WO2022085302A1 - Variable light distribution system - Google Patents

Variable light distribution system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022085302A1
WO2022085302A1 PCT/JP2021/031504 JP2021031504W WO2022085302A1 WO 2022085302 A1 WO2022085302 A1 WO 2022085302A1 JP 2021031504 W JP2021031504 W JP 2021031504W WO 2022085302 A1 WO2022085302 A1 WO 2022085302A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
high beam
light distribution
variable light
vehicle speed
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PCT/JP2021/031504
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
大輔 青木
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三菱自動車工業株式会社
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Priority to JP2022556448A priority Critical patent/JP7315111B2/en
Publication of WO2022085302A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022085302A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B60Q1/08—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle automatically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a variable light distribution system capable of changing the irradiation range of a headlamp that illuminates the front of a vehicle.
  • ADB variable light distribution headlamp
  • the function of ADB is to block the portion of the vehicle in front so that the high beam light does not directly hit the vehicle in front when the vehicle in front is detected at night.
  • a technique has been proposed in which light distribution control for controlling the irradiation direction and range according to the traveling direction or steering angle of the vehicle and the vehicle speed is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
  • variable light distribution system of this case was devised in view of such a problem, and one of the purposes is to maintain better visibility of the driver at night. Not limited to this purpose, it is also an action and effect derived by each configuration shown in the embodiment for carrying out the invention described later, and it is also for other purposes of this case to exert an action and effect which cannot be obtained by the conventional technique. be.
  • the variable light distribution system disclosed here has a first light emitting unit that irradiates a high beam in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface in front of the vehicle, and a low beam directed downward from the direction in which the high beam is irradiated.
  • a second light emitting unit to irradiate a variable light distribution unit that irradiates an auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the irradiation range of the high beam and the irradiation range of the low beam, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle speed.
  • the control device includes a control device that changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the sensor, and the control device has a position closer to the vehicle as the vehicle speed is closer to the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam.
  • the variable light distribution unit is controlled so as to be.
  • the irradiation range of the high beam, the low beam, and the auxiliary high beam is defined by an irradiation direction which is an irradiation vertical direction and a vehicle width direction length which is a spread in the vehicle width direction to be irradiated, and the control device. It is preferable to control the variable light distribution unit so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam becomes downward as the vehicle speed becomes slower. (3) It is preferable that the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is downward from the horizontal direction.
  • the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the closer the position is to the vehicle, the longer the length of the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam in the vehicle width direction is.
  • the control device has the variable arrangement so that the length of the auxiliary high beam in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of the low beam in the vehicle width direction at least when the vehicle speed is at least a predetermined vehicle speed. It is preferable to control the optical unit.
  • the control device When a traveling vehicle is present in front of the vehicle, the control device preferably turns off the first light emitting unit.
  • the control device automatically changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor.
  • the auxiliary high beam can keep the driver's field of vision better at night.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining an irradiation pattern for each vehicle speed, (a) shows a high speed time, (b) shows a medium speed time, and (c) shows a low speed time. It is a plan view (viewed from above) of the traveling path for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed, (a) is at high speed, (b) is at medium speed, and (c) is at low speed or stopped. show.
  • variable light distribution system as an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
  • the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and there is no intention of excluding the application of various modifications and techniques not specified in the following embodiments.
  • Each configuration of the present embodiment can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.
  • it can be selected as needed, or it can be combined as appropriate.
  • the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the front of the vehicle (simply referred to as “front”)
  • the reverse direction is defined as the rear of the vehicle (simply referred to as “rear")
  • the left and right are defined based on the front.
  • the left-right direction of the vehicle is also referred to as the "vehicle width direction”
  • the front-rear direction of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "front-rear direction”.
  • the vertical direction is determined with the direction of gravity as downward and the opposite as upward.
  • variable light distribution system of the present embodiment is a system that changes the irradiation range of the headlamp 10 according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, and includes the headlamp 10, the control device 20, and the vehicle 1.
  • the vehicle speed sensor 30 for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle is provided.
  • the headlamp 10 has a first light emitting unit 11 that irradiates a high beam in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, and a second light emitting unit that irradiates a low beam downward from the direction in which the high beam is irradiated. 12 and. These two types of light emitting units 11 and 12 have a conventionally known configuration (for example, an optical unit).
  • the headlamp 10 further includes a variable light distribution unit 13 that irradiates an auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the high beam irradiation range and the low beam irradiation range.
  • the left and right headlamps 10 are similarly (symmetrically) configured.
  • the control device 20 is one of the electronic control devices [ECU (Electronic Control Unit)] mounted on the vehicle 1, and is an electronic device equipped with a processor and a memory.
  • the processor is, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and the memory is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile memory, or the like.
  • the content of the control executed by the control device 20 is recorded and stored in the memory as firmware or an application program, and when the program is executed, the content of the program is expanded in the memory space and executed by the processor.
  • the control device 20 automatically changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 30. More specifically, the control device 20 controls the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the irradiation range is closer to the vehicle 1 as the vehicle speed is slower. That is, the irradiation range is defined by the irradiation direction which is the vertical direction to be irradiated and the length in the vehicle width direction which is the spread in the vehicle width direction to be irradiated.
  • the variable light distribution unit 13 is controlled so that Further, the control device 20 of the present embodiment controls the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is lower than the horizontal direction.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, in which the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle 1 and the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle 1.
  • the variable light distribution unit 13 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (here, three) light emitting units 13a, 13b, 13c (hereinafter, also referred to as “light emitting units 13a to 13c”) and these. It has a reflector 14 that reflects the light emitted from the light emitting units 13a to 13c.
  • the light emitting units 13a to 13c are composed of, for example, LED lights, and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
  • the light emitting units 13a to 13c are turned on and off according to the vehicle speed. Since the light emitted from the light emitting units 13a to 13c is reflected by the reflector 14, the headlamp 10 illuminates the irradiation range according to the vehicle speed.
  • the light emitting unit 13a located at the rear of the vehicle is a light emitting unit for high vehicle speed that lights up at high vehicle speed.
  • the light emitting unit 13c located in front of the vehicle is a low vehicle speed light emitting unit that lights up at a low vehicle speed.
  • the light emitting unit 13b located between the two light emitting units 13a and 13c is a medium vehicle speed light emitting unit that lights up at a medium vehicle speed.
  • the high vehicle speed light emitting unit 13a is arranged at the focal position, and the medium vehicle speed light emitting unit 13b and the low vehicle speed light emitting unit 13c are arranged outside the focal position.
  • the light emitting unit 13a for high vehicle speed when the light emitting unit 13a for high vehicle speed is lit, the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and illuminates a distance away from the vehicle 1 in front of the vehicle 1.
  • the light emitting unit 13b for medium vehicle speed when the light emitting unit 13b for medium vehicle speed is lit, the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and advances in an oblique direction (diagonal side) with respect to the front of the vehicle 1, and the vehicle 1 Irradiate the side of.
  • the length in the vehicle width direction is increased, and at the same time, the irradiation direction is changed so as to irradiate a position close to the vehicle 1.
  • FIG. 3A when the light emitting unit 13a for high vehicle speed is lit, the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and illuminates a distance away from the vehicle 1 in front of the vehicle 1.
  • the light emitting unit 13b for medium vehicle speed when the light emitting unit 13b for medium vehicle speed
  • the control device 20 of the present embodiment changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam by switching the on / off of the three light emitting units 13a to 13c of the variable light distribution unit 13.
  • 4 (a) to 4 (c) are plan views (viewed from above) of the traveling path for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed, and are at high speed, medium speed, low speed, or stopped, respectively. Is shown. Further, here, a case where an oncoming vehicle 80 is in front of the vehicle 1 across the intersection is shown.
  • reference numeral R1 indicates a high beam irradiation range
  • reference numeral R2 indicates a low beam irradiation range
  • reference numeral R3 indicates an auxiliary high beam irradiation range.
  • Both the high beam irradiation range R1 and the low beam irradiation range R2 are constant regardless of the vehicle speed. Further, the lengths of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction are substantially the same.
  • the slower the vehicle speed the closer the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is to the vehicle 1. That is, the irradiation direction is changed downward.
  • the control device 20 provides the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the closer the position is to the vehicle 1, the longer the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is relative to the length of the low beam irradiation range R2 in the vehicle width direction. Control. That is, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIG. 4 (b) is wider in the vehicle width direction than that shown in FIG. 4 (a), and the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIG.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed when the preceding vehicle 90 is present, and show the state of the traveling path when viewed from the driver.
  • 5 (a) shows a high speed (V1 ⁇ V) in which the vehicle speed V is larger than the first predetermined vehicle speed V1
  • FIG. 5 (b) shows the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the first predetermined vehicle speed V1 and is higher than the first predetermined vehicle speed V1.
  • V2 ⁇ V ⁇ V1 which is larger than the second predetermined vehicle speed V2 at low speed
  • FIG. 5C shows a low speed (V ⁇ V2) at which the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the second predetermined vehicle speed V2, and is not shown.
  • FIGS. 5A to 5C the irradiation range R1 when the high beam is irradiated is shown by a two-dot chain line.
  • FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining an irradiation range for each vehicle speed when the preceding vehicle 90 does not exist, and correspond to FIGS. 5A to 5C, respectively. ..
  • FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c) and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c) are the same except that the presence / absence of the preceding vehicle 90 and the presence / absence of high beam irradiation are different.
  • the control device 20 of the present embodiment turns off the first light emitting unit 11 so as not to irradiate the high beam.
  • the first light emitting unit 11 may be turned off so as not to irradiate the high beam. ..
  • the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is divided into the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam, respectively.
  • Auxiliary high beams are irradiated so as to overlap with each other.
  • the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is substantially the same as the length of each of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction. That is, at high vehicle speeds, the auxiliary high beam irradiates the front side of the vehicle 1 in particular.
  • the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is higher than the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam.
  • Auxiliary high beams are emitted slightly downward so as to overlap.
  • the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of each of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction.
  • auxiliary high beam illuminates the front side of the vehicle 1 while also illuminating the side surface.
  • the auxiliary high beam when the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is low, the auxiliary high beam is more so that the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam substantially includes the irradiation range R2 of the low beam. It is irradiated on the front side (close to the vehicle 1). At this time, the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of each of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIGS. 5 (c) and 6 (c) is wider in the vehicle width direction than that shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b). That is, at low vehicle speeds, the auxiliary high beam mainly irradiates the side of the vehicle 1.
  • the auxiliary high beam is irradiated so as to interpolate between the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam, so that it is difficult to illuminate the two irradiations in the past.
  • the area between ranges R1 and R2 can also be illuminated.
  • the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is controlled according to the vehicle speed V, and the slower the vehicle speed V, the downward the irradiation direction and the front side (the position closer to the vehicle 1) is illuminated. The driver's visibility can be kept better.
  • the length of the irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is lengthened and the vehicle 1 is illuminated to the side, so that the driver's field of view at night can be better maintained from this point as well.
  • control device 20 since the control device 20 additionally irradiates a distant place in front of the vehicle with an auxiliary high beam at high speed, a distant field of view can be secured. Further, at medium speed, additional irradiation is performed by the auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam in front of the vehicle, so that the field of view when traveling on a curve can be secured, for example. Further, at low speeds, the side near the front of the vehicle is additionally irradiated by the auxiliary high beam, so that it is possible to secure a field of view when approaching an intersection, for example.
  • control device 20 controls the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is lower than the horizontal direction. Therefore, even if the auxiliary high beam is continuously irradiated when another vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 1 is present, it is possible to make it difficult to give glare to the driver of the other vehicle.
  • the control device 20 changes the position closer to the vehicle 1 so that the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction becomes longer with respect to the length of the low beam irradiation range R2 in the vehicle width direction.
  • the light distribution unit 13 is controlled. Therefore, as the vehicle speed is slower, the vicinity of the vehicle 1 is illuminated and the vehicle becomes brighter over a wide range in the vehicle width direction, so that the driver's field of view can be further improved.
  • variable light distribution system when a traveling vehicle is present in front of the vehicle 1, the first light emitting unit 11 is turned off, so that the high beam is not emitted and the driver of another vehicle is given glare. It can be made difficult. Further, even in this case, since the auxiliary high beam is irradiated, the driver's field of view can be better maintained.
  • variable light distribution system The configuration of the variable light distribution system described above is an example.
  • the number of light emitting units provided in the variable light distribution unit 13 is not limited to three, and the arrangement thereof is not limited to those described above.
  • the reflector 14 may be movable instead of the configuration in which the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is changed by changing the turning on / off pattern of the light emitting portion provided in the variable light distribution unit 13.
  • the method for changing the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is not limited to the above-described configuration.
  • the irradiation range is controlled in three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed according to the vehicle speed V, but the irradiation range may be controlled in two stages, and more multi-stage control is possible. It may be, and it may be a stepless control.
  • the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 are examples, and are not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. Further, the turning on and off of the high beam does not have to be the above-mentioned configuration. Further, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam may be controlled at least in the front-rear position, and the length in the vehicle width direction may be constant regardless of the vehicle speed.

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  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

A variable light distribution system according to the present invention comprises: a first light-emitting part that radiates a high beam; a second light-emitting part that radiates a low beam; a variable light distribution unit that radiates an auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate the gap between the radiation range of the high beam and the radiation range of the low beam; a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of a vehicle; and a control device that modifies the radiation range of the auxiliary high beam in accordance with the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor. The control device controls the variable light distribution unit such that, as vehicle speed decreases, locations closer to the vehicle fall within the radiation range of the auxiliary high beam.

Description

可変配光システムVariable light distribution system
　本発明は、車両の前方を照らすヘッドランプの照射範囲を変更可能な可変配光システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a variable light distribution system capable of changing the irradiation range of a headlamp that illuminates the front of a vehicle.
　既存のヘッドランプ技術として、ＡＤＢ（可変配光ヘッドランプ）が存在する。ＡＤＢの機能とは、夜間に前方の車両を検知した場合、前方の車両に対してハイビームの光が直接的に当たらないよう、当該前方車両の部分を遮光するものである。また、車両の走行方向又は操舵角と車速に応じて照射方向及び範囲を制御する配光制御を実施するようにした技術も提案されている（例えば特許文献１参照）。 ADB (variable light distribution headlamp) exists as an existing headlamp technology. The function of ADB is to block the portion of the vehicle in front so that the high beam light does not directly hit the vehicle in front when the vehicle in front is detected at night. Further, a technique has been proposed in which light distribution control for controlling the irradiation direction and range according to the traveling direction or steering angle of the vehicle and the vehicle speed is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
日本国特開２０００－２３８５７６号公報Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-238576
　しかしながら、ＡＤＢの機能だけでは、夜間のドライバの視界をより良好に保つためには改良の余地がある。
　本件の可変配光システムは、このような課題に鑑み案出されたもので、夜間のドライバの視界をより良好に保つことを目的の一つとする。なお、この目的に限らず、後述する発明を実施するための形態に示す各構成により導かれる作用効果であって、従来の技術によっては得られない作用効果を奏することも本件の他の目的である。 However, the ADB function alone has room for improvement in order to maintain better driver visibility at night.
The variable light distribution system of this case was devised in view of such a problem, and one of the purposes is to maintain better visibility of the driver at night. Not limited to this purpose, it is also an action and effect derived by each configuration shown in the embodiment for carrying out the invention described later, and it is also for other purposes of this case to exert an action and effect which cannot be obtained by the conventional technique. be.
　（１）ここで開示する可変配光システムは、車両前方の路面に対し略平行な方向にハイビームを照射する第一発光部と、前記ハイビームが照射される方向よりも下方向に向けてロービームを照射する第二発光部と、前記ハイビームの照射範囲及び前記ロービームの照射範囲の間を補間するように補助ハイビームを照射する可変配光ユニットと、前記車両の車速を検出する車速センサーと、前記車速センサーにより検出された前記車速に応じて前記補助ハイビームの照射範囲を変更する制御装置と、を備え、前記制御装置は、前記車速が遅いほど前記車両から近い位置が前記補助ハイビームの前記照射範囲となるよう前記可変配光ユニットを制御する。 (1) The variable light distribution system disclosed here has a first light emitting unit that irradiates a high beam in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface in front of the vehicle, and a low beam directed downward from the direction in which the high beam is irradiated. A second light emitting unit to irradiate, a variable light distribution unit that irradiates an auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the irradiation range of the high beam and the irradiation range of the low beam, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and the vehicle speed. The control device includes a control device that changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the sensor, and the control device has a position closer to the vehicle as the vehicle speed is closer to the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam. The variable light distribution unit is controlled so as to be.
　（２）前記ハイビーム、前記ロービームおよび前記補助ハイビームの照射範囲は、照射される上下方向である照射方向と、照射される車幅方向の広がりである車幅方向長さとで規定され、前記制御装置は、前記車速が遅いほど前記補助ハイビームの前記照射方向が下向きになるよう前記可変配光ユニットを制御することが好ましい。
　（３）前記制御装置は、前記補助ハイビームの前記照射方向が水平方向よりも下向きとなるように、前記可変配光ユニットを制御することが好ましい。
　（４）前記制御装置は、前記車両から近い位置ほど、前記補助ハイビームの照射範囲の車幅方向長さが長くなるように、前記可変配光ユニットを制御することが好ましい。
　（５）前記制御装置は、少なくとも前記車速が所定車速以下の中低車速時には、前記ロービームの前記車幅方向長さよりも前記補助ハイビームの前記車幅方向長さが長くなるように、前記可変配光ユニットを制御することが好ましい。
　（６）前記制御装置は、前記車両の前方に走行車両が存在する場合、前記第一発光部を消灯することが好ましい。
　（７）前記制御装置は、前記車速センサーにより検出された前記車速に応じて前記補助ハイビームの前記照射範囲を自動変更することが好ましい。 (2) The irradiation range of the high beam, the low beam, and the auxiliary high beam is defined by an irradiation direction which is an irradiation vertical direction and a vehicle width direction length which is a spread in the vehicle width direction to be irradiated, and the control device. It is preferable to control the variable light distribution unit so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam becomes downward as the vehicle speed becomes slower.
(3) It is preferable that the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is downward from the horizontal direction.
(4) It is preferable that the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the closer the position is to the vehicle, the longer the length of the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam in the vehicle width direction is.
(5) The control device has the variable arrangement so that the length of the auxiliary high beam in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of the low beam in the vehicle width direction at least when the vehicle speed is at least a predetermined vehicle speed. It is preferable to control the optical unit.
(6) When a traveling vehicle is present in front of the vehicle, the control device preferably turns off the first light emitting unit.
(7) It is preferable that the control device automatically changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor.
　開示した可変配光システムによれば、補助ハイビームによって、夜間のドライバの視界をより良好に保つことができる。 According to the disclosed variable light distribution system, the auxiliary high beam can keep the driver's field of vision better at night.
実施形態に係る可変配光システムを備えた車両の正面図である。It is a front view of the vehicle provided with the variable light distribution system which concerns on embodiment. 図１のＡ－Ａ矢視断面図である。FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 車速ごとの照射パターンを説明するための図２に対応する図であり、（ａ）は高速時、（ｂ）は中速時、（ｃ）は低速時を示す。It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 for explaining an irradiation pattern for each vehicle speed, (a) shows a high speed time, (b) shows a medium speed time, and (c) shows a low speed time. 車速ごとの照射範囲を説明するための走行路の平面図（上から見た図）であり、（ａ）は高速時、（ｂ）は中速時、（ｃ）は低速時又は停止時を示す。It is a plan view (viewed from above) of the traveling path for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed, (a) is at high speed, (b) is at medium speed, and (c) is at low speed or stopped. show. 先行車が存在する場合の、車速ごとの照射範囲を説明するための図であってドライバから見たときの走行路の状態を示す図であり、（ａ）は高速時、（ｂ）は中速時、（ｃ）は低速時を示す。It is a diagram for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed when there is a preceding vehicle, and is a diagram showing the state of the traveling path when viewed from the driver, (a) is a diagram at high speed, and (b) is a diagram showing medium. High speed, (c) indicates low speed. 先行車が存在しない場合の、車速ごとの照射範囲を説明するための図であってドライバから見たときの走行路の状態を示す図であり、（ａ）は高速時、（ｂ）は中速時、（ｃ）は低速時を示す。It is a diagram for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed when there is no preceding vehicle, and is a diagram showing the state of the traveling path when viewed from the driver, (a) is a diagram at high speed, and (b) is a diagram showing a medium speed. High speed, (c) indicates low speed.
　図面を参照して、実施形態としての可変配光システムについて説明する。以下に示す実施形態はあくまでも例示に過ぎず、以下の実施形態で明示しない種々の変形や技術の適用を排除する意図はない。本実施形態の各構成は、それらの趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形して実施することができる。また、必要に応じて取捨選択することができ、あるいは適宜組み合わせることができる。 The variable light distribution system as an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and there is no intention of excluding the application of various modifications and techniques not specified in the following embodiments. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, it can be selected as needed, or it can be combined as appropriate.
　以下の説明では、車両の前進方向を車両前方（単に「前方」という）とし、後進方向を車両後方（単に「後方」という）とし、前方を基準に左右を定める。なお、車両の左右方向を「車幅方向」ともいい、車両前後方向を単に「前後方向」という。また、重力の方向を下方、その逆を上方として上下方向を定める。 In the following explanation, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the front of the vehicle (simply referred to as "front"), the reverse direction is defined as the rear of the vehicle (simply referred to as "rear"), and the left and right are defined based on the front. The left-right direction of the vehicle is also referred to as the "vehicle width direction", and the front-rear direction of the vehicle is simply referred to as the "front-rear direction". In addition, the vertical direction is determined with the direction of gravity as downward and the opposite as upward.
［１．構成］
　図１に示すように、本実施形態の可変配光システムは、車両１の車速に応じてヘッドランプ１０の照射範囲を可変にするシステムであり、ヘッドランプ１０と、制御装置２０と、車両１の車速を検出する車速センサー３０と、を備える。 [1. Constitution]
As shown in FIG. 1, the variable light distribution system of the present embodiment is a system that changes the irradiation range of the headlamp 10 according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, and includes the headlamp 10, the control device 20, and the vehicle 1. The vehicle speed sensor 30 for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle is provided.
　ヘッドランプ１０は、車両１の前方の路面に対し略平行な方向にハイビームを照射する第一発光部１１と、ハイビームが照射される方向よりも下方向に向けてロービームを照射する第二発光部１２と、を有する。これら二種類の発光部１１，１２は従来周知の構成（例えば光学ユニット）である。ヘッドランプ１０はさらに、ハイビームの照射範囲及びロービームの照射範囲の間を補間するように補助ハイビームを照射する可変配光ユニット１３を有する。なお、左右のヘッドランプ１０は同様に（左右対称に）構成される。 The headlamp 10 has a first light emitting unit 11 that irradiates a high beam in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, and a second light emitting unit that irradiates a low beam downward from the direction in which the high beam is irradiated. 12 and. These two types of light emitting units 11 and 12 have a conventionally known configuration (for example, an optical unit). The headlamp 10 further includes a variable light distribution unit 13 that irradiates an auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the high beam irradiation range and the low beam irradiation range. The left and right headlamps 10 are similarly (symmetrically) configured.
　制御装置２０は、車両１に搭載される電子制御装置〔ＥＣＵ（Electronic Control Unit）〕の一つであり、プロセッサとメモリとを搭載した電子デバイスである。プロセッサとは、例えばＣＰＵ（Central Processing Unit），ＭＰＵ（Micro Processing Unit）などのマイクロプロセッサであり、メモリとは、例えばＲＯＭ（Read Only Memory），ＲＡＭ（Random Access Memory），不揮発メモリなどである。制御装置２０で実施される制御の内容は、ファームウェアやアプリケーションプログラムとしてメモリに記録，保存されており、プログラムの実行時にはプログラムの内容がメモリ空間内に展開されて、プロセッサによって実行される。 The control device 20 is one of the electronic control devices [ECU (Electronic Control Unit)] mounted on the vehicle 1, and is an electronic device equipped with a processor and a memory. The processor is, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and the memory is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile memory, or the like. The content of the control executed by the control device 20 is recorded and stored in the memory as firmware or an application program, and when the program is executed, the content of the program is expanded in the memory space and executed by the processor.
　制御装置２０は、車速センサー３０により検出された車速に応じて補助ハイビームの照射範囲を自動変更する。より具体的には、制御装置２０は、車速が遅いほど車両１から近い位置が照射範囲となるよう可変配光ユニット１３を制御する。つまり、照射範囲は、照射される上下方向である照射方向と、照射される車幅方向の広がりである車幅方向長さとで規定され、制御装置２０は、車速が遅いほど補助ハイビームの照射方向が下向きになるよう可変配光ユニット１３を制御する。また、本実施形態の制御装置２０は、補助ハイビームの照射方向が水平方向よりも下側となるように可変配光ユニット１３を制御する。 The control device 20 automatically changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 30. More specifically, the control device 20 controls the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the irradiation range is closer to the vehicle 1 as the vehicle speed is slower. That is, the irradiation range is defined by the irradiation direction which is the vertical direction to be irradiated and the length in the vehicle width direction which is the spread in the vehicle width direction to be irradiated. The variable light distribution unit 13 is controlled so that Further, the control device 20 of the present embodiment controls the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is lower than the horizontal direction.
　図２は、図１のＡ－Ａ矢視断面図であり、図中に示す矢印ＦＲは車両1の前方を示し、矢印ＬＨは車両１の左側方を示す。図２に示すように、本実施形態の可変配光ユニット１３は、複数の（ここでは三つ）の発光部１３ａ，１３ｂ，１３ｃ（以下「発光部１３ａ～１３ｃ」とも表記する）と、これら発光部１３ａ～１３ｃから出射された光を反射するリフレクター１４と、を有する。発光部１３ａ～１３ｃは例えばＬＥＤライトで構成され、車両前後方向に並設される。各発光部１３ａ～１３ｃは、車速に応じて点消灯する。ヘッドランプ１０は、発光部１３ａ～１３ｃから出射された光がリフレクター１４で反射するため、車速に応じた照射範囲を照らす。 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, in which the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle 1 and the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the variable light distribution unit 13 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (here, three) light emitting units 13a, 13b, 13c (hereinafter, also referred to as “light emitting units 13a to 13c”) and these. It has a reflector 14 that reflects the light emitted from the light emitting units 13a to 13c. The light emitting units 13a to 13c are composed of, for example, LED lights, and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The light emitting units 13a to 13c are turned on and off according to the vehicle speed. Since the light emitted from the light emitting units 13a to 13c is reflected by the reflector 14, the headlamp 10 illuminates the irradiation range according to the vehicle speed.
　車両後方に位置する発光部１３ａは、高車速時に点灯する高車速用発光部である。車両前方に位置する発光部１３ｃは、低車速時に点灯する低車速用発光部である。二つの発光部１３ａ，１３ｃの間に位置する発光部１３ｂは、中車速時に点灯する中車速発光部である。高車速用発光部１３ａは焦点位置に配置され、中車速用発光部１３ｂ及び低車速用発光部１３ｃは焦点位置から外れて配置される。 The light emitting unit 13a located at the rear of the vehicle is a light emitting unit for high vehicle speed that lights up at high vehicle speed. The light emitting unit 13c located in front of the vehicle is a low vehicle speed light emitting unit that lights up at a low vehicle speed. The light emitting unit 13b located between the two light emitting units 13a and 13c is a medium vehicle speed light emitting unit that lights up at a medium vehicle speed. The high vehicle speed light emitting unit 13a is arranged at the focal position, and the medium vehicle speed light emitting unit 13b and the low vehicle speed light emitting unit 13c are arranged outside the focal position.
　図３（ａ）に示すように、高車速用発光部１３ａの点灯時には、ＬＥＤライトの光がリフレクター１４で反射し、車両１の前方の車両１から離れた遠方を照射する。図３（ｂ）に示すように、中車速用発光部１３ｂの点灯時には、ＬＥＤライトの光がリフレクター１４で反射して車両１の前方に対して斜め方向（斜め側方）に進み、車両１の側方を照射する。これにより、車幅方向長さも大きくなり、また同時に、照射方向も車両１に近い位置を照射するように変更される。図３（ｃ）に示すように、低車速用発光部１３ｃの点灯時には、ＬＥＤライトの光がリフレクター１４で反射して車両前方に対してより斜め方向（より斜め側方）に進み、車両１の側方を照射する。これにより、車幅方向長さもさらに大きくなり、また同時に、照射方向も車両１により近い位置を照射するように変更される。
　なお、図３（ｂ），（ｃ）に示す例では、ＬＥＤライトの光がリフレクター１４で反射して車両１の前方に対して斜め方向に向かうため、補助ハイビームによる車両１の前方の照射光量は減少するが、この部分はロービームで照射されるため光量は確保される。 As shown in FIG. 3A, when the light emitting unit 13a for high vehicle speed is lit, the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and illuminates a distance away from the vehicle 1 in front of the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the light emitting unit 13b for medium vehicle speed is lit, the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and advances in an oblique direction (diagonal side) with respect to the front of the vehicle 1, and the vehicle 1 Irradiate the side of. As a result, the length in the vehicle width direction is increased, and at the same time, the irradiation direction is changed so as to irradiate a position close to the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 3C, when the light emitting unit 13c for low vehicle speed is lit, the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and advances in a more oblique direction (more diagonally sideways) with respect to the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle 1 Irradiate the side of. As a result, the length in the vehicle width direction is further increased, and at the same time, the irradiation direction is changed so as to irradiate a position closer to the vehicle 1.
In the example shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c), the light of the LED light is reflected by the reflector 14 and heads diagonally with respect to the front of the vehicle 1, so that the amount of light radiated in front of the vehicle 1 by the auxiliary high beam. Is reduced, but the amount of light is secured because this part is irradiated with a low beam.
　本実施形態の制御装置２０は、可変配光ユニット１３の三つの発光部１３ａ～１３ｃの点消灯を切り替えることで、補助ハイビームの照射範囲を変更する。図４（ａ）～（ｃ）は、車速ごとの照射範囲を説明するための走行路の平面図（上から見た図）であり、それぞれ、高速時、中速時、低速時又は停止時を示す。また、ここでは交差点を挟んだ車両１の前方に対向車８０がいる場合を示す。図中の符号Ｒ１はハイビームの照射範囲、符号Ｒ２はロービームの照射範囲、符号Ｒ３は補助ハイビームの照射範囲をそれぞれ示す。ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ１及びロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２はいずれも、車速にかかわらず一定である。また、ハイビーム及びロービームの各照射範囲Ｒ１，Ｒ２の車幅方向長さは略同一である。 The control device 20 of the present embodiment changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam by switching the on / off of the three light emitting units 13a to 13c of the variable light distribution unit 13. 4 (a) to 4 (c) are plan views (viewed from above) of the traveling path for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed, and are at high speed, medium speed, low speed, or stopped, respectively. Is shown. Further, here, a case where an oncoming vehicle 80 is in front of the vehicle 1 across the intersection is shown. In the figure, reference numeral R1 indicates a high beam irradiation range, reference numeral R2 indicates a low beam irradiation range, and reference numeral R3 indicates an auxiliary high beam irradiation range. Both the high beam irradiation range R1 and the low beam irradiation range R2 are constant regardless of the vehicle speed. Further, the lengths of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction are substantially the same.
　本実施形態の制御装置２０は、車速が遅いほど、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３を車両１に近づける。すなわち、照射方向を下向きに変更する。さらに、制御装置２０は、車両１から近い位置ほど、ロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２の車幅方向長さに対する補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３の車幅方向長さが長くなるように、可変配光ユニット１３を制御する。すなわち、図４（ｂ）に示す補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３は、図４（ａ）に示すものよりも車幅方向に広がっており、図４（ｃ）に示す補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３は、図４（ｂ）に示すものよりも車幅方向に広がっている。なお、図４（ａ）～（ｃ）では、対向車８０のドライバがまぶしさを感じにくいように、ロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２が一部欠けたものを例示している。 In the control device 20 of the present embodiment, the slower the vehicle speed, the closer the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is to the vehicle 1. That is, the irradiation direction is changed downward. Further, the control device 20 provides the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the closer the position is to the vehicle 1, the longer the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is relative to the length of the low beam irradiation range R2 in the vehicle width direction. Control. That is, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIG. 4 (b) is wider in the vehicle width direction than that shown in FIG. 4 (a), and the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIG. 4 (c) is. It is wider in the vehicle width direction than that shown in FIG. 4 (b). In addition, in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the low beam irradiation range R2 is partially omitted so that the driver of the oncoming vehicle 80 does not easily feel the glare.
　図５（ａ）～（ｃ）は、先行車９０が存在する場合の、車速ごとの照射範囲を説明するための図であってドライバから見たときの走行路の状態を示す。なお、図５（ａ）は車速Ｖが第１所定車速Ｖ１よりも大きい高速時（Ｖ１＜Ｖ）、図５（ｂ）は車速Ｖが第１所定車速Ｖ１以下で且つ第１所定車速Ｖ１よりも低速の第２所定車速Ｖ２よりも大きい中速時（Ｖ２＜Ｖ≦Ｖ１）、図５（ｃ）は車速Ｖが第２所定車速Ｖ２以下の低速時（Ｖ≦Ｖ２）を示し、図示しない車両１（自車両）と先行車９０との車間距離が徐々に短くなっている。図５（ａ）～（ｃ）では、ハイビームが照射された場合の照射範囲Ｒ１を二点鎖線で示す。また、図６（ａ）～（ｃ）は、先行車９０が存在しない場合の、車速ごとの照射範囲を説明するための図であって、図５（ａ）～（ｃ）にそれぞれ対応する。図５（ａ）～（ｃ）と図６（ａ）～（ｃ）とは、先行車９０の有無及びハイビームの照射の有無が異なる点を除き同様である。 FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the irradiation range for each vehicle speed when the preceding vehicle 90 is present, and show the state of the traveling path when viewed from the driver. 5 (a) shows a high speed (V1 <V) in which the vehicle speed V is larger than the first predetermined vehicle speed V1, and FIG. 5 (b) shows the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the first predetermined vehicle speed V1 and is higher than the first predetermined vehicle speed V1. At medium speed (V2 <V≤V1), which is larger than the second predetermined vehicle speed V2 at low speed, FIG. 5C shows a low speed (V≤V2) at which the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the second predetermined vehicle speed V2, and is not shown. The distance between the vehicle 1 (own vehicle) and the preceding vehicle 90 is gradually shortening. In FIGS. 5A to 5C, the irradiation range R1 when the high beam is irradiated is shown by a two-dot chain line. Further, FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining an irradiation range for each vehicle speed when the preceding vehicle 90 does not exist, and correspond to FIGS. 5A to 5C, respectively. .. FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c) and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c) are the same except that the presence / absence of the preceding vehicle 90 and the presence / absence of high beam irradiation are different.
　本実施形態の制御装置２０は、車両１の前方に走行車両（例えば先行車９０）が存在する場合には、第一発光部１１を消灯し、ハイビームを照射しないようにする。なお、図４（ａ）～（ｃ）に示すように、車両１の前方に走行車両としての対向車８０が存在する場合に、ハイビームを照射しないよう第一発光部１１を消灯してもよい。 When a traveling vehicle (for example, a preceding vehicle 90) is present in front of the vehicle 1, the control device 20 of the present embodiment turns off the first light emitting unit 11 so as not to irradiate the high beam. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, when an oncoming vehicle 80 as a traveling vehicle exists in front of the vehicle 1, the first light emitting unit 11 may be turned off so as not to irradiate the high beam. ..
　図５（ａ）及び図６（ａ）に示すように、車両１の車速Ｖが高い場合には、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３がハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ１とロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２とのそれぞれに部分的に重なるように、補助ハイビームが照射される。このとき、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３の車幅方向長さは、ハイビーム及びロービームの各照射範囲Ｒ１，Ｒ２の車幅方向長さと略同一である。すなわち、高車速時には、補助ハイビームは、特に車両１の前側遠方を照射する。 As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, when the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is high, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is divided into the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam, respectively. Auxiliary high beams are irradiated so as to overlap with each other. At this time, the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is substantially the same as the length of each of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction. That is, at high vehicle speeds, the auxiliary high beam irradiates the front side of the vehicle 1 in particular.
　図５（ｂ）及び図６（ｂ）に示すように、車両１の車速Ｖが中程度の場合には、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３がハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ１よりもロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２とより重なるように、補助ハイビームがやや下方へ照射される。このとき、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３の車幅方向長さは、ハイビーム及びロービームの各照射範囲Ｒ１，Ｒ２の車幅方向長さよりも長い。また、図５（ｂ）及び図６（ｂ）に示す補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３は、図５（ａ）及び図６（ａ）に示すものよりも車幅方向に広がっている。すなわち、中車速時には、補助ハイビームは、車両１の前方も照らしつつ側方も照射する。 As shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b), when the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is medium, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is higher than the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam. Auxiliary high beams are emitted slightly downward so as to overlap. At this time, the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of each of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b) is wider in the vehicle width direction than that shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 6 (a). That is, at the medium vehicle speed, the auxiliary high beam illuminates the front side of the vehicle 1 while also illuminating the side surface.
　図５（ｃ）及び図６（ｃ）に示すように、車両１の車速Ｖが低い場合には、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３がロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２を略包含するように、補助ハイビームがより手前側（車両１に近い位置に）照射される。このとき、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３の車幅方向長さは、ハイビーム及びロービームの各照射範囲Ｒ１，Ｒ２の車幅方向長さよりもより長くなる。また、図５（ｃ）及び図６（ｃ）に示す補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３は、図５（ｂ）及び図６（ｂ）に示すものよりも車幅方向に広がっている。すなわち、低車速時には、補助ハイビームは、車両１の側方を主に照射する。 As shown in FIGS. 5 (c) and 6 (c), when the vehicle speed V of the vehicle 1 is low, the auxiliary high beam is more so that the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam substantially includes the irradiation range R2 of the low beam. It is irradiated on the front side (close to the vehicle 1). At this time, the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of each of the high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam shown in FIGS. 5 (c) and 6 (c) is wider in the vehicle width direction than that shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b). That is, at low vehicle speeds, the auxiliary high beam mainly irradiates the side of the vehicle 1.
［２．作用，効果］
　したがって、上述した可変配光システムによれば、ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ１とロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２との間を補間するように補助ハイビームが照射されることから、従来では照らすことが難しかった二つの照射範囲Ｒ１，Ｒ２の間の領域も照らすことができる。さらに、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３は車速Ｖに応じて制御されるものであり、車速Ｖが遅いほど照射方向が下向きにされて手前側（車両１に近い位置）が照らされるため、適切に夜間のドライバの視界をより良好に保つことができる。また、車速Ｖが遅いほど照射範囲Ｒ３の車幅方向長さが長くされて車両１のより側方まで照らされるため、この点からも、夜間のドライバの視界をより良好に保つことができる。 [2. Action, effect]
Therefore, according to the above-mentioned variable light distribution system, the auxiliary high beam is irradiated so as to interpolate between the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam, so that it is difficult to illuminate the two irradiations in the past. The area between ranges R1 and R2 can also be illuminated. Further, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is controlled according to the vehicle speed V, and the slower the vehicle speed V, the downward the irradiation direction and the front side (the position closer to the vehicle 1) is illuminated. The driver's visibility can be kept better. Further, as the vehicle speed V is slower, the length of the irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction is lengthened and the vehicle 1 is illuminated to the side, so that the driver's field of view at night can be better maintained from this point as well.
　具体的には、制御装置２０が、高速時には車両前方の遠方を補助ハイビームによって追加照射するため、遠方の視界を確保できる。また、中速時には、車両前方であってハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ１とロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２との間を補間するよう補助ハイビームによって追加照射するため、例えばカーブ走行時の視界を確保できる。また、低速時には、車両前方近傍の側方が補助ハイビームによって追加照射されるため、例えば交差点への進入時の視界を確保できる。 Specifically, since the control device 20 additionally irradiates a distant place in front of the vehicle with an auxiliary high beam at high speed, a distant field of view can be secured. Further, at medium speed, additional irradiation is performed by the auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the irradiation range R1 of the high beam and the irradiation range R2 of the low beam in front of the vehicle, so that the field of view when traveling on a curve can be secured, for example. Further, at low speeds, the side near the front of the vehicle is additionally irradiated by the auxiliary high beam, so that it is possible to secure a field of view when approaching an intersection, for example.
　上述した可変配光システムでは、制御装置２０により、補助ハイビームの照射方向が水平方向よりも下側となるように可変配光ユニット１３が制御される。このため、車両１の前方を走行する他車両が存在するときに補助ハイビームを照射し続けても、この他車両のドライバにまぶしさを与えにくくすることができる。 In the variable light distribution system described above, the control device 20 controls the variable light distribution unit 13 so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is lower than the horizontal direction. Therefore, even if the auxiliary high beam is continuously irradiated when another vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 1 is present, it is possible to make it difficult to give glare to the driver of the other vehicle.
　上述した可変配光システムでは、制御装置２０により、車両１から近い位置ほど、ロービームの照射範囲Ｒ２の車幅方向長さに対する補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３の車幅方向長さが長くなるように可変配光ユニット１３が制御される。このため、車速が遅いほど車両１の近くが照らされ、且つ、車幅方向の広い範囲に亘って明るくなることから、ドライバの視界をさらに良好に保つことができる。 In the above-mentioned variable light distribution system, the control device 20 changes the position closer to the vehicle 1 so that the length of the auxiliary high beam irradiation range R3 in the vehicle width direction becomes longer with respect to the length of the low beam irradiation range R2 in the vehicle width direction. The light distribution unit 13 is controlled. Therefore, as the vehicle speed is slower, the vicinity of the vehicle 1 is illuminated and the vehicle becomes brighter over a wide range in the vehicle width direction, so that the driver's field of view can be further improved.
　上述した可変配光システムによれば、車両１の前方に走行車両が存在する場合には、第一発光部１１が消灯されるため、ハイビームが照射されなくなり、他車両のドライバにまぶしさを与えにくくすることができる。また、この場合であっても補助ハイビームは照射されることから、ドライバの視界をより良好に保つことができる。 According to the above-mentioned variable light distribution system, when a traveling vehicle is present in front of the vehicle 1, the first light emitting unit 11 is turned off, so that the high beam is not emitted and the driver of another vehicle is given glare. It can be made difficult. Further, even in this case, since the auxiliary high beam is irradiated, the driver's field of view can be better maintained.
［３．その他］
　上述した可変配光システムの構成は一例である。例えば、可変配光ユニット１３に設けられる発光部の個数は三つに限られないし、その配置も上述したものに限られない。また、可変配光ユニット１３に設けられる発光部の点消灯パターンを変えることで補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３を変更する構成の代わりに、リフレクター１４を可動式にしてもよい。補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３の変更手法は上述した構成に限られない。
　また、上記の可変配光システムでは、車速Ｖに応じて高速，中速，低速の３段階に照射範囲を制御しているが、照射範囲は二段階制御であってもよく、より多段の制御であってもよく、さらに無段階の制御であってもよい。 [3. others]
The configuration of the variable light distribution system described above is an example. For example, the number of light emitting units provided in the variable light distribution unit 13 is not limited to three, and the arrangement thereof is not limited to those described above. Further, the reflector 14 may be movable instead of the configuration in which the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is changed by changing the turning on / off pattern of the light emitting portion provided in the variable light distribution unit 13. The method for changing the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam is not limited to the above-described configuration.
Further, in the above variable light distribution system, the irradiation range is controlled in three stages of high speed, medium speed, and low speed according to the vehicle speed V, but the irradiation range may be controlled in two stages, and more multi-stage control is possible. It may be, and it may be a stepless control.
　ハイビーム及びロービームの各照射範囲Ｒ１，Ｒ２は一例であって、上述した構成に限られない。また、ハイビームの点消灯も上述した構成でなくてもよい。また、補助ハイビームの照射範囲Ｒ３は、少なくとも前後位置を制御すればよく、車幅方向長さが車速によらず一定であってもよい。 The high beam and low beam irradiation ranges R1 and R2 are examples, and are not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. Further, the turning on and off of the high beam does not have to be the above-mentioned configuration. Further, the irradiation range R3 of the auxiliary high beam may be controlled at least in the front-rear position, and the length in the vehicle width direction may be constant regardless of the vehicle speed.
　本出願は、２０２０年１０月２０日出願の日本特許出願２０２０－１７５９８３に基づくものであり、その内容はここに参照として取り込まれる。 This application is based on the Japanese patent application 2020-175983 filed on October 20, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
　１　車両
　１０　ヘッドランプ
　１１　第一発光部
　１２　第二発光部
　１３　可変配光ユニット
　１３ａ　高車速用発光部
　１３ｂ　中車速用発光部
　１３ｃ　低車速用発光部
　１４　リフレクター
　２０　制御装置
　３０　車速センサー
　８０　対向車（走行車両）
　９０　先行車（走行車両）
　Ｒ１　ハイビームの照射範囲
　Ｒ２　ロービームの照射範囲
　Ｒ３　補助ハイビームの照射範囲 1 Vehicle 10 Headlamp 11 1st light emitting unit 12 2nd light emitting unit 13 Variable light distribution unit 13a High vehicle speed light emitting unit 13b Medium vehicle speed light emitting unit 13c Low vehicle speed light emitting unit 14 Reflector 20 Control device 30 Vehicle speed sensor 80 Oncoming vehicle ( Traveling vehicle)
90 Leading vehicle (traveling vehicle)
R1 high beam irradiation range R2 low beam irradiation range R3 auxiliary high beam irradiation range

Claims (7)

  1. 　車両前方の路面に対し略平行な方向にハイビームを照射する第一発光部と、
    　前記ハイビームが照射される方向よりも下方向に向けてロービームを照射する第二発光部と、
    　前記ハイビームの照射範囲及び前記ロービームの照射範囲の間を補間するように補助ハイビームを照射する可変配光ユニットと、
    　前記車両の車速を検出する車速センサーと、
    　前記車速センサーにより検出された前記車速に応じて前記補助ハイビームの照射範囲を変更する制御装置と、を備え、
    　前記制御装置は、前記車速が遅いほど前記車両から近い位置が前記補助ハイビームの前記照射範囲となるよう前記可変配光ユニットを制御する
    ことを特徴とする、可変配光システム。     The first light emitting part that irradiates the high beam in a direction substantially parallel to the road surface in front of the vehicle,
    A second light emitting unit that irradiates a low beam downward from the direction in which the high beam is irradiated, and a second light emitting unit.
    A variable light distribution unit that irradiates an auxiliary high beam so as to interpolate between the irradiation range of the high beam and the irradiation range of the low beam.
    A vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle and
    A control device that changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is provided.
    The control device is a variable light distribution system, characterized in that the variable light distribution unit is controlled so that a position closer to the vehicle becomes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam as the vehicle speed becomes slower.
  2. 　前記ハイビーム、前記ロービームおよび前記補助ハイビームの照射範囲は、照射される上下方向である照射方向と、照射される車幅方向の広がりである車幅方向長さとで規定され、
    　前記制御装置は、前記車速が遅いほど前記補助ハイビームの前記照射方向が下向きになるよう前記可変配光ユニットを制御する
    ことを特徴とする、請求項１記載の可変配光システム。     The irradiation range of the high beam, the low beam, and the auxiliary high beam is defined by an irradiation direction which is an irradiation vertical direction and a vehicle width direction length which is a spread in the vehicle width direction to be irradiated.
    The variable light distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam becomes downward as the vehicle speed becomes slower.
  3. 　前記制御装置は、前記補助ハイビームの前記照射方向が水平方向よりも下向きとなるように、前記可変配光ユニットを制御する
    ことを特徴とする、請求項２記載の可変配光システム。     The variable light distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the irradiation direction of the auxiliary high beam is downward with respect to the horizontal direction.
  4. 　前記制御装置は、前記車両から近い位置ほど、前記補助ハイビームの前記車幅方向長さが長くなるように、前記可変配光ユニットを制御する
    ことを特徴とする、請求項２又は３記載の可変配光システム。     The variable according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control device controls the variable light distribution unit so that the closer the position is to the vehicle, the longer the length of the auxiliary high beam in the vehicle width direction is. Light distribution system.
  5. 　前記制御装置は、少なくとも前記車速が所定車速以下の中低車速時には、前記ロービームの前記車幅方向長さよりも前記補助ハイビームの前記車幅方向長さが長くなるように、前記可変配光ユニットを制御する
    ことを特徴とする、請求項４記載の可変配光システム。     The control device includes the variable light distribution unit so that the length of the auxiliary high beam in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length of the low beam in the vehicle width direction at least when the vehicle speed is at least a predetermined vehicle speed. The variable light distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the variable light distribution system is controlled.
  6. 　前記制御装置は、前記車両の前方に走行車両が存在する場合、前記第一発光部を消灯する
    ことを特徴とする、請求項１～５のいずれか１項に記載の可変配光システム。     The variable light distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device turns off the first light emitting unit when a traveling vehicle is present in front of the vehicle.
  7. 　前記制御装置は、前記車速センサーにより検出された前記車速に応じて前記補助ハイビームの前記照射範囲を自動変更する
    ことを特徴とする請求項１～６の何れか１項に記載の可変配光システム。     The variable light distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device automatically changes the irradiation range of the auxiliary high beam according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor. ..
PCT/JP2021/031504 2020-02-07 2021-08-27 Variable light distribution system WO2022085302A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000238576A (en) * 1999-02-22 2000-09-05 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Lighting unit for vehicle
JP2001213227A (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-07 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Lighting system for vehicle

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000238576A (en) * 1999-02-22 2000-09-05 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Lighting unit for vehicle
JP2001213227A (en) * 2000-02-04 2001-08-07 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Lighting system for vehicle

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