Patent ID: 8979334
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: B60Q,F21S

Abstract:
1. An automotive headlamp apparatus comprising: a lamp unit including a shading unit configured to shield a part of light emitted from a light source; a driving unit configured to be capable of swiveling an optical axis of the lamp unit along a vehicle lateral direction; and a control unit configured to control the shading unit and the driving unit so as to generate a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the position of a vehicle ahead of the user's vehicle, wherein the shading unit is configured to generate a plurality of additional light distribution patterns, and wherein, when the control unit determines that there is a forward vehicle positioned in a first area, the control unit controls the shading unit so as to generate a single additional light distribution pattern selected from among the plurality of additional light distribution patterns such that exposure of the forward to illumination is shielded, and wherein, when the control unit determines that there is a forward vehicle positioned in a second area on the outer side of the first area along the vehicle lateral direction, in which illumination directed toward the forward vehicle cannot be shielded regardless of a selection from among the plurality of additional light distribution patterns, the control unit controls the shading unit so as to generate a single additional light distribution pattern selected from among the plurality of additional light distribution patterns such that it provides the widest shielded area, and controls the driving unit so as to swivel an optical axis of the lamp unit, such that, by means of the additional light distribution pattern thus selected, the forward vehicle is not exposed to illumination.