JPH10181426A - Automatic adjusting device for optical axis angle of headlight for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable more accurate optical axis adjustment by controlling the angle of an optical axis corresponding to an angle of inclination of a car body, which is calculated from the detection of the displacement of the front and rear parts of a car body from the road surface and car speed at a point of time when the change of car speed is more than a preset value within a preset time during running. SOLUTION: A microcomputer 3 inputs a signal (k) of a car speed detecting part 20 and detection results (a), (b) obtained by emitting ultrasonic waves toward the road surface G by car body front and rear part displacement detecting parts 1, 2 in a fixed cycle and outputs a signal (c) for setting the angle of optical axis of headlights RH, LH corresponding to the angles of inclination of a car body calculated. As a result of the control for the optical axis corresponding to the angle of inclination of a car body calculated according to the respective detection signal (a), (b) of the car body displacement detecting parts 1, 2 at a point of time when the car speed changes more than a preset value, for example, 4km/h within a preset time, for example, within 0.3sec during running, even if the angle of inclination of the car body is changed by sudden acceleration/sudden deceleration of an automobile, dazzlement to a car on the opposite lane and lowering of visual range are eliminated by the optical axis angle control for the head light to enable more accurate optical axis adjustment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of detecting a front and rear inclination angle of a vehicle body (hereinafter, simply referred to as a vehicle body inclination angle) and detecting an upper and lower optical axis angle of a headlight (hereinafter simply referred to as "body angle"). The present invention relates to an apparatus for appropriately and automatically adjusting the optical axis angle), and more particularly to an automatic optical axis angle of a headlight for an automobile, which can perform more accurate optical axis adjustment when the automobile is rapidly accelerated or decelerated. The present invention relates to an adjusting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The front and rear inclination of a vehicle with respect to the road surface (for example, the inclination of the vehicle body rising and falling) changes according to the number of passengers in the vehicle, the amount of load to be loaded, the distribution state thereof, and the like. Thus, the vertical direction of the optical axis of the headlight also changes. This is because, without knowing, the headlight's optical axis is too upward and dazzling the oncoming vehicle with the own vehicle's headlight, or the headlight's optical axis is too downward and the visibility is reduced Means that you may Therefore, the ability to automatically and automatically adjust the optical axis of the headlight up and down in accordance with the front and rear inclination of the vehicle body is extremely useful for ensuring the safety of the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.

[0003]

Therefore, there have been various applications for an automatic optical axis angle adjusting apparatus for a headlight for a vehicle, which detects an inclination angle of a vehicle body and automatically adjusts the optical axis angle appropriately. This optical axis angle automatic adjustment device is provided with an ultrasonic sensor as a distance sensor at a front end portion and a rear end portion of a vehicle, for example, as means for obtaining a front and rear inclination angle with respect to a road surface of the vehicle, and at each location, the ultrasonic sensor is provided. The distance is measured, the inclination angle of the vehicle body is determined based on these values, and the optical axis angle is automatically adjusted appropriately in accordance with the inclination angle of the vehicle body.

[0004] The present invention relates to an improvement of the above-described automatic adjustment device for the optical axis angle of a headlight for an automobile, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to perform more accurate optical axis adjustment at the time of rapid acceleration and deceleration of the automobile. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a headlamp.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention (an invention according to claim 1) provides a vehicle body which detects a displacement amount between a front portion of a vehicle body and a road surface and outputs it as a detection signal. A front displacement detector, a vehicle rear displacement detector that detects a displacement between the rear of the vehicle and the road surface and outputs the detected signal as a detection signal,
A vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed and outputs the detected speed as a vehicle speed signal;
Each detection signal from each of the displacement detection units and a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed detection unit are input, and a vehicle body tilt angle is calculated based on each of the detection signals, and an optical axis angle corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle Control means for outputting a setting control signal, and an actuator for inputting the optical axis angle setting control signal from the control means and controlling an optical axis angle, wherein the control means, during traveling, within a set time When a vehicle speed change equal to or greater than a set value occurs, the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to the vehicle body inclination angle calculated from the detection signals is output.

As a result, the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a headlamp for a vehicle according to the present invention provides a vehicle body calculated from each detection signal when a vehicle speed change exceeding a set value occurs within a set time during running. Since the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to the tilt angle is output, when the vehicle body tilt angle changes due to rapid acceleration or sudden deceleration of the vehicle, the headlamp corresponding to the changed vehicle body tilt angle is changed. Since the optical axis angle can be controlled, there is no danger of dazzling to oncoming vehicles, a decrease in the field of view, and the like, and more accurate optical axis adjustment can be performed.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Four embodiments of an automatic optical axis angle adjusting apparatus for a headlight for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a device for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of an automotive headlamp according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an optical axis angle of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic adjusting device.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote a vehicle body front displacement detecting section and a vehicle rear rear displacement detecting section. The displacement detection units 1 and 2 are provided with ultrasonic sensors 1- and 2-
, Transmission units (transmission circuits) 1- and 2-, and reception units (reception circuits) 1- and 2-. Each of the ultrasonic sensors 1 and 2 is composed of a pair of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic vibrators and the like.
Are provided facing the road surface G on the bottom surfaces of the front part and the rear part, respectively. The transmission units 1-and 2 transmit the ultrasonic sensors 1-and 2-10 msec, for example.
0.1 ms at a high frequency of 40 KHz with a constant period of c
It vibrates for a fixed time of ec. That is,
The ultrasonic waves from each of the ultrasonic sensors 1- and 2-
It is to be fired toward. Each of the receiving units 1-,
2- is received (caught) by each of the ultrasonic sensors 1 and 2, and is pulled out from a connection portion between each of the transmitting units 1 and 2 and each of the ultrasonic sensors 1 and 2. The reflected wave is amplified and shaped, and the amplified and shaped waveform is output as detection signals a and b.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 3 denotes a microcomputer as control means. The microcomputer 3 includes a counter, a D / A converter, an A / D converter, a memory (for example, a memory for storing a vehicle body tilt angle when the vehicle body is empty or a vehicle body tilt angle when the vehicle is stopped), and the like. While inputting a signal k from a vehicle speed detection unit 20 described later,
The detection signals a and b from the displacement amount detection units 1 and 2 are input (sampled) at a fixed period, and the detection signals a and b are used to calculate the vehicle inclination based on the displacement amount between the front rear portion of the vehicle body and the road surface G. The angle θ ° is calculated, the optical axis angles of the later-described headlights RH and LH corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle θ ° are set, and a setting signal c (for example, an analog voltage) is output.

During traveling, the microcomputer 3 sets each of the above-mentioned speeds to a value greater than a set value (4 km / h in this example) within a set time (0.3 seconds in this example). The setting signal c corresponding to the vehicle body inclination angle θ ° calculated from the detection signals a and b is output.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 4 and 5 are a right motor control unit and a left motor control unit. The left and right motor control units 4 and 5 receive setting signals c from the microcomputer 3, respectively, and output position signals s1 and s1 output from position sensors of left and right actuators 6 and 7 described later.
s2 (for example, an analog voltage) is compared with the setting signal c, and a control signal c 'for controlling the drive stop of the DC motors of the left and right actuators 6, 7 described later is output. The control signal c 'and the above-mentioned setting signal c are optical axis angle setting control signals.

The left and right motor control units 4, 5 and the microcomputer 3 constitute control means. Note that the left and right motor controllers 4 and 5 provide the position signal s
1 and s2 are compared with the setting signal c to output a control signal c 'for controlling the DC motor. The microcomputer 3 performs the comparison control performed by the left and right motor controllers 4 and 5. It is also possible. In this case, the left and right motor controllers 4 and 5 can be omitted, and the microcomputer 3 outputs the control signal c 'directly to the left and right actuators 6 and 7. The control signal c 'in this case is an optical axis angle setting control signal.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numerals 6 and 7 denote a right actuator (L / A) and a left actuator (L / A). These left and right actuators 6, 7
A DC motor (not shown) that receives control signals c ′ from the left and right motor control units 4 and 5 and controls the optical axes of headlights RH and LH described later, and a head motor RH and LH described later A position sensor that detects an optical axis position and outputs an analog voltage, and outputs the analog voltage output as position signals s1 and s2. The above-mentioned position sensor is, for example, a potentiometer, and the headlights RH and LH of the left and right actuators 6 and 7 which will be described later.
The position signals (analog voltages) s1 and s2 are output in conjunction with a rod for moving the optical axis up and down.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, RH and LH are a right headlight and a left headlight. This headlight RH,
LH is, for example, a headlamp of a reflector movable type, in which a lamp chamber is defined by a lamp housing and a lens, in which the light source bulb and the reflector are rotatable at least around a horizontal axis in a vertical direction. Is provided. Under the control of the left and right actuators 6 and 7, the reflector and the light source bulb rotate up and down, and this headlight R
The optical axis angles of H and LH are controlled. The above-mentioned headlights RH and LH include, in addition to the above-mentioned reflector movable type, a lamp unit movable type in which the entire headlight rotates with respect to the vehicle body C. In addition to the above-described headlights that rotate vertically about the horizontal axis, there are also headlights that rotate left and right about the vertical axis.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a vehicle speed detecting section which also has a function of determining whether the vehicle is running or stopped. The vehicle speed detecting section 20 detects the vehicle speed and outputs it (for example, pulse output) to the microcomputer 3 as a vehicle speed signal k.

The apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a headlamp for a vehicle according to the present invention in the first embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. . When the power of the apparatus of the present invention is turned on, the transmission units 1 and 2 of the displacement amount detection units 1 and 2 transmit the ultrasonic sensors 1 and 2 at a constant period of 10 msec and a frequency of 40 KHz. Vibration is performed at a high frequency for a fixed time of 0.1 msec. At this time, each transmission unit 1-, 2-
Is shown in FIG. 3 (A). Each transmission unit 1-
, 2-, each ultrasonic sensor 1-, 2-
Emits an ultrasonic wave toward the road surface G.

Here, the above-mentioned ultrasonic emission period T1 must satisfy the condition of the following equation (1). T1> 2Lo / v = 2Lo / 331.5 + 0.607t (sec) (1) where Lo: distance between each of the ultrasonic sensors 1-, 2- and the road surface G when the vehicle is not loaded v: sound speed ( m / sec) t: ambient temperature (° C). Each ultrasonic sensor 1-, when the above-mentioned vehicle body is not loaded,
The distance Lo between 2- and the road surface G is at most 0.5 m, and when the ambient temperature is, for example, 20 ° C., the above-described ultrasonic emission cycle T1 = 10 msec is sufficiently established.

Each of the ultrasonic sensors 1 and 2 vibrated by the operation of each of the transmitting units 1 and 2 is shown in FIG.
The ultrasonic wave having the waveform shown in FIG.
Fired one by one and 2Lo / 331.5 + 0.6
After 07 tsec, a reflected wave having the waveform shown in FIG. 3C is received.

When each of the ultrasonic sensors 1-2 receives a reflected wave, each of the receiving units 1-2 amplifies and shapes the above-mentioned reflected wave, and amplifies and shapes the waveform, that is, FIG. The waveform shown in D) is sent to the microcomputer 3 as detection signals a and b at regular intervals (each ultrasonic sensor 1-).
, 2-). The detection signals a and b shown in FIG.
, 2-, a distance-time signal whose time width changes in accordance with the distance from the road surface G to each of the transmitters 1 in FIG.
-, 2- operation start time t1, ie, FIG. 3 (B)
From the ultrasonic emission start time t2 of each ultrasonic sensor 1-, 2- to the reflected wave reception start time t3 of each of the ultrasonic sensors 1-, 2- (C) of FIG. Time, which changes in accordance with the distance from each of the ultrasonic sensors 1- and 2- to the road surface G) is “H”.
This is an "I" level signal.

Following the operation of each of the displacement detectors 1 and 2 described above, the operation of the microcomputer 3 described above will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the power of the apparatus of the present invention is turned on, the apparatus of the present invention starts operating, and the vehicle speed signal k from the vehicle speed detecting section 20 is input to the microcomputer 3 and counted by the counter. (17) to (18), (1
The process proceeds to 9), and the vehicle speed is read as a count value K every 0.3 sec, and it is determined whether or not the count value K is 0 (this also determines whether the car C is stopped or running). Here, since the count value K is 0 while the vehicle is stopped, the process returns to (17). FIG. 4- (17) “Elapsed 0.3 sec?” FIG. 4- (18) “Read count value K” FIG. 4- (19) “K = 0?”.

Next, when the car C runs at a constant speed from the stop, that is, the vehicle speed change for 0.3 sec is 4 km.
/ H, the count value K is 0 because the vehicle is running.
Instead, the process proceeds from (19) to (22), where the current count value K is compared with the count value J 0.3 seconds before, but since | K−J | <4 km / h, (17) )
Return to FIG. 4- (22) “Compare with count value J 0.3 sec before | K−J | ≧ 4 km / h?”.

When the car C suddenly accelerates and decelerates,
That is, when the vehicle speed change for 0.3 sec reaches 4 km / h, the process proceeds from (22), and the microcomputer 3 sends to the receiving units 1- 2 of the displacement detecting units 1 and 2 described above.
, 2- are input at a constant period. Fig. 4- "Reading the output of the front displacement detection unit of the vehicle body Reading the output of the rear displacement detection unit of the vehicle body".

Next, proceed to the above-mentioned front part of the vehicle body and the road surface G.
And the displacement (distance) between the rear of the vehicle body and the road surface G, the vehicle body inclination angle θ ° is calculated. That is, the distance between the ultrasonic sensor 1 of the vehicle body front displacement amount detection unit 1 and the ultrasonic sensor 2 of the vehicle body rear displacement amount detection unit 2 is X
m (see FIG. 2), the difference between the amount of displacement at the front of the vehicle body and the amount of displacement at the rear of the vehicle body is τsec, and the calculated vehicle body inclination angle is θ °. Here, the difference τsec between the displacement amount at the front part of the vehicle body and the displacement amount at the rear part of the vehicle body is the displacement amount between the front part and the rear part of the vehicle body C, and is expressed in time. Then, Y = τ (sec) × v (m / sec) = τ × (331.5 + 0.607t) [m] (2)

The above-mentioned body tilt angle θ ° is tan θ = Y / X (3) As a result, θ = tan ⁻¹ (Y / X) [°] (4) Fig. 4- "Calculation of vehicle body inclination".

Then, the process proceeds to a setting signal for setting an optical axis angle set value voltage (for example, an analog voltage respectively output to the left and right motor control units 4 and 5) corresponding to the vehicle body inclination angle θ ° calculated as described above. Output to the left and right motor control units 4 and 5 as c. Fig. 4-"Optical axis angle set value voltage output".

In the operation flow of the microcomputer 3 in FIG. 4 described above, the operation may be inserted between the start and the operation of (22), or may be performed in parallel with the operation from the start to (22). You may go to

FIG. 5 shows the inclination angle of the vehicle (the inclination angle θ ° calculated by the microcomputer 3 as described above) and the optical axis control angle (the angle for controlling the optical axes of the headlights RH and LH up and down). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a correlation with the block diagram. As is clear from FIG. 5, when the vehicle body C is upward (upward), the optical axes of the headlights RH and LH are controlled downward, and when the vehicle body C is downward (downward), the headlights RH and LH are controlled. Are controlled upward, and the optical axes of the headlights RH and LH are controlled up and down at a control angle having a size corresponding to the upward angle and the downward angle of the vehicle body C. In FIG. 5 described above, “0” indicates that the vehicle body C is substantially parallel to the road surface G, “+” indicates that the average vehicle body inclination is upward, and “vehicle inclination average” indicates that the average vehicle inclination is downward. Is “−”, the case where the optical axis control angle is the downward control of the optical axis is “−”, and the case where the optical axis control angle is the upward control of the optical axis is “+”.

In FIG. 5, the optical axis control angle is controlled by a block of 0.4 °. As a result, the optical axis control angle (for example, 0 °) is ± 0.2 with respect to the vehicle body inclination angle (for example, −0.2 ° to 0 ° to +0.2).
° width. However, the width of ± 0.2 ° does not dazzle the oncoming vehicle or reduce the visibility. In addition, if the width of the block of the above-mentioned optical axis control angle is made small, the optical axis control angles of the headlights RH and LH can be finely controlled. The width of the block of the optical axis control angle is determined in combination with the operation frequency of the left and right actuators 6 and 7.

Then, as described above, the microcomputer 3 uses the set value voltage further corresponding to the block of the optical axis control angle corresponding to the calculated vehicle body inclination angle θ ° as the setting signal c as the left and right motor control unit 4. , And 5 respectively.

Following the operation of the microcomputer 3, the operation of the left and right motor control units 4, 5 and the left and right actuators 6, 7 will be described. The left and right motor control units 4 and 5 compare the setting signal c from the microcomputer 3 with the position signals s1 and s2 from the position sensors of the left and right actuators 6 and 7 until the two signals become equal. The control signal c 'is transmitted to the left and right actuators 6, 7
And when the two signals become equal, the output of the control signal c 'to the DC motor is stopped. The DC motors of the left and right actuators 6 and 7 are connected to the left and right motor control units 4 and 5 described above.
5 (a) and 5 (b), the driving is started from the time t2 in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and stopped when the output of the control signal c 'is stopped. As a result, the optical axis angles of the headlights RH and LH are
Appropriate automatic control is performed according to the vehicle body inclination angle.

As described above, the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention in the first embodiment is as follows.
At the time when the vehicle speed changes more than the set value within the set time, that is, when the vehicle C suddenly accelerates and decelerates, the headlight R
Since the optical axes of H and LH are adjusted, even if the vehicle body tilt angle changes as shown in FIG. 6 during rapid acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle C, the change in the vehicle body tilt angle can be followed, and more appropriate optical axis adjustment can be performed. can get. In addition, since the vehicle C does not follow a slight change in the vehicle body inclination angle while traveling at a constant speed, or a change in the vehicle body inclination angle while traveling on a rough road (gravel road), the actuators 6 and 7 do not operate frequently. The durability of the actuators 6, 7 is improved.

FIG. 6 shows that the vehicle C has a speed of 50 km / h.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in a vehicle body inclination angle when the vehicle is suddenly accelerated to h. As is apparent from FIG. 6, when the vehicle C is suddenly accelerated, the vehicle body inclination angle changes. Further, although not shown, the vehicle body inclination angle also changes at the time of sudden deceleration.

In the first embodiment described above,
At the time of turning on the power (immediately after the start in FIG. 4), a function to write the vehicle body inclination angle when the vehicle body is empty to the memory is added, or
Between "Calculation of body inclination" in FIG. 4 and "Same as inclination block in memory?" In (27), "Is data stored in memory?" And "Write inclination of body in memory" Function may be added.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of an automatic optical axis angle adjusting device for a headlight for a vehicle according to the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 denote the same components. The apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a headlamp for a vehicle according to the present invention according to the second embodiment includes a microcomputer 3 according to the above-described first embodiment, which allows a person to get on and off and raise and lower luggage while the vehicle is stopped. When the tilt angle of the vehicle body changes due to the above, the function of adjusting the optical axis (the function of the portion surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 8) and the optical axis control at the time of sudden acceleration or sudden deceleration are defined as Function of sampling and averaging a plurality of detection signals a and b from the displacement amount detection units 1 and 2 (function of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 8)
And are provided respectively, and the others are provided with substantially the same functions as those of the above-described first embodiment.

The microcomputer according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the microcomputer according to the first embodiment, and includes a counter, a D / A converter, and an A / D converter.
It is composed of a D converter, a memory, etc., and detects signals a and b from the front and rear displacement detection units 1 and 2 of each vehicle, a signal from a headlight switch (not shown), and a vehicle speed detection. Part 2
When the vehicle speed changes by more than a set value (4 km / h in this example) within a set time (0.3 sec in this example) during traveling, each detection signal a , B, the vehicle body inclination angle is calculated from the average value, and when an ON signal is input from the headlight switch, an optical axis angle corresponding to the calculated vehicle body inclination angle is set, and based on the setting, And outputs a setting signal c.

The operation of the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention in the second embodiment will be described below.
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the power of the apparatus of the present invention is turned on, and the operation of the apparatus of the present invention starts. When the vehicle is stopped, the output signal k from the vehicle speed detection unit 20 is input to the microcomputer 3g and counted by the counter. (1 in FIG. 7)
From 7), the process proceeds to (18) and (19), where the count value K is read every 0.3 sec, and it is determined whether or not the count value K is 0. FIG. 7- (17) “Elapsed 0.3 sec?” FIG. 7- (18) “Read count value K” FIG. 7- (19) “K = 0?”

While the vehicle is stopped, the count value K is 0, so the process proceeds to (24) and (25) in FIG. 7 to release the acceleration / deceleration mode.
Set to stop mode. FIG. 7- (24) “Acceleration / deceleration mode release” FIG. 7- (25) “Set to stop mode”.

Next, the process proceeds to FIG.
1), (12), ', (13), (14), (1
5), (16), (16) ', and (10), when the vehicle body tilt angle changes due to a person getting on or off or raising or lowering luggage while the vehicle is stopped, the optical axis is adjusted.

Next, when the car C runs at a constant speed from the stop, that is, when the vehicle speed change for 0.3 sec is 4 km
/ H, the count value K is 0 because the vehicle is running.
Instead, the process proceeds from (19) to (20) in FIG. 7 to release the stop mode. Fig. 7- (20) "Stop mode release".

Since the acceleration / deceleration mode has not been set in (21) in FIG. 7, the process proceeds to (22), and the current count value K
Is compared with the count value J 0.3 seconds before. However, since | K−J | <4 km / h, the acceleration / deceleration mode is not set. FIG. 7- (21) “Is the acceleration / deceleration mode set?” FIG. 7- (22) “Comparison with count value J 0.3 sec before | K−J | ≧ 4 km / h?”.

Next, the process proceeds to FIG.
1), (14),..., (10), a plurality of detection signals a and b from each of the displacement detectors 1 and 2 are sampled and averaged to calculate a vehicle body tilt angle, and the headlight is calculated. Even when the lamp is lit, since the acceleration / deceleration mode is not set, the optical axis is not adjusted and the process returns to (17) in FIG. Fig. 8- (26) "Acceleration / deceleration mode?"

Next, when the vehicle C suddenly accelerates and decelerates during traveling, that is, the vehicle speed change for 0.3 sec is 4 km / sec.
h, proceed from (22) to (23) in FIG.
The acceleration / deceleration mode is set. Fig. 7- (23) "Set acceleration / deceleration mode".

Then, the process proceeds to FIG. 8, and (1) in FIG.
1), (14), ..., (10), (2)
6), a plurality of detection signals a and b from each of the displacement detectors 1 and 2 are sampled and averaged to calculate the vehicle body tilt angle. If the headlight is on, the vehicle body tilt angle is calculated. The optical axis is adjusted according to the angle. The operation of the optical axis adjustment during traveling described above is performed until the acceleration / deceleration mode is released. Therefore, until the count value K is 0 at (19) in FIG. 7, that is, the vehicle C is stopped and the acceleration / deceleration mode is released at (24) and (25) in FIG. The operation of the optical axis adjustment during traveling described above is continued.

As described above, the apparatus according to the second embodiment provides the calculated vehicle body inclination from the time when the vehicle speed change exceeding the set value occurs within the set time to the time when the car C stops. Since the optical axis angle is controlled in accordance with the angle, the optical axis is adjusted only when the attitude of the running automobile C changes significantly.
Unnecessary operation of the actuator 7 is avoided, and the durability of the actuators 6 and 7 is improved accordingly.

The apparatus of the second embodiment has a function of adjusting the optical axis when the vehicle body tilt angle changes due to a person getting on / off or raising / lowering a load while the vehicle is stopped.
More accurate optical axis adjustment can be performed. Further, in the device of the second embodiment, in the optical axis control at the time of rapid acceleration / deceleration of the automobile C, the displacement amount detection units 1 and
Since a plurality of detection signals a and b from 2 are sampled and averaged, more accurate optical axis adjustment can be performed.

In the second embodiment described above,
A function to write the vehicle body inclination angle when the vehicle body is empty when the power is turned on (immediately after the start in FIG. 7) to the memory, or
In FIG. 8, between “Calculation of body inclination” and “(13) Is body inclination equal to data stored in memory (body inclination angle at stop)?”, “Is data stored in memory? And "write the body inclination into the memory".

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 denote the same components. The device according to the third embodiment is an improvement of the device according to the above-described second embodiment, and the function of the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 9 in FIG. 8 of the second embodiment is added. Other devices and functions are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

The microcomputer according to the third embodiment comprises a counter, a D / A converter, an A / D converter, a memory and the like. , A signal from the headlight switch, a signal k from the vehicle speed detector 20,
When the vehicle is running, the vehicle body inclination angle is stored in the memory from the time when the vehicle speed change exceeds a set value (4 km / h in this example) within a first set time (0.3 sec in this example). The vehicle body inclination angle is calculated from the average value of N pieces of the detection signals a and b until the vehicle body inclination angle when the vehicle is stopped and continues for the second set time (0.9 sec in this example), When an ON signal from the headlight switch is input, a setting signal c corresponding to the calculated vehicle body tilt angle is output, and when the vehicle body tilt angle becomes the stopped vehicle body tilt angle stored in the memory, In response to the ON signal of the headlight switch, a setting signal c corresponding to the stopped vehicle body tilt angle stored in the memory is output, and the vehicle body tilt angle becomes the stopped vehicle body tilt angle stored in the memory. 2 After the set time, the headlight switch The ON signal pitch, is to maintain the output of the setting signal c corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle parked stored in memory.

The operation of the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 of the second embodiment.

First, the power of the apparatus of the present invention is turned on, and the operation of the apparatus of the present invention starts. Stopped and running 0.3
When the change in vehicle speed during the second has not reached 4 km / h, the same operation as the above-described device of the second embodiment is performed.

During running, the change in vehicle speed for 0.3 sec is 4 km
/ H, and when the block of the vehicle body inclination angle calculated from the N average values of the respective detection signals a and b is not the same as the block of the stopped vehicle body inclination angle stored in the memory, FIG.
(17), (18), (19), (20), (2)
The acceleration / deceleration mode is set through the processes of 1), (22), and (23). Then, in FIG. 9, (11), (1)
4),..., And the vehicle body inclination angle is calculated from the N average values of the detection signals a and b. Since the block of the calculated vehicle body inclination angle is not the same as the block of the stopped vehicle body inclination angle in the memory, the process proceeds from (27) to (30) in FIG. 9 and proceeds through (10) and (26). When the headlights RH and LH are turned on, the controller outputs a setting signal c corresponding to the calculated vehicle body inclination angle. Fig. 9- (27) "Same as tilt block in memory?" Fig. 9- (30) "Clear data number L".

Next, when the block of the vehicle body inclination angle calculated from the above state becomes the same as the block of the stopped vehicle body inclination angle in the memory, (27) to (2) in FIG.
Proceeding to 8), the number of times L in which the block of the calculated vehicle body inclination angle becomes the same as the block of the stopped vehicle body inclination angle in the memory is counted. FIG. 9- (28) “Data count L count”.

Then, at (29) in FIG.
When (3) does not reach 3 (continuously), (10), (2)
6), and outputs a setting signal c corresponding to the vehicle body inclination angle while the vehicle is stopped in the memory. FIG. 9- (29) “L = 3?”.

Next, when the count value L reaches 3 in (29) in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to (24), the acceleration / deceleration mode is released, and the optical axes of the headlights RH and LH are stored in the memory. Maintain the angle of inclination of the vehicle when stopped. As long as the vehicle speed change value does not reach 4 km / h in the next 0.3 sec, the output of the above-described control signal is calculated by maintaining the output of the control signal corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle during stoppage of the memory. The output of the setting signal c corresponding to the vehicle body inclination angle is not updated.

As described above, according to the apparatus of the third embodiment, the vehicle body inclination angle is changed from the vehicle body inclination angle stored in the memory to the stopped vehicle body inclination angle from the time when the vehicle speed change exceeding the set value occurs within the set time. Until the predetermined time has elapsed, the optical axis angle is controlled in accordance with the calculated vehicle body inclination angle. Therefore, the optical axis adjustment is performed only when the attitude of the running vehicle C changes significantly. The actuator 6,
Unnecessary operation of the actuator 7 is avoided, and the durability of the actuators 6 and 7 is improved accordingly.

In the apparatus according to the third embodiment, in addition to the judgment condition for starting the automatic adjustment of the optical axis angle at the time of sudden acceleration / deceleration, the judgment condition for ending (the calculated vehicle body inclination angle) ), The automatic adjustment of the optical axis angle is terminated when the vehicle C is rapidly accelerated and decelerated and the vehicle body inclination angle is stabilized when the vehicle C is rapidly accelerated and decelerated. The operation of the actuators 6 and 7 can be omitted, and the durability of the actuators 6 and 7 can be improved.

Incidentally, in the above third embodiment,
A function to write the vehicle body inclination angle when the vehicle body is empty when the power is turned on (immediately after the start in FIG. 7) to the memory, or
In FIG. 9, between “Calculation of body inclination” and “(13) Is body inclination equal to data stored in memory (body inclination angle while stopped)?”, “Is data stored in memory? And "write the body inclination into the memory".

[Fourth Embodiment] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment of a device for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.
An embodiment will be described. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 9 denote the same components. The apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention in the fourth embodiment is an improvement of the apparatus of the third embodiment described above, and is shown in FIG. 7 of the second embodiment. The function of the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 10 and the function of the portion surrounded by the broken line of FIG. 11 in FIG. 8 of the second embodiment are respectively added, and the other devices and functions are the first and second units. This is the same as FIGS. 1 to 9 of the third embodiment.

The microcomputer according to the fourth embodiment comprises a counter, a D / A converter, an A / D converter, a memory and the like. , A signal from the headlight switch 14, and a signal k from the vehicle speed detector 20
During driving, the first set value (4 km in this example) within a first set time (0.3 sec in this example)
/ H) from the time when the vehicle speed change occurs to the time when the vehicle speed change continues within the second set value (1 km / h in this example) for the second set time (0.9 sec in this example). Calculates the vehicle body inclination angle from the N average values of the detection signals a and b, and when an ON signal is input from the headlight switch, a setting signal c corresponding to the calculated vehicle body inclination angle
Is output, and the change in vehicle speed is the second set value (1 in this example).
km / h) within the second set time (0.9 sec in this example)
c) If the block of the vehicle body inclination angle calculated from the N average values of the respective detection signals a and b continues and becomes the same as the block of the stopped vehicle body inclination angle stored in the memory, the headlight switch In response to the ON signal, a setting signal c stored in the memory and corresponding to the tilt angle of the stopped vehicle body is output, and the output of the setting signal c is maintained.

The operation of the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention in the fourth embodiment will be described below.
The operation will be described with reference to the operation flowcharts of the microcomputer shown in FIGS.

First, the power of the apparatus of the present invention is turned on, and the operation of the apparatus of the present invention starts. Stopped and running 0.3
When the change in vehicle speed during the second has not reached 4 km / h, the same operation as the above-described device of the second embodiment is performed.

During running, the change in vehicle speed for 0.3 sec is 4 km
/ H, when (17), (18),
After the processing of (19), (20), (21), (22), and (23), the mode is set to the acceleration / deceleration mode. And FIG.
Through (11), (14),..., The vehicle body tilt angle is calculated from the average value of N detection signals a and b. Here, since the vehicle speed change is 4 km / h or more, 0.
Since the value P obtained by counting the number of times that the difference from the vehicle speed counter value J 3 seconds before is 1 km / h or less is 0, the process proceeds to (10) and (26) in the process of (34), and the headlights RH and LH are turned on. Sometimes, the setting signal c corresponding to the calculated vehicle body inclination angle is output (updated). FIG. 11- (34) “P ≧ 3?”.

Next, the above-mentioned state (state of rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration)
When the vehicle speed changes to a constant speed state, that is, when the vehicle speed change value becomes 1 km / h or less, (17) in FIG.
Since the acceleration / deceleration mode has already been set through (18), (19), and (20), the process proceeds from (21) to (31), and since | K−J | ≦ 1, the number of data in (32) P is counted by one. FIG. 10- (31) “Comparison with counter value J 0.3 sec before | KJ | ≦ 1?” FIG. 10- (32) “Data number P count”.

Then, (11) and (1) in FIG.
4), proceed to (34) via P, but P = 1
Therefore, the process proceeds from (34) to (10) and (26), and outputs (updates) the setting signal c corresponding to the calculated vehicle body inclination angle when the headlights RH and LH are turned on.

Then, the vehicle speed change value continues to be 1 km / h or less three times or more (elapse of 0.9 sec or more), and the block of the calculated vehicle body inclination angle is the same as the block of the stopped vehicle body inclination angle in the memory. , The process proceeds from (34) to (27) and (10) in FIG. 11, and the headlight RH,
When the LH is turned on, the acceleration / deceleration mode is released in (24), the number of data P is cleared in (33), and a setting signal c corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle during stop of the memory is output in (33).
And maintain its output. FIG. 11- (33) “Data number P clear”.

As described above, the apparatus according to the tenth embodiment operates from the time when the vehicle speed change exceeding the set value occurs within the set time to the time when the vehicle speed change value continues within the set value for the set time. In the meantime, since the optical axis angle is controlled in accordance with the calculated vehicle body inclination angle, the optical axis adjustment is performed only when the attitude of the running automobile C changes greatly. Required actions are avoided,
The durability of the actuators 6 and 7 is improved accordingly. Moreover, since the stable state of the vehicle C can be detected more quickly than in the device according to the above-described third embodiment, more appropriate optical axis adjustment can be performed.

Further, in the apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the judgment condition for starting the automatic adjustment of the optical axis angle at the time of rapid acceleration / deceleration, the judgment condition for ending (the vehicle speed change is determined by the second setting). Value within the second set time), the automatic adjustment of the optical axis angle can be terminated at the time when the vehicle body inclination angle becomes stable after the vehicle C suddenly accelerates and decelerates, and the useless actuator 6 can be stopped. , 7 can be omitted, and the durability of the actuators 6, 7 can be improved.

In the fourth embodiment described above,
At power-on (immediately after the start in FIG. 10), a function of writing the vehicle body inclination angle when the vehicle body is empty to the memory is added, or “calculation of vehicle body inclination” in FIG. Add the function of "Does data exist in the memory?" And "Write the body tilt in the memory" between the data contained (is the same body inclination when the vehicle is stopped)? You may.

In the above-described embodiment, since each of the displacement detecting sections 1 and 2 is constituted by an ultrasonic sensor, each of the displacement detecting sections 1 and 2 is stopped when the vehicle is stopped. If there is an obstacle such as a tire stopper below the ultrasonic sensor, or if there is an obstacle such as irregular reflection of each ultrasonic sensor of each displacement amount detection unit or a falling object on the road surface while the car is running, Even if a vehicle body tilt angle different from the calculated vehicle body tilt angle is calculated, a function that can cancel a vehicle body tilt angle different from the calculated actual vehicle body tilt angle may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, each of the displacement detectors 1 and 2 is constituted by an ultrasonic sensor. However, the suspension arms of the front and rear wheels of the automobile C are used. And a suspension sensor that detects the amount of displacement of each suspension arm and outputs the detection signal to the control unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the left and right actuators 6 and 7 are constituted by DC motors, but the left and right actuators 6 and 7 are constituted by stepping motors having higher durability than DC motors. You may. In this case, a position sensor for monitoring step-out of the stepping motor may be used together.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
As means for turning on the power to the device, for example, when both the ignition switch and the small lamp switch are on, the power is turned on to the device to calculate the vehicle body tilt angle θ °,
When the headlamp switch is turned on, a device configured to output the installation signal c and the control signal c 'to operate the left and right actuators 6 and 7 can be used. Operation can be omitted.

Further, the vehicle may be provided with a function of adjusting the optical axis when the vehicle body tilt angle changes while traveling on a slope while traveling.

[0077]

As described above, the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a headlamp for a vehicle according to the present invention is characterized in that when the vehicle suddenly accelerates or decelerates and the vehicle body inclination angle changes, the changed vehicle body inclination angle changes. Since the optical axis angle of the headlight can be controlled in accordance with the angle, there is no danger of dazzling oncoming vehicles, a decrease in the field of view, and the like, and more accurate optical axis adjustment can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a device for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of an automotive headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with the apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a signal waveform diagram illustrating an operation of each unit of each displacement amount detection unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence in the microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a correlation between a vehicle body tilt angle and an optical axis control angle.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a correlation between a vehicle body inclination angle and a vehicle speed change.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence in a microcomputer according to a second embodiment of the optical head angle adjusting apparatus for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is also a flowchart.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence in the microcomputer showing the third embodiment of the optical head angle automatic adjusting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence in a microcomputer showing a fourth embodiment of the optical head angle automatic adjusting device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is also a flowchart.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Body displacement amount detection part, 2 ... Body displacement amount detection part, 1-, 2 -... Ultrasonic sensors, 1-, 2 -...
Transmitter (transmitter), 1-, 2 -... receiver (receiver), 3 ... microcomputer (control means), 4, 5
... Motor control unit (control means), 6, 7 ... Actuator (with DC motor and position sensor), 20 ... Vehicle speed detection unit, a, b ... Detection signal, c ... Setting signal, c '... Control signal (optical axis angle) Setting control signal), k: vehicle speed signal, C: automobile (body), G: road surface, L / A: actuator, RH,
LH: headlight, s1, s2: position signal, X: distance between front and rear ultrasonic sensors.

Claims (7)

[Claims] An apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angles of a headlamp up and down by detecting the front and rear inclination angles of a vehicle body, detecting a displacement amount between a vehicle body front portion and a road surface and outputting a detection signal as a detection signal. A vehicle body front displacement amount detecting unit, a vehicle body rear displacement amount detecting unit that detects a displacement amount between a vehicle body rear part and a road surface and outputs it as a detection signal, a vehicle speed detecting unit that detects a vehicle speed and outputs it as a vehicle speed signal, Each detection signal from each of the displacement detection units and a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed detection unit are input, and a vehicle body tilt angle is calculated based on each of the detection signals, and an optical axis angle corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle A control unit that outputs a setting control signal; and an actuator that receives the optical axis angle setting control signal from the control unit and controls an optical axis angle. If the vehicle speed changes more than the set value, The time, the outputs of the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle calculated from the detection signal, automobile headlight optical axis angle automatic adjuster, characterized in that. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a vehicle body inclination angle calculated from the detection signals during a period from a time when a vehicle speed change equal to or more than the set value occurs during the set time to a time when the vehicle stops. 2. The apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of an automotive headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding optical axis angle setting control signal is output. 3. The control means has a memory in which a vehicle body inclination angle is stored.
From the time when the vehicle speed change equal to or more than the set value occurs within the first set time to the time when the vehicle body tilt angle calculated from each of the detection signals continues to be substantially the same as the vehicle body tilt angle in the memory for the second set time And outputting the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to the vehicle body tilt angle calculated from each of the detection signals. Adjustment device. 4. When the vehicle body inclination angle calculated from each of the detection signals continues to be substantially the same as the vehicle body inclination angle in the memory for the second set time, the vehicle inclination in the memory is maintained. 4. The automatic optical axis angle adjusting device for a vehicle headlight according to claim 3, wherein an output of the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to an angle is maintained. 5. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle travels, a vehicle speed change equal to or more than a first set value occurs within a first set time, and the vehicle speed change continues within a second set value for a second set time. 2. The optical axis angle of the vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to the vehicle body inclination angle calculated from each of the detection signals is output during the period. Automatic adjustment device. 6. The control means has a memory in which a vehicle body inclination angle is stored, and when the vehicle speed change continues within the second set value for the second set time, the vehicle body inclination angle in the memory is stored. The apparatus for automatically adjusting the optical axis angle of an automotive headlamp according to claim 5, wherein the output of the optical axis angle setting control signal corresponding to (i) is maintained. 7. The headlight for an automobile according to claim 3, wherein the control means writes the tilt angle of the vehicle body when the vehicle body is empty to the memory when the power is turned on. Automatic optical axis angle adjustment device.