JP2005329819A - Lighting device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a vehicle with improved visibility. <P>SOLUTION: This lighting device for a vehicle is furnished with a lighting part capable of lighting a specified region in front of the vehicle, a man detection means to detect a man in the specified region and a control part to control lighting of the lighting part so that a specified diagram or signal is formed in color at a part corresponding to the man detected by the man detection means out of the specified region lighted in white. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device that is mounted on a vehicle and can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle.

  Generally, a vehicle headlamp can be switched between a low beam and a high beam. When the front of the vehicle is illuminated with a high beam, the driver can visually recognize a long-distance area compared to when the vehicle is illuminated with a low beam. Yes. On the other hand, it feels dazzling for a pedestrian in front of a vehicle illuminated by a high beam.

Therefore, conventionally, a vehicle lighting device that controls the lighting of a lighting unit so as to reduce glare for a pedestrian in front of the vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-54311 A

  However, in the conventional vehicle lighting device described above, the lighting is controlled so that light incident on the pedestrian in front of the vehicle is dimmed in order to reduce glare felt by the pedestrian in front of the vehicle. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that it becomes difficult for the driver of the host vehicle to visually recognize the pedestrian even though the pedestrian exists in front of the vehicle.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above-mentioned point, and it aims at providing the vehicle lighting device which improved visibility.

  In one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, a person detection unit that detects a person in the predetermined area, and the above-mentioned that is illuminated in white A control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a colored color in a portion of the person or the vicinity of the person detected by the person detection unit in the predetermined region; It is a vehicle lighting device characterized by comprising.

  According to this aspect, the predetermined figure or symbol is formed in color for a person in a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, and the other part is formed in white. In general, human eyes feel dazzling white light compared to colored light. Moreover, if colored light is illuminated, the visibility of an object will improve compared with the case where light is not illuminated. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the visibility by the driver of the person while reducing the glare given to the person existing in the area where the vehicle is lit.

  In one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, a person detection unit that detects a person in the predetermined area, and the above-mentioned that is illuminated in white In the predetermined area, the portion corresponding to the person detected by the person detecting means is dimmed, and a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a colored part in the vicinity of the person. And a control unit for controlling the lighting of the vehicle.

  According to this aspect, the portion corresponding to the person existing in the area where the vehicle is lit is dimmed, so that glare given to the person is reduced. Furthermore, since a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color in the vicinity of the person, the driver's consciousness can be directed to the person in the vicinity of the formed figure or symbol, and visibility by the driver of the person Can be improved.

  In one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an illuminating unit capable of illuminating a predetermined area in front of a vehicle, a person detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area, and the illuminating in white A control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that a predetermined figure or symbol is intermittently formed on a person detected by the human detection means within a predetermined region. The vehicle lighting device.

  According to this aspect, a predetermined figure or symbol is illuminated intermittently. In general, the human eye feels dazzling when lit continuously compared to intermittently lit. Moreover, if intermittent lighting is performed, the visibility of an object will improve compared with the case where light is not illuminated. Therefore, the visibility by the driver of the person can be ensured while reducing the glare given to the person existing in the region.

  In one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, a person detection unit that detects a person in the predetermined area, and the above-mentioned that is illuminated in white The lighting unit so that a portion corresponding to the person detected by the person detecting means within the predetermined area is dimmed and a predetermined figure or symbol is intermittently formed in a portion near the person. And a control unit for controlling the lighting of the vehicle.

  According to this aspect, the portion corresponding to the person existing in the area where the vehicle is lit is dimmed, so that glare given to the person is reduced. Furthermore, since a predetermined figure or symbol is intermittently formed in the vicinity of the person, the driver's consciousness can be directed to the person in the vicinity of the formed figure or symbol, depending on the driver of the person Visibility can be improved.

  In these aspects, it is preferable that the person detection means includes first detection means for detecting a person in the predetermined area based on a photographed image of a camera that photographs the predetermined area. In these aspects, it is preferable that the person detecting means has a second detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area by receiving a signal including position information transmitted by a portable device carried by the person.

  In these embodiments, the illumination unit includes a low beam unit that illuminates a front short-distance region, and a high beam unit that illuminates a far-distance region, and the control unit includes the front long-distance region. It is preferable to control the lighting of the lighting unit so that the predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a portion inside and outside the front short distance region. According to these aspects, since the predetermined figure or symbol is formed only in the area of the long distance ahead, it is possible to improve the light use efficiency in lighting the front of the vehicle.

  By the way, an illuminating unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, a collision determination unit that determines whether or not the own vehicle may collide with an obstacle, and the own vehicle is When it is determined that there is a risk of colliding with an object, a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color within the predetermined region that is illuminated in white Is effective in alerting the driver of the host vehicle that an obstacle collision may occur.

  According to this aspect, when it is determined that the host vehicle may collide with an obstacle, a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color within the predetermined area illuminated in white. This can alert the driver that the vehicle may collide with an obstacle.

  Further, a lighting unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, a departure determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle departs from the lane, and the departure determination unit determines that the host vehicle departs from the lane. And a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color within the predetermined region that is illuminated in white. The vehicle lighting device is effective in alerting the driver of the own vehicle that a lane departure may occur.

  According to this aspect, when it is determined that the host vehicle departs from the lane, a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a colored color in the predetermined area illuminated in white. As a result, it is possible to alert the driver that the host vehicle deviates from the lane.

  In these aspects, if the control unit controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that the predetermined graphic or symbol is intermittently formed, the predetermined graphic or symbol on the road surface is provided. Since it is formed intermittently, it is more reliably alerted.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an illumination part that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, and a high-luminance part in which light is reflected by the illumination by the illumination part in the predetermined area A brightness portion detecting means for detecting the illumination portion, and when the high brightness portion is detected by the brightness portion detecting means, only the high brightness portion is dimmed or illuminated with colored light. And a control unit for controlling the vehicle.

  According to this aspect, when the high-luminance portion is detected, only the high-luminance portion is dimmed or illuminated with colored light, so that the reflected light from the high-luminance portion is reduced and the vehicle It can prevent a driver's visibility falling.

  An illuminating unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, a hazard lamp that intermittently illuminates the periphery of the vehicle, and a control unit that synchronizes the illumination of the illumination unit with the illumination of the hazard lamp. The vehicular lighting device that is provided is effective in making the host vehicle visible more reliably.

  According to this aspect, the lighting of the lighting unit is synchronized with the lighting of the hazard lamp. Thereby, blinking of the hazard lamp is assisted by the lighting of the lighting unit, and the host vehicle can be more surely recognized by the surrounding vehicle and the pedestrian.

  An illuminating unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle, and a control unit that controls the illumination of the illuminating unit so that only the vicinity of the vehicle is illuminated in the predetermined area for a predetermined period after the vehicle power is stopped The vehicle lighting device is effective when a person getting on and off the vehicle walks while visually recognizing the vicinity of the vehicle.

  According to this aspect, only the vicinity of the vehicle in the predetermined area is illuminated for a predetermined period after the vehicle power is stopped. Thereby, the person who gets on and off the vehicle can walk while visually recognizing the vicinity of the vehicle.

  In one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an illumination lamp unit that selectively switches between a low beam state that illuminates a front short-distance area and a high beam state that illuminates a far-distance area, The oncoming vehicle is detected by at least one of the first and second oncoming vehicle detection means and the first oncoming vehicle detection means and the second oncoming vehicle detection means in the high beam state. And a control unit that switches the lighting of the lighting unit from the high beam state to the low beam state when the vehicle lighting device is provided.

  According to this aspect, since the oncoming vehicle is detected by the first or second oncoming vehicle detection means, the oncoming vehicle can be detected more reliably. Further, by switching from the high beam to the low beam, glare for the driver of the oncoming vehicle can be reduced.

  In these embodiments, the predetermined figure or symbol is, for example, a geometric shape, a JIS symbol, a character, a decorative character, or the like.

  According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the visibility by the driver of the person while reducing the glare given to the person existing in the area where the vehicle is lit.

  According to invention of Claim 8 thru | or 10, alerting when the own vehicle drive | works can be performed.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the driver of the host vehicle from being lowered.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make the host vehicle more surely visible to surrounding vehicles and pedestrians.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, a person getting on and off the vehicle can walk while visually recognizing the vicinity of the vehicle.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, an oncoming vehicle can be detected more reliably.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the basic concept, main hardware configuration, operating principle, basic control method, and the like of the vehicle lighting device and projector are known to those skilled in the art, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle lighting device mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle lighting device 2 according to the present embodiment is attached to the front of a vehicle and includes an illumination unit 6 such as a headlamp that illuminates a predetermined area in front of the vehicle at night or in a tunnel. And a control unit 4 for controlling the lighting of the lighting unit 6. The control unit 4 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface circuit, and the like connected to each other via a bus, and is configured mainly with a microcomputer.

  The lighting unit 6 includes a low beam unit 6a that illuminates an area up to a relatively short distance in front of the vehicle (for example, 60 meters from the vehicle) and an illumination area of the low beam unit 6a. And a high beam portion 6b for lighting an area (for example, 150 meters from the vehicle). The illumination by the low beam portion 6a and the illumination by the high beam portion 6b are selectively switched according to the state of the changeover switch operated by the vehicle driver. The selector 4 is connected to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 lights the low beam unit 6a or the high beam unit 6b based on the state of the changeover switch.

  The illumination unit 6 includes a projector using liquid crystal, DMD (Digital Micro Mirror Device), and the like, and not only illuminates the illumination region by the low beam unit 6a and the high beam unit 6b in white. It is possible to illuminate an arbitrary area within the illumination area with red, blue, green, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle lighting device 2 includes a camera 10. The camera 10 is disposed at a location near the eyes of the vehicle driver at the front of the vehicle (for example, the front of the outer mirror in the passenger compartment), and images the front of the vehicle including the entire area of the lighting area by the lighting section 6. An image processing unit 8 connected to the control unit 4 is connected to the camera 10. An image captured by the camera 10 is supplied to the image processing unit 8. The image processing unit 8 performs image processing on the image captured by the camera 10 and supplies the processing result to the control unit 4. Based on the image processing result supplied from the image processing unit 8, the control unit 4 detects pedestrians and oncoming vehicles existing in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6, and also detects the pedestrians and passengers in the oncoming vehicles. The position (especially the position of the human eye) is detected. Further, the control unit 4 extracts a position in a predetermined region where reflected light having a predetermined luminance or higher is generated when the lighting unit 6 is lit based on the image processing result supplied from the image processing unit 8. To do.

  The vehicle lighting device 2 includes an obstacle detection sensor 12 and a lane departure detection sensor 14 connected to the control unit 4. The obstacle detection sensor 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the front grille at the front of the vehicle, and uses obstacles such as a preceding vehicle that may interfere with traveling of the host vehicle using millimeter waves, lasers, ultrasonic waves, or the like. A signal corresponding to the position of is output. The lane departure detection sensor 14 is configured by a camera or the like that captures the front of the vehicle. The lane departure detection sensor 14 responds to the presence or absence of a lane departure in which the host vehicle enters the adjacent lane from the traveling lane without the intention of the driver. Output a signal. Both the output signal of the obstacle detection sensor 12 and the output signal of the lane departure detection sensor 14 are supplied to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 detects the position of an obstacle that may interfere with the traveling of the host vehicle based on the output signal of the obstacle detection sensor 12, and the host vehicle based on the output signal of the lane departure detection sensor 14. Determine if there is a lane departure.

  Further, the vehicle lighting device 2 includes a light detection sensor 16 connected to the control unit 4. The light detection sensor 16 is disposed in the front part of the vehicle and outputs a signal corresponding to the magnitude of light incident on the host vehicle from a headlamp of an oncoming vehicle facing the host vehicle using a photodiode or the like. An output signal of the light detection sensor 16 is supplied to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 detects the magnitude of light incident on the host vehicle based on the output signal of the light detection sensor 16.

  Further, the vehicle lighting device 2 includes a receiver 18 connected to the control unit 4. The receiver 18 has a function of receiving a signal including its own position information transmitted by a transmitter such as a mobile phone carried by a pedestrian or a vehicle occupant. A reception signal of the receiver 18 is supplied to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 has a function of detecting the position of the host vehicle using a GPS receiver or the like. The control unit 4 detects the position of a person such as a pedestrian or a vehicle occupant carrying a transmitter located at least in the lighting region of the lighting unit 6 based on the received signal of the receiver 18, and the The position of the pedestrian or the like relative to the own vehicle is detected from the relationship between the position of the pedestrian or the like and the position of the own vehicle.

  Furthermore, the vehicle lighting device 2 includes a hazard lamp switch 20 connected to the control unit 4. The hazard lamp switch 20 is an on / off switch provided in the passenger compartment that can be operated by the vehicle driver. Generally, a vehicle has a hazard lamp that is provided on a side surface of a vehicle body or on a corner portion of the vehicle body and that is intermittently turned on, that is, blinks at a predetermined cycle. This hazard lamp is kept off when the hazard lamp switch 20 is in the off state, and transitions to a blinking state when the hazard lamp switch 20 is turned on. The control unit 4 determines whether the hazard lamp is blinking based on the state of the hazard lamp switch 20.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 thru | or FIG. 8, the aspect of the lighting of the lighting part 6 controlled by the control part 4 is demonstrated. 2 to 8 show the scenery in front of the driver actually seen through the windshield.

  In the vehicle lighting device 2 of the present embodiment, when an operation for requesting lighting of the lighting unit 6 is performed by the vehicle driver, the control unit 4 lights the lighting unit 6. At this time, the illumination unit 6 illuminates an area corresponding to the state of the changeover switch. Specifically, when an illumination by the low beam unit 6a is requested by the changeover switch, an area from immediately before the host vehicle to a relatively short distance in front of the vehicle is illuminated, and by the changeover switch by the high beam unit 6b. When lighting is required, a region from immediately before the host vehicle to a relatively far region in front of the vehicle is illuminated. Moreover, the illumination by the illumination part 6 to this predetermined area | region is implement | achieved in principle by irradiating the white light in which the light of all wavelengths, such as red and blue, was contained uniformly.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a mode of lighting by the lighting unit 6 when a person (including a pedestrian and an oncoming vehicle occupant) exists in the lighting area. By the way, if the lighting as described above is performed, a predetermined area in front of the vehicle is illuminated with white light, so that the vehicle driver visually recognizes whether there is a person or an obstacle in the area, a traveling lane, and the like. The vehicle can be operated while. However, especially when the high beam portion 6b is illuminated, the illumination gives glare to people (including pedestrians and occupants of oncoming vehicles) existing in the illumination area.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control unit 4 uses the camera 10 and the receiver 18 in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6 with respect to the own vehicle in a situation where the lighting unit 6 performs lighting. Detect the 3D position of an existing person. And when the person who exists in the lighting area of the lighting part 6 is detected, as shown in FIG. 2, the rectangular shape is white in the part corresponding to the detected person's face in the whole lighting area. In other words, it is formed in a different color such as red, i.e., the colored light is incident on the rectangular part including the part of the human face to be detected, and the other part is formed in white as usual. The lighting unit 6 controls the lighting. In addition to the rectangular shape, a figure such as a circular shape or a triangular shape may be formed in a portion corresponding to the detected human face in the total lighting area.

  In such a configuration, when a person such as a pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle occupant is present in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6, colored light is incident on the person by the lighting of the lighting unit 6. Then, white light is incident on the other portions. The human eye tends to feel dazzling when the incident light is white light, but does not feel much dazzle as compared to white light when the incident light is colored light. For this reason, according to the lighting of the lighting unit 6 as described above, glare given to a person existing in the lighting region is reduced. In addition, when colored light is illuminated, it is easier for a person to visually recognize an object than when no light is illuminated. For this reason, according to the lighting of the lighting unit 6 as described above, the visibility in the lighting area is secured to some extent for the driver of the host vehicle. Therefore, according to the vehicle lighting device 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the visibility of the person by the driver while reducing the glare given to the person existing in the lighting area of the vehicle. ing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, detection of a person existing in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6 is not only performed using an image captured by the camera 10 but also a transmission signal of a transmitter carried by the person is received. This is performed using the result received by the machine 18. For this reason, even when a person existing in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6 is located behind the utility pole and is located in the blind spot of the camera 10, the person carries a transmitter that transmits position information. Since the relative position of the person with respect to the own vehicle can be detected, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

  In this aspect, in order to reduce the glare given to the person existing in the lighting area of the vehicle and to ensure the visibility of the person by the driver, the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is completely illuminated. Although control is performed so that a rectangular shape is formed in a colored portion in the portion corresponding to the detected human face in the lamp region, the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is detected in the whole lighting region. It is good also as controlling so that a rectangular shape may be intermittently formed in the part corresponding to a person's face regardless of a color. In such a configuration, the illuminator 6 does not illuminate the white light continuously for a long time, so that glare given to a person existing in the illuminating area is reduced and the light is completely illuminated. Since the object can be visually recognized to some extent as compared with the case where it is not performed, a certain degree of visibility in the lighting area is secured for the driver of the own vehicle, and therefore, the same effect as the above-described aspect can be obtained. Become.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of another mode of lighting by the lighting unit 6 when a person (including a pedestrian and an oncoming vehicle occupant) exists in the lighting area. In the present embodiment, the control unit 4 exists in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6 with respect to the own vehicle using the camera 10 and the receiver 18 in the situation where the lighting unit 6 performs lighting as described above. The three-dimensional position of the person's face is detected. And when the person who exists in the lighting area | region of the lighting part 6 is detected, as shown in FIG. 3 based on the three-dimensional position and the eye position of the driver | operator of the own vehicle set beforehand. The rectangular shape portion including the portion corresponding to the face of the person to be detected as viewed from the driver of the own vehicle in the all-in-light region is dimmed compared to other white portions, and the rectangular shape Predetermined figures and symbols indicating that there is a person in the rectangular part such as an arrow in the vicinity of the part (for example, in front of the part) are formed in a color such as red different from white, and other The lighting of the lighting unit 6 is controlled so that the portion is formed in white as usual.

  In such a configuration, when there is a person such as a pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle occupant in the lighting area of the lighting unit 6, the white light dimmed to the person by the lighting of the lighting unit 6. Is incident, colored light that indicates the presence of the person is incident on the vicinity of the person, and white light is incident on the other parts as usual. When the light for a person existing in the lighting area is reduced, the glare given to the person is reduced compared to the case where the light is not reduced. In addition, when a colored figure or the like indicating the presence of a person is formed near the person in the lighting area, the driver of the vehicle can visually recognize the person even if the light to the person is dimmed. Although it is difficult to do, it can recognize its existence. Therefore, also in another aspect of the vehicle lighting device 2, it is possible to ensure the visibility of the person by the driver while reducing the glare that is given to the person existing in the lighting area of the vehicle. .

  In this aspect, in order to reduce the glare given to the person existing in the lighting area of the vehicle and to ensure the visibility of the person by the driver, the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is completely illuminated. In the lamp area, control is performed so that a figure or the like indicating that the person is present is formed in a colored portion in the vicinity of the person to be detected. It is good also as controlling so that the figure etc. which show that the person exists in the part of the vicinity of the person detected among the area | regions may be formed intermittently irrespective of a color. In such a configuration, even if the light to the person in the lighting area is dimmed, it is difficult for the driver of the own vehicle to visually recognize the person himself / herself. Since it can be recognized, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-described another aspect.

  In the above-described aspect, the lighting of the lighting unit 6 is controlled without distinction between the low beam unit 6a and the high beam 6b. However, the above-described control may be performed only for the lighting by the high beam unit 6b. As described above, the illumination area of the high beam section 6b includes the entire illumination area of the low beam section 6a. At this time, the control section 4 is within the illumination area of the high beam section 6b and the low beam section 6a as shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to control the lighting of the lighting part 6 so that a predetermined figure, a symbol, etc. are formed about the part outside the lighting area. According to such a configuration, since it is not necessary to form a figure or the like in a region relatively close to the host vehicle, it is possible to improve the light use efficiency by the lighting unit 6 when lighting the front of the vehicle. It becomes.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a lighting mode by the lighting unit 6 when the host vehicle may collide with an obstacle. By the way, when the host vehicle is about to collide with an obstacle such as a preceding vehicle during traveling at night or the like, in order to avoid the collision or reduce the impact of the collision, the situation is promptly given to the driver of the host vehicle. It is appropriate to perform alerting to encourage brake braking and avoidance steering by informing. In order to avoid a collision or reduce the impact of a collision when the vehicle is about to deviate from the traveling lane on which the vehicle is traveling without driving the driver's intention during driving such as at night, It is appropriate to perform alerting to prompt braking and avoidance steering by promptly notifying the driver of the vehicle of the situation.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 4 detects the position of the obstacle using the obstacle detection sensor 12 in a situation where the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is performed, and the own vehicle becomes the obstacle. It is determined whether or not there is a possibility of a collision, and the presence or absence of a lane departure of the host vehicle is determined using the lane departure detection sensor 14. And when it is detected that a collision with an obstacle may occur, based on the position of the obstacle and the position of the eyes of the driver of the host vehicle set in advance, as shown in FIG. A red color that is different from white in the all-illuminated area, as seen from the driver of the host vehicle, such as a figure, symbol, character, etc. (surprising mark in FIG. 5) indicating a warning of the collision in front of the obstacle The lighting by the lighting unit 6 is controlled so that the other portions are formed in white as usual. In addition, when it is detected that the host vehicle may cause a lane departure, a warning for lane departure is displayed in the center part or on the lane as seen from the driver of the host vehicle within the all-lights area. The lighting by the lighting unit 6 is controlled so that figures, symbols, characters, etc. are formed in a color such as red, which is different from white, and other parts are formed in white as usual. In addition, when this lighting is performed, it is good also as outputting a sound that there exists a possibility that a collision or lane departure may arise from a vehicle-mounted speaker.

  In such a configuration, when there is a possibility that the own vehicle may collide with an obstacle or may deviate from the traveling lane, attention is paid to the collision or lane departure in the illumination area by the illumination of the illumination unit 6. A figure etc. are formed in color for arousal. In this case, the driver of the own vehicle can see a figure or the like formed on the road surface by the lighting of the lighting unit 6, and can recognize a vehicle collision or lane departure by visually checking the figure or the like. it can. Therefore, according to the vehicle lighting device 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to alert that the host vehicle may collide with an obstacle and that the host vehicle may deviate from the lane. It is possible to improve driving safety.

  In this aspect, the control unit 4 detects the position of the obstacle using the obstacle detection sensor 12 to determine whether or not the own vehicle may collide with the obstacle, and the lane Although the departure detection sensor 14 is used to determine the presence or absence of lane departure of the host vehicle, the position of the obstacle may be detected based on the image captured by the camera 10 and the host vehicle may collide with the obstacle. It is also possible to determine whether or not the vehicle has deviated from the lane based on the image captured by the camera 10.

  In addition, the control unit 4 controls the lighting by the lighting unit 6 so that a graphic or the like indicating a warning is formed in a predetermined portion in the entire lighting region, but the warning is generated. It is good also as controlling so that the figure etc. to show are formed intermittently irrespective of a color. Even in such a configuration, the driver of the host vehicle can recognize a vehicle collision or a lane departure by looking at a blinking figure or the like formed on the road surface by the lighting of the lighting unit 6. The same effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an aspect of lighting by the lighting unit 6 when a high-luminance portion is extracted. By the way, when the illuminating unit 6 is illuminated on a snowy road or in rainy weather, the light from the illuminating light is reflected by snow, ice burn, a puddle, etc., and high brightness light is incident on the own vehicle. There is. In this case, since the driver of the host vehicle feels dazzling due to the lighting of the host vehicle, the driving of the host vehicle may be adversely affected.

  In contrast, in the present embodiment, the control unit 4 generates reflected light having a predetermined luminance or higher based on the processing result of the captured image by the camera 10 in a situation where the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is performed. A position in the lighting area is extracted. When a position where reflected light having a predetermined luminance or higher is extracted in the lighting area of the lighting section 6, as shown in FIG. 6, the high-luminance portion of the entire lighting area is dimmed. Alternatively, the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is controlled so that it is illuminated in color and the other parts are formed in white as usual. Thereafter, the lighting for the extracted high-intensity part is continued until the vehicle passes through the high-intensity part in accordance with the speed and traveling direction of the vehicle.

  In such a configuration, when there is a high-luminance part in the illumination area of the illumination unit 6, white light that is dimmed to the high-intensity part by the illumination of the illumination unit 6 is incident or colored light. Will be incident. When the light is dimmed, the luminance of the light incident on the vehicle from the high-luminance portion is smaller than that when the light is not dimmed. In addition, when colored light is illuminated, even if the reflected light is incident on the vehicle, the vehicle driver does not feel much more dazzling than the white light with respect to the high luminance portion. For this reason, by controlling the lighting of the lighting unit 6 as described above, it is possible to avoid high-intensity light entering the vehicle driver. Therefore, according to the vehicle lighting device 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the driver of the host vehicle from being lowered due to the lighting of the host vehicle, and thereby the lighting unit It is possible to avoid the adverse effect on the driving of the host vehicle caused by the illumination lamp 6.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the form of lighting by the lighting unit 6 synchronized with the lighting of the hazard lamp.
By the way, when the vehicle is stopped or is about to stop, the vehicle driver notifies the driver or pedestrian of the other vehicle that the host vehicle is stopped or is about to stop. It is common to operate 20 to blink a hazard lamp. However, especially during nighttime, sufficiently inform the driver and pedestrian of the oncoming vehicle that passes face-to-face on one-lane roads or narrow roads, etc., when the vehicle is stopped or is about to stop. However, flashing the hazard lamps alone may not be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 4 determines whether the hazard lamp is blinking based on the state of the hazard lamp switch 20. If it is determined that the hazard lamp is blinking, the lighting section 6 is synchronized with the lighting of the hazard lamp even if the driver does not perform an operation for requesting the lighting of the lighting section 6. The process of turning on the light, that is, turning on the lighting unit 6 when the hazard lamp is turned on and turning off the lighting unit 6 when the hazard lamp is turned off is repeated. At this time, the lighting of the lighting unit 6 is formed with respect to only a part of the entire area where the lighting is possible, as shown in FIG. 7, and the part is formed in the amber color same as the lighting color of the hazard lamp. To be done. In addition, this lighting may be performed with respect to the whole area which can be lit of the lighting unit 6, or may be performed with a color other than the amber color same as the lighting color of the hazard lamp. .

  In such a configuration, at the same time when the hazard lamp blinks, the illumination section 6 illuminates in synchronism with the blinking of the hazard lamp, regardless of the illumination request operation of the illumination section 6 by the vehicle driver. In this case, the flashing of the hazard lamp is assisted by the lighting of the lighting unit 6, and the area around the vehicle where the emergency flashing is performed is enlarged forward of the vehicle. It is possible for the driver of another vehicle to reliably recognize the presence of the host vehicle even from a further distance.

  FIG. 8 shows one mode of lighting by the lighting unit 6 after the vehicle power is stopped. By the way, a person who gets off a vehicle parked in a dark place such as at night may cross the front of the vehicle. At this time, if the front of the vehicle is illuminated, it is convenient for the person.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 4 performs an operation for requesting the lighting of the lighting unit 6 by the vehicle driver when the lighting unit 6 is turned off from the lighting state and the ignition switch is turned off. Even if not illuminated, the lighting by the lighting unit 6 is controlled so that only the vicinity of the vehicle is illuminated in white for a predetermined period after the ignition is turned off, as shown in FIG. In addition, this predetermined period is set to a time (for example, 20 seconds) that does not cause a significant capacity reduction of the in-vehicle battery due to the lighting of the lighting unit 6.

  In such a configuration, after the engine that is the vehicle power is stopped by turning off the ignition in a dark place such as at night, the lighting unit 6 is connected to the vehicle regardless of the lighting request operation of the lighting unit 6 by the vehicle driver. Light up nearby roads. In this case, when a person who stops the vehicle and gets off the vehicle crosses the front of the vehicle, the person can surely see the front of the vehicle illuminated by the lighting unit 6.

  In this mode, the lighting unit 6 is lit only for a predetermined period after the ignition switch is turned off. However, the lighting timing of the lighting unit 6 is not limited to this, and the ignition switch is not limited thereto. The illumination unit 6 may be illuminated only for a predetermined period after the vehicle is turned off and the vehicle door is opened thereafter, or for a predetermined period after the vehicle door is locked.

  By the way, in the situation where the host vehicle is lighting the high beam unit 6b of the lighting unit 6, when an oncoming vehicle facing the host vehicle or a preceding vehicle preceding the host vehicle appears in front of the host vehicle, If the lighting by the high beam part 6b is continued, the light will give a great glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 4 detects the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle based on the result of processing the captured image of the camera 10, and detects light incident on the host vehicle using the light detection sensor 16, thereby detecting the head. Presence of an oncoming vehicle that emits light from the lamp is estimated. And when the control unit 4 does not detect / estimate the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle from both the captured image of the camera 10 and the light detection sensor 16 in the situation where the high beam unit 6b of the lighting unit 6 is lit, While the lighting by the high beam unit 6b of the lighting unit 6 is continued, when the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle is detected and estimated from at least one of the captured image of the camera 10 and the light detection sensor 16, the lighting unit 6 The lighting is automatically switched from the lighting state by the high beam portion 6b to the lighting state by the low beam portion 6a.

  In such a configuration, when an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle appears at the time of lighting by the high beam unit 6b, the lighting unit 6 automatically and independently of the lighting request operation of the lighting unit 6 by the vehicle driver. The lighting is switched from the lighting by the high beam portion 6b to the lighting by the low beam portion 6a. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce glare that the driver of the own vehicle gives to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle from the own vehicle without performing a switching operation regarding the lighting of the lighting unit 6. It is possible.

  Further, according to such a configuration, even when the oncoming vehicle cannot be detected using the captured image of the camera 10 in a situation where the oncoming vehicle actually exists, the oncoming vehicle emits the light of the headlamp. If so, the presence of the oncoming vehicle can be estimated using the light detection sensor 16. For this reason, even when it is erroneously detected that there is no oncoming vehicle depending on the captured image of the camera 10, the light detection sensor 16 changes the lighting of the lighting unit 6 from the lighting by the high beam unit 6b to the lighting by the low beam unit 6a. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably reduce glare from the own vehicle to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle lighting device mounted on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the lighting by the lighting part 6 when a person exists in a lighting area. It is a figure which shows an example of another aspect of the lighting by the lighting part 6 when a person exists in a lighting area. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the lighting by the lighting part in which the predetermined | prescribed figure, the symbol, etc. were formed about the part in the lighting area of a high beam part, and the outside of the lighting area of a low beam part. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the lighting by the lighting part when there exists a possibility that the own vehicle may collide with an obstruction. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the lighting by a lighting part when a high-intensity part is extracted. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the lighting by the lighting part synchronized with the lighting of the hazard lamp. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the lighting by the lighting part by which only the vicinity of the vehicle was illuminated for the predetermined period after vehicle power stop.

Explanation of symbols

2 Vehicle lighting device
4 Control unit
6 Lighting section
6a Low beam part 6b High beam part 8 Image processing part
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Camera 12 Obstacle detection sensor 14 Lane departure detection sensor 16 Light detection sensor 18 Receiver 20 Hazard lamp switch

Claims (14)

An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A person detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area;
In the predetermined area that is illuminated in white, the illumination of the illumination unit is performed so that a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color in a portion corresponding to the person detected by the human detection means. And a control unit for controlling the vehicle. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A person detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area;
In the predetermined area illuminated with white, a portion corresponding to the person detected by the person detecting means is dimmed, and a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a colored portion in the vicinity of the person. Thus, a vehicle lighting device comprising: a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A person detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area;
The lighting of the lighting section is arranged so that a predetermined figure or symbol is intermittently formed in a portion corresponding to the person detected by the human detection means in the predetermined area illuminated in white. And a control unit for controlling the vehicle. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A person detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area;
A portion corresponding to the person detected by the person detecting means in the predetermined area illuminated by white is dimmed, and a predetermined figure or symbol is intermittently formed in the vicinity of the person. Thus, a vehicle lighting device comprising: a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the person detecting means includes first detecting means for detecting a person in the predetermined area based on a photographed image of a camera for photographing the predetermined area. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The vehicle detection means includes a second detection unit that detects a person in the predetermined area by receiving a signal including position information transmitted by a portable device carried by the person. Lamp device. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The lighting unit includes a low beam unit that illuminates a front short-distance region, and a high beam unit that illuminates a front long-distance region,
The control unit controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that the predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a portion in the front far-distance region and outside the front short-distance region. Vehicle lighting device. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A collision judging means for judging whether or not the own vehicle may collide with an obstacle;
When the collision determination means determines that the host vehicle may collide with the obstacle, the predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color within the predetermined area illuminated in white. A vehicle lighting device comprising: a control unit that controls lighting of the lighting unit. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
Deviation judging means for judging whether or not the own vehicle deviates from the lane,
When the departure determining means determines that the host vehicle departs from the lane, the lighting of the lighting unit is such that a predetermined figure or symbol is formed in a color within the predetermined area illuminated in white. A vehicle lighting device comprising: a control unit that controls the lamp. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 8 or 9,
The said control part controls the lighting of the said lighting part so that the said predetermined figure or symbol may be formed intermittently, The vehicle lighting apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A luminance portion detecting means for detecting a high luminance portion in which light is reflected by the lighting by the lighting portion of the predetermined region;
A control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that only the high luminance part is dimmed or illuminated with colored light when the high luminance part is detected by the luminance part detecting unit. A vehicle lighting device characterized by the above. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A hazard lamp that intermittently lights around the vehicle,
A vehicle lighting device comprising: a control unit that synchronizes the lighting of the lighting unit with the lighting of the hazard lamp. An illumination unit that can illuminate a predetermined area in front of the vehicle;
A vehicle lighting device comprising: a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit so that only the vicinity of the vehicle in the predetermined region is illuminated for a predetermined period after the vehicle power is stopped. An illumination unit that selectively switches between a low beam state that illuminates an area at a short distance in front and a high beam state that illuminates an area at a long distance in front;
First and second oncoming vehicle detection means for detecting an oncoming vehicle;
In the high beam state, when the oncoming vehicle is detected by at least one of the first oncoming vehicle detection unit and the second oncoming vehicle detection unit, the lighting of the lighting unit is moved from the high beam state. And a controller for switching to the low beam state.

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