JP2010116079A - Vehicle lamp control device - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle light control device capable of reducing a load on a battery without hindering driving safety is provided.
A vehicle light determination unit 62 determines whether an operation switch 2 or 3 is on or off, and outputs a determination result to a control unit 61. The traveling state determination unit 63 determines whether the vehicle has stopped or started after stopping based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 20, and outputs the determination result to the control unit 61. When the vehicle lamp determination unit 62 determines that both the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are lit, the control unit 61 turns the fog lamp 8 on when the traveling state determination unit 63 determines that the vehicle has stopped. A control signal is output to the drive unit 64 so as to turn off or dimm.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle light control device that controls a lighting state of a vehicle light.

  A vehicle such as an automobile includes an alternator (on-vehicle generator, AC generator), a battery, and the like. The electric power generated by the alternator in conjunction with the engine is used for charging the battery. And the electric power from a battery is supplied to electric loads, such as many electrical components mounted in the vehicle.

In recent years, technologies for improving fuel efficiency by saving power while reducing battery consumption and deterioration due to these electric loads have been developed. For example, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has stopped depending on the vehicle speed or brake usage status. If it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the headlamps such as the headlamp and the fog lamp are turned off and the vehicle starts. An automotive headlamp control device that turns on a headlamp in the case of the above is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-123982

 However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the headlamp is turned off only when the vehicle is stopped so that there is no problem in traveling safety, but the headlamp is turned on again after determining whether or not the vehicle has started. Since it is lit, the driver must start the vehicle with the headlamps off, and the vehicle cannot see the front of the vehicle at the time of starting, which is not safe for vehicle travel. In addition, when the headlamp is kept on while the vehicle is stopped, there is a problem that the load on the battery increases and the consumption and deterioration of the battery are promoted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle light control device capable of reducing a load on a battery without causing any trouble in traveling safety.

  A vehicle light control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle light control device that controls a lighting state of a vehicle light, a first determination unit that determines a lighting state of the first vehicle light, and a lighting state of the second vehicle light. A second determination means for determining the vehicle light, a vehicle light control means for controlling the lighting state of the first and second vehicle lights, and a traveling state determination means for determining the traveling state of the vehicle, The light control means determines the travel state determined by the travel state determination means when the first determination means and the second determination means determine that the first vehicle light and the second vehicle light are lit. Accordingly, the lighting state of the second vehicle lamp is controlled.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the vehicle light control means determines that the vehicle has stopped by the running state determination means, the second light is dimmed or extinguished. It is configured as described above.

  In a vehicle light control device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the vehicle light control means turns on the second vehicle light when the travel state determination means determines that the vehicle has started running after stopping. It is comprised so that it may carry out.

  The vehicle light control device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle light control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the travel state determination means travels based on any one of a vehicle speed, a select lever range, and a side brake operation. It is configured to determine the state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle light control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first vehicle light is a headlamp and the second vehicle light is a fog lamp. It is characterized by.

  In the present invention, first determination means for determining the lighting state of the first vehicle light, second determination means for determining the lighting state of the second vehicle light, the first vehicle light, and the second Vehicle light control means for controlling the lighting state of the vehicle light and traveling state determination means for determining the traveling state of the vehicle are provided. For example, the first vehicle light is a headlamp, and the second vehicle light is a fog lamp. The running state of the vehicle is, for example, stop or start of the vehicle. When it is determined that each of the first vehicle light and the second vehicle light is turned on, the lighting state of the second vehicle light is controlled according to the determined running state. For example, when it is necessary to turn on both the first and second vehicle lights depending on the running state of the vehicle (for example, when the vehicle is running or at the start of starting), the first and second vehicle lights are turned on. If it is not necessary to turn on both the first and second vehicle lights (for example, when the vehicle is stopped), only the second vehicle light is turned off or dimmed. Thereby, since visibility can always be ensured, the load on the battery can be reduced without hindering traveling safety.

  In the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the second vehicle light is dimmed or turned off. When the vehicle stops, the first vehicle light is kept on and the second vehicle light is dimmed or turned off. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the load on the stopped battery and suppress the consumption and deterioration of the battery. In addition, since the first vehicle light remains on even when the vehicle is stopped, it is possible to secure a field of view when the vehicle starts, and there is no hindrance to traveling safety.

  In the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle has started running after being stopped, the second vehicle lamp is turned on. Thereby, the safety | security at the time of driving | running | working of a vehicle can be ensured.

  In the present invention, the traveling state is determined based on any one of the vehicle speed, the range of the select lever, and the operation of the side brake. For example, if the vehicle speed is in the range of 0 or in the vicinity thereof, it can be determined that the vehicle has stopped, and if it is outside the range, it can be determined that the vehicle is starting or traveling. When the range of the select lever is parking or neutral, it is determined that the vehicle is stopped. When the range is other than parking and neutral (for example, driving), it is determined that the vehicle is starting or traveling. be able to. When the side brake is applied, it can be determined that the vehicle has stopped, and when the side brake is released, it can be determined that the vehicle is starting or traveling.

  In the present invention, the first vehicle lamp is a headlamp, and the second vehicle lamp is a fog lamp. When a vehicle that has been running with the headlamps and fog lights on stops, the fog lamps can be turned off or dimmed to reduce the load on the battery, while the headlamps remain on. Thus, it is possible to ensure visibility when starting and contribute to driving safety.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load on the battery without hindering traveling safety.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle light ECU 6 that is a vehicle light control device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle such as an automobile includes, in addition to a vehicle light ECU (Electric Control Unit) 6, a battery 1, a headlamp 7 (one or both of a low beam and a high beam) as a first vehicle light, A fog light 8 as a second vehicle light, a vehicle speed sensor 20 for detecting a vehicle speed, a select lever 30, a side brake 40, and the like. The select lever 30 is assumed to be compatible with either an automatic vehicle or a manual vehicle.

  The electric power from the battery 1 is supplied to the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 through a plurality of branched electric paths 11 and 12. The electric circuit 11 is provided with an operation switch 2 for turning on or off the headlamp 7 and a switching element 4 such as an FET or a relay. The electric circuit 12 is provided with an operation switch 3 for turning on or off the fog lamp 8, and a switching element 5 such as an FET or a relay.

  The vehicle light ECU 6 controls the ECU as a whole, and also includes a control unit 61 as a vehicle light control unit, and a vehicle light determination unit 62 as a determination unit that determines lighting states (for example, lighting and extinguishing) of the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8. , A driving state determination unit 63 as a driving state determination unit for determining a driving state of the vehicle (for example, stop, start, etc.), a drive unit 64 for turning on or off the switching elements 4 and 5 and the like. The vehicle lamp ECU 6 can be configured by a dedicated ASIC (Application Specified IC), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), or the like.

  The vehicle light determination unit 62 determines whether the operation switches 2 and 3 are on or off, and outputs a determination result to the control unit 61.

  The traveling state determination unit 63 determines whether the vehicle has stopped or started after stopping based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 20, and outputs the determination result to the control unit 61. For example, if the vehicle speed is in the range of 0 or in the vicinity thereof, it can be determined that the vehicle has stopped, and if it is outside the range, it can be determined that the vehicle is starting or traveling.

  The traveling state determination unit 63 determines whether the vehicle has stopped or started after the stop according to the range of the select lever 30, and outputs the determination result to the control unit 61. For example, when the range of the select lever 30 is parking or neutral, it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, and when it is other than parking and neutral (for example, driving), it is determined that the vehicle is starting or traveling. Can do.

  The traveling state determination unit 63 determines whether the vehicle has stopped or started after the stop based on the operation of the side brake 40, and outputs the determination result to the control unit 61. For example, when the side brake 40 is applied, it can be determined that the vehicle has stopped, and when the side brake 40 is released, it can be determined that the vehicle is starting or traveling. In order to determine the traveling state of the vehicle, the vehicle speed sensor 20, the select lever 30, and the side brake 40 may be combined, or a configuration including any one of these may be employed.

  When the vehicle lamp determination unit 62 determines that both the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are lit, the control unit 61 turns the fog lamp 8 on when the traveling state determination unit 63 determines that the vehicle has stopped. A control signal is output to the drive unit 64 so as to turn off or dimm. In addition, after the control unit 61 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 64 to turn off or dimm the fog lamp 8, the control unit 61 should turn on the fog lamp 8 when the running state determination unit 63 determines that the vehicle has started. A control signal is output to the drive unit 64.

  When the fog lamp 8 is controlled to be turned on or off, a relay or an FET can be used as the switching element 5, and when the fog lamp 8 is controlled to be dimmed, an FET is used as the switching element 5. At the same time, PWM control may be performed by the drive unit 64.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle lamp ECU 6 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the vehicle lamp ECU 6 which is the vehicle lamp control device according to the present invention. The controller 61 determines whether or not both the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are lit (S11), and if both are lit (YES in S11), determines whether or not the vehicle has stopped. (S12).

  When the vehicle stops (YES in S12), the control unit 61 turns off or dims the fog lamp 8 (S13), and determines whether or not the vehicle has started (S14). If the vehicle has not started (NO in S14), that is, if the vehicle is in a stopped state, the control unit 61 continues the process of step S14.

  When the vehicle starts (YES in S14), the control unit 61 turns on the fog lamp (S15), and ends the process in a state where both the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are lit. On the other hand, when both the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are not lit (NO in S11), or when the vehicle is not stopped (NO in S12), the control unit 61 operates the operation switches 2 and 3. Accordingly, the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are turned on or off (S16), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when it is necessary to turn on both the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 according to the traveling state of the vehicle (for example, when the vehicle is traveling or at the start of starting), the headlamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 are turned on, and when it is not necessary to turn on both the head lamp 7 and the fog lamp 8 (for example, when the vehicle is stopped), only the fog lamp 8 is turned off or dimmed. Thereby, since a visual field can always be ensured, the load on the battery 1 can be reduced without hindering traveling safety.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the headlamp 7 remains turned on, and the fog lamp 8 is dimmed or turned off. As a result, the load on the stopped battery 1 can be reduced, and consumption and deterioration of the battery 1 can be suppressed. Further, since the headlamp 7 remains lit even when the vehicle is stopped, the field of view at the start of the vehicle can be ensured, and travel safety is not hindered. Further, when it is determined that the vehicle has started running after being stopped, the fog lamp 8 is turned on. Thereby, the safety | security at the time of driving | running | working of a vehicle can be ensured.

  In the above-described embodiment, the combination of the headlamp and the fog lamp has been described. However, the first and second vehicle lamps are not limited to the headlamp and the fog lamp, and are other headlamps. Also good.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of vehicle lamp ECU which is a vehicle lamp control apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of vehicle lamp ECU which is the vehicle lamp control apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery 2, 3 Operation switch 4, 5 Switching element 6 Car lamp ECU
61 Control Unit 62 Car Lamp Determination Unit 63 Traveling State Determination Unit 64 Drive Unit 7 Head Lamp 8 Fog Lamp 20 Vehicle Speed Sensor 30 Select Lever 40 Side Brake

Claims (5)

In the vehicle light control device that controls the lighting state of the vehicle light,
First determination means for determining a lighting state of the first vehicle light;
Second determination means for determining the lighting state of the second vehicle light;
Vehicle light control means for controlling lighting states of the first vehicle light and the second vehicle light;
A traveling state determining means for determining a traveling state of the vehicle,
The vehicle light control means includes
When the first determination unit and the second determination unit determine that each of the first vehicle light and the second vehicle light is lit, according to the traveling state determined by the traveling state determination unit, A vehicle light control device configured to control a lighting state of a second vehicle light. The vehicle light control means includes
2. The vehicle light control device according to claim 1, wherein the second vehicle light is dimmed or extinguished when the traveling state determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped. 3. The vehicle light control means includes
3. The vehicle light control device according to claim 2, wherein when the travel state determination unit determines that the vehicle has started traveling after being stopped, the second vehicle light is turned on. The traveling state determination means includes
The vehicle light according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the traveling state is determined based on any one of a vehicle speed, a range of a select lever, and an operation of a side brake. Control device. The first vehicle light is a headlamp;
The said 2nd vehicle light is a fog lamp, The vehicle light control apparatus of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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