JP5557611B2 - VEHICLE LIGHT SYSTEM, CONTROL DEVICE, AND VEHICLE LIGHT - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the irradiation state of a lamp.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device has been devised in which the front of a host vehicle is photographed with a camera or the like, the position or distance of a preceding vehicle is calculated based on the photographed image data, and the headlight light distribution is automatically switched. For example, there is known a light control device that sets an irradiation target based on the position of a taillight in a captured image and directs the optical axis toward the irradiation target (see Patent Document 1). According to this device, it is possible to prevent a driver of a preceding vehicle traveling in the same direction as the own vehicle in front of the own vehicle from being dazzled or creating an area that is not illuminated by a headlight between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle. It is supposed to be possible.

JP 2009-067084 A

  By the way, with current cameras and image recognition techniques, it is difficult to detect pedestrians and bicycles. Therefore, like the above-mentioned light control device, when trying to ensure the visibility by selecting the optimal light distribution based on the presence or position of the preceding vehicle in front of the host vehicle, the target other than the preceding vehicle ( For example, glare or discomfort may be given to a pedestrian or a bicycle driver.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of achieving both high visibility and ensuring glare for vehicles and pedestrians ahead.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a vehicle lamp system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle lamp that can move a cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low beam distribution pattern in the vertical direction, and a vertical direction of the cut-off line. And a control unit for controlling the amount of movement of. The control unit determines the amount of cut-off line movement based on the vehicle presence information ahead of the host vehicle and the speed information of the host vehicle.

  According to this aspect, for example, when it can be estimated from the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle that the vehicle is far away, the movement amount is determined so that the cutoff line moves upward, and it can be estimated that the vehicle is approaching. In this case, the movement amount can be determined so that the cut-off line moves downward. In addition, by taking into account the speed information of the vehicle, it is possible to estimate the surrounding situation and to select a more appropriate light distribution.

  The control unit may execute the vertical movement amount control of the cut-off line in a preset low-speed region within a low-speed range that is lower than a movement upper limit value set in advance in the cut-off line. When the host vehicle is traveling in a low speed region, for example, it is estimated that the host vehicle is traveling in an urban area or a narrow street. In such a situation, there is a high possibility that there are pedestrians and bicycles around. Therefore, according to this aspect, even if a pedestrian or a bicycle is present, glare can be hardly given to the pedestrian or the like.

  The control unit may execute the movement amount control in the vertical direction of the cut-off line in a preset high-speed region within a high-speed range that is higher than the movement lower limit value set in advance for the cut-off line. When the host vehicle is traveling in a high speed region, for example, it is estimated that the host vehicle is traveling on a highway or a straight road with good visibility. In such a situation, it is unlikely that there are pedestrians or bicycles around. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to perform light distribution giving priority to ensuring visibility in front of the host vehicle.

  The control unit may compare the movement amount determined based on the vehicle presence information with the movement amount determined based on the speed information and move the movement amount to a lower movement amount. Thereby, the big change of a cut-off line is suppressed with respect to the change of the vehicle presence information ahead and the speed of the own vehicle.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a control device. This device is a control device for a vehicular lamp that can move up and down a cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in a low beam light distribution pattern, and includes vehicle presence information in front of the vehicle, vehicle speed information, and the like. The amount of cut-off line movement is determined based on the above.

  According to this aspect, for example, when the vehicle is far away from the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle, the amount of movement is determined so that the cutoff line moves upward, and when the vehicle is approaching, the cutoff line is The amount of movement can be determined so as to move downward. In addition, by taking into account the speed information of the vehicle, it is possible to estimate the surrounding situation and to select a more appropriate light distribution.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a vehicular lamp. This vehicular lamp is configured such that a cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low beam light distribution pattern can be moved in the vertical direction based on vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle and speed information of the host vehicle.

  According to this aspect, for example, when the vehicle is far from the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle, the cutoff line can be moved upward, and when the vehicle is approaching, the cutoff line is moved downward. be able to. In addition, by considering the speed information of the own vehicle, it is possible to select a more appropriate light distribution based on the estimated surrounding situation.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both a high level of ensuring visibility and suppression of glare for vehicles and pedestrians ahead.

It is a composition conceptual diagram of the vehicular lamp system concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the internal structure of the headlamp unit used with the vehicle lamp system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view of a rotation shade. It is a lineblock diagram of the vehicular lamp system concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern for low beams by the headlamp unit which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the table which determines the moving amount | distance of a cut-off line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

(Vehicle lamp system)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration of a vehicle lamp system 100 according to the present embodiment. The vehicular lamp system 100 mainly includes a photographing unit 30 and a headlamp unit 210. In the headlight unit 210, a left headlight unit 210L and a right headlight unit 210R are disposed one by one at the end of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The headlamp units 210L and 210R of the present embodiment form a low-beam light distribution pattern or a partial high-beam light distribution pattern by blocking a part of the beam emitted from one light source, for example, and do not block it. This is a so-called variable light distribution headlamp that forms a complete high beam light distribution pattern.

  The lamp unit 10 included in each of the headlamp units 210L and 210R forms a plurality of light distribution patterns having an optical axis facing the front of the vehicle orthogonal to the vehicle width direction. Each of the headlamp units 210L and 210R is configured to be able to form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern used in an area where traffic regulations are left-hand traffic. Also, a right-handed low-beam light distribution pattern called “Dover low-beam”, a one-side high-beam light distribution pattern that blocks a part of the high-beam light distribution pattern, etc. You may be comprised so that it can form.

  The photographing unit 30 can be composed of a CCD camera that photographs an image including a situation outside the vehicle illuminated by the light of the lamp unit 10. The photographing unit 30 is preferably fixed at a position where the front of the vehicle can be seen, such as the rear side bracket of the rearview mirror, the inside of the windshield, and the dashboard. The shooting range of the shooting unit 30 is preferably a range in front of the host vehicle, including at least the host vehicle lane on which the host vehicle travels, the oncoming lane, and the roadside, and the irradiation region of the high beam light distribution pattern. Moreover, in the case of one side multiple lanes, it is desirable to include the own lane and at least the left and right lanes of the own lane, and the range including the irradiation area of the high beam light distribution pattern. The angle of view of the photographing unit 30 can be set to ± 20 ° to the left and right, for example.

  Image data photographed by the photographing unit 30 is provided to the control device 50. The control device 50 processes image data based on information provided from the imaging unit 30 and detects a preceding vehicle such as a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. Detection of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle can be performed using a known method such as image processing using pattern matching. The preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle can also be detected by detecting the light spot of the tail lamp or headlamp. For example, in the case of a tail lamp, two red light spots exhibit the same movement. If such a red light spot can be confirmed, it can be considered that a preceding vehicle is present. In the case of a headlight, two light spots, white or yellow, show the same movement. When such a white or yellow light spot can be confirmed, it can be considered that an oncoming vehicle exists. Note that the control device 50 may be included in the photographing unit 30. In addition, the control device 50 acquires the speed information of the host vehicle from the vehicle speed sensor 48.

  The control device 50 provides the information related to the detected vehicle exterior condition to the lamp control units 40L and 40R of the headlamp units 210L and 210R. Then, the lamp control units 40L and 40R execute the light distribution pattern formation control suitable for the detection state of the vehicle outside situation.

(Headlight unit)
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the headlamp unit 210 used in the vehicular lamp system 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the headlamp unit 210 cut by a vertical plane including the optical axis X of the lamp as viewed from the left side of the lamp. The headlamp unit 210 is a variable light distribution type headlamp arranged one by one on the left and right in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, and its structure is substantially the same on the left and right, and will be described below with no particular distinction.

  The headlamp unit 210 has a lamp chamber 216 formed of a lamp body 212 having an opening in the vehicle front direction and a transparent cover 214 covering the opening of the lamp body 212. The lamp chamber 216 houses the lamp unit 10 that irradiates light in the forward direction of the vehicle. A lamp bracket 218 having a pivot mechanism 218 a serving as a swing center of the lamp unit 10 is formed in a part of the lamp unit 10. The lamp bracket 218 is connected to a body bracket 220 erected on the inner wall surface of the lamp body 212 by a fastening member such as a screw. Therefore, the lamp unit 10 is fixed at a predetermined position in the lamp chamber 216, and can change its posture to a forward tilt posture, a rear tilt posture, or the like with the pivot mechanism 218a as a center.

  In addition, on the lower surface of the lamp unit 10, a rotating shaft 222a of a swivel actuator 222 for constituting a curved road light distribution variable headlamp (Adaptive Front-lighting System: AFS) that illuminates the traveling direction when traveling on a curved road or the like. Is fixed. The swivel actuator 222 moves the lamp unit 10 around the pivot mechanism 218a based on the steering amount data provided from the vehicle side, the shape data of the traveling road provided from the navigation system, the relationship between the relative position of the vehicle ahead and the own vehicle, etc. Swivel in the direction of travel. As a result, the irradiation area of the lamp unit 10 is directed to the tip of the curved road instead of the front of the vehicle, so that the driver's forward visibility is improved. The swivel actuator 222 can be composed of a stepping motor, for example. When the swivel angle is a fixed value, a solenoid or the like can be used.

  The swivel actuator 222 is fixed to the unit bracket 224. A leveling actuator 226 disposed outside the lamp body 212 is connected to the unit bracket 224. The leveling actuator 226 is constituted by, for example, a motor that expands and contracts the rod 226a in the directions of arrows M and N. When the rod 226a extends in the direction of the arrow M, the lamp unit 10 swings so as to be in a backward inclined posture with the pivot mechanism 218a as the center. On the other hand, when the rod 226a is shortened in the direction of arrow N, the lamp unit 10 swings so as to assume a forward leaning posture with the pivot mechanism 218a as the center. When the lamp unit 10 is tilted backward, leveling adjustment with the optical axis directed upward can be performed. In addition, when the lamp unit 10 is in the forward tilted posture, leveling adjustment that directs the optical axis downward can be performed. By performing such leveling adjustment, the optical axis can be adjusted according to the vehicle posture. As a result, the reach distance of the front irradiation by the headlamp unit 210 can be adjusted to an optimum distance.

  On the inner wall surface of the lamp chamber 216, for example, below the lamp unit 10, a lamp control unit 40 that performs turning on / off control of the lamp unit 10 and control of formation of a light distribution pattern is disposed. The lamp control unit 40 also controls the swivel actuator 222, the leveling actuator 226, and the like.

  The lamp unit 10 includes a shade mechanism 18 including a rotary shade 12, a bulb 14 as a light source, a lamp housing 17 that supports a reflector 16 on an inner wall, and a projection lens 20. As the bulb 14, for example, an incandescent bulb, a halogen lamp, a discharge bulb, an LED, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, an example in which the bulb 14 is constituted by a halogen lamp is shown. The reflector 16 reflects light emitted from the bulb 14. A part of the light from the bulb 14 and the light reflected by the reflector 16 is guided to the projection lens 20 through the rotary shade 12 constituting the shade mechanism 18.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the rotary shade 12. The rotary shade 12 is a cylindrical member that is rotated by a shade rotary motor about a rotary shaft 12a. Further, the rotary shade 12 has a notch 22 that is partially cut in the axial direction, and a plurality of plate-like shade blades 24 are held on the outer peripheral surface 12 b other than the notch 22. The rotary shade 12 can move either the notch 22 or the shade blade 24 to the position of the rear focal plane including the rear focal point of the projection lens 20 according to the rotation angle. And the light distribution pattern according to the shape of the ridgeline part of the shade blade 24 located on the optical axis X corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotary shade 12 is formed. For example, by moving any one of the shade blades 24 of the rotary shade 12 on the optical axis X and blocking a part of the light emitted from the bulb 14, the light distribution pattern for the low beam or a part for the low beam is used. A light distribution pattern including the characteristics of the light distribution pattern is formed. Moreover, the light distribution pattern for high beams is formed by moving the notch 22 on the optical axis X to make the light emitted from the bulb 14 non-shielded.

  In the rotary shade 12 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the shade blade 24 is devised to completely irradiate the entire irradiation region of the high beam light distribution pattern and a part of the high beam light distribution pattern. And a partial high beam light distribution pattern for irradiating the other irradiation areas.

  The rotary shade 12 can be rotated by, for example, a motor drive, and moves the shade blade 24 or the notch 22 for forming a desired light distribution pattern on the optical axis X by controlling the rotation amount of the motor. Note that the cutout portion 22 of the outer peripheral surface 12b of the rotary shade 12 may be omitted, and the rotary shade 12 may have only a light shielding function. When forming a high beam light distribution pattern, for example, a solenoid or the like is driven to retract the rotary shade 12 from the position of the optical axis X. With such a configuration, for example, even if the motor that rotates the rotary shade 12 fails, the low beam light distribution pattern or a similar light distribution pattern is fixed. That is, the fail-safe function can be realized by reliably avoiding that the rotary shade 12 is fixed in the formation posture of the high beam light distribution pattern.

  The projection lens 20 is disposed on the optical axis X extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the bulb 14 is disposed on the rear side of the rear focal plane of the projection lens 20. The projection lens 20 is a plano-convex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and projects a light source image formed on the rear focal plane onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp unit 10 as an inverted image. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the vehicle lamp system 100 according to the present embodiment. The vehicular lamp system 100 includes a vehicular lamp 70 including the headlamp unit 210 configured as described above, a photographing unit 30 disposed in the vehicle so as to image the front of the vehicle, and the vehicular lamp 70. And a control device 50 for controlling the irradiation control method.

  In FIG. 4, each block shown for the control device 50 and the lamp control unit 40 can be realized in hardware by elements such as a CPU and a memory of a computer, and in terms of software, a computer program or the like loaded in the memory Here, it is depicted as a functional block realized by their cooperation. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The photographing unit 30 is installed in front of the vehicle as an object recognition means for detecting an object such as a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, or a pedestrian. The photographing unit 30 may be dedicated for control of the control device 50, or may be a camera shared with other systems.

  The control device 50 instructs the vehicle lamp 70 on an appropriate irradiation control method based on the captured image of the photographing unit 30. The control device 50 includes an image detection unit 52, an irradiation method determination unit 54, a map storage unit 56, and a signal output unit 58.

  The image detection unit 52 receives image data obtained by imaging the front of the vehicle from the photographing unit 30, and obtains the average luminance and the number of light spots in the image based on the image data. The average luminance is obtained by averaging the luminance value of each pixel constituting the image. Instead of obtaining the average luminance of the entire captured image, the average luminance of a partial area of the image may be obtained. For example, you may calculate the average brightness | luminance of the center area | region which removed the peripheral part of predetermined length among captured images. The number of light spots is obtained by counting the number of portions having a luminance equal to or higher than a predetermined value in each pixel constituting the image. In addition, about the method of calculating | requiring average brightness | luminance or the number of light spots from a captured image, arbitrary methods can be used.

  The map storage unit 56 stores a control map in which a corresponding irradiation control method is defined for each region defined on the two-dimensional map with the luminance and the number of light spots as axes. In this control map, an irradiation control method that has a low possibility of giving glare to the preceding vehicle in a region where the luminance is higher than the predetermined value and the number of light spots is large is determined, and the luminance is lower than the predetermined value And the irradiation control system which switches light distribution according to the position of the preceding vehicle is defined in the region where the number of light spots is small.

  The irradiation method determination unit 54 determines the irradiation control method by the vehicular lamp 70 by applying both the average luminance and the number of light spots obtained by the image detection unit 52 to the control map in the map storage unit 56.

  The signal output unit 58 outputs a corresponding control signal to the lamp control unit 40 of the vehicular lamp so that the irradiation control determined by the irradiation method determination unit 54 is performed.

  The lamp control unit 40 of the vehicle lamp 70 receives a signal from the control device 50 and controls each part of the vehicle lamp 70 so that the determined irradiation control method is realized. The lamp control unit 40 includes a vehicle position detection unit 76, a pattern control unit 82, and a leveling control unit 86. Further, the shade rotation motor 28, the swivel actuator 222, the leveling actuator 226, the bulb 14, the fog lamp 62, and the corner lamp 64 of the vehicular lamp are configured to be controllable by the lamp control unit 40 via the power circuit 60.

  The vehicle position detection unit 76 receives the image data captured by the imaging unit 30 from the control device 50, and searches for a feature point indicating the vehicle in the image data, thereby detecting the position of the preceding vehicle.

  The pattern control unit 82 is arranged in the left and right headlamp units 210 to irradiate the front of the vehicle with an optimal light distribution pattern according to the presence or absence of the preceding vehicle detected by the vehicle position detection unit 76 and the change in the position. Determine the light pattern. Then, the shade rotation motor 28 and the swivel actuator 222 are controlled through the power circuit 60 so as to produce the determined light distribution pattern.

  For example, when a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in front of the host vehicle, the pattern control unit 82 determines that a low beam light distribution pattern should be formed to prevent glare. Then, the pattern control unit 82 drives the shade rotation motor 28 in the left and right headlamp units 210 by a predetermined amount, and forms a low beam light distribution pattern that blocks the light from the bulb 14 by the rotary shade 12 by a predetermined amount.

  In addition, when no preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle is detected in front of the host vehicle, the pattern control unit 82 should improve the driver's field of view by forming a high beam light distribution pattern with an extended irradiation range. judge. Then, the pattern control unit 82 drives the shade rotation motor 28 in the left and right headlamp units 210 by a predetermined amount to form a complete high beam light distribution pattern that is not shielded by the rotary shade 12.

  The pattern control unit 82 irradiates only the own lane side with a high beam and does not irradiate a part on the opposite lane side when the traffic regulation is a left-hand traffic area and there is no preceding vehicle and there is an oncoming vehicle. It is determined that the first partial high beam light distribution pattern is to be formed. The first partial high beam light distribution pattern is one of special high beam light distribution patterns, and is a light distribution pattern in which the upper right half of the complete high beam light distribution pattern is shielded.

  In addition, the pattern control unit 82 irradiates only the oncoming lane side with a high beam and irradiates a part of the own lane side when the traffic regulation is a left-hand traffic area and there is only a preceding vehicle and no oncoming vehicle. It is determined that the second partial high beam light distribution pattern to be irradiated should be formed. The second partial high beam light distribution pattern is one of the special high beam light distribution patterns, and is a light distribution pattern in which the upper left half of the complete high beam light distribution pattern is shielded.

  In addition, when a preceding vehicle such as a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle exists in the distance, the pattern control unit 82 does not irradiate the own lane and the oncoming lane, and irradiates the areas on both sides of the lane with a high beam. It is determined that the partial high beam light distribution pattern should be formed. The third partial high beam light distribution pattern is one of special high beam light distribution patterns, and is a light distribution pattern in which the center of the upper half of the complete high beam light distribution pattern is shielded.

  Then, the pattern control unit 82 drives the shade rotation motor 28 in the left and right headlight units 210 by a predetermined amount to form respective partial high beam light distribution patterns.

  Since such an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) system according to the preceding vehicle is well known, further detailed description is omitted in this specification.

  Further, instead of executing the above ADB, the pattern control unit 82 may form a light distribution pattern so that the high beam and the low beam are simply used according to the presence or absence of the preceding vehicle. Since such an AHB (Auto High Beam) system according to the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle is well known, further detailed description is omitted in this specification.

  The leveling control unit 86 performs leveling in the left and right headlamp units 210 so as to irradiate the front of the vehicle in the optimal optical axis direction according to the presence or absence of the preceding vehicle detected by the vehicle position detection unit 76 and the change in the position. To decide. Then, the leveling actuator 226 is controlled through the power circuit 60 so as to be in the determined optical axis direction.

  When the lamp control unit 40 receives a signal for instructing lighting of an auxiliary lamp such as a fog lamp or a corner lamp from the control device 50, the lamp control unit 40 turns on the fog lamp 62 or the corner lamp 64 through the power circuit 60.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern by the headlamp unit 210 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the headlamp unit 210. The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 5 is a combined light distribution pattern formed by superimposing the light distribution patterns formed by the headlight units 210 arranged on the left and right in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the low beam light distribution pattern Lo is a light distribution pattern that is considered so as not to give glare to the preceding vehicle or pedestrian when passing on the left side. The low beam light distribution pattern Lo has an opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 extending in parallel with the HH line as a horizontal line on the right side (opposite lane side) of the VV line, and further on the left side of the VV line. In the own lane side, the own lane side cut-off line CL2 extending parallel to the HH line at a position higher than the opposite lane side cut-off line, and between the opposite lane side cut-off line and the own lane side cut-off line, Each has an oblique cut-off line CL3 connecting the two. In the low beam light distribution pattern Lo, the elbow point that is the intersection of the own lane side cut-off line CL2 and the VV line is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below the HV point.

  The vehicular lamp system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern Lo can be moved in the vertical direction. The movement of the cut-off line is, for example, a shade blade corresponding to the low beam light distribution pattern among the plurality of shade blades 24 held by the rotary shade 12 based on output signals of the control device 50 and the lamp control unit 40. May be performed by slightly rotating around the rotation shaft 12a. Alternatively, the entire lamp unit 10 may be tilted forward or backward by driving the leveling actuator 226 based on the output signals of the control device 50 and the lamp control unit 40.

  As described above, the vehicular lamp system 100 according to the present embodiment includes the vehicular lamp 70 that can move the cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low beam distribution pattern in the vertical direction, and the vertical movement of the cut-off line. And a control unit for controlling the amount.

(Optical axis control of light distribution pattern for low beam)
The inventors of the present invention have achieved a high level of both ensuring visibility and suppressing glare with respect to vehicles and pedestrians ahead by using the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the vehicle lamp system 100 as described above. I devised the technology to obtain.

  As described above, when the light distribution pattern is selected based only on the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle, the presence of pedestrians and bicycles other than the vehicle is not taken into consideration. There is a risk of glare or discomfort to pedestrians. However, highly accurate detection of pedestrians and bicycles based on images taken by the photographing unit 30 is often difficult at night.

  Therefore, as a result of intensive studies by the present inventors, the inventors have come up with the idea of using information that indirectly estimates the existence of pedestrians and bicycles. Hereinafter, control of the amount of cut-off line movement of the low beam light distribution pattern using speed information as information for indirectly estimating the presence of a pedestrian or bicycle will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a table for determining the cut-off line movement amount. In addition, the following control may be performed by any one of the lamp control part 40 and the control apparatus 50, and may be performed by both by cooperation. In the following description, it is assumed that the lamp control unit 40 performs this control.

  When the light distribution pattern for low beam is selected by the pattern control unit 82, the lamp control unit 40 determines an appropriate cut-off line position based on the presence / absence of the vehicle in front of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle position detection unit 76 and the position information. Is calculated. In the present embodiment, possible cut-off line positions are set to 0 ° with respect to the HH line, which is a horizontal line, and −0.23 °, −0.34 °, −0.45 °, − 0.57 ° and 5 points of initial aiming position.

  The position of each cut-off line is the distance between the preceding vehicle (the vehicle traveling on the own lane) or the oncoming vehicle (the vehicle traveling on the opposite lane) traveling in front of the own vehicle and the front of the own vehicle. In the case of taking a picture, it can be associated in advance according to the position where the preceding vehicle is present. Note that the possible cut-off line positions are not limited to the aforementioned five points, and may be changed continuously rather than stepwise. The possible cut-off line positions may be set as appropriate in consideration of the distance and position measurement accuracy of the preceding vehicle, the driver's discomfort due to frequent movement of the cut-off line position, and the like.

  Therefore, when the vehicle lamp system 100 can estimate that the vehicle is far from the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle, the vehicle lamp system 100 determines the movement amount so that the cutoff line moves upward, and the vehicle is approaching. If it can be estimated, the amount of movement can be determined so that the cut-off line moves downward.

  Next, a specific control method will be described. The lamp control unit 40 calculates a provisional cutoff line position Z1 based on vehicle presence information ahead of the host vehicle, and acquires speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 48. By considering not only the vehicle presence information but also the speed information of the own vehicle, it is possible to estimate the surrounding situation and to select a more appropriate cut-off line position.

  For example, when the provisional cutoff line position Z1 calculated based on the vehicle presence information is −0.45 ° and the speed V of the host vehicle is X3 ≦ V ≦ X6, the lamp control unit 40 may Is determined so that the final cutoff line position Z1 ′ is −0.45 °. Then, the lamp control unit 40 drives the shade rotation motor 28 and the leveling actuator 226 via the power circuit 60 based on the determined movement amount. That is, the lamp control unit 40 determines the amount of cut-off line movement based on the vehicle presence information ahead of the host vehicle and the speed information of the host vehicle.

  Next, the case where the low beam light distribution pattern is selected by the pattern control unit 82 while the vehicle is traveling in the low speed region (when the vehicle speed V is equal to or less than the threshold value X4 shown in FIG. 6) will be described. . Note that the threshold value X4 may be set as appropriate within a range of 30 to 60 km / h. As described above, the lamp control unit 40 calculates the position of the provisional cutoff line position Z2 based on the vehicle presence information ahead of the host vehicle, and acquires speed information.

  When the host vehicle is traveling in a low speed region, for example, it is estimated that the host vehicle is traveling in an urban area or a narrow street, and there is a high possibility that a pedestrian or a bicycle exists in the vicinity. In addition, if the host vehicle is at a low speed, it is less necessary to secure a far field of view. Therefore, in such a situation, for example, the provisional cutoff line position Z2 calculated based on the vehicle presence information that can be estimated to be far away is −0.23 °, and the speed of the host vehicle When V is V ≦ X4, the lamp control unit 40 sets the movement amount control in the vertical direction of the cut-off line in the preset low-speed region to a movement upper limit value set to the cut-off line in advance (−0. 23) is performed within a lower speed range. Note that the movement upper limit value predetermined for the cut-off line is not limited to −0.23 °, and a value closer to 0 ° may be set.

  Specifically, when the speed V of the host vehicle is X3 <V ≦ X4, the lamp control unit 40 determines that the final cutoff line position Z2 ′ is a provisional cutoff line based on the table shown in FIG. The amount of movement is determined to be −0.34 ° lower than the position Z2 (−0.23 °). Similarly, when the speed V of the host vehicle is X2 <V ≦ X3, the lamp control unit 40 makes the final cut-off line position Z2 ′ to be −0.45 ° based on the table shown in FIG. Determine the amount of movement. Similarly, when the speed V of the host vehicle is X1 <V ≦ X2, the lamp control unit 40 makes the final cut-off line position Z2 ′ to be −0.57 ° based on the table shown in FIG. Determine the amount of movement.

  Thus, in a situation where the host vehicle is traveling in a low speed region and there is a high possibility that a pedestrian or a bicycle is present, the vehicular lamp system 100 lowers the position of the cut-off line lower than that during normal control. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to give glare to a pedestrian or the like.

  Next, a case will be described in which a low beam light distribution pattern is selected by the pattern control unit 82 while the vehicle is traveling in a high speed region (when the vehicle speed V is greater than X5 shown in FIG. 6). The threshold value X5 may be set as appropriate within a range of 80 km / h or more. As described above, the lamp control unit 40 calculates the position of the provisional cutoff line position Z3 based on the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle, and acquires speed information.

When the host vehicle is traveling in a high speed region, for example, it is estimated that the host vehicle is traveling on a highway or a straight road with good visibility, and there is a low possibility that there are pedestrians and bicycles around. Moreover, if the host vehicle is at high speed, it is highly necessary to secure a far field of view. Therefore, in such a situation, for example, a front vehicle tentative cutoff line positions Z 3 calculated on the basis of the vehicle existence information can be estimated to be approaching -0.57 °, the vehicle When the speed V is X5 ≦ V, the lamp control unit 40 sets the movement amount control in the vertical direction of the cut-off line in the preset high-speed region to a movement lower limit value (in the present embodiment, − Perform within a high speed range higher than 0.57 ° or initial aiming position).

Specifically, when the speed V of the host vehicle is X6 ≦ V <X7, the lamp control unit 40 determines that the final cutoff line position Z3 ′ is a provisional cutoff line based on the table shown in FIG. The amount of movement is determined to be −0.45 ° higher than the position Z3 (−0.57 °). Similarly, when the speed V of the host vehicle is X7 ≦ V <X8, the lamp control unit 40 sets the final cut-off line position Z 3 ′ to −0.34 ° based on the table shown in FIG. The movement amount is determined as follows. Similarly, when the speed V of the host vehicle is X8 ≦ V, the lamp control unit 40 sets the final cutoff line position Z 3 ′ to be −0.23 ° based on the table shown in FIG. Determine the amount of movement.

  Thus, in a situation where the host vehicle is traveling in a high speed region and there is a low possibility that a pedestrian or a bicycle is present, the vehicular lamp system 100 raises the cut-off line position higher than that during normal control. Therefore, it is possible to perform light distribution giving priority to ensuring visibility in front of the host vehicle.

  Note that the number of threshold values X1 to X8 when determining the cut-off line position based on the speed information described above is not necessarily limited to this, and may be more or less. If more accurate control is required, the number of thresholds may be increased, and if it is not desired to change the cut-off line position too frequently, the number of thresholds may be decreased. In order to prevent the cut-off line from changing frequently, a filter time (delay time) of about 2 to 5 s may be provided for the movement control of the cut-off line position.

  In the control described above, the lamp control unit 40 determines the amount of cut-off line movement by referring to the table shown in FIG. 6 from the vehicle presence information and the speed information. However, the lamp control unit 40 obtains a cut-off line movement amount provisionally determined based on the vehicle presence information and a cut-off line movement amount provisionally determined based on the speed information separately from the vehicle presence information. In comparison, the movement amount having the lower value may be set as the final cut-off line movement amount. According to such control, a large change in the cut-off line can be suppressed with respect to changes in the vehicle presence information ahead and the speed of the host vehicle.

  As described above, the control device according to the present embodiment is a control device for the vehicular lamp 70 that can move in the vertical direction on the cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low-beam light distribution pattern. The amount of cut-off line movement is determined based on the vehicle presence information ahead and the vehicle speed information.

  Further, the vehicular lamp 70 according to the present embodiment can move in the vertical direction on the cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low beam light distribution pattern based on the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle and the speed information of the host vehicle. It is configured.

  The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the present invention also relates to a combination or replacement of the configuration of the embodiment as appropriate. Is included. In addition, it is possible to appropriately change the combination and processing order in the embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art and to add various modifications such as various design changes to the embodiment. The described embodiments can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  10 lamp units, 12 rotating shades, 14 bulbs, 16 reflectors, 17 lamp housings, 18 shade mechanisms, 20 projection lenses, 22 notches, 24 shade blades, 28 shade rotation motors, 30 photographing units, 40 lamp controls, 48 vehicle speeds Sensor, 50 control device, 52 image detection unit, 60 power circuit, 70 vehicle lamp, 76 vehicle position detection unit, 82 pattern control unit, 86 leveling control unit, 100 vehicle lamp system, 210 headlamp unit, 222 swivel Actuator, 226 Leveling actuator.

Claims (4)

A vehicle lamp capable of moving in a vertical direction on a cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low beam light distribution pattern;
A control unit for controlling the amount of vertical movement of the cut-off line;
With
The controller is
The vehicle lamp can be controlled so that the cut-off line moves stepwise or continuously according to the distance from the front vehicle ahead of the host vehicle or the position of the front vehicle,
Determine the amount of movement of the cut-off line based on the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle and the speed information of the host vehicle ,
The amount of movement in the vertical direction of the cut-off line in a preset low-speed region is controlled within a low-speed range lower than a movement upper limit value set in advance in the cut-off line,
A vehicular lamp system characterized in that the vertical movement amount control of the cut-off line in a preset high-speed region is executed within a high-speed range that is higher than a movement lower limit value predetermined for the cut-off line . Wherein the control unit includes a moving amount of the cut-off line to the first position of the cutoff line determined based on the vehicle existence information, the cut to the second position of the cutoff line determined based on the speed information 2. The vehicular lamp system according to claim 1, wherein the cut-off line is moved to a position having a lower movement amount by comparing with an off-line movement amount. A control device for a vehicle lamp capable of moving in a vertical direction a cut-off line extending in a vehicle width direction in a low beam light distribution pattern,
The vehicle lamp can be controlled so that the cut-off line moves stepwise or continuously according to the distance from the front vehicle ahead of the host vehicle or the position of the front vehicle,
Determine the amount of movement of the cut-off line based on the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle and the speed information of the host vehicle ,
The amount of movement in the vertical direction of the cut-off line in a preset low-speed region is controlled within a low-speed range lower than a movement upper limit value set in advance in the cut-off line,
A control device, wherein the vertical movement amount control of the cut-off line in a preset high-speed region is executed within a high-speed range that is higher than a movement lower limit value predetermined for the cut-off line . The cut-off line extending in the vehicle width direction in the low beam light distribution pattern is configured to be movable in the vertical direction based on the vehicle presence information in front of the host vehicle and the speed information of the host vehicle .
It is configured to be controllable so that the cut-off line moves stepwise or continuously according to the distance from the front vehicle ahead of the host vehicle or the position of the front vehicle,
The amount of movement in the vertical direction of the cut-off line in a preset low-speed region is controlled within a low-speed range lower than a movement upper limit value set in advance in the cut-off line,
A vehicular lamp characterized in that the vertical movement amount control of the cut-off line in a preset high-speed region is executed within a high-speed range that is higher than a movement lower limit value predetermined for the cut-off line .

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