JP2018116121A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device which can reduce the length of time required to remove rain, forst, dew, or the like on a glass layer.SOLUTION: An imaging device 10 includes: a glass layer 30 over the front surface of a lens 27 of imaging means 26; a metal layer 32 on the front surface and the back surface of the glass layer 30, the metal layer also being located out of the range of the angular field of the imaging means 26; and a heating body 42 equipped to the metal layer 32 on the front surface of the glass layer 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  In the imaging device described in Patent Document 1 below, two front and rear lenses are provided outside the lens module. An annular and film-shaped heating element is provided between the two layers of lenses and outside the field angle range of the camera. Here, a glass layer such as a glass lens or a cover glass has low thermal conductivity, and the heat of the heating element is difficult to be transmitted. Therefore, when using an imaging device outdoors, it takes time until rain, frost, dew, etc. adhering to the glass layer are removed.

JP 2004-325603 A

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an imaging apparatus capable of shortening the time required to remove rain, frost, dew, and the like attached to a glass layer.

  The imaging device according to claim 1, a glass layer covering a front side of a lens of the imaging unit, a metal layer provided at least outside an angle of view of the imaging unit on the front and back surfaces of the glass layer, and the glass And a heating body attached to the metal layer provided on the surface of the layer.

  An imaging device according to a second aspect is the imaging device according to the first aspect, wherein the metal layer is also provided on a side surface of the glass layer.

  An imaging device according to a third aspect is the imaging device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the metal layer is transparent.

  In the imaging device according to a fourth aspect, the glass layer is covered with an opaque metal layer outside the field angle range of the imaging means.

  The imaging device according to claim 5 is the imaging device according to claim 4, wherein in the glass layer, the surface where the opaque metal layer is not provided is more on the surface than on the back surface of the glass layer. Wide according to the field of view range of the imaging means.

  In the imaging device according to the first aspect, the metal layer is provided at least outside the field angle range of the imaging means on the front and back surfaces of the glass layer. And since the heat of the heating element is transmitted to the glass layer through the metal layer, when rain, frost, dew, etc. adhere to the glass layer, compared to the case of transferring heat to the glass layer without the metal layer, The time required for removing frost and dew can be shortened.

  In the imaging device according to claim 2, since the heat receiving surface in the glass layer is widened by providing a metal layer also on the side surface of the glass layer, the time required for removing rain, frost, dew, etc. can be further shortened. .

  In the image pickup apparatus according to the third aspect, the glass layer is covered with a transparent metal layer, so that the view angle range of the image pickup means can be a heat receiving surface.

  In the imaging device according to the fourth aspect, the glass layer can be heated without affecting the imaging by the imaging unit by covering the outside of the angle of view of the imaging unit of the glass layer with the opaque metal layer.

  In the imaging device according to the fifth aspect, the metal layer can be utilized as a heat receiving surface to the maximum without affecting the imaging by the imaging means.

1 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above and rearward of a vehicle. It is a plane sectional view of the imaging device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing to which the cover glass of the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and its attachment thing was expanded. It is a top view of the heat generating unit in the imaging device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing to which the cover glass of the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and its attachment thing was expanded. It is sectional drawing to which the cover glass of the imaging device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and its attachment thing was expanded.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the rear upper side of a vehicle. In the drawing, the front side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outer side in the vehicle width direction (right side of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upper side is indicated by an arrow UP.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has an outer side in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle front side end of the middle portion in the vertical direction of the side door 14 (front side door) constituting the vehicle body side of the vehicle 12. It is installed towards. The camera unit 20 is formed to be rotatable from the outer side in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the vehicle (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).

  The imaging apparatus 10 is provided with a block-shaped stay 18 as an installation body that constitutes the vehicle body side. The stay 18 is fixed to the side door 14, whereby the imaging apparatus 10 is installed on the side door 14. Yes.

  A base end portion of a camera unit 20 (camera outer unit) that is substantially L-shaped in plan view is supported on the upper side of the stay 18, and a base end side portion of the camera unit 20 extends outward in the vehicle width direction. At the same time, the front end portion of the camera unit 20 extends to the vehicle rear side.

  The outer periphery of the camera unit 20 is constituted by a substantially L-shaped box-shaped visor 22 as a covering body. The visor 22 includes a main body portion 22A extending along the vehicle width direction, and a lid portion 22B extending from the outer side of the main body portion 22A to the vehicle rear side. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, ribs 25 protrude from the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, in the vicinity of the connection portion of the main body portion 22 </ b> A with the lid portion 22 </ b> B. Yes. The rib 25 can be brought into contact with a connector 50 described later. A circular exposure hole 24A is formed through the front end wall of the lid portion 22B on the vehicle rear side in the center portion, and the exposure hole 24A opens the tip portion of the lid portion 22B to the vehicle rear side. .

  A cover portion 24B is formed at the front end portion of the lid portion 22B on the vehicle rear side along the entire periphery of the exposure hole 24A (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The covering portion 24B is disposed on the vehicle rear side with respect to the exposure hole 24A, and is inclined in a direction toward the vehicle front side as the vicinity of the exposure hole 24A moves toward the exposure hole 24A. Further, the covering portion 24B has a vehicle width direction outer side portion protruding toward the vehicle rear side with respect to the vehicle width direction inner side portion (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a camera 26 as an imaging unit is accommodated inside the visor 22 in the tip side portion of the camera unit 20. The camera 26 is fixed to a rectangular cylindrical camera bracket 28 that is a holding member provided in the visor 22. A cover glass 30 as a light transmitting member that transmits light is provided at the rear end of the camera 26 in the vehicle. The cover glass 30 constitutes a circular plate-like glass layer. The cover glass 30 covers the surface (front surface) of the lens 27 of the camera 26 on the vehicle rear side, and is exposed to the vehicle rear side of the lid portion 22B through the exposure hole 24A of the lid portion 22B. Further, the cover glass 30 is covered with the covering portion 24B on the entire circumference (the entire sides in the vertical direction and the entire sides in the vehicle width direction).

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cover glass 30 and its attachment. As shown in FIG. 4, a metal film 32 as a metal layer is provided on the surface of the cover glass 30. Specifically, the metal film 32 includes an annular surface metal film 32A provided on the rear surface (front surface) of the vehicle, a side metal film 32B provided over the entire outer peripheral surface (side surface), and a front surface (back surface) of the vehicle. And an annular back surface metal film 32C.

  The metal film 32 of the present embodiment is an opaque metal film, and is formed by depositing a metal material such as gold, silver, copper, or aluminum on the glass surface of the cover glass 30. The method for forming the metal film 32 is not limited to vapor deposition, and a method by sputtering, a method of printing and applying a metal paste, or the like can be employed.

  The metal film 32 is provided at least outside the field angle range of the camera 26 in the cover glass 30 so as not to obstruct the imaging of the camera 26. Here, as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3, the angle of view of the camera 26 increases in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction as the distance from the surface of the lens 27 increases. As described above, in the cover glass 30, the front surface metal film 32 </ b> A and the back surface metal film 32 </ b> C are formed in an annular shape, and the central portion is opened in a circular shape. The metal film 32 of the present embodiment is provided in accordance with the angle of view range of the camera 26, and the range where the metal film 32 is not provided in the cover glass 30, that is, the portion to be opened is the back metal. The surface metal film 32A is wider than the film 32C.

  As described above, the cover glass 30 provided with the metal film 32 is fixed to the camera 26 and the camera bracket 28 via the waterproof tape 34 having elasticity as shown in FIGS. Specifically, the waterproof tape 34 is a substantially circular double-sided tape, and is formed in a size included in the formation range of the back surface metal film 32C. One surface of the waterproof tape 34 is attached to the back surface metal film 32 </ b> C of the metal film 32. On the other hand, the camera front surface 26 </ b> A that is the rear surface of the camera 26 and the mounting surface 28 </ b> A provided in the stepped portion of the camera bracket 28 on the rear side of the camera 26 are formed at the same position in the front-rear direction of the camera 26. Surface. Then, the other surface of the waterproof tape 34 attached to the cover glass 30 is attached so as to pass the camera front surface 26 </ b> A and the mounting surface 28 </ b> A, whereby the cover glass 30 is fixed to the camera bracket 28. Note that when the lid portion 22B is attached to the main body portion 22A, the covering portion 24B of the lid portion 22B may press the cover glass 30 to compress the waterproof tape 34. Thereby, the close contact degree between the cover glass 30 and the camera 26 increases, and the close contact degree between the cover glass 30 and the camera bracket 28 increases. The cover glass 30 and the camera 26 form a seal portion (first seal portion S1), and the cover glass 30 and the camera bracket 28 form a seal portion (second seal portion S2) by the waterproof tape 34.

  On the other hand, the cover glass 30 provided with the metal film 32 is mounted by attaching a heat generating portion 40A, which will be described later, to the surface metal film 32A. FIG. 5 is a view showing an appearance of the heat generating unit 40 before being housed in the visor 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the heat generating unit 40 which is a heat generating device for the imaging means includes a heat generating portion 40 </ b> A as a heating portion provided with a heat generating body 42 as a heating body for heating the cover glass 30, and the heat generating body 42. And a base portion 40C provided with a terminal 44 for supplying electric power, and a connecting portion 40B for connecting the heat generating portion 40A and the base portion 40C. In the heat generating unit 40, the heat generating portion 40A, the connecting portion 40B, and the base portion 40C are integrally formed of a flexible sheet-like member having insulating properties.

  The heat generating portion 40A is formed in an annular shape having an opening in a portion that is within the field angle range of the camera 26. The heating part 40A is provided with a heating element 42 which is an annular heating resistor element concentric with the heating part 40A.

  The base portion 40C is a portion that is provided on the opposite side across the heat generating portion 40A and the connecting portion 40B and is formed in a rectangular shape. The base portion 40 </ b> C is a portion that is fixed to the side surface of the camera bracket 28 when the heat generating unit 40 is accommodated in the visor 22. The base portion 40C is provided with a double-sided tape used for bonding to the camera bracket 28 on one side in advance, and a terminal 44 to which a connector 50 (see FIG. 2) is connected at a substantially central portion on the other side. ing. In the terminal 44 of the present embodiment, the direction orthogonal to the surface on which the terminal 44 is mounted is the insertion direction of the connector 50. That is, the connector 50 and the terminal 44 are connected by inserting the connector 50 into the terminal 44 along the insertion direction. A rib 25 protrudes in the insertion direction of the connector 50 on the back surface (surface on the side where the camera 26 is accommodated) of the visor 22 (main body portion 22A). The rib 25 can come into contact with the connector 50. Has been. Further, a printed wiring (not shown) is formed from the terminal 44 to the heating element 42 via the connection portion 40 </ b> B, and electric power is supplied from the terminal 44 toward the heating element 42.

  The connecting portion 40B is a substantially rectangular portion that connects the heat generating portion 40A and the base portion 40C. The width of the connecting portion 40B is narrower than the width of the heat generating portion 40A and the width of the base portion 40C, and forms a constricted portion in the heat generating unit 40. When the heat generating unit 40 is accommodated inside the visor 22, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat generating part 40A and the base part 40C are accommodated in an orthogonal state. At this time, the connection portion 40 </ b> B which is a constricted portion is a bent portion of the heat generating unit 40.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  The camera 26 of the present embodiment is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) in the vehicle 12, and the camera 26 is electrically operated under the control of the control device, so that the camera 26 is covered with the cover glass 30. The rear side of the vehicle is imaged via. A monitor (not shown) as display means is electrically connected to the control device, and an image captured by the camera 26 is displayed on the monitor under the control of the control device. The monitor is disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 12, and a vehicle occupant (for example, a driver) confirms an image (image captured by the camera 26) displayed on the monitor, so that the occupant can visually recognize the rear side of the vehicle. Is assisted.

  And like this embodiment, the heat generating unit 40 is provided in the imaging device 10, and the cover glass 30 that covers the front side of the lens 27 of the camera 26 is formed so as to be able to generate heat, so that rain, frost, It allows moisture such as dew to be removed by drying. Here, in the conventional imaging device 10, the heat generating portion 40 </ b> A is directly attached to the glass surface of the cover glass 30. However, since glass has poor thermal conductivity and the heat of the heating element 42 is difficult to be transmitted, even if the heating element 42 is activated when rain, frost, dew, etc. adhere to the cover glass 30, the attached rain, It took time to remove frost, dew, etc. by drying, and it took time to secure visibility.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the metal film 32 with high thermal conductivity is provided on the glass surface of the cover glass 30, and the cover glass 30 provided with the metal film 32 is formed as a single cover glass 30. Compared to the thermal conductivity. Further, the metal film 32 of the present embodiment is formed from the surface metal film 32A on the surface of the cover glass 30 to the back surface (back surface metal film 32C) through the side surface (side surface metal film 32B). Therefore, compared with the case where only the surface metal film 32A to which the heat generating portion 40A is attached is the metal film 32, the heat receiving surface in the cover glass 30 is widened. In the metal film 32, the heat received from the surface of the surface metal film 32A with the heat generating portion 40A is immediately transferred from the surface metal film 32A to the side metal film 32B and the back surface metal film 32C. That is, the cover glass 30 receives heat from all parts except the field angle range of the camera 26 where the metal film 32 is not provided. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when rain, frost, dew, or the like adheres to the cover glass 30, the time required to remove rain, frost, dew, or the like can be shortened, and the time until visibility is secured is shortened. Is done.

  Further, in the conventional imaging device 10, the heat generating portion 40 </ b> A and the waterproof tape 34 are directly bonded to the glass surface of the cover glass 30. Here, the waterproof tape 34 as a double-sided tape is difficult to secure the waterproof performance of the camera unit 20 because the adhesive strength is reduced when the waterproof tape 34 is wet by rain or the like when wet.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the heat generating portion 40A and the waterproof tape 34 are bonded to the metal film 32 (the front surface metal film 32A and the back surface metal film 32C) whose adhesion force when wet with water is less likely to be lower than that of glass. Has been. Therefore, since the metal film 32 secures the adhesive force between the heat generating portion 40A and the waterproof tape 34 even when it is flooded by rain or the like, it is possible to suppress the peeling of the heat generating portion 40A and to ensure the waterproof performance of the camera unit 20. .

  2 and 3, in this embodiment, the cover glass 30 and the camera 26 form the first seal portion S1 by the waterproof tape 34, and the cover glass 30 and the camera bracket 28 are the first. Two seal portions S2 are formed. That is, the camera unit 20 according to the present embodiment uses a single waterproof tape 34 to form a first seal portion S1 that is a seal portion on the inner peripheral side and a second seal portion S2 that is a seal portion on the outer peripheral side. It can be said that it has a heavy seal part. And in the camera unit 20 of this embodiment, when water injection by high pressure car wash etc. is received from the exposure hole 24A side, after intrusion of water in 2nd seal | sticker part S2, in 1st seal | sticker part S1 Can also limit the ingress of water. As described above, the waterproof tape 34 forms a double seal portion, so that the waterproof property of the camera 26 is maintained. Further, in order to maintain the airtightness of the space where the waterproof tape 34 is sandwiched between the lens 27 and the cover glass 30 of the camera 26, fogging of the lens 27 and the cover glass 30 when the outside air temperature rapidly decreases is suppressed. can do.

  The heat generating unit 40 of this embodiment is accommodated in the visor 22 as follows. That is, the heat generating unit 40 at the time of manufacture is in a state in which the heat generating portion 40A, the connecting portion 40B, and the base portion 40C are expanded as shown in FIG. When the heat generating unit 40 is housed inside the visor 22, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 40 side surface of the heat generating unit 40 is bent at a substantially right angle at the connecting portion 40B so as to be mountain-folded. And the surface on the opposite side of the terminal 44 in the base 40C is affixed to the side surface of the camera bracket 28, and the heat generating part 40A is affixed to the cover glass 30, whereby the heat generating unit 40 has the heat generating part 40A and the base 40C orthogonal to each other. The visor 22 is housed in a state.

  As described above, the heat generating unit 40 of the present embodiment has a sheet shape wider than the cover glass 30 before being housed in the visor 22. On the other hand, when the heat generating unit 40 is accommodated inside the visor 22, the space in the vehicle width direction of the camera 26 can be saved by being bent at the connection portion 40B.

  Further, in the heat generating unit 40 of this embodiment, the width of the connecting portion 40B is made narrower than the width of the heat generating portion 40A and the width of the base portion 40C, and the connecting portion 40B is a constricted portion in the heat generating unit 40. Thereby, when the heat generating unit 40 is bent, the reaction force to be restored by bending can be reduced, and the heat generating unit 40 can be bent easily.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the heat generating unit 40 is bent and accommodated inside the visor 22, the rib 25 protruding in the insertion direction of the connector 50 is provided on the inner surface of the visor 22 (main body portion 22A). 50 can be contacted. In other words, the rib 25 restricts movement of the connector 50 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the connector 50, and prevents the connector 50 from being detached from the terminal 44. Further, the rib 25 restricts the movement of the terminal 44 via the connector 50, thereby suppressing the peeling of the base portion 40 </ b> C attached to the side surface of the camera bracket 28. In the present embodiment, the connector 50 is not directly fixed to the cover glass 30 (the heat generating portion 40A). When a load is applied to the connector 50, the load is absorbed in the connection portion 40B, and thus the load that acts on the connector 50 is suppressed from reaching the cover glass 30.

  In the present embodiment, the front surface metal film 32A and the back surface metal film 32C of the metal film 32, the heat generating portion 40A of the heat generating unit 40, and the waterproof tape 34 are formed in an annular shape in accordance with the field angle range of the camera 26. Not as long. That is, it may be formed in a rectangular shape in accordance with the image receiving range of the image sensor of the camera 26 in the field angle range.

[Second Embodiment]
The imaging device 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the metal film 32 provided on the cover glass 30. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the expanded sectional view of the cover glass 30 of 2nd Embodiment and its attachment is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the metal film 32 of the present embodiment is formed as a transparent electrode film 32 </ b> D provided on the entire surface (front surface, side surface, back surface) of the cover glass 30.

  The transparent electrode film 32 </ b> D is a transparent metal film such as ITO (indium oxide), and is formed on the glass surface of the cover glass 30 by vapor deposition. In addition, the formation method of transparent electrode film 32D is not restricted to vapor deposition, The method by sputtering is employable.

  According to the transparent electrode film 32D of the present embodiment, when rain, frost, dew, etc. adhere to the cover glass 30 as in the first embodiment, the time required for removing rain, frost, dew, etc. can be shortened, The time until the visibility is secured is shortened. In particular, the transparent electrode film 32 </ b> D of the present embodiment is also provided within the field angle range of the camera 26 in the cover glass 30, and the heat angle can also be set within the field angle range of the camera 26. Therefore, in the transparent electrode film 32 </ b> D of the present embodiment, since the heat transfer time to the center portion of the cover glass 30 is further shortened, it is difficult for water droplets to remain in the center portion of the cover glass 30.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, since the transparent electrode film 32D secures the adhesive force between the heat generating portion 40A and the waterproof tape 34 even when it is flooded by rain or the like, it is possible to suppress the peeling of the heat generating portion 40A and the camera unit 20. Waterproof performance can be ensured.

[Third Embodiment]
The imaging apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first and second embodiments in the configuration of the metal film 32 provided on the cover glass 30. In addition, about another structure, it is the same as that of the said 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the expanded sectional view of the cover glass 30 of 3rd Embodiment and its attachment is shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the metal film 32 of the present embodiment is provided with a transparent electrode film 32 </ b> D on the entire surface (front surface, side surface, back surface) of the cover glass 30. Further, with respect to the transparent electrode film 32D, an annular surface metal film 32A provided on the rear surface (front surface) of the vehicle, a side metal film 32B provided on the entire outer peripheral surface (side surface), and a front surface of the vehicle. And an annular back surface metal film 32C provided on the back surface.

  The front surface metal film 32A, the side surface metal film 32B, and the back surface metal film 32C of this embodiment are opaque metal films as in the first embodiment, and the method for forming the cover glass 30 is as described above. The transparent electrode film 32D is a transparent metal film such as ITO (indium oxide) as in the second embodiment, and the method for forming the cover glass 30 is as described above.

  The front surface metal film 32A and the back surface metal film 32C of the present embodiment are also provided in accordance with the field angle range of the camera 26, and in the cover glass 30, a range in which an opaque metal film is not provided, That is, the surface metal film 32A is wider than the back metal film 32C.

  According to the metal film 32 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. In particular, in the transparent electrode film 32D, when the thickness cannot be increased in order to ensure the transparency of the cover glass 30, the surface metal film 32A, which is an opaque metal film with respect to the outside of the field angle range of the camera 26, The thermal conductivity can be increased by adding the side metal film 32B and the back metal film 32C.

10 Imaging device 26 Camera (imaging means)
27 Lens 30 Cover glass (glass layer)
32 Metal film (metal layer)
32A Surface metal film (opaque metal layer)
32B Side metal film (Opaque metal layer)
32C Back side metal film (Opaque metal layer)
32D transparent electrode film 42 heating element (heating element)

Claims (5)

A glass layer covering the front side of the lens of the imaging means;
On the front and back surfaces of the glass layer, at least a metal layer provided outside the field angle range of the imaging means;
A heating body attached to the metal layer provided on the surface of the glass layer;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The metal layer is
The imaging device according to claim 1, which is also provided on a side surface of the glass layer.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the metal layer is transparent.   The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the glass layer is covered with an opaque metal layer outside an angle of view range of the imaging means.   5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein a range in which the opaque metal layer is not provided in the glass layer is wider on a front surface than a rear surface of the glass layer in accordance with a field angle range of the imaging unit.