LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Lighting device (10) for a vehicle, the lighting device (10) comprising: a light source (32) configured to emit light, a slat (34A, 34B) having a reflective surface configured to reflect light emitted from the light source (32) to a surface in front of the vehicle, wherein the slat (34A, 34B) is configured to rotate about a rotation axis, and the reflective surface has a shape twisted such that an angle between the reflective surface and an optical axis of light from the light source (32) changes in the circumferential direction of the slat (34A, 34B) about the rotation axis, a drive device (17) configured to drive the slat (34A, 34B) to rotate about the rotation axis, a detection device (12, 14) configured to detect a person in front of the vehicle, and a control device (18) configured, in a case where the person is detected by the detection device (12, 14), to control the light source (32) and the drive device (17) such that the drive device (17) rotatably drives the slat (34A, 34B) to a position at which a region in a prescribed range from the person is irradiated with light reflected from the reflecting surface of the slat (34A, 34B), and the light source (32) is turned on, wherein the region in the prescribed area is a region in a field of view of the person at a prescribed distance from the person.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle mounted in the vehicle to perform light irradiation. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] EP 2 700 538 A1 discloses an obstacle detection device provided with a vehicle headlight, comprising a light source and a rotating reflector. The light source comprises LED units and an infrared light unit for emitting infrared light. The rotating reflector is configured to emit, through its rotating movement, the visible light from each of the LED units as a light beam such that a first light distribution pattern is formed by scanning with the light beam, and to emit the infrared light from the infrared light unit such that a second light distribution pattern is formed by scanning with the light beam.

[0003] EP 2 700 869 A1 discloses an optical unit for a vehicle headlight comprising a light source with a first light-emitting element for a first color and a second light-emitting element for a second color and a rotating reflector, whereby a predetermined light distribution pattern is formed.

[0004] US 2009 / 0 015 388 A1 discloses a vehicle lighting device comprising an infrared sensor that detects an object around a vehicle using infrared light; a visible light source that illuminates the object with visible light when the infrared sensor detects the object; a reflection mirror that reflects the infrared light and the visible light to an area around the vehicle; and a light path adjusting mechanism that adjusts light paths of the infrared light and the visible light in a synchronizing manner by rotating the reflection mirror.

[0005] DE 10 2012 213 312 A discloses a system and method for providing a warning to a pedestrian using a laser beam. Specifically, objects present in a detection area of a front impact sensor provided on a vehicle are detected. A motion path vector of a first moving object moving in a direction identical to that of the vehicle within the objects present in the detection area is generated. If the motion path vector of the first moving object falls within an error range of a motion vector of the vehicle, the first moving object is identified as belonging to a group of laser warning target candidates, and thereafter, an emission angle of a laser beam is generated. The laser beam is emitted via a laser lamp based on the emission angle of the laser beam.

[0006] DE 10 2014 222 669 A1 discloses a method for controlling a headlight arrangement for a vehicle, wherein the headlight arrangement has a right headlight and a left headlight, wherein the right headlight emits a right light beam and the left headlight emits a left light beam, by means of which a first overall light distribution can be generated, in which a central region is formed and side regions are formed on both sides next to this central region, wherein the side regions have a greater luminous range than the central region, in which an output light distribution is generated by means of the left and right light beams, at least one object is detected in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle, wherein the position of the object is determined, when the position of the object has been determined, a second overall light distribution is generated,in which the side regions of the first total light distribution are at least partially superimposed at the position of the object, so that a superimposed region is formed in which the light intensity is composed of the light intensity of the left and right light beams.

[0007] In a technique described in JP 2015-053277 A, a scanning-type lighting device for a vehicle has been proposed. More specifically, in the technique described in JP 2015-053277A, a reflector is provided that rotates in a single direction around a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from a light source. A blade is provided in the reflector around the rotation axis, having a twisted shape such that an angle between an optical axis and a reflection surface changes in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis. Then, the timing at which the light source is turned on or off or a change in light emission intensity is synchronized with the rotation of the reflector, thereby forming a high-beam light distribution pattern with an arbitrary light-shielding region. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] On the other hand, for the purpose of attracting the attention of a person, including a pedestrian in front of a host vehicle and a cyclist, to perform light irradiation on an area in front of the vehicle, the use of the technique described in JP 2015-053277 A is considered. For example, control is performed such that the light source is turned on in synchronization with a region corresponding to a person while the blade of the scanning-type illumination device for a vehicle according to JP 2015-053277 A rotates, whereby it is possible to irradiate the person with light and attract the person's attention with light.

[0009] However, since the light source is turned on at a timed interval according to the subject's region while the louver rotates, the light source's turn-on time is shortened, and thus, it is considered that the irradiation light is dimmed, and the subject barely notices the light. Furthermore, since the light source is turned on while the louver rotates, the irradiation light is scattered, and the light distribution pattern becomes blurred, leaving room for improvement.

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a lighting device for a vehicle capable of performing irradiation with light easily noticeable by a person using a scanning type lighting device for a vehicle.

[0011] This object is achieved by a lighting device for a vehicle as defined in claim 1.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0013] One embodiment of the invention relates to a lighting device for a vehicle. The lighting device comprises a light source, a slat, a drive device, a detection device, and a control device. The light source is configured to emit light. The slat has a reflective surface configured to reflect light emitted from the light source to a surface in front of the vehicle. The slat is configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The reflective surface has a twisted shape such that an angle between the reflective surface and an optical axis of light from the light source changes in a circumferential direction of the slat about the rotation axis. The drive device is configured to drive the slat to rotate about the rotation axis. The detection device is configured to detect a person in front of the vehicle.The control device is configured, in a case where the person is detected by the detection means, to control the light source and the driving device such that the driving device rotatably drives the slat to a position at which a region in a prescribed range from the person is irradiated with light reflected from the reflective surface of the slat, and the light source is turned on.

[0014] According to the embodiment of the invention, the slat is irradiated with light from the light source, and light from the reflective surface of the slat is reflected to a surface in front of the vehicle.

[0015] The blade is configured to rotate around the rotation axis, the reflecting surface has a twisted shape such that the angle between the reflecting surface and the optical axis of light from the light source changes in the circumferential direction of the blade around the rotation axis, and the blade is rotationally driven by the driving device.

[0016] The detection device detects the person. For example, the detection device detects the person using a camera, millimeter-wave radar, or the like.

[0017] The control device is configured to control the light source and the driving device when the person is detected by the detection device, so that the driving device rotates the blade to the position where the region within the prescribed range of the person is irradiated with light reflected from the reflective surface of the blade, and the light source is turned on. That is, it is possible to irradiate the region within the prescribed range of the person with light using a scanning-type illumination device for a vehicle.Furthermore, since the blade rotates to the position where the region within the prescribed range of the detected person is irradiated with light and the light source is turned on, it is possible to perform light irradiation with a bright and sharp light distribution, compared to a case where a light source is turned on at a timing corresponding to a region within a prescribed range while the blade rotates. Then, the person easily notices the light because it is possible to perform light irradiation with a bright and sharp light distribution.

[0018] In the illumination device according to the aspect of the invention, the region in the prescribed range is a region in a person's field of vision at a prescribed distance from the person. According to the aspect of the invention, an irradiated person easily notices the light compared to a case where light irradiation to a person (irradiation of a person with light) is performed.

[0019] In the lighting device according to the aspect of the invention, the region in the person's field of vision may be a region near the center of a road in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle with respect to the person. According to the aspect of the invention, it is possible to attract the attention of a person when crossing a road.

[0020] In the lighting device according to the invention, the lighting device may further include a high beam light source, a high beam blade, and a high beam driving device. The high beam light source may be configured to perform light irradiation. The high beam blade may have a high beam reflecting surface configured to reflect light emitted from the high beam light source to a surface in front of the vehicle. The high beam blade may be configured to rotate about a second rotation axis. The high beam reflecting surface may have a twisted shape such that an angle between the high beam reflecting surface and an optical axis of light from the high beam light source changes in a circumferential direction of the high beam blade around the second rotation axis.The high beam driving device may be configured to rotate the high beam blade about the second rotation axis. The detection device may be configured to detect an oncoming vehicle. The control device may be configured to control the high beam light source and the high beam driving device such that the high beam light source is turned on while the high beam driving device rotates the high beam blade. The control device may be configured, in a case where the oncoming vehicle is detected by the detection device, to control the high beam light source such that the high beam light source is turned off at a timing at which a region corresponding to the oncoming vehicle is irradiated with light from the high beam light source.According to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible to attract a person's attention while suppressing a dazzling light for an oncoming vehicle due to a high beam.

[0021] As described above, according to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide a lighting device for a vehicle capable of performing irradiation of light easily noticeable by a person by using a scanning type lighting device for a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements, and in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a lighting device for a vehicle according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating irradiation of light from a marker light emitting unit of the lighting device for a vehicle according to the embodiment, Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanning type marker light emitting unit of the lighting device for a vehicle according to the embodiment; Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating a manner in which the scanning-type marker light emitting unit of the vehicle lighting device according to the embodiment stops rotation of a rotary mirror and irradiation of marker light is performed; Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the rotating mirror, Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a difference in light intensity between a case where a rotary mirror of the scanning-type illumination device is stopped and irradiation with marker light is performed and a case where a corresponding position is irradiated with marker light while the rotary mirror is rotating; Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of specific processing performed by a control device of the lighting device for a vehicle according to the embodiment; Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a modification example of a flow of specific processing performed by the control device of the lighting device for a vehicle according to the embodiment; Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a marker light emitting unit of a modification example, and Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a lighting device for a vehicle in which the marker light emitting unit of the modification example is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0023] An example of an embodiment according to the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a lighting device for a vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0024] In a lighting device 10 for a vehicle according to the embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, a marker light emitting unit 16 is connected to a control device 18, and the marker light emitting unit 16 is controlled by the control device 18.

[0025] The marker light emitting unit 16 performs light irradiation in a road surface direction to attract attention of a person, including a pedestrian and a cyclist. According to the embodiment, the marker light emitting unit 16 irradiates a region within a predetermined range from a person in a traveling direction of the host vehicle with light, thereby attracting attention to the approach of the vehicle. The color and brightness of light emitted from the marker light emitting unit 16 may be light with the same color and brightness as a headlight, or light emission (irradiation) whose color and brightness are different from the headlight may be performed.In a case where light has the same color and brightness as the headlight, it is possible to attract a person's attention in a high beam region in a state where the headlight light is a low beam or in a region farther from a high beam in a high beam state.

[0026] The control device 18 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 18A, a ROM 18B, a RAM 18C, and an interface (I / O) 18D. The marker light emitting unit 16 is connected to the interface 18D, and the control device 18 controls the turning on / off and the irradiation direction of the marker light emitting unit 16. More specifically, the marker light emitting unit 16 includes a motor 17 as a driving device and a light source 32, and the control device 18 controls the driving of the motor 17 and the turning on of the light source 32.

[0027] The ROM 18B of the control device 18 stores a table for controlling the marker light emitting unit 16, a program for executing irradiation control, or the like. The RAM 18C is used as a working memory or the like for various arithmetic operations or the like in the CPU 18A.

[0028] A camera 12 that captures images ahead of the vehicle and a millimeter-wave radar 14 are connected to the interface 18D, and an imaging result of the camera 12 and a reception result of the millimeter-wave radar 14 are input to the control device 18. The camera 12 and the millimeter-wave radar 14 are an example of a detection device, and the control device 18 is an example of a control device.

[0029] The control device 18 detects a person, including a pedestrian or a cyclist, based on the imaging result of the camera 12 by image processing such as pattern matching.

[0030] The control device 18 detects a relative distance or a relative speed of the host vehicle and an obstacle based on the detection result of a millimeter wave transmitted from the millimeter wave radar 14 and reflected by the obstacle including a person.

[0031] In a case where a person is detected, the control device 18 controls the marker light emitting unit 16 such that the marker light emitting unit 16 irradiates a region within a prescribed range of the person with light. In a case where a person moves relatively with respect to the host vehicle, the control device 18 controls the marker light emitting unit 16 such that the marker light emitting unit 16 moves light to track the movement of the person.

[0032] In particular, in a case where a person is detected, as described in the upper part of Fig. 2, the control device 18 controls the marker light emitting unit 16 such that the marker light emitting unit 16 irradiates a region in a visual field of the person at a prescribed distance from the person as the region in the prescribed range from the person. In a case where a person moves relatively, as shown in the lower part of Fig. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 18 controls the marker light emitting unit 16 such that the marker light emitting unit 16 moves light while maintaining the distance between the person and the light emitted from the marker light emitting unit 16 at the prescribed distance. As the prescribed distance, a distance at which a person easily visually recognizes light projected onto a road surface, and, for example, a distance (variable distance) that is the same as the person's height, a distance (fixed distance) of 1.5 m to 2 m, or the like can be adopted. Since a person's visual field angle is about 70° in a downward direction, it is preferable that a distance or more corresponding to the visual field angle of 70° be adopted as the prescribed distance.Since light irradiated on the road surface is hardly recognized when light is excessively far from a person, it is preferable to adopt a distance at which a person can easily visually recognize light within a range of several meters from the distance or more corresponding to the field of view angle of 70°.

[0033] For example, as it is in Fig. 2, in a case where a pedestrian is about to cross the road in front of the host vehicle, a region (a region on the vehicle center side in a vehicle width direction at a prescribed distance from the pedestrian) that is a visual field area in front of the pedestrian is irradiated with light, thereby attracting attention to the approach of the vehicle. Even in a case where a pedestrian is walking along a road or the like, in order to suppress a sudden crossing or the like, a region that is a visual field area in front of the pedestrian is irradiated with light to attract attention.

[0034] In the following description, the light irradiated on the region at the prescribed distance from the person may be simply referred to as a marker light. In the embodiment, an example is described in which the region in the field of view of the person at the prescribed distance from the person is applied as the region in the prescribed area around or from the person, but the invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a region including the person may be applied.

[0035] The marker light emitting unit 16 applied to the vehicle lighting device 10 according to the embodiment will be described below. According to the embodiment, a scanning-type lighting device that rotates a rotating mirror is used as the marker light emitting unit.

[0036] Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of the scanning type marker light emitting unit 16 of the lighting device 10 for a vehicle according to the embodiment, and Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating a manner in which the scanning-type marker light irradiation unit 16 of the vehicle lighting device 10 according to the embodiment stops rotation of the rotary mirror 34 and irradiation of marker light is performed. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the rotating mirror 34.

[0037] As it is in Fig. As shown in FIG. 3A, the marker light emitting unit 16 includes the light source 32 such as an LED, the rotating mirror 34, and a lens 36. The light source 32 emits elongated light in an up-down direction of the vehicle. The light source 32 may include a plurality of light sources 32 such as LEDs arranged in the up-down direction of the vehicle to emit elongated light in the up-down direction of the vehicle. The rotating mirror 34 and the lens 36 are provided in a light emitting direction of the light source 32. Light emitted from the light source 32 is reflected by the rotating mirror 34, and linear light is emitted toward a surface in front of the vehicle through the lens 36.

[0038] The rotating mirror 34 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis 0 (see Fig. 4), while light from the light source 32 is reflected onto a surface in front of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, the rotary mirror 34 includes blades 34A, 34B that rotate around the rotation axis O and have a shape twisted such that an angle between a reflecting surface that reflects light and an optical axis changes in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis O. Thus, with the rotation of the rotary mirror 34, the reflection direction of light from the rotary mirror 34 can be changed to the vehicle width direction. Regarding the scanning-type marker light emitting unit 16, for example, the technique described in JP 2016-074235 A is applied, and the light source 32 is turned on while the rotary mirror 34 rotates at a high speed, making it possible to perform linear light irradiation of a surface in front of the vehicle.In a case where an oncoming vehicle is detected, control is performed such that the light source 32 is turned on while the rotary mirror 34 is rotating, and the light source 32 is turned off at the time when a region corresponding to the oncoming vehicle is irradiated with light, whereby it is possible to suppress glare to the oncoming vehicle.

[0039] According to the embodiment, an example is described in which the two blades 34A and 34B are provided; however, the number of the blades may be one or equal to or more than three.

[0040] In contrast, in the marker light irradiation unit 16 according to the embodiment, the turning on of the light source 32 is controlled in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating mirror 34 without constantly turning on the light source 32, thereby making it possible to irradiate a desired position with light. For example, the light source 32 is turned on in synchronization with the position of the rotating mirror 34, which reflects light to the region at the prescribed distance from the person, thereby making it possible to irradiate the region at the prescribed distance from the person with linear light. Specifically, a correspondence relationship between a rotational position of the rotating mirror 34 and an irradiation region is stored in advance in the ROM 18B or the like.Then, the control device 18 controls the turn-on timing of the light source 32 such that the light source 32 is turned on in synchronism with the position of the rotating mirror 34 corresponding to the irradiation region at the prescribed distance from the detected person, whereby it is possible to irradiate a road surface in the region at the prescribed distance from the person with linear light.

[0041] However, in a case where the light source 32 is turned on in synchronism with a position of the rotating mirror 34 corresponding to a target irradiation region while the rotating mirror 34 is rotating, the turn-on time of the light source 32 is shortened and light is scattered, whereby the light intensity of the marker light is low, so that a blurred light distribution is caused.

[0042] Accordingly, according to the embodiment, the light source 32 is turned on while the rotating mirror 34 rotates to the position corresponding to the target irradiation region, and the marker light emitting unit 16 is controlled such that the marker light emitting unit 16 irradiates the target irradiation region with light. According to the embodiment, instead of controlling the turn-on timing of the light source 32, the rotating mirror 34 rotates as shown in Fig. 3B, the rotary mirror 34 is rotated to the position corresponding to the target irradiation region, and the light source 32 is turned on in a state where the rotary mirror is stopped. In a case where a person moves relatively with respect to the host vehicle, the position of the rotary mirror 34 changes so as to follow the movement of the person. Thus, compared with controlling the turn-on timing of the light source 32 so that the target irradiation region is irradiated with light while the rotary mirror 34 is rotating, it is possible to perform marker light irradiation at a high light intensity. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, in a case where the turn-on control of the light source 32 is performed while the rotary mirror 34 is rotating, light is scattered and has a light intensity of 10,000 cd. In a case where the rotary mirror 34 rotates to the position corresponding to the target irradiation region and the light source 32 is turned on in a state where the rotation of the rotary mirror 34 is stopped, light is not scattered and has a light intensity of 80,000 cd, and a bright and sharp light distribution is possible.

[0043] Next, specific processing performed by the control device 18 of the lighting device 10 for a vehicle according to the embodiment configured as described above will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of specific processing performed by the control device 18 of the lighting device 10 for a vehicle according to the embodiment. The processing of Fig. 6 starts in a case where an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on.

[0044] In step 100, the CPU 18A acquires a captured image from the camera 12 and starts detecting a person from the captured image. That is, detecting a person from the captured image is started using various image processing techniques such as pattern matching.

[0045] In step 102, the CPU 18A determines whether or not a person is detected. If the determination is affirmative, the processing proceeds to step 104, and if the determination is negative, the processing proceeds to step 116 described below.

[0046] In step 104, the CPU 18A calculates a relative distance and a relative speed of the host vehicle and the person and proceeds to step 106. According to the embodiment, the CPU 18A calculates the relative distance and the relative speed of the detected person and the host vehicle based on a received signal of the millimeter-wave radar 14.

[0047] In step 106, the CPU 18A calculates the relative distance or the relative speed and determines whether or not the calculated value is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold. In the determination, a value representing a possibility of collision is calculated based on the relative distance or the relative speed, thereby determining whether or not a possibility of collision is high. In a case where the determination is affirmative, processing proceeds to step 108, and in a case where the determination is negative, processing proceeds to step 116. A determination method for the possibility of collision is not limited to this, and determination may be made using a value other than the relative distance or the relative speed.According to the embodiment, in a case where there is a possibility of collision, the marker light is turned on; however, steps 104 and 106 may be omitted, and the marker light may be turned on in a case where a person is detected regardless of the possibility of collision.

[0048] In step 108, the CPU 18A determines whether or not the marker light is turned on by the marker light emitting unit 16 with processing already performed, as described below. If the determination is negative, the processing proceeds to step 110, and if the determination is positive, the processing proceeds to step 112.

[0049] In step 110, the CPU 18A controls the marker light emitting unit 16 so that the marker light emitting unit 16 turns on the marker light, and proceeds to step 112. That is, the rotary mirror 34 rotates to a position corresponding to the detected target irradiation region, and the light source 32 is turned on in a state where the rotary mirror 34 is stationary, thereby irradiating the target irradiation region with marker light. According to the embodiment, as the target irradiation region irradiated with marker light, the region at the prescribed distance from the detected person is irradiated with light. Light is emitted in a field of vision of a person, whereby the irradiated person easily notices the light, and it is possible to effectively attract attention.When a marker light is turned on, a region at a prescribed distance in front of a person can be illuminated with light, or a region at a prescribed distance from the road center in the vehicle width direction from the person can be illuminated with light. The marker light is emitted in front of a person, allowing the irradiated person to easily notice the marker light. The marker light is turned on in the region at the prescribed distance on the road center in the vehicle width direction from the person, making it possible to attract attention to cross a road.In a case where a situation in front of the person is determinable, marker light is emitted in front of the person, and in a case where it is difficult to determine a direction in which a person is moving or a situation in front of the person, marker light on the road center side in the vehicle width direction of the person may be turned on to attract attention to crossing a road.

[0050] In step 112, the CPU 18A determines whether the detected person is moving or not. Regarding the determination, movement in the vehicle width direction can be determined from the captured image of the camera 12, and movement in a direction along the traveling direction of the host vehicle can be determined by calculating an absolute moving speed of the person from a vehicle speed of the host vehicle and the relative speed of the host vehicle and the person. In a case where the determination is affirmative, the processing proceeds to step 114, and in a case where the determination is negative, the processing returns to step 102, and the above-described processing is repeated.

[0051] In step 114, the CPU 18A controls the marker light emitting unit 16 so that the marker light emitting unit 16 moves the marker light while maintaining the distance between the person and the marker light at a constant distance (prescribed distance), and returns to step 102 to repeat the above-described processing. That is, the marker light emitting unit 16 is controlled so that the marker light emitting unit 16 follows the movement of the person. Thus, it is possible to attract attention to the approach of the vehicle with the marker light even when the person is moving.

[0052] In step 116, the CPU 18A determines whether or not the marker light is turned on by the marker light emitting unit 16 with the above-described processing that has already been performed. If the determination is affirmative, the processing proceeds to step 118, and if the determination is negative, the processing returns to step 102, and the above-described processing is repeated. In step 118, the CPU 18A controls the marker light emitting unit 16 so that the marker light emitting unit 16 turns off the marker light, and returns to step 102 to repeat the above-described processing.

[0053] In this way, according to the embodiment, in a case where a person is detected and there is a possibility of collision with the host vehicle, since the region at the prescribed distance from the person, which is the field of view of the detected person, is irradiated with light, the person can easily notice light compared to irradiating light toward the person. Since light is easily noticed, it is possible to effectively draw attention to the approach of the vehicle.

[0054] Since the light irradiation is performed while maintaining the prescribed distance to follow the movement of the person, the person who is moving easily notices light, and it is possible to effectively attract attention of the person who is moving.

[0055] According to the embodiment, since the rotary mirror 34 rotates to the position corresponding to the target irradiation region and the light source 32 is turned on in a state where the rotary mirror 34 is stopped, it is possible to make the marker light bright compared to a case where the turn-on control of the light source 32 is performed while the rotary mirror 34 is rotating. As shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to sharpen the light distribution of the marker light without causing blurring. That is, since a bright and sharp light distribution can be achieved compared to performing the turn-on control of the light source 32 while rotating the rotating mirror 34, a pedestrian can more easily notice the marker light.

[0056] According to the embodiment, in a case where marker light irradiation is not performed, it is possible to use the marker light emitting unit 16 as a high beam illumination. In this case, control is performed such that the light source 32 is turned on while the rotary mirror 34 is rotating, and in a case where an oncoming vehicle is detected, the light source 32 is turned off at the time the region corresponding to the oncoming vehicle is irradiated, thereby making it possible to suppress glare to the oncoming vehicle.

[0057] In the processing of Fig. 6, in a case where a person is detected, the marker light is turned on, the marker light is moved along the movement of the person, and even in a case where the person is far away from the host vehicle, the marker light is moved to follow the person; however, the invention is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the person moves in a direction far away from the host vehicle in the vehicle width direction, the marker light may not be moved. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, step 113 is added between step 112 and step 114. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of a flow of specific processing performed by the control device 18 of the vehicle lighting device 10 according to the embodiment. In the example, in step 113, the CPU 18A determines a direction in which the person approaches the host vehicle in the vehicle width direction and whether or not the absolute moving speed of the person is equal to or greater than a threshold value (which may include 0). If the determination is affirmative, the processing proceeds to step 114 to move the marker light. If the determination is negative, the processing returns to step 112, and the above-described processing is repeated without moving the marker light. With this, it is possible to reduce a processing load without unnecessarily moving the marker light.Furthermore, annoyance is avoided because no unnecessary light irradiation is carried out on a person who is to be irradiated.

[0058] A modification example of the marker light emitting unit 16 will be described below. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a marker light emitting unit 50 according to the modification example. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a lighting device for a vehicle in a case where the marker light emitting unit 50 of the modification example is provided.

[0059] The marker light emitting unit 50 of the modified example includes a high beam rotating mirror 35, a marker light rotating mirror 34, a high beam light source 32A, and a marker light source 32B. The high beam rotating mirror 35, the marker light rotating mirror 34, the high beam light source 32A, and the marker light source 32B are connected to the interface 18D of the control device 18.

[0060] The rotating mirror 35 for the high beam has two slats 35A, 35B. The rotating mirror 34 for the marker light has one slat 34A according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0061] The high beam rotating mirror 35 and the marker light rotating mirror 34 have drive sources on the same axis. The high beam rotating mirror 35 is driven by a high beam motor 17A, and the marker light rotating mirror 34 is driven by a marker light motor 17B.

[0062] The high beam light source 32A irradiates a surface in front of the vehicle through the high beam rotating mirror 35. The marker light source 32b irradiates a surface in front of the vehicle through the marker light rotating mirror 34.

[0063] With such a configuration, the high beam rotating mirror 35 and the high beam light source 32A can be used for high beam irradiation, and the marker light rotating mirror 34 and the marker light source 32B can be used for marker light irradiation. That is, the control device 18 performs control such that the high beam light source 32A is turned on while the high beam rotating mirror 35 is rotating, and in a case where an oncoming vehicle is detected, the high beam light source 32A is turned off at the position of the high beam rotating mirror 35A corresponding to the oncoming vehicle, thereby making it possible to suppress glare to the oncoming vehicle.As in the embodiment, in a case where a person is detected, the control device 18 controls the marker light motor 32B and the marker light light source 32B such that the marker light motor 32B rotates the marker light rotating mirror 34 to a position where light is reflected to the region at the prescribed distance from the person, and the marker light light source 32B is turned on in a state where the marker light rotating mirror 34 is stopped. Thus, as in the embodiment, it is possible to perform marker light irradiation with a bright and sharp light distribution.

[0064] According to the embodiment, one of a control for preventing glare to the oncoming vehicle during high beam and a control for turning on the marker light is performed, while the other control cannot be performed; however, in the modified example, it is possible to perform both types of control simultaneously. In other words, according to the modified example, it is possible to attract human attention while suppressing glare to the oncoming vehicle during high beam.

[0065] In the embodiment, an example was described in which the relative distance or relative speed of the host vehicle and an obstacle such as a person is detected by the camera 12 and the millimeter-wave radar 14; however, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the relative distance or relative speed of the host vehicle and the obstacle may be detected using a stereo camera without using the millimeter-wave radar.

[0066] The Fig. 6 and Fig.The processing shown in FIG. 7 performed by the control device 18 of the vehicle lighting device 10 according to the embodiment has been described as software processing performed by executing a program, but may be processing performed by hardware. Alternatively, the processing may be processing performed by a combination of software and hardware. The program stored in the ROM may be distributed in the form of being stored in various storage media.

[0067] The invention is not limited to the above-described, and in addition to the above-described, it can be modified and implemented in various ways without departing from the inventive idea.

[0068] As described above, a lighting device (10) for a vehicle comprises a light source (32) configured to perform light emission, a slat (34A, 34B) having a reflecting surface configured to reflect light emitted from the light source (32) to a surface in front of the vehicle, the slat (34A, 34B) being configured to rotate about a rotation axis, a driving device (17) configured to drive the slat (34A, 34B) to rotate about the rotation axis, a detecting device (12, 14) configured to detect a person in front of the vehicle, and a controlling device (18) configured, in a case where the person is detected by the detecting device (12, 14), to control the light source (32) and the driving device (17) such that the driving device (17) drives the slat (34A, 34B) to a Position rotating drives,in which a region in a prescribed range of the person is irradiated with light reflected from the reflective surface of the slat (34A, 34B), and the light source (32) is switched on.,

Claims

[1] Lighting device (10) for a vehicle, the lighting device (10) comprising: a light source (32) configured to emit light, a slat (34A, 34B) having a reflective surface configured to reflect light emitted from the light source (32) to a surface in front of the vehicle, wherein the slat (34A, 34B) is configured to rotate about a rotation axis, and the reflective surface has a shape twisted such that an angle between the reflective surface and an optical axis of light from the light source (32) changes in the circumferential direction of the slat (34A, 34B) about the rotation axis, a drive device (17) configured to drive the slat (34A, 34B) to rotate about the rotation axis, a detection device (12, 14) configured to detect a person in front of the vehicle, and a control device (18) configured, in a case where the person is detected by the detection device (12, 14), to control the light source (32) and the drive device (17) such that the drive device (17) rotatably drives the slat (34A, 34B) to a position at which a region in a prescribed range from the person is irradiated with light reflected from the reflecting surface of the slat (34A, 34B), and the light source (32) is switched on, wherein the region in the prescribed range is a region in a field of vision of the person at a prescribed distance from the person. [2] The lighting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the region in the visual field range of the person is a region close to a center of a road in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle with respect to the person. [3] Lighting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a high beam light source (32A) configured to perform light irradiation, a high beam slat (35A, 35B) having a high beam reflective surface configured to reflect light emitted from the high beam light source (32A) to a surface in front of the vehicle, wherein the high beam slat (35A, 35B) is configured to rotate about a second rotation axis, and the high beam reflective surface has a shape twisted such that an angle between the high beam reflective surface and an optical axis of light from the high beam light source (32A) changes in a circumferential direction of the high beam slat (35A, 35B) about the second rotation axis, and a high beam driving device (17A) configured to drive the high beam slat (35A, 35B) to rotate about the second rotation axis, wherein: the detection device (12, 14) is configured to detect an oncoming vehicle, the control device (18) is configured to control the high beam light source (32A) and the high beam drive device (17A) such that the high beam light source (32A) is switched on while the high beam drive device (17A) rotates the high beam slat (35A, 35B), and the control device (18) is configured, in a case where the oncoming vehicle is detected by the detection device (12, 14), to control the high beam light source (32A) such that the high beam light source (32A) is turned off at a time point at which a region corresponding to the oncoming vehicle is irradiated with light from the high beam light source (32A). [4] The lighting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (18) is configured to control the drive device (17), rotate the blade (34A, 34B) so that the blade (34A, 34B) rotates to a position corresponding to a detected target irradiation region, and turn on the light source (32) in a state where the blade (34A, 34B) is fixed at the position, thereby irradiating the target irradiation region with marker light.

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