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

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress dizziness during ADB control and improve the low-beam illumination effect. A vehicle headlight control device for controlling the operation of a vehicle headlight includes a variable light distribution opening mode in which, when an object is present in front of the vehicle, a light reduction range corresponding to the position of the object is set within an irradiation range of high beams, and the variable light distribution opening mode is a mode in which the light reduction range corresponding to the position of the object is set within the irradiation range of high beams. When the variable light distribution opening mode is set, the light intensity of a partial range is set as a first light intensity, and when the variable light distribution opening mode is not set, the light intensity of the partial range is set as a second light intensity higher than the first light intensity, and the partial range is a partial range within a low-beam irradiation range. The dimming range is a part from a first virtual reference line parallel to the width direction of the vehicle to a predetermined position below the first virtual reference line, and is a part of the low beam in the width direction of the vehicle, and the dimming range is set on the basis of the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity of the specific 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, the purpose of the above-mentioned prior art is to prevent a dark area from being generated in the area directly behind the preceding vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle becomes longer and the preceding vehicle is located above the cut-off line of the low beam. However, generally, the brightness of the low beam does not immediately become zero above the cut-off line. Therefore, if the lighting effect of the low beam is to be further improved, the brightness will be increased not only below the cut-off line but also within a certain range above the cut-off line, which may cause glare when the ADB control is performed on the preceding vehicle. On the other hand, it is not preferred to reduce the overall brightness of the low beam in order to avoid the possibility of such glare.

[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 embodiment of the present invention is to suppress glare during ADB control and to improve the lighting effect of low beam.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] [1] A vehicle headlamp control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (a) 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 (b) there is a variable light distribution on mode, the variable light distribution on mode being based on a detection result of an object in front of the vehicle, and when the object is present, a mode of setting a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object within the irradiation range of the high beam; (c) when the variable light distribution on mode is set, the light intensity of a partial range is set to a first light intensity, and when the variable light distribution on mode is not set, the light intensity of the partial range is set to a second light intensity higher than the first light intensity, the partial range being a partial range within the irradiation range of the low beam, being a portion from a first imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle to a predetermined position below the first imaginary reference line, and being a portion of the low beam along the vehicle width direction; and (d) based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the light intensity of the specific range, a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp is generated and output to the vehicle headlamp.

[0011] [2] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a vehicle headlamp in one embodiment. (a) It is used to control the operation of a vehicle headlamp installed on a vehicle and capable of emitting a low beam and a high beam with a variable light distribution pattern, wherein (b) There is a variable light distribution on mode, and the variable light distribution on mode is a mode in which 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 when the object exists, and (c) The method for controlling a vehicle headlamp comprises the following steps: When the controller sets the variable light distribution on mode, the controller sets a dimming range corresponding to the position of the object within the irradiation range of the high beam. The luminosity is set to a first luminosity, and when the variable light distribution on mode is not set, the luminosity of the partial range is set to a second luminosity higher than the first luminosity, the partial range is a partial range within the irradiation range of the low beam, is a part from a first imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle to a specified position below it, and is a part of the low beam along the vehicle width direction; (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 specific range, and outputs it to the vehicle headlamp.

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

[0013] According to the above configuration, the possibility of glare during ADB control can be suppressed, and the illumination effect of the low beam can be improved. 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 method of controlling light irradiation in a partial range of low beam. Figure 4 (B) is a diagram for explaining a method for controlling light irradiation in a partial range of low beam according to a modified embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 (A) means Figure 3 (B) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity distribution of the irradiated light in the aa line direction. Figure 5 (B) is Figure 5 An enlarged view of the area near the vertical angle 0° shown in (A) (indicated by a dotted frame in the figure).

[0019] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity distribution of the irradiation light in the comparative example.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity distribution of the irradiation light in the comparative example.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of a controller in a vehicle headlamp system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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".

[0023] 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).

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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 range of dimming, and the range other than this is used as the range of irradiation 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 light intensity is set to be relatively lower than that of the usual high beam, the case where the light intensity is set to 0. In addition, the ADB control can select a variable light distribution on mode in which the ADB control is performed and a variable light distribution off mode in which the ADB control is not performed by turning on and off the switch.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The second unit 32 emits light for overlapping a partial range, which is set within 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.

[0029] Functions realized by the execution of the program by the controller 1 described above will be described using functional blocks. The controller 1 includes a light distribution pattern setting unit 11 , a dimming setting unit 12 , and a control signal generating unit 13 .

[0030] 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 by the object detection sensor 2, and outputs the setting content to the control signal generating unit 13. The light distribution 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.

[0031] The dimming setting unit 12 sets whether dimming is required for a partial range (the area irradiated with light by the second unit 32) within the irradiation range of the low beam and the range thereof, based on the dimming range included in the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 11. Specifically, when the dimming range of the light distribution pattern partially coincides with the partial range of the low beam in their respective width directions, the dimming setting unit 12 sets the intention to perform dimming on the partial range, and sets the range that is substantially coincident with the dimming range in the width direction as the range to be dimmed. In addition, "substantially coincident" is because it is difficult to be completely coincident. For example, when they coincide within an error range of ±10% with respect to the dimming range, it can be regarded as "substantially coincident".

[0032] The control signal generation unit 13 generates a control signal for implementing the irradiation pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 11, and outputs this control signal to the first unit 31. In addition, the control signal generation unit 13 generates a control signal corresponding to the necessity and range of dimming set by the dimming setting unit 12, and outputs this control signal to the second unit 32.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a structural example of a computer system. The above-mentioned controller 10 can be configured by using a computer system as shown in the figure, for example. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 performs information processing by reading and executing a program 207 stored in the storage device 204. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 stores basic control programs and the like required for the operation of the CPU 201. The RAM (Temporary Memory) 203 temporarily stores data required for the information processing of 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, and the like. The communication device 205 performs processing related to data communication with other external devices. The input / output unit 206 is an interface for realizing connection with an external device. The CPU 201 and the like are communicably connected to each other via a bus.

[0034] Figure 3 (A) is a diagram for explaining the low beam, high beam, and partial range of the low beam. Figure 3 (B) is from Figure 3 (A) extracts and shows the low beam and the partial range of the 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 first 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 second 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.

[0035] The low beam LB is formed as a whole in a wide range below the H line, wherein the upper end of a 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 end and the upper left end obliquely intersect with the V line. In addition, the range of the low beam LB shown in the figure is the main irradiation range of the low beam. In fact, the low beam LB is irradiated in a manner that the brightness gradually decreases toward the outside of the range shown in the figure.

[0036] The partial range SG in the low beam LB is set as a portion of a predetermined width from a position close to the V line to a position far from the V line in at least the right area in the figure, among the adjacent left and right areas of the figure sandwiching the V line. In addition, the partial range SG is set as a portion of a predetermined height d from the H line to the bottom of the H line. The height d is preferably set to a range within 3° from the H line to the bottom thereof based on the vehicle, and more preferably within 1° to 2°. In addition, the partial range SG can also be set in the left area sandwiching the V line in the same manner.

[0037] The high beam HB is formed in a wide range roughly above the H line and extending to the left and right of the V line. In detail, the high beam HB is formed so that its lower end extends to a position slightly below the H line, and the lower end side is formed to partially overlap with the upper end side of the low beam LB. In addition, the high beam HB can variably set the dimming range in at least the width direction (the direction parallel to the H line) within the entire irradiable range shown by the dotted line in the figure. 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.

[0038] Figure 4(A) is a diagram for explaining a control method for irradiating a partial range of low beam light. In the present embodiment, the high beam HB is irradiated using a light distribution pattern in which a dimming range is set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 11 according to the position of the preceding vehicle or the like. Thus, as shown in the figure, a dimming range NB 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 other irradiation ranges of the high beam HB. At this time, the dimming setting unit 12 is set to dim the irradiation light irradiated to the partial range SG by the second unit 32 when the partial range SG overlaps with the dimming range HB in at least a portion in its width direction.

[0039] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown in (B), it is preferred that the width of the partial range SG be variably set according to the width of the dimming range NB. On the other hand, the width and position of the partial range SG may be fixed, and when at least a portion of the partial range SG overlaps with the dimming range NB in ​​the width direction, dimming is performed on the entire fixed partial range SG.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the low beam LB is set to have a brightness that is a combination of the light emitted by the first unit 31 and the light emitted by the second unit 32 to the partial range SG. Therefore, when the light emitted to the partial range SG is dimmed, the brightness within the range is reduced. That is, the brightness of the light generated by the low beam LB at a position P slightly above the H line in the dimming range NB increases or decreases according to the brightness of the light emitted to the partial range SG. As the position P in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the angle is within 0.5° above the H line (for example, 0.15°) with respect to the vehicle, and is a position on one side of the V line (the right side in this example).

[0041] By dimming the light directed toward the partial range SG according to the dimming range NB, the light intensity based on the low beam LB at the position P is reduced, so the possibility of dazzle in the dimming range NB can be reduced. On the other hand, when the dimming range NB does not overlap with the partial range SG, by irradiating light toward the partial range SG, sufficient light is irradiated as the low beam, so that the reduction of visual recognition in the front can be prevented.

[0042] Figure 5 (A) means Figure 3 (B) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminosity distribution of the irradiated light in the aa line direction. Figure 5 (B) is Figure 5 The enlarged view of the vertical direction angle near 0° shown in (A) (indicated by the dotted line frame in the figure). In addition, the aa line passes through Figure 4 The position P shown in (A).

[0043] The photometric distribution curve b1 shown in each figure represents the photometric distribution based on the low beam LB when irradiating light to the partial range SG. As shown in the figure, near the vertical angle of 0.7°, a maximum luminous intensity of approximately 45000 [cd] is shown. Additionally, as shown in the enlarged view, a relatively high luminous intensity can also be obtained at a position slightly larger than the vertical angle of 0°. That is, when the partial range SG and the dimming range NB do not overlap in the vertical direction, the amount of light required to ensure forward visibility can be obtained.

[0044] The photometric distribution curve b2 represents the photometric distribution based on the low beam LB when light is not irradiated to the partial range SG. As shown in the figure, the maximum luminous intensity near the vertical angle of 0.7° becomes approximately 27500 [cd], but as shown in the enlarged view, the luminous intensity at a position slightly larger than the vertical angle of 0° can be significantly reduced. That is, when the partial range SG and the dimming range NB overlap in the vertical direction, the luminous intensity in the range larger than the vertical angle of 0°, that is, the position above the H line, can be reduced to prevent glare. In this case, when the dimming range NB is set, it is possible to suppress the brightness required for the dimming control under ADB control.

[0045] As Figure 5 shown in the enlarged view of (B), for example, when the position P is set to a position 0.15° above the H line, it is preferable to set the photometric distributions of the irradiation light to the partial range SG and the low beam LB such that the luminous intensity at the position P when light is not irradiated to the partial range SG is 1000 [cd] or less, and the luminous intensity at the position P when light is irradiated to the partial range SG is greater than 1000 [cd]. Thereby, it is possible to better balance anti-glare when the dimming range NB overlapping with the partial range SG is set and forward visual recognition when the dimming range NB is not set.

[0046] In contrast, in the case of adopting a photometric distribution that emphasizes ensuring forward visual recognition in a conventional low beam as in the comparative example shown in Figure 6 , since this photometric distribution is fixed, glare may occur when setting the dimming range NB. On the other hand, in the case of adopting a photometric distribution that emphasizes suppressing glare in a conventional low beam as in the comparative example shown in Figure 7 , since this photometric distribution is fixed, as the light distribution using only the low beam, it may lead to a reduction in forward visual recognition.

[0047] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the controller in the vehicle headlamp system. In addition, as long as there are no contradictions or mismatches in the results of information processing, the processing sequence can also be changed or other processing can be added, and such a method is not excluded.

[0048] When a light switch (not shown) provided in the vehicle is operated to indicate the lighting of the headlights (step S11; yes), and then an operation is performed to turn on the mode for implementing the ADB control to become a variable light distribution on mode (step S12; 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 S13).

[0049] When the dimming range NB included in the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 11 overlaps with the partial range SG (step S14 ; Yes), the dimming setting unit 12 sets the partial range SG to the first luminance (luminance corresponding to dimming) (step S15 ).

[0050] On the other hand, when the dimming range NB does not overlap with the partial range SG (step S14 ; No), the dimming setting unit sets the partial range SG to the second luminance (normal luminance without dimming) (step S16 ).

[0051] The control signal generating unit 13 generates control signals corresponding to the setting results of the light distribution pattern setting unit 11 and the dimming 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.

[0052] In addition, when 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 is true when the light switch is operated and the lighting of the headlights is instructed and then the headlights are instructed to be turned off. In addition, when the mode in which the ADB control is implemented is the variable light distribution off mode in which the ADB control is turned off (step S12; No), the ADB control is not implemented and the process returns to step S11. In this case, only the high beam and the low beam are generated by each headlight 3L, 3R and irradiated to the front of the vehicle.

[0053] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to suppress the possibility of glare during ADB control and to improve the lighting effect by low beam.

[0054] 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 embodiment, when the dimming range NB overlaps at least a part of the partial range SG, the dimming setting unit 12 sets the partial range SG to the first light intensity, but it is also possible to replace it. When the switch that turns the ADB control on and off is operated to become the variable light distribution on mode, regardless of the positional relationship between the dimming range NB and the partial range SG, the dimming setting unit 12 controls the partial range SG to the first light intensity (dimming), and when it does not become the variable light distribution on mode, the dimming setting unit 12 controls the partial range SG to the second light intensity. According to such an embodiment, the same effect as above can be achieved without performing control to associate the dimming range NB with the partial range SG.

[0055] The present disclosure has the following additional features.

[0056] (Note 1)

[0057] A control device for 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:

[0058] There is a variable light distribution on mode, which is based on 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.

[0059] When the variable light distribution on mode is set, the light intensity of the partial range is set to a first light intensity, and when the variable light distribution on mode is not set, the light intensity of the partial range is set to a second light intensity higher than the first light intensity, the partial range is a partial range within the illumination range of the low beam, is a part from a first imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle to a prescribed position below the first imaginary reference line, and is a part of the low beam along the vehicle width direction,

[0060] Based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity in the specific range, a control signal for operating the vehicle lamp is generated and output to the vehicle headlamp.

[0061] (Supplementary Note 2) The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0062] The partial range is set in one of two adjacent areas sandwiching a second imaginary reference line, which is assumed to be parallel to the vehicle height direction and located in front of the vehicle.

[0063] (Supplementary Note 3) The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0064] The partial range is set within 3° below the first imaginary reference line at an angle based on the position of the vehicle.

[0065] (Supplementary Note 4) The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein:

[0066] The partial range is set within 2° below the first imaginary reference line at an angle based on the position of the vehicle.

[0067] (Supplementary Note 5) The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein:

[0068] When the dimming range is set, the luminous intensity of the light caused by the low beam at a predetermined position above the partial range and within 0.5° above the first imaginary reference line with respect to the position of the vehicle is 1000 candela or less.

[0069] (Supplementary Note 6) The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein:

[0070] When the dimming range is not set, the luminous intensity of the light caused by the low beam at a predetermined position above the partial range and within 0.5° above the first imaginary reference line with respect to the position of the vehicle is greater than 1000 candelas.

[0071] (Supplementary Note 7) The control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein:

[0072] The position of the partial range is fixedly set,

[0073] When the dimming range is set and the dimming range and the partial range overlap in position in the direction along the first imaginary reference line, the luminance of the partial range is set to the first luminance.

[0074] (Note 8)

[0075] 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:

[0076] There is a variable light distribution on mode, in which 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 when the object exists.

[0077] The control method of the vehicle headlamp comprises the following steps: the controller sets the light intensity of a partial range to a first light intensity when the variable light distribution on mode is set, and sets the light intensity of the partial range to a second light intensity higher than the first light intensity when the variable light distribution on mode is not set, the partial range is a partial range within the irradiation range of the low beam, is a part from a first imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle to a prescribed position below the first imaginary reference line, and is a part of the low beam along the vehicle width direction;

[0078] 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 in the specific range, and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp.

[0079] (Note 9)

[0080] A vehicle headlamp system, comprising:

[0081] A control device as described in any one of Notes 1 to 7;

[0082] the headlamps controlled by the controls; and

[0083] A sensor detects the object.

[0084] Description of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1: controller, 2: object detection sensor, 3L, 3R: headlight, 11: light distribution pattern setting unit, 12: dimming setting unit, 13: control signal generating unit, 31: first unit, 32: second unit

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp control device, the control device being 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, in, There is a variable light distribution on mode, which is based on 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 variable light distribution on mode is set, the light intensity of the partial range is set to a first light intensity, and when the variable light distribution on mode is not set, the light intensity of the partial range is set to a second light intensity higher than the first light intensity, the partial range is a partial range within the illumination range of the low beam, is a part from a first imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle to a prescribed position below the first imaginary reference line, and is a part of the low beam along the vehicle width direction, Based on the setting result of the dimming range and the setting result of the luminosity in the specific 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, in, The partial range is set in one of two adjacent areas sandwiching a second imaginary reference line, which is assumed to be parallel to the vehicle height direction and located in front of the vehicle.

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

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

5. The vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 1, in, When the dimming range is set, the luminous intensity of the light caused by the low beam at a predetermined position above the partial range and within 0.5° above the first imaginary reference line with respect to the position of the vehicle is 1000 candela or less.

6. The vehicle headlamp control device according to claim 5, in, When the dimming range is not set, the luminous intensity of the light caused by the low beam at a predetermined position above the partial range and within 0.5° above the first imaginary reference line with respect to the position of the vehicle is greater than 1000 candelas.

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, in, There is a variable light distribution on mode, in which 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 when the object exists. The vehicle headlamp control method comprises the following steps: The controller sets the light intensity of a partial range to a first light intensity when the variable light distribution on mode is set, and sets the light intensity of the partial range to a second light intensity higher than the first light intensity when the variable light distribution on mode is not set, wherein the partial range is a partial range within the illumination range of the low beam, is a portion from a first imaginary reference line parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle to a prescribed position below the first imaginary reference line, and is a portion of the low beam along the vehicle width direction; 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 in the specific range, and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp.

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

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