Vehicular lamp with built-in infrared sensor

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lamp with a built-in infrared sensor, including an infrared sensor and less likely to cause an increase in size and weight of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicular lamp with a built-in infrared sensor includes: a visible light unit 2020 including a visible light source 2021 for emitting visible light; a first lens part 2045a (projection lens) for emitting the visible light forward; a reflection type infrared cut filter 2034; and an infrared sensor 2035 for detecting an infrared ray. The infrared cut filter 2034 is disposed between the visible light source 2021 and the first lens part 2045a. The infrared sensor 2035 is disposed in the vicinity of a virtual focal point of the first lens part 2045a folded back by the infrared cut filter 2034. The visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021 passes through the infrared cut filter 2034 and is incident on the first lens part 2045a. The infrared ray incident on the infrared cut filter 2034 from a lamp front side through the first lens part 2045a is reflected toward the infrared sensor 2035.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor for use in vehicles such as automobiles. [Background technology]

[0002] A night vision device is known from Patent Document 1 and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-127924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some vehicles may irradiate infrared rays or increase the intensity of the irradiated infrared rays in an attempt to obtain clearer images using infrared light. However, if another vehicle, such as an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle, is located ahead of the vehicle, irradiating the other vehicle with infrared light will result in the infrared light being reflected with a high intensity, causing halation in the image captured by the vehicle's infrared camera. When halation occurs, reducing the sensitivity of the infrared camera can produce an image without halation. However, the image captured by the infrared camera in this case may miss objects with low reflectivity, such as pedestrians. An object of the present invention is to provide an infrared lighting system for a vehicle that can detect objects with low infrared reflectivity while suppressing halation in images taken by an infrared camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle infrared lighting system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A vehicle infrared lighting system mounted on a vehicle equipped with an infrared camera, an infrared light source that emits infrared rays; an optical member that outputs infrared light emitted from the infrared light source toward the front of the lamp; an other vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires position information of an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle; The vehicle is provided with a control unit that controls the lighting state of the infrared light source based on the position information of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle acquired by the other vehicle position acquisition unit so that a dimmed area is formed in at least a part of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle where the irradiation intensity of infrared light is lower than the irradiation intensity of other areas.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an infrared lighting system for a vehicle that can detect an object with low infrared reflectivity while suppressing halation from occurring in an image taken by an infrared camera.

[0007] A vehicle infrared sensor system according to one aspect of the present invention includes: An infrared sensor system for a vehicle equipped with an infrared camera and an infrared sensor, an infrared light source; an optical member that outputs the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source toward the front of the lamp; a control unit that controls the lighting state of the infrared light source, the control unit is capable of driving the infrared light source in a first mode suitable for capturing images with the infrared camera and a second mode suitable for sensing with the infrared sensor, The control unit sets a dimming region in which the irradiation intensity of infrared light is lower than other regions when driven in the first mode, according to the output of the infrared sensor.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an infrared sensor system for a vehicle that can emit light suitable for an infrared camera and an infrared sensor from a common light source.

[0009] A vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a visible light unit having a visible light source that emits visible light; a projection lens that emits visible light forward; A reflective infrared cut filter; an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays, the infrared cut filter is disposed between the visible light source and the projection lens; the infrared sensor is disposed near a virtual focal point of the projection lens that is reflected by the infrared cut filter, Visible light emitted from the visible light source passes through the infrared cut filter and enters the projection lens, and infrared light that enters the infrared cut filter from the front of the lamp via the projection lens is reflected toward the infrared sensor.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor that has an infrared sensor and is unlikely to increase the size and weight of the vehicle.

[0011] A lighting fixture with an optical sensor according to one aspect of the present invention includes: The first light source, Optical sensor and a second light source that has a peak wavelength different from the peak wavelength of light emitted by the first light source and emits light of a wavelength having a high light-receiving sensitivity of the optical sensor; a scanning unit that scans and emits the light emitted from the first light source and the light emitted from the second light source forward of the lamp; a projection lens that projects the light emitted from the scanning unit toward the front of the lamp; a first substrate on which the first light source is arranged and which has a function of supplying power to the first light source; a second substrate on which the second light source is arranged and which has a function of supplying power to the second light source; the second substrate is provided behind the first substrate when viewed from the scanning unit, The first substrate is provided with a gap portion that transmits the light emitted from the second light source to the scanning portion.

[0012] According to the present invention, a lamp with an integrated optical sensor is provided that is small in size and has improved mountability on a vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an infrared lighting system for a vehicle that can detect an object with low infrared reflectivity while suppressing halation from occurring in an image taken by an infrared camera. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle system incorporating a vehicle infrared lighting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a lamp unit mounted in a vehicle lamp; [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the vehicle infrared lighting system. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern irradiated onto another vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a dimming region formed with a margin in a light distribution pattern irradiated onto other vehicles; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process executed by the vehicle infrared lighting system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern irradiated onto a vehicle in front and an oncoming vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a vehicle system incorporating an infrared sensor system for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a lamp unit mounted in a vehicle lamp; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front view of an infrared light source mounted on the run unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an infrared radiation range of the lamp unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern in a sensing mode. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern in an imaging mode. [Figure 14]10 is a timing chart showing the timing of turning on an infrared light source and the timing of exposure of an infrared camera. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a vehicle system incorporating a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor; [Figure 17] 1 is a front view of a visible light source mounted in a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor; [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an infrared light distribution pattern. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a visible light distribution pattern. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by an infrared camera at time t. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an infrared light distribution pattern irradiated at time t+1. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a vehicle system incorporating an optical sensor-integrated lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a lighting fixture with an optical sensor built in. [Figure 24] FIG. [Figure 25] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the irradiation range of each light emitted from the lighting fixture with an optical sensor; FIG. [Figure 26] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern obtained by a control unit controlling a visible light LED. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention will be described below based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[0016] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle system 2 incorporating a vehicular infrared lighting system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 equipped with the vehicle system 2 is a vehicle (automobile) capable of running in an autonomous driving mode. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle system 2 includes a vehicle control unit 3, a sensor 5, a camera 6, a radar 7, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) 9, a wireless communication unit 10, and a map information storage unit 11. The vehicle system 2 also includes a steering actuator 12, a steering device 13, a brake actuator 14, a brake device 15, an accelerator actuator 16, and an accelerator device 17. The vehicle system 2 also includes the vehicular infrared lighting system 100.

[0017] The vehicle control unit 3 is configured to control the driving of the vehicle 1. The vehicle control unit 3 is configured, for example, by an electronic control unit (ECU). The electronic control unit includes a microcontroller including a processor and memory, and other electronic circuits (e.g., transistors, etc.). The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory includes a read-only memory (ROM) in which various vehicle control programs (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI) programs for autonomous driving, etc.) are stored, and a random access memory (RAM) in which various vehicle control data are temporarily stored. The processor is configured to load a program specified from the various vehicle control programs stored in the ROM onto the RAM and execute various processes in cooperation with the RAM.

[0018] The sensor 5 includes an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, a gyro sensor, etc. The sensor 5 is configured to detect the driving state of the vehicle 1 and output driving state information to the vehicle control unit 3. The sensor 5 may further include a seating sensor that detects whether the driver is sitting in the driver's seat, a face direction sensor that detects the direction of the driver's face, an external weather sensor that detects the external weather conditions, a human presence sensor that detects whether there is a person inside the vehicle, etc. Furthermore, the sensor 5 may include an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance of the environment surrounding the vehicle 1.

[0019] The camera (on-board camera) 6 is a camera including an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging of the camera 6 is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit 3. The camera 6 can generate an image based on the visible light it receives. The camera 6 may also be an infrared camera that detects infrared rays.

[0020] The radar 7 is a millimeter wave radar, a microwave radar, a laser radar, or the like. The radar 7 may be equipped with a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging). A LiDAR is a sensor that generally emits invisible light ahead and acquires information such as the distance to an object, the shape of the object, and the material of the object based on the emitted light and the returned light. The camera 6 and the radar 7 (an example of a sensor) are configured to detect the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 (other vehicles, pedestrians, road shapes, traffic signs, obstacles, etc.) and output surrounding environment information to the vehicle control unit 3.

[0021] The HMI 8 is composed of an input unit that accepts input operations from the driver and an output unit that outputs driving information, etc. to the driver. The input unit includes a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a driving mode changeover switch that changes the driving mode of the vehicle 1, etc. The output unit is a display that displays various driving information.

[0022] The GPS 9 is configured to acquire current location information of the vehicle 1 and output the acquired current location information to the vehicle control unit 3. The wireless communication unit 10 is configured to receive information (e.g., driving information) about other vehicles around the vehicle 1 from the other vehicles and transmit information (e.g., driving information) about the vehicle 1 to the other vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle communication). The wireless communication unit 10 is also configured to receive infrastructure information from infrastructure facilities such as traffic lights and marker lights and transmit driving information about the vehicle 1 to the infrastructure facilities (road-to-vehicle communication). The map information storage unit 11 is an external storage device such as a hard disk drive that stores map information, and is configured to output the map information to the vehicle control unit 3.

[0023] When the vehicle 1 is traveling in the autonomous driving mode, the vehicle control unit 3 automatically generates at least one of a steering control signal, an accelerator control signal, and a brake control signal based on traveling state information, surrounding environment information, current position information, map information, etc. The steering actuator 12 is configured to receive the steering control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the steering device 13 based on the received steering control signal. The brake actuator 14 is configured to receive the brake control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the brake device 15 based on the received brake control signal. The accelerator actuator 16 is configured to receive the accelerator control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the accelerator device 17 based on the received accelerator control signal. In this way, in the autonomous driving mode, the traveling of the vehicle 1 is automatically controlled by the vehicle system 2.

[0024] On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is driven in the manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit 3 generates a steering control signal, an accelerator control signal, and a brake control signal in accordance with the driver's manual operation of the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, and the steering wheel. In this way, in the manual driving mode, the steering control signal, the accelerator control signal, and the brake control signal are generated by the driver's manual operation, so that the driving of the vehicle 1 is controlled by the driver.

[0025] Next, the driving modes of the vehicle 1 will be described. The driving modes include an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode. The autonomous driving modes include a fully autonomous driving mode, an advanced driving assistance mode, and a driving assistance mode. In the fully autonomous driving mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs all driving control, including steering control, braking control, and accelerator control, and the driver is not in a state where he or she can drive the vehicle 1. In the advanced driving assistance mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs all driving control, including steering control, braking control, and accelerator control, and the driver is in a state where he or she can drive the vehicle 1 but does not drive the vehicle 1. In the driving assistance mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs some driving control, including steering control, braking control, and accelerator control, and the driver drives the vehicle 1 with the driving assistance of the vehicle system 2. On the other hand, in the manual driving mode, the vehicle system 2 does not automatically perform driving control, and the driver drives the vehicle 1 without the driving assistance of the vehicle system 2.

[0026] The driving mode of the vehicle 1 may also be switched by operating a driving mode selector switch. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1 among four driving modes (fully automated driving mode, advanced driving assistance mode, driving assistance mode, and manual driving mode) in response to the driver's operation of the driving mode selector switch. The driving mode of the vehicle 1 may also be automatically switched based on information about drivable sections where autonomous vehicles are allowed to drive and prohibited sections where autonomous vehicles are prohibited from driving, or information about external weather conditions. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1 based on this information. Furthermore, the driving mode of the vehicle 1 may also be automatically switched using a seating sensor, a face direction sensor, or the like. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1 based on output signals from the seating sensor and the face direction sensor.

[0027] The vehicular infrared lighting system 100 includes a vehicular infrared lighting device 4, and an other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and a distance acquisition unit 103 connected to the vehicular infrared lighting device 4.

[0028] The vehicular infrared lighting device 4 has a lamp unit 30 capable of emitting infrared light, and a control unit 101 that controls each part of the vehicular infrared lighting device 4. The vehicular infrared lighting device 4 is mounted on the front part of the vehicle 1.

[0029] The other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 is an acquisition unit that acquires position information of other vehicles (including, for example, a vehicle ahead and an oncoming vehicle). The other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 acquires the position information of other vehicles based on, for example, an image captured by an infrared camera or a visible light camera (an example of an on-board camera 6) mounted on the vehicle 1. The other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 also acquires the position information of other vehicles based on, for example, information acquired by a LiDAR (an example of a radar 7).

[0030] The distance acquisition unit 103 is an acquisition unit that acquires the distance between another vehicle and the host vehicle 1. The distance acquisition unit 103 acquires the distance information to the other vehicle based on information acquired by, for example, LiDAR. In addition, the distance acquisition unit 103 acquires the distance information to the other vehicle by, for example, analyzing an image captured by the in-vehicle camera 6.

[0031] The other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and the distance acquisition unit 103 are connected to the control unit 101 of the vehicular infrared lamp 4. The lamp unit 30, the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102, and the distance acquisition unit 103 are controlled by the control unit 101. Note that in this embodiment, the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and the distance acquisition unit 103 are configured to be independent from the control unit 101, but may be configured to be included in the control unit 101 as processing units that execute the processing of the control unit 101, for example.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a lamp unit 30 mounted on a vehicle infrared lamp 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the lamp unit 30 has a housing 30a, an infrared light source 32, a rotating reflector 33 (an example of an optical member), an infrared camera 34, a lens component 35, and a light-shielding wall 36.

[0033] The interior of the housing 30a is divided into two spaces, a first lamp chamber 37 and a second lamp chamber 38, by a light-shielding wall 36. The infrared light source 32 and the rotating reflector 33 are provided in the first lamp chamber 37. The infrared camera 34 is provided in the second lamp chamber 38.

[0034] The infrared light source 32 is configured with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared light. The infrared light source 32 may be configured with an LD (Laser Diode) that emits infrared light. When it is required that the infrared light source 32 illuminate a wide range, it is preferable to use an LED, which has a large degree of diffusion of emitted light. When it is required that the infrared light source 32 sense other vehicles, it is preferable to use an LD, which has a small degree of diffusion of emitted light. The infrared light source 32 is mounted on a substrate 39. For example, the infrared light source 32 is provided in multiple rows, each consisting of three infrared light sources 32, arranged on an imaginary line extending vertically on the substrate 39. Each row of the infrared light source 32 may be equipped with an LED or an LD. The lighting timing of the infrared light sources 32 arranged on the substrate 39 in the vertical and horizontal directions is controlled by the control unit 101.

[0035] The rotating reflector 33 is a scanning unit that scans the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 32 and emits it forward of the lamp. The rotating reflector 33 rotates around a rotation axis R. The rotating reflector 33 includes a shaft 33a extending around the rotation axis R and two blades 33b extending radially from the shaft 33a. The surfaces of the blades 33b are reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces have a twisted shape in which the angle with respect to the rotation axis R gradually changes circumferentially. Specifically, when the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 32 is reflected by the reflective surface of the rotating reflector 33, the direction of the reflected light gradually changes from the left end to the right end. This allows the lamp unit 30 to scan and emit light from the infrared light source 32 over a predetermined range. For example, the lamp unit 30 can irradiate infrared light within an irradiation range P1 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0036] A lens component 35 is provided in front of the housing 30a. The lens component 35 has a first lens element 35a and a second lens element 35b. The first lens element 35a is disposed in front of the first lamp chamber 37. Light emitted from the infrared light source 32 and reflected by the rotating reflector 33 is incident on the first lens element 35a. The first lens element 35a emits the incident light from the infrared light source 32 forward of the lamp. The reflecting point of the rotating reflector 33 is disposed near the focal point of the first lens element 35a. The second lens element 35b is disposed in front of the second lamp chamber 38. The second lens element 35b collects light from in front of the lamp, for example, light reflected by an object such as another vehicle, and guides the collected light to the infrared camera 34. The light receiving surface of the infrared camera 34 is disposed near the focal point of the second lens element 35b. The distance of the rear focal point F1 of the first lens element 35a is shorter than the distance of the rear focal point F2 of the second lens element 35b. The first lens element 35a and the second lens element 35b are integrally formed as a single lens component 35.

[0037] The infrared camera 34 is a camera that has the highest sensitivity to the peak wavelength of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 32. The infrared camera 34 outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the received infrared light. The infrared camera 34 can acquire an image corresponding to the reflected light of the infrared light emitted in front of the lamp from the infrared light source 32. The image acquired by the infrared camera 34 is sent to the control unit 101.

[0038] The light-shielding wall 36 is provided between the optical axis of the first lens element 35a and the optical axis of the second lens element 35b. For example, the light-shielding wall 36 is provided at a position where it blocks light that is emitted from the infrared light source 32 and attempts to enter the infrared camera 34 without entering the first lens element 35a.

[0039] An example of the operation of the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the vehicular infrared lighting system 100. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern irradiated from the lamp unit 30 of the vehicle 1 toward other vehicles.

[0040] While the vehicle 1 is traveling, the control unit 101 of the vehicular infrared lighting system 100, in a normal state, sets a normal area to the entire area of ​​the maximum range (hereinafter referred to as the irradiable range) P1 in which the vehicular infrared lighting fixture 4 can irradiate infrared light. The control unit 101 of the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 supplies a current of, for example, a first current value to the infrared light source 32 that irradiates the area corresponding to the normal area, causing it to irradiate infrared light at a certain illuminance.

[0041] Immediately after the vehicle 1 starts traveling, as described above, the normal area is set to the entire irradiation range P1, and infrared light is irradiated at a uniform illuminance to the irradiation range P1. In this state, an image of the area ahead of the vehicle 1 is captured by the infrared camera 34. The image captured by the infrared camera 34 is transmitted to the control unit 101.

[0042] The control unit 101 determines whether or not another vehicle is present in the captured image based on the image captured by the infrared camera 34 (step S01). For example, the control unit 101 determines that another vehicle is present in a pixel in the image captured by the infrared camera 34 whose brightness is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and identifies the position corresponding to this pixel as the position of the other vehicle. The control unit 101 may also identify the position of the other vehicle by referring to the azimuth angle of an object as viewed from a reference point of the host vehicle 1 in the image captured by the infrared camera 34. Alternatively, the control unit 101 may identify the position of the other vehicle based on the area of ​​multiple pixels occupied by the object in the image captured by the infrared camera 34.

[0043] If it is determined that no other vehicle is present in the captured image (step S01: No), the control unit 101 ends the process while maintaining the normal area in all areas of the irradiation possible range P1.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined that another vehicle is present in the captured image (step S01: Yes), the control unit 101 transmits the image captured by the infrared camera 34 to the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and the distance acquisition unit 103, along with information about the detected other vehicle.

[0045] 4, it is assumed that an image showing another vehicle A in front of the host vehicle 1 is captured by the infrared camera 34. Then, the control unit 101 detects the other vehicle in step S01.

[0046] The other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 acquires position information of the left end and the right end of the detected other vehicle A based on the image captured by the infrared camera 34 (step S02). The acquired position information of the other vehicle is transmitted from the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 to the control unit 101.

[0047] The distance acquisition unit 103 acquires distance information between the detected other vehicle A and the host vehicle 1 based on the image captured by the infrared camera 34 (step S03). The acquired distance information of the other vehicle A is transmitted from the distance acquisition unit 103 to the control unit 101.

[0048] Based on the position information of the other vehicle A acquired by the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and the distance information of the other vehicle A acquired by the distance acquisition unit 103, the control unit 101 sets at least a part of the other vehicle A as a dimming area where the irradiation intensity of infrared rays is lower than the irradiation intensity of infrared rays irradiated to other areas (step S04). In this example, the dimming area means an area where the irradiation intensity of infrared rays is lower than the normal area. The control unit 101 supplies a current of a second current value smaller than the first current value to the infrared light source 32, and irradiates the dimming area with infrared rays at an illuminance lower than the illuminance of the normal area.

[0049] For example, based on the position information of the right and left ends of the other vehicle A acquired from the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102, the control unit 101 sets the right boundary line 41 of the dimming region Q1 to the left of the right end 43 of the other vehicle A and sets the left boundary line 42 of the dimming region Q1 to the right of the left end 44 of the other vehicle A, as shown in FIG. 4 . That is, the width W1 of the dimming region Q1 is set to be narrower than the width W2 of the other vehicle A. Furthermore, the dimming region Q1 is set to the center in the vehicle width direction of the other vehicle A. Furthermore, the control unit 101 may, for example, identify a center position 45 in the vehicle width direction of the other vehicle A based on the position information of the right and left ends of the other vehicle A acquired from the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102, and set the right boundary line 41 of the dimming region Q1 between the center position 45 and the right end of the other vehicle A, and set the left boundary line 42 of the dimming region Q1 between the center position 45 and the left end of the other vehicle A.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 101 may set the degree of dimming of the infrared light source 32 according to the distance from the host vehicle 1 to the other vehicle A, based on distance information between the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle A acquired from the distance acquisition unit 103. Specifically, the closer the distance from the host vehicle 1 to the other vehicle A, the smaller the second current value supplied to the infrared light source 32, thereby increasing the degree of dimming of the infrared light source 32 for the dimming region Q1. Conversely, the farther the distance from the host vehicle 1 to the other vehicle A, the larger the second current value supplied to the infrared light source 32, thereby decreasing the degree of dimming of the infrared light source 32 for the dimming region Q1.

[0051] The control unit 101 sets the area other than the light-reducing area Q1 within the irradiation possible range P1 as a normal area S.

[0052] As described above, the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 according to the embodiment is configured to form a dimming region Q1 in an area where other vehicles with high infrared reflection intensity are located. This allows other vehicles within the irradiation range P1 to be irradiated with infrared light at low illuminance, thereby reducing the intensity of the infrared light reflected from the other vehicles. This reduces the risk of halation occurring in the image captured by the infrared camera 34 of the vehicle 1 due to infrared light reflected from the other vehicles. Furthermore, the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 defines a normal region S in an area other than the dimming region Q1, and thus irradiates the normal region S with infrared light at a higher illuminance than the dimming region Q1. This allows the infrared camera 34 to more easily detect objects with low infrared reflection intensity near other vehicles, such as pedestrian B next to vehicle A or pedestrian C behind vehicle A, as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0053] It is known that, in a vehicle headlamp that irradiates the area ahead of the vehicle with visible light, the position of the other vehicle is detected and a dimming region in which the illuminance of the visible light is reduced is set within the detected position to prevent dazzling to the driver of the other vehicle. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a dimming region Q2 set for the other vehicle A when a light source emits visible light. As shown in FIG. 5, in order to prevent dazzling to the driver of the other vehicle A when irradiating visible light, a right boundary line 51 of the dimming region Q2 is set to the right of a right edge 43 of the other vehicle A, and a left boundary line 52 is set to the left of a left edge 44 of the other vehicle A. In other words, when irradiating visible light, the dimming region Q2 is set to an area with a margin from the area of ​​the other vehicle A. The width W3 of the dimming region Q2 is set wider than the width W2 of the other vehicle A. In this case, dazzling to the driver of the other vehicle A can be reduced, but it is difficult to obtain information about the area of ​​the other vehicle A and information about pedestrians B and C near the other vehicle A.

[0054] In contrast, the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 uses an infrared light source 32 as a light source for illuminating the front. As shown in FIG. 4, a dimming region Q1 is formed on the inside (center) of the other vehicle A in the vehicle width direction. Because the light from the infrared light source is infrared, unlike visible light, it does not dazzle the driver of the other vehicle. Furthermore, when an infrared camera is mounted on a vehicle, it is often mounted on the center of the vehicle width direction. Therefore, this configuration can prevent dazzle from the driver of the other vehicle A, and can also reduce glare on the infrared camera even if the other vehicle A is equipped with one. Furthermore, because a normal region S is set in the area other than the dimming region Q1, information about the left and right edges of the other vehicle A, excluding the center, can be acquired by the infrared camera 34 of the vehicle 1.

[0055] Furthermore, the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 is configured to change the degree of dimming of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 32 to the dimming region Q1 depending on the distance from the subject vehicle 1 to the other vehicle A. Therefore, it is possible to accurately obtain information about all other vehicles with an infrared irradiation intensity appropriate for the distance to the other vehicle A.

[0056] (Variation) Another example of the operation of the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing another example of processing executed by the vehicular infrared lighting system 100. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a light distribution pattern emitted from the lamp unit 30 of the vehicle 1 toward a leading vehicle and an oncoming vehicle. In this example, the vehicular infrared lighting system 100 sets a dimming area and a shading area depending on whether the other vehicle is an oncoming vehicle or a leading vehicle.

[0057] In FIG. 6, the process up to step S11 is the same as the process up to step S01 in FIG.

[0058] 7, it is assumed that an image showing other vehicles A and D in front of the host vehicle 1 is captured by the infrared camera 34. Then, the control unit 101 detects the other vehicles A and D in step S11.

[0059] The other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 acquires position information of the left end and right end of the detected other vehicle A and position information of the left end and right end of the other vehicle D based on the image captured by the infrared camera 34 (step S12). The acquired position information of the other vehicles A and D is transmitted from the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 to the control unit 101.

[0060] The distance acquisition unit 103 acquires distance information between the detected other vehicle A and the host vehicle 1, and distance information between the other vehicle D and the host vehicle 1, based on the image captured by the infrared camera 34 (step S13). The acquired distance information of the other vehicle A and the distance information of the other vehicle D are transmitted from the distance acquisition unit 103 to the control unit 101.

[0061] The control unit 101 determines whether the detected other vehicle is a vehicle ahead or an oncoming vehicle (step S14). For example, by comparing two infrared camera images taken at different times, if the position of the other vehicle has changed significantly by more than a threshold, or if the area occupied by the other vehicle has changed significantly by more than a threshold, the control unit 101 may determine that the other vehicle is an oncoming vehicle; otherwise, the control unit 101 may determine that the other vehicle is a vehicle ahead. Alternatively, if the vehicle 1 is equipped with a radar, the control unit 101 may determine that the other vehicle is an oncoming vehicle if the time until the reflected wave is detected is shorter than a predetermined value, or if the wavelength of the reflected wave is shorter than a threshold, or if not, the control unit 101 may determine that the other vehicle is a vehicle ahead. In the following description, it is assumed that the other vehicle A is determined to be an oncoming vehicle and the other vehicle D is determined to be a vehicle ahead.

[0062] If the control unit 101 determines that the detected other vehicle D is a preceding vehicle (step S14: Yes), it sets at least a portion of the area of ​​the preceding vehicle D to a dimming area where the infrared irradiation intensity is lower than that of a normal area based on the position information of the preceding vehicle D acquired by the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and the distance information of the preceding vehicle D acquired by the distance acquisition unit 103 (step S15).

[0063] On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected other vehicle A is an oncoming vehicle (step S14: No), the control unit 101 sets at least a part of the area of ​​the oncoming vehicle A as a light-blocking area where infrared rays are not irradiated, based on the position information of the oncoming vehicle A acquired by the other vehicle position acquisition unit 102 and the distance information of the oncoming vehicle A acquired by the distance acquisition unit 103 (step S16). The control unit 101 turns off the infrared light source 32 by reducing the current supplied to the infrared light source 32 to zero when the light-blocking area is scanned.

[0064] 7, the control unit 101 sets the dimming region Q1 in the center in the vehicle width direction of the leading vehicle D, and sets the light-blocking region T in the center in the vehicle width direction of the oncoming vehicle A, similar to the setting of the dimming region Q1 in step S04 in Fig. 3 described above. Also, the control unit 101 sets the degree of dimming of the infrared light source 32 in accordance with the distance from the host vehicle 1 to the oncoming vehicle A and the distance from the host vehicle 1 to the leading vehicle D, similar to the setting of the degree of dimming of the infrared light source 32 in step S04 in Fig. 3 described above.

[0065] The vehicular infrared lighting system 100 is configured to form a light-blocking region T in the center of the oncoming vehicle A in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even if an infrared camera is mounted on the oncoming vehicle A, glare on the infrared camera can be prevented. Furthermore, a dimming region Q1 is formed in the center of the leading vehicle D in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even if an object is present in the immediate vicinity of the leading vehicle D, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 , even if a pedestrian E is present between the leading vehicle D and the host vehicle 1 within the dimming region Q1, the leading vehicle D is irradiated with infrared light at a low intensity, allowing the infrared camera 34 of the host vehicle 1 to detect the pedestrian E. The leading vehicle D may also be equipped with a rear infrared camera that acquires rearward information. Although infrared light irradiated into the dimming region Q1 may cause halation on the rear infrared camera of the leading vehicle D, such a rear infrared camera is used for parking, not while driving. Therefore, irradiating the leading vehicle D with infrared light from behind while driving is unlikely to cause any problems. The illuminance of the light-shielding area only needs to be lower than the illuminance of the light-reducing area, and the light-shielding area may be irradiated with infrared light.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. The material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, an optical element has been described in which infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 32 is scanned by the rotating reflector 33 and emitted in front of the lamp via the lens component 35. However, this is not limiting. For example, the infrared light source 32 and the rotating reflector 33 may be configured as a multi-array infrared light source, and the optical element may emit light from the light source in front of the lamp via the lens component 35. A multi-array infrared light source is, for example, a light source having a structure in which multiple infrared light sources are arranged vertically and horizontally. Each infrared light source can emit light in a different direction, and all the infrared light sources are configured to illuminate a predetermined area in front of the lamp. The illuminance of a specific area in front of the lamp is controlled by controlling the lighting state of a specific infrared light source.

[0068] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the infrared camera 34 is provided inside the lamp unit 30 (inside the lamp) that is also used as the infrared light source 32, but this is not limiting. For example, the infrared camera 34 may be provided in another location on the vehicle 1, rather than inside the lamp.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the light-reducing region is irradiated with infrared light having a weak illuminance, but for example, the light-reducing region may not be irradiated with infrared light.

[0070] Second Embodiment Next, a vehicle infrared sensor system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In recent years, vehicles have been equipped with sensor units based on multiple detection principles, such as cameras and infrared photodiodes. When multiple types of sensor units are installed in a vehicle, the vehicle becomes larger. A second embodiment of the present invention provides an infrared sensor system for a vehicle that can emit light suitable for an infrared camera and an infrared sensor from a common light source.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a vehicle system 2 incorporating an infrared sensor system 1100 for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 equipped with the vehicle system 2 is a vehicle (automobile) capable of running in an autonomous driving mode, similar to the first embodiment described above. As shown in Fig. 8, the vehicle system 2 includes a vehicle control unit 3, a sensor 5, a camera 6, a radar 7, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) 9, a wireless communication unit 10, and a map information storage unit 11. The vehicle system 2 also includes a steering actuator 12, a steering device 13, a brake actuator 14, a brake device 15, an accelerator actuator 16, and an accelerator device 17. The vehicle system 2 also includes a vehicle infrared sensor system 1100. These are similar to those in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The camera (on-board camera) 6 is a camera including an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging of the camera 6 is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit 3. The camera 6 is capable of generating an image based on the visible light it receives. The camera 6 includes an infrared camera 6a that detects infrared rays. The infrared camera 6a is capable of generating an image based on the infrared rays it receives.

[0073] The vehicular infrared sensor system 1100 includes a vehicle lamp 1004 (e.g., a headlamp) equipped with a lamp unit 1030 and a control unit 1101. The control unit 1101 controls the operation of the vehicle lamp 1004. The control unit 1101 is connected to a vehicle control unit 3 so as to be able to communicate with the vehicle lamp 1004. The vehicle lamp 1004 is mounted on the front of the vehicle 1.

[0074] 9 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a lamp unit 1030 mounted in a vehicle lamp 1004. As shown in FIG. 9, the lamp unit 1030 has a housing 1030a, an infrared light source 1032, an infrared sensor 1034, a lens component 1035, and a light-shielding wall 1036.

[0075] The interior of the housing 1030a is divided into two spaces, a first lamp chamber 1037 and a second lamp chamber 1038, by a light-shielding wall 1036. The infrared light source 1032 is provided in the first lamp chamber 1037. The infrared sensor 1034 is provided in the second lamp chamber 1038.

[0076] The infrared light source 1032 is composed of a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit infrared rays. The infrared light source 1032 is mounted on a substrate 1039. The control unit 1101 controls the turning on and off of the infrared light source 1032 mounted on the substrate 1039. The infrared light source 1032 is controlled to be driven in an on / off state for an imaging mode (first mode) suitable for imaging with the infrared camera 6a, and an on / off state for a sensing mode (second mode) suitable for sensing with the infrared sensor 1034, for example.

[0077] The infrared sensor 1034 is composed of a photodiode (PD) that detects infrared rays. The infrared sensor 1034 outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the received infrared rays. The higher the intensity of the received infrared rays, the stronger the signal output by the infrared sensor 1034. The infrared sensor 1034 has the highest sensitivity to the peak wavelength of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 1032. The infrared sensor 1034 is configured to receive reflected light of the infrared rays emitted in front of the lamp from the infrared light source 1032 and detect the peak wavelength of the reflected light. Information regarding the reflected light acquired by the infrared sensor 1034 is transmitted to the control unit 1101. The operation of the infrared sensor 1034, for example, the sensing operation of detecting infrared rays, is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the control unit 1101.

[0078] The infrared camera 6a is a camera that has the highest sensitivity to the peak wavelength of infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 1032. The infrared camera 6a can acquire images corresponding to the reflected light of infrared light emitted in front of the lamp from the infrared light source 1032. The images acquired by the infrared camera 6a are transmitted to the control unit 1101. The operation of the infrared camera, for example, the operation of capturing an image in front of the vehicle 1, may be controlled based on a signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit 3, or may be controlled based on a signal transmitted from the control unit 1101.

[0079] A lens component 1035 is provided at the front of the housing 1030a. The lens component 1035 has a projection lens 1035a (an example of an optical member) and a condenser lens 1035b. The projection lens 1035a is disposed at the front of the first lamp chamber 1037. Light emitted from the infrared light source 1032 is incident on the projection lens 1035a. The projection lens 1035a emits the incident light from the infrared light source 1032 forward of the lamp. The infrared light source 1032 is disposed near the focal point of the projection lens 1035a. The condenser lens 1035b is disposed at the front of the second lamp chamber 1038. The condenser lens 1035b collects light from in front of the lamp, for example, light emitted from the infrared light source 1032 and reflected by a detection target such as another vehicle, and guides the collected light to the infrared sensor 1034. The light receiving surface of the infrared sensor 1034 is disposed near the focal point of the condenser lens 1035b. The distance of the rear focal point of the projection lens 1035a is shorter than the distance of the rear focal point of the condenser lens 1035b. The projection lens 1035a and the condenser lens 1035b are integrally formed as a single lens component 1035.

[0080] The light-shielding wall 1036 is provided between the optical axis of the projection lens 1035a and the optical axis of the condenser lens 1035b. For example, the light-shielding wall 1036 is provided at a position where it blocks light that is emitted from the infrared light source 1032 and attempts to directly enter the infrared sensor 1034 without entering the projection lens 1035a.

[0081] Fig. 10 is a front view of the infrared light source 1032. As shown in Fig. 10, the infrared light source 1032 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs arranged in a two-dimensional array in the up-down direction (01 to 10) and left-right direction (a to p). In the following description, the infrared light source 1032 located n-th from the top (n is any of 01 to 10) and x-th from the right (x is any of a to p) in Fig. 10 will be referred to as infrared LEDnx. For example, infrared LED03j is the infrared LED located 3-rd from the top and j-th from the right in Fig. 10.

[0082] Each of the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p can emit light in a different direction. The infrared light source 1032 is controlled by a control unit 1101, and is configured to control the illuminance of a specific area in front of the lamp by controlling the on / off state of a specific infrared LED.

[0083] In this embodiment, the control unit 1101 drives the infrared light source 1032 in an imaging mode (first mode) suitable for imaging with an infrared camera and a sensing mode (second mode) suitable for sensing with an infrared sensor. The imaging mode and sensing mode will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0084] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the irradiation range Q of the lamp unit 1030. The irradiation range Q in Fig. 11 is displayed on a virtual vertical screen when the screen is placed, for example, 25 m ahead of the vehicle lamp 1004. The irradiation range Q is the maximum range over which the lamp unit 1030 can irradiate infrared rays, and is irradiated by turning on all of the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p of the infrared light source 1032.

[0085] For ease of explanation, in FIG. 11, the irradiatable range Q is divided into 10 vertical regions and 11 horizontal regions. Of the irradiatable range Q in FIG. 11, the region designated as the Nth region from the top vertically (N is any of 01 to 10) and the Xth region from the left horizontally (X is any of A to P) is referred to as region QNX. For example, when the infrared LED 01a located at the top right in FIG. 10 is turned on, infrared light is irradiated onto region Q01A located at the top right in FIG. 11. Alternatively, when the infrared LED 06p is turned on, light is irradiated onto region Q06P in FIG. 11. In this vehicle infrared sensor system 1100, which regions Q01A to Q10P are irradiated with infrared light when each of the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p is turned on is recorded in a memory, and the control unit 1101 is able to read out this information from the memory.

[0086] In the following description, the Nth region from the top in the vertical direction and all regions in the horizontal direction will be referred to as region QN. This region QN is a strip-shaped region extending in the left-right direction. For example, the seventh region from the top in the vertical direction and regions A to P in the horizontal direction will be referred to as region Q07. When the infrared LEDs 07a to 07p in FIG. 10 are turned on, infrared light is irradiated onto region Q07. In this embodiment, the irradiation range Q is divided so that the H line is located between region Q06 and region Q07.

[0087] 12 is a schematic diagram showing an irradiation pattern irradiated when the control unit 1101 drives the infrared light source 1032 in the sensing mode. As shown in Fig. 12, in this example, in the sensing mode, the control unit 1101 controls the infrared light source 1032 so that areas Q02, Q04, and Q06 are irradiated in order to sense a detection target such as another vehicle.

[0088] In sensing mode, the control unit 1101 turns on only one infrared LED at any given moment and sequentially switches the turned-on infrared LEDs to sense whether an object such as another vehicle is present within the illumination range Q. The control unit 1101 detects the presence or absence of reflected infrared light from any direction using the infrared sensor 1034, and identifies the presence and position of an object in front of the lamp. For example, when the infrared sensor 1034 detects reflected light from a certain direction with an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 1101 determines that another vehicle is present in that direction.

[0089] For example, the control unit 1101 scans the area Q02 extending in the left-right direction by turning on only one infrared LED in the area Q02 at any given moment and sequentially changing the infrared LEDs that are turned on. Specifically, the control unit 1101 scans the strip-shaped area Q02 by sequentially turning on and off the infrared LEDs 10a to 10p. After scanning the area Q02 is completed, the control unit 1101 sequentially scans the areas Q04 and Q06. Note that in this example, the areas Q02, Q04, and Q06 are irradiated in the sensing mode, but the irradiation range in the sensing mode is not limited to this.

[0090] 12, if another vehicle Z is present ahead of the host vehicle, when infrared light is irradiated onto areas Q04D-Q04G and Q06D-Q06G, the infrared sensor 1034 detects reflected light of high intensity. That is, when the control unit 1101 turns on the infrared LEDs 04d-04g and 06d-06g, a signal equal to or greater than a predetermined value is output from the infrared sensor 1034. Therefore, the control unit 1101 determines that another vehicle is located in areas Q04D-Q04G and Q06D-Q06G, and that no other vehicle is present in other areas.

[0091] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an irradiation pattern emitted when the control unit 1101 drives the infrared light source 1032 in the imaging mode. In Fig. 13, the control unit 1101 forms a light distribution pattern including a normal area and a dimming area. In the imaging mode, unlike the sensing mode, the control unit 1101 simultaneously lights up the multiple infrared LEDs 01a to 10p.

[0092] In the image capture mode, the control unit 1101 sets a normal region S in an area where no other vehicle Z exists, and sets a dimming region R in an area where another vehicle Z exists. In the illustrated example, all areas QD, QE, QF, and QG in the vertical direction, including areas Q04D to Q04G and Q06D to Q06G where other vehicles Z exist, are set as dimming regions R, and the other areas are set as normal regions S. The control unit 1101 supplies a current of a first current value to the infrared LED that irradiates infrared light onto the normal region S, and supplies a current of a second current value lower than the first current value to the infrared LED that irradiates infrared light onto the dimming region R. In other words, the control unit 1101 irradiates infrared light onto the dimming region R at an illuminance lower than the illuminance of the normal region S.

[0093] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 1101 sets, when the infrared light source 1032 is driven in the imaging mode, the dimming region R where the infrared irradiation intensity is lower than the other regions S, in accordance with the output of the infrared sensor 1034 obtained when infrared rays are irradiated in the sensing mode. This makes it possible to prevent a large difference between the intensity of infrared light reflected from other vehicles Z with high reflection intensity and the intensity of infrared light reflected from other regions when the infrared camera 6a captures an image ahead of the vehicle, and to prevent halation from occurring in the image captured by the infrared camera 6a.

[0094] The vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 according to this embodiment is configured so that the driving of the infrared light source 1032 can be switched between an imaging mode suitable for imaging with the infrared camera 6a and a sensing mode suitable for sensing with the infrared sensor 1034. This allows the light for the infrared camera 6a and the light for the infrared sensor 1034 to be emitted by the common infrared light source 1032. This allows the number of components constituting the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 to be reduced, and prevents the vehicle 1 from becoming larger.

[0095] Furthermore, the control unit 1101, in accordance with the output of the infrared sensor 1034, sets a dimming region R where the infrared irradiation intensity is lower than other regions S when driven in the shooting mode. Therefore, when the infrared camera 6a captures an image ahead of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the intensity of the infrared light reflected from an object with high reflection intensity (such as another vehicle Z) from differing greatly from the intensity of the infrared light reflected from other regions, and it is possible to prevent halation from occurring in the image acquired by the infrared camera 6a.

[0096] Furthermore, in the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100, the infrared light source 1032 is configured as a multi-array light source in which multiple infrared LEDs are arranged two-dimensionally. This makes it possible to accurately and easily control the illuminance of a specific area in the irradiatable range Q. Furthermore, the system is capable of emitting light for the infrared camera 6a and light for the infrared sensor 1034 with a simple configuration.

[0097] Furthermore, in the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100, the infrared light source 1032 is disposed near the focal point of the projection lens 1035a, and the infrared sensor 1034 is disposed near the focal point of the condenser lens 1035b. This makes it possible to accurately emit light from the infrared light source 1032 in any direction, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 1034. Furthermore, because the projection lens 1035a and the condenser lens 1035b are integrated, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0098] Furthermore, the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 is provided with a light-shielding wall 1036 that prevents light emitted from the infrared light source 1032 from directly entering the infrared sensor 1034. Therefore, when the infrared sensor 1034 detects light, the light from the infrared light source 1032 can be prevented from directly entering the infrared sensor 1034, and the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 1034 can be improved.

[0099] Furthermore, the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 is configured such that, in the imaging mode, all of the infrared LEDs 01a-10p are simultaneously turned on to irradiate all areas within the angle of view of the infrared camera 6a with infrared light. In the sensing mode, only one infrared LED is turned on at any given moment, and the turned-on infrared LEDs are sequentially switched to detect the presence or absence of reflected infrared light from any direction, thereby detecting the presence and position of an object in front of the lamp. Therefore, in the imaging mode, the imaging accuracy of the infrared camera 6a can be improved, and in the sensing mode, the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 1034 can be improved.

[0100] Next, a detailed description will be given of the lighting timing of the infrared light source 1032 and the exposure timing of the infrared camera 6a. Fig. 14 is a time chart showing the lighting timing of the infrared light source 1032 and the exposure timing of the infrared camera 6a. 14, the control unit 1101 drives the infrared light source 1032 to alternate between the imaging mode and the sensing mode. The control unit 1101 also switches between the imaging mode and the sensing mode in conjunction with the shutter-open period and the shutter-close period, which are the exposure timing of the infrared camera 6a. That is, when the control unit 1101 drives the infrared light source 1032 in the sensing mode, the infrared camera 6a is in the shutter-close period, and when the control unit 1101 drives the infrared light source 1032 in the imaging mode, the infrared camera 6a is in the shutter-open period.

[0101] In the sensing mode, the control unit 1101 turns on one infrared LED at any given moment and turns off the remaining infrared LEDs. At the next moment, it turns on the next infrared LED and turns off the remaining infrared LEDs. By turning on and off the infrared LEDs in this order, the irradiation range Q is scanned. When the control unit 1101 is driving the infrared light source 1032 in the sensing mode in this way, the infrared camera 6a is in the shutter closed period and the infrared sensor 1034 is activated. Then, as described above, the normal area S and the dimming area R are set according to the output of the infrared sensor 1034.

[0102] In the imaging mode, the control unit 1101 supplies a current of the first current value or the second current value to all of the infrared LEDs, causing the infrared LEDs to emit light. This illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle with infrared light at a brightness suitable for imaging by the infrared camera 6a. When the control unit 1101 is driving the infrared light source 1032 in the imaging mode, the control unit 1101 sets the infrared camera 6a to a shutter-open period. At this time, the control unit 1101 may set the infrared sensor 1034 to an inactive state.

[0103] In these sensing mode and imaging mode, the control unit 1101 performs PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control on the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p. The control unit 1101 controls the duty of the current passed through the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p in imaging mode so that it is greater than the duty of the current passed through the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p in sensing mode. The control unit 1101 also controls the instantaneous current value i2 passed through the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p in imaging mode so that it is smaller than the instantaneous current value i1 passed through the infrared LEDs 01a to 10p in sensing mode.

[0104] Note that the control of the infrared LEDs 01a-10p in the imaging mode and the control of the infrared LEDs 01a-10p in the sensing mode may be controlled, for example, so that the energization time of the pulses input to the infrared LEDs 01a-10p or the non-energization time of the pulses input to the infrared LEDs 01a-10p is different. Furthermore, the control of the infrared LEDs 01a-10p in the imaging mode and the control of the infrared LEDs 01a-10p in the sensing mode may be controlled, for example, so that the input current to the infrared LEDs 01a-10p is different. When setting a dimming region in the imaging mode in accordance with the sensing result of the infrared sensor 1034, the control unit 1101 changes, for example, at least one of the energization time of the pulses input to the infrared LEDs 01a-10p, the non-energization time of the pulses, and the input current.

[0105] Furthermore, when inputting pulse current to the infrared LEDs 01 a to 10 p, for example, the control unit 1101 turns on and off one infrared LED at any given moment in the sensing mode as described above, and sequentially switches on and off the infrared LEDs. For this reason, the energization timing of the pulse current input to each of the infrared LEDs 01 a to 10 p is controlled so as not to overlap with each other.

[0106] As described above, the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 according to this embodiment is configured to switch between the image capture mode and the sensing mode in conjunction with the exposure timing of the infrared camera 6a. Therefore, when the infrared camera 6a takes an image, strong infrared light for sensing is not emitted, making it easier to obtain a clear image with the infrared camera 6a.

[0107] Furthermore, the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 is configured so that the duty of the current supplied in the imaging mode is greater than the duty of the current supplied in the sensing mode. This makes it possible to obtain strong reflected infrared light in the sensing mode, which makes it easier to improve the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 1034.

[0108] Furthermore, the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 is configured so that the instantaneous current value applied in the imaging mode is smaller than the instantaneous current value applied in the sensing mode. When capturing images using the infrared camera 6a, it is preferable to irradiate a wide area with light at a moderate illuminance rather than irradiating a localized area with strong infrared light. On the other hand, when sensing using the infrared sensor 1034, it is preferable to irradiate a specific area with strong infrared light. According to this embodiment, a single infrared light source 1032 can be used to obtain light distribution patterns suitable for two situations requiring different characteristics.

[0109] Furthermore, according to the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100, when switching between the imaging mode and the sensing mode in accordance with the output of the infrared sensor 1034, at least one of the energizing time, the non-energizing time, and the input current of the pulse input to the infrared light source 1032 is changed.

[0110] Furthermore, in the sensing mode, the vehicle infrared sensor system 1100 is configured so that the timings of the pulse currents input to the infrared LEDs 41 a to 50 p do not overlap with each other, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 1034 that detects the reflected light of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared LEDs 41 a to 50 p.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. The material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0112] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the infrared light source 1032 and the infrared sensor 1034 are mounted inside the vehicle lamp 1004, but this is not limiting. For example, the infrared camera 6a may be mounted inside the vehicle lamp 1004 together with the infrared light source 1032 and the infrared sensor 1034. Furthermore, only the infrared light source 1032 out of the infrared light source 1032, the infrared sensor 1034, and the infrared camera may be mounted inside the vehicle lamp 1004.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the infrared light source 1032 is configured with an LED that emits infrared rays, but may also be configured to include, for example, an LD (Laser Diode) that emits infrared rays. When it is required that the infrared light source 1032 irradiate a wide range, it is preferable to use an LED that has a large degree of diffusion of emitted light. When it is required that the infrared light source 1032 sense other vehicles, etc., it is preferable to use an LD that has a small degree of diffusion of emitted light. Therefore, the infrared light sources 1032 may be mounted with LEDs or LDs in each row in the left-right direction, for example.

[0114] Third Embodiment In recent years, there has been a demand for vehicles to be equipped with various sensors, such as night vision devices, which tends to make the vehicles larger and heavier. A third embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor, which has an infrared sensor and is unlikely to increase the size and weight of the vehicle.

[0115] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a vehicle system 2 incorporating a vehicle lighting fixture with an integrated infrared sensor 2004 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A vehicle 1 equipped with the vehicle system 2 is a vehicle (automobile) capable of running in an autonomous driving mode. As shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle system 2 includes a vehicle control unit 3, a vehicle lighting fixture with an integrated infrared sensor 2004, a sensor 5, a camera 6, a radar 7, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) 9, a wireless communication unit 10, and a map information storage unit 11. The vehicle system 2 further includes a steering actuator 12, a steering device 13, a brake actuator 14, a brake device 15, an accelerator actuator 16, and an accelerator device 17.

[0116] The vehicular lighting fixture with built-in infrared sensor 2004 includes a visible light unit 2020, an infrared unit 2030, and a control unit 2101. The vehicular lighting fixture with built-in infrared sensor 2004 is a lighting fixture (e.g., a headlamp) mounted on the front of the vehicle 1. The visible light unit 2020 is a unit capable of emitting visible light. The infrared unit 2030 is a unit capable of emitting infrared light. The control unit 2101 is communicably connected to the vehicle control unit 3. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the vehicle control unit 3 generates an instruction signal for controlling the turning on and off of the vehicular lighting fixture with built-in infrared sensor 2004, and transmits the instruction signal to the control unit 2101. The control unit 2101 controls the operations of the visible light unit 2020, the infrared unit 2030, etc. based on the received instruction signal. Information acquired by the control unit 2101 and information acquired by the vehicle control unit 3 are transmitted and received between them.

[0117] The camera (on-board camera) 6 is a camera including an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging of the camera 6 is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit 3. The camera 6 can generate an image based on the visible light it receives. The camera 6 may be an infrared camera that detects infrared rays. The infrared camera can generate an image based on the infrared rays it receives.

[0118] Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor 2004. As shown in Fig. 16, the vehicle lamp with an integrated infrared sensor 2004 has a housing 2040, a lens component 2045, a light-shielding wall 2046, a visible light unit 2020, an infrared unit 2030, an infrared cut filter 2034, and an infrared sensor 2035.

[0119] The interior of the housing 2040 is divided into two spaces, a first lamp chamber 2047 and a second lamp chamber 2048, by a light-shielding wall 2046. The visible light unit 2020, the infrared cut filter 2034, and the infrared sensor 2035 are provided in the first lamp chamber 2047. The infrared unit 2030 is provided in the second lamp chamber 2048.

[0120] A lens component 2045 is provided at the front of the housing 2040. The lens component 2045 has a first lens portion 2045a and a second lens portion 2045b. The first lens portion 2045a is disposed at the front of a first lamp chamber 2047. The second lens portion 2045b is disposed at the front of a second lamp chamber 2048. The first lens portion 2045a and the second lens portion 2045b are integrally formed as a single lens component 2045.

[0121] The visible light unit 2020 includes a visible light source 2021 that emits visible light, and a substrate 2022 on which the visible light source 2021 is mounted. The visible light source 2021 is configured with a plurality of visible light LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The on / off of the visible light source 2021 is controlled by a control unit 2101.

[0122] FIG. 17 is a front view of the visible light source 2021. As shown in FIG. 17, the visible light source 2021 includes multiple visible light LEDs arranged in a two-dimensional array in the vertical (01 to 10) and horizontal (a to p) directions. In the following description, the visible light LED located n-th from the top (n is any of 01 to 10) and x-th from the left (x is any of a to p) in FIG. 17 will be referred to as visible light LEDnx. For example, visible light LED 03j is the visible light LED located 3-rd from the top and j-th from the left in FIG. 17. Each of the visible light LEDs 01a to 10p can emit light in a different direction. The visible light source 2021 is controlled by a control unit 2101, and the illuminance of a specific area in front of the lamp is controlled by controlling the on / off state of a specific visible light LED. In this embodiment, the control unit 2101 controls the visible light source 2021 so that the visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021 forms a light distribution pattern suitable for visually recognizing the area ahead of the vehicle 1.

[0123] Returning to FIG. 16 , the infrared unit 2030 includes an infrared light source 2031 that emits infrared light, a substrate 2032 on which the infrared light source 2031 is mounted, and a rotating reflector 2033 that reflects the infrared light. The infrared light source 2031 is composed of multiple infrared laser diodes (LDs). In this embodiment, three infrared light sources 2031 are vertically aligned on the substrate 2032. The infrared light source 2031 is positioned so as not to overlap with the first lens portion 2045a when viewed from the front of the vehicular infrared sensor-integrated lamp 2004. This allows the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 to be emitted forward of the lamp without being blocked by the first lens portion 2045a. The timing of turning on and off each infrared light source 2031 is controlled by the control unit 2101.

[0124] The rotating reflector 2033 is a scanning unit that scans the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 and emits it forward of the lamp. The rotating reflector 2033 rotates around a rotation axis R. The rotating reflector 2033 includes a shaft 2033a extending around the rotation axis R and a plurality of blades 2033b extending radially from the shaft 2033a. The surfaces of the blades 2033b are reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces have a twisted shape such that the angle with respect to the rotation axis R gradually changes circumferentially. Specifically, when the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 is reflected by a reflective surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reflector 2033, the direction of the reflected and emitted light gradually changes from the left end to the right end depending on the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 2033. The reflection point of the rotating reflector 2033 is located near the focal point of the second lens portion 2045b. The operation of the rotating reflector 2033 is controlled by the control unit 2101 .

[0125] The control unit 2101 controls the infrared unit 2030 so as to form a light distribution pattern suitable for sensing an object such as another vehicle using infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031. More specifically, the control unit 2101 controls the lighting timing of the infrared light source 2031 and the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 2033, thereby causing the infrared light source 2031 to emit infrared rays toward any position in front of the lamp.

[0126] The visible light source 2021 is required to irradiate a wide range because it is used as a light source that irradiates light for visually recognizing the area ahead of the vehicle 1. In contrast, the infrared light source 2031 is required to irradiate a specific area with strong illuminance because it is used as a light source that irradiates light for sensing objects such as other vehicles. For this reason, it is preferable to employ an LED, which emits light with a large degree of diffusion, as the visible light source 2021, and an LD, which emits light with a small degree of diffusion, as the infrared light source 2031.

[0127] Visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021 is incident on the first lens portion 2045a of the lens component 2045. The first lens portion 2045a emits the incident visible light forward of the lamp. The first lens portion 2045a functions as a projection lens that emits the visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021 forward of the lamp. The first lens portion 2045a collects light from in front of the lamp, for example, infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 and reflected by an object such as another vehicle, and guides the light to the infrared sensor 2035 via the infrared cut filter 2034. The first lens portion 2045a functions as a collecting lens that collects the infrared light on the infrared sensor 2035.

[0128] Infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031 and reflected by the rotating reflector 2033 are incident on the second lens portion 2045b of the lens component 2045. The second lens portion 2045b functions as a projection lens that outputs the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031 forward of the lamp.

[0129] Light-shielding wall 2046 is provided between the optical axis of first lens portion 2045a and the optical axis of second lens portion 2045b. For example, light-shielding wall 2046 is provided at a position that prevents visible light emitted from visible light source 2021 from directly entering second lens portion 2045b without entering first lens portion 2045a, and at a position that prevents infrared light emitted from infrared light source 2031 from directly entering first lens portion 2045a without entering second lens portion 2045b.

[0130] The infrared cut filter 2034 is a reflective optical filter that suppresses transmission of infrared rays by reflecting them. The infrared cut filter 2034 is disposed in the first lamp chamber between the visible light source 2021 and the first lens portion 2045a. The infrared cut filter 2034 reflects, toward the infrared sensor 2035, infrared rays that enter the infrared cut filter 2034 from the front of the lamp via the first lens portion 2045a. The infrared cut filter 2034 also transmits visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021. The visible light that has passed through the infrared cut filter 2034 enters the first lens portion 2045a.

[0131] The infrared sensor 2035 is composed of a photodiode (PD) that detects infrared rays. The infrared sensor 2035 is disposed near the virtual focal point of the first lens portion 2045a, which is folded back by the infrared cut filter 2034. The infrared sensor 2035 outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the detected infrared rays. The higher the intensity of the detected infrared rays, the stronger the signal output from the infrared sensor 2035. The infrared sensor 2035 has the highest sensitivity to the peak wavelength of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031. The infrared sensor 2035 receives reflected light of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031 in front of the lamp and detects the peak wavelength of the reflected light. Information regarding the reflected light acquired by the infrared sensor 2035 is transmitted to the control unit 2101. The operation of the infrared sensor 2035, such as a sensing operation for detecting infrared rays, is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the control unit 2101.

[0132] Next, the control of the control unit 2101 for sensing an object such as another vehicle will be described. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an area illuminated by infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 of the infrared unit 2030. The schematic diagram shown in Fig. 18 is displayed, for example, on a virtual vertical screen installed 25 m ahead of the vehicular lamp 2004 with an integrated infrared sensor.

[0133] The control unit 2101 controls the infrared unit 2030 so as to sense an object such as another vehicle using infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031 . Area Q01 is an area irradiated with infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 provided at the top of the substrate 2032. Immediately after the uppermost infrared light source 2031 is turned on, infrared light is irradiated onto area Q1a, a portion of area Q1 that includes the left end of area Q1. As the rotating reflector 2033 rotates, area Q1a irradiated with infrared light moves to the right. In this way, while the rotating reflector 2033 makes one rotation, the uppermost infrared light source 2031 irradiates infrared light onto the entire area Q1. Range Q03 is an area irradiated with infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 provided at the lowest position on the substrate 2032. Immediately after the lowest infrared light source 2031 is turned on, infrared light is irradiated onto a portion of range Q3, including the left end of range Q3. As the rotating reflector 2033 rotates, the area irradiated with infrared light moves to the right. In this way, while the rotating reflector 2033 makes one rotation, the lowest infrared light source 2031 irradiates infrared light onto the entire area of ​​range Q3. Area Q02 is an area irradiated with infrared rays emitted from an infrared light source 2031 provided in the middle of the substrate 2032 in the vertical direction. Immediately after the middle infrared light source 2031 is turned on, infrared rays are irradiated onto a portion of area Q2, including the left end of area Q2. As the rotating reflector 2033 rotates, the area irradiated with infrared rays moves to the right. In this way, while the rotating reflector 2033 makes one rotation, the middle infrared light source 2031 irradiates infrared rays onto the entire area of ​​area Q2. The ranges Q01, Q02, and Q03 are linear and extend in the left-right direction. Each of the ranges Q01 to Q03 preferably has an up-down width of 0.4 degrees or more in the vertical direction. The area of ​​the range Q03 overlaps with the H line.

[0134] The infrared light emitted from the infrared unit 2030 is reflected by an object in front of the lamp. The reflected infrared light passes through the first lens portion 2045a, is reflected by the infrared cut filter 2034, and is guided to the infrared sensor 2035.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 18, if another vehicle CA is present ahead of the host vehicle, when the infrared light source 2031 that irradiates the area occupied by the other vehicle CA is turned on, the infrared sensor 2035 detects strong infrared light. When the signal strength output from the infrared sensor 2035 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 2101 determines that the other vehicle CA is present within that range. The rotation phase of the rotating reflector 2033 and the area (position) onto which the infrared light source 2031 irradiates infrared light at that time are recorded in advance in a memory. The control unit 2101 can access this memory. When the infrared sensor 2035 outputs a signal with a signal strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 2101 acquires the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 2033, acquires the area onto which the infrared light is irradiated, and determines that the other vehicle CA is present in the area onto which the infrared light is irradiated.

[0136] Next, the control by the control unit 2101 to change the light distribution pattern of visible light based on the results of the above sensing will be described. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a visible light distribution pattern formed by visible light emitted from visible light source 2021 of visible light unit 2020. FIG. 19 is also displayed on a virtual vertical screen installed in the same manner as FIG. 18 above.

[0137] The irradiable range T is the maximum range over which the vehicular lamp with built-in infrared sensor 2004 can irradiate visible light, and can be irradiated by turning on all of the visible light LEDs 01a to 10p of the visible light source 2021. For ease of explanation, in FIG. 19, the irradiable range T is divided into 10 vertical and 11 horizontal regions. Within the irradiable range T, the region designated as the Nth region from the top vertically (where N is any of 01 to 10) and the Xth region from the left horizontally (where X is any of A to P) is referred to as range TNX. For example, when the visible light LED 01a located at the top right in FIG. 17 is turned on, visible light is irradiated onto a region T01A located at the top left in FIG. 19. Furthermore, when the visible light LED 06p is turned on, visible light is irradiated onto a region T06P in FIG. 19.

[0138] Furthermore, the Xth region from the left in the horizontal direction and all regions in the vertical direction are referred to as range TX. This range TX is a belt-shaped irradiation range extending vertically. For example, the Dth region from the left in the horizontal direction and the 1st to 10th regions in the vertical direction are referred to as range TD. When the vertical visible light LEDs 01d to 10d in FIG. 17 are turned on, visible light is irradiated onto range TD. Furthermore, the Nth region from the top in the vertical direction and all regions in the horizontal direction are referred to as range TN. This range TN is a belt-shaped irradiation range extending horizontally. For example, the 7th region from the top in the vertical direction and the Ath to Pth regions in the horizontal direction are referred to as range T07. When the visible light LEDs 07a to 07p in FIG. 17 are turned on, visible light is irradiated onto range T07. In this example, the H line is located between range Q06 and range Q07. In a normal state where there are no objects such as other vehicles ahead of the vehicle, the control unit 2101 sets the entire irradiation range T to a normal area U, and controls the visible light source 2021 so that visible light is irradiated to this area at a predetermined illuminance.

[0139] The control unit 2101 changes the visible light distribution pattern in accordance with the signal output from the infrared sensor 2035. For example, when the control unit 2101 detects another vehicle CA based on the signal output from the infrared sensor 2035, the control unit 2101 sets a dimming region V in an area in the irradiable range T where the other vehicle CA is present, and sets a normal region U in an area where the other vehicle CA is not present. The control unit 2101 controls the visible light source 2021 so that the dimming region V is irradiated with visible light of lower illuminance than the normal region U. The control unit 2101 changes the visible light distribution pattern formed in the irradiable range T so that the area where the other vehicle CA is detected is irradiated with weaker visible light.

[0140] 19, the control unit 2101 sets the range TD-TG, where it is determined that another vehicle CA exists based on the signal output from the infrared sensor 2035, as a dimming region V, and sets the other regions as a normal region U. The control unit 2101 supplies current at a first current value to the visible light LEDs 01d-01g, 02d-02g, 03d-03g, 04d-04g, 05d-05g, 06d-06g, 07d-07g, 08d-08g, 09d-09g, and 10d-10g, and supplies current at a second current value greater than the first current value to the other visible light LEDs. Note that in this embodiment, the other vehicle CA refers to a leading vehicle that is located ahead of the host vehicle, but is not limited to this. The other vehicle may also be, for example, an oncoming vehicle.

[0141] The vehicular lamp 2004 with an integrated infrared sensor according to this embodiment is configured so that visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021 passes through the infrared cut filter 2034 and enters the first lens portion 2045a, and infrared light that enters the infrared cut filter 2034 from the front of the lamp via the first lens portion 2045a is reflected toward the infrared sensor 2035. With this configuration, the first lens portion 2045a, which functions as a projection lens that projects visible light forward of the lamp, can also function as a condensing lens that condenses infrared light onto the infrared sensor 2035. This reduces the number of components that make up the vehicular lamp 2004, making it easier to reduce the size and weight of the lamp 2004. Therefore, even if the lamp 2004 is equipped with the infrared sensor 2035, the size and weight of the vehicle 1 can be suppressed.

[0142] Furthermore, according to the vehicular lighting fixture 2004 with built-in infrared sensor, when another vehicle CA is detected based on the output signal of the infrared sensor 2035, the visible light distribution pattern formed in the irradiable range T is changed so that the area where the other vehicle CA is detected is irradiated with weak visible light. Therefore, the illuminance of the visible light irradiated onto the area of ​​the detected other vehicle CA can be reduced, and glare to the other vehicle CA can be reduced.

[0143] Furthermore, the vehicular lamp 2004 with an integrated infrared sensor is provided with a light-shielding wall 2046 that prevents visible light emitted from the visible light source 2021 from directly entering the second lens portion 2045b and prevents infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031 from directly entering the first lens portion 2045a. Therefore, when the visible light source 2021 emits visible light, the visible light of the visible light source 2021 can be prevented from being projected from the second lens portion 2045b, and any visible light distribution pattern can be formed by the visible light projected from the first lens portion 2045a. Furthermore, when the infrared sensor 2035 detects light, the light of the infrared light source 2031 can be prevented from directly entering the infrared sensor 2035, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 2035.

[0144] (Variation) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a photodiode is used as the infrared sensor 2035, but the present invention is not limited to this. An infrared camera 2135 may also be used as the infrared sensor. Fig. 20 shows an image of the area in front of the lamp captured by the infrared camera 2135 at a certain time t. Fig. 21 shows an example of an infrared light distribution pattern formed by infrared rays emitted from the infrared unit 2030 at a time t+1.

[0145] In the above embodiment, an example (see FIG. 18) has been described in which infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source 2031 are swept over a linear range Q1 to Q3 by the rotating reflector 2033, but in this example, the infrared rays are uniformly irradiated over a wide range in front of the lamp, such as the irradiation range X shown in FIG. 21. Such a light distribution may be achieved, for example, by adjusting the rotation speed of the rotating reflector 2033 to sweep the infrared rays at high speed so that the infrared rays are irradiated over the entire range within the exposure time of the infrared camera 2135. Alternatively, instead of using the rotating reflector 2033, infrared light sources 2031 arranged in an array and a projection lens placed in front of them may be used to irradiate infrared rays over a wide range in front of the lamp. In the initial state when sensing starts, the control unit 2101 sets the entire area of ​​the irradiation range X as the normal area Y, and controls the infrared light source 2031 so that infrared light is irradiated onto this area at a predetermined illuminance.

[0146] The infrared camera 2135 is a camera that has the highest sensitivity to the peak wavelength of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source 2031. The infrared camera 2135 can acquire an image according to the reflected light of the infrared light emitted in front of the lamp from the infrared light source 2031. The infrared camera 2135 outputs a signal according to the intensity of the detected infrared light. The operation of the infrared camera 2135 may be controlled by the control unit 2101 or the vehicle control unit 3.

[0147] Infrared rays emitted from the infrared unit 2030 and reflected by an object in front of the lamp are reflected by the infrared cut filter 2034 via the first lens portion 2045a and are guided to the infrared camera 2135. The infrared camera 2135 captures an image W as shown in FIG. 20 at time t, for example, in accordance with the detected infrared rays. The image W captured by the infrared camera 2135 is transmitted to the control unit 2101. The control unit 2101 determines whether or not an object such as another vehicle is present in the captured image W.

[0148] Based on the image W captured at time t, the control unit 2101 changes the infrared light distribution pattern in the illumination range X at time t+1 in accordance with the signal output from the infrared camera 2135. For example, when the control unit 2101 detects another vehicle CA based on the signal output from the infrared camera 2135, it sets a dimming region Z in the area in the illumination range X where the other vehicle CA is present, and sets a normal region Y in the area where the other vehicle CA is not present, as shown in Fig. 21 . The control unit 2101 controls the infrared light source 2031 so that the dimming region Z is irradiated with infrared light with a lower illuminance than the normal region Y. The control unit 2101 changes the infrared light distribution pattern in the illumination range X so that the area where the other vehicle CA is detected is irradiated with weaker infrared light. For example, in a configuration in which infrared rays are irradiated to an irradiation range X by sweeping infrared rays with a rotating reflector 2033, the rotating reflector 2033 supplies current at a first current value to the infrared light source 2031 when it reaches a rotation phase in which it irradiates the dimming region Z, and supplies current at a second current value higher than the first current value to the infrared light source 2031 when it reaches a rotation phase in which it irradiates the normal region Y. Alternatively, if the infrared unit 2030 has infrared light sources 2031 arranged in an array on the substrate 2032, a current is supplied at a first current value to the infrared light source 2031 that irradiates the dimming region Z, and a current is supplied at a second current value to the infrared light source 2031 that irradiates the normal region Y.

[0149] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example, the area where the other vehicle CA is detected is set as the dimming area Z, and the area other than the dimming area Z is set as the normal area Y, but this is not limited to this. For example, the area where the other vehicle CA is detected may be set as the normal area, and the area other than the normal area may be set as the highlighted area. When irradiating the highlighted area, a current is supplied to the infrared light source 2031 at a third current value greater than the second current value so that the highlighted area is irradiated with infrared light that is stronger than the infrared light irradiated to the normal area.

[0150] Furthermore, the vehicular lamp 2004 with an integrated infrared sensor is configured so that a dimming region Z is formed in the infrared light distribution pattern in an area where another vehicle CA with high infrared reflection intensity is present. This makes it possible to irradiate the other vehicle CA present within the irradiation range X with infrared light at a weak illuminance, thereby weakening the reflection intensity of infrared light from the other vehicle CA. This makes it possible to prevent halation from occurring in the image of the infrared camera 2135 of the vehicle 1 due to infrared light reflected from the other vehicle CA, thereby improving the detection accuracy of objects in front of the lamp, such as other vehicles.

[0151] In addition, in a configuration in which the area in which another vehicle CA is detected is set as a normal area and the area other than the normal area is set as an emphasized area, it becomes easier for the infrared camera 2135 to detect objects with low infrared reflection intensity, such as a pedestrian HU in the vicinity of the other vehicle CA, as shown in Figure 21.

[0152] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. The material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0153] In the above embodiment, a visible light source including a plurality of visible light LEDs arranged in a two-dimensional array is used as a means for changing the light distribution pattern of visible light emitted from visible light source 2021, but this is not limiting. For example, a rotating reflector may be used to change the light distribution pattern, similar to infrared unit 2030 shown in Fig. 16 .

[0154] <Fourth embodiment> For example, sensor-equipped lamps that have two types of light sources, such as one that emits visible light suitable for cameras and drivers and another that emits light suitable for sensors, have the disadvantage that the lamps are large and difficult to install on vehicles. The fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a lamp with an integrated optical sensor that is small in size and easy to mount on a vehicle.

[0155] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a vehicle system 3002 incorporating a lighting device with an optical sensor 3004 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 equipped with the vehicle system 3002 is a vehicle (automobile) capable of running in an autonomous driving mode, similar to the first embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 22, the vehicle system 3002 includes a vehicle control unit 3, a lighting device with an optical sensor 3004, a sensor 5, a camera 6, a radar 7, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) 9, a wireless communication unit 10, and a map information storage unit 11. The vehicle system 3002 further includes a steering actuator 12, a steering device 13, a brake actuator 14, a brake device 15, an accelerator actuator 16, and an accelerator device 17.

[0156] The optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004 is a lighting fixture capable of emitting visible light and infrared light. The optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004 is a lighting fixture (e.g., a headlamp) mounted on the front of the vehicle 1. The optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004 is equipped with a control unit 3101 that controls the operation of the optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004. The control unit 3101 is communicably connected to the vehicle control unit 3. The vehicle control unit 3 generates an instruction signal for controlling the turning on and off of the optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004 when a predetermined condition is met, and transmits the instruction signal to the control unit 3101. The control unit 3101 controls the operation of the optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004 based on the received instruction signal. Information acquired by the control unit 3101 and information acquired by the vehicle control unit 3 are transmitted and received between them.

[0157] The camera (on-board camera) 6 is a camera including an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging of the camera 6 is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the vehicle control unit 3. The camera 6 can generate an image based on the visible light it receives. The camera 6 may be an infrared camera that detects infrared rays. The infrared camera can generate an image based on the infrared rays it receives.

[0158] Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the lighting fixture with built-in optical sensor 3004. As shown in Fig. 23, the lighting fixture with built-in optical sensor 3004 includes a housing 3030, a first light source 3031, a second light source 3032, a rotating reflector 3033 (an example of a scanning unit), a projection lens 3034, an infrared sensor 3035 (an example of an optical sensor), a first board 3036, and a second board 3037.

[0159] The housing 3030 has a main body 3030a with an opening on the front side, and a transparent outer cover 3030b attached to cover the opening of the main body 3030a. A lamp chamber 3030c formed by the main body 3030a and the outer cover 3030b houses a first light source 3031, a second light source 3032, a rotating reflector 3033, a projection lens 3034, an infrared sensor 3035, etc.

[0160] The primary light source 3031 emits visible light for the driver to see the surroundings of the vehicle 1 or for capturing images with the camera 6. The primary light source 3031 is composed of a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The primary light source 3031 (hereinafter referred to as "visible light LED 3031" in this embodiment) is mounted on a first substrate 3036. The visible light LED 3031 is turned on and off under the control of the control unit 3101. The detailed configuration of the primary light source 3031 will be described later with reference to FIG. 24.

[0161] The second light source 3032 emits light for sensing objects, such as other vehicles, present in front of the vehicle 1. The second light source 3032 emits light having a peak wavelength different from the peak wavelength of the light emitted by the first light source 3031. In this embodiment, the second light source 3032 emits infrared light having a wavelength longer than that of visible light. The second light source 3032 is configured with an LD (Laser Diode). The second light source 3032 (hereinafter referred to as the "infrared LD 3032" in this embodiment) is mounted on a second substrate 3037. The turning on and off of the infrared LD 3032 is controlled by the control unit 3101. A collimating lens 3038 is provided in the emission direction of the infrared LD 3032. The collimating lens 3038 collimates the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032.

[0162] The first light source 3031 is required to illuminate a wide area because it is used as a light source that emits light to check what is ahead of the vehicle 1. In contrast, the second light source 3032 is required to illuminate a specific area with strong illuminance because it is used as a light source that emits light to detect objects such as other vehicles. For this reason, it is preferable to use an LED, which emits light with a relatively large degree of diffusion, as the first light source 3031, and an LD, which emits light with a small degree of diffusion, as the second light source 3032.

[0163] The rotating reflector 3033 is a scanning means that scans the visible light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 and the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 and emits them forward of the lamp. The rotating reflector 3033 rotates around a rotation axis R. The rotating reflector 3033 has a shaft 3033a extending around the rotation axis R and a plurality of blades 3033b (three in this example) (an example of a reflecting part) extending radially from the shaft 3033a. The twist angles of the blades are different from each other. The surface of the blades 3033b is a reflective surface. This reflective surface has a twisted shape in which the angle with respect to the rotation axis R gradually changes in the circumferential direction.

[0164] In the rotating reflector 3033, a portion that reflects visible light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 toward the front of the lamp and a portion that reflects infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 toward the front of the lamp are the same reflector (blade 3033b) or are an integrated reflector (blade 3033b). The reflection point of the rotating reflector 3033 is set to be near the focal point of the projection lens 3034. The operation of the rotating reflector 3033 is controlled by a control unit 3101. The control unit 3101 controls the lighting timing of the visible light LED 3031 and the infrared LD 3032 and the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 3033, thereby causing the visible light of the visible light LED 3031 and the infrared LD 3032 to be emitted toward a desired area in front of the lamp.

[0165] Specifically, when visible light emitted from visible light LED 3031 is reflected by the reflecting surface of rotating reflector 3033, the direction in which the light is reflected and emitted gradually changes, for example, from left to right, depending on the rotation phase of rotating reflector 3033. Also, when infrared light emitted from infrared LD 3032 is reflected by the reflecting surface of rotating reflector 3033, the direction in which the light is reflected and emitted gradually changes, for example, from left to right, depending on the rotation phase of rotating reflector 3033.

[0166] The projection lens 3034 is provided inside the lamp chamber 3030c. The projection lens 3034 is provided between the outer cover 3030b and the rotating reflector 3033. Light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 and the infrared LD 3032 and reflected by the rotating reflector 3033 is incident on the projection lens 3034. The projection lens 3034 projects the incident visible light from the visible light LED 3031 and infrared light from the infrared LD 3032 forward of the lamp.

[0167] The infrared sensor 3035 is composed of a photodiode (PD) that detects infrared rays. The infrared sensor 3035 outputs a signal according to the intensity of the detected infrared rays. The higher the intensity of the detected infrared rays, the stronger the signal output from the infrared sensor 3035. The infrared sensor 3035 has the highest light receiving sensitivity to the peak wavelength of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared LD 3032. The infrared sensor 3035 detects reflected light of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared LD 3032 in front of the lamp. Information regarding the reflected light acquired by the infrared sensor 3035 is transmitted to the control unit 3101. The operation of the infrared sensor 3035, such as the sensing operation of detecting infrared rays, is controlled by the control unit 3101.

[0168] The first substrate 3036 is provided, for example, such that the emission surface of the visible light LED 3031 mounted on the first substrate 3036 faces the blade 3033b of the rotating reflector 3033. The first substrate 3036 has a function of feeding power to the visible light LED 3031. The first substrate 3036 supplies power to the visible light LED 3031 via a power feeding pattern formed on the first substrate 3036. The second substrate 3037 is provided, for example, such that the emission surface of the infrared LD 3032 mounted on the second substrate 3037 faces the blade 3033b of the rotating reflector 3033. The second substrate 3037 has a function of feeding power to the infrared LD 3032. The second substrate 3037 feeds power to the infrared LD 3032 via a feeding pattern formed on the second substrate 3037. The second substrate 3037 is provided behind the first substrate 3036 when viewed from the blade 3033b. In this embodiment, the first substrate 3036 is disposed parallel to the second substrate 3037 .

[0169] The visible light LED 3031 on the first substrate 3036 is provided at a position closer to a focal plane P passing through a virtual focal point F of the projection lens 3034 than the infrared LD 3032 on the second substrate 3037. The virtual focal point F refers to the focal point of the projection lens 3034 when reflected by the blades 3033b of the rotating reflector 3033. The focal plane P refers to a plane passing through the virtual focal point F that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the infrared LD 3032.

[0170] 24 is a view of the first substrate 3036 on which the visible light LEDs 3031 are mounted, viewed from the front side (the side on which the visible light LEDs 3031 are mounted) of the first substrate 3036. As shown in Fig. 24, in this embodiment, six visible light LEDs 3031 are provided on the first substrate 3036. A gap 3039 is provided in the center of the first substrate 3036.

[0171] The gap 3039 penetrates the first substrate 3036. The gap 3039 is provided at a position that allows infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 of the second substrate 3037 to pass through toward the blades 3033b of the rotating reflector 3033. The gap 3039 is provided on the optical axis of the infrared LD 3032 mounted on the second substrate 3037. As shown in FIG. 24 , when the first substrate 3036 and the second substrate 3037 are viewed from the vertical direction of the second substrate 3037, the gap 3039 is provided at a position and size that allows the infrared LD 3032 to be visible through the gap 3039.

[0172] Fig. 25 is a schematic diagram showing the irradiation range of visible light and infrared light emitted from the lighting fixture with an optical sensor 3004 of this embodiment. The irradiation range shown in Fig. 25 is displayed, for example, on a virtual vertical screen installed 25 m in front of the lighting fixture with an optical sensor 3004.

[0173] The ranges Q01, Q02, and Q03 are irradiation ranges of visible light emitted from the visible light LEDs 3031 on the first substrate 3036. The ranges Q01 to Q03 are irradiation ranges used for the driver to see the surroundings of the vehicle 1 or for capturing images with the camera 6. When the rotating reflector 3033 is rotated while the six visible light LEDs 3031 are lit, the area Q01a where the six visible light LEDs 3031 irradiate visible light gradually moves from left to right. The range Q01 is the range that is irradiated with visible light from when the visible light LED 3031 is turned on until the rotating reflector 3033 rotates one-third of a turn. The visible light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 is reflected by the first blade of the rotating reflector 3033, and the visible light is swept over the range Q01. Range Q02 is the range irradiated with visible light while the rotating reflector 3033 rotates 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of a turn when the visible light LED 3031 is turned on. The visible light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 is reflected by the second blade of the rotating reflector 3033, and the visible light is swept over range Q02. Range Q03 is the range that is irradiated with visible light while the rotating reflector 3033 makes 2 / 3 to 1 rotation when the visible light LED 3031 is turned on. The visible light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 is reflected by the third blade of the rotating reflector 3033, and the visible light is swept over range Q03. The ranges Q01 to Q03 are strip-shaped areas extending in the left-right direction. The lowest range Q03 is preferably an area that includes the H line. The control unit 3101 controls the lighting timing of the visible light LED 3031 and the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 3033, so that visible light can be irradiated onto any area in the ranges Q01 to Q03 in front of the lamp.

[0174] The ranges Q11, Q12, and Q13 are irradiation ranges of the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 of the second substrate 3037. Similar to the above-described ranges Q01 to Q03, the ranges Q11, Q12, and Q13 are irradiated with the infrared light from the infrared LD 3032 in accordance with the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 3033. That is, range Q11 is the range irradiated with infrared light from when infrared LD 3032 is turned on until rotating reflector 3033 rotates one-third of a turn. The infrared light emitted from infrared LD 3032 is reflected by the first blade of rotating reflector 3033, and the infrared light is swept over range Q11. Range Q12 is a range irradiated with infrared light while the rotating reflector 3033 rotates 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of a turn when the infrared LD 3032 is turned on. The infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 is reflected by the second blade of the rotating reflector 3033, and the infrared light is swept over range Q12. Range Q13 is a range irradiated with infrared light while the rotating reflector 3033 makes 2 / 3 to 1 rotation when the infrared LD 3032 is turned on. The infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 is reflected by the third blade of the rotating reflector 3033, and the infrared light is swept over range Q13. Areas Q11 to Q13 are linear areas extending in the left-right direction. It is preferable that area Q11 is provided within area Q01, area Q12 is provided within area Q02, and area Q13 is provided within area Q03. The linear regions of range Q11 to Q13 preferably have an up / down width of 0.4 degrees or more in the vertical direction. The control unit 3101 can irradiate any position in range Q11 to Q13 with infrared light from the infrared LD 3032 by controlling the lighting timing of the infrared LD 3032 and the rotation phase of the rotating reflector 3033.

[0175] When an object, such as an oncoming vehicle, is present in front of the lamp, the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 is reflected by the object, and the infrared sensor 3035 detects high-intensity reflected light. The relationship between the rotational phase of the rotating reflector 3033 and the area from which visible light and infrared light are emitted at that time is recorded in a memory. The control unit 3101 has access to this memory. The control unit 3101 first turns on the infrared LD 3032 to rotate the rotating reflector 3033 and acquires the output of the infrared sensor 3035. When the infrared sensor 3035 outputs a signal with a signal strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit acquires the rotational phase of the rotating reflector 3033 at that time and identifies the area (position) onto which the infrared light was irradiated at that time. The control unit 3101 determines that an object is present in this identified area (position). When the signal strength of the output of the infrared sensor 3035 is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 3101 determines that no object is present in the corresponding area.

[0176] Fig. 26 shows an example of a light distribution pattern obtained by the control unit 3101 controlling the visible light LEDs 3031. In order to form the light distribution pattern shown in Fig. 26, the control unit 3101 performs the following control.

[0177] 26, for example, when the control unit 3101 determines that another vehicle Z is present within the range Q01-03 that is the irradiation range of visible light, it sets a dimming region T in a predetermined region including the other vehicle Z and a normal region S in the other regions. The control unit 3101 supplies a current of a first current value to the visible light LED 3031 to irradiate visible light at a predetermined illuminance toward the normal region S. The control unit 3101 supplies a current of a second current value that is smaller than the first current value to the visible light LED 3031 to irradiate visible light with lower illuminance than the normal region S toward the dimming region T. This forms a highly visible light distribution pattern that does not cause glare to the other vehicle Z and brightly illuminates a wider range.

[0178] Incidentally, vehicle lamps need to be mounted in curved spaces such as corners at the right and left ends of the front and rear ends of the vehicle, or in narrow spaces such as between the grille and the hood. Meanwhile, vehicle lamps need to have optical systems, which are comprised of light sources, reflecting members, lens members, and the like, designed to obtain a desired image. Therefore, in lamps equipped with at least two types of light sources, including a light source for a sensor for sensing an object to be detected, multiple optical systems are required, which tends to increase the size of the lamp and reduce mountability on a vehicle.

[0179] In contrast, the lighting fixture 3004 with an integrated optical sensor according to the present invention has a second substrate 3037 with an infrared LD 3032 mounted thereon for sensing objects such as other vehicles, disposed behind a first substrate 3036 with a visible light LED 3031 mounted thereon for illuminating the area ahead of the vehicle, and is configured so that infrared light from the infrared LD 3032 is transmitted forward of the first substrate 3036 through a gap 3039 formed in the first substrate 3036. This allows the optical system including the visible light LED 3031 and the optical system including the infrared LD 3032 to be integrated into a single optical system, and the rotating reflector that reflects visible light from the visible light LED 3031 and the projection lens 3034 that projects the visible light to be shared by the components that reflect and project infrared light from the infrared LD 3032. Furthermore, the interior of the lighting fixture 3004 with an integrated optical sensor can be configured with a single lamp chamber 3030c. Therefore, even in the case of the optical sensor-integrated lighting fixture 3004 that is equipped with two types of light sources, it is possible to prevent the lighting fixture 3004 from becoming larger, and the mountability on the vehicle 1 can be improved.

[0180] Furthermore, the visible light LED 3031 mounted on the first substrate 3036 is provided at a position closer to the focal plane P passing through the virtual focal point F of the projection lens 3034 than the infrared LD 3032 mounted on the second substrate 3037. Therefore, the visible light emitted from the visible light LED 3031 can be radiated in front of the lamp without being diffused. Furthermore, the second substrate 3037 disposed behind the first substrate 3036 is equipped with the infrared LD 3032, which is less likely to be diffused than the visible light LED 3031. Therefore, even if the infrared LD 3032 is provided at a position farther away from the focal plane P of the projection lens 3034, the infrared light of the infrared LD 3032 can be radiated in front of the lamp without being diffused.

[0181] In addition, a collimator lens 3038 that converts the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 into parallel light is attached to the infrared LD 3032. This makes it possible to increase the directivity of the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 and to focus the infrared light on a specific area, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor 3035.

[0182] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. The material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0183] In the above embodiment, one void 3039 is formed in the center of the first substrate 3036, and one infrared LD 3032 is mounted on the second substrate 3037, but this is not limiting. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of voids 3039 are provided in the first substrate 3036, and an infrared LD 3032 is visible from each of these voids 3039 when the first substrate 3036 is viewed from the front. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of infrared LDs 3032 are visible from a single void 3039 when the first substrate 3036 is viewed from the front.

[0184] In the above embodiment, the second light source 3032 is configured as an infrared LD, but is not limited to this. For example, the second light source 3032 may be configured as an LED that emits infrared light.

[0185] In the above embodiment, the first light source 3031 is configured as a visible light LED and the second light source 3032 is configured as an infrared LD, but this is not limiting. For example, the first light source 3031 may be configured as an infrared LED, and the second light source 3032 may be configured as an infrared LD having a peak at a wavelength different from the peak wavelength of the infrared light emitted by the first light source 3031. In this case, an image corresponding to the reflected light of the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED in front of the lamp is captured by an infrared camera. The infrared camera is most sensitive to the peak wavelength of the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED. Furthermore, the reflected light of the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032 in front of the lamp is detected by an infrared sensor 3035. The infrared sensor 3035 is most sensitive to the peak wavelength of the infrared light emitted from the infrared LD 3032. The control unit 3101 controls the infrared LED in accordance with the signal output from the infrared sensor 3035 to produce a light distribution pattern suitable for imaging by the infrared camera. For example, the control unit 3101 can set a dimming area in an area where another vehicle has been detected, thereby suppressing halation from occurring in a portion of the image captured by the infrared camera that corresponds to the other vehicle.

[0186] This application is based on Japanese patent applications filed on September 19, 2019 (Patent Application No. 2019-170540), September 19, 2019 (Patent Application No. 2019-170541), October 3, 2019 (Patent Application No. 2019-183066), and October 3, 2019 (Patent Application No. 2019-183067), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Industrial Applicability]

[0187] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an infrared lighting system for a vehicle that can detect an object with low infrared reflectivity while suppressing halation from occurring in an image taken by an infrared camera.

Claims

1. a visible light unit having a visible light source that emits visible light; a projection lens that emits visible light forward; A reflective infrared cut filter; an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays, the infrared cut filter is disposed between the visible light source and the projection lens; the infrared sensor is disposed near a virtual focal point of the projection lens that is reflected by the infrared cut filter, The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor is configured so that visible light emitted from the visible light source passes through the infrared cut filter and enters the projection lens, and infrared light that enters the infrared cut filter from the front of the lamp via the projection lens is reflected toward the infrared sensor.

2. a control unit that controls the visible light unit so as to form an arbitrary light distribution pattern by the visible light emitted from the visible light source; 2. The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a light distribution pattern of the visible light in accordance with an output of the infrared sensor.

3. an infrared unit provided with an infrared light source that emits infrared rays at a position that does not overlap with the projection lens when viewed from the front; 2. The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to claim 1, wherein the infrared sensor detects reflected light of the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source.

4. a control unit that controls the infrared unit so as to form an arbitrary infrared light distribution pattern by infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source, 4. The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to claim 3, wherein the control unit changes a light distribution pattern of the infrared light in accordance with an output of the infrared sensor.

5. the infrared unit has a rotating reflector that has a plurality of reflective surfaces on its outer circumferential surface and reflects infrared rays to different positions in front of the lamp depending on the rotation phase; The infrared unit is controlled by a control unit, the control unit is configured to emit infrared rays toward any position in front of the lamp by controlling the lighting timing of the infrared light source and the rotation phase of the rotating reflector, the infrared sensor is an infrared photodiode that outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of reflected infrared light, 4. The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to output information on the presence or absence of an object in front of the lamp and the position of the object based on a signal obtained from the infrared sensor according to the intensity of reflected light of infrared rays emitted toward an arbitrary position in front of the lamp.

6. the projection lens integrally includes a first lens portion that emits visible light emitted from the visible light source forward of the lamp, and a second lens portion that emits infrared light emitted from the infrared light source forward of the lamp, 4. The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to claim 3, further comprising a light-shielding wall that prevents visible light emitted from the visible light source from directly entering the second lens portion and prevents infrared light emitted from the infrared light source from directly entering the first lens portion.

7. 6. The vehicular lamp with an integrated infrared sensor according to claim 5, wherein an output of said control unit is transmitted to the vehicle.

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