JP2008013062A - Vehicular lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lighting system which reduces danger of a collision with other vehicle by improving visibility of a side surface of one's own vehicle from the other vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: In the case wherein an ECU21 determines that the one's own vehicle is travelling in a predetermined condition wherein a collision with other vehicle may occur, the ECU21 makes control to light up a side surface lamp 31 arranged in an intermediate position in the back and forth direction of the vehicle so that lighting condition thereof is visible from a side surface of the vehicle, and makes a driver of the other approaching vehicle visually confirm lighting of the side surface lamp 31 from the side surface side of the vehicle for surely recognition of existence of the one's own vehicle. Danger of a collision is thereby reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular illumination device, and more particularly to a vehicular illumination device for improving visibility of a host vehicle.

  Conventionally, various proposals have been made regarding vehicle lighting devices. For example, in light of the fact that there are many cases where there is no light running from evening to night, the surrounding area of the vehicle is kept at a certain darkness regardless of whether the automatic lighting system switch is set or not. Then, the technique of turning on a headlamp automatically is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, when a car makes a right or left turn at an intersection, the side of the car is dark so that a crossing person or a single vehicle that tries to pass through the side cannot be seen, and sufficient safety cannot be confirmed when making a right or left turn. In view of the above, a technique has been proposed in which lamps are attached to the left and right side surfaces of a vehicle body and lighted at the time of right turn, left turn, and reverse (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

By the way, it is difficult to visually recognize the outline of the vehicle body under circumstances where the external illuminance is low, such as at night, and the presence of the vehicle is often recognized mainly by visually confirming the lighting of the headlamp and tail lamp. . For example, the driver of the other vehicle in front of the host vehicle recognizes the presence of the host vehicle mainly by visually confirming the lighting of the headlamp of the host vehicle. In addition, the driver of the other vehicle behind the host vehicle recognizes the presence of the host vehicle mainly by visually recognizing lighting of the tail lamp of the host vehicle. Further, the driver of another vehicle approaching from the side of the host vehicle recognizes the presence of the host vehicle by visually confirming the lighting of both the head lamp and tail lamp of the host vehicle.
JP 2000-313275 A JP 2004-224326 A

  However, even if there is a traveling vehicle ahead, if the surrounding illuminance is low, it may be difficult to recognize the presence and the risk of an accident may increase. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), when the host vehicle crosses an intersection without a signal at midnight, particularly when there is no street lighting and the surrounding illuminance is low, the side surface of the host vehicle From the side of the driver of another vehicle approaching from the side, the side of the vehicle may be assimilated with the surrounding darkness and look like a black silhouette. In such a case, the driver of the other vehicle may misunderstand the state of FIG. 10C even if the head lamp or tail lamp of the own vehicle is visible ahead. That is, in fact, as shown in FIG. 10B, although the two lamps are lamps of the same vehicle, the surroundings are dark, so the two lamps are erroneously recognized as lamps of different vehicles. In such a case, it is mistakenly recognized that there is no vehicle between the two lamps, and there is a risk that another vehicle may collide with the side surface of the host vehicle.

  Furthermore, in the situation of FIG. 10B, the lighting of the two lamps may not be clearly visible from the driver of another vehicle. For example, when two lamps are hidden behind other objects, or when the light of the lamps cannot be seen from the side due to the structure of the lamps, the recognizability of the driver of the other vehicle deteriorates. Increased risk. In addition, even when the host vehicle is a large vehicle such as a truck, or when the host vehicle has a low vehicle speed, the recognizability from the driver of another vehicle tends to deteriorate, and the risk tends to increase.

  Further, when the own vehicle turns right at the intersection as shown in FIG. 11, when the own vehicle enters while turning right from the parking lot to the road as shown in FIG. 12, the own vehicle turns left at the intersection as shown in FIG. In the case of changing the lane without giving a signal by blinking of the turn signal (direction indicator) as shown in FIG. 14 (including starting while turning the steering wheel from the parking / stopping state) There is a risk that the driver's recognition of the presence of the host vehicle is reduced, and another vehicle collides with the side surface of the host vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular illumination device that can improve the visibility on the side surface of the host vehicle and reduce the risk of collision with other vehicles. To do.

  Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above-described problems will be described with additional effects and the like as necessary.

1. A lamp that is arranged in the middle of the vehicle front-rear direction and that can be lit up from the side of the vehicle;
A driving situation determination means for determining whether or not the driving situation is a predetermined driving situation that may cause a collision with another vehicle;
An illumination device for a vehicle, comprising: lamp control means for performing control to turn on the lamp when the travel condition determination means determines that the predetermined travel condition is present.

  According to the means 1, the ramp control means is arranged in the middle in the vehicle front-rear direction when it is determined by the driving condition determining means that the predetermined driving condition is likely to collide with another vehicle. Control to turn on a lamp whose lighting state can be visually recognized from the side surface side, so that the driver of other vehicles approaching from the side surface of the vehicle visually recognizes the lighting of the lamp, so that the existence of the host vehicle is surely recognized. As a result, the risk of collision can be reduced.

2. It has an illuminance sensor that detects external illuminance,
The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  According to the means 2, the traveling state determining means determines that the traveling state is a predetermined traveling state when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the lamp control unit is disposed in the middle of the vehicle longitudinal direction. Since the control is performed to turn on a lamp that can be visually recognized from the side of the vehicle, for example, in the case of midnight, crossing or turning left or right at a dark intersection where no street light is installed, or stopping in the intersection In a driving situation where there is a high possibility that the vehicle will collide, it is possible to make the driver of the other vehicle surely recognize the presence of the host vehicle by turning on the lamp, thereby reducing the risk of collision.

3. It has a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed,
The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is less than a predetermined value.

  According to the means 3, the traveling state determining means determines that the traveling state is a predetermined traveling state when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is less than a predetermined value, and the lamp control unit is disposed in the middle of the vehicle longitudinal direction. For example, when entering a road from a parking lot at a low speed, crossing an intersection at a low speed, turning left or right, or stopping within an intersection, etc. In a driving situation where there is a high possibility that another vehicle will collide, it is possible to make the driver of the other vehicle surely recognize the presence of the host vehicle by turning on the lamp, thereby reducing the risk of collision.

4). A steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle;
The traveling state determination means determines that the vehicle is in the predetermined traveling state when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the rudder angle detected by the rudder angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that:

  According to the means 4, the traveling state determination means determines that the traveling state is a predetermined traveling state when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the rudder angle detected by the rudder angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The lamp control means controls the lamp that is disposed in the middle of the vehicle front-rear direction so that the lighting state can be seen from the side of the vehicle, so that the vehicle crosses the road, for example, when turning right or left at an intersection. In a driving situation where there is a high possibility that the other vehicle will collide in the direction of the vehicle, the presence of the host vehicle can be reliably recognized by the driver of the other vehicle by lighting the lamp, thereby reducing the risk of collision. .

5. An illuminance sensor for detecting external illuminance;
A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed,
The traveling state determining means determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined value and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is less than a predetermined value. The vehicular lighting device according to the first feature.

  According to the means 5, the traveling condition determining means determines that the driving condition is a predetermined driving condition when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is less than the predetermined value. The lamp control means performs control to turn on a lamp that is disposed in the middle of the vehicle front-rear direction so that the lighting state can be visually recognized from the side of the vehicle. In a driving situation where there is a high possibility that another vehicle will collide, such as when crossing a dark intersection where street lights are not installed, turning left or right, or stopping in the intersection, the other vehicle The driver can be surely recognized and the risk of collision can be reduced.

6). A steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle;
When the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the traveling state determination means is configured such that the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor is predetermined. 6. The vehicular illumination device according to claim 5, wherein when the value is equal to or greater than the value, it is determined that the predetermined traveling state is present.

  According to the means 6, when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the traveling state determination means is the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. Is determined to be a predetermined traveling condition, and the lamp control means performs control to turn on a lamp that is disposed in the middle of the vehicle front-rear direction so that the lighting state can be visually recognized from the side of the vehicle. For example, in the driving situation where there is a high possibility that another vehicle will collide in the direction that the vehicle intersects the road, such as when turning right or left at a dark intersection where no street lamp is installed at midnight, It is possible to reduce the risk of collision by making the driver of the other vehicle or the like surely recognize by lighting.

7). Equipped with a rudder angle sensor to detect the rudder angle,
The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when a steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. .

  According to the means 7, the traveling state determining means determines that the traveling state is a predetermined traveling state when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the lamp control unit is disposed in the middle of the vehicle longitudinal direction. Control is performed to turn on a lamp that can be seen from the side of the vehicle, so that the vehicle is likely to collide with the road in the direction that the vehicle crosses the road, such as when turning right or left at an intersection. In the traveling situation, the presence of the host vehicle can be surely recognized by the driver of the other vehicle by lighting the lamp, thereby reducing the risk of collision.

  8). 8. The vehicular illumination device according to any one of means 1 to 7, wherein the lamp is disposed within a range of 20% of the total length of the vehicle from front to back in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

  According to the means 8, since the lamp is disposed within the range of 20% of the total length of the vehicle from the front and back in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the lighting state of the lamp can be reliably confirmed from the side surface of the vehicle.

  9. The lighting device for a vehicle according to any one of means 1 to 8, wherein the irradiation direction of the lamp includes a component in a vertical direction with respect to a side surface of the vehicle.

  According to the means 9, since the irradiation direction of the lamp includes a component in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle side surface, the lighting state of the lamp can be surely visually recognized from the vehicle side surface side.

  10. 10. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein the lamp is a vehicle compartment lamp disposed on the ceiling of the vehicle interior.

  According to the means 10, since the lamp is a vehicle compartment lamp arranged on the ceiling of the vehicle interior, the lighting state can be reliably seen from the side surface of the vehicle, and the vehicle compartment light that is an existing configuration on the vehicle is provided. By using it, an increase in cost can be suppressed.

  11. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein the lamp is disposed on a side surface of the door mirror.

  According to the means 11, since the lamp is disposed on the side surface of the door mirror, the lighting state can be surely seen from the side surface of the vehicle and can also be used as a direction indicator.

  12 The vehicle lighting device according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein the lamp is disposed in the vicinity of a keyhole of a door handle.

  According to the means 12, since the lamp is disposed in the vicinity of the key hole of the door handle, the lighting state can be surely seen from the side surface of the vehicle, and the lamp that illuminates the key hole when the door lock is unlocked. It is also possible to use it together.

  13. The vehicular illumination device according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein the lamp is disposed on a vehicle bottom.

  According to the means 13, since the lamp is disposed at the bottom of the vehicle, the lighting state can be reliably recognized from the side surface of the vehicle. Moreover, since the road surface under the vehicle is illuminated by the lamp, it becomes easier for the driver of the other vehicle to recognize the presence of the host vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a vehicular lighting device of the present invention is embodied will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the vehicular lighting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a vehicle on which the vehicle lighting device 1 is mounted.

  The vehicle lighting device 1 is a lighting device mounted on a vehicle, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an illuminance sensor 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, a rudder angle sensor 13, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 21. And two side lamps 31. The vehicle is also provided with a headlamp 41 at the front end and a tail lamp 42 at the rear end. The side lamp 31 constitutes the lamp of the present invention.

  The illuminance sensor 11 is a known sensor that detects the external illuminance, and inputs an electric signal representing the detection result of the external illuminance to the ECU 21.

  The vehicle speed sensor 12 is a known sensor that detects the vehicle speed, and inputs an electric signal representing the detection result of the vehicle speed to the ECU 21.

  The rudder angle sensor 13 is a known sensor that detects the rudder angle, and inputs an electric signal representing the rudder angle detection result to the ECU 21.

  The ECU 21 is a device including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown) for performing various arithmetic processes and issuing control commands, and based on information input from the vehicle speed sensor 11, the illuminance sensor 12, and the rudder angle sensor 13. The lighting control of the side lamp 31 is executed. The ECU 21 constitutes the lamp control means of the present invention.

  The side lamps 31 are lamps respectively disposed on the center pillars 30 provided on the left and right side surfaces near the center in the vehicle front-rear direction, and are configured by a light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), or the like. The side lamp 31 is turned on or off by a control command from the ECU 21.

  Next, the flow of the lighting control process of the side lamp 31 executed in the ECU 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the external illuminance input from the illuminance sensor 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined value Ti (step 1. Hereinafter, abbreviated as S1. The same applies to other steps). The predetermined value Ti is set to about 0.5 lux, for example. When the external illuminance exceeds a predetermined value (S1: No), a control command (lamp extinction control) for extinguishing the side lamp 31 is performed (S5), and this routine is terminated.

  If the external illuminance is less than or equal to the predetermined value Ti (S1: Yes), it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined value Tv (S2). The predetermined value Tv is set to about 30 km / h, for example, and includes a vehicle speed of zero or a negative value (in the case of reverse). When the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined value Tv (S2: Yes), a control command (lamp lighting control) for lighting the side lamp 31 is performed (S4), and this reach is terminated. The reason that the lighting condition is that the external illuminance is equal to or less than the predetermined value Ti is that it is necessary to improve the visibility when the ambient illuminance is low. Further, the condition that the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined value Tv is that the probability of a collision from the side surface of the vehicle increases when the vehicle is traveling straight or turning. Accordingly, the side lamp 31 is turned on in a driving situation where there is a high possibility that another vehicle will collide, for example, when a dark intersection where no street lamp is installed is crossed at a low speed or turns left or right or stops in the intersection. .

  If the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to the predetermined value Tv in S2 (S2: No), it is determined whether or not the steering angle input from the steering angle sensor 13 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value Ts (S3). When the steering angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Ts (S3: Yes), lamp lighting control is performed (S4), and this routine is terminated. If the rudder angle is less than the predetermined value Ts (S3: No), lamp extinguishing control is performed (S5), and this routine is terminated. That is, when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined value Tv, the side lamp 31 is not lit during the straight traveling because the possibility of being collided with another vehicle is low, but when the host vehicle is turning, the oncoming vehicle or the following vehicle Therefore, the side lamp 31 is turned on.

  Next, the effect in the various driving | running | working condition patterns of the illuminating device 1 for vehicles is demonstrated, referring drawings.

  Fig.4 (a) is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle carrying the vehicle illuminating device 1 crosses the inside of an intersection, and the same figure (b) approaches from the right side surface side of the own vehicle. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that it saw from the driver | operator of the other vehicle. In the situation shown in FIG. 4 (a), there has been a possibility that the side portion between the head lamp 41 and the tail lamp 42 of the own vehicle may be assimilated with the surrounding darkness from the driver of the other vehicle. According to the host vehicle equipped with the device 1, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the lighting of the right side lamp 31 arranged in the middle in the vehicle front-rear direction is surely made visible to the driver of the other vehicle. Thus, it is possible to reliably recognize the presence of the host vehicle.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing how the host vehicle turns right at the intersection. In the situation shown in FIG. 5, in the conventional vehicle, the tail lamp 42 cannot be visually recognized by the driver of another vehicle, so that there is a possibility that the side portion of the own vehicle looks assimilated with the surrounding darkness. According to the mounted vehicle, the presence of the vehicle can be surely recognized by making the driver of the other vehicle visually recognize the lighting of the left side lamp 31.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the host vehicle enters while turning right from the parking lot onto the road. In the situation of FIG. 6, conventionally, since the driver of the other vehicle cannot see the tail lamp 42 of the own vehicle, the side portion of the own vehicle may be seen assimilated with the surrounding darkness. According to the host vehicle on which the lighting device 1 is mounted, the presence of the host vehicle can be surely recognized by making the driver of the other vehicle visually recognize the lighting of the right side lamp 31.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing how the host vehicle turns left at the intersection. In the situation shown in FIG. 7, in the conventional vehicle, the headlamp 41 cannot be seen by the driver of the other vehicle, so there is a possibility that the side portion of the own vehicle looks assimilated with the surrounding darkness. According to the host vehicle on which the vehicle is mounted, the driver of another vehicle can visually recognize the lighting of the right side lamp 31 to recognize the presence of the host vehicle.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing that the host vehicle changes its lane and enters immediately before another vehicle. In the situation of FIG. 8, in the conventional vehicle, since the tail lamp 42 cannot be visually recognized by the driver of another vehicle, there is a possibility that the side surface portion of the own vehicle looks assimilated with the surrounding darkness. According to the mounted vehicle, the presence of the vehicle can be surely recognized by making the driver of the other vehicle visually recognize the lighting of the right side lamp 31. In particular, when the host vehicle changes lanes without giving a signal by blinking of a turn signal (direction indicator), there has been a high risk of collision in the past. Since the lighting of the lamp 31 plays the role of a blinker, the safety can be further increased.

  As is clear from the above detailed description, according to the present embodiment, when the ECU 21 determines that the vehicle 21 is in a predetermined traveling situation where there is a possibility of a collision with another vehicle, the ECU 21 Since the control is performed to turn on the side lamp 31 that is disposed in the middle and can visually recognize the lighting state from the side of the vehicle, the driver of other vehicles approaching from the side of the vehicle can visually recognize the lighting of the side lamp 31. Thus, the existence of the host vehicle can be surely recognized, thereby reducing the risk of collision. In addition, since the side lamp 31 is turned on only when it is determined that the vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state where there is a possibility of collision with another vehicle, power consumption can be minimized.

  In particular, the ECU 21 determines that the driving state is the predetermined when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 11 is equal to or less than the predetermined value Ti and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12 is less than the predetermined value Tv, and the side lamp For example, when you enter a dark road from a parking lot at low speed, or cross a dark intersection where no street light is installed, turn left or right, or stop within an intersection at night. In a driving situation where there is a high possibility that another vehicle will collide, the driver of the other vehicle can be surely recognized by the lighting of the side lamp 31 by the lighting of the side lamp 31.

  Further, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Tv and the rudder angle detected by the rudder angle sensor 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Ts, it is determined that the vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state, and the side lamp 31 is turned on. In the driving situation where the vehicle is likely to collide with the road in the direction that the vehicle intersects the road, such as when turning right or left at a dark intersection where no street lamp is installed, The presence of the vehicle can be surely recognized by the driver of the other vehicle by the lighting of the side lamp 31.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the side lamp 31 is provided on the center pillar 30 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lamp is arranged in the middle of the vehicle front-rear direction and the lighting state can be visually recognized from the side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable to arrange within 20% of the total length of the vehicle in the front-rear direction from the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction (in FIG. 9, symbol B indicates the position where the side lamp 31 is disposed). Show.)

  For example, instead of the side lamp 31, the ECU 21 may control lighting of a vehicle compartment lamp (indicated by reference symbol A in FIG. 9) disposed on the vehicle interior ceiling. According to this configuration, the lighting state can be reliably recognized from the side surface of the vehicle, and an increase in cost can be suppressed by using the vehicle interior lamp that is an existing configuration in the vehicle. In addition, since the vehicle compartment light is turned on only when the ECU 21 determines that the vehicle is in a predetermined traveling situation where there is a possibility of a collision with another vehicle, the driver of the own vehicle can Therefore, it is possible to minimize the situation in which it is difficult to visually recognize the outside, and it is possible to suppress power consumption. In addition, it is preferable that the irradiation direction of a vehicle interior lamp is set so that the component of a perpendicular direction may be included with respect to the vehicle side surface. Or you may comprise so that the irradiation direction of a vehicle interior lamp may be swiveled to the vehicle side surface direction.

  Further, it is disposed near the key hole of the door handle of the rear door (indicated by reference numeral C in FIG. 9) and / or near the key hole of the door handle of the front door (indicated by reference numeral D of FIG. 9). The lamp may be controlled to be turned on by the ECU 21. According to such a configuration, the lighting state can be reliably recognized from the side surface of the vehicle, and it can also be used as a lamp that illuminates the keyhole during the door lock unlocking operation.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which carries out lighting control of the lamp | ramp (it shows with the code | symbol E in FIG. 9) arrange | positioned at the door mirror side surface. According to such a configuration, the lighting state can be reliably visually recognized from the side surface of the vehicle and can also be used as a direction indicator.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which carries out lighting control of the lamp | ramp (it shows with the code | symbol F in FIG. 9) arrange | positioned by the vehicle bottom part, and arrange | positions especially so that light may be irradiated to a road surface in the perpendicular direction. preferable. According to such a configuration, the lighting state can be reliably recognized from the side surface of the vehicle, and the road surface under the vehicle is illuminated by the lamp, so that it is easier for the driver of the other vehicle to recognize the presence of the own vehicle. Become.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions a lamp | ramp along the outline of a vehicle side surface. According to such a configuration, the outline of the vehicle can be clearly recognized when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the structure which performs lighting on / off control of the side lamp 31 using the output of the illumination intensity sensor 11, the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the rudder angle sensor 13, it is not limited to this. For example, when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 11 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value Ti, the lighting control of the side lamp 31 may be performed regardless of the vehicle speed and the steering angle. Further, when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12 is less than the predetermined value Tv, the lighting control of the side lamp 31 may be performed regardless of the external illuminance and the steering angle. Further, when the rudder angle detected by the rudder angle sensor 13 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Ts, the lighting control of the side lamp 31 may be performed regardless of the external illuminance and the vehicle speed.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used to improve the visibility on the side surface side of the host vehicle and reduce the risk of collision with other vehicles.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicular lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the vehicle carrying the vehicle illuminating device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a side lamp lighting control process. (A) It is a top view which shows a mode that the own vehicle crosses an intersection typically, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows a mode seen from the driver | operator of the other vehicle approaching from the side surface side of the own vehicle. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle turns right at an intersection. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle approachs from the parking lot while turning right on the road. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle turns left at an intersection. It is a top view which shows a mode that the own vehicle changes lanes. It is a side view which shows the arrangement | positioning position of the lamp | ramp in a vehicle. (A) The top view which shows a mode that the own vehicle crosses an intersection in a prior art typically, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows a mode seen from the driver | operator of the other vehicle approaching from the side surface side of the own vehicle, (c) ) Is a schematic diagram showing a state of being misidentified by a driver of another vehicle. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle turns right at an intersection in a prior art. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle approachs from a parking lot while turning right in a prior art. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle turns left at an intersection in a prior art. It is a top view which shows typically a mode that the own vehicle changes a lane in a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle illuminating device 11 Illuminance sensor 12 Vehicle speed sensor 13 Rudder angle sensor 21 ECU (running condition discrimination means, lamp control means)
31 Side lamp (lamp)

Claims (13)

A lamp that is arranged in the middle of the vehicle front-rear direction, and can be lit from the side of the vehicle,
A driving situation determination means for determining whether or not the driving situation is a predetermined driving situation that may cause a collision with another vehicle;
An illumination device for a vehicle, comprising: lamp control means for performing control to turn on the lamp when the travel condition determination means determines that the predetermined travel condition is present. It has an illuminance sensor that detects external illuminance,
2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when an external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It has a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed,
The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is less than a predetermined value. A steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle;
The traveling state determination means determines that the vehicle is in the predetermined traveling state when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the rudder angle detected by the rudder angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 3. An illuminance sensor for detecting external illuminance;
A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed,
The traveling state determining means determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined value and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is less than a predetermined value. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein A steering angle sensor for detecting the steering angle;
When the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the traveling state determination means is configured such that the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor is predetermined. 6. The vehicular illumination device according to claim 5, wherein when the value is equal to or greater than the value, the vehicle is determined to be in the predetermined traveling state. Equipped with a rudder angle sensor to detect the rudder angle,
3. The vehicle illumination according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines that the predetermined traveling state is present when a rudder angle detected by the rudder angle sensor is a predetermined value or more. apparatus.   The vehicular illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lamp is disposed within a range of 20% of a total length of the vehicle from front to back in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.   The illumination device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the irradiation direction of the lamp includes a component in a vertical direction with respect to a side surface of the vehicle.   The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lamp is a vehicle compartment lamp disposed on a ceiling in the vehicle interior.   The vehicular illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the lamp is disposed on a side surface of the door mirror.   The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lamp is disposed in the vicinity of a keyhole of a door handle.   The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lamp is disposed on a vehicle bottom portion.

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