JP2018103908A - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle headlamp to effectively avoid a problem in which a light source segment illuminating a front vehicle when the front vehicle comes out is repeatedly turned on/off in a short cycle in a distribution variable type headlamp system having a plurality of light source segments as components.SOLUTION: A vehicle headlamp is configured in such a manner that when a front vehicle comes out, a light source segment illuminating the front vehicle, among a plurality of light source segments illuminating the front of an own vehicle, is turned off, or the quantity of flux of light emitted by the light source segment is made reduced more than normal; while the front vehicle is positioned at the outer edge part of a range illuminated by the light source segment, the quantity of flux of light emitted by the light source segment is made reduced more than normal; and when the front vehicle advances inside the outer edge part of the illuminated range, the light source segment is turned off.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a traveling headlamp mounted on a vehicle.

  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.

  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. .

JP 2016-120871 A

“Audi (registered trademark) matrix LED headlight”, [online], Audi Akchengezel shaft, [December 15, 2016 search], Internet <URL: http://www.audi.co.jp/jp/ brand / ja / vorsprung_durch_technik / content / 2013/10 / audi-a8-in-a-new-radiant-light.html>

  In a variable light distribution headlamp system that has multiple light source segments as components, when it recognizes the appearance of an oncoming vehicle, it turns off the light source segment that points to the oncoming vehicle, thereby dimming the passengers of the oncoming vehicle. Deter.

  In reality, both the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle are running while meandering slightly from side to side. As a result, the oncoming vehicle may repeatedly enter and exit the outer edge of the range illuminated by the light source segment of the headlight of the vehicle. Then, when the oncoming vehicle entered the illumination range of the light source segment, the light source segment was temporarily turned off, and immediately after that, the oncoming vehicle went out of the illumination range and the light source segment was turned on again. Since the car is in the lighting range, the light source segment is turned on again .... The light source segment is turned off and on again, and the front lighting of the vehicle blinks. There is a risk of burden.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above points for the first time, and is intended to effectively avoid the problem that the light source segment directed to the vehicle in front of the host vehicle repeatedly turns off and on again in a short cycle. The purpose is.

  In the present invention, when a forward vehicle appears, the light source segment directed to the forward vehicle among a 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 than usual. While the vehicle ahead is located at the outer edge of the illumination range of the light source segment, the amount of light flux emitted from the light source segment is reduced from the normal level, and the inner side of the outer edge of the illumination range is reduced. A vehicle headlight for turning off the light source segment when a preceding vehicle enters the vehicle is configured.

  According to the present invention, in a variable light distribution headlamp system having a plurality of light source segments as constituent elements, when a front vehicle appears, the light source segment directed to the front vehicle repeatedly turns off and on again in a short cycle. Can be effectively avoided.

The top view which shows typically the example of the light distribution pattern of the several light source segment installed in the site | part on the anti-opposite lane side (left side) of the vehicle in one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows typically the state which projected the light distribution pattern of the several light source segment installed in the site | part on the anti-opposite lane side of the vehicle of the embodiment on the screen facing a vehicle. The side view which shows typically the irradiation range of the illumination light of the specific light source segment installed in the site | part on the anti-opposite lane side of the vehicle of the embodiment. The top view which shows typically the example of the light distribution pattern of the several light source segment installed in the site | part on the opposite lane side (right side) of the vehicle in the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the state which projected the light distribution pattern of the several light source segment installed in the site | part on the opposite lane side of the vehicle of the embodiment on the screen facing a vehicle. The top view which shows typically the lighting / extinguishing state of the several light source segment in the situation where the oncoming vehicle exists in the same embodiment. The top view which shows typically the lighting / extinguishing state of the several light source segment in the situation where the preceding vehicle exists in the same embodiment. The side view which shows typically the irradiation range of the illumination light of the specific light source segment installed in the vehicle of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the specific light source segment installed in the vehicle of the embodiment. The sectional side view which shows typically the structure of the specific light source segment installed in the vehicle of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing a dimming state of a light source segment directed to the front vehicle under a situation where the front vehicle exists in the embodiment. The top view which shows typically the state of the light source segment which points to the said front vehicle in the condition where the front vehicle exists in the same embodiment light extinction.

  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.

  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.

  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

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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. .

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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).

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  When the ECU that controls the variable light distribution headlamp system recognizes the appearance of another vehicle, for example, 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.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the outer edge portion (represented by hatching in FIGS. 11 and 12) 81 of the illumination range 80 by the light source segment directed to the preceding vehicle (oncoming vehicle O) is provided. While the vehicle ahead is present, the light source segment is not turned off, and the amount of light emitted from the light source segment is reduced to a target light amount that is smaller than normal (but not 0). Specifically, the amount of current applied to the light source of the light source segment (or the duty ratio of the applied current by PWM control) is reduced from normal. This reduces the range (shown with a halftone dot in FIG. 11) that gives a certain illuminance (for example, one lux illuminance that generally feels dazzling). As a result, a strong light beam does not go to the occupant of the preceding vehicle located at the outer edge 81 of the illumination range 80 of the light source segment, and the occupant of the preceding vehicle can be prevented from being dazzled.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the front vehicle enters the area 82 inside the outer edge 81 of the illumination range 80 of the light source segment directed to the front vehicle, the light source segment is turned off for the first time. Specifically, the amount of current applied to the light source of the light source segment (or DUTY ratio of applied current) is set to zero.

  If it is such, even if a front vehicle repeats entering / exiting with respect to the outer side edge part 81 of the illumination range 80 of a light source segment, the said light source segment will not turn off. Therefore, blinking of the illumination light that illuminates the front of the vehicle C can be suppressed, and a burden or fatigue is not given to the passenger of the vehicle C.

  11 and 12, the eighth light source segment that irradiates the illumination light 80 is illustrated as an example, and the illumination range of the other light source segments is not illustrated. When the vehicle ahead is located at the outer edge of the illumination range, the amount of luminous flux emitted without turning off the light source segment is reduced below normal, and the vehicle ahead enters the outside edge of the illumination range. Needless to say, the light source segment is controlled to be extinguished.

  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.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a traveling headlamp mounted on a vehicle.

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)

When a preceding vehicle appears, the light source segment that directs the front vehicle out of 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 from normal. ,
While the preceding vehicle is located at the outer edge of the illumination range by the light source segment, the amount of light emitted from the light source segment is reduced from normal, and the preceding vehicle has entered inside the outer edge of the illumination range. A vehicle headlight that sometimes turns off the light source segment.