JP7073829B2 - 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 a vehicle headlight as described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a part of a light distribution pattern overlaps with a preceding vehicle or the like, the overlapping light distribution pattern is automatically turned off and the headlight with the preceding vehicle or the like is automatically turned off. When the duplication is resolved, the light distribution pattern is automatically turned on. When a vehicle having such a headlight for a vehicle, for example, follows a preceding vehicle and travels, the light distribution pattern overlaps with the preceding vehicle and turns off due to a change in the positional relationship with the preceding vehicle. The operation of being released and turning on may be repeated. In such a case, the light distribution pattern may blink, giving the driver a sense of discomfort.

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 reduce a driver's discomfort.

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. The light amount adjusting unit that can be adjusted, the object detection unit that detects the relative positional relationship with the predetermined object in front of the vehicle, and the set value of the unit light distribution pattern based on the detection result of the object detection unit. When the calculated value calculated and calculated is larger than the current value which is the set value at the time of calculation of the calculated value, whether or not the difference between the calculated value and the current value is equal to or less than the preset limit value. If it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the limit value, the calculated value is used as the new set value, and if it is determined to be larger than the limit value, the limit value and the current value are added. It is provided with a control unit that sets the set value as a new set value.

Further, the control unit further includes a storage unit that stores information about the correlation between the magnitude of the set value and the irradiation range of the unit light distribution pattern, and the control unit further includes a detection result of the object detection unit. And the set value may be calculated based on the information stored in the storage unit.

Further, the control unit calculates the calculated value for the unit light distribution pattern adjacent to the unit light distribution pattern in the extinguished state, and when the calculated value is larger than the current value, the calculated value and the current value. It may be determined whether or not the difference between the light and the light is equal to or less than the limit value, and a new set value may be set based on the determination.

The control unit determines whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern in the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns, and if it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, the overlapping distribution pattern is determined. The light pattern may be set to the extinguished state.

Further, the limit value may be a value of a predetermined ratio with respect to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be set as the set value.

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. It is a control method of a headlight for a vehicle including a light amount adjusting unit capable of individually adjusting a value, and the unit is based on a step of detecting a relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle and a detection result. When the step of calculating the set value of the light distribution pattern and the calculated value as the calculation result are larger than the current value which is the set value at the time of calculating the calculated value, the difference between the calculated value and the current value is predetermined. A step of determining whether or not it is equal to or less than the set limit value, and a case where it is determined that the calculated value is a new set value and is larger than the limit value when it is determined to be equal to or less than the limit value. Includes a step of setting a new set value by adding the limit value and the current value.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the driver's discomfort.

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 amount of light 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 amount of light 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, a control unit 40, and a storage unit 50.

The optical unit 10 irradiates the front of the vehicle with the light distribution pattern P. 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 distribution pattern when is set to is shown by comparing each irradiation range of the PC. Further, in FIG. 2, the irradiation ranges of the unit light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC are shown in correspondence with each other and 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. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 50 stores the set value data 51, which is information about the correlation between the size of the set value and the irradiation range for each unit light distribution pattern including such unit light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC. Is remembered in.

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 has an overlap determination unit 41 and a set value control unit 42.

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 set value control unit 42 calculates the set values of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn based on the determination result of the overlap determination unit 41. When, for example, the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the overlap light distribution pattern exists, the set value control unit 42 uses a value obtained by reducing the set value at the time of determination as a calculated value. In this case, the set value control unit 42 may turn off the overlapping light distribution pattern by setting zero as a calculated value, for example. Further, the set value control unit 42 may calculate as a calculated value a set value such that the light amount of the overlapping light distribution pattern applied to the predetermined object becomes the reference value C.

Further, when the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the duplicate light distribution pattern does not exist, the set value control unit 42 determines that the unit light distribution pattern P1 is based on the set value data 51 stored in the storage unit 50. Each set value of P2, ..., Pn is calculated as a calculated value. In this case, the set value control unit 42 can calculate, for example, the maximum value that can be set for each of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., Pn as the calculated value.

The set value control unit 42 performs such a set value calculation process at predetermined intervals when the vehicle headlight 100 is set to a lighting state by, for example, a changeover switch provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle. .. With this configuration, a new set value is calculated every predetermined cycle, so that the situation in front of the vehicle can be reliably reflected.

Here, the set value at the time when the calculated value is calculated is expressed as the current value. The set value control unit 42 determines whether or not the calculated value is larger than the current value, that is, whether or not the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern increases with respect to the current value due to the new set value. When the set value control unit 42 determines that the calculated value is larger than the current value, the set value control unit 42 obtains the difference between the calculated value and the current value, and determines whether or not this difference is equal to or less than the limit value. Here, the limit value is a preset value, and can be, for example, a value at a predetermined ratio to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be set as the set value. In the present embodiment, the predetermined ratio can be set in the range of, for example, 5% or more and 15% or less. The predetermined ratio is not limited to 5% or more and 15% or less.

When the set value control unit 42 determines that the difference is equal to or less than the limit value, the set value control unit 42 sets the calculated value as a new set value. Further, when the set value control unit 42 determines that the difference is larger than the limit value, the value obtained by the sum of the limit value and the current value is set as a new set value.

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 61 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 61.

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, among the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8, the overlapping light distribution patterns P2 to P4, which are the unit light distribution patterns overlapping with the preceding vehicle 60, are turned off.

After that, the range in which the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are applied to the preceding vehicle 60 changes due to the change in the positional relationship with the preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the distance from the preceding vehicle becomes long, the unit light distribution patterns P3 and P4 overlap with the preceding vehicle 60, but the unit distribution is adjacent to the unit light distribution pattern P3. The irradiation area of the light pattern P2 does not overlap with the preceding vehicle 60. Therefore, since the unit light distribution pattern P2 is no longer an overlapping light distribution pattern, it is possible to light the unit light distribution pattern P2.

In this case, the set value control unit 42 first calculates the set value of the unit light distribution pattern P2. The set value control unit 42 calculates the set value of the unit light distribution pattern P2 based on the set value data 51 stored in the storage unit 50. Here, the set value control unit 42 calculates, for example, a preset value X2 as a calculated value.

Next, the set value control unit 42 determines whether or not the calculated value X2 is larger than the set value at the time of calculation. At the time of calculation of the calculated value X2, the unit light distribution pattern P2 is in the extinguished state, so the set value at the time of calculation is zero. Therefore, the set value control unit 42 determines that the calculated value X2 is larger than the set value at the time of calculation.

Next, the set value control unit 42 determines whether or not the difference between the calculated value X2 and the set value at the time of calculation is equal to or less than the preset limit value. In this case, the set value control unit 42 can set the limit value Y to a value of 5% or more and 15% or less with respect to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be set as the set value, for example. In the present embodiment, since the set value at the time of calculation is zero, the above difference is the calculated value X2. Here, the calculated value X2 is larger than the limit value Y. Therefore, the set value control unit 42 determines that the above difference is larger than the limit value Y, and sets the limit value Y as a new set value. The light amount adjusting unit 20 sets the set value of the unit light distribution pattern P2 as the limit value Y. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the unit light distribution pattern P2 is irradiated.

The set value control unit 42 performs the above processing at a predetermined cycle when the vehicle headlight 100 is set to the lighting state by a changeover switch or the like provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle. Therefore, when the irradiation region of the unit light distribution pattern P2 does not overlap with the preceding vehicle 60, the set value of the unit light distribution pattern P2 increases by a limit value Y every predetermined cycle.

After that, when the unit light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the preceding vehicle 60 again due to the change in the positional relationship with the preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle, the set value control unit 42 again sets the unit light distribution pattern P2. Turn off the lights. Further, if the irradiation area of the unit light distribution pattern P2 does not overlap with the preceding vehicle 60 after the unit light distribution pattern P2 is turned off, the set value control unit 42 turns on the unit light distribution pattern P2 again. It is possible to make it.

In this way, when traveling following the preceding vehicle 60, the unit light distribution pattern P2 may be turned off in an overlapping manner with the preceding vehicle 60, and the duplication may be canceled and the light may be turned on repeatedly. In such a case, in the present embodiment, when the unit light distribution pattern P2 is turned on, if the increase amount of the set value becomes larger than the limit value Y, the set value increases by the limit value Y every predetermined cycle. It will be. Therefore, when the unit light distribution pattern P2 is turned on, the rate of change in the amount of light per predetermined time is constant, so that the driver feels uncomfortable.

For example, the predetermined cycle for calculating the set value is set to 100 ms, and the limit value is 5% of the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be set as the set value. In this case, the set value increases by 5% of the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value per predetermined cycle. Therefore, when the current value is a value of 0% (minimum value) and the calculated value is a value of 100% (maximum value), the time required for the set value to reach the calculated value is 2000 ms. Further, when the current value is a value of 50% and the calculated value is a value of 70%, the time required for the set value to reach the calculated value is 400 ms.

Here, consider the case where the calculated value fluctuates every 500 ms. As a first example, a case where the current value is a value of 0% and the calculated value is alternately repeated with a value of 100% and a value of 0% every 500 ms will be examined. During the period of 500 ms in which the first calculated value (100% value) is calculated from the current value (0% value), the set value increases by 5% every 100 ms and reaches the value of 25%. After that, when the calculated value is changed to a value of 0%, the set value becomes a value of 0% 100 ms after the change time to prevent dazzling. The same applies to the following, and the set value changes between the value of 25% and the value of 0%.

Next, as a second example, a case where the current value is a value of 50% and the calculated value is alternately repeated with a value of 70% and a value of 50% every 500 ms will be examined. During the period of 500 ms when the first calculated value (70% value) is calculated from the current value (50% value), the set value increases by 5% value every 100 ms, and after 400 ms, it reaches 70% value. To reach. After that, after 100 ms has elapsed, the calculated value is changed to a value of 50%, so that the set value decreases by 5% every 100 ms from the value of 70% and reaches the value of 50% after 400 ms. .. The same applies to the following, and the set value changes between the value of 50% and the value of 70%.

Since the amount of change in the set value per predetermined time is the same between the first example and the second example, the discomfort given to the driver is reduced.

Next, as a comparative example, consider a case where a predetermined period for calculating the set value is set to 100 ms and the current value is changed to the calculated value in a fixed time (for example, 1000 ms). As a first example of comparison, a case where the current value is a value of 0% and the calculated value is alternately repeated with a value of 100% and a value of 0% every 500 ms will be examined. From the current value (0% value) to the first calculated value (100% value), the set value increases by 10% per 100 ms and reaches the value of 50%. After that, when the calculated value is changed to a value of 0%, the set value becomes a value of 0% 100 ms after the change time to prevent dazzling. The same applies to the following, and the set value changes between the value of 0% and the value of 50%. In this case, the amount of change (50%) of the set value per 100 ms is larger than the amount of change (25%) in the first example above.

Next, as a second example of comparison, a case where the current value is a value of 50% and the calculated value is alternately repeated with a value of 70% and a value of 50% every 500 ms will be examined. From the current value (50% value) to the first calculated value (70% value), the set value increases by 2% per 100 ms, and reaches 60% after 500 ms. After that, since the calculated value is changed to the value of 50%, the set value decreases by 2% every 100 ms from the value of 60%, and reaches the value of 50% after 500 ms. In this case, the amount of change (10%) in the set value per 100 ms is smaller than that in the second example (20%) described above.

In the comparative example, when the fluctuation range of the set value is large as in the first comparison example, the change amount of the set value per predetermined time is large, and when the fluctuation range of the set value is small as in the second comparison example. The amount of change in the set value per predetermined time becomes small. In this case, there is a large difference in the amount of change in the set value per predetermined time between the case where the fluctuation range of the set value is large and the case where the fluctuation range of the set value is small, which may give the driver a sense of discomfort.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in the first example and the second example, the amount of change in the set value per predetermined time is constant regardless of the fluctuation range of the set value. Therefore, the discomfort given to the driver is reduced as compared with the case where the current value to the calculated value is changed in a fixed time.

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 set value control unit 42 reduces the set value of the light amount of the overlap light distribution pattern. In the present embodiment, the set value control unit 42 turns off the overlapping light distribution pattern (step S30).

When the overlap determination unit 41 determines that the overlap light distribution pattern does not exist (No in step S20), the set value control unit 42 detects the distance to the preceding vehicle detected by the object detection unit 30. Based on the information and the set value data 51 stored in the storage unit 50, the set values of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 are calculated (step S40).

Next, in the set value control unit 42, the difference obtained by subtracting the set value (current value) at the time of calculation from the calculated value obtained by calculating the set values of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 is equal to or more than the predetermined limit value. It is determined whether or not the result is satisfied (step S50). When it is determined in step S50 that the difference is equal to or greater than the limit value (Yes in step S50), the set value control unit 42 sets the calculated value as a new set value (step S60). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S50 that the difference is less than the limit value (No in step S50), the set value control unit 42 sets the sum of the limit value and the current value as a new set value (step S70). ..

After performing step S60 or step S70, 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. The set values of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 are calculated based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30 and 30, and the calculated value as the calculation result is the set value at the time of calculation of the calculated value. If it is larger than the current value, it is determined whether the difference between the calculated value and the current value is less than or equal to the preset limit value, and if it is determined that it is less than or equal to the limit value, the calculated value is set as the new set value. If it is determined that the value is larger than the limit value, the control unit 40 is provided with a value obtained by the sum of the limit value and the current value as a new set value.

Further, the control method of the vehicle headlight 100 according to the present embodiment is an optical unit that forms the entire light distribution pattern P by synthesizing the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 divided into a plurality of units. , Each unit light distribution pattern P1, P2, ..., P8 is a control method for a vehicle headlight 100 including a light amount adjusting unit 20 capable of individually adjusting the set value of the light amount, and is a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle. The step of detecting the relative positional relationship with 60, the step of calculating the set value of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 based on the detection result, and the calculated value as the calculation result are the time when the calculated value is calculated. If it is larger than the current value, which is the set value of, the step to determine whether the difference between the calculated value and the current value is less than or equal to the preset limit value, and if it is determined to be less than or equal to the limit value, it is calculated. A step is included in which the value is set as a new set value, and when it is determined that the value is larger than the limit value, the value obtained by the sum of the limit value and the current value is set as the new set value.

In the present embodiment, when the calculated value of the light amount of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 is larger than the current value and the difference between the calculated value and the current value is larger than the limit value, the light amount It is possible to prevent the rate of change of the above from exceeding a certain level. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the driver's discomfort.

For example, depending on the positional relationship with the preceding vehicle 60, the unit light distribution pattern P2 may be turned off in an overlapping manner with the preceding vehicle 60, the duplication may be canceled, and the operation of turning on the light may be repeated. In such a case, when the unit light distribution pattern P2 is turned on, if the amount of increase in the set value is larger than the limit value Y, the set value is increased by the limit value Y every predetermined cycle. Therefore, when the unit light distribution pattern P2 is turned on, the rate of change in the amount of light per predetermined time is constant, so that the driver feels uncomfortable.

Further, in the above-mentioned vehicle headlight 100, the control unit 40 stores the set value data 51 regarding the correlation between the size of the set value and the irradiation range of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8. A unit 50 is provided, and the control unit 40 calculates a set value based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30 and the set value data 51 stored in the storage unit 50. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2, ..., P8 from overlapping with a predetermined object (preceding vehicle 60, etc.) in front of the vehicle.

Further, in the above-mentioned vehicle headlight 100, the control unit 40 calculates the calculated value of the unit light distribution pattern P2 adjacent to the unit light distribution pattern P3 in the extinguished state, and when the calculated value is larger than the current value. It is determined whether or not the difference between the calculated value and the current value is equal to or less than the limit value, and a new set value is set based on the determination. When the unit light distribution pattern P2 adjacent to the unit light distribution pattern P3 in the off state is repeatedly turned on and off, if there is a difference in the rate of change in the amount of light per predetermined time, the driver is likely to perceive it as a sense of discomfort. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the rate of change in the amount of light per predetermined time becomes constant when the unit light distribution pattern P2 is lit, so that the driver feels uncomfortable can be reduced more effectively.

Further, in the vehicle headlight 100, the control unit 40 determines 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. , When it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, the overlapping light distribution pattern is turned off. As a result, it is possible to prevent the preceding vehicle 60 from being irradiated with dazzling light.

Further, in the above-mentioned vehicle headlight 100, the limit value may be a value of a predetermined ratio with respect to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be set as the set value. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably reduce the discomfort to the driver.

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. For example, when the preceding vehicle travels at the position of reference numeral 62, the unit light distribution patterns P12, P13, P14, P22, P23, and P24 are duplicate light distribution patterns. Therefore, the set value control unit 42 turns off the overlapping light distribution patterns P12, P13, P14, P22, P23, and P24 that overlap with the preceding vehicle 62. After that, for example, when the distance from the preceding vehicle widens and the position of the preceding vehicle changes to the position of reference numeral 63, the unit light distribution patterns P13, P14, P22, P23, and P24 are overlapping light distribution patterns, but the unit light distribution pattern. The pattern P12 is no longer an overlapping light distribution pattern. Therefore, it is possible to light the unit light distribution pattern P12. In this case, the set value control unit 42 increases the set value by the limit value every predetermined cycle when the increase amount of the set value becomes larger than the limit value, as in the above embodiment. Therefore, when the unit light distribution pattern P12 is turned on, the rate of change in the amount of light per predetermined time is constant, so that the driver feels uncomfortable.

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, PA, PB, PC, P11 to P18, P21 to P28 ... Unit light distribution pattern, Y ... Limit value, X2 ... Calculated value, 10 ... Optical unit , 11 ... light source, 12 ... optical member, 20 ... light amount adjusting unit, 30 ... object detection unit, 40 ... control unit, 41 ... overlap determination unit, 42 ... set value control unit, 50 ... storage unit, 51 ... set value Data, 60 ... preceding vehicle, 61 ... pedestrian, 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. If this is the case, the overlapping light distribution pattern is turned off, and if it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern does not exist, the set value of the unit light distribution pattern is based on the detection result of the object detection unit. If the calculated value as the calculation result is larger than the current value which is the set value at the time of calculation of the calculated value, is the difference between the calculated value and the current value equal to or less than the preset limit value? If it is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than the limit value, the calculated value is used as the new set value, and if it is determined to be larger than the limit value, the limit value and the current value are used. A vehicle headlight equipped with a control unit that sets the added value as the new set value. Further, a storage unit for storing information about the correlation between the magnitude of the set value and the irradiation range of the unit light distribution pattern is provided.
The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates the set value based on the detection result of the object detection unit and the information stored in the storage unit. The control unit calculates the calculated value of the unit light distribution pattern adjacent to the unit light distribution pattern in the extinguished state, and when the calculated value is larger than the current value, the calculated value and the current value are used. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is determined whether or not the difference is equal to or less than the limit value, and a new set value is set based on the determination. The vehicle headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the limit value is a value of a predetermined ratio to the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value that can be set as the set value. .. 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.
Perform the step of detecting the relative positional relationship with the predetermined object in front of the vehicle,
Based on the detection result of the relative positional relationship, 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 is performed.
If it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, a step of turning off the overlapping light distribution pattern is performed.
If it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern does not exist,
A step of calculating the set value of the unit light distribution pattern based on the detection result, and
When the calculated value as the calculation result is larger than the current value which is the set value at the time of calculating the calculated value, it is determined whether or not the difference between the calculated value and the current value is equal to or less than the preset limit value. Steps to do and
If it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the limit value, the calculated value is used as the new set value, and if it is determined that the value is larger than the limit value, the value obtained by adding the limit value and the current value is newly added. Perform the steps to be set as the above-mentioned setting values.
How to control vehicle headlights.

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