Light control device

Abstract

To suppress generation of operation errors.SOLUTION: A light control part releases an auto light mode and switches the mode to a small light lighting mode, when a rotation operator of an operation lever is located at a first time small light position, and releases the auto light mode and switches the mode to a light-off mode of turning off all the lights, when the rotation operator is located at a second time small light position longer than the first time. When the rotation operator is held at the small light position, according to a peripheral environment and a vehicle state, the light control part performs any one of (1) displaying an operation condition of switching to the small light lighting mode and an operation condition of switching to the light-off mode on a display machine (70), (2) displaying an operation condition of switching to the small light lighting mode on the display machine (74), and (3) not displaying the operation condition on the display machine (78).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] This disclosure relates to a lighting control device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a lever switch having a momentary mechanism that automatically returns to the auto light position when the rotational operating force disappears at a position between the auto light position and the light OFF position with respect to a rotational operator provided at the tip of the lever body. This Patent Document 1 also describes that when the duration of the OFF operation for holding the rotational operator in the light OFF position is longer than a predetermined time, the state is changed from the full lighting state to the side marker light state and further from the side marker light state to the full off state (see paragraph "0030", etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the OFF operation for holding the rotational operator in the light OFF position is performed by the user, the instruction intended by the user is determined based on the duration of the OFF operation. Therefore, the user needs to continue the OFF operation for a time corresponding to the intended instruction, and thus there is a possibility of operation errors, for example, during the period until the operation要领 is acquired.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object thereof is to obtain a lighting control device capable of suppressing the occurrence of operation errors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The light control device according to the first embodiment includes a rotating lever provided at the tip of the lever body, which is rotatable between at least an auto light position for instructing a switch to the auto light mode and a small light position for instructing a switch to a small light mode for turning on the small lights; the lever body incorporating a light switch which is provided with a momentary mechanism that automatically returns the rotating lever to the auto light position when the rotational force on the rotating lever is lost at a position between the auto light position and the small light position; and a light control unit which, when the rotating lever is in the small light position for a first time, cancels the auto light mode and switches to the small light mode, which cancels the auto light mode and switches to a light-off mode that turns off all lights when the rotating lever is in the small light position for a second time longer than the first time, wherein the light control unit, when the rotating lever is held in the small light position, adjusts according to the surrounding environment and the state of the vehicle. (1) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode and the operating conditions for switching to the light off mode on the display unit. (2) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light illumination mode on the display unit. (3) Do not display operating conditions on the display unit. Do one of the following.

[0007] In the first embodiment, the light control unit performs control such that when the rotary control is in the small light position for a first time, it cancels the auto light mode and switches to the small light on mode, and when the rotary control is in the small light position for a second time longer than the first time, it cancels the auto light mode and switches to the light off mode, which turns off all lights. As a result, there is a possibility of operating errors occurring, for example, during the period until the user learns how to operate the system.

[0008] In contrast, in the first embodiment, when the rotary control is held in the small light position, depending on the surrounding environment and the state of the vehicle, (1) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode and the operating conditions for switching to the light off mode on the display unit. (2) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode on the display unit. (3) Do not display operating conditions on the display unit. One of the following actions is performed. This allows the user to recognize the operating conditions by visually confirming them on the display unit, thereby suppressing operational errors even while the user is learning the procedures.

[0009] Furthermore, options (1) to (3) above are selected according to the surrounding environment and the vehicle's condition. For example, if the surrounding environment and vehicle's condition are such that switching to the small light on mode may be instructed, but switching to the light off mode will not be instructed, then option (2) can be selected. Also, if the surrounding environment and vehicle's condition are such that neither switching to the small light on mode nor switching to the light off mode will be instructed, then option (3) can be selected. Consequently, the display on the indicator can be kept from becoming cluttered.

[0010] A second aspect is that, in the first aspect, the light control unit, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position and the ambient brightness exceeds a predetermined value, or when the rotary operator is held in the small light position and the ambient brightness is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the vehicle's drive system is stopped, or the shift position is in parking, or the parking brake is engaged, (1) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode and the operating conditions for switching to the light off mode on the display unit. Perform the process.

[0011] In the second aspect, the conditions "when ambient brightness exceeds a predetermined value" and "when ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, and the vehicle's drive system is stopped, or the shift position is in parking, or the parking brake is engaged" are conditions under which switching to the small light on mode or switching to the light off mode may be instructed. In this case, selecting (1) above will allow the display to show the appropriate information.

[0012] A third aspect is that, in the first aspect, the light control unit, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position, the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, the shift position is not in parking, and the parking brake is not engaged, (2) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light illumination mode on the display unit. Perform the process.

[0013] In the third embodiment, the conditions "the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, the shift position is not in parking, and the parking brake is not engaged" are conditions under which switching to the small light on mode may be instructed, but switching to the light off mode will not be instructed. In this case, selecting (2) above will allow the display to show the appropriate information.

[0014] A fourth aspect is that, in the first aspect, the light control unit, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position, and the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value and the vehicle speed is above a predetermined vehicle speed, (3) The display unit shall not display the operating conditions.

[0015] In the fourth aspect, the condition "ambient brightness is below a predetermined value and vehicle speed is above a predetermined vehicle speed" is a condition in which neither switching to the small light on mode nor switching to the light off mode is instructed. In this case, selecting (3) above will allow the display to show the appropriate information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] This disclosure has the effect of being able to suppress the occurrence of operation errors.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an operation lever. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing light control processing executed by a light control ECU. [Figure 4A] It is an image diagram showing a state where a rotary operator of an operation lever is rotated to a small light position. [Figure 4B] It is an image diagram showing a state where a rotary operator of an operation lever is held at a small light position. [Figure 5A] It is an image diagram showing an operation method displayed on a display when the ambient luminance exceeds a predetermined value, or when the ambient luminance is below the predetermined value and the vehicle drive system is stopped, or the shift position is in parking, or the parking brake is actuated. [Figure 5B] It is an image diagram showing an operation method displayed on a display under the conditions that the ambient luminance is below a predetermined value, the shift position is not in parking, and the parking brake is not actuated.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The in-vehicle system 10 shown in Figure 1 is mounted on a vehicle and includes a vehicle speed determination ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12, a shift position determination ECU 14, a parking brake ECU 16, an ambient environment determination ECU 18, a display unit 20, and a light control ECU 22. The vehicle speed determination ECU 12, the shift position determination ECU 14, the parking brake ECU 16, the ambient environment determination ECU 18, the display unit 20, and the light control ECU 22 are connected via a communication line (e.g., a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus).

[0019] Each of the above-mentioned ECUs, although not shown in the diagram, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and non-volatile storage such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0020] The vehicle speed determination ECU 12 acquires a detection signal from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) and determines the vehicle speed based on the acquired detection signal. The shift position determination ECU 14 acquires a detection signal from a shift position sensor (not shown) and determines the vehicle's shift position based on the acquired detection signal. The parking brake ECU 16 acquires a detection signal from a parking brake sensor (not shown) and determines the operating status (operated / not operated) of the vehicle's parking brake based on the acquired detection signal.

[0021] The ambient environment determination ECU 18 acquires a detection signal from a sensor (not shown) that detects the brightness around the vehicle, and determines the brightness around the vehicle as the vehicle's ambient environment based on the acquired detection signal. The sensor can be a brightness sensor installed on the vehicle to perform automatic light control that turns the vehicle's headlights on and off according to the brightness around the vehicle, or a camera installed on the vehicle to take images of the area around the vehicle.

[0022] The surrounding environment determination ECU 18 may be configured to estimate the brightness around the vehicle by, for example, acquiring weather information from an external weather information server, determining whether it is day or night, or determining the weather conditions such as clear skies or cloudy skies based on the acquired weather information. Alternatively, the surrounding environment determination ECU 18 may be configured to estimate the brightness around the vehicle by, for example, acquiring the vehicle's current position from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device and determining whether the vehicle is traveling through a tunnel.

[0023] The display unit 20 is a display capable of showing the operation method of the operating lever 32 for disabling the auto-light mode, as controlled by the light control ECU 22. For example, the display unit 20 can be a meter display located on the vehicle's instrument panel. The light control ECU 22 is connected to the light switch 34 built into the operating lever 32 via a communication line such as a CAN bus, as well as to the headlight device 26. The headlight device 26 is equipped with a headlight 28 and small lights (also called position lights) 30.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the operating lever 32 includes a lever body 36 and a rotary operating element 38. The lever body 36 is a rod-shaped member and is supported on the side of the vehicle's steering column so that it can be tilted in the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions. When the axis of the lever body 36 is tilted, the light control ECU 22 switches the optical axis of the headlights 28 or turns the turn signal lamps on and off according to the direction of the tilt. A light switch 34 (see Figure 1) is built into the lever body 36.

[0025] The rotary operator 38 is mounted at the tip of the lever body 36 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the lever body 36. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the rotary operator 38 has three rotational positions, sequentially along the rotational direction of the rotary operator 38: a light ON position (HEAD) 40 for instructing the headlights 28 and small lights 30 to be constantly illuminated, an auto light position (AUTO) 42 for setting an auto light mode that controls the on / off switching of the headlights 28 and small lights 30 based on the brightness of the vehicle's surroundings, and a small light position 44 for instructing the switch to the small light illumination mode that turns on the small lights 30.

[0026] The light switch 34's contacts are switched when the rotary operator 38 is rotated by the user, who is an occupant of the vehicle. The light switch 34 then outputs switch contact information to the light control ECU 22 indicating whether the rotary operator 38 is in the light ON position 40, the auto light position 42, or the small light position 44.

[0027] When the rotary control 38 is in the light ON position 40, it will remain in the light ON position 40 even if the user's rotational force is lost. Similarly, when the rotary control 38 is in the auto light position 42, it will remain in the auto light position 42 even if the user's rotational force is lost.

[0028] On the other hand, the light switch 34 is equipped with a momentary mechanism that automatically returns the rotary operator 38 to the auto light position 42 when the user's rotational force is lost while the rotary operator 38 is positioned between the auto light position 42 and the small light position 44. This momentary mechanism can be realized, for example, by a spring mechanism (not shown) that constantly applies a rotational biasing force toward the auto light position 42 towards the rotary operator 38 in the small light position 44, sufficient to allow the user to rotate it.

[0029] The light control ECU 22 stores the light control program in its memory (not shown). The light control ECU 22 functions as the light control unit 24 shown in Figure 1 when the light control program is read from the memory and loaded into memory, and then executed by the CPU.

[0030] Based on the switch contact information input from the light switch 34, the light control unit 24 illuminates all headlights 28 and small lights 30 regardless of the ambient brightness around the vehicle (daytime or nighttime, etc.) when the rotary control 38 is in the light ON position 40. Furthermore, when the rotary control 38 is in the auto light position 42, the light control unit 24 turns off all headlights 28 and small lights 30 if the ambient brightness around the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value (such as during the day), and turns on all headlights 28 and small lights 30 if the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value.

[0031] The light control unit 24 then performs the light control processing described below when the rotary operator 38 is held in the small light position 44 against the rotational biasing force of the momentary mechanism. The operating lever 32, which includes the lever body 36 and the rotary operator 38, and the light control ECU 22, which functions as the light control unit 24, are examples of light control devices according to this disclosure.

[0032] Next, the operation of this embodiment, specifically the light control processing performed by the light control unit 24, will be described with reference to Figure 3. This light control processing is repeatedly performed by the light control unit 24 while a user is in the vehicle.

[0033] In step 60 of the light control process, the light control unit 24 determines whether the rotary operator 38 is held in the small light position 44 against the rotational biasing force of the momentary mechanism. If the determination in step 60 is negative, the light control process ends. On the other hand, as shown by arrow A in Figure 4A, if the rotary operator 38 is rotated to the small light position 44 against the rotational biasing force of the momentary mechanism and then held in the small light position 44 as shown in Figure 4B, the determination in step 60 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 62. In step 62, the light control unit 24 starts timing the time (holding time) that the rotary operator 38 is held in the small light position 44.

[0034] In step 64, the light control unit 24 acquires the surrounding environment and the status of the vehicle. Specifically, the light control unit 24 acquires the brightness around the vehicle from the surrounding environment determination ECU 18 as part of the surrounding environment. The light control unit 24 also acquires the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed determination ECU 12, the vehicle's shift position from the shift position determination ECU 14, and the operating status of the vehicle's parking brake from the parking brake ECU 16 as part of the vehicle's status. Furthermore, the light control unit 24 acquires the status of the vehicle's ignition switch as part of the vehicle's status. If the acquired status of the vehicle's ignition switch is "off", the light control unit 24 determines that the vehicle's drive system is stopped.

[0035] In step 66, the light control unit 24 determines whether the ambient brightness of the vehicle acquired in step 64 exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value in step 66 is set to a value that determines whether the surrounding environment is daytime or nighttime. Therefore, in step 66, it is determined whether it is daytime or not around the vehicle. If the determination in step 66 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 70; if the determination in step 66 is negative, the process proceeds to step 68.

[0036] In step 68, the light control unit 24 branches the processing based on the surrounding environment and vehicle status acquired in step 64. Specifically, if the ambient brightness of the vehicle is below a predetermined value AND (the vehicle's drive system is stopped OR the shift position is in parking OR the parking brake is engaged) (hereinafter referred to as "condition A"), the process proceeds to step 70. If the ambient brightness of the vehicle is below a predetermined value AND the shift position is not in parking AND the parking brake is not engaged (hereinafter referred to as "condition B"), the process proceeds to step 74. If the ambient brightness of the vehicle is below a predetermined value AND the vehicle speed is above a predetermined speed (hereinafter referred to as "condition C"), the process proceeds to step 78.

[0037] If the system moves from step 66 or step 68 to step 70, the light control unit 24 displays on the display unit 20, as shown in Figure 5A, the operation method for disabling the auto light mode and turning on the small lights 30, and the operation method for disabling the auto light mode and turning off all lights. In Figure 5A, the operation method for disabling the auto light mode and turning on the small lights 30 is to "hold the rotary control 38 in the small light position 44 for 1 second (or more)". The operation method for disabling the auto light mode and turning off all lights is to "hold the rotary control 38 in the small light position 44 for 2 seconds (or more)". After the process in step 70 is completed, the light control unit 24 sets the process number to "1" in the next step 72 and moves to step 82.

[0038] Furthermore, when the system moves from step 68 to step 74, the light control unit 24 displays on the display unit 20 the procedure for canceling the auto light mode and turning on the small lights 30, as shown in Figure 5B. In Figure 5b, the procedure for canceling the auto light mode and turning on the small lights 30 is to "hold the rotary control 38 in the small light position 44 for 1 second (or more)". After the process in step 74 is completed, the light control unit 24 sets the process number to "2" in the next step 76 and moves on to step 82.

[0039] Furthermore, if the process moves from step 68 to step 78, the light control unit 24 does not display the operating instructions on the display unit 20. Then, in the next step 80, the light control unit 24 sets the processing number to "3" and moves to step 82.

[0040] In step 82, the light control unit 24 determines whether the operation of holding the rotary operator 38 in the small light position 44 has been completed. If the determination in step 82 is negative, step 82 is repeated until the determination is positive. If the determination in step 82 is positive, the timing of the holding time is stopped and the process moves to step 84. In step 84, the light control unit 24 determines the processing number and branches the process according to the processing number.

[0041] If the processing number is 1, the process proceeds from step 84 to step 86. In step 86, the light control unit 24 determines whether the measured holding time is equal to or greater than the second time t2. The second time t2 is set to, for example, about 2 seconds. If the determination in step 86 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 90. In step 90, the light control unit 24 cancels the auto light mode, turns off all lights, and terminates the light control process.

[0042] Furthermore, if the determination in step 86 is denied, the process proceeds to step 88. In step 88, the light control unit 24 determines whether the holding time is greater than or equal to a first time t1 and less than a second time t2. The first time t1 is set to a time of, for example, about 1 second. If the determination in step 88 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 94. In step 94, the light control unit 24 cancels the auto light mode, turns on the small lights 30, and terminates the light control process. Furthermore, if the determination in step 88 is denied, the light control process is terminated.

[0043] Thus, when the processing number is 1, that is, when the ambient brightness around the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value, or when the aforementioned condition A is satisfied, the system operates according to the operating method shown in Figure 5A.

[0044] If the processing number is 2, the process proceeds from step 84 to step 92. In step 92, the light control unit 24 determines whether the holding time is equal to or greater than the first time t1. If the determination in step 92 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 94. In step 94, the light control unit 24 cancels the auto light mode, turns on the small lights 30, and terminates the light control process. If the determination in step 92 is negative, the light control process is terminated.

[0045] Thus, when the processing number is 2, that is, when condition B above is satisfied, the operation proceeds as shown in Figure 5B. Also, when the processing number is 3, that is, when condition C above is satisfied, the light control process is terminated.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, the rotary operator 38 is provided at the tip of the lever body 36 and is rotatable between at least an auto-light position 42 for instructing a switch to auto-light mode and a small-light position 44 for instructing a switch to small-light mode for turning on the small lights. The lever body 36 also incorporates a light switch 34 that has a momentary mechanism that automatically returns the rotary operator 38 to the auto-light position 42 when the rotational force applied to the rotary operator 38 is removed at a position between the auto-light position 42 and the small-light position 44. The light control unit 24 cancels the auto-light mode and switches to small-light mode when the rotary operator 38 is in the small-light position 44 for a first time, and cancels the auto-light mode and switches to a light-off mode that turns off all lights when the rotary operator 38 is in the small-light position 44 for a second time longer than the first time. The light control unit 24 then, when the rotary operator 38 is held in the small light position 44, adjusts according to the surrounding environment and the state of the vehicle. (1) The operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode and the operating conditions for switching to the light off mode are displayed on the display unit 20. (2) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode on the display unit 20. (3) Do not display operating conditions on the display unit 20. One of the following is performed. This allows the user to recognize the operating conditions by visually checking the operating conditions displayed on the display unit 20, thereby suppressing operational errors even while the user is learning the procedure. It also prevents the display on the display unit 20 from becoming cluttered. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 20 Display 22 Light control ECU 24 Light Control Unit 28 Headlights 30 Small Lights 32 Operating levers 34 Light switch 36 Lever body 38 Rotary control element 42 Auto light position 44 Small light position

Claims

1. A rotary control element is provided at the tip of the lever body and is rotatable between at least an auto-light position for instructing a switch to auto-light mode and a small-light position for instructing a switch to small-light mode for turning on the small lights, The lever body incorporates a light switch that has a momentary mechanism that automatically returns the rotating control to the auto light position when the rotational force applied to the rotating control is lost at a position between the auto light position and the small light position. A light control unit which, when the rotary operator is in the small light position for a first time, cancels the auto light mode and switches to the small light on mode, and when the rotary operator is in the small light position for a second time longer than the first time, cancels the auto light mode and switches to a light off mode which turns off all lights, Includes, The light control unit, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position, will, in accordance with the surrounding environment and the state of the vehicle, (1) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode and the operating conditions for switching to the light off mode on the display unit. (2) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light illumination mode on the display unit. (3) Do not display the operating conditions on the display unit. A light control device that performs one of the following actions.

2. The light control unit shall, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position and the ambient brightness exceeds a predetermined value, or when the rotary operator is held in the small light position and the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, and the vehicle's drive system is stopped, or the shift position is in parking, or the parking brake is engaged, (1) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light on mode and the operating conditions for switching to the light off mode on the display unit. The light control device according to claim 1, which performs the processing.

3. The light control unit, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position, the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, the shift position is not in parking, and the parking brake is not engaged, (2) Display the operating conditions for switching to the small light illumination mode on the display unit. The light control device according to claim 1, which performs the processing.

4. The light control unit, when the rotary operator is held in the small light position, and the ambient brightness is below a predetermined value, and the vehicle speed is above a predetermined vehicle speed, (3) Do not display the operating conditions on the display unit. The light control device according to claim 1.

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