Brake lamp lighting system

Abstract

To prevent a lighting signal accompanying automatic braking and a lighting signal by driver's operation from being double while providing both of a lamp lighting structure for automatic braking and a lamp lighting structure for driver's operation.SOLUTION: A brake lamp lighting system 10A comprises: a switch circuit 33 which can output a current for lighting to a brake lamp 17A when switches 31, 32 are turned ON; a first control circuit 26 which is provided in parallel with the switch circuit 33, and has a first control unit 11 capable of performing brake control independently of the operation of a brake operator and outputting the current for lighting to the brake lamp 17A; and a second control unit 15 which is connected to the first control circuit 26, and transmits a lamp lighting signal to the first control unit 11 when the switches 31, 32 are OFF to enable the current to be supplied and also disables the current to be supplied without any communication of the lamp lighting signal with the first control unit 11 when the switches 31, 32 are ON.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake lamp lighting system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known vehicles that perform driving assistance control such as following control, which follows a vehicle ahead while maintaining a specified distance between the vehicles. In such vehicles, when a possibility of collision with a vehicle ahead is detected based on the relationship between the vehicle speed and the distance between the vehicles ahead, for example, some vehicles automatically activate a brake device to reduce the vehicle speed and maintain the distance between the vehicles. In order to inform the following vehicle of the operation of such automatic braking, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a brake activation signal is sent from a brake control ECU to a vehicle distance control ECU, and the vehicle distance control ECU turns on the brake lights. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-63274 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when a brake lamp lighting structure associated with automatic braking and a brake lamp lighting structure operated by the driver are installed side by side, there is a problem that the lighting signal associated with the automatic braking and the lighting signal operated by the driver are duplicated.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a brake lamp lighting system that can prevent the lighting signal associated with automatic braking and the lighting signal operated by the driver from being duplicated, while paralleling a lamp lighting structure associated with automatic braking and a lamp lighting structure operated by the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a brake lamp (17A, 17B, 17C) that is turned on when braking a vehicle (1), a switch circuit (33) having switches (31, 32) that detect the operation of a brake operator and are connected / disconnected, and capable of outputting a current (A1) for lighting the brake lamps when the switches (31, 32) are turned on, a first control circuit (26) having a first control device (11) that is provided in parallel with the switch circuit (33) and is capable of controlling the brakes separately from the operation of the brake operator and capable of outputting a current (A2) for lighting the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C), and a second control device (15) connected to the first control circuit (26), which transmits a lamp lighting signal (S1) to the first control device (11) when the switches (31, 32) are off, thereby enabling the first control circuit (26) to supply a lighting current (A2) to the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C), and which does not communicate the lamp lighting signal (S1) with the first control device (11) when the switches (31, 32) are on, thereby disabling the supply of the lighting current (A2) from the first control circuit (26) to the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C). According to this configuration, a first control circuit having a first control device such as a body control unit supplies a current for lighting the brake lamps, and also when a brake switch that detects the driver's operation of a brake operator is on, a current for lighting the brake lamps can be supplied. At this time, a second control device such as an ABS unit connected to the first control circuit transmits an output signal to the first control device when the switch is off, enabling the first control circuit to supply current to the brake lamps, and when the switch is on, prioritizes the driver's brake operation, does not communicate an output signal with the first control device, and disables the first control circuit from supplying current to the brake lamps. This makes it possible to prevent the automatic braking-related lighting structure and the driver's operation-related lighting structure from being doubled while providing them in parallel.

[0007] As described in a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, the second control device (15) may be unable to transmit the lamp lighting signal (S1) to the first control device (11) when the switches (31, 32) are on.

[0008] As described in a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, the first control device (11) may be unable to receive the lamp lighting signal (S1) from the second control device (15) when the switches (31, 32) are on.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a downstream junction line (37) that connects the downstream sides of the switch circuit (33) and the first control circuit (26). The downstream junction line (37) includes a diode (37a) that allows a current (A1) to flow from the switch circuit (33) side to the first control circuit (26) side and blocks a current (A2) from the first control circuit (26) side to the switch circuit (33) side. With this configuration, even when the downstream sides of the switch circuit and the first control circuit are joined together to connect to the brake lamp, the flow of current from the first control circuit to the switch circuit can be blocked, making it possible to connect the current circuit without making any particular changes to the wiring connection section on the brake lamp side.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is related to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the second control device (15) is an ABS unit (15) connected to the first control device (11) via a CAN communication line (21). According to this configuration, by using an existing ABS unit to output a command signal to the first control device, it is possible to provide a lighting structure associated with automatic braking and a lighting structure operated by the driver in parallel.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C) perform a first lighting mode when a current (A1) is supplied from the switch circuit (33), and perform a second lighting mode having higher visibility than the first lighting mode when a current (A2) is supplied from the first control circuit (26). According to this configuration, when brake control separate from the brake operator is performed, there is a higher possibility of sudden braking than during normal braking by the driver's brake operation. In that case, the second light is turned on by increasing the brightness or flashing more than the first light turned on during normal braking, thereby making it more visible, thereby effectively notifying following vehicles that brake control is in progress. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the lighting signal associated with automatic braking and the lighting signal associated with the driver's operation from being duplicated, while paralleling a lamp lighting structure associated with automatic braking and a lamp lighting structure associated with the driver's operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of vehicle follow-up control according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a circuit diagram showing a main part of a brake lamp lighting system for the vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, showing how current is supplied to the brake lamps via the brake switch. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, showing how current is supplied to the brake lamps via the body control unit. [Diagram 5] 4 is a time chart showing various state changes when automatic brake control is performed in the vehicle. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the brake lamp lighting system. [Figure 7]3 is a circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a modified example of the brake lamp lighting system. FIG. [Figure 8A] 8 is an explanatory diagram of a lamp unit of the brake lamp lighting system of FIG. 7. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 8A, showing the illumination of the brake lights during automatic braking. [Figure 9] 3 is a circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing another modified example of the brake lamp lighting system. FIG. [Figure 10A] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a lamp unit of the brake lamp lighting system of FIG. 9. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 10A, showing the illumination of the brake lights during automatic braking. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an example of a brake lamp lighting system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the brake lamp lighting system of this embodiment is applied to a vehicle 1, such as a motorcycle, to which a driving assistance system P1 is applied.

[0015] The driving support system P1 includes a following control (so-called ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control System) that follows the vehicle 1A ahead and keeps a specified distance K1 between the vehicles. In the following control, when an external detection means such as a camera or radar provided on the vehicle 1 detects a possibility of collision with the vehicle 1A ahead from the relationship of the vehicle speed and the distance K1 between the vehicles 1A ahead, the braking device is activated to apply braking, reducing the vehicle speed and maintaining the distance K1 between the vehicles. When the driving support system P1 automatically activates the braking device, the brake lights are turned on to inform the following vehicle 1B that braking is being applied.

[0016] 2 shows the main configuration of a brake lamp lighting system 10A of the vehicle 1. The brake lamp lighting system 10A includes a body control unit (BCU, first control device) 11 that controls the overall functions of the electrical components of the vehicle 1. An ABS unit (second control device) 15 that controls the operation of an ABS (Antilock Brake System) is connected to the body control unit 11 via a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication line 21.

[0017] When the driving assistance system P1 determines that deceleration is necessary to avoid a collision with the vehicle 1A in front, automatic brake control is performed by the ABS unit 15, and a lamp illumination signal S1 is sent from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11 via CAN communication.

[0018] 4, the body control unit 11 starts supplying power to the stop lamps (brake lamps) in response to the CAN signal. The ABS unit 15 determines whether there is an input to the brake switches 31 and 32. The ABS unit 15 transmits a lamp illumination signal S1 to the body control unit 11 only when there is no input to the brake switches 31 and 32.

[0019] In the drawing, reference numeral 23 denotes a main power supply line extending from an on-board power supply via a main switch, etc. Hereinafter, the power supply of the brake lamp lighting system 10A will be described, and for convenience of explanation, the side closer to the on-board power supply will be referred to as the upstream side, and the side farther from the on-board power supply will be referred to as the downstream side.

[0020] An upstream power supply line 24 is connected to the power input section 12 of the body control unit 11. The upstream power supply line 24 branches off and extends from the main power supply line 23. A downstream power supply line 25 extends from the power output section 13 of the body control unit 11. The downstream power supply line 25 is connected to the light source 18 of the brake lamp 17A. The upstream power supply line 24, the body control unit 11, and the downstream power supply line 25 are included in a first control circuit 26. The main power supply line 23 and the brake lamp 17A are connected via the first control circuit 26.

[0021] A switch circuit 33 including the front and rear brake switches 31, 32 branches off and extends from the main power supply line 23. The switch circuit 33 includes an upstream branch line 34 extending from the main power supply line 23 toward the front and rear brake switches 31, 32, a downstream junction line 35 junctioning the downstream sides of the front and rear brake switches 31, 32, and a switch downstream line 36 extending from the downstream end of the downstream junction line 35. The switch downstream line 36 is connected to the downstream power supply line 25 via a switch junction line 37. The switch downstream line 36 is connected to the ABS unit 15 via a unit connection line 38. The switch junction line 37 is provided with a diode 37a that allows a current A1 to flow only from the switch downstream line 36 to the downstream power supply line 25 so that a current A2 does not flow back from the downstream power supply line 25 to the switch downstream line 36.

[0022] 3, when the driver operates the brake operator and at least one of the front and rear brake switches 31, 32 is turned on (energized), power is supplied to the brake lamps 17A via the switch circuit 33, causing the brake lamps 17A to emit light. The main power supply line 23 and the brake lamps 17A are connected via the switch circuit 33. That is, the first control circuit 26 and the switch circuit 33 are provided in parallel between the main power supply line and the brake lamps 17A.

[0023] When at least one of the front and rear brake switches 31, 32 is turned on, 12V power is supplied to the ABS unit 15 from a separate power source, enabling ABS operation. The ABS unit 15 integrally comprises a hydraulic circuit section including valves and actuators for controlling the supply and discharge of brake fluid, and a control section for controlling the operation of the hydraulic circuit section. The ABS unit 15 operates in response to a command signal input from the body control unit 11 via the CAN communication line 21. The ABS unit 15 may function as a brake actuator that generates brake hydraulic pressure (hydraulic pressure). The ABS unit 15 may be configured to supply hydraulic pressure to the front and rear brakes to operate them in response to the operation of a brake operator.

[0024] 4, when the ABS unit 15 performs brake control, power for lighting the brake lamps 17A is supplied from the body control unit 11 to the brake lamps 17A to light the brake lamps 17A. The power supply from the body control unit 11 to the brake lamps 17A is performed in response to a command signal (lamp lighting signal S1) input from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11 via the CAN communication line 21.

[0025] 3, the command signal (lamp lighting signal S1) from the ABS unit 15 is not output when the current A1 from the switch circuit 33 is being supplied to the ABS unit 15 (when at least one of the brake switches 31, 32 is on). Therefore, the current A1 supplied from the switch circuit 33 to the brake lamp 17A and the current A2 supplied from the body control unit 11 to the brake lamp 17A do not overlap with each other.

[0026] By setting the luminance of the light source 18 to be higher when the light source 18 is illuminated by the supply current A2 from the first control circuit 26 than when the light source 18 is illuminated by the supply current A1 from the switch circuit 33, the visibility of the brake lamps 17A during automatic braking can be improved. In particular, when there is a high possibility of a collision with the preceding vehicle 1A in terms of the relationship between the vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance K1, the lamp illumination signal S1 (CAN signal) transmitted from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11 can include an operation such as blinking the brake lamps 17A or increasing the supply current A2 to illuminate them brightly, thereby emphasizing the deceleration of the host vehicle 1 to be communicated to the following vehicle 1B.

[0027] Various state changes occurring when automatic brake control is performed on the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the control unit of the ABS unit 15 determines that brake pressure needs to be applied (timing T1), after a delay, the pump motor of the hydraulic circuit of the ABS unit 15 starts to drive (timing T2), and eventually hydraulic pressure is generated within the ABS unit 15. When the hydraulic pressure rises and reaches or exceeds a first threshold value (timing T3), a determination is made to drive (turn on) the brake lamps 17A.

[0028] Thereafter, at timing T4 just before the hydraulic pressure reaches the third threshold (or at timing T4 after a specified time has elapsed since the decision to drive the brake lamps 17A), a CAN signal (lamp illumination signal S1) is sent from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11. When the body control unit 11 receives this signal (timing T5), at the following timing T6, a current A2 is supplied to the brake lamps 17A to illuminate the brake lamps 17A. The output timing T4 of the lamp illumination signal S1 (CAN signal) is set to the timing at which the deceleration of the vehicle 1 increases so that the brake lamps 17A are illuminated simultaneously with or earlier than the deceleration of the vehicle 1.

[0029] The lamp lighting control process in the brake lamp lighting system 10A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the ABS unit 15 determines whether deceleration by the brake device is required (step S01). If the result in step S01 is YES (deceleration by the brake device is required), it then determines whether there is no input from the brake switches 31, 32 (step S02). If the result in step S02 is YES (no brake switch input), the process proceeds to step S03, where a lamp illumination signal S1 is sent from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11, and the brake lamp 17A is illuminated by the supply current A2 from the body control unit 11.

[0030] If step S01 is NO (no deceleration by the brake device is required) and if step S02 is NO (there is a brake switch input), the process proceeds to step S04, and the lamp illumination signal S1 is not transmitted from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11. In particular, if there is a brake switch input (the driver has applied the brakes), by not supplying power from the body control unit 11 to the brake lamp 17A, it is possible to prevent the current A1 from the switch circuit 33 to the brake lamp 17A and the current A2 from the body control unit 11 to the brake lamp 17A from overlapping.

[0031] In the brake lamp lighting system 10B shown in Fig. 7, a brake lamp 17B is provided with a light source 18 connected to a switch circuit 33 and a light source 18 connected to a first control circuit 26. The switch circuit 33 is connected to the corresponding light source 18 without merging with the first control circuit 26. In the configuration of Fig. 7, the switch merging line 37 is eliminated.

[0032] 8A, for example, the light sources 18 connected to the switch circuit 33 and the light sources 18 connected to the first control circuit 26 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting surface. When the brake switches 31, 32 are on, the light sources 18 connected to the switch circuit 33 emit light to turn on the brake lamps 17B. When the automatic brake is applied and the lamp-on signal S1 is transmitted from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11, the light sources 18 connected to the first control circuit 26 emit light to turn on the brake lamps 17B. In this way, the brake lamps 17B can be turned on not only in response to the driver's operation but also in response to the automatic brake control. In the figure, the reference symbol 17U indicates a lamp unit including the brake lamps 17B and the tail lamps 19.

[0033] 8B, for example, the visibility of the brake lamps 17B during automatic braking can be increased by increasing the brightness of the light source 18 connected to the first control circuit 26 more than that of the light source 18 connected to the switch circuit 33. Also, when there is a high possibility of a collision with a leading vehicle in terms of the vehicle speed or the distance between the vehicles, the lamp lighting signal S1 (CAN signal) transmitted from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11 can include an operation such as blinking the brake lamps 17B or increasing the supply current A2 to light them brightly, thereby emphasizing the deceleration of the host vehicle 1 to be communicated to the following vehicle 1B.

[0034] In the brake lamp lighting system 10C shown in Fig. 9, a brake lamp 17C connects a switch circuit 33 and a first control circuit 26 to a common light source 18. The switch circuit 33 is connected to the light source 18 without merging with the first control circuit 26, and the switch merging line 37 is eliminated.

[0035] 10A, for example, the light sources 18 of the brake lamp 17C are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting surface. When the brake switches 31, 32 are on, the light sources 18 emit light with the current A1 supplied from the switch circuit 33, thereby turning on the brake lamp 17C. During automatic braking and when a lamp-on signal S1 is transmitted from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11, the light sources 18 emit light with the current A2 supplied from the first control circuit 26, thereby turning on the brake lamp 17C. In this way, the brake lamp 17C can be turned on not only in response to the driver's operation, but also in response to automatic brake control.

[0036] 10B, the visibility of the brake lamps 17C during automatic braking can be increased by setting the luminance when the light source 18 is illuminated by the supply current A2 from the first control circuit 26 to be higher than the luminance when the light source 18 is illuminated by the supply current A1 from the switch circuit 33. In addition, when there is a high possibility of a collision with the preceding vehicle 1A in terms of the relationship between the vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance K1, the lamp illumination signal S1 (CAN signal) transmitted from the ABS unit 15 to the body control unit 11 can include an operation such as blinking the brake lamps 17C or increasing the supply current A2 to illuminate them brightly, thereby emphasizing the deceleration of the host vehicle 1 to be communicated to the following vehicle 1B.

[0037] As described above, the brake lamp lighting systems 10A, 10B, and 10C in the above-described embodiments each include the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C that are turned on when the vehicle 1 is braked, and the switches 31 and 32 that detect the operation of the brake operator and make and break the connection. The switch circuit 33 is capable of outputting a current A1 for lighting the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C when the switches 31 and 32 are on, and a current A2 for lighting the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C is provided in parallel with the switch circuit 33, which is capable of controlling the brakes separately from the operation of the brake operator and outputs a current A3 for lighting the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C. and a second control device 15 connected to the switch circuit 33 and the first control circuit 26, which transmits a lamp lighting signal S1 to the first control device 11 when the switches 31, 32 are off, thereby enabling the first control circuit 26 to supply a lighting current A2 to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C, and which does not transmit the lamp lighting signal S1 to the first control device 11 when the switches 31, 32 are on, thereby disabling the first control circuit 26 from supplying the lighting current A2 to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C.

[0038] According to this configuration, the first control circuit 26 having the first control device 11 such as the body control unit 11 supplies the current A2 for lighting to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C, and also supplies the current A1 for lighting to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C when the brake switches 31, 32 that detect the operation of the brake operator by the driver are on. At this time, the second control device 15 such as the ABS unit 15 connected to each of the switch circuit 33 and the first control circuit 26 transmits an output signal S1 to the first control device 11 when the switches 31, 32 are off to enable the supply of the current A2 from the first control circuit 26 to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C, and when the switches 31, 32 are on, the driver's brake operation is prioritized, and the output signal S1 is not transmitted to the first control device 11 to disable the supply of the current A2 from the first control circuit 26 to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C. This makes it possible to prevent the lighting signal associated with automatic braking and the lighting signal operated by the driver from being duplicated, while simultaneously providing a lighting structure associated with automatic braking and a lighting structure operated by the driver.

[0039] In the above configuration, the second control device 15 is configured to be unable to transmit the lamp lighting signal S1 to the first control device 11 when the switches 31, 32 are on, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first control device 11 may be configured not to receive the lamp lighting signal S1 from the second control device 15 when the switches 31, 32 are on. In other words, it is sufficient that when the switches 31, 32 are on, the lamp lighting signal S1 is not communicated between the first control device 11 and the second control device 15, and the lighting current A2 cannot be supplied from the first control circuit 26 to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C.

[0040] In addition, the brake lamp lighting system 10A is provided with a downstream junction line 37 that connects the downstream sides of the switch circuit 33 and the first control circuit 26, and the downstream junction line 37 is provided with a diode 37a that allows the flow of current A1 from the switch circuit 33 side to the first control circuit 26 side and blocks the flow of current A2 from the first control circuit 26 side to the switch circuit 33 side. With this configuration, even when the downstream sides of the switch circuit 33 and the first control circuit 26 are joined together to connect to the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C, it is possible to block the flow of the current A2 from the first control circuit 26 to the switch circuit 33. This makes it possible to connect the current circuit without making any particular changes to the wiring connection parts on the brake lamps 17A, 17B, 17C sides.

[0041] In the above brake lamp lighting systems 10A, 10B, and 10C, the second control device 15 is an ABS unit 15 connected to the first control device 11 via a CAN communication line 21. According to this configuration, by outputting a command signal to the first control device 11 using the existing ABS unit 15, it is possible to provide a lighting structure associated with automatic braking and a lighting structure operated by the driver in parallel.

[0042] In addition, in the above-mentioned brake lamp lighting systems 10A, 10B, and 10C, the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C perform a first lighting mode when a current A1 is supplied from the switch circuit 33, and perform a second lighting mode that has higher visibility than the first lighting mode when a current A2 is supplied from the first control circuit 26. According to this configuration, when brake control separate from the brake operator is performed, there is a higher possibility of sudden braking than during normal braking by the driver's brake operation. In that case, the second light is turned on by increasing the brightness or flashing more than the first light turned on during normal braking, thereby making it more visible, thereby effectively notifying following vehicles that brake control is in progress.

[0043] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the first control device can be replaced by a brake control unit, a front control unit, or the like in addition to the body control unit. Fig. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a modification of the embodiment (brake lamp lighting system 10D) corresponding to Fig. 2. In this modification, on / off of the switches 31, 32 is input to the body control unit 11 via a unit connection line 39, instead of the ABS unit 15. The unit connection line 38 of the embodiment is eliminated. In this modification, when the body control unit 11 receives an OFF input for the switches 31 and 32, the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C are turned on in accordance with the lamp lighting signal S1 from the ABS unit 15. When the body control unit 11 receives an ON input for the switches 31 and 32, the lamp lighting signal S1 from the ABS unit 15 is cut off and the brake lamps 17A, 17B, and 17C are turned on.

[0044] The brake lamp illumination system of this embodiment may be applied to saddle-ride type vehicles other than motorcycles. The saddle-ride type vehicles include all vehicles on which a driver straddles the vehicle body, including not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). Also included are vehicles that include an electric motor as a prime mover. The present invention may also be applied to vehicles other than saddle-type vehicles (passenger cars, buses, trucks, etc.). The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 vehicle 10A, 10B, 10C Brake light lighting system 11 Body control unit (first control device) 15 ABS unit (second control device) 17A, 17B, 17C Brake lights 21 CAN communication line 26 First control circuit 31,32 Front and rear brake switches (switches) 33 Switch Circuit 37 Switch junction (downstream junction) 37a Diode A1,A2 current S1 Lamp lighting signal

Claims

1. Brake lights (17A, 17B, 17C) that are turned on when braking the vehicle (1); a switch circuit (33) having a switch (31, 32) that detects an operation of a brake operator and opens and closes the switch, and that is capable of outputting a current (A1) for lighting the brake lamp when the switch (31, 32) is turned on; a first control circuit (26) provided in parallel with the switch circuit (33), the first control device (11) being capable of performing brake control separately from the operation of the brake operator and outputting a current (A2) for lighting the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C); a second control device (15) connected to the first control circuit (26) and configured to transmit a lamp lighting signal (S1) to the first control device (11) when the switch (31, 32) is off, thereby enabling the first control circuit (26) to supply a lighting current (A2) to the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C), and to not communicate the lamp lighting signal (S1) with the first control device (11) when the switch (31, 32) is on, thereby disabling the first control circuit (26) from supplying the lighting current (A2) to the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C).

2. The brake lamp lighting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second control device (15) is unable to transmit the lamp lighting signal (S1) to the first control device (11) when the switch (31, 32) is on.

3. 2. The brake lamp lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the first control device (11) is unable to receive the lamp lighting signal (S1) from the second control device (15) when the switch (31, 32) is on.

4. a downstream junction line (37) connecting the downstream sides of the switch circuit (33) and the first control circuit (26), 4. The brake lamp lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the downstream junction line (37) is provided with a diode (37a) that allows a flow of a current (A1) from the switch circuit (33) side to the first control circuit (26) side and blocks a flow of a current (A2) from the first control circuit (26) side to the switch circuit (33) side.

5. 4. The brake lamp lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the second control device (15) is an ABS unit (15) connected to the first control device (11) by a CAN communication line (21).

6. 4. The brake lamp lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the brake lamps (17A, 17B, 17C) perform a first lighting mode when a current (A1) is supplied from the switch circuit (33), and perform a second lighting mode having higher visibility than the first lighting mode when a current (A2) is supplied from the first control circuit (26).

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