JP2001088611A - On-vehicle camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle camera in which an influence of environment stress such as sun light and heat can be avoided as much as possible, a mounting accuracy is high and a structure is simplified. SOLUTION: A pair of right and left CCD cameras 10A, 10B for photographing a road environment at a front side of vehicle during traveling are mounted to both ends of a chassis 12 having a predetermined length in a lateral direction respectively. This chassis 12 is fixed to a front rail 16 of car body by a mounting seating portion 18. The chassis 12 and the CCD cameras 10A, 10B are covered with a cover member 14. A crush clearance is formed between the respective CCD cameras 10A, 10B and the cover member 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vehicle camera, and more particularly to a cover of an in-vehicle camera installed in a vehicle for obtaining data on a front environment during traveling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a camera is mounted on a vehicle, and various information for safety is provided to a driver based on forward data in a traveling direction of the vehicle at the time of traveling acquired by the camera, and vehicle control is automatically performed. Driving assistance systems have been proposed. Conventionally, a vehicle-mounted camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-78717 is known as this kind of vehicle-mounted camera. The on-vehicle camera disclosed in the publication is integrated with and fixed to a camera case and a stay on the inner surface of a windshield, and the camera is unitized and attached to a rearview rearview mirror.

[0003]

However, in the above-described camera mounted on a vehicle described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-78717, a stay or cover supporting the camera expands or shrinks under the influence of sunlight or the like incident from a windshield. Shrink,
There is a possibility that the installation position of the camera may be out of order. In particular,
When the structure disclosed in the publication is applied to a stereo camera, there is a problem in that the mounting positions of the left and right cameras are shifted, and the reliability of data obtained during traveling is reduced. In addition, the camera described in the above publication is designed to ensure safety in the event of a collision.
The camera is provided with a drop-off mechanism for dropping the camera when an impact is applied. However, this drop-off mechanism has a problem in that the structure is complicated, the dimensional accuracy deteriorates, and the cost increases.

The present invention has been proposed in order to cope with such circumstances, and it is possible to avoid the influence of environmental stress such as sunlight, heat and temperature difference as much as possible and to obtain a high mounting accuracy. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle-mounted camera having a simplified structure.

[0005]

(1) In order to achieve the above object, a pair of right and left cameras mounted on a vehicle and photographing a road environment in front of the vehicle during traveling are formed extending in a lateral direction. Attached one by one to both ends of a chassis having a predetermined length, the chassis is fixed to a predetermined position of the vehicle body by its mounting seat portion, and the chassis and the pair of left and right cameras are covered by a cover member, Crash clearance is formed between each camera and the cover member.

(2) In the above item (1), ventilation holes are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cover member, respectively, and the ventilation holes on the front side of the cover member face the vehicle windshield.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a vehicle-mounted camera according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle-mounted camera according to the present embodiment includes two CCD cameras 10A and 10B, and a cover member 14 that covers a chassis 12.
The cover member 14 has a left end portion 14A and a right end portion so as to avoid interference with the CCD cameras 10A and 10B attached to the lower ends of both ends of the horizontally long chassis 12 and to generate a fixed interval with the CCD cameras 10A and 10B at the time of attachment. 14B
Is formed in a curved shape. As a result, the left end 14A
And the inside of the right end portion 14B and the CCD cameras 10A, 10B.
The gaps formed between B and B serve as crash clearances, and have a function of protecting the occupant's body by being greatly deformed in the event of a collision.
The cover member 14 is preferably made of a resin or the like having excellent impact resistance, such as polycarbonate.

The chassis 12 is made of a single material having high rigidity and high thermal conductivity, for example, an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIGS. A mounting seat portion 18 for fixing to the front rail 16 of the vehicle body partially extends rearward and is integrally formed. The mounting seat 18 is formed to have a width of, for example, about 50 mm, so that the mounting area of the vehicle body with respect to the front rail 16 is very small.

When the chassis 12 is fixed to the front rail 16, a taper plate 20 is interposed between the mounting seat 18 and the front rail 16, and in this state, three bolts 22 are attached to the front rail 16 (not shown). Screw it into the screw hole. Thereby, the CCD cameras 10A, 10B
Can photograph the front through a windshield (not shown). The mounting seat 18 of the chassis 12
Other parts are kept separated from the vehicle body.

At the front side of the left end 14A and the right end 14B of the cover member 14, a photographing hole 11 for exposing the lenses of the CCD cameras 10A and 10B to the outside is formed.
In addition, a pair of locking claws 13 are provided at substantially the center of the front edge of the cover member 14. A pair of screw holes 15 projecting upward is formed on the lower surface of the cover member 14. Therefore, the cover member 14 is connected to the front rail 1.
6, the bolt 24 is tightened from the screw hole 15 to a fixing hole (not shown) of the front rail 16 with the pair of locking claws 13, 13 locked on the front edge of the chassis 12. Attached by. The lower surface of the screw hole 15 is closed by the lid 26 after tightening the bolt 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front and rear surfaces of the cover member 14 have ventilation holes 28, 2 for ventilating the conditioned air.
9 is formed in a slit shape. This ventilation hole 28
As shown in FIG. 3, it is provided at a position facing the windshield 30 so as to easily take in conditioned air indicated by an arrow flowing along the windshield 30. By introducing conditioned air into the cover member 14 through the ventilation holes 28 and discharging the air through the ventilation holes 29, the temperature difference between the CCD cameras 10A and 10B and the chassis 12 and the vehicle compartment can be eliminated, and the temperature in winter can be reduced. The CCD cameras 10A and 10B and the chassis 12 can be quickly returned to room temperature from a low temperature or a high temperature in summer.

The chassis 12 supporting the CCD cameras 10A and 10B is formed of a material having a sufficient sectional area, high rigidity, and high thermal conductivity.
Since the dimensional accuracy between the D cameras 10A and 10B is improved, and the heat conduction through the chassis 16 is quickly performed, the introduction of the conditioned air is combined with the above-mentioned air conditioning air. Can maintain the thermal balance of
As a result, no difference occurs between the image output characteristics of the left and right CCD cameras 10A and 10B, and the obtained image data is stabilized.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the camera and the chassis are covered by the cover member, there is no need to touch the lens of the camera or generate any external force on the camera body, and the mounting accuracy of the camera can be extended for a long time. Can be maintained. In addition, since a crash clearance is provided between the camera and the cover member, safety in a collision is improved. Further, since a camera drop-off mechanism, which is conventionally required, is not required, mounting accuracy can be improved and cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the conditioned air can be passed through the inside of the cover, the camera and the chassis can always be kept at room temperature, and deterioration in dimensional accuracy due to thermal deformation or the like can be minimized. Can be limited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle-mounted camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a relationship between a vehicle-mounted camera and a chassis of the present embodiment and a cover member when viewed from a rear side.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the vehicle-mounted camera according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10A 10B CCD camera 12 Chassis 14 Cover member 14A Left end 14B Right end 16 Front rail (vehicle body) 18 Mounting seat 20 Tapered plate 22 24 Bolt 26 Lid 28 29 Ventilation hole 30 Windshield

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 30, 2000 (2003.3.3)
0)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005]

(1) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a vehicle mounted on a vehicle, and a pair of right and left camera bodies for photographing a road environment in front of the vehicle during traveling. The chassis and the pair of left and right camera bodies are fixed to a predetermined position of the vehicle body by attaching the chassis to both ends of a chassis having a predetermined length formed by extending the chassis. While being covered by the cover member, a crash clearance is formed between each camera body and the cover member.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

(2) In the above item (1), ventilation holes are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cover member, and the ventilation holes on the front side of the cover member face the windshield of the vehicle near the camera body. I have. (3) A camera body for photographing a road environment ahead of the vehicle during traveling is fixed at a predetermined position on the vehicle body, and the camera body is covered with a cover member, and a crash clearance is formed between the camera body and the cover member. are doing. (4) The camera body is fixed to a predetermined position of the vehicle and captures a road environment in front of the vehicle when traveling, and includes a cover member that covers the camera body, and ventilation holes are formed in front and rear surfaces of the cover member, respectively. The ventilation hole on the front side faces the windshield of the vehicle.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014]

According to the first or third aspect of the present invention, since the camera body and the chassis are covered by the cover member, there is no need to touch the camera lens or generate any external force on the camera body. Accuracy can be maintained for a long time. In addition, since a crash clearance is provided between the camera body and the cover member, safety in a collision is improved. Further, since a camera drop-off mechanism, which is conventionally required, is not required, mounting accuracy can be improved and cost can be reduced.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, the conditioned air can be passed through the inside of the cover, so that the camera body and the chassis can always be kept at room temperature.
Deterioration of dimensional accuracy due to thermal deformation or the like can be minimized. ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 20, 2000 (2000.10.
20)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005]

(1) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a vehicle mounted on a vehicle, and a pair of right and left camera bodies for photographing a road environment in front of the vehicle during traveling. The chassis is fixed to a vehicle body near a windshield by its mounting seats, and the chassis and the pair of left and right camera bodies are attached to each other at both ends of a chassis having a predetermined length formed by extending the chassis. The windshield and
It is covered by a cover member fixed to the vehicle body at a distance, and a crash clearance is formed between each camera body and the cover member.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

(2) In the above item (1), ventilation holes are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cover member, and the ventilation holes on the front side of the cover member face the windshield of the vehicle near the camera body. I have. (3) A camera body for photographing a road environment ahead of the vehicle during traveling is fixed to a vehicle body near a windshield, and the camera body is separated from the windshield and covered by a cover member fixed to the vehicle body. At the same time, a crash clearance is formed between the camera body and the cover member. (4) The camera is fixed to the vehicle body near the windshield and captures the road environment in front of the vehicle during traveling. The camera is separated from the windshield covering the camera body and fixed to the vehicle body.
And a cover member having a ventilation hole formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cover member, and the ventilation hole on the front side faces the windshield of the vehicle.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When the chassis 12 is fixed to the front rail 16, a taper plate 20 is interposed between the mounting seat 18 and the front rail 16, and in this state, three bolts 22 are attached to the front rail 16 (not shown). Screw it into the screw hole. Thereby, the CCD cameras 10A, 10B
Is able to shoot forward through windscreen 30. Parts other than the mounting seat 18 of the chassis 12 are kept separated from the vehicle body.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The chassis 12 supporting the CCD cameras 10A and 10B is formed of a material having a sufficient sectional area, high rigidity, and high thermal conductivity.
Since the dimensional accuracy between the D cameras 10A and 10B is improved, and the heat conduction through the chassis 12 is performed quickly, the introduction of the conditioned air is combined with the above-described one even if there is a partial hit of sunlight. The thermal balance between the CCD cameras 10A and 10B can be maintained. As a result, no difference occurs between the image output characteristics of the left and right CCD cameras 10A and 10B, and the obtained image data is stabilized.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014]

According to the first or third aspect of the present invention, the camera body and the cover member are separately integrated with the vehicle body.
The camera body is firmly supported because it is fixed to
Together, no Rukoto external force Kuwawa to the camera body, the camera mounting accuracy can be maintained over a long term. In addition, crash clearance is provided between the camera body and the cover member to improve safety in the event of a collision .
Can be. Further, since a camera drop-off mechanism, which is conventionally required, is not required, mounting accuracy can be improved and cost can be reduced.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, special
Guides the windshield without the need for a guide mechanism
The air inside the cover can be efficiently and effectively ventilated inside the cover.
It can be kept at room temperature, and deterioration of dimensional accuracy due to thermal deformation or the like can be minimized.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pair of left and right cameras mounted on a vehicle and photographing a road environment ahead of the vehicle at the time of traveling are provided at both ends of a chassis having a predetermined length and extending in a lateral direction.
The chassis is fixed at a predetermined position on the vehicle body by its mounting seat, and the chassis and the pair of left and right cameras are covered with a cover member, and a crash clearance is provided between each camera and the cover member. An in-vehicle camera characterized by being formed. 2. The in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein ventilation holes are respectively formed on front and rear surfaces of the cover member, and the ventilation holes on the front side of the cover member face a vehicle windshield.