Control device of headlight, control method of headlight and headlight system

Abstract

To further improve frontward visibility in an own vehicle while reducing glare toward a vehicle ahead of the own vehicle.SOLUTION: A control device of a headlight includes a controller that is configured to control a headlight so that the headlight emits a low beam, a first additional beam, a second additional beam and a selective high beam and to control the headlight so that the first additional beam is attenuated when a beam attenuation region is set. The first additional beam has a first site having an upper end at a height which is nearly same as a height of a horizontal line at a first side that is either of left and right sides of a vertical line, and a second site having an upper end at a side lower than the horizontal line, at a second side that is the other of the left and right sides of the vertical line. The second additional beam has a third site having an upper end at a height which is nearly same as the height of the horizontal line, at the second side and a fourth site having an upper end at a side lower than the horizontal line, at the first side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] International Publication No. 2022 / 131044 (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting system that includes a low beam unit that is capable of forming a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line and that is capable of independently adjusting the illuminance of multiple partial areas in the low beam light distribution pattern that are arranged below and along the cutoff line, and a light distribution control device that controls the low beam unit to form a first illuminance reduction section in a partial area among the multiple partial areas whose position in the vehicle width direction overlaps the position of a vehicle in front in the vehicle width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 131044 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the objectives of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can further improve forward visibility in a vehicle while reducing glare to a vehicle ahead. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [1] A headlamp control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. An apparatus for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, comprising: a controller connected to the headlamp; a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle; Including, The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; configured to run This is a headlight control device. [2] A headlamp control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A method for controlling operation of a headlamp capable of providing a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, the method being performed by a controller coupled to the headlamp, the controller comprising: The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion on a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a second portion on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line, and having an upper end below the horizontal line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle detected by a forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; Including, A method for controlling headlights. [3] A headlamp system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a headlamp capable of emitting low beam, additional beam and selective high beam; a controller connected to the headlamp; a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle; Including, The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; configured to run It is a headlight system.

[0006] In this specification, the concept of "dimming" includes reducing the brightness of the irradiated light to 0, that is, turning off the light.

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further improve forward visibility in the host vehicle while reducing glare to the vehicle ahead. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a headlamp system according to an embodiment, and Fig. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing an example of the configuration of a headlamp. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the host vehicle and an oncoming vehicle. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(A) is a diagram showing a specific example of the illumination range of each of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam, and Fig. 4(B) is a diagram showing a specific example of the illumination range of each of the low beam and high beam. [Figure 5] 5(A), 5(B), and 5(C) are diagrams showing specific examples of the irradiation range of the additional beam. [Figure 6] 6(A) to 6(D) are diagrams for explaining the irradiation patterns of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. [Figure 8] 8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams for explaining positions showing cross-sectional luminous intensity in an irradiation pattern. [Figure 9]FIG. 9(A) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the comparative example, and FIG. 9(B) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2L in the comparative example, and FIG. 10(B) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlamp system according to one embodiment. The illustrated headlamp system includes a controller (control device) 10, a forward monitoring sensor 11, and a pair of headlamp 13L and 13R. This headlamp system is installed on a vehicle and is used to irradiate light ahead of the vehicle. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the controller 10 and the forward monitoring sensor 11 are installed on the vehicle side, but one or both of the controller 10 and the forward monitoring sensor 11 may be installed inside the housing of the headlamp 13L and / or the headlamp 13R.

[0010] The controller 10 is connected to the forward monitoring sensor 11 and each of the headlights 13L, 13R, and controls various operations of the headlight system. The controller 10 is also configured to detect the operating state of a lamp switch 12 provided in the vehicle. For example, the controller 10 detects the operating state of the lamp switch 12 provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle, and transmits a control signal corresponding to the detected operating state to each of the headlights 13L, 13R.

[0011] The forward monitoring sensor 11 is connected to the controller 10 and detects the position, size, type, etc. of an object present in front of the vehicle. Examples of objects to be detected and their types include vehicles ahead (leading vehicles, oncoming vehicles), pedestrians, bicycles, road signs, obstacles, etc. As an example, the forward monitoring sensor 11 can be configured using a camera that captures images of the space ahead of the vehicle and an information processing device such as an image processor that determines the position, etc. of an object by performing image processing using the images captured by the camera.

[0012] The type of vehicle ahead, i.e., whether it is a leading vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, can be identified based on the color of its lamp. For example, if a pair of white or similar light spots is detected, it is an oncoming vehicle, and if a pair of red or similar light spots is detected, it is a leading vehicle.

[0013] The forward monitoring sensor 11 may be, for example, an optical distance measuring sensor such as LiDAR, or may be a radar or ultrasonic sensor, or may be used in combination with the image processing described above.

[0014] The headlights 13L, 13R are capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam to the space ahead of the vehicle, and include a low beam unit 30, an ADB unit 31, and an additional beam unit 32. As shown in the schematic front view of FIG. 2, each headlight 13L, 13R has, for example, an integrated low beam unit 30 and an ADB unit 31, and a separate additional beam unit 32, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction. Note that each unit may be configured as a separate unit, or all units may be configured as an integrated unit. In other words, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of each unit.

[0015] Each low beam unit 30 is configured to be able to emit a low beam (passing beam) into the space ahead of the vehicle based on a control signal supplied from the control signal generating unit 21 of the controller 10. The low beam unit 30 of the headlight 13L is installed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the low beam unit 30 of the headlight 13R is installed on the front right side of the vehicle. The low beam is formed by combining the light emitted from each low beam unit 30 towards the front of the vehicle.

[0016] Each ADB unit 31 is configured to be able to emit a high beam into the space ahead of the vehicle based on a control signal supplied from the control signal generating unit 21 of the controller 10. The ADB unit 31 of the headlight 13L is installed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the ADB unit 31 of the headlight 13R is installed on the front right side of the vehicle. The high beam is formed when the light emitted by each ADB unit 31 overlaps in front of the vehicle. Furthermore, each ADB unit 31 is an adjustable light distribution unit, and when an object such as a preceding vehicle is present, a dimming range is set within the high beam illumination range according to the position of the object, thereby forming a selective high beam (adaptive driving beam).

[0017] Each ADB unit 31 may be, for example, an ADB unit including a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged in two directions and a lens that collects the light emitted from these light-emitting elements. Each ADB unit 31 may be of various known types, such as an ADB unit that uses a liquid crystal element to control the dimming range and light irradiation range, an ADB unit that uses an optical deflector to scan the light emitted from a laser element and rapidly turns the laser element on and off during scanning, or an ADB unit that uses multiple shielding plates to selectively block part of the light emitted from the light source to control the dimming range and light irradiation range.

[0018] Each additional beam unit 32 is configured to be able to irradiate a partial area included in the irradiation area of ​​the low beam with an additional beam based on a control signal supplied from the control signal generating unit 21 of the controller 10. Specific examples of the partial area irradiated with the additional beam will be described later.

[0019] The functions of the controller 10 will be described using functional blocks to make it easier to understand. As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 10 includes a light distribution pattern setting unit (light distribution pattern setting function) 20 and a control signal generating unit (control signal generating function) 21.

[0020] The light distribution pattern setting unit 20 sets the light reduction range (or light blocking range) and the light irradiation range in the ADB function of each ADB unit 31 according to the position of a forward vehicle (a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle) detected by the forward monitoring sensor 11. In addition, the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 variably controls the brightness of the additional beams of each additional beam unit 32.

[0021] The control signal generating unit 21 generates a control signal for causing each ADB unit 31 to form irradiation light according to the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 20, and supplies the control signal to each ADB unit 31. The control signal generating unit 21 also generates a control signal for causing each additional beam unit 32 to form an additional beam according to the brightness set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 20, and supplies the control signal to each additional beam unit 32. The control signal generating unit 21 also generates a control signal for causing each low beam unit 30 to emit a low beam according to the operating state of the lamp switch 12 of the host vehicle, and supplies the control signal to each low beam unit 30.

[0022] If the vehicle is provided with a function for automatically turning on and off the headlights 13L, 13R depending on the illuminance of the surrounding environment, the low beam units 30 and the like may be turned on by the function.

[0023] 1(B) is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer system. The illustrated computer system can be configured using a computer system including a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage device 204 such as a flash memory, an input / output interface 205, and the like. In this computer system, a program 206 previously stored in the storage device 204 is read and executed by the processor, thereby enabling the computer system to perform various functions. The above-described controller 10 can be realized, for example, using such a computer system.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the positional relationship between a vehicle and an oncoming vehicle. As illustrated, in this embodiment, it is assumed that traffic regulations stipulate that an oncoming vehicle 110 travels on the left side of the vehicle 100. That is, in this embodiment, the right side corresponds to the "first side" and the left side corresponds to the "second side." In addition, if traffic regulations stipulate that an oncoming vehicle travels on the right side of the vehicle 100, it is sufficient to use low beam 50, high beam 51, and additional beams 52a and 52b with shapes that are inverted from those shown in FIG. 4, etc. In this case, the left side corresponds to the "first side" and the right side corresponds to the "second side."

[0025] FIG. 4(A) is a diagram showing a specific example of the illumination range of each of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. FIG. 4(B) is a diagram showing a specific example of the illumination range of each of the low beam and high beam. Here, the front view shapes of each beam on a virtual vertical screen assumed at a predetermined position ahead of the vehicle (for example, 25 m ahead) are shown. In FIG. 3, the horizontal line H and the vertical line V are based on the installation positions of the headlights 13L and 13R on the vehicle, respectively.

[0026] The low beam 50 is irradiated light that is formed relatively wide below the cutoff line CL. In this embodiment, the cutoff line CL corresponds to the upper end of the low beam 50, i.e., the boundary line where the illuminance of the low beam 50 on a virtual vertical screen becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. The cutoff line CL includes a first portion located to the right of the vertical line V in the drawing and extending substantially horizontally so as to substantially overlap with the horizontal line H, a second portion located to the left of the vertical line V in the drawing and extending substantially horizontally below the first portion, and a third portion connecting the ends of the first and second portions and extending obliquely so as to overlap with the vertical line V.

[0027] The high beam 51 is a beam of light that is formed mainly above the horizon H and has a narrower width than the low beam 50. In this embodiment, the high beam 51 includes a portion above the horizon H and a portion below the horizon H. The portion of the high beam 51 below the horizon H partially overlaps with the low beam 50 and the additional beams 52a and 52b. The illumination range of the high beam 51 is partially dimmed depending on the position of the vehicle ahead (see dimming range 53 in FIG. 6(C) described below).

[0028] The additional beams 52a, 52b are irradiated light beams formed over a range that is shorter than the low beam 50 in both width (horizontal length) and height (vertical length). In this embodiment, the additional beams 52a, 52b each have an upper end that is substantially aligned with the horizontal line H, a lower end that is located higher in the drawing than the lower end of the low beam 50, and a width that is narrower than the low beam 50. The additional beams 52a, 52b also have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the vertical line V. The height of each of the additional beams 52a, 52b is preferably set to, for example, 1 / 3 or less of the height of the low beam 50. This makes it possible to further reduce the range of the additional beams 52a, 52b even when the additional beams 52a, 52b are dimmed, thereby preventing a decrease in forward visibility.

[0029] In this embodiment, the low beam 50 is supplemented by the additional beam 52a on the right side, resulting in illumination light with an illuminance distribution equivalent to that of a typical low beam. Furthermore, by dimming (or turning off) the additional beam 52a, a partial range of the low beam (the range illuminated by the additional beam 52a) is dimmed. Meanwhile, the additional beam 52b on the left side is illuminated when the high beam 51 is illuminated, as described below.

[0030] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a specific example of the irradiation range of the additional beam 52a. The additional beam (first additional beam) 52a has a first portion 55a located to the right of the vertical line V in the figure, and a second portion 55b connected to the first portion 55a and located across the vertical line V from the right to the left in the figure. The upper end of the first portion 55a substantially coincides with the first portion of the cutoff line CL. The upper end of the second portion 55b substantially coincides with the second portion of the cutoff line CL. Comparing the first portion 55a and the second portion 55b, the upper end of the first portion 55a is located relatively higher than the upper end of the second portion 55b. The lower ends of the first portion 55a and the second portion 55b substantially coincide with each other. The gap between the second portion 55b and the horizontal line H can be, for example, about 0.2° to 1.0° in vertical angle determined based on the positions of the headlights 13L and 13R, and is preferably about 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0031] 5B is a diagram showing a specific example of the irradiation range of the additional beam 52b. The additional beam (second additional beam) 52b has a third portion 56a located to the left of the vertical line V in the drawing, and a fourth portion 56b connected to the third portion 56a and located across the vertical line V from left to right in the drawing. The upper end of the third portion 56a is located above the second portion of the cutoff line CL and approximately coincides with the horizontal line H. The upper end of the fourth portion 56b is located below the first portion of the cutoff line CL and also below the horizontal line H. The gap between the fourth portion 56b and the horizontal line H can be, for example, approximately 0.2° to 1.0° in vertical angle determined based on the positions of the headlights 13L and 13R, and preferably 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0032] FIG. 5C shows the additional beams 52a and 52b overlapping each other. The combined range of the additional beams 52a and 52b includes a range 60a where only the additional beam 52a can be irradiated, a range 60b where only the additional beam 52b can be irradiated, and a range 60c where both the additional beams 52a and 52b can be irradiated overlappingly. The range 60a is the range of the first portion 55a of the additional beam 52a where the additional beam 52b does not overlap. The range 60b is the range of the third portion 56a of the additional beam 52b where the additional beam 52a does not overlap. The range 60c is the range where the additional beam 52a and the additional beam 52b partially overlap. In the ranges 60a and 60b, whether or not to dim the additional beam can be controlled within a narrow vertical angle range of approximately 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0033] Generally, it is technically and cost-effectively difficult to increase the angular resolution of light distribution control in a variable light distribution unit, and currently the angular resolution is 3° to 4° or more, making it difficult to achieve an angular resolution of about 0.5° to 1.0°. In contrast, if a fixed light distribution configuration is used that does not assume variable light distribution, for example, the additional beams 52a and 52b shown in this embodiment can be realized, and by irradiating these in combination, it is possible to obtain ranges 60a and 60b in which it is possible to control whether or not to dim the light within a narrow vertical angle range of about 0.5° to 1.0°.

[0034] 6(A) to 6(D) are diagrams for explaining the irradiation patterns of the low beam, high beam, and additional beam. When the operation state of the lamp switch 12 indicates that only the low beam is to be irradiated, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the low beam 50 is irradiated and an additional beam 52a corresponding to a partial range of the low beam 50 is irradiated.

[0035] When the operation state of the lamp switch 12 indicates the illumination of low beam and high beam, the low beam 50, high beam 51, and additional beams 52a and 52b are illuminated as shown in Fig. 6(B). When the operation state of the lamp switch 12 indicates the illumination of low beam and selective high beam but there is no vehicle ahead, the dimming range is not set within the illumination range of the high beam 51, resulting in the illumination state shown in Fig. 6(B).

[0036] Furthermore, when the lamp switch 12 is operated to illuminate low beam and selective high beam and there is a vehicle ahead, the low beam 50, high beam 51, and additional beams 52a and 52b are illuminated as shown in FIG. 6(C). At this time, as shown in the figure, a dimming range 53 is set within the illumination range of the high beam 51 according to the position of the vehicle ahead. Furthermore, when the dimming range 53 is set, the additional beam 52a is dimmed regardless of the vehicle's position. Note that when there are multiple vehicles ahead, the entire illumination range of the high beam 51 may be set to the dimming range as shown in FIG. 6(D).

[0037] In these cases, the area 60a illuminated by only the additional beam 52a is dimmed, thereby reducing glare to vehicles ahead. The vertical height of the dimmed area 60a can be set to approximately 0.5° to 1.0°, thereby reducing glare while minimizing deterioration of forward visibility. Furthermore, the area 60b illuminated by only the additional beam 52b is not dimmed, so supplementary light can be provided between the upper end of the low beam 50 and the horizon H. This also minimizes deterioration of forward visibility. Furthermore, in the area 60c illuminated by both the additional beam 52a and the additional beam 52b, the additional beam 52b is not dimmed, so the reduction in brightness in the area 60c is also minimized. Therefore, deterioration of forward visibility is minimized.

[0038] 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. Note that the order of the processes shown here can be changed as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the results of the information processing, and other processes not explicitly shown here can also be added.

[0039] When the lamp switch 12 is on, that is, in a state instructing the operation of the headlights 13L, 13R (step S11; YES), and in a state instructing the irradiation of selective high beam (ADB) (step S12; YES), the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 of the controller 10 instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to emit a low beam and an additional beam. In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies control signals to each low beam unit 30 and each additional beam unit 32, thereby emitting a low beam and an additional beam.

[0040] If the lamp switch 12 is not on (step S11; NO), or if the state is not one that commands selective high beam irradiation (step S12; NO), the process returns to step S11.

[0041] Furthermore, the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to perform selective high beam illumination using a light distribution pattern having a light reduction range according to the position of a forward vehicle (an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle) detected by the forward monitoring sensor 11. In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies a control signal to each ADB unit 31, thereby performing selective high beam illumination (step S13).

[0042] When the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 has set a light reduction range corresponding to the forward vehicle (step S14; YES), it instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to reduce the additional beam 52a (first additional beam).

[0043] In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies a control signal to each additional beam unit 32, thereby dimming the additional beam 52a (step S15). The degree of dimming can be set to, for example, a dimming rate of 20% compared to when the beam is not dimmed. When step S15 is completed, the process returns to step S11.

[0044] On the other hand, if the dimming range has not been set (step S14; NO), the light distribution pattern setting unit 20 instructs the control signal generating unit 21 to maintain the current luminous intensity of the additional beam 52a. In response to this instruction, the control signal generating unit 21 supplies a control signal to each additional beam unit 32, thereby maintaining the additional beam 52a in its current state, i.e., in an undimmed state (step S16). When step S16 is completed, the process returns to step S11.

[0045] In step S14, the process may be performed based on the presence or absence of a forward vehicle, instead of the presence or absence of a dimming range. That is, the process of step S14 may be performed so that if a forward vehicle is present, a positive determination is made in step S14, and if no forward vehicle is present, a negative determination is made in step S14.

[0046] A specific example of the effect obtained by the headlamp system of this embodiment will be described below. Here, as shown in Fig. 8(A), the cross-sectional luminous intensity in the vertical direction of the irradiated light obtained by combining the additional beams 52a and 52b at a position 2° to the right of the vertical line V on a virtual vertical screen (shown as 2R in the figure) and a position 2° to the left of the vertical line V (shown as 2L in the figure) will be considered. The additional beam 52a is assumed to be irradiated with a dimming rate of 20%.

[0047] 8(B) is used, the cross-sectional luminous intensity in the vertical direction of the irradiated light at a position 2° to the right of the vertical line V on the virtual vertical screen (indicated as 2R in the figure) and a position 2° to the left of the vertical line V (indicated as 2L in the figure) will be considered. The additional beam 152a is assumed to be irradiated with a dimming rate of 20%. The additional beam 152a of the comparative example is positioned to the right of the vertical line V in the figure, and its vertical height is set to be the same as that of the additional beam 52a of this embodiment.

[0048] Fig. 9(A) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the comparative example, and Fig. 9(B) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2R in the example. As shown in Fig. 9(A), in the comparative example, the luminous intensity is reduced overall in the luminous intensity cross section a2 after dimming compared to the luminous intensity cross section a1 before dimming the additional beam 152a, which leads to a decrease in forward visibility.

[0049] In contrast, as shown in Figure 9(B), in this embodiment, when comparing the luminous intensity cross section b1 before dimming the additional beam 52a with the luminous intensity cross section b2 after dimming, the decrease in luminous intensity is suppressed below 1° in the vertical direction (UD angle in the range of 1° to 5° in the figure), while the luminous intensity decreases above 0.5° in the vertical direction (the range to the right of the position indicated as 0.5D in the figure).

[0050] In other words, in the embodiment, the luminous intensity in the low beam illumination range, i.e., the range relatively close to the vehicle, is maintained with almost no decrease, thereby preventing a decrease in forward visibility, while the luminous intensity above 0.5° is suppressed, thereby reducing glare to vehicles ahead.

[0051] Fig. 10(A) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2L in the comparative example, and Fig. 10(B) is a diagram showing the cross-sectional luminous intensity at the position 2L in the example. As shown in Fig. 10(A), in the comparative example, the luminous intensity is reduced overall in the luminous intensity cross section a4 after dimming compared to the luminous intensity cross section a3 before dimming the additional beam 152a, which leads to a decrease in forward visibility.

[0052] In contrast, as shown in Figure 10(B), in the embodiment, when comparing the luminous intensity cross section b3 before dimming the additional beam 52a with the luminous intensity cross section b4 after dimming, the decrease in luminous intensity is suppressed below 1° in the vertical direction (UD angle in the range of 1° to 5° in the figure), while the luminous intensity decreases above 0.5° in the vertical direction (range to the right of the position indicated as 0.5D in the figure).

[0053] That is, in the embodiment, the luminous intensity in the low beam illumination range, i.e., the range relatively close to the vehicle, is maintained with almost no decrease, thereby preventing a decrease in forward visibility, while the luminous intensity above 0.5° is suppressed, thereby reducing glare to vehicles ahead. Also, in the comparative example, the luminous intensity is low to the left of the vertical line V in the figure, particularly in the gap between the upper end of the low beam 50 and the horizontal line H when the high beam 51 is not illuminated (the portion directly below the horizontal line H; the range above 0.5° in the figure), whereas in the embodiment, the gap is also supplemented with the additional beam 52b, thereby further improving forward visibility.

[0054] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to further improve forward visibility in the host vehicle while reducing glare to the vehicle ahead.

[0055] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the above-described embodiment is based on the premise that an oncoming vehicle is traveling on the left side of the host vehicle (see FIG. 3), but the relative relationship between the host vehicle and the oncoming vehicle may be reversed. That is, the technical concept of the present disclosure can also be applied to a case where an oncoming vehicle is traveling on the right side of the host vehicle. In this case, it is sufficient to use low beams, high beams, and additional beams with shapes that are inverted from those shown in FIG. 4, etc., as described above.

[0056] The present disclosure has the following additional configurations. (Appendix 1) 1. An apparatus for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, comprising: a controller connected to the headlamp; a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle; Including, The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; configured to run Headlight control device. (Appendix 2) the first additional beam and the second additional beam have bilaterally symmetrical shapes; 10. The headlamp control device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) the lower ends of the first additional beam and the second additional beam are at the same height; 3. A headlamp control device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the first portion of the first additional beam has a range where the fourth portion of the second additional beam overlaps and a range where the second additional beam does not overlap, and the third portion of the second additional beam has a range where the second portion of the first additional beam overlaps and a range where the first additional beam does not overlap; 4. The headlamp control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) a vertical angle range of a range of the first portion of the first additional beam where the second additional beam does not overlap and / or a range of the third portion of the second additional beam where the first additional beam does not overlap is 0.2° to 1.0°; 5. The headlamp control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The upper end of the low beam includes a first portion located on the second side of the vertical line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to substantially overlap the horizontal line, a second portion located on the first side of the vertical line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction relatively lower than the first portion, and a third portion connecting each end of the first portion and the second portion and obliquely intersecting the vertical line so as to overlap the vertical line. 6. A headlamp control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The headlamp includes a first unit that emits the low beam, a second unit that emits the selective high beam, and a third unit that emits the additional beam. 7. A headlamp control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) 1. A method for controlling operation of a headlamp capable of providing a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, the method being performed by a controller coupled to the headlamp, the controller comprising: The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion on a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a second portion on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line, and having an upper end below the horizontal line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle detected by a forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; Including, A method for controlling headlights. (Appendix 9) a headlamp capable of emitting low beam, additional beam and selective high beam; a controller connected to the headlamp; a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle; Including, The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; configured to run Headlight system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10: Controller, 11: Forward monitoring sensor, 12: Steering angle sensor, 13L, 13R: Headlight, 14: Lamp switch, 20: Light distribution pattern setting unit, 21: Control signal generation unit, 30: Low beam unit, 31: ADB unit, 32: Additional beam unit, 50: Low beam, 51: High beam, 52a, 52b: Additional beam, 53: Dimming range, 100: Vehicle, 110: Oncoming vehicle

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for controlling the operation of a headlamp capable of emitting a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, comprising: a controller connected to the headlamp; a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle; Including, The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; configured to run Headlight control device.

2. the first additional beam and the second additional beam have bilaterally symmetrical shapes; The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

3. the lower ends of the first additional beam and the second additional beam are at the same height; The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

4. a range where the fourth portion of the second additional beam overlaps with the first portion of the first additional beam and a range where the second additional beam does not overlap with the first portion of the first additional beam, and a range where the second portion of the first additional beam overlaps with the second portion of the second additional beam and a range where the first additional beam does not overlap with the third portion of the second additional beam. The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

5. a vertical angle range of a range of the first portion of the first additional beam where the second additional beam does not overlap and / or a range of the third portion of the second additional beam where the first additional beam does not overlap is 0.2° to 1.0°; The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

6. The upper end of the low beam includes a first portion located on the second side of the vertical line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction so as to substantially overlap the horizontal line, a second portion located on the first side of the vertical line and extending in a substantially horizontal direction relatively lower than the first portion, and a third portion connecting each end of the first portion and the second portion and obliquely intersecting the vertical line so as to overlap the vertical line. The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

7. The headlamp includes a first unit for irradiating the low beam, a second unit for irradiating the selective high beam, and a third unit for irradiating the additional beam. The headlamp control device according to claim 1 .

8. 1. A method for controlling operation of a headlamp capable of providing a low beam, an additional beam, and a selective high beam, the method being performed by a controller coupled to the headlamp, the controller comprising: The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion on a first side, which is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle, and a second portion on a second side, which is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line, and having an upper end below the horizontal line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of a forward vehicle detected by a forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; Including, A method for controlling headlights.

9. a headlamp capable of emitting low beam, additional beam and selective high beam; a controller connected to the headlamp; a forward monitoring sensor connected to the controller for detecting a forward vehicle present in front of the host vehicle; Including, The additional beam is a first additional beam having a first portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the vehicle on a first side that is either the left or right side of a vertical line based on the vehicle, and a second portion having an upper end below the horizontal line on a second side that is the other of the left or right side of the vertical line; a second additional beam having, on the second side, a third portion having an upper end at approximately the same height as a horizontal line based on the host vehicle, and a fourth portion on the first side having an upper end below the horizontal line; Including, The controller controlling the headlights to emit the low beam and the additional beam; controlling the headlights to emit the selective high beams including a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle detected by the forward monitoring sensor; controlling the headlamp so as to dim the first additional beam among the additional beams when the dimming range is set; configured to run Headlight system.

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