JP2011027490A - Raindrop detecting device - Google Patents

Raindrop detecting device Download PDF

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JP2011027490A
JP2011027490A JP2009171911A JP2009171911A JP2011027490A JP 2011027490 A JP2011027490 A JP 2011027490A JP 2009171911 A JP2009171911 A JP 2009171911A JP 2009171911 A JP2009171911 A JP 2009171911A JP 2011027490 A JP2011027490 A JP 2011027490A
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light
mirror
side lens
windshield
lens surface
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JP2009171911A
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JP5400511B2 (en
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Takayuki Miyahara
孝行 宮原
Takuya Shinpo
卓也 新保
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Nikon Corp
Denso Corp
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Nikon Corp
Denso Corp
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized raindrop detecting device using an image recognition method. <P>SOLUTION: The raindrop detecting device includes: a light source 16 optically coupled to an inner surface 30 of a windshield 28 to cause light to exit toward an outer surface 32 of the windshield; a prism 10 provided with an incident-side lens surface 12 for turning the light exiting from the light source into parallel light and an exit-side lens surface 14 for condensing light reflected by the outer surface of the windshield; a mirror 18 reflecting light caused to exit from the exit-side lens surface; an imaging element 22 for imaging light reflected by the mirror; and an image focusing system lens 24 provided between the mirror and the imaging element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、雨滴検出装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a raindrop detection apparatus.

車両のウインドシールドに付着した雨滴等の異物を検出する異物検出装置が知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。この異物検出装置においては、ウインドシールドの外面において反射された光を撮影レンズにより集光した後に反射面において反射し、撮像素子の受光部において受光する。   A foreign object detection device that detects foreign objects such as raindrops adhering to a windshield of a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this foreign object detection device, the light reflected on the outer surface of the windshield is collected by the photographing lens, then reflected by the reflecting surface, and received by the light receiving portion of the image sensor.

特開２００３−３１５２５６号公報JP 2003-315256 A

しかし、この異物検出装置においては、ウインドシールドの外面において反射された光を一旦撮影レンズにより集光させた後に反射面において反射するため十分に小型化を図ることができなかった。   However, in this foreign object detection device, since the light reflected on the outer surface of the windshield is once condensed by the photographing lens and then reflected on the reflecting surface, it cannot be sufficiently reduced in size.

本発明の目的は、画像の認識方式を用いた小型の雨滴検出装置を提供することである。   An object of the present invention is to provide a small raindrop detection apparatus using an image recognition method.

本発明の雨滴検出装置は、ウインドシールドの内面に光学的に結合され、前記ウインドシールドの外面に向かって光を出射する光源と、前記光源から出射された光を平行光とする入射側レンズ面と前記ウインドシールドの外面において反射された光を集光する出射側レンズ面とが設けられたプリズムと、前記出射側レンズ面から射出された光を反射するミラーと、前記ミラーにより反射された光を撮像する撮像素子と、前記ミラーと前記撮像素子との間に設けられた結像系レンズとを備えることを特徴とする。   The raindrop detection device of the present invention is optically coupled to the inner surface of the windshield, emits light toward the outer surface of the windshield, and an incident side lens surface that collimates the light emitted from the light source. And a prism provided with an exit side lens surface for collecting the light reflected on the outer surface of the windshield, a mirror for reflecting the light emitted from the exit side lens surface, and the light reflected by the mirror And an imaging system lens provided between the mirror and the imaging device.

本発明によれば、画像の認識方式を用いた雨滴検出装置の小型化を実現することができる。   According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of a raindrop detection apparatus using an image recognition method.

本発明の実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the raindrop detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の他の実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the raindrop detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 本発明の他の実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the raindrop detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置について説明する。図１は、実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置の断面図である。雨滴検出装置２は、本体４とカバー６からなる筐体８を備えている。本体４には、ポリカーボネート等により構成され後述する光源１６により出射された光を透過するプリズム１０が一体形成されている。また、プリズム１０には凸形状を有し入射した光を平行光とする入射側レンズ面（入射側レンズ）１２、凸形状を有し後述する撮像素子２２に向かって出射する光を集光する出射側レンズ面（出射側レンズ）１４が設けられている。また、本体４には、入射側レンズ面１２に向かって光を出射するＬＥＤ等の発光素子により構成される光源１６、出射側レンズ面１４から出射された光を反射するミラー１８を本体４の上部に取り付けるミラー取付部２０、後述するウインドシールド２８の外面３２を２次元画像として撮像し撮像信号（蓄積電荷としてのアナログ信号）を生成するＣＣＤ或いはＣＭＯＳ等により構成される撮像素子２２、ミラー１８により反射された光を集光し撮像素子２２の受光面に結像させる結像系レンズ２４が設けられている。また、光源１６の中心は入射側レンズ面１２の中心軸Ｌ１に一致するように筐体８の本体４に取り付けられ、光源１６は入射側レンズ面１２の中心軸Ｌ１に沿った方向に光を出射する。また、ミラー１８はプリズム１０から出射側レンズ面１４の中心軸Ｌ２に沿った方向に出射された光を反射する。撮像素子２２の受光面はミラー１８により反射される光の中心軸Ｌ３に垂直となるように筐体８の本体４またはカバー６に固定されている。   Hereinafter, a raindrop detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a raindrop detection apparatus according to an embodiment. The raindrop detection device 2 includes a housing 8 including a main body 4 and a cover 6. The main body 4 is integrally formed with a prism 10 made of polycarbonate or the like that transmits light emitted from a light source 16 described later. In addition, the prism 10 has a convex shape and condenses light that is emitted toward an incident side lens surface (incident side lens) 12 that makes incident light parallel light, and has a convex shape and an image pickup device 22 described later. An exit side lens surface (outgoing side lens) 14 is provided. Further, the main body 4 includes a light source 16 composed of a light emitting element such as an LED that emits light toward the incident side lens surface 12, and a mirror 18 that reflects the light emitted from the output side lens surface 14. A mirror mounting portion 20 attached to the upper portion, an outer surface 32 of a windshield 28, which will be described later, is imaged as a two-dimensional image, and an imaging device 22 configured by a CCD or CMOS that generates an imaging signal (analog signal as accumulated charge), a mirror 18 An imaging system lens 24 is provided that collects the light reflected by the light and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 22. The light source 16 is attached to the body 4 of the housing 8 so that the center of the light source 16 coincides with the central axis L1 of the incident side lens surface 12, and the light source 16 emits light in a direction along the central axis L1 of the incident side lens surface 12. Exit. Further, the mirror 18 reflects the light emitted from the prism 10 in the direction along the central axis L2 of the emission side lens surface 14. The light receiving surface of the image sensor 22 is fixed to the main body 4 or the cover 6 of the housing 8 so as to be perpendicular to the central axis L3 of the light reflected by the mirror 18.

雨滴検出装置２は、シリコンシート２６を介して車両のウインドシールド２８の内面３０に対して押圧固定され、ウインドシールド２８に対して光学的に結合される。なお、このとき雨滴検出装置２はワイパー払拭範囲内のドライバーの視界を妨げない位置に固定される。   The raindrop detection device 2 is pressed and fixed to the inner surface 30 of the windshield 28 of the vehicle via the silicon sheet 26 and optically coupled to the windshield 28. At this time, the raindrop detection device 2 is fixed at a position that does not obstruct the driver's field of view within the wiper wiping range.

次に実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置の雨滴検出処理について説明する。光源１６から出射された約８８０ｎｍの近赤外光は、入射側レンズ面１２を通過しプリズム１０に入射する。入射側レンズ面１２により平行光となった光はプリズム１０及びシリコンシート２６を透過しウインドシールド２８に内面３０側から入射する。ウインドシールド２８内を透過した光はウインドシールド２８の外面３２に到達し、外面３２において反射された光は再びウインドシールド２８内を内面３０側に向かって進行し、シリコンシート２６及びプリズム１０を透過し出射側レンズ面１４から出射される。出射側レンズ面１４により出射され集光された光はミラー１８において反射され、結像系レンズ２４により撮像素子２２の受光面に結像される。ここで、ウインドシールド２８の外面３２における雨滴等が付着していない領域では光は略全反射され、雨滴等が付着している領域では光の反射率は低下するため少なくとも一部は外面３２を透過する。従って、雨滴等が付着している領域において反射される光の光量は全反射される場合と比較して減少する。   Next, the raindrop detection process of the raindrop detection apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. Near-infrared light of about 880 nm emitted from the light source 16 passes through the incident side lens surface 12 and enters the prism 10. The light that has become parallel light by the incident side lens surface 12 passes through the prism 10 and the silicon sheet 26 and enters the windshield 28 from the inner surface 30 side. The light transmitted through the windshield 28 reaches the outer surface 32 of the windshield 28, and the light reflected by the outer surface 32 travels again through the windshield 28 toward the inner surface 30 and passes through the silicon sheet 26 and the prism 10. Then, the light is emitted from the exit-side lens surface 14. The light emitted and collected by the exit side lens surface 14 is reflected by the mirror 18 and imaged by the imaging system lens 24 on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 22. Here, in the area where the raindrops or the like are not attached to the outer surface 32 of the windshield 28, the light is substantially totally reflected, and in the area where the raindrops or the like are attached, the reflectance of the light is lowered. To Penetrate. Therefore, the amount of light reflected in the area where raindrops or the like are attached is reduced as compared with the case where the light is totally reflected.

撮像素子２２は所定の間隔でウインドシールド２８の外面３２を２次元画像として撮像し、撮像素子２２から出力された撮像信号は図示しないＡ／Ｄ変換部においてＡ／Ｄ変換され画像データが生成される。この画像データは図示しないメモリに記憶され、図示しない雨滴検出部は、画像データ中において光量が相対的に少ない領域、即ち暗い領域が存在するか否かを判定する。更に、暗い領域が存在する場合には形状等から付着物が雨滴であるか否か判定する。   The image sensor 22 images the outer surface 32 of the windshield 28 as a two-dimensional image at a predetermined interval, and the image signal output from the image sensor 22 is A / D converted by an A / D converter (not shown) to generate image data. The This image data is stored in a memory (not shown), and a raindrop detection unit (not shown) determines whether or not a region with a relatively small amount of light, that is, a dark region exists in the image data. Furthermore, when there is a dark region, it is determined from the shape or the like whether or not the deposit is a raindrop.

本実施の形態に係る雨滴検出装置によれば、画像の取得が可能でありながらも小型化を実現することができる。従って、ウインドシールドに取り付けた場合に雨滴検出装置の大きさや形状によりドライバーに圧迫感を与えないようにすることができる。   According to the raindrop detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve downsizing while obtaining an image. Therefore, when attached to the windshield, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling pressure due to the size and shape of the raindrop detection device.

なお、図２に示すようにカバー６の内壁平面部３４に金属又は塗料等の反射材料をコーティングすることによりカバー６の一部にミラーとしての機能を持たせてもよい。   In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, you may give the function as a mirror to a part of cover 6 by coating the inner wall plane part 34 of the cover 6 with reflective materials, such as a metal or a coating material.

また、図３に示すようにミラー１８を出射側レンズ面１４から出射された光の入射角が小さくなるように傾斜して配置してもよい。この場合においては、筐体８の横方向は図３の実線で示す長さとなり、図３の点線で示すウインドシールド２８と平行にミラー１８の反射面を配置した場合における筐体８の横方向の長さと比較して、雨滴検出装置の横方向の長さについても減少させることができる。なお、図３においては、本体４の上部にミラー取付部２０がプリズム１０の出射側レンズ面１４方向に向くように傾斜させて設けられている。   In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the mirror 18 may be arranged so as to be inclined so that the incident angle of the light emitted from the exit side lens surface 14 becomes small. In this case, the lateral direction of the casing 8 is the length indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, and the lateral direction of the casing 8 when the reflecting surface of the mirror 18 is arranged in parallel with the windshield 28 indicated by the dotted line in FIG. As compared with the length of the raindrop, the lateral length of the raindrop detection device can also be reduced. In FIG. 3, the mirror mounting portion 20 is provided at an upper portion of the main body 4 so as to be inclined toward the exit side lens surface 14 of the prism 10.

また、入射側レンズ面１２の焦点面または焦点面近傍に光源１６から出射された光を拡散し面状光源として機能する拡散部材を設けてもよい。このとき、拡散部材は入射側レンズ面１２の中心軸Ｌ１に垂直となるように配置する。この場合には、拡散部材を用いて光源を面光源として機能させることにより撮像素子２２の受光面において受光する光強度分布の均一性を高めることができ、雨滴検出の精度を向上させることができる。   Further, a diffusing member that diffuses light emitted from the light source 16 and functions as a planar light source may be provided in the focal plane of the incident side lens surface 12 or in the vicinity of the focal plane. At this time, the diffusing member is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the central axis L1 of the incident side lens surface 12. In this case, the uniformity of the light intensity distribution received on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 22 can be improved by using the diffusion member to function the light source as a surface light source, and the accuracy of raindrop detection can be improved. .

２…雨滴検出装置、４…本体、６…カバー、８…筐体、１０…プリズム、１２…入射側レンズ面、１４…出射側レンズ面、１６…光源、１８…ミラー、２２…撮像素子、２４…結像系レンズ、２８…ウインドシールド、３０…内面、３２…外面。 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Raindrop detection apparatus, 4 ... Main body, 6 ... Cover, 8 ... Housing, 10 ... Prism, 12 ... Incident side lens surface, 14 ... Outgoing side lens surface, 16 ... Light source, 18 ... Mirror, 22 ... Imaging element, 24 ... Imaging lens, 28 ... Windshield, 30 ... Inner surface, 32 ... Outer surface.

Claims (4)

ウインドシールドの内面に光学的に結合され、前記ウインドシールドの外面に向かって光を出射する光源と、
前記光源から出射された光を平行光とする入射側レンズ面と前記ウインドシールドの外面において反射された光を集光する出射側レンズ面とが設けられたプリズムと、
前記出射側レンズ面から射出された光を反射するミラーと、
前記ミラーにより反射された光を撮像する撮像素子と、
前記ミラーと前記撮像素子との間に設けられた結像系レンズと
を備えることを特徴とする雨滴検出装置。 A light source optically coupled to the inner surface of the windshield and emitting light toward the outer surface of the windshield;
A prism provided with an incident side lens surface that collimates the light emitted from the light source and an output side lens surface that condenses the light reflected on the outer surface of the windshield;
A mirror that reflects light emitted from the exit-side lens surface;
An image sensor for imaging light reflected by the mirror;
A raindrop detection apparatus comprising: an imaging system lens provided between the mirror and the imaging device. 前記光源、前記ミラー、前記結像系レンズ及び前記撮像素子が収容される筐体を備え、
前記ミラーは、前記筐体の内壁に設けられることを特徴とする請求項１記載の雨滴検出装置。 A housing in which the light source, the mirror, the imaging lens, and the imaging device are accommodated;
The raindrop detection device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is provided on an inner wall of the housing. 前記ミラーは、前記筐体の内壁の一部に形成された反射領域であることを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の雨滴検出装置。   The raindrop detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is a reflection region formed on a part of an inner wall of the casing. 前記ミラーは、前記出射側レンズ面から出射された光の入射角が小さくなるように傾斜して配置されることを特徴とする請求項１〜３の何れか一項に記載の雨滴検出装置。
The raindrop detection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mirror is disposed so as to be inclined so that an incident angle of light emitted from the exit-side lens surface is small.
JP2009171911A 2009-07-23 2009-07-23 Raindrop detector Expired - Fee Related JP5400511B2 (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102436015A (en) * 2011-12-02 2012-05-02 南京英恩特环境技术有限公司 Method and rain gauge for measuring rainfall by pulse illumination optics
CN103376243A (en) * 2012-04-18 2013-10-30 原相科技股份有限公司 Windshield wiper control device, optical raindrop detecting device and detecting method of optical raindrop detecting device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004294101A (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-10-21 Denso Corp Raindrop detecting apparatus
JP2009092453A (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-30 Denso Corp Raindrop amount detection device, wiper control device using the same, and headlight control device
JP2010190670A (en) * 2009-02-17 2010-09-02 Niles Co Ltd Rain sensor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004294101A (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-10-21 Denso Corp Raindrop detecting apparatus
JP2009092453A (en) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-30 Denso Corp Raindrop amount detection device, wiper control device using the same, and headlight control device
JP2010190670A (en) * 2009-02-17 2010-09-02 Niles Co Ltd Rain sensor

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102436015A (en) * 2011-12-02 2012-05-02 南京英恩特环境技术有限公司 Method and rain gauge for measuring rainfall by pulse illumination optics
CN103376243A (en) * 2012-04-18 2013-10-30 原相科技股份有限公司 Windshield wiper control device, optical raindrop detecting device and detecting method of optical raindrop detecting device

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