Turn signal control apparatus and method of controlling turn signal

A turn signal control apparatus comprising:

• a switch to flash a turn signal lamp;
• a flashing cycle control device to determine a flashing cycle;
• an operation device to open and close the switch according to the flashing cycle determined by the flashing cycle control device so that the turn signal lamp flashes;
• a sharp deceleration-detection device to output a sharp deceleration-detection signal in a case where sharp deceleration of a vehicle is detected;
• a bypass device to electrically connect an upstream side of the operation device and a downstream side of the operation device;
• and
• a flashing cycle modification device to modify the flashing cycle determined by the flashing cycle control device to produce a modified flashing cycle according to the sharp deceleration-detection signal, the flashing cycle modification device and the bypass device being configured to operate to electrically connect the upstream side of the operation device and the downstream side of the operation device according to the modified flashing cycle in a case where the sharp deceleration-detection signal is outputted.

A turn signal control apparatus comprising:

• switch means for flashing a turn signal lamp;
• flashing cycle control means for determining a flashing cycle;
• operation means for opening and closing the switch means according to the flashing cycle determined by the flashing cycle control means so that the turn signal lamp flashes;
• sharp deceleration-detection means for outputting a sharp deceleration-detection signal in a case where sharp deceleration of a vehicle is detected;
• bypass means for electrically connecting an upstream side of the operation means and a downstream side of the operation means;
• and
• flashing cycle modification means for modifying the flashing cycle determined by the flashing cycle control means to produce a modified flashing cycle according to the sharp deceleration-detection signal, the flashing cycle modification means and the bypass means being configured to operate to electrically connect the upstream side of the operation means and the downstream side of the operation means according to the modified flashing cycle in a case where the sharp deceleration-detection signal is outputted.

A method of controlling a turn signal, comprising:

• determining a flashing cycle;
• opening and closing a switch to flash a turn signal lamp according to the flashing cycle;
• outputting a sharp deceleration-detection signal in a case where sharp deceleration of a vehicle is detected;
• modifying the flashing cycle to produce a modified flashing cycle according to the sharp deceleration-detection signal;
• and
• operating a flashing cycle modification device and a bypass device to electrically connect an upstream side of an operation device and a downstream side of the operation device according to the modified flashing cycle in a case where the sharp deceleration-detection signal is outputted, the flashing cycle modification device being to modify the flashing cycle to produce the modified flashing cycle according to the sharp deceleration-detection signal, the bypass device being to electrically connect the upstream side of the operation device and the downstream side of the operation device, the operation device being to open and close the switch according to the flashing cycle so that the turn signal lamp flashes.