JP2020015355A - Vehicle lamp, control device of vehicle lamp, and control method of vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lamp, a control device of a vehicle lamp, and a control method of a vehicle lamp capable of securing safety of a driver and safety of a human around a vehicle even if abnormality of a fluorescent substance is detected in a vehicle lamp using a laser light source.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp includes; a laser light source; a fluorescent substance for receiving a laser beam from the laser light source; a sensor for detecting abnormality of the fluorescent substance; and a control part for controlling the laser beam from the laser light source. The control part, when the abnormality of the fluorescent substance is detected by the sensor, determines whether failure is confirmed on the basis of speed of the vehicle to which the vehicle lamp is mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, a vehicular lamp control device, and a vehicular lamp control method.

Conventionally, a headlamp using a laser light source has been known. In such a headlamp, the laser light is converted to white light by irradiating the phosphor with the laser light. Laser light is dangerous if it enters the human eye directly. However, when the laser light is incident on the phosphor, it is diffused and becomes safe light.
However, when cracks, chips, cracks, pinholes, and the like occur in the phosphor, the laser light may directly go out of the headlamp without being incident on the phosphor.

Regarding a headlamp using a laser light source, there is known a lamp unit in which a laser beam is not irradiated to the outside of a vehicle even when a phosphor is detached (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to this lamp unit, a light passing portion is formed on a reflector surface which is an intersection of an extension of an optical path of laser light passing through the phosphor and the reflector, and a light confinement portion is formed above the light passing portion. I do.
In addition, by installing a photo sensor that can detect wavelengths and energy levels other than white light in a closed space formed above the light passage section or in the lamp room where scattered light reaches, it will not operate in normal operation and generate in abnormal cases. The laser light source is turned off immediately by detecting the laser light or scattered light to be emitted.
Further, there is known a technique of detecting an abnormality by observing a change in physical quantity caused by cracks, chips, cracks, and pinholes of the phosphor itself (for example, see Patent Documents 2 and 3).

JP-A-2006-207280 Republished WO2015 / 14104 Japanese Patent No. 5841126

  In the above-described technique, when the abnormality of the phosphor is detected, the light source of the laser light is turned off. However, if the laser light source is turned off when an abnormality in the phosphor is detected while the vehicle is running, the light will be suddenly extinguished, causing a dangerous situation for the driver, such as poor visibility ahead. Becomes Even if the abnormality of the fluorescent substance is erroneously detected, the light source of the laser light is turned off, which is dangerous for the driver.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle lighting device using a laser light source, when an abnormality of a phosphor is detected, a driver, a vehicle that can ensure the safety of persons around the vehicle. It is an object to provide a lamp, a control device for a vehicle lamp, and a control method for a vehicle lamp.

  In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicular lamp, which detects a laser light source, a phosphor that receives laser light emitted by the laser light source, and detects an abnormality in the phosphor. A sensor, an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp, and a control unit that controls laser light emitted by the laser light source, wherein the control unit is configured to control the sensor to emit the fluorescent light. It is a vehicular lamp for determining whether or not to determine a failure based on information indicating the speed of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit when a body abnormality is detected.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle lamp, wherein the control unit determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a threshold, and the speed of the vehicle is lower than the threshold. In the case of, a configuration may be used in which it is determined that the vehicle is running slowly or stopped, and a different determination is made depending on whether the vehicle is running, running slowly or stopping.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle lamp, wherein the control unit determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a threshold, and the speed of the vehicle is lower than the threshold. If it is determined that the vehicle is slow or stopped, if the vehicle is running, it is determined at a predetermined cycle whether or not the abnormality of the phosphor has been detected, the vehicle is determined A configuration may be used in which it is determined that a failure is determined when the vehicle is slowing down or stopping.

  One embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that in the vehicular lamp, the sensor detects a disconnection of a transparent electrode provided on the phosphor as an abnormality of the phosphor.

  One embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a vehicle lamp, in which the sensor detects light emitted from the phosphor as an abnormality of the phosphor.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a control device for a vehicular lamp, an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular lamp, and a control unit that controls laser light emitted by a laser light source. Wherein the control unit indicates the speed of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit when the sensor that detects the abnormality of the phosphor that receives the laser light emitted by the laser light source detects the abnormality of the phosphor. It is a control device for a vehicular lamp that determines whether or not to determine a failure based on information.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle lamp, the method comprising: acquiring information indicating a speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp; and an abnormality of a phosphor that receives laser light emitted from a laser light source. Determining whether a failure is determined based on the information indicating the speed of the vehicle acquired in the acquiring step, when the sensor that detects the abnormality detects the abnormality of the phosphor. It is a control method of a lighting fixture.

  According to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp using a laser light source, when an abnormality of a phosphor is detected, a vehicle lamp, a vehicle lamp control device, and a vehicle that can ensure the safety of a driver and people around the vehicle It is possible to provide a method for controlling a lighting fixture.

It is a figure showing an example of the schematic structure of the vehicular lamp concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the schematic structure of the modification of the vehicular lamp concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a schematic structure of a wavelength conversion member of a vehicular lamp concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the control device of the vehicular lamp concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of operation of the control device of the vehicular lamp concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a hole diameter of a hole generated in a phosphor and energy, and an example of a relationship between a hole diameter of a hole generated in the phosphor and a pulse time. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a hole diameter of a hole generated in a phosphor and energy. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the hole diameter of the hole produced | generated by the fluorescent substance, and emission duration. It is a figure showing an example of the relation between the distance from a lamp to a person, and energy amount. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a distance from a lamp to a person and the number of pulses entering a pupil. It is a block diagram showing an example of the information processor of the control device of the vehicular lamp concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the control apparatus of the vehicle lamp concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of a schematic structure of a vehicular lamp concerning a modification of the present invention.

Next, a vehicle lamp, a vehicle lamp control device, and a vehicle lamp control method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.
In all the drawings for describing the embodiments, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is omitted.
Further, “based on XX” in the present application means “based on at least XX”, and includes a case based on another element in addition to XX. Further, “based on XX” is not limited to a case where XX is used directly, but also includes a case where XX is based on a calculation or processing. “XX” is an arbitrary element (for example, arbitrary information).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment]
The vehicular lamp according to the embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. In the present embodiment, an automobile is shown as an example of a vehicle. However, examples of the vehicle include a motorcycle, a bicycle, a miniature mobility, and a personal mobility.

[Schematic configuration of vehicle lamp]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment two-dimensionally (in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction) the excitation light Ray from the excitation light source 12 collected by the excitation light source 12 and the condenser lens 14. A) a light deflector 201 for scanning, a wavelength conversion member 18 on which a two-dimensional image corresponding to a predetermined light distribution pattern is drawn by excitation light Ray that the light deflector 201 scans two-dimensionally (in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction); It is configured as a vehicle front lamp including a projection lens 20 and the like for projecting the two-dimensional image drawn on the wavelength conversion member 18 forward.

As shown in FIG. 1, the light deflector 201, the wavelength conversion member 18, and the projection lens 20 receive excitation light Ray from the excitation light source 12 that the light deflector 201 scans two-dimensionally (in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction). The wavelength conversion member 18 is disposed so as to transmit light from the rear surface 18a to the front surface 18b. That is, the optical deflector 201 is disposed on the rear side with respect to the wavelength conversion member 18, and the projection lens 20 is disposed on the front side with respect to the wavelength conversion member 18. Such an arrangement is called a transmission type. In this case, the excitation light source 12 may be arranged on either the rear side or the front side with respect to the wavelength conversion member 18.
In FIG. 1, the projection lens 20 is configured as a projection lens composed of a group of four lenses 20A to 20D. However, the projection lens 20 may be configured as a projection lens composed of one aspheric lens. Good. Further, the projection lens 20 may be configured as a projection lens including two to three lenses, or may be configured as a projection lens including five or more lenses.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light deflector 201, the wavelength conversion member 18, and the projection lens 20 are provided with excitation light from the excitation light source 12 that the light deflector 201 scans two-dimensionally (in the horizontal and vertical directions). Ray may be arranged to be incident on the front surface 18 b of the wavelength conversion member 18. That is, both the light polarizer 201 and the projection lens 20 may be arranged on the front side with respect to the wavelength conversion member 18. Such an arrangement is called a reflection type. In this case, the excitation light source 12 may be arranged on either the rear side or the front side with respect to the wavelength conversion member 18.
According to the reflection type arrangement shown in FIG. 2, there is an advantage that the dimension of the vehicle lamp 10 in the reference axis AX direction can be shortened as compared with the transmission type arrangement shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the projection lens 20 is configured as a projection lens including one aspherical lens, but the projection lens 20 may be configured as a projection lens including a plurality of lens groups. Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

  The excitation light source 12 is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as a laser diode (LD) that emits laser light in a blue range (for example, emission wavelength of 450 nm) as excitation light. Note that the excitation light source 12 may be a semiconductor light emitting element such as a laser diode that emits a laser beam in the near ultraviolet region (e.g., an emission wavelength of 405 nm). Further, the excitation light source 12 may be an LED. Excitation light from the excitation light source 12 is condensed (for example, collimated) by the condenser lens 14 and enters the optical deflector 201 (mirror unit).

  The wavelength converting member 18 receives the laser light as the excitation light that the optical deflector 201 scans two-dimensionally (in the horizontal and vertical directions), and converts at least a part of the laser light into light of a different wavelength. Is a rectangular plate-shaped (or layered) wavelength conversion member. In FIG. 1, the circumference of the wavelength conversion member 18 along the outer shape of the rear surface 18 a is fixed to the frame 22, and is disposed near the focal point F of the projection lens 20. In FIG. 2, the wavelength conversion member 18 is disposed near the focal point F of the projection lens 20 with its rear surface 18a fixed to a support.

For example, when a laser diode (LD) that emits laser light in the blue region is used as the excitation light source 12, the external shape that emits yellow light when excited by the laser light in the blue region as the wavelength conversion member 18 has a rectangular plate shape ( Or a layered) phosphor. Further, a wiring pattern is formed on the phosphor by using ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) (transparent electrode), and the formed wiring pattern is connected to the control device 100. The control device 100 constantly monitors the continuity of the wiring pattern.
A two-dimensional image corresponding to a predetermined light distribution pattern is drawn as a white image on the wavelength conversion member 18 by a laser beam in a blue region scanned two-dimensionally (horizontally and vertically) by the optical deflector 201. . When a two-dimensional image is drawn as a white image, when a laser beam in the blue region is irradiated, the wavelength conversion member 18 is made up of a laser beam in the blue region and a laser beam in the blue region that transmit (pass) the laser beam. This is due to emission of white light (pseudo white light) due to color mixture with light emission (yellow light).

On the other hand, when a laser diode (LD) that emits near-ultraviolet laser light is used as the excitation light source 12, red, green, and blue light excited by near-ultraviolet laser light is emitted as the wavelength conversion member 18. A plate-shaped (or layered) phosphor having a rectangular outer shape that emits light is used. In addition, a wiring pattern is formed on the phosphor using ITO (transparent electrode), and the formed wiring pattern is connected to the control device 100. The control device 100 constantly monitors the continuity of the wiring pattern.
A two-dimensional image corresponding to a predetermined light distribution pattern is drawn as a white image on the wavelength conversion member 18 by a near-ultraviolet laser beam that the optical deflector 201 scans two-dimensionally (in the horizontal and vertical directions). You. The two-dimensional image is drawn as a white image because, when the near-ultraviolet laser light is irradiated, the wavelength conversion member 18 emits light by the near-ultraviolet laser light (red, green, and blue). This is due to emission of white light (pseudo white light) due to color mixing of light (light).

As shown in FIG. 1, the projection lens 20 is a projection lens composed of a group of four lenses 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> D in which aberration (field curvature) has been corrected (and chromatic aberration has been corrected) so that the image plane is flat. It is configured. In this case, the wavelength conversion member 18 has a flat plate shape and is arranged along the image plane (plane). The focal point F of the projection lens 20 is located near the wavelength conversion member 18.
The projection lens 20 can eliminate the influence of aberration on the predetermined light distribution pattern as compared with the case where one convex lens is used. Further, since the wavelength conversion member 18 has a flat plate shape, its manufacture is easier than when the wavelength conversion member 18 has a curved surface shape. Further, since the wavelength conversion member 18 has a flat plate shape, it is easier to draw a two-dimensional image than when the wavelength conversion member 18 has a curved surface shape.

Note that the projection lens 20 may be configured as a projection lens composed of a single aspherical lens whose aberration (field curvature) is not corrected so that the image plane becomes flat. In this case, the wavelength conversion member 18 has a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of field, and is arranged along the curvature of field. The focal point F of the projection lens 20 is located near the wavelength conversion member 18.
The projection lens 20 projects a two-dimensional image corresponding to the predetermined light distribution pattern drawn on the wavelength conversion member 18 forward, and a virtual vertical screen (approximately 25 m in front of the vehicle lamp 10) directly facing the vehicle lamp 10. (A light distribution pattern for a low beam, a light distribution pattern for a high beam, or the like).

The optical deflector 201 scans the excitation light Ray condensed (for example, collimated) by the condensing lens 14 from the excitation light source 12 two-dimensionally (in the horizontal and vertical directions).
The light deflector 201 is, for example, a MEMS scanner. The driving method of the optical deflector is roughly classified into a piezoelectric method, an electrostatic method, and an electromagnetic method, but any method may be used.

(Wavelength conversion member)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wavelength conversion member of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a diagram of the wavelength conversion member 18 viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the laser light is incident.
FIG. 3B is a diagram of the wavelength conversion member 18 as viewed from the front surface 18b.
FIG. 3C is a diagram of the wavelength conversion member 18 viewed from the direction of the rear surface 18a.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the wavelength conversion member 18 includes an AR (phosphor-doped anti-reflection film) 18-1, a sapphire film 18-2, a dichroic mirror film 18-3, and a phosphor film. 18-4 and a transparent electrode 18-5. The wavelength conversion member 18 is formed by sequentially stacking the AR 18-1, the sapphire film 18-2, the dichroic mirror film 18-3, the phosphor film 18-4, and the transparent electrode 18-5 in the direction from the rear surface 18a to the front surface 18b. Created.
As shown in FIG. 3B, a wiring pattern formed by the transparent electrode 18-5 is seen on the phosphor film 18-4. As shown in FIG. 3B, the wiring pattern is formed on a part of the phosphor film 18-4.
As shown in (3) of FIG. 3, the sapphire film 18-2 on which the laser beam is incident can be seen.

(Vehicle lighting control device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control device for a vehicle lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The control device 100 of the vehicle lamp constantly monitors the conduction of the wiring pattern formed by the transparent electrode 18-5 on the phosphor film 18-4 of the wavelength conversion member 18. When detecting the conduction failure, the control device 100 determines whether or not to continue to emit the laser light based on the state of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp, and controls the laser light source according to the determination result.
Specifically, the control device 100 determines that the laser light is continuously emitted when the vehicle is running, and determines that the laser light is stopped when the vehicle is moving slowly or stopped. Here, an example of the slow running may be a speed of 10 km / h or less, or a speed that can be stopped within 1 m after the brake operation.
The control device 100 includes a resistor R, an AND gate 102, a laser driver 104, an information processing unit 106, an I / F 105, and a laser diode 108.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle is running does not include slow running.

A voltage V is applied to one terminal of the transparent electrode 18-5, and a resistor R is connected to the other terminal and grounded. A first input terminal IT1 of the AND gate 102 is connected to the other terminal of the transparent electrode 18-5 in parallel with the resistor R.
When no abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4, the wiring pattern formed on the transparent electrode 18-5 does not break. Voltage V is output to input terminal IT1. On the other hand, when an abnormality such as dropping, cracking, chipping, cracking, or pinhole of the phosphor film 18-4 occurs, the wiring pattern formed on the transparent electrode 18-5 is broken, and the like. A -5 conduction failure occurs, and the voltage V is not output to the first input terminal IT1 of the AND gate 102 (a voltage lower than the voltage V is output).
Further, a voltage equivalent to the voltage to the first input terminal IT1 is also output to the information processing unit 106.

On the other hand, the telltale signal output from the vehicle is output from the I / F 105 to the information processing unit 106 according to a CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network). The telltale signal is an optical signal that, when lit, indicates operation or stoppage of the device, proper or abnormal operation or state, or inoperability. In the present embodiment, the description will be continued on the case where the telltale signal is an optical signal including information indicating the state of the vehicle such as running of the vehicle, slowing down or stopping of the vehicle. Here, the information indicating the state of the vehicle may include information indicating the speed of the vehicle.
An example of the information processing unit 106 is configured by hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The information processing unit 106 creates a synchronization signal, and outputs the created synchronization signal to the laser driver 104.
The information processing unit 106 acquires the telltale signal output by the vehicle, and converts the state of the vehicle included in the acquired telltale signal, information indicating the state of the laser driver 104, and the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5. Based on the determination, it is determined whether or not the failure is determined. When the information processing unit 106 determines from the telltale signal, the information indicating the state of the laser driver 104, and the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 that the laser should be irradiated (the state without any abnormality), the information processing unit 106 , And outputs a predetermined voltage V to a second input terminal IT2 of the AND gate 102. The AND gate 102 sends a signal for enabling the laser driver 104 (a state in which the laser can emit light) by outputting a predetermined voltage V to the first input terminal IT1 and the second input terminal IT2.
Here, to determine the failure means to stop the irradiation of the laser beam. Even in a situation where the laser beam is emitted when the failure is not determined (for example, the vehicle is driven while irradiating a high beam at night), the laser beam is not emitted when the failure is determined. When the failure is determined, the laser light is not emitted even by the driver's operation. When the failure is determined, the non-emission of the laser beam is maintained, and the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped. In the present embodiment, the term “suspension of laser light irradiation” does not include the degree to which laser light is not emitted for an extremely short time (less than 0.1 sec) that cannot be detected by human eyes.

If the failure is not determined, the information processing unit 106 determines whether or not to determine the failure from the continuously transmitted tell-tail signal, information indicating the state of the laser driver 104, and the presence or absence of the voltage V from the transparent electrode 18-5. Is repeated. When the failure is determined, the determination whether to determine the failure is not performed again, and the failure is fixed in the determined state.
The determination of whether or not to determine a failure when an abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4 will be specifically described. When an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, the laser driver 104 is disabled by the AND gate 102 (ie, the laser driver 104 does not function effectively) (laser light emission is OFF). Is done. When an abnormality such as crack, chip, crack, pinhole or the like occurs in the phosphor film 18-4, an abnormality also occurs in the transparent electrode 18-5, and a voltage is applied to the first input terminal IT1 of the AND gate 102. Since a voltage lower than V is output, the laser driver 104 is disabled. In this state, if the information processing unit 106 determines that the vehicle is moving slowly or stops based on the telltale signal, it determines a failure. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling slowly, based on whether or not the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or higher. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce harm of the laser beam to people around the vehicle. As a result of the information processing unit 106 determining the failure, the laser driver 104 stops the laser light irradiation.
On the other hand, the information processing unit 106 determines whether the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 is equal to or higher than the voltage V. When an abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4, a voltage lower than the voltage V is also transmitted (output) from the transparent electrode 18-5 to the information processing unit 106, and therefore, the voltage is not higher than the voltage V. Is determined. After determining that the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 is not higher than the voltage V, the information processing unit 106 determines whether or not the vehicle is running based on the telltale signal. If the information processing unit 106 determines that the vehicle is running based on the telltale signal, the information processing unit 106 maintains the disabled state without determining a failure. The information processing unit 106 determines that the voltage is not higher than the voltage V again from the voltage that is continuously transmitted from the transparent electrode 18-5 and is lower than the voltage V, and determines whether the continuously transmitted vehicle is running. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling again based on the telltale signal indicating whether or not the vehicle is traveling. The determination as to whether the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 is equal to or higher than the voltage V and the determination as to whether the vehicle is running are repeatedly performed. If the voltage is not equal to or higher than the voltage V (lower than the voltage V) and the determination that the vehicle is running is continuously performed a number of times greater than a predetermined first threshold value, the fail is determined. When the failure is determined, the information processing unit 106 outputs information indicating that the failure has been determined (hereinafter, referred to as “failure determination information”) to the laser driver 104.

If it is determined that the vehicle is slowing down or stopped before the determination that the vehicle is traveling is not higher than the voltage V (less than the voltage V) and is continuously performed the number of times greater than the first threshold value, the failure is determined at that time.
The information processing unit 106 estimates whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4 due to the voltage output from the transparent electrode 18-5. As will be described later, stopping the laser irradiation while the vehicle is running involves a greater risk than stopping the vehicle. In the present embodiment, even if an erroneous signal of less than the voltage V occurs from the transparent electrode 18-5 even though there is no abnormality in the phosphor film 18-4, the erroneous signal is continuously generated more than the first threshold. Since it is unlikely that the laser irradiation will continue, the stop of laser irradiation due to an erroneous signal can be reduced.
When the information processing unit 106 receives a signal lower than the voltage V, the information processing unit 106 disables the laser driver 104 regardless of whether or not the signal is an erroneous signal. However, if it is determined that a signal higher than the voltage V is output from the transparent electrode 18-5 consecutively more than the second predetermined threshold value before the failure is determined, the signal lower than the voltage V is incorrect. The signal is returned from the disabled state to the enabled state because it is a signal. Although the laser light is not emitted until the state returns to the enable state, the determination by the information processing unit 106 is performed in a very short time. Therefore, even when the determination is repeatedly performed as in the present embodiment, a pole that cannot be detected by human eyes. Within a short time (less than 0.1 sec).
On the other hand, when the vehicle is moving slowly or stopped, there is a higher risk that the laser light is irradiated in a state in which the phosphor film 18-4 has an abnormality than when the vehicle is running. Therefore, the laser beam irradiation is stopped immediately when it is estimated that an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4.
As described above, by making the conditions for fail determination different between when the vehicle is running and when the vehicle is slowing down or stopping, it is possible to make a determination suitable for each situation.

  The AND gate 102 is a signal for enabling the laser driver 104 or a disable state based on the voltage V or the voltage lower than the voltage V input to each of the first input terminal IT1 and the second input terminal IT2. Output a signal. The AND gate 102 outputs to the laser driver 104 a signal for disabling when a voltage lower than the voltage V is input to at least one of the first input terminal IT1 and the second input terminal IT2. The AND gate 102 outputs to the laser driver 104 a signal for enabling when the voltage V is input to both the first input terminal IT1 and the second input terminal IT2.

The laser driver 104 acquires the synchronization signal output from the information processing unit 106, and synchronizes according to the acquired synchronization signal. With this configuration, the laser driver 104 can immediately stop emitting laser light when the fail determination information output from the information processing unit 106 is acquired.
Further, the laser driver 104 acquires the signal output by the AND gate 102, and puts the laser driver 104 into an enabled state or a disabled state based on the acquired signal. When the laser driver 104 receives the fail determination information output from the information processing unit 106 in the disabled state, the laser driver 104 stops the laser diode 108 based on the received fail determination information.

  The detection time of the disconnection generated in the wiring formed on the phosphor film 18-4 is set to about 1.0e-5 msec, and the delay due to the wiring length of the synchronization signal output from the information processing unit 106 to the laser driver 104 is set to 0. It is assumed that the response speed is about 5e-5 msec and the response speed of the laser driver 104 is about 1.5e-5 msec. In this case, the time for shutting down the laser diode 108 depends on the detection time of the disconnection occurring in the wiring formed on the phosphor film 18-4 and the wiring length of the synchronization signal output from the information processing unit 106 to the laser driver 104. It is expressed as the sum of the delay and the response speed of the laser driver 104, and is about 3.0e-5 msec.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the control device for the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in (1) of FIG. 5, when the vehicle is running, the phosphor film 18-4 is dropped, cracked, chipped, cracked, and pinholed, thereby causing an abnormality. Also, the distance between the vehicle and the person can be secured. Since the distance between the vehicle and the person can be ensured, the laser light emitted from the vehicle lamp is attenuated to such an extent that there is no obstacle to the person, so that the risk of the laser light entering the eyes of the person is low.
Specifically, during traveling of the vehicle, there is no situation where a person is present in front of the traveling direction of the vehicle. The light distribution of the laser light emitted from the vehicle lamp has a certain spread (for example, ± 20 °). However, considering the condition that the person on the road shoulder is within this light distribution range, the vehicle is at a distance of a certain distance or more from the vehicle lamp, and the distance is such that the safety of the laser light can be sufficiently ensured. Therefore, control device 100 does not immediately determine the failure when the vehicle is running.
If it is erroneously detected that an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, if the laser beam irradiation is stopped by immediately determining the failure, the driver of the vehicle cannot turn on the vehicle lamp, which is dangerous. It becomes a state. Therefore, when the control device 100 detects that an abnormality has occurred while the vehicle is running, the control device 100 does not immediately determine the failure. The possibility of non-irradiation due to erroneous detection is reduced by repeatedly determining whether an abnormality has occurred. This is because if an erroneous detection is made, there is a high possibility that the signal returns to a normal signal while the determination is repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (2), when an abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4 while the vehicle is moving slowly or stopped, the vehicle and the person approach each other, and the vehicle The laser light emitted from the lamp may harm the human body. Specifically, when a vehicle approaches a person who is crossing a pedestrian crossing in front of the vehicle, the laser beam emitted from the vehicular lamp may harm the human body. For this reason, the information processing unit 106 receives (acquires) information that the phosphor film 18-4 has an abnormality (estimated), and immediately determines a failure when the vehicle is slowing down or stopping. Let it.

  The classification of the laser class defined in JIS C 6802, which is a safety standard for laser products, will be described. In JIS C 6802, seven laser classes of class 1, class 1M, class 2, class 2M, class 3R, class 3B, and class 4 are defined as laser classes. Of these seven laser classes, class 1 is defined as a safe state. The state corresponding to class 1 by fail safe is called eye safe. Specifically, laser light having a wavelength of 1.4 μm to 2.6 μm hardly reaches the retina, and is therefore referred to as eye safe.

(Conditions for ensuring safety)
With respect to class 1, a simulation was performed based on the output of the laser used and the emission limit allowed for class 1 to derive conditions under which safety could be ensured.
The conditions for the laser class 1 will be described.
The wavelength λ of the laser is from 400 nm to 450 nm, and the emission duration t is from 10 ⁻⁷ s to 5 × 10 ⁻⁶ s. In this case, the emission limit of Class 1 is 7.7 × 10 ⁻⁸ J.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the hole diameter of the hole generated in the phosphor and the energy, and an example of the relationship between the hole diameter of the hole generated in the phosphor and the pulse time.
FIG. 6A shows the relationship between the hole diameter [mm] and the energy [J]. FIG. 6A shows the exposure energy with respect to the hole diameter for each detector distance. FIG. 6A shows 0.1 m, 0.5 m, 1 m, 4.7 m, and 10 m as the detector distance.
In FIG. 6, the dashed line indicates the class 1 release limit of 7.7 × 10 ⁻⁸ J. 6 (1) shows the hole diameter A in the case of the emission limit of class 1 by the dashed line.
According to (1) of FIG. 6, it can be seen that the chipping (hole diameter) of the phosphor film 18-4 at a distance of 0.1 m does not become Class 1 unless it becomes 17 μm or less. Actually, there is a possibility that a hole having a hole diameter of 17 μm or more may be generated, and it is necessary to relatively strictly determine the fail condition in order to ensure safety.

FIG. 6B shows the relationship between the hole diameter [mm] and the pulse time [s]. FIG. 6B shows the exposure time of one pulse with respect to the hole diameter for each detector distance. FIG. 6B shows 0.1 m, 0.5 m, 1 m, 4.7 m, and 10 m as the detector distance. FIG. 6B illustrates a situation in which the light receiver is placed at a position different in distance from the phosphor film 18-4.
According to (2) of FIG. 6, it can be estimated that there is a safe point between the result of 4.7 m and the result of 10 m. Specifically, it can be estimated that there is a safe point at a position of 6.8 m, and it can be seen that if the distance is 6.8 [m] or more, the class is Class 1 regardless of the hole diameter. That is, no matter what size of the dropout, crack, chipping, crack, pinhole, etc. occurs in the phosphor film 18-4, it is safe if it is at least 6.8 m from the laser light source (laser diode 108). It is.
If the vehicle is running, it can be assumed that there is a person at a distance of 6.8 m or more within the light distribution range of the laser light emitted by the laser diode 108. Therefore, the condition for fail determination is relatively relaxed. There is no problem. By relaxing the fail determination condition, it is possible to reduce the possibility of fail determination due to erroneous detection.

The conditions that satisfy class 1 will be described in detail.
(Conditions for class 1 (1))
The derivation of the emission limit [J] for the pinhole diameter of the phosphor will be described. Here, three reference values of a reference value of one pulse (AEL _single ), a reference value of an average value of a plurality of pulses (AEL _spT ), and a reference value of a repetition pulse (AEL _sptrain ) are used. Is derived.
The derivation condition is that a vehicle stopped at a position 100 mm from the observation position is irradiating a laser beam with an AHS (adaptive high beam system) in a spot light distribution.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a hole diameter of a hole generated in a phosphor and energy. FIG. 7 shows AEL _single [J] and AEL _{s. p. train} [J] and AEL _{s. p.} Each of _T [J] is shown. Further, FIG. 7 shows the exposure energy amount of a single pulse of the MEMS unit.
Here, the condition for always class 1 is that the exposure level is _lower than AEL (= AEL _sptrain ).
The condition for class 1 by reducing the number of pulses is to stop emitting laser light within 600 pulses. Also, the condition for class 1 by reducing the number of pulses is unsafe unless the emission of laser light is stopped within 250 msec, so that the AEL _{s. p. This} is to be larger than _{train and} smaller than AEL _single .
The condition for class 1 by reducing the pulse duration t is that the exposure level becomes larger than AEL _single because the laser becomes unstable unless the laser is stopped within one pulse.
According to FIG. 7, a sufficient condition for class 1 is that the pinhole diameter of a pinhole desired to be formed in the phosphor is 17 μm or less. Conversely, if the pinhole diameter of the pinhole generated in the phosphor is longer than 17 μm, the state becomes unstable unless the laser is stopped.

(Conditions for class 1 (2))
A safe emission duration for a pinhole diameter of the pinhole generated in the phosphor will be described. Here, the derivation condition is that the vehicle stopped at a position 100 mm from the observation position is irradiating laser light with AHS (adaptive high beam system) and spot light distribution.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the hole diameter of the holes generated in the phosphor and the emission duration. In FIG. 8, the area that becomes the class 1 is shaded.
In the example shown in FIG. 8, the emission duration is infinite in the region where the hole diameter of the hole generated in the phosphor shown in (a) is 1.7 μm or less. In other words, in this area, it is safe even if the laser light enters the pupil, and there is no need to stop the laser light.
Further, in the area shown in FIG. 3C, the emission duration is 50 nsec, and it is safe if the laser beam can be stopped in 50 nsec even if all the laser spots are exposed.
Further, in the region shown in (b), the emission duration is 250 msec, and the size of the pinhole generated in the phosphor cannot be measured, so it is necessary to stop at the same time as (c).
As described above, it is safe if the laser beam can be stopped for 50 nsec even if all the laser spots are exposed, as a sufficient condition to satisfy Class 1.

Next, when a pinhole occurs in the phosphor, a safe emission duration is derived for the pinhole diameter of the pinhole.
The pinhole diameter in the region indicated by (b) will be described.
AEL _{s. p. Since train} <(exposure energy amount) <AEL _single , AEL _{s. p. train} (= AEL _single × C ₅ )> (exposure energy amount).
C ₅ (= 5 × _NT− ^0.25 )> (exposure energy amount) / AEL _single
NT <(5 × AEL _single / (exposure energy amount)) ⁴
Since the emission duration time T at which the number of pulses _NT is reached may be set, the following equation is obtained.
T [s] = _NT / (((pinhole diameter) × 160 / 0.52 [mm]) × 120 [Hz] × 2)
N _T = ((pinhole diameter) × 160 / 0.52 [mm]) × 120 [Hz] × 2 × T [s]

The case of the pinhole diameter in the area shown by (c) will be described.
Since AEL _single <(exposure energy amount), it suffices that (exposure energy amount) <AEL _single .
(Exposure energy amount) [J] = (Exposure energy intensity) [W] × t [s] <AEL _single
t [s] <AEL _single / (exposure energy intensity) (t: pulse duration)
Since the emission duration T is the pulse duration t, the following equation is obtained.
T [s] = AEL _single / (exposure energy intensity)

(Conditions for class 1 (3))
Deriving the safety distance if the laser cannot be stopped within the safe emission duration. Here, the case where the phosphor is omitted while the vehicle is running and the AHS is irradiating the laser light with the spot light distribution is set as the derivation condition.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the distance from the lamp to a person and the amount of energy.
FIG. 9A shows a case where the release duration is 250 ms or less. That is, this is a case where the laser can be stopped by detecting a pinhole or dropout of the pinhole generated in the phosphor.
According to (1) in FIG. 9, the following equation is satisfied, and therefore AEL _{s. p. The train} and the AEL _single have the same reference value.
AEL _{s. p. train = AEL single × C 5 =} AEL single
C ₅ = 1.0 (T ≦ 250 ms)

(2) of FIG. 9 is a case of constant discharge. In other words, this is a case where a pinhole or dropout generated in the phosphor cannot be detected.
According to FIG. 9, the sufficient condition to satisfy the class 1 is that the emission duration of the laser beam stops within 250 ms and is separated by 6.8 m or more. If the emission of the laser beam cannot be stopped, the distance is 9.1 m.

Next, a distance for ensuring safety when laser light emission cannot be stopped within the safe emission duration is derived. Here, the case where the phosphor is omitted while the vehicle is running and the AHS is irradiating the laser light with the spot light distribution is set as the derivation condition.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the distance from the lamp to the person and the number of pulses entering the pupil.
According to FIG. 10, as the distance from the lamp to the person increases, the number of pulses entering the pupil ( _NT ) and the pulse duration (t) decrease. AEL _{s. p. T} and AEL _{s. p. Since train} has _NT as a variable, _NT increases as the distance increases, and the threshold value increases. In addition, since AEL _single has t as a variable, when t ≧ 5 μs, as the distance increases, t decreases and the threshold value decreases. Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued.

(Information Processing Department)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an information processing unit of a control device for a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As described above, all or a part of the information processing unit 106 is realized by hardware such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). In addition, all or a part of the information processing unit 106 is, for example, a function unit (hereinafter, referred to as a software function unit) realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a storage unit. ).
Note that all or a part of the information processing unit 106 may be realized by hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and may be realized by a combination of a software function unit and hardware. It may be realized. Here, a case where the information processing unit 106 is realized by software will be described.
The information processing unit 106 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 106a, a control unit 106b, and an output unit 106c.
The acquisition unit 106a acquires a telltale signal output by the vehicle, information of the laser driver 104, and a voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5, and acquires the acquired telltale signal, information of the laser driver 104, and the transparent electrode 18-. 5 is output to the control unit 106b. Here, the telltale signal is an optical signal including information indicating the state of the vehicle such as running of the vehicle, slowing down or stopping of the vehicle, as described above. The information indicating the state of the vehicle may include information indicating the speed of the vehicle. Here, the information indicating the state of the laser driver 104 is information indicating an enabled state, which is a state of functioning effectively, or information indicating a disabled state, which is a state of not functioning effectively.

The control unit 106b creates a synchronization signal, and outputs the created synchronization signal to the output unit 106c.
Further, the control unit 106b acquires the telltale signal output by the acquiring unit 106a, and information indicating the state of the vehicle and the state of the laser driver 104 included in the acquired telltale signal, and the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5. It is determined whether or not the failure is to be determined based on. Specifically, when the laser driver 104 receives a signal (voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 lower than the predetermined voltage V) which is assumed to be abnormal in the phosphor film 18-4, , And the AND gate 102 are disabled. In this state, if the control unit 106b determines that the vehicle is moving slowly or stops based on the telltale signal, it determines a failure. As a result of the controller 106b determining the failure, the laser driver 104 stops the irradiation of the laser light.
On the other hand, based on the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 and the telltale signal, the control unit 106b determines whether it can be estimated that an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, and It is determined whether it is in the middle or not. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, a voltage is applied from the output unit 106c to IT2 such that the control unit 106b is also disabled based on the voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5. Output a voltage less than V. When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, the control unit 106b repeatedly generates an abnormality in the phosphor film 18-4 based on the continuously transmitted voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 and the telltale signal. It is determined whether or not it is estimated that the vehicle is running and whether or not the vehicle is running. Further, in each determination, the control unit 106b can estimate that the abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4 continuously more times than the first threshold, and determines whether or not it is determined that the fluorescent film 18-4 is running. . The controller 106b determines a failure when it can be estimated that an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4 consecutively more than the first threshold, and when it is determined that the vehicle is running. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce harm of the laser beam to people around the vehicle.
In addition, when the control unit 106b determines that the vehicle is running continuously for a number of times greater than the first threshold value, it determines a failure. When a failure is determined, the determination that has been repeatedly performed is also terminated. By not immediately determining the failure, even if a signal that can be presumed to have an abnormality in the phosphor film 18-4 is an erroneous signal, a correct signal (phosphor film) is determined in the repeated determination. 18-4 is corrected to a signal that can be estimated to be normal, that is, a voltage from the transparent electrode 18-5 that is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage V), so that failure determination due to an erroneous signal can be prevented. When the failure is determined, the control unit 106b outputs the failure determination information to the output unit 106c.

On the other hand, if the control unit 106b determines that it can be estimated that no abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, the abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4 continuously more times than the second threshold. It is determined whether or not it can be estimated that it has not been performed. If the control unit 106b determines that it is possible to estimate that no abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4 consecutively more times than the second threshold, the control unit 106b sets the laser driver 104 to a predetermined voltage to enable the laser driver 104. A voltage equal to or higher than V is output to IT2. If the output is higher than the voltage V, the output is maintained. If the output is lower than the voltage V, the output is changed to the voltage V or higher.
Specifically, when it can be estimated that no abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, the voltage V is output to the first input terminal IT1 of the AND gate 102. The control unit 106b outputs information for outputting the voltage V to the second input terminal IT2 of the AND gate 102 to the output unit 106c. After determining that an abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, it is determined that it can be estimated that no abnormality has occurred in the phosphor film 18-4, which is larger than the second threshold. The disabled state is maintained until the determination is made continuously. That is, a voltage lower than the predetermined voltage V is output to the second input terminal IT2.

(Operation of control device 100 for vehicle lighting)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device for a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Here, the threshold of the number of times counted by the counter i is a first threshold, and the threshold of the number of times counted by the counter j is a second threshold. FIG. 12 illustrates a case where both the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set to 10 times.
(Step S1)
The control unit 106b of the control device 100 sets the laser driver 104 to an enabled state. Specifically, when no abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4, the voltage V is output to the first input terminal IT1 of the AND gate 102. The control unit 106b outputs information for outputting the voltage V to the second input terminal IT2 of the AND gate 102 to the output unit 106c. The output unit 106c acquires information for outputting the voltage V output from the control unit 106b, and outputs the voltage V to the second input terminal IT2 of the AND gate 102 based on the acquired information for outputting the voltage V. Output voltage. Thus, the laser driver 104 is enabled.
(Step S2)
The control unit 106b determines whether or not the voltage applied to the transparent electrode 18-5 is 1 or more based on the output from the transparent electrode 18-5. Specifically, based on the output from the transparent electrode 18-5, the control unit 106b determines that 1 is applied when the voltage V is applied to the transparent electrode 18-5, and applies a voltage less than the voltage V to the transparent electrode 18-5. If so, it is determined to be less than one.
(Step S3)
When determining that the voltage applied to the transparent electrode 18-5 is 1 or more, the control unit 106b sets the counter i to zero and increases the counter j.

(Step S4)
The control unit 106b determines whether or not the counter j is less than the second threshold value of 10. If the counter j is less than 10, the process proceeds to step S2, and if the counter j is 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S1.
(Step S5)
If the control unit 106b determines that the voltage applied to the transparent electrode 18-5 is less than 1, the control unit 106b disables the laser driver 104. When an abnormality occurs in the phosphor film 18-4, a voltage lower than the voltage V is output to the first input terminal IT1 of the AND gate 102. In addition, the control unit 106b outputs information for outputting a voltage lower than the voltage V to the second input terminal IT2 to the output unit 106c. As a result, the laser driver 104 enters a disabled state. Further, the control unit 106b increases the counter i and sets the counter j to zero.
(Step S6)
Control unit 106b determines whether the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero.
(Step S7)
When determining that the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero, the control unit 106b determines whether the counter i is less than 10 which is the first threshold. If the counter i is less than 10, the process proceeds to step S2.
(Step S8)
If it is determined in step S6 that the vehicle speed is zero, or if it is determined in step S7 that the counter i is equal to or greater than 10, the control unit 106b determines a failure. That is, the control unit 106b determines the failure when the abnormality of the phosphor film 18-4 is continuously detected for a predetermined number of times (10 times) while the vehicle is continuously traveling. It is determined that the laser beam is stopped.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, a case has been described in which the control unit 106b determines whether or not the speed of the vehicle is greater than zero in step S6, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 106b may determine whether the vehicle is running, or is slowing down or stopping. In this case, the control unit 106b may determine whether the vehicle is moving slowly, for example, determine whether or not the speed is equal to or less than 10 km / h as a threshold value. Further, for example, it may be determined whether or not the vehicle speed is zero by determining that the shift lever is in the P range and that the side brake has been applied.
In the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12, a case has been described where the first threshold value, which is the threshold value of the number counted by the counter i, and the second threshold value, which is the threshold value of the number of times counted by the counter j, are the same. This is not the case. For example, the first threshold and the second threshold may be different values. That is, the second threshold may be larger or smaller than the first threshold. Further, the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be different values according to the vehicle speed. Specifically, the value may be increased from a small value to a large value as the speed changes from a low speed to a high speed.

According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, when the vehicle is stopped, the control device 100 for the vehicle lamp stops the laser when the abnormality of the phosphor film 18-4 is detected even once. . In addition, when the vehicle is running, the control device 100 for a vehicle lamp determines a failure when the abnormality of the phosphor film 18-4 is detected ten times (first threshold value) consecutively.
In addition, the control device 100 of the vehicle lamp returns to the normal state when the normal state of the phosphor film 18-4 is detected ten times (second threshold value) consecutively before the failure is determined. In this way, by dividing the conditions for fail determination between running and stopping, the vehicle lighting can be turned on for the driver, and the surrounding people such as pedestrians and oncoming drivers can be turned on. In addition, it is possible to prevent a dangerous event such as blindness caused by laser light from occurring in the eyes. That is, it is possible to cause both the driver and the person around the vehicle to take mutually safe measures.
Further, after the failure is determined, the failure determination may be kept stored. By continuing to memorize the failure determination, the laser light cannot be emitted by the user's operation, so if the operation is erroneously performed, the laser light is emitted, and the leakage light of the laser light poses a danger to a person. Can be prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the excitation light source 12 is a semiconductor light emitting element such as a laser diode (LD) that emits laser light in a blue region and a near-ultraviolet region as excitation light has been described, but is limited to this example. Absent. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a semiconductor light emitting element in which the excitation light source 12 emits laser light other than blue light such as red light and green light as excitation light.
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a wiring pattern is formed on the phosphor of the wavelength conversion member 18 and the abnormality of the phosphor is detected by, for example, cutting the wiring pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a light-receiving unit that receives light transmitted and reflected by the wavelength conversion member 18 may be provided, and if the light-receiving unit does not receive light, it may be determined that the light is abnormal.
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not a failure is determined based on a telltale signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, it is also possible to determine whether or not to determine the failure based on another signal, not limited to the telltale signal.

  According to the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment, the vehicular lamp control device 100 monitors the failure of the phosphor film 18-4 and determines whether the vehicle is running, running slowly, or stopped. When detecting a defect in the phosphor, the control device 100 changes the condition for determining the failure according to whether the vehicle is stopped, moving slowly, or stopped. With this configuration, it is possible to perform control in consideration of the safety of the driver and surrounding people based on the state of the vehicle when detecting a defect in the phosphor provided in the headlamp.

(Modification)
A vehicle lamp according to a modification of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vehicular lamp according to a modification of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the vehicle lamp according to the modified example is different from the headlamp to which the control device 100 is applied.
As shown in FIG. 13A, the vehicular lamp includes a lens body 40. The lens body 40 is a lens body disposed in front of the wavelength conversion member 26, and includes a rear end 40AA and a front end 40BB. In the vehicle lamp, the light Ray from the wavelength conversion member 26 that has entered the inside of the lens body 40 from the rear end portion 40AA (incident surface 42) is emitted from the front end portion 40BB (emission surface 48) and irradiated forward. Thus, the vehicular lamp is configured as a solid lens body that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern including cutoff lines CL1 to CL3 at the upper edge.
The material of the lens body 40 may be glass or other transparent resin such as acryl or polycarbonate. Here, the lens body 40 is provided with an antireflection structure (prism) 56 and light detection means 58. The light detecting means 58 measures the luminous intensity of one of the wavelength of the laser beam and the wavelength converted by the wavelength converting member 26. When an abnormality occurs in the wavelength conversion member 26, the light detection unit 58 detects the abnormality. For example, abnormality is detected by detecting either an increase in the amount of laser light transmitted without wavelength conversion due to cracking or chipping in the wavelength conversion member 26 or a decrease in the amount of wavelength-converted light. Detect what happened.

The rear end portion 40AA of the lens body 40 includes an incident surface 42 and a first reflecting surface 44. The front end portion 40BB of the lens body 40 includes an emission surface 48 that is a convex lens surface. A second reflection surface 45 is disposed between the rear end portion 40AA and the front end portion 40BB of the lens body 40.
The light incident from the wavelength conversion member 26 or the laser beam Ray from the semiconductor laser element directly emitted from the wavelength conversion member 26 (when the wavelength conversion member 26 drops from a fixed position) is transmitted through the entrance surface 42 to the lens body. The surface shape is configured such that the directivity of the light Ray from the wavelength conversion member 26 incident on the inside of the lens body 40 is narrowed on the surface incident on the inside of the lens body 40. The incident surface 42 may be configured as a plane surface so that the directivity of the light Ray from the wavelength conversion member 26 incident on the inside of the lens body 40 may be narrow, or may be convex toward the wavelength conversion member 26. Alternatively, it may be configured as a concave curved surface.

The first reflection surface 44 is a surface that totally reflects the light Ray from the wavelength conversion member 26 incident on the inside of the lens body 40. The first reflecting surface 44, a first focal point _{F1 44} is set in the vicinity of the light source point _{F 40,} and elliptical second focal point _{F2 44} is set to the focal point _{F 48} near the exit surface 48 (or free similar thereto (A curved surface or the like).
The second reflection surface 45 is a reflection surface that totally reflects at least a part of the light Ray 26 from the wavelength conversion member 26 that is totally reflected by the first reflection surface 44. The second reflecting surface 45 is configured as a planar reflecting surface that extends substantially in the horizontal direction from the vicinity of the focal point F ₄₈ of the emission surface 48 toward the rear. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second reflecting surface 45 may be configured as a reflecting surface having a planar shape inclined with respect to the horizontal.

The front edge of the second reflection surface 45 is not a straight line but a concave arc shape toward the front from the viewpoint of clarifying the cutoff lines CL1 to CL3 in the light distribution pattern for low beam (shown in the drawing). Zu). In other words, the front edge of the second reflection surface 45 is such that, as viewed from above, the vehicle passes along the reference axis AX40 (near the center of the lens body 40) near the focal point of the emission surface 48 and moves away from the reference axis AX40 to the left and right. It has an arc shape extending forward. On the other hand, the front edge of the second reflection surface 45 is shaped to be a substantially horizontal line passing near the focal point of the emission surface 48 on the reference axis AX40 (near the center of the lens body 40) in a front view.
The front edge of the second reflection surface 45 is a side corresponding to the left horizontal cutoff line CL1, a side corresponding to the right horizontal cutoff line CL2, and an oblique cutoff line connecting the left horizontal cutoff line CL1 and the right horizontal cutoff line CL2. It includes a side corresponding to CL3 (both are not shown). The side corresponding to the left horizontal cutoff line CL1 is disposed at a position lower than the side corresponding to the right horizontal cutoff line CL2 in the vertical direction (in the case of left-hand traffic). Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the side corresponding to the left horizontal cutoff line CL1 may be arranged at a higher position in the vertical direction than the side corresponding to the right horizontal cutoff line CL2.

In this modified example, in step S2 in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the light detection unit 58 has detected a change in the amount of light that can be estimated to be abnormal. In step S2, when it is estimated that the light detection unit 58 has detected a change in the amount of light that can be estimated to be abnormal, the process proceeds to step S5. When the light detection unit 58 cannot be estimated to be abnormal, the process proceeds to step S3. In other steps, the same steps as those in FIG. 12 can be applied.
In this modification, instead of the voltage output from the wavelength conversion member in FIG. 4 to the first input terminal IT1 and the information processing unit 106, the voltage from the light detection unit 58 to the first input terminal IT1 and the information processing unit 106 is changed. Is output. The voltage V is output while the light detecting means 58 is not presumed to be abnormal, and is output below the voltage V when it is determined to be abnormal.
Even in the present modification, the possibility that a failure is determined even in the case of an erroneous signal is reduced by repeatedly determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred during traveling by the light detecting means 58, and At the time of stoppage, safety can be ensured by immediately determining a failure when it is presumed to be abnormal.

The control device 100 for a vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment and the control device 100 for a vehicle lamp according to the present modification can be applied to a device that scans laser light with an optical deflector. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle lamp that irradiates the light diffused by the phosphor as it is.
According to the vehicular lamp according to the present modification, the vehicular lamp control device 100 monitors the failure of the phosphor film 18-4 and determines whether the vehicle is running, running slowly, or stopped. When detecting a defect in the phosphor, the control device 100 changes the condition for determining the failure according to whether the vehicle is stopped, moving slowly, or stopped. With this configuration, it is possible to perform control in consideration of the safety of the driver and surrounding people based on the state of the vehicle when detecting a defect in the phosphor provided in the headlamp.

<Example of configuration>
As one configuration example, a vehicular lamp includes a laser light source, a phosphor (in the embodiment, a phosphor film 18-4) that receives laser light emitted by the laser light source, and a sensor that detects an abnormality of the phosphor. (In the embodiment, the transparent electrode 18-5), an acquisition unit (in the embodiment, the acquisition unit 106a) that acquires information indicating the speed of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp, and a laser beam emitted by the laser light source. A control unit (in this embodiment, the control unit 106b) for controlling, and when the sensor detects an abnormality in the phosphor, the control unit performs a failure based on the information indicating the vehicle speed acquired by the acquisition unit. It is a vehicular lamp for determining whether or not to fix.
As one configuration example, in a vehicle lamp, the control unit determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than the threshold, and determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is lower than the threshold. It is determined that the vehicle is traveling slowly or stopped, and different determinations are made depending on whether the vehicle is traveling or whether the vehicle is traveling slowly or stopped.
As one configuration example, in a vehicle lamp, the control unit determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than the threshold, and determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is lower than the threshold. It is determined that the vehicle is traveling slowly or stopped. If the vehicle is traveling, it is determined at a predetermined cycle whether or not the abnormality of the phosphor is detected. If the vehicle is traveling slowly or stopped, a failure is detected. Is determined.
As one configuration example, in a vehicle lamp, the sensor detects disconnection of a transparent electrode provided on the phosphor as an abnormality of the phosphor.
As an example of the configuration, the sensor is a vehicular lamp, and the sensor detects light emitted from the phosphor as an abnormality of the phosphor.
As one configuration example, a control device for a vehicle lamp, including an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp, and a control unit that controls laser light emitted by a laser light source, When the sensor that detects the abnormality of the phosphor that receives the laser light emitted from the laser light source detects the abnormality of the phosphor, the control unit emits the laser light based on the information indicating the vehicle speed acquired by the acquisition unit. It is a control device for a vehicle lamp that determines whether or not to continue radiating.

A program for realizing the functions of the apparatus (for example, the information processing unit 106) according to the embodiment described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is stored in a computer system. The processing may be performed by reading and executing.
Here, the “computer system” may include an operating system (OS) or hardware such as a peripheral device.
The “computer-readable recording medium” includes a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), A storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM (for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) in a computer system that is a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. This includes programs that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory).
Further, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
Further, the above program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, the above-mentioned program may be a program that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program).
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle lamp, 12 ... Excitation light source, 14 ... Condensing lens, 18 ... Wavelength conversion member, 18-1 ... AR, 18-2 ... Sapphire film, 18-3 ... Dichroic mirror film, 18-4 ... Phosphor Film, 18-5: transparent electrode, 20: projection lens, 22: frame, 40: lens, 40AA: rear end, 40BB: front end, 42: incident surface, 44: first reflection surface, 45: first 2 reflection surface, 46 support, 48 emission surface, 56 antireflection structure (prism), 58 light detection means, 100 control device, 102 AND gate, 104 laser driver, 105 I / F, 106 information processing unit, 106a acquisition unit, 106b control unit, 106c output unit, 108 laser diode, 201 optical deflector

Claims (7)

A vehicle lamp,
A laser light source,
A phosphor that receives laser light emitted by the laser light source,
A sensor for detecting abnormality of the phosphor,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating a speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp,
A control unit for controlling the laser light emitted by the laser light source,
The control unit, when the sensor detects an abnormality of the phosphor, determines whether to determine a failure based on the information indicating the speed of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit, a vehicle lamp .   The control unit determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a threshold, and the vehicle slowly moves or stops when the speed of the vehicle is lower than the threshold. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the vehicle is running, and a different determination is made depending on whether the vehicle is traveling, traveling slowly or stopping.   The control unit determines that the vehicle is running when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a threshold, and the vehicle slowly moves or stops when the speed of the vehicle is lower than the threshold. Is determined, and if the vehicle is running, it is determined at a predetermined cycle whether or not the abnormality of the phosphor is detected. If the vehicle is moving slowly or stopped, a failure is determined. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made.   4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects a disconnection of a transparent electrode provided on the phosphor as an abnormality of the phosphor. 5.   4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects light emitted by the phosphor as an abnormality of the phosphor. 5. A control device for a vehicle lamp,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating a speed of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp,
A control unit for controlling the laser light emitted by the laser light source,
The control unit, based on the information indicating the speed of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit, when the sensor that detects the abnormality of the phosphor that receives the laser light emitted by the laser light source detects the abnormality of the phosphor. A control device for a vehicular lamp that determines whether or not a failure is to be determined. A method for controlling a vehicle lamp, comprising:
Obtaining information indicating the speed of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp,
When the sensor that detects the abnormality of the phosphor that receives the laser light emitted by the laser light source detects the abnormality of the phosphor, the fail is determined based on the information indicating the speed of the vehicle acquired in the acquiring step. And a step of determining whether or not to perform the control.

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