WO2021039724A1

WO2021039724A1 - Vehicular lamp

Info

Publication number: WO2021039724A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/031857
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雄紀久保; 村上　健太郎; 直樹川端; 篤志上杉
Original assignee: 株式会社小糸製作所
Priority date: 2019-08-28
Filing date: 2020-08-24
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Also published as: CN114269602A; JPWO2021039724A1

Abstract

This vehicular lamp is provided with a light distribution variable lamp and a controller therefor. The light distribution variable lamp includes a plurality of light-emitting units that can individually switch between on and off, and a scanning optical system that scans beams from the light-emitting units and irradiates a plurality of irradiation areas. The controller controls the light distribution variable lamp, and switches between on and off for the irradiation areas. When the controller is to switch a certain irradiation area (A_i) from on to off, if the irradiation area (A<sb />) straddles across a reference position (REF), the controller moves the right end (E_R) and the left end (E_L) of the irradiation area (A_i) toward the reference position (REF).

Description

Vehicle lighting

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp used for an automobile or the like.

Vehicle lamps are generally capable of switching between low beam and high beam. The low beam illuminates the vicinity of the own vehicle with a predetermined illuminance, and the light distribution regulation is defined so as not to give glare to the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle, and is mainly used when traveling in an urban area. On the other hand, the high beam illuminates a wide area and a distant place in front with a relatively high illuminance, and is mainly used when traveling at high speed on a road where there are few oncoming vehicles or preceding vehicles. Therefore, although the high beam is more visible to the driver than the low beam, there is a problem that glare is given to the driver and pedestrian of the vehicle existing in front of the vehicle.

In recent years, ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) technology has been proposed that dynamically and adaptively controls the light distribution pattern of the high beam based on the surrounding conditions of the vehicle. ADB technology reduces glare given to a vehicle or pedestrian by detecting the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle or pedestrian in front of the vehicle and dimming the area corresponding to the vehicle or pedestrian. is there.

As a method for realizing the ADB function, a shutter method for controlling an actuator, a rotary method, an LED array method, and the like have been proposed. In the shutter method and the rotary method, the width of the light-shielding area can be continuously changed, but the number of light-shielding areas is limited to one. In the LED array method, a plurality of light-shielding areas can be set, but the width of the light-shielding area is limited by the irradiation width of the LED chip, so that the light-shielding areas are discrete.

The applicant has proposed a blade scan method as an ADB method that can solve these problems (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The blade scan method involves incident light on a rotating reflector (blade), reflects the incident light at an angle corresponding to the rotation position of the reflector, scans the reflected light in front of the vehicle, and turns off the light source or turns off the amount of light. , A desired light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle by changing it according to the rotation position of the reflector.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-006192 International Publication No. 2016/10431

The vehicle lighting equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of light emitting units whose turning on and off can be individually controlled. The emitted light (beam) of the plurality of light emitting units is reflected by the reflector moving at high speed and scanned horizontally in front of the vehicle. The light distribution pattern is a superposition of beams from a plurality of light emitting units.

1 (a) and 1 (b) are diagrams for explaining the formation of a light distribution pattern by a plurality of light emitting units. Here, for the sake of brevity, consider a 5-channel light emitting unit. For example, the high beam needs to irradiate a range of 25 ° in each of the left and right directions, and therefore a total of about 50 °, centered on the straight direction of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), 5-channel light-emitting unit covers a different radiation areas A _{1 ~} A ₅ shifted horizontally. The beam of the light emitting unit of each channel instantly irradiates a certain spot (also referred to as an instantaneous irradiation spot) SP. By scanning the irradiation spot SP in the horizontal direction, the irradiation area of each channel is irradiated. The light distribution pattern formed by vehicular lamp, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a superposition of the irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A ₅ of 5 channels.

Patent Document 1 discloses a lamp that can switch between a plurality of light distribution modes such as a normal mode, a motorway mode, and a town mode. A different basic light distribution pattern is defined for each light distribution mode, and the basic light distribution pattern is defined by a combination of turning on and off the light emitting units of a plurality of channels. The vehicle lighting equipment selects a light distribution mode according to the driving scene and forms a basic light distribution pattern optimal for the driving scene. Then, when an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle is detected, the range in which the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle exists is partially shielded from light based on the basic light distribution pattern.

The on / off of the irradiation area of each channel changes as the basic light distribution pattern is switched. At this time, if the irradiation areas for each channel are turned on separately or turned off separately, the driver (user) feels uncomfortable.

The present invention has been made in such a situation, and one of the exemplary purposes of the embodiment is to provide a vehicle lamp that reduces discomfort when switching the irradiation area on and off.

The vehicle lighting fixture of a certain aspect of the present invention includes a light distribution variable lamp and a controller. The variable light distribution lamp has a plurality of light emitting units that can be individually switched on and off, and a scanning optical system that scans the beams of each of the plurality of light emitting units and irradiates a plurality of irradiation areas corresponding to the multiple light emitting units. , Including variable light distribution lamps, and including. The controller controls the variable light distribution lamp to turn on / off a plurality of irradiation areas. When switching an irradiation area from on to off, the controller (i) moves the right and left ends of the irradiation area toward the reference position when the irradiation area to be switched straddles the reference position.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a vehicle lamp. This vehicle lighting fixture includes a variable light distribution lamp and a controller. The variable light distribution lamp has a plurality of light emitting units that can be individually switched on and off, and a scanning optical system that scans the beams of each of the plurality of light emitting units and irradiates a plurality of irradiation areas corresponding to the multiple light emitting units. ,including. The controller controls the variable light distribution lamp to turn on / off a plurality of irradiation areas. When switching an irradiation area from off to on, the controller (iv) expands the irradiation area from the reference position over time when the irradiation area to be switched straddles the reference position.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a sense of discomfort when switching the irradiation area on and off.

1 (a) and 1 (b) are diagrams for explaining the formation of a light distribution pattern by a plurality of light emitting units. It is a block diagram of the lamp system including the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams for explaining the extinguishing control of the irradiation area straddling the reference position. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are diagrams for explaining the extinguishing control of the irradiation area located on the left side of the reference position. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are diagrams for explaining the extinguishing control of the irradiation area located on the left side of the reference position. It is a figure explaining the lighting control of the irradiation area which straddles the reference position. It is a figure explaining the lighting control of the irradiation area located on the left side of a reference position. It is a figure explaining the lighting control of the irradiation area located to the right of a reference position. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing changes in the two irradiation areas in the embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing changes in the two irradiation areas in the comparative technique. It is a perspective view of the lighting fixture for a vehicle which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of layout of a plurality of light emitting units, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a horizontal range of an irradiation area covered by the plurality of light emitting units. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structural example of a vehicle lamp. It is a figure explaining the operation of the lighting circuit of FIG.

(Outline of Embodiment)
One embodiment disclosed herein relates to a vehicle lamp. This vehicle lighting fixture includes a variable light distribution lamp and a controller. The variable light distribution lamp has a plurality of light emitting units that can be individually switched on and off, and a scanning optical system that scans the beams of each of the plurality of light emitting units and irradiates a plurality of irradiation areas corresponding to the multiple light emitting units. ,including. The controller controls the variable light distribution lamp to turn on / off a plurality of irradiation areas. When switching an irradiation area from on to off, the controller (i) moves the right and left ends of the irradiation area toward the reference position when the irradiation area to be switched straddles the reference position.

According to this embodiment, since the irradiation area gradually turns off toward the reference position, an overall sense of unity can be created and a sense of discomfort can be reduced.

Further, the controller (ii) moves the left end of the irradiation area toward the right end when the irradiation area to be switched is located on the left side of the reference position, and (iii) positions the irradiation area to be switched to the right side of the reference position. If so, the right end of the irradiation area is moved toward the left end. As a result, an overall sense of unity can be created and a sense of discomfort can be reduced.

When switching from on to off two or more irradiation areas, the transition time of each of the two or more irradiation areas to be switched may be the same. As a result, the transition of turning off the lights is completed at the same time, so that the sense of unity can be further enhanced.

The controller defines a plurality of basic light distribution patterns in which a combination of on and off of a plurality of irradiation areas is different, and the controls (i) to (iii) may be applied when switching the basic light distribution pattern. ..

The controls (i) to (iii) may be applied to the irradiation area that is switched from on to off with the electron swivel.

In one embodiment, when switching a certain irradiation area from off to on, (iv) when the irradiation area to be switched straddles the reference position, the controller expands the irradiation area with time starting from the reference position. ..

According to this embodiment, since the irradiation area gradually lights up around the reference position, it is possible to create an overall sense of unity and reduce the sense of discomfort.

When the irradiation area to be switched is located on the left side of the reference position, the controller expands the irradiation area with time starting from the right end, and (vi) the irradiation area to be switched is located on the right side of the reference position. In this case, the irradiation area is expanded over time starting from the left end. This further enhances the sense of unity and reduces the sense of discomfort.

When switching from off to on for two or more irradiation areas, the transition time of each of the two or more irradiation areas to be switched may be the same. As a result, the transition of lighting is completed at the same time, so that the sense of unity can be further enhanced.

The controller defines a plurality of basic light distribution patterns with different combinations of on and off of a plurality of irradiation areas, and the controls (iv) to (vi) may be applied when switching the basic light distribution patterns. ..

The controls (iv) to (vi) may be applied to the irradiation area that is switched from off to on with the electron swivel.

The reference position may be the horizontal center of the entire irradiation area. The horizontal center of the entire irradiation area corresponds to the traveling direction of the vehicle, and can be said to be the direction in which the driver pays the most attention. By switching the irradiation areas on and off with reference to this direction, the sense of discomfort can be further reduced.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiment is not limited to the invention but is an example, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention.

In the present specification, the "state in which the member A is connected to the member B" means that the member A and the member B are physically directly connected, and that the member A and the member B are electrically connected to each other. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected via other members, which does not substantially affect the connection state, or does not impair the functions and effects performed by the combination thereof.

Similarly, "a state in which the member C is provided between the member A and the member B" means that the member A and the member C, or the member B and the member C are directly connected, and their electricity. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected via other members, which does not substantially affect the connection state, or does not impair the functions and effects performed by the combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a lamp system 2 including the vehicle lamp 100 according to the embodiment. The vehicle lighting fixture 100 receives control data instructing a light distribution pattern from the ADB ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 4, and forms a light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle according to the control data. The ADB ECU 4 may be built in the vehicle lamp 1.

The vehicle lamp 100 includes a low beam unit 102 and a high beam unit 104. The low beam unit 102 has a fixed light distribution pattern and illuminates a predetermined area 702 on the virtual vertical screen 700.

The high beam unit 104 is an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam), and is configured to be able to adaptively control the light distribution pattern 704 according to the situation in front of the vehicle and the state of the own vehicle. The high beam unit 104 includes a light distribution variable lamp 110 and a controller 120.

The light distribution variable lamp 110 is configured to have a variable light distribution. The variable light distribution lamp 110 includes a plurality of (N channels) light emitting units 112_1 to 112_N, a driver circuit 114, and a scanning optical system 130.

The plurality of light emitting units 112_1 to 112_N can be individually switched on and off. Scan optics 130 scans a plurality of light-emitting units 112_1 ~ 112_N respective beams _BM 1 ~ BM _N in the horizontal direction, irradiating the plurality of irradiation areas _{_A} 1 ~ _A _N. By combining a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A _N, the light distribution pattern 704 of the high beam of the variable it is formed. For example, the scanning frequency is 100 to 200 Hz, and the scanning period is 10 to 5 ms.

The driver circuit 114 controls the drive current flowing through the plurality of light emitting units 112_1 to 112_N, and controls the on / off and the amount of light of each light emitting unit.

The vehicle lamp 100 is configured so that a plurality of light distribution modes can be switched. The type of light distribution mode is not limited, and examples thereof include a normal mode, a town mode, a motorway mode, and a rainfall mode. A plurality of basic light distribution patterns are defined corresponding to a plurality of light distribution modes. Basic light distribution pattern is defined on a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A _N, and off, by a combination of the brightness of the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A _N.

For example normal mode, all illumination area _A 1 ~ _{A N} is on. In town mode, in order to reduce the illuminance, some of the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A _N is turned off. In motorway mode, are all illuminated areas A _{1 ~} A _N is on, in order to further irradiation distant, illuminance of the irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A _N is determined higher than the normal mode.

The controller 120 receives the control data S1 instructing the light distribution pattern from the ADB ECU 4. The controller 120 controls the light distribution variable lamp 110 so that the instructed light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle based on the control data S1. The format and signal format of the control data S1 are not particularly limited.

The control data S1 transmitted from the ADB ECU 4 to the controller 120 includes the light distribution mode, that is, the mode designation data S11 that specifies the basic light distribution pattern. The controller 120 controls the light distribution variable lamp 110 so that the basic light distribution pattern specified by the mode designation data S11 can be obtained. Specifically, the controller 120 defines a set of on / off and drive current set values of a plurality of light emitting units 112_1 to 112_N for each basic light distribution pattern. The controller 120 controls the driver circuit 114 based on a set of set values according to the mode designation data S11.

Further, when an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle is detected in front of the vehicle, the ADB ECU 4 generates light-shielding data S12 indicating a range in which the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle exists, in other words, a range to be shaded, and supplies the data to the controller 120. To do. The controller 120 controls the light distribution variable lamp 110 so as not to irradiate the light shielding range specified by the light shielding data S12 in the basic light distribution pattern.

When switching of the basic light distribution pattern is generated, on a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 ~} A _N, OFF is switched. Here, if the basic light distribution pattern is changed instantaneously and discontinuously, the area that has been irradiated with light suddenly becomes dark or the irradiation area suddenly moves, which causes discomfort to the driver. , Or there is a risk of driving problems.

Therefore, when the controller 120 is instructed to change the basic light distribution pattern, the controller 120 gradually changes the light distribution pattern with time toward the changed basic light distribution pattern. For example, switching of the basic light distribution pattern is performed with a transition time τ of about 500 ms to 2 seconds.

Switching the irradiation area on and off is performed in a different form depending on the position of the irradiation area. In relation to switching on and off, the virtual vertical screen 700 has a reference position REF with respect to the horizontal direction. For example, it is assumed that this reference position REF is set in the vertical line (V line) of the virtual vertical screen 700, that is, in the 0 ° direction.

First, the extinguishing control of the irradiation area will be described. Figure 3 (a), (b) is a diagram for explaining the off control of the illumination area _{A i} across the reference position REF. Left _{E L} of the irradiation area Ai, the position of the right edge _{E R,} at an angle coordinate system theta _L, referred to as theta _R. In the example of FIG. _{3 (a), θ L <} 0 °, 0 ° <θ from _R holds, the illumination area _{A i} can be said across the reference position REF (0 °). In this case, the controller 120, the left edge _{E L} and the right edge _{E R} of irradiation areas _{A i,} over transition time τ is moved toward the reference position (θ = 0 °). Thus narrowing the width of the illumination area A _i with time, turned off and disappear soon irradiation area A _i.

FIG. 3B is a diagram _{showing changes in the irradiation area Ai} of FIG. 3A. The horizontal axis represents the position of the edge (angle coordinate system), and the vertical axis represents time. Off indication of the irradiated area _{A i} occurs at time _{t 0.} Left E _L moves to the right direction to the reference position theta at a rate θ _{L /} τ. Rightmost E _R moves to the left direction to the reference position theta at a rate θ _{R /} τ. At time _{t 1} after the lapse of the time _{t 0} transition time tau, left _{E L} and the right end _{E R} reaches the reference position REF simultaneously off irradiation area _{A i} is completed.

Figure 4 (a), (b) is a diagram for explaining the off control of the illumination area _{A i} on the left side of the reference position REF. In the example of FIG. 4A, since θ _L <0 ° and θ _R <0 ° hold, it can be said that the irradiation area _Ai is located on the left side of the reference position REF (0 °). In this case, the controller 120 fixes the right end _{E R} of irradiation areas _{A i,} is moved toward the right edge _{E R} the left edge _{E L} over transition time tau. Thus narrowing the width of the illumination area A _i with time, turned off and disappear soon irradiation area A _i.

FIG. 4B is a diagram _{showing changes in the irradiation area Ai} of FIG. 4A. Off indication of the irradiated area _{A i} occurs at time _{t 0.} Left _{E L} is the velocity _{_{(θ R -θ L) / τ}} , moves to the right direction at the right end _{E R.} At time _{t 1} after the lapse of the time _{t 0} transition time tau, left _{E L} reaches the right end _{E R,} off irradiation area _{A i} is completed.

Figure 5 (a), (b) is a diagram for explaining the off control of the illumination area _{A i} on the left side of the reference position REF. In the example of FIG. 5A, since θ _L > 0 ° and θ _R > 0 ° hold, it can be said that the irradiation area _Ai is located on the left side of the reference position REF (0 °). In this case, the controller 120 may fix the left _{E L} of the irradiation area _{A i,} is moved toward the left end _{E L} the rightmost end _{E R} over transition time tau. Thus narrowing the width of the illumination area A _i with time, turned off and disappear soon irradiation area A _i.

FIG. 5B is a diagram _{showing changes in the irradiation area Ai} of FIG. 5A. Off indication of the irradiated area _{A i} occurs at time _{t 0.} Rightmost _{E R} is the rate _{_{(θ R -θ L) / τ}} , moves to the left direction at the left end _{E L.} At time _{t 1} after the lapse of the time _{t 0} transition time tau, the right edge _{E R} reaches the left end _{E L,} off irradiation area _{A i} is completed.

Subsequently, the lighting control of the irradiation area will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a lighting control of the illumination area A _i across the reference position REF. Controller 120 will expand with time as the starting point the reference position REF of the irradiation area _{A i.} The horizontal axis represents the position of the edge (angle coordinate system), and the vertical axis represents time. When lighting instruction of irradiation areas _{A i} at time _{t 0} is generated, the controller 120, the left edge _{E L} and the right edge _{E R} of irradiation areas _{A i,} is set to the reference position REF (0 °). Left E _L is moved to the left direction to a target position theta _L at a rate theta _{L /} tau, rightmost E _R moves to the right direction at the target position theta _R at a speed θ _{R /} τ. From time _{t 0} to time _{t 1} after the lapse of the transition time tau, left _{E L} and the right end _{E R} is at the same time the target position theta _L, to reach the theta _R, on the irradiation area _{A i} is completed. It can be said that the lighting control of FIG. 6 is the opposite process to the extinguishing control of FIG. 3 (b).

Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a lighting control of the illumination area A _i on the left side of the reference position REF. The controller 120, when the illumination area _{A i} is located from the left reference position REF, will expand with time irradiation area _{A i} as a starting point the right edge _{E R.} When lighting instruction of irradiation areas _{A i} at time _{t 0} is generated, the controller 120, the left edge _{E L} and the right edge _{E R} of the illumination area _{A i,} and sets the target position theta _R rightmost _{E R.} Then the right edge _{E R} is fixed, the left edge _{E L,} at a rate (θ _R -θ _L) / τ is moved to the left direction to the target position theta _L. From time t ₀ to time t ₁ after the lapse of the transition time tau, left E _L reaches the target position theta _L, on the irradiation area A _i is completed. It can be said that the lighting control of FIG. 7 is the opposite process to the extinguishing control of FIG. 4 (b).

Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a lighting control of the illumination area A _i located in the right of the reference position REF. The controller 120, when the illumination area _{A i} is located from the right reference position REF, will expand with time irradiation area _{A i} as a starting point the left _{E L.} When lighting instruction of irradiation areas _{A i} at time _{t 0} is generated, the controller 120, the left edge _{E L} and the right edge _{E R} of the illumination area _{A i,} and sets the target position theta _L of the left edge _{E R.} Then the left edge _{E L} is fixed, the right edge _{E R,} at a rate (θ _R -θ _L) / τ is moved to the right direction at the target position theta _R. At time t ₁ after the lapse of the time t ₀ transition time tau, it reaches the right end E _R is the target position theta _R, on the irradiation area A _i is completed. It can be said that the lighting control of FIG. 8 is the opposite process to the extinguishing control of FIG. 5 (b).

The above is the operation of the vehicle lamp 100. According to the vehicle lamp 100, when turning off some irradiation areas, the lights are gradually turned off toward the reference position regardless of the position of each irradiation area, which creates an overall sense of unity. , You can reduce the feeling of strangeness.

This advantage becomes remarkable when two or more irradiation areas are turned off at the same time. As an example, consider the case where two irradiation areas straddling the reference position are turned off at the same time. FIG. 9 (a) is _{a diagram showing changes in the two irradiation areas A i} and A _{j in} the embodiment, and FIG. 9 (b) shows changes in the two irradiation areas A _i and A _{j in} the comparative technique. It is a figure which shows. In the comparative technique of FIG. 9B, the irradiation areas A _i and A _j disappear toward their respective centers. In this case, two locally bright spots remain, and the plurality of irradiation areas A _i and A _j are turned off independently and separately, which gives the driver a sense of discomfort. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the plurality of irradiation areas A _i and A _j are integrated and turned off in a unified manner, so that a sense of discomfort can be reduced.

Further, according to the vehicle lamp 100, when lighting some irradiation areas, each irradiation area gradually lights from the side close to the reference position regardless of the position, so that the overall sense of unity is achieved. Can be generated to reduce discomfort. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are referred to by inverting the time axis. In the comparative technique of FIG. 9B, since the plurality of irradiation areas A _i and A _j are independently lit starting from the center of each, the sense of unity is poor and the driver feels uncomfortable. In the embodiment of FIG contrast (a), a plurality of irradiation areas A _i, A _j is, as a starting point a common reference position REF, since gradually illuminated, it is possible to enhance a sense of unity , You can reduce the feeling of strangeness.

When switching from high beam to low beam, multiple irradiation areas are turned off. In this case, the control of FIGS. 3 to 5 may be performed, but another control may be performed. For example, the brightness of each irradiation area may be reduced with time without narrowing the width of the irradiation area.

Similarly, when switching from low beam to high beam, multiple irradiation areas are turned on. In this case, the control of FIGS. 6 to 8 may be performed, but another control may be performed. For example, the brightness of each irradiation area may be increased with time without changing the width of the irradiation area.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 100 according to the embodiment. The vehicle lighting fixture 1 of FIG. 10 has a blade scan type light distribution variable lamp 110, and forms various light distribution patterns in front of the vehicle. The variable light distribution lamp 110 includes a plurality of light emitting units 112, a scanning optical system 130, and a projection optical system 140.

The plurality of light emitting units 112 are connected to a lighting circuit (not shown) via the connector 113. The light emitting unit 112 includes a semiconductor light source such as an LED (light emitting diode) or an LD (semiconductor laser). One light emitting unit 112 constitutes a minimum unit for controlling brightness and turning on and off. One light emitting unit 112 may be one LED chip (LD chip), or may include a plurality of LED chips (LD chips) connected in series and / or in parallel.

The scanning optical system 130 receives the emitted beams of the plurality of light emitting units 112 and scans the reflected light in the lateral direction (H direction in the figure) in front of the vehicle by repeating the periodic motion.

Specifically, the scan optical system 130 includes a reflector 132 and a motor 134. The reflector 132 is attached to the rotor of the motor 134 and performs a rotary motion. In the present embodiment, two reflectors 132 are provided, and the irradiation spot is scanned twice by one rotation of the motor 134. Therefore, the scanning frequency is twice the rotation speed of the motor. The number of reflectors 132 is not particularly limited.

The projection optical system 140 projects the emitted light of the scan optical system 130 onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the vehicle. The projection optical system 140 can be composed of a reflection optical system, a transmission optical system, and a combination thereof.

At a certain time, the beam of each light emitting unit 112 is reflected at an angle corresponding to the position of the reflector 132 (rotation angle of the rotor), and the reflected light at that time causes one irradiation spot on the virtual vertical screen in front of the vehicle. Form. When the position of the reflector 132 changes, the reflection angle changes and the position of the irradiation spot moves.

By rotating the motor 134 of the scanning optical system 130 at high speed, the irradiation spot is scanned on the virtual vertical screen, whereby a light distribution pattern is formed in front of the vehicle.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of layout of a plurality of light emitting units 112. In the present embodiment, the number of the plurality of light emitting units 112 is 10.

The plurality of light emitting units 112 are arranged in two stages in the height direction, eight light emitting units 112_1 to 112_8 are arranged in the lower stage, and two light emitting units 112_9 and 112_10 are arranged in the upper stage. As a result, a region with high illuminance can be formed in the vicinity of the H line on the virtual vertical screen.

11 (b) is a diagram showing a horizontal range of the illumination area _A 1 _{- A 10} in which a plurality of light emitting units 112_1 ~ 112_10 responsible.

In this example, the third to seventh, ninth, irradiation area of the 10 channel _A _3-A _7, A _{9, A 10} is provided across the reference position (0 °), the first, the second channel irradiation area a _1, a _2, located on the left side of the reference position (0 °), the irradiation area a ₈ of the eighth channel is located to the right of the reference position (0 °).

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 12 shows only the part related to the driving of the 1-channel light emitting unit 112. The ADB ECU 4 receives camera information S3 and vehicle information S2. The ADB ECU 4 detects the situation in front of the vehicle, specifically, the position of a target such as an oncoming vehicle, a preceding vehicle, or a pedestrian, based on the camera information S3. Further, the ADB ECU 4 detects the current vehicle speed, steering angle, and the like based on the vehicle information S2. Based on this information, the ADB ECU 4 determines the light distribution pattern to be irradiated to the front of the vehicle, and transmits the control data S1 instructing the light distribution pattern to the vehicle lamp 1. As described above, the control data S1 includes mode designation data S11 indicating a light distribution mode (basic light distribution pattern) and shading data S12 indicating a range to be shaded.

The lighting circuit 200 controls the amount of light (luminance) of the light emitting unit 112 in synchronization with the rotation of the reflector 132 based on the control data S1. The lighting circuit 200 includes a position detector 202, a periodic calculation unit 204, a light amount calculation unit 210, and a driver 220 (114 in FIG. 2). The periodic calculation unit 204 and the light amount calculation unit 210 are referred to as a lamp ECU 206. The lamp ECU 206 can be configured by using a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or an ASIC (Application Specified IC). The lamp ECU 206 corresponds to the controller 120 of FIG.

The position detector 202 generates a position detection signal S4 indicating the timing at which the predetermined reference point of the reflector 132 passes the predetermined position. For example, the reference portion may be the end portion (separation) of the two reflectors 132, or may be the center of each reflector, and may be any location.

A Hall element may be attached to the motor 134 that rotates the reflector 132. In this case, the Hall signal from the Hall element has a periodic waveform corresponding to the position of the rotor, that is, the position of the blade (hereinafter referred to as blade coordinates). The position detector 202 may detect the timing at which the polarity of the Hall signal is inverted, and specifically, may be configured by a Hall comparator that compares a pair of Hall signals.

The periodic calculation unit 204 calculates the periodic Tp of the periodic motion of the blade based on the position detection signal S4 from the position detector 202. For example, when the position detection signal S4 is the output of the Hall comparator, the period calculation unit 204 measures the edge interval (half cycle) of the position detection signal S4. The periodic calculation unit 204 can be configured by a counter that counts the edge interval using a clock signal. The cycle calculation unit 204 outputs cycle information S5 indicating the measured cycle.

The light quantity calculation unit 210 receives the control data S1 and calculates the light quantity to be generated by the light emitting unit 112 at each time based on the cycle Tp indicated by the position detection signal S4 and the cycle information S5.

For example, the light amount calculation unit 210 is composed of a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specified IC), and the like, and is referred to as a position information generator 212 and a light amount controller 214. Includes functional blocks.

The position information generator 212 generates position information S6 indicating the position of the reflector 132 at each time based on the cycle information S5 and the position detection signal S4. For example, the position information generator 212 may be composed of a counter that is reset for each edge of the position detection signal S4 and counts up (or counts down) every unit time obtained by dividing the period Tp into N (N is an integer). Good.

The light amount controller 214 calculates the target light amount (lighting, extinguishing) of the light emitting unit 112 at each time based on the control data S1 and the position information S6, and generates a light amount command value S7 instructing the target light amount.

The correspondence between the blade coordinates X (that is, the position information S6) and the irradiation coordinates θ can be derived from the geometrical arrangement of the light emitting unit 112 and the reflector 132. The light amount controller 214 may include a table that holds a correspondence between the position information S6 and the irradiation coordinate θ, or may hold an arithmetic expression that describes the correspondence between them.

The amount controller 214, data theta _L described by the irradiation coordinates theta included in the control data _S1, the theta _R, converting the blade coordinate data X _L, the X _R, may determine the amount of each time .. Alternatively, the light amount controller 214 may convert the blade coordinates X indicated by the position information S6 into the irradiation coordinates θ to determine the light amount at each time.

The light amount calculation unit 210 preferably turns off the light emitting unit 112 when the period Tp is longer than a predetermined threshold value, that is, when the rotation speed of the motor 134 is slow. If the light emitting unit 112 is turned on when the motion cycle Tp of the reflector 132 is long, the driver will feel flickering (also called flicker). Therefore, in such a situation, turning off the light emitting unit 112 can prevent discomfort. ..

For example, when the scanning frequency of the irradiation spot SP is 50 Hz or less, the light emitting unit 112 may be turned off. It is empirically known that flicker is perceived by the human eye below 50 Hz. When two reflectors 132 are used, it can be said that flicker is not perceived if the rotation speed of the motor 134 is 1500 rpm or more.

The driver 220 receives the light amount command value S7 and lights the light emitting unit 112 so that the light amount calculated by the light amount calculation unit 210 can be obtained at each time.

The above is the configuration of the lighting circuit 200 and the vehicle lamp 1 provided with the lighting circuit 200. Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the lighting circuit 200 of FIG. Irradiation area _{A i} of one channel is shown in FIG. 13. The horizontal axis is the irradiation coordinate θ, the blade coordinate X, and the time t, which are associated one-to-one. In this example two portions _R _{OFF1, R OFF2} of the illumination area _{A i} is shielded. For example, the shading data S12 may include data θ _L1 , θ _R1 , θ _L2 , and θ _R2 indicating both ends of the two shading areas.

The irradiation spot SP _i indicates a portion irradiated by one light emitting unit 112_i when the reflector 132 is stopped at a certain position. As the reflector 132 rotates with the passage of time, the irradiation spot SP _i is scanned in the direction in which the irradiation coordinates increase. One side (right end) of the irradiation spot SP _{i on} the scanning direction side is called a leading edge LE, and the opposite side (left end) is called a trailing edge TE. In the present embodiment, the amount of light is controlled with reference to the coordinates of the leading edge LE.

The motor 134 that positions the reflector 132 is rotating at a predetermined rotation speed. For example, the motor 134 rotates at 6000 rpm. However, the rotation speed of the motor 134 cannot be kept completely constant, and it can be said that the rotation of the motor 134 is not under the control of the lamp ECU 206 and is in a free-run state, and the lamp ECU 206 is the motor 134 (reflector 132). The light emitting unit 112 is controlled while adapting to the state.

When the position detection signal S4 is asserted at a certain time t ₀ , that time is associated with the reference value (for example, 0) of the blade coordinate X, and then the value of the position information S6 indicating the position of the blade increases with time. To do. That is, the time t and the position information S6 are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. The slope is determined from the period Tp of the position detection signal S4 calculated immediately before.

Shielding region _R _{OFF1, R OFF2} respective left coordinates theta _L, the right end coordinate theta _R, it is converted data _X L of the blade coordinates X, to _{X R.} Then, the light amount controller 214 generates the light amount command value S7 so that the light amount in the light- _{shielding regions R OFF1} and R _{OFF2 becomes zero.}

As shown in FIG. 13, the timing at which the light intensity command value S7 is switched from off to on is deviated from the range of the light-shielding region by ΔX. ΔX is the width of the irradiation spot SP. The reason for this will be explained. Since the blade scanning method for forming a light distribution pattern by scanning the irradiation spot SP, the brightness of each point of the illuminated area A _i is given by the integral value of the irradiation spot SP. Therefore, if the switching from on to on is performed with the coordinates of the leading edge LE as a reference, the light blocking region R _OFF is irradiated with light. Therefore the light quantity controller 214, the coordinates of the leading edge LE is beginning (the end of the irradiation area) X _L of the light-shielding area, and switches off the light emitting unit 112 from on. Further, the light intensity controller 214 turns the light emitting unit 112 from off to on when the coordinates of the trailing edge TE are the end of the light-shielding region (the beginning of the irradiation area) X _R , in other words, when the coordinates of the leading edge LE are X _{R + ΔX.} It is desirable to switch. As a result, the light-shielding area R _OFF can be darkened.

The above is the operation of the lighting circuit 200. According to the lighting circuit 200, the position of the reflector 132 at each time is estimated based on the periodic Tp of the reflector 132 and the position detection signal S4 even when the periodic motion of the reflector 132 is not under the control of the lighting circuit 200. it can. Then, the position of the reflected light irradiation spot SP can be estimated from the estimated position of the reflector 132. Therefore, the amount of light of the light emitting unit 112 can be changed from moment to moment according to the change in the position of the reflector 132, and a desired light distribution pattern can be formed.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these components and combinations of each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(Modification example 1)
In the embodiment, when the basic light distribution pattern is switched, when a certain irradiation area _Ai is turned on or off, the control as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 is performed, but this is not the case. For example, the control of FIGS. 3 to 8 may be applied to turn on / off the irradiation area associated with the electron swivel.

(Modification 2)
The controls of FIGS. 3 to 5 may be applied when the irradiation area A is turned off, and another control may be applied to the lighting of the irradiation area A. On the contrary, the control of FIGS. 6 to 8 may be applied when the irradiation area A is turned on, and another control may be applied when the irradiation area A is turned off.

(Modification 3)
In the embodiment, the case where there is an irradiation area that does not straddle the reference position has been described, but it may be designed so that all the irradiation areas straddle the reference position. In this case, only the controls of FIGS. 3 and 6 are applied.

Although the present invention has been described using specific terms and phrases based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely indicate the principles and applications of the present invention, and the embodiments are defined in the claims. Many modifications and arrangement changes are permitted without departing from the ideas of the present invention.

1 Vehicle lighting 2 Lighting system 4 ADB ECU
S1 Control data S11 Mode specification data S12 Shading data S2 Vehicle information S3 Camera information S4 Position detection signal S5 Period information S6 Position information S7 Light amount command value 100 Vehicle lighting equipment 102 Low beam unit 104 High beam unit 110 Light distribution variable lamp 112 Light emitting unit 114 Driver Circuit 120 Controller 130 Scan optical system 132 Reflector 134 Motor 140 Projection optical system 200 Lighting circuit 202 Position detector 204 Periodic calculation unit 206 Lamp ECU
210 Light quantity calculation unit 212 Position information generator 214 Light quantity controller 216 Slow change controller 220 Driver

Claims

A configuration including a plurality of light emitting units that can be individually switched on and off, and a scanning optical system that scans the beams of the plurality of light emitting units and irradiates a plurality of irradiation areas corresponding to the plurality of light emitting units. With variable light lamp
A controller that controls the variable light distribution lamp and switches the plurality of irradiation areas on and off.
With
When switching an irradiation area from on to off, the controller (i) moves the right end and the left end of the irradiation area toward the reference position when the irradiation area to be switched straddles the reference position. Characteristic vehicle lighting equipment.
The controller switches an irradiation area from on to off.
(Ii) When the irradiation area to be switched is located on the left side of the reference position, the left end of the irradiation area is moved toward the right end.
(Iii) The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein when the irradiation area to be switched is located on the right side of the reference position, the right end of the irradiation area is moved toward the left end.
The controller is characterized in that, when switching a certain irradiation area from off to on, (iv) when the irradiation area to be switched straddles the reference position, the irradiation area is expanded with time starting from the reference position. The vehicle lighting equipment according to claim 1 or 2.
The controller switches an irradiation area from off to on.
(V) When the irradiation area to be switched is located on the left side of the reference position, the irradiation area is expanded with time starting from the right end.
(Vi) The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein when the irradiation area to be switched is located on the right side of the reference position, the irradiation area is expanded with time starting from the left end.
The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when switching two or more irradiation areas from on to off, the transition times of the two or more irradiation areas to be switched are the same.
The controller defines a plurality of basic light distribution patterns in which the combination of turning on and off the plurality of irradiation areas is different.
The vehicle lighting fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control (i) is applied when switching the basic light distribution pattern.
The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control of (i) is applied to an irradiation area that is switched from on to off with an electronic swivel.
A configuration including a plurality of light emitting units that can be individually switched on and off, and a scanning optical system that scans the beams of the plurality of light emitting units and irradiates a plurality of irradiation areas corresponding to the plurality of light emitting units. With variable light lamp
A controller that controls the variable light distribution lamp and switches the plurality of irradiation areas on and off.
With
The controller is characterized in that, when switching an irradiation area from off to on, (iv) when the irradiation area to be switched straddles a reference position, the irradiation area is expanded from the reference position with time. Vehicle lighting equipment.
The controller switches an irradiation area from off to on.
(V) When the irradiation area to be switched is located on the left side of the reference position, the irradiation area is expanded with time starting from the right end.
(Vi) The vehicle lamp according to claim 8, wherein when the irradiation area to be switched is located on the right side of the reference position, the irradiation area is expanded with time starting from the left end.
The vehicle lamp according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when switching two or more irradiation areas from off to on, the transition times of the two or more irradiation areas to be switched are the same.
The controller defines a plurality of basic light distribution patterns in which the combination of turning on and off the plurality of irradiation areas is different.
The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control (iv) is applied when switching the basic light distribution pattern.
The vehicle lamp according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control of (iv) is applied to an irradiation area that is switched from off to on with an electronic swivel.
The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the reference position is the center in the horizontal direction of the entire irradiation area.