Lighting control device and vehicular lamp fitting

Abstract

The present invention realizes a lighting control device that makes it possible to prevent changes in a power supply voltage from affecting the lighting state of a light source using a simple configuration. This lighting control device comprises: a first switch that is connected in series to a power supply line and a first light source that illuminates a predetermined area of a vehicle; a second switch that is connected in series to a power supply line and a second light source indicating the state of a battery of the vehicle; and a lighting circuit that is connected in series to the first light source and the second light source and includes a first constant current terminal for supplying a constant current. The lighting circuit turns on the first switch and turns off the second switch on the basis of a first instruction to turn on the first light source, and turns off the first switch and turns on the second switch on the basis of a second instruction to turn on the second light source.

Description

Lighting control device and vehicle lamp

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control device and a vehicle lamp.

[0002] This application claims priority based on a Japanese patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-174861) filed on October 4, 2024, and incorporates the entire disclosure thereof into this application.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle lighting device including a plug receptacle for receiving a plug for supplying power charged to a battery or receiving power discharged from the battery, a lid for closing the plug receptacle, and lighting for illuminating the plug receptacle. The lighting is lit when the lid is open and no plug is received in the plug receptacle. The vehicle lighting device lights the lighting at an illuminance lower than the illuminance of the lighting when the lid is open and no plug is received in the plug receptacle when the lid is open and a plug is received in the plug receptacle.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a lighting circuit for a vehicle lamp configured to realize a more efficient circuit configuration when exclusively performing the light emission of a first function and a second function. The lighting circuit includes a current supply unit that supplies a drive current to a light source in which a first light emitting unit that emits light of a first function and a second light emitting unit that emits light of a second function and has a maximum lighting voltage lower than the forward voltage of the first light emitting unit are connected in parallel, a switch element provided to disconnect and connect a location that is a current path of the second light emitting unit and is parallel to the current path of the first light emitting unit, and a selection unit that connects the current path of the second light emitting unit by the switch element when performing the light emission of the second function.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-123300 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-198173

[0006] Vehicle lighting devices and vehicle lamps are required to have a configuration as simple as possible from the viewpoints of cost reduction and miniaturization. Also, it is necessary to prevent changes in the power supply voltage supplied from the battery mounted on the vehicle from affecting the lighting state of the light source. Such mechanisms based on these viewpoints are not disclosed in the above patent documents.

[0007] This invention was made in view of the above background, and aims to provide a lighting control device and a vehicle lighting device that have a simple configuration and are capable of preventing changes in power supply voltage from affecting the lighting state of the light source.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective is a lighting control device comprising: a first switch connected in series with a power line and a first light source that illuminates a predetermined area of ​​a vehicle; a second switch connected in series with the power line and a second light source that indicates the state of the vehicle's battery; and a lighting circuit including a first constant current terminal connected in series with the first light source and the second light source, which is a terminal that supplies a constant current, wherein the lighting circuit turns on the first switch and turns off the second switch based on a first instruction to light up the first light source, and turns off the first switch and turns on the second switch based on a second instruction to light up the second light source.

[0009] Further issues disclosed in this application, and methods for solving them, will be made clear in the section on embodiments for carrying out the invention and in the drawings.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a lighting control device and a vehicle lighting device that have a simple configuration while preventing changes in power supply voltage from affecting the lighting state of the light source.

[0011] This is a diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the lighting control device as the first embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of a housing for a charging port provided in a vehicle. This is a block diagram showing the main functions of the lighting circuit. This is a diagram illustrating an example of lighting control. This is a diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the lighting control device as the second embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of lighting control of the first light source as the third embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of lighting control of the first light source as the third embodiment. This is a schematic diagram.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical or similar components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0013] Furthermore, in the following explanation, subscripts (alphabetical letters, numbers, etc.) may be added after the general code for a set of components to distinguish between similar components. For example, if the general code for a set of components is "11", then subscripts such as "11A", "11B", and "11C" may be added to distinguish between individual components.

[0014] Furthermore, in the following explanation, when terminals or elements are described as "connected," it means that the terminals or elements are "electrically connected."

[0015] Furthermore, in the following explanation, communication conducted via LIN (Local Interconnect Network) will be referred to as "LIN communication."

[0016] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows the main circuit configuration of the lighting control device 10 shown as the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the lighting control device 10 includes a first light source 21, a second light source 22, a first switch 31, a second switch 32, protection circuits 41a to 41c, a voltage conversion circuit 42, and a lighting circuit 100.

[0017] The first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are arranged around the charging port of a battery, which is provided as an exterior part on the surface of the vehicle body of an electric vehicle (EV) or the like (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle C") that uses electricity supplied from an onboard battery (storage battery) as a power source.

[0018] Figure 2 shows an example of a housing section (hereinafter referred to as "housing section 60") for a charging port (hereinafter referred to as "charging port 61") provided as an exterior feature on the surface of the vehicle body C.

[0019] The illustrated housing section 60 has a space S formed by recessing a part of the surface of the vehicle body C, a lid 62 that closes the space S, and an opening and closing mechanism 63 for the lid 62. The space S has a space bottom surface Sb and space side surfaces Ss that surround the space bottom surface Sb.

[0020] As shown in the figure, a charging port 61 of a predetermined shape (approximately circular in this example) is provided on the bottom surface Sb of the space. In addition, a light source mounting base 64 is provided on the side surface Ss of the space, and a first light source 21 and a second light source 22 are provided on this light source mounting base 64.

[0021] The first light source 21 functions as illumination that lights up the interior of the space S so that a person accessing the vehicle C to the charging port 61 (hereinafter referred to as "user") can easily see the area around the charging port 61 at night or other times. The first light source 21 is positioned to illuminate the area inside the housing 60, including the area around the charging port 61, and is provided on the light source mounting base 64.

[0022] The second light source 22 functions as an indicator to inform the user of the current state of the battery (for example, the current State of Charge (SOC) of the battery). The second light source 2 is positioned on the light source mounting base 64 so that the display can be easily seen by the user from outside the vehicle C.

[0023] Returning to Figure 1, the first light source 21 is configured with a light-emitting diode (LED) as its light-emitting element. In this example, the first light source 21 is configured using a single monochromatic light-emitting element, but the first light source 21 may also be composed of other types of light-emitting elements, such as an RGB primary color (RGB) type RGB light-emitting element. Furthermore, the first light source 21 may consist of multiple light-emitting elements.

[0024] The second light source 22 is configured with light-emitting diodes as light-emitting elements. In this example, the second light source 22 is assumed to be a tri-primary color type RGB light-emitting element, but the second light source 22 may be of other types of light-emitting elements. The second light source 22 includes a light-emitting element Dr that emits red light, a light-emitting element Dg that emits green light, and a light-emitting element Db that emits blue light. There may be multiple light-emitting elements that make up the second light source 22.

[0025] The power line L1 of the lighting control device 10 supplies the power supply voltage Vbat from the battery mounted on the vehicle C to the circuits and elements of the lighting control device 10 via the protection circuit 41a. For example, the power supply voltage Vbat is supplied to the lighting circuit 100, the first switch 31, and the second switch 32.

[0026] The grounding terminals (GND) of the circuits and elements of the lighting control device 10 are grounded, for example, through a conductive housing that houses the lighting control device 10.

[0027] The lighting control device 10 receives a first instruction signal indicating the open / closed state of the cover 62 (for example, a signal that is "on" when the cover 62 is open and "off" when the cover 62 is closed) via a direct line or LIN communication. The first instruction signal received by the lighting control device 10 is then input to the lighting circuit 100 via the protection circuit 41b and the voltage conversion circuit 42.

[0028] The lighting control device 10 controls the lighting of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 in accordance with a second instruction signal input from an information processing device (hereinafter referred to as "ECU" (Electronic Control Unit) (control instruction device)) mounted on the vehicle C. The second instruction signal includes, for example, information that specifies the lighting control method (lighting pattern) for the first light source 21 or the second light source 22, or information that allows specifying the lighting control method. The second instruction signal input to the lighting control device 10 is input to the lighting circuit 100 via the protection circuit 41c.

[0029] The lighting control device 10 receives the second instruction signal sent from the ECU by performing LIN communication with the ECU. In this embodiment, LIN is used as the communication method between the lighting control device 10 and the ECU, but other communication methods such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or in-vehicle Ethernet (Ethernet is a registered trademark) may also be used.

[0030] The lighting circuit 100 is constructed using an integrated circuit (IC) and includes elements and circuits such as a microcontroller (arithmetic unit, information processing unit) with a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.) and memory devices (RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM), etc.), a LIN communication circuit, a timer, and an RGB driver (constant current source). The timer generates timing signals for controlling the lighting of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22, for example. The various functions of the lighting circuit 100 are realized by the hardware of the lighting circuit 100, or by the central processing unit reading and executing a program stored in the memory device of the lighting circuit 100.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the lighting circuit 100 has an external voltage input terminal Vin, a voltage output terminal Vcc, a LIN signal input / output terminal (LIN signal input terminal (hereinafter referred to as "LIN_IN")), three GPIO terminals (hereinafter referred to as "GPIO0", "GPIO1", and "GPIO2", respectively) (General-purpose input / output terminals (GPIO)), and three constant current terminals Tr, Tg, and Tb.

[0032] The power supply voltage Vbat is input to the external voltage input terminal Vin via the protection circuit 41a. The protection circuit 41a is constructed using, for example, a diode, a transistor, a series resistor, etc., and is inserted to prevent damage to the circuit and components due to external overvoltage or electrostatic discharge (ESD). The functions and purposes of the protection circuits 41b and 41c are the same as those of the protection circuit 41a.

[0033] The voltage output terminal Vcc supplies power of a predetermined voltage to the voltage conversion circuit 42.

[0034] The second instruction signal is input to GPIO0 of the GPIO terminals via the protection circuit 41b and the voltage conversion circuit 42.

[0035] The voltage conversion circuit 42 converts the voltage of the first instruction signal to a voltage that conforms to the specifications of the lighting circuit 100.

[0036] The second instruction signal is input to LIN_IN via the protection circuit 41c.

[0037] GPIO1 outputs a voltage that controls the on / off state of the first switch 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "first on / off voltage").

[0038] GPIO2 outputs a voltage that controls the on / off state of the second switch 32 (hereinafter referred to as the "second on / off voltage").

[0039] The constant current terminals Tr, Tg, and Tb all supply a constant current to the first light source 21 or the second light source 22 by a current suction method.

[0040] The first switch 31 is configured using a switch element that can be controlled on / off by the voltage input from GPIO1. In this embodiment, the first switch 31 is assumed to be a depletion-type / P-channel MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor), but it may be configured using other types of elements.

[0041] The second switch 32 is configured using a switch element that can be controlled on / off by the voltage input from GPIO2. In this embodiment, the second switch 32 is assumed to be a depletion-type / P-channel MOSFET, but it may be configured using other types of elements.

[0042] The first switch 31 and the first light source 21 are connected in series, and the first light source 21 is controlled on / off (power supply / cutoff control) by the first switch 31.

[0043] The power supply voltage Vbat is input to the source of the first switch 31 via the protection circuit 41a. The anode of the light emitting element constituting the first light source 21 is connected to the drain of the first switch 31. GPIO1 is connected to the gate of the first switch 31.

[0044] The cathode of the light emitting element constituting the first light source 21 is connected to any one of the constant current terminals Tr, Tg, Tb of the lighting circuit 100 (Tb in this example).

[0045] The first switch 31 is turned on or off by the first on / off voltage output from GPIO1 and input to the gate, whereby the current flowing through the first light source 21 is turned on or off.

[0046] The second switch 32 and the second light source 22 are connected in series, and the second light source 22 is on / off controlled (energization / shutdown control) by the second switch 32.

[0047] The power supply voltage Vbat is input to the source of the second switch 32 via the protection circuit 41a. The anode of the light emitting element constituting the second light source 22 is connected to the drain of the second switch 32. GPIO2 is connected to the gate of the second switch 32.

[0048] The cathodes of the light emitting elements constituting the second light source 22 are respectively connected to the constant current terminals Tr, Tg, Tb of the lighting circuit 100.

[0049] The second switch 32 is turned on or off by the second on / off voltage input from GPIO2 to the gate, whereby the current flowing through the second light source 22 is turned on or off.

[0050] The lighting circuit 100 performs on / off control of the first light source 21 by turning on or off the first switch 31 according to the first instruction signal. The lighting circuit 100 controls the brightness of the first light source 21 by controlling the constant current (sucking current) flowing through the constant current terminal Tb.

[0051] The lighting circuit 100 controls the on / off state of the second light source 22 by turning the second switch 32 on or off in response to the second instruction signal. The lighting circuit 100 controls the brightness of each light-emitting element of the second light source 22 by controlling the constant current (sink current) flowing through the constant current terminals Tr, Tg, and Tb, respectively.

[0052] <Main Functions of the Lighting Circuit> Figure 3 shows the main functions of the lighting circuit 100. As shown in the figure, the lighting circuit 100 includes the functions of a storage unit 110, a first instruction signal receiving unit 130, a second instruction signal receiving unit 135, a first switch control unit 140, a second switch control unit 145, a first light source control unit 150, and a second light source control unit 155.

[0053] The memory unit 110 stores the first instruction information 111, the second instruction information 112, the first light source control information 113, and the second light source control information 114.

[0054] The first instruction information 111 includes information based on the first instruction signal input to GPIO0 (in this example, information indicating "on" or "off").

[0055] The second instruction information 112 includes information based on the second instruction signal input to LIN_IN (in this example, information specifying the lighting control method for the second light source 22 or the lighting control method).

[0056] The first light source control information 113 includes information relating to the lighting control of the first light source 21 performed by the lighting circuit 100 based on the first instruction information 111.

[0057] The second light source control information 114 includes information relating to the lighting control of the second light source 22 performed by the lighting circuit 100 based on the second instruction information 112.

[0058] The first instruction signal receiving unit 130 receives the first instruction signal input to GPIO0, generates the first instruction information 111 based on the received first instruction signal, and stores it in the storage unit 110.

[0059] The second instruction signal receiving unit 135 receives the second instruction signal input to LIN_IN, generates the second instruction information 112 based on the received second instruction signal, and stores it in the storage unit 110.

[0060] The first switch control unit 140 controls the first switch 31 in accordance with at least one of the first instruction information 111 and the second instruction information 112, and controls the on / off state of the first light source 21.

[0061] The second switch control unit 145 controls the second switch 32 in accordance with at least one of the first instruction information 111 and the second instruction information 112, and controls the on / off state of the second light source 22.

[0062] The first light source control unit 150 controls the first light source 21 using a lighting control method based on at least one of the first instruction information 111 and the first light source control information 113.

[0063] The second light source control unit 155 controls the second light source 22 using a lighting control method based on at least one of the second instruction information 112 and the second light source control information 114.

[0064] <Example of lighting control> As mentioned above, both the cathode of the light-emitting element constituting the first light source 21 and the cathode of the light-emitting element constituting the second light source 22 are connected to the constant current terminal Tb. Therefore, mutual exclusion control is necessary so that the second light source 22 does not emit light while the first light source 21 is being controlled to light up, and conversely, the first light source 21 does not emit light while the second light source 22 is being controlled to light up.

[0065] Therefore, the lighting circuit 100 controls the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 so that the first switch 31 is turned on and the second switch 32 is turned off during the period when the first light source 21 is being controlled. Also, the lighting circuit 100 controls the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 so that the first switch 31 is turned off and the second switch 32 is turned on during the period when the second light source 22 is being controlled.

[0066] In this way, by operating the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 exclusively, the constant current terminal Tb can be shared by both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22.

[0067] Figure 4 shows an example (timing chart) of the lighting control of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 by the lighting control device 10. In this example, the first instruction signal is "off" and the second instruction signal is not input at a time before time t1. In this example, a signal indicating that the cover 62 has been opened has also been notified to the ECU via a predetermined communication path, and the ECU is aware that the cover 62 is currently open.

[0068] First, at time t1, when the lid 62 of the housing 60 is opened, the lighting circuit 100 detects that the first instruction signal has been turned on, and turns on the first switch 31 to start lighting the first light source 21 (illumination).

[0069] Furthermore, the lighting circuit 100 controls the lighting of the first light source 21, for example, according to the first light source control information 113 that is stored in advance, or according to the first light source control information 113 that is specified by the first instruction signal among the first light source control information 113 that is stored in advance.

[0070] At time t2, after a predetermined time has elapsed from time t1, when the lighting circuit 100 detects that a second instruction signal from the ECU has been input to LIN_IN via LIN communication, the lighting circuit 100 turns off the first switch 31 to turn off the first light source 21 and turns on the second switch 32 to start lighting the second light source 22 (indicator).

[0071] Furthermore, the lighting circuit 100 controls the lighting of the second light source 22, for example, according to the second light source control information 114 stored in advance, or according to the second light source control information 114 specified by the second instruction signal among the second light source control information 114 stored in advance. Alternatively, for example, the lighting circuit 100 controls the lighting of the second light source 22 according to the current SOC of the battery notified by the ECU or the like as a second instruction signal.

[0072] Next, at time t3, after a predetermined time has elapsed from time t2, when the lid 62 is closed due to the completion of battery charging or the like, and the first instruction signal is turned off as a result, the lighting circuit 100 turns off the second switch 32 and turns off the second light source 22.

[0073] <Technical Effects> As described above, in the lighting control device 10 of this embodiment, since both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are connected to the constant current terminal Tb of the lighting circuit 100, the first light source 21, which functions as illumination, can be operated stably without being affected by changes in the power supply voltage Vbat. However, for example, if the cathode of the first light source 21 is not connected to the constant current terminal but is grounded, the voltage applied to the first light source 21 will also change as the power supply voltage Vbat changes, and the brightness of the first light source 121 will become unstable.

[0074] Furthermore, in the lighting control device 10 of this embodiment, the constant current terminal Tb is shared by both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22, so a simple lighting circuit 100 can be used, and the manufacturing cost of the lighting control device 10 can be reduced.

[0075] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 were operated exclusively using two of the GPIO terminals (GPIO1, GPII2) provided in the lighting circuit 100, thereby preventing both the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 from lighting up simultaneously. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 are operated exclusively using only one GPIO terminal (GPIO1). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the basic configuration of the lighting control device 10 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0076] Figure 5 shows the main circuit configuration of the lighting control device 10 as shown in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the lighting control device 10 of this embodiment, GPIO1 of the GPIO terminals of the lighting circuit 100 is connected to the gate of the first switch 31 and connected to the gate of the second switch 32 via the inverter 33.

[0077] With this configuration, for example, when a first on / off voltage is applied from GPIO1 to the gate of the first switch 31 to turn on the first switch 31, the first switch 31 turns on and the first light source 21 is energized. On the other hand, a second on / off voltage is applied to the gate of the second switch 32 via the inverter 33 to turn off the second switch 32, and the second switch 32 turns off and the power to the second light source 22 is stopped.

[0078] For example, if a first on / off voltage is applied from GPIO1 to the gate of the first switch 31 to turn off the first switch 31, the first switch 31 turns off and the power to the first light source 21 stops. On the other hand, a second on / off voltage is applied to the gate of the second switch 32 via the inverter 33 to turn on the second switch 32, causing the second switch 32 to turn on and the second light source 22 to be powered.

[0079] Thus, in the lighting control device 10 of the second embodiment, the exclusive operation of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 is achieved using only one GPIO terminal (GPIO1), so the consumption of the finite number of GPIO terminals provided by the lighting circuit 100 can be reduced, and the GPIO terminals can be used effectively.

[0080] [Third Embodiment] As described above, in the lighting control device 10 of this embodiment, the cathode of the light-emitting element (light-emitting diode) constituting the first light source 21 is connected to the constant current terminal Tb. Therefore, by controlling the magnitude of the constant current flowing through the constant current terminal Tb, the first light source 21 can produce a variety of expressions (lighting patterns). For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first light source 21 lights up for a predetermined time when the lid 62 is opened. By devising the lighting pattern at this time, it is possible to create an effect that gives the user a predetermined impression.

[0081] For example, as shown in Figure 6A, a lighting control method can be considered in which, during the first period from time t1 to time t2 in Figure 4, the brightness of the first light source 21 (the current flowing from the constant current terminal Tb to the first light source 21) is gradually increased to a predetermined value, and then during the second period up to time t2, the brightness of the first light source 21 is gradually decreased.

[0082] By implementing this type of lighting control, it is possible to give the user the impression that they are being welcomed by vehicle C.

[0083] In Figure 6A, the brightness of the first light source 21 is increased or decreased exponentially, but for example, as shown in Figure 6B, the brightness of the first light source 21 may be increased or decreased linearly. Also, the effects for the first and second periods shown in Figure 6A or Figure 6B do not necessarily have to be this set; the effects for the first period only or the effects for the second period only may also be used.

[0084] For example, as shown in Figure 7, during the period from time t1 to time t2 in Figure 4, the brightness of the first light source 21 is gradually increased to a predetermined value during the first period up to a predetermined time, the brightness of the first light source 21 is gradually decreased during the second period up to a predetermined time, the brightness of the first light source 21 is gradually increased during the third period up to a predetermined time, and the first light source 21 is kept lit at a predetermined brightness during the fourth period up to time t2.

[0085] By performing this type of lighting control, for example, during the first to third periods, the user can be given the impression that they are being welcomed by the vehicle C. Furthermore, during the fourth period, the brightness of the first light source 21 is maintained at a predetermined brightness, so the space S can be continuously illuminated at a predetermined brightness, which can improve the user's workability, for example, when attaching the adapter of the charging equipment (charging station) to the charging port of the vehicle C.

[0086] In this example, the brightness of the first light source 21 is increased or decreased exponentially during the first to third periods. However, as shown in Figure 6B, the brightness of the first light source 21 may also be increased or decreased linearly.

[0087] =Summary= As described above, the lighting control device 10 of this embodiment includes a first switch 31 connected in series with a power line L1 and a first light source 21 that illuminates a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle C, a second switch 32 connected in series with the power line L1 and a second light source 22 that indicates the battery status of the vehicle C, and a lighting circuit 100 including a first constant current terminal (constant current terminal Tb) connected in series with the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 and which is a terminal that supplies a constant current. The lighting circuit 100 turns on the first switch 31 and turns off the second switch 32 based on a first instruction (first instruction information 111) to light up the first light source 21, and turns off the first switch 31 and turns on the second switch 32 based on a second instruction (second instruction information 112) to light up the second light source 22.

[0088] Therefore, since a constant current is supplied to the first light source 21 from the first constant current terminal of the lighting circuit 100, the brightness of the first light source 21 (illumination LED) can be kept constant even if the power supply voltage Vbat changes. Furthermore, since the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are controlled by a common constant current terminal Tb, a low-cost and simple lighting circuit 100 can be used. In addition, since the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 are operated exclusively, simultaneous lighting of the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 can be reliably prevented.

[0089] Furthermore, the lighting circuit 100 includes a GPIO terminal (GPIO1) to which one of the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 is connected, and an inverter 33 provided between the GPIO terminal (GPIO1) and the other of the first switch 31 and the second switch 32.

[0090] According to this, the first switch 31 and the second switch 32 can be operated exclusively using only one GPIO terminal (GPIO1) of the lighting circuit 100, and the GPIO terminal (GPIO terminal) of the lighting circuit 100 can be used effectively.

[0091] For example, the second light source 22 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, and the lighting circuit 100 includes a plurality of constant current terminals (constant current terminals Tr, Tg, Tb) to which each of the plurality of light-emitting elements is connected, and the plurality of constant current terminals include a first constant current terminal (constant current terminal Tb), and the first light source 21 and the first switch 31 are connected to the first constant current terminal.

[0092] For example, the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are provided in the vehicle C, the first light source 21 illuminates a predetermined area including the battery charging port 61, and the second light source 22 displays the current state of charge (SOC) of the battery.

[0093] For example, the lighting circuit 100 increases the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source 21 during the first period, based on the first instruction (first instruction information 111).

[0094] For example, the lighting circuit 100 reduces the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source 21 during the second period after the first period has elapsed.

[0095] For example, the lighting circuit 100 increases the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source to a predetermined value during the third period, after the second period has elapsed.

[0096] For example, the lighting circuit 100 maintains the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source at a predetermined value after the third period has elapsed.

[0097] In this way, by devising a way to control the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source 21, it is possible to give the user the impression that they are being welcomed by the vehicle C, and to improve the user's workability when attaching the charging equipment adapter to the charging port of the vehicle C.

[0098] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes various modifications. Furthermore, the above embodiments are described in detail to explain the configuration in an easy-to-understand manner and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. In addition, some of the configurations of the above embodiments can be added to, deleted from, or replaced with other configurations.

[0099] C Vehicle, 1 Lighting fixture, 10 Lighting control device, 21 First light source, 22 Second light source, 31 First switch, 32 Second switch, 41a-41c Protection circuit, 42 Voltage conversion circuit, 60 Housing, 61 Charging port, 62 Cover, 63 Opening / closing mechanism, 64 Light source mounting base, 100 Lighting circuit, S Space, Sb Bottom of space, Ss Side of space, L1 Power line, GPIO0-GPIO2 GPIO terminals, Tr, Tg, Tb Constant current terminals, LIN_IN LIN signal input terminal, Vin External voltage input terminal, Vcc Voltage output terminal

Claims

1. A lighting control device comprising: a first switch connected in series with a power line and a first light source that illuminates a predetermined area of ​​a vehicle; a second switch connected in series with the power line and a second light source that indicates the state of the vehicle's battery; and a lighting circuit connected in series with the first light source and the second light source, including a first constant current terminal which is a terminal that supplies a constant current, wherein the lighting circuit turns on the first switch and turns off the second switch based on a first instruction to light up the first light source, and turns off the first switch and turns on the second switch based on a second instruction to light up the second light source.

2. A lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting circuit includes an output terminal to which one of the first and second switches is connected, and an inverter provided between the output terminal and the other of the first and second switches.

3. A lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the second light source includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, the lighting circuit includes a plurality of constant current terminals to which each of the plurality of light-emitting elements is connected, the plurality of constant current terminals include a first constant current terminal, and the first light source and the first switch are connected to the first constant current terminal.

4. A lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source are provided in the vehicle, the first light source illuminates a predetermined area including the battery charging port, and the second light source displays the current SOC (State of Charge) of the battery.

5. A lighting control device according to claim 4, wherein the lighting circuit increases the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source for a first period of time based on the first instruction.

6. A lighting control device according to claim 5, wherein the lighting circuit reduces the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source during the second period after the first period has elapsed.

7. A lighting control device according to claim 6, wherein, after the elapsed period, the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source is increased to a predetermined value during the third period.

8. A lighting control device according to claim 7, wherein after the elapsed third period, the current flowing from the first constant current terminal to the first light source is maintained at a predetermined value.

9. A vehicle light fixture comprising: a first light source for illuminating a predetermined part of a vehicle; a second light source for indicating the battery status of the vehicle; a first switch connected in series with a power line and the first light source; a second switch connected in series with the power line and the second light source; and a lighting circuit including a first constant current terminal connected in series with the first light source and the second light source, wherein the lighting circuit turns on the first switch and turns off the second switch based on a first instruction to light up the first light source, and turns off the first switch and turns on the second switch based on a second instruction to light up the second light source.

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