JP4333400B2 - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp including a passing light distribution lamp that narrows a light distribution range on the opposite lane side and a high-speed light distribution lamp that widens the light distribution range in the front direction of the vehicle when traveling at high speed.

In a vehicle equipped with a passing light distribution lamp, there is known a method of raising the optical axis of the passing light distribution lamp in order to improve the distance visibility in front of the vehicle when traveling on an expressway (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent). Reference 2).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-246873 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-175478

  However, if the optical axis of the passing light distribution lamp is raised in order to secure a far field of view, the amount of light near the front of the vehicle will decrease, so the visibility near the front of the vehicle will be reduced and the driver will feel uneasy. There was a problem of fear.

  In addition, a method of additionally providing a high-speed light distribution lamp that increases the far field of view by expanding the light distribution range in the front direction of the vehicle during high-speed traveling is also considered, but when a traveling vehicle exists in front of the vehicle, There is a possibility that glare may be imparted to the forward traveling vehicle, and the driver of the forward traveling vehicle may be dazzled.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a vehicular lamp that can improve distant visibility during high-speed traveling while preventing glare from traveling ahead. This is the issue.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a low light distribution lamp that narrows the light distribution range on the opposite lane side, and a far field of view by expanding the light distribution range in the front direction of the vehicle during high speed traveling. The increased high-speed light distribution lamp, the inter-vehicle distance detection means for detecting the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle traveling ahead, and the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection means is equal to or greater than the possible front light distribution distance of the passing light distribution lamp. In this case, the high-speed light distribution lamp is additionally turned on, and the control means for turning off the high-speed light distribution lamp when the front light distribution distance is less than the distance, and the curved road condition detection for detecting the curved road condition on the traveling road surface And the control means uses the inter-vehicle distance detection means to calculate the curvature value of the curved road detected by the curved road condition detection means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off. Can be detected If it is determined that a value deviating from the detection angle, and characterized in that leave it turns off the high-speed light distribution lamp.

The invention according to claim 2 includes a passing light distribution lamp in which the light distribution range on the opposite lane side is narrowed, and a high-speed light distribution lamp in which a far field of view is enhanced by widening the light distribution range in the front direction of the vehicle during high-speed traveling. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a vehicle traveling ahead, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the own vehicle, a speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means, and the inter-vehicle distance detecting means The speed of the forward traveling vehicle is obtained based on the inter-vehicle distance detected with the forward traveling vehicle, and the inter-vehicle distance between the two vehicles is passed based on the relative speed between the forward traveling vehicle and the host vehicle. The time until the vehicle's forward light distribution distance matches is calculated as the passing time, and the time until the distance between the two vehicles coincides with the distance that causes glare to the vehicle in front due to the light distribution from the high-speed light distribution lamp. The Calculated as A time control means for turning off said high-speed light distribution lamp even after the calculated passing time has elapsed before the lapse of glare time, to detect the curved road condition of the traveling road surface A curved road condition detecting means, and the control means detects the curvature value of the curved road detected by the curved road condition detecting means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means. When it is determined that the value deviates from a detection angle at which the forward traveling vehicle can be detected, the high-speed light distribution lamp is kept off .

The invention according to claim 3 includes a passing light distribution lamp in which the light distribution range on the opposite lane side is narrowed, and a high-speed light distribution lamp in which a far field of view is enhanced by widening the light distribution range in the front direction of the vehicle when traveling at high speed. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a forward traveling vehicle, and the high-speed light distribution when the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means is equal to or greater than a forward light distribution possible distance of a passing light distribution lamp. the lamp is added on, and a control means for turning off said high-speed light distribution lamp if: the forward light distribution distance, and a curved road condition detecting means for detecting a curved road condition of the traveling road surface, the control means It is that the curvature value of the detected curved road I by the curved road state detecting means while not lit fast distribution point light lamp detects the forward traveling vehicle by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means With a value that deviates from the possible detection angle If it is determined that that, characterized in that leave it was lit point of the high-speed light distribution lamp.

The invention according to claim 4 includes a passing light distribution lamp in which the light distribution range on the opposite lane side is narrowed, and a high speed light distribution lamp in which a far field of view is enhanced by widening the light distribution range in the front direction of the vehicle when traveling at high speed. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a vehicle traveling ahead, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the speed of the own vehicle, a speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means, and the inter-vehicle distance detecting means The speed of the forward traveling vehicle is obtained based on the inter-vehicle distance detected with the forward traveling vehicle, and the inter-vehicle distance between the two vehicles is passed based on the relative speed between the forward traveling vehicle and the host vehicle. The time until the vehicle's forward light distribution distance matches is calculated as the passing time, and the time until the distance between the two vehicles coincides with the distance that causes glare to the vehicle in front due to the light distribution from the high-speed light distribution lamp. The Calculated as A time control means for turning off said high-speed light distribution lamp even after the calculated passing time has elapsed before the lapse of glare time, to detect the curved road condition of the traveling road surface A curved road condition detecting means, and the control means detects the curvature value of the curved road detected by the curved road condition detecting means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is lit, by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means. When it is determined that the value deviates from a detection angle at which the forward traveling vehicle can be detected, the high-speed light distribution lamp is kept on.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means is equal to or greater than the possible front light distribution distance of the passing light distribution lamp, the high-speed light distribution lamp is additionally lit, When the distance is less than the light possible distance, the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off, so that it is possible to secure a far field of view when traveling at high speed while preventing glare from being given to the driver of the forward traveling vehicle. In addition, the front light distribution possible distance here corresponds to the front visual field distance which the driver | operator of the own vehicle can visually recognize by the light distribution of a lamp.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the speed of the forward traveling vehicle is based on the speed of the host vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection means and the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection means. Based on the relative speed between the vehicle in front and the host vehicle, the time until the inter-vehicle distance between the two vehicles matches the possible light distribution distance of the light distribution lamp is calculated as the time difference between the two vehicles. The time until the inter-vehicle distance coincides with the distance at which glare is given to the vehicle ahead by the light distribution of the high-speed light distribution lamp is calculated as the glare time, and after the calculated passing time has elapsed, the glare time Since the lamp for high-speed light distribution is turned off before the elapse of time, even if the lamp for high-speed light distribution is turned off, the driver of the own vehicle may visually recognize the forward traveling vehicle by the light distribution of the light distribution lamp. Can Furthermore it is possible to prevent the glare with respect to the front running vehicle.

Furthermore, according to the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the curvature value of the curved road detected by the curved road condition detecting means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off is When it is determined that the distance detection means is a value that deviates from a detection angle at which a forward traveling vehicle can be detected, the high-speed light distribution lamp remains off and the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned on. If it is determined that the curvature value of the curved road detected by the curved road condition detecting means deviates from the detection angle at which the front traveling vehicle can be detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means, Since the light lamp is kept lit, it prevents the high-speed light distribution lamp from being lit for a certain period of time when the vehicle ahead is temporarily not detected due to the curve of the curve. Can be frequent on the road It becomes possible to prevent the point off switching of the lamp, it becomes possible to prolong the product life by reducing the off point of the high-speed light distribution lamp.

  In addition, it is possible to prevent the side wall from being erroneously recognized as a forward traveling vehicle even when there is no forward traveling vehicle. However, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that only the light distribution lamp is passed.

Furthermore, in addition to the configuration described above, switching between turning on and off the high-speed light distribution lamp is performed by changing the luminance of the high-speed light distribution lamp stepwise or continuously , Switching between turning on and off the high-speed light distribution lamp is performed by changing the brightness of the high-speed light distribution lamp stepwise or continuously, so that the driver changes visibility when the lamp is turned on and off. It is possible to maintain and improve safety during driving.

  Hereinafter, a vehicular lamp according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The vehicular lamp according to the present invention is a vehicular headlamp 1, and as shown in FIG. 1, a passing light distribution lamp 2, a high-speed light distribution lamp 3, a vehicle speed detection unit 4, and an inter-vehicle distance detection. Unit 5, traveling environment detection unit 7, and control unit 6.

  The passing light distribution lamp 2 is a lamp that illuminates the irradiation range indicated by the symbol A in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the irradiation range on the right side in front of the vehicle is narrower than the irradiation range on the left side. This is because, if the vehicle traveling direction is left-hand traffic as in Japan, brightening the right front may cause dazzling oncoming vehicles. For this reason, when the advancing direction of the vehicle is right-hand traffic, the light distribution range on the left side on the front lane side becomes narrow.

  The high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is a lamp that illuminates the irradiation range indicated by the symbol B in FIGS. The high-speed light distribution lamp 3 illuminates a portion of the passing light distribution lamp 2 where the irradiation range is narrowed, so that the driver can easily secure a far field of view ahead of the vehicle.

  The vehicle speed detection unit 4 receives a vehicle speed pulse from the vehicle body (own vehicle) 8 and obtains the traveling speed of the vehicle 8 based on the received vehicle speed pulse. In addition, it is good also as a structure which detects the traveling position of the vehicle 8 using GPS etc., and calculates | requires the traveling position change of the vehicle 8 per time, ie, a moving speed.

  The inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 detects the inter-vehicle distance from the forward traveling vehicle (front traveling vehicle) 9 using a millimeter wave radar sensor or the like. Specifically, based on the time from when the radio wave pulse is transmitted to the front of the vehicle and the reflected wave from the forward traveling vehicle 9 is received, and the difference between the frequency of the transmitted wave and the reflected wave, the forward traveling vehicle 9 The inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle 8 is calculated. The inter-vehicle distance detection method used in the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 is not limited to the one using the millimeter wave radar sensor, and detects the inter-vehicle distance by photographing the front of the vehicle with a camera and performing image processing. It may be detected by using a laser, a microwave or the like instead of the millimeter wave.

  The control unit 6 includes in advance a light distribution possible distance (distance visible to the driver) L1 to the front of the vehicle by the passing light distribution lamp 2 and a light distribution possible distance L2 to the front of the vehicle by the high-speed light distribution lamp 3. And a distance L3 that gives glare to the driver of the forward traveling vehicle 9 when the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is lit. Further, based on the operation position of the lamp turning-off operation lever or the like, the vehicle width lamp is lit, the passing light distribution lamp 2 is lit, or the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is lit. It is judged whether it is. The high-speed light distribution lamp 3 cannot be turned on unless the passing light distribution lamp 2 is turned on, and the passing light distribution lamp 2 is turned on only when the vehicle width lamp is not turned on. I can't.

  Further, the control unit 6 determines whether or not there is a vehicle 9 that travels ahead based on the result detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5. The distance between the vehicle and the vehicle is detected in real time.

  Further, the control unit 6 determines whether the road on which the host vehicle 8 is traveling is an expressway or a general road based on the detection result of the traveling environment detection unit 7. Here, the expressway means a road having a speed limit of 80 km / h or more. The detection by the traveling environment detection unit 7 is not limited to a specific detection method. For example, it is based on a method of judging from a traveling road condition detected by a navigation system or a record of an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection). A method for judging the road conditions, and a method for comprehensively judging the presence of the median strip, the number of lanes, the data obtained from the image recognition of the display board, etc. Etc.

  Next, the process in which the control unit 6 turns on and off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 based on the presence / absence of the forward traveling vehicle 9 and the inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle 9 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. To do.

  First, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the passing light distribution lamp 2 is turned on based on the operation position of the lamp lighting / extinguishing operation lever (step S.1). When the passing light distribution lamp 2 is not lit, the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 cannot be turned on, so the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned off for confirmation (step S.2). After that, the same process is repeated again.

  When it is determined that the passing light distribution lamp 2 is turned on, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the host vehicle 8 is traveling on the highway based on the detection result of the traveling environment detection unit 7 ( Step S.3). When it is determined that the host vehicle 8 is not traveling on a highway, that is, when it is determined that the vehicle 8 is traveling on a general road such as an urban area, if the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned on, There is a risk of dazzling the vehicle. Therefore, the control unit 6 turns off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 (step S.2), ends the one-end processing, and again performs step S.2. The process from 1 is repeatedly executed.

  When it is determined that the host vehicle 8 is traveling on an expressway, the control unit 6 determines that the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 8 is not less than a predetermined speed, for example, 80 km / h or more, based on the detection result of the vehicle speed detection unit 4. It is determined whether or not there is (step S.4). When the vehicle speed is not equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, for example, lower than 80 km / h, the vehicle speed is medium speed or less, so that the distribution of the passing light distribution lamp 2 can be performed without turning on the high-speed light distribution lamp 3. Since it is possible to secure a sufficient forward field of view with light, it is not necessary to turn on the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 to secure a far field of view. For this reason, when the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined speed, the control unit 6 turns off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 (step S.2) and ends the process. The process from 1 is repeatedly executed.

  When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, the control unit 6 determines the presence or absence of the forward traveling vehicle 9 from the detection result of the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5, and if the forward traveling vehicle 9 exists, It is determined whether the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or greater than the light distribution possible distance L1 of the passing light distribution lamp 2 stored in advance (step S.5).

  In the case where the forward traveling vehicle 9 is present and the distance between the vehicles is not greater than or equal to L1, even if the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is not turned on, irradiation with the passing light distribution lamp 2 causes the The high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned off (step S.2), and step S.2 is again performed. The process from 1 is repeatedly executed. In particular, when the inter-vehicle distance with the forward traveling vehicle 9 is L3 or less, glare is given to the forward traveling vehicle 9 when the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned on. For this reason, when the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than L3, the control unit 6 needs to quickly turn off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 (step S.2) to prevent glare.

  When the forward traveling vehicle 9 is not present, or when the forward traveling vehicle 9 is present but the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or greater than the distance L1, the control unit 6 lights up the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 (step S.6). Ensure far vision. Thereafter, the control unit 6 performs step S.1. By repeatedly executing the process from 1, the lighting / light-off control of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is quickly executed according to the vehicle speed, the traveling road condition, and the like.

  In this way, the control unit 6 detects the inter-vehicle distance from the forward traveling vehicle 9, and turns off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 when the inter-vehicle distance is closer than the forward light distribution possible distance L1 of the light distribution lamp 2. When the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or greater than the forward light distribution possible distance L1 of the passing light distribution lamp 2 (including the case where the forward traveling vehicle cannot be detected), the front traveling vehicle 9 is turned on by lighting the high speed light distribution lamp 3. It is possible to secure a far field of view when traveling at high speed while preventing glare from being given to the driver.

  Step S. 2 for turning off the lamp 3 for high-speed light distribution shown in FIG. The lighting process of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 shown in FIG. 6 may be switched not only by turning on and off instantaneously but also by changing the lamp brightness continuously or in steps. For example, when the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is suddenly turned off or turned on, the driver's field of view changes suddenly when the lamp is turned on and off, so the driver cannot immediately respond to the change in the field of view, and the field of view is not instantaneous. There is a risk of clarity and psychological anxiety. For this reason, it is preferable to adjust the turning-on / off timing of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to change the luminance in time or stepwise. Specifically, the on / off interval is adjusted by changing the on / off cycle at a high speed while the lamp of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is kept at a constant voltage without being controlled by current or voltage. In this way, by switching the lighting of the lamp by temporal change in brightness, it becomes difficult for the driver to perceive a change in visibility when the lamp is turned on and off, thereby maintaining and improving safety during driving. It becomes possible.

  Next, control in which the control unit 6 turns on and off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 in consideration of the relative speed difference between the vehicle speed of the forward traveling vehicle 9 and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 8 will be described. Since the basic configuration and the control method are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used, and the description of items already described in the first embodiment is omitted. To do.

  As described in the first embodiment, the control unit 6 detects the presence / absence of the forward traveling vehicle 9 and the inter-vehicle distance from the forward traveling vehicle 9 in real time, and performs processing using the flowchart shown in FIG. However, when the difference between the traveling speeds of the forward traveling vehicle 9 and the host vehicle 8 is large, the distance between the two vehicles is rapidly shortened. There is a possibility that the extinguishing process of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 may be executed after the distance becomes L1 or less and further becomes the distance L3 or less that gives glare to the forward traveling vehicle 9.

  In order to avoid such an inconvenience, the control unit 6 is based on a time change between the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 and the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 8 detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 4. By always detecting the vehicle speed of the forward traveling vehicle 9 and calculating a relative speed difference with the vehicle speed of the own vehicle 8, the distance between the forward traveling vehicle 9 and the own vehicle 8 becomes the distances L1 and L3. The time is calculated in advance, and the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off.

  For example, if the vehicle speed of the host vehicle 8 is 100 km / h, the vehicle speed of the forward traveling vehicle 9 is 80 km / h, the distance L1 shown in FIG. 2 is 50 m, the distance L2 is 70 m, and the distance L3 is 40 m, both The vehicle travels while reducing the inter-vehicle distance by about 5.6 m per second. When the vehicle 8 is traveling with the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 turned on, the forward traveling vehicle 9 is visually recognized about 3.6 seconds earlier than when traveling with only the low light distribution lamp 2 lit. It becomes possible. Therefore, if both vehicles continue to travel while maintaining the same speed, the own vehicle 8 can visually recognize the forward traveling vehicle 9 by light distribution of the passing light distribution lamp 2 after 3.6 seconds. The lamp 3 for high-speed light distribution within 1.8 seconds from the time point, that is, the time when the inter-vehicle distance between the two vehicles is the distance L1 (passing time) to the time (glare time) until the distance L3 giving the glare is reached. By turning off the high-speed light distribution lamp 3, it becomes possible for the driver of the host vehicle 8 to visually recognize the forward traveling vehicle 9 by the light distribution of the passing light distribution lamp 2, and further the forward traveling vehicle. It is possible to prevent the glare from being applied to 9.

  Thus, based on the relative speed of the two vehicles, the control unit 6 determines that the distance between the host vehicle 8 and the vehicle in front of the vehicle can be distributed in advance to the front of the vehicle by the passing light distribution lamp 2. From the passing time, a passing time corresponding to L1 and a glare time matching the distance L3 that gives glare to the driver of the forward traveling vehicle 9 by the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 are calculated. By completing the turn-off process of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 before the glare time, even if the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned off, the driver of the host vehicle 8 moves forward due to the light distribution of the low light distribution lamp 2 The traveling vehicle 9 can be visually recognized, and further, glare can be prevented from being imparted to the forward traveling vehicle 9.

  The light-off process of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 performed between the passing time and the glare time is not only instantaneously extinguished, but also in stages or continuously in time, as described in the first embodiment. It is also possible to turn off the light by changing the brightness.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where the control unit 6 performs turning-on / off control of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 by detecting the curved road situation of the road on which the host vehicle 8 travels from the curved road situation detection unit. The basic configuration and control method of the vehicular lamp described in the third embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description has already been given in the first embodiment. Explanation of matters shall be omitted.

  As described in the first embodiment, the control unit 6 detects the presence / absence of the forward traveling vehicle 9 and the inter-vehicle distance from the forward traveling vehicle 9 in real time, and performs processing using the flowchart shown in FIG. However, the angle at which the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 can detect the forward traveling vehicle 9 is, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, a constant detection angle α in front of the vehicle (α is a constant). , Which is determined by the performance of the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 mounted on the host vehicle 8). Therefore, as shown in FIG. However, when the road has a large curve, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the vehicle temporarily deviates outside the detection angle α and cannot be detected. There is a possibility that the control unit 6 determines. In addition, although the forward traveling vehicle 9 does not exist, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the control unit 5 erroneously determines that the side wall 10 that wraps around the front of the vehicle during curve traveling is the forward traveling vehicle 9. There is a risk of detection.

  Therefore, in the vehicular headlamp 1a according to the third embodiment, the control unit 6 detects the road surface curve state, and the forward traveling vehicle 9 in which the curvature value of the detected road travels ahead by the distance L1. Is determined to be a value that deviates from the detection angle α that can be detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5, and the lighting / extinguishing process of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle headlamp 1 a according to the third embodiment includes a curved road condition detection unit 11 in addition to the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1 shown in the first embodiment. The curved road condition detection unit 11 detects how much the road being curved is curved, detects the steering rotation angle θ, and transmits it to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 calculates the curvature value X of the running road based on the rotation angle information of the steering, and moves forward by the curvature value Y that deviates from the detection angle α stored in advance, specifically, the distance L1. It is determined whether or not the traveling vehicle 9 traveling is smaller than a limit curvature value Y that can be detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5. The curved road condition detection unit 11 is not limited to the one that detects the curved road by detecting the rotation angle of the steering. For example, referring to the current position detected by the navigation system and the map information of the road. It may be obtained, or may be calculated based on the degree of bending of the median strip, the center line, the side line, etc. by imaging the road condition ahead of the vehicle and performing image processing.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows the turning-on / off process of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 performed by the control unit 6 in the third embodiment. First, the control unit 6 executes the on / off switching process for the high-speed light distribution lamp shown in FIG. 4 (step S.10). Also in the third embodiment, in order to turn on the high-speed light distribution lamp 3, it is necessary to satisfy a predetermined condition such as a road to be driven and a value of an inter-vehicle distance from a forward vehicle. Therefore, first, step S. of the flowchart shown in FIG. 1-step S.E. 6 is executed.

  Next, the controller 6 acquires the curve information from the curve condition detector 11, and determines whether or not the curvature value X of the traveling road is smaller than the curvature value Y stored in advance (step S.11). When the curvature value X is smaller than the curvature value Y, the traveling road curve is large, and therefore it is impossible to measure the forward traveling vehicle 9 traveling in front of the distance L1 by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 (FIG. 5B). ), (C)). For this reason, the control unit 6 performs step S.1. 10 while the lighting state or the extinguishing state of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 set in step 10 is maintained (step S.12), until the curvature value X becomes larger than the curvature value Y, that is, the vehicle travels through the position of the front distance L1. The high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is kept in the on / off state until the vehicle running distance 9 becomes a curvature value that can be detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 (until the curve becomes gentle).

  Specifically, the control unit 6 performs step S.1. 10 when the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is in the lighting state. 11, when the curvature value X becomes smaller than the curvature value Y, the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is kept on until the curvature value X becomes larger than the curvature value Y. 10 when the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned off. 11, when the curvature value X becomes smaller than the curvature value Y, the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is turned off until the curvature value X becomes larger than the curvature value Y. When the curvature value X becomes larger than the curvature value Y, the process is once ended, and the process from step S10 is repeatedly executed again.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing the change over time of the steering rotation angle θ of the host vehicle 8 traveling on a curved road. When the driver starts turning the steering wheel and the vehicle turns in a range not exceeding a detection angle α degree that allows the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 to detect the forward traveling vehicle 9 as the steering rotates, the control unit Step S. When the high-speed light distribution lamp switching process shown in FIG. 10 is executed and the detected angle exceeds α degrees (the rotation angle of the steering at this time is φ), step S. As shown in FIG. 12, processing for maintaining the lighting / extinguishing state of the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 is executed. When the steering is returned and the curve becomes gentle to a detection angle at which the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5 can detect the forward traveling vehicle 9, the high-speed light distribution lamp switching process shown in step S10 again. Repeatedly.

  In this way, the control unit 6 calculates the curvature value of the road based on the road information detected by the road condition detection unit 11, and the calculated curvature value is moved forward by the distance L1 by the inter-vehicle distance detection unit 5. By determining whether or not the forward traveling vehicle 9 that is traveling deviates from the detectable detection angle α, it is constant when the forward traveling vehicle cannot be detected temporarily due to the curve of the curve. It is possible to prevent the high-speed light distribution lamp 3 from being turned on only for a certain period of time, and it is possible to prevent frequent switching on and off of the lamp when traveling on a curved road. It is possible to lengthen the product life by reducing lighting on / off.

  In addition, it is possible to prevent the side wall 10 from being erroneously recognized as the forward traveling vehicle 9 in the curve even though the forward traveling vehicle 9 does not exist. It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that only the light distribution lamp 2 is suddenly passed after being turned off.

  As mentioned above, although the vehicle lamp which concerns on this invention was demonstrated using drawing, this invention is not limited to what was mentioned above. For example, the above-described high-speed light distribution lamp and the low-passage light distribution lamp are separately installed on the vehicle separately from each other. However, by using one lamp to switch the shade shape and the high-speed light distribution, May be configured to be switched.

It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is the figure which showed the light distribution range of the lamp for passing light distribution, and the light distribution range of the lamp for high-speed light distribution compared in plane. It is the figure which contrasted and showed the light distribution range of the lamp for passing light distribution, and the light distribution range of the lamp for high-speed light distribution in the height direction. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control of a control unit in the first embodiment. It is the figure which showed the detection range of an inter-vehicle distance detection part, (a) shows the detection range in a straight road, (b) shows the detection range of the vehicle which drive | works the right lane of the curved road curved to the right side, c) is a diagram showing the detection range of a vehicle traveling in the left lane of a curved road that curves to the right. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle headlamp according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control of a control unit according to a third embodiment. It is the figure which showed the turning angle of a steering wheel, and the lighting-on / off control of the lamp for high-speed light distribution in a control part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle headlamp 2 Passing light distribution lamp 3 High-speed light distribution lamp 4 Vehicle speed detection part (vehicle speed detection means)
5 Inter-vehicle distance detector (inter-vehicle distance detector)
6 Control unit (control means)
7 Running environment detection unit (running environment detection means)
8 Vehicle 9 Front traveling vehicle 10 Side wall 11 Curve state detection means (curve state detection means)

Claims (4)

A passing light distribution lamp with a narrow light distribution range on the opposite lane side,
A lamp for high-speed light distribution that increases the far field of view by expanding the light distribution range toward the front of the vehicle during high-speed driving;
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a forward traveling vehicle;
When the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection means is greater than or equal to the front light distribution possible distance of the passing light distribution lamp, the high-speed light distribution lamp is additionally turned on, and when the inter-vehicle distance detection means is less than or equal to the front light distribution possible distance, Control means for turning off the lamp for high-speed light distribution ;
A road condition detection means for detecting the road condition of the road surface,
The control means may be configured such that a curvature value of a curved road detected by the curved road condition detecting means detects the forward traveling vehicle by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off. A vehicular lamp characterized in that when it is determined that the value deviates from a possible detection angle, the lamp for high-speed light distribution is kept off . A passing light distribution lamp with a narrow light distribution range on the opposite lane side,
A lamp for high-speed light distribution that increases the far field of view by expanding the light distribution range toward the front of the vehicle during high-speed driving;
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a forward traveling vehicle;
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the speed of the host vehicle;
The speed of the forward traveling vehicle is obtained based on the speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means and the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means, and the forward traveling vehicle and the Based on the relative speed with the vehicle, the time until the distance between the two vehicles matches the possible light distribution distance of the passing light distribution lamp is calculated as the passing time, and the distance between the two vehicles is the high speed light distribution lamp. The time until the distance that gives glare to the forward traveling vehicle due to the light distribution is calculated as the glare time, and after the calculated passing time and before the glare time elapses, Control means for turning off the lamp for high-speed light distribution ;
A road condition detection means for detecting the road condition of the road surface,
The control means may be configured such that a curvature value of a curved road detected by the curved road condition detecting means detects the forward traveling vehicle by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned off. A vehicular lamp characterized in that when it is determined that the value deviates from a possible detection angle, the lamp for high-speed light distribution is kept off . A passing light distribution lamp with a narrow light distribution range on the opposite lane side,
A lamp for high-speed light distribution that increases the far field of view by expanding the light distribution range toward the front of the vehicle during high-speed driving;
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a forward traveling vehicle;
When the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detection means is greater than or equal to the front light distribution possible distance of the passing light distribution lamp, the high-speed light distribution lamp is additionally turned on, and when the inter-vehicle distance detection means is less than or equal to the front light distribution possible distance, Control means for turning off the lamp for high-speed light distribution;
And a curved path condition detecting means for detecting a curved road condition of the traveling road surface,
Wherein, the curvature value of the detected curved road I by the curved road state detecting means while not lit fast distribution point light lamp is, the forward traveling vehicle by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means If it is determined that a value deviating from the detection angle that can be detected, the car dual lamp you characterized in that to leave was lit point of the high-speed light distribution lamp. A passing light distribution lamp with a narrow light distribution range on the opposite lane side,
A lamp for high-speed light distribution that increases the far field of view by expanding the light distribution range toward the front of the vehicle during high-speed driving;
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from a forward traveling vehicle;
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the speed of the host vehicle;
The speed of the forward traveling vehicle is obtained based on the speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means and the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means, and the forward traveling vehicle and the Based on the relative speed with the vehicle, the time until the distance between the two vehicles matches the possible light distribution distance of the passing light distribution lamp is calculated as the passing time, and the distance between the two vehicles is the high speed light distribution lamp. The time until the distance that gives glare to the forward traveling vehicle due to the light distribution is calculated as the glare time, and after the calculated passing time and before the glare time elapses, Control means for turning off the lamp for high-speed light distribution;
And a curved path condition detecting means for detecting a curved road condition of the traveling road surface,
The control means may detect the forward traveling vehicle by the inter-vehicle distance detection means based on a curvature value of the curved road detected by the curved road condition detection means while the high-speed light distribution lamp is turned on. If it is determined that a value deviating from the detection angle possible, car dual lamp you characterized in that leave it to light the high-speed light distribution lamp.

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