JP2019151254A - Vehicle head lamp and vehicle head lamp controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve visibility of an operator.SOLUTION: A vehicle head lamp 100 comprises a control part 40 which determines based on a detection result of an object detection part 30 whether or not an overlapping light distribution pattern, which is overlapped on a preceding vehicle, is exists in plural unit light distribution patters P1, P2,..., P8. The control part determines whether or not a set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2, P3, P4 exceeds a permissible value Y which is set based on a relative positional relationship with respect to the preceding vehicle when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, determines whether or not irradiation of the overlapping light distribution pattern is possible in the state that the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is so decreased as to be the permissible value or less when it is determined that the set value exceeds the permissible value Y, irradiation of the overlapping light distribution pattern is performed in the state that the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is so decreased as to be the permissible value or less and to a value closest to the permissible value in a settable range when it is determined that the irradiation is possible, and turns off the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined that the irradiation is not possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

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

Japanese Patent No. 5438410

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

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp and a vehicle headlamp control method capable of improving driver visibility.

  The vehicle headlamp according to the present invention includes an optical unit that forms a whole light distribution pattern by combining a plurality of unit light distribution patterns, and sets a light intensity setting value of each unit light distribution pattern individually. A plurality of unit light distribution patterns based on the detection result of the object detection unit, a target object detection unit that detects a relative positional relationship between a predetermined light quantity adjustment unit, a predetermined target object in front of the vehicle, and It is determined whether there is an overlapping light distribution pattern that overlaps the predetermined object, and when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is the relative value for the predetermined object. When it is determined whether or not the allowable value set based on the positional relationship is exceeded and it is determined that the allowable value is exceeded, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value Before It is determined whether or not it is possible to irradiate an overlapping light distribution pattern, and when it is determined that irradiation is possible, the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is a value that is not more than the allowable value and can be set. A controller that irradiates the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state of being reduced to a value closest to the permissible value and turns off the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined that irradiation is not possible.

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

  The tolerance may be set higher as the distance from the predetermined object increases.

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

  The vehicle headlamp control method according to the present invention includes an optical unit that combines a plurality of unit light distribution patterns to form an entire light distribution pattern, and sets a light amount of each of the unit light distribution patterns. A method for controlling a vehicle headlamp comprising a light amount adjustment unit capable of individually adjusting a value, the step of detecting a relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle, and a plurality of detection results, Determining whether there is an overlapping light distribution pattern that overlaps the predetermined object in the unit light distribution pattern, and determining that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists, the setting of the overlapping light distribution pattern Determining whether the value exceeds an allowable value set based on the relative positional relationship for the predetermined object, and determining that the value exceeds the allowable value, the overlapping light distribution pattern Determining whether it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the set value is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value; and, if it is determined that irradiation is possible, the overlapping light distribution pattern When the overlapped light distribution pattern is irradiated in a state where the set value is a value equal to or less than the allowable value and reduced to a value closest to the allowable value within a settable range, and it is determined that irradiation is not possible Turning off the overlapping light distribution pattern.

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

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

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same. In the following description, the front and rear (front, rear), top and bottom (upper and lower), left and right (left and right) directions are directions in a state where the vehicle headlamp is attached to the vehicle, The direction when looking at the front while sitting in the driver's seat is shown. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vertical direction is parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is the horizontal direction.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle headlamp 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlamp 100 irradiates, for example, an ADB beam light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle. The optical unit 10, the light amount adjustment unit 20, the object detection unit 30, and the control unit 40 are provided.

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

  The optical member 12 emits light from the light source 11 to irradiate the front of the vehicle with one light distribution pattern P obtained by combining a plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,. As the optical member 12, a lens, a reflector, or the like is used.

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

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern and the irradiation range. The example of FIG. 2 shows a state where the unit light distribution pattern is irradiated on the screen. In FIG. 2, the symbol V indicates the vertical lines on the top and bottom of the screen, and the symbol H indicates the horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen.

  In FIG. 2, the unit light distribution pattern PA when the light amount adjustment unit 20 sets the light amount setting value to the maximum value, the unit light distribution pattern PB when the light amount setting value is the median value, and the light amount setting value are the minimum value. Each irradiation range of the unit light quantity pattern PC in the case of the above is shown in comparison. Further, in FIG. 2, each irradiation range of the unit light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC is shown in correspondence with the light amount distribution.

  The irradiation range of the unit light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC shown in FIG. 2 is a range in which the amount of light is equal to or greater than a reference value C for a predetermined object existing in front of the vehicle on which the vehicle headlamp 100 is mounted. The reference value C is a value of an allowable light amount that does not cause dazzling light with respect to a predetermined object existing at a predetermined distance from the vehicle headlamp 100. In the present embodiment, examples of the predetermined object include vehicles such as automobiles and bicycles that travel in front of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as preceding vehicles). Accordingly, the reference value C in this case is an allowable light amount value that does not cause dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, as the light amount adjustment unit 20 decreases the light amount setting value, the light amount at the central portion and the peripheral portion of the unit light distribution pattern decrease, and the light amount is equal to or greater than the reference value C. The irradiation area is narrow. Therefore, in one unit light distribution pattern, when the preceding vehicle exists at a position between, for example, the irradiation region of the unit light distribution pattern PA and the irradiation region of the unit light distribution pattern PC, the set value is maximized by the light amount setting value 20. When the value is set, the preceding vehicle is illuminated with light having a light quantity exceeding the reference value C, but when the set value is the minimum value, light having a light quantity lower than the reference value C is obtained. It is not a dazzling light because it is applied to the preceding vehicle. In this way, by adjusting the set value of the light quantity of the unit light distribution pattern by the light quantity adjusting unit 20, irradiation with a light quantity exceeding the reference value C is applied to the predetermined object (the preceding vehicle in the present embodiment). Range varies.

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

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

  Based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30, the overlap determination unit 41 determines whether there are overlapping light distribution patterns that overlap the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,. To do.

  When the overlap determination unit 41 determines that there is an overlapping light distribution pattern, the tolerance value determination unit 42 determines whether or not the set value of the overlap light distribution pattern exceeds the allowable value set for the predetermined object. . Here, the allowable value is a set value such that the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the preceding vehicle becomes the reference value C when the distance from the preceding vehicle is a predetermined distance. In other words, when the distance from the preceding vehicle is a predetermined distance and the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern is set to an allowable value, the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the preceding vehicle becomes the reference value C. . This allowable value varies depending on the distance from the preceding vehicle. That is, as the distance from the preceding vehicle increases, the amount of light emitted when the light distribution pattern is applied to the preceding vehicle decreases. For this reason, the light quantity of the unit light distribution pattern required to reach the reference value C increases. Therefore, the allowable value can be set higher as the distance from the preceding vehicle increases. For the allowable value, for example, a value obtained in advance is stored in the storage unit or the like.

  When the allowable value determining unit 42 determines that the allowable value exceeds the allowable value, the set value decrease determining unit 43 irradiates the overlapping light distribution pattern with the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. Determine whether it is possible. Depending on the distance from the preceding vehicle, the allowable value may be less than the minimum value of the set value of the unit light distribution pattern. That is, even if the set value of the unit light distribution pattern is reduced to the minimum value, the light amount of the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the preceding vehicle may not be equal to or less than the reference value C. Therefore, the set value decrease determination unit 43 compares the allowable value with the minimum value of the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern, and if the allowable value is equal to or greater than the minimum value of the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern, irradiation is possible. Judge that there is. On the other hand, the set value decrease determination unit 43 determines that irradiation is not possible when the allowable value is below the minimum set value of the unit light distribution pattern.

  The set value control unit 44 irradiates the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value when it is determined by the setting value decrease determining unit 43 that irradiation is possible. Let The set value control unit 44 turns off the overlapping light distribution pattern when the set value decrease determination unit 43 determines that irradiation is not possible.

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

  As shown in FIG. 3, when there is no preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle, the light amount adjustment unit 20 irradiates all the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 with, for example, a preset setting value, and displays the light distribution pattern P. Form. In this case, since all the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 are irradiated, the unit light distribution pattern P2 corresponding to the left end of the road is provided to the pedestrian 50 existing at the left end of the road ahead of the vehicle. Irradiated. For this reason, the pedestrian 50 can be easily recognized by the driver of the vehicle.

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

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

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

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

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

  In the present embodiment, the unit unit light distribution pattern on the center side rather than the side edge side of the road by the optical unit 10 increases the amount of light when the same value of current is supplied to the light source 11. For this reason, in the unit light distribution patterns P <b> 1 to P <b> 4 (more specifically, the unit light distribution patterns P <b> 2 to P <b> 4), the light amount setting values when the same current value is supplied to the light source 11 are different.

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

  For the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 determined to be irradiable by the setting value decrease determination unit 43, the set value control unit 44 sets the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 in a state where the setting value is reduced to a value equal to or smaller than the allowable value Y. Irradiate. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is decreased to the allowable value Y, and the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is irradiated. Since the allowable value Y is the maximum value that can be set in this case, the highest visibility can be obtained in a range that does not give glare in the irradiation region of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2. When the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 cannot be matched with the allowable value Y, it may be set to the highest range that is lower than the allowable value Y, equal to or greater than the minimum value Z2, and settable. . Note that the set value control unit 44 may decrease the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 step by step for each predetermined ratio.

  When the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is decreased to the allowable value Y, the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is less than the allowable value although the preceding vehicle 60 is irradiated with a part P2a of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2. It is not a dazzling light for the preceding vehicle 60. Moreover, although the brightness of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 becomes dark and the irradiation range exceeding the reference value C becomes narrow, the pedestrian 50 existing at the left end of the road can be irradiated with the overlapping light distribution pattern P2. It becomes. For this reason, the pedestrian 50 can be easily recognized by the driver of the vehicle.

  On the other hand, the set value control unit 44 turns off the overlapping light distribution patterns P3 and P4 determined by the set value decrease determination unit 43 that irradiation is not possible. Thereby, it is avoided that it becomes dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle 60. FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling the vehicle headlamp 100 according to the present embodiment. For example, when the vehicle headlamp 100 is set in a lighting state by a changeover switch or the like provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle, the control unit 40 performs the process related to the control method of the vehicle headlamp 100 below. In this case, first, a relative positional relationship with a preceding vehicle that is a predetermined object in front of the vehicle is detected (step S10). In step S10, the object detection unit 30 detects the distance from the preceding vehicle as an example.

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

  When it is determined by the overlap determination unit 41 that there is an overlapping light distribution pattern (Yes in step S20), the allowable value determination unit 42 determines whether or not the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern exceeds the allowable value set for the preceding vehicle. Is determined (step S30). Moreover, when it determines with the overlapping light distribution pattern not existing by the overlap determination part 41 (No of step S20), it returns to step S10 and performs a process.

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

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

  After performing Step S50 or Step S60, the control unit 40 returns to Step S10 and performs processing. Moreover, the control part 40 complete | finishes the said process, for example, when the vehicle headlamp 100 is switched to the setting of a light extinction state by the change switch etc. which are provided in a driver's seat, for example.

  As described above, the vehicle headlamp 100 according to the present embodiment combines the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,..., P8 divided into a plurality of optical units 10 to form the entire light distribution pattern P. And an object detection unit that detects the relative positional relationship between the light amount adjustment unit 20 that can individually adjust the light intensity setting values of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,..., P8 and the preceding vehicle 60 in front of the vehicle. 30 and based on the detection result of the object detection unit 30, it is determined whether there is an overlapping light distribution pattern that overlaps the preceding vehicle 60 in a plurality of unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,. When it is determined that there is a light distribution pattern, it is determined whether or not the set values of the overlapping light distribution patterns P2, P3, and P4 exceed the allowable value Y set based on the relative positional relationship for the preceding vehicle 60. Determined if value Y is exceeded If it is determined that it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or smaller than the allowable value, When the light pattern setting value is less than the allowable value and reduced to the value that is closest to the allowable value within the settable range, the overlapping light distribution pattern is irradiated, and if it is determined that irradiation is not possible, And a control unit 40 for turning off the light pattern.

  According to this configuration, when there is an overlapping light distribution pattern that overlaps the preceding vehicle 60 in the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,..., P8, the overlapping light distribution pattern is set as a setting value equal to or less than the allowable value Y for the preceding vehicle 60. Can be brought into the irradiated state. Therefore, since it is possible to irradiate even the overlapping light distribution pattern that has been turned off conventionally, it is possible to make the driver recognize objects such as pedestrians and signs on the road. As a result, the visibility of the driver can be improved.

  In the vehicle headlamp 100 described above, when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern P can be irradiated in a state where the setting value X2 of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value Y. The set value control unit 44 may set the set value X2 of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 as the allowable value Y. Thereby, since the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern P2 can be set to the maximum value within the settable range, the highest visibility can be ensured in a range that does not cause dazzling in the irradiation region.

  Further, the allowable value may be set higher as the distance from the preceding vehicle 60 increases. As the distance from the preceding vehicle 60 increases, the amount of light emitted when the light distribution pattern P is irradiated decreases, so the amount of light of the unit light distribution patterns P1 to P8 necessary to reach the reference value C increases. For this reason, even if the allowable value is set high, it is suppressed that the preceding vehicle 60 becomes dazzling light. Thereby, the highest visibility is securable in the range which does not give glare in an irradiation area | region.

  Moreover, in said vehicle headlamp 100, unit light distribution pattern P1-P8 is irradiated in the state from which the light quantity decreased from the center part of the road to the side edge part. In this configuration, the minimum value of the unit light distribution pattern set on the side edge of the road is likely to be below the allowable value Y. Thereby, since the unit light distribution pattern irradiated to the side edge of the road is difficult to be turned off, it is possible to make the driver easily recognize the pedestrian 50, the sign, and the like existing at the side edge.

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

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 10, the light distribution pattern P may be configured to include unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28 that are divided in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal direction. In this case, the light intensity setting values of the unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28 can be individually adjusted.

  Further, for example, the object detection unit 30 can be set so as to detect a pedestrian, a sign, a bright spot around a road (light, reflected light of a delineator, etc.) as a predetermined object. In this configuration, when the pedestrian 50 is detected by the object detection unit 30, the unit light distribution pattern P <b> 12 of the portion irradiated on the face of the pedestrian 50 in order to suppress irradiating the pedestrian 50 with dazzling light. The set value of the amount of light can be reduced.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing examples of arrangement of the light sources 11. As shown in FIG. 11, in the said embodiment, the light distribution pattern P has the unit light distribution pattern P1, P2, ..., Pn divided | segmented into the left-right direction. Therefore, in correspondence with the arrangement of the unit light distribution patterns P1, P2,..., Pn, for example, the light sources 11 such as semiconductor-type light sources can be arranged in a line in parallel in the left-right direction.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the light distribution pattern PP has unit light distribution patterns P11 to P18 and P21 to P28 that are divided in the vertical direction in addition to the horizontal direction. Therefore, it can be set as the structure by which the some light source 11 arrange | positioned in parallel with the left-right direction was arrange | positioned at 2 rows in the up-down direction corresponding to arrangement | positioning of unit light distribution pattern P11-P18, P21-P28. When the unit light distribution pattern is divided into three or more rows in the vertical direction, the light sources 11 can be arranged in three or more rows in the vertical direction corresponding to the arrangement of the unit light distribution patterns.

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

Claims (5)

An optical unit for synthesizing a plurality of unit light distribution patterns to form an entire light distribution pattern;
A light amount adjustment unit capable of individually adjusting the light amount setting value of each of the unit light distribution patterns;
An object detection unit for detecting a relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle;
Based on the detection result of the object detection unit, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern that overlaps the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns, and it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists. If it is determined whether the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern exceeds the allowable value set based on the relative positional relationship for the predetermined object, if it is determined that it exceeds the allowable value, It is determined whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value. The overlapping light distribution pattern is irradiated with the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is a value equal to or smaller than the allowable value and is closest to the allowable value within a settable range. Size Vehicle headlamp and a control unit for the turning off of the overlapping light distribution pattern when. When the control unit determines that the overlapping light distribution pattern can be irradiated in a state where the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value, the control unit of the overlapping light distribution pattern The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein a set value is the allowable value. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the allowable value is set higher as a distance from the predetermined object becomes longer. The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of unit light distribution patterns are irradiated in a state in which the amount of light decreases from a center portion to a side end portion of a road. A vehicle including an optical unit that combines a plurality of unit light distribution patterns to form an entire light distribution pattern, and a light amount adjustment unit that can individually adjust a light amount setting value of each of the unit light distribution patterns. A method for controlling a headlight for a vehicle,
Detecting a relative positional relationship with a predetermined object in front of the vehicle;
Determining whether or not there is an overlapping light distribution pattern that overlaps the predetermined object in the plurality of unit light distribution patterns based on a detection result; and
A step of determining whether or not the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern exceeds an allowable value set based on the relative positional relationship for the predetermined object when it is determined that the overlapping light distribution pattern exists; ,
A step of determining whether or not it is possible to irradiate the overlapping light distribution pattern in a state where the set value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value equal to or less than the allowable value when it is determined that the allowable value is exceeded. When,
When it is determined that irradiation is possible, the setting value of the overlapping light distribution pattern is reduced to a value that is not more than the allowable value and is closest to the allowable value within a settable range. A method for controlling a vehicle headlamp, comprising: irradiating a pattern and turning off the overlapping light distribution pattern when it is determined that irradiation is not possible.

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