Light distribution control device

Abstract

To ease the feeling of oppression of drivers of an own vehicle and an oncoming vehicle, and achieve safety traveling, even in a situation where the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle should pass each other, on a two-way traffic road without a center line.SOLUTION: A light distribution control device includes illumination parts 10 which are provided at both ends on a front side of an own vehicle (MV) and irradiate a road surface of a two-way traffic road without a center line with projection light (DL), and a lighting control part 20 for controlling lighting of the projection light (DL) emitted from the illumination parts 10, wherein the lighting control part 20 emits the projection light (DL) toward the central part of the road in front of the own vehicle (MV) in a case where a distance between the own vehicle (MV) and an oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance, and switches the projection light (DL) emitted toward the central part of the road in front of the own vehicle (MV) toward a road shoulder of the road in a case where the distance between the own vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a second predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light distribution control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in unfavorable driving environments, such as at night or in rainy weather, when a driver is forced to pass an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road that allows two-way traffic, the driver must drive more tensely and carefully than during normal driving, making frequent use of the steering and braking, due to evasive actions such as contact between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, contact between the vehicle and a structure such as a utility pole on the shoulder of the road, or skidding to avoid contact with the oncoming vehicle or structure.

[0003] For the purpose of assisting a vehicle in driving in unfavorable driving environments such as those described above, a driving assistance technology is known that improves driver visibility by displaying lane marks or the like on the road surface through additional illumination depending on road conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-225619 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 simply displays lane marks, and it is difficult to say that it provides sufficient concrete measures to ease the tension of both the drivers of the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle in a situation where the vehicle is forced to pass an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road that does not originally have a center line and allows two-way traffic.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a light distribution control device that reduces tension for the drivers of both the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle and ensures safe driving, even in situations where the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle are forced to pass each other on a road where two-way traffic is allowed and there is no center line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a light distribution control device that includes an illumination unit that is provided at both front end portions of a vehicle and that irradiates projection light onto the road surface of a road that does not have a center line and allows two-way traffic, and an illumination control unit that controls the illumination of the projection light irradiated from the illumination unit, wherein the illumination control unit performs light distribution control to irradiate the projection light toward the center of the road in front of the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a first predetermined distance, and to switch the projection light that has been irradiated toward the center of the road in front of the vehicle to be directed toward the shoulder of the road when the distance between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle is within a second predetermined distance.

[0008] Form 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a light distribution control device that includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the driving environment including the oncoming vehicle and road conditions, and the lighting control unit acquires information including the road width, the positional relationship between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, and the distance to the shoulder of the road from the image captured by the imaging unit, and performs the light distribution control based on the acquired information.

[0009] Mode 3: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a light distribution control device, wherein the lighting unit is a fog lamp.

[0010] Mode 4: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a light distribution control device, wherein the color of the projected light is white or yellow.

[0011] Form 5: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a light distribution control device characterized in that, when the distance between the host vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a first predetermined distance and the projection light projected toward the center of the road in front of the host vehicle intersects with the oncoming vehicle, the lighting control unit switches the irradiation position of the projection light from the center of the road to the shoulder of the road.

[0012] Form 6: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a light distribution control device characterized in that, when the lighting control unit detects from image information from the imaging unit that the roadway includes a curve, it controls the lighting unit not to illuminate the portion of the curve where the projected light extends beyond the center line of the road. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, even in a situation where a vehicle and an oncoming vehicle are forced to pass each other on a road where there is no center line and two-way traffic is permitted, it is possible to reduce the tension felt by the drivers of both the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle and ensure safe driving. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a light distribution control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a processing flow of the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating road conditions and an approaching distance between a vehicle and an oncoming vehicle in a light distribution control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram illustrating light distribution control in the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the distance between the subject vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a first predetermined distance. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating light distribution control when the distance between the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a second predetermined distance in the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a light distribution control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a processing flow of a light distribution control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where a light distribution intersects with an oncoming vehicle in a light distribution control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating light distribution control when a light distribution intersects with an oncoming vehicle in a light distribution control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a light distribution control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a process flow of a light distribution control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating light distribution control when the road shape has a curve, in a light distribution control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating light distribution control when the road shape has a curve, in a light distribution control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of light distribution patterns when illuminating a road shoulder in a light distribution control device according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] First Embodiment A light distribution control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0017] <Configuration of light distribution control device 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the light distribution control device 1 according to this embodiment includes an illumination unit 10, a lighting control unit 20, an imaging unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0018] The lighting units 10 are provided at both front end portions of the host vehicle (MV), and as shown in Figure 3, project vertically elongated projected light (DL) onto the road surface of a road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling and which allows two-way traffic and does not have a center line, as a pseudo center line that can be seen by the drivers of both the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV). Here, the irradiation distance of the projection light (DL) can be exemplified as a range of 30 m starting from a point 10 m ahead from the host vehicle (MV). The lighting unit 10 is made up of, for example, a plurality of LEDs arranged in a straight line, and the direction of the arrangement of the plurality of LEDs on the front right end side of the vehicle (MV) is perpendicular to the road surface, and the entire unit is arranged facing slightly to the right so as to illuminate the center line direction. The arrangement direction of the multiple LEDs on the front left edge of the host vehicle (MV) is perpendicular to the road surface and is arranged facing slightly to the right so as to illuminate the shoulder of the road. If fog lamps are provided, the lighting unit 10 may be substituted by the fog lamps without using a new lighting device. Furthermore, when adding the lighting unit 10, the specific mounting location of the lighting unit 10 may be, for example, near the front combination lamp, or, if fog lamps are installed separately, near the fog lamps. Furthermore, the light emitted by the LEDs that make up the illumination unit 10 is preferably white or yellow.

[0019] The lighting control unit 20 controls the lighting state of the illumination unit 10 . Specifically, the lighting control unit 20 extracts road shape information including the road width, the presence or absence of a center line, and the presence or absence of a curve from image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30 described below. In addition, the lighting control unit 20 extracts information on the presence or absence of an oncoming vehicle (OV), distance information between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV), relative speed information between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV), etc. from image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30 described later. Then, when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance, the lighting control unit 20 irradiates the projection light (DL) toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV), as shown in Figure 4. On the other hand, when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a second predetermined distance, light distribution control is performed to switch the projected light (DL) that was irradiated toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) to be directed toward the shoulder of the road, as shown in Figure 5. Here, the "first specified distance" can be, for example, the distance from the legal speed limit on a road without a center line that allows two-way traffic at which an oncoming vehicle (OV) can recognize the projected light (DL) from the lighting unit 10, or the distance at which the driver of the vehicle (MV) recognizes the presence of an oncoming vehicle (OV) as an object to be passed. Furthermore, the "second specified distance" can be exemplified as the distance at which an oncoming vehicle (OV) feels dazzled by the projected light (DL) from the lighting unit 10 at the legal speed limit on a road where two-way traffic is permitted and there is no center line.

[0020] The imaging unit 30 is, for example, a video camera or other moving image capturing device, and captures image information of the area ahead of the host vehicle (MV) while it is traveling. The imaging unit 30 may be a dedicated moving image capturing device, or may be an already equipped device such as a drive recorder. The moving image information acquired by the imaging unit 30 is output to the lighting control unit 20.

[0021] The control unit 40 includes the lighting control unit 20, and controls the entire light distribution control device 1 based on a control program stored in a read only memory (ROM) or the like (not shown).

[0022] <Processing of light distribution control device 1> The processing of the light distribution control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the lighting control unit 20 extracts road shape information from image information of the area ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether or not there is a center line on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling (step S110). Then, if the lighting control unit 20 determines that there is a center line on the road ("YES" in step S110), the process returns to the original state and transitions to the standby mode.

[0024] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20 determines that there is no center line on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling ("NO" in step S110), the lighting control unit 20 then extracts information regarding oncoming vehicles (OV) from the image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle (OV) (step S110). If the lighting control unit 20 determines that there is no oncoming vehicle (OV) ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0025] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20 determines that there is an oncoming vehicle (OV) ("YES" in step S120), the lighting control unit 20 then determines whether the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance (step S130). If the lighting control unit 20 determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is not within the first predetermined distance ("NO" in step S130), the process returns to step S130 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0026] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20 determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within the first predetermined distance ("YES" in step S130), it executes additional illumination processing (step S140).

[0027] In the additional illumination process (step S140), as shown in FIG. 4, the lighting control unit 20 controls the lighting unit 10 to illuminate a vertically elongated projection light (DL) onto the road surface from the front right end of the vehicle (MV) as a pseudo center line that is visible to the driver.

[0028] The lighting control unit 20 determines whether or not the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a second predetermined distance (step S150). If the lighting control unit 20 determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is not within the second predetermined distance ("NO" in step S150), the process returns to step S150 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0029] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20 determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within the second predetermined distance ("YES" in step S150), the lighting control unit 20 controls the illumination unit 10 to switch the irradiation position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road surface to the shoulder of the road surface, as shown in Figure 5 (step S160). Specifically, the lighting control unit 20 controls the lighting at the front right end to be turned off, and the projection light (DL) to be irradiated from the front left end toward the road shoulder.

[0030] The lighting control unit 20 extracts information about the oncoming vehicle (OV) from image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have completed passing each other (step S170). If the lighting control unit 20 determines that the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have not yet passed each other ("NO" in step S170), the process returns to step S170 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0031] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20 determines that the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have completed passing each other ("YES" in step S170), the process ends.

[0032] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the light distribution control device 1 according to this embodiment is provided at both front end portions of the vehicle (MV) and includes lighting units 10 that project projected light (DL) onto the road surface of a road that does not have a center line and allows two-way traffic. That is, the lighting unit 10 projects vertically elongated projected light (DL) onto the road surface of a road where two-way traffic is permitted and no center line is drawn, as a pseudo center line that can be seen by the driver. Therefore, even on roads where two-way traffic is possible and there is no center line, that is, narrow roads where passing each other is difficult, especially at night, and causes excessive tension for the drivers, the system can provide driving guidance to the drivers of the host vehicle (MV) and oncoming vehicles (OV), thereby alleviating the tension felt by the drivers of the host vehicle (MV) and oncoming vehicles (OV) and achieving safe driving for the host vehicle (MV) and oncoming vehicles (OV). In addition, the lighting control unit 20 controls the lighting unit 10 to emit projection light (DL) toward the center of the road ahead of the vehicle (MV) when the distance between the vehicle (MV) and an oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance. That is, the lighting control unit 20 limits the illumination from the lighting unit 10 when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is greater than a first predetermined distance. Therefore, when the distance between the vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is greater than a first predetermined distance, the lighting control unit 20 can prevent the driver from feeling distracted and hindering safe driving due to the discomfort caused by changes in the amount of ambient light emitted by the lighting unit 10. Furthermore, since the first predetermined distance is, for example, the distance from the legal speed limit on a road without a center line that allows two-way traffic at which an oncoming vehicle (OV) can recognize the projected light (DL) from the lighting unit 10, or the distance at which the driver of the host vehicle (MV) recognizes the presence of the oncoming vehicle (OV) as a target to be passed, the lighting control unit 20 controls the lighting unit 10 to emit projected light (DL) toward the center of the road in front of the host vehicle (MV) when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within the first predetermined distance, the drivers of the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) can recognize each other's vehicles and can use the projected light (DL) emitted toward the center of the road as an indicator to determine in advance whether they can pass each other safely. In addition, when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) becomes within a second predetermined distance that is shorter than the first predetermined distance, the lighting control unit 20 performs light distribution control to switch the projection light (DL) that was irradiated toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) to be directed toward the shoulder of the road. In other words, when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and an oncoming vehicle (OV) becomes shorter due to passing each other, the lighting control unit 20 turns off the projection light (DL) that was irradiating the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) and switches the irradiation of the projection light (DL) to the shoulder side of the road. Therefore, when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and an oncoming vehicle (OV) becomes short due to passing each other, the lighting control unit 20 turns off the projection light (DL) that was irradiating the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV), thereby improving the visibility of the driver of the oncoming vehicle (OV) and enabling safe driving. On the other hand, when passing an oncoming vehicle (OV), the driver of the own vehicle (MV) may be so focused on the oncoming vehicle (OV) that they may lose attention to the shoulder of the road. However, by turning off the projection light (DL) that was shining toward the center of the road in front of the own vehicle (MV) and switching the projection light (DL) to shine toward the shoulder of the road, the driver's gaze of the own vehicle (MV) can be guided, directing the driver's attention toward the shoulder of the road, and preventing secondary accidents.

[0033] In addition, the light distribution control device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an imaging unit 30 that captures images of the driving environment including oncoming vehicles (OV) and road conditions, and the lighting control unit 20 acquires information including the road width, the positional relationship between the vehicle (MV) and oncoming vehicles (OV), and the distance to the shoulder of the road from the captured image captured by the imaging unit, and performs light distribution control based on the acquired information. In other words, the lighting control unit 20 extracts information including the road width, the positional relationship between the vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV), and the distance to the shoulder of the road from the moving image captured by the imaging unit, and performs light distribution control based on the extracted information. Therefore, the lighting control unit 20 can collect information based on real-time moving images and appropriately control the lighting of the illumination unit 10. Therefore, even in a situation where a host vehicle (MV) and an oncoming vehicle (OV) are forced to pass each other on a road where two-way traffic is permitted and there is no center line, the driver's tension of the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) can be alleviated and safe driving can be achieved.

[0034] Moreover, the lighting unit 10 in the light distribution control device 1 according to this embodiment is a fog lamp. In other words, if fog lamps are installed, additional lighting can be achieved by utilizing the fog lamps. Therefore, additional lighting can be achieved without incurring extra costs.

[0035] Furthermore, the light emitted by the LEDs constituting the illumination unit 10 in the light distribution control device 1 according to this embodiment is white or yellow. That is, the color of light emitted by the LEDs that make up the illumination unit 10 is the same as the color used for the actual center line. Therefore, the driver of the host vehicle (MV) and the driver of the oncoming vehicle (OV) can intuitively imagine the center line. Furthermore, since the driver of the vehicle (MV) and the driver of the oncoming vehicle (OV) are intuitively reminded of the center line, the driver of the vehicle (MV) and the driver of the oncoming vehicle (OV) do not feel uncomfortable, and combined with the image of the center line, visibility can be improved.

[0036] <Second embodiment> A light distribution control device 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] <Configuration of light distribution control device 1A> As shown in FIG. 6, a light distribution control device 1A according to this embodiment includes an illumination unit 10, a lighting control unit 20A, an imaging unit 30, and a control unit 40. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0038] When the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance and the projection light (DL) projected toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) intersects with the oncoming vehicle (OV), the lighting control unit 20A switches the projection position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road to the shoulder.

[0039] <Processing of light distribution control device 1A> The processing of the light distribution control device 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the lighting control unit 20A extracts road shape information from image information of the area ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether or not there is a center line on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling (step S110). Then, when the lighting control unit 20A determines that there is a center line on the road ("YES" in step S110), the process returns to the original state and transitions to the standby mode.

[0041] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20A determines that there is no center line on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling ("NO" in step S110), the lighting control unit 20A then extracts information regarding oncoming vehicles (OV) from the image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle (OV) (step S110). Then, when the lighting control unit 20A determines that there is no oncoming vehicle (OV) ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0042] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20A determines that there is an oncoming vehicle (OV) ("YES" in step S120), the lighting control unit 20A then determines whether the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance (step S130). If the lighting control unit 20A determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is not within the first predetermined distance ("NO" in step S130), the process returns to step S130 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0043] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20A determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within the first predetermined distance ("YES" in step S130), it executes additional illumination processing (step S140).

[0044] In the additional illumination process (step S140), as shown in FIG. 8, the lighting control unit 20A controls the lighting unit 10 to illuminate a vertically elongated projection light (DL) onto the road surface from the front right end of the vehicle (MV) as a pseudo center line that is visible to the driver.

[0045] The lighting control unit 20A determines whether or not the projected light (DL) irradiated toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) intersects with an oncoming vehicle (OV) (step S210). Then, if the lighting control unit 20A determines that the projected light (DL) irradiated toward the center of the road ahead of the vehicle (MV) does not intersect with the oncoming vehicle (OV) ("NO" in step S210), the processing returns to step S210 and transitions to standby mode.

[0046] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20A determines that the projection light (DL) projected toward the center of the road ahead of the vehicle (MV) has intersected with an oncoming vehicle (OV) ("YES" in step S210), the lighting control unit 20A controls the illumination unit 10 to switch the projection position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road surface to the shoulder of the road surface, as shown in FIG. 9 (step S220). Specifically, the lighting control unit 20A controls the lighting at the front right end to be turned off, and projects light (DL) from the front left end toward the shoulder of the road surface.

[0047] The lighting control unit 20A extracts information about the oncoming vehicle (OV) from image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have completed passing each other (step S170). If the lighting control unit 20A determines that the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have not yet passed each other ("NO" in step S170), the process returns to step S170 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0048] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20A determines that the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have completely passed each other ("YES" in step S170), the processing ends.

[0049] <Actions and Effects> The lighting control unit 20A of the light distribution control device 1A of this embodiment switches the irradiation position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road to the shoulder when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance and the projection light (DL) irradiated toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) intersects with the oncoming vehicle (OV). In other words, when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance and the projection light (DL) projected toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) intersects with the oncoming vehicle (OV), the lighting control unit 20A switches the irradiation position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road to the shoulder, even if the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is longer than a second predetermined distance. This occurs when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance, and when the projected light (DL) directed toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) intersects with the oncoming vehicle (OV), the oncoming vehicle (OV) is traveling across the center line, and if this continues, there is a risk that the host vehicle (MV) will not be able to safely pass the oncoming vehicle (OV). This is because it is expected that the driver of the host vehicle (MV) will reflexively perform a steering operation to move the host vehicle (MV) closer to the shoulder of the road in order to avoid this. In response to such a possible driving behavior of the driver of the host vehicle (MV), the lighting control unit 20A executes control to switch the irradiation position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road to the shoulder. Therefore, even in such a case, even in a situation where the host vehicle (MV) and an oncoming vehicle (OV) are forced to pass each other on a road where two-way traffic is permitted and there is no center line, the tension felt by the drivers of the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) can be alleviated and safe driving can be achieved.

[0050] <Third embodiment> A light distribution control device 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] <Configuration of light distribution control device 1B> As shown in FIG. 10, a light distribution control device 1B according to this embodiment includes an illumination unit 10, a lighting control unit 20B, an imaging unit 30, and a control unit 40. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the first and second embodiments have the same functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0052] When the lighting control unit 20B detects from the image information from the imaging unit 30 that the road includes a curve, it controls the lighting unit 10 not to emit light at the portion of the curve where the projected light (DL) goes beyond the center line of the road. Specifically, for example, in a curve, when the projected light (DL) goes beyond the center line of the road, the lighting control unit 20B controls the lighting unit 10 to turn off LEDs etc. corresponding to the part that goes beyond the center line of the road and turn on the other LEDs.

[0053] <Processing of light distribution control device 1B> The processing of the light distribution control device 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, the lighting control unit 20B extracts road shape information from image information of the area ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether or not there is a center line on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling (step S110). Then, when the lighting control unit 20B determines that there is a center line on the road ("YES" in step S110), the process returns to the original state and transitions to the standby mode.

[0055] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20B determines that there is no center line on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling ("NO" in step S110), the lighting control unit 20B then extracts information regarding oncoming vehicles (OV) from the image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle (OV) (step S110). If the lighting control unit 20B determines that there is no oncoming vehicle (OV) ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0056] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20B determines that there is an oncoming vehicle (OV) ("YES" in step S120), the lighting control unit 20B then determines whether the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a first predetermined distance (step S130). Then, when the lighting control unit 20B determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is not within the first predetermined distance ("NO" in step S130), the process returns to step S130 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0057] On the other hand, when the lighting control unit 20B determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within the first predetermined distance ("YES" in step S130), it executes additional illumination processing (step S140).

[0058] In the additional illumination process (step S140), as shown in FIG. 12, the lighting control unit 20B controls the lighting unit 10 to illuminate a vertically elongated projection light (DL) onto the road surface from the front right end of the vehicle (MV) as a pseudo center line that is visible to the driver.

[0059] The lighting control unit 20B determines whether or not there is a curve ahead where the host vehicle (MV) is traveling (step S310). Then, if the lighting control unit 20B determines that there is no curve ahead on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling ("NO" in step S310), the process returns to step S310 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0060] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20B determines that there is a curve ahead on the road on which the host vehicle (MV) is traveling ("YES" in step S310), the lighting control unit 20B determines, from the image information of the area ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, whether or not part of the vertically elongated projection light (DL) that the lighting unit has projected onto the road surface as a pseudo-center line visible to the driver extends beyond the pseudo-center line, as shown in FIG. 12, and if it determines that part of the vertically elongated projection light (DL) extends beyond the pseudo-center line, it executes lighting control on the lighting unit 10 to turn off LEDs etc. that correspond to the part of the road that extends beyond the pseudo-center line and turn on the other LEDs (step S320).

[0061] Then, the lighting control unit 20B determines whether or not the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a second predetermined distance (step S150). If the lighting control unit 20B determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is not within the second predetermined distance ("NO" in step S150), the process returns to step S150 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0062] On the other hand, when the lighting control unit 20B determines that the oncoming vehicle (OV) is within a second predetermined distance ("YES" in step S150), it controls the illumination unit 10 to switch the irradiation position of the projection light (DL) from the center of the road surface to the shoulder of the road surface, as shown in FIG. 13 (step S160). Specifically, the lighting control unit 20B controls the vehicle so that all the lights at the front right end are turned off and projection light (DL) is irradiated from the front left end toward the road shoulder.

[0063] The lighting control unit 20B extracts information about the oncoming vehicle (OV) from image information ahead of the host vehicle (MV) obtained from the imaging unit 30, and determines whether the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have completed passing each other (step S170). If the lighting control unit 20B determines that the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have not yet passed each other ("NO" in step S170), the process returns to step S170 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0064] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 20B determines that the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) have completely passed each other ("YES" in step S170), the processing ends.

[0065] <Actions and Effects> When the lighting control unit 20B of the light distribution control device 1B of this embodiment detects from the image information from the imaging unit 30 that the road includes a curve, it controls the lighting unit 10 not to emit light at the portion of the curve where the projected light (DL) goes beyond the center line of the road. In other words, when there is a curve ahead on the roadway on which the vehicle (MV) is traveling, part of the vertically elongated projected light (DL) that the lighting unit 10 projects onto the road surface of a road where two-way traffic is permitted and there is no center line in the direction of travel of the vehicle (MV) as a pseudo center line that is visible to the driver may extend beyond the pseudo center line. In such a case, the lighting control unit 20B controls the lighting unit 10 not to emit the projection light (DL) to the portion that extends beyond the center line of the road. Therefore, the lighting control unit 20B controls the lighting unit 10 not to emit light to the portion where the projection light (DL) extends beyond the center line of the road, thereby preventing the portion where the projection light (DL) extends beyond the center line of the road from causing the driver of the oncoming vehicle (OV) to pay unnecessary attention and becoming a burden. In addition, in the portion where the projected light (DL) goes beyond the center line of the road, even though the actual road shape is curved, the linear projected light (DL) goes beyond the center line of the road, giving the driver of an oncoming vehicle (OV) in particular the illusion that the road is a straight road, and preventing the oncoming vehicle (OV) from approaching the shoulder of the road. Furthermore, the lighting control unit 20B controls the lighting unit 10 so that the projection light (DL) does not illuminate areas that extend beyond the center line of the road, thereby reducing the power consumption of the lighting unit 10.

[0066] <Variation 1> In the first to third embodiments, it has been explained that the projection light (DL) that the lighting unit 10 irradiates onto the road shoulder side has the same form as the projection light (DL) that is irradiated onto the center of the road. However, the form of the projection light (DL) that is irradiated onto the road shoulder may be, for example, a form that is short in depth and wide in width, as shown in FIG. 14. By doing this, the driver of the vehicle (MV) can accurately recognize the width of the road shoulder and roadside features, etc., allowing the vehicle to travel safely even on narrow roads where passing is difficult. <Variation 2>

[0067] In addition, in the first to third embodiments, it has been explained that when the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV) becomes within a second predetermined distance, the lighting control unit 20 switches the projection light (DL) that was being emitted toward the center of the road ahead of the host vehicle (MV) to be directed toward the shoulder of the road. However, if the lighting control unit 20 determines from the image information obtained from the imaging unit 30 that the host vehicle (MV) is too close to the shoulder of the road, it may perform control to switch the projection light (DL) that was irradiated toward the center of the road in front of the host vehicle (MV) to be directed toward the shoulder of the road, regardless of the distance between the host vehicle (MV) and the oncoming vehicle (OV). By having the lighting control unit 20 execute such control, it is possible to prevent secondary accidents on narrow roads where passing is difficult.

[0068] The light distribution control devices 1, 1A, 1B of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the lighting control units 20, 20A, 20B, and control unit 40 on a recording medium readable by a computer system, and having the lighting control units 20, 20A, 20B, and control unit 40 read and execute the programs recorded on this recording medium. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0069] Furthermore, if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used, the "computer system" also includes the homepage provision environment (or display environment). The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line.

[0070] The program may also be a program for implementing some of the above-mentioned functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0071] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Light distribution control device 1A: Light distribution control device 1B: Light distribution control device 10. Lighting section 20: Lighting control unit 20A; lighting control unit 20B: Lighting control unit 30: Imaging unit 40; control section DL; Projection light MV: Vehicle OV; oncoming vehicle

Claims

1. lighting units provided at both front end portions of the vehicle for projecting light onto a road surface on which a center line is not drawn and on which two-way traffic is permitted; a lighting control unit that controls lighting of the projection light emitted from the illumination unit; Equipped with The lighting control unit is characterized by performing light distribution control to illuminate the projection light toward the center of the road in front of the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a first predetermined distance, and to switch the projection light that was illuminated toward the center of the road in front of the vehicle to be directed toward the shoulder of the road when the distance between the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a second predetermined distance.

2. an imaging unit that images a driving environment including the oncoming vehicle and road conditions, The light distribution control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting control unit acquires information including the road width, the positional relationship between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, and the distance to the shoulder of the road from the image captured by the imaging unit, and performs the light distribution control based on the acquired information.

3. 2. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit is a fog lamp.

4. 4. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, wherein the color of the projected light is white or yellow.

5. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the distance between the vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is within a first predetermined distance and the projection light projected toward the center of the road in front of the vehicle intersects with the oncoming vehicle, the lighting control unit switches the projection position of the projection light from the center of the road to the shoulder of the road.

6. 3. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein when the lighting control unit detects from the image information from the imaging unit that the roadway includes a curve, the lighting control unit controls the lighting unit not to illuminate a portion of the curve where the projected light extends beyond the center line of the road.

Images