JP2014189198A - Vehicular lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lamp capable of enhancing visibility of an image projected on a road surface when the lamp illuminates.SOLUTION: There are provided head lamps RHL, LHL which are provided in a pair for a vehicle and have their light irradiation areas overlapping with each other; and one lamp RHL is configured as projection means of projecting an image IMG on a road surface as well as light irradiation in a necessary light distribution pattern Pr1, and the other lamp LHL is configured to shield an area DRK overlapping with the image IMG as well as light irradiation in a necessary light distribution pattern Pl1. The image IMG projected on road surface never overlaps with irradiation light of the other lamp LHL, and the image IMG is prevented from decreasing in contrast so as to improve visibility of the image IMG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp applied to a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp having a function of displaying an image on a road surface around the host vehicle.

  There has been proposed a technique for displaying an image on the road surface around the host vehicle for the purpose of assisting the driver of the host vehicle or for alerting the driver of another vehicle when the vehicle travels. . For example, in Patent Document 1, a headlight is provided with a spatial light modulator including a two-dimensional array of image cells, and a part of the headlight is modulated by the spatial light modulator and irradiated in front of the vehicle. A desired image is displayed on the road surface. Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for controlling the light distribution of the headlamp and projecting a desired image on the road surface ahead of the host vehicle by providing the headlamp with the same configuration as the projection unit of the liquid crystal projector. Has been.

JP 2008-201407 A JP 2008-143505 A

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 show a configuration example in which each of the pair of headlamps provided on the left and right of the front part of the automobile is provided with an image projecting means. No particular mention is made as to whether or not the image is drawn with the light on. Therefore, for example, when an image is projected with only one headlamp during night driving, a problem may occur in the visibility of the projected image. That is, when one headlamp projects an image on the road surface in the front area, if the light emitted from the other headlamp is superimposed on the image on the road surface, the light and darkness of the image is caused by so-called fogging by the emitted light. This is a problem that the contrast is reduced and it becomes difficult for the driver to visually recognize the projected image.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 proposes that the brightness (brightness) of a projected image is made brighter or darker than illumination light, and further projected in different colors such as red and yellow. However, whether the projected image is brighter or darker than the illumination light or drawn with a different color light, as long as the image is projected in a state where it overlaps the illumination light, the illumination light Therefore, it is impossible to avoid a state in which fogging occurs, and this is not an effective means for improving visibility. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the left and right headlamps are configured to project images simultaneously, and one image is projected by overlapping the images projected by the left and right headlamps. This is effective in avoiding the fogged state caused by the irradiation light of the other headlamp. However, if the images projected by both headlamps are not accurately aligned on the road surface, the outline of the image will be blurred. And the visibility at this point is reduced. In order to avoid such a blurred image, it is technically very difficult to align the images projected by both headlamps.

  The objective of this invention is providing the lamp | ramp for vehicles which can improve the visibility of the image projected at the time of lighting of a lamp | ramp.

  The present invention is a vehicle lamp that is mounted on a vehicle including a projection unit that projects a required image on a road surface in the vicinity of the vehicle and that irradiates a region including the projected image, and overlaps the image when the image is projected. Means are provided for reducing the brightness of the irradiated light in the region.

  The vehicle lamp according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle lamp that is provided in a pair with the vehicle, and each light irradiation region overlaps at least partly, and one of the lamps is configured as a projection unit that projects an image. The other lamp is configured to be capable of shielding or dimming a region overlapping the image. In this case, the other lamp may be configured to be extinguished or dimmed.

  The vehicle lamp according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle lamp that is provided in a pair with the vehicle, and each light irradiation region overlaps at least partially, and the projection means is independent of the paired lamps. In addition, the image is projected onto a part of the light irradiation region, and the paired lamps are configured to be able to block or dimm the region overlapping the image.

  According to the present invention, the contrast of the projected image is reduced by shielding or dimming the area of the lamp that irradiates the area that overlaps the image projected by the projection unit, with the area overlapping the image. Can be prevented or suppressed, and the visibility of the image is improved. In addition, since the area other than the projected image is illuminated with a predetermined brightness by the lamp, safe driving of the vehicle can be ensured.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, one of the lamps for a vehicle provided in a pair with the vehicle is configured as a projection unit that projects an image, and the other lamp blocks or reduces a region overlapping the image. In the form of a configuration capable of illuminating, even when light irradiation with a required light distribution is performed by both lamps, the contrast of the image projected by one lamp is not reduced by the irradiation light of the other lamp. The visibility of the image is improved. In addition, since the images are not projected on each of the lamps that make a pair, it is not necessary to align both images, and it is possible to prevent the image from being blurred due to the displacement, and the visibility of the images is improved.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the projection unit is provided independently of the vehicle lamp provided in a pair with the vehicle, and the pair of lamps shields or dims an area overlapping the image. In the configuration in which the image can be projected, the contrast of the image projected by the projection unit is not reduced by the irradiation light of each of the paired lamps, and the visibility of the image is improved. In addition, the brightness around the image is kept bright enough for safe driving by the irradiation light of the paired lamps.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an automobile to which Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. Sectional drawing of schematic structure of a right-and-left headlamp, and the perspective view of the principal part. FIG. 3 is a light distribution pattern diagram of high beam distribution and low beam distribution according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a light distribution pattern diagram including a projected image according to the first embodiment. The cell pattern and light distribution pattern figure of the liquid crystal display in a right and left lamp unit. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of an automobile to which Embodiment 2 is applied. FIG. 6 is a light distribution pattern diagram of the second embodiment. Each light distribution pattern figure of the projection apparatus of Embodiment 2, and a lamp unit.

(Embodiment 1)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of Embodiment 1 in which the present invention is applied to an automobile headlamp. The right headlamp RHL and the left headlamp LHL mounted on the left and right of the front part of the car body of the car CAR are provided with light distribution controllers RCN and LCN, respectively, and are controlled by the light distribution controllers RCN and LCN. The light is irradiated to the front area of the host vehicle. In addition, the light distribution control unit RCN of one of the left and right headlamps, here the right headlamp RHL, can project the required image IMG on the road surface in the front area of the host vehicle. ing. The light distribution controller LCN of the other headlamp, that is, the left headlamp LHL, as described above, has a light distribution that enhances the visibility of the image IMG when the image IMG is projected on the right headlamp RHL. Configured to control. In addition, in the drawing of this specification, the light irradiation region is shown by pointillism.

  FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conceptual configuration of the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL. Since the basic configuration of the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL is the same, the same reference numerals are given to the common parts, and the lamp unit 2R is included in the lamp housing 1 constituted by the lamp body 11 and the transparent front cover 12. Or 2L is equipped. The lamp units 2R and 2L include a light source 21 composed of LEDs (light emitting diodes), a reflector 22 having, for example, a spheroidal shape that reflects the light emitted from the light source 21 and condenses it at a front position, and the reflector 22. And a projection lens 24 that irradiates the light transmitted through the liquid crystal device 23 forward. The projection lens 24 projects a part of the transmissive pattern as an image on the front road surface at the same time as irradiating the light with the required light distribution by the light transmitted through the transmissive pattern formed in the liquid crystal device 23. Is possible.

  The light transmissive liquid crystal device 23 includes, for example, a large number of light-transmitting cells (when light is not applied, as shown in a perspective view of a conceptual configuration of a main part of the lamp units 2R and 2L (FIG. 2B). Pixel) 23a is arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and the selected cell 23a among these cells 23a is energized to make the cell 23a light-shielded. Therefore, the light from the light source 21 reflected by the reflector 22 is shielded from the area of the selected cell 23a in the liquid crystal device 23, and is converted into a required pattern light flux by the light transmitted through the unselected cell 23a. The light beam is irradiated onto the front area by the projection lens 24. In FIG. 2 (b), the area of the selected and shielded cell is indicated by oblique lines, and light irradiation with a low beam distribution is performed by light transmitted through the white area, and one of the areas within the light irradiation area. The figure shows a state in which an image having an arrow pattern shape surrounded by a rectangular frame is projected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the light distribution control units RCN and LCN of the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL arbitrarily change the pattern of light transmitted by controlling the respective liquid crystal devices 23. Pattern control units RPC and LPC for control are provided. These pattern control units RPC and LPC control the light transmission pattern by controlling energization to the cell 23a of each liquid crystal device 23 as described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the left and right light distribution controllers RCN and LCN are respectively connected to the vehicle control unit ECU, and these left and right light distribution units are based on a control signal from the vehicle control unit ECU. The pattern control units RPC and LPC of the control units RCN and LCN execute control in synchronization. Although not shown in the figure, the vehicle control unit ECU can receive signals from a lamp lighting switch and a light distribution setting switch, and the left and right light distribution controllers RCN, Control the LCN. Although not shown, the vehicle control unit ECU is connected to an imaging camera for imaging the front area of the host vehicle, a navigation device, and the like. Based on information obtained from the imaging camera and the navigation device, the vehicle control unit ECU Necessary control signals are output to the light distribution control units RCN and LCN. This information includes other vehicle information such as preceding vehicles and oncoming vehicles existing in the front area of the host vehicle, road information on which the host vehicle travels, such as information on curved roads, intersections, slopes, speed limits, and the like.

  In the first embodiment including the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL configured as described above, the light distribution control units RCN and LCN respectively control the high beam light distribution and the low beam light distribution based on the control signals from the vehicle control unit ECU. Do. In the high beam light distribution, the pattern control units RPC and LPC set the entire region of the liquid crystal device 23 in a light-transmitting state by a control signal from the light distribution control units RCN and LCN. As a result, most of the light emitted from the light source 21 passes through the liquid crystal device 23 and is irradiated to the front region by the projection lens 24. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, each of the left and right headlamps RHL, LHL Light irradiation is performed with a high beam distribution pattern PHi in which the irradiation light Pr, Pl of the lamp unit 2 is overlapped in the central region. In the low beam distribution, the pattern control units RPC and LPC set a partial area of the liquid crystal device 23, usually the area below the lamp optical axis Lx, to be in a light-shielding state and transmit the upper area through the control signal from the vehicle control unit ECU. Set to state. As a result, only the light in the region above the lamp optical axis Lx of the light emitted from the light source 21 passes through the liquid crystal device 23 and is irradiated onto the front region by the projection lens 24, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, light irradiation with the low beam distribution pattern PLo is performed by the irradiation light Pr, Pl of the lamp units 2R, 2L of the left and right headlamps RHL, LHL.

  Here, the lamp optical axes Lx of the lamp units 2R and 2L of the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL are respectively directed substantially in the straight direction of the host vehicle, but both headlamps RHL and LHL are in the vehicle width direction of the car CAR. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the irradiation areas of the irradiation light Pr and Pl of the lamp units 2 of the headlamps RHL and LHL are shifted in the horizontal direction. In other words, the irradiation areas of both lamp units 2R and 2L overlap in the central area in the vehicle width direction of the host vehicle, and the irradiation areas of the both side areas in the vehicle width direction are independent areas.

  When an image projection control signal is output from the vehicle control unit ECU in such a light irradiation state with high beam distribution or low beam distribution, the left and right light distribution controllers RCN and LCN have their respective patterns. Control is performed so that the light distributions of the lamp units 2R and 2L controlled by the control units RPC and LPC have different patterns. FIG. 4 is a light distribution pattern diagram showing an example thereof. As described above, at the time of light irradiation with the low beam light distribution PLo composed of the light distribution patterns Pr1 and Pl1 of the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L, the navigation device automatically When road information indicating that the vehicle is traveling on the right curve is input, the vehicle control unit ECU outputs a right curve display control signal to each of the light distribution control units RCN and LCN. When the light distribution control units RCN and LCN receive this right curve display control signal, the light distribution control units RCN and LCN output right curve display signals to the respective pattern control units RPC and LPC.

  In the right lamp unit 2R, the pattern control unit RPC controls the liquid crystal device 23 based on the input right curve display signal. In this control, as shown in FIG. 5 (a2), among the cells 23a in the non-selected translucent state constituting the low beam light distribution, some of the cells are formed to form the right curve display image. Select and set to light-shielded state. In the figure, the shaded area is a light shielding area. In this example, the right curve display forms a pattern of translucent arrow marks that turn right in a rectangular light-shielding region. As a result, a cell transmissive region Sr1 is formed in the liquid crystal device 23 of the right lamp unit 2R, and the light emitted from the liquid crystal device 23 is one of the light distribution patterns Pr1 in the low beam distribution as shown in FIG. 5 (b2). The image IMG in which a bright right-curved arrow is displayed in a dark area surrounded by a rectangle is present in the pattern, and is projected onto the road surface ahead of the host vehicle.

  On the other hand, in the left lamp unit 2L, the pattern control unit LPC controls the liquid crystal device 23 based on the input right curve display signal. In this control, as in the case of the right lamp unit 2R, as shown in FIG. In contrast, a cell corresponding to a region that is slightly wider than the pattern shape of the right curve display, that is, a part of the cells 23a in the substantially central region on the upper side in the light distribution pattern Pl1, is selected and set in a light shielding state. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 (b1), in a partial area within the light distribution pattern Pl1 of the low beam distribution by the left lamp unit 2L, the area corresponding to the right curve display image IMG projected by the right lamp unit 2R. A dark region DRK that is not irradiated with light is formed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, even if the irradiation light Pl1 of the left lamp unit 2L overlaps the irradiation light Pr1 of the right lamp unit 2R to form the low beam distribution PLo, it is formed in the low beam distribution PLo. Since the dark region DRK of the irradiation light of the left lamp unit 2L overlaps the image IMG of the right curve display by the right lamp unit 2R, the irradiation light from the left lamp unit 2L does not overlap. Since the dark area DRK by the left lamp unit 2L is set slightly wider than the right curve display image IMG projected by the right lamp unit 2R, there is a slight positional deviation between the lamp optical axes of the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L. Even if it occurs, it is possible to reliably prevent the irradiation light of the left lamp unit 2L from overlapping the image IMG by the right lamp unit 2R.

  As described above, when the right lamp unit 2R projects the right curve display image IMG on the road surface ahead of the host vehicle during the light irradiation with the low beam distribution, a part of the irradiation light of the left lamp unit 2L is shielded. Then, since the irradiation of light is controlled so that the irradiation light does not overlap the image IMG displayed on the right curve display, the contrast of the projected image IMG is not reduced by the irradiation light of the left lamp unit 2L. Visibility is improved. Even if the light irradiation area of the left lamp unit 2L is limited in order to improve the visibility of the projected image in this way, the light irradiation area by the low beam distribution around the light irradiation area of the left lamp unit 2R. Since the brightness is superimposed, the brightness required for safe driving of the host vehicle can be secured. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the lamp units 2R and 2L, which is required when images are projected on the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L, respectively, and blurring of the image due to the displacement of the left and right images occurs. Visibility is improved.

  Here, in the first embodiment, the dark region DRK formed in the left lamp unit 2L in the region overlapping the image IMG projected by the right lamp unit 2R does not block a part of the light irradiation region but attenuates the part. It is also possible to suppress the reduction in contrast of the projected image IMG by dimming and improve the visibility of the image IMG. Further, when the image IMG is projected by the right lamp unit 2R when the host vehicle is traveling on a road with a relatively bright surrounding environment such as an urban area, the left lamp unit 2L is turned off or dimmed. May be. That is, when the safety of the front area of the host vehicle can be sufficiently secured even with light irradiation of only the right lamp unit 2R, the right lamp unit 2R is controlled to project an image as described above, and the left lamp The unit 2L may be turned off or dimmed within a range that ensures the visibility of the projected image.

  In the above description, the right lamp unit 2R projects an image and the left lamp unit 2L shades or turns off the area surrounding the image. However, the left lamp unit 2L projects the image and the right lamp unit 2R. The area surrounding the image may be shielded from light or turned off or dimmed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of an automobile to which Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied. In the second embodiment, the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL provided in the car CAR have the same configuration as the lamp units 2R and 2L, but the pattern control units RPC and LPC have a special display. It is not configured to project an image for the purpose. Instead, a separate projection device PRJ is incorporated here in the lamp housing of one headlamp, ie the right headlamp RHL. Since this projection device uses a so-called known projector device, detailed description is omitted, but this projection device PRJ is controlled by the pattern control unit RPC incorporated in the right headlamp RHL, and the own vehicle A required image can be projected on the road surface in front of the vehicle.

  On the other hand, the lamp units 2R and 2L of the left and right headlamps RHL and LHL are controlled by the pattern control units RPC and LPC in the low beam distribution and the high beam distribution as shown in FIGS. The light irradiation of the light pattern can be performed, and at the same time as the image is projected by the projection device PRJ, the region including the image can be controlled to be shielded from light. That is, in each of the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L, a region overlapping the image projected by the projection device PRJ is shielded to form a dark region DRK similar to that in the first embodiment, and the irradiation light of each lamp unit 2R and 2L. Is controlled so as not to overlap the projected image.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the light distribution pattern. The projection device PRJ projects an image IMG indicating a straight road on the road surface ahead of the host vehicle. Further, the light distribution pattern Pr2 by the right lamp unit 2R having a dark region so as not to overlap with the image IMG and the light distribution pattern Pl2 by the same left lamp unit 2L are irradiated, thereby forming a low beam light distribution PLo. ing. That is, the projection apparatus PRJ projects the image IMG on the road surface ahead of the host vehicle as shown in FIG. Further, in the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the portions overlapping the image IMJ projected by the projection device PRJ are shielded from light by the respective liquid crystal devices 23, thereby dark regions DRK. Irradiation is performed with the light distribution patterns Pr2 and Pl2 set to.

  In the second embodiment, the front area of the host vehicle is irradiated with light by the low beam light distribution PLo formed by the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L to ensure safe traveling, while the road surface in front of the host vehicle is projected by the projection device PRJ. When the required image IMG is projected onto the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L, the dark area DRK in which the light in the area overlapping the projected image IMG is shielded from the irradiation light of the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L. Visibility is improved without being reduced. It goes without saying that the surrounding area excluding the projected image IMG is brightly illuminated by the irradiation light of both lamp units 2R and 2L. In the second embodiment, when the image IMG is projected by the projection device PRJ, the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L may be dimmed to increase the visibility of the projected image IMG.

  Here, the light distribution patterns of the left and right lamp units 2R and 2L are not limited to the above-described high beam distribution and low beam distribution, and other vehicles such as preceding vehicles and oncoming vehicles existing in front of the host vehicle are used. It is also possible to perform control that enables so-called ADB light distribution control that recognizes and irradiates light as much as possible in front of the host vehicle without dazzling these other vehicles.

  The lamp unit applied to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and in particular, a lamp using a micromirror instead of the configuration of forming an irradiation pattern using the liquid crystal device as described in the first embodiment. You may comprise as a unit. In the second embodiment, the left and right lamp units may include a shade that blocks light in a region corresponding to a projected image.

  In the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a headlamp of an automobile. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a fog lamp and a clearance lamp. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a backup lamp configured to project an image on the road surface behind the automobile.

  The present invention can be applied to a vehicular lamp configured to project an image on a road surface around the vehicle.

RHL, LHL Headlamp RCN, LCN Light distribution controller RPC, LPC Pattern controller PRJ Projection device IMG Image (projection image)
PHi high beam light distribution PLo low beam light distribution 1 lamp housing 2 lamp unit 21 light source 22 reflector 23 liquid crystal device 24 projection lens

Claims (5)

  A vehicle lamp equipped with a projecting unit that projects a required image on a road surface in the vicinity of the vehicle and irradiating a region including the projected image with light, wherein the region overlaps the image when the image is projected. A vehicle lamp comprising means for reducing the brightness of irradiation light.   A vehicle lamp provided in a pair with a vehicle, wherein each light irradiation region overlaps at least partly, wherein one lamp is configured as the projection unit, and the other lamp blocks or overlaps the region overlapping the image. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp can be dimmed.   The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the other lamp is configured to be extinguished or dimmed. A lamp for a vehicle that is provided in a pair with a vehicle, and each light irradiation region overlaps at least partly, and the projection unit is provided independently of the pair of lamps and one of the light irradiation regions. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the pair of lamps is configured to be capable of shielding or dimming a region overlapping with the image. lamp. 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the paired lamps are vehicle headlamps.

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