JPH1029462A - Headlight controller for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the existential check of one's own car easy enough to those of opposite cars and pedestrians, etc., at the time of passing through an intersection or the like by making a vehicle stop-time control means control the lighting of headlights into a larger dimming rate than the specified dimming rate at a time when a direction indicator is operated. SOLUTION: A vehicle stop-time dimming control means 71 widens the conducting range of a pulse driving signal being outputted from a pulse conducting range control means 72 and it controls the lighting of headlights 8 into a larger dimming rate than the specified dimming rate wherever it detects fact that a direction indicator is operated by a direction indicator operation detecting means 5 in time of vehicle stoppage. Supporting the direction indicator is operated, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means 71 of a control means 7 is so judged that a vehicle is in standby for the passage of those of opposite cars and pedestrians due to a left-turn or right-turn, therefore the headlights 8 are controlled into 40 to 80% of the dimming rate smaller than the specified dimming rate. Thus, an existential check from the opposite cars and pedestrians in time of the left-turn of right-turn is made to be easy enough.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a headlight control device for a vehicle for automatically turning on or off the headlight or adjusting the dimming rate when the headlight is turned on at night or the like.

[0002]

A headlight in a traveling vehicle plays a role of illuminating a traveling path in a traveling direction and a role of notifying another person of approach. Also,
In vehicles where the headlights are turned on at night and stopped by a signal such as a stop signal, the headlights may be turned off or dimmed in order to prevent battery discharge and reduce wasteful power consumption. Such turning off and dimming of the headlights have been performed manually by the driver.

[0003] Therefore, various types of auto light devices have been developed which automatically turn on the headlights instead of the manual operation. For example,
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 110737 discloses an apparatus for controlling the turning on and off of a headlight based on an output signal from an illuminance sensor for detecting illuminance outside a vehicle (the microfilm, page 3, lines 7 to 8). When the vehicle is stopped in a state, the headlight is turned off when the illuminance outside the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and is maintained when the illuminance outside the vehicle is equal to or less than another predetermined value smaller than the predetermined value. A control device has been proposed.In this control device, when the vehicle is stopped in a lighting state, the headlight is turned off when the illuminance outside the vehicle is relatively large, for example, in a downtown area, and is turned on when the illuminance outside the vehicle is low, such as at a suburban intersection. Maintain (same microfilm page 2, pages 9-12)
Row) Lighting control is performed. However, in this vehicle light control device, when the illuminance outside the vehicle is low at an intersection or the like, the lighting is maintained, so that the power consumption of the headlight cannot be suppressed when the vehicle is stopped.

When a vehicle stops at an intersection or the like, the headlight mainly plays a role of notifying a traveling path in the traveling direction to inform others of the existence of the vehicle. In some cases, the headlights are turned on or dimmed when the vehicle is stopped. For example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 1-116155 proposes a headlight lighting control device that reduces the current flowing through the headlights or shuts off the supply of the current when the vehicle stops. No. 78074 discloses that
A vehicle light control device that turns off a headlamp after a predetermined time has elapsed after it has been determined that the vehicle speed is zero based on the outputs of a vehicle speed sensor and an operation state detector has been proposed. The publication states that the headlight lighting signal is in the ON state, the right turn display signal from the right turn display operation state detecting means of the vehicle is in the ON state, and the vehicle is stopped by the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed detecting means. A headlight control device that turns off the headlight when it is determined at the same time has been proposed.

In the lighting control device and the vehicle light control device, when the vehicle stops, the headlights are always turned off or dimmed. In the headlight control device, the vehicle stops and outputs a right turn display signal. Then, the headlights are turned off. In these devices, for example, when the vehicle is stopped waiting for the passing of an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian to make a left turn or a right turn in an intersection, the headlights are turned off or dimmed. In addition, visibility to oncoming vehicles and the like is reduced. Further, in the above vehicle light control device, etc., after it is determined that the speed of the vehicle is zero, the headlamp is turned off after a certain period of time, but the vehicle waiting for the oncoming vehicle in the intersection suddenly turns off. Alternatively, dimming is not preferable in terms of visibility to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, and furthermore, the illuminance difference of the headlights increases when the vehicle starts running from a stopped state.

In each of the above-mentioned auto light devices, when the illuminance sensor detects that the outside of the vehicle has an illuminance lower than a predetermined level, the headlight is turned on. For example, the headlight is turned on and off when traveling in a dark place such as in a tunnel. Is done automatically. On the other hand, depending on weather conditions and driver's judgment,
If the headlights are turned on before the illuminance becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the operation of the autolight device must be canceled, and there is an inconvenience to switch the automatic lighting of the headlights to manual lighting.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle headlight control that can easily confirm the existence of an own vehicle to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians when passing an intersection or the like, and can save power. It is a primary object to provide an apparatus.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a headlight control device for a vehicle which can easily switch the headlight to manual lighting without having to cancel the operation of the autolight device. is there.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight control device capable of maintaining good visibility of an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the first object, when the vehicle is stopped with the headlights turned on, the headlights are dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate. A headlight control device for a vehicle provided with a vehicle stop light dimming control means, wherein the vehicle stop light dimming control means sets the headlight to a dimming rate larger than the predetermined dimming rate when a turn signal is operated. This controls the lighting of.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle stops at a traffic light or the like, the headlights are dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate. When the vehicle is stopped in an intersection while waiting for passage, when the direction indicator is operated, the headlights are turned on with illuminance brighter than the predetermined dimming rate and dimmed when traveling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, a vehicle headlight control comprising automatic light-on / off control means for automatically turning on and off a headlight according to the illuminance outside the vehicle. In the device, a lighting switch for lighting operation of the small light and the headlight is provided,
The operation of the automatic turning on / off control means is canceled by turning on the lighting switch.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when it is necessary to turn on the small light or the headlight regardless of the illuminance outside the vehicle, the operation of the automatic light-off control means is canceled only by operating the lighting switch. . Moreover,
Since the existing lighting switch is also used as the operating means for canceling the operation of the automatic light-on / off control means, the number of parts does not increase and the cost can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the first and third objects, in the configuration of the first aspect, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means controls the dimming of the headlight for a predetermined time. It is characterized in that it is performed gradually during the passage of time.

According to this configuration, when the vehicle travels after stopping for a short time in an intersection or the like, the headlights return to the running illuminance during the dimming, and the change in the illuminance of the headlights is reduced. It is gradual and small.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the first to the third
In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle headlight control device provided with control means for automatically turning on and off the headlights according to the illuminance outside the vehicle, comprising: Lighting for dimming the headlight to a predetermined dimming rate and controlling the lighting of the headlight to a dimming rate greater than the predetermined dimming rate when the direction indicator operates, and performing lighting operation of the small light and the headlight The control means is configured so that the operation is released by a lighting operation of a switch, and the dimming of the headlight is gradually performed while a predetermined time elapses.

According to this configuration, when the vehicle stops at a traffic light or the like, the headlights are dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate, and when a left turn or a right turn, an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian passes. In the case of stopping in an intersection while waiting, when the direction indicator is operated, the headlights are turned on with illuminance brighter than the predetermined dimming rate and dimmed when traveling. Also,
When it becomes necessary to turn on the small light or the headlight regardless of the illuminance outside the vehicle, the operation of the control means is canceled only by operating the lighting switch. Moreover,
Since the existing lighting switch is also used as the operating means for releasing the operation of the control means, the number of parts does not increase,
Cost can be reduced. When the vehicle travels after stopping for a short time in an intersection or the like, the headlight returns to the illuminance in the traveling state during the dimming, and the illuminance of the headlight changes slowly and becomes small.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 12 show an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, the vehicle headlight control device according to the present invention includes an ignition switch operation detecting means 1, a vehicle speed detecting means 2, , The foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3, the parking brake operation detecting means 4, the direction indicator operation detecting means 5, the illuminance detecting means 6 outside the vehicle, and the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are automatically turned on based on these detection signals. A control means 7 for controlling the lighting is provided. Reference numeral 10 denotes a lighting switch for manually turning on and off the headlight 8 or the small light 9 and is mounted on, for example, a steering column.

The ignition switch detecting means 1
Is used to determine whether the engine is on or off. Generally, a key cylinder switch operated by a key can be used. An ignition switch operation signal based on the on / off operation of the switch is output to the control means 7.

The speed detecting means 2 is for judging the vehicle speed, and a speedometer can be used. A pulse signal corresponding to the vehicle speed is output to the control means 7 as a detection signal.

The foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3
Is to determine whether or not the brake is depressed by pressing the foot brake pedal, can use the foot brake pedal switch that is generally attached to the foot brake,
A foot brake pedal operation signal based on ON / OFF of this switch is output to the control means 7.

The parking brake operation detecting means 4
Is used to determine whether or not a parking brake is used to stop at a traffic light at an intersection or the like. A parking brake switch mounted on the parking brake can be used. A brake operation signal is output to the control means 7.

The direction indicator operation detecting means 5 determines whether the direction indicator is blinking for turning left or right (that is, the operating state is on) or not blinking (that is, the non-operating state is off). A turn signal switch or the like for operating the turn signal can be used for discrimination, and a turn signal operation signal is output to the control means 7 based on the on / off operation.

The outside illuminance detecting means 6 detects the outside illuminance and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the outside illuminance to the control means 7, and has a sensor unit 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. . The sensor unit 11 includes a light receiving sensor 12 as light receiving means and a push button type operation switch 13.
Is mounted on a circuit board 14, and the circuit board 14 is housed in a substantially cylindrical lower case 15, and a substantially cylindrical upper case 16 having a larger outer diameter than the lower case 15 is placed above the lower case 15. It is configured to be loosely fitted up and down. Then, by pressing the upper case 16, the operation switch 13 is turned on,
An OFF operation is performed, and the operation and release of the control means 7 can be performed by an ON / OFF signal of the operation switch 13. Further, by forming the upper case 16 from a light transmitting member, the upper case 16 is used not only as a main switch but also as a light receiving lens. Then, an analog signal from the light receiving sensor 12 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter (not shown) mounted on the circuit board 14, and the digitalized illuminance detection signal is output to the control means 7. It is composed.

The sensor unit 11 is used by attaching it to a dashboard (not shown) with a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. As shown in FIG.
Is built in the control unit case 21. The control unit case 21 is disposed in the dashboard, and is electrically connected to each of the detecting means 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the lighting switch 10, and the like.
In general, the control means 7 uses a microcomputer with a built-in program.

Next, the electrical configuration relating to the present apparatus is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a control unit constituting the control means 7, and an input port of the control unit 31 is connected to an ignition switch 32 corresponding to the ignition switch detection means 1 via a fuse 33. In addition, a speedometer 34 corresponding to the speed detecting means 2, a foot brake pedal switch 35 corresponding to the foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3, and a parking brake operation detecting means 4
, A right turn switch 37 and a left turn switch 38 corresponding to the direction indicator operation detecting means 5, and the sensor unit 11 corresponding to the exterior illuminance detecting means 6, respectively. 39 is a foot brake lamp which forms a series circuit with the foot brake pedal switch 35, and 40 is a parking brake switch 36.
When the foot brake pedal switch 35 or the parking brake switch 36 is turned on, the parking brake lamp is turned on by supplying an operating voltage.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a combination switch (hereinafter, simply referred to as a combination switch) which also functions as the overtaking switch 42 and the dimmer switch 43 together with the writing switch 10. Among them, the lighting switch 10 for turning on / off the small light 9 alone or the headlight 8 and the small light 9 has first and second switching contacts 44 and 44a, and turns the combination switch 41. By doing so, the positions of these switching contacts 44a, 44a are both switched. As shown particularly in FIG. 5, each switching contact 44, 44a has a common terminal 45, 45a at one end, while an OFF terminal 46, 46a, S / L terminals 47, 47a, H / L terminals 48 and 48a are provided at the other ends, respectively. The common terminal 45 on the first switching contact 44 side is connected to the control unit
The S / L terminal 47 and the H / L terminal 48 are both connected to the second input terminal IN2 of 31 and the anode of the diode 49. Also, a common terminal 45 on the second switching contact 44a side
a is connected to a connection point between the other end of the exciting coil 51a constituting the first relay 50 and the first input terminal IN1 of the control unit 31, and the H / L terminal 48a is grounded.

The overtaking switch 42 performs a passing operation.
52, 52a, and 52b, and the contact 53 is connected to each terminal 52, 52a, 52 only while the combination switch 41 is pushed to the front side, for example.
b. Also, headlight 8
A dimmer switch 43 for performing the switching operation between the high beam and the low beam is provided with a common terminal 55 at one end of the contact 54.
While the other end is provided with an H terminal 56 and an L terminal 56a, and the common terminal 55 is grounded together with the second terminal 52a of the overtaking switch 42. A first terminal 52 of the overtaking switch 42 is connected to a common contact 45a of the second switching contact 44a, and a third terminal 52b of the overtaking switch 42.
Is connected to the H terminal 56 of the dimmer switch 43, and the H terminal 56 of the dimmer switch 43 is connected to the other ends of the right high beam lamp 62 and the left high beam lamp 62a, which will be described later, and one end of the high beam indicator 57. Connected to a point.

The headlight 8 includes a right high beam lamp 62 and a right low beam lamp 63, and a left high beam lamp 62a and a right low beam lamp 63a. Further, the first relay 50 is provided as a headlight driving means for energizing and disconnecting the headlight 8. The first relay 50 has one end of an exciting coil 51a and one end of a contact 51b connected to a battery + B as a voltage supply source, and the other end of the exciting coil 51a connected to a control unit.
The other end of the contact 51b is connected to one end of a lamp 62, 63 and one end of a lamp 62a, 63a via a fuse 64, 64a, respectively. Further, in order to continuously vary the dimming rate of the headlight 8 based on the duty ratio of the pulse supplied from the first output terminal OUT1 of the control unit 31, one end of the lamps 62 and 63 and the lamps 62a and 63a is used. A pair of FETs (field effect transistors) as another headlight driving means in which a source is connected, a battery + B is connected to a drain, and each output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 31 is connected to a gate.
65 and 65a are provided respectively.

Reference numeral 67 denotes a small lamp constituting the small light 9. In addition, a second relay 68 is provided as a small light drive unit for energizing and disconnecting the small light 9. This second relay 68
One end of the exciting coil 69a and the contact 69b is connected to a battery + B as a voltage supply source, and the other end of the exciting coil 51a is connected to the second output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 31 and the anode of the diode 49, while the other end of the contact 51b is connected. One end of a small lamp 67 is connected to one end. Although not shown, the other end of the small lamp 67 is grounded.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the combination switch 41 is in the neutral position, that is, the first and second switching contacts 44, 44a of the lighting switch 10 are OFF.
When the terminals are in contact with the terminals 46 and 46a, the first input terminal IN1 and the second input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 are set.
However, none of them are grounded, so that the control means 7 in the control unit 31 has an auto light function of changing the dimming rate of the headlight 8 according to the illuminance outside the vehicle detected by the sensor unit 11. Run.
Specifically, when the illuminance outside the vehicle falls below a certain predetermined value, the second output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 31 changes from the previous H level (battery + B potential) to the L level (ground potential). Switch. Then, the exciting current flows through the exciting coil 69a of the second relay 68, the contact 69b is closed, and the small lamp 67 constituting the small light 9 is turned on. When the illuminance outside the vehicle further falls below the predetermined value, a pulse drive signal is output from the first output terminal OUT1 of the control unit 31 to the gates of the FETs 65 and 65A, and the drain-source of the FETs 65 and 65A is intermittently connected. Electrical conduction. Thereby, F
When the ETs 65 and 65A are conducting, the voltage of the battery + B is applied to the left and right low beam lamps 63 and 63 constituting the headlight 8.
a, and these low-beam lamps 63, 63a
Are energized and lit according to the ON period of the pulse drive signal. At this time, the control unit 31 gradually increases the number of pulses of the pulse driving signal output to the FETs 65 and 65A as the illuminance outside the vehicle decreases, and increases the voltage ratio of the ON period in a predetermined period, that is, the duty ratio. Perform control. As a result, the illuminance of the headlight 8 gradually increases and decreases according to a change in the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output to each of the FETs 65 and 65A.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the first switch 41 and the second switching contact 44a of the lighting switch 10 are brought into contact with the S / L terminals 47 and 47a by rotating the switch 41, the second input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 is switched to the first switching contact 44. , The automatic light function by the control means 7 is released. And
In this case, the exciting current flows in the order of battery + B → the exciting coil 69a of the second relay 68 → the diode 49 → the first switching contact 44 → the ground point, the contact 69b closes, and only the small lamp 67 is energized and lit. As shown in FIG. 7, the combination switch 41 is further rotated so that the first and second switching contacts 44, 44a of the lighting switch 10 are connected to the H / L terminal 4.
8 and 48a, the second input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 is grounded via the first switching contact 44, the automatic light function by the control means 7 is released, and the second relay 68 is excited. The exciting current flows into the coil 69a, and the small lamp 67 is energized and turned on. Further, in this case, the exciting current flows in the order of battery + B → the exciting coil 51a of the first relay 50 → the second switching contact 44a → the ground point, the contact 51b closes, and the left and right low beam lamps 63, 63 are continuously energized. Light.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Move 41 to the front, and set the overtaking switch 42
When the contact 53 of the control unit 31 is brought into contact with the first to third terminals 52, 52a, 52b, the first input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 is grounded via the second switching contact 44a. It is released. Further, the exciting coil of the first relay 50 is connected via the overtaking switch 42.
The other end of 51a, the other ends of the left and right high beam lamps 62, 62a, and one end of the high beam indicator 57 are grounded, and an exciting current flows from the battery + B into the exciting coil 51a, and the contact 51b is closed to close the headlight. The lamps 62, 63 and the lamps 62a, 63a constituting the lamp 8 are continuously energized and turned on, and the high beam indicator 57 is also turned on. As shown in FIG. 9, first and second switching contacts 44, 44 of the lighting switch 10 are provided.
When the contact of the dimmer switch 43 is brought into contact with the H terminal 56 by operating the combination switch 41 in a state in which the terminal a contacts the H / L terminals 48 and 48a, the first switch is connected via the lighting switch 10 and the combination switch 41. The other end of the exciting coil 51a of the relay 50, the other ends of the left and right high beam lamps 62, 62a, and one end of the high beam indicator 57 are grounded.
Therefore, also in this case, the lamps 62 and 63 and the lamps 62a and 63a constituting the headlight 8 are all continuously energized and lit, and the high beam indicator 57 is lit.

Next, the functional configuration of the control means 7 built in the control unit 31 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a lighting state of the headlight 8, a vehicle speed detecting means 2, a foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3,
Alternatively, when the parking brake operation detection means 4 detects that the vehicle has stopped, the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72 to the headlights 8 is made smaller than when the vehicle is running, and the headlights 8 are turned off. This is a vehicle stop-time dimming control unit that dims to a predetermined dimming rate. When the direction indicator operation detecting means 5 detects that the direction indicator has been operated when the vehicle is stopped, the dimming control means 71 at the time of stopping the vehicle detects the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72. And a function of controlling the lighting of the headlight 8 to a dimming rate larger than a predetermined dimming rate. In this case, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means 71 gradually narrows or widens the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72, so that the headlight 8 is controlled during a predetermined time. Is configured to gradually increase or decrease the light intensity.

Reference numeral 73 denotes an automatic turning on / off control means for automatically turning on / off or dimming the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 in accordance with the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detecting means 6. This automatic light-off control means
73, the small light 9 is automatically turned on when the illuminance outside the vehicle falls below a certain value, irrespective of whether the vehicle is running or stopped, and when the illuminance outside the vehicle further falls below this predetermined value, the pulse conduction width control is performed. A function of gradually increasing the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the means 72 and increasing the dimming rate of the headlight 8 is provided. 4 to 9 described above.
As will be apparent from the description of the operation described above, when the lighting operation of the headlight 8 or the small light 9 is performed by the combination switch 41 including the lighting switch 10, the overtaking switch 42, and the dimmer switch 43, the automatic light-off control means 73 is activated. The operation is canceled.

Next, FIG. 1 shows the operation procedure of the control means 7.
1 and the flow chart of FIG. 12, the operation of the present apparatus will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, when the engine is started, an operation signal indicating that the engine is on is output from the ignition switch operation detecting means 1 to the control means 7. If the operation switch 13 is on, the control means 7 Starts (S.1). Subsequently, the control means 7 determines the vehicle speed (S.2), and measures the external illuminance by the illuminance detection signal from the external illuminance detection means 6 in the running state (S.3). Based on the measurement result, the automatic light-off control means 73 of the control means 7 determines whether or not the illuminance of the small light 9 is on (S · 4).
If the lighting illuminance has been reached, the small light 9 is turned on (S · 5). If the lighting illuminance of the small light 9 is brighter, the small light 9 is not turned on, and the illuminance outside the vehicle is measured (S · 3). Return to). Further, when the small light 9 is turned on (S.5), the automatic light-on / off control means 73 of the control means 7 next determines whether or not the illuminance of the headlight 8 is on (S.6). If the illuminance has been reached,
While the headlight 8 is turned on (S7), if the illuminance outside the vehicle is brighter than the illuminance of the headlight 8, the process returns to the measurement of the illuminance outside the vehicle (S3). The lighting illuminance of the small light 9 and the headlight 8 is stored in a ROM (not shown) of the control means 7.
The lighting illuminance of the vehicle is 100 lux and the headlight 8
Is set to 50 lux.

After the headlights 8 are turned on (S.7), the control means 7 determines the vehicle speed (S.8). When the vehicle is in a running state, the illuminance outside the vehicle is measured to determine whether or not the illuminance of the headlights 8 is on. Is determined (S6). If the illuminance outside the vehicle has reached the lighting illuminance of the headlight 8, the lighting of the headlight 8 and the small light 9 continues. In this series of operations (S6 to S8), the automatic light-off control means 73 of the control means 7 controls the headlights 8 according to the illuminance outside the vehicle.
Increase or decrease the illuminance. This is performed by varying the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72.

On the other hand, after the headlight 8 is turned on (S ·
7) As a result of determining the vehicle speed (S · 8), if the vehicle speed is zero, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means 71 of the control means 7 further determines the operating state of the foot brake pedal and the side brake (S).・ 9). At this time, if one or both of the foot brake pedal and the side brake are used, the vehicle is in a stopped state, and the operation state of the direction indicator is subsequently determined based on the operation signal from the direction indicator operation detecting means 5. If the direction indicator is not operated (S · 10), the vehicle-stop dimming control means 71 of the control means 7 does not operate.
Determines that the vehicle is temporarily stopped, such as waiting for a traffic light, and dims the headlight 8 to a predetermined dimming rate (S · 11). In this case, the predetermined dimming rate is about 10 to 30% when the illuminance in the running state is 100%.

On the other hand, in the determination of the operation state of the turn signal (S · 10), if the turn signal is operated,
The vehicle-stop-time dimming control means 71 of the control means 7 determines that the vehicle is in a state of waiting for an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian to pass due to a left turn or a right turn, and sets the headlight 8 to the predetermined dimming rate. The lighting control is performed to a light reduction rate of at least 40 to 80% (60% in the embodiment) which is larger (S · 12). As a result, it is easy to confirm the presence of an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian when turning left or right, and power consumption is reduced. Also, while the vehicle is stopped, the headlights 8 are brighter when the turn signal is operated, so that a pedestrian from the vehicle can be checked well when turning left or the like. On the other hand, in a temporary stop state such as a signal waiting state where the turn signal is not operated, the dimming rate of the headlight 8 is reduced, so that unnecessary battery discharge during a long signal waiting state or traffic jam can be prevented.

Also, by changing the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72, the dimming of the headlights 8 is performed gradually during the elapse of a predetermined time. Even when waiting for a pedestrian to pass, the headlights 8 do not suddenly dimm and turn off, and the visibility to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians is not impaired. In addition, for example, when the vehicle is stopped for a short time at a temporary stop, the headlights 8 gradually diminish rather than suddenly. Is not compromised.

When the vehicle stops and the vehicle starts and determines the running state (S.8), it is determined again whether or not the illumination of the headlight 8 is on (S.6). If the illuminance of the headlight 8 is in the running state (100
%).

The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is repeated while the engine is on and the operation switch 13 is on, and is released when at least one of the engine and the operation switch 13 is off. When released, the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are turned off.

Next, the automatic cancel function of the control means 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the lighting control state of the headlight 8 and the small light 9 by the control means 7 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 (S · 21), the combination switch 41 is arbitrarily operated from the neutral position, and the headlight 8 or the small light 9 is operated. When the lighting operation of 9 or the passing operation is performed (S22), one of the input terminals IN1 and IN2 of the control unit 31 is grounded, so that the lighting control of the control means 7 is released (S2). 23).
Therefore, for example, when the headlight 8 is dimmed due to a prolonged stop such as a temporary stop, if the lighting switch 10 is operated, the headlight 8 returns to the normal illuminance, and it is possible to confirm the front. Before the small light 9 is turned on by the control means 7, the small light 9 is turned on.
For example, when it is necessary to turn on the small light 9 or the headlight 8, it is possible to operate the small light 9 or the headlight 8 only by operating the lighting switch 10 without turning off the operation switch 13. Further, after the small light 9 is turned on by operating the lighting switch 10, the headlight 8 can be turned on at a desired time by further operating the lighting switch 10. afterwards,
When the combination switch 41 is returned to the neutral position by turning off the lighting switch 10 or canceling the passing operation by the overtaking switch 42 (S24), the lighting control by the control means 7 resumes. (S.21).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the vehicle is stopped with the headlight 8 turned on, the headlight 8 is dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate when the vehicle is stopped. In the vehicular headlight control device provided with the dimming control means 71, the vehicle stop dimming control means 71 sets the headlight 8 to a dimming rate larger than the predetermined dimming rate when the direction indicator operates. Since the lighting is controlled, when the vehicle stops at a traffic light or the like, the headlights 8 are dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate, and when the vehicle turns left or right, the headlights 8 wait for the passage of an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian. When the vehicle stops at the intersection, when the direction indicator is operated, the headlights 8 are illuminated at a higher luminous intensity than the predetermined dimming rate and are dimmed when traveling.
Lights up. Therefore, when turning left or right,
It is possible to make it easy for an oncoming vehicle, a pedestrian, and the like to confirm the presence of the own vehicle, and to save power by setting the headlights 8 in a dimmed state.

In this embodiment, a vehicle headlight control device provided with an automatic light-on / off control means 73 for automatically turning on or off the headlight 8 in accordance with the illuminance outside the vehicle corresponds to the second aspect. A lighting switch 10 for turning on and off the small light 9 and the headlight 8 is provided, and the operation of the automatic turning on / off control means 73 is released by turning on the lighting switch 10. Regardless, if the small light 9 or the headlight 8 needs to be turned on, simply operate the lighting switch 10 and the operation switch will bother the user.
Even if 13 is not canceled, the automatic lighting of the headlights 8 by the automatic light-on / off control means 73 can be easily switched to manual lighting. Moreover, in this case, the existing lighting switch 10 is also used as an operating means for canceling the operation of the automatic light-on / off control means 73, so that the number of parts does not increase and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, according to the third aspect, the vehicle stoppage dimming control means 71 is configured to gradually diminish the headlight 8 during a predetermined time. When the vehicle travels after a short stop at an intersection or the like, the headlight 8 returns to the illuminance in the traveling state during the dimming, and the change in the illuminance of the headlight 8 becomes gentle and small. And visibility to pedestrians can be maintained favorably. In addition, there is no need to rush to manually turn on the headlights 8 when the driver wants to check the front when the vehicle is stopped for a short time.

Further, in the present embodiment, a vehicle headlight control device provided with a control means 7 for automatically turning on or off the headlight 8 according to the illuminance outside the vehicle corresponds to claim 4. The means 7 diminishes the headlight 8 to a predetermined dimming rate when the vehicle stops while the headlight 8 is turned on, and sets the dimming rate to a dimming rate larger than the predetermined dimming rate when the turn signal is operated. The operation of the headlight 8 is controlled, and the operation of the lighting switch 10 for controlling the lighting of the small light 9 and the headlight 8 is released, and the operation is released, and the dimming of the headlight 8 is gradually performed while a predetermined time elapses. When the vehicle stops at a traffic light or the like, the headlights 8 are dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate, and when turning left or right, the vehicle stops at an intersection waiting for an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian to pass. If you, when operating the turn signal, a bright illumination than the predetermined extinction ratio, and the headlight 8 while dim than during running lights. Therefore, when turning left or right, it is possible to easily confirm the presence of the own vehicle with respect to an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian, and power saving can be achieved by setting the headlights 8 in a dimmed state. Also, regardless of the illuminance outside the vehicle, small lights 9
Alternatively, when the lighting of the headlights 8 becomes necessary, the operation of the control means 7 is released only by operating the lighting switch 10, and the automatic lighting of the headlights 8 by the control means 7 can be easily switched to manual lighting. . Moreover, in this case, the existing lighting switch 10 is also used as an operating means for canceling the operation of the automatic light-on / off control means 73, so that the number of parts does not increase and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, when the vehicle travels after stopping for a short time in an intersection or the like, the headlight 8 returns to the illuminance in the traveling state during the dimming, and the change in the illuminance of the headlight 8 becomes gentle and small. Good visibility for cars and pedestrians can be maintained. In addition, there is no need to rush to manually turn on the headlights 8 when the driver wants to check the front when the vehicle is stopped for a short time. That is, it is possible to control the lighting of the headlight 8 with a fine texture in accordance with the brightness of the outside of the vehicle and the running state of the vehicle, and to save power.

Further, as an effect of the embodiment, since the light receiving sensor 12 and the operation switch 13 are incorporated in the sensor unit 11, the size of the apparatus is smaller than when the light receiving sensor 12 and the operation switch 13 are separately provided. Is achieved. Furthermore, even if the operation switch 13 is on, the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are turned off when the engine is turned off, so that it is possible to prevent the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 from being forgotten to be turned off.

Further, the control means 7 is configured to increase or decrease the illuminance of the headlight 8 by changing the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output to the FETs 65 and 65a as the driving means of the headlight 8. Also, the illuminance of the headlight 8 can be easily and continuously changed without separately providing a voltage adjusting means for changing the voltage applied to the headlight 8.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the dimming rate of the headlight can be set as appropriate.

[0051]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlight having a vehicle stop dimming control means for dimming the headlight to a predetermined dimming rate when the vehicle stops while the headlight is turned on. In the control device, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means controls the lighting of the headlight to a dimming rate larger than the predetermined dimming rate when the direction indicator operates, and when the vehicle passes an intersection or the like. In addition, it is possible to easily confirm the presence of the own vehicle for oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, and the like, and to save power.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlight control device provided with an automatic light-on / off control means for automatically turning on and off a headlight according to the illuminance outside the vehicle. A lighting switch for performing the above operation is provided, and the operation of the automatic light-off control means is released by turning on the lighting switch, so that the headlight can be easily turned on manually without releasing the operation of the auto light device. Switching can be performed, and at the same time, costs can be reduced by using common components.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the vehicle stoppage dimming control means gradually dims the headlights during a predetermined time. Thus, the visibility of the vehicle with respect to oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, and the like can be maintained well.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlight control device having a control means for automatically turning on and off a headlight according to the illuminance outside the vehicle, wherein the vehicle stops when the headlight is turned on. At the same time, the headlight is dimmed to a predetermined dimming rate, and the operation of the headlight is controlled to a dimming rate larger than the predetermined dimming rate when the direction indicator is operated, so that the small light and the headlight are turned on. The control means is configured so that the operation is released by the lighting operation of the lighting switch for performing the operation, and the dimming of the headlight is gradually performed while a predetermined time elapses, and the brightness of the outside and the vehicle of the vehicle are reduced. It is possible to control the lighting of the headlight with a fine texture according to the running state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle headlight control device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the same.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same sensor unit.

FIG. 4 is an overall circuit diagram in which the combination switch is in a neutral position.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a main part in which the combination switch is in a neutral position.

FIG. 6 is an overall circuit diagram when the small light is turned on.

FIG. 7 is an overall circuit diagram at the time of lighting operation of the small light and the headlight.

FIG. 8 is an overall circuit diagram at the time of a passing operation.

FIG. 9 is an overall circuit diagram when the high beam is operated.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the control unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 control means 8 headlight 9 small light 10 lighting switch 71 dimming control means at vehicle stop 73 automatic turning on / off control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A headlight control device for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle stop dimming control means for dimming the headlight to a predetermined dimming rate when the vehicle stops while the headlight is turned on. The headlight control device for a vehicle, wherein the time dimming control means controls the lighting of the headlight to a dimming rate greater than the predetermined dimming rate when the direction indicator operates. 2. A headlight control device for a vehicle comprising an automatic light-on / off control means for automatically turning on and off the headlights according to the illuminance outside the vehicle, wherein a lighting switch for turning on and off the small lights and the headlights is provided. A headlight control device for a vehicle, wherein the operation of the automatic light-on / off control means is canceled by a lighting operation of the lighting switch. 3. The vehicle headlight control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle stop-time dimming control means gradually dims the headlight while a predetermined time has elapsed. 4. A headlight control device for a vehicle comprising a control means for automatically turning on and off the headlights according to the illuminance outside the vehicle. Dimming to the dimming rate, and controlling the lighting of the headlights to a dimming rate greater than the predetermined dimming rate when the direction indicator operates, and turning on the lighting switch for lighting the small lights and the headlights A headlight control device for a vehicle, characterized in that the control means is configured so that the operation is canceled by an operation and the dimming of the headlight is gradually performed while a predetermined time has elapsed.