Control device for vehicle headlamp and vehicle headlamp system

Abstract

To reduce the visual inconvenience caused by the movement of a dimming range (or light shielding range).SOLUTION: In a device for controlling the operation of a vehicle lamp in a variable light distribution pattern, a controller sets an illumination mode that gradually changes brightness in each area when there are a first area where a dimming range set at first timing is switched to a light irradiation range at second timing and / or a second area where the light irradiation range set at the first timing is switched to the dimming range at the second timing, and generates a control signal to be output to the vehicle lamp on the basis of the set irradiation mode. The irradiation mode secularly changes such that a change amount of the brightness near a start point and near an end point is less than the change amount in a middle between the start point and the end point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as a technology for controlling the light distribution of vehicle headlights, a technology for dimming a certain range according to the position of another vehicle (a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, etc.) existing in front of the vehicle, mainly within the irradiation range of the high beam, is known. For example, JP 2022-139713 A (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting system that sets a dimming range according to the position of the vehicle in front and sets an extended dimming range to either the left or right of the dimming range according to the moving direction in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle in front. In this vehicle lighting system, the time for changing the brightness of the segment corresponding to the extended dimming range is set relatively shorter as the moving speed in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle in front is faster, and relatively longer as the moving speed is slower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-139713 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the objectives of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of reducing the visual inconvenience caused by the movement of the light-reducing range (or light-blocking range). [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [1] A control device for a vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A device for controlling the operation of a vehicle lamp having a variable light distribution pattern, comprising: A controller connected to the vehicle lamp, The controller: Setting a light distribution pattern including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle, a half-tone range disposed adjacent to the dimming range, and a light irradiation range disposed adjacent to the half-tone range; In a case where a first region in which the light attenuation range in the light distribution pattern set in a first period is switched to the light irradiation range in a second period following the first period, and / or a second region in which the light irradiation range in the light distribution pattern set in the first period is switched to the light attenuation range in the second period occurs, setting an illumination mode that gradually changes the brightness of the first region and / or the second region; generating a control signal to be output to the vehicle lamp based on the set light distribution pattern and the illumination mode set for the first region and / or the second region; The purpose of the present invention is to The illumination mode changes over time such that the amount of change in brightness between the start point and the end point is smaller than the amount of change between the start point and the end point. A control device for a vehicle lamp. [2] A vehicle lighting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure The vehicle lighting control device according to [1] above, A vehicle lamp connected to the control device; A vehicle lighting system comprising:

[0006] According to the above configuration, a technique is provided that can reduce the visual inconvenience caused by the movement of the light-reducing range (or light-blocking range). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer system. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2(A) is a diagram illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern that is variably set, and Fig. 2(B) is a diagram illustrating an example of a light distribution variable region for variably setting the light distribution pattern. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the change over time in the light irradiation state in each variable light distribution region. [Figure 4] 4(A) and 4(B) are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in brightness over time in a light distribution variable region. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the movement of the dimming range that can be visually sensed. [Figure 6] 6(A) and 6(B) are diagrams for explaining the movement speed of the dimming range. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the vehicle lighting system. [Figure 8] 8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams showing modified examples of the change in brightness over time in the light distribution variable region. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Fig. 1(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to an embodiment. The vehicle lighting system shown in the figure includes a controller 10, a camera 11, and a pair of headlamp units 12L and 12R. This vehicle lighting system is for emitting light forward of a vehicle. In this specification, the controller 10 is included in a control device for a vehicle lighting device.

[0009] The controller 10 controls the operation of emitting light by each of the headlamp units 12L and 12R. The controller 10 can be configured using a computer system such as that shown in Fig. 1(B), that is, a computer system including a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage device 204 such as a flash memory, an input / output interface 205, and the like. The controller 10 of this embodiment is capable of performing each function described below by reading and executing a program 206 stored in advance in the storage device 204 by the processor.

[0010] The camera 11 detects the situation such as the positions of vehicles ahead (vehicles ahead, oncoming vehicles) and pedestrians by performing a predetermined image recognition process based on image data obtained by photographing the space ahead of the vehicle. Note that a part or all of the image recognition process function may be provided on the controller 10 side. In that case, the image data is supplied from the camera 11 to the controller 10, and the image recognition process is performed by executing a predetermined program in the controller 10.

[0011] The controller 10 includes a vehicle detection unit 20, a light distribution pattern setting unit 21, a gradual change setting unit 22, and a control signal generation unit 23 as functional blocks realized by executing a program.

[0012] The vehicle detection unit 20 detects information indicating the actual position of a forward vehicle, etc., based on the detection result of the camera 11 of the forward vehicle, etc.

[0013] The light distribution pattern setting unit 21 sets a light distribution pattern of light emitted by each headlamp unit 12L, 12R based on the detection result of a forward vehicle, etc. by the vehicle detection unit 20. The light distribution pattern of this embodiment includes a dimming range (or a light blocking range; the same applies below) that is set as a certain range according to the position of the forward vehicle, a light irradiation range that is set in a range where no forward vehicle exists, and a halftone range that is set next to the dimming range in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] The gradual change setting unit 22 sets the manner of change over time of brightness (illuminance or luminance) in the area changing from the light irradiation range to the light reduction range in the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 22 (hereinafter referred to as "illumination manner"), and also sets the illumination manner of brightness in the area changing from the light reduction range to the light irradiation range. Furthermore, the gradual change setting unit 22 of this embodiment sets whether or not to change the brightness over time in the gradual change range depending on the moving speed in the vehicle width direction of the light reduction range when the light distribution pattern is switched.

[0015] The control signal generating unit 23 generates a control signal for causing each headlight unit 12L, 12R to form illumination light in accordance with the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 21 and the illumination mode set by the gradual change setting unit 22, and supplies the control signal to each headlight unit 12L, 12R.

[0016] The pair of headlamp units 12L, 12R are mounted at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and operate in response to control signals provided by the controller 10 to form light to be irradiated ahead of the vehicle. The headlamp units 12L, 12R of this embodiment are capable of forming low beam (passing light) and high beam (driving light) illumination lights, and can variably set the light distribution pattern within the illumination range of the high beam.

[0017] Various known configurations can be adopted for each headlamp unit 12L, 12R. For example, a high beam, a low beam, and an additional beam can be formed by a lamp unit configured by combining a light source bulb with a reflector or a shielding plate. An adaptive driving beam can also be formed by using a lamp unit in which light emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in one or two directions and the lighting state of each light emitting element can be individually controlled. An adaptive driving beam can also be formed by using a lamp unit that includes a light source and a liquid crystal element and can individually control the light transmission state of each pixel of the liquid crystal element. An adaptive driving beam can also be formed by using a lamp unit that includes a light emitting element such as a laser diode and a scanning element such as a mirror device that scans the light emitted from the light emitting element and can control the timing of turning on and off the light emitting element and the scanning timing by the scanning element. Furthermore, in the lamp units of these configurations, a high beam and a low beam may be formed in addition to the adaptive driving beam.

[0018] FIG. 2(A) is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern that is variably set. The illustrated light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern formed on a screen when the screen is assumed to be at a predetermined position (for example, 30 m ahead) in front of the vehicle. In the vehicle lighting system of this embodiment, a light distribution pattern including a dimming range 151 according to the position of the vehicle 102 ahead and a halftone range 152 arranged next to the dimming range 151 is set within a light irradiation range 150 of the high beam, and irradiation light based on this set light distribution pattern is irradiated in front of the vehicle. As shown in the figure, when the position of the vehicle 102 ahead changes over time, the light distribution pattern is updated so that the positions of the dimming range 151 and the halftone range 152 change accordingly.

[0019] In the light illumination range 150, the illumination light is controlled to have a predetermined maximum brightness, for example. In the dimming range 151, the illumination light is controlled to have a predetermined minimum brightness (typically 0). In the halftone range 152, the illumination light is controlled to have an intermediate brightness between the brightness of the light illumination range 150 and the dimming range 151. This allows the viewer to sense that the illumination light changes in a gradational manner from the light illumination range 150 to the dimming range 151.

[0020] FIG. 2(B) is a diagram showing an example of a variable light distribution area for variably setting a light distribution pattern. The illustrated variable light distribution area R is a total of 40 areas in 4 rows and 10 columns, and the light irradiation state of each of them can be variably set individually. By controlling the light irradiation state in some of these variable light distribution areas R according to the position of the vehicle ahead and its apparent size, it is possible to form irradiation light of a light distribution pattern including the above-mentioned dimming range 151 and halftone range 152. Note that the number of variable light distribution areas R and their respective shapes are not limited to those shown in the example. Variable light distribution areas R with different planar shapes may be used, and the number of variable light distribution areas R may be increased or decreased.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the change over time in the light irradiation state in each variable light distribution area. Here, for convenience of explanation, ten variable light distribution areas R for one stage are shown, and the symbols R1 to R10 are used to distinguish each variable light distribution area R from one another. In reality, the light irradiation range, dimming range, and half-tone range in the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 2(A) above are each formed by combining several variable light distribution areas. In the figure, the variable light distribution area shown with thick hatching indicates the dimming range, the variable light distribution area shown with light hatching indicates the half-tone range, and the variable light distribution area shown with no hatching indicates the light irradiation range.

[0022] As shown by the arrows in the figure, for example, if we look at the variable light distribution region R3 from time T0 through time T1 to time T2, it is a light irradiation range at time T0, and as the time progresses from T0 to T2, it passes through a half-tone range and becomes a dimming range at time T2. The change over time in brightness (illuminance or luminance) in the variable light distribution region R3 at this time is controlled to change in the shape of a sigmoid curve, for example, as shown in FIG. 4(A). The sigmoid curve referred to here is generally expressed as y=1 / (1+e -ax ) is a curve described by the function

[0023] Similarly, for example, looking at the variable light distribution region R2 from time T2 through time T3 to time T4, it is in the dimming range at time T2, passes through the halftone range as the time transitions from T2 to T4, and becomes the light irradiation range at time T4. The change in brightness (illuminance or luminance) over time in the variable light distribution region R2 at this time is also controlled to change in the shape of a sigmoid curve, as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0024] The change in brightness over time is not limited to a sigmoid curve, and any change over time in which the change in brightness (degree of change) near the start point and near the end point is smaller than the change in brightness (degree of change) between the start point and the end point is sufficient. 3 +bx 2 The change in brightness over time may be realized along a curve (cubic curve) drawn by a cubic function shown by +cx, or any other curve may be used. The term "near the starting point" here refers to, for example, a period from the starting point to the end point, up to a length of 1 / 4 or less of the length between the starting point and the end point. Similarly, the term "near the end point" refers to, for example, a period from the end point back to the starting point, up to a length of 1 / 4 or less of the length between the starting point and the end point.

[0025] As described above, when each variable light distribution region R switches from the dimming range to the light irradiation range, or vice versa, the brightness is gradually changed based on a sigmoid curve or the like instead of immediately switching, which allows the viewer to perceive an artificial increase in the resolution of the variable light distribution region R. Specifically, as shown in the example of Fig. 5, while each variable light distribution region R is actually the smallest unit of light distribution change, the viewer can visually sense that the movement of the dimming range has become smoother with a higher resolution.

[0026] According to the study by the inventors of the present application, it is more effective to gradually change the brightness when the moving speed of the dimming range is relatively slow, but it has been found that the effect tends to be difficult to perceive depending on the moving speed of the dimming range. In principle, the moving speed of the dimming range referred to here can be expressed by the amount of change in the moving distance L of the dimming range per unit time, as shown in Figure 6 (A).

[0027] In actual control, as shown in FIG. 6B, the position of the dimming range is often specified by a relative angle based on a predetermined position p of the vehicle, so the moving speed is determined by the angle θ L For example, when the latter expression by angle is used, the inventors of the present application have found that it is possible to suitably determine whether or not to use the gradual change in brightness by using a value of, for example, 10° / second as a threshold value.

[0028] That is, when the moving speed of the dimming range is less than 10° / sec, it is effective to determine that the moving speed is slow and to intervene in the gradual brightness change process, whereas when the moving speed of the dimming range is 10° / sec or more, it is determined that the moving speed is fast and to not intervene in the gradual brightness change process, thereby reducing the computational load required for brightness control.

[0029] 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the vehicle lighting system. Note that the order of the processes shown here can be changed as long as no contradiction or inconsistency occurs in the results of the information processing, and other processes not explicitly shown here can be added.

[0030] When the vehicle detection unit 20 of the controller 10 detects a forward vehicle (step S11), the light distribution pattern setting unit 21 sets a light distribution pattern according to the position of the forward vehicle (step S12).

[0031] Next, the gradual change setting unit 22 calculates the moving speed of the dimming range (step S13). The calculation of the moving speed is performed based on the position of the dimming range in the previous process and the position of the dimming range set in step S12 this time. Note that, if the dimming range in the previous process does not exist, such as in the initial process, exceptional processing is performed, such as setting the moving speed to 0.

[0032] If the movement speed of the dimming range calculated in step S13 is smaller than a predetermined threshold (for example, 10° / sec) (step S14; NO), the gradual change setting unit 22 sets the gradual brightness change process to "Yes" (step S15).

[0033] On the other hand, if the movement speed of the dimming range obtained in step S13 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S14; YES), the gradual change setting unit 22 sets the gradual brightness change process to "none" (step S16).

[0034] Next, the control signal generating unit 23 generates a control signal so that irradiation light is formed according to the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 22 and the presence or absence of gradual change processing set by the gradual change setting unit 22, and outputs the control signal to each headlamp unit 12L, 12R (step S17). After that, the process returns to step 11, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0035] According to the embodiment as described above, it is possible to reduce the visual inconvenience caused by the movement of the light-reducing range (or light-blocking range).

[0036] The present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the rise time (see FIG. 4(A)) and fall time (see FIG. 4(B)) of the brightness (illuminance or luminance) over time in the light distribution variable region are the same. However, as shown in FIG. 8(A) and FIG. 8(B), the rise time T on and fall time T off In this case, the rise time T on Fall time T off It is preferable to make it shorter than

[0037] In the above embodiment, whether or not to perform gradual brightness change processing is determined based on the moving speed of the dimming range, but whether or not to perform gradual brightness change processing may be determined based on the moving speed of the vehicle ahead in the vehicle width direction as seen from the vehicle itself. In this case, the moving speed can be obtained by calculating the amount of change per unit time of the position of the vehicle ahead, in the same manner as in the case of the dimming range described above (see Fig. 6(A) and Fig. 6(B)).

[0038] The present disclosure has the following features. (Appendix 1) A device for controlling the operation of a vehicle lamp having a variable light distribution pattern, comprising: A controller connected to the vehicle lamp, The controller: Setting a light distribution pattern including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle, a half-tone range disposed adjacent to the dimming range, and a light irradiation range disposed adjacent to the half-tone range; In a case where a first region in which the light attenuation range in the light distribution pattern set in a first period is switched to the light irradiation range in a second period following the first period, and / or a second region in which the light irradiation range in the light distribution pattern set in the first period is switched to the light attenuation range in the second period occurs, setting an illumination mode that gradually changes the brightness of the first region and / or the second region; generating a control signal to be output to the vehicle lamp based on the set light distribution pattern and the illumination mode set for the first region and / or the second region; The purpose of the present invention is to The illumination mode changes over time such that the amount of change in brightness between the start point and the end point is smaller than the amount of change between the start point and the end point. A control device for vehicle lighting. (Appendix 2) The illumination pattern is such that the brightness changes over time along a sigmoid curve or a cubic curve. 2. A control device for a vehicle lamp as described in appendix 1. (Appendix 3) the controller calculates a moving speed of the dimming range when the dimming range moves from the first time to the second time, and sets the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode when the moving speed is less than a predetermined threshold, and does not set the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode when the moving speed is equal to or greater than the threshold. 3. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the controller calculates a moving speed in a vehicle width direction of the forward vehicle when the moving speed is less than a predetermined threshold, sets the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode, and when the moving speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, does not set the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode. 3. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 5) The threshold value is 10° / sec when expressed as an angle based on a predetermined position of the vehicle. 5. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to claim 3 or 4. (Appendix 6) The illumination mode is set such that a fall time when the brightness is decreased is relatively longer than a rise time when the brightness is increased. 6. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) 1. A method for controlling operation of a variable light distribution pattern vehicular lamp, comprising: (a) a controller sets a light distribution pattern including a dimming range corresponding to a position of a forward vehicle, a half-tone range disposed adjacent to the dimming range, and a light irradiation range disposed adjacent to the half-tone range; (b) when a first region in which the dimming range in the light distribution pattern set at a first time period is switched to the light irradiation range in a second time period following the first time period and / or a second region in which the light irradiation range in the light distribution pattern set at the first time period is switched to the dimming range in the second time period occurs, the controller sets an illumination mode in which the brightness of the first region and / or the second region is gradually changed; (c) the controller generates a control signal to be output to the vehicle lamp based on the light distribution pattern set in (a) and the illumination mode set in the first region and / or the second region in (b); Including, The illumination mode set in (b) changes over time such that the amount of change in brightness between the start point and the end point is smaller than the amount of change between the start point and the end point. A method for controlling a vehicle lamp. (Appendix 8) A control device for a vehicle lamp according to any one of appendixes 1 to 7, A vehicle lamp connected to the control device; A vehicle lighting system comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 10: controller, 11: camera, 12L, 12R: headlamp unit, 20: vehicle detection unit, 21: light distribution pattern setting unit, 22: gradual change setting unit, 23: control signal generation unit, 102: forward vehicle, 150: light irradiation range, 151: dimming range, R, R1 to R10: variable light distribution area

Claims

1. A device for controlling the operation of a vehicle lamp having a variable light distribution pattern, comprising: A controller connected to the vehicle lamp, The controller: Setting a light distribution pattern including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle, a half-tone range disposed adjacent to the dimming range, and a light irradiation range disposed adjacent to the half-tone range; In a case where a first region in which the light attenuation range in the light distribution pattern set at a first time period is switched to the light irradiation range in a second time period following the first time period, and / or a second region in which the light irradiation range in the light distribution pattern set at the first time period is switched to the light attenuation range in the second time period occurs, setting an illumination mode in which the brightness of the first region and / or the second region is gradually changed; generating a control signal to be output to the vehicle lamp based on the set light distribution pattern and the illumination mode set for the first region and / or the second region; The purpose of the present invention is to carry out the following: The illumination mode changes over time such that the amount of change in brightness between the start point and the end point is smaller than the amount of change between the start point and the end point. A control device for vehicle lighting.

2. The illumination pattern is such that the brightness changes over time along a sigmoid curve or a cubic curve. The vehicle lighting control device according to claim 1 .

3. the controller calculates a moving speed of the dimming range when the dimming range moves from the first time point to the second time point, and sets the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode when the moving speed is less than a predetermined threshold value, and does not set the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode when the moving speed is equal to or greater than the threshold value; The vehicle lighting control device according to claim 1 .

4. the controller calculates a moving speed in a vehicle width direction of the forward vehicle when the moving speed is less than a predetermined threshold, sets the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode, and when the moving speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, does not set the first region and / or the second region to the illumination mode. The vehicle lighting control device according to claim 1 .

5. The threshold value is 10° / sec when expressed as an angle based on a predetermined position of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp control device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The illumination mode is set such that a fall time when the brightness is decreased is relatively longer than a rise time when the brightness is increased. The vehicle lighting control device according to claim 1 .

7. 1. A method for controlling operation of a variable light distribution pattern vehicular lamp, comprising: (a) a controller sets a light distribution pattern including a dimming range corresponding to a position of a forward vehicle, a half-tone range disposed adjacent to the dimming range, and a light irradiation range disposed adjacent to the half-tone range; (b) when a first region in which the light dimming range in the light distribution pattern set at a first time period is switched to the light irradiation range in a second time period following the first time period and / or a second region in which the light irradiation range in the light distribution pattern set at the first time period is switched to the light dimming range in the second time period occurs, the controller sets an illumination mode in which the brightness of the first region and / or the second region is gradually changed; (c) the controller generates a control signal to be output to the vehicle lamp based on the light distribution pattern set in (a) and the illumination mode set in the first region and / or the second region in (b); Including, The illumination mode set in (b) changes over time such that the amount of change in brightness between the start point and the end point is smaller than the amount of change between the start point and the end point. A method for controlling a vehicle lamp.

8. The vehicle lighting control device according to claim 1 ; A vehicle lamp connected to the control device; A vehicle lighting system comprising:

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