JP2019156277A - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lamp enabling performing aiming adjustment of a lamp highly accurately and easily, and achieving suitable light distribution control.SOLUTION: There are provided: a lamp unit 1; imaging means (camera) 2 for imaging a light irradiation area of the lamp unit 1; and control means (lamp ECU) 6 connected to a signal bus (CAN) 100 arranged in a vehicle, and controlling the lamp unit 1 and the imaging means 2. Aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 1 is performed on the basis of a signal made by subjecting an image signal imaged with the imaging means 2 to signal processing. The control means 6 outputs a signal subjected to signal processing to the signal bus 100 when a prescribed command signal is input, and performs aiming adjustment with an aiming adjusting machine connected to the signal bus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp suitable for application to a headlamp of an automobile, and more particularly to a vehicular lamp provided with imaging means such as a camera.

  As a headlamp of an automobile, arrangements such as ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) control and AHB (Automatic High Beam) control that shield some areas so as not to dazzle oncoming vehicles and preceding cars and illuminate other areas over a wide area A headlamp capable of light control (hereinafter also referred to as ADB control) has been proposed. In this type of lamp, a headlamp in which a camera is integrated is proposed as an imaging means for detecting an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle. For example, in Patent Document 1, a camera unit is housed together with a lamp unit in a lamp housing, and imaging is performed by the camera unit.

  By incorporating the imaging means in the headlamp, the imaging optical axis of the imaging means and the light irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit can be brought closer as compared with the case where the imaging means is disposed in the front window of the automobile, such as ADB control. Can be performed with higher accuracy. In other words, it is possible to reduce the light distribution error due to the parallax generated between the two central axes by bringing the central axis of the image capturing the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle close to the central axis of the light distribution such as ADB control. is there.

JP2013-164913A

  By the way, aiming adjustment for adjusting the optical axis direction of the lamp unit is performed after the headlamp is assembled to the car body of the automobile. In the headlamp having the image pickup means as described above, the image is picked up by the image pickup means. It is conceivable to perform aiming adjustment while confirming the light distribution pattern.

  In addition, when detecting an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle using an imaging unit when performing ADB control or the like, vehicle detection is performed by analyzing an image captured by the imaging unit. Detection by this image analysis In order to improve accuracy, it is considered to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) having a learning function.

  Conventionally, there has been no proposal for satisfying the learning with aiming adjustment or AI as described in detail later. Therefore, it is a problem in realizing suitable ADB control using an imaging means.

  The objective of this invention is providing the lamp | ramp for vehicles which can implement | achieve suitable light distribution control.

  The present invention relates to a lamp unit that performs light irradiation, an image pickup unit that picks up at least a light irradiation region of the lamp unit, and a signal bus disposed in a vehicle, for controlling the lamp unit and the image pickup unit. A vehicular lamp having a control unit and configured to perform aiming adjustment of the lamp unit based on a signal obtained by performing signal processing on an imaging signal captured by the imaging unit, and the control unit is configured to receive a predetermined command signal. The signal processed signal is output to the signal bus. This signal processed signal is an image signal based on the imaging signal or an aiming adjustment signal.

  In the present invention, the camera and the lamp unit are preferably housed in a lamp housing, and the camera is preferably detachably supported with respect to the lamp housing. For example, when vehicle lamps are disposed on both sides of the vehicle, the camera is disposed on one selected vehicle lamp of each vehicle lamp.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the control means includes a detection means for detecting another vehicle based on at least an image signal captured by the camera, and the detection means is machine-learned based on the automatically generated traveling simulation data. It is preferable. In the traveling simulation data, it is preferable that traveling image data and teacher data are automatically generated.

  According to the present invention, the aiming adjuster can acquire a signal obtained by performing signal processing on an image pickup signal picked up by the image pickup means, for example, an image signal and an aiming adjustment signal obtained by calculation, through the signal bus of the vehicle. High-precision aiming adjustment can be easily performed, and suitable light distribution control can be realized.

The conceptual block diagram of the motor vehicle which applied the headlamp concerning this invention. The schematic horizontal sectional view of a right headlamp. The exploded perspective view of a camera. The block block diagram of lamp ECU. The flow diagram of DL (deep learning). The conceptual diagram which shows the 1st aiming adjustment form. The conceptual diagram which shows the 2nd aiming adjustment form. Schematic which shows the CAN connection state of a right-and-left headlamp. The block block diagram of lamp ECU of the headlamp of FIG. Schematic which shows the image imaged with the camera of the left-right headlamp, and its light distribution.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile headlamp HL. The left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL of the automobile CAR are each equipped with a lamp unit 1 capable of ADB control in a lamp housing 3. The lamp unit 1 includes, for example, a light source 11 composed of a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes). All or selected LEDs 11 are caused to emit light, and the emitted light is projected onto a front area of the automobile by a projection lens 12. Thus, it is possible to perform light irradiation with a desired light distribution pattern P.

  For example, in FIG. 1, each light emitting region of the plurality of LEDs 11 is set to illuminate a predetermined segmented region Ap in the front region of the automobile, and only the segmented region Ap corresponding to the LED 11 selected and emitted is included. Illuminated. Therefore, when all the LEDs 11 emit light, the entire area of the light distribution pattern P is illuminated. Moreover, since the area | region corresponding to the quenched LED is not illuminated, the dazzling with respect to these motor vehicles can be prevented by quenching LED of the area | region which detected the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle, for example.

  In addition, a camera 2 that captures a moving image is provided as an imaging means in the lamp housing 3 of each of the headlamps L-HL and R-HL, and at least the front area of the automobile that is irradiated with light by the lamp unit 1 is imaged. To output an imaging signal.

  The left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL are respectively assembled to the left and right of the front part of the vehicle CAR in the vehicle assembly process. After this assembly, the optical axis adjustment, that is, aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 1 and the camera 2 is executed. By this aiming adjustment, the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit 1 and the imaging optical axis of the camera 2 are set in a predetermined direction, so that highly accurate ADB control can be realized.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the right headlamp R-HL among the headlamps HL. The lamp housing 3 includes a lamp body 31 and a translucent front cover 32. A base plate 5 is supported on the lamp body 31 by an aiming mechanism 4, and the lamp unit 1 and the camera 2 are attached to the base plate 5. Here, the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit 1 and the imaging optical axis of the camera 2 are attached to the base plate 5 in a state where they are directed in the same direction.

  Accordingly, when the aiming screw 41 constituting a part of the aiming mechanism 4 is pivoted manually or by a motor, the base plate 5 is tilted up and down, left and right, and the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit 1 and the imaging of the camera 2 are captured. Aiming adjustment of the optical axis is performed. Since the aiming mechanism 4 having such an aiming screw 41 is already known, detailed description thereof is omitted, but here, the aiming adjustment is performed manually.

  As shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 3, the camera 2 includes a camera body 21 including an imaging lens 211 and an imaging element 212, and a camera holder 22 that holds the camera body 21. The camera holder 22 is fixed to the base plate 5 by appropriate means. The camera body 21 is detachably attached to the camera holder 22. In this example, the camera body 21 can be slid from the outside of the lamp housing 3 to the camera holder 22 in the vertical direction through an opening provided on the upper surface of the lamp body 31 that is not shown in the figure. ing. The camera body 21 and the camera holder 22 are provided with electrodes 23 and 24, respectively. When the camera body 21 is mounted on the camera holder 22, they are electrically connected to each other by the electrodes 23 and 24.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a lamp ECU (electronic control unit) 6 is housed in the lamp housing 3, and the lamp unit 1 and the camera 2 are electrically connected to the lamp ECU 6. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the lamp ECU 6 and includes a main control unit 61. An input / output unit 62, a signal processing unit 63, an image analysis unit 64, and a lighting driving unit 64 are connected to the main control unit 61. The main control unit 61 includes the input / output unit 62, the signal processing unit 63, and an image. The respective operations of the analysis unit 64 and the lighting drive unit 65 are controlled.

  The lamp unit 1 and the camera 2 described above are connected to the input / output unit 62. In the camera 2, the camera body 21 is connected to the input / output unit 62 via the camera holder 22. The input / output unit 62 is connected to a signal bus extending to the car CAR, here a CAN (Controller Area Network) 100, and other various ECUs of the car not shown in the figure via the CAN 100. And connected to each other.

  In the lamp ECU 6, the signal processing unit 63 processes the imaging signal of the camera 2 input from the input / output unit 61 to generate an image signal of a moving image or a still image. The image analysis unit 64 analyzes an image obtained from the generated image signal, and detects an object in the captured image, particularly other vehicles such as an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle. Therefore, the image analysis unit 64 is configured as other vehicle detection means. The lighting drive unit 65 recognizes the object detected by the image analysis unit 64, sets an appropriate light distribution pattern that does not dazzle the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and generates the light distribution pattern. An ADB control signal is generated. Based on this ADB control signal, the light source of the lamp unit 1, that is, the light emission of the plurality of LEDs 11 is controlled.

  In this way, the lamp ECU 6 detects the other vehicle such as the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle based on the image obtained by imaging with the camera 2, and does not dazzle the detected other vehicle, while other regions. The lighting of the lamp unit 1 is controlled so as to obtain a light distribution pattern capable of brightly illuminating and appropriate ADB control is executed.

  Here, it is preferable that the image analysis unit 64, that is, other vehicle detection means, detects other vehicles by machine learning based on travel simulation data generated by DL (Deep Learning) using AI. . In order to improve the detection performance of an object in this DL, it is desirable to perform a large amount of learning without a break. In order to perform a large amount of learning, it is necessary to create and learn in advance a large amount of traveling video data and teacher data that is the correct answer of the traveling data. Therefore, these data can be automatically generated.

  In order to collect travel data, it is necessary to travel as many roads as possible in the destination with actual vehicles and acquire data, which requires enormous costs and time. In addition, the presence / absence and position of the vehicle must be extracted from the accumulated traveling video and the correct answer data must be created. The more accumulated data, the more time is required.

  In this embodiment, when DL is executed, as shown in the flow of FIG. 5, automatic generation of a driving environment (S1), automatic generation and arrangement of road objects (S2), automatic generation of a driving path (S3), Acquisition of correct data by driving the vehicle (S4) and learning by a learning device are repeated (S5), thereby increasing the learning amount and improving the detection performance.

  That is, an image of traveling on a road in a virtual space is created by a traveling simulator. The presence / absence of the vehicle and the position on the image viewed from the camera of the own vehicle are converted from 3D → 2D conversion, etc. from the position, orientation, distance of the vehicle arranged at an arbitrary coordinate in the virtual space, and the direction and position of the camera of the own vehicle. Go and grasp and record as correct answer data.

  Also, by setting camera parameters (F value, angle of view, exposure time, etc.) so as to correctly acquire the camera image viewed from the camera mounting position, an image close to the actual camera image can be acquired.

  For the virtual space, a test course or the like in which objects on a road that have already been created are arranged is used.

  In addition, the vehicle travels on all roads (both up and down). The own vehicle and vehicles other than the own vehicle go around the course at the set road speed limit of ± 20 km / h, and are set so as to observe traffic rules such as traffic lights and temporary stops. Also, make sure that the vehicles do not collide. Then, the learning device inputs the image and the correct answer obtained by traveling the host vehicle as teacher data.

  In the automatic generation of a travel route, a road is generated in a virtual space from an actual road map image (2D map, satellite photograph image). In this case, roads are generated by identifying roads and other roads by image processing from maps and satellite photographs. Further, the number of lanes may be set appropriately from the width of the road, or the lanes may be forcibly determined according to the test case.

  Objects other than roads are appropriately arranged according to areas other than roads, such as buildings, parking lots, signboards, and mountainous areas. Place pedestrian crossings and traffic lights where the roads intersect. Other vehicles may be arranged according to the length of the generated building or road and set so as to continue moving from one building to another.

  As described above, the detection performance by DL is improved by repeating the learning using the traveling simulator. Therefore, in this embodiment, the detection accuracy of other vehicles such as an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle in the image analysis unit of the lamp ECU that has been machine-learned based on simulation data obtained based on such learning is improved. ADB control becomes possible.

  The configuration of the left headlamp L-HL is substantially the same except that the arrangement of the lamp unit 1 and the camera 2 in the lamp housing 3 is bilaterally symmetrical with the configuration of FIG. Although illustration is omitted, also in the left headlamp L-HL, a lamp ECU is built in the lamp housing and connected to the CAN 100.

  These left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL are mounted on the body of an automobile CAR, and then the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit 1 and the imaging optical axis of the camera 2 are directed in a predetermined direction. Aiming adjustment is performed. In this aiming adjustment, as shown in FIG. 1, the light of the lamp unit 1 is irradiated to the screen Sc disposed at a predetermined position in front of the car CAR, and the light distribution pattern P generated by the light irradiation is obtained. Is captured by the camera 2. Then, the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit 1 is detected from the captured image of the light distribution pattern, and the irradiation optical axis is aimed at a predetermined direction, for example, the center O that is the intersection of the horizontal line H and the vertical line V. Aiming adjustment is performed by operating the screw 41. The aiming adjustment of the imaging optical axis of the camera 2 is also performed by the aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 1.

  In such aiming adjustment, two adjustment modes are conceivable. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first adjustment mode. In the first adjustment mode, an external connector 7 is provided on a part of the lamp housing 3 and is directly connected to the camera 2. Thus, the image pickup signal picked up by the camera 2 can be directly output through the external connector 7. The external aiming adjuster 8A is connected to the external connector 7. The first aiming adjuster 8A includes a signal processing unit 81 similar to the signal processing unit 63 provided in the lamp ECU 6, and a monitor 82 for displaying an image signal generated by the signal processing unit 63. A monitor driving unit 83 for displaying an image corresponding to the image signal on the monitor 82 is provided.

  At the time of aiming adjustment, a reference is clearly specified in advance on the screen Sc shown in FIG. 1, and the posture of the automobile CAR is adjusted in accordance with this reference. The lamp unit 1 is turned on and the screen Sc is irradiated with light, and then the light distribution pattern P irradiated by the camera 2 is imaged. The first aiming adjuster 8 </ b> A takes the captured image signal through the external connector 7 and generates an image signal in the signal processing unit 81. The monitor driving unit 83 displays an image, that is, a captured light distribution pattern on the monitor 82 based on the generated image signal. The operator confirms how much the light distribution pattern displayed while visually recognizing the monitor 82 is deviated from a predetermined position, for example, the center in each of the three directions of yaw, roll, and pitch, and aiming to eliminate this deviation. Aiming adjustment is performed by manually adjusting the screw 41.

  In this first adjustment mode, it is necessary to provide the lamp housing 3 of the headlamp HL with an external connector 7 for connecting to the first aiming adjuster 8A in order to capture an image signal captured by the camera 2. This is an obstacle to miniaturization of the lamp HL and increases the cost. Further, it is necessary to connect and remove the external connector 7, and it takes time for the work and the work efficiency is deteriorated. Further, the first aiming adjuster 8A needs to incorporate the signal processing unit 81, which is expensive.

  On the other hand, in the second adjustment mode, as shown in FIG. 7, the lamp housing 3 of the headlamp HL is not provided with an external connector. Further, the second aiming adjuster 8B is not provided with a signal processing unit, and is configured to include a monitor 82 and a monitor driving unit 83. The second aiming adjuster 8B can be connected to the CAN 100 connected to the lamp ECU 6. The connection to the CAN 100 can be easily realized by connecting to an existing CAN connector provided in the automobile CAR.

  In order to execute the second adjustment mode, the lamp ECU 6 has a predetermined program incorporated in the main controller 61 in advance, and a predetermined command signal output from the second aiming adjuster 8B through the CAN 100. Is input (transmitted) from the input / output unit 62 to the CAN 100. As this predetermined command signal, for example, a signal output when the power of the second aiming adjuster 8B is turned on or a signal output in advance by an operation in the second aiming adjuster 8B can be adopted.

  In the second adjustment mode, the second aiming adjuster 8B receives (receives) the image signal output from the lamp ECU 6 to the CAN 100 and causes the monitor driving unit 83 to display the image signal on the monitor 82. Thereby, the operator who performs aiming adjustment can perform aiming adjustment while visually recognizing the image picked up by the camera 2 on the monitor 82 as in the first adjustment mode.

  Therefore, in the second adjustment mode, it is not necessary to provide an external connector on the lamp housing 3, and it is not necessary to connect or remove the external connector, so that the headlamp HL can be reduced in size and cost, and quickly and easily. Adjustment can be realized. Further, the first aiming adjuster 8B does not need to incorporate a signal processing unit, and can be configured at a low price.

  As described above, the lamp ECU 6 is configured to realize the second adjustment mode, so that the aiming adjustment can be performed quickly and easily while using the aiming adjustment machine having a simple configuration such as the second aiming adjustment machine 8B. Adjustment can be realized. Thereby, the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit 1 and the imaging optical axis of the camera 2 in the headlamp HL can be accurately adjusted, and a suitable ADB can be realized.

  Here, in the second adjustment mode, when the aiming screw 41 of the aiming mechanism 4 provided in the headlamp HL can be automatically adjusted by a motor or the like, the illustration is omitted. The aiming adjuster may include a calculation unit that calculates the amount of deviation of the light distribution pattern from a predetermined position and a motor drive unit that feedback-controls the motor so that the amount of deviation is zero. Thereby, aiming adjustment can be performed automatically. In this case, since the aiming adjustment can be performed only by using the image signal, the monitor and the monitor driving unit may be omitted.

  On the other hand, in the second adjustment mode, when the main control unit 61 of the lamp ECU 6 outputs an image signal, the image signal of an area necessary for aiming adjustment, for example, a predetermined including the center of the imaging area captured by the camera 2 is included. Only the image signal in the area may be output to the CAN 100. In this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of data when outputting the image signal and to increase the speed of the aiming adjustment. Alternatively, when it is predicted that the amount of deviation in aiming is not so large, the luminance of the captured light distribution pattern is measured, and it is highly probable that the high luminance region is a region including the center. May be output to the CAN 100.

  Furthermore, the main control unit 61 of the lamp ECU 6 may include a calculation unit that has calculated the deviation amount in the second aiming adjuster, and the rotation amount of the aiming screw motor calculated based on the deviation amount. You may provide the calculating part which calculates | requires. Both the shift amount and the rotation amount are output as aiming adjustment signals. In the case of the former aiming adjustment signal, it is only necessary to output the calculated deviation amount from the lamp ECU 6 to the CAN 100, and the second aiming adjustment machine only needs to include a motor drive unit. In the case of the latter aiming adjustment signal, it is only necessary to output only the calculated motor rotation speed from the lamp ECU 6, and the configuration of the motor drive unit of the second aiming adjustment machine can be simplified. Thereby, further aiming adjustment can be simplified and speeded up.

  In the lamp ECU configured to realize the second aiming adjustment mode, as shown in FIG. 8, the left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL lamp ECUs 6 send and receive signals to each other through the CAN 100. It becomes possible to do. That is, an image signal output from one headlamp HL to the CAN 100 can be captured by the lamp ECU 6 of the other headlamp HL. For example, when the lamp ECU 6 of the other headlamp HL receives a command signal output from the lamp ECU 6 of one headlamp HL to the CAN100, the received lamp ECU6 outputs an image signal generated by itself to the CAN100. This output image signal can be received by the lamp ECU 6 of one headlamp HL and captured.

  Therefore, the left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL lamp ECUs 6 (6L, 6R) are configured to include an abnormality detection unit 66 for detecting an abnormality of the camera, as shown in FIG. The main control unit 61 is configured to output a predetermined abnormality command signal when the abnormality detection unit 66 detects an abnormality of the camera 2.

  With this configuration, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the camera 2R of the right headlamp R-HL, the right headlamp R-HL uses a lamp based on the image signal captured by the camera 2R on the own side. Unit 1 cannot perform ADB control. At that time, an abnormal command signal is output from the main control unit 61 of the lamp ECU 6 to the CAN 100. Here, the abnormality of the camera is a state in which a normal image cannot be acquired, for example, imaging becomes impossible or a field of view is deteriorated during imaging.

  The lamp ECU 6L of the left headlamp L-HL performs ADB control based on the image signal captured by the camera 2L on its own side, but the abnormal command signal output from the lamp ECU 6R of the right headlamp R-HL is CAN100. When the signal is input through the camera 100, an image signal captured by the camera 2L on the own side is output to the CAN 100. Since this image signal is input to the lamp ECU 6R of the right headlamp R-HL in an abnormal state through the CAN 100, the right headlamp R-HL is converted into the image signal captured by the camera 2L of the input left headlamp L-HL. Based on this, ADB control is executed.

  As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL, both headlamps are based on the images captured by the other normal camera 2R or 2L. ADB control can be ensured in each of L-HL and R-HL. In this case, in a headlamp in which an abnormality of the camera actually occurs, the parallax angle between the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit and the imaging optical axis of a normal camera becomes large. It is preferable to increase the value so as to reliably prevent dazzling oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles.

  In the embodiment described above, the left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL are each provided with a camera. However, in the case of a low-grade automobile, it is conceivable that the camera is provided only on one headlamp. It is done. However, in this case, the parallax angle between the imaging optical axis of the camera and the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit of the other headlamp not equipped with the camera becomes a problem. For this reason, if ADB control is performed with the other headlamp based on an image obtained from the camera of one headlamp, a situation may occur in which the other vehicle is dazzled. In particular, in an image captured by a roadside headlamp camera, it is difficult to capture an oncoming vehicle that is in the vicinity of the host vehicle in the oncoming lane.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of left-hand traffic, but an image captured by the camera 2R of the right headlamp R-HL on the oncoming lane in the traveling situation where the preceding vehicle CAR1 and the oncoming vehicle CAR2 of FIG. FIG. 10B is an image captured by the camera 2L of the left headlamp L-HL on the shoulder side of FIG. 10C. As in this example, the camera 2L of the left headlamp L-HL on the shoulder side may not be able to reliably image the oncoming vehicle CAR2 that is present in the vicinity of the host vehicle, and it is difficult to detect this.

  Therefore, when ADB control is performed based on the image of FIG. 10B, a light distribution pattern P1 like a dotted dotted area is obtained. However, when ADB control is performed based on the image of FIG. A light distribution pattern P2. Even if the light distribution pattern P1 is applied, the oncoming vehicle CAR2 is not dazzled. However, if the light distribution pattern P2 is applied, the oncoming vehicle CAR2 is dazzled as shown by a broken line area in FIG. .

  Therefore, a headlamp on the opposite lane that makes it easy to reliably image and detect an oncoming vehicle in the vicinity of the host vehicle in the opposite lane, for example, in a left-hand traffic area such as Japan, a camera is installed in the right headlamp. Then, ADB control is executed in each of the left and right headlamps based on the image captured by the camera.

  However, when the camera is mounted only on one headlamp as described above, it is required to mount the camera on the left headlamp in a right-hand traffic area such as Europe. Therefore, it is necessary to individually design the left and right headlamps corresponding to each region, and as a result, the cost may increase. Also, when the same vehicle travels across different traffic system areas, there is a situation where ADB control is performed based on an image captured by a camera built in a headlamp on the roadside, and the accuracy of ADB control is reduced. Is done.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the camera 2 includes a camera body 21 and a camera holder 22. The camera body 21 is supported by the base plate 5 via the camera holder 22 and is connected to the lamp ECU 6. Electrical connection. Therefore, if the left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL are configured in this way, one camera body 21 is provided in each of the left and right headlamps L-HL and R-HL. It is possible to attach and remove using 22. As a result, in the left-hand traffic area, the ADB control can be executed by attaching the camera body 21 to the right headlamp R-HL. In the right-hand traffic area, it is possible to perform the ADB control by removing the camera body 21 attached to the right headlamp R-HL and attaching it to the left headlamp L-HL.

  In this way, by adopting a configuration in which one camera body is selectively exchanged and attached to either one of the left and right headlamps, the headlamps are different even when the automobile travels across regions of different transportation systems. High-precision ADB control based on an image captured by the headlamp camera on the opposite lane side can be realized without changing to a specification.

  In the above embodiment, the left and right headlamps are respectively provided with the lamp ECUs, but one lamp ECU is connected to each lamp unit of the left and right headlamps and the camera by, for example, LIN (Local Interconnect Network). May be. In this case, in aiming adjustment, an external aiming adjuster is connected to LIN. In addition, input / output of image signals between the left and right headlamps is performed via the one lamp ECU and LIN.

  In the embodiment, one lamp unit is provided in the lamp housing. In addition, one or more lamp units, for example, a lamp unit such as a clearance lamp or a turn signal lamp may be incorporated.

  In the above description of the embodiment, an example of ADB control is shown as the light distribution control of the present invention, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to a headlamp that performs the above-described AHB control and other light distribution controls.

1 Lamp unit 2 Camera (imaging means)
3 Lamp housing 4 Aiming mechanism 5 Base plate 6 Lamp ECU (control means)
21 Camera body 22 Camera holder 41 Aiming screw 61 Main control unit 62 Input / output unit 63 Signal processing unit 64 Image analysis unit (other vehicle detection means)
65 Lighting control unit 100 CAN (signal bus)

Claims (7)

  A lamp unit for irradiating light, an imaging means for imaging at least a light irradiation area of the lamp unit, and a control means for controlling the lamp unit and the imaging means connected to a signal bus disposed in a vehicle. A vehicle lamp configured to perform an aiming adjustment of the lamp unit by performing signal processing on an imaging signal captured by the imaging unit, and the control unit receives the signal when a predetermined command signal is input. A vehicle lamp, wherein the processed signal is output to the signal bus.   The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the signal-processed signal is an image signal based on an imaging signal or an aiming adjustment signal.   An aiming adjuster can be connected to the signal bus, the aiming adjuster outputs the command signal to the signal bus, and inputs the signal processed signal output to the signal bus, The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein an aiming state of the lamp unit is displayed based on an input signal, or an aiming adjustment is performed based on the input signal.   4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the camera and the lamp unit are housed in a lamp housing, and the camera is detachably supported with respect to the lamp housing.   5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein a vehicle lamp is disposed on each side of the vehicle, and the camera is disposed on one selected vehicle lamp of each vehicle lamp.   The control means includes at least another vehicle detection means for detecting another vehicle based on an image signal captured by the camera, and the other vehicle detection means is machine-learned based on automatically generated traveling simulation data. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising an image analysis unit. The vehicular lamp according to claim 6, wherein the running simulation data includes automatically generated running video data and teacher data.

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