JP6996348B2 - Vehicle headlights and vehicle headlight control methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight and a method for controlling a vehicle headlight.

A vehicle headlight that changes the ADB beam light distribution pattern based on the relative position of the vehicle in front of the target vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle headlight described in Patent Document 1 is configured to irradiate a plurality of light distribution patterns divided in front of the vehicle.

Japanese Patent No. 5438410

In the vehicle headlight described in Patent Document 1, when even a part of the light distribution pattern overlaps with the preceding vehicle or the like, the entire overlapping light distribution pattern is automatically turned off, so that the headlight does not overlap with the preceding vehicle or the like. The part will also be turned off. Therefore, the visibility of the driver may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight and a method for controlling a vehicle headlight that can improve the visibility of a driver.

In the vehicle headlight according to the present invention, an optical unit that synthesizes a plurality of divided unit light distribution patterns to form an overall light distribution pattern and a set value of the light amount of each of the unit light distribution patterns are individually set. Based on the detection results of the light amount adjusting unit that can be adjusted, the object detecting unit that detects the relative positional relationship between the predetermined object in front of the vehicle, and the object detecting unit, the unit light distribution pattern is described above. It is determined whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern in the predetermined object, and when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is relative to the predetermined object. It is determined whether or not the allowable value set based on the positional relationship is exceeded, and if it is determined that the allowable value is exceeded, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. It is possible to determine whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern, and if it is determined that irradiation is possible, the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern can be set to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. It is provided with a control unit that irradiates the duplicated light distribution pattern in a state where the value is reduced to the value closest to the allowable value in the range and turns off the duplicated light distribution pattern when it is determined that the irradiation is not possible.

Further, when the control unit determines that the overlapping light distribution pattern can be irradiated in a state where the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value, the overlapping light distribution pattern is determined. The set value of the above may be used as the permissible value.

Further, the permissible value may be set higher as the distance from the predetermined object increases.

Further, the plurality of unit light distribution patterns may be irradiated in a state where the amount of light is reduced from the central portion to the side end portion of the road.

The method for controlling a vehicle headlight according to the present invention is to set an optical unit that synthesizes a plurality of divided unit light distribution patterns to form an overall light distribution pattern, and a light amount of each of the unit light distribution patterns. A method for controlling a vehicle headlight including a light amount adjusting unit whose value can be individually adjusted, in which a step of detecting a relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle and a plurality of detection results are used. A step of determining whether or not an overlapping light distribution pattern exists in the predetermined object in the unit light distribution pattern, and a setting of the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists. The step of determining whether or not the value exceeds the permissible value set based on the relative positional relationship for the predetermined object, and if it is determined that the value exceeds the permissible value, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is used. A step of determining whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the value is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value, and a setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined that irradiation is possible. Is irradiated with the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the value is equal to or less than the allowable value and is reduced to the value closest to the allowable value within the settable range, and when it is determined that the irradiation is not possible, the overlapping light distribution is performed. Includes a step to turn off the pattern.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of the driver.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a vehicle headlight according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the amount of light of the unit light distribution pattern and the irradiation range. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of adjusting the light amount of a plurality of unit light distribution patterns. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of adjusting the amount of light of a plurality of unit light distribution patterns. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of adjusting the light amount of a plurality of unit light distribution patterns. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the amount of light of each unit light distribution pattern. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the amount of light of each unit light distribution pattern. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the amount of light of each unit light distribution pattern. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a vehicle headlight control method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of light sources. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of light sources.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle headlights according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same. In the following description, each of the front-rear (front, rear), up-down (upper, lower), and left-right (left, right) directions is the direction in which the vehicle headlight is attached to the vehicle. The direction when looking at the front while sitting in the driver's seat is shown. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the vertical direction is parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is the horizontal direction.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a vehicle headlight 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlight 100 irradiates the front of the vehicle with, for example, an ADB beam light distribution pattern. It includes an optical unit 10, a light amount adjusting unit 20, an object detection unit 30, and a control unit 40.

The optical unit 10 irradiates the light distribution pattern P to the front of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern P is formed in a state in which a plurality of divided unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn are synthesized. The optical unit 10 has a light source 11 and an optical member 12. As the light source 11, for example, an LED, a laser diode, or the like is used. A plurality of light sources 11 are provided in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) in the vehicle-mounted state. The light sources 11 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction, for example. In the present embodiment, one light source 11 forms one unit light distribution pattern (one of P1, P2, ..., Pn). In addition, one unit light distribution pattern may be formed by a plurality of light sources 11.

By emitting light from the light source 11, the optical member 12 irradiates the front of the vehicle with one light distribution pattern P obtained by synthesizing a plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn by each light source 11. As the optical member 12, a lens, a reflector, or the like is used.

The light amount adjusting unit 20 individually adjusts the set values of the light amounts of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn for each unit light distribution pattern. The light amount adjusting unit 20 adjusts the amount of light emitted from the light source 11 by, for example, adjusting the current value supplied to the light source 11 or modulating the pulse width of the current value supplied to the light source 11. This adjusts the set value of the amount of light in the unit light distribution pattern. The set value can be adjusted individually. The light amount adjusting unit 20 adjusts the set value of the light amount of the light source 11 by adjusting the current value supplied to the light source 11. The light amount adjusting unit 20 can individually adjust the set value of the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern by adjusting the set value of the light amount of the light source 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the amount of light of the unit light distribution pattern and the irradiation range. In the example of FIG. 2, a state in which the screen is irradiated with the unit light distribution pattern is shown. Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral V indicates vertical lines above and below the screen, and reference numeral H indicates horizontal lines on the left and right sides of the screen.

In FIG. 2, the unit light distribution pattern PA when the set value of the light amount is set to the maximum value by the light amount adjusting unit 20, the unit light distribution pattern PB when the set value of the light amount is set to the median, and the set value of the light amount are the minimum values. The unit light amount pattern in the case of is set to is shown by comparing each irradiation range of the PC. Further, in FIG. 2, each irradiation range of the unit light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC is shown in correspondence with the distribution of the amount of light.

The irradiation range of the unit light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC shown in FIG. 2 is a range in which the amount of light is equal to or greater than the reference value C for a predetermined object existing in front of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlight 100. This reference value C is a value of an allowable limit of light amount that does not cause dazzling light with respect to a predetermined object existing at a position separated from the vehicle headlight 100 by a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, the predetermined object includes, for example, a vehicle such as an automobile or a bicycle traveling in front of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a preceding vehicle). Therefore, the reference value C in this case is a value of an allowable limit of light amount that does not cause dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, as the set value of the light amount is reduced by the light amount adjusting unit 20, the light amount in the central portion and the light amount in the peripheral portion of the unit light distribution pattern are each reduced, and the light amount is equal to or higher than the reference value C. The irradiation area is narrow. Therefore, in one unit light distribution pattern, when the preceding vehicle is located between the irradiation area of the unit light distribution pattern PA and the irradiation area of the unit light distribution pattern PC, for example, the set value is maximized by the light amount setting value 20. When the value is set, the light amount exceeding the reference value C is irradiated to the preceding vehicle, which causes dazzling light. However, when the set value is set to the minimum value, the light amount lower than the reference value C is emitted. Since it illuminates the preceding vehicle, it does not become dazzling light. In this way, by adjusting the set value of the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern by the light amount adjusting unit 20, the predetermined object (in the present embodiment, the preceding vehicle) is irradiated with the light amount exceeding the reference value C. The range fluctuates.

Further, the object detection unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 detects a relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle. As the object detection unit 30, for example, an image pickup device (camera or the like) that detects a predetermined object by image analysis, a distance measuring device such as a laser sensor, or the like is used.

The control unit 40 controls the light amount adjustment operation in the light amount adjustment unit 20 based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30. The control unit 40 includes an overlap determination unit 41, a permissible value determination unit 42, a set value reduction determination unit 43, and a set value control unit 44. Further, the control unit 40 has a storage unit (not shown) for storing information.

The overlap determination unit 41 determines whether or not there is an overlap light distribution pattern overlapping the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30. do.

The permissible value determination unit 42 determines whether or not the set value of the duplicate light distribution pattern exceeds the permissible value set for the predetermined object when the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the duplicate light distribution pattern exists. .. Here, the permissible value is a set value such that the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the preceding vehicle becomes the reference value C when the distance to the preceding vehicle is a predetermined distance. In other words, when the distance to the preceding vehicle is a predetermined distance and the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern is set to an allowable value, the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern applied to the preceding vehicle becomes the reference value C. .. This permissible value varies depending on the distance to the preceding vehicle. That is, as the distance from the preceding vehicle increases, the amount of irradiation light when the light distribution pattern illuminates the preceding vehicle becomes smaller. Therefore, the amount of light of the unit light distribution pattern required to reach the reference value C becomes high. Therefore, the permissible value can be set higher as the distance from the preceding vehicle increases. As for the allowable value, for example, a value obtained in advance is stored in a storage unit or the like.

When the allowable value determination unit 42 determines that the allowable value is exceeded, the set value reduction determination unit 43 irradiates the duplicate light distribution pattern in a state where the set value of the duplicate light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. Determine if it is possible. Depending on the distance to the preceding vehicle, the permissible value may be less than the minimum value of the set value of the unit light distribution pattern. That is, even if the set value of the unit light distribution pattern is reduced to the minimum value, the amount of light of the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the preceding vehicle may not be less than the reference value C. Therefore, the set value reduction determination unit 43 compares the permissible value with the minimum value of the set value of the duplicate light distribution pattern, and if the permissible value is equal to or greater than the minimum value of the set value of the duplicate light distribution pattern, irradiation is possible. Judge that there is. On the other hand, the set value reduction determination unit 43 determines that irradiation is not possible when the allowable value is less than the minimum value of the set value of the unit light distribution pattern.

When the set value control unit 44 determines that irradiation is possible by the set value reduction determination unit 43, the set value control unit 44 irradiates the duplicate light distribution pattern in a state where the set value of the duplicate light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than an allowable value. Let me. Further, the set value control unit 44 turns off the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined by the set value reduction determination unit 43 that irradiation is not possible.

3 to 5 are diagrams showing an example of adjusting the amount of light of a plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8. 6 to 8 are graphs showing the amount of light of each unit light distribution pattern P1 to P8 in the case shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. In the graphs shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the vertical axis is the amount of light (ratio). In the present embodiment, a case where eight unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are formed by eight light sources 11 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 3, when there is no preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle, the light amount adjusting unit 20 irradiates all the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 with preset values, for example, to obtain the light distribution pattern P. Form. In this case, since all the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are irradiated, the unit light distribution pattern P2 corresponding to the left end of the road is applied to the pedestrian 50 existing at the left end of the road in front of the vehicle. Be irradiated. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle can easily recognize the pedestrian 50.

In FIG. 3, from the left side to the center of the road, the horizontal dimension gradually decreases from the unit light distribution pattern P1 to the unit light distribution pattern P4. Further, from the right side to the center of the road, the horizontal dimension gradually decreases from the unit light distribution pattern P8 to the unit light distribution pattern P5. That is, the horizontal dimension of the unit light distribution pattern gradually decreases from the side to the center of the road. In the present embodiment, the optical unit 10 diffuses the irradiation range in the left-right direction for the unit light distribution patterns P1 and P8 on the side of the road, and the irradiation range for the unit light distribution patterns P4 and P5 in the center of the road. Is focused in the left-right direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the unit light distribution patterns P4, P5, etc. on the center side of the road have a higher amount of light than the unit light distribution patterns P1, P8, etc. on the side of the road. In this way, the distribution of the amount of light can be formed between the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8.

On the other hand, when there is a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle, when all the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are irradiated, a part of the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 is irradiated to the preceding vehicle 60, and the preceding vehicle 60 is exposed to the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8. It becomes a dazzling light. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, it is conceivable to turn off the unit light distribution patterns P2 to P4 overlapping the preceding vehicle 60 among the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8. However, in this case, since the unit light distribution pattern P2 corresponding to the left end of the road is not irradiated, for example, the pedestrian 50 existing at the left end of the road is not irradiated with the light distribution pattern P. Therefore, it is difficult for the driver of the vehicle to recognize the pedestrian 50.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the preceding vehicle is present in front of the vehicle, the position of the preceding vehicle 60 is detected by the object detection unit 30 as shown in FIG. The overlap determination unit 41 determines whether or not there is an overlap light distribution pattern in the preceding vehicle 60 in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 based on the detection result in the object detection unit 30. do. In this case, the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the unit light distribution patterns P2, P3, and P4 exist as the overlap light distribution pattern.

When the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the overlap light distribution patterns P2, P3, P4 exist, the permissible value determination unit 42 sets the set value of the light amount of the overlap light distribution patterns P2, P3, P4 for the preceding vehicle. Determine if the permissible value is exceeded. The permissible value determination unit 42 extracts the permissible value of the preceding vehicle based on the distance from the preceding vehicle by a storage unit or the like, and of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, P4 set in the extracted permissible value and the light amount setting value 20. By comparing with the set value, it is determined whether or not the allowable value is exceeded. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the set values X2, X3, and X4 of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, and P4 exceed the allowable value Y for the preceding vehicle. Therefore, the permissible value determination unit 42 determines that all of the set values X2, X3, and X4 of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, and P4 exceed the permissible value Y.

The set value reduction determination unit 43 can irradiate the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, P4 by reducing the set values X2, X3, X4 of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, P4 to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. Judge whether or not. In this case, the set value reduction determination unit 43 compares the allowable value with the minimum value of the set values of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, and P4.

In the present embodiment, the amount of light when the same value of current is supplied to the light source 11 is larger in the unit light distribution pattern on the central portion side than on the side edge side of the road by the optical unit 10. Therefore, in the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P4 (more specifically, the unit light distribution patterns P2 to P4), the set value of the light amount when the same current value is supplied to the light source 11 is different.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the minimum values Z3 and Z4 of the set values of the overlapping light distribution patterns P3 and P4 are larger than the minimum value Z2 of the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the allowable value Y for the preceding vehicle 60 is larger than the minimum value Z2 of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2, but the minimum value Z3 of the overlapping light distribution pattern P3 and the minimum value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P4. Smaller than Z4. Therefore, in this case, the set value reduction determination unit 43 determines that the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 can be irradiated, and determines that the overlapping light distribution patterns P3 and P4 cannot be irradiated.

For the duplicate light distribution pattern P2 determined by the set value reduction determination unit 43 to be irradiable, the set value control unit 44 uses the duplicate light distribution pattern P2 in a state where the set value is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value Y. Irradiate. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is reduced to an allowable value Y to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern P2. Since the permissible value Y is the maximum value that can be set in this case, the highest visibility can be obtained in the irradiation region of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 within a range that does not cause dazzling. If the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 cannot be matched with the permissible value Y, it may be set to the highest range that is lower than the permissible value Y, is the minimum value Z2 or more, and can be set. .. When the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is decreased, the set value control unit 44 may gradually decrease the set value at a predetermined ratio.

When the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is reduced to the allowable value Y, the preceding vehicle 60 is irradiated with a part P2a of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2, but the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is equal to or less than the allowable value. It does not become a dazzling light for the preceding vehicle 60. Further, although the brightness of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 becomes darker and the irradiation range exceeding the reference value C becomes narrower, the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 can be irradiated to the pedestrian 50 existing at the left end of the road. It becomes. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle can easily recognize the pedestrian 50.

On the other hand, the set value control unit 44 turns off the overlapping light distribution patterns P3 and P4 determined by the set value reduction determination unit 43 to be not irradiable. As a result, it is possible to avoid dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle 60.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the vehicle headlight 100 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 40 performs the following processing related to the control method of the vehicle headlight 100 when the vehicle headlight 100 is set to the lighting state by, for example, a changeover switch provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle. In this case, first, the relative positional relationship with the preceding vehicle, which is a predetermined object in front of the vehicle, is detected (step S10). In step S10, the object detection unit 30 detects the distance to the preceding vehicle as an example.

Next, the overlap determination unit 41 determines whether or not there is an overlap light distribution pattern in the preceding vehicle in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30. (Step S20).

When the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the overlap light distribution pattern exists (Yes in step S20), the tolerance determination unit 42 determines whether or not the set value of the overlap light distribution pattern exceeds the allowable value set for the preceding vehicle. (Step S30). If the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the duplicate light distribution pattern does not exist (No in step S20), the process returns to step S10.

Next, when the permissible value determination unit 42 determines that the permissible value determination unit 42 exceeds the permissible value (Yes in step S30), the set value reduction determination unit 43 reduces the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern. It is determined whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern with a light amount equal to or less than the allowable value (step S40). If the permissible value determination unit 42 determines that the permissible value determination unit 42 does not exceed the permissible value (No in step S30), the process returns to step S10 to perform processing.

Next, when it is determined by the set value reduction determination unit 43 that irradiation is possible (Yes in step S40), the duplicate light distribution pattern is generated in a state where the set value of the duplicate light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. Irradiate (step S50). On the other hand, when it is determined by the set value reduction determination unit 43 that irradiation is not possible (No in step S40), the overlapping light distribution pattern is turned off (step S60).

After performing step S50 or step S60, the control unit 40 returns to step S10 and performs processing. Further, the control unit 40 ends the above processing when the vehicle headlight 100 is switched to the setting of the extinguished state by, for example, a changeover switch provided in the driver's seat.

As described above, in the vehicle headlight 100 according to the present embodiment, the optical unit 10 is formed by synthesizing the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 divided into a plurality of units to form the entire light distribution pattern P. And the object detection unit that detects the relative positional relationship between the light amount adjustment unit 20 that can individually adjust the set values of the light amount of each unit light distribution pattern P1, P2, ..., P8 and the preceding vehicle 60 in front of the vehicle. Based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30 and the object detection unit 30, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern in the preceding vehicle 60 in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8, and the overlap is made. When it is determined that the light distribution pattern exists, it is determined whether or not the set values of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, and P4 exceed the allowable value Y set based on the relative positional relationship with respect to the preceding vehicle 60, and the allowable value is determined. When it is determined that the value exceeds Y, it is determined whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern with the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value, and it is determined that irradiation is possible. When it is determined, the duplicated light distribution pattern is irradiated with the set value of the duplicated light distribution pattern reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value and the value closest to the allowable value within the settable range, and the irradiation is not possible. A control unit 40 for turning off the duplicated light distribution pattern when the determination is made is provided.

According to this configuration, when there is an overlapping light distribution pattern overlapping with the preceding vehicle 60 in the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8, the overlapping light distribution pattern is set as a setting value equal to or less than the allowable value Y for the preceding vehicle 60. Can be in an irradiated state. Therefore, since it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern that has been turned off in the past, it is possible to make the driver recognize an object such as a pedestrian or a sign on the road. This makes it possible to improve the visibility of the driver.

Further, in the above-mentioned vehicle headlight 100, when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern P can be irradiated in a state where the set value X2 of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value Y. The set value control unit 44 may set the set value X2 of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 as the allowable value Y. As a result, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 can be set to the maximum value in the settable range, so that the highest visibility can be ensured in the range that does not cause dazzling in the irradiation region.

Further, the allowable value may be set higher as the distance from the preceding vehicle 60 increases. As the distance from the preceding vehicle 60 increases, the amount of irradiation light when the light distribution pattern P is irradiated decreases, so that the amount of light of the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 required to reach the reference value C increases. Therefore, even if the permissible value is set high, it is possible to prevent the preceding vehicle 60 from becoming dazzling light. As a result, the highest visibility can be ensured in the irradiation area within a range that does not cause dazzling.

Further, in the above-mentioned vehicle headlight 100, the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are irradiated in a state where the amount of light is reduced from the central portion to the side end portion of the road. In this configuration, the minimum value of the set value of the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the side end portion of the road tends to be less than the permissible value Y. As a result, the unit light distribution pattern radiated to the side edge of the road is less likely to be turned off, so that the driver can easily recognize the pedestrian 50, the sign, etc. existing at the side edge.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are divided in the left-right direction in front of the vehicle has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 10, the light distribution pattern P may have a configuration including unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28 divided in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal direction. In this case, the set values of the light amounts of the unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28 can be individually adjusted.

Further, for example, the object detection unit 30 can be set to detect pedestrians, signs, bright spots around the road (lights, reflected light of the delineator, etc.) as predetermined objects. In this configuration, when the pedestrian 50 is detected by the object detection unit 30, in order to suppress the irradiation of the pedestrian 50 with dazzling light, the unit light distribution pattern P12 of the portion irradiated to the face of the pedestrian 50. The set value of the amount of light can be reduced.

11 and 12 are diagrams showing an arrangement example of the light source 11. As shown in FIG. 11, in the above embodiment, the light distribution pattern P has unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn divided in the left-right direction. Therefore, light sources 11 such as semiconductor type light sources can be arranged in a row in parallel in the left-right direction corresponding to the arrangement of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the light distribution pattern PP has unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28 divided in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal direction. Therefore, corresponding to the arrangement of the unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28, a plurality of light sources 11 arranged in parallel in the left-right direction can be arranged in two rows in the vertical direction. When the unit light distribution pattern is divided into three or more rows in the vertical direction, the light source 11 can be arranged in three or more rows in the vertical direction corresponding to the arrangement of the unit light distribution pattern.

C ... Reference value, P, PP ... Light distribution pattern, P1 to P8, P11 to P18, P21 to P28, PA, PB, PC ... Unit light distribution pattern, X2, X3, X4 ... Set value, Y ... Allowable value, Z2, Z3, Z4 ... Minimum value, 10 ... Optical unit, 11 ... Light source, 12 ... Optical member, 20 ... Light amount adjustment unit, 30 ... Object detection unit, 40 ... Control unit, 41 ... Overlap determination unit, 42 ... Allowable Value determination unit, 43 ... set value reduction determination unit, 44 ... set value control unit, 50 ... pedestrian, 60 ... preceding vehicle, 100 ... vehicle headlight.

Claims (5)

An optical unit that synthesizes unit light distribution patterns divided into multiple parts to form the entire light distribution pattern,
A light amount adjusting unit that can individually adjust the set value of the light amount of each unit light distribution pattern, and
An object detection unit that detects the relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle,
Based on the detection result of the object detection unit, it is determined whether or not the overlapping light distribution pattern exists in the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns, and it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists. In this case, it is determined whether or not the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern exceeds the permissible value set based on the relative positional relationship with respect to the predetermined object, and if it is determined that the permissible value is exceeded. It is determined whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value, and when it is determined that irradiation is possible, the said. The overlapping light distribution pattern is irradiated with the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value and closest to the allowable value within the settable range, and the irradiation is not possible. A vehicle headlight provided with a control unit that turns off the overlapping light distribution pattern when a determination is made. When the control unit determines that the overlapping light distribution pattern can be irradiated in a state where the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value, the control unit determines that the overlapping light distribution pattern can be irradiated. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the set value is the allowable value. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the permissible value is set higher as the distance from the predetermined object increases. The vehicle headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of unit light distribution patterns are irradiated in a state where the amount of light is reduced from the central portion to the side end portion of the road. A vehicle equipped with an optical unit that synthesizes a plurality of unit light distribution patterns to form an overall light distribution pattern, and a light amount adjusting unit that can individually adjust the set value of the light amount of each of the unit light distribution patterns. It is a control method for the headlights.
A step to detect the relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle,
Based on the detection result, a step of determining whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern in the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns, and a step of determining whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern.
When it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, the step of determining whether or not the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern exceeds the permissible value set based on the relative positional relationship with respect to the predetermined object. ,
When it is determined that the allowable value is exceeded, it is determined whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. When,
When it is determined that irradiation is possible, the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value and closest to the allowable value within the settable range. A method for controlling a vehicle headlight, which includes a step of irradiating a pattern and turning off the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined that the pattern cannot be irradiated.

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