JP2015033939A - Lighting control device for headlight of vehicle, and headlight system of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form appropriate marking light in accordance with a state of light irradiation by a headlight.SOLUTION: A lighting control device for controlling a state of light irradiation by a headlight of a vehicle includes: a lighting object detection section 11 for detecting a lighting object present ahead of one's own vehicle; a headlight state determination section 13 for determining whether the irradiation state of the headlight of one's own vehicle is a low beam state or a high beam state; a light irradiation range setting section 14 for setting a light irradiation range so that irradiation light for an area corresponding to a lighting object is relatively wide when the irradiation state is a low beam state, and setting the light irradiation range so that irradiation light for an area corresponding to the lighting object is relatively narrow when the irradiation state is a high beam state; and a light distribution control section 15 for generating a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting section 14, and outputting it to the headlight of the vehicle.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an irradiation state of a vehicle headlamp.

  Various technologies have been proposed to assist the driver in the early detection of pedestrians by detecting pedestrians in front of the vehicle and irradiating the area with marking lights when driving the vehicle at night. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The specific configuration for irradiating the marking light is roughly divided into a type in which a plurality of LEDs are separately turned on to selectively irradiate light to a divided area, and a shutter is disposed in front of the light source. There is a type that changes the light shielding state and variably sets the divided areas.

  By the way, when a so-called low beam is irradiated from the headlight of the own vehicle, only the marking light is irradiated on the upper body side of the pedestrian, so the surroundings of the pedestrian (particularly the upper body side) are dark. There is an inconvenience that it is difficult to grasp the behavior of the pedestrian. On the other hand, when a so-called high beam is emitted from the headlight of the host vehicle, the pedestrian's upper body is irradiated with not only the marking light but also the high beam. Easy to grasp. In this case, it is more desirable to selectively indicate the position of the pedestrian than to illuminate the entire pedestrian. However, since the conventional marking light is in a common irradiation state regardless of whether the low beam or the high beam is irradiated by the headlamp, it is difficult to satisfy both of the above two requirements.

JP 2006-159928 A JP 2008-120162 A

  The specific aspect which concerns on this invention makes it one of the objectives to provide the light distribution control technique which can form the suitable marking light according to the light irradiation state by a headlamp.

  A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to an aspect of the present invention is a lighting control device for controlling a light irradiation state by a vehicle headlamp, and (a) illumination existing in front of the host vehicle. An illumination object detection unit for detecting an object, (b) a headlight state determination unit for determining whether the irradiation state of the headlamp of the host vehicle is a low beam or a high beam, and (c) when the irradiation state is a low beam The light irradiation range is set so that the irradiation light to the area corresponding to the illumination target is relatively wide, and when the irradiation state is a high beam, the irradiation light to the area corresponding to the illumination target becomes relatively narrow A light irradiation range setting unit for setting the light irradiation range, and (d) a light distribution control for generating a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit and outputting the control signal to the vehicle headlamp 1 is a lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp including a unit.

  According to the above configuration, when an illumination target (for example, a pedestrian) is detected during low beam irradiation, the marking light for the illumination target is formed relatively wide. It becomes easy. In addition, when an illumination target is detected during high beam irradiation, the marking light for the illumination target is formed relatively narrow, so the illumination target of a pedestrian or the like is pointed at a pinpoint and its position is visually confirmed It becomes easy to do. Therefore, it is possible to form an appropriate marking light according to the light irradiation state by the headlamp.

  In the lighting control device, the light irradiation range setting unit sets the light irradiation range so that at least a partial region on the upper side of the region corresponding to the irradiation target is relatively wide when the irradiation state is a low beam, It is also preferable.

  As a result, a marking light that is a narrow light that pinpoints the position of an illuminating object such as a pedestrian for the lower part that overlaps the low beam and a wide light that illuminates the surrounding area widely for the upper part. Therefore, it is possible to visually recognize the illumination target better.

  A vehicle headlamp system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described vehicle headlamp lighting control device and the vehicle headlamp controlled by the lighting control device.

  As a result, a vehicle headlamp system capable of forming an appropriate marking light corresponding to the light irradiation state of the headlamp is provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lamp unit. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an optical configuration of the amplifier unit. FIG. 2C to FIG. 2E are diagrams schematically illustrating configuration examples of matrix LEDs, respectively. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are diagrams for explaining a light distribution pattern formed using a lamp unit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the vehicle headlamp system. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment. The vehicle headlamp system shown in FIG. 1 detects a pedestrian based on an image obtained by imaging a space (target space) ahead of the host vehicle, and irradiates the pedestrian with a marking light. And includes a camera 10, a pedestrian detection unit 11, a control unit 12, and a pair of lamp units (vehicle headlamps) 20R and 20L.

  The camera 10 is installed at a predetermined position (for example, in the vicinity of an indoor rearview mirror) of the host vehicle, captures a space in front of the host vehicle, and outputs an image (image data).

  The pedestrian detection unit (irradiation target detection unit) 11 detects the position of the pedestrian by performing predetermined image processing using the image data output from the camera 10, and outputs the position information to the control unit 12. . The pedestrian detection unit 11 is realized by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example. This pedestrian detection part 11 is comprised integrally with the camera 10, for example. Note that the function of the pedestrian detection unit 11 may be realized in the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 is realized by executing a predetermined operation program in a computer system having, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes a low beam determination unit 13 as a functional block, a light irradiation range setting unit 14 and an arrangement. A light control unit 15 is provided.

  The low beam determination unit (headlight illumination state determination unit) 13 determines whether the light emitted by the headlamp of the host vehicle is a low beam or a high beam based on the operation state of the light switch of the host vehicle. To do.

  The light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets a certain region where the pedestrian exists as a light irradiation range according to the position of the pedestrian detected by the pedestrian detection unit 11. Here, the light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets the light irradiation range with different patterns depending on whether the light irradiation state by the headlamp of the host vehicle is a low beam or a high beam. Details thereof will be described later.

  The light distribution control unit 15 generates a light distribution control signal corresponding to the light distribution pattern based on the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit 14, and outputs the light distribution control signal to each of the lamp units 20R and 20L.

  The lamp unit 20R is installed on the front right side of the host vehicle and is used for irradiating light that illuminates the front of the host vehicle. The lamp unit 20R includes a low beam unit and a high beam unit (see FIG. 2A described later). In addition, an LED lighting circuit 21 and a matrix LED 22 for forming a marking light are included. The lamp unit 20L has the same configuration.

  The LED lighting circuit 21 selectively drives each LED by supplying a drive signal to a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) included in the matrix LED 22 based on a control signal output from the light distribution control unit 15. Light up.

  The matrix LED 22 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a matrix, and the plurality of LEDs are selectively lit based on the drive signal supplied from the LED lighting circuit 21. The matrix LED 22 can turn on a plurality of LEDs independently and control the irradiation intensity (brightness).

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a near-infrared lamp may be further used to improve accuracy when the vehicle speed is fast, improve distant visibility, and improve detection accuracy by the camera. In that case, it is necessary to use a near-infrared camera as the camera 10 as well. Further, a far-infrared camera may be used for pedestrian detection. In that case, a far-infrared camera may be installed outside the vehicle, such as in a bumper of the vehicle.

  FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a lamp unit. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an optical configuration of the lamp unit. As shown in FIG. 2A, the lamp unit 20R (or 20L) includes a marking light unit 24, a high beam unit 25, and a low beam unit 26. The marking light unit 24 includes the above-described matrix LED 22 and a lens 23 arranged on the front surface thereof, and light emitted from the matrix LED 22 is projected forward by the lens 23 as shown in FIG. A marking light is formed. FIG. 2C to FIG. 2E are diagrams schematically illustrating configuration examples of matrix LEDs, respectively. The matrix LED 22 may have, for example, a one-row configuration as shown in FIG. 2C, a two-upper row configuration as shown in FIG. 2D, or a configuration shown in FIG. As shown, it may have a configuration of four rows in the upper and lower directions, or may be configured in any other number of rows. The number of LEDs included in each column is also arbitrary, and in each illustrated example, 11 LEDs are included per row.

  FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are diagrams for explaining a light distribution pattern formed using a lamp unit. A light distribution pattern 101 shown in FIG. 3 (A) is a light distribution pattern of a marking light formed by using the matrix LED 22 having the one-row configuration shown in FIG. 2 (C). It is divided into areas. A low beam 102 is superimposed and irradiated on almost the lower half of the light distribution pattern 101. The lamp units 20R and 20L attached to the left and right of the front of the host vehicle 111 selectively irradiate the light distribution patterns 101 with light.

  The light distribution pattern 101 shown in FIG. 3B is formed by using the matrix LED 22 having the two-row configuration shown in FIG. 2D, and is divided into two rows and eleven columns as a whole. ing. In the illustrated light distribution pattern 101, the vertical dividing lines of the marking light are aligned on the right side of the cut line of the low beam 102. However, the upper and lower divided lines may be aligned with the left side of the cut line of the low beam 102. You may adjust to the cut line separately on the left and right. Alternatively, instead of using the low beam 102 as a reference, the dividing line in the vertical direction of the marking light may be aligned with the horizontal line. Also in this case, the left and right boundaries can be distinguished, and either cut line may be used.

  The light distribution pattern 101 shown in FIG. 3C is formed by using the matrix LED 22 having the four-column configuration shown in FIG. 2E, and is divided into regions of 4 rows and 11 columns as a whole. ing. In the illustrated light distribution pattern 101, the vertical dividing lines of the marking light are aligned on the right side of the cut line of the low beam 102. However, the upper and lower divided lines may be aligned with the left side of the cut line of the low beam 102. You may adjust to the cut line separately on the left and right. Alternatively, instead of using the low beam 102 as a reference, the dividing line in the vertical direction of the marking light may be aligned with the horizontal line. Also in this case, the left and right boundaries can be distinguished, and either cut line may be used. The dividing line is set at the boundary between the second and third lines of the light distribution pattern 101, but may be the boundary between the first and second lines, or the boundary between the third and fourth lines. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the vehicle headlamp system. The operation of the vehicle headlamp system of the present embodiment will be described in detail along the flowchart shown in the drawing.

  The position of the pedestrian is detected by the pedestrian detection unit 11 based on the front image of the host vehicle photographed by the camera 10 (step S11).

  Next, the low beam determination part 13 determines whether the light irradiated by the headlamp of the own vehicle is a low beam based on the operation state of the light switch of the own vehicle (step S12).

  When it is determined that the beam is a low beam (step S12; YES), the light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets the irradiation pattern of the marking light to an irradiation pattern in which at least the width of the upper body side of the pedestrian is widened. A light distribution control signal corresponding to this irradiation pattern is generated by the light distribution control unit 15, and is output to the lamp units 20R and 20L (step S13).

  When it is determined that the beam is not a low beam, that is, when it is determined that the beam is a high beam (step S12; NO), the light irradiation range setting unit 14 sets the marking light irradiation pattern to a relatively narrow width for the entire pedestrian. Set to the irradiation pattern. A light distribution control signal corresponding to this irradiation pattern is generated by the light distribution control unit 15, and is output to the lamp units 20R and 20L (step S14).

  FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. Here, an example in which a matrix LED 22 of 1 row and 11 columns is used is shown. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the low beam 102 is irradiated, a total of 3 regions including one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 and two rows on both sides thereof. A marking light is formed so as to illuminate the region for the row. Here, the marking light is formed so as to irradiate the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side widely. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the high beam 103 is irradiated, only the region for one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 is irradiated. A marking light is formed. Here, a narrow marking light is irradiated to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side.

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. Here, an example in which a matrix LED 22 of 2 rows and 11 columns is used is shown. As shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the low beam 102 is irradiated, a total of 3 regions including one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 and two rows on both sides thereof. A marking light is formed so as to illuminate the region for the row. Here, a wide marking light is applied to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side (that is, an area corresponding to two rows). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the high beam 103 is irradiated, only the region for one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 is irradiated. A marking light is formed. Here, a narrow marking light is irradiated to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side (that is, an area corresponding to two rows).

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. Here, an example in which a matrix LED 22 of 2 rows and 11 columns is used is shown. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the low beam 102 is irradiated, only the three regions for one row corresponding to the upper body side of the pedestrian 120 in the light distribution pattern 101 are irradiated. A marking light is formed so that one area is irradiated for one row corresponding to the lower body side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the high beam 103 is irradiated, only the region for one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 is irradiated. A marking light is formed. Here, a narrow marking light is irradiated to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side (that is, an area corresponding to two rows).

  FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. Here, an example in which a matrix LED 22 having 4 rows and 11 columns is used is shown. As shown in FIG. 8 (A), when the low beam 102 is irradiated, a total of 3 regions including one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 and two rows on both sides thereof. A marking light is formed so as to illuminate the region for the row. Here, a wide marking light is irradiated to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side (that is, an area corresponding to four rows). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the high beam 103 is irradiated, only the region for one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 is irradiated. A marking light is formed. Here, a narrow marking light is irradiated to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side (that is, an area corresponding to four rows).

  FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic views showing specific examples of marking lights. Here, an example in which a matrix LED 22 of 4 rows and 11 columns is used is shown. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the low beam 102 is irradiated, only three regions corresponding to the upper body side of the pedestrian 120 in the light distribution pattern 101 are irradiated. A marking light is formed so that one area is irradiated with respect to two rows corresponding to the lower body side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the high beam 103 is irradiated, only the region for one row including the position where the pedestrian 120 exists in the light distribution pattern 101 is irradiated. A marking light is formed. Here, a narrow marking light is irradiated to the entire pedestrian 120 including the upper body side and the lower body side (that is, an area corresponding to two rows). In addition, about the upper body side of a pedestrian, a marking light may be formed so that only the area | region of either the upper side or lower side among 2 lines may be irradiated widely. Further, the marking light may be formed so as to irradiate a wide range of the region for three rows from the upper side.

  According to the embodiment as described above, when a pedestrian is detected during low beam irradiation, the marking light for the illumination target is formed relatively wide so that it becomes easy to grasp the pedestrian. Further, when a pedestrian is detected during high beam irradiation, the marking light for the pedestrian is formed relatively narrow, so that the pedestrian is pointed at a pinpoint and the position thereof can be easily seen. Therefore, it is possible to form an appropriate marking light according to the light irradiation state by the headlamp.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of embodiment mentioned above, In the range of the summary of this invention, it can change and implement variously. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a pedestrian is detected based on an image captured by a camera, but the pedestrian may be detected by other means. In the above-described embodiment, a pedestrian is cited as an example of an irradiation target existing on the road. However, the target is not limited to this, and the lighting target is a passenger such as a bicycle or a motorcycle, an animal, or the like. Various obstacles can be assumed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Camera 11: Pedestrian detection part 12: Control part 13: Low beam determination part 14: Light irradiation range setting part 15: Light distribution control part 20R, 20L: Lamp unit 21: LED driver 22: Matrix LED
23: Lens 24: Marking light unit 25: High beam unit 26: Low beam unit 101: Light distribution pattern 102: Low beam 103: High beam 120: Pedestrian

Claims (4)

A lighting control device for controlling a light irradiation state by a vehicle headlamp,
An illumination target detection unit for detecting an illumination target existing in front of the host vehicle;
A headlamp state determination unit that determines whether the irradiation state of the headlamp of the host vehicle is a low beam or a high beam;
When the irradiation state is a low beam, the light irradiation range is set so that the irradiation light with respect to the region corresponding to the illumination target is relatively wide, and when the irradiation state is a high beam, the illumination target is supported. A light irradiation range setting unit that sets the light irradiation range so that the irradiation light with respect to the area to be relatively narrowed;
A light distribution control unit that generates a control signal corresponding to the light irradiation range set by the light irradiation range setting unit and outputs the control signal to the vehicle headlamp;
A lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp. The light irradiation range setting unit sets the light irradiation range so that at least a partial region on the upper side of the region corresponding to the irradiation target is relatively wide when the irradiation state is a low beam,
The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. The lighting object is a pedestrian;
The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. The lighting control device for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A vehicle headlamp controlled by the lighting control device,
Including a vehicle headlamp system.