JP6581442B2 - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp.

  Conventionally, a light source unit for a vehicle headlamp using a semiconductor laser light source has been devised. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-38010 A

  In general, a semiconductor laser light source has high luminance and can irradiate light farther than an LED.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a new vehicle lamp using a plurality of laser light sources.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a vehicular lamp according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of laser light sources arranged and a lighting state of the plurality of laser light sources based on the acquired vehicle state information or vehicle surrounding environment information. And a control unit for controlling. A control part changes the lighting state of a several laser light source according to the change of a vehicle state, or the change of a vehicle surrounding environment.

  According to this aspect, a plurality of light distribution characteristics can be realized by changing the lighting states of the plurality of laser light sources in accordance with a change in the vehicle state or a change in the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Here, changing the lighting state of a plurality of laser light sources may increase or decrease the brightness of all the light sources uniformly, increase or decrease the number of lighting of the light sources, or part of the plurality of light sources. May be increased or decreased.

  The control unit may change at least one of the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources and the luminance of each of the plurality of laser light sources stepwise or continuously. Thereby, the change in visibility due to the change in the lighting state can be transmitted to the driver without a sense of incongruity.

  The control unit may increase the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources as the vehicle speed increases. Thereby, it can irradiate with the light of a lamp to the suitable distance according to the vehicle speed. In addition, the change in the light distribution characteristics accompanying the increase in speed can make the driver feel the joy of driving the car and the dynamic feeling of the car.

  When increasing the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources, the control unit may control to sequentially turn on the light from one end to the other of the plurality of arranged laser light sources. This makes it easier for the driver to feel a change in the light distribution characteristics.

  You may provide the 1st lamp unit which has a some laser light source, and the 2nd lamp unit provided adjacent to the 1st lamp unit. When the vehicle speed increases beyond the predetermined speed while the second lamp unit is lit, the control unit sequentially turns on the laser light source closest to the second lamp unit among the plurality of laser light sources included in the first lamp unit. You may control to do. As a result, the driver can continuously feel the change in the light distribution characteristics.

  The first lamp unit may further include an optical system that forms a light distribution pattern with light emitted from a plurality of laser light sources. The optical system is configured to transmit light emitted from a second laser light source farther from the second lamp unit out of the plurality of laser light sources than an aperture of light emitted from the first laser light source near the second lamp unit out of the plurality of laser light sources. The aperture is smaller. As a result, the second laser light source capable of irradiating light farther is turned on after the first laser light source.

  You may further provide the optical system which forms a light distribution pattern with the light radiate | emitted from the several laser light source. In the optical system, the diaphragm of light emitted from the second laser light source among the plurality of laser light sources is smaller than the diaphragm of light emitted from the first laser light source among the plurality of laser light sources. Thereby, the second laser light source can irradiate light farther than the first laser light source.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation obtained by converting the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a new vehicular lamp using a plurality of laser light sources can be realized.

It is a front view of the vehicular lamp which concerns on this Embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. It is a control block diagram of the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a low beam light distribution pattern by the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows a high beam light distribution pattern by the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

(Vehicle headlight)
First, the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line BB.

  The vehicular lamp 10 is a left-side vehicular headlamp provided at the left end portion of the front end portion of the vehicle body, and a right-side vehicular lamp having a mirror image with respect to the vehicular lamp 10 at the right end portion of the front end portion of the vehicle body. Headlights are arranged. Since the left vehicle headlamp and the right vehicle headlamp have the same structure, the left vehicle headlamp will be described below as an example.

  The vehicular lamp 10 includes a lamp body 12 having a recess opened forward, and a translucent cover 14 that closes the opening of the lamp body 12. The lamp body 12 and the cover 14 constitute a lamp housing 16. An internal space of the lamp housing 16 is formed as a lamp chamber 18.

  In the lamp chamber 18, a first lamp unit 20 having a plurality of laser light sources, a second lamp unit 22 and a third lamp unit 24 provided adjacent to the first lamp unit 20, and an extension 25 are arranged. Has been.

  The first lamp unit 20 is for forming a high beam light distribution pattern, and has five light emitting modules 26. Each light emitting module 26 includes a laser light source 28 and an optical member 30 that condenses or narrows the light emitted from the laser light source 28. The optical member 30 is, for example, a convex lens, a projection lens, a condensing lens, a light guide, a cylindrical lens, or the like.

  The laser light source 28 includes a laser diode 32, which is a kind of semiconductor light emitting element, a substrate 34 on which the laser diode 32 is mounted, and a light shield that covers the laser diode 32 so that light from the laser diode 32 does not go outside a predetermined region. And a case 36. The light shielding case 36 has an opening through which light from the laser diode 32 passes. The laser light source 28 is mounted and fixed on a heat sink 38.

  The heat sink 38 is attached to a substantially central portion of the metal support member 40. A first aiming screw 42 is attached to the upper part of the metal support member 40, and a second aiming screw 44 is attached to the lower part of the metal support member 40. The metal support member 40 is supported by the lamp body 12 so as to be tiltable by a first aiming screw 42 and a second aiming screw 44. Then, by rotating the first aiming screw 42 or the second aiming screw 44, the metal support member 40 is tilted, and the laser light source 28 is tilted accordingly, and the optical axis adjustment (aiming adjustment) of the illumination light is performed. Is called.

  The second lamp unit 22 is for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, and has three light emitting modules 46. The light emitting module 46 has substantially the same configuration as the light emitting module 26 described above, but is different in that it includes a shade (not shown) for forming a cut line of a low beam light distribution pattern.

  The 3rd lamp unit 24 is for irradiating the area | region comparatively close to the own vehicle, suppressing the glare with respect to a pedestrian, an oncoming vehicle, etc. in a low speed area and a city area with much traffic.

  The third lamp unit 24 includes a laser light source 48, a two-dimensional image forming apparatus 50 that forms a light / dark image using light emitted from the laser light source 48, and a projection lens 52 that projects the light / dark image forward.

The laser light source 48 includes a laser diode 32, a substrate 34 on which the laser diode 32 is mounted, and a light shielding case 36 that covers the laser diode 32 so that the light from the laser diode 32 does not go outside a predetermined region. The laser light source 48 is mounted and fixed on the heat sink 54. Note that the laser light source preferably has a luminance of 100 cd / mm ² or more.

  The two-dimensional image forming apparatus 50 is a reflection type device that can control the direction in which light is reflected. For example, a resonant mirror, a reflective liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal elements are arranged in a matrix, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) in which micromirrors are arranged in a matrix are suitable. The projection lens 52 projects the light reflected by the two-dimensional image forming apparatus 50 to the front of the vehicle as a predetermined light distribution pattern.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the vehicular lamp 10 according to the present embodiment. The vehicular lamp 10 includes a control unit 60 that controls lighting states of a plurality of laser light sources based on information on the vehicle state acquired by the camera 56 and the sensor 58 or information on the surrounding environment of the vehicle. The sensor 58 is, for example, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an illuminance sensor, a millimeter wave radar, a steering angle sensor, or the like.

  And the control part 60 changes the lighting state of a several laser light source according to the change of a vehicle state, or the change of a vehicle surrounding environment. Here, changes in the vehicle state include changes in vehicle speed, acceleration, steering direction, and the like. Further, the change in the surrounding environment of the vehicle includes the presence or absence of a pedestrian around the vehicle and the change in the position thereof, the presence or absence of a forward vehicle in front of the vehicle and the change in the position thereof, the change in the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the like. In addition, you may select the change of the lighting state of a several laser light source by a driver | operator operating an operation part.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern in an urban area mode by the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a diagram for the vehicle according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern for high beams of the highway mode by a lamp.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL1 shown in FIG. 5A is formed by the light distribution pattern PL11 formed by the light emitted from the light emitting module 46a of the second lamp unit 22 and the light emitted from the light emitting module 46b. The light distribution pattern PL12 and the light distribution pattern PL13 formed by the light emitted from the light emitting module 46c overlap each other. A high beam light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 5A is a variable high beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the third lamp unit 24. Then, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 and the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 are combined to form a city-mode light distribution pattern PHL.

  Light distribution patterns PL11 and PL12 have a cut line extending in the horizontal direction at the upper edge. Thereby, the glare given to the preceding vehicle is reduced. The light distribution pattern PL13 irradiates a wide area below the horizontal line.

  The high beam light distribution pattern PH shown in FIG. 5B is formed by light emitted from the first lamp unit 20 and the third lamp unit 24. A high beam light distribution pattern PH <b> 1 shown in FIG. 5B is a variable high beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the third lamp unit 24. In addition, as described above, the first lamp unit 20 includes five light emitting modules 26, and the range irradiated by each light emitting module 26 is different. Specifically, among the plurality of light emitting modules 26 included in the first lamp unit 20, the light emitting module 26a closest to the second lamp unit 22 forms a light distribution pattern PHa that irradiates the widest range.

  The light emitting module 26b adjacent to the light emitting module 26a forms a light distribution pattern PHb that irradiates a range narrower than the light distribution pattern PHa. The light emitting module 26c adjacent to the light emitting module 26b forms a light distribution pattern PHc that irradiates a range narrower than the light distribution pattern PHb. The light emitting module 26d adjacent to the light emitting module 26c forms a light distribution pattern PHd that irradiates a narrower range than the light distribution pattern PHc. The light emitting module 26e adjacent to the light emitting module 26d forms a light distribution pattern PHe that irradiates a narrower range than the light distribution pattern PHd. That is, the irradiation ranges S (PHa) to S (PHe) of the light distribution patterns PHa to PHe satisfy S (PHa)> S (PHb)> S (PHc)> S (PHd)> S (PHe).

  The 1st lamp unit 20 which concerns on this Embodiment can change the lighting state of the laser light source in each light emitting module according to a vehicle speed. Thereby, a plurality of light distribution characteristics can be realized. Here, changing the lighting state of a plurality of laser light sources may increase or decrease the brightness of all the light sources uniformly, increase or decrease the number of lighting of the light sources, or part of the plurality of light sources. May be increased or decreased.

  For example, when the vehicle speed is less than 60 km, it is required to irradiate a relatively wide area closer to the vehicle body than far away, and only the control unit 60 and the light emitting module 26a are turned on. Here, the distance (view distance) to the area where the light emitted by the light emitting module 26a reaches and is visible to the driver is defined as La. In the present embodiment, the distance La is about 200 to 240 m.

  Next, when the vehicle speed reaches 60 km or more, the control unit 60 turns on the light emitting module 26b in addition to the light emitting module 26a. Here, Lb> La, where Lb is the distance (viewing distance) to the region where the light emitted by the light emitting module 26b reaches and is visible to the driver. In the present embodiment, the distance Lb is about 290 to 330 m.

  Next, when the vehicle speed reaches 80 km or more, the controller 60 turns on the light emitting module 26c in addition to the light emitting module 26a and the light emitting module 26b. Here, Lc> Lb, where Lc is the distance (viewing distance) to the region where the light emitted from the light emitting module 26c reaches and is visible to the driver. In the present embodiment, the distance Lc is about 370 to 410 m.

  Next, when the vehicle speed reaches 100 km or more, the controller 60 turns on the light emitting module 26d in addition to the light emitting module 26a, the light emitting module 26b, and the light emitting module 26c. Here, Ld> Lc, where Ld is the distance (viewing distance) to the region where the light emitted by the light emitting module 26d reaches and is visible to the driver. In the present embodiment, the distance Ld is about 430 to 470 m.

  Next, when the vehicle speed becomes 120 km or more, the control unit 60 turns on the light emitting module 26e in addition to the light emitting module 26a, the light emitting module 26b, the light emitting module 26c, and the light emitting module 26d. Here, if the light (illumination distance) to the region where the light emitted from the light emitting module 26e reaches and is visible to the driver is Le, Le> Ld. In the present embodiment, the distance Le is about 480 to 520 m.

  Thus, the control unit 60 can change the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources stepwise or continuously. Thereby, the change in visibility due to the change in the lighting state can be transmitted to the driver without a sense of incongruity.

  In other words, the control unit 60 increases the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources as the vehicle speed increases. Thereby, it can irradiate with the light of a lamp to the suitable distance according to the vehicle speed. In addition, the change in the light distribution characteristics accompanying the increase in speed can make the driver feel the joy of driving the car and the dynamic feeling of the car. Note that the control unit 60 may change the luminance of each of the plurality of laser light sources stepwise or continuously. That is, the control unit 60 may control each light emitting module so that the luminance is lowered when the vehicle speed is less than 60 km and the luminance is increased as the vehicle speed increases.

  In addition, when the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources is increased, the control unit 60 performs control so that the plurality of laser light sources arranged are sequentially turned on from one end to the other end. In other words, in the vehicular lamp 10 shown in FIG. 1, the conditions under which the formation of the high beam light distribution pattern is allowed in a state where the second lamp unit 22 forming the low beam light distribution turn at the right end of the figure is lit. When the speed is gradually increased, the light is turned on in order from the light emitting module 26a of the first lamp unit 20 adjacent to the second lamp unit 22 toward the left side. This makes it easier for the driver to feel a change in the light distribution characteristics.

  That is, when the vehicle speed increases beyond the predetermined speed in a state where the second lamp unit 22 is lit, the control unit 60 causes the second lamp unit 22 to be out of the plurality of laser light sources included in the first lamp unit 20. Control is performed so that light is sequentially turned on from a near laser light source. As a result, the driver can continuously feel the change in the light distribution characteristics.

  In addition, the 1st lamp unit 20 which concerns on this Embodiment is further provided with the optical system which forms a light distribution pattern with the light radiate | emitted from the several laser light source. Specifically, the optical system includes a plurality of condensing lenses having different characteristics. And it is far from the 2nd lamp unit 22 among several laser light sources than the aperture_diaphragm | restriction of the light radiate | emitted from the 1st laser light source (for example, laser light source of the light emission module 26a) near the 2nd lamp unit 22 among several laser light sources. The aperture of light emitted from the second laser light source (for example, the laser light source of the light emitting module 26b) is smaller.

  Thereby, the second laser light source (for example, the laser light source of the light emitting module 26b) capable of irradiating light farther is turned on after the first laser light source (for example, the laser light source of the light emitting module 26a). That is, as the vehicle speed increases, the laser light source of the light emitting module that irradiates light farther is turned on sequentially. Further, the second laser light source can irradiate light farther than the first laser light source.

  In addition, it can be said that it is a more condensed state that the aperture of light is small. Therefore, a light emitting module with a small aperture of light has a narrow irradiation range S and a long distance (viewing distance) L that the irradiation light can reach. Each condensing lens has different condensing degrees by changing lens characteristics, size, shape, distance from the laser diode 32, and the like.

  Since the vehicular lamp 10 according to the present embodiment can form a plurality of light distribution patterns by controlling the lighting states of a plurality of laser light sources, it is possible to achieve both improvement of visibility in the distance and reduction of glare. it can. Further, by devising the lighting order of the plurality of laser light sources, the driver can enjoy driving.

  As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the present invention can be appropriately combined or replaced with the configuration of the embodiment. It is included in the present invention. In addition, it is possible to appropriately change the combination and processing order in the embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art and to add various modifications such as various design changes to the embodiment. The described embodiments can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle lamp, 20 1st lamp unit, 22 2nd lamp unit, 24 3rd lamp unit, 26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e Light emitting module, 28 Laser light source, 30 Optical member, 32 Laser diode, 46 Light emitting module, 48 laser light source, 50 two-dimensional image forming apparatus, 52 projection lens, 56 camera, 58 sensor, 60 control unit.

Claims (4)

A first lamp unit having a plurality of laser light sources arranged;
A second lamp unit provided adjacent to the first lamp unit;
A control unit that controls lighting states of the plurality of laser light sources based on the acquired vehicle state information or vehicle surrounding environment information, and
The controller is
When increasing the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources according to the increase in vehicle speed, control to sequentially turn on from one end to the other end of the plurality of laser light sources arranged,
When the vehicle speed increases beyond a predetermined speed while the second lamp unit is lit, the laser light sources that are close to the second lamp unit among the plurality of laser light sources included in the first lamp unit are sequentially turned on. control to the vehicle lamp, wherein Rukoto as.   2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the controller changes at least one of the number of lighting of the plurality of laser light sources and the luminance of each of the plurality of laser light sources stepwise or continuously. . The first lamp unit further includes an optical system that forms a light distribution pattern with light emitted from the plurality of laser light sources,
The optical system includes: a second laser light source farther from the second lamp unit among the plurality of laser light sources than a diaphragm of light emitted from the first laser light source close to the second lamp unit among the plurality of laser light sources. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the light emitted from the lamp is smaller. An optical system that forms a light distribution pattern by light emitted from the plurality of laser light sources;
The optical system is characterized in that a diaphragm of light emitted from a second laser light source among the plurality of laser light sources is smaller than a diaphragm of light emitted from a first laser light source of the plurality of laser light sources. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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