JP4497050B2 - Vehicle headlamp device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp device (vehicle headlamp system) that changes the light distribution of a lamp based on vehicle information. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp device that performs fail-safe processing when an abnormality occurs during system operation. In this specification, “road surface or the like” refers to a road surface, a person (such as a pedestrian) or an object (such as a guardrail, another vehicle, a road sign, or a building) on the road surface.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a vehicle headlamp device that changes the light distribution of a lamp based on vehicle information, such as AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) (for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, a conventional vehicle headlamp apparatus will be described. A conventional vehicular headlamp device changes the light distribution of a lamp by changing the irradiation direction of lamp light in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. Further, the conventional vehicle headlamp apparatus performs fail-safe processing by lowering the optical axis of the lamp when an abnormality or failure occurs during the operation of the system.

  However, the conventional vehicle headlamp apparatus transitions to a lamp light distribution change process after starting the system and performing an initialization process. That is, the conventional vehicle headlamp apparatus is not provided with means for inquiring whether or not the vehicle headlight device has ended in an abnormal state at the time of the previous shutdown (shutdown) after the system is started. For this reason, the conventional vehicular headlamp device performs the initialization process after the system is started even if an abnormality has occurred at the end of the previous time, so that the reference state (reference angle) of the lamp is shifted and gives glare. In some cases, the apparatus is overloaded and repair costs may increase.

JP 2002-326536 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the conventional vehicle headlamp apparatus may give glare and the repair cost may increase.

  According to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality related to an operation for changing the light distribution of the lamp and outputs an abnormality signal, and an abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection unit are recorded. An abnormality storage unit, and a control device that directly performs fail-safe processing without performing initialization processing when the abnormal history at the previous end is inquired from the abnormality storage unit after startup and ended in an abnormal state after starting. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), has the abnormal state been resolved when the control device inquires of the abnormal history at the previous end from the abnormal storage unit after starting and ends in the abnormal state? If the abnormal state has been resolved, the abnormal state record in the abnormal storage section is cleared and initialization processing is performed, and if the abnormal state has not been resolved, initialization processing is not performed. Direct fail-safe processing is performed.

  Further, the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) performs the initialization process when the light distribution of the lamp is deteriorated from the current state due to the initialization process of the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage unit by the control device. Without fail-safe processing directly.

  Furthermore, the present invention (the invention according to claim 4) is a swivel type lamp in which the lamp is swiveled by the swivel device to change the light distribution of the lamp, and the fail safe process performed by the control device is set in the swivel set. It is a process of returning the lamp swiveled to the reference state to the reference state of the reference angle, or turning the light axis of the lamp downward by a separate driving device, or turning off the lamp. To do.

  The vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) does not perform initialization processing when the abnormal history at the previous end is inquired from the abnormal storage unit after activation and is terminated in an abnormal state after activation. Direct fail-safe processing is performed. For this reason, the vehicular headlamp device of the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) can prevent glare due to deviation of the reference state of the lamp, and can reduce the repair cost without applying a load to the device. it can.

  Further, in the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), if an abnormality has occurred at the end of the previous operation but the abnormality has been resolved at the time of startup, an abnormality in the abnormality storage unit The status record is cleared and initialization processing is performed. As a result, the vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) is recorded as an accidental factor (factors such as external noise and misjudgment) by making a determination to eliminate the abnormality immediately after startup. Therefore, it is possible to clear the abnormal light distribution and to perform the light distribution change process of the original lamp.

  Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) does not perform the initialization process only when the abnormality distribution causes the light distribution of the lamp to become worse than the present by performing the initialization process. Direct fail-safe processing is performed. As a result, the vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) can perform the light distribution change process of the original lamp, and can surely prevent glare due to the deviation of the reference state of the lamp. In addition, repair costs can be reliably reduced without imposing a load on the apparatus.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 4), in the case of a swivel type lamp in which the lamp is swiveled by the swivel device and the light distribution of the lamp is changed, the set swivel angle is set. The glare can be reduced by returning the swiveled lamp to the reference state of the reference angle, or by turning the lamp's optical axis downward or turning off the lamp with a separate drive. There is no such thing as giving.

  Hereinafter, four examples of embodiments of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a lamp 1, vehicle information collection means 2 as a vehicle information collection unit, abnormality detection means 3 as an abnormality detection unit, An abnormality storage unit 4 as a storage unit and a light distribution control unit 5 as a control device are provided.

  The lamp 1 is a headlamp mounted on each of the left and right sides of the front portion of a vehicle (not shown), and changes at least one of a light distribution range, a light distribution shape, and a light distribution brightness. The vehicle has a function of ensuring a wider field of view (visibility) in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this example, the lamp 1 is a swivel type lamp that is swiveled by a swivel device to change the light distribution of the lamp. In this example, the lamp 1 is a projector-type lamp that uses a discharge lamp (a so-called high-pressure metal vapor discharge lamp such as a metal halide lamp or a high-intensity discharge lamp (HID)) as a light source. The lamp 1 may be a lamp other than a projector-type lamp that uses a discharge lamp as a light source, such as a semiconductor-type light source such as an LED, a halogen lamp, an incandescent lamp, or the like, a reflective lamp, It may be a type of lamp.

  The vehicle information collecting means 2 detects vehicle information and outputs an information signal to the light distribution control means 5. That is, the vehicle information collecting means 2 collects various vehicle information necessary for control to change the light distribution of the lamp 1. The vehicle information collecting means 2 is composed of, for example, a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a headlamp switch, and the like.

  The steering angle sensor detects a steering angle (steering angle and synonym) of a steering handle (not shown, synonyms such as a steering wheel and a steering wheel) and a steering direction, and distributes the steering angle signal and the steering direction signal to the light distribution. This is output to the control means 5. That is, the steering angle sensor is used when, for example, the driver runs on a curved road (a road with a left curve or a road with a right curve), and when the vehicle makes a left turn or a right turn on an intersection. A steering angle (rotation angle) and a steering direction (rotation direction) of the steering handle to be steered are detected, and a steering angle signal and a steering direction signal are output to the light distribution control means 5. The steering angle signal and the steering direction signal are obtained as specific numerical data by, for example, networking the steering angle sensor and the light distribution control means 5 mounted on a vehicle. As specific numerical data, for example, numerical data of + 10 ° is obtained when the steering wheel is turned 10 ° to the right, and numerical data of −10 ° is obtained when the steering wheel is turned 10 ° to the left. As specific numerical data, for example, when the steering wheel is turned 10 ° to the right, numerical data of “990” with respect to the neutral value of “1000”, while when the steering wheel is turned 10 ° to the left, It is obtained as numerical data “1010” with respect to the neutral numerical value “1000”. On the other hand, the steering angle signal and the steering direction signal are obtained, for example, as electrical signals output from the steering angle sensor (for example, an optical sensor) mounted on a vehicle to the light distribution control means 5.

  The vehicle speed sensor detects a vehicle speed and outputs a vehicle speed signal to the light distribution control means 5. The headlamp switch turns on or off the lamp 1 by a driver operating ON or OFF, and outputs an ON signal (for example, a high level signal) when ON, and an OFF signal (for example, when OFF) (for example, , A low level signal) is output to the light distribution control means 5.

  The abnormality detection means 3 detects an abnormality related to the operation of changing the light distribution of the lamp 1, such as a physical failure, a temperature abnormality, a voltage abnormality, an external noise, etc., and sends an abnormality signal to the light distribution control means 5. Output. Examples of the physical failure include failure of a sensor for detecting the current position of the swivel lamp 1, short circuit between motors of the swivel device, disconnection of signal lines and output lines of the motor of the swivel device, failure of the swivel device, swivel For example, a motor failure of the device. The temperature abnormality or voltage abnormality is a state where the temperature or voltage exceeds a normal value. Further, the external noise is other communication data from the vehicle. The vehicle information collection means 2 and the abnormality detection means 3 are displayed as one block in FIG. 1, but are actually configured by a plurality of sensors and network information. The form is not particularly limited.

  The abnormality storage means 4 is configured to electrically record the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means 3, and to allow the light distribution control means 5 to read the record. The abnormality storage means 4 uses a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a FlashROM because the recording contents are required to be retained even when the system power is turned off. However, the form is not particularly limited. .

  The light distribution control means 5 calculates the optimum light distribution based on the detection signal from the vehicle information collection means 2 and controls the lamp 1 so that the optimum light distribution is obtained. The light distribution control means 5 performs fail-safe processing based on the abnormality signal from the abnormality detection means 3. Further, the light distribution control means 5 inquires of the abnormality history at the previous end from the abnormality storage means 4 after the activation, and performs the fail-safe process directly without performing the initialization process when it has ended in an abnormal state. Is. That is, the light distribution control means 5 sequentially processes the steps of the flowchart shown in FIG. The light distribution control means 5 includes, for example, an arithmetic CPU, a lamp driver circuit, a network communication unit, and the like. The light distribution control means 5 uses a computer mounted on a vehicle, for example, a car navigation (navigation system) computer, a control circuit unit, an ECU / electronic control unit computer, or the like.

  The fail-safe process performed by the light distribution control means 5 is performed by, for example, returning the lamp 1 swiveled to a set swivel angle to a reference state of a reference angle, or by using a separate drive device. This is a process of turning the axis downward or turning off the lamp 1 (instantaneous extinction, dimming extinction). Hereinafter, a configuration in which the optical axis of the lamp 1 is directed downward by the separate driving device will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp 1 is disposed in a lamp chamber 8 defined by a lamp housing 6 and a lamp lens 7. That is, the lamp 1 is attached to the lamp housing 6 via the pivot mechanism 9 so as to be rotatable up and down around the horizontal axis HH. As a result, the lamp 1 rotates up and down around the horizontal axis H-H by the driving of the leveling actuator 10 of the separate driving device attached to the lamp housing 6. That is, the optical axis of the lamp 1 can be upward or downward.

  The vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment is configured as described above. Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the ignition switch is turned on and the engine is started, the system is activated and the operation of the light distribution control means 5 is started. Then, the light distribution control means 5 first reads out the recording data from the abnormality storage means 4 (record reading of the abnormality storage means S1).

  The light distribution control means 5 refers to the abnormality history at the previous end (at the time of shutdown) from the recording data read out from the abnormality storage means 4, and determines whether or not there was an abnormality at the previous end (abnormal recording exists? S2). Here, if there is no abnormality recording, the light distribution control means 5 determines that there was no abnormality at the end of the previous time, and performs initialization processing (initialization processing S3).

  During the initialization process, the light distribution control means 5 always determines whether or not an abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection means 3 (completed normally? S4). Here, if no abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection unit 3, the light distribution control unit 5 determines that the initialization process has been normally completed, and performs the light distribution change process of the lamp 1 (variable light distribution). Process S5).

  The light distribution control means 5 always determines whether or not an abnormal signal is input from the abnormality detection means 3 during the light distribution change process of the lamp 1 (operation normally? S6). Here, if no abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection means 3, the light distribution control means 5 determines that the light distribution change processing of the lamp 1 is operating normally, and the above (S5) is performed. Return.

  If there is an abnormal recording in (S2), the light distribution control means 5 directly performs the fail safe process without performing the initialization process (fail safe process S7).

  In (S4), when an abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection means 3, the light distribution control means 5 determines that the initialization process has not been completed normally, and the failure (S7) fails. Perform safe processing. At this time, the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection unit 3 is electrically recorded in the abnormality storage unit 4.

  Further, in (S6), when an abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection means 3, the light distribution control means 5 determines that the light distribution change of the lamp 1 is not operating normally, and The fail safe process of S7) is performed. At this time, the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection unit 3 is electrically recorded in the abnormality storage unit 4.

  The vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment is configured and operated as described above. Hereinafter, the effects of the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.

  The vehicle headlamp device according to the first embodiment, as is apparent from the configuration and operation as described above, was terminated in an abnormal state by inquiring the abnormality history at the previous termination from the abnormality storage means 4 after activation. In some cases, the fail-safe process is performed directly without performing the initialization process. For this reason, the vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment can prevent glare due to a deviation in the reference state of the lamp 1, which is a concern when the initialization process is performed in a system having an abnormal state. In addition, it is possible to reduce the repair cost by preventing a load on the apparatus, for example, overheating of the motor or deformation of the lamp 1.

  The vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the first embodiment is a swivel type lamp 1 in which the light distribution of the lamp 1 changes when the lamp 1 is swiveled by the swivel device, and is swiveled to a set swivel angle. The lamp 1 is returned to the reference state of the reference angle, or the optical axis of the lamp 1 is turned downward by the leveling actuator 10 of a separate driving device, or the lamp 1 is turned off to perform fail-safe processing. Because it does, there is no such thing as giving glare.

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. The vehicle headlamp device according to the second embodiment is different from the vehicle headlamp according to the first embodiment in the processing steps of the light distribution control means 5. Hereinafter, the processing steps of the light distribution control means 5 of the vehicle headlamp device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, the processing steps (S1) → (S2) → (S3) → (S4) → (S5) → (S6) → (S5) of the vehicle headlamp device according to the second embodiment, and (S4 ) → (S7) and (S6) → (S7) are the same as those of the vehicle headlamp device according to the first embodiment.

  In the above (S2), if there is an abnormality record, the light distribution control means 5 determines whether or not the light distribution of the lamp 1 is worse than the present by performing the initialization process on the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage means 4. (Deteriorates? S8). Here, if the light distribution of the lamp 1 is not deteriorated as compared with the present by performing the initialization process on the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage means 4, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S3) and performs the initialization process. Do.

  In the above (S8), when the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage means 4 is initialized, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S7) when the light distribution of the lamp 1 becomes worse than the present. The fail-safe process is performed directly without performing the initialization process.

  The vehicle headlamp device according to the second embodiment can achieve substantially the same operational effects as the vehicle headlamp device according to the first embodiment. In particular, in the vehicle headlamp device according to the second embodiment, the light distribution of the lamp 1 is deteriorated as compared with the present condition by performing the initialization process on the abnormality content as a condition for performing the fail-safe process directly without performing the initialization process. It is done only when you do. That is, the vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the second embodiment directly performs fail-safe processing without performing initialization processing when the level of the abnormal state is judged and the level of the abnormal state is poor. As a result, the vehicular headlamp device according to the second embodiment can perform the light distribution change process of the original lamp 1, while reliably preventing glare due to the deviation of the reference state of the lamp 1, Repair costs can be reliably reduced without imposing a load on the apparatus.

  FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. The vehicle headlamp device according to the third embodiment differs from the vehicle headlamp according to the first and second embodiments in the processing steps of the light distribution control means 5. The processing steps of the light distribution control means 5 of the vehicle headlamp device according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, the processing steps (S1) → (S2) → (S3) → (S4) → (S5) → (S6) → (S5) of the vehicle headlamp device according to the third embodiment, and (S4 ) → (S7) and (S6) → (S7) are the same as the processing steps of the vehicle headlamp device according to the first and second embodiments.

  In the above (S2), if there is an abnormal recording, the light distribution control means 5 determines whether or not the abnormal state has been resolved (resolved? S9). Here, when the abnormal state is resolved, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S3) and performs initialization processing. For example, when the abnormal state is resolved, the temperature or voltage exceeds the normal value or the external noise enters, and the abnormal state is entered.However, the temperature or voltage returns to the normal value when the system is restarted. This is the case when there is no external noise and the normal state is restored.

  In the above (S9), when the abnormal state has not been resolved, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S7) and performs the fail-safe process directly without performing the initialization process. Examples of cases where the abnormal state cannot be resolved include, for example, failure of a sensor that detects the current position of the swivel lamp 1, short circuit between motors of the swivel device, disconnection of signal lines and output lines of the motor of the swivel device, This is the case of a malfunction, a malfunction of the motor of the swivel device.

  The vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the third embodiment can achieve substantially the same operational effects as the vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the first and second embodiments. In particular, the vehicle headlamp device according to the third embodiment records an abnormal state in the abnormality storage means 4 when an abnormality has occurred at the end of the previous operation but the abnormality has been resolved at the time of activation. It is cleared and the initialization process is performed. As a result, the vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the third embodiment clears the abnormality recorded due to an accidental factor (factors such as external noise or misjudgment) by making a determination to eliminate the abnormality immediately after activation. Therefore, the original light distribution change process of the lamp 1 can be performed.

  FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The vehicle headlamp device according to the fourth embodiment differs from the vehicle headlamp according to the first, second, and third embodiments in the processing steps of the light distribution control means 5. Hereinafter, the processing steps of the light distribution control means 5 of the vehicle headlamp apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, the processing steps (S1) → (S2) → (S3) → (S4) → (S5) → (S6) → (S5) of the vehicle headlamp device according to the fourth embodiment, and (S4 ) → (S7) and (S6) → (S7) are the same as the processing steps of the vehicle headlamp device according to the first, second, and third embodiments.

  In the above (S2), if there is an abnormality record, the light distribution control means 5 determines whether or not the light distribution of the lamp 1 is worse than the present by performing the initialization process on the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage means 4. (Deteriorates? S8). Here, if the light distribution of the lamp 1 is not deteriorated as compared with the present by performing the initialization process on the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage means 4, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S3) and performs the initialization process. Do.

  In the above (S8), when the light distribution of the lamp 1 is deteriorated from the present by performing the initialization process on the abnormality content read from the abnormality storage means 4, the light distribution control means 5 has confirmed that the abnormal state has been resolved. A determination process of whether or not is performed (resolved? S9). Here, when the abnormal state is resolved, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S3) and performs initialization processing.

  In the above (S9), when the abnormal state has not been resolved, the light distribution control means 5 proceeds to (S7) and performs the fail-safe process directly without performing the initialization process.

  The vehicle headlamp device according to the fourth embodiment can achieve substantially the same operational effects as the vehicle headlamp device according to the first, second, and third embodiments. In particular, the vehicle headlamp device according to the fourth embodiment directly performs fail-safe processing without performing initialization processing when the degree of abnormal state is judged and the degree of abnormal state is poor. As a result, the vehicular headlamp apparatus according to the fourth embodiment can perform the light distribution change process of the original lamp 1, while reliably preventing glare due to the deviation of the reference state of the lamp 1, Repair costs can be reliably reduced without imposing a load on the apparatus. In addition, the vehicle headlamp device according to the fourth embodiment clears the abnormality recorded due to an accidental factor (factors such as external noise or misjudgment) by making a determination to eliminate the abnormality immediately after activation. The original light distribution change process of the lamp 1 can be performed.

  In the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, the swivel type lamp 1 that is swiveled by the swivel device and changes the light distribution of the lamp 1 will be described. However, in the present invention, it may be a fixed additional type lamp that is additionally provided at the front portion of the vehicle. In this case, the fail-safe process performed by the light distribution control means 5 is to turn off the lamp that has been changed to the set light distribution or to turn off the dimming light and return it to the reference state, or by using a separate driving device. This is a process of turning the optical axis downward.

1 is a configuration block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows the effect | action (procedure of a process process) of a control apparatus (light distribution control means). Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the vehicle headlamp provided with the auto leveling system (automatic optical axis adjustment apparatus). It is a flowchart of an effect | action of the control apparatus which shows Example 2 of the vehicle headlamp apparatus concerning this invention. It is a flowchart of an effect | action of the control apparatus which shows Example 3 of the vehicle headlamp apparatus concerning this invention. It is a flowchart of an effect | action of the control apparatus which shows Example 4 of the vehicle headlamp apparatus concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Lamp (headlight)
2 Vehicle information collection means (vehicle information collection unit)
3 Abnormality detection means (abnormality detection unit)
4 Abnormal storage means (abnormal storage unit)
5 Light distribution control means (control device)
6 Lamp housing 7 Lamp lens 8 Lamp chamber 9 Pivot mechanism 10 Leveling actuator (separate drive)

Claims (4)

In a vehicle headlamp device that changes the light distribution of a lamp based on vehicle information,
The lamp,
A vehicle information collection unit that collects and detects vehicle information and outputs an information signal;
An abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality related to the operation of changing the light distribution of the lamp and outputs an abnormality signal;
An abnormality storage unit for recording an abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection unit;
The light distribution of the lamp is changed based on the information signal from the vehicle information collection unit, the fail safe process is performed based on the abnormality signal from the abnormality detection unit, and the abnormality at the previous end from the abnormality storage unit after startup A controller that directly performs fail-safe processing without performing initialization processing when the history is inquired and terminated in an abnormal state;
A vehicle headlamp device characterized by comprising: The control device, after startup, inquires the abnormality history at the previous end from the abnormality storage unit, and if it has ended in an abnormal state, performs a determination process whether or not the abnormal state has been resolved, the abnormal state If the error is resolved, the abnormal state record in the abnormal storage unit is cleared and initialization processing is performed. If the abnormal state is not resolved, the fail safe processing is performed directly without performing initialization processing. ,
The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1. The control device performs the fail-safe process directly without performing the initialization process when the abnormality distribution read from the abnormality storage unit performs the initialization process and the light distribution of the lamp is worse than the present.
The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The lamp is a swivel type lamp that is swiveled by a swivel device to change the light distribution of the lamp,
The fail-safe process performed by the control device returns the lamp swiveled to a set swivel angle to a reference state of a reference angle, or directs the optical axis of the lamp downward by a separate driving device, Or a process of turning off the lamp,
The vehicle headlamp device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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