JP2003237461A - Controller for turn signal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a turn signal lamp exactly turned on and off by automatic cancelling. <P>SOLUTION: This controller is provided with the left and right turn signal lamps 3, 5 for turned on and off by an operation of a driver to indicate a track change to a periphery, a turn signal switch 11 operated for controlling the turn-on and -off of the turn signal lamps 3, 5, differential steering angle detecting means 9, 15 for detecting differential values of a steering angle, and a controller 1 for turning selectively on the turn signal lamps 3, 5 based on an operation signal from the turn signal switch 11, and for tuning them off when the steering angle judged based on the detected values by the differential steering angle detecting means 9, 15 comes within a set range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a turn signal control device used for turning on and off a turn signal light that signals the surroundings when a vehicle turns right or left.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle running on a public road, turn signal lights are attached to both sides of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction in order to inform the surroundings of the traveling direction when changing the course.
When this car turns right or changes lanes to the right, the turn signal light on the right side is turned on to call attention to the surroundings. Similarly, when turning left or changing lanes to the left, turn on the turn signal light on the left side and call attention to the surroundings.

Conventionally, in a so-called "direct cut" type circuit for lighting a turn signal light, the circuit is installed in series between a vehicle battery supplying power for the turn signal light and the turn signal light. . In this type, the contact is contacted and separated by a turn signal switch that is turned on / off by the driver.
Turning on / off control of the turn signal lamp is performed.

However, in recent years, a "minute current" type circuit capable of performing more complicated control than that of a direct-cutting type circuit whose size can be reduced has been adopted. In this type of circuit, the turn signal switch is not directly connected between the battery and the turn signal light, instead the turn signal light is turned on,
A control CPU in which semiconductors such as FETs are connected in series in order to drive the semiconductor device to be switched off, and which controls the semiconductors.
Is configured to perform on / off control of the semiconductor.

The turn signal switch for turning on and off the turn signal lamp is not directly connected between the battery and the turn signal lamp, but its output is passed through an interface circuit connected to the control CPU. By inputting to the control CPU as a turn-on / off signal,
A configuration in which the turn signal lamp is turned on / off is generally used.

Further, due to the nature of the turn signal light, it is desirable to continuously blink the turn signal light until the course change or lane change is completed, and the course change,
Changing lanes is a frequent operation, and manually turning off the turn signal lights after changing lanes or lanes is complicated, so turn signal lights are automatically turned off after completing lane changes or changing lanes. It is desirable to let

For the above reasons, the control device for turning on / off the turn signal lamp has an automatic canceling mechanism and is configured to automatically perform a complicated canceling operation. Similarly, the cancel operation is automated in the circuit of the small current type as described above. Here, a simple current type automatic cancellation will be briefly described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a minute current type turn signal control device (Toyota Soarer (E-GZ20 series, E-MZ20 series, E-MZ21 series.
System) New vehicle manual, January 1986 (1986-1), product number 61098). The turn signal control device in FIG. 11 mainly includes a controller (control ECU) 101 that controls the turning on and off of the turn signal lamp.

The turn signal light 1 for the right turn and the left turn
03 and 105 are connected to the driver circuit 107 of the controller 101. This driver circuit 107
Is connected to a battery (not shown), and the controller 10
Microcomputer installed in 1 (μCOM)
On / off control is performed by 109, and the turn signal lights 103 and 105 are controlled to be turned on / off.

The turn signal switch (T / SS
W) 111 is each switch 111 for turning left and right
a, 111b, the output of which is interface (I / I) to the microcomputer 109 of the controller 101.
F) It is adapted to be inputted via the circuit 113.

The microcomputer 109 includes a turn signal cancel switch (T / S cancel S).
The signal W) 115 is input to the microcomputer 109 via the interface circuit 113.

The input of the turn signal cancel switch 115 is monitored when either of the turn signal lights 103 and 105 is lit, and when a certain condition is satisfied, the driver lights up without operating the turn signal lever. One of the turn signal lamps 103 and 105 that is operating can be automatically turned off.

The structure and logic of the turn signal cancel switch 115 will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the turn signal cancel switch 115 provided for performing the turn signal cancel operation, (a) is an overall schematic view,
(B) is a schematic diagram of a main part in a switch-on state, and (c) is a schematic diagram of a main part in a switch-off state.

This turn signal cancel switch 1
Reference numeral 15 is fixed to the steering column, and the detection ring 117 of FIG. 12 is attached so as to rotate in synchronization with the steering wheel. Also, the detection ring 1 in FIG.
On the 17 side, the detection ring 117 is provided in a certain section in the circumferential direction.
Is provided with a detection slit 119 having a constant width in the radial direction. The detection slit 119 has a detection switch 1 fixed to the member 116 on the steering column side.
The detectors 121a and 123a of 21, 123 are in contact with each other.

The detection switches 121 and 123 are turned on when the detection portions 121a and 123a are removed from the detection slit 119 and retracted as shown in FIG.
When it projects into the detection slit 119 as shown in (c), it turns off. From the on / off state of the detection switches 121 and 123, the steering angle of the steering wheel can be known as shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows the state of the steering angle and the detection switch. (A) shows the state of 90 ° steering right turn, (b) shows the state of steering 45 ° right turn,
FIG. 7C is a state diagram showing a state of 90 ° steering left turn, and FIG. 8D is a state diagram showing a state of steering 45 ° left turn.

As shown in FIG. 13, in (a) and (c), the detection switches 121 (121a) and 123 (123) are shown.
Both a) are turned on, and it can be determined that the steering wheel is 90 ° right turn or the steering 90 ° left turn. Further, in (b), the detection switch 121 (121
Since a) is turned on and the detection switch 123 (123a) is off, it can be determined that the steering wheel is turned 45 ° right. In (d), the detection switch 1
21 (121a) is off, the detection switch 123 (12
Since 3a) is turned on, it can be determined that the steering wheel is turned left by 45 °.

Next, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the steering angle and the detection switches 121 and 12 when the vehicle turns right are shown.
The on / off logic operation of No. 3 will be described. FIG. 14 is a time chart showing the relationship among the detection switches 121 and 123, the turn signal light 103, and the steering angle. FIG. 15 shows the detection ring 117 and the detection switch 12 at each time.
It is a state diagram which shows the relationship with 1,123.

In FIG. 14, the uppermost graph shows the time change of the steering angle with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing steering angle. In this time change of the steering angle, the turn signal cancel switch 115 is steered as shown in the state diagram of FIG. 15, and the detection switches 121 and 123 at that time are steered.
14 has the operation as shown in the middle part of FIG.

Here, for example, when the right turn switch 111a of the turn signal switch 111 is turned on when turning right, the right turn signal lamp 103 is turned on.
The lighting state at this time is as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Next, when the steering wheel is rotated clockwise to make a right turn, the state shifts to and the detection switch 121 is disengaged from the slit 119 of the detection ring 117 and turned on.

When the rotation of the steering wheel is further continued and the state becomes, the detection switch 123 is similarly turned on. Here, when the steering wheel is returned to the neutral direction in the course of the curve traveling, the detection switch 123 is turned off first as in the state of, and the microcomputer 109 of the controller 101 detects the ON → OFF edge of the detection switch 123, The turn signal lamp 103 is automatically turned off.

When the steering wheel is further returned in the straight traveling direction, the detection switch 123 is turned off as in the state of, and the state returns to the state similar to the first situation. Therefore, when changing the course, changing the lane, etc., the turn signal switch 11 is turned on, the steering wheel is steered to change the course and the lane, and then the steering wheel is returned to the original state by the completion of the change of the course and the lane. Either of the turn signal lights 103 and 105 that have been used can be automatically turned off.

[0024]

However, with the above structure, when the curvature of the curve in the traveling direction is low, for example, when the course is changed at the Y-shaped road in FIG. 16A, the steering wheel is steered. The detection switch 1 of the turn signal cancel switch 115 due to the small number of corners
21 or 123 may not be turned on / off and may not be automatically canceled. Therefore, FIG.
The driver must operate the turn signal lever by himself to turn off the turn signal lamp 105 at a Y-shaped road, etc., and the driver is troubled by the cancel operation for turning off the turn signal lamp 103 or 105 by the turn signal lever. There is a problem that

In a vehicle in which the steering angle is changed with respect to the wheel turning angle in accordance with the vehicle speed, the steering angle becomes smaller when changing lanes during high speed driving as compared to during low speed driving as shown in FIG. 16 (b). Therefore, automatic cancellation may not be possible. Therefore, these FIG.
Similar to the case of (a), the turn signal lamp 103 or 10
5 There is a problem that the cancel operation for turning off the light is troublesome. Furthermore, in the vehicle in which the automatic steering or the like is adopted and the steering angle is changed with respect to the wheel turning angle according to the vehicle speed,
When changing lanes during high-speed traveling as shown in FIG. 16B, there is a possibility that automatic cancellation cannot be performed as described above, and the turn signal lever 103 or 105 is turned off by the turn signal lever despite the automatic driving. There is a problem that the cancel operation of is bothered.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, when the vehicle travels on a curve, the turn signal light 103 is turned on when the vehicle moves from the straight ahead state to immediately before the vehicle travels on the curve. It is lit up before the advance. However, when transitioning to the state before the advance to the corner, as described in the states of FIGS. 14 and 15, the steering is returned and the turn signal lamp 103 is turned off. Therefore, the turn signal switch 111 is automatically canceled between before the corner advance and before the corner advance in FIG. Despite this, there is a problem that the turn signal lamp 103 is turned off and the driver feels uncomfortable. Therefore, the driver operates the turn signal lever again to turn on the turn signal light 103, and after the vehicle has completely moved straight ahead, operates the turn signal lever again to turn the turn signal light 103.
There is also a case where an operation of turning off the light is performed, and there is a risk that the turning on / off operation of the turn signal light 103 or 105 will be troublesome at the end of the curve traveling.

On the road as shown in FIG. 18, the turn signal lamp 103 is turned on to turn right in the state of, the right turn is started in the state of, and the steering wheel is turned straight in order to turn right at the intersection of. When it is slightly returned to, the turn signal switch 111 may be automatically canceled at the point of. At the intersection at this time, the driver must operate the turn signal lever again to turn on the turn signal lamp 103 in order to inform the oncoming vehicle B waiting for a left turn that the own vehicle A is a right turn vehicle. Similarly, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a turn signal control device capable of surely facilitating the turn signal operation by more accurately performing the automatic cancellation processing of the turn signal light.

[0029]

According to a first aspect of the invention, the left and right turn signal lights for turning on and off by a driver's operation to signal a change of course to the surroundings and the turn signal lights are turned on and off. A turn signal switch that is operated for this purpose, a differential steering angle detection means that detects a differential value of a steering angle, a turn signal lamp that is selectively turned on by an operation signal of the turn signal switch, and the differential steering angle detection means. And a control means for turning off the steering wheel when the steering angle determined based on the detected value falls within the set range.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the turn signal control device according to the first aspect, the control means has a steering angle determined based on a detection value of the differential steering angle detection means within a set range. It is characterized in that the extinguishment is performed by adding a determination that a certain time exceeds a set time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the turn signal control device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the control means sets the steering angle determined based on the detection value of the differential steering angle detection means within a set range. It is characterized in that the turning-off is performed by additionally determining that the traveling distance exceeds the set distance when it is within the range.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the driver operates the turn signal switch for turning right or left, one of the left and right turn signal lamps is turned on by the control signal by the control means. be able to. At this time, the differential steering angle detection means detects the differential value of the steering angle, and when the steering angle determined based on the detection value of the differential steering angle detection means falls within the set range, the light is turned on. The turn signal light can be turned off by automatic cancellation.
Therefore, the value detected by the differential steering angle detection means can be used to accurately determine that the vehicle has returned to the steering steering after the vehicle has made a right turn or left turn, and has accurately moved to the straight traveling state. It can be canceled automatically.

That is, as compared with the conventional device which automatically cancels the steering angle by the steering angle and the detection state of the turn signal cancel switch, the steering angle is automatically changed when the route is changed on a Y-shaped road or the lane is changed on a highway. Even if the cancelable operation range is not reached, it is possible to accurately determine that the vehicle has shifted to the straight traveling state by the detection value of the differential steering angle detection means, and it is possible to accurately and automatically cancel the turn signal switch. .

Further, even in the case of a vehicle in which the steering angle is changed by the vehicle speed with respect to the turning angle of the wheels, the vehicle goes straight from the steering state by the differential value of the steering angle regardless of the change in the steering angle. The transition to the state can be accurately determined, and the turn signal switch can be appropriately automatically canceled.

Therefore, a turn signal is required when changing the route on a Y-shaped road, when changing lanes on a highway, or when changing lanes on a highway by an automobile in which the steering angle is changed depending on the vehicle speed with respect to the wheel turning angle. The turn signal operation can be surely facilitated without being bothered by the operation of turning off the light. In addition, when the vehicle in which the steering steering angle is changed by the vehicle speed with respect to the wheel turning angle is capable of automatic driving, when the lane is changed by automatic driving on a highway, it is The turn signal operation can be surely facilitated without being bothered by the operation of turning off the signal light.

Further, since the straight traveling state is judged based on the differential value of the steering angle and the turn signal lamp is automatically canceled, the turn signal lamp is turned on even before the advance at the end of the curve traveling and in the straight traveling state. The turn signal control can be continued without any discomfort in the curve running, and the turn signal switch can be appropriately automatically canceled after shifting to the straight traveling state.

Therefore, the turn signal operation can be surely facilitated without being bothered by the operation of turning on / off the turn signal light at the end of the curve running.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the control means controls the time when the steering angle determined based on the detection value of the differential steering angle detection means is within the set range. It is possible to turn off the light by additionally determining that the set time has been exceeded.

Therefore, it is possible to turn off the turn signal lamp after a certain period of time has passed from the steering state to the straight traveling state. Therefore, even when the steering steering is slightly returned from the steering steering state, the steering steering is largely performed and the vehicle turns right after waiting for an oncoming vehicle to pass, if the time during which the steering steering is returned is within the set time, the turn is performed. The signal switch is not automatically canceled, and the trouble of relighting the turn signal lamp when turning right is suppressed, and the turn signal operation can be reliably facilitated.

In the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the steering angle determined by the control means based on the detection value of the differential steering angle detection means is within a set range. The turning-off can be performed by additionally determining that the traveling distance at that time exceeds the set distance.

Therefore, when the steering steering state is shifted to the straight traveling state and the traveling distance in that state exceeds the set distance, or the traveling time in the straight traveling state exceeds the set time and the traveling distance in the straight traveling state is set. The turn signal light can be turned off when the distance is exceeded, and the automatic cancellation of the turn signal light can be performed more accurately. Therefore, even when the steering steering is slightly returned from the steering steering state, the steering steering is largely performed and the vehicle turns right after waiting for the oncoming vehicle to pass, the traveling distance while the steering steering is returned and the vehicle is in the straight traveling state. Is within the set distance, or if the travel time is within the set time while the steering wheel is returned to the steering state and the travel distance is within the set distance, the turn signal switch cannot be automatically canceled. Therefore, the trouble of re-lighting the turn signal lamp is suppressed when turning right, and the turn signal operation can be surely facilitated.

[0042]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a turn signal control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As in the case of FIG. 11, the turn signal control device shown in FIG. 1 also has a controller (control ECU) 1 as control means, right and left turn signal lights 3 as turn signal lights, turn signal light 5 for left turn, and a driver. Circuit 7, microcomputer (μCO
M) 9, switches 11a and 11b for turning left and right
Turn signal switch (T / SSW) 11 equipped with
An interface (I / F) circuit 13 is provided.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the steering angle sensor 15 is connected to the interface circuit 13 instead of the turn signal cancel switch 115 of FIG. 11, and the absolute snake angle value detected by the steering angle sensor 15 is the interface circuit. It is adapted to be inputted to the microcomputer 9 via the terminal 13 at a constant cycle.

The microcomputer 9 calculates a differential value, which is a temporal change of the steering angle, from the input absolute snake angle value. Therefore, the steering angle sensor 15 and the microcomputer 9 constitute a differential steering angle detecting means for detecting the differential value of the steering angle in the present embodiment.

The turn signal lights 3 and 5 are for turning on and off by a driver's operation to signal the surroundings to change course. The turn signal switch 11 is operated to turn on / off the turn signal lights 3 and 5.

The controller 1 as the control means is
One of the left and right turn signal lights 3 and 5 is selectively turned on by an operation signal of the turn signal switch 11, and the steering is judged based on the detection value of the differential steering angle detection means, that is, the differential value of the steering angle. The light is turned off when the steering angle is within the set range.

In the present embodiment, the controller 1 adds the determination that the time during which the steering wheel steering angle determined based on the differential value of the steering wheel steering angle is within the set range exceeds the set time. Turn off the light.
That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the straightness is detected by detecting the change amount of the steering angle per unit time, and the detection accuracy is improved by adding the detection of the continuous time.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation. The uppermost graph in FIG. 2 shows the time change A of the steering angle and the differential value B of the steering angle. The dotted line C in the graph is the steering angle value at which automatic cancellation operates in the conventional turn signal control device shown in FIG. Further, the lower part of FIG. 2 shows the time change of the turn signal lamp 3 (5) lighting.

Here, for example, when the driver operates the turn signal lever for turning right or the like, the switch 11a for turning right of the turn signal switch 11 is turned on, and the turn signal lamp 3 for turning right is turned on. . During the initial period of time when the turn signal lever is operated, since the snake angle differential value does not change, the microcomputer 9 starts time counting.

Next, when the driver operates the steering wheel to change the steering angle to make a right turn, the derivative value of the steering angle becomes larger than the specified value at the time, and the time count is reset. It Generally, since the operation from the turn signal lever to the steering operation is continuously performed in a relatively short time, even if the time is counted as if the vehicle is in the straight traveling state during the transition from the time point to the time point, The time does not exceed the set time (predetermined time) for the cancellation determination.

Next, when the snake angle is started to return in the middle of the curve running, the differential value of the steering angle also passes near 0 as at the time of, but the time count is immediately reset and when the time further elapses. The car transits to the straight-ahead state as at the time. Here, the differential value of the steering angle is within the cancellation determination range, time counting is started, and when this time exceeds the set time (predetermined time), the microcomputer 9 automatically cancels the switch 11a for right turn. The turn signal lamp 3 is controlled to be turned off.

When the turn signal lamp 5 for turning left is turned on for turning left or the like, the change graph of the steering angle and the like appears upside down. Similarly, the straight traveling state is judged by the change in the differential value of the steering angle. Switch 11 for left turn
Turn signal light 5 for left turn due to automatic cancellation of b
Is similarly turned off.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, since the straight traveling state is determined by the change in the differential value of the steering angle, the steering angle A is automatically canceled in the conventional turn signal control device. Even if the operating steering angle value C is not reached, the switches 11a and 11b of the cancel switch 11 are automatically canceled to reliably turn off the turn signal lights 3 and 5.

Next, the operation of the microcomputer 9 in the controller 1 will be described with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG. 3 and the flow charts of FIGS.

In the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 3, when the system starts to start, it transits to the neutral state. In the neutral state, the turn-on / off control of the turn signal lamp 3 or 5 is not performed. Turn signal switch 1 from neutral state
Input to the switch 11a or 11b on the right or left of 1 (T /
If there is S right On or T / S left On), the transition to the state of right turn or left turn is performed. In each of the right turn and left turn states, the corresponding turn signal lamp 3 or 5 is controlled to light. Further, when in each of the right and left turn states, the switch 1 in the opposite direction of the turn signal switch 11
Input to 1b or 11a (T / S left On or T / S right O
If there is n), a transition is made to that state, and the corresponding turn signal lamp 5 or 3 is controlled to light. In each of the right and left turn states, if the cancel condition is satisfied, the state transitions to the neutral state, the turn signal switch 11 is automatically canceled, and the turn signal lamp 3 or 5 is turned off.

Next, when the system starts to be started, the microcomputer 9 in the controller 1 starts the processing from the main routine of FIG. Simultaneously with the start of the processing of the main routine of FIG. 4, the time interrupt routine shown in FIG. 5 is processed at fixed time intervals. After that, FIG. 4 and FIG.
Each processing unit will be described.

<Main Routine: FIG. 4> Step S00
In step 1, "initial setting" processing is executed, and step S00 is performed.
Move to 2. In the process of "initial setting", the state number (neutral, right turn, left turn) used for control, the cancel counter, the counter flag are initialized, and the internal setting of the microcomputer 9 is performed. Further, the start processing of the time interruption routine shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

In step S002, the process of "neutral state?" Is executed. In the process of "neutral state?", If the state number is inspected and the state is neutral (YES), the process proceeds to step S003, and if not (NO), the process proceeds to step S011.

In step S003, "Right T / SO
n? The process of “” is executed. In the process of "right T / SOn?", The Off → On edge of the right turn switch 11a of the turn signal switch 11 is detected. If an Off → On edge is detected in this process (YES), the process proceeds to step S004, and if not (NO), the process proceeds to step S008.

In step S004, the process of "transition to right turn state" is executed, the state number is set to right turn state, and the process proceeds to step S005.

In step S005, the process of "lighting the right turn light" is executed, the turn signal light 3 for turning right is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S006.

In step S008, "left T / So
n? The process of “” is executed. In the processing of "left T / SOn?", The Off → On edge of the switch 11b for left turn of the turn signal switch 11 is detected. If the Off → On edge is detected in this process (YES), the process proceeds to step S009, and if not (NO), the process returns to step S002.

In step S009, the process of "transition to left turn state" is executed, the state number is set to left turn state, and the process proceeds to step S010.

In step S010, the "turning left turn light" process is executed, the turn signal light 5 for turning left is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S006.

In step S006, the "cancel counter reset" process is executed, the cancel counter is reset, and the process proceeds to step S007. The cancel counter is a counter that counts cancel conditions. In the present embodiment, the cancel counter counts time from the time when it is determined that the vehicle is in the straight traveling state in FIG. 2 until the set time is reached.

In step S007, the processing of "count flag: True" is executed, the count flag is set to true (True), and the process returns to step S002. This count flag is a flag referred to when counting the cancel counter in the time interrupt routine of FIG. 5, and is set to “True” when the turn signal lamp 3 or 5 is lit.

In step S011, the process of "right turn state?" Is executed. In this "right turn state?" Process, the state number is checked, and if the right turn state (YES), the process proceeds to step S012, and if not (NO), the process proceeds to step S017.

In step S012, the process of "cancel counter ≧ specified value?" Is executed to check whether the cancel counter is equal to or larger than the specified value. When the cancel counter is equal to or more than the specified value, it means that the cancel condition is satisfied (YES), and since the time point of FIG. 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step S013, and otherwise (NO), the step is performed. It returns to S002.

In step S013, the process of "transition to neutral state" is executed, the state number is set to the neutral state, and the process proceeds to step S014.

In step S014, the process of "turning off the right turn lamp" is executed, and the process proceeds to step S015.
In the process of "turning off the right turn light", the switch 11a for turning right of the turn signal switch 11 is automatically canceled to turn off the turn signal light 3 for turning right.

In step S015, the process of "count flag: False" is executed, the count flag is set to false, and the process proceeds to step S016. The false of the count flag is used for determining that the turn signal lamp 3 is off, and is set so as not to perform the cancel count.

In step S016, the "cancel counter reset" process is executed, the cancel counter is reset, and the process returns to step S002.

In step S017, the processing of "state of left turn?" Is executed. In this "left turn state?" Process, the state number is checked, and if the left turn state (YES), the process proceeds to step S018, and if not (NO), the process returns to step S002.

In step S018, the processing of "cancel counter ≧ specified value?" Is executed to check whether the cancel counter is equal to or larger than the specified value. When the cancel counter is equal to or greater than the specified value, it means that the cancel condition is satisfied (YES), and since the time point in FIG. 2 has been reached, the process proceeds to step S019, and if not (NO), the step is performed. It returns to S002.

In step S019, the process of "transition to neutral state" is executed, the state number is set to neutral state, and the process proceeds to step S020.

In step S020, the processing of "turning off the left turn light" is executed, and the switch 11b for turning left of the turn signal switch 11 is automatically canceled to turn off the turn signal light 5 for turning left.

In step S021, the process of "count flag: False" is executed, the count flag is set to false, and the process proceeds to step S022. The false of the count flag is used for determining that the turn signal lamp 5 is off, and is set so as not to perform the cancel count.

In step S022, the "cancel counter reset" process is executed, the cancel counter is reset, and the process returns to step S002.

<Time Interrupt Process: FIG. 5> In step S100 of FIG. 5, the process of "previous snake angle ← current snake angle" is executed to save the previous steering steering angle and step S100.
Move to 101.

In step S101, the "current snake angle ←
The "reading angle value" processing is executed, and the steering angle sensor 15
The received snake angle value is stored, and the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the process of "derivative angle of snake ← current snake angle-previous snake angle" is executed.
Move to 103. In the process of "derivative angle differential value ← current snake angle-previous snake angle", the difference between the snake angle value read at the time of the previous interrupt process and the snake angle value read this time is calculated, and the snake angle differential value is calculated.

In step S103, the processing of "count flag = True?" Is executed, and the count flag set in the main routine is set to true as a flag for turning on the turn signal lamp 3 or 5. Check whether or not Turn signal light 3 or 5
Is lit (True) (YES), step S1
If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S104, the process of "differential value <specified value?" Is executed to check whether the detected snake angle differential value is lower than the specified value. This inspection is for determining whether or not the vehicle has changed from the steering state to the straight traveling state. When the detected differential value of the snake angle is within the cancellation determination range of FIG. 2 which is the specified value, the steering angle determined based on the detected value of the differential value of the snake angle is within the set range and the vehicle is in a straight traveling state. It is determined that the process has moved to. In the process of "differential value <specified value?", When it is determined that the detected snake angle differential value is lower than the specified value (YES), the process proceeds to step S105, and when not (NO), step S108. Move to.

In step S105, the processing of "cancel counter ++" is executed, and the turn signal lamp 3 or 5 is turned on (count flag is True) and the detected steering angle differential value is the same as at the time of FIG. Since it is below the specified value, the cancel counter is incremented to count the time, and the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the process of "cancel counter> specified value?" Is executed to check whether the cancel counter is larger than the specified value. This check prevents the counter from reaching zero due to counter overflow. If the cancel counter is greater than the specified value (YES), step S10.
7. If not (NO), the interrupt processing is ended.

In step S107, the process of "cancel counter ← specified value" is executed, and the cancel counter is set to the specified value to prevent overflow of the cancel counter.

In the step S108, the "cancel counter reset" process is executed, and the step S108 is performed.
Since it is determined in 103 and step S104 that the cancel condition is not satisfied, the cancel counter is reset.

With the above control, the right and left turns of the turn signal switch 11 are turned by operating the turn signal lever for turning right or left.
Either 1b is turned on, and either the turn signal light 3 for right turn or the turn signal light 5 for left turn is turned on. Next, when steering steering is performed and a right turn or left turn is performed, steering steering is returned again, and the vehicle goes straight, this is because the differential value of the steering angle is within the cancellation judgment range. Accurately determine and turn on the turn signal light 3 for turning right or the turn signal light 5 for turning left that is lit.
It is possible to surely perform the light-off control by the automatic cancellation of 1.

That is, in comparison with the conventional device that automatically cancels by the steering angle and the detected state of the turn signal cancel switch, when changing the course at the Y-shaped road or the lane at the highway shown in FIG. Even if the steering angle does not reach the range in which the automatic cancellation can be performed as in the case of FIG. 2, the detection of the differential value of the steering angle causes the vehicle to shift from the steering steering state to the straight traveling state as shown in FIG. It is possible to accurately determine that the transfer has occurred, and it is possible to accurately and automatically cancel the turn signal switch 11.

Further, even in the case of an automobile in which the steering angle is changed by the vehicle speed with respect to the wheel turning angle, the differential value of the steering angle is as shown in FIG. 2 regardless of the change in the steering angle. With this, it is possible to accurately determine that the vehicle has changed from the steering state to the straight traveling state, and the turn signal switch 11
Can be canceled automatically.

Therefore, a turn signal is required when changing the route on a Y-shaped road, when changing lanes on a highway, or when changing lanes on a highway by an automobile in which the steering angle is changed by the vehicle speed with respect to the wheel turning angle. The turn signal operation can be surely facilitated without being bothered by the operation of turning off the lamp 3 or 5. In addition, when the vehicle in which the steering angle is changed by the vehicle speed with respect to the wheel turning angle is capable of automatic driving, when the lane is changed by automatic driving on a highway, turn signal The turn signal operation can be reliably facilitated without being bothered by the operation of turning off the lamp 3 or 5.

Further, since the straight traveling state is judged based on the differential value of the steering angle and the turn signal lamp is automatically canceled, it goes without saying that the turn signal lamp 3 is turned right as shown in FIG. The turn signal lamp 3 can be kept lit until the straight traveling state after the vehicle enters the curve. Therefore, it is possible to perform the turn signal control without a feeling of discomfort during the curve traveling, and it is possible to accurately and automatically cancel the turn signal switch 11 after the shift to the straight traveling state. For this reason, the complicated turn-on / off operation of the turn signal lamp 3 is not bothered at the end of the curve running, the turn signal operation can be surely facilitated, and the curve running can be smoothly performed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the turn signal switch is added in addition to the determination that the time in the straight traveling state in which the steering angle determined based on the detected steering angle differential value is within the set range exceeds the set time. The automatic cancellation of 11 can be performed and the turn signal lamp 3 or 5 can be turned off.

Therefore, it is possible to turn off the turn signal lamp after a certain period of time has passed from the steering state to the straight traveling state. Therefore, in FIG.
Even when the steering steering is slightly returned from the steering steering state and the oncoming vehicle B passes at the intersection and then the steering steering is largely performed to turn right, the steering steering is returned within the set time. If so, the turn signal switch 11 is not automatically canceled, and it is possible to prevent the turn signal lamp 3 from being re-lighted when turning right or the like, and it is possible to surely facilitate the turn signal operation.

When the vehicle speed is detected, when the vehicle is stopped at the intersection, the time counting in the step S105 is stopped, and when the vehicle starts traveling by starting the right turn, the time counting is performed again, and the automatic cancellation is performed. Can be surely performed after the right turn is completed.

In addition, when the vehicle is parked on the side of the road, the turn signal lamp 3 is turned on by the time count considering the vehicle speed, and the turn signal is started even when the following vehicle is discontinued. The switch 11 can be accurately and automatically canceled to turn off the turn signal lamp 3 with certainty. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a turn signal control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment also has substantially the same configuration as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and the corresponding components will be described with the same reference numerals.

In the present embodiment, a vehicle speed sensor 17 is added, and a rectangular wave whose pulse width changes in proportion to the wheel rotation speed is input to the microcomputer 9 from the vehicle speed sensor 17. The edge of the rectangular wave of the vehicle speed pulse input from the vehicle speed sensor 17 is a trigger for interrupt processing of the microcomputer 9,
When this edge is detected, the microcomputer 9
Internal edge interrupt processing is started.

In the present embodiment, the turn signal lamps 3, 5 are added in addition to the determination that the traveling distance exceeds the set distance when the steering angle determined based on the detected value of the differential steering angle is within the set range. Is configured to be turned off. That is, in this embodiment, the straight traveling state is determined based on the detected value of the differential value of the steering angle of the steering wheel, the traveling distance after the straight traveling state is detected, and the detection accuracy is improved.

Therefore, the traveling distance when the steering angle judged based on the detection value of the differential steering angle detecting means constituted by the steering angle sensor 15 and the microcomputer 9 is within the cancellation judgment width which is within the set range. When the set distance is exceeded, the controller 1 automatically turns off the turn signal light 3 or 5.

FIG. 8 is a graph of an operation example similar to that of FIG. In FIG. 8, a graph showing the continuous travel distance when the differential value of the steering angle is within the cancellation determination range is added to the middle stage.

Here, the turn signal switch 11
Is turned on and, for example, the turn signal lamp 3 is turned on. At this time, since the differential value of the steering angle does not change as in the first embodiment, the cumulative distance count is started. However, the cumulative distance counted is the cumulative distance counted for the same reason as in the first embodiment. The distance does not exceed the set distance (cumulative distance threshold) for cancel determination.

Next, when the driver steers the steering wheel to make a right turn and the steering steering angle changes, the differential value becomes larger than the cancellation judgment width as
The cumulative distance count is reset.

Next, when the steering steering is started to be returned in the middle of the curve traveling, the differential value of the steering angle also passes near 0 as in, but the cumulative distance count is immediately reset, and the vehicle goes straight as in. Transition to the state.

Here, the differential value of the steering angle is within the cancellation judgment range, and the cumulative distance count is performed at the same time. When this cumulative distance count exceeds the cumulative distance threshold which is the set distance, the microcomputer 9 turns. The right turn switch 11a of the signal switch 11 is automatically canceled to turn off the turn signal lamp 3.

When the turn signal lamp 5 for left turn is turned on, the change graph of the steering angle and the like appears upside down, but similarly, the straight traveling state is determined by the change in the differential value of the steering angle and the straight turn state is determined. The turn signal lamp 5 for left turn is similarly turned off by the automatic cancellation of the switch 11b.

Next, the control operation of this embodiment will be described using a flow chart. Note that the processing of the main routine is the same as that of the first embodiment, so that FIG.
Refer to.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of this embodiment. When the system begins to start,
The microcomputer 9 starts the process from the main routine of FIG. 4, and starts the timer interrupt process in the initialization process of step S001. Further, the vehicle speed pulse is input to the microcomputer 9 interrupt port, and the edge interrupt processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed in response to the edge of the vehicle speed pulse. Hereinafter, each processing unit of FIGS. 9 and 10 will be described.

<Time Interrupt Processing: FIG. 9> Step S200
Then, the processing of “previous snake angle ← current snake angle” is executed, the previous steering angle is saved, and the process proceeds to step S201.

In step S201, the "current snake angle ←
The "reading angle value" processing is executed, and the steering angle sensor 15
The received snake angle value is stored, and the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the process of "derivative angle of snake ← present snake angle-previous snake angle" is executed. In this "snake angle differential value ← current snake angle-previous snake angle" process, the difference between the snake angle value read at the time of the previous interrupt process and the snake angle value read this time is calculated, and the snake angle differential value is calculated. Step S20
Move to 3.

In step S203, the process of "count flag = True?" Is executed. In the process of "count flag = True?", It is checked whether or not the count flag set in the main routine as a flag for turning on the turn signal lights 3 and 5 is set to true. If the turn signal light 3 or 5 is lit (True) (YES), step S20
4 and otherwise (NO), step S2
The processing shifts to 09.

In step S204, the process of "differential value <specified value?" Is executed, and it is checked whether the differentiated value of the steering angle is lower than the specified value and within the cancellation judgment range. When the derivative value of the steering angle is lower than the specified value (YES)
Shifts to step S205 to shift to the subsequent cancel count increment processing, and if not (NO) shifts to step S209.

In step S205, the process of "cancel counter ← cancel counter + distance accumulation counter" is executed, and the process proceeds to step S206. In the process of “cancel counter ← cancel counter + distance accumulating counter”, the travel distance separately stored in the distance accumulating counter in the edge interruption process of the vehicle speed pulse is added to the cancel counter. The cumulative distance here is for automatically canceling the turn signal switch 11 because the turn signal lamp 3 or 5 is turned on and the differential value of the steering angle is determined to be less than the specified value in steps S203 and S204. It is the continuous mileage under straight running conditions.

In step S206, the process of "distance accumulation counter reset" is executed, and step S207
Move to. The distance accumulation counter counted by the vehicle speed pulse edge interruption counts the accumulated distance traveled from the time interruption processing to the current time interruption processing, and is therefore reset here.

In step S207, the processing of "cancel counter> specified value" is executed. In the processing of "cancel counter> specified value", when the value exceeds the specified value, the value is set to the specified value in step S208 so that the cancel counter does not overflow. Therefore, in this process, it is determined whether the cancel counter is less than the specified value. If the cancel counter is smaller than the specified value (NO), the interrupt processing is terminated, and if not (YE
S) shifts to step S208.

In step S208, the process of "cancel counter ← specified value" is executed, the cancel counter is set to the specified value, overflow is prevented, and the process ends.

In step S209, the "distance accumulation counter reset" process is executed. Since the distance traveled until the next time interrupt must be counted, the distance cumulative counter is reset here.

In step S210, the "cancel counter reset" process is executed. Here, since it is known that the cancel condition of the turn signal switch 11 is not satisfied in steps S203 and S204, the cancel counter is reset here.

<Edge Interrupt Processing: FIG. 10> Step S3
At 00, the process of "distance accumulation counter ++" is executed, and the process proceeds to step S301. This edge interruption processing is automatically performed by detecting the edge of the vehicle speed pulse. Therefore, the cumulative traveling distance from a certain timing can be calculated by counting the edges of the vehicle speed pulse (that is, counting the number of times of this processing). The distance accumulating counter that counts here is reset each time the time interruption process is performed, so it means that the distance traveled during the time interruption process is counted.

In step S301, the process of "cumulative distance counter ≧ maximum value" is executed. Processing of “cumulative distance counter ≧ maximum value” It is determined whether the cumulative distance counter is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the counter. If the determination is true (YES) (YES), there is a risk of overflow, so clipping processing of the distance cumulative counter value is performed in step S302. If the determination is false (NO), the interrupt process ends.

In step S302, the process of "distance accumulation counter ← maximum value-1" is executed. A value obtained by subtracting 1 from the maximum value is set as a clip value in the distance cumulative counter so that the cumulative distance counter does not overflow.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is determined that the traveling state has changed from the curve traveling to the straight traveling state, for example, because the differential value of the steering angle of the steering wheel is within the cancellation determination range, and that state is determined as the cumulative distance threshold value. The turn signal lamp 3 or 5 can be turned off by automatic cancellation when the distance corresponding to is continued.

Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and when turning right at an intersection as shown in FIG. Even when the oncoming vehicle B stops inside and turns to the right when the oncoming vehicle B is interrupted, the turn signal lamp 3 can continue to be lit regardless of the lapse of time. Therefore, the trouble of re-lighting the turn signal lamp 3 at the time of turning right at the intersection is suppressed, and the turn signal operation can be surely facilitated.

Further, since the automatic cancellation is made by considering the traveling distance when the vehicle is in the straight traveling state, the turn signal light 3 is turned on when the vehicle is parked on the side of the road, Even when the vehicle starts traveling when the car is interrupted, the turn signal switch 11 can be accurately and automatically canceled to reliably turn off the turn signal lamp 3.

The cumulative distance threshold shown in FIG. 8 is changed by detecting the vehicle speed. For example, when the vehicle speed is high, the cumulative distance threshold is lengthened so that the turn signal lamp 3 or It is possible to easily and surely turn off 5 by automatically canceling.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, by combining the first and second embodiments, the steering angle determined based on the differential value of the steering angle of the steering wheel is within the setting range for a time longer than the set time and determined based on the differential value of the steering angle of the steering wheel. The turn signal lamp 3 or 5 may be turned off by automatic cancellation when the traveling distance exceeds the set distance when the steering angle is within the set range.

Further, when it is determined that the steering angle determined based on the differential value of the steering angle of the steering wheel is within the set range without considering the set time and the set distance, and the vehicle has transited to the straight traveling state. Nikini turn signal switch 1
It is also possible to automatically cancel 1 and turn off the turn signal lamp 3 or 5.

Further, although the absolute steering angle sensor is used as the steering angle sensor 15, any steering angle sensor can be used as long as it can detect the differential value of the steering angle, and for example, a relative steering angle sensor can be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a turn signal control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing an operation example according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing state transitions according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a time interruption process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a canceling operation during traveling on a curve according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a turn signal control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing an operation example according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a time interrupt process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of vehicle speed pulse edge interrupt processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a turn signal control device according to a conventional example.

FIG. 12 relates to a conventional example, (a) is a plan view schematically showing a turn signal cancel switch, (b) is an enlarged view of a main part showing a switch-on state, and (c) is a main part showing a switch-off state. FIG.

13A and 13B show a steering angle and a state of a detection switch according to a conventional example, where FIG. 13A is a state diagram of steering 90 ° right turn, FIG. 13B is a state diagram of steering 45 ° right turn, and FIG. 90 ° left turn state diagram, (d)
[Fig. 4] is a state diagram of steering left turn at 45 °.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing an operation example according to a conventional example.

15A and 15B show states of a cancel switch corresponding to each operation, FIG. 15A is a state diagram in FIG. 14, and FIG.
14 is a state diagram in FIG. 14, (c) is a state diagram in FIG. 14, (d) is a state diagram in FIG. 14, and (e) is a state diagram in FIG.

16 is a plan view showing a traveling road, FIG. 16 (a) is a plan view showing a traveling state of a Y-shaped road, and FIG. 16 (b) is a plan view showing a state of changing lanes.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a curved traveling state.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state at the time of turning right at an intersection.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 controller (control ECU) 3,5 turn signal light 9 Microcomputer (differential steering angle detection means) 11 turn signal switch 15 Steering angle sensor (differential steering angle detection means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A left and right turn signal light for turning on and off by a driver's operation to signal a change of course to the surroundings, a turn signal switch operated for controlling turning on and off of the turn signal light, and steering steering. Differential steering angle detecting means for detecting a differential value of an angle, and steering steering for selectively turning on the turn signal light by an operation signal of the turn signal switch and judging based on the detected value of the differential steering angle detecting means. A turn signal control device, comprising: a control means for turning off the light when the angle is within a set range. 2. The turn signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means sets a time when a steering steering angle determined based on a detection value of the differential steering angle detection means is within a setting range. A turn signal control device, characterized in that the light is turned off by determining that the time has been exceeded. 3. The turn signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a steering steering angle determined based on a detection value of the differential steering angle detection means within a set range. The turn signal control device is characterized in that the turning-off is performed by additionally determining that the traveling distance of the vehicle has exceeded the set distance.