JPS6332523Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention relates to a device for changing the irradiation direction of a vehicle headlamp, and in particular, the output signal of a vehicle speed sensor, the output signal of a steering wheel rotation angle sensor, and the output signal of a centrifugal force sensor are transmitted to a microcomputer. input, the microcomputer memorizes and calculates the optimum illumination direction of the vehicle headlight, and the output signal of the microcomputer causes the headlight to rotate in the left and right direction via the operating section. The present invention relates to an irradiation direction variable device.

Forward illumination by vehicle headlamps illuminates the forward extension of the vehicle body, but when turning the steering wheel to change the direction of travel, what is needed is illumination in front of the direction of change. Therefore, in order to change the irradiation direction of vehicle headlights while the vehicle is running, conventionally, a reflector that rotates from side to side is installed in front of the headlight, and the reflector is moved in conjunction with the steering wheel operation. (Utility Model No. 56-73646), or one that directly rotates the headlights from side to side in conjunction with steering wheel operation (Utility Model No. 56-73646).
52-83146).

In these conventional technologies, the irradiation direction is changed in proportion to the rotation angle of the steering wheel, so when the vehicle speed is low, the area in front of the changed direction is sufficiently irradiated.
However, since there is no element to change the irradiation direction other than the rotation angle of the steering wheel, there is a problem that when the vehicle speed increases, the area ahead in the direction of change is not sufficiently irradiated.

For example, as the vehicle speed increases, the turning radius becomes larger in the case of understeering even if the rotation angle of the steering wheel is the same as in the case of low speed.

Furthermore, in the prior art, since the centrifugal force exerted on the turning vehicle is not used as a variable factor in the irradiation direction, there is a problem in that when a slip occurs during slalom driving, the area ahead in the direction of change is not sufficiently irradiated.

This idea was created by focusing on the problems of the conventional technology.In addition to the rotation angle of the steering wheel, vehicle speed and centrifugal force are applied to the headlight's irradiation direction variable elements, and the electricity of these variable elements is The above problem can be solved by inputting a signal to a microcomputer, storing and calculating the optimum irradiation direction, and rotating the headlight in the left and right direction via the operation unit using the output signal of the microcomputer. It aims to solve the problem.

This invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

The figure is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of this invention.

First, to explain the configuration, numeral 1 is a vehicle speed sensor, and input is obtained from a speed detection generator.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a steering wheel rotation angle sensor whose input is obtained from a steering device such as a steering shaft.

3 is a centrifugal force sensor that detects the lateral acceleration applied to the vehicle. A commercially available accelerometer is used as the centrifugal force sensor 3. The centrifugal force sensor 3 is provided with a selection switch for selecting use or non-use of the centrifugal force sensor 3. In the case of slalom operation, the centrifugal force sensor 3 is used.

4 is a microcomputer to which the output signal of the vehicle speed sensor 1, the output signal of the steering wheel rotation angle sensor 2, and the output signal of the centrifugal force sensor 3 are inputted. The microcomputer 4 is provided with a selection switch for selecting whether to use the microcomputer 4 or not.

The microcomputer 4 stores the optimal irradiation directions determined through experiments for all combinations of the output signal of the vehicle speed sensor 1, the output signal of the steering wheel rotation angle sensor 2, and the output signal of the centrifugal force sensor 3. Then, when a constant handle rotation angle and a constant centrifugal force are achieved within a certain period of time, the microcomputer 4 generates an output signal so that the optimum irradiation direction corresponding to the optimum maximum rotation angle is achieved.

By doing this, the headlight sequentially illuminates the area ahead in the changing direction. If the handle is operated in the opposite direction during the operation, the output signal is stopped and the same output signal as described above is generated thereafter.

The above is the case when the centrifugal force sensor 3 is used with the selection switch, but when the centrifugal force sensor 3 is not used, only the description regarding centrifugal force is excluded, and the rest is the case when the centrifugal force sensor 3 is used. The same is true.

Note that the selection switch is set to microcomputer 4.
When switching from use to non-use, the microcomputer 4 generates an output signal so that the headlights illuminate the forward extension of the vehicle body.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation section to which an output signal from the microcomputer 4 is input. The operation unit 5 converts the electric signal from the microcomputer 4 into a linear displacement of the operation rod 51, and uses a DC motor, a speed reducer, a pinion, etc. as means for converting the electric signal into mechanical displacement.
Known techniques such as those using racks, electric pumps, tanks, switching valves, pistons, and cylinders are used.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a headlamp whose upper and lower parts are attached to the vehicle body 7 so as to be rotatable left and right, and whose rear part is connected to the tip of the operating rod 51 of the operating section 5.

The vehicle speed sensor 1, steering wheel rotation angle sensor 2, centrifugal force sensor 3, and microcomputer 4 are installed in the vehicle interior, for example, on the instrument panel, and the operating unit 5 is fixed to the vehicle body 7 near the headlights 6. There is.

Next, the action will be explained.

When driving at night, if you switch the selection switch to use the microcomputer 4 and centrifugal force sensor 3, the vehicle speed sensor 1 will
When the handle is operated, the handle rotation angle sensor 2 and the centrifugal force sensor 3 each generate an output signal. Then, the microcomputer 4 generates a predetermined output signal, and in response to this output signal, the operating section 5 converts the electrical signal into a linear displacement of the operating rod 51. Accordingly, by displacement of the operating rod 51, the headlight 6 is displaced from side to side with respect to the vehicle body 7, and illuminates the front in the changed direction.

Note that the same applies to the case where the centrifugal force sensor 3 is not used.

As explained above, this invention adds vehicle speed and centrifugal force in addition to the rotation angle of the steering wheel as elements that change the illumination direction of the headlight, inputs the electrical signals of these variable elements to a microcomputer, and A computer memorizes and calculates the optimum illumination direction, and the output signal from the microcomputer allows the headlights to be rotated left and right via the operation unit. Since the illumination direction is automatically changed to the optimum illumination direction, it is possible to secure illumination in front of the direction in which the illumination direction is changed, and this also has the effect of improving driving safety and vehicle maneuverability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of this invention. 1... Vehicle speed sensor, 2... Steering wheel rotation angle sensor, 3... Centrifugal force sensor, 4... Microcomputer, 5... Operating unit, 6... Headlight, 7... Vehicle body.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The output signal of the vehicle speed sensor, the output signal of the steering wheel rotation angle sensor, and the output signal of the centrifugal force sensor are input to a microcomputer, and the output signal of the microcomputer controls the operating section, and the output of the operating section controls the control of the vehicle body. A vehicle headlamp irradiation direction variable device that rotates a headlamp that is held rotatably left and right.