Vehicle headlamp device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular headlamp device capable of satisfactorily ensuring the visibility of an occupant during a backward movement.SOLUTION: A vehicular headlamp device 10 comprises: a headlamp unit 12 for irradiating an area ahead of a vehicle 11; a light distribution direction changing section 13 for changing the irradiation direction of the headlamp unit 12; a traveling state changing section 14 for changing the traveling state of the vehicle 11; and an arithmetic control section 15. When the traveling state changing section 14 is operated and the backward movement of the vehicle 11 is thereby detected, the arithmetic control section 15 causes the light distribution direction changing section 13 to change the irradiation direction of the headlamp unit 12 outward in the width direction of the vehicle 11 as compared to the direction in a normal traveling state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp device that irradiates the area ahead of a vehicle. [Background Art]

[0002] In a typical vehicle, headlamps are provided at the front end of the vehicle body, and when driving at night or under other similar conditions, the headlamps irradiate the area ahead of the vehicle to ensure the visibility of the occupant.

[0003] In recent years, vehicles equipped with a swivel mechanism that performs swivel control of headlamps have emerged. Specifically, the swivel mechanism changes the swivel angle of the headlamp in accordance with the steering angle and the road curvature of the road ahead included in road map data. By this configuration, the range illuminated by the headlamp matches the visual recognition direction of the driver. Accordingly, the visibility of the driver is improved when the vehicle travels through a corner, and safety during nighttime driving is enhanced.

[0004] As an invention related to swivel control, Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism that tilts the light distribution direction of a headlamp in the counter-steering direction at a steering angle with a larger ratio than that during forward travel when the vehicle is moving backward. With this configuration, the side of the vehicle body can be irradiated following the movement of the driver's eye point.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes an invention that dims a headlamp when an object is detected by a forward detection sensor. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-142744 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-227130 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the inventions described in the aforementioned patent documents had room for improvement in terms of ensuring good visibility for the occupant when reversing.

[0008] Specifically, the invention described in Patent Document 1 only changes the direction of the headlight's light distribution to the opposite direction of steering when the vehicle is reversing, so the effect of improving the visibility of the surroundings when reversing is limited. Furthermore, the invention described in Patent Document 2 only describes an invention that dims the light under predetermined conditions, and does not actively improve the driver's visibility at night.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of this invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp device that can ensure good visibility for occupants when reversing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A vehicle headlamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a headlamp unit that illuminates the front of the vehicle, a light distribution direction changing unit that changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit, a driving state changing unit that changes the driving state of the vehicle, and a calculation control unit, wherein the calculation control unit detects that the vehicle is reversing when the driving state changing unit is operated. and when the vehicle is located in a predetermined area where it is parked, The aforementioned light distribution direction changing unit changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the normal driving state. If a predetermined object is present around the vehicle, the illumination from the headlamp unit in the direction of the object will be suppressed. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, when a vehicle is reversing, the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit is changed to the outside in the vehicle width direction, thereby ensuring sufficient brightness around the vehicle and improving safety by improving visibility when the vehicle is reversing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a top view showing a vehicle headlamp device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing a vehicle headlamp device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a vehicle headlamp device and vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a vehicle headlamp device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view showing the situation when the vehicle is reversing. [Figure 5] This figure shows a vehicle headlamp device and a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view showing the situation when the vehicle is reversing in the presence of another vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, a vehicle headlamp device 10 and a vehicle 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, rear, up, down, left, and right will be used, but left and right refers to the left and right when the vehicle 11 is viewed from the rear. Furthermore, in the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components in principle, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0014] Figure 1 is a top view showing a vehicle headlamp device 10 and a vehicle 11.

[0015] The vehicle headlamp device 10 is installed on the front end of the vehicle body 19 of a vehicle 11, such as a passenger car, and is a device that controls the light distribution of the headlamp unit 12.

[0016] The headlamp unit 12 is composed of a halogen lamp, an LED or the like, and illuminates the front of the vehicle 11 during traveling. The headlamp unit 12 includes a left headlamp unit 121 and a right headlamp unit 122. The left headlamp unit 121 is disposed on the left side of the front end of the vehicle body 19, and illuminates the front left area of the vehicle 11. The right headlamp unit 122 is disposed on the right side of the front end of the vehicle body 19, and illuminates the front right area of the vehicle 11.

[0017] The vehicle headlamp device 10 has a swivel mechanism. The swivel mechanism is a mechanism that adjusts the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit 12 to the direction of a curve when the vehicle 11 travels along the curve. This mechanism will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 and the like.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the vehicle headlamp device 10 and the vehicle 11.

[0019] The vehicle 11 mainly includes an arithmetic control unit 15, a traveling state changing unit 14, an exterior monitoring unit 20, a positioning unit 21, a storage unit 24, the headlamp unit 12, and a light distribution direction changing unit 13. Among these, the headlamp unit 12, the light distribution direction changing unit 13, and the arithmetic control unit 15 mainly constitute the vehicle headlamp device 10.

[0020] The arithmetic control unit 15 is, for example, a semiconductor device including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM and the like. The connection-side terminal of the arithmetic control unit 15 is connected to the traveling state changing unit 14, the exterior monitoring unit 20, the positioning unit 21, the storage unit 24 and the like. The output-side terminal of the arithmetic control unit 15 is connected to the headlamp unit 12, the light distribution direction changing unit 13 and the like.

[0021] The shift lever 14A, which functions as the driving state changing unit 14, is a device operated by the occupant to change the driving state of the vehicle 11. By operating the driving state changing unit 14, the occupant can set the vehicle 11 to a stopped state, a reverse state, or a forward state. Here, the stopped state is referred to as the parking position, the reverse state as the reverse position, and the forward state as the driving position. A shift switch can also be used as the driving state changing unit 14.

[0022] The external monitoring unit 20 is a device that monitors the front, side, or rear of the vehicle 11 from the outside. Examples of the external monitoring unit 20 include a stereo camera, sonar, radar, etc.

[0023] The positioning unit 21 is a device that accurately determines the position of the vehicle 11 using GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0024] The memory unit 24 is a storage medium such as a semiconductor element including RAM and ROM. For example, map data is stored in the memory unit 24. This map data includes location information that can identify a predetermined area where a vehicle 11 can be parked, such as a parking lot.

[0025] As described above, the headlamp unit 12 includes the left headlamp unit 121 and the right headlamp unit 122.

[0026] The light distribution direction changing unit 13 is a device that changes the light distribution direction of the left headlamp unit 121 and the right headlamp unit 122. For example, the light distribution direction changing unit 13 is an actuator that changes the light distribution direction of the left headlamp unit 121 and the right headlamp unit 122 in the left-right direction by mechanical operation.

[0027] The vehicle headlamp device 10 having the above configuration has a swivel mechanism. The swivel mechanism is a mechanism that improves the driver's visibility by dynamically changing the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit 12 based on instructions from the calculation control unit 15 when the vehicle 11 is traveling on a curve, via the light distribution direction changing unit 13.

[0028] For example, when vehicle 11 is traveling on a right curve, the light distribution direction changing unit 13, based on instructions from the calculation control unit 15, changes the light distribution direction of the left headlamp unit 121 and the right headlamp unit 122 to the right by a predetermined swivel angle. In this way, the road ahead of the right curve can be effectively illuminated by the left headlamp unit 121 and the right headlamp unit 122. Therefore, when vehicle 11 is traveling on a right curve, the visibility of the occupants can be improved and safety can be enhanced. The same applies when vehicle 11 is traveling on a left curve.

[0029] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle headlamp device 10 and the vehicle 11. Based on Figure 3, and referring to the figures mentioned above, a method for illuminating the surroundings more effectively when the vehicle 11 is moving in reverse will be explained.

[0030] In step S10, the calculation control unit 15 sets the shift lever 14A to the reverse position by the occupant's operation while the vehicle 11 is in motion.

[0031] In step S11, the calculation control unit 15 detects that the vehicle 11 is reversing due to the operation of the driving state change unit 14, and determines whether the vehicle 11 is in a predetermined area 16. Referring to Figure 4, the predetermined area 16 is an area other than a public road, for example, a parking lot 16A where the vehicle 11 can be parked. This determination is made by determining the precise location information of the vehicle 11 via the positioning unit 21 and comparing it with map data stored in the storage unit 24.

[0032] If the answer in step S11 is YES, that is, if the vehicle 11 is in the parking lot 16A when reversing, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to step S12.

[0033] If the answer in step S11 is NO, that is, if the vehicle 11 is not present in the parking lot 16A when reversing, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to END. In other words, the swivel function is not activated when reversing.

[0034] In step S12, if the headlamp unit 12 is illuminated, the calculation control unit 15 uses a swivel mechanism to change the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit 12 outward in the vehicle width direction. That is, it widens the light distribution width of the headlamp unit 12.

[0035] Specifically, referring to Figure 4, when the light distribution direction changing unit 13 changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit 12 based on the instructions of the calculation control unit 15, it changes the light distribution direction of the left headlamp unit 121 to the left of the normal driving state. At the same time, the light distribution direction changing unit 13 changes the light distribution direction of the right headlamp unit 122 to the right of the normal driving state based on the instructions of the calculation control unit 15. Here, the normal driving state is the state in which the vehicle 11 is traveling forward.

[0036] Here, the light distribution direction under normal driving conditions is shown in the normal illumination area 22, and the light distribution direction after widening the light distribution direction by the light distribution direction changing section 13 is shown in the reverse illumination area 23. Here, the reverse illumination area 23, which is directly illuminated by the headlamp unit 12, is shown with diagonal lines. However, in reality, the light emitted from the headlamp unit 12 is reflected by the ground, etc., so the side portion of the vehicle 11 is also affected by the light distribution of the headlamp unit 12.

[0037] In this way, when the vehicle 11 is reversing, the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit 12 is expanded outward in the vehicle width direction, ensuring sufficient brightness around the vehicle 11, improving visibility when the vehicle is reversing, and enhancing safety. Specifically, the area illuminated by the left headlamp unit 121 is expanded to the left, effectively illuminating the left side of the vehicle 11, allowing for good visibility of other vehicles, people, and other objects in this area. Similarly, the area illuminated by the right headlamp unit 122 is expanded to the right, effectively illuminating the right side of the vehicle 11, allowing for good visibility of other vehicles, people, and other objects in this area. The rear of the vehicle 11 is illuminated by a backup lamp (not shown here). Therefore, both sides and the rear of the vehicle 11 are well illuminated, allowing the occupants to see the surroundings clearly while reversing the vehicle 11.

[0038] In step S13, the calculation control unit 15 checks whether there is another vehicle 18A as an object 18 around the vehicle 11, particularly in front of the vehicle 11. Referring to Figure 5, objects other than other vehicles 18A are also possible as objects 18. That is, objects 18 could be, for example, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a person, or an animal other than a person.

[0039] This confirmation is performed by the external monitoring unit 20 monitoring the area in front of the vehicle 11, etc., based on instructions from the calculation control unit 15. For example, referring to Figure 5, if another vehicle 18A is located directly in front of the vehicle 11, widening the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit 12 may cause occupants of the other vehicle 18A to experience glare. In this embodiment, the following anti-glare measures are taken to suppress this glare.

[0040] If the answer in step S13 is YES, that is, if other vehicles 18A are present around vehicle 11, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to step S14.

[0041] If the answer in step S13 is NO, that is, if there are no other vehicles 18A around vehicle 11, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to step S15.

[0042] In step S14, the calculation control unit 15 suppresses illumination from the headlamp unit 12 in the direction in which the object 18 is located.

[0043] As a mechanism to suppress illumination from the headlamp unit 12, for example, a mechanism can be adopted that reduces the swivel angle by the light distribution direction changing section 13 compared to the case of step S12. Specifically, referring to Figure 5, the swivel angle to the left of the left headlamp unit 121 is made relatively small, and the swivel angle to the right of the right headlamp unit 122 is made relatively small. In addition, as an illumination mechanism to suppress illumination from the headlamp unit 12, for example, a mechanism can be adopted that moves the optical axis of the headlamp unit 12 downwards. Furthermore, as an illumination suppression mechanism, a mechanism can be adopted that blocks light from the part of the light distribution pattern of the headlamp unit 12 above the horizontal line. Furthermore, if a multi-segment light source is adopted as the headlamp unit 12, a mechanism can be adopted as an illumination suppression mechanism that turns off the light source in the part above the horizontal line.

[0044] By doing so, the illumination from the headlamp unit 12 in the direction of the other vehicle 18A is suppressed, thereby preventing glare for the occupants of the other vehicle 18A.

[0045] In step S15, the calculation control unit 15 determines whether the reversing of the vehicle 11 has been completed. Specifically, when the reversing operation for parking the vehicle 11 is completed, the occupant sets the shift lever 14A to, for example, the park position. Therefore, here the calculation control unit 15 determines whether the shift lever 14A has been changed from the reverse position to a position other than the reverse position by the occupant's operation.

[0046] If the answer in step S15 is YES, that is, if the vehicle 11 has finished reversing, the calculation control unit 15 proceeds to step S16.

[0047] If the answer in step S15 is NO, that is, if the vehicle 11 has not finished reversing, the calculation control unit 15 continues the verification in step S15.

[0048] In step S16, the calculation control unit 15 changes the light distribution direction back to its original direction. Specifically, referring to Figure 4, based on the instructions of the calculation control unit 15, the light distribution direction changing unit 13 changes the light distribution area of ​​the headlamp unit 12 inward in the vehicle width direction. That is, the light distribution direction of the left headlamp unit 121 is narrowed to the right, and the light distribution direction of the right headlamp unit 122 is narrowed to the left. In this way, the light distribution area changes from the reverse illumination area 23 to the normal illumination area 22.

[0049] The above is an explanation of how to illuminate the surroundings more effectively when vehicle 11 is moving in reverse.

[0050] The technical concepts that can be understood from the aforementioned embodiment, along with their effects, are described below.

[0051] The vehicle headlamp device of the present invention comprises a headlamp unit that illuminates the area in front of the vehicle, a light distribution direction changing unit that changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit, a driving state changing unit that changes the driving state of the vehicle, and a calculation control unit. The calculation control unit is characterized in that, when the driving state changing unit is operated and the vehicle is detected to be moving backward, the light distribution direction changing unit changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit to be outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the normal driving state. According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, when the vehicle is moving backward, the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit is changed to be outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby ensuring sufficient brightness around the vehicle and improving visibility when the vehicle is moving backward, thereby improving safety.

[0052] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, the calculation and control unit is characterized in that, when the vehicle is in a predetermined area, it changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit to be outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the normal driving state. According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, by changing the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit when the vehicle is in a predetermined area, it is possible to prevent unnecessary changes in the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit.

[0053] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined area is an area where the vehicle is parked. According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, when a vehicle is reversing in a parking lot or the like, the surrounding area is illuminated, thereby improving safety when the vehicle is reversing.

[0054] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention is characterized in that, when a predetermined object is present around the vehicle, the calculation control unit suppresses illumination from the headlamp unit in the direction in which the object is located. According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, by suppressing illumination in the direction in which an object, such as a person, is located, glare can be prevented for that person.

[0055] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, the headlamp unit comprises a left-side headlamp unit and a right-side headlamp unit, and the light distribution direction changing unit, when changing the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit, changes the light distribution direction of the left-side headlamp unit to the left of the normal driving state and changes the light distribution direction of the right-side headlamp unit to the right of the normal driving state. According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, visibility when reversing the vehicle can be improved on the right side and the left side of the vehicle.

[0056] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0057] For example, referring to Figure 4, when the vehicle 11 is reversing, the swivel angle used to expand the light distribution area of ​​the headlamp unit 12 to both sides in the width direction can be made larger than the swivel angle used when driving around a curve in normal driving conditions. In this way, the illumination area 23 during reversing can be expanded in the vehicle width direction, further improving the visibility of the area around the vehicle 11 when reversing.

[0058] Furthermore, referring to Figure 2, a mechanism other than an actuator, such as an electronic mechanism or an optical mechanism, can be used as the light distribution direction changing section 13. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10. Vehicle headlamp devices 11 vehicles 12 Headlamp Unit 121 Left-side headlamp unit 122 Right-side headlamp unit 13. Light distribution direction changing section 14. Driving condition change section 14A Shift lever 15. Arithmetic Control Unit 16 Predetermined area 16A Parking 18 Object 18A Other car 19 car bodies 20 External monitoring unit 21 Positioning Unit 22 Normal irradiation area 23 Irradiation area when retreating 24 Memory section

Claims

1. A headlamp unit that illuminates the area in front of the vehicle, The headlamp unit includes a light distribution direction changing unit that changes the direction of light distribution, A driving state changing unit that changes the driving state of the aforementioned vehicle, It comprises a calculation control unit and, When the calculation control unit detects that the vehicle is reversing due to the operation of the driving state change unit, and the vehicle is in a predetermined area where it is parked, the light distribution direction change unit changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit to be outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the normal driving state. A vehicle headlamp device characterized in that, when a predetermined object is present around the vehicle, it suppresses illumination from the headlamp unit in the direction in which the object is located.

2. The headlamp unit comprises a left-side headlamp unit and a right-side headlamp unit. The aforementioned light distribution direction changing unit changes the light distribution direction of the headlamp unit, The light distribution direction of the left-side headlamp unit is changed to the left compared to the normal driving state. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light distribution direction of the right-side headlamp unit is changed to the rightward compared to the normal driving state.

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