JP6192955B2 - Lighting control device for vehicle headlamp, vehicle headlamp system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an irradiation state of a vehicle headlamp.

  When driving a vehicle at night, the driver basically confirms the front of the vehicle by irradiating a high beam with a headlamp, and switches to a low beam as necessary. Is often used. At this time, if light is irradiated above the so-called cut-off line, glare may be imparted to oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles (hereinafter referred to as “front vehicles”). For this reason, in recent years, the position of the front vehicle lamp (tail lamp or headlamp) is detected using an image obtained by photographing the front vehicle with a camera mounted on the host vehicle, and the position of the front vehicle falls within the light shielding range. Various light distribution control techniques for controlling the irradiation pattern of the high beam in this way have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this technique, it is possible to suppress glare to the vehicle ahead and improve early detection of pedestrians and distance visibility. Various techniques for assisting a driver to find a pedestrian early by detecting a pedestrian in front of the host vehicle and irradiating the area with light have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

  By the way, for example, a case where a target person such as a pedestrian or a bicycle occupant moving on a pedestrian crossing is present in front of the own vehicle, and a region where the pedestrian exists is irradiated with light is considered. In this case, the front area of the host vehicle is divided into a plurality of areas in the horizontal direction, it is determined in which area the pedestrian exists, the area is set as a light irradiation range, and light is irradiated. However, when a pedestrian crosses the boundaries of multiple divided areas set in front of the host vehicle, the light irradiation range will switch from the current divided area to the divided area adjacent to either the right or left, and temporarily walk A situation may occur in which the entire person is not irradiated with light. For this reason, the visibility of pedestrians and the like may be reduced.

JP 2008-100541 A JP 2008-120162 A

  The specific aspect which concerns on this invention makes it one of the objectives to provide the light distribution control technique which can improve visibility of a pedestrian etc. in the case of irradiating light with respect to a pedestrian etc. more.

A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to an aspect of the present invention is for controlling a vehicle headlamp capable of selectively irradiating light to a plurality of actual light distribution regions arranged in at least one direction. A lighting control device, which corresponds to (a) a target person detection unit that detects the position of a target person based on an image in front of the host vehicle photographed by a camera, and (b) corresponds to each of a plurality of actual light distribution regions. A plurality of target areas having a width larger than each of the corresponding plurality of actual light distribution areas and adjacent ones overlapping each other by a predetermined width on one end side, A target person existence area determination unit that determines in which of the plurality of target areas the position of the target person detected by the detection unit exists; and (c) the position of the target person exists by the target person presence area determination unit. Then, it corresponds to one or two target areas determined A light irradiation range setting unit for setting one or two actual light distribution regions as light irradiation ranges, and (d) a vehicle headlight by generating a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit. A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp, including a light distribution control unit that outputs to a lamp.

A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to an aspect of the present invention is for controlling a vehicle headlamp capable of selectively irradiating light to a plurality of actual light distribution regions arranged in at least one direction. A lighting control device, which corresponds to (a) a target person detection unit that detects the position of a target person based on an image in front of the host vehicle photographed by a camera, and (b) corresponds to each of a plurality of actual light distribution regions. A plurality of target areas in which adjacent ones overlap each other by a predetermined width on one end side of each other, and the position of the target person detected by the target person detection unit is among the plurality of target areas. A target person presence area determination unit that determines where the target person exists, and (c) one or two corresponding to one or two target areas determined by the target person presence area determination unit that the position of the target person exists. Light irradiation range that sets one actual light distribution area as the light irradiation range A light distribution control unit that generates a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp, and (e) the predetermined width is This is a lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp, which is set evenly across the boundary between two adjacent light distribution areas.

  In the lighting control device according to any one of the aspects described above, one end side of adjacent ones of a plurality of target regions is overlapped with a predetermined width, and light irradiation / light distribution in the actual light distribution region is performed using such target regions. Non-irradiation is set. For this reason, when a subject such as a pedestrian crosses the boundary between the two actual light distribution regions, it is determined that the position of the subject exists in both of the two target regions corresponding to the two actual light distribution regions. Therefore, both of the two actual light distribution regions sandwiching the boundary can be set as the light irradiation range. Therefore, even when a pedestrian or the like crosses the boundary, it is possible to continue to irradiate light to the entire pedestrian or the like, and the visibility of the pedestrian or the like can be further improved.

Further , when the predetermined width is set evenly across the boundary between two adjacent real light distribution areas, even if the subject moves in any direction (for example, left and right) of the adjacent real light distribution areas Similarly, the light irradiation state can be switched.

  In the above vehicle headlamp lighting control device, the vehicle headlamp to be controlled becomes constant after the light quantity gradually increases when turned on, and becomes zero after the light quantity gradually decreases when turned off. It is also preferable to have characteristics.

  In the case where the vehicle headlamp has the above characteristics, the time lag until each of the actual light distribution areas becomes a constant light amount can be shortened when light is irradiated onto two adjacent actual light distribution areas.

  A vehicle headlamp system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described vehicle headlamp lighting control device and the vehicle headlamp controlled by the lighting control device.

  Thereby, the vehicle headlamp system which can improve the visibility of a pedestrian in the case of irradiating light with respect to a pedestrian is provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lamp unit. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating an optical configuration of the lamp unit. FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram for explaining the actual light distribution region, and FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are conceptual diagrams for explaining the target region. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the vehicle headlamp system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D are schematic diagrams for explaining the light irradiation state. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation by the lighting control device of the present embodiment.

  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 shown in FIG. 1 performs light irradiation by setting a light distribution pattern based on an image obtained by imaging a space (target space) in front of the host vehicle. The vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11, the control unit 12, and a pair of lamp units 20R and 20L are configured. The vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11 and the control unit 12 correspond to a lighting control device, and the lamp units 20R and 20L correspond to a vehicle headlamp.

  The camera 10 is installed at a predetermined position (for example, in the vicinity of an indoor rearview mirror) of the host vehicle, captures a space in front of the host vehicle, and outputs an image (image data).

  The vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11 detects the position of the vehicle ahead and the position of the pedestrian by performing predetermined image processing using the image data output from the camera 10, and controls each position information. 12 is output. The “front vehicle” here is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11 is realized by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system having, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11 is configured integrally with the camera 10, for example. Note that the function of the vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11 may be realized by the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 is realized by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system having, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and includes a pedestrian presence area determination unit 13 as a functional block, a light irradiation range setting unit. 14 and a light distribution control unit 15. In the present embodiment, a “pedestrian” is assumed as a typical example of the target person, and the pedestrian presence area determination unit 13 corresponds to the “target person presence area determination unit”.

  The pedestrian presence area determination unit 13 sets a plurality of target areas arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of actual light distribution areas, and the position of the pedestrian detected by the pedestrian detection unit 12 is included in each target area. It is determined in which of the above. Details of the actual light distribution area and the target area will be described later.

  The light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets a light irradiation range corresponding to each position of the pedestrian and the preceding vehicle detected by the vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11. Specifically, the light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets a region where the vehicle ahead is present as a non-light irradiation range and the other as a light irradiation range. Further, the light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets one or two target regions where a pedestrian is present as a light irradiation range, and sets the other as a non-light irradiation range.

  The light distribution control unit 15 generates a light distribution control signal corresponding to the light distribution pattern based on the light irradiation range / non-irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit 14, and supplies the light distribution control signal to each of the lamp units 20R and 20L. Output.

  The lamp unit 20 </ b> R is installed on the right front side of the host vehicle and is used for irradiating light that illuminates the front of the host vehicle, and includes an LED lighting circuit 21 and a matrix LED 22. Similarly, the lamp unit 20L is installed on the left side in front of the host vehicle and is used for irradiating light that illuminates the front of the host vehicle. The lamp unit 20L includes an LED lighting circuit 21 and a matrix LED 22.

  The LED lighting circuit 21 selectively drives each LED by supplying a drive signal to a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) included in the matrix LED 22 based on a control signal output from the light distribution control unit 15. Light up.

  The matrix LED 22 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a matrix, and the plurality of LEDs are selectively lit based on the drive signal supplied from the LED lighting circuit 21. The matrix LED 22 can turn on a plurality of LEDs independently and control the light intensity (brightness).

  FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lamp unit. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an optical configuration of each lamp unit. The lamp unit 20R (or 20L) shown in FIG. 2A includes a high / low beam unit 24 in which a high beam unit and a low beam unit are integrated. The high / low beam unit 24 includes the matrix LED 22 and the lens 23 disposed on the front surface thereof, and light emitted from the matrix LED 22 is projected forward by the lens 23 to form a high beam, a low beam, or the like. . Here, a matrix LED 22 having 10 rows and 30 columns of LEDs is assumed.

  FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram for explaining the actual light distribution region, and FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are conceptual diagrams for explaining the target region. In practice, the actual light distribution area and the target area overlap each other, but are shown separately for convenience of explanation. In addition, here, for the sake of easy understanding, five actual light distribution areas arranged in a row are shown, but the number of actual light distribution areas is not limited to this, and the vertical, left, and right two directions in the drawing are not limited thereto. It may be arranged.

  The actual light distribution areas a1, a2, a3, a4, and a5 shown in FIG. 3A are a plurality of areas that can be selectively irradiated with light by the respective lamp units 20R and 20L (vehicle headlamps). It is arranged in the horizontal direction inside. The actual light distribution areas a1 and a2 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction across the boundary c12. Similarly, the actual light distribution regions a2 and a3 are adjacent in the left-right direction across the boundary c23, and the actual light distribution regions a3 and a4 are adjacent in the left-right direction across the boundary c34. The regions a4 and a5 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction across the boundary c45.

The target areas b1, b2, b3, b4, and b5 shown in FIG. 3B correspond to the actual light distribution areas a1, a2, a3, a4, and a5 described above, and are arranged in the horizontal direction in the drawing. doing. Specifically, the target area b1 corresponds to the actual light distribution area a1, the target area b2 corresponds to the actual light distribution area a2, the target area b3 corresponds to the actual light distribution area a3, and the target area b4 is actually distributed. Corresponding to the light region a4, the target region b5 corresponds to the actual light distribution region a5. In FIG. 3 (B), each target region is shown separately in the vertical direction for easy understanding, but in actuality, it is arranged in one direction as shown in FIG. 3 (C). These target regions b1 to b5 have a width larger than the corresponding actual light distribution regions, and adjacent ones overlap each other by a predetermined width L1 on one end side. For example, the target area b1 and the target area b2 are adjacent to each other, and one end on the right side of the target area b1 and one end on the left side of the target area b2 overlap each other by a predetermined width L1. The same applies to other target areas. Further, in the present embodiment, the target areas b1 to b5 are set equally across the boundary between two actual light distribution areas corresponding to the predetermined width L1 where adjacent objects overlap. For example, a region d12 where the target regions b1 and b2 overlap each other is set to a predetermined width L1, and a boundary c12 between the actual light distribution regions a1 and a2 is disposed in the approximate center of this region. The same applies to the other regions d23, d34, and d45.

  Here, in the case where the position of the pedestrian 112 shown in FIG. 3A exists inside any one of the target areas b1 to b5, the actual light distribution area corresponding to the target area (for example, the target area b2). (For example, the actual light distribution area a2) is set as the light irradiation range. On the other hand, when the position of the pedestrian 112 exists in any of the two adjacent target areas, in other words, in the area where the two adjacent target areas overlap, Two corresponding real light distribution areas are set as the light irradiation range. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the position of the pedestrian 112 exists in any of the two target areas b2 and b3 (that is, in the area d23), the two target areas b2 , B3 are set as the light irradiation range.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the vehicle headlamp system according to the embodiment. 5A to 5D are schematic diagrams for explaining the light irradiation state. Here, only the light irradiation corresponding to the pedestrian will be described, and the description of the light irradiation corresponding to the vehicle ahead will be omitted.

  Based on the image ahead of the own vehicle image | photographed with the camera 10, the position of a pedestrian is detected by the vehicle / pedestrian detection part 11 (step S11). This position detection process is executed at regular intervals. The position of the pedestrian is detected, for example, at a relative angle based on the traveling direction of the host vehicle.

  Next, in the pedestrian presence area determination unit 13, the position of the pedestrian detected by the vehicle / pedestrian detection unit 11 is a plurality of target areas b1 to b5 (see FIGS. 3B and 3C). Which one exists is determined (step S12).

  When the position of the pedestrian exists in the two target areas (step S13; YES), the light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets two actual light distribution areas corresponding to the two target areas as light irradiation ranges. Set (step S14).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the position of the pedestrian 112 exists in the two target areas b2 and b3 and exists on the target area b2 side with respect to the boundary c23, these correspond to these. The actual light distribution areas a2 and a3 are set as the light irradiation range. In this example, since the actual light distribution region a3 is irradiated before the position of the pedestrian 112 enters the actual light distribution region a3 from the actual light distribution region a2, a follow-up delay to the pedestrian 112 can be prevented. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5C, the case where the position of the pedestrian 112 exists in the two target areas b2 and b3 and exists on the target area b3 side from the boundary c23 corresponds to these. The actual light distribution areas a2 and a3 are set as the light irradiation range. In this example, since the actual light distribution region a2 is irradiated even after the position of the pedestrian 112 enters the actual light distribution region a3 from the actual light distribution region a2, the uncomfortable feeling due to the rapid switching of the light distribution is reduced. be able to.

  On the other hand, when the position of the pedestrian exists in one target area (step S13; NO), the light irradiation range setting unit 14 outputs one actual light distribution area corresponding to the corresponding one target area. The irradiation range is set (step S15).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the position of the pedestrian exists in one target area b2, the actual light distribution area a2 corresponding to this is set as the light irradiation range. Similarly, when the position of the pedestrian exists in one target area b3 as shown in FIG. 5D, the actual light distribution area a3 corresponding to this is set as the light irradiation range.

  Next, the light distribution control unit 15 sets a light distribution pattern based on the light irradiation range / non-irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit 14, and outputs a light distribution control signal corresponding to the light distribution pattern. Generate and output (step S16). The lamp units 20R and 20L operate based on the light distribution control signal, thereby realizing a desired light distribution pattern.

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation by the lighting control device of the present embodiment. Here, each lamp unit 20R, 20L has a characteristic that in order to make the illuminance change at the time of turning on and off smoothly, the light quantity becomes constant after gradually increasing when turned on, and becomes zero after the light quantity gradually decreases when turned off. Shall have. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the case of the conventional example in which the determination is made on the assumption that the position of the pedestrian exists only in any one of the target areas, for example, the position of the pedestrian in the target area b1. Is determined to exist, and the maximum illuminance is reached after the illuminance of the actual light distribution area a1 gradually increases. The illuminance of the actual light distribution area a1 gradually decreases and the illuminance of the actual light distribution area a2 gradually increases from the time when the position of the pedestrian is outside the target area b1 and at the same time within the target area b2. For this reason, the time (time lag) when neither the actual light distribution area | region a1 and a2 become the maximum illumination intensity becomes comparatively long. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the position of the pedestrian is determined to be within the target area b2 before the position of the pedestrian is determined to be outside the target area b1. Then, since the illuminance of the actual light distribution area a2 increases, the time (time lag) during which the actual light distribution areas a1 and a2 are not at the maximum illuminance can be further shortened.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, one end side of adjacent objects in a plurality of target regions is overlapped with a predetermined width, and irradiation / non-irradiation of light in the actual light distribution region is performed using such target regions. It is set. For this reason, when the pedestrian crosses the boundary between the two actual light distribution regions, it is determined that the position of the pedestrian exists in any of the two target regions corresponding to the two actual light distribution regions. Therefore, the two actual light distribution regions that temporarily sandwich this boundary can both be used as the light irradiation range. Therefore, even when the pedestrian crosses the boundary, it is possible to continue to irradiate the entire pedestrian, and the visibility of the pedestrian can be further improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of each 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, the position information of the pedestrian and the vehicle ahead is obtained by the angle, but the position information may be represented by two-dimensional coordinates. In the above-described embodiment, the case where one camera and one vehicle / pedestrian detection unit are provided is illustrated, but separate cameras and detection units may be used for pedestrian detection and vehicle detection. . In the above-described embodiment, a pedestrian is cited as an example of the subject. However, a person riding a bicycle or the like may be the subject, or a runner who is running may be the subject.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Camera 11: Vehicle / pedestrian detection part 12: Control part 13: Pedestrian presence area determination part 14: Light irradiation range setting part 15: Light distribution control part 20R, 20L: Lamp unit 21: LED driver 22: Matrix LED
23: Lens 24: High / low beam part 112: Pedestrian

Claims (4)

A lighting control device for controlling a vehicle headlamp capable of selectively irradiating light to a plurality of actual light distribution regions arranged in at least one direction,
A subject detection unit that detects the position of the subject based on an image in front of the host vehicle photographed by the camera;
Arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of actual light distribution regions, the width is larger than each of the corresponding plurality of actual light distribution regions, and adjacent ones overlap each other by a predetermined width on one end side of each other A plurality of target areas, a target person existing area determination unit that determines in which of the target areas the position of the target person detected by the target person detection unit exists,
Light irradiation range setting to be set to one or two one corresponding to the target region or two of the real light distribution region light irradiation range position is determined to exist in the subject by the subject existence area determination unit And
A light distribution control unit that generates a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp;
A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp. A lighting control device for controlling a vehicle headlamp capable of selectively irradiating light to a plurality of actual light distribution regions arranged in at least one direction,
A subject detection unit that detects the position of the subject based on an image in front of the host vehicle photographed by the camera;
A plurality of target areas are arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of actual light distribution areas, and adjacent ones overlap each other by a predetermined width on one end side of each, and are detected by the target person detection unit A target person existence area determination unit that determines in which of the plurality of target areas the position of the target person exists;
Light irradiation range setting for setting one or two actual light distribution areas corresponding to one or two target areas determined by the target person presence area determination unit to be present as the light irradiation range And
A light distribution control unit that generates a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp;
Including
The predetermined width is set evenly across a boundary between two adjacent light distribution regions,
Car dual headlamp lighting control device. The vehicle headlamp is constant after the light amount gradually increases when turned on, and becomes zero after the light amount gradually decreases when turned off.
The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2. The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A vehicle headlamp controlled by the lighting control device,
Including a vehicle headlamp system.