JP7274643B2 - vehicle light system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to vehicle light systems.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a lighting switch having an auto light operation position that enables an auto light function that automatically turns on and off a vehicle lamp according to the illuminance outside the vehicle.
In addition, some vehicles on the market have a combination switch, which is a lighting switch, having the following configuration. That is, the lighting switch can be switched to OFF, AUTO, SMALL, and HEAD LIGHT positions. When the lighting switch is switched to "auto", the low beam and position lights (so-called small lamps) are turned on or off according to the illuminance outside the vehicle. In such a vehicle, when the lighting switch is turned off (the low beam and position lights are turned off), the following operations are performed. That is, the momentary mechanism automatically returns the lighting switch from the OFF position to the AUTO position. In other words, this is a specification in which the vehicle cannot be driven with the lighting switch left in the OFF position.

When the lighting switch is switched to "small", the low beam is turned off and the position light is turned on. Also, when the lighting switch is switched to "headlights", the low beam lights and the position lights also light.

JP 2005-170217 A

In the background art described above, the vehicle cannot continue to run with the lights in the OFF position, which is effective in preventing forgetting to turn on the lights. However, with this technology, the vehicle can continue to run in the small position, and it is conceivable that the vehicle may run with the low beams turned off.
Therefore, it is conceivable to design the vehicle so that the low beam is always turned on while the vehicle is running (at least when the outside of the vehicle becomes dark enough to require the low beam to be turned on).

However, with such a design, the low beams are turned on even when the vehicle speed is slow, such as when the vehicle is parked in a garage. When driving a vehicle at a slow speed, it is assumed that various objects such as walls and obstacles exist around and in the vicinity of the vehicle. In such a case, there is a risk that the light of the low beam will be reflected by the object and hinder the driving of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle light system capable of preventing the low beam from being left on when the vehicle is running and turning off the low beam when unnecessary.

The present invention is a vehicular light system equipped with a combination switch capable of switching the mode of a light that illuminates the outside by changing its position by rotation. A mechanism for returning to the position is provided, and the light includes a low beam and a position light, and the position is moved to the small position when the vehicle speed of the own vehicle equipped with the vehicle light system is less than a first predetermined speed. When there is an operation to move the position to the small position, the low beam is turned off and the position light is turned on. It is characterized by lighting a low beam.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle light system capable of preventing the low beam from being left on when the vehicle is running and turning off the low beam when unnecessary.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle light system that is an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing first processing executed by the vehicle light system that is one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flowchart showing second processing executed by the vehicle light system that is one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flowchart showing third processing executed by the vehicle light system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing fourth processing executed by the vehicle light system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing fourth processing executed by the vehicle light system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle light system according to this embodiment. This vehicle light system 1 is used by being mounted on a vehicle (self-vehicle). The vehicle light system 1 includes a light switch 11 provided at a predetermined position in the driver's seat of the vehicle. The light switch 11 is a combination switch that can be rotated to switch between a plurality of modes of lights that illuminate the outside from the own vehicle. That is, the light switch 11 has a shape close to a cylinder. By manually rotating the light switch 11 in its circumferential direction, the light mode can be switched in a plurality of steps, four steps in this example.

The vehicle light system 1 has four positions: an OFF position 12 , an AUTO position 13 , a SMALL position 14 and a HEAD LIGHT position 15 . On the peripheral surface of the light switch 11, letters or patterns are displayed to indicate the four positions of the OFF position 12, the auto position 13, the small position 14, and the headlight position 15. FIG. The characters or patterns are arranged and displayed on the peripheral surface of the light switch 11 in the circumferential direction. That is, a headlight position 15, an auto position 13, a small position 14, and an off position 12 are displayed in this order from the driver's side. If the light switch 11 is manually rotated in the circumferential direction to align a predetermined position with the reference position 16, the mode of the position matching the reference position 16 functions. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if the auto position 13 is aligned with the reference position 16, the "auto" mode will work. Also, if the small position 14 matches the reference position 16, the "small" mode works. If the OFF position 12 is aligned with the reference position 16, the "OFF" mode is active. If the headlight position 15 is aligned with the reference position 16, the "headlight" mode is active.

Here, the content of the mode by each position is demonstrated. First, the own vehicle is provided with a headlight that is arranged in front of the vehicle and illuminates the front of the own vehicle. The headlight consists of low beam 21 and high beam 23 . The irradiation distance of the high beam 23 is longer than the irradiation distance of the low beam 21. - 特許庁In addition, the own vehicle is provided with position lights 22 that are arranged on the front surface and the rear surface of the vehicle and illuminate the surroundings of the vehicle. The irradiation distance of the position light 22 is shorter than the irradiation distance of the low beam 21. - 特許庁Only one low beam 21 and one high beam 23 are shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of convenience, but in practice, a plurality of each are usually provided in one vehicle (same for the position light 22). First, the "OFF" mode is, in principle, a mode in which both the low beam 21 and the position light 22 mounted on the vehicle are turned off. Even in the "OFF" mode, various controls are performed for lighting and extinguishing the low beam 21 and the position light 22, as will be described later.

In this specification, lighting and extinguishing of the low beam 21 will be described, but the vehicle is usually equipped with a high beam 23 as well. Switching between the low beam 21 and the high beam 23 is performed by switching a switch (not shown) different from the light switch 11 . When the switch (not shown) is set to the high beam 23, the lighting or extinguishing of the low beam 21 in this specification means that the high beam 23 is lit or extinguished.

In recent years, some vehicles automatically switch between the low beam 21 and the high beam 23 by automatically judging the situation in front of the vehicle (whether there is an oncoming vehicle, etc.). In the case of such a vehicle, even if the low beam 21 is described as lighting or extinguishing in this specification, it means lighting or extinguishing of the low beam 21 or the high beam 23 automatically selected by the control device.

We will continue to explain the modes. In the "auto" mode, various controls are performed for turning on/off the low beam 21 and the position light 22, as will be described later. Specifically, as will be described later, the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are turned on and off depending on whether the brightness outside the vehicle detected by the optical sensor 24 is less than the "predetermined value".
Two levels of thresholds are provided for the brightness detected by the optical sensor 24. When the brightness falls below the brighter threshold, only the position light 22 is lit, and when the darker threshold is also fallen below, the low beam 21 and position Both lights 22 may be lit.

In the "small" mode, in principle, the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on. In the "headlight" mode, in principle, the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on. Also in the "small" mode, various controls are performed for lighting and extinguishing the low beam 21 and the position light 22, as will be described later.
In the light switch 11 capable of switching to each mode, the positions for setting each mode are arranged as follows. That is, the auto position 13 is displayed on the peripheral surface of the light switch 11 . A small position 14 is arranged on the peripheral surface of the light switch 11 on one side in the circumferential direction from the auto position 13 , in this example, on the side opposite to the driver's side. Further, the OFF position 12 is arranged at a position farther from the driver when viewed from the small position 14 . A headlight position 15 is arranged on the other side of the auto position 13 in the circumferential direction, that is, on the driver side in this example. When the light switch 11 is switched to each of these positions, the light switch 11 gives a click feeling to the driver's hand by a known means.

The light switch 11 is provided with a momentary mechanism 36 (mechanism). The momentary mechanism 36 has a known configuration including a torsion spring or the like. The momentary mechanism 36 returns the light switch 11 to the auto position 13 by the spring force of the torsion spring or the like when the driver switches the light switch 11 to the OFF position 12 or the small position 14 . However, even if the driver switches the light switch 11 to the headlight position 15 , the momentary mechanism 36 does not operate and the light switch 11 remains in the headlight position 15 .

A drive circuit 32 is connected to the light switch 11 . The drive circuit 32 is a circuit that notifies the control unit 31 of which position of the headlight position 15, the auto position 13, the small position 14, and the OFF position 12 is positioned at the reference position 16 with a control signal. The control unit 31 is a control device mainly composed of a microcomputer, for example.
In addition to the optical sensor 24, a vehicle speed sensor 33 for detecting the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is connected to the control unit 31 via sensor circuits 34 and 35, respectively, which serve as interfaces. A side brake sensor 63 for detecting ON/OFF of a side brake (not shown) of the host vehicle is connected to the control unit 31 via a sensor circuit 64 . A parking range sensor 65 for detecting ON/OFF of the parking range of a shift lever (not shown) of the host vehicle is connected to the control unit 31 via a sensor circuit 66 . Note that these sensors and the control unit 31 may not be directly connected, and may communicate with each other via a CAN (Controller Area Network).

Also, the low beam 21, the position light 22, and the high beam 23 (all of which are a plurality of lights, unlike the illustration) are connected to the control unit 31 via lighting circuits 51 to 53, which serve as interfaces. Electric power for lighting each lamp is supplied to the lighting circuits 51 to 53 from a battery (not shown) mounted on the own vehicle.
When the light switch 11 is at the auto position 13, each light is turned on or off based on the control signal from the control section 31. FIG. When the light switch 11 is at the OFF position 12, the small position 14, or the headlight position 15, each light is turned on or off based on the control signal from the control unit 31.

The control unit 31 performs each function of the light control unit 41, the travel distance calculation unit 42, and the failure detection unit 43 by operating based on a predetermined program. The light control unit 41 controls turning on/off of the low beam 21 and the position light 22 according to the situation of the own vehicle. The traveling distance calculation unit 42 calculates the traveling distance of the own vehicle from one point to another point. The traveling distance calculation unit 42 determines the traveling distance by integrating vehicle speeds received from the vehicle speed sensor 33 at regular intervals. The failure detection unit 43 detects the presence or absence of failures in various sensors shown in FIG.

2 to 6 are flow charts of processing executed by the light control unit 41. FIG. 2 to 4 are flowcharts for explaining the first process, second process, and third process, respectively. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining the fourth process. 5 and 6, the fourth process, which is a series of processes, is drawn by dividing it into two with circled numerals indicating connection points. The first to fourth processes operate in parallel on the microcomputer that constitutes the control unit 31, respectively. When the ignition switch (not shown) of the own vehicle is turned on, one of the first to fourth processes is executed to determine whether the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are turned on or off. , the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are turned on and off based on this. In the following description, second predetermined speed≧first predetermined speed>fourth predetermined speed≧third predetermined speed.

First, the first process shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In the first process, the failure detection unit 43 determines whether or not a failure of the vehicle speed sensor 33 is detected (S1). As a method for detecting the failure of the vehicle speed sensor 33, for example, if the vehicle speed sensor 33 is operating normally, the predetermined signal received from the vehicle speed sensor 33 is not received by the control unit 31. You can judge yes. When the vehicle speed sensor 33 detects no failure (Yes in S1), the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the brightness outside the vehicle detected by the optical sensor is less than a predetermined value (S2). When the brightness outside the vehicle detected by the optical sensor is less than the predetermined value (Yes in S2), the light control unit 41 determines whether the auto position 13 of the light switch 11 is set to the reference position 16 ( S3). When the auto position 13 matches the reference position 16 (Yes in S3), the light control unit 41 determines whether the current vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 33 is less than the first predetermined speed (S4 ). When the vehicle speed is less than the first predetermined speed (Yes in S4), the light control section 41 determines whether the light switch 11 has been moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12 (S5). When the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12 (Yes in S5), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S6), returning the process. and Even if the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12, if the driver releases the light switch 11, the momentary mechanism 36 moves the light switch 11 to the AUTO position 13 at the reference position 16. return.

On the other hand, when the brightness outside the vehicle is not less than the predetermined value (No in S2), and when the light switch 11 is not switched to the auto position 13 (No in S3), the speed of the own vehicle is equal to or higher than the first predetermined speed. (No in S4) and when the light switch 11 has not been moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12 (No in S5), the light controller 41 returns the process to S1. Note that the order of determination in S1 to S4 may be changed.
In S1, when a failure is detected in the vehicle speed sensor 33 (No in S1), the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the brightness outside the vehicle detected by the optical sensor 24 is less than a predetermined value ( S66). When the brightness outside the vehicle is less than the predetermined value (Yes in S66), the light control unit 41 turns on the low beam 21 and the position light 22 (S11), and returns the process. Therefore, in this case, even if the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12, the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on.
When the brightness outside the vehicle is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (No in S66), the light control unit 41 returns the process to S1.

Next, the second processing shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The light control unit 41 first determines whether or not the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on by the process of S6 described above or S27 or S36 described later (S51). For example, when the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on by S6 (Yes in S51), the light control unit 41 proceeds to S7. On the other hand, when the low beam 21 is not turned off and the position light 22 is not turned on (No in S51), the light control unit 41 returns to S51.

In S7, the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the current vehicle speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 33 is equal to or higher than the second predetermined speed. The second predetermined speed is a threshold for determining whether or not the vehicle speeds up from the slow speed to the running speed. The second predetermined speed is a value equal to or higher than the first predetermined speed. When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the second predetermined speed (Yes in S7), the light control section 41 turns on the low beam 21 and also turns on the position light 22 (S52). When the vehicle speed is less than the second predetermined speed (No in S7), the mileage calculation unit 42 calculates the mileage immediately after the low beam 21 is turned off (for example, the low beam 21 is turned off in S6). It is determined whether or not the traveling distance has reached a predetermined distance or more (S8). Even if the own vehicle stops many times until reaching this predetermined distance, the travel distance is accumulated. Also, when the predetermined distance is reached (S
8 Yes), when the ignition switch (not shown) of the own vehicle is turned off, the value of the accumulated travel distance is reset. When the traveled distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (Yes in S8), the light control unit 41 turns on the low beam 21 and also turns on the position light 22 (S52).

When the traveled distance is less than the predetermined distance (No in S8), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 by the Yes in S5 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the robot has moved to position 14 (S9). When the light switch 11 has moved to the small position 14 (Yes in S9), the light control section 41 turns on the low beam 21 and also turns on the position light 22 (S52). When the light switch 11 has not moved to the small position 14 (No in S9), the light control unit 41 determines whether the light switch 11 has moved to the OFF position 12 (S10). When it has moved to the OFF position 12 (Yes in S10), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S53). If it has not moved to the OFF position 12 (No in S10), the second process is returned. Even if the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12, if the driver releases the light switch 11, the reference position 16 of the light switch 11 returns to the auto position 13 by the momentary mechanism 36. .

Next, the third processing shown in FIG. 4 will be described. First, the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the current vehicle speed of the own vehicle is less than the third predetermined speed (S12). The third predetermined speed is a threshold for determining whether or not the host vehicle has changed from the slow speed to a substantially stopped state, and is a value smaller than the first predetermined speed and the second predetermined speed. When the vehicle speed is less than the third predetermined speed (Yes in S12), the light control unit 41 determines whether at least one of the side brake and the parking range is ON by the side brake sensor 63 and the parking range sensor 65. (S13). When at least one of the parking brake and the parking range is ON (Yes in S13), the light control unit 41 determines whether the brightness outside the vehicle detected by the optical sensor 24 is less than a predetermined value (S14). . When the brightness outside the vehicle is less than the predetermined value (Yes in S14), the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the light switch 11 has the auto position 13 aligned with the reference position 16 (S15). When the auto position 13 matches the reference position 16 (Yes in S15), the failure detector 43 determines whether the side brake sensor 63 or the parking range sensor 65 has detected a failure (S16). These failure detections can be determined by, for example, whether signals input from these sensors are input to the control unit 31 when these sensors are operating normally. When it is determined that any one of these sensors is out of order (No in S16), the light control section 41 turns on the low beam 21 and also turns on the position light 22 (S17). Note that the order of determination in S12 to S16 may be changed.

When it is determined that neither of these sensors is malfunctioning (Yes in S16), the light control unit 41 determines in either S6 or S53 whether the low beam 21 has been turned off and the position light 22 has been turned on. It judges (S18). When the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on in either S6 or S53 (Yes in S18), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S54). Otherwise (No in S18), the light control unit 41 turns on the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S55). After the processing of S54 and S55, the third processing is returned.

Next, the fourth processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described. First, the light control unit 41 determines in S54 whether the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are lit (S56). When the low beam 21 is lit and the position light 22 is lit in S54 (Yes in S56), the light control unit 41 determines whether the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 (S20). . When the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 (Yes in S20), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S21). On the other hand, when the light switch 11 has not been moved to the small position 14 in S20 (No in S20), the light control unit 41 determines whether the light switch 11 has been moved to the OFF position 12. (S29).

When the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is not turned on at S54 (No at S56), the light control unit 41 at S57 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 at S55. (S57). When it is determined in S57 that the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on (Yes in S57), and when the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on in S21, the light control unit 41 turns on the light. It is determined whether the switch 11 has been moved to the OFF position 12 (S22).

In S29 and S22, when the light switch 11 is moved to the OFF position 12 (Yes in S29, Yes in S22), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and the position light 22 (S23). ). In S29, when the light switch 11 has not been moved to the OFF position 12 (No in S29), the light control unit 41 advances the process to S30 (FIG. 6). In S22, when the light switch 11 has not been moved to the OFF position 12 (No in S22), the light control section 41 advances the process to S33 (FIG. 6). Note that the determinations of S20 and S29 may be exchanged.

Following S23, the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the light switch 11 has been moved to the small position 14 (S24). When the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 (Yes in S24), the light control section 41 returns the process to S21. When the light switch 11 has not been moved to the small position 14 (No in S24), the light control unit 41 detects whether the side brake and parking range are all OFF by the side brake sensor 63 and the parking range sensor 65. It is determined whether or not (S25). When both the parking brake and the parking range are OFF (Yes in S25), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S27).

When at least one of the parking brake and the parking range is ON (No in S25), the light control unit 41 determines whether or not the current vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined speed by the vehicle speed sensor 33 (S26). ). The "fourth predetermined speed" is a threshold for determining whether or not the vehicle has transitioned from a substantially stopped state to a slow speed. 3rd predetermined speed” or higher. When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined speed (Yes in S26), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S27).

When the vehicle speed is less than the fourth predetermined speed (No in S26), the light control section 41 determines whether or not the light switch 11 has been moved to the OFF position (S28). When the light switch 11 is moved to the OFF position (Yes in S28), the light control unit 41 turns on the low beam 21 and the position light 22 (S60). In this case, the light control unit 41 returns the processing to S20 (FIG. 5). Further, when the light switch 11 has not been moved to the OFF position (No in S28), the light control section 41 returns the process to S24. Note that the order of determination in S25 and S26 may be exchanged. Also, the order of determination in S24, (S25, S26), and S28 may be changed.

In FIG. 6, when the light switch 11 has not been moved to the OFF position in S29 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the brake and parking range are all OFF (S30). When both the parking brake and the parking range are OFF (Yes in S30), the light control unit 41 turns on the low beam 21 and the position light 22 (S32), and returns the process.

When at least one of the parking brake and the parking range is ON (No in S30), the light control unit 41 uses the vehicle speed sensor 33 to determine whether the current vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined speed. (S31). Note that the order of determination in S30 and S31 may be changed. When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined speed (Yes in S31), the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on (S32), and the process returns. When the vehicle speed is less than the fourth predetermined speed (No in S31), the light control unit 41 turns on the low beam 21 and the position light 22 (S58), and returns the process to S20 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the light switch 11 has not been moved to the OFF position 12 in S22 of FIG. It is determined whether or not (S33). Note that the order of determination in S22 and S33 may be changed. When the light switch 11 has moved to the small position 14 (Yes in S33), the light control section 41 turns on the low beam 21 and the position light 22 (S59), and returns the process to S20 in FIG.

When the light switch 11 is not moved to the small position 14 and the auto position 13 is at the position (No in S33), the light control unit 41 operates the side brake and parking brake by the side brake sensor 63 and the parking range sensor 65. It is determined whether or not all are OFF (S34). When both the handbrake and parking brake are OFF (Yes in S34), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S36), and returns the process. When at least one of the side brake and the parking brake is ON (No in S34), the light control unit 41 uses the vehicle speed sensor 33 to determine whether the current vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined speed. (S35). Note that the order of determination in S34 and S35 may be changed. When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined speed (Yes in S35), the light control unit 41 turns off the low beam 21 and turns on the position light 22 (S36), and returns the process. When the vehicle speed is less than the fourth predetermined speed (No in S35), the light control unit 41 returns the process to S21 in FIG.

Although not mentioned in the flow chart, when the light switch 11 is at the headlight position 15, the control unit 31 keeps the low beam 21 and the position light 22 on. This may be realized by switching of a predetermined switching circuit regardless of the processing executed by the control unit 31 .

The effects of the vehicle light system 1 described above will be described.
The light switch 11 of the vehicle light system 1 is provided with a momentary mechanism 36, so that even if the position of the light switch 11 is switched to the OFF position 12 or the small position 14, if the driver releases the light switch 11, , the position returns to the auto position 13. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light switch 11 from being kept at the OFF position 12 or the small position 14 and the necessary lights from continuing to be turned off.

However, it is conceivable that the driver keeps pressing the light switch 11 by hand to maintain the OFF position 12 or the small position 14 . Therefore, when the position of the light switch 11 is at the OFF position 12 or the small position 14, the control unit 31 controls turning on/off of the low beam 21 and the position light 22 as described above.
That is, the light control unit 41 determines that the position of the light switch 11 is such that the auto position 13 is at the reference position 16 (Yes in S3), the brightness outside the vehicle is less than the predetermined value (Yes in S2), and the vehicle speed is the first predetermined value. When the vehicle speed is less than the speed (Yes in S4) and the position of the light switch 11 is set to the small position 14 or the OFF position (Yes in S5), the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light is turned on (S6). Therefore, when the outside of the vehicle is still dim and the vehicle is slowing down, the driver can turn the light switch 11 to the OFF position 12 or the small position 14 to turn off the unnecessary low beam 21. .

In this case, when the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on in S6, S27, and S36 (Yes in S51), when the vehicle speed exceeds the second predetermined speed (Yes in S7), The low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on (S52). That is, even if the low beam 21 is turned off in S6, S27, and S36, the low beam 21 is turned on again when the vehicle speed is increased from the slow speed to the running speed. Vehicles can be prevented from running.

Even if the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on in S6 of FIG. 2, S27 of FIG. 5, and S36 of FIG. When (Yes in S8), the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on (S52 in FIG. 3). That is, even at slow speed (Yes in S4 of FIG. 2), when it is dark (Yes in S2 of FIG. 2), the driver may find it difficult to drive if the vehicle continues to run with the low beam 21 turned off. There is Therefore, when the vehicle has traveled a certain distance with the low beam 21 turned off, the low beam 21 is turned on again. As a result, it is possible to minimize the running of the own vehicle with the low beams 21 turned off, and prevent the low beams 21 from being left unlit.

When the position of the light switch 11 is switched to the small position 14 even when the low beam is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on in S6 of FIG. 2, S27 of FIG. 5, and S36 of FIG. (Yes in S9), the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on (S52). That is, it is desirable from the viewpoint of ease of driving that the low beam 21 can be turned on again at a timing desired by the driver after the low beam 21 has been turned off. A headlight position 15 is prepared for the light switch 11, and if the headlight position 15 is set to the position of the light switch 11, the low beam 21 and the position light 22 can be always turned on. However, the headlight position 15 may be an unfamiliar position for a driver who drives his vehicle with the light switch 11 always set to the auto position 13 . Therefore, since the low beam can be switched on and off by the same operation of switching from the auto position 13 to the small position 14 (Yes in S5 in FIG. 2 and Yes in S9 in FIG. 3), the operability of the light switch 11 is improved. improves.

When the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is turned on in S6 of FIG. 2, S27 of FIG. 5, and S36 of FIG. 6 (Yes in S51), in FIG. If the speed is above speed (No in S12) or if both the handbrake and parking range are OFF (No in S13), the third processing in FIG. At this time, if the light switch 11 has been switched to the OFF position 12 in the second processing of FIG. 3 (Yes in S10), the low beam 21 is turned off and the position light 22 is kept on (S53). In other words, when the vehicle is running at a speed (more than the third predetermined speed) that cannot be said to be in a substantially stopped state, or when the side brake or the parking range is released, the vehicle is not stopped or will start immediately. It is possible. In this case, even if the light switch 11 is operated to the OFF position 12, the own vehicle is moving or ready to start immediately, so the lamps of the own vehicle are not turned off. Therefore, when the vehicle is moving or preparations for departure are complete, the position light 22 is surely turned on, and at the same time, the visibility of the own vehicle from the surroundings can be ensured to some extent.

In FIG. 4, when the light switch 11 is in the auto position 13 (Yes in S15), the brightness outside the vehicle is less than a predetermined value (Yes in S14), and the vehicle speed is less than the third predetermined speed ( Yes in S12), at least one of the parking brake and the parking range is ON (Yes in S13), and when the light switch 11 is set to the OFF position 12 in FIG. 5 (Yes in S22), the low beam 21 is turned off. At the same time, the position light 22 is also turned off (S23). That is, when the vehicle is in a substantially stopped state and at least one of the parking brake and the parking range is set, the vehicle is operated only when the driver switches the position of the light switch 11 to the OFF position 12. It is considered that there is no problem even if all the exterior lights of the vehicle are turned off. Therefore, under this condition, when the position of the light switch 11 is switched to the OFF position 12, the low beam 21 and the position light 22 can be turned off by the driver's switch operation, and all external lights can be turned off as necessary. It can be performed.

In FIG. 5, with the low beam 21 and the position light 22 turned off (S23), when the vehicle speed reaches or exceeds the fourth predetermined speed (Yes in S26), the position light 22 is turned on and the low beam 21 is kept turned off. (S27). That is, as described above, when all the external lights of the own vehicle are in a state where it is considered that there is no problem even if all the external lights of the own vehicle are turned off, the own vehicle shifts from a substantially stopped state to a slow speed. When the vehicle starts running, first, the position light 22 is turned on. In other words, when the vehicle stops, it is assumed that there may be obstacles such as walls around or in the vicinity of the vehicle. It is expected that the speed will increase. At this time, since the position light 22 is turned on and the low beam 21 is kept turned off, it is possible to prevent the light of the low beam 21 from being reflected by surrounding obstacles, etc., and hindering the driving of the driver. In addition, since the position lights 22 are turned on even when the own vehicle is slowing down, it is possible to prevent the own vehicle from traveling with all external lights turned off. Some degree of visibility can be ensured.

In FIG. 5, when the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are turned off (S23) and both the parking brake and the parking range are turned off (Yes in S25), the position light 22 is turned on and the low beam 21 is turned off. Maintain (S27). That is, when both the side brake and the parking range are released and the vehicle is ready to run, the position light 22 is turned on to start running with all external lights of the vehicle turned off. can be prevented.

In FIG. 2, if the light switch 11 is in the auto position 13 (Yes in S65), the brightness outside the vehicle is less than a predetermined value (Yes in S66), and a failure of the vehicle speed sensor 33 is detected (No in S1). After that, even if the position of the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12 (S67), the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on (S11). That is, when a failure of the vehicle speed sensor 33 is detected, the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are turned on, and then the lighting is maintained even if the position of the light switch 11 is moved to the small position 14 or the OFF position 12. , the vehicle speed sensor 33 can be failed, and the vehicle can be prevented from running when the low beam 21 is turned off.

In FIG. 4, the position of the light switch 11 is in the auto position 13 (Yes in S15), the brightness outside the vehicle is less than a predetermined value (Yes in S14), and at least one of the side brake sensor 63 and the parking range sensor 65 is out of order. If so (No in S16), the low beam 21 is turned on and the position light 22 is also turned on (S17). That is, when at least one of the side brake sensor 63 and the parking range sensor 65 fails, the low beam 21 and the position light 22 are turned on so that the vehicle can run without turning on the low beam 21 even when these sensors fail. can be prevented.

1 vehicle light system 11 light switch 12 OFF position 13 auto position 14 small position 15 headlight position 16 reference position 21 low beam 22 position light 24 optical sensor 33 vehicle speed sensor 36 momentary mechanism (mechanism)
41 light control section 42 travel distance calculation section 61 travel distance sensor 63 side brake sensor 65 parking range sensor

Claims (2)

A vehicle light system equipped with a combination switch capable of switching the mode of a light that illuminates the outside by changing the position by rotation,
A mechanism for returning the position to the auto position when the position is rotated to the small position,
The lights include low beams and position lights,
When the vehicle speed of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle light system is less than a first predetermined speed, if an operation is performed to move the position to the small position, the low beam is turned off and the position light is turned on. and turning on the low beams when the traveling distance of the own vehicle from the time when the operation to move the position to the small position is performed reaches a predetermined distance. 2. The vehicle light system according to claim 1, wherein the low beams are turned on when the vehicle speed reaches or exceeds a second predetermined speed before the traveling distance reaches the predetermined distance.

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