JP4586342B2 - Headlamp control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a headlamp control system that can further improve the visibility around a vehicle.

  Conventionally, a headlamp control system as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a case, the combination headlamp unit 2 provided in the front part 1a of the vehicle body 1 such as an automobile has a main lamp 2a with an upper and lower leveling function, a vehicle vicinity irradiation lamp 2b, and a function auxiliary lamp 2c. Is provided.

  Of these, the main lamp 2a with the upper and lower leveling functions located closest to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 1 is provided with irradiation direction changing means including a leveling actuator 3 as shown in FIG. ing.

  The leveling actuator 3 tilts and drives a reflector 5 provided around the bulb 4 as a light source of the main lamp 2a with the upper and lower leveling functions, thereby causing irradiation light in the direction indicated by an arrow u in FIG. The optical axis can be changed.

  The tilting drive of the leveling actuator 3 is controlled by a light distribution control means 6 as shown in FIG. The light distribution control means 6 includes a map information acquisition means 7 such as a navigation device, an ambient condition detection means 8 constituted by an imaging and image processing means such as a camera or a radar device, and a steering angle such as a steering wheel. The steering information acquisition means 9 to detect is connected.

  In the light distribution control means 6, any one of the reliable information out of the map information sent from the map information acquisition means 7 or the surrounding information acquired by the surrounding situation detection means 8. Alternatively, the leveling actuator 3 is tilted using reliable information supplemented by using both pieces of information.

  Next, the operation of this conventional headlamp control system will be described.

In the conventional headlamp control system configured as described above, any one of the map information sent from the map information acquisition unit 7 or the ambient information acquired by the ambient state detection unit 8 can be trusted. The leveling actuator 3 of the combination headlamp unit 2 is tilted using the information on the shape of one road or the reliable information supplemented using both information, and the main lamp 2a with the upper and lower leveling functions is driven. The optical axis direction of the irradiated light is changed in accordance with the road shape.
JP 2002-193025 A (paragraphs 0014 to 0149, FIGS. 1 to 15)

  However, in such a conventional headlamp control system, the optical axis direction of the irradiation light of the main lamp 2a with the upper and lower leveling functions is configured to be changed according to the road shape. It is impossible to illuminate by detecting obstacles and pedestrians.

  For this reason, an appropriate light distribution that can alert the driver of the vehicle to the illuminated object such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on these roads or give a warning of approaching the vehicle to the illuminated object Could not be done.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a headlamp control system capable of performing appropriate light distribution according to the situation to obstacles and pedestrians on the road.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an obstacle detection means for detecting a front obstacle, a vehicle speed detection means for detecting a vehicle speed, and a lamp capable of changing the optical axis direction. And a headlamp provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means In the control system, a pair of main headlamps with upper and lower leveling functions are provided on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction as the lamp, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed in the control unit. In this case, the optical axis direction of the main headlamp on the obstacle side among the main headlamps with the upper and lower leveling functions is directed upward toward the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. change to The optical axis of the main headlamps opposite the obstruction is characterized headlamp control system for performing control to maintain remains downward.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the obstacle includes an obstacle detection unit that detects an obstacle ahead, a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed, and a lamp that can change an optical axis direction. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the obstacle detected by the detection means and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means, as the lamp, top, bottom leveling function main headlamps the vehicle width direction left, provided with a pair to the right, have a dedicated lamp for obstacle detection, in the controller, the detected vehicle speed by the vehicle speed detecting means When the speed is above a certain speed, the main headlamp on the obstacle side among the main headlamps with the upper and lower leveling functions is directed toward the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. Optical axis direction Performs control to upward change, the detected vehicle speed by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or less than a predetermined speed, in the direction of the detected obstacle by the obstacle detecting unit, the obstacle for detecting a control for changing the optical axis direction of the dedicated lamp is characterized in row Uhe Ddoranpu control system.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention , the vehicle has obstacle detection means for detecting a front obstacle, vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed, and a lamp that can change the optical axis direction, and the obstacle A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the obstacle detected by the detection means and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means, As the lamp, a main headlamp with an upper and lower leveling function and an obstacle detection dedicated lamp are provided, and in the control unit, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, The main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is controlled to face upward in the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is a constant speed. If it is lower, it is characterized toward the direction of the detected obstacle, the headlamp control system that performs control for changing the optical axis direction of the obstacle detecting only light by the obstacle detecting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a pair of main headlamps with upper and lower leveling functions are provided on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is constant in the control unit. Of the main headlamps with the upper and lower leveling functions, the main headlamp on the obstacle side is directed upward toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. The headlamp control system according to claim 3 is characterized in that the control is performed.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention , the vehicle includes an obstacle detection unit that detects an obstacle ahead, a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed, and a lamp that can change an optical axis direction. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the obstacle detected by the detection means and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means, As the lamp, a pair of main headlamps with an upper and lower leveling function are provided on the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and an obstacle detection dedicated lamp is provided.In the control unit, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is When the speed is above a certain speed, control is performed so that the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions faces upward in the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means, and the speed is less than a certain speed. In some cases, the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is controlled to face downward, and the optical axis direction of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp is directed toward the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. It is characterized in Ruhe Ddoranpu control system to change Te.
Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the lamp has a lamp that can change the optical axis direction, and according to the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means, A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change an optical axis direction of illumination light of the lamp, wherein a pair of main headlamps having an upper and lower leveling function are arranged in the vehicle width direction left and right as the lamp. And providing a dedicated obstacle detection lamp, and when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, the controller detects the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. The main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is controlled to face upward, and if the speed is below a certain speed, the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is Control to change in the left-right direction toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the means, and the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp is set to the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means towards is characterized in varying puff Ruhe Ddoranpu control system in the lateral direction.

The vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is configured as described above, and the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means by the control unit with a constant speed as a boundary. The optical axis direction of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed upward so that the obstacle is illuminated.

For this reason, even when the distance to the obstacle is still a certain distance, it is possible to alert the driver of the vehicle in advance and give a warning of approaching the vehicle to the illuminated object, as well as appropriate distribution. Can do light.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an obstacle is detected by the obstacle detection means while traveling at a certain speed or less, the obstacle detection means detects the obstacle using the obstacle detection dedicated light. The direction of the obstructed obstacle is illuminated.
For this reason, it is possible to alert the driver of the vehicle and warn of the approach of the vehicle to the illuminated object, and to perform appropriate light distribution according to the situation.

And furthermore, even when the distance to the obstacle is still a constant distance, if the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the direction toward the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means, The main headlamps with the upper and lower leveling functions are controlled to face upward, and can alert the driver of the vehicle in advance and give a warning of approaching the vehicle to the illuminated object. Can do light.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, even when the distance to the obstacle is still a certain distance, the obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting means is still present when the vehicle speed is a certain speed or more. The main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is directed upward in the direction of the object, and alerts the driver of the vehicle and the approach of the vehicle to the illuminated object in advance. I can do it.
Moreover, when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a certain speed, the optical axis direction of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp is changed toward the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means, and the obstacle The direction of the object is illuminated and the orientation of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is maintained as it is.
For this reason, it is possible to alert the driver of the vehicle and warn of the approach of the vehicle to the illuminated object, to prevent the oncoming vehicle from being dazzled, and to provide an appropriate light distribution according to the situation Can be done.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the control unit detects the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. In the direction, the optical axis direction of the main headlamp on the obstacle side is changed upward.

  For this reason, while keeping the optical axis direction of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions on the oncoming vehicle side as it is, it is necessary to alert the driver of the vehicle in advance and to approach the illuminated object. A warning can be given and dazzling oncoming vehicles can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is directed toward the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means by the control unit at a constant speed. Thus, the optical axis direction of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed upward or downward.

  When the vehicle speed is below a certain speed, the optical axis direction of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed downward, and the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp is It is changed toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the object detection means, and the obstacle is illuminated.

  For this reason, in the state where the vehicle is traveling at a certain speed or less, the light distribution to the left and right of the lamp can be expanded to cope with an increase in the amount of movement of the driver's line of sight.

Furthermore, the one described in claim 6, the optical axis of the illumination light of the obstacle detection only lamps, in the direction of the detected obstacle by the obstacle detection means is changed to the horizontal direction At the same time, the optical axis direction of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is also changed in the left-right direction toward the obstacle.

  Therefore, in addition to the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp, the illumination light of the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is also applied to the illumination object such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road. After the light is distributed, appropriate light distribution is performed according to the situation, and a warning to the driver of the vehicle or the approach of the vehicle to the illuminated object can be given.

  Next, a headlamp control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings shown in FIGS. The same parts as those in the conventional example will be described with the same reference numerals.

  First, in terms of configuration, in the headlamp control system of this embodiment, a pair of left and right combination headlamp units 10 and 10 are provided on the front portion 1a of a vehicle body 1 such as an automobile. Yes.

  The combination headlamp unit 10 is provided with a main headlamp 11 with an upper and lower leveling function, a headlight 12 for traveling, and a clearance lamp 13, and more than the main headlamp 11 with an upper and lower leveling function. An obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is provided outside the vehicle width direction and inside the turn signal lamp 13a.

  Among them, the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is provided with a leveling actuator 15 as irradiation direction changing means as shown in FIG.

  In the leveling actuator 15, the connecting rod 15 b slidably driven in the vehicle front-rear direction by the upper and lower drive motors 15 a tilts the reflector 5 provided around the bulb 4 as a light source, so that FIG. The optical axis L1 of the irradiation light can be changed in the direction indicated by the middle arrow u.

  The main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions in this embodiment is provided with a swing actuator 16 as an irradiation direction changing means.

  In this swing actuator 16, the connecting rod 16b that is rotationally driven in a substantially vertical direction by the left and right drive motors 16a drives the reflector 5 provided around the valve 4 in a tilted manner in FIG. The optical axis L1 of the irradiation light can be changed in the vehicle width direction left and right in the direction indicated by the arrow r.

  Further, the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 of this embodiment is provided with a swing actuator 17 as an irradiation direction changing means.

  In this swing actuator 17, the connecting rod 17 b that is rotationally driven in a substantially vertical direction by the left and right drive motors 17 a drives the reflector 19 provided around the valve 18 in a tilting manner, and thereby, in FIG. 5. When the optical axis L2 of the irradiation light can be changed to the left and right in the vehicle width direction in the direction indicated by the arrow r, and the optical axis L2 direction is directed outward in the vehicle width direction Can change the angle so that it can illuminate other vehicles on the roadway or pedestrians on the sidewalk.

  These leveling actuators 15 and 15 and swinging actuators 16, 16 and 17, 17 are output ports of the control unit 20 provided in the vehicle body 1 via drivers 21 to 24, respectively, as shown in FIG. 25 and configured to independently change the directions of the optical axes L1 and L2 of the illumination light of the main headlamps 11 and 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions and the obstacle detection dedicated lamps 14 and 14, respectively. Has been.

  The controller 20 is connected to an in-vehicle camera 27 as an obstacle detection means for detecting an obstacle ahead of the vehicle so that the output port 25 can be driven via a driver 26.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle camera 27 is provided in the vicinity of the rear-mirror mounting position near the front center of the vehicle interior ceiling 1 b of the vehicle body 1, facing the front of the vehicle and close to the front window panel 28. Within the imaging range in the left and right direction of the vehicle width, the left and right front pillar members 29 and 29 are configured to reduce the shadowed portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle camera 27 is connected to the control unit 20 via an input port 31. When an illumination object such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road is imaged, the imaging is performed. The captured image data is sent to the control unit 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body 1 is provided with a radar 33 as an obstacle detection means on a bumper member 32 provided on the front portion 1a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the radar 33 is connected to the control unit 20 via an input port 34 to detect an illumination target such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road and detect the detected Data is transmitted to the control unit 20.

  Further, a vehicle speed sensor 36 as a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed is connected to the control unit 20 via the input port 35 so that the detected vehicle speed signal is input to the control unit 20. It is configured.

  Further, the control unit 20 is provided with a CPU 37 for performing various calculations as a central processing means, a ROM 38 for storing predetermined programs, and a RAM 39 for temporarily storing various data, each connected via a data bus 40. Has been provided.

  The control unit 20 receives obstacle imaging data or detection data detected by the in-vehicle camera 27 and the radar 33, and a vehicle speed signal output according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 36. Then, based on these data and the vehicle speed signal, the directions of the optical axes L1 and L2 of the illumination light of the main headlamps 11 and 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions and the obstacle detection dedicated lamps 14 and 14 are changed. As described above, the actuators 15 to 17 of the main headlamps 11 and 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions and the obstacle detection dedicated lamps 14 and 14 are connected to the actuators 15 to 17 via the output port 25 and the drivers 21 to 24, respectively. Control is performed so that an output signal is transmitted.

  The operation of the headlamp control system according to Example 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the control is started in Step 1, it is determined in Step 2 whether the headlamp is in a lighting state or a light-off state.

  If the headlamp is in the lit state, the process proceeds to the next Step 3. If the headlamp is in the off state, the process returns to the start of Step 2 and waits again.

  In Step 3, the vehicle speed is confirmed based on the vehicle speed signal detected by the vehicle speed sensor 36. In the first embodiment, it is confirmed whether the constant speed is exceeded or within the constant speed at the constant speed of 40 km / h.

  In Step 4, the vehicle posture is confirmed. In the first embodiment, a steering sensor, a yaw rate sensor, and the like that detect a steering angle (not shown) are connected to the control unit 20 via the input port 35 in addition to the vehicle speed sensor 36. The traveling state of the vehicle 1 is confirmed by detection signals from these various sensors.

  In Step 5, horizontal control amounts of the radar 33 and the in-vehicle camera 27 are calculated.

  In the first embodiment, the detection angle of the radar 33 and the in-vehicle camera 27 to the front of the vehicle is changed according to the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed is fast, the sensitivity is improved at the center of the vehicle front and the vehicle speed is increased. When the vehicle is late, it is configured to increase the detection probability of obstacles around the vehicle by expanding the left and right detectable regions in the vehicle width direction.

  Further, the obstacle detection direction of the radar 33 and the in-vehicle camera 27 is directed to the steering direction in accordance with the steering angle signal so that the obstacle can be detected at an early stage.

  In Step 6, a control signal is sent to the radar 33 and the in-vehicle camera 27 based on the horizontal control amount calculated in Step 5, and horizontal control is performed.

  In Step 7, the vehicle-mounted camera 27 and the radar 33 image an illumination target such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road, and the captured image data and detection data are sent to the control unit 20. Is confirmed.

  In Step 8, the position of the obstacle is confirmed based on these imaging data and detection data.

  In Step 9, the control lamp is selected based on the position of the obstacle confirmed in Step 8 and the vehicle speed confirmed in Step 3.

  In the first embodiment, in the normal straight traveling state, when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a certain speed (40 km in the first embodiment), the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is selected, and step 10 is performed. If the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is selected and the process proceeds to Step 14.

  In Step 10, the amount of displacement of the optical axis L2 in the horizontal direction is set so that the illumination object is most effectively irradiated according to the position of the illumination object such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road. The horizontal control amount to be determined is calculated.

  In Step 11, based on the value of the horizontal control amount calculated in Step 10, an output signal for changing the angle of the optical axis L2 in the horizontal direction is sent to the swing actuator 17 of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 by the control unit 20. The left and right drive motors 17a of the swing actuator 17 are rotationally driven.

  The rotational driving force of the left and right drive motor 17a drives the reflector 19 through the connecting rod 17b so that the optical axis L2 of the irradiated light is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow r in FIG. It is changed to the left and right in the width direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the normal range illuminated by the combination headlamp units 10 and 10 provided in the vehicle body 1 of the first embodiment is within a range A indicated by a broken line in the figure, The illuminated area after the optical axis L2 of the irradiation light is changed to the left and right in the vehicle width direction by turning on the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is a range B, and other vehicles 100 in proximity, Light can be distributed over a wide area that can cover pedestrians or obstacles on the side road.

  Thus, when an obstacle or the like is detected by the in-vehicle camera 27 or the radar 33 during traveling at a constant speed (40 km / h in this embodiment 1) or less, the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 The direction of the obstacle detected by the in-vehicle camera 27 or the like is illuminated.

  For this reason, an appropriate light distribution can be obtained according to the situation where the vehicle speed is slow (in this embodiment 1, 40 km / h or less), and a warning to the driver of the vehicle and a warning of approaching the vehicle to the illuminated object are provided. Can be given.

  In Step 12, the presence or absence of an obstacle is confirmed. If there is no obstacle, the process proceeds to Step 13 and the control is terminated. If there is an obstacle, the process returns to Step 9 to select a control lamp.

  In Step 14, the vertical control amount of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is calculated.

  In Step 14, the main head with the upper and lower leveling functions is provided so that the illumination object is most effectively irradiated according to the position of the illumination object such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road. The calculation of the vertical control amount that determines the amount of displacement of the optical axis L1 in the vertical direction of the lamp 11 is performed.

  At Step 15, based on the value of the vertical control amount calculated at Step 14, an output signal for changing the angle of the optical axis L1 in the vertical direction is controlled by the leveling actuator 15 of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions. The upper and lower drive motors 16a are sent out from the unit 20 and rotate.

  In addition, the rotational driving force of the upper and lower drive motors 16a is transmitted to the reflector 5 as a slide drive in the vehicle front-rear direction via the connecting rod 16b, and the reflector 5 is tilted to drive in FIG. In the direction indicated by the arrow u, the optical axis L1 of the irradiation light is changed upward and downward.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the normal range illuminated by the combination headlamp units 10 and 10 provided in the vehicle body 1 of the first embodiment is within a range A indicated by a broken line in the drawing, The illuminated range after the optical axis L1 of the irradiation light of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed upward is a range C, which can cover other vehicles 200 in the distance. Light distribution over a wide range.

  Thus, when an obstacle or the like is detected by the in-vehicle camera 27 or the radar 33 while traveling at a constant speed (in this embodiment, 40 km / h) or more, the main head with the upper and lower leveling functions is detected. The lamp 11 illuminates the direction of the obstacle detected by the in-vehicle camera 27 or the like.

  For this reason, even when the distance to the obstacle is still a fixed distance, the vehicle speed is fast and there is no time until an obstacle such as another vehicle 200 approaches (in this embodiment, 40 km / h or more). Depending on the situation, it is possible to obtain an appropriate light distribution that reaches a distance where sufficient danger can be detected in advance, alerting the driver of the vehicle and warning of approaching the vehicle to the illuminated object .

  In Step 16, the presence or absence of an obstacle is confirmed. If there is no obstacle, the process proceeds to Step 13 and the control is terminated. If there is an obstacle, the process returns to Step 9 to select a control lamp.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a situation of the headlamp control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the second embodiment, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 36 is equal to or higher than a certain speed (40 km / hour in this second embodiment), the control unit 20 causes the radar 33 and the in-vehicle camera 27 to The direction of the optical axis L1 of the main headlamp 11 on the obstacle side is changed upward toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means.

  That is, the irradiation light of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions on the left side of the vehicle 1 covers a wide range D that can be covered up to another vehicle 300 that is farther from the normal range A indicated by the broken line in FIG. The optical axis L1 of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions on the right side of the vehicle 1 is kept downward while being illuminated.

  As described above, the vehicle 300 or the like existing in front of the traveling direction is illuminated in advance while maintaining the optical axis L1 direction of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions on the oncoming vehicle 400 side as it is. A warning of approaching the vehicle to an object can be given to alert the driver of the vehicle, and dazzling to the oncoming vehicle 400 can be prevented.

  Other configurations and functions and effects are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 illustrates one situation of the headlamp control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the part thru | or equivalent to the said Examples 1,2.

  In the third embodiment, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is set to a certain speed (in this third embodiment, 60 km / h and 40 km / h) as a boundary by the control unit 20 by the in-vehicle camera 27 and the radar 33. The direction of the optical axis L1 of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed upward or downward toward the other vehicle 300 or 100 as an obstacle detected by the above.

  Further, when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a certain speed (40 km / h), the optical axis L1 direction of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed downward, and the illumination of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is performed. The direction of the optical axis L2 of light is changed toward the direction of obstacles such as the other vehicle 100 detected by the in-vehicle camera 27 and the radar 33, and these obstacles are illuminated.

  For this reason, in a state where the vehicle is traveling at a certain speed or less, the light distribution to the left and right of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is expanded to cope with an increase in the amount of movement of the driver's line of sight. be able to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, even when the road condition is curved to the left, the oncoming vehicle 400 is out of the light distribution range, so there is no possibility of being dazzled.

  Further, in the third embodiment, when the speed is below a certain speed, the control unit 20 controls the on-vehicle operation with respect to the swing actuator 16 provided in the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions. Control is performed by sending an output signal that changes in the left-right direction toward the obstacle detected by the camera 27 or the like.

  Therefore, in addition to the amount of illumination light from the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14, the amount of illumination light from the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions can also be used. Compared to the light range B, a wider light distribution range E can be obtained.

  Therefore, even when the vehicle body 1 is traveling at a low speed, the range of movement of the line of sight toward the vicinity of the vehicle of the driver can be sufficiently covered.

  As described above, the direction of the optical axis L2 of the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is changed in the left-right direction toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the vehicle-mounted camera 27 and the like. The direction of the optical axis L1 of the main headlamp 11 with the lower leveling function is also changed in the left-right direction toward the obstacle.

  Therefore, in addition to the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14, the illumination light of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is also applied to the illumination object such as an obstacle or a pedestrian on the road. Then, the light distribution is performed and appropriate light distribution is performed according to the situation, so that the driver of the own vehicle can be alerted or a warning of approaching the vehicle to the illuminated object can be given.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the road condition is curved to the left, the steering angle information from the steering sensor that detects the steering angle (not shown) connected to the control unit 20 is used. Thus, if the horizontal control amounts of the radar 33 and the in-vehicle camera 27 are determined so that the sensitivity on the left side is better than the center in front of the vehicle, the oncoming vehicle 400 is out of the detection range. Therefore, the possibility of misrecognizing that it is an obstacle that requires illumination is further reduced, and there is no possibility of being dazzled out of the light distribution range.

  Other configurations and functions and effects are the same as or equivalent to those of the first and second embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  11 and 12 illustrate a situation of the headlamp control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as in the first to third embodiments will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the fourth embodiment, a case where the road condition has a turning corner R is shown. Even in such a road situation where the pedestrian P is hidden at the corner R and is difficult to see, the radar 33 of the bumper member 32 provided in the front portion 1a of the vehicle 1 or the vehicle interior of the vehicle body 1 as shown in FIG. Near the rear mirror mounting position in the center of the front part of the ceiling 1b, facing the front of the vehicle and close to the front window panel 28, the left and right front pillar members within the imaging range in the vehicle width left and right directions From the in-vehicle camera 27 provided so as to reduce the number of shadowed portions 29 and 29, it can be detected earlier than the driver that an obstacle exists in the traveling direction.

  For this reason, the optical axis L2 direction of the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is changed toward the direction of the detected obstacle before the vehicle body 1 travels, and the illumination range F in the drawing is shown. And this obstacle is illuminated.

  Therefore, the driver of the vehicle can receive the warning as a result of the illumination in the turning direction, and can advance the vehicle body 1 while paying sufficient attention.

  Other configurations and functions and effects are the same as or equivalent to those of the first to third embodiments, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention and Examples 1 to 4 have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings. Specific configurations are described in the embodiment and Examples 1 to 4. The present invention includes design changes that are not limited to 4 and do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the boundary value of the vehicle speed is set to 40 km / h, and in the third embodiment, the boundary value is set to 60 km / hour and 40 km / h. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the boundary value may be set at any speed within a range of about 10 to 100 km / h.

  Further, in the embodiment, the optical axis L1 of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is controlled in the upper and lower directions by using the leveling actuator 15, so that the direction of the optical axis L1 in the vertical direction is changed. For example, the traveling headlamps 12 and 12 are used as lamps having an upward optical axis, and the main head lamp 11 is used as a lamp having a downward optical axis. The lighting may be switched, or the lighting switching may be combined with the change of the optical axis L1 direction using the leveling actuator 15 of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions. Good.

  Furthermore, the angle at which the optical axis L1 of the main headlamp 11 with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed and the angle at which the optical axis L2 of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp 14 is changed are not constant, and vehicle speed signal information, etc. It may be configured to be changed as appropriate according to the vehicle posture information including or the position information of the obstacle that is imaged and sent by the in-vehicle camera 27 or the like.

  Further, in each of the first to fourth embodiments, the obstacle detection unit that detects the obstacle in front has been described using the vehicle-mounted camera 27 and the radar 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, One of the in-vehicle camera 27 and the radar 33 may be used.

  Further, the in-vehicle camera 27 includes a CCD type or CMOS type image sensor, and has any wavelength of light such as a visible light detection image sensor, a near infrared detection image sensor, an infrared detection image sensor, or the like. The obstacle ahead may be detected.

  In addition, the number of in-vehicle cameras 27 is not limited to a single number, and a pair of left and right may be provided to facilitate distance measurement. The location is not limited to the vehicle interior, and may be any location on the front portion 1a, for example, the bumper member 32 or the front grill member.

  Furthermore, the radar 33 may be a radar having any configuration as long as it can detect obstacles ahead, such as a laser radar and an ultrasonic radar.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the headlamp control system which concerns on the best form for implementing this invention. It is a perspective view showing a headlamp control system and explaining composition of the whole vehicle. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a combination headlamp unit as a lamp in the headlamp control system. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the combination headlamp unit at a position along the line AA in FIG. 3 in the headlamp control system. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the combination headlamp unit at a position along the line BB in FIG. 3 in the headlamp control system. It is a flowchart figure explaining main operation | movement with the headlamp control system of Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining how the headlamp control system according to the first embodiment lights up the obstacle detection dedicated lamp and widens the light distribution range B in the left and right directions. It is a schematic diagram explaining how the main headlamp with an upper and lower leveling function is turned on upward to widen the light distribution range C in the headlamp control system of the first embodiment. In the headlamp control system of Example 2, the main headlamps with the upper and lower leveling functions are turned on upward to show a state where the light distribution range D is extended far away, (a) is a top view and (b) is a top view. It is the schematic diagram shown bird's-eye view. In the headlamp control system according to the third embodiment, the light distribution ranges A, D, and E are obtained using the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions and the obstacle detection dedicated lamp, and (a) is a top view. (B) is a schematic diagram which shows an example in a curve. In the headlamp control system of Example 4, it is the schematic diagram seen from the top explaining an example with the bend angle R. FIG. In the headlamp control system of Example 4, it is the schematic diagram seen from the upper direction explaining a mode that a vehicle bends the corner | angular angle R. FIG. It is a block diagram explaining a structure in the headlamp control system of a prior art example. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a combination headlamp portion at the front of a vehicle in a conventional headlamp control system. It is typical sectional drawing explaining the structure of an optical axis adjustment mechanism in the headlamp control system of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

L1, L2 Optical axis 10 Combination head lamp unit (lamp)
11 Main headlamp with upper and lower leveling function 14 Dedicated light for obstacle detection 15 Leveling actuators 16 and 17 Swing actuator 20 Control unit obstacle detection means 27 Vehicle-mounted camera 33 Radar 36 Vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed detection means)

Claims (6)

An obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting means, the vehicle speed detecting means for detecting an obstacle ahead, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, and a lamp capable of changing the optical axis direction, and the vehicle speed detection. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the vehicle speed detected by the means,
As the lamp, a pair of main headlamps with an upper and lower leveling function are provided on the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and in the control unit, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, The optical axis direction of the main headlamp on the obstacle side of the main headlamps with the upper and lower leveling functions is changed upward toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means , and the obstacle A headlamp control system that performs control to keep the optical axis of the main headlamp on the opposite side of the object facing downward . An obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting means, the vehicle speed detecting means for detecting an obstacle ahead, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, and a lamp capable of changing the optical axis direction, and the vehicle speed detection. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the vehicle speed detected by the means,
As the lamp, on the lower leveling function main headlamps vehicle width direction left, provided with a pair to the right, we have a dedicated lamp for obstacle detection,
In the control unit, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the upper and lower leveling functions are provided in the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. Of the main headlamps, control is performed to change the optical axis direction of the main headlamp on the obstacle side upward, and when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is equal to or lower than a certain speed, the obstacle in the direction of the detected obstacle by the detection means, wherein the to Ruhe Ddoranpu control system that performs control for changing an optical axis direction of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp. An obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting means, the vehicle speed detecting means for detecting an obstacle ahead, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, and a lamp capable of changing the optical axis direction, and the vehicle speed detection. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the vehicle speed detected by the means,
As the lamp, a main headlamp with an upper and lower leveling function and a dedicated lamp for obstacle detection are provided.
In the control unit, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the upper and lower leveling functions are provided in the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. While performing control to change the main headlamp upward, and when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is below a certain speed, toward the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means, A headlamp control system, wherein an optical axis direction of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp is changed. A pair of main headlamps with upper and lower leveling functions are provided on the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and the control unit detects the obstacle when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed. in the direction of the detected obstacle by the detecting means, the upper, of the lower leveling function main headlamps, claim 3, characterized in that the control of the upward main headlamp of the obstacle side The headlamp control system described. An obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting means, the vehicle speed detecting means for detecting an obstacle ahead, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, and a lamp capable of changing the optical axis direction, and the vehicle speed detection. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit that performs control to change the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the vehicle speed detected by the means,
As the lamp, a pair of main headlamps with an upper and lower leveling function are provided on the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and a dedicated obstacle detection lamp is provided.
In the control unit, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the upper and lower leveling functions are provided in the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. The main headlamp is controlled to face upward, and when the speed is below a certain speed, the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is controlled to face downward, and the optical axis of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp is controlled. features and to Ruhe Ddoranpu control system to change toward the direction in the direction of the detected obstacle by the obstacle detecting means. A lamp that can change the optical axis direction, and changes the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the lamp according to the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means. A headlamp control system provided with a control unit for controlling,
As the lamp, a pair of main headlamps with an upper and lower leveling function are provided on the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and a dedicated obstacle detection lamp is provided.
In the control unit, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is equal to or higher than a certain speed, the upper and lower leveling functions are provided in the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection means. When the main headlamp is controlled to face upward and the speed is below a certain speed, the main headlamp with the upper and lower leveling functions is directed to the direction of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting means. performs control to change direction, and characterized in that toward the optical axis direction of the illumination light of the obstacle detection dedicated lamp in the direction of the detected obstacle by the obstacle detecting unit, to change the left-right direction It is Ruhe Ddoranpu control system.

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