JP2878922B2 - In-vehicle camera device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vehicle camera device, and more particularly to an in-vehicle camera device for photographing a situation outside a vehicle by photographing means mounted on the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An on-vehicle camera device is provided with, for example, a camera section behind a vehicle, which is used for confirming safety behind the vehicle and driving safely by checking a situation outside the vehicle inside the vehicle with a monitor section. In recent years, the mounting rate on vehicles has been increasing year by year as awareness of vehicle safety has increased.

[0003] A conventional vehicle-mounted camera device will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an appearance of a vehicle equipped with a conventional vehicle-mounted camera device.

[0005] As shown in FIG.
It comprises a camera unit 2 attached to the rear of the vehicle 1 and a monitor unit 3 attached near the operation panel unit in the vehicle 1. Camera unit 2 and monitor unit 3 are cables (not shown)
And the like, and transmission of video signals and the like is performed. The camera unit 2 photographs the rear of the vehicle 1 and outputs a video signal to the monitor unit 3 via a cable. The monitor unit 3 displays the input video signal on a display screen (not shown) as a rear video, and the user operates the vehicle 1 by confirming the rear screen by checking the display screen.

Next, the camera section 2 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the camera unit 2.

The camera section 2 includes a camera 4, a camera case 5, a glass member 6, and a temperature sensor 14. Camera 4
Is a camera unit provided with a lens and the like, converts an external image into an electric signal through the lens, and outputs the electric signal to the monitor unit 3. The camera case 5 is a case for protecting the camera 4 from the outside, and houses the entire camera 4.
Further, the camera case 5 is provided with a notch in order to secure a view of the camera 4, and a transparent glass member 6 is provided so as to cover the notch. With the above configuration, the camera 4 is protected from the outside by the camera case 5, and captures an external image via the glass member 6.

A heater member (not shown) made of a conductive film is provided on the back (inside) of the glass member 6, and a temperature sensor 14 mounted inside the camera case 5 is provided.
, The temperature of the heater member is controlled in accordance with the temperature detected. This is because the surface of the glass member 6 is condensed due to a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the camera case 5, the surface of the glass member 6 is frozen in winter or the like, and frost adheres to the glass member 6, obstructing the view of the camera 4. Is heated by a heater member to remove moisture on the surface of the glass member 6 and to secure a view.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned conventional vehicle-mounted camera device, when the temperature sensor 14 inside the camera case 5 becomes lower than a predetermined set temperature, the heater member is energized and the glass member 6 is heated. I was Therefore, the heater member is heated irrespective of dew condensation or freezing on the surface of the glass member 6, which may cause unnecessary heating. The glass surface is always heated, the heating efficiency is poor, and power is wasted. .

Further, when the glass member 6 is rapidly cooled, or when a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the camera case 5 exceeds a certain level, condensation may occur on the surface of the glass member 6. Regardless, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14 is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the heater member is not heated, so that the field of view of the camera 4 cannot be secured. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle camera device capable of always efficiently maintaining a view of a photographing unit in a favorable state.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an on-vehicle camera device provided with a photographing means for photographing a situation outside the vehicle, a housing for accommodating the photographing means, and a housing for securing a view of the photographing means. Transparent member and a first member for detecting a temperature outside the housing.
Detecting means, second detecting means for detecting the temperature inside the housing, and a first heating member for heating the outer surface of the transparent member based on the temperature detected by the first or second detecting means.
And the temperature detected by the first or second detecting means.
Second heating means for heating the inner surface of the transparent member .

[0011]

In the vehicle-mounted camera device according to the present invention, the state of dew condensation or freezing of the transparent member is determined based on the temperature outside or inside the housing detected by the first or second detecting means. The outer and inner surfaces of the transparent member.
Heated by the first and second heating means, respectively, and
The substances attached respectively to the outer surface and inner surface of the member to divided.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An on-vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This apparatus is composed of a camera section and a monitor section, and the mounting state of each section to the vehicle is the same as that of FIG. Also, the monitor section is the same as the conventional example, so that the description is omitted, and the camera section will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera unit of the present apparatus.

The camera section includes a camera 4, a camera case 5,
It includes a glass member 6, a first temperature sensor 7, and a second temperature sensor 8. The camera 4 is the same as the conventional example, and the description is omitted. The camera 4 is housed inside the camera case 5 and protected from outside. The camera case 5 is provided with a notch for securing a view of the camera 4, and a transparent glass member 6 is provided so as to cover the notch. The camera 4 is provided with a first temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the camera case 5. A second temperature sensor for detecting a temperature outside the camera case 5 is provided on a front surface of the camera case 5. Therefore, the temperature inside and outside the camera case 5 can be independently detected, and the state of dew condensation or the like can be known in detail. Although the same temperature sensor uses the same sensor part itself, the second temperature sensor is exposed to the outside air, and is sufficiently shielded by resin molding or the like.

Next, the configuration of the front portion of the camera case 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a front portion of the camera case 5. The front part of the camera case 5
Camera case 5a, first packing material 9, glass member 6,
A second packing material 11 and a front cover 12 are included. The glass member 6 sandwiched between the first and second packing materials 9 and 11 is inserted into the camera case 5a, and is fixed by the front cover 12. The glass member 6 has a heater member 10a on the front surface (outside) and a heater member 10b on the back surface (inside) (not shown).
Is provided. The heater members 10a and 10b are made of a conductive film, generate heat when energized, and heat the glass member 6. Since the heater members 10a and 10b are provided on both sides of the glass member 6, they can be heated more rapidly than the conventional one having only the back surface, or can be independently heated depending on the state of the front surface or the back surface of the glass member 6. Heating control is possible.

Next, a circuit section provided in the camera section will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit diagram in the camera unit.

The circuit section 20 includes a power supply circuit 21, a camera circuit 22, a drive circuit 23, and a heater control circuit 24. A battery 30 provided in the vehicle is connected to a power supply circuit 21 and supplies power to the power supply circuit 21. The power supply circuit 21 is connected to the camera circuit 22 and the heater control circuit 24, and generates a predetermined voltage to be supplied to the camera circuit 22 and the heater control circuit 24. Further, the power supply circuit 21 stabilizes the voltage so that the voltage does not fluctuate due to the voltage fluctuation of the battery 30, and supplies power to the camera circuit 22 and the heater control circuit 24.
The drive circuit 23 includes a camera circuit 22, a heater control circuit 24
The power supply to each circuit is controlled by controlling a switch that is provided inside the power supply circuit and that switches between each circuit and the power supply circuit 21. For example, when the vehicle engine is running, power is supplied to the heater control circuit 24, and the heater members 10a,
Power is supplied to the camera circuit 22 and the heater control circuit 24 when the power can be supplied to the 10b or when the user changes gear to the reverse gear. The operation timing is such that a main controller (not shown) of the vehicle is connected to the drive circuit 23 and a predetermined signal is sent from the main controller to the drive circuit 2.
3 can be realized. The camera circuit 22
It controls each operation of the camera 4 and outputs an image outside the vehicle to the monitor unit. The heater control circuit 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the energization conditions of the heater members 10a and 10b in accordance with the detected temperatures of the first or second temperature sensors 7 and 8 by a predetermined program. The state of the surface of the glass member 6 is kept optimal and the visibility of the camera 4 is secured.

Next, a method of controlling the heater of the camera unit configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the heater control method.

First, in step S1, the heater control circuit 24 checks whether each circuit, the first and second temperature sensors 7, 8 and the like are in a controllable state. Normally, when the engine is running, power is supplied to the heater control circuit 24. However, immediately after the power is turned on, the operation of each circuit and the first and second temperature sensors 7, 8 may be unstable. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the operation is stable, and the process proceeds to the next step S2 only when the control is possible. Next, in step S2,
The heater control circuit 24 detects the temperature inside the camera case 5 from the first temperature sensor 7 and the temperature outside the camera case 5 from the second temperature sensor 8.

Next, in step S3, the heater control circuit 24 calculates a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the camera case 5 from the temperature detected in step S2. By the way, the windowpane becomes cloudy when the vehicle is closed and running on a rainy day, or the windowpane becomes cloudy when the vehicle is run on a cold day. This is because the warm air in the vehicle comes into contact with the cooled window glass to form dew condensation, and the same phenomenon occurs on the surface of the glass member 6 of the camera case 5. Such a phenomenon of dew condensation is caused by a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the camera case 5 and can be detected by measuring the temperature.

Next, in step S4, the heater control circuit 24 compares the actual temperature difference obtained in step S3 with a preset temperature difference (temperature difference at which dew condensation occurs). If the value is larger, it is determined that condensation has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S5. If the value is smaller, the process proceeds to step S11 assuming that there is no condensation.

If it is determined that condensation has occurred, step S
5, the heater member 10a or 1 according to the temperature difference.
The timer time for energizing 0b is set.

Next, in step S6, step S
A comparison is made as to whether the temperature detected in step 2 is higher inside or outside the camera case 5. When the temperature inside the camera case 5 is high, it indicates that dew has formed on the screen (inside) of the glass member 6. That is, when the outside air is rapidly cooled from the inside of the camera case 5, water vapor in the air inside the camera case 5 in contact with the back surface of the glass member 6 condenses, and water droplets adhere to the back surface of the glass member 6. I do. In this state, it is easier to remove water droplets by energizing and heating the heater member 10b on the back surface of the glass member 6, so the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when the temperature outside the camera case 5 is high, since water droplets adhere to the surface of the glass member 6 contrary to the above state, the heater member 10a on the surface of the glass member 6 is energized. Move to.

If the temperature inside the camera case 5 is high, the heater control circuit 24 starts energizing the heater member 10b in step S7. Next, in step S8, the energized state is maintained until the timer time set in step S5 elapses. After the elapse of the timer time, the process returns to step S1 again to prepare for the next state. Water droplets adhering to the back surface of the glass member 6 can be efficiently removed by energizing the heater member 10b provided on the back surface by the above operation.

On the other hand, if the temperature outside the camera case 5 is high, the heater control circuit 24 starts energizing the heater member 10a in step S9. Next, step S10
In, the energized state is maintained until the timer time set in step S5 elapses, and after the elapse of the timer time, the flow returns to step S1 again to prepare for the next state. By this operation, water droplets attached to the surface of the glass member 6 can be efficiently removed by energizing the heater member 10a provided on the surface.

If it is determined in step S4 that no dew has formed, in step S11, the heater control circuit 24 determines whether freezing or frost has occurred. That is, the heater control circuit 24 compares the temperature inside and outside the camera case 5 detected in step S2 with a value preset as a temperature indicating a state such as freezing. As a result, if the detected temperature is high, it is determined that a state such as freezing has not occurred, and step S is performed to prepare for the next state.
Return to 1. If the detected temperature is low, it is determined that freezing or frost has occurred on the surface of the glass member 6, and the process proceeds to step S12.

Next, in step S12, the heater control circuit 24 sets a timer time according to the detected temperature from the absolute value of the detected temperature, the difference from the predetermined value, and the like.

Next, in step S13, the heater control circuit 24 quickly removes ice or the like adhering to the surface of the glass member 6 so as to secure the field of view.
10b is simultaneously energized and heated.

Next, in step S14, the heater control circuit 24 keeps the energized state until the timer time set in step S12 elapses, and after the timer time elapses, returns to step S1 to prepare for the next state. Return. By heating the ice or the like attached to the glass member 6 by the two heater members 10a and 10b by the above operation, the ice member and the like can be removed more rapidly than the conventional one heated by one heater member, and can be removed in a short time. The field of view of the camera 4 can be secured at home.

As described above, the present apparatus is provided with the two temperature sensors 7 and 8 inside or outside the camera case 5, so that the state of the glass member 6 such as dew condensation and freezing can be detected in detail. it can. Therefore, based on the detection information, the two heater members 10a and 10b provided on the front surface or the back surface of the glass member 6 can be operated as needed, so that very efficient control can be performed. it can.

[0030]

Although a conductive film is used as the heater member, other means such as a means for blowing hot air to the glass member and a means for mechanically removing moisture or the like adhere to the glass member. The same effect can be obtained as long as it can remove moisture and the like.

[0032]

According to the present invention, the state of dew condensation or freezing of the transparent member can be described in detail based on the temperature outside or inside the housing detected by the first or second detecting means. Judgment on the external surface of the transparent member
And the inner surface by the first and second heating means, respectively.
Since the heat is removed to remove the deposits, the field of view of the photographing means can always be efficiently maintained in a favorable state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera unit of a vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a front part of a camera case of a camera unit of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a circuit unit of a camera unit of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a heater control method of the vehicle-mounted camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a vehicle equipped with a conventional vehicle-mounted camera device.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a camera unit of a conventional vehicle-mounted camera device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 camera 5 camera case 6 glass member 7 first temperature sensor 8 second temperature sensor 10, 10b heater member

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An on-vehicle camera device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a photographing means for photographing a situation outside the vehicle; a housing for accommodating the photographing means; and a housing for securing a view of the photographing means. A transparent member provided; first detection means for detecting the temperature outside the housing; second detection means for detecting the temperature inside the housing; and detection by the first or second detection means. First heating for heating the outer surface of the transparent member based on the temperature
Means based on the temperature detected by the first or second detecting means.
Second heating for heating the inner surface of the transparent member
Vehicle camera and means.