Straddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a straddle-type vehicle that, even when a brake is automatically operated, lights a brake lamp in the same manner as when the brake is manually operated.SOLUTION: A two-wheeled motor vehicle includes: a brake lamp 22; a brake operation unit; a first switching unit 44; a second switching unit 45a; and a brake control device 32. The first switching unit 44 switches a circuit state during brake operation such that a driving current is supplied to the brake lamp 22. The second switching unit 45a switches the circuit state between a closed state where the driving current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 regardless of the brake operation and an open state where the driving current is not supplied via the second switching unit 45a to the brake lamp 22. When determining that a brake operation condition is satisfied, the brake control device 32 controls a brake to operate and controls the second switching unit 45a to switch from the open state to the closed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application mainly relates to a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a brake lamp.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a brake lamp and a speed control device. The speed control device adjusts the speed of the saddle-type vehicle according to adaptive cruise control. The speed control device reduces the speed of the saddle-type vehicle by operating the brake. Further, the saddle-type vehicle is provided with a warning device that warns when it recognizes the possibility of colliding with a following vehicle. As an example of the warning device, a brake lamp is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes that the brake lamp is automatically lit when it recognizes the possibility of colliding with a following vehicle. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe automatically lighting the brake lamp when the possibility of colliding with a following vehicle cannot be recognized. Therefore, for example, when the speed control device decelerates the saddle-type vehicle in a situation where the distance to the following vehicle is long, the brake lamp does not light. That is, there is a possibility that the presence or absence of the brake lamp lighting is different between when the driver operates the brake and when the speed control device operates the brake. In particular, in saddle-type vehicles, there are strong demands for miniaturization or low cost, etc., so it is desired to realize the above functions with a simple circuit configuration.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main object is to provide a saddle-type vehicle that turns on the brake lamp in the same manner as when the brake is manually operated even when the brake is automatically operated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present application is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and its effects will be described.

[0007] According to the viewpoint of the present application, a saddle-type vehicle having the following configuration is provided. That is, the saddle-type vehicle includes a brake lamp, a brake operation unit, a first switching unit, a second switching unit, and a brake control device. The brake lamp lights up when a drive current is supplied. The brake operation unit receives a brake operation. The first switching unit switches the circuit state so that the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp while the brake operation is being performed. The second switching unit switches the circuit state between a closed state in which the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp regardless of the brake operation and an open state in which the brake lamp is not electrically connected. The brake control device performs control to operate the brake when it is determined that the brake operation condition is satisfied, and also performs control to switch the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present application, a saddle-type vehicle that turns on the brake lamp in the same manner as when the brake is manually operated even when the brake is automatically operated can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Figure 1 Side view of the motorcycle according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 Block diagram of equipment for performing vehicle speed control. Figure 3A circuit diagram for explaining the switching from a circuit state where the brake lamp is off because no brake operation is being performed to a circuit state where the brake lamp is on due to the ACC brake. Figure 4 A circuit diagram for explaining the switching from a circuit state where the brake lamp is on when the brake is operated to a circuit state where the brake lamp is off by the ESS. Figure 5 A circuit diagram for explaining the switching from a circuit state where the brake lamp is off by the ESS to a circuit state where the brake lamp is on due to the ACC brake. Figure 6 A timing chart of the lamp-off check process and the lamp-on check process.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Next, a motorcycle 1, which is an example of the straddle-type vehicle of the present application, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In the following description, the left-right direction of the motorcycle 1 is defined in the direction seen from the driver riding on the motorcycle 1. Therefore, the front-rear direction coincides with the vehicle length direction, and the left-right direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. Also, the vertical direction and the up-down direction coincide with the height direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the motorcycle 1 includes a vehicle body 10, a front wheel 11, and a rear wheel 12.

[0012] The vehicle body 10 includes a plurality of vehicle body frames that form the skeleton of the motorcycle 1. Various components that make up the motorcycle 1 are attached to these vehicle body frames. An engine 13 is provided near the center in the vehicle length direction of the vehicle body 10. The engine 13 is a drive source for driving the motorcycle 1. The engine 13 of the present embodiment is a gasoline engine. Note that other drive sources, for example, an electric motor for running, may be provided instead of or in addition to the gasoline engine. The power generated by the engine 13 is transmitted to the rear wheel 12 via a drive chain. Thereby, the motorcycle 1 can be driven. Note that the drive source may be omitted, and the driver may generate power by pedaling.

[0013] The front wheel 11 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body 10 via an axle. A front brake device 14 is attached to the front wheel 11. The front brake device 14 includes a front brake disk 14a and a front brake caliper 14b. The front brake disk 14a rotates integrally with the front wheel 11. The front brake caliper 14b is attached to the vehicle body 10 side rather than the front wheel 11 side, and the front brake caliper 14b does not rotate even when the front brake disk 14a rotates. The front brake caliper 14b can be switched between a state where the brake pads are pressed against the front brake disk 14a and a state where the brake pads are separated from the front brake disk 14a. When the brake pads are pressed against the front brake disk 14a, braking force is generated.

[0014] The rear wheel 12 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body 10 via an axle. A rear brake device 15 is attached to the rear wheel 12. The rear brake device 15 includes a rear brake disk 15a and a rear brake caliper 15b. The rear brake disk 15a rotates integrally with the rear wheel 12. The rear brake caliper 15b is attached to the vehicle body 10 side rather than the rear wheel 12 side, and the rear brake caliper 15b does not rotate even when the rear brake disk 15a rotates. The rear brake caliper 15b can be switched between a state where the brake pads are pressed against the rear brake disk 15a and a state where the brake pads are separated from the rear brake disk 15a. When the brake pads are pressed against the rear brake disk 15a, braking force is generated.

[0015] A front fork 16 is attached to the vehicle body frame. The front forks 16 are provided in a pair on the left and right so as to sandwich the front wheel 11 when viewed from the front. A handle unit 17 is provided near the upper end of the front fork 16. The handle unit 17 includes a steering handle 17a, a brake lever 17b, and various switches.

[0016] The steering handle 17a is of the bar handle type and is an operating tool for the driver to grip and perform steering. By rotating the steering handle 17a with the steering shaft as the center of rotation, the front fork 16 and the front wheel 11 rotate. Thereby, the motorcycle 1 can be turned to change the traveling direction. Further, the motorcycle 1 is a lean-type vehicle that tilts the vehicle body 10 toward the turning center side with respect to the road surface during turning.

[0017] The brake lever 17b is an operating tool for operating the front brake device 14. The brake lever 17b is a brake operation part. The driver performs a brake operation by gripping the brake lever 17b. When the driver performs a brake operation on the brake lever 17b, brake fluid is supplied to the front brake caliper 14b via a brake hose. Thereby, the brake pad is pressed against the front brake disc 14a, and braking force is generated.

[0018] A fuel tank 20 is provided behind the handle unit 17 and above the engine 13. The fuel tank 20 stores fuel for supplying the engine 13. A seat 21 for the driver to sit on is provided behind the fuel tank 20. Steps 18 are provided on the left side surface and the right side surface of the vehicle body 10, respectively. The driver straddles the seat 21 and places their feet on the left and right steps 18. In this way, since the driver straddles the seat 21 to sit, the motorcycle 1 is a straddle-type vehicle.

[0019] A brake pedal 19 is arranged in front of the right step 18. The brake pedal 19 is a brake operation part. The driver performs a brake operation by stepping on the brake pedal 19 with their foot. When the driver performs a brake operation on the brake pedal 19, brake fluid is supplied to the rear brake caliper 15b via a brake hose. Thereby, the brake pad is pressed against the rear brake disc 15a, and braking force is generated.

[0020] The above-described brake configuration is an example and may be different from the present embodiment. For example, the brake device is not limited to a disc brake and may be a drum brake. The brake caliper may be actuated by a wire instead of brake fluid. The brake pedal 19 may be omitted, and both the front and rear brakes may be actuated by the brake lever 17b.

[0021] A brake lamp 22 is disposed at the rear of the motorcycle 1. When the driver or the brake control device 32 described later actuates the brake, the brake lamp 22 lights up. The light source of the brake lamp 22 may be a light bulb using a filament or an LED.

[0022] A radar device 23 for detecting the front is disposed at the front end of the motorcycle 1 or in the vicinity thereof. The radar device 23 transmits a detection wave forward and acquires a reflected wave reflected by an object, thereby detecting the distance and speed to one or more objects in the front. The detection wave transmitted by the radar device 23 is an electromagnetic wave, specifically, infrared rays, millimeter waves, or microwaves. The motorcycle 1 notifies the driver of information regarding the detected object or controls the speed of the motorcycle 1 based on the detection result of the radar device 23.

[0023] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the vehicle speed control of the motorcycle 1 will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the motorcycle 1 includes an engine control device 31, a brake control device 32, and various sensors. Each device can transmit and receive data by, for example, CAN communication. Instead of CAN communication, each device may be connected by individual signal lines to transmit and receive data. The sensors are, for example, the radar device 23 and the vehicle speed sensor 33. The vehicle speed sensor 33 is a sensor that detects the vehicle speed based on, for example, the rotational speed of the front wheel 11.

[0025] The engine control device 31 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU and a storage device such as a RAM and a storage. The engine control device 31 performs various controls related to the engine 13 by the arithmetic unit executing a program stored in the storage device. Specifically, the engine control device 31 controls ignition timing, valve opening / closing timing, fuel injection amount, etc. For example, by increasing the fuel injection amount, the engine control device 31 can accelerate the motorcycle 1.

[0026] The brake control device 32 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU and a storage device such as a RAM and a storage. The brake control device 32 performs various controls related to the brake by the arithmetic unit executing a program stored in the storage device. Specifically, when it is determined that the brake operation condition is satisfied, the brake control device 32 controls the brake actuator 34 to operate the brake. The brake actuator 34 is a pump in this embodiment and is a device that sends brake fluid to at least one of the front brake device 14 and the rear brake device 15. The brake actuator 34 may be a device that generates a mechanical pressing force.

[0027] The brake operation condition is a condition under which the brake control device 32 operates the brake. For example, when receiving a command to decrease the vehicle speed from the engine control device 31, the brake operation condition is satisfied. The brake operation condition may include a condition that the inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle in front is equal to or less than a threshold value.

[0028] The motorcycle 1 can perform Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC control). Adaptive Cruise Control is a control that automatically accelerates and decelerates within a predetermined vehicle speed range to maintain a constant inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead. Specifically, the radar device 23 calculates the acceleration required to maintain the distance between the motorcycle 1 and an object based on the distance to the object ahead and the speed of the object. Hereinafter, acceleration includes deceleration. The radar device 23 requests the calculated acceleration to the brake control device 32. The brake control device 32 calculates the braking force and engine torque required to achieve the acceleration requested by the radar device 23. Note that the brake control device 32 calculates engine brake torque instead of engine torque during deceleration. Next, the brake control device 32 controls the pressure of the brake fluid using the above-mentioned pump so that the calculated braking force is generated. Further, the brake control device 32 requests the calculated engine torque or engine brake torque to the engine control device 31. The engine control device 31 controls the engine 13 so that the engine torque or engine brake torque requested by the brake control device 32 is achieved. The Adaptive Cruise Control is performed as described above.

[0029] The brake control device 32 can further perform ABS control. ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System. ABS control is a control that prevents the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 from locking when the brake is actuated. The brake control device 32 estimates the slip situation of the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 based on the information input from a wheel sensor or the like. The brake control device 32 operates the brake actuator 34 according to the slip situation of the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 to pressurize or depressurize the brake fluid, thereby preventing the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 from locking and braking the motorcycle 1.

[0030] The brake control device 32 can further perform an ESS. ESS stands for Emergency Stop Signal. Specifically, when the driver applies the emergency brake, the brake control device 32 blinks the brake lamp 22 to inform the following vehicle of this fact.

[0031] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the circuit configuration for turning on and off the brake lamp 22 will be described. In FIGS. 3 to 5, the portions where current flows are shown by thick lines. The ACC brake is to operate the brake in adaptive cruise control.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, it includes a battery 41, a first input unit 42, a second input unit 43, a first switching unit 44, and a relay assembly 45. The relay assembly 45 includes a second switching unit 45a and a third switching unit 45b. The second switching unit 45a and the third switching unit 45b are relays that switch the open / closed state of the circuit according to a current signal.

[0033] The battery 41 stores the electric power generated using the power of the engine 13 of the motorcycle 1. The electrical components of the motorcycle 1 are electrically connected to the battery 41 and operate with the power of the battery 41. The battery 41 is electrically connected to the first input unit 42 and the second input unit 43.

[0034] Circuits for supplying drive current to the brake lamp 22 are connected to the first input unit 42 and the second input unit 43, respectively. The drive current is the current for turning on the brake lamp 22. When the battery 41 and the brake lamp 22 are electrically connected, drive current is supplied from the battery 41 to the brake lamp 22, and the brake lamp 22 lights up.

[0035] The circuit connected to the first input unit 42 is connected to the brake lamp 22 through the second switching unit 45a. Therefore, when the second switching unit 45a is in the closed state, a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 and the brake lamp 22 lights up. When the second switching unit 45a is in the open state, since the second switching unit 45a and the brake lamp 22 are not electrically connected, a drive current is not supplied to the brake lamp 22 through the second switching unit 45a.

[0036] The open / closed state of the second switching unit 45a is controlled by the brake control device 32. The brake control device 32 includes a first switch 32a. The brake control device 32 can freely switch the open / closed state of the first switch 32a. The first switch 32a is connected to the second input unit 43 through the coil of the second switching unit 45a. Therefore, the brake control device 32 can switch the open / closed state of the second switching unit 45a by switching the open / closed state of the first switch 32a.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a state in which when the brake control device 32 switches the first switch 32a from the open state to the closed state, the second switching unit 45a switches from the open state to the closed state and a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22. That is, by the control of the brake control device 32, the brake lamp 22 can be lit regardless of the brake operation on the brake operation unit.

[0038] When it is determined that the above-described brake operating conditions are satisfied, the brake control device 32 operates the brake by the brake actuator 34 and closes the first switch 32a to turn on the brake lamp 22. Since the second switching unit 45a is a relay, the supply or non-supply of the drive current can be switched without performing communication of the control system. However, the second switching unit 45a is not limited to a relay and may be a switch element that switches the open / closed state in response to a signal of the control system.

[0039] Conditions for closing the first switch 32a may be further added. For example, in addition to satisfying the brake operation condition, a condition that the deceleration exceeds a first threshold value may be further added. Thereby, when the deceleration is low, the brake lamp 22 is not lit, and when the deceleration is high, the process of lighting the brake lamp 22 can be realized.

[0040] The circuit connected to the second input unit 43 is connected to the brake lamp 22 through the third switching unit 45b and the first switching unit 44. Therefore, when the third switching unit 45b and the first switching unit 44 are in the closed state, a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 and the brake lamp 22 lights up. When at least one of the third switching unit 45b and the first switching unit 44 is in the open state, a drive current is not supplied to the brake lamp 22 through the first input unit 42. Note that the circuit from the first input unit 42 to the brake lamp 22 and the circuit from the second input unit 43 to the brake lamp 22 are independent. Therefore, when a drive current is supplied through either one of them, the brake lamp 22 lights up.

[0041] Similar to the second switching unit 45a, the open / closed state of the third switching unit 45b is controlled by the brake control device 32. The brake control device 32 includes a second switch 32b. The brake control device 32 can freely switch the open / closed state of the second switch 32b. The second switch 32b is connected to the second input unit 43 through the coil of the third switching unit 45b. Therefore, the brake control device 32 can switch the open / closed state of the third switching unit 45b by switching the open / closed state of the second switch 32b.

[0042] The first switching unit 44 switches between open and closed states according to whether a braking operation is performed on the braking operation unit. Specifically, the first switching unit 44 includes two switches arranged in parallel. Each switch operates in conjunction with the brake lever 17b and the brake pedal 19. That is, while a braking operation is being performed on the brake lever 17b, one switch of the first switching unit 44 is in the closed state. While a braking operation is being performed on the brake pedal 19, the other switch of the first switching unit 44 is in the closed state. That is, the first switching unit 44 is in the closed state while a braking operation is being performed on at least one of the braking operation units.

[0043] That is, while the braking control device 32 is controlling so that the third switching unit 45b is in the closed state, when a braking operation is performed on the braking operation unit, the brake lamp 22 lights up. While the braking control device 32 is controlling so that the third switching unit 45b is in the open state, the brake lamp 22 goes out regardless of the operation of the braking operation unit.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a state in which the braking control device 32 switches the second switch 32b from the open state to the closed state, so that the third switching unit 45b switches from the closed state to the open state, and the supply of drive current to the brake lamp 22 is stopped. That is, by the control of the braking control device 32, the brake lamp 22 can be turned off even while the braking operation on the braking operation unit continues.

[0045] When the braking control device 32 determines that the extinguishing condition is satisfied, it switches the third switching unit 45b to the open state to turn off the brake lamp 22. In this embodiment, the extinguishing condition regarding the above-described ESS is set. That is, when the braking control device 32 determines that the driver has applied an emergency brake, it continuously switches the state of the third switching unit 45b to blink the brake lamp 22. That is, the extinguishing condition is that the deceleration of the motorcycle 1 exceeds the second threshold value. The second threshold value is a value larger than the above-described first threshold value. Note that other extinguishing conditions may be set.

[0046] The brake control device 32 is provided with a detection switch 32c. The detection switch 32c is electrically connected between the second switching unit 45a and the brake lamp 22, and is also electrically connected between the first switching unit 44 and the brake lamp 22. Therefore, when a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22, a current is also supplied to the detection switch 32c. The brake control device 32 can detect whether a drive current is being supplied to the brake lamp 22 based on the detection result of the current by the detection switch 32c.

[0047] As described above, when a drive current is supplied through either the first input unit 42 or the second input unit 43, the brake lamp 22 lights up. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the brake control device 32 has the third switching unit 45b in the open state, the brake lamp 22 lights up when the brake control device 32 closes the second switching unit 45a. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the process of turning on the brake lamp 22 and the process of turning it off are performed simultaneously, the brake lamp 22 lights up.

[0048] Next, a method for checking the function of turning off the brake lamp 22 by ESS and the function of turning it on by ACC by the brake control device 32 will be described. In the following description, the process of checking the function of turning off is referred to as the turn-off check process, and the process of checking the function of turning on is referred to as the turn-on check process.

[0049] The turn-off check process and the turn-on check process are automatically performed when the electrical system is started. The start of the electrical system refers to the timing when power is supplied to the electrical components provided in the motorcycle 1. The motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment performs the turn-off check process and the turn-on check process at the timing when it switches from the power-off state to the ignition-on state. Note that when the ignition power supply and the accessory power supply are distinguished, the turn-off check process and the turn-on check process may be performed at the timing when the accessory is turned on.

[0050] The lamp-off check process and the lamp-on check process are assumed to be checked by the driver before driving. Therefore, an example of the driver's check will be described below. However, a person other than the driver, for example, a maintenance worker, may perform the same check.

[0051] The driver switches the ignition to on while performing a brake operation (time T1). Since the driver is performing a brake operation, the brake lamp 22 lights up when the ignition is turned on.

[0052] Next, the brake control device 32 repeatedly performs a process of turning off the brake lamp 22 by opening the third switching unit 45b (from time T2 to time T3). As a result, the brake lamp 22 blinks. The driver can confirm that the lamp-off function is normal by confirming that the brake lamp 22 has turned off. Furthermore, the driver can also confirm that the blinking function is normal by confirming that the brake lamp 22 has blinked.

[0053] Note that instead of the driver, the motorcycle 1 may determine that the lamp-off function and the blinking function are normal. Since the brake control device 32 is provided with the detection switch 32c, it can detect whether the brake lamp 22 is lit. Therefore, when the brake control device 32 detects that the lighting and extinguishing of the brake lamp 22 are switched from time T2 to time T3, it determines that the lamp-off function and the blinking function are normal.

[0054] Next, the brake control device 32 performs a process of switching the second switching unit 45a from the open state to the closed state to turn on the brake lamp 22 while maintaining the open state of the third switching unit 45b and with the brake lamp 22 turned off (time T4). As described above, when both the lamp-off process and the lamp-on process by the brake control device 32 are performed, the brake lamp 22 lights up. Therefore, the driver can confirm that the lamp-on function is normal by confirming that the brake lamp 22 lights up again after blinking and turning off.

[0055] Note that, instead of the driver, the motorcycle 1 may determine that the lighting function is normal. When the brake control device 32 detects at time T4 that the brake lamp 22 has switched from off to on, it determines that the lighting function is normal.

[0056] Thereafter, the brake control device 32 returns the second switching unit 45a to the open state and returns the third switching unit 45b to the closed state. Thus, in the present embodiment, the extinguishing check process and the lighting check process can be performed in a series of processes.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the lighting check process is performed while the brake control device 32 turns off the brake lamp 22. Therefore, even if the driver operates the brake, the brake lamp 22 is off, so the lighting check process can be performed without problems.

[0058] Note that the extinguishing check process and the lighting check process may be performed separately. The motorcycle 1 may perform only one of the extinguishing check process and the lighting check process. The motorcycle 1 may perform the extinguishing check process or the lighting check process in response to the driver's instruction instead of at the ignition-on timing. Further, the extinguishing check process and the lighting check process may be executed only when the ignition is turned on while the driver is operating the brake.

[0059] As described above, the motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment includes a brake lamp 22, a brake operation unit, a first switching unit 44, a second switching unit 45a, and a brake control device 32. The brake lever 17b and the brake pedal 19 correspond to the brake operation unit. The brake lamp 22 lights up when a drive current is supplied. The brake operation unit receives a brake operation. The first switching unit 44 switches the circuit state so that a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 while a brake operation is being performed. The second switching unit 45a switches the circuit state between a closed state in which a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 regardless of the brake operation and an open state in which the brake lamp 22 is not electrically connected. The brake control device 32 performs control to operate the brake when it determines that the brake operation condition is satisfied, and also performs control to switch the second switching unit 45a from the open state to the closed state.

[0060] Thereby, when the brake control device operates the brake, the brake lamp can be lit in the same manner as when the driver operates the brake. In addition, since the lighting of the two-system brake lamp is realized only by switching the circuit state, the circuit configuration can be simplified.

[0061] The second switching unit 45a of the motorcycle of the present embodiment is a relay. The brake control device 32 switches the state of the second switching unit 45a by supplying current to the second switching unit 45a.

[0062] Thereby, the second switching unit 45a can be switched without performing communication of the control system.

[0063] The motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment performs adaptive cruise control for automatically adjusting the inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead. The brake operation condition determined by the brake control device 32 includes that the inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle ahead is equal to or less than a threshold value in the adaptive cruise control.

[0064] Accordingly, the brake lamp can be lit when the brake is operated by the adaptive cruise control.

[0065] In the motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment, the brake control device 32 performs a lighting check process of switching the second switching unit 45a from an open state to a closed state in order to check whether the function of the brake control device 32 for lighting the brake lamp 22 is normal.

[0066] Accordingly, it is possible to check the lighting of the brake lamp by the brake control device.

[0067] In the motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment, the brake control device 32 automatically performs a lighting check process when the electrical system is started.

[0068] Accordingly, since there is no need for the user to instruct the execution of the lighting check process, the lighting check can be easily performed.

[0069] The motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment includes a third switching unit 45b. The third switching unit 45b can switch the circuit state between a closed state in which a drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 when a brake operation is performed and an open state in which no drive current is supplied to the brake lamp 22 even when a brake operation is performed. When it is determined that the extinguishing condition is satisfied, the brake control device 32 switches the third switching unit 45b from the closed state to the open state to turn off the brake lamp 22.

[0070] Accordingly, by the processing of the brake control device 32, the brake lamp 22 can be turned off even during a brake operation.

[0071] In the motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment, the brake control device 32 performs an extinguishing check process of switching the third switching unit 45b from the closed state to the open state in order to check whether the function of the brake control device 32 for turning off the brake lamp 22 is normal.

[0072] As a result, it is possible to check whether the brake control device 32 can turn off the brake lamp 22.

[0073] The motorcycle 1 of this embodiment includes a third switching unit 45b. The brake control device 32 performs a lighting check process and a turning-off check process.

[0074] As a result, it is possible to check both the process of the brake control device 32 turning on the brake lamp 22 and the process of the brake control device 32 turning off the brake lamp 22.

[0075] In the motorcycle 1 of this embodiment, while the brake operation is being performed, after switching the third switching unit 45b to the open state, the second switching unit 45a is switched from the open state to the closed state while maintaining the open state of the third switching unit 45b.

[0076] As a result, if it can be confirmed that the brake lamp 22 switches in the order of lighting, turning off, and lighting, it can be confirmed that both the process of turning on the brake lamp 22 and the process of turning it off are normal. That is, by simply performing a series of processes, two functions can be checked.

[0077] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described above, the above configuration can be changed as follows, for example.

[0078] The circuit diagram shown in the drawings is an example, and a different circuit configuration may be used. For example, the third switching unit 45b may be omitted, and the function of turning off the brake lamp 22 may be omitted.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the second switching unit 45a and the third switching unit 45b are provided in one relay assembly 45, but they may be provided individually.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the radar device 23 is described as an example of the device for detecting the front, but a sonar device or a camera may also be used.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the motorcycle 1 has been described as an example of a straddle-type vehicle. However, the configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to straddle-type vehicles other than the motorcycle 1, for example, a straddle-type vehicle with two front wheels and one rear wheel, or a straddle-type vehicle with one front wheel and two rear wheels, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1 Motorcycle 17b Brake lever 19 Brake pedal 22 Brake lamp 32 Brake control device 44 First switching unit 45 Relay assembly 45a Second switching unit 45b Third switching unit

Claims

1. A brake lamp that lights up when a drive current is supplied, A brake operation unit that receives a brake operation, A first switching unit that switches the circuit state so that the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp while the brake operation is being performed, A second switching unit that switches the circuit state between a closed state in which the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp regardless of the brake operation and an open state in which the brake lamp is not electrically connected, A brake control device that performs control to operate the brake when it is determined that brake operating conditions are satisfied, and also performs control to switch the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state, Comprising, An on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle, characterized in that a circuit through which the drive current flows from the first switching unit to the brake lamp and a circuit through which the drive current flows from the second switching unit to the brake lamp are independent.

2. The on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle according to Claim 1, An on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle, characterized in that a diode is arranged to prevent the drive current that has passed through the second switching unit from flowing into the first switching unit.

3. The on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, The brake control device performs a lighting check process of switching the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state in order to check whether the function of the brake control device to light up the brake lamp is normal, An on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle, characterized in that the brake control device automatically performs the lighting check process when the electrical system is started.

4. The on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, Comprising a third switching unit capable of switching the circuit state between a closed state in which the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp when the brake operation is performed and an open state in which the drive current is not supplied to the brake lamp even when the brake operation is performed, When the brake control device determines that the extinguishing condition is satisfied, the brake control device extinguishes the brake lamp by switching the third switching unit from the closed state to the open state, An on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle, characterized in that the first switching unit is located on the circuit until the drive current that has passed through the third switching unit reaches the brake lamp.

5. The on-vehicle saddle-riding type vehicle according to Claim 4, The brake operation unit includes a brake lever and a brake pedal, The saddle-riding type vehicle is characterized in that the first switching unit is configured such that a switch whose opening and closing are switched according to an operation of the brake lever and a switch whose opening and closing are switched according to an operation of the brake pedal are arranged in parallel.

6. The saddle-riding type vehicle according to claim 4, The saddle-riding type vehicle is characterized in that the second switching unit and the third switching unit are configured as a relay assembly.

7. The saddle-riding type vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6, The brake control device performs a lamp-off check process of switching the third switching unit from the closed state to the open state in order to check whether a function of turning off the brake lamp by the brake control device is normal. The saddle-riding type vehicle is characterized by this.

8. The saddle-riding type vehicle according to claim 1, A third switching unit is provided that can switch the circuit between a closed state in which the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp when the brake operation is performed and an open state in which the drive current is not supplied to the brake lamp even when the brake operation is performed. The brake control device performs a lamp-on check process of switching the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state in order to check whether a function of turning on the brake lamp by the brake control device is normal. The brake control device performs a lamp-off check process of switching the third switching unit from the closed state to the open state in order to check whether a function of turning off the brake lamp by the brake control device is normal. The saddle-riding type vehicle is characterized by this.

9. A brake lamp that lights up when a drive current is supplied, A brake operation unit that receives a brake operation, A first switching unit that switches the circuit state so that the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp while the brake operation is being performed, A second switching unit that switches the circuit state between a closed state in which the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp regardless of the brake operation and an open state in which the brake lamp is not electrically connected, A brake control device that performs control to operate the brake when it is determined that the brake operating conditions are satisfied and also performs control to switch the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state, is provided. A third switching unit is provided that can switch the circuit between a closed state in which the drive current is supplied to the brake lamp when the brake operation is performed and an open state in which the drive current is not supplied to the brake lamp even when the brake operation is performed. The brake control device performs a lighting check process of switching the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state in order to check whether the function of the brake control device for lighting the brake lamp is normal. The brake control device performs a lighting-off check process of switching the third switching unit from the closed state to the open state in order to check whether the function of the brake control device for turning off the brake lamp is normal. The brake control device is a saddle-riding type vehicle characterized in that, while the brake operation is being performed, after performing the lighting-off check process by switching the third switching unit to the open state, the lighting check process is performed by switching the second switching unit from the open state to the closed state while maintaining the open state of the third switching unit.

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