Mode selection device for vehicle headlamp

Abstract

To provide a mode selection device of a vehicular headlight which enables a driver to grasp a selected environment adapting mode based on operation feeling of a switch part which may select multiple environment adapting modes.SOLUTION: A mode selection device selects a radiation mode of a headlight 5 used in a vehicle 1. The radiation mode includes multiple environment adapting modes which change a radiation state of the headlight 5 according to a peripheral environment of the vehicle 1. The mode selection device includes a column lever 10 which can select only one environment adapting mode at one time from the multiple environment adapting modes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in Patent Document 1, when a lamp switch provided at the tip side of a lever switch is rotated to select an AUTO mark, the headlamp and the side marker lamp are automatically turned on / off according to the illuminance detected by an illuminance sensor. Also, when an ALH switch provided at the tip of the lever switch is pressed, the ON / OFF of the ALH mode is controlled. A switch device for a vehicle headlamp is disclosed. In the ALH mode, the irradiation area of the headlamp is automatically changed based on the detection result of a forward sensing camera.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a plurality of irradiation modes (hereinafter referred to as "environment-adaptive modes") for changing the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, such as the automatic on / off (AUTO) mode and the ALH mode in Patent Document 1 above, are provided, and each environment-adaptive mode is selected by operating a plurality of switches (a lamp switch and an ALH switch), there is a problem that it is difficult for the driver to grasp which environment-adaptive mode is currently selected.

[0005] For example, in the switch device of Patent Document 1, when the ALH mode is selected by operating the ALH switch in a state where the automatic on / off (AUTO) mode is selected by operating the lamp switch, if the surrounding environment of the vehicle during the operation of the ALH switch satisfies the lighting conditions in the AUTO mode, the headlamp will be in the lit state. The irradiation area of this headlamp is determined depending on the relationship between the surrounding environment of the vehicle during the operation of the ALH switch and the compatibility conditions of the ALH mode. Therefore, there is a possibility that the irradiation area of the lit headlamp does not change before and after the operation of the ALH switch. In such a situation, it is difficult for the driver of the vehicle to grasp whether the ALH mode is selected based on the operating feeling of the ALH switch, and the driver has been dealing with it by staring at the ALH switch.

[0006] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp that can grasp the currently selected environment-compatible mode based on the operating feeling of a switch unit capable of selecting a plurality of environment-compatible modes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used in a vehicle. In this mode selection device, the irradiation mode includes a plurality of environment-compatible modes that change the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle. The mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to select only one environment-compatible mode at a time from the plurality of environment-compatible modes. The plurality of environment-adaptive modes include two or more environment-adaptive modes in which the initial states of the irradiation ranges set for the headlamp are different from each other.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the currently selected environment-compatible mode based on the operating feeling of a switch unit capable of selecting a plurality of environment-compatible modes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration around a steering wheel in a vehicle to which a mode selection device for a vehicle headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In each figure described below, the direction of arrow F is the vehicle front-rear direction indicating the front of the vehicle, the direction of arrow O is the vehicle width direction indicating the outside of the vehicle, and the direction of arrow U is the vehicle up-down direction indicating the upper side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, in a vehicle 1 to which a mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment is applied, a column lever 10 is provided on the vehicle front side of a steering wheel 2 disposed in the vehicle interior. The column lever 10 is provided on a side portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of a steering column 3. Inside the steering column 3, a steering shaft (not shown) to which the steering wheel 2 is connected is disposed. The column lever 10 extends from the side portion 3A of the steering column 3 toward the radially outer side of the steering wheel 2.

[0012] On one end (base end) side in the longitudinal direction of the column lever 10, a support portion 11 supported by the side portion 3A of the steering column 3 is provided. Centered on this support portion 11, the column lever 10 is supported so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. When the column lever 10 is swing-operated in the front-rear direction, the irradiation range of a headlamp 5 shown in FIG. 3 (described later) of the vehicle 1 can be manually switched. Further, when the column lever 10 is swing-operated in the vertical direction, the ON / OFF of a direction indicator (not shown) of the vehicle 1 can be switched. On the other end (tip) side in the longitudinal direction of the column lever 10, a lamp switch portion 12 for selecting the irradiation mode of the headlamp 5 of the vehicle 1 is provided.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the tip side portion of the column lever 10 as viewed from the vehicle interior side. As shown in FIG. 2, the lamp switch portion 12 is configured to be rotatable about an axis X along the longitudinal direction of the column lever 10 with respect to the main body portion 13 of the column lever 10. On the outer peripheral surface of the lamp switch portion 12, a selection identifier Is indicated by a triangle mark in the figure is provided at a position visible to a driver who grips the steering wheel 2. The selection identifier Is represents the selection position by the lamp switch portion 12.

[0014] The main body portion 13 of the column lever 10 is disposed between the support portion 11 and the lamp switch portion 12 in the longitudinal direction of the column lever 10. On the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 13, a plurality of mode identifiers Im are provided at a position visible to the driver and adjacent to the lamp switch portion 12. The plurality of mode identifiers Im correspond to each of the plurality of irradiation modes set for the headlamp 5. The plurality of irradiation modes are roughly classified into an environment-adaptive mode and a non-environment-adaptive mode. The environment-adaptive mode is an irradiation mode that changes the irradiation state of the headlamp 5 according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1. The non-environment-adaptive mode is an environment mode that does not change the irradiation state of the headlamp 5 according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1.

[0015] In the present embodiment, for example, four mode identifiers Im1, Im2, Im3, and Im4 are arranged in a row along the rotation direction of the lamp switch portion 12. That is, the four mode identifiers Im1 to Im4 are arranged in one direction (the positive direction or the reverse direction of the rotation direction of the lamp switch portion 12). Specifically, in FIG. 2, the first mode identifier Im1 (a figure representing a headlight) arranged at the top corresponds to the "manual operation mode", which is one of the non-environment-adaptive modes. The second mode identifier Im2 (A-Hi) arranged second from the top corresponds to the "automatic irradiation range change mode", which is one of the environment-adaptive modes. The third mode identifier Im3 (AUTO) arranged third from the top corresponds to the "automatic on / off mode", which is one of the environment-adaptive modes. The fourth mode identifier Im4 (OFF) arranged fourth from the top corresponds to the "off mode", which is one of the non-environment-adaptive modes.

[0016] The column lever 10 is configured to select an irradiation mode corresponding to the mode identifier Im by the driver rotating the lamp switch unit 12 to align the position of the selection identifier Is with any of the positions of the plurality of mode identifiers Im. Thus, in the present embodiment, the column lever 10 also functions as the "switch unit" of the present invention. Further, the second and third mode identifiers Im2, Im3 correspond to the "environment compatibility identifier" of the present invention, and the first and fourth mode identifiers Im1, Im4 correspond to the "non-environment compatibility identifier" of the present invention. In the one-way arrangement of the four mode identifiers Im, the second and third mode identifiers Im2, Im3 (environment compatibility identifiers) are arranged to be consecutive and are arranged between the first and fourth mode identifiers Im1, Im4 (non-environment compatibility identifiers).

[0017] Also, the column lever 10 is configured such that a first physical quantity corresponding to the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 between the second and third mode identifiers Im2, Im3 is different from a second physical quantity corresponding to the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 from the first mode identifier Im1 (or the fourth mode identifier Im4) to the second mode identifier Im2 (or the third mode identifier Im3). Further, the column lever 10 is configured such that the first physical quantity is different from a third physical quantity corresponding to the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 from the second mode identifier Im2 (or the third mode identifier Im3) to the first mode identifier Im1 (or the fourth mode identifier Im4). The first to third physical quantities include, for example, the force (weight) required for the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12, the volume or frequency of the operation sound, the operation distance, and the like. That is, in the column lever 10, the first physical quantity for the rotation operation between the two environment compatibility identifiers is set to be different from the second physical quantity for the rotation operation from the non-environment compatibility identifier to the environment compatibility identifier and the third physical quantity for the rotation operation from the environment compatibility identifier to the non-environment compatibility identifier, respectively.

[0018] When the driver uses the column lever 10 as described above and performs a rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 and a rocking operation of the column lever 10 (main body unit 13) in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, signals indicating the respective operation states are transmitted from the column lever 10 to the light control system mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0019] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the above light control system. As shown in Figure 3, the light control system 20 has a controller 21 to which a signal indicating the operation state of the column lever 10 is input. In addition to the column lever 10, an environment sensor 4, a headlamp 5, a tail lamp 6, etc. are electrically connected to the controller 21.

[0020] The environment sensor 4 acquires information on the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as "environment information") and transmits the acquired environment information to the controller 21. Examples of the environment information acquired by the environment sensor 4 include, for example, the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1, the presence or absence of other vehicles (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle) and pedestrians located in front of the vehicle 1. However, the environment information is not limited to these. The controller 21 generates a control signal for controlling the headlamp 5 and the tail lamp 6 based on the operation state of the column lever 10 and the environment information.

[0021] The headlamps 5 are arranged on the left and right sides at the front of the vehicle 1. The headlamps 5 are configured to be able to change the irradiation range between high beam and low beam. The irradiation ranges of the high beam and the low beam are set in accordance with safety standards and the like. For example, the irradiation range of the headlamps 5 is adjusted so that it can illuminate 100 m ahead in the high beam and 40 m ahead in the low beam. The headlamps 5 are controlled to switch on and off, and to change the irradiation range (high beam / low beam) according to the control signal from the controller 21. Incidentally, a side marker lamp (small lamp), not shown in the figure, is provided in association with the headlamps 5. The switching on and off of this side marker lamp is also controlled by the controller 21. The tail lamps 6 are arranged on the left and right sides at the rear of the vehicle 1. The switching on and off of the tail lamps 6 is controlled by the controller 21 in conjunction with the headlamps 5.

[0022] Here, the four irradiation modes of the headlamps 5 will be described in detail. As described above, in the present embodiment, as the four irradiation modes of the headlamps 5, two environment-adaptive modes, namely, the "automatic irradiation range change mode" and the "automatic on / off mode", and two non-environment-adaptive modes, namely, the "manual operation mode" and the "off mode", are set.

[0023] The automatic irradiation range change mode is an irradiation mode in which the irradiation range of the headlamps 5 is automatically changed according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1. In the automatic irradiation range change mode in the present embodiment, for example, the headlamps 5 are automatically changed between high beam and low beam based on the situation in front of the vehicle 1. Such an automatic switching function of the high beam / low beam of the headlamps 5 may be called a high beam assist function, an auto high beam function, or an automatic high beam function. In the following description, the automatic irradiation range change mode as described above will be referred to as the "A-Hi mode".

[0024] Specifically, when the A-Hi mode is selected by the column lever 10, the controller 21 first turns on the headlight 5 and sets the irradiation range of the headlight 5 to the initial state. The initial state of the irradiation range is the default irradiation range when the headlight 5 is turned on in the A-Hi mode, and either the high beam (H) or the low beam (L) can be appropriately set. In this embodiment, for example, the low beam (L) is set as the initial state of the irradiation range of the headlight 5 when the A-Hi mode is selected. In the following description, such a setting may be referred to as "A-Hi mode (initial L)". Note that the taillight 6 is also turned on in conjunction with the headlight 5 being turned on.

[0025] Then, when the headlight 5 is turned on with the irradiation range in the initial state, the controller 21 sequentially determines the situation in front of the vehicle 1 based on the environmental information acquired by the environmental sensor 4. When the headlight 5 is in the low beam state and there are no other vehicles (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle) and pedestrians in front of the vehicle 1, for example, the controller 21 switches the headlight 5 to the high beam. Also, when there are other vehicles or pedestrians in front of the vehicle 1 and the headlight 5 is in the high beam state, the controller 21 switches the headlight 5 to the low beam. That is, in the A-Hi mode in this embodiment, whether there are other vehicles (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle) and / or pedestrians in front of the vehicle 1 is the irradiation range change condition. However, the irradiation range change condition of the A-Hi mode is not limited to the above example.

[0026] The automatic on / off mode is an irradiation mode that automatically turns the headlight 5 on or off according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1. In the automatic on / off mode in this embodiment, for example, based on the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1, the on / off states of the headlight 5, the side marker lights, and the taillight 6 are automatically switched. The function realized by such an automatic on / off mode is generally called the auto light function.

[0027] Specifically, when the automatic light-off mode is selected by the column lever 10, the controller 21 sequentially determines the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 based on the environmental information acquired by the environmental sensor 4. Then, when the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 interrupts the first threshold value T1, the controller 21 turns on the side lights and the tail lights 6. Further, when the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 interrupts the second threshold value T2 (T1 > T2) that is smaller than the first threshold value T1, the controller 21 turns on the headlight 5.

[0028] After the headlight 5 is turned on, the controller 21 turns off the headlight 5 when the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 recovers to the third threshold value T3 (T2 < T3) that is larger than the second threshold value T2. Further, when the brightness of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 recovers to the fourth threshold value T4 (T1, T3 < T4) that is larger than the first threshold value T1 and the third threshold value T3, the controller 21 turns off the side lights and the tail lights 6.

[0029] The irradiation range of the headlight 5 when the automatic light-off mode is selected is set corresponding to the operating state of the column lever 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the rocking operation of the column lever 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the column lever 10 is supported so as to be rockable in the vehicle longitudinal direction about the support portion 11, and moves between the neutral position P0, the forward position P1 located forward of the neutral position P0, and the rearward position P2 located rearward of the neutral position P0 by the operation of the driver. In the present embodiment, the neutral position P0 corresponds to the low beam, the forward position P1 corresponds to the high beam, and the rearward position P2 corresponds to passing (turning on the headlight 5 with the high beam for a short time).

[0030] Therefore, when the automatic light-off mode is selected, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 becomes low beam when the column lever 10 is in the neutral position P0, and becomes high beam when the column lever 10 is in the forward position P1. That is, during the selection of the automatic light-off mode, if the column lever 10 is not rocked in the front-rear direction, the headlamp 5 will always be fixed in low beam or high beam. If it is necessary to change the irradiation range of the headlamp 5, the column lever 10 is manually rocked. In this embodiment, the neutral position P0 is set as the default position of the column lever 10. For this reason, the initial state of the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 when the automatic light-off mode is selected is low beam (L). In the following description, such a setting may be referred to as "automatic light-off mode (initial L)".

[0031] The manual operation mode is an irradiation mode in which some or all of the headlamp 5, the side marker lamp, and the tail lamp 6 are turned on, and the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 can be manually changed by an operation different from the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12, specifically, a rocking operation of the column lever 10 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 when the manual operation mode is selected becomes low beam when the column lever 10 is in the neutral position P0, and becomes high beam when the column lever 10 is in the forward position P1. As described above, since the neutral position P0 is set as the default position of the column lever 10, the initial state of the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 when the manual operation mode is selected is low beam (L). In the following description, such a setting may be referred to as "manual operation mode (initial L)".

[0032] The light-off mode is an irradiation mode in which some or all of the headlamp 5, the side marker lamp, and the tail lamp 6 are turned off. When the light-off mode is selected, if the driver rocks the column lever 10 backward to the rear position P2, the headlamp 5 can be turned on in high beam for a short time.

[0033] Next, the operation of the headlamp mode selection device for a vehicle according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as described above, the column lever 10 also serves as a switch unit of the mode selection device. By rotating the lamp switch unit 12 of the column lever 10 about the axis X, only one environmental adaptation mode is simultaneously selected from a plurality of environmental adaptation modes (A-Hi mode and automatic on / off mode) set for the headlamp 5. As a result, the driver (operator of the column lever 10) of the vehicle can easily grasp the currently selected environmental adaptation mode based on the operating feeling of the lamp switch unit 12 on the column lever 10.

[0034] Further, in this embodiment, second and third mode identifiers Im2 and Im3 (environmental adaptation identifiers) corresponding to the A-Hi mode and the automatic on / off mode, and first and fourth mode identifiers Im1 and Im4 (non-environmental adaptation identifiers) corresponding to the manual operation mode and the off mode are arranged in one direction along the rotation direction of the lamp switch unit 12. In this way, the mode identifiers Im1 to Im4 corresponding to the four irradiation modes of the headlamp 5 are arranged in a row in the direction of the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12, so that the driver can surely grasp the currently selected irradiation mode based on the operating feeling of the lamp switch unit 12.

[0035] In particular, in the one-way arrangement of the mode identifiers Im1 to Im4 as described above, the second and third mode identifiers Im2 and Im3 (environmental adaptation identifiers) are arranged so as to be consecutive, so that it is possible to select from one environmental adaptation mode to another environmental adaptation mode without selecting a non-environmental adaptation mode. As a result, the driver can easily grasp the change from one environmental adaptation mode to another environmentally in a sensory manner. If, when selecting from one environmental adaptation mode to another environmental adaptation mode, a non-environmental adaptation mode can be selected, it becomes difficult for the driver to sensually grasp whether the currently selected irradiation mode has changed from an environmental adaptation mode to a non-environmental adaptation mode or from an environmental adaptation mode to another environmental adaptation mode.

[0036] Also, in the one-way arrangement of the mode identifiers Im1 to Im4 as described above, between the first and fourth mode identifiers Im1 and Im4 (non-environment-compliant identifiers), the second and third mode identifiers Im2 and Im3 (environment-compliant identifiers) are arranged. In such an arrangement, the non-environment-compliant mode is selected at the beginning and end of the one-way (forward or reverse) operation of the lamp switch unit 12. As a result, the driver can easily grasp the non-environment-compliant mode being selected based on the operating feeling of the lamp switch unit 12.

[0037] Furthermore, since the first mode identifier Im1 in the one-way arrangement corresponds to the manual operation mode, the second mode identifier Im2 corresponds to the A-Hi mode, the third mode identifier Im3 corresponds to the automatic turn-off mode, and the fourth mode identifier Im4 corresponds to the turn-off mode, in the one-way (forward or reverse) operation of the lamp switch unit 12, the selection of the irradiation mode is performed in the direction in which the headlamp 5 switches from the lit state to the off state, or from the off state to the lit state. As a result, it is possible to suppress the flickering of the headlamp 5 during the switching operation of the irradiation mode, and it is possible to perform the switching operation of the irradiation mode in a form close to the driver's intention (wanting to turn on or off the headlamp 5).

[0038] Also, in the present embodiment, in the A-Hi mode, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 is set to the initial state (low beam), and when the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 satisfies a predetermined irradiation range change condition, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 is changed to a wider range (high beam) than the initial state (low beam). The irradiation range of the headlamp 5 in the automatic on-off mode is set to the initial state (low beam). When the irradiation mode of the headlamp 5 is changed from the A-Hi mode to the off mode via the automatic on-off mode in this way, even if the automatic on-off mode is temporarily selected, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 can be gradually narrowed. That is, it becomes possible to switch to the off state while narrowing the irradiation range of the lit headlamp 5 in accordance with the driver's intention to turn off the headlamp 5. If the A-Hi mode (initial L) and the automatic on-off mode (initial H) are set, when the automatic on-off mode is temporarily selected, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 becomes the off state after switching from low to high. In such a situation, contrary to the driver's intention to turn off the headlamp 5, that is, to narrow the irradiation range, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 temporarily becomes wider, which gives the driver a sense of discomfort.

[0039] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first physical quantity corresponding to the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 between the two environment-compatible identifiers (Im2 and Im3) is different from the second physical quantity corresponding to the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 from the non-environment-compatible identifier (Im1 or Im4) to the environment-compatible identifier (Im2 or Im3). In addition, the first physical quantity is configured to be different from the third physical quantity corresponding to the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 from the environment-compatible identifier (Im2 or Im3) to the non-environment-compatible identifier (Im1 or Im4). Thereby, the driver can easily grasp whether the driver has switched between the environment-compatible modes, switched from the non-environment-compatible mode to the environment-compatible mode, or switched from the environment-compatible mode to the non-environment-compatible mode, based on the difference in the operation feeling of the lamp switch unit 12.

[0040] In addition, in the present embodiment, the irradiation mode can be switched from the environment-adaptive mode to another environment-adaptive mode only by rotating the lamp switch unit 12 with the column lever 10 in the neutral position P0. That is, even when the irradiation mode is switched from the environment-adaptive mode to another environment-adaptive mode, the front-rear position of the column lever 10 is maintained at the neutral position P0. Therefore, when the column lever 10 is rocked in the vertical direction to switch the ON / OFF of the direction indicator, it is also possible to easily suppress the discomfort of the driver caused by the column lever 10 being located at the front position P1 or the rear position P2.

[0041] Next, various modifications of the headlamp mode selection device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view of an enlarged tip side portion of the column lever 10 in the first modification as viewed from the inside of the vehicle cabin. However, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted, and the same applies hereinafter.

[0042] In FIG. 5, the difference in the configuration of the column lever 10 in the first modification from the configuration of the above-described embodiment is that among the four mode identifiers Im11 to Im14 arranged in one direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 13 of the column lever 10, the first mode identifier Im11 arranged at the top corresponds to the "A-Hi mode", the second mode identifier Im12 arranged second from the top corresponds to the "automatic on / off mode", the third mode identifier Im13 arranged third from the top corresponds to the "off mode", and the fourth mode identifier Im14 arranged fourth from the top corresponds to the "manual operation mode". The configuration of the first modification other than the above is the same as the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0043] In the column lever 10 of the first modification example described above, the mode identifiers Im11 and Im12 corresponding to the environment-compatible modes are grouped together on one end side in one direction, and the mode identifiers Im13 and Im14 corresponding to the non-environment-compatible modes are grouped together on the other end side in one direction. By arranging the mode identifiers Im11 to Im14 in this way, the driver can easily grasp the switching between the environment-compatible modes, the switching between the non-environment-compatible modes, and the switching between the environment-compatible mode and the non-environment-compatible mode based on the operating feeling of the lamp switch portion 12 in the column lever 10.

[0044] Also, in the column lever 10 of the first modification example described above, since the extinguishing mode among the two non-environment-compatible modes is arranged on the environment-compatible mode side, when the lamp switch portion 12 is rotated to switch from the environment-compatible mode to the non-environment-compatible mode, the headlamp 5 is once turned off. Therefore, not only the operating feeling of the lamp switch portion 12 but also the visual change in the extinguished state of the headlamp 5 can be used to grasp the switching from the environment-compatible mode to the non-environment-compatible mode.

[0045] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the tip side portion of the column lever 10 in the second modification example as viewed from the vehicle interior side. In FIG. 6, the difference in the configuration of the column lever 10 in the second modification example from the configuration of the above-described embodiment is that among the four mode identifiers Im21 to Im24 arranged in one direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 13 of the column lever 10, the second mode identifier Im22 arranged second from the top corresponds to the "A-Hi mode (initial H)", and the third mode identifier Im23 arranged third from the top corresponds to the "A-Hi mode (initial L)". The configuration of the second modification example other than the above is the same as the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0046] In the column lever 10 of the second modification described above, an A-Hi mode (initial H) in which the initial state of the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 is set to high beam (H) is added, and the automatic on / off mode is replaced with the A-Hi mode (initial L). In such a second modification, two environment-adaptive modes with different initial states of the irradiation range set for the headlamp 5 are set. Combinations of two environment-adaptive modes with different initial states include, in addition to the A-Hi mode (initial H) and the A-Hi mode (initial L), the A-Hi mode (initial L) and the automatic on / off mode (initial H), the A-Hi mode (initial H) and the automatic on / off mode (initial L), and the automatic on / off mode (initial L) and the automatic on / off mode (initial H).

[0047] Each of the A-Hi mode (initial H) and the A-Hi mode (initial L) may also have an automatic on / off function corresponding to the automatic on / off mode described above. When another vehicle (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle) or a pedestrian is detected in front of the vehicle 1 when the A-Hi mode (initial H) is selected, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 is switched from the initial high beam to the low beam. Then, when no other vehicle (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle) and pedestrian are detected in front of the vehicle 1, it is switched back to the high beam.

[0048] According to the column lever 10 of the second modification as described above, it is possible to select the A-Hi mode (initial H) and the A-Hi mode (initial L) according to the driver's preference. Also, in the arrangement of the four irradiation modes, the initial states of the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 are, in order from the top, initial L, initial H, initial L, and off. Therefore, when switching between the manual operation mode (initial L) and the A-Hi mode (initial H), and when switching between the A-Hi mode (initial H) and the A-Hi mode (initial L), the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 is likely to change. Thus, the switching of the irradiation mode can be grasped not only by the operating feeling of the lamp switch unit 12 but also by the visual change in the lighting state of the headlamp 5.

[0049] FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view seen from the vehicle interior side of the tip side portion of the column lever 10 in the third modification. In FIG. 7, the difference in the configuration of the column lever 10 in the third modification from the configuration of the above-described embodiment is that among the four mode identifiers Im31 to Im34 arranged in one direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 13 of the column lever 10, the first mode identifier Im31 arranged at the top corresponds to the "A-Hi mode (initial H)", the second mode identifier Im32 arranged second from the top corresponds to the "automatic light-off mode (initial L)", and the third mode identifier Im33 arranged third from the top corresponds to the "manual operation mode (initial L)". The configuration of the third modification other than the above is the same as the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0050] In the column lever 10 of the third modification, as in the case of the first modification described above, the environment-compatible modes and the non-environment-compatible modes are grouped together, so that the driver can easily grasp the switching between the environment-compatible modes, the switching between the non-environment-compatible modes, and the switching between the environment-compatible mode and the non-environment-compatible mode based on the operating feeling of the lamp switch portion 12 in the column lever 10.

[0051] Also, in the arrangement of the four irradiation modes, since the initial states of the irradiation ranges of the headlamp 5 are, in order from the top, initial H, initial L, initial L, and light-off, when switching from the A-Hi mode to the light-off mode, the irradiation range of the headlamp 5 is likely to decrease step by step. That is, in the third modification, the irradiation mode arrangement is such that the illuminance of the headlamp 5 in the initial state of the irradiation range in the environment-compatible mode and the illuminance of the headlamp 5 in the non-environment-compatible mode decrease in order. Thereby, it becomes possible to switch to the light-off state while narrowing the irradiation range of the lit headlamp 5 in accordance with the intention of the driver who wants to turn off the headlamp 5.

[0052] FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of the tip side portion of the column lever 10 in the fourth modification as viewed from the inside of the vehicle cabin. In FIG. 8, the difference in the configuration of the column lever 10 in the fourth modification from the configuration of the above-described embodiment is that among the four mode identifiers Im41 to Im44 arranged in one direction on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 13 of the column lever 10, the first mode identifier Im41 arranged at the top corresponds to the "A-Hi mode", the second mode identifier Im42 arranged second from the top corresponds to the "manual operation mode", the third mode identifier Im43 arranged third from the top corresponds to the "lamp-off mode", and the fourth mode identifier Im44 arranged fourth from the top corresponds to the "automatic on / off lamp mode". The configuration of the fourth modification other than the above is the same as the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0053] In the column lever 10 of the fourth modification, the mode identifiers Im41 and Im44 corresponding to the environmental compatibility mode are arranged at both ends in one direction. As a result, the environmental compatibility mode can be selected by rotating the lamp switch portion 12 to the uppermost or lowermost position, so that the environmental compatibility mode can be easily selected based on the operation feeling of the lamp switch portion 12.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen of the touch display in the fifth modification. The fifth modification example is an example in which the selection of the irradiation mode, which was performed by the rotation operation of the lamp switch unit 12 in the above-described embodiment, can also be operated on the screen of the monitor device mounted on the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 9, a mode selection unit 31 (broken line) for performing a selection operation of the irradiation mode is formed on the touch display 30 of the monitor device. In the mode selection unit 31, four mode identifiers Im corresponding to each of the four irradiation modes are arranged and displayed in a column in the vertical direction of the mode selection unit 31. Here, the first mode identifier Im51 displayed at the top corresponds to the "A-Hi mode", the second mode identifier Im52 displayed second from the top corresponds to the "automatic on / off mode", the third mode identifier Im53 displayed third from the top corresponds to the "off mode", and the fourth mode identifier Im54 displayed fourth from the top corresponds to the "manual operation mode". The arrangement of these irradiation modes is the same as in the case of the first modification example shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0055] A cursor C is displayed on the sides of the first to fourth mode identifiers Im51 to Im54 within the mode selection unit 31. This cursor C can be moved in the vertical direction of the mode selection unit 31 by a touch operation by an occupant of the vehicle 1. In the mode selection unit 31, when the position of the cursor C is aligned with any of the positions of the first to fourth mode identifiers Im51 to Im54, the irradiation mode corresponding to the mode identifier can be selected. The mode selection unit 31 is configured to select only one irradiation mode at a time from the four irradiation modes by the movement operation of the cursor C. In addition to the touch operation, the movement of the cursor C may also be operated using a movement key (not shown) provided on the monitor device or the steering wheel, voice recognition, etc. Further, the mode selection unit 31 can also be displayed on the touch display of a smartphone or the like held by the occupant.

[0056] In the above fifth modification example, when the cursor C is moved to switch the selected irradiation mode, an operation sound for notifying the driver of this is output from an in-vehicle speaker or the like. This operation sound is set such that the volume or frequency when switching between the environmental compatibility mode and the non-environmental compatibility mode is different from the volume or frequency when switching between the environmental compatibility modes or between the non-environmental compatibility modes. Thereby, the driver can grasp the switching of the irradiation mode based on the feeling of the touch operation including the operation sound without having to stare at the mode selection unit 31.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen of the touch display in the sixth modification example. In the sixth modification example, within the mode selection unit 32 formed on the touch display 30, the first to fourth mode identifiers Im61 to Im64 are formed as touch buttons and are arranged and displayed in the vertical and horizontal directions. Here, the first mode identifier Im61 displayed in the upper left corresponds to the "A-Hi mode", the second mode identifier Im62 displayed in the upper right corresponds to the "automatic light-off mode", the third mode identifier Im63 displayed in the lower left corresponds to the "manual operation mode", and the fourth mode identifier Im64 displayed in the lower right corresponds to the "light-off mode". The first to fourth mode identifiers Im61 to Im64 (touch buttons) are configured such that only one mode identifier can be selected at a time. Thereby, it becomes easier for the driver to grasp the selected irradiation mode based on the operation feeling of the mode selection unit 32.

[0058] In the above fifth and sixth modification examples, a configuration has been described in which a plurality of mode identifiers are displayed on the mode selection screen on the touch display 30 and they are selectively selected. However, it is also possible to display one mode identifier on the mode selection screen and perform a swipe operation on the screen as an operation for mode selection, and display and select other mode identifiers by screen transition to select a plurality of irradiation modes.

[0059] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention and the related modifications have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the irradiation modes of the headlamp 5, two environment-adaptive modes and two non-environment-adaptive modes are set. However, three or more environment-adaptive modes may be set. It is also possible to omit the non-environment-adaptive mode, and one or three or more non-environment-adaptive modes may be set.

[0060] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the headlamp 5 is turned on when the automatic irradiation range change mode is selected has been described. However, an automatic on / off function corresponding to the automatic on / off mode may be incorporated in the automatic irradiation range change mode. Further, in the automatic irradiation range change mode, an example has been shown in which the high beam or low beam of the headlamp 5 is automatically switched according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 and the irradiation distance is changed. However, in addition to the above, for example, it is also possible to detect a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle ahead and partially dim only the area of the vehicle in the irradiation range of the high beam so as not to cause glare, or to change the irradiation range in the vehicle width direction, and set it as an automatic irradiation range change mode.

[0061] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the mode identifiers Im1 to Im4 are arranged in one direction along the rotation direction of the lamp switch unit 12, and in the fifth modification example, the case where the mode identifiers Im51 to Im54 are arranged in the vertical direction of the mode selection unit 31 has been described. However, the arrangement direction of the plurality of mode identifiers is not limited to these, and any one direction is possible. For example, the arrangement direction of the plurality of mode identifiers may be the circumferential direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). In this case, the plurality of mode identifiers are arranged in one direction along a circle or an arc of an ellipse, and the mode selection operation is performed along the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1... Vehicle 2... Steering wheel 3…Steering column 4…Environmental sensor 5…Headlight 6…Tail light 10…Column lever (switch part) 11…Support part 12…Lamp switch part 13…Main body part 20…Light control system 21…Controller 30…Touch display 31, 32…Mode selection part C…Cursor Im…Mode identifier (environmental compliance identifier, non-environmental compliance identifier) Is…Selection identifier

Claims

1. In a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used for a vehicle, the irradiation mode includes a plurality of environment-adaptive modes that change the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, the mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to select only one environment-adaptive mode at a time from among the plurality of environment-adaptive modes, wherein the plurality of environment-adaptive modes include two or more environment-adaptive modes in which initial states of irradiation ranges set for the headlamp are different from each other. A mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized by this.

2. In a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used for a vehicle, the irradiation mode includes a plurality of environment-adaptive modes that change the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and two non-environment-adaptive modes that do not change the irradiation state, the mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to select only one mode at a time from among the plurality of environment-adaptive modes and the two non-environment-adaptive modes, the switch unit has a plurality of environment-adaptive identifiers corresponding to each of the plurality of environment-adaptive modes and two non-environment-adaptive identifiers corresponding to the two non-environment-adaptive modes arranged in one direction, and a switch operation for selecting one from among the plurality of environment-adaptive identifiers and the two non-environment-adaptive identifiers is configured to be performed along the one direction or the reverse direction thereof, and the plurality of environment-adaptive identifiers are arranged so as to be continuous between the two non-environment-adaptive identifiers. A mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized by this.

3. In a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used for a vehicle, the irradiation mode includes a plurality of environment-adaptive modes that change the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and two non-environment-adaptive modes that do not change the irradiation state, the mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to select only one mode at a time from among the plurality of environment-adaptive modes and the two non-environment-adaptive modes, the plurality of environment-adaptive modes are an automatic irradiation range change mode for changing the irradiation range of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and an automatic lighting and extinguishing mode for turning on or off the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and the two non-environment-adaptive modes are A manual operation mode in which part or all of the headlamp is turned on and the irradiation range of the headlamp can be changed by an operation different from an operation of selecting only one mode by the switch unit, A light-off mode in which part or all of the headlamp is turned off, and The switch unit is configured such that a non-environment-compliant identifier corresponding to the manual operation mode, an environment-compliant identifier corresponding to the automatic irradiation range change mode, an environment-compliant identifier corresponding to the automatic lighting and extinguishing mode, and a non-environment-compliant identifier corresponding to the light-off mode are arranged in one direction in this order, and a switch operation of selecting one from among these environment-compliant identifiers and non-environment-compliant identifiers is performed along the one direction or the reverse direction thereof. A mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized in that.

4. In the automatic irradiation range change mode, the irradiation range of the headlamp is set to an initial state, and when the surrounding environment of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined irradiation range change condition, the irradiation range of the headlamp is changed to a range wider than the initial state. The irradiation range of the headlamp in the automatic lighting and extinguishing mode is set to the initial state. The vehicle headlamp mode selection device according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. In a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used in a vehicle, The irradiation mode includes a plurality of environment-compliant modes in which the irradiation state of the headlamp is changed according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and two non-environment-compliant modes in which the irradiation state is not changed. The mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to simultaneously select only one mode from among the plurality of environment-compliant modes and the two non-environment-compliant modes. The switch unit has a plurality of environmental compatibility identifiers corresponding to each of the plurality of environmental compatibility modes and two non-environmental compatibility identifiers corresponding to the two non-environmental compatibility modes, respectively, arranged in one direction. A switch operation for selecting one from the plurality of environmental compatibility identifiers and the two non-environmental compatibility identifiers is configured to be performed along the one direction or the reverse direction thereof. Further, the illuminance of the headlamp in the initial state of the irradiation range set for the headlamp in each of the plurality of environmental compatibility modes and the illuminance of the headlamp in the two non-environmental compatibility modes are arranged in order of increasing or decreasing. The arrangement order of the plurality of environmental compatibility identifiers and the two non-environmental compatibility identifiers is determined. A mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized in that.

6. In a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used in a vehicle, The irradiation mode includes a plurality of environmental compatibility modes that change the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and two non-environmental compatibility modes that do not change the irradiation state. The mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to select only one mode at a time from the plurality of environmental compatibility modes and the two non-environmental compatibility modes. The switch unit has a plurality of environmental compatibility identifiers corresponding to each of the plurality of environmental compatibility modes and two non-environmental compatibility identifiers corresponding to the two non-environmental compatibility modes, respectively, arranged in one direction. A switch operation for selecting one from the plurality of environmental compatibility identifiers and the two non-environmental compatibility identifiers is configured to be performed along the one direction or the reverse direction thereof. Further, a physical quantity corresponding to a switch operation for changing the selection from one environmental compatibility identifier among the plurality of environmental compatibility identifiers to another environmental compatibility identifier and a physical quantity corresponding to a switch operation for changing the selection from one non-environmental compatibility identifier among the two non-environmental compatibility identifiers to the one environmental compatibility identifier are different. A mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized in that.

7. In a mode selection device for selecting an irradiation mode of a headlamp used in a vehicle, The irradiation mode includes a plurality of environmental compatibility modes that change the irradiation state of the headlamp according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and two non-environmental compatibility modes that do not change the irradiation state. The mode selection device includes a switch unit configured to simultaneously select only one mode from the plurality of environment-adaptive modes and the two non-environment-adaptive modes. The switch unit has a plurality of environment-adaptive identifiers corresponding to each of the plurality of environment-adaptive modes and two non-environment-adaptive identifiers corresponding to the two non-environment-adaptive modes arranged in one direction. A switch operation for selecting one from the plurality of environment-adaptive identifiers and the two non-environment-adaptive identifiers is configured to be performed along the one direction or the reverse direction thereof. Also, a physical quantity corresponding to a switch operation for changing the selection from one environment-adaptive identifier among the plurality of environment-adaptive identifiers to another environment-adaptive identifier is different from a physical quantity corresponding to a switch operation for changing the selection from the one environment-adaptive identifier to one non-environment-adaptive identifier among the two non-environment-adaptive identifiers. A mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp, characterized in that. **Claim 8**: The mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the switch unit is a lamp switch unit capable of selecting an irradiation mode of the headlamp by a rotation operation. **Claim 9**: The mode selection device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the switch unit is a mode selection unit capable of selecting an irradiation mode of the headlamp by a touch operation.

Images