Vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp (1) is provided with a lamp unit (10) and a control unit (CO) for controlling the lamp unit (10), and the control unit (CO) forms first regions (51a, 51b) which overlap at least a part of a predetermined object and in which the amount of light decreases, and side blurred regions (53ra, 531a, 53rb, 531b) which respectively extend along the left and right edges of the first regions (51a, 51b) and in which the amount of light decreases in a light distribution pattern (PH) of high beams. The brightness of the side blurred regions (53ra, 531a, 53rb, 531b) increases from the first region (51a, 51b) side toward the opposite side to the first region (51a, 51b), and the width (wra, wla) of the side blurred regions (53ra, 531a) at a distance from a plumb line (V) passing through the center of the host vehicle (100) in the left-right direction is less than a predetermined distance (D) is narrower than the width (wrb, w1b) of the side blurred regions (53ra, 531a) at a distance equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (D).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There is known a vehicle headlamp that forms an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) light distribution pattern in which a region overlapping with another vehicle located in front of the vehicle is a non-illuminated region. Such a vehicle headlamp is disclosed in Patent Document 1 listed below.

[0003] Generally speaking, the non-illuminated area in the light distribution pattern of ADB changes according to the position of other vehicles relative to the vehicle. The left-right position of other vehicles in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle can be represented by the angle between the direction of travel of the vehicle and the direction from the vehicle toward other vehicles. Even if the offset of other vehicles relative to the left-right direction of the vehicle is the same, the closer the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicles is, the larger the angle is. And, the smaller the distance is, the larger the angle is relative to the change in the distance. Therefore, as the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicles becomes shorter, in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle, the other vehicles move toward one side in the left-right direction, and the moving speed becomes faster as the distance between the vehicle and the other vehicles becomes shorter.

[0004] Therefore, if the distance between the vehicle and other vehicles becomes shorter, other vehicles are likely to leave the non-irradiated area. In the following patent document 1, the irradiated area in the ADB light distribution pattern has a transition area along the boundary with the non-irradiated area and the closer to the non-irradiated area, the lower the brightness. The shorter the distance between the vehicle and other vehicles, the smoother the brightness change in the transition area, and the wider the width of the transition area. Therefore, in the following patent document 1, when the distance between the vehicle and other vehicles is short, even if the vehicle deviates from the non-irradiated area and enters the irradiated area, the width of the transition area is wide, so it is possible to suppress the increase in the amount of light irradiated to other vehicles and suppress the glare caused to the drivers of other vehicles.

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 073994 Summary of the invention

[0006] Generally speaking, in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle, an object located at a position offset from the front of the vehicle to the left and right directions is easy to move to the left and right directions, and an object located at the front of the vehicle is difficult to move to the left and right directions. In the above-mentioned patent document 1, the change of the movement of such an object corresponding to the position in the left and right directions is not considered.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp capable of improving forward visibility while suppressing glare.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a lamp unit, which is capable of changing the light distribution pattern of emitted light; and a control unit, which inputs a signal from an object detection device that detects a specified object located in front of the vehicle and controls the lamp unit, wherein the control unit forms a first area overlapping with at least a part of the specified object and with reduced light amount, and a side blurred area along at least a part of the left and right edges of the first area and with reduced light amount in the light distribution pattern, wherein the brightness of the side blurred area is higher than the brightness of the first area, and increases from the first area side toward the side opposite to the first area, and the width of the side blurred area located in the central area where the distance from the plumb line passing through the left and right center of the vehicle is less than a specified distance is narrower than the width of the side blurred area located in the outer area where the distance is greater than the specified distance.

[0009] The side blur area located in the central area where the distance is less than the specified distance is set for a specified object located in front of the vehicle, such as a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle far from the vehicle, a person located on a sidewalk far from the vehicle, etc. Since the angle between the direction from the vehicle to such a specified object and the traveling direction of the vehicle is small, the specified object is difficult to move in the left-right direction in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle. In addition, the side blur area located in the outer area where the distance is greater than the specified distance is set for a specified object located at a position offset from the front of the vehicle to the left-right direction, such as an oncoming vehicle approaching the vehicle, a person located on a sidewalk near the vehicle, etc. Since the angle between the direction from the vehicle to such a specified object and the traveling direction of the vehicle is large, the specified object is easy to move in the left-right direction in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle. In the vehicle headlamp, the width of the side blur area located in the central area is narrower than the width of the side blur area located in the outer area. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp, the width of the side blur region provided for a prescribed object that is difficult to move in the left-right direction can be made narrower than the width of the side blur region provided for a prescribed object that is easy to move in the left-right direction. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp, the problem of providing glare can be suppressed compared with the case where the width of the side blur region does not change according to the position of the side blur region in the left-right direction. In addition, according to the vehicle headlamp, the width of the side blur region located in the above-mentioned central area can be narrowed compared with the above-mentioned case, so the visual recognition of the central area in the front can be improved.

[0010] The width of the side blurred area located in the central area may be constant. Alternatively, the width of the side blurred area located in the central area may be zero.

[0011] By adopting such a configuration, the control load of the control unit can be reduced.

[0012] The shorter the distance is, the narrower the width of the side blur region located in the central region can be.

[0013] The shorter the distance from the predetermined object to the vertical line, the harder it is for the predetermined object to move in the left-right direction. Therefore, by setting such a structure, compared with a case where the width of the side blurred area located in the central area is constant, it is possible to improve the visual recognition of the central area in front while suppressing glare.

[0014] The width of the side blur region located in the outer region may be constant.

[0015] By adopting such a configuration, the control load of the control unit can be reduced.

[0016] The longer the distance is, the wider the width of the side blur region located in the outer region can be.

[0017] The longer the distance from the predetermined object to the vertical line, the easier it is for the predetermined object to move in the left-right direction. Therefore, by setting such a structure, compared with the case where the width of the side blurred area located in the outer area is constant, it is possible to improve the visual recognition of the outer area in front while suppressing the glare.

[0018] The predetermined distance may be the distance from the vertical line to a center line dividing the travel path of the host vehicle and the travel path of the oncoming vehicle.

[0019] By adopting such a configuration, for example, the width of the side blurring region provided for the preceding vehicle can be more reliably made narrower than the width of the side blurring region provided for the oncoming vehicle.

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp capable of improving forward visibility while suppressing glare. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a lamp unit.

[0023] Figure 3 It roughly indicates Figure 2 The front view of the light source part is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a control flow chart of the control unit of this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of a high-beam light distribution pattern according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 is with Figure 5 Similarly, a diagram showing an example of the ADB light distribution pattern according to the present embodiment is shown.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the vertical line and the width of the side blur region in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 Yes means Figure 6 A diagram showing the brightness distribution of a portion of the ADB light distribution pattern.

[0029] Fig. 9 Yes means Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the brightness distribution of another part of the ADB light distribution pattern.

[0030] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the vertical line and the width of the side blur region in a modified example.

[0031] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the vertical line and the width of the side blur region in another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following exemplary embodiments are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its main purpose. In addition, the present invention can also appropriately combine the constituent elements in the following exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that in the accompanying drawings referred to below, the dimensions of each component are sometimes changed for easy understanding. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, for ease of observation, reference symbols are sometimes only applied to a portion of the same constituent elements, and a portion of the reference symbols are omitted.

[0033] Figure 1 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 100 includes a pair of left and right vehicle headlamps 1, a light switch 110, an object detection device 140, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 130. In this specification, "right" refers to the right side in the forward direction of the vehicle 100, "left" refers to the left side in the forward direction, and driver refers to the driver of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 of this embodiment is an automobile.

[0034] Each vehicle headlamp 1 includes a lamp unit 5, a memory ME, a control unit CO, and a power supply circuit 50. Usually, the lamp unit 5 of one vehicle headlamp 1 is arranged on the left side of the front part of the vehicle 100, and the lamp unit 5 of the other vehicle headlamp 1 is arranged on the right side of the front part. The structure of one vehicle headlamp 1 is the same as that of the other vehicle headlamp 1 except that the shape of the lamp unit 5 is approximately bilaterally symmetrical. Therefore, the following description of one vehicle headlamp 1 will be given, and the description of the other vehicle headlamp 1 will be omitted.

[0035] Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the lamp section 5 . The lamp section 5 includes a frame 16 and a lamp unit 10 .

[0036] The frame 16 includes a housing 17 and a cover 18. The housing 17 is configured in a box shape with an opening at the front, and the cover 18 is fixed to the housing 17 in a manner to block the opening. In this way, a storage space surrounded by the housing 17 and the cover 18 is formed in the frame 16, and the lamp unit 10 is stored in the storage space. The cover 18 transmits light emitted from the lamp unit 10. The power supply circuit 50, the control unit CO, and the memory ME are arranged outside the frame 16, but may also be arranged in the storage space of the frame 16.

[0037] The lamp unit 10 can change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light. The light distribution pattern refers to both the shape of the light image formed on an imaginary vertical screen, for example, 25 meters in front of the vehicle 100, and the intensity distribution of the light in the image. The lamp unit 10 includes a light source 12 that emits light toward the front and a projection lens 15 arranged in front of the light source 12.

[0038] The projection lens 15 adjusts the divergence angle of the light incident on the projection lens 15 from the light source unit 12. The light whose divergence angle is adjusted by the projection lens 15 is irradiated from the cover 18 toward the front of the host vehicle 100.

[0039] Figure 3 It roughly indicates Figure 2 1 is a front view of the light source unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 . The light source unit 12 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting elements 13 as a light emitting unit that emits light toward the front, and a circuit substrate 14 on which the plurality of light emitting elements 13 are mounted. The respective light emitting elements 13 are arranged in a matrix and in the up-down direction and in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, these light emitting elements 13 are micro LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the light source unit 12 is a so-called micro LED array. It should be noted that the number of light emitting elements 13 arranged in the left-right direction and in the up-down direction is not particularly limited. The amount of light emitted by each light emitting element 13 can be individually changed by the control unit CO.

[0040] In the present embodiment, each light emitting element 13 corresponds to a pixel of an image generated by an image generating unit of the control unit CO described later. The light source unit 12 adjusts the light amount of light emitted from each light emitting element 13 according to the data of the pixel corresponding to the light emitting element 13, thereby emitting light based on the image, and using the light to form a light distribution pattern based on the image. In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 13 corresponds to the pixel on a one-to-one basis, but there is no particular limitation.

[0041] Figure 1 The memory ME shown is configured to be able to record information and read the recorded information. The memory ME is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, preferably a semiconductor recording medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), but may include any form of recording medium such as an optical recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. It should be noted that "non-transitory" recording media include all computer-readable recording media except for transient propagating signals (transitory: short-lived, propagating signal: propagating signal), and volatile recording media are not excluded. Various programs for controlling the lamp unit 10 or information required for the control are stored in the memory ME, and the control unit CO reads the programs or information stored in the memory ME. In addition, the memory ME may also be arranged inside the control unit CO.

[0042] The control unit CO is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, an IC (Integrated Circuit), an LSI (Large-scale Integrated Circuit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an NC (Numerical Control) device. In addition, when the control unit CO uses an NC device, a machine learner may be used or not. The control unit CO is electrically connected to the ECU 130, and in each vehicle headlamp 1, the control units CO are electrically connected to each other via the ECU 130. It should be noted that the control units CO may be directly electrically connected to each other without passing through the ECU 130.

[0043] The control unit CO of the present embodiment includes an image generation unit 20 and a light distribution control unit 40 in a state where various programs are read out from the memory ME, and receives a signal from the object detection device 140 via the ECU 130 .

[0044] The image generation unit 20 generates an image based on the image stored in the memory ME. In the present embodiment, the image is a grayscale image in which the data of each pixel is a shading value, and the larger the shading value, the brighter the pixel. However, the data of each pixel is not particularly limited. In addition, the image information may also be information read from a memory outside the vehicle via a wireless communication device provided in the vehicle 100.

[0045] The images stored in the memory ME of the present embodiment are a low beam image in which the light emitted from the light source unit 12 forms a low beam distribution pattern, and a high beam image in which the high beam distribution pattern is formed. The image generation unit 20 of the present embodiment processes the high beam image based on the information represented by the signal input from the object detection device 140 to generate an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) distribution image. The ADB distribution image is an image representing the following ADB distribution pattern: a part of the high beam distribution pattern becomes a first area with reduced light quantity, and at least a part of the area along the edge of the first area becomes a blurred area with reduced light quantity and brighter than the first area.

[0046] The light distribution control unit 40 of the present embodiment controls the power supply circuit 50 based on any one of the information of the low beam image, the information of the high beam image, and the information of the ADB light distribution image generated by the image generation unit 20 stored in the memory ME, thereby controlling the lamp unit 10. As described above, the image generation unit 20 generates an image based on the information indicated by the signal input from the object detection device 140. Therefore, the control unit CO inputs a signal from the object detection device 140, and controls the lamp unit 10 through the image generation unit 20 and the light distribution control unit 40.

[0047] The power supply circuit 50 includes a driver, and when a control signal is input from the control unit CO, the driver adjusts the power supplied to each light-emitting element 13 of the light source unit 12 from a power supply not shown in the figure. In this way, the light amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 is adjusted, and the light source unit 12 emits light based on a low beam image, a high beam image, or an ADB light distribution image. And, the light of the low beam, high beam, or ADB light distribution pattern is emitted from the lamp unit 10. In addition, in the present embodiment, the driver of the power supply circuit 50 adjusts the power supplied to each light-emitting element 13 through PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, thereby adjusting the light amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13. However, the method for adjusting the light amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 is not particularly limited.

[0048] The light switch 110 of the present embodiment is a switch for selecting emission or non-emission of light. In addition, the light switch 110 selects emission of low beam or high beam in the emission of light. When the light switch 110 is turned on, a signal indicating the emission of the selected light is output to the control unit CO via the ECU 130 of the vehicle 100, and when it is turned off, no signal is output.

[0049] The object detection device 140 of this embodiment detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100. Examples of the predetermined object include other vehicles such as the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle, a retro-reflective object, pedestrians, and the like. The retro-reflective object of this embodiment is an object that does not emit light itself but retro-reflects the irradiated light at a predetermined spread angle. Examples of such retro-reflective objects include path markings and sight guides. The object detection device 140 of this embodiment includes an image acquisition unit 141 and a detection unit 142.

[0050] The image acquisition unit 141 acquires an image in front of the host vehicle 100, and the image includes at least a portion of the area that can be illuminated by the light emitted from the pair of vehicle headlamps 1. Examples of the image acquisition unit 141 include a CCD (Charged coupled device) camera, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), and a millimeter wave radar. The image acquisition unit 141 outputs a signal related to the acquired image to the detection unit 142.

[0051] The detection unit 142 has, for example, the same configuration as the control unit CO. The detection unit 142 performs predetermined image processing on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 141, and detects the presence of a predetermined object, the position of the object in the image, the type of the object, etc. from the image subjected to the image processing.

[0052] When the detection unit 142 detects a predetermined object from the image, it outputs a signal indicating information related to the object to the control unit CO via the ECU 130. The information related to the predetermined object includes the existence of the object, the location of the object in the image, the type of the object, etc. In addition, when the detection unit 142 does not detect the predetermined object, it outputs a signal indicating that the predetermined object does not exist to the control unit CO via the ECU 130, but it is not necessary to output the signal.

[0053] It should be noted that the predetermined object detected by the object detection device 140, the number of types of objects, and the structure of the object detection device 140 are not particularly limited. For example, the image acquisition unit 141 may also be a CCD camera and a LiDAR. In this case, the detection unit 142 detects the predetermined object based on the image acquired by the CCD camera and the LiDAR. In addition, the method of detecting the predetermined object by the detection unit 142 is not limited. For example, when the detection unit 142 inputs information of an image in which a pair of white light spots with a brightness higher than a predetermined brightness or a pair of red light spots are separated by a predetermined interval in the left and right directions, the detection unit 142 detects the existence and location of other vehicles as the predetermined objects from the light spots. For example, when the detection unit 142 inputs information of an image in which the above-mentioned pair of white light spots is present from the image acquisition unit 141, the detection unit 142 recognizes the other vehicle as an oncoming vehicle. In addition, when the detection unit 142 inputs information of an image in which the above-mentioned pair of red light spots is present from the image acquisition unit 141, the detection unit 142 recognizes the other vehicle as a preceding vehicle. For example, a pair of white light spots are headlights of an oncoming vehicle, and a pair of red light spots are taillights of a preceding vehicle. In addition, object detection device 140 may not recognize the types of other vehicles.

[0054] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the operations of a pair of vehicle headlamps 1 are identical and synchronized. Therefore, the operation of one vehicle headlamp 1 will be described below, and the operation of the other vehicle headlamp 1 will be omitted.

[0055] Figure 4 : is a control flow chart of the control unit CO in this embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the control process includes steps SP11 to SP17. Figure 4 In the starting state shown, a signal is input from the object detection device 140 to the control unit CO.

[0056] (Step SP11)

[0057] In this step, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP12 when no signal is input from the light switch 110, and advances the control flow to step SP13 when the signal is input.

[0058] (Step SP12)

[0059] In this step, the light distribution control unit 40 in the control unit CO controls the power supply circuit 50 to prevent the light from the lamp unit 10 from being emitted. As a result, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not emit light. Then, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0060] (Step SP13)

[0061] In this step, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP14 when a signal related to emission of low beam is input from the light switch 110. In addition, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP15 when a signal related to emission of high beam is input from the light switch 110.

[0062] (Step SP14)

[0063] In this step, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the vehicle headlamp 1 emits a low beam. Specifically, the image generation unit 20 reads the low beam image stored in the memory ME, and the light distribution control unit 40 controls the power circuit 50 based on the information of the low beam image to supply power to each light emitting element 13 of the light source unit 12. With the supply of this power, light is emitted from a part of the light emitting elements 13 when emitting the low beam, and the light source unit 12 emits light based on the low beam image, and light having a low beam light distribution pattern is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this way, the low beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. When the low beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0064] (Step SP15)

[0065] In this step, when a signal indicating that a specified object does not exist is input from the object detection device 140, the control unit CO causes the control process to enter step SP16, and when a signal indicating information related to the specified object is input from the object detection device 140, the control process enters step SP17.

[0066] (Step SP16)

[0067] In this step, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the vehicle headlamp 1 emits a high beam. Specifically, the image generation unit 20 reads the high beam image stored in the memory ME, and the light distribution control unit 40 controls the power circuit 50 based on the information of the high beam image to supply power to each light emitting element 13 of the light source unit 12. With the supply of power, the light source unit 12 emits light based on the high beam image, and emits light having a high beam light distribution pattern from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this way, when the predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100, the high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1.

[0068] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a high beam light distribution pattern in this embodiment. Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , S represents a horizontal line, V represents a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a high beam light distribution pattern PH formed on an imaginary vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle 100 is represented by a bold line. Figure 5 As shown, the driving path OL of the oncoming vehicle is located on the right side of the driving path DL of the vehicle 100, and the vehicle 100 is set to travel on the left. In this embodiment, when emitting high beam, light is emitted from all the light emitting elements 13, and the shape of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is a substantially horizontally long rectangular shape. When the high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0069] (Step SP17)

[0070] In this step, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 becomes an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to a predetermined object. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the predetermined object is another vehicle.

[0071] Figure 6 is with Figure 5 Similarly, a diagram showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern in the present embodiment is a diagram showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern when a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle as predetermined objects are located in front of the vehicle 100. The ADB light distribution pattern P1 is a light distribution pattern that forms a first area and a blurred area in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH. That is, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 to form a first area and a blurred area in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH. Figure 6 In the embodiment, two first regions 51a and 51b and fuzzy regions 53a and 53b are formed with respect to the respective first regions 51a and 51b.

[0072] The first region 51a is a region in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH that overlaps with at least a portion of the leading vehicle 210 and is darker than when the leading vehicle 210 is not located in front of the host vehicle 100. In addition, the first region 51b is a region in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH that overlaps with at least a portion of the oncoming vehicle 220 and is darker than when the oncoming vehicle 220 is not located in front of the host vehicle 100. That is, the amount of light in the first regions 51a and 51b is less than the amount of light in the regions corresponding to the first regions 51a and 51b in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the amount of light irradiated from the host vehicle 100 to the leading vehicle 210 and the oncoming vehicle 220 is reduced, and the problem of glare to the drivers of the leading vehicle 210 and the oncoming vehicle 220 can be suppressed. It should be noted that the first regions 51a and 51b of the present embodiment are light-shielding regions that are not irradiated with light, but are not limited to this. Figure 6In the example shown, the first area 51a is a rectangle that overlaps the entirety of the preceding vehicle 210, and the first area 51b is a rectangle that overlaps the entirety of the oncoming vehicle 220. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220, the first areas 51a and 51b only need to overlap at least a portion of the visual confirmation portion used by the driver of the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220 to visually view the outside of the vehicle. It should be noted that the visual confirmation portion is, for example, a side mirror, a rear window, a camera that photographs the rear of the vehicle, etc. in the case of the preceding vehicle 210, and is, for example, a front window in the case of the oncoming vehicle 220. They generally tend to be arranged at a position above the license plate.

[0073] The blurred area 53a is a region along at least a portion of the edge of the first area 51a in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam, which is darker than the case where the preceding vehicle 210 is not located in front of the host vehicle 100 and brighter than the first area 51a. The blurred area 53b is a region along at least a portion of the edge of the first area 51b in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam, which is darker than the case where the oncoming vehicle 220 is not located in front of the host vehicle 100 and brighter than the first area 51b. That is, the light amount of the blurred areas 53a and 53b is less than the light amount of the area corresponding to the blurred areas 53a and 53b in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam. The blurred areas 53a and 53b of this embodiment include: a pair of side blurred areas 53ra, 53la, 53rb, and 53lb along the left and right edges of the first areas 51a and 51b, respectively; an upper blurred area 53ua and 53ub along the upper edge of the first areas 51a and 51b; and a lower blurred area 53da and 53db along the lower edge of the first areas 51a and 51b.

[0074] exist Figure 6 , an example of blur regions 53a and 53b surrounding the entire circumference of first regions 51a and 51b is shown in FIG. 1 . However, blur regions 53a and 53b only need to include a pair of side blur regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, and 53lb. In addition, side blur regions 53ra and 53la only need to be along at least a portion of the left and right edges of first region 51a, and side blur regions 53rb and 53lb only need to be along at least a portion of the left and right edges of first region 51b.

[0075] In addition, in the present embodiment, the widths wra and wla of the side blur regions 53ra and 53la in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the side blur regions 53ra and 53la along the edge of the first region 51a are constant in the direction of the side blur regions 53ra and 53la along the edge of the first region 51a. In addition, the widths wrb and wlb of the side blur regions 53rb and 53lb in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the side blur regions 53rb and 53lb along the edge of the first region 51b are constant in the direction of the side blur regions 53rb and 53lb along the edge of the first region 51a. It should be noted that these widths are hereinafter referred to as the widths of the side blur regions.

[0076] The widths wra, wla, wrb, wlb of the side blur regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, 53lb vary according to the left-right positions of the side blur regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, 53lb. Specifically, the width of the side blur regions in the central area CA, which is located at a distance less than a predetermined distance D from a vertical line V passing through the left-right center of the vehicle 100, is narrower than the width of the side blur regions in the outer area OA, which is located at a distance greater than the predetermined distance D.

[0077] Figure 7 : is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the vertical line V and the width of the side blur region in this embodiment. Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the width of the side blur region located in the central area CA is a fixed first prescribed width, and the width of the side blur region located in the outer area OA is a fixed second prescribed width wider than the first prescribed width. Figure 6 , the boundary lines BR and BL are shown, indicating the position at a predetermined distance D from the vertical line V. The boundary lines BR and BL are imaginary lines drawn on an imaginary vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle 100. The predetermined distance D in this embodiment is set as the distance between the driving path DL of the vehicle 100 and the boundary lines BR and BL, for example, about 1.8 m, and the angles formed by the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 and the directions from the vehicle 100 toward the boundary lines BR and BL are, for example, about 4°. Moreover, Figure 6 In the example shown, the side blur regions 53ra and 53la are located in the central area CA, and the side blur regions 53rb and 53lb are located in the outer area OA. Therefore, the widths wra and wla are the first specified widths, the widths wrb and wlb are the second specified widths, and the widths wra and wla are narrower than the widths wrb and wlb. It should be noted that at least a portion of the side blur regions located in the central area CA are located in the central area CA.

[0078] Figure 8 Yes means Figure 6 The diagram of the brightness distribution of a part of the ADB light distribution pattern P1 shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the brightness distribution on a horizontal line crossing the side blur regions 53ra, 53la and the first region 51a in the left-right direction. Figure 8 As shown, the brightness of the side blurred areas 53ra and 53la is higher than that of the first area 51a, and increases from the first area 51a side toward the side opposite to the first area 51a. Therefore, the left and right edges of the first area 51a become inconspicuous and difficult to be visually confirmed by the driver. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the driver from feeling uncomfortable with the changes in brightness of the first area 51a and the surrounding area 51a. In this embodiment, except for the end of the first area 51a and the end on the opposite side of the first area 51a in the side blurred areas 53ra and 53la, the brightness gradient of the side blurred areas 53ra and 53la is constant. The width of the range of the constant brightness gradient is preferably more than 1 / 2 of the width wra and wla of the side blurred areas 53ra and 53la. In addition, the brightness gradient at the end of the first area 51a in the side blurred areas 53ra and 53la increases as it moves away from the first area 51a, and the brightness gradient at the end on the opposite side of the first area 51a in the side blurred areas 53ra and 53la decreases as it moves away from the first area 51a.

[0079] Fig. 9 Yes means Figure 6 The diagram of the brightness distribution of another part of the ADB light distribution pattern P1 shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the brightness distribution on a horizontal line crossing the side blur regions 53rb, 53lb and the first region 51b in the left-right direction. Fig. 9 As shown, the brightness of the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb is higher than that of the first region 51b, and increases from the first region 51b side to the side opposite to the first region 51b. Therefore, similarly to the first region 51a, it is possible to suppress the driver from feeling uncomfortable with the change in brightness of the first region 51b and the surroundings of the first region 51b. In the present embodiment, similarly to the side blurred regions 53ra and 53la, the brightness gradient of the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb is constant except for the end of the first region 51b and the end on the opposite side of the first region 51b in the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb. The width of the range in which the brightness gradient is constant is preferably greater than 1 / 2 of the width wrb and wlb of the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb. In addition, the brightness gradient at the end of the first region 51b in the side blurred region 53rb, 53lb increases as it moves away from the first region 51b, and the brightness gradient at the end of the side blurred region 53rb, 53lb on the opposite side to the first region 51b decreases as it moves away from the first region 51b.

[0080] It should be noted that the brightness of the side blurred regions 53ra and 53la is higher than the brightness of the first region 51a, and it can be increased from the first region 51a side toward the opposite side of the first region 51a, and the brightness of the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb is higher than the brightness of the first region 51b, and it can be increased from the first region 51b side toward the opposite side of the first region 51b. For example, the brightness gradient in the entire side blurred regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, and 53lb may be constant. In addition, the brightness gradient of the side blurred regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, and 53lb may increase from the first regions 51a and 51b side toward the opposite side of the first regions 51a and 51b, and then decrease from the first regions 51a and 51b side toward the opposite side of the first regions 51a and 51b.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the width of the upper blur regions 53ua, 53ub in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the upper blur regions 53ua, 53ub along the edge of the first regions 51a, 51b is constant in the direction of the upper blur regions 53ua, 53ub along the edge of the first regions 51a, 51b. In addition, the width of the lower blur regions 53da, 53db in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the lower blur regions 53da, 53db along the edge of the first regions 51a, 51b is constant in the direction of the lower blur regions 53da, 53db along the edge of the first regions 51a, 51b. Hereinafter, these widths are referred to as the width of the upper blur region or the width of the lower blur region. In the present embodiment, the widths of the upper blur regions 53ua, 53ub and the lower blur regions 53da, 53db are the same prescribed widths as each other, which are the same as the aforementioned first prescribed widths.

[0082] In addition, although the illustration is omitted, the brightness of the upper blurred regions 53ua, 53ub is higher than the brightness of the first regions 51a, 51b, and increases from the first regions 51a, 51b side to the opposite side of the first regions 51a, 51b. In addition, the brightness of the lower blurred regions 53da, 53db is higher than the brightness of the first regions 51a, 51b, and increases from the first regions 51a, 51b side to the opposite side of the first regions 51a, 51b. In this embodiment, similarly to the side blurred regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, 53lb, the brightness gradient of the upper blurred regions 53ua, 53ub and the lower blurred regions 53da, 53db is constant except for the ends of the first regions 51a, 51b and the ends on the opposite side of the first regions 51a, 51b in the upper blurred regions 53ua, 53ub and the lower blurred regions 53da, 53db. In addition, the brightness gradient at the ends of the first areas 51a and 51b in the upper blurred areas 53ua and 53ub and the lower blurred areas 53da and 53db increases as the distance from the first areas 51a and 51b increases. In addition, the brightness gradient at the ends of the upper blurred areas 53ua and 53ub and the lower blurred areas 53da and 53db on the opposite side to the first areas 51a and 51b decreases as the distance from the first areas 51a and 51b decreases. It should be noted that the brightness gradient of the upper blurred areas 53ua and 53ub and the lower blurred areas 53da and 53db is not limited, and for example, the brightness gradient may be constant in the whole.

[0083] In the control of the light of the ADB light distribution pattern P1, in the present embodiment, first, the image generation unit 20 reads the high beam image stored in the memory ME. Next, the image generation unit 20 processes the high beam image based on the information related to the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220 as the predetermined object input from the object detection device 140, and generates the ADB light distribution image representing the above-mentioned ADB light distribution pattern P1. The image generation unit 20 processes the high beam image as follows: the area corresponding to the above-mentioned first area 51a, 51b in the high beam image becomes the first area 51a, 51b, and the area corresponding to the blurred area 53a, 53b becomes the blurred area 53a, 53b. The image generation unit 20 processes the high beam image in this way to generate the ADB light distribution image. Next, the light distribution control unit 40 controls the power supply circuit 50 based on the information of the generated ADB light distribution image, and emits the light based on the ADB light distribution image from the light source unit 12. As a result, the light of the ADB light distribution pattern P1 is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. Then, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0084] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, when the emission of high beam is selected by the light switch 110 , the light distribution pattern of light emitted in response to the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220 as a predetermined object changes.

[0085] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit CO forms the first regions 51a and 51b and the side obscured regions 53ra, 53la, 53rb, and 53lb in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam. Figure 6 As shown, the first region 51a is a region in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH that overlaps with at least a portion of the preceding vehicle 210 as a prescribed object and where the light amount is reduced, and the first region 51b is a region in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH that overlaps with at least a portion of the oncoming vehicle 220 as a prescribed object and where the light amount is reduced. The side blur region 53ra is a region along at least a portion of the right edge of the first region 51a and where the light amount is reduced, and the side blur region 53la is a region along at least a portion of the left edge of the first region 51a and where the light amount is reduced. The side blur region 53rb is a region along at least a portion of the right edge of the first region 51b and where the light amount is reduced, and the side blur region 53lb is a region along at least a portion of the left edge of the first region 51b and where the light amount is reduced. As shown Figure 8 As shown, the brightness of the side blurred regions 53ra and 53la is higher than that of the first region 51a, and increases from the side of the first region 51a to the side opposite to the first region 51a, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, the brightness of the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb is higher than the brightness of the first region 51b, and increases from the side of the first region 51b to the side opposite to the first region 51b.

[0086] The side blur area located in the central area CA where the distance from the vertical line V passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction is less than the predetermined distance D is set for a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100, such as a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle far from the vehicle, a person located on a sidewalk far from the vehicle, etc. Since the angle formed by the direction from the vehicle 100 to such a predetermined object and the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 is small, the predetermined object is difficult to move in the left-right direction in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle 100. In addition, the side blur area located in the outer area where the distance is greater than the predetermined distance D is set for a predetermined object located at a position offset in the left-right direction from the front of the vehicle 100, such as an oncoming vehicle close to the vehicle, a person located on a sidewalk close to the vehicle, etc. Since the angle formed by the direction from the vehicle 100 to such a predetermined object and the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 is large, the predetermined object is easy to move in the left-right direction in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle 100. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the widths wra and wla of the side blurring regions 53ra and 53la located in the central area CA are narrower than the widths wra and wla of the side blurring regions 53rb and 53lb located in the outer area OA. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the widths wra and wla of the side blurring regions 53ra and 53la set for the predetermined object that is difficult to move in the left-right direction, i.e., the preceding vehicle 210, can be narrower than the widths wrb and wlb of the side blurring regions 53rb and 53lb set for the predetermined object that is easy to move in the left-right direction, i.e., the oncoming vehicle 220 approaching the vehicle 100. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220, compared with a case where the width of the side blurring regions does not change according to the left-right position of the side blurring regions. Furthermore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the widths wra and wla of the side blur regions 53ra and 53la located in the central area CA can be narrowed compared to the above case, thereby improving the visibility of the front central area CA.

[0087] In addition, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the width of the side blurring area located in the central area CA is constant. In addition, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the width of the side blurring area located in the outer area OA is constant. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the control load of the control unit CO can be reduced.

[0088] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the first area 51a overlaps with at least a portion of the preceding vehicle 210 as a prescribed object, and the first area 51b overlaps with at least a portion of the oncoming vehicle 220 as a prescribed object. However, for example, in the case where the first area overlaps with at least a portion of a person as a prescribed object, the amount of light irradiated to the person can be reduced, and glare to the person can be suppressed. In this case, it is preferred that the first area overlaps only with the head of the person. In addition, as with the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220, compared with the case where the width of the side blur region does not change according to the position of the side blur region in the left-right direction, glare to the person can be suppressed, and the visual recognition of the central area CA in front can be improved. In addition, in the case where the first area overlaps with at least a portion of a retro-reflective object as a prescribed object, the amount of light irradiated to the retro-reflective object is reduced. Therefore, the amount of reflected light reflected by the retro-reflective object toward the vehicle 100 is reduced, and the glare caused by the reflected light to the driver of the vehicle 100 can be suppressed. In addition, similar to the preceding vehicle 210 or the oncoming vehicle 220, compared to a case where the width of the side blur area does not change depending on the left-right position of the side blur area, it is possible to suppress glare to the driver of the vehicle 100 and improve the visual recognizability of the front central area CA.

[0089] As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described by taking the above-mentioned embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0090] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example is described in which the first areas 51a, 51b and the side blurred areas 53ra, 53la, 53rb, 53lb are formed in the light distribution pattern of the high beam. However, the light distribution pattern forming the first areas 51a, 51b and the side blurred areas 53ra, 53la, 53rb, 53lb is not limited. For example, these areas may also be formed in an additional light distribution pattern that forms the light distribution pattern of the high beam by adding to the light distribution pattern of the low beam. In this case, for example, the low beam is emitted from a lamp unit different from the lamp unit 10, and the lamp unit 10 emits light with the additional light distribution pattern.

[0091] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the light source unit 12 having a plurality of light-emitting elements 13 capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted is described as an example. However, the light source unit 12 is not limited. For example, the light source unit 12 may also have a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) including a plurality of reflective elements arranged in a matrix and a light-emitting unit that irradiates light to the DMD. The DMD is capable of adjusting the amount of light emitted from the reflective surface of each reflective element in a prescribed direction, and can make the light emitted from each reflective element in a prescribed direction become light based on an image generated by the image generating unit 20. In this case, it can be understood that it corresponds to a light emitting unit capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted from the reflective surface of each reflective element.

[0092] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit CO having the image generating unit 20 and controlling the lamp unit 10 based on the ADB image generated by the image generating unit 20 is described as an example. However, the control unit CO may not have the image generating unit 20. In this case, for example, information related to the ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to a predetermined object may be pre-stored in the memory ME, and the control unit CO may control the lamp unit 10 based on the information.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the widths wra and wla of the side blurred regions 53ra and 53la located in the central area CA are the first prescribed widths, and the widths wrb and wlb of the side blurred regions 53rb and 53lb located in the outer area OA are the second prescribed widths wider than the first prescribed widths. However, the width of the side blurred regions located in the central area CA may be narrower than the width of the side blurred regions located in the outer area OA.

[0094] For example, Fig.10 As shown, the width of the side blur area located in the outer area OA may also be wider as the distance is longer. Fig.10 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the plumb line V and the width of the side blurred area in a modified example. The longer the distance from the prescribed object to the plumb line V is, the easier it is for the prescribed object located in front of the vehicle 100 to move in the left-right direction. Therefore, by setting such a structure, compared with the case where the width of the side blurred area located in the outer area OA is constant, it is possible to improve the visual recognition of the outer area OA in front while suppressing the glare. It should be noted that in this modified example, the width of the side blurred area is continuously widened, but it can also be widened in stages.

[0095] In addition, if Fig.10As shown, the shorter the above distance is, the narrower the width of the side blur region located in the central area CA can be. The shorter the distance from the specified object to the plumb line V is, the more difficult it is for the specified object located in front of the vehicle 100 to move in the left-right direction. Therefore, by setting such a structure, compared with the case where the width of the side blur region located in the central area CA is constant, it is possible to improve the visual recognizability of the central area CA in front while suppressing glare. It should be noted that in this modification, the width of the side blur region is continuously narrowed, but it can also be narrowed in stages. In addition, the rate of change of the width of the side blur region with respect to the above distance can be the same or different in the side blur region located in the central area CA and the side blur region located in the outer area OA.

[0096] Alternatively, the width of the side blurred area in the outer area OA may be constant, and the shorter the distance is, the narrower the width of the side blurred area in the central area CA is. Alternatively, the width of the side blurred area in the outer area OA may be wider as the distance is longer, and the width of the side blurred area in the central area CA may be constant.

[0097] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the width of the side blur area located in the central area CA may also be zero. Fig.11 : is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the plumb line V and the width of the side blur region in another modified example. That is, when the distance from the plumb line V to the left and right edges of the first region is less than the specified distance D, the side blur region along the edge may not be formed, and when the distance from the plumb line V to the left and right edges of the first region is greater than the specified distance D, the side blur region along the edge may be formed. In addition, the width of the side blur region may not be constant in the direction of the side blur region along the edge of the first region.

[0098] In addition, the prescribed distance D is not limited. For example, the prescribed distance D may also be the distance from the plumb line V to the center line CL that divides the driving path DL of the host vehicle 100 and the driving path OL of the oncoming vehicle 220. It should be noted that the distance from the plumb line V to the center line CL is a distance on an imaginary vertical screen disposed 25 m in front. By setting such a structure, for example, the width of the side blur area set for the leading vehicle 210 can be more reliably narrower than the width of the side blur area set for the oncoming vehicle 220 approaching the host vehicle 100. In this case, for example, the object detection device 140 is configured to be able to detect the center line CL, and the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 based on information related to the object and information related to the center line CL.

[0099] In addition, the prescribed distance D may also vary according to the speed of the vehicle 100. For example, the prescribed distance D when the speed of the vehicle 100 is less than the prescribed speed may be shorter than the prescribed distance D when the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than the prescribed speed. Generally speaking, when the speed of the vehicle 100 is fast, the prescribed object is easy to move in the left and right directions in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle. Therefore, by operating as described above, the problem of imparting glare can be more appropriately suppressed. It should be noted that the slower the speed, the shorter the prescribed distance D when the speed of the vehicle 100 is less than the prescribed speed, or it may be constant. In addition, the faster the speed, the longer the prescribed distance D when the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than the prescribed speed, or it may be constant.

[0100] In addition, the prescribed distance D relative to the side blur region located on one side based on the vertical line V may be different from the prescribed distance D relative to the side blur region located on the other side based on the vertical line V. For example, the prescribed distance D relative to the side blur region located on the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle based on the vertical line V may be longer than the prescribed distance D relative to the side blur region located on the opposite side of the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle based on the vertical line V. The side blur region located on the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle is provided, for example, for the oncoming vehicle, and the side blur region located on the opposite side of the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle is provided, for example, for people located on the sidewalk. Moreover, the relative speed of the prescribed object located on the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle with respect to the vehicle tends to be faster than the relative speed of the prescribed object located on the opposite side of the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle with respect to the vehicle. Therefore, the prescribed object located on the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle tends to move in the left-right direction more easily in the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle than the prescribed object located on the opposite side of the driving road side of the oncoming vehicle. Therefore, by operating as described above, it is possible to more appropriately suppress the problem of imparting glare.

[0101] In addition, the prescribed distance D may also vary depending on whether the driving path DL of the vehicle 100 is a straight path or a curve. For example, the prescribed distance D when the vehicle 100 is driving on a curve may be greater than the prescribed distance D when the vehicle 100 is driving on a straight path. In addition, the smaller the radius of curvature of the curve, the larger the prescribed distance D. In the case where the prescribed distance D varies depending on whether the driving path DL of the vehicle 100 is a straight path or a curve, for example, the object detection device 140 is configured to be able to detect the radius of curvature of the driving path DL, and the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 based on information related to the object and information related to the radius of curvature of the driving path DL. When the radius of curvature is 400m, the prescribed distance D is, for example, about 3.4m, when the radius of curvature is 200m, the prescribed distance D is, for example, about 4.9m, and when the radius of curvature is 100m, the prescribed distance D is, for example, about 8.2m. In addition, the angles formed by the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 when the radius of curvature is 400m and the directions from the vehicle 100 toward the boundary lines BR and BL may be set to, for example, about 8°, the angles formed when the radius of curvature is 200m may be set to, for example, about 11°, and the angles formed when the radius of curvature is 100m may be set to, for example, about 18°. In addition, the prescribed distance D when the vehicle 100 is traveling on a curve may be smaller than the prescribed distance D when the vehicle 100 is traveling on a straight path. In addition, the larger the radius of curvature of the curve, the smaller the prescribed distance D. In addition, the prescribed distance D relative to a prescribed object located on the side of the direction of the curve in which the vehicle 100 is traveling based on the plumb line V may be shorter or longer than the prescribed distance D relative to a prescribed object located on the opposite side of the direction of the curve.

[0102] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the vehicle 100 including a pair of vehicle headlamps 1 having a control unit CO and a memory ME is described as an example. However, at least one of the control unit CO and the memory ME may be shared by the pair of vehicle headlamps 1. In addition, the signal output from the object detection device 140 may be input to the control unit CO without passing through the ECU 130. In addition, the vehicle including the vehicle headlamps 1, the number of vehicle headlamps 1 included in the vehicle, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0103] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlamp capable of improving forward visibility while suppressing glare, and the headlamp can be used in the fields of automobiles and the like.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: have: A lamp unit capable of changing a light distribution pattern of emitted light; a control unit that receives a signal from an object detection device that detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle and controls the lamp unit; The control unit forms, in the light distribution pattern, a first region overlapping at least a portion of the predetermined object and having a reduced light amount, and side blurred regions along at least a portion of left and right edges of the first region and having a reduced light amount. The brightness of the side blurred area is higher than the brightness of the first area, and increases from the first area side toward the side opposite to the first area. The width of the side blur region in the central area where the distance from the vertical line passing through the left-right center of the vehicle is less than a specified distance is narrower than the width of the side blur region in the outer area where the distance is greater than the specified distance.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the side blur region located in the central region is constant.

3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the side blur region located in the central region is zero.

4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shorter the distance is, the narrower the width of the side blur region located in the central region is.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the side blur region located in the outer region is constant.

6. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The longer the distance is, the wider the width of the side blur region located in the outer region is.

7. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The predetermined distance is the distance from the vertical line to a center line dividing the travel path of the host vehicle and the travel path of the oncoming vehicle.

Images