TWI588043B - Vehicle Headlight Apparatus And Vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Headlight device and vehicle

The present invention relates to the field of vehicle lamp technology, and in particular to a headlight device and a vehicle using the same.

The main purpose of the use of automobile headlights is to illuminate the road ahead when driving at night, but this glare shot will cause glare-type temporary blindness in the eyes of the driver of the driver, resulting in danger of driving. Traditional car headlights use the high beam/low beam mode switch to solve this problem. When using the high beam mode, the illumination range is far away, but it will cause visual obstacles to the glare of the incoming car. Therefore, it is found that there is a need to switch to the low beam mode when the car is in the opposite direction. This can guarantee the driving sight of the incoming car, but the range of illumination in the low beam mode is not enough. When the car is driving at a high speed or turning in front, the driver's own reaction time becomes shorter, which may also cause hidden troubles.

Therefore, it has been proposed in the prior art to use matrix LED headlights to solve this problem. The matrix LED headlight is composed of a plurality of LED lamps independently controlled, each LED lamp group is responsible for illuminating different areas in front of the car, and a camera senses the driving dynamics in front, and performs signal processing operations to turn on/off the corresponding number. The LED light group can ensure the driving sight of the taxi and the long-distance lighting, but the optical structure is complicated, and the lighting area of each LED light group is not easy to be refined.

In view of the above, in order to overcome the deficiencies and deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a headlight device and a vehicle using the same.

Specifically, a headlight device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source; an image sensor for sensing a motion image in front of the vehicle body; and an image processing control unit electrically connecting the image sensor for The dynamic image is subjected to analysis processing to output a control signal; an optical lens group for collecting light emitted by the light source as incident light; and an optical switch array device electrically connected to the image processing control unit for being used in the control signal The incident light is spatially distributed modulated under control to obtain an outgoing light having a light distribution pattern corresponding to the dynamic image to achieve enhancement, attenuation, or prevention of light projection to a target area in front of the vehicle body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the optical switch array device is a reflective optical processor, and the reflective optical processor is configured to perform reflective spatial distribution modulation on the incident light under the control of the control signal. .

In one embodiment of the invention, the reflective optical processor includes a digital micromirror device wafer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the optical switch array device is a transmissive optical processor, and the transmissive optical processor is configured to perform a transmissive space on the incident light under the control of the control signal. Distribution modulation.

In an embodiment of the invention, the transmissive light processor is a transmissive liquid crystal panel.

In one embodiment of the invention, the optical switch array device is a photointerrupter set, and the photointerrupter set includes a plurality of independently controlled photointerrupters; each of the photointerrupters is The control signal is selectively controllable in an open or closed state to allow or prevent passage of the incident light.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the photointerrupters is a liquid crystal light valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the photointerrupters is a mechanically reversible or slidable shutter, and the mechanically reversible or slidable shutter is flippable under the control of the control signal Or sliding to selectively be in an open or closed state to allow or prevent passage of the incident light.

In an embodiment of the invention, the image sensor comprises a camera, the light source is an LED bulb, a xenon bulb or a halogen bulb, and the optical lens group is a collecting lens group.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a vehicle including a vehicle body and any of the foregoing headlight devices mounted on the vehicle body.

As can be seen from the above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the optical lens group is disposed in the headlight device to collect the light emitted by the light source as the incident light, and the image sensor is used to sense the motion image in front of the vehicle body and sent to the image processing control unit. Performing an analysis process to obtain a corresponding control signal, and then controlling the optical switch array device to spatially modulate the incident light by the control signal to obtain an outgoing light having a light distribution pattern corresponding to the dynamic image, so that the optical switch does not need to be frequently opened. The light source can be used to enhance, reduce or prevent the light projection of the target area in front of the vehicle body, so that the driver of the vehicle can get the best driving sight without affecting the preceding vehicle.

The above described objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the aspects of the appended claims.

[First Embodiment]

Referring to FIG. 1 , a headlight device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an image sensor 11 , an image processing control unit 13 , a light source 15 , an optical lens group 17 , and a reflective light processor 19 .

The image sensor 11 is configured to collect motion images in front of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the image sensor 11 may be a camera, such as an infrared camera or the like. In addition, the image sensor 11 can also be a combination of a camera and a distance measuring sensor, so that not only can the moving image in front of the vehicle body be collected, but also the vehicle body and the vehicle in the forward facing lane or the same lane can be measured or The distance between pedestrians or animals.

The image processing control unit 13 is configured to receive the dynamic image collected by the image sensor 11 and perform an analysis process to output a control signal, which includes, for example, a processor chip such as an ARM microprocessor or a DSP processor. Here, the image processing control unit 13 performs analysis processing on the moving image, for example, whether it is determined whether there is an oncoming vehicle or the same vehicle on the road ahead, whether there is a pedestrian or an animal crossing the road, whether the road ahead starts to turn, and the like. And according to the judgment result, a corresponding control signal is generated as an output.

The light source 15 is used to provide light required for illumination, which may be an LED bulb, a High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulb, or a halogen bulb.

The optical lens group 17 is for collecting and projecting light from the light source 15 onto the reflective photoprocessor 19. The optical lens group 17 in this embodiment may be a single lens or a combination of a plurality of lenses, which is typically a concentrating lens group.

The reflective optical processor 19 is configured to receive light collected from the light source 15 via the optical lens group 17 as incident light, receive a control signal output by the image processing control unit 13, and perform reflective spatial distribution of the incident light according to the control signal. Modulation is performed to obtain an exiting light having a light distribution pattern corresponding to the motion image. In this embodiment, the reflective optical processor 19 includes, for example, a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) wafer, and the DMD wafer is a reflective optical switch array device and typically includes a micro mirror array as a digital light. Reflective switch array. More specifically, for example, when the image sensor 11 detects that a pedestrian or an animal crosses the road ahead, the image processing control unit 13 may output a control signal to the reflective light processor 19 to control the spatial distribution of the outgoing light, thereby increasing the pedestrian presence. The light spot superimposition of the area realizes a strong light reminder or strobe to remind a pedestrian or an animal; for example, when the image sensor 11 detects that the road ahead starts to turn, the image processing control unit 13 may output a control signal to the reflective light processor. 19 to control the spatial distribution of the outgoing light, to match the road direction, to achieve road lighting that is earlier than the traditional AFS system (Adaptive Frontlighting System) and better light distribution; for example, when the image sensor 11 detects When there is an oncoming vehicle on the road ahead, the image processing control unit 13 may output a control signal to the reflective light processor 19 to control the spatial distribution of the emitted light to weaken or prevent the light projection of the left half of the front side of the vehicle body, thereby avoiding interference. Driving sight of the incoming car; or, when the image sensor 11 detects that the road ahead has the same vehicle, By the image processing control unit 13 outputs a control signal to the reflection type light processor 19 controls the spatial distribution of the outgoing light to attenuate or prevent light projection region of the middle front of the vehicle, thereby avoiding interference with the front door mirror to his sight.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a structural diagram of a vehicle using the headlight device shown in FIG. 1 . 1 and 2, the vehicle 200 includes, for example, a vehicle body 201 and a headlight device 10 mounted on the vehicle body 201. The image sensor 11 in the headlight device 10 can be mounted, for example, on the inner side of the front windshield of the vehicle body 201. The image processing control unit 13 is mounted, for example, on the front of the vehicle body 201 and electrically connected to the image sensor. 11 and the reflective light processor 19, the light source 15, the optical lens group 17, and the reflective light processor 19 are, for example, headlight mounting positions at the head of the vehicle body 201.

[Second embodiment]

Referring to FIG. 3 , a headlight device 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes an image sensor 31 , an image processing control unit 33 , a light source 35 , an optical lens group 37 , and a transmissive light processor 39 .

The image sensor 31 is configured to collect a moving image in front of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the image sensor 31 may be a camera, such as an infrared camera or the like. In addition, the image sensor 31 can also be a combination of a camera and a distance measuring sensor, so that not only can the dynamic image in front of the vehicle body be collected, but also the vehicle body and the vehicle in the forward facing lane or the same lane can be measured or The distance between pedestrians or animals.

The image processing control unit 33 is configured to receive the dynamic image captured by the image sensor 31 and process the output to output a control signal, which includes, for example, a processor chip such as an ARM microprocessor or a DSP processor. Here, the image processing control unit 33 performs an analysis process on the moving image, for example, whether it is determined whether there is an oncoming vehicle or the same vehicle on the road ahead, whether there is a pedestrian or an animal crossing the road, whether the road ahead starts to turn, and the like. And according to the judgment result, a corresponding control signal is generated as an output.

Light source 35 is used to provide the light required for illumination, which may be an LED bulb, a xenon bulb or a halogen bulb.

The optical lens group 37 is for collecting and projecting light from the light source 35 onto the transmissive light processor 39. The optical lens group 37 in this embodiment may be a single lens or a combination of a plurality of lenses, which is typically a concentrating lens group.

The transmissive light processor 39 is configured to receive light collected from the light source 35 via the optical lens group 37 as incident light, receive a control signal output by the image processing control unit 33, and perform a transmissive space on the incident light according to the control signal. The distribution modulation is performed to obtain an outgoing light having a light distribution pattern corresponding to the dynamic image. In this embodiment, the transmissive light processor 39 includes, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal panel, and the transmissive liquid crystal panel is an optical switch array device and typically includes a pixel array as an optical switch array. More specifically, for example, when the image sensor 31 detects that a pedestrian or an animal traverses the road ahead, the image processing control unit 33 may output a control signal to the transmissive light processor 39 to control the spatial distribution of the outgoing light, thereby enhancing pedestrians. The intensity of the emitted light in the area is used to alert the pedestrian or the animal to achieve a strong light reminder or strobe; for example, when the image sensor 31 detects that the road ahead starts to turn, the image processing control unit 33 may output a control signal to the transmission type. The light processor 39 controls the spatial distribution of the emitted light to make the projected light cooperate with the road to achieve a better road illumination. For example, when the image sensor 31 detects that there is an oncoming vehicle on the road ahead, the image processing control unit 33 can be used. Outputting a control signal to the transmissive light processor 39 to turn off the optical switch on the left side of the transmissive light processor 39 to attenuate or prevent light projection in the left half of the front side of the vehicle body, thereby avoiding interference with the driving sight of the incoming vehicle Or alternatively, when the image sensor 31 detects that there is a same vehicle on the road ahead, the image processing control unit 33 may output a control letter. To the processor 39 to turn off the light transmissive light transmissive optical switch processor 39 to an intermediate portion of the light projection diminishes or prevents the front of the vehicle middle region, thereby avoiding interference with the front door mirror to his sight.

Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a schematic structural view of a vehicle using the headlight device shown in FIG. 3 . 3 and 4, the vehicle 400 includes a vehicle body 401 and a headlight device mounted on the vehicle body 401. 30. The image sensor 31 in the headlight device 30 can be mounted, for example, on the head of the vehicle body 401. Alternatively, it can be mounted on the inner side of the upper portion of the front windshield as shown in FIG. 2, and the image processing control unit 33 is installed, for example. The front of the vehicle body 401 is electrically connected to the image sensor 31 and the transmissive light processor 39. The light source 35, the optical lens group 37 and the transmissive light processor 39 are, for example, the headlight mounting position of the head of the vehicle body 401. .

As can be seen from the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the headlight devices 10, 30 of the present invention configured with the optical lens groups 17, 37 and the optical processor (reflective optical processor 19 or transmissive optical processor 39) are relatively In the matrix LED headlamp of the prior art, the following effects can be achieved: a) the number of light sources can be single, so that the optical structure of the entire headlight device can be simplified; b) the projected spot is more finely divided, and the light zone can be Easy to exceed hundreds of points, you can do more precise optical distribution control, for example, you can only weaken or block the light projected into the other cockpit, but you can clearly see the other body; c) using image backtracking control, the lamp head does not need to be optical Precise positioning, even if the body is slightly deformed, can also be corrected to project to the set area; d) use the reflective light processor to control the light distribution to use the superposition of the light-emitting point, and use the software to easily control the light intensity of the projected area of the point; e) The front projection required for projection is small, which can increase the flexibility of the design of the vehicle and reduce the resistance of the windward surface.

[Third embodiment]

Referring to FIG. 5 , a headlight device 50 according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes an image sensor 51 , an image processing control unit 53 , a light source 55 , an optical lens group 57 , and a photointerrupter group 59 .

The image sensor 51 is configured to collect a moving image in front of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the image sensor 51 may be a camera, such as an infrared camera or the like. In addition, the image sensor 51 can also be a combination of a camera and a distance measuring sensor, so that not only can the moving image in front of the vehicle body be collected, but also the vehicle body and the vehicle in the forward facing lane or the same lane can be measured or The distance between pedestrians or animals.

The image processing control unit 53 is configured to receive the motion image collected by the image sensor 51 and process the output to output a control signal, which includes, for example, a processor chip such as an ARM microprocessor or a DSP processor. Here, the image processing control unit 53 performs an analysis process on the moving image, for example, whether it is determined whether there is an oncoming vehicle or the same vehicle on the road ahead, whether there is a pedestrian or an animal crossing the road, whether the road ahead starts to turn, and the like. And according to the judgment result, a corresponding control signal is generated as an output.

Light source 55 is used to provide the light required for illumination, which may be an LED bulb, a xenon bulb or a halogen bulb.

The optical lens group 57 is used to collect and project light from the light source 55 onto the photointerrupter group 59. The optical lens group 57 in this embodiment may be a single lens or a combination of a plurality of lenses, which is typically It is a condenser lens group.

The photointerrupter group 59 is configured to receive light collected from the light source 55 via the optical lens group 57 as incident light, receive a control signal output by the image processing control unit 53, and selectively shield the incident light according to the control signal. The passing or allowing passage (i.e., performing spatial spatial distribution modulation) is performed to obtain an exiting light having a light distribution pattern corresponding to the moving image. In this embodiment, the photointerrupter group 59 includes a plurality of independently controlled photointerrupters, such as a plurality of liquid crystal light valves (only four are shown in FIG. 5 as an example, and are not intended to limit the invention) as an optical switch array. In this way, by controlling the signal to control each liquid crystal light valve to be selectively turned on or off, the light of a part of the area can be blocked or the light can be blocked to obtain a desired spatial distribution pattern of the emitted light, thereby achieving each target illumination area. The light is blocked or projected. Furthermore, the plurality of independently controlled photointerrupters may be arranged in a straight line or in an arc shape. More specifically, for example, when the image sensor 51 detects that a pedestrian or an animal is crossing the road ahead, the image processing control unit 53 may output a control signal to the photointerrupter group 59 to control the spatial distribution of the outgoing light, thereby enhancing pedestrian presence. The intensity of the outgoing light of the area is used to achieve a strong light reminder or strobe to alert a pedestrian or an animal; for example, when the image sensor 51 detects that the road ahead is turning, the image processing control unit 53 may output a control signal to the light interrupter. Group 59 controls the spatial distribution of the outgoing light to match the road direction to achieve better road illumination; for example, when the image sensor 51 detects that there is an oncoming vehicle on the road ahead, the image processing control unit 53 may output a control signal to The photointerrupter group 59 controls the spatial distribution of the outgoing light to block the light projection of the left half of the front side of the vehicle body, thereby avoiding interference with the driving sight of the incoming vehicle; or, when the image sensor 51 detects the road ahead When there is a same car, the image processing control unit 53 may output a control signal to the photointerrupter group 59 to control the spatial distribution of the outgoing light to block Light projecting front body intermediate region (e.g., shown in Figure 5 two intermediate liquid crystal light valve is turned off), thereby avoiding interference with the front door mirror to his sight.

Fourth embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a schematic diagram of a process change process of a photointerrupter group in a headlight device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the headlight device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as that of the headlight device 50 shown in Fig. 5, except for the specific structure of the photointerrupter group. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the photointerrupter set 69 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of, for example, four independently controlled mechanical reversible shutters 691 as optical switch array devices, each of which is mechanically reversible shield 691. Under the control of the control signal, it can be flipped in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in Fig. 6, so that it can selectively block light or allow light to pass through two states. More specifically, the left part of FIG. 6 is that the four mechanical reversible shielding sheets 691 are all in the occlusion light state (corresponding to the four optical switches being in the off state), so that the incident light projected to the photointerrupter group 69 cannot pass; When only the light in the middle area needs to be blocked, the two mechanical reversible shielding sheets 691 on both sides of the photointerrupter group 69 can be controlled to be turned 90 degrees, as shown in the right part of FIG. By this, a light emission effect similar to that shown in FIG. 5 is achieved.

Fifth embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a schematic diagram showing a process of changing the working state of the photointerrupter group in the headlight device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the headlight device in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as that of the headlight device 50 shown in Fig. 5, except for the specific structure of the photointerrupter group. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the photointerrupter set 79 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of, for example, four independently controlled mechanical slidable shutters 791 as optical switch array devices, each of which is mechanically slidable. Under the control of the control signal, it can slide in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in Fig. 7, so that it can selectively block the light or allow the light to pass through two states. More specifically, the left part of FIG. 7 is that the four mechanical slidable shielding pieces 791 are in a state of blocking light (corresponding to four optical switches being in a closed state), so that incident light projected to the photointerrupter group 79 cannot pass; When only the light in the middle area needs to be blocked, the two mechanical slidable shielding pieces 791 on both sides of the photointerrupter group 79 can be controlled to slide to the right, as shown in the right part of FIG. Light passes through to achieve a light exiting effect similar to that shown in FIG. In addition, it can be understood that each of the mechanical slidable shielding pieces 791 in the photointerrupter group 79 can also be replaced by a pair of mechanical slidable shielding pieces arranged in parallel on the left and right, so as to control the pair of mechanical slidable The shutters are slid in a direction close to each other or away from each other to achieve a closed or open state of the optical switch.

In summary, in the embodiment of the present invention, an optical lens group is disposed in the headlight device to collect the light emitted by the light source as the incident light, and the image sensor is used to sense the motion image in front of the vehicle body and sent to the image processing control. The unit performs an analysis process to obtain a corresponding control signal, and then controls the optical switch array device through the control signal (for example, the aforementioned reflective optical processor 19, the transmissive optical processor 39, the photointerrupter group 59, 69, and 79) spatially modulating the incident light to obtain an outgoing light having a light distribution pattern corresponding to the dynamic image, so that the light projection of the target area in front of the vehicle body can be enhanced, weakened or prevented without frequent on/off of the light source. This allows the driver of the vehicle to get the best driving sight without affecting the preceding vehicle.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10, 30, 50‧‧‧ headlights

11, 31, 51‧‧‧ image sensor

13, 33, 53‧ ‧ image processing control unit

15, 35, 55‧ ‧ ‧ light source

17, 37, 57‧ ‧ optical lens group

19‧‧‧ Reflective light processor

39‧‧‧Transmissive optical processor

59, 69, 79‧‧‧Photointerrupter group

691‧‧‧Mechanical reversible shield

791‧‧‧Mechanical slidable cover

200, 400‧‧‧ vehicles

201, 401‧‧‧ body

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a headlight device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a vehicle using the headlight device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a headlight device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic view showing the structure of a vehicle using the headlight device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a headlight device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a process of changing a working state of a photointerrupter group in a headlight device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a process of changing a working state of a photointerrupter group in a headlight device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

10‧‧‧ headlights

11‧‧‧Image Sensor

13‧‧‧Image Processing Control Unit

15‧‧‧Light source

17‧‧‧Optical lens unit

19‧‧‧ Reflective light processor

Claims (10)

A headlight device comprising a light source; the improvement comprising: an image sensor for sensing a dynamic image in front of the vehicle body; and an image processing control unit electrically connecting the image sensor for the The dynamic image is subjected to analysis processing to output a control signal; an optical lens group for collecting light emitted by the light source as incident light; an optical switch array device electrically connected to the image processing control unit and including a plurality of independently controlled optical switches Forming an optical switch array, the plurality of independently controlled optical switches being located in front of the light source and configured to spatially modulate the incident light under control of the control signal to obtain light having a corresponding dynamic image The exit light of the pattern is distributed to enhance, attenuate or prevent light projection to a target area in front of the vehicle body. The headlight device of claim 1, wherein the optical switch array device is a reflective optical processor, and the reflective optical processor is configured to view the incident light under the control of the control signal Perform reflective spatial distribution modulation. The headlight device of claim 2, wherein the reflective optical processor comprises a digital micromirror device wafer. The headlight device of claim 1, wherein the optical switch array device is a transmissive optical processor, and the transmissive optical processor includes a light incident side and a light incident side a light-emitting side, and the transmissive optical processor is configured to perform transmissive spatial distribution modulation on the incident light incident on the light-input side of the transmissive light processor under the control of the control signal The emitted light is emitted from the light exiting side of the transmissive light processor. The headlight device of claim 4, wherein the transmissive light processor is a transmissive liquid crystal panel and includes a pixel array as the plurality of independently controlled optical switches. The headlight device of claim 1, wherein the optical switch array device is a photointerrupter group, and the photointerrupter group includes a plurality of independently controlled photointerrupters to serve as A plurality of independently controlled optical switches; each of the photointerrupters being selectively open or closed under the control of the control signal to allow or prevent passage of the incident light. The headlight device of claim 6, wherein each of the photointerrupters is a liquid crystal light valve. The headlight device of claim 6, wherein each of the photointerrupters is a mechanically reversible or slidable shutter, and the mechanical reversible or slidable shutter is in the control The signal can be flipped or slid under control to selectively be in an open or closed state to allow or prevent passage of the incident light. The headlight device of claim 1, wherein the image sensor comprises an infrared camera, the light source is an LED bulb, a xenon bulb or a halogen bulb, and the optical lens group is a collecting lens group. A vehicle comprising a vehicle body and a headlight device as claimed in claim 1 attached to the vehicle body.