Vehicle headlights

Abstract

To provide a vehicular headlight that can inform a preceding vehicular or a vehicle approaching from the rear side of an overtaking lane, of a lane change of an own vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicular headlight comprises a light distribution variable type headlight unit for projecting a headlight distribution pattern, a peripheral detection unit for imaging the periphery of a vehicle, and a light distribution variable control part for adjusting the irradiation region and irradiation light quantity of the light distribution variable type headlight unit respectively. At least a part of the light distribution variable type headlight unit comprises a partial irradiation region for partially irradiating a lane road surface of a lane change destination of the own vehicle equipped with the light distribution variable type headlight unit in conjunction with lighting of a turn signal lamp, in at least a portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp that can notify a preceding vehicle or a vehicle approaching from behind in the overtaking lane that the vehicle is changing lanes. [Background technology]

[0002] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1 disclose a vehicle headlamp that uses a scanning mechanism to perform predetermined on / off control of white light while scanning the area in front of the vehicle at high speed to display a white light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape.

[0003] Moreover, in

[0019] , FIGS. 3 and 4 of Patent Document 2, a laser display device is disclosed that is provided separately from a lamp unit (headlamp unit) for illumination within a lamp housing.

[0004] The laser display device of Patent Document 2 notifies the driver of the vehicle in advance by displaying a support image in the space ahead of the vehicle that indicates that the road ahead of the vehicle is curved or that there is an intersection, based on the image capture results of the image capture camera CAM (see

[0023] and

[0024] of Patent Document 2). Furthermore, when the laser display device of Patent Document 2 detects the presence of a pedestrian or the like in the direction of the support image, it stops displaying the support image in advance to prevent the pedestrian or the like from being irradiated with laser light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-130398 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-156080 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 illuminates the front of the vehicle with a headlamp light distribution pattern, but the headlamp light distribution pattern does not inform other vehicles traveling around the vehicle of a specific lane change direction. In addition, the laser display device of Patent Document 2 can provide driving assistance to the driver of the vehicle with an assistance image, but the assistance image cannot inform a preceding vehicle or other vehicles traveling in the overtaking lane behind the vehicle of the lane change direction of the vehicle. In addition, the laser display device of Patent Document 2 is provided separately from the lamp unit for illumination, which causes a problem in that the vehicle headlamp becomes large.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present application provides a compact vehicle headlamp that can inform a preceding vehicle and other vehicles traveling in the overtaking lane behind the vehicle of the vehicle's lane change destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In a vehicle headlamp equipped with a variable light distribution headlamp unit that irradiates a headlamp light distribution pattern, a surroundings detection unit that images the surroundings of the vehicle, and a variable light distribution control unit that adjusts the illumination area and illumination amount of the variable light distribution headlamp unit, the variable light distribution headlamp unit has at least a partial illumination area that is linked to the lighting of a turn signal lamp and provides partial illumination of the lane road surface ahead of the lane change of the vehicle equipped with the variable light distribution headlamp unit.

[0009] (Function) When changing lanes, the variable light distribution headlamp unit irradiates the road surface of the lane ahead with partial illumination light from the partial illumination area in conjunction with the illumination of the turn signal lamp.

[0010] Furthermore, in a vehicle headlamp, it is desirable that the variable light distribution headlamp unit, when irradiating a headlamp light distribution pattern, make the irradiation intensity onto the partial irradiation area stronger than the irradiation intensity onto other areas of the headlamp light distribution pattern.

[0011] (Operation) When the headlight light distribution pattern is irradiated by the variable light distribution headlight unit, the lane change indication is displayed inside the headlight light distribution pattern and brighter than the headlight light distribution pattern.

[0012] In the vehicle headlamp, it is preferable that the partial illumination light in the partial illumination region is a blinking light.

[0013] (Operation) Due to the partial illumination light from the partial illumination area of ​​the variable light distribution headlamp unit, the lane change sign displayed on the road ahead of the vehicle's lane change is displayed as a flashing light.

[0014] In the vehicle headlamp, it is preferable that when the periphery detection unit detects a preceding vehicle or a rearward traveling vehicle, the variable light distribution headlamp unit performs partial illumination using the partial illumination area.

[0015] (Function) The lane change indication based on the partial illumination area of ​​the variable light distribution headlamp unit is displayed only when a vehicle traveling ahead or behind is detected.

[0016] In a vehicle headlamp, it is preferable that the variable light distribution headlamp unit performs partial illumination with the partial illumination region up to an edge of a road divider where the host vehicle is about to change lanes.

[0017] (Function) The lane change indication by the partial illumination area of ​​the variable light distribution headlamp unit is displayed up to the edge of the road divider where the vehicle is about to change lanes.

[0018] Furthermore, in a vehicle headlamp, when the periphery detection unit detects a preceding vehicle, it is desirable for the variable light distribution headlamp unit to perform partial illumination using the partial illumination area from the lane-changing side end of the preceding vehicle in the lane-changing direction.

[0019] (Function) The variable light distribution headlamp unit displays a lane change indication in the direction of the lane change from the detected end of the preceding vehicle on the lane change side (for example, when changing lanes to the right lane, the end of the right door mirror of the preceding vehicle).

[0020] Furthermore, in a vehicle headlamp, when the peripheral detection unit detects a reflective object within the partial illumination area, it is desirable that the variable light distribution headlamp unit make the illumination intensity of the light irradiated to the detected reflective object stronger than the light irradiated to other areas within the partial illumination area.

[0021] (Function) The lane change indicator displayed within the partial illumination area of ​​the variable light distribution headlamp unit illuminates the detection area of ​​the reflective object more strongly than other areas, generating strong reflected light.

[0022] It is also desirable for the vehicle headlamp to have a rainfall sensor that detects rainfall, and when the rainfall sensor detects rainfall, the surrounding detection unit detects a white line on the road surface, which is a reflective object, and the variable light distribution headlamp unit makes the illumination intensity of light irradiated onto the detected white line stronger than the light irradiated onto other areas within the partial illumination area.

[0023] (Operation) When it is raining, the lane change indication displayed within the partial illumination area of ​​the variable light distribution headlamp unit illuminates the detection area of ​​the white lines more strongly than other areas, generating strong reflected light.

[0024] In the vehicle headlamp, it is preferable that the variable light distribution headlamp unit irradiates partial illumination light from the partial illumination region to a side of a display range of a headlamp light distribution pattern.

[0025] (Operation) Outside the headlamp light distribution pattern, on either the left or right side, a lane change indication is displayed by the variable light distribution headlamp unit. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the vehicle headlamp, the partial illumination light from the variable light distribution headlamp unit that forms a light distribution pattern illuminates the road surface ahead of the vehicle when changing lanes, thereby making it possible to inform the driver of the preceding vehicle and the driver of another vehicle traveling in the overtaking lane behind the vehicle of the lane ahead of the vehicle of the lane change destination of the vehicle. In addition, since the variable light distribution headlamp unit that displays the light distribution pattern for the headlamp also serves as a lane change indicator, there is no need to secure a separate space for the lane change indicator within the lamp chamber of the vehicle headlamp, and the vehicle headlamp can be made smaller.

[0027] With the vehicle headlamp, a lane change indicator light brighter than the headlamp light distribution pattern is emitted inside the headlamp light distribution pattern that illuminates the road surface ahead of the lane change, thereby notifying the driver of a preceding vehicle or another vehicle traveling in the overtaking lane behind the vehicle that the vehicle will be changing lanes onto the road surface illuminated by the lane change indicator light.

[0028] With vehicle headlights, similar to a flashing turn signal lamp, the partial illumination light of the variable light distribution headlight unit can be used to flash the lane change indication displayed in the lane ahead of the vehicle, making it easier for drivers of the preceding vehicle and other vehicles traveling in the overtaking lane behind the vehicle to know that the light illuminated in the lane ahead by the partial illumination light of the variable light distribution headlight unit is an indication informing drivers of the lane ahead.

[0029] According to the vehicle headlamp, when a preceding vehicle or a rear vehicle that should notify the driver of a lane change destination is not detected, it is possible to prevent the variable light distribution headlamp unit from producing unnecessary lane change indications.

[0030] With vehicle headlights, the lane change indication using the partial illumination area of ​​the variable light distribution headlight unit is displayed up to the edge of the road divider, such as the shoulder or median strip, so that the light of the lane change indication causes reflective elements (such as reflectors or white lines) installed in the road divider to light up, making it possible for the driver of the preceding vehicle and the driver of another vehicle traveling in the overtaking lane behind the vehicle to be more aware of the lane change destination of the vehicle.

[0031] With vehicle headlights, the lane change indication is displayed in the lane change direction from the lane change side end of the preceding vehicle (for example, the end of the right door mirror of the preceding vehicle when changing lanes to the right lane), so that the lane change indication is illuminated avoiding the preceding vehicle, and therefore no glare is caused to the driver of the preceding vehicle.

[0032] With the vehicle headlamp, when a lane change indication is generated by the variable light distribution headlamp unit, the reflective object detected within the illumination area of ​​the lane change indication is illuminated more brightly, making it possible for the driver of the vehicle ahead of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle traveling behind the vehicle to be more clearly aware of the lane change destination of the vehicle.

[0033] With vehicle headlights, when it is raining and light reflected off the road surface is difficult to see, the lane change indication by the variable light distribution headlight unit makes the white lines detected within the illumination area of ​​the lane change indication shine more brightly, allowing the drivers of vehicles ahead of and behind the vehicle to be more aware of the lane change destination of the vehicle.

[0034] With the vehicle headlamp, the lane change indication by the variable light distribution headlamp unit is displayed separately outside the light distribution pattern, thereby making it possible for the drivers of vehicles traveling ahead and behind the vehicle to be more aware of the lane change destination of the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle headlamp system including a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1A is a perspective view showing a scanning mechanism of a variable light distribution headlamp unit of a vehicle headlamp, as viewed from approximately the front, and FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A is an explanatory diagram of a light distribution pattern forming means using a scanning mechanism, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of each light distribution pattern formed by a vehicle headlamp. [Figure 4]1 is an explanatory diagram of a lane change indication using partial illumination light emitted by a variable light distribution headlamp unit onto the road surface of the lane ahead of the lane change. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a lane change indication using partial illumination light emitted by a variable light distribution headlamp unit onto the road surface of the lane ahead when changing lanes, as viewed from above the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle headlamp of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. In each drawing, the directions of the vehicle headlamp will be described as (upper: lower: left: right: front: rear = Up: Lo: Le: Ri: Fr: Re).

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle headlamp system HLS1 equipped with a pair of left and right vehicle headlamps (1L, 1R) according to the present invention, a pair of left and right turn signal lamps (2L, 2R), a vehicle CPU 3, and a rainfall sensor 14, and mounted on a vehicle C1 (see Fig. 5). The left vehicle headlamp 1L is equipped with a left headlamp unit 4L, a left headlamp CPU 6L, and an on-board camera 5 as a surrounding detection unit inside a lamp body 1LB and a translucent front cover 1LC, while the right vehicle headlamp 1R is equipped with a right headlamp unit 4R and a right headlamp CPU 6R inside a lamp body 1RB and a translucent front cover 1RC. The left headlamp unit 4L has a common configuration with the right headlamp unit 4R. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 may be installed within the right headlamp unit 4R, or may be installed outside the lamp body (1LB, 1RB) and the front cover (1LC, 1RC) together with the rain sensor 14 at any location on the body of the vehicle C1 shown in Figure 5.

[0038] The turn signal lamps (2L, 2R), the vehicle-mounted camera 5, and the rainfall sensor 14 are controlled in operation by the vehicle CPU 3, which is connected via a signal cable 7. The headlight units (4L, 4R) are connected to the vehicle CPU 3 via headlight CPUs (6L, 6R), respectively, which control the headlight units (4L, 4R) to turn on and off in a predetermined manner based on a control signal from the vehicle CPU 3. The vehicle CPU 3 analyzes the image capture results of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 to detect other vehicles and objects on the road, and further detects rainfall by the rainfall sensor 14, and causes the headlight units (4L, 4R) to turn on and off in a predetermined manner based on these detection results.

[0039] FIG. 2(a) shows a scanning mechanism 8. The scanning mechanism 8 is a scanning device having a reflecting mirror that can tilt in two axial directions. The scanning mechanism 8 has a base 16 that rotatably supports a first rotating body 17 via a pair of first torsion bars 19, and a second rotating body 18 that is rotatably supported by the first rotating body 17 via a pair of second torsion bars 20. A pair of permanent magnets 21 and 22 are provided on the base 16 in the direction in which the first and second torsion bars (19, 20) extend. The first and second rotating bodies (18, 19) are provided with first and second coils (not shown) that are energized via terminal portions 23, respectively, and the first and second coils are independently controlled by the headlamp CPUs (6L, 6R) shown in FIG. 1 for energization.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the first rotating body 17 reciprocates around the axis of the first torsion bar 19 based on whether the first coil (not shown) is energized or not, and the second rotating body 18 reciprocates around the axis of the second torsion bar 20 based on whether the second coil (not shown) is energized or not. The reflecting surface 24 reciprocates around the axis of the second torsion bar 20 based on whether the second coil (not shown) is energized or not. The reflecting surface 24 reciprocates around the axis of the second torsion bar 20 based on whether the first or second coil (not shown) is energized, and reflects light from the LED light source 9 (which may be a laser light source) and scans it up, down, left and right. The light that passes through the phosphor 12 passes through the projection lens 11 and the front cover (1LC, 1RC) shown in FIG. 1, and displays a white light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape based on the scanning in front of the vehicle. The headlamp unit (4L, 4R) may be provided with an LED array capable of displaying a light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape by turning on and off a large number of LEDs arranged in place of the scanning mechanism 8.

[0041] Fig. 2(b) shows the configuration of the headlamp unit (4L, 4R) shown in Fig. 1. The headlamp unit (4L, 4R) has a scanning mechanism 8, an LED light source 9, a projection lens 11, a phosphor 12, and a condenser lens 13, which is an optical system, all of which are attached to a support member 10. Light L1 emitted from the LED light source 9 fixed to a base 10a is condensed by the condenser lens 13 and enters a reflecting surface 24. The light L1 reflected by the reflecting surface 24 passes through the projection lens 11 and the front cover (1LC, 1RC) of Fig. 1, and displays a white light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape based on the scanning and a lane change display, which will be described later, in front of the host vehicle C1 shown in Fig. 5.

[0042] A method for forming a light distribution pattern displayed in front of the vehicle by scanning performed by the headlight units (4L, 4R) will be described with reference to FIG. 3(a). Reference S1 indicates the trajectory of a scanning line by the scanning mechanism 8. In a rectangular scanning area (reference Sc1) in front of the vehicle, the scanning mechanism 8 in FIG. 3(a) performs scanning from the left end S11 to the right end S12 by tilting the reflecting surface 24 shown in FIG. 2(a)(b), then tilts the reflecting surface 24 diagonally downward to the left toward the next left end S13, which is shifted downward from the left end S11 by a small distance d1, and scans again to the right end S14, repeatedly performing this process at high speed. The LED light source 9 is turned on and off under the control of the headlight CPU (6L, 6R). Specifically, the LED light source 9 is turned on in the section from P2 to P3 where the light distribution pattern La is displayed, to display a line image extending to the left and right, and is turned off in the section from P1 to P2 and the section from P3 to P4 where the light distribution pattern is not displayed. The scanning mechanism 8 repeatedly performs scanning with a predetermined on / off state in the left / right direction at high speed while shifting downward by a small distance d1 at a time, and displays a white light distribution pattern La of a predetermined shape in front of the vehicle by stacking line images one above the other.

[0043] FIG. 3(b) shows various light distribution patterns displayed in front of the vehicle by the vehicle headlights (1L, 1R). Symbol LB indicates a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line Cf and displayed in an area surrounded by a solid line connecting symbols Pt1, Pt2, Pt3, and Pt4. Symbol HB indicates a high beam light distribution pattern displayed in an area surrounded by a solid line and a two-dot chain line connecting symbols Pt1, Pt2, Pt5, and Pt6. Symbol AB indicates a variable type light distribution pattern formed by turning off symbol Sh area surrounded by a three-dot chain line within the lighting area of ​​the high beam light distribution pattern HB.

[0044] The variable light distribution pattern AB in Fig. 3(b) is a light distribution pattern formed without illuminating the preceding vehicle C2 captured and detected by the in-vehicle camera 5 in Fig. 1 in order to reduce glare for the driver of the preceding vehicle C2. Thus, in the vehicle headlights (1L, 1R) of this embodiment, the vehicle CP3 determines whether or not to illuminate a predetermined target in an imageable area and the intensity of illumination based on the imaging result of the in-vehicle camera 5, and controls the illumination of light by the variable light distribution headlight units (4L, 4R) via the headlight CPUs (6L, 6R), thereby displaying a variable light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape.

[0045] The lane change indication SH formed by the vehicle headlights (1L, 1R) will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The symbol SL indicates the driving lane in which the vehicle C1 is driving, the symbol PL indicates the overtaking lane, and the symbol CB indicates the center median strip (which may be a road shoulder where people can pass) that is a road divider. When the driver of the vehicle C1 turns on the right turn signal switch (not shown) to overtake the preceding vehicle C2, the vehicle CPU3 in Fig. 1 controls the right vehicle headlight 1R in conjunction with the lighting of the right turn signal lamp 2R, and displays the lane change indication SH consisting of partial illumination light using a part of the entire illumination area on the overtaking lane PL, which is the lane change destination. When the vehicle C1 returns from the overtaking lane PL to the driving lane SL, the vehicle CPU3 controls the left vehicle headlight 1L in conjunction with the lighting of the left turn signal lamp 2L, and displays the lane change indication SH consisting of partial illumination light using a part of the entire illumination area on the driving lane SL, which is the lane change destination.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 4, the light for forming the lane change indication SH is preferably irradiated to the area surrounded by the two-dot chain line connecting the symbols Pt7, Pt8, Pt9, Pt10, and Pt11. Specifically, the display light for the lane change indication SH is preferably irradiated from the right door mirror MR1 (the right lane change side end) of the preceding vehicle C2, which is imaged and detected by the on-board camera 5 in Fig. 1, to the right direction, which is the lane change direction (to the right of the vertical line segment Lt1 connecting the symbols Pt7 and Pt8). By doing so, the lane change indication SH is not directly irradiated to the preceding vehicle C2 and its driver, so that the driver of the preceding vehicle C2 is not dazzled.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable that the lane change indication SH is displayed so as to include the lane divider SB to the center divider CB in the overtaking lane PL. By displaying the lane change indication SH to the full width of the overtaking lane PL in this way, the driver of the preceding vehicle C2 or another vehicle C3 on the overtaking lane PL approaching from behind the vehicle C1 can easily recognize the lane change indication SH. When the display light of the lane change indication SH is irradiated onto the center divider CB, it is reflected by the reflector Rf1 installed on the center divider CB and causes the reflector Rf1 to shine, so that the drivers of the preceding vehicle C2 and the other vehicle C3 can easily recognize the lane change of the vehicle C1 by looking at the lane change indication SH including the reflected light.

[0048] In addition, in general, the light distribution pattern displayed by the vehicle headlights on a wet road surface in rainy weather is displayed darker than in sunny weather. The lane divider SB shines white when light is irradiated due to the reflective components contained in the white lines that form the lane divider SB, so in rainy weather it is desirable to display the lane change indicators SH so as to include the lane divider SB. By doing so, the drivers of the preceding vehicle C2 and the other vehicle C3 on the overtaking lane PL approaching from behind the vehicle C1 can easily recognize the lane change of the vehicle C1 because the white lines are shining, even if the lane change indicators SH on the road surface are harder to see than in sunny weather.

[0049] The lane change indicators SH may be constantly lit, but it is more preferable to make them flashing lights. By making the lane change indicators SH displayed on the overtaking lane PL flashing, the drivers of the preceding vehicle C2 and the other vehicle C3 in the overtaking lane PL approaching from behind the vehicle C1 can easily recognize that the lane change indicators SH illuminated on the overtaking lane PL are not simply part of the forward lighting provided by the headlights (1L, 1R) of the vehicle C1, but are a lane change notification linked to the flashing turn signal lamp 2R.

[0050] In particular, lane change indications displayed by partial illumination of vehicle headlights tend to be dim and difficult to see when displayed on the road surface during the day or in the dim light of twilight. Therefore, by using a variable flashing light rather than a constant light, lane change indications are easier for drivers of other vehicles to notice.

[0051] 4 and 5, when the vehicle C1 is traveling at night, the lane change indication SH is displayed simultaneously with a headlight light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape (a low beam light distribution pattern LB is shown as an example) and in a manner in which a part of the lane change indication SH overlaps with the headlight light distribution pattern LB. In this case, it is preferable that the light for displaying the lane change indication SH is irradiated with a stronger irradiation intensity than the light for forming the low beam light distribution pattern LB in the overlapping area CA with the low beam light distribution pattern LB and other areas of the lane change indication SH. If the lane change indication SH is displayed with a part of the low beam light distribution pattern LB overlapping with the low beam light distribution pattern LB and with the same brightness as the low beam light distribution pattern LB, the driver of the other vehicle may mistakenly recognize the lane change indication SH as simply a part of the forward lighting (light distribution pattern) and may not be able to recognize that it is a lane change indication. The lane change indication SH is displayed brighter than the low beam light distribution pattern LB while including an overlapping area CA with the low beam light distribution pattern LB, so that drivers of other vehicles can easily recognize the lane change indication SH as something different from the low beam light distribution pattern LB.

[0052] In addition, when the lane change display SH is made to blink during night driving, it is desirable that the low beam light distribution pattern LB and the overlapping area CA of the lane change display SH are also made to blink. If the lane change display SH shown in FIG. 5 is made to be always on with the low beam light distribution pattern LB being given priority and the overlapping area CA is made to be always on, the driver of the other vehicle C3 proceeding in the overtaking lane PL from behind the vehicle C1 will find it difficult to recognize the lane change display SH as a lane change notification of the vehicle C1, since the lane change display SH includes a mixture of blinking areas and always-on areas. In addition, since most of the blinking areas of the lane change display SH are displayed at a position far from the vehicle C1, the driver of the other vehicle C3 will find it difficult to recognize that the blinking display of the lane change display SH is linked to the blinking display of the turn signal lamp 2R. If the overlapping area CA is made to blink when displaying the lane change display SH during night driving, the above problem can be solved.

[0053] Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the lane change indication SH by the vehicle headlights (1L, 1R) may be displayed only when the preceding vehicle C2 is detected by the vehicle-mounted camera 5, or when another vehicle C3 behind is detected by the rear vehicle-mounted camera 25 connected to the vehicle CPU 3 in Fig. 1. When there is no preceding vehicle C2 or another vehicle C3 around the vehicle C1, there is no driver of another vehicle to be notified of the lane change of the vehicle C1. Therefore, by only displaying the turn signal lamp 2R and not displaying the lane change indication SH, wasteful power consumption can be eliminated.

[0054] 4 and 5, when the vehicle-mounted camera 5 detects a reflector Rf1 or a reflective white line on the road (a lane divider SB or a speed limit indicator SS1) in the display area of ​​the lane change indicator SH, the vehicle headlights (1L, 1R) desirably irradiate the reflected object detected in the lane change indicator SH with light having a stronger irradiation intensity than the light irradiated in other areas in the lane change indicator SH, and desirably, the light irradiated to the detected reflected object is irradiated so as to follow the reflected object as the vehicle C1 travels. In this case, the reflected object present in the display area of ​​the lane change indicator SH shines brighter than other areas in the lane change indicator SH, so that the driver of the preceding vehicle C2 and the driver of the other vehicle C3 approaching from behind the vehicle C1 can more clearly recognize the lane change destination of the vehicle C1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the light of the lane change display SH is not only projected inside the display area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern LB, but also projected to the right side or below the display range. In this way, the rear end SH1 of the lane change display SH displayed on the overtaking lane PL is formed closer to the vehicle C1 and the other vehicle C3 as shown in FIG. 5, so that the driver of the other vehicle C3 can see it more easily. Furthermore, it is preferable that the lane change display SH is displayed on the overtaking lane PL so that the front end SH2 is formed forward of the front end C21 of the preceding vehicle C2. In this case, the driver of the preceding vehicle C2 can check the lane change notification of the vehicle C1 by checking the lane change display SH displayed diagonally forward to the right without taking his / her eyes off the front, i.e., without turning his / her head sideways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1L, 1R Vehicle headlights 2L, 2R turn signal lamps 4L, 4R Variable light distribution headlamp unit 5. In-vehicle camera (periphery detection unit) 6L, 6R Headlight CPU (variable light distribution control unit) 14 Rainfall sensor

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp including a variable light distribution headlamp unit that irradiates a headlamp light distribution pattern, a surroundings detection unit that images the surroundings of the vehicle, and a variable light distribution control unit that adjusts an illumination area and an illumination amount of the variable light distribution headlamp unit, The variable light distribution headlamp unit is linked to turning on a turn signal lamp, The headlamp unit has at least a partial illumination area for partially illuminating a road surface of a lane ahead of a lane change of a vehicle equipped with the headlamp unit, The vehicle headlamp, characterized in that, when illuminating a headlamp light distribution pattern, the variable light distribution type headlamp unit makes the illumination intensity on the partial illumination area stronger than the illumination intensity on other areas of the headlamp light distribution pattern.

2. A vehicle headlamp including a variable light distribution headlamp unit that irradiates a headlamp light distribution pattern, a surroundings detection unit that images the surroundings of the vehicle, and a variable light distribution control unit that adjusts an illumination area and an illumination amount of the variable light distribution headlamp unit, The variable light distribution headlamp unit is linked to turning on a turn signal lamp, The headlamp unit has at least a partial illumination area for partially illuminating a road surface of a lane ahead of a lane change of a vehicle equipped with the headlamp unit, The vehicle headlamp, wherein the variable light distribution type headlamp unit performs partial illumination with the partial illumination area up to an edge of a road divider where the vehicle is about to change lanes.

3. 3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the partial illumination light in the partial illumination region is a blinking light.

4. 3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the variable light distribution headlamp unit performs partial illumination using the partial illumination area when the periphery detection unit detects a preceding vehicle or a rearward traveling vehicle.

5. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the surrounding detection unit detects a preceding vehicle, the variable light distribution headlamp unit provides partial illumination using the partial illumination area from the lane-changing side end of the preceding vehicle in the lane-changing direction.

6. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the peripheral detection unit detects a reflective object within the partial illumination area, the variable light distribution headlamp unit makes the illumination intensity of light irradiated to the detected reflective object stronger than the light irradiated to other areas within the partial illumination area.

7. A rainfall sensor for detecting rainfall, When the rain sensor detects rainfall, the surrounding detection unit detects a white line on a road surface, which is a reflective object; 3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the variable light distribution headlamp unit adjusts the illumination intensity of the light irradiated onto the detected white line to be stronger than the illumination intensity of the light irradiated onto other areas within the partial illumination area.

8. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the variable light distribution headlamp unit irradiates partial illumination light from the partial illumination area to the side of the display range of the headlamp light distribution pattern.

Images