Vehicle head lamp

Abstract

To provide a vehicle head lamp that can irradiate a light distribution pattern suppressing glare occurrence while having sufficient visibility.SOLUTION: A head lamp mounted on a vehicle can form at least a first light distribution pattern P11 which is irradiated to a region below a cutoff line CL, and a second light distribution pattern P12 which is so irradiated along the cutoff line CL as to be overlapped with the cutoff line CL. Light intensity of at least a partial irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern P12 is adjusted depending on a position of an object 100 outside the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp that can obtain a good low-beam light distribution pattern while moderately blurring the cut-off line's bright-dark boundary and preventing the G value from becoming too high beyond the regulatory standard value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is a need to suppress the generation of glare to oncoming vehicles while forming a light distribution pattern with good visibility.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle headlamp capable of irradiating a light distribution pattern that suppresses the generation of glare while having sufficient visibility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle headlamp according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle headlamp is capable of forming at least a first light distribution pattern irradiated to a region below the cut-off line and a second light distribution pattern irradiated overlapping the cut-off line along the cut-off line, and At least a part of the irradiation area of the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity according to the position of an object outside the vehicle.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure can provide a vehicle headlamp capable of irradiating a light distribution pattern that suppresses the generation of glare while having sufficient visibility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions of each member shown in these drawings may be different from the actual dimensions of each member for convenience of explanation.

[0010] In the description of this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the "left - right direction", "up - down direction", and "front - rear direction" may be referred to as appropriate. These directions are relative directions set for the vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. Here, the "left - right direction" is a direction including the "left direction" and the "right direction", and is also the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1. The "up - down direction" is a direction including the "up direction" and the "down direction". The "front - rear direction" is a direction including the "front direction" and the "rear direction". The front - rear direction is perpendicular to the left - right direction and the up - down direction. In each figure, the symbol U in the figure indicates the up direction. The symbol D indicates the down direction. The symbol F indicates the front direction. The symbol B indicates the rear direction. The symbol L indicates the left direction. The symbol R indicates the right direction.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle 1 equipped with a headlamp 10 (vehicle headlamp) according to this embodiment. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an automobile that can travel in a manual driving mode and / or an automatic driving mode. Note that the vehicle equipped with the headlamp 10 and the like of this embodiment is not limited to an automobile, and may be a motorcycle or other moving body.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a headlamp 10, a steering device 20, a camera 30, and a light switch 40. The headlamps 10 are respectively arranged on the right front side and the left front side of the vehicle 1. The steering device 20 is provided, for example, inside the vehicle 1. The camera 30 is arranged, for example, in the vicinity of the windshield. The camera 30 is arranged between the headlamp 10 arranged on the right front side of the vehicle 1 and the headlamp 10 arranged on the left front side of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 1) of the vehicle 1. The light switch 40 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the steering device 20.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the vehicle 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle control unit 50 that controls the running of the vehicle 1. The headlamp 10, the steering device 20, the camera 30, and the light switch 40 are connected to the vehicle control unit 50. Further, the headlamp 10 includes a lamp control unit 60, a first optical unit 70, a second optical unit 80, and a third optical unit 90.

[0014] The steering device 20 is composed of, for example, a steering wheel or the like.

[0015] The camera 30 is a camera including an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor), for example. The camera 30 acquires imaging data by imaging the periphery of the vehicle 1 (for example, the front of the vehicle 1). The camera 30 outputs the acquired imaging data to the vehicle control unit 50.

[0016] The light switch 40 is configured to switch the ON / OFF of the headlamp 10 and / or switch the light distribution pattern to be irradiated, in response to an operation by the driver of the vehicle 1, for example. The driver of the vehicle 1 can select whether to turn on the low beam or the high beam by operating the light switch 40. When the driver of the vehicle 1 operates the light switch 40, the light switch 40 generates a control signal for irradiating the light distribution pattern corresponding to the operation and transmits the generated control signal to the vehicle control unit 50.

[0017] The vehicle control unit 50 is configured to determine the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 based on the surrounding environment information and transmit the determination result to the lamp control unit 60. The vehicle control unit 50 is composed of, for example, at least one electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit). The electronic control unit includes, for example, a computer system including one or more processors and one or more memories, and an electronic circuit composed of active elements such as transistors and passive elements.

[0018] The vehicle control unit 50 is configured to perform image analysis on the imaging data output from the camera 30. The vehicle control unit 50 detects surrounding environment information indicating the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 from the imaging data and transmits the detected surrounding environment information to the lamp control unit 60. The surrounding environment information includes, for example, the position information of an object located outside the vehicle 1. The position outside the vehicle 1 includes, for example, the position in the left-right direction as seen from the vehicle 1 and the position in the depth direction as seen from the vehicle 1. The objects of the vehicle 1 include, for example, oncoming vehicles, preceding vehicles, pedestrians, signs, etc. The position information includes, for example, angular coordinates representing the azimuth of the object in degrees as seen from the vehicle 1 and distance coordinates representing the distance of the object.

[0019] The vehicle control unit 50 transmits a signal for controlling the headlamp 10 to the lamp control unit 60 based on a control signal from the light switch 40. For example, assume that the driver of vehicle 1 performs an operation on the light switch 40 to irradiate a low beam light distribution pattern. In this case, the vehicle control unit 50 receives a control signal for irradiating the low beam light distribution pattern from the light switch 40, and transmits the received control signal to the lamp control unit 60. Further, for example, assume that the driver of vehicle 1 performs an operation on the light switch 40 to irradiate a high beam light distribution pattern. In this case, the vehicle control unit 50 receives a control signal for irradiating the high beam light distribution pattern from the light switch 40, and transmits the received control signal to the lamp control unit 60.

[0020] The lamp control unit 60 may have the same hardware configuration as the vehicle control unit 50. The lamp control unit 60 is configured to control the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 based on the control signal received from the vehicle control unit 50. The control signal may include, for example, surrounding environment information in addition to information corresponding to the operation of the light switch 40.

[0021] The first optical unit 70 is an optical unit for irradiating a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern. The first optical unit 70 can irradiate light to a cut-off line and a region including at least a region below the cut-off line. The first optical unit 70 can irradiate a "low beam base pattern" which is a base light distribution pattern of the low beam light distribution pattern. In the following description, the low beam base pattern irradiated by the first optical unit 70 is also referred to as the "first light distribution pattern".

[0022] Similar to the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80 is an optical unit for irradiating a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern. The second optical unit 80 can irradiate light onto a region including a region overlapping with the cut-off line along the cut-off line, and any region thereof can be dimmed. The second optical unit 80 can irradiate an "additional low-beam pattern", which is an additional light distribution pattern added to the low-beam base pattern (first light distribution pattern) irradiated by the first optical unit 70. The term "dimming" is the same as that of the third optical unit 90 described above. In the following description, the additional low-beam pattern irradiated by the second optical unit 80 is also referred to as the "second light distribution pattern".

[0023] The third optical unit 90 is an optical unit for irradiating a high-beam light distribution pattern. The third optical unit 90 can irradiate light onto a region including at least a region above the cut-off line, and any region thereof can be dimmed. In this specification, the term "dimming" includes both that at least a part of the light emitted from the third optical unit 90 is blocked and that the intensity of the light emitted from the third optical unit 90 is weakened. In the following description, the high-beam light distribution pattern irradiated by the third optical unit 90 is also referred to as the "third light distribution pattern".

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the headlamp 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the headlamp 10 includes a lamp body 11 having an opening in front of the headlamp 10 and a translucent outer cover 12 covering the opening of the lamp body 11. Inside the lamp chamber 13 formed by the lamp body 11 and the outer cover 12, a lamp control unit 60, a first optical unit 70, a second optical unit 80, and a third optical unit 90 are accommodated.

[0025] The first optical unit 70 includes, for example, at least one light source 71, a reflector 72, and a projection lens 73. The light source 71 can be constituted by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element or an LD (Laser Diode) element. The light source 71 is configured to emit light toward the reflector 72. The reflector 72 is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 71 toward the projection lens 73. The projection lens 73 is, for example, an aspherical lens whose front surface is formed as a convex surface and whose rear surface is formed as a flat surface. The projection lens 73 is formed of a light-transmissive material such as a transparent resin like acrylic. The projection lens 73 is configured to project the light reflected by the reflector 72 onto the front region of the vehicle 1.

[0026] The second optical unit 80 includes a light source 81 and a projection lens 82. The light source 81 is constituted by, for example, an LED array. An LED array is, for example, a light source in which a plurality of micro-LED light-emitting elements are arranged in an array. The lighting states of the plurality of micro-LED light-emitting elements included in the light source 81 can be changed independently of each other. For this reason, the headlamp 10 can perform ON / OFF control and brightness adjustment for each of the micro-LED light-emitting elements included in the light source 81 under the control of the lamp control unit 60. The projection lens 82 may have, for example, the same configuration as the projection lens 73.

[0027] The third optical unit 90 includes a light source 91 and a projection lens 92. The light source 91 is constituted by, for example, an LED array including a plurality of micro-LED light-emitting elements. The lighting states of the plurality of micro-LED light-emitting elements included in the light source 91 can be changed independently of each other. For this reason, the headlamp 10 can perform ON / OFF control and brightness adjustment for each of the micro-LED light-emitting elements included in the light source 91 under the control of the lamp control unit 60. The projection lens 92 may have, for example, the same configuration as the projection lenses 73 and 82.

[0028] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a low beam light distribution pattern PL irradiated from the headlamp 10 during the low beam lighting operation and a high beam light distribution pattern PH irradiated from the headlamp 10 during the high beam lighting operation will be described respectively. In the present embodiment, a case where the vehicle 1 is traveling in the right lane will be described. Also, the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH show a state projected on a virtual vertical screen at a predetermined position in front of the vehicle 1 (for example, a position 25 m in front of the vehicle 1). Further, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH, a V-V line indicating the vertical direction (the up-down direction in the figure) at the center of the irradiation range of the headlamp 10 and an H-H line orthogonal to the V-V line and extending in the horizontal direction (the left-right direction in the figure) are shown. Also, for the light distribution patterns illustrated in the subsequent figures, similarly, a state projected on a virtual vertical screen at a predetermined position in front of the vehicle 1 is shown, and the V-V line and the H-H line are illustrated.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the low beam light distribution pattern PL of the headlamp 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is composed of a first light distribution pattern P11 and a second light distribution pattern P12. As described above, the first light distribution pattern P11 is a low beam base pattern irradiated by the first optical unit 70. The second light distribution pattern P12 is an additional low beam pattern irradiated by the second optical unit 80.

[0030] The first light distribution pattern P11 has a cut-off line CL extending substantially parallel to the H-H line. The first light distribution pattern P11 is irradiated to a region including the cut-off line CL and a region below the cut-off line CL.

[0031] The second light distribution pattern P12 is irradiated so as to overlap with the cut-off line CL along the cut-off line CL of the first light distribution pattern P11. For this reason, the region where the first light distribution pattern P11 and the second light distribution pattern P12 are overlapped and irradiated is brighter than the region where only the first light distribution pattern P11 is irradiated and the second light distribution pattern P12 is not irradiated. Thus, in the vicinity of the cut-off line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the brightness changes in two steps. Note that, when counting from the region where no light is irradiated, it can also be said that in the vicinity of the cut-off line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the brightness changes in three steps.

[0032] Also, since the second light distribution pattern P12 is irradiated so as to overlap with the cut-off line CL of the first light distribution pattern P11, the cut-off line CL formed when both the light distribution patterns of the first light distribution pattern P11 and the second light distribution pattern P12 are irradiated appears blurrier than the cut-off line CL formed when only the light distribution pattern of the first light distribution pattern P11 is irradiated. That is, by irradiating the second light distribution pattern P12 so as to overlap with the cut-off line CL along the cut-off line CL of the first light distribution pattern P11, the contrast between light and dark at the boundary of the cut-off line CL is blurred. Note that since a general low beam light distribution pattern is formed by blocking part of the light, usually, the contrast between light and dark of the cut-off line is distinct. For this reason, the cut-off line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the present embodiment is also blurrier than the cut-off line of a general low beam light distribution pattern.

[0033] Further, the second light distribution pattern P12 is divided into a plurality of irradiation regions in which any regions can independently change their illumination states. The divided irradiation regions have their illumination states changed by a light source 81 composed of micro LED light-emitting elements capable of individual ON / OFF control and brightness adjustment. The second light distribution pattern P12 is a light distribution pattern capable of adjusting the irradiation luminous intensity to a region where an object such as an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle exists. That is, the second light distribution pattern P12 is a light distribution pattern in which the region for adjusting the luminous intensity changes depending on the presence or absence and position of the object. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the boundaries between the respective irradiation regions included in the second light distribution pattern P12 are virtually indicated by a plurality of thin lines extending in the vertical direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, in the region from the V-V line to slightly to the left of the V-V line, the irradiation luminous intensity of the second light distribution pattern P12 is adjusted (turned off). In this example, the irradiation state in the reference state is the second light distribution pattern P12 provided with the extinguished region P120. The reference state is a state in which no object is detected. However, the irradiation state in the reference state is not limited to this light distribution pattern. For example, in FIG. 4, a state in which the extinguished region P120 is also irradiated with light and all regions along the H-H line are irradiated with light without gaps may be set as the reference state of the second light distribution pattern P12.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the high beam light distribution pattern PH of the headlamp 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the high beam light distribution pattern PH is composed of a first light distribution pattern P11, a second light distribution pattern P12, and a third light distribution pattern P13. As described above, the third light distribution pattern P13 is a light distribution pattern irradiated by the third optical unit 90.

[0036] Note that the first light distribution pattern P11 and the second light distribution pattern P12 in FIG. 5 are the same as the respective light distribution patterns described in FIG. 4.

[0037] The third light distribution pattern P13 is irradiated onto a region including at least a region above the cut-off line CL. The third light distribution pattern P13 is divided into a plurality of irradiation regions in which any region can independently change the illumination state. The divided irradiation regions have their illumination states changed by a light source 91 composed of micro LED light-emitting elements capable of being individually ON / OFF controlled and brightness-adjusted. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the boundaries between the respective irradiation regions included in the third light distribution pattern P13 are virtually indicated by a plurality of thin lines extending in the vertical direction. Further, the lower regions in the respective irradiation regions of the third light distribution pattern P13 are irradiated so as to overlap with a part of the second light distribution pattern P12 and the first light distribution pattern P11.

[0038] Note that the third optical unit 90 in the present embodiment will be described below as an optical unit capable of irradiating an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) light distribution pattern. The ADB light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern that does not irradiate light onto a region where an object such as a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle exists in the high beam light distribution pattern. That is, the ADB light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which the non-irradiation region changes depending on the presence or absence and position of the object.

[0039] (First Embodiment) The low beam light distribution patterns PL (PL1, PL2) and the high beam light distribution pattern PH (PH1) irradiated when the headlamp 10 detects an object will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a low beam light distribution pattern PL1 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when an oncoming vehicle is detected on the straight road R1. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the driver of the vehicle 1 performs an operation on the light switch 40 to irradiate the low beam light distribution pattern, and based on this operation, the lamp control unit 60 of the headlamp 10 lights the first optical unit 70 and the second optical unit 80 to irradiate a low beam light distribution pattern composed of the first light distribution pattern P11 and the second light distribution pattern P12. Here, when the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects an oncoming vehicle 100 on the front left side, it outputs imaging data regarding the oncoming vehicle 100 to the vehicle control unit 50. The vehicle control unit 50 detects the surrounding environment information including the position information of the oncoming vehicle 100 based on the imaging data output from the camera 30, and transmits the detected surrounding environment information to the lamp control unit 60. The lamp control unit 60 changes the lighting states of the first optical unit 70 and the second optical unit 80 based on the surrounding environment information received from the vehicle control unit 50, and irradiates the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 from the headlamp 10.

[0041] The lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of a part of the irradiation area corresponding to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 on the straight road R1 so that light is not emitted toward the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1. In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of a part of the irradiation area (oncoming vehicle area P121) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 of the second light distribution pattern P12A that irradiates the oncoming vehicle lane side of the straight road R1.

[0042] As described above, the second light distribution pattern P12 formed by the second optical unit 80 is divided into a plurality of irradiation regions in which any region can independently change the illumination state. Therefore, the lamp control unit 60 controls the second optical unit 80 so as not to irradiate light to the region including the oncoming vehicle 100 among the plurality of irradiation regions of the second light distribution pattern P12, thereby reducing the irradiation luminous intensity of the peripheral region of the oncoming vehicle 100. Note that the irradiation luminous intensity of the extinguished region P120 (see FIG. 4) in the second light distribution pattern P12A on the oncoming lane side is dimmed or extinguished as in the reference state. Further, the lamp control unit 60 does not adjust the luminous intensity of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern P12B that irradiates the own lane side of the straight road R1, and irradiates light uniformly over the entire region of the second light distribution pattern P12B.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the low beam light distribution pattern PL2 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when an oncoming vehicle is detected on the curved road R2. In the example shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the curved road R2 curves to the right and the vehicle 1 is approaching the right curve. Since the vehicle 1 is approaching the right curve, the oncoming vehicle 100 is traveling in the oncoming lane on the left side, but is located on the own lane side (right side in FIG. 7) rather than the center in the left-right direction in front of the vehicle 1.

[0044] When the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects an oncoming vehicle 100 ahead on the curved road R2, it outputs imaging data regarding the oncoming vehicle 100 to the vehicle control unit 50 as in the case of FIG. 6. The vehicle control unit 50 transmits the peripheral environment information of the oncoming vehicle 100 detected from the imaging data to the lamp control unit 60. Then, the lamp control unit 60 changes the lighting states of the first optical unit 70 and the second optical unit 80 based on the peripheral environment information, and irradiates the low beam light distribution pattern PL2 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] In the second light distribution pattern P12 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL2, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of a part of the irradiation area according to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 on the curved road R2 so that light is not emitted toward the oncoming vehicle 100. In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of a part of the irradiation area (oncoming vehicle area P122) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 of the second light distribution pattern P12B that irradiates the own lane side of the curved road R2. Note that the lamp control unit 60 does not adjust the luminous intensity of the irradiation area of the second light distribution pattern P12A that irradiates the oncoming lane side of the curved road R2, and irradiates light uniformly over the entire area of the second light distribution pattern P12A.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when an oncoming vehicle is detected on the curved road R2. In the example shown in FIG. 8, as in the case of FIG. 7, the vehicle 1 is approaching the right-curved road R2, and it is assumed that the oncoming vehicle 100 is located on the own lane side rather than at the center in the left-right direction in front of the vehicle 1.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the driver of the vehicle 1 performs an operation on the light switch 40 to irradiate the high beam light distribution pattern, and based on this operation, the lamp control unit 60 of the headlamp 10 turns on the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 to irradiate the high beam light distribution pattern composed of the first light distribution pattern P11, the second light distribution pattern P12, and the third light distribution pattern P13. Here, when the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects the oncoming vehicle 100 ahead, as in the case of FIG. 6, the imaging data regarding the oncoming vehicle 100 is output to the vehicle control unit 50. The vehicle control unit 50 transmits the peripheral environment information of the oncoming vehicle 100 detected from the imaging data to the lamp control unit 60. Then, the lamp control unit 60 changes the lighting states of the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 based on the peripheral environment information, and irradiates the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0048] The lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions according to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 on the curved road R2 so that light is not emitted toward the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12 and the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high beam light distribution pattern PH1. In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions (oncoming vehicle region P122) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12B and the third light distribution pattern P13B that irradiate the own lane side of the curved road R2.

[0049] As described above, the third light distribution pattern P13 formed by the third optical unit 90 is divided into a plurality of irradiation regions in which arbitrary regions can independently change the illumination state. For this reason, the lamp control unit 60 controls the third optical unit 90 so as not to irradiate light on the region including the oncoming vehicle 100 among the plurality of irradiation regions of the third light distribution pattern P13, thereby reducing the irradiation luminous intensity of the peripheral region of the oncoming vehicle 100. The lamp control unit 60 independently adjusts the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions in the second light distribution pattern P12 and the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions in the third light distribution pattern P13. Note that the lamp control unit 60 does not adjust the luminous intensity of the irradiation regions of the second light distribution pattern P12A and the third light distribution pattern P13A that irradiate the oncoming lane side of the curved road R2. That is, the lamp control unit 60 irradiates light uniformly over the entire area of the second light distribution pattern P12A and irradiates light uniformly over the entire area of the third light distribution pattern P13A.

[0050] Note that in the above first embodiment, the case where the vehicle 1 approaches the curved road R2 of a right curve has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the vehicle 1 approaches a curved road of a left curve, the lamp control unit 60 also adjusts the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions of the second light distribution pattern P12 and the third light distribution pattern P13 according to the detected position of the oncoming vehicle 100. Further, for example, when the object is a preceding vehicle, the lamp control unit 60 similarly adjusts the luminous intensity of the second light distribution pattern P12 and the third light distribution pattern P13.

[0051] As described above, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH, the headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment irradiates the second light distribution pattern P12 so as to overlap with the cut-off line CL along the cut-off line CL of the first light distribution pattern P11, and it is possible to adjust the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area of the second light distribution pattern P12 according to the position of the object of the vehicle 1. According to this configuration, since the light intensity of the irradiation area corresponding to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12 can be dimmed or turned off, the generation of glare to the oncoming vehicle 100 can be suppressed. In addition, since the second light distribution pattern P12 can be irradiated to the area other than the position of the oncoming vehicle 100, the visibility of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be improved. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern having sufficient visibility while suppressing the generation of glare.

[0052] In addition, according to the headlamp 10, it is possible to irradiate the second light distribution pattern P12 with the light intensity of a part of the area adjusted to the objects existing in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 and the objects existing at the near and far positions in the forward direction of the vehicle 1. In this way, by being able to adjust the light intensity of the second light distribution pattern according to the position of the object in the left-right direction and the near-far direction, the generation of glare to the object can be more reliably suppressed.

[0053] In addition, according to the headlamp 10, the second light distribution pattern P12 that can be irradiated by the headlamp 10 is divided into a plurality of irradiation areas that can be independently adjusted in light intensity. Therefore, it is possible to finely change the irradiated area and the non-irradiated area in the second light distribution pattern P12. Thereby, while suppressing the generation of glare to the object, it is possible to sufficiently maintain the visibility of the area other than the area where the object exists.

[0054] Further, according to the headlamp 10, it is possible to adjust the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area of the second light distribution pattern P12 independently of the light distribution of the third light distribution pattern P13 irradiated to an area above the cut-off line CL. Therefore, even during high-beam light distribution, it is possible to irradiate a high-beam light distribution pattern PH having good visibility while suppressing the generation of glare.

[0055] Further, when the vehicle 1 is approaching the curved road R2 and there is an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle on the own-lane side rather than the center in the left-right direction in front of the vehicle 1, the headlamp 10 adjusts the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area on the own-lane side of the second light distribution pattern P12. According to this configuration, even in a situation where the light irradiating the own-lane side of the second light distribution pattern P12 can also irradiate the oncoming lane side because the road is curved, it is possible to adjust the light intensity of the irradiation area on the own-lane side of the second light distribution pattern P12. Therefore, it is possible to surely suppress the generation of glare to the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle even during traveling on a curved road.

[0056] Further, according to the headlamp 10, by irradiating the second light distribution pattern P12 so as to overlap the cut-off line CL along the cut-off line CL of the first light distribution pattern P11, it is possible to blur the light-dark boundary of the cut-off line CL formed when both the first light distribution pattern P11 and the second light distribution pattern P12 are irradiated, compared with the light-dark boundary of the cut-off line CL formed when only the first light distribution pattern P11 is irradiated. Thereby, the light-dark difference at the boundary of the cut-off line CL can be moderated, and a low-beam light distribution pattern with less discomfort can be irradiated.

[0057] (Second Embodiment) Next, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH irradiated by the headlamp 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a high-beam light distribution pattern PH2 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when the distance between the detected oncoming vehicle 100 and the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects the oncoming vehicle 100 on the front left side, it outputs imaging data regarding the oncoming vehicle 100 to the vehicle control unit 50 in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment. The vehicle control unit 50 transmits the surrounding environment information of the oncoming vehicle 100 detected from the imaging data to the lamp control unit 60. Then, the lamp control unit 60 changes the lighting states of the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 based on the surrounding environment information, and irradiates a high-beam light distribution pattern PH2 composed of a first light distribution pattern P11, a second light distribution pattern P12, and a third light distribution pattern P13 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0059] When the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 does not adjust the light intensity in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH2. That is, the lamp control unit 60 keeps the irradiation state in the reference state shown in FIG. 4 without adjusting the light intensity of some irradiation regions corresponding to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 on the road in the second light distribution pattern P12. On the other hand, even when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the light intensity of some irradiation regions corresponding to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 on the road so that light is not emitted toward the oncoming vehicle 100 in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH2. The threshold value of the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 is, for example, 200 m.

[0060] In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 keeps the light intensity of some irradiation regions (oncoming vehicle region P123) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12A that irradiates the oncoming lane side in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH2 lit without adjustment. Also, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the light intensity of some irradiation regions (oncoming vehicle region P123) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 in the third light distribution pattern P13A that irradiates the oncoming lane side in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH2.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a high beam light distribution pattern PH3 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when the distance between the detected oncoming vehicle 100 and the vehicle 1 is less than a threshold value. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects the oncoming vehicle 100, and the process until the lamp control unit 60 changes the irradiation state of the high beam light distribution pattern PH3 including the first light distribution pattern P11, the second light distribution pattern P12, and the third light distribution pattern P13 is the same as in the case of FIG. 9.

[0062] When the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 is less than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of all the irradiation areas on the oncoming lane side so that light is not emitted toward the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high beam light distribution pattern PH3. Further, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 is less than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation areas corresponding to the position of the oncoming vehicle 100 on the road so that light is not emitted toward the oncoming vehicle 100 in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high beam light distribution pattern PH3.

[0063] In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of all the irradiation areas of the second light distribution pattern P12A irradiated to the oncoming lane side. Further, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation areas (oncoming vehicle area P124) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 of the third light distribution pattern P13A irradiated to the oncoming lane side. Note that the lamp control unit 60 may gradually adjust the luminous intensity of the second light distribution pattern P12A according to the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100. Specifically, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 becomes less than a threshold value (for example, 200 m), the lamp control unit 60 may start adjusting the luminous intensity of the second light distribution pattern P12A and gradually decrease the luminous intensity of all the irradiation areas of the second light distribution pattern P12A as the distance becomes shorter.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a high-beam light distribution pattern PH4 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when the detected distance between the preceding vehicle 200 and the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects the preceding vehicle 200, it outputs imaging data regarding the preceding vehicle 200 to the vehicle control unit 50. The vehicle control unit 50 transmits the peripheral environment information of the detected preceding vehicle 200 from the imaging data to the lamp control unit 60. Then, the lamp control unit 60 changes the lighting states of the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 based on the peripheral environment information, and irradiates a high-beam light distribution pattern PH4 composed of a first light distribution pattern P11, a second light distribution pattern P12, and a third light distribution pattern P13 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0065] When the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 does not perform the light intensity adjustment in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH4. That is, the lamp control unit 60 keeps the irradiation state in the reference state shown in FIG. 4 without adjusting the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle 200 on the road in the second light distribution pattern P12. Further, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle 200 so that light is not emitted toward the preceding vehicle 200 in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH4. The threshold value of the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 is, for example, 100 m.

[0066] In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 keeps the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area (preceding vehicle area P125) corresponding to the preceding vehicle 200 in the second light distribution pattern P12B that irradiates the own-lane side in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH4 lit without adjustment. On the other hand, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the light intensity of a part of the irradiation area (preceding vehicle area P125) corresponding to the preceding vehicle 200 in the third light distribution pattern P13B that irradiates the own-lane side in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH4.

[0067] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a high beam light distribution pattern PH5 irradiated by the headlamp 10 when the detected distance between the preceding vehicle 200 and the vehicle 1 is less than the threshold value. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the camera 30 of the vehicle 1 detects the preceding vehicle 200, and the process until the lamp control unit 60 changes the irradiation state of the high beam light distribution pattern PH5 including the first light distribution pattern P11, the second light distribution pattern P12, and the third light distribution pattern P13 is the same as in the case of FIG. 11.

[0068] When the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 is less than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of all the irradiation regions on the own lane side where the preceding vehicle 200 is traveling so that light is not emitted toward the preceding vehicle 200 in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high beam light distribution pattern PH5. Further, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 is less than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle 200 so that light is not emitted toward the preceding vehicle 200 in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high beam light distribution pattern PH5.

[0069] In the case of this example, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of all the irradiation regions of the second light distribution pattern P12B that irradiates the own lane side. Further, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off the luminous intensity of some of the irradiation regions (preceding vehicle region P126) corresponding to the preceding vehicle 200 of the third light distribution pattern P13B that irradiates the own lane side. Note that the lamp control unit 60 may gradually adjust the luminous intensity of the second light distribution pattern P12B according to the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200. Specifically, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 becomes less than the threshold value (for example, 100 m), the lamp control unit 60 starts adjusting the luminous intensity of the second light distribution pattern P12B, and may gradually decrease the luminous intensity of all the irradiation regions of the second light distribution pattern P12B as the distance becomes shorter.

[0070] As described above, the headlamp 10 according to the second embodiment can stepwise adjust the luminous intensity of all the irradiation regions on the lane side where the object exists in the second light distribution pattern P12 according to the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object. According to this configuration, by stepwise reducing or increasing the luminous intensity of all the irradiation regions on the lane side where the object exists in the second light distribution pattern P12, it is possible to suppress the generation of glare with respect to the object and maintain sufficient visibility of the irradiation region where the object exists.

[0071] Incidentally, it is assumed that the speed at which the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 approaches is faster than the speed at which the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 approaches, and the headlamp 10 of the vehicle 1 and the driver of the oncoming vehicle 100 are in a face-to-face state. Therefore, the oncoming vehicle 100 is more likely to generate glare due to the light irradiated from the headlamp 10 when the distance from the vehicle 1 is farther than that of the preceding vehicle 200. Therefore, it is preferable to set the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object at the start of the luminous intensity adjustment of the irradiation region to be farther when the object is the oncoming vehicle 100 than when the object is the preceding vehicle 200.

[0072] Therefore, in this example, when the object is the oncoming vehicle 100, the headlamp 10 starts adjusting the luminous intensity of the irradiation region corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100 becomes less than 200 m. On the other hand, when the object is the preceding vehicle 200, the headlamp 10 starts adjusting the luminous intensity of the irradiation region corresponding to the preceding vehicle 200 when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 becomes less than 100 m. Thus, the headlamp 10 of the present embodiment starts adjusting the luminous intensity of a part of the irradiation region when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, and makes the start timing of the luminous intensity adjustment different between the case where the object is the oncoming vehicle 100 and the case where the object is the preceding vehicle 200. According to this configuration, by making the start timing of the luminous intensity adjustment different according to the type of the object, it is possible to accurately suppress the generation of glare and further improve the visibility.

[0073] (Modification of the Second Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of a high-beam light distribution pattern irradiated by the headlamp 10 when the detected distance between the preceding vehicle 200 and the vehicle 1 is less than a threshold value.

[0074] In the above-described second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 is less than a preset threshold value, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of all the irradiation regions on the own lane side where the preceding vehicle 200 is traveling stepwise according to the change in the distance in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH5. On the other hand, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 13, the lamp control unit 60 adjusts the luminous intensity of only a part of the irradiation regions corresponding to the position of the preceding vehicle 200 in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH6 stepwise according to the change in the distance. That is, in this modified example, the lamp control unit 60 does not adjust the luminous intensity of the irradiation regions other than the position of the preceding vehicle 200 in the second light distribution pattern P12B.

[0075] For example, the lamp control unit 60 dims or turns off only a part of the irradiation regions (preceding vehicle region P127) corresponding to the preceding vehicle 200 in the second light distribution pattern P12B that irradiates the own lane side. Specifically, when the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle 200 becomes less than 100 m, the lamp control unit 60 starts the luminous intensity adjustment, and gradually decreases the luminous intensity of the preceding vehicle region P127 corresponding to the preceding vehicle 200 in the second light distribution pattern P12B as the distance becomes shorter. The luminous intensity adjustment of the lamp control unit 60 in the third light distribution pattern P13 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH6 is the same as the process of FIG. 12 in the second embodiment.

[0076] In this modified example, the case where the object is the preceding vehicle 200 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the object is the oncoming vehicle 100 (see FIG. 10), the luminous intensity of the irradiation region may be adjusted in the same manner. That is, in FIG. 10, the lamp control unit 60 may adjust the luminous intensity of only a part of the irradiation regions (oncoming vehicle region P124) corresponding to the oncoming vehicle 100 in the second light distribution pattern P12A in the second light distribution pattern P12 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH3 stepwise according to the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the oncoming vehicle 100.

[0077] As in the headlamp 10 according to this modification example, even when the luminous intensity of only a part of the irradiation region corresponding to the object in the second light distribution pattern P12 is gradually reduced or increased, the generation of glare with respect to the object can be suppressed, and sufficient visibility of the irradiation region where the object exists can be maintained. In addition, the visibility of the irradiation region where the object does not exist in the second light distribution pattern P12 can be further improved.

[0078] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. Needless to say, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by the description of this embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the disclosure described in the claims. The technical scope of the present disclosure should be determined based on the scope of the disclosure described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the case where only one oncoming vehicle or preceding vehicle as the object is detected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a plurality of objects may be detected. In that case, at least one of the position and distance may be determined for each detected object, and the luminous intensity of the irradiation region may be adjusted for each object according to the determination result.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the luminous intensity of at least a part of the irradiation region corresponding to the object is adjusted according to the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In addition to the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object, or instead of the change in the distance between the vehicle 1 and the object, the luminous intensity of at least a part of the irradiation region may be adjusted according to the change in the relative speed between the vehicle 1 and the object.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the case where the vehicle 1 is traveling in the right lane has been described, but the present disclosure can also be applied when the vehicle 1 is traveling in the left lane.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the headlamp 10 may include a single optical unit capable of realizing the functions of the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90. In this case, since the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 can be configured by a common optical unit, the number of components can be reduced.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the headlamp 10 may include the second optical unit 80 and an optical unit capable of realizing the functions of the first optical unit 70 and the third optical unit 90. Further, the headlamp 10 may include the third optical unit 90 and an optical unit capable of realizing the functions of the first optical unit 70 and the second optical unit 80. In these cases, the number of components can be reduced.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first optical unit 70, the second optical unit 80, and the third optical unit 90 may be configured by, for example, at least one light source, a drive mirror, and an optical system such as a lens or a mirror. The drive mirror may be configured by, for example, a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) such as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror or a rotating blade mirror.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the lamp control unit 60 is provided in the headlamp 10, but the lamp control unit 60 may be provided in the vehicle 1 instead of the headlamp 10. In other words, the lamp control unit 60 may be integrated with the vehicle control unit 50.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the camera 30 is provided in the vehicle 1, but the camera 30 may be provided in the headlamp 10 instead of the vehicle 1.

[0087] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification. (1) A vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle headlamp forms at least a first light distribution pattern irradiated on a region below the cut-off line and a second light distribution pattern irradiated overlapping the cut-off line along the cut-off line, and at least a part of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity according to the position of an object outside the vehicle. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp capable of irradiating a light distribution pattern that suppresses the generation of glare while having sufficient visibility.

[0088] (2) The vehicle headlamp according to item (1), wherein the position includes at least one of a position in the left-right direction as viewed from the vehicle and a position in the near-far direction as viewed from the vehicle. According to the above configuration, by adjusting the light intensity of the second light distribution pattern according to the position of the object in the left-right direction or the near-far direction, it is possible to more reliably suppress the generation of glare with respect to the object.

[0089] (3) The vehicle headlamp according to item (1) or item (2), wherein the second light distribution pattern is divided into a plurality of regions capable of being independently adjusted in light intensity. According to the above configuration, since the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern can be finely changed, it is possible to suppress the generation of glare with respect to the object while sufficiently maintaining the visibility with respect to regions other than the region where the object exists.

[0090] (4) The object includes an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle traveling ahead existing in front of the vehicle, and when the vehicle turns and there is an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle traveling ahead in front of the vehicle, at least a part of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern is a region on the own-lane side of the second light distribution pattern. According to the above configuration, even when the light irradiating the own lane in the second light distribution pattern can also irradiate the oncoming lane, since the area on the own lane side in the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity, it is possible to surely suppress the generation of glare to the oncoming vehicle even during driving on a curved road.

[0091] (5) In the vehicle headlamp according to any one of items (1) to (4), at least a part of the irradiation area of the second light distribution pattern is gradually adjusted in light intensity according to a change in the distance between the vehicle and the object. According to the above configuration, by gradually reducing or increasing at least a part of the second light distribution pattern, it is possible to achieve both suppression of the generation of glare to the object and maintenance of sufficient visibility of the irradiation area where the object exists.

[0092] (6) When the distance between the vehicle and the object becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the light intensity adjustment of at least a part of the irradiation area is started. In the vehicle headlamp according to any one of items (1) to (5), the start timing of the light intensity adjustment is different between the case where the object is an oncoming vehicle of the vehicle and the case where the object is a preceding vehicle of the vehicle. According to the above configuration, by varying the start timing of the light intensity adjustment according to the type of the object, highly accurate light distribution control becomes possible.

[0093] (7) The vehicle headlamp can further form a third light distribution pattern that is at least irradiated to an area above the cut-off line. In the vehicle headlamp according to any one of items (1) to (6), at least a part of the irradiation area of the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity independently of the light distribution of the third light distribution pattern. According to the above configuration, by adjusting the light intensity of at least a part of the second light distribution pattern independently of the light distribution of the third light distribution pattern, it is possible to irradiate a light distribution pattern that has good visibility while suppressing the generation of glare even during high-beam light distribution.

[0094] (8) The cut-off line formed when irradiating both the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern is blurred compared to the cut-off line formed when irradiating only the first light distribution pattern. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of items (1) to (7). According to the above configuration, since the light and dark boundary of the cut-off line is blurred by irradiating both the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern, a low beam light distribution pattern with less discomfort can be irradiated.

Explanation of Signs

[0095] 1: Vehicle 10: Headlamp (Vehicle headlamp) 20: Steering device 30: Camera 40: Light switch 50: Vehicle control unit 60: Lamp control unit 70: First optical unit 80: Second optical unit 90: Third optical unit 100: Oncoming vehicle 200: Leading vehicle CL: Cut-off line PL: Low beam light distribution pattern PH: High beam light distribution pattern P11: First light distribution pattern (Low beam base pattern) P12 (P12A, P12B): Second light distribution pattern (Additional low beam pattern) P13 (P13A, P13B): Third light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle headlamp forms at least a first light distribution pattern irradiated in a region below the cut-off line, and a second light distribution pattern irradiated overlapping the cut-off line along the cut-off line, and is capable of forming at least these, wherein at least a part of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity according to the position of an object outside the vehicle. A vehicle headlamp.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the position includes at least one of a lateral position as viewed from the vehicle and a longitudinal position as viewed from the vehicle.

3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second light distribution pattern is divided into a plurality of regions capable of being adjusted in light intensity independently of each other.

4. The object includes an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle existing in front of the vehicle, and when the vehicle turns and there is an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle, at least a part of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern is a region on the own lane side of the second light distribution pattern. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity stepwise according to a change in the distance between the vehicle and the object.

6. When the distance between the vehicle and the object becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, light intensity adjustment of at least a part of the irradiation region is started, The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the start timing of the light intensity adjustment is different between the case where the object is an oncoming vehicle of the vehicle and the case where the object is a preceding vehicle of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle headlamp is further capable of forming at least a third light distribution pattern irradiated in a region above the cut-off line, and at least a part of the irradiation region of the second light distribution pattern is adjusted in light intensity independently of the light distribution of the third light distribution pattern. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The cut-off line formed when both the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern are irradiated is more blurred than the cut-off line formed when only the first light distribution pattern is irradiated. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

Images