Patent ID: 12258091

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, details of a leaning vehicle according to an embodiment of the present teaching will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is just an example. The present teaching should not be limited in any way by the embodiment described below.

Referring toFIG.1, a leaning vehicle10according to the embodiment of the present teaching will be described. A diagram inFIG.1contains a left side view of the leaning vehicle10and a block diagram of a headlight device100included in the leaning vehicle10.

Referring toFIG.1, the leaning vehicle10includes a vehicle body20, plural wheels30, a power unit40, and a handlebar50. These will be described below.

The vehicle body20leans in a left direction L when the leaning vehicle10turns in the left direction L, and leans in a right direction R when the leaning vehicle10turns in the right direction R. The vehicle body20includes a vehicle body frame201and a seat202. The vehicle body frame201supports the power unit40. The power unit40includes, for example, an engine as a drive source, a transmission, and the like. On the seat202, a rider of the leaning vehicle10sits.

The vehicle body20supports the plural wheels30. The plural wheels30lean in the left direction L together with the vehicle body20when the leaning vehicle10turns in the left direction L, and lean in the right direction R together with the vehicle body20when the leaning vehicle10turns in the right direction R. The plural wheels30include a front wheel30F and a rear wheel30R, the front wheel30F being steered by the rider operating the handlebar50, the rear wheel30R being rotated by receiving power of the power unit40.

The leaning vehicle10further includes the headlight device100. The headlight device100includes a headlight60and a control device70.

The headlight60emits light frontward of the leaning vehicle10. The headlight60includes plural light sources62. Each of the plural light sources62emits light frontward of the leaning vehicle10. The headlight60is supported by the vehicle body20.

The plural light sources62include at least one lower light source62D, at least one upper central light source62UC, at least one upper left light source62UL, and at least one upper right light source62UR. InFIG.1, for reasons of expediency, one lower light source62D, one upper central light source62UC, one upper left light source62UL, and one upper right light source UR are shown.

The lower light source62D emits light such that a lower emission area is formed. The upper central light source62UC emits light such that an upper central emission area is formed farther in the upward direction than the lower emission area. The upper left light source62UL emits light such that an upper left emission area is formed farther in the left direction than the upper central emission area. The upper right light source62UR emits light such that an upper right emission area is formed farther in the right direction than the upper central emission area.

The emission areas are formed by the headlight60emitting light frontward of the leaning vehicle10. The emission areas can be checked by placing a screen in front of the leaning vehicle10and causing the headlight60to emit light toward the screen.

The control device70controls light emission from the headlight60, by turning on the headlight60in such a manner that at least one of the plural light sources62is turned off or dimmed in accordance with a traveling status of the leaning vehicle10and without any operation made by the rider of the leaning vehicle10. Thus, the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60such that an emission area of the headlight60changes in accordance with the traveling status of the leaning vehicle10. In other words, the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60such that the light emission from the headlight60changes in accordance with the traveling status of the leaning vehicle10. Here, the traveling status of the leaning vehicle10encompasses leaning of the vehicle body20and the presence of an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle, for example. The leaning of the vehicle body20is determined based on a signal from a lean angle detection device configured to detect a lean angle of the vehicle body20, for example. The presence of an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is determined based on a signal from a vehicle detection device configured to detect an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle, for example.

The control device70controls light emission from the headlight60such that when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight, the upper left emission area is formed, and when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight, the upper left emission area is reduced at least in its brightness as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight. The control device70controls light emission from the headlight60such that when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L, the upper left emission area is formed, and when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L, the upper left emission area is maintained at least in its brightness as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L. Here, it may be possible that when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L, the control device70maintains the brightness of the upper left emission area and reduces the brightness of at least one of the upper central emission area, the upper right emission area, or the lower emission area as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L, or the control device70maintains the brightness of the upper left emission area, the brightness of the upper central emission area, the brightness of the upper right emission area, and the brightness of the lower emission area as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L.

The control device70controls light emission from the headlight60such that when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight, the upper right emission area is formed, and when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight, the upper right emission area is reduced at least in its brightness as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight. The control device70controls light emission from the headlight60such that when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R, the upper right emission area is formed, and when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R, the upper right emission area is maintained at least in its brightness as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R. Here, it may be possible that when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R, the control device70maintains the brightness of the upper right emission area and reduces the brightness of at least one of the upper central emission area, the upper left emission area, or the lower emission area as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R, or the control device70maintains the brightness of the upper left emission area, the brightness of the upper central emission area, the brightness of the upper right emission area, and the brightness of the lower emission area as compared to when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R.

An emission mode switching control, which is performed by the control device70, will be described with reference toFIG.2.FIG.2is a flowchart showing the emission mode switching control performed by the control device70.

First, in step S11, the control device70determines whether or not the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight. If the leaning vehicle10is traveling straight (step S11: YES), the control device70determines whether or not an oncoming vehicle is present (step S12). If no oncoming vehicle is present (step S12: NO), the control device70determines whether or not a preceding vehicle is present (step S13).

If no preceding vehicle is present (step S13: NO), the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60so as to have emission in a first straight-traveling emission mode (step S14). In the first straight-traveling emission mode, for example, the lower light source62D, the upper central light source62UC, the upper left light source62UL, and the upper right light source62UR are turned on. Then, the control device70terminates the emission mode switching control.

If an oncoming vehicle is present (step S12: YES), the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60so as to have emission in a second straight-traveling emission mode (step S15). In the second straight-traveling emission mode, for example, the lower light source62D is turned on. Then, the control device70terminates the emission mode switching control.

If a preceding vehicle is present (step S13: YES), the control device70executes the processing of step S15and subsequent steps.

If the leaning vehicle10is not traveling straight (step S11: NO), the control device70determines whether or not the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L (step S16). If the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L (step S16: YES), the control device70determines whether or not an oncoming vehicle is present in the upper left emission area (step S17). If no oncoming vehicle is present (step S17: NO), the control device70determines whether or not a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area (step S18).

If no preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area (step S18: NO), the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60so as to have emission in a first left-turning emission mode (step S19). In the first left-turning emission mode, for example, the lower light source62D, the upper central light source62UC, and the upper left light source62UL are turned on. Then, the control device70terminates the emission mode switching control.

If an oncoming vehicle is present in the upper left emission area (step S17: YES), the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60so as to have emission in a second left-turning emission mode (step S20). In the second left-turning emission mode, for example, the lower light source62D and the upper left light source62UL are turned on. Then, the control device70terminates the emission mode switching control.

If a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area (step S18: YES), the control device70executes the processing of step S20and subsequent steps.

If the leaning vehicle10is turning in the right direction R (step S16: NO), the control device70determines whether or not an oncoming vehicle is present in the upper right emission area (step S21). If no oncoming vehicle is present in the upper right emission area (step S21: NO), the control device70determines whether or not a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area (step S22).

If no preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area (step S22: NO), the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60so as to have emission in a first right-turning emission mode (step S23). In the first right-turning emission mode, for example, the lower light source62D, the upper central light source62UC, and the upper right light source62UR are turned on. Then, the control device70terminates the emission mode switching control.

If an oncoming vehicle is present in the upper right emission area (step S21: YES), the control device70controls light emission from the headlight60so as to have emission in a second right-turning emission mode (step S24). In the second right-turning emission mode, for example, the lower light source62D and the upper right light source62UR are turned on. Then, the control device70terminates the emission mode switching control.

If a preceding vehicle is present in the upper right emission area (step S22: YES), the control device70executes the processing of step S24and subsequent steps.

The headlight device100included in the leaning vehicle10can offer an increase in convenience, specifically as follows.

When the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L, the headlight device100forms the upper left emission area and maintains the brightness of the upper left emission area irrespective of whether or not an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper left emission area. Here, the upper left emission area is formed in a region that is covered by the view of the rider of the leaning vehicle10while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L. In other words, the direction in which the headlight60illuminates is the same as the direction in which the rider of the leaning vehicle10looks while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L. Accordingly, the headlight device100can expand the field of view of the rider of the leaning vehicle10while the leaning vehicle10is turning in the left direction L. A case of the leaning vehicle10turning in the right direction R will not be described herein, because it is simply the left-right opposite to the case of the leaning vehicle10turning in the left direction L.

(Variation of Headlight Device)

Variations of the headlight device will be described with reference toFIG.3throughFIG.5B, wherein each of the emission areas is shown in a two-dimensional conceptual figure, for illustration of the relative positions of the various emission areas.FIG.3shows some variations (A1)-(B3) of how the emission area changes while the leaning vehicle is traveling straight. In the variations (A1)-(A3), the emission areas shown left are emission areas obtained when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present while the leaning vehicle is traveling straight, and the emission areas shown right are emission areas obtained when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle is traveling straight. In the variations (B1)-(B3), the emission areas shown left are emission areas obtained when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present while the leaning vehicle is traveling straight, and the emission areas shown right are emission areas obtained when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle is traveling straight.FIG.4AtoFIG.5Bshow some variations (A1)-(F6) of how the emission area changes while the leaning vehicle is turning. In each of the variations, the leftmost emission areas are emission areas obtained when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present while the leaning vehicle is traveling straight, the middle emission areas are emission areas obtained when neither an oncoming vehicle nor a preceding vehicle is present in the upper left emission area (or in the upper right emission area in the cases ofFIG.5AandFIG.5B) while the leaning vehicle is turning in the left direction L (or in the right direction R in the cases ofFIG.5AandFIG.5B), and the rightmost emission areas are emission areas obtained when an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle is/are present in the upper left emission area (or in the upper right emission area in the cases ofFIG.5AandFIG.5B) while the leaning vehicle is turning in the left direction L (or in the right direction R in the cases ofFIG.5AandFIG.5B). InFIG.3throughFIG.5B, an emission area corresponding to a light source being turned on is outlined with a solid line and rendered hatching. An emission area corresponding to a light source being turned off or being turned on in a dimmed manner is outlined with a broken line and not rendered hatching.

InFIG.3throughFIG.5B, the emission area formed by light emission from the headlight includes an upper left emission area UL, an upper central emission area UC, an upper right emission area UR, a lower left emission area DL, a lower central emission area DC, and a lower right emission area DR. Thus, the at least one lower light source includes at least one lower left light source that emits light so as to form the lower left emission area DL, at least one lower central light source that emits light so as to form the lower central emission area DC, and at least one lower right light source that emits light so as to form the lower right emission area DR. The headlight capable of forming the above-described emission areas is disclosed in WO2018/168249 for example, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

Variations of how the emission area changes are not limited to the ones illustrated inFIG.3throughFIG.5B. For example, inFIG.4AandFIG.4B, it may be possible that only either the lower central light source or the lower right light source is turned off or dimmed, if an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle emerge(s) in the upper left emission area while the leaning vehicle is turning in the left direction L with the lower left light source, the lower central light source, and the lower right light source being turned on. For example, inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, it may be possible that only either the lower central light source or the lower left light source is turned off or dimmed, if an oncoming vehicle and/or a preceding vehicle emerge(s) in the upper right emission area while the leaning vehicle is turning in the right direction R with the lower left light source, the lower central light source, and the lower right light source being turned on.

(Other Variations of Headlight Device)

The headlight may include plural lower left light sources, a lower central light source, plural lower right light sources, plural upper left light sources, an upper central light source, and plural upper right light sources. The headlight having such a configuration emits light to form an emission area, an example of which is shown inFIG.6. InFIG.6, each of the emission areas and sub-emission areas are shown in a two-dimensional conceptual figure, for illustration of the relative positions of the various emission areas and sub-emission areas. Each of the sub-emission areas is the space illuminated by a sub-light beam formed by a light source in the headlight device.

Referring toFIG.6, the plural lower left light sources form plural lower left sub-emission areas DL1, DL2, DL3included in the lower left emission area. The lower central light source forms a lower central emission area DC. The plural lower right light sources form plural lower right sub-emission areas DR1, DR2, DR3included in the lower right emission area. The plural upper left light sources form plural upper left sub-emission areas UL1, UL2, UL3included in the upper left emission area. The upper central light source forms an upper central emission area UC. The plural upper right light sources form plural upper right sub-emission areas UR1, UR2, UR3included in the upper right emission area. The headlight capable of forming the above-described emission areas is disclosed in WO2018/168249 for example, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

The control device may control light emission from the headlight such that the lower central emission area DC is formed while the upper central emission area UC is not formed. In this case, a left light source selected from the plural left light sources composed of the plural upper left light sources and the plural lower left light sources is turned on such that a left low-beam emission area, which is located below a horizontal reference plane (shown inFIG.6as a horizontal reference line HL) and closest to the horizontal reference plane (horizontal reference line HL inFIG.6), is formed in accordance with the lean angle of the vehicle body. In other words, the left low-beam emission area is formed out of the plural lower left sub-emission areas DL1, DL2, DL3and the plural upper left sub-emission areas UL1, UL2, UL3in accordance with the lean angle of the vehicle body. A right light source selected from the plural right light sources composed of the plural upper right light sources and the plural lower right light sources is turned on such that a right low-beam emission area, which is located below the horizontal reference line HL and closest to the horizontal reference line HL, is formed in accordance with the lean angle of the vehicle body. In other words, the right low-beam emission area is formed out of the plural lower right sub-emission areas DR1, DR2, DR3and the plural upper right sub-emission areas UR1, UR2, UR3in accordance with the lean angle of the vehicle body. InFIG.6, each of the left low-beam emission area, the lower central emission area DC, and the right low-beam emission area is rendered hatching. The left low-beam emission area and the right low-beam emission area in the pattern (B), which is adopted when the vehicle body leans in the left direction L, are different from those in the pattern (A), which is adopted when the vehicle body is upright. It should be noted that the horizontal reference line HL refers to a straight line formed by extending a boundary line BL in each the left direction L and the right direction R of the leaning vehicle, the boundary line BL being a line that defines the upper end of the lower central emission area DC and extends in the left-right direction of the leaning vehicle when the vehicle body is upright.

The above-described headlight device can emit a low beam in an expanded range.

Other Embodiments

The embodiment and variations, of which at least either one of description or illustration is given herein, are for ease of understanding the present disclosure, and not for limiting the concept of the present disclosure. The foregoing embodiment and variations may be altered and/or adapted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

The spirit encompasses equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (for example, a combination of a feature of the embodiment and a feature of any variation), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the embodiment disclosed herein. The limitations in Claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in Claims and not limited to embodiments and variations described herein or during the prosecution of the present application. The embodiments and variations are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in this Description, the terms “preferably”, “may”, and “possible” are non-exclusive and mean “preferably, but not limited to”, “may, but not limited to”, and “possibly, but not limited to”, respectively.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10leaning vehicle20vehicle body60headlight62light source62D lower light source62UC upper central light source62UL upper left light source62UR upper right light source70control device100headlight device