JP3573187B2 - Perimeter recognition device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle surrounding visual recognition device that captures a field of view on the left and right sides of a vehicle with a camera mounted on the vehicle and presents the visual field image to a driver.
[0002]
[Related background art]
2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a perimeter visual recognition device for a vehicle that captures a field of view on the left and right sides of a vehicle with a camera mounted on a front portion or a rear portion of the vehicle, and displays the image using a display provided in a room of the vehicle. (View device) is under development. According to this type of device, for example, when the vehicle 1 enters an intersection from a narrow road 2 as shown in FIG. 1, the field of view is blocked by walls 3 and the like on both sides of the road 2 and the driver can see directly. Since the left and right visual fields LV and RV in front of the vehicle, which cannot be observed, can be confirmed from an image obtained by the camera 4 provided at the front end of the vehicle, safety at the time of approaching an intersection can be improved. The effect can be achieved.
[0003]
The camera 4 optically combines left and right fields of view LV, RV on the side of the vehicle using a pair of pentaprisms 5L, 5R and roof prisms 6L, 6R as illustrated in FIG. The camera includes one camera body 7 that captures a visual field image. Further, as the camera body 7, a small solid-state image sensor, specifically, a CCD image sensor or a C-MOS image sensor is used. Accordingly, the visual field image captured by using such a camera 4 and displayed on the display is, for example, one display image in which the left visual field image L and the right visual field image R are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, considering that it is desirable to be able to quickly check the visual field on the left and right sides at the intersection while keeping the amount of approach to the intersection as small as possible, considering this type of camera 4, for example, Specifically, it is preferable to protrude from the front grill or to be provided on the front bumper. However, the front bumper plays a role of absorbing a shock at the time of a vehicle collision. The front grill greatly affects the image of the vehicle.
[0005]
For this reason, when the camera 4 is incorporated in the front bumper, the camera 4 may be damaged only by applying a slight impact to the vehicle due to, for example, contact. Further, if the camera 4 is provided so as to protrude from the front grill portion, there is a problem that the vehicle image is greatly impaired. In addition, since much dirt is generated on the front part of the vehicle, such as mud splashes, there is a problem that the dirt may obstruct the field of view of the camera 4 or the visual field may be unclear.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to incorporate it into the front or rear portion of the vehicle without impairing the image of the vehicle, and to provide a view to the left and right sides when approaching an intersection or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular peripheral visual recognition device capable of reliably imaging an image.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a vehicle surroundings visual recognition device according to the present invention is provided at a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle so as to protrude from a vehicle body portion of the vehicle, and captures an image of left and right lateral views of the vehicle. When the image pickup device movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and drive mechanism when not in use the imaging device for storing the imaging device to a predetermined space provided in the body member, the imaging device And a surface member that forms a part of the outer surface of the vehicle body portion and is assimilated to the vehicle body portion design when the imaging device is stored in the space portion .
[0008]
That imaging apparatus for imaging a field of view of the right and left sides of the vehicle (camera), at the front or rear of the vehicle, in use is projected from the body portion, and when not in use predetermined space provided in the vehicle body part to The image pickup device is inserted into and removed from the vehicle body according to whether the image pickup device is used or not used by a driving mechanism that is provided so as to be stowable and that supports the image pickup device movably in the front-rear direction of the vehicle .
[0009]
In particular, the imaging device is realized as a camera unit including an optical system that optically combines a left-side view and a right-side view of the vehicle to form one view image, and the imaging device is configured to have a central axis of the vehicle. It is characterized by being provided on a line. Further, when the imaging device is housed in a predetermined space provided in the vehicle body, a surface member that forms a part of the outer surface of the vehicle body and assimilate with the vehicle body design is provided integrally with the imaging device. It is characterized by:
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a nose view device that captures left and right side view images at a front portion of a vehicle will be described as an embodiment of a vehicle periphery recognition device according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.
The nose view device basically captures left and right lateral views with a camera 4 provided to protrude from a front portion of the vehicle 1, for example, a front grill portion, and outputs left and right view images of the vehicle 1. It is displayed indoors, specifically on a display incorporated in the instrument panel in front of the driver's seat, and plays a role of presenting to the driver. This display may be a dedicated display for displaying left and right side view images, but in general, navigation information including map information, control information for interior equipment such as an air conditioner, and TV. It is realized as a multi-display capable of appropriately displaying a broadcast screen.
[0011]
A feature of the vehicle periphery visual recognition device (nose-view device) according to the present invention is that a camera unit 11 including a camera (imaging device) 4 for imaging the left and right lateral views is arranged as shown in FIG. It is provided on the center line of the front grille 8 of the vehicle 1 (center axis of the vehicle) so as to protrude from the front side of the front grille 8 and is stored in the space inside the front grille 8 when the camera 4 is not used. The point is that it is provided as possible. That is, the camera unit 11 is projected to the front of the front grille 8 at the front of the vehicle only when the camera 4 captures the left and right lateral views at the front of the vehicle. It is characterized by being provided so that it can be stored.
[0012]
That is, the camera unit 11 includes an optical system and a camera 4 for optically combining left and right fields of view, and is supported by the drive mechanism 12 and protrudes from the front surface of the front grill 8 as shown in FIGS. It is provided movably between a position and a position stored in a space inside the front grill 8. As shown in an exploded view of FIG. 5, the drive mechanism 12 has a long camera support 13 that supports the camera unit 11, and a concave guide that guides the camera support 13 movably in the front-rear direction. A mounting board 14 having a rail portion 14a is provided. The mounting substrate 14 has a rising piece 14b on the side thereof mounted to a skeletal member (not shown) on the back side of the front grill 8 via a damper member (cushion member) 15.
[0013]
Thus, a motor 17 is incorporated on the side of the mounting board 14 via an angle member 16. The motor 17 has an operating lever 18 rotatably mounted on a shaft thereof. An elongated hole 18 a formed in an operating end (rotating end) of the operating lever 18 is provided behind the camera support base 13. A roller 19 incorporated at the upper end is inserted. Then, the motor 17 is driven to rotate forward or reverse, and the operation lever 18 is rotated and displaced as shown in FIG. 6, whereby the camera support base 13 moves forward and backward along the rail portion 14 via the roller 19. It is supposed to be.
[0014]
As the camera support 13 moves forward and backward, the camera unit 11 attached to the camera support 13 is positioned in a predetermined space inside the front grill 8 as shown in FIG. It is housed inside the vehicle body and is positioned so as to protrude from the front of the front grill 8 as shown in FIG. The state in which the front grill 8 protrudes from the front is a state in which the camera 4 captures an image of the left and right fields of view of the vehicle side.
[0015]
In addition, on the front surface of the camera unit 11, a surface member 20 forming a part of the front grill 8 is provided. The surface member 20 is a unit opened to the front grill 8 so as to freely move the camera unit 11 between a position protruding from the front surface of the front grill 8 as described above and a space inside the unit. It is provided so as to fit in the mouth 19. When the camera unit 11 is housed in the interior, the surface member 20 forms a part of the front grille 8 and is assimilated to the front grille 8 to construct a cohesive design as the front grille 8. . Therefore, when the camera unit 11 is stored, the presence of the camera itself cannot be visually determined.
[0016]
Thus, the camera unit 11 is thus supported by the drive mechanism 12, and is selectively positioned at a position where the camera unit 11 projects to the front of the front grill 8 and captures an image of the field of view on the left and right sides, or a storage position inside (back side) the front grill 8. According to the present device configured as described above, when it is not necessary to take an image of the field of view on the left and right sides, that is, during normal traveling, the camera unit 11 can be stored inside the vehicle body, which is the back side of the front grill 8, The camera unit 11 is not contaminated by mud splashes of the preceding vehicle. Moreover, in this stored state, the existence of the camera 4 itself can be hidden from the appearance by the surface member 20. For example, by designing the front grill 8 and the like including the surface member 20 In addition, the nose view mechanism can be incorporated without damaging the vehicle image, and in particular, the camera unit 11 can be incorporated in the front grill 8. In addition, since the camera unit 11 can be incorporated into the center line of the front grill 8 or the like, it is convenient to uniformly image the left and right lateral views.
[0017]
Further, according to the above-described configuration, the camera unit 11 can be protruded to a large extent to the front side of the front grill 8, so that the front end of the vehicle 1 does not largely protrude into the intersection with poor visibility. , The side image can be obtained effectively. In particular, according to the configuration of the drive mechanism 12 described above, the camera unit 11 is only moved forward and backward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Obtainable.
[0018]
Further, since the opening of the front grill 8 is directly closed by the surface member 20 mounted on the front surface of the camera unit 11 and the camera unit 11 is stored inside the opening, for example, a door is provided in the opening. Such a complicated mechanism is not required, and the structure can be simplified as a whole. When the nose-view mechanism is not used, the camera unit 11 is stored inside the vehicle body as described above, so that the camera unit 11 can be prevented from being inadvertently damaged. .
[0019]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, even when this type of device is installed in the rear part of the vehicle, the camera unit may be configured to be able to be stored inside the vehicle body. For example, the camera unit may be housed inside the trunk lid, and the camera unit may be projected outside the trunk lid when necessary. Further, in the embodiment, the left and right side views are optically combined and captured by one camera. However, by using a micro camera, the left and right side views can be separately captured. It is also possible to configure a camera unit. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described above, the imaging apparatus for imaging a field of view of the right and left sides of the vehicle provided with so as to protrude from the body portion to the front or rear of the vehicle, wherein the image pickup device by a drive mechanism It is movably supported in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is stored in a predetermined space provided in the vehicle body when the imaging device is not used, so that undesired dirt and damage of the imaging device are effectively prevented. And the camera unit can be installed on the center line of the vehicle body without deteriorating the design image of the vehicle body. Further, when the imaging device is housed in a predetermined space of the vehicle body, the imaging device is provided with a surface member that forms a part of the outer surface of the vehicle body and is assimilated to the vehicle body design. And the effect of facilitating the closing structure of the opening of the vehicle body for taking the image pickup device in and out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing the concept of left and right lateral field-of-view imaging by a nose view device incorporated in a vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a camera unit including an optical combining unit for left and right lateral views.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a combined left and right view image on a display.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of assembling a nose-view camera unit to a front grill in the vehicle periphery recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a camera unit and a driving mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a stored state and a used state of a camera unit moved forward and backward by a driving mechanism.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 4 Camera 8 Front grill 11 Camera unit 12 Drive mechanism 13 Camera support stand 14 Mounting board 15 Damper member (cushion member)
16 Angle member 17 Motor 18 Operating lever 19 Roller 20 Surface member

Claims (3)

An imaging device that is provided at a front portion or a rear portion of the vehicle so as to protrude from a vehicle body portion of the vehicle and captures an image of left and right lateral views of the vehicle;
A drive mechanism that supports the imaging device so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and stores the imaging device in a predetermined space provided in the vehicle body when the imaging device is not used;
A surface member provided integrally with the imaging device, forming a part of an outer surface of the vehicle body portion when the imaging device is housed in the space, and assimilating the vehicle body design. Peripheral visual recognition device for vehicles characterized by the above-mentioned. The imaging device may include a camera unit having an optical system that optically combines a left view and a right view of the vehicle to form one view image, and may be provided on a central axis of the vehicle. The perimeter visual recognition device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The surface member forming a part of the outer surface of the vehicle body part and being assimilated into the vehicle body part design is fitted into an opening part opened in a front grill of the vehicle to form a part of the front grill. 2. The peripheral visual recognition device for a vehicle according to 1.

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