JP2021030958A - Lighting fixture for vehicle, and control method for light distribution-variable lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lighting fixture for a vehicle, which can be turned on in such a manner as to give preference to a location to be watched.SOLUTION: A first light distribution pattern PTN1 including a light-blocking region ROFF1 is changed to a second light distribution pattern PTN2 that does not include the light-blocking region ROFF1. In this case, a seed irradiation region RON3 is inserted into the light-blocking region ROFF1 of the first light distribution pattern PTN1. The width of the seed irradiation region RON3 is increased with time so that transition to the second light distribution pattern PTN2 is made.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp used for an automobile or the like.

Vehicle lamps are generally capable of switching between low beam and high beam. The low beam illuminates the vicinity of the own vehicle with a predetermined illuminance, and the light distribution regulation is defined so as not to give glare to the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle, and is mainly used when traveling in an urban area. On the other hand, the high beam illuminates a wide area and a distant place in front with a relatively high illuminance, and is mainly used when traveling at high speed on a road where there are few oncoming vehicles or preceding vehicles. Therefore, although the high beam is more visible to the driver than the low beam, there is a problem that glare is given to the driver and pedestrian of the vehicle existing in front of the vehicle.

In recent years, ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) technology for dynamically and adaptively controlling the light distribution pattern of a high beam based on the surrounding condition of a vehicle has been proposed. ADB technology reduces glare given to a vehicle or pedestrian by detecting the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle or pedestrian in front of the vehicle and dimming the area corresponding to the vehicle or pedestrian. is there.

As a method for realizing the ADB function, a shutter method for controlling an actuator, a rotary method, an LED array method, and the like have been proposed. In the shutter method and the rotary method, the width of the light-shielding area can be continuously changed, but the number of light-shielding areas is limited to one. In the LED array method, a plurality of light-shielding areas can be set, but the width of the light-shielding area is limited by the irradiation width of the LED chip, so that the light-shielding areas are discrete.

The applicant has proposed a blade scan method as an ADB method capable of solving these problems (see Patent Document 1). The blade scan method involves incident light on a rotating reflector (blade), reflects the incident light at an angle corresponding to the rotation position of the reflector, scans the reflected light in front of the vehicle, and turns off the light source or turns off the amount of light. By changing the reflector according to the rotation position, a desired light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle.

If the light distribution pattern is changed instantaneously and discontinuously, the area that was previously irradiated with light will suddenly darken or the irradiated area will suddenly move, causing discomfort to the driver or driving. There is a risk of trouble. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of gradually changing the light distribution pattern with time toward the changed target light distribution pattern when the target light distribution pattern is changed.

International Publication No. 2016/10431

1 (a) to 1 (c) are diagrams for explaining the transition of the light distribution pattern. FIG. 1A shows the light distribution pattern before the change. In this example, the preceding vehicle 900 is detected by the sensor in front of the own vehicle, and the existence range of the preceding vehicle 900 is shielded so as not to give glare to the preceding vehicle 900. The light distribution pattern 800 before the change includes one light-shielding region 802 and two separate irradiation regions 804.

FIG. 1C shows the changed light distribution pattern 810. The modified light distribution pattern 810 does not include a light blocking area and therefore contains only a single irradiation area 804.

When the changed light distribution pattern 810 of FIG. 1 (c) is input while the light distribution pattern 800 before the change of FIG. 1 (a) is being irradiated, an intermediate light distribution as shown in FIG. 1 (b) is input. The transition to the light distribution pattern 810 of FIG. 1 (c) is performed via the pattern 820.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the gradual change control of the light distribution pattern corresponding to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c). Focusing on the light distribution pattern (intermediate light distribution pattern) during the transition, the width of the light-shielding region 802 of the intermediate light distribution pattern 820 narrows with time. In other words, the inner edges of the two irradiation regions 804 that sandwich the light-shielding region approach each other over time.

As a result of examining such slow-change control, the present inventors have come to recognize the following problems.

The driver should pay the most attention to the traveling direction of the own vehicle, that is, the place where the preceding vehicle 900 originally existed. In the gradual change control shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the width of the light-shielding region 802 is from the outside. Since it is narrowed toward the center, the part that should be watched most is delayed and brightened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of the exemplary purposes of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can be lit with priority given to a portion to be watched.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lighting equipment includes a light distribution variable lamp and a controller that controls the light distribution variable lamp so that the light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle based on control data instructing the light distribution pattern. When the control data is changed from the first light distribution pattern including a certain light-shielding area to the second light distribution pattern not including the light-shielding area, the controller sets the seed irradiation area in the light-shielding area of the first light distribution pattern. By inserting and increasing the width of the seed irradiation region with time, the transition to the second light distribution pattern occurs.

It should be noted that any combination of the above components and those in which the components and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between methods, devices, systems and the like are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to preferentially turn on a portion to be watched.

1 (a) to 1 (c) are diagrams for explaining the transition of the light distribution pattern. It is a figure explaining the gradual change control of the light distribution pattern corresponding to FIGS. 1A to 1C. It is a block diagram of the lamp system including the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the light distribution control which concerns on embodiment. 5 (a) to 5 (d) are diagrams showing an example of a traveling scene to which the pilot fire shading release of FIG. 4 is applied. 6 (a) to 6 (c) are views showing another example of a traveling scene to which the pilot fire shading release of FIG. 4 is applied. It is a perspective view which shows typically the vehicle lighting equipment which concerns on embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structural example of a lighting circuit. It is a figure explaining the operation of the lighting circuit of FIG. It is a figure explaining the light distribution control which concerns on the modification 1.

(Outline of Embodiment)
One embodiment disclosed herein relates to a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lighting equipment includes a light distribution variable lamp and a controller that controls the light distribution variable lamp so that the light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle based on control data instructing the light distribution pattern. When the control data is changed from the first light distribution pattern including a certain light-shielding area to the second light distribution pattern not including the light-shielding area, the controller sets the seed irradiation area in the light-shielding area of the first light distribution pattern. By inserting and increasing the width of the seed irradiation region with time, the transition to the second light distribution pattern occurs.

By inserting the seed irradiation area into the light-shielding area and growing the seed irradiation area, it is possible to preferentially turn on the area to be watched by the driver.

The seed irradiation region may be provided in the center of the light-shielding region included in the first light distribution pattern.

When the irradiation area adjacent to the left of the light-shielding area of the first light distribution pattern is referred to as the first irradiation area and the irradiation area adjacent to the right of the light-shielding area of the first light distribution pattern is referred to as the second irradiation area, the seed irradiation area is used. The left end of the seed irradiation region may move toward the right end of the first irradiation region, and the right end of the seed irradiation region may move toward the left end of the second irradiation region. The left and right ends of the seed irradiation region may reach the right end of the first irradiation region and the left end of the second irradiation region at substantially the same time, respectively. This simplifies control.

The variable light distribution lamp may include a semiconductor light source and a reflector that receives the emitted light of the semiconductor light source and scans the reflected light in front of the vehicle by repeating a predetermined periodic motion.

The controller includes a light amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of light that the semiconductor light source should generate at each time based on control data, and a driver that lights the semiconductor light source so that the light amount calculated by the light amount calculation unit can be obtained at each time. May include.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiment is not limited to the invention but is an example, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention.

In the present specification, the "state in which the member A is connected to the member B" means that the member A and the member B are physically directly connected, and that the member A and the member B are electrically connected to each other. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected via other members, which does not substantially affect the connection state, or does not impair the functions and effects performed by the combination thereof.

Similarly, "a state in which the member C is provided between the member A and the member B" means that the member A and the member C, or the member B and the member C are directly connected, and their electricity. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected via other members, which does not substantially affect the connection state, or does not impair the functions and effects produced by the combination thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a lamp system 2 including the vehicle lamp 100 according to the embodiment. The vehicle lamp 100 receives control data instructing a light distribution pattern from an ADB ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 4, and forms a light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle according to the control data. The ADB ECU 4 may be built in the vehicle lamp 1.

The vehicle lamp 100 includes a low beam unit 102 and a high beam unit 104. The low beam unit 102 has a fixed light distribution pattern and illuminates a predetermined area 702 on the virtual vertical screen 700.

The high beam unit 104 is an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam), and is configured to be able to adaptively control the light distribution pattern 704 according to the situation in front of the vehicle and the state of the own vehicle. The high beam unit 104 includes a light distribution variable lamp 110 and a controller 120.

The light distribution variable lamp 110 is configured to have a variable light distribution. The configuration of the variable light distribution lamp 110 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a scan type lamp.

The controller 120 receives the control data S1 instructing the light distribution pattern from the ADB ECU 4. The controller 120 controls the light distribution variable lamp 110 so that the instructed light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle based on the control data S1. The format and signal format of the control data S1 are not particularly limited.

The above is the basic configuration of the vehicle lamp 100. Subsequently, the characteristic light distribution control by the vehicle lamp 100 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating light distribution control according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an operation when the light distribution pattern PTN1 is changed to the second light distribution pattern PTN2 while the first light distribution pattern PTN1 is being irradiated. The first light distribution pattern PTN1 includes a light-shielding region R _OFF1 , while the second light distribution pattern PTN2 does not include _{a light-shielding region R OFF1.} This change can be grasped as the release of shading. When the light distribution pattern changing (shading release) that satisfies such a determination condition occurs, the controller 120 gradually changes the light distribution pattern from the first light distribution pattern PTN1 to the second light distribution pattern PTN2 with time. .. The light distribution pattern during the transition is referred to as an intermediate light distribution pattern PTN3.

When the control data S1 is changed from the first light distribution pattern PTN1 to the second light distribution pattern PTN2, the controller 120 includes an intermediate _{in the light-shielding region R OFF1 of} the first light distribution pattern PTN1 including the seed irradiation region R _ON3. The light distribution pattern PTN3_1 is generated. For example, the seed irradiation region R _{ON 3} is provided in the center of the light shielding region R _{OFF 1.}

Then, while increasing the width w of the seed irradiation region R _ON3 with time, the intermediate light distribution patterns PTN3_2, PTN3_3, ... PTN3_N are updated, whereby the light-shielding region R _OFF1 gradually disappears, and finally the second arrangement. It shifts to the optical pattern PTN2.

The irradiation area adjacent to the left of the light-shielding area R _{OFF1 of the first light distribution pattern PTN1 is referred to as the first irradiation area R ON1,} and the irradiation area adjacent to the right of the light-shielding area R _{OFF1 is referred to as the second irradiation area R ON2} . The left end E1 of the seed irradiation region R _ON3 moves toward the right end E2 of _{the first irradiation region R ON1.} Further, the right end E3 of the seed irradiation region R _ON3 moves toward the left end E4 of _{the second irradiation region R ON2.} Left E1 seed irradiation region _{R ON3,} each right end E3 is substantially simultaneously, the right edge E2 of the first irradiation region _{R ON1,} it is desirable to reach the left end E4 of the second irradiation region _{R ON2.} The light distribution control shown in FIG. 4 is also referred to as a pilot fire shading release.

5 (a) to 5 (d) are diagrams showing an example of a traveling scene to which the pilot fire shading release of FIG. 4 is applied. This driving scene corresponds to driving on a straight road. 5 (a) and 5 (d) correspond to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (c), respectively. FIG. 5A shows the light distribution pattern 800 before the change. In this example, the preceding vehicle 900 is detected by the sensor in front of the own vehicle, and the existence range of the preceding vehicle 900 is shielded so as not to give glare to the preceding vehicle 900. The light distribution pattern 800 before the change includes one light-shielding region 802 and two separate irradiation regions sandwiching the light-shielding region 802.

When the preceding vehicle 900 is no longer detected by the sensor, the modified light distribution pattern 810 that does not include the light shielding region 802 is generated by the ADB ECU 4 as shown in FIG. 5 (d), and the control data S1 that indicates it is the controller. It is input to 120. Such a situation may occur, for example, while traveling on a slope.

The controller 120 compares the light distribution pattern 800 before the change with the light distribution pattern 810 after the change, and determines whether or not the light shielding is released. In this example, in order to satisfy the determination condition, the gradual variation light distribution control shown in FIG. 4 is executed with the light distribution pattern 800 before the change as the first light distribution pattern PTN1 and the light distribution pattern 810 after the change as the second light distribution pattern PTN2. Light.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), an _{intermediate light distribution pattern 830 including the seed irradiation region 832 corresponding to the region RON3} in FIG. 4 is formed, and the width of the seed irradiation region 832 increases with time. It will spread. That is, the direction of travel that the driver should pay attention to most is preferentially irradiated.

6 (a) to 6 (c) are views showing another example of a traveling scene to which the pilot fire shading release of FIG. 4 is applied. This driving scene corresponds to the driving of a curve. FIG. 6A shows the light distribution pattern 800 before the change, and the preceding vehicle 900 is detected by the sensor in front of the own vehicle, and the existence range of the preceding vehicle 900 so as not to give glare to the preceding vehicle 900. Is shaded. The light distribution pattern 800 before the change includes one light-shielding region 802 and two separate irradiation regions sandwiching the light-shielding region 802.

When the preceding vehicle 900 is no longer detected by the sensor, the modified light distribution pattern 810 that does not include the light-shielding region 802 is generated by the ADB ECU 4 as shown in FIG. 6 (c), and the control data S1 that indicates it is the controller. It is input to 120.

Even in this driving scene, since it is determined that the light shielding is released, the light distribution pattern 800 before the change is set as the first light distribution pattern PTN1 and the light distribution pattern 810 after the change is set as the second light distribution pattern PTN2. Light control is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the traveling direction that the driver should pay attention to most is preferentially irradiated.

The above is the operation of the vehicle lamp 100. According to the pilot fire shading release, in the situation of FIG. 5 (b), FIG. 5 (c) or FIG. 6 (b), when a target vehicle such as a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, or a pedestrian appears in the traveling direction. , The driving vehicle can quickly visually recognize the target and can improve the safety.

Subsequently, a configuration example of the light distribution variable lamp 110 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the vehicle lamp 1 according to the embodiment. The vehicle lighting fixture 1 of FIG. 7 has a blade scan type light distribution variable lamp 110, and forms various light distribution patterns in front of the vehicle. The variable light distribution lamp 110 includes a light source 112, a reflector (reflector) 114, a projection lens 117, and a lighting circuit 200. As will be described later, a plurality of light sources 112 may be provided, but here, the case of one light source 112 will be described for ease of understanding and simplification of description.

The light source 112 is a semiconductor light source using an LED (light emitting diode) or a laser diode. The reflector 114 receives the emitted light L1 of the light source 112 and scans the reflected light L2 in the lateral direction (Y direction in the drawing) in front of the vehicle by repeating a predetermined periodic motion. The reflector 114 is attached to the rotor of the motor 116 and performs a rotary motion. At a certain time, the emitted light L1 of the reflector 114 is reflected at a reflection angle corresponding to the position of the reflector 114 (rotation angle of the rotor), and an irradiation spot SP is formed.

As the reflector 114 rotates, the reflection angle changes, and the irradiation spot SP is scanned in the Y direction. By repeating this operation at high speed, for example, at 50 Hz or higher, a light distribution pattern 704 is formed in front of the vehicle. For example, when the rotation speed of the motor is 6000 rpm, the irradiation spot SP is scanned at 200 Hz, and the scanning cycle is 5 ms.

The lighting circuit 200 controls the amount of light (luminance) of the light source 112 in synchronization with the periodic motion of the reflector 114 so that a desired light distribution pattern can be obtained. The range (region) where the irradiation spot SP is irradiated is referred to as an irradiation region R _ON , and the range (region) where the irradiation spot SP is not irradiated is referred to as a light-shielding region R _OFF. The light distribution pattern 704 is a combination of the _{irradiation region R ON and the} light shielding region R _OFF.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the lighting circuit 200. The ADB ECU 4 receives camera information S3 and vehicle information S2. The ADB ECU 4 detects the situation in front of the vehicle, specifically, the position of a target such as an oncoming vehicle, a preceding vehicle, or a pedestrian, based on the camera information S3. Further, the ADB ECU 4 detects the current vehicle speed, steering angle, and the like based on the vehicle information S2. Based on this information, the ADB ECU 4 determines the light distribution pattern to be irradiated to the front of the vehicle, and transmits the control data S1 instructing the light distribution pattern to the vehicle lamp 1. For example, the control data S1 is described by expressing the irradiation coordinates in the lateral direction by an angle, and may include the coordinates (angle information) of the boundary between the _{irradiation region R ON} and the light-shielding region R _OFF.

For example, for ease of understanding, it is assumed that the amount of light of the light source 112 is controlled only by turning on and off. In this case, the control data S1 may include data indicating the _{light-shielding region R OFF} among the light distribution patterns 704 to be formed in front of the vehicle. For example, the control data S1 may include a set of _{coordinates θ L} indicating the left end of the _{shading region R OFF and coordinates θ R} indicating the right end. When there are a plurality of light-shielding regions R _OFF , a plurality of coordinate sets (θ _L , θ _R ) may be included. Alternatively, the control data S1 is a center coordinate theta _C shading region _{R OFF,} may comprise a set of width Δθ of the light shielding region _{R OFF,} the left end coordinate of the light-shielding region _{R OFF} theta _L and (or right end coordinate theta _R) It may include a set of shaded area widths Δθ.

On the contrary, the control data S1 may include data indicating the _{irradiation region R ON} , or both of them, instead of the data indicating the _{light-shielding region R OFF.}

The lighting circuit 200 controls the amount of light (luminance) of the light source 112 in synchronization with the rotation of the reflector 114 based on the control data S1. The lighting circuit 200 includes a position detector 202, a periodic calculation unit 204, a light amount calculation unit 210, and a driver 220. The periodic calculation unit 204 and the light amount calculation unit 210 are referred to as a lamp ECU 206. The lamp ECU 206 can be configured by using a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or an ASIC (Application Specified IC). The lamp ECU 206 corresponds to the controller 120 of FIG.

The position detector 202 generates a position detection signal S4 indicating the timing at which the predetermined reference point of the reflector 114 passes the predetermined position. For example, the reference portion may be the end portion (separation) of the two reflectors 114, or may be the center of each blade, and may be any location.

A Hall element may be attached to the motor 116 that rotates the reflector 114. In this case, the Hall signal from the Hall element has a periodic waveform corresponding to the position of the rotor, that is, the position of the blade (hereinafter referred to as blade coordinates). The position detector 202 may detect the timing at which the polarity of the Hall signal is inverted, and specifically, may be configured by a Hall comparator that compares a pair of Hall signals.

The periodic calculation unit 204 calculates the periodic Tp of the periodic motion of the blade based on the position detection signal S4 from the position detector 202. For example, when the position detection signal S4 is the output of the Hall comparator, the period calculation unit 204 measures the edge interval (half cycle) of the position detection signal S4. The periodic calculation unit 204 can be configured by a counter that counts the edge interval using a clock signal. The cycle calculation unit 204 outputs cycle information S5 indicating the measured cycle.

The light amount calculation unit 210 receives the control data S1 and calculates the amount of light to be generated by the light source 112 at each time based on the period Tp indicated by the position detection signal S4 and the period information S5.

For example, the light amount calculation unit 210 is composed of a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specified IC), and the like, and is referred to as a position information generator 212 and a light amount controller 214. Includes functional blocks.

The position information generator 212 generates position information S6 indicating the position of the reflector 114 at each time based on the cycle information S5 and the position detection signal S4. For example, the position information generator 212 may be composed of a counter that is reset for each edge of the position detection signal S4 and counts up (or counts down) every unit time obtained by dividing the period Tp into N (N is an integer). Good.

The light amount controller 214 calculates the target light amount (turning on, off) of the light source 112 at each time based on the control data S1 and the position information S6, and generates a light amount command value S7 instructing the target light amount.

The correspondence between the blade coordinates X (that is, the position information S6) and the irradiation coordinates θ can be derived from the geometrical arrangement of the light source 112 and the reflector 114. The light amount controller 214 may include a table that holds the correspondence between the position information S6 and the irradiation coordinates θ, or may hold an arithmetic expression that describes the correspondence between them.

The amount controller 214, data theta _L described by the irradiation coordinates theta included in the control data _S1, the theta _R, converting the blade coordinate data X _L, the X _R, may determine the amount of each time .. Alternatively, the light amount controller 214 may convert the blade coordinates X indicated by the position information S6 into the irradiation coordinates θ to determine the light amount at each time.

The light amount calculation unit 210 preferably turns off the light source 112 when the period Tp is longer than a predetermined threshold value, that is, when the rotation speed of the motor 116 is slow. When the light source 112 is turned on when the motion cycle Tp of the reflector 114 is long, the driver feels flicker (also referred to as flicker). Therefore, in such a situation, turning off the light source 112 can prevent discomfort.

For example, the light source 112 may be turned off when the scanning frequency of the irradiation spot SP is 50 Hz or less. It is empirically known that flicker is perceived by the human eye below 50 Hz. When two reflectors 114 are used, it can be said that flicker is not perceived if the rotation speed of the motor 116 is 1500 rpm or more.

The driver 220 receives the light amount command value S7 and turns on the light source 112 at each time so that the light amount calculated by the light amount calculation unit 210 can be obtained.

The above is the configuration of the lighting circuit 200 and the vehicle lamp 1 including the lighting circuit 200. Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the lighting circuit 200 of FIG. The horizontal axis is the irradiation coordinate θ, the blade coordinate X, and the time t, which are associated one-to-one. In the light distribution pattern 704, the irradiation coordinates are defined in the range of 0 to 30 degrees. Here, the case where two light-shielding regions R _OFF1 and R _OFF2 are formed is shown.

The irradiation spot SP indicates a portion irradiated by one light source 112 when the reflector 114 is stopped at a certain position. As the reflector 114 rotates with the passage of time, the irradiation spot SP is scanned in the direction in which the irradiation coordinates increase (or in the opposite direction). One side of the irradiation spot SP on the scanning direction side is referred to as a leading edge LE, and the opposite side is referred to as a trailing edge TE. In the present embodiment, the amount of light is controlled with reference to the coordinates of the leading edge LE.

The motor 116 that positions the reflector 114 is rotating at a predetermined rotation speed. For example, the motor 116 rotates at 6000 rpm. However, the rotation speed of the motor 116 cannot be kept completely constant, and it can be said that the rotation of the motor 116 is not under the control of the lamp ECU 206 and is in a free-run state, and the lamp ECU 206 is the motor 116 (reflector 114). The light source 112 is controlled while adapting to the state.

When the position detection signal S4 is asserted at a certain time t0, that time is associated with the reference value (for example, 0) of the blade coordinate X, and then the value of the position information S6 indicating the position of the blade increases with time. .. That is, the time t and the position information S6 are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. The slope is determined from the period Tp of the position detection signal S4 calculated immediately before.

Shielding region _{R OFF1, R OFF2} respective left coordinates theta _L, the right end coordinate theta _R, it is converted data _X L of the blade coordinates X, to _{X R.} Then, the light amount controller 214 generates the light amount command value S7 so that the light amount in the light- _{shielding regions R OFF1} and R _{OFF2 becomes zero.}

As shown in FIG. 9, the timing at which the light intensity command value S7 is switched from off to on is deviated from the range of the light-shielding region by ΔX. ΔX is the width of the irradiation spot SP. The reason for this will be explained. Since the blade scan method scans the irradiation spot SP to form a light distribution pattern, the light distribution pattern 704 is given as an integral value of the irradiation spot SP. Therefore, if the switching from on to on is performed with the coordinates of the leading edge LE as a reference, the light shielding region R _OFF is irradiated with light. Therefore the light quantity controller 214, the coordinates of the leading edge LE is beginning (the end of the irradiation area) X _L of the light-shielding area, and switches off the light source 112 from ON. Further, the light intensity controller 214 switches the light source 112 from off to on when the coordinates of the trailing edge TE are the end of the light-shielding region (the beginning of the irradiation region) X _R , in other words, when the coordinates of the leading edge LE are X _{R + ΔX.} Is desirable. As a result, the light-shielding area R _OFF can be darkened.

The above is the operation of the lighting circuit 200. According to the lighting circuit 200, the position of the reflector 114 at each time is estimated based on the periodic Tp of the reflector 114 and the position detection signal S4 even when the periodic motion of the reflector 114 is not under the control of the lighting circuit 200. it can. Then, the position of the reflected light irradiation spot SP can be estimated from the estimated position of the reflector 114. Therefore, the amount of light of the light source 112 can be changed from moment to moment according to the change in the position of the reflector 114, and a desired light distribution pattern can be formed.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these components and combinations of each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(First modification)
In the embodiment, the case where the light distribution pattern before the change includes one light-shielding area and the light distribution pattern after the change does not include the light-shielding area has been described, but the application of the pilot fire shading release is not limited to this. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the light distribution control according to the first modification. The first light distribution pattern PTN1 before the change includes two light-shielding areas R _OFF1 and R _OFF2 , and the second light distribution pattern PTN2 after the change includes one light-shielding area R _OFF1 and does not include R _OFF2. .. That is, when focusing on the light-shielding area R _OFF2 , it can be said that the above-mentioned determination conditions are satisfied, and the _pilot fire shading release is applied to the light-shielding area R OFF2. Specifically, the seed irradiation region R _ON4 is inserted into the light-shielding region R _{OFF2 , and the width of the seed irradiation region R ON4} is increased with time.

Regarding the light-shielding region R _OFF1 , the pilot fire light-shielding is not released, and one end and the other end thereof are moved to the changed positions with time.

(Second modification)
In the embodiment, the light distribution pattern is formed by one irradiation spot SP corresponding to one light source 112, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of light sources 112 are provided and the irradiation formed by each of the plurality of irradiation spots SP is provided. A light distribution pattern may be formed by combining regions.

(Third modification example)
In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 10, the seed irradiation region is inserted in the center of the light-shielding region, but the seed irradiation region may be inserted at a position offset from the center. Further, in the example of FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, the left end E1 of the seed irradiation region _{R ON3,} each right end E3 is substantially simultaneously, the right edge E2 of the first irradiation region _{R ON1,} reaches the left end E4 of the second irradiation region _{R ON2} However, this is not the case, and the time may be different.

(Fourth modification)
In the embodiment, the scan type light distribution variable lamp 110 has been described, but the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the variable light distribution lamp 110 may include a patterning device such as a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) or a liquid crystal. Alternatively, the variable light distribution lamp 110 may include an array of light emitting elements that can be individually turned on and off. As an array of light emitting elements (LEDs) having a particularly high resolution, those commercially available as micro LEDs may be used.

(Fifth modification)
Although the case of two reflectors 114 has been described, the number of reflectors is not limited and may be one or three or more. Further, in the embodiment, the case where the reflector 114 is rotationally moved has been described, but the reflector 114 may be reciprocated.

Although the present invention has been described using specific terms and phrases based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely indicate the principles and applications of the present invention, and the embodiments are defined in the claims. Many modifications and arrangement changes are permitted without departing from the ideas of the present invention.

1 Vehicle lighting 2 Lighting system 4 ADB ECU
S1 Control data S2 Vehicle information S3 Camera information S4 Position detection signal S5 Period information S6 Position information S7 Light intensity command value 100 Vehicle lighting equipment 102 Low beam unit 104 High beam unit 110 Light distribution variable lamp 112 Light source 114 Blade 116 Motor 117 Projection lens 118 Driver 120 Controller 200 Lighting circuit 202 Position detector 204 Periodic calculation unit 206 Lighting equipment ECU
210 Light amount calculation unit 212 Position information generator 214 Light amount controller 216 Slow change controller 220 Driver 800 Light distribution pattern 900 Preceding vehicle

Claims (6)

Variable light distribution lamp and
A controller that controls the light distribution variable lamp so that the light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle based on control data that indicates a light distribution pattern.
With
When the control data is changed from the first light distribution pattern including a certain light-shielding region to the second light distribution pattern not including the light-shielding region, the controller is placed in the light-shielding region of the first light distribution pattern. A vehicle lamp that transitions to the second light distribution pattern by inserting a seed irradiation region and increasing the width of the seed irradiation region with time. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the seed irradiation region is provided in the center of the light-shielding region included in the first light distribution pattern. When the irradiation region adjacent to the left of the light-shielding region of the first light distribution pattern is referred to as a first irradiation region, and the irradiation region adjacent to the right of the light-shielding region of the first light distribution pattern is referred to as a second irradiation region. ,
The left end of the seed irradiation region moves toward the right end of the first irradiation region.
The right end of the seed irradiation area moves toward the left end of the second irradiation area.
The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the left end and the right end of the seed irradiation region reach the right end of the first irradiation region and the left end of the second irradiation region at substantially the same time, respectively. The light distribution variable lamp is
With a semiconductor light source
A reflector that receives the emitted light from the semiconductor light source and scans the reflected light in front of the vehicle by repeating a predetermined periodic motion.
The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lamp comprises the above. The controller
Based on the control data, a light amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of light that the semiconductor light source should generate at each time, and a light amount calculation unit.
A driver that lights the semiconductor light source so that the light amount calculated by the light amount calculation unit can be obtained at each time.
The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the lamp comprises the above. It is a control method for variable light distribution lamps.
A step of detecting that the first light distribution pattern including a certain light-shielding area has been changed to a second light distribution pattern not including the light-shielding area, and
When a change from the first light distribution pattern to the second light distribution pattern is detected, a step of inserting a seed irradiation region into the light-shielding region of the first light distribution pattern and a step of inserting the seed irradiation region.
A step of increasing the width of the seed irradiation region with time and transitioning to the second light distribution pattern,
A control method characterized by comprising.

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