JP5199798B2 - Vehicle headlamp device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp device, and more particularly to an improvement in a multifunctional vehicle headlamp device that also functions as a daytime running lamp.

  The vehicle headlight device selects a low beam that illuminates a relatively limited area in front of the vehicle and a high beam that illuminates a wide area farther than the low beam in front of the vehicle. Can be irradiated. The low beam is suitable for use when an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian is present in front of the host vehicle, and is a light distribution pattern that prevents glare from the oncoming vehicle or the pedestrian while ensuring a near field of view in front of the host vehicle. On the other hand, the high beam is a light distribution pattern that is suitable for use when an oncoming vehicle, a preceding vehicle, a pedestrian, or the like does not exist in front of the host vehicle and secures a field of view up to a long distance in front of the host vehicle.

  Conventional vehicle headlamp devices are often used in an alternative set comprising a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern. However, with the recent enhancement of vehicle performance and functionality, there is a demand for a multi-function headlamp device that can be used in various situations in the headlamp device. In particular, there is a growing demand for effective use of high beam lamp units that are not frequently used in oncoming vehicles and urban areas with many pedestrians.

  For example, the vehicular lamp of Patent Document 1 divides a high beam irradiation area into a plurality of areas, and individually controls lighting / extinguishing of the divided areas depending on the presence or absence of a pedestrian, a preceding vehicle, or an oncoming vehicle. . And even if the high beam lamp unit is turned on, it is used as a special high boom which makes it difficult to give glare to the pedestrian, the preceding vehicle, or the oncoming vehicle and improves the driver's forward visibility. As a result, the use frequency of the high beam lamp unit is improved.

  In addition, the automotive headlamp circuit described in Patent Document 2 enables a high-beam lamp unit to be lit with a low amount of light, and easily informs pedestrians, preceding vehicles, or oncoming vehicles of the presence of the vehicle during daytime driving. It can be used as a daytime running lamp (DRL). As a result, the use frequency of the high beam lamp unit is improved.

In the case of the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is an advantage that the number of light distribution patterns used when the vehicle periphery is dark can be easily increased. On the other hand, according to the configuration of Patent Document 2, the DRL function mounted separately from the conventional high beam lamp unit can be provided to the high beam lamp unit. Therefore, the contribution rate to the simplification and cost reduction as a headlamp device is high, and the expectation for adoption is increasing.
JP 2007-179969 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-86746

  However, since the normal high beam has a light intensity near the optical axis that is set higher than that of the peripheral part, if the light intensity near the optical axis is set to be suitable for DRL, the light intensity of the peripheral part becomes too low, and only the optical axis periphery is It becomes like a shining pin light source. As a result, there is a problem that the original light intensity distribution of the DRL cannot be formed, and the oncoming vehicle or the pedestrian cannot sufficiently view the DRL.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp that can form a light intensity distribution suitable for DRL by a lamp unit that forms a high beam light distribution pattern. To provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle headlamp device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a lamp unit that emits light capable of forming a partial region of a high-beam light distribution pattern, and irradiation of light from the lamp unit. An irradiation control unit that controls a state, and the irradiation control unit irradiates light such that a partial region of the high beam light distribution pattern is formed by at least a partial region divided in the vehicle width direction. The state is controlled, and the intensity of irradiation light corresponding to each of the partial areas is individually adjusted to switch between a high beam irradiation mode and a daytime lighting irradiation mode.

  According to this aspect, when the irradiation mode is switched to the daytime lighting irradiation mode that is the irradiation mode of the daytime running lamp (DRL), the intensity of the irradiation light of the partial region that forms a partial region of the high beam light distribution pattern is individually set. Adjust to. As a result, even when the required light intensity distribution differs greatly between the high beam irradiation mode and the daytime lighting irradiation mode, a suitable light intensity distribution can be formed with the same lamp unit.

  Further, in the above aspect, the irradiation control unit may adjust the luminous intensity so as to gradually decrease in the lateral direction of the vehicle width around the optical axis of the lamp unit at least when the daytime lighting irradiation mode is switched. According to this aspect, the brightness in the vicinity of the optical axis can be higher than that in the vicinity of the left and right end portions while expanding the light intensity distribution in the daytime lighting irradiation mode in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the irradiation width in the daytime lighting irradiation mode can be ensured and can be easily recognized from a distance. Further, since the luminous intensity of the optical axis portion is higher than that of the left and right end portions, it is possible to easily attract the attention of a vehicle viewer such as a pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle.

  Further, in the above aspect, the irradiation control unit gradually dims each luminous intensity corresponding to the partial area at the time of switching the high beam light distribution pattern with a plurality of types of dimming rates to enter the daytime lighting irradiation mode. You may make it switch. According to this aspect, the light intensity distribution for the high beam in which the light intensity around the optical axis is sufficiently higher than the left and right end portions to improve the driver's distance visibility is recognized by vehicle viewers such as pedestrians and oncoming vehicles. It can be easily adjusted to the luminous intensity distribution for daytime lighting.

  Moreover, the said aspect WHEREIN: The said irradiation control part may make the attenuation rate of the said partial area | region by the side of an optical axis larger than the attenuation ratio of the said partial area | region by the side of a vehicle width at the time of the said daytime lighting irradiation mode switch. According to this aspect, the irradiation in the high beam irradiation mode in which the luminous intensity near the optical axis is higher than the luminous intensity at the end portion is emphasized, and the visibility of the vehicle viewer whose luminous intensity near the optical axis is close to the luminous intensity at the end portion is emphasized. Irradiation in the daytime lighting irradiation mode can be easily executed.

  Moreover, the said aspect WHEREIN: The said lamp unit may also contain the multi-lamp type light source part comprised by the some LED light source corresponding to every said partial area | region. According to this aspect, the light emission states of the plurality of LED light sources can be adjusted in detail, so that the light intensity distribution in the high beam irradiation mode and the light intensity distribution in the daytime lighting irradiation mode can be adjusted easily and accurately.

  According to the vehicle headlamp device of the present invention, a light intensity distribution suitable for DRL can be formed by a lamp unit that forms a high-beam light distribution pattern.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The vehicle headlamp device according to the present embodiment includes a lamp unit that emits light capable of forming a partial region of a high beam light distribution pattern, and an irradiation control unit that controls the light irradiation state of the lamp unit. . And an irradiation control part controls the irradiation state of light so that the partial area | region of the light distribution pattern for high beams may be formed by the partial area | region divided | segmented into multiple at least by the vehicle width direction. In addition, the intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to each partial area is individually adjusted to switch between the high beam irradiation mode and the daytime lighting irradiation mode to form a light intensity distribution suitable for the high beam irradiation mode and a light intensity distribution suitable for the daytime lighting irradiation mode. .

  FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a lamp body unit constituting the vehicle headlamp device according to the present embodiment. The vehicle headlamp device of the present embodiment includes a pair of lamp body units at the left and right ends in the vehicle width direction of the front portion of the vehicle. And the irradiation as a vehicle headlamp apparatus is completed by superimposing the light distribution pattern irradiated from the left and right lamp body units in front of the vehicle. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a lamp body unit 10 arranged on the right side of the left and right lamp body units. FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the lamp body unit 10 cut from a horizontal plane and seen from above for easy understanding. The lamp body unit arranged on the left side has a symmetrical structure with the lamp body unit 10 arranged on the right side, and the basic structure is the same. Therefore, the description of the lamp body unit 10 disposed on the left side is omitted by describing the lamp body unit 10 disposed on the right side.

  The lamp body unit 10 includes a translucent cover 12, a lamp body 14, an extension 16, a first lamp unit 18, and a second lamp unit 20. The lamp body 14 is formed into a cup shape having an elongated opening with resin or the like. The translucent cover 12 is formed of translucent resin or the like, and is attached to the lamp body 14 so as to close the opening of the lamp body 14. Thus, the lamp body 14 and the translucent cover 12 form a lamp chamber that is substantially a closed space, and the extension 16, the first lamp unit 18, and the second lamp unit 20 are disposed in the lamp chamber.

  The extension 16 has an opening for passing the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 18 and the second lamp unit 20 and is fixed to the lamp body 14. The first lamp unit 18 is disposed on the vehicle outer side than the second lamp unit 20. The first lamp unit 18 is a so-called parabolic lamp unit, and forms a low beam light distribution pattern to be described later.

  The first lamp unit 18 includes a reflector 22, a light source bulb 24, and a shade 26. The reflector 22 is formed in a cup shape, and an insertion hole is provided in the center. In the present embodiment, the light source bulb 24 is configured by an incandescent lamp having a filament such as a halogen lamp. The light source bulb 24 may employ other types of light sources such as a discharge lamp. The light source bulb 24 is inserted into the insertion hole of the reflector 22 so as to protrude inside, and is fixed to the reflector 22. The reflector 22 has a curved inner surface so as to reflect the light emitted from the light source bulb 24 toward the front of the vehicle. The shade 26 blocks light that travels directly from the light source bulb 24 toward the front of the vehicle. Since the structure of the 1st lamp unit 18 is well-known, the detailed description regarding the 1st lamp unit 18 is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the second lamp unit 20 included in the lamp body unit 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the second lamp unit 20 cut from a horizontal plane and viewed from above. The second lamp unit 20 includes a holder 28, a projection lens 30, and a light emitting element unit 32. The second lamp unit 20 is a lamp unit that emits light capable of forming a partial region of the high beam light distribution pattern. In other words, the second lamp unit 20 adds a light distribution pattern to the upper part of the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the first lamp unit 18 in the high beam irradiation mode, thereby improving the far vision performance with a wide irradiation range as a whole. A light distribution pattern for high beam is formed. Further, the second lamp unit 20 irradiates light alone in the daytime lighting irradiation mode, so that it is easy to recognize the presence of the own vehicle by an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian such as daytime, so-called daylighting lamp. It functions as a time running lamp (DRL).

  The projection lens 30 is a plano-convex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and projects a light source image formed on the rear focal plane onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp as a reverse image. To do. The projection lens 30 is attached to one opening of a holder 28 formed in a cylindrical shape. The light emitting element unit 32 includes a substrate 34, a first light emitting element 36-1 to an eighth light emitting element 36-8, and a heat sink 38. The configuration of the light emitting element unit 32 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Note that the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 are collectively referred to as the light emitting element 36 unless otherwise distinguished.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the light emitting element unit 32 according to the present embodiment. The light emitting element unit 32 is a lamp unit that emits light forming a partial region of the high beam light distribution pattern, and forms a partial region that is divided into a plurality of portions in the vehicle width direction, for example. In the case of the present embodiment, the first light-emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light-emitting element 36-8 form a partial region divided into eight, and the number of divisions is required in the high beam irradiation mode and the daytime lighting irradiation mode. It can be determined according to performance.

  Each of the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 is formed in a rectangular shape, and the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 are formed in the order of the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 on the front surface of the substrate 34. Are arranged in a straight line. The first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 can be constituted by, for example, a plurality of LED light sources that can be individually controlled in luminous intensity, and the second lamp unit 20 becomes a multi-lamp type light source. ing. The widths of the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 are wider as they are arranged in strips and arranged farther left and right from the center. As will be described later, the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 can be individually adjusted in luminous intensity. In particular, the first light-emitting element 36-1 and the eighth light-emitting element 36- whose extinction ratios at the time of light intensity adjustment of the fourth light-emitting element 36-4 and the fifth light-emitting element 36-5 arranged at the center position are located at the ends. 8 is set so as to be larger than the light reduction rate at the time of the light intensity adjustment.

  The LED light sources constituting the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 can be constituted by an aggregate of white LEDs having a square light emitting surface of about 1 mm square, for example. Needless to say, the light emitting element 36 is not limited to this, and may be another element-like light source that emits light in a substantially dotted manner, such as a laser diode. The rear focal point F of the projection lens 30 is located at the center of the boundary line between the fourth light emitting element 36-4 and the fifth light emitting element 36-5. The heat sink 38 is formed in a shape having a large number of fins from a metal such as aluminum, and is attached to the back surface of the substrate 34. Thus, the light emission state of each light emitting element 36 can be adjusted in detail by configuring the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 with LED light sources. As a result, it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the light intensity distribution in the high beam irradiation mode described later and the light intensity distribution in the daytime lighting irradiation mode.

  Returning to FIG. In the light emitting element unit 32, the substrate 34 is attached to the other opening of the holder 28 so that the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 are arranged in the order from the left in the holder 28. . Each of the first light-emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light-emitting element 36-8 emits light, thereby projecting each image on a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp.

  FIG. 4 is formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed, for example, at a position 25 meters ahead of the vehicle by light emitted forward from the left and right lamp body units 10 of the vehicle headlamp device according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows a light distribution pattern.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the first lamp unit 18. The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left light distribution low beam light distribution pattern used in a left-hand traffic area, and has a first cut-off line CL1 to a third cut-off line CL3 at an upper end edge thereof. The first cut-off line CL1 and the third cut-off line CL3 extend in the horizontal direction at the left and right steps with the vertical line V-V set in the lamp front direction as a boundary. The first cut-off line CL1 extends in the horizontal direction below the horizontal line HH set on the right side of the vertical line VV and in the front direction of the lamp. For this reason, the first cutoff line CL1 is used as an oncoming lane cutoff line. The third cutoff line CL3 extends obliquely at an inclination angle of, for example, 45 ° from the left end portion of the first cutoff line CL1 toward the upper left. The second cutoff line CL2 extends on the horizontal line HH on the left side from the intersection of the third cutoff line CL3 and the horizontal line HH. For this reason, the second cutoff line CL2 is used as the own lane side cutoff line. In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the first cut-off line CL1 and the vertical line VV, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below the intersection HV. The hot zone HZ, which is a high luminous intensity region, is formed by adjusting the shape of the reflector 22 so as to surround the elbow point E slightly from the left, thereby improving the visibility on the own lane side.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA, which is a partial region of the high beam light distribution pattern, is formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 20. The additional light distribution pattern PA is formed in a strip shape including the horizontal line HH and extending in the horizontal direction.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA is divided into eight rectangular regions arranged in the horizontal direction according to the number of the light emitting elements 36. Hereinafter, these regions are referred to as a first partial region PA1 to an eighth partial region PA8 in order from the right, and a boundary line between adjacent partial regions is referred to as a division line. The dividing line between the fourth partial area PA4 and the fifth partial area PA5 is set to 0 ° and corresponds to the vertical line V-V.

  The first partial region PA1 is formed by the irradiation light of the first light emitting element 36-1. The second partial region PA2 is formed by the irradiation light of the second light emitting element 36-2. The third partial region PA3 is formed by the third light emitting element 36-3. The fourth partial region PA4 is formed by the fourth light emitting element 36-4. The fifth partial region PA5 is formed by the fifth light emitting element 36-5. The sixth partial region PA6 is formed by the sixth light emitting element 36-6. The seventh partial region PA7 is formed by the seventh light emitting element 36-7. The eighth partial region PA8 is formed by the eighth light emitting element 36-8.

  As will be described later, the first light-emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light-emitting element 36-8 are based on information from a driver's operation or a device mounted on the vehicle and detecting a forward vehicle or a pedestrian such as an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle. Can be turned on and off individually. Therefore, the glare given to the forward vehicle or the pedestrian can be suppressed by turning off the light emitting element 36 that forms the partial region where the forward vehicle or the pedestrian exists in the first partial region PA1 to the eighth partial region PA8. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first light emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light emitting element 36-8 and the first partial area PA <b> 1 to the eighth partial area PA <b> 8 formed thereby are in front of the host vehicle. The width in the horizontal line HH direction is set narrower as it is closer to a certain vertical line V-V. This is a shape corresponding to the change in apparent size and position as an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian approaching from the front of the vehicle approaches the vehicle. For example, when an object such as a forward vehicle or a pedestrian is present and the position is far away, the object appears to appear small at a position close to the vertical line V-V. In that case, it is possible to prevent glare by turning off the corresponding fourth light emitting element 36-4, fifth light emitting element 36-5, and the like. As the object approaches the vehicle, the apparent size increases and the object appears to slide in the horizontal line HH. Therefore, the light emitting elements 36 that are turned off are sequentially turned off in a direction away from the vertical line VV so as to follow the change in the appearance of the object. When the oncoming vehicle approaches, the fourth light emitting element 36-4, the third light emitting element 36-3, the second light emitting element 36-2, and the first light emitting element 36-1 are turned off. In this way, by making the size of the light emitting element 36 correspond to the apparent size and position change due to the approach of an object, glare can be applied to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians by simply turning on and off the corresponding light emitting element 36 alone. Efficient on / off control can be performed. At the same time, it is possible to ensure the driver's distant visibility by irradiating light in the high beam region by turning on the remaining light emitting elements 36.

  Further, the second lamp unit 20 of the present embodiment can be lit alone when the first lamp unit 18 is not lit. For example, during daytime running, the first light-emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light-emitting element 36-8 can be turned on with the light intensity reduced compared to when the first light-emitting element 36-1 to the eighth light-emitting element 36-8 are turned on to form part of the high-beam light distribution pattern. . A daytime running lamp that has the function of visually recognizing the presence of the vehicle without giving glare to oncoming vehicles, front vehicles, pedestrians, etc. by turning on the second lamp unit 20 at low light intensity during daytime running DRL).

  FIG. 5A shows a case where a high beam light distribution pattern is formed as a whole by an additional light distribution pattern PA by full lighting of the second lamp unit 20 in addition to the low beam light distribution pattern PL by lighting of the first lamp unit 18. It is a figure which shows luminous intensity distribution LH of the additional light distribution pattern PA. As shown in FIG. 5A, the luminous intensity distribution LH of the additional luminous intensity distribution pattern PA that is turned on when the high beam luminous intensity distribution pattern is formed, that is, in the high beam irradiation mode, has the highest luminous intensity in the vicinity of the vertical line V-V. It gets lower as it goes in the vehicle width direction. This is a luminous intensity distribution for ensuring as far distance visibility as possible when the high beam is irradiated. As described above, when the partial area of the additional light distribution pattern PA is turned on / off according to a change in the position of the object, etc., it is executed according to the position of the object detected by an in-vehicle camera, which will be described later. Can do.

  On the other hand, when the DRL is used, that is, in the daytime lighting irradiation mode, only the light emitting element 36 is turned on as shown in FIG. The luminous intensity adjusted so that the luminous intensity in the vicinity of the vertical line VV is lower than that in the high beam irradiation mode and gradually decreases from the vertical line VV corresponding to the center of the optical axis of the lamp body unit 10 toward the lateral direction of the vehicle width. Distribution LL. Since this dimmed light intensity distribution is lit during the daytime, there is a low requirement for ensuring the driver's distance visibility by light irradiation, and even if the light intensity is low, oncoming vehicles and pedestrians can recognize the presence of the vehicle. It is set low based on what can be done. By lighting the DRL with such a light intensity distribution, the brightness in the vicinity of the optical axis can be made higher than that in the vicinity of the left and right ends while the light intensity distribution LL in the daytime lighting irradiation mode is expanded in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the irradiation width of the daytime lighting irradiation mode is ensured to facilitate visual recognition from a distance. Further, since the luminous intensity of the optical axis portion is higher than that of the left and right end portions, it is possible to easily attract the attention of a vehicle viewer such as a pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle. In addition, since the DRL of this embodiment has a light intensity lower than that at the time of high beam irradiation, the possibility of giving glare to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians is low.

  In the present embodiment in which such DRL lighting is performed, each light emitting element 36 is dimmed step by step with a plurality of types of dimming rates as shown in FIG. In the case of the present embodiment, the light reduction rate of the light emitting element 36 corresponding to the irradiation region close to the vertical line VV is set to 1/40, for example, and the light reduction rate decreases to 1/10 as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction. The light rate is ¼. In the case of FIG. 6, the dimming adjustment is performed between the maximum luminous intensity DRLMax and the minimum luminous intensity DRLMin of a lamp that is designed for exclusive use of the DRL as an additional light distribution pattern PA that can be used for a high beam by using a three-stage dimming rate Like to do. By performing such stepwise dimming, the light intensity distribution LH for the high beam in which the light intensity around the optical axis is sufficiently higher than the left and right ends in order to improve the driver's distant visibility, It can be easily combined with a light intensity distribution LL for DRL that is easily recognized by a vehicle viewer such as an oncoming vehicle. In addition, when the daytime lighting irradiation mode is switched, the light intensity in the vicinity of the optical axis is increased by making the light intensity ratio in the partial area on the optical axis side larger than that in the partial area on the vehicle width end side. It is possible to easily execute irradiation in a high beam irradiation mode in which higher visibility in the distance is emphasized and irradiation in a daytime lighting irradiation mode in which importance is placed on the visibility of a vehicle viewer whose light intensity near the optical axis is close to that at the end. In the present embodiment, an example of dimming in three stages is shown, but in order to make the second lamp unit 20 of the present embodiment closer to the light intensity distribution of a lamp designed exclusively for DRL, further It is preferable to use a plurality of types of dimming rates. The dimming adjustment is performed, for example, by adjusting the voltage applied to each light emitting element 36, so that the number of divisions of the light emitting elements 36 equal to or greater than the type of dimming rate is required. Therefore, it is preferable to select the dimming rate number in consideration of the balance between the component cost, the control cost, and the like and the DRL irradiation quality.

  Further, as another embodiment, the light emitting elements 36 are individually turned off as described above so as not to irradiate an area where an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian exists even when the DRL is turned on. Also good.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the irradiation control unit of the vehicle headlamp device configured as described above and the vehicle control unit on the vehicle side. The irradiation control unit 102 of the vehicle headlamp device 100 controls the power supply circuit 108 in accordance with an instruction from the vehicle control unit 106 mounted on the vehicle 104 to control irradiation of the first lamp unit 18 and the second lamp unit 20. .

  A light switch 110, a clock 112, an illuminance sensor 114, a camera 116, and a vehicle speed sensor 118 are connected to the vehicle control unit 106. The light switch 110 switches the low beam irradiation by turning on / off the first lamp unit 18, switches the high beam irradiation by turning on / off the second lamp unit 20 when the first lamp unit 18 is turned on, and turns off the first lamp unit 18. It is a switch for manually switching DRL irradiation by turning on / off the second lamp unit 20.

  The vehicle headlamp device 100 according to the present embodiment detects the surroundings of the vehicle 104 even when the light switch 110 is not operated, and performs the lighting on / off control of the first lamp unit 18 and the second lamp unit 20. Can do. For example, the clock 112 provides the current date and time or the current season and time to the vehicle control unit 106. When the vehicle control unit 106 can determine that the surroundings of the vehicle 104 are dark enough to turn on the vehicle headlamp device 100 based on the date and time and season, the vehicle control unit 106 instructs the irradiation control unit 102 to turn on the first lamp unit 18. The low beam may be turned on automatically. On the other hand, when the vehicle control unit 106 determines that the lighting of the vehicle headlamp device 100 is not necessary, the dimming lighting command for the second lamp unit 20 is sent to the irradiation control unit 102 to automatically turn on the DRL. You may do it. In this way, the control can also be referred to as a date / time compatible control mode. As will be described later, based on information from the camera 116, the vehicle control unit 106 may automatically switch from low beam irradiation to high beam irradiation when there is no preceding vehicle or pedestrian in front of the vehicle.

  Similarly, the vehicle control unit 106 can acquire information indicating the brightness around the vehicle 104 from the illuminance sensor 114, and provides a lighting command to the irradiation control unit 102 according to the brightness around the vehicle 104. The on / off control of the first lamp unit 18 and the second lamp unit 20 may be performed. In this case, it is possible to provide optimal lighting for the driver, oncoming vehicle and pedestrian even when the brightness around the vehicle 104 changes due to the weather even in the daytime, or when entering a tunnel or a similar dark traveling road. it can. Such control can be referred to as an illuminance sensitive mode.

  As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, when the second lamp unit 20 is turned on together with the first lamp unit 18, the object is present when there is an object whose irradiation should be suppressed in the high beam irradiation area. The partial area by the irradiation of the second lamp unit 20 corresponding to the position to be turned off is controlled. Here, the object which should suppress irradiation is an oncoming vehicle, a preceding vehicle, a pedestrian, etc. In order to execute such a turn-off control, the vehicle control unit 106 uses image data provided from a camera 116 such as a stereo camera as an object recognition unit. The shooting area of the camera 116 coincides with the virtual vertical screen area. When an image including a feature point indicating a vehicle or a pedestrian held in advance is present in the captured image, it is determined that there is an object whose irradiation should be suppressed in the high beam irradiation region. Then, information is supplied to the irradiation control unit 102 so that the light emitting element 36 that forms the partial region corresponding to the position where the object whose irradiation is to be suppressed exists is turned off. Note that means for detecting an object whose irradiation should be suppressed in the high beam irradiation region can be changed as appropriate, and other detection means such as millimeter wave radar and infrared radar may be used instead of the camera 116. Moreover, you may combine them. Further, based on information from the camera 116, the brightness around the vehicle 104 may be detected to perform switching control between the high beam irradiation mode and the daytime lighting irradiation mode.

  The vehicle control unit 106 can also acquire information from a vehicle speed sensor 118 that is normally mounted on the vehicle 104, and irradiation control of the first lamp unit 18 and the second lamp unit 20 according to the traveling state of the vehicle 104. Can also be done. For example, when traveling at high speed at night, it is preferable to perform illumination with a headlamp so that an oncoming vehicle, a leading vehicle, a road sign, and a message board approaching from a distance can be recognized as soon as possible. Therefore, the vehicle control unit 106 automatically lights the second lamp unit 20 when driving at high speed based on information from the vehicle speed sensor 118 to improve the far field of view. Such a control mode is referred to as a speed sensitive mode. Further, the vehicle control unit 106, when traveling in the daytime, based on the speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 118, the second lamp unit 20 is used when it is desirable that the pedestrian or the oncoming vehicle recognize the own vehicle quickly based on the speed information. DRL lighting may be automatically performed. By performing such control, it is possible to perform energy-saving control that enables illumination to be turned on only when illumination is necessary.

  In the case of the present embodiment, an example based on voltage control is shown as means for dimming the luminous intensity of the second lamp unit 20 for DRL. However, even if other dimming means is employed and the light is physically dimmed. Good. For example, an electronic filter or an anti-transparent shade may be used. In this case, the irradiation controller 102 switches the high beam irradiation mode and the daytime lighting irradiation mode by controlling the electronic filter and the anti-transparent shade. These dimming processes can also be applied when the second lamp unit 20 functions as a high beam irradiation mode, and it is also possible to form a high beam light distribution pattern in which only a partial area is dimmed. Yes, the types of light distribution patterns can be increased easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes can be added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The configuration shown in each figure is for explaining an example, and any configuration that can achieve the same function can be changed as appropriate, and the same effect can be obtained.

It is a schematic structure figure of the lamp body unit which constitutes the vehicular headlamp device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd lamp unit contained in the lamp main body unit which comprises the vehicle headlamp apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the light emitting element unit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen with the light irradiated ahead from the lamp body unit on either side of the vehicle headlamp apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the luminous intensity distribution of the 2nd lamp unit at the time of control of high beam irradiation mode and daytime lighting irradiation mode. It is explanatory drawing explaining the dimming rate of the 2nd lamp unit at the time of daytime lighting irradiation mode control. It is a functional block diagram explaining the structure of the irradiation control part of the vehicle headlamp apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and the vehicle control part by the side of a vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lamp main unit, 18 1st lamp unit, 20 2nd lamp unit, 32 Light emitting element unit, 36 Light emitting element, 100 Vehicle headlamp apparatus, 102 Irradiation control part, 104 Vehicle, 106 Vehicle control part, 108 Power supply circuit 110 light switch, 112 clock, 114 illuminance sensor, 116 camera, 118 vehicle speed sensor.

Claims (3)

A lamp unit that emits light capable of forming a partial region of a high beam light distribution pattern;
An irradiation control unit for controlling the light irradiation state of the lamp unit;
With
The irradiation control unit
The light irradiation state is controlled so that a partial region of the high beam light distribution pattern is formed at least by a partial region divided in the vehicle width direction, and the intensity of the irradiation light corresponding to each partial region is adjusted. Adjust individually and switch between high beam irradiation mode and daytime lighting irradiation mode ,
Each light intensity corresponding to the partial area at the time of switching the light distribution pattern for the high beam is gradually dimmed with a plurality of types of light reduction rates and switched to the daytime lighting irradiation mode,
A vehicular headlamp device characterized in that the dimming rate of the partial area on the optical axis side is made larger than the dimming rate of the partial area on the vehicle width end side when the daytime lighting irradiation mode is switched .   2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation control unit adjusts the light intensity so as to gradually decrease in the left-right direction of the vehicle width around the optical axis of the lamp unit at least when the daytime lighting irradiation mode is switched. Headlamp device. The vehicular headlamp device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lamp unit includes a multi-lamp light source unit configured by a plurality of LED light sources corresponding to the partial areas.

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