JP5450116B2 - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp, and more particularly to a vehicle headlamp having a plurality of light sources.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which each of a plurality of light sources forms a partial light distribution pattern to form an integral light distribution pattern as a whole (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the glare given to a preceding vehicle or a front pedestrian, for example, by controlling irradiation of light by each of a plurality of light sources.

  Here, the light intensity of the partial light distribution pattern formed by each of the plurality of light sources gradually decreases as it approaches the edge. For this reason, if the partial light distribution patterns are arranged side by side without overlapping, the boundary portion may be darkened. For this reason, in the above-described patent document, in order to avoid the occurrence of such a dark portion at the boundary portion, each of the partial light distribution patterns is formed so as to be partially overlapped at the boundary portion.

JP 2009-220650 A

  However, when each of the partial light distribution patterns is formed so as to be partially overlapped at the boundary portion in this way, for example, even if the light source that forms a partial light distribution pattern is turned off, There is a possibility that light due to the partial light distribution pattern of the region remains in the region. For this reason, even if the light source is turned off, glare may still be given to the driver of the preceding vehicle existing in that area.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to form an integrated light distribution pattern that suppresses the occurrence of dark portions and to suppress glare that is given to a person existing in front of the vehicle. It is to provide a vehicle headlamp that balances the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle headlamp according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources that form a plurality of partial light distribution patterns so that adjacent ones partially overlap each other through a projection lens, and a plurality of light sources A partition position for separating each of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns by partitioning a passage region of light from a pair of light sources forming adjacent partial light distribution patterns of the light sources, and a separation of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns A partition member that is movable between the partition release position to be released, and a partition member moving mechanism that moves the partition member between the partition position and the partition release position.

  According to this aspect, when the partition member is moved to the break release position, the adjacent partial light distribution patterns can be partially overlapped. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the dark part between both can be suppressed. Further, when the partition member is moved to the partition position, for example, when one of the light sources is dimmed or extinguished, the light is given to the person existing in front of the vehicle by the light of the partial light distribution pattern formed by the other light sources. Glare can be suppressed.

  You may further provide the irradiation control part which controls irradiation of each light of a some light source. The irradiation control unit executes the first irradiation control for maintaining the lighting state of the plurality of light sources when acquiring the first lighting request, and gives glare among the plurality of light sources when acquiring the second lighting request. The light source that satisfies the dimming condition for avoiding this is dimmed from the predetermined lighting state, and the light source that is dimmed when the dimming cancellation condition for returning to the predetermined lighting state is satisfied is in the predetermined lighting state The second irradiation control is performed to increase the brightness until the partition member moving mechanism moves the partition member to the break release position when the first irradiation control is executed, and moves the partition member when the second irradiation control is executed. It may be moved to a delimiter position.

  According to this aspect, by determining whether or not the dimming condition is satisfied, it is possible to appropriately suppress glare given to a person existing in front of the vehicle.

  The irradiation control unit may increase the light over a longer time when the dimmed light source is increased to a predetermined lighting state than when a plurality of light sources are turned on when the first lighting request is acquired. .

  According to this aspect, compared with the case where the plurality of light sources are turned on when the first lighting request is acquired, the uncomfortable feeling given to the person existing in front of the vehicle can be suppressed.

  The partition member is formed in a plate shape and may be provided so as to move on a plane including the partition member when moving between the partition position and the partition release position.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to avoid an increase in the dark portion caused by the shadow of the partition member when the partition member moves. For this reason, when moving a partition member, the uncomfortable feeling given to a user or those who are ahead of vehicles can be controlled.

  An irradiation control unit that controls irradiation of light from each of a plurality of light sources, and an upper region of a partial light distribution pattern formed by a predetermined light source by being interposed between a predetermined light source and a projection lens among the plurality of light sources Between a partial dimming position for dimming and a dimming release position for releasing the dimming of the upper region, and a dimming member movably provided between the partial dimming position and the dimming release position A dimming member moving mechanism for moving the dimming member in step (b), and a partial dimming control unit for switching the dimming and dimming cancellation of the upper region by controlling the movement of the dimming member by the dimming member moving mechanism, You may prepare. The irradiation control unit turns on each of the plurality of light sources when a predetermined lighting request is acquired, and the partial dimming control unit reduces the glare to avoid giving glare when the predetermined lighting request is acquired. Move the dimming member to the partial dimming position when the light condition is met, and move the dimming member to the dimming release position when the dimming release condition for canceling the dimming of the upper region is satisfied The dimming member moving mechanism may be controlled.

  According to this aspect, for example, a region including the eyes of a person existing in front of the vehicle can be dimmed, and light can be irradiated to a region below the region. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the light irradiation area while suppressing glare given to a person existing in front of the vehicle.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular headlamp that achieves both the formation of an integrated light distribution pattern that suppresses the occurrence of dark portions and the suppression of glare that is given to a person existing in front of the vehicle.

It is a top view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is PP sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st additional light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen by the vehicle headlamp when a partition member exists in a division | segmentation cancellation | release position. It is a figure which shows the 2nd additional light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen by the vehicle headlamp when a partition member exists in a division | segmentation position. It is a functional block diagram showing typically composition of a vehicular headlamp concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between time and luminous intensity when it makes it light from the state which turned off the light emitting element in intermediate beam mode. It is sectional drawing when the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is cut | disconnected by PP plane shown in FIG. It is a top view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is QQ sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure which shows the area | region shielded by each of the light shielding member. It is a functional block diagram which shows typically the structure of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a top view of the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line PP in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp 10 will be described with reference to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the right side is the front of the lamp and the left side is the rear of the lamp. Hereinafter, the front of the lamp is simply referred to as “front”, and the rear of the lamp is simply referred to as “rear”.

  The vehicle headlamp 10 includes a projection lens 12, a support member 14, a support plate 16, light emitting elements 18A, 18B, and 18C, a reflector 20, partition members 22A and 22B, a rotating shaft 24, and a partition member moving mechanism 26. .

  The projection lens 12 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 forward as a reverse image. Hereinafter, for example, a description will be given based on a projected image formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 meters ahead of the vehicle. Of course, the virtual plane on which the projection image is formed is not limited to such a vertical plane, and may be a horizontal plane assuming a road surface, for example.

  The support member 14 supports the projection lens 12. The support plate 16 is fixed to the support member 14. The reflector 20 is disposed below the support plate 16 and supported by the support plate 16. The reflector 20 includes individual reflectors 20a, 20b, and 20c each formed in a bowl shape. The individual reflectors 20a, 20b, and 20c are arranged in parallel so as to be arranged in the order of the individual reflectors 20a, 20b, and 20c from the left side to the right side.

  Each of the individual reflectors 20a, 20b, and 20c is formed so that the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface is a part of an ellipse. The reflector 20 is disposed so that one of the elliptical focal points on the inner surfaces of the individual reflectors 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c overlaps with the focal point X 1 behind the projection lens 12.

  The light emitting elements 18A, 18B, and 18C are provided on the lower surface of the support plate 16. The light emitting element 18A is arranged to be positioned at the other elliptical focal point X2 of the individual reflector 20a. The light emitting element 18B is arranged to be positioned at the other elliptical focal point X2 of the individual reflector 20b. The light emitting element 18C is arranged to be positioned at the other elliptical focal point X2 of the individual reflector 20c.

  For each of the light emitting elements 18A, 18B, and 18C, a semiconductor light emitting element using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is employed. Specifically, each of the light emitting elements 18A, 18B, and 18C includes a light emitting chip (not shown) and a thin film. The light emitting chip is configured by a white light emitting diode having a square light emitting surface of about 1 mm square. Of course, the light-emitting chip is not limited to this, and may be another element-like light source that emits light in a substantially dot-like manner, such as a laser diode. The thin film is provided so as to cover the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip. Further, instead of the light emitting elements 18A, 18B, 18C, a discharge lamp such as an incandescent lamp or a discharge lamp may be employed.

  The light emitting element 18A and the individual reflector 20a, the light emitting element 18B and the individual reflector 20b, and the light emitting element 18C and the individual reflector 20c each function as one light source that forms a light source image on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12. Hereinafter, the light emitting element 18A and the individual reflector 20a are referred to as “light source 21A”, the light emitting element 18B and the individual reflector 20b are referred to as “light source 21B”, and the light emitting element 18C and the individual reflector 20c are referred to as “light source 21C”.

  Each of the partition members 22A and 22B is formed in a plate shape. A pair of rotation shafts 24 are provided so as to correspond to the partition members 22A and 22B. The two rotating shafts 24 are fixed to the reflector 20. Each of the partition members 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B is supported so that the corresponding rotation shaft 24 is inserted into an insertion hole provided at the lower end, and is rotatable about the rotation shaft 24. The partition member moving mechanism 26 includes a gear transmission mechanism (not shown) and a motor (not shown), and rotates the partition members 22A and 22B via the transmission mechanism by the operation of the motor.

  When the partition member 22A is rotated to a predetermined upper position, the partition member 22A partitions a light passage region from the light source 21A and the light source 21B that form adjacent partial light distribution patterns. Thereby, the partition member 22A partitions the pair of partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21A and the light source 21B. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 22A at this time is referred to as “separation position P11”.

  When the partition member 22A is rotated to a predetermined position below, the partition of the passage region of light from the light source 21A and the light source 21B is released. Thereby, the partition member 22A cancels the separation of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21A and the light source 21B. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 22A at this time is referred to as a “separation release position P12”.

  When the partition member 22B is rotated to a predetermined upper position, the partition member 22B partitions light passing regions from the light source 21B and the light source 21C that form adjacent partial light distribution patterns. Thereby, the partition member 22B partitions the pair of partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21B and the light source 21C. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 22A at this time is also referred to as “separation position P11”.

  When the partition member 22B is rotated to a predetermined position below, the partition of the light passage region from the light source 21B and the light source 21C is released. Thereby, the partition member 22B cancels the separation of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21B and the light source 21C. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 22B at this time is also referred to as “delimitation release position P12”.

  In this way, each of the partition members 22A and 22B is configured so that each of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C can be divided by partitioning the light passing regions from the pair of light sources that form the adjacent partial light distribution patterns. It is movably provided between a delimiter position P11 that delimits each and a delimiter release position P12 that delimits the adjacent partial light distribution pattern.

  The partition member 22A is provided to move on a plane including the partition member 22A when moving between the partition position P11 and the partition release position P12. Further, the partition member 22B is provided so as to move on a plane including the partition member 22B when moving between the partition position P11 and the partition release position P12. Thereby, increase of the dark part which generate | occur | produces when partition member 22A, 22B moves can be suppressed. The partition member moving mechanism 26 moves the partition members 22A and 22B together between the separation position P11 and the separation release position P12.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the vehicle headlamp 10 when the partition members 22A and 22B are at the partition release position P12. The first additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed by overlapping the irradiation light from the vehicle headlamp 10 provided on the left side of the vehicle and the irradiation light from the vehicle headlamp 10 provided on the right side of the vehicle. .

  Each of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C forms partial distribution light patterns PA11, PA12, and PA13 through the projection lens 12 so that adjacent ones partially overlap each other. Specifically, the light source 21A forms a partial light distribution pattern PA11 on the right front side of the vehicle. The light source 21B forms a partial light distribution pattern PA12 at the front center of the vehicle. The light source 21C forms a partial light distribution pattern PA13 on the left front side of the vehicle. The partial distribution light pattern PA11 and the partial distribution light pattern PA12 are formed such that the boundary portions overlap each other. The partial distribution light pattern PA12 and the partial distribution light pattern PA13 are formed such that the boundary portions overlap each other. Each of the partial distribution light patterns PA11, PA12, and PA13 has a lower end slightly below the H line, which is a horizontal line, and an upper end at a position 5 ° above the horizontal line. Thus, an integrated first additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed by the partial distribution light patterns PA11, PA12, PA13. The first additional light distribution pattern PA1 is used as a so-called high beam light distribution pattern.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second additional light distribution pattern PA2 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the vehicle headlamp 10 when the partition members 22A and 22B are at the separation position P11.

  When the partition member 22A is at the partition position P11, the partition member light pattern PA11 and the partition light pattern PA12 are partitioned so as not to overlap each other. Further, when the partition member 22B is at the separation position P11, the partition light patterns PA12 and PA13 are partitioned so as not to overlap each other. Therefore, the partial distribution light patterns PA11, PA12, and PA13 are partial distribution light patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23 that do not overlap each other. An integrated second additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed by the partial light distribution patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23. The external shape of the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 is the same as the external shape of the first additional light distribution pattern PA1.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle headlamp 10 has a control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes functions such as a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, hardware such as a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and software. A block is drawn. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The control unit 30 includes a movement control unit 32 and an irradiation control unit 34. The movement control unit 32 controls the operation of the partition member moving mechanism 26 to change the positions of the partition members 22A and 22B. The irradiation controller 34 controls the light irradiation of each of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C.

  A vehicle (not shown) on which the vehicle headlamp 10 is mounted is provided with a high beam switch (not shown). When the high beam switch is turned on by the user, the irradiation control unit 34 acquires the operation input as the first lighting request. When acquiring the first lighting request, the irradiation control unit 34 executes first irradiation control for maintaining the lighting states of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C. The movement control unit 32 controls the operation of the partition member moving mechanism 26 so that the partition members 22A and 22B are moved to the separation release position P12 when the first irradiation control is executed. As a result, the light source 21A, 21B, 21C can form the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 having a dark portion at the boundary portion smaller than the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 as a high beam light distribution pattern.

  The vehicle on which the vehicle headlamp 10 is mounted is provided with an intermediate beam switch (not shown) in addition to the high beam switch described above. When the intermediate beam switch is turned on by the user, the irradiation control unit 34 acquires the operation input as a second lighting request. When acquiring the second lighting request, the irradiation control unit 34 starts the irradiation light control of the headlamp unit in the intermediate beam mode. In the intermediate beam mode, driving of the preceding vehicle is performed by turning off the light emitting elements that form the partial light pattern in which the preceding vehicle such as the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle exists among the partial light patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23. The glare given to the person.

  Specifically, a vehicle (not shown) having an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (COMS) sensor is provided in a vehicle on which the vehicle headlamp 10 is mounted. ing. This camera captures a video in front of the vehicle and generates image data. The camera is connected to the control unit 30, and the generated image data is output to the control unit 30. In the intermediate beam mode, the irradiation control unit 34 analyzes image data input from the camera, and determines whether there is a forward vehicle such as an oncoming vehicle in which the headlamp is lit. When there is such a forward vehicle, the irradiation control unit 34 specifies the position of the oncoming vehicle using the position of the headlamp obtained by analysis. Since the technique for identifying the position of the preceding vehicle using image data in this manner is known, the description thereof is omitted.

  The irradiation control unit 34 determines whether or not there is a preceding vehicle in any of the formation regions of the partial light distribution patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23 using the position of the specified preceding vehicle. When a preceding vehicle is present in any of the formation regions, the irradiation control unit 34 turns off the light emitting elements that form the partial light distribution pattern, assuming that the dimming condition for avoiding glare is satisfied. . In addition, instead of turning off the light emitting element, the irradiation control unit 34 determines the intensity of the irradiation light that forms the partial distribution light pattern determined that the preceding vehicle is present than when the vehicle is not present. Alternatively, the lighting of the light emitting element may be controlled so as to be low.

  When the second irradiation control is executed, the movement control unit 32 controls the operation of the partition member moving mechanism 26 so as to move the partition members 22A and 22B to the separation position P11. Thereby, 2nd additional light distribution pattern PA2 can be formed ahead of vehicles.

  In addition, when the irradiation control part 34 acquired the 2nd lighting request | requirement, when it determined with the front running vehicle existing in any formation area of partial distribution light pattern PA21, PA22, PA23, the light reduction condition was satisfy | filled As a light source 21A, 21B, or 21C, a light emitting element that satisfies a dimming condition may be dimmed from a normal lighting state. If it is determined that the preceding vehicle has moved to the outside of the dimmed area, the dimming light emitting element is increased to the normal lighting state, assuming that the dimming cancellation condition for returning to the normal lighting state is satisfied. Two-irradiation control may be executed. The normal lighting state refers to the lighting state of the light emitting element when it is determined that there is no preceding vehicle.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the time t and the luminous intensity cd when the light emitting element 18 is turned on in the intermediate beam mode. When the illumination control unit 34 increases the dimmed light source to a predetermined lighting state, it takes a longer rise time t1 than when the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C are turned on when the first lighting request is acquired. Brighten up. Thereby, when any one of the light emitting elements 18A, 18B, and 18C is turned off and then turned on again in the intermediate beam mode, the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver of the vehicle or the person in front of the vehicle can be suppressed.

  As a result of experiments by the inventors, it has been found that there is an effect of suppressing a sense of discomfort when the rising time t1 is not less than 0.1 seconds and not more than 1 second. Further, it has been found that when the rising time t1 is not less than 0.3 seconds and not more than 0.7 seconds, the uncomfortable feeling can be satisfactorily suppressed. It was also found that the sense of discomfort can be most effectively suppressed when the rise time t1 is 0.5 seconds.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular headlamp 50 according to the second embodiment cut along the PP plane shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The vehicle headlamp 50 is provided with a support plate 52, a partition member 54, and a partition member moving mechanism 56 instead of the support plate 16, the partition members 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B, the rotating shaft 24, and the partition member moving mechanism 26. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment. The support plate 52 is formed in the same manner as the support plate 16 according to the first embodiment except that a front portion of the vehicle is cut away.

  Each of the partition members 54A and 54B is formed in a plate shape. The partition member moving mechanism 26 includes a transmission mechanism (not shown) using a rack gear and a motor (not shown), and moves the partition members 54A and 54B in the vertical direction via the transmission mechanism by the operation of the motor.

  When the partition member 54 </ b> A moves to a predetermined position below, the partition member 54 </ b> A partitions a light passage region from the light source 21 </ b> A and the light source 21 </ b> B that form adjacent partial light distribution patterns. Thereby, the partition member 54A partitions the pair of partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21A and the light source 21B. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 54A at this time is referred to as a “separation position P21”.

  When the partition member 54A is moved to a predetermined upper position, the partition of the light passage region from the light source 21A and the light source 21B is released. Thereby, the partition member 54A cancels the separation of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21A and the light source 21B. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 54A at this time is referred to as a “separation release position P22”.

  When the partition member 54B moves to a predetermined position below, the partition member 54B partitions a light passage region from the light source 21B and the light source 21C that form adjacent partial light distribution patterns. Thereby, the partition member 54B partitions the pair of partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21B and the light source 21C. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 54B at this time is also referred to as “separation position P21”.

  When the partition member 54B is moved to a predetermined upper position, the partition of the light passage region from the light source 21B and the light source 21C is released. Thereby, the partition member 54B cancels the separation of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns formed by the light source 21B and the light source 21C. Hereinafter, the position of the partition member 54B at this time is also referred to as “delimitation release position P22”.

  As described above, the partition members 54A and 54B partition each of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns by partitioning the light passing regions from the pair of light sources that form the adjacent partial light distribution patterns of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C. It is movably provided between a partition position P21 for partitioning and a partition release position P22 for canceling the partition of the adjacent partial distribution light pattern.

  The partition members 54A and 54B are formed in a plate shape, and are provided so as to move on a plane including the partition members 54A and 54B when moving between the partition position P21 and the partition release position P22. The partition member moving mechanism 26 moves the partition members 54A and 54B between the separation position P21 and the separation release position P22. Thus, either the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 or the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 can be appropriately formed by moving the partition member in the vertical direction.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a top view of the vehicular headlamp 80 according to the third embodiment. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp 80 will be described with reference to both FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.

  The vehicular headlamp 80 is the same as the vehicular headlamp 50 according to the second embodiment except that a light blocking member 82A, 82B, 82C and a light blocking member moving mechanism 84 (a dimming member moving mechanism) are provided. It is the same. Hereinafter, the same parts as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Each of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C is formed in a plate shape, and is arranged vertically below the focal point X1. The light shielding member moving mechanism 84 has a transmission mechanism (not shown) by a rack gear and a motor (not shown), and each of the light shielding members 82A, 82B and 82C is independently operated in the vertical direction via the transmission mechanism by the operation of the motor. Move to.

  When the light shielding member 82A moves to a predetermined upper position, the light shielding member 82A is interposed between the light source 21A and the projection lens 12 to shield the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA21 formed by the light source 21A. When the light shielding member 82B moves to a predetermined upper position, the light shielding member 82B is interposed between the light source 21B and the projection lens 12, thereby shielding the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA22 formed by the light source 21B. When the light blocking member 82C moves to a predetermined upper position, the light blocking member 82C is interposed between the light source 21C and the projection lens 12, thereby blocking the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA23 formed by the light source 21C. Hereinafter, each position of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C when shielding the upper regions of the partial light distribution patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23 is referred to as a “partial light shielding position P31”.

  When the light blocking member 82A is moved to a predetermined position below, the light blocking of the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA21 is released. When the light shielding member 82B is moved to a predetermined position below, the light shielding of the upper area of the PA 22 is released. When the light blocking member 82C is moved to a predetermined position below, the light blocking of the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA23 is released. The positions of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C when the light shielding of the upper regions of the partial light distribution patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23 is released in this way are referred to as “light shielding release positions P32”. The light shielding member moving mechanism 84 moves the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C between the partial light shielding position P31 and the light shielding release position P32.

  Instead of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C, a plurality of light reducing members that reduce the amount of light passing therethrough may be used. In this case, each of the plurality of light reducing members reduces the upper region of the partial distribution light pattern formed by the corresponding light source by interposing between the corresponding light source of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C and the projection lens. It is provided so as to be movable between a partial dimming position for light emission and a dimming release position for releasing the dimming of the upper region.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing regions that are shielded by each of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C. In FIG. 10, a state when the light shielding member 82A is moved to the partial light shielding position P31 is shown as an example. In FIG. 10, the upper regions shielded by the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C are referred to as light shielding regions SH1, SH2, and SH3, respectively.

  When the light shielding member 82A moves to a predetermined upper position, the light shielding member 82A is interposed between the light source 21A and the projection lens 12, thereby shielding the light shielding region SH1 formed by the light source 21A and the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA21. . When the light shielding member 82B moves to a predetermined upper position, the light shielding member 82B is interposed between the light source 21B and the projection lens 12, thereby shielding the light shielding region SH2 formed by the light source 21B and the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA22. . When the light shielding member 82C moves to a predetermined upper position, the light shielding member 82C is interposed between the light source 21C and the projection lens 12, thereby shielding the light shielding region SH3 formed by the light source 21C and the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern PA21. . Hereinafter, the respective positions of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C when the light shielding regions SH1, SH2, and SH3 are shielded from light are referred to as “partial light shielding positions P31”.

  When the light shielding member 82A is moved to a predetermined position below, the light shielding of the light shielding region SH1 is released. When the light shielding member 82B is moved to a predetermined position below, the light shielding of the light shielding region SH2 is released. When the light shielding member 82C is moved to a predetermined position below, the light shielding of the light shielding region SH3 is released. Hereinafter, each position of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C when the light shielding of each of the light shielding regions SH1, SH2, and SH3 is released is referred to as a “light shielding release position P32”. As described above, each of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C is provided so as to be movable between the partial light shielding position P31 and the light shielding cancellation position P32.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vehicle headlamp 80 according to the third embodiment. The vehicle headlamp 10 has a control unit 86. The control unit 86 is a function realized by cooperation of hardware such as a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and software. A block is drawn. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The control unit 86 includes a movement control unit 32, an irradiation control unit 34, and a light shielding control unit 88. The light shielding control unit 88 switches the light shielding and the light shielding cancellation of the upper region by controlling the movement of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C by the light shielding member moving mechanism 84.

  When the high beam switch is turned on by the user and the first lighting request is acquired, the irradiation control unit 34 executes the first irradiation control that maintains the lighting states of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C. The movement control unit 32 controls the operation of the partition member moving mechanism 26 so that the partition members 22A and 22B are moved to the delimiter release position P22 when the first irradiation control is executed. As a result, the light source 21A, 21B, 21C can form the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 having a dark portion at the boundary portion smaller than the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 as a high beam light distribution pattern.

  When the intermediate beam switch is turned on by the user and the second lighting request is acquired, the irradiation controller 34 starts irradiation light control of the headlamp unit in the intermediate beam mode. In the intermediate beam mode according to the third embodiment, among the partial light distribution patterns PA21, PA22, and PA23, the upper region of the partial light distribution pattern formation region where a preceding vehicle such as an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle is present is shielded. By moving the light shielding member to the partial light shielding position P31, glare given to the driver of the preceding vehicle is suppressed.

  Specifically, even when the second lighting request is acquired, the irradiation control unit 34 maintains the lighting states of the light sources 21A, 21B, and 21C. On the other hand, when the shading control unit 88 acquires the second lighting request, the shading control unit 88 uses the position of the preceding vehicle identified based on the image data captured by the camera, and the partial light distribution pattern. It is determined whether or not a preceding vehicle is present in any formation region of PA21, PA22, and PA23. When a preceding vehicle is present in any one of these formation regions, the light shielding control unit 88 assumes that the dimming condition for avoiding the application of glare is satisfied, and that portion of the light shielding members 82A, 82B, and 82C is distributed. The light blocking member moving mechanism 84 is controlled so that the light blocking member that blocks the upper region of the light pattern is moved to the partial light blocking position P31. As a result, it is possible to block light in a region including the eye level of a person existing in the region, for example, a pedestrian or a driver of a preceding vehicle, and to continue light irradiation in a region lower than that. Both suppression and securing of the irradiation light amount can be realized.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and an appropriate combination of the elements of this embodiment is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications such as various design changes can be added to the present embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the embodiments with such modifications can be included in the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle headlamp, 12 Projection lens, 18A, 18B, 18C Light-emitting element, 20 Reflector, 20a, 20b, 20c Individual reflector, 21A, 21B, 21C Light source, 22A, 22B Partition member, 26 Partition member moving mechanism, 30 Control unit, 32 movement control unit, 34 irradiation control unit, 50 vehicle headlamp, 54 partition member, 56 partition member moving mechanism, 80 vehicle headlamp, 82A, 82B, 82C light shielding member, 84 light shielding member moving mechanism 86 Control unit, 88 Shading control part.

Claims (5)

A plurality of light sources that form a plurality of partially distributed light patterns so that adjacent ones partially overlap each other through a projection lens;
A partitioning position for separating each of the adjacent partial light distribution patterns by partitioning a light passing region from a pair of light sources forming a partial light distribution pattern adjacent to each other among the plurality of light sources, and the adjacent partial light distribution A partition member provided so as to be movable between a partition release position for canceling the partition of the pattern, and
A partition member moving mechanism for moving the partition member between the partition position and the partition release position;
A vehicle headlamp characterized by comprising: An irradiation controller that controls irradiation of each of the plurality of light sources;
The irradiation control unit executes first irradiation control for maintaining the lighting state of the plurality of light sources when the first lighting request is acquired, and among the plurality of light sources when the second lighting request is acquired. A light source that is dimmed when a light source that satisfies a dimming condition for avoiding giving glare is dimmed from a predetermined lighting state and a dimming cancellation condition for returning to the predetermined lighting state is satisfied. Executing the second irradiation control to increase the light to the predetermined lighting state;
The partition member moving mechanism moves the partition member to the separation release position when the first irradiation control is executed, and moves the partition member to the separation position when the second irradiation control is executed. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein   The irradiation control unit increases the light intensity when the dimmed light source is increased to the predetermined lighting state over a longer time than when the plurality of light sources are turned on when the first lighting request is acquired. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 2, wherein   The said partition member is formed in plate shape, and when it moves between the said division | segmentation position and the said division | segmentation cancellation | release position, it is provided so that it may move on the plane containing the said partition member. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of the above. An irradiation control unit that controls irradiation of light of each of the plurality of light sources;
A partial dimming position for dimming an upper region of a partial light distribution pattern formed by the predetermined light source by interposing between the predetermined light source and the projection lens among the plurality of light sources; and A light reduction member that is movable between a light reduction release position that releases light reduction, and
A dimming member moving mechanism for moving the dimming member between the partial dimming position and the dimming release position;
A partial dimming control unit that switches between dimming and dimming cancellation of the upper region by controlling the movement of the dimming member by the dimming member moving mechanism;
Further comprising
The irradiation control unit turns on each of the plurality of light sources when a predetermined lighting request is acquired,
When the predetermined lighting request is acquired, the partial dimming control unit moves the dimming member to the partial dimming position when a dimming condition for avoiding giving glare is satisfied, The dimming member moving mechanism is controlled to move the dimming member to the dimming release position when a dimming release condition for releasing dimming of the upper region is satisfied. Item 2. A vehicle headlamp according to Item 1.

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