Headlight system

Abstract

To improve visibility ahead of a vehicle during a rainfall or the like.SOLUTION: A headlight system includes: a headlight capable of changing light amount distribution of irradiation light and installed on a vehicle; a controller connected to the headlight, for controlling operation of the headlight; and a weather detection unit connected to the controller, for detecting weather at a current position of the vehicle. When the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather satisfying a prescribed criterion, the controller controls the headlight so as to obtain the light amount distribution of the irradiation light such that: as compared to before a change, a light amount at a position relatively close to an outer side and / or a lower side of the vehicle is increased, and a light amount at a position relatively close to an inner side and / or an upper side of the vehicle is decreased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a headlight system.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 6032248 (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting device that controls a headlight to dim and irradiate a road surface portion in front of the vehicle corresponding to the road shape estimated by a travel path estimation unit when a weather condition in which the front of the vehicle has poor visibility is detected. Further, this vehicle lighting device is controlled so as not to irradiate upward during rainfall or snowfall. However, there is room for further improvement from the viewpoint of improving visibility in front of the vehicle during rainfall or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One of the objects of the specific aspect according to the present disclosure is to improve visibility in front of the vehicle during rainfall or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A headlight system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a headlight installed in a vehicle and configured to be able to change the light quantity distribution of irradiation light; 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; and 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 light quantity distribution of the irradiation light has an increased light quantity at a position relatively closer to the outside and / or the lower side of the vehicle and a decreased light quantity at a position relatively closer to the inside and / or the upper side of the vehicle than before the change. 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

Mode 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 performing light irradiation in front of the vehicle. The controller 10 is connected to the camera 11, the headlamp switch 12, the raindrop sensor 13, and each headlamp 14R and 14L.

[0009] The controller 10 controls the light irradiation by each of the headlamps 14R and 14L. The controller 10 can be configured by 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 situations in front of the host vehicle such as the position of a pedestrian, the position of a vehicle ahead (preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle), and white lines on the road. 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, 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. The 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 part 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 (running lamp), and can also irradiate selective high beam which is irradiation light with a range set according to the position of the vehicle ahead or the like partially dimmed (or turned off). The selective high beam is also referred to as adaptive driving beam (ADB). Each of the headlamps 14R and 14L includes a first high beam unit 30a, a second high beam unit 30b, and a third high beam unit 30c which are light source units for irradiating high beam and selective high beam, and a low beam unit 31 which is a light source unit for irradiating low beam.

[0014] For example, the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, the first high beam unit 30a is arranged at a position closer to the inside of the vehicle, the third high beam unit 30c is arranged at a position relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, and the second high beam unit 30b is arranged therebetween (see FIG. 3(A) described later).

[0015] As the front headlights 14R and 14L, various known configurations can be adopted. For example, high beam and low beam can be formed by a light source unit having a configuration in which a light source bulb is combined with a reflector and 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 controlled individually. 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 for scanning the light emitted from the light emitting element and capable of controlling the lighting and extinguishing timing of the light emitting element and the scanning timing by the scanning element. Furthermore, in addition to the selective high beam, a high beam or a low beam may be formed in the light source unit having these configurations.

[0016] 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 change control unit (light distribution change control function) 22 as functions realized by a program stored in the storage device 204 being read out and executed by the processor 201.

[0017] The irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state of the irradiation light by the front headlights 14R and 14L based on the situation in front of the host vehicle photographed by the camera 11 and the operation state of the headlight switch 12. For example, when the headlight switch 12 is in a state indicating low beam irradiation, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so that the low beam units 31 of the front headlights 14R and 14L are irradiated with low beam.

[0018] Further, when the headlamp switch 12 is in the state of irradiating low beam and high beam, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to irradiate the low beam units 31 of the headlamps 14R and 14L with low beam, and also sets the irradiation state so as to irradiate at least one of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c with high beam.

[0019] Further, when the headlamp switch 12 is in the state of instructing the irradiation of selective high beam, the irradiation state setting unit 20 irradiates at least one of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c of the headlamps 14R and 14L with selective high beam in which the light distribution pattern is set to include a dimming range according to the position of the preceding vehicle (oncoming vehicle or preceding vehicle) photographed by the camera 11. The irradiation state is set accordingly.

[0020] The light distribution control unit 21 generates a control signal for forming irradiation light corresponding to the irradiation state set by the irradiation state setting unit 20 in the headlamps 14R and 14L, and supplies this signal to the headlamps 14R and 14L.

[0021] The light distribution change control unit 22 performs control to change the light quantity distribution of the high beam formed by the headlamps 14R and 14L based on the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the raindrop sensor 13. According to this changed light quantity distribution, the light distribution control unit 21 generates a control signal.

[0022] FIG. 2(A) is a plan view schematically showing the irradiation range of the high beam before the change in the light quantity distribution. As shown in FIG. 2(A), before the change in the light quantity distribution of the irradiation light, the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c irradiated by the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c of the headlamp 14R is irradiated in a range that spreads forward of the vehicle. The high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c may be selective high beams. At this time, the light quantities of the respective high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c are set to be substantially the same, for example.

[0023] The combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c 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, that is, an axis representing the central direction of the high beam (so-called optical axis), and here it is an axis representing the main traveling direction of the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c. When the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c 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.

[0024] The line of sight E from the occupant 100 of the driver's seat toward the front of the vehicle overlaps with the irradiation range of the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c as shown in the figure. Assuming that it is raining around the vehicle, light is scattered by the raindrops in the air in the range where the irradiation range of the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c overlaps with the line of sight E, and a light curtain phenomenon occurs. 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 front of the vehicle decreases.

[0025] FIG. 2(B) is a plan view schematically showing the irradiation range of the high beam after the change in the light quantity distribution. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the high beam 50a by the first high beam unit 30a and the high beam 50b by the second high beam unit 30b are turned off, and the high beam 50c by the third high beam unit 30c is being irradiated. At this time, the light quantity of the high beam 50c is, for example, about three times the light quantity of each high beam 50a etc. when all of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c are turned on (see FIG. 2(A)), in order to compensate for the decrease in the light quantity accompanying the turning off of the other high beams 50a and 50b.

[0026] The irradiation range of the high beam 50c has a light quantity distribution in which the light quantity on the right (that is, the outside of the vehicle) increases relatively in the left and right with respect to the vehicle compared to the irradiation range of the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c, and the light quantity on the left (that is, the inside of the vehicle) decreases relatively. At this time, regarding the reference axis L of the high beam 50c, the light quantity distribution of the high beam is translated parallel from the inside to the outside of the vehicle before and after the change. That is, the reference axis L before the change in the light quantity distribution of the high beam and the reference axis L after the change are substantially parallel. Note that the "outside of the vehicle" is the side relatively close to the side of the vehicle, and the "inside of the vehicle" is the side relatively far from the side of the vehicle.

[0027] As a result, compared to the range (distance) D1 where the range where two or more of the irradiation ranges of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c overlap and the line of sight E of the occupant overlap, the range (distance) D2 where the irradiation range of the high beam 50c and the line of sight E of the occupant overlap is shorter, so that the light curtain visually recognized by the occupant can be reduced.

[0028] In the headlight system of the present embodiment, based on the above principle, by complementarily moving the irradiation ranges of the high beam and the low beam during rainfall, the light curtain felt by the occupant is reduced and the visibility is improved. This will be described in more detail below.

[0029] FIG. 3(A) is a schematic front view showing a configuration example of a headlamp capable of changing the light quantity distribution of the high beam. Here, a configuration example of the headlamp 14R on the right side of the vehicle is shown, but the headlamp 14L on the left side of the vehicle can have a symmetrical configuration. In the headlamp 14R of the configuration example shown in FIG. 3(A), inside its housing, the first high beam unit 30a is arranged at a position relatively closer to the inside of the vehicle, the second high beam unit 30b is arranged at a position relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, and further the third high beam unit 30b is arranged at the position closest to the outside of the vehicle. In other words, the second high beam unit 30b is arranged between the first high beam unit 30a and the third high beam unit 30c. Also, the low beam unit 31 is arranged at the position closest to the inside of the vehicle. As described above, by selectively using the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c, the light quantity distribution of the high beam can be changed, in other words, the light quantity distribution can be variably set.

[0030] FIG. 3(B) is a schematic front view showing a modified configuration example of a headlamp capable of changing the light quantity distribution of the high beam. Here, a configuration example of the headlamp 14R on the right side of the vehicle is shown, but the headlamp 14L on the left side of the vehicle can have a symmetrical configuration. In the headlamp 14R of the configuration example shown in FIG. 3(B), inside its housing, the pair of the first high beam unit 30a and the first low beam unit 31a is arranged at a position relatively closer to the inside of the vehicle, the pair of the second high beam unit 30b and the second low beam unit 31b is arranged at a position relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, and further the pair of the third high beam unit 30c and the third low beam unit 31c is arranged at the position closest to the outside of the vehicle. In other words, the pair of the second high beam unit 30b and the second low beam unit 31b is arranged between the pair of the first high beam unit 30a and the first low beam unit 31a and the pair of the third high beam unit 30c and the third low beam unit 31c.

[0031] In this modified configuration example, the light quantity distribution of the high beam can be changed by selectively using the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30a, and the third high beam unit 30c. For example, the light quantity distribution of the high beam can be changed by switching between the case where all of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c are turned on and the case where the first high beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b are turned off and the third high beam unit 30c is turned on.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlight system. Note that, as long as there are no contradictions or inconsistencies in the results of the information processing for each process shown here, the order of these processes can be changed, and other processes not explicitly shown here can also be added. Hereinafter, the explanation will be made on the premise of using the headlights 14L and 14R illustrated in FIG. 3(A).

[0033] When the headlight 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). A control signal is output from the light distribution control unit 21 according to the set irradiation state, and the low beam is irradiated from the low beam units 31 of the respective headlights 14L and 14R.

[0034] When the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the raindrop sensor 13 satisfies a predetermined weather condition (step S13; YES), the light distribution change control unit 22 performs control to change the light quantity distribution of the high beam by the headlight 14R at least at a position relatively close to the driver's seat (step S14). Specifically, control is performed to turn off the first low beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b and turn on the third high beam unit 30c. At this time, control is also performed to increase the light quantity of the third high beam unit 30c.

[0035] Here, as the weather conditions, for example, when the rainfall is 20 mm / h or more (in the case of heavy rain), the weather conditions can be considered to be satisfied. The weather conditions may be determined by comparing the raindrop diameter with a predetermined reference value, or may be determined based on both the rainfall and the raindrop diameter.

[0036] Next, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to activate the high beam function (step S15). According to this set irradiation state, a control signal is output from the light distribution control unit 21, and the high beam 50c is irradiated from the third high beam unit 30c of each of the headlamps 14L and 14R. Selective high beam (Adaptive Driving Beam) may be irradiated as the high beam. Also, the high beam may be controlled to automatically turn off when there is a vehicle ahead.

[0037] When the rainfall (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the raindrop sensor 13 no longer satisfies the predetermined weather conditions (step S16; YES), the light distribution change control unit 22 performs control to return the light quantity distribution of the high beam by the headlamp 14R at least in a position relatively close to the driver's seat to the original state (the state before the change) (step S17). Specifically, control is performed to turn on all of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c. At this time, the light quantity of the third high beam unit 30c is returned to the original state, and the light quantities of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c are made substantially the same.

[0038] Next, the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to activate the high beam function (step S18). According to the set irradiation state, a control signal is output from the light distribution control unit 21, so that the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c from each of the first high beam units 30a, the second high beam units 30b, and the third high beam units 30c of the headlamps 14L and 14R is irradiated as a high beam. A selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be irradiated as the high beam. Also, the high beam may be controlled to automatically turn off when there is a vehicle ahead. Then, the process returns to step S11.

[0039] When the headlamp switch 12 is off or has been turned off (step S11; NO), the irradiation state setting unit 20 sets the irradiation state so as to turn off the headlamps (high beam and low beam) (step S19). According to the set irradiation state, a control signal is output from the light distribution control unit 21, so that the first high beam units 30a, the second high beam units 30b, the third high beam units 30c, and the low beam units 31 of the headlamps 14L and 14R turn off. Then, the process returns to step S11.

[0040]

[0041] 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 activate the high beam function (step S20). According to the set irradiation state, a control signal is output from the light distribution control unit 21, so that the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c from each of the first high beam units 30a, the second high beam units 30b, and the third high beam units 30c of the headlamps 14L and 14R is irradiated as a high beam. A selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be irradiated as the high beam. Also, the high beam may be controlled to automatically turn off when there is a vehicle ahead.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 in the state where the irradiation position of the irradiation light has moved through the above steps S14 and S15 is continued. Then, the process returns to step S11.

[0042] According to the present embodiment as described above, the visibility in front of the vehicle during rainfall or the like can be improved.

[0043] 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 light quantity distribution of the high beam by the headlamp 14R on the side closer to the driver's seat is variably set. However, the light quantity distribution of the high beam by the headlamp 14L on the side farther from the driver's seat may be variably set, or the light quantity distribution of the high beam by each of the headlamps 14R and 14L may be variably set. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the light quantity distribution of the high beam (including the selective high beam) is variably set. Similarly, the light quantity distribution of the low beam may be variably set. Furthermore, the light quantity distributions of both the high beam and the low beam may be variably set.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the light quantity distribution was changed by controlling the individual extinguishing of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c. However, similar effects may be obtained by increasing or decreasing the light quantity. For example, in the above-described embodiment, before changing the light quantity distribution, each high beam of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c was lit with substantially the same light quantity (e.g., 100 in relative values), and after changing the light quantity distribution, the first high beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b were extinguished, and the third high beam unit 30c was set to a light quantity increased from that before the change (e.g., 300 in relative values). In contrast, the light quantity of the high beams of the first high beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b may be decreased to about 1 / 5 of the light quantity before movement (20 in relative values), and the light quantity of the high beam of the third high beam unit 30c may be increased to about 2.6 times the light quantity (260 in relative values) to obtain the light quantity distribution after the change. At this time, as illustrated, it is preferable to make the sum (total) of the light quantities of the respective high beams substantially the same before and after changing the light quantity distribution.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the light quantity distribution of the high beam or the like was changed in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle. However, the light quantity distribution of the high beam or the like may be changed in the vehicle height direction. A configuration example of the headlamp 14R (14L) in this case is shown in FIG. 5. In the illustrated headlamp 14R, the first high beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b are arranged at positions relatively close to the upper side of the vehicle, and the third high beam unit 30c and the fourth high beam unit 30d are arranged at positions relatively close to the lower side of the vehicle. Further, the low beam unit 31 is arranged at the position closest to the lower side of the vehicle. This configuration and control mode can be suitably used particularly in vehicles such as large vehicles where the position of the driver's seat is high. That is, in rainy weather, by making the light quantity distribution of the high beam or the like such that the light quantity at a position relatively close to the lower side of the vehicle increases and the light quantity at a position relatively close to the upper side of the vehicle decreases, based on the same principle as the explanation using FIG. 2(B), the range where the irradiation range of the high beam or the like overlaps with the line of sight E of the occupant can be made shorter.

[0046] Even when using the headlamp 14R having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, by controlling the individual turning-off of the first high-beam unit 30a, the second high-beam unit 30b, the third high-beam unit 30c, and the fourth high-beam unit 30d, the light quantity distribution of the high beam as the combined light may be changed, or a similar effect may be obtained by increasing or decreasing the light quantity. For example, before changing the light quantity distribution, the high beams of the first high-beam unit 30a, the second high-beam unit 30b, the third high-beam unit 30c, and the fourth high-beam unit 30d are lit with substantially the same light quantity (for example, 100 in relative values), and after changing the light quantity distribution, the light quantities of the first high-beam unit 30a and the second high-beam unit 30b are decreased to 0, and the third high-beam unit 30c and the fourth high-beam unit 30d are set to a light quantity increased from before the movement (for example, 200 in relative values). Further, the light quantities of the high beams of the first high-beam unit 30a and the fourth high-beam unit 30d may be decreased to about 1 / 2 of the light quantity before the movement (50 in relative values), the light quantity of the second high-beam unit 30b may be decreased to 0, and the high beam of the third high-beam unit 30c may be increased to about three times the light quantity before the movement (relative value 300). At this time, as illustrated, it is preferable that the sum (total) of the light quantities of the respective high beams does not change before and after the change in the light quantity distribution.

[0047] Further, 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) was cited, but 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.

[0048] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the driver's seat is arranged on the right side of the vehicle was assumed, but the content of the present disclosure can be similarly applied when the driver's seat is arranged on the left side.

[0049] The present disclosure has the following features. (Appendix 1) A headlight installed on a vehicle, configured to be able to change the light quantity distribution of the irradiation light, 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 such that the light quantity distribution of the irradiation light has an increased light quantity at a position relatively closer to the outside and / or the lower side of the vehicle and a decreased light quantity at a position relatively closer to the inside and / or the upper side of the vehicle than before the change. A headlight system. (Appendix 2) The optical axis of the irradiation light is substantially parallel before and after the change of the light quantity distribution. The headlight system according to Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The headlight is installed on the side closer to the driver's seat of the vehicle. The headlight system according to Appendix 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The irradiation light is high beam or selective high beam. The headlight 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 Appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 6) The headlight has a plurality of light source units arranged in the vehicle width direction. The controller controls the light quantity distribution of the irradiation light by increasing or decreasing the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the plurality of light source units. The headlight system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The plurality of light source units include a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The first unit is disposed at a position close to the inside of the vehicle, the third unit is disposed at a position close to the outside of the vehicle, and the second unit is disposed between the first unit and the third unit. The controller controls the amount of light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit to be substantially the same to form the irradiation light before the change of the light quantity distribution, and relatively decreases the amount of light emitted from each of the first unit and the second unit and relatively increases the amount of light emitted from the third unit to form the irradiation light after the change of the light quantity distribution. The headlamp system according to Supplementary Note 6. (Supplementary Note 8) Before and after the change of the light quantity distribution, the total amount of light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit is substantially the same. The headlamp system according to Supplementary Note 7. (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 headlamp 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 headlamp system according to Supplementary Note 9.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0050] 10: Controller, 11: Camera, 12: Headlamp switch, 13: Raindrop sensor, 14R, 14L: Headlamp, 20: Irradiation state setting unit, 21: Light distribution control unit, 22: Light distribution change control unit, 30a: First high beam unit, 30b: Second high beam unit, 30c: Third high beam unit, 31: Low beam unit

Claims

1. A headlamp installed on a vehicle, configured to be able to change the light quantity distribution of the irradiated 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, comprising: when the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather satisfying a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlamp such that the light quantity distribution of the irradiated light has an increased light quantity at a position relatively closer to the outside and / or lower side of the vehicle and a decreased light quantity at a position relatively closer to the inside and / or upper side of the vehicle than before the change, a headlamp system.

2. The optical axis of the irradiated light is substantially parallel before and after the change of the light quantity distribution, The headlamp system according to Claim 1.

3. The headlamp is installed on the side closer to the driver's seat of the vehicle, The headlamp system according to Claim 1.

4. The irradiated light is high beam or selective high beam, The headlamp system according to Claim 1.

5. The irradiated light is low beam, The headlamp system according to Claim 1.

6. The headlamp has a plurality of light source units arranged in the vehicle width direction, The controller controls the light quantity distribution of the irradiated light by increasing or decreasing the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the plurality of light source units, The headlamp system according to Claim 1.

7. The plurality of light source units include a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit, The first unit is arranged at a position relatively closer to the inside of the vehicle, the third unit is arranged at a position relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, and the second unit is arranged between the first unit and the third unit, The controller controls the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit to be substantially the same to form the irradiated light before the change of the light quantity distribution, and controls to relatively decrease the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the first unit and the second unit and relatively increase the light quantity of the light emitted from the third unit to form the irradiated light after the change of the light quantity distribution, The headlamp system according to Claim 6.

8. Before and after the change in the light quantity distribution, the total light quantity of the light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit is substantially the same. The headlamp system according to claim 7.

9. The rainy weather is the case where the rainfall amount is equal to or greater than the first reference value and / or the raindrop diameter is equal to or greater than the second reference value. The headlamp 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 headlamp system according to claim 9.

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