Vehicle headlamp control system

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp control system includes an operation portion configured to adopt a first position and a second position by rotating with respect to a lever body, a bias portion that returns the operation portion to the first position, a headlamp control portion configured to enable control of a vehicle side light and a low beam headlamp, a first display portion that indicates a relative position of the operation portion with respect to the lever body, and a second display portion that is adjacent to the first display portion in a case where the operation portion is in the first position and indicates an automatic illumination state in which an automatic switching of an illumination state of the vehicle side light and the low beam headlamp is enabled or a vehicle side light illumination state in which the vehicle side light is illuminated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle headlight control system. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-62929 discloses an invention related to a vehicle lever switch. This vehicle lever switch includes a rotary actuator (operating part) rotatable relative to a lever body. The rotary actuator is configured to automatically return to the automatic light switch position when no more rotary operating force is applied to it between the automatic light switch position and the light off switch position. According to the related technology in JP-A No. 2020-62929, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from driving without lights.

[0003] However, in the relevant technology according to JP-A No. 2020-62929, there are sometimes cases where only the vehicle side lights are illuminated under certain conditions even when the rotary operator is in the automatic light switch position, and the position of the rotary operator sometimes does not match the actual state of the headlights, which could potentially confuse the vehicle driver. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a vehicle headlight control system that can prevent the vehicle from driving without lights while also preventing the driver from being confused about the status of the headlights.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle headlight control system includes an operating unit, a biasing unit, a headlight control unit, a first display portion, and a second display portion. The operating unit is configured to take on a first position and a second position by rotating relative to a lever body. The biasing unit returns the operating unit to the first position when it has rotated toward the second position. The headlight control unit is configured to automatically switch the illumination states of the vehicle side lights and low beam headlights when the operating unit is in the first position, to turn off the low beam headlights and the vehicle side lights when the operating unit is in the second position for a specific time period or longer, and to illuminate the vehicle side lights when the duration of the operating unit being in the second position is shorter than the specific time period. The first display portion indicates the relative position of the operating unit relative to the lever body. The second display portion is adjacent to the first display portion when the operating unit is in the first position and indicates either an automatic illumination state capable of automatically switching the illumination states of the vehicle side lights and the low beam headlights, or a vehicle side light illumination state where the vehicle side lights are illuminated.

[0006] The first embodiment of this disclosure includes an operating part that is rotatable relative to the lever body, and the operating part is configured to take a first position and a second position by rotating relative to the lever body.

[0007] Furthermore, in this disclosure, when the operating unit has reached the second position, the operating unit rotates via the biasing part, thereby returning the operating unit to the first position. In other words, to maintain the operating unit in the second position, it is necessary to support the operating unit to prevent it from rotating.

[0008] Furthermore, this disclosure includes a headlight control unit, which, when the operation unit is in the first position, can be set to an automatic illumination state that automatically switches the illumination states of the vehicle side lights and low beam headlights.

[0009] In addition, the headlight control unit can turn off the vehicle side lights and low beam headlights for a specific period of time or longer when the operating unit is in the second position.

[0010] Furthermore, the headlight control unit can set the vehicle side lights to illuminate when the duration of the operation unit being in the second position is shorter than a specific time period.

[0011] Furthermore, this disclosure enables the relative position of the operating part with respect to the lever body to be indicated via the first display portion. Therefore, for example, this allows the driver to determine the status of the vehicle's headlights by placing indicators indicating automatic illumination status and vehicle side light illumination status, as well as other indicators, at a location adjacent to the first display portion, when the operating part is in each of its respective positions. Note that the headlights mentioned herein include at least one of vehicle side lights or low beam headlights.

[0012] However, as described above, in this disclosure, when the operating unit is in the first position, this sometimes means that the headlights are in an automatic illumination state, and sometimes it means that the vehicle side lights are in an illumination state. Therefore, when the operating unit is in the first position, if one or the other of a sign indicating the automatic illumination state or a sign indicating the vehicle side lights are in an adjacent position to the first display portion is separately provided, the driver of the vehicle may be confused about the status of the vehicle's headlights depending on the actual status of the headlights.

[0013] To solve this problem, a second display section is provided in this disclosure, and the second display section is arranged adjacent to the first display section when the operation section is in the first position, and indicates whether it is in an automatic illumination state or a vehicle side light illumination state.

[0014] This means that the driver can determine whether the headlights are in automatic mode or the side lights are on by looking at the adjacent states of the first and second displays.

[0015] The vehicle headlight control system according to the second aspect of this disclosure is the first aspect of this disclosure, wherein the headlight control unit is further configured to, when the low beam headlight is on and the operation unit has reached the second position, turn off the low beam headlight and turn on the vehicle side lights.

[0016] In the second embodiment of this disclosure, when the low beam headlights are on and the operating unit has reached the second position, the headlight control unit turns off the low beam headlights and illuminates the vehicle side lights. Therefore, this disclosure enables a rapid transition to the vehicle side light illumination state based on driver operation.

[0017] The vehicle headlight control system according to the third embodiment of this disclosure is the first embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the headlight control unit is further configured to, when the low beam headlight is on, and the operation unit has moved from the second position to the first position, turn off the low beam headlight and turn on the vehicle side lights.

[0018] In the third embodiment of this disclosure, when the low beam headlights are on, and the operating unit has moved from the second position to the first position, the headlight control unit turns off the low beam headlights and illuminates the vehicle side lights. This disclosure thus enables the suppression of the vehicle side lights from being on while the operating unit returns from the second position to the first position.

[0019] As described above, the vehicle headlight control system according to the first aspect of this disclosure demonstrates excellent beneficial effects in suppressing the vehicle from driving without lights while also suppressing the driver's confusion about the status of the headlights.

[0020] The vehicle headlight control system according to the second aspect of this disclosure demonstrates an excellent and beneficial effect by rapidly responding to the driver's operation of the vehicle's side lights, thereby suppressing the driver's confusion regarding the status of the vehicle's side lights.

[0021] The vehicle headlight control system according to the third embodiment of this disclosure demonstrates an excellent advantage in facilitating the driver's determination of the position of the control unit when the vehicle side lights are illuminated. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram showing the illustrative structure around the lever switch in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view schematically illustrating the construction of a lever switch that constitutes a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3A This is a front view showing the various states of the lever switch that constitutes a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment, and showing the state of the lever switch when the operating part is in the first position.

[0026] Figure 3B This is a front view showing the various states of the lever switch that constitutes a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment, and showing the state of the lever switch when the operating part is in the second position.

[0027] Figure 3C This is a front view showing the various states of the lever switch that constitutes a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment, and showing the state of the lever switch when the operating part is in the third position.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a control device for controlling a portion of a vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6A This is a front view showing the various states of the lamp units that constitute a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment, and showing the lamp units in a fully illuminated state.

[0031] Figure 6B This is a front view showing the various states of the lamp units that constitute a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment, and showing the state of the lamp units when the vehicle side lights are on.

[0032] Figure 6C This is a front view showing the various states of the lamp units constituting a part of the vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment, and showing the lamp units in a fully off state; and

[0033] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the process by which a control device constituting a part of a vehicle headlight system according to this exemplary embodiment controls the headlights. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following reference Figures 1 to 7 Examples of exemplary embodiments of the "vehicle headlight system 10" according to this disclosure are described below. Note that, appropriately in the drawings, the arrow "up" (UP) indicates the upper side of the vehicle 12 on which the vehicle headlight system 10 is mounted, and the arrow "right" (RH) indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the vehicle headlight system 10 is configured to include a lever switch 14, a control device 16, an illuminance sensor 18, a speed sensor 20, and a lamp unit 22.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the lever switch 14 is attached to the steering column 28, which supports the steering wheel 26, which is located on the right side of the front of the vehicle 12 in the vehicle width direction. That is, in this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0037] In addition, the lever switch 14 includes a "lever body 30", an "operating part 32" and an "biasing part 34".

[0038] The lever body 30 extends from the steering column 28 toward the right in the vehicle width direction, and a rotary switch (not shown) is built into its distal portion.

[0039] The lever body 30 is swayable relative to the steering column 28 toward the front and rear of the vehicle. When the low beam headlight 36 (hereinafter referred to as headlight 36) of the lamp unit 22 is illuminated, the driver can illuminate the highway driving headlight 38 (hereinafter referred to as high beam 38) by swaying the lever body 30 toward the front of the vehicle (see...). Figures 6A to 6C Note that when the driver has already swung the lever body 30 toward the rear of the vehicle, the high beam headlights 38 can be turned on while an operational input force is applied to the lever body 30.

[0040] Furthermore, the lever body 30 is able to swing relative to the steering column 28 toward the upper and lower sides of the vehicle, and the driver can operate the direction indicator (not shown) by swinging the lever body 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0041] The operating part 32 is located at the distal end of the lever body 30 and is rotatable about the axis of the lever body 30. More specifically, the axial portion of the operating part 32 (not shown) is attached to a rotary switch of the lever body 30. As described later, the position of the rotary switch changed by the operation of the operating part 32 is detected by the control device 16, and the control device 16 is configured to control the lighting state of the lamp unit 22 based on this position.

[0042] The operating part 32 can be positioned in three positions relative to the lever body 30, namely Figure 3A The first position shown Figure 3B The second position shown and Figure 3C The third position is shown. With the operating unit 32 rotated clockwise from the first position to the third position when viewed from the right side of the vehicle width direction by the driver's operation, the operating unit 32 is configured to remain in the third position.

[0043] However, when the operating unit 32 has been rotated counterclockwise from the first position to the second position when viewed from the right side of the vehicle width direction by the driver's operation, the operating unit 32 is configured so that it cannot remain in the second position unless the driver's operating force is applied to it, because the operating unit 32 receives a biasing force from the biasing unit 34.

[0044] More specifically, the biasing portion 34 is configured to include, for example, a torsion spring inserted between the lever body 30 and the operating portion 32. The biasing portion 34 is configured to apply a biasing force to the operating portion 32 so that, when the operating portion 32 is rotated from the first position to the second position, the operating portion 32 is rotated toward the first position side. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, when the operating portion 32 is in the second position, the operating portion 32 is configured to return to the first position when the operating force from the driver is no longer acting on the operating portion 32.

[0045] Next, the configuration of the control device 16 will be described below. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the control device 16 is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) 16A, a read-only memory (ROM) 16B, a random access memory (RAM) 16C, a memory 16D, and an input / output I / F (interface) 16E, which serves as an example of a processor. The CPU 16A, ROM 16B, RAM 16C, memory 16D, and input / output I / F 16E are connected together via a bus 16F so that they can communicate with each other.

[0046] CPU 16A is a central processing unit and is capable of executing various programs related to the control of lamp unit 22. More specifically, CPU 16A reads programs from ROM 16B and can use RAM 16C as a workspace to execute programs. As described later, control device 16 can perform various functions by having CPU 16A read and execute programs stored in ROM 16B.

[0047] The memory 16D is configured to include a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), and stores various data including various programs of the operating system and various specifications of the vehicle 12.

[0048] Input / output I / F 16E is the interface through which control unit 16 communicates with various devices installed in vehicle 12. Control unit 16 connects to the various devices described later via input / output I / F 16E to enable communication with them. Note that these devices can be directly connected to bus 16F.

[0049] More specifically, the input / output I / F 16E is connected to the lever switch 14, the illuminance sensor 18, the speed sensor 20, and the lamp unit 22.

[0050] Under the driver's operation, the lever switch 14 can switch the lamp unit 22 to the fully illuminated state, the automatic illuminated state, and the vehicle side lamp illuminated state.

[0051] More specifically, a plurality of circuits, not shown, are configured to be switched by switching the position of the operating part 32 between a first position, a second position, and a third position, and are built into the rotary switch of the lever switch 14.

[0052] The input / output I / F 16E is connected to the lever switch 14 via multiple circuits (not shown) configured such that the connection state of these circuits is switched between a first position, a second position, and a third position based on the position of the operating unit 32. The input / output I / F 16E is configured such that the control device 16 controls the lamp unit 22 based on the position of the operating unit 32 by detecting the position of the operating unit 32 from the connection state of the circuits.

[0053] Illuminance sensor 18 is capable of detecting the illuminance around vehicle 12. Illuminance sensor 18 is configured to include, for example, a phototransistor and a photodiode, and is mounted at a specific location capable of receiving light from outside the vehicle through a windshield (not shown), such as on the upper surface of a dashboard (not shown) of vehicle 12. The configuration is such that an illuminance signal is output to control device 16 to indicate the illuminance around vehicle 12 detected by illuminance sensor 18.

[0054] The speed sensor 20 is mounted on a drive shaft (not shown) that rotates integrally with the driven wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 12, and is configured to output a speed signal (pulse signal) to the control device 16 based on the speed of the driven wheel.

[0055] like Figures 6A to 6C As shown, in addition to the headlights 36 and high beams 38 described above, lamp unit 22 also includes "vehicle side lights 24" (hereinafter referred to as parking lights 24). The configuration is such that the illumination state of lamp unit 22 is controlled by control device 16.

[0056] Next, refer to the following: Figure 5The functional configuration of the control device 16 is described. The CPU 16A reads and executes the executable program stored in the ROM 16B so that the control device 16 functions as a combination of the lever switch status detection unit 40, the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, the travel distance calculation unit 44, and the "headlight control unit 46".

[0057] Based on the connection state with the rotary switch of the lever switch 14, the lever switch state detection unit 40 detects the position of the operating unit 32 as one of a first position, a second position, or a third position. When the operating unit 32 is in the first position, the lever switch state detection unit 40 sends a first position signal to the headlight control unit 46; when the operating unit 32 is in the second position, it sends a second position signal to the headlight control unit 46; and when the operating unit 32 is in the third position, it sends a third position signal to the headlight control unit 46.

[0058] The vehicle speed calculation unit 42 calculates the speed of the vehicle 12 based on the rotational speed signal sent from the speed sensor 20 and the outer diameter of the driven wheel stored in the memory 16D. The vehicle speed calculation unit 42 is configured to send a vehicle speed signal based on the speed of the vehicle 12 to the headlight control unit 46.

[0059] Based on the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, the travel distance calculation unit 44 can calculate the travel distance of the vehicle 12 within a specific time period and the cumulative travel distance of the vehicle 12 from the specific time to the current time. The travel distance calculation unit 44 is configured to send a distance signal based on the cumulative travel distance of the vehicle 12 to the headlight control unit 46.

[0060] The headlight control unit 46 is configured to control the illumination state of the lamp unit 22 based on the first to third position signals sent from the lever switch state detection unit 40, the illuminance signal sent from the illuminance sensor 18, the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, and the distance signal sent from the travel distance calculation unit 44.

[0061] More specifically, when the headlight control unit 46 receives a first position signal from the lever switch state detection unit 40, it switches the lamp unit 22 to an automatic illumination state. In the automatic illumination state of the lamp unit 22, if... Figure 6A As shown, when it is determined that the illuminance of the vehicle 12 is at or below a certain illuminance based on the illuminance signal sent from the illuminance sensor 18, and when it is determined that the vehicle 12 is driving (e.g., at a speed greater than 15 km / h) based on the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, the headlight control unit 46 is configured to illuminate the headlight 36 and the parking lights 24.

[0062] When the second position signal is sent from the lever switch state detection unit 40, the headlight control unit 46 is configured to control the illumination state of the lamp unit 22 based on the duration of continuous transmission of the second position signal, the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, and the distance signal sent from the travel distance calculation unit 44.

[0063] More specifically, when the continuous duration of the transmission of the second position signal is shorter than a specific time period (e.g., 0.1 s), the headlight control unit 46 is configured to switch the lamp unit 22 to the vehicle side lamp illumination state, such as... Figure 6B As shown, this keeps the headlights 36 off and only the parking lights 24 on.

[0064] Note that the headlight control unit 46 is configured to keep the vehicle side lights of the lamp unit 22 illuminated based on the vehicle speed signal sent from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42 and the distance signal sent from the travel distance calculation unit 44, when the headlight control unit 46 has determined that the vehicle 12 has stopped, or the vehicle 12 has traveled a specific distance (e.g., 100m) or a shorter distance at a speed not exceeding a specific speed (e.g., 15km / h).

[0065] In other words, when the vehicle 12 is traveling at a speed higher than a certain speed, even when a second position signal is being sent from the lever switch state detection unit 40 to the headlight control unit 46, the headlight control unit 46 is configured to keep the headlights 36 and the parking lights 24 illuminated.

[0066] Note that when the vehicle side lights of lamp unit 22 are in the illuminated state, if the operation unit 32 returns to the first position, lamp unit 22 switches to the automatic illumination state. However, in this case, the small lights 24 remain illuminated, and the headlights 36 are illuminated by the moving vehicle 12. That is, although lamp unit 22 switches to the automatic illumination state, when the vehicle 12 is stopped or when the vehicle 12 moves at a speed not exceeding a certain speed and a distance not exceeding a certain distance, lamp unit 22 appears to remain in the vehicle side light illuminated state.

[0067] However, when the continuous duration of the transmission of the second position signal is a specific time period (e.g., 0.1s) or longer, the headlight control unit 46 is configured to switch the lamp unit 22 to a fully off state, and as... Figure 6C As shown, turn off the headlights 36 and parking lights 24.

[0068] Furthermore, the headlight control unit 46 switches the lamp unit 22 to a fully illuminated state even after a third position signal has been sent from the lever switch state detection unit 40. The headlight control unit 46 is configured to illuminate the headlight 36 and the parking lights 24 when the lamp unit 22 is in a fully illuminated state.

[0069] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the driver can determine the illumination status of the lamp unit 22 from the "mode selection indicator 48" set to the operation unit 32 as the first display part, the "automatic / vehicle side light indicator 50" set to the lever body 30 as the second display part, as well as the off indicator 52 and the headlight indicator 54.

[0070] More specifically, when the operating unit 32 is in the first position, as viewed from the driver's perspective, the mode selection mark 48 is arranged in the central portion of the lever body 30 on the side of the operating unit 32 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The mode selection mark 48 is formed by engraving the operating unit 32 using a laser marker or the like, and extends in a straight line along the width direction of the vehicle. The mode selection mark 48 can indicate the relative position of the operating unit 32 with respect to the lever body 30.

[0071] The automatic / vehicle side light sign 50 is configured as an automatic sign 50A including a pictograph of the automatic illumination state of the indicator light unit 22 and a vehicle side light sign 50B including a pictograph of the vehicle side light illumination state of the indicator light unit 22. The automatic / vehicle side light sign 50 is formed by engraving the lever body 30 using a laser sign or the like, and when the operation part 32 is in the first position, it is arranged on the lever body 30 at a position adjacent to the mode selection sign 48.

[0072] The closure mark 52 is a pictograph of the fully closed state of the indicator light unit 22, and is formed by engraving the lever body 30 using a laser marker or the like. When the operation unit 32 is in the second position, the closure mark 52 is arranged on the lever body 30 adjacent to the mode selection mark 48.

[0073] The headlight symbol 54 is a pictograph of the fully illuminated state of the indicator light unit 22, and is formed by engraving the lever body 30 using a laser marker or the like. When the operating part 32 is in the third position, the headlight symbol 54 is positioned on the lever body 30 adjacent to the mode selection symbol 48.

[0074] Operation and beneficial effects of this exemplary embodiment

[0075] Next, the operation and beneficial effects of this exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0076] like Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle headlight system 10 according to this exemplary embodiment includes an operating part 32 that is rotatable relative to the lever body 30, and as... Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the operating part 32 can be rotated relative to the lever body 30 to adopt a first position and a second position.

[0077] In this exemplary embodiment, when the operation unit 32 is in the second position, the operation unit 32 is rotated by the biasing unit 34, and the operation unit 32 returns to the first position. That is, in order to keep the operation unit 32 in the second position, it is necessary to support the operation unit 32 so that the operation unit 32 does not rotate.

[0078] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, this exemplary embodiment includes a headlight control unit 46, and the headlight control unit 46 can be set to an automatic lighting state, wherein when the operation unit 32 is in the first position, the lighting states of the small lamp 24 and the headlight 36 are automatically switched.

[0079] When the operation unit 32 is in the second position for a specific period of time or longer, the headlight control unit 46 can also turn off the parking lights 24 and the headlights 36.

[0080] Furthermore, when the operation unit 32 is in the second position for a period of time shorter than a specific time period, the headlight control unit 46 can set the vehicle side lights to be illuminated only when the parking lights 24 are on.

[0081] The following mainly refers to Figure 7 The flowchart describes the control flow related to the switching of the lighting state of the lamp unit 22 by the control device 16. The control flow is initiated by the CPU 16A receiving specific instruction signals at specific time intervals.

[0082] When the control flow has started, in step S100, CPU 16A acts as the lever switch state detection unit 40 and determines whether the position of the operation unit 32 is the first position. Then, if CPU 16A has determined that the position of the operation unit 32 is the first position (step S100: Yes), the process proceeds to step S101, and if it is determined that the position of the operation unit 32 is not the first position (step S100: No), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0083] In step S101, the CPU 16A acts as the headlight control unit 46, sets the lamp unit 22 to automatic lighting state, and then the control flow ends.

[0084] In step S102, CPU 16A acts as a lever switch state detection unit 40 and determines whether the position of operation unit 32 is the second position. Then, if CPU 16A has determined that the position of operation unit 32 is the second position (step S102: yes), the process proceeds to step S103, and if it is determined that operation unit 32 is not in the second position (step S102: no), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0085] In step S103, CPU 16A acts as the headlight control unit 46 and determines whether the duration of operation unit 32 in the second position is a specific time period or longer. If CPU 16A has determined that the duration of operation unit 32 in the second position is a specific time period or longer (step S103: Yes), the process proceeds to step S105; if it is determined that the duration of operation unit 32 in the second position is shorter than the specific time period (step S103: No), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0086] In step S105, the CPU 16A acts as the headlight control unit 46, sets the lamp unit 22 to the fully off state, and then the control flow ends.

[0087] In step S106, the CPU 16A acts as the headlight control unit 46, sets the lamp unit 22 to the vehicle side lamp illumination state, and then the control flow ends.

[0088] In step S104, CPU 16A acts as a lever switch state detection unit 40 and determines whether the position of operation unit 32 is the third position. Then, if CPU 16A has determined that operation unit 32 is in the third position (step S104: yes), the process proceeds to step S107, and if it is determined that operation unit 32 is not in the third position (step S104: no), the process returns to step S100.

[0089] In step S107, the CPU 16A acts as the headlight control unit 46, sets the lamp unit 22 to a fully lit state, and then the control flow ends.

[0090] return Figures 3A to 3C This exemplary embodiment enables the relative position of the operating unit 32 with respect to the lever body 30 to be indicated by the mode selection mark 48. Therefore, for example, this allows the driver to determine the state of the vehicle 12's headlights, such as by an automatic indicator 50A indicating automatic illumination and a vehicle side light indicator 50B indicating vehicle side light illumination, as well as other indicators located adjacent to the mode selection mark 48, when the operating unit 32 is in its respective position. Note that at least one of the parking lights 24 or the headlights 36 is included in the headlights referred to herein.

[0091] However, as described above, in this exemplary embodiment, when the operation unit 32 is in the first position, the lamp unit 22 is sometimes in an automatic illumination state and sometimes in a vehicle side lamp illumination state. When the operation unit 32 is in the first position, if one or the other of the automatic indicator 50A or the vehicle side lamp indicator 50B is set separately at a position adjacent to the mode selection indicator 48, the driver of the vehicle 12 may be confused about the status of the headlights of the vehicle 12 depending on the actual status of the headlights.

[0092] To address this issue, in this exemplary embodiment, an automatic / vehicle side light indicator 50 is provided, and when the operation unit 32 is in the first position, the automatic / vehicle side light indicator 50 is positioned adjacent to the mode selection indicator 48 to indicate whether the system is in an automatic illumination state or a vehicle side light illumination state.

[0093] This means that the driver of vehicle 12 can determine whether the headlights are in an automatic illumination state or the vehicle side lights are in an illumination state by looking at the adjacent states of mode selection sign 48 and automatic / vehicle side light sign 50.

[0094] Therefore, this exemplary embodiment is able to suppress the vehicle 12 from driving without lights while also suppressing the driver's confusion about the status of the headlights.

[0095] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, when the operation unit 32 is in the second position, the headlight control unit 46 turns off the headlight 36 from the illuminated state and illuminates the parking lights 24. Thus, this exemplary embodiment can quickly switch to the vehicle sidelight illumination state based on the driver's operation.

[0096] Therefore, the driver's actions are quickly reflected in the status of the parking lights 24, and the driver's confusion about the status of the parking lights 24 is suppressed.

[0097] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the transition to the vehicle side lamp illumination state can also be performed by the headlight control unit 46 performing controls other than those described above.

[0098] More specifically, when the continuous duration of the second position signal is shorter than a specific time period, the headlight control unit 46 can switch the lamp unit 22 to the vehicle side light illumination state from the moment it receives the first position signal, that is, after the operation unit 32 has returned to the first position.

[0099] In this configuration, when the operating unit 32 moves from the second position to the first position from the state where the headlight 36 is illuminated, the headlight control unit 46 turns off the headlight 36 and illuminates the parking lights 24. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the vehicle side lights being illuminated during the interval between when the operating unit 32 is in the second position and when it returns to the first position.

[0100] Therefore, the above configuration allows the driver to easily determine the position of the operating unit 32 when the parking lights 24 are on.

[0101] Supplementary description of the above exemplary embodiments

[0102] (1) Although in the exemplary embodiments described above, the mode selection mark 48 of the operation unit 32 and the automatic / vehicle side light mark 50, the off mark 52 and the headlight mark 54 of the lever body 30 are engraved using a laser marker or the like, the construction of each mark is not limited thereto. For example, depending on the specifications of the vehicle 12, these marks can be configured as a base material and a separate body, such as resin and metal. Furthermore, in order to improve the visibility of the marks and make it easy for the driver to determine the illumination status of the headlights, these marks can be configured to emit light under an indicator light such as a light-emitting diode (LED), and these marks can emit light corresponding to the illuminated headlights.

[0103] (2) Although in the above exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a right-hand drive vehicle, and therefore the lever switch 14 is arranged on the right side of the steering column 28 in the vehicle width direction, the position of the lever switch 14 is not limited thereto. In the case where the vehicle 12 is a left-hand drive vehicle, the lever switch 14 can be arranged on the left side of the steering column 28 in the vehicle width direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlight control system, comprising: The operating part is configured to take on a first position and a second position by rotating relative to the lever body; The biasing part returns the operating part to the first position when the operating part has been rotated toward the second position side; The headlight control unit is configured as follows: This allows the vehicle's side lights and low beam headlights to be automatically switched when the operating unit is in the first position. This allows the low beam headlights and vehicle side lights to be turned off when the operating unit is in the second position for a specific period of time or longer. This allows the vehicle side lights to be illuminated when the duration of the operation unit being in the second position is shorter than the specific time period. The first display section indicates the relative position of the operating part with respect to the lever body; as well as The second display portion is adjacent to the first display portion when the operation portion is in the first position, and indicates an automatic illumination state that can automatically switch the illumination state of the vehicle side lights and the low beam headlights, or a vehicle side light illumination state where the vehicle side lights are illuminated; the second display portion is configured to include an automatic indicator indicating the automatic illumination state, a vehicle side light indicator indicating the vehicle side light illumination state, and a diagonal line located between the automatic indicator and the vehicle side light indicator.

2. The vehicle headlight control system according to claim 1, wherein, The headlight control unit is further configured to, when the low beam headlight is on and the operation unit has reached the second position, turn off the low beam headlight and turn on the vehicle side lights.

3. The vehicle headlight control system according to claim 1, wherein, The headlight control unit is further configured to, when the low beam headlight is on and the operation unit has moved from the second position to the first position, turn off the low beam headlight and turn on the vehicle side lights.

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