Optical axis proposal device

Abstract

To provide users with more appropriate suggestions regarding the headlight beam height. [Solution] The optical axis suggestion device 1 is mounted on a vehicle in which the optical axis height of the headlights can be adjusted by user operation, and suggests a recommended optical axis height to the user. The optical axis suggestion device 1 comprises an acquisition unit 11 that acquires detection results from an on-board sensor 20 that can detect information about the vehicle's tilt state, and a suggestion unit 12 that suggests a recommended optical axis height for the headlights to the user based on the detection results from the on-board sensor 20. The suggestion unit 12 suggests the optical axis height in a manner corresponding to the type of on-board sensor 20 whose detection results have been acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical axis proposal device.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle, the vehicle tilts depending on the number of passengers, the amount of load, etc., and the height of the optical axis (the direction of the optical axis) in the height direction of the headlamp changes. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a device that automatically adjusts the optical axis in the height direction of the headlamp of a vehicle. This device measures the distance from the vehicle to the road surface in front of the vehicle, and automatically adjusts the optical axis in the height direction of the headlamp so that this distance becomes constant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, the adjustment of the optical axis height of the headlamp of a vehicle may be performed by the user of the vehicle. In this case, it is likely to be difficult for the user to determine what degree of optical axis height is appropriate. For this reason, it is conceivable to detect the tilt state of the vehicle by an in-vehicle sensor and propose to the user the recommended optical axis height of the headlamp based on the detection result. However, there are differences in the types of in-vehicle sensors mounted on vehicles, and it may not be appropriate to make a proposal in the same manner uniformly based on the detection results of such in-vehicle sensors.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An optical axis suggestion device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is [1] "an optical axis suggestion device mounted on a vehicle in which the optical axis height of a headlight can be adjusted by user operation, and which suggests a recommended optical axis height to the user, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires detection results from an on-board sensor capable of detecting information regarding the inclination state of the vehicle; and a suggestion unit that suggests a recommended optical axis height of the headlight to the user based on the detection results from the on-board sensor acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the suggestion unit suggests the optical axis height in a manner corresponding to the type of on-board sensor whose detection results have been acquired by the acquisition unit."

[0007] The optical axis suggestion device described above may also be [2] "the optical axis suggestion device described in [1] above, wherein when the suggestion unit suggests the optical axis height, it switches between a mode in which a recommended optical axis height is suggested and a mode in which a height range of the recommended optical axis height is suggested, according to the type of vehicle-mounted sensor."

[0008] The optical axis suggestion device described above may also be [3] "the optical axis suggestion device described in [2] above, wherein the suggestion unit suggests a recommended optical axis height for the tilt state of the vehicle detected by the tilt sensor when the on-board sensor is a tilt sensor capable of directly detecting the tilt state of the vehicle, and suggests a height range of the recommended optical axis height for the presence or number of occupants in the vehicle detected by the occupant detection sensor when the on-board sensor is an occupant detection sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of occupants in the vehicle."

[0009] The optical axis suggestion device described above may also be [4] "the optical axis suggestion device described in [3] above, wherein the suggestion unit, when it is possible to obtain the detection result of the tilt sensor and the detection result of the occupant detection sensor, suggests a recommended optical axis height based on the detection result of the tilt sensor."

[0010] The optical axis suggestion device described above may also be [5] "the optical axis suggestion device described in [3] or [4] above, in which, when the suggestion unit suggests a height range for the optical axis height based on the detection result of the occupant detection sensor, when there are 0 occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle, it suggests a high-level range as the recommended height range for the optical axis height, when there is 1 occupant in the rear seats of the vehicle, it suggests a medium-level range that includes a height lower than the high-level range as the recommended height range for the optical axis height, and when there are 2 occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle, it suggests a low-level range that includes a height lower than the medium-level range as the recommended height range for the optical axis height." [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the optical axis height of the headlights can be more appropriately suggested to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an optical axis proposal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the suggestion process that proposes the optical axis height of the headlights according to the type of on-board sensor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the optical axis suggestion device 1 is mounted on the vehicle. This vehicle allows the user (e.g., the vehicle's driver) to adjust the optical axis height of the headlights. Optical axis height refers to the vertical direction of the optical axis of the headlights. In other words, the user can manually adjust the optical axis height of the headlights according to the driving location, vehicle condition, etc. The optical axis suggestion device 1 suggests a recommended optical axis height of the headlights to the user to serve as a guide when the user adjusts the optical axis height of the headlights.

[0015] The condition of the vehicle changes depending on factors such as the condition of the vehicle's suspension (e.g., suspension wear), tire pressure, and the presence or absence of occupants. Therefore, the optical axis suggestion device 1 can suggest an optical axis height as the recommended headlight optical axis height that meets, for example, a predetermined standard, given the current tilt state of the vehicle.

[0016] For example, a vehicle may be equipped with an actuator for adjusting the beam height of the headlights and a manual switch for the user to give instructions to the actuator. The user can adjust the beam height of the headlights based on a suggested recommended beam height by operating the manual switch. The adjustment mechanism for the user to adjust the beam height is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that the vehicle is equipped with a mechanism that allows the user to manually adjust the beam height of the headlights.

[0017] The optical axis alignment device 1 is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 that comprehensively manages the device. The ECU 10 is an electronic control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory unit. The memory unit consists of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc. In the ECU 10, various functions are realized by, for example, executing a program stored in the memory unit with the CPU. The ECU 10 may be composed of multiple electronic control units.

[0018] The ECU 10 is connected to an on-board sensor 20 and a notification unit 30. These devices connected to the ECU 10 are mounted on the vehicle V. The on-board sensor 20 is a sensor capable of detecting information regarding the vehicle's tilt state. The type of on-board sensor 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of detecting information regarding the vehicle's tilt state. This information regarding the vehicle's tilt state may be information that directly indicates the vehicle's tilt state, or it may be information that allows for the estimation of the vehicle's tilt state based on this information.

[0019] For example, the on-board sensor 20 may be a tilt sensor capable of directly detecting the tilt state of the vehicle. The tilt sensor may be, for example, an electrolyte tilt sensor, a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) tilt sensor, etc. An acceleration sensor may be used as the tilt sensor, for example. The type of tilt sensor is not particularly limited.

[0020] For example, the in-vehicle sensor 20 may be a sensor capable of detecting information used to estimate the inclination state of the vehicle. The information used to estimate the inclination state of the vehicle may be information on the presence or absence or number of passengers inside the vehicle. That is, the in-vehicle sensor 20 may be a passenger detection sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence or number of passengers inside the vehicle as information used to estimate the inclination state of the vehicle.

[0021] The passenger detection sensor may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera that images the interior of the vehicle, a rear seat belt sensor, a rear seat passenger detection sensor, a rear seat door opening / closing sensor, a rear seat door curtain sensor, or the like. For example, based on the captured image of the in-vehicle camera, it is possible to determine the presence or absence or number of passengers in the vehicle interior. The determination of the presence or absence of passengers based on the captured image can be performed using well-known image processing techniques.

[0022] For example, the rear seat belt sensor detects whether the rear seat belt is worn. For example, the rear seat belt sensor may be provided in a seat belt buckle into which the tongue of the rear seat belt is inserted. The rear seat belt sensor may detect whether a tongue is attached to the seat belt buckle. The rear seat belt sensor includes a rear seat right-side seat belt sensor and a rear seat left-side seat belt sensor. That is, based on the detection result of the rear seat belt sensor, it is possible to determine the number of passengers in the rear seat (whether there is a passenger on the right side of the rear seat and whether there is a passenger on the left side of the rear seat).

[0023] For example, the rear seat door opening / closing sensor detects the opening / closing state of the rear seat door of the vehicle. For example, the rear seat door opening / closing sensor may be attached near the opening of the rear seat door of the vehicle body or to the rear seat door. The rear seat door opening / closing sensor includes an opening / closing sensor that detects the opening / closing of the door on the right side of the rear seat (right rear door) and an opening / closing sensor that detects the opening / closing of the door on the left side of the rear seat (left rear door). Based on the detection result of the rear seat door opening / closing sensor, it is possible to determine whether the rear seat door has been opened / closed and to determine the presence / absence of a rear seat passenger. For example, when the vehicle is stopped, it may be detected by the rear seat door opening / closing sensor that the opening / closing state of the rear seat door has changed from the closed state to the open state and then from the open state to the closed state. In this case, the optical axis proposal device 1 can determine that a passenger has boarded the rear seat of the vehicle.

[0024] For example, the rear seat door curtain sensor is a sensor that detects the operation of a curtain attached to the window portion of the rear seat door of the vehicle. The rear seat door curtain sensor may be a curtain opening / closing switch that operates the opening / closing of the curtain provided on the window of the rear seat door. For example, when there is a passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle, the curtain of the window of the rear seat door may be closed due to glare or the like. Therefore, for example, when it is detected by the rear seat door curtain sensor that the curtain of the window of the rear seat door is in the closed state, the optical axis proposal device 1 can determine that there is a passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle.

[0025] Thus, the type of the in-vehicle sensor 20 provided as a passenger detection sensor capable of detecting the presence / absence or number of passengers in the vehicle is not particularly limited. The in-vehicle sensor 20 may be any sensor that can detect at least information capable of detecting or estimating the presence / absence of a passenger.

[0026] A vehicle may be equipped with multiple types of sensors capable of detecting information regarding the vehicle's tilt state as on-board sensors 20. Alternatively, a vehicle may be equipped with only one type of sensor capable of detecting information regarding the vehicle's tilt state as on-board sensors 20. The types and number of on-board sensors 20 installed in a vehicle vary from vehicle to vehicle. Even if a vehicle is equipped with multiple types of on-board sensors 20, not all of the on-board sensors 20 are connected to the ECU 10. It is sufficient for at least one on-board sensor 20 to be connected to the ECU 10.

[0027] The notification unit 30 is a device that notifies the user of the recommended headlight beam height. The notification unit 30 may consist of, for example, a display device provided on the vehicle's meter panel, a head-up display, a lamp such as an LED, an indicator provided on an operation switch, etc. The notification unit 30 may also include, for example, a speaker. The notification unit 30 only needs to be a device that can notify the user of the recommended beam height.

[0028] Functionally, the ECU 10 consists of an acquisition unit 11 and a proposal unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the detection results of the on-board sensors 20 mounted on the vehicle. As mentioned above, the acquisition unit 11 does not need to acquire the detection results of all on-board sensors 20 mounted on the vehicle. The acquisition unit 11 only needs to acquire detection results from at least one on-board sensor 20. The types and number of on-board sensors 20 mounted on a vehicle vary. Therefore, the on-board sensors 20 that the acquisition unit 11 can acquire data from will differ depending on the vehicle on which the on-board sensors 20 are installed.

[0029] The suggestion unit 12 proposes a recommended headlight beam height to the user based on the detection results of the on-board sensor 20 acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The suggestion unit 12 proposes the beam height to the user using the notification unit 30. The "recommended headlight beam height" proposed by the suggestion unit 12 is, as described above, the beam height that will meet, for example, a predetermined standard in the current vehicle tilt state.

[0030] Furthermore, the proposal unit 12 proposes the optical axis height in a manner corresponding to the type of in-vehicle sensor 20 from which the detection result was acquired by the acquisition unit 11. In other words, the proposal unit 12 proposes the optical axis height in different manners depending on the type of in-vehicle sensor 20 from which the detection result was acquired.

[0031] When the suggestion unit 12 suggests an optical axis height, it switches between suggesting a recommended optical axis height and suggesting a height range for the recommended optical axis height, depending on the type of on-board sensor 20. The suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height by specifying the recommended optical axis height. In other words, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height by specifying one recommended optical axis height. Here, the suggestion unit 12 can suggest a recommended optical axis height by specifying the recommended optical axis height using the recommended optical axis height level, height value, angle, etc. On the other hand, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a height range that includes the upper and lower limits of the recommended optical axis height. The user can refer to the suggested recommended optical axis height range and adjust the optical axis height of the headlights within that height range. Here, the suggestion unit 12 can suggest a recommended optical axis height range using the recommended optical axis height level range, height value range, angle range, etc.

[0032] The suggestion unit 12 switches the mode of suggesting a recommended optical axis height depending on whether the type of on-board sensor 20 whose detection result has been acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is a tilt sensor capable of directly detecting the tilt state of the vehicle, or an occupant detection sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of occupants inside the vehicle.

[0033] Here, if the on-board sensor 20 is a tilt sensor, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height based on the current tilt state of the vehicle detected by the tilt sensor. On the other hand, if the on-board sensor 20 is an occupant detection sensor, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height range based on the presence or number of occupants in the vehicle detected by the occupant detection sensor. Furthermore, if the suggestion unit 12 can obtain the detection results of both the tilt sensor and the occupant detection sensor, it suggests a recommended optical axis height based on the detection results of the tilt sensor. In other words, the suggestion unit 12 suggests the optical axis height by prioritizing the detection results of the tilt sensor over those of the occupant detection sensor.

[0034] For example, suppose the in-vehicle sensor 20 whose detection result is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is a tilt sensor. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a lower optical axis height (downward optical axis) as the recommended optical axis height, as the tilt of the detected vehicle is more downward towards the rear, in order to satisfy a predetermined standard.

[0035] For example, suppose the in-vehicle sensor 20 whose detection result is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is an occupant detection sensor. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 can determine a recommended optical axis height range based on the number of occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle. For example, the suggestion unit 12 determines the number of occupants in the rear seats based on the detection result of the occupant detection sensor. The suggestion unit 12 then determines a recommended optical axis height range based on the determined number of occupants in the rear seats. For example, the more occupants there are in the rear seats, the heavier the weight at the rear of the vehicle becomes, and the more the vehicle tilts downwards at the rear. Therefore, the more occupants there are in the rear seats, the lower the optical axis height range (downward optical axis range) the suggested optical axis height will be.

[0036] Specifically, when proposing a height range for the optical axis height based on the detection results of the occupant detection sensor, for example, the proposal unit 12 determines whether the number of occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle is 0, 1, or 2 based on the detection results of the occupant detection sensor. If there are 0 occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle, the proposal unit 12 proposes a high-level range as the recommended height range for the optical axis height. If there is 1 occupant in the rear seats of the vehicle, the proposal unit 12 proposes a medium-level range, which includes a height lower than the high-level range, as the recommended height range for the optical axis height. If there are 2 occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle, the proposal unit 12 proposes a low-level range, which includes a height lower than the medium-level range, as the recommended height range for the optical axis height.

[0037] Note that the high-level range and the medium-level range may have some overlap in optical axis height. At least the medium-level range should include an optical axis height lower than that of the high-level range. The medium-level range and the low-level range may have some overlap in optical axis height. At least the low-level range should include an optical axis height lower than that of the medium-level range. The high-level range and the low-level range may have some overlap in optical axis height.

[0038] For example, suppose the user can adjust the optical axis height of the headlights in five stages, from level 1 to level 5. The optical axis height increases as the level (numerical value) increases, such as level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5. In this case, the proposal unit 12 may, as an example, propose levels 3 to 5 as the high-level range, levels 2 to 4 as the medium-level range, and levels 1 to 3 as the low-level range. However, the stages of adjustment for optical axis height (in this case, five stages from level 1 to 5) and the division of the height range of the optical axis height are just examples, and other configurations are also possible.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, if the occupant detection sensor is an interior camera, a rear seat belt sensor, or a rear seat occupant detection sensor, the proposed unit 12 can determine the number of rear seat occupants based on these detection results. On the other hand, if the occupant detection sensor is a rear door opening / closing sensor or a rear door curtain sensor, it tends to be difficult to determine the number of rear seat occupants based on these detection results. For this reason, if the occupant detection sensor is a rear door opening / closing sensor or a rear door curtain sensor, the proposed unit 12 may only determine whether or not there are rear seat occupants based on these detection results.

[0040] For example, the occupant detection sensor may be a sensor that cannot determine the number of rear-seat occupants (a difficult sensor), such as a rear-seat door opening / closing sensor or a rear-seat door curtain sensor. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height range based on the presence or absence of rear-seat occupants. In this case, if the suggestion unit 12 determines that there are occupants in the rear seats, it suggests a range that includes a lower height as the recommended optical axis height range compared to the case where there are no occupants in the rear seats. For example, if the suggestion unit 12 determines that there are occupants in the rear seats, it suggests a low-level range as the recommended optical axis height range. For example, if the suggestion unit 12 determines that there are no occupants in the rear seats, it suggests a high-level range as the recommended optical axis height range.

[0041] Next, the flow of the suggestion process performed by the optical axis suggestion device 1, which suggests the optical axis height of the headlights according to the type of on-board sensor 20, will be explained. The process shown in Figure 2 starts, for example, when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned ON. Also, when the process shown in Figure 2 reaches its end, the process starts again from the beginning after a predetermined time. The on-board sensor 20 includes at least one of the tilt sensor and occupant detection sensor described above.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the acquisition unit 11 determines whether or not a tilt sensor is mounted on the vehicle as an on-board sensor 20 (S101). In other words, the acquisition unit 11 determines whether or not it can acquire the detection result of the tilt sensor. If the acquisition unit 11 can acquire the detection result of the tilt sensor (S101: YES), the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height for the current tilt state of the vehicle detected by the tilt sensor (S102).

[0043] On the other hand, if the acquisition unit 11 cannot acquire the detection result of the tilt sensor (S101: NO), the acquisition unit 11 determines whether or not an occupant detection sensor capable of determining the number of people in the rear seats is installed in the vehicle (S103). In other words, the acquisition unit 11 determines whether or not it can acquire the detection result of an occupant detection sensor capable of determining the number of people in the rear seats. If it can acquire the detection result of an occupant detection sensor capable of determining the number of people in the rear seats (S103: YES), the suggestion unit 12 determines the number of occupants in the rear seats based on the detection result of the occupant detection sensor (S104). If the number of occupants in the rear seats is 2 (or more than 2) (S104: 2 people), the suggestion unit 12 suggests a low-level range as the recommended optical axis height range (S105). If the number of occupants in the rear seats is 1 (S104: 1 person), the suggestion unit 12 suggests a medium-level range as the recommended optical axis height range (S106). If the number of passengers in the rear seats is 0 (S104: 0 people), the proposal unit 12 suggests a high-level range as the recommended optical axis height range (S107).

[0044] There are cases where the occupant detection sensor capable of determining the number of people in the rear seats cannot obtain the detection result (S103: NO). In other words, there are cases where the acquisition unit 11 can obtain the detection result of the occupant detection sensor capable of determining only the presence or absence of occupants in the rear seats. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 determines the presence or absence of occupants in the rear seats based on the detection result of the occupant detection sensor capable of determining only the presence or absence of occupants in the rear seats (S108). If there are occupants in the rear seats (S108: YES), the suggestion unit 12 suggests a low-level range as the recommended optical axis height range (S109). On the other hand, if there are no occupants in the rear seats (S108: NO), the suggestion unit 12 suggests a high-level range as the recommended optical axis height range (S110).

[0045] As described above, the optical axis suggestion device 1 suggests a recommended optical axis height to the user in accordance with the type of on-board sensor 20 acquired by the acquisition unit 11. This allows the optical axis suggestion device 1 to suggest a more appropriate optical axis height for the headlights to the user. The user can then manually adjust the optical axis height of the headlights based on the suggested optical axis height.

[0046] In the optical axis suggestion device 1, the suggestion unit 12, when suggesting an optical axis height, switches between suggesting a recommended optical axis height and suggesting a height range of the recommended optical axis height, depending on the type of on-board sensor 20. For example, depending on the type of on-board sensor 20, it may not be possible to accurately detect the tilt state of the vehicle. In such cases, it is preferable for the optical axis suggestion device 1 to suggest only one recommended optical axis height based on the detection result, rather than suggesting a height range of the recommended optical axis height. This allows the user to adjust the optical axis height according to the vehicle's condition, using the suggested optical axis height range as a guideline. In this way, the optical axis suggestion device 1 can suggest a more appropriate optical axis height to the user by switching the mode of suggestion of the optical axis height according to the type of on-board sensor 20.

[0047] If the on-board sensor 20 is a tilt sensor capable of directly detecting the vehicle's tilt state, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height based on the vehicle's tilt state detected by the tilt sensor. In this case, the optical axis suggestion device 1 can suggest an appropriate optical axis height according to the actual tilt state of the vehicle. Furthermore, if the on-board sensor 20 is an occupant detection sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of occupants in the vehicle, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height range based on the presence or number of occupants detected by the occupant detection sensor. In this case, even if the vehicle's tilt state cannot be directly detected, the optical axis suggestion device 1 can suggest a recommended optical axis height range based on the presence or absence of occupants in the rear seats, etc.

[0048] The on-board sensor 20 may include both a tilt sensor and an occupant detection sensor. The suggestion unit 12 may be able to acquire the detection results from both the tilt sensor and the occupant detection sensor. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a recommended optical axis height based on the detection results from the tilt sensor. This allows the optical axis suggestion device 1 to suggest an appropriate optical axis height according to the actual tilt condition of the vehicle.

[0049] The in-vehicle sensor 20 may be an occupant detection sensor capable of estimating the number of occupants in the rear seats. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a high-level range as the recommended optical axis height range when there are 0 occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle. When there is 1 occupant in the rear seats of the vehicle, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a medium-level range, which includes a height lower than the high-level range, as the recommended optical axis height range. When there are 2 occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle, the suggestion unit 12 suggests a low-level range, which includes a height lower than the medium-level range, as the recommended optical axis height range. As a result, the optical axis suggestion device 1 can suggest a more appropriate recommended optical axis height range according to the number of occupants in the rear seats.

[0050] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the in-vehicle sensor 20 may be an occupant detection sensor, and this occupant detection sensor may be an interior camera. In this case, the interior camera may be capable of detecting the number of occupants in the front seats as well as the rear seats. In this case, the suggestion unit 12 may estimate the tilt state of the vehicle based on the presence and number of occupants in the front and rear seats of the vehicle, and suggest a recommended optical axis height for the estimated tilt state. At that time, the suggestion unit 12 may recognize the occupant's physique (weight) using well-known image processing techniques based on the image captured by the interior camera, and estimate the vehicle's tilt state taking the occupant's physique into consideration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1...Optical axis proposal device, 11...Acquisition unit, 12...Proposal unit, 20...In-vehicle sensor, 30...Notification unit.

Claims

1. A headlight beam height adjustment device is installed in a vehicle in which the user can adjust the beam height of the headlights, and the device proposes a recommended beam height to the user, An acquisition unit that acquires detection results from an on-board sensor capable of detecting information regarding the tilt state of the vehicle, Based on the detection results of the on-board sensor acquired by the acquisition unit, a proposal unit proposes to the user a recommended optical axis height for the headlights, Equipped with, The proposal unit is an optical axis proposal device that proposes the optical axis height in a manner corresponding to the type of in-vehicle sensor whose detection result has been acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. The optical axis suggestion device according to claim 1, wherein the suggestion unit, when suggesting the optical axis height, switches between a mode of suggesting a recommended optical axis height and a mode of suggesting a height range for the recommended optical axis height, depending on the type of on-board sensor.

3. The aforementioned proposal section is, If the on-board sensor is a tilt sensor capable of directly detecting the tilt state of the vehicle, then the recommended optical axis height is proposed based on the tilt state of the vehicle detected by the tilt sensor. The optical axis suggestion device according to claim 2, wherein the on-board sensor is an occupant detection sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of occupants in the vehicle, and the device suggests a recommended height range for the optical axis height based on the presence or absence or number of occupants in the vehicle detected by the occupant detection sensor.

4. The optical axis suggestion device according to claim 3, wherein the suggestion unit, when it is possible to obtain the detection result of the tilt sensor and the detection result of the occupant detection sensor, suggests a recommended optical axis height based on the detection result of the tilt sensor.

5. The aforementioned proposal section is, When proposing a height range for the optical axis height based on the detection results of the occupant detection sensor, When there are no passengers in the rear seats of the vehicle, a high-level range is proposed as the recommended height range for the optical axis height. When there is one occupant in the rear seat of the vehicle, a medium-level range is proposed as the recommended height range for the optical axis height, which includes a height lower than the high-level range. The optical axis suggestion device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when there are two occupants in the rear seats of the vehicle, a low-level range is suggested as the recommended height range for the optical axis height, which includes a height lower than the medium-level range.

Images