Vehicle headlight device

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle headlight device capable of reducing driver fatigue during nighttime driving.　The present invention is provided with a left-side lamp unit 2L and a right-side lamp unit 2R that project a high-beam light distribution pattern HP in front of a vehicle, and a control device 3. The control device 3 controls the left-side lamp unit 2L and the right-side lamp unit 2R on the basis of data on a light-blocked area A1 obtained in an on-vehicle camera device 4 so as to form, in the high-beam light distribution pattern HP, the light-blocked area A1 and also a light-dark gradual change area A2 on four sides around the entire circumference of the light-blocked area A1. As a result, the invention can reduce driver fatigue during nighttime driving.

Description

Vehicle headlamp device

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable light distribution type vehicle headlamp device.

[0002] Examples of variable light distribution type vehicle headlamp devices are disclosed in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2. The vehicle headlamp in Patent Document 1 and the headlamp control device in Patent Document 2 will be described below.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 projects a high-beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle, and when the onboard camera detects an object such as an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle, it forms a shading area within the high-beam light distribution pattern that shades the area of ​​the object. As a result, the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 does not cause glare to the driver of the object.

[0004] Furthermore, the headlamp control device of Patent Document 2, when the driver state determination device determines that the driver is driving absentmindedly and the preceding vehicle determination device determines that there is a preceding vehicle, dims the illumination area corresponding to the preceding vehicle, and when the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, increases the illumination area above the peripheral area of ​​the illumination area corresponding to the preceding vehicle. In this way, the headlamp control device of Patent Document 2 can encourage the driver to drive with an appropriate level of concentration. In the headlamp control device of Patent Document 2, when the distance to the preceding vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the high beam area (similarly, see symbols "U1 (RB)," "U2 (RB)," "U5 (RB)," and "U6 (RB)") above the surrounding area (similarly, see symbols "R1," "R2," "R5," and "R6") of the illumination area corresponding to the preceding vehicle (similarly, see symbols "R3 (RA)" and "R4 (RA)" in "Figure 4" of Patent Document 2) is brightened, but the area above the illumination area corresponding to the preceding vehicle is a non-illuminated area where no light is illuminated (similarly, the area shown as "preceding vehicle").

[0005] JP 2019-89386 A JP 2017-171161 A

[0006] However, because the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 forms a light-blocking area within the high-beam light distribution pattern, there is a large difference in brightness between the light-blocking area and the light-unblocking area within the high-beam light distribution pattern. Furthermore, with the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, the light-blocking area changes within the high-beam light distribution pattern as the object moves, and if there are multiple objects, there will be multiple light-blocking areas. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 can cause driver fatigue during night driving.

[0007] Furthermore, the headlamp control device of Patent Document 2 increases the high beam area above the peripheral area of ​​the illuminated area corresponding to the preceding vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, resulting in a large difference in brightness at the boundary between the increased high beam area and the non-illuminated area. For this reason, the headlamp control device of Patent Document 2, like the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, is subject to conditions that cause driver fatigue during night driving.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp device that can reduce fatigue caused to a driver when driving at night.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vehicle headlamp device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a variable light distribution vehicle headlamp device comprising: a lamp unit that projects a high beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle; and a control device that controls the lamp unit based on information obtained by a detection device mounted on the vehicle to form a shaded area within the high beam light distribution pattern and to form a gradually changing light / dark area in at least a portion of the illumination area adjacent to the shaded area.

[0010] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device receives information regarding the driver's fatigue level from an information unit installed in the vehicle, and when it determines that the information regarding the driver's fatigue level is equal to or greater than a threshold value, outputs a control signal to the lamp unit to increase the width of the gradual brightness change range.

[0011] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is at least one of driving time and driving distance among the vehicle information obtained by the information unit, and that when at least one of the driving time and the driving distance that is equal to or greater than the threshold value is input from the information unit, the control device outputs a control signal to the lamp unit to increase the width of the gradual light-dark change range.

[0012] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device obtains environmental information of the vehicle from the information unit, and lowers the threshold value when the obtained environmental information is information relating to bad weather.

[0013] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is at least one of driving time and driving distance from the vehicle information obtained by the information unit, and that the control device obtains the environmental information of the vehicle from the information unit and lowers the threshold value if the obtained environmental information relates to bad weather.

[0014] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device outputs a control signal to the lamp unit to increase the width of the gradual brightness change range on the side where the oncoming vehicle is traveling compared to the width of the gradual brightness change range on the other side.

[0015] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device outputs a control signal to the lamp unit to set the gradual change in brightness within the gradual change range to at least one of a linear form, a curved form, or a stepwise form.

[0016] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, the control device preferably outputs to the lamp unit a control signal that increases or decreases the width of the gradually changing brightness range in accordance with the width of the light blocking range.

[0017] In the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control device has a setting unit that sets the shading range and the gradual brightness change range based on the information input from the detection device, and a light intensity adjustment unit that adjusts the emitted light intensity of the lamp unit based on the shading range and the gradual brightness change range set in the setting unit.

[0018] The vehicle headlamp device of the present invention can reduce fatigue caused to the driver when driving at night.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components illustrating an embodiment of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern and the brightness (luminance) of the high beam light distribution pattern when the ADB is not used. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern and the brightness (luminance) of the high beam light distribution pattern when the ADB is used. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern and the brightness (luminance) of the high beam light distribution pattern when the ADB is used and the width of the gradually changing range of brightness is increased. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the control flow of a control device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the gradually changing form of brightness between the blocking range and the illuminated range of the gradually changing range of brightness. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing a descending sinusoidal curve form. (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an ascending sinusoidal curve form. (C) is an explanatory diagram showing a stepwise form. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the width of the gradually changing range of brightness accompanying the blocking range that blocks oncoming vehicles. 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the width of a gradually changing range of brightness when an oncoming vehicle is located far away, respectively, and the width of a gradually changing range of brightness when an oncoming vehicle is located close by, respectively.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) and modifications of a vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments and modifications include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

[0021] In this specification, the terms "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right directions when the vehicle headlight device according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. Furthermore, the terms "front," "up," "down," and "left" refer to the directions when the vehicle headlight device is mounted on a vehicle and viewed from the driver's seat in the direction of vehicle travel. The front and rear directions are the vehicle's travel directions (forward and backward directions), the up and down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left and right direction is the horizontal direction. Regarding the front and rear directions, the direction in which light is emitted from the vehicle headlight device is the front direction, and the direction opposite to the front direction is the rear direction.

[0022] Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7(A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing light distribution patterns projected onto a screen installed 10 m or 25 m ahead of the vehicle headlamp device according to the present invention. In Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7(A) and (B), the symbols "VU-VD" indicate the vertical lines at the top and bottom of the screen, and the symbols "HL-HR" indicate the horizontal lines at the left and right of the screen. The screen is provided with a grid at 1° (1 degree) intervals. The "angles" described in this specification are expressed as widths in the left-right and up-down directions on the screen.

[0023] (Description of Configuration of the Embodiment) Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp device according to this embodiment will be described.

[0024] (Description of Vehicle Headlight Device 1) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the components of a vehicle headlight device 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle headlight device 1 is an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) type, i.e., a variable light distribution type vehicle headlight device. The vehicle headlight device 1 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown). The vehicle headlight device 1 includes a left lamp unit 2L, a right lamp unit 2R, and a control device 3.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlamp device 1 is equipped with an on-board camera device 4, a vehicle information unit 5 and an environmental information unit 6 as information units.

[0026] (Description of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R) The left lamp unit 2L is mounted on the left side of the front of the vehicle. The right lamp unit 2R is mounted on the right side of the front of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 7(A) and 7(B), the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R irradiate a high beam light distribution pattern HP ahead of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R have micro-light emitting elements 21L and 21R and optical members 22L and 22R.

[0027] Each of the micro-light emitting elements 21L and 21R is composed of tens of thousands of LEDs (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "LEDs"). The LEDs are arranged in a matrix. The number of the micro-light emitting elements 21L and 21R is not particularly limited.

[0028] The LEDs emit light individually, and their brightness changes depending on the value of the current supplied to them. That is, the amount of light emitted from the LEDs, i.e., their brightness, can be adjusted by adjusting the value of the current supplied to each LED individually or by modulating the pulse width of the power supplied to each LED individually.

[0029] In this example, the optical members 22L and 22R are lenses that irradiate the light from the minute light emitting elements 21L and 21R directly ahead of the vehicle as a high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0030] The optical members 22L and 22R are not limited to lenses in this example, and may be reflective surfaces such as reflectors that reflect light from the minute light-emitting elements 21L and 21R and irradiate the light ahead of the vehicle as a high-beam light distribution pattern HP, or may be a combination of a lens and a reflector, or may be a combination with other optical members.

[0031] (Explanation of control device 3) The control device 3 controls the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R based on the data of the light-blocking area obtained by the in-vehicle camera device 4, and forms a light-blocking area A1 in the high-beam light distribution pattern HP and also forms a gradually changing light-dark area A2 all around the light-blocking area A1, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7(A) and (B). The control device 3 performs control as will be described later with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0032] The control device 3 is composed of a computer. The control device 3 includes a central processing unit (CPU), memory (random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), storage, etc.), and a graphics processing unit (GPU), all of which are not shown. The storage may include various non-volatile memories, such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs), which may be removable from the computer. The control device 3 also includes an input unit (not shown) for inputting data (information) from external devices, such as the onboard camera device 4, the vehicle information unit 5, and the environmental information unit 6, and an output unit (not shown) for outputting data (control signals) from the control device 3 to external devices, such as the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R. The input unit and the output unit perform input and output to and from external devices via wired or wireless connections.

[0033] The control device 3 has a setting unit 31, a light amount adjustment unit 32, and a determination unit 33, as shown in Fig. 1 , through cooperation between the software stored in the memory and the hardware components constituting the computer. The setting unit 31 sets the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually changing light-dark range A2 based on data on the light-blocking range obtained by the in-vehicle camera device 4, vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information unit 5, and vehicle environmental information obtained by the environmental information unit 6.

[0034] The light amount adjusting unit 32 adjusts the amount of light emitted by the micro light emitting elements 21L of the left lamp unit 2L and the micro light emitting elements 21R of the right lamp unit 2R based on the light blocking range A1 and the gradual brightness changing range A2 set in the setting unit 31. When supplying current individually to the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R made up of LEDs, the light amount adjusting unit 32 adjusts the amount of light (brightness) emitted from the LEDs by adjusting the value of the current to be supplied or modulating the pulse width of the power to be supplied.

[0035] The judgment unit 33 has a driving judgment unit 331 (hereinafter referred to as the "driving judgment unit 331"), a nighttime driving judgment unit 332 (hereinafter referred to as the "nighttime judgment unit 332"), an ADB use judgment unit 333 (hereinafter referred to as the "ADB judgment unit 333"), a driving time predetermined value judgment unit 334 (hereinafter referred to as the "time judgment unit 334") or a driving distance predetermined value judgment unit 335 (hereinafter referred to as the "distance judgment unit 335"), an environment judgment unit 336, and a shaded object judgment unit 337 (hereinafter referred to as the "shading judgment unit 337").

[0036] The traveling determination unit 331 determines whether the host vehicle, i.e., the vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, is traveling or not. In this example, the traveling or not determination is made based on whether the engine is running or not.

[0037] The nighttime determination unit 332 determines whether the vehicle is traveling at night. In this example, the nighttime determination unit 332 determines whether the vehicle is traveling at night by checking whether the lighting switch is on.

[0038] The ADB determination unit 333 determines whether or not the ADB is being used. In this example, the determination of whether or not the ADB is being used is made based on whether or not the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 30 km or more in a situation where an operation related to the use of the ADB function in the vehicle has been performed.

[0039] The time determination unit 334 determines whether the running time has reached a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined value") as a threshold value. In this example, the predetermined value of the running time is determined based on the predetermined time (for example, whether one hour has passed or whether two hours have passed) since the engine was started. Here, the running time refers to the time since the engine was started.

[0040] The distance determination unit 335 determines whether the traveled distance has reached a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined value") as a threshold. In this example, the predetermined value of the traveled distance is determined based on whether the distance traveled since the engine was started is a predetermined distance (for example, whether 50 km or 100 km has passed). Here, the traveled distance refers to the distance traveled since the engine was started.

[0041] The environment determination unit 336 determines whether the environment is bad, such as rainy or snowy, etc. In this example, the bad environment is determined based on image processing data from the vehicle-mounted camera device 4.

[0042] The light blocking determination unit 337 determines whether the light blocking object is an oncoming vehicle 71. In this example, the oncoming vehicle 71 is determined based on image processing data from the vehicle-mounted camera device 4.

[0043] (Description of Vehicle-Mounted Camera Device 4) As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle-mounted camera device 4 has an imaging unit 41, an image processing unit 42, an object detection unit 43, and a light-blocking range calculation unit 44.

[0044] The vehicle-mounted camera device 4 includes a computer. The computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory (RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), storage, etc.), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), all of which are not shown. The storage may include various non-volatile memories, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and may be removable from the computer. The vehicle-mounted camera device 4 also includes a data output unit (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices and outputting data from the vehicle-mounted camera device 4. The data output unit may be a connection unit for connecting to a portable memory, or may be a communication unit for communicating via wired or wireless communication. The external device may also be a portable memory, and data stored in such a memory may be read into the vehicle-mounted camera device 4.

[0045] The imaging unit 41 captures information ahead of the vehicle and outputs the captured information to the image processing unit 42 as image information data.

[0046] The image processing unit 42 processes information ahead of the vehicle as image data based on the image information data output from the imaging unit 41 and outputs the image data to the object detection unit 43 .

[0047] The object detection unit 43 detects light-blocking objects, in this example, the oncoming vehicle 71 and the preceding vehicle 72 shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7(A) and (B), based on the image data output from the image processing unit 42, and outputs the detected object data to the light-blocking range calculation unit 44.

[0048] The object detection unit 43 can determine the vehicle type, such as a sedan, a light vehicle, or a truck, of the detected oncoming vehicle 71 and preceding vehicle 72. Note that the objects to be shaded may include, in addition to the oncoming vehicle 71 and preceding vehicle 72 in this example, pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles, signs, and the like.

[0049] The shading area calculation unit 44 calculates the shading area A1 (the area hatched with grid lines in FIGS. 3, 4, 7A, and 7B) based on the object data output from the object detection unit 43, and outputs the calculated shading area data to the setting unit 31 of the control device 3. The shading area data (shading area A1) is displayed in orthogonal coordinates of the X and Y axes. This makes it possible to accurately form the shading area A1 within the high beam distribution pattern HP illuminated by the left lamp unit 2L and right lamp unit 2R, which are separately mounted on the left and right sides.

[0050] (Description of Vehicle Information Unit 5 and Environmental Information Unit 6) The vehicle information unit 5 obtains either driving time or driving distance as vehicle information, and outputs the vehicle information of driving time or driving distance to the setting unit 31 of the control device 3. The environmental information unit 6 obtains information related to bad weather such as rain and snow as vehicle environmental information, and outputs the information related to bad weather such as rain and snow to the setting unit 31 of the control device 3 as bad environment information.

[0051] (Explanation of the light-blocking area A1, the gradually changing light-dark area A2, and the illumination area A3) As shown in the grid-hatched areas in Figures 3, 4, 7(A) and 7(B), the light-blocking area (light-blocking region) A1 is formed in a rectangular area (region) within the high-beam light distribution pattern HP that covers the oncoming vehicle 71 and the preceding vehicle 72 as light-blocking objects. In this example, the light-blocking area A1 has a current value of 0% supplied to the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the light-blocking area A1, the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the light-blocking area A1 are in a non-illuminated state, and no light is emitted from the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the light-blocking area A1. Therefore, the brightness (luminance) of the light-blocking area A1 is at a low level (0 level, 0%, hereinafter referred to as "0%").

[0052] The gradually changing brightness range (gradually changing brightness region) A2 is formed in a mouth-shaped range (region) around the entire periphery of the light-blocking region A1 in the high beam light distribution pattern HP, as shown by the dotted areas in Figures 3, 4, 7A, and 7B. In this example, the gradually changing brightness range A2 is such that the pulse width of the current value or power supplied to the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the gradually changing brightness range A2 is from 0% to 100% (hereinafter referred to as "0% to 100%), the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the gradually changing brightness range A2 are in a semi-lit state, and 0% to 100% of light is emitted from the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the gradually changing brightness range A2. Therefore, the brightness (luminance) of the gradually changing brightness range A2 is from a low level (0 level, 0%) to a high level (100%) (hereinafter referred to as "0% to 100%). In this example, the gradually changing light and dark area A2 is an illuminated area A3 adjacent to the light-blocking area A1, and is formed around the entire periphery of the light-blocking area A1.

[0053] 3, 4, 7A, and 7B, the widths of the left and right portions of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the leading vehicle 72 side are designated as W2 and W20, the widths of the left portion of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side are designated as W2L, W20L, and W21L, and the widths of the right portion of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side are designated as W2R, W20R, and W21R. In this example, the right side of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side is the direction in which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling.

[0054] The widths of the upper and lower portions of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the side of the preceding vehicle 72 are equal to the widths W2 and W20 of the left and right portions of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the side of the preceding vehicle 72. Note that the widths of the upper and lower portions of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the side of the preceding vehicle 72 do not have to be equal to the widths W2 and W20 of the left and right portions.

[0055] The widths of the upper and lower portions of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side are equal to the widths W2L, W20L, and W21L of the left portion of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side. Note that the widths of the upper and lower portions of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side do not have to be equal to the widths W2L, W20L, and W21L of the left portion.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 7A and 7B, the illumination range (illumination area) A3 is formed in the range (area) other than the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually changing brightness range A2 within the high beam distribution pattern HP. In this example, the current value supplied to the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the illumination range A3 is 100%, the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the illumination range A3 are in the on state, and 100% of the light is emitted from the micro light-emitting elements 21L and 21R corresponding to the illumination range A3. Therefore, the brightness (luminance) of the illumination range A3 is at a high level (100%, hereinafter referred to as "100%").

[0057] (Explanation of Operation of the Embodiment) The vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment has the configuration described above, and its operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0058] In step S1, the travel determination unit 331 determines whether the vehicle is traveling. If the travel determination unit 331 determines that the vehicle is not traveling (NO), the process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 ends. If the travel determination unit 331 determines that the vehicle is traveling (YES), the process proceeds to step S2.

[0059] In step S2, the nighttime determination unit 332 determines whether the host vehicle is traveling at night. If the nighttime determination unit 332 determines that the host vehicle is not traveling at night (NO), the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 ends. If the nighttime determination unit 332 determines that the host vehicle is traveling at night (YES), the processing proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control device 3 turns on the micro-light-emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R via the light amount adjustment unit 32. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R irradiate a high-beam light distribution pattern HP ahead of the host vehicle.

[0060] In step S3, the ADB determination unit 333 determines whether or not the ADB is being used. If the ADB determination unit 333 determines that the ADB is not being used (NO), the process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 ends. If the ADB determination unit 333 determines that the ADB is being used (YES), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0061] In step S4, the time determination unit 334 determines whether the running time has reached the predetermined value of one hour. If the time determination unit 334 determines that the running time has not reached one hour (NO), the process proceeds to step S5, and if the time determination unit 334 determines that the running time has reached one hour (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0062] Alternatively, in step S4, distance determination unit 335 determines whether the traveled distance has reached a predetermined value of 50 km. If distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has not reached 50 km (NO), the process proceeds to step S5, and if distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has reached 50 km (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0063] If step S4 returns YES, and step S9 (described later) determines that the environment is poor, such as rainy or snowy, the time determination unit 334 determines whether the driving time has reached a predetermined value of 0.8 hours (48 minutes) via step S10 (described later). If the time determination unit 334 determines that the driving time has not reached 0.8 hours (48 minutes) (NO), the process proceeds to step S5. If the time determination unit 334 determines that the driving time has reached 0.8 hours (48 minutes) (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0064] Alternatively, if step S4 returns YES and step S9 (described later) determines that the environment is poor, such as rainy or snowy, the distance determination unit 335 determines whether the traveled distance has reached a predetermined value of 40 km via step S10 (described later). If the distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has not reached 40 km (NO), the process proceeds to step S5, and if the distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has reached 40 km (YES), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0065] In step S5, the setting unit 31 sets the light-blocking area A1 and the gradually changing light-dark area A2 based on the light-blocking area data input from the vehicle-mounted camera device 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the light-blocking area A1 is a rectangular area that is large enough to cover the objects to be blocked, in this example, the oncoming vehicle 71 and the leading vehicle 72. As shown in Fig. 3, the gradually changing light-dark area A2 is the entire periphery of the light-blocking area A1, i.e., the area surrounding all four sides. In this example, the widths W2 and W2L of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 are 0.5° (0.5 deg).

[0066] Furthermore, the light amount adjusting unit 32 adjusts the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R based on the light blocking range A1 and the light-dark gradual change range A2 set in the setting unit 31. In this example, the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the light blocking range A1 are set to 0%, the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the illumination range A3 are set to 100%, and the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the light-dark gradual change range A2 are set to 0% or more and 100% or less from the light blocking range A1 side to the illumination range A3 side.

[0067] As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, a shaded area A1 that covers each of the oncoming vehicle 71 and the preceding vehicle 72 is formed in the high beam distribution pattern HP, and gradually changing light-dark areas A2 are formed on all four sides of the shaded area A1. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, in the high beam distribution pattern HP, the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the shaded area A1 is at a low level, the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the illuminated area A3 is at a high level, and the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the gradually changing light-dark area A2 gradually changes linearly from a low level to a high level from the shaded area A1 side to the illuminated area A3 side.

[0068] When step S5 is completed, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the light blocking determination unit 337 determines whether the blocked object is an oncoming vehicle 71. If the light blocking determination unit 337 determines that the object is not an oncoming vehicle 71 (NO), the process ends in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5, but if the light blocking determination unit 337 determines that the object is an oncoming vehicle 71 (YES), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0069] In step S7, the setting unit 31 sets the gradually bright / dark range A2 by adding 1° (1 degree) to the width W2R of the side on which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling, in this example, the right side, of the width of the gradually bright / dark range A2 attached to the light-blocking range A1 covering the oncoming vehicle 71. Furthermore, the light amount adjustment unit 32 adjusts the emitted light amount of the micro-light-emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R, based on the gradually bright / dark range A2 set by the setting unit 31, i.e., the right side width W2R, which is added 1° (1 degree) wider than the width W2L of the other side.

[0070] 3, the width W2R on the right side of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 attached to the light-blocking area A1 covering the oncoming vehicle 71 is increased by 1 degree (1 degree) from the width W2L (0.5 degrees (0.5 degrees)) on the other side to 1.5 degrees (1.5 degrees). This completes step S7.

[0071] In step S8, the time determination unit 334 determines whether the running time has reached the predetermined value of 2 hours. If the time determination unit 334 determines that the running time has not reached 2 hours (NO), the process proceeds to step S9, and if the time determination unit 334 determines that the running time has reached 2 hours (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0072] Alternatively, in step S8, distance determination unit 335 determines whether the traveled distance has reached a predetermined value of 100 km. If distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has not reached 100 km (NO), the process proceeds to step S9, and if distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has reached 100 km (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0073] If step S8 returns YES, and step S14 (described later) determines that the environment is a bad environment, such as rain or snow (YES), the time determination unit 334 determines whether the driving time has reached a predetermined value of 1.6 hours (96 minutes, 1 hour 36 minutes) via step S15 (described later). If the time determination unit 334 determines that the driving time has not reached 1.6 hours (96 minutes, 1 hour 36 minutes) (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. If the time determination unit 334 determines that the driving time has reached 1.6 hours (96 minutes, 1 hour 36 minutes) (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0074] Alternatively, if step S8 determines that the environment is a bad environment such as rain or snow (YES) in step S14 (described later), distance determination unit 335 determines whether the traveled distance has reached a predetermined value of 80 km via step S15 (described later). If distance determination unit 335 determines that the traveled distance has not reached 80 km (NO), the process proceeds to step S9, and if it determines that the traveled distance has reached 80 km (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0075] In step S9, the environment determination unit 336 determines whether the environment is a bad environment such as rain, snow, etc. If the environment determination unit 336 determines that the environment is a bad environment (YES), the process proceeds to step S10, and if the environment determination unit 336 determines that the environment is not a bad environment (NO), the process proceeds to step S11.

[0076] In step S10, the control device 3 multiplies the predetermined value of the driving time (1 hour) or the driving distance (50 km) in step S4 by 0.8 to reduce the predetermined value of the driving time in step S4 from 1 hour to 0.8 hours (48 minutes) or the predetermined value of the driving distance from 50 km to 40 km. When step S10 is completed, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0077] In step S11, the setting unit 31 sets a light-blocking area A1 and a gradually changing light-dark area A2 based on the light-blocking area data input from the vehicle-mounted camera device 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the light-blocking area A1 is a rectangular area that is large enough to cover the objects to be blocked, in this example, the oncoming vehicle 71 and the leading vehicle 72. As shown in Fig. 4, the gradually changing light-dark area A2 is the entire periphery of the light-blocking area A1, i.e., the area surrounding all four sides. In this example, the widths W20 and W20L of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 are 1° (1 deg).

[0078] Furthermore, the light amount adjusting unit 32 adjusts the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R based on the light blocking range A1 and the light-dark gradual change range A2 set in the setting unit 31. In this example, the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the light blocking range A1 are set to 0%, the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the illumination range A3 are set to 100%, and the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the light-dark gradual change range A2 are set to 0% or more and 100% or less from the light blocking range A1 side to the illumination range A3 side.

[0079] As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, a shaded area A1 that covers each of the oncoming vehicle 71 and the preceding vehicle 72 is formed in the high beam distribution pattern HP, and gradually changing light-dark areas A2 are formed on all four sides of the shaded area A1. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, in the high beam distribution pattern HP, the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the shaded area A1 is at a low level, the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the illuminated area A3 is at a high level, and the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the gradually changing light-dark area A2 gradually changes linearly from a low level to a high level from the shaded area A1 side to the illuminated area A3 side.

[0080] When step S11 is completed, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the light blocking determination unit 337 determines whether the light blocking object is an oncoming vehicle 71. If the light blocking determination unit 337 determines that the object is not an oncoming vehicle 71 (NO), the process ends in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5, but if the light blocking determination unit 337 determines that the object is an oncoming vehicle 71 (YES), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0081] In step S13, the setting unit 31 sets the gradually changing light-dark range A2 by adding 1° (1 degree) to the width W2R on the side toward which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling, in this example, the right side, of the width of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 attached to the light-blocking range A1 covering the oncoming vehicle 71. Furthermore, the light amount adjustment unit 32 adjusts the emitted light amount of the micro-light-emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R, based on the gradually changing light-dark range A2 set by the setting unit 31, i.e., the right side width W2R, which is added 1° (1 degree) larger than the width W2L on the other side.

[0082] 4, the width W2R on the right side of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 attached to the light-blocking area A1 covering the oncoming vehicle 71 is increased by 1 degree (1 degree) from the width W2L (1 degree (1 degree)) on the other side to 2 degrees (2 degrees). This completes step S13.

[0083] In step S14, the environment determination unit 336 determines whether the environment is a bad environment such as rain, snow, etc. If the environment determination unit 336 determines that the environment is a bad environment (YES), the process proceeds to step S15, and if the environment determination unit 336 determines that the environment is not a bad environment (NO), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0084] In step S15, the control device 3 multiplies the predetermined value of the travel time (2 hours) or the travel distance (100 km) in step S8 by 0.8 to reduce the predetermined value of the travel time in step S8 from 2 hours to 1.6 hours (96 minutes, 1 hour 36 minutes) or the predetermined value of the travel distance from 100 km to 80 km. When step S15 is completed, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0085] In step S16, the setting unit 31 sets the light-blocking area A1 and the gradually changing light-dark area A2 based on the light-blocking area data input from the vehicle-mounted camera device 4. The light-blocking area A1 is a rectangular area that covers the objects to be blocked, in this example, the oncoming vehicle 71 and the leading vehicle 72 (see FIG. 4). The gradually changing light-dark area A2 is the entire periphery of the light-blocking area A1, i.e., the area surrounding all four sides (see FIG. 4). In this example, the width of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 is 1.5° (1.5 deg).

[0086] Furthermore, the light amount adjusting unit 32 adjusts the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R based on the light blocking range A1 and the light-dark gradual change range A2 set in the setting unit 31. In this example, the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the light blocking range A1 are set to 0%, the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the illumination range A3 are set to 100%, and the light emission amounts of the micro light emitting elements 21L, 21R corresponding to the light-dark gradual change range A2 are set to 0% or more and 100% or less from the light blocking range A1 side to the illumination range A3 side.

[0087] As a result, a shaded area A1 is formed in the high beam distribution pattern HP, covering the oncoming vehicle 71 and the preceding vehicle 72, and gradually changing light-dark areas A2 are formed on all four sides of the shaded area A1 (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, in the high beam distribution pattern HP, the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the shaded area A1 is low, the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the illuminated area A3 is high, and the brightness (luminance) corresponding to the gradually changing light-dark area A2 gradually changes linearly from low to high from the shaded area A1 side to the illuminated area A3 side (see FIG. 4).

[0088] When step S16 is completed, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the light blocking determination unit 337 determines whether the light blocking object is an oncoming vehicle 71. If the light blocking determination unit 337 determines that the object is not an oncoming vehicle 71 (NO), the process ends, and if the light blocking determination unit 337 determines that the object is an oncoming vehicle 71 (YES), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0089] In step S18, the setting unit 31 sets the gradually changing light-dark range A2 by adding 1° (1 degree) to the width W2R of the side on which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling, in this example, the right side, of the width of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 attached to the light-blocking range A1 covering the oncoming vehicle 71. Furthermore, the light amount adjustment unit 32 adjusts the emitted light amount of the micro-light-emitting elements 21L, 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R, based on the gradually changing light-dark range A2 set by the setting unit 31, i.e., the right side width W2R, which is added 1° (1 degree) wider than the width W2L of the other side.

[0090] As a result, the right-side width W2R of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 associated with the light-blocking area A1 covering the oncoming vehicle 71 is increased by 1 degree (1 degree) from the width W2L (1.5 degrees (1.5 degrees)) on the other side to 2.5 degrees (2.5 degrees). This completes step S18 (see FIG. 4). This completes the operation of the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0091] (Explanation of Effects of the Embodiment) The vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment has the configuration and functions as described above, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0092] The vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment includes a left lamp unit 2L and a right lamp unit 2R that project a high-beam light distribution pattern HP ahead of the vehicle, and a control device 3. The control device 3 controls the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R based on information obtained by an on-board camera device 4 serving as a detection device, i.e., data on a shaded area A1, to form a shaded area A1 within the high-beam light distribution pattern HP and to form gradually changing light-and-dark areas A2 that are illumination areas adjacent to the shaded area A1 and that surround the shaded area A1 on all four sides.

[0093] As a result, the vehicle headlight device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the difference in brightness between the shaded area A1 and the illuminated area A3 by using the gradually changing brightness area A2 formed between the shaded area A1 and the illuminated area A3. This allows the vehicle headlight device 1 according to this embodiment to reduce driver fatigue during night driving compared to the vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1, which has a large difference in brightness at the boundary between the shaded area and the illuminated area in the high beam light distribution pattern, and the headlight control device of Patent Document 2, which has a large difference in brightness at the boundary between the enhanced high beam area and the non-illuminated area.

[0094] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce fatigue on the driver when driving at night, due to the light-dark difference mitigating effect of the gradually changing light-dark range A2, even if the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually changing light-dark range A2 move as the oncoming vehicle 71 or preceding vehicle 72 as the object moves, or even if there are multiple oncoming vehicles 71 or preceding vehicles 72 as the object and therefore multiple light-blocking ranges A1 and multiple gradually changing light-dark ranges A2.

[0095] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, when information relating to the driver's fatigue level is input from the vehicle information unit 5 to the control device 3 and the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control device 3 outputs control signals to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R to increase the widths W2, W2L, and W2R of 0.5° (0.5 deg) between the shading range A1 and the illumination range A3, which are the widths of the gradual light-dark change range A2, to widths W20, W20L, and W20R of 1° (1 deg) or 1.5° (1.5 deg).

[0096] As a result, the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment increases the widths W20, W20L, and W20R of the gradual light-dark change range A2, i.e., the light-dark difference mitigation range, before the driver's fatigue level accumulates, thereby reducing the fatigue felt by the driver during long periods of night driving.

[0097] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the widths W2, W2L, and W2R of the gradual light-dark change range A2 are the minimum width of 0.5° (0.5 deg) until the information relating to the driver's fatigue level reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, so that the driver can feel that the vehicle is equipped with an ADB, and the commercial value of the vehicle is maintained at a high level.

[0098] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is the driving time or driving distance from the vehicle information obtained by the vehicle information unit 5, and when a driving time or driving distance value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (1 hour, 2 hours, or 50 km or 100 km) is input from the vehicle information unit 5 to the control device 3, the control device 3 outputs control signals to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R to increase the widths W2, W2L, and W2R of the gradual light-dark change range A2 from 0.5° (0.5 degrees) to widths W20, W20L, and W20R of 1° (1 degree) or 1.5° (1.5 degrees).

[0099] As a result, the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment uses the driving time or driving distance as information regarding the driver's fatigue level, so that the driver's fatigue level can be accurately grasped, and fatigue experienced by the driver can be reduced when driving at night.

[0100] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the control device 3 obtains vehicle environmental information from the environmental information unit 6, and when the obtained environmental information is adverse environmental information related to bad weather, the control device 3 reduces the predetermined value of the information related to the driver's fatigue level by multiplying the predetermined value of the information related to the driver's fatigue level by 0.8. When the driving time or driving distance reaches or exceeds the reduced predetermined value (0.8 hours (48 minutes), 1.6 hours (96 minutes, 1 hour 36 minutes), or 40 km or 80 km), the control device 3 outputs control signals to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R to increase the widths W2, W2L, and W2R of the gradual light-dark changing range A2 from 0.5° (0.5 degrees) to widths W20, W20L, and W20R of 1° (1 degree) or 1.5° (1.5 degrees).

[0101] As a result, the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment reduces the predetermined value of the driving time or driving distance, which is information relating to the driver's level of fatigue, when the driver becomes fatigued earlier in adverse conditions such as rain or snow, thereby reducing the fatigue felt by the driver when driving at night in adverse conditions.

[0102] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the control device 3 outputs a control signal to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R to increase the widths W2R, W20R, and W21R on the side on which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling by 1° (1 deg) compared to the widths W2L, W20L, and W21L on the other side of the gradually changing light / dark range A2 that is attached to the shading range A1 that shades the oncoming vehicle 71.

[0103] As a result, in the vehicle headlamp device 1 of this embodiment, the widths W2R, W20R, and W21R of the gradually changing light / dark range A2 on the side on which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling are 1° (1 deg) larger than the widths W2L, W20L, and W21L on the other sides. Therefore, even if the relative speed between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle 71 is high and the positional movement in the direction of travel of the oncoming vehicle 71 is large, the oncoming vehicle 71 can be shielded by the gradually changing light / dark range A2, and glare to the oncoming vehicle 71 can be reduced.

[0104] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the control device 3 outputs a control signal to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R, which causes the gradual change in brightness between the shading range A1 and the illumination range A3 of the gradual change in brightness range A2 to be linear.

[0105] As a result, the vehicle headlight device 1 according to this embodiment changes the brightness smoothly and linearly between the shading range A1 and the illumination range A3 of the gradually changing light / dark range A2, thereby reducing fatigue on the driver when driving at night.

[0106] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the control device 3 outputs control signals to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R, as shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), which increase or decrease the widths W2L, W2R, W21L, and W21R of the gradually changing light / dark range A2, which are the widths between the shading range A1 and the illumination range A3, in accordance with the widths W1 and W11 of the shading range A1 in the left-right direction.

[0107] As a result, in the vehicle headlight device 1 according to this embodiment, when the width in the left-right direction of the light-blocking range A1 increases by 1.5 times from W1 in Fig. 7(A) to W11 in Fig. 7(B), the width on the other side of the gradually light-changing range A2 increases by 1.5 times from 0.5° of W2L in Fig. 7(A) to 0.75° of W21L in Fig. 7(B), while the width of the gradually light-blocking range A2 on the side toward which the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling increases by 1.5 times from 1.5° of W2R in Fig. 7(A) to 2.25° of W21R in Fig. 7(B). As a result, in the vehicle headlight device 1 according to this embodiment, the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually light-blocking range A2 increase and decrease at the same rate, maintaining a balance between the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually light-blocking range A2, which is visually preferable.

[0108] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the control device 3 has a setting unit 31 that sets the shading range A1 and the gradually changing light / dark range A2 based on information input from the on-board camera device 4 as a detection device, i.e., data on the shading range A1, and a light intensity adjustment unit 32 that adjusts the amount of light emitted by the micro-luminous elements 21L and 21R based on the shading range A1 and the gradually changing light / dark range A2 set in the setting unit 31.

[0109] As a result, the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment can form a shading area A1 and a gradually changing light / dark area A2 provided on all four sides of the periphery of the shading area A1 within the high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0110] In the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment, the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R each have micro-light-emitting elements 21L, 21R in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a matrix, and optical elements 22L, 22R as lenses that irradiate light from the micro-light-emitting elements 21L, 21R directly ahead of the vehicle as a high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0111] As a result, the vehicle headlamp device 1 according to this embodiment can form a shading area A1 and a gradually changing light / dark area A2 provided on all four sides of the periphery of the shading area A1 within the high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0112] (Explanation of Examples Other Than the Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the gradually changing light-dark area A2 is formed around the entire periphery of the light-blocking area A1. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case in which the gradually changing light-dark area A2 is formed in at least a portion of the illumination area A3 adjacent to the light-blocking area A1, for example, in a portion on the side in the traveling direction of the oncoming vehicle 71 or in a portion on the side in the traveling direction of the preceding vehicle 72.

[0113] In addition, although the above embodiment is described as an example of driving on the left side of the road, the present invention can also be applied to driving on the right side of the road. In this case, the left and right sides of the above embodiment are reversed.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which either the travel time or the travel distance is used as the vehicle information. However, in the present invention, both the travel time and the travel distance may be used as the vehicle information.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the widths W2, W2L, and W2R of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 are increased in two steps from 0.5° (0.5°) to widths W20, W20L, and W20R of 1° (1°) or 1.5° (1.5°). However, in the present invention, the values ​​of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 may be values ​​other than those mentioned above, and may be increased in one step or three or more steps other than two steps.

[0116] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the predetermined value for the travel time or travel distance is set to two levels: 1 hour, 2 hours, or 50 km, 100 km. However, in the present invention, the predetermined value for the travel time or travel distance may be a value other than those mentioned above, and may be set to one level or three or more levels other than two levels.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in order to lower the predetermined value of the information relating to the driver's fatigue level in adverse environments such as rain or snow, the predetermined value of the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is multiplied by 0.8. However, in the present invention, the predetermined value may be multiplied by a number other than the above.

[0118] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the widths of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 attached to the shaded area A1 that shades the oncoming vehicle 71 are increased by 1° (1 degree) on the side where the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling, namely, the widths W2R, W20R, and W21R, on the side where the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling, compared to the widths W2L, W20L, and W21L on the other side. However, in the present invention, the value by which the width is increased may be a value other than the above. Also, in the present invention, the value by which the width is increased may be changed depending on the relative speed between the host vehicle and the oncoming vehicle 71. For example, if the relative speed is fast, the additional increase is made by an angle greater than 1°, and if the relative speed is slow, the additional increase is made by an angle smaller than 1°.

[0119] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the brightness between the light-blocking range A1 and the illumination range A3 in the gradually changing light-dark range A2 changes smoothly and linearly as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, in the present invention, the gradual change in brightness between the light-blocking range A1 and the illumination range A3 in the gradually changing light-dark range A2 may be, in addition to a linear change, a waning curve, a rising curve, or a stepwise change, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C . Furthermore, a combination of a linear change, a waning curve, a rising curve, and a stepwise change may also be used. Thus, in the present invention, the gradual change in brightness between the light-blocking range A1 and the illumination range A3 in the gradually changing light-dark range A2 can be set to any gradual change form, allowing the driver to select a gradual change form that suits their preference, thereby reducing driver fatigue during night driving.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the micro light emitting elements 21L and 21R of the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R are composed of a plurality of micro LEDs, and the plurality of micro LEDs are arranged in a matrix. However, in this invention, the micro light emitting elements may be MEMS type micro light emitting elements or DMD type micro light emitting elements in addition to the micro LEDs.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the width of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 is constant even if the light-blocking range A1 is widened or narrowed. However, in the present invention, the control device 3 may perform control as described below so that the width of the gradually changing light-dark range A2 increases or decreases in response to the widening or narrowing of the light-blocking range A1.

[0122] That is, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the light-blocking area A1 widens and narrows depending on the distance to the object to be blocked, i.e., the oncoming vehicle 71 in Figure 7. For example, when the distance to the oncoming vehicle 71 is long, the light-blocking area A1 narrows as shown in Figure 7A, i.e., the width W1 of the light-blocking area A1 in the left-right direction is narrow. On the other hand, when the distance to the oncoming vehicle 71 is short, the light-blocking area A1 widens as shown in Figure 7B, i.e., the width W11 of the light-blocking area A1 in the left-right direction is wide. In this way, the light-blocking area A1 widens and narrows depending on the distance to the object to be blocked (the oncoming vehicle 71). At this time, if the light-blocking area A1 widens and narrows but the width of the gradually changing light-dark area A2 is constant, the balance between the widening and narrowing light-dark area A1 and the constant gradually changing light-dark area A2 is lost, which is visually undesirable.

[0123] Therefore, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the control device 3 outputs control signals to the left lamp unit 2L and the right lamp unit 2R that increase or decrease the widths W2L, W2R, W21L, and W21R of the gradually changing light / dark range A2, which are the widths between the shading range A1 and the irradiation range A3, in accordance with the width of the shading range A1, in this example, the widths W1 and W11 in the left-right direction. For example, if the width of the light-blocking range A1 in the left-right direction is increased by 1.5 times from W1 in Fig. 7(A) to W11 in Fig. 7(B), the width of the other side of the gradually light-changing range A2 is increased by 1.5 times from 0.5° of W2L in Fig. 7(A) to 0.75° of W21L in Fig. 7(B), while the width of the gradually light-blocking range A2 on the side where the oncoming vehicle 71 is traveling is increased by 1.5 times from 1.5° of W2R in Fig. 7(A) to 2.25° of W21R in Fig. 7(B). As a result, the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually light-blocking range A2 widen and narrow at the same rate, maintaining a balance between the light-blocking range A1 and the gradually light-blocking range A2, which is visually preferable.

[0124] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0125] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle headlamp device 2L Left lamp unit 2R Right lamp unit 21L, 21R Micro-light emitting element 22L, 22R Optical member 3 Control device 31 Setting unit 32 Light amount adjustment unit 33 Determination unit 331 Driving determination unit (driving determination unit) 332 Night driving determination unit (nighttime determination unit) 333 ADB use determination unit (ADB determination unit) 334 Driving time predetermined value determination unit (time determination unit) 335 Driving distance predetermined value determination unit (distance determination unit) 336 Environment determination unit 337 Light-blocking object determination unit (light-blocking determination unit) 4 On-board camera device 41 Imaging unit 42 Image processing unit 43 Object detection unit 44 Light-blocking range calculation unit 5 Vehicle information unit 6 Environment information unit 71 Oncoming vehicle 72 Leading vehicle A1 Light-blocking range A2 Gradual light-dark change range A3 Illumination range HL-HR Horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen HP High beam light distribution pattern VU-VD Vertical lines on the top and bottom of the screen W1, W11 Width of the shading range A1 in the left-right direction W2, W20 Width of the left and right parts of the gradual light-dark change range A2 on the leading vehicle 72 side W2L, W20L, W21L Width of the left part of the gradual light-dark change range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side W2R, W20R, W21R Width of the right part of the gradual light-dark change range A2 on the oncoming vehicle 71 side

Claims

1. A variable light distribution type vehicle headlamp device comprising: a lamp unit that projects a high beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle; and a control device that controls the lamp unit based on information obtained by a detection device mounted on the vehicle to form a light-blocking area within the high beam light distribution pattern and to form a gradually changing light / dark area in at least a portion of the illumination area adjacent to the light-blocking area.

2. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device receives information relating to the driver's fatigue level from an information unit installed in the vehicle, and when the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is determined to be equal to or greater than a threshold, outputs a control signal to the lamp unit to increase the width of the gradual light-dark change range.

3. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 2, characterized in that the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is at least one of driving time and driving distance among the vehicle information obtained by the information section, and when a value of at least one of the driving time and the driving distance that is equal to or greater than the threshold value is input from the information section, the control device outputs a control signal to the lamp unit for increasing the width of the gradual light-dark change range.

4. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control device obtains environmental information of the vehicle from the information unit, and lowers the threshold value when the obtained environmental information relates to bad weather.

5. The vehicle headlamp device as described in claim 4, characterized in that the information relating to the driver's fatigue level is at least one of driving time and driving distance among the vehicle information obtained by the information unit, and the control device obtains the environmental information of the vehicle from the information unit, and lowers the threshold value when the obtained environmental information relates to bad weather.

6. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device outputs to the lamp unit a control signal that increases the width of the gradual light-dark change range on the side where an oncoming vehicle is traveling compared to the width of the gradual light-dark change range on the other side.

7. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device outputs a control signal to the lamp unit to set the gradual change in brightness in the gradual brightness change range to at least one of a linear form, a curved form, or a stepwise form.

8. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, wherein the control device outputs a control signal to the lamp unit that increases or decreases the width of the gradual brightness change range in accordance with the width of the light blocking range.

9. The vehicle headlamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device has: a setting unit that sets the light-blocking range and the gradual light-dark change range based on the information input from the detection device; and a light amount adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of light emitted by the lamp unit based on the light-blocking range and the gradual light-dark change range set in the setting unit.

Images