JP2004071443A - Night vision device for vehicles and lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a night vision device for vehicles capable of utilizing an existing headlight as a light source for infrared rays and a lighting fixture for vehicles used for the night vision device. <P>SOLUTION: With the night vision device for vehicles provided with a halogen lamp 13 irradiating light from at least a visible region to an infrared region, a filter 18 transmitting infrared rays and shielding the visible light out of the light irradiated from the halogen lamp 13, a camera for imaging the front of a vehicle by receiving reflected light of the infrared rays as irradiated toward the front of the vehicle after transmitting the filter 18, and a display displaying the result of the imaging by the camera, the halogen lamp 13 and the filter 18 are housed in a lamp unit, and at the same time, the filter 18 is fitted in free turning toward a direction of A with a pin 19 as a center. By making the filter 18 turn in a direction of A, either an infrared ray or a high beam is to be irradiated in switchover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicular night-vision device capable of confirming a state ahead of a vehicle using infrared light, and a vehicular lamp used for the night-vision device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the light distribution of a vehicle headlight used during traveling at night or the like is usually performed by illuminating the road surface with a low beam in consideration of dazzling oncoming vehicles, and from low beam to high beam when you want to see far away. Switching is performed. In this case, when the oncoming vehicle approaches again, switching from the high beam to the low beam must be performed, and such a beam switching is very troublesome.
[0003]
In order to solve this drawback, a far-infrared ray arriving from a distant place is captured by an infrared camera, and this is displayed as an image, so that the distant situation can be confirmed without switching the headlamp to the high beam. Night vision devices have been considered.
[0004]
However, infrared cameras that capture far-infrared rays have been developed for military use and are very expensive. Further, an image obtained by capturing far-infrared rays is not very clear, and is not enough to visually recognize the front of the vehicle.
[0005]
Therefore, a light source for infrared light that emits infrared light is mounted on the vehicle, and the light source for infrared light irradiates infrared light to the front of the vehicle and receives the reflected light. Night vision devices have been proposed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional night vision apparatus for a vehicle, a light source for infrared light must be newly provided, so that the number of parts is increased, the number of steps for mounting the light source for infrared light is increased, and cost is increased. It becomes a factor.
[0007]
Further, in the conventional night vision apparatus for a vehicle, since the light source for infrared light is mounted at the center of the front grill or beside the headlight, the appearance of the front part of the vehicle is deteriorated, which is not preferable in design.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle night vision device that can use an existing headlight as a light source for infrared light, and a vehicle lamp used for the night vision device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a light source that emits light from at least the visible region to the infrared region, and among the light emitted from the light source, transmits infrared light and blocks visible light. A filter, a photographing means for receiving reflected light of the infrared light when the infrared light transmitted through the filter is applied to the front of the vehicle, and photographing the front of the vehicle; and displaying a result of the photographing by the photographing means. A night vision device for a vehicle comprising a display unit, wherein the light source and the filter are housed in a single lamp unit, the filter is movably provided, and the filter is moved, whereby the lamp unit is moved. Is switched from infrared light to high beam or from high beam to infrared light.
[0010]
According to the above configuration, when the filter is moved, the light from the light source is switched from the infrared light to the high beam or from the high beam to the infrared light and emitted, and the light source for the high beam can be used as the light source for the infrared light. You are using it. As a result, it is not necessary to newly provide a light source for infrared light, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and to prevent a problem that the appearance of the front part of the vehicle is deteriorated.
[0011]
To move the filter, the present invention provides a solenoid or leveler.
[0012]
Further, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is a light source that emits light from at least a visible region to an infrared region, and a filter that transmits infrared light out of the light emitted from the light source and blocks visible light. Are housed in one lamp unit, and the filter is movably provided, and by moving the filter, light emitted from the lamp unit is changed from infrared light to high beam, or from high beam to infrared light. It is characterized by being switchable.
[0013]
The vehicular lamp is used for the vehicular night vision device having the above-described configuration. This vehicle lamp is also provided with a solenoid or a leveler for moving the filter.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows an outline of a vehicle 1 equipped with a night vision device for a vehicle according to the present invention. The vehicle 1 is provided with headlights 2, 2 on the front left and right sides. The headlights 2, 2 are a high beam light source 3 arranged near the vehicle outside and a low beam light source arranged near the center of the vehicle. 4 respectively.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a commercially available camera (CCD camera) 5 is installed as a photographing means in a rear-view mirror portion in front of a driver's seat inside the vehicle. A controller 6 is provided inside the vehicle. The controller 6 receives a vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor 7 and a steering angle signal from a steering angle sensor 8 as shown in FIG. A signal is input.
[0016]
The controller 6 has an image processing unit 9, which processes an image signal from the camera 5 and outputs the processed image signal to a display 10 as display means installed in front of a driver's seat inside the vehicle. Displays an image captured by the camera 5. Further, the controller 6 outputs a warning signal to the speaker 11 and the indicator 12 as appropriate.
[0017]
Note that the direction of the camera 5 can be changed. In addition, if the notification means such as the speaker 11 and the indicator 12 is used, for example, it is possible to notify that a person is present in front of the vehicle, so that it is possible to reduce the burden of the driver having to look at the display 10 and confirm. .
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high beam light source 3. The high beam light source 3 is of a projector type, and includes a reflector 12, a halogen lamp 13, a housing 14, and a light projecting lens 15. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the high beam light source 3. The reflector 12 is provided at the center of a circular member 12B having four ears 12A, and has a cup shape. The halogen lamp 13 is mounted on the cup-shaped bottom of the reflector 12. The housing 14 has a cylindrical shape, and is provided on one side with a flange portion 14B having ear portions 14A at four locations. A clip 16 is attached to the ear 12A of the circular member 12B and the ear 14A of the housing 14, whereby the reflector 12 and the housing 14 are connected to each other. The light projecting lens 15 has a hemispherical shape, and the light projecting lens 15 is fixed to the other side of the housing 14 by a ring member 17.
[0019]
Further, the high beam light source 3 is provided with a filter 18 in the housing 14 as shown in FIG. The filter 18 is provided on the housing 14 so as to be rotatable about a fixed pin 19 in the direction of arrow A. When the filter 18 is at a position shown by a solid line in the drawing, it blocks visible light from the halogen lamp 13. When it is at the position shown by the dashed line, the visible light from the halogen lamp 13 is passed. In FIG. 6, the filter 18 and the pin 19 are omitted.
[0020]
Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 18, the halogen lamp 13 has illumination characteristics Q1 having a relatively high relative sensitivity over a wavelength region from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region, and illumination light from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region. Is emitted. The camera 5 has a light receiving characteristic Q2 having a relatively high relative sensitivity over a wavelength region from a visible light region to an infrared region. On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the filter 18 has a transmission characteristic Q3 that transmits light in the infrared region but does not transmit (blocks) light in the ultraviolet region and the visible light region.
[0021]
In the high-beam light source 3 having the above-described configuration, when the filter 18 is located at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Light is emitted, but light from the ultraviolet region to the visible light region is blocked by the filter 18 and is not emitted to the front of the vehicle. Therefore, even if there is an oncoming vehicle, it does not dazzle the oncoming vehicle. In this case, the high beam light source 3 is used as a light source for infrared light.
[0022]
On the other hand, when the filter 18 is at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the illumination light from the halogen lamp 13 is reflected by the reflector 12 and then emitted forward of the vehicle. In this case, the high-beam light source 3 is used as a high-beam light source, which is an intended use.
[0023]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the light source 3 for high beam also serves as the light source for infrared light, and it is not necessary to newly provide a light source for infrared light as in the related art. And the appearance of the front part of the vehicle does not deteriorate.
[0024]
FIG. 5 shows a modification of the high beam light source 3 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the high beam light source 3. The light distribution control shade 20 is provided between the reflector 12 and the housing 14 in the high beam light source 3 in this modification. That is, with the circular light distribution control shade 20 inserted between the circular member 12B forming a part of the reflector 12 and the flange portion 14B of the housing 14, the reflector 12 and the housing 14 are connected by the clip 16. Are linked.
[0025]
The light distribution control shade 20 has a through-hole 20A formed in the center thereof, and the filter 18 is arranged to face the through-hole 20A. The filter 18 is provided rotatably in the direction of arrow A about the pin 19 as in the case of FIG. 4, and blocks the visible light from the halogen lamp 13 when it is at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. When it is at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the visible light from the halogen lamp 13 is transmitted.
[0026]
FIG. 8 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7, and shows a case where the filter 18 is at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the filter 18 is formed larger than the through-hole 20A, and when the filter 18 is located at a position facing the through-hole 20A, the filter 18 can shield the entire through-hole 20A.
[0027]
Also in the case of this modified example, when the filter 18 is at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5, the illumination light from the halogen lamp 13 is transmitted in the infrared wavelength range through the filter 18 and emitted toward the front of the vehicle. Light in the wavelength region from the ultraviolet region to the visible light region is blocked by the filter 18 and cannot reach the front of the vehicle. Therefore, in this case, the high beam light source 3 is used as a light source for infrared light.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the filter 18 is at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. You. In this case, the high-beam light source 3 is used as a high-beam light source, which is an intended use.
[0029]
Next, a drive mechanism for rotating the filter 18 in the direction A (see FIGS. 4 and 5) will be described. Here, a high beam light source provided with a light distribution control shade (that is, the high beam light source shown in FIG. 5) will be described as an example, but a high beam light source not provided with a light distribution control shade (ie, FIG. The same applies to the case of the illustrated high beam light source).
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 9, a solenoid 22 is attached to a circular member 12 </ b> B of the reflector 12 via a bracket 21. A hole 12C is formed in the circular member 12A, and an advance / retreat rod 22A of the solenoid 22 is inserted into the hole 12C. Although not shown in the drawing, a hole is formed in the flange portion 14B (see FIG. 7) of the housing 14 and the light distribution control shade 20 for the advance / retreat rod 22A to pass therethrough.
[0031]
A mounting member 23 having a U-shaped horizontal cross section is provided in the housing 14, and the mounting member 23 is swingably mounted on an inner peripheral wall of the housing 14 by a pin 19. The filter 18 is fixed to the central flat portion of the mounting member 23. One end of a link member 24 is attached to a side end of the attachment member 23, and the other end of the link member is connected to a tip of a rod 22 </ b> A of the solenoid 22.
[0032]
In the above configuration, when no current is flowing through the solenoid 22, as shown in FIG. 9, the advance / retreat rod 22A of the solenoid 22 is urged by a built-in spring (not shown) and retracts into the solenoid 22, whereby The upper portion of the mounting member 23 is pulled up by the reciprocating rod 22A via the link member 24 and rises, and the filter 18 is located in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the halogen lamp 13. In this case, in FIG. 5, the filter 18 is at the position shown by the solid line, and the high beam light source 3 is used as a light source for infrared light.
[0033]
When an electric current is applied to the solenoid 22, the advancing / retracting rod 22A of the solenoid 22 advances out of the solenoid 22 against the biasing force of the built-in spring as shown in FIG. The filter 18 is pushed by the advancing / retreating rod 22 </ b> A via 24, rotates about the pin 19, and the filter 18 is retracted from the axis of the halogen lamp 13. In this case, in FIG. 5, the filter 18 is located at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the high beam light source 3 is used as a high beam light source.
[0034]
As a driving mechanism for rotating the filter 18, a leveler 25 can be used instead of the solenoid 22 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. That is, the leveler 25 is attached to the side surface of the reflector 12, and the reciprocating rod 25A of the leveler 25 is inserted into the hole 12C formed in the circular member 12A. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0035]
When the reciprocating rod 25A of the leveler 25 is retracted into the leveler 25 as shown in FIG. 11, the filter 18 is located in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the halogen lamp 13, and the high-beam light source 3 emits infrared light. Function as a light source for
[0036]
When the reciprocating rod 25A of the leveler 25 is advanced from the inside of the leveler 25 as shown in FIG. 12, the filter 18 is retracted from the axis of the halogen lamp 13, and the high beam light source 3 functions as a high beam light source. are doing.
[0037]
According to the present embodiment, since the filter 18 is driven to rotate by the solenoid 22 or the leveler 25, it is possible to quickly switch between the light source for infrared light and the light source for high beam.
[0038]
(Embodiment 2)
13 to 15 show the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, a projector type high beam light source is used. In the present embodiment, a reflector type high beam light source is used as an example.
[0039]
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a reflector type high beam light source 30. In this high beam light source 30, a reflector 32 is provided in a housing 31 whose one side is open, and a halogen lamp 33 is mounted through a hole 32A formed substantially in the center of the reflector 32. A light projecting lens 34 is provided at an open end of the housing 31.
[0040]
The periphery of the halogen lamp 33 is covered with a filter 35. As shown in FIG. 15, the filter 35 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is disposed such that the bottom portion faces the tip side of the halogen lamp 33. An opening 35A is provided in an upper portion on the open end side of the filter 35, and the periphery of the hole 32A of the reflector 32 enters the opening 35A. The filter 35 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate along the axis of the halogen lamp 33.
[0041]
A solenoid 36 is provided in the housing 31. A stay 36B formed at a lower portion of the filter 35 on the open end side is connected to an advance / retreat rod 36A (see FIG. 14) of the solenoid 36.
[0042]
Note that, like the filter 18 in the first embodiment, the filter 35 has a transmission characteristic of transmitting light in the infrared region but not transmitting (blocking) light in the ultraviolet region and the visible light region.
[0043]
In the above configuration, when no current is flowing through the solenoid 36, as shown in FIG. 13, the advance / retreat rod 36A of the solenoid 36 is urged by a built-in spring (not shown) and retracts into the solenoid 36. As a result, the filter 35 is pulled by the advance / retreat rod 36A via the stay 35B, and the opening 36A is closed by the reflector 32. When the opening 36A is closed, the periphery of the halogen lamp 33 is completely covered with the filter 35, and the infrared light of the illumination light emitted from the halogen lamp 33 passes through the filter 35 and passes through the filter 35. Although the light is emitted to the front, the visible light is blocked by the filter 35 and is not emitted to the vehicle front. At this time, the high beam light source 30 is used as a light source for infrared light.
[0044]
When an electric current is applied to the solenoid 36, the rod 36A of the solenoid 36 advances out of the solenoid 36 against the biasing force of the built-in spring as shown in FIG. 14, whereby the filter 35 is pushed and moves forward. Therefore, the opening 35A is opened. When the opening 35A is opened, the illumination light emitted from the halogen lamp 33 passes through the opening 35A, is reflected by the reflector 32, and is emitted to the front of the vehicle. At this time, the high beam light source 30 is used as a high beam light source.
[0045]
According to the present embodiment, since the filter 35 is reciprocated by the solenoid 22, it is possible to quickly switch between the light source for infrared light and the light source for high beam.
[0046]
(Embodiment 3)
16 and 17 show the third embodiment. This embodiment also exemplifies a reflector type high beam light source as in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, a light distribution control shade 40 is provided in front of the halogen lamp 33, and a filter 41 is installed in the light distribution control shade 40.
[0047]
The light distribution control shade 40 has a substantially cup shape, and an opening 40A is formed on the upper surface thereof. This opening 40A is formed in the upper part on the open end side of the light distribution control shade 40, similarly to the opening 35A shown in FIG. The filter 41 has a cylindrical shape with a short axial length, surrounds the periphery of the halogen lamp 33, and is provided so as to be able to reciprocate along the axial direction of the halogen lamp 33. A stay 42 having an L-shaped cross section is attached to the outer bottom surface of the filter 41, and the stay 42 is connected to the tip of an advance / retreat rod 36 </ b> A of the solenoid 36.
[0048]
Note that, like the filter 18 in the first embodiment, the filter 41 has a transmission characteristic of transmitting light in the infrared region but not transmitting (shielding) light in the ultraviolet region and the visible light region.
[0049]
In the above configuration, when no current is flowing through the solenoid 36, as shown in FIG. 16, the reciprocating rod 36A of the solenoid 36 is urged by a built-in spring (not shown) and retreats into the solenoid 36. Accordingly, the filter 41 is pulled by the advance / retreat rod 36A via the stay 42, and closes the opening 40A of the light distribution control shade 40. When the opening 40A is closed, of the illumination light emitted from the halogen lamp 33, the infrared light passes through the filter 40, reaches the reflector 32 through the opening 40A, is further reflected by the reflector 32, and Part is irradiated. On the other hand, in a state where the opening 40A is closed by the filter 41, the visible light is blocked by the filter 41 and is not emitted to the front part of the vehicle. At this time, the high beam light source 30 is used as a light source for infrared light.
[0050]
When an electric current is applied to the solenoid 36, the rod 36A of the solenoid 36 advances out of the solenoid 36 against the biasing force of the built-in spring as shown in FIG. 17, whereby the filter 41 is pushed and moves forward. Therefore, the opening 40A of the light distribution control shade 40 is opened. When the opening 40A is opened, the illumination light emitted from the halogen lamp 33 passes through the opening 40A, is further reflected by the reflector 32, and is emitted to the front part of the vehicle. At this time, the high beam light source 30 is used as a high beam light source.
[0051]
According to the present embodiment, since the filter 41 is reciprocated by the solenoid 22, it is possible to quickly switch between the light source for infrared light and the light source for high beam.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since an existing headlight can be used as a light source for infrared light, it is not necessary to newly provide a light source for infrared light, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. And the appearance of the front part of the vehicle does not deteriorate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle night vision device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle night vision device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle night vision device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high beam light source according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the high beam light source of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the high beam light source shown in FIG.
7 is an exploded perspective view of the high beam light source shown in FIG.
8 is a view as viewed in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a filter is rotated by a solenoid, and functions as a light source for infrared light.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of an example in which a filter is rotated by a solenoid, when the filter functions as a high-beam light source.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an example in which a filter is rotated by a leveler, when the filter functions as a light source for infrared light.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a filter is rotated by a leveler, when the filter functions as a high-beam light source.
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the high-beam light source according to the second embodiment and is an explanatory diagram when functioning as a light source for infrared light.
14 is an explanatory view of a vertical section of the high beam light source shown in FIG. 13 when functioning as a high beam light source.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a filter.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a vertical section of the high-beam light source according to the third embodiment when functioning as a light source for infrared light.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view in a longitudinal section of the high beam light source shown in FIG. 16 when functioning as a high beam light source.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing illumination characteristics of a halogen lamp, light receiving characteristics of a camera, and transmission characteristics of a filter.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Headlight 3, 30 High beam light source 4 Low beam light source 5 Camera 12, 32 Reflector 13, 33 Halogen lamp 18, 35, 41 Filter 20, 40 Light distribution control shade 22, 36 Solenoid 23 Mounting member 24 Link member 25 Leveler

Claims (4)

A light source that emits light from at least the visible region to the infrared region, a filter that transmits infrared light out of the light emitted from the light source and blocks visible light, and an infrared light that has passed through the filter is A vehicle night-vision apparatus comprising: a photographing unit that receives reflected light of the infrared light when the vehicle is irradiated in front of the vehicle and captures an image of the front of the vehicle; and a display unit that displays a result captured by the photographing unit. So,
While accommodating the light source and the filter in one lamp unit, the filter is movably provided, and by moving the filter, light emitted from the lamp unit is converted from infrared light to a high beam, or from a high beam. A night vision device for a vehicle, wherein the device is switched to infrared light. The night vision device for a vehicle according to claim 1,
A night vision apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a solenoid or a leveler for moving the filter. A light source that emits light from at least the visible region to the infrared region, and among the light emitted from the light source, a filter that transmits infrared light and blocks visible light is housed in one lamp unit, And the filter is movably provided, and by moving the filter, light emitted from the lamp unit is switched from infrared light to high beam or from high beam to infrared light. . The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,
A vehicle lamp comprising a solenoid or a leveler for moving the filter.

Images