adjust the angle of a vehicle headlight.

Aoff offset error, Ax X-axis acceleration value, Az Z-axis acceleration value, DO Derivation unit, HY Rotated unit, KB Optical member, KB Storage medium, KCS Optical axis adjustment system, KD Optical axis adjustment device, Khor rotation instruction Value, KI storage unit, KJ optical axis, KK rotation mechanism, KS acceleration sensor, KS reference line, KT1 first process, KT2 second process, LP regression line, LQ regression line, MM memory, NS input/output unit , NY input section, PC processor, Poff offset error point, PR program, SA calculation section, SC screen, SE control section, SJ sensor axis, SR vehicle, SY output section, SY1 first acquisition section, SY2 second acquisition section part, Δθ(M) Assembly tolerance angle, Δθ(E) Rotation instruction value, θ1(E) Rotation instruction value, θ1(M) Rotation angle, θ2(E) Rotation instruction value, θ2(M) times Rotation angle, θinit (M) Rotation angle, θKhor (E) Rotation instruction value, θKhor (M) Rotation angle, θlaw Pitch angle, θShor (E) Rotation instruction value, θShor (M) Rotation angle.

Claims (5)

An optical axis adjustment device that adjusts the angle of an optical axis of an optical member that is mounted on a rotated unit provided with an acceleration sensor and that projects light toward the front of a vehicle,
By outputting a first instruction value that is an instruction value for rotating the rotated unit, the acceleration sensor outputs a first instruction value in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the first instruction value. , obtain a first acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and output a second instruction value different from the first instruction value. Accordingly, a third acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a third acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle is output from the acceleration sensor in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the second instruction value. an acquisition unit that acquires a fourth acceleration value of
a first point specified by the first instruction value and the first acceleration value on a plane defined by the two axes of the instruction value and the acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; The offset error inherent in the regression line defined by the second point specified by the indicated value of No. 2 and the third acceleration value is an acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle. a circle whose radius is the gravitational acceleration and is centered on the first point specified by the first acceleration value and the second acceleration value on a plane defined by two axes of acceleration values; front and back of the vehicle at one point of at least two intersections with a circle whose radius is gravitational acceleration and whose center is the second point specified by the third acceleration value and the fourth acceleration value; a calculation unit that calculates a coordinate value about the axis of the acceleration value about the direction;
an output unit that outputs the calculated offset error;
Optical axis adjustment device including. The optical axis adjustment device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit makes the positive/negative of the first instruction value different from the positive/negative of the second instruction value. An optical axis adjustment system that adjusts the angle of an optical axis of an optical member that is mounted on a rotated unit provided with an acceleration sensor and that projects light toward the front of a vehicle,
By outputting a first instruction value that is an instruction value for rotating the rotated unit, the acceleration sensor outputs a first instruction value in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the first instruction value. , obtain a first acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and output a second instruction value different from the first instruction value. Accordingly, a third acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a third acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle is output from the acceleration sensor in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the second instruction value. an acquisition unit that acquires a fourth acceleration value of
a first point specified by the first instruction value and the first acceleration value on a plane defined by the two axes of the instruction value and the acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; The offset error inherent in the regression line defined by the second point specified by the indicated value of No. 2 and the third acceleration value is an acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle. a circle whose radius is the gravitational acceleration and is centered on the first point specified by the first acceleration value and the second acceleration value on a plane defined by two axes of acceleration values; front and back of the vehicle at one point of at least two intersections with a circle whose radius is the gravitational acceleration and whose center is the second point specified by the third acceleration value and the fourth acceleration value; a calculation unit that calculates a coordinate value about the axis of the acceleration value about the direction;
an output unit that outputs the calculated offset error;
a derivation unit that derives a second regression line by moving the regression line by the offset error in the direction of the axis of the acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle output from the acceleration sensor;
With reference to the derived second regression line, an instruction value for adjusting the angle of the optical axis is output based on an inter-axis angle that is an angle between the optical axis and the sensor axis of the acceleration sensor. a second output section;
a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotated unit according to the output instruction value for adjusting the angle of the optical axis;
Optical axis adjustment system including. further comprising a storage unit for writing and reading the inter-axis angle;
The optical axis adjustment system according to claim 3. An optical axis adjustment method for adjusting the angle of an optical axis of an optical member mounted on a rotated unit provided with an acceleration sensor and projecting light toward the front of a vehicle, the method comprising:
The acquisition unit outputs a first instruction value that is an instruction value for rotating the rotated unit, and thereby detects the acceleration sensor in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the first instruction value. obtaining a first acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a second acceleration value in the vertical direction of the vehicle, which are output from the vehicle, and a second instruction different from the first instruction value; By outputting a value, a third acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is output from the acceleration sensor in response to the rotation of the rotated unit according to the second instruction value, and the vehicle obtain a fourth acceleration value in the vertical direction of
The calculation unit calculates a first point specified by the first instruction value and the first acceleration value on a plane defined by the two axes of the instruction value and the acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. , and an acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as an offset error inherent in the regression line defined by the second point specified by the second instruction value and the third acceleration value, and the vehicle The radius around the first point specified by the first acceleration value and the second acceleration value on a plane defined by two axes of acceleration values in the vertical direction of is the gravitational acceleration. at one point of at least two intersections of a circle and a circle whose radius is gravitational acceleration and whose center is the second point specified by the third acceleration value and the fourth acceleration value, Calculating a coordinate value about an axis of an acceleration value in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle,
The output unit outputs the calculated offset error.
Including optical axis adjustment method.

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