Headlight system
The headlamp system addresses visibility issues in rainy conditions by moving the high beam's irradiation position to reduce light scattering, enhancing visibility and safety during rainfall.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024005501
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle lighting systems fail to adequately improve visibility during rainy weather conditions, particularly due to light scattering from raindrops that reduce the effectiveness of high beams.
A headlamp system with a movable irradiation position for the high beam, controlled by a weather detection unit and controller, adjusts the beam's position to avoid overlapping with the driver's line of sight during rain, reducing light scattering and improving visibility.
The system enhances visibility by minimizing light curtain effects, allowing drivers to see through rain more clearly by shifting the high beam's irradiation area away from the driver's line of sight, thus reducing glare and improving safety.
Smart Images
Figure 2025111211000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to headlamp systems. [Background technology]
[0002] Japanese Patent No. 6032248 (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting device that controls headlights to dim and illuminate a portion of the road surface ahead of the vehicle that corresponds to the road shape estimated by a travel path estimation unit when weather conditions that result in poor visibility ahead of the vehicle are detected. This vehicle lighting device is also controlled so as not to illuminate a high place during rain or snowfall. However, it is believed that there is room for further improvement in terms of improving visibility ahead of the vehicle during rain or snowfall. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6032248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] One of the objects of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to improve visibility ahead of a vehicle during rainy weather, etc. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] A headlamp system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a headlamp that is configured to be able to move the irradiation position of irradiation light and is installed on a vehicle; a controller connected to the headlamp and controlling the operation of the headlamp; a weather detection unit connected to the controller and configured to detect the weather at the current location of the vehicle; Including, When the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather that meets a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlamp so that the irradiation position of the irradiation light moves to a position relatively closer to the outside and / or the lower side of the vehicle than before the movement. It is a headlamp system.
[0006] According to the above configuration, the visibility in front of the vehicle during rainfall or the like can be improved.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0008] FIG. 1(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlamp system according to an embodiment. The illustrated headlamp system includes a controller 10, a camera 11, a headlamp switch 12, a raindrop sensor 13, and a pair of headlamps 14R and 14L. This headlamp system is for irradiating light in front of the vehicle.
[0009] The controller 10 controls the light irradiation by each of the headlamps 14R and 14L. This controller 10 can be configured using a computer system including, for example, a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage device 204 such as a flash memory, an input / output interface (I / F) 205, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 1(B).
[0010] The camera 11 detects situations such as the position of a pedestrian based on an image obtained by photographing the space in front of the host vehicle. The camera 11 photographs the space in front of the host vehicle to generate image data, and performs image recognition processing on the image data to detect the position of a pedestrian, the position of a vehicle ahead (preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle), the white line on the road, etc., which are situations in front of the host vehicle. Note that this image processing function may be provided in the controller 10. In that case, image data is supplied from the camera 11 to the controller 10, and image recognition processing is performed by executing a predetermined program in the controller 10. Note that, as means for detecting the situation in front of the host vehicle, in addition to the above-described camera, for example, an optical distance measurement sensor such as LiDAR may be used, or a millimeter-wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, etc. may be used.
[0011] The headlamp switch 12 is installed at a position operable by the driver near the driver's seat of the host vehicle. This headlamp switch 12 is operated by the driver when it is desired to perform light irradiation by the headlamps 14R and 14L.
[0012] The raindrop sensor 13 detects the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter; the same applies hereinafter) at the location where the host vehicle is present, and outputs a signal (or data) indicating a change according to the rainfall amount. Various known raindrop sensors can be used. For example, a sensor installed inside the front windshield of the host vehicle and detecting raindrops adhering to the outer surface of the glass by an optical method can be used.
[0013] A pair of headlamps 14R and 14L are mounted at predetermined positions on the left and right of the front of the host vehicle, and operate according to a control signal given from the controller 10 to irradiate light forward of the host vehicle. The headlamps 14R and 14L of the present embodiment can irradiate low beam (passing lamp) and high beam (driving lamp), and can also irradiate a selective high beam which is irradiation light with a range set according to the position of the vehicle ahead and the like partially dimmed (or turned off). The selective high beam is also referred to as an Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB). Each of the headlamps 14R and 14L has a high beam unit 30 which is a light source unit that irradiates high beam and selective high beam, and a low beam unit 31 which is a light source unit that irradiates low beam.
[0014] Various known configurations can be adopted as each of the headlamps 14R and 14L. For example, a high beam or a low beam can be formed by a light source unit having a configuration in which a light source bulb is combined with a reflector or a shielding plate. Also, a selective high beam can be formed using a light source unit in which light emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in one direction or two directions and the lighting state of each light emitting element can be individually controlled. Further, a selective high beam can be formed using a light source unit including a light source and a liquid crystal element or the like and capable of individually controlling the light transmission state of each pixel of the liquid crystal element. Also, a selective high beam can be formed using a light source unit including a light emitting element such as a laser diode and a scanning element such as a mirror device that scans the light emitted from the light emitting element, and capable of controlling the timing of turning on and off the light emitting element and the scanning timing by the scanning element. Furthermore, in the light source units having these configurations, a high beam or a low beam may be formed in addition to the selective high beam.
[0015] The above-described controller 10 includes an irradiation state setting unit (irradiation state setting function) 20, a light distribution control unit (light distribution control function) 21, and a light distribution movement control unit (light distribution movement control function) 22 as functions realized by a program stored in the storage device 205 being read out and executed by the processor 201.
[0016] The irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state of the irradiation light by each of the headlamps 14R and 14L based on the situation in front of the host vehicle photographed by the camera 11 and the operation state of the headlamp switch 12.
[0017] For example, when the headlamp switch 12 is in a state of instructing low beam irradiation, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so that the low beam unit 31 of each of the headlamps 14R and 14L is irradiated with the low beam.
[0018] Also, when the headlamp switch 12 is in a state of irradiating both low beam and high beam, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so that the low beam unit 31 of each of the headlamps 14R and 14L is irradiated with the low beam, and at the same time, sets the irradiation state so that the high beam unit 30 is irradiated with the high beam.
[0019] Also, when the headlamp switch 12 is in a state of instructing selective high beam irradiation, the irradiation state setting unit 20 irradiates the high beam units of each of the headlamps 14R and 14L with a selective high beam in which a light distribution pattern is set to include a dimming range corresponding to the position of the vehicle ahead (oncoming vehicle or preceding vehicle) photographed by the camera 11.
[0020] The light distribution control unit 21 generates control signals for forming irradiation light corresponding to the irradiation state set by the irradiation state setting unit 20 in each of the headlamps 14R and 14L, and supplies them to each of the headlamps 14R and 14L.
[0021] The light distribution movement control unit 22 performs control to move the irradiation position of the irradiation light formed by each of the headlamps 14R and 14L based on the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the rain sensor 13.
[0022] Fig. 2(A) is a plan view schematically showing the irradiation range of the high beam before movement. As shown in Fig. 2(A), the high beam 50 irradiated by the high beam unit 30 of the headlamp 14R is irradiated in a range that spreads forward of the vehicle with the reference axis L as the approximate center. The reference axis L is an axis representing the main traveling direction of the high beam 50 by the high beam unit 30, that is, an axis representing the central direction of the high beam 50 (so-called optical axis). In the illustrated example, the reference axis L is directed in the traveling direction of the vehicle (a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). When the high beam 50 is a selective high beam, the reference axis L can be the central axis when the entire range is used as the light irradiation range without providing a dimming range.
[0023] At this time, the line of sight E from the occupant 100 in the driver's seat to the pedestrian 101 in front of the vehicle overlaps with the irradiation range of the high beam 50 as shown in the figure. Assuming that it is raining around the vehicle, light may be scattered by raindrops in the air in the overlapping range of the irradiation range of the high beam 50 and the line of sight E, and a light curtain phenomenon may occur. The light curtain phenomenon is a phenomenon in which the space appears white smoky due to scattered light. When the light curtain phenomenon occurs, the visibility when the occupant 100 visually recognizes the pedestrian 101 decreases.
[0024] FIG. 2(B) is a plan view schematically showing the irradiation range of the high beam after movement. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the irradiation range of the high beam 50 has moved to the right (i.e., the outside of the vehicle) in the left-right direction with respect to the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the irradiation range of the high beam 50 has shifted to the right by physically moving the high beam unit 30 itself to the right. At this time, with respect to the reference axis L of the high beam 50, it has translated parallel from the inside to the outside of the vehicle before and after the movement of the irradiation range of the high beam 50. That is, when viewed with the high beam unit 30 as a reference, the direction of the reference axis E when the high beam 50 is emitted has not been changed, and the reference axis L before the movement of the irradiation range and the reference axis L after the movement are substantially parallel. As a result, the range where the irradiation range of the high beam 50 overlaps with the line of sight E of the occupant is shortened by the illustrated range (distance) D, so that the light curtain perceived by the occupant can be reduced. Note that the "outside of the vehicle" is the side relatively closer to the side of the vehicle, and the "inside of the vehicle" is the side relatively farther from the side of the vehicle.
[0025] In the headlight system of the present embodiment, based on the above principle, by moving the irradiation position of the irradiation light of the high beam 50 during rainfall, the position of the irradiation range is consequently moved, thereby reducing the light curtain felt by the occupant and improving visibility. This will be described in more detail below.
[0026] FIGS. 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C) are schematic front views showing a configuration example of a high beam unit capable of moving the irradiation position of the high beam. Here, a configuration example of the high beam unit 30 in the right headlight 14R of the vehicle is shown, but the left headlight 14L of the vehicle can have a symmetric configuration.
[0027] The high-beam unit 30 of the configuration example shown in FIG. 3(A) is configured to be able to move the position of the unit itself inside the housing of the headlamp 14R. As an example, the high-beam unit 30 is configured to include a light source, a rail that slidably supports this light source, and an actuator that moves the light source, so that the position of the unit itself can be moved between the inside and the outside of the vehicle as shown in the figure. The moving distance of the high-beam unit 30 at this time can be, for example, about 10 to 20 cm (the same applies to the following configuration examples).
[0028] The high-beam unit 30 of the configuration example shown in FIG. 3(B) is integrally configured with the low-beam unit 31 and is configured to be able to move the position of the unit itself together with the low-beam unit 31 inside the housing of the headlamp 14R. Similar to the above specific configuration example, a configuration example in which the integrated high-beam unit 30 and low-beam unit 31 are slid using a light source, a rail, and an actuator can be cited. Thereby, the position of the high-beam unit 30 itself can be moved between the inside and the outside of the vehicle as shown in the figure.
[0029] The high-beam unit 30 of the configuration example shown in FIG. 3(C) is arranged inside the housing of the headlamp 14R together with the low-beam unit 31, and the position of the entire housing of the headlamp 14R is configured to be movable between the inside and the outside of the vehicle as shown in the figure. Similar to the above specific configuration example, a configuration example in which the entire housing of the headlamp 14R is slid using a light source, a rail, and an actuator can be cited.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing another configuration example of a high-beam unit capable of moving the irradiation position of the high beam. The high-beam unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 3(A) etc. described above was configured to move the high-beam unit 30 itself by mechanical means, whereas the high-beam unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 4 can move the irradiation position of the high beam 50 by variably setting the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 40. That is, it is a configuration in which the high-beam unit 30 is seemingly moved pseudo.
[0031] Specifically, the exemplary high beam unit 30 includes a light source 40 that emits light, a mirror 41 disposed obliquely on the optical path of the light from the light source 40, and a mirror 42 disposed at a position where the reflected light from the mirror 41 can be incident. Further, the mirror 41 is configured to be movable in position so that it can be switched between being disposed on the optical path of the light from the light source 40 and not being disposed thereon. The light emitted from the light source 40 is reflected by the mirror 41 and incident on the mirror 42, and is further reflected by the mirror 42 and emitted to the outside of the high beam unit 30 (see the optical path P1 in the figure). Also, when the mirror 41 is not disposed on the optical path, the light emitted from the light source 40 is emitted to the outside of the high beam unit 30 without being reflected by the mirror 41 (see the optical path P2 in the figure). By configuring the optical paths P1 and P2 to be switchable in this way, the irradiation position of the high beam 50 can be moved. Here, the mirrors 41 and 42 are shown as an example of the optical elements for making the optical path switchable, but there is no limitation on the configuration of the optical elements as long as the optical path can be switched.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. Regarding each process shown here, as long as there are no contradictions or inconsistencies in the results of the information processing, their order can be interchanged, and other processes not explicitly shown here can also be added.
[0033] When the headlamp switch 12 is on (step S11; YES), the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to turn on the low beam (step S12). In response to this set irradiation state, a control signal is output from the light distribution control unit 21, and the low beam is irradiated from the low beam units 31 of the respective headlamps 14L and 14R.
[0034] When the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the rain sensor 13 satisfies a predetermined weather condition (step S13; YES), the light distribution movement control unit 22 performs control to move the irradiation position of the irradiation light by the high beam unit 30 of the headlight 14R at least at a position relatively close to the driver's seat (step S14).
[0035] Here, as the weather condition, for example, when the rainfall amount is 20 mm / h or more (in the case of heavy rain), it can be considered to satisfy the weather condition. The weather condition may be determined based on the raindrop diameter, or may be determined based on both the rainfall amount and the raindrop diameter.
[0036] Also, the control mode related to the movement of the irradiation position of the irradiation light differs depending on the specific configuration of the high beam unit 30. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3(A) above, the high beam unit 30 itself is moved from the inside to the outside of the vehicle. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 3(B), the pair of the high beam unit 30 and the low beam unit 31 is moved from the inside to the outside of the vehicle. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 3(C), the headlight 14R itself including the high beam unit 30 and the low beam unit 3 is moved from the inside to the outside of the vehicle. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the mirror 41 is arranged in the optical path of the light source 40 so that the light emitted from the light source follows the optical path P1.
[0037] Next, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to turn on the high beam (step S15). By outputting a control signal from the light distribution control unit 21 according to this set irradiation state, the high beam is irradiated from the high beam unit 30 of each of the headlights 14L and 14R. Selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be irradiated.
[0038] When the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the rain sensor 13 no longer satisfies the predetermined weather condition (step S16; YES), the light distribution movement control unit 22 performs control to return the irradiation position of the irradiation light by the high beam unit 30 of the headlight 14R at least at a position relatively close to the driver's seat to the original position (step S17).
[0039] For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3(A) above, the high beam unit 30 itself is moved from the outside to the inside of the vehicle. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3(B), the pair of the high beam unit 30 and the low beam unit 31 is moved from the outside to the inside of the vehicle. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3(C), the headlamp 14R including the high beam unit 30 and the low beam unit 31 itself is moved from the outside to the inside of the vehicle. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the mirror 41 is excluded from the optical path of the light source 40 so that the light emitted from the light source follows the optical path P2.
[0040] Next, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to turn on the high beam (step S18). By outputting a control signal from the light distribution control unit 21 according to the set irradiation state, the high beam is irradiated from the high beam unit 30 of each of the headlamps 14L and 14R. Selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be irradiated. Then, the process returns to step S11.
[0041] When the headlamp switch 12 is off or has become off (step S11; NO), the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to turn off the headlamp (high beam and low beam) (step S19). By outputting a control signal from the light distribution control unit 21 according to the set irradiation state, the high beam unit 30 and the low beam unit 31 of each of the headlamps 14L and 14R are turned off. Then, the process returns to step S11.
[0042] On the other hand, when the weather condition is not satisfied in step S13 (step S13; NO), the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to turn on the high beam (step S20). By outputting a control signal from the light distribution control unit 21 according to the set irradiation state, the high beam is irradiated from the high beam unit 30 of each of the headlamps 14L and 14R. Selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be irradiated. Then, the process returns to step S11.
[0043] Also, if the weather condition is satisfied in the above step S16 (step S16; NO), the process returns to step S11. In this case, the high beam irradiation is continued in the state where the irradiation position of the irradiation light has moved through the above steps S14 and S15. Then, the process returns to step S11.
[0044] According to the present embodiment as described above, the visibility in front of the vehicle during rainfall or the like can be improved.
[0045] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the content of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made and implemented within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the irradiation position of the high beam (including the selective high beam) is variably set, but similarly, the irradiation position of the low beam may be changed. Further, the irradiation positions of both the high beam and the low beam may be changed.
[0046] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the irradiation position of the high beam or low beam (hereinafter referred to as "high beam etc.") by the headlight 14R on the side closer to the driver's seat is variably set, but the irradiation position of the high beam etc. by the headlight 14L on the side farther from the driver's seat may be changed, or the irradiation positions of the high beam etc. by each of the headlights 14R and 14L may be changed.
[0047] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the irradiation position of the high beam etc. is moved in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, but the irradiation position of the high beam etc. may be moved in the vehicle height direction. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the headlight 14L (14R) may be configured such that the high beam unit 30 is slidable between the upper side and the lower side of the vehicle. Although not shown, the headlight 14L (14R) having the configuration exemplified in FIGS. 3(B), 3(C), and 4 described above can also be used. This configuration and control mode can be preferably used particularly in a vehicle such as a large vehicle where the position of the driver's seat is high. That is, during rainy weather, by relatively lowering the irradiation position of the high beam etc., based on the same principle as the explanation using FIG. 2(B), the overlapping range between the irradiation range of the high beam etc. and the line of sight E of the occupant can be made shorter.
[0048] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the weather detection unit for detecting rainy weather, a raindrop sensor capable of detecting rainfall (and / or raindrop diameter) has been given. However, the weather detection unit may be configured using a communication device capable of acquiring information such as rainfall at the current position of the vehicle via wireless communication from an external system.
[0049] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the driver's seat is arranged on the right side of the vehicle has been assumed. However, the content of the present disclosure can be similarly applied even when the driver's seat is arranged on the left side.
[0050] The present disclosure has the following features. (Appendix 1) A headlamp installed on a vehicle and configured to be able to move the irradiation position of the irradiation light, A controller connected to the headlamp and controlling the operation of the headlamp, A weather detection unit connected to the controller and detecting the weather at the current position of the vehicle, including When the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather that satisfies a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlamp so that the irradiation position of the irradiation light moves to a position relatively closer to the outside and / or the lower side of the vehicle than before the movement. A headlamp system. (Appendix 2) The optical axis of the irradiation light is substantially parallel before and after the movement of the irradiation position. The headlamp system according to Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The headlamp is installed on the side closer to the driver's seat of the vehicle. The headlamp system according to Appendix 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The irradiation light is high beam or selective high beam. The headlamp system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The irradiation light is low beam. The headlight system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. (Supplementary Note 6) The headlight has a light source unit configured to be variable in position within a housing, and the controller moves the irradiation position of the irradiation light by controlling the position of the light source unit. The headlight system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5. (Supplementary Note 7) The headlight is configured to be variable in the position of the entire headlight, and the controller moves the irradiation position of the irradiation light by controlling the position of the entire headlight. The headlight system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5. (Supplementary Note 8) The headlight has a light source and an optical element configured to be able to switch the optical path of the light emitted from the light source, and the controller moves the irradiation position of the irradiation light by controlling the optical element to switch the optical path. The headlight system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5. (Supplementary Note 9) The rainy weather is the case where the rainfall amount is equal to or greater than a first reference value and / or the raindrop diameter is equal to or greater than a second reference value. The headlight system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8. (Supplementary Note 10) The weather detection unit is a sensor capable of detecting the rainfall amount and / or the raindrop diameter. The headlight system according to Supplementary Note 9.
Explanation of Signs
[0051] 10: Controller, 11: Camera, 12: Headlight switch, 13: Raindrop sensor, 14R, 14L: Headlights, 20: Irradiation state setting unit, 21: Light distribution control unit, 22: Light distribution movement control unit, 30: High beam unit, 31: Low beam unit
Claims
1. A headlight configured to be able to move the irradiation position of the irradiation light and installed on a vehicle, a controller connected to the headlight and controlling the operation of the headlight, a weather detection unit connected to the controller and detecting the weather at the current position of the vehicle, comprising: When the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather satisfying a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlight so that the irradiation position of the irradiation light moves to a position relatively closer to the outside and / or lower side of the vehicle than before the movement. A headlight system.
2. The optical axis of the irradiation light is substantially parallel before and after the movement of the irradiation position. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
3. The headlight is installed on the side closer to the driver's seat of the vehicle. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
4. The irradiation light is high beam or selective high beam. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
5. The irradiation light is low beam. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
6. The headlight has a light source unit configured to be variable in position within a housing, and the controller moves the irradiation position of the irradiation light by controlling the position of the light source unit. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
7. The position of the entire headlight is configured to be variable, and the controller moves the irradiation position of the irradiation light by controlling the position of the entire headlight. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
8. The headlight has a light source and an optical element configured to be able to switch the optical path of the light emitted from the light source, and the controller moves the irradiation position of the irradiation light by controlling the optical element to switch the optical path. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
9. The rainy weather is the case where the rainfall amount is equal to or greater than a first reference value and / or the raindrop diameter is equal to or greater than a second reference value. The headlight system according to Claim 1.
10. The weather detection unit is a sensor capable of detecting the rainfall amount and / or the raindrop diameter. The headlight system according to Claim 9.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Zinc and zinc alloy for negative electrode of primary battery
JP1985032248A