JP2019077383A - Vehicle outer mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle outer mirror which can reduce power consumption required for cleaning of a lens of a camera.SOLUTION: An outer mirror 3 includes: a housing 20; a camera 5 which is provided at the housing 20 with a lens 5a exposed; a holding tank 35 which is housed in the housing 20 and stores a cleaning liquid W for cleaning the lens 5a; a jetting part 36 which may jet the cleaning liquid W to the lens 5a; and an electric supply pump 37 which pumps the cleaning liquid W from the holding tank 35 and supplies the cleaning liquid W to the jetting part 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for cleaning a camera built in an outer mirror of a vehicle.

  There is known a lens cleaning device that cleans a lens by injecting a cleaning solution to a rear camera attached to the rear of a vehicle (Patent Document 1). Besides, Patent Documents 2 to 7 exist as prior art documents related to the present invention.

JP, 2014-27539, A JP, 2017-513772, A JP, 2016-222230, A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-236583 JP 2012-37548 A JP, 2011-240915, A JP, 2011-230672, A

  A cleaning solution tank for vehicle windshield cleaning is mounted, for example, at a location away from an outer mirror such as a front compartment. Therefore, in order to use the motorized pump to pump up the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank to clean the camera provided on the outer mirror, each cleaning is performed by a load taking into account the drop between the cleaning solution tank and the camera and the pressure loss in the liquid feeding path. It is necessary to drive the pump. Therefore, the driving load of the pump at the time of cleaning tends to be high, and power consumption may be increased.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the outer mirror of the vehicle which can suppress the power consumption required at the time of washing | cleaning of the lens of a camera.

  An outer mirror of a vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention is a housing, a camera provided in the housing with the lens exposed, and a housing that is stored in the housing and stores the cleaning liquid for cleaning the lens. A tank and a cleaning liquid injection device for pumping up the cleaning liquid in the holding tank with an electric supply pump and injecting the cleaning liquid toward the lens.

The figure which showed the state which looked at the vehicle to which the outer mirror concerning one form of the present invention was applied from the vehicles upper part. The figure which showed the state seen from the arrow II direction of FIG. The figure which showed typically the washing | cleaning system etc. which wash | clean a windshield. The figure which showed the state which looked at the outer mirror of FIG. 1 from the vehicle back side. Sectional drawing regarding the Va-Va line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line Vb-Vb of FIG. 4; The expanded sectional view which expanded the cross section regarding the Vc-Vc line of FIG. The figure which showed the operation state of each control object. The flowchart which showed an example of the control routine which concerns on one form of this invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a control routine of cleaning liquid replenishment control defined as a subroutine in FIG. 7; FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a control routine of cleaning liquid temperature adjustment control defined as a subroutine in FIG. 7; The flowchart which showed an example of the control routine of the injection control defined as a subroutine in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 is configured as a four-wheeled vehicle. In FIG. 1 and other drawings, arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow Rr indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle, L indicates the left side of the vehicle, U indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and D indicates the lower side of the vehicle. A pair of left and right outer mirrors 3 is provided as a door mirror on the vehicle body 2 of the vehicle 1 so as to be integrally movable with the left and right front vehicle doors 4. Each outer mirror 3 enables an occupant to visually recognize the rear of the vehicle, and incorporates a camera 5 for photographing the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, each outer mirror 3 incorporates a cleaning unit 6 for cleaning the lens 5 a of the camera 5. In addition, since each outer mirror 3 is symmetrical in configuration, the following description will be made on the outer mirror 3 on the right side of the vehicle unless otherwise specified.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle 1 is provided with a cleaning system 10 for cleaning the windshield 7 provided on the vehicle body 2. The cleaning system 10 includes a cleaning solution tank 11 provided in the front compartment 8 for storing a cleaning solution W containing a surfactant and methanol, a cleaning solution nozzle 12 for spraying the cleaning solution W toward the windshield 7, and a cleaning solution tank 11 It includes an electrically-driven cleaning solution pump 13 provided therein for pressure-feeding the cleaning solution W, and a cleaning solution pipe 14 connecting the cleaning solution pump 13 and the cleaning solution nozzle 12 and guiding the cleaning solution W.

  A liquid inlet 11a for the user to replenish the cleaning liquid W into the cleaning liquid tank 11, and an open path for releasing the internal air to the atmosphere when replenishing the cleaning liquid W and taking in air from the atmosphere when the cleaning liquid W is jetted. 11b are provided respectively. The cleaning solution pump 13 is provided with a pressure control valve 13a, and the feed pressure of the cleaning liquid W is maintained at a predetermined pressure by the pressure control valve 13a. The cleaning solution pipe 14 is branched into three at a predetermined position. The end of the window side branch passage 14 a extending from the branch position P 1 is connected to the cleaning solution nozzle 12. The remaining two mirror side branch paths 14b and 14c are connected to the cleaning units 6 of the left and right outer mirrors 3, respectively.

  At a branch position P1 of the cleaning liquid pipe 14, a first switching valve 17 configured as a three-way valve is provided. The first switching valve 17 has a position a for guiding the cleaning liquid W from the branch position P1 to the window side branch passage 14a, a position b for guiding the cleaning liquid W from the branch position P1 to the mirror side branch passage 14b on the right side, and a branch position for the cleaning liquid W The path can be selectively switched between P1 and a position c leading to the left mirror side branch path 14c. The cleaning liquid W is supplied to each cleaning unit 6 by switching the first switching valve 17 to the position b or the position c as necessary. The cleaning solution tank 11 is provided with an air pipe 15 which extends from the cleaning solution tank 11 and which is branched into two at a branch position P2. One first branch path 15R of the air piping 15 is connected to the cleaning unit 6 provided on the right outer mirror 3, and the other second branch path 15L is connected to the cleaning unit 6 provided on the left outer mirror 3. Ru. Thus, the air of the air layer portion Ab1 in the cleaning liquid tank 11 is supplied to each cleaning unit 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5C, the outer mirror 3 includes a housing 20 attached to the vehicle body 2, and the housing 20 accommodates the camera 5 and the cleaning unit 6. The outer mirror 3 also includes a mirror member 22 having a mirror surface 22 a and a mirror support 23 for supporting the mirror member 22. The housing 20 includes a visor portion 20a formed so as to surround the mirror member 22 and coupled from the vehicle rear side in order to store the mirror support 23 with the mirror member 22 exposed. In the visor unit 20a, a through hole 25 is formed at a position facing the lens 5a in order to enable photographing of the camera 5. The through hole 25 penetrates the visor portion 20 a from the inside of the housing 20 to the outside of the rear of the vehicle. The camera 5 is housed in the housing 20 so that the lens 5a is exposed to the outside through the through hole 25 of the visor portion 20a, and is fixed to a predetermined inner wall portion of the housing 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the mirror member 22 has a mirror holder 27 that covers the back surface side of the mirror surface 22a, and the mirror holder 27 is fixed to the mirror support 23. The mirror support 23 supports the mirror member 22 from the rear surface side of the mirror surface 22a so that the mirror surface 22a is directed to the rear of the vehicle. The mirror support 23 includes a fixing portion 31 attached to the housing 20, a coupling portion 32 coupled to the mirror holder 27 of the mirror member 22, and an electric actuator 33 interposed between the fixing portion 3 and the coupling portion 32. Is equipped. The actuator 33 is provided to adjust the direction of the mirror member 22 vertically and horizontally, and is held by the fixing portion 31. The housing 20 is coupled to the vehicle body 2 in a state in which an electric rotation mechanism 34 for folding the outer mirror 3 is interposed when the vehicle 1 is parked or the like.

  The cleaning unit 6 can eject the cleaning solution W toward the lens 5 a of the camera 5 and the holding tank 35 stored in the housing 20 of the outer mirror 3 and storing the cleaning solution W for cleaning the lens 5 a of the camera 5. An injection unit 36, an electric supply pump 37 provided in the holding tank 35, which pumps up the cleaning liquid W from the holding tank 35 and supplies it to the injection unit 36, a supply pipe 38 connecting the holding tank 35 and the injection unit 36 Is equipped. The supply pump 37 is provided with a pressure control valve 37a, and the feed pressure of the cleaning liquid W is maintained at a predetermined pressure by the pressure control valve 37a.

  The mirror side branch passage 14 b of the cleaning liquid pipe 14 and the first branch passage 15 R of the air pipe 15 are connected to the holding tank 35. Further, a combined flow passage 39 which joins the supply pipe 38 at a joining position P is connected to the holding tank 35 via an air pump 40. The end on the holding tank 35 side of the merging portion 39 is disposed in an air layer portion Ab2 formed above the liquid level of the cleaning liquid W. A second switching valve 42 is provided at the joining position P. The second switching valve 42 opens the supply pipe 38 downstream of the merging position P and the combined channel 39, and closes the supply piping 38 upstream of the merging position P, and the combined channel 39 The path can be switched between the closing position b1 and the position b1 for opening the supply pipe 38. By operating the second switching valve 42 and operating the supply pump 37 or the air pump 40, the cleaning liquid or the air can be selectively jetted from the jetting unit 36 to the lens 5 a of the camera 5.

  Inside the holding tank 35, an empty sensor 44 that detects the lower limit of the liquid level of the cleaning liquid W, a full sensor 45 that detects the upper limit of the liquid level of the cleaning liquid W, and a temperature sensor 46 that detects the temperature of the cleaning liquid W And are provided. The position of the full sensor 45 is disposed below the upper surface of the holding tank 35, whereby the air layer portion Ab2 is secured. In the vicinity of the camera 5, a temperature sensor 47 for detecting the temperature of the peripheral portion of the camera 5 is provided. A heater 50 for maintaining and heating the cleaning liquid W is provided on the outer surface of the holding tank 35 in a state in which the heat transfer material 51 is interposed. As the heat conductive material 51, for example, a flexible and heat conductive material such as silicone is selected. Further, a heat insulating material 52 made of, for example, a foam material or the like is provided between the holding tank 35 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20 in order to prevent heat exchange between the outside air and the cleaning liquid W.

  The injection portion 36 includes a port shape portion 55 which is integrally formed with the visor portion 20 a and to which the supply pipe 38 is connected. As shown in detail in FIG. 5C, in the port shape portion 55, there are a columnar connection portion 56 which protrudes to the inside of the housing 20 and into which the supply pipe 38 is fitted, and a jet flow channel 57 which guides the cleaning liquid W or air. Each is formed. The injection flow path 57 has an inlet 57a that opens at the connection portion 56 and into which the cleaning liquid W or the air flows, and an outlet 57b that opens toward the lens 5a of the camera 5 to inject the cleaning liquid W or the air.

  The cleaning unit 6 and the cleaning system 10 are controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 60 (see FIG. 1) configured as a computer that controls each part of the vehicle 1. The output signals of the empty sensor 44, the full sensor 45, the temperature sensor 46, and the temperature sensor 47 of the cleaning unit 6 provided in the left and right outer mirrors 3 are input to the ECU 60. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation signals of the camera cleaning switch 61 and the camera drain switch 62 operated by the occupant of the vehicle 1 are also input to the ECU 60. Each of the switches 61 and 62 can be separately instructed to wash etc. separately. The ECU 60 controls the cleaning unit 6 and the cleaning system 10 in cooperation with each other according to a predetermined program with reference to various signals inputted. The control objects controlled by the ECU 60 in this embodiment are the cleaning solution pump 13 and the first switching valve 17 of the cleaning system 10, the supply pump 37 of the cleaning unit 6, the air pump 40, the second switching valve 42, and the heater 50.

  The operation state of each control target according to the state of the vehicle 1 and the operation state of the occupant will be described with reference to FIG. Although FIG. 6 shows the operating state of the cleaning unit 6 of the right outer mirror 3, the cleaning unit 6 of the left outer mirror 3 is similarly controlled. That is, the left and right washing units 6 are controlled independently of each other.

  When the ignition switch I / G is off, such as when the vehicle 1 is parked, the cleaning solution pump 13 is off, the first switching valve 17 is at position a on the windshield cleaning side, the camera cleaning switch 61 is off, and the camera drain switch 62 is off, The second switching valve 42 is at the position a1 on the air injection side, the full sensor 45 is off, the air sensor 44 is off, the supply pump 37 is off, the air pump 40 is off, and the heater 50 is off. The heater 50 is turned on in synchronization with the turning on of the ignition switch I / G when the outside air temperature is lower than a predetermined range.

  When the empty sensor 44 is turned on and the cleaning solution W stored in the holding tank 35 of the cleaning unit 6 runs short while the ignition switch I / G is turned on, the first switching valve 17 starts from the position a on the windshield cleaning side The position is switched to the position b on the camera side, and the cleaning solution pipe 14 is opened. The cleaning solution pump 13 of the cleaning system 10 is turned on in conjunction with the first switching valve 17 and the cleaning solution W is replenished to the holding tank 35 of the cleaning unit 6. Then, after the cleaning liquid W is replenished until the full sensor 45 is turned on, the cleaning liquid pump 13 is turned off.

  When the camera cleaning switch 61 is turned on by the occupant of the vehicle 1, the cleaning solution W is jetted toward the lens 5 a of the camera 5. When the cleaning liquid W is jetted, the cleaning liquid pump 13 is OFF, and the first switching valve 17 is switched from the position b on the camera side to the position a on the windshield cleaning side. Then, the second switching valve 42 is switched from the position a1 on the air injection side to the position b1 on the cleaning liquid injection side. The supply pump 37 is turned on in conjunction with the switching valves 17 and 42, and the cleaning liquid W is injected from the injection unit 36, and the lens 5a of the camera 5 is cleaned. The cleaning period by the cleaning solution W is appropriately set, and the supply pump 37 is turned off after the period.

  When the camera drain switch 62 is turned on by an occupant of the vehicle 1, air is jetted toward the lens 5 a of the camera 5. Note that this air injection is performed, for example, to remove raindrops attached to the lens 5a or to remove the cleaning liquid W attached to the lens 5a. When air injection is performed, the cleaning solution pump 13 is OFF, and the first switching valve 17 is switched from the position b on the camera side to the position a on the windshield cleaning side. Then, the second switching valve 42 is switched from the position b1 on the cleaning liquid injection side to the position a1 on the air injection side. The air pump 40 is turned on in conjunction with the switching valves 17 and 42, and the air is jetted from the jetting unit 36, and the raindrops and the washing solution W attached to the lens 5a of the camera 5 are removed. The injection period of air is set appropriately, and the air pump 40 is turned off when the period is over.

  The control by the ECU 60 is implemented, for example, according to the control routine shown in FIGS. The program of this control routine is held by the ECU 60 and read out and executed in a timely manner.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ECU 60 starts processing when the ignition switch I / G is turned on. In the routine of FIG. 7, the process (step S1R to step S5R) for the right cleaning unit 6 and the process (step S1L to step S5L) for the left cleaning unit 6 are performed in parallel independently of each other. Since these processes are almost common, in the following, the process for the right cleaning unit 6 will be mainly described, and the process for the left cleaning unit 6 will be referred to as necessary.

  In step S1R, the ECU 60 carries out the cleaning solution replenishment control for replenishing the cleaning solution W in accordance with the remaining amount of the cleaning solution W in the holding tank 35.

  In the cleaning liquid refilling control of FIG. 8, the ECU 60 determines whether or not the empty sensor 44 is ON in step S11, that is, whether the liquid level of the cleaning liquid W is less than or equal to the lower limit. If the empty sensor 44 is ON, the process proceeds to step S12. If not, the replenishment of the cleaning liquid W is unnecessary, and thus the subsequent processing is skipped to return to the main routine of FIG.

  In step S12, the ECU 60 switches the first switching valve 17 to the position b on the camera cleaning side. In the case of processing for the cleaning unit 6 on the left side, the first switching valve 17 is switched to the position c on the camera cleaning side.

  In step S13, the ECU 60 turns on the cleaning solution pump 13 on the cleaning system 10 side. As a result, the cleaning liquid W stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11 is guided to the holding tank 35 of the cleaning unit 6, and the cleaning liquid W is replenished.

  In step S14, the ECU 60 determines whether the full sensor 45 is ON or not, that is, whether the liquid level of the cleaning liquid W in the holding tank 35 has reached the upper limit. If the upper limit has not been reached, the process returns to step S12, and replenishment of the cleaning liquid W is continued until the full sensor 45 is turned on. If the full sensor 45 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the ECU 60 turns off the cleaning solution pump 13 of the cleaning system 10 to complete the replenishment of the cleaning solution W. Then, the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

  In step S2R of FIG. 7, the ECU 60 carries out the cleaning liquid temperature adjustment control for adjusting the temperature of the cleaning liquid W on the cleaning unit 6 side.

  In the cleaning liquid temperature adjustment control of FIG. 9, the ECU 60 acquires the ambient temperature of the camera 5 based on the temperature sensor 47 (see FIG. 5A etc.) disposed in the vicinity of the camera 5 in step S21. It is determined whether it is the following or not. This threshold is set to determine the low temperature, which is the outside temperature at which problems such as freezing of the cleaning liquid W may occur. If the ambient temperature of the camera 5 is below the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S22. If not, the cleaning solution W does not need to be warmed, and the subsequent process is skipped to return to the main routine of FIG.

  In step S22, the ECU 60 turns on the heater 50 to heat the cleaning liquid W, thereby adjusting the temperature. As a result, the temperature of the cleaning liquid W rises, so that problems that may occur at low temperatures can be avoided.

  In step S23, the ECU 60 obtains the temperature of the cleaning liquid W based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 46 (see FIG. 5A etc.), and determines whether the temperature of the cleaning liquid falls within a predetermined range. This predetermined range is a range that becomes the temperature target of the cleaning liquid W at low temperature, and is appropriately set. If the temperature of the cleaning liquid is not within the predetermined range, the process returns to step S22 and heating by the heater 50 is continued. On the other hand, if the temperature of the cleaning solution has reached the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step S24, the ECU 60 turns off the heater 50 to end the heating of the cleaning solution W, and returns to the main routine of FIG.

  In step S3R of FIG. 7, the ECU 60 determines whether the camera cleaning switch 61 on the right side is turned on. If the camera cleaning switch 61 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S5R. On the other hand, if the camera cleaning switch 61 is not turned on, that is, if it is turned off, the process proceeds to step S4R.

  In step S4R, the ECU 60 determines whether or not the camera drain switch 62 on the right side is turned on. If the camera drain switch 62 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S5R. On the other hand, when the camera drain switch 62 is not ON, that is, when it is OFF, both the camera cleaning switch 61 and the camera drain switch 62 are OFF, and the spray of the cleaning liquid W or air is unnecessary, so step S5R Skip to step S6.

  In step S5R, the ECU 60 carries out injection control for injecting the cleaning liquid W or air to the lens 5a of the camera 5 in response to the request of the occupant.

  In the injection control of FIG. 10, the ECU 60 determines in step S51 whether the camera cleaning switch 61 is ON. If the camera cleaning switch 61 is ON, the process proceeds to step S52. Jet control is performed when at least one of the camera washing switch 61 and the camera drain switch 62 is ON (see FIG. 7). Therefore, when the camera cleaning switch 61 is not ON, only the camera draining switch 61 is ON, so the injection of the cleaning liquid W is unnecessary. Therefore, if the camera cleaning switch 61 is not ON in step S51, the process skips step S52 and step S53 for performing the ejection of the cleaning liquid W, and proceeds to step S55.

  In step S52, the ECU 60 switches the second switching valve 42 to the position b1 on the cleaning liquid injection side. Thus, the supply pipe 38 is opened.

  In step S53, the ECU 60 turns on the supply pump 37 of the cleaning unit 6. As a result, the cleaning liquid W stored in the holding tank 35 is guided to the injection unit 36 by the supply pipe 38, and the cleaning liquid W is injected toward the lens 5 a of the camera 5. The operation period in which the supply pump 37 is turned on in step S53, that is, the injection period of the cleaning liquid W is set, for example, to the lower limit of the period effective for cleaning the lens 5a.

  In step S54, the ECU 60 determines whether the camera drain switch 62 has been turned on. When the camera drain switch 62 is turned on, the camera cleaning switch 61 is also turned on. Therefore, after the cleaning liquid W is jetted, the process proceeds to step S55 in order to jet air. On the other hand, when the camera drain switch 62 is not turned on, only the camera cleaning switch 61 is turned on. Therefore, the steps S55 and S56 to be executed for air injection are skipped, and the main of FIG. Return to the routine.

  In step S55, the ECU 60 switches the second switching valve 42 to the position a1 on the air injection side. As a result, the supply pipe 38 downstream of the joining position P and the combined flow path 39 communicating with the air layer portion Ab2 of the holding tank 35 are opened.

  In step S56, the ECU 60 turns on the air pump 40 provided in the combined flow passage 39. As a result, the air in the air layer portion Ab2 of the holding tank 35 is guided to the injection portion 36 by the combined flow passage 39 and the supply pipe 38, and the air is injected toward the lens 5a of the camera 5. Then, the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

  In step S6 of FIG. 7, the ECU 60 determines whether the ignition switch I / G is OFF. If the ignition switch I / G is off, the current routine ends. On the other hand, when the ignition switch I / G is not OFF, the process returns to step S1R and step S1L. That is, the process is repeated until the ignition switch I / G is turned off.

(Effect of this form)
According to the present embodiment described above, the cleaning solution W stored in the holding tank 35 provided in the housing 20 of the outer mirror 3 is pumped up and ejected by the supply pump 37 so that the camera 5 incorporated in the outer mirror 3 can be The lens 5a can be cleaned. Therefore, whenever the lens 5a of the camera 5 is cleaned, the cleaning solution pump 13 is driven to guide the cleaning solution W of the cleaning solution tank 11 provided in the front compartment 8 of the vehicle 1 to the outer mirror 3 to clean the lens 5a of the camera 5. Compared to the case, the drop from the supply pump 37 to the camera 5 is small, and the pressure loss in the liquid transfer path is also low. Therefore, the load on the supply pump 37 driven at the time of cleaning is reduced, and the power consumption required at the time of cleaning can be suppressed. In addition, downsizing of the supply pump 37 is easy.

  Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since the control for the cleaning unit 6 provided on the left and right outer mirrors 3 is performed independently on the left and right, if only the drive target such as the supply pump 37 of the cleaning unit 6 on the cleaning side is driven. It is enough. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed compared with the form which operates the washing | cleaning unit 6 on either side simultaneously.

  The replenishment of the cleaning liquid W to the holding tank 35 of each cleaning unit 6 is realized by cooperating with the cleaning system 10 that cleans the windshield 7. Therefore, compared with the mode in which the user or the like replenishes the cleaning liquid W to each cleaning unit 6, it takes less time and convenience is high.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the air can be jetted to the lens 5a of the camera 5, the cleaning liquid W, raindrops and the like attached to the lens 5a can be quickly removed to accelerate the drying of the lens 5a. In addition, since the injection unit 36, the supply pipe 38, and the like are shared to carry out the injection of the cleaning liquid W and the injection of the air, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, since each cleaning unit 6 is provided with the heater 50 for warming the cleaning liquid W, it is possible to use the warm cleaning liquid W for cleaning the lens 5a by appropriately adjusting the temperature. As a result, the effect of melting ice and snow adhering to the lens 5a and removing dirt of the lens 5a containing oil can be expected. Further, since the heaters 50 can be independently controlled according to the amount of heat required for the left and right cleaning units 6, power consumption by the heaters 50 can be suppressed. Since a flexible heat conductive material 51 having good thermal conductivity intervenes between the holding tank 35 and the heater 50, the contact area with the holding tank 35 is large and the adhesion is also high, so that the heat from the heater 50 to the holding tank 35 Transmission efficiency is high. Therefore, it can contribute to the reduction of power consumption.

  In this embodiment, since the injection part 36 has the port shape part 55 integrally formed with the visor part 20a, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the injection part is constituted by a plurality of parts.

  In this embodiment, the air layer portion Ab1 of the cleaning solution tank 11 and the air layer portion Ab2 of the holding tank 35 communicate with each other, and the cleaning solution tank 11 is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pressure in the holding tank 35 from being reduced and deformed due to the injection of the cleaning liquid W and the injection of air, and it is possible to avoid applying an excessive load to the supply pump 37 and the air pump 40.

(Modification)
Although the said form is applied to a vehicle as a door mirror as an outer mirror, it can also be changed into the form applied to a vehicle as a fender mirror, for example. Further, the present invention can also be changed to a form in which the outer mirror is provided outside the vehicle and is applied to the vehicle as an auxiliary mirror for assisting a door mirror or the like. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to other forms of outer mirrors such as a mirror for viewing the lower side of the vehicle.

  The above embodiment realizes the replenishment of the cleaning liquid to the holding tank provided in the outer mirror by using a cleaning system for cleaning the windshield, but is merely an example. For example, the holding tank is provided with an externally accessible refilling port and a refilling path to make the holding tank independent of the cleaning system, and the user etc. change the replenishment of the cleaning liquid to the holding tank using the refilling port and the refilling path. It is also possible.

  Aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above aspects and modifications are described below.

  An outer mirror of a vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention is a housing, a camera provided in the housing with the lens exposed, and a housing that is stored in the housing and stores the cleaning liquid for cleaning the lens. A tank and a cleaning liquid injection device for pumping up the cleaning liquid in the holding tank with an electric supply pump and injecting the cleaning liquid toward the lens. For example, in the embodiment and the modifications, the combination of the supply pump 37, the supply pipe 38, and the injection unit 36 corresponds to an example of the cleaning liquid injection apparatus.

  According to the outer mirror of this aspect, the lens of the camera can be cleaned by drawing up and spraying the cleaning liquid stored in the holding tank provided in the housing by the supply pump. Therefore, the head from the supply pump to the camera is small compared to the case where the cleaning solution of the cleaning solution tank provided for windshield cleaning is guided to the outer mirror to clean the camera lens each time the camera lens is cleaned. And, the pressure drop in the liquid transfer path is also low. Therefore, since the load of the supply pump driven at the time of cleaning is reduced, the power consumption required at the time of cleaning can be suppressed.

  The outer mirror of a vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention is the outer mirror of the above aspect, which has a larger capacity than the holding tank, and is stored in a cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid tank The apparatus further comprises a cleaning solution pump for pumping the cleaning solution, and a path for guiding the cleaning solution, which is pumped by the cleaning solution pump, to the holding tank. For example, in the above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications, the cleaning liquid pipe 14 corresponds to an example of the path.

  According to the outer mirror of this aspect, the replenishment of the cleaning liquid to the holding tank is realized by pressure-feeding the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid tank mounted on the vehicle by the cleaning liquid pump and guiding it to the holding tank. Therefore, compared with the aspect in which the user etc. replenish the cleaning tank to the holding tank, it takes less time and convenience is high. The cleaning solution tank of this embodiment may be a cleaning solution tank incorporated into the cleaning system of the windshield, or may be a cleaning solution tank independent of the cleaning system.

1 Vehicle 3 Outer mirror 5 Camera 5a Lens 20 Housing 35 Holding tank 37 Supply pump W Cleaning fluid

Claims (1)

With the housing,
A camera provided in the housing with the lens exposed;
A holding tank housed in the housing and storing a cleaning solution for cleaning the lens;
A cleaning solution injection device for drawing up the cleaning solution in the holding tank with an electric supply pump and injecting the solution toward the lens;
Outer mirror of the vehicle equipped with

Images