JP2017165211A - Electronic mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic mirror which can display a monitor image on a mirror portion, and also which can be used as an anti-glare optical mirror as well as a normal optical mirror.SOLUTION: An electronic mirror includes: a mirror monitor part having a prism plate in which thickness at a lower end is larger than thickness at an upper end, a monitor part for displaying a camera image at the back of a vehicle which is imaged by a camera provided on the vehicle and a half mirror provided between the prism plate and the monitor part, for reflecting the light entering from the back of the vehicle and for displaying the camera image; and an angle adjustment part for adjusting an angle formed by an outward normal vector and a vector facing vertically downward on an inclined plane of the prism plate. The angle adjustment part sets the angle at a first angle in a first mirror mode, sets the angle at a second angle larger than the first angle in a monitor mode and sets the angle at a third angle smaller than the first angle in a second mirror mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an electronic mirror.

  Conventionally, an electronic mirror system mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile is known. FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of an electronic mirror system 100. A camera image of the rear of the vehicle taken by the camera 120 provided at the rear of the vehicle is transferred via the connection cable 130 and displayed on the electronic mirror 110. Some of such electronic mirrors 110 can display a camera image behind the vehicle and can also be used as a normal optical mirror.

  As an example of such an electronic mirror 110, when a monitor provided in a room mirror is used, the angle of the mirror provided in the room mirror is set to a dazzling avoidance angle in which a dark part is reflected on the monitor, thereby displaying an image displayed on the monitor. Has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). On the monitor, an image taken by the camera outside the vehicle is displayed.

JP 2002-120649 A

  The monitor built-in room mirror has a display area in which the mirror and the monitor are independent. On the other hand, some electronic mirrors 110 do not have such an independent display area. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of a conventional electronic mirror 200. FIG. The electronic mirror 200 includes a glass plate 210, a half mirror 220, a monitor unit 230, an angle adjustment unit 240, and a housing 250. The electronic mirror 200 is an example of the electronic mirror 110 as described above. A part of the light incident on the glass plate 210 from the rear of the vehicle is reflected on the surface of the glass plate 210 to form a reflection image (low reflection image). The light transmitted through the surface of the glass plate 210 is reflected at the boundary between the glass plate 210 and the half mirror 220, and is transmitted again through the surface of the glass plate 210 to form a reflection image (high reflection image).

  In FIG. 2A, since both the low reflection image and the high reflection image are reflected in the direction of the user of the electronic mirror 200, the user can use the electronic mirror 200 as a normal optical mirror. In FIG. 2B, the glass plate 210 and the half mirror 220 are tilted upward by an angle adjusting unit 240 that rotates them with respect to the housing 250, and both the low reflection image and the high reflection image are Not reflected in the direction of the user. That is, the user can prevent the user from visually recognizing the double image by the low reflection image and the high reflection image. Therefore, when the user feels that the light of the headlight of the following vehicle is dazzling, for example, the monitor image 230 of the electronic mirror 200 is displayed with a camera image of the rear of the vehicle adjusted by the camera 120, and the electronic mirror 200 is displayed. Can be used.

  However, when the electronic mirror 200 is used as an optical mirror as shown in FIG. 2A, since the electronic mirror 200 does not have an anti-glare function, for example, even when it is dazzling with the light of the headlight of the following vehicle, Can't prevent glare.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic mirror that can display a monitor image on a mirror portion and can be used as a normal optical mirror or an antiglare optical mirror.

  An electronic mirror according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a prism plate having a thickness at a lower end that is larger than a thickness at an upper end, a monitor unit that displays a camera image behind the vehicle captured by a camera provided in the vehicle, and the prism plate, A mirror monitor unit that includes a half mirror provided between the monitor unit and reflects light incident from behind the vehicle and displays the camera image; and an outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate An angle adjustment unit that adjusts an angle formed with a vertically downward vector, wherein the angle adjustment unit sets the angle to a first angle in a first mirror mode in which the electronic mirror is used as an optical mirror. In a monitor mode in which the electronic mirror is used as a monitor for displaying the camera image, the angle is set to a second angle larger than the first angle. Set, in the second mirror mode using the digital mirror as an antiglare optical mirror, sets the angle to the first angle is smaller than the third angle, a configuration.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic mirror that can display a monitor image on a mirror portion and can be used as a normal optical mirror or an antiglare optical mirror.

1 is a schematic overall view of an electronic mirror system. It is sectional drawing of the conventional electronic mirror. It is sectional drawing of the conventional electronic mirror. It is sectional drawing in the 1st mirror mode of the electronic mirror of this indication. It is sectional drawing in the monitor mode of the electronic mirror of this indication. It is sectional drawing in the 2nd mirror mode of the electronic mirror of this indication. It is sectional drawing of the electronic mirror which concerns on other embodiment of this indication.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the electronic mirror 300 of the present disclosure in the first mirror mode. The electronic mirror 300 according to the present disclosure includes a mirror monitor unit 310, an angle adjustment unit 320, and a light detection unit 340.

  The mirror monitor unit 310 reflects light incident from the rear of the vehicle and displays a camera image of the rear of the vehicle. The mirror monitor unit 310 includes a prism plate 312, a half mirror 314, and a monitor unit 316.

  The prism plate 312 has a lower end thickness larger than an upper end thickness. In the prism plate 312, a shape obtained by cutting the prism plate 312 on a surface including an outward normal vector and a vertically downward vector on an inclined surface formed on the side to be viewed is a trapezoid in one example. The shape is not particularly limited as long as the thickness at the lower end is larger than the thickness at the upper end, and may be, for example, a triangle. The material of the prism plate 312 is not particularly limited as long as a part of incident light can be reflected on the inclined surface, and is, for example, glass or acrylic.

  The half mirror 314 is provided between the prism plate 312 and the monitor unit 316. In one example, the prism plate 312 and the half mirror 314 are integrally formed. For example, the prism plate 312 and the half mirror 314 are integrally formed by depositing a light semi-transmissive film such as tin or silver on the back surface of the prism plate 312 or by applying a plating such as tin or silver. Here, the back surface of the prism plate 312 is a surface opposite to the inclined surface of the prism plate. Alternatively, the prism plate 312 and the half mirror 314 may be integrally formed by attaching the half mirror 314 to the back surface of the prism plate 312. Instead, the prism plate 312 and the half mirror 314 may be configured separately.

  The monitor unit 316 displays a camera image behind the vehicle captured by a camera provided on the vehicle. When using the electronic mirror 300 in the monitor mode, the user of the electronic mirror 300 can view the image displayed on the monitor unit 316. The monitor unit 316 is not particularly limited as long as it can display an image, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the image which the monitor part 316 displays, The camera image behind a vehicle may be analyzed and the image which superimposed the information useful for a user on a camera image may be displayed.

  In one example, the monitor unit 316 and the half mirror 314 are integrally formed. The monitor unit 316 and the half mirror 314 may be integrally formed by depositing a light semi-transmissive film such as tin or silver on the display surface of the monitor unit 316. Alternatively, the monitor unit 316 and the half mirror 314 may be integrally formed by attaching the half mirror 314 to the display surface of the monitor unit 316. Instead of this, the monitor unit 316 and the half mirror 314 may be configured separately.

  The angle adjustment unit 320 adjusts the angle θ formed by the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the vertically downward vector. In one example, the angle adjustment unit 320 changes the angle by rotating the housing 330 that houses the mirror monitor unit 310 with respect to the vehicle. For example, the angle adjustment unit 320 supports the mirror monitor unit 310, the housing 330, and the light detection unit 340 so as to be rotatable around the rotation center C with respect to the support unit 350 fixed to the vehicle.

  The angle adjusting unit 320 may be driven by an electric motor (not shown) or may be capable of manually adjusting the angle. In one example, the angle adjustment unit 320 may adjust the angle by driving the electric motor in accordance with the operation of the driver's or passenger's console.

  The light detection unit 340 detects light from the rear of the vehicle, for example, light from a headlight of a following vehicle. The structure and members of the light detection unit 340 are not particularly limited as long as light from the rear of the vehicle can be detected. For example, the light detection unit 340 is configured using a photodiode that is fixedly or rotatably connected to the housing 330.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the electronic mirror 300 of the present disclosure in the first mirror mode. In the first mirror mode using electron mirror 300 as a normal optical mirror, the angle theta for the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 forms with the vertically downward vector is equal to the first angle theta _0. The first angle θ ₀ is an angle such that the reflection surface of the half mirror 314 includes the vertical direction, for example. When the angle θ formed by the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the vertically downward vector is equal to the first angle θ ₀ , the user can use the electronic mirror 300 as a normal optical mirror and use the rear window. Thus, it is possible to optimally check the rear of the vehicle.

  In FIG. 3A, a part of incident light incident from the rear of the vehicle is reflected on the inclined surface of the prism plate 312. Since the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 is inclined, and the light reflected on the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 is directed upward, the user does not visually recognize the light reflected on the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 (low reflection image). Can be.

  The light transmitted through the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 reaches the surface of the half mirror 314 and is reflected on the surface of the half mirror 314. Of the light reflected on the surface of the half mirror 314, the user visually recognizes the light transmitted through the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 as a reflected image (highly reflected image).

  In the first mirror mode, the intensity of the reflected image visually recognized by the user increases as the reflectance of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 decreases. Further, as the reflectance of the surface of the half mirror 314 increases, the intensity of the reflected image visually recognized by the user increases. As long as the user can use the electronic mirror 300 as a normal optical mirror in the first mirror mode, the reflectance of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the reflectance of the surface of the half mirror 314 are not particularly limited.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic mirror 300 of the present disclosure in the monitor mode. In the monitor mode in which the electronic mirror 300 is used as a monitor for displaying a camera image, the angle θ formed by the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the vertically downward vector is equal to the second angle θ ₁ . Here, the second angle θ ₁ is larger than the first angle θ ₀ .

  In FIG. 3B, both the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the surface of the half mirror 314 are facing upward compared to FIG. 3A. In this case, both the light reflected by the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 (low reflection image) and the light reflected by the surface of the half mirror 314 (high reflection image) are reflected upward, so that the user can use those lights. Any of these can be prevented from being visually recognized. That is, the user can prevent the headlight light incident from the rear of the vehicle from being visually recognized.

  On the other hand, since the half mirror 314 transmits the light from the monitor unit 316, the light of the camera image behind the vehicle displayed on the monitor unit 316 passes through the half mirror 314 and the prism plate 312 and reaches the user. As a result, the user can visually recognize the camera image behind the vehicle.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the electronic mirror 300 of the present disclosure in the second mirror mode. In the second mirror mode using the digital mirror 300 as an anti-glare optical mirror, the angle theta for the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 forms with the vertically downward vector is equal to the third angle theta _2. Here, the third angle θ ₂ is smaller than the first angle θ ₀ .

  In FIG. 3C, a part of incident light incident from the rear of the vehicle is reflected on the inclined surface of the prism plate 312. The user visually recognizes the light reflected on the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 as an antiglare reflection image (low reflection image).

  The light transmitted through the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 reaches the surface of the half mirror 314 and is reflected on the surface of the half mirror 314. In FIG. 3C, since the surface of the half mirror 314 faces downward as compared with FIG. 3A, the light (high reflection image) reflected on the surface of the half mirror 314 goes downward. Thus, even if the reflected light passes through the inclined surface of the prism plate 312, it can be prevented from being visually recognized by the user.

  In the second mirror mode, the intensity of the reflected image visually recognized by the user decreases as the reflectance of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 decreases. In the second mirror mode, as long as the user can use the electronic mirror 300 as an anti-glare optical mirror, the reflectance of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the reflectance of the surface of the half mirror 314 are not particularly limited.

In the present disclosure, the prism plate 312 is thicker at the lower end than at the upper end. Thereby, the magnitude of the transition angle (θ ₂ −θ ₀ ) between the first mirror mode and the second mirror mode can be reduced. Furthermore, the magnitude of the transition angle (θ ₁ −θ ₀ ) between the first mirror mode and the monitor mode can also be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the mirror monitor unit 310 from becoming difficult to be visually recognized by the user due to an increase in the inclination of the surface of the mirror monitor unit 310.

Next, the operation of the light detection unit 340 will be described. When the light intensity detected by the light detection unit 340 is greater than the first threshold, the angle adjustment unit 320 sets the angle θ between the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the vertically downward vector to the first value. to change from the angle theta ₀ to the third angle theta _2. In this way, if the dazzling light such as the light of the headlight of the following vehicle comes from the rear of the vehicle while the electronic mirror 300 is used as a normal optical mirror, the electronic mirror 300 is used as the anti-glare optical mirror. Can automatically switch to mirror mode. Here, the first threshold value is, for example, the minimum value of the intensity of light that the user feels dazzling when using the first mirror mode in which the electronic mirror 300 is used as a normal optical mirror. Preferably, it may be a predetermined value or a value set by the user. Note that when the electronic mirror 300 is used in the monitor mode, the angle θ does not have to be changed.

When the light intensity detected by the light detection unit 340 is smaller than the second threshold value, the angle adjustment unit 320 sets the angle θ between the outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate 312 and the vertically downward vector to the third angle. to change from the angle theta ₂ to the first angle theta _0. Thus, while the electronic mirror 300 is used as an anti-glare optical mirror, for example, when the light from the rear of the vehicle is dark and the anti-glare reflection image is difficult to be visually recognized, the electronic mirror 300 is used as a normal optical mirror. Can automatically switch to mirror mode. Here, the second threshold value is, for example, the maximum value of the light intensity that the user feels dark when using the electronic mirror 300 in the second mirror mode in which the anti-glare optical mirror is used. Preferably, it may be a predetermined value or a value set by the user. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be equal or different values. For example, by making the first threshold value larger than the second threshold value, it is possible to provide hysteresis for switching between the first mirror mode and the second mirror mode. Then, even when the intensity of light detected by the light detection unit 340 fluctuates before and after the threshold value, the first mirror mode and the second mirror mode can be used without frequent switching. Note that when the electronic mirror 300 is used in the monitor mode, the angle θ does not have to be changed.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic mirror 300 ′ according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the position of the angle adjustment unit 320 'and the position of the light detection unit 340' are different. In this embodiment, a housing 330 that accommodates the mirror monitor unit 310 is fixed to the vehicle via a support body 350. The angle adjustment unit 320 ′ changes the angle by rotating the mirror monitor unit 310 around the rotation center C with respect to the housing 330. In this embodiment, the light detection unit 340 ′ is provided on the lower side of the housing 330. The position where the light detection unit 340 ′ is provided is not particularly limited as long as the light detection unit 340 ′ is in the vicinity of the mirror monitor unit 310 that can detect light from the rear of the vehicle.

(Other embodiments)
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A to C, the angle adjustment unit 320 has the mirror monitor unit 310, the housing 330, and the light detection unit 340 at the rotation center C with respect to the support unit 350 fixed to the vehicle. Instead of this, the angle adjustment unit 320 supports only the mirror monitor unit 310 and the housing 330 in a rotatable manner with respect to the support unit 350 fixed to the vehicle to detect light. The part 340 may not be rotated. Further, instead of this, the angle adjustment unit 320 may support only the prism plate 312 or only the prism plate 312 and the half mirror 314 with respect to the support unit 350 fixed to the vehicle.

  In the embodiment in the second mirror mode shown in FIG. 3C, the monitor unit 316 is not used, but a camera image behind the vehicle may be displayed on the monitor unit 316 in the second mirror mode. When the vehicle has a large skylight and the angle of incident light is wide, it is conceivable that the user visually recognizes the light reflected on the surfaces of the prism plate 312 and the half mirror 314 in the monitor mode. Even in such a case, the user displays the camera image of the rear of the vehicle even in the second mirror mode, so that the user can reduce the double image as compared with the monitor mode. You can see the image.

Although the embodiment corresponding to the three modes of the first mirror mode, the second mirror mode, and the monitor mode has been described for the electronic mirror 300, there may be other modes, and the first angle θ ₀ may be present. The values of the second angle θ ₁ and the third angle θ ₂ may be values within a certain range, and may be changed depending on the height of the user's viewpoint.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the position where the angle adjustment unit 320 ′ is provided and the position where the light detection unit 340 ′ is provided are different from the example shown in FIG. 3A. Instead of this, only the position where the angle adjustment unit 320 ′ is provided may be different, and only the position where the light detection unit 340 ′ is provided may be different. Further, both the angle adjusting unit 320 and the angle adjusting unit 320 'may be provided.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the light detection unit 340 ′ may be provided on the side of the case 330 instead of the lower side of the case 330, or may be provided on the case 330. .

  The electronic mirror according to the present invention is suitable for use in place of a rearview mirror that allows the driver of the vehicle to check the rear of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electron mirror system 110 Electron mirror 120 Camera 130 Connection cable 200 Electron mirror 210 Glass plate 220 Half mirror 230 Monitor part 240 Angle adjustment part 250 Case 300,300 'Electron mirror 310 Mirror monitor part 312 Prism plate 314 Half mirror 316 Monitor part 320, 320 ′ Angle adjustment unit 330 Housing 340, 340 ′ Light detection unit 350 Support unit

Claims (7)

A prism plate having a lower end thickness larger than an upper end thickness, a monitor unit for displaying a camera image behind the vehicle photographed by a camera provided in the vehicle, and a half mirror provided between the prism plate and the monitor unit; A mirror monitor unit that reflects light incident from behind the vehicle and displays the camera image;
An angle adjusting unit for adjusting an angle formed by an outward normal vector of the inclined surface of the prism plate and a vertically downward vector;
The angle adjustment unit includes:
In a first mirror mode in which the electronic mirror is used as an optical mirror, the angle is set to a first angle;
In the monitor mode in which the electronic mirror is used as a monitor for displaying the camera image, the angle is set to a second angle larger than the first angle,
In the second mirror mode using the electronic mirror as an anti-glare optical mirror, the angle is set to a third angle smaller than the first angle.
Electronic mirror. It has a light detector that detects the light coming from behind,
If the intensity of the light detected by the light detection unit is greater than a first threshold, the angle adjustment unit changes the angle from the first angle to the third angle,
When the intensity of the light detected by the light detection unit is smaller than a second threshold, the angle adjustment unit changes the angle from the third angle to the first angle.
The electronic mirror according to claim 1.   The electronic mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light detection unit is disposed in the vicinity of the mirror monitor unit.   The electronic mirror according to claim 1, wherein the prism plate and the half mirror are integrally formed.   The electronic mirror according to claim 1, wherein the monitor unit and the half mirror are integrally formed. A housing that houses the mirror monitor unit is fixed to the vehicle,
The electronic mirror according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjustment unit changes the angle by rotating the mirror monitor unit with respect to the housing. The electronic mirror according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjusting unit changes the angle by rotating a housing that houses the mirror monitor unit with respect to the vehicle.

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