IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,199,573
Granted Patent B2
US 9,199,573 · App. 14/234,484 · Granted Dec 1, 2015

Vehicle light distribution control device and vehicle light distribution control method

Inventors: Sho Masuda (Toyota, JP); Kazuhiko Nakashima (Miyoshi, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60Q1/08B60Q1/1423B60Q2300/146
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,199,573
App. No.
14/234,484
Granted
Dec 1, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

When occurrence of a failure associated with light distribution control has been detected during high beam irradiation, a low beam irradiation direction is changed upward and then the high beam irradiation is stopped, and subsequently the low beam irradiation direction is gradually returned downward. The time during high beam irradiation includes the time during which variable high beam light distribution control in which part of high beam light is shielded by a shade is being executed.

Claims (22)

1. A vehicle light distribution control device comprising:

an electronic control unit configured to:

(a) detect occurrence of a failure associated with light distribution control during high beam irradiation,

(b) change a low beam irradiation direction upward when detecting the occurrence of the failure,

(c) stop the high beam irradiation after changing the low beam irradiation direction upward, and

(d) gradually return the low beam irradiation direction downward after stopping the high beam irradiation.

2. The vehicle light distribution control device according to claim 1 , wherein the time during the high beam irradiation includes the time during which variable high beam light distribution control in which part of high beam light is shielded by a shade is being executed.

3. A vehicle light distribution control device comprising:

an illumination device configured to irradiate illumination light toward a front of a vehicle, that is controlled such that a light distribution pattern is changed at least between a high beam pattern and a low beam pattern, and that is controlled such that an optical axis direction varies in a substantially vertical direction; and

an electronic control unit configured to control the illumination device,

wherein the electronic control unit is configured to:

(a) detect occurrence of a failure associated with light distribution control during high beam irradiation,

(b) change a low beam irradiation direction upward when detecting the occurrence of the failure,

(c) stop the high beam irradiation after changing the low beam irradiation direction upward, and

(d) gradually returns the low beam irradiation direction downward after stopping the high beam irradiation.

4. A vehicle light distribution control method comprising:

detecting occurrence of a failure associated with light distribution control during high beam irradiation;

when occurrence of the failure has been detected, changing a low beam irradiation direction upward;

stopping the high beam irradiation after changing the low beam irradiation direction upward; and

gradually returning the low beam irradiation direction downward after stopping the high beam irradiation.

5. The vehicle light distribution control method according to claim 4 , further comprising:

when the detected failure is continuously occurring, maintaining the low beam irradiation direction in a normal direction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2014
From: MASUDA, SHO; NAKASHIMA, KAZUHIKO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 032658/0725 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-162355 · Jul 25, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140232265A1 · Aug 21, 2014