Vehicle headlights

Abstract

To provide a vehicular headlamp capable of suppressing the deterioration of visibility of an area ahead of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicular headlamp 1 is equipped with a lighting unit 10, and a control portion CO to which a signal is inputted from a detection device detecting an object located ahead of a vehicle 100. The control portion CO, when the object is not positioned ahead of the vehicle 100, controls the lighting unit 10 so as to emit light with a light distribution pattern PH of high beam, and when a plurality of objects is positioned ahead of the vehicle 100, controls the lighting unit 10 so as to decrease the light volume of a plurality of first areas 91a to 91d respectively overlapped with at least a part of the objects of the light distribution pattern PH of high-beam, to increase the light volume of a plurality of second areas 92a to 92d respectively along at least a part of outer edges of the first areas 91a to 91d, and to respectively change width Wa to Wd of the second areas 92a to 92d according to the total area of the plurality of first areas 91a to 91d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Known vehicle headlights, typified by automobile headlights, are those that change the light distribution pattern of emitted light, and Patent Document 1 listed below discloses such a vehicle headlight.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 1 below includes a lighting unit capable of changing the light distribution pattern of emitted light, and a control unit. The control unit controls the lighting unit based on information from a detection device that detects other vehicles located in front of the vehicle, so that light is irradiated around the other vehicles while suppressing light irradiation on the other vehicles. For this reason, Patent Document 1 below claims that the vehicle headlamp can suppress glare to drivers of other vehicles located in front of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-031807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a region with reduced light intensity is formed, as in the vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1, the driver of the vehicle tends to perceive this region and the surrounding area as dark, which may reduce visibility ahead of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1, when multiple vehicles are positioned ahead of the vehicle, the light intensity is reduced in one region overlapping these other vehicles. This also darkens the region between adjacent vehicles, reducing visibility ahead of the vehicle. Therefore, there is a demand for suppressing this reduction in visibility ahead of the vehicle.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp that can suppress a decrease in visibility ahead of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention comprises a lighting unit capable of changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light, and a control unit that controls the lighting unit in response to a signal input from a detection device that detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle, wherein the control unit controls the lighting unit so that, when the predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle, light having a light distribution pattern including a predetermined light distribution pattern is emitted, and when multiple predetermined objects are located in front of the vehicle, the control unit controls the lighting unit so that, compared to when the predetermined objects are not located in front of the vehicle, the amount of light in multiple first regions of the predetermined light distribution pattern that overlap with at least a portion of each of the predetermined objects is reduced, and the amount of light in multiple second regions that each follow at least a portion of the outer edge of each of the first regions is increased, and the width of each of the second regions in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the outer edge of the first regions is changed according to the sum of the areas of the multiple first regions.

[0008] This vehicle headlamp changes the light distribution pattern of emitted light depending on the situation ahead of the vehicle, thereby reducing the amount of light irradiated onto multiple objects located ahead of the vehicle. For example, if the multiple objects include another vehicle, the amount of light irradiated onto the other vehicle is reduced. This vehicle headlamp can therefore reduce glare to drivers of other vehicles. Furthermore, if the multiple objects include a retroreflective object such as a sign, the amount of light irradiated onto the retroreflective object is reduced. This vehicle headlamp therefore reduces the amount of light reflected off the retroreflective object and toward the vehicle, thereby reducing glare to the driver of the vehicle caused by the reflected light. Furthermore, this vehicle headlamp can reduce the darkening of areas between adjacent objects compared to when one first region is provided for multiple objects. Furthermore, this vehicle headlamp can reduce the darkening of the area around the first region, where the light amount is reduced, compared to when there is no second region, thereby reducing a decrease in visibility ahead of the vehicle. Furthermore, in this vehicle headlamp, as described above, the width of each second region varies depending on the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions. As the proportion of the first regions to the entire predetermined light distribution pattern increases, the predetermined light distribution pattern tends to appear darker overall. Therefore, if the width of each second region increases as the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions increases, the predetermined light distribution pattern can be prevented from appearing darker overall.

[0009] The control unit may control the lighting unit so that a total of the dimming amounts of the plurality of first regions is equal to a total of the dimming amounts of the plurality of second regions.

[0010] With this configuration, the increase in energy consumption can be suppressed compared to when the total amount of light increase in the plurality of second regions is greater than the total amount of light decrease in the plurality of first regions.

[0011] The control unit may control the lighting unit so that the widths of the second regions are the same.

[0012] With this configuration, the control load on the control unit can be reduced compared to when the widths of the plurality of second regions are different from one another.

[0013] The control unit may control the lighting unit so that the second regions have the same amount of light increase per unit area.

[0014] With this configuration, the control load on the control unit can be reduced compared to when the amount of light increase per unit area of ​​the plurality of second regions differs from one another.

[0015] The control unit may control the lighting unit so that the amount of change in the width of each of the second regions relative to the amount of change in the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions becomes smaller as the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions increases.

[0016] When adjacent second regions overlap, the overlapping area of ​​the second regions may become too bright, which may cause the driver of the vehicle to feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, the larger the total area of ​​the multiple first regions, the more likely adjacent first regions and adjacent second regions tend to be closer to each other. Therefore, by using the above configuration, it is possible to make it less likely for adjacent second regions to overlap, compared to when the amount of change in the width of each second region relative to the amount of change in the total area of ​​the multiple first regions is constant regardless of the total area of ​​the multiple first regions, thereby reducing the likelihood of the driver of the vehicle feeling uncomfortable.

[0017] The control unit may control the lighting unit so that the width of each of the second regions does not change when the ratio of the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions to the area of ​​a predetermined light distribution pattern is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0018] The smaller the ratio, the less likely the predetermined light distribution pattern will appear dark overall. Therefore, by using the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the control load on the control unit while preventing the predetermined light distribution pattern from appearing dark overall.

[0019] The control unit may control the lighting unit such that the width of each of the second regions becomes narrower as the number of the first regions increases.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to make it difficult for adjacent second regions to overlap, and to prevent the driver of the vehicle from feeling uncomfortable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp that can suppress a decrease in visibility ahead of the vehicle can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view conceptually showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a lamp unit of one of the vehicle headlights shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the light source unit shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a control flowchart of a control unit in the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a high beam light distribution pattern in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram similar to FIG. 5 showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern in this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern when a predetermined time has elapsed from the state shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof. Furthermore, the present invention may also be realized by appropriately combining the components in each of the embodiments illustrated below. Note that in the drawings referred to below, the dimensions of each component may be changed to facilitate understanding.

[0024] 1 is a plan view conceptually showing a vehicle equipped with vehicle headlights according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 according to this embodiment is an automobile, and includes a pair of left and right vehicle headlights 1, a light switch 110, and a detection device 120 that detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100.

[0025] In this embodiment, each vehicle headlamp 1 mainly comprises a lamp unit 5, a control unit CO, a memory ME, and a power supply circuit 50. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, "right" means the right side from the viewpoint of the driver of the vehicle 100, which is the host vehicle, and "left" means the left side from the viewpoint of the driver of the vehicle 100, which is the host vehicle.

[0026] In this embodiment, the configuration of one vehicle headlamp 1 is the same as the configuration of the other vehicle headlamp 1, except that the shape of the lamp unit 5 is generally symmetrical. Therefore, in the following, only one vehicle headlamp 1 will be described, and a description of the other vehicle headlamp 1 will be omitted.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the lamp section 5 of one of the vehicle headlights 1 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the lamp section 5 mainly includes a lamp unit 10 and a housing 16.

[0028] The housing 16 mainly comprises a housing 17 and a front cover 18. The front cover 18 transmits light emitted from the lighting unit 10. The housing 17 is configured in a box shape with an opening at the front, and the front cover 18 is fixed to the housing 17 so as to close the opening. In this way, an accommodation space surrounded by the housing 17 and the front cover 18 is formed in the housing 16, and the lighting unit 10 is disposed in this accommodation space. The lighting unit 10 is capable of changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light, and mainly comprises a light source unit 12 and a projection lens 15.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a front view schematically illustrating the light source unit 12 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source unit 12 of this embodiment includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 13 as a light-emitting unit that emits light, and a circuit board 14 on which the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 are mounted. The plurality of light-emitting elements 13 are arranged in a matrix to form rows in the vertical and horizontal directions, and emit light forward. The light-emitting elements 13 are capable of individually changing the amount of light they emit. In this embodiment, the light-emitting elements 13 are micro LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the light source unit 12 is a so-called micro LED array. Note that the number of light-emitting elements 13 arranged in the horizontal direction and the number of light-emitting elements 13 arranged in the vertical direction are not particularly limited.

[0030] In this embodiment, each light-emitting element 13 corresponds to a pixel of an image generated by an image generation unit of the control unit CO, which will be described later. The light source unit 12 adjusts the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 in accordance with data for the pixel corresponding to that light-emitting element 13, thereby emitting light based on this image and forming a light distribution pattern based on that image using that light. In this embodiment, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the light-emitting elements 13 and the pixels, but this is not particularly limited.

[0031] The projection lens 15 is disposed in front of the light source unit 12, and light emitted from the light source unit 12 is incident thereon, and the divergence angle of this light is adjusted by the projection lens 15. Therefore, the light whose divergence angle has been adjusted by the projection lens 15 is emitted from the lamp unit 10, and this light is irradiated from the lamp unit 5 through the front cover 18 toward the front of the vehicle 100. The projection lens 15 of this embodiment is a lens whose light entrance surface and exit surface are formed in a convex shape, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 15 is located on or near the light exit surface of any of the light-emitting elements 13 in the light source unit 12. Therefore, the light distribution pattern of the light irradiated toward the front of the vehicle 100 is a light distribution pattern obtained by vertically and horizontally inverting the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by the light source unit 12, and the image representing this light distribution pattern is an image obtained by vertically and horizontally inverting the image representing the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by the light source unit 12.

[0032] 1 is composed of an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, an integrated circuit (IC), a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or an NC (numerical control) device. When an NC device is used, the control unit CO may or may not use a machine learning device.

[0033] The memory ME is configured to store information and to be able to read the stored information. The memory ME is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and is preferably a semiconductor recording medium such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM), but may also include any type of recording medium, such as an optical recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Note that "non-transitory" recording medium includes all computer-readable recording media except for transient, propagating signals, and does not exclude volatile recording media. The memory ME stores various programs for controlling the lighting unit 10 and information necessary for such control, and the control unit CO reads the programs and information stored in the memory ME.

[0034] The control unit CO of this embodiment includes an image generation unit 20 and a light distribution control unit 40, and receives signals from a detection device 120 (described later) after reading various programs from the memory ME. The image generation unit 20 generates an image based on an image stored in the memory ME. In this embodiment, this image is a grayscale image in which the data for each pixel is a gray value, and the larger the gray value, the brighter the pixel. However, the data for each pixel is not particularly limited. Furthermore, image information may be read from a memory outside the vehicle 100 via a wireless communication device provided in the vehicle 100.

[0035] In this embodiment, the image stored in memory ME is a high beam image. The high beam image is an image in which light emitted from light source unit 12 forms a high beam light distribution pattern. Image generation unit 20 of this embodiment processes the high beam image based on information indicated by a signal input from detection device 120, thereby generating an image representing an ADB light distribution pattern in which the amount of light in some areas of the high beam light distribution pattern is reduced and the amount of light in other areas is increased.

[0036] The light distribution control unit 40 of this embodiment controls the lamp unit 10 by controlling the power supply circuit 50 based on information about a high beam image stored in the memory ME or information about an image generated by the image generation unit 20. As described above, the image generation unit 20 generates an image based on information indicated by a signal input from the detection device 120. For this reason, it can be understood that the control unit CO receives a signal from the detection device 120 and controls the lamp unit 10 using the image generation unit 20 and the light distribution control unit 40.

[0037] The power supply circuit 50 includes a driver. When a control signal is input from the light distribution control unit 40, the driver adjusts the power supplied from a power supply (not shown) to each light-emitting element 13 of the light source unit 12. In this way, the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 is adjusted, and the light source unit 12 emits light based on a high beam image or an image generated by the image generation unit 20. Then, light having an ADB light distribution pattern represented by the high beam or the image generated by the image generation unit 20 is emitted from the lamp unit 10. Note that, more power is supplied to a light-emitting element 13 corresponding to a pixel with a larger gradation value. In this embodiment, when the gradation value exceeds a threshold, power corresponding to the threshold is supplied to the light-emitting element 13. In this embodiment, the driver of the power supply circuit 50 adjusts the power supplied to each light-emitting element 13 using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, thereby adjusting the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13. However, the method for adjusting the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 is not particularly limited.

[0038] The light switch 110 of this embodiment is a switch that selects whether to emit light or not. When the light switch 110 is on, it outputs a signal indicating that light is to be emitted to the control unit CO via the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 101 of the vehicle 100, and when it is off, it does not output a signal.

[0039] The detection device 120 of this embodiment detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100. Examples of the predetermined object include other vehicles such as a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, a retroreflective object, a human being such as a pedestrian, and an obstacle. The retroreflective object of this embodiment is an object that does not emit light itself but retroreflects irradiated light at a predetermined spread angle. Examples of such retroreflective objects include road signs and delineators. The detection device 120 of this embodiment includes an image acquisition unit 121 and a detection unit 122.

[0040] The image acquisition unit 121 acquires an image of the area ahead of the vehicle 100, and the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 121 includes at least a part of an area that can be irradiated with light emitted from the pair of vehicle headlights 1. Examples of the image acquisition unit 121 include a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera, a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), and a millimeter wave radar.

[0041] The detection unit 122 has the same configuration as the control unit CO, for example. The detection unit 122 performs predetermined image processing on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 121, and detects the presence of a predetermined object, the position of the predetermined object in the image, the type of the predetermined object, etc. from the image that has been subjected to the image processing. When the detection device 120 detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100, the detection device 120 outputs a signal indicating information such as the presence of the predetermined object, the position of the predetermined object in the image, and the type of the predetermined object to the control unit CO via the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 101 of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, when the detection device 120 does not detect a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100, the detection device 120 outputs a signal indicating the absence of the predetermined object to the control unit CO via the ECU 101, but the detection device 120 does not have to output the signal.

[0042] There are no particular limitations on the predetermined objects detected by the detection device 120, the number of types of predetermined objects, and the configuration of the detection device 120. For example, the image acquisition unit 121 may be a CCD camera and LiDAR, and in this case, the detection unit 122 detects the predetermined objects based on the images acquired by the CCD camera and LiDAR.

[0043] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the operation of the pair of vehicle headlamp 1 is the same and synchronized with each other. Therefore, the operation of one of the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described below, and the description of the operation of the other vehicle headlamp 1 will be omitted.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a control flowchart of the control unit CO in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the control flow includes steps SP11 to SP15.

[0045] (Step SP11) In this step, the control unit CO changes the next step depending on whether or not a signal is input from the light switch 110. In this step, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP12 if a signal is input from the light switch 110, and advances the control flow to step SP15 if this signal is not input.

[0046] (Step SP12) In this step, the control unit CO changes the next step by making a case-by-case decision depending on the signal input from the detection device 120. In this step, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP13 if a signal indicating the absence of a predetermined object is input from the detection device 120, and advances the control flow to step SP14 if a signal indicating information about the predetermined object is input from the detection device 120.

[0047] (Step SP13) In this step, the control unit CO controls the lighting unit 10 so that a high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this embodiment, the image generation unit 20 reads a high beam image stored in the memory ME, and the light distribution control unit 40 controls the power supply circuit 50 based on the information about the high beam image to supply power to each light-emitting element 13 of the light source unit 12. This power supply causes the light source unit 12 to emit light based on the high beam image, and light having a high beam light distribution pattern is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this way, when a predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100, the vehicle headlamp 1 emits a high beam. Then, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP11.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a high-beam light distribution pattern in this embodiment. In FIG. 5, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the lateral direction, and the high-beam light distribution pattern PH formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. In this embodiment, when emitting a high beam, light is emitted from all of the light-emitting elements 13, and the outline of the high-beam light distribution pattern is a roughly horizontally elongated rectangle. Furthermore, a hot zone, which is the region where the light intensity in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is highest, is located on or near the intersection of the horizontal line S and the vertical line V. The light intensity in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH decreases as one moves away from the hot zone.

[0049] (Step SP14) In this step, the control unit CO controls the lighting unit 10 so that the light distribution pattern of light emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 becomes an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle 100, as detected by the detection device 120. The ADB light distribution pattern in this embodiment is a light distribution pattern in which the light amount in a first region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH that overlaps at least a portion of the predetermined object and in a second region along at least a portion of the outer edge of the first region are changed. The change in the light amount in the first region is a decrease compared to when the predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100. The change in the light amount in the second region is an increase compared to when the predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100. In other words, the control unit CO controls the lighting unit 10 so that the light amount in the first region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is decreased and the light amount in the second region is increased compared to when the predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100.

[0050] If there are multiple predetermined objects located ahead of the vehicle 100, a first region is provided for each predetermined object, and a second region is provided for each first region. In other words, the ADB light distribution pattern in this case is a light distribution pattern in which the light intensity of multiple first regions that overlap at least a portion of each predetermined object is reduced and the light intensity of multiple second regions that extend along at least a portion of the outer edge of each first region is increased within the high beam light distribution pattern PH. Furthermore, the width of each second region in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the outer edge of the first region varies depending on the total area of ​​the multiple first regions. Therefore, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 to emit light having such an ADB light distribution pattern. Hereinafter, the width of the second region refers to the width described above.

[0051] In this control, in this embodiment, the image generation unit 20 first reads a high beam image stored in memory and processes the high beam image based on information about a predetermined object input from the detection device 120 to generate an ADB light distribution image representing the above-mentioned ADB light distribution pattern. Specifically, based on the information from the detection device 120, the image generation unit 20 processes the high beam image so that pixels in a region corresponding to the above-mentioned first region become darker and pixels in a region corresponding to the above-mentioned second region become brighter. The image generation unit 20 processes the high beam image in this way to generate an ADB light distribution image in which the brightness of part of the high beam image has been changed.

[0052] Next, the light distribution control unit 40 controls the power supply circuit 50 based on the information of the generated ADB light distribution image to cause the light source unit 12 to emit light based on the ADB light distribution image. As a result, light having an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to a predetermined object is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. Then, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP11.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a diagram similar to FIG. 5 , illustrating an example of an ADB light distribution pattern according to this embodiment. The diagram illustrates the ADB light distribution pattern when a retroreflective object 81, a person 82, and another vehicle 83 are detected by the detection device 120 as predetermined objects and positioned ahead of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 6 , the retroreflective object 81 is a road sign, the person 82 is a pedestrian, and the other vehicle 83 is a preceding vehicle. In the ADB light distribution pattern PADB, the light intensity of a first region 91a that overlaps with the retroreflective object 81 is less than the light intensity of the first region 91a in the high beam light distribution pattern PH. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the amount of light reflected by the retroreflective object 81 and directed toward the vehicle 100, thereby suppressing glare to the driver due to the reflected light. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the first region 91a is rectangular and overlaps the entire retroreflective object 81. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing glare to the driver, the first region 91a only needs to overlap at least a portion of the retroreflective object 81, and there are no restrictions on the shape or size of the first region 91a.

[0054] Furthermore, the amount of light in the first region 91b of the ADB light distribution pattern PADB that overlaps the person 82 is less than the amount of light in the first region 91b in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can reduce the amount of light irradiated onto the person 82, thereby suppressing glare to the person. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first region 91b has a rectangular shape that overlaps the head of the person 82, and the first region 91b does not overlap most of the torso of the person 82. However, from the perspective of suppressing glare to the person 82, it is sufficient that the first region 91b overlaps at least a portion of the head of the person 82, and the first region 91b may overlap the entire person 82, and the shape and size of the first region 91b are not limited.

[0055] Furthermore, the amount of light in the first region 91c of the ADB light distribution pattern PADB that overlaps with the other vehicle 83 is less than the amount of light in the first region 91c in the high beam light distribution pattern PH. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can reduce the amount of light irradiated onto the other vehicle 83, thereby reducing glare to the driver of the other vehicle 83. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first region 91c has a rectangular shape that overlaps above the license plate of the other vehicle 83. However, from the perspective of reducing glare to the driver of the other vehicle 83, it is sufficient that the first region 91c overlaps at least a portion of the viewing area through which the driver of the other vehicle 83 views the outside of the vehicle. For example, the first region 91c may overlap the entire other vehicle 83, and the shape and size of the first region 91c are not limited. The visible part is, for example, the front windshield if the other vehicle 83 is an oncoming vehicle, and, if the other vehicle 83 is a leading vehicle, it is, for example, a side mirror, rear windshield, or an imaging device that captures images behind the vehicle, and these generally tend to be located above the license plate.

[0056] In this embodiment, the brightness of each of the first regions 91a-91c is the same, and the amount of light per unit area of ​​each of the first regions 91a-91c is the same. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the area of ​​the first region 91a is larger than the area of ​​the first region 91b, and the area of ​​the first region 91c is larger than the area of ​​the first region 91a. The amount of light reduction, which is the amount of light reduced in the first region 91a, is greater than the amount of light reduction in the first region 91b, and the amount of light reduction in the first region 91c is greater than the amount of light reduction in the first region 91a.

[0057] The second region 92a is a region that extends along at least a portion of the outer edge of the first region 91a. Similarly to the second region 92a, the second region 92b is a region that extends along at least a portion of the outer edge of the first region 91b, and the second region 92c is a region that extends along at least a portion of the outer edge of the first region 91c. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the second regions 92a-92c extend along the entire outer edges of the first regions 91a-91c, surrounding the first regions 91a-91c. The width Wa of the first region 91a, the width Wb of the first region 91b, and the width Wc of the first region 91c are each generally constant in the direction in which the second regions 92a-92c extend along the outer edges of the first regions 91a-91c, and the light intensity of each of the second regions 92a-92c is greater than the light intensity of the second regions 92a-92c in the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

[0058] In this embodiment, the total amount of light increase, which is the amount of light increased in these second regions 92a-92c, is the same as the total amount of light decrease in the first regions 91a-91c. Furthermore, the amount of light increase per unit area of ​​these second regions 92a-92c is the same, and the widths Wa-Wc of these second regions 92a-92c are the same. The widths Wa-Wc of these second regions 92a-92c vary depending on the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91c, and in this embodiment, the widths Wa-Wc of these second regions 92a-92c are wider as the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91c increases.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a diagram similar to Fig. 6 showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern after a predetermined time has elapsed since the state shown in Fig. 6, and is a diagram showing an ADB light distribution pattern in which the total area of ​​a plurality of first regions has increased from the state shown in Fig. 6. In the state shown in Fig. 7, a retroreflective object 81 as a predetermined object, a person 82, another vehicle 83, and a pedestrian who is another person 182 are located in front of the vehicle 100. The position of the other vehicle 83 relative to the vehicle 100 in Fig. 7 is approximately the same as its position in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the positions of the retroreflective object 81 and the person 82 relative to the vehicle 100 in Fig. 7 are closer to the vehicle 100 than their positions in Fig. 6. The first regions 91a-91c in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Fig. 6 change to the first regions 91a-91c in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Fig. 7, and the second regions 92a-92c in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Fig. 6 change to the second regions 92a-92c in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Fig. 7 has a first region 91d that overlaps with at least a part of another person 182, and a second region 92d that follows at least a part of the outer edge of the first region 91d. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the second region 92d follows the entire outer edge of the first region 91d, and the width Wd of the second region 92d is approximately constant in the direction in which the second region 92d follows the outer edge of the first region 91d. The light amount of the first region 91d is less than the light amount of the first region 91d in the high beam light distribution pattern PH, and the light amount of the second region 92d is greater than the light amount of the second region 92d in the high beam light distribution pattern PH. Note that, for ease of understanding, hereinafter, the configuration of the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Figure 6 will be referred to as the one before the change, and the configuration of the ADB light distribution pattern PADB shown in Figure 7 will be referred to as the one after the change.

[0060] In this embodiment, the brightness of the first region 91a after the change is the same as the brightness of the first region 91a before the change, the brightness of the first region 91b after the change is the same as the brightness of the first region 91b before the change, the brightness of the first region 91c after the change is the same as the brightness of the first region 91c before the change, and the brightnesses of the first regions 91a, 91b, 91c, and 91d after the change are the same as each other. Therefore, the total amount of light reduction of the multiple first regions 91a-91d after the change is greater than the total amount of light reduction of the multiple first regions 91a-91c in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB before the change. Furthermore, the area of ​​the first region 91a after the change is larger than the area of ​​the first region 91a before the change, the area of ​​the first region 91b after the change is larger than the area of ​​the first region 91b before the change, and the area of ​​the first region 91c after the change is approximately the same as the area of ​​the first region 91c before the change. Therefore, the total area of ​​the multiple first regions 91a-91d in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB after the change is greater than the total area of ​​the multiple first regions 91a-91c in the ADB light distribution pattern PADB before the change. The width Wa of the second region 92a after the change is wider than the width Wa before the change, the width Wb of the second region 92b after the change is wider than the width Wb before the change, and the width Wc of the second region 92c after the change is wider than the width Wc before the change, and these widths Wa-Wc after the change and the width Wd of the second region 92d are the same.

[0061] Furthermore, the total amount of light reduction of the first regions 91a-91d after the change is the same as the total amount of light increase of the second regions 92a-92d after the change, and the amount of light increase per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d after the change is the same for each region. Therefore, the amount of light increase per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d after the change is determined by the total amount of light reduction of the first regions 91a-91d after the change and the same widths Wa-Wd after the change.

[0062] Although not illustrated, when the detection device 120 detects one predetermined object, the number of first regions is one, and the second region is one region along at least a part of the outer edge of the first region. The amount of light increase in the second region increases as the amount of light reduction in the first region increases, and in this embodiment, it is the same as the amount of light reduction in the first region. The width of the second region increases as the area of ​​the first region increases.

[0063] In this way, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment controls the light distribution of the emitted light in accordance with the situation ahead of the vehicle 100 when light emission is selected with the light switch 110.

[0064] (Step SP15) In this step, the control unit CO controls the lighting unit 10 so that light is not emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. The light distribution control unit 40 in the control unit CO controls the power supply circuit 50 to prevent light from being emitted from the lighting unit 10. As a result, light is not emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. Then, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP11.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, when a predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 to emit light having a high-beam light distribution pattern PH as a light distribution pattern including a predetermined light distribution pattern. Furthermore, when a plurality of predetermined objects are located in front of the vehicle 100, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 to reduce the amount of light in the plurality of first regions 91a-91d that respectively overlap with at least a portion of the predetermined objects and to increase the amount of light in the plurality of second regions 92a-92d that respectively follow at least a portion of the outer edges of the first regions 91a-91d, compared to when the predetermined objects are not located in front of the vehicle 100.

[0066] For this reason, as described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, when the multiple objects located in front of the vehicle 100 include another vehicle 83 or a person 82, 182, the amount of light irradiated onto the other vehicle 83 or the person 82, 182 is reduced. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can reduce glare on the driver of the other vehicle 83 or the person 82. Furthermore, when the multiple objects located in front of the vehicle 100 include a retroreflective object 81 such as a sign, the amount of light irradiated onto the retroreflective object 81 is reduced. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment reduces the amount of light reflected by the retroreflective object 81 and heading toward the vehicle, and can reduce glare on the driver of the vehicle 100 caused by the reflected light. Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can prevent the areas between adjacent objects from becoming darker than when one first region is provided for multiple objects. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the areas between the retroreflective object 81 and another vehicle 83, between a person 182 and another vehicle 83, and between the person 182 and another person 82 can be prevented from becoming darker. Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can prevent the areas around the first regions 91a-91d, where the amount of light is reduced, from appearing darker than when the second regions 92a-92d are not provided, thereby preventing a decrease in visibility ahead of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the widths Wa-Wd of each of the second regions 92a-92d in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the outer edges of the first regions 91a-91d vary depending on the total area of ​​the multiple first regions 91a-91d, and the greater this total area, the wider the widths Wa-Wd become. The higher the proportion of the plurality of first regions 91a-91d to the entire high beam light distribution pattern PH, the darker the high beam light distribution pattern PH tends to appear. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can prevent the high beam light distribution pattern PH from appearing darker overall.

[0067] In order to prevent the periphery of the first regions 91a-91d from appearing dark, the second regions 92a-92d preferably extend along at least half of the outer edge of the first regions 91a-91d, and more preferably along the entire outer edge of the first regions 91a-91d. Furthermore, if a portion of the outer edge of the first regions 91a-91d doubles as part of the outer edge of the high beam light distribution pattern PH, the second regions 92a-92d preferably extend along at least half of the portion of the outer edge of the first regions 91a-91d other than the portion that doubles as the outer edge of the high beam light distribution pattern PH, and more preferably along the entire portion.

[0068] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the total amount of dimming of the first regions 91a-91d is equal to the total amount of dimming of the second regions 92a-92d. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, an increase in energy consumption can be suppressed compared to when the total amount of dimming of the second regions 92a-92d is greater than the total amount of dimming of the first regions 91a-91d.

[0069] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d are the same. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the control load of the control unit CO can be reduced compared to when the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d are different from one another.

[0070] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the controller CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the light-increasing amounts per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d are the same for each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the control load of the controller CO can be reduced compared to when the light-increasing amounts per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d are different from each other.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above using the above embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0072] For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit CO controls the lamp unit 10 to emit light having a high-beam light distribution pattern PH when a predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100. However, when a predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle 100, the control unit CO may control the lamp unit 10 to emit light having a light distribution pattern including the predetermined light distribution pattern, and the predetermined light distribution pattern is not limited. For example, the predetermined light distribution pattern may be an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low-beam light distribution pattern to form a high-beam light distribution pattern. In this case, for example, the lamp unit 5 may be configured to include the lamp unit 10 and another lamp unit, and the control unit CO may emit a low beam from the other lamp unit. In this case, a portion of the additional light distribution pattern may overlap a portion of the low-beam light distribution pattern. Furthermore, the first regions 91a-91d and the second regions 92a-92d in the above embodiment may include an area of ​​the additional light distribution pattern that overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the first regions 91a-91d have the same brightness. However, the brightness of the first regions is not limited. For example, the light intensity of the first regions may be zero. Furthermore, the brightness of at least two of the first regions may be different from one another. For example, the brightness of the first regions may vary depending on the overlapping object. For example, the first region 91c overlapping the other vehicle 83 may be darker than the first region 91a overlapping the retroreflective object 81. This configuration can reduce glare to the driver of the other vehicle 83 while suppressing a decrease in the visibility of the retroreflective object 81. Furthermore, the first region 91a may be brighter than the first regions 91b and 91d overlapping the people 82 and 182. This configuration can reduce glare to the people 82 and 182 while suppressing a decrease in the visibility of the retroreflective object 81.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the controller CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of each of the second regions 92a-92d increase as the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d increases. However, the controller CO may control the lamp unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of each of the second regions 92a-92d change according to the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d. For example, the controller CO may control the lamp unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of each of the second regions 92a-92d decrease as the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d increases. When adjacent second regions overlap, the overlapping area may become too bright, causing discomfort to the driver of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the greater the total area of ​​the first regions, the more adjacent first regions and adjacent second regions tend to approach each other. Therefore, by adopting the above-described configuration, it is possible to make it difficult for adjacent second regions to overlap, and to prevent the driver of the vehicle 100 from feeling uncomfortable.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the controller CO controls the lighting unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d are the same. However, the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d are not limited to the above and may be different from one another as long as they vary depending on the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d. Furthermore, the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d do not have to be constant in the direction along the outer edges of the first regions 91a-91d. For example, the controller CO may control the lighting unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d increase as the area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d to which the second regions 92a-92d are adjacent increases. The area that appears dark around the first regions 91a-91d tends to be larger as the area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d increases. Therefore, this configuration can more appropriately prevent the area around the first regions 91a-91d from appearing dark. The controller CO may also control the lamp unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d increase as the amount of dimming of the first regions 91a-91d along which the second regions 92a-92d are aligned increases. This configuration can prevent the second regions 92a-92d from becoming too bright, thereby preventing the driver of the vehicle 100 from feeling uncomfortable. Although not illustrated, the controller CO may also control the lamp unit 10 so that the widths of the second regions decrease as the number of first regions increases. This configuration can prevent adjacent second regions from overlapping, thereby preventing the driver of the vehicle 100 from feeling uncomfortable.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the controller CO controls the lamp unit 10 so that the sum of the dimming amounts of the first regions 91a-91d is equal to the sum of the dimming amounts of the second regions 92a-92d, and so that the dimming amounts per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d are equal to each other. However, the sum of the dimming amounts of the second regions 92a-92d may be different from the sum of the dimming amounts of the first regions 91a-91d, and the dimming amounts per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d may be different from each other. For example, the controller CO may control the lamp unit 10 so that the dimming amount per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d increases as the dimming amount of the first regions 91a-91d adjacent to the second regions 92a-92d increases. This configuration can prevent the second regions 92a-92d from becoming too large, even if the amount of light increase in the second regions and the amount of light reduction in the first regions along which the second regions are aligned are the same, thereby preventing the driver of the vehicle 100 from feeling uncomfortable. The controller CO may also control the lamp unit 10 so that the amount of light increase per unit area of ​​the second regions 92a-92d aligned along the first regions 91a-91d increases as the area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d increases. The surroundings of the first regions 91a-91d tend to appear darker as the area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d increases. Therefore, this configuration can more appropriately prevent the surroundings of the first regions 91a-91d from appearing darker. The controller CO may also adjust the amount of light increase per unit area of ​​each of the second regions 92a-92d so that the amount of light increase in each of the second regions and the amount of light reduction in the first regions along which the second regions are aligned are the same.

[0077] Furthermore, although not illustrated, the control unit CO may control the lamp unit 10 so that the amount of change in the widths Wa-Wd of each of the second regions 92a-92d relative to the amount of change in the total area of ​​the multiple first regions 91a-91d decreases as the total area of ​​the multiple first regions 91a-91d increases. As described above, the larger the total area of ​​the multiple first regions, the more likely adjacent second regions are to be closer to each other. Therefore, with this configuration, adjacent second regions are less likely to overlap, compared to when the amount of change in the width of each second region relative to the amount of change in the total area of ​​the multiple first regions is constant regardless of the total area of ​​the multiple first regions, and this may reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the driver of the vehicle.

[0078] Furthermore, although not illustrated, the controller CO may control the lamp unit 10 so that the widths Wa-Wd of the second regions 92a-92d do not change when the ratio of the total area of ​​the first regions 91a-91d to the area of ​​the high-beam light distribution pattern PH, which is a predetermined light distribution pattern, is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The smaller the ratio, the less likely the high-beam light distribution pattern PH appears dark overall. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the control load on the controller CO while preventing the high-beam light distribution pattern PH from appearing dark overall. The predetermined value of the ratio is not limited, and may be, for example, 0.1 or greater and 0.3 or less when the predetermined light distribution pattern is the high-beam light distribution pattern PH.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the image generation unit 20 processes a high beam image read from the memory ME to generate an ADB light distribution image. However, the method by which the image generation unit 20 generates the ADB light distribution image is not limited. For example, the image generation unit 20 may generate an image of an area corresponding to a first area and an image of an area corresponding to a second area in the high beam image based on information from the detection device 120, and then synthesize these generated images with the high beam image to generate the ADB light distribution image. Alternatively, multiple images corresponding to the area corresponding to the first area in the high beam image, or multiple images corresponding to these images and the area corresponding to the second area, may be stored in the memory ME in advance. In this case, the image generation unit 20 may select a specific image from these images based on information from the detection device 120, and synthesize the selected image with the high beam image to generate the ADB light distribution image. The method of synthesizing such images is not limited. For example, image synthesis using a layer function may be used.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the control unit CO includes the image generation unit 20 and controls the lighting unit 10 based on the ADB image generated by the image generation unit 20. However, the control unit CO does not necessarily need to include the image generation unit 20. In this case, for example, information related to an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to a predetermined object is stored in advance in the memory ME. This information may include information related to the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 such that the light emitted from the light source unit 12 has an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to the predetermined object. The control unit CO then refers to the information stored in the memory ME based on the information about the predetermined object input from the detection device 120, and controls the lighting unit 10 based on the information.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the light source unit 12 has a plurality of light-emitting elements 13 that can individually change the amount of light emitted. However, the light source unit 12 is not limited to this. For example, the light source unit 12 may have a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) that includes a plurality of reflective elements arranged in a matrix and a light-emitting unit that irradiates the DMD with light. The DMD can adjust the amount of light emitted in a predetermined direction from the reflective surface of each reflective element, and can convert the light emitted in a predetermined direction from each reflective element into light based on the image generated by the image generation unit 20. In this case, the reflective surface of each reflective element can be understood to correspond to a light-emitting unit that can individually change the amount of light emitted.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 100 including a pair of vehicle headlights 1 each having a control unit CO and a memory ME has been described as an example. However, at least one of the control unit CO and the memory ME may be shared by the pair of vehicle headlights 1. Furthermore, the signal output from the detection device 120 may be input to the control unit CO without passing through the ECU 101 of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the vehicle in which the vehicle headlight 1 is provided, the number of vehicle headlights 1 provided on the vehicle, etc. are not particularly limited. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] According to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp that can suppress a decrease in visibility ahead of the vehicle is provided, and can be used in fields such as vehicle headlamp for automobiles and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Vehicle headlamp 10. Lighting unit 81, 82, 83, 182....Prescribed object 91a,91b,91c,91d...1st area 92a, 92b, 92c, 92d...Second area 100...vehicles 120...Detection device CO... control section PH High beam light distribution pattern Wa, Wb, Wc, Wd: Width of the second region

Claims

1. a lighting unit capable of changing the light distribution pattern of emitted light; a control unit that receives a signal from a detection device that detects a predetermined object located in front of the vehicle and controls the lighting unit; Equipped with The control unit When the predetermined object is not located in front of the vehicle, the lamp unit is controlled so as to emit light having a light distribution pattern including a predetermined light distribution pattern. When the plurality of predetermined objects are located in front of the vehicle, the lamp unit is controlled so that, compared to when the predetermined objects are not located in front of the vehicle, the light amounts of the plurality of first regions, each overlapping at least a part of the predetermined objects, in the predetermined light distribution pattern are reduced, the light amounts of the plurality of second regions, each along at least a part of the outer edge of the first regions, are increased, and the width of each of the second regions in a direction perpendicular to the direction along the outer edge of the first region is changed according to the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions. A vehicle headlamp characterized by:

2. The control unit controls the lighting unit so that a total of the dimming amounts of the plurality of first regions is equal to a total of the dimming amounts of the plurality of second regions.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

3. The control unit controls the lighting unit so that the widths of the second regions are the same.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit controls the lighting unit so that the light-increasing amounts per unit area of ​​the plurality of second regions are the same.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit controls the lighting unit so that a change amount of the width of each of the second regions with respect to a change amount of the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions decreases as the total area of ​​the plurality of first regions increases.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit controls the lighting unit so that the width of each of the second regions does not change when a ratio of a total area of ​​the plurality of first regions to an area of ​​a predetermined light distribution pattern is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control unit controls the lighting unit so that the width of each of the second regions becomes narrower as the number of the first regions increases.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

Images