Vehicle headlamp control device, vehicle headlamp control method, and vehicle headlamp system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to improve forward visibility during ADB control. A vehicle headlight control device for controlling the operation of a vehicle headlight sets a dimming range within an irradiation range of high beam in accordance with the position of an object in front of the vehicle, and if the high beam and low beam are instructed to be turned on, sets the dimming range within the irradiation range of the high beam and the low beam, and controls the operation of the vehicle headlight in accordance with the dimming range. The light intensity of a partial range set in at least an opposite lane side region in front of the vehicle is set as a first light intensity, and the light intensity of the partial range is set as a second light intensity lower than the first light intensity when the lighting of the high beam is not instructed and the lighting of the low beam is instructed. Wherein the partial range is set between an imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle and a predetermined position below the imaginary reference line, and the light intensity of the partial range is set on the basis of the setting result of the light reduction range and the setting result of the light intensity of the partial range. And a control unit that generates a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle headlamp, a control method for a vehicle headlamp, and a vehicle headlamp system. Background Art

[0002] As a control technology for vehicle headlights, there is known a variable light distribution control that selectively dims (or turns off) the high beam within the range where these objects exist in order to prevent glare to the vehicle ahead, oncoming vehicles, or pedestrians. Such variable light distribution control is also called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) control. Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2022-70295 (Patent Document 1) describes a control device for vehicle lights, which includes: a headlamp having a lamp unit capable of changing the light distribution pattern of the irradiated light and its irradiation optical axis; and a control unit that controls the lamp unit based on the position information of the object detected by the camera, the control unit having: an object detection unit that detects a dark area generated when the object is irradiated with light by the lamp unit; and a lamp control unit that selectively or uniformly controls the light distribution pattern and the irradiation optical axis of the lamp unit based on the detected dark area.

[0003] However, when the ADB control is used, especially when the dimming is performed according to the object on the opposite lane side, the irradiation light near the dimming range is reduced, so that the visual recognition of the front may be reduced. This is considered to be because, in general low beam, the upper end of the low beam is relatively set lower on the opposite lane side compared to the own lane side, so the irradiation intensity of the low beam near the dimming range becomes lower.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-70295 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] One of the purposes of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to improve forward visibility during ADB control.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] [1] A control device for a vehicle headlamp according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, (a) for controlling the operation of a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern, (b) based on a detection result of an object in front of the vehicle, when the object is present, setting a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object within the irradiation range of the high beam, (c) when lighting of the high beam and the low beam is indicated, setting the luminosity of a partial range set in front of the vehicle at least in an area on the opposite lane side with respect to the vehicle as a first luminosity, and when lighting of the high beam is not indicated but lighting of the low beam is indicated, setting the luminosity of the partial range to a second luminosity lower than the first luminosity, wherein the partial range is set in front of the vehicle from an imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction to a predetermined position below the imaginary reference line, and d) based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity of the partial range, generating a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp and outputting it to the vehicle headlamp.

[0011] [2] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a vehicle headlamp in one embodiment, (a) for controlling the operation of a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern, (b) a controller sets a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object within the irradiation range of the high beam based on a detection result of an object in front of the vehicle, if the object exists, and (c) the controller sets a dimming range in front of the vehicle at least in an area on the opposite lane side based on the vehicle when the controller instructs lighting of the high beam and the low beam. The luminosity of a certain partial range is set to a first luminosity, and when the lighting of the high beam is not indicated but the lighting of the low beam is indicated, the luminosity of the partial range is set to a second luminosity lower than the first luminosity, wherein the partial range is set between an imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle in front of the vehicle and a specified position below the imaginary reference line, and (d) the controller generates a control signal for actuating the vehicle lamp based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity of the partial range and outputs it to the vehicle headlamp.

[0012] [3] A vehicle headlamp system according to one embodiment includes the control device of [1], a headlamp controlled by the control device, and a sensor for detecting the object.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve forward visibility during ADB control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1(A) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. Figure 1 (B) is a schematic front view of the headlight.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of a computer system.

[0016] Figure 3 (A) is a diagram for explaining a low beam, a high beam, and a partial range of a low beam. Figure 3 (B) is from Figure 3 (A) is a diagram showing a partial range of low beam and low beam, Figure 3 (C) is from Figure 3 (A) Extraction of high beam is shown in FIG.

[0017] Figure 4 (A) is a diagram for explaining a control method for a partial range of light irradiation overlapping with a low beam. Figure 4 (B) is Figure 4 Partially enlarged view of (A).

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of a controller in a vehicle headlamp system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1 (A) is a block diagram showing the structure of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. The vehicle headlamp system according to the embodiment includes a controller 1, an object detection sensor 2, and a pair of headlamps 3L and 3R. In the embodiment, the controller 1 corresponds to a "control device", and a method of controlling each headlamp 3L and 3R by the controller 1 corresponds to a "control method".

[0020] The controller 1 is connected to the object detection sensor 2 and the headlights 3L and 3R, and controls the light irradiation of the headlights 3L and 3R according to the detection result of the object by the vehicle detection sensor 2. The controller 1 can be, for example, a computer system having a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device such as a flash memory, an input and output interface, etc. (see the following description). Figure 2 The controller 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of performing a predetermined function by having a processor read out and execute a program pre-stored in a storage device (or ROM).

[0021] The object detection sensor 2 detects objects such as the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle, pedestrians, bicycles, etc. and provides information such as the position, size, and category thereof to the controller 1. As the object detection sensor 2, for example, a sensor that detects the object by photographing the front of the vehicle with a camera and performing image analysis on the image data can be used. Alternatively, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) that detects the object by irradiating light such as near-infrared light to the object and detecting its reflected light with a light sensor can be used, or a millimeter-wave radar that detects the object by irradiating radio waves with a frequency of tens to hundreds of GHz to the object and detecting its reflected wave can be used.

[0022] The headlights 3L and 3R are provided at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and are operated based on control signals provided from the controller 1 to irradiate light in front of the vehicle. Each of the headlights 3L and 3R includes a first unit 31 and a second unit 32. Figure 1 As shown in the schematic front view of the headlamp 3L in (B), the first unit 31 and the second unit 32 are separately provided and are provided in the housing. The headlamp 3R is symmetrical with the headlamp 3L, so the illustration is omitted. Alternatively, the first unit 31 and the second unit 32 may be formed as one body.

[0023] The first unit 31 forms a low beam which is mainly used to illuminate the front area relatively close to the vehicle and a high beam which is mainly used to illuminate the front area relatively far from the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned variable light distribution control (ADB control) is performed for the illumination of the high beam. Specifically, for example, within the entire irradiable range of the high beam, the range where there are vehicles in front and oncoming vehicles is used as the dimming range, and the range other than this is used as the irradiation range to perform the illumination of the high beam. In addition, the concept of "dimming" in the present embodiment includes, in addition to the case where the luminance is set to be relatively lower than that of the normal high beam, the case where the luminance is set to 0 is also included.

[0024] As the first unit 31 capable of irradiating a high beam based on a variable light distribution pattern such as the one described above, for example, a unit having a plurality of light emitting diodes (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged in two directions and capable of individually controlling the lighting and extinguishing of each light emitting diode can be used. In addition, as the first unit 31, a unit having a structure in which a light source bulb is combined with a reflector and a shielding plate can be used, or a unit having a structure in which a liquid crystal element capable of individually controlling the light transmission state of each pixel is combined with a light source can be used, or a unit such as a laser diode that can control the timing of lighting and extinguishing of a semiconductor laser and the scanning timing of a scanning element can be used. Furthermore, a unit having a structure in which a plurality of lamps each capable of irradiating a different fixed light distribution are combined can be used.

[0025] The second unit 32 emits light for irradiating a partial range, and the partial range is set to overlap at least a part of the irradiation range of the low beam irradiated by the first unit 31. The specific position of the partial range will be described later. As the second unit 32, for example, a unit having a plurality of light emitting diodes that can be individually controlled to light up and extinguish can be used.

[0026] Functions implemented by the controller 1 executing the program will be described using functional blocks. The controller 1 includes a light distribution pattern setting unit 11 , a light enhancement setting unit 12 , and a control signal generating unit 13 .

[0027] The light distribution pattern setting unit 11 variably sets the light distribution pattern within the entire irradiable range of the high beam based on the detection result of the object detection sensor 2, and outputs the setting content to the control signal generating unit 13. The irradiation pattern includes a light irradiation range and a dimming range. As described above, for example, a predetermined range including the position of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle is set as the dimming range, and the range other than this is set as the light irradiation range.

[0028] The light-increasing setting unit 12 sets whether light-increasing is required for a partial range (an area irradiated by the second unit 32) that overlaps at least a part of the irradiation range of the low beam. Specifically, the light-increasing setting unit 12 sets the intention of increasing the light of the partial range when the low beam is irradiated and the high beam is also irradiated (including during ADB control). In addition, the light-increasing setting unit 12 sets the intention of dimming or extinguishing the light of the partial range when the low beam is irradiated and the high beam is not irradiated (including during ADB control).

[0029] The control signal generator 13 generates a control signal for realizing the irradiation pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 11, and outputs the control signal to the first unit 31. In addition, the control signal generator 13 generates a control signal corresponding to whether the brightness enhancement is required or not set by the brightness enhancement setting unit 12, and outputs the control signal to the second unit 32.

[0030] Figure 2: is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a computer system. The controller 10 described above can be constructed using, for example, a computer system such as that shown in the figure. The CPU (central processing unit) 201 performs information processing by reading and executing a program 207 stored in a storage device 204. The ROM (read-only memory) 202 stores basic control programs required for the operation of the CPU 201, etc. The RAM (temporary memory) 203 temporarily stores data required for information processing by the CPU 201. The storage device 204 is a large-capacity storage device for storing data, and is composed of a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, etc. The communication device 205 performs processing related to data communication with other external devices. The input / output unit 206 is an interface for realizing connection with external devices. The CPU 201 and the like are connected to each other through a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0031] Figure 3 (A) is a diagram for explaining the partial range of low beam, high beam, and low beam. Figure 3 In (A), in order to facilitate understanding of the positional relationship between the low beam and the high beam, the high beam is represented by a dotted line. Figure 3 (B) is from Figure 3 (A) is a diagram showing a partial range of low beam and low beam, Figure 3 (C) is from Figure 3 (A) is a diagram showing the extraction of high beam. In each figure, the main irradiation range of low beam, etc. is shown on an imaginary screen in the vertical direction at a specified position in front of the vehicle (for example, a position of 25m). In the figure, the H line represented by a straight line extending in the horizontal direction represents the reference line in the horizontal direction (i.e., the imaginary reference line in the vehicle width direction), and the V line represented by a straight line extending in the longitudinal direction represents the reference line in the vertical direction (i.e., the imaginary reference line in the vehicle height direction). In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the irradiation range of low beam, etc. is when the traffic regulations stipulate the so-called "right-hand traffic", but when the traffic regulations stipulate the so-called "left-hand traffic", the irradiation range becomes reversed left and right.

[0032] The low beam LB is formed as a whole in a wide area below the H line, wherein the upper end of the portion on the right side of the V line in the figure is roughly connected to the H line, and the upper end on the left side of the V line in the figure is arranged in a roughly straight line below the H line, and the upper right side and the upper left side of the upper end obliquely intersect with the V line. In this embodiment, the left side area of ​​the V line in the figure corresponds to the area on the opposite lane side, and the right side area of ​​the V line corresponds to the area on the own lane side. As shown in the figure, for the low beam LB, the upper end of the low beam is set to be lower on the opposite lane side than on the own lane side. In detail, the upper end position of the low beam LB on the opposite lane side is set to a position lower than the H line, and the upper end position on the own lane side is set to be roughly consistent with the H line. That is, the upper end position on the opposite lane side is set to be lower than the upper end position on the own lane side. In addition, the "upper end position" mentioned here refers to the upper end of the range of the illumination range of the low beam whose light intensity is a predetermined reference (for example, 2500 [cd]) or more.

[0033] The partial range SG partially overlapping with the low beam LB is set to a portion of a specified width from a position close to the V line to a position away from the V line in at least the left area in the figure (the area on the opposite lane side) in each area adjacent to the V line. In addition, the partial range SG is set to a portion of a specified height d from the H line to the bottom of the H line. The height d is, for example, preferably set to an angle within a range of 3° from the H line downward with respect to the vehicle, and more preferably within a range of 1° to 2°. In addition, the end of the range of the partial range SG mentioned here refers to the end of the range where the luminous intensity is above a specified reference (for example, 2500 [cd]).

[0034] The high beam HB is formed broadly above the H line and over the V line. Specifically, the high beam HB is formed such that its lower end extends to a position slightly below the H line, and the lower end partially overlaps with the upper end of the low beam LB. Figure 3 The dimming range can be variably set at least in the width direction (the direction parallel to the H line) within the entire irradiable range shown by the dotted line in (A). In addition, it can also be configured so that the dimming range can be variably set in the up and down direction (the direction parallel to the V line) in addition to the width direction. In addition, the end of the range of the high beam HB mentioned here refers to the end of the range where the luminosity is above a specified reference (for example, 2500 [cd]).

[0035] Figure 4 (A) is a diagram for explaining a control method for a partial range of light irradiation overlapping with a low beam. Figure 4 (B) is Figure 4Partially enlarged view of (A). In the present embodiment, the high beam HB is irradiated by using a light distribution pattern in which a dimming range is set according to the position of the preceding vehicle, the oncoming vehicle, etc. by the light distribution pattern setting unit 11. Thus, as shown in the figure, a dimming range NB corresponding to the position of the oncoming vehicle, etc. is set within the irradiable range of the high beam HB. As described above, the dimming range NB is a range that is dimmed compared to the irradiation range of the high beam HB.

[0036] When such ADB control is executed, or when high beam is irradiated even when ADB control is not executed, the light increase setting unit 12 is set to increase the light irradiated by the second unit 32 to the partial range SG. In addition, when low beam is irradiated without irradiating high beam (including during ADB control), the light increase setting unit 12 is set to dim or turn off the light irradiated by the second unit 32 to the partial range SG.

[0037] At this time, the luminosity at the boundary portion EG of the high beam HB adjacent to the dimming range NB is reduced. This is because, in reality, it is difficult to sharply reduce the luminosity of the end of the high beam HB at the boundary with the dimming range NB, and the light generated by the high beam HB is irradiated even in the dimming range NB. That is, if you want to obtain a dimming range HB with a clear boundary that suppresses the influence of such light, you need to set the luminosity setting value of the boundary portion EG to a lower value. In addition, one of the reasons is that, especially on the opposite lane side, the upper end position of the low beam LB is relatively low, so it is not possible to obtain much enhanced light generated by the low beam.

[0038] So, for example Figure 4 As shown in (B), the luminosity of the high beam HB at the position above the H line and overlapping the boundary portion EG (for example, the position indicated by the reference symbol P in the figure) is reduced, which may lead to a reduction in the visual recognition of the front. On the other hand, if, for example, the luminosity in the boundary portion EG of the high beam HB is increased to solve the problem, the luminosity in the dimming range NB also increases, making it difficult to obtain a clear dimming range NB. That is, obtaining a clear dimming range NB and improving the visual recognition in the boundary portion EG become a trade-off relationship.

[0039] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the second unit 32 is irradiated with light to a partial range SG which is set to overlap at least the left side area of ​​the V line (the area on the opposite lane side) with the upper end of the low beam LB and the gap between the H line and also overlap the low beam LB below it, as an example, it is possible to Figure 4 Intensified light is provided at a position such as the position P shown in (B). This can suppress the reduction in forward visibility that may occur above the H line on the opposite lane side due to the provision of the dimming range NB. That is, the forward visibility can be improved.

[0040] Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the controller in the vehicle headlamp system. In addition, as long as there is no contradiction or mismatch in the results of information processing, the processing sequence can be changed and other processing can be added, and such a method is not excluded.

[0041] When a light switch (not shown) of the vehicle is operated to indicate turning on the headlights (step S11; yes), to indicate turning on the high beams (step S12; yes), and an operation is performed to turn on the ADB control mode (step S13; yes), the light distribution pattern setting unit 11 of the controller 1 sets a light distribution pattern corresponding to the position of the front vehicle (the preceding vehicle, the oncoming vehicle) detected by the object detection sensor 2 (step S14).

[0042] When the ADB control mode is off (step S13; No), the light distribution pattern setting unit 11 does not set. In this case, the entire irradiable range of the high beam HB is illuminated. In addition, when the control of automatically switching the high beam on and off is performed, the judgment of the above step S13 becomes affirmative when the high beam is automatically turned on.

[0043] When the lighting of the high beam is instructed and / or the ADB control is implemented, the light-increasing setting unit 12 sets the partial range SG to the first light intensity corresponding to the light-increasing (step S15). On the other hand, when the lighting of the high beam is not instructed (step S12; No), the light-increasing setting unit 12 sets the partial range SG to the second light intensity corresponding to the light-dimming or light-off (step S16).

[0044] The control signal generating unit 13 generates control signals corresponding to the setting results of the light distribution pattern setting unit 11 and the light enhancement setting unit 12, and outputs them to the headlamps 3L and 3R (step S17). The headlamps 3L and 3R that receive the control signals and operate form low beam LB and high beam HB and illuminate the front of the vehicle. In addition, the brightness of the partial range SG increases or decreases. After that, the process returns to step S11.

[0045] If the light switch is not operated and the lighting of the headlights is not instructed (step S11; No), the determination of step S11 is repeated. The same applies if the light switch is operated and the lighting of the headlights is instructed and then the headlights are instructed to turn off.

[0046] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to improve the forward visibility (particularly the visibility on the opposite lane side) during the ADB control.

[0047] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various modifications within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the position and width (length in the direction of the H line) of the partial range SG are fixed, but it can also be variably set according to the position and width of the dimming range NB. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the partial range SG is set only in the area on one side of the V line (the area corresponding to the opposite lane side) sandwiched by the vehicle as a reference, but the partial area can also be set in the same way in the area on the other side of the V line (the area corresponding to the lane side).

[0048] The present disclosure has the following additional features.

[0049] (Note 1)

[0050] A control device for a vehicle headlamp is characterized in that it is used to control the operation of a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern.

[0051] According to the detection result of the object in front of the vehicle, when the object exists, a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object is set within the irradiation range of the high beam,

[0052] When the lighting of the high beam and the low beam is indicated, the light intensity of a partial range set in front of the vehicle at least in an area on the opposite lane side based on the vehicle is set to a first light intensity; when the lighting of the high beam is not indicated but the lighting of the low beam is indicated, the light intensity of the partial range is set to a second light intensity lower than the first light intensity, wherein the partial range is set between an imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction in front of the vehicle and a specified position below the imaginary reference line,

[0053] Based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity of the partial range, a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp is generated and output to the vehicle headlamp.

[0054] (Note 2)

[0055] The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0056] The upper end position of the low beam in the oncoming lane side region is set to be lower than the upper end position in the host lane side region.

[0057] (Note 3)

[0058] A control device for a vehicle headlamp according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0059] The partial range is set to be within 3° below the imaginary reference line at an angle based on the position of the vehicle.

[0060] (Note 4)

[0061] A control device for a vehicle headlamp according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein:

[0062] The partial range is set to be within 2° below the imaginary reference line at an angle based on the position of the vehicle.

[0063] (Note 5)

[0064] The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein:

[0065] The position and width of the partial range are fixedly set, or variably set according to the position and width of the dimming range.

[0066] (Note 6)

[0067] The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein:

[0068] The partial range overlaps with at least a portion of an illumination range of the low beam.

[0069] (Note 7)

[0070] A method for controlling a vehicle headlamp is used to control the operation of a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern, wherein:

[0071] The controller sets a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object within the irradiation range of the high beam based on the detection result of the object in front of the vehicle, if the object exists.

[0072] The controller sets the brightness of a partial range set in front of the vehicle at least in an area on the opposite lane side based on the vehicle to a first brightness when the controller indicates turning on the high beam and the low beam, and sets the brightness of the partial range to a second brightness lower than the first brightness when the controller does not indicate turning on the high beam but indicates turning on the low beam, wherein the partial range is set between an imaginary reference line in front of the vehicle and parallel to the vehicle width direction and a specified position below the imaginary reference line,

[0073] The controller generates a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp based on a setting result of the dimming range and a setting result of the luminosity of the partial range, and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp.

[0074] (Note 8)

[0075] A vehicle headlamp system, comprising:

[0076] The control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6;

[0077] the headlamps controlled by the controls; and

[0078] A sensor detects the object.

[0079] Description of Reference Numerals

[0080] 1: controller, 2: object detection sensor, 3L, 3R: headlight, 11: light distribution pattern setting unit, 12: light enhancement setting unit, 13: control signal generation unit, 31: first unit, 32: second unit

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp control device for controlling the operation of a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern, wherein: According to the detection result of the object in front of the vehicle, when the object exists, a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object is set within the irradiation range of the high beam, When the lighting of the high beam and the low beam is indicated, the brightness of a partial range set in front of the vehicle at least in an area on the opposite lane side based on the vehicle is set to a first brightness; when the lighting of the high beam is not indicated but the lighting of the low beam is indicated, the brightness of the partial range is set to a second brightness lower than the first brightness, wherein the partial range is set in front of the vehicle between an imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction and a specified position below the imaginary reference line, Based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity of the partial range, a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp is generated and output to the vehicle headlamp.

2. The vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, The upper end position of the low beam in the oncoming lane side region is set to be lower than the upper end position in the host lane side region.

3. The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The partial range is set to be within 3° below the imaginary reference line at an angle based on the position of the vehicle.

4. The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 3, wherein: The partial range is set to be within 2° below the imaginary reference line at an angle based on the position of the vehicle.

5. The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The position and width of the partial range are fixedly set, or variably set according to the position and width of the dimming range.

6. The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The partial range overlaps with at least a portion of an illumination range of the low beam.

7. A method for controlling a vehicle headlamp, for controlling the operation of a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern, wherein: The controller sets a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object within the irradiation range of the high beam based on the detection result of the object in front of the vehicle, if the object exists. The controller sets the brightness of a partial range set in front of the vehicle at least in an area on the opposite lane side based on the vehicle to a first brightness when the controller indicates turning on the high beam and the low beam, and sets the brightness of the partial range to a second brightness lower than the first brightness when the controller does not indicate turning on the high beam but indicates turning on the low beam, wherein the partial range is set between an imaginary reference line in front of the vehicle and parallel to the vehicle width direction and a specified position below the imaginary reference line, The controller generates a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp based on a setting result of the dimming range and a setting result of the luminosity of the partial range, and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp.

8. A vehicle headlamp system, wherein: The vehicle headlamp system comprises: The control device according to claim 1; the headlamps controlled by the controls; and A sensor detects the object.

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