JP2006347344A - Device for controlling distribution of luminous intensity - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device by which the distance between one's own car and a preceding car can be easily understood. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting of an LED head lump is controlled (104) such that the target distance between one's own car and the preceding car is calculated (100, 102) based on a detected value of a car speed sensor, and then the range of a road surface beyond the calculated target distance between the two cars and the range of the road surface up to the calculated target distance between the two cars are illuminated in different states of the distribution of luminous intensity. For example, the lighting of the LED head lump is controlled such that the required range of the road surface corresponding to the position capable of securing the target distance between the two cars and the range of the road surface other than the required range of the road surface within the irradiation range of the LED head lump are illuminated by different color light beams respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light distribution control device, and more particularly to a light distribution control device that controls light distribution of a headlight of an automobile.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a technique for irradiating an obstacle behind a vehicle with two intersecting rays and grasping the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle at the time of parking has been proposed.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when two intersecting light beams are projected onto an obstacle behind the vehicle, the distance between the two light beams projected onto the obstacle becomes narrower as the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle becomes closer. Therefore, the distance from the vehicle to the obstacle can be grasped based on the interval between the two light beams.
JP-A-9-267707

  However, if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied in order to grasp the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle, as shown in FIG. 7, the inter-vehicle distance L1 with the preceding vehicle is a distance L2 with the obstacle at the time of parking. The angle formed by the two light rays becomes smaller from θ1 to θ2. And if the angle formed by the two light beams becomes small, the distance between the two light beams projected forward is small even if the actual inter-vehicle distance changes, so the driver cannot recognize the variation in the distance between the two light beams. There's a problem. FIG. 7 shows a case where θ1 grasps the distance to the obstacle as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, and θ2 tries to grasp the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle by applying the technique of Patent Document 1. Shows the case.

  In addition to reducing the angle formed by the two light beams, it is conceivable to increase the distance between the two light sources in order to increase the target distance, but this is used to determine the distance between the two vehicles. If it is going to be, there exists a problem that an apparatus will enlarge and it is not realistic.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily grasp the inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to a headlamp capable of changing a light distribution state of light radiating forward, vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed, and detection results of the vehicle speed detecting means. Based on the calculation means for calculating the target inter-vehicle distance with respect to the vehicle ahead, and based on the calculation result of the calculation means, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured can be recognized. And a control means for controlling the light distribution state of the illumination lamp.

  According to invention of Claim 1, a headlamp irradiates light ahead of the own vehicle. Moreover, the light distribution state of the light which irradiates the front can be changed. The light distribution state can be changed, for example, by changing some colors in the light irradiation area, changing the state of the pattern, etc., or changing the light distribution state by changing the illuminance or other methods. You may make it do.

  The vehicle speed detecting means detects the vehicle speed, and the calculating means calculates the target inter-vehicle distance with respect to the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means. For example, the calculating means may calculate the target braking distance or time for each vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means as the target inter-vehicle distance. Further, the calculation of the target inter-vehicle distance by the calculating means may be performed by calculating the target inter-vehicle distance for each vehicle speed and storing it in a table or the like.

  Then, the control means controls the light distribution state of the headlamp based on the calculation result of the calculation means so that the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured can be recognized. That is, since the light distribution state of the headlamp is controlled so that the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured can be recognized, the light distribution state irradiated by the headlamp can be changed. The target inter-vehicle distance that changes according to the vehicle speed can be easily grasped only by visual recognition. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the appropriate inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle by confirming whether or not the preceding vehicle is within the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured from the light distribution state.

  Note that, as in the invention described in claim 2, the control means is configured such that the predetermined road surface corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured and the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the headlamp irradiation range are different. You may make it control the light distribution state of a headlamp so that it may be in a state. That is, since the illumination state is different between the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured and the other road surface area irradiated by the headlamp, the driver can easily recognize the target inter-vehicle distance.

  Moreover, you may make it further provide the inter-vehicle distance detection means which detects the inter-vehicle distance with a preceding vehicle. In this case, the control by the control means may be started based on the detection result of the inter-vehicle distance detection means. For example, as in the third aspect of the invention, the vehicle further includes an inter-vehicle distance detection unit, and starts control by the control unit when the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit becomes a predetermined value or less. Thus, when the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead becomes short, the light distribution state is such that the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target vehicle distance can be secured can be recognized. It is possible to notify that it is close. For example, a threshold value is set for each vehicle speed as the predetermined value. The threshold value at this time is preferably a value that is a distance farther than the target inter-vehicle distance.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the target inter-vehicle distance with respect to the preceding vehicle is calculated based on the vehicle speed, and the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is recognized based on the calculated target inter-vehicle distance. By controlling the light distribution state of the headlamp so that it is possible, it is possible to easily grasp the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead simply by visually recognizing the light distribution state irradiated by the headlamp. is there.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a light distribution control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The light distribution control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a light distribution control ECU 12 that controls the light distribution of the LED headlamp 14, and lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled by the light distribution control ECU 12. .

  The LED headlamp 14 includes, for example, a plurality of LEDs, and includes an LED that develops white color and an LED that produces color other than white. In the present embodiment, the white colored LED is arranged so as to satisfy the light distribution characteristics of a normal headlamp, and the LED colored other than white is arranged on the upper side of the LED headlamp 14 in the vehicle. For example, an LED that develops color other than white develops yellow or red. A light distribution that enables recognition of a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be ensured by irradiating a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where a target inter-vehicle distance, which will be described later, can be secured by an LED that develops color other than white. It becomes a state.

  The light distribution control ECU 12 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 12A, a RAM 12B, a ROM 12C, and an I / O 12D. A vehicle speed sensor 16 and an LED headlamp 14 are connected to the I / O 12D and detected by the vehicle speed sensor 16. The vehicle speed is input to the light distribution control ECU 12, and lighting of each LED of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled by the light distribution control ECU 12.

  The ROM 12C of the light distribution control ECU 12 stores a program for executing calculation of a target inter-vehicle distance and a light distribution control routine to be described later, and the RAM 12B performs various calculations (for example, calculation of the target inter-vehicle distance) performed by the CPU 1A. Etc.) is used as a memory or the like.

  The CPU 12 </ b> A of the light distribution control ECU 12 calculates a target inter-vehicle distance that serves as a guide for the distance from the preceding vehicle for each vehicle speed based on the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 16 input from the vehicle speed sensor 16. For example, as the target inter-vehicle distance, a braking stop distance that can be safely stopped at the current vehicle speed can be applied, and the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is determined by the vehicle according to the present embodiment from the braking stop distance. Although the light distribution area by the headlamp 14 on the front side is applied, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a partial road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured may be used.

  Then, the CPU 12A has an illumination state in which the light distribution of the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is different from the light distribution irradiated to other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. Thus, the lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled.

  The target inter-vehicle distance may be calculated for each vehicle speed, or the target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the vehicle speed may be stored as a table in the ROM 12C or the like and read out. Further, in the lighting control by the CPU 12A, a table in which LEDs for irradiating a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position at which a target inter-vehicle distance or a target inter-vehicle distance can be secured in advance is stored in the ROM 12C or the like in advance. It is also possible to read out the LED that lights up corresponding to the vehicle speed from the table and control the lighting.

  Next, a light distribution control routine performed by the light distribution control ECU 12 of the light distribution control device 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a light distribution control routine performed by the light distribution control ECU 12 of the light distribution control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The light distribution control routine of FIG. 2 is a process executed when lighting of the headlamp 14 is instructed (for example, when the headlamp 14 is turned on when the headlamp switch is turned on or during auto light). To do.

  In step 100, the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 16 is input to the light distribution control ECU 12A via the I / O 12D, and the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, a target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the vehicle speed input from the vehicle speed sensor 16 is calculated. That is, the target inter-vehicle distance that is the braking stop distance that can be safely stopped at the current vehicle speed is calculated.

  Subsequently, in step 104, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the calculated target inter-vehicle distance can be secured and the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14 are in different light distribution states. The lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the LED headlamp 14 includes the LED that emits white color and the LED that develops color other than white, so that the LED that emits white color when the lighting of the headlamp is instructed. Lights up. Then, an LED that emits color other than white that illuminates the road surface area ahead of the target inter-vehicle distance is turned on. That is, since the target inter-vehicle distance L shown in FIG. 3 changes depending on the vehicle speed, the length of the road surface area (target inter-vehicle distance L) irradiated only with the white colored LED changes. Therefore, the light distribution for irradiating the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured in this manner is different from the light distribution for irradiating the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. By confirming the light distribution state of the light irradiated by the LED headlamp 14, the driver can easily grasp the target inter-vehicle distance with the vehicle ahead. For example, when the vehicle ahead is in a portion that is colored other than white, the distance between the vehicles is short, so that it is possible to drive the vehicle so that the distance between the vehicles is open, and the safety can be improved.

  Subsequently, in step 106, it is determined whether or not the headlamp is turned off. This determination is based on whether the headlamp switch or the like is instructed to be turned off, whether or not the autolight switch is instructed to be turned off, or the autolight switch is turned on and the ambient illuminance exceeds a predetermined illuminance and the headlamp is turned off. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 and the above processing is repeated. When the determination in step 106 is affirmed, a series of light distribution control is performed. End the routine.

That is, in the first embodiment as described above, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance that changes according to the vehicle speed can be secured and the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14 are By always controlling the LED headlamps 14 so as to be in different light distribution states, it is possible to visually recognize an appropriate inter-vehicle distance at all times while the driver is looking forward while driving at night. Furthermore, when a vehicle or the like that has overtaken the own vehicle changes the lane in front of the own vehicle, it becomes easier to grasp an appropriate inter-vehicle change timing.
[Second Embodiment]
Then, the light distribution control apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the light distribution control device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the LED headlamp 14 is composed of, for example, a plurality of LEDs, and includes LEDs that color white and colors LEDs other than white. In the present embodiment, the white colored LED is arranged so as to satisfy the light distribution characteristics of a normal headlamp, and the LED colored other than white is arranged on the upper side of the LED headlamp 14 in the vehicle. For example, an LED that develops color other than white develops yellow or red. A light distribution that enables recognition of a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be ensured by irradiating a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where a target inter-vehicle distance, which will be described later, can be secured by an LED that develops color other than white. It becomes a state.

  The light distribution control ECU 22 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 22A, a RAM 22B, a ROM 22C, and an I / O 22D. The I / O 22D is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 16, an inter-vehicle distance sensor 18, and an LED headlamp 14, and the vehicle speed. The vehicle speed detected by the sensor 16 and the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 are input to the light distribution control ECU 22, and lighting of each LED of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled by the light distribution control ECU 22. . As the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18, for example, a millimeter wave radar can be applied.

  The ROM 22C of the light distribution control ECU 22 stores a program for executing calculation of a target inter-vehicle distance and a light distribution control routine described later, and the RAM 22B performs various operations performed by the CPU 22A (for example, calculation of a target inter-vehicle distance). Etc.) is used as a memory or the like.

  The CPU 22 </ b> A of the light distribution control ECU 22 calculates a target inter-vehicle distance that serves as a guide for the distance from the preceding vehicle for each vehicle speed based on the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 16 input from the vehicle speed sensor 16. For example, as the target inter-vehicle distance, a braking stop distance that can be safely stopped at the current vehicle speed can be applied, and the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is determined by the vehicle according to the present embodiment from the braking stop distance. Although the light distribution area by the headlamp 14 on the front side is applied, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a partial road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured may be used.

  Then, the CPU 22A has an illumination state in which the light distribution of the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is different from the light distribution irradiated to other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. Thus, the lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled.

  The target inter-vehicle distance may be calculated for each vehicle speed, or the target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the vehicle speed may be stored as a table in the ROM 12C or the like and read out. Further, in the lighting control by the CPU 12A, a table in which LEDs for irradiating a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position at which a target inter-vehicle distance or a target inter-vehicle distance can be secured in advance is stored in the ROM 12C or the like in advance. It is also possible to read out the LED that lights up corresponding to the vehicle speed from the table and control the lighting.

  Further, a predetermined threshold value for the inter-vehicle distance for each vehicle speed is stored in the ROM 22C of the light distribution control ECU 22 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the threshold is set to a distance longer than the target inter-vehicle distance, and when the inter-vehicle distance is within the threshold, the light distribution control ECU 22 determines the target inter-vehicle distance by the light of the LED that is colored other than white. The lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled so as to irradiate a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where it can be secured.

  Next, a light distribution control routine performed by the light distribution control ECU 22 of the light distribution control device 20 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a light distribution control routine performed by the light distribution control ECU 22 of the light distribution control device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the light distribution control routine of FIG. 5 is a process that is executed when an instruction to turn on the headlamp is given (for example, when the headlamp is turned on or when the headlamp is turned on during auto light).

  In step 200, detection values of the vehicle speed sensor 16 and the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 are input to the light distribution control ECU 22 via the I / O 22D, and the process proceeds to step 202.

  In step 202, a target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the vehicle speed input from the vehicle speed sensor 16 is calculated. That is, the target inter-vehicle distance that is the braking stop distance that can be safely stopped at the current vehicle speed is calculated.

  Subsequently, in step 204, it is determined whether the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 is closer than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance. The determination is made by determining whether or not the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 is equal to or less than the threshold of the inter-vehicle distance stored in advance in the ROM 22C. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 206. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step 212 as it is.

  In step 206, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance calculated in step 202 can be secured and the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14 are in a different light distribution state. The lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the LED headlamp 14 includes the LED that emits white color and the LED that develops color other than white, so that the LED that emits white color when the lighting of the headlamp is instructed. Lights up. Then, when the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 becomes closer than a predetermined threshold, an LED that emits a color other than white that illuminates the road surface area ahead of the target inter-vehicle distance is turned on. That is, since the target inter-vehicle distance L shown in FIG. 6 (B) changes depending on the vehicle speed, the length of the road surface region (target inter-vehicle distance L) irradiated with only the white colored LED changes. Therefore, the light distribution for irradiating the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured in this manner is different from the light distribution for irradiating the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. By confirming the light distribution state of the light irradiated by the LED headlamp 14, the driver can easily grasp the target inter-vehicle distance with the vehicle ahead. For example, when the vehicle ahead is in a portion that is colored other than white, the distance between the vehicles is short, so that it is possible to drive the vehicle so that the distance between the vehicles is open, and the safety can be improved.

  Next, in step 208, it is determined whether the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 is longer than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance. The determination is made by determining whether or not the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 18 is greater than the inter-vehicle distance threshold value stored in advance in the ROM 22C. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210. If the result of the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 212 as it is.

  In step 210, the light distribution control is reset. That is, the light distribution control performed in step 206 is reset, the lighting of the LED headlamp 14 is controlled so that only the white LED emits light, and the process proceeds to step 212.

  In step 212, it is determined whether or not the headlamp is turned off. This determination is based on whether the headlamp switch or the like is instructed to be turned off, whether or not the autolight switch is instructed to turn off, or the autolight switch is on and the ambient illuminance exceeds a predetermined illuminance, If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 200 and the above processing is repeated. When the determination at step 212 is affirmed, a series of light distribution control is performed. Exit the routine.

  In the first embodiment, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is always controlled so that the light distribution state is different from other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. However, in the second embodiment, when the inter-vehicle distance becomes shorter than the predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold for each vehicle speed, the light distribution state in FIG. 6 (A) is changed to the light distribution state in FIG. 6 (B). In addition, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is controlled to be in a light distribution state different from other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. The distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead can also be easily grasped by performing the light distribution control in this way.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the inter-vehicle distance becomes closer than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold for each vehicle speed, a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is within the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. Since the light distribution state is controlled so as to be different from other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area, it is possible to notify the driver of the fact that the inter-vehicle distance is reduced by the light distribution control by the light distribution control device 20.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light distribution state of the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is the light distribution state in which the road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14 is irradiated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a portion of the road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is irradiated. A mask such as a filter may be movably provided on the LED headlamp 14 so that the portion has a striped pattern or the like, and the movement may be controlled, or a combination of colors and striped patterns may be combined. The illuminance of the road surface area corresponding to the position where the inter-vehicle distance can be secured is different from the illuminance of other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area in the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. It may be. Further, in the case of the second embodiment, when the inter-vehicle distance is too close, it may be controlled to scroll the striped pattern of the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured, and the inter-vehicle distance is You may make it change the scroll speed of the striped pattern of the predetermined road surface area | region corresponding to the position which can ensure the target inter-vehicle distance as it gets close (for example, fast).

  In each of the above embodiments, the target inter-vehicle distance is calculated as the distance. However, the time corresponding to the target inter-vehicle distance may be calculated and controlled using the time. .

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the inter-vehicle distance becomes shorter than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance threshold for each vehicle speed, the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is the irradiation range of the LED headlamp 14. The LED headlamp 14 is controlled so as to have a color different from that of other road surface areas other than the predetermined road surface area, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the distance becomes shorter, the light that irradiates the predetermined road surface area corresponding to the position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured may be blinked. As a result, higher attention can be expected. Further, the color scheme of the entire irradiation area may be changed according to the danger level. For example, a plurality of threshold values for the inter-vehicle distance may be provided, and the light distribution control may be performed so that the distance changes to yellow at a somewhat dangerous distance between vehicles and to red at a dangerous distance between vehicles. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to alert | report a dangerous state not only to a front vehicle but the circumference | surroundings including a parallel running vehicle.

  In the second embodiment, only the light distribution control of the LED headlamp 14 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the inter-vehicle distance becomes shorter than the threshold, a rear fog lamp, a brake lamp, etc. You may make it light by combining. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to call attention to a back vehicle.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light distribution control of the LED headlamp 14 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to a cornering lamp that emits light in a direction offset from the vehicle. You may make it do. In this case, the target may be a target distance such as a guard rail instead of the preceding vehicle.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the light distribution control apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the light distribution control routine performed by light distribution control ECU of the light distribution control apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution control performed with the light distribution control apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the light distribution control apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the light distribution control routine performed by light distribution control ECU of the light distribution control apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution control performed with the light distribution control apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the problem at the time of trying to grasp | ascertain the front inter-vehicle distance by applying the technique of patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20 Light distribution control device 12 Light distribution control ECU
14 LED headlamps 16 Vehicle speed sensor 18 Inter-vehicle distance sensor

Claims (4)

A headlamp that can change the light distribution state of the light that illuminates the front,
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed;
Calculation means for calculating a target inter-vehicle distance with respect to a preceding vehicle based on a detection result of the vehicle speed detection means;
Control means for controlling the light distribution state of the headlamp so that a predetermined road surface area corresponding to a position where the target inter-vehicle distance can be secured is recognizable based on the calculation result of the calculation means;
A light distribution control device.   The control means controls the light distribution state of the headlamp so that the predetermined road surface area and a different road surface area other than the predetermined road surface area in the headlamp irradiation range are in different illumination states. The light distribution control device according to claim 1.   Further comprising an inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle, and starting the control by the control means when the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means becomes a predetermined value or less. The light distribution control device according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The light distribution according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates a brakeable distance or time for each vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit as the target inter-vehicle distance. 5. Control device.

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