JP2022116442A - Headlight control device for vehicle, and method for controlling light distribution pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a headlight control device for a vehicle which can secure sufficient visibility of a peripheral target while suppressing increase in calculation loads.SOLUTION: A headlight control device for a vehicle for controlling light distribution patterns of headlights includes a front vehicle detection part (14) for detecting a front vehicle, an individual control range setting part (16) for setting a predetermined individual control range extending frontward of a front of a vehicle from a front end of the vehicle, a region setting part (20) for setting an irradiation suppression region where irradiation with a high beam is suppressed on the basis of information on a position of a front vehicle and the individual control range, and a light distribution control part (22) for controlling light distribution patterns so as to suppress irradiation of the irradiation suppression region with the high beam, wherein the region setting part sets one irradiation suppression region for the one front vehicle with respect to the front vehicle in the individual control range, and sets the one irradiation suppression region for the plurality of front vehicles with respect to the front vehicle beyond the individual control range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight control device and control method, and more particularly, to a vehicle headlight control device for controlling a light distribution pattern of a headlight that is mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting high beams and low beams, and a light distribution pattern control device. Regarding the control method.

2. Description of the Related Art A light distribution control device for a vehicle is known, which changes an area irradiated with light from the headlights of the vehicle. Such a light distribution control device acquires the position information of the vehicle ahead using a camera or the like mounted on the vehicle, and suppresses the irradiation of the high beam to the area where the vehicle ahead is present, thereby dazzling the driver of the vehicle ahead. It suppresses the occurrence of glare (dazzling light) that causes

Here, when there are a plurality of forward vehicles in front of the host vehicle, it is desirable to set a region for suppressing high beam irradiation for each forward vehicle. That is, by setting a region in which high beam irradiation is suppressed for each forward vehicle, the high beam is irradiated to the region between the forward vehicles. As a result, it becomes possible to irradiate a large area in front of the vehicle with the high beam, and the visibility in front of the vehicle is improved.

However, if a region for suppressing high beam irradiation is set for each forward vehicle, the setting of the irradiation suppression region becomes complicated. The computational load of the controller increases. Moreover, if an attempt is made to set such a complicated irradiation suppression region in a realistic control period, a processor with high processing capability is required, which increases the cost of the light distribution control device. For this reason, most of the light distribution control devices currently in practical use have one irradiation suppression area set so as to include all the vehicles in front, and the area where the high beam is irradiated is limited to a narrow area. there is

Japanese Patent No. 5673462 (Patent Document 1) describes a headlight device. In this headlight device, the front vehicle detection means estimates only the positions of the rightmost and leftmost vehicles among the plurality of preceding vehicles, and detects only the positions of the rightmost and leftmost vehicles among the plurality of oncoming vehicles. presume. Further, the lighting area control means provides a series of first light distribution areas from the position where the rightmost preceding vehicle exists to the position where the leftmost preceding vehicle exists, and a series of first light distribution areas from the position where the rightmost oncoming vehicle exists to the leftmost oncoming vehicle. The front is illuminated except for a series of second light distribution areas up to the position where the vehicle is present. As a result, in the headlamp device described in Patent Document 1, the high beam is emitted between the first light distribution region and the second light distribution region, so that the light in front of the vehicle can be lighted while suppressing an increase in the calculation load. of vision can be improved.

Japanese Patent No. 5673462

However, in the headlight device described in Patent Document 1, the high beam is not irradiated to the area between the preceding vehicles and the area between the oncoming vehicles. On a straight road with one lane in each direction, the areas in which the preceding vehicles exist and the areas in which the oncoming vehicles exist almost overlap each other, and there are not many areas between the preceding vehicles and the oncoming vehicles. However, on roads with two or more lanes in one direction or curved roads, there may be surrounding targets that should be visually recognized between preceding vehicles or between oncoming vehicles. Is required.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicle headlight control device and a method for controlling the light distribution pattern of the headlight, which can sufficiently improve the visibility of surrounding targets and the like while suppressing an increase in computational load. It is intended to

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a vehicle headlight control device for controlling a light distribution pattern of a headlight that is mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting high beams and low beams, and is positioned in front of the vehicle. A forward vehicle detection unit that detects a forward vehicle, an individual control range setting unit that sets a predetermined individual control range extending from the front end of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle, and information about the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward vehicle detection unit. and a region setting unit that sets an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation based on the individual control range set by the individual control range setting unit; and high beam irradiation to the irradiation suppression region set by the region setting unit. and a light distribution control unit that controls the light distribution pattern of the headlights so that the light distribution pattern of the headlights is suppressed, and the area setting unit controls the forward vehicle within the individual control range for one forward vehicle One irradiation suppression area is set, and one irradiation suppression area is set for a plurality of front vehicles outside the individual control range.

In the present invention configured as described above, the preceding vehicle is detected by the preceding vehicle detection section, and the individual control range setting section sets a predetermined individual control range extending from the front end of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle. The region setting unit sets an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation based on the detected information regarding the position of the forward vehicle and the individual control range. The light distribution control unit controls the light distribution pattern of the headlights so that irradiation of the high beam to the set irradiation suppression area is suppressed. The region setting unit sets one irradiation suppression region for one forward vehicle within the individual control range, and sets a plurality of forward vehicles for forward vehicles outside the individual control range. One irradiation suppression area is set for .

According to the present invention configured as described above, one irradiation suppression region is set for one preceding vehicle within the individual control range. The high beam is emitted at the , and the driver's visibility of the forward target can be improved. On the other hand, for the forward vehicles outside the individual control range, one irradiation suppression area is set for a plurality of forward vehicles, so the calculation load for setting the irradiation suppression areas is not unnecessarily increased. . As a result, it is possible to improve the visibility of surrounding targets and the like while suppressing an increase in calculation load.

In the present invention, preferably, the region setting unit sets the individual control range to a distance from the vehicle as the vehicle speed increases.
Some of the peripheral targets visually recognized by the driver require countermeasures such as braking of the own vehicle. According to the present invention configured as described above, the higher the vehicle speed, the further the individual control range is set to the vehicle. can deal with peripheral objects with leeway.

In the present invention, preferably, the region setting unit sets the individual control range to a distance longer than the braking distance of the vehicle.
According to the present invention configured as described above, the individual control range is set to a distance longer than the braking distance of the vehicle, so that the driver can avoid a collision with a peripheral target found within the individual control range by braking. more likely.

In the present invention, preferably, the area setting unit sets the individual control range to a distance in the opposite lane of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, beyond the lane in which the vehicle is traveling.
In general, it is more difficult for a driver to visually recognize peripheral targets in the oncoming lane than to visually recognize peripheral targets in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. According to the present invention configured as described above, the individual control range is set in the oncoming lane to a distance farther than the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. performance can be further improved.

In the present invention, preferably, the region setting unit provides one region setting unit for all preceding vehicles traveling in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and all preceding vehicles traveling in the oncoming lane for vehicles traveling outside the individual control range. , one irradiation suppression area is set for the preceding vehicle.
According to the present invention configured as described above, one irradiation suppression region is set for each of the lane on which the own vehicle travels and the oncoming lane for the forward vehicle outside the individual control range. It is difficult for the irradiation suppression area to be set at the boundary between the own vehicle's lane and the oncoming lane, and the boundary between the own lane and the oncoming lane can be easily visually recognized.

The present invention also provides a method for controlling a light distribution pattern of headlights mounted on a vehicle capable of irradiating high beams and low beams, comprising a forward vehicle detection step of detecting a forward vehicle positioned in front of the vehicle; an individual control range setting step for setting a predetermined individual control range extending forward of the vehicle from the front end; information regarding the position of the forward vehicle detected in the forward vehicle detection step; and the individual control range set in the individual control range setting step. Based on, a region setting step for setting an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation; and a light distribution control step for controlling, wherein in the area setting step, one irradiation suppression area is set for one forward vehicle within the individual control range, and the individual control range A single irradiation suppression area is set for a plurality of vehicles in front of the outside vehicles.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the vehicle headlight control apparatus and the control method of the light distribution pattern of a headlight of this invention, the visibility of surrounding targets etc. can fully be improved, suppressing the increase in calculation load.

1 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a front view of a headlight provided in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an LED array that constitutes a high beam unit provided in the headlight; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing angular regions of light emitted when each LED element of the LED array of the left headlight is lit; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing angular regions of light emitted when each LED element of the LED array of the right headlight is lit; 1 is a block diagram including a vehicle headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing processing in the vehicle headlight control device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a method of controlling the light distribution pattern of the headlights. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting of an individual control range and an irradiation suppression area|region. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of setting an individual control range and an irradiation suppression region;

Next, a vehicle headlight control device and a method for controlling a light distribution pattern of a headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a headlight provided in a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlight control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an LED array that constitutes a high beam unit provided in the headlight. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing angular regions of light emitted when each LED element of the LED array of the left headlight is lit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing angular regions of light emitted when each LED element of the LED array of the right headlight is lit. FIG. 6 is a block diagram including a vehicle headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 equipped with a vehicle headlight control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a left headlight 2L, a right headlight 2R, and a camera 4 as a forward vehicle sensor at the front end. there is The camera 4 is attached to the inside of the windshield of the vehicle 1, at the upper center, and is configured to capture an image in front of the vehicle 1 and to perform image analysis on the captured image. In FIG. 1, a dashed line 4A extending from the camera 4 schematically indicates the angle range of the image captured by the camera 4. As shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the left headlight 2L has a low beam unit 6 and a high beam unit 8. As shown in FIG. The left headlight 2L and the right headlight 2R are configured to emit light toward the front of the vehicle 1 . The low beam unit 6 of each headlight is configured to irradiate low beam light obliquely downward in front of the vehicle 1 . Here, the low beam unit 6 is always on while the headlights are on, but since it emits light obliquely downward, it does not give glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle.

On the other hand, the high beam unit 8 is configured to emit high beam light horizontally or obliquely upward in front of the vehicle 1 . The light distribution of the high beam unit 8 is controlled by the vehicle headlight control device of this embodiment so as not to give glare to the driver of the vehicle ahead. Although the configuration of the left headlight 2L has been described here, the configuration of the right headlight 2R is the same except that the right headlight 2R is configured in a shape in which the left and right are reversed, so the description of the right headlight 2R is omitted. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the high beam unit 8 of the right headlight 2R is configured to irradiate light to an area in front of the vehicle 1 indicated by an area _AR . Also, the high beam unit 8 of the left headlight 2L is configured to irradiate light to an area indicated by an area A _L in front of the vehicle 1 . Each high beam unit 8 is configured to irradiate light to a predetermined angular region within the regions _AR and _AL under light distribution control by a vehicle headlight control device. Here, in this specification, the direction parallel to the axis Z extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 is defined as an angle of 0 deg, and the rotation angle in the left direction with respect to this direction is a positive angle, and the rotation angle in the right direction is a negative angle. angle.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the high beam unit 8 has an LED array 8a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the LED array 8a is composed of a plurality of linearly arranged LED (light emitting diode) elements 8b. By selectively lighting these LED elements 8b, , is configured to be able to irradiate light in a predetermined angular region. In this embodiment, the LED array 8a is composed of eleven LED elements 8b in one row, numbered 1 to 11, arranged in a straight line. However, the number of arranged LED elements can be set arbitrarily, and the LED elements can be arranged in multiple rows.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the angular range of light emitted when each LED element 8b of the LED array 8a is lit will be described. FIG. 4 shows the angular region of light emitted when each LED element 8b of the LED array 8a of the left headlight 2L is lit, and FIG. 5 shows each LED element 8b of the LED array 8a of the right headlight 2R. shows the angular range of light emitted when is lit.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the LED element No. 1 of the LED array 8a of the left headlight 2L is turned on, high beam light is emitted in an angle range of -10 to 0 degrees. That is, by turning on the LED element No. 1, a fan-shaped region having a right outer edge in the direction of −10 degrees and a left outer edge in the direction of 0 degrees is irradiated with high beam light. This LED element No. 1 is arranged at the center of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. are placed. Similarly, No. 2 LED element is 0 to 10 deg, No. 3 is 10 to 20 deg, No. 4 is 20 to 30 deg, No. 5 is 30 to 40 deg, No. 6 is 40 to 50 deg, No. 7 is 50 to 60 deg, No. 8 is 60 to 70 deg, 9 is 70 to 80 deg, 10 is 80 to 90 deg, and 11 is 90 to 100 deg.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the first LED element of the LED array 8a of the right headlight 2R is turned on, high beam light is emitted in an angle range of 10 to 0 degrees. The No. 1 LED element of the right headlight 2R is arranged closest to the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1, and the following numbers are arranged toward the right side in the vehicle width direction, with the No. 11 LED element being the rightmost. (outside). Similarly, No. 2 LED element is 0 to -10 deg, No. 3 is -10 to -20 deg, No. 4 is -20 to -30 deg, No. 5 is -30 to -40 deg, No. 6 is -40 to -50 deg, No. 7 is -50 to -60 deg, No. 8 is -60 to -70 deg, No. 9 is -70 to -80 deg, No. 10 is -80 to -90 deg, No. 11 is -90 to -100 deg. configured to emit light.

By configuring each LED array 8a in this way, high beam light can be distributed. For example, when a forward vehicle exists in an angular range of 28 to 35 degrees ahead of the vehicle 1, the LED elements 8b of Nos. 4 and 5 of the left headlight 2L are turned off. As a result, the angle range of 20 to 40 degrees is not irradiated with the high beam light, and only the low beam light is irradiated, so that it is possible to prevent the driver of the preceding vehicle from being glared.

Next, the configuration of the vehicle headlight control device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, the vehicle headlight control device is implemented as part of the functions of the camera 4 and the electric control unit ECU 10 mounted on the vehicle 1 . A detection signal from the camera 4 is input to the ECU 10, and based on this, an instruction signal for turning on/off each LED element 8b is output to the left headlight 2L and the right headlight 2R, and the light distribution of the high beam is output. A light pattern is controlled. Specifically, the camera 4 and the ECU 10 each include a microprocessor, a memory, an interface circuit, and software (not shown) for operating them.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the detection signal from the camera 4 and the detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor 12 are input to the ECU 10 .
The camera 4 also incorporates a front vehicle detection section 14 as a functional section of the vehicle headlight control device. The camera 4 is configured to capture an image of the front of the vehicle 1 and to perform image analysis on the captured image by the forward vehicle detection unit 14 . In this embodiment, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 is built in the camera 4, but it may be built in the ECU 10 side.

The vehicle speed sensor 12 is configured to detect the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 and input a detection signal to the ECU 10 .
The forward vehicle detection unit 14 is configured to detect a forward vehicle positioned in front of the vehicle 1, which is the own vehicle, based on the captured image. Based on the captured image, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 calculates the angular position of the forward vehicle as viewed from the own vehicle and the distance to the forward vehicle, and determines whether the forward vehicle is the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle. It is configured to identify whether it is a vehicle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the ECU 10 is provided with an individual control range setting section 16, a region setting section 20, and a light distribution control section 22 as functional sections of the vehicle headlight control device. .

The individual control range setting unit 16 is configured to set a predetermined individual control range extending forward of the vehicle 1 from the front end of the vehicle 1 that is the own vehicle. Also, the size of the individual control range is changed according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12 . Details of the individual control range will be described later.

The region setting unit 20 sets an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation based on information regarding the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward vehicle detection unit 14 and the individual control range set by the individual control range setting unit 16. configured to set.

The light distribution control unit 22 is configured to control the light distribution patterns of the right headlight 2R and the left headlight 2L so that high beam irradiation to the irradiation suppression area set by the area setting unit 20 is suppressed. ing. That is, the light distribution control unit 22 turns on and off the LED arrays 8a of the right headlight 2R and the left headlight 2L so that the LED elements 8b corresponding to the angular regions set by the region setting unit 20 are turned off. Outputs an instruction signal. Thereby, irradiation of the high beam to the irradiation suppression area set by the area setting unit 20 is avoided. When the headlights are on, a signal instructing to turn on is always output to the low beam unit 6 .

Next, the operation of the vehicle headlight control device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the method of controlling the light distribution pattern of the headlight will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing processing in the vehicle headlight control device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a method of controlling the light distribution pattern of the headlights. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of setting an individual control range and an irradiation suppression region. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of setting the individual control range and the irradiation suppression region. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals during operation of the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment.

First, in step S1 of FIG. 7, as a forward vehicle detection step, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 incorporated in the camera 4 detects a vehicle ahead of the vehicle 1, which is the own vehicle, based on an image captured by the camera 4. Detect existing forward vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle ahead can be recognized by recognizing the headlights and taillights of the vehicle ahead photographed in the acquired image. Furthermore, based on the positions of the headlights and taillights in the image, it is possible to detect the angular position of the forward vehicle with respect to the own vehicle. Also, the distance from the host vehicle to the forward vehicle can be calculated based on the distance between the headlights and taillights in the image.

Furthermore, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 also determines whether the detected forward vehicle is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. That is, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 determines that the forward vehicle is the preceding vehicle when the taillight is captured in the image, and determines that the forward vehicle is the preceding vehicle when the headlight is captured in the image. The preceding vehicle is determined to be an oncoming vehicle. That is, the preceding vehicle detection unit 14 determines that the captured light is a taillight when the captured light is red, and determines that the captured light is a headlight when the captured light is white or incandescent.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, four preceding vehicles L1 to L4 are detected in the lane in the same direction as the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling, and in the lane in the opposite direction to the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling. 4, four oncoming vehicles C1 to C4 are detected by the forward vehicle detection unit 14 at this time. Specifically, the preceding vehicle detection unit 14 detects the angular positions of the preceding vehicles and the oncoming vehicles as viewed from the own vehicle, and the distances from the own vehicle to the preceding vehicles and the oncoming vehicles. More specifically, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 detects, for each preceding vehicle, the angular positions of the two taillights of the preceding vehicle, and for each oncoming vehicle, the angular positions of the two headlights of the oncoming vehicle. do. These pieces of information detected by the forward vehicle detection unit 14 are input to the ECU 10 .

Further, in step S2, the forward vehicle detection unit 14 detects the lane in the same direction as the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling and the boundary line B of the oncoming lane. Information on the boundary line B detected by the preceding vehicle detection unit 14 is also input to the ECU 10 .

Next, in step S3, an individual control range is set by the individual control range setting unit 16 provided in the ECU 10 as an individual control range setting step. The individual control range is set based on information on the boundary line B input from the camera 4 and information on the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 input from the vehicle speed sensor 12 . This individual control range extends forward of the vehicle 1 over a predetermined distance from a straight line including the front end of the vehicle 1 in the lane in the same direction as the lane in which the vehicle 1 is traveling and in the opposite lane. is set as

In the example shown in FIG. 8, a first individual control range A1 is set in the lane in the same direction as the lane of the host vehicle, and a second individual control range A2 is set in the opposite lane. Further, in the present embodiment, the lengths by which these individual control ranges extend forward from the own vehicle are set to different lengths for the first individual control range A1 and the second individual control range A2. Preferably, the individual control range is set longer as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12 increases, and the length D2 of the second individual control range A2 is longer than the length D1 of the first individual control range A1. set longer.

このように、第１の個別制御範囲Ａ１の長さＤ１を制動距離以上の遠方まで設定しておくことにより、車両１のドライバーは、第１の個別制御範囲Ａ１内に周辺物標を発見したとき制動を開始すれば、周辺物票との衝突を回避することができる。従って、第１の個別制御範囲Ａ１の長さＤ１は、少なくとも車両１のフルブレーキ時の制動距離や、ＡＥＢ（Autonomous Emergency Braking：衝突被害軽減ブレーキ）の制動距離よりも長く設定することが好ましい。 In this embodiment, the length D1 of the first individual control range A1 is set to the stopping distance of the vehicle 1 . As an example, if the vehicle speed V = 72 km / h (20 m / s), the idling time T = 1.2 s, and the deceleration α = 0.53 G when the vehicle 1 suddenly brakes, the stopping distance Ls (= idle running distance+braking distance) can be calculated as in Equation (1).

By setting the length D1 of the first individual control range A1 to a distance greater than the braking distance in this manner, the driver of the vehicle 1 has discovered a peripheral target within the first individual control range A1. When braking is started, collisions with surrounding objects can be avoided. Therefore, it is preferable to set the length D1 of the first individual control range A1 at least longer than the braking distance when the vehicle 1 is fully braked or the braking distance of AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking: Collision damage mitigation braking).

Further, in this embodiment, the length D2 of the second individual control range A2 is set to 1.5 times the length D1 of the first individual control range A1. In other words, in the oncoming lane, the headlights of the oncoming vehicle may be backlit and may be seen by the driver, and pedestrians crossing the road may be hidden behind the oncoming vehicle, resulting in reduced visibility for the driver. Therefore, it is preferable to set the length D2 of the second individual control range A2 in the oncoming lane to be longer than the length D1 of the first individual control range A1 so that peripheral targets can be visually recognized earlier. . Preferably, the length D2 of the second individual control range A2 is set to 1.2 to 2 times the length D1 of the first individual control range A1.

Next, in step S4 of FIG. 7, the preceding vehicle detected in step S1 is classified. That is, in step S4, the detected front vehicle is classified into a preceding vehicle traveling in the same lane as the own vehicle and an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite lane to the own vehicle. Furthermore, preceding vehicles are classified into preceding vehicles within the first individual control range A1 and preceding vehicles outside the first individual control range A1, and oncoming vehicles are classified into oncoming vehicles within the second individual control range A2. , are classified as oncoming vehicles outside the second individual control range A2.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the preceding vehicle L1 is the preceding vehicle within the first individual control range A1, the preceding vehicles L2 to L4 are the preceding vehicles outside the first individual control range A1, and the oncoming vehicles C1 and C2 are the preceding vehicles. Oncoming vehicles C3 and C4 are classified as oncoming vehicles within the second individual control range A2, and oncoming vehicles C3 and C4 are classified as oncoming vehicles outside the second individual control range A2.

Next, in step S5 of FIG. 7, as a region setting step, the region setting unit 20 sets an irradiation suppression region for each vehicle in the individual vehicle group. That is, in step S5, one irradiation suppression area is set for each of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle existing in the first individual control range A1 and the second individual control range A2. In this way, the region setting unit 20 sets one irradiation suppression region for one forward vehicle within the individual control range.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, a first irradiation suppression region S1 is provided for the preceding vehicle L1, a second irradiation suppression region S2 is provided for the oncoming vehicle C1, and a third irradiation suppression region S3 is provided for the oncoming vehicle C2. are set respectively. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first irradiation suppression area S1 for the preceding vehicle L1 is set so that the left and right taillights of the preceding vehicle L1 are included in the area. , C2 are set so that the left and right headlights of each oncoming vehicle are included in the areas, respectively. By setting the irradiation suppression area in this way, it is possible to prevent glare to the drivers of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. In addition, for vehicles ahead within the individual control range, one irradiation suppression area is set for one vehicle ahead. Easier to see marks.

Next, in step S6 of FIG. 7, the region setting unit 20 sets an irradiation suppression region for the preceding vehicle group as a region setting step. That is, in step S6, one irradiation suppression area is set for all preceding vehicles existing outside the first individual control range A1. In this way, the region setting unit 20 sets one irradiation suppression region for a plurality of forward vehicles for forward vehicles outside the individual control range.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth irradiation suppression area S4 is set for the preceding vehicle groups L2, L3, and L4 outside the first individual control range A1. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the fourth irradiation suppression region S4 extends from the left tail light of the leftmost preceding vehicle L2 to the right side of the rightmost preceding vehicle L3. The tail lights are set to be included within the area. In this way, one irradiation suppression area is set for a plurality of preceding vehicles outside the individual control range, so the calculation load of the vehicle headlight control device can be reduced.

Next, in step S7 of FIG. 7, the area setting unit 20 sets an irradiation suppression area for the oncoming vehicle group as an area setting step. That is, in step S7, one irradiation suppression area is set for all oncoming vehicles existing outside the second individual control range A2.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fifth irradiation suppression area S5 is set for the oncoming vehicle groups C3 and C4 outside the second individual control range A2. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the fifth irradiation suppression region S5 extends from the left headlight of the leftmost oncoming vehicle C4 to the rightmost headlight of the rightmost oncoming vehicle C3. Headlights are set to be included in the region. In this way, one irradiation suppression area is set for a plurality of oncoming vehicles outside the individual control range, so the calculation load of the vehicle headlight control device can be reduced.

Here, in this specification, setting one irradiation suppression region for a plurality of forward vehicles (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle) outside the individual control range means that one irradiation suppression region is set outside the individual control range. to include more than one forward vehicle. That is, in this embodiment, when only one forward vehicle is detected outside the individual control range, one irradiation suppression area is naturally set for the one forward vehicle. Further, in the present embodiment, one irradiation suppression region is set for the preceding vehicle group outside the individual control range, and one irradiation suppression region is set for the oncoming vehicle group outside the individual control range. On the other hand, as a modified example, the present invention can be configured such that one irradiation suppression area is set for all forward vehicles (preceding vehicles and oncoming vehicles) outside the individual control range.

Next, in step S8 of FIG. 7, as a light distribution control step, the headlights (left headlight 2L and right headlight 2L and right headlight 2R) is controlled. That is, the light distribution control unit 22 outputs a control signal for extinguishing the LED element 8b corresponding to each irradiation suppression area of each LED array 8a so that each set irradiation suppression area becomes a low beam.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first irradiation suppression region S1 is formed by turning off the LED elements 8b (FIG. 3) of Nos. 7 and 8 of the left headlight 2L, and Nos. 10 and 7 of the right headlight 2R are formed. By turning off the numbered LED element 8b, the second and third irradiation suppression regions S2 and S3 are formed, respectively. Further, the second to fourth LED elements 8b of the left headlight 2L and the first LED element 8b of the right headlight 2R are turned off to form the fourth irradiation suppression area S4, and the third and fourth LED elements 8b of the right headlight 2R are turned off. The fifth irradiation suppression region S5 is formed by turning off the LED elements 8b of the number.

On the other hand, in a conventional vehicle headlight control device, a low beam is provided between the leftmost preceding vehicle and the rightmost oncoming vehicle in front of the own vehicle. That is, in the conventional vehicle headlight control device, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the low beam is provided between the leftmost preceding vehicle L1 and the rightmost oncoming vehicle C1. On the other hand, in the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment, since the high beam region exists between the first irradiation suppression region S1 and the fourth irradiation suppression region S4, the driver can easily see the sign M. can be recognized. Similarly, high beam regions exist between the second irradiation suppression region S2 and the third irradiation suppression region S3 and between the third irradiation suppression region S3 and the fifth irradiation suppression region S5. can easily recognize the pedestrian P.

Furthermore, in the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment, the irradiation suppression region ( A fourth irradiation suppression region S4 and a fifth irradiation suppression region S5) are set. Therefore, the boundary line B positioned between the fourth irradiation suppression area S4 and the fifth irradiation suppression area S5 is irradiated with the high beam, and the driver can easily recognize the boundary line B.

Next, another example of individual control range setting will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of individual control range settings when traveling on a one-lane curved road.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, two preceding vehicles are running in front of the vehicle 1 on a curved road. Since these preceding vehicles L1 and L2 are both located in the individual control range A set in front of the vehicle 1, irradiation suppression regions are set for the preceding vehicles L1 and L2, respectively. That is, a first irradiation suppression region S1 is set for the preceding vehicle L1, a second irradiation suppression region S2 is set for the preceding vehicle L2, and the high beam is irradiated between these irradiation suppression regions. be. Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle 1 can easily recognize the mark M positioned between the first irradiation suppression area S1 and the second irradiation suppression area S2. As described above, according to the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the driver's visibility of surrounding targets in front of the vehicle 1 even when traveling on a curved road.

According to the vehicle headlight control device of the embodiment of the present invention, for the forward vehicle (the preceding vehicle L1 and the oncoming vehicles C1 and C2 in FIG. 8) within the individual control range A, for one forward vehicle, Since one irradiation suppression area (irradiation suppression areas S1 to S3 in FIG. 8) is set for each vehicle, the high beam is illuminated in the area between the vehicles in front, thereby improving the driver's visibility of the target ahead. can. On the other hand, one irradiation suppression area (irradiation suppression area S4 and S5) are set, so that the computational load for setting the irradiation suppression area is not increased unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to improve the visibility of surrounding targets (marker M and pedestrian P in FIG. 8) while suppressing an increase in computational load.

Further, according to the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment, the higher the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, the further the individual control range A is set to the farther the vehicle 1 is. performance is improved, giving the driver more time to deal with surrounding objects.

Furthermore, according to the vehicle headlight control apparatus of the present embodiment, the individual control range A is set to a distance greater than the braking distance of the vehicle 1, so that the driver can easily identify the peripheral target found within the individual control range A. collision can be avoided by braking.

Further, according to the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment, the individual control range is set in the oncoming lane to a point farther than the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. Side visibility can be further improved.

Furthermore, according to the vehicle headlight control device of the present embodiment, for forward vehicles outside the individual control range (A1, A2 in FIG. 8), Since the irradiation suppression areas (S4 and S5 in FIG. 8) are set one by one, it is difficult to set an irradiation suppression area at the boundary between the lane of the vehicle and the oncoming lane, and the boundary between the own lane and the oncoming lane can be easily visually recognized. be able to.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments. In particular, in the above-described embodiment, the camera detects the forward vehicle, but various sensors such as radar can be used as the forward vehicle sensor. Further, in the above-described embodiment, part of the LED elements of the high beam unit are extinguished as light distribution control, but the brightness of the LED elements may be lowered to the extent that glare does not occur. Light distribution can also be controlled by blocking or attenuating part of the light emitted as the high beam.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the irradiation suppression area is set so as to include the position of the taillight or headlight of the forward vehicle detected by the forward vehicle detection unit 14 . However, in the light distribution control of the headlights, there are cases where the position of the vehicle ahead is predicted after a predetermined time in consideration of the control delay, and the light distribution is controlled so that the high beam does not illuminate the predicted position. be. Therefore, as a modification of the embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation suppression area can be set so as to include the predicted position of the forward vehicle. It should be noted that, in this specification, "setting an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation based on information about the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward vehicle detection unit" includes the predicted position of the forward vehicle. shall include setting the irradiation suppression area.

1 vehicle 2L left headlight 2R right headlight 4 camera 6 low beam unit 8 high beam unit 8a LED array 8b LED element 10 ECU
12 Vehicle speed sensor 14 Forward vehicle detection unit 16 Individual control range setting unit 20 Region setting unit 22 Light distribution control unit

Claims (6)

A vehicle headlight control device for controlling a light distribution pattern of a headlight mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting high beams and low beams,
a forward vehicle detection unit that detects a forward vehicle positioned in front of the vehicle;
an individual control range setting unit that sets a predetermined individual control range extending forward of the vehicle from a front end of the vehicle;
a region setting unit that sets an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation based on information about the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward vehicle detection unit and the individual control range set by the individual control range setting unit; ,
a light distribution control unit that controls the light distribution pattern of the headlights so as to suppress high beam irradiation to the irradiation suppression area set by the area setting unit;
has
The region setting unit sets one irradiation suppression region for one forward vehicle within the individual control range, and sets a plurality of irradiation suppression regions for forward vehicles outside the individual control range. A headlight control device for a vehicle, characterized in that one irradiation suppression area is set for a vehicle in front of the vehicle. 2. The vehicle headlight control device according to claim 1, wherein the region setting unit sets the individual control range further away from the vehicle as the vehicle speed increases. 3. The vehicle headlight control device according to claim 2, wherein the region setting unit sets the individual control range to a distance greater than or equal to the braking distance of the vehicle. 4. The area setting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the individual control range is set to a distance in the opposite lane of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, which is farther than the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. 10. A vehicle headlight control device according to claim 1. With respect to the preceding vehicle traveling outside the individual control range, the region setting unit provides one area setting unit for all preceding vehicles traveling in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and one region setting unit for all preceding vehicles traveling in the oncoming lane. The vehicle headlight control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one irradiation suppression area is set. A method for controlling a light distribution pattern of a headlight capable of emitting high beams and low beams mounted on a vehicle,
a forward vehicle detection step of detecting a forward vehicle positioned in front of the vehicle;
an individual control range setting step of setting a predetermined individual control range extending forward of the vehicle from the front end of the vehicle;
a region setting step of setting an irradiation suppression region for suppressing high beam irradiation based on information regarding the position of the forward vehicle detected in the preceding vehicle detection step and the individual control range set in the individual control range setting step;
a light distribution control step of controlling the light distribution pattern of the headlights so as to suppress high beam irradiation to the irradiation suppression region set in the region setting step;
has
In the region setting step, one irradiation suppression region is set for one forward vehicle within the individual control range, and one irradiation suppression region is set for the forward vehicle outside the individual control range. A control method for a light distribution pattern, wherein one irradiation suppression area is set for a plurality of forward vehicles.

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