JP2016179779A - Lighting controller of vehicular headlight and vehicular headlight system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting controller of a vehicular headlight which alleviates glare to a vehicle ahead and is capable of individually irradiating a plurality of segments with light.SOLUTION: A vehicular headlight system comprises a vehicle detection part 11 that detects a position of a vehicle ahead, a light irradiation range setting part 13 that sets a light irradiation range and a non-irradiation range in accordance with the position of the vehicle ahead, a movement direction determination part 14 that determines a movement direction of the non-irradiation range, a light intensity setting part 15 that sets the light intensity of each segment, and a lighting control part 16 that generates light distribution control signals for individually lighting and extinguishing each segment and supplies the signals to vehicular headlights. The light intensity setting part 15 specifies a segment associated with the non-irradiation range out of each segment and located at an end corresponding to a movement direction of the non-irradiation range, and sets the light intensity of at least one segment adjacent to the segment located at the end on the side of the movement direction of the non-irradiation range to become lower than the light intensity of the other segments corresponding to the light irradiation range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting control technology for a vehicle headlamp that performs selective light irradiation according to the position of a vehicle ahead.

  There is known a light distribution control technique for detecting a preceding vehicle (an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle) and irradiating light to the other region without irradiating the region where the preceding vehicle exists (for example, Patent Document 1). In many cases, in this light distribution control, the position of the front vehicle is detected by performing a predetermined image recognition process on an image obtained by photographing the front of the host vehicle with a camera installed in the host vehicle. For example, the position of the vehicle ahead is specified by the positions of the left and right headlamps in the case of an oncoming vehicle, and is specified by the positions of the left and right tail lights in the case of a preceding vehicle. By performing such light distribution control, it is possible to prevent glare from being given to the preceding vehicle and to improve the visibility of the area where the preceding vehicle does not exist.

  By the way, in said light distribution control, the position of the vehicle ahead is detected for every predetermined time, and the range (non-irradiation range) which does not irradiate light according to it is set, and according to this non-irradiation range, horizontal direction, for example Whether or not to irradiate light is determined for each of the plurality of segments (divided regions) arranged in (1). The light irradiation / non-irradiation in each of these segments fluctuates every moment according to the situation of the preceding vehicle. For example, when the preceding vehicle moves to the left or right, the non-irradiation range moves according to the moving direction. Further, the non-irradiation range is enlarged when the front vehicle and the host vehicle are close to each other, and the non-irradiation range is reduced when the front vehicle and the host vehicle are away from each other. At this time, when the segment that has been the target of light irradiation is switched to the target of non-irradiation due to changes in the non-irradiation range, a certain amount of time is required until the light source corresponding to the segment actually turns off. I need it. For this reason, the case where a glare is slightly given with respect to a front vehicle may arise. Such inconvenience becomes more prominent as the forward vehicle moves (both in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction).

JP 2013-79044 A

  The specific aspect which concerns on this invention makes it one of the objectives to provide the light distribution control technique which can reduce the glare to a front vehicle.

  The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to one aspect of the present invention includes (a) lighting control for a vehicle headlamp capable of individually irradiating each of a plurality of segments arranged in at least one direction. (B) a vehicle detection unit that detects the position of a preceding vehicle, (c) a light irradiation range setting unit that sets a light irradiation range and a non-irradiation range according to the position of the preceding vehicle, d) a movement direction determination unit that determines the movement direction of the non-irradiation range, (e) a light intensity setting unit that sets the light intensity of each of the plurality of segments, and (f) the light intensity setting unit. A lighting control unit that generates a light distribution control signal for individually lighting or extinguishing each of the plurality of segments according to the light intensity, and supplies the light distribution control signal to the vehicle headlamp. ) The light intensity setting unit is the front of the plurality of segments. A segment that is associated with a non-irradiation range and that corresponds to the movement direction of the non-irradiation range is identified, and at least one adjacent to the movement direction of the non-irradiation range with respect to the end segment Lighting control of a vehicle headlamp that sets the light intensity for each of the plurality of segments so that the light intensity of one segment is lower than the light intensity of another segment corresponding to the light irradiation range Device.

  According to the said structure, the moving direction of a front vehicle is estimated by determining the moving direction of a non-irradiation range, and the light intensity of the segment which exists in the moving direction of the front vehicle is set relatively low. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the delay time until the segment that has been switched to the extinguished state in accordance with the movement of the preceding vehicle is actually not irradiated, and to reduce glare to the preceding vehicle.

  In the lighting control device described above, the light intensity setting unit may calculate the light intensity of each of two or more segments adjacent to each other in the movement direction of the non-irradiation range of other segments corresponding to the light irradiation range. It is also preferable that the light intensity is set to be lower as it is lower than the light intensity and closer to the end segment.

  As a result, even if the vehicle ahead moves greatly and the non-irradiation range fluctuates greatly along with this, the corresponding segment can be quickly turned off to reduce glare to the vehicle ahead.

  In the lighting control device, it is also preferable that the movement direction determination unit determines a movement direction of the non-irradiation range based on a movement direction of a boundary between the light irradiation range and the non-irradiation range.

  As a result, the width of the non-irradiation range expands with the approach of the preceding vehicle to the host vehicle, and the segment corresponding to both outer sides of the non-irradiation range is accordingly changed in advance from the lighting state to the extinguishing state. The glare to the vehicle ahead can be reduced by reducing the light intensity of the segment to be performed.

  A vehicle headlamp system according to an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle headlamp system including the lighting control device described above and a vehicle headlamp controlled by the lighting control device.

  According to the above configuration, glare to the vehicle ahead can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the contents of information processing by the moving direction determination unit and the light intensity setting unit. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the vehicle headlamp system. 4 (A) and 4 (B) are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are conceptual diagrams showing operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the comparative example. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are conceptual diagrams showing another example of the operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are conceptual diagrams showing operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the comparative example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. The vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment is capable of individually irradiating light to each of a plurality of segments (divided regions) arranged along the vehicle width direction, and includes a camera 10 and a vehicle detection unit 11. The controller 12 includes a pair of lamp units (vehicle headlamps) 20R and 20L. In the present embodiment, the camera 10, the vehicle detection unit 11, and the control unit 12 correspond to a “lighting control device”.

  The camera 10 is installed at a predetermined position of the host vehicle (for example, on the dashboard, the upper part of the windshield, etc.), and images the front space of the host vehicle. The vehicle detection unit 11 detects the position of a forward vehicle (an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle) that exists in front of the host vehicle based on an image of the front space of the vehicle that is captured by the camera 10. In addition, the camera 10 and the vehicle detection part 11 may be comprised integrally. On the other hand, the function of the vehicle detection unit 11 may be realized in the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 performs control for selectively irradiating light corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle detected by the vehicle detection unit 11, and includes a light irradiation range setting unit 13, a moving direction determination unit 14, A light intensity setting unit 15 and a lighting control unit 16 are included. The control unit 12 is configured by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  The light irradiation range setting unit 13 sets a certain range including the position of the preceding vehicle detected by the vehicle detection unit 11 as a non-light irradiation range among the ranges that can be irradiated by the lamp units 20R and 20L. Is set as the light irradiation range.

  The movement direction determination unit 14 determines the movement direction of the non-irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit 13.

  The light intensity setting unit 15 sets the light intensity of irradiation light for each of a plurality of segments that can be selectively irradiated with light by the lamp units 20R and 20L.

  The lighting control unit 16 turns on or off each segment individually based on the light irradiation range and non-irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit 13 and the light intensity set by the light intensity setting unit 15. A light distribution control signal for forming the light distribution pattern is output to each of the lamp units 20R and 20L.

  Each of the lamp units 20R and 20L is arranged on the left and right in front of the host vehicle, and the light distribution according to the position of the vehicle ahead based on the light distribution control signal supplied from the lighting control unit 16 of the control unit 12. The pattern irradiation light is generated. As such lamp units 20R and 20L, various lamp units can be used as long as selective light irradiation can be performed. Specifically, for example, it is possible to use a lamp unit that includes a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) and can individually turn on and off the light emitting elements and irradiate the vehicle forward.

  As each of the lamp units 20R and 20L, for example, a lamp unit that can turn on and off a semiconductor laser at high speed, scan the emitted light, and irradiate the vehicle forward can be used. Alternatively, as each of the lamp units 20R and 20L, a lamp unit that forms a desired light distribution pattern by partially blocking the light emitted from the light source with a light shielding plate and can irradiate it in front of the host vehicle may be used. it can.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the contents of information processing by the moving direction determination unit and the light intensity setting unit. Here, as an example, the number of segments that can be selectively irradiated with light by the lamp units 20R and 20L is 10, and the segments S1 to S10 are arranged in a line along the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction). Shall. Further, it is assumed that the non-irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit 13 according to the position of the vehicle ahead at a certain time t1 has a range from the right end side of the segment S3 to the central right side of the segment S6 as illustrated. In addition, it is assumed that the regions on both sides of the non-irradiation range are set to the light irradiation range, respectively. In this case, the lighting control unit 16 controls the segments S3, S4, S5, and S6 that overlap the non-irradiation range to be turned off, and controls the segments S1, S2, S7, S8, S9, and S10 to be turned on. Is done.

  In this case, if the preceding vehicle has moved to the right between time t1 and the next time t2, the non-irradiation range set according to the position of the preceding vehicle also moves to the right as shown in the figure. It will be. Therefore, the moving direction of the non-irradiation range can be determined by comparing the positions of the non-irradiation ranges at a certain time t1 and another time t2. In particular, in the present embodiment, the moving direction of the boundary position between the non-irradiation range and the light irradiation range is determined as the movement direction of the non-irradiation range. For this reason, for example, when the width of the non-irradiation range becomes relatively large due to a reduction in the distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, both the right direction and the left direction are detected as the boundary moving directions. The

  In this case, the light intensity in each segment is set as follows. First, among the segments S1 to S10, the segment S6 at the end corresponding to the moving direction of the non-irradiation range that is the segment S3 to S6 associated with the non-irradiation range is specified. When the end segment S6 is specified, it is determined whether another segment exists on the moving direction side of the non-irradiation range with respect to the end segment. In this example, there are segments S7 to S10. In this case, the light intensity of at least one segment S7 adjacent to the segment S6 among the segments S7 to S10 is set lower than the other segments S1 and S2 corresponding to the light irradiation range. Furthermore, in this embodiment, light intensity is set lower than the other segments S1 and S2 corresponding to the light irradiation range for the three segments S7 to S9 that are adjacent to the moving direction side of the non-irradiation range relative to the segment S6. . Specifically, the light intensity is set lower for a segment closer to the segment S6 at the end corresponding to the moving direction of the non-irradiation range.

  An example of a method for setting a specific value of light intensity will be described below. Here, the positions of each segment, the non-irradiation range, and the like are represented by angles based on a predetermined position of the host vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the right boundary angle of the non-irradiation range is MR, the left boundary angle of the segment S6 is Z6L, and the left boundary angle of the segment S7 is Z7L. Further, the width WR1 of the segment S6 is represented by an angle (Z7L-Z6L), and the width WR2 between the right boundary of the non-irradiation range and the right boundary of the segment S7 is represented by an angle (Z7L-MR). At this time, the light intensity of each of the segments S7 to S9 is set at a lighting rate lower than this, for example, when a prescribed light intensity set for another segment to be lit is a lighting rate of 100%.

This lighting rate can be set as follows, for example.
S7 lighting rate = (WR2 / WR1) × 75 + 25 [%]
S8 lighting rate = (WR2 / WR1) × 50 + 50 [%]
S9 lighting rate = (WR2 / WR1) × 25 + 75 [%]

In addition, when the non-irradiation range further moves to the right side from the above state and the segment S7 also corresponds to the non-irradiation range, the light intensity can be changed as follows.
S8 lighting rate = (WR2 / WR1) × 25 + 25 [%]
S9 lighting rate = (WR2 / WR1) × 25 + 50 [%]

  In this way, the lighting rate of each segment is obtained, and this is multiplied by the prescribed light intensity, so that the three segments S7 to S9 are relatively more than the prescribed light intensity in the other lighting target segments. The light intensity can be set lower as the segment is set lower and is closer to the end segment S6 corresponding to the moving direction of the non-irradiation range.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the vehicle headlamp system. Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle headlamp system will be described in detail with reference to this flowchart.

  When a vehicle ahead is detected by the vehicle detection unit 11 based on the image obtained by the camera 10 (step S11), the light irradiation range setting unit 13 determines the light irradiation range and the non-irradiation range based on the position of the front vehicle. Is set (step S12).

  The movement direction determination unit 14 determines the movement direction of the non-irradiation range, more specifically, the movement direction of the boundary between the light irradiation range and the non-irradiation range (step S13). The light intensity setting unit 15 identifies the segment at the end of the non-irradiation range on the moving direction side among the segments corresponding to the non-irradiation range (step S14).

  Next, the light intensity setting unit 15 determines whether or not there is a segment (segment to be lit) corresponding to the light irradiation range on the moving direction side of the non-irradiation range further than the identified end segment (step S1). S15).

  When there is a segment to be lit on the moving direction side of the non-irradiation range with respect to the end segment (step S15; YES), the light intensity setting unit 15 determines that the light intensity with respect to these segments is other than that described above. Set the light intensity for each segment so that the light intensity of the segment that is relatively lower than the specified light intensity in the segment to be lit and that is closer to the end segment corresponding to the moving direction of the non-irradiation range is lower. (Step S16).

  Based on the light intensity set by the light intensity setting unit 15, the lighting control unit 16 transmits a light distribution control signal for forming a light distribution pattern for individually lighting or turning off each segment to each lamp unit 20R, It outputs to 20L (step S17).

  If there is no segment to be irradiated on the moving direction side of the non-irradiation range further than the end segment in step S15 (step S15; NO), the light intensity is not set as described above. In this case, the light distribution control signal corresponding to the previously set light intensity is continuously supplied.

  4 (A) and 4 (B) are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4A, the preceding vehicle, which is the preceding vehicle, is moving in the left direction in the figure, and the movement direction (boundary movement direction) of the non-irradiation range that is specified along with it is the left direction. And At this time, the segments S6 to S10 corresponding to the non-irradiation range are controlled to be turned off, and the segments S1 to S5 corresponding to the light irradiation range are controlled to be turned on. The segments S1 and S2 are set to a prescribed light intensity, and the light intensity of the segments S3, S4, and S5 is set so that the closer to the segment S6, the lower the light intensity.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the non-irradiation range is moved due to the movement of the preceding vehicle, and accordingly, the segments S4 to S7 are controlled to be turned off, and the segments S1 to S3 and S8 to S10 are turned on. Controlled by the state. At this time, since the light intensity of the segments S3 to S5 is set to be low stepwise in advance, when the segments S4 and S5 are sequentially controlled to be turned off after that, light irradiation is not performed promptly. It becomes a state. Therefore, glare to the preceding vehicle that is the preceding vehicle can be reduced. In addition, although the preceding vehicle was mentioned here as a front vehicle, it is the same even if it is a case where the position of the oncoming vehicle is changed in the horizontal direction.

  FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are conceptual diagrams showing operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the comparative example. The comparative example referred to here is a vehicle headlamp system that simply switches each segment to a lighting state or a non-lighting state corresponding to a light irradiation range and a non-irradiation range. As shown in FIG. 5A, the preceding vehicle, which is the preceding vehicle, is moving in the left direction in the figure, and the segments S6 to S10 corresponding to the non-irradiation range are controlled to be turned off at a certain time, and the light irradiation range is reached. Corresponding segments S1 to S5 are controlled to be lit. At this time, the segments S1 to S5 are all set to the same light intensity.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the non-irradiation range is moved due to the movement of the preceding vehicle, and accordingly, the segments S4 to S7 are controlled to be turned off, and the segments S1 to S3 and S8 to S10 are turned on. It is controlled to the state. At this time, in the segments S4 and S5 switched from the lit state to the unlit state, a certain amount of time is required until the light actually disappears, so there is a possibility that glare may be temporarily given to the preceding vehicle.

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are conceptual diagrams showing another example of the operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the inter-vehicle distance between the forward vehicle that is an oncoming vehicle and the host vehicle gradually decreases, and the width of the non-irradiation range gradually increases accordingly. Both the right direction and the left direction are detected as (boundary movement direction). At this time, the segments S7 and S8 corresponding to the non-irradiation range are controlled to be turned off, and the segments S1 to S6 and S9 to S10 corresponding to the light irradiation range are controlled to be turned on. The segments S1 to S3 are set to the prescribed light intensity, the light intensity is set so that the segments S4 to S6 are closer to the segment S7 and the light intensity is lower, and the segments S9 to S10 are closer to the segment S8. The light intensity is set so that the light intensity is low.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the non-irradiation range is expanded because the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle is further reduced, and accordingly, the segments S6 to S10 are controlled to be turned off. S5 is controlled to a lighting state. At this time, since the light intensity of the segments S4 to S6 and S9 to S10 was set to be low stepwise in advance, when the segments S6, S9, and S10 were sequentially controlled to be turned off, immediately, No light irradiation is performed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce glare to the preceding vehicle that is an oncoming vehicle. Here, the oncoming vehicle is cited as the forward vehicle, but the same applies to the case where the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle fluctuates.

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are conceptual diagrams showing operation contents of the vehicle headlamp system of the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 7A, the segments S7 and S8 corresponding to the non-irradiation range are controlled to be turned off at a certain time, and the segments S1 to S6, S9 and S10 corresponding to the light irradiation range are controlled to be turned on. ing. At this time, the segments S1 to S6, S9, and S10 are all set to the same light intensity.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the distance between the vehicle ahead and the host vehicle is further reduced, so that the non-irradiation range is expanded, and accordingly, the segments S6 to S10 are controlled to be turned off, and the segment S1 -S5 is controlled to be in a lighting state. At this time, in the segments S6 and S10 switched from the lit state to the unlit state, the actual unlit state may not be in time, and there is a possibility that glare is temporarily given to the preceding vehicle.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, glare to the preceding vehicle can be reduced in the vehicle headlamp system capable of individually irradiating light to each of the plurality of segments.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of embodiment mentioned above, In the range of the summary of this invention, it can change and implement variously. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of segments arranged in the vehicle width direction are described as an example of a plurality of segments that can be individually irradiated with light. However, a plurality of directions, for example, a vehicle width direction and a vehicle height direction are described. The present invention can be similarly applied when a plurality of segments are arranged in two directions.

Further, as shown in the above-described embodiment, when the forward vehicle is far away, the number of segments corresponding to the non-irradiation range is, for example, 2 to 4 due to the fluctuation of the apparent vehicle width due to the movement of the forward vehicle or the perspective. In this case, the light intensity of the segment corresponding to the light irradiation range of the movement destination may be decreased stepwise. For example, when there are four segments corresponding to the non-irradiation range, the light intensity of 3 to 4 segments in the moving direction of the non-irradiation range is decreased stepwise, and the light intensity decreases as the segment is closer to the non-irradiation range. You may do it. Similarly, when there are three segments corresponding to the non-irradiation range, the light intensity of two to three segments in the moving direction of the non-irradiation range is decreased stepwise, and the light intensity is lower as the segment is closer to the non-irradiation range. It may be made to become. Similarly, when there are two segments corresponding to the non-irradiation range, the light intensity of one or two segments in the moving direction of the non-irradiation range is decreased stepwise, and the light intensity is lower as the segment is closer to the non-irradiation range. It may be made to become. The lighting rate is the same when the number of segments corresponding to the non-irradiation range is 4 or more. However, the arbitrary ratios α and β of the lighting rate are set to α + β = 100% as in the following lighting rate equation. And the ratio of α and β may be adjusted so that the segment close to the non-irradiation range becomes dark. Further, as shown in the above-described embodiment, when a segment close to the non-irradiation range is extinguished due to the movement of the vehicle ahead, arbitrary α and β are set so that the light intensity of the segment close to the extinguished segment transitions. Adjust it.
Lighting rate = (WR2 / WR1) × α + β [%]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Camera 11: Vehicle detection part 12: Control part 13: Light irradiation range setting part 14: Movement direction determination part 15: Light intensity setting part 16: Lighting control part 20R, 20L: Lamp unit (vehicle headlamp)

Claims (4)

A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp capable of individually irradiating light to each of a plurality of segments arranged in at least one direction,
A vehicle detection unit for detecting the position of the preceding vehicle;
A light irradiation range setting unit that sets a light irradiation range and a non-irradiation range according to the position of the preceding vehicle;
A moving direction determination unit that determines a moving direction of the non-irradiation range;
A light intensity setting unit for setting the light intensity of each of the plurality of segments;
Lighting control that generates a light distribution control signal for individually lighting or extinguishing each of the plurality of segments according to the light intensity set by the light intensity setting unit and supplying the light distribution control signal to the vehicle headlamp And
Including
The light intensity setting unit identifies an end segment corresponding to the moving direction of the non-irradiation range among the plurality of segments and corresponding to the non-irradiation range, and from the end segment Each of the plurality of segments is configured such that the light intensity of at least one segment adjacent to the moving direction side of the non-irradiation range is lower than the light intensity of other segments corresponding to the light irradiation range. Set the light intensity for
Lighting control device for vehicle headlamps. The light intensity setting unit is configured such that the light intensity of each of two or more segments adjacent to each other in the movement direction of the non-irradiation range is lower than the light intensity of other segments corresponding to the light irradiation range, And set so that the one closer to the end segment is lower,
The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. The movement direction determination unit determines a movement direction of the non-irradiation range based on a movement direction of a boundary between the light irradiation range and the non-irradiation range;
The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.   A vehicle headlamp system comprising the lighting control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a vehicle headlamp controlled by the lighting control device.

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