Vehicle lighting equipment

Abstract

To make traffic participants around a vehicle recognize a behavior of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A control part controls a lighting fixture of a vehicle so that an irradiation range of light emitted from the lighting fixture of the vehicle on a road surface is changed into a travelling direction of the vehicle at a prescribed speed at the time of forward movement of the vehicle except for the time of speed reduction of the vehicle (refer to (A)), controls the lighting fixture of the vehicle so that the irradiation range of the light emitted from the lighting fixture of the vehicle is changed into the travelling direction of the vehicle at a speed lower than the prescribed speed at the time of speed reduction of the vehicle (refer to (B)), and controls the lighting fixture of the vehicle so that the irradiation range of the light emitted from the lighting fixture of the vehicle on the road surface is changed into a retreat direction of the vehicle at the time of retreat of the vehicle (refer to (C)).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle lighting device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for controlling a road surface drawing lamp that irradiates a beam onto a road surface, drawing a first pattern with a regular pattern in front of a vehicle, and drawing a second pattern different from the first pattern when a predetermined event such as the approach of a pedestrian starts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technique described in Patent Document 1 does not describe switching the pattern of the light irradiated on the road surface when the behavior of the vehicle changes, for example, when the vehicle decelerates or reverses. Therefore, it is difficult for the technique described in Patent Document 1 to make traffic participants existing around the vehicle recognize the behavior (change) of the vehicle.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object thereof is to obtain a vehicle lighting device that can make traffic participants existing around the vehicle recognize the behavior of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle lighting device according to the first embodiment includes a control unit that controls the lighting device so that when the vehicle is moving forward, except when the vehicle is decelerating, the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the lighting device on the road surface changes at a predetermined speed in the direction of travel of the vehicle; when the vehicle is decelerating, the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the lighting device on the road surface changes at a speed lower than the predetermined speed in the direction of travel of the vehicle; and when the vehicle is moving backward, the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the lighting device on the road surface changes in the direction of backward movement of the vehicle.

[0007] In the first embodiment, when the vehicle is decelerating, the lighting fixture is controlled so that the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the fixture on the road surface changes at a speed lower than a predetermined speed (the speed of the vehicle when it is moving forward, excluding when the vehicle is decelerating). As a result, when the vehicle is decelerating, traffic participants around the vehicle can recognize that the vehicle is decelerating from the speed at which the illumination range or position of the light on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's movement. Also in the first embodiment, when the vehicle is reversing, the lighting fixture is controlled so that the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the vehicle on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's reversing. As a result, when the vehicle is reversing, traffic participants around the vehicle can recognize that the vehicle is reversing from the direction in which the illumination range or position of the light on the road surface changes. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, traffic participants around the vehicle can be made aware of the vehicle's behavior.

[0008] In the second embodiment, the control unit changes the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement by sequentially illuminating an illumination pattern in which a plurality of partial illumination areas are arranged toward the front of the vehicle, starting from the partial illumination area whose illumination position is closest to the vehicle, and changing the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's reverse movement by sequentially illuminating the illumination pattern starting from the partial illumination area whose illumination position is furthest from the vehicle.

[0009] In the second embodiment, a lighting pattern consisting of multiple partial illumination areas arranged in front of the vehicle is illuminated sequentially, starting from the partial illumination area closest to or furthest from the vehicle, thereby changing the range of light illumination on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement or reversal. This allows traffic participants around the vehicle to intuitively recognize the direction of change in the range of light illumination on the road surface. Furthermore, changing the range of light illumination on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement or reversal can be achieved with simple processing.

[0010] A third aspect is that, in the first aspect, the control unit changes the illumination position on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement by switching the partially illuminated areas to be lit in order from the partially illuminated areas whose illumination position is closer to the vehicle, among an illumination pattern in which a plurality of partially illuminated areas are arranged toward the front of the vehicle, and changes the illumination position on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's reverse movement by switching the partially illuminated areas to be lit in order from the partially illuminated areas whose illumination position is farther from the vehicle.

[0011] In the third embodiment, in an illumination pattern consisting of multiple partial illumination areas arranged in front of the vehicle, the illumination area to be lit is switched sequentially from the partial illumination area closer to the vehicle or the area further away from the vehicle, thereby changing the illumination position on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement or reversal. This allows traffic participants around the vehicle to intuitively recognize the direction of change in the illumination position on the road surface. Furthermore, changing the illumination position on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement or reversal can be achieved with simple processing.

[0012] A fourth aspect is that, in the first aspect, the control unit controls the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from the lamp on the road surface to be convex in the direction of the vehicle's movement when the vehicle is moving forward, including when the vehicle is decelerating, and controls the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from the lamp on the road surface to be convex in the direction of the vehicle's reverse movement when the vehicle is moving backward.

[0013] In the fourth embodiment, the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from the lamp on the road surface is controlled to be convex in the direction of vehicle movement when the vehicle is moving forward, including when the vehicle is decelerating, and to be convex in the direction of vehicle reversing when the vehicle is reversing. This allows traffic participants around the vehicle to intuitively recognize the direction of vehicle movement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] This disclosure has the effect of making the behavior of the vehicle known to traffic participants present around the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an auxiliary light configuration. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the illumination pattern when moving straight, turning left, and turning right. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the time-series changes in the irradiation pattern. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the details of the auxiliary light control process. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the time-series changes in the irradiation pattern. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The vehicle lighting device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle (the host vehicle) and includes a lighting control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 22, a pair of left and right headlamps 30L and 30R, and a pair of left and right auxiliary lamps 32L and 32R. Further, the lighting control ECU 22 is connected to a light switch 12, a turn signal switch 14, a steering angle sensor 16, a brake switch 18, a shift position sensor 20, and a vehicle speed sensor 21 via a communication line such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus.

[0017] The light switch 12 is provided with a plurality of contacts including a first contact for instructing the lighting of the headlamps 30L and 30R of the host vehicle and a second contact for instructing the extinguishing of the headlamps 30L and 30R of the host vehicle. When the light switch 12 is operated by an occupant of the host vehicle, one of the plurality of contacts is turned on, and a signal indicating which contact is turned on is output to the lighting control ECU 22.

[0018] The turn signal switch 14 is provided with a first contact for instructing the blinking of the left turn signal lamp, a second contact for instructing the blinking of the right turn signal lamp, and a third contact for instructing the extinguishing of the turn signal lamp. When the turn signal switch 14 is operated by an occupant of the host vehicle, one of the contacts is turned on, and a signal indicating which contact is turned on is output to the lighting control ECU 22.

[0019] The steering angle sensor 16 detects the steering angle of the host vehicle and outputs a signal indicating the detected steering angle of the host vehicle to the lighting control ECU 22. The brake switch 18 is turned on when the brake pedal of the host vehicle is depressed by an occupant of the host vehicle, and a signal indicating the on / off state of the self-switch is output to the lighting control ECU 22. The shift position sensor 20 detects the shift position of the transmission of the host vehicle and outputs a signal indicating the detected shift position to the lighting control ECU 22. The vehicle speed sensor 21 detects the vehicle speed of the host vehicle and outputs a signal indicating the detected vehicle speed to the lighting control ECU 22.

[0020] The headlamps 30L and 30R are headlamps with a constant light distribution pattern that illuminate a certain range in front of the vehicle. The light sources of the headlamps 30L and 30R may be any of LED (Light Emitting Diode), HID (High Intensity Discharge), and halogen bulbs.

[0021] On the other hand, the auxiliary lamps 32L and 32R are auxiliary lamps that emit light toward the road surface on the front side of the vehicle and can change the irradiation pattern of the light on the road surface. The auxiliary lamps 32L and 32R can adopt a configuration including an LED array 34 in which a plurality of LED chips 36 are arranged in a matrix, as shown marked as the micro-LED method in FIG. 2(A), and a lens 38 arranged on the light emission side of the LED array 34. In this configuration (micro-LED method), the light emitted from each LED chip 36 will be arranged in a matrix on the road surface, and by controlling the lighting and extinguishing of each LED chip 36, the irradiation pattern on the road surface can be changed to an arbitrary pattern.

[0022] The lamp control ECU 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile storage unit 26 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a communication I / F (Inter Face). In the storage unit 26, a program (not shown) for causing the CPU of the lamp control ECU 22 to function as a control unit 24 and irradiation pattern control information 28S, 28L, and 28R are stored.

[0023] In this embodiment, three types of light irradiation patterns on the road surface by the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are defined, as shown in Figure 3. The first irradiation pattern corresponds to the state in which the vehicle is moving straight, and is a pattern in which three partial irradiation areas 60A, 60B, and 60C are arranged along the direction toward the front of the vehicle (see "Illumination Pattern When Moving Straight" in Figure 3). The second irradiation pattern corresponds to the state in which the vehicle is turning left, and is a pattern in which three partial irradiation areas 60A, 60B, and 60C are arranged along the direction toward the left front of the vehicle (see "Illumination Pattern When Turning Left" in Figure 3). Note that turning left here includes turning left at an intersection and changing lanes to the left lane adjacent to the left lane of the driving lane. The third illumination pattern corresponds to a situation where the vehicle is turning to the right, and consists of three partial illumination areas 60A, 60B, and 60C arranged along the direction toward the front right of the vehicle (see "Illumination Pattern During Right Turn" in Figure 3). Note that "right turn" here includes turning right at an intersection and changing lanes to the right lane adjacent to the driving lane.

[0024] Furthermore, the partial illumination regions 60A, 60B, and 60C included in each of the above patterns are convex in the direction of vehicle travel, and are arranged in the order of partial illumination region 60A, partial illumination region 60B, and partial illumination region 60C from the side closest to the vehicle. Note that the number of partial illumination regions constituting the illumination pattern may be other than three.

[0025] Illumination pattern control information 28S controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that the illumination pattern of the lights emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface becomes the illumination pattern for straight driving shown in Figure 3. Illumination pattern control information 28L also controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that the illumination pattern of the lights emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface becomes the illumination pattern for left turns shown in Figure 3. Illumination pattern control information 28R also controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that the illumination pattern of the lights emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface becomes the illumination pattern for right turns shown in Figure 3.

[0026] In this embodiment, the control unit 24 controls the on / off state of each LED chip 36 in a time series so that the light irradiation pattern on the road surface by the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R changes in a time series like an animation according to the behavior of the vehicle (the partially illuminated area switches in a time series). The irradiation pattern control information 28S, 28L, and 28R each contain information (video data in this embodiment) that controls the on / off state of each LED chip 36 in a time series, corresponding to each behavior of the vehicle, namely when the vehicle is moving forward, when the vehicle is decelerating, and when the vehicle is moving backward, excluding when the vehicle is decelerating.

[0027] More specifically, when the vehicle is moving forward, except when it is decelerating, the lights switch at intervals of a first predetermined time t1 in the following order, as shown in Figure 4(A): first state where only partial illumination area 60A is lit → second state where partial illumination areas 60A and 60B are lit → third state where partial illumination areas 60A, 60B, and 60C are all lit. This is hereinafter referred to as the "change pattern when moving forward". When the vehicle is decelerating, the lights switch at intervals of a second predetermined time t2 in the order of first state → second state → third state, as shown in Figure 4(B). This is hereinafter referred to as the "change pattern when decelerating". In the change patterns when moving forward and when decelerating, the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's movement. Note that the first predetermined time t1 < the second predetermined time t2, and an example of the first predetermined time t1 is 0.1 seconds, and an example of the second predetermined time t2 is 0.3 seconds.

[0028] Furthermore, when the vehicle is reversing, the lights switch in the following order: fourth state where only partial illumination area 60C is illuminated → fifth state where partial illumination areas 60B and 60C are illuminated → sixth state where partial illumination areas 60A, 60B, and 60C are all illuminated. Hereinafter, this will be referred to as the "reverse change pattern". In the reverse change pattern, the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's reversal. The illumination pattern control information 28R contains three types of video data corresponding to one of the forward change pattern, deceleration change pattern, and reverse change pattern described above.

[0029] While Figure 4 shows the various change patterns during a right turn, the irradiation pattern control information 28S for straight-ahead travel and the irradiation pattern control information 28L for left turns also contain three types of video data corresponding to one of the three change patterns.

[0030] Based on the switch contact information input from the light switch 12, the control unit 24 turns on the headlights 30L and 30R if the first contact of the light switch 12 is ON. The control unit 24 also turns off the headlights 30L and 30R if the second contact of the light switch 12 is ON. The control unit 24 may also turn on the headlights 30L and 30R when the illuminance around the vehicle falls below a threshold.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 24 illuminates the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R while the conditions for illuminating the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R (details described later) are met. Specifically, when the vehicle is moving forward, except when the vehicle is decelerating, the control unit 24 controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R based on corresponding video data so that the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of travel of the vehicle at a predetermined speed (a time interval of the first predetermined time t1). Also, when the vehicle is decelerating, the control unit 24 controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R based on corresponding video data so that the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of travel of the vehicle at a speed lower than the predetermined speed (a time interval of the second predetermined time t2). Furthermore, when the vehicle is reversing, the control unit 24 controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R based on the corresponding video data so that the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's reversal.

[0032] Next, as an explanation of the operation of this embodiment, the auxiliary light control processing performed by the control unit 24 (CPU of the lighting control ECU 22) while the vehicle's ignition switch is ON will be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0033] In step 100 of the auxiliary light control process, the control unit 24 determines whether the conditions for lighting the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are met. The determination in step 100 can be, for example, determined to be met if the headlights 30L and 30R are lit. Alternatively, for example, it may be determined that the conditions for lighting the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are met if the illuminance around the vehicle falls below a threshold. Furthermore, for example, if a switch for instructing the turning on or off of the auxiliary light 32 is provided, and a predetermined contact for instructing the lighting of the auxiliary light 32 is turned on, it may be determined that the conditions for lighting the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are met. Alternatively, for example, it may be determined that the conditions for lighting the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are met while the vehicle's ignition switch is on.

[0034] If the judgment in step 100 is negative, the process proceeds to step 102. In step 102, the control unit 24 turns off the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R. After the process in step 102 is completed, the process returns to step 100, and steps 100 and 102 are repeated until the judgment in step 100 is affirmed. If the conditions for the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R to be lit are met, the judgment in step 100 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 104.

[0035] In step 104, the control unit 24 acquires signals from various sensors, including the turn signal switch 14, steering angle sensor 16, brake switch 18, shift position sensor 20, and vehicle speed sensor 21. Then, in step 106, the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle is moving straight, turning left, or turning right based on the signals acquired in step 104, and selects the corresponding illumination pattern control information 28S, illumination pattern control information 28L, or illumination pattern control information 28R according to the determination result.

[0036] As an example of how to determine whether your vehicle is going straight, turning left, or turning right, if the vehicle's turn signal lamp is off, it is going straight; if the vehicle's left turn signal lamp is flashing, it is turning left; and if the vehicle's right turn signal lamp is flashing, it is turning right. Alternatively, if the vehicle's steering angle = 0, it is going straight; if the vehicle's steering angle ≠ 0 and the steering angle is to the left, it is turning left; and if the vehicle's steering angle ≠ 0 and the steering angle is to the right, it is turning right.

[0037] In step 108, the control unit 24 determines, based on the signal acquired in step 104, whether the vehicle is moving forward (except during deceleration), decelerating, or reversing, and branches the processing according to the determination result. For example, if the vehicle speed is > 0, the brake switch 18 is off, and the shift position of the vehicle's transmission is in the D range, the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle is moving forward (except during deceleration). Also, for example, if the vehicle speed is > 0, the brake switch 18 is on, and the shift position of the vehicle's transmission is in the D range, the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle is moving backward.

[0038] If the vehicle's behavior is determined to be "forward movement excluding deceleration," the process proceeds from step 108 to step 110. In step 110, the control unit 24 extracts video data corresponding to the "change pattern during forward movement" from the illumination pattern control information 28 selected in step 106, and controls the on / off switching of individual LED chips 36 of the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R in a time series based on the extracted video data. As a result, the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are controlled so that illumination patterns including multiple partial illumination regions 60A, 60B, and 60C light up sequentially at first predetermined time intervals t1, starting with the partial illumination region 60A closest to the vehicle.

[0039] Furthermore, if the vehicle's behavior is determined to be "decelerating," the system proceeds from step 108 to step 112. In step 112, the control unit 24 extracts video data corresponding to the "deceleration change pattern" from the illumination pattern control information 28 selected in step 106, and controls the on / off switching of individual LED chips 36 of the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R in a time series based on the extracted video data. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(B) as an example, the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are controlled so that illumination patterns including multiple partial illumination regions 60A, 60B, and 60C are lit sequentially, starting with the partial illumination region 60A closest to the vehicle, at time intervals of a second predetermined time t2 which is longer than a first predetermined time t1.

[0040] Furthermore, if the vehicle's behavior is determined to be "reverse," the process proceeds from step 108 to step 114. In step 114, the control unit 24 extracts video data corresponding to the "reverse change pattern" from the illumination pattern control information 28 selected in step 106, and controls the on / off switching of individual LED chips 36 of the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R in a time series based on the extracted video data. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(C) as an example, the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R are controlled so that the illumination pattern, which includes multiple partial illumination areas 60A, 60B, and 60C, lights up sequentially starting from the partial illumination area 60C, which is furthest from the vehicle. Note that the time interval between the illumination of the partial illumination areas when the vehicle's behavior is "reverse" may be the first predetermined time t1, the second predetermined time t2, or any other time.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 24 controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that when the vehicle is moving forward, except when the vehicle is decelerating, the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes at a predetermined speed in the direction of the vehicle's movement; when the vehicle is decelerating, the control unit 24 controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes at a speed lower than the predetermined speed in the direction of the vehicle's movement; and when the vehicle is reversing, the control unit 24 controls the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that the illumination range of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's reversal. This allows traffic participants around the vehicle to recognize the vehicle's behavior.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 24 changes the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement by sequentially illuminating the illumination pattern, which consists of multiple partial illumination areas 60A, 60B, and 60C arranged toward the front of the vehicle, starting with the partial illumination area 60A whose illumination position is closest to the vehicle, and changing the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's reverse movement by sequentially illuminating the illumination pattern, starting with the partial illumination area 60C whose illumination position is furthest from the vehicle. This allows traffic participants around the vehicle to intuitively recognize the direction of change in the illumination range on the road surface, and enables the change in the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement or reverse movement to be achieved with simple processing.

[0043] In the above embodiment, an embodiment was described in which the illumination range of the illumination pattern on the road surface is changed in the direction of vehicle travel or in the direction of reversing (see Figures 4(A) to 4(C)), but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 24 may control the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that the illumination position of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes at a predetermined speed in the direction of vehicle travel when the vehicle is moving forward, except when the vehicle is decelerating (see Figure 6(A)). This can be achieved by switching the partially illuminated areas to be lit from among the illumination patterns in which a plurality of partially illuminated areas 60A, 60B, and 60C are arranged toward the front of the vehicle, in order from the partially illuminated area 60A whose illumination position is closest to the vehicle, at a time interval of a first predetermined time t1.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 24 may control the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that when the vehicle decelerates, the illumination position of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of travel of the vehicle at a speed lower than a predetermined speed (see Figure 6(B)). This can be achieved by switching the partially illuminated areas to be lit from among the illumination patterns, in which multiple partially illuminated areas 60A, 60B, and 60C are arranged toward the front of the vehicle, in order from the partially illuminated area 60A on the side closer to the vehicle, at a time interval of a second predetermined time t2.

[0045] The control unit 24 may also control the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R so that when the vehicle is reversing, the illumination position of the light emitted from the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R on the road surface changes in the direction of the vehicle's reversal (see Figure 6(C)). This can be achieved by sequentially switching the illuminated partial illumination areas from the partial illumination area 62C furthest from the vehicle, among an illumination pattern consisting of multiple partial illumination areas 62A, 62B, and 62C arranged toward the front of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 6(C), the illumination pattern when the vehicle is reversing may consist of partial illumination areas 62A, 62B, and 62C that are convex in the direction of the vehicle's reversal. This allows traffic participants around the vehicle to more intuitively recognize that the vehicle is reversing.

[0046] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which separate video data is provided for when the vehicle is moving forward (excluding when the vehicle is decelerating) and when the vehicle is decelerating, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the video data for when the vehicle is moving forward (excluding when the vehicle is decelerating) and when the vehicle is decelerating may be shared, and the frame rate (control cycle of turning on and off) of the LED array 34 of the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R may be switched between when the vehicle is moving forward (excluding when the vehicle is decelerating) and when the vehicle is decelerating, thereby switching the speed of change of the light illumination range or illumination position on the road surface.

[0047] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an embodiment in which the irradiation pattern control information is composed of video data, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, control information for controlling the light irradiation pattern on the road surface to the first, second, or third state shown in Figure 4(A) may be stored in the form of two-dimensional image data. In this case, by switching the control of the light irradiation pattern on the road surface to the first, second, or third state according to each control information at a time interval of a first predetermined time t1 or a second predetermined time t2, the irradiation pattern can be changed in the same way as when video data is used when the vehicle is moving forward, including when the vehicle is decelerating. Also, for example, control information for controlling the light irradiation pattern on the road surface to the fourth, fifth, or sixth state shown in Figure 4(C) may be stored in the form of two-dimensional image data. In this case, by switching the control of the light irradiation pattern on the road surface to the fourth, fifth, or sixth state according to each control information at a predetermined time interval, the irradiation pattern can be changed in the same way as when video data is used when the vehicle is moving backward.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the micro-LED system shown in Figure 2(A) was described as a configuration for auxiliary lights 32L and 32R whose illumination pattern on the road surface can be changed, but this disclosure is not limited to the micro-LED system.

[0049] For example, in the DMD (Digital Mirror Device) system shown in Figure 2(B), the DMD 42 and lens 38 are arranged in order on the light-emitting side of the LED light source 40. The DMD 42 has multiple micromirrors 44 whose angles can be changed arranged in a matrix, and each micromirror 44 is controlled to either a first angle that reflects the incident light into the lens 38, or a second angle that reflects the incident light out of the lens 38. When the DMD system is adopted for the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R, with each micromirror 44 of the DMD 42 controlled to the first angle, the light reflected by each micromirror 44 will be arranged in a matrix on the road surface. Therefore, by controlling the angle of each micromirror 44 to the first or second angle, the illumination pattern on the road surface can be changed to any desired pattern.

[0050] Furthermore, in the laser scanning method shown in Figure 2(C), for example, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) mirror 48, a phosphor 50, and a lens 38 are arranged in order on the light-emitting side of the blue laser light source 46. The angle of the MEMS mirror 48 is controlled so that the laser light incident on the mirror is scanned in two dimensions. The phosphor 50 performs wavelength conversion of the incident scanning laser light. When the laser scanning method is adopted for the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R, the laser light reflected by the MEMS mirror 48 and passing sequentially through the phosphor 50 and lens 38 scans the road surface in two dimensions. Therefore, by controlling the on / off switching of the blue laser light source 46 at the timing when the laser light scans each position on the road surface, the illumination pattern on the road surface can be changed to any desired pattern.

[0051] Furthermore, in the liquid crystal system shown in Figure 2(D), for example, a liquid crystal panel 56, which has a liquid crystal layer 52 sandwiched between a pair of polarizing plates 54, and a lens 38 are arranged in order on the light-emitting side of an LED array 34 in which multiple LED chips 36 are arranged in a matrix. When the liquid crystal system is adopted for the auxiliary lights 32L and 32R, the light transmitted through each liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal panel 56 is arranged in a matrix on the road surface, and by controlling the light transmittance of each liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal panel 56, the illumination pattern on the road surface can be changed to any desired pattern. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 10. Vehicle lighting devices 22 Lighting control ECU 24 Control Unit 32L, 32R auxiliary light 60A, 60B, 60C partial irradiation area 62A, 62B, 62C Partially illuminated area

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting device including a control unit that controls the lighting unit so that when the vehicle is moving forward, except when the vehicle is decelerating, the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the lighting unit on the road surface changes at a predetermined speed in the direction of travel of the vehicle; when the vehicle is decelerating, the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the lighting unit on the road surface changes at a speed lower than the predetermined speed in the direction of travel of the vehicle; and when the vehicle is reversing, the illumination range or position of the light emitted from the lighting unit on the road surface changes in the direction of reversing of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement by sequentially illuminating an illumination pattern in which a plurality of partial illumination areas are arranged toward the front of the vehicle, starting from the partial illumination area whose illumination position is closest to the vehicle, and changes the illumination range on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's reverse movement by sequentially illuminating the illumination pattern starting from the partial illumination area whose illumination position is furthest from the vehicle.

3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the illumination position on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's movement by sequentially switching the partially illuminated areas to be lit from the partially illuminated areas whose illumination position is closer to the vehicle, among an illumination pattern in which a plurality of partially illuminated areas are arranged toward the front of the vehicle, and changes the illumination position on the road surface in the direction of the vehicle's reverse movement by sequentially switching the partially illuminated areas to be lit from the partially illuminated areas whose illumination position is farther from the vehicle, among the illumination pattern.

4. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from the lighting device on the road surface to be convex in the direction of travel of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving forward, including when the vehicle is decelerating, and controls the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from the lighting device on the road surface to be convex in the direction of reversing of the vehicle.

Images