JP6355364B2 - Vehicle lamp control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp and a vehicle lamp control system that draws information on the traveling state of the host vehicle or another vehicle using a laser beam around the vehicle.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a drawing system that draws a mark having a predetermined shape indicating a road condition on a road surface in a vehicle traveling direction by a laser drawing apparatus. The laser drawing apparatus of the drawing system of Patent Document 1 drives a laser head that irradiates a laser to draw a mark on a road surface.

JP 2008-45870 A

  In a vehicle lamp that draws vehicle-related information around the vehicle using laser light, the drawing mode is improved by the configuration of the irradiation device, the shape of the drawing to be irradiated, the drawing control, etc. It is required that the driver can further understand the road conditions by further improving the visibility of the road. Therefore, in the laser drawing apparatus, it is necessary to increase the degree of freedom of laser irradiation such as color and draw lines and marks with higher visibility so that the driver can easily recognize road conditions.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicular lamp and a vehicular lamp control system that enhances the degree of freedom of laser irradiation of colors and the like and enables the driver to draw lines and marks that make it easier to recognize road conditions. For the purpose of provision.

  The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 has a light source capable of emitting a plurality of colors of laser light and capable of changing a color of the irradiation light, and an optical mechanism for drawing a figure on the irradiation destination by receiving the laser light. I made it.

  (Operation) The color of the irradiated laser beam is changed in various ways by mixing the laser beams of a plurality of colors, and the visibility of a figure such as a line or shape drawn at the irradiation destination is improved.

  The vehicle lamp control system according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the optical mechanism combine a plurality of colors of laser light and irradiate it as white light, and A second control means for dimming at least a part of the laser beams of a plurality of colors and drawing a dark part at an irradiation destination; and irradiating light other than white with the laser beams of the plurality of colors It was made to operate by the third control means for drawing the bright part inside the dark part. Incidentally, the dimming of the laser beam includes both turning off the laser beam and forming a dark part while lowering the luminance of the laser beam and turning it on.

  (Operation) By drawing a dark part on a figure drawn by laser light and then drawing a bright part to be clearly shown inside the dark part, the bright part is drawn more clearly, and the visibility of the drawn figure is improved. .

  According to the vehicular lamp of the first aspect, the flexibility of laser irradiation is improved and the driver can easily recognize the road condition.

  According to the vehicle lamp control system of the second aspect, the drawn figure becomes clearer and the visibility is improved, so that the driver can more easily recognize the road condition.

The front view of the vehicle lamp of 1st Example. II sectional drawing of FIG. (A) The enlarged view of the laser light source unit of FIG. (B) The perspective view which looked at the light distribution part of FIG. 2 from the vehicle front. The vertical sectional view which cut | disconnected the vehicle lamp of 2nd Example in the same position as FIG. The block diagram explaining a control apparatus. (A) Explanatory drawing regarding drawing by the laser beam ahead of the vehicle by the vehicle lamp of 1st Example. (B) Explanatory drawing which formed the dark part around the drawing by the vehicle lamp of 2nd Example, and the bright part (line) by a laser beam. Explanatory drawing which shows each lighting condition and light extinction condition of a 1st-3rd light source. (A) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 3rd Example which rendered the road surface drawing with the laser beam the figure which recognizes the distance between vehicles with a front vehicle. (B) The figure which shows the modification of the mark of Fig.8 (a). (A) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 4th Example which drew the road surface with the laser beam the figure which notifies a lane change to the following vehicle of an adjacent lane. (B) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 5th Example which carried out the road surface drawing of the mark etc. which notify the vehicle width of the own vehicle with a laser beam. (A) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 6th Example which drew the road surface with the laser beam for the alerting mark etc. regarding presence of the vehicle of the opposite lane, a pedestrian, etc. in an intersection. (B) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 6th Example which drawn the road surface with the laser beam for the warning mark etc. with respect to the two-wheeled vehicle which is going to slip through from the vehicle left back in an intersection. (A) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 7th Example which carried out the road surface drawing of the mark etc. for alerting the driver of deceleration or deceleration of the own vehicle with a laser beam. (B) Explanatory drawing of the modification of the 7th Example which drawn the road surface with the laser beam for the mark etc. for alerting the driver of the further deceleration of the own vehicle. (C) Explanatory drawing of the modification of 7th Example which drew the road surface with the laser beam for the mark etc. for alerting the driver of the further acceleration of the own vehicle. (A) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 8th Example which drew the grid-like grid diagram on the road surface etc. with the laser beam together with the low beam light distribution pattern. (B) Explanatory drawing of the drawing system of 8th Example which drew the grid-like grid diagram on the road surface etc. with the laser beam in combination with the low beam light distribution pattern. The front view of the vehicle lamp of 9th Example which has DRL. Explanatory drawing of 10th Example regarding the AO element provided instead of a MEMS mirror as an optical element.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to first to tenth examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a vehicular lamp in which the LED light source unit is removed from the first embodiment. FIGS. 6-12 shows the drawing system used for the vehicle lamp of the 1st and 2nd Example. FIG. 13 is a view showing a ninth embodiment of a vehicular lamp having a DRL, and FIG. 14 is a view showing a tenth embodiment of a vehicular lamp having an AO element in an optical mechanism. In each figure, the directions of the vehicle and the vehicular lamp assumed to be viewed from the driver's seat by the driver (upper: lower: left: right: front: rear = Up: Lo: Le: Ri: Fr: Re).

  A vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows an example of a right headlamp, a lamp body 2 having an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and a translucent resin. And a front cover 3 which is formed of glass or the like and is attached to the opening of the lamp body 2. Inside the lamp chamber S formed inside the lamp body 2 and the front cover 3, a plate-like support member 4, a pair of LED light source units (5, 6), and a plurality of laser beams are emitted and irradiated. A laser light source unit 7 that is a light source capable of changing the color of light, an optical mechanism 8 that scans the laser light from the laser light source unit 7 and draws a figure such as a line or a figure at the irradiation destination, and emission of the laser light The control device 9 for controlling scanning and the extension reflector 34 are accommodated.

  The LED light source unit (5, 6) includes a metal bracket 10 fixed to the support member 4, an LED light emitting element 11, a reflector 12, and a transparent or translucent projection lens 13 that are respectively attached to the bracket 10. The LED light source unit 5 is configured to form a high beam light distribution pattern, and the LED light source unit 6 is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern. The reflector 12 covers the LED light emitting element 11 from above, and the projection lens 13 is disposed in front of the reflector 12. The light B1 emitted from the LED light emitting element 11 is reflected forward by the reflecting surface 12a of the reflector 12, passes through the projection lens 13 and the front cover 3, and is emitted forward of the vehicle.

  The laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are attached to the support member 4 so as to be positioned above the LED light source unit 6 that forms the low beam light distribution pattern. In this embodiment, the lamp body 2 is attached by three aiming screws 14. The optical mechanism 8 is fixed to the front end of the fixing portion 33 protruding forward of the support member 4. The control device 9 is fixed to the lamp body 2. The vehicular lamp 1 is adjusted in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by rotating each aiming screw 14.

  The laser light source unit 7 shown in FIG. 3A includes a first light source 15 that generates red light (see symbol R), a second light source 16 that generates green light (see symbol G), and blue light (reference symbol). B)), a heat radiating member 18 made of a metal such as aluminum having a high thermal conductivity, a first condenser lens 20, a second condenser lens 21, a third condenser lens 22, It has the 4th condensing lens 23 and the condensing part 24. FIG. The heat radiating member 18 is attached to the metal support member 4, and the laser light source unit 7 is fixed to the front surface of the support member 4 by the heat radiating member 18.

  The first light source 15 shown in FIG. 3A includes a red laser diode 15a that is a semiconductor laser element and a substrate 15b, and the second light source 16 includes a green laser diode 16a that is a semiconductor laser element and a substrate 16b. The third light source 17 includes a blue laser diode 17a, which is a semiconductor laser element, and a substrate 17b. The substrates (15b to 17b) of the first to third light sources (15 to 17) are respectively attached to the heat dissipation member 18.

  The light source of the laser light source unit 7 is not limited to a configuration having only three RGB light sources as long as the composition color of the plurality of light sources can be changed. For example, the light source of the laser light source unit 7 includes four light sources obtained by adding an orange laser diode to the three RGB light sources, or allows the emitted light of the blue laser diode to pass through the yellow phosphor. It is possible to generate white light by providing Each light source may be constituted by a laser device other than the laser diode.

  Each of the first to fourth condenser lenses (20 to 23) shown in FIG. 3A is configured by a collimator lens or the like. The condensing unit 24 includes first to third dichroic mirrors (25 to 27). On the optical paths of the red laser light R, green laser light G and blue laser light B emitted from the light sources (15 to 17), the first to third condenser lenses (20 to 22) and the first to third lenses are provided. Dichroic mirrors (25 to 27) are arranged in order. The first dichroic mirror 25 is configured to reflect red light and transmit blue light and green light, and the second dichroic mirror 26 is configured to reflect green light and transmit blue light. The three dichroic mirror 27 is configured to reflect blue light.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the red laser light R emitted from the first light source 15 is converted into parallel light by passing through the first condenser lens 20, and then converted into parallel light by the first dichroic mirror 25. The light is directly reflected toward the optical lens 23. The green laser light G emitted from the second light source 16 is transmitted through the second condenser lens 21, converted into parallel light, reflected by the second dichroic mirror 26, and transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 25. The light enters the fourth condenser lens 23. The blue laser beam B emitted from the third light source 17 is transmitted through the third condenser lens 22 and converted into parallel light, and then reflected by the third dichroic mirror 27 toward the fourth condenser lens 23, 2 and the first dichroic mirror (26, 25) in order, and then enters the fourth condenser lens 23.

  The fourth condenser lens 23 is attached to the opening 7 a of the housing of the laser light source unit 7. The red laser beam R, the green laser beam G, and the blue laser beam B reflected by the condensing unit 24 become a laser beam B2 composed of a composite color. The synthesized laser beam B2 passes through the fourth condenser lens 23 and is converted into parallel light, and then is emitted toward the optical mechanism 8.

  The extension reflector 34 in the lamp chamber S has an opening 34a. The LED light source unit (5, 6) is attached to the support member 4 with each projection lens 13 exposed to the front of the opening 34a in order to emit the emitted light B1 from the LED light emitting element 11 forward from the opening 34a. It is done. The laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 are both concealed from the front of the vehicle by being disposed behind the extension reflector 34 above the opening 34a. The emitted light B2 from the laser light source unit 7 is emitted forward from a gap 34c formed between the upper end edge 34b of the opening 34a and the LED light source unit (5, 6).

  The optical mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 3B is a MEMS mirror, and includes a base portion 37, a first rotating body 38, a second rotating body 39, a first torsion bar 40, a second torsion bar 41, a permanent magnet 42, 43 and a terminal portion 44. A reflective portion 32 is formed on the front surface of the plate-like second rotating body 39 by a process such as silver deposition or plating. The plate-like base part 37 has an opening 37a in the center, and is fixed to the fixing part 33 of the support member 4 in a state where it is inclined downward with respect to the front-rear direction of the vehicular lamp as shown in FIG. The optical mechanism 8 can employ various optical mechanisms such as a galvanometer mirror in addition to the MEMS mirror.

  The plate-like first rotating body 38 has an opening 38 a in the center, and is disposed in the opening 37 a of the base portion 37. The first rotating body 38 is supported by the pair of first torsion bars 40 provided at the upper and lower ends (37b, 37c) of the opening portion 37a so as to be rotatable to the left and right with respect to the base portion 37. The second rotating body 39 is disposed in the opening 38 a of the first rotating body 38. The second rotating body 39 is supported by the pair of second torsion bars 41 provided at the left and right end portions (38b, 38c) of the opening 38a so as to be vertically rotatable with respect to the first rotating body.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the base portion 37 is provided with a pair of permanent magnets 42 at a position orthogonal to the direction in which the first torsion bar 40 extends, and further orthogonal to the direction in which the second torsion bar 41 extends. A pair of permanent magnets 43 are provided at the positions to be operated. The first and second rotating bodies (38, 39) are provided with first and second coils (not shown), respectively. The permanent magnet 42 forms a magnetic field orthogonal to the first torsion bar 40, and the permanent magnet 43 forms a magnetic field orthogonal to the second torsion bar 41. First and second coils (not shown) are connected to the control device 9 via the terminal portion 44.

  The first coil and permanent magnet 42 and the second coil and permanent magnet 43 constitute a scanning actuator 35 shown in FIG. The scanning actuator 35 is controlled by the actuator control unit 36 of the control device 9 in terms of the magnitude and direction of the drive current flowing in the first coil and the second coil. The scanning actuator 35 rotates the first rotating body 38 up and down relative to the base portion 37 based on the magnitude and direction of the drive current flowing in the first coil, and further determines the magnitude of the drive current flowing in the second coil. By rotating the second rotating body 39 left and right with respect to the first rotating body 38 based on the orientation, the orientation of the reflecting portion 32 is changed vertically and horizontally.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the optical mechanism 8 includes the reflecting portion 32 of the second rotating body 39 that is an emission end that emits the laser beam B2 emitted from the fourth condenser lens 23 of FIG. Reflect forward. The laser beam B2 reflected forward at the light emitting part 32a (reflection point) of the reflecting part 32 scans the front of the vehicle by reciprocating the reflecting part 32 of the second rotating body 39 vertically and horizontally. In the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment, the LED light source units (5, 6) are switched to form a low-beam and high-beam white light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape. Further, the optical mechanism 8 scans a white light distribution pattern that complements the low beam light distribution pattern or a graphic pattern that alerts the driver to the road surface or building in front of the vehicle with laser light B2 other than white.

  FIG. 4 shows a vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment. The vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment is obtained by omitting the LED light source unit (5, 6) and the extension reflector 34 from the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment, and all other configurations are the first embodiment. This is the same as the vehicular lamp 1. In the vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment, in addition to drawing a drawing for alerting the driver with laser light other than white light, white light distribution patterns of low beam and high beam also include the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8. It is formed by the white laser beam B2 scanned in (1). In the vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment, by providing two sets of the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8, the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern may be formed separately, Three or more combinations of the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 may be provided.

  Next, the control device 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 9 includes a lamp ECU (electronic control device) 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and the like. The lamp ECU 51 includes an actuator control unit 36 and a laser light source control unit 54. Various control programs are recorded in the ROM 52, and the lamp ECU 51 executes the control program recorded in the ROM 52 in the RAM 53, and generates various control signals.

  The laser light source control unit 54 controls the emission intensity, turning on and off of each type of laser light (R, G, B) by the first light source 15, the second light source 16, and the third light source 17 independently for each light source, Produces various composite colors of laser light. The actuator controller 36 controls the scanning actuator 35 of the optical mechanism 8 and scans the front of the vehicle with the laser beam B2 made of the synthesized light, and draws a figure with a predetermined shape on the road surface or building around the vehicle. To do. In addition, the figure of the predetermined shape alerts the driver or pedestrian of the own vehicle or other vehicles by the light distribution pattern of the vehicle headlight by the synthesized white laser light and various synthetic colors. Mark, character, etc. are included.

  Here, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 7 will be used to explain the drawing of the figure ahead of the vehicle by the synthesized laser beam. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of drawing of figures by the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of drawing of figures by the vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment. The optical mechanisms 8 of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) change the vertical position little by little in the rectangular scanning area (reference numerals Sc1 and Sc2) in front of the vehicle, respectively. Scanning from the left to the right of the vehicle can be repeated. In the vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the extension reflector 34 that cuts light from the horizontal direction upward is not provided in front of the optical mechanism 8. Accordingly, the optical mechanism 8 of the second embodiment can scan a wide scanning area Sc2 above the scanning area Sc1 of the optical mechanism 8 of the first embodiment, so that a high beam light distribution pattern and a far road surface can be obtained. And can draw figures on obstacles.

  Reference numeral S <b> 1 indicates a miracle of the scanning line by the optical mechanism 8. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the optical mechanism 8 scans from the left to the right by rotating the reflecting portion 32 (see FIG. 3B) from the left to the right. After performing the above, the reflecting portion 32 is rotated obliquely downward to the left, and the direction of the reflecting portion 32 is returned to the next scanning start position shifted by a minute distance d1 from the first scanning start position, and again from the left. Repeat the scanning operation to the right.

  Further, the laser light source controller 54 shown in FIG. 5 moves the first to third light sources 15 to 15 when moving the scanning line S1 in FIGS. 6A and 6B from the left to the right by the optical mechanism 8. 17) is turned on or off, and all of the first to third light sources (15 to 17) are turned off when the optical mechanism 8 returns the scanning line S1 to the next scanning start position diagonally downward to the left from the right. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the dotted line portion of the scanning line S1 indicates a range in which all of the first to third light sources (15 to 17) are turned off, and the actual battle portion of the scanning line S1 is from the first. A range in which a part or the whole of the third light source (15 to 17) is turned on and a figure by a laser beam is drawn on the road surface is shown. Note that the on / off control of the first to third light sources (15 to 17) in the optical mechanism 8 may be performed while moving the scanning line S1 from right to left, or may be performed while reciprocating left and right. However, it is not always performed only when moving from left to right as in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6A, a low-beam light distribution pattern Lb of the first white light in front of the vehicle, and a line of a color other than white that allows the driver to recognize the position of the lane mark M1 (portion indicated by a two-dot chain line). The figure which drawn L1 on the road surface R1 with the laser beam is shown. For example, the line L1 is drawn on the lane mark M1 or as a red line adjacent to the lane mark M1. A method for detecting the position of the lane mark M1 will be described later.

  The low beam light distribution pattern Lb in the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment is formed by combining the light B1 from the LED light source unit 5 and the laser beam B2 that is synthesized and scanned in white. The low beam light distribution pattern Lb in the vehicular lamp 45 is formed only by the laser beam B2 synthesized and scanned in white.

  For example, in FIG. 6A, when performing scanning from the left to the right by the optical mechanism 8, the laser light source control unit 54 first performs the first to third in the section from P1 to P2 in which drawing is not performed. Turn off all the light sources (15-17). Next, the laser light source control unit 54 is synthesized by controlling the first to third light sources (15 to 17) in a section from P2 to P3 in which the low beam light distribution pattern Lb is drawn on the road surface R1 and the object in front of the vehicle. In the section from P3 to P4 in which the white laser beam is generated and the line L1 by the red laser beam is drawn on the road surface, the green and blue laser beams from the second and third light sources (16, 17) are turned off. A red laser beam having a predetermined luminance is generated by adjusting the irradiation intensity of the first light source. Further, the laser light source controller 54 generates white laser light from the first to third light sources (15 to 17) in the period from P4 to P5, and generates red laser light from the first light source in the period from P5 to P6. In the interval from P6 to P7, white laser light is generated in the first to third light sources (15 to 17), and in the interval from P7 to P8 after the drawing is finished, the first to third light sources (15 to 17). Turn off all the lights.

  The optical mechanism 8 repeats such scanning from left to right at a high speed, so that the white laser light synthesized by the laser light source unit 7 is combined with the light from the LED light source unit 5 (in the case of the first embodiment), Or, alone (in the case of the second embodiment), the low beam light distribution pattern Lb of the headlamp is drawn on the road surface and the object in front of the vehicle, and the red laser beam passes the two lines L1 indicating the position of the lane mark M1 on the road surface. To draw. In the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8, a low-beam light distribution pattern of white light may be formed by predetermined scanning. The color of the line L1 is not only red but also first to third light sources. A wide variety of colors obtained by synthesizing the laser beams (15 to 17) can be adopted. The graphic drawing means for alerting the driver is not limited to the line L1, and various kinds of marks as will be described later are conceivable.

  In the case where the red line L1 is drawn in the inner region of the white low beam light distribution pattern Lb and the high beam light distribution pattern (not shown), as shown in FIG. 6B, on the road surface R1, It is desirable to form a dark line-shaped dark part D1 on both the left and right sides of the red line L1 and draw the line L1 inside the dark part D1. Since the dark line D1 is provided between the red line L1 and the white low beam light distribution pattern Lb, the outline in the low beam light distribution pattern Lb stands out, so that the visibility is improved. FIG. 6B is a diagram in which the lane mark M1 in FIG. 6A is omitted and a dark portion D1 is added for easy viewing.

  With reference to FIGS. 6B and 7, the procedure for forming the red line L <b> 1 that becomes the bright portion inside the dark portion D <b> 1 in the inner region of the white low beam light distribution pattern Lb will be described. Reference numerals (R, G, B) in FIG. 7 indicate lighting states and extinguishing of the first to third light sources (15 to 17). Reference signs W and R indicate the magnitude of the output of the light source, and the output R has a higher irradiation intensity than the output W. Each light source emits white laser light by being turned on with an output W. The first light source 15 that generates the red laser light is not turned off, and the irradiation intensity is increased to the output R at a predetermined timing. The second and third light sources (16, 17) are turned off at the “OFF” position.

  First, the laser light source control unit 54 in FIG. 5 turns off all the first to third light sources (15 to 17) in the section from P11 to P12 in which drawing is not performed as shown in FIG. In the section from P12 to P21, the low beam distribution pattern Lb by the white laser light, the dark part D1, and the red line L1 by the red laser light are drawn on the road surface or an object in front of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, the laser light source control unit 54 emits white laser light while lighting the first to third light sources 15 to 17 at the output W in the section from P12 to P13. The low beam distribution pattern Lb is generated.

  In the section from P13 to P14, the laser light source controller 54 does not change the irradiation intensity of the first light source 15, turns off only the second and third light sources (16, 17), and generates a white low beam light distribution pattern Lb. A dark part D1 is formed inside. Specifically, in the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment in which the low light distribution pattern Lb is formed by the LED light source unit 5 and the laser beam synthesized in white, white is dimmed to form the dark part D1. . In the vehicular lamp 45 of the second embodiment in which the low beam distribution pattern Lb is formed only by the white laser light, the white color is turned off and the dark part D1 is formed. Further, the laser light source control unit 54 increases the output of the first light source 15 from the output W to R in the section from P14 to P15, thereby forming the line L1 by the red laser light adjacent to the dark part D1.

  The laser light source control unit 54 also reduces the output of the first light source 15 from the output R to W again in the section from P15 to P16, thereby forming a dark part D1 adjacent to the red line L1, and from P16 to P17. In the interval up to, the second and third light sources (16, 17) are turned on again with the output W to generate white laser light together with the first light source with the same output, and the white low beam light distribution pattern continuous to the dark portion D1. Lb is formed. As a result, the red line L1 surrounded by the dark part D1 is clearly drawn inside the white low beam light distribution pattern Lb.

  The laser light source control unit 54 also performs the same control as above on the first to third light sources (15 to 17), thereby forming a dark part D1 in the section from P17 to P18, and from P18 to P19. A red line L1 is formed in the section, a dark portion D1 is formed in the section from P19 to P20, and a white low beam light distribution pattern Lb is formed in the section from P20 to P21.

  In the vehicular lamps (1, 45) of the first and second embodiments, the laser source unit 7 generates a predetermined laser beam at the predetermined timing as described above, and the optical mechanism 8 moves from left to right. The above-mentioned predetermined scanning is repeated at a high speed while sliding in the vertical direction, so that a white light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape as a headlamp or a figure of a predetermined shape that alerts a driver etc. to various colors Draw on the road surface or objects in front of the vehicle with light.

  The lamp ECU 51 shown in FIG. 5 includes an image processing device 55, a raindrop sensor 56, a navigation system 57, a speedometer 58, a road information communication system 59, a turn signal lamp switch 64, a steering operation detection mechanism 65, an accelerator opening degree. A detection mechanism 71 and the like are connected. The image processing device 55 is connected to an in-vehicle camera 60, a road monitoring camera 61, and the like.

  The in-vehicle camera 60 includes a camera or the like that is mounted on the host vehicle or another vehicle and shoots the surroundings of the vehicle with a moving image or a stop image. The road monitoring camera 61 includes an intersection camera arranged at the intersection, a neighborhood of the road And a surveillance camera for photographing a road surface condition, a pedestrian, a bicycle, a motorcycle, a vehicle such as an automobile, an obstacle, etc. in a moving image or a still image. The image processing device 55 is connected to the road monitoring camera 61 via a communication line such as the Internet, and acquires video and image data from the road monitoring camera 61. The image processing device 55 sends to the lamp ECU 51 as data obtained by analyzing the video or the like taken by the in-vehicle camera 60, the road monitoring camera 61, etc., and the raindrop sensor 56 sends a data signal relating to the amount of rain when the vehicle travels to the lamp ECU 51. .

  For example, the navigation system 57 has a GPS signal, map data, and the like (not shown) to send a data signal related to the current position of the host vehicle to the lamp ECU 51. The lamp ECU 51 receives a signal related to the traveling speed of the host vehicle from the speedometer 58. The road information communication system 59 receives data relating to road surface conditions such as the amount of rain on the road that is being traveled and road freezing via a communication line such as the Internet and sends the data to the lamp ECU 51.

The lamp ECU 51 analyzes a situation related to the own vehicle on the road based on each of the above data and a road surface condition, and then draws a predetermined graphic for calling attention to the driver of the own vehicle or another vehicle on the road surface or the like. The laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 are controlled. The means for drawing a predetermined graphic to call attention to the driver of the host vehicle or other vehicle using the vehicular lamps (1, 45) of the first and second embodiments will be listed below.

  For the vehicles of the first and second embodiments, a stoppable distance is automatically calculated from the traveling speed of the host vehicle and a mark or the like indicating the stopable inter-vehicle distance is drawn on the road surface with a laser beam from FIG. 5 and FIG. A third embodiment relating to the drawing system of the lamp (1, 45) will be described.

  The driver of the traveling vehicle must be able to stop the vehicle safely without a rear-end collision when another vehicle traveling forward (hereinafter simply referred to as the forward vehicle) suddenly decelerates due to a sudden stop, etc. The vehicle must travel with an appropriate inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle. However, the driver cannot recognize the inter-vehicle distance from other vehicles when there is no target on the road that should be the target for recognizing the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle. In addition, the braking distance of the vehicle varies depending on the speed of the host vehicle, and also varies depending on road conditions such as rainfall and freezing. Therefore, it is difficult for a driver who actually travels to recognize the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle and the braking distance that can be safely stopped without colliding with the preceding vehicle. As a means for measuring the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, there is a method using an image analysis system using a millimeter wave radar or an in-vehicle camera. However, the millimeter wave radar can only detect a forward vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance of about 150 m, and the in-vehicle camera has a limit in the inter-vehicle distance that can be measured in that it becomes difficult to catch the vehicle as the distance increases.

  In consideration of the above problems, in the drawing system of the present embodiment, the braking distance of the traveling vehicle is automatically measured according to the traveling speed of the own vehicle and the road surface condition, and is taken between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle. The road surface is drawn with laser light to make the driver recognize the necessary distance between vehicles.

  In the drawing system of the present embodiment, after calculating the braking distance according to the speed of the vehicle and the amount of rainfall or freezing on the running road surface, the vehicle actually stops when the vehicle is urgently braked, In other words, a program for drawing a mark or the like by a laser beam is recorded in the ROM of FIG. The lamp ECU 51 automatically calculates a braking distance according to the vehicle speed obtained by the speedometer 58.

  As for the calculated braking distance, for example, the first braking distance that allows the vehicle to stop by gently stepping on the brake, the second braking distance that allows the vehicle to stop by stepping on the brake with normal force, and the brake with full force It is desirable to calculate a plurality of braking distances in consideration of margins where stopping is possible, such as a third braking distance including a limit braking distance at which the vehicle can be stopped by stepping on. Regarding the first to third braking distances, for example, when the vehicle travels on a dry road surface at 60 km / h, the lamp ECU 51 sets the shortest braking distance (third braking distance) that can be stopped to 40 m, The braking distance is calculated to be 50 m, the first braking distance is calculated to be 60 m, etc., and the first to third braking distances are increased or decreased according to changes in the vehicle speed.

  Further, when the vehicle travels on a road surface that has become wet due to rain or on a road surface that may freeze, the lamp ECU 51 may calculate the first to third braking distances longer than those during drying. desirable. Specifically, for example, the lamp ECU 51 receives data relating to the amount of rainfall on the running road from the raindrop sensor 56 and the road information communication system 59, and receives data relating to whether or not the road surface is frozen from the road information communication system. Thus, the first to third braking distances are calculated to be longer than when drying.

  For example, when the vehicle travels on a wet road surface due to rain or the like at 60 km / h, the lamp ECU 51 sets the third braking distance to 50 m, the second braking distance to 70 m, the first braking distance to 90 m, etc. A longer braking distance is calculated than when traveling, and each braking distance is increased or decreased according to the change in the rainfall data obtained. For example, when the vehicle travels at a speed of 60 km / h on a road surface where the vehicle may freeze, the lamp ECU 51 is wet with a third braking distance of 80 m, a second braking distance of 120 m, and a first braking distance of 160 m. A longer braking distance is calculated than when traveling on the road surface.

  Next, specific means for drawing a road surface with a laser beam will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The figure allows the driver to recognize the necessary inter-vehicle distance to be taken with the vehicle ahead. Reference numeral R2 indicates a road on which the vehicle is traveling, reference numeral My indicates a host vehicle, reference numeral Ot indicates another vehicle, and reference numerals Fr and Re indicate front and rear directions of the vehicle. As an example, it is assumed that the host vehicle is traveling on a dry road surface at a speed of 60 km / h.

  In FIG. 5, for example, the actuator control unit 36 that has received a signal from the lamp ECU 51 shows, for example, FIG. 8A according to the first to third braking distances calculated when traveling at a speed of 60 km / h. As described above, a rectangular first mark 62a is drawn on the road surface R2 located 60 m ahead of the host vehicle My and 40 m ahead of the vehicle, and is rectangular on the road surface R2 20 m ahead of the host vehicle My. The second mark 62b is drawn, and the laser beam is received so as to draw the rectangular third mark 62c on the road surface R2 located 20 m ahead of the vehicle from the front end (position 0) of the host vehicle My. The optical mechanism 8 is operated.

  The laser light source controller 54 that has received a signal from the lamp ECU 51, for example, generates green or blue laser light when drawing the first mark 62a, and yellow laser light when drawing the second mark 62b. It is desirable to change the color for each mark corresponding to the safety degree of the inter-vehicle distance, such as generating red laser light when drawing the third mark 62c.

  The first mark 62a indicates that the inter-vehicle distance has become shorter than the first braking distance when the other vehicle Ot enters the first mark 62a, and the second mark 62b indicates that the inter-vehicle distance is reduced by the intrusion of the other vehicle Ot. The third mark 62c is a mark indicating that the inter-vehicle distance has been shortened to a level at which a rear-end collision cannot be avoided when entering the other vehicle Ot.

  The driver recognizes that the other vehicle Ot can be safely stopped even if the other vehicle Ot stops suddenly if the other vehicle Ot is positioned ahead of the first mark 62a that can be visually recognized. When the driver visually recognizes that the other vehicle Ot has entered one of the first to third marks (62a to 62c), the driver perceives that the distance between the vehicles should be taken a little longer by the following recognition. When the inter-vehicle distance decreases and the other vehicle Ot enters the first mark 62a, the driver recognizes that when the other vehicle Ot stops suddenly, it is necessary to pay attention to braking to avoid a rear-end collision. When entering the second mark 62b, recognizing that there is a possibility that sudden braking of full power may be necessary to avoid a rear-end collision when the other vehicle Ot stops suddenly, and when the other vehicle Ot enters the third mark 62c, Recognize that rear-end collision cannot be avoided even with sudden braking. The first to third marks (62a to 62c) drawn on the road surface allow the driver to recognize the avoidable inter-vehicle distance when the other vehicle Ot in front of the vehicle suddenly stops, thereby reducing rear-end collision accidents.

  Note that the drawing range and drawing position of the first to third marks (62a to 62c) are changed according to the speed of the host vehicle and the condition of the running road surface R2 (dry, rainy, frozen, etc.). The lighting ECU 51 that has obtained data relating to the road surface condition may automatically change the drawing range and the drawing position, or may be linked to the lamp ECU 51 such as “dry road surface mode”, “wet mode”, and “frozen road surface mode”. A mode switching button may be provided to allow the driver to switch manually.

  The width of the first to third marks (62a to 62c) is, for example, the same length as the host vehicle My, but in order to limit the drawing on the road surface to the minimum range, It is desirable that the width is half or less of the host vehicle My.

  Further, the first to third marks (62a to 62c) have various shapes as long as the other vehicle Ot enters the mark area and allows the driver to recognize that the risk of the inter-vehicle distance is increasing. Simple figures, characters, etc. may be adopted. For example, instead of a rectangle, a battle drawn in the width direction at the first to third braking distance positions may be used, and the rectangular marks (62a to 62c) may have a hollow frame shape or a solid shape. It may be a rectangle. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the figures of ○, Δ, and X respectively indicated by reference numerals (63a to 63c) inside the first to third marks (62a to 62c) made of a rectangular frame. Or “caution”, “danger”, “rejection”, etc. may be written.

  In the drawing system, an alarm sound generating mechanism is provided for generating different sounds when the other vehicle Ot enters the first to third marks (61, 63). For example, the other vehicle Ot is provided with the first mark 62a. When the sound enters, the detection sound is emitted, when the sound enters the second mark 62b, a sound for calling attention is emitted, and when the sound enters the third mark 62c, a warning sound is generated.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 9A, a vehicle lamp (first and second embodiments) that draws a mark or the like on the road surface with a laser beam informing the driver of the vehicle in the adjacent lane of the lane change of the own vehicle. A fourth embodiment relating to the drawing system 1, 45) will be described.

  When the vehicle changes lanes while driving on a road with two or more lanes on one side, the driver of the other vehicle running in parallel with the vehicle in the adjacent lane cannot see the turn signal lamp of the vehicle running side by side. May cause a rear-end collision or contact accident. In this embodiment, a drawing informing a lane change by a laser beam is drawn on the road surface, so that a driver following the adjacent lane can easily recognize the lane change of the own vehicle.

  The lamp ECU 51 shown in FIG. 5 detects which one of the left and right turn signal lamps is turned on, detects the operation of the turn signal lamp switch 64, or detects whether the steering is rotated in the left or right direction by the steering operation detection mechanism 65. Based on the signal, a mark having a predetermined shape is formed on the road surface by laser light of a predetermined color. Note that the color of the laser beam used when drawing a figure inside the white light distribution pattern is preferably not red but red.

  For example, the symbol My in FIG. 9A indicates the host vehicle traveling on the left lane R11 of the two-lane road, and the symbol Otr indicates the other vehicle Otr that runs slightly behind the right lane R12.

  For example, when the driver of the vehicle tries to change the lane to the right lane R12, the lamp ECU 51 shown in FIG. 5 detects that the turn signal lamp in the right direction is turned on or the steering is turned in the right turn direction. The unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 are driven. The laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 are diagonally right forward drawn across the first arrow mark 66 facing forward drawn in front of the host vehicle My in the lane R11 and the left and right lanes (R11, R12). The second arrow mark 67 facing the front and the forward third arrow mark 68 drawn on the right lane R12 are continuously drawn. Further, on the left and right sides of the first to third arrow marks (66 to 68), a pair of lines (69, 70) extending along the direction of each mark is drawn.

  The driver of the other vehicle Otr running in parallel on the adjacent lane R12 at a position where the turn signal lamp of the host vehicle My cannot be seen is the first indicating the lane change to the right even if the turn signal lamp of the host vehicle My is not visible. Since the third arrow mark (66 to 68) and the line (69, 70) can be visually recognized on the road surface ahead of the other vehicle Otr, the vehicle change of the host vehicle My is recognized, so that it is possible to avoid rear-end collisions and contact accidents. .

  When the lane is changed from the right lane to the left lane (not shown), the lamp ECU 51 continues from the front of the host vehicle traveling in the right lane in a state extending over the lane mark L2 that divides the lane. The third mark (66 to 68) and the line (69, 70) are symmetrically formed. Further, the first to third arrow marks (66 to 68) are marks or characters having various colors and shapes as long as they are figures drawn in front of other vehicles running parallel to the left-right lane change. Can be adopted.

  Next, referring to FIG. 9 (b), the vehicle lamps (1, 45) of the first and second embodiments, in which a mark or the like for informing the vehicle width of the own vehicle is drawn on the road surface in front of the own vehicle with a laser beam. A fifth embodiment relating to the drawing system will be described.

  If the driver traveling on the road at night cannot recognize the positional relationship between the width of the host vehicle and the obstacle in front of the vehicle, there is a risk of causing a contact accident with the obstacle. If a mark indicating the vehicle width can be provided in front of the traveling vehicle, the driver can avoid a contact accident with an obstacle by visually checking the mark. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 are operated, and laser light is emitted forward of the vehicle along the left and right end portions (My1, MY2) of the vehicle in front of the host vehicle My. To form a line (L3, L4). The pair of lines (L3, L4) are drawn on the road surface and obstacles ahead of the vehicle at the vehicle width interval of the host vehicle My. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9B, the driver operates the steering so that the drawn lines (L3, L4) do not contact the obstacle Ms in front of the host vehicle My, thereby obstructing the obstacle Ms. Contact accidents can be avoided in advance.

  Incidentally, it is desirable that the laser light used when drawing a figure inside the white light distribution pattern is made red or the like avoiding white, and the red lines (L3, L4) are as shown in FIG. 6B. It is further desirable to provide it inside the dark part D1. As for the lines (L3, L4), if the driver can recognize the vehicle width, a rectangular figure may be drawn instead.

  Next, according to FIGS. 5 and 10 (a) and 10 (b), a warning mark or the like relating to traffic of vehicles or pedestrians in the vicinity of the intersection is drawn on the road surface with laser light. A sixth embodiment relating to a drawing system for a vehicular lamp (1,45) will be described.

  Fig.10 (a) has shown the figure in case the own vehicle turns right in the state which opposes the right turn vehicle of an oncoming lane. Reference sign My denotes the host vehicle, reference sign Ott denotes another right turn vehicle in the opposite right lane, reference sign Ots denotes another straight vehicle in the opposite lane, reference sign Hu denotes a crossing pedestrian, reference sign R3 denotes the road surface of the intersection. . As shown in FIG. 10 (a), if a right turn is attempted at an intersection where a right turn lane exists, the right turn vehicle in the opposite lane becomes blind and the presence of the oncoming straight vehicle Ots becomes difficult to see. A delay in the recognition of the oncoming straight vehicle Ots by the driver of the host vehicle My causes a right-straight accident, and a delay in the recognition of the pedestrian Hu on the pedestrian crossing causes an accident involving the pedestrian.

  FIG. 10B is a view showing a state where the two-wheeled vehicle Bk is about to pass through from the left side of the host vehicle My trying to turn left. A rider of a motorcycle trying to pass through may not be aware of the turn signal lamp (not shown) on the left side of the own vehicle My, and the driver of the own vehicle My may not be aware of the motorcycle to pass through. There is a risk of causing the vehicle My to turn left and causing an accident.

  In this embodiment, in conjunction with the in-vehicle camera and the intersection camera of the host vehicle, the vehicle goes straight from the opposite lane, the pedestrian Hu crossing the pedestrian crossing, the bicycle (not shown), and the vehicle from the left rear. A mark or the like for alerting the presence of the two-wheeled vehicle Bk is drawn on the road surface R3 around the host vehicle with a laser beam.

  First, in the drawing system of the present embodiment, the image processing device 55 in FIG. 5 analyzes and processes video and image data captured by the in-vehicle camera 60 of the host vehicle My and the road monitoring camera 61 that is an intersection camera. Further, the lamp ECU 51 calculates the current location and speed of the oncoming vehicle, and the positions of pedestrians Hu and bicycles (not shown) on the pedestrian crossing based on the analysis data of the image processing device 55. The lamp ECU 51 detects whether the vehicle is about to turn left or right by detecting the operation of the turn signal lamp switch 64 or the steering operation by the steering operation detection mechanism 65. The lamp ECU 51 operates the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 via the laser light source control unit 54 and the actuator control unit 36, respectively, and the vehicle proceeds to bend a mark of a predetermined shape by laser light of a predetermined color on the left and right. Draw on the road surface in the direction.

  For example, the lamp ECU 51 of FIG. 5 detects the right turn operation of the host vehicle My in conjunction with the lighting of the right turn signal, and the image or image data near the intersection by the image processing device 55 as shown in FIG. When a situation in which the vehicle cannot safely turn due to the detection of the approach of the oncoming straight vehicle Ots, or when a pedestrian Hu or a bicycle (not shown) crossing the pedestrian crossing is detected, the lamp ECU 51 receives the laser light source unit 7. And the optical mechanism 8 draws a mark St meaning “unable to travel” on the road surface R3 in front of the host vehicle My or on a road surface diagonally right forward where the vehicle is about to travel. Examples of the mark indicating “impossible to proceed” include “x”, “hand mark (which means“ stop ”)”, “STOP”, “Wait”, and the like, which are drawn by a red laser beam having a danger color. It is desirable.

  Further, the lamp ECU 51 detects from the data from the image processing device 55 that the oncoming straight vehicle Ots has not come, or has already passed, so that it can safely turn right at the intersection, and the pedestrian Hu crossing the pedestrian crossing. When a vehicle or a bicycle is not detected, the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 draw a mark that means “can proceed” on the road surface R3 in front of the host vehicle My or on the diagonally forward right side of the vehicle. Marks that indicate “Advance” are, for example, “O”, “Arrow (meaning“ A right turn is possible ”)”, “GO”, and the like, and are drawn with green or blue laser light for safety. Is desirable.

  The driver of the host vehicle My can make a right turn at the intersection safely by visually recognizing the mark indicating “Advance” on the road surface R3 ahead, and by visually confirming the mark indicating “Advance impossible” ahead, A right-handed accident with Ots and a pedestrian Hu accident can be avoided.

  It is desirable that the mark indicating “unable to proceed” and “can proceed” is drawn on the oncoming lane R13 diagonally right forward. In that case, the driver of the oncoming straight car Ots can recognize the presence or absence of the right turn car My by visually recognizing the mark drawn on the running lane, and pedestrians Hu on the pedestrian crossing are also near the pedestrian crossing. Since it is possible to recognize the presence or absence of the right turn car My by visually recognizing the mark drawn on the road surface, an accident is further less likely to occur. Further, for example, the lamp ECU 51 analyzes whether a pedestrian or the like on a pedestrian crossing is crossing from the rear or the front of the vehicle from video or image data, and in the laser light source unit 7 and the calling optical mechanism 8, the pedestrian It is desirable to draw a mark that allows the driver to recognize the crossing direction. For example, for a mark indicating the crossing direction of a pedestrian, for example, a human mark indicating the presence of a crossing person and a mark such as an arrow indicating the crossing direction are written next to a red mark indicating “unable to proceed”. It is desirable.

  For the mark indicating “unable to proceed”, for example, the higher the vehicle speed of the host vehicle My, the higher the acceleration, or the greater the tread white of the accelerator, the higher the degree of danger by drawing the mark larger. It is desirable to inform the driver. Further, in the drawing system of the present embodiment, in addition to the description on the road surface drawing indicating “unable to proceed” and “can proceed”, it is also conceivable to use voice guidance for informing whether or not to proceed. Each mark may be drawn by continuing to turn on the laser beam, or may be drawn by blinking.

  Further, for example, the motorcycle ECU 51 detects the left turn operation of the host vehicle My in conjunction with the lighting of the left turn signal, and approaches the rear of the host vehicle My from the image or image data near the intersection by the image processing device 55. Is detected, the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 draw a mark Sst that means “no slip-through” on the road surface diagonally to the left of the host vehicle My. Examples of the mark Sst that means “cannot pass through” include “x”, “hand mark” (which means “stop”), “STOP”, “Wait”, etc. It is desirable. At the same time, on the diagonally left front of the host vehicle My, a “left turn mark ML” including a left-pointing arrow that means that the host vehicle My will turn left is drawn with a blue or green laser beam, It is desirable to notify the “approach mark Stb” made up of the letters “BIKE!” That informs the driver of the host vehicle My that the two-wheeled vehicle Bk is approaching obliquely from behind by using a red laser beam or the like.

  The rider of the motorcycle Bk can recognize the danger of slipping through by visually recognizing the “Slip-through impossible” mark Sst, and further the danger of being caught in a left turn by visually recognizing the “left turn mark ML” of the front vehicle My. It can be recognized in advance together with sex. In addition, the driver of the host vehicle My can also recognize in advance the risk of getting the motorcycle involved when making a left turn by visually recognizing the “approaching mark Stb” of the motorcycle in the forward left direction. As a result, an accident involving a left turn vehicle and a motorcycle is prevented in advance.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 11 (a) to 11 (c), a laser beam is used to mark a mark or the like for preventing the driver from excessively speeding the vehicle or for increasing the speed to eliminate traffic congestion. A seventh embodiment relating to the drawing system of the vehicular lamps (1, 45) of the first and second embodiments that draws on the road surface will be described.

  Excessive speed of the running vehicle causes an increase in accidents due to deviation from the hatched line and rear-end collisions with other vehicles. In addition, when the traveling vehicle speed is too slow, traffic congestion occurs on the road. In the drawing system of the present embodiment, in view of such problems, the driver visually recognizes a mark drawn with a laser beam on a road surface or a building on the road so as to promote deceleration or acceleration. .

  First, in FIGS. 11A to 11C, reference numeral R4 indicates a road surface, reference numeral L5 indicates a pair of lane marks on the road surface R4, reference numeral GL indicates a guard rail on the left side of the road, and reference numerals (M51 to M54). ) Indicates marks drawn by laser light. The marks (M51 to M53) are a plurality of rectangular marks drawn intermittently in the front-rear direction of the road surface, and the mark M54 is a plurality of rectangular shapes drawn intermittently in the front-rear direction with respect to the guard rail. Mark.

The lamp ECU 51 in FIG. 5 operates the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 via the laser light source control unit 54 and the actuator control unit 36, respectively, and is intermittent in the front-rear direction as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c). A plurality of rectangular marks (M51 to M53) to be drawn are drawn at positions in contact with the pair of lane marks L5 on the road surface R4, and the mark M54 is drawn on the guard rail GL. As a result, the driver of the vehicle My deviates from the vehicle lane by accurately recognizing the installation position and installation direction of the pair of lane marks L5 and the guard rail GL by visually recognizing the marks (M51 to M54). Further, the lamp ECU 51 of FIG. 5 calculates the current speed of the host vehicle from the position data of the host vehicle that is running by the navigation system 57 having GPS data and the speed data of the speedometer. Further, the lamp ECU 51 uses the mark ((a) to (c) in FIG. 11 from the building data such as the guardrail GL in the vicinity of the road obtained by processing the video of the vehicle-mounted camera 60 by the image processing device 55. M51 to M53) are calculated. Further, the lamp ECU 51 obtains the road rainfall obtained by the raindrop sensor, the road freezing status obtained from the road information communication system, the road sign taken by the in-vehicle camera 60, or the navigation system 57 or road information. The speed at which the host vehicle My should travel on the road on which the vehicle My is traveling is calculated from the speed limit for the road on which the vehicle is traveling and the speed information to be used to eliminate traffic congestion obtained from the communication system 59 or the like.

  When the actual traveling speed is different from the traveling speed on the road, the lamp ECU 51 moves the mark (M51 to M54) backward at a speed different from the relative speed of the object on the road with respect to the own vehicle My. By operating the light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 respectively, it is possible to prompt the driver to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle while traveling.

  Specifically, when it is desired to prompt the driver to decelerate the vehicle, the lamp ECU 51 moves the mark (M51 to M54) drawn on the road surface R4 and the guard rail GL at a speed higher than the speed of the own vehicle My traveling. When it is desired to move the vehicle in the direction opposite to the traveling direction and to encourage the driver to accelerate the vehicle, the lamp ECU 51 makes the marks (M51 to M54) drawn on the road surface R4 and the guard rail GL higher than the speed of the traveling vehicle My. The marks (M51 to M54) drawn on the road surface R4 and the guard rail GL are moved at a slow speed in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  In the example shown below, “Example 1” is a case where a driver traveling at 60 km / h is urged to decelerate to 40 km / h, and “Example 2” is a case where a driver who is traveling at 40 km / h is urged to accelerate to 60 km / h. Is shown.

  First, as explained in Example 1, for a driver of a vehicle My traveling at 60 km / h, the guardrail GL fixed on the road moves backward at a relative speed VGL = 60 km / h as shown in FIG. Looks like you are doing. For example, when the road surface condition during running due to rain is slippery or when the legal speed of the running road is 40 km / h and it is desirable to run at 40 km / h, the lamp ECU 51 includes the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism. 8 is generated, and marks (M51 to M54) are drawn on the road surface and guardrail so as to move backward of the vehicle at the speed of V1 = 80 km / h with respect to the road surface, that is, in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle. Let In that case, the driver of the host vehicle My who visually recognizes the mark (M51 to M54) feels that the vehicle is running 20 km / h faster than the actual speed of the host vehicle My, and thus suppresses further acceleration of the host vehicle, Or it becomes easy to feel that it should decelerate. As described above, the marks (M51 to M54) have an effect of causing the driver to feel that the traveling vehicle speed should be suppressed, and an effect of preventing a traffic accident.

  Next, for the driver of the vehicle My traveling at 40 km / h, which explains “Example 2”, the guard rail GL of FIG. 11 (a) appears to move backward at a relative speed VGL = 40 km / h. For example, when there is a traffic jam due to insufficient speed of each vehicle on the road and it is desirable to run at 60 km / h to eliminate the traffic jam, the lamp ECU 51 operates the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 on the road surface. On the other hand, marks (M51 to M54) are drawn on the road surface R4 and the guardrail GL so as to move to the rear of the vehicle at a speed of V2 = 20 km / h. In that case, the driver of the host vehicle My who visually recognizes the marks (M51 to M54) feels that he / she is running 20 km / h slower than the actual speed of the host vehicle My. In this case, the marks (M51 to M54) have an effect of causing the driver to feel that the traveling vehicle should be accelerated, and an effect of eliminating the traffic jam.

  In addition, a plurality of marks (M51 to M53) drawn on the road surface R4 shown in FIG. 11A are drawn with a longer length in the front-rear direction as the position is closer to the host vehicle My, and in the front-rear direction as the position is farther away. The length is drawn gradually smaller. Here, in FIGS. 11A to 11C, when the front and rear lengths of the marks (M51 to M53) drawn forward by the same distance from the host vehicle My are (L51 to L53), respectively, L52 <L51 and L53> Marks (M51 to M53) were drawn so as to be L51.

  The field of view of the driver during traveling becomes narrower as the speed of the host vehicle My increases, and the length of the visible object in the traveling direction appears shorter as the speed increases. Accordingly, the lamp ECU 51 of FIG. 5 operates the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 to mark the mark M51 formed at a predetermined distance from the host vehicle My as shown in FIGS. When the mark 52 is changed to a mark 52 having a short length in the front-rear direction, the driver feels that he / she is running faster than the actual speed, and therefore it is easy to feel that the acceleration of the own vehicle should be suppressed or decelerated. On the other hand, when the mark M51 formed at a position away from the host vehicle My by a predetermined distance as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11C is changed to a mark 53 having a long longitudinal length, the driver Because it feels like running slower than the speed, it becomes easier to feel that the vehicle should be accelerated.

  In this way, the marks (M51 to M54) are drawn on the road surface so as to move in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle at a speed faster than the speed of the traveling vehicle. M53) adjusts the front / rear length to be shorter while traveling, thereby causing the driver to suppress further acceleration of the vehicle or to accelerate deceleration. On the other hand, the marks (M51 to M54) are drawn on the road surface so as to move in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle at a slower speed than the traveling vehicle, and the drawn marks (M51 to M53) are By adjusting the length in the front-rear direction longer during driving, the driver is prompted to accelerate the speed, thereby causing the driver to control the vehicle speed.

  The marks (M51 to M53) are formed to be longer in the front-rear direction as they are closer to the host vehicle My and shorter in the front-rear direction as they are farther from the host vehicle My. Therefore, the front-rear length of the mark drawn near the other vehicle Ot is further increased. When the distance is changed for a long time, the driver feels that the distance from the other vehicle Ot traveling in front is shortened. Accordingly, when it is desired that the driver take a longer distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle Ot ahead in consideration of the rain detected by the raindrop sensor 56, the front and rear lengths of the marks (M51 to M53) should be set while driving. It is desirable that the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle Ot in front of the vehicle be changed to be longer and to feel as if it is shorter than the actual distance, thereby encouraging a longer distance between the vehicles.

  When the marks (M51 to M54) are drawn inside the white light distribution pattern, it is desirable that the color of the laser light be red and avoid white, and the mark formed inside the white light distribution pattern More preferably, (M51 to M54) are provided inside the dark part D1 as shown in FIG. Further, the shape of the marks (M51 to M54) is not limited to a rectangle.

  Here, the dark portion D1 drawn inside the lines (L1, L5) and the line L1 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 11A to 11C is used as the lane mark M1. A supplementary description will be given of the means for drawing along.

  On a road such as a curve, it is dangerous for the own vehicle to protrude into an adjacent lane because it leads to a collision accident with a vehicle traveling in another lane. However, drivers who are unfamiliar with roads are more likely to run out because they do not know in advance in which direction and how much the road in the traveling direction bends. When the lines (M1, L5) by the laser beam shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 11A to 11C are drawn not only along the straight line but also along the lane mark M1 formed in the curve. Because the driver can quickly see and grasp the presence or absence of a curve in the direction of travel and the degree of bending, it is difficult for the driver to protrude into other lanes due to the curve even when driving on an unfamiliar road.

  The lamp ECU 51 shown in FIG. 5 detects the lane mark (M1, L5) in FIGS. 5 and 11 from the analysis result of the image processing device 55 based on the data taken by the in-vehicle camera 60 and the road monitoring camera 61 which is an intersection camera. Based on the detection result, the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism 8 are operated to draw lines (L1, M51 to M53) on or adjacent to the lane marks (M1, L5). In consideration of drawing inside the white light distribution pattern, the line to be drawn is preferably formed in red, yellow or blue other than white.

  In addition, for example, due to a snooze driving or the like, a running vehicle approaches the lane mark (M1, L5) even though the turn signal lamp switch 64 is not operated, or the steering operation detection mechanism 65 causes a steering wheel not shown. In the case where wobbling is detected, the lamp ECU 51 informs the driver of the danger of deviating from the lane by operating the laser light source unit 7 and causing the red and yellow lines (L1, M51 to M53) to blink. Is desirable.

  Further, the lamp ECU 51 shown in FIG. 5 is a curve curve based on the speed of the host vehicle calculated from the speedometer 58, the navigation system 57, and the like, and the lane mark (M1, L5) detected by the in-vehicle camera 60 or the like. It is desirable to alert the driver in advance about the degree of risk when turning a curve existing in the direction of travel from the vehicle to the line (L1, M51 to M53) shown in FIGS. For example, when the intrusion speed into the curve is appropriate and easily bent, the line (L1, M51 to M53) is drawn with a blue laser beam, and when it is better to slightly reduce the intrusion speed, the line (L1 , M51 to M53) are drawn in yellow, and if it is better to greatly reduce the intrusion speed, the lines (L1, M51 to M53) are drawn in red, and if the brake is not applied at full power, other lanes In order to reliably protrude, it is desirable to blink the red lines (L1, M51 to M53) at a fast interval.

  When the driver steps on the accelerator suddenly, the lamp ECU 51 changes the line (L1, M51 to M53) to red or blinks, for example, in response to the detection result by the accelerator opening detection mechanism 71. Therefore, it is desirable to call attention to sudden acceleration.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 12 (a) (b), by drawing a grid-like grid diagram around the vehicle with a laser beam, the presence or absence of a building and an obstacle on the road surface, its shape, and the road width An eighth embodiment relating to the drawing system of the vehicular lamps (1, 45) of the first and second embodiments that makes it easy to recognize the above will be described. Symbols R5 in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) indicate the road surface, symbol PG indicates a grid diagram drawn in a grid pattern on the road surface, and symbols PH and PL depend on the LED lamp unit (5, 6). A high beam distribution pattern and a low beam distribution pattern due to white light in front of the vehicle are shown, C1 is a side groove of the road, C2 is a depression in the road surface, C3 is a fallen object that has fallen on the road from a vehicle such as a truck, Symbol C4 indicates the front wall of the tunnel TN.

  The lamp ECU 51 in FIG. 5 operates the laser light source unit 7 and the optical mechanism to obtain a grid-like grid diagram PG by the laser beam shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) in front of the road surface R5 and the tunnel in front of the vehicle. Draw on the wall C4. The grid diagram PG makes the shape of the side groove C1 and the like stand out by irradiating the side groove C1 and the like, which are depressions on the road surface, and the fallen object C3 and the like, which are projections, so that the shape of the side groove C1 and the like is highlighted. And make it easier to grasp the position. The grid diagram PG may be drawn not only inside the light distribution pattern (PH, PL) but also outside. However, when drawing inside the light distribution pattern (PH, PL), it is desirable that the grid diagram PG should be a line other than white and drawn inside the dark part.

  In addition, the laser beam makes a person who looks directly feel a very strong glare. In addition, according to the law that the light distribution pattern of the headlamp must be formed only by white light, the light emitting portion 32a (the light emitting end of light forward) shown in FIG. In view of reflecting laser light other than white light, it is desirable to prevent direct viewing from the front of the vehicle as much as possible. From these viewpoints, as shown in FIG. 2, the extension reflector 34 disposed in front of the optical mechanism 8 is disposed in the lamp chamber S so as to cover the opening 34a from above the light emitting unit 32a to at least a horizontal position. 2 and 4, the reflecting portion 32 is directed obliquely downward so as to reflect the laser beam B2 obliquely downward.

  In this case, the vehicular headlamp is generally easily disposed at a position lower than the human eye (for example, 1 m or less), and the luminous flux of the laser beam B2 directed upward from the horizontal direction is the upper edge 34b of the extension reflector 34. Therefore, the pedestrian and the driver of the oncoming vehicle cannot directly view the light emitting unit 32a. As a result, pedestrians in front of the vehicle and drivers of oncoming vehicles do not feel glare due to the laser light, and do not recognize that the light emitting part 32a that reflects laser light other than white forms the light source of the headlamp. .

  In the vehicular lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, it is desirable to direct the reflecting portion 32 to a region through which the light beam B1 emitted from the LED light source unit (5, 6) passes in the front cover 3. In this case, even if the laser beam B2 is irregularly reflected by irregularities such as dirt or scratches attached to the front cover 3, the irregular reflection is extinguished by the white light having a high luminance for forming the light distribution pattern. Diffuse reflection is not visually recognized by a pedestrian or the like ahead.

  The light source of the LED light source unit (5, 6) of the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment of the vehicular lamp shown in FIG. 1 is not constituted by a single LED light emitting element 11 as shown in FIG. You may comprise with a LED light emitting element. Further, the vehicle lamps (1, 45) are provided with DRL (Daytime Running Lamps) configured by arranging a plurality of LED light sources on a surface or on a line (not shown) as shown in FIG. May be.

  A vehicle lamp of a ninth embodiment having a DRL will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle lamp 73 of FIG. 13 includes two LED light source units for forming a high beam and a low beam that are tiltably attached to the inside of the lamp body 74 via a lamp body 74, a front lens 75, an aiming screw 78, and a support member 79. (76, 77), a DRL unit 80 having a plurality of LED light emitting elements 81, a laser light source unit (not shown), and an optical mechanism 82 having a reflecting portion 83 that can be tilted vertically and horizontally. In the optical mechanism 82, the light emitting portion 84 formed by reflecting light from a laser light source unit (not shown) by the reflecting portion 83 is exposed to the front from the plurality of LED light emitting elements 81. Place. By doing so, the light emitting portion 84 that emits light by reflecting laser light other than white light is extinguished by the plurality of LED light emitting elements 81 having high brightness, so that a pedestrian or oncoming vehicle driver ahead Will not be visible.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a tenth embodiment relating to an AO element used in place of the MEMS mirror used in the vehicular lamps (1, 45) of the first and second embodiments. An AO element (Acousto-Optic-Device) is also called an acousto-optic element, and a periodic refractive index change occurs when a high-frequency electric signal is loaded. The laser beam that has passed through the AO element to which the high-frequency electrical signal has been applied is scanned linearly. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, two AO elements (90, 91) respectively connected to high-frequency electric signal applying means (92, 93) are arranged in series. There is a limit to the range in which laser light can be refracted by one AO element, that is, the linear scanning range, but when a plurality of AO elements are arranged in series, the light that has passed through the AO element 90 is transmitted by the AO element 91. Since the light is refracted again, the scanable range is widened.

  Next to the AO element (90.91), another set of the same AO elements (90, 91) is arranged in series while being rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the straight line L6 indicating the incident line direction of light. Desirably (another set of AO elements not shown). As a result, for example, the laser beam B2 incident on the first set of AO elements (90, 91) and scanned on the line in the vertical direction is rotated by 90 degrees and the second set of AO elements (not shown). To the left and right. The plurality of AO elements arranged in series in such a state rotated by 90 degrees enables scanning of the planar laser beam in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  In a mechanical optical mechanism such as a MEMS mirror, drawing by a laser beam may be distorted when a condenser lens, a dichroic mirror, or the like receives vibration and resonates. However, it can be said that an optical mechanism using an AO element is desirable in terms of performing road surface drawing with little distortion because it is not easily affected by vibration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle lamp 7 Laser light source unit 8 Optical mechanism Lb Low beam light distribution pattern which consists of white light D1 Dark part L1 Line L1 which consists of a bright part

Claims (1)

A light source that can emit multiple colors of laser light and change the color of the irradiated light,
An optical mechanism that scans the laser beam and draws a figure on the irradiation destination;
In a vehicle lamp control system having
The light source and the optical mechanism are
A first control means for synthesizing a plurality of colors of laser light and irradiating it as white light;
A second control means for drawing a dark portion at the irradiation destination by dimming at least a part of the laser beams of the plurality of colors;
The vehicle lamp control system is operated by third control means for irradiating light other than white with the laser beams of a plurality of colors to draw a bright portion inside a dark portion.

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