JP2002234379A - Variable light distribution headlamp system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a variable light distribution headlamp system,
Since a precise operation such as an increase of the optical axis by 0.5 ° is required, there are cases where the intended operation cannot be exerted due to a change in posture due to a movement of the load of the vehicle body. According to the present invention, a variable light distribution headlamp system detects a load movement on axles 22 and 23 of a vehicle 20 and controls a housing controlled by an auto-leveling device 10 for keeping an irradiation direction of a headlamp lamp 2 horizontal. 1
The variable light distribution headlamp system 1 provided in the first embodiment solves the problem assuming that the headlamp lamp body 2 is provided with a specified position with respect to the road surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp for lighting such as a headlamp, and more particularly, to changing a radiation direction to a traveling direction based on an operation amount of a steering device when traveling on a curved road. The present invention relates to a variable light distribution headlamp system adapted to perform an operation such as making the irradiation direction slightly upward during high-speed traveling to secure visibility to a distant place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional variable light distribution headlamp system 90 of this type. This variable light distribution headlamp system 90 includes a steering device (not shown). A rotation device 92 for rotating the headlamp lamp body 91 by a signal L corresponding to an operation amount, and a signal S sent from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) when the speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the headlamp lamp is used. Body 9
For example, a solenoid device 9 in which 1 is directed upward by a specified angle
3 and a control circuit 94 for processing these signals L and S.

[0003] In this way, when the driver operates the steering device in preparation for entry into a curved road, the control circuit 9 is activated.
Reference numeral 4 processes the signal L, and turns the headlamp lamp body 91 by the turning device 92 by an angle corresponding to the operation amount to irradiate the traveling direction of the vehicle. Further, when the vehicle travels at a speed higher than a specified speed on a highway or the like, the headlamp lamp 91 has an optical axis X directed upward by a specified angle (for example, 0.5 °), and irradiates a farther distance.

[0004]

However, even in the vehicle itself to which the variable light distribution headlamp system 90 is mounted, for example, a change in attitude due to the magnitude of the load, or a change in attitude due to load movement during acceleration or deceleration. As a result, the parallelism of the vehicle body with respect to the ground surface goes wrong, so that the variable light distribution headlamp system 90 attached to the vehicle body also goes wrong with the irradiation direction. Therefore, there is a problem that the adjustment of about 0.5 ° is absorbed or added to the change in the posture of the vehicle body as described above, and often does not achieve its purpose.

[0005] Also, even when the vehicle is turning, the speed of the vehicle is adjusted by a braking device in preparation for entering a curved road, so that the vehicle is in a state of falling forward called a nose dive, and a headlamp lamp is provided. The body 91 is also directed downward so that a required irradiation distance cannot be obtained.

[0006]

According to the present invention, as a specific means for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, there is provided a light distribution changing means for changing a light distribution shape according to an operation amount of a steering device or a traveling speed of a vehicle. In the variable light distribution headlamp system provided, the variable light distribution headlamp system is provided on an auto-leveling device that detects a load movement on an axle of a vehicle and keeps the irradiation direction of the headlamp horizontal. The problem is solved by providing a variable light distribution headlamp system.

[0007]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 and 2 is a variable light distribution headlamp system according to the present invention. The variable light distribution headlamp system 1 comprises a headlamp lamp 2 and a horizontal lump. A rotation device 3 for rotating the device left and right, a control device 4 for driving the rotation device 3 based on a steering signal L, and an optical axis X of the headlamp lamp 2 based on a signal S from a vehicle speed sensor. It is the same as that of the conventional example in that it is constituted by a light distribution changing means including a solenoid device 5 which is directed upward by an angle (for example, 0.5 °).

Incidentally, as this kind of variable light distribution headlamp system, one of the auxiliary lamps whose irradiation direction is directed to the outside of the vehicle body is replaced with the rotation of the headlamp lamp body 2 by the rotation device 3. Equipped with the above, there is also a configuration in which the auxiliary light is turned on in accordance with the operation of the steering device to secure the field of view on the front side of the vehicle body, and the irradiation direction is upward according to the output of the vehicle speed sensor. In such a case, there is a configuration in which only the light source is moved without making the entire headlamp lamp body 2 face upward, but the present invention can be implemented with any of the above configurations.

In the present invention, the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 is installed in a housing 11 controlled by an automatic leveling device 10. Here, based on FIG.
To explain, the load change between the front axle 22 and the rear axle 23 due to loading and unloading of the load N is large in the automobile 20, especially a freight car, and therefore, the respective axles 22,
This is a device for coping with a situation in which the amount of deformation of the suspensions 22a and 23a provided on the 23 is different and the axis Z of the body 21 of the automobile 20 changes.

That is, in this type of automobile 20, if the irradiation direction of the headlamp lamp body 2 is set parallel to the ground with reference to a state in which no luggage is loaded, the axis Z of the vehicle body 21 is loaded when the luggage N is loaded. Since the vehicle is in the front-up state, the irradiation direction of the headlamp lamp body 2 is also directed upward, causing dazzling to oncoming drivers and the like.

What is installed to prevent the above situation is the auto-leveling device 10. For example, the suspension 22a and the suspension 23a are provided with detection sensors 12 and 13 for measuring the amount of deformation. From the difference, the inclination of the axis Z is calculated by an automatic level controller 14 such as a microcomputer.

On the other hand, the headlamp lamp 2 is configured so that the irradiation direction is rotatable with respect to the vehicle body 21 in the vertical direction.
5 is attached to the housing 11 whose elevation angle is adjusted. By increasing the response speed of the auto-level control device 14 and the actuator 15, the auto-leveling device 10 can cope with raising the head of the vehicle body 21 when starting and lowering the head when braking.

By doing so, in the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 according to the present invention, when the rotation device 3 and the solenoid device 5, that is, the light distribution change means are not operated, the change in the mounting amount is not changed. Alternatively, even if the axis Z of the vehicle body 21 changes due to the movement of a load due to acceleration, braking, or the like, the optical axis X of the headlamp lamp 2 always faces the front parallel to the ground.

Therefore, the operation of the rotating device 3 and the solenoid device 5 is always performed in a state where the headlamp lamp 2 is parallel to the surface of the ground. An extremely small amount of operation, such as an operation of raising X by 0.5 °, is absorbed by the state of the vehicle body 21 and has no effect, or both are added further upward, and the driver of an oncoming vehicle is dazzled. Eliminate inconveniences such as causing them.

In addition, in the present invention, the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 may be provided with a manual switch 6 for forcibly stopping the operation of the rotating device 3 and the solenoid device 5 according to the driver's will. At this time, the power of the rotating device 3 or the power of the solenoid device 5 may be directly cut off.
When these devices 3 and 5 are operating, the manual switch 6
It is preferable that the control device 4 is provided on the control device 4 side in consideration of a situation in which is operated, and the control device 4 returns to the initial position.

When the manual switch 6 is provided,
When the manual switch 6 is a mechanical switch such as a toggle switch, once the operation is performed, the state is maintained until manual recovery is performed, and thereafter the function of the variable light distribution headlamp system 1 is maintained. For example, an electronic switch having an electric holding mechanism may be used, and the function of the headlamp system 1 may be automatically restored by, for example, removing an ignition key (ie, stopping use of the vehicle). It is preferable to do so.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a variable light distribution headlamp system comprising a light distribution changing means for changing a light distribution shape according to an operation amount of a steering device or a traveling speed of a vehicle. The variable light distribution headlamp system is provided in a housing controlled by an auto-leveling device that detects a load movement on an axle of a vehicle and keeps the irradiation direction of the headlamp horizontal. As a result, for example, a slight operation in a variable light distribution headlamp system of this kind, such as an increase of the optical axis of the headlamp lamp body by 0.5 ° for securing a distant view during high-speed driving, causes a load change. Due to the change in the axis of the vehicle body caused by the To prevent a cause dazzle feeling like the car, thereby, in which exhibits the excellent effect of enhancing the operation accuracy of the variable light distribution headlamp system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a variable light distribution headlamp system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the auto-leveling device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Variable light distribution headlamp system 2 ... Headlamp lamp body 3 ... Rotating device 4 ... Control device 5 ... Solenoid device 6 ... Manual switch 10 ... Auto leveling device 11 ... Housing 12,13 ... Detection sensor 14 ... Auto level control device 15 ... Actuator 20 ... Car 21 ... Body 22 ... Front axle 23 ... Rear axle 22a, 23a ... Suspension X ... Optical axis Z of headlamp lamp …… Axle of body

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A variable light distribution headlamp system comprising a light distribution changing means for changing a light distribution shape in accordance with an operation amount of a steering device or a traveling speed of a vehicle. A variable light distribution headlamp system provided in a housing controlled by an auto-leveling device that detects a load movement on an axle and keeps an irradiation direction of a headlamp horizontal. 2. The variable light distribution headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the light distribution changing means is provided with a manual switch for stopping a part or all of the functions of the light distribution changing means. system.