Patent ID: 7023336
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
1. A lamp control apparatus using a first lamp both for continuous lighting based on a first switch and a flashing operation based on a second switch connected to an intermittent signal source, said lamp control apparatus comprising: a relay for connecting the first lamp to the first switch or the second switch; a switch mode determining circuit for determining a state of the second switch; and relay driving means for driving the relay based on an output of the switch mode determining circuit; wherein when both of the first switch and the second switch are made ON, the first lamp is connected to the second switch by the relay to thereby operate to flash the first lamp, and wherein the first lamp is a left rear lamp and a right rear lamp in a vehicle, the first switch is a stop lamp switch, the second switch is a turn signal switch for selectively making a “left” or a “right” ON in correspondence with the left lamp or the right lamp, the relay is provided respectively in correspondence with the left lamp and the right lamp, and when the stop lamp switch is made ON and the turn signal switch is made ON to either “left” or “right”, the lamp in correspondence with one side which is made ON is operated to flash and the lamp in correspondence with other side is made to light continuously, and wherein the relay driving means includes an integrating circuit for integrating an intermittent signal inputted from the turn signal switch, during a time period in which the turn signal switch is made ON to “left” or “right”, the relay in correspondence with the one side which is made ON is made ON based on an output of the integrating circuit, the lamp in correspondence therewith is connected to the turn signal switch to operate to flash, when the turn signal switch is made OFF, the relay which is made ON is made OFF by rapidly discharging the integrating circuit by the switch mode determining circuit and the lamp in correspondence therewith is connected to the stop lamp switch.