Saddled vehicle

Abstract

This invention is intended to improve visibility of a route change destination when a direction indication lamp is lit, and to further improve convenience for an occupant.　In a saddled vehicle including a direction indication lamp 3 and a control unit 24 for controlling a lighting device provided on the vehicle body, the lighting device can irradiate a first irradiation range which is a lateral front side of the vehicle body and a second irradiation range which is a lateral front side in front of the vehicle body beyond the first irradiation range, using the upright vehicle body as a reference. The control unit 24 performs control so as to radiate first illumination light Lc1 capable of illuminating the first irradiation range corresponding to an operation side of the direction indication lamp 3 when the direction indication lamp 3 operates and the vehicle body is not tilted, and to radiate second illumination light Lc2 capable of illuminating a second irradiation range corresponding to an operation side of the direction indication lamp 3 when the direction indication lamp 3 operates and the tilt of the vehicle body is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Description

Saddle-type vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle.

[0002] Some saddle-ride vehicles, such as motorcycles, are equipped with left and right cornering lamps that illuminate the front sides of the vehicle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When turning, this type of saddle-ride vehicle needs to lean the vehicle body to one side (inward) or to the left or right.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 124778

[0004] However, in the case of control to turn on the cornering lamps after the vehicle body tilts left or right, there is room for improvement in user convenience regarding the cornering lamps, for example, the cornering lamps do not turn on before the vehicle body tilts left or right while the turn signal is on. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to improve the visibility of the course change destination when the turn signal is on, thereby further improving convenience for occupants.

[0005] This specification includes the entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-170493, filed on September 29, 2023. This saddle-ride vehicle includes a turn signal light, an operation detection unit that detects operation of the turn signal light, a tilt information acquisition unit that detects tilt information that can identify the left or right tilt of the vehicle body, and a control unit that controls lighting devices provided on the vehicle body, and the vehicle body tilts to one side, left or right, when turning at least at a predetermined speed or higher, the lighting devices have first illumination lights that can emit first illumination light toward the front left and right sides of the vehicle body, and the control unit, when operation of the turn signal light is detected and the vehicle body is detected to be in a non-tilted state based on the tilt information, emits the first illumination light that corresponds to the side on which the turn signal light is activated.

[0006] This improves visibility of the direction of lane changes when the turn signal is on, further improving convenience for occupants.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a driving support device for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention together with the peripheral configuration. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing screen light distribution when the vehicle body is upright. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of lighting control of the driving support device. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the illumination range for each driving situation when a turn signal light is activated. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the illumination range for each driving situation when a turn signal light according to a first modified example is activated. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of lighting control of a driving support device according to a second modified example.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a driving assistance device 10 for a saddle-ride type vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a peripheral configuration. The driving assistance device 10 is mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and provides driving assistance by controlling a first irradiating lamp 31 and a second irradiating lamp 32 that can emit illumination light toward the left and right front sides of the vehicle body. The driving assistance device 10 can also be referred to as a driving assistance device, an in-vehicle device, or the like. In this embodiment, the first irradiating lamp 31 and the second irradiating lamp 32 are lighting devices that function as cornering lights. However, the first irradiating lamp 31 and the second irradiating lamp 32 are not limited to cornering lights and may be, for example, lighting devices that function as part of the low beam or part of the high beam of the headlight 2 (e.g., part of an adaptive driving beam system).

[0009] The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a motorcycle. Generally, motorcycles need to lean the body to one side (inward) when turning at least at a predetermined speed or above. However, even motorcycles can turn by simply operating the handlebars at extremely low speeds below the predetermined speed. In other words, they can turn to the left or right even when the body is upright (perpendicular to the road surface). Note that the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is not limited to motorcycles, and can be widely applied to any vehicle whose body leans to the left or right when turning. For ease of explanation, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 equipped with the driving assistance device 10 will be referred to as "vehicle 1" or "host vehicle 1" as appropriate below.

[0010] The vehicle 1 includes, as components related to the driving assistance device 10, headlights 2 that illuminate the area ahead of the vehicle body, turn signal lights 3 that indicate the direction of right / left turns and lane changes, an operation unit 4 operated by an occupant (mainly the driver), a vehicle sensor 5 that acquires information about the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle body information), a surrounding information acquisition unit 6 that acquires information about the surroundings of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as surrounding information), and a first illumination lamp 31 and a second illumination lamp 32. The headlights 2 are lighting devices that function as headlights and emit low beams and high beams, and can also be referred to as a headlight unit, a front light unit, etc. In this embodiment, the headlights 2 are of a constant-on type and automatically turn on when the power unit starts or the ignition is turned on. Note that the headlights 2 do not have to be of a constant-on type.

[0011] The turn signal lights 3 are provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the front and rear of the vehicle body and are also called blinkers, turn lamps, blinker lights, and direction indicators. The operating unit 4 includes a plurality of switches operated by the occupant to operate various parts of the vehicle body, including an operating switch 4A for operating the turn signal lights 3. Before making a lane change such as a right or left turn or lane change, the driver of the vehicle 1 operates the operating switch 4A to activate the turn signal light 3 on the left or right side corresponding to the destination of the lane change, and after making the right or left turn or lane change, operates the operating switch 4A to deactivate the turn signal light 3. For example, a push-to-cancel type turn signal switch (turn signal switch) is used as the operating switch 4A, but other types of turn signal switches may also be used.

[0012] The vehicle sensor 5 includes an inertial sensor such as an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and a vehicle speed sensor. The inertial sensor detects longitudinal and lateral accelerations, triaxial angular velocities, etc., and performs predetermined conversions to convert the detected angular velocities into triaxial angular velocities to determine the roll angle, pitch angle, and yaw angle of the host vehicle 1. The surrounding information acquisition unit 6 includes a sensor that acquires the brightness of the environment surrounding the host vehicle 1. The first illuminating lamp 31 is a lighting device capable of emitting left and right first illuminating lights Lc1 that function as first cornering light lights, and the second illuminating lamp 32 is a lighting device capable of emitting left and right second illuminating lights Lc2 that function as second cornering light lights toward a position further forward than the first illuminating light Lc1.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the screen light distribution P1 of the headlight 2, the first illuminating lamp 31, and the second illuminating lamp 32 when the vehicle is upright, illustrating a range of luminous intensity or higher that contributes to improved visibility in dark surroundings, such as at night. The horizontal line H indicated by line H-H in FIG. 2 is a horizontal reference line parallel to the vehicle center plane, and the vertical line V indicated by line V-V is a reference line perpendicular to the vehicle center plane. FIG. 2 also shows a state in which the low beam (LO BEAM) Lo1, the right-side first illuminating light Lc1, and the right-side second illuminating light Lc2 are all turned on. The direction and illumination range of the right-side first illuminating light Lc1 are set to illuminate the front right area of ​​the vehicle body near the low beam Lo1. The first illuminating light Lc1 complements the low beam Lo1 and high beam, illuminating the road surface and surroundings in front of the right side of the vehicle body close to the occupant.

[0014] The left first illumination light Lc1 illuminates an area that is the same as or similar to the symmetrical area of ​​the right first illumination light Lc1 with respect to the vertical line V. This allows the left first illumination light Lc1 to illuminate the road surface and its surroundings in front of the left side of the vehicle body, which is close to the occupant and complements the low beam Lo1 and high beam. In this configuration, the irradiation ranges of the left and right first illumination lights Lc1 are respectively set so that the driver can easily see the destination of a course change, such as a right or left turn or a lane change, at least when the vehicle body is upright. The irradiation ranges of the left and right first illumination lights Lc1 may be appropriately changed within a range that satisfies this condition. The irradiation range of the right first illumination light Lc1 corresponds to the "first irradiation range corresponding to the activation side of the right turn signal light 3" in this invention, and the irradiation range of the left first illumination light Lc1 corresponds to the "first irradiation range corresponding to the activation side of the left turn signal light 3" in this invention.

[0015] The direction and illumination range of the right-side second illumination light Lc2 are set so as to illuminate the right side of the vehicle body, which is further forward than the right-side second illumination light Lc2. This second illumination light Lc2 can illuminate the road surface and its surroundings in front of the right side of the vehicle body, which is an area that complements the low beam Lo1 and the high beam, and is away from the occupant. The left-side second illumination light Lc2 illuminates an area that is the same as or similar to the range symmetrical to the right-side second illumination light Lc2 with respect to the vertical line V. This allows the left-side second illumination light Lc2 to illuminate the road surface and its surroundings in front of the left side of the vehicle body, which is an area that complements the low beam Lo1 and the high beam, and is away from the occupant.

[0016] In this configuration, the illumination ranges of the left and right second illumination light Lc2 are set so that the driver can easily see the destination of a course change, such as a right or left turn or a lane change, at least when the vehicle body tilts left or right. Note that the illumination ranges of the left and right second illumination light Lc2 may be changed as appropriate within a range that satisfies this condition. The illumination range of the right second illumination light Lc2 corresponds to the "second illumination range corresponding to the activation side of the right turn signal light 3" in this invention, and the illumination range of the left first illumination light Lc1 corresponds to the "second illumination range corresponding to the activation side of the left turn signal light 3" in this invention.

[0017] Returning to Fig. 2, the driving assistance device 10 includes an information processing unit 11 that performs various types of information processing. The information processing unit 11 includes a calculation unit 11A and a storage unit 11B. The calculation unit 11A is configured with a CPU, a microcomputer, or the like, and functions as an operation detection unit 21, an inclination information acquisition unit 22, a vehicle speed detection unit 23, and a control unit 24 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 11B. The operation detection unit 21, the inclination information acquisition unit 22, the vehicle speed detection unit 23, and the control unit 24 are not limited to being configured to be realized by software, and may be configured to be realized by hardware.

[0018] The operation detection unit 21 detects whether the turn signal lights 3 are on or off based on the operation status of the operation switch 4A. Note that the operation detection unit 21 is not limited to a configuration that detects whether the turn signal lights 3 are on or off based on the operation status of the operation switch 4A, and any configuration that detects whether the turn signal lights 3 are on or off can be applied. The tilt information acquisition unit 22 acquires tilt information that can identify the left or right tilt of the vehicle body from the detection result of the inertial sensor in the vehicle sensor 5. The vehicle speed detection unit 23 detects the vehicle speed from the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor in the vehicle sensor 5. The detection results of the detection units 21, 23 and the tilt information acquired by the surrounding information acquisition unit 6 are output to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 performs lighting control to activate or deactivate the first illumination light 31 and the second illumination light 32 based on the detection results of the detection units 21, 23 and the information acquired by the surrounding information acquisition unit 6.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of lighting control of the driving assistance device 10. The processing flow shown in Fig. 3 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle under circumstances where the ignition on of the vehicle 1, engine start (power unit start), etc. is detected. Note that the operation shown in Fig. 3 is preferably executed when the brightness acquired by the surrounding information acquisition unit 6 is equal to or lower than a predetermined brightness. The predetermined brightness is a determination reference value for determining that the surroundings are in a dark environment, such as at night or in the evening, and is set to an appropriate value.

[0020] First, the control unit 24 determines whether either the left or right turn signal light 3 is activated based on the detection result of the activation detection unit 21 (step S1). If either the left or right turn signal light 3 is activated, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S2. If neither turn signal light 3 is activated (step S1; NO), the control unit 24 proceeds to step S11. According to the processes of step S11 and step S12 following step S11, if the first irradiating light 31 is not lit, the control unit 24 immediately ends the process flow shown in Fig. 3, and if the first irradiating light 31 is lit, the control unit 24 turns off the first irradiating light 31 and then ends the process flow shown in Fig. 3.

[0021] When the turn signal lights 3 are activated and the process proceeds to step S2, the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle body is in an upright state based on the inclination information acquired by the inclination information acquisition unit 22. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle body is in an upright state when the inclination angle is within a first range (e.g., -5° to +5°) centered around 0°, assuming that the state in which the vehicle body is perpendicular to the ground is an inclination angle of 0°. As a result, the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle body is in an upright state even when the vehicle body is in an inclined state that can be considered to be in an upright state. The first range may be set to an appropriate range.

[0022] If the vehicle body is in an upright state (step S2; YES), the control unit 24 proceeds to the process of step S3, where it determines whether the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit 23 is equal to or less than a first speed. The first speed is set to a speed higher than the general speed required to complete a right or left turn, and is set to an appropriate value within the range of, for example, 1 km / h to 40 km / h.

[0023] If the vehicle body is upright and the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed (step S3; YES), the control unit 24 turns on the first illumination lamp 31 (step S4) and then proceeds to the process of step S5. On the other hand, if the vehicle body is not upright (step S2; NO), the control unit 24 proceeds to the process of step S5 without executing the process of step S3. Furthermore, if the vehicle speed is not equal to or less than the first speed, the control unit 24 proceeds to the process of step S1. Note that the process of step S3 may be omitted.

[0024] In step S5, the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle body is in a tilted state based on the tilt information. In this case, when the state in which the vehicle body is perpendicular to the ground is defined as a tilt angle of 0°, the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle body is in a tilted state if the tilt angle is outside the first range in step S2. If the vehicle body is not in a tilted state (step S5; NO), the control unit 24 proceeds to the processing of step S1. As a result, the turn signal lights 3 are activated, and the first illumination light 31 is maintained in an lit state while the vehicle body is in the upright state in step S2.

[0025] If the vehicle body is in a tilted state (step S5; YES), the control unit 24 proceeds to processing in step S6. In step S6, the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle body has tilted to the side opposite the activated turn signal light 3 based on the tilt information. If the vehicle body has tilted to the side opposite the activated turn signal light 3 (step S6; YES), the control unit 24, if the first irradiator light 31 is on, turns off the first irradiator light 31 (step S7), and then proceeds to processing in step S1. Note that if the first irradiator light 31 is not on, the control unit 24 immediately proceeds to processing in step S1.

[0026] If the vehicle body is in a tilted state (step S5; YES) and the vehicle body is not inclined to the side opposite to the activated turn signal light 3 (step S6; YES), the control unit 24 proceeds to the process of step S8. In step S8, the control unit 24 turns off the first irradiating light 31 and turns on the second irradiating light 32. As a result, when the vehicle body changes to the tilted state of step S5 while the turn signal light 3 is activated, the first irradiating light 31 is switched to an extinguished state and the second irradiating light 32 is switched to an on state.

[0027] After turning on the second lamp 32, the control unit 24 determines whether the inclination angle of the vehicle body has changed to a predetermined angle or less (step S9). In this case, when the state in which the vehicle body is perpendicular to the ground is defined as an inclination angle of 0°, the control unit 24 monitors whether the inclination angle has changed to the first range in step S2, that is, whether the vehicle body has returned to an upright state. Note that the inclination angle being equal to or less than the predetermined angle in step S9 does not have to be limited to the first range, and may be changed as appropriate within a range of inclination angles in which turning on the second lamp 32 is inappropriate.

[0028] If the inclination angle of the vehicle body has changed to a predetermined angle or less (step S9; YES), the control unit 24 turns off the second irradiator lamp 32 and turns on the first irradiator lamp 31 (step S10). After executing the process of step S10, the control unit 24 proceeds to the process of step S5. As a result, when the vehicle body is not in an inclined state and the turn signal lamp 3 is activated, the first irradiator lamp 31 is kept in an on state, and when the vehicle body changes to an inclined state, the on state is switched from the first irradiator lamp 31 to the second irradiator lamp 32. Therefore, after the turn signal lamp 3 is activated, the first irradiator lamp 31 is turned on while the vehicle body is in an upright state, and the second irradiator lamp 32 is turned on while the vehicle body is in an inclined state.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3 , if the vehicle body is in a tilted state with the first illuminator 31 turned on (if the result of step S5 is negative), or if the first illuminator 31 is turned off in step S7, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S1 to determine whether the turn signal light 3 has stopped operating. If the turn signal light 3 has stopped operating, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S11, and immediately ends the processing flow shown in Fig. 3 if the first illuminator 31 is not on. Also, if the turn signal light 3 has stopped operating, and the first illuminator 31 is on, the control unit 24 turns off the first illuminator 31 and then ends the processing flow shown in Fig. 3 (steps S11 and S12). Therefore, when the turn signal light 3 stops operating, both the first illuminator 31 and the second illuminator 32 are turned off.

[0030] 4 is a diagram showing the illumination range for each driving situation when the right turn signal light 3 is activated. Fig. 4 shows the driving situations of an upright vehicle, a gentle curve, and a sharp curve, and shows the screen light distributions P1, P2, and P3 for each driving situation, as well as the illumination situations P1', P2', and P3' of the road surface RD as seen by the occupant for each driving situation. In each driving situation, the vehicle speed is below a first speed and the low beam Lo1 is turned on. To facilitate understanding of the left-right tilt state of the vehicle body, the vehicle width center position is indicated by the vehicle width center LC extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4 , when the turn signal lights 3 are activated and the vehicle is standing upright, the first illuminating light 31 is illuminated as shown in the screen light distribution P1. Therefore, as shown in the illumination situation P1′, the first illumination light Lc1 from the first illuminating light 31 illuminates an area RDx on the road surface RD that is in front of the right side of the vehicle body and close to the occupant. Here, the illumination situation P1′, when the right turn signal light 3 is activated and standing upright, is assumed to be, for example, when waiting to turn right. Furthermore, if the condition in step S3 that the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed is omitted, the illumination situation P1′ can also be assumed to be when the vehicle is about to change lanes to the right lane. By illuminating the area RDx on the road surface RD when waiting to turn right or when the vehicle is about to change lanes to the right lane, it becomes easier to appropriately illuminate the destination of the lane change. For example, when waiting to turn right at an intersection, the crosswalk and road near the destination can be illuminated, improving the visibility of the destination for occupants, making it easier for occupants to notice unevenness (e.g., grooves) on the road surface RD and pedestrians around the destination. Furthermore, the visibility of the vehicle 1 from others (pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles) around the destination can be expected to be improved.

[0032] Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling around a gentle curve with the turn signal lights 3 activated, the vehicle body is tilted, so the second illumination light 32 is illuminated as shown in the screen light distribution P2. The second illumination light Lc2 from the second illumination light 32 is emitted toward the front and side of the vehicle body further forward than the first illumination light Lc1. However, as shown in the illumination situation P2', the second illumination light Lc2 is also emitted toward the inside of the road surface RD closer to the vehicle body due to the tilted state of the vehicle body. As a result, as shown in the illumination situation P2', the area including the area RDx illuminated in the illumination situation P1' as seen from the occupant can be illuminated, and the area ahead on the curve can be illuminated. Here, when traveling around a gentle curve with the right turn signal light 3 activated, the illumination situation P2' is assumed to be, for example, when starting a turn after waiting to turn right. Furthermore, if the condition in step S3 that the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed is omitted, the illumination situation P2' is also assumed to be when starting a turn to change lanes. In this case, the inside of the road surface including the area RDx of the road surface RD is illuminated, which improves the visibility of the turning destination for the occupants and also improves the visibility of the vehicle 1 to others around the turning destination.

[0033] Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling around a sharp curve with the turn signal lights 3 activated, the vehicle body is tilted, and therefore the second illumination light 32 is illuminated, as shown in the screen light distribution P3. The second illumination light Lc2 of the second illumination light 32 is emitted toward the front and side of the vehicle body further forward than the first illumination light Lc1. However, as shown in the illumination situation P3', the second illumination light Lc2 is also emitted toward the inside of the road surface RD, closer to the vehicle body due to the tilted state of the vehicle body. As a result, as shown in the illumination situation P3', it is possible to illuminate an area including the area RDx illuminated by the illumination situations P1' and P2' as seen from the occupant, and also to illuminate the area ahead of the curve. Here, when traveling around a sharp curve with the right turn signal light 3 activated, as shown in the illumination situation P3', it is assumed that the vehicle is turning right, for example. Furthermore, if the condition in step S3 that the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed is omitted, the illumination situation P3' is also assumed to be when the vehicle is turning to change lanes. In this case, the inside of the road surface RD including the area RDx of the road surface RD is illuminated, which improves the visibility of the turning destination for the occupants and also improves the visibility of the vehicle 1 to others around the turning destination.

[0034] As described above, in this configuration, as shown in illumination situations P1', P2', and P3', the first and second illumination lamps 31 and 32 illuminate the road surface RD so that the same area RDx on the activation side of the turn signal lamp 3 is illuminated regardless of whether the vehicle is standing upright with the turn signal lamp 3 activated, traveling around a gentle curve, or traveling around a sharp curve. This also makes it easier for the occupant to see the road surface RD. Note that the present invention is not limited to illuminating the same area RDx on the activation side of the turn signal lamp 3, and the orientations and illumination ranges of the first and second illumination lamps 31 and 32 may be changed as appropriate within the scope that improves visibility of the lane change destination.

[0035] While the illumination range for each driving situation when the right turn signal light 3 is activated has been explained using Figure 4, the illumination range for each driving situation when the left turn signal light 3 is activated is the same as that in Figure 4, except that it is reversed left and right. Therefore, whether the left turn signal light 3 is activated while the vehicle is standing upright, traveling around a gentle curve, or traveling around a sharp curve, the visibility of the destination lane for the occupants is improved, and the visibility of the vehicle 1 to others around the destination lane can also be expected to be improved. Furthermore, the same area RDx on the left side, which is the activated side of the turn signal light 3, can also be illuminated, which is advantageous for improving the visibility of the occupants.

[0036] Furthermore, even when not traveling around a curve, if the vehicle body is tilted, the second illumination light Lc2 corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light 3 is emitted, so even when waiting to turn right or left or immediately before changing lanes, the destination of the lane change can be illuminated by the second illumination light 32 when the vehicle body is tilted. This also improves the visibility of the destination for the occupants, and can be expected to have the effect of improving the visibility of the vehicle 1 to others around the destination of the lane change.

[0037] As described above, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of this embodiment controls the first illumination lamp 31 to emit the first illumination light Lc1 capable of illuminating the illumination range (first illumination range) corresponding to the activated side of the turn signal lamp 3 when the turn signal lamp 3 is activated and the vehicle body is detected to be in an upright state without tilting based on the tilt information. Therefore, before turning right or left or before changing lanes, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 can illuminate the destination of the lane change with the first illumination light Lc1 from the timing before the vehicle body is tilted. Furthermore, when the turn signal lamp 3 is activated and the inclination of the vehicle body is equal to or greater than a predetermined level based on the tilt information, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 controls the second illumination lamp 32 to emit the second illumination light Lc2 capable of illuminating the illumination range (second illumination range) corresponding to the activated side of the turn signal lamp 3. Therefore, even before turning right or left or changing lanes, if the vehicle body is tilted, the destination of the lane change can be illuminated with the second illumination light Lc2. This improves visibility of the destination of the lane change and the surrounding area of ​​the destination of the lane change when the turn signal lamp 3 is activated, further improving convenience for the occupant.

[0038] The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 also includes a vehicle speed detection unit 23, and the control unit 24 emits the first illumination light Lc1 corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light 3 when the turn signal light 3 is activated, the vehicle body is not tilted based on the tilt information, and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a first speed. With this configuration, the destination of a lane change can be illuminated with the first illumination light Lc1 before the vehicle body is tilted when the vehicle speed is low (equal to or lower than the first speed), thereby improving the visibility of the destination of the lane change and the area around the destination when the turn signal light is on. This further improves the convenience of the occupant. It is also expected to have the effect of improving the visibility of the area around the destination of the lane change from others.

[0039] The case where the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed includes a state where the vehicle speed is zero, so that, for example, when waiting to turn right or left, the area to turn to can be illuminated with the first illumination light Lc1 before the vehicle body is tilted, which can further improve the convenience for the occupants. Also, the effect of improving the visibility of the area to others around the area to turn to can be expected.

[0040] Furthermore, after emitting the second illumination light Lc2, if the control unit 24 detects based on the tilt information that the tilt angle of the vehicle body has become equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, the control unit 24 stops emitting the second illumination light Lc2. With this configuration, even if the turn signal lights 3 are activated, the second illumination light Lc2 can be turned off when the left or right tilt angle of the vehicle body returns to the upright side. Therefore, when switching between the first illumination light Lc1 and the second illumination light Lc2 in accordance with the tilt of the vehicle body, switching from the second illumination light Lc2 to the first illumination light Lc1 can be performed smoothly.

[0041] Furthermore, after emitting the first illumination light Lc1, the control unit 24 stops emitting the first illumination light Lc1 if the vehicle body tilts to the opposite side of the activated turn signal light 3 based on the tilt information. With this configuration, even if the driver forgets to turn off the turn signal light 3 after turning right or left, the emission of the first illumination light Lc1 can be automatically stopped. This prevents dazzling caused by unnecessary emission of the first illumination light Lc1 due to forgetting to operate the turn signal light 3, and reduces the impact of the emission of the first illumination light Lc1 on the surroundings.

[0042] Furthermore, when the vehicle body is not tilted, it means that the vehicle body's tilt angle is within a first range centered at 0° based on the tilt information. Therefore, even when the vehicle is in a tilted state that can be considered as an upright state before turning right or left or before changing lanes, the first illumination light Lc1 is emitted. This allows the destination of the lane change to be illuminated with the first illumination light from an early stage, thereby further improving the convenience of the occupants. Note that the above-mentioned "upright state of the vehicle body" and "when the vehicle body's tilt angle is within a first range centered at 0°" are examples of "a non-tilted state of the vehicle body" and "a case when the vehicle body is not tilted" in the present invention.

[0043] The above-described embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration of details, etc. may be changed as appropriate.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows the illumination range of the right turn signal light 3 according to a first modified example, depending on the driving situation. The first modified example addresses situations where, due to regulations or other factors, illumination light must be limited to below the legal line Hr, indicated by the line Hr-Hr in FIG. 4 . Differences will be explained below, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In the first modified example, when the second illumination light Lc2 is emitted in a vehicle body tilt state corresponding to traveling around a gentle curve, a portion of the second illumination light Lc2 exceeds the legal line Hr. Therefore, the illumination range of the second illumination light Lc2 is variably controlled so that it does not exceed the legal line Hr. To achieve this variable control, the second illumination light 32 is configured to be able to vary the illumination range of the second illumination light Lc2. For example, the illumination range can be varied by changing the orientation of a light source or by selectively turning on and off multiple light sources.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5 , when the turn signal lights 3 are activated and the vehicle is standing upright, the first illuminating light 31 is illuminated as shown in the light distribution screen P1. As shown in the illumination situation P1′, the first illuminating light Lc1 from the first illuminating light 31 illuminates an area RDx on the front right side of the vehicle body near the occupant with respect to the road surface RD, thereby expanding the illumination range within a range that does not exceed the legal line Hr, and thereby illuminating the lane change destination. Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling around a gentle curve with the turn signal lights 3 activated, the vehicle body is tilted, and the second illuminating light 32 is illuminated as shown in the light distribution screen P2. However, as shown in the illumination situation P2′, a portion of the illumination range of the second illuminating light 32 exceeds the legal line Hr, and therefore control is performed to reduce the illumination range of the second illuminating light 32 so that it does not exceed the legal line Hr. This expands the illumination range within a range that does not exceed the legal line Hr, thereby illuminating the lane change destination.

[0046] Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling around a sharp curve with the turn signal lights 3 on, the vehicle body is inclined, so the second illumination light 32 is illuminated, as shown in the screen light distribution P3. As shown in the illumination situation P3', the vehicle body is inclined at a large angle, so the illumination range of the second illumination light 32 can be expanded within a range that does not exceed the legal line Hr, and the lane change destination can be illuminated without reducing the illumination range of the second illumination light 32. As a result, the visibility of the lane change destination and the area around the lane change destination when the turn signal lights are on is improved, further improving convenience for occupants and making it easier to improve visibility to others around the lane change destination.

[0047] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of lighting control by the driving assistance device 10 according to the second modification. In the second modification, the lighting control shown in FIG. 3 is shown as "lighting control according to the operation of the turn signal lights" shown in step SP10. Strictly speaking, the process shown in step SP10 corresponds to the processes of steps S1 to S12, excluding the process of step S3 (the process of determining whether the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed).

[0048] 6, the control unit 24 determines whether the brightness acquired by the surrounding information acquisition unit 6 is equal to or lower than a predetermined brightness (step SP1). If the brightness is equal to or lower than the predetermined brightness (step SP1; YES), the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a first speed (step SP2). If the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the first speed (step SP2; YES), the control unit 24 proceeds to the process of step SP10, thereby executing the illumination control shown in FIG. 3. As a result, when the turn signal lights are activated, the first illuminating light 31 and the second illuminating light 32 are controlled in accordance with the inclination angle of the vehicle body, etc.

[0049] On the other hand, if the vehicle speed exceeds the first speed (step SP2; NO), the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a second speed (step SP3), and if the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the second speed (step SP3; YES), turns on the left and right second lamps 32 (step SP4). Here, the second speed is a speed greater than the first speed, and is set to an appropriate value, for example, 20 km / h or greater, and the second speed or greater includes the speed range when changing lanes.

[0050] In this way, when the brightness is equal to or lower than a predetermined brightness and the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a second speed that is higher than the first speed, the second illumination light Lc2 can be emitted toward the left and right front sides of the vehicle body, regardless of whether the turn signal lights are on or whether the vehicle body is tilting to the left or right. As a result, when the vehicle is traveling at a relatively high speed in a dark environment, the second illumination light Lc2 can be emitted toward the left and right sides of the vehicle body. Therefore, for example, when changing lanes, the second illumination light Lc2 is emitted toward the left and right sides of the vehicle body, making it easier for surrounding vehicles, including other vehicles traveling in the lane to which the vehicle is changing lanes, to notice the vehicle 1.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, if the brightness is not equal to or less than a predetermined brightness (step SP1; NO), or if the vehicle speed is not equal to or greater than the second speed (step SP3; NO), the control unit 24 proceeds to the processing of step SP1. As a result, when the surroundings are bright or the vehicle speed is low, i.e., less than the second speed, the first illumination lamp 31 and the second illumination lamp 32 can be prevented from being turned on.

[0052] [Configurations Supported by the Above-described Embodiments] The above-described embodiments support the following configurations.

[0053] (Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle including a turn signal light and a control unit that controls a lighting device provided on a vehicle body, the lighting device being capable of illuminating a first illumination range that is on the left and right front sides of the vehicle body when the vehicle body is upright, and a second illumination range that is on the left and right front sides of the vehicle body further forward than the first illumination range, the control unit controlling the lighting device to emit a first illumination light that can illuminate the first illumination range corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light when the turn signal light is activated and the vehicle body is not tilted, and to emit a second illumination light that can illuminate the second illumination range corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light when the turn signal light is activated and the vehicle body is tilted by a predetermined amount or more. With this configuration, before turning right or left or changing lanes, the destination of the lane change can be illuminated with the first illumination light from a timing before the vehicle body is tilted, thereby improving visibility of the destination of the lane change when the turn signal light is activated and further improving convenience for the occupant.

[0054] (Configuration 2) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 1, wherein the control unit emits the first illumination light corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light when the turn signal light is activated and the vehicle body is not leaning, and further when the vehicle speed is a first speed or less. According to this configuration, when the vehicle speed is low, the destination of a course change can be illuminated with the first illumination light before the vehicle body is leaned, improving visibility of the destination of a course change when the turn signal light is activated and further improving convenience for the occupant.

[0055] (Configuration 3) The case where the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a first speed includes a state where the vehicle speed is zero. With this configuration, for example, when waiting to turn right or left, the area to turn right or left can be illuminated with the first illumination light before the vehicle body is tilted, thereby further improving convenience for the occupant.

[0056] (Configuration 4) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the control unit stops emitting the second illumination light when the tilt angle of the vehicle body becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle after emitting the second illumination light. According to this configuration, even when a turn signal light is activated, the second illumination light can be turned off when the tilt angle of the vehicle body to the left or right returns to the upright side, and when switching between the first illumination light and the second illumination light in accordance with the tilt of the vehicle body, switching from the second illumination light to the first illumination light can be performed smoothly.

[0057] (Configuration 5) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit stops the emission of the first illumination light when the vehicle body tilts to the opposite side of the activated turn signal light based on the tilt information after emitting the first illumination light. This configuration prevents dazzling caused by unnecessary irradiation of the first illumination light due to forgetting to operate the turn signal light, and reduces the impact of the irradiation of the first illumination light on the surroundings.

[0058] (Configuration 6) The case where the vehicle body is not tilted is a case where the tilt angle of the vehicle body is within a predetermined range centered at 0°. According to this configuration, the first illumination light is emitted even when the vehicle is in an inclined state that can be regarded as an upright state before turning right or left or before changing lanes. Therefore, the destination of the lane change can be illuminated with the first illumination light from an early stage, thereby further improving convenience for the occupant.

[0059] (Configuration 7) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, further comprising a surroundings information acquisition unit that acquires brightness of an environment surrounding the vehicle body, wherein the control unit, when the turn signal lights are activated and the vehicle body is not tilted and the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a first speed, irradiates the first illumination light corresponding to the activated turn signal light, and, when the brightness is equal to or less than a predetermined brightness and the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a second speed that is greater than the first speed, irradiates the second illumination light toward left and right front sides of the vehicle body, regardless of whether the turn signal lights are activated and whether the vehicle body is tilting to the left or right. With this configuration, before turning right or left or changing lanes when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the first speed, the destination of the lane change can be illuminated with the first illumination light from a timing before the vehicle body is tilted, thereby improving convenience for the occupant, and, when traveling at a relatively high speed in dark surroundings, the second illumination light can be irradiated toward the left and right of the vehicle body, thereby improving visibility from other vehicles.

[0060] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 saddle-ride type vehicle 2 headlight 3 turn signal light 4 operation unit 4A operation switch 5 vehicle sensor 6 surrounding information acquisition unit 10 driving support device 11 information processing unit 21 operation detection unit 22 tilt information acquisition unit 23 vehicle speed detection unit 24 control unit LC vehicle width center Lc1 first illumination light Lc2 second illumination light Lo1 low beam

Claims

1. A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a turn signal light (3) and a control unit (24) that controls a lighting device provided on a vehicle body, wherein the lighting device is capable of illuminating a first illumination range which is on the left and right front sides of the vehicle body when the vehicle body is upright, and a second illumination range which is on the left and right front sides of the vehicle body further forward than the first illumination range, and the control unit (24) controls the lighting device to irradiate a first illumination light (Lc1) capable of illuminating the first illumination range corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light (3) when the turn signal light (3) is activated and the vehicle body is not inclined, and to irradiate a second illumination light (Lc2) capable of illuminating the second illumination range corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light (3) when the turn signal light (3) is activated and the inclination of the vehicle body is a predetermined value or more.

2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (24) irradiates the first illumination light (Lc1) corresponding to the activation side of the turn signal light (3) when the turn signal light (3) is activated and the vehicle body is not tilted, and further when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a first speed.

3. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle speed being equal to or lower than a first speed includes a state in which the vehicle speed is zero.

4. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (24) stops emitting the second illumination light (Lc2) when the inclination angle of the vehicle body becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle after emitting the second illumination light (Lc2).

5. The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (24) stops emitting the first illumination light (Lc1) when the vehicle body is tilted to the opposite side of the turn signal light (3) that is activated after emitting the first illumination light (Lc1).

6. A saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the case where the vehicle body is not inclined is a case where the inclination angle of the vehicle body is within a predetermined range centered on 0°.

7. A saddle-type vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an ambient information acquisition unit (6) for acquiring the brightness of the environment surrounding the vehicle body, wherein the control unit (24) irradiates the first illumination light (Lc1) corresponding to the activated turn signal light (3) when the turn signal light (3) is activated and the vehicle body is not tilted, and further when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a first speed, and irradiates the second illumination light (Lc2) toward the left and right front sides of the vehicle body when the brightness is equal to or less than a predetermined brightness and the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a second speed that is greater than the first speed, regardless of whether the turn signal light (3) is activated and whether the vehicle body is tilted to the left or right.

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