Light distribution control device, vehicle lamp system, and computer program

Abstract

A vehicle lamp system 1 controls a vehicle lamp 2 so as to change a light distribution pattern PTN regardless of a bank angle of a saddle-riding vehicle 100 when a turn signal lamp 18 is turned on in a situation where the vehicle speed of the saddle-riding vehicle 100 is less than a prescribed first vehicle speed.

Description

Light distribution control device, vehicle lighting system, and computer program

[0001] The present invention relates to a light distribution control device, a vehicle lighting system, and a computer program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a headlamp for a two-wheeled vehicle including a sub-lamp that lights up when the two-wheeled vehicle tilts left and right to compensate for the light distribution of the main lamp. By lighting up the sub-lamp when the two-wheeled vehicle banks and illuminating the area ahead where the two-wheeled vehicle travels, the visibility of the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle can be improved.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-252811

[0004] As a result of intensive studies on the formation of the light distribution pattern by the vehicle lighting mounted on a saddle-type vehicle including a two-wheeled vehicle, the inventors have found a technique for further improving the visibility of the driver of the saddle-type vehicle.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and one of its objects is to provide a technique for improving the visibility of the driver of a saddle-type vehicle.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a light distribution control device that controls the formation of a light distribution pattern by a vehicle lighting mounted on a saddle-type vehicle. When the turn signal lamp lights up in a situation where the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle is less than a predetermined first vehicle speed, this light distribution control device controls the vehicle lighting so as to change the light distribution pattern regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lighting system. This vehicle lighting system includes a vehicle lighting mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, a turn signal lamp mounted on the saddle-type vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle, and the light distribution control device of the above aspect.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a computer program executed by a light distribution control device that controls the formation of a light distribution pattern by a vehicle light fixture mounted on a saddle-type vehicle. This computer program causes the light distribution control device to execute a function that controls the vehicle light fixture to change the light distribution pattern regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle when the turn signal lamp is illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle is below a predetermined first vehicle speed.

[0009] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as conversions of the expression of the present invention between methods, apparatus, systems, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] According to the present invention, the visibility of the driver of a saddle-type vehicle can be improved.

[0011] This is a block diagram of a vehicle lighting system according to an embodiment. This is a schematic diagram of a light distribution pattern that can be formed by the vehicle lighting. Figures 3(A) and 3(B) illustrate an example of control performed by the light distribution control device. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of control performed by the light distribution control device.

[0012] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the scale and shape of each part shown in each figure are set for convenience to facilitate explanation and are not to be interpreted restrictively unless otherwise specified. In addition, when terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used in this specification or claims, unless otherwise specified, these terms do not indicate any order or importance, but are used to distinguish one configuration from another. Furthermore, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted from the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle lighting system 1 according to an embodiment. In Figure 1, the components of the vehicle lighting system 1 are depicted as functional blocks. These functional blocks are realized in hardware configurations using elements and circuits such as the CPU and memory of a computer, and in software configurations using computer programs, etc. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms through combinations of hardware and software.

[0014] The vehicle lighting system 1 comprises a vehicle light fixture 2, a light distribution control device 4, a posture sensor 6, a vehicle speed sensor 16, a turn signal lamp 18, and a turn switch 20. These are mounted on a saddle-type vehicle 100 such as a motorcycle. Each mechanism of the vehicle lighting system 1 can be positioned at any desired location. For example, the vehicle light fixture 2, the light distribution control device 4, the posture sensor 6, and the turn signal lamp 18 are housed in a lamp chamber. The lamp chamber is divided by a lamp body having an opening on the front side of the vehicle and a light-transmitting cover fitted to cover the opening of the lamp body. The vehicle speed sensor 16 and the turn switch 20 are positioned on the body of the saddle-type vehicle 100.

[0015] The light distribution control device 4 and the attitude sensor 6 may be located outside the lamp compartment, for example, on the body of the saddle-type vehicle 100. For example, the light distribution control device 4 may be composed entirely or partially of the vehicle ECU. The attitude sensor 6 may be incorporated into the vehicle ECU. The vehicle lamp 2 and the turn signal lamp 18 may be housed in separate lamp compartments. The turn signal lamp 18, also called a turn signal or direction indicator, includes a left turn signal lamp 18L that illuminates when the saddle-type vehicle 100 turns left, and a right turn signal lamp 18R that illuminates when the saddle-type vehicle 100 turns right. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the left turn signal lamp 18L and the right turn signal lamp 18R, they will be collectively referred to as the turn signal lamp 18 below as appropriate.

[0016] The vehicle lamp 2 is, for example, a variable-distribution lamp capable of illuminating the front area of ​​a saddle-type vehicle 100 with a visible light beam L1 having a variable intensity distribution. The vehicle lamp 2 can individually change the illuminance of the light illuminating multiple individual areas R arranged in the front area. In other words, the vehicle lamp 2 can illuminate the space in front of the vehicle with light of different intensity depending on the location, i.e., the individual areas R. The multiple individual areas R are arranged, for example, in a matrix. The vehicle lamp 2 receives information from the light distribution control device 4 to instruct the light distribution pattern PTN and emits a visible light beam L1 having an intensity distribution corresponding to the light distribution pattern PTN. As a result, the light distribution pattern PTN is formed in front of the vehicle. The light distribution pattern PTN is understood as the two-dimensional illuminance distribution of the illumination pattern 902 that the vehicle lamp 2 forms on a virtual vertical screen 900 in front of the vehicle.

[0017] The configuration of the variable-beam lamp used in the vehicle lighting fixture 2 is not particularly limited and includes, for example, a plurality of light sources arranged in a matrix and a lighting circuit that independently drives and lights each light source. Preferred examples of light sources include semiconductor light sources such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes), LDs (laser diodes), and organic or inorganic ELs (electroluminescent). Each individual region R is associated with each light source, and light is individually irradiated from each light source to each individual region R. The resolution of the vehicle lighting fixture 2, in other words, the light distribution resolution, is, for example, several pixels to about 2 million pixels. The resolution of the vehicle lighting fixture 2 may also be, for example, about 5 pixels to several tens of pixels. The resolution of the vehicle lighting fixture 2 means the number of unit regions in the light distribution pattern PTN whose illuminance can be independently changed.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a light distribution pattern PTN that can be formed by the vehicle lamp 2. Figure 2 shows the light distribution pattern PTN formed in the front area of ​​the saddle-type vehicle 100. The vehicle lamp 2 of this embodiment can form a light distribution pattern LP for low beam, a light distribution pattern HP for high beam, a left additional light distribution pattern LAP, and a right additional light distribution pattern RAP.

[0019] The low-beam light distribution pattern LP and the high-beam light distribution pattern HP are formed or projected within the ranges specified by law. The low-beam light distribution pattern LP is mainly formed below the H-H line in the virtual vertical screen 900. The upper end of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP may extend above the H-H line. The high-beam light distribution pattern HP is formed above the low-beam light distribution pattern LP. The left additional light distribution pattern LAP is formed outside the left end of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP in the vehicle width direction and below the upper end of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP. The right additional light distribution pattern RAP is formed outside the right end of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP in the vehicle width direction and below the upper end of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP. Note that the left additional light distribution pattern LAP and the right additional light distribution pattern RAP may be formed above the upper end of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the left additional light distribution pattern LAP and the right additional light distribution pattern RAP, both will be collectively referred to as the additional light distribution pattern AP below.

[0020] As an example, the low-beam light distribution pattern LP includes a first low-beam section LP1, a second low-beam section LP2, a third low-beam section LP3, and a fourth low-beam section LP4, arranged in order from left to right in the vehicle width direction. The first low-beam section LP1 and the second low-beam section LP2 are formed in the region to the left of the V-V line in the virtual vertical screen 900. The third low-beam section LP3 and the fourth low-beam section LP4 are formed in the region to the right of the V-V line. The illuminance of each section can be changed independently.

[0021] The high beam light distribution pattern HP includes the first high beam section HP1, the second high beam section HP2, the third high beam section HP3, the fourth high beam section HP4, the fifth high beam section HP5, and the sixth high beam section HP6, arranged in order from left to right in the vehicle width direction. The first high beam section HP1, the second high beam section HP2, and the third high beam section HP3 are formed in the region to the left of the V-V line. The fourth high beam section HP4, the fifth high beam section HP5, and the sixth high beam section HP6 are formed in the region to the right of the V-V line. The illuminance of each section can be changed independently.

[0022] The left additional light distribution pattern LAP and the right additional light distribution pattern RAP are each composed of a single part. The left additional light distribution pattern LAP is formed diagonally below and to the left of the first low beam portion LP1. The right additional light distribution pattern RAP is formed diagonally below and to the right of the fourth low beam portion LP4.

[0023] Furthermore, the variable-beam lamp may include a matrix-type pattern forming device such as a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or a liquid crystal device, or a scanning optical type pattern forming device that scans the area in front of the vehicle with light from a light source, in order to form an illuminance distribution corresponding to the light distribution pattern PTN. In addition, the vehicle lamp 2 may include separate lamps for forming the low beam light distribution pattern LP, the high beam light distribution pattern HP, the left additional light distribution pattern LAP, and the right additional light distribution pattern RAP, respectively.

[0024] Furthermore, an additional light distribution pattern AP may be formed by swiveling or leveling a low-beam lamp for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern LP or a high-beam lamp for forming a high-beam light distribution pattern HP. Additionally, an additional light distribution pattern AP may be formed by the low-beam lamp deforming the low-beam light distribution pattern LP while maintaining its orientation, or by the high-beam lamp changing the high-beam light distribution pattern HP while maintaining its orientation. Furthermore, if a known cornering lamp that forms a cornering light distribution pattern during cornering of the saddle-type vehicle 100 is included in the vehicle lamp 2, the additional light distribution pattern AP may be formed by the cornering lamp.

[0025] The number of divisions in the low-beam light distribution pattern LP and the high-beam light distribution pattern HP, as well as the arrangement of each part, can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the low-beam light distribution pattern LP and the high-beam light distribution pattern HP may each consist of a single part without being divided. Additionally, the additional light distribution pattern AP may include multiple parts whose illuminance can be independently changed. Furthermore, the additional light distribution pattern AP only needs to be formed within the range described above, and may, for example, be connected to the low-beam light distribution pattern LP or the high-beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0026] Returning to Figure 1, the light distribution control device 4 controls the formation of the light distribution pattern PTN by the vehicle lighting fixture 2. In this embodiment, the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lighting fixture 2 to dynamically change the light distribution pattern PTN according to the combination of the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 and the lighting state of the turn signal lamp 18. The light distribution control device 4 can be configured as a digital processor, for example, a combination of a microcontroller including a CPU and a software program. The light distribution control device 4 may also be configured as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specified IC).

[0027] The light distribution control device 4 includes a control unit 8, which is composed of a CPU and the like, and a storage medium 10, which is composed of memory and storage. The control unit 8 includes, for example, a pattern determination unit 12 and a lamp control unit 14. The storage medium 10 stores computer programs and the like that are executed by the light distribution control device 4, or more specifically, the control unit 8. Each part included in the control unit 8 operates by having its constituent integrated circuit execute the program stored in the storage medium 10.

[0028] The control unit 8 can receive signals transmitted from the vehicle speed sensor 16. The vehicle speed sensor 16 detects the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 can also receive signals transmitted from the attitude sensor 6. The attitude sensor 6 detects the lateral tilt of the saddle-type vehicle 100, that is, the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle 100, and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 8. The attitude sensor 6 can be configured as, for example, a known inertial measurement unit (IMU).

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 8 can receive signals transmitted from the turn switch 20. The turn switch 20 is operated by the driver and sends a signal to the turn signal lamp 18 to instruct it to turn on or off. The turn signal lamp 18 is switched on and off according to the signal from the turn switch 20. The turn switch 20 also sends a signal to the control unit 8 to instruct the turn signal lamp 18 to turn on or off. This on / off instruction signal may also be sent from the turn signal lamp 18 to the control unit 8. The vehicle speed information, bank angle information, and on / off information of the turn signal lamp 18 sent to the control unit 8 are acquired by the pattern determination unit 12.

[0030] The pattern determination unit 12 determines whether or not to form an additional light distribution pattern AP according to the combination of the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 and the illumination state of the left turn signal lamp 18L and the right turn signal lamp 18R, and determines the light distribution pattern PTN to be formed. For example, a conversion table is created in advance and stored in the storage medium 10, which associates the vehicle speed, the illumination state of the left turn signal lamp 18L and the right turn signal lamp 18R, and the illuminance of each part of the light distribution pattern PTN. The pattern determination unit 12 uses this conversion table to determine the light distribution pattern PTN. The pattern determination unit 12 sends the information of the determined light distribution pattern PTN to the lamp control unit 14.

[0031] The lamp control unit 14 instructs the vehicle lamp 2 to form a light distribution pattern PTN. The lamp control unit 14 is composed of, for example, a known LED driver module (LDM). If the dimming method of the light source of the vehicle lamp 2 is analog dimming, the lamp control unit 14 adjusts the DC level of the drive current flowing to the light source. If the dimming method of the light source is PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming, the lamp control unit 14 adjusts the average level of the drive current by switching the current flowing to the light source and adjusting the ratio of the on period, i.e., the duty cycle. Furthermore, if the vehicle lamp 2 has a DMD, the lamp control unit 14 controls the on / off switching of each mirror element constituting the DMD. If the vehicle lamp 2 has a liquid crystal device, the lamp control unit 14 controls the light transmittance of the liquid crystal device. As a result, the light distribution pattern PTN is formed in front of the saddle-type vehicle 100.

[0032] Next, the operation of the light distribution control device 4 will be explained. Figures 3(A) and 3(B) illustrate an example of the control performed by the light distribution control device 4. When the turn signal lamp 18 is illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 is below a predetermined first vehicle speed, the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to change the light distribution pattern PTN regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle 100.

[0033] In this embodiment, the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to form an additional light distribution pattern AP on the side of the illuminated turn signal lamp 18 when either the left or right turn signal lamp 18 is illuminated while the vehicle speed is below the first vehicle speed. The additional light distribution pattern AP can illuminate the road surface RS further out in the vehicle width direction than the low beam light distribution pattern LP. The first vehicle speed can be predetermined based on experiments and simulations by the designer and is set in advance and stored in the storage medium 10. The first vehicle speed is preferably less than 10 km / h, and more preferably 0 km / h.

[0034] For example, as shown in Figure 3(A), suppose a saddle-type vehicle 100 is stopped at an intersection and waiting for a traffic light. That is, the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 is 0 km / h, which is below the first vehicle speed. In this situation, suppose the driver of the saddle-type vehicle 100 turns on the right turn signal lamp 18R to indicate their intention to turn right. Alternatively, suppose the driver of the saddle-type vehicle 100 turns on the right turn signal lamp 18R while decelerating the saddle-type vehicle 100 and stops at the intersection. Then, as shown in Figure 3(B), the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lamp 2 to form the right additional light distribution pattern RAP regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle 100, that is, even before the saddle-type vehicle 100 begins the right turn operation. If the left turn signal lamp 18L is turned on, the left additional light distribution pattern LAP is formed.

[0035] Furthermore, after forming the additional light distribution pattern AP, the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to reduce the illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern AP when the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 becomes faster than the first vehicle speed, i.e., a predetermined second vehicle speed or higher. The second vehicle speed and the amount of reduction in the illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern AP can be predetermined based on experiments and simulations by the designer and are set in advance and stored in the storage medium 10. The second vehicle speed is, for example, 20 km / h. The amount of reduction in illuminance is, for example, the amount at which the illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern AP becomes 0. In this case, it means that the formation of the additional light distribution pattern AP is stopped.

[0036] This embodiment includes a computer program executed by the light distribution control device 4. This computer program causes the light distribution control device 4 to execute a function that controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to change the light distribution pattern PTN regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle 100 when the turn signal lamp 18 is illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 is below a predetermined first vehicle speed. This embodiment also includes a storage medium 10 on which the computer program is stored.

[0037] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the control performed by the light distribution control device 4. This flowchart is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals when the control described above is instructed to be performed by, for example, a light switch (not shown), and when the ignition is on.

[0038] The light distribution control device 4 determines whether the turn signal lamp 18 is lit (S101). By obtaining on / off information of the turn signal lamp 18 from the turn switch 20, the light distribution control device 4 can determine whether the turn signal lamp 18 is lit, and if so, whether the left turn signal lamp 18L or the right turn signal lamp 18R is lit. If the turn signal lamp 18 is not lit (N in S101), the light distribution control device 4 terminates this routine.

[0039] If the turn signal lamp 18 is illuminated (Y in S101), the light distribution control device 4 determines whether the vehicle speed is less than the first vehicle speed (S102). If the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the first vehicle speed (N in S102), the light distribution control device 4 terminates this routine. If the vehicle speed is less than the first vehicle speed (Y in S102), the light distribution control device 4 determines whether the right turn signal lamp 18R is illuminated (S103). If the right turn signal lamp 18R is illuminated (Y in S103), the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lamp 2 to form the right additional light distribution pattern RAP (S104). If the left turn signal lamp 18L is illuminated (N in S103), the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lamp 2 to form the left additional light distribution pattern LAP (S105).

[0040] Subsequently, the light distribution control device 4 determines whether the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the second vehicle speed (S106). If the vehicle speed is less than the second vehicle speed (N in S106), the light distribution control device 4 repeats the determination in step S106. If the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the second vehicle speed (Y in S106), the light distribution control device 4 stops forming the additional light distribution pattern AP (S107) and terminates this routine. Note that the order of the illumination determination in step S101 and the vehicle speed determination in step S102 may be reversed. Also, in step S103, the light distribution control device 4 may determine whether the left turn signal lamp 18L is illuminated.

[0041] As described above, the light distribution control device 4 according to this embodiment controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to change the light distribution pattern PTN regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle 100 when the turn signal lamp 18 is illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle 100 is below a predetermined first vehicle speed. This enables more adaptive light distribution control to the situation in which the saddle-type vehicle 100 is positioned. Therefore, the visibility of the driver of the saddle-type vehicle 100 can be further improved. As a result, the safety of vehicle operation can be improved.

[0042] The light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lamp 2 to form an additional light distribution pattern AP that illuminates the road surface RS on the side where the turn signal lamp 18 is lit and which is outside the low beam light distribution pattern LP in the vehicle width direction, when the turn signal lamp 18 is illuminated while the saddle-type vehicle 100 is traveling at a speed less than the first speed. The first speed is, for example, less than 10 km / h.

[0043] When the straddle-type vehicle 100 makes a turn, the road surface RS outside the vehicle width direction from the low beam light distribution pattern LP on the turning side becomes an area that the driver of the straddle-type vehicle 100 particularly wants to visually recognize. By irradiating the additional light distribution pattern AP onto the road surface RS regardless of the bank angle of the straddle-type vehicle 100, the driver can confirm whether there are any falling objects, dents, etc. on the road surface RS at the turning destination prior to making the turn. Also, there may be a crosswalk arranged on the road surface RS. Therefore, by irradiating the additional light distribution pattern AP onto the road surface RS regardless of the bank angle of the straddle-type vehicle 100, the driver can confirm whether there is a high possibility that traffic participants such as pedestrians exist at the turning destination prior to making the turn.

[0044] That is, when the straddle-type vehicle 100 is stopped or in a state close to a stop, the light distribution control device 4 forms the additional light distribution pattern AP in conjunction with the turn signal lamp 18 and illuminates the road surface RS at the turning destination before the straddle-type vehicle 100 makes a turn. Thereby, the visibility of the driver with respect to the area at the turning destination can be improved, and the driver can grasp the road surface condition and the presence or absence of traffic participants at the turning destination earlier. For this reason, the safety of vehicle operation can be enhanced.

[0045] Even when the turn signal lamp 18 is lit, the light distribution control device 4 does not form the additional light distribution pattern AP on the vehicle lamp 2 when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the first vehicle speed. Thereby, in a situation where the usefulness of the additional light distribution pattern AP is low, such as when the straddle-type vehicle 100 traveling on a road with multiple lanes on one side turns on the turn signal lamp 18 during a route change, it is possible to avoid the formation of the additional light distribution pattern AP. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the driver of the straddle-type vehicle 100 and other traffic participants from feeling annoyance due to the appearance and disappearance of the additional light distribution pattern AP.

[0046] Furthermore, the light distribution control device 4 controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to reduce the illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern AP when the vehicle speed reaches the second vehicle speed or higher after the additional light distribution pattern AP has been formed. In other words, the light distribution control device 4 infers from the vehicle speed that the saddle-type vehicle 100 has finished turning and is now moving straight, and stops forming the additional light distribution pattern AP, which has finished its role, or reduces its illuminance to below zero. This prevents the increase in power consumption due to the formation of the additional light distribution pattern AP from becoming excessive. In addition, since the additional light distribution pattern AP can be turned off automatically, the convenience of the vehicle lighting system 1 can be improved.

[0047] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The embodiments described above are merely examples of how to implement the present invention. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and many design changes, such as changes, additions, and deletions of components, are possible as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims. New embodiments with design changes will have the effects of both the combined embodiments and the variations. In the embodiments described above, the content in which such design changes are possible is emphasized with notations such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design changes are also permitted even if there are no such notations. Any combination of the above components is also valid as an embodiment of the present invention. The hatching applied to the cross-section in the drawings does not limit the material of the object to which the hatching is applied.

[0048] The invention relating to the above-described embodiment may be further specified by the following items: [Item 1] A light distribution control device (4) that controls the formation of a light distribution pattern (PTN) by a vehicle light fixture (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle light fixture (2) is illuminated when the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle (100) is less than a predetermined first vehicle speed, and the light distribution control device (4) controls the vehicle light fixture (2) to change the light distribution pattern (PTN) regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle (100). [Item 2] The light distribution control device (4) of Item 1, wherein the vehicle light fixture (2) is illuminated when the vehicle speed is less than a first vehicle speed, and the light distribution pattern (AP, LAP, RAP) is formed to illuminate an additional light distribution pattern (AP) that illuminates the road surface (RS) outside the vehicle width direction from the low beam light distribution pattern (LP). [Item 3] A light distribution control device (4) according to Item 2, which controls the vehicle lighting device (2) to reduce the illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern (AP, LAP, RAP) when the vehicle speed becomes a predetermined second vehicle speed or higher, which is faster than the first vehicle speed, after the additional light distribution pattern (AP, LAP, RAP) has been formed. [Item 4] A light distribution control device (4) according to any of Items 1 to 3, wherein the first vehicle speed is less than 10 km / h. [Item 5] A vehicle lighting system (1) comprising a vehicle lighting device (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), turn signal lamps (18, 18L, 18R) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), a vehicle speed sensor (16) for detecting the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle (100), and a light distribution control device (4) according to any of Items 1 to 4. [Item 6] A computer program executed by a light distribution control device (4) that controls the formation of a light distribution pattern (PTN) by a vehicle light fixture (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), wherein the computer program causes the light distribution control device (4) to execute a function to control the vehicle light fixture (2) so as to change the light distribution pattern (PTN) regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle (100) when the turn signal lamps (18, 18L, 18R) are illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle (100) is below a predetermined first vehicle speed.[Item 7] A light distribution control method for controlling the formation of a light distribution pattern (PTN) by a vehicle lamp (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), the method comprising controlling the vehicle lamp (2) to change the light distribution pattern (PTN) regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle (100) when a turn signal lamp (18, 18L, 18R) is lit in a situation where the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle (100) is less than a predetermined first vehicle speed.

[0049] The present invention can be used in a light distribution control device, a vehicle lamp system, and a computer program.

[0050] 1 Vehicle lamp system, 2 Vehicle lamp, 4 Light distribution control device, 16 Vehicle speed sensor, 18 Turn signal lamp, 100 Saddle-type vehicle, AP Additional light distribution pattern, LP Low beam light distribution pattern, LAP Left additional light distribution pattern, PTN Light distribution pattern, RAP Right additional light distribution pattern, RS Road surface.

Claims

1. A light distribution control device for controlling the formation of a light distribution pattern by a vehicle light fixture mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, wherein when the turn signal lamp is illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle is below a predetermined first vehicle speed, the vehicle light fixture is controlled to change the light distribution pattern regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

2. The light distribution control device according to claim 1, which controls the vehicle lamp to form an additional light distribution pattern that illuminates the road surface outside the vehicle width direction compared to the low beam light distribution pattern when the turn signal lamp is illuminated when the vehicle speed is below the first vehicle speed.

3. The light distribution control device according to claim 2, wherein, after forming the additional light distribution pattern, when the vehicle speed becomes a predetermined second vehicle speed or higher, which is faster than the first vehicle speed, the vehicle lighting device is controlled to reduce the illuminance of the additional light distribution pattern.

4. The optical distribution control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first vehicle speed is less than 10 km / h.

5. A vehicle lighting system comprising: a vehicle lighting device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle; a turn signal lamp mounted on the saddle-type vehicle; a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle; and a light distribution control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A computer program executed by a light distribution control device that controls the formation of a light distribution pattern by a vehicle light fixture mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, wherein when the turn signal lamp is illuminated while the vehicle speed of the saddle-type vehicle is below a predetermined first vehicle speed, the computer program causes the light distribution control device to execute a function to control the vehicle light fixture so as to change the light distribution pattern regardless of the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

Images