JP2019111883A - Vehicle headlight device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle headlight device which can precisely correct deviation between an optical axis of imaging means for imaging the front of a vehicle and an optical axis of irradiation means which irradiates the front of the vehicle with light.SOLUTION: A vehicle headlight device 10 includes irradiation means 20 which irradiates the front of a vehicle 12 with light, imaging means 40 which images the front of the vehicle 12, projection means 30 which projects pattern light to the front of the vehicle 12, acquisition means 18 which acquires image data as a reference of optical axis adjustment by imaging the pattern light projected by the projection means 30 by the imaging means 40, and derivation means 16 which derives a deviation amount between the optical axis of the imaging means 40 and the optical means of the irradiation means 20 based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp apparatus.

  Among the multiple light sources responsible for the high beam area, only the light source responsible for the dazzling area for the driver of the preceding car and the oncoming car is turned off. BACKGROUND ART A variable light distribution type vehicle lamp for emitting light (dimming) has conventionally been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2007-179969

  However, if the optical axis of the camera that recognizes the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle is misaligned with the optical axis of the light source responsible for the high beam area, the region that glares to the driver of the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle can be accurately It becomes difficult to dim.

  Therefore, the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp apparatus capable of accurately correcting the deviation between the optical axis of the imaging means for imaging the front of the vehicle and the optical axis of the irradiation means for emitting light to the front of the vehicle. To aim.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle headlamp apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: an irradiating means for irradiating light in front of the vehicle; an imaging means for imaging the front of the vehicle; Projection means for projecting pattern light in front of the image, acquisition means for acquiring image data as a reference of optical axis adjustment by imaging the pattern light projected by the projection means by the imaging means, and the acquisition means And a deriving unit that derives a shift amount between an optical axis of the imaging unit and an optical axis of the irradiation unit based on the image data acquired by the image processing unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, by capturing the pattern light projected by the projection unit by the imaging unit, the acquisition unit acquires image data as a reference of optical axis adjustment. Then, based on the image data, the deriving means derives the amount of deviation between the optical axis of the imaging means and the optical axis of the irradiating means. Therefore, based on the amount of deviation, the deviation between the optical axis of the imaging means and the optical axis of the irradiating means is accurately corrected.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately correct the deviation between the optical axis of the imaging unit for imaging the front of the vehicle and the optical axis of the irradiation unit for emitting light to the front of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle headlamp apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) It is a side view showing a headlight unit and a light source unit concerning a 1st embodiment. (B) It is a front view showing the headlight unit concerning a 1st embodiment. (C) It is a projection figure by the headlamp unit and light source unit which concern on 1st Embodiment. (A) It is a projection view which shows the state which the optical axis of the detection apparatus has not shifted | deviated with respect to the optical axis of the headlamp unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (B) It is a projection figure which shows the state which the optical axis of the detection apparatus has shifted | deviated to the vehicle width direction with respect to the optical axis of the headlamp unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (C) It is a projection figure which shows the state which the detection apparatus has shifted | deviated to the rotation direction with respect to the headlamp unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a projection figure showing the range of the shade area at the time of straight-ahead traveling by the headlight device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a projection figure showing the range of the shade area at the time of the curve run by the headlight device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment. (A) It is a side view which shows the headlamp unit and light source unit which concern on 2nd Embodiment. (B) It is a front view showing the headlight unit concerning a 2nd embodiment. (C) It is a projection figure by the headlamp unit and light source unit which concern on 2nd Embodiment. (A) It is a side view showing a headlight unit and a light source unit concerning a 3rd embodiment. (B) It is a front view showing the headlight unit concerning a 3rd embodiment. (C) It is a projection figure by the headlamp unit and light source unit which concern on 3rd Embodiment. (A) It is a side view showing a headlight unit and a light source unit concerning a 4th embodiment. (B) It is a front view showing the headlight unit concerning a 4th embodiment. (C) It is a projection figure by the headlamp unit and light source unit which concern on 4th Embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view showing a light source unit and a diffractive optical element concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a projection figure which shows the modification of the pattern light of the light source unit which concerns on 4th Embodiment. (A) It is a side view showing a headlight unit and a light source unit concerning a 5th embodiment. (B) It is a front view showing the headlight unit concerning a 5th embodiment. (C) It is a projection figure by the headlamp unit and light source unit which concern on 5th Embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing the 1st modification of the headlight unit concerning this embodiment. (A) It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd modification of the headlamp unit which concerns on this embodiment. (B) It is a partially expanded perspective view of the 2nd modification of the headlight unit which concerns on this embodiment. (A) It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd modification of the headlamp unit which concerns on this embodiment. (B) It is a partially expanded perspective view of the 3rd modification of the headlamp unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th modification of the headlamp unit which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that, for convenience of the description, an arrow UP appropriately shown in each drawing is a vehicle upward direction, an arrow FR is a vehicle forward direction, and an arrow LH is a vehicle left direction. Therefore, in the following description, when vertical and reverse, front and rear, and left and right directions are described without special mention, it indicates the vertical direction of the vehicle, front and rear, vehicle left and right (left and right) Do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to this embodiment irradiates light (visible light) to a high beam light distribution area Ha (see FIGS. 4 and 5) in front of the vehicle 12. A headlamp unit 20 as a unit, a detection device 40 as an imaging unit for imaging the front of the vehicle 12, and a light source unit 30 as a projection unit for projecting the pattern light in front of the vehicle 12 are provided.

  The headlamp unit 20 is of a variable light distribution type having a plurality of light sources 22 so that the high beam light distribution area Ha can be divided and irradiated in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 2B). The light source unit 30 is configured to be able to emit light for adjusting the optical axis, that is, the laser beam LB forward (see FIG. 2A). The headlight unit 20 and the light source unit 30 are electrically connected to the control unit 14 and are configured to be turned on and off by the control of the control unit 14 as well as by the driver's switch operation. There is.

  The detection device 40 is configured by a camera or the like, and is electrically connected to an image analysis unit 18 as an acquisition unit provided in the vehicle 12. The image analysis unit 18 is electrically connected to the control unit 14. That is, under the control of the control unit 14, the image analysis unit 18 is configured to analyze the image data detected (captured) by the detection device 40.

  In the inspection process described later, the image analysis unit 18 detects (captures) the pattern light projected by the light source unit 30 by the detection device 40, and acquires image data as a reference of optical axis adjustment. It is supposed to be. Further, the control unit 14 has a deriving means 16 for deriving the amount of deviation between the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 based on the image data serving as a reference of optical axis adjustment. .

  In addition to the headlight unit 20, a low beam unit (shown in FIG. 5) for emitting light (visible light) to the low beam light distribution area La (see FIG. 5) on the road surface in front of the vehicle 12 ) Is provided. The headlamp unit 20 is configured to emit light (visible light) to the high beam light distribution area Ha on the diagonally forward side of the low beam light distribution area La irradiated by the low beam unit.

First Embodiment
Next, a specific first embodiment of the vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the headlamp unit 20 includes a plurality of (for example, nine) light sources 22 for emitting light (visible light) to the high beam light distribution area Ha, and A substrate 24 provided with a light source 22 and a projection lens 28 transmitting light emitted from each light source 22 and irradiating the light to the front side of the vehicle.

  The light sources 22 are high-intensity light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), and are mounted side by side in the vehicle width direction on a substrate 24 electrically connected to the control unit 14. The number of light sources 22 mounted on the substrate 24 is not limited to nine as illustrated. Further, the light source 22 is schematically drawn in a rectangular shape (square shape) for simplification of the drawing, but the light source 22 is not limited to this rectangular shape.

  A light source unit 30 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the substrate 24. The light source unit 30 has a laser light source 32 and a laser substrate 34 provided with the laser light source 32. That is, the laser light source 32 is mounted on the laser substrate 34 electrically connected to the control unit 14. A circular opening 26 for passing the laser beam LB emitted from the laser light source 32 is formed in a part of the substrate 24 on the vehicle upper side with respect to the light source 22.

  The projection lens 28 is formed in a curved surface shape in which the front surface 28A is convex toward the front side in plan view and side view, and the rear surface 28B is formed in a planar shape. Therefore, the light (visible light) emitted from the light source 22 and the laser beam LB emitted from the laser light source 32 and having passed through the opening 26 of the substrate 24 are respectively incident on the rear surface 28B of the projection lens 28 and projected The light beam 28 is transmitted from the front surface 28A of the projection lens 28 to the front side of the vehicle.

  FIG. 2C schematically shows a high beam light distribution area Ha by light (visible light) emitted from the projection lens 28 and a pattern light P of the laser beam LB in the high beam light distribution area Ha. . Thus, the pattern light P by the laser beam LB is made circular by passing through the opening 26, and the center of the pattern light P is on the center line C1 along the vertical direction passing through the optical axis of the headlight unit 20. It is configured to be irradiated to come.

  Here, in an inspection process or the like to be described later, the detection device 40 picks up the pattern light P of the laser beam LB in the high beam light distribution area Ha. Then, image data in which a center line C2 along the vertical direction passing through the optical axis of the detection device 40 is superimposed on the captured image is acquired by the image analysis unit 18, and the detection device 40 is obtained based on the image data. The deviation amount between the optical axis of the light source and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 is derived by the deriving means 16.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the image data in which the center of the pattern light P by the laser beam LB is disposed on the center line C2 passing through the optical axis of the detection device 40 is an image. When acquired by the analysis unit 18, it is determined that the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 coincide with each other. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to derive the amount of deviation by the deriving means 16.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pattern light P by the laser beam LB is not disposed on the center line C2 passing through the optical axis of the detection device 40, for example, the pattern light P is shifted to the right When the arranged image data is acquired by the image analysis unit 18, the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 are shifted in the vehicle width direction (the optical axis of the detection device 40 Is shifted to the left with respect to the optical axis of the headlight unit 20). Therefore, in this case, the deviation amount is derived by the deriving means 16.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the pattern light P by the laser beam LB is disposed on the center line C2 passing through the optical axis of the detection device 40. For example, the center of the pattern light P is disposed. When the image data which is not input is acquired by the image analysis unit 18, it is determined that the detection device 40 is deviated from the headlight unit 20 in the rotation direction about the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, also in this case, the deviation amount is derived by the deriving means 16.

  Thus, the image data serving as the reference of optical axis adjustment is acquired by the image analysis unit 18, and the light axis of the detection device 40 and the light of the headlight unit 20 are obtained based on the image data serving as the reference of the optical axis adjustment. The deviation from the axis is derived by the deriving means 16. Then, the control unit 14 corrects the deviation between the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 based on the amount of deviation, and the minimum necessary to turn off among the plurality of light sources 22. The light source 22 is selected (dimmed).

  Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  First, in an inspection process or the like in an assembly line of the vehicle 12, a screen (not shown) capable of emitting light (visible light and laser beam LB) is disposed in front of the vehicle 12. Then, the laser light source 32 of the light source unit 30 is turned on, and the screen is irradiated with the laser beam LB. Thereby, the position of the center line C1 passing through the optical axis in the headlight unit 20 is projected on the screen.

  Next, the screen irradiated with the laser beam LB is imaged by the detection device 40. Then, the image analysis unit 18 acquires image data in which the center line C2 passing through the optical axis of the detection device 40 is superimposed on the captured image. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when it is determined that the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 are offset in the vehicle width direction, the offset amount is It is derived by the deriving means 16.

  Thus, when the deviation amount between the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 is obtained by the derivation unit 16, the deviation amount is stored in the control unit 14. In addition, since the light source unit 30 is not used after the shipment of the vehicle 12, the function of the light source unit 30 is physically (or software-wise) invalidated before the shipment of the vehicle 12.

  When the vehicle 12 actually travels, the control unit 14 corrects the deviation between the optical axis of the detection device 40 and the optical axis of the headlight unit 20 with high accuracy based on the deviation amount derived by the derivation unit 16. Therefore, based on the image detected (captured) by the detection device 40, the minimum number of light sources 22 to be turned off is appropriately selected from the plurality of light sources 22. As a result, a light reduction area (a light shielding area Sa: see FIG. 4) for the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle can be obtained with high accuracy.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the preceding vehicle is going straight, if the correction based on the deviation amount is not added, the actual light shielding area Sa is a predetermined value. Where the range (the range indicated by E2 in FIG. 4) is acceptable, the error is included in a large range (the range indicated by E3 in FIG. 4). That is, many light sources 22 to be turned off were selected more than necessary.

  However, according to the vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, since the correction based on the deviation amount is added, it is not necessary to select more light sources 22 to be turned off than necessary, and a light shielding area Sa can be in the minimum necessary range (the range indicated by E1 in FIG. 4). Therefore, light shielding (light reduction) with respect to the high beam light distribution area Ha is minimized (the camera margin can be eliminated), and a brighter forward view can be secured.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the preceding vehicle travels along a curve, the preceding vehicle travels with an inclination to the host vehicle (vehicle 12). In order not to give glare, it is necessary to block the curved side wider than the distance between the tail lamps detected (imaged) by the detection device 40 (the range indicated by E0 in FIG. 5). That is, although the actual light shielding area Sa may be within a predetermined range (the range indicated by E2 in FIG. 5), it is widely taken including the error (the range indicated by E3 in FIG. 5).

  Even in such a case, according to the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the number of light sources 22 to be turned off may not be selected more than necessary, and the light shielding area Sa may be a minimum necessary range (FIG. 5). In the range indicated by E1). Therefore, light shielding (light reduction) with respect to the high beam light distribution area Ha is minimized (the camera margin can be eliminated), and a brighter forward vision can be secured ahead of the curve.

Second Embodiment
Next, a vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part equivalent to the said 1st Embodiment, and detailed description (a common action is also included) is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the laser beam LB emitted from the light source unit 30 is light (visible light) emitted from the headlamp unit 20. And the laser substrate 34 of the light source unit 30 is disposed to be inclined so as to be parallel light. According to this, in the inspection process or the like in the assembly line of the vehicle 12, the distance from the center of the headlight unit 20 to the pattern light P can be made constant regardless of the distance to the screen.

Third Embodiment
Next, a vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to a third embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part equivalent to the said 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, and detailed description (a common action is also included) is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment, only the shape of the opening 26 in the substrate 24 is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment. That is, the opening 26 is formed in, for example, a slit shape that is substantially in the shape of a cross. According to this, it is possible to efficiently recognize the deviation of the rotational direction of the detection device 40 with respect to the headlight unit 20 about the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Further, the detection device 40 can be more easily recognized than the circular pattern light P.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part equivalent to the said 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment, and detailed description (a common action is also included) is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the laser is generated by the diffractive optical element 36 disposed on the vehicle rear side of the substrate 24 and on the vehicle front side of the laser light source 32. It differs from the first to third embodiments only in transforming the shape of the beam LB into an arbitrary shape. According to this, as in the third embodiment, it is possible to efficiently recognize the deviation of the rotational direction of the detection device 40 with respect to the headlight unit 20 about the vehicle front-rear direction. Moreover, the pattern light P of the shape which the detection apparatus 40 tends to recognize can be projected arbitrarily.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the light source unit 30 according to the fourth embodiment has the following configuration. That is, the laser light source 32 is configured to be accommodated in the collimating lens holder 35 together with the collimating lens 38 for collimating the laser beam and attached to the laser substrate 34. The diffractive optical element 36 is configured to be accommodated and disposed in the holder 37.

  In addition, the laser power supply substrate 31 is connected to the laser substrate 34 via the wire harness 33. Preferably, the light source unit 30 is provided with an optical axis adjustment mechanism (not shown) so that the optical axis thereof can be easily aligned with the center line C1 passing through the optical axis of the headlight unit 20. The optical axis adjustment mechanism can be configured by a general aiming mechanism or a mechanism such as an XY stage in a headlamp.

  Further, the diffractive optical element 36 may be configured to be irradiated with the substantially “cross-shaped pattern light P, for example, as in the third embodiment, for example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The pattern light P having the shape shown in FIG. 10 may be irradiated. That is, the configuration may be such that the pattern light P of four points as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is irradiated, or the pattern of 15 points as shown in FIG. The light P may be irradiated. Furthermore, a rectangular frame-shaped pattern light P as shown in FIG. 10D may be irradiated.

Fifth Embodiment
Finally, a vehicular headlamp apparatus 10 according to a fifth embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part equivalent to the said 1st Embodiment-4th Embodiment, and detailed description (a common action is also included) is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment, only the fact that the laser beam LB is not projected through the projection lens 28 but projected onto the screen is the first to fourth embodiments. It differs from the embodiment. That is, the light source unit 30 is disposed on the vehicle rear side and the vehicle upper side than the headlight unit 20, and the laser beam LB is projected onto the screen through the vehicle upper side of the projection lens 28. It has become.

  According to this, since the laser beam LB is not incident on the projection lens 28 (is not transmitted through the projection lens 28), it is not necessary to consider the change of the irradiation angle of the laser beam LB by the projection lens 28. In addition, it is not necessary to form the opening 26 in the substrate 24.

<Modification of headlight unit>
In the first to fifth embodiments configured as described above, the headlamp unit 20 is limited to the aspect having the light source 22 in which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in the vehicle width direction. It is not something to be done. For example, as in the first modified example shown in FIG. 12, the headlamp unit 20 may be configured to have a light source 22 in which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in a two-dimensional manner at a narrow pitch. Good.

  In addition, the headlamp unit 20 is configured of a plurality of angle changeable micro mirrors 44 that reflect light (visible light) emitted from the light source 22 as in, for example, the second modification shown in FIG. 13. It may be an aspect having a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) 42.

  Furthermore, the headlamp unit 20 includes, for example, a light source 22 for emitting a blue laser beam, and a MEMS (reflecting a laser beam emitted from the light source 22 as scanning light) as in a third modification shown in FIG. A mode (laser scanning method) may be provided that includes a Micro Electro Mechanical System) mirror 46 and a phosphor 48 that converts (makes white) the wavelength of the scanning light reflected by the MEMS mirror 46 (white).

  Further, the headlamp unit 20 is configured such that a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided with a diffusion plate (not shown) on the upper surface are arranged in a two-dimensional manner as in the fourth modification shown in FIG. The liquid crystal panel 50 may be configured such that the liquid crystal 52 is sealed between the light source 22 and the pair of polarizing plates 54 disposed above and below.

  As mentioned above, although the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment was demonstrated based on drawing, the vehicle headlamp apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment is not limited to the thing of illustration, This Design changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the shape of the opening 26 is not limited to the illustrated circular shape. Further, in the third embodiment, the shape of the opening 26 is not limited to the substantially "cross" shape shown in the drawings.

10 Vehicle headlight device 12 Vehicle 16 Derivation means 18 Image analysis unit (acquisition means)
20 Headlight unit (irradiation means)
30 light source unit (projection means)
40 Detection Device (Imaging Means)

Claims (1)

Irradiation means for irradiating light in front of the vehicle;
Imaging means for imaging the front of the vehicle;
Projection means for projecting the pattern light in front of the vehicle;
Acquisition means for acquiring image data to be a reference of optical axis adjustment by imaging the pattern light projected by the projection means by the imaging means;
Deriving means for deriving an amount of deviation between an optical axis of the imaging means and an optical axis of the irradiating means based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means;
Vehicle headlight device equipped with