JP2004067015A - Vehicle periphery visually recognizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle periphery visually recognizing device at a low manufacturing cost with a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The light related to both front and back scenes on a passenger seat side of a car is guided to an image pickup element 13 by utilizing the internal reflection of a prism 17. Images picked up by the image pickup element 13 are displayed continuous to each other on a screen of a display unit 2. The angles of view of the images displayed on the display unit 2 are adjusted by setting the angle of an apex part of the prism 17. Scenes in the longitudinal direction aside the car which are hardly and visually recognized by an occupant such as a driver are easily displayed on the display unit 2 at a low cost with a very simple configuration compared with a conventional technology requiring a drive mechanism. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle periphery recognition device and a technique related thereto.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-272418 (prior art) discloses a technique for checking both the front of the vehicle body and the periphery of a front wheel using a camera device installed in a mirror case of a door mirror. In this prior art, the angle of the camera device is controlled vertically by a camera driving mechanism unit, and the camera is tilted downward from a state in which the front is imaged in a substantially horizontal state, and the periphery of the front wheel of the car is steered. Is displaced. Such an angle switch of the camera device can be selected by operating a camera direction switch provided on a control panel of a driver's seat.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described prior art, a driving mechanism for switching the angle of the camera device was required, so that the structure of the driving mechanism became complicated, and thus the manufacturing cost was increased.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for visually recognizing a periphery of a vehicle which has a simple structure and requires a small manufacturing cost.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 has an imaging device that captures a scene around a vehicle, a display unit that displays a video image captured by the imaging device, and an image that is captured by the imaging device. A control circuit that performs image processing of a video image and controls display of the display unit, wherein the imaging device is disposed on a side of the vehicle and has a transmission window formed at a position corresponding to a front-rear direction of the vehicle. And the case is housed in the case, is formed into an isosceles triangle in cross section, and the apex angle is arranged toward the side of the vehicle, and the side surface corresponding to the isosceles of the isosceles triangle in cross section is the case. A prism that is disposed in a posture facing each of the transmission window portions, and that guides light entering from each of the transmission window portions toward the inside of the vehicle in the case by internal reflection, and the prism in the case from the prism. Inside the vehicle It has been those comprising an imaging device.
[0006]
The invention according to claim 2 is the device for visually confirming the periphery of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the prism is formed in an isosceles triangle in cross section, and the apex angle is arranged toward a side of the vehicle. Side surfaces corresponding to the isosceles of the isosceles cross-section are disposed in a posture facing the respective transmission window portions of the case, and light entering from the respective transmission window portions is internally reflected by the side surfaces and the inside of the case is formed. In the vehicle interior direction.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to the second aspect, an angle of an apex portion of the prism directed to the side of the vehicle is an image of an image displayed on the display unit. It is set so that a part of the body of the vehicle is partially reflected.
[0008]
The invention according to a fourth aspect is the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to the third aspect, wherein an angle of view of an image portion of the image displayed on the display unit in which the own vehicle is reflected is 5 ° to 15 °. The angle of the apex portion of the prism is set so as to fall within the range described above.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 5 is the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the case of the imaging device is formed integrally with a side marker of a fender portion of the vehicle. It was done.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the imaging device is disposed near an intermediate position between a front wheel and a rear wheel in a side molding of the vehicle. It was done.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle periphery recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of an automobile in which the vehicle periphery recognition device is installed, and FIG. 3 is an imaging device of the vehicle periphery recognition device. FIG.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this vehicle periphery visual recognition device is used to display an image pickup device 1 installed near a fender near a passenger seat side of a vehicle and an image around the vehicle taken by the image pickup device 1. A display unit 2 provided at a position easily visible to a driver such as an instrument panel in a vehicle cabin, and a control circuit 3 for processing an image signal captured by the imaging device 1 and supplying the processed image signal to the display unit 2. Prepare.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 1 is a plane disposed so as to protrude laterally (to the left in the case of a Japanese car) from a side wall 10 on the passenger seat side (left side in the case of a Japanese car) of the vehicle body. A pentagonal light-shielding case 11, a pair of front and rear transmission windows 12F and 12B, which are made of resin such as PMMA and are attached to openings formed on both front and rear sides of the case 11, respectively. For example, the image pickup device 13 such as a CCD camera and the imaging lens 14 which are arranged, and the light rays entering from each of the transmission windows 12F and 12B are optical path-converted to the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 13 via the image formation lens 14. And a prism 17 for guiding.
[0014]
The case 11 has a shape in which a triangular tip portion 11a protrudes from the side wall 10 on the passenger seat side (left side in the case of Japanese cars) of the vehicle body toward the side (leftward in the case of Japanese cars). ing. Specifically, the case 11 is formed integrally with the side marker SM as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in order to make the case 11 as inconspicuous as possible in the appearance of the vehicle body. Although the side marker SM is depicted in a cylindrical shape in FIG. 3, any other shape such as a hemispherical shape, an elliptical spherical shape, or a substantially triangular pyramid shape may be used. An opening is formed in each of the first surface 11b facing the oblique front direction of the front end portion 11a of the case 11 and the second surface 11c facing the oblique rear direction, and the transmission windows 12F and 12B are formed in these openings. Be attached. As the transmission windows 12F and 12B, light transmission plates such as transparent glass are used.
[0015]
The prism 17 guides light taken in from the outside to the imaging lens 14 and the image pickup device 13 by internal reflection. For example, a glass material BK7 (refractive index n: 1.517) is used, and an isosceles triangular cross section is used. Is formed in the prism body. The vertex portion 18 of the prism 17 is housed in the case 11 and is arranged in a direction normal to the side wall 10 of the vehicle body (to the left in the case of a Japanese car). As a result, the first surface 19F of the prism is oriented obliquely forward, the second surface 19B is oriented obliquely rearward, and the third surface 19R is oriented toward the inside of the vehicle. 19F and the second surface 19B are arranged in a posture facing the transmission windows 12F and 12B of the case 11, respectively. Accordingly, light from around the left front portion (fender portion) of the vehicle is incident on the first surface 19F of the prism 17, and light from the rear left of the vehicle is incident on the second surface 19B of the prism 17. These lights are reflected once inside the second surface 19B and the first surface 19A, respectively, and guided to the third surface 19R side, and the light emitted from the third surface 19R forms an image. It will be guided to the lens 14 and the image sensor 13 side.
[0016]
The angle of the apex portion 18 of the prism 17 is the entrance angle of the external light incident on each of the first surface 19F and the second surface 19B, that is, the image forming lens 14 and the image sensor using these lights as images. 13 is determined in consideration of the angle of view, which is a reflection range when displayed on the display unit 2 when guided to the display unit 13, and specifically, the own vehicle is reflected in the video displayed on the display unit 2. The angle of the apex portion 18 of the prism 17 is set so that the angle of view of the image portion becomes an appropriate angle of view within the range of 5 ° to 15 °.
[0017]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an angle of view that is incident on the imaging device 1. As described above, the imaging device 1 is installed on the side of the vehicle body Cr on the passenger seat side, and the straight line Lc in FIG. The front-back direction is shown. With respect to the prism 17, the angle of view in the front left (fender) direction of the vehicle is α1 + α2, and the angle of view in the left rear of the vehicle is β1 + β2. Then, the top of the prism 17 is adjusted so that the angles of view α2 and β2 of the image portion of the image displayed on the display unit 2 in which the own vehicle is reflected have an appropriate angle of view within the range of 5 ° to 15 °. The angle of the corner 18 is set. When the angle θ of the vertex portion 18 of the prism 17 is an obtuse angle as shown in FIG. 5, the angle of view α1, β1 on the side outside in FIG. 4 increases, but the angle of view α2 on the side inward in FIG. β2 decreases. Conversely, when the angle θ of the apex portion 18 of the prism 17 is an acute angle as shown in FIG. 6, the angle of view α1, β1 on the side outside in FIG. 4 decreases, and the angle of view α2 on the side inward in FIG. β2 increases. As the image displayed on the display unit 2, it is easier to understand in which direction the vehicle body Cr is captured when the side of the vehicle body Cr is reflected to some extent. If the area of the image occupied by Cr is too large, the area of the image surrounding the vehicle body Cr is reduced, and the necessary peripheral image information is reduced. In consideration of these facts, the angle θ of the vertex 18 of the prism 17 is determined so that the ratio of the reflection area of the vehicle body Cr to the image as a result of the experiment becomes appropriate. Accordingly, it is possible for an occupant (a driver or the like) who visually recognizes the display unit 2 to visually recognize an appropriate image.
[0018]
The prism 17 is fixedly held by a prism fixing piece 11d and a stopper 11e formed inside the case 11, and is disposed in the case 11. Specifically, the prism fixing piece 11d fixes the prism 17 by sandwiching the front and rear corners of the prism 17 from the front and rear sides by the stoppers 11e, and unnecessary light rays incident on the corner areas of the side surfaces 19F and 19B in the figure. It also functions to shield light.
[0019]
Further, the imaging lens 14 is fixed so that the optical axis of the imaging lens 14 coincides with the bisector of the apex portion 18 of the isosceles triangle of the prism 17 in the rightward direction in FIG. Have been. The imaging element 13 has an imaging surface parallel to the right end face 19R of the prism 17 and a center of the imaging surface at the right of the vertex portion 18 of the prism 17 on the right side of the imaging lens 14 in the drawing. Fixed to match the shunt.
[0020]
The display unit 2 uses an LCD, a CRT, or the like.
[0021]
The control circuit 3 is a functional element that includes a CPU and operates according to a predetermined software program. The control circuit 3 performs image processing of the image captured by the image sensor 13 and controls image display on the display unit 2. For example, the control circuit 3 separately trims the image incident from the first surface 19F of the prism 17 and the image incident from the second surface 19B, and divides the trimmed images into predetermined frames in a frame. Layout in the area. It should be noted that the control circuit 3 may be designed as a dedicated circuit in the peripheral visual recognition device, but desirably, for example, may also be used as an image processing circuit of a car navigation device, and may be arbitrarily operated by an occupant, or Alternatively, a predetermined event such as a vehicle speed falling below a certain threshold value may trigger the switch from the function as the car navigation device to the function as the peripheral visual recognition device.
[0022]
The operation of the vehicle periphery recognition device having the above configuration will be described.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the light 21F corresponding to the front left scene of the vehicle passes through the front transmission window 12F attached to the case 11, and enters the first surface 19F of the prism 17. Then, the light travels through the prism 17 and reaches the second surface 19B. After being internally reflected by the second surface 19B, the light further exits from the third surface 19R and is imaged by the imaging lens 14. It is guided to a partial surface (first half) of the imaging surface of the imaging device 13. Then, the image signal is converted into an image signal by the image sensor 13, trimmed by the control circuit 3, and displayed on the right half surface 22 a of the display unit 2.
[0024]
The light 21B corresponding to the left rear view of the vehicle passes through the transmission window 12B at the rear of the case 11, and enters the second surface 19B of the prism 17. Then, the light travels through the prism 17 and reaches the first surface 19F. After being internally reflected by the first surface 19F, the light further exits from the third surface 19R and is imaged by the imaging lens 14. It is guided to the remaining part of the imaging surface of the imaging device 13 (the latter half). Then, the image signal is converted into an image signal by the image sensor 13, trimmed by the control circuit 3, and displayed on the left half surface 22 b of the display unit 2.
[0025]
As described above, the image capturing apparatus 1 having a simple structure using the prism 17 captures an image of a front view and a rear view of the passenger seat side, which are difficult to be visually recognized by the driver, among the views around the vehicle. Since two scenes can be displayed side by side in the display unit 2 as a video, it is possible to display the surrounding scenery with an extremely simple structure as compared with a conventional one requiring a driving unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle periphery recognition device that has a simple configuration and requires less manufacturing cost.
[0026]
In particular, since the angle of view of the image displayed on the display unit 2 can be easily set only by changing the angle θ (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the apex portion 18 of the prism 17, it is particularly complicated. A simple peripheral visual recognition device can be provided without installing a mechanism.
[0027]
Further, since the peripheral visual recognition device is integrated with the side marker SM, it is possible to prevent the appearance design from being impaired.
[0028]
In the above embodiment, the imaging device 1 is installed near the fender near the passenger seat side of the vehicle. However, for example, a case is provided near the middle position between the front and rear wheels of the side molding 25 (FIG. 2). 11 may be embedded and installed. In this case, the front and rear wheels can be displayed within the display unit 2 with the front and rear wheels within the angle of view, and an image that makes it easy to understand which position is being captured can be displayed on the display unit 2.
[0029]
Further, in the above embodiment, the imaging device 1 is installed only on the passenger seat side. In addition, the imaging device 1 is added to the side of the vehicle body on the driver side, and the image is captured by both of them. The displayed image may be displayed on the display unit 2 at the same time, or the left image and the right image may be switched by a predetermined switch.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image capturing apparatus that captures an image of a scene around a vehicle, a display unit that displays a video captured by the image capturing apparatus, and performs image processing of a video captured by the image capturing apparatus. A control circuit that performs display control of the display unit, wherein the imaging device is disposed on a side of the vehicle and has a transmission window formed at a position corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is housed in the case. It is formed in an isosceles triangle in cross section, and the apex angle is arranged toward the side of the vehicle, and the side surface corresponding to the isosceles of the isosceles triangle in cross section is in a posture facing each transmission window portion side of the case. It is provided with a prism that guides light entering from each of the transmission windows toward the inside of the vehicle in the case by internal reflection, and an image pickup device that is arranged on the inside of the vehicle from the prism in the case. Using devices with complicated mechanisms Without, can be displayed on the display unit to easily image the views before and after side of the viewing difficult vehicle lateral to occupants such as a driver. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle periphery recognition device that has a simple configuration and requires less manufacturing cost.
[0031]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the angle of the vertex of the prism facing the side of the vehicle is set such that a part of the body of the vehicle is reflected in a part of the image displayed on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible for an occupant such as a driver to easily recognize the position of the captured scenery while using the vehicle periphery recognition device having a simple configuration and a low manufacturing cost.
[0032]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by simply setting the angle of the apex of the prism, the angle of view of the image portion of the image displayed on the display unit where the vehicle is reflected is 5 ° to 15 °. Therefore, it is possible to visually recognize an image that is easy for a driver or other occupant to confirm safety while using a vehicle periphery recognition device that has a simple configuration and requires a small manufacturing cost.
[0033]
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the case of the imaging device is formed integrally with the side marker of the fender portion of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the design of the appearance of the vehicle from being hindered.
[0034]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the imaging device is disposed near the intermediate position between the front wheel and the rear wheel in the side molding of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the design of the external appearance of the vehicle from being impaired, and The wheel can be easily included in the image, and the driver or other occupant can easily recognize the position of the captured scene.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a vehicle periphery recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing an external appearance of an automobile equipped with a vehicle periphery recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an imaging device of the vehicle periphery recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the vehicle periphery recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention is capturing an image of the front and rear scenes of the vehicle side;
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a prism in the imaging device of the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a prism in the imaging device of the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 imaging device 2 display unit 3 control circuit 10 side wall 11 case 12F, 12B transmission window unit 13 imaging device 14 imaging lens 17 prism 18 vertex corner SM side marker 25 side molding Cr vehicle body

Claims (6)

An imaging device for imaging a landscape around the vehicle;
A display unit that displays a video imaged by the imaging device;
A control circuit that performs image processing of a video imaged by the imaging device and controls display of the display unit,
The imaging device,
A case in which a transmission window is formed at a position corresponding to the front-rear direction of the vehicle and disposed on a side of the vehicle,
A prism that is housed in the case and guides light that has entered from each of the transmission windows toward an inside of the vehicle inside the case by internal reflection.
An image sensor that is disposed on the inner side of the vehicle with respect to the prism in the case and captures images in two directions by light entering from the respective transmission windows. The vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to claim 1,
The prism is formed in an isosceles triangle in cross section, and the apex angle is arranged toward the side of the vehicle, and the side surface corresponding to the isosceles in the isosceles triangle in cross section faces each of the transmission window portions of the case. A vehicle surrounding visual recognition device, which is disposed in an inclined posture, and internally reflects light entering from each of the transmission windows on the side surface and guides the light toward the inside of the vehicle in the case. The vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to claim 2,
The angle of the apex portion of the prism facing the side of the vehicle is set so that a part of the body of the vehicle is reflected in a part of an image displayed on the display unit. The vehicle surroundings visual recognition device. It is a vehicle periphery visual recognition device of Claim 3, Comprising:
The angle of the apex of the prism is set such that the angle of view of an image portion of the image displayed on the display unit that reflects the vehicle is in the range of 5 ° to 15 °. The vehicle periphery visual recognition device. The vehicle periphery recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The device for visually recognizing around a vehicle, wherein the case of the imaging device is formed integrally with a side marker of a fender portion of the vehicle. The vehicle periphery recognition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The apparatus for visually recognizing around a vehicle, wherein the imaging device is arranged near an intermediate position between a front wheel and a rear wheel in a side molding of the vehicle.

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