JP2010095205A - Headlight for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a headlight for a vehicle capable of contributing to prevention of an accident with a pedestrian at night by performing irradiation enough to discover and recognize the pedestrian for the driver without giving glare to an oncoming vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: In the headlight 1 for the vehicle including a low-beam unit 2 and a traveling-beam unit 3, the traveling-beam unit 3 comprises a plurality of optical modules R1-R6 and L1-L6 for irradiating continuous separate portions, discrimination and position of an object and a lane are sensed by a front monitoring system, and the optical modules R1-R6 and L1-L6 are individually turned on/off based on the result. When the object sensed by the front monitoring system is the oncoming vehicle, the optical module for irradiating the position of the oncoming vehicle is turned off, and when the object is the pedestrian, the optical module for irradiating the position of the pedestrian is turned on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp provided with a passing beam unit and a traveling beam unit.

  The vehicle headlight has two functions, a traveling beam that ensures distant visibility and a low-pass beam that mainly does not give glare (illusion) to the oncoming vehicle. The two functions are switched according to the driver's intention. There is something that can be done.

In addition, an AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) has been proposed that has ensured high visibility by irradiating a non-irradiated part with a swivel or an additional light source according to the driving scene of the vehicle, and has already been put into practical use. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-224898 A JP 2006-179246 A

  By the way, according to the analysis of the number of accidents of vehicles, it is known that there are many accidents with crossing pedestrians from the right side as a characteristic of night accidents, and many accidents with crossing pedestrians from the left side in daytime accidents. It has also been found that the fatality rate for personal accidents is higher for nighttime accidents than for daytime accidents.

  FIG. 13 shows a passing beam light distribution of a vehicle traveling on a straight road. In this case, the irradiation distance of the passing beam is short to prevent glare to the oncoming vehicle V, and the oncoming lane and the right sidewalk are sufficiently irradiated. Therefore, the discovery of the pedestrians M1 and M2 by the driver may be delayed, resulting in an accident.

  FIG. 14 shows the light distribution of a traveling beam of a vehicle traveling on a straight road. In this case, since the irradiation range of the traveling beam is wide, it is easy for the driver to find the pedestrians M1 and M2. In order to give glare to the driver | operator of the vehicle V and a preceding vehicle, a normal view cannot be ensured and this may cause an accident.

  FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b) show the traveling beam light distribution of the vehicle headlamp having the AFS function when traveling on the right curve and when traveling on the left curve, respectively. The beam irradiation range swivels to the right and left in conjunction with the steering operation of the steering wheel. In this case, the driver can easily find the pedestrians M1 to M3 because the irradiation range of the traveling beam is wide. However, in order to give glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle V and the preceding vehicle, ensure a normal view. There is a problem that can not be.

  FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b) show the passing beam light distribution when the vehicle headlamp having the AFS function is traveling on the right curve and the left curve. In this case, the glare to the oncoming vehicle V is shown. In order to prevent this, there is a problem that the detection of the pedestrians M2 and M3 by the driver is delayed because the irradiation distance of the passing beam is short and the opposite lane and the right sidewalk are not sufficiently irradiated.

  Further, FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b) show a passing beam distribution and an additional beam distribution when the vehicle headlight with an additional light source is traveling on the right curve and the left curve, respectively. The same problem that the detection of the pedestrians M2 and M3 by the driver is delayed because the irradiation distance of the passing beam is short to prevent glare to the oncoming vehicle V and the oncoming lane and the right sidewalk are not sufficiently irradiated. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a driver with sufficient irradiation to detect and recognize a pedestrian at night without giving glare to an oncoming vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp that can contribute to preventing accidents with other pedestrians.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle headlamp including a passing beam unit and a traveling beam unit, wherein the traveling beam unit is irradiated with a plurality of continuous optical parts. It is characterized in that the optical module is individually turned on / off based on the result of sensing the distinction, position and lane of the object by the front monitoring system.

  In the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, when the object detected by the front monitoring system is an oncoming vehicle, the optical module illuminating the position of the oncoming vehicle is turned off, When the oncoming vehicle moves from the irradiation position, the turned off optical module is turned on again.

  When the object sensed by the front monitoring system is a pedestrian, the optical module illuminating the position of the pedestrian is turned on. When the pedestrian moves from the irradiation position, the lighted optical module is turned off again.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the oncoming vehicle and the pedestrian are present in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle is given priority to irradiate the position of the oncoming vehicle. The optical module is turned off.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in addition to turning on / off the optical module, the brightness is also changed by electrical control.

  According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, only the zone where the oncoming vehicle exists is turned off, and the turn-off / lighting is continuously performed according to the position of the oncoming vehicle, and only the zone where the pedestrian is present is turned on. Because the lights are turned off / on continuously according to the position of the pedestrian, the driver is irradiated at night with sufficient irradiation to detect and recognize the pedestrian without giving glare to the oncoming vehicle. Can prevent accidents with pedestrians.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the oncoming vehicle and the pedestrian are in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle is given priority to turn off the optical module that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle. The driver of the oncoming vehicle can drive safely without giving glare to the oncoming vehicle.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the brightness is also changed by electrical control at the same time when the optical module is turned on / off, so that more sufficient irradiation is performed to detect and recognize the pedestrian to the driver at night. Accidents with pedestrians can be reliably prevented.

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

  1 is a front view of a right lamp that is a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a traveling beam unit portion of the right lamp, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement of LED optical modules of left and right lamps, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing traveling beam light distribution by a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

  For example, the right lamp 1 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is provided with a passing beam unit 2 and a traveling beam unit 3, as shown in FIG. LED optical modules (No. 1 to No. 6) R1 to R6 are arranged in two horizontal rows and two upper rows, and each LED optical module R1 to R6 is as shown in FIG. In addition, each LED 4 is provided as a light source. The left lamp (not shown) has the same configuration as the right lamp 1.

  The six LED optical modules R1 to R6 constituting the traveling beam unit 3 of the right lamp 1 form a light distribution segment arranged in a line in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG. The six LED optical modules (No. 1 to No. 6) L1 to L6 of the left side lamp also form light distribution segments arranged in one row in the vehicle width direction. Then, the traveling beam light distribution shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6 on the right side and the left side. Further, the passing beam light distribution shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by the passing beam unit 2.

  Thus, in the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, the front monitoring system (not shown) such as a camera detects the distinction and position and lane of the object such as a pedestrian or oncoming vehicle ahead, Based on this, lighting / extinguishing of each of the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6 constituting the traveling beam unit 3 is controlled. In addition to controlling the lighting / extinction of each of the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6, the brightness of each of the LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6 may be controlled by electrical control. .

  By the way, among each of the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6 constituting the traveling beam unit 3, the one that irradiates the outermost side of the vehicle irradiates at least an angle of 20 ° or more (vehicle center (see FIG. 4), the right lamp 1 emits an angle range of 20 ° to the right and the left lamp to an angle of 20 ° to the left). Of the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6, those that irradiate the upper part of the vehicle center irradiate at least an angular range 7 ° above the horizontal line (HH line in FIG. 4).

  Further, it has been experimentally confirmed that the necessary visual illuminance for finding a pedestrian varies depending on the distance, and that the necessary visual illuminance is obtained by the following equation when the irradiation site is the face of the pedestrian.

Necessary visual illuminance (y) = 0.0743 × distance (x) −1.0737 (1)
For example, when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 65 km / h, the required visual illuminance (y) in front of the distance (x) 55.5 m ahead of the time head away 3 seconds for avoiding a collision is (1) When calculated from the equation, it is about 3 Lux. Therefore, based on the relationship between the position and distance of the pedestrian, the light distribution for irradiating this part can be set in advance, or the necessary illuminance can be ensured by electrical control.

Next, the lighting / extinguishing modes of the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6 constituting the traveling beam unit 3 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. To do.
(1) Straight road (when there is no oncoming vehicle):
When the vehicle is traveling on a straight road on which no oncoming vehicle or the like exists, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the six LED optical modules R1 to R6 of the right lamp 1 and the left lamp (not shown) Among L1 to L6, for example, No. 1-No. 4 LED optical modules R1 to R4 and L1 to L4 are turned on. By turning off the LED optical modules R5, R6 and L5, L6 of 5 and 6, the traveling beam light distribution as shown in the figure can be obtained and the light distribution standard can be satisfied.
(2) Straight road (when there is an oncoming vehicle):
When the vehicle is traveling on a straight road where an oncoming vehicle or the like exists, when the oncoming vehicle is detected by sensing by a front monitoring system (not shown) such as a camera, the LED optical module that irradiates the position is turned off. . For example, when the oncoming vehicle V is detected at the position shown in FIG. 3 LED optical module R3 is turned off. Then, in accordance with the change in the position of the oncoming vehicle V, the LED optical module that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle V is appropriately turned off, and when the oncoming vehicle V moves from the irradiation position, the LED optical module that has been turned off is removed. Relight. That is, only the zone where the oncoming vehicle V exists is turned off, and the turn-off / lighting is continuously performed according to the position of the oncoming vehicle V.

  When the front monitoring system detects a pedestrian, the LED optical module illuminating the position is turned on. For example, when pedestrians M1 and M2 are detected at the positions shown in FIG. No. 3 LED optical module L3 continues to be lit, and the right lamp 1 No. 5 LED optical module R5 is turned on. And according to the change of the position of the pedestrians M1 and M2, the LED optical module that irradiates the position of the pedestrians M1 and M2 is appropriately turned on, and when the pedestrians M1 and M2 move from the irradiated position, the light turns on. Turn off the LED optical module. That is, only the zone where the pedestrians M1 and M2 exist is lit in the extinguished zone, and the extinction / lighting is continuously performed according to the positions of the pedestrians M1 and M2.

When the oncoming vehicle V and the pedestrian M1 or M2 are in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle V is given priority and the position of the oncoming vehicle V is irradiated so as not to give glare to the oncoming vehicle V. Turn off the LED optical module.
(3) Curve (when there is no oncoming vehicle):
When the vehicle is traveling on a curve where there is no oncoming vehicle, etc., the white line of the road is detected by the forward monitoring system, and the LED optical module that irradiates the position according to the road shape is turned on with the passing beam. . When the vehicle is traveling on the right curve, for example, as shown in FIG. 1-No. No. 3 LED optical modules L1 to L3 are turned on. 4-No. 6 LED optical modules L4 to L6 are turned off, and the right lamp 1 No. 6 is turned off. 1-No. All six LED optical modules R1 to R6 are turned on.

  When the vehicle is traveling on the left curve, for example, as shown in FIG. 1-No. No. 6 of the LED optical modules R1 to L6 of the right lamp 1 are turned on. 1-No. No. 3 LED optical modules R1 to R3 are turned on. 4-No. 6 LED optical modules R4 to R6 are turned off.

If the irradiation light on the opposite side of the curve (left side for the right curve, right side for the left curve) is confusing when illuminating other than the road, turn off the LED optical module that irradiates the light. May be.
(4) Curve (when there is an oncoming vehicle):
When the vehicle is traveling on a curve where an oncoming vehicle or the like exists, the oncoming vehicle is detected by the front monitoring system, and the LED optical module that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle is turned off. If the oncoming vehicle and the pedestrian are detected when the vehicle is traveling on the right curve, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, among the LED optical modules L1 to L6 of the left lamp, the No. irradiating the position of the pedestrian M1 . No. 1 LED optical module L1. The LED optical modules L2 and L3 are lit as they are and the LED optical modules R1 to R6 of the right lamp 1 are irradiated with the position of the oncoming vehicle V. No. 5 which turns off the LED optical module R5 and irradiates the position of the pedestrian M2. 6 LED optical module R6 is lit as it is.

  When an oncoming vehicle and a pedestrian are detected when the vehicle is traveling on the left curve, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, among the LED optical modules L1 to L6 of the left lamp, the No. irradiating the position of the pedestrian M1 . LED optical module L5 of No. 5, together with optical modules L1, L3, L4, and L6 of No. 1, 1, 3, 4, and 6 is turned on as it is, and LED optical module L2 of No. 2 that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle V is turned off. Among the LED optical modules R1 to R6 of the right lamp 1, No. 2 irradiates the position of the pedestrian M2. No. 4 LED optical module R4. 1-No. 3 LED optical modules R1 to R3 are lit as they are.

  Then, in accordance with the change in the position of the oncoming vehicle V, the LED optical module that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle V is appropriately turned off, and when the oncoming vehicle V moves from the irradiation position, the LED optical module that has been turned off is removed. Relight. That is, only the zone where the oncoming vehicle V exists is turned off, and the turn-off / lighting is continuously performed according to the position of the oncoming vehicle V.

  In addition, the LED optical module that irradiates the position of the pedestrians M1 and M2 is appropriately turned on according to the change in the position of the pedestrians M1 and M2, and lights up when the pedestrians M1 and M2 move from the irradiation position. Turn off the LED optical module. That is, only the zone where the pedestrians M1 and M2 exist is lit in the extinguished zone, and the extinction / lighting is continuously performed according to the positions of the pedestrians M1 and M2.

When the oncoming vehicle V and the pedestrian M1 or M2 are in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle V is given priority and the position of the oncoming vehicle V is irradiated so as not to give glare to the oncoming vehicle V. Turn off the LED optical module.
(5) City area (when there are many oncoming vehicles):
When the vehicle is traveling in an urban area where there are many oncoming vehicles, only the passing beam unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is lit. In this case, when the front monitoring system detects a pedestrian, the LED optical module that illuminates the position of the pedestrian is turned on. For example, when pedestrians M1 and M2 are detected at the positions shown in FIG. No. 3 LED optical module L3 and right lamp 1 No. 5 LED optical module R5 is turned on.

  And according to the change of the position of the pedestrians M1 and M2, the LED optical module that irradiates the position of the pedestrians M1 and M2 is appropriately turned on, and when the pedestrians M1 and M2 move from the irradiated position, the light turns on. Turn off the LED optical module. That is, only the zones where the pedestrians M1 and M2 exist are turned on, and the lights are turned off / on continuously according to the positions of the pedestrians M1 and M2.

  When the oncoming vehicle V and the pedestrian M1 or M2 are in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle V is given priority and the position of the oncoming vehicle V is irradiated so as not to give glare to the oncoming vehicle V. Turn off the LED optical module.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, while maintaining an appropriate light distribution, only the zone where the oncoming vehicle exists is turned off, and the turn-off / lighting is continuously performed according to the position of the oncoming vehicle, Only the existing zone is lit, and the lights are turned off / on continuously according to the position of the pedestrian, so it is enough to detect and recognize the pedestrian to the driver without glare on the oncoming vehicle Can prevent accidents with pedestrians at night.

  Also, when an oncoming vehicle and a pedestrian are in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle is given priority and the LED optical module that illuminates the position of the oncoming vehicle is turned off, so glare is given to the oncoming vehicle. Therefore, the driver of the oncoming vehicle can drive safely.

  Furthermore, if the brightness of these LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6 is also changed by electrical control simultaneously with turning on / off of the LED optical modules R1 to R6 and L1 to L6, to the driver It is possible to more reliably prevent accidents with pedestrians at night by performing sufficient irradiation to detect and recognize pedestrians.

  In the above embodiment, the traveling beam units provided on the left and right lamps of the vehicle headlamp are each composed of six LED optical modules. However, the number of LED optical modules is arbitrary as long as the number is six or more. .

It is a front view of the right lamp of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. It is a front view of the traveling beam unit part of the right lamp of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | sequence of the light distribution segment of the left side of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on this invention, and a right side lamp. It is a top view which shows the traveling beam light distribution by the vehicle headlamp which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows on / off control of the headlamp of the vehicle which is drive | working the straight road where an oncoming vehicle etc. do not exist. It is a figure which shows on / off control of the headlamp of the vehicle currently drive | working the straight road where an oncoming vehicle etc. exist. It is a figure which shows lighting / extinguishing control of the headlamp of the vehicle which is drive | working the right curve which an oncoming vehicle does not exist. It is a figure which shows lighting / extinguishing control of the headlamp of the vehicle which is drive | working the left curve in which an oncoming vehicle etc. do not exist. It is a figure which shows lighting / extinguishing control of the headlamp of the vehicle which is drive | working the right curve in which an oncoming vehicle etc. exist. It is a figure which shows lighting / extinguishing control of the headlamp of the vehicle currently drive | working the left curve in which an oncoming vehicle etc. exist. It is a figure which shows on / off control of the headlamp of the vehicle currently drive | working the city area with many oncoming vehicles. It is a figure which shows the irradiation range of the passing beam of the conventional vehicle headlamp. It is a figure which shows the irradiation range of the traveling beam of the conventional vehicle headlamp. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the irradiation range at the time of the right curve driving | running | working of the traveling beam of the conventional vehicle headlamp provided with the AFS function at the time of the right curve driving | running | working. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the irradiation range at the time of the right curve driving | running | working of the passing beam of the passing beam of the conventional vehicle headlamp provided with the AFS function at the time of the left curve driving | running | working. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the irradiation range at the time of the right curve driving | running | working of the passing beam of the passing beam of the conventional vehicle headlamp provided with the additional light source, and the left curve driving | running | working.

Explanation of symbols

1 Right lamp (vehicle headlamp)
2 Passing beam unit 3 Traveling beam unit 4 LED (light source)
L1-L6 LED optical module for left lamp M1, M2 Pedestrian R1-R6 LED optical module for right lamp V Oncoming vehicle

Claims (5)

In a vehicle headlamp equipped with a passing beam unit and a traveling beam unit,
The traveling beam unit is composed of a plurality of optical modules that irradiate separate and continuous parts, and the front monitoring system senses the object's distinction, position, and lane, and individually lights the optical modules based on the results. / Vehicle headlamp characterized by being turned off.   When the object detected by the front monitoring system is an oncoming vehicle, the optical module that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle is turned off, and when the oncoming vehicle moves from the irradiation position, the turned off optical module is removed. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle headlamp is turned on again.   When the object detected by the front monitoring system is a pedestrian, the optical module that illuminates the position of the pedestrian is turned on, and when the pedestrian moves from the irradiation position, the lit optical module is turned on. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle headlamp is turned off again.   When an oncoming vehicle and a pedestrian are present in the same zone, the oncoming vehicle is prioritized and the optical module that irradiates the position of the oncoming vehicle is turned off. The vehicle headlamp described. The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein brightness is changed by electrical control in addition to turning on / off the optical module.

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