Vehicle lighting device control device, vehicle lighting system

Abstract

To preset an appropriate dimming range even if a preceding vehicle, etc. is a two-wheel vehicle.SOLUTION: A device for controlling a light irradiation range and a dimming range by means of a pair of vehicular lamp fixtures set up on the vehicle front side includes: a sensor for detecting a left end angle θL and a right end angle θR which are relative angles with a prescribed position as a reference with respect to a position of a target; and a controller which presets the light irradiation range and the dimming range based on the left end angle θL and the right end angle θR and supply a control signal for executing light irradiation in accordance with the light irradiation range and the dimming range to the pair of vehicular lamp fixtures. The controller detects that the target is a two-wheel vehicle when a difference θOP between the left end angle θL and the right end angle θR is smaller than a threshold provided by dividing the left end angle θL or the right end angle θR by a natural number N (therein, N≥2) and sets the light irradiation range and the dimming range based on position relation, on the assumption of the two-wheel vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle lamp and a vehicle lamp system. [Background technology]

[0002] There has been known a technology for dimming high beams in a range corresponding to the location of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle when the preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected (see, for example, JP 2015-58802 A). However, because the conventional technology sets the high beam dimming range based on logic that assumes that the preceding vehicle or the like is a four-wheeled vehicle, it is not always possible to set an appropriate dimming range when the preceding vehicle or the like is a two-wheeled vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-58802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the objectives of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can set an appropriate dimming range even when the preceding vehicle or the like is a two-wheeled vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [1] A vehicle lamp control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a device for controlling a light illumination range and a dimming range by a pair of vehicle lamps installed in front of a vehicle, and includes: (a) a sensor that detects a left end angle and a right end angle, which are relative angles based on a predetermined position for each of the left and right end positions of a target present in front of the vehicle; and (b) a controller that sets the light illumination range and the dimming range based on the left end angle and the right end angle detected by the sensor and supplies control signals to the pair of vehicle lamps to perform light illumination according to the light illumination range and the dimming range, and (c) the controller sets the light illumination range and the dimming range based on a positional relationship assuming that the target is a two-wheeled vehicle when a difference between the left end angle and the right end angle is smaller than a threshold value obtained by dividing the left end angle or the right end angle by a natural number N (where N≧2). [2] A method for controlling a vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for controlling a light illumination range and a dimming range by a pair of vehicle lamps installed in front of a vehicle, the method including: (a) detecting, by a sensor, a left end angle and a right end angle, which are relative angles based on a predetermined position for each of the left and right end positions of a target present in front of the vehicle; and (b) setting the light illumination range and the dimming range based on the left end angle and the right end angle, and supplying a control signal to the pair of vehicle lamps for executing light illumination according to the light illumination range and the dimming range, wherein (b) includes setting the light illumination range and the dimming range based on a positional relationship assuming that the target is a two-wheeled vehicle when a difference between the left end angle and the right end angle is smaller than a threshold value obtained by dividing the left end angle or the right end angle by a natural number N (where N≧2). [3] A vehicle lighting system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle lighting system including the control device according to [1] above and a pair of vehicle lighting devices connected to the control device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to set an appropriate dimming range even when the preceding vehicle or the like is a two-wheeled vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer system. [Figure 3] Fig. 3(A) is a plan view showing a schematic positional relationship between a four-wheeled vehicle ahead and the vehicle itself. Fig. 3(B) is a plan view showing a schematic positional relationship between a two-wheeled vehicle ahead and the vehicle itself. Fig. 3(C) is a plan view showing a schematic positional relationship between a generalized oncoming vehicle and the vehicle itself. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the geometric arrangement of the host vehicle and the two-wheeled vehicle when the forward vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(A) is a schematic plan view of a two-wheeled vehicle when the two-wheeled vehicle is an oncoming vehicle, and Fig. 5(B) is a schematic plan view of a two-wheeled vehicle when the two-wheeled vehicle is a leading vehicle. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(A) is a diagram for explaining how to determine the shading angle when an oncoming two-wheeled vehicle is relatively to the right as viewed from the host vehicle, and Fig. 6(B) is a diagram for explaining how to determine the shading angle when an oncoming two-wheeled vehicle is relatively to the left as viewed from the host vehicle. [Figure 7] 7(A) to 7(C) are diagrams for explaining how to determine the shading angle when the distance to the preceding two-wheeled vehicle is unknown (uncertain). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the vehicle lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting system according to one embodiment. The road surface drawing system 1 of this embodiment includes a camera 11, a controller 13, and a pair of lamp units 20L and 20R. This vehicle lighting system is mounted on the front of the vehicle to project light ahead of the vehicle, and in particular, projects light by setting a dimming range within the high beam illumination range according to the position of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle (hereinafter collectively referred to as "forward vehicle"). The vehicle lighting system of this embodiment can distinguish between the type of forward vehicle, whether it is a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle, and set an appropriate dimming range for each.

[0009] The camera 11 captures an image of the space ahead of the vehicle and generates image data. The camera 11 of this embodiment has an image processing unit 12 that detects the position of a vehicle ahead by performing image recognition processing based on the image data. The target information data output from the image processing unit 12 of the camera 11 includes information such as the position and distance of the vehicle ahead, and oncoming / leading vehicles. However, no distinction is made between two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, and it is basically assumed that the vehicle is a four-wheeled vehicle. An oncoming vehicle and a leading vehicle can be distinguished based on the color of their lamps. For example, the lamp color of the former is white, and the lamp color of the latter is red. Note that some or all of the functions of the image processing unit 12 may be provided on the controller 13 side.

[0010] The controller 13 controls the light irradiation by each of the headlamp units 20L, 20R. This controller 13 can be configured using a computer system including, for example, a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a flash memory, an input / output interface, etc. The controller 13 of this embodiment is enabled to perform a predetermined function by the processor reading and executing a program stored in advance in the storage device (or ROM).

[0011] The pair of lamp units 20L, 20R are mounted at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and operate in response to control signals provided by the controller 13 to irradiate light ahead of the vehicle. Each of the lamp units 20L, 20R is configured to include, for example, an LED array having a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged in two directions and each of which can be individually controlled to be turned on and off, and a lens that projects the light emitted from the LED array.

[0012] The configuration of the lamp unit 20L, etc. is not limited to this, and various known configurations can be adopted. For example, a lamp unit configured by combining a light source bulb with a reflecting mirror or a shielding plate may be used. Alternatively, a lamp unit may be used that includes a light source and a liquid crystal element, etc., and that can individually control the light transmission state of each pixel of the liquid crystal element. Alternatively, a lamp unit may be used that includes a light-emitting element such as a laser diode, and a scanning element such as a mirror device that scans the light emitted from the light-emitting element, and that can control the timing of turning on and off the light-emitting element and the scanning timing of the scanning element.

[0013] The controller 13 described above includes a vehicle type detection unit 14, a light distribution pattern setting unit 15, and a control signal generation unit 16 as functional blocks realized by executing a program.

[0014] The vehicle type detection unit 14 detects the vehicle type (vehicle type) of the vehicle ahead using the target information data output from the image processing unit 12 of the camera 11. The vehicle type here includes at least two types: four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles.

[0015] The light distribution pattern setting unit 15 sets a light distribution pattern based on the target information data output from the camera 11 and the type of vehicle (four-wheel vehicle / two-wheel vehicle) of the vehicle ahead detected by the vehicle type detection unit 14, with the position of the vehicle ahead within the high beam illumination range being a dimming range (or non-illumination range) and the rest being a light illumination range.

[0016] The control signal generating unit 16 generates a control signal based on the light distribution pattern set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 15, and outputs the control signal to each of the lamp units 20L and 20R.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system. The controller 13 described above can be configured using, for example, a computer system as shown in the figure. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 performs information processing by reading and executing a program 207 stored in a storage device 204. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 stores basic control programs and the like required for the operation of the CPU 201. The RAM (Temporary Storage Memory) 203 temporarily stores data required for the information processing of the CPU 201. The storage device 204 is a large-capacity storage device for storing data, and is configured, for example, by a hard disk drive or solid-state drive. The communication device 205 performs processing related to data communication with other external devices. The input / output unit 206 is an interface for connecting to external devices, and in this embodiment is used for connecting with the camera 11 and each of the lamp units 20L and 20R. The CPUs 201 and the like are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0018] FIG. 3(A) is a plan view schematically showing the positional relationship between the host vehicle and a four-wheeled vehicle ahead. FIG. 3(B) is a plan view schematically showing the positional relationship between the host vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle ahead. FIG. 3(C) is a plan view schematically showing the positional relationship between the host vehicle and an oncoming vehicle of a generalized shape. With reference to these figures, a method for detecting the vehicle type of the vehicle ahead in the vehicle type detection unit 14 will be described. Note that although the case where the vehicle ahead is an oncoming vehicle is exemplified here, the vehicle type of the vehicle ahead can also be detected in a similar manner when the vehicle ahead is a leading vehicle.

[0019] When the vehicle ahead is a four-wheel vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3(A), the inter-lamp distance W, which is the distance between the positions of the left and right headlamps (or tail lamps, the same applies below) used as the left and right ends of the vehicle ahead 101, becomes relatively large. The inter-lamp distance w is, for example, about 1.2 m.

[0020] In this embodiment, the positions of the headlamps as the left and right end positions of the vehicle ahead are detected as angles based on a predetermined position of the vehicle 100 (for example, the installation position of the camera 11). L , the right end position is θ R In this embodiment, the left and right ends of the forward vehicle 101 correspond to the left and right sides as viewed from the host vehicle 100 side, and do not necessarily coincide with the left and right sides of the forward vehicle 101 itself.

[0021] When the vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled vehicle, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the distance between the left and right headlamps (or taillamps, the same applies below) used as the left and right ends of the vehicle ahead 102, that is, the lamp-to-lamp distance (lamp width) w, becomes relatively small. The lamp-to-lamp distance w is, for example, about 0.5 m. The left end position of the vehicle ahead 102 is θ L , the right end position is θ R When the front vehicle 102 has one headlamp, θ L =θ R This becomes:

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3C, two-wheeled vehicles and four-wheeled vehicles are generally referred to as a forward vehicle 103. Here, as shown in the figure, the left edge position θ L and the right end position θ R The difference (θ L -θ R ) opening angle θ OP It is defined as:

[0023] For example, assuming a two-lane road with a lane width of 3.5 m, the distance C in the left-right direction between the vehicle 100 and the vehicle ahead 103 is 1.75 m. Also, assume that the distance w between the ramps of a four-wheeled vehicle is 1.2 m, and the distance w between the ramps of a two-wheeled vehicle is 0.5 m. As shown in FIG. 3(C), from the geometric positional relationship, θ OP :|θ L The relationship obtained is |=w:(|C|-w / 2).

[0024] Using the above values, in the case of a four-wheel vehicle, θ OP >|θ L |, θ for two-wheeled vehicles OP <|θ L Based on this relationship, the left end angle θ L is halved, |θ L | / 2>θ OP In this embodiment, the relationship |θ L | / 2>θ OP If the above formula is true, the vehicle ahead is identified as a two-wheel vehicle, and if it is not true, the vehicle ahead is identified as a four-wheel vehicle.

[0025] In addition, |θ L | / 2>θ OP The relationship between |θ L | / N>θ OP where N is a natural number. In cases where the two-wheeled vehicle in front is located away from the center of the lane, increasing N improves the accuracy of identifying the vehicle type. On the other hand, if N is set too large, the accuracy of identifying the vehicle type decreases when the vehicle in front is located far away. Taking these circumstances into consideration, the inventors of the present application conducted studies based on experiments and the like, and found that it is preferable to set the value of N to a natural number equal to or greater than 2, and that it is preferable to set it to a natural number equal to or less than 4.

[0026] 4 is a plan view showing the geometric arrangement of the host vehicle and the two-wheeled vehicle in the case where the vehicle in front is a two-wheeled vehicle. L , right end angle θ R , distance to the left end D L, distance to the right end D R Assume that the above has been detected. The X axis is set parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100, and the Y axis is set parallel to the lateral direction. The upward direction in the drawing is defined as the positive direction of the X axis, and the leftward direction in the drawing is defined as the positive direction of the Y axis. Also, the distance between the lamps of the vehicle 100 is defined as B [m], and the distance between the origin set at the installation position of the camera 11 and the lamp position is defined as L [m], where B and L are known values.

[0027] At this time, the central angle θ C θ C =(θ L +θ R ) / 2. The distance in the X direction between the installation position (origin) of the camera 11 of the vehicle 100 and the position of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is defined as X=(D L +D R ) / 2. The distance in the Y direction between the installation position (origin) of the camera 11 of the vehicle 100 and the position of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is defined as Y=X·tanθ C It is defined as:

[0028] FIG. 5(A) is a schematic plan view of a two-wheeled vehicle when the two-wheeled vehicle is an oncoming vehicle. FIG. 5(B) is a schematic plan view of a two-wheeled vehicle when the two-wheeled vehicle is a leading vehicle. The external shape information of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is determined as follows. As shown in FIG. 5(A), when the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is an oncoming vehicle, the headlamp position is set as the origin (X, Y), and the distance between this origin and the rear end of the rider's head is set as D. _ONC This D _ONC is set to, for example, 1.0 m as a known value under general conditions. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is the leading vehicle, the tail lamp position is set to the origin (X, Y), and the distance between this origin and both hands of the rider is set to D. _PREC This D _PREC is set to, for example, 2.0 m as a known value assuming the longest vehicle length under typical conditions. The width W of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is also set to, for example, 1.0 m as a known value under typical conditions.

[0029] FIG. 6(A) is a diagram illustrating how to calculate the shading angle when an oncoming two-wheeled vehicle is located relatively to the right of the host vehicle. The XY coordinate system is defined with the position of the camera 11 of the host vehicle 100 as the origin. The position of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is defined as (X, Y). The position of the lamp unit 20L on the left side of the host vehicle 100 is defined as (L, B / 2). If the condition B / 2≧Y+W / 2 is satisfied, it can be determined that the left end of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is relatively to the right of the lamp unit 20L on the left side of the host vehicle 100. Furthermore, if the condition −B / 2≧Y+W / 2 is satisfied, it can be determined that the left end of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is relatively to the right of the lamp unit 20R on the right side of the host vehicle 100.

[0030] The outer shading angle θ of the left lamp unit 20L of the vehicle 100 LL and inner shading angle θ LR can be calculated as follows, respectively: θ LL =arctan((Y+W / 2-B / 2) / (X+DL)) θ LR =arctan((YW / 2-B / 2) / (XL))

[0031] The outer shading angle θ by the lamp unit 20R on the right side of the vehicle 100 RR and inner shading angle θ RL can be calculated as follows, respectively: θ RR =arctan((YW / 2+B / 2) / (XL)) θ RL =arctan((Y+W / 2+B / 2) / (X+DL))

[0032] FIG. 6(B) is a diagram for explaining how to obtain a light shielding angle when a two-wheeled vehicle as an oncoming vehicle is present relatively on the left side as viewed from the host vehicle. Similarly to the above, XY coordinates are defined with the position of the camera 11 of the host vehicle 100 as the origin. The position of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is set as (X, Y). The position of the left lamp unit 20L on the left side of the host vehicle 100 is set as (L, B / 2). When the condition B / 2 < Y + W / 2 is satisfied, it can be determined that the left end of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is relatively on the left side of the left lamp unit 20L of the host vehicle 100. Also, when the condition -B / 2 < Y + W / 2 is satisfied, it can be determined that the left end of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is relatively on the left side of the right lamp unit 20R of the host vehicle 100.

[0033] The outer light shielding angle θ by the left lamp unit 20L of the host vehicle 100 LL and the inner light shielding angle θ LR can be obtained as follows, respectively. θ LL = arctan((Y + W / 2 - B / 2) / (X - L)) θ LR = arctan((Y - W / 2 - B / 2) / (X + D - L))

[0034] The outer light shielding angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R of the host vehicle 100 RR and the inner light shielding angle θ RL can be obtained as follows, respectively. θ RR = arctan((Y - W / 2 + B / 2) / (X + D - L)) θ RL = arctan((Y + W / 2 + B / 2) / (X - L))

[0035] Next, a method for obtaining a light shielding angle based on the position and detection width of a preceding vehicle when the mutual distance between the two-wheeled vehicle as the preceding vehicle is unknown (uncertain) will be described. First, it is assumed that the left end angle θ L and the right end angle θ R of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 have been detected by the camera 11 (see FIG. 4 above). When the headlamp or the like of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is a single lamp, θ L=θ R Then, as mentioned above, the central angle θ C θ C =(θ L +θ R ) / 2.

[0036] First, consider the case where the two-wheeled vehicle 102 to be shaded is located almost directly in front of the vehicle 100. The shortest inter-vehicle distance (the distance between the two-wheeled vehicle 102 and the vehicle 100) is assumed to be, for example, 10 m directly ahead. In the left-right direction, it is assumed that the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is located within 1.75 m on either the left or right side of the same lane. In this case, for example, the central angle θ C -9.9°≦θ C If the angle is within the range of ≦+9.9° (first range), it can be determined that the two-wheeled vehicle 102, which is the object of light blocking, is present in front. The absolute value of 9.9 in this case is set as the coefficient K1. Note that the value of coefficient K1 can be set based on experiments or simulations and is not limited to the above value of 9.9.

[0037] The outer shading angle θ of the left lamp unit 20L of the vehicle 100 LL and the outer shading angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R RR For the central angle θ C By using the above formula, it is possible to set the light blocking angle to W / 2 outward from the center in the left-right direction of the two-wheeled vehicle 102. That is, the following is obtained. θ LL =θ C θ RR =θ C

[0038] The inner shading angle θ of the left lamp unit 20L of the vehicle 100 LR and the inner shading angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R RL is the safe shading angle when there is a shading target 10 m in front of the vehicle. For example, if the width of the area to be shading is 1.0 m, the inner shading angle θ LR and inner shading angle θ RLcan be expressed as follows: The absolute value 5.7 in this case is taken as coefficient K2. Note that the value of coefficient K2 can be set based on experiments or simulations and is not limited to the above value of 5.7. θ LR =θ C -arctan(1.0 / 10)=θ C -5.7° θ RL =θ C +arctan(1.0 / 10)=θ C +5.7°

[0039] To summarize the above, when the two-wheeled vehicle 102 to be blocked is located substantially directly ahead, the respective shading angles can be calculated as follows: Based on these shading angles, the dimming range within the high beam illumination range can be set. θ LL =θ C θ RR =θ C θ LR =θ C -K2 θ RL =θ C +K2

[0040] Next, consider the case where a two-wheeled vehicle 102, which is the object of light blocking, is present to the side. C Using θ C ≦-K1, or θ C If K≧+K1, it can be determined that the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is present to the side. Next, a method for determining the shading angle will be described with reference to Figs. 7(A) to 7(C).

[0041] First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the left end angle θ of the two-wheeled vehicle 102 detected by the camera 11 is L , right end angle θ R Using the central angle θ C =(θ L +θ RNext, as shown in FIG. 7B, if the right end coordinate of the range to be shaded is set to a position B / 2 outward using the inter-lamp distance B of the vehicle 100, the inner shade angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R is calculated. RR As the central angle θ C can be used, which can be expressed as follows: θ RR =θ C

[0042] Since the distance B between the lamps is generally about 0.8 m to 1.6 m, the inner shading angle θ corresponds to a position shifted about 0.4 m to 0.8 m outward from the center of the two-wheeled vehicle 102. RR will be set.

[0043] In addition, the outer shading angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R RL is the shading angle θ RR The following setting can be made in correspondence with a position moved to the left by the lamp-to-lamp distance B from the position used for setting (a). θ RL =θ C (1-B / C)

[0044] As described above, C is the horizontal distance between the host vehicle 100 and the two-wheeled vehicle 102 in front. This distance C is approximately 3.5 m if it is assumed that the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is located in the adjacent lane, and approximately 1.75 m if it is assumed that the two-wheeled vehicle 102 is located near the center line. The smaller the value of the horizontal distance C is set to, the easier it is to prevent glare on the two-wheeled vehicle 102, but on the other hand, the light reduction range becomes larger than necessary. For this reason, it is preferable to set it in the range of 2.0 m≦C≦4.0 m, for example. Note that if the lane position can be detected by the camera 11, the value of C may be set to be variable depending on the lane position.

[0045] Similarly, the outer shading angle θ LL and the inner shading angle θ by the left lamp unit 20R LR can be set as follows: θLL =θ C θ LR =θ C (1+B / C)

[0046] 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the vehicle lighting system. Note that the order of each process can be changed as long as it does not cause inconsistency in the control results, and other processes not described may be added, and these embodiments are not excluded.

[0047] If a vehicle ahead is detected based on the detection result of the camera 11 (step S11; YES), the vehicle type detection unit 14 detects the vehicle type of the vehicle ahead (step S12). As described above, the vehicle type detected is either a two-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. Note that while no vehicle ahead is present (step S11; NO), the processes from step S12 onwards are not executed.

[0048] If the vehicle type detected by the vehicle type detection unit 14 is a "two-wheeled vehicle" (step S13; YES), and the detection result of the camera 11 includes the distance between the two-wheeled vehicle and the vehicle (the distance D to the left end of the two-wheeled vehicle) L and distance D to the right edge R ) exists (step S14; YES), the light distribution pattern setting unit 15 determines the distance D L and distance D R Specifically, the light distribution pattern is set using the distance D L and distance D R The outer shading angle θ by the left lamp unit 20L of the vehicle 100 is calculated by the above-mentioned method corresponding to the case where LL and inner shading angle θ LR , the outer shading angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R RR and inner shading angle θ RL are required respectively.

[0049] On the other hand, if the vehicle type detected by the vehicle type detection unit 14 is a "two-wheeled vehicle" (step S13; YES), and the detection result of the camera 11 does not include information on the distance between the two-wheeled vehicle and the vehicle itself (step S14; NO), the light distribution pattern setting unit 15 calculates the distance D L and distance D R Specifically, the light distribution pattern is set without using the distance D L and distance D R The outer shading angle θ by the left lamp unit 20L of the vehicle 100 is calculated by the above-mentioned method corresponding to the case where the outer shading angle θ LL and inner shading angle θ LR , the outer shading angle θ by the right lamp unit 20R RR and inner shading angle θ RL are required respectively.

[0050] Once the light distribution pattern is set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 15 through step S15 or step S16, a control signal for realizing this light distribution pattern is generated by the control signal generating unit 16 and output to each lamp unit 20L, 20R. As a result, light of a light distribution pattern having a dimming range set corresponding to a two-wheeled vehicle is irradiated ahead of the vehicle within the high beam irradiation range.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned step S13, if the vehicle type detected by the vehicle type detection unit 14 is not a "two-wheeled vehicle" but a "four-wheeled vehicle" (step S13; NO), a light distribution pattern assuming a four-wheeled vehicle is set by the light distribution pattern setting unit 15 (step S17). As a known technique can be applied to a method for setting a light distribution pattern assuming a four-wheeled vehicle, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0052] Once the light distribution pattern is set by light distribution pattern setting unit 15 through step S17, a control signal for realizing this light distribution pattern is generated by control signal generating unit 16 and output to each lamp unit 20L, 20R. As a result, light of a light distribution pattern having a dimming range set corresponding to a four-wheel vehicle is irradiated ahead of the vehicle within the high beam irradiation range.

[0053] After any one of steps S15 to S17 is executed, the process returns to step S11.

[0054] According to the above-described embodiment, when setting a dimming range within the high beam illumination range from the vehicle in question depending on the position of the vehicle in front and illuminating the light, it is possible to set an appropriate dimming range even if the preceding vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle.

[0055] The present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the numerical values ​​shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be optimized as appropriate based on the results of experiments, simulations, etc. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, a camera having an image recognition function is used as a sensor to detect the position of a preceding vehicle (target), but the position of a preceding vehicle may be detected using various sensors such as LiDAR, or the position of a preceding vehicle may be detected using known vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology or road-to-vehicle communication technology.

[0056] The present disclosure has the following additional features.

[0057] (Appendix 1) A device for controlling a light irradiation range and a dimming range of a pair of vehicle lamps installed in the front of a vehicle, a sensor for detecting a left end angle and a right end angle, which are angles relative to a predetermined position, for the left and right end positions of a target present in front of the vehicle; a controller that sets the light illumination range and the dimming range based on the left end angle and the right end angle detected by the sensor and supplies control signals to the pair of vehicle lamps to perform light illumination according to the light illumination range and the dimming range; Including, The controller When the difference between the left end angle and the right end angle is smaller than a threshold value obtained by dividing the left end angle or the right end angle by a natural number N (where N≧2), the light illumination range and the light reduction range are set based on a positional relationship on the assumption that the target is a two-wheeled vehicle. A control device for vehicle lighting fixtures. (Appendix 2) When a magnitude of a central angle θc, which is a value obtained by multiplying the sum of the left end angle and the right end angle by 1 / 2, is within a first range including a front direction of the vehicle, the controller determines one boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by the central angle θc, and determines the other boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by adding or subtracting a predetermined coefficient to the central angle θc. 2. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) When the magnitude of the central angle θc is not within the first range, the controller determines one boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by the central angle θc, and determines the other boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by multiplying the central angle θc by coefficients (1-B / C) and (1+B / C) obtained based on an estimated value B of the distance between the pair of vehicle lamps and an estimated value C of the left-right distance between the host vehicle and the two-wheeled vehicle. 3. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to claim 2. (Appendix 4) The estimated value B is set within a range of 0.8 m to 1.6 m, The estimated value C is set within a range of 2.0 m to 4.0 m. 4. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to claim 3. (Appendix 5) The first range is a range of −9.9° to +9.9°. 5. A control device for a vehicle lamp according to any one of appendices 2 to 4. (Appendix 6) A method for controlling a light irradiation range and a dimming range by a pair of vehicle lamps installed in the front of a vehicle, comprising: (a) detecting, by a sensor, a left end angle and a right end angle, which are angles relative to a predetermined position, for the left and right end positions of a target present in front of the vehicle; (b) setting the light illumination range and the dimming range based on the left end angle and the right end angle, and supplying control signals to the pair of vehicle lamps to perform light illumination according to the light illumination range and the dimming range; Including, (b) includes setting the light illumination range and the light reduction range based on a positional relationship on the assumption that the target is a two-wheeled vehicle when a difference between the left end angle and the right end angle is smaller than a threshold value obtained by dividing the left end angle or the right end angle by a natural number N (where N≧2). A method for controlling a vehicle lamp. (Appendix 7) A control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5; a pair of vehicle lamps connected to the control device; A vehicle lighting system comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 11: camera, 12: image processing unit, 13: controller, 14: vehicle type detection unit, 15: light distribution pattern setting unit, 16: control signal generation unit, 20L, 20R: lamp unit, 100: host vehicle, 101: forward vehicle (four-wheel vehicle), 102: forward vehicle (two-wheel vehicle)

Claims

1. A device for controlling a light irradiation range and a dimming range of a pair of vehicle lamps installed in the front of a vehicle, a sensor for detecting a left end angle and a right end angle, which are angles relative to a predetermined position, for the left and right end positions of a target present in front of the host vehicle; a controller that sets the light illumination range and the dimming range based on the left end angle and the right end angle detected by the sensor and supplies control signals to the pair of vehicle lamps to perform light illumination according to the light illumination range and the dimming range; Including, The controller When a difference between the left end angle and the right end angle is smaller than a threshold value obtained by dividing the left end angle or the right end angle by a natural number N (where N≧2), the light illumination range and the light reduction range are set based on a positional relationship on the assumption that the target is a two-wheeled vehicle. A control device for vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. When a magnitude of a central angle θc, which is a value obtained by multiplying the sum of the left end angle and the right end angle by ½, is within a first range including a front direction of the vehicle, the controller determines one boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by the central angle θc, and determines the other boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by adding or subtracting a predetermined coefficient to the central angle θc. The vehicle lighting device control device according to claim 1 .

3. When the magnitude of the central angle θc is not within the first range, the controller determines one boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by the central angle θc, and determines the other boundary of the dimming range of each of the pair of vehicle lamps by multiplying the central angle θc by coefficients (1−B / C) and (1+B / C) obtained based on an estimated value B of the distance between the pair of vehicle lamps and an estimated value C of the left-right distance between the host vehicle and the two-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle lighting device control device according to claim 2.

4. The estimated value B is set within a range of 0.8 m to 1.6 m, The estimated value C is set within a range of 2.0 m to 4.0 m. The vehicle lighting device control device according to claim 3.

5. The first range is a range of −9.9° to +9.9°. The vehicle lighting device control device according to claim 2.

6. A method for controlling a light irradiation range and a dimming range by a pair of vehicle lamps installed in the front of a vehicle, comprising: (a) detecting, by a sensor, a left end angle and a right end angle, which are relative angles with respect to a predetermined position, for the left and right end positions of a target present in front of the vehicle; (b) setting the light illumination range and the dimming range based on the left end angle and the right end angle, and supplying control signals to the pair of vehicle lamps to perform light illumination according to the light illumination range and the dimming range; Including, (b) includes setting the light illumination range and the light reduction range based on a positional relationship on the assumption that the target is a two-wheeled vehicle when a difference between the left end angle and the right end angle is smaller than a threshold value obtained by dividing the left end angle or the right end angle by a natural number N (where N≧2). A method for controlling a vehicle lamp.

7. The control device according to claim 1 ; a pair of vehicle lamps connected to the control device; A vehicle lighting system comprising:

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