Vehicle road surface marking device

Abstract

The patterned light from the road marking device is designed to reduce glare from reflections on icy road surfaces, preventing pedestrians from being blinded. [Solution] The vehicle's road marking device comprises a road marking lamp that emits patterned light and a controller that controls the road marking lamp. The controller determines a plurality of conditions, including a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition, each time the vehicle travels a certain distance Dc. The first condition is that the ambient temperature of the vehicle is below a predetermined temperature Tth (S10). The second condition is that the brightness of the reflected light in the illumination area of ​​the vehicle's headlights is below a predetermined brightness BRth (S12). The third condition is that at least one of ABS, ESC, and TRC has been activated during the most recent vehicle travel of a predetermined distance Dp (S14). When the above plurality of conditions are met, the controller performs glare reduction control, which involves stopping the illumination of at least a portion of the patterned light, reducing the light intensity, or changing the pattern (S16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a road surface drawing device for a vehicle that draws an image on the road surface around the vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it has been proposed to mount a road surface drawing device on a vehicle. The road surface drawing device draws an image on the road surface around the vehicle. For example, the road surface drawing device irradiates pattern light in conjunction with a turn signal lamp to draw an image of a predetermined shape on the road surface.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a road surface drawing device that irradiates pattern light from a vehicle onto the road surface. This road surface drawing device detects a road surface drawing image drawn on the road surface by the irradiated pattern light, and when the detected road surface drawing image is missing or distorted, it changes the position or range on the road surface where the pattern light is irradiated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In winter, frozen road surfaces such as mirror burn or black ice burn (hereinafter referred to as mirror burn, etc.) may appear. On frozen road surfaces such as mirror burn, incident light is likely to be specularly reflected. Therefore, there is a risk that the pattern light of the road surface drawing device is specularly reflected on mirror burn, etc., and the reflected light gives glare to pedestrians, etc.

[0006] This specification discloses a road surface drawing device for a vehicle that can suppress the pattern light of the road surface drawing device from being reflected on a frozen road surface and giving glare to people outside the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle road marking system disclosed herein comprises a road marking lamp that emits patterned light toward the road surface, and a controller that controls the road marking lamp. The controller determines a plurality of conditions, including a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition, each time the vehicle travels a certain distance. The first condition is that the ambient temperature of the vehicle is below a predetermined temperature at which the road surface may freeze. The second condition is that the brightness of the light reflected toward the vehicle from an area illuminated by the vehicle's headlights is below a predetermined brightness. The third condition is that at least one of the following has been activated during the most recent predetermined distance of vehicle travel: anti-lock braking control (ABS) to prevent wheel locking, electronic stability control (ESC) to prevent skidding, and traction control (TRC) to prevent wheelspin. When the plurality of conditions are met, the controller performs glare reduction control, which involves stopping the illumination of at least a portion of the patterned light, reducing the light intensity, or changing the mode of illumination.

[0008] This configuration allows for the detection of icy road surfaces where specular reflection of patterned light is likely to occur, using the first, second, and third conditions. The second condition is used to determine the properties of the road surface based on the brightness of the reflected light in the area illuminated by the headlights (referred to as the headlight illumination area). Specifically, if the brightness of the reflected light in the headlight illumination area is high, the road surface can be determined to be a snowy road or similar surface where diffuse reflection is likely to occur (specular reflection is unlikely). On the other hand, if the brightness of the reflected light in the headlight illumination area is low, the road surface can be determined to be a mirror-like surface where diffuse reflection is unlikely (specular reflection is likely). With the above configuration, when an icy road surface such as a mirror-like surface where specular reflection of light is likely to occur is detected using the first, second, and third conditions, glare reduction control is performed, such as stopping the illumination of the patterned light, thereby suppressing glare felt by people outside the vehicle due to the patterned light reflecting off the icy road surface.

[0009] In the vehicle road surface drawing device of the present disclosure, the controller may, while the glare reduction control is being executed, determine the plurality of conditions each time the vehicle travels a certain distance, and terminate the glare reduction control when at least one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition is no longer met.

[0010] With this configuration, using the first, second, and third conditions, it is possible to detect whether the road surface around the vehicle is not an icy surface where specular reflection of patterned light is likely to occur. Then, the patterned light can be restored to its original form.

[0011] In the vehicle road surface marking device of the present disclosure, the pattern light includes distal light which would be irradiated onto the road surface furthest from the vehicle when the glare reduction control is not performed, and the controller may, in the glare reduction control, stop the irradiation of at least the distal light of the pattern light.

[0012] Compared to a portion of the pattern light shining on the road surface relatively close to the vehicle, a portion of the pattern light shining on the road surface relatively far from the vehicle is specularly reflected at a small angle to the road surface and travels forward, making it more likely that the reflected light will shine on the faces of people outside the vehicle. With the above configuration, in glare reduction control, the irradiation of at least the distal light of the pattern light is stopped, so it is possible to suppress the irradiation of reflected light on people's faces.

[0013] In the vehicle road surface marking device of the present disclosure, the pattern light includes distal light that is irradiated onto the road surface furthest from the vehicle, and the controller may, in the glare reduction control, reduce the amount of at least the distal light of the pattern light compared to when the control is not performed.

[0014] With this configuration, in glare reduction control, the amount of light from at least the distal light of the patterned light is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of reflected light that may be shone on a person's face.

[0015] In the road surface drawing device of the vehicle of the present disclosure, the pattern light includes distal light that is irradiated onto the road surface farthest from the vehicle, and the controller may change the mode of the distal light of the pattern light so that the tip of the distal light of the pattern light on the road surface approaches the vehicle more than when the control is not executed in the glare reduction control.

[0016] According to this configuration, in the glare reduction control, the tip of the distal light of the pattern light on the road surface approaches the vehicle, that is, the pattern light is not irradiated onto the road surface that is relatively far from the vehicle, so that it is possible to suppress the reflected light from irradiating a person's face.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to suppress the pattern light of the road surface drawing device from reflecting on the frozen road surface and causing glare to people outside the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing pattern light irradiated onto a frozen road surface. [Figure 2] It is a plan view illustrating pattern light irradiated onto a road surface. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system mounted on a vehicle. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the controller of the road surface drawing device. [Figure 5] It is a diagram illustrating a plurality of types of pattern light.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to equivalent elements in all the drawings, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the pattern lights 50, 50a irradiated on the frozen road surface 110. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the pattern lights 50, 52 irradiated on the road surface. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system mounted on the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 10 includes a road surface drawing device 32 having a road surface drawing lamp 34.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the road surface drawing lamp 34 irradiates the pattern lights 50, 52 on the road surface around the vehicle 10, thereby drawing an image indicating the behavior of the vehicle 10 on the road surface. The road surface drawing lamp 34 includes a front light source and a rear light source. The front light source of the road surface drawing lamp 34 irradiates the pattern light 50 in front of or obliquely in front of the vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The front light sources of the road surface drawing lamp 34 are provided one each at the right and left ends of the front end of the vehicle 10. The rear light source of the road surface drawing lamp 34 irradiates the pattern light 52 behind or obliquely behind the vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The rear light sources of the road surface drawing lamp 34 are provided one each at the right and left ends of the rear end of the vehicle 10.

[0022] Both the front pattern light 50 and the rear pattern light 52 include a plurality of inverted V-shaped lights arranged in one direction. Note that at least one of the front pattern light 50 and the rear pattern light 52 may include a plurality of rectangular lights arranged in one direction. The form of the pattern lights 50, 52 is not limited.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the road surface drawing device 32 includes a road surface drawing lamp control device 33 and a road surface drawing lamp 34. The road surface drawing lamp control device 33 includes a controller 40. The controller 40 controls the road surface drawing lamp 34.

[0024] The controller 40 is a computer having a processor 41 and a storage device 42. This "computer" also includes a microcontroller that incorporates a computer system into a single integrated circuit. In Figure 3, a single processor 41 and a single storage device 42 are illustrated. However, the controller 40 may include two or more processors 41 or two or more storage devices 42. Furthermore, the controller 40 may be configured by combining multiple physically separated computers.

[0025] Vehicle 10 is equipped with turn signal lamps at the front right and left ends, and at the rear right and left ends. The driver of vehicle 10 operates the turn signal switch when changing lanes or making a turn. The turn signal switch is a rotatable lever. When the turn signal switch is turned to the left and set to ON, the turn signal lamps at the left front and rear ends flash. When the turn signal switch is turned to the right and set to ON, the turn signal lamps at the right front and rear ends flash.

[0026] In response to the driver's operation of the turn signal switch, a turn signal signal Sts is output. The turn signal signal Sts may include a signal indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle 10 and a signal indicating the timing of flashing.

[0027] The controller 40 receives a turn signal signal Sts. The controller 40 uses the turn signal signal Sts to control the road marking lamps 34. Specifically, the controller 40 controls the road marking lamps 34 so that the pattern lights 50 and 52 flash in conjunction with the turn signal lamps. The controller 40 flashes the road marking lamps 34 at the front and rear (or front only) on the left side in conjunction with the flashing of the turn signal lamps at the front and rear on the left side. The controller 40 also flashes the road marking lamps 34 at the front and rear (or front only) on the right side in conjunction with the flashing of the turn signal lamps at the front and rear on the right side. The flashing of the pattern lights 50 and 52 of the road marking lamps 34 has the same period as the flashing of the turn signal lamps.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the patterned lights 50 and 52 have shapes that indicate the direction of the lane change or turn of the vehicle 10. The front patterned light 50 is projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle 10 and in the direction of the lane change or turn (to the right in Figure 2). The rear patterned light 52 is projected onto the road surface behind the vehicle 10 and in the direction of the lane change or turn (to the right in Figure 2).

[0029] Note that the pattern lights 50 and 52 do not need to be illuminated in bright environments (such as sunny daytime). The controller 40 may only illuminate the pattern lights 50 and 52 from the road surface drawing lamps 34 when the light sensor 26 (see Figure 3) detects a relatively dark environment (such as dark daytime, evening, or night).

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle 10 is equipped with an ESC device 20, a TRC device 22, an ABS device 24, a camera 25, a light sensor 26, an outside temperature sensor 28, a vehicle integrated control device 30, and a road surface drawing device 32.

[0031] The ESC device 20 performs Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to suppress skidding of the vehicle 10. When the ESC device 20 detects an unstable state of the vehicle 10 during a turn, it controls the braking force to the wheels and the driving force to the drive wheels to suppress disturbances in the vehicle 10's posture and stabilize the vehicle 10's behavior. Skid suppression control is also called Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

[0032] The TRC device 22 performs traction control (TRC) to suppress wheel slippage of the vehicle 10's wheels. The TRC device 22 controls the driving force to the drive wheels to prevent wheel slippage (where the driving force of the wheels becomes greater than the frictional force between the wheels and the road surface) during starting / acceleration on slippery surfaces, and to ensure driving force appropriate to the road surface conditions.

[0033] The ABS device 24 performs anti-lock braking control to suppress wheel locking of the vehicle 10. ABS stands for Anti-lock Brake System. The ABS device 24 controls the braking force to each wheel during braking of the vehicle 10 to prevent the wheels from locking and skidding if the braking force of the wheels exceeds the frictional force between the wheels and the road surface.

[0034] Camera 25 photographs the area in front of vehicle 10. Camera 25 may be a camera used for, for example, pre-collision safety, automatic high beam, etc. Pre-collision safety is a function that detects preceding vehicles, oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, etc., and emits a warning sound or applies the brakes. Automatic high beam is a function that automatically switches between high beam and low beam. In step S12 of Figure 4, which will be described later, the brightness of the light reflected towards vehicle 10 from the area illuminated by the vehicle 10's headlights (referred to as reflected light) is detected using the image captured by camera 25. This reflected light may be the reflected light from the vehicle 10's headlights. However, this reflected light may be the reflected light from other light sources (for example, streetlights, light from other vehicles, moonlight, sunlight, etc.) in addition to, or instead of, the reflected light from the vehicle 10's headlights.

[0035] The light sensor 26 detects the illuminance outside the vehicle 10. The outside temperature sensor 28 detects the temperature outside the vehicle 10.

[0036] The vehicle integrated control device 30 is a device that controls the entire vehicle. Various control devices and various sensors are electrically connected to the vehicle integrated control device 30. The controller 40 of the road surface drawing device 32 acquires information from each device (ESC device 20, TRC device 22, ABS device 24, camera 25, light sensor 26, and outside temperature sensor 28) via the vehicle integrated control device 30.

[0037] The controller 40 (road surface drawing lamp control device 33) may set control information such as the on / off status, brightness, position adjustment amount, and shape (image shape) of the pattern light, and control the road surface drawing lamp 34 based on that control information.

[0038] The road surface drawing lamp 34 may be a lamp unit that illuminates and projects patterned light onto the road surface. The road surface drawing lamp 34 may include a substrate, a light source, a heat sink, a shade (a light-shielding plate for generating patterned light), a lens, and an actuator (such as a motor for changing the position of the patterned light).

[0039] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the controller 40 of the road surface drawing device 32. In this process, the controller 40 controls the execution and deactivation of glare reduction control. When glare reduction control is not performed, or when glare reduction control is deactivated (step S18 in Figure 4), normal control of the road surface drawing lamp 34 is performed. Normal control is the general control of the road surface drawing lamp 34. In normal control, the controller 40 emits a predetermined pattern of light (see Figure 2) from the road surface drawing lamp 34 based on the turn signal signal Sts. Note that the controller 40 is set to perform normal control when the process in Figure 4 is first executed, or at a point before that.

[0040] The process shown in Figure 4 is executed each time vehicle 10 travels a certain distance Dc. The certain distance Dc is, for example, the range of light from vehicle 10's headlights. The certain distance Dc may be 40m or approximately 40m.

[0041] In step S10, the controller 40 checks whether the value detected by the ambient temperature sensor 28 is below a predetermined temperature Tth. Specifically, the controller 40 checks whether the ambient temperature of the vehicle 10 is below a predetermined temperature Tth at which the road surface may freeze. The predetermined temperature Tth may be 3°C or around that temperature, for example. Step S10 is the determination of the first condition. In step S10, it is determined whether there is a possibility of water on the road surface freezing. If the answer to step S10 is No, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0042] In step S18, the controller 40 cancels (ends) the glare reduction control and performs normal control of the road surface drawing lamp 34. If the glare reduction control is not performed, the controller 40 continues to perform normal control of the road surface drawing lamp 34.

[0043] If step S10 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the controller 40 checks whether the brightness of the light reflected back towards the vehicle 10 from the area illuminated by the vehicle 10's headlights is less than or equal to a predetermined brightness BRth. This is done based on the image captured by the camera 25. Step S12 is the determination of the second condition.

[0044] This second condition is used to determine the properties of the road surface based on the brightness of the light reflected back towards the vehicle 10 from the area illuminated by the vehicle 10's headlights (referred to as the headlight illumination area). Specifically, if the brightness of the reflected light in the headlight illumination area is high, the road surface can be determined to be a snowy road or similar surface where diffuse reflection is likely to occur (specular reflection is unlikely to occur). On the other hand, if the brightness of the reflected light in the headlight illumination area is low, the road surface can be determined to be a mirror-like surface such as ice where diffuse reflection is unlikely to occur (specular reflection is likely to occur).

[0045] If step S12 is No, proceed to step S18. On the other hand, if step S12 is Yes, proceed to step S14.

[0046] In step S14, the controller 40 checks whether at least one of the anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control (TRC) has been activated during the most recent vehicle journey of a predetermined distance Dp. The predetermined distance Dp may, for example, be three times the constant distance Dc which is the cycle of the process in Figure 4. In this case, the controller 40 checks whether the ABS, ECS, and TRC have been activated for each vehicle journey of a constant distance Dc (each cycle of the process in Figure 4), and checks whether the ABS, ECS, and TRC have been activated during the most recent three processes in Figure 4. The predetermined distance Dp may, for example, be 120m or around that distance. Step S14 is a determination of the third condition. If step S14 is No, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0047] If step S14 is Yes, proceed to step S16. In step S16, the controller 40 performs glare reduction control. In glare reduction control, the irradiation of at least a portion of the pattern lights 50, 52 is stopped, the light intensity of at least a portion of the pattern lights 50, 52 is reduced, or the configuration of at least a portion of the pattern lights 50, 52 is changed.

[0048] According to the embodiments described above, the first condition (S10), the second condition (S12), and the third condition (S14) can be used to detect icy road surfaces such as mirror ice where specular reflection of the patterned lights 50 and 52 is likely to occur. When an icy road surface such as mirror ice is detected, glare reduction control is performed, such as stopping the illumination of at least a portion of the patterned lights 50 and 52, thereby suppressing the glare experienced by people outside the vehicle due to the patterned lights 50 and 52 reflecting off the icy road surface.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the controller 40 terminates the glare reduction control (S18) if at least one of the first condition (S10), second condition (S12), and third condition (S14) is no longer met while the glare reduction control is being executed. In other words, according to the embodiments described above, the first condition (S10), second condition (S12), and third condition (S14) can be used to detect whether the road surface around the vehicle 10 is not an icy road surface where specular reflection of the pattern lights 50, 52 is likely to occur. If the glare reduction control is being executed, the glare reduction control can be terminated to return the pattern lights 50, 52 to their original form.

[0050] Figure 5 illustrates several types of patterned light. Figures 5(A) to (D) show patterned light 50a to 50d in glare reduction control. Figure 5(E) shows patterned light 50 in normal control. In the case of normal control (when glare reduction control is not performed), the patterned light 50 includes distal light 60 that is irradiated onto the road surface furthest from the vehicle 10.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5(A), the controller 40 may irradiate the road surface with patterned light 50a in which the distal light 60 is deactivated during glare reduction control. This patterned light 50a is also shown in the lower part of Figure 1. Compared to a portion of the patterned light 50 irradiated onto the road surface relatively close to the vehicle 10, a portion of the patterned light 50 (distal light 60) irradiated onto the road surface relatively far from the vehicle 10 is specularly reflected at a small angle to the road surface and travels forward (see the upper part of Figure 1), making it easier for the reflected light to irradiate the face of a person 100 outside the vehicle. By deactivating the distal light 60 of the patterned light 50 during glare reduction control, it is possible to suppress the irradiation of the reflected light onto the face of a person 100, as shown in the lower part of Figure 1. In addition, the controller 40 may irradiate the road surface with patterned light in which the light adjacent to the distal light 60 (intermediate light) is deactivated during glare reduction control.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(B), the controller 40 may, in glare reduction control, irradiate the road surface with patterned light 50b, which has a reduced light intensity of distal light 60 compared to the case of normal control. With this configuration, since the light intensity of distal light 60 is reduced, the amount of reflected light that may be irradiated onto a person's face can be reduced. Note that in glare reduction control, the controller 40 may reduce the light intensity of light adjacent to the distal light 60 (intermediate light) in addition to the distal light 60, or it may reduce the overall light intensity of the patterned light.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(C), the controller 40 may, in glare reduction control, irradiate the road surface with patterned light 50c whose distal light 60 has been modified so that the tip 62 of the distal light 60 of the patterned light 50c on the road surface is closer to the vehicle 10 compared to the case of normal control. With this configuration, the tip 62 of the distal light 60 of the patterned light 50c on the road surface is closer to the vehicle 10, that is, the patterned light 50c is no longer irradiated onto the road surface which is relatively far from the vehicle 10, thereby suppressing the irradiation of reflected light onto a person's face. Note that in glare reduction control, the controller 40 may also modify the characteristics of the light adjacent to the distal light 60 (intermediate light) in addition to the distal light 60, or it may modify the characteristics of the entire patterned light.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(D), the controller 40 may also stop the irradiation of the entire pattern light in the glare reduction control.

[0055] The road surface marking lamp 34 may be configured to emit and project patterned light onto the road surface, allowing people outside the vehicle to recognize the approach of the vehicle 10 at an early stage. The road surface marking lamp 34 may be provided only at the front of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the road surface marking lamp 34 may be provided on the sides of the vehicle 10 in addition to the front and rear. Glare reduction control may be applied to at least one of the road surface marking lamps 34 at the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle 10.

[0056] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to detect icy road surfaces 110 where specular reflection of patterned lights 50 and 52 is likely to occur using control devices and sensors commonly provided in a vehicle 10. Therefore, it is possible to suppress cost increases due to the installation of new sensors, etc.

[0057] In the embodiments described above, the controller 40 performed glare reduction control in response to the fulfillment of multiple conditions. However, the controller 40 may also check whether the anti-lock braking system (ABS) was activated during the most recent predetermined distance Dp of vehicle travel each time the vehicle travels a certain distance Dc, and perform glare reduction control if it was activated, and perform normal control if it was not. In addition, the controller 40 may also perform glare reduction control if at least one of the first condition (S10) and the second condition (S12) is met, in addition to the ABS condition, and perform normal control otherwise.

[0058] Furthermore, the controller 40 may, each time the vehicle travels a certain distance Dc, check whether or not the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was activated during the most recent predetermined distance Dp of vehicle travel. If it was activated, it may execute glare reduction control; otherwise, it may execute normal control. In addition, the controller 40 may, in addition to the ESC conditions, execute glare reduction control if at least one of the first condition (S10) and the second condition (S12) is met, and otherwise execute normal control.

[0059] Furthermore, the controller 40 may, each time the vehicle travels a certain distance Dc, check whether the traction control (TRC) was activated during the most recent predetermined distance Dp of vehicle travel. If it was activated, it may execute glare reduction control; otherwise, it may execute normal control. In addition, the controller 40 may, in addition to the TRC conditions, execute glare reduction control if at least one of the first condition (S10) and the second condition (S12) is met, and otherwise execute normal control.

[0060] Furthermore, the controller 40 may check whether the first condition (S10) and the second condition (S12) are met each time the vehicle travels a certain distance Dc, and if both the first condition (S10) and the second condition (S12) are met, execute glare reduction control, and if not, execute normal control. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 10 Vehicle, 20 ESC device, 22 TRC device, 24 ABS device, 25 Camera, 26 Light sensor, 28 Outside temperature sensor, 30 Vehicle integrated control device, 32 Road surface marking device, 33 Road surface marking lamp control device, 34 Road surface marking lamp, 40 Controller, 41 Processor, 42 Memory device, 50a~50d, 52 Pattern light, 60 Distance light, 62 Tip, 100 Person, 110 Frozen road surface.

Claims

1. A vehicle road surface marking device, A road surface drawing lamp that projects patterned light onto the road surface, The system includes a controller for controlling the aforementioned road surface drawing lamps, The controller determines a plurality of conditions, including a first condition, a second condition, and a third condition, each time the vehicle travels a certain distance. The first condition is that the ambient temperature of the vehicle is below a predetermined temperature at which the road surface may freeze. The second condition is that the brightness of the light reflected toward the vehicle from the area illuminated by the vehicle's headlights is less than or equal to a predetermined brightness. The third condition is that at least one of the following—anti-lock brake control that suppresses wheel locking of the vehicle, skid suppression control that suppresses skidding of the vehicle, and traction control that suppresses wheel slippage of the vehicle—has been activated during the most recent predetermined distance of vehicle travel. The controller performs glare reduction control, which involves stopping the irradiation of at least a portion of the patterned light, reducing the light intensity, or changing the mode of irradiation, when the plurality of conditions are met. A vehicle-mounted road marking device.

2. A vehicle road surface drawing device according to claim 1, The aforementioned controller, During the execution of the glare reduction control, each time the vehicle travels a certain distance, the plurality of conditions are determined. The glare reduction control is terminated when at least one of the first, second, and third conditions is no longer met. A vehicle-mounted road marking device.

3. A vehicle road surface drawing device according to claim 1 or 2, The patterned light includes distal light that would be irradiated onto the road surface furthest from the vehicle if the glare reduction control were not performed. The controller, in the glare reduction control, stops the irradiation of at least the distal light of the pattern light. A vehicle-mounted road marking device.

4. A vehicle road surface drawing device according to claim 1 or 2, The pattern light includes distal light that is irradiated onto the road surface furthest from the vehicle. The controller, in the glare reduction control, reduces the amount of at least the distal light of the pattern light compared to when the control is not performed. A vehicle-mounted road marking device.

5. A vehicle road surface drawing device according to claim 1 or 2, The pattern light includes distal light that is irradiated onto the road surface furthest from the vehicle. The controller modifies the pattern of the distal light of the pattern light in the glare reduction control such that the leading edge of the distal light of the pattern light on the road surface is closer to the vehicle compared to when the control is not performed. A vehicle-mounted road marking device.

Images