Turn Signal Illumination Controller

• US 20100308988A1
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: IMAI, Takao, SHIMIZU, Takahiro, IEDA, Takashi, YAMAGUCHI, Syogo, NISHIMURA, Kozo
• Granted Patent: US 8,242,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/40 having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position

Abstract

A turn signal illumination controller monitors the lateral movement distance of a vehicle from when a turn switch lever is operated so as to illuminate a turn signal indicator. When the lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to a threshold value indicating completion of lane changing, the turn signal illumination controller cancels the turn signal indicator.

Claims

1. A turn signal illumination controller for controlling illumination of a turn signal indicator when a turn signal operation member of a vehicle is operated, the turn signal illumination controller comprising:

an angular velocity detection unit that detects an angular velocity of the vehicle when the vehicle changes its travel direction;

a vehicle bearing angle variation calculation unit that calculates a vehicle bearing angle variation amount per unit time when the travel direction is changing based on a detection value of the angular velocity detection unit;

a vehicle bearing angle calculation unit that calculates a vehicle bearing angle when the travel direction is changing based on the vehicle bearing angle variation amount obtained by the vehicle bearing angle variation calculation unit;

a lateral movement distance calculation unit that calculates a lateral movement distance of the vehicle when the travel direction is changing based on the vehicle bearing angle obtained by the vehicle bearing angle calculation unit; and

a cancellation execution unit that cancels the illuminated turn signal indicator when the calculated lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

2. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

a stabilization determination unit that determines whether the calculated lateral movement distance is stable;

wherein when the cancellation execution unit determines that a condition in which the calculated lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to the threshold value and a condition in which the calculated lateral movement distance is stable are at least both satisfied, the cancellation execution unit cancels the illuminated turn signal indicator.

3. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotational amount detection unit that detects a rotational angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle; and

a returning angle monitoring unit that monitors a returning angle of the steering wheel in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the steering wheel when the turn signal operating member is operated to illuminate the turn signal indicator based on the rotational angle of the steering wheel detected by the rotational amount detection unit and determines whether or not the returning angle is greater than or equal to a recovery determination reference value;

wherein when the cancellation execution unit determines that a condition in which the calculated lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to the threshold value and a condition in which the returning angle is greater than or equal to the recovery determination reference value are at least both satisfied, the cancellation execution unit cancels the illuminated turn signal indicator.

4. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 3, wherein the returning angle monitoring unit determines whether the returning angle is greater than or equal to the recovery determination reference value after the calculated lateral movement distance becomes greater than or equal to the threshold value.

5. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 3, wherein the returning angle monitoring unit sets the recovery determination reference value in accordance with a vehicle velocity.

6. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotational amount detection unit that detects a rotational angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle; and

a peak detection unit that monitors the rotational angle of the steering wheel detected by the rotational amount detection unit and detects a peak in the rotational angle of the steering wheel that is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction the steering wheel was rotated when the turn signal operating member illuminated the turn signal indicator;

wherein when the cancellation execution unit determines that a condition in which the calculated lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to the threshold value and a condition in which the peak is detected are at least both satisfied, the cancellation execution unit cancels the illuminated turn signal indicator.

7. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 6, wherein the peak detection unit starts detection of the peak after the calculated lateral movement distance becomes greater than or equal to the threshold value.

8. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

an output correction unit that corrects a detection value of the angular velocity detection unit by subtracting from the detection value of the angular velocity detection unit an initial angular velocity of the vehicle detected when the turning signal operating member is operated to illuminate the turn signal indicator, wherein the initial angular velocity is produced by rotation of the steering wheel before the turn signal indicator is illuminated.

9. A method for controlling illumination and cancellation of a turn signal indicator for a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting an angular velocity of the vehicle when the vehicle changes its travel direction;

calculating a vehicle bearing angle variation amount per unit time when the travel direction is changing based on the detected angular velocity;

calculating a vehicle bearing angle when the travel direction is changing based on the vehicle bearing angle variation amount;

calculating a lateral movement distance of the vehicle when the traveling direction is changing based on the vehicle bearing angle; and

cancelling the illuminated turn signal indicator when the calculated lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

10. A turn signal illumination controller comprising:

a control unit that stores a first cancellation determination reference value, wherein the control unit is programmed to;

monitor a lateral movement distance of a vehicle from when a turn switch lever is operated to illuminate a turn signal indicator; and

cancel the turn signal indicator when the monitored lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to the first cancellation determination reference value.

11. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 10, wherein the control unit further stores a second cancellation determination reference value;

and

the control unit is programmed to cancel the turn signal indicator when a period during which the monitored lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to the first cancellation determination reference value is greater than or equal to the second cancellation determination reference value.

12. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 10, wherein the control unit further stores a third cancellation determination reference value;

and

the control unit is programmed to cancel the turn signal indicator when a returning angle of a steering wheel is greater than or equal to the third cancellation determination reference value after the monitored lateral movement distance becomes greater than or equal to the first cancellation determination reference value.

13. The turn signal illumination controller according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is programmed to monitor variation of a rotational angle of the steering wheel, detect a peak in the variation of the rotational angle when the steering wheel is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction the steering wheel was rotated when the turn signal operating member illuminated the turn signal indicator, and cancel the illuminated turn signal indicator when a condition in which the monitored lateral movement distance is greater than or equal to the threshold value and a condition in which the peak is detected are at least both satisfied.