Vehicle headlamp control system

Abstract

To provide a headlight control system for a vehicle which can suppress the vehicle from travelling without lights and suppress an operator from feeling discomfort regarding a headlight status.SOLUTION: A headlight control system 10 for a vehicle comprises: an operation part 32 whose position can be a first position or a second position by rotating around a lever body 30; an energization part 34 which restores the operation part 32 to the first position; a headlight control unit 46 which can control a front position light 24 and a passing headlight 36; a mode selection mark 48 which indicates a relative position of the operation part 32 with respect to the lever body 30; and an auto / front position light mark 50 which is adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operation part 32 is located at the first position indicating an automatic lighting status where lighting state of the front position light 24 and the passing headlight 36 is automatically switched or a front position light lighting state where the front position light 24 is lighted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp control system. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to a lever switch for a vehicle. This lever switch for a vehicle is equipped with a rotary operator (operating part) that can rotate with respect to a lever body. This rotary operator is designed to automatically return to the auto light switch position when a rotary operating force is no longer applied between the auto light switch position and the light off switch position. Therefore, the prior art related to the following Patent Document 1 can prevent the vehicle from running without lights. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-62929 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the prior art of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, even if the rotary operator is in the auto light switch position, under certain conditions, only the sidelights may be turned on, and the position of the rotary operator may not match the actual state of the headlights, which may cause the driver of the vehicle to feel uncomfortable.

[0005] The present invention takes into consideration the above-mentioned facts and aims to provide a vehicle headlight control system that can prevent the vehicle from running without lights on while preventing the driver from feeling uncomfortable with the state of the headlights. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle headlamp control system according to the present invention as described in claim 1 includes an operation unit that can be rotated relative to a lever body between a first position and a second position, a biasing unit that returns the operation unit to the first position when the operation unit is rotated toward the second position, a headlamp control unit that can automatically switch between on-states of width lights and passing headlamp when the operation unit is in the first position, that can turn off the passing headlamp and the width lights when the operation unit is in the second position for a predetermined time or more, and that can turn on the width lights when the operation unit is in the second position for a time shorter than the predetermined time, a first display unit that indicates a relative position of the operation unit with respect to the lever body, and a second display unit that is adjacent to the first display unit when the operation unit is in the first position and indicates that the automatic on-state is in which the on-states of the width lights and the passing headlamp are automatically switched, or that the width lights are on in which the width lights are on. The second display portion includes an auto mark indicating the automatic lighting state, a width light mark indicating the width light lighting state, and a diagonal line portion between the auto mark and the width light mark. .

[0007] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the operating part is provided which is rotatable relative to the lever body, and the operating part can be placed between a first position and a second position by being rotated relative to the lever body.

[0008] In addition, in the present invention, when the operating unit is in the second position, the biasing unit rotates the operating unit to return to the first position. That is, in order to maintain the operating unit in the second position, it is necessary to support the operating unit so as not to rotate.

[0009] The present invention also includes a headlight control unit, which can set the headlight control unit to an automatic lighting state in which the lighting states of the width lights and the passing headlights are automatically switched when the operating unit is in the first position.

[0010] Furthermore, the headlamp control unit can turn off the width lights and the passing headlamp when the operation unit is in the second position for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0011] Furthermore, the headlamp control unit can bring the vehicle width lamps into a width lamp on state in which the vehicle width lamps are on when the operation unit is in the second position for a period of time shorter than a predetermined period of time.

[0012] In addition, the present invention can indicate the relative position of the operating part with respect to the lever body by the first display part. Therefore, for example, by providing a mark indicating an automatic lighting state or a mark indicating a sidelight lighting state, etc., in a position adjacent to the first display part when the operating part is in each position, it becomes possible for the driver to recognize the state of the vehicle's headlights. Note that the headlights referred to here include at least sidelights and passing headlights.

[0013] However, as described above, in the present invention, when the operation unit is in the first position, there are cases where the lights are in the automatic lighting state and cases where the side light is in the lighting state. Therefore, if one of the mark indicating the automatic lighting state and the mark indicating the side light is in the lighting state is provided in a position adjacent to the first display unit when the operation unit is in the first position, it is considered that the driver of the vehicle may feel uncomfortable about the state of the headlights depending on the state of the vehicle's headlights.

[0014] Here, in the present invention, a second display unit is provided, and this second display unit is arranged in a position adjacent to the first display unit when the operating unit is in the first position, and indicates that the automatic lighting state or the side light lighting state is on.

[0015] Therefore, the driver of the vehicle can recognize that the headlights are in the automatic on state or the width light on state by seeing that the first display unit and the second display unit are adjacent to each other.

[0016] The vehicle headlight control system of the present invention as described in claim 2 is the invention as described in claim 1, wherein the headlight control unit turns off the passing headlights and turns on the width lights when the operating unit is in the second position while the passing headlights are on.

[0017] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, when the operating unit is in the second position while the passing headlights are on, the headlight control unit turns off the passing headlights and turns on the width lights. Therefore, in the present invention, the vehicle can be quickly switched to the width light on state based on the driver's operation.

[0018] The vehicle headlamp control system of the present invention as described in claim 3 is the invention as described in claim 1, wherein the headlamp control unit turns off the passing headlamp and turns on the width lamp when the operating unit moves from the second position to the first position while the passing headlamp is on.

[0019] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, when the operating unit is moved from the second position to the first position while the passing headlights are on, the headlight control unit turns off the passing headlights and turns on the width lights. Therefore, this invention can prevent the width lights from being turned on while the operating unit is returning from the second position to the first position. Effect of the Invention

[0020] As described above, the vehicle headlight control system of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 has the excellent effect of preventing the vehicle from traveling without lights on, while preventing the driver from feeling uncomfortable about the state of the headlights.

[0021] The vehicle headlamp control system of the present invention as described in claim 2 has the excellent effect of preventing the driver from feeling uncomfortable about the state of the side light by quickly reflecting the driver's operation in the side light.

[0022] The vehicle headlamp control system according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3 has an excellent effect of making it easier for the driver to recognize the position of the operating part when the vehicle width lights are turned on. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lever switch and its surroundings in a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a lever switch that constitutes a part of the vehicle headlamp system according to the present embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view showing each state of a lever switch that constitutes part of a vehicle headlamp system according to this embodiment, where (A) shows the state of the lever switch when the operating part is in a first position, (B) shows the state of the lever switch when the operating part is in a second position, and (C) shows the state of the lever switch when the operating part is in a third position. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a vehicle headlamp system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device that constitutes a part of the vehicle headlamp system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view showing each state of a light unit constituting part of a vehicle headlamp system according to this embodiment, in which (A) shows the state of the light unit when all the headlights are on, (B) shows the state of the light unit when all the headlights are on, and (C) shows the state of the light unit when all the headlights are off. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of the headlights by a control device constituting a part of the vehicle headlight system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] An example of an embodiment of the "vehicle headlamp system 10" according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that an arrow UP shown as appropriate in each figure indicates the upper side of a vehicle 12 on which the vehicle headlamp system 10 is mounted, and an arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the vehicle headlamp system 10 includes a lever switch 14, a control device 16, an illuminance sensor 18, a speed sensor 20, and a light unit 22.

[0026] 2, the lever switch 14 is attached to a steering column 28 that supports a steering wheel 26 disposed on the right side in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle 12. That is, in this embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0027] The lever switch 14 further comprises a "lever body 30", an "operation portion 32", and a "biasing portion 34".

[0028] The lever body 30 extends from the steering column 28 to the right in the vehicle width direction, and a rotary switch (not shown) is built into the tip of the lever body 30.

[0029] The lever body 30 is rotatable toward the front and rear of the vehicle relative to the steering column 28. When the "passing headlights 36 (hereinafter referred to as headlights 36)" of the light unit 22 are turned on, the driver can turn on the driving headlights 38 (hereinafter referred to as high beams 38) by turning the lever body 30 toward the front of the vehicle (see FIG. 6). When the driver turns the lever body 30 toward the rear of the vehicle, the high beams 38 can be turned on while an operational input is being applied to the lever body 30.

[0030] Furthermore, the lever body 30 is capable of rotating toward the upper and lower sides of the vehicle relative to the steering column 28, and the driver can activate a turn signal (not shown) by rotating the lever body 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0031] On the other hand, the operating part 32 is disposed at the tip of the lever body 30 and is rotatable around the axis of the lever body 30. More specifically, the operating part 32 has an axis (not shown) attached to a rotary switch of the lever body 30. As will be described later, the control device 16 detects the position of the rotary switch, which changes when the operating part 32 is operated, and the control device 16 controls the lighting state of the light unit 22 based on this position.

[0032] The operating part 32 can take three positions relative to the lever body 30: a first position shown in Fig. 3(A), a second position shown in Fig. 3(B), and a third position shown in Fig. 3(C). When the operating part 32 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the right side in the vehicle width direction by the driver's operation to move from the first position to the third position, the operating part 32 is maintained in the third position.

[0033] On the other hand, when the operating unit 32 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side of the vehicle width direction by the driver's operation to change from the first position to the second position, the operating unit 32 is subjected to a biasing force by the biasing unit 34, and therefore the operating unit 32 cannot be maintained in the second position unless an operating force is applied by the driver.

[0034] In detail, the biasing portion 34 is interposed between the lever body 30 and the operating portion 32, and is configured to include, for example, a torsion spring. When the operating portion 32 rotates from the first position to the second position, the biasing portion 34 applies a biasing force to the operating portion 32 so that the operating portion 32 rotates toward the first position. As a result, in this embodiment, when the operating portion 32 is in the second position and the operating force by the driver is no longer applied to the operating portion 32, the operating portion 32 returns to the first position.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the control device 16 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the control device 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16A, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 16B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16C, a storage 16D, and an input / output I / F (Interface) 16E. The CPU 16A, the ROM 16B, the RAM 16C, the storage 16D, the communication I / F 36E, and the input / output I / F 16E are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 16F.

[0036] The CPU 16A is a central processing unit and is capable of executing various programs related to various controls of the light unit 22. Specifically, the CPU 16A is capable of reading out programs from the ROM 16B and executing the programs using the RAM 16C as a working area. The CPU 16A reads out and executes the execution programs stored in the ROM 16B, thereby enabling the control device 16 to perform various functions, as described below.

[0037] The storage 16D includes a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various data including various programs such as an operating system, various specification values ​​of the vehicle 12, and the like.

[0038] The input / output I / F 16E is an interface for the control device 16 to communicate with each device mounted on the vehicle 12. The control device 16 is connected to each device described below via the input / output I / F 16E so as to be able to communicate with each other. Note that these devices may be directly connected to the bus 16F.

[0039] In detail, the lever switch 14, the illuminance sensor 18, the speed sensor 20 and the light unit 22 are connected to the input / output I / F 16E.

[0040] The lever switch 14 can be operated by the driver to switch the light unit 22 between a full light state, an automatic light state, and a width light light state.

[0041] More specifically, the rotary switch of the lever switch 14 incorporates a plurality of circuits (not shown), and these circuits can be switched by switching the position of the operating portion 32 to a first position, a second position, or a third position.

[0042] On the other hand, the input / output I / F 16E is connected to the lever switch 14 via a number of circuits (not shown), and the connection state of these circuits is switched by switching the position of the operation unit 32 between the first position, the second position, and the third position. The input / output I / F 16E detects the position of the operation unit 32 from the connection state of the above circuits, and the control device 16 controls the light unit 22 based on the position of the operation unit 32.

[0043] The illuminance sensor 18 is capable of detecting the illuminance around the vehicle 12. The illuminance sensor 18 includes, for example, a phototransistor or a photodiode, and is provided at a predetermined position capable of receiving light from outside the vehicle through a windshield glass (not shown), such as an upper surface of an instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle 12. An illuminance signal indicating the illuminance around the vehicle 12 detected by the illuminance sensor 18 is output to the control device 16.

[0044] The speed sensor 20 is provided on a power shaft or the like that rotates together with a drive wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 12, and outputs a rotation speed signal (pulse signal) based on the rotation speed of the drive wheel to the control device 16.

[0045] 6, the light unit 22 includes "sidelights 24 (hereinafter referred to as small lamps 24)" in addition to the headlights 36 and high beams 38 described above. The lighting state of the light unit 22 is controlled by the control device 16.

[0046] Next, the functional configuration of the control device 16 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The control device 16 functions as a collection of a lever switch state detection unit 40, a vehicle speed calculation unit 42, a mileage calculation unit 44, and a "headlamp control unit 46" by the CPU 16A reading out and executing an execution program stored in the ROM 16B.

[0047] The lever switch state detection unit 40 detects whether the operating unit 32 is in a first position, a second position, or a third position based on the connection state of the lever switch 14 with the rotary switch. Then, the lever switch state detection unit 40 transmits a first position signal to the headlamp control unit 46 when the operating unit 32 is in the first position, transmits a second position signal to the headlamp control unit 46 when the operating unit 32 is in the second position, and transmits a third position signal to the headlamp control unit 46 when the operating unit 32 is in the third position.

[0048] The vehicle speed calculation unit 42 calculates the speed of the vehicle 12 based on the rotation speed signal transmitted from the speed sensor 20 and the outer diameter of the drive wheel stored in the storage 16D. The vehicle speed calculation unit 42 then transmits a vehicle speed signal based on the speed of the vehicle 12 to the headlamp control unit 46.

[0049] The traveling distance calculation unit 44 is capable of calculating the traveling distance of the vehicle 12 at a predetermined time and the accumulated traveling distance of the vehicle 12 from the predetermined time to the present based on the vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42. The traveling distance calculation unit 44 transmits a distance signal based on the accumulated traveling distance of the vehicle 12 to the headlamp control unit 46.

[0050] The headlamp control unit 46 is configured to control the lighting state of the light unit 22 based on the first position signal to the third position signal transmitted from the lever switch state detection unit 40, the illuminance signal transmitted from the illuminance sensor 18, the vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, and the distance signal transmitted from the traveled distance calculation unit 44.

[0051] In detail, the headlamp control unit 46 switches the light unit 22 to an automatic lighting state when a first position signal is transmitted from the lever switch state detection unit 40. When the headlamp control unit 46 determines that the illuminance of the vehicle 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined illuminance based on the illuminance signal transmitted from the illuminance sensor 18 and that the vehicle 12 is traveling (for example, the vehicle speed is faster than 15 km / h) based on the vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42 in the automatic lighting state of the light unit 22, the headlamp control unit 46 turns on the headlights 36 and the small lamps 24 as shown in Fig. 6(A).

[0052] In addition, when the second position signal is transmitted from the lever switch state detection unit 40, the headlamp control unit 46 controls the lighting state of the light unit 22 based on the time during which the transmission of the second position signal continues, the vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42, and the distance signal transmitted from the traveled distance calculation unit 44.

[0053] In detail, when the duration of transmission of the second position signal is shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 [S]), the headlamp control unit 46 switches the light unit 22 to a sidelight illumination state, turns off the headlamp 36, and turns on only the small lamp 24, as shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0054] In addition, the headlamp control unit 46 is configured to maintain the sidelights of the light unit 22 in an on state when it determines, based on the vehicle speed signal transmitted from the vehicle speed calculation unit 42 and the distance signal transmitted from the traveled distance calculation unit 44, that the vehicle 12 is stopped or that the distance traveled by the vehicle 12 at a speed equal to or less than a predetermined speed (for example, 15 km / h) is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (for example, 100 m).

[0055] In other words, when the vehicle 12 is traveling at a speed faster than the above-mentioned specified speed, even if a second position signal is sent from the lever switch state detection unit 40 to the headlamp control unit 46, the headlamp control unit 46 is configured to maintain the headlights 36 and small lamps 24 in an on state.

[0056] When the operation unit 32 returns to the first position while the side light of the light unit 22 is on, the light unit 22 transitions to an automatic illumination state, but in this case, the side light 24 remains on and the headlights 36 are turned on as the vehicle 12 travels. In other words, even if the light unit 22 transitions to the automatic illumination state, the side light of the light unit 22 appears to be maintained on while the vehicle 12 is stopped or while the vehicle 12 is moving a distance less than a predetermined distance at a speed less than a predetermined speed.

[0057] On the other hand, when the duration of transmission of the second position signal is longer than a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 [s]), the headlight control unit 46 switches the light unit 22 to a fully off state, and turns off the headlights 36 and the small lamps 24, as shown in Figure 6 (C).

[0058] Furthermore, the headlamp control unit 46 switches the light unit 22 to the full illumination state when the lever switch state detection unit 40 transmits a third position signal. When the light unit 22 is in the full illumination state, the headlamp control unit 46 turns on the headlights 36 and the small lamps 24.

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the driver can grasp the lighting state of the light unit 22 by a "mode selection mark 48" as a first display portion provided on the operation portion 32, an "auto / side light mark 50" as a second display portion provided on the lever body 30, an off mark 52 and a headlight mark 54.

[0060] More specifically, the mode selection mark 48 is disposed at the center in the vertical direction of the vehicle at the end of the operating part 32 on the lever body 30 side as viewed from the driver when the operating part 32 is in the first position. The mode selection mark 48 is formed by marking the operating part 32 with a laser marker or the like, and is in the form of a straight line extending in the vehicle width direction. The mode selection mark 48 makes it possible to indicate the relative position of the operating part 32 with respect to the lever body 30.

[0061] The auto / side light mark 50 includes an auto mark 50A, which is a pictogram indicating the automatic lighting state of the light unit 22, and a side light mark 50B, which is a pictogram indicating the automatic lighting state of the light unit 22. The auto / side light mark 50 is formed by engraving the lever body 30 with a laser marker or the like, and is disposed on the lever body 30 at a position adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operating part 32 is in the first position.

[0062] The OFF mark 52 is a pictogram that indicates the fully turned off state of the light unit 22, and is formed by engraving the lever body 30 with a laser marker or the like. The OFF mark 52 is disposed in a position on the lever body 30 adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operating part 32 is in the second position.

[0063] The headlight mark 54 is a pictogram that indicates the full lighting state of the light unit 22, and is formed by engraving the lever body 30 with a laser marker or the like. The headlight mark 54 is disposed in a position on the lever body 30 adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operating part 32 is in the third position.

[0064] (Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle headlamp system 10 according to this embodiment has an operating unit 32 that is rotatable relative to the lever body 30. As also shown in FIG. 3, the operating unit 32 can be rotated relative to the lever body 30 to take a first position and a second position.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, when the operating unit 32 is in the second position, the biasing unit 34 rotates the operating unit 32, and the operating unit 32 returns to the first position. That is, in order to maintain the operating unit 32 in the second position, it is necessary to support the operating unit 32 so that the operating unit 32 does not rotate.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a headlight control unit 46 is provided, and this headlight control unit 46 can set the lighting state of the parking lamps 24 and the headlights 36 to an automatic lighting state in which the lighting state is automatically switched when the operating unit 32 is in the first position.

[0068] Furthermore, the headlamp control unit 46 can turn off the parking lamps 24 and the headlights 36 when the operating unit 32 is in the second position for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0069] Furthermore, when the operation unit 32 is in the second position for a period of time shorter than a predetermined period of time, the headlamp control unit 46 can set the vehicle width lamps to a side light ON state in which only the small lamps 24 are ON.

[0070] 7, the control flow of the control device 16 with respect to the transition of the lighting state of the light unit 22 will be described below. This control flow is started when the CPU 16A receives a predetermined instruction signal at predetermined time intervals.

[0071] When this control flow starts, in step S100, CPU 16A functions as lever switch state detection unit 40 and determines whether or not operation unit 32 is in the first position. If CPU 16A determines that operation unit 32 is in the first position (step S100: YES), the process proceeds to step S101, and if CPU 16A determines that operation unit 32 is not in the first position (step S100: NO), the process proceeds to step S101.

[0072] In step S101, the CPU 16A functions as the headlamp control unit 46, sets the light unit 22 to an automatic lighting state, and ends this control flow.

[0073] In step S102, the CPU 16A functions as the lever switch state detection unit 40 and determines whether or not the operating unit 32 is in the second position. If the CPU 16A determines that the operating unit 32 is in the second position (step S102: YES), the process proceeds to step S103, and if the CPU 16A determines that the operating unit 32 is not in the second position (step S102: NO), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0074] In step S103, the CPU 16A functions as the headlamp control unit 46 and determines whether the time during which the operation unit 32 is in the second position is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. If the CPU 16A determines that the time during which the operation unit 32 is in the second position is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S103: YES), the process proceeds to step S105, and if the CPU 16A determines that the time during which the operation unit 32 is in the second position is shorter than the predetermined time (step S103: NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0075] In step S105, the CPU 16A functions as the headlamp control unit 46, puts the light units 22 into a fully turned-off state, and ends this control flow.

[0076] In step S106, the CPU 16A functions as the headlamp control unit 46, sets the light unit 22 to the sidelight lighting state, and ends this control flow.

[0077] On the other hand, in step S104, CPU 16A functions as lever switch state detection unit 40 and determines whether or not operation unit 32 is in the third position. If CPU 16A determines that operation unit 32 is in the third position (step S104: YES), it proceeds to step S107, and if CPU 16A determines that operation unit 32 is not in the third position (step S104: NO), it returns to step S100.

[0078] In step S107, the CPU 16A functions as the headlamp control unit 46, sets the light unit 22 to a fully lit state, and ends this control flow.

[0079] Returning to Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the mode selection mark 48 can indicate the relative position of the operating unit 32 with respect to the lever body 30. For this reason, for example, by providing an auto mark 50A indicating an automatic lighting state and a width light mark 50B indicating a width light lighting state, etc., adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operating unit 32 is in each position, it becomes possible for the driver to recognize the state of the headlights of the vehicle 12. Note that the headlights referred to here include at least the small lamps 24 and the headlights 36.

[0080] However, as described above, in this embodiment, when the operation unit 32 is in the first position, there are cases where the lights are automatically turned on and cases where the side light is turned on. For this reason, if one of the auto mark 50A and the side light mark 50B is provided in a position adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operation unit 32 is in the first position, it is considered that the driver of the vehicle 12 may feel uncomfortable with the state of the headlights of the vehicle 12 depending on the state of the headlights of the vehicle 12.

[0081] Here, in this embodiment, an auto / side light mark 50 is provided, and this auto / side light mark 50 is positioned adjacent to the mode selection mark 48 when the operating unit 32 is in the first position, and indicates that the light is in the automatic lighting state or the side light lighting state.

[0082] Therefore, the driver of the vehicle 12 can recognize that the headlights are in the automatic on state or the side light on state by seeing that the mode selection mark 48 and the auto / side light mark 50 are adjacent to each other.

[0083] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the vehicle 12 from traveling with the headlights turned off, while also preventing the driver from feeling uncomfortable about the state of the headlights.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, when the operation unit 32 is in the second position while the headlights 36 are on, the headlight control unit 46 turns off the headlights 36 and turns on the small lamps 24. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vehicle can be quickly switched to the sidelight illumination state based on the driver's operation.

[0085] Therefore, by quickly reflecting the driver's operation in the small lamp 24, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable about the state of the small lamp 24.

[0086] In this embodiment, the headlamp control unit 46 may perform a control different from that described above to transition to the side light illumination state.

[0087] Specifically, when the duration of transmission of the second position signal is shorter than a predetermined time, the headlamp control unit 46 may transition the light unit 22 to the side light on state after receiving the first position signal, i.e., after the operating unit 32 returns to the first position.

[0088] According to this configuration, when the operation unit 32 is moved from the second position to the first position while the headlights 36 are on, the headlight control unit 46 turns off the headlights 36 and turns on the small lamps 24. This makes it possible to prevent the sidelights from being turned on while the operation unit 32 is returning from the second position to the first position.

[0089] Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to make the driver easily recognize the position of the operating unit 32 when the small lamp 24 is turned on.

[0090] <Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment> (1) In the above-described embodiment, the mode selection mark 48 on the operation unit 32, the auto / side light mark 50, the off mark 52, and the headlight mark 54 on the lever body 30 are engraved by a laser marker or the like, but the configuration of each mark is not limited to this. For example, these marks may be made of resin, metal, or the like separately from the base material depending on the specifications of the vehicle 12, etc. Also, in order to improve the visibility of the marks and to make it easier for the driver to understand the lighting status of the headlights, these marks may be configured to be lit by pilot lamps such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the marks corresponding to the lit headlights may be illuminated.

[0091] (2) In the above embodiment, the vehicle 12 is a right-hand drive vehicle, and so the lever switch 14 is disposed on the right side of the steering column 28 in the vehicle width direction, but the position of the lever switch 14 is not limited to this. If the vehicle 12 is a left-hand drive vehicle, the lever switch 14 may be disposed on the left side of the steering column 28 in the vehicle width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10. Vehicle headlamp system 24 Parking lights 30 Lever body 32 Operation section 34 Pressurizing part 36 Passing headlights 46 Headlight control unit 48 Mode selection mark (first display) 50 Auto / Sidelight mark (second display)

Claims

1. an operating portion that can be rotated relative to the lever body to take a first position and a second position; a biasing portion that returns the operation portion to the first position when the operation portion is rotated toward the second position; a headlamp control unit that can automatically switch the on / off states of side light and passing headlamp when the operation unit is in the first position, that can turn off the passing headlamp and the side light when the operation unit is in the second position for a predetermined time or longer, and that can turn on the side light when the operation unit is in the second position for a time shorter than the predetermined time; a first indicator that indicates a relative position of the operation portion with respect to the lever body; a second display unit that is adjacent to the first display unit when the operation unit is in the first position and indicates that the vehicle width light and the low-vehicle headlight are in an automatic lighting state in which the lighting states of the vehicle width light and the low-vehicle headlight are automatically switched, or that the vehicle width light is in a lighting state in which the vehicle width light is turned on; Equipped with The second display portion includes an auto mark indicating the automatic lighting state, a width light mark indicating the width light lighting state, and a diagonal line portion located between the auto mark and the width light mark. Vehicle headlamp control system.

2. the headlamp control unit turns off the low-beam headlamp and turns on the width light when the operation unit is in the second position while the low-beam headlamp is turned on, The vehicle headlamp control system according to claim 1 .

3. the headlamp control unit turns off the passing headlamp and turns on the width light when the operation unit is moved from the second position to the first position while the passing headlamp is turned on, The vehicle headlamp control system according to claim 1 .

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