JP4055686B2 - Night vision system for vehicles linked to headlights for curved roads - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a night vision device for a vehicle that is linked to a headlight for a curved road that images an image of the front of the vehicle at night using an infrared (IR) camera and displays the image on a display.

  Conventionally, a headlamp control system or the like as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a case, first of all, from the configuration, in the combination headlamp unit 2 provided in the front portion 1a of the vehicle 1 such as an automobile shown in FIG. 15, the main lamp 2a, the vehicle vicinity irradiation lamp 2b, and the function assisting lamp are provided. A lamp 2c is provided in each of the pair of left and right projector units 2d and 2d.

  Among these, as shown in FIG. 16, the main lamp 2a of the combination head lamp unit 2 includes a reflector 5 provided around a bulb 4 as a light source, and the projector unit in which the reflector 5 is provided integrally. Together with the housing 2e of 2d, it is configured as a so-called swivel type AFS that can be changed horizontally in the vehicle width direction by being tilted in the horizontal direction.

  That is, the housing 2e of the projector unit 2d is configured to be tilted and driven by the swivel motor 2f horizontally left and right in the vehicle width direction.

  The swivel motor 2f is controlled by a light distribution control means 6 as shown in FIG. The light distribution control means 6 includes a map information acquisition means 7 such as a navigation device, an ambient condition detection means 8 constituted by an imaging and image processing device such as a camera or a radar device, and a steering angle of a handle or the like. The steering information acquisition means 9 to detect is connected.

  In the light distribution control means 6, any one of the reliable information out of the map information sent from the map information acquisition means 7 or the surrounding information acquired by the surrounding situation detection means 8. Alternatively, the tiltable drive of the swivel motor 2f is performed according to the steering angle of the steering wheel using reliable information supplemented by using both pieces of information.

  Next, the conventional headlamp control system will be described.

  In the conventional headlamp control system configured as described above, the steering information acquisition means 9 detects the turning direction and the turning amount according to the turning angle of the steering wheel.

  Then, the map information sent from the map information acquisition means 7 or the surrounding information acquired by the surrounding situation detection means 8 is complemented by using either reliable information or both information. The swivel motor 2f is tilted using reliable information.

  Therefore, the housing 2e of the projector unit 2d is swiveled to the left and right in the horizontal direction in the vehicle width independently.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, for example, when the steering wheel is steered to the left along a left turn or a left curve, the projector unit 2d of the left combination headlamp unit 2 moves the valve 4 to the left. The illumination light axis is changed horizontally so as to be tilted from the central direction, and the left road is illuminated.

At this time, in the projector unit 2d of the right combination headlamp unit 2, the light axis of illumination of the bulb 4 is maintained in the central direction and is not changed.
JP 2002-193025 A (paragraphs 0014 to 0149, FIGS. 1 to 15)

  However, in such a conventional headlamp control system, the left and right combination headlamp units 2 and 2 are individually swivel controlled so as to expand between the optical axes independently. As indicated by a chain line, a relatively dark intermediate dark region 10 is generated between the illuminated region R and region L.

  Since the area of the intermediate dark portion 10 is enlarged as the swivel angle of the one combination headlamp unit 2 is increased, the combination headlamp unit is suppressed in order to suppress the occurrence of the intermediate dark portion 10. There was a problem that the changeable swivel angle 2 could not be set too large.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when the left and right combination headlamp units 2 and 2 are swiveled in the same direction, the intermediate dark portion can be eliminated, but the dark portion 11 is generated in front of the vehicle.

For this reason, there is a problem that the dark portion 11 is formed in the direction in which the vehicle 1 wants to travel on the S-curved road 12.
Therefore, the present invention provides a night vision device for a vehicle that is compatible with curves with different radii of curvature or S-curves, and that is easily linked to a headlight for a curved road that can easily recognize the road surface condition ahead of the vehicle. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the left and right headlights respectively provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle are independent on the left and right, and the vehicle is swiveled horizontally in the vehicle width direction. A headlight swivel driving mechanism, a control unit that drives and controls at least the inside of the headlight to the left and right in the vehicle width direction by the headlight swivel driving mechanism, and an imaging means that images the front of the vehicle, A vehicle night-vision device linked to a headlight for a curved road having display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means at a location visible from the driver's seat, wherein the image pickup means is arranged horizontally in the vehicle width direction. An image pickup means swinging mechanism for swinging left and right is provided, and the control unit is interlocked with a headlight for a curved road that directs an image pickup area by the image pickup means in a direction of becoming a dark part by illumination of the headlamp. It features a night vision device for vehicles.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the control unit, the imaging region by the imaging unit is in a direction to be a dark part generated outside the region illuminated by the swivel drive of the left and right headlamps. The vehicle night vision device linked to the headlight for curved road according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is operated using a lamp swivel angle signal for driving the headlamp in a swivel manner.

  Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit calculates a swivel driving angle of the headlamp using a steering rudder angle signal detected by the steering rudder angle sensor, and The vehicle night-vision device linked to the headlight for curved road according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the left and right headlamps are swiveled to the left and right in the horizontal direction in accordance with the turning direction. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup means is provided with a zoom mechanism that can change the angle of view, and the controller is linked with the swivel drive of the headlamp. The vehicle night-vision device linked to the headlight for curved road according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a camera zoom driver unit is provided for changing the camera zoom driver.

  Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the left and right headlights are swiveled in the same direction in the control unit, the control unit is configured to make the direction different from the swivel direction of the headlights. The vehicle night-vision device linked to the headlight for curved road according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging region of the imaging means is directed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention configured as above, even if a dark portion is generated in addition to the illuminated region by swivel driving of the headlamp, the imaging region of the imaging unit is Is directed toward the dark portion, and the road surface condition of the dark portion is imaged.

  Then, the display means displays the image picked up by the image pickup means at a place where it can be seen from the driver's seat.

  Therefore, the passenger in the driver's seat can visually check the road condition of the dark part using the image of the dark part area displayed by the display means while visually confirming the area in front of the vehicle that is brightly illuminated by the headlight. It can be grasped and can be used to assist driving.

  And what is described in Claim 2 uses the lamp swivel angle signal for swiveling the headlamp by the control unit, so that the imaging area of the imaging means is applied to the left and right headlamps. The calculation is performed so as to be directed in the direction of the dark portion that is emitted outside the region illuminated by the swivel drive.

  For this reason, the area captured by the imaging unit coincides with the dark part generated outside the area illuminated by the swivel drive to the left and right headlamps, and the dark dark part generated outside the area is the imaging unit. Is displayed and displayed by the display means.

  Therefore, in addition to the relatively bright area where the headlights controlled by the swivel drive reach, the dark part darkened as a result of the swivel drive is also interpolated by the image of the display means to assist driving. Can do.

  Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the swivel drive angle of the headlamp is linked to the steering angle signal detected by the steering angle sensor, and is adjusted to the horizontal direction in accordance with the steering direction. , To the right, the left and right headlamps are swivel controlled.

  Therefore, the image pickup means swing mechanism is driven and controlled according to the steering angle, and the image pickup means can be easily directed in the steering turning direction.

  Therefore, the imaging direction of the imaging means is controlled directly in accordance with the steering turning direction, and the road surface condition in the vehicle traveling direction can be accurately grasped.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the zoom mechanism unit provided in the imaging unit is controlled by the camera zoom driver unit provided in the control unit, and the angle of view of the imaging region is changed.

  For this reason, in conjunction with the swivel driving of the headlamp, for example, the inside of the turning of the headlamp is swiveled in the turning direction, and the space between the optical axes of both the left and right headlamps is expanded. Even so, the imaging area of the imaging unit is expanded so that the intermediate dark part is covered, and the intermediate dark part is displayed on the display unit over almost the entire area.

  Therefore, even if the area that is not illuminated increases due to an increase in the turning angle of the steering turning, and the visibility is lowered, the displayed image of the intermediate dark area is used by the display means, and the intermediate dark area is used. The road conditions can be grasped, and it can correspond to curves of various sizes with different curvature radii.

  Further, in the fifth aspect, when the left and right headlights are swiveled in the same direction by the control unit, in a direction different from the swivel direction of the two headlamps, The imaging means is driven to swing.

  For this reason, for example, even on a road having an S-shaped curve in which two curves in opposite directions are continuous, the road surface condition can be visually recognized by illuminating the first front curve with both the left and right headlights. The occupant can also visually recognize the road surface condition of the second back curve located in the traveling direction of the different direction using the image displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, even on a road having an S-shaped curve, it is possible to grasp substantially the entire region in the traveling direction, and to assist driving.

  Next, based on the drawings shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 14 and FIG. 16, the night vision device for a vehicle that is linked to the headlight for curved road according to the best embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same or equivalent parts as those in the conventional example will be described with the same reference numerals.

  First, in terms of configuration, in this embodiment, the night vision apparatus 13 for a vehicle linked to a headlight for a curved road mounted on a vehicle 101 such as an automobile uses an image of an infrared camera (IR camera). Areas that are not illuminated by headlamps in front of the vehicle that are difficult for the driver to see, such as at night, are also used as an aid to grasp and display road surface conditions using a HUD (head-up display device) 14 as display means It is.

  Among these, the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R as headlamps include a main lamp 2a, a vehicle vicinity illumination lamp 2b, and a function assist lamp 2c, respectively, on a pair of left and right projector units 2d and 2d. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the main lamps 2a and 2a of each of the combination headlamp units 2L and 2R are provided with a reflector 5 provided around a bulb 4 as a light source, as shown in FIG. Along with the housing 2e of the projector unit 2d provided integrally, the optical axis of the irradiated light can be changed horizontally in the vehicle width direction by being tilted and driven left and right in the horizontal direction.

  That is, the housings 2e and 2e of the projector units 2d and 2d are configured to be tilted and driven by the swivel motors 2f and 2f constituting the headlight swivel driving mechanism respectively in the horizontal left and right directions in the vehicle width direction. .

  The left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R of this embodiment are configured to be left and right independent and swivel driven horizontally in the vehicle width direction, and the left combination headlamp unit 2L is a vehicle The optical axis can be swiveled horizontally from the front front to the left side, which is inside the turn, up to a certain angle.

  Further, the left combination headlamp unit 2L is configured to be able to swivel the optical axis horizontally from the front in front of the vehicle toward the left side that is inside the turn to a certain angle.

  Control of these left and right swivel motors 2f, 2f is performed by a control unit 15 as shown in FIG. A steering angle sensor 17 that detects the steering angle of the steering device 16 and sends a steering angle signal is connected to the control unit 15.

  The controller 15 mainly includes an input port 15a to which the steering angle signal transmitted from the steering angle sensor 17 is input, a CPU 15b as a central processing unit, and an output port 15c that outputs an output signal. In addition, left and right lamp swivel driver portions 15dL and 15dR and a camera swivel driver portion 15e are provided.

  Among these, the CPU 15b is configured to calculate the swing angle of the night vision camera 19 in accordance with the detected steering turning direction and turning amount.

  The left and right ramp swivel driver sections 15dL and 15dR calculate the ramp swivel angle by the CPU 15b according to the steering rudder angle signal sent from the steering rudder angle sensor 17, and output the output port. A ramp swivel angle signal for driving and controlling the swivel motors 2fL and 2fR to the left and right in the vehicle width direction is output in accordance with an output signal output from 15c.

  The ramp swivel angle signal is input to the swivel motors 2f and 2f of the left and right combination head lamp units 2L and 2R, respectively, and the main lamps 2a and 2a of the left and right combination head lamp units 2L and 2R are respectively input. It is configured to be individually directed in the steering direction.

  The control unit 15 is provided with a camera swivel driver unit 15e that receives output signals from these output ports 15c and sends a drive signal to the swivel motor 20 of the night vision camera 19 as an imaging means. .

  Furthermore, a vehicle speed sensor 18 is connected to the control unit 15 of this embodiment, and is configured to detect a vehicle speed and send a vehicle speed signal to the input port 15a.

  In the night-vision device for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a night vision camera (IR camera) 19 as an image pickup means for picking up an image of the vehicle front including the horizontal left and right in the vehicle width direction is an image pickup means. It is supported and mounted on the front side of the rearview mirror in the vicinity of the front edge of the vehicle interior ceiling so that it can be swung horizontally and horizontally by a swing motor 20 having a speed reduction mechanism as a swing mechanism. Yes.

  The night vision camera 19 is configured to be capable of imaging at night using infrared rays, and is connected to the HUD (head-up display device) 14 as display means via an image processing unit 21.

  The HUD 14 is configured such that an image captured by the night vision camera 19 is displayed on a part of the front window panel 22 that is visible from the driver's seat.

  In the control unit 15 of the first embodiment, a ramp swivel angle signal for driving and controlling the swivel motors 2fL and 2fR of the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R to the left and right in the vehicle width direction is respectively input to the control unit 15. The CPU 15b is configured to calculate the swing angle of the night vision camera 19 in accordance with the ramp swivel angle signal input from the port 15a.

  The calculation result is output from the output port 15c to the swing motor 20 of the night vision camera 19 as a motor output signal via the camera swivel driver unit 15e.

  The head motor 20 is driven and controlled in accordance with the output signal, and a dark portion generated outside the area illuminated by the steering direction or the swivel driving of the left and right combination headlamp units 2R and 2L. The direction of the area imaged by the night vision camera 19 is directed so as to match.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a vehicle speed sensor 18 for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle 101 and transmitting a vehicle speed signal is connected to the input port 15a, and a vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed sensor 18 is received. The input port 15a is configured to be input.

  Next, the operation of the night vision device for a vehicle interlocked with the curved road headlamp according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the vehicle night-vision device 13 of the first embodiment, first, at Step 1, when the control of the vehicle night-vision device 13 is started by turning on the headlamp or the like, at Step 2, the steering steering angle sensor 17 is used. A steering angle signal indicating the detected steering angle of the steering device 16 is input from the input port 15a, and the ramp swivel angle is calculated by the CPU 15b.

  In the vehicle night vision device 13 of the first embodiment, the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed sensor 18 is input to the input port 15a and used as a correction coefficient when the lamp swivel angle is calculated. ing.

  In Step 3, the left and right lamp swivel driver units 15dL and 15dR output a ramp swivel angle signal in response to an output signal output from the output port 15c of the control unit 15.

  Therefore, the swivel motors 2fL and 2fR are respectively directed to the left and right in the vehicle width direction, and the main lamps 2a and 2a of the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R are individually directed in the steering turning direction. .

  The ramp swivel angle signal is input again to the control unit 15 from the input port 15a, and the swing angle of the night vision camera 19 is calculated by the CPU 15b in accordance with the ramp swivel angle signal.

  That is, in Step 4, when it is determined from the lamp swivel angle signal that the lamp swivel angle is equal to or larger than a certain threshold angle θ = 15 °, the process proceeds to Step 6, and the swing angle of the night vision camera 19 is calculated. The

  This calculation is performed so that the imaging area of the night vision camera 19 is directed in a direction to be a dark part generated outside the area illuminated by the swivel drive to the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R. This is performed using a lamp swivel angle signal that swivels the lamp units 2L and 2R.

  If it is determined in Step 4 that the ramp swivel angle is less than a certain threshold angle θ = 15 ° based on the ramp swivel angle signal, the process proceeds to Step 7 and the control is terminated.

  In Step 6, the swing drive control of the night vision camera 19 is performed according to the swing angle calculated in Step 5.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the vehicle is traveling on a straight road 30 at a constant speed, the ramp swivel angle is θ = 0 °. It is determined that the certain threshold angle θ is less than 15 °.

  For this reason, the image capturing direction of the night vision camera 19 is maintained by the head motor 20 of the night vision camera 19 without changing the head swing angle so that the front front of the vehicle is the image capturing area.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the area illuminated by the combination headlamp units 2R and 2L, the road surface condition of the straight road 30 is further displayed by the HUD 14 in the farther direction in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 in front of the vehicle. It is displayed on a part of the front window panel 22 in front of the driver's seat and can assist driving.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the vehicle is traveling on a road 31 having a relatively large curve with a radius of curvature R at a constant speed, the ramp swivel angle is θ = 0-15 °. Therefore, it is determined from the ramp swivel angle signal that the ramp swivel angle is less than a certain threshold angle θ = 15 °.

  For this reason, the image capturing direction of the night vision camera 19 is maintained by the head motor 20 of the night vision camera 19 without changing the head swing angle so that the front front of the vehicle is the image capturing area.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the road surface condition of the straight road 30 is not limited to the area illuminated by the combination headlamp units 2R and 2L, but also in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 ahead of the vehicle. An image including a portion between 2R and 2L is displayed on a part of the front window panel 22 in front of the driver's seat by the HUD 14 to assist driving.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the vehicle is traveling on a road 32 having a relatively small curve with a radius of curvature R at a constant speed, the ramp swivel angle is θ = 15 ° or more. Therefore, it is determined from the ramp swivel angle signal that the ramp swivel angle is a certain threshold angle θ = 15 ° or more.

  For this reason, the head motor 20 of the night vision camera 19 is steered from the front front of the vehicle, and the intermediate dark portion between the left and right combination headlamp units 2R and 2L is used as an imaging region. The night vision camera 19 is swung by changing the swing angle.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the area illuminated by the combination headlamp units 2R and 2L, the road surface condition of the road 32 further includes the combination headlamp unit 2L in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 ahead of the vehicle. , 2R is displayed on a part of the front window panel 22 in front of the driver's seat by the HUD 14 to assist driving.

  As described above, even if a dark portion such as the intermediate dark portion 32a is generated in addition to the illuminated region by swivel driving of the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R, the imaging region of the night vision camera 19 is The road surface condition of the dark part is imaged by the swing motor 20 in the direction of the dark part.

  Then, the image taken by the night vision camera 19 is displayed by the HUD 14 at a place where it can be seen from the driver's seat.

  Accordingly, the driver's seat occupant uses the image of the dark area displayed by the HUD 14 while visually checking the area in front of the vehicle that is brightly illuminated by the combination headlamp units 2L and 2R. It is possible to grasp the road conditions such as the dark part 32a and assist driving.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 15 uses the ramp swivel angle signal for swiveling the combination head lamp units 2L and 2R, and the imaging areas of the combination head lamp units 2L and 2R are left and right. The combination headlamp units 2L and 2R are calculated so as to be directed in the direction of a dark portion generated outside the region illuminated by swivel driving.

  For this reason, the area imaged by the combination headlamp units 2L and 2R coincides with the dark part generated outside the area illuminated by the swivel drive to the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R, and out of the area. A dark dark part generated in the image is captured by the night vision camera 19 and displayed by the HUD 14.

  Therefore, in addition to the relatively bright area where the combination headlamp units 2L and 2R controlled by the swivel drive are transmitted, the intermediate dark portion 32a that has become dark as a result of the swivel drive is also interpolated by the image of the HUD 14. It can be a driving aid.

  In the first embodiment, the swivel drive angles of the combination head lamp units 2L and 2R are linked to the steering angle signal detected by the steering angle sensor 17, and are adjusted in the horizontal direction according to the steering direction. The left and right combination headlamp units 2R and 2L are swiveled and controlled to the left and right.

  Therefore, the swing motor 20 is driven and controlled according to the steering angle, and the night vision camera 19 can be easily directed in the steering turning direction.

  Therefore, the imaging direction of the night vision camera 19 can be directly controlled in accordance with the steering turning direction, and the road surface condition in the vehicle traveling direction can be grasped more accurately.

  In this way, when approaching a curve located in the traveling direction on the road, the area captured by the night vision camera 19 by the control unit 15 becomes the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R. Since it matches in the direction of the intermediate dark portion 32a generated outside the region illuminated by the swivel drive, the swing angle corresponds to the curves having different radii of curvature as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. The direction of the imaging area is determined by calculation.

  Accordingly, dark portions such as the dark intermediate dark portion 32a that is not easily illuminated are always imaged and interpolated by the night vision camera 19 as shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 10 to 12 show a night vision device 113 for a vehicle that is linked to a headlight for a curved road according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  First, in terms of configuration, in the night vision device 113 for the vehicle according to the second embodiment, the night vision camera 119 as an imaging unit is provided with a zoom mechanism unit 120 capable of changing the angle of view.

  The control unit 115 of the vehicle night vision device 113 is provided with a camera zoom driver unit 115f that changes the angle of view in conjunction with the swivel driving of the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R. Yes.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle night vision device 113 in conjunction with the curved road headlamp according to the second embodiment will be described.

  In the vehicle night vision device 113 according to the second embodiment, the zoom mechanism unit 120 provided in the night vision camera 19 is controlled by the camera zoom driver unit 115f provided in the control unit 115, so that the image in the imaging region is displayed. The corner is changed.

  For this reason, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the combination head lamp unit 2L inside the turning is in the turning direction in conjunction with the swivel driving of the left and right combination head lamp units 2L and 2R. When swiveled to the left side, the space between the optical axes of both the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R may expand. For example, imaging by the night vision camera 19 has an angle α2 larger than the angle α1 shown in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment and the intermediate dark portion 32b is covered even if both construction sections are expanded. The area is expanded by changing the angle of view of the zoom mechanism unit 120, and as shown in FIG. 12, the image of the intermediate dark part 32b is displayed on the front part of the driver's seat of the front window panel 22 by the HUD 14. The substantially entire area of the intermediate dark part 32b is displayed.

  Therefore, even if the area that is not illuminated increases due to the increase in the turning angle of the steering turning, and the visibility decreases, the image of the displayed area of the intermediate dark portion 32b is used by the HUD, and this intermediate dark portion is used. The road situation of 32b can be grasped. Accordingly, it is possible to correspond to the road 132 having curves of various sizes having different curvature radii.

  Other configurations and operational effects are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIGS. 13 to 14 show a night vision device 213 for a vehicle that is linked to a headlight for curved roads according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

  First, in terms of configuration, in the night vision device 213 for the vehicle according to the third embodiment, the night vision camera 19 as an imaging unit has an imaging unit swing mechanism such as a swing motor 20.

  In the control unit 15 of the third embodiment, when both the left and right combination head lamp units 2L and 2R are swiveled in the same direction, the swivel direction of the both combination head lamp units 2L and 2R The imaging area of the night vision camera 19 is directed in the direction of making the difference.

  Next, the operation of the night-vision device 213 for the vehicle interlocked with the headlight for curved road according to the third embodiment will be described.

  In the vehicle night vision device 213 according to the third embodiment, when the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R are swiveled in the same direction by the control unit 15, both the combination headlamp units 2L. The night vision camera 19 is swung in a direction different from the swivel direction of 2R.

  For this reason, for example, even on a road 232 having an S-shaped curve C in which two curves c1 and c2 in two opposite directions are continuous as shown in FIG. 13, the first front curve c1 is used for both the left and right combination headlamps. The night vision camera 19 can be seen by illuminating with the illumination of the units 2L, 2R, and toward the second back curve c2 positioned in the traveling direction in the direction different from the first curve c1. Is controlled so that the road surface condition of the dark part 232a deviated from the optical axis of the combination headlamp units 2L and 2R is imaged.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the HUD 14 is displayed on a part of the front of the driver's seat on the front window panel 22, and the passenger uses the image displayed by the HUD 14 to assist the occupant to visually recognize the traveling direction. I can do it.

  Therefore, even on the road 232 having the S-shaped curve C, it is possible to grasp almost the entire region in the traveling direction, and driving is assisted.

  Other configurations and operational effects are substantially the same as those in the first or second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the best mode for carrying out the present invention and the vehicle night vision apparatus according to the first to third embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and design changes that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the calculation of the swing angle of the night vision camera 19 is such that the imaging area by the night vision camera 19 is illuminated by the swivel drive to the left and right combination headlamp units 2L and 2R. Although it is performed using the lamp swivel angle signal for swiveling the combination head lamp units 2L and 2R so as to face the direction of the dark portion generated outside, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if it is configured to directly calculate the swing angle using the steering angle signal detected by the angle sensor, the imaging area by the night vision camera 19 is illuminated by the combination headlamp units 2L and 2R. As long as it is directed in the direction of the dark part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a block diagram explaining a structure with the night vision apparatus for vehicles interlock | cooperated with the headlamp for curved roads concerning Example 1 of the best form for implementing this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows the night vision apparatus for vehicles of Example 1, and demonstrates the structure of the whole vehicle. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the vehicle night vision apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a top view explaining the relationship between the area | region where a straight road is illuminated, and the area | region imaged with a night vision camera in the night-vision apparatus for vehicles of Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the road surface condition of the straight road imaged with the night vision camera with the vehicle night vision apparatus of Example 1, and displayed on the front window panel by HUD. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between a region where a road with a large curvature radius R is illuminated and a region captured by a night vision camera in the night vision device for the vehicle according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the road surface condition of the road of the big curvature radius R imaged with the night vision camera by the vehicle night vision apparatus of Example 1, and displayed on the front window panel by HUD. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between a region where a road having a small radius of curvature R is illuminated and a region captured by a night vision camera in the night vision device for the vehicle according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the road surface condition of the road of the small curvature radius R imaged with the night vision camera by the vehicle night vision apparatus of Example 1, and displayed on the front window panel by HUD. It is a block diagram explaining a structure with the night-vision device for vehicles interlock | cooperated with the headlamp for curved roads based on Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between a region where a road with a smaller radius of curvature is illuminated and a region imaged by a night vision camera in the vehicle night vision apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the road surface condition of the straight road imaged with the night vision camera by the vehicle night vision apparatus of Example 2, and displayed on the front window panel by HUD. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a relationship between a region where a road with an S-shaped curve is illuminated and a region imaged by a night vision camera in the night vision device for the vehicle according to the third embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the road surface condition of the road provided with the S-shaped curve imaged with the night vision camera and displayed on the front window panel by HUD with the night vision device for Example 3. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the vehicle front part in the headlamp control system of a prior art example. It is sectional drawing in the position along the AA in FIG. 15 with the headlamp control system of a prior art example. It is a block diagram explaining a structure in the headlamp control system of a prior art example. It is a top view explaining an example of the field illuminated by a combination headlamp unit in a conventional headlamp control system. It is a top view explaining the other example of the area | region illuminated with a combination headlamp unit in the headlamp control system of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

2R, 2L combination headlamp unit 13, 113, 213 vehicle night vision device 14 HUD (display means)
15, 115 Control unit 19, 119 Night vision camera (imaging means)
20 Swing motor (imaging means swing mechanism)
101 vehicle

Claims (5)

A headlight swivel drive mechanism that performs left and right independent left and right headlights provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle and swivels horizontally in the vehicle width direction, and the headlight swivel drive mechanism A control unit that drives and controls at least the inside of the lighting to the left and right horizontally in the vehicle width direction, an imaging unit that images the front of the vehicle, and an image captured by the imaging unit is displayed at a location that can be viewed from the driver's seat A night vision device for a vehicle linked to a headlight for a curved road having a display means,
An image pickup means swing mechanism for swinging the image pickup means horizontally left and right in the vehicle width direction is provided, and the control unit directs an image pickup area by the image pickup means to a dark portion by illumination of the headlamp. A night vision device for a vehicle linked to a headlight for a curved road characterized by the above.   In the control unit, the headlamp is swiveled so that an imaging region by the imaging unit is directed in a direction to be a dark portion generated outside the region illuminated by the swivel driving of the left and right headlamps. 2. The night vision device for a vehicle linked to a headlight for curved road according to claim 1, wherein the calculation is performed using a ramp swivel angle signal.   In the control unit, the swivel drive angle of the headlight is calculated using a steering angle signal detected by the steering angle sensor, and the left and right of the left and right are adjusted according to the steering direction of the steering. 3. The night vision device for a vehicle linked to a headlight for curved road according to claim 1, wherein the headlight is swiveled in the horizontal direction left and right.   The imaging means is provided with a zoom mechanism that can change the angle of view, and the controller is provided with a camera zoom driver that changes the angle of view in conjunction with swivel driving of the headlamp. The night vision device for a vehicle interlocked with the headlight for curved road according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the left and right headlamps are swiveled in the same direction, the control unit directs the imaging area of the imaging unit in a direction different from the swivel direction of the two headlamps. A vehicle night vision device linked to a curved road headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images