JP2020026200A - Mirror surface device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a driver to concentrate on driving, even when a large-sized mirror is arranged in a car.SOLUTION: When a driver turns on a mirrored switch, a transparency-mirror surface control device switches an electronic mirror device from a transparent state into a mirror surface state. Hereby, the driver can confirm the whole face by the electronic mirror device 15 in the mirror surface state, or can perform makeup, while confirming the whole face. When the electronic mirror device 15 is in the transparent state, since the driver is not aware of existence of the electronic mirror device 15, the driver can concentrate on driving of a vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a mirror device for a vehicle.

  Conventionally, when a driver uses a mirror for makeup or the like in a vehicle, it is common to use a mirror provided on the back side of a sun visor.

Japanese Utility Model No. 3081803 JP 09-011788 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 05-001559

  Since the mirror provided in the sun visor is small, it is not possible to project the entire face of the driver in a sitting posture, and there is a problem that it is impossible to check the entire face or make up while checking the entire face.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 proposes providing a mirror in a side window on the passenger seat side. The thing of patent document 2 proposes attaching a three-sided mirror for a vehicle to a trim. Patent Literature 3 proposes that a vehicle headstock is rotatably built in an instrument panel.
Therefore, by placing a large mirror in the vehicle, it is possible to check the entire face or make up while checking the entire face.

  However, in the case of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the large mirror is always located in the car, and the driver's face and the inside of the car are always reflected in the mirror, so the driver is concerned about the presence of the mirror. You may not be able to concentrate on driving.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mirror device for a vehicle in which a driver can concentrate on driving even when a large mirror is arranged in a vehicle. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the driver performs the switching operation of the switching unit (19), the mirror unit (15) is in a mirror state, so that the driver checks the entire face projected on the mirror unit (15). And make-up while checking the entire face. When the driver performs a switching operation on the switching unit (19), the mirror surface (15) becomes transparent, so that the presence of the mirror surface (15) can be concealed. Thereby, the driver can concentrate on driving without being conscious of the presence of the mirror portion (15).

  On the other hand, when the driver drives the vehicle in the mirror state without switching the mirror section (15) to the transparent state, the driver becomes aware of the existence of the mirror section (15). Then, when the vehicle is in the traveling preparation state, the control unit forcibly switches the mirror surface part (15) from the mirror surface state to the transparent state, so that the driver switches the mirror surface part (15) from the mirror surface state to the transparent state. Even if it is forgotten, it is possible to concentrate on driving without being conscious of the presence of the mirror portion (15).

Functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration in the first embodiment Perspective view showing the front part in the car Top view of door trim Perspective view showing driver making makeup Flow chart showing the operation of the transparent / mirror surface control device Side view showing the driver's seat side door in the second embodiment. Side view showing driver's seat side door in modified example (No. 1) Side view showing driver's seat side door in modified example (part 2) Side view showing the driver's seat side door in the third embodiment (part 3) A perspective view of a headrest showing a built-in camera in a modification. Side view showing driver's seat side door Front view showing a steering wheel according to a fourth embodiment. Perspective view showing a steering wheel in a modified example (part 1) Front view showing a steering wheel in a modified example (part 2) The perspective view which shows the principal part in 5th Embodiment. A perspective view showing the extended electronic mirror device. Front view showing the extended electronic mirror device Front view showing extended electronic mirror device in modified example

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In several embodiments, functionally and / or structurally corresponding parts are provided with the same reference signs.

(1st Embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, an instrument panel 4 is installed in front of a driver's seat 2 and a passenger seat 3 in a vehicle 1, a front window 5 is provided in front of the instrument panel 4, and a position in front of the driver's seat 2. Is provided with a steering wheel 6. Sun visors 7 and 8 are provided above the front window 5 corresponding to the driver's seat 2 and the passenger's seat 3.

  A driver's seat side door 9 and a passenger's seat side door 10 are provided corresponding to the driver's seat 2 and the passenger's seat 3, and side windows 11, 12 and door mirrors 13, 14 are provided on the doors 9, 10, respectively. I have.

  An electronic mirror device 15 (corresponding to a mirror surface) is provided in a predetermined area above the front window 5 in front of the driver's seat 2. This predetermined area is larger than a normal mirror provided on the back side of the sun visor 7, and can capture the entire face of the driver.

  The electronic mirror device 15 can be electrically switched between a transparent state and a mirror state. The principle is that an electrolyte containing silver ions is sealed between the transparent electrode glasses, and a voltage is applied between the transparent electrode glasses to attract the silver ions to one of the transparent electrode glass surfaces by electrostatic induction. ing. In a state where silver ions are uniformly dispersed in the electrolyte, a transparent state is obtained, and in a state where silver ions are attracted to one of the transparent electrode glasses by electrostatic induction and coated, a mirror state is obtained.

  When the electronic mirror device 15 is in the transparent state, the driver can view the front of the vehicle 1 from the front window 5 via the electronic mirror device 15. In this case, since the visible light transmittance of the front window 5 is 70% or more according to safety regulations, the visible light transmittance of the front window 5 and the transparent electronic mirror device 15 combined is 70%. %.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a door trim 16 is provided inside the driver's seat side door 9. The door trim 16 is provided with a power window switch 17 corresponding to the side windows of the front and rear seats, a door lock switch 18, and further provided with a mirroring switch 19 (corresponding to a switching unit). I have. The mirroring switch 19 instructs to switch the electronic mirror device 15 to the transparent state when turned off, and instructs to switch the electronic mirror device 15 to the mirrored state when turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a transparent / mirror control device 20 (corresponding to a control unit) inputs signals from a mirroring switch 19 and a side brake (or a foot-operated brake or an electronic brake) position sensor 21 and outputs an electronic mirror device. 15 is switched. Further, by inputting image recognition information from the image recognition device 22 and driving the sounding device 23, the driver is alerted. The image recognition device 22 recognizes the distance to a vehicle ahead or recognizes the lighting color of a traffic light located in front of the vehicle based on an image from a front camera 24 (corresponding to an imaging unit). The mirror controller 20 is notified.

  In the traveling state of the vehicle 1, the mirroring switch 19 is normally turned off, so that the electronic mirror device 15 is in a transparent state. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle 1 while visually recognizing the front of the vehicle 1 from the front window 5 via the electronic mirror device 15 without being conscious of the presence of the electronic mirror device 15.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the transparency / mirror surface control device 20 determines whether the side brake of the vehicle 1 is released, that is, whether the vehicle 1 is in a traveling preparation state, based on a signal from the side brake position sensor 21 (S1). ).

  When the driver stops the vehicle 1 and operates the side brake to put the vehicle 1 in the parking state (S2: YES), it is determined whether the mirroring switch 19 is ON (S2). In this case, since the mirroring switch 19 is OFF (S2: NO), nothing is performed.

  Now, the driver may check the face while the vehicle 1 is parked. In particular, when the driver is a woman, the driver sometimes checks the state of makeup on the entire face or performs makeup while checking the entire face. In such a case, the driver turns on the mirroring switch 19 while the vehicle 1 is parked.

  When the mirroring switch 19 is turned on while the side brake is being operated (S2: YES), the transparency / mirror surface control device 20 energizes the electronic mirror device 15 provided on the front window 5 to mirror-mirror. (S3).

  With the above operation, the electronic mirror device 15 provided above the front window 5 located in front of the driver is mirror-finished, so that the driver can project his or her own face on the electronic mirror device 15. In this case, since the electronic mirror device 15 is sufficiently larger than the mirror provided on the back side of the sun visor 7, the driver checks the entire face projected on the electronic mirror device 15 or checks the entire face. You can also make up while doing.

  The transparency / mirror surface control device 20 determines whether the mirroring switch 19 is turned off (S4: NO), the side brake is released (S6: NO), or the start condition is satisfied (S7: NO). Become.

  The driver turns off the mirroring switch 19 when the vehicle 1 is started after makeup is completed. When the mirroring switch 19 is turned off (S4: YES), the transparency / mirror surface control device 20 stops the energization of the electronic mirror device 15 to make it transparent (S5). As a result, the electronic mirror device 15 is switched from the mirror state to the transparent state, so that the driver drives the vehicle 1 while visually confirming the front of the vehicle 1 from the front window 5 through the transparent electronic mirror device 15. can do.

  By the way, when the driver starts the vehicle 1 without turning off the mirroring switch 19, the mirror surface state of the electronic mirror device 15 is continued, the view ahead of the driver is obstructed, and safety regulations are obeyed. You will not be able to comply.

  Under such circumstances, when the driver releases the side brake to start the vehicle 1 in the state where the mirroring switch 19 is ON (S6: YES), the transparent / mirror control device 20 causes the electronic mirror device 15 to operate. Then, the current is stopped to make it transparent (S5). As a result, even if the driver forgets to turn off the mirroring switch 19, the electronic mirror device 15 is forcibly switched from the mirrored state to the transparent state, so that the field of view ahead of the driver can be secured. In addition, safety regulations can be complied with.

  Further, depending on the driver, for example, the makeup may be performed by turning on the mirror-finish switch 19 by operating the side brake using the case where the vehicle stops at a red light, for example. In such a case, if the driver concentrates on makeup, it is assumed that the preceding vehicle starts or does not notice that the vehicle has changed to a green light.

  Therefore, when the side brake is operated while the mirroring switch 19 is ON (S4: NO, S6: NO), the transparent / mirror surface control device 20 determines whether the preceding vehicle is based on the image recognition information from the image recognition device 22. When the start condition is satisfied due to the start or the traffic light turning on (S7: YES), the driver is alerted by driving the sounding device 23 (S8).

  In such a case, it is supposed that the driver is panicked by the sound and starts the vehicle 1 without turning off the mirroring switch 19, but as described above, the electronic mirror device 15 is moved from the mirrored state. Since the state is forcibly switched to the transparent state, there is no trouble in driving the vehicle 1. In this case, when the vehicle 1 enters the parking state, the electronic mirror device 15 suddenly becomes a mirror surface state regardless of the driver's intention, and the driver is surprised. Therefore, the driver is alerted by the sounding device.

According to such an embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When the driver turns on the mirroring switch 19, the transparent / mirror surface control device 20 switches the electronic mirror device 15 from the transparent state to the mirror surface state. It is possible to check makeup and make up while checking the entire face. In the transparent state of the electronic mirror device 15, the driver does not need to be aware of the presence of the electronic mirror device 15, so that the driver can concentrate on driving the vehicle 1.

If the electronic mirror device 15 is in the mirror state when the driver releases the side brake and the vehicle 1 is ready to travel, the electronic mirror device 15 is forcibly switched from the mirror state to the transparent state. It can secure the view ahead of the person and can comply with safety regulations.
Since the front window 5 is inclined toward the driver, the driver can project his / her entire face on the electronic mirror device 15 by looking up a little forward.

  When the start condition is satisfied when the electronic mirror device 15 is in the mirror state, the driver is alerted by the sounding device 23. Therefore, even when the driver is concentrated on makeup, the vehicle 1 can be quickly moved. Can be launched.

  If the driver suddenly changes from the transparent state to the mirror state, it is assumed that the driver is surprised. On the other hand, it is desirable to be able to visually recognize the front of the vehicle 1 quickly from the mirror state to the transparent state, so that the state is quickly switched.

(2nd Embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is characterized in that the electronic mirror device 15 is provided on a side window.

As shown in FIG. 6, an electronic mirror device 15 is provided on a side window 11 provided on a driver side door 9 of the vehicle 1.
When the driver turns on the mirroring switch 19 while the vehicle 1 is parked, the entire side window 11 on the driver's seat 2 side is mirrored, so that the driver can check the entire face by turning sideways, or check the entire face. You can make up while checking the image.

According to such an embodiment, the electronic mirror device 15 is provided in the side window 11 on the driver side, so that the side of the driver's seat 2 becomes a mirror, and the driver can take a close-up view of the face just by turning sideways. Easy to make up.
Since the region where the driver shows his / her face on the side window 11 is limited, the electronic mirror device 15 may be provided in a part of the side window 11 as shown in FIG.

  Further, since it is desirable that the rear of the vehicle 1 can always be confirmed by the door mirror 13, the electronic mirror device 15 may be provided in an area other than the area corresponding to the door mirror 13 in the side window 11, as shown in FIG. Good.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment is characterized in that an organic EL display is adopted as the electronic mirror device 15.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an organic EL display that can be switched between a transparent state and a mirror state is provided in the side window 11 as an electronic mirror device 15. An area corresponding to the door mirror 13 in the electronic mirror device 15 is set as a display area 15a. The display area 15a is in a transparent state when the mirroring switch 19 is OFF, and displays an image by the front camera 24 when the switch 19 is ON.

  In the running state of the vehicle 1, the organic EL display is in a transparent state because the mirroring switch 19 is OFF. Therefore, the driver can concentrate on driving without being aware of the presence of the electronic mirror device 15.

  The driver can turn on the mirroring switch 19 in the parking state of the vehicle 1 to switch the organic EL display from the transparent state to the mirror state, thereby projecting the entire face of the driver on the organic EL display, and confirming the entire face. Or make up while checking the entire face.

  On the other hand, since the front of the vehicle 1 is displayed in the display area 15a in response to the turning on of the mirroring switch 19, the driver can check the front of the vehicle 1 while making up. When it is confirmed that the vehicle 1 ahead starts or that the traffic light in front of the vehicle 1 turns green, the mirror switch 19 is turned off to switch the organic EL display from the mirror state to the transparent state, and then the vehicle 1 To start.

  Even when the driver forgets to switch the organic EL display to the transparent state, the organic EL display is forcibly switched from the mirror state to the transparent state as in the above embodiments. It is possible to check the side of the vehicle 1 through the side window 11 or to check the rear of the vehicle 1 by the door mirror 13 without being conscious of the presence of the display.

  According to such an embodiment, since the image from the front camera 24 is displayed in the display area 15a of the organic EL display provided in the side window 11, for example, the driver can park along the road and make traffic in front. You can grasp the situation.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a built-in camera 26 (corresponding to an image pickup unit) is provided in the headrest 25, and an image from the built-in camera 26 is displayed in a display area 15a adjacent to the face projection area on the organic EL display. Is also good. In this case, since the built-in camera 26 is located behind the driver's head, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to confirm the side face of the face and the hairstyle of the back of the head. Further, by providing a function of displaying a video image from the built-in camera 26 as a still image, more detailed confirmation is possible.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the electronic mirror device 15 provided in the front window 5 may be configured by an organic EL display, and the image from the front camera 24 or the built-in camera 26 may be displayed on the electronic mirror device 15. .

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that an electronic mirror device 15 is provided on a steering wheel.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an electronic mirror device 15 is mounted at the center of the steering wheel and a mirroring switch 19 is provided. The electronic mirror device 15 is mounted so that the angle can be adjusted.

The driver adjusts the angle of the electronic mirror device 15 according to his / her body shape so that his / her face is projected on the electronic mirror device 15 in the sitting posture.
In the traveling state, since the mirroring switch 19 is OFF, the electronic mirror device 15 is in a transparent state. Therefore, the driver can operate the steering without being conscious of the presence of the electronic mirror device 15.

  When the driver turns on the mirroring switch 19 while the vehicle 1 is parked, the electronic mirror device 15 is switched from the transparent state to the mirror state, so that the driver can check the entire face with the electronic mirror device 15, You can make up while checking the image.

  According to such an embodiment, the electronic mirror device 15 is provided at the center of the steering, so that the driver can check the entire face in a natural sitting posture and quickly start the vehicle 1. You can check ahead and deal with it.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a DSM (Driver Status Monitor) 27 (corresponding to a face detection unit) may be provided at a stationary part near the steering wheel. The DSM 27 is configured to be able to detect the position and posture (direction / inclination) of the driver's face using a stereo camera. The stereo camera is used so that the face and posture of the occupant can be detected in a three-dimensional space, and may be constituted by a monocular camera and a distance sensor for detecting the position of the occupant's face. is there.

  The DSM 27 detects the position of the occupant's face, the left-right angle with respect to the front of the vehicle, and the inclination angle data of the vehicle 1 with respect to the vertical direction, and transmits them to a control unit (not shown). The control unit determines the position and orientation of the driver's face based on the data transmitted from the DSM 27, and adjusts the angle so that the electronic mirror device 15 faces the driver. This makes it possible to save the trouble of adjusting the angle as compared with a configuration in which the driver manually adjusts the angle of the electronic mirror device 15.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a lighting device 28 may be provided around the electronic mirror device 15. The lighting device 28 includes a plurality of white LEDs, and emits white light toward the driver's face in a lighting state. This makes it possible to irradiate the entire face of the driver with white light, so that even when the interior of the vehicle is dark, makeup becomes easier.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The fifth embodiment is characterized in that a winding type is adopted as the electronic mirror device 15.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a storage section 29 is arranged at a base end of the sun visor 7 corresponding to the driver's seat 2. The electronic mirror device 15 is an ultra-thin organic EL in the form of a film that can be wound finely, and is normally wound up and stored in the storage unit 29. As shown in FIG. 17, a retracting mechanism 30 is provided in the storage unit 29. When the retracting mechanism 30 is rotated in the reverse direction, the electronic mirror device 15 moves the driver's face as shown in FIGS. Since it is brought out to the front, the face of the driver is shown. When not used, the electronic mirror device 15 is wound up and stored in the storage unit 29 by the winding mechanism 30.

  The operation of the electronic mirror device 15 is the same as that of each of the above embodiments, but the electronic mirror device 15 is extended by the winding mechanism 30 to be mirror-finished when the mirroring switch 19 is turned on. .

  If the driver attempts to start the vehicle 1 with the electronic mirror device 15 in the mirror state without turning off the mirroring switch 19, the electronic mirror device 15 is changed from the mirror state to the transparent state when the driver releases the side brake. Therefore, the driver can view the front of the vehicle 1 from the front window 5 via the electronic mirror device 15. In this case, it is desirable to alert the driver by driving the sounding device while the vehicle 1 is running.

  In the running state of the vehicle 1, the electronic mirror device 15 is wound up and stored in the storage unit 29, and when the electronic mirror device 15 is not wound up, the electronic mirror device 15 is forcibly switched from the mirror state to the transparent state. It can secure the view ahead and comply with safety regulations.

  According to such an embodiment, the electronic mirror device 15 is of a retractable type, and when used, is pulled out from the storage unit 29 to be mirror-finished, so that the driver can check the entire face while looking at the front, You can make up while checking the entire face.

As shown in FIG. 18, the electronic mirror device 15 may be divided into two parts in the horizontal direction, and the front and back of the face may be simultaneously checked by displaying the image of the camera installed on the headrest 25 or the like. The half surface may be used as a display area of an image by the front camera 24.
Alternatively, the electronic mirror device 15 may be configured with an organic EL display, and the electronic mirror device 15 may display images from the front camera 24 or the built-in camera 26.

(Other embodiments)
An electronic mirror device 15 may be provided on the surface of the sun visor 7 corresponding to the driver's seat 2 on the driver side. In this case, although the electronic mirror device 15 is located on the driver side, it is in a transparent state when the vehicle 1 is running, so that the driver may concentrate on driving without being aware of the presence of the electronic mirror device 15. Can be.

The electronic mirror device 15 may be arranged on the front window 5 or the side window 11 corresponding to the passenger seat 3.
The driver's seat side door 9 may be provided with a sunshade including the electronic mirror device 15.
The electronic mirror device 15 may be installed at an arbitrary position in the vehicle.
A liquid crystal device capable of switching between a transparent state and a mirror state may be used.

  Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and the structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and variations within an equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and other combinations and forms including only one element, more or less, are also included in the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

In the drawings, 1 is a vehicle, 5 is a front window, 6 is a steering wheel, 9 is a driver's seat side door, 11 is a side window, 15 is an electronic mirror device (mirror portion), 15a is a display area, and 19 is a mirroring switch ( Switching unit), 20 is a transparent / mirror control device (control unit), 24 is a front camera (imaging unit), 26 is a built-in camera 26 (imaging unit), and 27 is a DSM (face detection unit).

Claims (7)

A mirror portion (15) provided so as to be switchable between a transparent state and a mirror surface state and projecting the entire face of the driver in a sitting posture in the state switched to the mirror surface state;
A switching unit (19) for switching the mirror surface portion between the transparent state and the mirror surface state according to a switching operation by a driver;
A control section (20) for switching the mirror section to the transparent state when the mirror section is in the mirror state when the vehicle (1) is in a traveling preparation state;
A mirror device for a vehicle, comprising:   The vehicle mirror device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror portion is provided in a predetermined area in front of a driver's seat in a front window (5).   The vehicle mirror device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror surface portion is provided in a side window (11) of a driver's seat side door (9).   The vehicle mirror device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror portion is provided at a central portion of a steering wheel (6). A face detection unit (27) for detecting a driver's face;
5. The vehicle mirror device according to claim 4, wherein the mirror portion is adjusted to face the driver's face based on the position of the face detected by the face detection portion.   2. The vehicle mirror surface device according to claim 1, wherein the mirror surface portion is in the form of a film that can be unwound from a retracted storage state, and captures the entire face of the driver in a sitting posture in the unwound state. An imaging unit (24, 26) for imaging the front of the vehicle,
The mirror device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an image from the imaging unit is displayed in a predetermined display area (15a) provided in the mirror unit.

Images