JP2013114770A - Vehicular headlight device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular headlight device that can restrain generation of a black hole effect when forming a shielding area in a high-beam irradiation zone and avoiding giving glare to a pedestrian.SOLUTION: In a vehicular headlight device, a light source 86 irradiates a zone including an upper part of a low-beam light distribution pattern from a cutoff line. A first shade 51 shields part of light emitted from the light source 86, and regulates lower end edges CBR, CBL of first shielding areas SUR, SUL formed in the irradiation zone. A second shade 52 shields part of light emitted from the light source 86, and regulates side end edges CR, CL of a second shielding area S formed in the irradiation zone. The lower end edges CBR, CBL of the first shielding areas SUR, SUL move in a vertical direction in the irradiation zone as positions of the first shade 51 are adjusted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a headlamp device for a vehicle.

  A vehicle headlamp device can generally switch between a low beam and a high beam. The low beam is used to illuminate the front in a short distance with a predetermined illuminance, and the light distribution regulation is determined so as not to give glare to the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle. On the other hand, the high beam illuminates a wide area in front and a distant area with a relatively high illuminance, and is mainly used when traveling at high speed on a road with few oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles.

  The high beam is more visible to the driver than the low beam, but glare is given to the driver of a vehicle traveling in front of the host vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a preceding vehicle). Therefore, a configuration is known in which a part of light emitted from the light source is shielded by a shade, and a portion where a preceding vehicle is positioned in the high beam irradiation region is a light shielding region (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since the light from the light source does not reach the driver of the vehicle located in the light shielding area, the glare of the driver can be avoided.

JP 2009-227088 A

  The eyes of the driver entering the tunnel in the daytime are adapted to the brightness of the outdoors, so when looking inside the tunnel that is not properly illuminated from the front of the wellhead, it looks like a black hole, and obstacles near the tunnel entrance It may not be visible. This visual phenomenon is known as the black hole phenomenon.

  If the above light-shielding area is formed in a high beam irradiation area illuminated with a relatively high illuminance, this black hole phenomenon may occur due to the difference in illuminance, making it difficult for the driver to see the situation in the light-shielding area. . On the other hand, since portions other than the light shielding area are illuminated with relatively high illuminance, glare is still given to pedestrians and the like located in the high beam irradiation area.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and suppresses the occurrence of a black hole phenomenon and provides glare to a pedestrian or the like when a light shielding region is formed in a high beam irradiation region. It is an object to provide a technique that can avoid the problem.

  One aspect that the present invention can take in order to solve at least a part of the above problem is a vehicle headlamp device, which irradiates a region including the upper side from a cut-off line of a low beam light distribution pattern, and the light source Shielding a part of the light emitted from the first shade that defines the lower edge of the first light shielding area formed in the irradiation area, and shielding a part of the light emitted from the light source, A second shade that defines a side edge of the second light shielding region formed in the irradiation region, and a lower edge of the first light shielding region moves in the vertical direction within the irradiation region. A first mechanism for adjusting a position of the shade; and a control unit for controlling the first mechanism.

  According to such a configuration, the illuminance difference between the second light-shielding region and the irradiation region is reduced by moving the lower edge of the first light-shielding region downward in the irradiation region to increase the light-shielding area. be able to. As a result, the occurrence of the black hole phenomenon is suppressed, and the driver can easily see the situation in the second light shielding area.

  The said control part is good also as a structure which controls the said 1st mechanism according to the information which shows the height of the to-be-irradiated object detected in the irradiation area | region. In this case, glare given to the irradiated object by placing the driver's seat of the preceding vehicle or the head of the pedestrian within the first light shielding area can be suppressed.

  And a second mechanism for adjusting a position of the second shade so that a side edge of the second light-shielding region moves in the left-right direction within the region, and the control unit detects within the irradiation region. The second mechanism may be controlled according to information indicating the position of the irradiated object. In this case, even when the relative position of the vehicle and the object to be irradiated changes as the vehicle travels, the object to be irradiated can be accommodated by moving the second light shielding region to the left and right.

  A configuration may be adopted in which at least an inclined portion of the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the second shade. In this case, at the time of forming the low beam light distribution pattern, the vicinity of the inclined portion of the cut-off line that is the high illuminance region can be moved in the left-right direction as the second shade moves. That is, the swivel function can be assigned to the second shade.

  It is good also as a structure by which the end surface which has a shape corresponding to the said inclination part is formed in the left-right direction both ends of a said 2nd shade. In this case, by appropriately moving the second shade in the left-right direction, the left side light distribution pattern (used in areas where the vehicle is obliged to travel in the left lane) and the right side light distribution pattern (the vehicle moves in the right lane). It is possible to switch (used in areas where driving is required).

  An end surface of the second shade that defines a side edge of the second light-shielding region may have an inclined portion. In this case, since the side edge of the second light shielding region is inclined, it is possible to suppress the uncomfortable feeling that the driver feels at the change point of the illuminance as compared with the case where the side edge is vertical.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of the black hole effect when forming a light shielding region in the high beam irradiation region, and to avoid giving glare to a pedestrian or the like located in the high beam irradiation region.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a vehicle on which a headlight device according to the present invention is mounted. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the headlamp apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution at the time of the low beam irradiation by the headlamp apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution at the time of the high beam irradiation by the headlamp apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution at the time of the high beam irradiation by the headlamp apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating change control of the light-shielding area | region by the headlamp apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the headlamp apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the headlamp apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution control by the headlamp apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the headlamp apparatus of FIG.

  The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing used in the following description, the scale is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a vehicle 10 equipped with a headlamp device 12 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The headlamp device 12 constitutes the headlamp control system 11 together with the integrated controller 14, the wheel speed sensor 16, the steering angle sensor 17, and the camera 18.

  The integrated control unit 14 includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and executes various controls in the vehicle 10. .

  The wheel speed sensor 16 is provided corresponding to each of the four wheels of the left and right front wheels and the rear wheel assembled to the vehicle 10. Each of the wheel speed sensors 16 is communicably connected to the integrated control unit 14 and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the wheel to the integrated control unit 14. The integrated control unit 14 calculates the speed of the vehicle 10 using the signal input from the wheel speed sensor 16.

  The steering angle sensor 17 is provided on the steering wheel and is communicably connected to the integrated control unit 14. The steering angle sensor 17 outputs a steering angle pulse signal corresponding to the steering rotation angle of the steering wheel by the driver to the integrated control unit 14. The integrated control unit 14 calculates the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 using the signal input from the steering angle sensor 17.

  The camera 18 includes an imaging device such as a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and shoots the front of the vehicle to generate image data. The camera 18 is communicably connected to the integrated control unit 14, and the generated image data is output to the integrated control unit 14.

  The headlamp device 12 includes a right headlamp unit 22 </ b> R disposed on the front right side of the vehicle 10 and a left headlamp unit 22 </ b> L disposed on the front left side of the vehicle 10.

  FIG. 2A shows a configuration in which a part of the right headlamp unit 22R is cut along a vertical plane and viewed from the left side. The right headlamp unit 22R includes a lamp body 23, a translucent cover 24, a right lamp unit 30R, and a control unit 44.

  The translucent cover 24 is formed of a translucent resin or the like. The translucent cover 24 is attached to the front end of the lamp body 23 to form a lamp chamber in which the right lamp unit 30R is accommodated.

  The right lamp unit 30R includes a projection lens 32, a holder 36, a first shade 51, a second shade 52, a first drive mechanism 53, a second drive mechanism 54, a reflector 84, and a light source 86.

  The right lamp unit 30R is a switchable lamp that includes a first shade 51 and a second shade 52 that can be driven independently to form both a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern. is there. As the light source 86, for example, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a discharge lamp, a light emitting diode, a neon lamp, a laser light source, or the like can be used.

  The light emitted from the light source 86 is reflected by the reflector 84 and travels forward. A part of the light is shielded by at least one of the first shade 51 and the second shade 52, and a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line is projected onto a virtual vertical screen arranged in front of the lamp.

  The reflector 84 has a substantially elliptical spherical reflecting surface with the optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 as the central axis. The light source 86 is disposed at a first focal point of an ellipse that constitutes a vertical cross section of the reflecting surface, so that light from the light source 86 converges on the second focal point of the ellipse.

  The projection lens 32 is a planoconvex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and is disposed on the optical axis Ax. The projection lens 32 is arranged so that the rear focal point coincides with the second focal point of the reflecting surface of the reflector 84, and is configured to project an image on the rear focal point as a reverse image on the vertical virtual screen. Yes. The peripheral edge of the projection lens 32 is supported by the front end of the holder 36.

  The first shade 51 is disposed in front of the light source 86 and is mechanically connected to the first drive mechanism 53. The first drive mechanism 53 includes, for example, a motor and a gear mechanism. A well-known rack and pinion mechanism, actuator, or the like can be used as appropriate. The first shade 51 can be moved in the vertical direction by appropriately operating the first drive mechanism 53.

  The second shade 52 is disposed between the first shade 51 and the projection lens 32 and is mechanically connected to the second drive mechanism 54. The second drive mechanism 54 includes a rotating shaft 54a connected to, for example, a motor.

  FIG. 2B shows a configuration in which a part of the right lamp unit 30R is cut from a horizontal plane and viewed from above. The second shade 52 includes an arc-shaped main body 52a, and a support arm 52b that connects the rotation shaft 54a of the second drive mechanism 54 and the main body 52a. When the rotation shaft 54a rotates in the left-right direction, the main body 52a can be turned in the left-right direction via the support arm 52b.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the first shade 51 and the second shade 52 are viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  The first shade 51 includes a first horizontal upper end surface 51a, a second horizontal upper end surface 51b, and an inclined upper end surface 51c. The first horizontal upper end surface 51a extends along the horizontal line HH on the right side in the vehicle width direction of the vertical line VV. The second horizontal upper end surface 51b extends horizontally slightly above the horizontal line HH on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the vertical line VV. The inclined upper end surface 51c extends in an inclined manner so as to connect the first horizontal upper end surface 51a and the second horizontal upper end surface 51b. The inclination angle of the inclined upper end portion 51c is, for example, 45 degrees.

  The main body 52a of the second shade 52 includes an upper end surface 52c, a first side end surface 52d, and a second side end surface 52e. The second shade 52 is disposed so that the upper end surface 52c is positioned on the same plane as the first horizontal upper end surface 51a of the first shade 51 (that is, the horizontal line H-H). The first side end face 52d and the second side end face 52e extend perpendicularly to the upper end face 52c.

  When the first shade 51 and the second shade 52 are arranged at the position shown in FIG. 3A, the virtual arranged in front of the vehicle by the light emitted forward from the right headlamp unit 22R. A light distribution pattern formed on the vertical screen is shown in FIG. This light distribution pattern corresponds to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. At this time, only the first shade 51 is substantially involved in the formation of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL does not depend on the position of the second shade 52 and is the first shade 51. It is possible to form only with.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL has a first cutoff line CB1, a second cutoff line CB2, and a third cutoff line CB3 at the upper edge. The first cut-off line CB1 and the second cut-off line CB2 extend in the horizontal direction with a difference in left and right steps with the vertical line V-V as a boundary. In the following description, the first to third cut-off lines CB1 to CB3 are collectively referred to as “cut-off line CB” as necessary.

  The first cut-off line CB1 is formed by the first horizontal upper end surface 51a of the first shade 51 and extends along the horizontal line H-H, and is used as the own lane side cut-off line. The second cut-off line CB2 is formed by the second horizontal upper end surface 51b of the first shade 51 and extends horizontally slightly below the horizontal line HH, and is used as an oncoming lane side cut-off line. The third cut-off line CB3 is formed by the inclined upper end surface 51c of the first shade 51. The first cut-off line CB1 extends obliquely from the right end to the lower right and is connected to the left end of the second cut-off line CB2.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the first drive mechanism 53 is operated to move the first shade 51 to the lower limit position, and the second drive mechanism 54 is operated to move the second shade 52. Turn to the left (right side of the vehicle) in the figure. In this state, the light emitted from the light source 86 is not blocked by any shade, and an elliptical right light distribution pattern PHR shown in FIG. 4B is obtained.

  That is, the light source 86 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to irradiate a region including the upper side from the cut-off line CB of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. This region is hereinafter referred to as a “high beam irradiation region” as necessary.

  In the right lamp unit 22R, as shown in FIG. 4C, the first side end face 52d of the second shade 52 is arranged so as to cross the vertical line VV. When the second shade 52 blocks a part of the light emitted from the light source 86, the right light-blocking region SR is formed in a part of the high beam irradiation region as shown in FIG. The right light-shielding region SR has a right cut line CR formed by the first side end face 52d.

  When the first side end face 52d of the second shade 52 is displaced in the left-right direction by the second drive mechanism 54, the right cut line CR moves left and right in the high beam irradiation region as shown in FIG. The area of the right light-shielding region SR changes. In other words, the shape of the right side light distribution pattern PHR changes.

  Since the left lamp unit 22L basically has the same structure as the right lamp unit 22R, illustration and repeated description are omitted. However, in the left lamp unit 22L, the arrangement of the second shade 52 is symmetric with respect to that shown in FIG. 4C, and the second side end face 52e can cross the vertical line VV. Has been.

  The second shade 52 blocks a part of the light emitted from the light source 86, and as shown in FIG. 5B, high beam irradiation in the elliptical left side light distribution pattern PHL formed by the left lamp unit 22L. The left light-shielding region SL is formed in a part of the region. The left light-shielding region SL has a left cut line CL formed by the second side end face 52e.

  When the second side end face 52e of the second shade 52 is displaced in the left-right direction by the second drive mechanism 54, the left cut line CL moves left and right within the high beam irradiation region as shown in FIG. The area of the left light-shielding region SL changes. In other words, the shape of the left light distribution pattern PHL changes.

  FIG. 5C shows a high beam light distribution pattern PH obtained by superimposing the right light distribution pattern PHR and the left light distribution pattern PHL. A portion where the right light shielding region SR and the left light shielding region SL are overlapped becomes a light shielding region S. When the positions of the right cut line CR and the left cut line CL are moved by displacing the second shade 52 in the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L in the left-right direction, the width and position in the left-right direction of the light shielding region S are changed. Can do.

  The light blocking area S is formed to suppress glare of the preceding vehicle detected in the high beam irradiation area. In FIG. 5 (c), there is a front vehicle F1 on the own lane, and the positions of the right cut line CR and the left cut line CL are determined so that the front vehicle F1 falls within the light shielding area S. .

  When there is no preceding vehicle, the right light distribution pattern not including the right light shielding region SR is obtained by moving the second shade 52 to a position where the light emitted from the light source 86 is not blocked in the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L. The PHR and the left light distribution pattern PHL that does not include the left light shielding region SL are overlapped to form a high beam light distribution pattern PH that does not include the light shielding region S. The high beam light distribution pattern PH that does not include the light shielding region S is hereinafter referred to as a “complete high beam light distribution pattern” as necessary.

  When the light shielding region S is formed in the high beam irradiation region illuminated with a relatively high illuminance, a black hole phenomenon due to a difference in illuminance occurs and it becomes difficult for the driver to visually recognize the situation in the light shielding region S. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when pedestrians W1 to W3 are present in the high beam light distribution pattern PH, the glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle F1 is suppressed by the formation of the light shielding region S. Although it is possible, the pedestrians W1 to W3 feel discomfort due to glare because they are irradiated with high beams.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the position of the first shade 51 is set to the upper limit position where the low beam light distribution pattern shown in FIG. It is possible to adjust between the lower limit position where the complete high beam light distribution pattern shown in a) can be formed.

  When the first shade 51 is appropriately raised from the lower limit position shown in FIG. 4A in the right lamp 30R, the cut line CB formed by the first shade 51 appears in the right light distribution pattern PHR. In addition to the right light shielding region SR formed by the second shade 52, the upper right light shielding region SUR is above the cut line CB. The cut-off line CB formed by the first shade 51 of the right lamp 30R is referred to as a lower right cut-off line CBR in the following description.

  By appropriately raising the first shade 51 from the lower limit position shown in FIG. 4A in the right lamp 30L, the cut line CB formed by the upper end surface of the first shade 51 is within the left light distribution pattern PHL. appear. In addition to the left light-blocking region SL formed by the second shade 52, the upper left light-blocking region SUL is above the cut line CB. The cut-off line CB formed by the first shade 51 of the left lamp 30L is referred to as a lower left cut-off line CBL in the following description.

  When the right side light distribution pattern PHR and the left side light distribution pattern PHL including the upper right light shielding region SUR and the upper left light shielding region SUL are overlapped in this way, a high beam light distribution pattern PH as shown in FIG. 6B is obtained. .

  In the case of the figure, there is a forward vehicle F2 on the oncoming lane, and the front shade vehicle F2 is formed by the second shade 52 of the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L so that it falls within the light shielding area S. The positions of the right cut line CR and the left cut line CL are adjusted. Further, the first shade 51 of the right lamp 30R is moved upward so that the upper right shading area SUR is above the lower right cut-off line CBR, and the first shade 51 of the left lamp 30L is upper (the first shade of the right lamp 30R The upper left shading area SUL is located above the lower left cut-off line CBL.

  By forming the upper right light shielding area SUR and the upper left light shielding area SUL, the illuminance of the upper portion of the high beam irradiation area is reduced, and the illuminance difference between the light shielding area S formed by the second shade 52 and the irradiation area is small. Become. As a result, the occurrence of the black hole phenomenon is suppressed, and the driver can easily see the situation in the light shielding area S.

  Further, since the lower left cutoff line CBL and the lower right cutoff line CBR are located below the heads of the pedestrians W1 to W3, the irradiation light does not enter the eyes of each pedestrian. Therefore, the glare felt by each pedestrian can be suppressed.

  That is, the first shade 51 shields a part of the light emitted from the light source 86, and covers the lower edge of the upper right light shielding area SUR or the upper left light shielding area SUL (first light shielding area) formed in the high beam irradiation area. It prescribes. The second shade 52 shields a part of the light emitted from the light source 86, and the side edge of the right light shielding region SR or the left light shielding region SL (second light shielding region) formed in the high beam irradiation region. Is stipulated.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the headlamp device 12. At least a part of each block shown here can be realized by hardware such as an element such as a computer processor and memory, a mechanical device, and an electric circuit, or by software such as a computer program. Of course, the function of each block can be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

  The controller 44 turns off the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L, and adjusts the positions of the first shade 51 and the second shade 52 provided in the lamp, and the first drive mechanism 53 and the second The operation of the drive mechanism 54 is controlled.

  When a headlight switch (not shown) is operated by the driver, the controller 44 issues a command to a power supply circuit (not shown) to turn on or turn off the light source 86. When the driver instructs the low beam illumination through the headlight switch, the control unit 44 operates the first drive mechanism 53 to move the first shade 51 to the upper limit position shown in FIG. The illumination light from each light source 86 of the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L is overlapped to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 3B.

  The control unit 44 includes a light shielding region setting unit 45. The light shielding region setting unit 45 has a function of setting a control amount for forming a light shielding region having a desired position and shape in the high beam irradiation region. The light shielding area setting unit 45 includes a position determination unit 46 and a movement amount instruction unit 47.

  The integrated control unit 14 analyzes the image data input from the camera 18 and detects the presence or absence of an irradiation object in the high beam irradiation region. When the irradiated object is detected, the integrated control unit 14 outputs the position, height, and width of the irradiated object as irradiated object information. The position determination unit 46 has a function of determining the position of the light shielding region in the high beam irradiation region based on the irradiation object information input from the integrated control unit 14.

  Specifically, based on the position and width of the irradiated object indicated by the irradiated object information, the positions of the right cut line CR and the left cut line CL are determined so that the irradiated object falls within the light shielding region S. If irradiated objects are detected on both the lane and the road shoulder, priority is given to the detected objects on the lane, and if multiple irradiated objects with different distances from the vehicle are detected, they are closer to each other. The irradiated object is given priority. For example, in the case of FIG. 6B, when the preceding vehicle F2 does not exist, the light shielding region S is formed so as to include the pedestrian W1.

  Next, based on the height of the irradiated object indicated by the irradiated object information, the positions of the lower right cutoff line CBR and the lower left cutoff line CBL are determined so that a predetermined portion of the irradiated object is included in the light shielding region. Examples of the predetermined portion include a driver's seat portion of a preceding vehicle and a pedestrian's head. When a plurality of irradiated objects having different distances from the vehicle are detected, priority is given to the irradiated objects located further away. For example, in determining the position of the lower right cut-off line CBR, the head of the pedestrian W2 located farther than the pedestrian W3 is used as a reference.

  The movement amount instruction unit 47 includes the first shade 51 necessary for forming the right cut line CR, the left cut line CL, the lower right cut line CBR, and the lower left cut line CBL at the positions determined by the position determination unit 46. And the movement amount of the second shade 52 is calculated. The movement amount instruction unit 47 outputs a signal indicating the calculated movement amount to the first drive mechanism 53 and the second drive mechanism 54.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first driving mechanism 53 provided in the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L is based on the output signal from the movement amount instruction unit 47, and the lower edge of the upper right light shielding area SUR and the upper left light shielding area SUL, respectively. Adjusts the position of the first shade 51 so as to move vertically within the high beam irradiation region. Further, the second drive mechanism 54 provided in the right lamp 30R and the left lamp 30L is configured so that the side edges of the right light-blocking region SR and the left light-blocking region SL (that is, the light-blocking region S) move in the left-right direction within the high beam irradiation region. The position of the second shade 52 is adjusted.

  Since the position of the irradiated object changes every moment, the integrated control unit 14 analyzes the image data obtained from the camera 18 at a predetermined cycle and outputs the irradiated object information to the headlamp device 12. The control unit 44 determines the position and shape of the light shielding area as described above based on the input object information, and forms the first light shielding mechanism 53 and the second driving mechanism in order to form a desired light shielding area. 54 is controlled to move the first shade 51 and the second shade 52.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the lower end edge (that is, the lower right cutoff line CBR and the lower left cutoff line CBL) of the first light shielding area defined by the first shade 51 is within the high beam irradiation area. It can be moved in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the case of forming the second light shielding region (that is, the light shielding region S) for suppressing the glare of the irradiated object using the second shade 52, the illuminance difference between the irradiation region and the second light shielding region is set. The size can be reduced, and the occurrence of the black hole phenomenon can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the position of the lower edge of the first light shielding area is adjusted based on the height information of the irradiated object, the first light shielding area is set so as to include the driver's seat of the preceding vehicle and the head of the pedestrian. Can be formed. Thereby, the glare with respect to the to-be-irradiated object which does not fit in a 2nd light shielding area | region can be suppressed.

  When the object to be irradiated is a sign or the like, the position of the lower edge of the sign is set so that the sign does not fit in the first light-shielding area while the first light-shielding area is formed to suppress the occurrence of the black hole phenomenon. Can do. Thereby, the visibility of the sign can be maintained while making it easy to visually recognize the situation in the second light-shielding region.

  The side edges (that is, the right cut-off line CR and the left cut-off line CL) of the second light shielding area formed by the second shade 52 may not be movable in the left-right direction within the high beam irradiation area as described above. . The positions of the right cut-off line CR and the left cut-off line CL are determined in advance so that the light blocking area S is formed at a predetermined position in the high beam irradiation area (for example, a position where the preceding vehicle is normally detected). I can leave. In this case, the second drive mechanism 54 moves the position of the second shade 52 in a binary manner between the shielding position where the light shielding area S is formed and the open position where the complete high beam light distribution pattern is formed.

  The lower right cutoff line CBR and the lower left cutoff line CBL formed by the first shade 51 provided in the right lamp 30R and the first shade 51 provided in the left lamp 30L may not be moved individually as described above. The control unit 44 can also link the operations of the first shades 51 so that the heights of both cutoff lines are the same.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The headlamp device 12A of the present embodiment is different from the headlamp device 12 of the first embodiment in the shapes of the first shade and the second shade. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The upper end of the first shade 51A of the present embodiment is formed only by the horizontal end face 51d. About another structure, it is the same as that of the 1st shade 51 in 1st Embodiment.

  On the other hand, the second shade 52A of the present embodiment has a flat plate-like main body, and the upper end surface 52c, the first side end surface 52d, and the second side end surface 52e are connected by inclined end surfaces 52f and 52g, respectively.

  The positions of the first shade 51A and the second shade 52A shown in FIG. 8B are for forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL. That is, in the present embodiment, the cut-off line CB of the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the first shade 51A and the second shade 52A.

  More specifically, the first cut-off line (own lane side cut-off line) CB1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 3B is formed by the horizontal upper end surface 51d of the first shade 51A. The second cutoff line (opposite lane side cutoff line) CB2 is formed by the upper end surface 52c of the second shade 52A. The third cutoff line (inclined portion) CB3 is formed by the inclined end surface 52g of the second shade 52A.

  The second shade 52A is mechanically connected to the second drive mechanism 54A. The second drive mechanism 54A includes, for example, a motor and a gear mechanism. A well-known rack and pinion mechanism, actuator, or the like can be used as appropriate. By appropriately operating the second drive mechanism 54A, the second shade 52A can be moved in the left-right direction as indicated by arrows in the drawing.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed, the vicinity (hot zone) of the third cut line CB3 that is a high illuminance region can be moved in the left-right direction. That is, the second shade 52A can have a swivel function.

  The integrated control unit 14 calculates the turning angle of the vehicle 10 in accordance with input signals from the wheel speed sensor 16 and the steering angle sensor 17 and outputs data indicating the turning angle to the headlamp device 12. The position determination unit 46 of the control unit 44 determines the position of the cut-off line CB3 according to the input data indicating the turning angle. The movement amount instruction unit 47 calculates the movement amount of the second shade 52A that can form the cut-off line CB3 at the determined position, and outputs a signal indicating the movement amount to the second drive mechanism 54A. The second drive mechanism 54A operates based on the signal input from the movement amount instruction unit 47, and moves the second shade 52A to a desired position.

  According to the above configuration, the function of the swivel mechanism that turns the lamp to the left and right according to the turning direction of the vehicle can be replaced by the second shade 52A, and the lamp unit can be reduced in size and weight, and Contributes to the suppression of component costs.

  Further, by moving the second shade 52A leftward from the state shown in FIG. 8B to the position where the intersection of the upper end surface 52c and the inclined end surface 52f coincides with the vertical line V-V, ( A low-beam light distribution pattern PL ′ for right-side light distribution shown in b) can be formed. This light distribution pattern is used in an area where the vehicle is obliged to travel in the right lane.

  Specifically, the first cut-off line (own-lane-side cut-off line) CB1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL 'is formed by the horizontal upper end surface 51d of the first shade 51A. The second cutoff line (opposite lane side cutoff line) CB2 is formed by the upper end surface 52c of the second shade 52A. The third cutoff line (inclined portion) CB3 is formed by the inclined end surface 52f of the second shade 52A.

  That is, since the inclined end surfaces 52f and 52g having a shape corresponding to the inclined portion of the cut-off line CB are formed at both left and right end portions of the second shade 52A, by appropriately moving the second shade 52A in the left and right direction, It is possible to switch between the left side light distribution pattern (used in an area where the vehicle is required to travel in the left lane) and the right side light distribution pattern. In any case, the opposite lane side cut-off line and the inclined portion of the cut-off line CB are formed by the second shade 52A.

  The initial position of the second shade 52A, that is, which of the inclined end faces 52f and 52g is used to form the cut-off line inclined portion, is determined in advance according to the destination of the vehicle 10 at the time of shipment. However, when moving between an area requiring right light distribution and an area requiring left light distribution, the initial position of the second shade 52A may be switched according to a predetermined operation by the driver. Further, based on vehicle position information input from a navigation system (not shown), it is determined whether the area requires the right light distribution or the left light distribution, and the control unit 44 automatically switches the initial position of the second shade 52A. It is good also as a structure.

  FIG. 10A shows a second shade 52A1 that is a modification of the second embodiment. In this example, the first side end surface 52d1 and the second side end surface 52e1 of the second shade 52A that define the side edge of the second light-shielding region are configured to have inclined surfaces. FIG. 10C shows a high beam distribution pattern PH ′ formed by using the second shade 52A1 and the first shade 51A.

  In the high beam distribution pattern PH ', the right cut-off line CR' and the left cut-off line CL 'of the light shielding region S' formed by the second shade 52A1 are inclined. Compared with the case where the right cut-off line CR and the left cut-off line CL are vertical as in the high beam light distribution pattern PH shown in FIG. 6B, it is possible to suppress the uncomfortable feeling that the driver feels at the illuminance change point. .

  Like the second shade 52A2 shown in FIG. 10B, a portion for forming the inclined portion CB3 of the cut-off line CB of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and a portion for forming the right cut-off line CR and the left cut-off line CL. The first side edge 52d2 and the second side edge 52e2 may be configured so that they form the same surface.

  The above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is obvious that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  The second shade 52 in the first embodiment has a plate-like main body like the second shade 52A in the second embodiment, and is moved in the left-right direction by the second drive mechanism 54A. Also good.

  The second shade 52A in the second embodiment may have an arc-shaped main body like the second shade 52 in the first embodiment, and may be configured to turn in the left-right direction through the support arm.

  10: vehicle, 12: headlamp device, 44: control unit, 51: first shade, 52: second shade, 53: first drive mechanism, 54: second drive mechanism, 86: light source, CB: Cut-off line, CBR: Lower right cut-off line, CBL: Lower left cut-off line, CR: Right cut-off line, CL: Left cut-off line, PH: High beam light distribution pattern, PL: Low beam light distribution pattern, S: Light blocking area, SUR : Upper right shading area, SUL: Upper left shading area

Claims (6)

A light source that irradiates a region including the upper part from the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern;
A first shade that shields a part of the light emitted from the light source and defines a lower edge of a first light shielding region formed in the region;
A second shade for shielding a part of the light emitted from the light source and defining a side edge of a second light shielding region formed in the region;
A first mechanism for adjusting a position of the first shade so that a lower end edge of the first light-shielding region moves in the vertical direction within the region;
A vehicle headlamp apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the first mechanism.   The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the first mechanism in accordance with information indicating a height of an object detected in the region. A second mechanism for adjusting the position of the second shade so that the side edge of the second light-shielding region moves in the left-right direction within the region;
The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the second mechanism in accordance with information indicating a position of an irradiation object detected in the region.   The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 3, wherein at least an inclined portion of the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the second shade.   The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 4, wherein end surfaces having a shape corresponding to the inclined portion are formed at both ends in the left-right direction of the second shade.   The vehicle headlamp device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein an end surface of the second shade that defines a side edge of the second light shielding region has an inclined portion.

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