Control device of lighting fixture for vehicle, control method of lighting fixture for vehicle, and headlight system

Abstract

To provide a control device of a lighting fixture for a vehicle, a control method of the lighting fixture for a vehicle, and a headlight system which can reduce uneven illuminance generated caused by a difference in a relative angle between an object to be dimmed when a dimming range is set by an ADB function, and positions of a left side lamp and a right side lamp.SOLUTION: A device for controlling a headlight forming synthetic irradiation light to the vehicle front by overlapping each irradiation light of a left side light distribution variable unit and a right side light distribution unit includes functions of: setting a dimming range IM1 and a dimming range IM2 to each irradiation range of the left side light distribution variable unit and the right side light distribution variable unit according to the position of an object; setting each irradiation range of first correction light 112a and second correction light 112b to each of a left corner and a right corner on the lower end side of a synthetic dimming range IM constituted to include the dimming range IM1 and the dimming range IM2; and achieving synthetic irradiation light including each of the irradiation ranges of the dimming range IM1, the dimming range IM2, the first correction light 112a and the second irradiation light 112b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, technology has been developed for emitting high beams with a dimming range (or a blocking range, the same applies below) according to the position of objects ahead of the vehicle, such as oncoming vehicles, preceding vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and road signs (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 7048331). Such high beams are also known as adaptive driving beams (ADB), and they contribute to improving visibility ahead of the vehicle by dimming the dimming range (including blocking range, the same applies below) corresponding to the object to be dimmed (including blocking range, the same applies below).

[0003] However, when the ADB function is used to set dimming ranges for both the right and left lamps relative to an object to be dimmed, triangular illuminance unevenness (areas illuminated only by light from one lamp) occurs at the corners of the dimming range due to the difference in the relative angles between the left and right lamp positions and the object. Such illuminance unevenness looks unattractive and can cause discomfort to the driver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7048331 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One of the objectives of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce uneven illuminance that occurs due to the difference in the relative angle between the object to be dimmed and the positions of the left and right lamps when the dimming range is set using the ADB function for each of the right and left lamps for the object to be dimmed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] A headlamp control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A headlamp having a left-side variable light distribution unit and a right-side variable light distribution unit arranged on the left and right sides of a front part of a vehicle, wherein the headlamp controls a headlamp in which the illumination light formed by the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit overlaps in front of the vehicle to form a composite illumination light in front of the vehicle, a forward monitoring sensor having a function of detecting an object present in front of the vehicle; a controller connected to each of the headlights and the forward monitoring sensor, and configured to control the operation of the headlights; Including, The controller setting a first dimming range in the illumination range of the left-side variable light distribution unit and a second dimming range in the illumination range of the right-side variable light distribution unit according to the position of the object detected by the forward monitoring sensor; setting an irradiation range of the first correction light at the left corner on the lower end side of a first synthetic dimming range that is configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position closer to the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the second correction light at the right corner on the lower end side of the synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the combined illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, and the illumination range of the second illumination light; This is a headlamp control device that executes the above. [2] A headlamp control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A control method executed by a controller to control a headlamp including a left-side variable light distribution unit and a right-side variable light distribution unit arranged on the left and right sides of a front part of a vehicle, wherein illumination light formed by the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit overlaps in front of the vehicle to form a composite illumination light in front of the vehicle, The controller setting a first dimming range in the illumination range of the left-side variable light distribution unit and a second dimming range in the illumination range of the right-side variable light distribution unit according to the position of an object present in front of the vehicle; setting an irradiation range of the first correction light at the left corner on the lower end side of a first synthetic dimming range that is configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position closer to the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the second correction light at the right corner on the lower end side of the synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the combined illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, and the illumination range of the second illumination light; This is a headlamp control method that performs the above. [3] A headlamp system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: The control device according to [1] above; a headlamp with variable light distribution connected to the control device; A headlamp system including:

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the dimming range is set using the ADB function for each of the right and left lamps with respect to an object to be dimmed, uneven illuminance that occurs due to the difference in the relative angle between the object to be dimmed and the positions of the left and right lamps can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlamp system according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system. [Figure 2] 2(A) and 2(B) are schematic front views showing configuration examples of the low beam unit and the ADB unit. [Figure 3] Fig. 3(A) is a schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the ADB unit, and Fig. 3(B) is a schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration of the light source. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view for explaining an example of irradiation with an adaptive driving beam. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the adaptive driving beam BM1 emitted by the ADB unit 32L, among the adaptive driving beams shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the adaptive driving beam BM2 emitted by the ADB unit 32R, among the adaptive driving beams shown in FIG. [Figure 7] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating triangular illuminance unevenness occurring on the road surface on the left and right sides of the lower end of the dimming range when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Fig. 7(B) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the dimming range IM1 of the adaptive driving beam BM1 on a virtual screen. Fig. 7(C) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the dimming range IM2 of the adaptive driving beam BM2 on a virtual screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view for explaining an example of irradiation with an adaptive driving beam. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view for explaining an example of irradiation with an adaptive driving beam. [Figure 10]Fig. 10(A) is a diagram illustrating the shape on the road surface of the correction light irradiated onto the left and right corners of the lower end of the composite dimming range of the adaptive driving beam. Fig. 10(B) is a diagram illustrating the shape on a screen of the dimming range IM1 of the adaptive driving beam BM1. Fig. 10(C) is a diagram illustrating the shape on a virtual screen of the dimming range IM2 of the adaptive driving beam BM2. Fig. 10(D) is a partial enlarged view of the dimming ranges IM1 and IM2. Fig. 10(E) is a partial enlarged view of the dimming range IM2. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining an example of controlling the light source to realize the correction light. [Figure 12] Fig. 12(A) is a diagram illustrating the shape on the road surface of the correction light irradiated onto the left and right corners of the lower end of the composite dimming area IM in the adaptive driving beam BM. Fig. 12(B) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the dimming area IM1 on the screen. Fig. 12(C) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the dimming area IM2 on the screen. Fig. 12(D) is a partial enlarged view of the dimming area IM1. Fig. 12(E) is a partial enlarged view of the dimming area IM2. [Figure 13] 13(A) to 13(C) are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. [Figure 14] Fig. 14(A) is a diagram illustrating the shape on the road surface of the correction light irradiated onto the left and right corners of the lower end of the composite dimming area IM in the adaptive driving beam BM of the modified embodiment. Fig. 14(B) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the dimming area IM1 on the screen. Fig. 14(C) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the dimming area IM2 on the screen. Fig. 14(D) is a partial enlarged view of the dimming area IM1. Fig. 14(E) is a partial enlarged view of the dimming area IM2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlamp system according to an embodiment. The illustrated headlamp system includes a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10, a forward monitoring sensor 11, a tilt detection sensor 12, and a lamp 13. This headlamp system is installed in a vehicle and is used to irradiate light ahead of the vehicle.

[0010] The vehicle ECU 10 is used to control various operations in the vehicle. The vehicle ECU 10 is connected to a forward monitoring sensor 11 and an inclination sensor 12. For example, the vehicle ECU 10 detects the operation state of a lamp switch (not shown) provided at the driver's seat of the vehicle, and transmits a control signal according to the operation state to a lamp ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20 of the lamp 13. The vehicle ECU 10 also transmits a control signal including the detection result by the forward monitoring sensor 11 and the detection result by the inclination detection sensor 12 to the lamp ECU 20.

[0011] The forward monitoring sensor 11 detects the position, size, type, etc. of an object present in front of the vehicle. Examples of objects and their types to be detected include a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, a pedestrian, a bicycle, a road sign, an obstacle, etc. As an example, the forward monitoring sensor 11 can be configured using a camera that captures an image of the space ahead of the vehicle and an information processing device such as an image processor that determines the position, etc. of an object by performing image processing on the image captured by the camera. Note that the forward monitoring sensor 11 may be, for example, an optical ranging sensor such as LiDAR, or may be a radar or ultrasonic sensor. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle are targets of dimming among the objects detected by the forward monitoring sensor 11, but other targets such as pedestrians may also be targets.

[0012] The tilt detection sensor 12 detects the tilt of the vehicle in the pitch, roll, and yaw directions. The tilt detection sensor 12 may be any sensor that can detect tilt at least in the pitch direction (front-to-rear direction). For example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a height sensor, etc. may be used as the tilt detection sensor 12.

[0013] The lamp 13 emits light to illuminate the space ahead of the vehicle, and includes a lamp ECU 20, a control device 21, low beam units 31L and 31R, and ADB units 32L and 32R.

[0014] The lamp ECU 20 controls the overall operation of the lamp 13. Specifically, the lamp ECU 20 receives a control signal transmitted from the vehicle ECU 10, and controls the operation of each of the low beam units 31L, 31R in accordance with the operation state of the lamp switch indicated by the control signal. The lamp ECU 20 also generates a control signal for operating each of the ADB units 32L, 32R in accordance with the operation state of the lamp switch indicated by the control signal received from the vehicle ECU 10, and supplies the control signal to the control device 21.

[0015] The control device 21 generates drive signals for operating the ADB units 32L and 32R based on control signals supplied from the lamp ECU 20, and outputs the drive signals to the ADB units 32L and 32R.

[0016] Each low beam unit 31L, 31R is used to emit a low beam (low beam) into the space ahead of the vehicle. The low beam unit 31L is installed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the low beam unit 31R is installed on the front right side of the vehicle. The low beam is formed by combining the light emitted from each low beam unit 31L, 31R towards the front of the vehicle.

[0017] Each ADB unit 32L, 32R emits a high beam into the space ahead of the vehicle. The ADB unit 32L is installed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the ADB unit 32R is installed on the front right side of the vehicle. In other words, the ADB unit 32L is a left-side variable light distribution unit (left-side lamp), and the ADB unit 32R is a right-side variable light distribution unit (right-side lamp). The high beam is formed when the light emitted by each ADB unit 32L, 32R overlaps in front of the vehicle. If an object such as a leading vehicle is present, an adaptive driving beam (composite light) is formed by dimming (or blocking) the light within the high beam illumination range corresponding to the object.

[0018] The vehicle ECU 10 described above has a light distribution pattern setting function. Specifically, the vehicle ECU 10 sets the light reduction range (or light blocking range) and the light irradiation range in the ADB function according to the position of a forward vehicle (a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle) detected by the forward monitoring sensor 11. The vehicle ECU 10 also sets the irradiation range of the correction light that is irradiated to the corners of the light reduction range. The correction light will be described in detail later.

[0019] The lamp ECU 20 described above has the function of generating a control signal to cause each ADB unit 32L, 32R to form irradiated light according to the light distribution pattern set by the vehicle ECU 10, and supplying the control signal to each ADB unit 32L, 32R.

[0020] In this embodiment, the "controller" is configured to include the vehicle ECU 10, the lamp ECU 20, and the control device 21, but the functions of the vehicle ECU 10, the lamp ECU 20, and the control device 21 may be aggregated in the vehicle ECU 10, the lamp ECU 20, or the control device 21.

[0021] 1(B) is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer system. The illustrated computer system can be configured using a computer system including a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage device 204 such as a flash memory, an input / output interface 205, and the like. In this computer system, a program 206 pre-stored in the storage device 204 is read and executed by the processor, thereby enabling the computer system to perform various functions. Each of the above-described vehicle ECU 10, lamp ECU 20, and control device 21 can be realized, for example, using such a computer system.

[0022] 2(A) and 2(B) are schematic front views showing examples of the configuration of a low beam unit and an ADB unit. These diagrams show the units installed at the front of the vehicle as viewed from the front of the vehicle. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2(A), the low beam unit 31L and the ADB unit 32L are integrated, and the low beam unit 31R and the ADB unit 32R are integrated. On the other hand, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 2(B), the low beam unit 31L and the ADB unit 32L are configured separately, and the low beam unit 31R and the ADB unit 32R are configured separately. Note that these are merely examples, and there are no limitations on the configuration of the low beam units 31L, 31R and the ADB units 32L, 32R as long as they have the function of emitting low beam and high beam and the ADB function.

[0023] FIG. 3(A) is a schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of an ADB unit. The ADB unit 32L in the illustrated example includes a light source 33 having a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in two directions, and a lens 34 that collects the light emitted from the light source 33 to form an adaptive driving beam BM and irradiates the adaptive driving beam BM ahead of the vehicle. The ADB unit 32R also has a similar configuration. As shown in FIG. 3(B) as a schematic plan view of an example of the configuration of the light source 33, as an example, the light source 33 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 33a (e.g., several thousand to several tens of thousands) arranged in two directions. Each light-emitting element 33a can be turned on and off individually. Each light-emitting element 33a can be, for example, an LED.

[0024] The configuration of ADB units 32L and 32R is not limited to that described above, and various known types of ADB units can be used, such as an ADB unit that uses a liquid crystal element to control the dimming range and light irradiation range, or an ADB unit that scans the light emitted from a laser element with an optical deflector and controls the dimming range and light irradiation range by turning the laser element on and off at high speed.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view for explaining an example of the illumination of an adaptive driving beam. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an adaptive driving beam BM1 illuminated by ADB unit 32L among the adaptive driving beams shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an adaptive driving beam BM2 illuminated by ADB unit 32R among the adaptive driving beams shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 4 to 6 show a bird's-eye view of host vehicle 100 and a forward vehicle 101 from above, and schematically show the adaptive driving beam illuminated from host vehicle 100. As an example, FIGS. 4 to 6 show plan views in which the relative distance between host vehicle 100 and forward vehicle 101 is 25 m. Note that, although a preceding vehicle is shown as an example of the forward vehicle 101, the same applies to an oncoming vehicle.

[0026] When a forward vehicle 101 is present, the adaptive driving beam BM emitted by the ADB units 32L and 32R of the host vehicle 100 is provided with a composite dimming range IM according to the position of the forward vehicle 101. As shown in the figure, the adaptive driving beam BM1 (shown by a solid line) emitted from the ADB unit 32L and the adaptive driving beam BM2 (shown by a dotted line) emitted from the ADB unit 32R overlap in the space in front of the host vehicle 100, so that the adaptive driving beam BM including the composite dimming range IM is emitted in front of the host vehicle 100.

[0027] At this time, as shown in Fig. 4, an area 102a is formed where the adaptive driving beam BM2 is irradiated but the adaptive driving beam BM1 is not irradiated, and an area 102b is formed where the adaptive driving beam BM1 is irradiated but the adaptive driving beam BM2 is not irradiated. In these areas 102a and 102b, triangular illuminance unevenness occurs on the road surface on the left and right of the lower end of the synthetic dimming range IM when viewed from the front of the host vehicle 100, as shown in Fig. 7(A).

[0028] The dimming range IM1 (first dimming range) of the adaptive driving beam BM1 and the dimming range IM2 (second dimming range) of the adaptive driving beam BM2 each have a substantially rectangular shape on a screen that is assumed to hang down in front of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 7(B) and 7(C). The shapes of the dimming ranges IM1 and IM2 on the road surface are substantially trapezoidal when viewed by the driver of the host vehicle 100, as shown in FIG. 7(A). When the attitude of the host vehicle 100 is steady, the lower end of the composite dimming range IM is formed at the rear end of the forward vehicle 101, so the illuminance unevenness in the areas 102a and 102b is not very noticeable. However, when the lower end of the composite dimming range IM moves from position B1 to position B2 due to factors such as acceleration / deceleration of the host vehicle 100 or the inclination of the road surface, the areas 102a and 102b are visually perceived as having illuminance unevenness.

[0029] 8, when the relative distance between the host vehicle 100 and the preceding vehicle 101 changes, the shapes of the regions 102a and 102b change accordingly, and the appearance of each of the regions 102a and 102b when viewed from the front also changes. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, when the relative positional relationship between the host vehicle 100 and the preceding vehicle 101 in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) changes, the shapes of the regions 102a and 102b change accordingly, and the appearance of each of the regions 102a and 102b when viewed from the front also changes.

[0030] Fig. 10(A) is a schematic diagram of the driver's view of the direction of travel of the vehicle 100, illustrating the shape on the road surface of the correction light irradiated onto the left and right corners of the lower end of the composite dimming area IM in the adaptive driving beam. Fig. 10(B) and Fig. 10(C) are diagrams illustrating the shapes of the dimming areas IM1 and IM2 on the screen. Fig. 10(D) and Fig. 10(E) are partial enlarged views of the dimming areas IM1 and IM2.

[0031] 10(A) is configured as a range that includes the dimming ranges IM1 and IM2. That is, the synthetic dimming range IM is a range that includes a range in which either the dimming range IM1 or the dimming range IM2 exists, and a range in which the dimming range IM1 and the dimming range IM2 partially overlap.

[0032] As shown in each figure, in this embodiment, by irradiating the left and right corners of the lower end of the synthetic dimming range IM at a position in the adaptive driving beam BM closer to the subject vehicle than the vehicle ahead (target object) with correction light 112a (first correction light) and correction light 112b (second correction light), it is possible to reduce uneven illuminance at the left and right corners of the lower end of the synthetic dimming range IM.

[0033] In the drawing, the correction lights 112a and 112b are shown with patterns to make them easier to identify, but this does not necessarily represent the difference in light intensity (illuminance, brightness, luminous intensity, etc.) between them and other light irradiation ranges in the adaptive driving beam BM. Also, in the drawing, for each of the correction lights 112a and 112b, a case is illustrated in which the left and right corners of the synthetic dimming range IM are cut out in a linear fashion (so-called chamfered shape) to obtain correction lights with a substantially triangular shape in a front view, but the shape of the correction lights 112a and 112b is not limited to this, and correction lights with a substantially triangular shape in a front view may also be obtained by, for example, cutting out a shape in a curved fashion (so-called R processing).

[0034] In this embodiment, the ADB unit 32L is controlled to irradiate the correction light 112a to the lower left corner of the dimming range IM1 in the drawing, and the ADB unit 32R is controlled to irradiate the correction light 112b to the lower right corner of the dimming range IM2 in the drawing. This makes it possible to realize an adaptive driving beam BM, which is a composite irradiation light including the composite dimming range IM configured as a range including the dimming ranges IM1 and IM2, and the correction lights 112a and 112b.

[0035] The ADB unit 32L may emit the correcting light 112a and the correcting light 112b at the same time. In this case, the illuminance of the portion of the adaptive driving beam BM1 in the ADB unit 32L that corresponds to the correcting light 112b may be increased, for example, by a factor of two. Similarly, the ADB unit 32R may emit the correcting light 112b and the correcting light 112a at the same time. In this case, the illuminance of the portion of the adaptive driving beam BM2 in the ADB unit 32R that corresponds to the correcting light 112a may be increased, for example, by a factor of two. However, in these cases, a certain margin is required in the variable width of the light intensity in the ADB unit 32L or the ADB unit 32R, which may result in increased costs, a shortened lifespan of the light source 33 due to an increased load on the light source 33, or difficulty in design. From this perspective, as described above, it is more preferable to irradiate the correction light 112a from ADB unit 32L onto an area that was previously only illuminated with light from ADB unit 32R, and to irradiate the correction light 112a from ADB unit 32R onto an area that was previously only illuminated with light from ADB unit 32L.

[0036] 11(A) and 11(B) are diagrams for explaining an example of controlling a light source to realize correction light. Note that, although a method for realizing correction light 112a in dimming range IM1 is illustrated here, correction light 112b in dimming range IM2 can also be realized in a similar manner. 11(A) and 11(B) show a partially enlarged view of light source 33 in ADB unit 32L.

[0037] If the correction light 112a is not taken into consideration, the light-emitting elements 33a to be dimmed (or turned off) to form the dimming range IM1 in the light source 33 of the ADB unit 32L are each of the light-emitting elements 33a included in the area 110 indicated by the dashed-dotted line as shown in Fig. 11(A). In this case, as shown in Fig. 11(B), the light source 33 is controlled so that some of the light-emitting elements 33a (indicated by the dotted line in the figure) in the lower left corner of the area 110 are targeted for dimming.

[0038] The light emitted from the light source 33 controlled in this manner is inverted and projected by the lens 34, thereby obtaining a dimming range IM1 including the correction light 112a. Although not shown, a similar control results in a dimming range IM2 including the correction light 112b. Note that, for ease of understanding, the number of light-emitting elements 33a is shown as being small, but if the number of light-emitting elements 33a is greater, the number of light-emitting elements 33a to be dimmed is determined according to the area required for the correction lights 112a and 112b.

[0039] Fig. 12(A) is a diagram illustrating the shape of the correction light on the road surface that is irradiated onto the left and right corners of the lower end of the composite dimming area IM of the adaptive driving beam BM. Fig. 12(B) and Fig. 12(C) are diagrams illustrating the shapes of the dimming areas IM1 and IM2 on the screen. Fig. 12(D) and Fig. 12(E) are partial enlarged views of the dimming areas IM1 and IM2.

[0040] 10(A), each of the correction beams 112a and 112b has a triangular shape that is longer in the up-down direction (vertical direction) and shorter in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) in the figure. As shown in this example, when the relative distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle changes (see FIG. 8), the shape (height and / or width) of each of the correction beams 112a and 112b is set to be variable accordingly.

[0041] Even when the shapes of the correcting beams 112a and 112b are variably set, it is preferable to set their upper ends so that they do not exceed the horizon, in order to prevent glare to vehicles ahead caused by an unnecessarily narrow composite dimming range IM of the adaptive driving beam BM.

[0042] 13(A) to 13(C) are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. Note that the order of the processes shown here can be changed as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the results of the information processing, and other processes not explicitly shown here can also be added.

[0043] First, the operation procedure shown in FIG. 13(A) (operation procedure of the first mode), which is the simplest of the operation procedures shown in FIG. 13(A) to FIG. 13(C), will be described.

[0044] When the forward monitoring sensor 11 detects a forward vehicle (step S11), the vehicle ECU 10 sets a light distribution pattern including dimming ranges IM1 and IM2 according to the position of the detected forward vehicle. At this time, the vehicle ECU 10 sets a light distribution pattern including irradiation ranges of standard correction lights 112a and 112b for at least the lower left and right corners of the dimming ranges (step S12).

[0045] Here, the standard correction light is a correction light that is predetermined (designed) based on the usage conditions (pitching angle and distance range) so that the influence of triangular uneven illumination is reduced even if the relative distance or position between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead changes. For example, when the relative distance is 25 m to 100 m and the maximum pitching angle is 1.5 degrees, the height H can be set to 0.5 degrees and the width W to 1.0 degrees.

[0046] Once the light distribution pattern is set, the lamp ECU 20 generates a control signal for realizing this light distribution pattern and outputs it to the control device 21 (step S13). The control device 21 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs it to each of the ADB units 32L, 32R. This controls the operation of each of the ADB units 32L, 32R, and irradiates an adaptive driving beam BM that includes a composite dimming range IM that includes the dimming ranges IM1, IM2 and that also includes the correction lights 112a, 112b.

[0047] According to the operation procedure of the first aspect, by using a standard correction light, it is not necessary to perform calculation processing that takes into account the relative positional relationship and relative distance of the vehicle ahead relative to the vehicle itself, thereby simplifying the calculation processing.

[0048] Next, the operation procedure shown in FIG. 13(B) (operation procedure of the second mode) will be described.

[0049] When the forward monitoring sensor 11 detects a forward vehicle (step S21), the vehicle ECU 10 sets the shapes of the correction lights 112a and 112b according to the relative positional relationship and relative distance of the forward vehicle to the host vehicle (step S22).

[0050] Here, the shape of the correction lights 112a and 112b can be determined according to the calculation results, since it is possible to calculate the size of the triangular illuminance unevenness (see FIG. 4, etc.) reflected on the road surface depending on the relative distance and relative positional relationship between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

[0051] Specifically, the shapes of the correction lights 112a and 112b are set so that, for example, the shorter the relative distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, the lower the vertical height and wider the horizontal width, and the longer the relative distance, the higher the vertical height and narrower the horizontal width (see FIGS. 10(A) and 12(A)).

[0052] In addition, the shapes of the correction lights 112a and 112b are set so that, for example, when the preceding vehicle is located relatively to the left of the host vehicle, the width of the correction light on the lower left side of the dimming range is narrower than the width of the correction light on the lower right side, and when the preceding vehicle is located relatively to the right of the host vehicle, the width of the correction light on the lower right side of the dimming range is narrower than the width of the correction light on the lower left side.

[0053] Next, the vehicle ECU 10 sets a light distribution pattern including dimming ranges IM1 and IM2 according to the detected position of the forward vehicle, and including the irradiation range of the correction lights 112a and 112b having the shape set in step S22 (step S23).

[0054] Once the light distribution pattern is set, the lamp ECU 20 generates a control signal for realizing this light distribution pattern and outputs it to the control device 21 (step S24). The control device 21 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs the drive signal to each of the ADB units 32L, 32R. This controls the operation of each of the ADB units 32L, 32R, and irradiates an adaptive driving beam BM that includes the composite dimming range IM configured as a range that includes the dimming ranges IM1, IM2 and that also includes the correction lights 112a, 112b.

[0055] According to the operation procedure of the second aspect, the shape of the correction light is set in consideration of the relative positional relationship and relative distance between the host vehicle and the forward vehicle, so that uneven illuminance can be more effectively suppressed.

[0056] Next, the operation procedure shown in FIG. 13(C) (operation procedure of the third mode) will be described.

[0057] When the forward monitoring sensor 11 detects a forward vehicle (step S31), the vehicle ECU 10 detects the tilt of the host vehicle in the pitch direction based on the signal output from the tilt detection sensor 12 (step S32).

[0058] Next, the vehicle ECU 10 sets the shapes of the correction lights 112a and 112b according to the relative positional relationship and relative distance of the vehicle ahead relative to the host vehicle, and the tilt angle of the host vehicle (step S33).

[0059] Here, the shape of the correction lights 112a and 112b is set by further taking into consideration the tilt angle of the vehicle, so the size of the illuminance unevenness can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0060] Next, the vehicle ECU 10 sets a light distribution pattern including dimming ranges IM1 and IM2 according to the detected position of the forward vehicle, and including the irradiation range of the correction lights 112a and 112b having the shape set in step S33 (step S34).

[0061] Once the light distribution pattern is set, the lamp ECU 20 generates a control signal for realizing this light distribution pattern and outputs it to the control device 21 (step S35). The control device 21 generates a drive signal based on the control signal and outputs the drive signal to each of the ADB units 32L, 32R. This controls the operation of each of the ADB units 32L, 32R, and irradiates an adaptive driving beam BM that includes the composite dimming range IM configured as a range that includes the dimming ranges IM1, IM2 and that also includes the correction lights 112a, 112b.

[0062] According to the operation procedure of the third aspect, the shape of the correction light is set taking into consideration the relative positional relationship and relative distance of the vehicle ahead with respect to the vehicle itself, as well as the inclination angle of the vehicle itself, so that uneven illuminance can be more effectively suppressed.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, when the dimming range is set using the ADB function in each of the left-side variable light distribution unit (left-side lamp) and the right-side variable light distribution unit (right-side lamp) for an object to be dimmed, it is possible to reduce uneven illuminance that occurs due to the difference in the relative angle between the object to be dimmed and the positions of the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit.

[0064] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, correction light is added to the lower end of the dimming range, but correction light may also be added to the upper end of the dimming range.

[0065] FIG. 14(A) is a diagram illustrating the shape on the road surface of the correction light irradiated onto the left and right corners of the lower end of the composite dimming range IM in the adaptive driving beam BM of the modified embodiment described above. FIGS. 14(B) and 14(C) are diagrams illustrating the shape of each dimming range IM1, IM2 on the screen. FIGS. 14(D) and 14(E) are partial enlarged views of each dimming range IM1, IM2. In this modified embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14(B) and 14(D), in terms of the shape on the screen, correction light 112a is irradiated onto the left corner of the lower end of dimming range IM1, and correction light 112c is irradiated onto the right corner of the upper end of dimming range IM1. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 14(C) and 14(E), in terms of the shape on the screen, correction light 112b is irradiated onto the right corner of the lower end of dimming range IM2, and correction light 112d is irradiated onto the left corner of the upper end of dimming range IM2.

[0066] As shown in Figure 14(A) , the shapes on the road surface are irradiated by correction lights 112a and 112b, which are set in the left and right corners of the lower end of a composite dimming range that is closer to the vehicle than the vehicle ahead (object) and includes dimming ranges IM1 and IM2. Similarly, correction lights 112c and 112d are set in the left and right corners of the upper end of a composite dimming range that is obtained by overlapping dimming ranges IM1 and IM2, which are farther from the vehicle ahead than the vehicle ahead. By adding correction lights 112c and 112d as in this modified embodiment, it is possible to reduce the dimming ranges in the air that are not necessarily important, thereby alleviating the discomfort that may be felt by the driver.

[0067] The present disclosure has the following features. (Appendix 1) A headlamp having a left-side variable light distribution unit and a right-side variable light distribution unit arranged on the left and right sides of a front part of a vehicle, wherein the headlamp controls a headlamp in which the illumination light formed by the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit overlaps in front of the vehicle to form a composite illumination light in front of the vehicle, a forward monitoring sensor having a function of detecting an object present in front of the vehicle; a controller connected to each of the headlights and the forward monitoring sensor, and configured to control the operation of the headlights; Including, The controller setting a first dimming range in the illumination range of the left-side variable light distribution unit and a second dimming range in the illumination range of the right-side variable light distribution unit according to the position of the object detected by the forward monitoring sensor; setting an irradiation range of the first correction light at the left corner on the lower end side of a first synthetic dimming range that is configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position closer to the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the second correction light at the right corner on the lower end side of the synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the combined illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, and the illumination range of the second illumination light; To execute Headlight control device. (Appendix 2) The first and second dimming areas have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle on a screen hanging down in front of the vehicle. 10. The headlamp control device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) the first correcting light is emitted by the left-side variable light distribution unit, and the second correcting light is emitted by the right-side variable light distribution unit; 3. A headlamp control device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) a height and / or width of each of the irradiation ranges of the first correcting light and the second correcting light as viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle on the screen is set based on the relative distance of the object and / or the relative positional relationship of the object; 3. A headlamp control device as defined in claim 2. (Appendix 5) a height and / or width of each of the irradiation ranges of the first correcting light and the second correcting light as viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle on the screen is set based on the tilt of the vehicle in the pitch direction; 5. A headlamp control device according to claim 2 or 4. (Appendix 6) the irradiation ranges of the first correcting light and the second correcting light are each provided in a substantially triangular shape in a front view on the screen at the left and right corners of the lower end side of the synthetic dimming range, respectively; 6. A headlamp control device according to claim 2, 4 or 5. (Appendix 7) The controller setting an irradiation range of the third correction light at the left corner on the upper end side of a second synthetic dimming range that is configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position farther from the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the fourth correction light at the right corner on the upper end side of the second synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the composite illumination light that includes the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, the illumination range of the second illumination light, the illumination range of the third correction light, and the illumination range of the fourth illumination light; To execute 7. A headlamp control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) A control method executed by a controller to control a headlamp including a left-side variable light distribution unit and a right-side variable light distribution unit arranged on the left and right sides of a front part of a vehicle, wherein illumination light formed by the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit overlaps in front of the vehicle to form a composite illumination light in front of the vehicle, The controller setting a first dimming range in the illumination range of the left-side variable light distribution unit and a second dimming range in the illumination range of the right-side variable light distribution unit according to the position of an object present in front of the vehicle; an irradiation range of the first correcting light irradiated by the left-side variable light distribution unit and / or the right-side variable light distribution unit is set in the left corner of the lower end of a first synthetic light attenuation range obtained by overlapping the first light attenuation range and the second light attenuation range at a position closer to the vehicle than the object, and an irradiation range of the second correcting light irradiated by the right-side variable light distribution unit and / or the left-side variable light distribution unit is set in the right corner of the lower end of the synthetic light attenuation range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the combined illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, and the illumination range of the second illumination light; To execute A method for controlling headlights. (Appendix 9) A control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7; a headlamp with variable light distribution connected to the control device; a headlight system including: [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10: Vehicle ECU, 11: Forward monitoring sensor, 12: Tilt detection sensor, 13: Lighting fixture, 20: Lamp ECU, 21: Control device, 31L, 31R: Low beam unit, 32L, 32R: ADB unit, BM, BM1, BM2: Adaptive driving beam, IM: Composite dimming range, IM1, IM2: Dimming range, 112a, 112b: Correction light, 100: Vehicle, 101: Forward vehicle

Claims

1. A headlamp having a left-side variable light distribution unit and a right-side variable light distribution unit arranged on the left and right sides of a front part of a vehicle, wherein the headlamp controls a headlamp in which the illumination light formed by the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit overlaps in front of the vehicle to form a composite illumination light in front of the vehicle, a forward monitoring sensor having a function of detecting an object present in front of the vehicle; a controller connected to each of the headlights and the forward monitoring sensor, and configured to control the operation of the headlights; Including, The controller setting a first light-attenuating range in the illumination range of the left-side variable light distribution unit and a second light-attenuating range in the illumination range of the right-side variable light distribution unit according to the position of the object detected by the forward monitoring sensor; setting an irradiation range of the first correction light at a left corner on a lower end side of a first synthetic dimming range configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position closer to the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the second correction light at a right corner on a lower end side of the synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the combined illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, and the illumination range of the second illumination light; To execute Headlight control device.

2. the first dimming area and the second dimming area have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle on a screen hanging down in front of the vehicle; The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

3. the first correcting light is emitted by the left-side variable light distribution unit, and the second correcting light is emitted by the right-side variable light distribution unit; The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

4. a height and / or a width of each of the irradiation ranges of the first correcting light and the second correcting light as viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle on the screen is set based on a relative distance to the object and / or a relative positional relationship between the object. The headlamp control device according to claim 2 .

5. a height and / or a width of each of the irradiation ranges of the first correcting light and the second correcting light as viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle on the screen is set based on the inclination of the vehicle in the pitch direction; The headlamp control device according to claim 2 .

6. an illumination range of each of the first correcting light and the second correcting light is provided at each of the left and right corners of the lower end side of the synthetic dimming range in a substantially triangular shape on the screen as viewed in the traveling direction of the vehicle; The headlamp control device according to claim 2 .

7. The controller setting an irradiation range of the third correction light at the left corner on the upper end side of a second synthetic dimming range that is configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position farther from the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the fourth correction light at the right corner on the upper end side of the second synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the composite illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, the illumination range of the second illumination light, the illumination range of the third correction light, and the illumination range of the fourth illumination light; To execute The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

8. A control method executed by a controller to control a headlamp including a left-side variable light distribution unit and a right-side variable light distribution unit arranged on the left and right sides of a front part of a vehicle, wherein illumination light formed by the left-side variable light distribution unit and the right-side variable light distribution unit overlaps in front of the vehicle to form a composite illumination light in front of the vehicle, The controller setting a first dimming range in the illumination range of the left-side variable light distribution unit and a second dimming range in the illumination range of the right-side variable light distribution unit according to the position of an object present in front of the vehicle; setting an irradiation range of the first correction light at a left corner on a lower end side of a first synthetic dimming range configured as a range including the first dimming range and the second dimming range at a position closer to the vehicle than the object, and setting an irradiation range of the second correction light at a right corner on a lower end side of the synthetic dimming range; supplying a control signal to the left side variable light distribution unit and the right side variable light distribution unit of the headlamp to realize the combined illumination light including the first dimming range, the second dimming range, the illumination range of the first correction light, and the illumination range of the second illumination light; To execute A method for controlling headlights.

9. The control device according to claim 1 ; a headlamp with variable light distribution connected to the control device; a headlight system including:

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