JP2007050712A - Monitoring device for surrounding area of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring device with a camera capable of reducing operating burdens on a driver and precluding occurrence of an accident such as of a motorcycle trapped by a turning vehicle and also securing safe running without causing a drop in visibility due to misoperation or confusion. <P>SOLUTION: The monitoring device for the surrounding area of a vehicle is equipped with a camera installed on the fender over each front wheel tire of the vehicle and an obstacle sensing device installed inside each frame for door mirror, in such an arrangement that the obstacle sensing device is actuated simultaneously when the image from a side camera actuated interlocking with a direction indicator of the vehicle is displayed on the monitor of a car navigation device, and further with an alarm device to emit an alarm sound when obstacle is sensed, in which combination of a motor installed under a license plate on the front face of the vehicle and able to generate head swinging to the left and right with a front camera enables the front camera to make head swinging from inside the cabin with the aid of a head swinging angle adjusting device, and also it is practicable to display an image with the photographing range of the front camera widened on the monitor of the car navigation device, and further the arrangement includes a vehicle speed sensor relay arranged to put off the operation of the front camera when the vehicle speed becomes a certain value or more. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle periphery monitoring device, and more particularly to a driving assistance device that projects an image captured by a monitoring camera on a monitor display of a commercially available car navigation system and informs the driver of the danger by using an image of an obstacle detection device.

The conventional vehicle periphery monitoring device images a front camera that captures the front and left and right periphery of the vehicle with a camera fixed to the front grille, a side camera that captures the periphery of the left and right front wheel tires, and the periphery of the rear of the vehicle. It consists of a back camera.
Furthermore, the distance between the vehicle in front of the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is measured, and if the distance between the vehicles according to the speed is exceeded, the driver is notified of the danger by an alarm. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
JP 2003-146133 A

The conventional vehicle periphery monitoring device described above needs to properly press the camera request switches for a plurality of images installed on the steering wheel, which causes an excessive burden on the driver and the position of the switch when the steering wheel is turned. If you make a left or right turn on a narrow road, the driver's operation burden will be excessive, resulting in decreased visibility due to operational mistakes and confusion, and increased accidents involving motorcycles and contact with obstacles In particular, elderly drivers tend to be confused and have poor visibility.

In addition, this system can only be installed on a limited number of vehicles of a specific company, and it is necessary to properly press the camera request switch required by the driver. When the request switch is turned on, it must be turned off. The operation of the device cannot be stopped without pressing. In the case of the front camera, unless the OFF switch is pressed, the image of the front camera will be displayed on the monitor display every time the vehicle speed drops below 6 km / hour, which may cause the driver to lose concentration and cause confusion. There is a hindrance to safe driving.

Furthermore, because the front camera is fixed, if you try to make a turn on a T-shaped road, you will not see an image of the road conditions that the driver needs unless you turn the vehicle 90 degrees to the road. There was a drawback that the range narrowed.

Next, a millimeter-wave radar is transmitted in front of the vehicle to measure the distance between the vehicle in front of the vehicle and according to the speed. Since it is directly fixed to the front grille, the ultrasonic waves are diffused and propagated without reaching straight in front of the vehicle.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a side camera attached to a fender on the upper part of a front tire on both sides of the vehicle by operating in conjunction with a direction indicator of the vehicle, and a door mirror on both sides of the vehicle. Simultaneously with the navigation device in which the obstacle detection device mounted inside the frame is activated, the video captured by the side camera is converted into a video output by the video converter and displayed on the monitor display through the video synthesizer. The millimeter wave radar generated from the obstacle detection device transmits to the rear side of the vehicle, and when an obstacle is detected in the rear side area of the vehicle, a warning device that generates a warning sound and a switch are turned on to turn on the front of the vehicle. The front camera attached to the bottom of the license plate converts the captured video into video output using the video converter. A vehicle periphery monitoring device provided with a vehicle speed sensor relay with a self-holding circuit that passes through the video synthesizer and is displayed on the monitor display of the navigation device and turns off the operation of the front camera when the vehicle speed exceeds 10 km / hour. It is.

The front camera is attached to the lower end of a T-shaped stem having attachment pieces that can be attached to two holes formed in the number plate attachment portion on the front surface of the vehicle using a fastener such as a bolt. The angle adjusting device that can be operated from the vehicle interior may be attached via a neck swing motor that can be driven in the left-right direction within a range of about 30 degrees. This makes it possible for the front camera to be attached to all vehicle license plates with two mounting bolts using a T-shaped dedicated stem, and a deformed T-shaped road or a road that is bent other than 90 degrees. However, the direction angle of the front camera can be adjusted with the angle adjustment device in the vehicle compartment, and the video of the road conditions necessary for the driver can be projected, and driving assistance can be realized.

The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to the present invention can be attached to all vehicles by using a T-shaped dedicated steering wheel, and when a direction indicator is released without any burden on the driver, a vehicle rear navigation image is displayed. When the obstacle detection device attached to the inside of the vehicle door mirror frame is activated and detects an obstacle in the area, a warning sound is sent to the driver to notify the driver, such as a motorcycle. It also serves as an effective driving assist in preventing accidents and changing lanes on the road.
Moreover, since the front camera and the side camera are provided, the viewing angle is wider than that of the conventional door reflector, and the portion which has been the blind spot of the vehicle can be confirmed so far, thereby improving the safety of the vehicle. This is a driving assistance device that is especially effective for trucks and prevents driver confusion, reduced concentration, and prevention of accidents. It is generated from an obstacle detection device by a conical guide wall formed inside the door mirror frame. By focusing ultrasonic waves in the target area, it has become possible to detect obstacles that have been difficult to detect, especially for improved detection of motorcycles and rainy weather.

In addition, when the front camera connection switch is turned on, if the vehicle speed exceeds 10 km / hour, it will be judged that the danger has been avoided and the power of the self-holding circuit will be automatically cut off. This reduces the risk of driver confusion and reduced concentration.

The front camera can be attached to the license plates of all vehicles with two mounting bolts using a special T-shaped stem, and the direction angle of the front camera can be adjusted with the angle adjustment device in the vehicle compartment. It is possible to display images of the necessary road conditions of the driver, so that it is possible to accurately obtain the images of the necessary road conditions even on deformed T-shaped roads and roads that are bent at angles other than 90 degrees. Reduction and safe driving.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings as examples. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of attaching a front camera, a side camera, a back camera, and an obstacle detection device to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an attachment diagram of the front camera according to the embodiment, and FIG. The wiring diagram of a camera and an obstacle detection device is shown. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the side cameras 3 and 4 attached to the upper fenders of the front tires on both sides of the vehicle 17 and the obstacles attached to the inside of the frame for the door mirror of the vehicle 17. The detection devices 20 and 21 are connected to the power sources 9 and 10 via the transformer 5 by electric wires so as to operate in conjunction with the direction indicator switch lever at the bottom of the handle of the vehicle 17. Then, the images taken by the side cameras 3 and 4 are converted into video output by a video converter, passed through the video synthesizer 6 and connected so as to be displayed on the monitor display 7 of the navigation device.
On the other hand, the obstacle detection devices 20 and 21 are connected to an alarm device receiving unit 25 that generates a warning sound when an obstacle is detected in the area.

The side cameras 3 and 4 that can be used in the present invention are cameras equipped with a small size, waterproof, color photographing conditions, etc., which are mounted on a back camera of a normal vehicle. For example, Toyota genuine part number 08634-00120 etc. When using this, be sure to use a transformer that transforms the voltage from 12V to 6V.
If a camera other than that is used, the voltage may be changed to match the camera. The fender is attached and fixed to the fender using an attachment fitting or the like. In addition, the navigation device 27 that projects an image on the monitor display 7 has a condition of an external input function (back camera image input) such as catching radio waves from a satellite to notify the current location of the vehicle. There are navigation devices such as Pioneer, Panasonic, Fujitsu, etc., and the back signal input line 28 for the navigation device 27 (back) is used to automatically display the image of the vehicle periphery monitoring camera of the present invention on the monitor display 7. When a voltage is applied to the back signal input line 28 forcibly to the lamp lead wire, the navigation screen automatically switches to the external camera video input screen. When the switch is turned on, current flows forcibly and the screen automatically switches. It becomes so that. Further, in order to prevent the backflow of current, it is possible to prevent the backflow of current by incorporating a 4-pole terminal magnet switch relay 26 between the back signal input line 28 and each camera operation switch as shown in 26 of FIG. it can. For example, if the four-pole terminal magnet switch relay 26 is not incorporated, a reverse current flows and all the cameras operate.

The (video +, video-) output from the side camera attached to the vehicle fender is converted into a video output (RCA terminal) by the video converter, and is input to the external input of the navigation device through the video synthesizer 6. It is good to connect.
Obstacle detection devices 20 and 21 and alarm device receiving unit 25 mounted inside the door mirror frame on both sides transmit millimeter wave radar to the rear side of the vehicle and detect ultrasonic waves that bounce off the obstacles in the area. Then, an alarm device is activated and a device is provided with conditions such as a violent alarm sounding when the bounce time is short and a gentle alarm sounding when the bounce time is long. For example, Honda genuine part numbers 36700-SFE-013 and 36802-SFE-023 can be used in combination. Obstacle detection devices 20 and 21 (Honda genuine part number 36802-SFE-023) can naturally cover a wide range by increasing the number of attachments. Obstacle detection devices 20 and 21 are door mirrors of the vehicle 17. Remove the reflecting mirror and the motor that adjusts the angle of the reflecting mirror. (Do not remove the door mirror retracting motor.) The obstacle detection device 20 is embedded in the door mirror frame and processed with bolts. Then, a millimeter wave radar is transmitted to the rear side of the vehicle to adjust and fix the angle so that an obstacle can be detected in the area. For example, when the obstacle detection device 20 is arranged without forming a conical guide wall inside the door mirror frame, the ultrasonic waves generated from the obstacle detection device are diffused to detect and detect the obstacle in the target area. Therefore, it is preferable to form a conical guide wall inside the door mirror frame, in which a megaphone-shaped guide wall is formed inside the door mirror frame of the vehicle and the principle of the speaker is applied. . Note that the size and shape of the door mirror frame of the vehicle differ depending on the company and the vehicle type. If the obstacle detection device 20 cannot be embedded and processed in the door mirror frame, It is preferable to form a door mirror type frame body by using a material such as a Platc FRP used for a bumper or the like or a putty used for sheet metal repair of a vehicle, and embed and process the obstacle detection device 20 inside the frame body. . However, it must be in conformity with the vehicle inspection and size, specifications, etc. determined by law. In addition, it is possible to concentrate the ultrasonic wave in the target area by enlarging the conical guide wall, and it is natural that obstacle detection can be performed more accurately. It becomes detectable.
Furthermore, a reflector that is smaller than normal may be arranged in a place that does not hinder ultrasonic transmission so that the rear side of the vehicle side can be confirmed even when the side cameras 3 and 4 break down.

The front camera 1 attached to the lower part of the license plate 18 on the front surface of the vehicle 17 is operated by turning on the switch 8 by manual operation, and the photographed video is displayed on the monitor display 7 of the navigation device. Is converted into a video output by the video converter and projected through the video synthesizer 6. When the vehicle speed pulse connecting portion 23 of the front camera 1 transmits a speed of 10 km / hour or more to the vehicle speed sensor relay 22, the power of the magnet switch of the self-holding circuit for turning off the operation of the camera 1 is cut off and the speed of 10 km / hour is again turned on. The front camera 1 cannot be restored unless the manual switch 8 is turned on. The front camera 1 that can be used in the present invention is a compact, waterproof, and equipped with the condition that color photography can be performed evenly from right to left from the center of the front of the vehicle. If there are 86790-28100, 86790-28130, etc., use a transformer that transforms the voltage from 12V to 6V.
The (video +, video-) output from the front camera 1 is converted into a video output (RCA terminal) by the video converter, and the video is displayed on the monitor display 7 of the navigation device through the video synthesizer 6.

Note that when the front camera 1 or the two cameras of the back camera 2 and the side cameras 3 and 4 are operated simultaneously, the video synthesizer 6 distinguishes the two videos and displays them on the monitor display 7. For example, the image when the direction indicator is raised to one side and back is divided into two equal parts from the center of the monitor display 7, the image of the back camera 2 is projected on the upper level, and the image of the side camera 3 is displayed on the lower level. On the contrary, when the direction indicator is raised and the connection switch 8 of the front camera 1 is pushed, the image of the front camera 1 is displayed on the upper stage and the image of the side camera 4 is displayed on the lower stage.

The front camera 1 has a lower end of a T-shaped stem 15 having attachment pieces that can be attached to two holes 24 formed in the attachment portion of the license plate 18 on the front surface of the vehicle 17 using fasteners such as bolts 19. It is attached to the section via a swing motor 16 that can be driven in the left-right direction within a range of about 30 degrees by an angle adjusting device 12 that can be operated from within the vehicle 17. The T-shaped dedicated bracket 15 for mounting the front camera 1 has two holes 24 at positions r equal to the two holes 24 of the number plate 18 mounting bolts 19, and the number plate 18 has a height h. If the length and the length that can attach the camera 1 and the swing motor 16 can be installed, it can be used for license plates of overseas cars. Further, the swing motor 16 that rotates 30 degrees to the left and right and the front camera 1 are attached, and the swing motor 16 and the front camera angle adjustment device 12 in the vehicle compartment are connected to each other, and the power source for moving the front camera 1 and the swing motor 16 is connected to the vehicle. Connected to the ACC power supply.

The T-shaped step 15 that can be used in the present invention is a steel plate having a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm that is not easily deformed and does not corrode. Specifically, a stainless steel plate or the like is preferably used. . The swing motor 16 is a combination of a small waterproof speed reducer motor and a plurality of gears, and has a condition that the head can swing evenly from side to side. Swing and swing a negative current to the left. Swap left and right by switching between plus and minus. When it rotates to the left or right, it has a limit switch to prevent the motor from burning. The front camera angle adjusting device 12 in FIG. 4 is attached to a position where the driver can operate in the vehicle interior, and the adjustment angle 13 of the front camera angle adjusting device 12 is turned to adjust the swing angle of the front camera 1. When you release your hand, the spring automatically returns to the 0 position and no current flows, and the swing angle of the front camera 1 flows as much as the dial 13 is turned and the front camera 1 swings. The image of the front camera 1 required by the user can be adjusted while looking at the monitor display 7, and when the 0 degree position origin return button switch 30 is pressed, the direction of the front camera 1 can be returned to the 0 degree position.

Front camera, side camera, back camera, mounting diagram of obstacle detection / warning device, vehicle shooting image diagram, millimeter wave radar transmission image diagram for vehicle as an embodiment of the present invention Front camera mounting diagram as an example Wiring diagram of various cameras and area sensors as examples Explanatory drawing of the angle adjustment apparatus which becomes an Example

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front camera 2 Back camera 3 Driver side camera 4 Passenger side camera 5 Voltage transformer 6 Image synthesizer 7 Monitor display 7 of commercially available car navigation system
8 Front camera 12V power supply and switch 9 Power supply from right turn direction indicator 10 Power supply from left turn direction indicator 11 Power supply from back lamp 12 Front camera angle adjustment device 13 Angle adjustment dial 14 Front bumper 15 T-shaped exclusive use Step 16 Swing motor 17 Vehicle 18 Number plate 19 Mounting bolt 20 Obstacle detection warning device on driver's seat 21 Obstacle detection warning device on passenger's side 22 Vehicle speed sensor relay with self-holding circuit 23 Vehicle speed pulse connection portion 24 Mounting hole 25 Alarm device reception unit 26 4-pole terminal magnet switch relay 27 Commercially available car navigation device body 28 Back signal input (back lamp lead wire)
Connected to 29 28 (car navigation device back signal input)
30 Front camera 0 degree position origin return button switch

Claims (3)

By installing the direction indicator of the vehicle, the side camera attached to the upper fenders of the front tires on both sides of the vehicle, the reflectors of the door mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, and the interior of the door mirror frame are removed. The obstacle detection device operates, and the image captured by the side camera is converted into a video output by the video converter, and the obstacle detection device is simultaneously displayed on the monitor display through the video synthesizer. When it is activated, a millimeter wave radar is transmitted to the rear side of the vehicle to detect a motorcycle or an obstacle in the rear side of the vehicle, and a warning device that generates a warning sound and a switch is turned on to turn on the license plate on the front of the vehicle. The video taken by the front camera attached to the lower part is converted into video output by the video converter, A vehicle speed sensor relay that cuts off the power of the self-holding circuit that is displayed on the monitor display of the navigation device through the image synthesizer and turns off the operation of the front camera when the vehicle speed exceeds 10 km / hour. A vehicle periphery monitoring device characterized by the above. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the front camera is attached to a lower end portion of a T-shaped stem having attachment pieces that can be attached to two holes formed in a license plate attachment portion on the front surface of the vehicle. A vehicle periphery monitoring device, which is attached via a swing motor that can be driven in the left-right direction by an angle adjusting device operable from within the vehicle. 2. The vehicle periphery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein a conical guide wall is formed inside the door mirror frame on both sides of the vehicle, and the ultrasonic waves are concentrated on a target area so that the ultrasonic waves do not diffuse. Vehicle periphery monitoring device.

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