JP6508081B2 - Vehicle headlight system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp system.

  2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle headlamp system is conventionally known which moves a shade (light shielding plate) by a solenoid actuator to switch between a low beam (passing beam) and a high beam (traveling beam) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-92754

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the switching is performed by the solenoid actuator, the switching occurs instantaneously, and there is a possibility that the driver or the like may feel discomfort.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp system capable of reducing discomfort when the additional high beam is lit in the vehicular headlamp having the additional high beam switched to the lighting state by a solenoid actuator.

The vehicle headlamp system according to claim 1 includes a plurality of dimmable light sources, and the plurality of light sources can be individually controlled to enable partial illumination of the high beam irradiation area. A light distribution variable high beam, and an additional high beam which is switched between a lighted state and a lighted state by controlling the solenoid actuator , wherein the irradiation area and the irradiation area of the light distribution variable high beam overlap ; When the additional high beam is switched from the extinguished state to the lit state by controlling the solenoid actuator and there is a extinguished light source among the plurality of light sources of the light distribution variable high beam, the light source is adjusted And a control device that performs control to switch the additional high beam to a lighting state after lighting while lighting.

  Note that “after the light source lights up while dimming” includes a point in the process of continuously brightening to the target brightness, and a point after the target brightness is reached. Also includes.

  The vehicle headlamp system according to claim 1 includes a light distribution variable high beam configured to include a plurality of dimmable light sources. With the light distribution variable high beam, partial illumination of the high beam irradiation area is possible by individually controlling a plurality of light sources. For this reason, for example, it is possible to realize light distribution for preventing glare of oncoming vehicles or the like while securing a wide irradiation area by the high beam.

  Moreover, the vehicle headlamp system according to claim 1 is provided with an additional high beam which is switched between the on state and the off state by the control of the solenoid actuator. Therefore, for example, even when the brightness is insufficient only with the light distribution variable high beam, sufficient brightness can be realized by turning on the additional high beam.

Moreover, the vehicle headlamp system according to claim 1 includes a control device. The control device controls the solenoid actuator to switch the additional high beam from the extinguished state to the lit state, and when there is a extinguished light source among the plurality of light sources of the light distribution variable high beam, the light source adjusts the light source. After turning on while lighting, switch the additional high beam to the on state.
Therefore, by switching the additional high beam to the lighting state, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity (a sense of incongruity that a driver or the like feels) due to an instantaneous increase in brightness.

This point will be described in detail.
First, since the lighting state and the turning-off state of the additional high beam are switched by the control of the solenoid actuator, when the additional high beam is switched to the lighting state, the switching may be instantaneous and the driver or the like may feel uncomfortable. In particular, when there is a light source which is turned off among the plurality of light sources of the light distribution variable high beam, the discomfort is increased in the non-irradiated area among the irradiation areas which can be irradiated with the light distribution variable high beam.
Here, the control device of the vehicle headlamp system according to claim 1 turns on the additional high beam after the light source which is turned off among the plurality of light sources of the light distribution variable high beam is turned on while dimming. Switch.
For this reason, in the area which has not been irradiated among the irradiation areas which can be irradiated with the light distribution variable high beam, it is prevented that the brightness is rapidly increased from the dark state which is not irradiated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the discomfort when the additional high beam is switched to the lighting state.

  As described above, the vehicle headlamp system according to the present invention can reduce the discomfort when the additional high beam is lit in the vehicle headlamp provided with the additional high beam that is switched to the lighting state by the solenoid actuator. It has an excellent effect.

1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle provided with a vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the irradiation area | region of the headlamp of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of control with respect to a solenoid switching-type beam. It is a figure which shows the timing (time point) which the control apparatus of this embodiment switches a solenoid switching-type beam to a high beam.

  Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 provided with the vehicle headlamp system S which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

-overall structure-
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle 10 equipped with a vehicular headlamp system S. As shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the vehicle 10 detects a pair of left and right headlamps 20, a control device 30 for controlling the light distribution of the headlamps 20, and a front vehicle and an oncoming vehicle existing in front of the vehicle 10. The on-vehicle camera 40 is provided.

-In-vehicle camera-
As the on-vehicle camera 40, for example, a monocular camera mounted on the top of the front windshield 12 is used.

-Control device-
A control device 30 is electrically connected to the on-vehicle camera 40. The control device 30 controls the light distribution by the headlamp 20 based on the signal from the on-vehicle camera 40 (including information on the preceding vehicle) as described in detail later.

(head lamp)
The pair of left and right headlamps 20 is configured to include an LED array unit 22 as a “light distribution variable high beam” and a solenoid switching beam 24 as an “additional high beam”. In the present embodiment, three solenoid switching beams 24 are provided respectively on the left and right, and a total of six are provided.

-LED array unit-
The LED array unit 22 includes a plurality of LEDs. Specifically, the pair of left and right LED array units 22 according to the present embodiment each includes an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row. The plurality of LEDs is an example of the “dimmable plurality of light sources” in the present invention.

  The irradiation area by the headlamp 20 is schematically shown in FIG. Of the irradiation areas shown in this figure, the area of the “LED array unit” is the irradiation area when all the LEDs of the LED array unit 22 are lit. As shown in this figure, the LED array unit 22 illuminates a so-called high beam (traveling beam) area.

  The LEDs included in the LED array unit 22 are set to illuminate different angular ranges. In addition, each LED is configured to be individually turned on and off (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "light on and off"). Therefore, it is possible to realize a light distribution in which only a part of the high beam area is not irradiated while basically illuminating the high beam area widely by individually controlling the turning on and off of each LED.

-Solenoid switching beam-
The solenoid switchable beam 24 includes one light source, a shade capable of blocking a part of the light from the light source, and a solenoid actuator for moving the shade. Although an LED is used as a light source in this embodiment, a high intensity discharge lamp (HID) or a halogen lamp may be used. The light distribution is switched between a high beam (traveling beam) and a low beam (passing beam) by moving the shade with a solenoid actuator and partially blocking the light while keeping the light from the light source directed to the front of the vehicle 10 It is supposed to be. An example of light distribution is shown in FIG. The high beam and the low beam are switched instantly because the switching is performed by the movement of the shade by the solenoid actuator.

  As described above, since the irradiation area by the LED array unit 22 is an area of high beam, it overlaps with the irradiation area at the time of high beam of the solenoid switching type beam 24. The high beam by the solenoid switchable beam 24 is used when the brightness by the LED array unit 22 is not sufficient (in the case where the vehicle is traveling at a high speed in this embodiment, as will be described later).

-Control method-
The control device 30 controls the LED array unit 22 and the solenoid switching beam 24 based on a signal from the on-vehicle camera 40 and other signals.

  Hereinafter, a control method by the control device 30 will be described.

(Light distribution mode)
The control device 30 changes the light distribution characteristic of the LED array unit 22 by controlling the current value flowing to each LED in accordance with the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. For example, in the present embodiment, in the case where the vehicle speed is 15 to 30 km / h, it is intended to achieve both the glare reduction of the pedestrian and the pedestrian visibility assuming that the user is traveling in a residential area, It is considered to be a light distribution that suppresses the illuminance of the road shoulder and the sidewalk (residential area light distribution mode). When the vehicle speed is 30 to 80 km, light distribution is performed to ensure left-right diffusion and long-distance visibility necessary for medium-speed traveling (normal light distribution mode). In addition, when the vehicle speed is 80 km / h or more, the light distribution has excellent distance visibility suitable for high speed traveling (high speed light distribution mode). The vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is detected by a vehicle speed sensor or the like, and the signal is sent to the control device 30.

(Dazzling prevention control)
In addition, in order to realize light distribution such that irradiation is not performed to a place where irradiation is not performed (for example, a place where a front vehicle exists) based on high beam irradiation, the control device 30 uses a signal from the on-vehicle camera 40. Based on this, the control of the headlamp 20 is performed as described below.
Hereinafter, control in the high speed light distribution mode will be described.

  Based on the signal from the on-vehicle camera 40, the control device 30 determines whether or not there is an area (a non-irradiated area, for example, an area where an object such as an oncoming vehicle exists) which should not be irradiated to the high beam irradiation area (predetermined area). To judge.

  If it is determined that there is no non-irradiation area, the controller 30 turns on all the LEDs of the LED array unit 22 and puts the solenoid switching beam 24 in a high beam state.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a non-irradiation area, the controller 30 turns off the LED corresponding to the non-irradiation area and puts the solenoid switching beam 24 in a low beam state.

  The control device 30 continues performing the above-described control in real time in the high speed light distribution mode. In addition, since a front vehicle always moves with respect to the vehicle 10 (self-vehicles), a non-irradiation area | region also moves in connection with this movement. The control device 30 causes the non-irradiation area to follow the position of the preceding vehicle by individually turning on and off the plurality of LEDs. Therefore, each LED is frequently turned on and off.

  In addition, the LED dims when it is turned on and off. That is, when the light is turned on, the brightness is adjusted to increase continuously, and when the light is turned off, the brightness is adjusted to decrease continuously. As a result, even when the LED is frequently turned on and off, the driver or the like is prevented from feeling discomfort.

  As understood from the above description, the control device 30 changes the state in which it is determined that there is no non-irradiated area to the state in which it is determined that there is no non-irradiated area. While switching off the lighted LED, the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched from the low beam to the high beam. The control at this time will be described in detail below.

  As mentioned above, when lighting the LED which is off, the LED is lit while dimming. The dimming of the LED is schematically shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, lighting starts from time t = 0 (lighting start) and brightness gradually increases, and reaches target brightness at time t = t1 (lighting completed).

  On the other hand, the timing (point in time) at which the control device 30 switches the solenoid switching beam 24 to the high beam is not at the point of t = 0 but at a point later than that. In other words, a delay time (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “delay time td”) is provided from the start of the lighting of the LED to the switching of the solenoid switching beam 24 to the high beam.

  When the time (point) to switch the solenoid switching beam 24 to the high beam is 50% or more, when the time from the lighting start (t = 0) of the LED to the lighting completion (t = t1) is 100% Is preferred. In other words, the delay time td is preferably 0.5 t1 or more (td 0.5 0.5 t1). In addition, it is not necessary for the solenoid switching beam to switch to the high beam before the lighting of the LED is completed, and switching may be performed after the lighting of the LED is completed (td ≧ t1). However, in order to ensure good distant visibility early, it is preferable that delay time td ≦ 1.2t1.

-An example of process flow-
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing relating to the solenoid switching beam 24 among the processing performed by the control device 30 of the vehicle headlamp system S according to the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the processing shown in this figure is performed by the control device 30 executing a program stored in advance in the ROM.

  Although the start and end of the process are not shown to simplify the flowchart, the process shown in this figure is performed, for example, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 exceeds a predetermined speed (for example, 80 km / h) (high speed It starts from step 100) when the light distribution mode is started, and ends when the vehicle speed falls below a predetermined speed (when the high-speed light distribution mode ends). If the solenoid switching beam 24 is in the high beam state when the processing termination condition is satisfied, the control device 30 switches the solenoid switching beam 24 to the low beam state and then terminates the processing. Let

  In step 100, the control device 30 acquires image data regarding the front of the vehicle 10 from the on-vehicle camera 40, and proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, based on the image data acquired by the control device 30, it is determined whether or not an object (oncoming vehicle, preceding vehicle, pedestrian, etc.) exists in a predetermined area (for example, high beam irradiation area of the solenoid switching beam 24). Determine If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104. In addition, although not shown in this figure, when determination is affirmed by step 102, the control apparatus 30 is an LED (it is hereafter called "object LED") of LED array unit 22 currently light-extinguished. Start lighting up.

In step 104, the control device 30 determines whether or not an elapsed time t from the start of lighting of the target LED has exceeded a predetermined delay time td. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 104, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106.
In addition, when there is no LED which is extinguished at the time when the determination in step 102 is affirmed (for example, immediately after switching to the high speed light distribution mode), the elapsed time since the target LED starts to light Since t is not grasped, the process proceeds to step 106 without passing through step 104 (not shown).

  In step 106, the controller 30 switches ON / OFF of the solenoid actuator of the solenoid switching beam 24. This switches the solenoid switched beam 24 to a high beam. Then, the process proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, the control device 30 acquires image data regarding the front of the vehicle 10 from the on-vehicle camera 40, and proceeds to step 110.

  In step 110, it is determined based on the image data acquired by the control device 30 whether an object exists in a predetermined area. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 108, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, the control device 30 switches ON / OFF of the solenoid actuator of the solenoid switching beam 24. This switches the solenoid switched beam 24 to a low beam. Then, the process proceeds to step 100 (return).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the timing (point in time) of switching the solenoid switching beam 24 from the low beam state to the high beam state is delayed by the delay time td with respect to the start of lighting of the target LED.

<Operation and effect>
Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle headlamp system S of the present embodiment will be described.

  The vehicle headlamp system S of the present embodiment includes an LED array unit 22 configured to include a plurality of dimmable LEDs. The LED array unit 22 enables partial illumination of the high beam illumination area by individually controlling a plurality of LEDs. For this reason, for example, it is possible to realize light distribution for preventing glare of oncoming vehicles or the like while securing a wide irradiation area by the high beam.

  Further, the vehicle headlamp system S of the present embodiment includes the solenoid switching beam 24 in which the low beam and the high beam are switched by controlling the solenoid actuator. The high beam by the solenoid switchable beam 24 is used as an additional high beam to supplement the brightness of the high beam by the LED array unit 22. In other words, the vehicle headlamp system S of the present embodiment includes an additional high beam which is switched between the on state and the off state by the control of the solenoid actuator.

In addition, the vehicle headlamp system S of the present embodiment includes the control device 30. The control device 30 controls the solenoid actuator to switch the solenoid switching beam 24 from the low beam to the high beam, and when there is an extinguished LED among the plurality of LEDs of the LED array unit 22, the LED After the (target LED) lights up while dimming, the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched to the high beam.
Therefore, by switching the solenoid switching beam 24 to the high beam, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity (a sense of incongruity felt by a driver or the like) due to an instantaneous increase in brightness.

This point will be described in detail.
When some or all of the plurality of LEDs of the LED array unit 22 are turned off and the solenoid switching beam 24 is in the low beam state, it corresponds to the turned off LEDs in the high beam irradiation area The area is not illuminated.

  From this state, when turning off the extinguished LED and switching the solenoid switchable beam 24 to the high beam, if the solenoid switchable beam 24 is switched to the high beam simultaneously with the start of the lighting of the LED, the region which has not been irradiated The brightness of the light instantly increases. The solenoid switching beam 24 performs switching by moving a shade (light shielding plate) by a solenoid actuator, so switching occurs instantaneously.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the timing (point in time) at which the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched to the high beam is after the delay time td has elapsed from the start of lighting of the target LED (LED which has been extinguished). In other words, the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched to the high beam after the delay time td has elapsed from the lighting start of the LED. For this reason, the brightness of the non-irradiated area continuously increases due to light control when the LED is lit, and then high beam irradiation by the solenoid switching beam 24 is performed. Therefore, it is suppressed that the brightness of the area | region which was not irradiated increases instantaneously, and, thereby, the discomfort etc. which a driver etc. feels can be reduced.

  The timing (time point) at which the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched to the high beam is preferably 50% to 100% of light adjustment with respect to time t1 required for light adjustment of the LED. By setting in this way, for example, the sense of discomfort can be reduced more efficiently than when the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched to the high beam at the time of 10% to 20% of dimming of the LED.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 30 has a plurality of modes for changing the light distribution characteristic of the headlamp 20 according to the traveling environment (including the traveling speed), and the specific mode (for example, the brightness The high beam of the solenoid-switched beam 24 is used only in the particularly required high-speed light distribution mode). In other words, the solenoid switching beam 24 is switched to the high beam only in the specific mode described above and when the controller 30 determines that the high beam irradiation region does not have an area to be irradiated. On the other hand, if it is not the specific mode described above, even if the control device 30 determines that there is no area to be irradiated on the high beam irradiation area, the solenoid switching beam 24 is kept low.
For this reason, switching of the solenoid switching beam 24 does not occur when the mode is not a specific mode (for example, when not traveling at high speed). Therefore, the frequency at which the high beam switching of the solenoid switching beam 24 is performed is reduced, and it is possible to further reduce the discomfort felt by the driver and the like.

[Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the control device 30 has a light distribution mode (home light distribution mode, normal light distribution mode, high-speed light distribution mode) according to the vehicle speed, and the solenoid switching beam 24 only in the high-speed travel mode. High beam, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be used in the normal mode and the high speed traveling mode, and may not be used only in the residential area light distribution mode. The control device 30 may not have the light distribution mode according to the vehicle speed. Moreover, the light distribution mode which the control apparatus 30 has does not need to be based only on the vehicle speed, for example, may have several light distribution modes according to the weather. Then, the additional high beam may be used only in a specific light distribution mode among the plurality of light distribution modes.

  In the above embodiment, the LED array unit 22 includes the LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row. However, the “light distribution variable high beam” of the present invention is not limited thereto. It may be configured by arranging a plurality of LED arrays arranged in one row in the vertical direction, or may be configured to include LEDs arranged in a grid shape in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, the plurality of light sources of the “light distribution variable high beam” is not limited to the LED, and any light source capable of dimming can be adopted.

22 LED array unit (light distribution variable high beam)
24 solenoid switching beam (additional high beam)
30 Control device S Vehicle headlight system

Claims (1)

A light distribution variable high beam that is configured to include a plurality of dimmable light sources, and the partial illumination of the high beam irradiation area is possible by individually controlling the plurality of light sources;
An additional high beam in which a lighting state and a turning off state are switched by controlling a solenoid actuator , and the irradiation area and the irradiation area of the light distribution variable high beam overlap ;
When the additional high beam is switched from the extinguished state to the lit state by controlling the solenoid actuator and there is a extinguished light source among the plurality of light sources of the light distribution variable high beam, the light source is adjusted A control device that performs control to switch the additional high beam to a lighting state after lighting while lighting;
Vehicle headlamp system comprising:

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