JP5405978B2 - Turn signal lighting control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to turn signal lighting control of a vehicle, and more particularly to a turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off a turn signal that is lit.

  The vehicle is provided with a turn signal indicating the direction of turning left or right or changing the course. The turn signal lighting control device controls turning on and off of the turn signal in accordance with an operation of a turn lever provided in the vicinity of the steering of the driver's seat. The turn signal lighting control device performs control to turn off the turn signal when it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied when the vehicle turns right or left or changes lanes. Thereby, the turn signal is automatically turned off at an appropriate timing when turning right or left. For example, the turn signal lighting control device described in Patent Literature 1 includes a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle amount of the steering, and when it is determined that the turn-off condition is established based on the detection result of the steering angle sensor, Turn off the signal.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a cancel angle θ21 and a cancel preparation angle θ11 that are larger than the cancel angle θ21 are set counterclockwise from the rotation neutral position of the steering when the vehicle is traveling straight. For example, when making a right turn, after the steering angle θ reaches the cancel preparation angle θ11 due to the clockwise turning operation of the steering wheel, the steering wheel is returned counterclockwise by a predetermined amount to become the cancellation angle θ21 or less. When it is determined that the extinction condition is satisfied, the turn signal is extinguished. In the case of a left turn, it can be turned off automatically.

JP-A-11-70833

  By the way, since roads are constructed according to the terrain and purpose, road connection modes are not uniform. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, there is a road in which the road after the right turn curves to the right. In this case, the turn signal lighting control device may not be able to turn off the turn signal at an appropriate timing. Specifically, as shown in the enlarged circle in the left circle of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the steering is turned over the cancel preparation angle θ11 at the point A accompanying the right turn. Then, after the vehicle enters the right turn destination road, for example, at point B in FIG. 9, the steering operation is returned, but the right turn road also curves to the right, so the steering return operation amount is Few. Therefore, as shown in an enlarged manner in a circle at point B in FIG. 9, the steering angle θ of the steering does not become equal to or less than the cancel angle θ21, and the turn signal is not turned off. Thus, when the road after a right turn is curved to the right, the steering is not returned until the steering angle θ is equal to or less than the cancellation angle θ21 even after the right turn. It is not judged. Therefore, the turn-off of the turn signal had to wait until the curved road became a straight line, for example. A similar problem can occur when the road after a left turn is curved to the left.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a turn signal lighting control device capable of automatically turning off a turn signal at an appropriate timing even when a road after a right or left turn is curved.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operating means provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal is switched from the previously turned off state to the lit state, and the steering acquired in this state through the steering angle sensor. After the steering angle reaches a cancel preparation angle that is set with reference to a reference angle that is a steering angle when the vehicle is traveling straight, the steering is returned to be equal to or less than the cancel angle that is set to be less than the cancellation preparation angle. In the turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off the turn signal by determining that the turn-off condition is satisfied, the steering angle of the steering after the steering angle exceeds the cancel preparation angle with respect to the reference angle depending on the increase, is set larger the cancellation angle, the cancel preparation angle and the cancel angle of the vehicle speed sensor When the vehicle speed belongs to the first speed range, a first cancel preparation angle and a first cancel angle are set, and the vehicle speed is set to the first speed range. When belonging to the second speed region smaller than the speed region, a second cancel preparation angle larger than the first cancel preparation angle and a second cancel angle larger than the first cancel angle are set, and the vehicle speed is the first speed. If the steering angle of the steering wheel reaches the second cancel preparation angle in the case of belonging to the region, the gist is to switch the first cancel angle to the second cancel angle .

  According to this configuration, for example, the cancel angle is set to be large in accordance with an increase in the steering angle of the steering exceeding the cancel preparation angle at the time of turning left or right. Here, if the road after the right turn is curved, specifically, the road after the right turn curves to the right, and if the road after the left turn curves to the left, the steering after the right turn The return operation amount becomes small. Even in such a case, the cancellation angle is set to a large value as the steering angle of the steering is increased, so that the steering angle is equal to or less than the cancellation angle even with a slight return operation amount. Thereby, even if it is the said road condition, it is judged that the light extinction condition was satisfied at an appropriate timing, and the turn signal is extinguished.

Further , for example, even when the vehicle speed is relatively large and the cancel preparation angle and the cancel angle are set to be small, if the steering angle of the steering for the right / left turn is large, the cancel angle is reset to be large. Specifically, for example, when the vehicle speed is a relatively high first speed region, the first cancel preparation angle and the first cancel angle are set. When the vehicle speed is in the second speed region that is relatively small, the second cancel preparation angle and the second cancel angle are set. Here, for example, even when the vehicle speed is in the first speed range and is set to the first cancel angle, if the steering angle of the steering exceeds the second cancel preparation angle, the first cancel angle To the second cancel angle. As a result, as described above, for example, even if the road after a right turn curves to the right, it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied at an appropriate timing, and the turn signal is turned off.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the operating means provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal is switched from the previously extinguished state to the lit state, and the steering acquired in this state through the steering angle sensor. After the steering angle reaches a cancel preparation angle that is set with reference to a reference angle that is a steering angle when the vehicle is traveling straight, the steering is returned to be equal to or less than the cancel angle that is set to be less than the cancellation preparation angle. In the turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off the turn signal by determining that the turn-off condition is satisfied, the steering angle of the steering after the steering angle exceeds the cancel preparation angle with respect to the reference angle depending on the increase, the cancel angle set large, the area odor beyond the cancel preparation angle from the reference angle When a plurality of the cancellation preparation angles are set for each predetermined angle from the cancellation preparation angle, and the actual steering angle exceeds the cancellation preparation angle with reference to the reference angle, the canceled cancellation angle is set to the cancellation angle. The gist is to set as.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of cancel preparation angles are set in advance, and when the steering angle of the steering exceeds any cancel preparation angle, the cancel preparation angle is set as a cancel angle. For this reason, the cancellation angle increases as the steering angle increases. Thereby, since the cancellation angle which is a kind of threshold value, and the cancellation preparation angle can be set to the same angle, the process relating to the automatic turn-off of the turn signal lighting control device can be simplified.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the operating means provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal is switched from the previously extinguished state to the lit state, and the steering acquired in this state through the steering angle sensor. After the steering angle reaches a cancel preparation angle that is set with reference to a reference angle that is a steering angle when the vehicle is traveling straight, the steering is returned to be equal to or less than the cancel angle that is set to be less than the cancellation preparation angle. In the turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off the turn signal by determining that the turn-off condition is satisfied, the steering angle of the steering after the steering angle exceeds the cancel preparation angle with respect to the reference angle depending on the increase this, the cancel angle set large, the cancel angle, which is set to a predetermined percentage of the maximum steering angle Are you as its gist.
According to this configuration, the cancel angle is set to a predetermined ratio of the maximum steering angle. That is, the cancel angle increases as needed according to the maximum steering angle. As a result, an appropriate cancel angle is set with respect to the maximum steering angle. Therefore, it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied at a more accurate timing, and the turn signal is turned off.

  According to the present invention, in the turn signal lighting control device, the turn signal can be automatically turned off at an appropriate timing even if the road after the right or left turn is curved.

(A) in this embodiment is a top view of a vehicle, (b) is a front view of steering. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the direction indicator in this embodiment. The front view of steering which shows the cancellation angle etc. at the time of high-speed driving in this embodiment. The front view of steering which shows the cancellation angle etc. at the time of low speed driving in this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the lighting control program in this embodiment. The front view of the steering which shows the cancellation angle etc. in 2nd Embodiment. The front view of the steering which shows the cancellation angle etc. in 3rd Embodiment. The front view of the steering which shows the cancellation angle etc. in the past. The top view which shows the road where the road after a right turn curves to the right side.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a turn signal lighting control device according to the present invention is embodied in a vehicle direction indicating device will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the direction indicating device informs the driver of the other vehicle of the traveling direction of the host vehicle by turning on a pair of left and right turn signals 2 and 3 provided in front and rear of the vehicle 1, respectively. A direction indicating operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 1B, the base end portion of the turn lever 4 is cantilevered on the steering column 5 of the vehicle 1, and the tip end portion of the turn lever 4 protrudes outside the steering column 5. . The base end portion of the turn lever 4 can be tilted with respect to the steering column 5 by a predetermined angle in a direction along the rotation direction of the steering 6 about a rotation shaft (not shown) disposed inside the steering column 5. It is supported. The direction indicating operation is performed through the tilting operation of the turn lever 4.

  Specifically, the turn lever 4 is normally held at the operation neutral position P indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. When the turn lever 4 is tilted upward from the operation neutral position P, the turn lever 4 tilts to the left turn operation position PL. Thereby, the left turn signal 2 starts lighting. Further, when the turn lever 4 is tilted downward from the operation neutral position P, the turn lever 4 tilts to the right turn operation position PR. As a result, the right turn signal 3 starts to light. When the operating force to the turn lever 4 is released, the turn lever 4 returns to the operation neutral position P by the action of a return mechanism (not shown). That is, in this example, a momentary turn lever is employed. Even if the turn lever 4 returns to the operation neutral position P, the turn signals 2 and 3 are continuously lit unless the turn-off condition described later is satisfied.

Next, the electrical configuration of the direction indicating device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the direction indicating device 10 includes a turn signal lighting control device 11 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). The ROM of the turn signal lighting control device 11 stores a lighting control program for controlling turning on and off of the turn signals 2 and 3 and data such as a cancel angle. The RAM is a work area for the CPU to execute various processes by developing the lighting control program stored in the ROM.

A vehicle speed sensor 12 and a steering angle sensor 13 are connected to the turn signal lighting control device 11.
The vehicle speed sensor 12 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 and outputs a vehicle speed detection signal SV corresponding to the detected speed to the turn signal lighting control device 11.

  The steering angle sensor 13 detects a steering angle, which is the rotation angle, when the steering 6 is rotated by the driver, and turns the steering angle detection signal Sθ according to the detected steering angle to a turn signal lighting control device. 11 to output.

  Turn signals 2 and 3 are connected to the turn signal lighting control device 11. The turn signal lighting control device 11 is connected to a turn switch 16 that is turned on and off in conjunction with the operation of the turn lever 4. When the turn switch 16 detects that the turn lever 4 is tilted from the operation neutral position P to the left turn operation position PL, the turn switch 16 outputs an operation position detection signal SP indicating that to the turn signal lighting control device 11. Further, when the turn switch 16 detects that the turn lever 4 has been rotated to the right turn operation position PR, the turn switch 16 outputs an operation position detection signal SP indicating that to the turn signal lighting control device 11.

  When the turn signal lighting control device 11 detects the operation of the turn lever 4 to the operation positions PL and PR based on the operation position detection signal SP, the turn signal 2 and 3 are turned on. Further, the turn signal lighting control device 11 is based on the detection result Sθ of the steering angle sensor 13, more precisely, the detection signal Sθ from the steering angle sensor 13 when the direction indicating operation at the time of turning right or left is started. Then, it is determined whether or not the extinction condition is satisfied. The extinguishing condition is set so that the turn signals 2 and 3 are extinguished at an appropriate timing. The turn signal lighting control device 11 turns off the turn signals 2 and 3 when determining that the turn-off condition is satisfied.

Next, a determination method related to establishment of the extinction condition based on the steering angle detection signal Sθ by the turn signal lighting control device 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
The turn signal lighting control device 11 cancels the cancel preparation angles θ11, θ12 (> θ11) and the cancel preparation angles θ11, θ12 in accordance with the vehicle speed calculated based on the vehicle speed detection signal SV from the vehicle speed sensor 12. Angles θ21, θ22 (> θ21) are set. The cancel angles θ21, θ22 and cancel preparation angles θ11, θ12 are stored in advance in the ROM of the turn signal lighting control device 11. The turn signal lighting control device 11 turns off the turn signals 2 and 3 when the steering angle θ reaches the cancel preparation angle θ11 (θ12) and then becomes equal to or less than the cancel angle θ21 (θ22).

  As described above, the cancel angles θ21, θ22 and the cancel preparation angles θ11, θ12 are set according to the vehicle speed for the following reason. In general, when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the steering can be greatly rotated. However, when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, excessive lateral acceleration is applied to the driver, etc. As with the inside, the steering cannot be rotated greatly. Therefore, the amount of turning operation and returning operation of the steering wheel 6 decreases as the speed increases even during a right or left turn. Therefore, for example, when the cancel angle and the cancel preparation angle are set uniformly, the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 6 does not reach the cancel preparation angle when turning right or left, or the timing when the steering angle θ becomes equal to or less than the cancel angle may be delayed. is assumed. In order to solve this type of problem, cancel angles θ21, θ22 and cancel preparation angles θ11, θ12 are set according to the vehicle speed.

  Specifically, when the vehicle speed is high (for example, over 20 km / h), as shown in FIG. 3, the first cancel preparation angle θ11 is set as the absolute rotation angle from the rotation neutral position, and the first A cancel angle θ21 is set. Here, the rotation neutral position is an angle of the steering 6 when the vehicle 1 is traveling straight.

  When the vehicle speed is low (for example, 20 km / h or less), as shown in FIG. 4, a second cancel preparation angle θ12 larger than the first cancel preparation angle θ11 is set as the absolute rotation angle from the rotation neutral position, A second cancellation angle θ22 larger than the corresponding first cancellation angle θ21 is set. In this embodiment, more than 20 km / h corresponds to the first speed region, and 20 km / h or less corresponds to the second speed region.

  However, even when the vehicle speed is high, if the second cancel preparation angle θ12 is exceeded by the turning operation of the steering wheel 6 for turning right or left, the second cancel is replaced with the first cancel angle θ21. The angle θ22 is reset. As will be described in detail later, this enables the turn signal 3 to be automatically turned off appropriately even when the road after the right turn described with reference to FIG. 9 in the above prior art curves to the right.

  The turn signal lighting control device 11 determines a change in the steering angle θ based on the steering angle detection signal Sθ from the steering angle sensor 13. As described above, the turn signal lighting control device 11 determines that the turn-off condition is satisfied when the steering angle θ reaches the cancel preparation angles θ11 and θ12 and then becomes the cancel angles θ21 and θ22 or less. Signals 2 and 3 are turned off.

  Specifically, the turn signal lighting control device 11 detects the steering angle θ of the steering 6 from the time when the turn signals 2 and 3 are turned on by the direction indicating operation. In FIG. 4, the steering angle θ of the steering 6 at the rotational neutral position is set to zero. The steering angle sensor 13 outputs a positive steering angle θ when the steering 6 is turned clockwise from the rotational neutral position, and also has a negative value when the steering 6 is turned counterclockwise. The steering angle θ is output. Therefore, when the steering 6 is rotated clockwise from the rotation neutral position, the steering angle θ is increased, and the course of the vehicle 1 is changed from straight to right. Further, when the steering 6 is rotated counterclockwise from the reference position, the steering angle θ is decreased, and the course of the vehicle 1 is changed from straight to left.

  For example, when making a right turn, the steering 6 is turned clockwise and the steering angle θ reaches the cancel preparation angle θ11. By the turning operation of the steering 6, the traveling direction of the vehicle 1 changes to the right. Then, the steering 6 is operated to return counterclockwise, and the steering angle θ becomes equal to or less than the cancel angle θ21. As a result of the steering 6 returning operation, the vehicle 1 whose course has been changed to the right turn will go straight. In this way, the turn signal lighting control device 11 looks at the change in the steering angle θ based on the steering angle detection signal Sθ, and determines that the turn-off condition is satisfied when the above condition is satisfied, and turns off the right turn signal 3. To do. The turn-off of the left turn signal 2 in the case of a left turn is performed in the same way.

  Next, the operation of the direction indicating device 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart is executed by the turn signal lighting control device 11 according to the lighting control program stored in its own ROM.

  First, the turn signals 2 and 3 are turned on based on the operation position detection signal SP (S101). And the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is acquired based on the vehicle speed detection signal SV (S102). Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed exceeds 20 km / h (S103).

  When the vehicle speed is 20 km / h or less (NO in S103), the turn-off conditions of the turn signals 2 and 3 are set to the second cancel angle θ22 and the second cancel preparation angle θ12 (S104). Then, it is determined whether or not the steering angle θ is equal to or greater than the second cancellation preparation angle θ12 (S105).

  Waiting for the steering angle θ to be equal to or greater than the second cancellation preparation angle θ12 (NO in S105), and when the steering angle θ is equal to or greater than the second cancellation preparation angle θ12 (YES in S105), the steering angle θ is It is determined whether or not the cancellation angle is equal to or smaller than 2 (S106). That is, if YES in step S105, it can be determined that the turning operation related to the left or right turn of the steering wheel 6 has been performed, and it can be determined whether the returning operation of the steering wheel 6 has been performed in step S106.

  Waiting for the steering angle θ to become equal to or smaller than the second cancellation angle θ22 (NO in S106), when the steering angle θ becomes equal to or smaller than the second cancellation angle θ22 (YES in S106), it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied. The turn signals 2 and 3 are turned off (S107), and the lighting control program is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle speed exceeds 20 km / h (YES in S103), the turn-off conditions of the turn signals 2 and 3 are set to the first cancel angle θ21 and the first cancel preparation angle θ11 (S108). Then, it is determined whether or not the steering angle θ is equal to or greater than the first cancel preparation angle θ11 (S109). Waiting for the steering angle θ to be equal to or greater than the first cancel preparation angle θ11 (NO in S109), and when the steering angle θ is equal to or greater than the first cancel preparation angle θ11 (YES in S109), the steering angle θ is 2. It is determined whether or not the cancel preparation angle θ12 is less than or equal to (S110).

  When it is determined that the steering angle θ is equal to or smaller than the second cancellation preparation angle θ12 (YES in S110), the maximum steering angle θ is an angle between the first cancellation preparation angle θ11 and the second cancellation preparation angle θ12. is there. In this case, it is determined whether the steering angle θ is equal to or smaller than the first cancellation angle θ21 without changing the first cancellation angle θ21 set in step S108 (S111). When it is determined that the steering angle θ is not equal to or smaller than the first cancellation angle θ21 (NO in S111), it is determined again whether the steering angle θ is equal to or smaller than the second cancellation preparation angle θ12. (S110). This determination is made every predetermined control period until the steering angle θ becomes equal to or smaller than the first cancel angle θ21 (YES in S111). When the steering angle θ becomes equal to or smaller than the first cancellation angle θ21 (YES in S111), it is determined that the extinction condition is satisfied, the turn signals 2 and 3 are extinguished (S107), and the lighting control program is terminated. The

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the steering angle θ exceeds the second cancel preparation angle θ12 (NO in step S110), the second cancel angle θ22 is turned off for the turn signals 2 and 3 instead of the first cancel angle θ21. The condition is reset (S112). Then, waiting for the steering angle θ to be equal to or smaller than the second cancellation angle θ22 (NO in S106), and when the steering angle θ is equal to or smaller than the second cancellation angle θ22 (YES in S106), the turn signals 2 and 3 are It is turned off (S107), and the lighting control program is terminated.

  In step S112, the second cancel angle θ22 corresponding to the second cancel preparation angle θ12 is reset as the extinguishing condition, so that the cancel angle is increased by “second cancel angle θ22−first cancel angle θ21”. In other words, even if the return amount of the steering 6 is small by that amount, the light is automatically turned off. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 9 in the prior art, the road after the right turn is curved to the right, and the amount of return operation of the steering wheel 6 is smaller than that at the right turn on the orthogonal road. However, the steering angle θ is equal to or smaller than the second cancellation angle θ22. Specifically, even when the vehicle speed at the start of turning on the turn signals 2 and 3 is high, the turn-off condition is reset at the second cancel angle θ22 shown in FIG. As shown, if the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 6 is turned from the position where the steering angle θ exceeds the second cancellation preparation angle θ12 to the second cancellation angle θ22 or less, the turn signal 2 is turned on at an appropriate timing, assuming that the light extinction condition is satisfied. , 3 are turned off. The same action and effect can be obtained when the road after the left turn is curved to the left.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The cancel angle θ21 is set to a larger cancel angle θ22 from the cancel angle θ21 in accordance with an increase in the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 6 at the time of turning left or right. Here, when the road after the right turn is curved, specifically, the road after the right turn curves to the right, and when the road after the left turn curves to the left, the steering 6 after the right turn The amount of return operation becomes smaller. Even in such a case, since the cancellation angle θ21 is set to be larger from the cancellation angle θ21 as the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 6 is increased, the steering angle θ is set to be equal to or smaller than the cancellation angle θ22 even with a slight return operation amount. Become. Thereby, even if it is the said road condition, it is judged that the light extinction conditions were satisfied at an appropriate timing, and the turn signals 2 and 3 are extinguished.

  (2) When the vehicle speed is high, the cancel preparation angle θ11 and the cancel angle θ21 are set. When the vehicle speed is low, the cancel preparation angle θ12 and the cancel angle θ22 are set. Here, for example, even when the vehicle speed is high and the cancel angle θ21 is set, if the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 6 reaches the cancel preparation angle θ12, the cancel angle θ21 to the cancel angle It is switched to θ22. Thus, as described above, for example, even if the road after a right turn is curved to the right, it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied at an appropriate timing, and the turn signals 2 and 3 are turned off.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The direction indicating device 10 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of setting a cancel angle. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The direction indication device 10 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the direction indication device 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the vehicle speed is high, the first cancel preparation angle θ11 and the first cancel angle θ21 are set as the turn-off conditions of the turn signals 2 and 3. Further, cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn (n is a natural number) are set for each fixed angle α in the clockwise direction with respect to the first cancellation preparation angle θ11. The cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn become cancel angles θ1 ′ to θn ′ when predetermined conditions are satisfied. The cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn are set over the entire angle where the steering 6 can be rotated.

  Specifically, at the time of turning left or right, for example, when the steering angle θ becomes equal to or greater than the cancel preparation angle θ1 by turning the steering 6 in the rotation neutral position, the cancel preparation angle θ1 becomes the cancel angle θ1 ′. It becomes. In this case, for example, as shown by the arrow 50 in FIG. 6, when the steering angle θ is equal to or less than the cancel angle θ1 ′ from the angle between the cancel preparation angles θ1 and θ2, it is determined that the extinction condition is satisfied, Turn signals 2 and 3 are turned off. Further, when the steering angle θ of the steering 6 becomes equal to or greater than the cancel preparation angle θ2, the cancel preparation angle θ2 becomes the cancel angle θ2 ′. That is, when the steering angle θ of the steering 6 becomes equal to or greater than the cancellation preparation angles θ1 to θn, the cancellation preparation angles θ1 to θn become the cancellation angles θ1 ′ to θn ′.

  When the steering angle θ is greater than or equal to the first cancellation preparation angle θ11 and less than the cancellation preparation angle θ1, the turn-off condition is satisfied when the steering angle θ is equal to or less than the cancellation angle θ21, as in the first embodiment. Then, the turn signals 2 and 3 are turned off.

  Thus, the cancellation angles θ1 ′ to θn ′ increase as the steering angle θ increases. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 9 in the above prior art, even when the road after the right turn is curved to the right and the return operation amount of the steering 6 is small, the steering angle θ Is less than the cancellation angle θ1 ′ to θn ′. Therefore, the turn signal lighting control device 11 can turn off the turn signals 2 and 3 at a more appropriate timing at the time of turning right or left by determining that the turn-off condition is satisfied.

  Further, since there are a large number of cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn (cancellation angles θ1 ′ to θn ′) for each fixed angle α, the steering wheel 6 is greatly rotated when turning right or left (for example, a steering angle = 360 ° or more). Even in such a case, the turn signals 2 and 3 can be turned off at the cancel angles θ1 ′ to θn ′ corresponding thereto.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) and (2) of the first embodiment.
(3) When a plurality of cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn are set in advance and the steering angle θ of the steering 6 exceeds any cancel preparation angle θ1 to θn, the cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn are set to cancel angles θ1 ′ to It is set as θn ′. Therefore, the cancel angles θ1 ′ to θn ′ increase as the steering angle θ of the steering 6 increases. Thereby, since the cancel angles θ1 ′ to θn ′ and the cancel preparation angles θ1 to θn, which are a kind of threshold value, can be set to the same angle, the process related to automatic turn-off of the turn signal lighting control device 11 can be simplified.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The direction indicating device 10 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of setting a cancel angle. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The direction indication device 10 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the direction indication device 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the cancellation angle θ31 is set based on the maximum steering angle θmax. The maximum steering angle θmax is a value at which the absolute value of the steering angle θ in the turning operation of the steering 6 related to the right / left turn is maximized.

  In this example, the cancel angle θ31 is set to an angle of 90% of the maximum steering angle θmax with the rotation neutral position as a reference. In other words, when the steering 6 is operated to return by 10% from the position where the maximum steering angle θmax is reached, the steering angle θ becomes equal to or less than the cancellation angle θ31, and it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied and the turn signal 2, 3 goes out.

  Here, at the time of turning left or right, the absolute value of the steering angle θ of the steering 6 increases until the steering 6 is returned. For this reason, basically, the maximum steering angle θmax is continuously updated until the return operation is performed, and the cancel angle θ31 is also increased in a manner to follow the maximum steering angle θmax. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 9 in the above prior art, even when the road after a right turn is curved to the right and the return operation amount of the steering wheel 6 is small, the steering angle θ is the cancel angle θ31. It becomes as follows. In other words, assuming that such a return operation amount is small, the cancel angle θ31 is set to a predetermined ratio (90% in this example) of the maximum steering angle θmax. Thereby, it is determined that the turn-off condition is satisfied, and the turn signals 2 and 3 are turned off at an appropriate timing.

  As described above, the cancellation angle θ31 gradually increases according to the maximum steering angle θmax. Therefore, for example, the cancel angle θ31 can be set to a more appropriate value corresponding to the steering angle θ of the steering wheel 6 than when the cancel angle is set to a constant angle. The timing at which the cancellation angle θ31 or less, that is, the turn-off timing of the turn signals 2 and 3 can be set more appropriately.

  In addition, the steering angle θ from the maximum steering angle θmax to the cancellation angle θ31 increases as the maximum steering angle θmax increases. Accordingly, when the maximum steering angle θmax is small and the vehicle 1 turns gently left or right, the steering angle θ becomes equal to or less than the cancellation angle θ31 with a slight return operation amount of the steering 6, and the vehicle 1 suddenly turns right or left suddenly with a large maximum steering angle θmax. In this case, the steering angle θ becomes equal to or smaller than the cancel angle θ31 with a large return operation amount of the steering 6. For this reason, it becomes possible to set the cancel angle θ31 according to the left-right turn mode estimated from the maximum steering angle θmax.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(4) The cancel angle θ31 is set to a predetermined ratio (90% in this example) of the maximum steering angle θmax. That is, the cancellation angle θ31 increases as needed according to the maximum steering angle θmax. Accordingly, an appropriate cancel angle θ31 is set with respect to the maximum steering angle θmax. Therefore, it is determined that the turn-off condition is established at a more accurate timing, and the turn signals 2 and 3 are turned off.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the first embodiment, the magnitude of the vehicle speed is determined based on whether or not the vehicle speed exceeds 20 km / h, and the cancel preparation angles θ11 and θ12 and the cancel angles θ21 and θ22 are set according to the vehicle speed. It was. However, the vehicle speed is not limited to 20 km / h.

  In the first embodiment, the vehicle preparation speed θ11, θ12 and the cancellation angles θ21, θ22 are set by dividing the vehicle speed into two large and small sections, but the vehicle speed may be further divided into multiple sections. For example, the vehicle speed is divided into three categories of low speed (0 to 10 km / h), medium speed (11 to 20 km / h), and high speed (21 km / h to). A corner may be set.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2,3 ... Turn signal, 6 ... Steering, 4 ... Turn lever (operation means), 10 ... Direction indication apparatus, 11 ... Turn signal lighting control apparatus, 12 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 13 ... Steering angle sensor.

Claims (3)

When the operating means provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal is switched from the previously unlit state to the lit state, and in this state, the steering angle of the steering acquired through the steering angle sensor is After reaching the cancel preparation angle that is set with reference to the reference angle that is the steering angle, the turn-off condition is satisfied when the steering is returned and becomes less than or equal to the cancel angle that is set to be less than the cancel preparation angle In the turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off the turn signal by judging,
In response to an increase in the steering angle of the steering after the steering angle exceeds the cancellation preparation angle with respect to the reference angle, the cancellation angle is set large .
A plurality of the cancel preparation angle and the cancel angle are set according to the speed region of the vehicle speed acquired through the vehicle speed sensor,
When the vehicle speed belongs to the first speed region, a first cancellation preparation angle and a first cancellation angle are set,
When the vehicle speed belongs to a second speed region smaller than the first speed region, a second cancellation preparation angle larger than the first cancellation preparation angle and a second cancellation angle larger than the first cancellation angle are set,
A turn signal lighting control device that switches the first cancel angle to the second cancel angle when the steering speed of the steering wheel reaches the second cancel preparation angle when the vehicle speed belongs to the first speed region. When the operating means provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal is switched from the previously unlit state to the lit state, and in this state, the steering angle of the steering acquired through the steering angle sensor is After reaching the cancel preparation angle that is set with reference to the reference angle that is the steering angle, the turn-off condition is satisfied when the steering is returned and becomes less than or equal to the cancel angle that is set to be less than the cancel preparation angle In the turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off the turn signal by judging,
In response to an increase in the steering angle of the steering after the steering angle exceeds the cancellation preparation angle with respect to the reference angle, the cancellation angle is set large.
A plurality of cancel preparation angles are set for each predetermined angle from the cancel preparation angle in a region beyond the reference preparation angle from the reference angle, and an actual steering angle exceeds the cancel preparation angle with reference to the reference angle. A turn signal lighting control device that sets the excess cancel preparation angle as the cancel angle. When the operating means provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle is operated, the turn signal is switched from the previously unlit state to the lit state, and in this state, the steering angle of the steering acquired through the steering angle sensor is After reaching the cancel preparation angle that is set with reference to the reference angle that is the steering angle, the turn-off condition is satisfied when the steering is returned and becomes less than or equal to the cancel angle that is set to be less than the cancel preparation angle In the turn signal lighting control device that automatically turns off the turn signal by judging,
In response to an increase in the steering angle of the steering after the steering angle exceeds the cancellation preparation angle with respect to the reference angle, the cancellation angle is set large.
The turn signal lighting control device in which the cancel angle is set to a predetermined ratio of the maximum steering angle.

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