Vehicle headlight device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle headlight device capable of reducing a possibility of a driver failing to notice a pedestrian.SOLUTION: A vehicle headlight device 1 includes: a low-beam lamp 5 and a high-beam lamp 6 for projecting light onto a first light distribution region A1 ahead of a vehicle; and a pattern-light projection part PP for projecting light onto a second light distribution region A2 outside the first light distribution region A1 in a vehicle width direction in such a light projection pattern that bright regions a1 and dark regions a2 are alternately repeated. The pattern-light projection part PP projects light such that an interval between the bright regions a1 adjacent to each other is wider at a far side than at a near side in a vehicle traveling direction. According to one aspect, the pattern-light projection part PP projects light such that the light projection pattern is moved along the traveling direction of a vehicle 2 while maintaining a state in which the interval between the bright regions a1 adjacent to each other is wider at the far side than at the near side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp device. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed for a vehicle headlamp device that improves the visibility of pedestrians to the driver by irradiating light from a light source in an irradiation pattern in which light areas and dark areas are alternately repeated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle headlamp device of Patent Document 1 simultaneously irradiates light in a first irradiation pattern in which light areas and dark areas are alternately repeated, and in a second irradiation pattern in which the entire area is a light area, so that the driver can instantly recognize the presence of a pedestrian in the distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-143872 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there has been an increasing demand in recent years for improved visibility of objects by drivers, and further technological improvements are desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle headlamp device that can reduce the risk of a driver overlooking an object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A vehicle headlight device (for example, vehicle headlight device 1 described later) including a low beam lamp (for example, low beam lamp 5 described later) and a high beam lamp (for example, high beam lamp 6 described later) that irradiate light to a first light distribution area (for example, first light distribution area A1 described later) in front of the vehicle, and a pattern light irradiation unit (for example, pattern light irradiation unit PP described later) that irradiates light to a second light distribution area (for example, second light distribution area A2 described later) that is located outside the first light distribution area in the vehicle width direction in an irradiation pattern in which bright areas (for example, bright areas a1 described later) and dark areas (for example, dark areas a2 described later) are alternately repeated, wherein the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light such that the distance between adjacent bright areas is wider on the rear side than on the front side in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0007] (2) A vehicle headlamp device as described in (1), wherein the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light so as to move the irradiation pattern along the direction of travel of the vehicle while maintaining a state in which the distance between adjacent bright areas is wider on the rear side than on the front side in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0008] (3) The pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in a lattice-like irradiation pattern in which the bright area is a plurality of first stripes arranged along a first direction and a plurality of second stripes arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the spacing between the first stripes and the second stripes is wider on the rear side than on the front side in the direction of vehicle travel. This is the vehicle headlamp device of (1).

[0009] (4) The vehicle headlamp device according to (1), wherein the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light so that the width of the bright region becomes narrower on the rear side than on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0010] (5) The vehicle headlamp device according to (1), wherein the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light such that the light intensity of the bright region is stronger on a rear side than on a front side in a traveling direction of the vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the vehicle headlamp device of (1), the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light so that the interval between adjacent bright areas in an irradiation pattern in which bright areas and dark areas are alternately repeated is wider on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle than on the near side. This makes it possible to irradiate the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle with an irradiation pattern in which the interval between the bright areas is not crushed. This makes it possible to clearly recognize objects such as pedestrians.

[0012] In the vehicle headlamp device of (2), the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light so as to move the irradiation pattern along the traveling direction of the vehicle while maintaining a state in which the interval between adjacent bright areas is wider on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. This allows the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle to be irradiated by moving the irradiation pattern in a state in which the interval between the bright areas is not collapsed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle are perceived as flickering, and can be clearly recognized.

[0013] In the vehicle headlamp device of (3), the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in a grid-like irradiation pattern with a bright area consisting of a plurality of first stripes along a first direction and a plurality of second stripes along a second direction intersecting the first direction, such that the interval between the first stripes and the second stripes is wider on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle than on the near side. This allows the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle to be irradiated by moving an irradiation pattern in which the interval between the bright areas is not crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle are perceived as flickering, and can be clearly recognized.

[0014] In the vehicle headlamp device of (4), the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light so that the width of the bright area becomes narrower on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle than on the near side. As a result, an irradiation pattern is irradiated on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle in which the width of the bright areas is narrowed, the intervals between the areas are maintained, and the contours are not overlapped and crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians can be clearly recognized.

[0015] In the vehicle headlamp device of (5), the pattern light irradiation unit has a bright area with stronger light on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle than on the front side. This allows objects such as pedestrians on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle to be irradiated with an irradiation pattern that reduces the effect of attenuation of light intensity due to distance. This allows objects such as pedestrians to be clearly recognized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle headlamp device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a control system for each lamp in the vehicle headlamp device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing an illumination area of ​​each lamp in the vehicle headlamp device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a system related to the pattern irradiation lamp of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 shows a driving field illuminated with one form of illumination from the patterned illumination lamp of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the definition of the concepts of "front" and "back" in the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a control form of a control system related to the pattern irradiation lamp of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of human visual characteristics according to the technical concept of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an irradiation pattern light distribution area is an area irradiated with a certain light, and an irradiation pattern is an irradiation form of light with respect to the irradiation pattern light distribution area.

[0018] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle headlamp device and a detection means according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle headlamp device 1 is provided on the left and right sides of a vehicle 2, in a symmetrical form when viewed from the center position in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle headlamp device 1 is provided with a turn signal lamp 3, a pattern irradiation lamp 4, a low beam lamp 5, and a high beam lamp 6 in the order from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction. The pattern irradiation lamp 4 is a collective term for a left pattern irradiation lamp 41 and a right pattern irradiation lamp 42.

[0019] The turn signal lamp 3 is a normal lamp of this type. The pattern irradiation lamp 4, which is a component of the pattern light irradiation unit PP, irradiates light to a second light distribution area A2 (described later) of the vehicle 2 in an irradiation pattern (see FIG. 5) in which bright areas a1 and dark areas a2 are alternately repeated. The low beam lamp 5 irradiates light to a low beam light distribution area AL. The high beam lamp 6 irradiates light to a high beam light distribution area AH. Hereinafter, the vehicle 2 equipped with the vehicle headlamp device 1 will be referred to as the host vehicle 2 as appropriate. In the above description, the second light distribution area A2 on the right front of the host vehicle 2 on the roadway is the right second light distribution area A22. Moreover, the second light distribution area A2 on the left front of the host vehicle 2 on the roadway is the left second light distribution area A21.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a control system for each lamp in the vehicle headlamp device 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the illumination area of ​​each lamp in the vehicle headlamp device 1. The high beam lamp 6, the low beam lamp 5, the left pattern illumination lamp 41, and the right pattern illumination lamp 42 are operated under the control of the lamp control ECU 40. The lamp control ECU 40 switches the operation modes of the high beam lamp 6, the low beam lamp 5, the left pattern illumination lamp 41, and the right pattern illumination lamp 42 based on the output from the higher-level ECU 100 etc. mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0021] The high beam lamp 6 includes a light-emitting element as a light source, a reflector, a light shielding plate and a lens that define an illumination area. The light-emitting element emits light when power is supplied from a power source (not shown) in response to a control signal from the lamp control ECU 40. The light from the light-emitting element is reflected by the reflector. The reflected light from the reflector is irradiated from the lens toward the high beam light distribution area AH defined by the light shielding plate.

[0022] The low beam lamp 5 includes a light-emitting element as a light source, a reflector, a light-shielding plate and a lens that define an illumination area. The light-emitting element emits light when power is supplied from a power source (not shown) in response to a control signal from the lamp control ECU 40. The light from the light-emitting element is reflected by the reflector. The reflected light from the reflector is irradiated from the lens toward a low-beam light distribution area AL defined by the light-shielding plate.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 3, the illumination areas by the high beam lamp 6, the low beam lamp 5, and the pattern illumination lamp 4 when light is irradiated onto the test screen from the vehicle headlamp device 1 in Fig. 1 will be described. Here, the illumination area by the pattern illumination lamp 4 indicates the illumination area by the right pattern illumination lamp 42.

[0024] The irradiation area by the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 is symmetrical to the irradiation area by the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 with respect to the VV line as the axis of symmetry, but is not shown in the figure.

[0025] The configuration and operation of the left-side pattern irradiation lamp 41 are similar to those of the right-side pattern irradiation lamp 42. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the left-side pattern irradiation lamp 41 will be described with reference to the description of the right-side pattern irradiation lamp 42.

[0026] The low beam light distribution area AL by the low beam lamp 5 has an oncoming lane cutoff line extending parallel to the HH line (horizontal line) to the right of the VV line (vertical line) in the center of the left-right direction on the test screen. It also has a vehicle's own lane cutoff line extending along the HH line at a position higher than the oncoming lane cutoff line to the left of the VV line. The oncoming lane cutoff line and the vehicle's own lane cutoff line are connected by an oblique cutoff line inclined with respect to the HH line. The low beam light distribution area AL is a lower illumination area on the lower front side of the vehicle 2.

[0027] The high beam distribution area AH of the high beam lamp 6 forms a rectangle with long sides parallel to the HH line and short sides parallel to the VV line, and the intersection of the diagonal lines is located at a position that approximately coincides with the intersection of the HH line and the VV line. The high beam distribution area AH overlaps with the low beam distribution area AL in a lower partial area including the portion of the oncoming lane cutoff line and the own lane cutoff line closer to the VV line. The high beam distribution area AH is an upper illumination area above the low beam distribution area AL, which is a lower illumination area, and toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 2. The low beam distribution area AL and the high beam distribution area AH are collectively referred to as the first light distribution area A1.

[0028] The right-side second light distribution area A22, which is an area illuminated by the right-side pattern illumination lamp 42, has its illumination pattern, such as the outline shape of the area and the form of the illumination pattern within the area, changed in various ways by a mode switching signal from the lamp control ECU 40. The left-side second light distribution area A21, which is symmetrical to the right-side second light distribution area A22 with respect to the line VV as the axis of symmetry, is not shown in the figure. The left-side second light distribution area A21 and the right-side second light distribution area A22 are collectively referred to as the second light distribution area A2.

[0029] Due to the capacity of the right-side pattern irradiation lamp 42, the right-side second light distribution area A22 can have a wide shape including an overlapping area A24 that overlaps with the high beam light distribution area AH. In this case, the right-side second light distribution area A22 has a horizontal trapezoid shape with the height direction parallel to the HH line and the upper and lower bases parallel to the VV line. The lower base of this trapezoid, which is relatively far from the VV line, is longer than the upper base, which is relatively close to the VV line. In other words, the right-side second light distribution area A22 has a shape in which the dimension along the VV line expands toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 2.

[0030] Next, the pattern irradiation lamp 4 (left pattern irradiation lamp 41 and right pattern irradiation lamp 42) will be further described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing a system related to the pattern irradiation lamp 4 of FIG. 2. This system has a common configuration for the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 and the right pattern irradiation lamp 42, and is referred to as a pattern irradiation lamp system 400 here. Each pattern irradiation lamp system 400 corresponding to the left pattern irradiation lamp 41 and the right pattern irradiation lamp 42 is the pattern light irradiation unit PP in the vehicle headlamp device 1 of the present disclosure. The pattern irradiation lamp system 400 is configured to include a projection pattern generator 401, a change unit 402, a panel driving circuit 403, a light modulation unit 404, and a projection optical system 405. In practice, the panel driving circuit 403 and the light modulation unit 404 are arranged separately from each other to insulate them from heat, and the two are connected by a harness. The projection pattern generator 401 generates an irradiation pattern signal Pts representing an irradiation pattern in which light and dark areas are alternately repeated in a form defined by a pattern selection signal Pss supplied from the lamp control ECU 40 in Fig. 2. The change unit 402 generates a flow velocity signal Fvs that defines the flow velocity when the irradiation pattern flows from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle, based on a vehicle speed signal Vss supplied from the lamp control ECU 40.

[0031] The panel driving circuit 403 is started by a start command signal Scs supplied from the lamp control ECU, and generates an element driving signal Eds for causing an irradiation pattern in which light and dark areas are alternately repeated, as defined by an irradiation pattern signal Pts generated by the projection pattern generator 401, to flow at a speed defined by a flow speed signal Fvs, thereby driving the light modulation unit 404. As a result, the light modulation unit 404 irradiates the irradiation pattern through the projection optical system 405 to the second light distribution area A2 so as to flow along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. The change unit 402 supplies a flow speed signal Fvs to the panel driving circuit 403 in accordance with a vehicle speed signal Vss indicating the vehicle speed of the vehicle 2, and causes the flow speed of the scenery as seen from the vehicle 2 to coincide with the flow speed of the irradiation pattern Pf.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a driving field of view illuminated by one form of illumination light from the pattern illumination lamp of FIG. 2. A dividing line 12 is drawn on a road 11, and one side of the road 11 is a sidewalk. It is assumed that a pedestrian 15 is on the sidewalk. An area including one sidewalk on the right side as seen from the driver is the right second light distribution area A22 by the right pattern illumination lamp 42. In FIG. 5, the right second light distribution area A22 is indicated by the symbol of the second light distribution area A2, which is a collective name for the right second light distribution area A21 together with the left second light distribution area A21. The right pattern illumination lamp 42 illuminates the right second light distribution area A22 with right illumination light PLR, which has an illumination pattern in which light areas a1 and dark areas a2 are alternately repeated.

[0033] As described above, the right-side illumination light PLR is emitted when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that the situation is such that it is possible to emit the right-side illumination light PLR based on information input from the upper ECU 100. In addition, when the lamp control ECU 40 determines that the situation is such that the left-side illumination light PLL should be emitted, the lamp control ECU 40 issues a start command signal Sc1 to cause the left-side pattern illumination lamp 41 to emit the left-side illumination light PLL, thereby illuminating the left-side second light distribution area A21 on the other sidewalk side that is not visible in FIG.

[0034] Here, Fig. 6 shows the definitions of the concepts of "near" and "far" in this disclosure. Marking lines 13 and 14 are drawn in the driving lane of the host vehicle 2 on the road 11. As the position of the dashed line drawn across the road 11 just in front of the host vehicle 2 in Fig. 6 is marked as "near," a position that is relatively close just in front of the host vehicle 2 is "near." As the position of the dashed line drawn across the road 11 just in front of the host vehicle 2 is marked as "far," a position that is relatively far forward from just in front of the host vehicle 2 is "far."

[0035] In FIG. 5, the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light in an irradiation pattern Pf in which the interval between adjacent parallel bright areas a1 is wider on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the two vehicles. The pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP in this manner is hereinafter referred to as pattern light irradiation in the first mode as appropriate. The driver perceives the distant view as relatively reduced. Therefore, if the interval between adjacent parallel bright areas a1 is uniform regardless of the distance from the vehicle, the interval between adjacent parallel bright areas a1 appears narrower. However, according to the pattern light irradiation in the first mode, the interval between adjacent parallel bright areas a1 in the irradiation pattern Pf is wider on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the two vehicles. As a result, the driver sees the degree of narrowing of the interval between the bright areas a1 according to the distance from the vehicle as being smaller. As a result, even on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, the contours of adjacent parallel bright areas a1 in the irradiation pattern Pf can be identified without overlapping and being crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians 15 can be clearly recognized.

[0036] In another aspect of the pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP, light is irradiated so that the irradiation pattern Pf moves along the traveling direction of the vehicle while maintaining a state in which the interval between adjacent bright areas a1 is wider on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. The pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP in this aspect is hereinafter referred to as pattern light irradiation in the second mode as appropriate. In the case of pattern light irradiation in the second mode, the contours of adjacent parallel bright areas a1 in the irradiation pattern Pf are identified without overlapping and being crushed even on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians can be clearly recognized. In addition, according to the pattern light irradiation in the second mode, the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 can be irradiated by moving the irradiation pattern in a state in which the interval between the bright areas a1 is not crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians 15 on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 are perceived as flickering and can be clearly recognized.

[0037] In another aspect of pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP, the light area a1 is irradiated in a grid-like irradiation pattern consisting of a plurality of first stripes along a first direction and a plurality of second stripes along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and light is irradiated so that the interval between the first stripes and the second stripes is wider on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 than on the front side. The pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP in this aspect is hereinafter referred to as pattern light irradiation in the third mode as appropriate. In the case of pattern light irradiation in the third mode and pattern light irradiation in the second mode, the contours of adjacent parallel light areas a1 in the irradiation pattern Pf are identified without overlapping and being crushed, even on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians can be clearly recognized. In addition, according to pattern light irradiation in the second mode, the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 can be irradiated by moving an irradiation pattern in which the interval between the light areas a1 is not crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians 15 on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 are perceived as flickering, and can be clearly recognized.

[0038] In another aspect of pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP, light is irradiated so that the width of the stripes of the bright region a1 is narrower on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 than on the near side. Pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP in this aspect is hereinafter referred to as pattern light irradiation in the fourth mode as appropriate. In the case of pattern light irradiation in the fourth mode, an irradiation pattern is irradiated on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, in which the width of the stripes of the bright region a1 is narrowed, the mutual interval is maintained, and the contours are not overlapped and crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians 15 can be clearly recognized.

[0039] In another aspect of pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP, the light of the bright area a1 is stronger on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 than on the near side. Hereinafter, pattern light irradiation by the pattern light irradiation unit PP in this aspect is appropriately referred to as pattern light irradiation in the fifth mode. In the case of pattern light irradiation in the fifth mode, an object such as a pedestrian 15 on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 can be irradiated with an irradiation pattern that reduces the influence of attenuation of light intensity due to distance. Therefore, an object such as a pedestrian 15 can be clearly recognized.

[0040] The above-mentioned first mode pattern light irradiation is a concept that encompasses any of the second to fifth modes of pattern light irradiation. Moreover, the fourth and fifth modes of pattern light irradiation may be performed together with any of the other modes of pattern light irradiation.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the pattern light irradiation in the fourth mode and the fifth mode. In Fig. 7, the solid line shows the characteristic of the pattern light irradiation in the fourth mode, and the dashed line shows the characteristic of the pattern light irradiation in the fifth mode.

[0042] The pattern light irradiation of the first to fifth modes by the pattern light irradiation unit PP is realized by selecting the operation mode of the pattern light irradiation lamp system 400 in Fig. 4. As described above, the pattern light irradiation of the first mode is a higher-level concept that includes any of the pattern light irradiation of the second to fifth modes. Therefore, specifically, the pattern light irradiation lamp system 400 operates in an operation mode corresponding to the pattern light irradiation of the second to fifth modes. Next, the operation of the pattern light irradiation lamp system 400 during the pattern light irradiation of the second to fifth modes will be described.

[0043] During pattern light irradiation in the second mode, the projection pattern generator 401 generates an irradiation pattern signal Pts in response to a pattern selection signal Pss from the lamp control ECU 40, which generates an irradiation pattern in which bright areas a1 and dark areas a2 are alternately repeated and the interval between adjacent bright areas a1 is wider on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and supplies the signal to the panel drive circuit 403. Meanwhile, in response to a vehicle speed signal Vss from the lamp control ECU 40, the change unit 402 generates a flow speed signal Fvs for obtaining an appropriate moving speed of the irradiation pattern according to the vehicle speed, and supplies the signal to the panel drive circuit 403. The panel drive circuit 403 generates an element drive signal Eds for obtaining an irradiation pattern and a moving speed defined by the irradiation pattern signal Pts and the flow speed signal Fvs, and supplies the signal to the light modulation unit 404. As a result, the projection optical system 405 irradiates irradiation light having an irradiation pattern and a moving manner corresponding to the pattern light irradiation in the second mode formed through the light modulation unit 404.

[0044] The operation of the patterned light irradiation lamp system 400 during patterned light irradiation in the third mode is also approximately the same as during patterned light irradiation in the second mode described above. However, during patterned light irradiation in the third mode, the projection pattern generator 401 forms an irradiation pattern signal Pts for generating an irradiation pattern in which the bright area a1 is a lattice-shaped irradiation pattern consisting of a plurality of first stripes along a first direction and a plurality of second stripes along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the interval between the first stripes and the second stripes is wider on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and supplies the irradiation pattern signal Pts to the panel driving circuit 403.

[0045] The operation of the pattern irradiation lamp system 400 during pattern light irradiation in the fourth mode is also approximately the same as during pattern light irradiation in the second mode described above. However, during pattern light irradiation in the fourth mode, the projection pattern generator 401 forms an irradiation pattern signal Pts for generating an irradiation pattern in which the width of the bright area is narrower on the far side than on the near side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and supplies the irradiation pattern signal Pts to the panel driving circuit 403.

[0046] The operation of the pattern irradiation lamp system 400 during pattern light irradiation in the fifth mode is also approximately the same as during pattern light irradiation in the second mode described above. However, during pattern light irradiation in the fifth mode, the projection pattern generator 401, the panel driving circuit 403, the light modulation section 404, and the projection optical system 405 narrow the beam so that it focuses toward the distance, and the light intensity per unit irradiation area tends to increase.

[0047] Here, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a model of human visual characteristics that underlie the technical idea of ​​the vehicle headlamp device 1 of the present disclosure. In Fig. 8, the forward visual field 7 of a person H is divided into a central visual field 8 that spreads from the front to the left and right at a certain acute angle, and a left peripheral visual field 9 and a right peripheral visual field 10 adjacent to the left and right of the central visual field 8, based on the human visual characteristics.

[0048] In general human visual characteristics, shapes are clearly seen in the central visual field 8, but the reaction to movement tends to be slow. Shapes are vaguely seen in the left peripheral visual field 9 and the right peripheral visual field 10, but the reaction to movement is quick, that is, the sensitivity to movement tends to be high. The vehicle headlamp device 1 of the present disclosure is based on the idea of ​​actively utilizing the above-mentioned human visual characteristics. The vehicle headlamp device 1 of the present disclosure projects an illumination pattern in which a bright area a1 and a dark area a2 are alternately repeated in the left peripheral visual field 9 and the right peripheral visual field 10, so that the driver can clearly recognize moving objects such as pedestrians 15 on the roadside, and the possibility of overlooking them can be further effectively reduced.

[0049] The vehicle headlamp device 1 of this embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0050] The vehicle headlamp device 1 of (1) includes a low beam lamp 5 and a high beam lamp 6 that irradiate light to a first light distribution area A1 in front of the vehicle, and a pattern light irradiating unit PP that irradiates light to a second light distribution area A2 that is outside the first light distribution area A1 in the vehicle width direction in an irradiation pattern in which bright areas a1 and dark areas a2 are alternately repeated. The pattern light irradiating unit PP irradiates light so that the interval between adjacent bright areas a1 is wider on the back side than on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. This allows the back side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 to be irradiated with an irradiation pattern in which the interval between the bright areas a1 is not crushed. This allows objects such as pedestrians 15 to be clearly recognized.

[0051] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (2), the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light so as to move the irradiation pattern along the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 while maintaining a state in which the interval between adjacent bright regions a1 is wider on the rear side than on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. This allows the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 to be irradiated by moving the irradiation pattern in a state in which the interval between the bright regions a1 is not collapsed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians 15 on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 are perceived as flickering, and can be clearly recognized.

[0052] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (3), the change unit 402 matches the speed at which the scenery seen from the vehicle 2 flows with the speed at which the irradiation pattern Pf flows in accordance with the speed of the vehicle 2. As a result, the speed at which the scenery seen from the vehicle 2 flows with the speed at which the irradiation pattern Pf flows matches, so that the flow of the scenery seen from the vehicle 2 and the flow of the irradiation pattern are synchronized, and the driver of the vehicle 2 can more easily recognize the presence of the pedestrian 15.

[0053] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (4), the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light so that the width of the bright region a1 becomes narrower on the rear side than on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2. As a result, an irradiation pattern is irradiated on the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 in which the width of the bright regions a1 is narrowed, the intervals between the regions are maintained, and the contours are not overlapped and crushed. Therefore, objects such as pedestrians 15 can be clearly recognized.

[0054] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 of (5), the pattern light irradiation unit PP irradiates light in which the light intensity of the bright region a1 is stronger on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 than on the near side. This allows objects such as pedestrians 15 on the far side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 2 to be irradiated with an irradiation pattern that reduces the effect of attenuation of light intensity due to distance. This allows objects such as pedestrians 15 to be clearly recognized.

[0055] Although one embodiment of the vehicle headlamp device of the present disclosure has been described above, the detailed configuration may be appropriately changed within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the example of Fig. 4, the light modulation unit 404 is driven by the irradiation pattern signal Pts from the projection pattern generator 401 of the pattern irradiation lamp system 400 and the element drive signal Eds from the panel drive circuit 403 to obtain a predetermined irradiation pattern, but this configuration may take another embodiment. That is, the pattern irradiation lamp system 400 may be configured as a projector in an embodiment in which a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) including a group of micromirrors is driven by the irradiation pattern signal Pts and the element drive signal Eds to obtain a predetermined irradiation pattern and a predetermined irradiation light intensity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] A1: First light distribution area A2…Second light distribution area A21: Second light distribution area on the left A22…Second light distribution area on the right side A24…overlapping area A26…Specific area AL…Low beam light distribution area AH…High beam light distribution area a1…light area a2…dark area H...human PP: Pattern light irradiation part Pf, Ps...Irradiation pattern Pss…Pattern selection signal Pts: Irradiation pattern signal Vss…Vehicle speed signal Scs…Start command signal Fvs...flow velocity signal Eds: Element drive signal 1... Vehicle headlamp device 2. Vehicle 3…Turn signal lamp 4...Pattern irradiation lamp 5…Low beam lamp 6...High beam lamp 7…Forward vision 8…Central vision 9…Left peripheral vision 10…Right peripheral vision 11…road 12…Vehicle driving lane 13...Division line 14...Division line 15...Pedestrian 40…Lighting control ECU 41…Left pattern irradiation lamp 42…Right side pattern irradiation lamp 400...Pattern irradiation lamp system 401...Projection pattern generator 402…Changes 403...Panel drive circuit 404...Optical modulation section 405...Projection optical system

Claims

1. a low beam lamp and a high beam lamp which irradiate light to a first light distribution area in front of the vehicle; A pattern light irradiation unit that irradiates light to a second light distribution area that is on the outer side of the first light distribution area in a vehicle width direction with an irradiation pattern in which a bright area and a dark area are alternately repeated, The pattern light emitting unit emits light such that a distance between adjacent bright regions is wider on a rear side than on a front side in a traveling direction of the vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light so as to move the irradiation pattern along the traveling direction of the vehicle while maintaining a state in which the distance between adjacent bright areas is wider on the rear side than on the front side in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

3. 2. The vehicle headlight device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern light irradiation unit irradiates light in a lattice-shaped irradiation pattern in which the bright area is made up of a plurality of first stripes along a first direction and a plurality of second stripes along a second direction in which the bright area intersects with the first direction, and the spacing between the first stripes and the second stripes is wider on the rear side than on the front side in the direction of vehicle travel.

4. 2. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern light emitting section emits light such that a width of the bright region becomes narrower from a near side to a far side in a traveling direction of the vehicle.

5. 2. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern light irradiation section irradiates light in which the light intensity of the bright region is stronger on a rear side than on a front side in a traveling direction of the vehicle.

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