Headlight system

Abstract

The present invention improves visibility ahead of a vehicle at the time of rainfall or the like.　This headlight system comprises: a headlight that is configured to be capable of changing the light amount distribution of projected light and is installed in a vehicle; a controller connected to the headlight and controlling the operation of the headlight; and a weather detection unit connected to the controller and detecting the weather at the current position of the vehicle. When the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather satisfying a predetermined criterion, the controller controls the headlight so that, compared to before a change in the light amount distribution of the projected light, the amount of light at a position relatively close to the outer side and / or the lower side of the vehicle is increased and the light amount at a position relatively close to the inner side and / or the upper side of the vehicle is decreased.

Description

Headlight System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to headlamp systems.

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 6032248 (Patent Document 1) describes a vehicle lighting device that controls headlights to dim and illuminate a portion of the road surface ahead of the vehicle that corresponds to the road shape estimated by a travel path estimation unit when weather conditions that result in poor visibility ahead of the vehicle are detected. This vehicle lighting device is also controlled so as not to illuminate a high place during rain or snow. However, it is believed that there is room for further improvement in terms of improving visibility ahead of the vehicle during rain or snow.

[0003] Patent No. 6032248

[0004] One of the objects of a specific aspect of the present disclosure is to improve visibility ahead of a vehicle during rainy weather, etc.

[0005] A headlight system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a headlight that is installed on a vehicle and is configured to be able to change the light intensity distribution of the irradiated light; a controller that is connected to the headlight and controls the operation of the headlight; and a weather detection unit that is connected to the controller and detects the weather at the current location of the vehicle, wherein when the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy and satisfies a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlight so that the light intensity distribution of the irradiated light is increased relatively at positions closer to the outside and / or below the vehicle and decreased relatively at positions closer to the inside and / or above the vehicle compared to before the change.

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the visibility ahead of the vehicle during rainy weather, etc.

[0007] FIG. 1(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlamp system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1(B) is a diagram showing an example configuration of a computer system. FIG. 2(A) is a plan view schematically showing the irradiation position of a high beam before the light intensity distribution is changed. FIG. 2(B) is a plan view schematically showing the irradiation position of a high beam after the light intensity distribution is changed. FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are schematic front views showing an example configuration of a headlamp capable of changing the light intensity distribution of the high beam. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing an example modified configuration of the headlamp.

[0008] 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of a headlight system according to one embodiment. The illustrated headlight system includes a controller 10, a camera 11, a headlight switch 12, a raindrop sensor 13, and a pair of headlights 14R and 14L. This headlight system is designed to illuminate the area ahead of the vehicle. The controller 10 is connected to the camera 11, the headlight switch 12, the raindrop sensor 13, and the headlights 14R and 14L.

[0009] The controller 10 controls the light irradiation by the headlights 14R, 14L. The controller 10 can be configured using a computer system including a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage device 204 such as a flash memory, an input / output interface (I / F) 205, and the like, as shown in FIG. 1B .

[0010] The camera 11 detects the situation, such as the position of pedestrians, based on an image obtained by capturing an image of the space ahead of the vehicle. The camera 11 captures an image of the space ahead of the vehicle to generate image data, and performs image recognition processing on the image data to detect the situation ahead of the vehicle, such as the position of pedestrians, the position of a preceding vehicle (a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle), and white lines on the road. This image processing function may be provided in the controller 10. In this case, the image data is supplied from the camera 11 to the controller 10, and the image recognition processing is performed by executing a predetermined program in the controller 10. In addition to the above-mentioned camera, an optical ranging sensor such as LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, ultrasonic sensor, etc. may also be used as a means for detecting the situation ahead of the vehicle.

[0011] The headlamp switch 12 is located near the driver's seat of the vehicle and is operable by the driver when the driver wishes to turn on the headlamps 14R and 14L.

[0012] The raindrop sensor 13 detects the amount of rainfall (and / or raindrop diameter; the same applies hereinafter) at the location where the vehicle is located and outputs a signal (or data) indicating changes in the amount of rainfall. Various known raindrop sensors can be used as the raindrop sensor 13, and for example, a sensor that is installed inside the vehicle's windshield and detects raindrops adhering to the outer surface of the windshield using an optical method can be used.

[0013] A pair of headlights 14R, 14L are mounted at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle and operate in response to control signals provided by the controller 10 to illuminate the area ahead of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the headlights 14R, 14L are capable of emitting low beams (passing lights) and high beams (driving lights), as well as selective high beams, which are light sources that are partially dimmed (or turned off) within a range that is set depending on the position of the vehicle ahead. The selective high beam is also referred to as an adaptive driving beam (ADB). Each headlight 14R, 14L includes a first high beam unit 30a, a second high beam unit 30b, and a third high beam unit 30c, which are light source units that emit high beams and selective high beams, and a low beam unit 31, which is a light source unit that emits low beams.

[0014] For example, the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, with the first high beam unit 30a positioned closer to the inside of the vehicle and the third high beam unit 30c positioned relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, with the second high beam unit 30b positioned between them (see Figure 3(A) described below).

[0015] Various known configurations can be employed for each headlamp 14R, 14L. For example, a high beam or low beam can be generated by a light source unit configured by combining a light source bulb with a reflector or a shielding plate. Alternatively, a selective high beam can be generated by a light source unit in which light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in one or two directions and the lighting state of each light-emitting element can be individually controlled. Alternatively, a selective high beam can be generated by a light source unit including a light source and a liquid crystal element, etc., and capable of individually controlling the light transmission state of each pixel of the liquid crystal element. Alternatively, a selective high beam can be generated by a light source unit including a light-emitting element such as a laser diode and a scanning element, such as a mirror device, that scans the light emitted from the light-emitting element, and capable of controlling the timing of turning on and off the light-emitting element and the scanning timing of the scanning element. Furthermore, a light source unit with these configurations may generate a high beam or low beam in addition to a selective high beam.

[0016] The above-mentioned controller 10 includes an irradiation state setting unit (irradiation state setting function) 20, a light distribution control unit (light distribution control function) 21, and a light distribution change control unit (light distribution change control function) 22, which are functions realized when a program stored in a storage device 204 is read and executed by the processor 201.

[0017] The illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state of light emitted by each headlight 14R, 14L based on the situation ahead of the vehicle captured by the camera 11 and the operation state of the headlight switch 12. For example, when the headlight switch 12 is in a state instructing low beam illumination, the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state so that the low beam units 31 of each headlight 14R, 14L emit low beams.

[0018] In addition, when the headlight switch 12 is set to illuminate both low beam and high beam, the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state so that the low beam unit 31 of each headlight 14R, 14L illuminates a low beam, and also sets the illumination state so that at least one of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c illuminates a high beam.

[0019] Furthermore, when the headlight switch 12 is in a state instructing selective high beam illumination, the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state for at least one of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c of each headlight 14R, 14L to illuminate a selective high beam whose light distribution pattern is set to include a dimming range according to the position of the forward vehicle (oncoming vehicle or preceding vehicle) photographed by the camera 11.

[0020] The light distribution control unit 21 generates a control signal for causing each headlamp 14R, 14L to form illumination light according to the illumination state set by the illumination state setting unit 20, and supplies this signal to each headlamp 14R, 14L.

[0021] The light distribution change control unit 22 controls the change of the light intensity distribution of the high beams formed by the headlights 14R, 14L based on the amount of rainfall (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the raindrop sensor 13. In response to this changed light intensity distribution, the light distribution control unit 21 generates a control signal.

[0022] 2A is a plan view schematically illustrating the illumination range of the high beams before the light intensity distribution is changed. As shown in FIG. 2A, before the light intensity distribution of the illumination light is changed, the combined light of the high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c emitted by the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c of the headlamp 14R is emitted over a wide range in front of the vehicle. The high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c may be selective high beams. In this case, the light intensity of each high beam 50a, 50b, and 50c is set to be, for example, approximately the same.

[0023] The combined light of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c is emitted in a range that spreads forward of the vehicle with reference axis L as its approximate center. Reference axis L is the axis that represents the main traveling direction of the high beams, i.e., the axis that represents the center direction of the high beams (so-called optical axis), and in this case, it is the axis that represents the main traveling direction of the combined light of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c. If the combined light of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c is a selective high beam, the central axis when the entire range is used as the light irradiation range without providing a dimming range can be used as reference axis L.

[0024] As shown in the figure, the line of sight E of a driver's seat passenger 100 toward the front of the vehicle overlaps with the illumination range of the combined light of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c. If it is raining around the vehicle, light is scattered by raindrops in the air in the area where the illumination range of the combined light of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c overlaps with the line of sight E, resulting in a veiling phenomenon. The veiling phenomenon is a phenomenon in which scattered light makes the space appear smoky. When the veiling phenomenon occurs, visibility is reduced when passenger 100 views the area ahead of the vehicle.

[0025] 2B is a plan view schematically illustrating the illumination range of the high beams after the light intensity distribution has been changed. As shown in FIG. 2B, the high beam 50a from the first high beam unit 30a and the high beam 50b from the second high beam unit 30b are turned off, and the high beam 50c from the third high beam unit 30c is illuminated. In this case, the light intensity of the high beam 50c is preferably about three times the light intensity of each high beam 50a, etc., when all high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c are turned on (see FIG. 2A), in order to compensate for the decrease in light intensity caused by the turning off of the other high beams 50a and 50b.

[0026] The illumination range of high beam 50c has a light intensity distribution in which the amount of light is relatively increased on the right (i.e., the outside of the vehicle) and relatively decreased on the left (i.e., the inside of the vehicle) relative to the left and right of the vehicle, compared to the illumination range of the combined light of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c. At this time, the reference axis L of high beam 50c shifts parallel from the inside to the outside of the vehicle before and after the change in the light intensity distribution of the high beam. In other words, the reference axis L of the high beam light intensity distribution before and after the change is approximately parallel. Note that the "outside of the vehicle" refers to the side relatively closer to the side of the vehicle, and the "inside of the vehicle" refers to the side relatively farther from the side of the vehicle.

[0027] As a result, the overlapping range (distance) D2 of the illumination range of high beam 50c and the passenger's line of sight E is shorter than the overlapping range (distance) D1 of the range where two or more of the illumination ranges of high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c overlap and the passenger's line of sight E, so the light curtain visible to the passenger can be reduced.

[0028] Based on the above-described principle, the headlamp system of this embodiment shifts the illumination ranges of the high and low beams in a complementary manner during rainy weather, thereby reducing the veiling experienced by the occupants and improving visibility. This will be described in more detail below.

[0029] FIG. 3A is a schematic front view showing an example configuration of a headlamp capable of changing the light intensity distribution of the high beam. Here, the example configuration of the headlamp 14R on the right side of the vehicle is shown, but the left side of the vehicle headlamp 14L can have a symmetrical configuration. In the headlamp 14R of the example configuration shown in FIG. 3A, within its housing, the first high beam unit 30a is positioned relatively closer to the inside of the vehicle, the second high beam unit 30b is positioned relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, and the third high beam unit 30c is positioned closest to the outside of the vehicle. In other words, the second high beam unit 30b is positioned between the first high beam unit 30a and the third high beam unit 30c. Furthermore, the low beam unit 31 is positioned closest to the inside of the vehicle. As described above, the light intensity distribution of the high beam can be changed, or in other words, the light intensity distribution can be variably set, by selectively using the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c.

[0030] FIG. 3B is a schematic front view showing a modified configuration example of a headlamp capable of changing the high beam light distribution. Here, the configuration example of the right-side headlamp 14R of the vehicle is shown, but the left-side headlamp 14L of the vehicle can have a symmetrical configuration. In the headlamp 14R of the configuration example shown in FIG. 3B, within its housing, the pair of the first high beam unit 30a and the first low beam unit 31a is positioned relatively closer to the inside of the vehicle, the pair of the second high beam unit 30b and the second low beam unit 31b is positioned relatively closer to the outside of the vehicle, and the pair of the third high beam unit 30c and the third low beam unit 31c is positioned relatively closest to the outside of the vehicle. In other words, the pair of the second high beam unit 30b and the second low beam unit 31b is positioned between the pair of the first high beam unit 30a and the first low beam unit 31a and the pair of the third high beam unit 30c and the third low beam unit 31c.

[0031] In this modified configuration example, the light intensity distribution of the high beams can be changed by selectively using the first high beam unit 30 a, the second high beam unit 30 b, and the third high beam unit 30 c. For example, the light intensity distribution of the high beams can be changed by switching between turning on all of the first high beam unit 30 a, the second high beam unit 30 b, and the third high beam unit 30 c and turning off the first high beam unit 30 a and the second high beam unit 30 b and turning on the third high beam unit 30 c.

[0032] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the headlamp system. The order of the processes shown here can be changed as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the results of the information processing, and other processes not specifically shown here can be added. The following description will be given assuming the use of the headlamp 14L, 14R shown in FIG. 3A.

[0033] When the headlamp switch 12 is on (step S11; YES), the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state to turn on the low beam (step S12). The light distribution control unit 21 outputs a control signal according to the set illumination state, causing the low beam units 31 of the headlamp 14L, 14R to emit low beams.

[0034] If the amount of rainfall (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the raindrop sensor 13 satisfies the predetermined weather conditions (step S13; YES), the light distribution change control unit 22 controls the light distribution of the high beams from at least the headlamp 14R located relatively close to the driver's seat (step S14). Specifically, the light distribution change control unit 22 controls the first low beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b to be turned off and the third high beam unit 30c to be turned on. At this time, the light distribution change control unit 22 also controls the light distribution of the third high beam unit 30c to be increased.

[0035] Here, the weather condition can be satisfied when, for example, the rainfall is 20 mm / h or more (heavy rain). The weather condition can be determined by comparing the raindrop diameter with a predetermined reference value, or can be determined based on both the rainfall amount and the raindrop diameter.

[0036] Next, the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state to activate the high beam function (step S15). The light distribution control unit 21 outputs a control signal in accordance with the set illumination state, causing the third high beam unit 30c of each headlamp 14L, 14R to emit a high beam 50c. A selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be emitted as the high beam. The high beam may also be controlled to automatically turn off when a vehicle ahead is present.

[0037] If the rainfall amount (and / or raindrop diameter) detected by the raindrop sensor 13 no longer satisfies the predetermined weather conditions (step S16; YES), the light distribution change control unit 22 controls the high beam light distribution of at least the headlamp 14R located relatively close to the driver's seat to return to its original state (the state before the change) (step S17). Specifically, the light distribution change control unit 22 controls the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c to be all turned on. At this time, the light intensity of the third high beam unit 30c is returned to its original state, and the light intensities of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c are made substantially equal.

[0038] Next, the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state to activate the high beam function (step S18). The light distribution control unit 21 outputs a control signal in accordance with the set illumination state, causing the combined high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c from the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c of each headlamp 14L, 14R to be illuminated as a high beam. A selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may also be illuminated as the high beam. The high beam may also be controlled to be automatically turned off when a vehicle ahead is present. Then, the process returns to step S11.

[0039] If the headlight switch 12 is off or becomes off (step S11; NO), the illumination state setting unit 20 sets the illumination state to turn off the headlights (high beam and low beam) (step S19). The light distribution control unit 21 outputs a control signal in accordance with the set illumination state, thereby turning off the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, the third high beam unit 30c, and the low beam unit 31 of each headlight 14L, 14R. Then, the process returns to step S11.

[0040] On the other hand, if the weather conditions are not met in step S13 (step S13; NO), the illumination condition setting unit 20 sets the illumination condition to activate the high beam function (step S20). The light distribution control unit 21 outputs a control signal in accordance with the set illumination condition, causing the combined high beams 50a, 50b, and 50c from the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c of each headlamp 14L, 14R to be illuminated as a high beam. Alternatively, a selective high beam (adaptive driving beam) may be illuminated as the high beam. The high beam may also be controlled to automatically turn off when a vehicle ahead is present.

[0041] If the weather conditions are met in step S16 (step S16; NO), the process returns to step S11. In this case, the high beam illumination continues with the illumination position of the illumination light moved through steps S14 and S15. Then, the process returns to step S11.

[0042] According to the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to improve the visibility ahead of the vehicle during rainy weather, etc.

[0043] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the light intensity distribution of the high beam from the headlight 14R closer to the driver's seat is variably set. However, the light intensity distribution of the high beam from the headlight 14L farther from the driver's seat may also be variably set. Alternatively, the light intensity distribution of each of the high beams from the headlights 14R and 14L may also be variably set. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the light intensity distribution of the high beam (including the selective high beam) is variably set. However, the light intensity distribution of the low beam may also be variably set in a similar manner. Furthermore, the light intensity distribution of both the high beam and the low beam may also be variably set.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the light distribution was changed by controlling the on / off states of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c, but the same effect may be achieved by increasing or decreasing the amount of light. For example, in the above-described embodiment, before the light distribution was changed, the high beams of the first high beam unit 30a, the second high beam unit 30b, and the third high beam unit 30c were all turned on with approximately the same amount of light (e.g., a relative value of 100 for each), and after the light distribution was changed, the first high beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b were turned off, and the third high beam unit 30c was set to an amount of light that was increased compared to before the change (e.g., a relative value of 300). Alternatively, the light intensity of the high beams of first high beam unit 30a and second high beam unit 30b may be reduced to about one-fifth the amount of light before the change (relative value of 20), and the light intensity of the high beams of third high beam unit 30c may be increased to about 2.6 times the amount of light (relative value of 260), thereby obtaining the changed light intensity distribution. In this case, as shown in the example, it is preferable to change the light intensity distribution so that the sum (total) of the light intensities of the high beams is approximately the same before and after the change.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the light intensity distribution of high beams, etc., is varied across the vehicle width. However, the light intensity distribution of high beams, etc., may also be varied across the vehicle height. An example configuration of a headlamp 14R (14L) in this case is shown in FIG. 5 . In the illustrated headlamp 14R, the first high beam unit 30a and the second high beam unit 30b are positioned relatively closer to the upper side of the vehicle, while the third high beam unit 30c and the fourth high beam unit 30d are positioned relatively closer to the lower side of the vehicle. The low beam unit 31 is positioned closest to the lower side of the vehicle. This configuration and control mode are particularly suitable for vehicles with a high driver's seat, such as large vehicles. In other words, by adjusting the light intensity distribution of high beams, etc., in rainy weather so that the light intensity is increased near the lower side of the vehicle and decreased near the upper side of the vehicle, the overlapping range of the illumination range of high beams, etc., with the occupant's line of sight E can be shortened based on the same principle as described using FIG. 2B .

[0046] 5 , the light intensity distribution of the high beam as a composite light may be changed by controlling the on / off of each of the first high beam unit 30 a, the second high beam unit 30 b, the third high beam unit 30 c, and the fourth high beam unit 30 d, or a similar effect may be achieved by increasing or decreasing the light intensity. For example, before changing the light intensity distribution, the high beams of the first high beam unit 30 a, the second high beam unit 30 b, the third high beam unit 30 c, and the fourth high beam unit 30 d may be turned on with approximately the same light intensity (e.g., a relative value of 100 for each). After changing the light intensity distribution, the light intensity of the first high beam unit 30 a and the second high beam unit 30 b may be reduced to 0, and the light intensity of the third high beam unit 30 c and the fourth high beam unit 30 d may be increased (e.g., a relative value of 200) compared to before the movement. Alternatively, the light intensity of the high beams of first high beam unit 30a and fourth high beam unit 30d may be reduced to about half the light intensity before the movement (relative value 50), the light intensity of second high beam unit 30b may be reduced to 0, and the light intensity of the high beams of third high beam unit 30c may be increased to about three times the light intensity before the movement (relative value 300). In this case, as shown in the example, it is preferable that the sum (total) of the light intensity of each high beam remains unchanged before and after the change in light intensity distribution.

[0047] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a raindrop sensor capable of detecting the amount of rainfall (and / or the diameter of raindrops) was given as an example of a weather detection unit for detecting rainy weather, but the weather detection unit may also be configured using a communication device capable of acquiring information such as the amount of rainfall at the vehicle's current location via wireless communication from an external system.

[0048] Furthermore, although the above embodiment assumes that the driver's seat is located on the right side of the vehicle, the contents of the present disclosure can also be applied to cases where the driver's seat is located on the left side.

[0049] The present disclosure has the following features. (Supplementary Note 1) A headlamp system including: a headlamp configured to be able to change the light intensity distribution of irradiated light and installed on a vehicle; a controller connected to the headlamp and controlling the operation of the headlamp; and a weather detection unit connected to the controller and detecting weather at the current location of the vehicle, wherein, when the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy and satisfies a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlamp so that the light intensity distribution of the irradiated light is increased in positions relatively closer to the outside and / or below the vehicle and decreased in positions relatively closer to the inside and / or above the vehicle compared to before the change. (Supplementary Note 2) The headlamp system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the optical axes of the irradiated light are approximately parallel before and after the change in the light intensity distribution. (Supplementary Note 3) The headlamp system according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the headlamp is installed on a side of the vehicle closer to the driver's seat. (Supplementary Note 4) The headlight system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the irradiated light is a high beam or a selective high beam. (Supplementary Note 5) The headlight system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the irradiated light is a low beam. (Supplementary Note 6) The headlight system according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the headlight has a plurality of light source units arranged in a vehicle width direction, and the controller controls the light intensity distribution of the irradiated light by increasing or decreasing the light intensity of light emitted from each of the plurality of light source units. (Supplementary Note 7) The headlamp system according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the plurality of light source units include a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit, the first unit being disposed in a position close to an inside of the vehicle, the third unit being disposed in a position close to an outside of the vehicle, and the second unit being disposed between the first unit and the third unit, and the controller controlling the amount of light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit to be substantially equal to form the illumination light before the light distribution is changed, and controlling the amount of light emitted from each of the first unit and the second unit to be relatively reduced and the amount of light emitted from the third unit to be relatively increased to form the illumination light after the light distribution has been changed.(Supplementary Note 8) The headlight system according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein a total amount of light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit is approximately the same before and after the change in the light intensity distribution. (Supplementary Note 9) The headlight system according to any of Supplements 1 to 8, wherein the rainy weather is a case where the amount of rainfall is equal to or greater than a first reference value and / or where the diameter of raindrops is equal to or greater than a second reference value. (Supplementary Note 10) The headlight system according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the weather detection unit is a sensor capable of detecting the amount of rainfall and / or the diameter of raindrops.

[0050] 10: Controller, 11: Camera, 12: Headlight switch, 13: Raindrop sensor, 14R, 14L: Headlight, 20: Irradiation state setting unit, 21: Light distribution control unit, 22: Light distribution change control unit, 30a: First high beam unit, 30b: Second high beam unit, 30c: Third high beam unit, 31: Low beam unit

Claims

1. A headlight system installed in a vehicle, configured to be able to change the light quantity distribution of irradiation light, including: a headlight; a controller connected to the headlight and controlling the operation of the headlight; and a weather detection unit connected to the controller and detecting the weather at the current position of the vehicle. When the weather detected by the weather detection unit is rainy weather satisfying a predetermined standard, the controller controls the headlight such that in the light quantity distribution of the irradiation light, the light quantity at a position relatively closer to the outside and / or lower side of the vehicle increases compared to before the change, and the light quantity at a position relatively closer to the inside and / or upper side of the vehicle decreases.

2. The headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the irradiation light is substantially parallel before and after the change of the light quantity distribution.

3. The headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the headlight is installed on a side closer to the driver's seat of the vehicle.

4. The headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation light is high beam or selective high beam.

5. The headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation light is low beam.

6. The headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the headlight has a plurality of light source units arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the controller controls the light quantity distribution of the irradiation light by increasing or decreasing the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the plurality of light source units.

7. The plurality of light source units include a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The first unit is arranged at a position closer to the inside of the vehicle, the third unit is arranged at a position closer to the outside of the vehicle, and the second unit is arranged between the first unit and the third unit. The controller controls the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit to be substantially the same to form the irradiation light before the change of the light quantity distribution, and controls to relatively decrease the light quantity of the light emitted from each of the first unit and the second unit and relatively increase the light quantity of the light emitted from the third unit to form the irradiation light after the change of the light quantity distribution.

8. The headlamp system according to claim 7, wherein the total amount of light emitted from each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit is substantially the same before and after the change in the light amount distribution.

9. The headlamp system according to claim 1, wherein the rainy weather is a case where the rainfall amount is equal to or greater than a first reference value and / or the raindrop diameter is equal to or greater than a second reference value.

10. The headlamp system according to claim 9, wherein the weather detection unit is a sensor capable of detecting the rainfall amount and / or the raindrop diameter.

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