DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF A HEADLIGHT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Device for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, comprising: an object detection unit (10) configured to detect an object located in front of the vehicle; an ADB headlight (40) (ADB - Adaptive Driving Beam) configured to emit a matrix light according to a light distribution; a vehicle state input unit (20) configured to receive an ADB operation state; and a control unit (30) configured to calculate the width of a dark zone corresponding to the object and to calculate a boundary section (B) around the dark zone (A) in accordance with the object detection result of the object detection unit (10), and to drive the ADB headlight (40) in accordance with the ADB operation state, characterized by that when the ADB is not operated, the control unit (30) flashes lights for the boundary section (B).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND 1. Technical field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and a method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, which can prevent dazzling of a driver in an oncoming vehicle by turning off lights for a region corresponding to the oncoming vehicle using the masking principle of an adaptive drive beam (ADB) headlight, and which can flash lights for a boundary portion around a pedestrian or a wild animal when the pedestrian or the wild animal is detected, so that the pedestrian or the wild animal can recognize the approach of the vehicle while preventing dazzling of the pedestrian or the wild animal. 2. State of the art

[0002] Generally, a vehicle has a lighting system that provides a lighting function to enable a driver to see objects in the direction of travel when driving at night and a function to inform other vehicles or road users of the vehicle's driving status. The headlight, also known as the headlamp, is a light whose function is to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0003] The light beam emitted by the headlight is adjusted so that a portion of the light beam on the side near the center line is low in brightness. According to recent regulations, the light beam direction of the headlight must be adjusted to reduce the amount of light emitted toward a driver in a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, preventing dazzling the driver.

[0004] Therefore, a headlight with adaptive drive beam (ADB) was introduced to improve forward detection of a driver in a vehicle and a driver in a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. This means that the ADB headlight is a light-emitting device that emits light while changing the illumination angle, brightness, width, and length of the headlight.

[0005] The ADB headlight can adjust the brightness of the headlight to prevent dazzling a driver in a vehicle approaching in the opposite lane (hereinafter referred to as the “opposing vehicle”).

[0006] This means that a vehicle equipped with an ADB headlight will operate with its high beam on when there are no oncoming vehicles, and the light pattern will change to an L-shaped pattern when an oncoming vehicle appears. Furthermore, the vehicle will create a dark zone using a swing actuator to prevent dazzling a driver in the oncoming vehicle. The vehicle will then return to the high beam after the oncoming vehicle has passed.

[0007] The prior art of the present disclosure is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2015-0052638, published on May 14, 2015, entitled "ADB Headlamp System and Beam Control Method Using the Same." AT 519 976 A4 discloses a device for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] The headlight system separately includes a plurality of optical modules installed on one side of the headlight to provide a spotlight function. According to the spotlight function, when an obstacle is detected during night driving, the headlight system activates an optical module corresponding to the area where the obstacle exists and illuminates the obstacle, allowing the driver to recognize the presence of the obstacle.

[0009] In this way, the headlight system can prevent a driver in an oncoming vehicle from being dazzled by the ADB headlight, which can only deactivate some of the optical modules. Furthermore, the headlight system not only has the function of projecting light toward an obstacle so that a driver can easily spot a pedestrian, but also the function of informing the pedestrian of the vehicle's presence by dazzling the pedestrian, similar to a spotlight.

[0010] However, to provide the ADB headlight and spotlight function, the headlight system must also include the separate optical modules.

[0011] With a spotlight, the headlight system must increase the brightness of the light to improve driver detection. However, in this case, the spotlight can not only be unpleasant for a driver in an oncoming vehicle due to the strong glare, but can also cause unexpected and threatening behavior from a wild animal. OVERVIEW

[0012] Various embodiments relate to an apparatus and a method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, which can prevent dazzling of a driver in an oncoming vehicle by turning off lights for an area corresponding to the oncoming vehicle using the masking principle of an adaptive drive beam (ADB) headlight, and which can flash lights for a boundary section around a pedestrian or a wild animal when the pedestrian or the wild animal is detected, so that the pedestrian or the wild animal can recognize the approach of the vehicle while preventing dazzling of the pedestrian or the wild animal.

[0013] In one embodiment, a device for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle comprises: an object detection unit configured to detect an object located in front of the vehicle; an ADB headlight configured to emit matrix light according to a light distribution; a vehicle state input unit configured to receive an ADB operation state; and a control unit configured to calculate the width of a dark zone corresponding to the object and to calculate a boundary section around the dark zone according to the object detection result of the object detection unit, and to drive the ADB headlight according to the ADB operation state.

[0014] The control unit can calculate the dark zone width by adding a deviation to the object's position information.

[0015] The control unit can calculate the boundary section using the distance information of the object based on the dark zone width corresponding to the object.

[0016] When a plurality of objects are detected, the control unit can calculate the dark zone width and boundary section by adding dark zone widths and boundary sections corresponding to the objects, respectively.

[0017] When the ADB is activated, the control unit can turn off the lights for the dark zone and flash the lights for the boundary section.

[0018] When the ADB is not activated, the control unit flashes lights for the boundary section.

[0019] In one embodiment, a method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle comprises: receiving, by a control unit, an object detection result of the object detection unit; calculating, by the control unit, the width of a dark zone corresponding to the object and a boundary portion around the dark zone according to the detection result of the object; receiving, by the control unit, an ADB operation state; and driving, by the control unit, an ADB headlight based on the dark zone and the boundary portion according to the ADB operation state.

[0020] When calculating the dark zone width and the boundary section, the control unit can calculate the dark zone width by adding a deviation to the position information of the object.

[0021] When calculating the dark zone width and the boundary section, the control unit may calculate the boundary section using the distance information of the object based on the dark zone width corresponding to the object.

[0022] When calculating the dark zone width and the boundary section when a plurality of objects are detected, the control unit may calculate the dark zone width and the boundary section by adding dark zone widths and boundary sections corresponding to the objects, respectively.

[0023] When driving the ADB headlight, the control unit can determine whether the ADB is operated and turns off the lights for the dark zone and then flashes lights for the boundary section when the ADB is operated.

[0024] When driving the ADB headlight, the control unit determines whether the ADB is operated and flashes the boundary section lights when the ADB is not operated.

[0025] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus and method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle can prevent dazzling of a driver in an oncoming vehicle by turning off the lights for an area corresponding to the oncoming vehicle using the masking principle of the ADB headlight. When a pedestrian or wild animal is detected, the apparatus and method can further flash lights for the boundary section around the pedestrian or wild animal, allowing the pedestrian or wild animal to recognize the approach of the vehicle while preventing dazzling of the pedestrian or wild animal. Furthermore, the apparatus and method can implement the spotlight function using the ADB headlight, thereby enabling a reduction in the number of parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a light distribution emitted from the apparatus for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while an ADB (Adaptive Drive Beam) is operated. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a light distribution emitted from the apparatus for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while the ADB is not operated. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for describing a method of controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Below, an apparatus and method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle are described with reference to the accompanying drawings by means of various exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are not to scale and may differ from the actual illustration in terms of line thickness or component sizes solely for the sake of simplicity of description and clarity. Furthermore, the terms used herein are defined with respect to functions of the disclosure and may be changed depending on the usage or intention of users or operators. The terms should therefore be defined in accordance with the present disclosure as a whole.

[0027] As is generally known in the art, some embodiments may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings from the perspective of functional blocks, units, sections, and / or modules. Those skilled in the art will understand that these blocks, units, sections, and / or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, processors, wired circuits, memory elements, and wire connections. When the blocks, units, and / or modules are implemented by processors or similar hardware, the blocks, units, and modules may be programmed and controlled by software (e.g., code) to perform various functions discussed in this specification. Furthermore, each block, unit, and / or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware or as a combination of dedicated hardware for performing some functions and a processor (e.g.,Each block, unit, and / or module of some embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units, and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, blocks, units, and / or modules of some embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a light distribution emitted from the apparatus for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while an ADB (Adaptive Drive Beam) is operated, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a light distribution emitted from the device for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure while the ADB is not operated.

[0029] As in Fig. 1, the apparatus for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include an object detection unit 10, an ADB headlight 40, a vehicle state input unit 20, and a control unit 30.

[0030] The object detection unit 10 can detect an object located in front of a vehicle and provide the detection result to the control unit 30.

[0031] The object detection unit 10 can detect the position information and distance information of the object using an optical camera or an infrared camera. If the object is detected by a plurality of sensors, the object detection unit 10 can detect the position and distance of the object by merging the elements of the position information and distance information sensed by the respective sensors.

[0032] The ADB headlight 40 can emit a matrix light according to a light distribution and thus turn lights on and off for a desired area.

[0033] The vehicle state input unit 20 can receive the operation state of the ADB and provide the received operation state to the control unit 30. Thus, the ADB function can be added through a single optical system to perform a spotlight function. The vehicle state input unit 20 can receive the operation state of the ADB through CAN (Controller Area Network) communication within the vehicle. The vehicle state input unit 20 can be a communication unit.

[0034] The control unit 30 may calculate the width of the dark zone corresponding to the object and the boundary portion around the dark zone according to the object detection result of the object detection unit 10, and may then drive the ADB headlight to perform the spotlight function depending on the operation state of the ADB.

[0035] The control unit 30 can calculate the width of the dark zone by adding a deviation to the position information of the object. When multiple objects are detected, the control unit 30 can calculate the width of the dark zones by adding the dark zone widths corresponding to the respective objects.

[0036] The control unit 30 can calculate the boundary section around the dark zone using the distance information of the object based on the dark zone width corresponding to the object. Even if a plurality of objects are detected, the control unit 30 can calculate the boundary section by adding the boundary sections corresponding to the respective objects.

[0037] The angle of width between lights that are switched on and off in the boundary section can be calculated as a value that is inversely proportional to the distance.

[0038] After calculating the dark zone width and the boundary section corresponding to the object according to the object detection result, the control unit 30 may obtain the operation state of the ADB from the vehicle state output unit 20 and determine that the ADB headlight 40 is already switched to high beam when the ADB is operated.

[0039] As in Fig. 2, the control unit 30 can therefore turn off lights for a dark zone corresponding to the object and flash lights for a boundary section B so that the driver can recognize a pedestrian or a wild animal while preventing the pedestrian or the wild animal from being dazzled.

[0040] When the ADB is not operated, the ADB headlight 40 is off. The control unit 30 therefore flashes lights for the boundary section B around the dark zone A, as shown in Fig. 3 to prevent blinding a pedestrian or wild animal while allowing the pedestrian or wild animal to detect the approach of the vehicle. The control unit 30 can further enable the driver to detect pedestrians or wild animals.

[0041] As described above, the device for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent dazzling of a driver in an oncoming vehicle by turning off lights for an area corresponding to the oncoming vehicle using the masking principle of the ADB headlight. Further, when a pedestrian or a wild animal is detected, the device can flash lights for the boundary section around the pedestrian or wild animal, allowing the pedestrian or wild animal to recognize the approach of the vehicle while preventing dazzling of the pedestrian or wild animal. Furthermore, the device can implement the spotlight function using the ADB headlight, thereby enabling a reduction in the number of parts.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for describing a method of controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] As in Fig. 4, the method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure begins with step S10, in which the control unit 30 receives an object detection result of the object detection unit 10.

[0044] The object detection result may include position information and distance information of the object detected by an optical camera or infrared camera of the object detection unit 10. If the object is detected by a plurality of sensors, the object detection result may include multiple pieces of position information or distance information sensed by the respective sensors and subsequently combined.

[0045] After obtaining the object detection result in step S10, the control unit 30 may determine in step S20 whether the object is detected.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the object may include a pedestrian or a wild animal.

[0047] If the detection result from step S20 indicates that no object is detected, the control unit 30 returns to step S10 to obtain an object detection result.

[0048] On the other hand, if the detection result from step S20 indicates that an object is detected, the control unit 30 calculates the width of a dark zone corresponding to the object in step S30.

[0049] The control unit can calculate the dark zone width by adding a deviation to the object's position information. When multiple objects are detected, the control unit 30 can calculate the dark zone width by adding the dark zone widths corresponding to the respective objects.

[0050] After calculating the dark zone width corresponding to the object in step S30, the control unit 30 may calculate a boundary section around the dark zone in step S40.

[0051] Here, the control unit 30 can calculate the boundary section using the distance information of the object based on the dark zone width corresponding to the object. Even here, when a plurality of objects are detected, the control unit 30 can calculate the boundary section by summing the boundary sections corresponding to the respective objects.

[0052] The angle of width between lights that are turned on and off in the boundary section can be calculated as a value that is inversely proportional to the distance.

[0053] After calculating the limiting section in step S40, the control unit 30 receives the operation state of the ADB from the vehicle state input unit 20 in step S50 and determines whether the ADB is operated.

[0054] If the determination result of step S50 indicates that the ADB is not operated, the control unit 30 determines that the ADB headlight 40 has already been switched to the headlight and turns off the lights for the dark zone A corresponding to the object in step S60, as shown in Fig. 2. Subsequently, in step S70, the control unit 30 may flash lights for the boundary section B so that the driver can recognize the pedestrian or wild animal while preventing the pedestrian or wild animal from being dazzled.

[0055] On the other hand, when the determination result of step S50 indicates that the ADB is not operated, the control unit 30 determines that the ADB headlight 40 is off and flashes the lights for the boundary section around the dark zone in step S80 so that the pedestrian or wild animal can recognize the approach of the vehicle while preventing dazzling of the pedestrian or wild animal, and so that the driver can also recognize the pedestrian or wild animal.

[0056] As described above, the method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent dazzling of a driver in an oncoming vehicle by turning off lights for an area corresponding to the oncoming vehicle using the masking principle of the ADB headlight. Furthermore, when a pedestrian or a wild animal is detected, the method can flash lights for the boundary section around the pedestrian or wild animal, allowing the pedestrian or wild animal to recognize the approach of the vehicle while preventing dazzling of the pedestrian or wild animal. Furthermore, the method can implement the spotlight function using the ADB headlight, thereby enabling a reduction in the number of parts.

[0057] The embodiments described in this specification may, for example, be implemented with a method or process, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Although the embodiments have been discussed in the context of a single implementation (e.g., only with a method), the features discussed may be implemented in other forms (e.g., as an apparatus or program). The apparatus may be implemented as suitable hardware, software, firmware, or the like. The method may be implemented in an apparatus, such as a processor, which generally refers to a processing device, including a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device.The processor includes a communication device, such as a computer, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other device that can facilitate the communication of information between an end user and the processor.

Claims

[1] Device for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, comprising: an object detection unit (10) configured to detect an object located in front of the vehicle; an ADB headlight (40) (ADB - Adaptive Driving Beam) configured to emit a matrix light according to a light distribution; a vehicle state input unit (20) configured to receive an ADB operation state; and a control unit (30) configured to calculate the width of a dark zone corresponding to the object and to calculate a boundary section (B) around the dark zone (A) in accordance with the object detection result of the object detection unit (10), and to drive the ADB headlight (40) in accordance with the ADB operation state, characterized by , that when the ADB is not operated, the control unit (30) flashes lights for the boundary section (B). [2] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (30) calculates the dark zone width by adding a deviation to the position information of the object. [3] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (30) calculates the boundary section (B) using distance information of the object based on the dark zone width corresponding to the object. [4] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a plurality of objects are detected, the control unit (30) calculates the dark zone width and the boundary portion (B) by adding dark zone widths and boundary portions (B) respectively corresponding to the objects. [5] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the ADB is operated, the control unit (30) turns off the lights for the dark zone (A) and then flashes lights for the boundary section (B). [6] Method for controlling a light distribution of a headlight for a vehicle, comprising the following steps: Receiving, by means of a control unit (30), an object detection result of the object detection unit; Calculating, by means of the control unit (30), the width of a dark zone (A) corresponding to the object and a boundary section (B) around the dark zone (A) according to the detection result of the object; Receiving, by means of the control unit (30), an ADB operating state; and Driving, by means of the control unit (30), an ADB headlight (40) based on the dark zone (A) and the boundary section (B) according to the ADB operation state, characterized by , that when driving the ADB headlight (40), the control unit (30) determines whether the ADB is operated and flashes the lights for the boundary section (B) when the ADB is not operated. [7] The method according to claim 6, wherein, in calculating the dark zone width and the boundary portion, the control unit (30) calculates the dark zone width by adding a deviation to the position information of the object. [8] The method according to claim 6, wherein, in calculating the dark zone width and the boundary portion (B), the control unit (30) calculates the boundary portion using distance information of the object based on the dark zone width corresponding to the object. [9] The method according to claim 6, wherein, in calculating the dark zone width and the boundary portion (B) when a plurality of objects are detected, the control unit (30) calculates the dark zone width and the boundary portion (B) by adding dark zone widths and boundary portions (B) corresponding to the objects, respectively. [10] The method according to claim 6, wherein, when driving the ADB headlight (40), the control unit (30) determines whether the ADB is operated and turns off the lights for the dark zone (A) and then flashes lights for the boundary section (B) when the ADB is operated.

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