Lighting fixture control device, vehicular lighting fixture system, and computer program

Abstract

A lighting fixture control device 6 controls a light irradiation direction 2x of a vehicular lighting fixture 2 mounted on a saddle-riding-type vehicle 100. The lighting fixture control device 6 executes at least one of adjustment in the vertical direction and adjustment in the horizontal direction of the light irradiation direction 2x according to the bank angle of the saddle-riding-type vehicle 100.

Description

Lamp control device, vehicle lamp system, and computer program

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle lamp provided on a saddle-type vehicle that travels around a corner by tilting the vehicle body in the turning direction, and adds a light distribution pattern to the side of the high-beam light distribution pattern when the saddle-type vehicle banks. According to this vehicle lamp, the visibility of the driver during banking can be improved.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 185887

[0004] The inventors of the present invention considered improving the visibility of the driver when a saddle-type vehicle banks without adding a light distribution pattern as in the above-described conventional vehicle lamp.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a technique for improving the visibility of a driver when a saddle-type vehicle banks without adding a light distribution pattern.

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a lamp control device that controls the light irradiation direction of a vehicle lamp mounted on a saddle-type vehicle. This lamp control device performs at least one of adjustment in the vertical direction and adjustment in the horizontal direction of the light irradiation direction according to the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lamp system. This vehicle lamp system includes a vehicle lamp mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, an attitude sensor that detects the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle, and the lamp control device of the above aspect.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a computer program executed by a lamp control device that controls the light irradiation direction of a vehicle lamp mounted on a saddle-type vehicle. This computer program causes the lamp control device to execute a function of performing at least one of adjustment in the vertical direction and adjustment in the horizontal direction of the light irradiation direction according to the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

[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 driver's visibility during banking of a saddle-type vehicle can be improved without adding any additional light distribution patterns.

[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 a vehicle lighting fixture. This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for calculating the vertical and horizontal movement amounts of a vehicle lighting fixture. This is a schematic diagram of a light distribution pattern formed by a vehicle lighting fixture whose light irradiation direction has been adjusted by a lighting fixture control device. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of control performed by a lighting fixture 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, at least some of 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 lighting fixture 2, a posture sensor 4, and a lighting device control unit 6. These are mounted on a saddle-type vehicle 100 such as a motorcycle. The mechanisms of the vehicle lighting fixture 2, posture sensor 4, and lighting device control unit 6 may all be housed in the same housing, or some mechanisms may be provided outside the housing. For example, the vehicle lighting system 1 includes a lamp chamber 8, and the vehicle lighting fixture 2, posture sensor 4, and lighting device control unit 6 are housed in the lamp chamber 8. The lamp chamber 8 is partitioned by a lamp body 10 having an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and a light-transmitting cover 12 attached to cover the opening of the lamp body 10. The posture sensor 4 and lighting device control unit 6 may be located outside the lamp chamber 8, for example, on the body of the saddle-type vehicle 100. In this case, for example, the lighting device control unit 6 may be composed entirely or partially of a vehicle ECU.

[0015] However, it is preferable that the attitude sensor 4 and the lighting control device 6 be located inside the lighting chamber 8. By locating the lighting control device 6 inside the lighting chamber 8, the communication time between the lighting control device 6 and the leveling actuator 14a and swivel actuator 14b (described later) can be shortened compared to when the lighting control device 6 is located on the vehicle body. Furthermore, by locating the attitude sensor 4 and the lighting control device 6 inside the lighting chamber 8, the communication time between the attitude sensor 4 and the lighting control device 6 can be shortened compared to when the attitude sensor 4 is located on the vehicle body and the lighting control device 6 is located inside the lighting chamber 8. As a result, the light irradiation direction of the vehicle lighting device 2 can be adjusted more quickly.

[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 lamp control device 6 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 a vehicle light fixture 2. The vehicle light fixture 2 of this embodiment can form a low beam light distribution pattern LP and a high beam light distribution pattern HP. The low beam light distribution pattern LP and the high beam light distribution pattern HP each have known shapes. 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 mainly formed above the low beam light distribution pattern LP. The lower end of the high beam light distribution pattern HP may overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern LP.

[0019] The high beam light distribution pattern HP may be a collection of multiple sub-patterns (not shown) whose illuminance can be independently changed. Each sub-pattern may be formed by each light source of the variable-beam lamp. Similarly, the low beam light distribution pattern LP may also be a collection of multiple sub-patterns whose illuminance can be independently changed.

[0020] Furthermore, the variable-beam lamp constituting the vehicle lighting fixture 2 may include a matrix-type pattern forming device such as a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or 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 according to the light distribution pattern PTN. In addition, the vehicle lighting fixture 2 may be configured to partially block light irradiation to the forward area using a shade plate. Furthermore, the vehicle lighting fixture 2 may be composed of two lighting units: one for forming the low beam light distribution pattern LP and another for forming the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0021] Returning to Figure 1, the vehicle lamp 2 in this embodiment is supported by a bracket 14. The bracket 14 supports the vehicle lamp 2 so that its front-to-back tilt angle, in other words, pitch angle, and its left-to-right rotation angle, in other words, swivel angle can be changed. Therefore, the bracket 14 supports the vehicle lamp 2 so that the light irradiation direction 2x or optical axis of the vehicle lamp 2 can swing in the vertical and left-to-right directions.

[0022] The bracket 14 has a known structure, and for example, it includes a leveling actuator 14a and a swivel actuator 14b. By driving the leveling actuator 14a, the bracket 14 and the vehicle light fixture 2 can be tilted forward and backward. In other words, the posture of the vehicle light fixture 2 can be displaced in the pitch angle direction. Therefore, the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle light fixture 2 can be adjusted in the vertical direction. In addition, by driving the swivel actuator 14b, the bracket 14 and the vehicle light fixture 2 can be rotated left and right. In other words, the posture of the vehicle light fixture 2 can be displaced in the swivel angle direction. Therefore, the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle light fixture 2 can be adjusted in the left and right direction.

[0023] The bracket 14 may be equipped with a single actuator that has both leveling and swivel functions, instead of the leveling actuator 14a and the swivel actuator 14b. Also, if the vehicle lighting fixture 2 is composed of two lighting units, the orientation of the two lighting units can be adjusted while keeping the number of parts down by supporting the two lighting units with a common bracket 14. The two lighting units may be supported by separate brackets.

[0024] The attitude sensor 4 detects the lateral tilt of the saddle-type vehicle 100, that is, the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100, and transmits a signal indicating the detected value to the lighting control device 6. The attitude sensor 4 repeatedly detects the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100 and repeatedly transmits a signal indicating the detected value to the lighting control device 6. The attitude sensor 4 can be composed of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a 6-axis sensor, etc.

[0025] When the attitude sensor 4 and the lighting control device 6 are located within the lighting compartment 8, the attitude sensor 4 may be mounted on a circuit board that constitutes the lighting control device 6. When the attitude sensor 4 is located on the vehicle body, the attitude sensor 4 may be incorporated into an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted on the vehicle body. Alternatively, the IMU itself may constitute the attitude sensor 4. Communication between the attitude sensor 4 located on the vehicle body and the lighting control device 6 located within the lighting compartment 8 may be conducted via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, for example, through a vehicle ECU.

[0026] The lighting control device 6 controls the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle lighting fixture 2. In this embodiment, the lighting control device 6 performs both vertical and horizontal adjustments of the light irradiation direction 2x according to the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100. In other words, the lighting control device 6 performs auto-leveling control, which dynamically and adaptively controls the front-to-back tilt angle of the vehicle lighting fixture 2 according to the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100, and auto-swivel control, which dynamically and adaptively controls the left-to-right rotation angle of the vehicle lighting fixture 2.

[0027] Furthermore, the lighting control device 6 of this embodiment also controls the formation of the light distribution pattern PTN by the vehicle lighting device 2. For example, the lighting control device 6 detects targets such as vehicles ahead using images obtained from an imaging device (not shown) mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 100, and controls the vehicle lighting device 2 to form a light distribution pattern PTN having a light-shielding portion corresponding to the detected target. In other words, the lighting control device 6 can perform ADB control, which dynamically and adaptively controls the light distribution of the vehicle lighting device 2 according to targets present in the area ahead. The lighting control device 6 sends information to the vehicle lighting device 2 indicating the determined light distribution pattern PTN. Note that ADB control may be performed by another control device.

[0028] The lighting control device 6 can be configured as a digital processor, for example, a combination of a microcontroller including a CPU and a software program. Alternatively, the lighting control device 6 may be configured as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specified IC). The lighting control device 6 includes a control unit 16, which is composed of a CPU, and a storage medium 18, which is composed of memory and storage. The control unit 16 includes, for example, a direction determination unit 20 and an actuator control unit 22. The storage medium 18 stores computer programs, etc., executed by the lighting control device 6, or more specifically, the control unit 16. Each part of the control unit 16 operates by its constituent integrated circuit executing the program stored in the storage medium 18.

[0029] The signal sent from the attitude sensor 4 to the lighting control device 6 is acquired by the direction determination unit 20. In addition, the storage medium 18 has in advance information regarding the vertical position H0 of the vehicle lighting fixture 2 when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is not banked, that is, when it is upright. The vertical position H0, in other words the height of the vehicle lighting fixture 2, may be measured or derived from the design information of the saddle-type vehicle 100.

[0030] The direction determination unit 20 calculates the vertical movement ΔH and horizontal movement ΔY of the vehicle light fixture 2 caused by the banking of the saddle-type vehicle 100, based on the bank angle θ information obtained from the attitude sensor 4. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for calculating the vertical movement ΔH and horizontal movement ΔY of the vehicle light fixture 2. The left side of Figure 3 shows an upright saddle-type vehicle 100, and the right side of Figure 3 shows a banked saddle-type vehicle 100.

[0031] The direction determination unit 20 calculates the vertical position H1 of the vehicle light fixture 2 in the banking saddle-type vehicle 100 based on the following equation (1): Equation (1): H1 = H0 × cosθ

[0032] Next, the direction determination unit 20 calculates the vertical movement amount ΔH by subtracting the vertical position H1 during banking from the vertical position H0 during upright position. Then, the direction determination unit 20 determines the drive amount of the leveling actuator 14a, i.e., the leveling amount, according to the calculated vertical movement amount ΔH. The leveling amount corresponding to the vertical movement amount ΔH can be set appropriately based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments and simulations conducted by the designer. For example, a conversion table that associates the vertical movement amount ΔH with the leveling amount is created in advance and stored in the storage medium 18. The direction determination unit 20 uses this conversion table to determine the leveling amount.

[0033] An example of the relationship between the vertical displacement ΔH and the leveling amount is as follows. That is, from the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100, it is possible to estimate that the shape of the road on which the saddle-type vehicle 100 travels is a curved road, and the shape of the curve, in other words, the degree of curvature. Furthermore, from the estimated road shape, the location of the area where the driver of the saddle-type vehicle 100 desires improved visibility can be identified. An example of an area where the driver desires improved visibility is the road surface ahead of the saddle-type vehicle 100 on a curved road. Therefore, the leveling amount for the vertical displacement ΔH is set to the amount at which the road surface ahead of the saddle-type vehicle 100 and the light distribution pattern PTN overlap. The direction of leveling is, as an example, upward.

[0034] Furthermore, the direction determination unit 20 calculates the amount of lateral movement ΔY of the vehicle light fixture 2 when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked, based on the following equation (2): Equation (2): ΔY = H0 × sinθ

[0035] The direction determination unit 20 then determines the drive amount of the swivel actuator 14b, i.e., the swivel amount, according to the calculated left-right movement amount ΔY. The swivel amount corresponding to the left-right movement amount ΔY can be set appropriately based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments and simulations conducted by the designer. For example, a conversion table that associates the left-right movement amount ΔY with the swivel amount is created in advance and stored in the storage medium 18. The direction determination unit 20 uses this conversion table to determine the swivel amount.

[0036] An example of the relationship between the lateral displacement ΔY and the swivel amount is as follows: That is, similar to the relationship between the vertical displacement ΔH and the leveling amount described above, the swivel amount for the lateral displacement ΔY is set to an amount that overlaps with the area in the road shape estimated from the bank angle θ in which the driver desires improved visibility. The direction of the swivel is, for example, the same direction in which the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked.

[0037] The direction determination unit 20 sends information regarding the determined leveling amount and swivel amount to the actuator control unit 22. The actuator control unit 22 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the leveling amount determined by the direction determination unit 20, that is, a control signal CTR1 that adjusts the pitch angle of the vehicle light fixture 2, to the leveling actuator 14a. As a result, the leveling actuator 14a is driven, causing the bracket 14 and the vehicle light fixture 2 to tilt forward or backward. As a result, the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle light fixture 2 is adjusted in the vertical direction suitable for the driving conditions of the saddle-type vehicle 100. Communication between the actuator control unit 22 and the leveling actuator 14a is performed, for example, by LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication.

[0038] Furthermore, the actuator control unit 22 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the amount of swivel determined by the direction determination unit 20, that is, a control signal CTR2 that adjusts the swivel angle of the vehicle light fixture 2, to the swivel actuator 14b. As a result, the swivel actuator 14b is driven, and the orientation of the bracket 14 and the vehicle light fixture 2 is displaced to the left or right. As a result, the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle light fixture 2 is adjusted to the left or right direction suitable for the driving conditions of the saddle-type vehicle 100. Communication between the actuator control unit 22 and the swivel actuator 14b is performed, for example, by LIN communication.

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the light distribution pattern PTN formed by a vehicle lamp 2 whose light irradiation direction 2x is adjusted by a lamp control device 6. In Figure 4, the position of the light distribution pattern PTN when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked and the light irradiation direction 2x is not adjusted is shown by a dashed line. As shown in Figure 4, when the saddle-type vehicle 100 banks while traveling on a curved road, the light irradiation direction 2x is adjusted in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100, thereby forming the light distribution pattern PTN ahead of the saddle-type vehicle 100 as it travels along the curved road. This improves the driver's visibility when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked without adding any additional light distribution patterns.

[0040] In this embodiment, the light irradiation direction 2x is adjusted in both the vertical and horizontal directions, but only one of them may be adjusted. If at least one of the vertical and horizontal adjustments is performed, the driver's visibility when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked can be improved to some extent.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the low-beam light distribution pattern LP and the high-beam light distribution pattern HP are displaced, but only one of them may be displaced. For example, as described above, the vehicle light fixture 2 is composed of two light fixture units, and by changing only the orientation of one of the light fixture units, only one of the light distribution patterns can be displaced. In the case of displacing only one of them, it is more preferable to displace the high-beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0042] Preferably, the lamp control device 6 adjusts the light irradiation direction 2x after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bank angle θ of the saddle-ride type vehicle 100 starts to change. That is, the lamp control device 6 adjusts the light irradiation direction 2x according to the bank angle θ detected by the attitude sensor 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of banking. The predetermined time can be appropriately set based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments, simulations, etc. by the designer. As an example, it is 300 ms or more and 500 ms or less. Also, for example, when the bank angle θ detected by the attitude sensor 4 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the lamp control device 6 determines that the change in the bank angle θ has started. The threshold value can be appropriately set based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments, simulations, etc. by the designer.

[0043] The attitude of the saddle-ride type vehicle 100 is often unstable immediately after the start of banking. Therefore, if the light irradiation direction 2x is adjusted according to the bank angle θ immediately after the start of banking, there is a risk that the light irradiation direction 2x will change overly sensitively and cause visual annoyance to the driver. On the other hand, by adjusting the light irradiation direction 2x after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of banking, it is possible to avoid the driver from experiencing visual annoyance.

[0044] Also preferably, the lamp control device 6 repeatedly acquires information regarding the bank angle θ from the attitude sensor 4 and adjusts the light irradiation direction 2x according to the plurality of information. The information regarding the bank angle θ may be the numerical value of the bank angle θ itself or the numerical values of each axis component of the attitude sensor 4. For example, the direction determination unit 20 buffers a plurality of bank angles θ. The number of bank angles θ to be buffered can be appropriately set based on the designer's empirical knowledge or experiments, simulations, etc. by the designer. Then, the direction determination unit 20 performs a moving average process on the buffered plurality of bank angles θ to calculate a moving average value of the bank angle θ. The direction determination unit 20 inserts the calculated moving average value as the bank angle θ into equations (1) and (2) to determine the leveling amount and the swivel amount. Thereby, the light irradiation direction 2x can be adjusted more stably.

[0045] This embodiment includes a computer program executed by the lamp control device 6. This computer program causes the lamp control device 6 to execute a function of adjusting at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle lamp 2 according to the bank angle θ of the straddle-type vehicle 100. Further, this embodiment also includes a storage medium 18 storing the computer program.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the lamp control device 6. This flow is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing in a state where the lamp control device 6 is activated, and ends when the lamp control device 6 stops. As an example, the lamp control device 6 is activated when the accessory (ACC) power is turned on and stops when it is turned off.

[0047] The lamp control device 6 determines whether the straddle-type vehicle 100 has started to bank, that is, whether the bank angle θ has started to change (S101). When the straddle-type vehicle 100 has not started to bank (N in S101), the lamp control device 6 ends this routine. When the straddle-type vehicle 100 has started to bank (Y in S101), the lamp control device 6 waits for a predetermined time (S102). Subsequently, the lamp control device 6 buffers the bank angle θ detected by the attitude sensor 4 (S103).

[0048] When a predetermined number of bank angles θ have accumulated, the lamp control device 6 performs a moving average process on these bank angles θ to calculate a moving average value of the bank angle θ (S104). Then, the lamp control device 6 determines the leveling amount and the swivel amount using the calculated moving average value (S105). Subsequently, the lamp control device 6 outputs a control signal CTR1 corresponding to the determined leveling amount to the leveling actuator 14a and outputs a control signal CTR2 corresponding to the determined swivel amount to the swivel actuator 14b (S106), and ends this routine.

[0049] Note that after adjusting the light irradiation direction 2x in accordance with the bank angle θ according to this flow, the lamp control device 6 may return the light irradiation direction 2x to the light irradiation direction 2x to be taken in the upright posture in accordance with the return of the bank posture of the vehicle lamp 2 to the upright posture.

[0050] As described above, the lighting control device 6 according to this embodiment adjusts the light irradiation direction 2x of the vehicle lighting 2 in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the bank angle θ of the saddle-type vehicle 100. This makes it possible to move the already formed light distribution pattern PTN to a position suitable for the driving conditions of the saddle-type vehicle 100. Therefore, the visibility of the driver when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked can be improved without adding any additional light distribution patterns.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the leveling actuator 14a adjusts the front-to-rear tilt angle of the vehicle light fixture 2, and the swivel actuator 14b adjusts the front-to-rear tilt angle of the vehicle light fixture 2. In other words, by adjusting the posture of the vehicle light fixture 2 in the pitch angle direction and the swivel angle direction according to the bank angle θ, adjustment of the light irradiation direction 2x in the vertical and horizontal directions is achieved. This makes it possible to improve the visibility of the driver when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked without adding any additional light fixture units or light sources to form an additional light distribution pattern.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In the embodiment described above, the light irradiation direction 2x is adjusted by changing the orientation of the vehicle lamp 2 using the leveling actuator 14a and the swivel actuator 14b, but the method of adjusting the light irradiation direction 2x is not limited to this. For example, the light irradiation direction 2x may be adjusted by so-called electronic leveling or electronic swivel.

[0054] In other words, for example, if the vehicle lighting fixture 2 has multiple light sources arranged in a matrix, and has light sources capable of illuminating the area outside the light distribution pattern PTN formed when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is upright, the light irradiation direction 2x can be electronically leveled and swiveled by changing the group of light sources to be illuminated when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is upright and when it is banked, while keeping the posture of the vehicle lighting fixture 2 fixed. That is, by shifting the group of light sources illuminated when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked vertically compared to the group of light sources illuminated when it is upright, the light irradiation direction 2x can be displaced vertically. Also, by shifting the group of light sources illuminated when the saddle-type vehicle 100 is banked horizontally compared to the group of light sources illuminated when it is upright, the light irradiation direction 2x can be displaced horizontally.

[0055] The invention relating to the above-described embodiment may be further specified by the following items: [Item 1] A lighting device control device (6) that controls the light irradiation direction (2x) of a vehicle lighting device (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), wherein the lighting device control device (6) performs at least one of vertical adjustment and horizontal adjustment of the light irradiation direction (2x) according to the bank angle (θ) of the saddle-type vehicle (100). [Item 2] The lighting device control device (6) according to Item 1, wherein the adjustment is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bank angle (θ) of the saddle-type vehicle (100) began to change. [Item 3] The lighting device control device (6) according to Item 1 or Item 2, wherein the lighting device control device (6) repeatedly acquires information regarding the bank angle (θ) from a posture sensor (4) that detects the bank angle (θ), and performs the adjustment according to a plurality of pieces of information. [Item 4] The lighting device control device (6) according to any one of Items 1 to 3, which adjusts the posture of the vehicle lighting device (2) in at least one of the pitch angle direction and the swivel angle direction according to the bank angle (θ). [Item 5] A vehicle lighting system (1) comprising a vehicle lighting fixture (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), a posture sensor (4) for detecting the bank angle (θ) of the saddle-type vehicle (100), and a lighting fixture control device (6) according to any of Items 1 to 4. [Item 6] The vehicle lighting system (1) according to Item 5, comprising a lamp chamber (8) for housing the vehicle lighting fixture (2), and the posture sensor (4) and the lighting fixture control device (6) being arranged inside the lamp chamber (8). [Item 7] A computer program executed by a lighting fixture control device (6) that controls the light irradiation direction (2x) of a vehicle lighting fixture (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), the computer program causing the lighting fixture control device (6) to perform a function that adjusts the light irradiation direction (2x) in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction according to the bank angle (θ) of the saddle-type vehicle (100). [Item 8] A lighting control method for controlling the light irradiation direction (2x) of a vehicle lighting device (2) mounted on a saddle-type vehicle (100), comprising performing at least one of vertical adjustment and horizontal adjustment of the light irradiation direction (2x) according to the bank angle (θ) of the saddle-type vehicle (100).

[0056] The present invention can be used in lighting control devices, vehicle lighting systems, and computer programs.

[0057] 1. Vehicle lighting system, 2. Vehicle lighting fixture, 4. Attitude sensor, 6. Lighting control device, 8. Lighting room, 100. Saddle-type vehicle.

Claims

1. A lighting device control for controlling the light irradiation direction of a vehicle lighting device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, wherein the lighting device control performs at least one of vertical adjustment and horizontal adjustment of the light irradiation direction according to the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

2. The lighting device control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle began to change.

3. A lighting device control device according to claim 1 or 2, which repeatedly acquires information regarding the bank angle from a posture sensor that detects the bank angle, and performs the adjustment according to a plurality of pieces of information.

4. The lighting device control device according to claim 1 or 2, which adjusts the orientation of the vehicle lighting device in at least one of the pitch angle direction and the swivel angle direction according to the bank angle.

5. A vehicle lighting system comprising: a vehicle lighting device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle; an attitude sensor for detecting the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle; and a lighting device control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The vehicle lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle lighting system comprises a lamp chamber for housing the vehicle lighting fixture, and the attitude sensor and the lighting fixture control device are arranged within the lamp chamber.

7. A computer program executed by a lighting control device that controls the light irradiation direction of a vehicle lighting device mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, the computer program causing the lighting control device to perform a function that adjusts the light irradiation direction in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction according to the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle.

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