(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
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`(12) PATENT
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`APPLICATION PUBLICATION (A)
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`Ident. Code
`Internal Ref. No. (43) Publication Date
`(51) Int. Cl.4
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`B-8410-3K
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`B 60 Q
`1/12
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` Examination Request Not Made No. of Claims 1 (Total 7 pages)
`VEHCILE HEADLIGHT CONTROL DEVICE
`(54) Title of Invention
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`(11) Patent Application Publication No.
`H01-223042
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`
`September 6, 1989
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`(21) Application No.
`(22) Date of Filing
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`S63-47601
`March 2, 1988 (Showa 63)
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`3-1 Shinchi,
`UGUCHI, Makoto
`Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, c/o Mazda Motor Corporation
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`3-1 Shinchi,
`HIWADA, Naoki
`Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, c/o Mazda Motor Corporation
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`3-1 Shinchi,
`YOSHIMURA, Koji
`Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, c/o Mazda Motor Corporation
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`3-1 Shinchi,
`TAKAO, Keiji
`Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, c/o Mazda Motor Corporation
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`Mazda Motor Corporation
`3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima-ken, Japan
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`Patent Attorney: OTSUKA, Yasunori and 1 other
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`(72) Inventor
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`(72) Inventor
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`(72) Inventor
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`(72) Inventor
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`(71) Applicant
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`(74) Agent
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`1
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`TOYOTA EX. 1011
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`1. Title of Invention
`VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL DEVICE
`2. Scope of Patent Claims
` A vehicle headlight control device with a headlight that changes an irradiation direction in
`conjunction with a steering operation, comprising: driving means that changes an irradiation direction
`of the headlight; means for detecting a steering angle; calculation means that calculates an amount of
`change in the steering angle speed; and driving control means that drives the driving means when the
`amount of change of the speed is greater than a predetermined value.
`3. Brief Description of the Invention
`[Industrial Field of Application]
` The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight control device that can change an irradiation
`direction in conjunction with a steering operation of a steering wheel.
`[Conventional Art]
` There have been a variety of ideas to change the irradiation direction of a headlight in conjunction
`with a steering operation at the time of cornering of a vehicle. For example, a mechanical cornering
`lamp system configured to move a headlight via a link from a steering rod, or an electric cornering
`lamp system configured to detect a rotating angle of a headlight through a rotary encoder and control
`through a servomotor, and according to JPS62-77249A, there have been suggestions to gradually
`change the irradiation direction with the object to simplify the complex configuration that is a
`weakness of the latter electric cornering lamp system.
`[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]
` Despite this, among the conventional cornering lamp systems, the mechanical cornering light
`system is transmitted as a driving force wherein a steering force directly changes the irradiation
`direction by a headlight, thus creating a system with excellent responsiveness to an amount of change
`in a steering angle, but a dedicated design is necessary for each type of vehicle so that it lacks
`versatility, and for example, there is a problem in that the system cannot be provided as optional
`equipment.
` Meanwhile, among electric cornering lamp systems that are regarded as easy to provide versatility,
`the electric cornering lamp system disclosed in JPS62-77249A is configured such that an amount of
`change in a steering angle of a steering operation is transmitted to a driving means that changes an
`irradiation direction of a headlight via detection means that detects the steering angle in a stepwise
`manner and a driving circuit that executes a predetermined action based on a signal from the detection
`means, and therefore there has been a problem in that a considerable time delay (time lag) is caused
`until the driving means is activated to change the irradiation direction of the headlight, which may
`cause a feeling of discomfort depending on a vehicle speed.
` An objective of the present invention is to provide, in an electric cornering lamp system, that is, a
`vehicle headlight control device, a vehicle headlight control device having versatility and reduced
`time delay (time lag).
`[Means to Solve the Problem]
` The present invention is made in view of such problems, and to resolve the above problems and
`achieve the above object, the following configuration is provided, that is,, with a headlight that
`
`SPECIFICATION
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`changes an irradiation direction of the headlight, means for detecting a steering angle, calculation
`means that calculates an amount of change in the steering angle speed, and driving control means that
`drives the driving means when the change of amount of the speed is greater than a predetermined
`value.
`[Operation]
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`In the vehicle headlight control device configured as described above, an amount of change in
`speed of the turning of the steering wheel is calculated by the calculation means and the like in a
`process where a steering wheel is turned until the steering wheel reaches a predetermined steering
`angle, and when this speed change amount is greater than a predetermined value, the driving means is
`operated to change the irradiation direction of the headlight
`[Example]
` One example of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings, and FIG.
`1 is an outside view illustrating when fog lamps configuring one example of the vehicle headlight
`control device of the present invention are installed. In FIG. 1, a bumper 3 is attached to the front
`bottom part of a vehicle and, as optional equipment, fog lamps 1R, 1L hang via a stay from the
`bottom portion of the bumper 3 below the headlights 2R, 2L.
` Protective covers 4 that can open and close are attached to the respective fog lamps 1R, 1L, and
`when not in use, they are in the position illustrated so as to protect lenses that are not illustrated.
` FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the fog lamps 1R, 1L that are attached as is
`shown, and for the sake of explanation, the protective cover 4, the opening and closing device for the
`protective cover 4, and the lens have been omitted. In FIG. 2, in the approximate center portion of the
`main body 30, a lamp is supported by a freely exchangeable lamp holder not illustrated, and on the
`back portion of the lamp 5, a reflector 8 is arranged towards the main body 30, so as to change a light
`distribution of the lamp 5 to an optical path that faces forward. A sub-reflector 6 is placed between
`the lamp 5 and the reflector 8, but rotating fulcrums 6A, 6B are rotating centers and are free to rotate.
` Meanwhile, a motor 10 is set in the left back corner of the main body 30, and a motor link 11 is
`fixed to the rotary output shaft of motor 10. A link 12 is connected to one end of the motor link 11.
`Also, a reflector link 13 is fixed to the rotating fulcrum 6B of the sub-reflector 6 and connected to a
`link 12.
` Accordingly, the rotating force of the motor 10 is transferred so as to rotate the sub-reflector 6.
` FIG. 3(a), (b) illustrate a cross-sectional view of main parts of the fog lamps 1R, 1L configured in
`this manner. FIG. 3(a) illustrates a state wherein the sub-reflector 6 is placed in a neutral position and
`the lamp 5 is turned on, so that all of the optical pathways illustrated by arrows U reflect forward as is
`illustrated.
` Next, FIG. 3(b) illustrates a state wherein the sub-reflector 6 is placed in a rotated position and the
`lamp 5 is turned on, and in this position, the optical pathways U reflected from the sub-reflector 6
`irradiates a direction θ degrees from the optical pathways facing the front direction reflected by the
`reflector 8.
` FIG. 4 (a), (b), (c) are action explanation views showing the relationship between a steering angle
`of a steering wheel 14 and the positions of irradiation for the fog lights 1R, 1L. In FIG. 4, a steering
`angle detection device not illustrated is set up inside the steering wheel 14 and if the steering wheel is
`turned to the left, a negative (-) steering angle detection signal will be displayed, and if the steering
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`wheel is turned to the right, a positive (+) steering angle detection will be displayed, and in FIG. 4(a)
`at the neutral position in the illustration, the steering angle detection signal will not be displayed.
`Accordingly, with the fog lamps 1R, 1L configured to change irradiation direction based on these
`steering angle detection signals, when the steering wheel 14 is in a neutral position, the fog lamps 1R,
`1L will both irradiate in the front direction as is illustrated.
` Also, in FIG. 4 (b), if the steering wheel 14 is turned to the left and the negative (-) steering angle
`detection signal is displayed, the sub-reflector 6 of the fog lamp 1L moves and irradiates in a left
`direction at θ degrees. Similarly, in FIG. 4 (c), if the steering wheel 14 is turned to the right and the
`positive (+) steering angle detection signal is displayed, the sub-reflector 6 of the fog lamp 1R moves
`and irradiates in a right direction at θ degrees.
` FIG. 5 shows a block diagram for performing an operation of FIG. 6.
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`In this drawing, in a main control part 100, the calculations means, which calculates to convert the
`steering angle detection signal to an amount of change in speed, and a driving electric circuit are
`installed, and if the calculated amount of change in speed exceeds a predetermined value, the driving
`electric circuit is operated to drive the motor 10 stored inside the fog lamps 1R, 1L.
` As the detection means for the steering angle, for example, a detection device 20 configured by a
`variable resistor is set up inside the steering wheel 14 illustrated by a dotted line and outputs a
`resistance value corresponding to a steering angle of the steering wheel 14. Here, the calculation
`means becomes unnecessary when the detection device 20 is configured with an acceleration sensor
`that can detect an amount of change in speed.
` An ignition switch 17 works to demand power to the main control part 100 and is connected to one
`end of a positive electrode P of a battery not illustrated. A fog switch 15 is provided for purpose of
`allowing the ON/OFF light of the lamp 5 of the fog lamps 1R, 1L and the main control part 100 to
`start a program to be discussed later, and is connected to one end of a positive electrode P of a battery
`not illustrated. A symbol G indicates grounding.
` FIG. 6 is an operating region graph of the headlight control device configured in this manner, and
`shows the condition of the operating region indicated by diagonal lines for when an absolute value of
`the calculated amount of change in speed exceeds a predetermined value V, or, for example, when a
`vehicle is in a stopped position and the absolute value of a predetermined steering angle exceeds θ1.
` FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating one example of the flow to be executed in the block diagram of
`FIG. 5. In FIG. 7, when both the ignition switch 17 and the fog switch 15 are in the ON position, the
`program starts, and first, on step S1, it determines whether an amount of change in speed is greater
`than the predetermined value V, and if it determines it to be YES, it proceeds to step S2, and next it
`determines whether the amount of change in speed is positive or negative, and if it determines it is
`positive, it proceeds to step S3, and causes the motor 10 stored inside the fog lamp 1R to start driving.
` On the other hand, if it determines it to be negative in step S2, it proceeds to step S4 and causes the
`motor 10 stored inside the fog lamp 1L to start driving. The motor 10 that is started in this manner
`stops after a predetermined rotation. Also, it proceeds to step S7, and if the steering angle θ becomes
`zero, which is close to the neutral position of the steering wheel, it proceeds to step S8, and the motor
`10 returns to the neutral position, and execution of the program terminates.
` Also, on step S1, if it determines that the amount of change in speed is less than the predetermined
`value V, it proceeds to step S5, and determines whether the steering angle θ is greater than a
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`predetermined steering angle θ1. At step S5, if it is determined to be YES, it proceeds to step S6, and
`it determines whether the steering angle θ is positive or negative, and if it determines it to be positive,
`it proceeds to step S3, and causes the motor 10 stored inside the fog lamp 1R to start driving.
` On the other hand, if it determines it to be negative, it proceeds to step S4 and causes the motor 10
`stored inside the fog lamp 1L to start driving.
` Also, at step S5, a NO determination, or in other words, if it is determined that the steering angle θ
`is less than the predetermined steering angle θ1, it proceeds to step S7, and if the steering angle θ
`becomes zero, which is close to the neutral position of the steering wheel, it proceeds to step S8, and
`the motor 10 returns to the neutral position, and execution of the program terminates.
` According to the program explanation above, when both or either of the amount of change in the
`steering angle speed and the steering angle exceed the predetermined amount that has been preset, the
`program activates the driving means, and changes the direction of the lamp, namely the headlight,
`with reduced time delay (time lag) and no discomfort.
` Note that this example is only about a fog lamp, but the present invention can obviously be applied
`to other front lights such as a headlight.
` Also, the driving speed of the motor 10 stored inside the fog lamp 1 and the amount of change in
`the steering angle speed may be linear.
`[Effect of the Invention]
` As is explained above, according to the vehicle headlight control device of the present invention, it
`is electronically configured to change the irradiation direction of a headlight in accordance with the
`amount of change in the steering angle speed by a steering operation, thus it is possible to provide a
`vehicle headlight control device having versatility, and in which time delay (time lag) is reduced.
`4. Brief Description of the Drawings
` FIG. 1 is an outside view illustrating when fog lamps of one example of the vehicle headlight
`control device of the present invention are installed.
` FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the fog lamps of FIG. 1.
` FIG. 3(a), (b) are a cross-sectional views of main parts of the fog lamp of FIG. 2.
` FIG. 4 (a), (b), (c) are an operation explanatory drawings showing the relationship between a
`steering angle of a steering wheel and the positions of irradiation for the fog lights.
` FIG. 5 is a block diagram for performing an operation of FIG. 6.
` FIG. 6 is an operating region graph,
` FIG. 7 is a flowchart to be executed in the block diagram of FIG. 5.
`In the drawings, 1R, 1L … fog lamps, 2R, 2L … headlights, 5 … lamp, 6 … sub-reflector, 8 …
`reflector, 10 … motor, 14 … steering wheel, 15 … fog switch, 17 … ignition switch, 20 …
`detection device, 100 … main control part
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`dθ … amount of change in velocity, and θ … steering angle.
`dt
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`Applicant
`Agent
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`Mazda Motor Corporation
`Patent Attorney:
`OTSUKA, Yasunori (and 1 other)
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`FIG. 1
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`FIG. 1FIG. 1
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`FIG. 3
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`{El{El
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`{bl“1]
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`FIG. 4
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`FIG. 5
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`FIG. 6
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`Amount of change in Steering
`Angle Speed
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`Driving Region
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`Steering Angle
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`FIG. 7
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`Start
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`L Motor
`Rotation
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`R Motor
`Rotation
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`R, L Motor
`Return to Neutral Pt.
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`End
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`CERTIFICATE OF TRANSLATION
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`I,_ Takuya Takahashi, of Tokyo, Japan, hereby certify that I am conversant
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`in both Japanese and English and the following is, to the best of my
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`knowledge and belief, a true and accurate translation of the original
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`document from Japanese to English.
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`I hereby acknowledge that any willful false statements and the like made in
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`this Declaration are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both (18 U.S.C.
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`1001).
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`Furthermore,
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`I declare that all statements made of my own
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`knowledge are true and all statements made on information and belief are
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`believed to be true.
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`Translated Material: JP Hl—223 042A
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`Executed on this 9th day of October, 2015 at Tokyo, Japan.
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`My
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`Takuya Takahashi
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`10
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`10
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