Vehicle lighting device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a lighting device for a vehicle. The lighting device for a vehicle controls the luminous intensity (cd) of each of a plurality of light-emitting units. The lighting device is configured to perform: a first control to control an irradiation area according to a traveling direction of a vehicle; a second control to control the irradiation area in a manner to reduce the irradiation degree of light to a position of an object; and a third control to control the irradiation area in a manner to reduce the irradiation degree of light to a position of a reflecting object. The lighting device selects the minimum value of the target value (tcd1) of the luminous intensity for the first control, the target value (tcd2) of the luminous intensity for the second control, and the target value (tcd3) of the luminous intensity for the third control as a final target value (tcdf).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting device that controls a plurality of light emitting units mounted on a front portion of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a lighting device that controls a plurality of light emitters (light source units) mounted on the front of a vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1). This lighting device performs light distribution control to change the irradiation area of ​​light irradiated from the plurality of light emitters.

[0003] As examples of the above-mentioned light distribution control, there can be cited: a first control, controlling the light irradiation area according to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a second control, controlling the light irradiation area in a manner not to irradiate the light to the positions of the leading vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, etc.; and a third control, controlling the light irradiation area according to the position of the object that reflects the light (hereinafter referred to as the "reflecting object").

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6744424

[0007] Furthermore, the inventor of the present application has studied the development of a vehicle that can execute all of the first control, the second control, and the third control as light distribution control. However, in such a vehicle, the three controls interfere with each other, and as a result, it may not be possible to form a proper illumination area in front of the vehicle. For example, it is assumed that a leading vehicle and a reflective object are present in front of the vehicle, and the reflective object is present in the same direction as the leading vehicle. In this situation, if the third control takes precedence over the second control, the illumination area of ​​the light is formed to include the leading vehicle. As a result, there is a fear that glare (dazzle) may be caused to the driver of the leading vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0008] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lighting device that can form an appropriate illumination area in front of the vehicle in a vehicle that can execute first control, second control, and third control.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, a vehicle lighting device comprises: a plurality of light emitting units (23L-1 to 23L-n and 23R-1 to 23R-n) mounted on the front of a vehicle and arranged in a predetermined direction; a first sensor (11, 12) for acquiring driving state information as information related to the driving state of the vehicle; a second sensor (13) for acquiring vehicle surrounding information including information related to objects existing in a surrounding area of ​​the vehicle; and a control device (10) for controlling the light intensity (cd) of each of the plurality of light emitting units to perform light distribution control for changing an irradiation area (Ara) formed by light from the plurality of light emitting units.

[0010] The light distribution control includes: a first control to control the illumination area according to the direction of travel (dr) of the vehicle determined based on the driving status information; a second control to control the illumination area in a manner to reduce the illumination degree of the light toward the position of the object (OV) detected based on the vehicle surrounding information; and a third control to control the illumination area in a manner to reduce the illumination degree of the light toward the position of the reflective object (RO) detected based on the vehicle surrounding information.

[0011] The control device is configured to: select a final target value (tcdf) as the final target value of the luminous intensity from a first target value (tcd1), a second target value (tcd2) and a third target value (tcd3), and control the light-emitting unit based on the final target value, wherein the first target value (tcd1) is the target value of the luminous intensity for executing the first control, the second target value (tcd2) is the target value of the luminous intensity for executing the second control, and the third target value (tcd3) is the target value of the luminous intensity for executing the third control.

[0012] The control device is configured to: when the current condition is a first condition, select the minimum value among the first target value, the second target value and the third target value as the final target value, wherein the first condition is a condition in which the first control, the second control and the third control are all executed.

[0013] The lighting device having the above configuration can form an appropriate illumination area in front of the vehicle SV by irradiating light with appropriate light emission intensity in each of the plurality of light emitting units in the vehicle capable of executing the first control, the second control, and the third control.

[0014] For example, it is assumed that a leading vehicle and a reflective object are present in front of the vehicle, and the reflective object is present in the same direction as the leading vehicle. In such a situation, the lighting device selects the minimum value among the first target value, the second target value, and the third target value as the final target value. As a result, the amount of light irradiated toward the leading vehicle becomes smaller. Therefore, the possibility of the driver of the leading vehicle being glared can be reduced.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the control device is configured to: when the current condition is a second condition, select the smaller value between the first target value and the third target value as the final target value, wherein the second condition is a condition in which only the first control and the third control are executed.

[0016] For example, it is assumed that a reflective object exists in the direction of travel of the vehicle. In such a situation, the lighting device selects the smaller value of the first target value and the third target value as the final target value. As a result, the amount of light irradiated toward the reflective object becomes smaller. Since the amount of light reflected by the reflective object becomes smaller (or the light is not reflected by the reflective object), the possibility of the driver of the vehicle feeling glare can be reduced.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the vehicle surrounding information includes image data of the surrounding area. The control device is configured to: in the third control, when the brightness value of a pixel on the image data is greater than a predetermined brightness threshold (bth), determine that the reflective object exists at a position corresponding to the pixel.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the control device may also be implemented by a microprocessor programmed to perform one or more functions described in this specification. In one or more embodiments, the control device may be implemented in whole or in part by hardware consisting of one or more application-specific integrated circuits, i.e., ASICs, etc. In the above description, in order to help understand the present invention, the names and / or figure marks used in the embodiments are added in brackets to the configurations of the invention corresponding to the embodiments described later. However, the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments specified by the names and / or figure marks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a front view of the vehicle showing the arrangement of the left headlight and the right headlight.

[0021] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a left high-beam lamp and a right high-beam lamp.

[0022] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an illumination area of ​​each of a plurality of light emitting units of the left high beam lamp.

[0023] Figure 5 The diagram shows a situation in which a vehicle is traveling on a right curve.

[0024] Figure 6 : is a table showing the first target value of each of the plurality of light emitting units of the left high beam lamp.

[0025] Figure 7 The diagram shows a situation in which there is a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle.

[0026] Figure 8 : is a table showing the second target value of each of the plurality of light emitting units of the left high beam lamp.

[0027] Fig. 9 The diagram shows a situation where a reflective object exists in front of the vehicle.

[0028] Fig.10 is Fig. 9 The image data obtained under the condition of .

[0029] Fig.11 is a table showing the third target value of each of the plurality of light emitting units of the left high beam lamp.

[0030] Fig.12 This is the functional block diagram of the lighting ECU.

[0031] Fig.13 This is a table for explaining the method of determining the final target value in each of the first to fourth situations.

[0032] Fig.14 is an example of the first situation.

[0033] Fig.15 is an example of the second situation.

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] 10: Lighting ECU, 20L, 20R: Headlight, 21L, 21R: High beam, 22L, 22R: Low beam, 23L, 23R: Light emitting part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] <Composition>

[0037] like Figure 1As shown, the lighting device of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle SV. The lighting device includes a lighting ECU 10. The ECU is an electric control unit (Electric Control Unit) having a microcomputer as a main part. The microcomputer includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an interface I / F. For example, the lighting ECU 10 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 10a, a ROM 10b, a RAM 10c, and an interface (I / F) 10d. The CPU 10a implements various functions described below by executing instructions (programs, routines) stored in the ROM 10b.

[0038] It should be noted that the vehicle SV includes various ECUs (eg, engine ECU and brake ECU) for executing vehicle control, but these are not directly related to the lighting device of the present embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[0039] The lighting ECU 10 is connected to the left headlight 20L and the right headlight 20R. The lighting ECU 10 can control each of the left headlight 20L and the right headlight 20R.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the left headlight 20L is provided on the left side of the front part of the vehicle body 200 (left front corner 201L), and the right headlight 20R is provided on the right side of the front part of the vehicle body 200 (right front corner 201R). The basic structure of the left headlight 20L and the right headlight 20R is the same. The left headlight 20L includes a left high beam lamp 21L and a left low beam lamp 22L. The right headlight 20R includes a right high beam lamp 21R and a right low beam lamp 22R.

[0041] Refer again Figure 1 The lighting ECU 10 is connected to the following sensors and receives detection signals or output signals from these sensors.

[0042] The vehicle speed sensor 11 detects the speed (driving speed) of the vehicle SV and outputs a signal indicating the speed Vs. The steering angle sensor 12 detects the steering angle of the vehicle SV and outputs a signal indicating the steering angle θ [deg]. It should be noted that the steering angle θ is zero when the vehicle SV is traveling straight. The steering angle θ becomes a positive value when the vehicle SV turns left, and becomes a negative value when the vehicle SV turns right.

[0043] Hereinafter, “information related to the running state of the vehicle SV” outputted from the sensors 11 and 12 may be referred to as “running state information.” It should be noted that the vehicle SV may further include sensors for acquiring other running state information (eg, yaw rate and acceleration).

[0044] The surrounding sensor 13 acquires information related to objects in the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle SV. The surrounding area of ​​the vehicle SV includes at least the area in front of the vehicle SV. The objects include, for example, mobile objects such as four-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, and pedestrians, and fixed objects such as utility poles, trees, and guardrails. The surrounding sensor 13 includes a radar sensor 14 and a camera sensor 15.

[0045] The radar sensor 14 radiates, for example, radio waves in the millimeter wave band (hereinafter referred to as "millimeter waves") to the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle SV, and receives millimeter waves (i.e., reflected waves) reflected by objects within the radiation range. The radar sensor 14 detects objects based on the reflected wave information. The reflected wave information includes the phase difference between the transmitted millimeter wave and the received reflected wave, the attenuation level of the reflected wave, and the time from the transmission of the millimeter wave to the reception of the reflected wave. Moreover, the radar sensor 14 calculates parameters representing the relative relationship between the vehicle and the object based on the reflected wave information. The parameters representing the relative relationship between the vehicle SV and the object include the orientation (or position) of the object relative to the vehicle SV, the distance between the vehicle SV and the object, and the relative speed between the vehicle SV and the object.

[0046] The camera sensor 15 captures the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle SV to obtain image data. It should be noted that the camera sensor 15 may determine the presence or absence of an object based on the image data and calculate a parameter indicating the relative relationship between the vehicle and the object.

[0047] Information about an object acquired by the surrounding sensor 13 (including parameters indicating the relative relationship between the vehicle and the object) is referred to as “object information.” The lighting ECU 10 acquires information about the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle including object information and image data as “vehicle surrounding information.”

[0048] <Composition of high beam headlight>

[0049] The left high beam lamp 21L and the right high beam lamp 21R respectively radiate light (high beam) toward the front of the vehicle SV. Figure 3 As shown, the left high beam lamp 21L includes a plurality of (n) light emitting parts (23L-1, 23L-2, 23L-3, ..., 23L-n) arranged in the vehicle width direction (the left-right direction of the vehicle SV). The right high beam lamp 21R includes a plurality of (n) light emitting parts (23R-1, 23R-2, 23R-3, ..., 23R-n) arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] The number n of the light emitting parts is, for example, 12. It should be noted that, in order to simplify the illustration and description, the following description is given by taking "n=6" as an example.

[0051] The left high beam lamp 21L and the right high beam lamp 21R have the same configuration, so the configuration of the left high beam lamp 21L will be described below. It should be noted that the plurality of light emitting units in the left high beam lamp 21L are collectively referred to as "plurality of light emitting units 23L".

[0052] Each of the plurality of light emitting portions 23L includes a white LED (Light Emitting Diode). Figure 4 The irradiation area of ​​each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L is shown. The irradiation areas of the plurality of light emitting units 23L-1 to 23L-6 are Ar1 to Ar6, respectively. The irradiation areas of the plurality of light emitting units 23L overlap each other between adjacent areas in the vehicle width direction. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the entire irradiation area formed by the irradiation areas Ar1 to Ar6 is represented by the reference symbol "Ara".

[0053] The lighting ECU 10 can independently control the lighting state of each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. That is, the lighting ECU 10 can selectively light up one or more of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. Furthermore, the lighting ECU 10 can control the light emission intensity of each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L by adjusting the amount of current supplied to each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L.

[0054] Here, the luminous intensity is the brightness of light radiated in a certain direction. For example, the luminous intensity is the luminous intensity (cd) of the luminous flux around a unit solid angle (hereinafter referred to as "luminous intensity cd").

[0055] As a technique for independently controlling the lighting state of each of the plurality of light emitting units (LEDs), for example, techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2009-123566, 2008-37240, and 2008-114800 can be used.

[0056] <Light distribution control>

[0057] The lighting ECU 10 is configured to execute light distribution control for changing an illumination area formed by light from the plurality of light emitting units 23L.

[0058] The light distribution control includes: a first control to control the light irradiation area according to the traveling direction of the vehicle SV determined based on the driving state information; a second control to control the light irradiation area in a manner to reduce the irradiation degree of the light to the position of the object (preceding vehicle, oncoming vehicle, pedestrian, etc.) detected based on the vehicle surrounding information; and a third control to control the light irradiation area in a manner to reduce the irradiation degree of the light to the position of the reflective object detected based on the vehicle surrounding information. The first control, the second control, and the third control are described below.

[0059] First Control

[0060] For example, when the vehicle SV is traveling on a curve at night, it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize the situation in front of the vehicle SV. Therefore, the lighting ECU 10 performs the first control. It should be noted that the first control is a control to rotate the illumination area of ​​the light (swivel), so it is sometimes called "rotation control". The rotation control itself is well known (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-77451). Therefore, it is briefly explained below.

[0061] The lighting ECU 10 determines the turning direction and turning degree of the vehicle SV based on the driving state information (steering angle θ and speed Vs). The lighting ECU 10 calculates the travel direction dr of the vehicle SV based on the turning direction and turning degree of the vehicle SV. The travel direction dr is the direction predicted as the direction in which the vehicle SV will move forward. Therefore, when the vehicle SV is traveling on a right curve, the travel direction dr becomes the right front direction of the vehicle SV. When the vehicle SV is traveling on a left curve, the travel direction dr becomes the left front direction of the vehicle SV. The lighting ECU 10 calculates the first target value tcd1 for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L based on the travel direction dr of the vehicle SV. The first target value tcd1 is a target value of the luminous intensity cd for performing the first control.

[0062] exist Figure 5 In the example, the vehicle SV is traveling on a right curve. In this case, the lighting ECU 10 is based on the travel direction dr, such as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first target value tcd1 is calculated for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. Figure 6 In the table, the maximum value of the light emission intensity cd is set to "100", and the first target value tcd1 of each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L is normalized.

[0063] When the vehicle SV is traveling on a right curve, the first target value tcd1 of the light emitting unit 23L-6 on the turning direction side (right side) of the vehicle SV is the largest. On the other hand, the first target value tcd1 of the light emitting unit 23L-1 on the side opposite to the turning direction of the vehicle SV (left side) is the smallest. Among the plurality of light emitting units 23L, the first target value tcd1 gradually decreases from the rightmost light emitting unit 23L-6 toward the left direction. Therefore, the degree of irradiation of light to the right front area (the area on the turning direction side) of the vehicle SV increases, and the degree of irradiation of light to the left front area (the area on the opposite side to the turning direction) of the vehicle SV decreases.

[0064] The lighting ECU 10 is Figure 6 The table controls the light intensity cd of each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. Figure 5As shown, the irradiation area Ara of the light from the plurality of light emitting units 23L is formed so that the light is irradiated more in the right front area of ​​the vehicle SV than in the left front area of ​​the vehicle SV. In this way, the lighting ECU 10 can change (rotate and move) the irradiation area Ara according to the traveling direction dr of the vehicle SV. Thus, the visual recognition of the right curve can be improved.

[0065] Second control

[0066] For example, it is assumed that there is a leading vehicle in front of the vehicle SV at night. If the vehicle SV irradiates high beams to the front in this situation, it may cause glare to the driver of the leading vehicle. Therefore, the lighting ECU 10 performs the second control. It should be noted that the second control is a control to form an area (shading area) where no light is irradiated in a part of the area in front of the vehicle, so it is sometimes called "shading control". Shading control itself is well known (for example, Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2009-123566). Therefore, it is briefly explained below.

[0067] The lighting ECU 10 determines whether a predetermined moving object condition is satisfied based on vehicle surrounding information (specifically, object information and / or image data). The moving object condition is satisfied when there is a moving object (e.g., a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, a pedestrian, etc.) within a predetermined distance range forward from the vehicle SV. When the moving object condition is satisfied, the lighting ECU 10 determines the position of the moving object. The lighting ECU 10 calculates a second target value tcd2 for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L based on the position of the moving object. The second target value tcd2 is a target value of the light intensity cd for executing the second control.

[0068] exist Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , there is a preceding vehicle OV in front of the vehicle SV. In this case, the lighting ECU 10 Figure 8 As shown, the second target value tcd2 is calculated for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L.

[0069] For example, the light emitting unit 23L-6 is a light emitting unit that illuminates the position of the preceding vehicle OV. Therefore, the second target value tcd2 of the light emitting unit 23L-6 is "0". Figure 4 As described in , a part of the irradiation area Ar5 of the light emitting unit 23L-5 adjacent to the light emitting unit 23L-6 overlaps with the irradiation area Ar6 of the light emitting unit 23L-6. Therefore, the second target value tcd2 of the light emitting unit 23L-5 is a smaller value. As a result, the degree of irradiation of the light to the position of the leading vehicle OV is small. On the other hand, the second target value tcd2 of the light emitting units (23L-1 to 23L-4) other than the light emitting units 23L-5 and 23L-6 is larger. Therefore, the degree of irradiation of the light to the area other than the position of the leading vehicle OV is large.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, the irradiation area Ara of the light from the plurality of light emitting units 23L is formed so as not to irradiate the position of the preceding vehicle OV. In this way, the lighting ECU 10 can reduce the degree of irradiation of the light to the position of the moving object (preceding vehicle OV) in front of the vehicle SV. Thus, the possibility of causing glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle OV can be reduced.

[0071] Third Control

[0072] For example, it is assumed that there is a reflective object (such as a road sign) in front of the vehicle SV at night. If the vehicle SV irradiates high beams to the front in this situation, the driver of the vehicle SV may feel dazzled by the light reflected by the reflective object. Therefore, the lighting ECU 10 performs the third control. The third control is a control to reduce the degree of irradiation of light to the position of the reflective object, and is therefore sometimes referred to as "light reduction control".

[0073] The lighting ECU 10 determines whether a predetermined reflective object condition is satisfied based on vehicle surrounding information (specifically, image data). The reflective object condition is satisfied when there is a reflective object in front of the vehicle SV. The reflective object reflects light, so there is a tendency for the brightness of the area corresponding to the reflective object on the image data to be high. Taking this into consideration, the lighting ECU 10 determines whether the reflective object condition is satisfied as follows.

[0074] The lighting ECU 10 scans the image data and selects (extracts) pixels having a predetermined brightness value ba or higher. The lighting ECU 10 sets a region including the selected pixel and a plurality of pixels existing around the pixel as a "pixel region of interest".

[0075] In another example, the lighting ECU 10 may group a plurality of pixels that have a predetermined luminance value ba or more and are adjacent to each other, and set the grouped pixels as a “pixel region of interest”.

[0076] The lighting ECU 10 acquires the maximum brightness bmax in the target pixel region. When the maximum brightness bmax is greater than a predetermined brightness threshold bth, the lighting ECU 10 determines that a reflective object exists in the target pixel region including the pixel having the maximum brightness bmax. That is, the lighting ECU 10 determines that the reflective object condition is satisfied.

[0077] exist Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , the vehicle SV is traveling near a reflective object (road sign) RO. In this case, the lighting ECU 10 obtains information from the surrounding sensor 13 (specifically, the camera sensor 15). Fig.10The image data 1000 shown. The lighting ECU 10 scans the image data 1000 to determine a focus pixel region 1001. The focus pixel region 1001 is a region on the image data corresponding to a portion of the reflective object RO. Here, it is assumed that the maximum brightness bmax in the focus pixel region 1001 is greater than the brightness threshold bth. The lighting ECU 10 determines that a reflective object exists in the focus pixel region 1001. Therefore, the lighting ECU 10 determines that the reflective object condition is satisfied.

[0078] When the reflective object condition is met, the lighting ECU 10 Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the third target value tcd3 is calculated for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. The third target value tcd3 is a target value of the light emission intensity cd for executing the third control.

[0079] The light emitting unit 23L-1 is a light emitting unit that illuminates the position of the pixel region 1001 (i.e., the reflecting object RO). The third target value tcd3 of the light emitting unit 23L-1 is a small value. Figure 4 As shown, a part of the irradiation area Ar2 of the light emitting unit 23L-2 adjacent to the light emitting unit 23L-1 overlaps with the irradiation area Ar1 of the light emitting unit 23L-1. Therefore, the third target value tcd3 of the light emitting unit 23L-2 is also a small value. As a result, the degree of irradiation of the light to the position of the reflecting object RO is small. On the other hand, the third target value tcd3 of the light emitting units (23L-3 to 23L-6) other than the light emitting units 23L-1 and 23L-2 is large. Therefore, the degree of irradiation of the light to the area other than the position of the reflecting object RO is large.

[0080] like Fig. 9 As shown, the irradiation area Ara of the light from the plurality of light emitting units 23L is formed so as not to irradiate the reflective object RO. In this way, the lighting ECU 10 can reduce the degree of irradiation of the light to the reflective object RO in front of the vehicle SV. This can reduce the possibility of the driver of the vehicle SV feeling glare.

[0081] <Lighting ECU Configuration>

[0082] In order to realize the above-mentioned first to third controls, the lighting ECU 10 has Fig.12 Specifically, the lighting ECU 10 includes a lighting control unit 1200, a first control unit 1201, a second control unit 1202, and a third control unit 1203. These components are implemented by a combination of hardware (CPU 10a, RAM 10c, etc.) and software.

[0083] The first control unit 1201 performs processing related to the first control. The first control unit 1201 calculates the travel direction dr of the vehicle SV every predetermined time dT, and calculates the first target value tcd1 for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. The first control unit 1201 outputs the first target value tcd1 to the lighting control unit 1200 .

[0084] The second control unit 1202 performs processing related to the second control. The second control unit 1202 determines whether the moving object condition is satisfied every predetermined time dT. When the moving object condition is satisfied, the second control unit 1202 calculates the second target value tcd2 for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. Then, the second control unit 1202 outputs the second target value tcd2 to the lighting control unit 1200.

[0085] The third control unit 1203 performs processing related to the third control. The third control unit 1203 determines whether the reflective object condition is satisfied every predetermined time dT. When the reflective object condition is satisfied, the third control unit 1203 calculates the third target value tcd3 for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. Then, the third control unit 1203 outputs the third target value tcd3 to the lighting control unit 1200.

[0086] When the lighting ECU 10 can execute all of the first control, the second control, and the third control, the following problem occurs.

[0087] (a) For example, it is assumed that there is a reflective object in the same direction as other vehicles (preceding vehicles or oncoming vehicles) as viewed from the vehicle SV. In this case, if the third control takes precedence over the second control, the irradiation area of ​​the light is formed to include the other vehicles. As a result, there is a possibility that glare may be caused to the drivers of the other vehicles.

[0088] (b) Assume that there is a reflective object in the direction of travel of the vehicle SV. In this case, if the first control takes precedence over the third control, light will be irradiated at a greater luminous intensity to the position of the reflective object. The light is reflected by the reflective object, which may cause glare to the driver of the vehicle SV.

[0089] Therefore, the lighting control unit 1200 performs coordination processing of these controls so that the first control, the second control, and the third control do not have adverse effects on each other.

[0090] Specifically, the lighting control unit 1200 receives the first target value tcd1 from the first control unit 1201 every predetermined time dT. When the moving object condition is satisfied (i.e., when there is a moving object in front of the vehicle SV), the lighting control unit 1200 receives the second target value tcd2 from the second control unit 1202 every predetermined time dT. When the reflecting object condition is satisfied (i.e., when there is a reflecting object in front of the vehicle SV), the lighting control unit 1200 receives the third target value tcd3 from the third control unit 1203 every predetermined time dT.

[0091] The lighting control unit 1200 determines a final target value tcdf for each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L. The final target value tcdf is a final target value of the luminous intensity cd. The lighting control unit 1200 selects the final target value tcdf from the first target value tcd1, the second target value tcd2, and the third target value tcd3. Then, the lighting control unit 1200 controls the luminous intensity cd of each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L based on the final target value tcdf.

[0092] Hereinafter, any one of the plurality of light emitting units 23L is referred to as “light emitting unit 23L-m” (m=1, ..., 6). Furthermore, the first target value tcd1 of the light emitting unit 23L-m is referred to as “tcd1-m”, the second target value tcd2 of the light emitting unit 23L-m is referred to as “tcd2-m”, the third target value tcd3 of the light emitting unit 23L-m is referred to as “tcd3-m”, and the final target value tcdf of the light emitting unit 23L-m is referred to as “tcdf-m”.

[0093] The lighting control unit 1200 determines whether the current situation is Fig.13 Any of the first to fourth conditions shown. Fig.13 As shown, the "first condition" is a "condition in which the first control, the second control, and the third control are all executed". The "second condition" is a "condition in which only the first control and the third control are executed". The "third condition" is a "condition in which only the first control and the second control are executed". The "fourth condition" is a "condition in which only the first control is executed". Next, the operation of the lighting control unit 1200 in each of the first condition to the fourth condition is described.

[0094] First situation

[0095] At a certain time point t1, the lighting control unit 1200 receives the first target value tcd1-m from the first control unit 1201, the second target value tcd2-m from the second control unit 1202, and the third target value tcd3-m from the third control unit 1203. In this case, the lighting control unit 1200 determines that the current state is the first state. Fig.13 As shown, the lighting control unit 1200 selects the minimum value among the first target value tcd1 - m, the second target value tcd2 - m, and the third target value tcd3 - m as the final target value tcdf-m. Fig.13 The Min function is a function that selects the minimum value of the numerical values ​​in the parentheses. The lighting control unit 1200 controls the light emitting unit 23L-m so that the light emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L-m matches the final target value tcdf-m.

[0096] Second situation

[0097] At a certain time point t2, the lighting control unit 1200 receives the first target value tcd1-m from the first control unit 1201 and the third target value tcd3-m from the third control unit 1203. The lighting control unit 1200 does not receive the second target value tcd2-m from the second control unit 1202 at the time point t2. In this case, the lighting control unit 1200 determines that the current situation is the second situation. Fig.13 As shown, the lighting control unit 1200 selects the smaller one of the first target value tcd1-m and the third target value tcd3-m as the final target value tcdf-m. The lighting control unit 1200 controls the light emitting unit 23L-m so that the light emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L-m matches the final target value tcdf-m.

[0098] ·The third situation

[0099] At a certain time point t3, the lighting control unit 1200 receives the first target value tcd1-m from the first control unit 1201 and the second target value tcd2-m from the second control unit 1202. The lighting control unit 1200 does not receive the third target value tcd3-m from the third control unit 1203 at the time point t3. In this case, the lighting control unit 1200 determines that the current state is the third state. Fig.13 As shown, the lighting control unit 1200 selects the second target value tcd2-m as the final target value tcdf-m. Thus, in the third situation, the lighting control unit 1200 prioritizes the second control over the first control. The lighting control unit 1200 controls the light emitting unit 23L-m so that the light emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L-m matches the final target value tcdf-m.

[0100] ·The fourth situation

[0101] The lighting control unit 1200 receives the first target value tcd1-m from the first control unit 1201 at a certain time point t4. The lighting control unit 1200 does not receive the second target value tcd2-m from the second control unit 1202 at the time point t4, and does not receive the third target value tcd3-m from the third control unit 1203. In this case, the lighting control unit 1200 determines that the current situation is the fourth situation. Fig.13 As shown, the lighting control unit 1200 selects the first target value tcd1-m as the final target value tcdf-m. The lighting control unit 1200 controls the light emitting unit 23L-m so that the light emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L-m matches the final target value tcdf-m.

[0102] The lighting device having the above-mentioned structure has the following effects. Fig.14 In the example of , the first reflecting object RO1, the second reflecting object RO2, and the first preceding vehicle OV1 exist in front of the vehicle SV. The first preceding vehicle OV1 and the first reflecting object RO1 overlap with the irradiation area Ar4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4. The second reflecting object RO2 overlaps with the irradiation area Ar2 of the light emitting unit 23L-2. Fig.14 In FIG. 1 , the irradiation area Ar4 indicates the irradiation area when the emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L- 4 is set to the maximum value, and the irradiation area Ar2 indicates the irradiation area when the emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L- 2 is set to the maximum value.

[0103] The lighting device determines that the current situation is the first situation. Then, the lighting device selects the minimum value among the first target value tcd1-4, the second target value tcd2-4 and the third target value tcd3-4 as the final target value tcdf-4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4. In this way, the lighting device gives priority to the target value of the light distribution control corresponding to the minimum value among the three target values ​​(tcd1-4, tcd2-4, tcd3-4). In this example, the first target value tcd1-4 is a larger value (for example, "80"). There is a first leading vehicle OV1 in the irradiation area Ar4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4, so the second target value tcd2-4 is "0". There is a first reflective object RO1 in the irradiation area Ar4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4, so the third target value tcd3-4 is a smaller value (for example, "40"). Therefore, the second target value tcd2-4 is the smallest among the three target values ​​(tcd1-4, tcd2-4, tcd3-4). The lighting device selects the second target value tcd2-4 as the final target value tcdf-4. In this case, the light emitting unit 23L-4 does not substantially emit light, so the driver of the first leading vehicle OV1 is not glared.

[0104] Similarly, the lighting device selects the minimum value among the first target value tcd1-2, the second target value tcd2-2, and the third target value tcd3-2 as the final target value tcdf-2 of the light emitting unit 23L-2. In this example, the first target value tcd1-2 is a relatively large value (e.g., "80"). There is no first preceding vehicle OV1 in the irradiation area Ar2 of the light emitting unit 23L-2, so the second target value tcd2-2 is also a relatively large value (e.g., "80"). On the other hand, there is a second reflecting object RO2 in the irradiation area Ar2 of the light emitting unit 23L-2, so the third target value tcd3-2 is a relatively small value (e.g., "40"). Therefore, the third target value tcd3-2 is the smallest among the three target values ​​(tcd1-2, tcd2-2, tcd3-2). The lighting device selects the third target value tcd3-2 as the final target value tcdf-2. In this case, the light emitting unit 23L-2 irradiates light with a smaller luminous intensity cd, so the light from the light emitting unit 23L-2 does not reach the second reflective object RO2. The light from the light emitting unit 23L-2 is not reflected by the second reflective object RO2, so the driver of the vehicle SV does not feel glare. In this way, the lighting device irradiates light with an appropriate luminous intensity cd in each of the plurality of light emitting units 23L, thereby forming an appropriate irradiation area in front of the vehicle SV.

[0105] exist Fig.15 In the example, the third reflective object RO3 exists in front of the vehicle SV and exists on the extension line of the traveling direction dr of the vehicle SV. Moreover, the third reflective object RO3 overlaps with the irradiation area Ar4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4. Fig.15 In FIG. 1 , the irradiation area Ar4 indicates the irradiation area when the light emission intensity cd of the light emitting unit 23L- 4 is set to the maximum value.

[0106] The lighting device determines that the current situation is the second situation. Then, the lighting device selects the smaller of the first target value tcd1-4 and the third target value tcd3-4 as the final target value tcdf-4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4. In this example, the first target value tcd1-4 is a larger value (for example, "100"). There is a third reflective object RO3 in the irradiation area Ar4 of the light emitting unit 23L-4, so the third target value tcd3-4 is a smaller value (for example, "40"). Therefore, the lighting device selects the third target value tcd3-4 as the final target value tcdf-4. In this case, the light emitting unit 23L-4 irradiates light with a smaller luminous intensity cd, so the light from the light emitting unit 23L-4 does not reach the third reflective object RO3. The light from the light emitting unit 23L-4 is not reflected by the third reflective object RO3, so the driver of the vehicle SV does not feel glare.

[0107] Furthermore, in the third situation, the lighting device selects the second target value tcd2-m as the final target value tcdf-m of the light emitting unit 23L-m. The second control takes priority over the first control. Therefore, the possibility of the driver of the preceding vehicle OV being glared can be reduced.

[0108] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be adopted within the scope of the present invention.

[0109] (Variant 1)

[0110] When the current situation is the first situation, the lighting ECU 10 may determine the final target value tcdf-m as follows. The lighting control unit 1200 first selects the smaller target value (i.e., the second target value tcd2-m) between the first target value tcd1-m and the second target value tcd2-m. Then, the lighting control unit 1200 determines the smaller target value between the selected target value and the third target value tcd3-m as the final target value tcdf-m.

[0111] (Variant 2)

[0112] Regarding the third control, the lighting ECU 10 may calculate the average brightness of pixels in the pixel region of interest similarly to Patent Document 1. When the average brightness is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the lighting ECU 10 may determine that a reflective object exists in the pixel region of interest.

[0113] (Variant 3)

[0114] In the above example, the left high beam lamp 21L and the right high beam lamp 21R each include light emitting portions arranged in a row in the vehicle width direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The left high beam lamp 21L and the right high beam lamp 21R may each include light emitting portions arranged in a plurality of rows in the vehicle width direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting device comprising: A plurality of light-emitting units are mounted on the front of the vehicle and arranged in a predetermined direction; a first sensor for acquiring driving state information as information related to the driving state of the vehicle; a second sensor for acquiring vehicle periphery information including information related to an object existing in a periphery of the vehicle; as well as a control device that controls the light intensity of each of the plurality of light emitting units to perform light distribution control for changing an irradiation area formed by light from the plurality of light emitting units, The light distribution control comprises: a first control of controlling the irradiation area according to a traveling direction of the vehicle determined based on the driving state information; a second control of controlling the irradiation area so as to reduce the degree of irradiation of the light to the position of the object detected based on the vehicle surrounding information; and The third control controls the irradiation area so as to reduce the degree of irradiation of the light to the position of the reflecting object detected based on the vehicle surrounding information, The control device is configured to: selecting a final target value as a final target value of the luminous intensity from a first target value, a second target value, and a third target value, wherein the first target value is a target value of the luminous intensity for performing the first control, the second target value is a target value of the luminous intensity for performing the second control, and the third target value is a target value of the luminous intensity for performing the third control; and controlling the light emitting unit based on the final target value, The control device is configured to: When the current situation is the first situation, A minimum value among the first target value, the second target value, and the third target value is selected as the final target value, wherein the first condition is a condition in which all of the first control, the second control, and the third control are executed.

2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device is configured to: When the current state is the second state, A smaller value between the first target value and the third target value is selected as the final target value, wherein the second condition is a condition in which only the first control and the third control are executed.

3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle surrounding information includes image data of the surrounding area, The control device is configured to: In the third control, when the brightness value of a pixel on the image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined brightness threshold, it is determined that the reflective object exists at a position corresponding to the pixel.

Images