JPH0220456B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <<Industrial Application Field>> The present invention relates to a device capable of preventing dazzling caused by vehicle headlights.

<<Background of the Invention>> When driving a vehicle at night or in a tunnel, it is necessary to ensure good visibility for the driver, and in order to improve the visibility, for example, the method disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-156036 is disclosed. Various devices have been proposed.

By the way, conventionally in vehicles, when passing an oncoming vehicle, the headlight beam is lowered to prevent the driver of the oncoming vehicle from being dazzled.

However, in the past, dazzling was prevented by lowering the headlight beam, so
Although it is possible to prevent the driver of an oncoming vehicle from being dazzled, the irradiation distance of the headlight beam is shortened, resulting in a reduction in long-distance visibility, which is inconvenient for driving.

<<Object of the Invention>> An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight light control device that can effectively prevent dazzling of the driver of an oncoming vehicle without reducing the visibility of the driver of the own vehicle.

<<Structure of the Invention>> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention divides the irradiation area of a headlamp into a plurality of small areas, and when light from the small areas is received, as shown in FIG. a light receiving means a having a plurality of light receiving elements for outputting a signal corresponding to each of the small areas; a control means b for outputting a shielding signal by specifying the same small area as the small area indicating the light reception signal; Headlight c that turns on and off in conjunction with the switch
and a shielding means d, which is installed in front of the headlamp and includes a plurality of shielding elements corresponding to each of the small areas, which reduce or attenuate the light from the headlamp when the shielding signal is input. It is characterized by having the following.

<<Description of Embodiments>> Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in which an oncoming vehicle detector 100 detects an oncoming vehicle entering the headlamp irradiation area.

The detection signal 200 is transmitted to the control command generator 1.
02, and this control command generator 10
2, a headlamp light control command 204 is generated based on the oncoming vehicle detection signal 200.

Further, the headlamp light control command 204 is given to a headlamp light controller 104, and the headlamp light controller 104 can control the shielding of headlamp light reaching an oncoming vehicle according to the headlamp light control command 204.

Note that the headlight 14 is connected to the light control circuit 1.
The lighting is controlled by the light switch 6, and the control is performed according to the operation of the light switch 18.

Next, the oncoming vehicle detector 100 and the control command generator 1
02, the headlamp light controller 104 will be sequentially explained.

In FIG. 2, an oncoming vehicle detector 100 includes an oncoming vehicle position detector 2. In FIG. The oncoming vehicle position detector 2 detects the direction of the oncoming vehicle, and its position detection signal is supplied as the signal 200 to the control command generator 102 via the A/D converter 4.

The oncoming vehicle position detector 2 is attached to the front grill of the vehicle, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the oncoming vehicle position detector 2.

In FIG. 3, a plurality of horn-shaped frames 20-1 to 20-6 are closely arranged in a substantially fan shape, and a lens 2 is provided on the front surface of the frames.
The headlight light of an oncoming vehicle is incident from 2.

A light receiving element (for example, a photodiode) 23 is provided at the inner depth of the frames 20-1 to 20-6.
Incident light is provided through each.

Furthermore, detection signals 200-1 to 200-6 are obtained from each light receiving element 23 by these incident lights,
The detection signal 200 is one of these detection signals 200-1.
It consists of ~200-6.

Here, this oncoming vehicle position detector 2 is directed toward the right front of the vehicle, and therefore, in this embodiment, the entry of an oncoming vehicle into the headlamp light irradiation area is performed by detecting the headlight light of the oncoming vehicle. ing.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the orientation area Q ₁ ,
When the headlight light of an oncoming vehicle enters from Q ₂ ..., Q ₆ , each light receiving element 23 generates a detection signal 200-1 to 200-.
6 is obtained, and from this the direction of the oncoming vehicle is detected.

The control command generator 102 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and receives an operation start command from the light switch 16.

The control command generator 102 generates the headlamp light control command 204 based on the detection signal 200 obtained by the oncoming vehicle position detector 2.
The headlamp light control command 204 is given to the following headlamp light controller 104.

In FIG. 2, a headlamp light controller 10 of this embodiment is shown.
4 is provided with a light transmittance control plate 12, and this light transmittance control plate 12 is driven by a drive circuit 10. The drive circuit 10 can perform a drive operation according to a headlamp light control command 204 supplied from the control command generator 102 via the D/A converter 8.

Next, the light transmittance control plate 12 will be explained.

In this embodiment, the light transmittance control board 12 is provided in front of the headlamp 14, and the light transmittance of the light transmittance control board 12 is locally controlled according to the command 204, and this control Of the beams emitted from the light 14, only the beams that reach the direction of the oncoming vehicle are blocked, thereby making it possible to prevent the driver of the oncoming vehicle from being dazzled.

In FIG. 5, a light source 28 is attached to the parabolic mirror main reflector 24 of the headlamp 14, and a lens 26 is fitted into the open side of the reflector 24.

Between the lens 26 and the bulb 28, a parabolic mirror-shaped sub-reflector 30 is erected within the main reflector 24 with its parabolic opening facing the bulb 28 side. A light hole 31 is formed in the center of the sub-reflector 28 at a position that is the main optical axis of the bulb 28, and all the light emitted from the bulb 28 is irradiated forward of the vehicle as parallel light.

Furthermore, the light transmittance control plate 12 is attached to the front surface of the lens 24 in parallel with the lens 26.

As shown in FIG. 6, this light transmittance control plate 12 is formed from a plurality of PLZT small pieces arranged vertically and horizontally in the figure, and these PLZT small pieces are connected to respective electrodes (not shown). By applying a direct current from the drive circuit 10 via the DC current, the transmittance of the incident light (that is, the light irradiated by the bulb 28) can be controlled according to the voltage.

This embodiment has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained below.

7 and 8 are flowcharts of this embodiment. First, in step 300, initial processing is executed to set the threshold value for detecting an oncoming vehicle.
Zi is initialized as the value Ki.

Then, in step 302, the output signals 200-1 to 200-6 of the oncoming vehicle position detector 2 are read, and the signal values _n1 to _n6 read in this step 302 are respectively taken as values _200Q1 to _200Q6 . It is stored (step 304).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the irradiation direction of the headlight light of an oncoming vehicle is detected by the oncoming vehicle position detector 2, a detection signal 2 corresponding to the detection operation is generated.
00-1 to 200-6 are obtained.

Furthermore, in the processing from step 306 to step 320, the detection signal values 200Q ₁ to 200Q ₆ stored in step 304 and the initial setting values K ₁ to _{K 6} are used.
The light transmittance of each PLZT piece is controlled in the following manner according to the size comparison results.

First, in step 306, the value _200Q1 is greater than the initial setting value _K1 (the vehicle is running).
If it is determined that
Q Irradiation in _one direction is blocked.

That is, the control command generator 102 issues a command 204-1 based on the oncoming vehicle position detection signal 200-1.
is obtained, and this command 204-1 is sent to the D/A converter 8.
This command 204 is supplied to the drive circuit 10 via
-1, the drive circuit 10 partially controls the light transmittance of the light transmittance control plate 12.

As a result, for example, in FIG. 4, the headlamp light irradiated to this azimuth region _Q1 is blocked.

Next, in step 310, a comparison is made between the oncoming vehicle position detection signal value _200Q2 and the initial setting value _K2 , and if it is determined that the value _200Q2 is larger than the initial setting value _K2 , the process proceeds to step 312. move on.
As a result, for example, in FIG. 4, the headlamp light irradiated to the azimuth area Q ₁ and this azimuth area Q ₂ is blocked.

In the following steps 314 to 320, the same process as above is performed for the azimuth areas _Q3 to _Q6 , thereby controlling the irradiation of headlamp light to these areas.

In addition, in the final step 322, it is determined whether the light switch 18 is turned off.
When this light switch 18 is turned off, this process is finished and the light switch 18 is turned on.
If it is determined that this is the case, the process returns to step 302 in FIG. 7, and the processes from step 302 to step 320 are repeated again.

In this way, in this embodiment, when it is detected that an oncoming vehicle enters the irradiation area of the own vehicle's headlight, the light from the own vehicle's headlight reaching the oncoming vehicle is controlled to be blocked, thereby preventing dazzling of the driver of the oncoming vehicle. This makes it possible to improve the forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle while avoiding such problems.

Next, a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention will be described.

This embodiment is intended to improve the driver's visibility when the vehicle advances into a dark road such as a tunnel. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle enters a tunnel etc. Brightness has been increased.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of this second embodiment. Note that the same parts as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, the dark road detector 32 detects that the vehicle is entering a dark road (for example, a tunnel), and a detection signal 208 thereof is supplied to the control command generator 102 via the A/D converter 34.

In this control command generator 102, the detection signal 2
08, it is determined whether the vehicle is entering a dark road or not.

If it is determined that the vehicle is entering a dark road, the irradiation signal 210 is transmitted to the light control circuit 16.
is supplied to

An illumination meter is used as the dark road detection device 32, and this illuminance meter is provided at the front end of the roof of the vehicle, as shown in FIG.

Further, the light control circuit 16 can control the irradiation of the irradiation device 38 according to the signal 210, and the irradiation device 38 has a first
As shown in FIG. 1, an auxiliary headlamp 40 provided on the front side of the vehicle is used.

In FIG. 10, the auxiliary headlamp 40 has the same structure as the headlamp 14 in FIG. 42 are provided. This lens 42 increases the brightness above the front of the vehicle, and as a result, forward visibility is ensured when driving on a dark road.

This embodiment has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained below.

12 to 15 show a flowchart executed in this embodiment, and this flowchart is started when the ignition switch is turned on.

In step 400, initial processing is executed, where the value S is the illuminance value X that is the criterion for determining whether or not you have entered the tunnel, and the value C is the illuminance value Y that is the criterion for determining whether or not you have exited the tunnel. , the value TS is a judgment reference time value, and in this embodiment, the value TS is set to a value corresponding to 5 seconds.

Then, in step 402, the dark path detection device 3
The second detection signal 208 is read in, and in the next step 404, this dark road detection signal value is stored as the value P.

Furthermore, in step 406, a comparison is made between the initial setting value S and the stored dark road detection signal value P, and it is determined that the initial setting value S is larger than the detected storage value P and the vehicle has entered the dark road. If it is determined, the process advances to step 408. Note that if it is determined in step 406 that the initial setting value S is smaller than the detected stored value P, the process returns to step 402 again.

In addition, through the processing in steps 408 to 412, it is monitored whether the vehicle continues to enter the dark road for 5 seconds or more after entering the dark road, and if the vehicle continues to enter the dark road for 5 seconds or more, it is certain that the vehicle has entered the dark road. This is confirmed. If the time is 5 seconds or less, it is assumed that the dark path detection was performed in error, and therefore, in this case, the process returns to step 402.

If it is determined in step 412 that the vehicle has definitely entered the dark road, the process proceeds to step 414, where the auxiliary headlight 40 is turned on. At the same time, the headlight 14 is also turned on.

Therefore, when it is determined that the vehicle has entered a dark road, the auxiliary headlights 40 and the headlights 14 are turned on to brightly illuminate the front of the vehicle and its surroundings.
For this reason, forward visibility is ensured even if visibility is reduced due to a delay in dark adaptation of the naked eye.

Further, in step 416, the dark road detection output signal 208 is read again, and the next step 418
Then, this dark road detection signal value is stored as a memory value P, and in the next step 420, it is determined whether this stored dark road detection signal value is larger or smaller than the illuminance value C.

If the stored value P is greater than the value C and it is determined that the vehicle has moved from a dark road to a bright road, the process proceeds to step 422, and it is determined that this value is smaller than the value C and that the vehicle is traveling on a dark road. If so, step 4
Returning to 16, monitoring for escape from the dark road continues.

Thereafter, in steps 422-426, judgment error prevention processing is performed in the same manner as in steps 408-412.

If it is determined in step 426 that the detected memory value P is larger than the value C for a period of 5 seconds or more and that the vehicle has definitely left the road, the process proceeds to step 428, and the pre-assistance The illumination light 48 is turned off. At the same time, the headlight 14 is also turned off. If the time is 5 seconds or less, step 416 is performed.
Return to

In this way, in this embodiment, it is determined that the vehicle is definitely entering a dark road, and when this determination is made, the area in front of the vehicle is brightly illuminated by the auxiliary headlights 40, so that the vehicle cannot travel on a dark road. It is possible to improve the visibility inside.

And if you escape from a dark road, the headlight 1 will be automatically turned on.
4 and the auxiliary headlight 40 are turned off, thereby improving the operability of the device.

Here, in step 414, an oncoming vehicle detection flag is set, and this flag setting allows the same processing as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15 to be performed. will be started at the same time. Note that since the former process is the same as that in the previous embodiment, its explanation will be omitted, and only FIGS. 14 and 15 will be described in detail.

At step 430, the output signals 200-1 to 200-6 of the oncoming vehicle position detector 2 are read, and the signal values _n1 to 200-6 read at step 430 are read.
n ₆ are stored as values 200R ₁ -200R ₆ , respectively (step 432).

For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, when the direction of the headlight irradiation of an oncoming vehicle is detected by the oncoming vehicle position detector 2, detection signals 200-1 to 200-6 are generated depending on the direction of the detector. is obtained,
Among them, signals 200-1 and 200-2 indicate the presence of an oncoming vehicle.

Further, in the processing from steps 434 to 446, steps 306 to 32 in FIG.
Values stored in the same way as processing up to 0 200R ₁ ~
The light transmittance of each PLZT piece is controlled according to the comparison result between 200R ₆ and the initial setting values K ₁ to K ₆ .

That is, the stored value 200R ₁ is the initial setting value K ₁
If it is determined that the area is larger than 1, the irradiation in the vertical direction area _R1 is cut off (step 4).
34,436).

Further, if it is determined that the value 200R ₂ is larger than the initial setting value K ₂ , the irradiation in the direction of the azimuth region R ₂ is interrupted (steps 438 and 440).

Further, if it is determined that the stored value 200R ₃ is larger than the initial setting value K ₃ , the irradiation in the direction of the azimuth region R ₃ is interrupted.

In this way, the process proceeds to step 448, and the auxiliary headlamp light irradiation is controlled according to the position of the detector, so that the light directed upwards of the vehicle does not reach the driver, as shown in FIG. 16B. It is possible to control the

Then, in step 450, it is determined whether or not the oncoming vehicle detection flag is set. If this flag is set, step 4 is performed.
The process advances to step 52, where the flag is reset and the process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, the main beam reaching the oncoming vehicle is blocked as in the previous embodiment, but at the same time, the auxiliary illumination light reaching the oncoming vehicle is also blocked.

In this way, in this embodiment as well, when an oncoming vehicle is detected entering the irradiation area of the own vehicle's headlights, the headlight light reaching the oncoming vehicle is controlled to be shielded, thereby avoiding dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle. However, it is possible to improve the driver's forward visibility.

In this embodiment, an illumination meter is used as the dark road detector 32, and entry into and exit from a dark road is determined by monitoring changes in illuminance. It is also preferable to adopt a method in which an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic transmitter placed on the side of the road in front of the road is received by the ultrasonic receiver to indicate the dark road ahead.

In addition, both the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver are mounted upwards on the vehicle, and the ultrasonic receiver detects the sound waves emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter the moment the vehicle enters the dark road. It is also preferable to employ a method that allows a detection signal to be obtained.

Furthermore, the oncoming vehicle position detector 2 of this embodiment has a first
It is also possible to use something like the one shown in FIG. That is, it may be determined whether or not to turn on the auxiliary headlights depending on whether a vehicle is present or not.

<<Effects of the Invention>> As explained above, in the vehicle headlight light control device of the present invention, the irradiation area of the own vehicle headlight is divided into a plurality of small areas, and the irradiation area of the own vehicle headlight is When an oncoming vehicle enters the area, a headlight shielding signal is output that locally specifies only a small area corresponding to the incoming direction of the oncoming vehicle. Only the beam that reaches the direction of the vehicle is blocked, so if an oncoming vehicle enters the irradiation area of the own vehicle's headlights, the light from the own vehicle's headlights that reach the oncoming vehicle is automatically blocked. This has the effect of avoiding glare to the driver of an oncoming vehicle and improving the forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an oncoming vehicle position detector, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the oncoming vehicle position, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a light transmittance control plate, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts of the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a configuration showing a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 10 is a configuration diagram of the auxiliary headlight, Figure 1.
Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the mounting position of members including the auxiliary headlamp, Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 are flowcharts of the second embodiment, and Figure 16 is a diagram of the second embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the oncoming vehicle position, FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of the oncoming vehicle detector. 100...Oncoming vehicle detector, 102...Control command generator, 104...Headlight beam controller.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Divide the irradiation area of the headlamp into a plurality of small areas,
light-receiving means including a plurality of light-receiving elements that output a light-receiving signal when receiving light from the small region, corresponding to each of the small regions; and designating and shielding the same small region as the small region indicated by the light-receiving signal. a control means for outputting a signal; a headlamp that turns on and off in conjunction with the light switch; and a control means installed in front of the headlamp that reduces or reduces light from the headlamp when the shielding signal is input. A headlamp light control device for a vehicle, comprising: a shielding means provided with a plurality of shielding elements that emit light corresponding to each of the small regions.