JP2012144165A - Dimming control system - Google Patents

Abstract

A dimming control system that automatically adjusts the illuminance of a lighting device according to the use environment of the lighting device provided in a room is provided.
A first sensor for detecting first light outside the vehicle, a second sensor for detecting second light incident on a lighting device, and a third for directly illuminating a driver through a windshield. Control for changing the illuminance of the illuminating devices 98 and 40 by determining the use environment, and the third sensor 23 for detecting the light of the illuminating device and reference information for obtaining the illuminance corresponding to the operating environment of the illuminating devices 98 and 40. The control device 10 includes the first light information from the first sensor 21, the second light information from the second sensor 22, and the third light information from the third sensor 23. The use environment is determined based on the lamp switch information of the head lamp switch ON or OFF, and the illuminance of the lighting devices 98 and 40 is changed based on the reference information corresponding to the use environment.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device for a meter device provided in a vehicle interior, a lighting device for a display of a car navigation system, and a lighting device for lighting a switch button (hereinafter collectively referred to as a lighting device). In particular, the present invention relates to a dimming control system that automatically adjusts the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with the usage environment of the lighting device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device that automatically turns on or off a headlamp according to the brightness outside the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an autolight system) is known. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional auto light system 200, and the auto light system 200 includes an external light sensor 210 and a control unit 220.

  The outside light sensor 210 detects light outside the vehicle. The controller 220 determines the brightness outside the vehicle according to the amount of light outside the vehicle detected by the outside light sensor 210, and turns on the headlamp when it is dark. A headlamp device 300 is connected to the controller 220.

  The automatic lighting of the headlamp (hereinafter, this function is referred to as “auto light”) means that when the driver activates the auto light system 200, for example, an operation knob for selecting the state of the head lamp provided in the driver's seat is set to auto. It functions in a state where the light system is set to be valid (hereinafter referred to as an auto light switch being in an ON state).

  Furthermore, in recent years, the brightness of lighting devices provided in the vehicle interior, for example, lighting devices for meter devices, lighting devices for displays of car navigation systems, and lighting devices that turn on switch buttons in conjunction with automatic lighting of headlamps has been increased. There is also known a brightness control system that improves visibility by changing.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining functions of a conventional brightness control system 400. The brightness control system 400 includes a control unit 410, and information on the headlamp switch 510 and information on the auto light switch 520 are input to the control unit 410. When any of the following conditions (A1) and (A2) is satisfied, the control unit 410 changes the illumination device 540 provided in the vehicle compartment, for example, a meter device or an illumination device 540 for a display of a car navigation system, to the illumination for nighttime. For example, the lighting device 550 for turning on an operation button of an air conditioner system or an audio system provided on the instrument panel is switched to an ON state to cause the light source to emit light.
(A1) The headlamp switch 510 is ON, that is, the headlamp is lit.
(A2) The auto light switch 520 is ON, that is, the auto light system is activated.

  In the conventional brightness control system 400, as shown in FIG. 10, when neither the headlamp switch 510 nor the auto light switch 520 is selected, that is, when each switch is OFF, the control unit 410 includes a meter device or a display. The illumination device 540 is set to daytime illuminance, and the illumination device 550 of the operation button of the air conditioner system or the audio system is turned off. Note that the illuminance for daytime of the lighting device 540 is set higher than that for nighttime.

JP 2007-328964 A

  However, in the conventional brightness control system 400, the display and the instrument display surface may be difficult to see due to sunlight that directly enters the eyes of the driver during daytime driving, sunlight that directly illuminates the display of the navigation system, and the instrument display surface of the meter device. possible. Also, it may be difficult to see even during night driving due to the brightness outside the vehicle. In order to improve the visibility of the display or instrument display surface, for example, the driver needs to change the illuminance by operating a manual light control device 580 provided on the display or instrument display surface, for example, an adjustment knob or a touch display. This setting operation needs to be appropriately performed according to the environment outside the vehicle.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing the screen illuminance according to a change in brightness outside the vehicle. However, as in the conventional brightness control system shown in FIG. 9, the technology of Patent Document 1 is a navigation system display and meter display of a meter device by sunlight that directly enters the eyes of the driver and sunlight that directly illuminates the instrument display surface. There is a problem that the surface is difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional technique, and provides a dimming control system that automatically adjusts the illuminance of the lighting device in accordance with the use environment of the lighting device provided indoors. It is the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a dimming control system that changes the illuminance of an illumination device provided in a vehicle interior, the first sensor for detecting first light outside the vehicle, and the illumination device Reference information for determining the illuminance corresponding to the usage environment of the lighting device, the second sensor for detecting the second light incident on the light, the third sensor for detecting the third light for illuminating the driver through the windshield A control device that determines the use environment and changes the illuminance of the lighting device, the control device including information on the first light from the first sensor and the second light from the second sensor. The use environment is determined based on the information, the third light information from the third sensor, and the lamp switch information of the headlamp switch ON or OFF, and the illuminance of the lighting device is determined based on the reference information corresponding to the use environment. Characterized by changing To have.

  In the dimming control system of the present invention, it is preferable that the usage environment is divided into a plurality of environmental categories and managed, reference information is set for each environmental category, and the control device has any of the environmental categories. The illuminance of the lighting device is changed based on the reference information corresponding to the determined environmental category.

  In the dimming control system of the present invention, preferably, the first light is divided into a plurality of first categories and managed, the second light is divided into a plurality of second categories and managed, and the third light Are managed by being divided into a plurality of third categories, and the environmental category is any combination of one of the first category, one of the second category, one of the third category, and the ON state and OFF state of the headlamp switch. The control device determines whether the first light falls into one of the first categories based on the information on the first light from the first sensor, and then determines the second light from the second sensor. The second light falls into any of the second categories based on the information of the third light, and the third light falls into any of the third categories based on the third light information from the third sensor Judgment , To determine the state of ON or OFF of the headlamp on the basis of the lamp switch information, wherein the use environment to determine whether corresponds to one of a plurality of environments categories.

In the dimming control system of the present invention, preferably, the first category is divided into the following four categories (B1) to (B4), and the second category is divided into the following five categories (C1) to (C5). The third category is divided into the following five categories (D1) to (D5), and the environmental category is divided into the following eight categories (S1) to (S8). ) To (B4), (C1) to (C5), (D1) to (D5) based on the lamp switch information and the environmental categories (S1) to (S8) are determined, and the illuminance of the lighting device is It is set to any one of (T1) to (T5).
(B1) The illuminance X1 of the first light is 0 ≦ X1 ≦ v1.
(B2) The illuminance X1 of the first light is v1 <X1 ≦ v2.
(B3) The illuminance X1 of the first light is v2 <X1 ≦ v3.
(B4) The illuminance X1 of the first light is v3 <X1.
(C1) The illuminance X2 of the second light is 0 ≦ X2 ≦ v4.
(C2) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v4 <X2 ≦ v5.
(C3) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v5 <X2 ≦ v6.
(C4) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v6 <X2 ≦ v7.
(C5) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v7 <X2.
(D1) The illuminance X3 of the third light is 0 ≦ X3 ≦ v8.
(D2) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v8 <X3 ≦ v9.
(D3) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v9 <X3 ≦ v10.
(D4) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v10 <X3 ≦ v11.
(D5) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v11 <X3.
(S1) The first light is B4, the second light is C3, the third light is D3, and the headlamp switch is OFF.
(S2) The first light is B4, the second light is C5, the third light is D3, and the headlamp switch is OFF.
(S3) The first light is B4, the second light is C3, the third light is D5, and the headlamp switch is OFF.
(S4) The first light is B3, the second light is C2, the third light is D2, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S5) The first light is B3, the second light is C4, the third light is D1, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S6) The first light is B3, the second light is C1, the third light is D4, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S7) The first light is B2, the second light is C1, the third light is D1, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S8) The first light is B1, the second light is C1, the third light is D1, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(T1) When the environmental category is S8, the illuminance Z is set in a range of 0 ≦ Z ≦ L1.
(T2) When the environmental category is S7, the illuminance Z is set in a range of L1 ≦ Z ≦ L2.
(T3) When the environmental category is S4, the illuminance Z is set in a range of L2 ≦ Z ≦ L3.
(T4) When the environmental category is S1, the illuminance Z is set in a range of L3 ≦ Z ≦ L4.
(T5) When the environmental category is S2, S3, S5, S6, the illuminance Z is set to a range of Z = L5 (> L4).

  In the dimming control system of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device changes the illuminance of the illumination device of the operation button provided in the vehicle interior according to the use environment.

  In the dimming control system of the present invention, preferably, the control device changes the illuminance of the tail lamp according to the use environment.

  According to the present invention, the usage environment of a lighting device such as a meter lighting device or a display lighting device provided in a vehicle interior is determined, and the illuminance of the lighting device automatically changes according to the usage environment. The illuminance of the lighting device is adjusted not only when the outside of the vehicle is bright, but also corresponding to direct light and backlight. Therefore, the visibility of illumination devices such as a meter illumination device and a display illumination device is improved.

It is a block diagram of the light control system for the illuminating device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of a control device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the category of the external light evaluated by the external light evaluation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the category of the direct light evaluated by the direct light evaluation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the category of the backlight evaluated by the backlight evaluation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the use environment evaluated in the use environment judgment part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the illumination intensity of a meter apparatus and a display illuminating device. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the use environment evaluated by the use environment judgment part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the illumination intensity of a switch illuminating device. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional auto light system. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of the conventional luminance control system. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of the conventional luminance control system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dimming control system (hereinafter referred to as a dimming control system) 1 for a lighting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dimming control system 1 includes a control device 10, an external light sensor 21, a direct light sensor 22, and a backlight sensor 23. As shown in the figure, the control device 10 is connected to a meter illumination device 30, a navigation system display illumination device (hereinafter referred to as a display illumination device) 40, switch illumination devices 51 and 52, and a headlamp switch device 60. It has been. In FIG. 1, a front window glass 91, a roof 92, an instrument panel 93, a seat cushion 94 constituting a driver seat, a seat back 95, a headrest 96, a handle 97, a meter device 98, and a transparent cover 98A thereof are shown by a two-dot chain line. Schematic representation.

  The meter illumination device 30 is a light source of the meter device 98 installed on the instrument panel 93, for example, a light source of a light emitting needle of an analog meter, a backlight of a liquid crystal display device, a light source of a digital display device, and corresponds to a lamp or LED. To do. The light source (not shown) of the meter illumination device 30 is configured to have variable illuminance. The meter device 98 includes a speedometer, an odometer unit, a water temperature meter and the like which are not shown.

  The display illumination device 40 is configured as a display device of a car navigation system, for example, a backlight of a liquid crystal display device. The backlight has a variable illuminance.

  The switch illumination devices 51 and 52 are light sources for illuminating operation buttons (not shown) provided on the instrument panel 93 for operating an air conditioner system or an audio system provided on the vehicle, for example, the button surface from the inside of the operation buttons. It is a light source such as a lamp or LED that illuminates the mark. In the illustrated example, two switch illumination devices 51 and 52 are drawn, but the number of switch illumination devices is not limited to this. Further, the use of the switch lighting device is not limited to an air conditioner system or an audio system. For example, it may be a side step lighting, a door mirror retracting switch, a leveling switch, an ignition switch, a switch for starting a vehicle stability control system for suppressing side slip, a switch for switching between front wheel driving and four wheel driving.

  The headlamp switch device 60 is a device that switches an ON or OFF state of a headlamp (not shown). For example, the headlamp switch device 60 is provided on an operation knob (not shown) beside the handle 97. By operating this operation knob, the headlamp can be turned on.

  The control device 10 dims the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51, 52 according to the environment in which the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51, 52 are used. In order to acquire information on the environment in which these lighting devices are used, the dimming control system 1 of the present embodiment includes an external light sensor 21 as a first sensor, a direct light sensor 22 as a second sensor, And a backlight sensor 23 as three sensors.

  The external light sensor 21 detects light outside the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as external light) as the first light. An illuminance sensor can be used as the external light sensor 21, and the illuminance sensor includes a photodiode. The signal detected by the external light sensor 21 is transmitted to the control device 10 as a current value or a voltage value. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the outside light sensor 21 is disposed on the lower side of the front window glass 91 and on an upper portion 93 </ b> A of the instrument panel 93 that is illuminated by outside light. In the present embodiment, an external light sensor 21 having sensitivity characteristics in the visible light region is used so as to approximate human vision.

  The direct light sensor 22 detects light as second light incident on the meter device 98 (hereinafter referred to as direct light). The direct light sensor 22 can also use an illuminance sensor in the same manner as the external light sensor 21. A signal detected by the direct light sensor 22 is transmitted to the control device 10 as a current value or a voltage value. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the direct light sensor 22 is provided between the transparent cover 98A of the meter device 98, that is, between the transparent cover 98A and a display surface (not shown) such as a meter value installed on the back side. The light passing through the transparent cover 98A is detected. In the present embodiment, a direct light sensor having a sensitivity characteristic in the visible light region is used so as to approximate human vision.

  The backlight sensor 23 detects light as third light that directly illuminates the driver through the front window glass 91 (hereinafter referred to as backlight), that is, light that is directly incident on the eyes of the driver. In other words, the backlight sensor 23 detects the glare that the driver feels due to the light incident through the front window glass 91. The backlight sensor 23 can also use an illuminance sensor like the outside light sensor 21 and the direct light sensor 22. A signal detected by the backlight sensor 23 is transmitted to the control device 10 as a current value or a voltage value. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the backlight sensor 23 is provided on the headrest 23 of the driver seat, and is configured to detect light from the front, that is, light through the front window glass 91. The backlight sensor 23 is installed on the headrest 96 so that the front window glass 91 can be faced without being hidden behind the driver's head.

  Based on the information from the external light sensor 21, the direct light sensor 22 and the backlight sensor 23, and the information from the headlamp switch device 60, the control device 10 performs the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination. The devices 51 and 52 are dimmed.

  In order to adjust the illuminance of the lighting device, the control device 10 determines the usage environment of the lighting device, and changes the illuminance of the lighting device according to the determination result. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the control device 10 includes an input interface unit (hereinafter referred to as an input I / F) 110, an arithmetic processing unit 120, a storage unit 130, and an output interface unit (hereinafter referred to as an output). I / F.) 140.

  The input I / F 110 includes information on the environment in which the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 are used, that is, detection signals from the external light sensor 21, direct light sensor 22, and backlight sensor 23, and signals from the headlamp switch device 60. Is output to the arithmetic processing unit 120.

  The arithmetic processing unit 120 includes an external light evaluation unit 121 that evaluates the brightness of external light, a direct light evaluation unit 122 that evaluates the brightness of direct light, a backlight evaluation unit 123 that evaluates the brightness of backlight, and a head. A switch determination unit 124 that determines the ON / OFF state of the lamp switch, a use environment determination unit 125 that determines an environment in which the illumination device is used, and a meter illumination device 30 and a display illumination device 40 according to the environment in which the illumination device is used. And a change unit 126 that changes the illuminance of the switch illumination devices 51 and 52.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the external light evaluation unit 121 evaluates whether the brightness X1 [lx] of external light corresponds to one of the four categories B1 to B4 in the present embodiment.

  Category B1 indicates a state in which the outside of the vehicle is completely dark, and this applies to a case where the brightness X1 [lx] detected by the outside light sensor 21 is equal to or less than v1 [lx]. Category B2 indicates a state in which the outside of the vehicle is dark but not completely dark. This applies to a case where the brightness X1 [lx] detected by the outside light sensor 21 is greater than v1 [lx] and less than v2 [lx]. Category B3 indicates a state in which the outside of the vehicle is slightly dark. This applies to the case where the brightness X1 [lx] detected by the external light sensor 21 is greater than v2 [lx] and less than or equal to v3 [lx]. Category B4 indicates a normally bright state, which is intended for the case where the brightness X1 [lx] detected by the external light sensor 21 is greater than v3 [lx].

  These pieces of information v1 to v3 are stored in the storage unit 130 as reference values for external light evaluation. In this embodiment, for example, v1 is set to 1 [lx], v2 is set to 50 [lx], and v3 is set to 200 [lx].

  The external light evaluation unit 121 converts a signal received from the external light sensor 21, that is, a current value or a voltage value, into brightness X1 [lx], and the detected brightness X1 [lx] is stored in the storage unit 130. The category B1 to B4 to which the detected external light belongs are determined by comparing with the reference value [lx] for external light evaluation.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the direct light evaluation unit 122 evaluates whether the direct light brightness X2 [lx] corresponds to one of the five categories C1 to C5 in this embodiment.

  Category C1 indicates a state in which the direct light is dark, and this applies to a case where the brightness X2 [lx] detected by the direct light sensor 22 is equal to or less than v4 [lx]. Category C2 indicates a state in which the direct light is a little dark. This applies to the case where the brightness X2 [lx] detected by the direct light sensor 22 is greater than v4 [lx] and less than or equal to v5 [lx]. Category C3 indicates a state in which the direct light is normally bright, and this applies to a case where the brightness X2 [lx] detected by the direct light sensor 22 is greater than v5 [lx] and less than or equal to v6 [lx]. Category C4 indicates a state in which the direct light is bright, and this applies to a case where the brightness X2 [lx] detected by the direct light sensor 22 is greater than v6 [lx] and less than or equal to v7 [lx]. Category C5 indicates a state in which the direct light is very bright, and this is for a case where the brightness X2 [lx] detected by the direct light sensor 22 is larger than v7 [lx].

  These pieces of information of v4 to v7 are stored in the storage unit 130 as reference values for direct light evaluation. In this embodiment, for example, v4 is set to 200 [lx], v5 is set to 500 [lx], v6 is set to 1000 [lx], and v7 is set to 2000 [lx].

  The direct light evaluation unit 122 converts a signal received from the direct light sensor 22, that is, a current value or a voltage value into brightness X 2 [lx], and the detected brightness X 2 [lx] is stored in the storage unit 130. The category C1-C5 to which the detected direct light belongs is determined by comparing with the reference value [lx] for direct light evaluation.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the backlight evaluation unit 123 evaluates whether the backlight brightness X3 [lx] corresponds to one of the five categories D1 to D5.

  Category D1 indicates a state in which the backlight is dark, and this applies to the case where the brightness X3 [lx] detected by the backlight sensor 23 is equal to or lower than v8 [lx]. Category D2 indicates a state in which the backlight is slightly dark, and this is for the case where the brightness X3 [lx] detected by the backlight sensor 23 is greater than v8 [lx] and less than v9 [lx]. Category D3 indicates a state in which the backlight is normally bright, and this is for the case where the brightness X3 [lx] detected by the backlight sensor 23 is greater than v9 [lx] and less than or equal to v10 [lx]. Category D4 indicates a state in which the backlight is bright, and this is for a case where the brightness X3 [lx] detected by the backlight sensor 23 is greater than v10 [lx] and less than or equal to v11 [lx]. Category D5 indicates a state in which the backlight is very bright, and this is for the case where the brightness X3 [lx] detected by the backlight sensor 23 is greater than v11 [lx].

  These pieces of information of v8 to v11 are stored in the storage unit 130 as reference values for backlight evaluation. In the present embodiment, for example, v8 is set to 400 [lx], v9 is set to 800 [lx], v10 is set to 2000 [lx], and v11 is set to 4000 [lx].

  The backlight evaluation unit 123 converts the signal received from the backlight sensor 23, that is, the current value or voltage value into brightness X3 [lx], and the detected brightness X3 [lx] is stored in the storage unit 130. By comparing with the reference value [lx] for evaluation, the categories D1 to D5 to which the detected backlight belongs are determined.

  The switch determination unit 124 determines the state of the headlamp, that is, whether the switch is on to turn on the headlamp, or whether the switch is off to prevent lighting. The switch determination unit 124 determines the state of the switch based on a signal from the headlamp switch device 60.

  The use environment determination unit 125 is based on input information from each sensor and switch, that is, each detection signal of the external light sensor 21, direct light sensor 22, and backlight sensor 23 and a signal indicating the ON or OFF state of the headlamp switch. Determine the usage environment. For example, the state of the external light evaluated by the external light evaluation unit 121, the state of the direct light evaluated by the direct light evaluation unit 122, the state of the backlight evaluated by the backlight evaluation unit 123, and the state of the headlamp switch, To determine the usage environment. Specifically, the use environment determination unit 125 includes the category information determined by the external light evaluation unit 121, the category information determined by the direct light evaluation unit 122, and the category information determined by the backlight evaluation unit 123. The use environment is determined based on the information and the switch state information from the switch determination unit 124.

The use environment determination unit 125 determines whether the use environment corresponds to one of the eight categories S1 to S8 as shown in Table 1.

  Table 1 shows the relationship between the input information from each sensor and switch and the state of the usage environment. Further, B1 to B4 in Table 1 correspond to the above-mentioned categories B1 to B4, C1 to C5 correspond to the above categories C1 to C5, D1 to D5 correspond to the above categories D1 to D5, and ON is The headlamp switch is ON, and OFF indicates the switch OFF state.

  Category S1 shows a normal state in the daytime. The usage environment determination unit 125 has category S1 as the category to which the usage environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B4, the direct light belongs to category C3, the backlight belongs to category D3, and the headlamp switch is OFF. Judge that.

  Category S2 shows a state in which direct light during the daytime is dazzling. The use environment determination unit 125 includes category S2 when the ambient light belongs to category B4, direct light belongs to category C5, backlight belongs to category D3, and the headlamp switch is OFF. Judge that.

  Category S3 shows a state in which daylight backlight is dazzling. The use environment determination unit 125 has category S3 as the category to which the use environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B4, the direct light belongs to category C3, the backlight belongs to category D5, and the headlamp switch is OFF. Judge that.

  Category S4 shows a normal state at dusk. The use environment determination unit 125 has category S4 as the category to which the use environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B3, the direct light belongs to category C2, the backlight belongs to category D2, and the headlamp switch is ON. Judge that.

  Category S5 shows a state in which direct light at dusk is dazzling. The use environment determination unit 125 has category S5 as the category to which the use environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B3, the direct light belongs to category C4, the backlight belongs to category D1, and the headlamp switch is ON. Judge that.

  Category S6 shows a state where the backlight at dusk is dazzling. The use environment determination unit 125 has category S6 as the category to which the use environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B3, the direct light belongs to category C1, the backlight belongs to category D4, and the headlamp switch is ON. Judge that.

  Category S7 shows a slightly bright state at night. The use environment determination unit 125 has category S7 as the category to which the use environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B2, the direct light belongs to category C1, the backlight belongs to category D1, and the headlamp switch is ON. Judge that.

  Category S8 indicates a state in which the outside of the vehicle is dark at night. The use environment determination unit 125 has category S8 as the category to which the use environment belongs when the external light belongs to category B1, the direct light belongs to category C1, the backlight belongs to category D1, and the headlamp switch is ON. Judge that.

The changing unit 126 dims the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 based on the use environment determined by the use environment determination unit 125. Table 2 shows the relationship between the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 and the categories S1 to S8 of the usage environment. In Table 2, the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 are collectively referred to as a display system, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 are collectively referred to as a switch system.

  When the use environment determination unit 125 evaluates the classification of the use environment as category S1, the changing unit 126 sets the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 to the brightness for daylighting. Specifically, the illuminance range of L3 to L4 [lx] shown in FIG. 6 is assigned as illuminance for daylighting. For example, the illuminance is high in proportion to the brightness of external light detected by the external light sensor 21. It is controlled to become. For example, the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 is set steplessly within the illuminance range of L3 to L4 [lx] by linear interpolation.

  In the categories S2, S3, S5, and S6, the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 is set to MAX luminance [lx]. Specifically, L5 (> L4) shown in FIG. 5 is set as the MAX luminance.

  When the usage environment determination unit 125 evaluates the classification of the usage environment as category S4, the changing unit 126 sets the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 to “brighter at night illumination”. Specifically, the illuminance range of L2 to L3 [lx] shown in FIG. 6 is assigned as the illuminance of “brighter at night illumination”, and is proportional to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light sensor 21, for example. The illuminance is controlled to be high. For example, the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 is set in a stepless manner within an illuminance range of L2 to L3 [lx] by linear interpolation.

  When the usage environment determination unit 125 evaluates the classification of the usage environment as category S7, the change unit 126 sets the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 to “normal at night illumination”. Specifically, the illuminance range of L1 to L2 [lx] illustrated in FIG. 6 is assigned as the illuminance of “normal at night illumination”, and the illuminance is proportional to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light sensor 21. Is controlled to be high. For example, the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 is set steplessly within the illuminance range of L1 to L2 [lx] by linear interpolation.

  When the usage environment determination unit 125 evaluates the classification of the usage environment as category S8, the changing unit 126 sets the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 to “dark at night illumination”. Specifically, the illuminance range of 0 to L1 [lx] shown in FIG. 6 is assigned as the illuminance of “dark at night illumination”, and is proportional to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light sensor 21, for example. The illuminance is controlled to be high. For example, the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device 40 is set to 0 to L1 [lx] steplessly by linear interpolation.

The changing unit 126 sets the illuminance of the switch lighting devices 51 and 52 as described below according to the classification of the use environment (the above categories S1 to S8).
The illuminance of the switch lighting devices 51 and 52 is set for each of the categories S1 to S8. As shown in Table 2, the illuminance increases as the use environment changes from the category S8 to the category S4. Specifically, the brightness is set to increase stepwise toward “normal at night illumination” higher than the brightness of “dark at night illumination”. Furthermore, as shown in Table 2, as the state of the use environment changes from the category S4 to the category S1, the illuminance of the switch lighting devices 51 and 52 decreases. Specifically, the brightness is set to be lowered step by step toward “illumination OFF” lower than the brightness of “normal night illumination”, that is, toward brightness 0.

  In the category S7, the illuminance of the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is set to a range brighter than “darkening by night illumination”. Specifically, the illuminance range of L7 to L8 [lx] shown in FIG. 7 is assigned, and for example, the illuminance is controlled to increase in proportion to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light sensor 21. . For example, the illuminance of the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is set steplessly within the illuminance range of L7 to L8 [lx] by linear interpolation.

  In the category S8, the illuminance of the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is set to “darken by night illumination”. Specifically, an illuminance range of L6 to L7 [lx] shown in FIG. 7 is assigned, and the illuminance is controlled to increase in proportion to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light sensor 21. For example, the illuminance of the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is set steplessly within the illuminance range of L6 to L7 [lx] by linear interpolation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the changing unit 126 also controls the illuminance of the tail lamp (not shown). When the usage environment is in category S7 or category S8, the tail lamp is turned on. That is, the tail lamp emits light. In the categories S7 and S8, the illuminance of the tail lamp is assigned the range of L6 to L8 [lx] shown in FIG. 7 so that the illuminance increases in proportion to the brightness of the external light detected by the external light sensor 21. Controlled. For example, the illuminance of the tail lamp is set steplessly in the range of L6 to L8 [lx] by linear interpolation. It should be noted that the tail lamp is maintained in the OFF state except for the categories S7 and S8. That is, the tail lamp does not emit light.

  The output I / F 140 outputs a control signal from the changing unit 126 to the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, the switch illumination devices 51 and 52, and the tail lamp. In the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, the switch illumination devices 51 and 52, and the tail lamp, the light source emits light based on the control signal from the changing unit 126. Note that the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, the switch illumination devices 51 and 52, and the tail lamp include a device (not shown) for changing the illuminance based on a control signal from the changing unit 126.

  The external light evaluation unit 121, the direct light evaluation unit 122, the backlight evaluation unit 123, the switch determination unit 124, the use environment determination unit 125, and the change unit 125 that constitute the control device 10 are all stored in a CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is realized by executing a program stored in the unit 130. For example, the functions of the external light evaluation unit 121, the direct light evaluation unit 122, the backlight evaluation unit 123, the switch determination unit 124, the use environment determination unit 125, and the change unit 125 are software, or the external light evaluation unit 121 and the direct light evaluation unit 122, the backlight evaluation unit 123, the switch determination unit 124, the use environment determination unit 125, and the change unit 125 are configured as hardware. For example, it may be configured as a meter ETC for controlling the meter. Also, a plurality of ETCs arranged in a distributed manner cooperate with each function of the external light evaluation unit 121, direct light evaluation unit 122, backlight evaluation unit 123, switch determination unit 124, use environment determination unit 125, and change unit 125. And may be configured to exhibit. For example, some functions are executed by the meter ETC, and other functions are executed by the air conditioner ETC. The medium constituting the storage unit 130 that stores the program is not limited to a medium such as a magnetic recording device.

  In the dimming control system 1 configured as described above, the meter illumination device 30 and the display illumination device in the vehicle interior are managed by managing the amounts of external light, direct light, and backlight and the ON / OFF state of the headlamp switch. 40 and switch illumination devices 51 and 52 can be changed in illuminance. In particular, the control device 10 determines the usage environment of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 based on the amounts of external light, direct light, and backlight and the ON / OFF state of the headlamp switch. The illuminance of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is automatically changed according to the use environment. According to the dimming control system 1, the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 corresponding to direct light and backlight is adjusted not only when the outside of the vehicle is bright. Therefore, the visibility of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is improved.

  As described above in detail, the present invention can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The illuminance changing function of the tail lamp and the illuminance changing function of the switch lighting devices 51 and 52 may be omitted.
For example, in the above description, the configuration in which the illuminance of the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 is also changed according to the use environment has been described. It is not always necessary to link to changes.
Further, in the above description, the configuration in which the illuminance of the tail lamp is also changed according to the use environment, but the change of the illuminance of the tail lamp is changed to the illuminance of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52. It may not be interlocked.

  The numerical values of v1 to v11 in the above description are examples, and are not limited thereto.

The external light category is divided into four categories B1 to B4, the direct light category is divided into five categories C1 to C5, the backlight category is divided into five categories D1 to D5, and the environmental categories are S1 to S8. However, the number of divisions in each category is not limited to the above description. Moreover, the illumination intensity of the meter illumination device 30, the display illumination device 40, and the switch illumination devices 51 and 52 set for each environmental category is not limited to the above description.
The illumination device is not limited to the meter illumination device and the display illumination device. In this case, in the same manner as described above, the illuminance of another display illumination device or the like is adjusted by the control device in conjunction with the change of the illumination intensity of the meter illumination device in consideration of direct light entering the meter illumination device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dimming control system for illuminating devices 10 Control apparatus 110 Input interface part 120 Arithmetic processing part 121 Ambient light evaluation part 122 Direct light evaluation part 123 Backlight evaluation part 124 Switch judgment part 125 Use environment judgment part 126 Change part 130 Storage part 140 Output interface section 21 Ambient light sensor 22 Direct light sensor 23 Backlight sensor 30 Meter illumination device 40 Display illumination device 51, 52 Switch illumination device 91 Front window glass 92 Roof 93 Instrument panel 94 Seat cushion of driver seat 95 Seat back of driver seat 96 Headrest of driver seat 97 Handle 98 Meter device 98A Transparent cover of meter device

Claims (6)

A dimming control system that changes the illuminance of a lighting device provided in a vehicle interior,
A first sensor for detecting the first light outside the vehicle;
A second sensor for detecting second light incident on the illumination device;
A third sensor for detecting a third light that illuminates the driver through the front window glass;
Comprising reference information for determining the illuminance corresponding to the use environment of the lighting device, and comprising a control device for determining the use environment and changing the illuminance of the lighting device,
The control device includes the first light information from the first sensor, the second light information from the second sensor, the third light information from a third sensor, and a headlamp switch. A dimming control system characterized in that the use environment is determined based on the ON or OFF lamp switch information, and the illuminance of the lighting device is changed based on reference information corresponding to the use environment. The usage environment is managed by being divided into a plurality of environmental categories,
The reference information is set for each environmental category,
The control device determines whether the use environment corresponds to any one of the environmental categories, and changes the illuminance of the lighting device based on reference information corresponding to the determined environmental category. Dimming control system described in 1. The first light is managed by being divided into a plurality of first light categories,
The second light is managed by being divided into a plurality of second light categories,
The third light is divided into a plurality of third light categories and managed,
The environmental category is specified by any one of the first light category, the second light category, the third light category, and any combination of the ON state and the OFF state of the headlamp switch. ,
The controller is
Based on the first light information from the first sensor, determine whether the first light falls into any of the first light category,
Determining whether the second light falls into any of the second light categories based on the second light information from the second sensor;
Determining whether the third light falls into any of the third light categories based on the third light information from the third sensor;
Based on the lamp switch information, determine whether the headlamp is on or off,
The dimming control system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether the use environment corresponds to any one of the plurality of environment categories. The first light category is divided into the following four categories (B1) to (B4),
The second light category is divided into the following five categories (C1) to (C5),
The third light category is divided into the following five categories (D1) to (D5),
The environmental category is divided into the following eight categories (S1) to (S8),
The control device determines environmental categories (S1) to (S8) based on the above (B1) to (B4), (C1) to (C5), (D1) to (D5) and the lamp switch information. And the illumination intensity of the said illuminating device is set to either of the following (T1)-(T5), The light control system of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.
(B1) The illuminance X1 of the first light is 0 ≦ X1 ≦ v1.
(B2) The illuminance X1 of the first light is v1 <X1 ≦ v2.
(B3) The illuminance X1 of the first light is v2 <X1 ≦ v3.
(B4) The illuminance X1 of the first light is v3 <X1.
(C1) The illuminance X2 of the second light is 0 ≦ X2 ≦ v4.
(C2) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v4 <X2 ≦ v5.
(C3) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v5 <X2 ≦ v6.
(C4) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v6 <X2 ≦ v7.
(C5) The illuminance X2 of the second light is v7 <X2.
(D1) The illuminance X3 of the third light is 0 ≦ X3 ≦ v8.
(D2) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v8 <X3 ≦ v9.
(D3) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v9 <X3 ≦ v10.
(D4) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v10 <X3 ≦ v11.
(D5) The illuminance X3 of the third light is v11 <X3.
(S1) The first light is B4, the second light is C3, the third light is D3, and the headlamp switch is OFF.
(S2) The first light is B4, the second light is C5, the third light is D3, and the headlamp switch is OFF.
(S3) The first light is B4, the second light is C3, the third light is D5, and the headlamp switch is OFF.
(S4) The first light is B3, the second light is C2, the third light is D2, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S5) The first light is B3, the second light is C4, the third light is D1, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S6) The first light is B3, the second light is C1, the third light is D4, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S7) The first light is B2, the second light is C1, the third light is D1, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(S8) The first light is B1, the second light is C1, the third light is D1, and the headlamp switch is ON.
(T1) When the environmental category is S8, the illuminance Z is set in a range of 0 ≦ Z ≦ L1.
(T2) When the environmental category is S7, the illuminance Z is set in a range of L1 ≦ Z ≦ L2.
(T3) When the environmental category is S4, the illuminance Z is set in a range of L2 ≦ Z ≦ L3.
(T4) When the environmental category is S1, the illuminance Z is set in a range of L3 ≦ Z ≦ L4.
(T5) When the environmental category is S2, S3, S5, S6, the illuminance Z is set in a range of Z = L5 (> L4).   The dimming control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device changes the illuminance of the illumination device of the operation button provided in the vehicle interior in accordance with the use environment.   The dimming control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device changes an illuminance of a tail lamp according to the use environment.