Road surface check device for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

To excellently confirm a road surface in front of a vehicle even at night by using a dead angle imaging display technology.SOLUTION: And a control device configured to control a front lighting device of the vehicle, wherein the front lighting device includes a headlight, and when the image captured by the camera is displayed on the display device, the control device changes an irradiation range of the front lighting device to a range including the blind spot area by controlling the front lighting device to lower the irradiation range than a normal irradiation range or expand the normal irradiation range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a road surface confirmation device for a vehicle and a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to enable drivers to drive their vehicles more safely, a technology has been known in which an imaging device installed in the vehicle captures images of the outside of the vehicle in areas that are blind spots for the driver, and displays the images on an image display device installed inside the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as blind spot imaging and display technology) (see Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication WO2017 / 130439 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the blind spot imaging and display technology is used to capture and display the road surface in front of a vehicle that is in a blind spot, the vehicle's forward lighting usually does not cover the area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle that is in the driver's blind spot at night, so the road surface in the blind spot cannot be clearly captured and displayed. In particular, even if blind spot imaging and display technology is used, it is difficult to see obstacles in the area directly in front of the front bumper or in front of the front tires at night.

[0005] The present invention has been proposed to address these circumstances. That is, the present invention aims to use blind spot imaging and display technology to enable a driver to clearly see the road surface ahead of the vehicle even at night. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, one aspect of the present invention provides a road surface confirmation device for a vehicle, comprising a camera that captures an area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle that is a blind spot for the driver, a display device that displays the image captured by the camera, and a control device that controls a forward lighting device of the vehicle, wherein the forward lighting device includes a headlight, and when the image captured by the camera is displayed on the display device, the control device controls the illumination range of the forward lighting device to be lower than a normal illumination range or to be enlarged, thereby changing the range to include the blind spot area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the road surface confirmation device for a vehicle having such characteristics, the blind spot imaging and display technology is used, and the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be clearly confirmed even at night. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an illumination range of light emitted from a headlight in the vehicle road surface confirmation device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an illumination range of light emitted from a headlight in the vehicle road surface confirmation device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an illumination range of light emitted from a road surface light in the vehicle road surface confirmation device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an illumination range of light emitted from a road surface light in the vehicle road surface confirmation device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an irradiation range of laser light emitted from a road surface laser in the vehicle road surface confirmation device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an irradiation range of laser light emitted from a road surface laser in the vehicle road surface confirmation device according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a low beam unit and a road surface light are simultaneously turned on in a vehicle road surface confirmation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a low beam unit and a road surface light are simultaneously turned on in a vehicle road surface confirmation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a low beam unit and a road surface laser are simultaneously turned on in a road surface checking device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a low beam unit and a road surface laser are simultaneously turned on in a road surface checking device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a road surface light and a road surface laser are simultaneously turned on in a road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote parts with the same functions, and duplicated descriptions in each drawing will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle road surface confirmation device of this embodiment functions as part of a vehicle control system 1 mounted on a vehicle 100, and uses blind spot imaging and display technology to confirm the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100.

[0011] The vehicle control system 1 includes a plurality of sensors that acquire various information indicating the driving state of the vehicle 100 and the environment inside and outside the vehicle, various electronic devices necessary for driving the vehicle 100, and a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units) that control these sensors and electronic devices. With this configuration, the vehicle control system 1 performs various controls necessary to realize and maintain safe driving of the vehicle 100 and convenience and comfort for the occupants.

[0012] The sensors, electronic devices, and ECUs are interconnected so as to be able to communicate with each other via an in-vehicle network 3 such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) and a central gateway (CGW) 4 serving as a relay device. Note that the vehicle control system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the CGW 4 may not be provided, and the ECUs may communicate with each other directly or indirectly.

[0013] In the vehicle control system 1, information acquired by each sensor is output to the in-vehicle network 3, and information indicating the operating state of an electronic device to be controlled (hereinafter referred to as a controlled device) is output from each ECU to the in-vehicle network 3. Furthermore, each ECU controls the operation of the controlled device based on information acquired from each sensor and other ECUs via the in-vehicle network 3.

[0014] Each ECU includes a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), that executes various processes. Each ECU also includes volatile storage elements, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily processes data used by the processor, and non-volatile storage elements, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs executed by the processor.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates the multiple electronic devices and ECUs included in the vehicle control system 1, including a forward lighting device 5, a camera 6, a display unit 7, a lighting control ECU 11, an imaging control ECU 21, and a display control ECU 31, which realize the function of a vehicle road surface confirmation device (hereinafter referred to as the road surface confirmation function).

[0016] The lighting control ECU 11 illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle 100 and controls a forward lighting device 5 including headlights 51, road lights 52, and road lasers 53. The imaging control ECU 21 controls a camera 6 that captures an image of at least an area of ​​the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100 that is a blind spot for the driver (hereinafter referred to as a blind spot area). The display control ECU 31 is provided inside the vehicle 100 and controls a display unit 7 that displays an image captured by the camera 6. In the vehicle control system 1, when the road surface confirmation function is activated, the camera 6 captures an image of the road surface ahead, including the blind spot area, while illuminating it with the front lighting device 5 as necessary, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 7.

[0017] Below, the forward lighting device 5, camera 6, display unit 7, lighting control ECU 11, imaging control ECU 21, and display control ECU 31 will be described in detail, and detailed description and illustration of ECUs, sensors, and electronic devices that are not directly involved in the operation of the road surface confirmation function will be omitted even if they are included in the vehicle control system 1.

[0018] The forward lighting device 5 illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle 100 to ensure the driver's visibility in tunnels, when visibility is poor due to dense fog, etc., or at night, and also illuminates the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100, including blind spots, when the road surface confirmation function is activated. The forward lighting device 5 includes a headlight 51, a road light (first light emitting device) 52, and a road laser (second light emitting device) 53.

[0019] The headlights 51 are provided on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle 100, and include a low beam unit (not shown) that emits a low beam called a passing headlight, and a high beam unit (not shown) that emits a high beam called a driving headlight.

[0020] The low beam unit and the high beam unit can adjust the direction of low beam and high beam illumination up and down or left and right by adjusting their respective optical axes. In addition, the light source of the low beam unit and the high beam unit can be, for example, an array light source in which multiple tiny LEDs are arranged two-dimensionally.

[0021] An array light source can control the turning on or off of LEDs in segments that divide the illumination range into multiple parts, making it possible to change the illumination range or adjust the light intensity partially. Therefore, when an array light source is applied to a low beam unit and a high beam unit, it is possible to change the illumination range by changing the segments that are lit, or to change the light intensity in the illumination range for each segment (partially).

[0022] 2 and 3 show the normal illumination range LB of the low beam emitted from the low beam unit of the headlight 51 provided in the vehicle 100. The normal illumination range LB of the low beam is set so that the driver of the vehicle 100 can see objects that may be obstacles to the traveling of the vehicle 100, such as preceding vehicles and pedestrians that are present at a distance of about 40 meters ahead of the vehicle 100. The low beam is emitted from the low beam unit in a direction slightly downward from the horizontal to reduce glare on surrounding vehicles and pedestrians while ensuring the driver's visibility.

[0023] The illumination range of the high beam is set so as to enhance the driver's visibility while the vehicle 100 is traveling, allowing the driver to check for potential obstacles to the traveling of the vehicle 100, such as preceding vehicles and pedestrians that are present at a distance of about 100 m ahead of the vehicle 100. The vehicle road surface checking device according to this embodiment checks the blind spot area of ​​the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100, i.e., an area that is relatively close to the vehicle 100, and therefore illustrations and descriptions of the illumination range of the high beam and the like are omitted.

[0024] As described above, the low beam is used to check for obstacles located approximately 40 m ahead of the vehicle 100, and the blind spot area is not included in the normal illumination range LB of the low beam. Therefore, when illuminating the blind spot area, the illumination range of the low beam unit of the headlight 51 must be changed to a range that illuminates the blind spot area.

[0025] For this reason, the headlight 51 in this embodiment has a normal illumination range LB, as well as a downward illumination range LBLo and an expanded illumination range LBEx set as illumination ranges by the low beam unit. The downward illumination range LBLo is an illumination range set below the normal illumination range LB so as to illuminate blind spots, and the expanded illumination range LBEx is an illumination range expanded to include the downward illumination range LBLo in addition to the normal illumination range LB.

[0026] 4 and 5, the road lights 52 project light onto the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100 along a predicted trajectory along which the front tires 91 will travel, and are provided in front of the vehicle 100, for example, on the left and right sides below the front bumper 92. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of an illumination range RS of light by the road lights 52 provided below the front bumper 92. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the illumination range RS is set to an area slightly larger than the width of the front tires 91 in the width direction of the vehicle 100, and to illuminate at least an area of ​​the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100 that is a blind spot for the driver.

[0027] 6, the road surface lasers 53 project a beam of light onto the road surface that indicates the vehicle width of the vehicle 100, and are provided in front of the vehicle 100, for example, on the left and right sides below the front bumper 92. The road surface lasers 53 may project onto the road surface the width of the vehicle 100 as well as the width of the predicted trajectory that the front tires 91 of the vehicle 100 will follow.

[0028] Figure 6 shows an example of irradiating laser light at a scan angle RL from a road surface laser 53 installed on the underside of the front bumper 92, and Figure 7 shows an example of laser light RL1 and laser light RL2 irradiated from the road surface laser 53 at a scan angle RL.

[0029] 6 and 7, road surface lasers 53 provided on each of the left and right sides of vehicle 100 emit laser light RL1 and laser light RL2 at a scan angle RL. Each road surface laser 53 emits laser light RL1 that indicates the vehicle width of vehicle 100, and laser light RL2 that is emitted more inward in the width direction of vehicle 100 than laser light RL1. The scan angle RL of road surface laser 53 is set so that when laser light RL1 and laser light RL2 are emitted onto the road surface, a linear light is emitted in the longitudinal direction of vehicle 100, with a length that includes the range that is a blind spot for the driver.

[0030] The laser light RL1 is, for example, a linear light that is emitted at a scan angle RL in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100 along the outside of the front tire 91 or along the side of the vehicle 100. That is, the left and right road surface lasers 53 can emit laser light RL1, which is a light beam that indicates the width of the vehicle 100, onto the road surface.

[0031] Furthermore, the laser light RL2 is a linear light that is emitted at a scan angle RL in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100 along the inside of the front tire 91. The laser light RL1 and the laser light RL2 are emitted at a distance approximately equal to the width of the front tire 91, and therefore, by emitting the laser light RL1 and the laser light RL2 from each road surface laser 53, the width of the predicted trajectory along which the front tire 91 will travel can be indicated on the road surface.

[0032] 7, the laser light RL1 and the laser light RL2 are both shown as linear lights, but they may be dashed lights. The lighting colors of the laser light RL1 and the laser light RL2 can be set to a single color, or they may be set so that the blind spot area and the other areas have different colors.

[0033] Camera 6 is provided in front of vehicle 100, for example, above front bumper 92. Camera 6 is controlled by imaging control ECU 21, and captures images of at least an area of ​​the road surface in front of vehicle 100 that is a blind spot for the driver. Figure 2 shows the angle of view CA of camera 6. In addition to capturing still images, camera 6 can also capture video for a predetermined period of time or continuously when the road surface confirmation function is activated.

[0034] The display unit 7 is provided in the cabin of the vehicle 100, for example, on an instrument panel. The display unit 7 is controlled by the display control ECU 31 to display various information to provide to the driver. As the display unit 7, a CID (Center Information Display), a HUD (Head-Up Display), or a touch panel display that displays various information and allows input operations can be used.

[0035] When a touch panel display is applied to the display unit 7, the display unit 7 presents various information to the occupants of the vehicle 100 and also functions as an operation unit that accepts input of instructions by the occupants. When the display unit 7 has the function of an operation unit, the occupants can input to the display unit 7 whether or not to activate the road surface confirmation function. When a CID or HUD is used for the display unit 7, the display unit 7 mainly presents various information to the occupant, and the occupant inputs instructions through an operation unit (not shown) provided separately from the display unit 7.

[0036] 1 , the lighting control ECU 11 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and an I / F 114. The lighting control ECU 11 controls the headlights 51, road lights 52, and road lasers 53 included in the front lighting device 5 by causing the CPU 111 to execute various processes based on programs stored in the ROM 112.

[0037] The ROM 112, which is provided as a non-volatile storage element, stores control programs for controlling the headlights 51, road lights 52, and road lasers 53, as well as various data required to execute these programs. The control programs include a program related to a road surface confirmation function. The various data include, for example, information indicating a light distribution pattern that defines the normal illumination range LB, expanded illumination range LBEx, and downward illumination range LBLo of the low beam, information indicating the illumination range RS of the road lights 52, and information indicating the illumination range (scan angle RL) of the road lasers 53.

[0038] The RAM 113, which is provided as a volatile storage element, is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes various processes. Therefore, various pieces of information output from the ECUs and sensors on the in-vehicle network 3 are temporarily stored in the RAM 113 as needed.

[0039] The I / F 114 controls the input and output of various information and control signals used in the lighting control ECU 11. That is, the I / F 114 accepts input of various information output from each ECU and each sensor of the vehicle control system 1 to the in-vehicle network 3, and outputs control signals generated in the CPU 111 to an output destination according to the control content.

[0040] The imaging control ECU 21 is connected to the camera 6 and controls imaging by the camera 6. For example, when the road surface confirmation function is activated, the imaging control ECU 21 causes the camera 6 to capture images of the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100 at a predetermined cycle. The imaging control ECU 21 temporarily stores the images captured by the camera 6 in a RAM or the like of the imaging control ECU 21 and outputs the images to the display control unit 31.

[0041] The display control ECU 31 is connected to the display unit 7, and controls the display (ON) or non-display (OFF) and the display content of the display unit 7. In particular, when the display control ECU 31 acquires an image captured by the camera 6 from the imaging control ECU 21, it causes the display unit 7 to display the image.

[0042] Although not shown in the figure, the imaging control ECU 21 and the display control ECU 31, like the lighting control ECU 11, are equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / F, and control the camera 6 and the display unit 7 by the CPU executing various processes based on programs stored in the ROM.

[0043] In the vehicle control system 1 configured as described above, when the road surface confirmation function is activated, the camera 6 captures an image of the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100, including the blind spot area, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 7, allowing the occupant to confirm the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100. In this case, the blind spot area of ​​the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100 is not included in the illumination range of the headlights 51. Therefore, when visibility is poor due to a tunnel or thick fog, or at night, it is difficult to confirm the road surface in the blind spot area even if the image captured by the camera 6 is displayed on the display unit 7.

[0044] Therefore, the lighting control ECU 11 controls the forward lighting device 5 to illuminate the blind spot area as needed while the road surface confirmation function is operating. This allows the camera 6 to capture an image of the road surface ahead, including the blind spot area illuminated by the forward lighting device 5. When illuminating the blind spot area, the illumination control ECU 11 uses the headlights 51, road surface lights 52, and road surface lasers 53 of the forward illumination device 5, either individually or in appropriate combination.

[0045] As described above, in the vehicle 100, the lower illumination range LBLo or the expanded illumination range LBEx (a range combining the normal illumination range LB and the lower illumination range LBLo) can be set as the illumination range of the low beam unit for illuminating the blind spot area using the headlights 51. In the following explanation, as an example, the blind spot area is illuminated by irradiating the expanded illumination range LBEx from the low beam unit.

[0046] (1) When the headlight 51, road surface light 52, and road surface laser 53 are used individually When the headlight 51 is used alone, the illumination control ECU 11 controls the headlight 51 as follows depending on whether the headlight 51 is in use or not. That is, when the road surface confirmation function is turned on while the headlights 51 are not in use, the illumination control ECU 11 turns on the low beam unit. At this time, the low beam unit changes its illumination range from the normal illumination range LB, which is set as a default value, to the expanded illumination range LBEx, which is the illumination range used for the road surface confirmation function, and emits light of the expanded illumination range LBEx.

[0047] When the road surface confirmation function is turned on while the headlights 51 are in use, if the high beams are being emitted, the lighting control ECU 11 turns on the low beam unit and emits light in the expanded illumination range LBEx from the low beam unit. At this time, the high beam unit may be turned off to reduce power consumption. On the other hand, if the low beam is illuminated when the road surface confirmation function is turned on during use, the illumination control ECU 11 changes the illumination range of the low beam from the normal illumination range LB to the expanded illumination range LBEx.

[0048] When the road surface light 52 or the road surface laser 53 is used alone, the road surface light 52 or the road surface laser 53 is turned on when the road surface confirmation function is turned on. That is, when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the lighting control ECU 11 causes the road surface light 52 to irradiate the illumination range RS with light, or causes the road surface laser 53 to irradiate the laser light RL1 and the laser light RL2.

[0049] (2) When using the headlight 51 and road light 52 in combination When the road surface confirmation function is turned on while the vehicle 100 is traveling, the lighting control ECU 11 controls the headlights 51 and road surface lights 52 as follows. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which the low beam unit and the road surface light 52 are turned on simultaneously. In the example shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the low beam unit irradiates light onto the expanded illumination range LBEx, and the road surface light 52 irradiates light onto the illumination range RS.

[0050] If the headlights 51 are not on when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the lighting control ECU 11 turns on the headlights 51 and the road surface lights 52. At this time, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the lighting control ECU 11 irradiates light from the low beam units of the headlights 51 onto an expanded illumination range LBEx that combines the normal illumination range LB and the downward illumination range LBLo, and irradiates light from the road surface lights 52 onto an illumination range RS.

[0051] If the headlights 51 are emitting high beams when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the low beam unit is turned on and emits light from the low beam unit into the expanded illumination range LBEx. At this time, the high beam unit may be turned off. Also, if the headlights 51 are emitting low beams when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the illumination range of the low beam unit is changed from the normal illumination range LB to the expanded illumination range LBEx.

[0052] In this case, in the overlapping range X1 where the illumination range RS of the road surface light 52 and the expanded illumination range LBEx of the low beam overlap, the light of the road surface light 52 and the light of the low beam are combined, resulting in a large amount of light, making the area too bright and difficult for the driver to see. Therefore, the light intensity of the low beam unit is partially reduced for at least the overlapping range X1 of the expanded illumination range LBEx, and the light intensity in the overlapping range X1 is controlled to be an amount of light that is easy for the driver to see.

[0053] Specifically, for example, if the above-mentioned array light source is applied to the low beam unit, the illumination control ECU 11 controls the segments irradiating the overlapping range X1 with light to be dimmed or blocked in order to reduce the amount of light in the overlapping range X1. Figure 8 shows a state in which the overlapping range X1 of the expanded illumination range LBEx is not dimmed (the left diagram in Figure 8) and a state in which the overlapping range X1 of the expanded illumination range LBEx is dimmed (the right diagram in Figure 8).

[0054] (3) When combining headlights 51 and road lasers 53 When the road surface confirmation function is turned on while the vehicle 100 is traveling, the lighting control ECU 11 controls the headlights 51 and the road surface lasers 53 as follows. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which the low beam unit and the road surface laser 53 are turned on simultaneously. In the example shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the low beam unit irradiates the expanded irradiation range LBEx with light, and the road surface laser 53 irradiates laser light RL1 and laser light RL2.

[0055] If the headlights 51 are not on when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the lighting control ECU 11 turns on the headlights 51 and the road surface lasers 53. At this time, the lighting control ECU 11 causes the low beam units of the headlights 51 to emit light into an expanded illumination range LBEx, which is a combination of the normal illumination range LB and the lower illumination range LBLo. In addition, the road surface lasers 53 emit laser light RL1 and laser light RL2.

[0056] If the headlights 51 are emitting high beams when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the low beam unit is turned on and emits light from the low beam unit into the expanded illumination range LBEx. At this time, the high beam unit may be turned off. Also, if the headlights 51 are emitting low beams when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the illumination range of the low beam unit is changed from the normal illumination range LB to the expanded illumination range LBEx.

[0057] In this case, in the overlapping range X2 where the laser light RL1 and laser light RL2 emitted from the road surface laser 53 overlap with the expanded irradiation range LBEx of the low beam, the light from the road surface laser 53 and the light from the low beam are combined, resulting in a large amount of light, making the area too bright and difficult for the driver to see. Therefore, the light intensity of the low beam unit is partially reduced for at least the overlapping range X2 of the expanded irradiation range LBEx, and the light intensity in the overlapping range X2 is controlled to be an amount of light that is easy for the driver to see.

[0058] Specifically, for example, if the above-mentioned array light source is applied to the low beam unit, the illumination control ECU 11 controls the segments irradiating the overlapping area X2 with light to be dimmed or blocked in order to reduce the amount of light in the overlapping area X2. Figure 10 shows a state in which the overlapping area X2 of the expanded illumination area LBEx is not dimmed (the left diagram in Figure 10) and a state in which the overlapping area X2 of the expanded illumination area LBEx is dimmed (the right diagram in Figure 10).

[0059] (4) When combining road surface light 52 and road surface laser 53 When the road surface confirmation function is turned on while the vehicle 100 is traveling, the lighting control ECU 11 controls the road surface lights 52 and the road surface lasers 53 as follows. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the road surface light 52 and the road surface laser 53 are turned on simultaneously. In the example shown in Fig. 12, light is emitted from the road surface light 52 to the illumination range RS, and laser light RL1 and laser light RL2 are emitted from the road surface laser 53.

[0060] 12, when the road surface confirmation function is turned on, the illumination control ECU 11 causes the road surface light 52 to emit light into the illumination range RS, and causes the road surface laser 53 to emit laser light RL1 and laser light RL2. In this case, the illumination range RS of the light from the road surface light 52 overlaps with the laser light RL1 and laser light RL2 emitted from the road surface laser 53, making the area too bright and difficult for the driver to see. Therefore, the illumination control ECU 11 controls the amount of light in the illumination range RS of the road surface light 52 to be reduced so that it is easily visible to the driver.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the road surface confirmation function is activated in the vehicle control system 1, the camera 6 captures an image of the road surface ahead, including the blind spot area, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 7, allowing the occupant to confirm the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100. At this time, the lighting control ECU 11 controls the front lighting device 5 as necessary to illuminate the blind spot area.

[0062] This allows the image of the road surface ahead, including the blind spot area illuminated by the forward lighting device 5, to be captured, thereby obtaining a clear image of the road surface ahead of the vehicle 100. Then, by displaying a clear image on the display unit 7, the occupants of the vehicle 100 can clearly see the road surface ahead of the vehicle, including the blind spot area, even in conditions where brightness is insufficient, such as at night.

[0063] That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, blind spot imaging and display technology is used to reduce power consumption due to forward lighting, while allowing the driver to clearly see the road surface ahead of the vehicle even at night.

[0064] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purposes, configurations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Vehicle control system, 3: In-vehicle network, 4: CGW 5: Front lighting device, 6: Camera, 7: Display unit 11: Lighting control ECU, 21: Imaging control ECU, 31: Display control ECU 31 51: Headlight, 52: Road light, 53: Road laser 91: Front tire, 92: Front bumper, 100: Vehicle 111: CPU, 112: ROM, 113: RAM, 114: I / F

Claims

1. A vehicle front lighting system includes a camera that captures an image of a blind spot for a driver on a road surface ahead of the vehicle, a display device that displays an image captured by the camera, and a control device that controls a front lighting device of the vehicle. the forward lighting device includes a headlight; The control device When an image captured by the camera is displayed on the display device, The illumination range of the forward lighting device is controlled to be lower than a normal illumination range or to be enlarged, thereby changing the range to include the blind spot area. Road surface confirmation device for vehicles.

2. the front lighting device includes a first light emitting device that emits light onto the road surface along a predicted path along which front tires of the vehicle will pass, The control device When an image captured by the camera is displayed on the display device, turning on the first light ray irradiation device; 2. The road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The control device When the headlight and the first light ray irradiation device are turned on simultaneously, reducing the amount of light in an illumination area of ​​the headlight that overlaps with the light beam emitted by the first light beam irradiation device, within the illumination range of the headlight; 3. The road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 2.

4. the front lighting device includes a second light ray projection device that projects a light ray indicating a vehicle width of the vehicle onto the road surface, The control device When an image captured by the camera is displayed on the display device, turning on the second light ray irradiation device; 3. The road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 2.

5. The control device When the headlight and the second light ray irradiation device are turned on simultaneously, reducing the amount of light in an illumination area of ​​the headlight that overlaps with the light beam emitted by the second light beam irradiation device, within the illumination range of the headlight; 5. The road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The control device When the first light emitting device and the second light emitting device are turned on simultaneously, reducing the amount of light from the first light ray irradiation device; 6. The road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 5.

7. A vehicle equipped with the road surface confirmation device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images