Lighting control device of additional light for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a lighting control device of an additional light for a vehicle which can control turning on / off of left and right additional lights in relation to a steering angle and the magnitude of vehicle speed, especially, can distribute light to left and right front parts, when a vehicle moves backward.SOLUTION: A CPU 12 does not output power for turning on left and right additional lights 2A and 2B from a pair of left and right drivers 13 and 14, when steering angle data is 300 or less under the condition that an IG signal is ON, lights signals of headlights 1A and 1B are ON and a reverse signal is OFF, and vehicle speed is equal to or less than predetermined low speed, turns on the left additional light 2A through the left driver 13 when steering angle data exceeds a first left threshold and is equal to or less than a second left threshold, turns on the right additional light 2B through the right driver 14 when the steering angle data exceeds a first right threshold and is equal to or less a second right threshold, does not turn on the left and right additional lights 2A and 2B when the reverse signal is OFF and vehicle speed exceeds 30 km / h, and turns on the left and right additional lights 2A and 2B when the reverse signal is ON.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle, and particularly to a lighting control device for an additional lamp (corner lamp) for a vehicle that irradiates obliquely forward when turning left or right during night driving of an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] An additional lamp for a vehicle (corner lamp) is installed on each side of a pair of left and right headlamps of the vehicle, and is a lamp for additionally irradiating obliquely forward outside the irradiation range of the headlamps when the vehicle turns left or right to secure visibility, which is different from a side irradiation lamp (cornering lamp) that operates in conjunction with a turn signal to illuminate the turning direction to secure visibility.

[0003] The additional lamp for a vehicle (corner lamp) used to be often installed in sedans of middle class or higher, but recently, the number of vehicles not equipped with it has been increasing.

[0004] As conventional additional lamps for vehicles (corner lamps), for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The lighting device for the corner lamp of a vehicle in Patent Document 1 causes the left or right corner lamp to be additionally lit on the condition that the steering wheel is operated in the turning direction of the turn signal switch for lighting the direction indicator of the vehicle when turning left or right during night driving. The turn signal switch is provided around the steering wheel of the vehicle and is a switch that can light the right direction indicator when the steering wheel is turned to the right, light the left direction indicator when the steering wheel is turned to the left, and turn off the direction indicator when the steering wheel is returned.

[0007] According to the technology of Patent Document 1, a steering wheel operation is required to turn the turn signal switch ON and OFF, and it does not depend on the vehicle speed or the steering angle. Also, when the vehicle is moving backward, the left and right corner lamps are not additionally lit.

[0008] The lighting control device for the additional lamps of a vehicle in Patent Document 2 requires a driving situation determination unit that determines the situation of the vehicle and the driving situation of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor, the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor, the state of the turn switch, and the position of the shift lever. As the left additional lamp and the right additional lamp, each has a first light source for near-field light distribution and a second light source for far-field light distribution. When the driving situation determination unit satisfies the near-field light distribution condition, the first light source is lit, and when the far-field light distribution is satisfied, the second light source is lit. The driving situation determination unit switches the headlamp between near-field light distribution and far-field light distribution according to the magnitude of the steering angle and the vehicle speed.

[0009] Also, according to the technology of Patent Document 2, an operation of the turn switch, which is a switch for switching the electric circuit and is mainly used for turning ON / OFF of electric devices and switching of the electric circuit, is required. Also, an operation of the cancel button for forcibly prohibiting the control by the driving situation determination unit and the additional lamp lighting unit is required.

[0010] Also, according to the technology of Patent Document 2, when the shift lever is in the reverse position, the lighting of the first light source and the second light source, which are additional lamps, is prohibited.

[0011] Further, according to the prior art, when the headlight switch is turned off with the headlight and the additional lights lit, the headlight and the additional lights are turned off. However, even when the IG signal is turned off, the headlight and the additional lights do not turn off.

[0012] The present invention has been devised in view of such conventional problems. When it is desired to replace the headlight with a custom one, it is possible to perform lighting and extinguishing control in relation to the magnitude of the steering angle and the vehicle speed for an additional light configured with one light source for each of the left and right additional lights. In particular, when the vehicle is reversing, it is possible to perform light distribution to the left and right front, and further, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control device for an additional light for a vehicle that can turn off the additional light when the IG signal is turned off.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The inventors of the present application, with the above problems in mind, first, when it is desired to replace the headlight with a custom one, the additional light provided integrally with the headlight does not switch between near-field light distribution and far-field light distribution unlike the one provided with a first light source for near-field light distribution and a second light source for far-field light distribution as in Patent Document 2, and adopts one light source. In this case, since the lighting control of the additional light cannot be performed, a new lighting control device for the additional light was developed. In this development, it is not necessary to operate the cancel button, and since it is necessary to perform light distribution to the left and right front especially when the vehicle is reversing, it is incorporated that the left and right additional lights are lit, and also, when the IG signal is turned off, the headlight and the additional lights are turned off.

[0014] By doing so, for a pair of additional lights installed on each side of the left and right headlights of the vehicle, when turning left or right at night, the diagonally forward of the vehicle on the turning side is additionally irradiated to secure visibility.

[0015] Therefore, in order to achieve the above object, a lighting control device for an additional light for a vehicle according to a first aspect of the present application is a lighting control device for an additional light for a vehicle for additionally irradiating the diagonally forward of the vehicle on the turning side when turning left or right at night to secure visibility for a pair of additional lights installed on each side of the left and right headlights of the vehicle. An interface, a central processing unit, and a pair of left and right drivers that output power to the pair of additional lights based on an instruction signal of the calculation result of the central processing unit. In the internal memory of the central processing unit, a first left threshold value as data indicating the minimum steering angle during a left turn and a second left threshold value as data indicating the maximum steering angle are set, and a first right threshold value as data indicating the minimum steering angle during a right turn and a second right threshold value as data indicating the maximum steering angle are set. An IG signal, a lighting signal of the headlight, a reverse signal, a vehicle speed signal, and a steering angle signal are input to the central processing unit via the interface. The central processing unit (A) On the condition that the IG signal is ON, the lighting signal of the headlight is ON, the reverse signal is OFF, and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined low speed, Based on the steering angle data calculated based on the steering angle signal input via the interface, (a-1) When it is equal to or lower than the first left threshold value or the first right threshold value, the pair of left and right drivers do not output power for lighting the additional lights. (a-2) When it exceeds the first left threshold value and is equal to or lower than the second left threshold value, the left driver outputs power for lighting the left additional light. (a-3) When it exceeds the first right threshold value and is equal to or lower than the second right threshold value, the left driver outputs power for lighting the left additional light. (B) On the condition that the IG signal is ON, the lighting signal of the headlight is ON, the reverse signal is OFF, and the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined low speed, Neither of the pair of left and right drivers outputs power for lighting the left and right additional lights. (C) Also, on the condition that the IG signal is ON, the lighting signal of the headlight is ON, and the reverse signal is ON, The pair of left and right drivers output power for lighting the additional lights. (D) Further, on the condition that the IG signal is OFF, or the IG signal is ON and the lighting signal of the headlight is OFF, configured not to output power for lighting the additional lamp from each of the pair of left and right drivers and is configured to be controlled as such.

[0016] As a lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to a second aspect of the present application, in the first aspect, the vehicle speed signal input via the interface may be a signal obtained from a vehicle speed sensor or a signal extracted from a communication protocol or standard including CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, FlexRay adopted as a communication specification in the vehicle.

[0017] As a lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to a third aspect of the present application, in the first aspect, the steering angle signal input via the interface may be a signal obtained from a steering angle sensor or a signal extracted from a communication protocol or standard including CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, FlexRay adopted as a communication specification in the vehicle.

[0018] As a lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to a fourth aspect of the present application, in the first aspect, the vehicle speed being equal to or lower than a predetermined low speed may be 30 km / h or lower.

[0019] As a lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to a fifth aspect of the present application, in the first aspect, the steering angle data at the first left threshold value and the first right threshold value, and the steering angle data at the second left threshold value and the second right threshold value may use decoded values indicating necessary angles according to the vehicle type.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the lighting control device for additional lights for vehicles according to each aspect of the present invention, when it is desired to replace the headlights with custom ones, it is possible to perform lighting and extinguishing control in relation to the steering angle and the vehicle speed for additional lights on the left and right each composed of one light source. In particular, when the vehicle is reversing, it is possible to perform light distribution to the left and right front. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a lighting control device for additional lights for vehicles that can extinguish the additional lights when the IG signal (ignition signal; the same applies hereinafter and above) is turned off.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, a lighting control device for additional lights for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings and the like.

[0023] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control device for additional lights for vehicles according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the block diagram of the lighting control device 100 for the headlights and additional lights shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1A is the left headlight, reference numeral 1B is the right headlight, reference numeral 2A is the left additional light, reference numeral 2B is the right additional light, reference numeral 3 is the headlight control unit, reference numeral 4 is the leveling computer, reference numeral 5 is the battery, reference numeral 6 is the headlight switch, reference numeral 7 is the ignition switch, reference numeral 8 is the constant power supply SG1, and reference numeral 9 is the additional light control unit.

[0024] The additional lights 2A and 2B are provided in an integrated combination on each side of the headlights 1A and 1B provided in a pair on the left and right at the front of the vehicle.

[0025] The power of the battery 5 is input to the headlight control unit 3 via the headlight switch 6, and the headlight control unit 3 lights the pair of headlights 1A and 1B in the near range, lights them in the far range, and turns them off according to the input operation of the headlight switch 6. In many vehicles, the headlights 1A and 1B can be switched via the headlight switch 6 through the headlight control unit 3. In the case of domestic vehicles, each time the tip of the headlight switch 6 is turned backward, the headlights 1A and 1B are switched from the off state → small light on → headlight on (low beam on), and when the turn signal lever is tilted backward, the high beam is turned on.

[0026] Also, the power of the battery 5 is input to the leveling computer 4 via the headlight switch 6. The leveling computer 4 is a system that detects the posture of the vehicle when the posture of the vehicle changes due to loading luggage or passengers, and automatically adjusts the irradiation range of the headlights 1A and 1B.

[0027] [Configuration of the additional lamp control unit 9] The additional lamp control unit 9 includes a power supply circuit 10, an interface 11, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12, a left driver 13, and a right driver 14. The additional lamp control unit 9 is installed, for example, on each side of the left and right headlights 1A and 1B of the vehicle, and controls a pair of additional lamps 2A and 2B. It performs lighting control including lighting / extinguishing control to additionally irradiate the diagonally forward of the vehicle on the turning side during a left or right turn at night to ensure visibility.

[0028] When the genuine headlights 1A and 1B and the additional lamps are replaced with new custom products, the headlight control unit 3 is an existing product diverted, and the additional lamp control unit 9 is the object of the present invention and is newly provided.

[0029] The power supply circuit 10 steps down the voltage of the battery 5, for example, 12 volts, to an operable voltage of the interface 11 and the CPU 12, for example, 5 volts.

[0030] In the internal memory of the CPU 12, a first left threshold value (e.g., approximately 20 degrees) and a second left threshold value (e.g., approximately 60 degrees) are set as the rudder angle data during left turns, and a first right threshold value (e.g., approximately 20 degrees) and a second right threshold value (e.g., approximately 60 degrees) are set as the rudder angle data during right turns.

[0031] To the interface 11, a constant power supply SG1 is input via the constant power supply wire 8 at all times. At the same time, an IG signal SG2, a headlight switch signal SG3, a reverse signal SG4 indicating that the gear shift lever has entered the reverse position, a vehicle speed signal SG5, and a rudder angle signal SG6 are input. After each signal is converted into an appropriate digital signal, it is input to the CPU 12. The signal lines of these signals input to the interface 11, the power line of the constant power supply SG1, and the power lines connecting the ignition switch 7 and the power supply circuit 10 are connected by electrical connectors Cnt1 - Cnt6 respectively. Furthermore, the ground of the CPU 12 is connected by the electrical connector Cnt7, and the conductors connecting the left and right drivers 13, 14 and the left and right headlights 1A, 1B are connected by the electrical connectors Cnt8, Cnt9. Therefore, the additional lamp control unit 9 can be additionally installed with the existing sensors of the vehicle and the like.

[0032] The left driver 13 and the right driver 14 are composed of power transistors having three terminals: a base b, a collector c, and an emitter e, which are used for high - power control. When a control current flows from the CPU 12 between the base b and the emitter e, a battery current flows from the collector c towards the emitter e, and the additional lamps 1A, 1B light up. When no current flows between the base b and the emitter e, no current flows between the collector c and the emitter e, and the left and right additional lamps 1A, 1B do not light up or turn off from the lit state.

[0033] The power of the battery 5 is input to the additional lamp control unit 9 via the IG signal SG2. When the additional lamp control unit 9 operates the left driver 13 to output, the left additional lamp 2A is lit by the power output from the left driver 13 and irradiates the left side of the left headlamp 1A. Also, when the additional lamp control unit 9 operates the right driver 14 to output, the right additional lamp 2B is lit by the power output from the right driver 14 and irradiates the right side of the right headlamp 1B.

[0034] Table 1 is a list showing the processing conditions for controlling the lighting and extinguishing of a pair of left and right additional lamps 2A, 2B in the CPU 12. The CPU 12 stores the processing program shown in FIG. 3 that conforms to these processing conditions.

[0035]

Table 1

[0036] [Processing content of the processing program of the CPU 12 shown in Table 1] The CPU 12 is conditioned on the IG signal SG2 being ON, the lighting signals of the headlamps 1A, 1B being ON, the reverse signal SG4 being OFF, and the vehicle speed being below a predetermined low speed. (1) When the steering angle data calculated based on the steering angle signal SG6 input via the interface 11 is below the first left threshold value (20 degrees or less to the left) or below the first right threshold value (20 degrees or less to the right), power for lighting the additional lamps is not output from the pair of left and right drivers 13, 14. When it exceeds the first left threshold value (20 degrees to the left) and is below the second left threshold value (60 degrees or less to the left), power for lighting the left additional lamp 2A is output from the left driver 13. Also, when it exceeds the first right threshold value (20 degrees to the right) and is below the second right threshold value (60 degrees or less to the right), power for lighting the left additional lamp is output from the right driver 14. The CPU 12 is conditioned on the IG signal SG2 being ON, the lighting signals of the headlamps 1A, 1B being ON, the reverse signal SG4 being OFF, and the vehicle speed exceeding a predetermined low speed. Power is not output from each of the pair of left and right drivers to turn on the left and right additional lights 2A and 2B. Also, on the condition that the IG signal SG2 is ON, the headlight switch signal SG3 is ON, and the reverse signal SG4 is ON, Power for turning on the additional lights is output from the pair of left and right drivers. Furthermore, on the condition that the IG signal SG2 is OFF, or the IG signal SG2 is ON and the lighting signals of the headlights 1A and 1B are OFF, Power is not output from each of the pair of left and right drivers 13 and 14 to turn on the pair of left and right additional lights 2A and 2B.

[0037] Note that the additional light control unit 9 decodes the signal of the steering angle sensor and calculates a decoded value indicating the necessary angle according to the vehicle type. The frequencies of the first left threshold value (20 degrees to the left), the second left threshold value or less (60 degrees to the left or less), the first right threshold value (20 degrees to the right), and the second right threshold value or less (60 degrees to the right or less) regarding the steering angle data in the table are examples and vary depending on the vehicle type. Therefore, the values of 100 and 300 in the table also vary depending on the vehicle type.

[0038] [Flowchart of the program of the additional light control unit 9] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the program of the additional light control unit according to an aspect of the present invention. The program of the additional light control unit 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] [Start] Regardless of the position of the ignition switch 7, the constant power supply SG1 is directly supplied from the vehicle battery 5 to the power supply circuits 10, interfaces 11, and CPUs 12 of the headlight control unit 3, the leveling computer 5, and the additional light control unit 9 via the constant power supply wire 8 at all times. As a result, the programs of the headlight control unit 3, the leveling computer 4, and the additional light control unit 9 start to be operable, and Step 1 is in an operating state. Also, when the ignition switch 7 is turned ON, a 5V power supply is supplied to the sensors.

[0040] [Step 1] Step 1 determines whether the IG signal SG2 is ON. When the ignition switch 7 is turned ON to start the engine, the IG signal SG2 becomes ON, and when the ignition switch 7 is turned OFF, the IG signal SG2 becomes OFF. When the engine is started, the program determines that the IG signal SG2 is ON. In Step 1, since the program determines NO until the IG signal SG2 becomes ON, it becomes a loop that repeats Step 1. When the engine is started and it becomes YES in Step 1, it proceeds to Step 2.

[0041] [Step 2] Step 2 determines whether the headlight switch 6 is ON. In Step 2, since the program determines NO until the headlight switch 6 becomes ON, it becomes a loop that repeats the determination of Step 2. When driving at night and the headlight switch 6 is turned ON, when it becomes YES in Step 2, it proceeds to Step 3.

[0042] [Step 3] Step 3 determines whether the reverse signal SG4 is OFF (whether the vehicle is in the forward state). The reverse signal SG4 of the vehicle is a signal generated when the vehicle backs up and is located at the connector in the fuse box of the vehicle. When the vehicle is moving forward, the reverse signal SG4 becomes OFF, so the determination in Step 3 becomes NO and it proceeds to Step 4. When the vehicle is moving backward, the reverse signal SG4 becomes ON, so the determination in Step 3 becomes YES and it proceeds to Step 7.

[0043] [Step 4] In Step 4, the left and right additional lights 2A, 2B are turned on. This is executed by the CPU 12, which is the main body of the program operation, passing current to the bases b, b of the left and right drivers (power transistors) 13, 14, causing current to flow from the collector c to the emitter e of the left and right drivers (power transistors) 13, 14 from the battery 5. When the program turns on the left and right additional lights 2A, 2B, it proceeds to Step 5.

[0044] [Step 5] In Step 5, it continues to determine whether the reverse signal SG4 is OFF (i.e., whether the vehicle is in the forward state). When the vehicle is in the reverse state, the determination in Step 5 becomes NO, and it returns to Step 4. When the vehicle continues to be in the reverse state, it becomes a loop that repeats Steps 4 and 5, and the left and right additional lights 2A and 2B continue to light up. When the vehicle stops reversing, the determination in Step 5 becomes YES, and the program proceeds to Step 6.

[0045] [Step 6] In Step 6, the CPU 12 stops passing current through the bases b of the left and right drivers (power transistors) 13 and 14, causing the left and right additional lights 2A and 2B to turn off. After that, the program proceeds to Step 7.

[0046] [Step 7] In Step 7, when the vehicle is in the forward state and the headlamps 1A and 1B are in the off state, the vehicle speed signal SG5 (vehicle speed pulse) is captured by the CPU 12 via the interface 11. The vehicle speed signal SG5 is a signal for detecting the speed of the vehicle. The method of extracting the vehicle speed signal SG5 varies depending on the vehicle type, but generally it can be extracted from behind the meter. Also, the vehicle speed signal SG5 is constantly supplied from the constant power supply SG1.

[0047] [Step 8] In Step 8, when the vehicle is in the forward state and the headlamps 1A and 1B are in the off state, it is determined whether the vehicle speed signal SG5 is 30 km / h or less (the threshold speed which is a predetermined low speed from 0 km / h). For example, when the vehicle enters an intersection at a speed greater than 30 km / h, the determination in Step 8 becomes NO, and it proceeds to Step 9. Also, when the vehicle enters the intersection at a speed of 30 km / h or less, the determination in Step 8 becomes YES, and it proceeds to Step 10.

[0048] [Step 9] When the vehicle is moving forward at a speed greater than 30 km / h, the determination in Step 9 becomes YES, and it becomes a loop that repeats Step 9. When the vehicle decelerates to a speed of 30 km / h or less and enters the intersection, the determination in Step 8 becomes YES, and it proceeds to Step 10.

[0049] [Step 10] In Step 10, the steering angle signal SG6 is captured. The steering angle signal SG6 is the signal of a steering angle sensor for detecting the angle of the vehicle's steering. The signal of the steering angle sensor varies depending on the vehicle type, but generally, it can be taken out from a spiral cable that is attached behind the steering wheel and rotates with the steering. Also, the steering angle signal SG6 is constantly supplied from the power supply SG1.

[0050] [Step 11] In Step 11, it is determined whether the steering angle signal SG6 exceeds 300. The steering wheel can be rotated 900 degrees, which is two and a half turns in each of the left and right directions. When the steering wheel is rotated 900 degrees to the left or right, the steering angle signal SG6 becomes a maximum of 4595 (positive value) to the right and a maximum of 4629 (negative value) to the left. 300 of the steering angle signal SG6 corresponds to a steering angle of 60 degrees. If the steering angle signal SG6 does not exceed 300 in Step 11, the judgment in Step 11 is NO and it returns to Step 2. If the steering angle signal SG6 exceeds 300 (when entering an intersection at a vehicle speed of 30 km / h or less and the steering wheel is rotated 60 degrees to the left or right for a left turn or a right turn), the judgment in Step 11 is YES and it proceeds to Step 12. The above-mentioned values of 300, 4595, and 4629 are decoded values of the steering angle and vary depending on the vehicle type, so desired values are used for each vehicle type.

[0051] [Step 12] Step 12 determines whether the steering angle signal SG6 is a steering angle signal that rotates to the right. Step 12 is a step for determining whether the steering wheel rotates to the right when the steering wheel is rotated more than 60 degrees and the vehicle enters an intersection at a vehicle speed of 30 km / h or less (it can also be a step for determining whether it rotates to the left). If it rotates to the left, the judgment in Step 12 is YES and it proceeds to Step 13. If it rotates to the right, the judgment in Step 12 is NO and it proceeds to Step 14. A discrimination signal of the rotation direction of the vehicle's steering wheel can also be obtained from the steering angle sensor that can be taken out from a spiral cable that rotates with the steering. Also, a discrimination signal of the rotation direction can be obtained by operating the levers on the left and right of the steering wheel when rotating the steering wheel to the left or right.

[0052] [Steps 13 and 14] Step 13 is the process when turning left at an intersection by entering the intersection at a vehicle speed of 30 km / h or less and rotating the steering wheel by 60 degrees or more, and turns on the left additional lamp 2A. At this time, the left and right headlamps 1A and 1B are on, and the left additional lamp 2A illuminates the left side of the illumination range of the left headlamp 1A. Step 14 is the process when turning right at an intersection by entering the intersection at a vehicle speed of 30 km / h or less and rotating the steering wheel by 60 degrees or more, and turns on the right additional lamp 2B. At this time, the left and right headlamps 1A and 1B are on, and the right additional lamp 2B illuminates the right side of the illumination range of the right headlamp 1B.

[0053] In Steps 13 and 14, the CPU 12 executes by flowing a current to the base b of the left driver (power transistor) 13 or the right driver (power transistor) 14, and causing the current to flow from the collector c to the emitter e of the left or right driver (power transistor) 13, 14 from the battery 5. The program then proceeds to step 15.

[0054] [Steps 15 and 16] In Step 15, the steering angle signal SG6 is captured again and proceeds to Step 16. In Step 16, it is determined whether the steering angle signal SG6 exceeds 100. 100 of the steering angle signal SG6 corresponds to a steering angle of 20 degrees. If the steering angle signal SG6 is not 100 or less (when the return of the steering wheel rotation is not close to straight ahead), Step 16 makes a NO determination and loops Steps 15 and 16. Also, when the steering angle signal SG6 becomes 100 or less (when the return of the steering wheel rotation is close to straight ahead), Step 16 makes a YES determination and proceeds to Step 17. The above-mentioned 100 is the encoded value of the steering angle, and this value is decoded and used, which varies depending on the vehicle type, so the desired value is used for each vehicle type.

[0055] [Step 17] Step 17 turns off the left and right additional lamps 2A and 2B when the return of the steering wheel rotation is close to straight ahead and the steering angle signal SG6 becomes 100 or less. The left and right headlamps 1A and 1B are on and proceed to Step 18.

[0056] [Step18] In Step18, it is determined again whether the ignition switch 7 is ON and the IG signal SG2 is ON. If the engine operation continues, the IG signal SG2 remains ON, and the determination in Step18 is YES, then it returns to Step2. Also, when the ignition switch 7 is turned OFF, the determination in Step18 is NO, the engine operation stops, and the program ends.

[0057] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a lighting control device 100A for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, those same as in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0058] In FIG. 3, the difference from FIG. 1 is that the steering angle data input to the interface 11 is obtained as comment data from the operating voltages of the CANHi signal line and the CANLo signal line of the leveling computer 4, whereas in FIG. 1 it is obtained from the steering angle sensor. Note that information on the vehicle speed signal SG5 can also be obtained from the leveling computer 4.

[0059] The CAN bus of the vehicle is a communication protocol for data exchange between various systems in the vehicle and is used for data transmission and reception between the ECUs (Electronic Control Units) of the vehicle. The CANHi signal line and the CANLo signal line of the leveling computer 4 are connected to the interface 11 via the electrical connector Cnt6A.

[0060] The communication specifications in the vehicle are not limited to CAN, and various communication protocols and standards such as LIN, MOST, Ethernet, and FlexRay may be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1A… Left headlamp, 1B… Right headlamp, 2A… Left additional lamp, 2B… Right additional lamp, 3… Headlight control unit, 4… Levelling computer, 5… Battery, 6… Headlight switch, 7… Ignition switch, 8… Constant power supply wire, 9… Additional light control unit, 10… Power supply circuit, 11… Interface, 12… CPU (Central Processing Unit), 13… Left driver (power transistor), 14… Right driver (power transistor), 100,100A… Lighting control device for headlight and additional light, Cnt1-Cnt6, Cnt6A, Cnt7-Cnt9… Electrical connectors, SG1… Constant power supply, SG2… IG signal, SG3… Headlight switch signal, SG4… Reverse signal, SG5… Vehicle speed signal, SG6… Steering angle signal, b… Base, c… Collector, e… Emitter.

Claims

1. For a pair of additional lights installed on each side of the left and right headlights of a vehicle, in a lighting control device for an additional vehicle light for additionally irradiating the diagonally forward part of the vehicle on the turning side during a left or right turn at night to ensure visibility, comprising an interface, a central processing unit, and a pair of left and right drivers that output power to the pair of additional lights based on an instruction signal of the calculation result of the central processing unit, a first left threshold value as data indicating the minimum steering angle during a left turn and a second left threshold value as data indicating the maximum steering angle are set in the internal memory of the central processing unit, and a first right threshold value as data indicating the minimum steering angle during a right turn and a second right threshold value as data indicating the maximum steering angle are set, an IG signal, a lighting signal of the headlight, a reverse signal, a vehicle speed signal, and a steering angle signal are input to the central processing unit via the interface, the central processing unit, (A) on the condition that the IG signal is ON, the lighting signal of the headlight is ON, the reverse signal is OFF, and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined low speed, based on the steering angle data calculated based on the steering angle signal input via the interface, (a-1) when it is equal to or lower than the first left threshold value or the first right threshold value, no power for lighting the additional lights is output from the pair of left and right drivers, (a-2) when it exceeds the first left threshold value and is equal to or lower than the second left threshold value, power for lighting the left additional light is output from the left driver, (a-3) when it exceeds the first right threshold value and is equal to or lower than the second right threshold value, power for lighting the left additional light is output from the left driver, (B) on the condition that the IG signal is ON, the lighting signal of the headlight is ON, the reverse signal is OFF, and the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined low speed, no power for lighting the left and right additional lights is output from each of the pair of left and right drivers, (C) also, on the condition that the IG signal is ON, the lighting signal of the headlight is ON, and the reverse signal is ON, power for lighting the additional lights is output from the pair of left and right drivers, (D) further, on the condition that the IG signal is OFF, or the IG signal is ON and the lighting signal of the headlight is OFF, no power for lighting the additional lights is output from each of the pair of left and right drivers, A lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle, characterized by being controlled as follows.

2. The vehicle speed signal input via the interface is a signal obtained from a vehicle speed sensor, or a signal extracted from a communication protocol or standard including CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, FlexRay adopted as a communication specification in the vehicle. The lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a signal.

3. The steering angle signal input via the interface is a signal obtained from a steering angle sensor, or a signal extracted from a communication protocol or standard including CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, FlexRay adopted as a communication specification in the vehicle. The lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a signal.

4. The vehicle speed being below a predetermined low speed means 30 km / h or less. The lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it is.

5. The steering angle data at the first left threshold value and the first right threshold value, and the steering angle data at the second left threshold value and the second right threshold value use a decoded value indicating a necessary angle according to the vehicle type. The lighting control device for an additional lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it is.

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