JP2018103904A - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents
Vehicle headlamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- JP2018103904A JP2018103904A JP2016254391A JP2016254391A JP2018103904A JP 2018103904 A JP2018103904 A JP 2018103904A JP 2016254391 A JP2016254391 A JP 2016254391A JP 2016254391 A JP2016254391 A JP 2016254391A JP 2018103904 A JP2018103904 A JP 2018103904A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- light source
- vehicle
- source segment
- light
- illumination
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 106
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 13
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005669 field effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
Abstract
Description
本発明は、車両に装備される走行用前照灯に関する。 The present invention relates to a traveling headlamp mounted on a vehicle.
近時、夜間に車両の前方にある交通上の障害物を適切に確認でき、かつ照射光線が対向車や先行車の交通を妨げないような、配光可変型前照灯システムが開発されている。配光可変型前照灯システムは、車載のカメラで撮影した画像を解析して対向車や先行車を検出し、当該対向車または先行車の存在する領域以外の領域に向けて照明光を正射する状態を維持しながら、当該対向車または先行車の存在する領域に限って照明光を照射しないようにするものである。配光可変型前照灯システムにより、対向車または先行車の搭乗者を眩惑させずに走行用前照灯（ハイビーム）を使用して安全に夜間走行を行うことができる。 Recently, a variable light distribution headlamp system has been developed that can properly check traffic obstacles in front of the vehicle at night and that the irradiation light does not interfere with the traffic of oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles. Yes. The variable light distribution headlamp system detects an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle by analyzing an image taken by an in-vehicle camera, and corrects the illumination light toward an area other than the area where the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle exists. While maintaining the shooting state, the illumination light is not irradiated only in the area where the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle exists. With the variable light distribution headlamp system, it is possible to safely travel at night using the headlight for traveling (high beam) without dazzling the passengers of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle.
前照灯の配光パターンを変化させるための具体的な仕組みとしては、光源から放たれる光を反射させるリフレクタをアクチュエータにより駆動して光軸の向きを変位させる態様のもの（例えば、下記特許文献１を参照）や、多数の独立した光源の点灯／消灯を頻繁に切り換えることで照明光の照射範囲を細かく制御する態様のもの（例えば、下記非特許文献１を参照）が知られている。 As a specific mechanism for changing the light distribution pattern of the headlamp, an embodiment in which the direction of the optical axis is displaced by driving a reflector that reflects light emitted from a light source by an actuator (for example, the following patent) Reference 1) and a mode in which the illumination range of illumination light is finely controlled by frequently switching on / off of many independent light sources (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1 below) are known. .
複数の光源セグメントを構成要素とする配光可変型前照灯システムにおいては、対向車の出現を認識したときに、その対向車を指向する光源セグメントを消灯し、または当該光源セグメントから放射する光束の量を平常よりも減少させることで、対向車の搭乗者の眩惑を抑止する。 In a variable light distribution headlamp system having a plurality of light source segments as constituent elements, when recognizing the appearance of an oncoming vehicle, the light source segment that points to the oncoming vehicle is turned off or emitted from the light source segment By reducing the amount of the vehicle from normal, dazzling of oncoming passengers is suppressed.
一方で、対向車自体も前照灯を点灯させていることから、対向車が出現した直後の段階では、対向車の前照灯が放つ照明光によって自車の前方が顕著に明るく照らされることとなる。すると、自車の搭乗者の視覚に明順応、即ち可視光に対する感度の低下が起こる。その状態で、対向車を指向する光源セグメントを消灯または減光すると、明順応を起こした搭乗者の視覚からは前方が暗くなったように感じられてしまう。 On the other hand, because the oncoming vehicle also lights up the headlamps, the front of the host vehicle is illuminated significantly brightly by the illumination light emitted by the oncoming vehicle headlamps immediately after the oncoming vehicle appears. It becomes. Then, bright adaptation to the sight of the passenger of the own vehicle, that is, a decrease in sensitivity to visible light occurs. In this state, if the light source segment directed to the oncoming vehicle is turned off or dimmed, the sight of the light-adapted passenger will feel that the front has become darker.
本発明は、以上の問題に初めて着目してなされたものであり、前方の車両の搭乗者の眩惑を回避する目的で前方車両を指向する光源セグメントを消灯または減光するに際し、自車の前方が暗くなったように見えることを防止しようとするものである。 The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above problems for the first time, and when turning off or dimming the light source segment directed to the front vehicle for the purpose of avoiding the dazzling of the passengers of the front vehicle, Is intended to prevent the image from appearing dark.
本発明では、前方車両が出現したとき、車両の前方を照明する複数の光源セグメントのうちの前方車両を指向する光源セグメントを消灯しまたは当該光源セグメントから放射する光束の量を平常よりも減少させるととともに、それ以外の光源セグメントのうちの少なくとも一つから放射する光束の量を平常よりも増加させる車両の走行用前照灯を構成した。 In the present invention, when a preceding vehicle appears, the light source segment directed to the preceding vehicle among the plurality of light source segments that illuminate the front of the vehicle is turned off, or the amount of light flux emitted from the light source segment is reduced as compared with the normal state. And a vehicle headlamp that increases the amount of luminous flux emitted from at least one of the other light source segments.
本発明によれば、複数の光源セグメントを構成要素とする配光可変型前照灯システムにおいて、前方車両の搭乗者の眩惑を回避する目的で前方車両を指向する光源セグメントを消灯または減光するに際し、自車の前方が暗くなったように見えることを防ぐことができる。 According to the present invention, in a variable light distribution headlamp system having a plurality of light source segments as constituent elements, the light source segments directed to the front vehicle are turned off or dimmed for the purpose of avoiding dazzling of the passengers of the front vehicle. In this case, it is possible to prevent the front of the vehicle from appearing dark.
本発明の一実施形態を、図面を参照して説明する。本実施形態の車両Ｃの走行用前照灯は、車両Ｃの前端部における左右の側部にそれぞれ複数個の光源セグメントを設置してなるものである。各光源セグメントは、照明光を放射する照明光源、例えば発光ダイオードと、照明光源から放射される照明光を車両Ｃの前方に向けるリフレクタとを要素とする。各光源セグメントの照明光源は、互いに独立に点灯／消灯させることが可能である。照明光源から放たれる光束の量の制御は、例えば、当該光源に印加する平均の電流量をＦＥＴ（Ｆｉｅｌｄ Ｅｆｆｅｃｔ Ｔｒａｎｓｉｓｔｏｒ）その他の半導体スイッチング素子を介して増減させるＰＷＭ（Ｐｕｌｓｅ Ｗｉｄｔｈ Ｍｏｄｕｌａｔｉｏｎ）制御により実現できる。 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The traveling headlamp for the vehicle C according to the present embodiment is formed by installing a plurality of light source segments on the left and right sides of the front end portion of the vehicle C, respectively. Each light source segment includes an illumination light source that emits illumination light, such as a light emitting diode, and a reflector that directs illumination light emitted from the illumination light source toward the front of the vehicle C. The illumination light sources of each light source segment can be turned on / off independently of each other. Control of the amount of luminous flux emitted from the illumination light source is realized by, for example, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control that increases or decreases the average amount of current applied to the light source via a FET (Field Effect Transistor) or other semiconductor switching element. it can.
本実施形態の走行用前照灯は、車両Ｃの左側部及び右側部に四個ずつ光源セグメントを備えている。図１ないし図５に、各光源セグメントの配光パターンの一例を示す。なお、この図示例の配光パターンは、左側通行を採用する国または地域を想定したものであり、右側通行を採用する国または地域に適用する際にはこれを左右反転させる必要がある。 The traveling headlamp of this embodiment includes four light source segments on the left side and the right side of the vehicle C. 1 to 5 show an example of the light distribution pattern of each light source segment. Note that the light distribution pattern in this illustrated example assumes a country or region that employs left-hand traffic, and when applied to a country or region that employs right-hand traffic, it is necessary to invert it horizontally.
従来の車両の走行用前照灯では、車両Ｃの搭乗者（または、運転者）から見て左側に設置した光源セグメントが主として車両中心線よりも左方の領域を照らし、右側に設置した光源セグメントが主として車両中心線よりも右方の領域を照らしていた。このようなものであると、配光可変型前照灯システムが対向車の存在を検出したとき、当該対向車に対して強い光を照射しないために、右側の光源セグメントの大半を消灯することとなる。結果、車両の前方、特に自車線ＣＬの右半部を照明する光量が減少し、遠方の障害物の視認性が低下するおそれがあった。対向車の搭乗者を眩惑させることを回避し、かつ遠方の障害物の視認性を十分に確保するには、光源セグメントの個数を増やさざるを得ないが、光源セグメント数の増加はコストの増大に直結する。 In a conventional vehicle headlight, a light source segment installed on the left side as viewed from the passenger (or driver) of the vehicle C mainly illuminates an area on the left side of the vehicle center line, and a light source installed on the right side. The segment was mainly illuminating the area to the right of the car center line. In such a case, when the variable light distribution headlight system detects the presence of an oncoming vehicle, most of the light source segment on the right side is turned off so as not to irradiate the oncoming vehicle with strong light. It becomes. As a result, the amount of light that illuminates the front of the vehicle, particularly the right half of the own lane CL, is reduced, and the visibility of distant obstacles may be reduced. To avoid dazzling oncoming passengers and ensure sufficient visibility of distant obstacles, the number of light source segments must be increased, but the increase in the number of light source segments increases costs. Directly connected to
これに対し、本実施形態では、車両Ｃの搭乗者から見て左側に設置した光源セグメントが車両中心線よりも右方の領域を照らし、右側に設置した光源セグメントが車両中心線よりも左方の領域を照らすように配光している。 On the other hand, in this embodiment, the light source segment installed on the left side as viewed from the passenger of the vehicle C illuminates a region on the right side of the vehicle center line, and the light source segment installed on the right side is on the left side of the vehicle center line. The light is distributed to illuminate the area.
詳述すると、搭乗者から見て左側に設置した第一光源セグメント、第二光源セグメント、第三光源セグメント及び第四光源セグメントの四個の光源セグメントのうち、第一光源セグメントは、自車線ＣＬに沿った前方を照明する。図２に示す例に則して述べると、第一光源セグメントから放たれる照明光１０を車両Ｃに正対する（車両Ｃの前方１０ｍの距離に設立した）スクリーンに投影して運転席から（車両Ｃの前方を向いて）見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａと車両Ｃの前端部との交点を基点として右方に少しく偏倚した角度から左方に偏倚した角度までの領域が、その照明光１０の照射範囲に含まれる。 More specifically, among the four light source segments of the first light source segment, the second light source segment, the third light source segment, and the fourth light source segment installed on the left side when viewed from the passenger, the first light source segment is the own lane CL. Illuminate the front along. Referring to the example shown in FIG. 2, the illumination light 10 emitted from the first light source segment is projected onto a screen (established at a distance of 10 m ahead of the vehicle C) facing the vehicle C and projected from the driver's seat ( When viewed from the front of the vehicle C) from the angle slightly deviated to the right from the intersection of the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C and the front end of the vehicle C, leftward A region up to an angle that is biased is included in the irradiation range of the illumination light 10.
第二光源セグメントは、自車線ＣＬよりも寧ろ対向車線ＯＬを照明する。第二光源セグメントから放たれる照明光２０を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａから右方に偏倚した領域が、その照明光２０の照射範囲に含まれる。 The second light source segment illuminates the opposite lane OL rather than the own lane CL. When the illumination light 20 emitted from the second light source segment is projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat, it is biased to the right from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C. Such a region is included in the irradiation range of the illumination light 20.
第三光源セグメントは、運転席から見て、第二光源セグメントが照明する領域よりもさらに右方の領域を照明する。その光軸は、車両Ｃの前方１００ｍ超の地点の対向車線ＯＬの路肩の辺りを指向する。第三光源セグメントから放たれる照明光３１、３２を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａから右方により偏倚した領域が、その照明光３１、３２の照射範囲に含まれる。第二光源セグメント及び第三光源セグメントの光軸は、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも右方を指向している。これら第二光源セグメント及び第三光源セグメントは、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも右側（特に、対向車線ＯＬ）に存在する障害物を照明するものであり、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも左側（特に、自車線ＣＬ及びその路肩）に存在する障害物を積極的に照明しようとしていない。図１に示しているように、第二光源セグメント及び第三光源セグメントは、搭乗者から見て車両Ｃの左側端よりも左方に照明光２０、３１、３２を照射しない。なお、詳しくは後述するが、第三の光源セグメントは複数の光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２を有しており、一方の光源Ｌ１から出射する照明光３１は当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面（路面と平行な面）Ｈよりも上方の領域を照明し、他方の光源Ｌ２から出射する照明光３２は当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも下方の領域を照明する。つまり、第三光源セグメントによる照明範囲は、水平面Ｈを境として上下に二分割される。 The third light source segment illuminates a region further to the right than the region illuminated by the second light source segment when viewed from the driver's seat. The optical axis is directed around the shoulder of the opposite lane OL at a point more than 100 m ahead of the vehicle C. When the illumination lights 31 and 32 emitted from the third light source segment are projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat, the right side from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C The region deviated by is included in the irradiation range of the illumination lights 31 and 32. The optical axes of the second light source segment and the third light source segment are directed to the right of the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line. The second light source segment and the third light source segment illuminate an obstacle existing on the right side (particularly, the oncoming lane OL) from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line, and the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line. It is not trying to actively illuminate obstacles existing on the left side (in particular, the own lane CL and its shoulder). As shown in FIG. 1, the second light source segment and the third light source segment do not irradiate the illumination light 20, 31, 32 to the left of the left end of the vehicle C as viewed from the passenger. As will be described in detail later, the third light source segment has a plurality of light sources L1 and L2, and the illumination light 31 emitted from one of the light sources L1 is a horizontal plane (equivalent to the light source segment). The surface above the plane H) is illuminated, and the illumination light 32 emitted from the other light source L2 illuminates the region below the horizontal plane H located at the same height as the light source segment. That is, the illumination range by the third light source segment is divided into two parts in the vertical direction with the horizontal plane H as a boundary.
並びに、第四光源セグメントは、自車線ＣＬに沿った前方を照明する。第四光源セグメントから放たれる照明光４０を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａと車両Ｃの前端部との交点を基点として右方に偏倚した角度から左方に偏倚した角度までの領域が、その照明光４０の照射範囲に含まれる。 In addition, the fourth light source segment illuminates the front along the own lane CL. When the illumination light 40 emitted from the fourth light source segment is projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat, the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C and the front end of the vehicle C A region from an angle biased rightward to an angle biased leftward with the intersection with the part as a base point is included in the irradiation range of the illumination light 40.
搭乗者から見て左側に設置した光源セグメントによる照明光１０、２０、３１、３２、４０の照射範囲の分解能は、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも右方においてより細かく、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも左方においてより粗い。つまり、搭乗者から見て左側に設置した各光源セグメントの照明光源の点灯／消灯の切り換えを通じて、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも右方における照明光１０、２０、３１、３２、４０の照射範囲を細かく制御することが可能である。 The resolution of the irradiation range of the illumination light 10, 20, 31, 32, 40 by the light source segment installed on the left side when viewed from the passenger is finer on the right side than the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line. It is rougher on the left side than the vertical plane A that contains it. That is, the illumination light 10, 20, 31, 32, 40 on the right side of the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line is switched through switching on / off of the illumination light source of each light source segment installed on the left side when viewed from the passenger. It is possible to finely control the irradiation range.
第一光源セグメント及び第二光源セグメントの光軸は、水平方向即ち路面と平行な方向に設定する。第一光源セグメント及び第二光源セグメントが放つ照明光１０、２０は、既存の走行用前照灯と同様に車両Ｃの前方を正射、即ち路面と平行な方向（水平方向）ないしそれよりも上方に向かう。これに対し、第四光源セグメントの光軸は、路面と交差する斜め下方を向き、路面との交差地点において車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａまたはその近傍に到達するように設定する。図３に示しているように、第四光源セグメントが放つ照明光４０は、主として路面と平行な方向よりも下方に向かい（但し、路面と平行な方向ないしそれよりも上方に向けて、人の目を眩惑させない程度の減光された光が放射されることはあり得る）、車両Ｃの前方５０ｍないしその数ｍ手前の地点から１００ｍ超（例えば、１２０ｍ）の地点までの路面及び当該路面上に存在する障害物を照明する。この第四光源セグメントは、車両Ｃに装備されたすれ違い用前照灯（ロービーム）が照射する照明光９０よりは遠方の領域を照明する、いわばハイビームとロービームとの中間の「ミドルビーム」となる。 The optical axes of the first light source segment and the second light source segment are set in the horizontal direction, that is, the direction parallel to the road surface. The illumination lights 10 and 20 emitted from the first light source segment and the second light source segment are orthogonal to the front of the vehicle C, that is, in a direction parallel to the road surface (horizontal direction) or more than the existing driving headlamp. Head up. On the other hand, the optical axis of the fourth light source segment is set so as to face obliquely below intersecting the road surface and reach the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line or its vicinity at the intersection with the road surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the illumination light 40 emitted by the fourth light source segment is mainly directed downward from a direction parallel to the road surface (however, in a direction parallel to the road surface or upward, A dimmed light that does not dazzle the eyes may be emitted), a road surface from a point 50 m ahead of the vehicle C or a point a few meters before it to a point more than 100 m (for example, 120 m) and on the road surface Illuminate obstacles present in The fourth light source segment is a “middle beam” that illuminates a region farther than the illumination light 90 irradiated by the passing headlamp (low beam) mounted on the vehicle C, that is, between the high beam and the low beam. .
搭乗者から見て右側に設置した第五光源セグメント、第六光源セグメント、第七光源セグメント及び第八光源セグメントの四個の光源セグメントのうち、第五光源セグメントは、運転席から見て大きく左方に偏倚した領域を照明する。その光軸は、車両Ｃの前方１００ｍ超の地点の自車線ＣＬの路肩の辺りを指向する。図５に示す例に則して述べると、第五光源セグメントから放たれる照明光５１、５２を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から（車両Ｃの前方を向いて）見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａから左方に偏倚した領域が、その照明光５１、５２の照射範囲に含まれる。なお、詳しくは後述するが、第五の光源セグメントは複数の光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２を有しており、一方の光源Ｌ１から出射する照明光５１は当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも上方の領域を照明し、他方の光源Ｌ２から出射する照明光５２は当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも下方の領域を照明する。つまり、第三光源セグメントによる照明範囲は、水平面Ｈを境として上下に二分割される。 Of the four light source segments, the fifth light source segment, the sixth light source segment, the seventh light source segment, and the eighth light source segment installed on the right side when viewed from the passenger, the fifth light source segment is greatly left when viewed from the driver's seat. Illuminate the area biased toward The optical axis is directed around the shoulder of the own lane CL at a point more than 100 m ahead of the vehicle C. Referring to the example shown in FIG. 5, the illumination lights 51 and 52 emitted from the fifth light source segment are projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat (facing the front of the vehicle C). At this time, an area deviated to the left from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C is included in the irradiation range of the illumination lights 51 and 52. As will be described in detail later, the fifth light source segment has a plurality of light sources L1 and L2, and the illumination light 51 emitted from one light source L1 is a horizontal plane H located at the same height as the light source segment. The illumination light 52 emitted from the other light source L2 illuminates the region below the horizontal plane H located at the same height as the light source segment. That is, the illumination range by the third light source segment is divided into two parts in the vertical direction with the horizontal plane H as a boundary.
第六光源セグメントは、運転席から見て、第五光源セグメントが照明する領域よりはやや右方即ち車両中心線寄りの領域、車両Ｃの前方１００ｍ程度の地点までの自車線ＣＬの左半部を含む領域を照明する。第六光源セグメントから放たれる照明光６０を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａから左方に偏倚した領域が、その照明光６０の照射範囲に含まれる。 The sixth light source segment is seen from the driver's seat, slightly to the right of the area illuminated by the fifth light source segment, that is, an area closer to the vehicle center line, and the left half of the own lane CL to a point about 100 m ahead of the vehicle C. Illuminate the area containing. When the illumination light 60 emitted from the sixth light source segment is projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat, it is biased to the left from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C. Such a region is included in the irradiation range of the illumination light 60.
第七光源セグメントは、運転席から見て、第六光源セグメントが照明する領域よりもやや右方、自車線ＣＬの大半部を含む領域を照明する。第七光源セグメントから放たれる照明光７０を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａから左方に偏倚した領域が、その照明光７０の照射範囲に含まれる。第五光源セグメント、第六光源セグメント及び第七光源セグメントの光軸は、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも左方を指向している。これら第五光源セグメント、第六光源セグメント及び第七光源セグメントは、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも左側（特に、自車線ＣＬ及びその路肩）に存在する障害物を照明するものであり、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも右側（特に、対向車線ＯＬ及びその路肩）に存在する障害物を積極的に照明しようとしていない。図４に示しているように、第五光源セグメント、第六光源セグメント及び第七光源セグメントは、搭乗者から見て車両Ｃの右側端よりも右方に照明光５１、５２、６０、７０を照射しない。 The seventh light source segment illuminates an area including the most part of the own lane CL, slightly to the right of the area illuminated by the sixth light source segment when viewed from the driver's seat. When the illumination light 70 emitted from the seventh light source segment is projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat, it is biased to the left from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C. Such a region is included in the irradiation range of the illumination light 70. The optical axes of the fifth light source segment, the sixth light source segment, and the seventh light source segment are directed leftward from the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line. These fifth light source segment, sixth light source segment and seventh light source segment illuminate obstacles existing on the left side of the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line (in particular, the own lane CL and its road shoulder), An obstacle existing on the right side of the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line (in particular, the oncoming lane OL and its road shoulder) is not actively illuminated. As shown in FIG. 4, the fifth light source segment, the sixth light source segment, and the seventh light source segment emit illumination lights 51, 52, 60, and 70 to the right of the right end of the vehicle C as viewed from the passenger. Do not irradiate.
並びに、第八光源セグメントは、自車線ＣＬに沿った前方を照明する。第八光源セグメントから放たれる照明光８０を車両Ｃに正対するスクリーンに投影して運転席から見たとき、車両中心線を含み車両Ｃの進行方向と平行な鉛直面Ａと車両Ｃの前端部との交点を基点として左方に少しく偏倚した角度から右方に偏倚した角度までの領域が、その照明光８０の照射範囲に含まれる。 In addition, the eighth light source segment illuminates the front along the own lane CL. When the illumination light 80 emitted from the eighth light source segment is projected onto the screen facing the vehicle C and viewed from the driver's seat, the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C and the front end of the vehicle C A region from an angle slightly deviated leftward to an angle deviated rightward from the intersection with the part is included in the irradiation range of the illumination light 80.
搭乗者から見て右側に設置した光源セグメントによる照明光５１、５２、６０、７０、８０の照射範囲の分解能は、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも左方においてより細かく、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも右方においてより粗い。つまり、搭乗者から見て右側に設置した各光源セグメントの照明光源の点灯／消灯の切り換えを通じて、車両中心線を含む鉛直面Ａよりも左方における照明光５１、５２、６０、７０、８０の照射範囲を細かく制御することが可能である。 The resolution of the illumination range of the illumination light 51, 52, 60, 70, 80 by the light source segment installed on the right side when viewed from the passenger is finer on the left side than the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line. Rougher on the right side than the vertical plane A that contains it. That is, the illumination light 51, 52, 60, 70, 80 on the left side of the vertical plane A including the vehicle center line is switched through switching on / off of the illumination light source of each light source segment installed on the right side when viewed from the passenger. It is possible to finely control the irradiation range.
第六光源セグメント、第七光源セグメント及び第三光源セグメントの光軸は、水平方向即ち路面と平行な方向に設定する。第六光源セグメント、第七光源セグメント及び第八光源セグメントが放つ照明光６０、７０、８０は、既存の走行用前照灯と同様、車両Ｃの前方そして無限遠方を正射する。 The optical axes of the sixth light source segment, the seventh light source segment, and the third light source segment are set in the horizontal direction, that is, the direction parallel to the road surface. The illumination lights 60, 70, and 80 emitted from the sixth light source segment, the seventh light source segment, and the eighth light source segment shine in front of the vehicle C and at an infinite distance in the same manner as the existing headlight for traveling.
しかして、本実施形態では、車両Ｃの搭乗者から見て最も左右の外側方を照明する光源セグメント、即ち対向車線ＯＬの路肩を指向して照明光３１、３２を照射する第三の光源セグメント、及び自車線ＣＬの路肩を指向して照明光５１、５２を照射する第五の光源セグメントが、それぞれ複数の光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２を具備している。一方の光源Ｌ１は、当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも上方の領域を照明する照明光３１、５１を出射する。他方の光源Ｌ２は、当該光源Ｌ２と同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも下方の領域を照明する照明光３２、５２を出射する。 Thus, in the present embodiment, the light source segment that illuminates the left and right outer sides as viewed from the passenger of the vehicle C, that is, the third light source segment that irradiates the illumination light 31 and 32 toward the road shoulder of the opposite lane OL. , And the fifth light source segment that irradiates the illumination lights 51 and 52 toward the road shoulder of the own lane CL includes a plurality of light sources L1 and L2, respectively. One light source L1 emits illumination lights 31 and 51 that illuminate a region above the horizontal plane H located at the same height as the light source segment. The other light source L2 emits illumination lights 32 and 52 that illuminate a region below the horizontal plane H located at the same height as the light source L2.
図９及び図１０に、第三光源セグメント及び第五光源セグメントの構造を示している。第三光源セグメント及び第五光源セグメントにおいては、基板Ｓの下向面に二個の光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２、例えば発光ダイオードを前後方向に沿って配列しており、それら光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２の各々から下方に出射する照明光３１、５１、３２、５２を凹面状をなすリフレクタＲの前向面に当て、当該リフレクタＲで反射させて車両Ｃの前方に放射するようにしている。 9 and 10 show the structures of the third light source segment and the fifth light source segment. In the third light source segment and the fifth light source segment, two light sources L1, L2, for example, light emitting diodes are arranged on the downward surface of the substrate S along the front-rear direction, and the lower side of each of the light sources L1, L2 The illumination light 31, 51, 32, 52 emitted from the light is applied to the front-facing surface of the concave reflector R and is reflected by the reflector R so as to be emitted in front of the vehicle C.
基板Ｓ上で前方に所在する光源Ｌ１から出射する照明光３１、５１の主光軸は、リフレクタＲに当たって反射されることで、水平面Ｈよりも斜め上方を向く。これに対し、基板Ｓ上で光源Ｌ１よりも後方に所在する光源Ｌ２から出射する照明光３２、５２の主光軸は、リフレクタＲにおける照明光３１、５１の主光軸が当たる箇所と同じ箇所またはその近傍の箇所に当たる。そして、リフレクタＲで反射されることで、水平面Ｈよりも斜め下方を向く。 The main optical axes of the illumination lights 31 and 51 emitted from the light source L1 located forward on the substrate S face the reflector R and are reflected obliquely above the horizontal plane H. On the other hand, the main optical axes of the illumination lights 32 and 52 emitted from the light source L2 located behind the light source L1 on the substrate S are the same places as the places where the main optical axes of the illumination lights 31 and 51 hit the reflector R. Or it hits a place in the vicinity. Then, by being reflected by the reflector R, it is directed obliquely downward from the horizontal plane H.
第三の光源セグメント及び第五の光源セグメントのそれぞれにおける照明光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２は、互いに独立に点灯／消灯させることが可能である。既に述べた通り、照明光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２から放たれる光束の量の制御は、例えば、当該光源に印加する平均の電流量をＦＥＴその他の半導体スイッチング素子を介して増減させるＰＷＭ制御により実現できる。 The illumination light sources L1 and L2 in each of the third light source segment and the fifth light source segment can be turned on / off independently of each other. As already described, the amount of light emitted from the illumination light sources L1 and L2 can be controlled by, for example, PWM control that increases or decreases the average amount of current applied to the light source via an FET or other semiconductor switching element.
図２、図５及び図８に示しているように、前者の照明光３１、５１の照明範囲と、後者の照明光３２、５２の照明範囲とは、若干オーバラップしているものの、基本的には水平面Ｈによって隔てられている。特に、後者の照明光３２、５２の照明範囲の上縁はカットオフライン（明瞭境界線）を有していて、そのカットオフラインは、第三の光源セグメントまたは第五の光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈの近傍にある。 As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 8, the illumination range of the former illumination lights 31 and 51 and the illumination range of the latter illumination lights 32 and 52 slightly overlap, but are basically the same. Are separated by a horizontal plane H. In particular, the upper edge of the illumination range of the latter illumination lights 32 and 52 has a cut-off line (clear boundary line), and the cut-off line has the same height as the third light source segment or the fifth light source segment. In the vicinity of the horizontal plane H located at
本実施形態における車両Ｃの配光可変型前照灯システムの制御を司る電子制御装置（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｎｉｃ Ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ Ｕｎｉｔ）は、車両Ｃの前方を撮影することのできる車載カメラ（イメージセンサ）で撮影した動画像を解析し（当該画像内に現れる対向車Ｏの前照灯や先行車Ｆの尾灯、歩行者等を検出して）、対向車線ＯＬを走行する対向車Ｏ、自車線ＣＬを走行する先行車Ｆ、及び／または、歩道上の歩行者等の存在を認識する。そして、その対向車Ｏ、先行車Ｆ、歩行者等に対して照明光１０、２０、３１、３２、４０、５１、５２、６０、７０、８０を照射することとなる光源セグメントの照明光源を適時消灯、または当該光源から出射する光束の量を平常よりも減光しながら、それ以外の光源セグメントの照明光源を点灯させた状態に維持する。 The electronic control unit (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the variable light distribution headlamp system of the vehicle C in the present embodiment is a moving image captured by an in-vehicle camera (image sensor) that can capture the front of the vehicle C. (Detecting the headlight of the oncoming vehicle O, the taillight of the preceding vehicle F, the pedestrian, etc. appearing in the image) and detecting the oncoming vehicle O traveling on the oncoming lane OL and the preceding vehicle traveling on the own lane CL. F and / or the presence of a pedestrian on the sidewalk is recognized. And the illumination light source of the light source segment which will irradiate the illumination light 10, 20, 31, 32, 40, 51, 52, 60, 70, 80 with respect to the oncoming vehicle O, the preceding vehicle F, a pedestrian, etc. The illumination light sources of the other light source segments are kept turned on while turning off timely or reducing the amount of light emitted from the light source to be less than normal.
例えば、図６に示すように、車両Ｃの前方２００ｍ付近の地点における対向車線ＯＬ上に対向車Ｏが存在するときには、当該対向車Ｏを照明光１０、２０、８０の照射範囲に捉えた光源セグメント、即ち第一光源セグメント、第二光源セグメント及び第八光源セグメント（の照明光源）を消灯または減光しつつ、当該対向車Ｏを照明光３１、３２、４０、５１、５２、６０、７０の照射範囲に捉えていない光源セグメント、即ち第三光源セグメント、第四光源セグメント、第五光源セグメント、第六光源セグメント及び第七光源セグメント（の照明光源）を点灯させる。これにより、車両Ｃの前方を照明する光量を必要十分に確保しながらも、対向車Ｏの搭乗者を眩惑させることを回避できる。以後、対向車Ｏとの距離が縮まるにつれて、対向車Ｏを照明光１０、２０、３１、３２、４０、５１、５２、６０、７０、８０の照射範囲に捉える光源セグメントが変化するので、その都度消灯または減光する光源セグメント及び点灯する光源セグメントを切り換えてゆく。 For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the oncoming vehicle O exists on the oncoming lane OL at a point near 200 m ahead of the vehicle C, the light source that captures the oncoming vehicle O within the irradiation range of the illumination light 10, 20, 80. While the segments, that is, the first light source segment, the second light source segment, and the eighth light source segment (illumination light source thereof) are turned off or dimmed, the oncoming vehicle O is illuminated with light 31, 32, 40, 51, 52, 60, 70. The light source segments not captured in the irradiation range, that is, the third light source segment, the fourth light source segment, the fifth light source segment, the sixth light source segment, and the seventh light source segment (illumination light sources thereof) are turned on. Thereby, it is possible to avoid dazzling the passengers of the oncoming vehicle O while securing a sufficient amount of light for illuminating the front of the vehicle C. Thereafter, as the distance from the oncoming vehicle O decreases, the light source segment that captures the oncoming vehicle O within the illumination range of the illumination light 10, 20, 31, 32, 40, 51, 52, 60, 70, 80 changes. The light source segment that is turned off or dimmed and the light source segment that is turned on are switched each time.
また、図７に示すように、車両Ｃの前方２００ｍ付近の地点における自車線ＣＬ上に先行車Ｆが存在するときには、当該先行車Ｆを照明光１０、７０、８０の照射範囲に捉えた光源セグメント、即ち第一光源セグメント、第七光源セグメント及び第八光源セグメント（の照明光源）を消灯または減光しつつ、当該対向車Ｏを照明光２０、３１、３２、４０、５１、５２、６０の照射範囲に捉えていない光源セグメント、即ち第二光源セグメント、第三光源セグメント、第四光源セグメント、第五光源セグメント及び第六光源セグメント（の照明光源）を点灯させる。これにより、車両Ｃの前方を照明する光量を必要十分に確保しながらも、先行車Ｆの搭乗者を眩惑させることを回避できる。先行車Ｆとの距離が変化した際には、先行車Ｆを照明光１０、２０、３１、３２、４０、５１、５２、６０、７０、８０の照射範囲に捉える光源セグメントが変化するので、その都度消灯または減光する光源セグメント及び点灯する光源セグメントを切り換える。 Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the preceding vehicle F exists on the own lane CL at a point near 200 m ahead of the vehicle C, the light source that captures the preceding vehicle F in the irradiation range of the illumination light 10, 70, 80. While the segments, that is, the first light source segment, the seventh light source segment, and the eighth light source segment (illumination light sources thereof) are turned off or dimmed, the oncoming vehicle O is illuminated with light 20, 31, 32, 40, 51, 52, 60. The light source segments not captured in the irradiation range, that is, the second light source segment, the third light source segment, the fourth light source segment, the fifth light source segment, and the sixth light source segment (illumination light source thereof) are turned on. Thereby, it is possible to avoid dazzling the passenger of the preceding vehicle F while securing a sufficient amount of light for illuminating the front of the vehicle C. When the distance from the preceding vehicle F changes, the light source segment that captures the preceding vehicle F within the irradiation range of the illumination light 10, 20, 31, 32, 40, 51, 52, 60, 70, 80 changes. Each time, the light source segment to be turned off or dimmed and the light source segment to be turned on are switched.
さらに、自車線ＣＬの路肩に隣接する歩道上を通行する歩行者や道路標識が存在するときには、第三の光源セグメントの光源Ｌ２を点灯させたまま、第三の光源セグメントの光源Ｌ１を消灯し、またはその光源Ｌ１から出射する光束の量を平常よりも減らす。これにより、照明光３２による自車線ＣＬの路肩側の照明を維持しながら、照明光３１を消光または減光して、自車線ＣＬ側の歩道上の歩行者の眩惑を防止することができる。照明光３１が自車線ＣＬ側の道路標識に当たって反射し、強い反射光が車両Ｃの搭乗者の目に入る問題も回避できる。 Further, when there is a pedestrian or road sign passing on the sidewalk adjacent to the shoulder of the own lane CL, the light source L1 of the third light source segment is turned off while the light source L2 of the third light source segment is turned on. Alternatively, the amount of the light beam emitted from the light source L1 is reduced more than usual. Thereby, the illumination light 31 can be extinguished or dimmed while maintaining the illumination on the shoulder side of the own lane CL by the illumination light 32, and dazzling of pedestrians on the sidewalk on the own lane CL side can be prevented. The problem that the illumination light 31 hits and reflects the road sign on the own lane CL side and the strong reflected light enters the eyes of the passenger of the vehicle C can also be avoided.
対向車線ＯＬ上を走行する対向車Ｏや、対向車線ＯＬの路肩に隣接する歩道上を通行する歩行者が存在するときには、第五の光源セグメントの光源Ｌ２を点灯させたまま、第五の光源セグメントの光源Ｌ１を消灯し、またはその光源Ｌ１から出射する光束の量を平常よりも減らす。これにより、照明光５２による対向車線ＯＬの路肩側の照明を維持しながら、照明光５１を消光または減光して、対向車Ｏの搭乗者や対向車線ＯＬ側の歩道上の歩行者の眩惑を防止することができる。 When there is an oncoming vehicle O traveling on the oncoming lane OL or a pedestrian passing on the sidewalk adjacent to the shoulder of the oncoming lane OL, the light source L2 of the fifth light source segment is kept on and the fifth light source The light source L1 of the segment is turned off, or the amount of the light beam emitted from the light source L1 is reduced from normal. Accordingly, the illumination light 51 is extinguished or dimmed while maintaining the illumination on the shoulder side of the oncoming lane OL by the illumination light 52, and the passengers of the oncoming vehicle O and the pedestrians on the sidewalk on the oncoming lane OL side are dazzled. Can be prevented.
本実施形態の走行用前照灯では、車両Ｃにおける車両中心線よりも対向車線側（搭乗者から見て右側）の部位に設置する複数の光源セグメントのうち、自車線ＣＬまたは自車線ＣＬよりも反対向車線側（搭乗者から見て左側）を指向して光５１、５２、６０、７０を照射する光源セグメント（第五光源セグメント、第六光源セグメント、第七光源セグメント）の数を、対向車線側（搭乗者から見て右側）を指向して光８０を照射する光源セグメント（第八光源セグメント）の数よりも多くしている。 In the headlight for traveling according to the present embodiment, from the own lane CL or the own lane CL among the plurality of light source segments installed on the opposite lane side (right side as viewed from the passenger) with respect to the vehicle center line in the vehicle C. Also, the number of light source segments (fifth light source segment, sixth light source segment, seventh light source segment) that emit light 51, 52, 60, 70 directed toward the opposite lane (left side as viewed from the passenger), The number is larger than the number of light source segments (eighth light source segments) that irradiate the light 80 toward the opposite lane (right side as viewed from the passenger).
これにより、対向車Ｏの搭乗者の眩惑を回避するべく対向車Ｏに向けて照明光１０、２０、３１、３２、４０、８０を照射する光源セグメントを消灯したとしても、点灯状態にある他の光源セグメントが、車両Ｃの前方（特に、自車線ＣＬの右半部）を必要十分に照明することができる。換言すれば、対向車Ｏが存在する状況下において、消灯する光源セグメントの個数を減らし、点灯させて自車線ＣＬ及び自車線ＣＬの路肩を照明する光源セグメントの個数を増すことができる。従って、夜間走行における障害物の視認性が改善し、ひいては夜間走行の安全性が向上する。そして、照明光量を増すために多数個の光源セグメントを車両Ｃに設置する必要はなく、低コストで有用な配光可変型前照灯システムを構築することが可能となる。 Thereby, even if the light source segment which irradiates the illumination light 10, 20, 31, 32, 40, 80 toward the oncoming vehicle O is turned off so as to avoid the dazzling of the passengers of the oncoming vehicle O, Can illuminate the front of the vehicle C (particularly, the right half of the own lane CL) sufficiently and sufficiently. In other words, in the situation where the oncoming vehicle O exists, the number of light source segments to be turned off can be reduced, and the number of light source segments that can be turned on to illuminate the own lane CL and the shoulders of the own lane CL can be increased. Therefore, the visibility of obstacles during night driving is improved, and as a result, safety during night driving is improved. In addition, it is not necessary to install a large number of light source segments in the vehicle C in order to increase the amount of illumination light, and it is possible to construct a low-cost and useful light distribution variable headlamp system.
加えて、車両Ｃの対向車線側の部位に設置した光源セグメントが車両中心線よりも反対向車線側、即ち自車線ＣＬないし自車線ＣＬの路肩を照らす一方、車両Ｃの反対向車線側の部位に設置した光源セグメントが車両中心線よりも対向車線側、即ち対向車線ＯＬないし対向車線ＯＬの路肩を照らすというように、光軸がクロスする配光パターンと採用したことから、先行車Ｆがある程度の距離まで接近してきたとしても、多くの光源セグメントを消灯せず点灯させた状態に維持することが可能となる。遠方に位置する先行車Ｆがカーブに差し掛かったときにも、光源セグメントが放つ照明光が当該先行車Ｆに当たりにくく、当該先行車Ｆの搭乗者を眩惑させない。 In addition, the light source segment installed in the opposite lane side of the vehicle C illuminates the opposite lane side of the vehicle center line, that is, the own lane CL or the shoulder of the own lane CL, while the portion of the vehicle C on the opposite lane side Since the light source segment installed on the opposite side of the vehicle center line illuminates the opposite lane side, ie, the opposite lane OL or the shoulder of the opposite lane OL, a light distribution pattern in which the optical axes cross each other is adopted. Even when the distance is approached, many light source segments can be kept on without being turned off. Even when the preceding vehicle F located far away approaches the curve, the illumination light emitted by the light source segment is unlikely to hit the preceding vehicle F, and the passenger of the preceding vehicle F is not dazzled.
並びに、本実施形態の走行用前照灯は、車両Ｃにおける車両中心線よりも反対向車線側（搭乗者から見て左側）の部位に設置する複数の光源セグメントとして、路面と平行な方向を指向して光１０、２０を照射する光源セグメントである第一光源セグメント及び第二光源セグメントと、路面と交差する斜め下方を指向して光４０を照射し、車両Ｃの前方５０ｍの地点から１００ｍの地点までの路面を光４０の照射範囲に含む光源セグメントである第四光源セグメントとを備えている。 In addition, the traveling headlamp according to the present embodiment has a direction parallel to the road surface as a plurality of light source segments installed in a region on the opposite lane side (left side as viewed from the passenger) with respect to the vehicle center line in the vehicle C. The first light source segment and the second light source segment, which are light source segments that are directed to irradiate the light 10 and 20, and the light 40 is directed obliquely below and intersects the road surface, and 100 m from a point 50 m ahead of the vehicle C. And a fourth light source segment, which is a light source segment including the road surface up to the point in the irradiation range of the light 40.
このようなものであれば、遠方の先行車Ｆの存在を検知したときに、直ちに車両Ｃの前方の照明を走行用前照灯からすれ違い用前照灯に切り換える必要がなくなる。即ち、先行車Ｆとの距離が１００ｍ程度に接近するまでは、第四光源セグメントを消灯せず点灯させた状態に維持して、その照明範囲４０を照明し続けることが可能となる。ひいては、走行用前照灯の照明範囲１０、２０からすれ違い用前照灯の照明範囲９０への急変を回避できる。 In such a case, when the presence of a distant preceding vehicle F is detected, it is not necessary to immediately switch the illumination in front of the vehicle C from the driving headlamp to the passing headlamp. That is, until the distance from the preceding vehicle F approaches about 100 m, the fourth light source segment can be kept on without being turned off, and the illumination range 40 can be continuously illuminated. As a result, the sudden change from the illumination ranges 10 and 20 of the traveling headlamp to the illumination range 90 of the passing headlamp can be avoided.
車両Ｃの前方４０ｍ付近の路面に向けて光を照射するすれ違い用前照灯では、車両Ｃの前方５０ｍ以遠の地点に存在する障害物を照明することができない。先行車Ｆの搭乗者を眩惑させないために、走行用前照灯を使用せずすれ違い用前照灯を使用することは、夜間の走行中に前方の障害物の発見が遅れるリスクを増大させる。本実施形態のように、走行用前照灯の構成要素として、路面と交差する斜め下方を指向して光４０を照射しすれ違い用照明灯による光の照射範囲よりも前方の路面を光４０の照射範囲に含む光源セグメント、例えば車両Ｃの前方５０ｍの地点から１００ｍの地点までの路面を光４０の照射範囲に含む光源セグメントを設けておけば、当該光源セグメントを点灯させつつ他の光源セグメントを必要に応じて消灯し、先行車Ｆの搭乗者の眩惑を回避しながら、車両Ｃの前方５０ｍ以遠の地点に存在する障害物を照明してその視認性を高めることができる。 The passing headlamp that irradiates light toward the road surface in the vicinity of 40 m ahead of the vehicle C cannot illuminate an obstacle present at a point more than 50 m ahead of the vehicle C. In order not to dazzle the passenger of the preceding vehicle F, using the headlight for passing without using the headlight for traveling increases the risk that the discovery of obstacles ahead is delayed during traveling at night. As in the present embodiment, as a component of the traveling headlamp, the light 40 is directed obliquely downward and intersects the road surface, and the road surface ahead of the light irradiation range of the passing illumination light is passed through the light 40. If the light source segment included in the irradiation range, for example, the light source segment including the road surface from the point 50 m ahead of the vehicle C to the point 100 m in the irradiation range of the light 40 is provided, the other light source segment is turned on while the light source segment is turned on. It is possible to enhance the visibility by turning off the lights as necessary and illuminating an obstacle existing at a point more than 50 m ahead of the vehicle C while avoiding the dazzling of the passenger of the preceding vehicle F.
また、上述の第四光源セグメントは、車載のカメラで撮影した画像を解析して車両Ｃの前方の障害物の存在を認識し、車両Ｃが当該障害物に衝突する直前に車両Ｃを自動で制動する衝突被害軽減ブレーキシステムの性能向上にも寄与する。走行用前照灯に代えてすれ違い用前照灯を点灯させる場合と、走行用前照灯の第四光源セグメントを点灯させる場合とでは、後者の方がより遠方の障害物を照明することが可能であり、その分だけシステムが早期に障害物の存在を認識するに至り、特に高速走行時の障害物への衝突回避の確実性が増すことになる。 In addition, the fourth light source segment described above analyzes the image taken by the in-vehicle camera, recognizes the presence of an obstacle ahead of the vehicle C, and automatically moves the vehicle C immediately before the vehicle C collides with the obstacle. It also contributes to improving the performance of braking systems that reduce collision damage. In the case of turning on the passing headlamp instead of the driving headlamp and in the case of turning on the fourth light source segment of the driving headlamp, the latter may illuminate a distant obstacle. This is possible, and the system recognizes the presence of an obstacle at an early stage, thereby increasing the certainty of avoiding a collision with the obstacle especially at high speed.
自車線ＣＬの路肩または対向車線ＯＬの路肩を指向して光３１、３２、５１、５２を照射する光源セグメント（第三の光源セグメント及び第五の光源セグメント）は複数の光源Ｌ１、Ｌ２を具備しており、そのうちの一方の光源Ｌ１により当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも上方の領域を照明し、他方の光源Ｌ２により当該光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面Ｈよりも下方の領域を照明するようにしている。これにより、前者の光源Ｌ１から放たれる照明光３１、５１を適宜消光しまたは減光することが可能となり、照明光３１、５１が車両Ｃ、Ｏの搭乗者や歩道上の歩行者を眩惑させる問題を有効に回避できるようになる。 A light source segment (a third light source segment and a fifth light source segment) that irradiates light 31, 32, 51, 52 while aiming at the shoulder of the own lane CL or the shoulder of the opposite lane OL includes a plurality of light sources L1, L2. One of the light sources L1 illuminates a region above a horizontal plane H located at the same height as the light source segment, and the other light source L2 illuminates a horizontal plane located at the same height as the light source segment. The area below H is illuminated. As a result, the illumination lights 31 and 51 emitted from the former light source L1 can be appropriately quenched or dimmed, and the illumination lights 31 and 51 dazzle the passengers of the vehicles C and O and the pedestrians on the sidewalk. Problem can be effectively avoided.
配光可変型前照灯システムを制御するＥＣＵは、自車の前方に他の車両、特に対向車Ｏや先行車Ｆの出現を認識したときに、その前方車両を指向する光源セグメントを消灯し、または当該光源セグメントから放射する光束の量を平常よりも減少させることで、前方車両の搭乗者の眩惑を防止する。 When the ECU that controls the variable light distribution headlamp system recognizes the appearance of another vehicle, in particular, the oncoming vehicle O or the preceding vehicle F, in front of the host vehicle, it turns off the light source segment that points to the preceding vehicle. Or, by reducing the amount of light flux emitted from the light source segment, the dazzling of the passenger in the vehicle ahead is prevented.
一方で、前方車両自体も照明灯（対向車Ｏの前照灯、先行車Ｆの尾灯等）を点灯させていることから、前方車両が出現した直後の段階では、前方車両が放つ照明光によって自車Ｃの前方が顕著に明るく照らされることとなる。すると、自車Ｃの搭乗者の視覚に明順応が起こり、その状態で前方車両を指向する光源セグメントを消灯または減光すると、明順応を起こした搭乗者の視覚からは前方が暗くなったように感じられてしまう。 On the other hand, the front vehicle itself is also lit with illumination lights (headlights of the oncoming vehicle O, taillights of the preceding vehicle F, etc.), and therefore, immediately after the front vehicle appears, the front vehicle emits illumination light. The front of the vehicle C will be remarkably brightly illuminated. Then, bright adaptation occurs in the sight of the passenger of the own vehicle C, and when the light source segment directed to the front vehicle is turned off or dimmed in that state, the front appears dark from the vision of the occupant who caused the bright adaptation. It feels like
そこで、本実施形態では、図１１に示すように、ＥＣＵが前方車両の出現を認識した時点ｔ０以後、その前方車両を指向して照明光を放射する光源セグメントを消灯しまたは平常よりも減光するとともに、それ以外の（消灯または減光しない）光源セグメントのうちの少なくとも一つから放射する光束の量を平常よりも増加させる。これにより、前方車両を指向する光源セグメントを消灯または減光したとしても、視覚が明順応した搭乗者から見て自車Ｃの前方が暗くなったように感じられることがない。 Therefore, reduction in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, ECU is the time t 0 after recognizing the occurrence of the forward vehicle, than to turn off the light source segments that emits illumination light directed to the front vehicle or normal The amount of luminous flux emitted from at least one of the other light source segments (not extinguished or dimmed) is increased more than usual. As a result, even if the light source segment directed to the vehicle ahead is turned off or dimmed, the front of the host vehicle C is not felt dark when viewed from a passenger whose vision has been brightly adapted.
そして、ＥＣＵが認識していた前方車両の存在が消失した、換言すれば前方車両が自車Ｃの走行用前照灯の光源セグメントの照明範囲から外れた時点ｔ１以後、前方車両の搭乗者の眩惑を防止するために消灯または減光していた光源セグメントを再点灯し、または当該光源セグメントを再び増光する。このとき、当該光源セグメントから放射する光束の量を、一時的に平常の量よりも増加させることが好ましい。これは、自車Ｃの搭乗者の視覚が明順応を起こしていることに対応する趣旨である。 Then, the presence of the vehicle ahead recognized by the ECU disappears, in other words, the passenger of the vehicle ahead after time t 1 when the vehicle ahead deviates from the illumination range of the light source segment of the traveling headlamp of the host vehicle C. In order to prevent dazzling of the light source, the light source segment that has been turned off or dimmed is turned on again, or the light source segment is brightened again. At this time, it is preferable that the amount of light emitted from the light source segment is temporarily increased from the normal amount. This is intended to correspond to the fact that the vision of the passenger of the vehicle C is brightly adapted.
並びに、前方車両の存在が消失した時点ｔ１以後、放射する光束の量を平常よりも増加させていた（時点ｔ０から時点ｔ１までの期間に消灯または減光していない）光源セグメントから放つ光束の量を、平常の量まで時間をかけて徐々に減少させる。上記の時点ｔ１から、当該光源セグメントの光量が平常の量に戻る時点ｔ２までの所要時間は、数秒ないし十数秒の間に設定することが好ましく、特に六秒以上の長さとすることが好ましい。これは、人間の視覚は六秒以上をかけて照度を徐々に２０％増減させても気がつかないという知見による。 In addition, after the time point t 1 when the presence of the preceding vehicle disappears, from the light source segment that has increased the amount of luminous flux emitted from the light source segment (which is not extinguished or dimmed in the period from the time point t 0 to the time point t 1 ). The amount of luminous flux emitted is gradually reduced over time to a normal amount. From the time t 1 of the time required until the time t 2 the light amount of the light source segment returns to normal amounts, can be set within a few seconds to tens of seconds preferred, the length of more than six seconds preferable. This is due to the knowledge that human vision is not noticed even if the illuminance is gradually increased or decreased by 20% over 6 seconds.
また、上記の時点ｔ１以後、放射する光束の量を一時的に平常の量よりも増加させていた（時点ｔ０から時点ｔ１までの期間に消灯または減光していた）光源セグメントから放つ光束の量を平常の量に戻す際にも、光束の量を時間をかけて徐々に減少させる。当該光源セグメントの光量を減少させ始める時点ｔ３から、同光源セグメントの光量が平常の量に戻る時点ｔ４までの所要時間は、数秒ないし十数秒の間に設定することが好ましく、特に六秒以上の長さとすることが好ましい。 Further, after the time point t 1 , from the light source segment that has temporarily increased the amount of luminous flux emitted from the light source segment that was temporarily increased from the normal amount (it was turned off or dimmed during the period from the time point t 0 to the time point t 1 ). When returning the amount of emitted light to a normal amount, the amount of light is gradually reduced over time. The time required from the time point t 3 at which the light amount of the light source segment starts to decrease to the time point t 4 at which the light amount of the light source segment returns to a normal amount is preferably set between a few seconds to a few tens of seconds, particularly 6 seconds. It is preferable to set it as the above length.
なお、本発明は以上に詳述した実施形態に限られるものではない。光源セグメントの個数や配光パターンが、上記実施形態に限定されないことは言うまでもない。各光源セグメントから放たれる光の照射範囲（の角度、光軸の向き）は、照明光源のパワーに応じて調整する。 The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. Needless to say, the number of light source segments and the light distribution pattern are not limited to those in the above embodiment. The irradiation range (angle and direction of the optical axis) of light emitted from each light source segment is adjusted according to the power of the illumination light source.
その他、各部の具体的な構成は、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形が可能である。 In addition, the specific configuration of each part can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
本発明は、車両に装備される走行用前照灯に適用することができる。 The present invention can be applied to a traveling headlamp mounted on a vehicle.
１０…第一光源セグメントの照明光
２０…第二光源セグメントの照明光
３１、３２…第三光源セグメントの照明光
４０…第四光源セグメントの照明光
５１、５２…第五光源セグメントの照明光
６０…第六光源セグメントの照明光
７０…第七光源セグメントの照明光
８０…第八光源セグメントの照明光
Ａ…車両中心線を含み車両の進行方向と平行な鉛直面
Ｃ…車両
ＣＬ…自車線
Ｆ…先行車（前方車両）
Ｈ…光源セグメントと同等の高さに位置する水平面
Ｌ１、Ｌ２…光源
Ｏ…対向車（前方車両）
ＯＬ…対向車線
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Illumination light of 1st light source segment 20 ... Illumination light of 2nd light source segment 31, 32 ... Illumination light of 3rd light source segment 40 ... Illumination light of 4th light source segment 51, 52 ... Illumination light of 5th light source segment 60 ... illumination light of the sixth light source segment 70 ... illumination light of the seventh light source segment 80 ... illumination light of the eighth light source segment A ... vertical plane including the vehicle center line and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle C ... vehicle CL ... own lane F ... preceding vehicle (vehicle ahead)
H: Horizontal plane located at the same height as the light source segment L1, L2 ... Light source O ... Oncoming vehicle (front vehicle)
OL ... Oncoming lane
Claims (1)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2016254391A JP6815696B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 | 2016-12-27 | Headlights for driving vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2016254391A JP6815696B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 | 2016-12-27 | Headlights for driving vehicles |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2018103904A true JP2018103904A (en) | 2018-07-05 |
| JP6815696B2 JP6815696B2 (en) | 2021-01-20 |
Family
ID=62786273
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2016254391A Active JP6815696B2 (en) | 2016-12-27 | 2016-12-27 | Headlights for driving vehicles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP6815696B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2022505479A (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2022-01-14 | バイエリシエ・モトーレンウエルケ・アクチエンゲゼルシヤフト | Detection of objects around the car |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2011020559A (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-02-03 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Vehicular headlamp apparatus |
| JP2016215692A (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2016-12-22 | スタンレー電気株式会社 | Vehicular head light lighting control device and vehicular head light system |
-
2016
- 2016-12-27 JP JP2016254391A patent/JP6815696B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2011020559A (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-02-03 | Koito Mfg Co Ltd | Vehicular headlamp apparatus |
| JP2016215692A (en) * | 2015-05-14 | 2016-12-22 | スタンレー電気株式会社 | Vehicular head light lighting control device and vehicular head light system |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2022505479A (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2022-01-14 | バイエリシエ・モトーレンウエルケ・アクチエンゲゼルシヤフト | Detection of objects around the car |
| JP7335331B2 (en) | 2018-11-13 | 2023-08-29 | バイエリシエ・モトーレンウエルケ・アクチエンゲゼルシヤフト | Detecting Objects Around Cars |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP6815696B2 (en) | 2021-01-20 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US9878655B2 (en) | Vehicle lamp | |
| JP4970145B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp | |
| JP5816031B2 (en) | Vehicle headlamp device | |
| KR20150052638A (en) | ADB head-lamp system and Beam control method using the same | |
| JP5394901B2 (en) | Vehicle headlight system | |
| JP5552381B2 (en) | Control device, vehicle headlamp system | |
| JP5415237B2 (en) | Vehicle headlight system | |
| JP2010184625A (en) | Lighting fixture for vehicle | |
| JP2015110414A (en) | Light for night fog | |
| JP6815696B2 (en) | Headlights for driving vehicles | |
| JP6752528B2 (en) | Headlights for driving vehicles | |
| JP6866018B2 (en) | Headlights for driving vehicles | |
| JP6567175B2 (en) | In-vehicle headlamp and in-vehicle headlamp system | |
| JP6727718B2 (en) | Vehicle headlights | |
| JP6827674B2 (en) | Headlights for driving vehicles | |
| JP6742667B2 (en) | Vehicle headlights | |
| JP6644432B2 (en) | Vehicle headlights | |
| JP6812073B2 (en) | Headlights for driving vehicles | |
| JP2016215788A (en) | Control method of headlight for vehicle | |
| KR20090055768A (en) | A control system of high beam light on the vehicles and method thereof | |
| US20080205072A1 (en) | Motor Vehicle Low-Beam Headlight System | |
| CN111051132A (en) | Method for controlling at least one main headlight of a lighting unit of a vehicle, lighting unit, computer program product and computer-readable medium | |
| RU56288U1 (en) | VEHICLE WITH LIGHTING DEVICES INCREASING MOTION SAFETY | |
| JP2015112969A (en) | Vehicular head lamp | |
| JP2014168985A (en) | Headlight device for vehicle |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A621 | Written request for application examination |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621 Effective date: 20191106 |
|
| A977 | Report on retrieval |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007 Effective date: 20200817 |
|
| A131 | Notification of reasons for refusal |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131 Effective date: 20200825 |
|
| A521 | Request for written amendment filed |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523 Effective date: 20200915 |
|
| TRDD | Decision of grant or rejection written | ||
| A01 | Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model) |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01 Effective date: 20201222 |
|
| A61 | First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure) |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61 Effective date: 20201222 |
|
| R150 | Certificate of patent or registration of utility model |
Ref document number: 6815696 Country of ref document: JP Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150 |
|
| R250 | Receipt of annual fees |
Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250 |