Vehicle lamp system

Abstract

The visibility of the front of the vehicle in rainy days is further improved. A vehicle lamp system capable of irradiating irradiation light set in a variable light distribution pattern toward the front of a vehicle includes: a first lamp disposed on the left side of the front of the vehicle; and a second lamp disposed on the right side of the front portion of the vehicle, the second lamp irradiating light of the light distribution pattern above a horizontal line when viewed forward from the vehicle in a case where the position where the vehicle is located is severe weather, and irradiating the light of the light distribution pattern above the horizontal line when viewed forward from the vehicle in a case where the position where the vehicle is located is severe weather. The light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which a range from the front center to the front left side of the vehicle within an illuminable range of the first lamp is set as a first light irradiation range, and an illuminable range of the second lamp is set as a light reduction range or a non-irradiation range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Gazette No. 6032248 (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting device that, when a weather condition in which visibility is poor in front of the vehicle is detected, controls the headlights in such a manner that the road surface portion in front of the vehicle corresponding to the road shape estimated by the travel path estimation unit is dimmed and illuminated. In this vehicle lighting device, for example, the portion in front of the vehicle estimated as the road surface is illuminated with dimmed light, and the other portion is illuminated with normal illumination light, thereby improving the visibility of the travel path in front of the vehicle. However, the visibility of pedestrians, cyclists, etc. who are on the roadside such as the roadside strip and the sidewalk in bad weather has not been studied.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6032248 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] One of the purposes of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of further improving visibility ahead of a vehicle in bad weather such as rainy days.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] A vehicle lighting system according to one embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a vehicle lighting system capable of irradiating light set to a variable light distribution pattern toward the front of a vehicle, wherein (b) includes: a first lamp arranged on the left side of the front of the vehicle; and a second lamp arranged on the right side of the front of the vehicle, and (c) when the vehicle is located in a position where the weather is bad, the system irradiates light of the light distribution pattern above the horizontal line when the vehicle is viewed forward, wherein the light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which the range from the front center to the left side of the front of the vehicle within the irradiable range of the first lamp is set as a first light irradiation range, and the irradiable range of the second lamp is set as a dimming range or a non-irradiation range.

[0010] According to the above configuration, visibility ahead of the vehicle in bad weather such as rainy days can be further improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a computer system.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining the range in which the light curtain phenomenon occurs during rainy days.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a diagram for explaining the irradiable range of light of each lamp unit.

[0015] Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 (B) is a diagram for explaining an example (irradiation pattern 1) of the high beam irradiation pattern in rainy days.

[0016] Figure 6 (A) is a diagram for explaining the contrast between the brightness of a pedestrian and the background brightness based on the above-mentioned illumination method. Figure 6 (B) is a diagram for explaining the contrast between the brightness of a pedestrian and the background brightness based on the illumination method of Comparative Example 1. Figure 6 (C) is a diagram for explaining the contrast between the brightness of a pedestrian and the background brightness based on the illumination method of Comparative Example 2.

[0017] Figure 7 (A) and Figure 7 (B) is a diagram for explaining another example (irradiation method 2) of the high beam irradiation method on rainy days.

[0018] Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 (B) is a diagram for explaining another example (irradiation method 3) of the high beam irradiation method in rainy days.

[0019] Fig. 9 (A) and Fig. 9 (B) is a diagram for explaining another example (irradiation pattern 4) of the high beam irradiation pattern in rainy days.

[0020] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the operating sequence of the vehicle lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 The vehicle lighting system 1 of the present embodiment includes a controller 10 , a camera 11 , a raindrop sensor 12 , a vehicle speed sensor 13 , and a pair of lamp units (first lamp / second lamp) 30L, 30R.

[0022] The controller 10 controls the light irradiation by each headlamp unit 30L, 30R. The controller 10 can be configured by using, for example, a computer system including a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device such as a flash memory, an input / output interface, etc. The controller 10 of the present embodiment is in a state where a predetermined function can be exerted by the processor reading and executing a program pre-stored in the storage device (or ROM).

[0023] The camera 11 has the function of capturing the space in front of the vehicle to generate image data, and the function of detecting the position of the vehicle in front (the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle), the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle, and the conditions in front of the vehicle, such as pedestrians, by performing image recognition processing on the generated image data. The image processing function may also be provided on the controller 10 side.

[0024] The raindrop sensor 12 detects the amount of rainfall in the location where the vehicle is present, and outputs a signal (or data) indicating a change corresponding to the amount of rainfall. As the raindrop sensor 12, various known sensors can be used. For example, a sensor as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-29807 can be used, which is disposed on the inner side of the front windshield of the vehicle and detects raindrops attached to the outer surface of the glass by an optical method.

[0025] The vehicle speed sensor 13 detects the vehicle speed of the host vehicle and outputs a vehicle speed signal (vehicle speed pulse). If a vehicle speed sensor is already provided in the host vehicle for other purposes, the sensor may be used as the vehicle speed sensor 13 .

[0026] The controller 10 described above is configured to include a leading vehicle detection unit 20 , a weather detection unit 21 , and a light distribution control unit 22 as functional blocks implemented by executing a program.

[0027] The front vehicle detection unit 20 detects the presence of a front vehicle, the position of the front vehicle, the distance from the host vehicle, the type of the front vehicle (oncoming vehicle / preceding vehicle), and the like based on the data output from the camera 11 .

[0028] The weather detection unit 21 detects weather conditions, specifically, rainfall, based on the output of the raindrop sensor 13. When the rainfall exceeds a predetermined value, the weather detection unit 21 outputs the fact (when it is raining) to the light distribution control unit 22.

[0029] The light distribution control unit 22 sets the light distribution pattern within the illumination range of the high beam of each lamp unit 30L, 30R based on the presence or absence of a leading vehicle detected by the leading vehicle detection unit 20, the position of the leading vehicle, the distance between the leading vehicle and the own vehicle, the type of the leading vehicle (oncoming vehicle / preceding vehicle), the weather conditions detected by the weather detection unit 22, etc., generates a control signal for realizing the light distribution pattern, and outputs it to each lamp unit 30L, 30R.

[0030] A pair of lamp units 30L and 30R are mounted at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle, and operate according to a control signal provided from the controller 10 to irradiate light based on a desired light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle. Each lamp unit 30L and 30R includes a driver 31 and an LED array 32 driven by the driver 31. The LED array 32 includes a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged in two directions, and the lighting state of each LED is individually controlled by the driver 31, so that the light distribution pattern can be set to be variable.

[0031] In addition, the structure of the lamp unit 30L and the like is not limited thereto, and various known structures can be adopted. For example, a lamp unit having a structure in which a light source bulb is combined with a reflector and a shielding plate can also be used. In addition, the following lamp unit can also be used: it has a light source and a liquid crystal element, etc., and can individually control the light transmittance state of each pixel of the liquid crystal element. In addition, the following lamp unit can also be used: it has a light emitting element such as a laser diode and a scanning element such as a reflector device that scans the light emitted from the light emitting element, and can control the lighting and extinguishing time of the light emitting element and the scanning time of the scanning element. In addition, it can also be configured so that there are multiple separate lamp units in the lamp unit 30L and the like, and each separate lamp unit can irradiate different fixed light distributions respectively, and the light distribution pattern of the lamp unit 30L and the like can be changed by switching these separate lamp units. In addition, the lamp unit 30L itself can also be composed of multiple lamp units, and the light distribution pattern can be switched by the switching.

[0032] Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a computer system. The controller 10 described above can be constructed using, for example, a computer system such as the one shown in the figure. The CPU (central processing unit) 201 performs information processing by reading and executing a program 207 stored in a storage device 204. The ROM (read-only memory) 202 stores basic control programs required for the operation of the CPU 201, etc. The RAM (temporary memory) 203 temporarily stores data required for information processing by the CPU 201. The storage device 204 is a large-capacity storage device for storing data, and is composed of a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, etc. The communication device 205 performs processing related to data communication with other external devices. The input / output unit 206 is an interface for realizing connection with an external device, and in this embodiment, it is used for connection between the camera 11, the raindrop sensor 12, the vehicle speed sensor 13, and each light unit 30L, 30R. The CPU 201 and the like are connected to each other through a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining the range of light curtain phenomenon in rainy days. Let the viewpoint position of the driver of the vehicle be P. Assuming a right-hand steering wheel vehicle, the viewpoint position P is offset to the right from the center of the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In addition, in the vehicle, the lamp units 30L and 30R are arranged on the left and right sides of the front side of the viewpoint position P. Figure 3 The positional relationship of these positions when viewed from above is schematically shown in FIG. On rainy days, a light curtain phenomenon may occur in the range Q surrounded by the line connecting the driver's viewpoint position P and the positions of the lamp units 30L, 30R when viewed from above. The light curtain phenomenon in the present embodiment refers to the phenomenon that the light is scattered and becomes hazy due to strong light irradiating raindrops existing in the space in front of the vehicle. When this light curtain phenomenon occurs, the contrast (brightness difference) between the brightness of pedestrians existing on the side of the road (road shoulder, sidewalk) and the background brightness becomes smaller, and the visibility of pedestrians observed from the viewpoint position P of the vehicle may be reduced. In addition, the driver may feel annoyed by the occurrence of haze in front of the vehicle.

[0034] Figure 4 : is a diagram for explaining the irradiable range of light by each lamp unit. Figure 4 The diagram schematically shows the situation of observing the road ahead from the vehicle. In the figure, the H line is an imaginary line (horizontal line) representing the horizontal direction, and the V line is an imaginary line (vertical line) representing the vertical direction of the center of the front of the vehicle. The H line extends in the left-right direction at the position of 0° in the vertical direction. The V line extends in the vertical direction at the position of 0° in the horizontal direction (the center position of the front of the vehicle). As illustrated by the dotted line, most of the low beam 41 is usually irradiated to a position below the H line. In addition, the low beam 41 is irradiated by a low beam light source not shown in the figure and included in each lamp unit 30L, 30R.

[0035] The roughly elliptical range shown by the solid line in the figure is the irradiable range of the high beam 40L irradiated by the lamp unit 30L. The high beam 40L can irradiate within a range that is relatively biased to the left with respect to the V line, and can irradiate from approximately the front of the vehicle to the side of the road on the left side of the vehicle. In addition, the high beam 40L can irradiate from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction with the H line as a reference. The roughly elliptical range shown by the single-point chain line in the figure is the irradiable range of the high beam 40R irradiated by the lamp unit 30R. The high beam 40R can irradiate within a range that is relatively biased to the right with respect to the V line, and can irradiate from approximately the front of the vehicle to the shoulder of the road on the right side of the vehicle. In addition, the high beam 40R can irradiate from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction with the H line as a reference.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the irradiable range of the high beam 40L partially overlaps with the irradiable range of the high beam 40R in front of the vehicle. In addition, the lower side of the irradiable range of each of the high beams 40L and 40R partially overlaps with the low beam 41. Each of the high beams 40L and 40R can selectively set any part of its respective irradiable range as a dimming range (or a non-irradiation range. The same applies below). The irradiable range of the high beam as a whole, which is the sum of the irradiable ranges of each of the high beams 40L and 40R, preferably includes at least a range of ±12° with respect to the left and right directions based on the V line, and a range with respect to the vertical direction based on the H line that is offset by more than 2° in the upward direction and less than 0° in the downward direction.

[0037] Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 (B) is a diagram for explaining an example of the illumination method of high beams on rainy days (illumination method 1). Figure 5 (A) schematically shows the situation of observing the road ahead from the vehicle. Figure 5 (B) schematically shows the situation of viewing the vehicle from above. As shown in the figures, in the vehicle lighting system of the present embodiment, in rainy days, the light unit 30L of each of the light units 30L and 30R of the vehicle 50 is illuminated by narrowing the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L in a relatively selective manner to illuminate only the left side. Figure 5 In (A), the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L is indicated by a hatched pattern. The portion of the high beam 40L not indicated by the hatched pattern is a dimming range.

[0038] As an example, it is preferred that the right end of the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L is above 0° (V-line position) (to the left of the V-line position). In addition, it is more preferred that the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L is offset to the left by more than 1° and is biased toward the road side on the left side of the vehicle. In addition, the lower end of the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L is preferably 0° (H-line position), but it can also be offset to the lower side by about 0.05°, or it can be below it.

[0039] In addition, the lamp unit 30R is controlled to be turned off. That is, the entire high beam 40R is set to a dimming range. In addition, the concept of "turning off" in this embodiment also includes substantial turning off such as slightly lighting up. In addition, there is no special change in the low beam 41, and it is irradiated as usual.

[0040] According to the above-mentioned irradiation method, since light is irradiated with a narrow width mainly in the roadside direction on the left side relative to the host vehicle 50, light is irradiated to the pedestrian 42, and light is not irradiated to the right side of the pedestrian 42. As a result, the contrast between the brightness of the pedestrian 42 and the background brightness can be increased, and the visibility of the pedestrian 42 can be improved. In addition, since the background brightness in the front of the vehicle other than the roadside direction and the left direction of the vehicle is reduced, the trouble caused by the light curtain is reduced.

[0041] In addition, the lamp unit 30L may be controlled so that the illumination of a predetermined range corresponding to the pedestrian 42 within the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L becomes larger. In addition, the size (width in the left-right direction) of the light irradiation range of the high beam 40L may be set to be variable according to the road shape detected by image recognition processing using image data from the camera 11, the speed of the host vehicle 50 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 13, etc. For example, a method of making the width of the light irradiation range narrower as the vehicle speed increases is considered.

[0042] Figure 6 (A) is a diagram for explaining the contrast between the brightness of pedestrians and the background brightness based on the above-mentioned illumination method. Figure 6 (B) is a diagram for explaining the contrast between the brightness of pedestrians and the background brightness based on the illumination method of Comparative Example 1. This comparative example shows the contrast when the entire high beam 40L, 40R is used as the light illumination range on a rainy day. In addition, Figure 6 (C) is a diagram for explaining the contrast between the brightness of pedestrians and the background brightness based on the illumination method of Comparative Example 2. This comparative example shows the contrast when the entire high beam 40L, 40R is used as the light illumination range on a sunny day. In each figure, the vertical axis represents brightness and the horizontal axis represents the left-right direction position. The illumination method of this embodiment ( Figure 6 (A)) and Comparative Example 1 ( Figure 6 By comparing the brightness of the pedestrian in this embodiment with the background brightness on the right side, it can be seen that the difference between the brightness of the pedestrian in this embodiment and the background brightness on the right side becomes larger, and the contrast becomes larger. The relationship between the brightness of the pedestrian in the illumination method of this embodiment and the background brightness on the right side is similar to that in Comparative Example 2 ( Figure 6 The relationship shown in (C)) on a sunny day is close. Therefore, the visibility of pedestrians on rainy days is improved.

[0043] Figure 7 (A) and Figure 7(B) is a diagram for explaining another example (irradiation method 2) of the high beam irradiation method in rainy days. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Common elements are appropriately omitted with the same reference numerals. In this illumination mode 2, in addition to the light illumination range of the high beam 40L in the above-mentioned illumination mode 1, the range below the H line is also set as the light illumination range. As a result, the illumination of the range below the H line, which is difficult to become a light curtain, becomes larger, and the visibility of the lane is further improved.

[0044] Figure 8 (A) and Figure 8 (B) is a diagram for explaining another example (irradiation method 3) of the high beam irradiation method in rainy days. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Common elements are appropriately omitted with the same reference numerals. In this illumination mode 3, in addition to the light illumination range of the high beam 40L in the above-mentioned illumination mode 2, the range below the H line is also set as the light illumination range for the high beam 40R. As a result, the illumination of the range below the H line, which is difficult to become a light curtain, is further increased, and the visibility of the lane is further improved.

[0045] Fig. 9 (A) and Fig. 9 (B) is a diagram for explaining another example (irradiation method 4) of the high beam irradiation method in rainy days. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Common elements are appropriately omitted in detail on the basis of using the same symbols. In this illumination mode 4, in addition to the light illumination ranges of the high beams 40L and 40R in the above-mentioned illumination mode 4, with respect to the high beam 40R, a range shifted to the right by more than 3.6° is also set as the light illumination range. In the illustrated example, the closer the position shifted to the right by 3.6° is to the road on the right, the more the light illumination range expands upward, crossing the H line from the middle. As a result, the illumination of the range below the H line, which is difficult to become a light curtain, is further increased, the visibility of the lane is further improved, and the visibility of pedestrians on the road on the right is also improved.

[0046] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the vehicle lighting system. The operation steps shown here are repeatedly executed at regular intervals. In addition, the order of each process can be replaced as long as there is no mismatch in the control result. In addition, other processes not described can be added, and these methods are not excluded.

[0047] When the weather detection unit 21 detects that it is rainy (step S11; yes), the front vehicle detection unit 20 detects a front vehicle (step S12; yes), and the type of the front vehicle is not an oncoming vehicle but is detected as a leading vehicle, etc. (step S13; no), when the distance between the vehicle and the front vehicle detected by the front vehicle detection unit 20 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S14; yes), the light distribution control unit 22 generates a control signal for realizing a light distribution pattern corresponding to rainy days and outputs it to each lamp unit 30L, 30R (step S15). As a result, the high beam 40L, 40R based on any one of the above-mentioned illumination modes 1 to 4 is illuminated toward the front of the vehicle. It is assumed that which illumination mode is preset (the same below).

[0048] Here, as an example, the threshold value related to the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle in step S14 can be set to 30m. This threshold value is obtained based on the following assumptions. For example, assume the following conditions: the road width of the lane where the vehicle is traveling (the lane) is 3.5m, the width of the preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle is 1.8m, the left and right centers of the vehicles are roughly aligned with the vehicle, the pedestrian is 60m in front of the vehicle and 0.5m from the left end of the lane, and the viewpoint of the driver of the vehicle (refer to Figure 3 ) is a position 0.5m to the right from the left and right center of the vehicle. In this case, if the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle is less than 30.5m, the view from the driver's viewpoint to the pedestrian is blocked by the preceding vehicle. Therefore, the threshold can be set to 30m with some margin. Thus, when the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle is less than the threshold, the illumination mode in rainy days is stopped and normal light distribution is performed.

[0049] In addition, when the front vehicle detection unit 20 does not detect the front vehicle (step S12; No), the light distribution control unit 22 also generates a control signal for realizing a light distribution pattern corresponding to rainy days and outputs it to each lamp unit 30L, 30R (step S15). As a result, the high beam 40L, 40R of any one of the above-mentioned illumination modes 1 to 4 is illuminated toward the front of the vehicle.

[0050] In addition, when the type of the front vehicle detected by the front vehicle detection unit 20 is an oncoming vehicle (step S13; yes), the light distribution control unit 22 generates a control signal for realizing a light distribution pattern corresponding to rainy days and a light distribution pattern in which at least the upper side of the H line on the oncoming lane side is extinguished, and outputs it to each lamp unit 30L, 30R (step S16). In this case, the high beam 40L, 40R of any one of the above-mentioned illumination modes 1 to 3 is illuminated toward the front of the host vehicle.

[0051] On the other hand, when it is not raining (step S11; No), the light distribution control unit 22 generates a control signal for realizing a light distribution pattern corresponding to normal (sunny) and outputs it to each lamp unit 30L, 30R (step S17). In addition, when the vehicle in front is a leading vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle is less than the threshold value (step S14; No), the light distribution control unit 22 also generates a control signal for realizing a light distribution pattern corresponding to normal (sunny) and outputs it to each lamp unit 30L, 30R (step S18). The normal light distribution pattern in this embodiment refers to a light distribution pattern in which, for the high beam 40L, 40R, a specified range including the position of the vehicle in front is used as a dimming range, and the range other than this is used as a light irradiation range. The high beam of this light distribution pattern is called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam).

[0052] According to the above-described embodiment, the influence of the light curtain phenomenon can be suppressed, and visibility in front of the vehicle in rainy weather can be further improved.

[0053] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure. For example, the conditions such as the numerical values ​​shown in the above-mentioned embodiments are just examples and are not limited thereto. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, pedestrians are exemplified as objects existing beside the road, but the objects may also be bicycle riders, etc.

[0054] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the weather detection unit 21 detects that it is rainy based on the output of the raindrop sensor 12, but it may be detected that it is rainy based on the working state of the wiper switch when the wipers are running, or a switch for operating in rainy weather may be provided, and it may be detected that it is rainy when the driver manually switches the switch. Furthermore, it may be detected that it is rainy based on weather information obtained through communication. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, rainy weather is cited as an example of bad weather, but snowfall, fog generation, etc. may also be detected as bad weather.

[0055] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the presence, type, position, distance between the vehicles ahead, etc. are detected by image processing using the image data of the camera 11, but various sensors such as LiDAR (laser radar) can also be used to detect the presence of vehicles ahead, etc.

[0056] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the vehicle lighting system mounted on a four-wheel vehicle is exemplified, but the application scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and vehicles other than four-wheel vehicles (two-wheel vehicles, etc.) are also included in the application scope.

[0057] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the description is based on the premise that the vehicle is regulated to pass on the left side due to regulations. However, when the vehicle is regulated to pass on the right side, by reversing the actions of each lamp unit 30L, 30R in the above-mentioned embodiment left and right, light illumination in bad weather can be performed in the same manner.

[0058] The present disclosure has the following additional features.

[0059] (Note 1)

[0060] A vehicle lighting system is capable of irradiating light set to a variable light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle, wherein:

[0061] The vehicle lamp system includes: a first lamp arranged on the left side of the front portion of the vehicle; and a second lamp arranged on the right side of the front portion of the vehicle.

[0062] In the event of inclement weather at the location where the vehicle is located, with respect to the light irradiated from above the horizontal line when the vehicle is viewed forward, the light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which the range from the front center to the front left side of the vehicle within the irradiable range of the first lamp is set as a first light irradiation range, and the irradiable range of the second lamp is set as a dimming range or a non-irradiation range.

[0063] (Note 2)

[0064] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0065] The first light irradiation range is set to a range biased toward a left side of the vehicle on the road side.

[0066] (Note 3)

[0067] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplement 1 or 2, wherein:

[0068] At least one of the first lamp and the second lamp is used to irradiate light below the horizontal line.

[0069] (Note 4)

[0070] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein:

[0071] When there is a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle and the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated.

[0072] (Note 5)

[0073] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein:

[0074] The light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated above the horizontal line, with a range of the irradiable range of the second lamp being deviated toward the road side of the opposite lane of the vehicle as a second light irradiation range.

[0075] (Note 6)

[0076] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein:

[0077] The second light irradiation range expands upward as it approaches the road side of the oncoming lane.

[0078] (Note 7)

[0079] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein:

[0080] The second light irradiation range is a range shifted by 3.6° or more to the front right side of the vehicle.

[0081] (Note 8)

[0082] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein:

[0083] The vehicle lamp system further includes a controller that controls operations of the first lamp and the second lamp.

[0084] (Note 9)

[0085] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, wherein:

[0086] The severe weather includes rain, snow or fog.

[0087] (Note 10)

[0088] A vehicle lighting system is capable of irradiating light set to a variable light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle, wherein:

[0089] The vehicle lamp system comprises: a first lamp arranged on the right side of the front portion of the vehicle; and a second lamp arranged on the left side of the front portion of the vehicle.

[0090] In the event of inclement weather at the location where the vehicle is located, with respect to the light irradiated from above the horizontal line when the vehicle is viewed forward, the light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which the range from the front center to the front right side of the vehicle within the irradiable range of the first lamp is set as a first light irradiation range, and the irradiable range of the second lamp is set as a dimming range or a non-irradiation range.

[0091] (Note 11)

[0092] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein:

[0093] The first light irradiation range is set to a range biased toward the right road side of the vehicle.

[0094] (Note 12)

[0095] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 10 or 11, wherein:

[0096] Light is irradiated below the horizontal line by at least one of the first lamp and the second lamp.

[0097] (Note 13)

[0098] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 10 to 12, wherein:

[0099] When there is a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle and the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated.

[0100] (Note 14)

[0101] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 10 to 13, wherein:

[0102] The light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated above the horizontal line, with a range of the irradiable range of the second lamp being deviated toward the road side of the opposite lane of the vehicle as a second light irradiation range.

[0103] (Note 15)

[0104] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein:

[0105] The second light irradiation range expands upward as it approaches the road side of the oncoming lane.

[0106] (Note 16)

[0107] The vehicle lighting system according to Supplementary Note 15, wherein:

[0108] The second light irradiation range is a range shifted by 3.6° or more to the left side in front of the vehicle.

[0109] (Note 17)

[0110] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 10 to 16, wherein:

[0111] The vehicle lamp system further includes a controller that controls operations of the first lamp and the second lamp.

[0112] (Note 18)

[0113] The vehicle lighting system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 10 to 17, wherein:

[0114] The severe weather includes rain, snow or fog.

[0115] Description of Reference Numerals

[0116] 1: Vehicle lighting system, 10: Controller, 11: Camera, 12: Raindrop sensor, 13: Vehicle speed sensor, 20: Front vehicle detection unit, 21: Weather detection unit, 22: Light distribution control unit, 30L, 30R: Lamp unit, 31: Driver, 32: LED array, 40L, 40R: High beam, 41: Low beam, 42: Pedestrian, 50: Vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting system capable of irradiating light with a variable light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle, in, The vehicle lamp system includes: a first lamp arranged on the left side of the front portion of the vehicle; and a second lamp arranged on the right side of the front portion of the vehicle. In the event of bad weather at the location where the vehicle is located, light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated above the horizontal line when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and the light distribution pattern sets the range from the front center to the front left side of the vehicle within the irradiable range of the first lamp as the first light irradiation range, and sets the irradiable range of the second lamp to a dimming range or a non-irradiation range.

2. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, in, The first light irradiation range is set to a range biased toward a road shoulder side on the left side of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, in, At least one of the first lamp and the second lamp is used to irradiate light below the horizontal line.

4. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, in, When there is a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle and the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated.

5. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, in, The light of the light distribution pattern is irradiated above the horizontal line, with the range of the irradiable range of the second lamp being deviated toward the shoulder side of the opposite lane of the vehicle as the second light irradiation range.

6. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 5, in, The second light irradiation range expands upward as it approaches the shoulder side of the oncoming lane.

7. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 6, in, The second light irradiation range is a range shifted by 3.6° or more to the front right side of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, in, The vehicle lamp system further includes a controller that controls operations of the first lamp and the second lamp.

9. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 1, in, The severe weather includes rain, snow or fog.

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