Vehicle headlamp device

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp device is provided, which can improve the driver's ability to overlook pedestrians. The vehicle headlamp device (1) of the present invention comprises: a low beam (5) and a high beam (6) for irradiating light to a first light distribution area (A1) in front of the vehicle; and a pattern light irradiation unit (PP) for irradiating light to a second light distribution area (A2) that is closer to the outside of the vehicle (2) in the width direction than the first light distribution area (A1) with an irradiation pattern that alternates and repeats a bright area (a1) and a dark area (a2); the pattern light irradiation unit (PP) irradiates light in a manner that at least a part of the area (specific area A26) in the irradiation pattern presents a different dynamic from other areas. In one embodiment, the pattern light irradiation unit (PP) moves while maintaining the shape of the irradiation pattern, and irradiates light in a manner that the entire area of ​​the irradiation pattern presents a different dynamic from the area (specific area A26) where an object exists in the irradiation pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headlamp device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As a vehicle headlamp device, a technology has been proposed that improves the visual confirmation of pedestrians by the driver by irradiating light from a light source in an irradiation pattern in which bright areas and dark areas are alternately repeated (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the vehicle headlamp device of Patent Document 1, irradiation of light in a first irradiation pattern in which bright areas and dark areas are alternately repeated and irradiation of light in a second irradiation pattern in which the entire area is a bright area are performed simultaneously, so that the driver can instantly recognize the presence of pedestrians in the distance.

[0003] [Prior Technical Literature]

[0004] (Patent Document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-143872 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, demands for improvement of the visual confirmation of objects by drivers have been increasing in recent years, and further improvement of technology is desired.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp device which can improve the driver's failure to see an object.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] (1) A vehicle headlamp device (e.g., a vehicle headlamp device 1 described below) comprising: a low beam lamp (e.g., a low beam lamp 5 described below) and a high beam lamp (e.g., a high beam lamp 6 described below) for irradiating light to a first light distribution area (e.g., a first light distribution area A1 described below) in front of a vehicle; and a pattern light irradiation unit (e.g., a pattern light irradiation unit PP described below) for irradiating light to a second light distribution area (e.g., a second light distribution area A2 described below) that is further outward in the width direction of the vehicle than the first light distribution area, with an irradiation pattern of alternating and repeating bright areas (e.g., bright areas a1 described below) and dark areas (e.g., dark areas a2 described below); the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in a manner such that at least a portion of the irradiation pattern (e.g., a specific area A26 described below) presents a dynamic state different from that of other areas.

[0011] (2) A vehicle headlamp device according to (1), wherein the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in a manner such that the irradiation pattern maintains its shape while moving and the entire area of ​​the irradiation pattern and the area where the object exists within the irradiation pattern present different dynamics.

[0012] (3) The vehicle headlamp device according to (1), wherein the pattern light irradiation portion irradiates light in a manner such that the irradiation pattern maintains its shape while moving and an upper area in the irradiation pattern and a lower area in the irradiation pattern exhibit different dynamics.

[0013] (Effects of the Invention)

[0014] In the vehicle headlamp device of (1), the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in a manner that at least a part of the irradiation pattern presents a dynamic state different from that of other parts. Therefore, the driver can recognize objects such as pedestrians in the part of the area with significant specificity from objects in other areas. Thus, the driver's omission of objects can be improved.

[0015] In the vehicle headlamp device of (2), the pattern light irradiation unit moves while maintaining the shape of the irradiation pattern, and irradiates light in a manner that the entire area of ​​the irradiation pattern and the area where the object exists within the irradiation pattern present different dynamics. Therefore, the driver can clearly recognize the behavior of the moving object such as a pedestrian. Therefore, the driver can take countermeasures corresponding to the behavior of the object in advance.

[0016] In the vehicle headlamp device of (3), the pattern light irradiation unit moves while maintaining the shape of the irradiation pattern, and irradiates light in a manner that the upper area of ​​the irradiation pattern and the lower area of ​​the irradiation pattern present different dynamics. Therefore, the driver can clearly recognize the behavior of a moving object such as a pedestrian. Therefore, the driver can take countermeasures corresponding to the behavior of the object in advance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 The present invention is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle headlamp device and a detection means as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A conceptual structural diagram of a control system for each lamp in a vehicle headlamp device.

[0019] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an illumination area of ​​each lamp in a vehicle headlamp device.

[0020] Figure 4 It is depicted and Figure 2 A conceptual diagram of the control system associated with the pattern irradiation lamp.

[0021] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 A timing diagram showing the operation of the pattern illumination lamp, the detection means and the control means.

[0022] Figure 6 Is the picture being taken from Figure 2 The pattern illumination light is a diagram of a driving field of vision illuminated by the illumination light in a certain manner.

[0023] Figure 7 Is the picture being taken from Figure 2 The pattern illumination lamp is another way of illuminating light to illuminate the driving field of vision.

[0024] Figure 8 The figure schematically illustrates the visual characteristics of a person related to the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the following description, an irradiation pattern distribution area refers to an irradiation area of ​​a certain light, and an irradiation pattern refers to the irradiation method of light with respect to the irradiation pattern distribution area.

[0026] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle headlamp device and a detection means as one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle headlamp device 1 is arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle 2 in a manner that is symmetrical when viewed from the center position in the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle headlamp device 1, a turn signal lamp 3, a pattern lamp 4, a low beam lamp 5, and a high beam lamp 6 are arranged in order from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the pattern lamp 4 is a general term for the left pattern lamp 41 and the right pattern lamp 42.

[0027] The detection means is constituted to include a camera 50, a radar 60, a finder 70, and an object recognition unit 80 described later. The camera 50 is arranged at the center of the upper part of the front window of the vehicle 2. The radar 60 is arranged at the left and right sides of the lower part of the left and right vehicle headlamp devices 1. The finder 70 is arranged at a distance from the left and right sides of the front lower part of the vehicle 2, respectively, and is located further inside than the radar 60.

[0028] The turn signal lamp 3 is a conventional lamp of this type. The pattern irradiation lamp 4, which is a component of the pattern light irradiation unit PP, irradiates a pattern with a bright area a1 and a dark area a2 alternately and repeatedly (see Figure 6), irradiates light to the second light distribution area A2 described later in the vehicle 2. The low beam 5 irradiates light to the light distribution area AL designated for the low beam. The high beam 6 irradiates light to the light distribution area AH designated for the high beam. In addition, the vehicle 2 equipped with the vehicle headlamp device 1 is appropriately referred to as the vehicle 2 below. In the above, the second light distribution area A2 in the right front of the driving lane of the vehicle 2 is the right second light distribution area A22. In addition, the second light distribution area A2 on the left side in the left front of the driving lane of the vehicle 2 is the left second light distribution area A21.

[0029] The camera 50 is a stereo camera that periodically and repeatedly takes pictures of the front of the vehicle 2. The radar 60 detects the detection object by, for example, a frequency modulated continuous wave (FM-CW) method. The detector 70 is, for example, a LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) that measures the scattered light relative to the irradiated light and the distance to the object. In addition, the vehicle 2 is equipped with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) including a collision mitigation brake system (CMBS).

[0030] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram of a control system for each lamp in a vehicle headlamp device 1 . Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing the illumination area of ​​each lamp in the vehicle headlamp device 1. The high beam lamp 6, the low beam lamp 5, the left pattern lamp 41, and the right pattern lamp 42 are operated under the control of the lamp control electronic control unit (ECU) 40. The lamp control ECU 40 switches the operation mode of the high beam lamp 6, the low beam lamp 5, the left pattern lamp 41, and the right pattern lamp 42 based on the output from the upper ECU 100 mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0031] The high beam lamp 6 includes a light emitting element as a light source, a reflector, a visor that defines an irradiation area, and a lens. The light emitting element is illuminated by supplying power from a power source (not shown) according to a control signal from the lamp control ECU 40. The light from the light emitting element is reflected by the reflector. The reflected light from the reflector is irradiated from the lens toward the high beam distribution area AH defined by the visor.

[0032] The low beam lamp 5 includes a light emitting element as a light source, a reflector, a visor that defines an irradiation area, and a lens. The light emitting element is illuminated by supplying power from a power source (not shown) according to a control signal from the lamp control ECU 40. The light from the light emitting element is reflected by the reflector. The reflected light from the reflector is irradiated from the lens toward the low beam distribution area AL defined by the visor.

[0033] Reference Figure 3 , for Figure 1 The illumination areas of the high beam lamp 6, the low beam lamp 5 and the pattern illumination lamp 4 when the vehicle headlamp device 1 in the embodiment irradiates light to the test screen will be described. Here, the illumination area of ​​the pattern illumination lamp 4 is shown as the illumination area of ​​the right pattern illumination lamp 42.

[0034] The irradiation area of ​​the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 is symmetrical with the irradiation area of ​​the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 with the VV line as the object axis, and is omitted from the illustration.

[0035] The structure and function of the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 are similar to those of the right pattern irradiation lamp 42. Therefore, hereinafter, regarding the structure and function of the left pattern irradiation lamp 41, the description of the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 is cited.

[0036] The low beam distribution area AL of the low beam lamp 5 has a cutoff line on the opposite lane side extending parallel to the HH line (horizontal line) on the right side of the test screen than the VV line (plumb line) in the center of the left-right direction. In addition, on the left side of the VV line, there is a cutoff line on the own lane side extending along the HH line at a higher position than the cutoff line on the opposite lane side. The cutoff line on the opposite lane side and the cutoff line on the own lane side are connected by an oblique cutoff line inclined relative to the HH line. The low beam distribution area AL is the lower irradiation area on the lower front side of the vehicle 2.

[0037] The high-beam distribution area AH of the high-beam lamp 6 is a rectangle having a long side parallel to the HH line and a short side parallel to the VV line, and the intersection of its diagonal lines occupies a position roughly consistent with the intersection of the HH line and the VV line. The high-beam distribution area AH overlaps with the low-beam distribution area AL in a local area below, including the portion of the cut-off line on the opposite lane side and the cut-off line on the own lane side starting from the VV line. The high-beam distribution area AH is an upper irradiation area that is higher than the lower irradiation area, that is, the low-beam distribution area AL, and is closer to the center side of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 2. The low-beam distribution area AL and the high-beam distribution area AH are collectively referred to as the first distribution area A1.

[0038] In the illumination area of ​​the right pattern illumination lamp 42, i.e., the right second light distribution area A22, various changes are made to the illumination pattern such as the contour shape of the area or the form of the illumination pattern in the area by means of the mode switching signal from the lamp control ECU 40. The left second light distribution area A21 is symmetrical with respect to the right second light distribution area A22 with the VV line as the object axis, and is omitted from the illustration. The left second light distribution area A21 and the right second light distribution area A22 are collectively referred to as the second light distribution area A2.

[0039] In terms of the capability of the right pattern irradiation lamp 42, the right second light distribution area A22 can be in a wide manner including an overlap area A24 overlapping with the high beam light distribution area AH. In this case, the right second light distribution area A22 is in a horizontal trapezoidal shape with the height direction parallel to the HH line and the upper and lower bases parallel to the VV line. In this trapezoidal shape, the lower base relatively far from the VV line is longer than the upper base relatively close to the VV line. That is, the right second light distribution area A22 is in a shape in which the size along the VV line expands as it approaches the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 2.

[0040] Figure 4 It is depicted and Figure 2 The detection means 90 is composed of a camera 50, a radar 60, a detector 70 and an object recognition unit 80. The object recognition unit 80 recognizes the position, type, speed, etc. of the detection object based on the detection results obtained by part or all of the camera 50, the radar 60 and the detector 70.

[0041] The object recognition unit 80 includes an object determination unit 81, a human identification unit 82, and an output signal formation unit 83. The object determination unit 81 detects the distance and direction of a detection object existing within a predetermined range from the host vehicle 2 based on the distance information included in the monitoring information input from the camera 50, the radar 60, and the detector 70. The object determination unit 81 determines the position indicated by the position information included corresponding to the distance information as a reference point, and determines the distance and direction detected from the determined reference point as the position where the detection object is located.

[0042] The human identification unit 82 identifies a person such as a pedestrian 15 described later, with reference to the captured image information obtained by the camera 50 for the detection target object captured by the object determination unit 81. When the detection target object is recognized as a person based on the recognition result of the human identification unit 82, the output signal forming unit 83 forms a human identification signal Spi as a detection output of a high level H, and supplies it to the lamp control ECU 40 as a control means.

[0043] Specifically, the human identification signal Spi as the detection output includes two-stage signals corresponding to the pedestrian accuracy: the human identification signal Spi1, which indicates the reliability that the detected object seems to be a pedestrian, that is, the pedestrian accuracy is a first pedestrian accuracy to the extent that the pedestrian protection brake is activated; and the human identification signal Spi2, which indicates that the pedestrian accuracy is lower than the first pedestrian accuracy. Therefore, when the vehicle 2 is traveling, the human identification signal Spi2 is issued (turned to a high level H) at a time point earlier than the issuance of the human identification signal Spi1.

[0044] The human identification signal Spi1 and the human identification signal Spi2 are outputted in a manner of distinguishing the two, for example, distinguishing the signal channels. Alternatively, the signal channels may not be distinguished, but the two signals may be superimposed on a single signal channel in a manner of distinguishing the two signals. When the human identification signal Spi2 from the object recognition unit 80 is at a high level H, the lamp control ECU 40 supplies the start command signal Sc1 and / or the start command signal Sc2 to the pattern irradiation lamp 4.

[0045] The pattern irradiation lamp 4 includes a left pattern irradiation lamp 41 and a right pattern irradiation lamp 42. The light emitting element driving circuit 411 of the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 responds to the start command signal Sc1 supplied from the lamp control ECU 40, and issues an element driving signal Ds1 and supplies it to the surface emitting element 412. The surface emitting element 412 emits light in response to the element driving signal Ds1. The left pattern irradiation lamp 41 irradiates the left irradiation light PLL of the first irradiation pattern toward the left second light distribution area A21 through the light shielding mask 413 and the projection optical system 414 by the light emitted by the surface emitting element 412.

[0046] The light emitting element driving circuit 421 of the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 responds to the start command signal Sc2 supplied from the lamp control ECU 40, and issues an element driving signal Ds2 and supplies it to the surface emitting element 422. The surface emitting element 422 emits light in response to the element driving signal Ds2. The right pattern irradiation lamp 42 irradiates the right side irradiation light PLR of the second irradiation pattern toward the right second light distribution area A22 through the light-shielding mask 423 and the projection optical system 424 by the light emitted by the surface emitting element 422. In addition, as described above, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first irradiation pattern and the second irradiation pattern are the same irradiation pattern.

[0047] Here, the light shielding mask 413 in the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 can be configured to include a fully solid type dimming mirror film, and the fully solid type dimming mirror film can be electrically switched between a mirror state and a transparent state for each area. By electrically driving the surface light emitting element 412 and the light shielding mask 413 by the light emitting element driving circuit 411, the projection optical system 414 emits irradiation light of an irradiation pattern of alternating bright area a1 and dark area a2. The irradiation pattern can be moved along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 while maintaining its shape.

[0048] As for the right pattern irradiation lamp 42, similarly to the left pattern irradiation lamp 41, the light shielding mask 423 can be configured to include a fully solid type dimming mirror film, and the fully solid type dimming mirror film can be electrically switched between a mirror state and a transparent state for each area. By electrically driving the surface light emitting element 422 and the light shielding mask 423 by the light emitting element driving circuit 421, irradiation light of an irradiation pattern of alternating bright area a1 and dark area a2 is emitted from the projection optical system 424. The irradiation pattern can be moved along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 while maintaining its shape.

[0049] Reference Figure 4 The pattern illumination lamp 4 and the circuit part related to its control constitute a pattern light illumination part PP, which illuminates a second light distribution area A2 which is closer to the outside in the width direction of the vehicle 2 than the first light distribution area A1 of the high beam 6 and the low beam 5 with an illumination pattern that alternates between bright area a1 and dark area a2.

[0050] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 4 The timing diagram of the pattern irradiation lamp 4 and the detection means 90 and the lamp control ECU 40 as the control means. Figure 4 As described above, when the human recognition signal Spi2 among the human recognition signals Spi from the object recognition unit 80 of the detection means 90 is at the high level H, the lamp control ECU 40 issues the start command signal Sc2 to cause the right pattern illumination lamp 42 to emit the right illumination light PLR.

[0051] like Figure 5As shown in FIG. 1 , at the time point t1 when the human recognition signal Spi2 turns to the high level H, the lamp control ECU 40 accordingly turns the start command signal Sc2 to ON, so that the right side illumination light PLR is illuminated from the right side pattern illumination lamp 42. In addition, when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that there is no effect even if the right side illumination light PLR is illuminated based on the information input from the upper ECU 100, it illuminates the right side illumination light PLR. In addition, when it is determined that the left side illumination light PLL should be illuminated, the start command signal Sc1 is issued, so that the left side illumination light PLL is illuminated from the left side pattern illumination lamp 41.

[0052] When the detection means 90 does not detect the presence of the pedestrian 15 in the irradiation pattern light distribution area 16, the light irradiation unit is set to be non-illuminated and the human identification signal Spi2 is set to a low level L. Figure 5 In the embodiment, at the time point tx when the human recognition signal Spi2 turns to the low level L, the lamp control ECU 40 accordingly turns the start instruction signal Sc1 to the low level L, so that the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 is not lit.

[0053] The left pattern irradiation lamp 41 and the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 operate as described above under the management of the lamp control ECU 40. Figure 4 The system constitutes a projector.

[0054] Figure 6 Is the picture being taken from Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a driving field of vision illuminated by a pattern irradiation lamp of a mode. A dividing line 12 is drawn on a road 11, and one side of the road 11 is a sidewalk 13. It is assumed that a pedestrian 15 is located on the sidewalk 13. The area including one of the sidewalks 13 viewed as the right side by the driver is the right second light distribution area A22 of the right pattern irradiation lamp 42. The right pattern irradiation lamp 42 irradiates the right second light distribution area A22 with the right irradiation light PLR of the irradiation pattern in which the bright area a1 and the dark area a2 are alternately repeated.

[0055] As described above, when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that there is no effect even if the right irradiation light PLR is irradiated based on the information input from the upper ECU 100, the right irradiation light PLR is irradiated. In addition, when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that the left irradiation light PLL should be irradiated, the start command signal Sc1 is issued to irradiate the left irradiation light PLL from the left pattern irradiation lamp 41. Figure 6 The left second light distribution area A21 on the side of the other pedestrian path 14 which is not visible in the figure is illuminated.

[0056] The pattern light irradiation section PP irradiates light in an irradiation pattern in which the bright area a1 and the dark area a2 are alternately repeated so that a specific area A26 which is a part of the irradiation pattern exhibits a different dynamic from other areas.

[0057] Specifically, under the control of the lamp control ECU 40, according to the reference Figure 4 The human recognition unit 82 in the detection means 90 described above sets a specific area A26 as a limited area including the recognized person in the second light distribution area A22 on the right side, based on the human recognition signal Spii issued when recognizing the detection object captured by the object determination unit 81, such as the pedestrian 15. Specifically, the specific area A26 is set based on the issuance of the second pedestrian accuracy human recognition signal Spi2, which indicates that the pedestrian accuracy is relatively low, among the human recognition signals Spi. Thus, when the object determination unit 81 captures the detection object, the specific area A26 is quickly set. In addition, the specific area A26 is set in such a way that the detection object captured by the object determination unit 81 is located in the center of the area. Thus, the detection object that should be paid attention to can be accurately captured.

[0058] In addition, under the control of the lamp control ECU 40, while the specific area A26 is set, in the specific area A26, compared with other parts in the right second light distribution area A22 (A2), for example, the illumination pattern of the bright area a1 and the dark area a2 alternately and repeatedly moves while maintaining its shape, and its flow is accelerated. As a result, the driver can recognize objects such as pedestrians 15 in the specific area A26 significantly and specifically compared with objects in other areas. Therefore, the driver can improve the omission of objects such as pedestrians 15.

[0059] Furthermore, in the specific area A26, the shape of the illumination pattern may be maintained and the moving speed may be increased, so that the moving direction of the illumination pattern is different from that of the area outside the specific area A26. That is, when the movement of the illumination pattern in the area outside the specific area A26 is observed by the driver of the vehicle 2 to flow from the near front side to the depth side, in the specific area A26, the illumination pattern is observed by the driver to flow from the depth side to the near front side. In addition, on the contrary, when the movement of the illumination pattern in the area outside the specific area A26 is observed by the driver of the vehicle 2 to flow from the depth side to the near front side, in the specific area A26, the illumination pattern is observed by the driver to flow from the near front side to the depth side. In these cases, the driver can also recognize objects such as pedestrians 15 in the specific area A26 with significant specificity compared to things in other areas. Therefore, the driver's omission of objects such as pedestrians 15 can be improved.

[0060] Next, refer to Figure 7, a vehicle headlamp device according to other aspects of the present disclosure is described. Figure 7 Is the picture being taken from Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a driving field of vision illuminated by other types of illumination light of the pattern illumination lamp. A dividing line 12 is drawn on the road 11, and one side of the road 11 is a sidewalk 13. It is assumed that a pedestrian 15 is located on the sidewalk 13. The area including one of the sidewalks 13 viewed as the right side by the driver is the right second light distribution area A22 of the right pattern illumination lamp 42. In addition, Figure 7 The right second light distribution area A22 is indicated by the symbol of the second light distribution area A2, which is the collective name of the left second light distribution area A21. The right pattern irradiation lamp 42 irradiates the right second light distribution area A22 with the right irradiation light PLR of the irradiation pattern of alternating bright areas a1 and dark areas a2.

[0061] In this case, when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that there is no effect even if the right irradiation light PLR is irradiated based on the information input from the upper ECU 100, the right irradiation light PLR is irradiated. In addition, when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that the left irradiation light PLL should be irradiated, the start command signal Sc1 is issued to irradiate the left irradiation light PLL from the left pattern irradiation lamp 41. Figure 6 The left second light distribution area A21 on the side of the other pedestrian path 14 which is not visible in the figure is illuminated.

[0062] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, in the pattern light irradiation part PP, the irradiation pattern is divided into upper and lower parts and performs different actions. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the upper pattern P1 on the upper side and the lower pattern P2 on the lower side are both irradiated patterns that move while maintaining their shapes, but they exhibit different dynamics. Specifically, for example, the upper pattern P1 moves in a first direction along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2, and the lower pattern P2 moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Alternatively, the upper pattern P1 and the lower pattern P2 may be arranged in a manner such as Figure 6 The flow speeds are different between the irradiation patterns in the specific area A26 and the area outside the specific area A26.

[0063] As for the upper pattern P1 and the lower pattern P2, the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 is driven under the control of the lamp control ECU 40 of the pattern light irradiation unit PP, so that the shape and dynamics of the patterns are realized as described above. As a result, the driver can clearly recognize the behavior of the moving object such as the pedestrian 15. Therefore, the driver can take countermeasures corresponding to the behavior of the object in advance.

[0064] Here, Figure 8Schematically illustrates the visual characteristics of a person at the bottom of the technical concept of the vehicle headlamp device 1 disclosed in the present invention. Figure 8 According to human visual characteristics, the front visual field 7 of person H is divided into a central visual field 8 extending from the front to the left and right at a certain acute angle, and a left peripheral visual field 9 and a right peripheral visual field 10 adjacent to the left and right of the central visual field 8.

[0065] In the general visual characteristics of a person, the central visual field 8 shows a tendency that the shape can be clearly seen, but the reaction to movement is slow. The left peripheral visual field 9 and the right peripheral visual field 10 show a tendency that the shape can be vaguely seen, but the reaction to movement is fast, that is, the sensitivity to movement is high. The vehicle headlamp device 1 disclosed in the present invention is based on the idea of ​​actively utilizing the above-mentioned human visual characteristics. In the vehicle headlamp device 1 disclosed in the present invention, since the illumination pattern of the bright area a1 and the dark area a2 is projected alternately and repeatedly to the left peripheral visual field 9 and the right peripheral visual field 10, the driver can clearly recognize the moving objects such as the pedestrians 15 on the roadside, and the possibility of missing them can be reduced more effectively.

[0066] According to the vehicle headlamp device 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0067] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (1), there are: a low beam 5 and a high beam 6, which irradiate light to a first light distribution area A1 in front of the vehicle; and a pattern light irradiation unit PP, which irradiates light to a second light distribution area A2 which is closer to the outside of the vehicle 2 in the width direction than the first light distribution area A1 with an irradiation pattern of alternating bright area a1 and dark area a2; the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light in a manner that a specific area A26 of at least a part of the irradiation pattern presents a dynamic different from other areas. Therefore, the driver can recognize objects such as pedestrians 15 in the specific area A26 significantly and specifically from objects in other areas. Therefore, the driver's omission of objects can be improved.

[0068] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (2), the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light in a manner that the irradiation pattern maintains its shape while moving, and the entire area of ​​the irradiation pattern and the area where the object exists in the irradiation pattern present different dynamics. Therefore, the driver can clearly recognize the behavior of the moving object such as the pedestrian 15. Therefore, the driver can take countermeasures corresponding to the behavior of the object in advance.

[0069] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (3), the pattern light irradiation portion PP moves while maintaining the shape of the irradiation pattern, and the upper area (P1) in the irradiation pattern and the lower area (P2) in the irradiation pattern irradiate light in a manner showing different dynamics. Therefore, the driver can clearly recognize the behavior of the moving object such as the pedestrian 15. Therefore, the driver can take countermeasures corresponding to the behavior of the object in advance.

[0070] The above is a description of one aspect of the present disclosure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The detailed structure may also be appropriately changed within the scope of the main purpose of the present invention. For example, in the above, the pattern light irradiation unit that irradiates light to the second light distribution area outside the width direction of the vehicle with an irradiation pattern that alternates between bright areas and dark areas is configured to control the surface light-emitting element and the light-shielding mask by the lamp control ECU, and other structures may be selected. That is, the pattern light irradiation unit may be configured as a projection unit including a light-emitting element, a spatial light modulator and a lens. As the spatial light modulator, a device that independently modulates and reflects light to multiple reflective elements such as a digital micromirror device (DMD) may be used. This projection unit adopts a DLP (Digital Light Processing: registered trademark) structure using a DMD, and can irradiate light from the lens to the front side and other surrounding areas of the vehicle in a desired irradiation pattern.

[0071] Reference numerals

[0072] A1: The first light distribution area

[0073] A2: Second light distribution area

[0074] A21: Second light distribution area on the left

[0075] A22: Second light distribution area on the right

[0076] A24: Overlapping area

[0077] A26: Specific area

[0078] AL: Low beam distribution area

[0079] AH: High beam distribution area

[0080] a1: bright area

[0081] a2: Dark area

[0082] H: People

[0083] Lp: Irradiation pattern

[0084] P1: Upper pattern

[0085] P2: Lower pattern

[0086] PP: Pattern light irradiation part

[0087] PLL: Left side illumination

[0088] PLR: Right Side Light

[0089] Spi, Spi1, Spi2: Human recognition signal (detection output)

[0090] 1: Vehicle headlamp device

[0091] 2: Vehicles

[0092] 3: Turn signal lights

[0093] 4: Pattern lighting

[0094] 5: Low beam

[0095] 6: High beam

[0096] 7: Forward Vision

[0097] 8: Central Vision

[0098] 9: Left peripheral vision

[0099] 10: Right peripheral vision

[0100] 11: Road

[0101] 12: Dividing Line

[0102] 13: Walking Trail

[0103] 14: Walking Trail

[0104] 15: Indiana Pacers

[0105] 16: Illumination pattern light distribution area

[0106] 17: Illumination pattern light distribution area

[0107] 18: Mingbu

[0108] 40: Lighting control ECU

[0109] 41: Left pattern light

[0110] 42: Right pattern light

[0111] 50: Camera

[0112] 60: Radar

[0113] 70: Detector

[0114] 80: Object Recognition Unit

[0115] 81: Object determination unit

[0116] 82: Human Recognition Unit

[0117] 83: Output signal forming unit

[0118] 90: Detection Methods

[0119] 100: Upper level ECU

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp device, characterized in that: The invention comprises: a low beam lamp and a high beam lamp, which irradiate light to a first light distribution area in front of the vehicle; and a pattern light irradiation unit, which irradiates light to a second light distribution area which is further outward in the width direction of the vehicle than the first light distribution area, with a light pattern of alternating bright areas and dark areas; The pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in such a manner that at least a partial region in the irradiation pattern exhibits a dynamic state different from that of other regions.

2. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein: The pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in such a manner that the irradiation pattern moves while maintaining its shape and the entire region of the irradiation pattern and the region where the object exists within the irradiation pattern exhibit different dynamics.

3. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein: The pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in such a manner that the irradiation pattern moves while maintaining its shape and an upper region in the irradiation pattern and a lower region in the irradiation pattern exhibit different dynamics.

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