JP2018031888A - Near-infrared sensor cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the design property while ensuring the detection function of a near-infrared sensor.SOLUTION: A near-infrared sensor cover 20A forms a plate and is arranged in the front part of a vehicle 10 in a direction in which a near-infrared sensor 11 sends a near-infrared rays IR1. At least the main part (the whole part in Fig. 1) in the thickness direction of the near-infrared sensor cover 20A is made of a colored translucent cover body 21. The near-infrared sensor cover 20A (cover body 21) has a light transmittance of 80% or higher for near-infrared rays and has a light transmittance of 70% of lower for visible light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a near-infrared sensor cover disposed in front of a transmission direction of near-infrared rays transmitted from a near-infrared sensor.

  In the field of vehicles, by transmitting near infrared rays from the near infrared sensor toward the front of the vehicle and receiving near infrared rays reflected by front obstacles including preceding vehicles and pedestrians, Development of a technique for detecting the relative speed is in progress (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-209112

  However, when the near infrared sensor is attached to the vehicle in an exposed state, the near infrared sensor is directly visible from the front of the vehicle. For this reason, not only the near-infrared sensor itself but also the appearance of the vicinity of the near-infrared sensor in the vehicle is impaired, and there is room for improvement in terms of design.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The objective is providing the cover for near-infrared sensors which can aim at the design improvement, ensuring the detection function of a near-infrared sensor. There is.

  A near-infrared sensor cover that solves the above problem is a plate-like near-infrared sensor cover that is disposed in front of a transmission direction of a near-infrared ray transmitted from a near-infrared sensor in a vehicle, and is at least partially in the thickness direction. Is translucent, has a near-infrared light transmittance of 80% or more, and a visible light transmittance of 70% or less.

  According to the above configuration, the near-infrared sensor cover in which at least a part in the thickness direction is colored translucent and the visible light transmittance is 70% or less is a near-infrared sensor transmitted from the near-infrared sensor. By locating in front of the transmission direction, it exhibits the function of hiding the near infrared sensor. Therefore, when the near-infrared sensor cover is viewed, the near-infrared sensor located at the back of the cover is difficult to see. Therefore, the near infrared sensor cover is not used, and it is possible to improve the appearance as compared with the case where the near infrared sensor is attached to the vehicle in an exposed state.

  Further, when near infrared light is transmitted from the near infrared sensor, the near infrared light is transmitted through a near infrared sensor cover disposed in front of the transmission direction. The near infrared light is reflected by hitting an obstacle, passes through the near infrared sensor cover again, and is received by the near infrared sensor. This near infrared sensor cover has a near infrared ray light transmittance of 80% or more, and thus hardly interferes with the transmission of near infrared rays. Therefore, the near-infrared sensor tends to exhibit the function of detecting the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle.

  The near-infrared sensor cover is a near-infrared sensor cover in which at least a main part in the thickness direction is constituted by a cover body, the entire cover body is colored and translucent, and a near-infrared ray is transmitted through the cover body. It is preferable that the rate is 80% or more and the light transmittance of visible light is 70% or less.

  According to said structure, the cover main body which comprises at least the principal part in the thickness direction of the cover for near-infrared sensors exhibits the function which hides a near-infrared sensor, and makes a near-infrared sensor difficult to see. Therefore, the near-infrared sensor looks better than when it is attached to the vehicle in an exposed state.

  Moreover, the said cover main body is hard to prevent permeation | transmission of the near infrared rays transmitted from the near infrared sensor and the near infrared rays reflected on the obstacle. Therefore, the near-infrared sensor tends to exhibit a detection function.

  In the near-infrared sensor cover, the cover body has a surface on the side far from the near-infrared sensor and a back surface on the side close to the near-infrared sensor, and the entire cover body has a thickness of the cover body. Is preferably formed in a shape that gradually changes in a direction along the front surface and the back surface.

  According to said structure, in the cover main body which makes colored translucent, the color intensity changes with the thickness. The thick portion is darker than the thin portion. For this reason, the design of the cover body is more varied than the case where the thickness of the cover body is uniform and the color density is constant everywhere in the cover body.

  In addition, since the thickness of the cover main body gradually changes in the direction along the front and back surfaces of the cover main body, the color density changes in a continuous gradation in the direction along the front and back surfaces. For this reason, the change in shading becomes more natural than when the shading of the color changes abruptly.

  In the near-infrared sensor cover, a main part in the thickness direction is a near-infrared sensor cover configured by a transparent cover body, and the cover body has a surface far from the near-infrared sensor and the near-infrared sensor. A colored translucent layer is laminated on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the cover body, and the cover body is laminated with the colored translucent layer. It is preferable that the near infrared light transmittance is 80% or more and the visible light transmittance is 70% or less.

  According to said structure, the transparent cover main body which comprises the principal part in the thickness direction of the near infrared sensor cover, and the colored translucent layer laminated | stacked on at least one of the surface and the back surface hide a near infrared sensor. It works well and makes the near-infrared sensor difficult to see, so it looks better.

  In addition, the cover body and the colored translucent layer are unlikely to prevent transmission of near infrared rays transmitted from the near infrared sensor and near infrared rays reflected by an obstacle. Therefore, the near-infrared sensor tends to exhibit the function of detecting the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the obstacle.

  In the near-infrared sensor cover, the cover body has a surface on the side far from the near-infrared sensor and a back surface on the side close to the near-infrared sensor, and the surface is configured by a flat surface. The portion is inclined with respect to the surface, so that the first plane in which the distance from the surface gradually changes in a direction along the surface and the first plane with respect to the surface has an opposite relationship. By being inclined in this manner, the first plane and the second plane are pointed by the second plane in which the distance from the surface gradually changes in the direction along the surface. It is preferable to cross in a state.

  According to said structure, a part of visible light which injected into the cover main body from the surface side hits a back surface, and is reflected, but the aspect of reflection differs in a 1st plane and a 2nd plane. Therefore, when the near-infrared sensor cover is viewed, the first plane and the second plane look different, and the design of the cover body is rich in changes.

  In particular, a portion where the first plane and the second plane intersect in a pointed state looks like a line. Therefore, by devising the position, extending direction, length, etc. of this part, it is possible to make the design of the near infrared sensor cover rich in change.

  According to the near infrared sensor cover, the design can be improved while ensuring the detection function of the near infrared sensor.

The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 1st Embodiment with a near-infrared sensor. The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 2nd Embodiment with a near-infrared sensor. The fragmentary sectional side view of the cover for near-infrared sensors in 3rd Embodiment. The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 4th Embodiment with a near-infrared sensor. The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 5th Embodiment with a near-infrared sensor. The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 6th Embodiment with the storage case and the near-infrared sensor in which the reflection suppression layer was formed. The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 7th Embodiment with a near-infrared sensor. The sectional side view which shows the cover for near-infrared sensors in 8th Embodiment with a near-infrared sensor.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
Near-infrared sensors 11 are respectively attached to the front portion of the vehicle 10 at both sides in the vehicle width direction. Applicable mounting locations include, for example, both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front lower grill, both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front bumper, and the vicinity of each of the pair of fog lights.

  Each near-infrared sensor 11 is a component that constitutes a part of the near-infrared radar device, transmits near-infrared IR1 toward the front of the vehicle 10, and is reflected by a front obstacle including a preceding vehicle and a pedestrian. By receiving near-infrared IR2, the distance to the front obstacle and the relative speed are detected. The detection result is used for collision damage reduction control, erroneous start suppression control, and the like. The collision damage reduction control is a control for reducing damage caused by a collision by operating a brake when it is determined that there is a possibility of a collision between the vehicle 10 and a front obstacle. The erroneous start suppression control is a control for suppressing the sudden start of the vehicle 10 by suppressing the output of the engine when the accelerator pedal is depressed more than a certain amount in a situation where a front obstacle exists while the vehicle 10 is stopped. It is.

  Infrared rays are a type of electromagnetic wave and have a wavelength longer than the wavelength of visible light (0.36 μm to 0.83 μm). Near-infrared IR1 and IR2 have the shortest wavelength (0.83 micrometers-3 micrometers) in infrared rays.

  As a device having a function similar to that of the near-infrared radar device, there is a millimeter wave radar device that detects an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the vehicle 10. The millimeter wave radar device emits a millimeter wave toward a predetermined angle range ahead of the vehicle 10, and detects the inter-vehicle distance and relative speed from the preceding vehicle from the time difference between the transmitted wave and the received wave, the intensity of the received wave, and the like. To do.

  The near-infrared sensor 11 in each near-infrared radar device emits near-infrared IR1 toward a wider angle range than the millimeter wave radar device. Further, the near-infrared sensor 11 detects a front obstacle at a distance closer than that of the millimeter wave radar.

  In the vehicle 10, a near-infrared sensor cover (hereinafter referred to as “cover 20 </ b> A”) having a plate shape is disposed near the front in the transmission direction of the near-infrared IR <b> 1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11. It is attached to a strength member such as a radiator grill or lean reinforcement in the vehicle 10. The cover 20A for each near-infrared sensor 11 has a common configuration.

  At least a main part in the thickness direction of each cover 20 </ b> A is constituted by a cover body 21. In the first embodiment, the entire cover 20 </ b> A in the thickness direction is configured by the cover body 21. Each cover main body 21 is made of a transparent resin material, for example, a material resin material mainly composed of PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), COP (cycloolefin polymer), or the like. The material-attached resin material is a material obtained by coloring the resin itself by mixing a coloring material such as a pigment or the like with the resin material or by mixing a bright material with the coloring material. The entire cover main body 21 thus configured is colored and translucent. The light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover body 21 is 80% or more, and the light transmittance of visible light is 70% or less.

  Each cover body 21 has a surface 22 on the side far from the near infrared sensor 11 and a back surface 23 on the side close to the near infrared sensor 11. The entire cover body 21 is formed in a shape in which the thickness T, which is the distance between the front surface 22 and the back surface 23, gradually changes in a direction along the front surface 22 and the back surface 23 (substantially up and down in FIG. 1). . In the first embodiment, the front surface 22 is configured by a flat surface, and the back surface 23 is configured by a concave curved surface. With this configuration, the thickness T of each cover body 21 is minimized at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and gradually increases as the distance from the intermediate portion increases upward and downward.

Next, operations and effects of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.
Each cover 20 </ b> A that is colored and translucent and has a visible light transmittance of 70% or less is positioned in front of the near-infrared IR <b> 1 transmission direction transmitted from the near-infrared sensor 11. Demonstrate the ability to hide. In the first embodiment, this function is exhibited by the cover main body 21 constituting each cover 20A.

  Therefore, when each cover 20A is viewed from the front of the vehicle 10, the near-infrared sensor 11 located in the back of the colored translucent cover 20A (cover body 21) is difficult to see. Therefore, each cover 20A is not used, and each near infrared sensor 11 is attached to the vehicle 10 in an exposed state, so that the appearance can be improved and the design can be improved as compared with the case where these near infrared sensors 11 are directly visible. Can be improved.

  Moreover, in each cover main body 21 which makes colored semi-transparency, the darkness of a color changes with the thickness. A portion having a large thickness T is darker than a portion having a small thickness T. Therefore, compared with the case where the thickness T of each cover main body 21 is uniform and the darkness of color is constant everywhere in the cover main body 21, the design of the cover main body 21 is rich in change.

  Moreover, since the thickness T of each cover body 21 gradually changes in the direction along the front surface 22 and the back surface 23 of the cover body 21, the color density is continuous in the direction along the front surface 22 and the back surface 23. Changes at the selected gradation. For this reason, the change in shading becomes more natural than when the shading of the color changes abruptly.

  Moreover, each near-infrared sensor 11 is protected from the front of the vehicle 10 by each cover 20 </ b> A, so that those near-infrared sensors 11 are protected. This protection suppresses each near infrared sensor 11 from being scratched. Moreover, it is suppressed that each near-infrared sensor 11 changes in quality or deteriorates due to sunlight, wind and rain, temperature change, and the like.

  By the way, when the near-infrared IR1 is transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11, the near-infrared IR1 passes through the cover main body 21 of each cover 20A. The near-infrared IR1 hits a front obstacle and is reflected. The reflected near-infrared IR2 passes through the cover body 21 again and is received by the near-infrared sensor 11. Since the light transmittance of the near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover body 21 is 80% or more, these cover bodies 21 are unlikely to interfere with the transmission and reflection of the transmitted near infrared rays IR1 and IR2. Of the near infrared rays IR1 and IR2, the amount attenuated by each cover body 21 can be kept within an allowable range. Therefore, each near-infrared sensor 11 can appropriately exhibit the function of detecting the distance and relative speed between the vehicle 10 and the front obstacle.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
In the second embodiment, the main part of each near infrared sensor cover (hereinafter referred to as “cover 20 </ b> B”) is constituted by a cover body 24. Each cover body 24 is made of a transparent resin material such as PC, PMMA, COP, and is colorless and transparent. In this respect, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in which each cover body 21 is made of a resin material and is colored and translucent.

  Each cover body 24 has a surface 25 on the side far from each near infrared sensor 11 and a back surface 26 on the side close to the near infrared sensor 11. On the back surface 26 of each cover body 24, a colored translucent layer 27 is laminated so that the darkness is uniform everywhere in the direction along the back surface 26. The colored translucent layer 27 is formed by printing on the back surface 26 or pasting a film on the back surface 26.

  The light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover 20B formed by laminating the colored translucent layer 27 on each cover body 24 is 80% or more, and the light transmittance of visible light is 70% or less. is there.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the cover main body 24 constituting the main part in the thickness direction of each cover 20 </ b> B and the colored translucent layer 27 laminated on the back surface 26 hide the near-infrared sensors 11. And makes the near infrared sensor 11 difficult to see, so that the appearance is improved.

  Further, the cover body 24 and the colored translucent layer 27 are unlikely to prevent the transmission of the near infrared IR1 transmitted from the near infrared sensor 11 and the near infrared IR2 reflected by the front obstacle. Therefore, each near-infrared sensor 11 tends to exhibit a detection function.

  However, although the thickness T of each cover main body 24 gradually changes in the direction along the front surface 25 and the back surface 26 of the cover main body 24, each cover main body 24 is colorless and transparent everywhere. The color of each cover 20B is determined exclusively by the colored translucent layer 27 having a uniform darkness everywhere. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment is difficult to obtain the effect of varying the color intensity depending on the thickness T of each cover body 24.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
In the third embodiment, the entire near-infrared sensor cover (hereinafter referred to as “cover 20 </ b> C”) in the thickness direction is configured by a colored translucent cover body 28. Each cover main body 28 is a flat surface and has a surface 29 on the side far from each near infrared sensor 11 and a back surface 30 on the side close to the near infrared sensor 11.

  In the third embodiment, a part of the back surface 30 is inclined so that the first plane 31 is inclined with respect to the front surface 29 and the first plane 31 is opposite to the front surface 29. The plane 32 is constituted. More specifically, the first plane 31 is formed in an inclined state with respect to the surface 29 so that the distance (thickness T) from the surface 29 gradually increases toward the lower side. The second plane 32 is formed in a state inclined with respect to the surface 29 in the direction opposite to the first plane 31 so that the interval (thickness T) with the surface 29 gradually decreases toward the lower side. Yes. Due to the first flat surface 31 and the second flat surface 32, a protruding portion 33 that protrudes rearward and has a sharp rear end is formed on a part of the cover main body 28. In other words, at the rear end of the protrusion 33, the first plane 31 and the second plane 32 intersect in a sharp state.

The angle formed with the surface 29 of the first plane 31 may be the same as or different from the angle formed with the surface 29 of the second plane 32.
And the light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover 20C which comprises a part of back 30 of cover main part 28 by the 1st plane 31 and the 2nd plane 32 is 80% or more, And the light transmittance of visible light is 70% or less.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the near-infrared sensor 11 at the back of each cover body 28 that is colored and translucent and has a visible light transmittance of 70% or less. Makes it difficult to see and improves the appearance and improves the design. Moreover, the near-infrared sensor 11 can properly exhibit the detection function by the cover main bodies 28 in which the light transmittances of the near-infrared rays IR1 and IR2 are 80% or more.

  In addition, according to the third embodiment, a part of visible light incident on each cover body 28 from the front surface 29 side is reflected by the back surface 30, and the first flat surface 31 and the second flat surface 32. Then, the aspect of reflection is different. Therefore, when each cover 20C is viewed from the front of the vehicle 10, the first flat surface 31 and the second flat surface 32 look different, and the design of the cover 20C is rich in change.

  In particular, a portion where the first plane 31 and the second plane 32 intersect with each other in a sharp state (a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 3) looks like a line. Therefore, by devising the position, extending direction, length, and the like of this portion, the design of the cover 20C can be made rich in changes, such as expressing a lattice pattern.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
Each near infrared sensor cover (hereinafter simply referred to as “cover 20D”) of the fourth embodiment is laminated on the surface 22 of the colored translucent cover body 21 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and generates heat when energized. A heating layer 34 is provided.

  As the heating layer 34, a layer that hardly transmits visible light and easily transmits near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 is used. For example, on a polymer substrate such as film PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), a transparent conductive film made of a metal oxide-based conductive material such as ITO (indium tin oxide) or tin oxide. A film formed by sputtering or the like is used as the heating layer 34. As the heating layer 34 having such a configuration, it is desirable that the temperature distribution in the direction along the surface 22 becomes uniform when heat is generated.

  And the light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover 20D formed by laminating the heating layer 34 on the surface 22 of the cover body 21 is 80% or more, and the light transmittance of visible light is 70% or less. is there.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to 4th Embodiment, the effect | action and effect similar to 1st Embodiment are acquired. In addition, according to the fourth embodiment, the near-infrared IR1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11 and the near-infrared IR2 reflected by hitting the front obstacle pass through each cover 20D. At this time, the transparent heating layer 34 is unlikely to obstruct the transmission of the near infrared rays IR1, IR2.

  Further, during snowfall, the transparent conductive film of the heating layer 34 is energized to generate heat, thereby suppressing the snow from adhering to the surface of each cover 20D and melting the adhering snow.

  In particular, in the fourth embodiment, since the heating layer 34 is located at the forefront of each cover 20D, the heat generated by the heating layer 34 is likely to be transmitted to the snow attached to the surface of each cover 20D. Therefore, the attached snow can be efficiently melted by the heat of the heating layer 34.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
Each near-infrared sensor cover (hereinafter referred to as “cover 20E”) of the fifth embodiment is formed on the back surface 23 of each cover body 21 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and is a reflection suppression layer made of a transparent thin film. 35. Each reflection suppression layer 35 is made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of each cover body 21 (PC, PMMA, COP, etc.), such as magnesium fluoride, and is used for vacuum deposition, sputtering, WET coating, and the like. It is formed by being done. The thickness of each reflection suppression layer 35 is set such that the near infrared IR1A reflected by the back surface 23 of each cover body 21 and the near infrared IR1B reflected by the back surface of the reflection suppression layer 35 are in opposite phases. ing.

  And the light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover 20E formed by laminating the reflection suppression layer 35 on the back surface 23 of each cover body 21 is 80% or more, and the light transmittance of visible light is 70%. It is as follows.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to the fifth embodiment, most of the near-infrared IR1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11 passes through each cover 20E, but a part of the back-surface 23 of each cover body 21 and reflection suppression. Reflected on the back surface of the layer 35 respectively. At this time, the near-infrared IR1A reflected by the back surface 23 of the cover body 21 is transmitted through the reflection suppressing layer 35, and a phase shift occurs between the near-infrared IR1B reflected by the back surface of the reflection suppressing layer 35. Near-infrared IR1A and near-infrared IR1B are in opposite phases, and both near-infrared IR1A and IR1B interfere and cancel each other. In this way, reflection of the near-infrared IR1 on the back side of each cover 20E is reduced. It can be suppressed that the amount of near-infrared IR1 transmitted through each cover 20E is reduced (lost) due to reflection. With respect to the near-infrared IR1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11, the degree of the near-infrared IR2 returning to the near-infrared sensor 11 can be increased, and each near-infrared sensor 11 can properly exhibit the detection function.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the near-infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
In the sixth embodiment, a housing case 36 for housing each near infrared sensor 11 is used. Each housing case 36 includes a cylindrical wall portion 37, a bottom wall portion 38, and a flange wall portion 39. The cylindrical wall portion 37 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and surrounds each near infrared sensor 11 from the top, bottom, left, and right. The bottom wall portion 38 is provided at the rear end portion of the cylindrical wall portion 37 and closes the cylindrical wall portion 37 from the rear side. The flange wall portion 39 is formed around the front end portion of the cylindrical wall portion 37.

As each near infrared sensor cover, a cover having the same configuration as the cover 20A in the first embodiment is used.
Each housing case 36 is attached to the vehicle 10 in a state where the flange wall portion 39 is brought close to the back surface of each cover 20A (the back surface 23 of the cover main body 21).

  Similar to the reflection suppression layer 35 in the fifth embodiment, the reflection suppression layer made of a transparent thin film is applied to the inner wall surface of each housing case 36 and irradiated with the near-infrared IR1 from each near-infrared sensor 11. Layer 41 is formed.

  The thickness of the reflection suppressing layer 41 is set to a size in which the near infrared IR1 reflected by the inner wall surface of each housing case 36 and the near infrared IR1 reflected by the reflection suppressing layer 41 are in opposite phases.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to the sixth embodiment, a part of the near-infrared IR1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11 is also transferred to the inner wall surface of each accommodation case 36, mainly the cylindrical wall portion 37 and the flange wall portion 39. Irradiated. Here, if no measures are taken for the irradiated location, the near-infrared IR1 is reflected by the cylindrical wall portion 37, the flange wall portion 39, and the like. If the reflected near-infrared IR1 is mixed with the near-infrared IR2 reflected by the front obstacle and is received by each near-infrared sensor 11, the distance and relative speed from the front obstacle may be erroneously detected. is there.

  In this regard, in the sixth embodiment, a part of the near-infrared IR1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11 is reflected by the inner wall surface of the housing case 36 and the reflection suppression layer 41, respectively. At this time, the near-infrared IR1 reflected by the inner wall surface of the housing case 36 is transmitted through the reflection suppressing layer 41, and a phase shift occurs between the near-infrared IR1 reflected by the reflection suppressing layer 41. The near-infrared IR1 reflected by the inner wall surface of the housing case 36 and the near-infrared IR1 reflected by the reflection suppression layer 41 are in opposite phases, and both near-infrared IR1 interfere and cancel each other. In this way, the reflection of the near-infrared IR1 within the housing case 36 is reduced. Due to the reflection of the near-infrared IR1 in the housing case 36, each near-infrared sensor 11 can be prevented from erroneously detecting the distance to the front obstacle and the relative speed.

  Moreover, it can suppress that the quantity of near-infrared IR1 which permeate | transmits each accommodation case 36 decreases due to reflection. With respect to the near-infrared IR1 transmitted from each near-infrared sensor 11, the degree of the near-infrared IR2 returning to the near-infrared sensor 11 can be increased, and each near-infrared sensor 11 can properly exhibit the detection function.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
In each near-infrared sensor cover of the seventh embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “cover 20F”), in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, an antifouling layer 42 is formed on the front surface 22 of each cover body 21, and the rear surface 23 is protected. A cloudy layer 43 is formed. The antifouling layer 42 is constituted by a film formed using, for example, a fluorine compound or the like. The antifogging layer 43 is formed, for example, by applying an antifogging agent to the back surface 23 of the cover main body 21.

  The light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover 20F formed by laminating the antifouling layer 42 and the antifogging layer 43 on each cover body 21 is 80% or more, and the light transmittance of visible light is 70. % Or less.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to the seventh embodiment, dirt components such as raindrops and mud are less likely to adhere to the surface of the cover 20F. Moreover, even if a dirt component adheres, this can be removed easily and the surface of the cover 20F can be made into a clean state.

Further, according to the seventh embodiment, even when each cover 20F is cooled to be below the dew point, it is possible to suppress condensation of the back surface of the cover 20F due to condensation of water vapor in the air.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detection function of each near-infrared sensor 11 from being impaired and the detection accuracy from being lowered due to the dirt component adhering to the surface of each cover 20F or the condensation of the back surface. Can do.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the near infrared sensor cover will be described with reference to FIG.
In each near-infrared sensor cover of the eighth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “cover 20G”), each cover body 21 in the first embodiment includes a colored translucent or transparent front body portion 44 constituting the front portion thereof, and The cover main body 21 is divided into a colored translucent or transparent rear main body 45 constituting the rear portion. However, at least one of the front main body 44 and the rear main body 45 is colored and translucent. Between the front main body portion 44 and the rear main body portion 45, a liquid crystal type light control film 46 including liquid crystal molecules in a transparent polymer is disposed.

  When a voltage is applied to the light control film 46, the liquid crystal molecules in the transparent polymer are regularly arranged in the direction that allows light to pass therethrough, so that the light can be easily transmitted (substantially transparent), and the voltage application is stopped. Then, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged irregularly and it becomes difficult to transmit light.

  Utilizing such characteristics of the light control film 46, in the eighth embodiment, the voltage is applied to each light control film 46 when the vehicle 10 is traveling, and the voltage application is stopped when the vehicle 10 is stopped. Yes. Switching between voltage application and application stop for each light control film 46 is performed, for example, by an electronic control device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 10 based on the vehicle speed or the like.

  The light transmittance of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 in each cover 20G in which the light control film 46 is disposed between the front main body portion 44 and the rear main body portion 45 is 80% or more, and visible light transmission The rate is 70% or less. However, for visible light, the value is when the voltage application is stopped.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
Therefore, according to the eighth embodiment, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, according to the eighth embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, a voltage is applied to each dimming film 46 by the electronic control device, and the tuning light film 46 is likely to pass light. Therefore, each light control film 46 is hard to prevent transmission of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 transmitted from each near infrared sensor 11 or reflected by a front obstacle. Therefore, each near-infrared sensor 11 can exhibit its detection function.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 stops, the application of voltage to each light control film 46 is stopped by the electronic control device, and the tuning light film 46 becomes difficult to transmit light. Therefore, the function that each cover 20 </ b> G hides the near-infrared sensor 11 can be enhanced by the light control film 46. From the front of the vehicle 10, each near-infrared sensor 11 becomes more difficult to see.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be implemented as a modification which changed this as follows.
<About the first embodiment>
-The 2nd or more content of 4th-8th embodiment may be combined and implemented in 1st Embodiment.

<About the second embodiment>
The colored translucent layer 27 may be laminated on the front surface 25 instead of the back surface 26 of each cover body 24. The colored translucent layer 27 may be laminated on both the front surface 25 and the back surface 26 of each cover body 24.

  -At least 1 content of 3rd-8th embodiment may be combined and implemented in 2nd Embodiment. When the third embodiment is combined, a part of the back surface 26 of each cover body 24 is constituted by the first plane and the second plane.

<About the third embodiment>
In place of the protrusion 33 constituted by the first plane 31 and the second plane 32 in FIG. 3, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It may be formed. In this case, the first plane 31 is formed in an inclined state with respect to the surface 29 so that the distance (thickness T) from the surface 29 gradually decreases toward the lower side. The second plane 32 is formed in a state in which it is inclined in the direction opposite to the first plane 31 with respect to the surface 29 so that the distance (thickness T) from the surface 29 gradually increases toward the lower side. . The first plane 31 and the second plane 32 intersect with each other in a sharp state at the deepest portion of the recess.

The angle formed with the surface 29 of the first plane 31 may be the same as or different from the angle formed with the surface 29 of the second plane 32.
-At least 1 content of 4th-8th embodiment may be combined with 3rd Embodiment, and may be implemented.

<About the fourth embodiment>
Each heating layer 34 may be laminated on the back surface 23 instead of the front surface 22 of each cover main body 21. However, since the heating layer 34 moves away from the surface of each cover 20D, the heat generated by the heating layer 34 is less likely to be transmitted to the snow attached to the surface of the cover 20D.

  -As each heating layer 34, what is equipped with the resin sheet and the linear heater formed on the resin sheet may be used. As the resin sheet, for example, a sheet formed of a transparent resin material such as PC is used. Moreover, as a linear heater, what was formed by printing a nichrome wire, a carbon heating element, a silver paste etc., for example is used.

  This heater is desirably provided in a portion of the cover 20D outside the transmission region of the transmitted and reflected near infrared rays IR1 and IR2. By carrying out like this, it can suppress that a heater prevents transmission of near-infrared rays IR1 and IR2.

  When the heater generates heat, the heat is also transmitted to the transmissive area surrounded by the heater in each cover 20D. Therefore, even if snow adheres to each cover 20D, the snow can be melted by the heat transmitted from the heater.

The heater may be arranged as a single unit, not as a part of the resin sheet.
<About the fifth embodiment>
Each reflection suppression layer 35 may be formed on the front surface 22 instead of the back surface 23 of each cover main body 21. By doing so, reflection of near-infrared IR2 on the surface of each cover 20E is suppressed. The near infrared IR2 that passes through the cover 20E and returns to the near infrared sensor 11 increases. Therefore, each near-infrared sensor 11 can exhibit a detection function more appropriately.

  Each reflection suppression layer 35 may be formed on both the front surface 22 and the back surface 23 of each cover body 21. By doing so, it is possible to suppress both near-infrared IR1 and IR2 reflection on the front and back surfaces of each cover 20E.

<About matters common to the fifth and sixth embodiments>
-As each antireflection layer 35 and 41, what laminated a plurality of thin films may be adopted. In this case, as the plurality of thin films, those having different refractive indexes and thicknesses may be used. If it does in this way, the phase of near infrared rays IR1 and IR2 reflected by each thin film can be varied. For a wide range of wavelengths, the reflection of near-infrared IR1 and IR2 can be reduced.

<About the seventh embodiment>
In each cover 20F, one of the antifouling layer 42 and the antifogging layer 43 may be omitted.
A water repellent layer, a hydrophilic layer, a photocatalyst layer, or the like may be formed on the surface 22 of each cover body 21 instead of the antifouling layer 42. By doing in this way, it can suppress that a water droplet, mud, etc. adhere to the surface of each cover 20F.

  For example, the water repellent layer is composed of an organic coating film, a silicone film, or the like. By this water repellent layer, water adhering to the surface of the cover 20F is repelled and the cover 20F is made difficult to wet, so that it is possible to suppress the formation of a water film on the surface of each cover 20F.

In addition, when a hydrophilic layer is provided, the condensed moisture can be washed away by spreading it into a film.
Furthermore, when a photocatalyst layer is provided, the contact angle of water can be made close to zero by superhydrophilicity, and condensation of water droplets can be suppressed.

<About the eighth embodiment>
-As each light control film 46, the thing different from the liquid crystal system mentioned above, for example, SPD (Suspended Particle Device) system, an electrochromic system, a thermochromic system, etc. may be employ | adopted.

<About matters common to the first, second, and fourth to eighth embodiments>
-As each cover main body 21 and 24, the thing with uniform thickness T may be used.
<About matters common to the first to eighth embodiments>
-Each cover 20A-20G is applicable also to the vehicle 10 in which each near-infrared sensor 11 was attached to the location different from the vehicle front part, for example, the rear part. For example, a rear bumper may be used as an attachment location. When each near-infrared sensor 11 transmits the near-infrared IR1 toward the rear of the vehicle 10, each cover 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> G approaches the front in the transmission direction, that is, the rear of the vehicle 10 with respect to each near-infrared sensor 11. Placed in place.

  -On the surface of the member which comprises the outermost part of each cover 20A-20G, the hard-coat layer whose hardness is higher than the member may be laminated | stacked. The hard coat layer is formed by applying a known surface treating agent for the resin to the surface of the member. Examples of the surface treatment agent include acrylate-based, oxetane-based, silicone-based organic hard coat agents, inorganic hard coat agents, organic-inorganic hybrid hard coat agents, and the like.

  By carrying out like this, it can control that the surface of covers 20A-20G gets a crack. Moreover, it can suppress that each cover 20A-20G changes in quality or deteriorates due to sunlight, a wind and rain, a temperature change, etc.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Near infrared sensor, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G ... Near infrared sensor cover, 21, 24, 28 ... Cover main body, 22, 25, 29 ... Surface, 23, 26 , 30 ... back surface, 27 ... colored translucent layer, 31 ... first plane, 32 ... second plane, IR1, IR1A, IR1B, IR2 ... near infrared, T ... thickness.

Claims (5)

In a vehicle, it is a plate-like cover for a near-infrared sensor arranged in front of the near-infrared transmission direction transmitted from the near-infrared sensor,
A near-infrared sensor cover in which at least a part in the thickness direction is colored and translucent, the near-infrared light transmittance is 80% or more, and the visible light transmittance is 70% or less. A near infrared sensor cover in which at least a main part in the thickness direction is constituted by a cover body,
2. The near-infrared ray according to claim 1, wherein the entire cover body is colored and translucent, the near-infrared light transmittance in the cover body is 80% or more, and the visible light transmittance is 70% or less. Sensor cover. The cover body has a surface on the side far from the near-infrared sensor and a back surface on the side close to the near-infrared sensor,
The near-infrared sensor cover according to claim 2, wherein the entire cover body is formed in a shape in which the thickness of the cover body gradually changes in a direction along the front surface and the back surface. The main part in the thickness direction is a near infrared sensor cover constituted by a transparent cover body,
The cover body has a surface on the side far from the near-infrared sensor and a back surface on the side close to the near-infrared sensor,
A colored translucent layer is laminated on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the cover body,
2. The near-infrared sensor according to claim 1, wherein the near-infrared light transmittance of the cover body laminated with the colored translucent layer is 80% or more and the visible light transmittance is 70% or less. Cover. The cover body has a surface on the side far from the near-infrared sensor and a back surface on the side close to the near-infrared sensor,
The surface is constituted by a plane;
A part of the back surface is inclined with respect to the surface, so that a first plane in which a distance from the surface gradually changes in a direction along the surface, and the first plane is opposite to the surface. By being inclined so as to be in the relationship, the second surface is configured such that the distance from the surface gradually changes with respect to the direction along the surface,
The near-infrared sensor cover according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the first plane and the second plane intersect in a pointed state.

Images