Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lighting fixture which can reduce discomfort felt by a driver and so on when passing while suppressing dazzling to oncoming and preceding vehicles.SOLUTION: A vehicle lighting fixture 10 comprises: a lighting fixture unit 11 which forms a light distribution pattern P; detectors (13, 42) which detect a dazzling object Dt in the light distribution pattern P; and a control part 12 which performs lighting control for the lighting fixture unit 11. The control part 12 causes the lighting fixture unit 11 to irradiate a region of the light distribution pattern P where there is the dazzling object Dt with brightness of a second set value V2 lower than a first set value V1 while irradiating a region where there is not the dazzling object Dt with brightness of the first set value V1 when receiving a passing signal in such a scene that the detector detect the dazzling object Dt.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] One type of vehicular lamp that constitutes an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) is being considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicular lamp, in a light distribution mode (so-called high beam) during driving in which a driving light distribution pattern is formed above a low-beam light distribution pattern, switches to a glare-suppressing state when an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle is present in front of the vehicle on which it is installed. In the glare-suppressing state, a glare-suppressing light distribution pattern is used that does not partially illuminate the area of ​​the driving light distribution pattern in which the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle is present, thereby preventing dazzling light from reaching (dazzling) the occupants of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle.

[0003] In addition, in the glare-reducing state, this vehicle lamp changes from the glare-reducing light distribution pattern to the glare-reducing passing pattern only while the headlights are being turned on. The glare-reducing passing pattern is an inverted version of the glare-reducing light distribution pattern, and by partially illuminating the area where an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle is located and not illuminating other areas, it is possible to notify only the occupants of the oncoming vehicle or preceding vehicle of some intention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-67288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in vehicle lighting fixtures, changing from a glare-reducing light distribution pattern to a glare-reducing passing pattern temporarily darkens areas where there are no oncoming or preceding vehicles, which can cause discomfort to the driver and others.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that can reduce dazzle to oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles while suppressing discomfort felt by drivers and others when passing their lights. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle lamp disclosed herein comprises a lamp unit that forms a light distribution pattern, a detection unit that detects a dazzling object within the light distribution pattern, and a control unit that controls the lighting of the lamp unit, and when the control unit receives a passing signal in a situation where the detection unit has detected the dazzling object, the control unit causes the lamp unit to illuminate an area in the light distribution pattern where the dazzling object is not present at a first set brightness value, and to illuminate an area where the dazzling object is present at a second set brightness value that is lower than the first set brightness value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure can reduce dazzle to oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles while preventing drivers and others from feeling uncomfortable when passing their lights. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including a control system of a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the light distribution of a vehicle lamp when the vehicle is traveling in a situation where there are no oncoming vehicles or preceding vehicles. [Figure 3] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a glare-reducing light distribution pattern is formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where an oncoming vehicle is present; FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a glare-reducing light distribution pattern is formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where a preceding vehicle is present; FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a glare-reducing light distribution pattern is formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle are present; FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp is formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where an oncoming vehicle is present. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp is formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle are present. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a glare suppression process (a glare suppression method) executed by a control unit of a vehicle lamp. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where two oncoming vehicles are present at different distances. FIG. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing another example of a glare-reducing light distribution pattern formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle are present; [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp formed by a vehicle lamp in a scene where an oncoming vehicle is present. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle lamp 10 as an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. While FIGS. 2 to 7 and 9 to 11 illustrate a light distribution pattern P formed by superimposing a light distribution pattern HP for driving on a light distribution pattern LP for passing vehicles, this does not necessarily correspond to the actual state. Also, while FIGS. 2 to 7 and 9 to 11 illustrate a state in which the light distribution pattern HP for driving is divided into multiple illumination areas Ar in the width direction, this is a simplified illustration for easy understanding of the illumination state and does not necessarily correspond to the actual state. In FIGS. 2 to 7 and 9 to 11, the darkest colored areas indicate non-illuminated areas, and the uncolored areas indicate areas illuminated at a first set brightness. Also, in FIGS. 2 to 7 and 9 to 11, lightly colored areas indicate areas illuminated at a second set brightness, and areas darker than the second set brightness indicate areas illuminated at a third set brightness. [Example]

[0011] A vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 as an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure. The vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment is used as a lamp for use in a vehicle such as an automobile to form a light distribution pattern P for ensuring the driver's visibility, and is used, for example, as a headlamp or fog lamp. The vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment is configured such that a lamp unit 11 is provided in a lamp chamber formed by covering the open front end of a lamp housing with an outer lens on both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, via a vertical optical axis adjustment mechanism and a widthwise optical axis adjustment mechanism. In the following description, the traveling direction of the vehicle C1 (host vehicle) on which the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted when traveling straight ahead is defined as the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction when the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted on the vehicle C1 is defined as the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction is defined as the widthwise direction.

[0012] The vehicle lamp 10 constitutes an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) and, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a lamp unit 11, a control unit 12, a camera 13, and a light switch 14. The lamp unit 11 includes a low beam unit 21 and a high beam unit 22, each of which is controlled by the control unit 12 to be turned on and off. The low beam unit 21 forms a low beam light distribution pattern LP (see FIG. 2, etc.). The low beam light distribution pattern LP illuminates the lower part of the light distribution pattern P and has a cutoff line that partially cuts out a portion corresponding to an oncoming vehicle C2 (see FIG. 3, etc.), thereby preventing dazzlement to the oncoming vehicle C2 (and its occupants). The low beam unit 21 forms the cutoff line by blocking part of the light from the light source or by cutting out part of the light-emitting surface.

[0013] The high beam unit 22 forms a driving light distribution pattern HP (see FIG. 2, etc.). This driving light distribution pattern HP illuminates an upper portion of the light distribution pattern P and illuminates a wide area ahead of the vehicle C1 to improve visibility for occupants (mainly the driver) of the vehicle C1 equipped with the vehicle lamp 10. The high beam unit 22 has multiple light sources arranged in the width direction, and each light source can be individually turned on and off and its brightness when lit can be individually adjusted. The high beam unit 22 can form an illumination area Ar for each light source arranged in the width direction, and in Example 1, nine illumination areas Ar can be formed. When these illumination areas Ar are individually shown, the numbers 1 to 9 are added after the symbol Ar, starting from the left side in FIG. 2. The high beam unit 22 can form the driving light distribution pattern HP by simultaneously forming all nine illumination areas Ar. In addition, the high beam unit 22 can form a light distribution pattern (see the glare-suppressing light distribution pattern Pd in ​​FIG. 3, the glare-suppressing passing pattern Pp in FIG. 5, etc.) in which any part of the illumination area Ar in the driving light distribution pattern HP is turned off or dimmed by turning off or dimming some of the light sources and turning on the remaining light sources.

[0014] The lamp unit 11 can achieve a light distribution pattern for passing other vehicles (a so-called low beam) by turning on only the low beam unit 21 to form a light distribution pattern for passing other vehicles LP. The lamp unit 11 can also achieve a light distribution pattern for driving (a so-called high beam) by turning on the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 to form a light distribution pattern for driving HP that is superimposed on the light distribution pattern for passing other vehicles LP. The low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 are turned on as appropriate under the control of the control unit 12.

[0015] The control unit 12 performs overall control of the lighting operation of the lighting unit 11 using signals from the camera 13 and the lighting switch 14. This control will be described later. The control unit 12 is connected to the camera 13 and the lighting switch 14 and is able to receive signals (data) from them. This connection may be wired or wireless, as long as it is possible to receive signals from the camera 13 and the lighting switch 14.

[0016] The camera 13 acquires an image of the front of the vehicle C1 equipped with the vehicle lamp 10 for use in the glare reduction process described below. In the first embodiment, the camera 13 is provided at the front of the vehicle C1 and can acquire an image (including a moving image and a still image) of at least an area in the front (forward in the traveling direction) where the light distribution pattern P is formed (an area illuminated thereby). When the drive system of the vehicle C1 is started, the camera 13 captures an image of the front of the vehicle C1 and outputs a signal (image data) representing the image to the control unit 12. As described below, the control unit 12 (its identification unit 42) analyzes this signal (image data) to detect an oncoming vehicle C2 or a preceding vehicle C3 (see FIGS. 3 and 4, etc.). The camera 13 may be provided exclusively for the glare reduction process. However, for example, the camera 13 may be one of cameras provided at the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle C1 to acquire an image of the entire periphery of the vehicle C1 and form a bird's-eye view image, and may also be a camera provided at the front of the vehicle C1, or a camera provided for a drive recorder or a collision prevention mechanism.

[0017] The lighting switch 14 is operated to turn on the vehicle lamp 10. This operation includes switching the light on and off, switching between a light distribution for passing vehicles (low beam) when the light is on and a light distribution for driving (high beam) when the light is on, and flashing the lights. Flashing temporarily changes the vehicle lamp 10, which is off or in a light distribution for passing vehicles (low beam), to a light distribution for driving (high beam), and is performed by the driver to signal to oncoming vehicles C2, preceding vehicles C3, etc. The lighting switch 14 enables each of the above operations and, in the first embodiment, is an operating lever protruding from the periphery of the steering wheel of the vehicle C1. The lighting switch 14 is turned on by rotating the tip of the operating lever, and turned off by returning it to its original rotated position. Furthermore, the lighting switch 14 is turned on by rotating the tip of the operating lever by one position to change the light distribution for passing vehicles, and is turned on by rotating the tip by two positions to change the light distribution for driving. Furthermore, the operation of pulling the operation lever toward oneself is the passing operation for the lighting switch 14, regardless of whether the light is on or off. Note that the lighting switch 14 may have other configurations as long as the driver can perform the above-mentioned operations, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 12 has a lighting drive unit 41, a recognition unit 42, and a region setting unit 43. The lighting drive unit 41 drives the lighting unit 11 to light, and can light the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 individually or simultaneously. The lighting drive unit 41 can also light the light sources of the high beam unit 22 individually or simultaneously, and can individually adjust the brightness of each light source when turned on. In the first embodiment, the lighting drive unit 41 drives the lighting unit 11 to light in response to an operation of the lighting switch 14.

[0019] Basically, when a signal indicating one rotation is input from the lighting switch 14, the lighting drive unit 41 turns on only the low beam unit 21 to provide light distribution when passing other vehicles. When a signal indicating two rotations is input from the lighting switch 14, the lighting drive unit 41 turns on both the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 to provide light distribution when driving. When a signal indicating a passing operation is input from the lighting switch 14, the lighting drive unit 41 performs passing control, turning on the high beam unit 22 only while the signal is being input. Regarding operations other than the passing operation, the lighting drive unit 41 may automatically turn on the lamp unit 11, for example, by driving it in response to a detection signal from a brightness sensor that detects the brightness around the vehicle C1, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. The lighting drive unit 41 then performs glare reduction control, which will be described later, in response to signals from the identification unit 42 and the area setting unit 43.

[0020] The identification unit 42 identifies dazzling objects Dt in the image acquired by the camera 13. In the first embodiment, the identification unit 42 identifies an oncoming vehicle C2 and a preceding vehicle C3 as the dazzling objects Dt. When the identification unit 42 receives a signal (image data) of an image acquired by the camera 13, the identification unit 42 recognizes various shapes based on the movement of locally bright areas in the image, contrast, etc., and distinguishes between buildings, roads, cars, signs, etc. based on the recognized shapes, etc. Then, the identification unit 42 identifies an object identified as a car as a dazzling object Dt. At this time, the identification unit 42 can also distinguish between the oncoming vehicle C2 and the preceding vehicle C3 as the dazzling object Dt based on the position of the vehicle relative to the road, the recognized shape, the brightness and shape of the lights (headlights, sidelights), etc. that are turned on. The identification unit 42 outputs data identified as the dazzling object Dt to the area setting unit 43. Therefore, the identification unit 42 functions as a detection unit that detects dazzling objects Dt in the image of the area where the light distribution pattern P is formed, in cooperation with the camera 13. The detection unit may have another configuration as long as it detects the dazzling target Dt within the light distribution pattern P, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0021] The area setting unit 43 determines in which illumination area Ar of the driving light distribution pattern HP the dazzling target Dt identified by the identification unit 42 is present, and sets the area where the dazzling target Dt is present as the dazzling target area Ad (see FIG. 3, etc.). This dazzling target area Ad is composed of an illumination area Ar that overlaps the dazzling target Dt, and may be composed of a single illumination area Ar (see FIG. 4, etc.) or multiple illumination areas Ar (see FIG. 3, etc.). Furthermore, when there are multiple dazzling targets Dt, such as when there are multiple oncoming vehicles C2 or when there are an oncoming vehicle C2 and a preceding vehicle C3 simultaneously, multiple dazzling target areas Ad are set (see FIG. 5, etc.). The area setting unit 43 outputs data of the set dazzling target area Ad to the lighting drive unit 41.

[0022] When the lighting drive unit 41 receives data on the glare target area Ad from the area setting unit 43, it executes glare reduction control. This glare reduction control basically prevents dazzling light from reaching (dazzling) the occupants of the glare target Dt (oncoming vehicle C2, preceding vehicle C3). When the vehicle is in a driving light distribution mode (high beam), the glare reduction control partially turns off the glare target area Ad set by the area setting unit 43 in the driving light distribution pattern HP to form a glare reduction light distribution pattern Pd (see FIGS. 3 to 5). Here, when the lighting drive unit 41 is in a driving light distribution mode (high beam) while driving, it causes the high beam unit 22 to illuminate the entire illumination area Ar with a brightness of a first set value V1 to form the driving light distribution pattern HP. The first set value V1 can be set to any predetermined brightness. When forming the glare-suppressing light distribution pattern Pd, the lighting drive unit 41 turns off the light source corresponding to the illumination area Ar that is set as the glare target area Ad, and illuminates the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1.

[0023] Furthermore, regardless of the mode of the lamp unit 11, when a signal indicating a passing operation is input from the lighting switch 14, the glare reduction control reduces the brightness and irradiates the illumination area Ar that is the glare target area Ad set by the area setting unit 43. In accordance with the passing operation, the lighting drive unit 41 causes the high beam unit 22 to irradiate the illumination area Ar that is the glare target area Ad with a second set value V2 that is lower in brightness than the first set value V1, and to irradiate the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1, thereby forming a glare reduction passing pattern Pp (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0024] When the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 are turned off, the lighting drive unit 41 drives only the high beam unit 22 to form only the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp. Furthermore, when the light distribution for passing is in effect, the lighting drive unit 41 drives the high beam unit 22 while keeping the low beam unit 21 turned on, to form the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp superimposed above the low beam unit 22 light distribution pattern LP. Furthermore, when the light distribution for driving is in effect, the lighting drive unit 41 keeps the low beam unit 21 turned on, and causes the high beam unit 22 to illuminate the glare-reducing area Ad with a brightness of the second set value V2 while maintaining illumination of the illumination area Ar other than the glare-reducing area Ad with a brightness of the first set value V1. Therefore, when the light distribution is set for driving, the lighting drive unit 41 temporarily illuminates the non-lit dazzle target area Ad with the second set value V2 in accordance with the passing operation, thereby notifying the occupant of the dazzle target Dt present in the dazzle target area Ad of some intention.

[0025] Next, a glare suppression process (glare suppression method) will be described with reference to Fig. 7 as an example of a process for suppressing glare around the vehicle C1 in which the vehicle lamp 10 is installed. The glare suppression process is executed by the control unit 12 based on a program stored in an internal memory or the like. Each step (each process) of the flowchart in Fig. 7 will be described below. The flowchart in Fig. 7 starts when the drive system of the vehicle C1 is started and the camera 13 is driven, and is repeated until the drive system of the vehicle C1 is stopped.

[0026] In step S1, it is determined whether or not a dazzling object Dt exists, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S1, the identification unit 42 analyzes the image acquired by the camera 13 to determine whether or not a dazzling object Dt exists in front of the vehicle C1, and outputs the identified data to the area setting unit 43 if a dazzling object Dt exists, or outputs a signal indicating this to the area setting unit 43 if a dazzling object Dt does not exist.

[0027] In step S2, the dazzling target area Ad is set, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S2, when the area setting unit 43 receives data identifying the dazzling target Dt from the identification unit 42, it determines in which irradiation area Ar of the driving light distribution pattern HP the dazzling target Dt exists, and sets the area in which the dazzling target Dt exists as the dazzling target area Ad. Then, in step S2, data on the set dazzling target area Ad is output to the lighting drive unit 41.

[0028] In step S3, it is set that there is no dazzling target area Ad, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S3, the area setting unit 43 receives a signal indicating that there is no dazzling target Dt from the identification unit 42, and therefore sets that there is no dazzling target area Ad. Then, in step S2, it outputs a signal indicating that there is no dazzling target area Ad to the lighting drive unit 41.

[0029] In step S4, it is determined whether a passing operation has been performed, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S5, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S4, the lighting driver 41 determines whether a signal indicating a passing operation has been input from the lighting switch 14.

[0030] In step S5, passing control is performed, and the process returns to step S1. In step S5, the lighting drive unit 41 turns on the high beam unit 22 only while a signal indicating a passing operation is being input from the lighting switch 14. At this time, if data on the glare target area Ad has been input, the lighting drive unit 41 illuminates the illumination area Ar identified as the glare target area Ad with the brightness of the second set value V2, while illuminating the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1, causing the high beam unit 22 to form the glare-suppressing passing pattern Pp. Furthermore, if a signal indicating that there is no glare target area Ad has been input, the lighting drive unit 41 illuminates all illumination areas Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1, causing the high beam unit 22 to form the driving light distribution pattern HP.

[0031] In step S6, it is determined whether or not a lighting operation has been performed, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S7, and if NO, the process returns to step S1. In step S6, the lighting drive unit 41 determines whether or not a signal for lighting operation has been input from the lighting switch 14.

[0032] In step S7, it is determined whether the light distribution for passing vehicles has been set, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S7, when the lighting drive unit 41 receives a signal rotated by one step from the lighting switch 14, it determines that the light distribution for passing vehicles has been set, and the process proceeds to step S8. Also, in step S7, when the lighting drive unit 41 receives a signal rotated by two steps from the lighting switch 14, it determines that the light distribution for driving has been set, and the process proceeds to step S9.

[0033] In step S8, the light distribution pattern for passing is determined, and the process proceeds to step S 10. In step S8, the lighting drive unit 41 turns on the low beam unit 21 to form the light distribution pattern for passing LP.

[0034] In step S9, the process proceeds to step S10 to determine the light distribution during driving. In step S9, the lighting drive unit 41 turns on the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22. At this time, if data on the glare target area Ad has been input, the lighting drive unit 41 causes the high beam unit 22 to turn off the illumination area Ar designated as the glare target area Ad and illuminate the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1, thereby forming a glare-suppressing light distribution pattern Pd above the low beam light distribution pattern LP. Furthermore, if a signal indicating that there is no glare target area Ad has been input, the lighting drive unit 41 causes the high beam unit 22 to illuminate all illumination areas Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1 and form a light distribution pattern for driving HP above the low beam light distribution pattern LP.

[0035] In step S10, it is determined whether or not a light-off operation has been performed, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S11, and if NO, the process returns to step S1. In step S10, when a signal to return the light switch 14 to its original rotation position is input from the light drive unit 41, the light drive unit 41 determines that an operation to turn off the light has been performed from the light switch 14.

[0036] In step S11, the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 that have been turned on are turned off, and the glare suppression process is terminated. In step S11, the low beam unit 21 and the high beam unit 22 that have been turned on are turned off.

[0037] Next, typical situations in which the vehicle lamp 10 is turned on will be described. First, when there is no dazzling target Dt and the lighting switch 14 is turned on to flash, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a driving light distribution pattern HP (see FIG. 2) with the high beam unit 22 only while the lighting switch 14 is turned on (steps S1 → S3 → S4 → S5). Also, when there is no dazzling target Dt ahead of the vehicle C1 and the lighting switch 14 is turned two stages, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a passing light distribution pattern LP with the low beam unit 21 and a driving light distribution pattern HP with the high beam unit 22, resulting in the light distribution (high beam) during driving shown in FIG. 2 (steps S1 → S3 → S4 → S6 → S7 → S9). Then, when the lighting switch 14 is rotated one step, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a passing light distribution pattern LP with the low beam unit 21, regardless of whether or not there is a dazzling object Dt, and provides light distribution (low beam) when passing (steps S1 → S2 or S3 → S4 → S6 → S7 → S8).

[0038] When a glare target Dt is present ahead of the vehicle C1, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a passing light distribution pattern LP with the low beam unit 21 and a glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd with the high beam unit 22 by rotating the lighting switch 14 in two stages (steps S1 → S2 → S4 → S6 → S7 → S9). Here, as shown in Fig. 3, when an oncoming vehicle C2 is present in the oncoming lane as the glare target Dt, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd by partially extinguishing a glare target area Ad including the oncoming vehicle C2, thereby reducing dazzle for the occupants of the oncoming vehicle C2. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, when a preceding vehicle C3 is present ahead of the vehicle C1 as the glare target Dt, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd by partially extinguishing a glare target area Ad including the oncoming vehicle C2, thereby reducing dazzle for the occupants of the preceding vehicle C3.

[0039] When a glare target Dt is present and the vehicle lamp 10 is forming a glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd, if a passing operation is performed on the lighting switch 14, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp with the high beam unit 22 only while the lighting switch 14 is being operated (steps S1 → S2 → S4 → S6 → S7 → S9 → S10 → S1 → S2 → S4 → S5). Here, as shown in Fig. 6, when an oncoming vehicle C2 is present in the oncoming lane as the glare target Dt, the vehicle lamp 10 forms a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp by illuminating a glare target area Ad including the oncoming vehicle C2 at the second setting value V2 and illuminating the remaining illumination area Ar at the first setting value V1. 7, when there are two dazzle targets Dt, an oncoming vehicle C2 in the oncoming lane and a preceding vehicle C3 ahead of the vehicle C1, the vehicular lamp 10 illuminates the dazzle target area Ad including these locations with the brightness of the second set value V2, while illuminating the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1, thereby forming a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp. In this way, when there are dazzle targets Dt and the vehicular lamp 10 forms a glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd, the vehicular lamp 10 can illuminate the unlit dazzle target area Ad (see FIGS. 3 and 5) with the brightness of the second set value V2 only while the driver is passing the headlights (see FIGS. 6 and 7), thereby informing the occupants of the oncoming vehicle C2 and the preceding vehicle C3 of their intentions.

[0040] Here, conventional vehicular lamps described in prior art documents, when using a glare-reducing light distribution pattern that partially obscures the area where oncoming or preceding vehicles are present, create a glare-reducing passing pattern by inverting the glare-reducing light distribution pattern when the driver turns on the headlights. Therefore, conventional vehicular lamps can illuminate oncoming or preceding vehicles only while the driver turns on the headlights, thereby informing their occupants of their intentions. However, because the glare-reducing passing pattern in conventional vehicular lamps is an inverted version of the glare-reducing light distribution pattern, switching between the two patterns changes the illumination of areas where oncoming or preceding vehicles are not present from an illuminated state to an extinguished state, darkening those areas. This may obscure the driver's field of vision, even if only temporarily, and may cause discomfort to the driver. Furthermore, when switching from a glare-reducing light distribution pattern to a glare-reducing passing pattern, conventional vehicular lamps change the illumination of oncoming or preceding vehicles from an extinguished state to an illuminated state, potentially unnecessarily dazzling their occupants.

[0041] In contrast, in the vehicular lamp 10, the glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd does not partially illuminate the glare target area Ad but illuminates the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1, and the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp illuminates the glare target area Ad with the brightness of the second set value V2 while illuminating the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1. Therefore, even when the vehicular lamp 10 switches from the glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd to the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp, the remaining illumination area Ar remains illuminated with the brightness of the first set value V1 before and after the switch, so the driver's field of vision is maintained and no discomfort is felt by the driver. Furthermore, even when the vehicular lamp 10 switches from the glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd to the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp, the glare target area Ad changes from an off state to an illuminated state with the brightness of the second set value V2, so the degree of change in brightness can be reduced compared to when the brightness is set to the first set value V1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can notify the occupants of the oncoming vehicle C2 and the preceding vehicle C3 of some intention while suppressing glare to those occupants. Furthermore, even when the vehicle lamp 10 switches from the glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd to the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp, the remaining illumination area Ar can continue to be illuminated at the brightness of the first set value V1 before and after the switch, so that a decrease in visibility for the driver and the like can be suppressed compared to conventional cases in which the remaining illumination area is turned off.

[0042] In addition, when the vehicular lamp 10 is turned off or in the low-passing mode and a glare target Dt is present, the vehicular lamp 10 forms the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp when the driver turns on the headlights, illuminating the glare target area Ad with the brightness of the second set value V2 and the remaining illumination area Ar with the brightness of the first set value V1. Therefore, when the vehicular lamp 10 temporarily switches to the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp, the vehicular lamp 10 illuminates the entire driving light distribution pattern HP, thereby making it possible to communicate some intention over a wide area. Since passing is often performed to alert people in the vicinity, illuminating the entire driving light distribution pattern HP with the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp reliably alerts them. Furthermore, even when the vehicular lamp 10 switches from the low-passing mode or the low-passing mode to the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp, the vehicular lamp 10 illuminates the glare target area Ad with the brightness of the second set value V2, thereby making it possible to notify occupants of the oncoming vehicle C2 and the preceding vehicle C3 of some intention while minimizing dazzle.

[0043] The vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0044] When the control unit 12 of the vehicular lamp 10 receives a passing signal in a scene where the detection unit (camera 13, identification unit 42) has detected a dazzle target Dt, the control unit 12 controls the lamp unit 11 to form a glare-free passing pattern Pp by illuminating an area in the light distribution pattern P where the dazzle target Dt is not present at a brightness of a first set value V1 and illuminating an area where the dazzle target Dt is present at a brightness of a second set value V2 that is lower than the first set value V1. Therefore, because the vehicular lamp 10 illuminates an area in the glare-free passing pattern Pp where the dazzle target Dt is not present at the brightness of the first set value V1, the driver's field of vision is maintained even when the vehicular lamp 10 switches from the glare-free light distribution pattern Pd to the glare-free passing pattern Pp, preventing the driver and others from feeling uncomfortable. Furthermore, even when the vehicle lamp 10 is switched from the glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd to the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp, the degree of change in brightness for the dazzling target Dt can be reduced compared to when the brightness is set to the first set value V1, so that it is possible to notify the occupants of the dazzling target Dt of some intention while suppressing dazzle for those occupants.

[0045] When the control unit 12 of the vehicle lamp 10 receives a signal to change the light distribution mode to that for driving when the detection unit has detected a dazzling target Dt, the control unit 12 causes the lamp unit 11 to form the glare-suppressing light distribution pattern Pd by illuminating an area where there is no dazzling target Dt at a brightness of the first set value V1 while turning off an area where there is a dazzling target Dt. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 illuminates an area where there is no dazzling target Dt with equal brightness in the glare-suppressing light distribution pattern Pd and the glare-suppressing passing pattern Pp, thereby more effectively preventing any discomfort when switching between them.

[0046] The vehicle lamp 10 has a lamp unit 11 that includes a low beam unit 21 that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern LP and a high beam unit 22 that forms a high-beam light distribution pattern HP. Under the control of the controller 12, the high beam unit 22 can divide the high-beam light distribution pattern HP into multiple illumination areas Ar and can adjust the brightness of each of the multiple illumination areas Ar individually. When the controller 12 receives a passing signal, the high beam unit 22 forms a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp by illuminating the illumination area Ar where the dazzling target Dt is present with a brightness of a second set value V2 and illuminating the illumination area Ar where the dazzling target Dt is not present with a brightness of a first set value V1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can form the glare-reducing light distribution pattern Pd or the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp simply by adjusting the on / off and brightness of each illumination area Ar of the high beam unit 22.

[0047] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment as a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure can suppress dazzling to the oncoming vehicle C2 and the preceding vehicle C3 while suppressing discomfort felt by the driver when passing the lights.

[0048] The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has been described above based on Example 1, but the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the lamp unit 11 includes a low beam unit 21 and a high beam unit 22. However, the lamp unit is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment as long as it can form a light distribution pattern P, such as a glare-reduced passing pattern Pp in which an area where the dazzle target Dt is not present is illuminated with a brightness of a first set value V1 while an area where the dazzle target Dt is present is illuminated with a brightness of a second set value V2 that is lower than the first set value V1, or a glare-reduced light distribution pattern Pd in ​​which an area where the dazzle target Dt is not present is illuminated with a brightness of the first set value V1 while an area where the dazzle target Dt is present is turned off. An example of such a configuration is a projection device using light sources (screens) arranged in a matrix. With this configuration, the shape and brightness of the projected light distribution pattern can be arbitrarily set simply by setting the lighting mode of each light source. Therefore, a glare-reduced passing pattern or a glare-reduced light distribution pattern, including a light distribution pattern for passing vehicles and a light distribution pattern for driving, can be easily formed.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the brightness of the area of ​​the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp where the dazzle target Dt is present is set to the second set value V2. However, the brightness may be reduced as the distance of the dazzle target Dt decreases. The distance of the dazzle target Dt can be detected by the identification unit 42 based on the vehicle's position relative to the road, the vehicle's size, the interval between the illuminated lights, and the like. The lighting driver 41 then controls the high beam unit 22 to illuminate the dazzle target Dt so that the brightness decreases as the distance of the dazzle target Dt decreases, assuming that the brightness is reduced below the first set value V1. An example of this is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 illustrates two oncoming vehicles (C2a and C2b) spaced apart in the oncoming lane as the dazzle target Dt. The vehicular lamp 10 illuminates the illumination area Ar6, where a distant oncoming vehicle C2a is located, with a brightness of the second set value V2, and illuminates the illumination areas Ar8 and Ar9, where a nearby oncoming vehicle C2b is located, with a brightness of the third set value V3, which is lower than the second set value V2, to form a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp. This vehicular lamp 10 reduces brightness as the distance to the dazzling target Dt decreases, thereby reliably informing occupants of the distant dazzling target Dt of the intention and preventing excessively bright light from being irradiated on occupants of the nearby dazzling target Dt, thereby more effectively reducing glare. Note that while FIG. 9 shows a scene with two oncoming vehicles C2, even in a scene with only a single oncoming vehicle C2, the brightness is reduced as the distance decreases, using the second set value V2 when the oncoming vehicle C2 is far from the vehicle C1 and the third set value V3 when the oncoming vehicle C2 is approaching the vehicle C1. This change in brightness with distance can also be applied to a preceding vehicle C3.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the dazzle target Dt is illuminated with the brightness of the second set value V2 in the glare-reducing passing pattern Pp regardless of the direction of the dazzle target Dt. However, the dazzle target Dt may be illuminated with different brightness depending on its direction. The lighting drive unit 41 controls the high beam unit 22 to illuminate the dazzle target Dt by varying the brightness depending on the direction of the dazzle target Dt, assuming that the brightness is lower than the first set value V1. An example of this is shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where an oncoming vehicle C2 and a preceding vehicle C3 are present as the dazzle targets Dt. The vehicular lamp 10 illuminates illumination areas Ar7 and Ar8, where an oncoming vehicle C2 (a dazzling target located other than in front of the vehicle C1 (host vehicle)) is located, with a brightness of the second set value V2, and illuminates illumination area Ar5, where a preceding vehicle C3 (a dazzling target located in front of the vehicle C1 (host vehicle)) is located, with a brightness of a third set value V3, which is lower than the second set value V2, to form a glare-reduced passing pattern Pp. This vehicular lamp 10 can prevent excessively bright light from being irradiated onto the preceding vehicle C3, thereby reducing the risk that occupants of the preceding vehicle C3 may feel that they are being tailgated. Note that the manner in which the brightness changes depending on the direction of the dazzling target Dt may be set as appropriate and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the illumination area in front of the host vehicle, the vehicle C1, is illuminated with the brightness of the third set value V3, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10. When multiple lanes are set on one side of the road, the area ahead of the vehicle C1 (host vehicle) includes all lanes traveling in the same direction, i.e., vehicles traveling in the same direction even if they are in a different lane from the vehicle C1 can be treated as preceding vehicles, and these preceding vehicles may be illuminated with the brightness of the third set value V3. Furthermore, dazzling targets other than those ahead of the host vehicle may include, in addition to the oncoming vehicle C2 in the oncoming lane, a vehicle entering the lane in which the vehicle C1 (host vehicle) is traveling, and people around the lane in which the vehicle C1 (host vehicle) is traveling.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the dazzling target area Ad, where the dazzling target Dt exists, is illuminated with uniform brightness. However, the brightness may be varied depending on the position within the dazzling target area Ad. The lighting driver 41 then controls the high beam unit 22 to illuminate the dazzling target area Ad with further varying brightness, assuming that the brightness is lower than the first set value V1. In this example, the lamp unit 11 (high beam unit 22) further divides the illumination area Ar into smaller areas, allowing each area to be individually turned on and off and the brightness of each area when lit to be individually adjustable. This configuration can be achieved, for example, by increasing the number of light sources in the high beam unit 22 or by using the light sources (screen) arranged in a matrix as described above. An example of this is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 illustrates a case where an oncoming vehicle C2 is present as the dazzling target Dt. In this example, the control unit 12 sets illumination areas Ar7, 8, where the oncoming vehicle C2 is located, as a position within the glare target area Ad to be illuminated with the second set value V2 brightness, and sets illumination area Ar7a, where the driver Dr is located, as a position to be illuminated with the third set value V3 brightness, which is lower than the second set value V2. The driver Dr can be detected by the identification unit 42 based on the driver's shape and position within the vehicle. The vehicular lamp 10 illuminates the illumination areas Ar7, 8, where the oncoming vehicle C2 is located, with the second set value V2 brightness, and illuminates the illumination area Ar7a, where the driver Dr of the oncoming vehicle C2 is located, with the third set value V3 brightness, thereby forming a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp. This vehicular lamp 10 illuminates the entire oncoming vehicle C2 with the second set value V2 brightness, thereby reliably informing the driver of the oncoming vehicle C2 of any intention, and prevents the driver Dr from being illuminated with excessively bright light, thereby more effectively reducing glare. In addition, the positions within the dazzling target area Ad that are illuminated with the brightness of the second set value V2 and the positions that are illuminated with the brightness of the third set value V3 may be set appropriately depending on the state of the dazzling target and the scene (situation) in which the vehicle C1 (host vehicle) is traveling, and are not limited to the example of Figure 11.

[0053] In the first embodiment, the oncoming vehicle C2 and the preceding vehicle C3 are the dazzling targets Dt. However, the dazzling targets Dt may include people who may be present on the road, such as pedestrians and bicycles, and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the driving light distribution pattern HP is formed by nine illumination areas Ar arranged in the width direction. However, the illumination areas divide the light distribution pattern P, and as long as they can be individually turned on and off and their brightness when lit can be individually adjusted, the number and manner of divisions can be set appropriately and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. The division can be in a so-called matrix form, with multiple sections divided not only in the width direction but also in the vertical direction. With this configuration, it is also possible to illuminate only the position of the face of the driver Dr of the oncoming vehicle C2 with the brightness of the third set value V3 within the dazzling target area Ad set at the second set value V2.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is provided in a vehicle C1 driven by a driver. However, the vehicle lamp may be provided in a vehicle having an automatic driving function, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. In this case, the vehicle lamp may form a glare-reducing passing pattern Pp when informing the surroundings of some intention, such as when a danger is detected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Vehicle lamp 11 Lamp unit 12 Control unit 13 Camera (constituting an example of a detection unit) 21 Low beam unit 22 High beam unit 42 Identification unit (constituting an example of a detection unit) Ar Irradiation area Dt Dazzling object HP Light distribution pattern for driving LP Light distribution pattern for passing P Light distribution pattern V1 First set value V2 Second set value

Claims

1. a lighting unit that forms a light distribution pattern; a detection unit that detects a dazzling object within the light distribution pattern; a control unit that controls the lighting of the lighting unit, When the control unit receives a passing signal in a situation where the detection unit has detected the dazzling object, the control unit causes the lamp unit to illuminate an area in the light distribution pattern where the dazzling object is not present at a first set brightness value, and illuminate an area where the dazzling object is present at a second set brightness value that is lower than the first set brightness value.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein, when the control unit receives a signal to change the light distribution during driving in a situation where the detection unit detects the dazzling object, the control unit causes the lamp unit to illuminate an area where the dazzling object is not present at the first set brightness value while turning off an area where the dazzling object is present.

3. The lamp unit has a low beam unit that forms a light distribution pattern for passing vehicles and a high beam unit that forms a light distribution pattern for driving vehicles, 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein the high beam unit is capable of dividing the driving light distribution pattern into a plurality of illumination areas and illuminating the divided illumination areas under the control of the control unit, and is capable of adjusting brightness individually for the plurality of illumination areas, and when the control unit receives the passing signal, illuminates the illumination area in which the dazzling object is present with the brightness of the second set value, while illuminating the illumination area in which the dazzling object is not present with the brightness of the first set value.

4. 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein, upon receiving the passing signal, the control unit controls the lamp unit to reduce brightness of an area in the light distribution pattern where the dazzling target is present as the distance between the dazzling target and the vehicle decreases.

5. 5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein, upon receiving the passing signal, the control unit controls the lamp unit to irradiate the dazzling object in front of the vehicle with a brightness of a third set value that is lower than the second set value, while irradiating the dazzling object other than the object in front of the vehicle with the brightness of the second set value.

6. 6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein, upon receiving the passing signal, the control unit sets the position of the lamp unit in the area where the dazzling object is present to illuminate at the second set brightness and a position of the lamp unit to illuminate at a third set brightness that is lower than the second set brightness.

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